Link About It: This Week’s Picks

Insect-like drones, clear nuclear fusion, cosmic collisions and more from around the web

The Most Accurate Virtual Representation of the Universe’s Evolution Helmed by the University of Helsinki, a simulation named “Sibelius-Dark” produced the most accurate virtual representation of the universe’s development to date. It captures the Big Bang to the present, reproducing the entire evolution of our section of the cosmos. Using the DiRAC COSmology MAchine (COSMA), scientists found one patch of our universe to be unusual, …

Flying Microrobots Are Upgraded With New Artificial Muscles

Over the years, researchers at MIT have been developing aerial microrobots—tiny, insect-sized robots that can fly around and perform tasks—and have just revealed a big upgrade. The latest version utilizes a new fabrication technique that allows each bot to operate on 75% lower voltage and carry an 80% heavier payload. This technique creates soft actuators that act as artificial muscles around each bot’s four sets of wings. …