Technology

Op-Ed: Don’t Write Off Electric And Related Technology Vehicles; They May Be Our Salvation

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By Peter LaDelfe
Los Alamos

I’m writing this in response to Doug Reilly’s Op/Ed, “Electric Vehicles Not Quite the Panacea…,” LA Daily Post, January 4, 2024 (link). While I disagree with none of what Mr. Reilly says, I believe he has overlooked important factors. Most notably, he treats battery-electric vehicles as the apex technology for transportation, ignoring the hydrogen technologies and other emerging developments.

With regard to hydrogen, I will admit from the outset that charging a battery from the electrical source will always be more efficient than converting electricity to hydrogen Read More

N.M. Delegation Welcomes Nearly $68 Million Investment From Bipartisan Infrastructure Law For EV Charging Network

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Congressional News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.), Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) and Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) are welcoming nearly $68 million in competitive federal grant funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program to build major new electric vehicle (EV) charging networks throughout New Mexico. 

“I am thrilled that New Mexico is receiving such a substantial share of the investment from the first round Read More

LANL: AI Breakthrough Creates Images From Nothing

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A new, potentially revolutionary artificial intelligence framework called ‘Blackout Diffusion’ generates images from a completely empty picture, meaning that the machine-learning algorithm, unlike other generative diffusion models, does not require initiating a ‘random seed’ to get started. Blackout Diffusion, presented at the recent International Conference on Machine Learning, generates samples that are comparable to the current diffusion models such as DALL-E or Midjourney, but require fewer computational resources than these models. Read the full article here. Courtesy/LANL Read More

Catch Of The Week: Package Delivery Text Scams – Again!

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By BECKY RUTHERFORD
For the Los Alamos Daily Post

USPS themed “smishing” or text message based phishing attacks are making a comeback, with a few new twists.

If you get a text from “the USPS” or other shipping agency, don’t click that link!

Resecurity, a cyber security research firm, discussed these attacks in a report published 08/30/23.  

The cyber crime group behind last year’s attacks has been dubbed the “Smishing Triad” and appears to be in the business of “Fraud as a Service” FaaS; offering other actors their phishing kits as a monthly subscription service at about $200 a month, with higher Read More

DOE Awards Georgia State University $7.6 Million To Study Benefits Of AI-Enhanced Classroom Chatbots

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GSU News:

ATLANTA — The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) has awarded the National Institute for Student Success (NISS) at Georgia State University (GSU) a $7.6 million grant to study how chatbots can improve student outcomes in foundational college math and English courses.

Building on previous studies that demonstrate AI-enhanced chatbots increase grades and retention rates among lower-income and first-generation students, the NISS will deploy chatbot technology in first-year math and English courses at Georgia State and its associate degree-granting institution Perimeter Read More

Families Invited To Discover Science & Engineering Fun!

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Discover STEAM Day returns to the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History. Courtesy/NMNS&H

Courtesy/NMNS&H

NMNS&H News:

ALBUQUERQUE — The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History (NMNS&H) announces the return of Discover STEAM Day. Families can explore the fascinating intersection of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics through hands-on experiments and engaging activities in this fun-filled event. The event is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, at the Museum at 601 Eubank Blvd. SE in Albuquerque.

Discover STEAM Day offers a unique Read More

Heinrich Calls For Funding Of U.S. Leadership In AI Innovation

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U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) sent a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee urging the inclusion of initial funding of $10 million to establish the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) U.S. Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute (USAISI) in the Fiscal Year 2024 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, or any other relevant funding opportunities.

U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, Read More

Catch Of The Week: Emailed Bomb Threats Close Capitals

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By BECKY RUTHERFORD
Los Alamos
For the Los Alamos Daily Post

Nine state capitol buildings across the US were placed under evacuation orders Wednesday due to emailed bomb threats, according to officials.

Government buildings in Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan Mississippi and Montana were sent bomb threats via email to their offices of secretaries of states and legislative officials.

The FBI has been working with state, local and federal officials to gather and share information.

The agency said they are aware of numerous hoax bomb threats at state capitol Read More

UNM-LA Announces Python Boot Camp Certificate Program

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By TRACY BAILEY
UNM-Los Alamos

Welcome to the UNM-LA Python Programming Certificate, your ticket to learning one of the most versatile and widely-used programming languages.

Python’s applications span across a wide spectrum, from data science and software development to machine learning, engineering and applications in the business world. This hands-on certificate will provide you the problem solving and data visualization skills to drive innovation in these dynamic fields. With its user friendly syntax and extensive libraries, Python has become essential in today’s tech landscape. Read More

UNM-LA Introduces IT And Cybersecurity Certifications

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By TRACY BAILEY
UNM-Los Alamos

UNM-Los Alamos Continuing Education is thrilled to introduce out cutting-edge IT and Cybersecurity Boot Camps, proudly developed in partnership with CompTIA.

Our flexible, core IT and Cybersecurity modules cater to your unique starting point on your educational journey. This is your opportunity to be a real-world champion in the realms of data protection, threat detection, and digital defense.

Upon completing these boot camps, you’ll not only have mastered highly coveted skills but also crafted an impressive portfolio of projects that showcase your Read More