Tech News: Nuclear Batteries, Acclaim's Return, BYD Drones

This week in tech: scientists create nuclear batteries, Acclaim makes a gaming comeback, and BYD challenges Tesla with roof-mounted drone systems. Plus, a look back at the first 5MB hard drive!

Tech News: Nuclear Batteries, Acclaim's Return, BYD Drones

This week is buzzing with exciting developments in the tech world, from groundbreaking advancements in energy to nostalgic revivals in gaming. Let's dive into the highlights.

Nuclear Energy Gets a Miniaturized Makeover

Imagine a battery powered by nuclear energy, small enough to fit in your hand. Scientists have developed just that! A study published in Optical Materials: X details a prototype battery, only four cubic centimeters in size, that converts ambient gamma radiation into electricity. This is achieved by combining scintillator crystals with solar cells, offering a potentially revolutionary power source for microelectronics.

Illustration of a small nuclear battery with scintillator crystals and solar cells.

The implications are significant. This compact battery could power devices in remote locations or in environments where traditional batteries are impractical. It's a small step, but a potentially giant leap for energy technology.

Acclaim is Back in the Game!

Get ready for a blast from the past! Acclaim, a name synonymous with classic gaming, is making a surprise comeback after decades. Under the leadership of industry veteran Alex Josef, the relaunched company aims to revive beloved franchises while also supporting indie developers. This support will come in the form of funding, marketing, and PR assistance.

“We are thrilled to bring Acclaim back to the forefront of the gaming industry,” says Josef. “Our goal is to honor the legacy of Acclaim while embracing new opportunities and empowering the next generation of game developers.”

A collage of classic Acclaim video game covers, such as Turok and Mortal Kombat.

BYD Takes on Tesla with Drone-Equipped EVs

The electric vehicle market is heating up, and BYD is throwing down the gauntlet with a bold innovation: a roof-mounted drone system for EVs. These drones can autonomously take off and land from a special housing on the car's roof, even while the vehicle is moving at speeds up to 33 mph.

Operating the drone is designed to be incredibly simple. A single tap of a button launches the drone, opening up possibilities for aerial photography, surveillance, or even just a unique perspective on your drive. This feature puts BYD in direct competition with Tesla, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in electric vehicles.

A BYD electric vehicle with a drone launching from a housing on the roof.

A Throwback to Computing's Early Days

Finally, a fun fact to put things in perspective: Back in 1956, a 5MB hard drive weighed approximately… well, a lot! And that 5MB of storage? It could hold around 2.5 million pages of typed text. It's incredible to see how far storage technology has come in such a relatively short time.

A gigantic 1950s hard drive being loaded onto a plane.

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