The most interesting scientific discoveries and breakthroughs this week
Scientists have found that stressed ice can generate an electrical charge. Source: Tech Explorist
1. Scientists find that ordinary ice may have ‘electrical’ superpowers: Researchers have discovered that ice is “flexoelectric,” meaning it generates electrical charge when bent or deformed unevenly. This property is comparable to that of advanced materials like titanium dioxide, which are used in cutting-edge sensors and capacitors. The discovery could potentially solve the mystery of how lightning forms in thunderstorms, and open the door to ice-powered electronics that work directly in frigid environments.
2. China debuts world’s first 6G chip that clocks speeds 10x faster than 5G: Chinese scientists have unveiled the world’s first “all-frequency” 6G chip that reportedly hits mobile speeds of 100 Gbps in a thumbnail-sized device. The breakthrough consolidates nine separate radio systems into one 11mm chip, using photonic technology that switches frequencies hundreds of times faster than blinking. If it scales, it could potentially bring lightning-fast connectivity to some of the most remote regions in the world.
3. Scientists turn windows into invisible solar panels: Chinese researchers claim to have developed a transparent coating that transforms ordinary windows into a kind of solar power generators. They used liquid crystal films to selectively capture sunlight and funnel it to photovoltaic cells along window edges. A standard window would be able to slash solar cell requirements by 75%, potentially revolutionizing building design by turning every glass surface into a clean energy source.
via SuperHuman