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. 3d ago

    Biological Data Center, Gold E-Waste Recovery, and Smartphone Blindness Navigation w/ Ralph Bond

    World-First Biological Data Center Uses 16 Million Living Human Neurons to Process Data Georgina Jedikovska [via Interesting Engineering] Technocracy.com https://www.technocracy.news/world-first-biological-data-center-uses-16-million-living-human-neurons-to-process-data/ Scientists built an electrically controlled molecular ‘clamp’ that recovered 89% of the gold from electronic waste, using 100 times fewer separation chemicals while turning old phones into a more practical urban mine Adrian Villellas Earth.com https://www.earth.com/science/electrically-controlled-molecular-clamp-gold-waste-recovery/ Harvard engineers develop smartphone app to aid navigation for people with blindness News-Medical.net https://www.news-medical.net/news/20260824/Harvard-engineers-develop-smartphone-app-to-aid-navigation-for-people-with-blindness.aspx First patient in live AI-assisted sight-saving brain surgery [world-first procedure] NHS University College London Hospitals https://www.uclh.nhs.uk/news/first-patient-live-ai-assisted-sight-saving-brain-surgery Noninvasive AI-based system translates brain signals into written text Lisa Lock TechXplore.com https://techxplore.com/news/2026-08-noninvasive-ai-based-brain-written.html JetZero Develops World's First Blended Wing Jet with 5,000 Nautical Miles Range and 50% Fuel Savings Georgina Jedikovska via Interesting Engineering RobotToday.com https://robottoday.com/industry-briefing/jetzero-develops-world-s-first-blended-wing-jet-with-5-000-nm-range-and-50-fuel-savings/9174 Electrocatalytic method could purify wastewater by converting pollutants into recoverable polymers Robert Egan Phys.org https://phys.org/news/2026-08-electrocatalytic-method-purify-wastewater-pollutants.html New recyclable yarn is as stretchy as spandex and could help tackle fashion's plastic waste problem Olivia Maule LiveScience.com https://www.livescience.com/chemistry/new-recyclable-yarn-is-as-stretchy-as-spandex-and-could-help-tackle-fashions-plastic-waste-problem

  2. Sep 4

    Mimic Robotics AI Audi Factory, Ocean Mineral Mining, Fuel-Free Space Thrusters w/ Ralph Bond

    Show Notes 4 September 2026 Mimic Robotics introduces ‘frontier video-action models’ to the factory floor at AudiStory by David EdwardsRobotics & Automation News https://roboticsandautomationnews.com/2026/07/29/mimic-robotics-introduces-frontier-video-action-models-to-the-factory-floor-at-audi/103705/ The Ocean is Teeming with Critical Minerals: Here’s How We Could Get ThemStory by JoAnna WendelPacific Northwest National Laboratory https://www.pnnl.gov/news-media/ocean-teeming-critical-news-heres-how-we-could-get-them Acceleration without fuel: Revolutionary superconducting device harnesses Earth's magnetic field to move a spacecraftStory by Tereza PultarovaSpace.com https://www.space.com/technology/acceleration-without-fuel-revolutionary-superconducting-thruster-harnesses-earths-magnetic-field-in-1st-orbital-test Endless Supply of Cancer-Fighting Immune Cells Unlocked by USC ScientistsStory by Cristy LytalSciTechDaily.com https://scitechdaily.com/endless-supply-of-cancer-fighting-immune-cells-unlocked-by-usc-scientists/ This glaze-inspired ceramic coating repairs its own cracks inside superheated jet enginesStory by Munis RazaInteresting Engineering via MSN.com https://www.msn.com/en-us/technology/general/this-glaze-inspired-ceramic-coating-repairs-its-own-cracks-inside-superheated-jet-engines/ar-AA2a1Kmt?ocid=BingNewsSerp Goodbye, cavities? New gel could regrow tooth enamelStory from University of NottinghamScienceDaily.com https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260717033046.htm Strange 'magnetoelastic' tent generates electricity from wind, body movement and sound to power small devicesStory by Alan BradleyLiveScience.com https://www.livescience.com/technology/new-magnetoelastic-tent-generates-electricity-from-wind-body-movement-and-sound-to-power-small-devices 3 teens win global prize for tamarind-seed powder that pulls microplastics from waterStory by Morgan TaylorThe Cool Down on MSN.com https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/lifestyle-buzz/3-teens-win-global-prize-for-tamarind-seed-powder-that-pulls-microplastics-from-water/ar-AA29DIh1

  3. Aug 7

    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

  4. 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
  5. 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.

Ratings & Reviews

2.3
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

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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