Gravity-Defying Materials, Microsoft's Start Menu Surprise, and Lunar Robot Canines

In today's episode of Discover Daily by Perplexity, we discuss a new material developed by researchers in Japan that enables stable magnetic levitation without requiring an external power source. The centimeter-sized thin square plate, made from graphite coated with silica, hovers above a grid of magnets by harnessing the diamagnetic properties of graphite. This frictionless, self-sustaining floating platform technology could lead to the development of highly sensitive sensors for measuring force, acceleration, and gravity. Next, we cover Microsoft's recent testing of built-in advertisements in the Windows 11 Start menu. These ads, targeting users with local accounts, promote the benefits of signing up for a Microsoft account and using Microsoft services. Despite negative user feedback, Microsoft appears to be expanding its advertising efforts within the Windows operating system, including the Settings app. Finally, we explore the development of robotic "dogs" by various space agencies and research institutions for potential lunar exploration. These four-legged robots, such as the ANYmal-based robot backed by the European Space Agency and NASA's Au-Spot, are designed to navigate challenging terrains on the Moon and Mars that are inaccessible to traditional wheeled rovers. While most of these projects are still in the research and testing phase, robotic dogs could play a significant role in future lunar missions and support human exploration of the Moon. To learn more about these stories, visit: Gravity-free graphite demonstration: https://www.perplexity.ai/search/Gravityfree-graphite-demonstration-KRT79Uf8TD64Af76xM6uMQ Microsoft tests ads in Windows Start menu: https://www.perplexity.ai/search/Microsoft-test-ads-jap0.q1wSZKn4uVLK_oMnA NASA trains robot dog for the Moon: https://www.perplexity.ai/search/NASA-trains-robot-65NGqLiVRB27dEVuXE1AhQ

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