Archive 12.01.2024

Scientists were able to show that statistical models created by artificial intelligence (AI) predict very accurately whether a medication responds in people with schizophrenia. However, the models are highly context-dependent and cannot be generalized.

This delivery drone overcomes traditional transport challenges with its large payload capacity, long operation range, high reliability, and intelligent features.

A loud whirring sound incites fear that a giant swarm of insects has overtaken Eureka Park, one of the venues for the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. But in fact, it's a group of "soccer drones" made in South Korea.

Researchers at The University of Queensland (UQ) are developing new 4D printing technology that produces shape-shifting liquid metals for soft robotics.

ABB bought a Swiss tech company to improve its industrial robots’ AI and mobility capabilities. See full story at:

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/abb-buys-tech-company-give-industrial-robots-eyes-and-brains-4040766

Researchers have developed a fluid switch using ionic polymer artificial muscles that operates at ultra-low power and produces a force 34 times greater than its weight. Fluid switches control fluid flow, causing the fluid to flow in a specific direction to invoke various movements.

Expanding on the foundational principles of the fourth industrial revolution, Industry 5.0 places a huge emphasis on fostering a flawless connection between machinery and humans.

Exwayz 3D Mapping (3DM) can process the raw data of any LiDAR sensor and fuse it with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data for creating centimeter-accurate 3D maps of wide environments such as cities or industrial areas.

With big, expressive eyes, elfin ears and adorable cooing, Miroka and Miroki could be an apparition from your favorite cartoon.

An electrical circuit is a loop which provides a path for electric current (electric charge) to flow. This loop must be closed. In other words, the current must be able to flow from positive to negative terminals otherwise the flow will not take place. The charge is made possible by a source such as a battery which motivates the electrons to move in the conductor. So it is the movement, in other words the flow of these electrons that constitutes the electrical charge. Note that this happens from negative to positive terminal which is the opposite of accepted convention for current direction. In this closed loop we mentioned above, there are components we want, to make our electronic devices possible, such as motors, resistors, inductors capacitors, light bulbs, logic gates and so on.

The loop must be made of conductors. This conductor is most commonly conductive metal wire but other mediums such as conductive polymers or liquids, are also possible. Current can also be carried by electromagnetic induction, which requires no physical medium. Examples include transformers, radio frequency signals.

In recent years, engineers have developed a wide range of robotic systems that could soon assist humans with various everyday tasks. Rather than assisting with chores or other manual jobs, some of these robots could merely act as companions, helping older adults or individuals with different disabilities to practice skills that typically entail interacting with another human.

The industry is evolving rapidly in every sector, not just robotics – that’s exactly why legacy architectures don’t make sense for edge AIML going forward

Your daily to-do list is likely pretty straightforward: wash the dishes, buy groceries, and other minutiae. It's unlikely you wrote out "pick up the first dirty dish," or "wash that plate with a sponge," because each of these miniature steps within the chore feels intuitive. While we can routinely complete each step without much thought, a robot requires a complex plan that involves more detailed outlines.

Researchers have developed a new soft robot design that engages in three simultaneous behaviors: rolling forward, spinning like a record, and following a path that orbits around a central point. The device, which operates without human or computer control, holds promise for developing soft robotic devices that can be used to navigate and map unknown environments.

Conductors:

Conductors are the materials that easily allow flow of electric current upon application of voltage, such as copper.

Conductivity is the measure of how easily current will flow through that material and shown by the symbol σ (sigma). Its unit is Siemens / meter (S/m) but usually milliSiemens / meter is used. It is a characteristic property a material. In other words, it is not affected by the geometry or size of material.

Insulators:

Insulators are the materials that do not allow or very hardly allow the flow of electrical current upon application of voltage. Example: Glass.

Resistivity is the exact opposite of conductivity and shown by the symbol ρ (rho). So if we were to write resistivity in terms of conductivity:

ρ = 1/ σ

And its unit is:

Ohm meter (Ω.m)

Like conductivity, resistivity is also a characteristic property of the material.

Do not confuse resistivity with resistance. Unlike resistivity, resistance is not a characteristic property and depends on geometry of the material. We can find the resistance of a material if we know its resistivity and geometry. So two cables of the same material with different geometries will have different resistance. We calculate resistance from resistivity as below:

R=ρL/A

Here

R: resistance

L: length

A: Area

So this means that as the length of a material increases, the flow of current through it will be more difficult and the resistance will increase. And when its area increases, the resistance will decrease as the current will flow easier.

Semiconductors:

Semiconductors are the materials that allow flow of current easier than resistors but harder than conductors. Examples: Silicon, Germanium.

In semiconductors, electrons can change their place (thus make current flow possible) only after a certain amount of voltage is applied. By controlling this, we can control when a current will flow or not, depending on our purpose in an electrical circuit. This key principle enables all electrical devices that we use today to function as we want.