TECH GIRL ENERGY: The Weekly Debrief
Episode 13 – Quantum Chips, Diamond Batteries and Bird Drones
Harriet Taylor and Numi Gildert dive into their favourite tech headlines of the week;
1. Google’s Quantum Leap
- Topic Overview: Google has unveiled a groundbreaking quantum computing chip.
- Key Insight: Promises to solve problems in 5 minutes that would take the fastest supercomputer septillion years.
- Implications: Potential applications include nuclear fusion, pharmaceutical development, and car batteries. Concerns about encryption security arise.
2. Everlasting Power with Carbon-14 Diamond Batteries
- Topic Overview: UK scientists have developed a battery using carbon-14 capable of lasting thousands of years.
- Key Insight: Uses radioactive decay for micropower generation suitable for medical implants and deep space exploration.
- Potential Impact: Could revolutionize power supply in low-wattage devices, reducing waste from disposable batteries.
3. Bird-Inspired Drones Take Flight
- Topic Overview: Introduction of Raven—a drone mimicking bird flight patterns by hopping into the air.
- Key Insight: Offers versatile movement across complex terrains; could be used in military or search-and-rescue missions.
LINKS
Google’s Quantum Chip: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c791ng0zvl3o
Carbon-14 Diamond Battery: https://www.theengineer.co.uk/content/news/carbon-14-diamond-battery-could-work-forever/
Drone inspired by birds:
https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/drone-bird-inspired-jump-take-off-b2658560.html
Don’t forget to follow Harriet and Numi at @techgirlenergy on all social platforms.
You can find this, and all our other episodes at http://www.IM-Listening.co.uk or wherever you listen to your podcasts.