Nuclear reactors reach key technical milestone
Four new microreactors in the United States reached a major technical milestone on July 4, meeting a symbolic deadline set by the Trump administration. The administration had set a goal for three microreactors to achieve criticality by the nation's 250th birthday. Criticality is the technical point at which a nuclear reactor can sustain a chain reaction. In the end, four reactors achieved this milestone just in time.
The achievement signals positive momentum for nuclear technologies at a time when demand for electricity and emissions-free energy sources is rising. However, reaching criticality does not mean these reactors are ready to generate electricity for the grid. Several more steps and regulatory approvals are needed before they can begin supplying power.
The Trump administration's goal was part of a broader push to revive nuclear power in the US, which has seen limited new reactor construction in recent decades. Microreactors are smaller than traditional nuclear plants and are designed to be built more quickly and deployed in remote locations.
China plans to let top AI firms buy Nvidia H200 chips
China is preparing to allow its leading artificial intelligence companies to purchase Nvidia H200 chips. According to a report from The Information, Alibaba, ByteDance, and DeepSeek are expected to receive permission to buy the advanced chips. The move comes despite China having previously withheld approval even after the US authorized exports.
The H200 is Nvidia's latest high-performance AI chip, designed for training large language models and other demanding AI workloads. The potential sales would mark a shift in the ongoing technology trade tensions between the US and China.
NATO building network to detect Russian attackers
NATO is constructing a new network that combines sensors, drones, satellites, and artificial intelligence to detect Russian attackers. Business Insider reported that the system aims to stop attacks in their tracks by providing early warning and rapid response capabilities. Separately, troops are adopting unusual camouflage patterns to evade drone surveillance, as reported by The Economist. The US is also seeking cheaper drone options as Iran's forces have been damaging American Reaper drones, according to Ars Technica.
Researchers propose dimming the sun to fight El Niños
A new research idea suggests deflecting solar energy to cool the ocean and mitigate the risks of future El Niño events. Wired reported on the concept, which involves dimming the sun to reduce the intensity of the climate phenomenon. However, New Scientist noted that such geoengineering could have unexpected side effects. Meanwhile, MIT Technology Review provided a reality check on the field of geoengineering, which has faced increasing scrutiny.
Meta patents AI device that reads emotions
Meta has filed a patent for an AI device that records users to analyze their emotions. According to 404 Media, the device is ostensibly designed to tailor workout plans based on the user's mood. MIT Technology Review noted that AI memory is becoming a major privacy concern.
Chipmakers go vertical as Moore's Law slows
As traditional transistor scaling becomes more difficult, chipmakers are stacking transistors vertically to keep advancing performance. The Economist reported that this approach is becoming more common. IBM is betting heavily on the technique, as covered by MIT Technology Review.
Ivy League cheating scandal: in-person scores drop
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Students at Ivy League universities suspected of using AI to cheat saw their in-person exam scores drop from 96% to 48%. Ars Technica reported the findings. Separately, AI giants are pushing to enter the classroom, according to MIT Technology Review.
Study: parents' phone addiction harms child bonds
A new study indicates that parents' smartphone addictions can damage bonds with their children, potentially leading to lifelong insecure attachment. Bloomberg reported the findings, while Gizmodo added that children may become more anxious and avoidant.
Judge approves Musk SEC settlement despite misgivings
A judge approved Elon Musk's $1.5 million settlement with the SEC over Twitter stock disclosure rules, despite expressing serious misgivings and noting red flags. Reuters reported the decision. Musk had been accused of skirting stock disclosure requirements.
Shoebox-sized satellites could detect nuclear bombs in space
Cubesats carrying radiation detectors could sense the radiation from nuclear bombs detonated in space. Space.com covered the development. Russia is suspected of developing space-based nuclear weapons, according to Reuters.
World Cup match sets Google Search traffic record
A World Cup match featuring Argentina's comeback against Egypt drove Google Search traffic to a new all-time record, CNBC reported.
Quote of the day
President Donald Trump told the public: "I talk about it on Tic Tac," referring to where people can find his insights on the dangers of communism, as reported by Gizmodo.
Robots bring extinct species back to life... sort of
Paleontologists are using a new technique to study extinct animals: building robotic models. These ambling, flying, swimming, or slithering robots help scientists understand how prehistoric creatures moved. By observing the robots in different environments, researchers can learn about the animals' historic ranges and feeding habits. Shi En Kim wrote a full story on the rise of paleo-inspired robots with four examples that are shedding light on ancient life.
We can still have nice things: Georgia Hill's monochrome artworks offer visual harmony. AI has salvaged text from a papyrus scroll burned during the Mount Vesuvius eruption 2,000 years ago. Rare images from a Japanese space probe show a near-Earth asteroid that resembles a cuddly snowman. And a mashup called "Another One Bites the Bee Gees" merges two classic tracks into the perfect song for performing CPR.