Connect with us

Published

on

The world’s first nuclear-powered battery, capable of lasting thousands of years, has been developed by researchers at the University of Bristol in the U.K., as per reports. Carbon-14, a radioactive isotope with a half-life of 5,730 years, is embedded within a diamond-based structure to generate electricity. The battery requires no motion or maintenance to produce energy, unlike conventional power sources.n Fast-moving electrons emitted during radioactive decay are harvested to produce energy. The synthetic diamond structure captures the radiation, similar to how solar cells convert photons into electricity.

How the Nuclear-Diamond Battery Works

Reports confirm that carbon-14 emits short-range radiation, which is safely contained within the diamond casing. The radiation does not escape, ensuring the battery’s safety for practical applications. In statements provided to media sources, Professor Neil Fox, a materials expert for energy at the University of Bristol, said that diamond is the hardest substance known to man and there is nothing we could use that could offer more protection.

Carbon-14 and Its Source

Reports indicate that the carbon-14 used in the battery is sourced from graphite blocks in nuclear reactors, where the isotope accumulates on the surface. A single gram of carbon-14 embedded in the diamond structure generates approximately 15 joules of energy per day. While standard AA batteries deliver more energy initially, they are exhausted quickly in comparison to the long-lasting nuclear-diamond battery.

Potential Applications

Sources report that the battery could power devices requiring low energy for extended periods. Applications include pacemakers, X-ray machines, and tracking systems. Its durability and resistance to maintenance make it ideal for hazardous environments, such as deep-sea operations and space exploration. The battery’s longevity ensures devices can function for millennia, significantly reducing the frequency of replacements.

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who’sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.


OnePlus 13, OnePlus 13R Global Launch Date Leaked Ahead of Official Announcement



Roblox Blade Ball Codes (December 2024): Free Spins, Tickets, and More

Continue Reading

Science

Ancient Human Remains Reveal Brutal 4,000-Year-Old Massacre in Somerset

Published

on

By

Ancient Human Remains Reveal Brutal 4,000-Year-Old Massacre in Somerset

The discovery of 4,000-year-old human remains at Charterhouse Warren in Somerset has unveiled a harrowing chapter of British prehistory. The analysis of over 3,000 bone fragments belonging to at least 37 individuals, ranging from newborns to adults, has indicated an unprecedented level of violence. The findings, published in Antiquity, revealed evidence of scalping, decapitation, defleshing, tongue removal, evisceration, and signs of cannibalism. Researchers have suggested that these acts represent a dark episode of social and political violence in the Early Bronze Age, estimated between 2200 and 2000 B.C.

Evidence of Brutality

As per reports, the bone analysis conducted by Rick Schulting, an archaeologist at the University of Oxford, and his colleagues, highlighted violent deaths, with 30 percent of skulls showing fractures sustained around the time of death. Approximately 20 percent of the bones bore cut marks inflicted by stone tools, indicating post-mortem actions. Decapitation was confirmed in six individuals based on damage to cervical vertebrae, while marks on jawbones and ribs suggested tongue removal and evisceration. Evidence of crushing fractures on small bones pointed to human chewing.

Unclear Motivations Behind the Violence

According to the research team, these actions do not align with any known Bronze Age funerary practices. The scale of violence and the number of victims suggest a massacre. The study speculated that the brutality could have been retaliatory or related to violations of social norms, possibly reflecting intense political motives. Anna Osterholtz, bioarchaeologist at Mississippi State University, remarked in an email to Live Science that violence of this nature often served a social function, influencing group identity and relationships.

Possible Connection to Disease

Teeth from two child victims contained traces of Yersinia pestis, the bacterium responsible for the plague. This discovery has led researchers to propose that fear linked to illness may have played a role in escalating tensions within the community. Work on the remains continues, with researchers aiming to further unravel the events surrounding this grim episode of British prehistory.

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who’sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.


Scientists Develop New Approach to Capture Gravitational Wave Memory from Supernovae



Ray-Ban Meta Glasses Get Shazam Integration, Enabling Hands-Free Music Identification on the Go

Continue Reading

Science

Scientists Develop New Approach to Capture Gravitational Wave Memory from Supernovae

Published

on

By

Scientists Develop New Approach to Capture Gravitational Wave Memory from Supernovae

A study published in Physical Review Letters explores a new approach to detecting the gravitational wave memory effect, a phenomenon predicted by Einstein’s general relativity. This effect refers to the permanent alteration in the distance between cosmic objects caused by a passing gravitational wave. Scientists suggest that existing gravitational wave observatories could capture this elusive signature, specifically from core-collapse supernovae (CCSN), which occur when massive stars over ten times the Sun’s mass collapse and explode.

Core-collapse supernovae generate gravitational waves with unique characteristics due to their changing quadrupole moments during collapse. According to reports, while the amplitude of these waves is lower compared to signals from black hole or neutron star mergers, they provide critical insights into stellar interiors. Unlike electromagnetic signals, which originate from a supernova’s surface, gravitational waves emerge from deep within, offering a rare glimpse into the dynamics of a collapsing star.

Challenges of Detecting Supernova Gravitational Waves

Detection of gravitational waves from CCSN has proven difficult due to their lower amplitudes, shorter durations, and complex signatures. Reports state that these waves fall below the sensitivity range of current high-frequency detectors such as advanced LIGO. However, the study indicates that low-frequency gravitational waves from CCSN exhibit a “memory” effect. This effect arises from anisotropic neutrino emissions and matter movement during collapse, leaving a non-zero gravitational disturbance.

As per reports, the research team, led by Colter J. Richardson from the University of Tennessee, analysed three-dimensional simulations of non-rotating CCSN with masses up to 25 solar masses using the CHIMERA model. Their findings revealed a distinct ramp-up in gravitational wave signals characteristic of memory with matched filtering techniques, the team concluded that signals from a 25 solar mass supernova could be detected up to 10 kiloparsecs away, a range accessible by existing observatories.

Potential for Future Research

Richardson highlighted, as per sources, the significance of exploring low-frequency gravitational waves and encouraged further investigations using the study’s methodology. Future research may focus on common merger events or improvements in detector sensitivity to refine the detection of memory signals.

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who’sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.


Google’s Whisk AI Experimental Tool Can Mash-Up Images to Generate Unique Outputs



NASA Satellite Image Reveals Unique Horseshoe-Shaped Deception Island in Antarctica

Continue Reading

Science

NASA’s Astronaut Sunita Williams Poses with Tentacle-Armed Astrobee Robot on ISS

Published

on

By

NASA's Astronaut Sunita Williams Poses with Tentacle-Armed Astrobee Robot on ISS

A technology demonstration involving NASA’s Astrobee robot was carried out aboard the International Space Station (ISS), with astronaut Sunita Williams, Expedition 72 Commander, posing alongside the innovative robotic system in a newly released image. Williams, stationed in the Japanese Kibo laboratory module, mimicked the robot’s flexible, tentacle-like arms designed for satellite servicing and space debris management. Reports state that the technology demonstration, Responsive Engaging Arms for Captive Care and Handling (REACCH), integrates advanced robotic features to enhance space operations.

Features of the Astrobee REACCH System

Astrobee, a cube-shaped free-flying robotic system, assists with various tasks aboard the ISS. According to reports, the REACCH system, which equips the Astrobee robot with flexible, gecko-inspired adhesive arms, is being tested to capture objects of diverse shapes, sizes, and surface materials. The arms are said to replicate the adhesive properties found in gecko feet, allowing the robot to securely grasp items in microgravity conditions. These advancements could lead to improved satellite maintenance and effective methods for debris removal in orbit.

Objectives and Testing Process

As reported by NASA, the technology demonstration involves capturing free-floating targets made of different materials under varying conditions, aimed at testing the arms’ performance in the ISS environment. The REACCH system’s capability to repeatedly and safely manoeuvre objects could play a significant role in extending satellite lifespans and addressing the growing challenge of space debris.

Mission Updates for Sunita Williams

Sunita Williams assumed command of the ISS on September 22 and has been aboard since June 6, along with NASA astronaut Barry “Butch” Wilmore. Both astronauts’ return was delayed due to technical issues with the Starliner spacecraft, leaving them to remain in orbit until February 2025. Reports suggest their mission continues to focus on advancing key technological developments such as the Astrobee REACCH initiative.

This innovative demonstration underscores ongoing efforts to refine robotic systems for future space exploration and satellite maintenance.

Continue Reading

Trending