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This ag-tech startup kept digging, and found an electrifying idea to zap weeds and soil pests

GeekWire

Crisp began wondering about useful applications of that electricity to target soil nematodes that can damage valuable crops and vegetation. startup that replaces chemical pesticides with devices that zap soil pests with a jolt akin to a controlled lightning strike. The actual application is more complicated. Done and done.

Chemicals 125
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Zeno demonstrates an innovative type of radioisotope heat source for off-grid power

GeekWire

Zeno’s design could generate more power with less bulk, opening the way for a wider range of applications. The work at PNNL involved radioactive and non-radioactive activities, including chemical processing and fuel fabrication, materials handling and heat source characterization.

Energy 111
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NASA awards millions to boost technology innovations created by small businesses

GeekWire

Six Washington state companies are on the list for SBIR Phase I grants: HyBird Space Systems: The Spanaway-based company is developing a 3D-printed retrobraking propulsion system known as RT-5X, with the initial application focused on deorbiting spacecraft in low Earth orbit at the end of their operating life. Nonlinear Materials Corp.

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AWS opens up its Amazon Braket platform as ‘launch pad’ for quantum computing

GeekWire

IonQ, one of the hardware partners for the Amazon Braket quantum computing platform, uses a specialized type of chip known as a linear ion trap. Some of the first applications could well be in the realm of system optimization, including the optimization of your financial portfolio. IonQ Photo via AWS).

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How quantum computing could transform everything everywhere, but not all at once

GeekWire

” Tech titans haven’t yet settled on the best basis for quantum computing: Amazon, Google and IBM use superconducting circuits in their hardware. “Chemists who do not use quantum computers to model chemical reactions will go bankrupt,” he says. “We have thousands of Petri dishes with chemicals in them.

Energy 144
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Manufacturing CIOs see bright future for the industry, thanks to IT

CIO Business Intelligence

Chris Nardecchia, SVP and chief digital and information officer, Rockwell Automation Rockwell Automation Chris Nardecchia: I started as a chemical engineer doing chemical engineering things, building and operating chemical and nuclear processes, producing polymers and nuclear fuel, etc. Now, software eats hardware for lunch.

Industry 111
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$5M Climate Impact Fund launches to support entrepreneurs tackling the climate crisis

GeekWire

The fund has raised $525,000 so far and is accepting applications from startups seeking capital. Clean tech startups can be slower moving as their innovations often include hardware and their prototype process can take longer, particularly if it involves biological or chemical processes.

Energy 134