Computer America
Computer America is the nation's longest running talk show on Computers and Technology, spanning 25+ years of industry guests and analysis.
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Vertical Solar Towers, Space Grown Protein, Sunflower Power w/ Ralph Bond
Story 1<br /><br />Title: 3D Solar towers boost electricity production by around 50%<br /><br />Source: New Atlas<br /><br />Links:<br />Solar Towers ElectricityJanta Power Closes $5.5 Million Seed Round to Power the Future of Clean EnergyStory 2<br /><br />Title: European Space Agency to Trial Growing Protein Powder in Space Using Astronaut Urine<br /><br />Source: ExtremeTech.com<br /><br />Links:<br />ESA to Trial Growing Protein Powder in Space Using Astronaut UrineEurope wants to make space food out of thin air and astronaut peeStory 3<br /><br />Title: This Sunflower-Based Protein Could Be the Future of Vegan Meat Alternatives<br /><br />Sourc...
Microwave CPU, Green Displays, New Kevlar w/ Ralph Bond
Show Notes<br /><br /><br />Story 1: Computing and AITitle: Scientists create world's first microwave-powered computer chip — it's much faster and consumes less power than conventional CPUsSource: LiveScience.comLinks:LiveScience ArticleResearch PaperCornell Chronicle PostingStory 2: Sustainable MaterialsTitle: Green alternative for light-emitting materials in displays uses plant waste and amino acidsSource: TechXplore.comLinks:TechXplore ArticleResearch PaperStory 3: Next-Gen ArmorTitle: Scientists Created a Bulletproof Material 3 Times Stronger Than Kevlar—It’s Already Breaking RecordsSource: Popular MechanicsLinks:Popular Mechanics ArticleResearch PaperNew Scientist ArticleStory 4: Medical TechTitle: Injectable antenna could safely power deep-tissue medical implantsSource: MIT Media LabLink: MIT News ArticleHonorable MentionsTitle: Tabletop particle accelerator could transform medicine and materia
Charging Roads, Tank-Killer Robots, and Airborne 5G Networks w/ Ralph Bond
Show Notes: 14 November 2025<br />Main Stories<br />Story 1: Wireless Charging RoadsTitle: This Wireless-Charging Road Is More Powerful Than Most Tesla SuperchargersSource: InsideEVs.comLink: Wireless Charging Highway PowerCompany Site: ElectreonSee Also: First Highway Charges Cars as They DriveStory 2: Tank-Killer RobotTitle: Meet FireAnt: US firm unveils mini ‘tank-killer’ robot built to hunt heavy armorSource: Interesting Engineering on MSNLink: Meet FireAnt: US firm unveils mini ‘tank-killer’ robot built to hunt heavy armorCompany Site: Swarmbotics AIStory 3: Airborne 5G/6G NetworkTitle: Skydweller Aero and Nokia Federal Solutions Secure US Navy Contract to Develop Airborne Beyond 5G Tactical NetworkSource: SpaceDaily.comLink: Skydweller Aero and Nokia Federal Solutions Secure US Na...
Fungal Computers, Hydrogen Tractors, and Restoring Sight w/ Ralph Bond
Bonus Fun Virtual ExperienceGoogle's virtual Route 66 driving adventure (Source: Google Arts & Culture in collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation)Link: https://artsandculture.google.com/project/route-66Main StoriesPowered by mushrooms, living computers are on the rise - Neural organics lead to lower energy costs, faster calculation speeds (Source: Ohio State News)Link: https://news.osu.edu/powered-by-mushrooms-living-computers-are-on-the-rise/See also: https://bioengineer.org/mushroom-powered-technology-the-emergence-of-living-computers/See research paper here: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0328965Kubota Claims World’s First Hydrogen Fuel Cell, Self-Driving Tractor (Source: Equipmentworld.com)Link: https://www.equipmentworld.com/technology/article/15768565/kubota-worlds-first-hydrogen-selfdriving-tractor-unveiledSee video here: https...
Medical Tech & Science Special: In-Body 3D Printing, Brain Implants, and Living Robots w/ Ralph Bond
Show Notes 24 October 2025<br />Story 1: 3D-Printer Prints Living Tissue Inside Human BodySource: electronicsforu.comLink: https://www.electronicsforu.com/news/3d-printer-prints-living-tissue-inside-human-bodySee also: Miniature 3D-printed objects inside the bodySee also: https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/stuttgart-research-advances-in-body-3d-printing-with-new-e1-8m-grant-245344/Story 2: Breakthrough Brain Implant from NYU Abu Dhabi Enables Safer, More Precise Drug DeliverySource: NYU Abu Dhabi websiteLink: https://nyuad.nyu.edu/en/news/latest-news/science-and-technology/2025/october/nyuad-researchers-spiral-brain-implant.htmlSee research paper here: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1741-2552/ae0523Story 3: Tiny living robots made from human cells could one day deliver medicineSource: Knowridge.comLink: https://knowridge.com/2025/09/tiny-living-robots-made-from-human-cells-could-one-day-deliver-medicine/See also: https://www.technologynetworks.com/biophar...
Tiny Lab-Grown Brains, EV Battery Breakthrough, and 3D Printed Bio-Glass w/ Ralph Bond
Story 1: Tiny lab-grown brains could help build the next generation of computers - Biocomputing has left the realm of science fiction and entered the laboratorySource: Techspot.comLink: Tiny lab-grown brains could help build the next generation of computersSee also BBC article: Lab-grown brains: The future of computing?See also: FinalSparkStory 2: US firm’s new EV battery design could add 50% more range, targets 1,000 milesSource: InterestingEngineering.comLink: US firm’s new EV battery design could add 50% more range, targets 1,000 milesSee the company's post on this here: 24M Unlocks New U.S. Battery Manufacturing Opportunities with Groundbreaking Energy-Dense 24M ETOP® Electrode-to-Pack TechnologyStory 3: Can glass repla...
Cleaning Up Nuclear Waste, Cooling AI, and Edible Batteries w/ Ralph Bond
Solar-powered ‘artificial plant’ purifies radioactive soil by 95% in 20 daysSource: Interesting Engineering Story by Aman TripathiLink: https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/artificial-plant-cleans-radioactive-soilSee also: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1099362See also: https://www.asiaresearchnews.com/content/purifying-radioactive-soil-sunlight-alone-dgist-successfully-developed-%E2%80%9Cartificial-plant%E2%80%9DSee research paper here: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.5c03657Microsoft claims a 'breakthrough' in AI chip coolingSource: Engadget.com Story by Will ShanklinLink: https://www.engadget.com/ai/microsoft-claims-a-breakthrough-in-ai-chip-cooling-193106705.htmlSee also Microsoft’s information: https://news.microsoft.com/source/features/innovation/microfluidics-liquid-cooling-ai-chips/?msockid=3234617e11b66d9c06b0770c100c6c8dBattery made from natural materials could replace conventional lithium-ion batteriesSou...
Brain's Resilience, Heart Cell Stimulation, and Soft Robot Medical Tech w/ Ralph Bond
Show Notes 3 October 2025<br /><br />Story 1: Some Layers of Your Brain Actually Get Stronger as You Age<br />Source: ScienceAlert.comStory by: Michelle StarrLink: https://www.sciencealert.com/some-layers-of-your-brain-actually-get-stronger-as-you-ageResearch Paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-025-02013-1Story 2: Engineers harness light to help heart cells beat stronger and healthier<br />Source: Knowridge.com (News from UC Irvine)Link: https://knowridge.com/2025/09/engineers-harness-light-to-help-heart-cells-beat-stronger-and-healthier/Research Paper: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2509467122Story 3: UCSB-designed soft robot intubation device could save lives<br />Source: UC Santa Barbara “The Current”Story by: Sonia FernandezLink: https://news.ucsb.edu/2025/022019/ucsb-designed-soft-robot-intubation-device-could-save-livesResearch Paper: https://doi.org/10.1126/sci...
MIT Spinoff Unlocks Limitless Geothermal Energy w/ Ralph Bond
Show Notes 26 September 2025<br />Story 1: No sorting needed: Plasma torch shows promise for hassle-free plastic recycling<br />Source: TechXplore.com<br />Link: https://techxplore.com/news/2025-09-plasma-torch-hassle-free-plastic.html<br />Story 2: MIT spinoff achieves major milestone in pursuit of limitless energy beneath our feet: 'Could fundamentally change how we power our world'<br />Source: The Cool Down via MSN.com<br />Link: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/mit-spinoff-achieves-major-milestone-in-pursuit-of-limitless-energy-beneath-our-feet-could-fundamentally-change-how-we-power-our-world/ar-AA1KOf5n<br />Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYHcCsFlD2Q<br />See also: https://www.quaise.com/<br />Story 3: Scientists build micromotors smaller than a human hair - Tin...
Planetary Exploration to Eco-Friendly Buildings w/ Ralph Bond
Show Notes 19 September 2025<br />Story 1: Researchers building RoboBalls to explore other planets<br />Source: The Purdue Exponent, a student-run newspaper serving the Purdue community in West Lafayette, Indiana Story by Dean MurrayLink: https://www.purdueexponent.org/news/national/researchers-building-roboballs-to-explore-other-planets/article_2c06a5ae-3b24-5834-bfc8-9f7df72e299c.htmlSee the school’s website for the project: https://rad.engr.tamu.edu/roboball-i/See the school’s video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKRN0EEJ5VESee video here: https://www.facebook.com/reel/637417789106125And see video posted on this article from MSN: https://www.msn.com/en-gb/vid...
