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FUTUROLOGY

New Self-Watering Soil Could Revolutionize Farming & Gardening

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Engineers at the university of Texas have created a new type of soil that effectively pulls water from the air and distributed to the plants roots. If viable on a mass scale this soil could be used to create farmable land in places around the earth that were previously uninhabitable or inhospitable. This technology could also help areas that suffer from severe seasonal droughts or water shortages.

The technology uses a super moisture absorbent gel (Aka SMAG) to capture water from the atmosphere, then when the soil is heated to a certain temperature the gels will begin to release the water into the soil for the plants to absorb.

The SMAG works by pulling water out of the air during the cooler evenings then releasing and re-distributing the water into the soil during the warmer or hot days.

According to news.utexas.edu “Each gram of soil can extract approximately 3-4 grams of water. Depending on the crops, approximately 0.1 to 1 kilogram of the soil can provide enough water to irrigate about a square meter of farmland.”

This is undoubtably a revolutionary breakthrough for agriculture but extensive testing still needs to be done in order to ensure that it is safe for biology, the environment, and humans.

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FUTUROLOGY

Elevate Your Coffee Game with Extract Chilling: An Innovative Technique for Enhanced Flavor

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A steampunk looking extract coffee chilling lab with a cool dark, industrial aesthetic for Extract Chilling Coffee

Extract Chilling Coffee, Everything You Need To Know:

 

Understanding Extract Chilling in Coffee

Extract chilling refers to a process of rapidly cooling coffee after brewing. The main objective of this technique is to retain the volatile compounds in the coffee which significantly contribute to its aroma and flavor. When coffee is brewed, hot water extracts these volatile compounds from the coffee beans. However, the unstable nature of these compounds means that they can easily evaporate. If the coffee is not cooled quickly, these essential compounds dissipate, leading to a less flavorful brew.

The Origins of Extract Chilling

The technique of extract chilling was first introduced by Hugh Kelly, an accomplished barista from Australia. Kelly leveraged the extract chilling technique to secure third place in the prestigious 2021 World Barista Championship. Since that time, extract chilling has gained popularity among coffee aficionados and baristas worldwide, celebrated for its ability to enhance the quality of brewed coffee.

How Does Extract Chilling Work?

There are several methods to achieve extract chilling. One of the common ways is to utilize a metal vessel, such as a copper mug. The metal properties conduct heat away from the coffee, aiding in quick cooling. Another method involves using a device specifically designed for this task, known as a chill extractor. A chill extractor ensures the coffee cools down swiftly and evenly, preventing the evaporation of the volatile compounds.

How to Implement Extract Chilling at Home

For those interested in implementing extract chilling at home, you will first need to brew a fresh cup of coffee. Following brewing, it’s crucial to cool the coffee as quickly as possible. This can be accomplished by pouring the coffee into a metal vessel or using a chill extractor. Once the coffee has sufficiently cooled down, you can either enjoy your coffee immediately or store it in the refrigerator for later.

Why Extract Chilling Matters

Extract chilling is a straightforward technique that can remarkably elevate the flavor profile of your coffee. It offers a practical solution to enhance your home-brewing experience by ensuring that none of the aroma and taste elements are lost during the brewing process. So if you’re a coffee enthusiast on a quest to make your coffee taste even better, it might be time to try your hand at extract chilling.

Benefits of Extract Chilling your Coffee

  • Improved flavor: Extract chilling helps to preserve the volatile compounds in the coffee, which are responsible for its aroma and flavor. This results in a cup of coffee that is more flavorful and aromatic.
  • Reduced bitterness: The volatile compounds in coffee also contribute to its bitterness. By chilling the coffee, these compounds are less likely to evaporate, resulting in a less bitter cup of coffee.
  • Increased clarity: Extract chilling also helps to clarify the coffee, making it more transparent and easier to taste the individual flavors.
  • Extended shelf life: Chilled coffee can last longer than hot coffee before it starts to lose its flavor. This is because the volatile compounds are less likely to evaporate at a lower temperature.

Here are some additional benefits of extract chilling coffee:

  • It can help to reduce acidity.
  • It can make the coffee more concentrated.
  • It can make the coffee more refreshing.

If you’re looking for a way to improve the flavor and shelf life of your coffee, give extract chilling a try. You may be surprised at how much better it tastes!

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FUTUROLOGY

Is “WFH” really a good thing?

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Bill Gates predicts that most in-person meetings will be a thing of the past and that “50% of business travel” will never return after the Covid pandemic.

If this is true, is it good or bad? And how do we adjust to it?

In a recent businessinsider.com article Bill Gates said:

“My prediction would be that over 50% of business travel and over 30% of days in the office will go away,”

But also goes on to say:

“More could be done on the software side to allow for serendipitous run-ins after meetings,”

As of mid-October Microsoft announced that they are moving 150,000 people to permanently work from home.

Inversely, there are arguments claiming that the “WFH” mandate is hurting their creativity and ability to collaborate and innovate.

In an article written by Joe McKendrick, he argues that work from home culture could be hurting our creativity and our ability to rapidly innovate.

“The team can come unglued pretty fast as members begin to feel psychologically disconnected from one another.”

“61%, report they have not learned how to effectively delegate and empower virtual teams.”

Click to Read McKendrick’s Article

Also in an article from Bloomberg.comIt’s Not Just You. Lockdowns Make Us Less Creative.

Wisdom from Reddit:

“This was such an issue in Japan before, though on a usually smaller scale. We’d go back and forth between companies all over the city for minutes-long meetings, wasting usually half a day each time. Remote work has been so much more productive, though some people I work with see those who want to stay remote as ‘lazy’…” Reddit User kurodon85

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FUTUROLOGY

Stentrode; Brain implant allows mind control of computers

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Brain implant allows mind control of computers in first human trials – Called Stentrode, the implant has brought about significant quality-of-life improvements for a pair of Australian men suffering from motor neurone disease (MND). from technology

https://newatlas.com/medical/stentrode-brain-implant-mind-control-first-trials/

“Hope this doesn’t lead to another Black Mirror episode”

[wpdiscuz-feedback id=”3u1x2tmybj” question=”Please leave a feedback on this” opened=”0″]Would you get a brain implant to control your computer?[/wpdiscuz-feedback]

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