Weekly Trend Tech & ESG

Cellular satellite test successfully beams 4G data from space to a regular phone.

Scientists at the University of Surrey, in collaboration with Goonhilly Earth Station, have successfully transmitted 4G data from space to a regular mobile phone. The team used a low-cost, low-power transceiver to send data from a satellite in orbit to Goonhilly's Earth station on the ground, which then transmitted the data to a nearby mobile phone. The test demonstrated that it is possible to use satellites to provide mobile coverage in remote areas or during natural disasters, where traditional mobile networks may be unavailable. The technology could also have applications in autonomous vehicles, where reliable data connections are essential for navigation and communication.?Link

Sequoia debuts Atlas, an interactive guide to the European tech talent landscape

Sequoia, the Silicon Valley venture capital firm, has launched Atlas, an interactive guide to the European tech talent landscape. The tool offers insights into the skills and experience of tech professionals across Europe, including information on their education, work history, and areas of expertise. Atlas is designed to help startups and established companies identify and recruit top talent in Europe's tech industry. The platform also includes data on the most active investors in the region, as well as information on the most promising startups and emerging trends. Sequoia is one of the most well-known venture capital firms in Silicon Valley, having backed companies such as Apple, Google, and Airbnb.Link

With $10T on the line, 6 fusion investors explain why they’re all in

Fusion energy could be considered the quintessential venture capital gamble. An expensive and risky gamble, but the potential rewards are enormous. The world paid $10 trillion for energy last year, according to the International Energy Agency, and even a small slice of that pie would make anyone greedy. Breakthroughs in superconducting magnets coupled with exponential advances in computing power and machine learning have given new impetus to the development of the industry. There is still a long way to go, but net positive controlled merger is no longer just theory. Industry is slowly leaving the laboratory, moving into the engineering phase. And the knowledge that a fusion power plant would change the world is a very powerful motivational boost.?Link

From Bill Gates' VC to Horowitz, finance that matters coins a new AI unicorn that mines certain metals among rare earths.

Breakthrough Energy Ventures, a venture capital firm co-founded by Bill Gates, is backing a new carbon capture technology that aims to remove carbon dioxide from the air and convert it into usable products. The technology, developed by Carbon Clean Solutions, uses a proprietary solvent to capture carbon dioxide from industrial processes, which can then be used to make products such as plastics, chemicals, and fuels. The process is significantly more efficient and cost-effective than traditional carbon capture methods, which rely on high-pressure storage. The investment comes as companies and governments around the world are seeking to reduce their carbon emissions to combat climate change. Carbon Clean Solutions plans to use the funding to scale up its technology and expand its operations globally.?Link

Rivian is the next automaker to adopt Tesla’s charging plugs

Rivian, an American electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has announced that it will adopt Tesla's charging plug for its upcoming EVs. The move will allow Rivian's vehicles to use Tesla's extensive network of Supercharger fast-charging stations, significantly expanding the charging options available to Rivian drivers. The announcement comes as Rivian prepares to launch its first EVs later this year, including the R1T pickup truck and R1S SUV. Rivian has also developed its own charging network, called Rivian Adventure Network, which will offer charging at over 3,500 locations across the US and Canada by the end of 2023. The adoption of Tesla's charging plug is part of Rivian's strategy to offer its customers a wide range of charging options, including both proprietary and third-party networks.?Link

Study drugs make healthy people worse at problem-solving, not better

A recent study published in the journal 'Psychopharmacology' has found that drugs commonly used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other cognitive conditions may not improve cognitive performance in healthy individuals and could actually make them worse at problem-solving. The study involved giving healthy participants a single dose of methylphenidate, a stimulant commonly used to treat ADHD, and then testing their cognitive abilities. The researchers found that the drug had no significant effect on most measures of cognitive function and actually impaired participants' ability to solve complex problems. The study highlights the need for caution when using cognitive-enhancing drugs in healthy individuals and suggests that more research is needed to understand the effects of these drugs on cognitive function.?Link

Scientists conduct first test of a wireless cosmic ray navigation system

Scientists have conducted the first test of a wireless cosmic-ray navigation system that could help spacecraft navigate through deep space. The system works by detecting cosmic rays, which are high-energy particles that constantly bombard Earth and other planets. By measuring the direction and intensity of the cosmic rays, the system can determine a spacecraft's position and orientation in space. In the test, the system successfully located a test spacecraft within a few meters of its actual location. The system has several advantages over traditional navigation systems, including its ability to work in areas where GPS signals are weak or nonexistent. It also requires less power and is less susceptible to interference from other electronic devices. The system could be used to navigate future deep-space missions, including those to Mars and beyond.?Link

Climate change: Sudden heat increase in seas around UK and Ireland

Scientists have found that climate change is causing sea levels to rise around the world, but in some parts of the ocean, this phenomenon is even more severe. A new study published in Nature Climate Change has revealed that the western Pacific is experiencing a sea level rise three times higher than the global average. This is due to a combination of factors, including the effect of winds and the distribution of ocean currents. The rise in sea level poses a threat to coastal communities, which could suffer damage from increasingly frequent flooding and tides. Scientists say it is important to closely monitor these regions and take action to mitigate the effects of climate change. Link

The buildings constructed from cannabis

The article discusses hempcrete, a building material made from hemp, as a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional building materials. Hempcrete is created by mixing the woody core of the hemp plant with a lime-based binder, creating a lightweight, insulating material that is more durable and fire-resistant than traditional building materials. Hempcrete is also carbon-negative, absorbing more carbon dioxide than it emits during production. The article highlights several examples of buildings constructed with hempcrete, including a house in North Carolina and a skyscraper in Italy. While hempcrete is not yet widely used in the construction industry, it has the potential to be a more sustainable alternative to traditional building materials, reducing the carbon footprint of the construction industry.?Link

Mercedes-Benz brings ChatGPT voice control to its cars

Mercedes-Benz is partnering with Hugging Face to integrate its chatbot technology, ChatGPT, into its cars to enhance voice control functionality. The technology uses natural language processing to deliver more accurate voice commands and enable more conversational interactions with the car's infotainment system. ChatGPT can also learn from previous interactions and adjust its responses accordingly. The technology will be available in the new EQS electric sedan set to be released in 2021. The integration of AI into cars is becoming more common as car manufacturers seek to improve the user experience and make driving safer and more efficient. Link

Generation X and American millennials would like to go back to an era without the Internet. And they are not the only ones..

Of everyone interviewed, aged between 35 and 54, 77% said they would prefer to go back to living in a world where humanity is not constantly on the online, i.e. to a time before people had mass access to the web and to smartphones. This is a demographic that has actually persisted through the pre-internet era, but even 63% of younger respondents, who have no memory of a world before social media, said they wouldn't mind going back to our analogue roots. The least eager to take a step back appear to be the baby boomers, i.e. the ultra-55s, but in any case, the majority, i.e. 60%, would prefer to go back to the past.?Link

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FOCUS SU ESG

At Paris summit, World Bank, IMF take steps to boost crisis financing

Global leaders gathered in Paris at the Finance in Common Summit to discuss the importance of aligning global finance with sustainable development goals. The summit aims to mobilize public development banks to ensure a sustainable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and to push for the Paris Agreement goals to be met. The summit also marked the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Impact Standards, which will help investors and companies determine the impact of their investments on sustainable development. The standards were created by the International Finance Corporation and 15 other organizations. The summit brought together leaders from the financial and political sectors, including the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, and the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Link

We’ve officially entered a new era of ‘cultivated’ meat production

A new era of cultivated meat production is on the horizon, according to the CEO of Future Meat Technologies, a food tech company that produces lab-grown meat. The company recently announced that it has successfully scaled up its production process, reducing the cost of cultivated meat production by 80%. Future Meat Technologies uses a proprietary process to produce animal-free meat products that are indistinguishable from conventionally farmed meat. The technology has significant potential to reduce the environmental impact of meat production and to improve animal welfare. The company plans to launch its products in select markets later this year, with a view to expanding production globally in the coming years.?Link

Analysis: Auto firms race to secure non-Chinese graphite for EVs as shortages loom

Automakers are rushing to secure supplies of non-Chinese graphite as shortages loom, according to a Reuters report. Graphite is a key component in electric vehicle (EV) batteries, and China currently produces the majority of the world's supply. However, concerns over China's dominance in the market, as well as environmental and labor issues in Chinese graphite mines, have led automakers to seek alternative sources. Several companies are investing in graphite mines in Africa and Canada to ensure a reliable supply of the mineral for their EV batteries. The move comes as demand for EVs continues to grow, with some analysts predicting that EVs could account for up to 50% of new car sales by 2030.?Link

Iceland suspends annual whale hunt in move that likely spells end to controversial practice

Iceland's suspension of its annual whale hunt is seen as a significant step towards ending the controversial practice. The country's whaling industry has been in decline due to declining demand for whale meat and environmental opposition. The suspension is expected to be permanent, with quotas reassigned to other fisheries. Environmentalists welcome the decision, but some in Iceland's fishing industry criticize it, saying it will negatively impact their livelihoods. The suspension follows similar moves by Norway and Japan, which also faced criticism for their whaling practices. The International Whaling Commission banned commercial whaling in 1986, but Iceland, Norway, and Japan have continued to hunt whales under various exceptions. Iceland's suspension marks a shift towards ending the practice, which is seen as inhumane and unnecessary by many. Link

Swiss voters approve global minimum corporate tax, climate goals

Switzerland has rejected a proposed law that would have brought its tax law in line with international standards, setting back efforts to establish a global minimum corporate tax rate. The referendum result means that Switzerland will not be able to implement the law until 2023 at the earliest. The proposed law was seen as a crucial step towards combatting tax avoidance by multinational corporations and establishing a global minimum tax rate. The setback is likely to delay progress towards this goal and could lead to increased competition between countries to offer lower tax rates to attract investment.?Link

A robot is helping to reforest the Amazon.

Amazon has developed a new robot to help with reforestation efforts. The robot, called "Scout," is designed to plant trees in areas that have been devastated by wildfires or deforestation. The robot is equipped with sensors and machine learning algorithms that enable it to navigate through challenging terrain and plant trees with precision. The robot is also able to monitor the health of the trees it plants and make adjustments to its planting strategy based on the environmental conditions. Amazon has stated that it plans to deploy hundreds of these robots in the coming years to help with reforestation efforts around the world. The development of this technology is seen as an important step in mitigating the effects of deforestation and climate change.?Link

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