Computer America

Main Stories

Story 1: The perfect polymer? Plant-based plastic is fully saltwater degradable and leaves behind zero microplastics

Source: Phys.org

Link: https://phys.org/news/2025-12-polymer-based-plastic-fully-saltwater.html

Story 2: First highway segment in U.S. wirelessly charges electric heavy-duty truck while driving

Source: Purdue University

Link: 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 tech

Source: American Chemical Society press release

Link: https://www.acs.org/pressroom/presspacs/2025/december/an-iron-on-electronic-circuit-to-create-wearable-tech.html

Story 4: CES News: Headset for the blind uses AI and haptics to guide the user.

Source: A company called .lumen

Links: https://www.dotlumen.com/glasses, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0H6D01duRc

Honorable Mentions

Story: New Algorithm Dramatically Speeds Up Stroke Detection Scans

Source: NYU Tandon School of Engineering

Link: https://engineering.nyu.edu/news/new-algorithm-dramatically-speeds-stroke-detection-scans

Story: New materials yank ‘forever chemicals’ from water

Source: ScienceNewsExplores.org

Link: https://www.snexplores.org/article/mof-filter-pfas-forever-chemicals-water

Story: World’s smallest AI supercomputer can fit in your pocket, run without server or GPUs

Source: Interesting Engineering

Links: https://interestingengineering.com/ai-robotics/us-world-smallest-ai-supercomputer, https://tiiny.ai/, https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/commercial/2025/12/worlds-smallest-mini-pc-thats-about-the-size-of-a-smartphone-unveiled

Story: Strengthening asphalt roads with a unique green ingredient: Algae

Source: EurekAlert!.org

Links: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1109918, https://hexaconstruction.media/article/34059-algae-based-asphalt-shrugs-off-freezing-temperatures-and-reduces-carbon-output

Story: Scientists discover 'magical' material that's stronger than steel and lighter than aluminum — and its potential is dizzying

Source: The Cool Down on MSN

Link: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/scientists-discover-magical-material-that-s-stronger-than-steel-and-lighter-than-aluminum-and-its-potential-is-dizzying/ar-AA1RyiNJ

Show Notes for Computer America
Story 1: Real-world helper exoskeletons come closer to reality with AI training

• Source: TechXplore.com
• Link: https://techxplore.com/news/2025-11-real-world-helper-exoskeletons-closer.html
• Research Paper: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scirobotics.ads8652

Story 2: New Augmented Reality Tech Can Turn Any Surface into Keyboard

• Source: University of Texas at Dallas
• Link: https://news.utdallas.edu/science-technology/augmented-reality-tech-keyboard-2025/

Story 3: Supercomputer Creates One of the Most Realistic Virtual Brains Ever Seen

• Source: ScienceAlert.com
• Link: https://www.sciencealert.com/supercomputer-creates-one-of-the-most-realistic-virtual-brains-ever-seen
• Video 1: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1531823138015033
• Video 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5Xcx0dDwGQ

Story 4: Scientists Discover a Way to 'Recharge' Aging Human Cells

• Source: ScienceAlert.com
• Link: https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-discover-a-way-to-recharge-aging-human-cells
• Research Paper: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2505237122
• Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHbSqcemBW8

Honorable Mentions
Story: CES product announcement: world’s first sonic toothbrush equipped with SmartNose, an integrated connected sensor designed to analyze breath biomarkers in real time

• Source: US-based company Autobrush CES announcement today
• Link: https://tryautobrush.com/

Story: AI trained on bacterial genomes produces never-before-seen proteins

• Source: ArsTechnica.com
• Link: https://arstechnica.com/science/2025/11/generative-ai-meets-the-genome/
• Research Paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09749-7

Story: Department of Energy, PNNL Partner to Power the Nation’s Bioeconomy

• Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
• Link: https://www.pnnl.gov/news-media/department-energy-pnnl-partner-power-nations-bioeconomy

Story: Astro Mechanica teams with UK SME Helix to build hybrid-electric engines for the next generation of supersonic aircraft

• Source: Aerospace Global News
• Link: https://aerospaceglobalnews.com/news/astro-mechanica-helix-supersonic-engines-electric-motors/

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.html

https://mashable.com/article/clair-obscur-expedition-33-indie-game-awards-revoked-ai

https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/larry-ellison-gives-404-billion-guarantee-paramount-bid-warner-bros-2025-12-22

https://www.androidauthority.com/spotify-annas-archive-3627023

Show Notes: 19 December 2025Stories of the Day
1. New wearable device lets you touch fabric online, read braille, and more - VoxeLite can help you literally feel websites.

• Source: Popular Science
• Popular Science Article
• Research Paper

2. Birch Leaves and Peanuts Transformed into Cutting-Edge Laser Technology

• Source: Bioengineer.org
• Bioengineer.org Article
• Optics.org Article
• Research Paper

3. What you need to know about Amazon’s new Starlink rival

• Source: Independent.co.uk
• Independent.co.uk Article
• About Amazon Announcement
• Amazon Leo Website

4. MIT's injectable brain chips could treat disease without surgery

• Source: NewAtlas.com
• NewAtlas.com Article
• Spin-off Company Website
• Video

Honorable Mentions

• New semiconductors could allow classical and quantum computing on the same chip, thanks to superconductivity breakthrough
  • Source: LiveScience.com
  • LiveScience.com Article
• We took a test-drive of NASA's new moon rover candidates
  • Source: National Geographic
  • National Geographic Article
• 3-D printing researchers develop fast-curing, environmentally friendly concrete substitute
  • Source: Oregon State University
  • Oregon State University Article
• Researchers test soft robotics exosuit in Adelaide to reduce astronaut muscular fatigue
  • Source: SpaceConnect.com.au
  • SpaceConnect.com.au Article

Show Notes
Featured Stories

• Hyundai wants to cut EV charging time to 3 minutes, as fast as filling up a gas car
  • Source: Electrek.com
  • Link: https://electrek.co/2025/11/20/hyundai-cut-ev-charging-time-3-minutes/
• Japanese scientists unveil a quantum battery that defies energy loss
  • Source: ScienceDaily.com
  • Links: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251023031612.htm, https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.134.180401
• Smart Bandage Uses Electricity and Drugs to Heal Wounds
  • Source: IEEE Spectrum
  • Link: https://spectrum.ieee.org/smart-bandage-ai-electrical-stimulation

Honorable Mentions

• Focused Ultrasound Passes First Test in Treatment of Brain Cancer in Children
  • Source: Columbia University Irving Medical Center
  • Links: https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/focused-ultrasound-passes-first-test-treatment-brain-cancer-children, https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scitranslmed.adq6645
• Research team develops game-changing material that could transform future buildings: 'Challenges the idea'
  • Source: The Cool Down via MSN
  • Link: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/research-team-develops-game-changing-material-that-could-transform-future-buildings-challenges-the-idea/ar-AA1QXvLg
• Science history: Experiment shows mutations arise spontaneously, supporting pillar of Darwinian evolution
  • Source: LiveScience.com
  • Link: https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/evolution/science-history-experiment-shows-mutations-arise-spontaneously-supporting-pillar-of-darwinian-evolution-nov-20-194
• Breakthrough Helps Scientists Grow More Realistic Human Brain Models
  • Source: ScienceAlert.com
  • Links: https://www.sciencealert.com/breakthrough-helps-scientists-grow-more-realistic-human-brain-models, https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adfm.202509452
• MIT Is One Step Closer to Having Building-Sized Batteries With This Innovative Tech
  • Source: Slashgear
  • Links: https://www.slashgear.com/2009844/mit-one-step-closer-building-sized-concrete-batteries/, https://news.mit.edu/2025/concrete-battery-now-packs-ten-times-power-1001

Show Notes: 5 December 2025
Story 1: Startup develops incredible tech to pull water from unexpected source: 'This is just the beginning of what's possible'

• Source: The Cool Down on MSN, Story by Elija McKee
• Link
• See also
• See also
• Video here

Story 2: PowerLattice attracts investment from ex-Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger for its power-saving chiplet

• Source: TechCrunch.com, Story by Marina Temkin
• Link
• See also

Story 3: Space-based US solar firm breaks world record for beaming wireless electricity

• Source: Interesting Engineering, Story by Chris Young
• Link
• See also

Story 4: Artificial cartilage mimics natural flexibility with adjustable structure

• Source: Phys.org, Story by Robert Egan
• Link
• See research paper here

Honorable Mentions
Story: Russian airline introduces a humanoid robot cabin crew on flights

• Source: Aerospace Global News, Story by Marisa Garcia
• Link
• See video here

Story: A New Generation? Could Rolls-Royce’s Hydrogen Engine Concept Redefine Jet Power?

• Source: Simple Flying, Story by Paul Hartley
• Link

Story: Scientists Just Unveiled a Lunar Robot So Smart It Might Replace Astronauts

• Source: Dailygalaxy.com, Story by Lydia Amazouz
• Link

Story: The 19 best Christmas gifts for science lovers (and nerds)

• Source: NewScientist.com
• Link

Story 1

Title: 3D Solar towers boost electricity production by around 50%

Source: New Atlas

Links:

• Solar Towers Electricity
• Janta Power Closes $5.5 Million Seed Round to Power the Future of Clean Energy

Story 2

Title: European Space Agency to Trial Growing Protein Powder in Space Using Astronaut Urine

Source: ExtremeTech.com

Links:

• ESA to Trial Growing Protein Powder in Space Using Astronaut Urine
• Europe wants to make space food out of thin air and astronaut pee

Story 3

Title: This Sunflower-Based Protein Could Be the Future of Vegan Meat Alternatives

Source: SciTechDaily.com

Link: Sunflower-Based Protein for Vegan Meat AlternativesStory 4

Title: Discovery of key to joint regeneration could help regrow lost limbs

Source: MedicalXpress.com

Link: Joint Regeneration Key DiscoveryHonorable Mentions

Story: US scientists make alloys tough enough to withstand nuclear fusion’s Sun-like heat

Source: Interesting Engineering

Link: New Alloys for Fusion Reactors

Story: Scientists Are Literally Growing Metal

Source: Popular Mechanics via MSN

Links:

• Scientists Are Literally Growing Metal
• Research Paper

Story: Floating device turns raindrops into electricity

Source: ScienceDaily.com

Link: Floating Device Turns Raindrops into Electricity

Story: 12 Times the Speed of Sound? A Look at The World’s 1st Hypersonic Jet Powered By Hydrogen Fuel

Source: SimplyFlying.com

Links:

• World’s 1st Hypersonic Jet Hydrogen Fuel
• Hypersonix Company Website

Show Notes


Story 1: Computing and AI

• Title: Scientists create world's first microwave-powered computer chip — it's much faster and consumes less power than conventional CPUs
• Source: LiveScience.com
• Links:
  • LiveScience Article
  • Research Paper
  • Cornell Chronicle Posting

Story 2: Sustainable Materials

• Title: Green alternative for light-emitting materials in displays uses plant waste and amino acids
• Source: TechXplore.com
• Links:
  • TechXplore Article
  • Research Paper

Story 3: Next-Gen Armor

• Title: Scientists Created a Bulletproof Material 3 Times Stronger Than Kevlar—It’s Already Breaking Records
• Source: Popular Mechanics
• Links:
  • Popular Mechanics Article
  • Research Paper
  • New Scientist Article

Story 4: Medical Tech

• Title: Injectable antenna could safely power deep-tissue medical implants
• Source: MIT Media Lab
• Link: MIT News Article

Honorable Mentions

• Title: Tabletop particle accelerator could transform medicine and materials science
• Source: Phys.org
• Link: Phys.org Article
• Title: Need a New 3D Material? Build It With DNA
• Source: Columbia University Engineering
• Link: Columbia Engineering Article
• Title: Spider-Like Robot Combines 3D Printing and Construction for Earth and Lunar Applications
• Source: 3Dprinting.com
• Link: 3Dprinting.com Article
• Title: Robots you can wear like clothes: Automatic weaving of 'fabric muscle' brings commercialization closer
• Source: TechXplore.com
• Link: TechXplore Article

Show Notes: 14 November 2025
Main Stories
Story 1: Wireless Charging Roads

• Title: This Wireless-Charging Road Is More Powerful Than Most Tesla Superchargers
• Source: InsideEVs.com
• Link: Wireless Charging Highway Power
• Company Site: Electreon
• See Also: First Highway Charges Cars as They Drive

Story 2: Tank-Killer Robot

• Title: Meet FireAnt: US firm unveils mini ‘tank-killer’ robot built to hunt heavy armor
• Source: Interesting Engineering on MSN
• Link: Meet FireAnt: US firm unveils mini ‘tank-killer’ robot built to hunt heavy armor
• Company Site: Swarmbotics AI

Story 3: Airborne 5G/6G Network

• Title: Skydweller Aero and Nokia Federal Solutions Secure US Navy Contract to Develop Airborne Beyond 5G Tactical Network
• Source: SpaceDaily.com
• Link: Skydweller Aero and Nokia Federal Solutions Secure US Navy Contract to Develop Airborne Beyond 5G Tactical Network
• Company Site: Skydweller Aero
• Project Site: Intelligent Radio Access Network for Beyond 5G Resilient Tactical Networks

Story 4: Universal Kidney

• Title: Breakthrough: Scientists Create 'Universal' Kidney to Match Any Blood Type
• Source: ScienceAlert.com
• Link: Breakthrough: Scientists Create 'Universal' Kidney to Match Any Blood Type
• Research Paper: Universal Kidney Research

Honorable Mentions
Story: Regrowing Tooth Enamel

• Title: Dentists Could Soon 'Regrow' Your Tooth Enamel with a Simple Gel
• Source: ScienceAlert.com
• Link: Dentists Could Soon 'Regrow' Your Tooth Enamel with a Simple Gel
• Research Paper: Enamel Regrowth Research

Story: Slashing Household Energy Use

• Title: Startup unveils incredible tech that could slash household energy use: 'Transforms every building'
• Source: The Cool Down via MSN
• Link: Startup unveils incredible tech that could slash household energy use

Story: Printing Solar Cells

• Title: Printing Solar Cells Like Newspaper
• Source: Electronicsforu.com
• Link: Printing Solar Cells Like Newspaper

Story: Fire-Fighting Robot

• Title: This First-Year Student Invented a Fire-Fighting Robot
• Source: Cockrell School of Engineering, University of Texas at Austin
• Link: This First-Year Student Invented a Fire-Fighting Robot

Bonus Fun Virtual Experience

• Google's virtual Route 66 driving adventure (Source: Google Arts & Culture in collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation)
  • Link: https://artsandculture.google.com/project/route-66

Main Stories

1. Powered by mushrooms, living computers are on the rise - Neural organics lead to lower energy costs, faster calculation speeds (Source: Ohio State News)
   • Link: https://news.osu.edu/powered-by-mushrooms-living-computers-are-on-the-rise/
   • See also: https://bioengineer.org/mushroom-powered-technology-the-emergence-of-living-computers/
   • See research paper here: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0328965
2. Kubota Claims World’s First Hydrogen Fuel Cell, Self-Driving Tractor (Source: Equipmentworld.com)
   • Link: https://www.equipmentworld.com/technology/article/15768565/kubota-worlds-first-hydrogen-selfdriving-tractor-unveiled
   • See video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzIBOK_fkfU
3. Eye prosthesis is the first to restore sight lost to macular degeneration (Source: Stanford Medicine News Center)
   • Link: https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2025/10/eye-prosthesis.html
   • See research paper here: https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa2501396
4. Scientists Reverse Alzheimer’s in Mice with a Single Injection - It only took two hours for a visible difference (Source: ZME Science)
   • Link: https://www.zmescience.com/science/neurology-science/scientists-reverse-alzheimers-in-mice-with-a-single-injection/
   • See research paper here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41392-025-02426-1

Honorable Mentions

• Hydrogen Production Takes Flight at Hamburg Airport with New Infrastructure Roadmap (Source: Hydrogenfuelnews.com)
  • Link: https://www.hydrogenfuelnews.com/hydrogen-production-takes-flight-at-hamburg-airport-with-new-infrastructure-roadmap/8573558/
• Smart elastomer muscles give soft robotics record 2,000x lifting capability (Source: Interesting Engineering)
  • Link: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/smart-elastomer-muscles-give-soft-robotics-record-2000x-lifting-capability/ar-AA1P4fo5?ocid=BingNewsVerp
• Toyota to launch world's first EV with a solid-state battery by 2027 — they're expected to last longer and charge faster (Source: Livescience.com)
  • Link: https://www.livescience.com/technology/electric-vehicles/toyota-to-launch-worlds-first-ev-with-a-solid-state-battery-by-2027-theyre-expected-to-last-longer-and-charge-faster
  • See press release here: https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/corporate/43380876.html
• AI identifies batteries in the waste stream (Source: Recycling-magazine.com)
  • Link: https://www.recycling-magazine.com/2024/05/21/ai-identifies-batteries-in-the-waste-stream/
  • See company website here: https://lionvision.co.uk/