In this Future of Everything podcast on AI and Safety-Critical Systems, Mykel Kochenderfer discusses challenges building and validating trustworthy, safe autonomous technology in particular for commercial air transport systems and how AI, empowered by algorithms such as "dynamic programming," can make autonomous systems safer. Link
A Stanford team developed a framework for routing a large fleet of delivery drones to hitch rides on public transit vehicles to save energy and increase flight range. Delivery trucks represent 7 percent of U.S. traffic but account for 28 percent of the nation's congestion. The algorithms developed by the team combines the last mile flexibility of drones with the long-haul capacity of ground-based vehicles. Link
A new electrolyte design by Stanford researchers boosts performance of lithium metal batteries which is promising for electric vehicles where weight and volume are important factors. The novel synthetic compound, abbreviated FDMB, uses fluorine atoms that can be readily produced in bulk. The research team reported dramatic results with the electrolyte tested in a lithium metal battery. Link
Scientists at the Department of Energy's SLAC National Accelerator have combined machine learning algorithms with X-ray tomography data to better visualize what's going on in cathodes of nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC). The goal was to develop a complete picture of how NMC particles break apart and break away from the matrix and how that contributes to performance losses.
The Global Carbon Project lead by Stanford scientist, Rob Jackson published a new study which compiles government policies and activity data in the wake of COVID-19. Estimates for a drop in global emissions of 4 to 7 percent due to shelter-in-place rules will be the biggest emissions drop since WWII. In this Q&A he outlines the study's findings of a greener economy and healthier society and what the the current pandemic can teach us about behavior change, kickstarting a recovery and more.
Stanford Energy Ventures course organized by Precourt Institute for Energy and offered through the Energy Resource Engineering department, has for the past four years guided student teams in developing creative energy solutions. Renewell Energy is taking inactive oil wells of which there are 3.1 million in the U.S. alone, to store power on a large scale.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how fragile our supply chains are as companies have moved production overseas to keep a "lean" inventory. Most firms have factored in risk of disruptions when designing supply chains but usually don't factor in the aggregate risk to the industry.
John Etchemendy, former Stanford provost and co-director of Stanford's Institute for Human-Centered AI (HAI) in this The Future of Everything discussion on his goals to ensure that AI reaches its full potential to enhance human capabilities and enrich human lives. HAI aims to influence and guide the future of AI by building on Stanford's multi-disciplinary leadership across all seven schools.
The joint "COVID-19 Technology Access Framework" with Stanford, Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology establishes and commits to a set of technology licensing principles that will allow access to university innovations that may help prevent, diagnose or treat COVID-19.
William Chueh, assistant professor, materials science and engineering, discusses what the grid of the future looks like and the future of batteries in this The Future of Everything podcast. Chueh predicts that today's $50 billion battery market will grow to a trillion dollars in the next 15 years.
