Optimistic Observer 05/09/24
By Capital Investment Counsel - May 09, 2024
AI the key to a safe fusion future? Scientists have used artificial intelligence to overcome a huge challenge for producing clean energy with nuclear fusion. A team from Princeton University figured out a way to use an AI model to accurately predict plasma instabilities 300 milliseconds before they happen—enough time to make modifications to keep the plasma under control. Read more here.
Solar panels ahead of schedule: The International Energy Agency says that the world needs to be installing about 650 GW of solar a year by 2030 to avoid catastrophic climate change. That sounds like a tall order, except that major manufacturers have already built about 783 GW of annual production capacity, and we might hit the IEA’s 2030 installation target this year.
Think you know what causes water to evaporate? MIT says think again.
"For millennia, humans have observed and utilized evaporation, the process by which water transforms from a liquid to a vapor. From witnessing the sun’s dry morning fog to extracting salt from evaporated seawater, this fundamental process has been a constant presence. However, a recent groundbreaking discovery by MIT researchers challenges our traditional understanding of evaporation. Their findings reveal that light, not just heat, plays a crucial role in driving this phenomenon"
"Beyond its scientific significance, the photomolecular effect presents exciting practical possibilities. Companies have already approached the research team, envisioning applications in areas like syrup evaporation and paper drying. Solar desalination systems and industrial drying processes are prime candidates for harnessing this effect. Since drying consumes significant industrial energy, optimizing this process using light holds immense promise...The team recognizes the vast number of variables to consider, encompassing a deeper understanding of water and its potential application to other materials, both liquids and solids." Read more here.
Cancer vaccines are becoming a reality: A Cancer vaccine helps the immune system recognize and fight cancer cells. It does this by introducing certain molecules from cancer cells to the immune system, which teaches it to identify and destroy them, similar to how vaccines work against infectious diseases. Early clinical trials have demonstrated encouraging outcomes, enhancing optimism in the fight against various cancer types. For instance, specific vaccines are being developed to target the unique mutations in individual cancers, improving the precision of immunotherapy. Another example involves vaccines that stimulate the body to produce T cells capable of recognizing and destroying cancer cells, marking a significant step forward in oncological research. Read more here.
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