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Vision of clean energy and fossil fuel - Arif Patel of Preston UK 

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Vision of clean energy and fossil fuel - Arif Patel of Preston UK 

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Globally, the oil and gas industries are showing a strong upward trend. These industries are positioned for strong growth due to the rising global energy demand. Large-scale oil and gas deposits have been unlocked because of improvements in drilling equipment and exploration methods, which have expanded production and created new jobs.

A well-known personality in oil and gas exploration, engineering, and mining, Arif Patel of Preston UK, Dubai, and London frequently shares his thoughts on the subject. He thinks there needs to be a balance between traditional and alternative energy sources. The shift to clean energy or programs to lessen their carbon footprint must be funded by the oil and gas industries.

Read Full Article Here : https://www.lancs.live/special-features/dubai-businessman-arif-patel-talks-27429670

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Dubai Businessman Arif Patel talks about his vision of clean energy and fossil fuel

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Calls for the oil and gas sectors to invest in the clean energy transition or initiatives to reduce their carbon footprint.

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While their primary goal is to control sound, your iPhone's volume buttons can actually do much more than you think

Hacks for your iPhone are some of our favorite things to discover, and believe it or not, we're always finding new ones. Whether it's retrieving deleted messages, adding widgets or learning how to use your iPhone's hidden mouse pad, we love an iPhone trick that promises to make our lives easier. This most recent one involves your iPhone's volume buttons, which can do much more than adjust sound.

If you've only ever used your iPhone's volume buttons to toggle the volume up and down, you're missing out on the many shortcuts for which they can be used. Not sure where to start? Here are the best ways to use those volume buttons for more than just music.
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How to use your iPhone's volume buttons

Take photos

Noam Galai/Getty Images

If you need an extra hand to take photos, this handy hack can help. It works with portrait, traditional photo and panorama modes when shooting from the rear camera, and with portrait and traditional photo modes for the front camera. Just open the Camera app and press either volume button to take a photo or start a panorama. You can end the panorama with another tap of the button, or you can hold the button down the entire time to take the panorama. Accidentally delete one of those photos? Don't fret. Here's how to recover deleted iPhone photos.

Take videos

You can use the same trick to take a video. Just switch to video mode in the Camera app, then press either of the volume buttons to start taking a video. You can press it again to stop, or you can hold down the button the entire time to take a video-it'll stop recording once you release the button.

Take photo bursts

A photo burst makes editing iPhone photos easier because it gives you more options to choose from. If you have an iPhone XS, iPhone XR or newer, you can press and hold the volume up button to take burst shots. To allow for that, go to Settings > Camera, then turn on "Use Volume Up for Burst."

Scan documents

Your iPhone's built-in document scanner will work in apps such as Files, Mail, Notes and Reminders. Since this function uses the Camera app, you can press either volume button to snap a scan of the document you need instead of pressing the shutter button on the screen.

Snooze an alarm clock

For those who use their iPhone instead of a traditional alarm clock, this is the trick you need to know. If you're half asleep and can't be bothered to find the " Snooze " on your phone screen in the morning, just press either volume button to snooze your alarm-just make sure you have the "Snooze" function enabled for that particular alarm.

Turn off an alarm clock

If you have toggled off the "Snooze" option for your alarm, clicking either volume button will turn off the alarm.

Call emergency services

When you're in an actual emergency and can't spend time unlocking your iPhone to call 911, Apple has made things easier. To quickly get ahold of emergency services, just hold down the side lock button and either volume button (or all three buttons) until the "Emergency Call" slider pops up. Swipe the SOS icon to the right to place the call.

Force a restart

If your phone is frozen and there's no way to restart it, you might be forced to complete a factory reset. To do so, press the volume up button, then volume down button, then the side lock button until you see the Apple logo on a black background. Once your lock screen reappears, it means a hard reset has been performed. Unlike a regular restart, which happens at the software level, a hard reset happens at the hardware level, which can help when your phone is frozen or buggy. Keep in mind that a factory reset wipes your entire phone, so make sure you have backed it up on the cloud recently.

Turn off Face ID or Touch ID quickly

You can temporarily prevent Face ID from unlocking your iPhone. Press and hold the side lock button and either volume button for two seconds. You'll see the same screen as when you're calling emergency services. After the sliders appear, press the side button to immediately lock your iPhone, which will lock automatically if you don't touch the screen for a minute or so.

Silence an incoming call

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Want to quickly silence a call when you're busy? Pressing either volume button will silence incoming regular calls as well as FaceTime calls, and will also stop vibrations if your phone is on vibrate mode.

Apple: "If your iPhone won't turn on or is frozen"

Apple: "Use the side, Home, and other buttons on your iPhone"

Apple: "Disable Face ID"

Sources:

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Your iPhone's Volume Buttons Are Loaded with Hidden Features

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While their primary goal is to control sound, your iPhone's volume buttons can actually do much more than you think.

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Customers slam company over 'gross' new type of phone chargers: 'That can't be a thing'

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Customers slam company over 'gross' new type of phone chargers: 'That can't be a thing'

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Tech

They also noted that the packet contained alkaline batteries, which are both toxic and nonrecyclable.

In a world already drowning in e-waste, one company has added more fuel to the fire with a tech device designed to be trashed - the disposable "pop charger."

Redditors voiced their dismay at the throwaway device in the r/Anticonsumption subreddit, where one user posted a photo of the offending item.

The picture shows an unopened packet containing a pre-charged wireless charger, billed as an "emergency charger" for those whose phone battery is running low on the go.

Crucially, the packet bears the word "disposable" on its front, which implies that buyers can throw it in the trash when they are done using it.

"eWaste is getting out of hand," the Redditor wrote in a caption.

Each pop charger contains alkaline batteries, which generally are single-use rather than rechargeable.

Although alkaline batteries are no longer considered toxic by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and can be put into your general household waste, they still contribute to the growing mass of solid waste that municipalities are struggling to shrink (in addition, California still considers these batteries toxic).

Americans throw away more than 3 billion batteries each year, which amounts to 180,000 tons of waste - 86,000 tons of that comes from single-use alkaline batteries.

Rather than clamping down on the amount of solid waste we produce, the problem is getting worse. The World Bank says we already produce 2.2 billion tons of waste globally each year, which could grow to 3.7 billion tons by 2050.

The world cannot accommodate that much trash. In 2018, the Solid Waste Environmental Excellence Performance ( SWEEP) predicted that the U.S. would run out of landfill capacity by around 2036.

Our appetite for single-use disposables - visible most recently in the millions of single-use vapes now being sent to landfill - is only compounding this problem.

Not to mention the hazard that batteries present once they reach landfills. Even a small amount of charge on a battery can cause fires, which releases toxic chemicals into the atmosphere.

"This is what happens when capitalism commodifies everything," one Redditor wrote. "We could have public charging stations at community centers and parks, but no, we have to create a ton of waste."

"This absolutely sucks but makes me realize how bad AA/AAA disposable batteries are," another commented. "I'm glad that we've largely moved past them (they used to be in everything) but there's really no reason we should be using them at all."

One user was shocked that pop chargers even exist, saying, "Omg that can't be a thing." Another simply called the invention "gross."

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Customers slam company over 'gross' new type of phone chargers: 'That can't be a thing'

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The subreddit r/Anticonsumption slammed the disposable pop charger, calling it a needless addition to the world's worsening e-waste problem.

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This new, mega-cheap ‘Dolphin’ car has hit the streets in some areas — and it could spark a price war worldwide

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The latest electric vehicle from BYD is being sold in Australia for only $25,000 — a price that rivals Tesla’s cars.

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RESEARCHERS DISCOVER HIGH-TECH ‘SMART FARMING’ PROCESS THAT COULD HELP US GROW FOOD WITH FEWER CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS

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RESEARCHERS DISCOVER HIGH-TECH ‘SMART FARMING’ PROCESS THAT COULD HELP US GROW FOOD WITH FEWER CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS

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Tech

"We need to feed our growing population, but we also need to protect our water and air."

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin (UT) are using " smart " chemistry to improve farming, increasing production in a way that's better for the environment.

They detailed the progress of their "smart farming" studies in a report for UT News, and the results could be a game-changer for standard agriculture practices regarding fertilizer. That's because the breakthrough copper-based hydrogel being developed captures excess nitrate from fertilizer before it has a chance to harm our waters and soil.

At issue is the overuse of nitrogen-based compounds and some other elements crucial to plant growth that are common in fertilizers. Farmers use them each year to help grow food for the world's population, which UT News reports is expected to expand by about 2 billion people by 2050.

Nationally, there are more than 895 million acres of land used for farming, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). So, when farmers overuse nitrogen to create better yields, the excess elements eventually leach into the soil and groundwater.

"[W]hich can contaminate groundwater and lead to harmful greenhouse gasses," Guihua Yu, a professor of materials science who is involved with the work, said.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said that "dead zones" can be found underwater. The nitrogen can eventually lead to hypoxia, or oxygen deficiency, causing fish kills and harming other water organisms. The EPA reports that harmful algae blooms are also possible, which can be toxic to people. The impact can eventually reach rivers and oceans, according to experts at the USDA.

Researchers at UT may have a solution that provides abundant crops without the toxic runoff. Their copper-based hydrogel catches excess nitrates and turns them into reusable ammonia before it leaches into the environment. UT News said the intuitive gel being developed "senses nitrogen levels in the soil." At just the right time, it converts the nitrogen, preventing pollution.

What's more, plants seem to be growing better with smart farming.

"We designed this system and showed that it can grow the same or more crops without overusing nitrogen," Yu said in the UT News report.

A photo of wheat and rice plants shared by UT shows that the ones grown using the hydrogel are larger, with bigger leaves.

"We need to feed our growing population, but we also need to protect our water and air," Yu said in the UT News story. "Finding ways to capture and recycle nitrate-heavy wastewater could have tremendous benefits across the board."

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Researchers discover high-tech 'smart farming' process that could help us grow food with fewer chemical fertilizers

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Researchers developed a breakthrough copper hydrogel that can help farmers grow crops without polluting the environment with fertilizers.

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Tech

Creating homes with 3D-printing technology in a fraction of the time can have numerous economic and environmental benefits.

The way houses can be built is about to change drastically, and in this case, that's a very good thing.

An extended-stay hotel in Ridgecrest, California, will be adding 14 freestanding residential units that will be 3D-printed and made from recycled plastic.

What are 3D-printed homes?

According to Azure Printed Homes, a California startup engaged in the production of 3D-printed houses, these residential structures will be built using a composite material comprising 60% recycled plastic.

The remaining portion consists of fiberglass to enhance structural strength and a stabilizer to safeguard against the damaging effects of ultraviolet light, as was reported by Bakersfield.com.

These structures were reported to cost about 30% less than conventional homes and are much better for the environment, in large part because they create little to no waste. One of the units will be 900 square feet with two bedrooms and cost $199,000 to make.

According to Zillow, the average conventional home in California costs $743,362, and even the average condo/co-op, which may be more comparable, checks in at $637,083.

Another benefit is they are produced very quickly. According to the co-founder of Azure Printed Homes, Gene Eidelman, the recycled plastic homes take only a full day to be 3D-printed.

Other 3D-printing companies claim smaller shelters can be created in as little as 30 minutes, while others can build 10 houses in just 24 hours.

In July of last year, the 3D-printed housing company Alquist sold a 1,280-square-foot home to a family for $235,000. Another such company, Mighty Buildings, is offering 1,450-square-foot homes priced at $595,000 in Coachella, California.

Why are these kinds of homes important?

Today, the traditional construction industry is responsible for 27% of global planet-warming gas pollution, in large part because of the energy required to create building materials and because of cement, which on its own accounts for 8% of the planet-warming gases.

Creating homes with 3D-printing technology in a fraction of the time can have numerous economic and environmental benefits.

As housing costs continue to surge, affordability poses a significant challenge to the widespread adoption of environmentally friendly construction alternatives.

While it's true that the current generation of sustainable housing carries a higher price tag compared to traditional construction methods, as the scale expands and the efficiency of 3D printing in construction improves, prices will decrease, leading to the realization of an economy of scale.

How 3D-printed homes can save people and the planet

The use of recycled materials instead of cement presents a huge opportunity in the name of environmental sustainability. This practice can prevent enormous amounts of waste from going into landfills, much of which gets incinerated, polluting the atmosphere and warming the planet.

Recycling trash to build the homes of the future is a much better bet than setting it on fire.

These homes can also save people.

By 2030, an estimated three billion individuals will require better housing, or approximately 96,000 new homes daily. The adoption of 3D-printed houses on a large scale has the potential to quickly and efficiently provide shelter for millions of people.

"We're excited to see something different," Heather Spurlock, a Ridgecrest planning analyst, said in the Bakersfield.com report. "It might change people's perception for what people could build for their backyards."

Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet.

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City plans first-of-its-kind subdivision made entirely of 3D-printed buildings: 'It might change people's perception'

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Recycled plastic and fiberglass are being used for 3D-printed homes that will soon become a reality in California.

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TWO AVIATION POWERHOUSES TEAM UP TO CREATE SELF-FLYING CARGO PLANE: ‘DELIVER MUCH-NEEDED INNOVATION IN THE … INDUSTRY’

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TWO AVIATION POWERHOUSES TEAM UP TO CREATE SELF-FLYING CARGO PLANE: ‘DELIVER MUCH-NEEDED INNOVATION IN THE … INDUSTRY’

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Tech

The strategic partnership has the potential to start replacing traditional cargo planes.

Natilus, a California company developing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to ship air cargo, is teaming up with ZeroAvia, a British/American hydrogen-electric aircraft developer, to produce a zero-pollution autonomous cargo plane.

Natilus will be using ZeroAvia's ZA600 hydrogen-electric engine as a propulsion option on its blended wing body (BWB) cargo plane, the company stated in a release.

The strategic partnership has the potential to start replacing traditional cargo planes that emit planet-warming pollution into the atmosphere.

Although the planet-warming contribution of airplanes is relatively small, creating 1.9% of all toxic gas pollution, the aviation sector is expected to increase by an average of 4.3% per year over the next 20 years.

Today, at any given moment, there are around 5,000 flights over U.S. airspace. We can expect to see many more in the sky as the years go by, and it will be increasingly important to eliminate the amount of toxic pollution the sector releases into our atmosphere.

ZeroAvia is among the more prominent zero-pollution airplane developers that have actually put aircraft into the sky and continue to do so.

This past January, the company's ZA600 hydrogen-electric engine was attached to a 19-passenger plane that was able to take flight, as Electrek reported. ZeroAvia now has experimental certification from both the CAA (U.K.) and FAA (U.S.) secured, plus $10 billion in pre-orders.

Natilus, which develops self-piloting cargo planes, is demonstrating its confidence in ZeroAvia's 600kW hydrogen-electric propulsion system by considering its incorporation as an alternative technology in its Kona aircraft.

The Kona plane, with a wingspan of 85 feet, could potentially benefit from this advanced propulsion option, Electrek reported.

Although it does not have a fully operational full-size cargo plane, Natilus has managed to secure an impressive position in the industry.

The company has proudly announced order commitments amounting to more than $6.8 billion, with a tally of over 460 aircraft pre-orders from major airlines. This means it may not be long before we start seeing them in the skies.

In the press release, Val Miftakhov, Founder and CEO of ZeroAvia, said: "Given Natilus' impressive order book and corresponding technology development, working together on integrating the ZA600 as a line-fit engine for Kona can multiply the [pollution reduction] and costs benefits that are already interesting cargo operators."

Meanwhile, Aleksey Matyushev, Co-founder and CEO of Natilus, expressed the following: "Natilus has a long-term commitment to being a responsible steward of our environment ... The Natilus-ZeroAvia partnership goes further, bringing the talents and innovations of the two companies together to deliver much-needed innovation in the air cargo delivery industry."

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Two aviation powerhouses team up to create self-flying cargo plane: 'Deliver much-needed innovation in the ... industry'

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Natilus, a Californian company, is developing unmanned aerial vehicles to ship air cargo, and all with "zero emissions" technology.

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THIS STARTUP BUILDS UNBELIEVABLE TINY HOMES THAT HAVE A PLETHORA OF HIDDEN FEATURES — AND THEY SELL FOR A SHOCKINGLY LOW PRICE

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THIS STARTUP BUILDS UNBELIEVABLE TINY HOMES THAT HAVE A PLETHORA OF HIDDEN FEATURES — AND THEY SELL FOR A SHOCKINGLY LOW PRICE

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Tech

The company was founded by Jackson Wyatt, a social entrepreneur.

Houses tend to use a lot of energy and resources - but one Canadian startup is attempting to create modular tiny homes that make up a "net-zero community."

CABN, founded in 2021, makes "energy-efficient smart homes for unique locations worldwide," according to the company's website, and it also "represents the intersection of intelligent building design, fabrication and assembly with a novel application of technology, reimagining the housing market for a sustainable and attainable home for individuals and communities."

CABN creates prefabricated homes using FSC-certified timber, which can then be delivered to almost any location. Prefabricated homes are built offsite in a central location (i.e., a factory) and then delivered to their final destination. They are often more affordable and much faster to build than houses built onsite.

But CABN's homes aren't just affordable and quickly constructed - they also feature environmentally friendly aspects such as solar energy and battery storage, as well as smart home technology that tracks the house's low-impact water and waste systems. The homes are fully off-grid capable, which allows them to be shipped and assembled practically anywhere.

The company has even registered a patent for its construction methods. Its prices for homes range from $219,000 for a one-bedroom to $549,000 for a four-bedroom.

CABN was founded by Jackson Wyatt, a "social entrepreneur" whose previous experience also comes from the environmentally friendly entrepreneurship realm - Wyatt founded Greenlid, a company that makes compostable tableware that replaces single-use plastics.

Greenlid was successfully pitched on the television show "Dragon's Den" and is distributed in more than 10,000 stores across North America and 25 countries worldwide.

Wyatt described his personal mission in creating Greenlid and CABN as "designing systems that help millions of people make consistent positive environmental decisions, rather than focus on one person making a complete change."

Part of CABN's core focus is not just creating single homes, but an entire net-zero community. The company is working on a 67-home community, according to Inhabitat, and construction on the first home has just finished.

CABN also recently opened its first showhome in Eastern Ontario, where prospective buyers can visit one of the prefab, environmentally friendly homes in person.

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This startup builds unbelievable tiny homes that have a plethora of hidden features - and they sell for a shockingly low price

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One Canadian startup is attempting to create modular tiny homes that make up a net-zero community.

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Tech

They have no plans of stopping.

In the crystal blue ocean off the coast of Greece, some people relax in the warm water, while others fight tirelessly to protect it.

The "others" in this case are the volunteers behind Aegean Rebreath, which calls itself "a multi-sectoral organization working on the protection and renewal of the marine environment."

The nonprofit was established in 2017 in response to the urgent need to clean the seabed and to promote the protection of biodiversity in the Aegean Sea.

The group began when a small network of citizens who were passionate about the preservation of the marine environment launched underwater and coastal cleanups. Very quickly, they gained the interest and support of other citizens and organizations. Through its programs, Aegean Rebreath works to change the way people interact with the sea, both locally and nationally.

One of the biggest threats to the sea near Greece is "ghost nets" - fishing nets that have been either lost or abandoned in the ocean - which account for 10% of the trash found on the seafloor and have claimed the lives of thousands of fish, according to Euronews.

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) reported that once abandoned, ghost nets continue to trap everything in their path, including sea turtles, dolphins and porpoises, birds, sharks, seals, and more.

Further, a single net can trap hundreds of animals, and they also harm coral reefs by breaking them apart and exposing them to disease and, at times, even blocking the reefs from needed sunlight.

Since most modern fishing nets are made of nylon or other plastic compounds, they are also a major contributor to the ocean plastics crisis, accounting for almost half of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, according to a 2018 study in Scientific Reports as reported by the WWF.

Aegean Rebreath's volunteer divers are working hard to remove these ghost nets and other plastics from marine environments. Euronews reported that, to date, the group's 300 volunteer divers have removed over 28 tons of ghost nets and hundreds of thousands of plastic bags from Greek waters - and they have no plans of stopping.

"An intense effort has been made over the past five years to recover all these lost nets that may have only fished for one day, but continued for years to trap fish and the other valuable flora and fauna that exists in our seas," Antonis Sigalas, the mayor of Santorini, Greece, told Euronews.

Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet.

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Volunteer divers work to remove dangerous 'ghost nets' from some of the world's most-visited waters: 'An intense effort'

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The Aegean Rebreath divers are removing tons of ghost nets that have been lost or abandoned in the ocean.

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Tech

Creating homes with 3D-printing technology in a fraction of the time can have numerous economic and environmental benefits.

The way houses can be built is about to change drastically, and in this case, that's a very good thing.

An extended-stay hotel in Ridgecrest, California, will be adding 14 freestanding residential units that will be 3D-printed and made from recycled plastic.

What are 3D-printed homes?

According to Azure Printed Homes, a California startup engaged in the production of 3D-printed houses, these residential structures will be built using a composite material comprising 60% recycled plastic.

The remaining portion consists of fiberglass to enhance structural strength and a stabilizer to safeguard against the damaging effects of ultraviolet light, as was reported by Bakersfield.com.

These structures were reported to cost about 30% less than conventional homes and are much better for the environment, in large part because they create little to no waste. One of the units will be 900 square feet with two bedrooms and cost $199,000 to make.

According to Zillow, the average conventional home in California costs $743,362, and even the average condo/co-op, which may be more comparable, checks in at $637,083.

Another benefit is they are produced very quickly. According to the co-founder of Azure Printed Homes, Gene Eidelman, the recycled plastic homes take only a full day to be 3D-printed.

Other 3D-printing companies claim smaller shelters can be created in as little as 30 minutes, while others can build 10 houses in just 24 hours.

In July of last year, the 3D-printed housing company Alquist sold a 1,280-square-foot home to a family for $235,000. Another such company, Mighty Buildings, is offering 1,450-square-foot homes priced at $595,000 in Coachella, California.

Why are these kinds of homes important?

Today, the traditional construction industry is responsible for 27% of global planet-warming gas pollution, in large part because of the energy required to create building materials and because of cement, which on its own accounts for 8% of the planet-warming gases.

Creating homes with 3D-printing technology in a fraction of the time can have numerous economic and environmental benefits.

As housing costs continue to surge, affordability poses a significant challenge to the widespread adoption of environmentally friendly construction alternatives.

While it's true that the current generation of sustainable housing carries a higher price tag compared to traditional construction methods, as the scale expands and the efficiency of 3D printing in construction improves, prices will decrease, leading to the realization of an economy of scale.

How 3D-printed homes can save people and the planet

The use of recycled materials instead of cement presents a huge opportunity in the name of environmental sustainability. This practice can prevent enormous amounts of waste from going into landfills, much of which gets incinerated, polluting the atmosphere and warming the planet.

Recycling trash to build the homes of the future is a much better bet than setting it on fire.

These homes can also save people.

By 2030, an estimated three billion individuals will require better housing, or approximately 96,000 new homes daily. The adoption of 3D-printed houses on a large scale has the potential to quickly and efficiently provide shelter for millions of people.

"We're excited to see something different," Heather Spurlock, a Ridgecrest planning analyst, said in the Bakersfield.com report. "It might change people's perception for what people could build for their backyards."

Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
City plans first-of-its-kind subdivision made entirely of 3D-printed buildings: 'It might change people's perception'

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Recycled plastic and fiberglass are being used for 3D-printed homes that will soon become a reality in California.

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SCIENTISTS HAVE DISCOVERED A NEW BREAKTHROUGH THAT COULD HELP EVS DRIVE 10 TIMES AS FAR BEFORE NEEDING A RECHARGE

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SCIENTISTS HAVE DISCOVERED A NEW BREAKTHROUGH THAT COULD HELP EVS DRIVE 10 TIMES AS FAR BEFORE NEEDING A RECHARGE

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Tech

A new material could radically expand the charge capacity of EV batteries.

Electric vehicles are taking the world by storm - and now, new research in lithium-ion batteries could expand EVs' driving range up to ten times.

Two of South Korea's top research universities - Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) and Sogang University - have joined forces to create a new material that could radically expand the charge capacity of EV batteries.

The new material developed by the researchers uses both hydrogen bonding and Coulombic forces - best summed up as the attraction between negative and positive charges, according to SciTechDaily. By combatting the shortcomings of high-capacity anode materials, these combined forces allow the researchers to use silicon and other high-capacity materials that were previously too unreliable for widespread use in EV batteries.

Silicon and other high-capacity anode materials have at least 10 times the capacity of the materials that are currently used, like graphite.

The researchers discovered that by removing cobalt and increasing the amount of lithium in EV batteries, their energy density substantially increases and retains most of its capacity after hundreds of charges, according to Business Korea.

Electric vehicles are increasing in popularity - the global EV market passed $1 trillion in sales in 2022, and more than 750,000 EVs were sold in the United States alone, according to SciTechDaily and Inside EVs. Electric vehicle popularity comes thanks to their gre e ner environmental footprint (they run on electricity instead of dirty energy sources), as well as avoided fuel costs and financial incentives offered by government tax breaks.

One of the factors that causes consumer skepticism about EVs is their range, which makes it seem difficult to take longer trips - though people have taken cross-country road trips in EVs without a hitch. By expanding the range capacity for EV batteries, range anxiety could become a fear of the past.

Soojin Park, professor of chemistry at POSTECH and one of the lead researchers on the project, explained his team's findings.

"The research holds the potential to significantly increase the energy density of lithium-ion batteries through the incorporation of high-capacity anode materials, thereby extending the driving range of electric vehicles," he told SciTechDaily. "Silicon-based anode materials could potentially increase driving range at least tenfold."

Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet.

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Scientists have discovered a new breakthrough that could help EVs drive 10 times as far before needing a recharge

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Two of South Korea's top research universities have joined to create a new material that could radically change lithium-ion batteries.

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WORLD’S LARGEST BATTERY MANUFACTURER LOOKING TO EXPAND EV BATTERY RECYCLING WORLDWIDE: ‘BIG WIN FOR SUSTAINABILITY IN THE INDUSTRY’

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WORLD’S LARGEST BATTERY MANUFACTURER LOOKING TO EXPAND EV BATTERY RECYCLING WORLDWIDE: ‘BIG WIN FOR SUSTAINABILITY IN THE INDUSTRY’

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Tech

"Together we can develop more innovations for the benefit of mankind."

A Chinese battery tech giant is looking for its next beanstalks - and they just might be growing in Europe and North America.

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. ( CATL) is planning to expand its battery recycling program in those continents soon.

It's big news for the world's largest power pack innovator (it has held the top spot for six straight years). Since the expansion would involve CATL's battery recycling division, it could also be a big win for sustainability in the industry.

The company has pumped tens of billions of dollars into recycling, according to Electrek. And, CATL has reported some solid returns on the investment. A flow chart on the company website showed the path an electric vehicle battery takes, from creation through retirement. Some batteries can be used to store energy before being broken down to reclaim the rare metals inside.

"We believe recycling is a must; otherwise when a vehicle retires, what do you do? It's polluting soil, difficult, dangerous, and can be explosive," CATL Chief Manufacturing Officer Ni Jun said, per Electrek.

The recycling process recovers nearly 100% of the nickel, cobalt, and manganese used in the batteries and around 90% of the lithium. These are metals that require invasive mining to procure. The company says there's a 50% recycling rate of used batteries in China. However, other reports have that figure of recycled materials between 30% and 40%.

Princeton University reported that around 5% of U.S. lithium-ion batteries are recycled. More companies have since joined the recycling effort, including for smartphones, so the percentages may be improving.

CATL's expansion details are still scarce. The company's website reported that its leaders are working with "local partners" in Europe. Electrek's story said that North America is next on the list.

CATL was established in 2011 and already operates internationally. It has subsidiaries in France, the U.S., Canada, and Japan, and has partnerships with companies like BMW, among other efforts outside of China.

The tech giant also has some sci-fi-like projects described on its website in addition to the more common battery science already in place. One is a "bionic self-repairing electrolyte," geared to improve battery cycling and storage. It's still being developed.

If all goes according to plan, CATL will solidify its standing as one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential companies - and the "one to beat" in battery tech.

That said, the company is open to competition, according to its leaders.

"I hope that more and more inventors will dedicate themselves to the e-mobility and energy transition so that together we can develop more innovations for the benefit of mankind," CATL's chief scientist, Wu Kai, said in a press release.

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World's largest battery manufacturer looking to expand EV battery recycling worldwide: 'Big win for sustainability in the industry'

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Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. is planning an expansion of its battery recycling footprint in Europe and North America.

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THIS INCREDIBLE NEW TOWER CAN CLEAN 273 HOT-AIR BALLOONS’ WORTH OF AIR EVERY DAY: ‘THE MOST AMAZING … PUBLIC PURIFIER’

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THIS INCREDIBLE NEW TOWER CAN CLEAN 273 HOT-AIR BALLOONS’ WORTH OF AIR EVERY DAY: ‘THE MOST AMAZING … PUBLIC PURIFIER’

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Tech

The tower, which is about as tall as a two-story building, looks sort of like a piece of postmodern art, albeit a very large one.

An odd-looking tower in India's Sunder Nursery is providing a breath of fresh air - actually, a lot of it.

That's because the New Delhi park is home to an ingenious outdoor purifier capable of cleaning enough air each day to fill 273 hot-air balloons, according to Inhabitat. It's part of Studio Symbiosis' effort to provide easier breathing for the city by cleaning up pollution from vehicles and industry.

The Verto 360 is a multidirectional air cleaner from the tech company, based in Germany and India. The tower, as tall as a two-story building, looks sort of like a piece of postmodern art, albeit a very large one. The designers are more interested in cleaning the air in urban areas than they are in aesthetics. Still, they bill it as "the most amazing and elegant public purifier."

The device has "smart fans" that suck in air. Fine filters remove small particles and dust, according to a description from Inhabitat. It takes the concept of indoor air filtration and supersizes it.

Their purification tower has five filtration cubes inside a triangulated shell. The smart fans use less energy when the air quality is better or when there's enough wind to push air through the filters. This makes the system energy-efficient, the makers claim, though the tower still uses energy. It is made from glass-fiber-reinforced concrete, according to Inhabitat.

In short, the project uses aerodynamics "that lets in polluted air and throws out clean air," the designers said in a summary on their website that also shared some shocking air-quality statistics from the World Health Organization.

The WHO reported in a fact sheet that 99% of the global population was living in areas with air quality below agency standards in 2019. Heart disease, cancer, and asthma are on the list of problems from poor outdoor air health, contributing to 4.2 million premature deaths.

Officials at the WHO call air pollution "one of the greatest environmental risk[s] to health."

The Verto 360 makers agree and have designed the sleek outdoor air scrubber as an answer.

Studio Symbiosis may manufacture the towers as a mass product. If 100 towers were installed in New Delhi, it would be "immensely beneficial" to air quality, according to Inhabitat.

The unique towers will certainly be attention-getters.

"That's a great way to tackle air pollution and a fantastic example of sustainable architecture in action!" a Twitter user commented in a post about the tech.

Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet.

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This incredible new tower can clean 273 hot-air balloons' worth of air every day: 'The most amazing ... public purifier'

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Indias Verto 360 is an odd-looking tower that can clean stagnant air and polluted air to give people fresh air.

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TOYOTA’S LATEST SALES DATA REVEALS A MAJOR CONSUMER SHIFT IS UNDERWAY: ‘IT’S A POWERFUL UPGRADE THAT DRIVES CHANGE’

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TOYOTA’S LATEST SALES DATA REVEALS A MAJOR CONSUMER SHIFT IS UNDERWAY: ‘IT’S A POWERFUL UPGRADE THAT DRIVES CHANGE’

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Business

The report could have big implications for the future of automobile manufacturing.

Toyota is leading the charge in the transition from combustion engines to electric vehicles, according to new data released by the company.

The global auto giant's latest sales figures reveal the remarkable success of Toyota's EVs, reshaping industry trends and pointing toward a cooler, cleaner future, Torque News reports.

In the first half of 2023, Toyota Motor North America sold a total of 270,476 EVs, including hybrids, which makes up 26% of the company's total sales volume, according to Torque News. Models like the bZ4X, Corolla Cross, Mirai, Sequoia, and Tundra HEV all reported record first-half sales, Torque News reports.

June saw 51,535 EVs sold, making up 26.4% of monthly sales, reflecting a growing desire among consumers to support a cleaner future. The uptick in sales comes as people across the globe struggle to cope with stiflingly hot temperatures. This June was the hottest on record going back 174 years, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, per NPR. And this July saw the hottest three-week period on record, per CNN.

Consumers who purchase EVs are not merely investing in cars that are cheaper to run and maintain, they are also significantly cutting back on the amount of planet-overheating pollution they create.

Unlike standard gas-powered vehicles, EVs do not rely on combustion engines that release harmful gas while running. Research has shown that no matter the charging method or the means of battery production, even EVs with the dirtiest batteries are still cleaner than cars that burn gas.

Toyota recently announced plans for an EV with a 900-mile range after just 10 minutes of charging, an unprecedented technology that would address one of the most common hesitations of potential EV owners - range anxiety.

The future of the automobile industry is undoubtedly electrified, and Toyota's commitment to expanding its electrified vehicle options and early successes both indicate that this trend will continue to gain momentum.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.

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Toyota's latest sales data reveals a major consumer shift is underway: 'It's a powerful upgrade that drives change'

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Toyota is leading the charge in the transition from combustion engines to electric vehicles, according to new data released by the company.

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Things that no one discusses in dentistry | lep.co.uk 

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Things that no one discusses in dentistry | lep.co.uk 

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People tend to know the basics of dentistry and most common dental issues, but there are so many topics that are overlooked that people go through before visiting their dentist. And dentists as well as well as patients feel it, says Dr Arif Patel of Preston. For example, when patients say, they fear visiting their dentist, notes Dr Patel, some dentists might assume they mean something like they are just avoiding the visit because of the pain. But there are some things that are deeper than just the scare.

Arif Patel Says, In Dubai, Preston, London, UK where he practices, Just like that, in dentistry, there are several topics that are often overlooked or not widely discussed, even though they can be important for dental health and overall well-being. Some of these less-talked-about topics include:

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Things that no one discusses in dentistry

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People tend to know the basics of dentistry and most common dental issues, but there are so many topics that are overlooked that people go through before visiting their dentist.

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NASA+ is one free streaming service I might actually watch

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NASA+ is one free streaming service I might actually watch

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There are already numerous free streaming services on the market, from Tubi and Pluto TV to Crackle and Freevee, but the latest addition is an exciting one. On Thursday, NASA announced plans to update its entire online presence, which will include revamping its flagship and science websites as well as launching a new on-demand streaming service called NASA+.

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"Our vision is to inspire humanity through a unified, world-class NASA web experience," said Jeff Seaton, Chief Information Officer at NASA, in a press release. "NASA's legacy footprint presents an opportunity to dramatically improve the user experience for the public we serve. Modernizing our main websites from a technology standpoint and streamlining how the public engages with our content online are critical first steps in making our agency's information more accessible, discoverable, and secure."

If you haven't visited NASA's website lately, it could certainly use a refresh. It's serviceable, but it also looks like it hasn't been updated in about a decade. But even if you don't visit NASA.com on a regular basis, you might still be interested in NASA+:

NASA describes the new on-demand streaming service as "ad free, no cost, and family friendly." Beyond live coverage of launches and events, NASA+ will feature original video series about the space agency's mission, some of which will be available at launch.

"We're putting space on demand and at your fingertips with NASA's new streaming platform," said Marc Etkind, associate administrator of NASA's Office of Communications. "Transforming our digital presence will help us better tell the stories of how NASA explores the unknown in air and space, inspires through discovery, and innovates for the benefit of humanity."

NASA+ will be accessible on most major platforms via the NASA app, which is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, and Fire TV. You will also be able to stream NASA+ from your browser on desktop and mobile devices once the new website rolls out.

Speaking of the new website, you can give it a whirl at beta.nasa.gov right now.

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NASA+ is one free streaming service I might actually watch

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NASA+ is a new on-demand streaming service from NASA that will feature live coverage and original video series.

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Professor Creates Machine That Makes ‘Instant Ice Cream’ In 3 Seconds

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Professor Creates Machine That Makes ‘Instant Ice Cream’ In 3 Seconds

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Food science engineer and Cornell University professor Syed Rizvi was recently awarded a patent for the ‘instant ice cream’ machine he invented, which can create the delicious frozen treat from an ice cream mix in just three seconds. I can’t even imagine how much ice cream I’d be eating if I could make at home myself in mere seconds. I shiver at the thought. And not just because ice cream is so cold.

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Food science engineer and Cornell University professor Syed Rizvi was recently awarded a patent for the 'instant ice cream' machine he invented, which can create the delicious frozen treat from an ice cream mix in just three seconds. I can't even imagine how much ice cream I'd be eating if I could make at home myself in mere seconds. I shiver at the thought. And not just because ice cream is so cold.

"In the traditional method of making ice cream, the dairy-based mix flows through a heat-exchanging barrel, where ice crystals form and get scraped by blades.

With this new method, highly pressurized carbon dioxide passes over a nozzle that, in turn, creates a vacuum to draw in the liquid ice cream. When carbon dioxide goes from a high pressure to a lower pressure, it cools the mixture to about -70°C, freezing the mixture into ice cream, which jets out of another nozzle into a bowl, ready to eat."

Syed imagines his invention helping to reduce the need for the long distance "cold chain" transportation of ice cream (which requires ice cream be maintained at -20°C), and the massive amount of energy used during that process. And since the ice cream isn't traveling far from its origin to my stomach, the addition of undesirable stabilizing and emulsifying ingredients could be eliminated as well. Win/win! So, how much for a personal size instant ice cream machine, and how quickly can you have it installed next to my bed?

[via OddityCentral]

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Professor Creates Machine That Makes 'Instant Ice Cream' In 3 Seconds

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Food science engineer and Cornell University professor Syed Rizvi was recently awarded a patent for the 'instant ice cream' machine he invented, which can

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A photo location expert has made a tutorial explaining how to find the exact location of a photo with just a few clues.

Trevor Rainbolt, who is a Google Maps expert and professional GeoGuessr video game player, took rapper Jack Harlow's recent album cover for Jackman and found the exact location of where it was shot.

"You're probably looking at this thinking how the heck are we going to find the location for this in five minutes," he says.

However, Rainbolt goes on to explain his methodology. Rappers are known to represent their hometown so Rainbolt figured the photo was shot in Harlow's home city of Louisville, Kentucky.

Clues

Backing up his theory is a license plate in the background of the album cover that looks vaguely like it is a Kentucky plate.

Harlow's album cover was shot in a back alley where there are trash cans. Rainbolt points out that trash cans are useful for determining a location because they are region specific. A quick Google search for "Louisville trash cans" confirms that the trash cans in Harlow's photos do indeed belong to the city.

Also in the photo is a shed with the number "1948" on it, signaling the street number for that property. Rainbolt explains that this piece of information can be used to feed a website called Overpass Turbo that uses OpenStreetMap data.

Overpass Turbo requires knowledge of coding but for those who can't code, Rainbolt shows that ChatGPT can be used to generate a code to be fed into Overpass Turbo that will show the user all of the 1948 addresses in Louisville, Kentucky.

Rainbolt then gets the coordinates of the 1948 addresses in Louisville and runs them through Google Maps, which has Street View, to check if any of them match with the album cover. Although this part can be labor-intensive, Rainbolt says to look out for clues like the shape of the building on Google Maps and since the photo was shot in an alley he knew the location was likely to be behind the addresses instead of the main street.

Rainbolt managed to find the location of Hawlow's album cover in no time at all.

"This is a pretty simple process and it's how I would do it. This is for educational use only, if you guys are wondering how the sausage is made that's kind of the process on some of these," says Rainbolt.

"A lot of the times you don't get the pleasure of having an address where you can just go through like that. A lot of times it's a lot more research."

Last year, PetaPixel reported on how a Russian missile crew was g eolocated from just a single photo.

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YouTuber Shows How to Find the Location of Any Photo in Two Minutes

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A photo location expert has made a tutorial explaining how to find the exact location of a photo with just a few clues.

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The No. 1 way to grow your wealth, according to a self-made millionaire: It’s ‘deceptively simple’

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The No. 1 way to grow your wealth, according to a self-made millionaire: It’s ‘deceptively simple’

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I did a 7-minute pillar bridge plank every day for a week — here are my results

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I did a 7-minute pillar bridge plank every day for a week — here are my results

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The plank goes by another name - the pillar bridge. And if that's not confusing enough, I added a rolling pillar bridge into the mix during this Tom's Guide plank challenge.

To do the pillar bridge plank, you'll adopt the forearm plank position, squeeze your fists together, stack your elbows underneath your shoulders and lift your hips in line with your shoulders. It looks similar to the RKC plank (but more on that later), and by pushing through your elbows, your shoulders and abs will instantly fire up.

I added the exercise into my strength routine for seven minutes a day, for one week. I used it as a core finisher after my programs, but you could do this anywhere, anytime. Here's what went down and how to do it.

How to do a pillar bridge plank

(Image credit: Shutterstock images)

As we continue to clock up the best plank variations at Tom's Guide, we look for ways to spice things up. I decided to take the pillar bridge and do two things - switch up hand position and add movement. Here's how to do the exercise.

Start on your stomach and stack your elbows under your shoulders.

Tuck your toes, engage your core and push off the floor with your elbows into a forearm plank position.

Stack your hips in line with your shoulders, creating a straight line from head to toe.

Squeeze as many muscles as possible, including your abs and glutes and breathe into your diaphragm.

Keep your neck and spine neutral, looking to the top of your mat.

Squeeze your fists together at the center of your mat. Avoid sagging your hips or lifting your bum too high.

I did a 7-minute pillar bridge plank every day for a week - here are my results

Here's what happened over the week.

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

A "traditional" plank strengthens muscle groups from head to toe, so my focus was on compound contraction throughout the week, meaning "consciously" switching on as many muscles as possible.

That said, we've done traditional planks down to the ground, so I took the pillar bridge plank and played around. First, I programmed seven sets of one minute, then with my timing locked down for the week ahead, I switched up my hand position to a popular one amongst plankers - turning both hands upside down with palms facing upward.

The simple change fired up my arms, particularly my triceps, and got my core trembling early on.

On days two and three, I just wasn't feeling enough fire, despite the change of hand position, so adopted a rolling pillar bridge plank. To do this, I rested on my elbows with them directly under my shoulders, placed my forearms parallel to each other and created fists with both hands.

Keeping my torso engaged and shoulder stacked over one elbow, I rolled into a side plank (or lateral pillar bridge) and held one ankle over the other, placing a hand on my hip, then rolling over to the other side.

Doing so engaged my obliques far more through rotation and challenged shoulder stability. For the rest of the week, I alternated minutes between a rolling pillar bridge, an up-facing hand position and a regular pillar bridge plank.

You can take a lot from RKC planks here, and the two pretty much look the same, but RKC planks are considered harder due to the high level of contraction maintained. You'll adopt a subtle hollow hold position by dragging your elbows toward your toes and vice versa without actually moving.

Having done a week of them in a previous challenge, I could take what I learned about upper-body contraction, and apply it here by squeezing my fists tight and externally rotating the shoulders, firing up more upper-body muscles.

I spent the next few days giving my back, belly and bum a big squeeze, grounding my fists down and holding on tight.

My back and shoulders were more on fire than during standard forearm planks, and my muscles were ready to rest. As mentioned, I used the exercise as a core finisher at the end of workouts, and adding rolling pillar bridges helped activate my lesser-used waist muscles - the obliques.

Sure enough, by day seven, I was ready to finish this challenge - time to reflect. Seven minutes of planking a day aside, the exercise itself became repetitive pretty fast.

I spent the next few days giving my back, belly and bum a big squeeze, grounding my fists down and holding on tight.

Verdict

This plank challenge reminded me how important variation is when undertaking any exercise plan. And while a challenge here and there is brilliant for mind and body (and a solid marker of progression), you'll want to consider how active recovery can help you grow muscle, build strength and get fitter. Spoiler - it's crucial.

So if you're thinking about giving this a go, sure, it's a total core scorcher, but why not increase your recovery too? I've added bedtime yoga for the next week to stretch out and mobilize my muscles, but you could consider a walking workout or even getting some extra sleep here and there (find out if 8 hours of sleep is enough).

For me, there just wasn't enough variation available with this plank, and I felt like I'd done it to death already despite mixing up the hand placement and adding dynamic movement.

Beginners, break up the time cap so that you're not overloading muscles. Next time I revisit this, I plan to test my max hold ability and add some weight. RIP core muscles.

More from Tom's Guide

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I did a 7-minute pillar bridge plank every day for a week - here are my results

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A pillar bridge plank builds strength in your chest, shoulders, arms, lower back, abs, hips, quads, glutes and hamstrings. Our fitness writer did it every day for a week.

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Elon Musk: Twitter rebrands as X and kills off blue bird logo

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Elon Musk: Twitter rebrands as X and kills off blue bird logo

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Elon Musk: Twitter rebrands as X and kills off blue bird logo

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Elon Musk says “tweets” will become “x’s” in the billionaire owner’s latest change to the firm.

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The Problem With Twitter Wasn’t the Name

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The Problem With Twitter Wasn’t the Name

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Twitter's name is changing to X. The permanence of this change is a matter of some question. Will it last forever? Will it last until Elon Musk changes his mind about it? Will it last until he sells Twitter for parts and the new buyer prefers one of the most recognizable company names in the world to ... whatever this is? Nobody knows, but for at least the foreseeable future, the bird is about to be out.

https://t.co/bOUOek5Cvy now points to https://t.co/AYBszklpkE.

Interim X logo goes live later today.
- Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 23, 2023

It's an exceptionally rare thing - in life or in business - that you get a second chance to make another big impression. Twitter made one massive impression and changed the way we communicate. Now, X will go further, transforming the global town square.
- Linda Yaccarino (@lindayacc) July 23, 2023

It's probably not a winning idea, something we can only say with confidence because the majority of Musk's hallmark ideas at Twitter are going quite badly. The paid verification thing has made the blue check mark into a controversial political symbol, to the point that many celebrities (and many left-ish media types) want to be ultraclear that they haven't bought it. The boosting of paid users' posts has made Twitter a less enticing place to get into fights online. And none of it even matters much on business terms. Twitter is in financial shambles because Musk's behavior (crude posts, staffing issues, questionable commitment to content moderation, the broader revulsion he now seems to inspire) has tanked Twitter's advertising business. All of this for a company that Musk overpaid for ($44 billion, most of that from Musk himself!) and loaded up with crippling debt payments that would have weighed down even a Twitter that still had friends on Madison Avenue.

But the new name will be fine. The new logo will be fine. We are a species of whiners, but people tend to respond to name changes by getting over them and going about their business. There certainly are people who stopped rooting for Washington's NFL team when it stopped using a slur as its nickname, but they are a marginal group. A bigger group responds to a name change by doing nothing, if its members even realize that the name has changed. I will keep posting on X. I will probably still call it Twitter for a while, except when I am writing in the hallowed pages of newsmagazines like this one, when formality will lead me to use the new name. If my friends and my audience are on X, it won't matter what it's called. There is a tough flipside, though, to changing Twitter's name to a letter of the alphabet: It's a pretty thin coat of paint that does just about nothing to obscure that The Website Formerly Known As Twitter is getting shittier by the day.

Since the very moment Musk dropped his legal fight against Twitter's old board of directors and agreed to follow through on his purchase of Twitter in 2022, he's been previewing this moment. He said at the time that Twitter could accelerate his development of an "everything app" called "X." This past spring, Musk walked the idea out a little more. Fundamentally, Twitter is a second screen. You watch a football game, and you keep Twitter up so that you can talk with your buddies about the play-calling. You watch Succession, and you can shout out spoilers with everyone else who agreed to experience them in the moment. ( Succession was the Twitter of television, in that it was a ton of fun and had a lot of trendy power users despite not reaching as many people as less glossy competitors.)

That's all fine and good. For people drawn to text feeds rather than videos and pictures, nothing has been more addicting than the feeling of being in the mix on Twitter. That is a valuable property. But even before Musk started carving it up, Twitter was not nearly the user magnet that Instagram or TikTok or YouTube or Facebook was. In talking up the "everything app" idea, Musk mentioned making Twitter into a payments platform, which, yeah: Good payment apps are pretty damn valuable, as anyone can see by reading a stock chart and as Musk knows intimately from his early experience with PayPal.

Twitter-er, excuse me, X-is not well suited to be an app that handles payments, much less one that will "connect us all in ways we're just beginning to imagine," as recently hired Twitter/X CEO Linda Yaccarino describes it. Musk's management of Twitter has been odd enough that it raises reasonable questions about whether someone would even want to give the company their credit card information, much less entrust them with the facilitation of financial transactions between themselves and another party. Musk tells a lot of lies about spam. He's made the platform harder to parse news on. He's said some truly gross things, whether he's realized it or not. He has made the site occasionally unusable. If someone sat down and pondered what kind of leadership it would take to build an app on which unimaginable frontiers of human existence would be lived out, Musk would be a lot of people's first choice-the man has fans, no question-but (more reasonably, I'd argue) also lots of other people's last choice.

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The problem isn't that Musk is a bad leader of Twitter, though. It's that he's a leader of Twitter, the app that was fundamentally designed to be a supplement to culture rather than a driver of it. Twitter always struggled to print money like Instagram, because more people will get lost for longer periods of time tapping through pictures and videos than scrolling through short text updates. YouTube is an attraction unto itself, a place to go to find something people have been watching for generations: videos. Most normal people are not wired to spend hours on Twitter howling at viral tweets that their best friends, let alone their parents, would never understand. A tiny handful of us send almost all of the tweets. Most people who don't use Twitter for their jobs seem to spend very little time on it. Twitter itself considers "a heavy tweeter" to be someone who t weets three or four times per week and logs in six or seven days a week. Sending a tweet takes 10 seconds! A single happy-birthday Instagram Story draft requires more brain tonnage than a week's worth of posting for the small group of individuals who can't quit Twitter.

To wit, Instagram is enough of a behemoth that Mark Zuckerberg can get bored one day, decide he would like to have the biggest competitor to Twitter, and have it within a few minutes by attaching it to Instagram. If Musk decides that the new Xis now a photo app, how many centuries will it take for that app to catch Instagram? If he decides it is now a payment platform, how long until it will threaten Venmo or Cash App or Square? If he decides it's a TV app, will Netflix or Comcast tremble in fear? Musk seems like a bad manager of a social media platform, but he's also chosen to manage a social media platform that was never meant to drive at these speeds. Musk might have the same monopolistic bloodlust as Zuckerberg or anyone else, but he bought the wrong toy. A new name is less painful than a trade-in.

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The Delusion Behind the New Name Elon Musk Is Giving Twitter

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Whatever "X" is going to be, it'll never be an Everything App.

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Can Elon Musk really use that X logo for Twitter?

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Can Elon Musk really use that X logo for Twitter?

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Now that Elon Musk has officially replaced Twitter's logo with an X, many of us are wondering: can he actually use it?

The drastic rebranding doesn't come as much of a surprise to Musk-watchers. Musk has long touted his idea of X as an "everything" app that offers audio, video, messaging, and support for digital payments. He has also founded a company called X.com before it merged with PayPal in the year 2000. While that name never resurfaced, that didn't stop Musk from incorporating the letter X into all his other brands, including SpaceX, xAI, X Corp., and now Twitter.

On Sunday, Musk declared that Twitter will be rebranded as X and turned to the site's community to commission a new logo. "If a good enough X logo is posted tonight, we'll make [it] go live worldwide tomorrow," Musk wrote. That night, Twitter user Sawyer Merritt offered up an X logo he no longer needed, which Musk scooped right up. But while its design seems somewhat unique at first glance, the notion of one chunky, angular line crossing over a thin one wasn't created from scratch.

Merritt says the designer he worked with was merely "inspired by a font he found online," but that designer seems to contradict that with a post of his own, stating he based it on a Unicode character. And that designer's statement doesn't necessarily clear things up, either: while Twitter's new logo does look like it could have been inspired by a Unicode character, it looks almost exactly like one from Monotype. Either way, online sleuths have traced the design back to both potential sources.

Monotype is the typeface company that has created some of the world's most recognizable fonts, including Times New Roman and Arial. If you look at the letter "X" in Monotype's Special Alphabets 4, you'll notice that it closely resembles Twitter's new logo design. (Twitter's first stab at the X looks like the lowercase X, while a thicker one that Musk briefly tried looks like the capital X from Monotype.)

Despite the similarities here, Monotype has since confirmed to The Verge that Twitter's logo doesn't match up to its font. "Regarding your question on the Twitter X logo, we can confirm that whilst it is similar, this is neither the capital nor the lower-case X glyph from Monotype's 'Special Alphabets 4' font," Phil Garnham, the executive creative director at Monotype says. If Twitter's logo did, indeed, match up with Monotype's font, it would've needed to purchase a license in order to use it.

However, a somewhat similar character is also present in Unicode's database, under the name mathematical double-struck capital X (U+1D54F). This character is meant for use in mathematical equations and first appeared in Unicode version 3.1 in 2001. It doesn't look like Musk would face any legal hurdles by using a symbol from Unicode. Characters submitted to Unicode Standard are "released under the Unicode License, a free and open-source license that allows anyone to use the materials without restriction," Unicode Consortium spokesperson Katherine Clark tells The Verge. That includes use in a trademark or company logo.

Even if the logo doesn't violate any font licenses, which dictate whether someone has to pay to use a font, having a logo representative of a letter of the alphabet might make an X trademark harder to protect. And if you're wondering - yes, you can register a single letter of the alphabet as a trademark (though only for a specific class of goods and services). In this 2015 report from Fast Company, Chris Chafin wrote that "single letters are among the most popular trademarks registered in the United States," with each letter of the alphabet having hundreds of trademarks associated with them.

"A trademark doesn't need to be particularly unique to be protectable"

As defined by the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), a trademark is a word, phrase, symbol, design, or a combination of all these elements that you can use to represent a company. Trademarks exist so consumers can distinguish goods and services provided by one source from those provided by another. Being more distinctive than a single letter of the alphabet makes that easier, but it's not necessary.

"A trademark doesn't need to be particularly unique to be protectable, as long as the owner can show that people associate the mark with the brand," Alexandra Roberts, a professor of law and media at Northeastern University, tells The Verge. "There are thousands of single-letter trademark registrations; many, but not all, of them are more elaborately stylized than the one that now appears on the site formerly known as Twitter. Given the large user base on Twitter and the number of people following and reporting on this rebrand, I expect it wouldn't take very long to establish that the new 'X' functions as a trademark and consumers associate it with Twitter's services or brand."

If Twitter does fully rebrand itself as X, that still won't prevent other companies from using X branding. After all, the less remarkable a trademark is, the more difficult it is to prevent others from using it. Both Meta and Microsoft each already have their own trademarks on logos that look like an X. In Microsoft's case, it registered for a trademark on an "X" logo for its line of Xbox products back in 2003, with the mark's purpose listed as "providing on-line chat rooms for transmission of messages among computer users concerning video and computer games."

As for why Meta also has a registered trademark on an X logo, it's because the company acquired Microsoft's now-defunct Mixer streaming application in 2020. The filing describes the trademark as a "stylized letter 'X'" with white on its left side and blue on its right side. Its purpose is similarly focused on gaming.

That distinction is important. Since Twitter's X logo won't be used for gaming - at least not that we know of yet - Meta and Microsoft shouldn't have any issues with it. That's because companies can have similar marks as long as they don't cross into each others' industries and confuse consumers.

"In a crowded field with lots of 'X' trademarks, it will be difficult to enforce against others"

But that could change. Musk is a known gamer and was busy playing Diablo IV while he told followers about his plans to cut Twitter's logo from the side of the company's headquarters. Given Musk's impulsive decision to purchase Twitter, it wouldn't be all that surprising if Musk decided to get into gaming on a whim. There's also Musk's idea of X as an "everything" app. This could bring the app outside the realm of social media and into others like payment systems and banking, which could get in the way of other X-branded services in the financial field, like the online trading app Xtrade or even XInsurance.

"In a crowded field with lots of 'X' trademarks, it will be difficult to enforce against others," Roberts tells The Verge. "The argument that will enable Twitter/Musk to get protection for the mark will be the same argument that impedes aggressive enforcement."

While Musk says the current X design is just a placeholder, that still hasn't stopped him from plastering the logo all over Twitter's desktop site and even on its headquarters. Twitter's rebrand is going full steam ahead regardless of the cost, and there aren't many legal hurdles standing in the way - X is here, whether we like it or not.

Update July 27th, 9:08AM ET: Added a statement from Monotype.

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Can Elon Musk really use that X logo for Twitter?

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After Elon Musk changed Twitter's logo to an X, questions have emerged over whether he can actually use it as a trademark. Other brands, like Meta and Microsoft, already have trademarks on a logo that looks like an X.

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Dubai Businessman Arif Patel of Preston Thinks that Digital Transformation May Support the Expansion

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Dubai Businessman Arif Patel of Preston Thinks that Digital Transformation May Support the Expansion

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Oil and gas firms are investing heavily in technology to improve energy exploration, production, transportation, and distribution. Words like automation, datafication, and digitalization are becoming buzzwords in the industry as businesses seek to maximize performance and save costs. The Fourth Industrial Revolution, according to Preston Trading firm founder Arif Patel Preston UK Dubai, is about to start as digitization transforms how we communicate, work, and live. And we ought to put more effort into altering our perspective on how we conduct business in this new normal environment.

Digitalization in the oil and gas industry also makes it simpler to address the problem of change management by allowing organizations to implement new technology. It also facilitates improved communication among multiple departments and stakeholders, while streamlining business processes. It improves communication, cuts costs, and increases response to market changes overall. Patel is not only a remarkable businessman but also a philanthropist. He feels that helping others is the most fulfilling and passionate emotion there is. Arif Patel London, another city in the UK where he prospers as a businessman, is the place that inspired him to pursue philanthropy because of its variety. He began his philanthropic activity and received a great deal of support in London. Patel is drawn to philanthropy by his desire to benefit society, and he now firmly believes that the oil and gas business will have less of an adverse influence on the environment as a result of digital automation and technological innovation.

Know More : https://www.asianimage.co.uk/news/business/23660495.arif-patel-preston-hails-growth-oil-gas-sector/

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On the reputation forefront of Arif Patel, London was the another city of the UK where he thrived as businessman and created a better place for many people as philanthropist.

Arif Patel established his business at a young age in Dubai and worked his way up to become a well-known name in the mining, engineering, and oil and gas exploration industries. Oilfield services, engineering, mining, and exploration and production of oil and gas are the areas of expertise of his Preston Trading firm.

Arif Patel Preston UK, Dubai, based businessman who has worked in the industry for many years, has a strong view on the expansion and development of the oil and gas industry, and believes that digitalization can improved and upgraded the production and regulatory conditions. Additionally, digital transformation can entail the gathering and analysis of a significant quantity of data to provide insightful information that can be used to optimize operations, decrease downtime, and enhance safety. Increasing the industry's responsiveness, agility, and ability to respond to shifting market and regulatory situations while minimizing its environmental effect is the aim of digital transformation.

Oil and gas firms need specialized knowledge in digital technologies and the energy sector to effectively reap the benefits of digitization. As per Arif Patel, Dubai "companies should also be aware of the essential business possibilities and problems that digital technology may solve, as well as how to effectively manage the cultural and organizational changes brought on by the digital revolution".

Price volatility, carbon reduction, and change management are three crucial concerns that the oil and gas business must solve. Price volatility in the oil and gas sector may be reduced with real-time analytics that assist better analyze market movements. The automated approach also lowers expenses, streamlines processes, and boosts financial stability. By facilitating the adoption of renewable energy sources, lowering energy consumption, and streamlining processes to reduce waste and emissions, the use of digital technology contributes significantly to the reduction of carbon emissions.

By enabling businesses to adopt new technology, digitalization in the oil and gas sector also makes it easier to address the difficulty of change management. Additionally, it enhances communication between various departments and stakeholders as well as simplifies operations. In general, it enhances communication, lowers expenses, and boosts responsiveness to market changes.

Apart from being an extraordinary businessman Patel is a philanthropist too. He believes that giving back to society is the most satisfying and passionate feeling in the world. According to Arif Patel, situation and circumstances around London and other cities of the UK that make me go down the lane of Philanthropy because of the diversity it has. London is the place where I started my philanthropy work and gained immense appreciation.

Patel's urge to contribute good fortune to society leads him towards Philanthropy and now he firmly believes that digital automation and hi-tech advancement in the oil & gas industry will reduce its vicious impact on the environment.

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Arif Patel Preston hails the growth of oil & gas sector

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The Oil and Gas industry needs a boost from digital transformation that can entail the gathering and analysis of a significant quantity of data to...

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Ford's electric F-150 Lightning just got much cheaper | CNN Business

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Ford announced on Monday that it is slashing prices significantly for its electric F-150 Lightning pickup truck.

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Stable Doodle

Sometimes, words can't describe what you are envisioning and the best way to get that idea out is by drawing out the idea on paper. However, if you have ever played Pictionary, you know that quick doodles aren't exactly aesthetic or easy to discern. Stability AI's new AI tool is here to help.

Clipdrop by Stability AI launched Stable Doodle, a sketch-to-image AI tool that can transform your quick doodle into a polished image just by using your sketch and a prompt.

The tool uses Stability AI's image-generating technology, Stable Diffusion XL, and combines it with the T21-adapter, which allows for more precise control over AI image generation, according to the release.

Despite employing the use of advanced technology, the tool itself is very user-friendly and fun. The only skill required to get the most out of this technology is very basic drawing skills, and it's available for free use now.
Also: Real-time deepfake detection: How Intel Labs uses AI to fight misinformation

Screenshot by Sabrina Ortiz/Stable Doodle

If you want to test it out, all you have to do is visit the Clipdrop by Stability AI website or visit the ClipDrop iOS or Google Play app. Once you arrive on the site, you can use your mouse to doodle whatever you'd like. In my case, I did a very elementary sketch of a puppy.

Screenshot by Sabrina Ortiz/Stable Doodle

Then, you can insert the prompt for what you would like the tools to generate. In this prompt, you can include an art style and what you'd like to see. For example, I did "a puppy, anime style." Once you are done with the sketch and prompt, you can click on generate.

My results were some adorable anime illustrations of puppies that kept the basic elements of my sketch including the floppy ears and big eyes. In my experience, the tool was quick, easy, and fun to use.

Also: How to use Stable Diffusion AI to create amazing images

If you choose to use the tool without signing in, you are limited to one sketch-to-image transaction per hour. However, if you sign up for a free account, you can use it unlimitedly.

Disclaimer: Using AI-generated images could lead to copyright violations, so people should be cautious if they're using the images for commercial purposes.

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This new AI tool transforms your doodles into high-quality images

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Stability AI launches sketch-to-image tool Stable Doodle. Here's how you can use it.

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Apple VP Alan Dye talks visionOS interface design for Vision Pro in podcast interview

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Anyone who follows the Apple design world knows with the name Alan Dye. He's the Apple VP of Human Interface...

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I’m an ER doctor. I think LLMs may shape the future of medicine—for better or worse

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While programs like ChatGPT are very exciting for the future of medicine, they also come with some concerning downsides.

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20 of the best free AI and ChatGPT courses available this week

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20 of the best free AI and ChatGPT courses available this week

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20 of the best free AI and ChatGPT courses available this week

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Find free courses from the likes of MIT, Google, and IBM.

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Details Of Arif Patel (Dubai/Preston/UK) London Estate Agent - Mirror.co.uk 

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Details Of Arif Patel (Dubai/Preston/UK) London Estate Agent - Mirror.co.uk 

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Details for Arif Patel (Dubai/Preston/UK) Estate Agent in fishergate shopping centre, Preston, PR1 8HJ, fishergate shopping centre, Preston, UK, PR1 8HJ - Mirror

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Details for Arif Patel (Dubai/Preston/UK) Estate Agent in fishergate shopping centre, Preston, PR1 8HJ, fishergate shopping centre, Preston, UK, PR1 8HJ - Mirror

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Details for Arif Patel (Dubai/Preston/UK) Estate Agent in fishergate shopping centre, Preston, PR1 8HJ, fishergate shopping centre, Preston, UK, PR1 8HJ

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Less Is More: The ‘Laziest’ Ways to Be a Great Parent

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Less Is More: The ‘Laziest’ Ways to Be a Great Parent

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Less Is More: The 'Laziest' Ways to Be a Great Parent

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Not only can kids survive without meticulously packed lunches and screentime guidelines-they can thrive.

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There's something about a good beach that enlivens the senses: the briny scent of salt in the air, the calming murmur of waves, the gentle nip of sand whipped up by the soft breeze. A favorite beach is like a favorite poem-individual, important, and something that makes our hearts sing, and now more than ever we are dreaming of days spent wriggling our toes in the sand and wallowing in salty water.

Instead of the typical sandy spots dotted with sun umbrellas and gaggles of tourists, we've sought out spaces that you may have to venture a little further for, but that remain incredibly beautiful and very often crowd-free. From the most exquisite beaches in Europe to far-flung stretches in Asia, Africa and more, these are the best beaches in the world.

All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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Our pick of the best beaches in the world to help you plan a sunny, toes-in-sand holiday-from Barbuda's Pink Sand Beach to an off-the-beaten track spot in Ireland.

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How to Actually Enjoy Your Next Flight. (Or Just Not Hate It.)

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Everything you need for a comfortable in-flight experience, from sleep advice to a refresh on passenger rights-and etiquette rules.

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YOU’LL NEVER BUY ANOTHER BAG AGAIN – THE ATLAS URBAN MESSENGER WAS DESIGNED FOR WORK, PLAY, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN

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YOU’LL NEVER BUY ANOTHER BAG AGAIN – THE ATLAS URBAN MESSENGER WAS DESIGNED FOR WORK, PLAY, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN

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You’ll Never Buy Another Bag Again – The Atlas Urban Messenger Was Designed for Work, Play, and Everything In Between - Yanko Design

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The Atlas Urban Messenger by Faire Collective: Your versatile solution for organized and stylish on-the-go storage.

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10 fascinating things you never knew about air travel

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10 fascinating things you never knew about air travel

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Some planes reduce motion sickness

One plane gracing our skies has special features to minimise turbulence by eightfold: the steady 787 Dreamliner. Boeing claims the 787 reduces the need to reach for that motion sickness bag thanks to something they call 'Smoother Ride Technology', which dampens bumps when the plane is hit by gusts of air.

How does it work? Because an airplane is a large mass - around 250,000 kgs for the 787 - there's a time lag between a gust of wind striking the plane and it responding. The tech takes advantage of this lag to compile information from onboard gyroscopic and pressure sensors and accelerometers to figure out a response.

The Smoother Ride Technology goes one step further though, responding to pressure changes in real time and adjusting things like the ailerons and rudder to get ahead of the gust problem.

Side note: we live in a world of collectable weirdness, and sick bag collectors actually exist. Niek Vermeulen from Holland holds the Guinness record for the number of different bags - 6290 airline sickness bags from 1191 different airlines, while at barfbags.com you can search bags in their online museum.

You're already a first class traveller, sort of

You're already part of an exclusive airline club. The normalisation of air travel is actually a first world luxury, with 2020 research by Norwegian professor and tourism researcher Stefan Gössling revealing just 11% of the world's population had been airborne during 2018.

There's an alarming side to Gössling's findings though: of that group the 1% frequent flyer cohort are 'super-emitters', accounting for more than half of aviation's total carbon output. Gössling calculated that one wealthy jetsetter "contributes 225,000 times as much to global warming as one of the worlds' poor inhabitants, not including other emissions associated with their lifestyle." Definitely time to carbon offset those miles on the next flight, huh?

Your pilots aren't gossiping

We tend to imagine our pilots as debonair types, sitting up front chatting about the crew, passengers or their hobbies, partners or hanky-panky during their last stopover. Not at all. Aviation rules dictate that, for safety reasons, below 10,000 feet flight crew stick to flight-related conversation only, no extraneous chat-chat allowed.

It actually has a name too: a 'sterile cockpit'. The rule came into force in the USA in 1981, after the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) found a series of accidents were likely caused by distracted flight crew engaging in non-essential conversations and activities during critical phases of flight.

Your plane has probably been to Canada

You may never have heard of Yellowknife or Iqaluit in northern Canada, but these towns above the 60th parallel have become the go-tos for aircraft manufacturers like Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier and Embraer when they need to do cold weather testing.

That includes protocols like the 'cold soak test', where the aircraft sits for at least 10 hours at -35 C. So next time you're on an A380, be assured it has survived a trip to one of the chilliest spots on the planet.

Your plane has speed limits

Below 10,000 feet your jet airliner can't exceed 250 knots (463kmh). It can't go faster than 200 knots within 10 nautical miles (18.5km) of an airport, if lower than 914m above the ground.

Also, above 230 knots, the pilots can't operate their windscreen wipers.

Spare cash? Buy the world's most expensive plane ticket

Airline ticket prices have soared since Covid but nothing compares to the recent price an Etihad Airways fare from New York City to Abu Dhabi, which was a cool USD$66K (NZ$108k).

Mind you, it was in Etihad's first class 'The Residence', a large 40sqm hotel room-sized suite on the upper deck of an Airbus A380 with all the luxe amenities you ever dreamt of, including a separate bedroom with a queen-sized bed, private bathroom, butler service and of course chauffeur to the airport. Nice for some.

Your aircraft's tyres are incredible

Those rubber doughnuts taking your weight when you hit the tarmac are pretty special. For a start they're filled with inert nitrogen, so deal with high and low temperatures better than air, prevent rust forming inside the wheel and won't react with the rubber at high altitudes.

When you land, did you know the tyres are actually sliding rather than rolling for the first few seconds? They are basically being dragged by the aircraft down the runway until their rotating speed equal the plane's. Even with that wear and tear, a set of tyres can last for 500 landings, plus you won't get blow-outs: they're designed to withstand at least four times their rated pressure over a period of at least three seconds.

Fun fact, the tyres on an Airbus A380 cost about NZ$9000 each.

Can it get too hot to fly?

Global warming could mean global aviation disruptions. Above 30C flying - particularly taking off - gets tricky. Warmer air means less dense air which means less lift. Aircraft can compensate for this by increasing take-off speeds or wing area (using the flaps) and lowering loaded weight.

But then it gets complicated - faster take off speeds and increased wing area mean more fuel burn. As do headwinds. Then there's runway length. If your plane needs more speed to be able to take off, and the runway is not long enough, the calculations fall apart and you're grounded. That's why airports in especially hot places like Dubai and Singapore feature super long runways.

The truth behind that coveted class code on your ticket

People who love to fly probably know what the shorthand codes on their ticket mean. We all want to swing smugly left into 'J' (business class) rather than traipse right down to the lowly human traffic jam of 'Y' (economy class).

But what's with these odd designations? Economy is the easier one: when the airlines wanted to standardise the code for a basic Economy fare, agreement was proving difficult, partly because in the USA it was called 'Coach'. The compromise was to use the last letter of Economy, hence 'Y'.

When Business Class arrived in the 1970s as an innovation of British Airways, it was called Club Class and received the letter C. Other airlines didn't care to use BA's Club Class name, so 'J', which was an unused designation, got the slot.

Of course they both pale before the mighty 'F' or First Class code, where the moguls, sheiks and movie stars hang out.

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10 fascinating things you never knew about air travel

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Why are runways longer in hot climates? Do you know what a 'sterile cockpit' is? And how much does an aircraft tyre cost?

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How mindfulness meditation improves mental health and reduces stress

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How mindfulness meditation improves mental health and reduces stress

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How mindfulness meditation improves mental health and reduces stress

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Taking time to focus on the present can cut down on anxiety and improve your emotional well-being.

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Study finds that resistance training can prevent or delay Alzheimer’s disease

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Study finds that resistance training can prevent or delay Alzheimer’s disease

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Study finds that resistance training can prevent or delay Alzheimer's disease

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Regular physical exercise, particularly resistance training, has been identified as a practical therapy that can not only prevent Alzheimers