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The newly upgraded particle accelerator at the DoEs Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) has produced its first X-rays. The Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) upgrade, LCLS-II, can emit up to a million X-ray pulses per second (8,000 times more than the original) and an almost continuous beam 10,000 times brighter than its predecessor. Researchers believe it will enable unprecedented research into atomic-scale, ultrafast phenomena and shed new light on quantum computing, communications, clean energy and medicine.One of the keys to the accelerators powerful upgrade is its cooling abilities. The original LCLS, which went online in 2009, was capped at 120 pulses per second because of the natural limits of how many electrons could simultaneously travel through the accelerators room-temperature copper pipes. But the updated version includes 37 cryogenic modules cooled to negative 456 degrees Fahrenheit (colder than outer space), allowing it to boost electrons to high energies with nearly zero energy loss. The new accelerator will work in parallel with the existing copper one.SLAC researchers say the new capabilities will allow them to examine details of quantum materials with unprecedented resolution while enabling new forms of quantum computing and reveal unpredictable and fleeting chemical events to help advance clean energy tech. In addition, they say it could help scientists develop new pharmaceuticals by studying how biological molecules work on an unprecedented scale. Finally, they stated that its unmatched 8,000 flashes per second will open up entirely new fields of scientific investigation.SLACSLAC researchers began envisioning upgrades to the original LCLS in 2010. The project has since gone through $1.1 billion and has involved thousands of scientists, engineers, and technicians across DOE, as well as numerous institutional partners. It required numerous cutting-edge components, including a new electron source, two cryoplants to produce refrigerant and two new undulators to generate X-rays from the beam. Multiple institutions contributed to the endeavor, including five US national labs (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Argonne National Laboratory, among others) and Cornell University.Experiments in each of these areas are set to begin in the coming weeks and months, attracting thousands of researchers from across the nation and around the world, said LCLS Director Mike Dunne. DOE user facilities such as LCLS are provided at no cost to the users we select on the basis of the most important and impactful science. LCLS-II is going to drive a revolution across many academic and industrial sectors. I look forward to the onslaught of new ideas this is the essence of why national labs exist.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/stanfords-upgraded-x-ray-laser-is-up-and-running-192326869.html?src=rss
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Agility Robotics, the creator of the bipedal robot Digit, is opening a manufacturing plant in Salem, Oregon that will give the company the capacity to produce more than 10,000 humanoid robots a year. The 70,000 square foot factory coined RoboFab is set to open later this year and will employ upwards of 500 workers in Salem.Agility Robotics says its facility will also employ its very own Digits, the iconic humanoid robot, in the new factory. The Digits will help move, load and unload warehouse goods.The company says some customers can expect delivery of the first Digits in 2024, with general market availability in 2025. In a statement, Damion Shelton, Agility Robotics co-founder and CEO says that the ultimate goal of creating Digits is to Solve difficult problems in todays workforce like injuries, burnout, high turnover and unfillable labor gaps.The manufacturing of bipedal robots is something we have seen teased by competitors like Boston Dynamics Atlas and Teslas Optimus robot prototype. However, none have matured to the extent of being able to churn out thousands of robots like that being seen in this effort by Agility Robotics. Still, until these robots are actually in production, it's too soon to say if Agility Robotics warehouse robots, which are designed to fill a gap in the logistics and distribution industry, will actually surpass its competitors in this newly burgeoning market.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/agility-robotics-is-building-its-first-bipedal-robot-factory-in-oregon-184436386.html?src=rss
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