Science Saturday: Chip tech, ocean and space exploration, and online disinformation

Chip Technology

Chinese scientists have made a major breakthrough in chip technology. By developing artificial sapphire dielectric wafers, their research, published in Nature, tackles the challenge of miniaturizing transistors, which often causes devices to overheat and drain battery-life quickly.

This new crystalline sapphire achieves ultra-low leakage at the nanometer scale, unlike traditional materials, promising more power-efficient devices crucial for artificial intelligence and Internet of Things applications.

Ocean exploration

Chinese research vessel Shenhai Yihao, or Deep Sea No. 1, has started its 2024 Western Pacific International Voyage. It carries China's manned submersible Jiaolong. The 45-day mission will see Jiaolong make 18 dives to collect deep-sea organisms, seawater and sediments, enhancing our understanding of seamount ecosystems.

The China-led Digital Deep-sea Typical Habitats Program now has support and participation from 39 countries. As the first international voyage under the program, the expedition involves scientists from Canada, Spain, Colombia and other countries and regions.

Space exploration

NASA is considering keeping the two astronauts who flew Boeing's capsule to the International Space Station until February, due to issues encountered by the spaceship midflight. NASA is still evaluating options for safely bringing astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams back to Earth, with no final plan yet. However, officials now acknowledge they might use a SpaceX capsule instead.

Wilmore and Williams arrived at the space station on June 6 on the first crewed test flight of Boeing's Starliner capsule, initially planning to stay for about a week. Problems with Starliner's thrusters and a helium leak have stranded the astronauts for over two months as engineers work on solutions.

Online disinformation

OFCOM, the UK's media regulator, is struggling to enforce online safety rules.

Two weeks ago, a 17-year-old went on a stabbing spree at a dance class in Southport, killing three girls. Misinformation quickly spread on social media, falsely identifying the perpetrator as an asylum seeker. It has sparked nationwide anti-immigration protests that turned into riots.

Despite the real-world impact of this disinformation, OFCOM can't take action yet as the Online Safety Act's powers aren't fully in effect. Once active, OFCOM will be able to impose fines and even jail time for severe breaches.