In The News

The Wall Street Journal on the Economy’s Hidden Problem: We’re Out of Big Ideas

Greg Ip February 1, 2017
Innovations seem to be plentiful, but many developments so far are not leading to “meaningful advances in Americans’ standard of living,” explains Greg Ip for the Wall Street Journal. He adds that “improvements in everyday life have been incremental, not revolutionary” and an “innovation slump,” due to society’s impatience and fear of risk, contributes to middle-class dissatisfaction. Industry...

China Opens Unique Free Electron Laser Facility

Dennis Normile January 16, 2017
Physics research contributes to economic growth in many industries including manufacturing, aerospace, medical applications, information technology and more. “China is joining the elite club of countries that have equipped researchers with the potent sources of high-energy photons called free electron lasers,” reports Dennis Normile for Science Magazine. China reviewed options at other facilities...

Google, Facebook, and Microsoft Are Remaking Themselves Around AI

Cade Metz December 30, 2016
Universities and corporations are rapidly developing artificial intelligence with teams of researchers. The research coincides with cloud computing, all designed to allow businesses to join, contribute and build their own applications and products. A “team inside Google’s cloud computing operation [is] building online services that any coder or company can use to build their own AI,” explains...

How Important Is NASA's Earth Science Program That Trump Wants to Abolish?

Brenda Ekwurzel December 5, 2016
US President-elect Donald Trump campaigned to reduce debt and the size of US government and also dismissed concerns about climate change. Analysts anticipate he will eliminate NASA climate programs including the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment satellite, GRACE, and funding for university earth science research. Such programs are multi-functional and ultimately apply science for the...

Japan Races to Become the Robot Capital of the World

Alisa Yamasaki November 11, 2016
Japan’s median age is 46, and the aging country confronts labor shortages. So the government invests in robotic technology and subsidizes development, aiming to “position the nation as the world’s largest society supported by robotic technology,” writes Alisa Yamasaki for the Japan Times. “In order to become the global robot leader, Japan must incorporate robotic technology into factories and...

Africa Unplugged

November 9, 2016
Two of three people in Africa lack access to electricity, and for the poor, connecting to an electricity grid is unfathomably expensive. Costs of solar panels have fallen dramatically in recent years, and off-grid solar systems are providing the sun-rich continent an inexpensive way to connect to power. New technologies allow residents of African communities the means to charge smartphones and...

Internet of Things: Have We Bitten Off More Than We Can Chew?

Alyssa Newcomb and Jo Ling Kent October 28, 2016
Hackers commandeered web cameras and possibly other devices to launch an attack on internet service management company Dyn. The company reports that it fended off multiple attacks in recent weeks. All types of gadgets for homes, cars and offices are linked to the internet to allow remote monitoring by users and updates from makers, and one security expert suggests that any device with an IP...