Cognitive flexibility, the ability to switch between different thoughts and mental concepts rapidly, is a crucial human capability. This capability enables multitasking, quick skill acquisition, and adaptation to new situations. While artificial intelligence (AI) systems have made significant advancements in recent years, they still lack the same level of flexibility as humans when it comes
Technology
The luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) has been around since the 1970s, with the goal of improving solar energy capture by using luminescent materials to convert and concentrate sunlight onto photovoltaic (PV) cells. This technology offers advantages over traditional concentrators by being able to harvest diffuse light and being used in applications like building-integrated photovoltaics. However,
Recent research conducted by CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has shown that new Australian homes are up to 50% more airtight than those tested in 2015. This increase in airtightness is a positive development for homeowners, as it brings with it a range of benefits including better comfort, lower energy bills, and improved indoor air
Wireless internet has become an essential part of our daily lives, enabling us to stay connected, browse the internet, and stream media content. With the increasing demand for wireless internet access, there is also a surge in power consumption, leading to a rise in carbon emissions globally. To address this issue, researchers are now focusing
Push puppet toys have long fascinated children and adults alike with their ability to move and collapse with the push of a button. Now, a team of UCLA engineers has taken inspiration from these toys to create a new class of tunable dynamic materials with a wide range of applications, from soft robotics to space
The recent federal court ruling concerning Google’s maintenance of dominance in internet search through an illegal monopoly is a significant development in the tech industry. The ruling highlights Google’s strong-arming tactics towards competitors, which has raised concerns about fair competition in the market. Judge Amit Mehta’s decision to challenge Google’s monopoly is a step in
The introduction of CrossBot, a robotic crossing guard prototype, is sparking a debate about the future of safeguarding children in crosswalks. Created by Hovannes Kulhandjian, an associate professor in electrical and computer engineering at Fresno State, the device aims to provide an additional layer of protection for children crossing the street. Equipped with advanced sensors
A recent study by Dr. Jin Gu, Kang and his team at the Nanophotonics Research Center at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) has brought about a significant breakthrough in the field of radiative cooling. The team has successfully developed a colorful radiation-cooling liquid crystal material that not only cools without external power
Measuring the body mass of mice has long been a critical aspect of biomedical research. Traditionally, this has involved removing the mice from their cages and placing them on scales, a process that can be stressful for the animals and introduce variables that impact the reliability of the data. This method also limits the frequency
In a recent cross-disciplinary study conducted by researchers at Washington University in St. Louis, a surprising psychological phenomenon was revealed at the intersection of human behavior and artificial intelligence. This study found that participants actively adjusted their behavior to appear more fair and just when they believed they were training AI to play a bargaining