News
Polymer-coated catalyst protects "artificial leaf"
June 17, 2013 10:16 am | by Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres | CommentsResearchers at the HZB Institute for Solar Fuels have modified so called superstrate solar cells with their highly efficient architecture in order to obtain hydrogen from water with the help of suitable catalysts. This type of cell works something like an "artificial leaf." But the solar cell rapidly corrodes when placed in the aqueous electrolyte solution.
An Innovative material for the Green Earth
June 17, 2013 10:09 am | by EurekAlert! | CommentsResearchers from UNIST, S. Korea, developed a novel, simple method to synthesize hierarchically nanoporous frameworks of nanocrystalline metal oxides such as magnesia and ceria by the thermal conversion of well-designed metal-organic frameworks.
A robot that runs like a cat
June 17, 2013 10:06 am | by EurekAlert! | CommentsDeveloped by EPFL's Biorobotics Laboratory (Biorob), the "cheetah-cub robot," is a small-size quadruped prototype robot. The purpose of the platform is to encourage research in biomechanics. Robots developed from this concept could eventually be used in search and rescue missions or for exploration.
Google begins launching Internet-beaming balloons
June 17, 2013 10:02 am | by MARTHA MENDOZA & NICK PERRY, Associated Press | CommentsGoogle is launching Internet-beaming antennas into the stratosphere aboard giant, jellyfish-shaped balloons with the lofty goal of getting the entire planet online. Eighteen months in the works, the top-secret project was announced Saturday in New Zealand, where up to 50 volunteer households are already beginning to receive the Internet...
Russian tycoon wants to move mind to machine
June 17, 2013 9:58 am | by PETER SVENSSON, AP Technology Writer | CommentsCan the City That Never Sleeps become the City That Never Dies? A Russian multimillionaire thinks so. Dmitry Itskov gathered some of humanity's best brains — and a few robots — in New York City on Saturday to discuss how humans can get their minds to outlive their bodies.
China announces new measures to curb air pollution
June 17, 2013 9:54 am | by LOUISE WATT, Associated Press | CommentsChina's Cabinet has announced measures to curb the country's notorious air pollution, one of the many environmental challenges facing the country that are increasingly angering the public. The broad measures approved by the State Council include putting strict controls in place for industries that produce large amounts of waste and pollution...
China calls for explanations of US surveillance
June 17, 2013 9:47 am | by The Associated Press | CommentsChina on Monday joined calls for Washington to provide explanations following disclosures of National Security Agency programs which collect millions of telephone records and track foreign Internet activity on U.S. networks. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters that Washington needs to heed international concerns...
Chinese supercomputer named as world's fastest
June 17, 2013 9:45 am | by The Associated Press | CommentsChina has built the world's fastest computer for a second time, beating the U.S.'s Titan machine. The semiannual TOP500 official listing of the world's fastest supercomputers says the Tianhe-2 developed by the National University of Defense Technology in Changsha city in central China is capable of sustained computing of 33.86 petaflops per second.
Apple details government requests for data
June 17, 2013 7:22 am | by The Associated Press | CommentsApple says it received between 4,000 and 5,000 requests from U.S. law enforcement for customer data for the six months ended in May. The company, like some other businesses, had asked the U.S government to be able to share how many requests it received related to national security and how it...
Making alternative fuels cheaper
June 17, 2013 12:00 am | by Massachusetts Institute of Technology | CommentsMIT chemical engineers have devised a cheaper way to synthesize a key biofuel component, which could make its industrial production much more cost-effective.The compound, known as gamma-valerolactone (GVL), is attractive because of its versatility, says Yuriy Román, an assistant professor of chemical engineering and leader of the research team. It has more energy than ethanol and could be used on its own or as an additive to other fue...
Iran's Rowhani seeks 'constructive interaction'
June 15, 2013 1:51 pm | by The Associated Press | CommentsNo one could catch Phil Mickelson or Billy Horschel as the second round wrapped up early Saturday at the U.S. Open, where sunny skies helped dry muddy Merion Golf Club. Ian Poulter tried to join them but had a bad lie in a bunker at No. 16 and his approach rolled off the back edge of the green at...
Microsoft: more user surveillance information
June 15, 2013 3:19 am | by The Associated Press | CommentsA top Microsoft Corp. lawyer says the company has secured permission from federal officials to say more about the volume of law enforcement and national security orders it has received to turn over customer information. The disclosure came in a statement Friday from Vice President and Deputy...
Creating a low-carbon, non-nuclear economy: The case of Taiwan
June 14, 2013 5:10 pm | by Massachusetts Institute of Technology | CommentsAfter the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, energy experts and policymakers around the world began to reassess the future of nuclear power. Countries, including Japan and Germany, have since scaled back or plan to shut down their nuclear power — sparking a global debate on how nations will replace nuclear.
Microsoft brings Office to iPhone, but not tablets
June 14, 2013 2:24 pm | by ANICK JESDANUN - AP Technology Writer - Associated Press | CommentsEven as a pared-down version of Microsoft's Office software package arrived on the iPhone, the company is holding out on extending that to the iPad and Android devices as it tries to boost sales of tablet computers running its own Windows system. Microsoft also isn't selling Office Mobile for...
NYSE stocks posting largest percentage increases
June 14, 2013 1:28 pm | by The Associated Press | CommentsA look at the 10 biggest percentage gainers on New York Stock Exchange at 1 p.m.: Restoration Hardware Holdings Inc. rose 18.8 percent to $70.07. InvenSense Inc. rose 9.9 percent to $14.94. Strategic Hotels & Resorts Inc. rose 7.0 percent to $9.04. Spectra Energy Ptrs rose 4.8 percent to...
