Seven Must-Read Stories (Week Ending January 17, 2015)
Another chance to catch the most interesting, and important, articles from the previous week on MIT Technology Review.
- Black Phosphorus: The Birth of a New Wonder Material
Materials scientists have discovered how to make black phosphorus nanosheets in large amounts, heralding a new era of nanoelectronic devices. - SpaceX Claims Partial Success with Rocket Crash Landing
Success would redefine the economics of space travel, but SpaceX’s reusable rocket shows that it’s still hard to perform a safe landing. - Robot Journalist Finds New Work on Wall Street
Software that turns data into written text could help us make sense of a coming tsunami of data. - Can GM Go from Volt to Bolt?
GM revealed a concept all-electric hatchback today that it claims will have a 200-mile range. - Low Oil Prices Mean Keystone Pipeline Makes No Sense
New exploration on the bulk of Canada’s oil sands reserves can’t start unless prices are at least $60 per barrel, economists say. - An Internet of Treacherous Things
A zombie network of home routers highlights the importance of prioritizing smart appliance security. - Something Lost in Skype Translation
Skype’s real-time translation software highlights remarkable progress in machine learning—but it still struggles with the subtleties of human communication. <
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