Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Concrete Buildings Could Be Turned into Rechargeable Batteries

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July 20, 2021

Dear Reader,

Researchers have developed a new rechargeable battery made of an unexpected material: concrete. Although the building material holds only a fraction as much energy as traditional batteries do, it could eventually pave the way to a future of smart buildings that also serve as giant power storage devices. 

Sophie Bushwick, Associate Editor, Technology
@sophiebushwick

Engineering

Concrete Buildings Could Be Turned into Rechargeable Batteries

But for now, a square meter of the building material holds roughly the energy of two AA batteries

By Sophie Bushwick

Neuroscience

New Brain Implant Transmits Full Words from Neural Signals

No spelling out of letters is needed for a paralyzed person to use the first-of-a-kind neuroprosthesis

By Emily Willingham

Climate

Space Has Better Internet than Antarctica, But that Might Change

A proposed fiber optic cable could make it easier for scientists to transmit crucial climate data

By Chelsea Harvey,E&E News

Behavior & Society

Dancing with Robots

The emerging field of choreorobotics can make humans more comfortable interacting with machines

By Catie Cuan

Climate

Drought Threatens to Close California Hydropower Plant for First Time

Shutting down the plant, which has run continuously since 1967, would squeeze already tight electricity supplies

By Anne C. Mulkern,E&E News

Space

Jeff Bezos Launches into Space on Blue Origin's First Astronaut Flight

The billionaire and three others take a suborbital trip onboard the craft New Shepard

By Mike Wall,SPACE.com

Policy & Ethics

Bias Detectives

As machine learning infiltrates society, scientists are trying to help ward off injustice in algorithms

By Rachel Courtland

Climate

Soaring Temperatures and Wildfire Threaten California's Power Grid

Residents were asked to limit energy use as another heat dome baked the region

By Anne C. Mulkern,E&E News

Computing

How Does a Quantum Computer Work?

If you understand how these systems operate, then you understand why they could change everything.

By Michael Tabb,Andrea Gawrylewski,Jeffery DelViscio

Policy & Ethics

50, 100 & 150 Years Ago: August 2021

Tasty radio; early fake leather

By Mark Fischetti
FROM THE STORE

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Tech companies have repeatedly reassured the public that trackers used to follow smartphone users through apps are anonymous or at least pseudonymous, not directly identifying the person using the phone. But what they don't mention is that an entire overlooked industry exists to purposefully and explicitly shatter that anonymity."

Joseph Cox, Vice

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FROM THE ARCHIVE

New Bio-Inspired Molecule Helps Concrete Resist Freeze Damage

An additive, inspired by a natural protein, creates a more durable building material

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