Technology

The Download: a promising retina implant, and how climate change affects flowers

Source

MIT Technology Review

Published

Oct 20, 2025

TL;DR

AI Generated

A competitor to Neuralink has developed a promising retina implant that allows people with vision loss to read text and do crosswords. The implant, placed under the retina, uses signals from a camera to emit bursts of electricity, bypassing damaged photoreceptor cells. In another story, a new artistic project explores how flowers may change in response to climate change, with factors like petal pigmentation and size being influenced by climate conditions. Additionally, Redwood Materials is repurposing old electric-vehicle batteries for AI microgrids to power data centers.

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New 3D device computes using living brain cells — bioelectronic device uses 3D electronic mesh design paired with living tissue

Researchers at Princeton University have developed a 3D bioelectronic device that merges living brain cells with advanced embedded electronics to create a neural network capable of computational tasks. The device features a 3D mesh design with living tissue that can differentiate patterns using computational techniques. Unlike previous methods using brain cells for computation, this device allows for recording and stimulating neurons' electrical activity at a finer scale. The team successfully trained the device to identify recurring pulse patterns and differentiate between distinct patterns, aiming to scale it for more complex tasks. This technology not only delves into brain computing secrets but also holds potential for understanding and treating neurological diseases while addressing AI's energy consumption challenges.

Tom's Hardware•

1 week ago

Is carbon removal in trouble?

Microsoft, a major player in the carbon removal market, has reportedly paused its carbon removal purchases, causing concern in the industry. Carbon removal technologies aim to extract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere for permanent storage. Microsoft, which aims to become carbon-negative by 2030, has been a significant buyer of carbon removal contracts. The company's decision to pause purchases may impact the industry's growth and reliance on corporate support. Industry experts suggest that government mandates and policies are needed to ensure the scalability of carbon removal efforts.

MIT Technology Review•

2 weeks ago

MIT Technology Review

The quest to measure our relationship with nature

The United Nations is working on a Nature Relationship Index (NRI) to measure how well countries interact with the natural world. The NRI aims to shift the narrative from humans being destroyers of nature to fostering a green, abundant world. The index will assess three key questions: whether nature is thriving and accessible, if it is being used with care, and if it is safeguarded. The NRI will debut alongside the 2026 Human Development Report, encouraging countries to compete and improve their scores. The goal is to engage people's hopes and dreams for a better relationship with nature.

MIT Technology Review•

2 weeks ago

Amazon, Microsoft, and Google under investor pressure to disclose site-specific data center water and power consumption — more than a dozen shareholders ask for transparency ahead of annual investor meetings

Investors are urging Amazon, Microsoft, and Google to disclose detailed data on water and energy consumption at their U.S. data centers, with concerns about environmental impact and community opposition. Trillium Asset Management filed a resolution with Alphabet seeking clarity on its climate goals, as emissions have risen despite pledges to reduce them. Water usage in AI data centers is a significant concern, with estimates indicating high water consumption for tasks like generating text with AI models. While some progress has been made with closed-loop cooling systems, investors are pushing for more transparency to assess operational risks accurately.