AI is hungry for power, and one answer is to stop doing all the math on transistors. Researchers at the University of Tokyo, working with NTT researchers, have shown a way to train and run a neural network on light, using far less computation than conventional methods. The work was announced on November 5, 2026 and published in Nature Computational Science.
The problem: AI that costs too much to run
According to the University of Tokyo press release, training AI models can consume vast amounts ...
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neural networks
Monkey Keyless Entry
Monkey is smart keyless entry device that works similarly to a lot of other smart locks, only it’s for your whole apartment building. You (or, more likely, your landlord) wire up the Wi-Fi-enabled chip to your existing intercom, then you and your fellow tenants download the Android or iOS app. You’ll sync it up with your phone, and you’ll get a notification when someone rings your intercom. You can then let someone in, whether you’re home or on the go. There are three ways to gain access. The Mo...
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Flexible, implantable device could block pain signals
Building on wireless technology that has the potential to interfere with pain, scientists have developed flexible, implantable devices that can activate and, in theory, block pain signals in the body and spinal cord before those signals reach the brain. The researchers, at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, said the implants one day may be used in different parts of the body to fight pain that doesn’t respond to other therapi...
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New Plant-Based Insulation Created
Plant-based, natural building materials have the potential to boost energy savings for homeowners.
Over a three-year period, University of North Texas researchers developed and tested a low-cost process to prepare kenaf, a plant in the hibiscus family that is similar to bamboo, for use as a building material; specifically, kenaf is used to create structured insulated panel building materials.
Scientists worldwide are turning to plants as a resource for biodegradable, renewable and environm...
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