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Scientists push towards nuclear waste battery Researchers have developed a battery that can convert nuclear energy into electricity via light emission. This comes at a time as nuclear power gains traction to feed the power-hungry data centres of big tech. waste, which can be dangerous to human health and the environment. Safely disposing of this waste can be challenging.
power microelectronics, like microchips.
Using a combination of scintillator crystals, high-density materials that emit light when they absorb radiation, and solar cells, the team, led by researchers from The Ohio State University, demonstrated that ambient gamma radiation could be harvested to produce a strong enough electric output to
Nuclear power plants, which generate about 20% of all electricity produced in the United States, produce almost no greenhouse gas emissions. However, these systems do create radioactive
Affordable brainwave reader
People who can no longer communicate through speech or eye movement can use the power of thought to indicate ‘yes’ or ‘no’ thanks to a brainwave reader developed by Nottingham Trent University (NTU). Professor Amin Al-Habaibeh, an expert in intelligent engineering systems, wanted to support charities which help people with advanced Motor Neurone
Disease (MND) and Completely Locked-in Syndrome after his brother- in-law, Mr Naeem Radwan, passed away aged 38 after having MND. The research has led to the development of a brainwave reader which is made affordable by using off-the-shelf parts and a novel artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm developed by the research team.
Promise for green electronics
Electronic devices rely on materials whose electrical properties change with temperature, making them less stable in extreme conditions. A discovery by McGill University researchers that challenges conventional wisdom in physics suggests that bismuth, a metal, could serve as the foundation for highly stable electronic components.
electrical effect in ultra-thin bismuth that remains unchanged across a wide temperature range, from near absolute zero (-273°C) to room temperature.
The finding could lead to the development of more efficient,
stable, and environmentally friendly electronic components and devices, including for space exploration and medical uses. Bismuth is non-toxic and biocompatible.
The researchers observed a mysterious
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