Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research Mathematics: Modeling Offbeat: Computers and Math
Published

A simpler method for learning to control a robot      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A new machine-learning technique can efficiently learn to control a robot, leading to better performance with fewer data.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research Offbeat: Computers and Math
Published

Robotic hand rotates objects using touch, not vision      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Inspired by the effortless way humans handle objects without seeing them, engineers have developed a new approach that enables a robotic hand to rotate objects solely through touch, without relying on vision.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research
Published

Robot preachers get less respect, fewer donations      (via sciencedaily.com) 

As artificial intelligence expands across more professions, robot preachers and AI programs offer new means of sharing religious beliefs, but they may undermine credibility and reduce donations for religious groups that rely on them.

Energy: Alternative Fuels Energy: Technology Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Renewable solar energy can help purify water, the environment      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Chemists have demonstrated that water remediation can be powered in part -- and perhaps even exclusively -- by renewable energy sources.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Offbeat: Computers and Math
Published

Future AI algorithms have potential to learn like humans      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Memories can be as tricky to hold onto for machines as they can be for humans. To help understand why artificial agents develop holes in their own cognitive processes, electrical engineers have analyzed how much a process called 'continual learning' impacts their overall performance.

Energy: Alternative Fuels Energy: Technology
Published

Device makes hydrogen from sunlight with record efficiency      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Engineers have created a device that turns sunlight into hydrogen with record-breaking efficiency by integrating next-generation halide perovskite semiconductors with electrocatalysts in a single, durable, cost-effective and scalable device.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research
Published

Allowing robots to explore on their own      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Scientists have developed a suite of robotic systems and planners enabling robots to explore more quickly, probe the darkest corners of unknown environments, and create more accurate and detailed maps. The systems allow robots to do all this autonomously, finding their way and creating a map without human intervention.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research Offbeat: Computers and Math
Published

A faster way to teach a robot      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A new technique enables a human to efficiently fine-tune a robot that failed to complete a desired task with very little effort on the part of the human. Their system uses algorithms, counterfactual explanations, and feedback from the user to generate synthetic data it uses to quickly fine-tune the robot.

Energy: Alternative Fuels Energy: Technology
Published

Bifacial perovskite solar cells point to higher efficiency      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A bifacial perovskite solar cell, which allows sunlight to reach both sides of the device, holds the potential to produce higher energy yields at lower overall costs.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research
Published

Bot inspired by baby turtles can swim under the sand      (via sciencedaily.com) 

This robot can swim under the sand and dig itself out too, thanks to two front limbs that mimic the oversized flippers of turtle hatchlings. It's the only robot that is able to travel in sand at a depth of 5 inches. It can also travel at a speed of 1.2 millimeters per second--roughly 4 meters, or 13 feet, per hour. This may seem slow but is comparable to other subterranean animals like worms and clams.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research
Published

Robotics: New skin-like sensors fit almost everywhere      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have developed an automatic process for making soft sensors. These universal measurement cells can be attached to almost any kind of object. Applications are envisioned especially in robotics and prosthetics.

Energy: Alternative Fuels
Published

Improving high-temperature stability of perovskite solar cells      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have found a way to significantly improve the operational stability of perovskite solar cells at high temperatures, which is necessary for their use in terawatt power grids.

Energy: Alternative Fuels
Published

Titanium oxide material lets sunlight drive green hydrogen production      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

As part of ongoing efforts to develop materials that could enable alternative energy sources, researchers have produced a titanium oxide nanofilament material that can harness sunlight to unlock the ubiquitous molecule's potential as a fuel source.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research Space: Exploration
Published

Robot team on lunar exploration tour      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Engineers are training legged robots for future lunar missions that will search for minerals and raw materials. To ensure that the robots can continue to work even if one of them malfunctions, the researchers are teaching them teamwork.

Energy: Alternative Fuels Geoscience: Severe Weather Mathematics: Modeling
Published

Supercomputer used to simulate winds that cause clear air turbulence      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Using Japan's most powerful supercomputer, researchers reproduced cases of clear air turbulence around Tokyo. They simulated the fine vortices responsible for this dangerous phenomenon. The usefulness of the simulation in predicting turbulence was confirmed by comparing simulation data with data from aircraft recordings. This research should improve the forecasting of turbulence.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research Offbeat: Computers and Math
Published

Pump powers soft robots, makes cocktails      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Over the past several years, researchers have been developing soft analogues of traditionally rigid robotic components. In fluid-driven robotic systems, pumps control the pressure or flow of the liquid that powers the robot's movement. Most pumps available today for soft robotics are either too large and rigid to fit onboard, not powerful enough for actuation or only work with specific fluids. Researchers have now developed a compact, soft pump with adjustable pressure flow versatile enough to pump a variety of fluids with varying viscosity, including gin, juice, and coconut milk, and powerful enough to power soft haptic devices and a soft robotic finger.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: Space Space: Exploration Space: The Solar System
Published

Training robots how to learn, make decisions on the fly      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Mars rovers have teams of human experts on Earth telling them what to do. But robots on lander missions to moons orbiting Saturn or Jupiter are too far away to receive timely commands from Earth. Researchers developed a novel learning-based method so robots on extraterrestrial bodies can make decisions on their own about where and how to scoop up terrain samples.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research Offbeat: Computers and Math
Published

Revolutionary self-sensing electric artificial muscles      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have made groundbreaking advancements in bionics with the development of a new electric variable-stiffness artificial muscle. This innovative technology possesses self-sensing capabilities and has the potential to revolutionize soft robotics and medical applications. The artificial muscle seamlessly transitions between soft and hard states, while also sensing forces and deformations. With flexibility and stretchability similar to natural muscle, it can be integrated into intricate soft robotic systems and adapt to various shapes. By adjusting voltages, the muscle rapidly changes its stiffness and can monitor its own deformation through resistance changes. The fabrication process is simple and reliable, making it ideal for a range of applications, including aiding individuals with disabilities or patients in rehabilitation training.

Energy: Alternative Fuels
Published

A better understanding of turbulence      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Experiments at a unique wind tunnel show that laws formulated more than 80 years ago and their extensions only incompletely explain turbulent flows.

Energy: Alternative Fuels
Published

Unused renewable energy an option for powering NFT trade      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Unused solar, wind, and hydroelectric power in the U.S. could support the exponential growth of transactions involving non-fungible tokens (NFTs), researchers have found.