Computer America

Ben Crossman

Computer America is the nation's longest running talk show on Computers and Technology, spanning 25+ years of industry guests and analysis.

  1. 5d ago

    Bidirectional Pixels, AI-Guided Movement, and Water-Harvesting Jackets w/ Ralph Bond

    Show Notes Researchers invent 'new type of pixel' that could create displays that double as cameras — and the internet's first thought is 'what could go wrong?'Source: TechRadar.comStory by David Nield https://www.techradar.com/computing/computing-components/researchers-invent-new-type-of-pixel-that-could-create-displays-that-double-as-cameras-and-the-internets-first-thought-is-what-could-go-wrong ·What if AI could move your hand? Students build a wearable device using AI and electric pulsesSource: Newswav.com https://newswav.com/article/what-if-ai-could-move-your-hand-students-build-a-wearable-device-using-ai-a-A2605_J9DkHA ·This Jacket Pulls Drinking Water from Thin Air - The advance in fabric technology comes alongside a new benchmark for atmospheric water harvestingSource: University of Texas at Austin website https://news.utexas.edu/2026/06/11/this-jacket-pulls-drinking-water-from-thin-air/ ·Lab-Grown Retinal Cells Show Promise for New Eye Therapies - Critical cells that line retinal blood vessels grown from stem cells restore retinal function in mouse models and form retinal tissue in a lab for future disease studiesSource: Duke University Pratt School of EngineeringStory by Ken Kingery https://pratt.duke.edu/news/lab-grown-retinal-cells/ ·Cambridge experts find utterly simple fix for longer lasting EV batteries. Just put some pressure on it - Scientists found a way to make EV batteries last longer without reinventing the batterySource: Digitaltrends.comStory by Vikhyaat Vivek https://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/cambrige-experts-find-utterly-simple-fix-for-longer-lasting-ev-batteries-just-put-some-pressure-on-it/ ·How Biology Inspired a Former Surgeon to Rethink RoboticsSource: Forbes MagazineStory by Dr. Jonathan Reichental https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathanreichental/2026/06/22/how-biology-inspired-a-former-surgeon-to-rethink-robotics/ ·MIT’s 6 mW chip lets tiny drones see and map their surroundings in real time - New MIT chip enables tiny drones and robots to create detailed 3D maps while using minimal powerSource: Interesting EngineeringStory by Neetika Walter https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/mit-gleanmer-chip-real-time-3d-mapping ·Magnetic muscle implants help amputees feel coordinated prosthetic hand movementsSource: PsyPost on MSN.com https://www.msn.com/en-us/technology/robotics/magnetic-muscle-implants-help-amputees-feel-coordinated-prosthetic-hand-movements/ar-AA26KxAn

  2. Jul 31

    Smarter Building Design, UV Healing Lenses, and AI Early Cancer Signals w/ Ralph Bond

    Show Notes - July 31, 2026 Computer model could enable bridges and buildings that use less materialAuthor: Zach WinnSource: MIT NewsLink: https://news.mit.edu/2026/computer-model-could-enable-less-material-bridges-buildings-0624 Self-Healing Contact Lenses Activated by UV Light: A Breakthrough in Vision CareAuthor: Bioengineer.comSource: Bioengineer.comLink: https://bioengineer.org/self-healing-contact-lenses-activated-by-uv-light-a-breakthrough-in-vision-care/ Research Paper: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsapm.5c04803 AI identifies pancreatic cancer years before diagnosis, offering potential for earlier treatmentAuthor: Mayo ClinicSource: Mayo ClinicLink: https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/cancer/news/ai-identifies-pancreatic-cancer-years-before-diagnosis-offering-potential-for-earlier-treatment/mac-20602833 World-first: therapy to make cells young again given to a personAuthor: Heidi LedfordSource: Scientific AmericanLink: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/world-first-therapy-to-make-cells-young-again-given-to-a-person/ Company Link: https://www.lifebiosciences.com/ Honorable MentionsWater locked in 1-nanometer channels could enable safer energy storageAuthor: Robert EganSource: TechXplore.comLink: https://techxplore.com/news/2026-06-nanometer-channels-enable-safer-energy.html Autonomous Bee Habitats - Hyve is a Mobile Beekeeping Concept Designed to Support Pollinator HealthAuthor: Amy DuongSource: TrendHunter.comLink: https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hyve-1 Mining batteries, in a microwave - Microwave-based method to upcycle old lithium-ion cathodesAuthor: DOE/Sandia National LaboratoriesSource: EurekAlert.orgLink: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1132337 This Magnetic Charging Breakthrough Lets Electric Ships Recharge Wirelessly at SeaAuthor: Aaron GreenbaumSource: BGR.comLink: https://www.bgr.com/2191853/magnetic-charging-breakthrough-electric-ships-recharge-wirelessly-at-sea/

    Smarter Building Design, UV Healing Lenses, and AI Early Cancer Signals w/ Ralph Bond
  3. Jul 24

    NASA's Electric Airliner, Bridge 3D Print Repairing, Plastic Bottle Batteries w/ Ralph Bond

    Show Notes 24 July 2026NASA Program Explores Hybrid-Electric ‘Double Bubble’ [fuselage] Airliner ConceptFlyingmag.comStory by Jack Daleohttps://www.flyingmag.com/nasa-electra-hybrid-commercial-airliner-concept/Electra Company WebsiteElectrahttps://electra.aero/Electra Press ReleaseElectrahttps://electra.aero/news/electra-unveils-turbo-electric-aircraft-concept-for-next-generation-airliner-as-part-of-nasa-aaces-2050-programNASA AACES ProgramNASAhttps://www.nasa.gov/reference/advanced-aircraft-concepts-for-environmental-sustainability-2050/“Cold spray” 3D printing technique proves effective for on-site bridge repairMIT NewsStory by Anne Wilsonhttps://news.mit.edu/2025/cold-spray-3d-printing-technique-effective-bridge-repair-0620Plastic bottles could find new life in batteries as graphitePenn State announcementhttps://www.psu.edu/news/research/story/plastic-bottles-could-find-new-life-batteries-graphiteScienceDirect Research PaperScienceDirecthttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0925963526002700?via%3DihubSurgeons Use Teleoperated Humanoid Robots to Perform Live Surgery – a World FirstUniversity of California, San DiegoStory by Ioana Patringenaruhttps://today.ucsd.edu/story/surgeons-use-teleoperated-humanoid-robots-to-perform-live-surgery-a-world-firstUCSD Surgery VideoYouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp0eiQL6vB8A Seaweed-based ingredient can help turn dirt into 3D-printed wallsUniversity of Colorado BoulderStory by Yvaine Yehttps://www.colorado.edu/today/2026/06/22/seaweed-based-ingredient-can-help-turn-dirt-3d-printed-wallsNature Research PaperNaturehttps://www.nature.

  4. Jul 19

    Transparent Solar Cells, Soil-Powered Tech, and Shape-Shifting Liquid Batteries w/ Ralph Bond

    Show Notes 17 July 2026Ultra-thin transparent solar cells promise invisible charging for wearables, cars, and homesDigitalTrends.com - Story by Sudhanshu Kumar Mangalam https://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/ultra-thin-transparent-solar-cells-promise-invisible-charging-for-wearables-cars-and-homes/ Soil power: UK startup Bactery is generating sustainable energy from the earthUniversity of Bath press release https://www.bath.ac.uk/announcements/soil-power-uk-startup-bactery-is-generating-sustainable-energy-from-the-earth/ Bactery Company WebsiteBactery https://www.bactery.com/ This shape-shifting liquid stores solar energy, and releases it on demandAnthropocene Magazine https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2026/06/this-shape-shifting-liquid-soaks-up-sunlight-stores-energy-and-releases-it-on-demand/ Boosting one protein helps the brain fight Alzheimer’sScienceDaily.com - From Baylor College of Medicine https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260502013550.htm Previously unrecognized immune response could enhance defense against cancerBaylor College of Medicine https://www.bcm.edu/news/previously-unrecognized-immune-response-could-enhance-defense-against-cancer New US partnership aims to extract critical semiconductor materials from aluminum wasteInteresting Engineering - Story by Atharva Gosavi https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/us-to-extract-critical-semiconductor-materials Low-tech solution to the 6G problem: Metacrystal panels offer cheap way to guide wireless signals around cornersNewAtlas.com - Story by Etiido Uko https://newatlas.com/telecommunications/metamaterial-panels-wireless-signals-indoor-barriers/ Revolutionary 3D Microscope Delivers High-Resolution Tissue Imaging at a Fraction of the CostBioengineer.org https://bioengineer.org/revolutionary-3d-microscope-delivers-high-resolution-tissue-imaging-at-a-fraction-of-the-cost/

  5. Jul 10

    How Nerves Rebuild Bones and Spinach Heals Dry Eye w/ Ralph Bond

    Show NotesStory 1: First map of nerve circuitry in bone helps physicians identify key signals for bone repairRobert EganMedicalXpress.comhttps://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-nerve-circuitry-bone-physicians-key.htmlhttps://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adr9608Story 2: Spinach-Based Eye Drops Could Help Treat a Common Eye ConditionDavid NieldScienceAlert.comhttps://www.sciencealert.com/spinach-based-eye-drops-could-help-treat-a-common-eye-conditionhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eL8OuEJeDxYStory 3: Engineered blood clots form faster to stop severe bleedingMedical News Life Scienceshttps://www.news-medical.net/news/20260615/Engineered-blood-clots-form-faster-to-stop-severe-bleeding.aspxhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-026-10412-yStory 4: Stanford scientists regrow lost cartilage and reverse arthritis in major breakthroughScienceDaily.comhttps://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260612021604.htmhttps://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adx6649Story 5: Animals react to secret sounds from plants, say scientistsPallab GhoshBBChttps://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8e4860n9rpoStory 6: Chinese team converts wastewater to ammoniaEcohubmap.comhttps://www.ecohubmap.com/the-news/chinese-team-converts-wastewater-to-ammonia/rshyl3lmp17l3v3Story 7: Electricity could produce cement with almost no carbon footprintAmerican Chemical Societyhttps://www.acs.org/pressroom/presspacs/2026/may/electricity-could-produce-cement-with-almost-no-carbon-footprint.html

  6. Jul 3

    0.7nm Chips, E-Waste Gold Extraction, and Full Color 3D Lidar w/ Ralph Bond

    Show Notes 3 July 2026Story 1: IBM Unveils the World’s First Sub-1-Nanometer Chip TechnologyStory by Allen LeeSource: TechTimes.comLink: https://www.techtimes.com/articles/319060/20260625/ibm-unveils-worlds-first-sub-1-nanometer-chip-technology.htmLink: https://newsroom.ibm.com/2026-06-25-ibm-debuts-worlds-first-sub-1-nanometer-chip-technology?utm_source=chatgpt.comStory 2: University licenses breakthrough e-waste gold and copper recovery technologySource: Edinburgh InnovationsLink: https://edinburgh-innovations.ed.ac.uk/news/university-of-edinburgh-licenses-breakthrough-e-waste-gold-and-copper-recovery-technologyStory 3: World's first 'native' color lidar will let robots and self-driving cars map the world in full color 3DStory by Fiona JacksonSource: Newsbreak.comLink: https://www.newsbreak.com/livescience-525075/4659318310506-world-s-first-native-color-lidar-will-let-robots-and-self-driving-cars-map-the-world-in-full-color-3dLink: https://ouster.com/Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msrvH_nivHIStory 4: Lab-created ‘SpudCell’ marks ‘stunning’ step toward building life from scratchStory by Kai DupferschmidtSource: Science.orgLink: https://www.science.org/content/article/lab-created-spudcell-marks-major-step-toward-building-life-scratchLink: https://twin-cities.umn.edu/news-events/worlds-first-synthetic-cell-complete-life-cycle-could-revolutionize-biologicalLink: https://biotic.org/research/spudcell/Honorable Mention: Scientists Turn Wet Coffee Grounds into Coal-Like Fuel in Just 90 SecondsStory by Tudor TaritaSource: ZME ScienceLink: https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/scientists-turn-wet-coffee-grounds-into-coal-like-fuel-in-just-90-seconds/Honorable Mention: Paper Battery Startup Aims to Power Everything in Your HouseStory by Matthew S. SmithSource: IEEE SpectrumLink:

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2.3
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3 Ratings

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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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