Lower-income communities in the United States have historically lagged behind their wealthier counterparts in adopting solar power technology. Despite available tax incentives and financial assistance from local and federal agencies, residential solar installation has remained challenging in disadvantaged neighborhoods. This disparity, known as the “solar equity gap,” has posed a significant obstacle to promoting renewable
Technology
In recent years, researchers from the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science and collaborators have made groundbreaking developments in the field of solar technology. Their latest creation, an organic photovoltaic film that is both waterproof and flexible, has the potential to revolutionize the way we think about solar energy. One of the main obstacles facing
The management of energy in buildings has always been a challenge due to varying levels of energy consumption depending on factors such as use, location, and user characteristics. With the rising use of high-end electrical appliances and the need to implement renewable energy solutions, traditional Building Energy Management System (BEMS) technologies are becoming increasingly outdated.
Robotic systems have evolved significantly in recent decades, moving from basic stiff robots to a wide variety of soft, humanoid, and animal-inspired robots. Among these advancements, legged robots, especially quadrupeds, have shown immense promise in performing simple tasks on the ground, such as exploring environments and carrying objects. However, a common limitation faced by most
The need for precise location tracking in indoor environments has led to a transformation in indoor positioning technologies. Traditional methods, such as fingerprinting and sensor-based techniques, have been widely used but come with significant drawbacks like the requirement for extensive training data, poor scalability, and reliance on additional sensors. One of the major issues with
The development and governance of AI for children is a topic of growing concern, with researchers from the Oxford Martin Programme on Ethical Web and Data Architectures (EWADA), University of Oxford, highlighting the need for a more considered approach in embedding ethical principles in this process. In a perspective paper published in Nature Machine Intelligence,
In a recent study conducted by researchers in Germany, the focus was on exploring the potential of machine learning models in accurately predicting emotional undertones in voice recordings. While words are crucial in communication, non-verbal cues in our voices play a significant role in expressing emotions. The study aimed to investigate whether machine learning algorithms
The Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) has recently made a significant advancement in the field of energy storage with the development of a groundbreaking technology for all-solid-state batteries. This innovation, led by Dr. Park Jun-woo and Sung Junghwan, has the potential to revolutionize the battery industry by eliminating the risks of explosion and fire associated
Audio deepfakes have garnered negative attention due to their misuse in activities such as robocalls and spear-phishing campaigns. However, it is essential to recognize that there are potential positive applications of this technology that often go unnoticed. Postdoc Nauman Dawalatabad sheds light on the ethical implications of using audio deepfakes, emphasizing the need to protect
Memory is a crucial aspect of both computers and human brains, facilitating the storage and retrieval of information in an efficient manner. While computers rely on the separation of memory units and central processing units, the human brain performs computations on stored data directly. This distinction contributes to the inefficiency and rising energy costs of
Nvidia recently made headlines by unveiling its latest family of chips designed to power artificial intelligence. This move solidifies Nvidia’s position as a major player in the AI industry, with the company aiming to meet the growing demand for more powerful GPUs to fuel the AI frenzy. During a developers conference in California, CEO Jensen
Buildings and production of the materials used in their construction emit a significant amount of carbon dioxide (CO2), which contributes to global warming and climate change. This has led to a growing demand for more environmentally friendly alternatives in the construction industry. Scientists have been exploring ways to mitigate the carbon footprint of building materials,
US authorities are currently investigating Meta over its potential involvement in facilitating the illicit sale of medications on its social media platforms. According to The Wall Street Journal, prosecutors in Virginia are delving into whether Meta’s platforms are being used to promote and profit from the illegal sale of drugs. The investigation has led to
Fatal crashes involving partially automated driving systems have once again captured the attention of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The recent incident in San Antonio, Texas, where a Ford electric vehicle collided with a Honda CR-V, resulting in the death of the CR-V driver, has sparked investigations into the role of advanced driver assistance
People suffering from voice disorders due to various conditions like pathological vocal cord issues or laryngeal surgeries face immense challenges in communicating verbally. However, a groundbreaking invention by a team of UCLA engineers may soon change the game for these individuals. The innovative device, detailed in the journal Nature Communications, is a small, soft, thin,
