Latest Technology News
If you are looking for the latest technology news, you have come to the right place. From the latest developments in the technology industry to new innovations in the field of science, there is an array of topics covered in the latest technology news. The following are some of the topics covered in the latest technology news: Physicists build a quantum scale heat pump, a Russian cosmonaut flies to the International Space Station, and the production of electric vehicles is predicted to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 26 per cent.
Physicists build a quantum scale heat pump
A group of scientists has developed a quantum scale heat pump that works with light particles instead of heat. This new technology may help researchers search for dark matter, since the light particles act as sensors to detect the amount of dark matter in our universe. It works by bringing the two products of heat and light closer to their ‘equilibrium’ temperature. This equilibrium is the point at which heat flow and temperature balance.
The quantum heat pump works by using a superconducting inductor and a capacitor to cool and heat photons. These devices are cooled to just a few millimeters above absolute zero. When they’re cooled, the hot photons are coupled with cold photons. This allows the cold photons to cool the hot photons to the quantum ground state.
Russian cosmonaut launches to the International Space Station
The launch of a Russian cosmonaut into space is a significant milestone in human spaceflight. Three Russian cosmonauts and one American astronaut will spend the next six months on the International Space Station, which is operated by several countries. The launch comes as the West and Russia are engaged in a diplomatic standoff over the Ukraine crisis, which led to unprecedented sanctions imposed on Moscow. However, the two nations are preserving a high level of cooperation in space despite the tensions on Earth.
The Russian space corporation Roscosmos launched a Soyuz rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Friday. The three astronauts will dock with the International Space Station later Friday. The crew is the first crew to launch from Russia since the invasion of Ukraine. The mission is expected to take about three hours.
Electric vehicle production to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 26 per cent
While EVs produced by traditional automakers are usually expensive and therefore not sold in other markets, Chinese brands are starting to compete with cheaper models and are now the world’s leading EV manufacturers. One of the most popular Chinese brands is BYD, which only trails Tesla in market share. Its four-seat hatchback, the Wuling Hongguang Mini, is expected to be the best-selling electric vehicle in China by 2021. It is manufactured by a joint venture between General Motors and SAIC.
In addition to developing new models, EV manufacturers are also tackling the scaling challenges. While Tesla is the world’s largest EV producer, other global automakers – Volkswagen AG, BAIC Motor, and Renault – are also making a dent in the EV market. Industry watchers expect further growth in the next few years and the competition will intensify. Premium brands and international OEMs are already planning to launch competitive EV models in 2019 and 2020. The competition will also increase as companies comply with strict CO2-emission regulations in China and Europe.
Cobalt mine opens in Idaho
A new cobalt mine in Idaho will produce the critical metal for electric vehicles. This important element is currently sourced mostly from Congo and China, where child labor and forced labor are common. President Barack Obama has also signed an executive order to increase domestic production of critical minerals, including cobalt, which is used in batteries for electric vehicles. The mine at Jervois, Idaho, will be a $100 million venture, and will meet about ten percent of the U.S. demand once it’s fully operational – enough to produce several hundred thousand electric vehicles.
The Idaho Cobalt Project is a rare opportunity in the cobalt industry. In most cases, the metal is mined as a byproduct from nickel or copper ore. However, this Idaho mine will be a primary resource. It is being developed by Canadian mining company Formation Metals, and it is estimated that it will produce 1,500 tons of super-alloy-grade cobalt per year, which is about three percent of global supply.
Google agrees to pay $85 million to Arizona
Google agrees to pay $85 million to settle a lawsuit that arose out of privacy concerns. Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich sued Google for misrepresenting the way it collects location data from smartphone users. He alleged that the tech giant engaged in widespread unfair business practices and knowingly obtained users’ location data by deceptive means. This would have violated Arizona’s Consumer Fraud Act, which prohibits companies from misleading consumers.
The lawsuit alleged that Google was collecting location information without consent and using it to target ads. The company was accused of willfully violating the law by collecting location data even when users turned off location services. In addition to the Arizona suit, a similar complaint was filed in other states by state attorneys general.
