Important Innovations

  New Machine Learning Algorithms Spot Lightning Days Before Other WX Systems Do                                       Source:  Stock Lightning Images New AI System to Forecast Lightning and More There are few things more difficult to track and predict than the dynamic forces of nature that result in real-time weather.  Now, researchers at the University of Washington have invented an artificial intelligence, machine learning system that results in earlier and more precise weather forecasting.  The team started their artificial intelligence system with weather reports and data on lightning which is one of the most destructive and unpredictable forces of nature.  An example of the destructive force of unpredictable lightning is the massive 2020 California Lightning Complex fire that resulted in nearly 470,000 acres of total fire devastation and 23 deaths.  Early forecasting of that severe lightning event could have facilitated earlier fire preparation and possibly earlier containment.  

Sensor Backpack that Rides on Bumblebees Source:  University of Washington Small, Sensing Biosystem for Farms & The Environment This is extraordinary innovation at the cutting edge to monitor the environment and farms.  It's from computer scientists and engineers at the University of Washington.   They've invented a sensor system small enough to ride on the back of a bumblebee to gather data on the health and quality of farm plants. Better Than Drones Farmers are using drones to monitor temperature, humidity and crop health over their fields.  There are big limits caused by power needs of drones.  The drones can't go very far without a recharge every 10 to 20 minutes. Bees on Patrol with Backpacks Bees fly on their own, so the system needs only a tiny rechargeable battery.  It lasts 7 hours for data collection and can be recharged wirelessly when the bees return to their hives.  The scientists download the data when the bees return to the hive.  The team