Researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences have developed a robotic mechanism for mushroom picking and trimming and demonstrated its effectiveness for the automated harvesting of button mushrooms. In a new study, the prototype, which is designed to be integrated with a machine vision system, showed that it is capable of both picking and trimming mushrooms … [Read more...] about Prototype of robotic device to pick, trim button mushrooms
Engineers demonstrate a quantum advantage
Quantum computing and quantum sensing have the potential to be vastly more powerful than their classical counterparts. Not only could a fully realized quantum computer take just seconds to solve equations that would take a classical computer thousands of years, but it could have incalculable impacts on areas ranging from biomedical imaging to autonomous driving. However, the … [Read more...] about Engineers demonstrate a quantum advantage
‘Self-aware’ materials build the foundation for living structures
From the biggest bridges to the smallest medical implants, sensors are everywhere, and for good reason: The ability to sense and monitor changes before they become problems can be both cost-saving and life-saving. To better address these potential threats, the Intelligent Structural Monitoring and Response Testing (iSMaRT) Lab at the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of … [Read more...] about ‘Self-aware’ materials build the foundation for living structures
Column: This solar company wouldn’t let a dead woman out of her contract
Worthwhile products sell themselves. So it’s always been strange to me that some companies selling solar power systems resort to the skeeviest sales practices imaginable — telemarketing, robocalls, hyper-aggressive salespeople.Solar power is a good thing. It’s part of the solution to climate change.Yet some players in this industry go out of their way to come off as … [Read more...] about Column: This solar company wouldn’t let a dead woman out of her contract
Hashtags felt dated and cringeworthy. So why are influencers still using them?
Internet fads tend to have a distinct life cycle. First, the embrace by early adopters and tastemakers, particularly the young. Next, an explosion of popularity leading to inescapable ubiquity. Finally, death by overexposure and a wretched zombie afterlife of continued usage by parents and the terminally uncool. Not long ago, hashtags were firmly on that trajectory. Born as a … [Read more...] about Hashtags felt dated and cringeworthy. So why are influencers still using them?
Op-Ed: To keep social media from inciting violence, focus on responses to posts more than the posts themselves
When Facebook tried to get its external Oversight Board to decide whether it should ban Donald Trump permanently, the board demurred and tossed the hot potato back to Facebook, ordering the company to make the final call within six months. But one person had unwittingly offered a vital lesson in content moderation that Facebook and other tech companies have so far missed — … [Read more...] about Op-Ed: To keep social media from inciting violence, focus on responses to posts more than the posts themselves
Candy-like models used to make STEM accessible to visually impaired students
About 36 million people have blindness including 1 million children. Additionally, 216 million people experience moderate to severe visual impairment. However, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education maintains a reliance on three-dimensional imagery for education. Most of this imagery is inaccessible to students with blindness. A breakthrough study by Bryan … [Read more...] about Candy-like models used to make STEM accessible to visually impaired students
Hacking and loss of driving skills are major consumer concerns for self-driving cars
A new study from the University of Kent, Toulouse Business School, ESSCA School of Management (Paris) and ESADE Business School (Spain) has revealed the three primary risks and benefits perceived by consumers towards autonomous vehicles (self-driving cars). The increased development of autonomous vehicles worldwide inspired the researchers to uncover how consumers feel towards … [Read more...] about Hacking and loss of driving skills are major consumer concerns for self-driving cars
Helping doctors manage COVID-19: New tool uses AI technology to assess the severity of lung infections and inform treatment
Artificial intelligence (AI) technology developed by researchers at the University of Waterloo is capable of assessing the severity of COVID-19 cases with a promising degree of accuracy. A study, which is part of the COVID-Net open-source initiative launched more than a year ago, involved researchers from Waterloo and spin-off start-up company DarwinAI, as well as radiologists … [Read more...] about Helping doctors manage COVID-19: New tool uses AI technology to assess the severity of lung infections and inform treatment
Electrons waiting for their turn: New model explains 3D quantum material
This new 3D effect can be the foundation for topological quantum phenomena, which are believed to be particularly robust and therefore promising candidates for extremely powerful quantum technologies. These results have just been published in the scientific journal Nature Communications. Dr. Tobias Meng and Dr. Johannes Gooth are early career researchers in the … [Read more...] about Electrons waiting for their turn: New model explains 3D quantum material