A critique of the current web browser ecosystem discusses how complex web standards create barriers for new browser engines, suggesting a simplified WASM-based alternative. The proposed solution advocates for a browser that runs WASM blobs without HTML, JavaScript, or CSS, potentially enabling more innovation and diversity in browser development.
Engineers worldwide mobilized to create low-cost ventilators in response to anticipated COVID-19 demands, with organizations like NASA's JPL, Virgin Orbit, and gaming PC maker Maingear developing prototypes in days. While the immediate crisis was averted through social distancing measures, questions remain about the future utility and safety of these rapid-response ventilators, particularly in developing countries.
Federal funding of scientific research, including seemingly obscure projects, consistently yields high returns with estimates suggesting $14-70 in social benefits per dollar spent. Government-funded basic research often leads to unexpected breakthroughs, like CRISPR and ARPANET, taking approximately 20 years from discovery to practical application. Private sector cannot effectively fund basic research due to long timelines and inability to capture full value, making government funding crucial for scientific advancement.
Princeton Engineering researchers demonstrated AI's ability to design complex wireless chips in hours instead of weeks, creating more efficient designs that humans find difficult to comprehend. The AI-generated chips, focusing on millimeter-wave technology, achieved superior performance by taking unconventional approaches and discarding traditional templates. While promising, the process still requires human oversight to address potential design failures.
BYD has produced its first solid-state battery cells on a pilot line in 2024, with mass demonstration expected around 2027 and large-scale production after 2030. The company is focusing on sulphide electrolytes for solid-state cells, aiming to achieve cost parity with current NCM cells at scale. BYD plans to use these batteries primarily in high-end models while maintaining LFP cells for other vehicle segments.
Half-Life, released in 1998 by Valve, revolutionized first-person shooters by seamlessly integrating story and gameplay without cutscenes, creating an unprecedented level of immersion. Founded by former Microsoft employees Gabe Newell and Mike Harrington, Valve's ambitious approach and deep pockets allowed them to develop a game that would influence game design across genres for decades to come.
An exploration of why hiring junior engineers is crucial for innovation and organizational health, emphasizing how coaching junior employees creates a culture of learning and psychological safety. The article argues against the trend of companies only hiring senior developers, highlighting how teaching and knowledge sharing are essential for innovation and challenging the notion that AI will replace junior developers.
Deepseek-ai announces plans to open-source five repositories over five consecutive days, sharing production-tested code from their AGI development efforts. The initiative aims to contribute transparently to collective progress in AI development while fostering community-driven innovation.
Google introduces an AI co-scientist system built with Gemini 2.0, designed to generate novel research hypotheses and accelerate scientific discoveries through multi-agent collaboration. The system successfully validated predictions in biomedical applications, including drug repurposing and antimicrobial resistance research. Access to the system will be available through a Trusted Tester Program for research organizations.
Microsoft has unveiled Majorana 1, the world's first quantum processor using topological qubits, designed to scale to a million qubits on a single chip. The breakthrough involves a new material class called topoconductor, enabling practical quantum computing through hardware-protected qubits and digital control systems. DARPA has selected Microsoft to advance to the final phase of their quantum benchmarking program, aiming to build a fault-tolerant prototype in the coming years.
A Denver couple transformed discarded plastic cups from Hasbro into a global sport phenomenon called 'Sport Stacking', investing their life savings of $43,000 in 1998. Through strategic marketing, school demonstrations, and competition infrastructure, they built Speed Stacks LLC into a successful business that reached thousands of schools worldwide and garnered mainstream media attention.
Google has unveiled Flash 2.0, a high-performance AI model that reportedly outperforms recent reasoning models from DeepSeek (R1) and OpenAI (o3-mini), marking a significant advancement in AI model capabilities and competition among tech giants.
A detailed postmortem of Katamari Damacy's development reveals how this unique game, built around the simple concept of rolling objects into an ever-growing ball, challenged gaming conventions and achieved global success. The creator's vision focused on originality, simplicity, and peaceful gameplay, deliberately avoiding common gaming tropes like power-ups and complex controls.
Ken Olsen founded Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) in 1957, revolutionizing the computer industry with innovative minicomputers like the PDP series and later the VAX line. The company pioneered interactive computing, time-sharing systems, and important technologies like the Alpha processor, but ultimately struggled against the rise of PC clones and was acquired by Compaq in 1998 for $9.6 billion.
Engineering research across multiple U.S. laboratories is advancing the development of electric motors that don't rely on rare earth elements (REEs), exploring alternatives like ferrite magnets, alnico alloys, and innovative electromagnetic designs. While current REE-free motors show performance limitations compared to traditional rare earth-based motors, promising breakthroughs in design and materials could eventually eliminate this gap. Recent developments, including ZF Group's electromagnet-based motor and GE Aerospace's dual-phase magnetic material, demonstrate significant progress toward commercially viable REE-free alternatives.
A breakthrough in rare earth element processing could transform the industry currently dominated by China, with Oak Ridge National Laboratory developing a more efficient extraction method that reduces resource usage by 60%. MP Materials and Lynas Rare Earths are expanding operations in the US to diversify global supply, while China controls 90% of processed rare earths crucial for electronics, EVs, and defense applications.