Disruptor

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The Disruptor: Thought-provoking commentary on technologies that are changing the way mankind does things.

Could human organs join networks?

Ongoing research explores biologically-based communication networks and electronics that could directly connect to human tissues.

Vendors lengthen the range of 5G millimeter-wave transmissions

Tests involving Ericsson and Qualcomm overcame some of the limiting characteristics of 5G millimeter connectivity, more than doubling its effective distance.

Telehealth usage soars during COVID-19

Telemedicine is seeing rapid adoption gains as physicians and patients become more comfortable using videoconferencing for telehealth visits.

Researchers set a new world-record Internet speed

Researchers have logged the fastest ever data speed over optical fiber, using methods that could be applied to upgrade existing networks

Military looks to ultraviolet networks for secure battlefield communication

The U.S. Army wants to develop new, more secure communications networks for soldiers in the field using free-space ultra-violet optical transmissions.

Information could be half the world's mass by 2245, says researcher

Because of the amount of energy and resources used to create and store digital information, the data should be considered physical, and not just invisible ones and zeroes, according to one theoretical physicist.

AI system analyzes code similarities, makes progress toward automated coding

Researchers from Intel, MIT and Georgia Tech are working on an AI engine that can analyze code similarities to determine what code actually does, setting the stage for automated software writing.

Federated learning improves how AI data is managed, thwarts data leakage

Researchers from Penn Medicine are studying new AI models using federated learning to improve how brain tumors are detected and treated.

Organic data-transfer technology holds promise for IoT

Newcastle University researchers propose using organic LEDs for optical wireless communications because they're cheaper than regular LEDs, easy to distribute and eco-friendly.

6G wireless? Samsung is already outlining its plans

Connected machines and digital twins will help drive 6G networks, Samsung says.

Balloon-powered internet service goes live in Kenya

Alphabet spinout Loon uses balloons to create a floating network of cell towers.

How wireless networks can battle COVID-19

Wireless network devices maintain a connection by handing off from one cell tower to another. The data created should be used to fight coronavirus, say researchers.

NIST aims to make frequency sharing more efficient for wireless networks

Machine-learning formula will help different radio protocols, such as Wi-Fi and LTE, work together more efficiently in the same wireless spectrum.

Ambient 'T-rays' could help power IoT devices

Terahertz radiation, some of it generated by Wi-Fi, and converted to DC current could charge batteries for cellphones, IoT devices, medical implants, researchers say

A tiny experimental optical chip can support downloads of 1,000 movies in a split second

Researchers have created a device that can greatly expand the raw data rate of existing optical networks while reducing the amount of hardware necessary.

IoT early warning system aimed at curbing future virus outbreaks

IoT blockchain and cryptographic specialist WISeKey says it's making progress on a system that could detect new virus spread and automatically advise regional lockdowns.

How IoT will rescue aviation

European airplane maker Airbus is one company exploring innovative, virus-spotting IoT sensors. Separately, American thermal sensing company FLIR is seeing a significant uptick in sales for its skin-heat-detecting cameras.

New 6 GHz Wi-Fi could add $153 billion to U.S. economy: report

Unlocked Wi-Fi spectrum in the 6 GHz band, just approved by the FCC, will do more than increase capacity. IoT will be a big gainer, according to a study produced by industry group WifiForward.