Solar Power, Satellites, and Biocomputers: This Week in Tech
Welcome to the first issue of March! This week, we’ll explore what’s been happening across the tech industry in Europe and the U.S.
Are you ready?
Let’s dive in!
Corning Partners with Suniva and Heliene to Build Fully U.S.-Made Solar Panels
Corning has partnered with U.S. solar manufacturers Suniva and Heliene to create the only solar panel made entirely from American-made components. This collaboration strengthens U.S. solar manufacturing, reducing reliance on Chinese imports.?
Corning and its subsidiary Hemlock Semiconductor will provide silicon wafers and polysilicon, while Suniva and Heliene contribute solar cells and panels.
This alliance supports the growth of a competitive U.S. solar industry, benefiting from clean energy tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act.?
The new solar module, with up to 66% domestic content, allows developers to qualify for an additional 10% tax credit on top of the 30% base credit for clean energy projects.
Italy Rejects Opposition Push to Limit Non-EU Satellite Contracts
Italy's parliament rejected opposition amendments aimed at restricting the government from acquiring satellite services from non-EU companies. The draft bill allows transmissions only through satellites owned by EU or NATO operators.?
The opposition Democratic Party (PD) sought stricter controls, ensuring Italy had exclusive control over encryption and hardware but was overruled by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s ruling parties.
U.S. company Starlink, owned by Elon Musk, is a leading contender for a government contract, but the opposition questions its suitability due to Musk’s ties to Donald Trump. A Musk representative called the PD's stance an "anti-Musk crusade."?
Meanwhile, Franco-British operator Eutelsat is also in talks with the Italian government for secure satellite communications.
The Future of AI? CL1 Biocomputer Uses Human Neurons for Smarter Computing
Australian company Cortical Labs has launched the world's first biological computer, the CL1, which integrates human brain cells with silicon hardware to create fluid neural networks. This Synthetic Biological Intelligence (SBI) system is more dynamic, efficient, and adaptable than current silicon-based AI. Officially unveiled in Barcelona on March 2, 2025, the CL1 could revolutionize fields like drug discovery, clinical testing, and robotics by offering a new computing model.
Cortical Labs will provide access through a "Wetware-as-a-Service" (WaaS) model, allowing researchers to buy or rent biocomputing time via the cloud. The CL1, expected to be widely available in late 2025, builds on Cortical's 2022 breakthroughs, where neural cultures learned to play Pong. Scientists believe SBI represents a new form of intelligence, potentially acting as a "Minimal Viable Brain."?
The commercialization of CL1 marks a major step toward integrating biological computing into real-world applications.
Related content: Bluetooth 5.4 and Beyond: Innovations in Low Power Connectivity
Final thoughts
Staying ahead in tech means having the right team.?
From AI-powered computing to the future of biotechnology, innovation never stops. TechTeamz helps you build top engineering teams—reach out today!