⚡ Baseload Capital to invest $60 million in geothermal energy - IKEA and Bezos among investors
Baseload Capital secures $60 million in a Series B funding round. Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source that can deliver electricity, heat, and cooling 24 hours a day, all year round.
🎨 New study: AI increases artists' productivity and creativity
Artists using AI tools produce 50 percent more artworks. Artworks created with AI assistance receive 50 percent more appreciation from other users. The study shows that human ability to generate ideas and filter results is crucial for success with AI tools.
🍫 Breakthrough: Chocolate without sugar is no longer a bitter dream
Researchers in Switzerland have developed a method to produce chocolate without added sugar. The entire cocoa fruit is used in the process, which reduces food waste. The method can increase income for cocoa farmers and create jobs in countries of origin.
🥵 Reduced mortality in heat waves
Heat waves cause many deaths globally – but the trend is pointing downward. The number of deaths per capita caused by heat waves decreased by 7.2% per decade globally.
🔥 BurnBot performs controlled burns to reduce the risk of forest fires
BurnBot has developed a robot that performs controlled burns without flames and smoke. The robot reduces the need for personnel and minimizes the risk of fire spreading uncontrollably.
🔋 Solar power and batteries help Texas handle record-high energy consumption during heat waves
Texas power grid has broken new records for electricity consumption during the summer of 2024. Solar power has met record-high demand during the day, and batteries have covered the need in the evening.
🏝️ Several atolls are growing despite rising sea levels
Scientists have discovered that many coral islands are growing or maintaining their size despite rising sea levels. Over 1000 islands have been studied and shown surprising resilience to sea level rise.
💡 AI solves difficult problem of how molecules react to light – may lead to better solar cells and LED lights
Researchers at DeepMind have used AI to create a new method for calculating how molecules behave when hit by light. The technology could lead to improvements in solar cells, LED lights, and other light-sensitive technologies.
🚗 Waymo doubles the number of paid robotaxi trips to 100,000 per week
Waymo now provides over 100,000 paid robotaxi trips per week in the USA. The company has expanded its service to new areas in California and Arizona. Waymo is now testing driverless vehicles on highways around the San Francisco area.