Browsed by
Tag: technology

Talking about science and technology has positive impacts on research and society

Talking about science and technology has positive impacts on research and society

It is important to educate the public about scientific research, discoveries and applications. (Shutterstock)

Discussions around science and technology can become controversial, such as public conversations around climate science or gene-editing tools.

That might leave the impression that such conversations are best avoided. But it is important to have constructive conversations about scientific and technical subjects because of how they impact our lives.

Not having these conversations can lead to further division and strained relationships. Avoidance of such conversations could also have serious implications for scientific research support such as the continued development of life-saving vaccines or in deciding how we might regulate emerging technologies such as generative artificial intelligence.

Read more: Generative AI like ChatGPT reveal deep-seated systemic issues beyond the tech industry

The ancient Greeks had a term for opportune moments, or those qualitative measures of time where things just seem to be right for some action.

… Read more
Canadian technology company creates metals supply chain software to combat fraud

Canadian technology company creates metals supply chain software to combat fraud

Aurubis AG uncovered a large-scale fraud in September involving shipments of scrap metal that it uses to feed its copper smelters, with potential losses running into hundreds of millions of euros.

A Canadian technology start-up with backing from the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) – the technology arm of the government – says it has developed a secure digital platform to create accountability and transparency within the supply chain.

Pointing out that the multi-trillion dollar commodities industry still primarily operates on physical paper and spreadsheets for its transactions, Alberta-based Daniola created a digital platform that connects metals buyers and sellers and vendors on a three-way marketplace.

The company, whose primary market is Africa, said it has developed a secure and end-to-end solution, enabling users to  track the journey of minerals and metals, starting from the mine through to possession, ensuring the user has full knowledge of where the materials originated.

… Read more
NASA Names New Head of Technology, Policy, Strategy

NASA Names New Head of Technology, Policy, Strategy

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson announced Monday Charity Weeden will serve as associate administrator for the agency’s Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy (OTPS), effective immediately. Weeden succeeds Bhavya Lal, who left the agency in July, and Ellen Gertsen, who had been serving as the office’s acting leader since then.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson announced Monday Charity Weeden will serve as associate administrator for the agency’s Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy (OTPS), effective immediately. Weeden succeeds Bhavya Lal, who left the agency in July, and Ellen Gertsen, who had been serving as the office’s acting leader since then.

The Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy, located at NASA Headquarters in Washington, provides agency leadership with high-quality, evidence-driven advice that guides strategic planning and investments. The office works across NASA’s mission directorates, as well as with the broader space community. Its researchers focus on key areas aligned with agency-level activities and

… Read more
Technology Red Flags: What Accessible Tests Can You Apply To Cleantech Innovations?

Technology Red Flags: What Accessible Tests Can You Apply To Cleantech Innovations?

Years ago, I developed a basic framework of red flags I looked for when assessing wind generation technologies. I generalized it for an engineering magazine at one point at their request. A couple of years ago I used it as the basis of seminar I was invited to give at Columbia University. I apply the filter constantly and mostly unconsciously. And in recent weeks, I’ve had a series of conversations that make it clear it’s time to update it a bit.

One conversation was with a Dutch journalist who is writing an article for the government about how to avoid being conned or duped by poor solutions. Another was with an aerospace contact, where I pointed out that airborne wind energy types worked for years without realizing that they had to compete with a solution which required no human involvement in operations. Another was a discussion with a South American

… Read more
Arris brings thermoplastic technology to spokes and components

Arris brings thermoplastic technology to spokes and components

A version of this article ran in the April issue of BRAIN. This has been updated with information about the company’s latest investors, announced April 30.

MONTEREY, Calif. (BRAIN) — Thermoplastic might be the word of the year, or the decade, in the industry, with several companies in and out of the industry bringing the technology to the bike world. Compared to the more common thermoset layup carbon fiber used in the industry, thermoplastic fabrication promises to be more efficient, with less waste and lower environmental impact. The resulting products can include complex, precise shapes with no post-process machining, sanding or finishing required. The resulting products can be more resistant to impact or notch damage and they can be co-molded with metal parts, electronics or finishing films. Thermoplastic products and factory scraps also sometimes can be recycled. 

GT and Ross experimented with thermoplastic frames as early as the 1990s, and

… Read more