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GM Ventures has announced a $10 million investment in Forge Nano, a materials science company specializing in atomic layer deposition (ALD). This strategic partnership focuses on developing advanced battery materials to enhance the performance and lower the cost of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The collaboration focuses on utilizing Forge Nano’s Atomic Armor technology to apply thin-film coatings that enhance battery chemistry and structure at the atomic level, thereby boosting performance and reducing production costs.
Atomic layer deposition is a surface engineering technique that applies ultra-thin coatings to materials, enabling precise control over their chemical and structural properties; Atomic Armor technology employs ALD to develop thin-film coatings for GM’s lithium-ion batteries, particularly targeting the cathodes—the most expensive component of battery cells.
These coatings are designed to improve the durability and efficiency of battery materials, leading to increased battery performance and lower production costs. Additionally, Forge Nano will establish a facility in Thornton, Colorado, to build prototype lithium-ion battery cells, demonstrating the capabilities of its technology in enhancing battery longevity, energy density, and overall performance.
Forge Nano’s ALD technology showcasing battery performance improvements in energy density, charge speed, and safety. Image via Forge Nano.
Anirvan Coomer, Managing Director of GM Ventures, stated, “GM Ventures’ primary goal is to bring disruptive technology into the GM ecosystem to improve products and processes. Forge Nano’s Atomic Armor technology has game-changing potential for our battery materials. They have already demonstrated the ability to expand cathode capabilities, which is the most expensive battery cell component. This could unlock benefits for both customers and the business.”
Paul Lichty, CEO of Forge Nano, added, “Forge Nano’s mission is to make better materials for a better world. General Motors’ investment will allow us to further enhance battery material performance and durability, while allowing us to expand our footprint in other key areas – like semiconductors. We look forward to working closely with GM to enhance battery cell performance for future electric vehicles.”
Forge Nano’s Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) system designed for high-precision material coatings at the nanoscale. Photo via Forge Nano.
Global Advancements in Additive Manufacturing and Strategic Acquisitions
Titomic, an Australian additive manufacturing company, has secured a $30 million equity placement to begin 3D printing missile components in the United States. The funds will support the establishment of a new operational headquarters and manufacturing facility in Huntsville, Alabama, the expansion includes developing cold spray additive manufacturing capabilities and appointing Jim Simpson as the new CEO to lead the north american strategy.
Meanwhile, Israeli electronics 3D printer manufacturer Nano Dimension received stockholder approval in September 2024 to acquire Desktop Metal. Valued at $183 million, the acquisition is part of Nano Dimension’s strategy to consolidate its presence in the additive manufacturing sector. Combined with a planned acquisition of Markforged Holding Corporation, these moves could generate $340 million in revenue based on 2023 performance, highlighting a trend of consolidation aimed at enhancing production capabilities and market reach in advanced manufacturing technologies.
A suite of Desktop Metal-3D printed parts at the RAPID+TCT trade show. Photo via Desktop Metal.
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Featured images showcase Forge Nano’s ALD technology showcasing battery performance, Forge Nano’s Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) system, A suite of Desktop Metal-3D printed parts. Photos via Forge Nano and Desktop Metal
Posted in: Movies, Paramount+, Star Trek, TV | Tagged: star trek, Star Trek: The Next GenerationParamount appears to be the home for Star Trek again now that those TOS and TNG films have made their way back onto Paramount+.Published Fri, 18 Oct 2024 08:37:08 -0500 by Tom Chang | It seems like Paramount found out they could have their cake and eat it too, as their deal for Star Trek films from The Original Series and The Next Generation eras are back home on Paramount+ after a brief time off. They’re still on Amazon’s MGM+ and mostly on Prime Video, sans 1982’s The Wrath of Khan and 1996’s First Contact. As the Kelvin universe timeline films starring Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto haven’t left Paramount+, all 13 Star Trek films are available for fans.Patrick Stewart & William Shatner in “Star Trek: Generations” (1994). Image courtesy of Paramount.
Star Trek: The Original Series & The Next Generation Films Return Home Again to Paramount+
Since Star Trek: TOS’s three-season run on NBC from 1966-1969 and the shorter run of The Animated Series from 1973-1974, Gene Roddenberry had hopes of some revival in the form of Phase II. Thanks to the success of Star Wars in 1977, that concept was repurposed into what ended up being The Motion Picture in 1979. The momentum spawned a film franchise, including 1982’s The Wrath of Khan, 1984’s The Search for Spock, and 1986’s The Voyage Home. Unfortunately, The Final Frontier in 1989, not connected story-wise to the previous three films, nearly killed the cinematic franchise before 1991’s sixth and final entry, The Undiscovered Country, allowed the TOS cast to bow gracefully.
As TNG ended its run in 1994 on syndication, the inevitable crossover film with three of the TOS cast happened with Generations out the same year. The TNG films would have a considerably shorter run given the mounting pressures of box office success and a far more competitive market with the emergence of bigger blockbusters like Lord of the Rings and Star Wars prequels. While the follow-up film in First Contact in 1996 was a success, the reception of the final two films, 1998’s Insurrection and 2002’s Nemesis, ultimately killed the prime universe in theaters.
Rather than making a new film centering on any of the other TV shows like Deep Space Nine, Voyager, or Enterprise, Paramount opted to repackage the TOS characters with J. J. Abrams creating the alternate Kelvin universe to not interfere with what was established Prime canon with TOS star Leonard Nimoy passing the torch to the new crew as Spock Prime starting with 2009’s Star Trek. While Paramount attempts again at a fourth Kelvin film, its TV streaming counterpart in Paramount+ is evolving beyond its first three shows in Discovery and Picard, with the upcoming fifth season of the animated series Lower Decks being its final, leaving Strange New Worlds as the only active series with the uncertain future of the animated series Prodigy on Netflix and Starfleet Academy in production. Section 31 is a Discovery spinoff film as a streamer exclusive. Enjoy it while you can, or purchase the TOS & TNG film collections on physical media, as there are PLENTY to go around.
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In summer 2024, several news outlets chronicled the “nightmarish” impacts Texas communities endured due to the din of noise emanating from nearby cryptocurrency mines.Residents of these communities reported that the unrelenting noise caused them to experience a range of ailments, including high blood pressure, chest pain and tinnitus. The noise levels of the cryptocurrency mines allegedly reached 72 decibels — well above the 55 dB limit beyond which the World Health Organization (WHO) deems to be increasingly dangerous for public health.These recent reports have stoked ongoing discussions about the potential health hazards of cryptocurrency mining. In a thinkpiece published Sept. 26 in the journal JAMA, three scientists argue that we are experiencing a “digital oil boom” that could have serious health consequences for everyone — not only the communities that live near mines. This problem extends beyond noise pollution, encompassing health risks associated with increasing energy consumption and accelerated climate change.Related: ‘Any protein you can imagine, it can deliver’: AI will help discover the next breakthrough in RNA, says Nobel Prize winner Dr. Drew WeissmanEnergy-intensive minesCryptocurrency, a virtual currency that harnesses the blockchain, uses a network of computers to report transactions between users, which are documented in a digital ledger. The network is decentralized, meaning that it is not controlled or owned by any one person or group, unlike a traditional central bank, for instance. This structure allows users to transfer currency more quickly and cheaply and with less of a paper trail, compared with traditional banking.Since its advent, cryptocurrency has experienced several bubbles and crashes — however, it still remains popular worldwide, and the cryptocurrency market has now become a multibillion-dollar industry.The first and arguably most popular type of cryptocurrency is Bitcoin, which was invented in 2009. Bitcoin relies on something called a “proof-of-work” algorithm, a calculation that essentially verifies the accuracy of transactions added to the digital ledger. The process of completing these calculations is very energy-intensive, and it becomes exponentially more difficult over time.Sign up for the Live Science daily newsletter nowGet the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Consequently, Bitcoin data centers, referred to as “mines,” require more and more energy to function over time. In the U.S. alone, cryptocurrency mining is estimated to represent around 0.6% to 2.3% of all electricity consumption in the country.The energy-hungry industry could raise communities’ reliance on peaking power plants, meaning power plants that kick in only at times of peak demand, Mary Willis, co-author of the JAMA article and an assistant professor of epidemiology at Boston University, told Live Science.The problem is that these plants run on fossil fuels. In terms of their direct impacts, these fumes contain air pollutants that can partly drive diseases, such as stroke, heart disease and lung cancer. Historically disadvantaged racial or ethnic communities are most likely to carry the burden of these health impacts, as plants are often built where those communities live.Beyond harmful air pollutants, higher demands for fossil fuels also increases the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, thus escalating climate change.Bitcoin-mining servers, such as the one pictured above, are both noisy and energy-intensive, and they carry serious ramifications for our health, some scientists argue. (Image credit: MARK FELIX / Contributor via Getty Images)”Crypto mining uses mostly fossil fuel electricity, which comes from coal and natural gas power plants,” Benjamin Jones, an associate professor of economics at the University of New Mexico who was not involved in the JAMA article, told Live Science in an email.”These in-turn generate emissions of CO2 and other air pollutants, which contribute to climate change and harm human health,” he said. Such harmful effects include spurring the spread of infectious diseases and the number of deaths tied to extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and major storms.Blackouts and noise pollutionAnother concern is that many cryptocurrency mines are in locations with fragile electrical grids, such as Texas, Willis said. A winter storm in February 2021 caused the states’ power grid to fail and highlighted its precarity.Crypto mines could put additional stress on the grid, exacerbating the risk of blackouts, Willis said. Power outages can have numerous health consequences, including raising the risk of carbon-monoxide poisoning from generators; gastrointestinal illnesses as refrigerators stop working; and deaths in hospitals due to medical equipment shutting down.On top of these risks related to energy use, cryptocurrency mines can be really noisy. Many communities are extremely worried about this, Willis told Live Science. Exposure to high levels of noise is associated with sleep disturbances, increased blood pressure and heart disease, among other health issues. Excessive noise has also been tied to inflammation in the brain, which may have knock-on impacts in the circulatory system.For now, many of these health effects are theoretical. Besides anecdotal reports out of places like Texas, there isn’t much good data on the health impacts of these mines, Willis said. For starters, there’s currently no systematic way to actually track where the mines are located, she said.In February 2024, the U.S. Energy Information Administration launched a system to track energy consumption from cryptocurrency mines. At the time, the agency said it had identified 137 mines in 21 U.S. states, with Texas, Georgia and New York hosting the majority.But a month later, this data collection was discontinued following a federal court case initiated by the crypto industry, the JAMA authors wrote. In this case, it was successfully argued that government monitoring would cause “irreparable injury” to the industry.Without data on the locations and energy use of crypto mines, it will be impossible to fully understand the health implications of cryptocurrency mining, Willis and her co-authors argued.The trio is now trying to figure out the best way to locate these mines. Only then, they say, might these predictions about the health impacts of the mines be confirmed.This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to offer medical advice.Ever wonder why some people build muscle more easily than others or why freckles come out in the sun? Send us your questions about how the human body works to [email protected] with the subject line “Health Desk Q,” and you may see your question answered on the website!
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Taylor Swift is flexing her economic muscles again with the return of her tour and a new book
Dan DeFrancesco
2024-10-18T13:04:14Z
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Taylor Swift performing on stage at Wembley Stadium for the London leg of “The Eras Tour.”
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Proton has added three new features to its business VPN to improve functionality and make it easier to protect devices.For one, Proton now offers mobile device management support (MDM) for simple installation of Proton VPN on employee devices. It has also expanded its offering of servers from two to twelve countries.Finally, the company has added Gateway monitoring for organization-wide resource and application usage.Boost for businessProton MDM makes it easier to protect your business from the second a team member logs on, by automatically installing Proton VPN on to Windows PCs. So even if you have a new starter or roll out new business laptops to your team, you can be sure you’re protected. Proton will even sign them in for you automatically.Moreover, you’ll be able to see where and on what devices Proton VPN has been installed, and add device restrictions. To further boost protection, you’ll be able to set your devices to require an active VPN connection to access apps and the internet and enable an always-on setting to reduce friction.As for dedicated servers, you can now lease dedicated servers in multiple cities across twelve countries for better local resource access, segmentation, and remote team support.Lastly, Gateway monitor provides at-a-glance information on users, connections, VPN connections, location, and device names, as well as more detailed information at the user level.Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed!For additional information, visit the Proton VPN blog here.More from TechRadar Pro
In the long arc of human storytelling, nobody roots for Goliath. We root for David, the underdog facing impossible odds, who stands in contrast to Goliath, the big bully.
So maybe it’s not surprising that Americans root for small business in contrast to big business.
In fact, U.S. adults trust small business more than any other institution in America: According to a recent report from Pew Research Center, 86% of Americans believe small businesses have a positive effect on the way things are going in this country. In contrast, an abysmally low 29% believe the same about large corporations.
What explains this near consensus in trust in small business?
I recently fielded a brief online survey where I asked a sample of a thousand Americans to report on what comes to mind when they think of small business or big business.
When Americans think of small business, they think of David. Perhaps not in so many words, but the top ideas for respondents were “mom and pop,” “family-owned,” “local,” and “entrepreneur.” Small business reflects that irresistible national ethos: family-owned businesses that represent the American Dream and everyday people’s heroic struggles to “make it.” (Indeed, “struggle” was another common word.) Small businesses represent the bucolic myth of Main Street, USA. Even big business recognizes the appeal—you can see the small business façade at Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park.
And big business exists in contrast with small business. For big business, respondents volunteered phrases like “corporations,” “greed, “Walmart,” “Amazon,” and “profit.” In short, they talked about Goliath—the capitalist giant rolling in its success and stomping on the little guy.
The term “big business” emerged in 1905, coined at a time when concerns were trained on monopolists, robber barons, and the like, juxtaposing these enormous conglomerations of power with “small business”—what is now a romanticized view of mom-and-pop stores.
Big business is capitalism on steroids. At scale, it can generate economies of production, reducing prices, standardizing commodities, giving Americans what they want, as soon as possible, for the cheapest price. Yet the typical American’s stereotype of big business does not capture these benefits. By “big business” we mean its use, interchangeably, with corporate America and the fat-cat trappings that follow from monopolizing a market of consumers and a pool of workers.
The official definition from the Small Business Administration categorizes small businesses as firms with fewer than 500 employees. But what Americans have in mind is not the formal set of businesses covered by this definition, but rather the tantalizing myth of small business, the promise and possibility of it. They applaud the idea of supporting hardworking individuals who are supplying goods and services to their local communities. They admire the risk-taking and entrepreneurial spirit of these little guys who are trying, against all odds, to pull themselves up by their bootstraps to succeed. Who wouldn’t?
Small businesses benefit from a perception of absolute and geographic scale. They are seen as family-owned entities, imagined to be an integral part of a local community. Small businesses benefit from a Teflon group stereotype. When a specific small business is accused of misconduct (for gouging customers, engaging in fraud, discriminating against groups, or simply failing to deliver), this barely registers for many Americans (this is helped by the near extinction of local news). Any account that might surface would probably focus on allegations directed toward a specific firm. Psychologically, the process of flexible stereotyping allows us to cling to stereotypes while discounting aberrational information. For small business, this means that any specific miscreants are discounted as exceptions to the rule, atypical of the overall group of small businesses. This is how the Teflon stereotype of small businesses endures.
In contrast, think about large corporations and media coverage of them. Negative news has seductive powers. Headlines featuring large corporations revel in allegations of misconduct: abuse of power, the exploitation of workers, the gouging of consumers, the unabashed self-aggrandizement. These stereotype-consistent headlines reinforce the view of big business as Goliath. On those rare occasions when a positive headline surfaces, flexible stereotyping again allows us to discount it as aberrational, an exception to the rule.
So what lessons can other institutions learn from the trust that small businesses reap?
Trust is about the perception of intentions. It centers on the belief that a given entity will act in the service of our interests, not just in the service of the entity’s interests. We root for David because he acts on our behalf. Institutions that seek to build trust must focus on the beneficence of their intentions, whom they serve, and why.
Trust is also personal. The human brain is evolutionarily adapted to small-scale interpersonal relationships. This is why local mom-and-pop stores have such resonance. Some modern institutions can be nameless, large-scale entities that are difficult to personalize; others seem to be personified by self-aggrandizing bullies. Institutions can reap trust through personification that psychologically reduces scale to underscore human-to-human interactions.
Yet, the ultimate irony is that despite how much more we trust small businesses compared with big corporations, the majority of Americans employed in the private sector rely on big business for their livelihood. Americans freely give big businesses their business. The public has generated the consumer demand that has supported the big-boxing of America. Perhaps the question to ask is not why small businesses are so trusted by Americans, but what they can do with that. How might small businesses harness that reservoir of trust to improve their chances of success as they face Goliath?
Cindy D. Kam holds the William R. Kenan, Jr. Chair in political science at Vanderbilt University, where her research focuses on political psychology and public opinion.
By Julia Remillard For Dailymail.Com Published: 09:02 EDT, 18 October 2024 | Updated: 09:02 EDT, 18 October 2024
