A new map of subsurface water on Mars just dropped, and it reveals regions on the Red Planet where ice may be buried beneath the surface for future astronauts to use.
Researchers at Columbia University have discovered a groundbreaking superatomic semiconductor, Re6Se8Cl2, which has the potential to revolutionize the world of electronics; Semiconductors are critical components in modern electronics, and the prevalent material used is silicon, however, all semiconductors, including silicon, suffer from quantum speed bumps, causing energy loss as heat — this newly identified superatomic semiconductor overcomes these limitations.
In experiments, Re6Se8Cl2 exhibited a remarkable ability to carry quasiparticles at twice the speed of electrons in silicon, making it the world’s fastest semiconductor. The key to this exceptional performance lies in the unique behavior of phonons, quantum particles generated by atomic vibrations. In Re6Se8Cl2, quasiparticles, called acoustic exciton-polarons, form when energy particles and phonons bind together.
Unlike traditional semiconductors, these quasiparticles move without scattering, which could lead to faster and more efficient electronic devices.

The difference between the superatomic semiconductor and silicon is similar to the fable of the tortoise and the hare. (Image: Jack Tulyag, Columbia University).
Moreover, Re6Se8Cl2 is not reliant on electricity but can be controlled by light, potentially enabling devices to operate at an incredibly fast femtosecond scale, six orders of magnitude faster than current Gigahertz chips, all at room temperature.
The discovery was a fortuitous accident, stemming from an experiment to test the resolution of a new microscope. Re6Se8Cl2, composed of rhenium, selenium, and chlorine atoms, defied expectations and delivered unprecedented speed compared to traditional semiconductors.
While the superatomic semiconductor shows immense promise, it comes with a drawback: rhenium is a rare and expensive element. Consequently, it may not become a standard component in everyday gadgets. However, this breakthrough has opened up new possibilities. The research has led to the development of theories and imaging techniques that can identify other superatomic materials, possibly composed of more readily available elements, with similar or even superior properties.
The quest for the ultimate semiconductor continues, bringing us closer to a future where electronic devices could operate at speeds beyond our current comprehension.
World’s Fastest Semiconductor Discovered: Learn More About Re6Se8Cl2
, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming a significant consumer of global energy, with figures from Schneider Electric, a French energy management company, indicating that AI now consumes approximately 4.3GW of power worldwide. This energy consumption is roughly equivalent to that of some small countries. As AI technology continues to see widespread adoption, its power usage is expected to rise significantly.
Schneider Electric predicts that by 2028, AI could consume between 13.5GW and 20GW of power, marking a substantial increase with a compound annual growth rate of 26-36%. This increase in energy consumption is raising concerns about the environmental impact and sustainability of AI applications.

The increase in energy consumption is raising concerns about the environmental impact and sustainability of AI applications.
The study also highlights the broader issue of data center power consumption. Currently, AI accounts for only 8% of a typical data center’s energy usage, which totals 54GW. However, by 2028, data center energy consumption is projected to reach 90GW, with AI contributing around 15-20% of this demand. The study notes that AI’s power requirements may shift from being primarily used for training (the current 20%) to being more inference-heavy in the coming years.
Cooling data centers is an essential but energy-intensive process, and it can also lead to high water usage. Data centers have faced criticism for their environmental impact, as they often require substantial natural resources. Schneider Electric suggests that as AI workloads continue to grow, accurately predicting energy usage will become more challenging.
To address these energy challenges, Schneider Electric advises data center operators to transition from the conventional 120/208V power distribution to 240/415V, allowing them to accommodate the high power densities associated with AI workloads. This transition must be coupled with infrastructure upgrades and efficiency improvements to manage and reduce power usage while sustaining the growth of cloud computing and AI technologies. The findings underscore the importance of sustainable energy solutions and increased efficiency in the development and deployment of AI technologies.
AI Power Consumption Nears that Of Small Countries, Warns Study
, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.
Actor Richard Moll, Bailiff On The Original Sitcom ‘Night Court,’ Dies At 80
Posted in: Today's ChiliThe character actor played “Bull” Shannon on NBC’s “Night Court” from 1984-1992 alongside stars Harry Anderson and John Larroquette.
A new map of subsurface water on Mars just dropped, and it reveals regions on the Red Planet where ice may be buried beneath the surface for future astronauts to use.
Sam Bankman-Fried testified before a jury for the first time on Friday saying he did not defraud FTX customers or take their funds, according to Bloomberg’s live reporting of the trial. The FTX and Alameda’s founder said that Alameda “borrowed” them, but admitted “a lot of people got hurt.”
One of JBL’s best-sounding portable speakers is on sale via Amazon, with the Charge 5 matching a record low price of $120 in an early Black Friday deal. This Bluetooth speaker usually costs $180, so this represents a discount of 33 percent. We’ve seen this speaker go on sale before, but the price hasn’t been this low since July.
This sale is not just for the plain-jane black speaker, as you have your pick of colors, from gray, red and turquoise to unique patterns like camouflage. All told, choose from six colorways for the speaker.
JBL’s Charge 5 made our list of the best portable bluetooth speakers, and with good reason. The sound quality is great and we praised its “bright output and capable low end.” The battery lasts up to 20 hours per charge, which is a decent metric, and the whole thing is actually waterproof, with an IP67 rating. This means that if it accidentally falls in the pool during a backyard soiree, you won’t have to head immediately to Best Buy for a replacement.
There’s also a built-in powerbank that lets you use the speaker to charge other devices, and this unit boasts access to JBL’s proprietary PartyBoost feature. This lets you combine multiple wireless speakers to instantly create a stereo setup. As a matter of fact, the only potential downside to this portable speaker is the original asking price, as $180 is pretty steep. For today, at least, that issue has been solved.
JBL also has a number of wireless earbuds and headphones on sale right now, to complete the personal audio package. You can snag the company’s new high-end Quantum 910 headphones for $230, a savings of $70, or the budget-friendly Tune 230NC earbuds for $50 instead of $100.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/jbls-charge-5-speaker-drops-to-a-record-low-in-an-early-black-friday-deal-152651436.html?src=rss
Surprise Netflix Hit The Conference Blends Drama, Gore, and Pitch-Black Humor
Posted in: Today's ChiliThe top non-English language film on Netflix last week was The Conference—a Swedish horror movie that’s no doubt drawing viewers in with its thumbnail of a ghoulishly grinning, dirt-stained mask. Those who click on it will be rewarded with a blend of corporate satire and campground slasher, filled with some of the…
Actor Richard Moll, Bailiff On The Original Sitcom ‘Night Court,’ Dies At 80
Posted in: Today's ChiliThe character actor played “Bull” Shannon on NBC’s “Night Court” from 1984-1992 alongside stars Harry Anderson and John Larroquette.