In an atmosphere of mystery: the sinister Cosmos-482 and the charging room

A spacecraft that has been orbiting the planet for 53 years will fall to Earth. The third Neuralink patient with paralysis recovered speech using AI. In Russia, they created a room for charging any number of gadgets, and also learned how to identify mysterious space objects — twin black holes. Izvestia has compiled a rating of science news for the week.

A new charging method for any number of devices

ITMO scientists have proposed a new method of wireless energy transmission. Based on it, they created a room in which you can charge an unlimited number of electronic devices without using wires. According to the creators, the development is completely safe for humans and the speed of energy transfer is similar to conventional wired charging.

Photo: ITMO

The prototype is a space with an area of 4x4m and a height of about 2.5 m. To recharge the device, it is enough to put it within the room. Since wireless power transmission takes place at a certain frequency (1 MHz), charging requires using a separate receiver device for energy transmission: for example, it can be made in the form of a phone case. The room is connected to the power grid through a special generator and consumes about 100-200 watts, which is comparable to the power of a working computer or a large TV.

Energy Empire: a room for wireless charging of gadgets has been created in the Russian Federation

Will the technology become widespread and how safe is it for humans?

— Our development can be adapted to different sizes and shapes, integrated into different rooms. In the future, we plan to assemble a new room and focus on polarization — the direction of the magnetic field. Right now, we only have horizontal polarization, which means that the devices will only be charged in this position. We also want to add the possibility of charging in other positions," said one of the authors of the development, Aigerim Dzhandalieva, a junior researcher at the ITMO Wireless Technology Research Laboratory.

Scientists have identified double black holes

Russian scientists have developed a technique for studying systems of binary supermassive black holes, objects that form when galaxies merge. The proposed method will make it possible to calculate their mass, the size of the orbits, the speed of movement, reserves and losses of energy, as well as the life remaining before the merger. Black holes at the moment of convergence are a powerful source of gravitational waves. They, in turn, represent a channel of information, the development of which, in particular, will make it possible to reliably measure the expansion of the Universe, understand the nature of space-time and create ultra-precise measuring instruments of a new generation.

Photo: Global Look Press/Cover Images

— The new method is based on data from long-term observation of five blazars. They were studied using the RT-22 22-meter radio telescope in Simeiz (Crimea). The history of continuous monitoring exceeds 50 years. The analysis of the information accumulated during this time makes it possible to draw reliable conclusions about the properties of space objects. In particular, the researchers have identified a class of objects with a special frequency of radiation. Simulations have shown that all five blazars are systems of paired supermassive black holes, and the periodicity may be related to their orbital motion at the stage of fusion," Alexander Volvach, Deputy director of the Russian Academy of Sciences, told Izvestia.

Blazar series: merging of black holes will help to measure the universe more accurately

How the study of mysterious space objects will allow the creation of sensors and devices of a new generation

According to him, about 150 objects have now been identified that claim to be binary supermassive black holes.

Scientists have found out the role of hypersaline lakes in climate change

Salinization of lakes will increase the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and reduce the release of methane. These conclusions were reached by Russian scientists who studied the surface of Lake Baskunchak, one of the largest hypersaline reservoirs in the world. The research will help develop recommendations for the ecological rehabilitation of such natural sites and minimize the negative effects of human activities on the environment.

Photo: Yuri Fedorov

Scientists have determined how greenhouse gas fluxes are formed in the hypersaline Lake Baskunchak. This reservoir belongs to the drainless, that is, the organic substances coming from the waters and forming directly inside it are not washed out, but gradually accumulate. The salinity of Baskunchak is about 300 g/l, which is almost 20 times higher than the salinity of the Black Sea.

— Using the example of Lake Baskunchak, we have shown that salinization of reservoirs and salinization of soils in dry landscapes can become an additional source of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. At the same time, methane emissions are likely to decrease due to the activation of its sulfate-dependent anaerobic oxidation processes in the sediments," Yuri Fedorov, project manager, Doctor of Geography, Head of the Department of Physical Geography, Ecology and Nature Conservation at the Institute of Geosciences of the Southern Federal University, told Izvestia.

The third Neuralink patient with paralysis regained his speech

Bradford Smith, the third person in the world to receive a Neuralink implant, became the first patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and complete loss of speech to regain the ability to communicate thanks to this technology. The implant, installed in the motor cortex, contains 1024 electrodes that record neural activity.

Photo: Global Look Press/Cfoto

The signals are transmitted via Bluetooth to a computer, where artificial intelligence interprets them in real time, allowing Smith to control the cursor and type text with his mind. Previously, Smith used a gaze control system that worked only in dark rooms. Now he can communicate in any light, edit videos, and even "speak" in his old voice, recreated by AI based on old recordings.

Smith shared that Neuralink has given him back freedom, hope, and improved his quality of life. This case demonstrates the potential of neural interfaces and AI in restoring communication in people with severe motor and speech impairments.

Kosmos-482 will enter the Earth's atmosphere

From May 9 to 11, the Kosmos-482 space station will fall to Earth, many media outlets reported last week. The device flew to Venus, but remained in Earth's orbit. He's been orbiting the Earth for 53 years, and now it's time for him to fall.

As Nathan Eismont, a leading researcher at the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, told Izvestia, Kosmos-482 will enter the Earth's atmosphere and almost completely burn up. This happens with almost all spent devices.

Photo: Global Look Press/NASA/Jasmin Moghbeli

— Although this artificial satellite is old, the principles of its design are similar to modern ones. However, some structural elements can actually reach the surface of the Earth. These are heat-resistant components. For example, compressed gas cylinders and rocket engine parts. As for the exact location of the crash, it can be predicted with high accuracy, since the orbit of the spacecraft is well known. And the closer the moment of entry into the atmosphere is, the more detailed the forecast can be made. Most likely, the margin of error will be no more than a few hundred kilometers," he said.

However, most likely, it will fall into the ocean, since most of the Earth's surface is water, and the remains of the device are not dangerous, the scientist said. Fuel (hydrazine) although toxic, it will completely burn up in the atmosphere. Heat-resistant elements, such as cylinders, do not pose a threat.