The Digest

2022-02-22 18:00:01 Nvidia unveils technology that improves ray tracing performance

Future Nvidia graphics systems will feature a solution called Subwarp Interleaving - it should improve the performance of games that use ray tracing techniques.

Nvidia is working on the development of Subwarp Interleaving technology, a solution that will clearly impact the performance of that manufacturer's graphics systems in terms of their use of ray tracing support.

In practice, the solution to improve the performance of the technique, which affects the more realistic lighting of games, should be simple - Nvidia technicians are working on a technology in which obstacles in the form of so-called designer blocks, which complicate the calculation of lighting effects and slow down the games.

According to preliminary estimates, the performance of some games using Subwarp Interleaving should increase by up to 20%, and on average we will see 6% more frames on the screen. Открыть/Комментировать

2022-02-22 13:00:00 Boeing will invest $450 million to create a network of autonomous flying cabs

The famous aircraft manufacturer has invested a large sum in the American company Wisk Aero. The company will be responsible for developing autonomous evTOL vehicles that will change the air transportation market.

Giant aviation companies are increasingly looking toward an electrified and fully autonomous future. One of them is the U.S. Boeing, which has long been developing its plan to conquer fast and convenient public transportation.

Wisk Aero, a relatively small company that has achieved pioneering success in the design of vertical takeoff and landing cabs, is helping to achieve this remarkable goal. Boeing recently decided to fund the effort with $450 million, Reuters reported.

Such a significant amount is intended to accelerate work on the said vehicles and ensure that they are tested more efficiently. Открыть/Комментировать

2022-02-21 22:00:00 Human hair was grown on the skin of a laboratory mouse

Today, many people, especially men over the age of 30, suffer from alopecia - pathological hair loss on the head. Alopecia can be caused by anything from severe stress to a serious illness like cancer. It is a well-known fact that luxurious hair on the head is considered a very attractive feature of people, so many people try to prevent or treat alopecia by all means.

At the moment, the most effective way to eliminate alopecia is hair transplantation from other parts of the body like the chin, chest, legs and even the groin area. But scientists from all over the world are trying to create a product that triggers hair growth without resorting to surgery. Recently, dNovo published a photo of a bald lab mouse with a bundle of human hair growing on its body. Открыть/Комментировать

2022-02-21 18:00:01 Neuralink is almost ready to implant chips into people's brains

In the coming years, Neuralink, founded by Еlon Musk in 2016, will begin implanting real chips into human brains. This is evidenced by the fact that the company has published a vacancy for the position of director of clinical trials. Contrary to the fears of supporters of conspiracy theories, the tiny devices will not control people's minds. It is expected that they will connect the human mind with a computer and help doctors in the treatment of limb paralysis, depression and other problems related to the work of the brain.

Previously, Neuralink employees have already been able to track the brain activity of a pig and even allowed a monkey to control a computer using the power of thought.

If Neuralink successfully overcomes some difficulties with obtaining permission to test the technology on humans, we will learn about the introduction of the chip into the human brain as early as 2022. Открыть/Комментировать

2022-02-21 13:00:01 Scientists have created the strongest glue that lifts up to 136 kilograms of weight

In the manufacture of clothing, furniture, machinery and any other things uses glue. It comes in different compositions and purposes: some are good for gluing fabrics, others for metals, and others for wood and so on. Today there are even adhesives that can conduct an electric current. The stronger the adhesive connects different objects, the better, so scientists are constantly developing new compositions. Recently, scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy announced that they have succeeded in making the strongest glue in the world.

According to the authors of the scientific work, the glue can be used to connect a variety of materials such as glass, aluminum, steel and so on. During the tests, they compared the glue SiNP with different adhesives that can be bought in stores. The developed material was the strongest - a drop of one square centimeter was enough to hold the aforementioned weight of 136 kilograms. Открыть/Комментировать

2022-02-20 19:00:01 Robot catamaran to study coastal erosion

Australian scientists created a special robotic catamaran to study the unusually fast erosion of the Australian coast near the town of Beachport.

The bot is equipped with a number of sensors and a sonar system to scan the location and movement of underwater sand dunes.

Researchers hope their creation will help fight global sea-level rise and save some of the land. Открыть/Комментировать

2022-02-20 14:00:01 SCG presented the world's first racing SUV powered by cryogenic hydrogen

Startup Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus (USA) presented the first off-road Zero Carbon Fuel Cell Boot, which uses liquefied cryogenic hydrogen as fuel instead of compressed hydrogen. SCG intends to test its brainchild in the Baja 1000 desert race.

The designers had to work hard on the design of the SUV to place a large fuel tank. Thus, the spare tire, usually located behind the hood, was installed in place of the hood and the headlights were placed at the edge of the windshield. The tank with liquefied hydrogen is located behind the platform and is rigidly fixed with special mounts.

Technical specifications of hydrogen racing SUV are still unknown. Открыть/Комментировать

2022-02-20 09:00:01 Nanoracks, Voyager Space and Lockheed Martin want to create the first private space station

It is planned both as a tourist center and for growing plants and various scientific experiments.

The station is called Starlab. It is designed to simultaneously stay four people - the internal volume will be 340 m3. For comparison, the ISS has an internal volume of 916 m3, which is equivalent to a Boeing 747 aircraft.

The station has power and propulsion elements, a laboratory unit, and an external robotic arm to receive payloads. Starlab is scheduled to enter orbit in 2027 - in one launch.

NASA believes that such private outposts will compensate for the shortcomings of the International Space Station and contribute to the development of space economy. Now there are two stations in orbit - the ISS and the Chinese "Tiangong" ("heavenly palace").

The first module of the ISS was launched back in November 2000, and now the plan is approved to operate until the end of 2024. Открыть/Комментировать

2022-02-19 20:00:01 Chinese company XPeng Motors has shown an electric car that can not only drive, but also fly

It is a concept so far, but engineers intend to set up mass production in 2024.

The body of the car will be made of lightweight materials, and the propellers will be able to automatically fold up when driving on the roads and unfold before takeoff. Flight time on a single charge is modest - only about 25 minutes. The maximum speed is promised at 130 km/h.

There are two seats in the cabin and a steering wheel supplemented with a joystick-like lever. For safety, engineers will install parachutes and a special environmental assessment system. Before taking to the air, the electric car will check weather conditions and other data, and sensors will be activated in the sky to help avoid obstacles.

According to CEO He Xiaopeng, the final design will be more restrained. The first units will be assembled in 2024, and Xiaopeng expects the cost to be under $157,000. Открыть/Комментировать

2022-02-19 15:00:00 Powerful battle laser

Laser warfare no longer seems like fiction!

Already now U.S. Army specialists are developing a new powerful laser weapon that shoots, like a machine gun, pulses capable of turning metal into steam.

At the same time, US defense contractor Lockheed Martin has developed the Airborne High Energy Laser (AHEL) shock laser system. The system is fully ready for use and will be tested as early as 2022. After the tests the system will be installed on Lockheed AC-130 transport aircraft.

According to the US command, AHEL will significantly enhance the combat power of the US Air Force, as the aircraft equipped with lasers will destroy targets practically without sound. Открыть/Комментировать