Seven Must-Read Stories (Week Ending August 16, 2013)

Another chance to catch the most interesting, and important, articles from the previous week on MIT Technology Review.

August 16, 2013

New Form of Carbon Is Stronger Than Graphene and Diamond
Chemists have calculated that chains of double or triple-bonded carbon atoms, known as carbyne, should be stronger and stiffer than any known material.
Devices Connect with Borrowed TV Signals, and Need No Power Source
Devices that can make wireless connections even without an onboard battery could spread computing power into everything you own.
Cyborg Parts
Princeton researchers, using a 3-D printer, have built a bionic ear with integrated electronics.
Denser, Faster Memory Challenges Both DRAM and Flash
A new memory technology can store a terabyte on a chip the size of a postage stamp.
More Connected Homes, More Problems
They might offer convenience or potential cost savings, but Internet-connected home appliances may also create security risks.
Experts Raise Doubts Over Elon Musk’s Hyperloop Dream
While technically feasible, Musk’s hyperloop will likely be expensive.
“Spoofers” Use Fake GPS Signals to Knock a Yacht Off Course
Civilian GPS is vulnerable to being spoofed—and researchers are looking for ways to ensure the signals are legit.

The European Union is planning new legislation aimed at curbing the worst harms associated with artificial intelligence.

If they ever hit our roads for real, other drivers need to know exactly what they are.

The stunning image was made possible by linking eight existing radio observatories across the globe.

The first transplant of a genetically-modified pig heart into a human may have ended prematurely because of a well-known—and avoidable—risk.

Illustration by Rose Wong

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