Tech Archives - The Debrief

DARPA is Planning to Unleash New Extreme Heat Sensors That Could Revolutionize the Defense Industry

Micah Hanks·May 16, 2023

DARPA has announced it is developing a new variety of microelectronic sensors capable of maintaining high bandwidth and high-dynamic range even in the hottest environments.

Forget Vacuuming. This Robot Will Find Your Keys, Your Phone, and the TV Remote

Christopher Plain·May 16, 2023

The University of Waterloo researchers say they have developed a "super finder" robot that uses a camera and artificial intelligence to help people with dementia and either memory-related disabilities keep track of everyday items they can regularly lose.

Disinformation, Covert Influence, and Cyber-Espionage Still a Major Problem on Social Media, Latest Meta Report Reveals

Tim McMillan·May 8, 2023

Meta's Adversarial Threats Report offers the latest insights on how bad actors are using social media for malicious activities.

New Free VR Program, Psyrreal, Lets You Experience Psychedelic Trips Without Drugs

Tim McMillan·April 20, 2023

Researchers have created a new freely available VR program called Psyrreal that can simulate the subjective effects of psychedelic experiences.

Air Force Releases Footage of its Devastating ‘QUICKSINK’ Smart Bomb Blasting a Massive Cargo Ship in Half

Christopher Plain·April 17, 2023

A new video released by the Air Force Research Laboratory shows the lethal QUICKSINK smart bomb sinking a derelict cargo ship to the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico in one single shot, a feat usually reserved for submarine-launched torpedoes.

Hacktivists Order FBI Memorabilia and Sex Toys For Fugitive Russian Intel Officer After Hacking His Email

Tim McMillan·April 12, 2023

A group of Ukrainian hacktivists say they successfully hacked the email of a wanted Russian intel officer and ordered sex toys to his home.

New Ultrasonic Acoustic Attack Targeting Microphones and Voice Assistants Gives Remote Access to Most Smart Devices

Tim McMillan·April 10, 2023

Researchers have developed a new ultrasonic acoustic attack that can covertly give hackers remote access to most smart devices.

Researchers Have Developed an Incredible New Method of Producing Realistic Holograms

Christopher Plain·April 7, 2023

Researchers have developed a new method for creating realistic 3D holographic projections that are three orders of magnitude better than the current state-of-the-art technology.

Pentagon Launches Classified Program To Reverse-Engineer and Exploit Emerging Tech and Cyber-Physical Systems

Tim McMillan·April 5, 2023

The DoD has launched a new classified program to find ways to both attack and defend emerging technologies and cyber-physical systems.

HyperCycle is on the Threshold of Enabling a New Route Towards Artificial General Intelligence

Christopher Plain·March 27, 2023

A new company called HyperCycle is enabling the development of global artificial intelligence by allowing localized AI systems to communicate and compete in an entirely new way.

New Quantum Computing Study Proposes First-Ever Practical Blueprint for a Verifiable Lab-Created Transversable Wormhole

Tim McMillan·March 14, 2023

A recent study has proposed the first-ever practical blueprint for a lab-created wormhole that can verifiably bridge spacetime.

This Futuristic Bandage Can Heal Wounds by Harvesting Electricity Out of Thin Air

Christopher Plain·March 3, 2023

Researchers from Northwestern University have developed a "magic" bandage that accelerates healing by harvesting electricity out of thin air.

Chinese Engineers Develop Transmedium Drone That Can Fly in the Air and Swim Underwater

Tim McMillan·February 22, 2023

A team of Chinese engineers have developed a new autonomous transmedium drone capable of flying in the air and swimming underwater.

Discover the Next Generation of Human-Machine Teaming: A Pioneering Company, XTEND, is Looking To Disrupt the Drone Industry

Tim McMillan·February 9, 2023

XTEND, a pioneering technology company, looks to revolutionize the robotics industry by developing the next generation of human-machine teaming.

Breakout Tech: Here Are Some of the Key Developments and Technologies to Watch in 2023

Clayton Morris·February 3, 2023

As we look at the technological advancements that lay ahead in the coming year, we’re faced with a time-honored question: at what cost?

A Major Breakthrough Could Mean Realistic Autonomous Bird-Like Drones Are On The Horizon

Tim McMillan·January 10, 2023

Engineers working on the GRIFFIN Project recently made a significant breakthrough in developing the world's first true bird-like drones.

FBI Warns of “Horrific Increases” In Sextortion Schemes That Have Already Victimized Thousands of Children Online

Tim McMillan·December 20, 2022

The FBI issued a stark warning about a "horrific increase" in children being targeted in sextortion schemes, which has already victimized thousands of youths.

New Brazilian App Warns Locals and Tourists Where Violent Crimes Are Occurring

André Aram·November 25, 2022

A new app empowers Brazilian residents and tourists alike by providing them with up-to-the-minute information on where crimes are occurring.

Anti-Aging Technology Will Help Indiana Jones ‘Time Travel’ Back to 1944 to Battle Nazis

Micah Hanks·November 22, 2022

Actor Harrison Ford will be time-traveling back to 1944 to fight Nazis with the help of anti-aging technology in the fifth installment of the Indiana Jones film series.

DARPA Is Engineering Plants to Help Clean Soil Contaminated by Explosive Chemicals

The Ceres Project Will Automate Soil Remediation with Bioengineered Plants

MJ Banias·November 15, 2022

A new DARPA program wants to remediate soil contaminated with explosives and aircraft fuel using bioengineered plants.

European Countries Are Fighting Food Waste With Technology

André Aram·October 18, 2022

Technological initiatives have been created in recent years to help consumers find quality foods while spending little and avoiding food waste.

Here’s the Link Between Cryptocurrency Enthusiasts and Cryonics

Adrien Johansen·October 17, 2022

Due to its wealth-building potential, cryptocurrency has also become associated with some surprising tangent areas of science and technology.

Unsettling Security Threat Revealed as AI “Thermal Attack” Guesses Passwords in Seconds

Micah Hanks·October 11, 2022

A potential security threat has been revealed in a recent study where passwords were easily guessed by an AI-driven thermal imaging system.

Brazilian Company Launches New Electric Car for Drivers with Disabilities

André Aram·October 7, 2022

The market for electric cars is growing in Brazil, and new models of vehicles that use clean energy are emerging in the trade. Although it may seem like a recent initiative, the concept of the electric car has existed since...

Challenges in Creating ‘Robot Servants’ Pushes Timeline Back at Least a Decade

Kenna Hughes-Castleberry·September 30, 2022

As innovations in modern robotics continue, experts say we still have a long way to go before the development of household robot servants.

U.S. Intel Community Is Looking To Expand Its Understanding of “Cyberpsychological” Warfare

Tim McMillan·September 27, 2022

The U.S. Intelligence Community's high-risk/high-payoff brain trust, IARPA, recently put out the word that it wants to better explore "cyberpsychological warfare."

New Breakthrough in Zero-Energy Technology Keeps Things Cool, With No Electricity Required

Micah Hanks·September 22, 2022

An innovative new passive cooling system could one day replace conventional cooling technologies, offering an alternative that requires only water to function.

100-Foot Wireless Transmission of Electricity Achieved With Lasers in Breakthrough Study

Christopher Plain·September 15, 2022

South Korean researchers have successfully transmitted electricity nearly 100 feet through the air using lasers.

New System Allows Lip-Reading Through Masks Using Wi-Fi and Radio Frequencies

Christopher Plain·September 9, 2022

Researchers have revealed a system that uses radio frequency (RF) and Wi-Fi signals for Lip-reading when the speaker is wearing a mask.

New research looking into a quantum computer may reveal more about developing a quantum internet

New Discovery about Quantum Computers Could Help Speed Up the Development of the Quantum Internet

Kenna Hughes-Castleberry·August 23, 2022

New research looks to pave the way for a quantum computers and ultimately the development of working quantum internet.

Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new wind sensor that can help improve drone navigation.

Advanced New Wind Sensor Could Help Drones Navigate Under Extreme Weather Conditions

Kenna Hughes-Castleberry·August 19, 2022

Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new wind sensor that can help improve drone navigation.

Resurrecting the Thylacine: Colossal Announces Plans to “De-Extinct” the Tasmanian Tiger

Micah Hanks·August 16, 2022

Colossal Biosciences has announced its new effort to ressurrect the Thylacine using innovative de-extinction technologies.

A new study from University College London looked at how a smartphone could improve memory as a way to store extra information.

Research Suggests Smartphones Could Help Improve Your Memory, But There’s a Catch

Kenna Hughes-Castleberry·August 12, 2022

A new study from University College London looked at how a smartphone could improve memory as a way to store extra information.

MIT Scientists Just Did Something Remarkable With Holograms and 19th Century Technology

Micah Hanks·August 1, 2022

Employing holograms and an odd phenomenon in physics used in color photography, an MIT team has produced an all-new color printing technique.

Scientists are using AI models to predict places for future earthquakes.

Could AI Predict Future Earthquakes?

Kenna Hughes-Castleberry·May 3, 2022

Scientists at Hiroshima University are employing new AI models to help predict places where future earthquakes may occur.

Watch Iron Beam Drone Killing Laser in Action

Video From Latest Test Shows System is Finally Ready for Deployment

Christopher Plain·April 25, 2022

A video tweeted out by the Israeli prime minister shows their Iron Beam laser system blasting an unpiloted drone from the sky.

Are Directed Energy Weapons Behind Havana Syndrome?

Christopher Plain·April 21, 2022

Since U.S. personnel working in Cuba began to experience health issues, officials have tried to identify what is causing “Havana Syndrome.”

Jose Cuervo, a big name in tequila, has announced a metaverse distillery, the first of its kind, launching in the summer.

Worth a Shot: Jose Cuervo Tequila is Coming to the Metaverse

Kenna Hughes-Castleberry·April 19, 2022

Jose Cuervo, a big name in tequila, has announced a metaverse distillery, the first of its kind, launching in the summer.

This Tech Could Provide Humans Full Color Night Vision

Christopher Plain·April 14, 2022

Researchers have used infrared (IR) imaging and machine learning to turn monochromatic “night vision” images into their actual colors.

Air Force Finally Building THOR’s Hammer

Christopher Plain·April 14, 2022

The United States Air Force is building a working prototype of its anti-drone weapon system known as THOR's hammer.

Water Plasma Space Thruster Passes Key Test

Company Hopes to Begin Space Deployment of Unique Propulsion System This Year

Christopher Plain·April 8, 2022

Space startup Momentus says their Vigoride water plasma thruster has successfully completed thermal vacuum (TVAC) testing.