🌠Touchable 3D holograms that float in air, world’s first 16-barrel missile, new laser tech for data center cooling

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Researchers from the Public University of Navarra (UPNA) have made a holographic technology breakthrough.

The group has successfully created three-dimensional graphics that float in mid-air—and can be touched and moved by hand.

“What we see in films and call holograms are typically volumetric displays,” said Elodie Bouzbib, the lead author of the work. “These are graphics that appear in mid-air and can be viewed from various angles without the need for wearing virtual reality glasses. They are called true-3D graphics.”

She explained that this kind of display supports the “come-and-interact” approach. Dive deeper into this Must-Read.

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MUST-READ

🌠 Scientists create world-first touchable 3D holograms that float in air

Volumetric displays work by projecting images onto a fast-moving surface called a diffuser. In this case, the diffuser oscillates at high speed—2,880 images per second.

Because of the persistence of vision, the human eye sees these layered images as a complete 3D object floating in mid-air.

But there’s a problem. The usual diffusers are rigid. Your hand touching the moving surface could break or hurt you. That’s why the team replaced the rigid sheet with an elastic one. They tested various materials to find the right balance between mechanical safety and visual clarity.

🚀 World’s first 16-barrel missile, drone killing gun unleashed by China

To improve its anti-drone warfare and neutralize low-flying rockets, missiles, and helicopters, China has developed a new weapon system that equips a 16-barrel gun.

According to China’s state-run Global Times, the first-of-its-kind weapon system can also effectively counter drone swarms.

This new air defense system is known as the anti-drone swarm and anti-missile barrage weapon system.

⚡ New laser tech could drastically reduce data center cooling costs

A high amount of the energy used by data centers is for cooling purposes. Now, a Minnesota-based startup, Maxwell Labs, is teaming up with Sandia and the University of New Mexico to explore laser-based photonic cooling.

This new technology seeks to control computer chip temperatures, lower energy use, and improve efficiency compared to current methods.

“A successful project will not only address the immediate need for energy savings but also pave the way for processors to operate at performance levels that were previously thought impossible,” said Mike Karpe, Maxwell Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer.

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