Quantum innovation advances low-cost alternative solar technology

A team of researchers from the University of Toronto's Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering has leveraged quantum mechanics to optimize the active layer within a device known as an inverted perovskite solar cell—a technology that could one day result in mass-market solar cells that a fraction of those currently on the market.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/quantum-innovation-advances-low-cost-alternative-solar-technology

Teaching AI to identify colors in the dark

A team of researchers at the University of California used deep learning to enable limited color vision in the dark. The group published a paper describing their work on the open-access site PLOS ONE.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/teaching-ai-to-identify-colors-in-the-dark

US Space Force releases decades of bolide data to NASA for planetary defense studies

An agreement between NASA and the U.S. Space Force recently authorized the public release of decades of data collected by U.S. government sensors on fireball events (large bright meteors also known as bolides) for the benefit of the scientific and planetary defense communities. This action results from collaboration between NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office (PDCO) and the U.S. Space Force to continue furthering our nation's efforts in planetary defense, which include finding, tracking, characterizing, and cataloging near-Earth objects (NEOs). The newly released data is composed of information on the changing brightness of bolides as they pass through Earth's atmosphere, called light curves, that could enhance the planetary defense community's current ability to model the effects of impacts by larger asteroids that could one day pose a threat to Earth.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/us-space-force-releases-decades-of-bolide-data-to-nasa-for-planetary-defense-studies

Fighting viruses is as easy as breathing

The average person will take more than 600 million breaths over the course of their life. Every breath stretches the lungs' tissues with each inhale and relaxes them with each exhale. The mere motions of breathing are known to influence vital functions of the lungs, including their development in babies, the production of air-exchange-enhancing fluid on their inner surfaces, and maintenance of healthy tissue structure. Now, new research from the Wyss Institute at Harvard University has revealed that this constant pattern of stretching and relaxing does even more—it generates immune responses against invading viruses.

Toshiba pauses spin-off plan, weighs going private

Troubled Japanese conglomerate Toshiba has said it is suspending its plan to split into two after last month's shareholder vote against the idea and will now weigh the possibility of going private.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/toshiba-pauses-spin-off-plan-weighs-going-private

Japan's Nissan plans 'game changing' electric car batteries

Nissan is working with NASA on a new type of battery for electric vehicles that promises to charge quicker and be lighter yet safe, the Japanese automaker said Friday.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/japans-nissan-plans-game-changing-electric-car-batteries