Phys.org, Author at Spotlight Magazine

One Tech Tip: Skype shut down for good, but users still have these alternatives

Skype is dead. What now?This post was originally published on this site

Scientists discover a new way to convert corn waste into low-cost sugar for biofuel

Scientists at Washington State University have found a new way to produce sugar from corn stalks and other crop waste, potentially opening a new pathway to sustainable biofuels.This post was originally published on this site

Origami points to new materials that ‘breathe’ and twist on command

Origami—the art of paper folding that originated in Japan centuries ago—could open a new frontier in innovative materials, thanks to research led at the University of Michigan.This post was originally published on this site

TeleAbsence: Poetic encounters with the past

In the dim light of the lab, friends, family, and strangers watched the image of a pianist playing for them, the pianist’s fingers projected onto the moving keys of a real grand piano that filled […]

Physical cloaking works like a disappearing act for structural defects

Whether designing a window in an airliner or a cable conduit for an engine, manufacturers devote a lot of effort to reinforcing openings for structural integrity. But the reinforcement is rarely perfect and often creates […]

Plants you can wear: Hydrogel material weaves seeds into textiles

Humans’ relationships with plants is largely utilitarian, serving our needs. We generally either eat them or make things out of them.This post was originally published on this site

UAE schools to teach AI from kindergarten up

The United Arab Emirates will introduce artificial intelligence lessons for schoolchildren of all ages, officials said, in its latest initiative to stay at the technology’s forefront.This post was originally published on this site

What happens when a companion chatbot crosses the line?

Over the last five years, the use of highly personalized artificial intelligence chatbots—called companion chatbots—designed to act as friends, therapists or even romantic partners has skyrocketed to more than a billion users worldwide. While there […]

MotionBlocks remaps VR controls, enabling enjoyable gameplay for people with mobility challenges

A team of researchers from the University of Waterloo have created a method that makes virtual reality (VR) more accessible to people with mobility limitations.This post was originally published on this site

UK research identifies attitudes toward personal data processing for national security

Almost 80% of U.K. adults support national security agencies collecting and processing personal data to investigate terrorism and serious crime, according to new research by the Center for Emerging Technology and Security (CETaS) at The […]