Scientists close in on computers that work like the human brain

Scientists have been working since 2008 to develop technology based on memristors (short for memory resistors), which promise computers that need never boot up and function more akin to the human brain – like neurons, they can retain information and perform logic operations. Now scientists at Northwestern University have made a new breakthrough that may make possible brain-like computing capabilities.

Memristors are considered exciting for more than their potential to create brain-like computers. Unlike flash memory, they're fast. Unlike random access memory (RAM), they remember their state – whatever information they held – when they lose power. They also require less energy to operate, rarely crash, and are immune to radiation. The trouble is that they are two-terminal electronic devices, which results in them being tunable only through changes in the voltage applied externally.

The team at Northwestern transformed memristors from two-terminal to three-terminal electronic devices, thereby allowing their use in more complex electronic circuits and systems. The normal memristor setup as two-terminal devices allows only limited control over how electrical current flows through the system, but the third electrode used by the Northwestern researchers can act as a gate, finely controlling the resistance.

They achieved this by using a nanomaterial semiconductor called molybdenum disulfide, which has its "grains" of atoms arranged in a different direction to the memristors. A grain boundary sits between the molybdenum disulfide sheet and the metal electrode, acting as a kind of interface for the atoms. "These grain boundaries influence the flow of current, so they can serve as a means of tuning resistance," co-author Mark Hersam said.

The grain boundary moves when a large electric field is applied on the memristor, which causes a change in resistance. And that, Hersam noted, makes possible a new level of function and complexity that could lead to brain-like computing. "We are now actively exploring this possibility in the laboratory," he said.

A paper describing the research was published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.

Urban Algae Canopy will generate a 4-hectare forest's worth of oxygen

                                     

London's ecoLogicStudio has demonstrated a full-scale prototype of its urban algae canopy at the "Feeding the Planet" expo in Milan. This "bio-digital" structure sees fluid filled with microalgae organisms pumped around an otherwise transparent shelter to produce dynamic shade, energy in the form of biomass, and an impressive amount of oxygen, while responding to the presence of visitors to produce interesting visual effects.

When it's sunny, the microalgae naturally photosynthesize and grow, turning the fluid a deeper shade of green and providing extra shade when it's needed.

 The canopy is currently being demonstrated as a small installation, but the plan is to scale it up for Expo Milano 2015's Future Food District. the larger installation will produce as much oxygen as four hectares of woodland, along with 150 kg of biomass, 80 percent of which will be natural vegetal proteins.

The system responds to the presence of visitors – as people walk through each area of the canopy, they trigger electro valves that alter the speed at which the algae flows through the canopy.

As ecologic Studio puts it: "We believe that it is now time to overcome the segregation between technology and nature typical of the mechanical age, to embrace a systemic understanding of architecture. In this prototype the boundaries between the material, spatial and technological dimensions have been carefully articulated to achieve efficiency, resilience and beauty."

Check out the small demonstration unit in action in the video link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bC7yLdYbnkU

Google Fi

Google has announced what many have expected and have been hoping for but few realized they would do in this dramatic fashion.

I’m of course referring to Google Fi, Google’s own Wireless service based on a cross between an MNVO (Mobile Network Virtual Operator) and Wi-Fi Hotspots as reported in “Google's wireless service expected to launch soon, report says”, published April 21, 2015 by Richard Nieva, CNET News and “Google launches its own mobile Network for Nexus 6 owners”, published April 22, 2015 By Chris Welch, The Verge.

Their plans, announced in an official Google Blog post entitled “Say hi to Fi: A new way to say hello”, Wednesday, April 22, 2015, Google Official Blog will see Google launching their Network with the help of the two (2) lower tier Telecom Networks in the US of A, Sprint and T-Mobile.

Google Fi is only available on the Google Nexus 6 smartphone, as you need special hardware and software to switch between 3G and 4G LTE Telecoms Networks and Wi-Fi Networks. Google Fi takes advantage of free Wi-Fi Networks as well as Cellular Networks for Voice and Data Services depending on which one has the strongest signal at the time in your area.

Then the service seamlessly switches between these services, keeping you connected via whichever Network is available for one low monthly fee. So how will this Google Fi work with only the Google Nexus 6 smartphone? Also, will AT&T and Verizon join with the Google Fi Network?

Google Fi Network Launched – How to join Sprint and Verizon MNVO

First, you'll have to have a Google Nexus 6 smartphone, which has the specially built in hardware and software that can seamlessly switch between using Wi-Fi Networks or T-Mobile or Sprint for Voice and Data Services in Google Fi’s MNVO Network as explained in the article “What the hell is an MVNO, and why is Google building one with Fi?”, published April 22, 2015 By Ben Popper,The Verge..

You then have to request an invite from your Google Nexus 6 smartphone via Google’s Project Fi Invite Page. Then the customer is assigned a Google Fi Number to make calls.

Project Google Fi  - Flat rate monthly Voice, SMS and Data Bundle that’ll shake up American Telecoms

The Google Fi Network is a monthly contract with no yearly contract option, making it very flexible option for Google Nexus 6 users to consider. The Monthly charges work out US$20 a month and you get the following:

1.      Voice Calling

2.      SMS

3.      Wi-Fi tethering from you smartphone

4.      International Calling coverage in 120+ countries

Additionally you pay a flat fee of US$10 per Gb of Cellular Data while in the US of A and travelling internationally. Since this is a monthly contract, you buy allotments of Data based on your predicted Monthly usage:

1.      US$10 per month for 1GB

2.      US$20 per month for 2GB

3.      US$30 per month for 3GB

 “Google Fi doesn’t offer Data Rollover, but rather credits you the amount of Data that was unused from your plan to your Credit Card.

That’s going to be a huge draw initially, albeit I suspect that Google Fi might change that policy to a rollover soon enough as Americans start to max out their Data Plans.

Google Fi vs other Network Carriers - Why AT&T and Verizon will soon join forces with Google Fi

Before you run out to buy a Google Nexus 6 smartphone in order to jump onto this new Bandwagon, you have to get an idea of what the charges are on the other Networks (read AT&T and Verizon's Networks) for their Voice, Text, SMS and Data Bundles and how they compare to the Google Fi Networks   as noted in the article “Google Project Fi plan vs AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint”, published May 8th 2015 by  Mike Stenger, TechRadar.

Take a look at this handy comparative chart comparing Google Fi Voice and SMS Bundles to other US Networks and judge for yourself.

Then look at this comparative chart comparing Data Bundles to other US Networks and judge for yourself.

Hands down, Google Fi will be a winner. Too bad AT&T and Verizon's Networks are not on this winning team and the Google Fi Network is limited to only the Google Nexus 6, as you can't just get an App and use this service.

Interestingly too, once you accept a Google Fi Network Invite, you will have to kill your Google Voice Service as mentioned in the article “Uh oh! Project Fi guts many of Google Voice’s features during setup process”, published May 6, 2015 By Kyle Wiggers, Digita lTrends and “Signing up for Project Fi will destroy your Google Voice account”, published May 6, 2015 By Chris Welch, The Verge.

To me this comes as no surprise, “Google merges Google Voice into Google+ Hangouts - How to make Free US and Canada Calls with Google Voice in Hangouts App”.

 “Google and Google Voice - The World is Not Enough”, is finally being killed off quietly. However, if is being given new life, rising like a phoenix in the form of a MNVO Network that is Google Fi.

Only time will tell if this idea of Wi-Fi Calling with a MNVO twist will catch on and whether or not AT&T and Verizon, who already have their own VoLTE Plans, will join in this US and International Flat Rate Calling MNVO Melee of Telecom Networks.

Most likely, fearing being swamped by competition from the two smaller carriers, I predict AT&T and Verizon will merge their VoLTE Networks and take advantage of their superior coverage to offer a competing service rivaling Google Fi.

Even more interesting, is whether or not our local Telecom Providers Digicel and Telecom Provider LIME will also join in to support Google Fi. Most likely they will have no choice but to accept Google Fi, as they’ve yet to take action against Google Hangouts, being as Google services, like Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, create a reason for Jamaican to buy smartphones in the first place.

Amazon working on drones that will deliver items to wherever you are

Drone deliveries hey? 

What could be more convenient than having the milk for your cereal arrive fresh each morning, or that forgotten dinner ingredient plonked down on the doorstep just as you fire up the stove?

 Well, details now revealed in an Amazon patent application suggest that if its Prime Air drones do materialize, they mightn't just be limited to making house calls. The application outlines plans for drones that track a customer's GPS position, flagging the possibility of having items brought to you even when you're out and about.

Stuck in a traffic jam and in need of a snack? 

Out boating on the lake and out of refreshments? Amazon's "Bring it to Me" delivery option may one day come to rescue. This feature was one of a number of finer details revealed in the patent filed last September and now made public by the US Patent & Trademark Office.

"With the implementations described herein, a user now has the ability to choose "Bring It To Me," the patent states. "With this option, the actual location of the user is determined and the UAV delivers the item to the current location of the user... For example, the user may identify their current location by allowing Global Positioning System ("GPS") data to be provided by their mobile device."

In addition, the application describes a communications network between the drones in Amazon's fleet, intended to relay data between the vehicles to assist with route planning. This information might pertain to weather, air traffic and landing conditions and could be shared dynamically with nearby drones and a central location.

It is also possible that more than one drone will take part in the delivery of a single item. A package may be picked up from the warehouse and dropped off at a relay location by one drone, and then retrieved and the delivery completed by another.

Amazon announced its Prime Air delivery service in 2013, drawing mixed responses from the public, with many less than convinced of the service's real-world feasibility. Delivering packages by tracking customer's smartphones may only do more to engender this widely held skepticism, but all signs coming out of Amazon in the last year suggest it is pretty serious about one day rolling out the service.

Since the initial announcement, Amazon has grappled with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in an effort to fast track its testing. Slow progress has moved the company to test the drones just north of the Canadian border, while continuing to lobby the authorities to accommodate its needs inside the US

Audi has developed a new 2.0-liter engine with a revised combustion cycle for its new A4

Audi has developed a four-cylinder TFSI engine that makes use of a new combustion method, resulting in what Audi claims is the most efficient two-liter gasoline engine in its class.

The combustion method used in Audi's new engine is similar to the Miller cycle, and allows the 2.0-liter turbo unit to produce 140 kW (190 hp), all the while returning a seriously impressive 5.0 L/100km (47 mpg) on the New European Drive Cycle (NEDC). The engine also produces 320 Nm (236 lb-ft) of torque, all of which will be available from just 1,450 rpm, making it perfect for surging into gaps in the traffic from low speeds.

To achieve these figures, Audi has shortened the engine's intake time by taking the crank angle and reducing it from 200 to 140 degrees. Despite the shorter intake time, the engine can still achieve optimal cylinder charges thanks to higher boost pressure on its inlet side. Under the engine's new combustion cycle, the intake valve also closes earlier than it usually would, which allows Audi to run an efficiency-boosting high compression ratio.

"Thanks to this rightsizing approach, the new engine enjoys the consumption benefits of a downsizing engine in partial load operation, while at higher loads it has the advantages of a large-displacement engine," says Stefan Knirsch, Audi's Head of Engine Development. "The result is optimal efficiency and performance characteristics across the entire engine speed range."

The new engine, which is set to debut in the next-generation A4, has also been designed to spend less time in its warm-up phase, and Audi has focused on reducing friction – something Mercedes does with its Nano slide coating on the inside of its engines.

On top of these efficiency-driven changes to the drive cycle, the new engine is also light, weighing in at just 140 kg (308.6 lb), which should aid the new A4's handling balance as well as its fuel consumption sticker.

The engine was unveiled at the Vienna Motor Symposium, and will be in the new A4 by the end of 2015 before making its way to other model series.

Groundfridge keeps food fresh, no electricity required

The prefabricated Groundfridge uses the earth's own insulating properties to keep food fresh, no electricity required.

Of course, root cellars aren't a new invention by any means, but the Groundfridge looks well-built and relatively easy to install. Weighing in at 300 kg (661 lb), and measuring 2.28 m (7.48 ft) in diameter, the prefab cellar is built from hand-laminated polyester and ships with integrated cabinet and lighting. Access is gained by a hatch-like door and steps lead into the cellar proper.

Weltevree rates Groundfridge's storage as equivalent to around 20 typical refrigerators and says that it can store the harvest from a 250 sq m (2,690 sq ft) vegetable garden, or 500 kg (1,102 lb) of food. The firm further states that Groundfridge maintains a steady temperature of between 7 to 15º C (44.6 to 59º F), even if the temperature upside varies anywhere between -10 to 35° C (14 to 95° F)

The Groundfridge is available from mid-2015, price on request

Microsoft launch two-high end phones second-half of 2015: Report

Later this year, Microsoft is expected to launch two high-end smartphones along with the launch of Windows 10 for phones. Seems like Windows Phone users can finally expect some high-end Lumias coming their way.

A report by UnleashThePhones

, the more premium version among the Lumia devices is codenamed ‘Cityman’ while the other device is codenamed ‘Talkman’. The former, will boast a 5.7-inch QHD display and come powered by a  octa-core Qualcomm processor paired with 3GB RAM. One can expect 32GB of on board storage, which will be further expanded using a microSD card slot. In terms of camera, the smartphone will have a whooping 20MP rear snapper along with a 5MP front-facing camera. The device will have a 3300mAh removable battery.

Talkman, will boast a 5.2 inch QHD display and will be powered by a Qualcomm hexa-core processor coupled with again, 3GB RAM. It will have an internal storage of 32GB which will be further expanded using a microSD card slot. On the camera front, the device will sport a 20MP rear camera and a 5MP front facing camera, as seen on Cityman. It will be powered by a 3000 mAh removable battery.

Both smartphones are likely to come with triple LED flash. This means each LED will have a different shade or tone, which will allow to capture photos with the most natural colors. The report also suggests processors with 64-bit support, which could most likely be Snapdragon 810 or Snapdragon 808.

In terms of software, Microsoft is reportedly going to be announcing a new Windows 10 feature that will be similar to ‘Hand-off’ on the iPhone/OSX, where a user will be able to receive a call on their Windows Phone, and can answer it on their Windows PC. The report adds, ‘users can also start a call or send an SMS right from the PC itself, which uses their Windows Phone’.

The devices are expected to launch in the second-half of the year