Posts

Showing posts from January, 2025

Batteries : A Brief History of Energy Storage

Image
A battery's positive end, called the cathode, and its negative end, the anode, are fundamental to how it stores and delivers energy Long ago, humans mastered fire, combining a spark, a flammable object, and oxygen to create light, warmth, and a way to cook food. But as our world grew more complex, so did our energy needs.  Now, we rely on power not just to stay warm but also to cool our homes with air conditioning, fuel our devices, and even power electric vehicles. So, how did we go from the primitive glow of fire to a world powered by rechargeable batteries? Modern battery development began in 1800 when Italian scientist Alessandro Volta invented the voltaic pile, the first true battery capable of continuous electric current. James Prescott Joule formally described the Law of Conservation of Energy , which states: "Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it simply transfers from one form to another." Batteries are special because they allow us to capture and store energy...

AI Agents: Can They Get Our Sushi Orders Right?

Image
  I can eat sushi with chopsticks! (sometimes) Today's post is inspired by a combination of my experience at a restaurant last night and the latest Bloomberg Technology podcast I listened to. Ordering Sushi x AI Agents! AI is going to remain a hot topic in 2025. But what’s especially exciting is how AI agents are evolving. These are highly autonomous tools capable of making complex decisions without constant human oversight. Think of AI agents as digital assistants who don’t just answer questions but take action on your behalf. They can place online orders, book hotels, send emails, and even manage schedules. For example, you could ask an AI agent to plan a weekend trip. It could find the best flight deals, reserve your hotel, and book dinner at your favorite sushi spot—all without you needing to check multiple websites yourself. But here’s the catch: this all depends on whether the agent understands your instructions correctly. It's easy to mess up orders. Just last night, I...