Commentary: Singapore has seen less plastic bag usage. Why not the same for food containers?

This indicates that there’s a higher barrier to implementation for takeaway containers. Consumers generally dabao often, and it’s much bulkier to have your own utensils, breakfast box, and bottle outside compared to a few shopping bags. In addition, shopping bags do n’t need to be washed after use, unlike reusables that have stored noodle soup or milky coffee.

The evidence suggests that just financial incentives wo n’t do the trick. If we want to address Singapore’s biodegradable waste issue, the change needs to be more widespread and essential. So how can we change the needles?

SYSTEM CHANGE, NOT PRODUCT CHANGE

Plastic plastic in particular are frequently the most underrated, but another single-use options also come with similar economic risks. For instance, paper-based products frequently have a larger carbon footprint and need more tools to produce than cheap package.

The” biodegradable” or “biodegradable” industry is sick- defined, and because most misuse is incinerated in Singapore, the economic benefits of these elements are not realised.

Washable package is provided by businesses like ours as a support, making it accessible at the point of sale and ensuring that it is cleaned after returning it. Over 600 individuals borrowed and returned almost 10,000 reusable containers in Muuse’s pilot program at the Hawker Centre at Our Tampines Hub over the course of ten months, the equivalent of the number of single-use containers used in 19 days at the stall center.

What prevents activities like these from scaling up?

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Quantum computing’s real-world app false dawn – Asia Times

Google and the XPrize Foundation have launched a contest for US$ 5 million to create real-world quantum computer programs that benefit world, for instance, by accelerating progress toward one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

According to the principles of quantum physics, particle computers can perform extremely quick calculations on specific problems, so this competition may open up the range of applications where they stand out from conventional computers.

What is known as traditional science in our daily life is the most accurate way to describe how character operates. However, nature behaves very differently at microscopic particle balances, which are smaller than an atom.

The search for quantum technology can be seen as a new industrial revolution that moves beyond conventional physics ‘ traditional physics ‘ devices to those employing the strange and wonderful properties of quantum mechanics. Researchers have spent decades attempting to harness these characteristics to create new solutions.

You might be surprised to learn that we still need to look for useful applications by awarding a medal given how frequently we are told that classical technologies will improve our daily lives.

However, there are numerous examples of quantum technology being used to improve perceiving and schedule accuracy, which is amazing given the lack of technological advancement in quantum computers overtaking their traditional counterparts.

The main impediment to this growth is that the application, which uses quantum algorithms, needs to demonstrate a benefit over traditional physics-based computers. This is commonly known as “quantum benefits”.

Using a characteristic known as “entanglement,” quantum technology makes up a significant portion of what distinguishes it from conventional technology. Traditional computing uses “bits” to signify information. Ones and zeros make up these parts, and everything else a system does also makes up these strings.

But quantum computing allows these parts to be in a” superposition” of ones and zeros. In other words, the classical little, or qubit, is where these ones and zeros are instantly occurring.

This characteristic enables the execution of computing things all at once. Devolves the idea that quantum computing is provide a significant edge over traditional technology because it can do a number of computing tasks at once.

Significant particle algorithms

Although performing multiple tasks at once may result in a performance boost over traditional computers, putting this into exercise has proven to be more challenging than hypothesis would suggest. Only a select few well-known classical systems are capable of performing their tasks more effectively than those utilizing classical physics.

Quantum chips - rendering
Image: Yurchanka Siarhei / Shutterstock via The Talk

The most notable are the BB84 process, developed in 1984, and Shor’s engine, developed in 1994, both of which employ entanglement to beat classic algorithms on specific tasks.

A system that is regarded as more stable than similar conventional algorithms, the BB84 protocol is a crypto protocol that enables safe, private conversation between two or more parties.

Because they are based on the decomposition of very big numbers, Shor’s engine uses interaction to show how traditional cryptography protocols can be broken. Additionally, there is proof that it can do some calculations more quickly than comparable algorithms created for regular computers.

Some useful classical systems have developed in comparison to conventional ones, despite the dominance of these two algorithms. However, scientists have never given up trying to build them. Now, there are a couple of major directions in study.

Possible classical benefits

The first is to aid in what are referred to as large-scale marketing duties with quantum mechanics. Every day life requires optimization, which includes ensuring that customers stream flows smoothly, managing operating procedures in stock pipes, and choosing streaming services to decide what to recommend to each person. This is essential for finding the best or most effective way to solve a specific problem. Quantum computers appear to be able to solve these issues.

If we could shorten the amount of time needed for computation to be performed, it could save energy, reducing the carbon footprint of the numerous computers supporting these tasks around the world and the data centers supporting them.

Use quantum computation to simulate systems, such as atom combinations, that behave according to quantum mechanics, is another development that has potential benefits that are large-stakes. Understanding and anticipating how quantum systems operate in practice might, for instance, lead to better drug design and medical treatments.

Quantum computing could also produce more advanced electronic devices. As computer chips get smaller, quantum effects take hold, potentially reducing the devices’s performance. This could be avoided with a better fundamental understanding of quantum mechanics.

Quantum computers have received significant funding, but less attention has been paid to ensuring that they will directly benefit the general public. However, that now appears to be changing.

It remains to be seen if we will have all quantum computers in our homes in the next 20 years. However, it appears that society is finally better positioned to make use of them given the current financial commitment to making quantum computation a reality. What precise shape will this take? There’s$ 5 million dollars on the line to find out.

Adam Lowe is Lecturer, School of Computer Science and Digital Technologies, Aston University

This article was republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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AI in Southeast Asia: Green potential towards tracking plastic waste, forecasting extreme weather

ALL Ear ON Hear Wildlife

From scanners to trees, AI is likewise finding use in the abyss of some of Southeast Asia’s most old scenery.

Individuals Clara Hernblom and Johan Närvä from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences are conducting studies in the immaculate- and also more degraded- forests of Sabah on Malaysia’s Malay area.

They aim to better know the levels of biodiversity and wildlife action across various landscapes, including recovery websites. The results could provide insight into the effectiveness of coal credits, where businesses can mitigate their carbon footprints through the repair or survival of forests.

To know the habitat, they have placed dozens of audio devices throughout the surroundings that they are studying. Over 10- time periods, the products record the sounds of the animals, birds and reptiles living it.

Instead of physically having to listen to thousands of hours of recordings and trying to determine species and behaviours, the students may post their recordings to an Iot- backed program called Arbimon, which can provide analysis in a fraction of the time.

” It seems really appealing. This job would not be achievable without it. And going ahead, we will only get more species that we can recognize”. Mr Närvä said.

It is a process being exceedingly used around the area and the globe- the online tool is free for scientists and researchers to exposure.

Arbimon initially started as a sky- based program for keeping and analysing sound recordings at a college in Puerto Rico. Early uses included helping park rangers detect illegal task, like axe use in the forests of Palawan in the Philippines.

Its features are now much more powerful.

The technology uses routine matching and clustering to learn certain good names that are symptomatic of current species. It has the potential to give insight into what is happening in the woodland- in close- real time.

” For a scholar that has no access to technology, it may take on average 10 to 15 minutes to process one solitary recording”, said Mr Bourhan Yassin, the CEO of Rainforest Connection, which runs Arbimon. The non- gain company is dedicated to protecting threatened communities.

” But think about that and increase that over 100, 000 audio, which is not a bit for a dissertation or thesis. It would equate to anywhere around four and a half weeks to get a genuinely good set of alerts for a second types.

” With an Artificial type, you can do this in seconds. Actually, you can approach a million tapes in a matter of seconds, “he said.

Mr Yassin said Arbimon is helping to bridge a big difference between science and research and protection on the ground. He shared that two to three million tapes are uploaded every week to the program. Close to two billion assessments have been done so far in about 6, 000 jobs in about 120 different locations.

Despite the vast possible for eco- sounds to be used, mainly in rainforest- deep Malaysia and Indonesia, limitations remain around its use in Southeast Asia.

Mr Yassin admitted that governments are still wary about data collection, particularly in national parks, and the hosting of that data outside their own countries.

” The government regulations have n’t caught up yet, “he said”. In order for AI to be widely adopted in Southeast Asia, there has to be decentralisation and coming to terms with the fact that AI does n’t have to run entirely locally and cannot just be controlled entirely within the country.

” For these systems, especially systems like Arbimon, that are not serving just one country, they have to be global”.

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SOLS Energy drives Malaysia’s home solar adoption with innovative subscription model

  • eliminates first financial stress, reduces overall honest installation costs, and lowers the cost of installation.
  • Fixed tariff rate of RM0.46k Wh for next two decades, compelling economic value

A residential solar installation in progress.

Spearheading a paradigm shift towards lasting energy, biotech company, SOLS Energy, one of the world’s leading home renewable installers introduces its groundbreaking ‘ Home Solar Subscription Program’, a pioneering initiative in Malaysia’s renewable energy landscape. Petronas Ventures provided funding for SOLS Energy after it was founded in 2015.

This cutting-edge program makes a major step forward by giving homeowners a simplified and more available path to renewable energy like never before.

The Home Solar Subscription Program was established in Malaysia in an effort to alter the landscape of how people use solar energy, with the main objective being to encourage popular solar power adoption in Indonesian homes. By addressing fiscal constraints, the program covers the entire upfront investment, enabling householders to embrace renewable energy without having to bear initial costs.

One of the program’s main advantages is that subscribers do n’t have to pay any debt because they do n’t have to use credit cards or borrow money. Subscribers even receive a complimentary 20- time solar PV equipment warranty, providing peace of mind and dependability.

The” Home Solar Subscription Program” stands out from normal solar efforts by offering immediate payback times, mitigating the long waiting times normally associated with recovering initial purchases. Notably, participants benefit from a fixed tariff rate of US$ 0.09 ( RM0.46 ) per kilowatt- hour (k Wh ) for the next two decades, offering potential savings compared to the current national grid tariff of US$ 0.12 ( RM0.57 ) k Wh. This predetermined rate provides stability and predictability in energy costs, providing homeowners with a convincing economic justification for switching to solar power.

SOLS Energy drives Malaysia’s home solar adoption with innovative subscription model” Our commitment to empowering people on their path to sustainability and a brighter future is unwavering,” said Raj Ridvan Singh ( pic ), founder-CEO of SOLS Energy. ” That’s why we are revolutionizing the affordability and availability of solar energy for everyone,” he said. Through our Home Solar Subscription Plan, we’re breaking over barriers to renewable implementation. The transition to renewable energy is made simple by this program, giving householders a smooth transition. By embracing renewable energy, homeowners not only have complete control over their energy consumption, but they also have a significant impact on promoting good economic change. They will significantly reduce their carbon footprint while enabling generations to come with a cleaner, greener coming.

With a proven track record of installing solar power in the region of 14MW since 2016, SOLS Energy is in the top spot. 1 home renewable company in Malaysia with over 1, 800 house solar setups. The programme has resulted in annual electricity bill savings of US$ 2.84 million ( RM13.4 million ) for customers and carbon avoidance equivalent to planting 418, 500 trees.

SOLS Energy offers tailored setups with in-home technicians who can offer advice based on the needs of each household. With its emphasis on personalized service, SOLS Energy distinguishes itself from other companies and ensures that each buyer receives the best thermal solution possible.

By reducing rely on fossil fuels and reducing carbon footsteps, the Home Solar Subscription Program contributes to a more sustainable future. By encouraging the adoption of solar power, the program coincides with Malaysia’s ambitions of achieving a brighter and more responsible power ecosystem”, said Raj.

SOLS Energy, backed by Petronas, emerges as a leader in the realm of green energy options in Malaysia. With a determination to transitioning 285, 000 Indonesian households to clean energy, SOLS Energy remains steadfast in its alignment with Malaysia’s overall net- zero aspirations.

Notable accomplishments to date include providing electricity access to over 1,400 B40 Orang Asli families and empowering more than 600 members of the B40 indigenous group through its thermal club.

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New line to premier Swiss tech

New line to premier Swiss tech
As part of the 323.10 kilometer Den Chai- Chiang Rai- Chiang Khong twin track railway project, an arch bridge from Switzerland is constructed in tambon Pong Pa Wai in the Phrae district of Phrae province. SRT

The State Railway of Thailand’s ( SRT ) double-track railroad is being constructed between Den Chai district in Phrae and Chiang Khong district in Chiang Rai using the technology of arch culverts from Switzerland.

Ekkarat Sriarayanpong, mind of the SRT mayor’s office, said that for the first day in Thailand, the technology is being employed in construction of the first arch culvert in the 323.10- kilometre Den Chai- Chiang Rai- Chiang Khong dual- track railway project.

He claimed that the first for arch bridge is being constructed as part of the railway’s Den Chai- Ngao part in Tambon Pong Pa Wai in the Den Chai area.

The culvert’s installation is anticipated to be finished in two months, he said, and it will bend 33.5 meters long and increase 4.22 meters.

He claimed that the newly developed European technology will help reduce the cost of building bridge conduits by 20 to 25 % and lessen the site’s carbon footprint by reducing the amount of concrete used.

Rather, he said, precast fortified material knocks are produced in a shop before they are taken to the blog to be assembled.

With a full height of up to 4.2 meters from floor to ceiling, he claimed the culvert’s dome design also makes more space for vehicles when passing underneath the railroad.

At least 37 like bridge culverts may be built in this task, 21 in the first part of the rail, another eight in the next and at least eight others in the next section, he said.

The 103.7km first section ( Den Chai- Ngao ), which cost 26.6 billion baht to build, is 6.49 % complete, faster than initially planned.

The 132.3km, 26.89- billion- bass following area ( Ngao- Chiang Rai ) is 7.76 % perfect and even ahead of schedule.

The third and last 87.1km section ( Chiang Rai- Chiang Khong ), which was allocated a 19.38 billion baht budget, is 5.54 % complete and is also ahead of schedule, he said.

He said the new double- track railway, expected to be ready in 2028, will be faster for both passengers and moving merchandise.

He added that it will connect to Kunming, China’s and Laos.

More importantly, he said, this new double-track railway will allow goods from other landlocked nations in the Greater Mekong Sub-region to be transported through Thailand and then shipped to a third destination nation from the Laem Chabang seaport.

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Aerodyne and DroneDash to introduce drone services between Malaysia and Singapore

Cargo delivery across national boundaries at 5 times faster than sea freight
Carrying 30kg at 150 km/h within 4-hour flight, promises efficient deliveries
Aerodyne Group, a Malaysian based global leader in drone enterprise solutions today inked an agreement with DroneDash Technologies, a leading air mobility company headquartered in Singapore to introduce…Continue Reading

Scientists grow ‘meaty’ rice hybrid food for protein kick

The rice is seeded with animal muscle and fat cellsYonsei University

Scientists have created a new type of hybrid food – a “meaty” rice that they say could offer an affordable and eco-friendly source of protein.

The porous grains are packed with beef muscle and fat cells, grown in the lab.

The rice was first coated in fish gelatine to help the beef cells latch on, and the grains were left in a petri dish to culture for up to 11 days.

The researchers say the food may serve as “relief for famine, military ration, or even space food” in the future.

It remains to be seen whether consumers would take to it if it gets to market.

The hybrid rice is apparently a bit firmer and brittler than regular rice, but packs more protein, Matter journal reports.

According to the team at Yonsei University in South Korea, it has 8% more protein and 7% more fat.

And, compared to regular beef, it has a smaller carbon footprint, since the production method eliminates the need to raise and farm lots of animals.

For every 100g (3.5oz) of protein produced, hybrid rice is estimated to release under 6.27kg (13.8lb) of carbon dioxide, while beef production releases eight times more at 49.89kg, they say.

Researcher Sohyeon Park explained: “We usually obtain the protein we need from livestock, but livestock production consumes a lot of resources and water and releases a lot of greenhouse gas.

“Imagine obtaining all the nutrients we need from cell-cultured protein rice.

“Rice already has a high nutrient level, but adding cells from livestock can further boost it.”

She said: “I didn’t expect the cells to grow so well in the rice. Now I see a world of possibilities for this grain-based hybrid food.”

‘People need convincing’

Rice appears to provide a scaffold or structure for the meat cells to grow in, and also gives them nutrients.

The team is not the first to explore lab-grown or cultivated meat products.

Since the first lab-grown burger was unveiled in London in 2013, dozens of companies around the world have joined the race to bring affordable cultivated meat to the market.

Singapore recently started selling the world’s first cultivated chicken product to customers.

Meanwhile, Italy has backed a bill to ban laboratory-produced meat in order to safeguard the country’s food traditions.

Critics point out there is nothing synthetic about lab-grown meat – it is made by growing natural cells.

Prof Neil Ward, an agri-food and climate specialist at the University of East Anglia, said this type of research holds promise for the development of healthier and more climate-friendly diets in future, but that some people needed convincing.

“While data on cost and climate impact look very positive, a critical test is around public appetite for these sorts of lab-developed foods,” he said.

“With lab-based alternative meats in general, the greatest potential is probably in replacing processed meats rather than prime cuts.”

Bridget Benelam from the British Nutrition Foundation said: “Developing a diet that supports health for both people and planet is a major challenge. This study demonstrates an innovative new approach that could contribute to the solution.”

But she added: “The findings represent a relatively small increase in the protein content of rice, which isn’t a high protein food. So further work would be needed if this technology were to be used as an alternative protein source to traditional animal products.

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Bitera, Jakarta’s most secure data center is ready to operate

Launch scheduled for the last week of February 2024supports Indonesia’s electronic economy by making it possible for FSIs fiscal to integrate local businesses.A cutting-edge data centre in Indonesia called Bitera has declared its operational readiness. It is situated in Jakarta’s Kuningan neighborhood, which is also home to important online exchange points….Continue Reading