For over six decades, the joint US-Canadian military monitoring agency, NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command), has been delighting children around the world with its Christmas tradition of tracking Santa’s whereabouts. Born out of a fortuitous mistake in 1955, the Santa tracker has evolved into a 3-D, interactive website that allows users to join Santa
Technology
In a groundbreaking achievement, researchers at NASA’s Langley Research Center have successfully conducted flights of multiple drones beyond visual line of sight, without the need for a visual observer or pilot. This significant milestone in autonomous flight marks a crucial step towards the development of self-flying air taxis. With the support of the Federal Aviation
The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has brought a new wave of challenges for artists, as AI models now have the ability to replicate their styles without giving credit or compensation. However, a group of artists, alongside researchers from the University of Chicago, have joined forces to defend against such copycat activity. One such artist
As human-caused climate change continues to pose a threat to our environment, it is crucial that we seek innovative solutions to combat this crisis. Interestingly, nature itself provides us with endless inspiration for technological advancements. The solutions developed by nature over billions of years have been tested and refined countless times, making them an invaluable
As the world makes a shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy, a new issue arises: what to do with old or worn-out solar panels. With the increasing installation of photovoltaic slabs in the United States, particularly in sunny regions like the west and south, the lifespan of these panels is becoming a concern. While
The transition from a high to low-carbon sustainable energy system is marked by numerous milestones. Among them include the first hour without coal, oil, or gas generation, as well as the retirement of the last coal, oil, or gas power plant. Another significant milestone is when renewables generate more electricity than fossil fuels for an
The University of Michigan’s team of physicists and engineers has recently made a groundbreaking advancement in the field of lighting technology. Their innovation involves the development of phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes (PHOLEDs), specifically in the blue light spectrum. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize the lighting industry, making OLED lights more efficient and durable.
Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) have revolutionized the way we experience digital media, providing immersive and engaging environments. However, there is still much room for improvement, particularly in terms of stimulating other senses beyond vision and hearing. Researchers at the City University of Hong Kong and other Chinese institutes are pushing the boundaries
Artists have always strived to bring their creative visions to life through animated movies and video games. However, they often face limitations when it comes to controlling the movements of their characters. MIT researchers have developed a groundbreaking technique that empowers artists with more control over their animations by generating mathematical functions known as barycentric
Major sporting events have long been known to cause congestion and disruptions in cities hosting them. However, recent advancements in technology now allow scientists to quantify and analyze the extent of these disruptions. A case study conducted in Columbus, Ohio, examined the impact of home football games at Ohio State University on the city’s public
When it comes to decarbonizing industrial processes in the U.K., there is a common misconception that it would require significant price increases that would burden consumers and businesses alike. However, a recent study conducted by academics from the University of Bath’s Institute for Sustainability has shed light on the fact that achieving Net Zero goals
The transition to renewable energy is a hot topic in the United States, with utilities across the country pledging to achieve 100% renewable electricity by 2060. While state mandates have certainly played a role in this transition, it is the utilities themselves that are truly leading the charge. A recent paper published in Climatic Change,