Life Emergence, Insemination Robots, Lunar Caves, Jet Pack Race, Diamond Semicon - Speciale Focus #20
Google Scientists Simulate the Emergence of Life. WOW
Google researchers simulated the emergence of self-replicating digital lifeforms using random data in a programming language, believe it or not, called Brainfuck. Their experiment, which mirrors the concept of life originating from a primordial soup, demonstrated that self-replicating programs could form without any predefined rules. Although the findings show that life-like complexity can arise, experts suggest that more computing power is needed to see significant increases in complexity, which is essential for fully understanding the emergence of life.
Babies Born After Conceived By Robots??! Insemination Robots
A Spanish startup, Overture Life, used a robot controlled by a PlayStation controller to perform in-vitro fertilization (IVF), resulting in the birth of two healthy babies. The process involved a student engineer steering a mechanized needle to inject sperm into human eggs. This method aims to automate and reduce the cost of IVF, currently around $20,000 per attempt in the US. While not fully robotic yet, this represents a significant step forward in fertility medicine. Read more.
Lunar Lava Caves - Making Moon Habitable
Researchers have discovered a cave on the moon’s Sea of Tranquility, located about 250 miles from the Apollo 11 landing site. The cave, identified using data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, is believed to be an empty lava tube, and its existence has been theorized for over 50 years. This discovery holds potential for future lunar exploration, as lunar caves could provide shelter for astronauts from extreme temperatures and solar radiation on the moon’s surface. The findings were published in the journal Nature. Read more.
Jet Pack Race - Coolest Ever!
Dubai hosted the world’s first jet suit race, featuring eight pilots flying through a 1-kilometer course with 12 inflatable obstacles. Organized by the Dubai Sports Council and Gravity Industries, the event showcased the potential of jet suit technology. The suits, equipped with five engines and controlled by arm movements, can reach speeds up to 136 km/h. While the race aimed to inspire future scientists and engineers, Gravity Industries also explores practical applications in search and rescue, medical, and military operations. The event plans to return next year with more competitors. Because, Why NOT?
Diamond Semiconductors - The Next Frontier?!
Diamfab, a French deep tech startup founded in 2019 by Gauthier Chicot and Khaled Driche, is developing diamond semiconductors to support the green transition. The startup, which has raised €8.7 million, aims to create more efficient semiconductors with a lower carbon footprint. Diamfab’s technology leverages synthetic diamond’s high temperature resistance and energy efficiency, envisioning applications in automotive, nuclear batteries, space tech, and quantum computing. The company plans to move from one-inch to four-inch diamond wafers within five years, positioning itself in Grenoble, a hub for deep tech and green tech innovation.
That’s it folks. We’ll leave you with this for the month and come back soon with another set of wow reads specially curated for the curious you!
Until then, Team Speciale signing off!