Daily Innovation News

December 10^th 2024

💻 Technology

🇺🇸 Google’s 105-qubit ‘Willow’ chip outpaces supercomputers by 10 septillion years

Google's quantum chip, Willow, achieves groundbreaking performance by completing tasks in minutes that would take classical supercomputers over 10 septillion years. Featuring 105 high-quality qubits, Willow excels in Random Circuit Sampling (RCS) and quantum error correction, reducing errors exponentially as it scales. Built at a state-of-the-art facility, Willow’s advancements in qubit stability and fidelity mark a major leap toward practical quantum applications in fields like AI and medicine.

🇯🇵 Japanese researchers develop sweat-based method to detect emotions without cameras

Scientists from Tokyo Metropolitan University have introduced a technique to read emotions by analyzing changes in skin conductance caused by sweat, offering an alternative to facial recognition. Tested on volunteers watching emotional videos, the method revealed distinct patterns for fear, humor, and bonding moments. Unlike camera-based systems, this approach relies on biological signals, paving the way for emotionally responsive devices like phones and wearables. Published in IEEE Access, the study marks a step toward more intuitive, mood-aware technology.

⚡️ Energy

🇨🇳 China completes world’s largest 700 MWh vanadium flow battery system for long-term energy storage

Rongke Power has finalized the Xinhua Ushi ESS project, a 175 MW / 700 MWh vanadium flow battery system in Ushi, China. This milestone highlights the scalability and reliability of vanadium flow batteries for balancing renewable energy supply and stabilizing grids. With 2 GWh of installed systems globally, Rongke Power leads in utility-scale deployments, showcasing vanadium flow batteries’ long lifespan, safety, and adaptability despite high initial costs. The project sets a benchmark for sustainable energy storage worldwide.

🦾 Robotics

🇩🇪 German startup unveils Robodies to transform elderly care through telepresence technology

Devanthro's Robody robots combine AI, AR, and 5G to provide remote, personalized care for the elderly, enabling caregivers to assist with tasks like meal preparation, medication, and conversation. Controlled via virtual reality, operators can project their senses and actions through the robots, enhancing human connection and caregiving. With redesigned torsos, advanced arms, and customizable features, Robodies are practical for daily tasks and socially adaptable. This innovation addresses the rising need for 24/7 in-home elderly care while reducing hospitalizations.

🤖 Artificial Intelligence

🇰🇷 South Korean AI rescue system shrinks search areas by 96%, speeding missing person recoveries

Solvit System's iSAR technology uses AI and radio wave analysis to reduce search areas for missing persons by 96%, improving rescue speed and efficiency. Designed for remote regions with weak communication, iSAR can pinpoint locations within minutes, even without a tracking device. It has already been adopted by South Korean emergency services and features real-time team coordination through a support app. Plans for drones and global expansion aim to revolutionize search and rescue operations.

💊 Healthcare

🇺🇸 US scientists create ultrasound-controlled CRISPR therapy to eliminate cancer in mice

Researchers at the University of Southern California have developed a CRISPR gene therapy system that can be activated remotely using ultrasound. This approach precisely targets cancer cells by using heat-induced CRISPR activation and enhances immune response by modifying telomeres and boosting CD19 protein expression for CAR T cell therapy. In mouse studies, this combined treatment achieved a 100% survival rate, vastly outperforming CAR T cells alone. Published in Nature Communications, this innovative method shows promise for advancing cancer treatment.

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