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Focused Ultrasound Stimulation: A Revolutionary Treatment for Inflammation and Metabolic Diseases?

2025-06-09

Focused Ultrasound Stimulation: A Revolutionary Treatment for Inflammation and Metabolic Diseases?

Exciting research suggests that focused ultrasound stimulation (FUS), a non-invasive technique using sound waves to treat diseases, holds promise as a revolutionary therapy for inflammatory diseases (like arthritis) and metabolic disorders (like obesity and diabetes). Researchers found that FUS can suppress inflammatory responses by stimulating nerves in the spleen, achieving significant results in animal and human trials. The technique is non-surgical and may eventually be delivered via wearable devices at home. While clinical application is still years away, FUS opens new avenues for precise treatment and could reduce reliance on pharmaceuticals.

(spectrum.ieee.org)

Tech Focused Ultrasound Stimulation Inflammation Metabolic Diseases

BYD's Megawatt Charging: 400km Range in 5 Minutes, Challenging the Reign of Gasoline

2025-06-08

BYD's Megawatt Charging: 400km Range in 5 Minutes, Challenging the Reign of Gasoline

BYD showcased its groundbreaking megawatt charging technology at the Shanghai Auto Show, enabling a 400km range boost for its Han L sedan in just five minutes. This represents a quantum leap in EV charging speed, addressing consumers' long-standing concerns about charging times. The technology leverages BYD's vertical integration across batteries, chargers, and vehicle platforms, including its proprietary 1,000-volt Super e-Platform and Blade Battery. BYD has already deployed 500 megawatt chargers, with plans for 4,000 more, poised to accelerate EV adoption in China.

(spectrum.ieee.org)

Tech EV Charging Megawatt Charging

From Procrastination to Productivity: A Meta Engineer's Journey

2025-06-07

From Procrastination to Productivity: A Meta Engineer's Journey

An engineer who worked at Meta and Pinterest shares his experience overcoming procrastination. He discovered that action leads to motivation, not the other way around. Instead of waiting for motivation to strike, start with small steps, such as adding a simple log statement to a complex problem. This creates a positive feedback loop: productive work leads to good feelings, leading to even greater productivity. The article also briefly mentions the tech talent shortage and the use of AI in programming.

(spectrum.ieee.org)

Development engineer

Microsoft Flight Simulator: 40 Years of Taking Flight

2025-06-04

Microsoft Flight Simulator: 40 Years of Taking Flight

From humble beginnings on the Apple II in 1979 to today's globally detailed simulation, Microsoft Flight Simulator has soared for 40 years. This article chronicles the game's journey from its inception to its peak, subsequent decline, and triumphant return, showcasing the power of technological advancement, teamwork, and unwavering dedication to the dream of flight. From its origins at Sublogic, through Microsoft's acquisition and the efforts of Aces Studio, to Asobo Studio's AI-powered and Bing data-driven remake, each iteration reflects technological leaps and the developers' relentless pursuit of innovation.

(spectrum.ieee.org)

Game

World's First Deployable Biocomputer Arrives

2025-06-04

World's First Deployable Biocomputer Arrives

Australian startup Cortical Labs has unveiled the CL1, the world's first commercially available biocomputer. This groundbreaking device fuses human brain cells onto a silicon chip, processing information through sub-millisecond electrical feedback loops. Priced at $35,000, the CL1 offers a revolutionary approach to neuroscience and biotech research, boasting low energy consumption and scalability. Early applications include drug discovery, AI acceleration, and even restoring function in epileptic cells, showcasing its potential in disease modeling.

(spectrum.ieee.org)

AI biocomputer

Ukraine's Drone War: AI Navigation vs. Electronic Warfare

2025-06-03

Ukraine's Drone War: AI Navigation vs. Electronic Warfare

The war in Ukraine has spurred rapid advancements in drone technology. Faced with powerful Russian electronic warfare jamming, Ukraine and Western companies have collaborated to develop AI-navigated drones capable of autonomously navigating to targets even when GPS signals are blocked. For example, the Estonian company KrattWorks' Ghost Dragon drone utilizes a neural network–driven optical navigation system, allowing it to identify landmarks and autonomously locate itself. This has not only enhanced the Ukrainian military's capabilities but also demonstrated the significant battlefield role of low-cost drones, transforming the dynamics of warfare.

(spectrum.ieee.org)

Tech

IoT Security: The Perils and Protections of the Root of Trust

2025-06-02

IoT Security: The Perils and Protections of the Root of Trust

Cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure have surged in recent years, with the security of Internet of Things (IoT) devices a major concern. This article explores two approaches to securing IoT: basic cybersecurity hygiene and defense in depth. Basic hygiene includes strong passwords, regular software updates, update validation, and understanding the software supply chain. Defense in depth emphasizes layered security mechanisms, including protect (layered architecture with integrity checks at each level), detect (using remote attestation technologies like Trusted Platform Modules (TPMs)), and remediate (self-testing and resetting). The article highlights the Root of Trust (RoT) as the cornerstone of secure systems, requiring careful protection. As hardware vendors integrate high-security mechanisms into embedded chips, securing IoT devices is becoming increasingly feasible.

(spectrum.ieee.org)

Tech

Climate Impulse: Bertrand Piccard's Hydrogen-Powered Flight Around the World

2025-05-29

Climate Impulse: Bertrand Piccard's Hydrogen-Powered Flight Around the World

Bertrand Piccard, renowned for his record-breaking balloon and solar-powered plane flights, is embarking on his most ambitious mission yet: a nonstop, zero-emission circumnavigation of the globe using a hydrogen-powered aircraft. This venture continues a family legacy of exploration (his grandfather and father pioneered stratospheric flight and Mariana Trench dives respectively), while also representing a significant step towards sustainable aviation. Partnering with companies like Airbus, Piccard is overcoming aerodynamic and liquid hydrogen storage challenges, aiming for a 2028 launch. The Climate Impulse project signifies not only a technological leap in aviation but also a pathway towards a cleaner energy future.

(spectrum.ieee.org)

Tech

TSMC Bets on MicroLED Optical Interconnects for AI Data Centers

2025-05-26

TSMC Bets on MicroLED Optical Interconnects for AI Data Centers

In the race to build all-optical AI data centers, TSMC is partnering with Avicena to leverage microLED-based interconnects. This innovative approach replaces traditional copper wires with a cost-effective, energy-efficient optical solution to address the exploding bandwidth demands of AI clusters. Avicena's LightBundle platform uses hundreds of blue microLEDs and imaging fibers, bypassing the complexity and high power consumption of laser-based solutions. By utilizing mature LED, camera, and display technologies, this approach promises higher reliability and scalability, potentially overcoming the bottlenecks in AI data center optical interconnects and enabling faster, lower-latency data transfer for demanding applications like large language models.

(spectrum.ieee.org)

Tech optical interconnect AI data center

Conquering VR Sickness: Flamingo Stance, Leaning In, and Bone-Conduction Vibes

2025-05-24

Conquering VR Sickness: Flamingo Stance, Leaning In, and Bone-Conduction Vibes

Despite advancements in VR hardware and software, cybersickness remains a significant hurdle. This article explores three promising user-centric solutions: improving postural stability through balance exercises (like the 'flamingo' stance), actively aligning body posture with virtual motion, and using vestibular stimulation devices to reduce sensory mismatches. These DIY techniques offer accessible ways to mitigate cybersickness, potentially revolutionizing the VR experience.

(spectrum.ieee.org)

Game cybersickness

Bellmac-32: The CMOS Gamble That Changed the World

2025-05-23

Bellmac-32: The CMOS Gamble That Changed the World

In the late 1970s, Bell Labs engineers took a bold gamble, using cutting-edge 3.5-micron CMOS technology and a novel 32-bit architecture to create the Bellmac-32 microprocessor, aiming to surpass competitors like IBM and Intel. While not a commercial blockbuster, the Bellmac-32's pioneering use of CMOS laid the groundwork for the chips in today's smartphones, laptops, and tablets. Despite the high risks of this technology at the time, Bell Labs' teams across Holmdel and Murray Hill overcame manufacturing and testing challenges. Though it didn't become mainstream, the Bellmac-32's innovations in CMOS and chip architecture profoundly impacted the semiconductor industry, forging a new path.

(spectrum.ieee.org)

Tech

Hybrid Microcapacitor Promises a Sweet Spot for Energy Storage in Tiny Devices

2025-05-16

Hybrid Microcapacitor Promises a Sweet Spot for Energy Storage in Tiny Devices

Researchers at University College London have developed a zinc-ion micro-capacitor (ZIMC) that strikes a balance between energy storage capacity and discharge rate, outperforming both microbatteries and microsupercapacitors in certain aspects. The device uses a novel 3D electrode structure and material selection to achieve high power areal density and long cycle life, making it suitable for applications in wearables, medical implants, and IoT devices. While currently using gold electrodes which are expensive, the team is exploring cost-effective alternatives for commercial viability. This hybrid approach offers a compact and efficient energy storage solution for next-generation on-chip electronics.

(spectrum.ieee.org)

Hardware microcapacitor zinc-ion

The Electrifying History of the Humble Eraser

2025-05-09

The Electrifying History of the Humble Eraser

This article traces the fascinating evolution of the eraser, from its humble beginnings using bread crumbs to erase pencil marks, to the advent of electrically powered erasers. The story highlights how technological advancements impacted even the simplest everyday tools. It explores the design and usage of erasers across different eras, touches upon the debate surrounding the invention of the electric eraser, and ultimately concludes that despite the digital age, the eraser retains its creative and design value as a tool.

(spectrum.ieee.org)

Misc

Amazon's Vulcan Robot: A New Breakthrough in Warehouse Automation

2025-05-09

Amazon's Vulcan Robot: A New Breakthrough in Warehouse Automation

Amazon unveiled its new robotic system, Vulcan, at an event in Dortmund, Germany. Billed as having a “genuine sense of touch,” Vulcan is designed to revolutionize how robots interact with the physical world, initially focusing on Amazon's warehouses. In stowing, Vulcan now outpaces the average human worker, though expert humans remain faster and more efficient at packing items densely. Vulcan's strength lies in its advanced planning capabilities; it considers multiple items and storage spaces simultaneously, optimizing storage with impressive speed. After over a year of operation in warehouses in Germany and Washington state, Vulcan has successfully stowed hundreds of thousands of items.

(spectrum.ieee.org)

Tech

In Memoriam Wirth: A Plea for Lean Software in the Age of Bloatware

2025-05-07

In Memoriam Wirth: A Plea for Lean Software in the Age of Bloatware

This post commemorates computing pioneer Niklaus Wirth and echoes his 1995 call for 'lean software.' Today, software has ballooned to millions of lines of code, relying on thousands of external libraries, resulting in rampant security vulnerabilities. The author argues this isn't accidental but a consequence of economic incentives, citing the Apple iMessage vulnerability as an example of the security risks of excessive complexity. The EU is introducing regulations to address this, and the author's Trifecta project, a functional image-sharing application written in just 1600 lines of code, demonstrates the feasibility of lean software, reflecting on the over-reliance and security risks in modern software development.

(spectrum.ieee.org)

Development Lean Software

Supercapacitors Smooth Out the Power Grid's AI Woes

2025-05-06

Supercapacitors Smooth Out the Power Grid's AI Woes

Massive AI model training strains power grids with massive, instantaneous energy demands—like millions of kettles switching on simultaneously. To address this, companies like Siemens Energy, Eaton, and Delta Electronics are deploying supercapacitors. These devices rapidly charge and discharge, smoothing out the energy fluctuations from AI training, reducing strain on the grid and supporting stable renewable energy supplies. While not a universal solution, supercapacitors are ideal for short-duration, high-energy applications like AI training.

(spectrum.ieee.org)

Tech Supercapacitors

The Commodore 64: A Legacy Forged in Haste and Imperfection

2025-05-03

In 1981, a team at MOS Technology secretly developed the groundbreaking graphics and sound chips for the Commodore 64. Less than a year later, this home computer, boasting a then-unheard-of 64KB of RAM, launched at a disruptive $595, quickly dominating the market. However, its success was built on a foundation of rushed design, quality control issues (the infamous 'sparkle' defect), and a notoriously slow disk drive. Despite these flaws, the Commodore 64's incredibly low price and superior graphics and sound capabilities cemented its legacy as a gaming and computing icon, profoundly shaping the home computer landscape.

(spectrum.ieee.org)

Tech Home Computer

Mati Carbon Wins $50M XPrize for Novel Carbon Removal Tech

2025-04-25

Mati Carbon Wins $50M XPrize for Novel Carbon Removal Tech

The XPrize Foundation announced the winners of its $100 million carbon removal competition. Houston-based startup Mati Carbon took home the $50 million grand prize for its enhanced rock weathering technology, which involves spreading crushed basalt on farms to sequester atmospheric CO2. Mati Carbon's data-driven approach, rigorous verification process, and software platform impressed the judges. While direct air capture and ocean-based solutions didn't meet the 1,000-tonne removal threshold, several received milestone awards, highlighting their progress. Scaling up carbon removal technologies remains crucial for tackling climate change.

(spectrum.ieee.org)

Tech

US Tariffs: Electronics Prices Soar, Innovation Suffers

2025-04-22

US Tariffs: Electronics Prices Soar, Innovation Suffers

The US government's volatile tariff policies have sent shockwaves through the electronics industry. Shawn DuBravac, chief economist at IPC, predicts that tariffs will lead to higher prices for electronics, reduced consumer choice, stalled investment, and even stifled innovation. Smartphones and video game consoles are particularly hard hit, potentially facing near-doubling price increases. While supply chains are dynamic and adaptive, the uncertainty surrounding tariffs is causing investment hesitation, exacerbating the negative impact. Low-end consumers will be hit hardest, facing higher prices and fewer options. Furthermore, companies may cut R&D to reduce costs, hindering innovation.

(spectrum.ieee.org)

Tech

30 Lines of Code Slash Data Center Energy Consumption by Up to 30%

2025-04-21

30 Lines of Code Slash Data Center Energy Consumption by Up to 30%

Researchers from the University of Waterloo have achieved up to a 30% reduction in energy consumption in data centers by tweaking how the Linux kernel handles network traffic. They cleverly adjusted the kernel's handling of network packets, reducing unnecessary polling during low network traffic periods, thus saving CPU resources. This improvement has been integrated into Linux kernel version 6.13 and is expected to yield significant energy savings in data centers that widely use Linux. The researchers call for the industry to focus on software efficiency and sustainability, reviving the importance of resource conservation.

(spectrum.ieee.org)

Tech Energy Optimization

The End of Moore's Law and the Growing Heat Problem in Chips

2025-04-16

The End of Moore's Law and the Growing Heat Problem in Chips

The slowdown of Moore's Law has led to increasing power density in chips, making heat dissipation a critical bottleneck affecting performance and lifespan. Traditional cooling methods are insufficient for future high-performance chips, such as the upcoming CFET transistors. Researchers have developed a new simulation framework to predict how new semiconductor technologies affect heat dissipation and explored advanced cooling techniques, including microfluidic cooling, jet impingement cooling, and immersion cooling. System-level solutions, such as dynamically adjusting voltage and frequency, and thermal sprinting, also aim to balance performance and heat. Future backside functionalization technologies (CMOS 2.0) like backside power delivery networks, backside capacitors, and backside integrated voltage regulators, promise to reduce heat by lowering voltage but may introduce new thermal challenges. Ultimately, solving the chip heat problem requires a multidisciplinary effort, with system technology co-optimization (STCO) aiming to integrate systems, physical design, and process technology for optimal performance and cooling.

(spectrum.ieee.org)

Hardware chip cooling semiconductor technology

Robotic Milkmaids: Automating the Dairy Farm

2025-04-15

Robotic Milkmaids: Automating the Dairy Farm

Lely's autonomous robots are revolutionizing dairy farming. These robots handle milking, feeding, and cleaning, significantly reducing labor for farmers and increasing milk production. More frequent robotic milking reduces cow stress, leading to higher yields. While the initial cost is high, the robots pay for themselves over time through increased efficiency and lower labor costs. This technology not only boosts productivity but also improves cow welfare, leading to happier and healthier animals. Future AI integration promises further optimization and data-driven insights for more precise farm management.

(spectrum.ieee.org)

Tech Agritech

Nokia Deploys First 4G Network on the Moon: A Giant Leap for Lunar Economy

2025-04-15

Nokia Deploys First 4G Network on the Moon: A Giant Leap for Lunar Economy

Nokia, in collaboration with NASA and Intuitive Machines, successfully deployed the first 4G cellular network on the Moon. Integrated onto the IM-2 lander, 'Athena', the network supports lunar exploration missions, including a rover and a hopper searching for water ice. This deployment showcases the adaptability of commercial technology in extreme environments, laying the groundwork for a future lunar economy and representing a significant leap in space communication. While the first cellular call failed due to solar panel orientation issues, data transmission was successful. Future 5G capabilities are expected to further propel lunar exploration and economic development.

(spectrum.ieee.org)

Tech

Beyond the LHC: The Next Generation of Particle Colliders

2025-04-11

Beyond the LHC: The Next Generation of Particle Colliders

The Large Hadron Collider's (LHC) discovery of the Higgs boson was a triumph, but deeper mysteries remain. This article explores four proposals for next-generation colliders, including high-precision electron-positron machines like the CEPC and FCC-ee, and a high-energy muon collider. These projects face enormous engineering and political hurdles, from tunnel construction and superconducting magnet technology to international collaborations. Despite the long timelines and massive costs, these colliders promise breakthroughs in particle physics, potentially revealing physics beyond the Standard Model, such as the nature of dark matter.

(spectrum.ieee.org)

Tech colliders

IBM System/360: A Technological David and Goliath Story

2025-04-08

IBM System/360: A Technological David and Goliath Story

The creation of the IBM System/360 wasn't a smooth ride. This article recounts IBM's journey in the early 1960s, overcoming internal conflicts, technological hurdles, and production bottlenecks to launch this world-changing computer series. From initial internal clashes to global teamwork and a nail-biting production rollout, the System/360 story is full of drama and uncertainty, ultimately establishing IBM's dominance in the computer industry and profoundly impacting the development of the Information Age.

(spectrum.ieee.org)

Tech

The Vanishing Act of Government Data: Archivists to the Rescue

2025-04-02

The Vanishing Act of Government Data: Archivists to the Rescue

For three decades, the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine has archived vast amounts of government websites and datasets crucial for research. However, various US administrations have deleted data, notably during Trump's presidency, where thousands of web pages and databases were taken down. While some data has been restored, keywords like "climate change" were purged. Harvard Law School's Library Innovation Lab has created a backup of Data.gov's 16TB archive and continues to update it, highlighting the crucial role of digital archives in preserving knowledge.

(spectrum.ieee.org)

Tech digital archives

Microrobot Takes Flight: Tiny, Untethered Flying Robot Achieves New Milestone

2025-03-31

Microrobot Takes Flight: Tiny, Untethered Flying Robot Achieves New Milestone

Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a tiny, untethered flying robot with a wingspan of less than a centimeter. Powered wirelessly by external magnetic fields, its current range is limited, but the team suggests improvements could extend its capabilities. This breakthrough opens possibilities for search and rescue, industrial inspection, and even pollination, setting a new record for the smallest flying robot.

(spectrum.ieee.org)

Tech microrobot flying robot magnetic field propulsion

Terahertz Plasmonic EO Modulator Breakthrough Paves the Way for 6G and AI

2025-03-28

Terahertz Plasmonic EO Modulator Breakthrough Paves the Way for 6G and AI

Researchers at ETH Zurich and Polariton Technologies have developed a plasmonic electro-optic (EO) modulator capable of operating at frequencies up to 1.14 terahertz—a significant leap from current technology. This breakthrough addresses a critical bottleneck in modern telecommunications, enabling seamless integration of electrical signals with fiber-optic infrastructure. The modulator utilizes plasmons to enhance the interaction between electrical and optical signals, paving the way for high-speed 6G networks and high-performance AI data centers. Polariton, a spin-off of ETH Zurich, is commercializing this technology, offering high-speed, compact transceivers for next-generation data centers and AI clusters.

(spectrum.ieee.org)

Tech Plasmonic Modulator

Niobium Phosphide: A New Ultrathin Conductor Outperforming Copper

2025-03-27

Niobium Phosphide: A New Ultrathin Conductor Outperforming Copper

Stanford researchers have discovered a novel 1.5-nanometer-thick niobium phosphide (NbP) film exhibiting superior conductivity to copper. Unlike traditional metals, whose resistance increases at the nanoscale, NbP's resistance decreases with decreasing thickness due to its surface being more conductive than its bulk. This 'topological semimetal' behavior promises energy-efficient integrated circuits. However, challenges remain for commercialization, including precise film thickness control.

(spectrum.ieee.org)

Tech integrated circuits

The Myth of the 10x Engineer: Teamwork Trumps Individual Heroism

2025-03-13

The Myth of the 10x Engineer: Teamwork Trumps Individual Heroism

This article debunks the myth of the "10x engineer," arguing that a single metric for measuring engineer productivity is misleading and ignores the importance of teamwork. The author points out that software development isn't a stage for individual heroes; the overall efficiency of the team is key. High-performing engineering organizations should enable even ordinary engineers to create significant value and cultivate more excellent engineers through good system design and team culture, rather than over-relying on so-called "geniuses."

(spectrum.ieee.org)

Development

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