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Wireless transmitter appears to violate laws of physics
Wireless transmitter appears to violate laws of physics
Plus: ChatGPT: 30 incredible ways to use the AI-powered chatbot.
Feb 03, 2023
A group of scientists recently thought they’d broken the laws of physics.
…imagine their surprise.
But all is well, because they hadn’t. It just appeared that way.
They thought they had because their new ultra-low-power method of communication wirelessly transmits information by opening and closing a switch that connects a resistor to an antenna without needing a power source.
But it turns out the method doesn’t actually violate the second law of thermodynamics. Phew.
Before you look at the finer details of that, take a look at this video. It shows five giant bulldozers that’ll make you want to dig up your own backyard. (Probably don’t do that though.)
Good morning. I’m Alice, an Editor at IE.
This is The Blueprint. Let’s dive in.
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VIDEO OF THE DAY
This makes construction look like a whole lot of fun.
MUST READ
A new ultra-low-power method of communication wirelessly transmits information by opening and closing a switch that connects a resistor to an antenna.
It does this without needing a power source for the antenna, and as such, seems to violate the laws of physics.
This system could lead to all sorts of devices that transmit data without needing batteries or other power sources – sensors for smart agriculture, electronics implanted in the body that never need battery changes, better contactless credit cards, and maybe even new ways for satellites to communicate.
But the method does not actually violate the second law of thermodynamics (the main law of physics that explains why perpetual motion machines are not possible.)
Perpetual motion machines are theoretical machines that work indefinitely without requiring energy from any external source.
→ This work may lead to new connections between the study of heat (thermodynamics) and the study of communication (information theory). These fields are often viewed as analogous, but this work suggests some more literal connections between them.
READ MORE
INNOVATION
Getting started with ChatGPT is relatively straightforward. The first thing to do is to open an account with OpenAI. To do this, visit chat.OpenAi.com and create an account using your email. You must establish an account to log in and communicate with ChatGPT.
Once that's done you can access ChatGPT by signing up for an OpenAI account. From there, you'll be granted access to the main event, the AI interface. From there, ask it anything and judge the validity and accuracy of its responses. Here, we take you through 30 really cool things it can do.
READ MORE
SCIENCE
The popularity of Flat Earth videos on YouTube and the realization that such content performs well has led to a resurgence of this idea in recent years—specifically, since 2014 and 2015.
But what if, by some incredible twist of fate, the Earth was indeed flat? In what ways could this scenario accommodate the planet and all life as we know it?
Here, we explore the potential impacts of a flat Earth, including what this would mean for gravity, the atmosphere, and all Earth's inhabitants. Plot spoiler: it’s not flat.
READ MORE
CULTURE
U.S. investor Hindenburg Research has released a report and a statement accusing Indian conglomerate Adani Group of being the “biggest con in corporate history."
Gautam Adani, the richest man in Asia and India, saw his wealth plummet to seventh place on the list of the world’s wealthiest people last week, according to Forbes.
Adani's fortune dropped by more than $22 billion to around $97 billion in the first trading hours of Friday, 27th January 2023, as per the Forbes Real Times Billionaire Index.
READ MORE
MAIL & MUSINGS
Clever wireless transmitter 'appears to violate the laws of physics' at first.
What real-world application do you think this wireless transmitter will be most useful for?
YESTERDAY'S RESULTS
Yesterday, we asked you if you think ChatGPT spells the beginning of the end for the Google search engine, and you were divided. 41 percent of you said it’s possible, but the jury’s out, while 33 percent of you said no, ChatGPT has a long way to go. Time will tell.
41%
It’s possible, but the jury’s out
33%
No, ChatGPT has a long way to go
15%
Yes, it’s all but inevitable
11%
I am unsure either way
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“The next Bill Gates will not start an operating system. The next Larry Page won't start a search engine. The next Mark Zuckerberg won't start a social network company. If you are copying these people, you are not learning from them.”
Peter Thiel, German-American billionaire entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and political activist.
THINGS WE LOVE
AND ANOTHER THING
A dentist astrophotographer pictures Moon as stainless as his patients' teeth after cleaning.
Water is weird. A new type of ice could help us understand why. (Science News)
Earth’s 'peculiar' magnetic field is proof of how strange our solar system came to be.
Wormholes could magnify light by a factor of 100,000. (New Scientist)
Columbian judge uses ChatGPT in ruling, makes humane decision.
Can a robot ever become your friend? (SN Explores)
Chinese spy balloon spotted in US, Pentagon decides not to shoot down.
Prepared by Alice Cooke
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