Sunlight shining on specialized floaties can now produce fuel for plants by recovering ammonia from wastewater. Researchers designed a floatable amino-grafted (-NH2) MXene (Ti3C2)-based (AMS) sponge that, when scaled efficiently, can provide two sustainable solutions simultaneously: cleaning up wastewater and providing ammonia (NH3), an essential nitrogen source for plants, to farmers at a lower cost.| techxplore.com
Humanoid robots, robots with a human-like body structure, have so far been primarily tested on manual tasks that entail supporting humans in their daily activities, such as carrying objects, collecting samples in hazardous environments, supporting older adults or acting as physical therapy assistants. In contrast, their potential for completing expressive physical tasks rooted in creative disciplines, such as playing an instrument or participating in performance arts, remains largely unexplored.| techxplore.com
Fuel cells are energy solutions that can convert the chemical energy in fuels into electricity via specific chemical reactions, instead of relying on combustion. Promising types of fuel cells are direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs), devices specifically designed to convert the energy in methyl alcohol (i.e., methanol) into electrical energy.| techxplore.com
What if windows could clean themselves at the flick of a switch? We're not quite there yet, but we are getting closer. Researchers in China have developed a transparent, easy-to-produce self-cleaning glass that can remove particles in just 10 seconds using an electric field.| techxplore.com
To support the ongoing transition to electric vehicles and reduce greenhouse emissions, engineers have been trying to develop batteries that can store more energy, while also operating safely and lasting for long periods of time. Typically, however, high-energy batteries entail longer charging times, which is not ideal for most real-world applications.| techxplore.com
Hydrogen (H2) is an Earth-abundant molecule that is widely used in industrial settings and could soon contribute to the clean generation and storage of electricity. Most notably, it can be used to generate electricity in fuel cells, which could in turn power heavy-duty vehicles or serve as back-up energy systems.| techxplore.com
AI is a relatively new tool, and despite its rapid deployment in nearly every aspect of our lives, researchers are still trying to figure out how its "personality traits" arise and how to control them. Large learning models (LLMs) use chatbots or "assistants" to interface with users, and some of these assistants have exhibited troubling behaviors recently, like praising evil dictators, using blackmail or displaying sycophantic behaviors with users. Considering how much these LLMs have already...| techxplore.com
Two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors, materials that can conduct electricity and are only a few atoms thick, are promising alternatives to the conventional silicon-based semiconductors currently used to fabricate many electronics. Despite their promise, these materials have not yet been deployed on a large scale.| techxplore.com
To further reduce the size of electronic devices, while also improving their performance and energy efficiency, electronics engineers have been trying to identify alternative materials that outperform silicon and other conventional semiconductors. Two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors, materials that are just a few atoms thick and have a tunable electrical conductivity, are among the most promising candidates for the fabrication of smaller and better performing devices.| techxplore.com
Guilt is a highly advantageous quality for society as a whole. It might not prevent initial wrongdoings, but guilt allows humans to judge their own prior judgments as harmful and prevents them from happening again. The internal distress caused by feelings of guilt often—but not always—results in the person taking on some kind of penance to relieve themselves from internal turmoil. This might be something as simple as admitting their wrongdoing to others and taking on a slight stigma of so...| techxplore.com
Tech Xplore, a new division of Science X Network, covers the latest engineering, electronics and technology advances| techxplore.com
Tech Xplore, a new division of Science X Network, covers the latest engineering, electronics and technology advances| techxplore.com