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China’s longest underwater tunnel has 600,000 LED points calculated so you don’t fall asleep at the wheel

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A few months ago we unraveled everything about the Taihu tunnel in China and its LED ceiling that has turned the infrastructure into a tourist attraction. However, in addition to the very curious aesthetics offered by this illuminated ceiling, there is another reason why this infinite screen runs through the tunnel, and that is so you don’t fall asleep at the wheel. It is normal, since we are talking about the longest underwater tunnel in the country. Eyestrain. Traveling the 10.79 kilometers of the Taihu tunnel at the maximum permitted speed takes almost ten minutes under the lake, enclosed between concrete walls, without windows or external references. And it is precisely this scenario that is most conducive to the appearance of visual fatigue, a danger especially if we are behind the wheel. For this reason, when the tunnel was designed, lighting was no longer considered only a matter of visibility and aesthetics and also began to become a safety tool. Tthree “heavens” distributed along the route. The engineers divided the tunnel into three sections and placed, at the junction points between them, what the technical documentation calls a “visual wake-up system against fatigue.” There are three ceilings made up of LED dot screens, very common in tourist locations in China. Each of these roofs is made up of about 200,000 LED light pointsand the system can show different scenes, from a blue sky with clouds, a night sky full of stars or, on specific dates, the five-star flag of China. The control system can automatically switch between these scenes by time slots and sections. According to Baidu Baikethis “visual awakening” system seeks to relieve the tension and feeling of overwhelm caused by driving for a long time in a closed space. Why those colors? Those responsible for the project chose blue, yellow and cyan as the main colors of their activation zones, combined with warm tones to generate dynamic changes. There is scientific support behind this decision, since light with cold tones and short wavelengths, such as blue, has non-visual effects on the brain that go beyond allowing us to see better. Different studies have verified that the color temperature of the light influences the mood, alertness level and reaction time of drivers, something related to how this type of light stimulates the brain mechanisms that regulate wakefulness. Just like share From Motorpasión, simulator tests showed that blue-toned lights were the ones that increased drivers’ attention the most, followed by red-toned ones, precisely the colors that are repeated the most in the images showing the tunnel ceiling. On the other hand, researchers presented their results at an IEEE conference in 2024, having conducted field tests in the Taihu tunnel itself to see how different LED configurations modified the eye movements and physiological responses of drivers in real conditions. lThe walls also “speak”. Throughout the entire route, the side walls of the tunnel are decorated with stripes of blue, yellow and green that intertwine in geometric gradients, as if they were ribbons. According to they count From the local media Sohu, all this display of lights is managed by an intelligent lighting system that not only decides which scene to show and when, but also monitors its own operation. The system incorporates real-time monitoring of breakdowns, with automatic alerts that inform the exact point where a failure occurs, which facilitates the maintenance of an installation that, after all, has to operate uninterruptedly under a lake. Cover image | FeatureChina/AP (cnn) In Xataka | Chile wants a tunnel under the Strait of Magellan to link Tierra del Fuego with the continent. The project exists, the agreement with Argentina does not

MediaMarkt starts an express promo with OLED, Mini LED televisions and more

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What will happen tonight in the match between Spain and France? We don’t know, but what we do know is that it is going to be a World Cup semi-final of a very high level. Precisely for this reason, MediaMarkt activated today and only for 24 hours a promo where we are going to have an extra discount on a bunch of 55-inch TVs. TV QD-Mini LED 55″ – TCL 55P8L, UHD 4K, TCL AiPQ Processor, Smart TV, DVB-T2, Dolby Vision·Atmos, 144Hz, Google TV, Black The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Until tomorrow at 9 in the morning we have to take home a new television and we have a lot to choose from. Whether from manufacturers (there are Samsung, Sony, TCL, LG, etc. models) like the technology used by the television. It is important to note that the extra discount, which is 15%, will be automatically applied to the cart. We leave you the five that we like the most right now: LG OLED C5 by 764.15 eurosone of the best quality-price OLED televisions. Philips 55PUS8510/12 by 313.65 eurosaffordable QLED TV with Ambilight. Samsung S95F by 1,093.95 eurosthe best television of the past 2025. Hisense 55E7S by 296.65 euros2026 model compatible with Dolby Vision. TCL 55P8L by 451.35 eurosa QD-Mini LED model ideal for rooms with lots of light. LG OLED C5 We start with the LG OLED C5one of the OLED televisions that we most recommend for its great value for money (and even more so now, which remains for 764.15 euros with this AliExpress promo). A very versatile model for watching movies or playing video games, since it has HDMI 2.1 ports and a refresh rate of up to 144 Hz. 55″ OLED TV – LG OLED55C55LA, 4K OLED, α9 AI Processor 4K Gen8, Smart TV, DVB-T2 (H.265), Black The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Philips 55PUS8510/12 If you prefer a cheaper option or simply don’t want an OLED TV, this Philips 55PUS8510/12 is one of the best-selling QLEDs on the market. It is a model that stands out for having this manufacturer’s Ambilight technology and is ideal for increasing immersion when enjoying it. It is quite economical: it stays in 313.65 euros with the discount that is applied in the cart. 55″ QLED TV – Philips Ambilight 55PUS8510/12, UHD 4K, Titan OS, Smart TV, Pixel Precise Ultra HD, Dolby Atmos, Matte Black The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Samsung S95F We return to another OLED TV, although this time with the one we named last year as the best television of the year. It is about the Samsung S95Fa spectacular television that offers very high image quality and is also ideal for playing with a PlayStation 5 or one Xbox Series X. This model also stands out for having an outstanding anti-reflective treatment. stays in 1,093.95 euros. 55″ OLED TV – Samsung TQ55S95FATXXC, OLED 4K, NQ4 AI Gen3 Processor, Full AI Smart TV, Wifi, Graphite Black The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Hisense 55E7S Another model with a great quality-price ratio is this Hisense 55E7S. This television, which also uses QLED technology, has a light sensor that, thanks to AI, manages the brightness of the TV depending on the lighting in the room to improve the viewing experience. It is one of the most economical models in this promo: it costs 296.65 euros. 55″ QLED TV – Hisense 55E7S, QLED 4K, 4K AI Scaler, Game Plus Mode, Dolby Vision IQ, Black The price could vary. We earn commission from these links TCL 55P8L We close this selection of TVs with the TCL 55P8L, a Smart TV with Mini LED backlighting and QLED technology. It is very balanced and has a high brightness level, which makes it perfect for rooms with lots of light. It is also compatible with Dolby Atmos and has a native refresh rate of 144 Hz, making it one of the best models we can buy for gaming. stays in 451.35 euros. TV QD-Mini LED 55″ – TCL 55P8L, UHD 4K, TCL AiPQ Processor, Smart TV, DVB-T2, Dolby Vision·Atmos, 144Hz, Google TV, Black The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Some of the links in this article are affiliated and may provide a benefit to Xataka. In case of non-availability, offers may vary. Images | LG, Samsung, Philips, Hisense, TCL, Xataka In Xataka | Best televisions in quality price. Which one to buy and seven recommended 4K smart TVs In Xataka | The best TVs to play and get the most out of your PS5 or Xbox Series

Volkswagen led an army of sheep to graze under 31,000 solar panels. It turns out that the way of producing energy began to change

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For years, the industry has assumed that each new problem required an increasingly sophisticated solution. Volkswagen just demonstrated which is not always like that. After deploying thousands of solar panels to power one of its factories, it has discovered that the best possible maintenance is not done by a robot or a specialized machine, but by a flock of sheep. The problem was not the plates, but what was underneath. Photovoltaic parks share a challenge that is as simple as it is constant: vegetation doesn’t stop growing. In industrial facilities with tens of thousands of panels, keeping the ground clear involves introducing machinery between metal supports, wiring and electrical equipment, with the consequent economic, energy and maintenance costs. In the Volkswagen plant in Poznań, Poland, where a solar park of 31,000 panels can cover the entire energy demand of the factory during the days of greatest radiation and provides about 25% of its annual consumption, that challenge had become part of daily operations. An ancient solution. Instead of looking for a more efficient machine, Volkswagen turned to a much older technology: a hundred sheep. The animals replace lawnmowers, eliminating the need for mechanical clearing as they calmly cover the terrain under the plates. The curious thing is that the solution is not only effective in maintaining the grass at baybut it avoids the constant passage of vehicles between the infrastructure, reduces emissions and simplifies the maintenance of a state-of-the-art energy installation. The plus that sheep give. The project is part of a known model like agrivoltaicswhich seeks to combine electricity production with agricultural activity on the same surface. Under the supervision of researchers from the Poznań University of Sciences, the flock has been turned into a real open-air laboratory. The scientists analyze how it influences grazing on biodiversity, soil quality, vegetation, microclimate and animal well-being, while studying the extent to which the shade projected by the panels reduces the thermal stress of livestock during the hottest months. Nature also optimizes. The first results show an adaptation surprisingly fast. The sheep have been distributed naturally throughout the facility, forming small groups that take advantage of the shaded areas generated by the solar panels. This behavior, in addition to indicating that the animals feel safe, helps maintain a uniform plant coverage and encourages the appearance of insects and other species, transforming a simple photovoltaic plant into a much richer ecosystem than conventionally mowed land. Agrivoltaics is no longer rare. Although the case of Volkswagen is especially striking because it is a large industrial facility, the use of sheep in solar parks takes vyears extending in countries like the United Kingdom and the United States. The idea it’s simple: obtain two different yields from the same plot. While the plates generate electricity, the agricultural or livestock activity keeps the land productive, reduces operating costs and improves the environmental performance of the facility without competing for the use of the land. Innovation is not always more technology. The paradox of the project is evident. A factory that is committed to electrification, solar energy and decarbonization has ended up finding one of its most effective solutions in a livestock practice with thousands of years of history. At a time when innovation is often associated with artificial intelligence, automation or robotics, Volkswagen has discovered that, sometimes, the greatest advance consists of simply letting innovation. nature do a job that no machine can do with the same efficiency. Image | Rafal Pijanski In Xataka | Australia compared 1,700 sheep and discovered something unexpected: those that graze among solar panels give better quality wool In Xataka | Texas installed millions of solar panels on rural land. To maintain it they have had to hire 3,000 sheep

There are people covering the LED on Meta’s glasses to record secretly. The company has just made a drastic decision

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Today it is relatively easy to know when someone is recording us with a cell phone: we see it raised, pointing towards us, becoming an almost universal signal. The same does not happen with smart glasses. They may look like normal glasses, be on the face of someone looking in our direction, and go unnoticed for those who don’t know what to look for. In this scenario, the small white light that turns on when capturing photos or videos is not a minor detail: it is the visible clue that allows us to understand that those glasses are recording. The problem begins when that clue disappears. That’s just what Meta is trying to prevent now. The company claims that its AI glasses, a category that already goes beyond the Ray-Ban Meta, will disable the camera if they detect that the capture LED has been physically tampered with or destroyed, not just if it is covered. Until now, Meta said that, since its second generation of glasses, the system already blocked photos and videos when it detected that that light was covered. The novelty is that the protection is extended to more aggressive attempts to override the visible warning. It is not an absolute guarantee against all misuse, but it is a direct response to a specific crack in the product. The problem with glasses was not just blocking the light Meta calls that signal “capture LED”: a white light on the front of each pair of glasses that flashes when content is being captured for the gallery. According to the company, in the case of a photo the notice appears for a moment, while on video remains throughout the recording. On paper, its function is simple: let people around you know that someone is taking an image or recording a scene. In practice, that small light carries an enormous responsibility: making visible a camera that, by design, can be confused with conventional glasses. The leap is that it wasn’t all about putting a piece of tape over the light. Meta acknowledges that it has seen attempts that went further: efforts to physically modify or destroy the capture LED. Media like 404 Media and BGR have documented those types of practices in more detail. The first published the case of a service that offered to modify the Ray-Ban Meta to make the light useless, while the second included more rudimentary methods and other more elaborate ones, from accessories designed to hide it to physical interventions on the indicator area. The underlying issue was clear: if the signal could disappear and the camera continued working, the safeguard lost much of its meaning. In Spain we have already seen how far this gap can go. At Xataka we have been counting for just over a year the case of a young man detained in Barcelona after recording hundreds of women with smart glasses without their knowledge, an episode that turned a until then diffuse concern into a much more tangible problem. The key was not only the device, but the lack of social alarm about it: many people still do not react the same to apparently normal glasses as to a cell phone pointed in their direction. The company presents the update as a new layer of privacy, but it is also an admission that the LED had become an attackable point in the system. If the visible notice could be obscured, modified, or destroyed while the camera continued to operate, the promise of transparency was weakened. Now Meta is trying to turn that light into something more than an indicator: a condition for the camera to operate. Images | Goal In Xataka | Meta already has its rival for Nano Banana 2. Its problem is the same as always: mercilessly invading our privacy

The war and the unbearable heat have led Europe to unprecedented spending. And Türkiye has become the perfect supermarket

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For centuries, in the Mediterranean, white was much more than an aesthetic question: whitewashed facades, light roofs and narrow streets helped reflect solar radiation and keeping homes several degrees cooler long before the invention of air conditioning. Two thousand years later, Europe once again discovers that fighting the heat has become a priority. Europe is paying two unexpected bills. For decades, Europe built its prosperity on one premise: that the continent would enjoy a relatively stable environment, both in climate and security. That scenario has changed at high speed. Heat waves are increasingly intensewar has returned to the continent, and both phenomena are forcing governments to spend billions in two needs that previously seemed secondary: cooling their cities and strengthening their armies. Air conditioning as critical infrastructure. Heat waves have ceased to be exceptional episodes and have become an economic factor permanent. Schools, hospitals, companies, data centers and industries need air conditioning systems capable of maintaining their activity even during extreme temperatures. Air conditioning has ceased to be a domestic luxury and has become a essential infrastructurewhile countries in central and northern Europe discover a need for which they never prepared their buildings. Türkiye had been preparing for years. It happens that, while Europe was beginning to discover the problem, Türkiye already had a powerful air conditioning industryextensive manufacturing capacity and an enormous logistical advantage over Asian competitors. The result is that Turkish exports of air conditioning, heat pumps and other refrigeration systems they are growing to the heat (pun intended) of a continent that needs to modernize millions of buildings and also do so under criteria of energy efficiency and sustainability. The other great urgency: rearmament. I counted the weekend the Washington Post that the climate is not the only front that is strengthening the Turkish position. The progressive withdrawal of the United States from European security and increase in military spending have placed the Turkish arms industry in a privileged position. Its drones, armored vehicles, ammunition and other defensive systems have demonstrated competitiveness, availability and attractive prices just when many European countries are looking for new suppliers to accelerate their rearmament. From awkward partner to supplier. For years, Türkiye was viewed with suspicion within NATO for the purchase of the Russian S-400 systemthe tensions with Greece, its policy in Syria or the temporary blockage of Sweden’s entry into the Alliance. However, the context has changed profoundly. Europe needs weapons. It needs to control migratory flows. And now it also needs technology to adapt to a much more hostile climate. That combination has notably reduced public criticism of Ankara and reinforced its diplomatic weight within the Alliance. Trump and Erdogan’s position. Plus: the good relationship between Donald Trump and Erdogan has added another layer to this change of scenario. The American president has publicly praised the Turkish leader and has left the door open to unblocking old disagreements, such as the one related with F-35 fighters. At the same time, the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara will serve to showcase Turkey as one of the essential actors in the new Western security architecture. The great European paradox has a clear winner. Thus, the two great crises that today condition the future of Europe seem to have no relationship with each other. One comes from the atmosphere in form of heat waves increasingly extreme. The other comes from the deterioration of the geopolitical scenario and the return of war to the continent. However, both converge on the same point: they force Europe to buy what it needs most. And few economies seem so well placed to take advantage of both trends. like the turkish. While the continent seeks how to protect itself from the heat and military uncertainty, Türkiye is establishing itself as one of the major providers of solutions to both problems. Image | Wikimedia In Xataka | The map that splits Europe into two when the heat arrives: where there is air conditioning and where there isn’t In Xataka | The Rhine is running out of water due to heat waves. And that is a logistical and energy disaster for Europe

The best deals on televisions at the PcComponentes PcDays with mini LED, OLED models and more from 369 euros

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PcComponentes has started its PcDaysan offers campaign in which we can find discounts on many products. There are many sales on televisions with very reasonable prices (even on OLED models), so we are going to review the best deals we can find right now. LG OLED55C57LA by 869 eurosthe television that we most recommend for its excellent quality-price ratio. Philips 65PUS7000 by 399 eurosan inexpensive television with a very large screen. TCL 55P7K by 369 eurosa smart TV that has a good balance in its specifications. Philips 55MLED920 by 529 eurosa good TV that has the brand’s particular technology. LG OLED55B56LA by 779 eurosan OLED television with a very reasonable price. LG OLED55B56LA (55 inches) The price could vary. We earn commission from these links LG OLED55C57LA The LG OLED55C57LA (LG C5) is the television that We highly recommend it for its quality-price ratio.and it is a model that, for the price of 869 euros that you have now, we find a panel with OLED technology and 55-inch diagonal. It also reaches a refresh rate of up to 144 Hz through VRR which, added to its HDMI 2.1, is ideal for current generation consoles. In addition, it is compatible with both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. It should be noted that right now it costs only 20 euros more than what we saw on Amazon Prime Day. LG OLED55C57LA (55 inches) The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Philips 65PUS7000 On the other hand, if what you are looking for is a cheaper, and also larger, television, the model Philips 65PUS7000 Right now it is at a price of 399 euros. It is a TV that incorporates a 65-inch diagonal screen and is compatible with both HDR10+ and Dolby Atmos (it is not compatible with Dolby Vision). Its refresh rate is 60 Hz and it works with both Alexa and Google Home. Philips 65PUS7000 (65 inches) The price could vary. We earn commission from these links TCL 55P7K If we look for another television with a lower price, the TCL 55P7K has dropped in price at PcComponentes to 369 euros. It is a particularly interesting model for everything it offers: QLED screen with a 55-inch diagonal, Google TV operating system, compatibility with Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and Dolby Atmos and a 60 Hz refresh rate. The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Philips 55MLED920 We can also find the smart TV on sale (and at a very good price) Philips 55MLED920which remains for 529 euros. We are talking about a QD Mini LED television with a 55-inch QLED screen that comes with Ambilight from Philips, a technology that captures the colors of the screen and reproduces them through the LEDs located on the back of the television. In addition, it offers a refresh rate of 120 Hz (up to 144 Hz via VRR) and is compatible with HDR10+, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. Philips 55MLED920 (55 inches) The price could vary. We earn commission from these links LG OLED55B56LA Finally, if what you are looking for is an OLED television that is cheaper than the LG C5, PcComponentes has the model right now LG OLED55B56LA (LG B5) for a price of 779 euros. It is a television with a 55-inch OLED panel that has a 120 Hz refresh rate and is compatible with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. LG OLED55B56LA (55 inches) The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Some of the links in this article are affiliated and may provide a benefit to Xataka. In case of non-availability, offers may vary. Images | PcComponentes y Compradicción (header), LG, Philips, TCL In Xataka | Best home theater projectors. Which one to buy and five recommended models from 299 to 18,000 euros In Xataka | Mega-guide to set up a home theater: projector, screen, sound system and more

Spain’s “no” to the F-35 has led to a curious agreement. The US is going to send you its Harriers like Ikea: in pieces to assemble

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In 1982, during the Falklands War, the British had to modify and move several Harriers were hurriedly shipped to the South Atlantic. Some arrived at the area of ​​operations transported on adapted merchant ships and were prepared for combat during deployment, an example of the extent to which this aircraft has always been associated with logistical solutions. unconventional. An emergency solution. The Spanish Navy faces a countdown that has been conditioning its future for years. Maintaining aviation on board the Juan Carlos I is considered an essential strategic capability, but the problem is that the Harriers that make it possible are reaching the limit. end of useful life and the natural relief, the F-35B, continues out of plans of government procurement. Faced with this situation, Defense has opted for a formula as pragmatic as it is unique: prolonging the life of current aircraft until 2032 through a massive reserve of spare parts coming from the last American Harriers that are being retired from service. Harrier Av 8b The Harriers arrive, but not to fly. The operation has something of a logistical paradox. Spain is going to receive five AV-8B Harrier complete from the United States, but none of them are destined to join the flight line. Its mission will be much less visible and perhaps more important: to become a gigantic reserve of components. Although initially it was studied to take advantage of the transatlantic voyage of the Juan Carlos I to transport them, finally the devices will be dismantled at origin and sent to Spain andn separate packages. They will arrive practically as a kit of parts to assemble from the famous Swedish furniture store, although in this case ready to be cannibalized in Rota and keep the fighters of the 9th Squadron operational for the next few years. While others advance, Spain stretches the calendar. The decision reflects the particular situation in which the Navy has been left. USA will officially retire its Harriers this year and Italy plans to do the same before the end of the decade, both replacing them with the F-35B, the only real heir to the short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities of the veteran British-American aircraft. Spain, on the other hand, is preparing to become the last relevant operator of the model. The refusal to buy The F-35 has forced additional time to be sought for a fleet that should have begun its transition to a more modern successor years ago. The Spanish industry gains prominence. This scenario is also driving an unusual industrial effort. The Navy and Airbus have extended contracts maintenance of the Harriers and significantly increased the work hours dedicated to inspections, repairs and recovery of components. The objective is not only to maintain the current aircraft, but to develop in Spain a technical capacity capable of sustain a fleet increasingly scarce in the world. The fewer operators left, the greater the importance of having knowledge, tools and own spare parts to continue maintaining the devices in flying condition. The price of postponing the decision. All this effort has a very specific objective: to prevent Spain from losing its ability to operate aircraft combat from the sea before having an alternative. However, it also shows the provisional nature of the solution. The American Harriers that will cross the Atlantic will not do so to reinforce the Spanish embarked air force, but to feed the specimens that are already in service. If you like, it is a quite revealing image of the current moment: while other allies replace their old planes with a new generationSpain tries to gain a few more years by assembling the Marines’ latest Harriers and transforming them into a floating parts warehouse. In a way, the negative to buy the F-35 has led to an agreement as peculiar as it is symbolic: receiving the fighters retired from the United States disassembled… ready to assemble, disassemble and reuse as the survival of the fleet demands. Image | RawPixel, Michael Pereckas In Xataka | The US opted for the quality of the F-35 rather than quantity. China opted for the opposite and it is already a problem In Xataka | Europe has asked its military experts how to become independent from the US for the next war. The answer is déjà vu: the F-35

OpenClaw led the way for AI agents. Gemini Spark is Google putting a toll on it

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In January of this year the technological world was amazed by OpenClaw (at that time Clawdbot), the most powerful AI agent that we had seen to date, capable of taking total control of the computer and everything open source. Technology companies took good note of this and some like Pereplexity or NVIDIA They have set out to copy it. Google just joined the party. Gemini Spark. This is how they have named this personal agent based on Gemini Flash 3.5 that, in the words of Google itself, “helps you manage your digital life.” With Gemini Spark you can assign it a task and it will start working on it autonomously, even with your phone and computer turned off. Google emphasizes the issue of security, which was a major concern with OpenClaw, and says that Spark is designed to “consult you before taking important actions.” What Spark can do. Because it’s integrated with all Google Workspace tools, Spark can perform complex tasks like making a document with a party’s attendee list from the information you receive in email. You can also schedule recurring tasks, like reviewing your bank statement at the end of the month for strange charges, organizing your drive files, or creating workflows from meeting notes. Who can use it. Here comes the main difference with OpenClaw and that is that Gemini Spark is obviously not free. Google has confirmed that its new agent will be part of the Google AI Ultra subscription. In Spain that means paying a minimum of 100 euros per month (there is a 220 euro plan with more features and storage), but even if you want, you won’t be able to try it because at the moment it will be launched in beta version only for US users. At the moment there is no confirmation of when it will reach other languages ​​and countries. When available, Gemini Spark can be used on Android, iOS and in the web app, but they have also talked about integrating it directly into Chrome. Why is it important. The viral success of OpenClaw earlier this year showed us how far a single person can go with a good AI idea, and how short-lived that sweet moment was. Not even three months had passed when OpenAI signed its creator and shortly after we began to see large companies copying the idea. Perplexity with Personal ComputerNVIDIA with NemoClaw and now Google with Gemini Spark. A single open-source project has set the agenda of an industry that has swallowed it in the blink of an eye and returned it to us in the form of a monthly subscription. Image | Google In Xataka | An AI set up a cafeteria from scratch: obtained permits, hired staff and negotiated with suppliers. Then he ordered 3,000 rubber gloves

China has discovered a new mineral on the Moon. It’s so fluorescent it could change the way we make LED light bulbs

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So far, 11 unique minerals have been discovered on the Moon. The last of them has just been revealed by a team of Chinese scientists after analyzing a lunar meteorite. It is an interesting finding, because it gives us useful information about the geology of our satellite. But also because it could have very interesting applications here on Earth. From the Moon to your light bulbs. The material just described It is cerium-magnesium changesite. It is characterized by its glassy, ​​transparent and brittle appearance. The thickness of its granules ranges from 3 to 25 micrometers, less than that of a human hair. Still, it is extremely useful due to its pronounced fluorescence, which could be very useful in improving terrestrial LED technology. A necessary color change. Unlike traditional incandescent bulbs, LED bulbs do not use heat to produce light. They make the most of electricity thanks to a semiconductor material, which allows the flow of electrons from a layer with an excess charge to another with a lack of it. That second layer has what are known as voids. That is, atoms that have lost electrons, leaving something like a free hole. The moment an electron encounters one of these holes, falls inside, in a process in which energy is released in the form of light. The light obtained in this process is blue, but we have all seen that, in general, the light from LEDs is white. The color change is achieved thanks to the coating the bluish chip in which the process occurs with a fluorescent material. This absorbs some of the blue light and, in turn, emits yellow light. Both are what are known as complementary colors of light. Therefore, when you mix them you obtain white light. The more fluorescence, the better. The fluorescence of this lunar mineral is so powerful that it would be a wonderful complement to LED bulbs. White light would be obtained in a much more efficient way, resulting in even greater energy savings. More achievements for China. The Asian country has become an expert in lunar geology, thanks to the Chang’e missions. In fact, the Changesite-(Y) phosphate was already discovered on Chang’e-5, directly related to this other mineral that a meteorite brought to Earth. For now, we can only dream. Logically, going to the Moon to excavate minerals is not very viable. And if it were, it would be good to think twice before jumping in headfirst. We also don’t know if there would be enough on the Moon. It would be necessary to explore it further to know. Therefore, the applications of lunar minerals in terrestrial technology are nothing more than hypotheses. It is interesting, but it does not have a close application in time. What these minerals do teach us. Analysis of lunar geology It can teach us many things. If we find mostly minerals that also exist here on Earth, we can understand that, at some point, similar conditions existed on Earth and the Moon. On the other hand, if many unknown minerals are found on Earth, as is already happening, it is understood that there were conditions on our satellite that have not occurred on our planet. All this serves to understand very well where we are and where we come from. Let’s stay with that instead of thinking about mining our satellite and leaving it without resources as we are already beginning to do on Earth. Image | freepik In Xataka | We have not yet colonized the Moon and we have already filled it with garbage: there are even abandoned golf balls

The war has led many expats to look beyond Dubai. In Italy there is already a city willing to take advantage of it

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He skyline It may be Dubai’s most recognizable feature, however in recent decades the city has gained something much more important (and complicated) than its skyscrapers: prestige. For years the expats half the world has seen in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) a destination in which to settleattracted by their tax advantagesadministrative facilities, luxury and stability of the country. Now the shock wave of the Iran war is erasing some of that image and has led some expats to look for alternatives in safer cities. An Italian city already appears on the horizon. The other bill of war. As with all wars, that of Iran It looks a lot like a set of dominoes. Operation ‘Epic Fury’ launched on February 28 by Washington and Tel Aviv on Iran ended the life of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, supreme leader of the Islamic regime; but that was only the first step of the war. The first in a long chain of pieces. Since then the conflict has escalatedaffecting international markets, skyrocketing the price of crude oil and infecting the rest of the Persian Gulf. We had the most graphic proof in the first days of the war, when Iran harshly punished some US allies in the region, including the UAE. Their attacks blocked Gulf airspace, unleashed the biggest crisis of aviation since the pandemic and left images that until recently were unimaginable, such as luxury residences attacked by Iranian drones. Reputation blow. The casualty toll in the UAE is relatively low (the Emirati authorities numbered at 13 those killed during the attacks launched by Iran), but the reputational damage has yet to be measured. For decades, the Emirates knew how to carve out a niche for itself as a favorite destination for expats from other countries. As explained a few months ago Guillaume Giroux, of the Dubai Inmo firm, in cities like Dubai, fortunes found tax facilities, bureaucratic agility, stability, an attractive real estate market and a high standard of living, especially for people accustomed to luxuries. Some of that magnetism remains, but the Iran war has tarnished the image of a safe, reliable and ‘boring’ (in a good way) destination created by the UAE. Has it changed that much? Public discourse certainly has. If it is news for hosting more than 81,000 millionaires or attract thousands of residents wealthy in just one yearDubai has made headlines for the chaos unleashed by the Iranian war. At the beginning of March Financial Times spoke of people driving 10 hours to cross the border into Oman, desperate to leave the region. In Guardian even they assured that a jet company was asking 85,000 euros (triple the normal amount) for a flight to Istanbul. They are specific cases, but they punish the UAE’s global projection. Looking for alternatives. It is unlikely that Dubai will suddenly lose the image that has been built up for years and it remains an unknown what the effect of the war will be in the medium and long term. there are those already warn that he is not considering leaving the Emirates. None of the above means that there are already millionaires looking for alternatives. I confirmed it recently Guardian in a chronicle explaining that as Dubai sees its reputation as a safe haven erode, there is expats thinking about the best way to return to Europe. The article, signed by Lauren Almeida, focuses on British billionaires, but still leaves out an interesting idea: when looking for European destinations, there is one in particular that seems to be winning. Which? Milan. “Those leaving the UAE can easily imagine themselves living in Rome or Milan, metropolitan and international centres,” point Armand Arton, who is dedicated to advising millionaires on citizenship and investment plans. Why’s that? For a sum of factors. In a way, Milan offers the rich a package similar to the one they find in Dubai: a attractive tax regimea rising real estate market (something especially interesting for those who buy with an investment mentality) and above all luxury. It’s nothing new. In September the Italian edition of Idealista explained that Milan was becoming one of the most attractive destinations in Europe to attract great fortunes. “Italy offers the best advantages: single tax and good quality of life,” insist Arton. “It’s a beautiful country. Milan has a very developed financial services sector, many of the things that are attractive in London, Milan also has them,” adds Marc Acheson of Utmost Wealth Solutions. This sum of factors, added to its environment, schools, services and cosmopolitan lifestyle, explains that the Italian city be home now from some of Europe’s biggest investors and bankers. Also the increase in price of your home. Luxury and something more. The attractiveness of Italy as a city is not the only factor that explains its ability to attract expats. Another is its tax policy. In 2017 the country introduced the “single rate”also known as “Ronaldo tax” and that it is designed precisely to attract wealthy foreigners. In summary, the regime allows new residents (foreigners and returned Italians) to pay 300,000 euros annually for income obtained outside the country. It may seem like a high tax, but as its name indicates, it is applied in a fixed manner, regardless of the base amount, which makes it an interesting option for large fortunes. Until recently, its amount was also lower, making it even more attractive. When it was introduced, the “single rate” amounted to 100,000 euros annual. In 2024 that figure rose to 200,000 and did not reach its current level, of 300,000 euros, until this year. This tax advantage can be enjoyed for only 15 years, but it has extras. Marking distances. It’s not just about what Italy has done. As explains the Golden Visas platform, the Italian system gained attractiveness after in 2024 United Kingdom review its tax regime for non-domiciled residents and for Portugal to also rethink its system. Reuters precise that in 2023 around 1,500 people took advantage of the single rate regime in Italy, … Read more

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