DTN 005: Bezos’ Big Bet on Life Extension

The Big Picture

Longevity Startups Raised $7B in 2022

“Altos, the Bezos-backed biotechnology company focused on cellular rejuvenation raised a record-breaking $3 billion through a series A financing in January, representing 43% of the total dollar amount raised by longevity companies in 2022.” (Spannr)

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Memory-Chip Makers Face a Prolonged Price Slump

“Average prices for the two main types of memory chips used in everyday electronics—from smartphones to personal computers and TV sets—are projected to experience double-digit percentage declines this quarter. That comes after prices dropped by more than 20% in the last three months of 2022 from the previous quarter, according to analyst data.” (WSJ)

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A 3D Printer Isn’t Cool. You Know What’s Cool? A 3D-Printing Factory

“Instead of trying to build a single machine that can print three-dimensional objects, Freeform is looking to turn entire buildings into automated 3D-printing factories that would use dozens of lasers to create rocket engine chambers or car parts from metal powder. The company, which has never before discussed its approach publicly, says the technique could allow it to make metal parts 25 to 50 times faster than is possible with current methods and at a fraction of the cost.”(Bloomberg)

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China Invests $546 Billion in Clean Energy, Far Surpassing the U.S.

“China once again topped the world in clean energy investments last year, a trend that could challenge U.S. efforts to develop more homegrown manufacturing. Nearly half of the world’s low-carbon spending took place in China, according to a recent analysis from market research firm BloombergNEF. The country spent $546 billion in 2022 on investments that included solar and wind energy, electric vehicles and batteries.” (Scientific American)

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U.S. scientists brace for tighter scrutiny of potentially risky research

“Federally funded scientists who work with potentially harmful bacteria, viruses, and other agents could soon face a major expansion of U.S. government oversight. An expert group last week recommended broadening rules that require universities and funding agencies to determine whether proposed studies count as dual-use research—work that carries the risk of intentionally or accidentally creating a bioweapon. Currently, such reviews are only required for experiments involving 15 dangerous agents. But the panel argues the reviews should now extend to work with all human, plant, and animal pathogens, even those causing only mild disease.” (Science)

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New AI classifier for indicating AI-written text

“We’ve trained a classifier to distinguish between text written by a human and text written by AIs from a variety of providers. While it is impossible to reliably detect all AI-written text, we believe good classifiers can inform mitigations for false claims that AI-generated text was written by a human: for example, running automated misinformation campaigns, using AI tools for academic dishonesty, and positioning an AI chatbot as a human.” (OpenAI)

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Astronomers prepare to launch LuSEE night, a test observatory on the far side of the moon

“Astronomers have not yet been able to map large portions of the radio emissions from our universe because of interference from the Earth itself. A team of astronomers hopes to change that, beginning with the LuSEE Night mission to the far side of the moon. It will launch in 2025 and chart a new pathway to Lunar observatories.” (UniverseToday)

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China mulling restrictions on polysilicon, wafer production tech exports

“In a joint statement, the two ministries said that three technologies related to the PV manufacturing industry could be included in the catalog – wafers, black silicon, and ingot casting. If the three categories are added to the restrictions list, manufacturers will need technology export licenses from the respective provincial departments to export such products. China accounted for more than 98% of global wafer production for the solar industry in 2021.” (PV Magazine)