Good Morning! Researchers at the University of California San Diego have identified "non-local" behavior in quantum materials that mimics our brain, a phenomenon that could revolutionize neuromorphic computing. In other news, Intel has joined the PyTorch Foundation as a 'Premier' member to accelerate AI innovation, aiming to increase industry collaboration and develop new AI capabilities. Meanwhile, the Software Freedom Conservancy, a non-profit organization supporting open source projects, is urging Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) contributors to stop using Zoom due to privacy concerns, following the company's controversial changes to its terms and conditions.

— Forrest Knight & Meghanadh Vasireddy

Quantum Material Mimics Brain Function

Researchers at the University of California San Diego have discovered "non-local" behavior in quantum materials, a phenomenon where electrical stimuli affect not only neighboring electrodes but also non-neighboring ones. This behavior is crucial for neuromorphic computing, which aims to replicate brain functions in synthetic materials.

Why is it Important? Non-local interactions are common in the human brain and are a vital part of its operation. However, similar behaviors in synthetic materials are rare. The discovery of non-local behavior in quantum materials opens the door to more energy-efficient neuromorphic computing, which could revolutionize industries such as AI, robotics, and data processing by enabling the development of brain-like computers with minimal energy requirements.

How? The idea to test the possibility of non-locality in quantum materials occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic when physical laboratories were closed. The research team conducted calculations on arrays containing multiple devices to simulate the functions of neurons and synapses in the brain. After running the tests, they discovered that non-locality is theoretically possible in quantum materials.

The next steps in this research involve further exploration of non-locality in quantum materials and the development of new devices that can harness this behavior for practical applications in neuromorphic computing. As the field progresses, we can expect to see significant advancements in energy-efficient computing that closely mimics the intricate workings of the human brain.

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Intel Joins PyTorch Foundation for AI Innovation

Intel has joined the PyTorch Foundation as a 'Premier' member to accelerate AI innovation. This collaboration aims to increase industry collaboration, co-engineering, and open-source contributions to develop new AI capabilities. The partnership will enable the development of PyTorch-based tools and libraries optimized for Intel architectures, for advancements in performance, scalability, and efficiency. Intel's membership in the PyTorch Foundation will also open up opportunities for industry collaboration and co-engineering with other industry leaders.

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FOSS Advocates Urge Zoom Exit Amid Privacy Concerns

The Software Freedom Conservancy (SFC), a non-profit organization supporting open source projects, has called on Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) contributors to stop using Zoom due to the company's controversial changes to its terms and conditions. In March 2023, Zoom was found to be repurposing private user data for machine learning training. Despite amending its terms following public backlash, the SFC remains concerned about Zoom's ability to unilaterally modify terms. The SFC has launched a program to help FOSS enthusiasts adopt alternatives to Zoom, emphasizing the importance of ethical technology choices and promoting FOSS solutions.

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Firefox Introduces Extension Support for Android

Mozilla has launched support for Firefox extensions on Android devices with the release of Firefox 85. Users can now install extensions directly from the addons.mozilla.org page, making the process easier than the previous method of using the Add-ons Manager. Extensions can add features such as ad-blocking, privacy protection, and customization options. Some of the available add-ons for Firefox on Android include uBlock Origin, Privacy Badger, Tampermonkey, Dark Reader, AdGuard, Ghostery, FoxyProxy Standard, Bitwarden, NoScript Security Suite, Search by Image, Decentraleyes, and ClearURLs.

Developers can prepare their Firefox desktop extensions for Android usage by testing their mobile versions and creating a collection on the Add-ons Manager. Mozilla aims to continuously add supported add-ons to Firefox for Android, ensuring a broader selection of useful extensions and features for users.

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Youtube Spotlight

Building an Unlimited Range Electric Boat

The video shows us the process of building an unlimited range electric boat using solar panels for propulsion. Daniel Riley(the creator of the video) restored a 13-foot Boston Whaler and used two electric e-foil motors for propulsion, adding solar panels for unlimited range. The video shows the process of designing, building, and testing the solar panel system on the boat.

• Daniel restored a 13-foot Boston Whaler and planned to use two electric e-foil motors for propulsion and solar panels for unlimited range.

• The solar panels were mounted on either side of the boat, allowing them to fold in on top of themselves during trailering.

• The solar panel pivot mounts were designed using Onshape, a cloud-native CAD program, and then 3D printed for a fit check.

• The pivot mounts were manufactured by pcbway using CNC machining services, and the solar panels were sourced from Renegy.

• The solar panels were mounted on L-shaped aluminum extrusions to create a frame, and the pivot mounts were attached to the boat's benches.

• The boat was tested on a lake, and the solar panels were able to supply enough power to maintain a speed of over three knots without drawing power from the batteries.

• The solar panels were tested in cloudy conditions and still produced a significant amount of power.

• The boat was tested in saltwater, and the solar panels were tilted up to avoid waves. The boat handled well going into the swell.

• PV case, a Next Generation AutoCAD based PV software, was mentioned as a tool for simulating the physical locations of a solar plant.

More Notes

1. Top US Firms Decry India's Abrupt PC Import Curbs, Impacting Global Supply Chains

2. Jack Dorsey Quits Instagram Amid Escalating Rivalry Between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg

3. Threads Adds Reposts to 'Following' Feed, Enhancing User Experience

4. Microsoft Retracts AI-Written Article Recommending Ottawa Food Bank as Tourist Attraction

5. Apple's Vision Pro May Help Improve Our Eyesight

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