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The Smallest Computer in the World Fits On a Grain of Rice

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Researchers at the University of Michigan just created the world’s smallest computer (again). Their previous micro-computer, the Michigan Micro Mote, measured 2x2x4mm. It was a complete, functioning system powered by solar cell batteries. But in March this year, IBM announced a new, smaller computer, which measured 1×1 mm, and was smaller than a grain of salt. It “raised a few eyebrows at the University of Michigan.”
After all, it’s unclear if the IBM computer even count as an actual microcomputer. The IBM device lost all its programming and data as soon as it turns off, unlike the Michigan Micro Mote, which retained its programming even when it wasn’t externally powered. “It’s more of a matter of opinion whether they have the minimum functionality required,” said David Blaauw, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at University of Michigan who helped develop the University of Michigan’s newest tiny device. If the IBM machine constituted a computer, then University of Michigan would work to gain back their title: their latest microdevice measures 0.3mm per side (1/10th the size of IBM’s computer), and is smaller than a grain of rice.
The device was designed to be a precision temperature sensor that can report temperatures in clusters of cells with an error of about 0.1 degrees Celsius. “When we first made our millimeter system, we actually didn’t know exactly all the things it would be useful for. But once we published it, we started receiving dozens and dozens and dozens of inquiries,” Blaauw said. It could, for instance, measure the temperature of tumors and conduct other cancer studies, monitor oil reservoirs, conduct audio or visual surveillance, or help in “tiny snail studies.”
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Anti-Solar Cells Could Keep the Power Going at Night

Panel, Solar, Power, Energy, Environment

Anti-Solar Cells Could Keep the Power Going at Night



Solar panels that work at night? The idea isn’t as far-fetched as it might seem.

A University of California (UC), Davis engineering professor is developing prototypes of an “anti-solar” cell that would work in the opposite way from a typical solar panel. Instead of being cooler than the air and absorbing sunlight, it would be warmer than the air and give off infrared light.

“A regular solar cell generates power by absorbing sunlight, which causes a voltage to appear across the device and for current to flow,” the professor, Jeremy Munday, explained in a UC Davis press release. “In these new devices, light is instead emitted and the current and voltage go in the opposite direction, but you still generate power. You have to use different materials, but the physics is the same.”

Solar Panel Array, Power, Sun




While this might sound high tech, Euronews explained that the principle behind it has been used to cool homes at night for centuries:

You are using the same theory when you open your windows and doors after a hot day to cool down your house. Essentially this form of passive cooling uses the night sky as a massive heat sink, drawing warmth away from the earth once it gets dark.
Munday, who published a concept paper of his idea in the January 2020 issue of ACS Photonics, said that his device could generate around a quarter of the energy a traditional solar panel can during the day — that’s up to 50 watts of power per square meter. While less powerful, his device can be used at any time.


Solar Cell, Solar Panel, Photovoltaic

“Solar cells are limited in that they can only work during the day, whereas these devices can work 24/7, which is the real advantage,” Munday told CNN. “Nobody wants to lose power once the sun sets.”

His “thermoradiative cell” would also work during the day if it were pointed away from the sun or otherwise blocked from direct sunlight, the press release explained.

Munday told CNN that the device could be used to achieve carbon neutrality, because it could run on waste heat generated by industry.

“While these panels can produce carbon-free power […] when attached to waste heat sources, they can also produce carbon-free power by just sitting on your roof, like a solar panel,” he said.

Munday is working on prototypes of these cells with the hopes of improving their efficiency and the amount of power they can generate, according to the press release. However, he acknowledged to CNN that traditional solar panels have “decades of development” on his idea.
Munday isn’t the only researcher to seek to generate renewable energy from the heat difference between Earth and space. In May of 2019, a team of international researchers announced that it was possible to generate electricity by pointing an infrared semiconductor at the sky.

“The vastness of the universe is a thermodynamic resource,” paper author Shanhui Fan said in an American Institute of Physics press release published by EurekAlert! at the time.
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Indian Forest Expanded by in Last 2 years

Environmental Protection, Nature Conservation, Ecology
The forest and tree cover in India risen by 5,188 square kilometers in the last two years. Karnataka is growing the maximum protection of 1,025 sq km. There is an increase of 3,976 sq. Km (0.56 percent) of forest cover and 1,212 sq. Km (1.29 percent) of tree cover compared to the 2017 report.
Different States – Forest 
The three states in terms of forest cover are Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala. Karnataka grew the maximum forest-and-tree protection at 1,025 sq km, Andhra Pradesh grew a 990-sq. Km cover and an 823-sq.km of forest cover created by Kerala in the last two years. Two other states followed are Jammu and Kashmir, which grew a 371-sq. Km forest cover, and Himachal Pradesh. The current assessment shows an increase of 544 sq. Km (0.19 percent) in 140 hill districts of the country. The forest data of Jammu and Kashmir, recorded through satellite imaging, covers areas outside LoC that are under the illegal occupation of Pakistan and China. The north-east did not show positive results as the current assessment showed a decrease of forest cover to the extent of 765 sq. Km (0.45 percent) in the region. The total forest cover of India is 7,12,249 sq. Km is 21.67 percent of the geographical area of the country. The tree cover of the country is estimated at 95,027 sq. Km, which is 2.89 percent of the geographic area. India on track to achieve its climate goal of creating an additional carbon sink of 2.5-3 billion tonnes under the Paris Agreement.
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Lost Mobile Phone Tracker Portal CEIR

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CEIR lost mobile phone tracker portal: The Central Equipment Identity Register portal for blocking stolen mobiles will now be available to users in Delhi NCR and help them with lost or stolen mobiles or smartphones.
If you have lost your smartphone or mobile phone, there is now an official government portal to help you block the use of the device, and get some peace of mind. The Central Equipment Identity Register or CEIR, which was launched for Mumbai in September 2019, is now officially open for those residing in Delhi-NCR region.
The idea is that if your mobile gets stolen or lost, you will be able to take some steps on this website in order to ensure that it is blocked. So someone else who stole the mobile or perhaps found it, will be unable to use it. The facility will be extended to other parts of the country in 2020, according to reports. it relies on the International Mobile Equipment Identity or IMEI number to help with tracking. Do keep in mind that one has to file a First Information Report (FIR) after the device is lost or stolen, in order to carry out the steps.
First, they have to submit an FIR with the police about their smartphone or mobile being lost or stolen. A copy of that report should be kept by the concerned user as this will be required for filling up the form on the website eventually. Users should also get their duplicate SIM card from the telecom service provider.
The form requires your primary mobile phone number, and the second one as well if you have one. If you have a dual-SIM phone, you will have to enter the IMEI  number for both as well. You can check the IMEI number from the retail box of the device if you still have it.
IMEI number can be checked from the mobile by dialing *#06# from your device. It is best to note down the number someplace safe for future, in case you do lose the mobile and you don’t have the retail box.