Computer America

Show Notes 17 April 2026Researchers Develop 3D Printed Lab-Grown Ear Cartilage3DPrinting.com https://3dprinting.com/news/researchers-develop-3d-printed-lab-grown-ear-cartilage/3D Printed Ear Video ETH Zurich YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01U6KC35dKwNovel prosthetic design combines AI and 3D printing to improve fitRobert Egan MedicalXpress.comhttps://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-03-prosthetic-combines-ai-3d.htmlAI blood test finds silent liver disease years before symptomsJohns Hopkins MedicineScienceDaily.com https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260305223204.htmAI L...

Show Notes 10 April 2026Scientists may have figured out how to unlock the energy of ocean waves David Nield ScienceAlert.comhttps://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-may-have-figured-out-how-to-unlock-the-energy-of-ocean-wavesPower in Motion: Transforming Energy Harvesting with Gyroscopes University of Osaka Asia Research Newshttps://www.asiaresearchnews.com/content/power-motion-transforming-energy-harvesting-gyroscopesResearchers use fungus to create plastic-free food packaging University of Maine University of Maine Newshttps://umaine.edu/news/2026/02/researchers-use-fungus-to-create-plastic-free-food-packaging/Mushroom Packaging Video University of Maine YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be_SnPFJodoGraphene-based ‘artificial skin’ brings human-like touch closer to robots Univ...

Show Notes 3 April 2026Researchers Develop Photonic Crystal Light Sails for Interplanetary Exploration NationalToday.comhttps://nationaltoday.com/us/al/tuskegee/news/2026/03/06/researchers-develop-photonic-crystal-light-sail-for-interplanetary-exploration/Fuel-free interplanetary travel:Photonic crystal sail could help laser beams push spacecraft MSNhttps://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/fuel-free-interplanetary-travel-photonic-crystal-sail-could-help-laser-beams-push-spacecraft/ar-AA1XLjxKDesign and manufacture of a photonic crystal light sail SPIE Digital Libraryhttps://www.spiedigitallibrary.org/journals/journal-of-nanophotonics/volume-19/issue-04/046008/Design-and-manufacture-of-a-photonic-crystal-light-sail/10.1117/1.JNP.19.046008.fullNASA’s Advanced Composite Solar Sail System (ACS3) NASAhttps://www.nasa.gov/mission/acs3/How UCLA scientists he...

Sony Is Raising Prices on PlayStation Consoles and Portals Polygonhttps://www.polygon.com/ps5-price-increase-sony-playstation-portalNetflix Raises Prices Across All Streaming Plans CNBChttps://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/26/netflix-raises-prices-across-all-streaming-plans.htmlPhysical vs Digital: Switch 2 Games Pricing Explained Polygonhttps://www.polygon.com/physical-vs-digital-switch-2-games-pricingApple Discontinues the Mac Pro Engadgethttps://www.engadget.com/computing/apple-discontinues-the-mac-pro-221502339.htmlMacBook Neo 2026: The Perfect Laptop for Most Users Calcopiahttps://calcopia.com/macbook-neo-2026-the-perfect-laptop-for-most-users/ChatGPT Sexy Mode Disabled Following Investor Concerns Ars Technicahttps://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/03/chatgpt-wont-talk-dirty-any-time-soon-as-sexy-mode-turns-off-investors-report-says

Story 1: AI search robot uses 3D maps and internet knowledge to find lost items Andreas Schmitz, Technical University Munich TechXplore.com https://techxplore.com/news/2026-03-ai-robot-3d-internet-knowledge.html Research paper: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11359697 Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUouwHUZPWQStory 2: Tofu brine could power safer batteries that last decades, researchers say Skye Jacobs Techspot.com https://www.techspot.com/news/111434-tofu-brine-could-power-safer-batteries-last-decades.html Research paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-69384-2Story 3: New 4D vision chip can help robots, drones track distance and speed of moving objects Mrigakshi Dixit InterestingEngineering.com https://interestingengineering.com...

Show Notes 20 March 2026Story 1: Extra ‘set of eyes’ for self-driving cars: Roadside radar sensors could reduce blind spots Silvia Cernea Clark Rice University websitehttps://news.rice.edu/news/2026/extra-set-eyes-self-driving-cars-roadside-radar-sensors-could-reduce-blind-spotshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1SWRzGPQJQStory 2: Spray-on 'immune-shield' coats transplant organs to curb rejection Medical Xpress via MSN.comhttps://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/spray-on-immune-shield-coats-transplant-organs-to-curb-rejection/ar-AA1XGjVRhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S016836592501082XStory 3: A New Type of Immunotherapy Drug for Prostate Cancer Shows Up to 99% Drop in Cancer Biomarkers Tudo...

  Show Notes 13 March 2026Story 1: 3D Printing Soft Robots - Rotational multi-material printing offers intricate, programmable shapesSource: Harvard School of Engineering Story by Anne J. ManningLink: https://seas.harvard.edu/news/3d-printing-soft-robotsSee video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BK9K_mJjlxEStory 2: AI robot vehicles learn to team up and extinguish fires in early trialSource: TechXplore.com Story by Andrew ZininLink: https://techxplore.com/news/2026-02-ai-robot-vehicles-team-extinguish.htmlSee research paper here: https://www.sc...

Show Notes 6 March 2026Story 1: Scientists Grew Mini Brains, Then Trained Them to Solve an Engineering ProblemSource: ScienceAlert.com Link:https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-grew-mini-brains-then-trained-them-to-solve-an-engineering-problem200,000 living human brain cells just learned to play Doom and this is just the start of itSource: ZME Science Link:https://www.zmescience.com/science/wetware-brain-doom-play/Story 2: Sub-$200 Lidar Could Reshuffle Auto[mobile] Sensor EconomicsSource: IEEE Spectrum Link:https://spectrum.ieee.org/solid-state-lidar-microvision-adasAdditional Info:https://microvision.com/Story 3: Magical Marvel: Tiny Fairy-Like Ro...

Show Notes 27 February 2026Story 1: Artemis II to Test Laser-Based Communication from the MoonSource: ExtremeTech.comLink: https://www.extremetech.com/aerospace/artemis-ii-to-test-laser-based-communication-from-the-moonStory 2: New solar-powered device extracts lithium for batteries while desalinating seawaterSource: Interesting EngineeringLink: https://interestingengineering.com/energy/china-solar-device-extracts-lithium-desalinates-seawaterSee research paper here: https://www.cell.com/device/abstract/S2666-9986(25)00341-2Story 3: Paralysis treatment heals lab-grown human spinal cord organoidsSource: Northwestern University Link: https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2026/02/paralysis-treatment-heals-lab-grown-human-spinal-cord-organoidsSee research paper here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41551-025-016...

Show Notes 20 February 2026Story 1: Watch a robot swarm “bloom” like a gardenSource: ArsTechnica.comLink: https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/01/watch-a-robot-swarm-bloom-like-a-garden/See research paper here: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scirobotics.ady7233See video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80QqrFmvIr0&t=2sStory 2: Electric semi-trucks could serve as mobile AI data centers, a Belgian startup proposes Source: Interesting EngineeringLink: https://interestingengineering.com/ai-robotics/belgian-startup-data-centers-electric-semi-trucks See also: https://windrose.tech/Story 3: World-first - supercomputer discovered this invisible flaw in all jet enginesSource: Slashgear.com <b...

Show Notes 2/13/2026AI model from Google's DeepMind reads recipe for life in DNA Source: BBC Link: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c39428dv18yoCarbon Robotics Launches the World’s First-Ever Large Plant ModelSource: BusinessWire.com Link: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260202630325/en/Carbon-Robotics-Launches-the-Worlds-First-Ever-Large-Plant-ModelYour future home might be framed with printed plasticSource: MIT News Link: https://news.mit.edu/2026/your-future-home-might-be-framed-with-printed-plastic-0203A new scan lets scientists see inside the human body in 3D color Source: ScienceDaily.com...

Tiny silicon structures compute with heat, achieving 99% accurate matrix multiplication Source: Techxplore.com Link:https://techxplore.com/news/2026-01-tiny-silicon-accurate-matrix-multiplication.html#google_vignetteResearch Paper:https://journals.aps.org/prapplied/abstract/10.1103/5drp-hrx1Scientists Found an Untapped Energy Source Running Through Our Cells Source: Popular Mechanics Link:https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/health/a69927474/flexoelectricity-cells/World’s first neuromorphic supercomputer nears reality with brain-inspired math Source: Interesting Engineering Link:https://interestingengineering.com/science/world-first-neuromorphic-supercomputer-usWireless device ‘speaks’ to the brain with light Source: Northwestern University Link:https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2025/12/wireless-device-speaks-to-the-brain-with-lightV...

Show Notes 23 January 2026Story 1: MIT just made aluminum 5x stronger with 3D printing - it is stronger, lighter, and tough enough to reshape the future of flightSource: ScienceDaily Based on MIT news announcementLink: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251226045316.htmSee also: https://news.mit.edu/2025/printable-aluminum-alloy-sets-strength-records-may-enable-lighter-aircraft-parts-1007Story 2: New 'physics shortcut' lets laptops tackle quantum problems once reserved for supercomputers and AISource: LiveScience.com Story by Owen HughesLink: https://www.livescience.com/technology/computing/new-physics-shortcut-lets-laptops-tackle-quantum-problems-once-reserved-for-supercomputers-and-aiStory 3: Hyperloop shock: China’s maglev hits 435...

Show Notes 16 January 2026Very Low Earth Orbit Satellites Could be the Next Frontier in Satellite TechnologySource: ExtremeTech.comLink: https://www.extremetech.com/aerospace/very-low-earth-orbit-satellites-could-be-the-next-frontier-in-satelliteNASA, Boeing Test How to Improve Performance of Longer, Narrower Aircraft WingsSource: NASALink: https://www.nasa.gov/aeronautics/nasa-boeing-test-aircraft-wings/See video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJNJfrkge9oThese Laser Beams Could Power Military Drones 5,000 Feet in the AirSource: Gizmodo.comLink: https://gizmodo.com/these-laser-beams-could-power-military-drones-5000-feet-in-the-air-2000702020See video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJNJfrkge9o...

Calcopia.com. Nathan Evans, Managing Editor. Herman Exum, Tech Reporter.Calcopia is your place for unique and interesting analyses on the best of gaming, movies, tech, books, a regularly updated Podcast, and original content you won’t find anywhere else. 100 percent independent and agenda-free, our diverse editorial staff is committed to keeping things interesting and always entertaining. A veritable cornucopia of editorial excellence, if you will.Topics:Samsung Unveils World’s First 130-Inch Micro RGB TV Featuring Next-Generation Color and Bold New Design – Samsung Global NewsroomCES – The Most Powerful Tech Event in the WorldSamsung Family Hub™️ | Samsung US...

Main StoriesStory 1: The perfect polymer? Plant-based plastic is fully saltwater degradable and leaves behind zero microplasticsSource: Phys.orgLink: https://phys.org/news/2025-12-polymer-based-plastic-fully-saltwater.htmlStory 2: First highway segment in U.S. wirelessly charges electric heavy-duty truck while drivingSource: Purdue UniversityLink: https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/2025/Q4/first-highway-segment-in-u-s-wirelessly-charges-electric-heavy-duty-truck-while-driving/Story 3: An iron-on electronic circuit to create wearable techSource: American Chemical Society press releaseLink: https://www.acs.org/pressroom/presspacs/2025/december/an-iron-on-electronic-circuit-to-create-wearable-tech.htmlStory 4: CES New...

Show Notes for Computer AmericaStory 1: Real-world helper exoskeletons come closer to reality with AI trainingSource: TechXplore.comLink: https://techxplore.com/news/2025-11-real-world-helper-exoskeletons-closer.htmlResearch Paper: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scirobotics.ads8652Story 2: New Augmented Reality Tech Can Turn Any Surface into KeyboardSource: University of Texas at DallasLink: https://news.utdallas.edu/science-technology/augmented-reality-tech-keyboard-2025/Story 3: Supercomputer Creates One of the Most Realistic Virtual Brains Ever SeenSource: ScienceAlert.comLink: https://www.sciencealert.com/supercomputer-creates-one-of-the-most-realistic-virtual-brains-ever-seenVideo 1: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1531823138015033Video 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5Xcx0dDwGQStory 4: Scientists Discover a Way to...

Calcopia.Nathan Evans, Managing Editor.Calcopia is your place for unique and interesting analyses on the best of gaming, movies, tech, books, a regularly updated Podcast, and original content you won’t find anywhere else. 100 percent independent and agenda-free, our diverse editorial staff is committed to keeping things interesting and always entertaining. A veritable cornucopia of editorial excellence, if you will.Topics:https://www.engadget.com/transportation/waymo-vehicles-are-operating-again-in-san-francisco-following-a-power-outage-112924838.htmlhttps://mashable.com/article/clair-obscur-expedition-33-indie-game-awards-revoked-aihttps://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/larry-ellison-gives-404-billion-guarantee-paramount-bid-warner-bros-2025-12-22https://www...

Show Notes: 19 December 2025Stories of the Day1. New wearable device lets you touch fabric online, read braille, and more - VoxeLite can help you literally feel websites.Source: Popular SciencePopular Science ArticleResearch Paper2. Birch Leaves and Peanuts Transformed into Cutting-Edge Laser TechnologySource: Bioengineer.orgBioengineer.org ArticleOptics.org ArticleResearch Paper3. What you need to know about Amazon’s new Starlink rivalSource: Independent.co.ukIndependent.co.uk ArticleAbout Amazon AnnouncementAmazon Leo Website4. MIT's injectable brain chips could treat disease without surgerySource: NewAtlas.comNewAtlas.com ArticleSpin-off Company WebsiteVideoHonorable MentionsNew semiconductors could allow classical and quantum computing on the same chip, thanks to su...

Show NotesFeatured StoriesHyundai wants to cut EV charging time to 3 minutes, as fast as filling up a gas carSource: Electrek.comLink: https://electrek.co/2025/11/20/hyundai-cut-ev-charging-time-3-minutes/Japanese scientists unveil a quantum battery that defies energy lossSource: ScienceDaily.comLinks: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251023031612.htm, https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.134.180401Smart Bandage Uses Electricity and Drugs to Heal WoundsSource: IEEE SpectrumLink: https://spectrum.ieee.org/smart-bandage-ai-electrical-stimulationHonorable MentionsFocused Ultrasound Passes First Test in Treatment of Brain Cancer in ChildrenSource: Columbia University Irving Medical CenterLinks: https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/focused-ultrasound-passes-first-test-treatment-brain-cancer-children, https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scitranslmed.adq6645Resear...