Category: Technology

phys.org

New satellite-based quantum information exchange protocol uses two-way quantum key distribution in free space to encrypt communications between devices.
With this protocol, any third-party attempt to capture even a single photon will change the quantum state, which can later be verified.
This protocol is demonstrated in the World’s first satellite equipped for quantum communications, the Micius, launched back in 2016.
It’s the first satellite based quantum information exchange using single photons, and the results are comparable to state-of-the-art systems that use lasers.
Next, the researchers plan to build a satellite-based global-scale quantum network to test the protocol and find practical applications for it.

Bulleted by Michał Słupski
on May 27, 2020

medium.com

The Data Network Effect happens when, by using an app and adding data to it, you make the app better for everyone.
One such app is Waze, where drivers add alerts about road conditions en masse, making the app better for everyone.
The crucial keys to Data Network Effects are that the app has to own the data, and the users need to actively, regularly improve the data.
Data Network Effects can be diminished when apps rely on historical data, and the best solution to it is building an app around real-time data.
Overall, as an app creator, to benefit from Data Network effects you should build a geographically limited app, because history shows that if you go global you'll need an early exit plan.

Bulleted by Michał Słupski
on May 19, 2020

Team of scientists from the Wuhan Institute of Technological Sciences has developed a prototype of a jet engine that uses microwave air plasmas as propulsion.
The device generates high-temperature, high-pressure plasma (4th state of matter) using injected air and electricity, so it’s not exactly fossil fuel-free as the article states.
The upside is that it doesn’t generate large amounts of carbon emissions, but the device is in very early stages of testing.
It could potentially be scaled by building a large array of these devices to power a full-sized jet.
So far it successfuly lifted a 1-kilogram steel ball over a 24-mm diameter quartz tube.

Bulleted by Michał Słupski
on May 12, 2020

One of the world’s biggest PC makers is following Dell with a plan to offer new laptops with Ubuntu pre-installed.
Their pilot program is called Linux Community Series and includes several devices, the selection will be increased if there is enough demand for linux laptops.
While it’s not groundbreaking news, it’s awesome to see companies becoming more open to linux, and including it in their products by default.
Perhaps this is what we need to get things like a normal gaming experience on Ubuntu, and eventually get away from the walled gardens of Mac OS and Windows.

Bulleted by Michał Słupski
on May 5, 2020

Researchers discover potential defects in ‘the world’s second-favorite semiconductor’ — gallium nitride (GaN), used in satellites, space crafts, and nuclear devices.
All of these uses expose GaN to high-energy particle irradiation, leading to a lot of different issues, some of which are grouped as “defect pairs”.
Studying all the 21 different types of defect pairs that can form, researchers decided to perform first-principles calculations.
The results of these calculations will be fundamental for future multiscale simulations of radiation damages to GaN semiconductors.
All of this data will help scientists engineer GaN-based devices with longer lifetimes, and resistant to radiation.

Bulleted by Michał Słupski
on March 31, 2020

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