Resveratrol activates ancient stress response at 1,000 times lower doses

http://www.scripps.edu/news/press/2014/20141222schimmel.html

A step toward a potential anti-aging drug

http://www.kurzweilai.net/a-step-toward-a-potential-anti-aging-drug?utm_source=KurzweilAI+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=a0174ace0d-UA-946742-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6de721fb33-a0174ace0d-281903081

India Plans the World's Largest Solar Power Plant

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/12/28/india-plans-the-worlds-largest-solar-power-plant.aspx

The First Prototype of Google’s Self-Driving Car

Only 25 mph top speed? Not impressive...but this one should be on the market in just a few years:

http://time.com/3644661/google-self-driving-car-prototype/?xid=newsletter-brief

Utilities fighting back against solar customers

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/12/22/3605710/new-mexico-utility-charge-solar-owners-30-a-month/

Chinese solar panels hit with a anti-subsidies, anti-dumping tariffs

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/12/20/us-deals-major-blow-to-chinese-solar-manufacturers.aspx

I would think this is ultimately good news for US manufacturers, though not as much for consumers in the short term.

Solar With Batteries to Hit $1 Billion in U.S. by 2018

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-12-18/solar-paired-with-batteries-to-reach-1-billion-in-u-s-by-2018.html?cmpid=yhoo

Multiferroic heroics put instant-on computing in sight

http://news.cornell.edu/stories/2014/12/multiferroic-heroics-put-instant-computing-sight

In one aspect of vision, computers catch up to primate brain

http://newsoffice.mit.edu/2014/computer-neural-networks-identify-objects-like-primate-brain-1218

Could ibuprofen be an anti-aging medicine?

http://www.buckinstitute.org/buck-news/could-ibuprofen-be-an-anti-aging-medicine

Minnesota could supply more than 50 percent of its power needs through renewable energy by 2030

http://www.midwestenergynews.com/2014/12/18/report-sees-bright-future-for-renewable-energy-in-minnesota/

More on the Skype language translator (with video)

http://www.wired.com/2014/12/skype-used-ai-build-amazing-new-language-translator/

Evidence Of Life On Mars?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/16/life-on-mars_n_6337610.html

How Scientists Are Building Tiny Microscopic Motors

https://screen.yahoo.com/scientists-building-tiny-microscopic-motors-140000866.html

Graphene can be made magnetic

http://gizmodo.com/a-little-lead-can-make-graphene-magnetic-1671641756

AT&T made predictions in 1994 that have come true

http://news.yahoo.com/live-future-t-imagined-1994-161500780.html

I'm especially amused by the claim that voice translation is "still clearly in the future"...on the same day Skype becomes available to do exactly that. :-)

Skype now allows real-time voice translation into another language

Another step in the loss of translation jobs:

http://www.theverge.com/2014/12/15/7393665/skype-translator-features

A.I. learns to identify images

http://www.wired.com/2014/12/deep-learning-renormalization/

Engineers have doubled the efficiency of a prominent solar cell technology

http://phys.org/news/2014-12-persistent-solar-cell-issue.html

Blu-Ray Disc Can be Used to Improve Solar Cell Performance

http://www.northwestern.edu/newscenter/stories/2014/11/blu-ray-disc-can-be-used-to-improve-solar-cell-performance.html

U.S. Solar Jumps 41% With Home Systems Surpassing 300 Megawatts

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-12-09/u-dot-s-dot-solar-jumps-41-percent-with-home-systems-surpassing-300-megawatts

Why Solar Panels Are Going on the Country's Biggest Rooftops

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/12/10/why-solar-panels-are-going-on-the-biggest-roofs-in.aspx

Quantum Teleportation Reaches Farthest Distance Yet

http://www.livescience.com/49028-farthest-quantum-teleportation.html?cmpid=558756

Alternate energies causing gradual death spiral for utilities

http://fuelfix.com/blog/2014/12/08/report-energy-efficiency-could-cost-u-s-utilities-48-billion/

New drug can heal spinal cord injuries

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-30254698

Australian researchers achieve 40% solar efficiency

http://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/science-technology/unsw-researchers-set-world-record-solar-energy-efficiency

Robotic-leg prosthetic allows amputees to walk normally

http://www.kurzweilai.net/robotic-leg-prosthetic-allows-amputees-to-walk-normally?utm_source=KurzweilAI+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=b7e5a5230c-UA-946742-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6de721fb33-b7e5a5230c-281903081

Stephen Hawking voices concerns about artificial intelligence

http://www.livescience.com/48972-stephen-hawking-artificial-intelligence-threat.html?cmpid=558754

Levitating magnetic gear system results in zero wear and friction

http://portal.uc3m.es/portal/page/portal/actualidad_cientifica/noticias/magdrive_levitating

Solar Power’s Stunning Growth: U.S. Generation up 100 Percent This Year

http://breakingenergy.com/2014/12/01/solar-powers-stunning-growth-u-s-generation-up-100-percent-this-year/

Why battery technology hasn't improved much in decades

https://www.yahoo.com/tech/its-2014-why-is-my-battery-stuck-in-the-90s-104166984299.html

The Cheetah robot runs and maneuvers on batteries alone

https://www.yahoo.com/tech/s/mit-engineers-high-hopes-cheetah-robot-060838533.html

Will the Technological Singularity Arrive, and Will it Be a Good Thing or Bad?

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2014/11/artificial-intelligence-singularity-theory

The Uplifting Promise and Depressing Reality of Space Travel

This could be, if only we put more than a fraction of 1% of our budget into NASA:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/30/wanderers-short-film_n_6244990.html?fb_action_ids=10204015258754626&fb_action_types=og.likes

But watching this video of what the upcoming Orion is supposed to do is depressing:

http://www.universetoday.com/116785/cool-nasa-animation-beautifully-details-every-step-of-orions-first-launch/

How painfully little has changed in 50 years! It's like watching a sad remake of a classic.

Tesla's $5 billion gigafactory to power more than just cars

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/11/21/dont-overlook-the-other-reason-for-tesla-motors-in.aspx

Solar Panels that glue on to roofs could almost eliminate installation costs

http://nextbigfuture.com/2014/11/solar-panels-that-glue-on-to-roofs.html

Batteries Could Capture Low-Grade Waste Heat

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/batteries-could-capture-low-grade-waste-heat/

Using wind power to make hydrogen for "free" during excess production

http://green.autoblog.com/2014/11/14/bibendum-2014-itm-power-make-free-hydrogen/

Solar to reachy grid parity in two years

https://autos.yahoo.com/news/coming-solar-power-boom-charts-tell-story-grid-143433439.html

Twisted-light waves transmitted in air over a 3-kilometer path

http://www.kurzweilai.net/twisted-light-waves-transmitted-in-air-over-a-3-kilometer-path?utm_source=KurzweilAI+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=2547c5ecc1-UA-946742-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6de721fb33-2547c5ecc1-281903081

"The light can be theoretically twisted with an infinite number of turns, with each configuration acting as a single communication channel ... a number of experiments using twisted light over fiber-optic links, some showing that twisted-light can be used to transmit 2.5 terabits of data per second."

A battery made up of billions of nanoscale batteries

http://www.umdrightnow.umd.edu/news/billion-holes-can-make-battery

The global market for residential solar energy storage is expected to grow tenfold over the next five years

http://news.investors.com/technology/111214-726121-solarcity-vivint-solar-to-capitalize-on-battery-trend.htm

Magnesium To Replace Lithium-ion Batteries Soon

This sounds like a major game-changer:

http://wallstcheatsheet.com/business/magnesium-to-replace-lithium-ion-batteries-soon.html/?a=viewall

"up to 12 times the energy density of a lithium-ion battery and its charge-discharge efficiency is five times greater"

Fossil fuels with $550 billion subsidies hurt renewables

http://fuelfix.com/blog/2014/11/12/fossil-fuels-with-550-billion-subsidies-hurt-renewables/

China making a big push for solar power

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/chinas-hunger-clean-energy-leave-162034895.html

Google teaching robots martial arts

http://www.theverge.com/2014/11/11/7199179/watch-googles-robot-perform-that-scene-from-the-karate-kid

The Tricky Transition From Fossil Fuel

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/11/science/earth/denmark-aims-for-100-percent-renewable-energy.html?_r=0

Google's advanced technology research

http://www.marketoracle.co.uk/Article48112.html

Novel process could let consumers 3D-print metal parts for the first time

http://www.kurzweilai.net/novel-process-could-let-consumers-3d-print-metal-parts-for-the-first-time?utm_source=KurzweilAI+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=3183e33762-UA-946742-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6de721fb33-3183e33762-281903081

Dual-purpose film for energy storage, hydrogen catalysis: Chemists gain edge in next-gen energy

http://phys.org/news/2014-11-dual-purpose-energy-storage-hydrogen-catalysis.html

Nanomotor Lithography Used to Develop Nanoscale Machines

http://www.jacobsschool.ucsd.edu/news/news_releases/release.sfe?id=1591

"the team developed nanorobots, or nanomotors, that are chemically-powered, self-propelled and magnetically controlled"

Darpa Circuit Achieves Speeds Of 1 Trillion Cycles Per Second, Earns Guinness World Record

http://www.darpa.mil/NewsEvents/Releases/2014/10/28.aspx

Grid Parity to Reach 36 States in 2016

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-10-29/while-you-were-getting-worked-up-over-oil-prices-this-just-happened-to-solar.html

So it it fair to say that 2016 is the tipping point?

Solar Prices Still Falling Fast, Study Finds

http://www.triplepundit.com/2014/10/solar-prices-still-falling-fast-study-finds/

GM doubles down on the Chevy Volt

https://autos.yahoo.com/news/general-motors-doubles-down-chevy-040100807.html

Are We Witnessing The End Of The Oil Era

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/gartman-were-witnessing-end-oil-221420996.html

How Vermont's largest city went 100 percent renewable electricity

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Energy-Voices/2014/1027/How-Vermont-s-largest-city-went-100-percent-renewable-electricity

Big utilities pushing into booming home solar market

http://news.yahoo.com/big-utilities-pushing-booming-home-solar-market-112015170--finance.html

Solar energy prices see double-digit declines in 2013, trend expected to continue

http://phys.org/news/2014-10-solar-energy-prices-double-digit-declines.html#jCp

Lowly DSL poised for gigabit speed boost

http://www.cnet.com/news/lowly-dsl-broadband-poised-for-gigabit-speed-boost/

Compact Fusion Reactor Will be Available in 5 Years Says Lockheed-Martin

Sounds great, but...

http://www.universetoday.com/115411/fusion-energy-always-50-years-away-now-just-5-according-to-lockheed-martin/

Brighter, New Energy-Saving Flat Panel Lights Based on Carbon Nanotubes

http://www.aip.org/publishing/journal-highlights/beyond-leds-flat-panel-lights-using-carbon-nanotubes

"Scientists from Tohoku University in Japan have developed a new type of energy-efficient flat light source based on carbon nanotubes with very low power consumption of around 0.1 Watt for every hour's operation -- about a hundred times lower than that of an LED."

Why Hawaii is at the forefront of American solar adoption

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/10/19/solar-news-watch-hawaiis-solar-dilemma-it-could-be.aspx

Why Solar Panels Are More Important Than Ever

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/10/18/why-solar-panels-are-more-important-than-ever.aspx

Soda May Age You as Much as Smoking, Study Says

One good way to not lose a few years from your lifespan:

http://time.com/3513875/soda-may-age-you-as-much-as-smoking/?xid=newsletter-brief

New Electric Drive System Saves Space

http://phys.org/news/2014-10-space-weight-electric-cars.html

Peak Oil Demand is Almost Here, Already is for the Developed World

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/10/16/peak-oil-is-coming-and-why-you-should-love-it.aspx

Solar installation prices dropping

http://www.vox.com/2014/10/16/6987915/solar-power-cheaper-balance-of-systems-costs

Electric 1000+ hp motor goes 0 to 60 in under 3 seconds

http://wrightspeed.com/products/the-circuit/

Of course, my Suzuki Hayabusa motorcycle goes 0-60 in about 2.6 seconds and does the quarter mile in 9.7 seconds (and can be found brand new for as little as $11,000), but it also can't carry more than two passengers....

Making electric vehicle motors lighter

http://phys.org/news/2014-10-electric-vehicle-technology-smaller-package.html

Giant Battery Unit Aims at Wind Storage Holy Grail

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-10-13/giant-battery-unit-aims-at-wind-storage-holy-grail-commodities.html

"Electric-car battery prices already have fallen by 50 percent since 2010 to about $500 per kilowatt hour, and “by drawing on auto-battery technology, battery makers may also be able to supply storage batteries at a lower price,” Citigroup said in a Sept. 25 report. Tesla Chairman Elon Musk said in July that battery packs for electric cars will drop to $100 in the next 10 years."

New Li-Ion Batteries Charge 70 Percent in 2 Minutes, Last for 20 Years

This one actually has strong promise of coming to fruition:

http://gizmodo.com/new-li-ion-batteries-charge-70-percent-in-2-minutes-la-1645721894

Scientists Might Have Accidentally Solved The Hardest Part Of Building Space Elevators

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/scientists-might-accidentally-solved-hardest-155000475.html

Breakthrough Replicates Human Brain Cells for Use in Alzheimer’s Research

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/13/science/researchers-replicate-alzheimers-brain-cells-in-a-petri-dish.html?_r=0

Elon Musk Just Made It Way Cheaper To Live Off Solar Power

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/elon-musk-just-made-way-200019467.html

Cold fusion reactor seems to have 1 million times the energy density of gasoline

We've been here before...but the third-party testing is the first step to verification that this time it's legit:

http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/191754-cold-fusion-reactor-verified-by-third-party-researchers-seems-to-have-1-million-times-the-energy-density-of-gasoline

Green Energy Falters in Ohio

http://www.livescience.com/48189-green-energy-standards-frozen-in-ohio.html?cmpid=558407

Oxygen absorbing material may allow us to breathe underwater

http://www.gizmag.com/crystalline-material-absorb-oxygen-denmark/34064/

Partially driverless cars due by end of decade

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/06/business/technology-takes-the-wheel.html?_r=0

Germany's Solar revolution threatens fossil fuel based generation

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/10/05/1334333/-Upcoming-solar-storage-parity-in-Germany-represent-threat-to-fossil-fuel-industry?detail=email

A 12.3% efficient solar to hydrogen conversion with low-cost, earth-abundant materials

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkGAqk-TXw8

People Will Vacation to the Moon by 2024, Report Says

Probably overly ambitious, but...

https://www.yahoo.com/travel/future-travel-report-says-people-will-fly-to-moon-in-98815692472.html

Perovskite Offers Shot at Cheaper Solar Energy

http://online.wsj.com/articles/perovskite-offers-shot-at-cheaper-solar-energy-1411937799?ru=yahoo?mod=yahoo_itp

Scientists come closer to the industrial synthesis of a material harder than diamond

http://mipt.ru/en/news/harder_than_diamond_201409

Ultra-thin diamond nanothreads are strongest, stiffest materials

The best material to use in making a space elevator:

http://www.kurzweilai.net/smallest-possible-diamonds-form-ultra-thin-nanothreads?utm_source=KurzweilAI+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=46b6db3250-UA-946742-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6de721fb33-46b6db3250-281903081

Ultra-fast ‘phase-change materials’ could lead to 1,000-times-faster computers

http://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/quick-change-materials-break-the-silicon-speed-limit-for-computers

Japanese company plans space elevator by 2050

http://www.cnet.com/news/japanese-company-plans-space-elevator-by-2050/#ftag=YHF65cbda0

Researchers Create a Scaleable Nanosized Hydrogen Generator

http://newswise.com/articles/a-nanosized-hydrogen-generator

Scientists Discover an On/Off Switch for Aging Cells

http://newswise.com/articles/scientists-discover-an-on-off-switch-for-aging-cells

First Water-Based Nuclear Battery Developed Can Be Used to Generate Electrical Energy

Another potentially game-changing storage system:

http://munews.missouri.edu/news-releases/2014/0916-first-water-based-nuclear-battery-developed-by-mu-researcher-can-be-used-to-generate-electrical-energy/

A new impermeable form of graphene oxide could be the ultimate protective coating

http://www.kurzweilai.net/a-new-impermeable-form-of-graphene-oxide-could-be-the-ultimate-protective-coating?utm_source=KurzweilAI+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=e1450f72b7-UA-946742-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6de721fb33-e1450f72b7-281903081

http://phys.org/news/2014-09-graphene-corrosion-free-future.html#nRlv

Grid Parity Here or Coming in More Than Half of U.S. States

http://blog.ucsusa.org/how-much-does-rooftop-solar-power-cost-grid-parity-633

New algorithm enables MIT cheetah robot to run and jump, untethered, across grass

http://www.kurzweilai.net/new-algorithm-enables-mit-cheetah-robot-to-run-and-jump-untethered-across-grass?utm_source=KurzweilAI+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=4cc668be04-UA-946742-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6de721fb33-4cc668be04-281903081

Renewable energy creating revolution in energy creation

http://m.dailykos.com/story/2014/09/14/1329718/-NYT-renewable-energy-creating-revolution-in-energy-creation?detail=email

A soft ‘wearable robot’ exosuit to increase stamina for soldiers and civilians

Currently vaporware, but...

http://www.seas.harvard.edu/news/2014/09/walsh-to-advance-wearable-robot-design

Will Brownian Motion Sink the Hopes of Nanotech?

http://hplusmagazine.com/2013/11/23/going-soft-on-nanotech/

Robot learns to load a dishwasher

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-29168675

New finding may considerably delay the aging process

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-09/uoc--ubd090814.php

Simplest form of long distance technological telepathy achieved

http://www.kurzweilai.net/researchers-demonstrate-direct-brain-to-brain-communication-in-human-subjects?utm_source=KurzweilAI+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=67e61eaba8-UA-946742-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6de721fb33-67e61eaba8-281903081

New advance in making graphene

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-09-08/crystals-chemicals-and-a-crazy-idea-forget-breaking-bad-and-try-breaking-graphite.html?cmpid=yhoo

GM to launch hands-free driving

http://news.yahoo.com/gm-launch-hands-free-driving-050530248.html

The proliferation of 3D printing

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-29114744

New generation of chips are half the size and 30% thinner than the previous generation

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-29066210

Space Station’s Robonaut 2 Is Getting More Astronaut-Like By The Day

http://www.universetoday.com/114346/space-stations-robonaut-2-is-getting-more-astronaut-like-by-the-day/

The next steps for Watson

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/08/28/questions-for-ibms-watson/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0

The Top 10 U.S. States for Solar Power — And What They Can Teach Us

http://www.triplepundit.com/2014/09/top-ten-states-leading-example-harnessing-solar-energy/

Robotic brain 'learns' skills from the internet

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-28936436

Transparent solar cells for windows and other see-through surfaces

http://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2014/solar-energy-that-doesnt-block-the-view/

NASA creates 3D printer capable of using different alloys on the same item

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/08/23/nasa-just-blasted-through-one-huge-3d-printing-tec.aspx

Soon Europe Might Not Need Any New Power Plants

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/08/24/3474972/ubs-europe-solar-batteries-evs/#

Lawmakers, Homeowners Fight Rules Saying Solar is Too Ugly to Install

http://www.nationofchange.org/lawmakers-homeowners-fight-rules-saying-solar-too-ugly-install-1408715620

Stanford scientists develop inexpensive water splitter that runs on ordinary AAA battery

Potential!

http://webmaster.stanford.edu/report_stage/news/2014/august/splitter-clean-fuel-082014.html

Major Court Ruling Clears the Way to Let Renewables Into the Grid

http://www.nationofchange.org/major-court-ruling-clears-way-let-renewables-grid-1408550263

Nicholas Negroponte: A 30-year history of the future

http://www.ted.com/talks/nicholas_negroponte_a_30_year_history_of_the_future

Nanotechnology-based next generation memory nears mass production

http://www.foresight.org/nanodot/?p=6188

A self-organizing thousand-robot swarm

http://www.seas.harvard.edu/news/2014/08/self-organizing-thousand-robot-swarm

Could hemp nanosheets topple graphene for making the ideal supercapacitor?

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-08/acs-chn071614.php

Eco-friendly 'pre-fab' self-assembling nanoparticles could revolutionize nano manufacturing

http://www.kurzweilai.net/eco-friendly-pre-fab-self-assembling-nanoparticles-could-revolutionize-nano-manufacturing?utm_source=KurzweilAI+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=b2fe40865d-UA-946742-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6de721fb33-b2fe40865d-281903081

Your Services Are No Longer Required - The Coming "Great Idleness"

Robots and A.I. will likely eliminate most jobs over the next two decades. Marshall Brain wrote about it in 2003, I think, suggesting a universal basic income based on advertising to ensure everyone can survive joblessness:

http://marshallbrain.com/robotic-nation.htm

Here are more ideas:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/08/12/1321054/-Your-Services-Are-No-Longer-Required-The-Coming-Great-Idleness?detail=email

Siri’s Inventors Are Building a Radical New AI That Does Anything You Ask

http://www.wired.com/2014/08/viv/

Aquion Energy’s battery factory & the future of solar storage

http://gigaom.com/2014/07/20/behind-the-scenes-of-aquion-energys-battery-factory-the-future-of-solar-storage/

IBM Develops a New Chip That Functions Like a Brain

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/08/science/new-computer-chip-is-designed-to-work-like-the-brain.html

Will You Lose Your Job to a Robot?

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/07/upshot/will-you-lose-your-job-to-a-robot-silicon-valley-is-split.html?_r=0

IBM launches functioning brain-inspired chip

http://www.kurzweilai.net/ibm-launches-functioning-brain-inspired-chip?utm_source=KurzweilAI+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=7650af8d8d-UA-946742-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6de721fb33-7650af8d8d-281903081

New Technology at MIT Turns Solar Heat into 85% Energy Efficient Steam

http://www.nationofchange.org/new-technology-mit-turns-solar-heat-85-energy-efficient-steam-1407417576

This Chinese company can 3D print 10 houses in a day

http://www.sciencealert.com.au/news/20141604-25394.html

The result looks clunky and plain right now...but imagine where the technology will be in five, ten years. It may become common practice when buying a new home to tear down the old house and build exactly what you want, rather than live with someone else's custom home.

Declining intelligence in old age linked to visual processing

This is probably why playing computer games helps keep your brain young:

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-08/cp-dii073014.php

No-power Wi-Fi connectivity could fuel Internet of Things reality

http://www.washington.edu/news/2014/08/04/no-power-wi-fi-connectivity-could-fuel-internet-of-things-reality/

Suing Obama in Federal Court is Likely to Fail Miserably

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/07/31/1318130/-Turns-out-that-lawsuits-have-rules?detail=email

Elon Musk's Idea for a 14K mph Pneumatic Railroad Completely Open Source

http://www.nationofchange.org/wunderkind-elon-musk-pneumatic-railroad-14000-mile-hour-travel-completely-open-source-1406900207

Scientists develop a 'nanosubmarine' that delivers complementary molecules inside cells

It's too preliminary to be all that encouraging yet, but such a "nanosubmarine" is the ultimate goal for maintaining biological health:

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-06/uom-sda062514.php

Maybe it can use this to maneuver:

http://www.ats.org/news/worlds-smallest-propeller-could-be-used-for-microscopic-medicine/

New concept may halve the cost of solar power costs

http://gizmodo.com/a-new-adaptive-material-could-halve-the-cost-of-solar-p-1613204859

A Colorful Tree That Grows 40 Different Types Of Fruit

This isn't really new tech, but it does suggest some cool options for the future. I would love to have a few of these trees!

http://designtaxi.com/news/367792/In-New-York-There-Is-A-Colorful-Tree-That-Grows-40-Different-Types-Of-Fruit/?interstital_shown=1

Driverless Cars to Hit Public Roads in Britain by January 2015

http://time.com/3056369/driverless-cars-to-hit-public-roads-in-britain-by-january-2015/?xid=newsletter-brief

A better test than the Turing Test

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20140728005207/en/Nuance-Announces-Winograd-Schema-Challenge-Advance-Artificial#.U9klavldV8F

One good reason to like Apple products

http://www.nationofchange.org/apple-build-100-acre-solar-farm-north-carolina-1406558032

New Quantum Theory Topples Einstein's Spacetime

I'm not sure what this implies, but it is fascinating:

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/splitting-time-from-space/

New way to generate steam power from the sun

http://newsoffice.mit.edu/2014/new-spongelike-structure-converts-solar-energy-into-steam-0721

The failed Republican economy in Kansas

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/07/19/1315203/-I-know-bupkis-about-economics-but-I-know-what-happened-to-Kansas?detail=email

We will have fully self-driving cars by 2020?

http://www.kurzweilai.net/wait-six-years-to-buy-your-next-car?utm_source=KurzweilAI+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=6c3d2027ea-UA-946742-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6de721fb33-6c3d2027ea-281903081

This device adds extra robotic digits to our hands

http://newsoffice.mit.edu/2014/getting-grip-robotic-grasp-0718

Do we live in a multiverse?

http://www.kurzweilai.net/is-our-universe-a-bubble-in-the-multiverse?utm_source=KurzweilAI+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=8310c7f168-UA-946742-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6de721fb33-8310c7f168-281903081

The allure of solar roadways

http://www.nationofchange.org/are-solar-roadways-next-our-clean-energy-horizon-1405953466

We will need robot caregivers

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/20/opinion/sunday/the-future-of-robot-caregivers.html?_r=0

New chip-chemistry process could help extend Moore’s Law

http://www.kurzweilai.net/new-chip-chemistry-process-could-help-extend-moores-law

Biologists discover electric bacteria that eat pure electrons rather than sugar

http://mobile.extremetech.com/latest/221698-biologists-discover-electric-bacteria-that-eat-pure-electrons-rather-than-sugar-redefining-the-tenacity-of-life

Fish oil pills may prevent Alzheimer's

Gotta keep the meat brain healthy until it can be replaced with machine parts!

https://www.yahoo.com/health/fish-oil-boosts-brain-power-says-science-91965585587.html

Wind energy faltering after tax subsidies cut

http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/data-mine/2014/07/17/5-graphs-about-wind-energy

Vibrations in photosynthesis may increase solar efficiency

http://www.nationofchange.org/vibrations-vegetables-energetics-process-photosynthesis-could-boost-solar-power-efficiency-140552580

New technology fits a terabyte of data on a postage stamp-sized flash drive

http://news.rice.edu/2014/07/10/rices-silicon-oxide-memories-catch-manufacturers-eye/

Boron "Buckyball" Discovered

A new material for the nanotechnology playhouse:

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-07/bu-rdb071014.php

New Internet speed record blows past Google Fiber

10x faster than Google Fiber...over copper cables?

http://money.cnn.com/2014/07/10/technology/innovationnation/internet-speed-record/index.html?iid=HP_Highlight&nbd=5_things

Your skin cells have a sense of smell?

Slightly off-topic, but definitely interesting:

http://time.com/2969963/sandalwood-scent-heal-wounds/?xid=newsletter-brief

IBM investing $3 billion to extend computing beyond silicon

http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/44357.wss

Rooftop solar power is making coal obsolete in Australia

http://news.yahoo.com/rooftop-solar-power-making-coal-obsolete-australia-203834801.html

Dean Kamen's Stirling engine could soon replace grid power

http://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherhelman/2014/07/02/dean-kamen-thinks-his-new-stirling-engine-could-power-the-world/

The potential replacement for silicon

http://viterbi.usc.edu/news/news/2014/june-17-2014.htm

Scientists criticize the Human Brain Project

Well, if they can get the research expanded, that'll be a good thing:

http://www.livescience.com/46678-scientists-criticize-human-brain-project.html

USC Scientists Create New Battery That’s Cheap, Clean, Rechargeable… and Organic

http://pressroom.usc.edu/usc-scientists-create-new-battery-thats-cheap-clean-rechargeable-and-organic/

"The batteries last for about 5,000 recharge cycles, giving them an estimated 15-year lifespan ... "Lithium ion batteries degrade after around 1,000 cycles, and cost 10 times more to manufacture."

3D-printed composite is lighter than wood and stiffer than concrete

http://www.gizmag.com/3d-printed-strong-composite/32738/

The secret to human limb and organ regeneration?

http://www.kurzweilai.net/limb-regeneration-do-salamanders-hold-the-key?utm_source=KurzweilAI+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=aa5916e08b-UA-946742-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6de721fb33-aa5916e08b-281903081

Microsoft is pursuing research into quantum computers

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/24/technology/microsoft-makes-a-bet-on-quantum-computing-research.html?_r=0

Single dose reverses autism-like symptoms in mice

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-06/uoc--sdr061114.php

Elon Musk plans to build one of the single largest solar panel production plants in the world and send people in Mars in ten years

http://www.kurzweilai.net/musk-announces-plans-to-build-one-of-the-single-largest-solar-panel-production-plants-in-the-world?utm_source=KurzweilAI+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=637110a742-UA-946742-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6de721fb33-637110a742-281903081

I hope all the great projects he's doing isn't because he has a small penis.

On second thought...I don't really care about the reason!

More:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-06-17/solarcity-to-acquire-silevo-to-become-pv-panel-manufacturer.html?cmpid=yhoo

Leukemia drug found to stimulate immunity against many cancer types

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-06/ucl-ldf061114.php

New Type Of Computer Capable Of Calculating 640TBs Of Data In One Billionth Of A Second, Could Revolutionize Computing

http://www.iflscience.com/technology/new-type-computer-capable-calculating-640tbs-data-one-billionth-second-could

"...if the technology was scaled down, smartphones could be fabricated with 100 terabytes of memory."

Damn impressive!

200 years that changed the world (with Hans Rosling)

Here's that active chart Ray Kurzweil used in his talk (posted here a few days ago):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPt8ElTQMIg

A gene that stimulates growth of new brain cells in adults

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-06/coh-coh060614.php

Kurzweil talk on what the future will be like

Long, but that gives Kurzweil enough time to give a compelling overview of the Law of Accelerating Returns:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oe7hG1NXVdw&feature=youtu.be

Kurzweil says not so fast on the claim the Turing Test has been passed

http://www.kurzweilai.net/response-by-ray-kurzweil-to-the-announcement-of-chatbot-eugene-goostman-passing-the-turing-test?utm_source=KurzweilAI+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=9e3dc32041-UA-946742-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6de721fb33-9e3dc32041-281903081

Seeing Kurzweil's test of the chatbot makes it clear the Turing Test has definitely NOT been passed.

Computer becomes first to pass Turing Test in artificial intelligence milestone

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/computer-becomes-first-to-pass-turing-test-in-artificial-intelligence-milestone-but-academics-warn-of-dangerous-future-9508370.html

Fooling people into thinking you're a 13 y.o. Ukrainian boy who speaks English as a second language isn't the biggest challenge...but it's still a big one!

New Supercapacitor NanoTech May Provide Power Storage in Cables, Clothes

http://today.ucf.edu/new-nanotech-may-provide-power-storage-cables-clothes/

Improved Supercapacitors Double in Capacity for Super Batteries, Electric Vehicles

http://ucrtoday.ucr.edu/22587

Scientists Find Stronger 3-D Material that Behaves Like Graphene

https://www6.slac.stanford.edu/news/2014-06-02-scientists-find-stronger-3-d-material-behaves-graphene.aspx

The fuel cell for home

Cheaply and simply converting chemical energy into electrical energy:

http://www.fraunhofer.de/en/press/research-news/2014/june/the-fuel-cell-for-home.html

2D Transistors Promise a Faster Electronics Future

http://newscenter.lbl.gov/2014/06/03/2d-transistors-promise-a-faster-electronics-future/

Robot dancer inhabits the Uncanny Valley

Creepy, yes, but some of those motions are so human-like:

http://www.fastcocreate.com/3028268/how-did-this-happen-the-terrifying-fascinating-dancing-woman-thats-giving-the-internet-the-w

Kurzweil TED Talk on the expansion of the neocortex

http://www.ted.com/talks/ray_kurzweil_get_ready_for_hybrid_thinking

Printed robot parts self-assemble when heated

http://www.kurzweilai.net/self-assembling-printable-robotic-components?utm_source=KurzweilAI+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=554a4574ea-UA-946742-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6de721fb33-554a4574ea-281903081

Today's 3-cylinder engines output as much power as V8s from the 1970s

http://time.com/money/2795469/3-cylinder-engine-fuel-efficiency-horsepower/

Robot Velociraptor Runs Faster Than Usain Bolt

Faster and stronger and more enduring...I have to laugh at those who point to today's limits as if there won't be continuing and dramatic improvements.

http://www.iflscience.com/technology/robot-velociraptor-runs-faster-usain-bolt

U.S. Residential Solar Just Beat Commercial Installations For the First Time

http://www.nationofchange.org/us-residential-solar-just-beat-commercial-installations-first-time-1401641611

Scientists Report Finding Reliable Way to Teleport Data

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/30/science/scientists-report-finding-reliable-way-to-teleport-data.html?_r=0

SpaceX Unveils Dragon V2 Spaceship, a Manned Space Taxi for Astronauts

http://news.yahoo.com/spacex-unveils-dragon-v2-spaceship-manned-space-taxi-053345005.html?soc_src=mediacontentstory

More on the Skype translator (with video)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/28/microsoft-skype-translator_n_5405904.html?utm_hp_ref=tw

Skype Translator Will Be Able to Interpret Calls in Real Time

Universal translator, here we come!

http://time.com/121983/skype-translator-microsoft/

Google’s New Car Doesn’t Have a Steering Wheel

http://time.com/121680/google-self-driving-car-autonomous-vehicle-advanced-prototype/

Glasses-free 3D projector

Closing in on truly realistic 3D images without glasses, which needs different eye focusing for different distances, and the ability to change viewing angle to reveal or hide objects behind other objects:

http://www.kurzweilai.net/glasses-free-3d-projector?utm_source=KurzweilAI+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=836712646c-UA-946742-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6de721fb33-836712646c-281903081

Researchers Reveal Smallest, Fastest Nanomotor Yet

http://www.iflscience.com/technology/researchers-reveal-smallest-fastest-nanomotor-yet

It's microtechnology, not nanotechnology, but it's still an important step in the right direction.

Aerofex hoverbike could be yours by 2017

http://www.cnet.com/news/aerofex-hoverbike-headed-for-market-in-2017/

The answer to America's power needs: Solar roads

http://theweek.com/article/index/261385/the-answer-to-americas-power-needs-solar-roads

The Organic Battery From Japan That Could Spawn The Next Tesla

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/organic-battery-japan-could-spawn-130000304.html?soc_src=mediacontentstory

and

http://www.cnet.com/news/japanese-company-promises-revolutionary-new-electric-vehicle-battery/

World’s Largest Solar Array Set to Crank Out 290 Megawatts of Sunshine Power

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/world-s-largest-solar-array-set-to-crank-out-290-megawatts-of-sunshine-power/

Parrot camera drone

http://www.cnet.com/videos/parrot-bebop-drone/

Camera drones are getting smaller and more powerful. How long before they're virtually undetectable and ubiquitous? David Brin's Transparent Society keeps getting closer....

'Killer robots' to be debated at UN

For anyone who still doubts they're coming:

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-27343076

85TB of data can now fit onto a single cassette tape

http://news.yahoo.com/sony-figured-cram-185tb-data-onto-single-cassette-014537232.html

How futuristically retro. Like an antimatter-powered carburetor.

Astronomers create first realistic virtual universe

http://www.kurzweilai.net/astronomers-create-first-realistic-virtual-universe?utm_source=KurzweilAI+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=b61671a8d4-UA-946742-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6de721fb33-b61671a8d4-281903081

Another blow against the creationists....

Scientists create the first life form with 'alien' DNA

http://www.theverge.com/2014/5/7/5691744/scientists-create-life-form-with-alien-dna-six-letters

First Solar Wins Contract to Build 43 Megawatts for CA

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-05-06/first-solar-wins-contract-to-build-43-megawatts-for-edf.html?cmpid=yhoo

Predictions for disruptive future technologies

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matt-hunckler/revolutionary-technology_b_5257025.html

Human Brain Microchip Uses 9,000 Times Less Power Than a PC

http://www.livescience.com/45304-human-brain-microchip-9000-times-faster-than-pc.html

I think they meant to say less power, not faster....

Watson finds pro and con arguments for any controversial topic

Could this be the first steps toward a cyberocracy that makes better decisions for societies than humans do...like driverless cars will make the roads safer than human drivers?

http://www.kurzweilai.net/introducing-a-new-feature-of-ibms-watson-the-debater?utm_source=KurzweilAI+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=46c8d8958b-UA-946742-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6de721fb33-46c8d8958b-281903081

Young blood reverses aging in older animals

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/05/science/young-blood-may-hold-key-to-reversing-aging.html?_r=0

http://hsci.harvard.edu/news/functioning-aged-brains-and-muscles-mice-made-younger

Google's self-driving cars are tackling city-street driving

http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-self-driving-car-masters-city-street-driving?utm_source=KurzweilAI+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=7eed3a9a58-UA-946742-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6de721fb33-7eed3a9a58-281903081

Graphene may have bad environmental effects

http://ucrtoday.ucr.edu/22044

Is the movie Transcendence plausible?

http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2014/04/transcendence_science_can_we_really_upload_johnny_depp_s_brain.html

The 2070 time frame for whole brain emulation seems to ignore the Law of Accelerating Returns (assuming it holds), and I understand we have supercomputers right now that may be able to handle a human brain (even if the software and brain understanding issues lag behind).

Hawking, Tegmark, Russel and Wilczek on the lack of A.I. planning

Not much of an article, but notable for its writers and what they believe is coming:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stephen-hawking/artificial-intelligence_b_5174265.html

Unfortunately, graphene is brittle

http://www.livescience.com/45216-graphene-weak-link-discovered.html?cmpid=557212

How a synapse stays stable when its proteins are renewed

http://www.mpg.de/8125352/synapses-stability

This may not sound interesting, but if we are to eventually replace our vulnerable protein human brains with tougher, more resilient materials, this process may hold the answer to how to do so without destroying the original person and having a materially superior copy live on in his/her stead.

Blood of world's oldest woman hints at limits of life

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn25458?cmpid=NLC%7CNSNS%7C2014-2404-GLOBAL&utm_medium=NLC&utm_source=NSNS&#.U17DLfldVvB

I hope we get beyond fixing biology by moving to a non-protein-based platform.

Cloaked nanodevices can survive the body's immune system

http://wyss.harvard.edu/viewpressrelease/150/cloaked-dna-nanodevices-survive-pilot-mission

Google invests millions to lease affordable solar panels to homeowners

http://www.nationofchange.org/google-invests-millions-lease-affordable-solar-panels-american-homeowners-1398693651

U.S. Solar Capacity up 418% Since 2010, Koch Bros Demand Tax on Sun

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/04/24/1294444/-U-S-Solar-Capacity-up-418-Since-2010-Koch-Bros-Demand-Tax-on-Sun?detail=email#

New technique captures up to 80% of sun's energy

http://www.mainstreet.com/article/smart-spending/technology/solar-technology-marriage-changing-energy-world?page=1

Teabaggers are pro-solar power???

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2014/04/oklahoma_sb_1456_why_the_tea_party_is_fighting_for_solar_power.html?wpisrc=burger_bar

Gecko-like adhesive now sticks to anything

http://www.kurzweilai.net/gecko-like-adhesives-now-work-on-real-world-surfaces?utm_source=KurzweilAI+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=2b9967aae5-UA-946742-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6de721fb33-2b9967aae5-281903081

How to destroy the world with nanotechnology

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0dYPnui3rM

25 Amazing Facts About Solar

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/04/20/25-amazing-facts-about-solar.aspx

Scientists discover first Earth-sized planet that could support life

http://news.yahoo.com/found-first-earth-size-planet-could-support-life-181057158.html?soc_src=mediacontentstory

Nanoelectronic circuits that operate more than 10,000 times faster than current microprocessors

http://www.kurzweilai.net/nanoelectronic-circuits-that-operate-more-than-10000-times-faster-than-current-microprocessors?utm_source=KurzweilAI+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=90d98e883e-UA-946742-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6de721fb33-90d98e883e-281903081

Graphene, the wonder material

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/04/13/bend-it-charge-it-dunk-it-graphene-the-material-of-tomorrow/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0

US Navy 'game-changer': converting seawater into fuel

http://news.yahoo.com/us-navy-game-changer-converting-seawater-fuel-150544958.html?soc_src=mediacontentstory

30-second battery recharge (for cell phones, at least)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/07/charger-30-seconds_n_5105173.html

The government's identification of the gap between research and production in nanotech

http://www.foresight.org/nanodot/?p=6051

Eric Drexler TED talk on nanotechnology

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylOCEmlnyHk&feature=c4-overview&list=UU_qqMD08PFrDfPREoBEL6IQ

I've talked with Drexler. He's soft-spoken and not very dynamic, but there's some valuable info in this talk.

Making movies for the Oculus Rift

http://gizmodo.com/meet-the-crazy-camera-that-could-make-movies-for-the-oc-1557318674?utm_campaign=socialflow_gizmodo_facebook&utm_source=gizmodo_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

Ordered carbon-nanotube design may increase conductivity of solar cells by 100 million times

If the news stories about 3x efficiency here and 10x more energy there are impressive, surely 100 million times is astounding...but what it will result in I have no idea:

http://www.kurzweilai.net/ordered-carbon-nanotube-design-may-increase-conductivity-of-solar-cells-by-100-million-times?utm_source=KurzweilAI+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=84111bdf01-UA-946742-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6de721fb33-84111bdf01-281903081

Using natural selection to create drugs cheaply

http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-bioretrosynthesis-solution-shifting-evolution-into-reverse-to-make-cheaper-drugs?utm_source=KurzweilAI+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=f3c174328a-UA-946742-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6de721fb33-f3c174328a-281903081

Oculus Rift may be the new computer interface, not just a gaming device

http://time.com/39577/facebook-oculus-vr-inside-story/

And more on the coming of age of VR:

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/03/24/arts/video-games/oculus-rift-and-morpheus-take-games-to-a-new-dimension.html?from=technology

Honda partners a solar home with an electric vehicle

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/25/business/car-companies-take-expertise-in-battery-power-beyond-the-garage.html?partner=yahoofinance&_r=1

Quora question on why batteries haven't improved recently

http://www.quora.com/Batteries/Why-havent-there-been-improvements-to-battery-technology-recently

WiFi and Bluetooth communications...without the Internet or cell towers

http://www.cultofmac.com/271225/appreciated-ios-7-feature-will-change-world/

Infrared and ultraviolet vision...from contact lenses

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/20/night-vision-contact-lenses_n_4992829.html?utm_hp_ref=tw

Virtual reality technology gets a boost from Sony entering the game

http://blog.us.playstation.com/2014/03/18/introducing-project-morpheus/

Landmark Alzheimer's Study Pinpoints Protein That Protects Aging Brain

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/19/alzheimers-research_n_4995098.html?utm_hp_ref=tw

Volkswagen To Triple Battery Capacity With Lithium-Air Technology?

http://autos.yahoo.com/news/volkswagen-triple-battery-capacity-lithium-air-technology-110005389.html?soc_src=mediacontentstory

President's Budget Would Double Funding for BRAIN Initiative

Good!

http://www.livescience.com/43888-obama-budget-doubles-brain-funding.html

Google Reaps Tax Breaks in $1.4 Billion Clean Energy Bet

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-03-10/google-reaps-tax-breaks-in-1-4-billion-clean-energy-bet.html?cmpid=yhoo

IBM’s Supercomputer Watson Chef Uses Science to Throw Together Wild, Unexpected Recipes

https://www.yahoo.com/tech/ibms-supercomputer-chef-uses-science-to-throw-together-79220802823.html

Now You Can Walk Into A Best Buy And Get A Solar System For Your Home

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/03/12/3395101/best-buy-solar-system-leasing/#

Solar Industry Has Record Year in 2013

http://wallstcheatsheet.com/business/solar-industry-has-record-year-in-2013.html/?ref=YF

Supplement added to a standard diet improves health and prolongs life in mice

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-02/cp-sat022014.php

What the inside of driverless cars should look like

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-26433493

Can space elevators really work?

http://www.kurzweilai.net/can-space-elevators-really-work?utm_source=KurzweilAI+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=c3ac475f88-UA-946742-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6de721fb33-c3ac475f88-281903081

"David quotes Arthur C. Clarke: “The space elevator will be built ten years after they stop laughing…and they have stopped laughing!”"

Ultra-thin capacitors could acclerate development of next-gen electronics

http://www.kurzweilai.net/ultra-thin-capacitors-could-acclerate-development-of-next-gen-electronics?utm_source=KurzweilAI+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=c3ac475f88-UA-946742-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6de721fb33-c3ac475f88-281903081

"In addition, the new capacitor has a capacitance density of as high as ∼27.5 μF (microfarads) per square centimeter, which is approximately 2000 times higher than those of currently available commercial products."

Tesla takes the first step toward obliterating the utility companies

Yay, Elon!

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/tesla-just-took-first-step-232131217.html

Number of verified planets almost doubles today

http://www.universetoday.com/109764/mega-discovery-715-alien-planets-confirmed-using-a-new-trick-on-old-kepler-data/

Kurzweil interview on machine intelligence and his work at Google

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/feb/22/robots-google-ray-kurzweil-terminator-singularity-artificial-intelligence

New wireless technology will enable unlimited number of devices to share the same spectrum simultaneously

Wow, really?

http://www.kurzweilai.net/new-wireless-tech-may-radically-transform-mobile-video-streaming?utm_source=KurzweilAI+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=661f9aef81-UA-946742-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6de721fb33-661f9aef81-281903081

Artificial muscles from fishing line and thread are 100x stronger than equivalent human muscle

http://www.utdallas.edu/news/2014/2/21-28701_Researchers-Create-Powerful-Muscles-From-Fishing-L_story-wide.html

Kurzweil claims robots will be smarter than humans within 15 years

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/technology-science/technology/ray-kurzweil-robots-smarter-humans-3178027

'Tumour monorail' can lead cancers to their doom

This is just bizarre:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-26189827

3D printing moving to large scale

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/02/16/how-these-partners-are-working-to-make-gigantic-10.aspx

Nanomotors controlled inside living human cells for the first time

Another important step:

http://www.theverge.com/2014/2/16/5417266/nanomotors-controlled-inside-living-human-cells-for-the-first-time

New speed record for big data

http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/43171.wss

The universe could be a simulation

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/16/opinion/sunday/is-the-universe-a-simulation.html?_r=0

Termite-inspired robots build complex structures

http://www.seas.harvard.edu/news/2014/02/robotic-construction-crew-needs-no-foreman

Order of magnitude improvement in fusion yield

https://www.llnl.gov/news/aroundthelab/2014/Feb/NR-14-02-06.html#.Uv1A1PldV8E

Research reveals white matter 'scaffold' of human brain

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-02/uosc-hob020614.php

The "Ubi" computer turns your house into a smart home

Still has a lot of features to add, but it's inexpensive and actually does turn your house into a smart home:

http://www.kurzweilai.net/ubi-ubiquitous-computer-beta-test-program-launched?utm_source=KurzweilAI+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=8b405031de-UA-946742-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6de721fb33-8b405031de-281903081

Watson tasked with helping fix Africa's problems

The first steps to a cyberocracy!

http://www.kurzweilai.net/ibm-brings-watson-to-africa?utm_source=KurzweilAI+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=98cb194be5-UA-946742-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6de721fb33-98cb194be5-281903081

Solar becomes increasingly cost effective and produces more jobs than coal and oil combined

http://www.nationofchange.org/need-jobs-us-solar-industry-provides-employment-more-people-coal-and-oil-combined-1391783404

and

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/02/06/jobs-in-solar-power-caught-fire-in-2013.aspx

Nanoscale control processor developed

Sounds like a major step forward:

http://www.mitre.org/news/press-releases/mitre-harvard-teams-ultra-tiny-nanocomputer-may-point-the-way-to-further

The first flexible, transparent, and conductive material

http://www.uh.edu/news-events/stories/2014/January/0129RenFoldable.php

New form of graphene allows electrons to behave like photons

Strange stuff:

http://www.kurzweilai.net/new-form-of-graphene-allows-electrons-to-behave-like-photons?utm_source=KurzweilAI+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=536e708bb2-UA-946742-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6de721fb33-536e708bb2-281903081

Cybernetic hand that conveys a sense of touch

This is huge:

http://www.everydayhealth.com/news/amputee-feels-objects-first-time-decade/?xid=aol_eh-news_11_20140203_&aolcat=HLT&ncid=webmail23

It's a necessary step to get bionics that act just like the real thing.

Having to give the hand back, though, seems rather creepily like amputation to me....

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/02/02/bill-gates-backs-renewable-battery-startup.aspx

Is Google the real-world equivalent of Skynet?

http://gizmodo.com/googles-buying-an-ai-startup-called-deepmind-for-500m-1509664408

Renewable Energy Is Winning the Battle Versus Fossil Fuels

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/01/28/renewable-energy-is-winning-the-battle-versus-foss.aspx

Note from the president of Plug In America

Happy first newsletter of 2014!

The timeline of electric vehicles spans back to the 1800s. During the EV “golden age” (late 1890s and early 1900s) 38 percent of American automobiles were powered by electricity and “America became the country where electric cars had gained the most acceptance.” The period between 1920 and 1990 saw some small-scale electric car projects, but most progress was lost.

In the 1990s, driven by research programs like the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles and legislation such as California’s ZEV Mandate, we were introduced to vehicles by U.S. Electricar, Solectria and GM and Toyota which were faster and could go further than ever before. Some call this the “modern age”, but because development was purely research and legislative-based, and sales never reached critical mass, the term chosen by Wikipedia is very fitting. It was a “revival of interest.”

The “modern age” arguably began with a disaffected Tesla Motors developing the Roadster which began deliveries in 2008, and really solidified in late 2010/early 2011 with the start of Chevy Volt and Nissan LEAFs deliveries. Plug In America was founded on the hope that something would make this wave of vehicles different. That highway-speed electric cars would “stick” and become once more an indelible part of America’s transportation system. And that perhaps we could help.

How do we know this is an “age” at all, instead of merely another “revival?” Here are a couple of reasons:

Exponential Growth

We know, of course, that EVs are a great product. So just like in the old (but brilliant)shampoo commercial, we expected that early drivers would tell their friends. In fact, we’ve used an adage for a couple of years now—“It takes a driver to make a driver.” Seeing an exponential growth curve is a clue that drivers may be selling cars to other drivers. And now that we have three years of data, that’s just the curve we see in this chart (again from the very useful Luskin study to which we’ve referred several times already).

Just three simple numbers can convey this phenomenon. 17,000, 53,000, 96,000. Those are the rounded last three years of PEV sales. More on that last number in the 2013 summary below.

Variety of Models

Depending on who you ask, there are nine to thirteen new PEV models coming out this year. History shows that new models are often delayed, and never (in my recollection at least) come early, so some of these may be pushed back as always.

Diversity is important for any ecosystem, including the electric car industry. 2014 will be an exciting year because we will be welcoming:

• The BMW i3 with its REx option, which will offer a new combination of battery and auxiliary power
• Models from car companies who have so far stayed on the sidelines of the “modern age”. These include the aforementioned BMW i3 and i8, the Volkswagen e-Golf, the Kia Soul EV, and the Porsche Panamera Plug-In S-E (which has already started deliveries).
• Upscale versions of existing platforms. The Cadillac ELR and Infiniti Electric Sedan allow GM and Nissan to leverage their existing Volt and LEAF technologies and reach new customers.
• Hopefully a second model from Tesla Motors. The Model X may however, bedelayed until next year.
• Breakout sales of e-motorcycles

More Cars

There have been many predictions made lately. One of the most respected (and quoted) studies to come out recently was “10 Predictions for 2014”. In it, Navigant Research predicts 86% growth in worldwide electric car sales in 2014. If this is true in the United States (and the 3-year chart above seems to indicate this as well) we may be seeing two milestones in 2014. The first 15K sales month, and the doubling of all electric cars on the road by the end of the year.

So welcome to the modern age of electric vehicles. It’s so exciting to be witnessing this first-hand. We’re not quite back to 38% of cars (we’re still working on cracking 1%). But we’re headed in the right direction.

Thank you,

Richard Kelly
President

PS: The peak of the “golden age” was also the peak of lead-acid vehicle sales, the “revival of interest” in the ’90s coincided with the first NiMH cars, and the “modern age” began with the new lithium battery EVs. Referring to battery chemistry may be a bit geeky to some drivers who don't want to delve to that level of detail, but it remains a clear way to identify the different periods.

Plug-in Vehicle Roundup (December Plug-In Vehicle Sales and 2013 Summary)

First of all, let’s talk about December.

The biggest news is that Nissan sold an all-time record number of LEAFs, 2,529. Nissan recently announced that awaited production capacity has finally come on line. So we hope to see in 2014 what sales look like with less supply bottleneck. Pricing for 2014 LEAFs has been bumped up $180 for all trim levels.

The Cadillac ELR marked its first month in the charts, selling a few vehicles. This beauty has been called an “upscale Volt” and may represent GM’s first shot across Tesla Motors’ bow.

Looking back on all of 2013, it was really a great year. 96,000 vehicles is a breathtaking accomplishment and represents more vehicles sold in one year than were sold in the last 100 years.

The “real” cars made up the bulk (86%) of sales. The Chevy Volt was the winning model for 2014, with more than 23,094 sold. Nissan LEAF followed closely at 22,610, and the other models’ numbers start dropping off a bit after that.

In 2011 we heard critics say that low initial sales of PEVs signaled their doom. However many noticed that compared to initial conventional hybrid (eg. Prius) sales, adoption rates looked pretty good. The Luskin researchers did this apples-to-apples comparison as well and show that BEVs and PHEVs are actually doing a little better than conventional hybrids did at the same time in their introduction. And this is true even for BEVs and PHEVs individually. We all know how well hybrids are doing today, so this is likely just the beginning.

Military considering replacing troops on battlefield with robots

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/robots-replace-troops-battlefield-111500084.html?soc_src=mediacontentstory

Lithium ion batteries expanding to larger storage units

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/01/26/will-a-simple-battery-reshape-the-future-of-energy.aspx

Tapping more of the sun’s energy using heat as well as light

http://www.kurzweilai.net/tapping-more-of-the-suns-energy-using-heat-as-well-as-light?utm_source=KurzweilAI+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=85e37caa13-UA-946742-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6de721fb33-85e37caa13-281903081

The military's plans for robotics

http://breakingdefense.com/2014/01/bird-dogs-drones-terminators-swarms-the-race-towards-robotic-warfare/?ncid=webmail24

$1000 genome sequencing price barrier broken

WAY outpacing Moore's Law:

http://res.illumina.com/documents/products/datasheets/datasheet-hiseq-x-ten.pdf

Harvard creates inexpensive, organic carbon-based "quinone" molecules free flow battery

Great potential for storing energy for overnight use in homes with solar panels:

http://m.fool.com/investing/general/2014/01/14/harvard-research-team-has-breakthrough-on-battery?source=eogyholnk0000001

The movie "Her" emphasizes hidden technology

http://www.wired.com/design/2014/01/will-influential-ui-design-minority-report/

I already have a passive-aggressive relationship with Siri. A romantic relationship can't be far behind.

California residents install more solar panels in 2013 than in all the previous 30 years combined

http://www.nationofchange.org/california-residents-install-more-solar-panels-last-year-previous-30-combined-1389623227

Ken Jennings TED talk on Jeopardy and Watson

Fascinating insights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2M-SeKey4o

An intermittent energy storage solution, paved the way by...rhubarb?

http://www.kurzweilai.net/organic-flow-battery-promises-breakthrough-for-renewable-energy?utm_source=KurzweilAI+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=bb9a1769d9-UA-946742-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6de721fb33-bb9a1769d9-281903081

Major gains in solar energy production and storage

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/01/12/how-you-can-give-up-oil-and-go-100-green-today.aspx

The Next Step For IBM's Watson

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/09/technology/ibm-is-betting-that-watson-can-earn-its-keep.html

Self-Assembling Circuits Should Extend Moore's Law

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/10/science/designing-the-next-wave-of-computer-chips.html?_r=0

World’s fastest organic transistor could lead to low-cost transparent electronics

http://www.kurzweilai.net/worlds-fastest-organic-transistor-could-lead-to-low-cost-transparent-electronics?utm_source=KurzweilAI+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=bb1faf571b-UA-946742-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6de721fb33-bb1faf571b-281903081

Fully Autonomous Autos Expected by 2030

http://press.ihs.com/press-release/automotive/self-driving-cars-moving-industrys-drivers-seat

I hope WELL before 2030....

Rupturing The Nanotech Rapture

I suspect the author is yet another person who observes near-term engineering problems in a narrow area, while underestimating accelerating returns and ignoring the developments in converging fields. He says he hasn't seen much progress in nanotech in the last 15 years, but then critics of the Human Genome Project scoffed at the 1% sequencing achieved after 7 years (halfway through the project), even though the project was completed a couple years ahead of schedule. But it's still an interesting perspective, and he does ultimately accept that we may achieve achieve the goals of advanced nanotech and the technological singularity, just not so soon nor through the same methods predicted:

http://spectrum.ieee.org/semiconductors/nanotechnology/rupturing-the-nanotech-rapture