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Hello and welcome to This is Genius' science in 90 seconds, where the only laws that apply
are the laws of fun. And also physics.
And first up, researchers in Switzerland and Italy have developed the first bionic hand
that can FEEL. The hand contains sensors wired to a computer which converts them into meaningful
nerve signals, then transmits them via wires into the arm of amputee Dennis Aabo Sorensen.
Dennis says the experience has been incredible, and that he was pretty quickly able to feel
an object's shape, as well as wether it was hard or soft. Unfortunately the system isn't
yet portable enough to be worn outside the lab, but the team are working on a much more
compact version. Next, computing giant IBM have demonstrated
the first advanced, integrated graphene circuit - the first time the single-atom-thick carbon-based
wonder material has been manufactured into a commercial grade component.
Graphene has the potential to create far more capable, faster, cheaper, smaller chips than
silicon due to its incredible conductive properties and fine scale. Unfortunately that fine scale
has so far been it's downfall - minor production defects can ruin the chip's extraordinary
functionality and have so far made commercial production impossible.
IBM's newest design hasn't really been stretched - it was used to text the letters IBM - but
it did it 10,000 times better than any previous incarnation.
And finally, the self-proclaimed most advanced aircraft ever built in the UK has had it's
first successful test flights. Taranis is a combat drone being built under strict secrecy
by BAE systems, but they have released this footage of the craft over Australia. Exact
stats are unknown, but it's set to be supersonic, as well as stealthy. And regardless of its
purpose, it does look flipping cool. And evil. Really evil.
That's it for this week, as always there are longer videos on each of these stories coming
up in the playlist so keep on watching, like, comment, subscribe, you know the drill. Til
next time!