Science Spectrum

 Understanding the energy needs of a building, a neighborhood, a city, this would really allow the city to become intelligent, overcoming some of its energy waste problems. Consuming less, consuming better, is a matter of individual awareness in the service of the collective, but it is also the objective set by brand new intelligent modeling tools. In France, PowerDIS is one of the assets of communities in defining their territorial energy strategy. Let’s understand what it’s all about! What is PowerDIS? Positioning itself as a reference software in urban energy simulation, PowerDIS was launched in early 2022 by its creators, Efficacity and the CSTB. This tool undoubtedly drives a completely new approach to energy optimization, since it makes it possible to identify precise scenarios for the energy efficiency of buildings based on key information collected during the pre-project phase. More concretely, the software couples the simulations of energy needs with the actual consumption...

Credit/ freepik We are in the midst of a 3D printing revolution. Once reserved for large research universities and multinational companies, 3D printing technology has become widely available, with 2.2 million 3D printers being marketed in 2021. This number is expected to increase to 21.5 million by 2030; this rapid prototyping technology will then become accessible to everyone. All major sectors of activity, from aerospace to construction , use 3D printing technology which allows rapid and economical manufacturing. Of all the sectors that have embraced the power of 3D printing, biomedical engineering offers the greatest potential for its applications. In this article, we will examine the rise of 3D printing in the healthcare and medical sector. How it all started: the history of 3D printing When Japanese inventor Hideo Kodama filed the first patent for a "  rapid prototyping device  " in 1981, the concept seemed doomed from the start, as Dr. Kodama quickly abandoned funding f...

Freepik / creativeart Brain-computer interface, or BCI, is a term that has been widely popularized in recent years. You might remember the first time you heard about this futuristic technology and you might be wondering how it could change our lives. This section will tell you how the concept of brain-computer interface was developed and where we are today. The idea of ​​an interface between the brain and the computer is not new. Indeed, research on brain-machine communication dates back several decades. However, it is only recently that this technology has started to make its way into the mainstream. It is thanks in particular to companies like NeuraLink, founded by Elon Musk, that this technology has become a common topic of discussion. In parallel: How to choose the best Pokémon binder for your collection? Elon Musk has highlighted the possibility of a direct interface between our brain and a computer system, allowing our thoughts to directly control machines. The potential of this ...

  freepik: bella786alex A fter its  Manifesto for digital ethics published in 2021, and in continuation of its Opinion No. 3 on the ethical issues of conversational agents  ("chatbots") at the end of 2021, the National Pilot Committee for Digital Ethics (CNPEN) comes to issue its Opinion No. 7: Generative artificial intelligence (AI) systems: ethical issues. Some recent notable dates concerning AI over the last 3 years   In April 2021,  a draft regulation of artificial intelligence   (AI) from the  European Commission was presented by European commissioners in Brussels.  This project combines a “  first legal framework on AI  ” and a “  new plan coordinated with member states  ”. In its press release, the European Commission announced that it wants to “  guarantee the security and fundamental rights of citizens and businesses while strengthening the adoption of AI, investments, and innovation across the EU  ". In...

Are you fed up with your battery only lasting a few hours? This is (probably) partly your fault. Many of us have an ingrained notion that charging our smartphones in short bursts causes long-term damage to the batteries, and that it's best to charge them when they're almost empty. It's wrong. The battery company Cadex explains on its site  how the lithium-ion batteries in our smartphones are sensitive to their own versions of “stress”. And as with humans, prolonged stress could damage the long-term life of your battery. If you want to keep your smartphone's battery in perfect working order and maximize its performance, here are some tips: 1. Do not leave your smartphone plugged in when it is fully charged The site explains that leaving your phone plugged in when it's fully charged is bad for your battery in the long term. If still plugged in when charged to 100%, your smartphone will still draw power to keep itself at 100%. The battery will then be held in a high vo...

                Credits: Minecraft official website Recently, in South Africa, researchers let two AIs have their way in the popular “sandbox” video game Minecraft. The objective? Observe their evolution in this environment and better understand in general the possible flaws of AI when they are not guided by humans. A special AI model for Minecraft As a reminder, Minecraft is a video game released in 2011. This open world integrates a crafting system focused on the exploitation and transformation of natural resources. The objective is to make constructions using small cubes . Minecraft surpassed the 200 million copies mark in mid-2020 for a community of more than 125 million monthly active players. It is thus the best-selling game in history. For Steven James, a researcher at the University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa), Minecraft can also be a great playground for young AI . The intelligences involved here are indeed multitasking and learni...

credit / freepik The world has already started its energy transition and obviously, manufacturers absolutely must take this turn. Recently, British researchers unveiled a technology with a very ambitious objective: greening the steel industry. Furthermore, beyond the environmental aspect of this project, the savings made could be exceptional. A very polluting industry The steel industry has been managing technologies for obtaining cast iron, iron and steel from iron ore since its beginnings. The products resulting from this process are quite varied, the most popular being those used in the construction of buildings and ships, without forgetting the essential cans. However, the steel industry is one of the very polluting industries, representing no less than 9% of global CO2 emissions. A February 2023 publication in the Journal of Cleaner Production reports on a new production method. Developed by scientists at the University of Birmingham (United Kingdom), it could reduce CO2 emissio...

Many professions can be automated or partially replaced by artificial intelligence (AI) depending on their specific tasks and the availability of technologies . Here are some examples of professions that could be impacted in the future. These tasks or areas of activity that artificial intelligence could replace Note that even if AI is capable of automating certain tasks within the following areas of activity, this does not necessarily mean that these jobs are doomed to disappear completely. Generally speaking, automation f rees humans from repetitive tasks and indeed allows them to focus on the more creative , strategic or social aspects of their work. Finally, the development, maintenance and supervision of AI systems generally creates new jobs . Administrative tasks Administrative tasks like data management or entry , setting up and managing schedules, etc., can be easily automated by AIs. Client service Chatbot systems and other auto-response techniques can replace some human int...

Feel warm at home? A pleasant feeling which is unfortunately not shared by all people. While some people turn to heating equipment to remedy this discomfort, others undertake thermal insulation work. A more expensive solution but much more effective in the long term. For what? And how can you improve the insulation of your home? we will explain all of this to you in this article. Why is thermal insulation of your home important? Thermal insulation brings together all the methods for improving the thermal comfort of a home. This energy renovation guarantees: a uniform temperature inside the home, more efficient ventilation, and a reduction in indoor humidity. In short, it is as beneficial to the building as it is to the occupants. This is also what ADEME (Ecological Transition Agency) underlines with its 4 good reasons to insulate your home  : 1: more comfort According to ADEME, 2 out of 3 French people are cold in their homes, even though their heating is on. This feeling of discom...

 The world of museums was also affected by the pandemic and ended up losing a lot of success because the very essence of the museum experience relies on on-site visits, which were prohibited due to the security measures imposed. Despite this inclement weather, museums continue to act as holy places for art, architecture, and history. They showcase the creativity that artists bring to their canvas. They celebrate the victorious successes achieved in the past and remember the influential and most devastating episodes in history. Museums have the power to influence the state of mind of visitors and modify their perceptions.  Covid-19 may have altered the concept of museums, but certainly not their essence. In this article, we share the top 10 trends transforming museums and their relationship with their visitors. 1. The future of museums towards a multisensory experience   As the world of technology evolves at a breakneck pace, it becomes difficult to keep up. People are alw...

  Artificial intelligence is everywhere. Year after year, developments are rapid, and the trend is towards accelerating the phenomenon. All technology companies are leveraging their resources to develop ever more innovative tools to shape the Internet of tomorrow. Marketing, data, cloud, team management in companies... Trends are emerging, and some are born while others have not yet seen the light of day. AI is moving quickly: prompting a desire to take stock of both existing technologies and those currently in development. Where is AI today? The fields of AI accessible to the general public. Artificial intelligence has evolved impressively to understand and generate human language. These systems, by learning from immense amounts of data, are capable of providing responses that not only make sense but are also perfectly adapted to the context. Today, several types of AI that affect the general public are considered: Rule-based AI: This is one of the simplest forms of AI, where the ...

 Did you know that the technological developments of the last 100 years have been greater than all of the historical processes before them? Yes, technology is racing at an incredible pace, pushing some professions to the sidelines. Moreover, in this situation, it's not just technology; scientific, social, cultural, environmental, and economic developments are also highly influential. Every passing day, we encounter brand new technologies and concepts of artificial intelligence that we haven't heard of before, and we meet devices that have embraced this technology. While we acquaint ourselves with these technologies and devices, some professions bid farewell and embark on a journey into the unknown. On the other hand, aunties asking 'What do you do for a living, my dear?' during holiday visits are becoming more accustomed to hearing professions they were previously unaware of as answers. Of course, we can say they will hear them more often shortly because the most desira...

In the field of energy, we are increasingly noticing the presence of renewable energy sources, particularly solar. Photovoltaic solar power plants convert the sun's radiation into electricity. This phenomenon is possible thanks to photovoltaic cells . The next few lines will reveal to you all the secrets of this conversion process. Capturing sunlight Thermodynamic and thermal solar power plants use heat from the sun to generate electricity. This is not the case for photovoltaic solar power plants. The latter are made up of solar panels equipped with photovoltaic cells which capture the sun's radiation. They can be installed on the ground or on the roof. However, to be able to produce energy optimally, these solar panels must be arranged correctly. Good orientation In order to properly capture sunlight, solar panels must be oriented towards the south. This will boost the efficiency of the plant. Indeed, by having this orientation, the solar power plant will be able to be...