Latest news with #PolitecnicodiMilano
Ottawa Citizen
14-05-2025
- Science
- Ottawa Citizen
Materials, Data, Landscapes, Space, and Wellbeing: Politecnico di Milano research supporting 7 Projects at the Biennale Architettura 2025
Article content MILAN, May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — At the 19th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, taking place 10 May-23 November 2025, Politecnico di Milano will support seven projects addressing the challenges of contemporary architecture through an interdisciplinary lens. This year's event, curated by Carlo Ratti, is entitled 'Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective.' and invites reflection on the forms of intelligence emerging from the interplay between space, technology, and society. Article content Article content Article content In this context, the presence of the Politecnico di Milano is reflected in the installations that foster dialogue between architecture, science, and innovation, engaging with themes such as sustainability, sensory perception, wellbeing, and new materials. Applied research, a cross-disciplinary outlook, and an emphasis on social impact form the common thread linking these projects, designed to enrich the global discourse on the future of architecture. Article content Politecnico di Milano's Rector, Donatella Sciuto said: 'The presence of the Politecnico di Milano as a supporter of several projects participating in the Biennale Architettura 2025 is part of one of the most prestigious cultural events on the Italian and international scene. The Biennale di Venezia, with its long-standing heritage and unrivalled prestige, is a hub of creativity where artists, architects, thinkers, and innovators converge and work together. It reflects the social, cultural, and technological transformations of our time, and the university finds itself mirrored in this setting as a driver of change. The university is a place of knowledge, where intelligence is nurtured, developed, and evolves and where new areas of application and forms of expression are discovered. The theme chosen by Carlo Ratti is significant for us, as it is within this framework that architecture must imagine and bring to life new worlds.' Article content Article content Biennale Architettura 2025 curator and Politecnico di Milano professor Carlo Ratti said: 'The message of this Biennale is urgent – the built environment must adapt to a changing planet. Architecture is no longer a matter of form, but of survival. To address this challenge, it must evolve, drawing on all forms of natural, artificial, and collective intelligence at our disposal. This is why universities play such a crucial role in this year's Biennale, especially in a time when they are confronted by emerging forms of obscurantism. We are honoured to count Politecnico di Milano among our participants. I hope the Biennale can carry this message to Piazza Leonardo da Vinci and our current and future students. Architecture has the power to change the world, if we are brave enough to let it.' Article content The Politecnico di Milano supports the following projects participating in the Biennale Architettura 2025: Material Bank – Matters Make Sense is a project set up at the Corderie dell'Arsenale, presented by Ingrid Maria Paoletti and Stefano Capolongo (Department of Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering, Politecnico di Milano), together with set designer Margherita Palli and Nobel Laureate Konstantin Novosëlov (National University of Singapore), awarded for his work on graphene. The project explores perception as a fundamental form of intelligence, linking innovative materials, sensory experience and the built environment. Inspired by the intertwined concepts of a labyrinth and a library, the installation, features interactive devices such as the Polimi_Sensing Core, which enables visitors to perceive their own heartbeat through reactive fabrics, prompting a reflection on the body as an environmental interface.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
A total solar eclipse from 2471 B.C. may have shaken Egypt's cult of the sun
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The date is April 1, 2471 B.C., and a total solar eclipse has forced night to fall during the day in Egypt. The sun has morphed into a lifeless black circle surrounded by a milky halo, a consequence of the moon passing perfectly between the Earth and its radiant star. Darkness has swept across the Nile Delta. The sacred city of Buto's usual luster has been blanketed in shadow. Pharaoh Shepsekaf, the reigning ruler of the fourth Egyptian dynasty, is shaken. Could this be an ominous message from the heavens? Such is the picture painted by a new study from archaeoastronomer Giulio Magli, who calculated that this ancient solar eclipse's path of totality coincides with a major shift in Egyptian tradition that occurred in tandem with Shepsekaf's tenure: a shift away from solar worship. "This king precisely corresponds to the eclipse," Magli, a professor of Archaeoastronomy at the Department of Mathematics of the Politecnico di Milano, told "I say precisely because I'm adopting here one of the possible chronologies of the Old Kingdom. There are others, because it is not easy to fix the dates of the beginning of the regnal years — but also in the other chronologies, it is compatible." It has been known for a long time that ancient Egyptians venerated the sun; for instance, the god who took the form of a falcon, Horus, was typically depicted with a right eye representing the sun as a source of power. (The god's left eye represented the moon as a source of healing). Then, by the time of the fourth Egyptian dynasty, the well-known sun god Ra became the primary symbol of the Egyptian solar cult. Fourth dynasty rulers even typically adopted a suffix to their names that paid tribute to Ra. "Khufu was a sort of solarized king," Magli explained of the second ruler of the fourth Egyptian dynasty. And some of the pharaohs after Khufu include Khafre, Djedefra and Menkaure — the latter of whom was likely Shepsekaf's father. But something clearly changed when it came down to Shepsekaf. His name, first off, doesn't adopt the suffix that relates to the sun god — and that's not all. The Pharaoh Shepsekaf, as Magli explains, was buried in a tomb that surprisingly did not face Heliopolis, a city and major religious center associated with Ra. Shepsekaf's tomb also isn't christened with a pyramid as was the case with other pharaohs. The three famous pyramids of Giza, for context, were each built during the fourth dynasty of Egypt. The first of the trio was constructed as a royal tomb for Khufu. The next was built for Khafre, the fourth ruler, and the third was built for Menkaure, the fifth ruler. "They are solar kings, and they are in plain view of Heliopolis, which was the main place of the solar cult," Magli explained. Shepsekaf, on the other hand, was buried in a monument Magli says resembles structures in Buto, a sacred site in the delta of the Nile. Importantly, if you recall, this is the site that sat right in the center of the 2471 B.C. solar eclipse path of totality. "No one has been able to explain it, and my idea is that it resembles a building which was in the most sacred place inside the part of totality," Magli said. It is also worth considering that these huge shifts away from the solar cult that coincide with Shepsekaf's reign were widely known already. However, Magli says it wasn't previously possible to pinpoint a specific reason for them, mostly because mathematical calculations concerning ancient paths of totality needed to be improved before a connection could be made. "In the last years, colleagues working specifically on the reconstruction of dates and paths of totality of ancient eclipses made great progress," Magli said. "It's easy to know the days and the times of ancient eclipses. This is just the mechanics of the three bodies — this is easy. What you do not know is where on the Earth the umbra of the moon is projected, because this depends on the rotation of the Earth if it is not constant — and in fact it is not constant." Though unnoticeable by us on a regular basis, our planet does experience microscopic fluctuations in its rotation; for instance, adjustments to the mass distribution across our planet can affect the positioning of Earth's axis, and indeed how quickly it rotates. Furthermore on the topic of ancient solar eclipses, experts have previously found some references to these events in Egyptian literature. For example, as Magli's study states, in the dedication to 18th dynasty pharaoh Tutankhamen upon a limestone record known as the "Stela of Huy," it says 'I see the darkness during the daylight (that) you have made, illumine me so that I may see you.'" Still, he explains, there aren't concrete pieces of information about solar eclipses in any Egyptian text found thus far. Though eventually, the solar cult gets a comeback. It looks slightly different than it did with the fourth dynasty, but solar worship seems to resume with the fifth Egyptian dynasty — the pharaohs of which built their tombs in association with pyramids too, though none were quite as outstanding as the pyramids of Giza. This solar worship was connected with the construction of a new building, Magli says, which is called "The Sun Temple." Each pharaoh of the fifth dynasty built one of these structures in addition to a pyramid, he says. It's disputed whether each physically "built" a new sun temple or renewed a previous temple, but the pharaohs made their sun temple marks nonetheless. With improved calculations about paths of totality in hand, Magli was also able to decode something fascinating about another total solar eclipse that impacted ancient Egyptian civilizations. This other eclipse appeared to have occurred a stunning 1,000 years later. And the general reaction to it has been considered quite surprising. On May 14, 1338 B.C., once again, night fell during the day in Egypt. This time, the reigning ruler was Akhenaten of the 18th Egyptian dynasty — but what's interesting is that Akhenaten didn't seem to fear the cold, dark sun shining above his land. "This king was the establisher of a new solar monotheistic god," Magli explained. "And this eclipse occurred exactly where he founded this new capital in the middle region, which is a place which is lost in nowhere — it's lost in the desert." Why would that be? On one hand, Magli says it's possible Akhenetan was aware of the total solar eclipse that happened during Shepsekaf's time because of how "impressive" the cultural continuity of Egypt is. Perhaps the 18th-dynasty Pharaoh was somehow told that the solar cult needn't be abandoned in light of a total solar eclipse. Yet we can't know for sure, mostly because of the lack of direct scriptures relating to solar eclipses from ancient Egyptian archives. "It is always difficult to establish if the eclipses were seen in the ancient past as bad omens or good omens," Magli said, mentioning that it's a similar situation for confirming whether comets from the past were considered blessings or not. "Comets were usually considered as bad omens, but we have in Italy the most glaring example of a comet considered as a good omen," he said. "Augustus founded the imperial power of Rome on the passage of a comet during the days of the death of Caesar." Yet what we do know is that ancient Egyptians were quite attuned to both astronomy — following cyclic phases of the moon and paying attention to stellar patterns — as well as omens in general — the worst of which is thought to be the Nile not reaching expected heights after regular periods of heavy rains. Related Stories: — What's left of the 2024 solar eclipse lives in our hearts — My formal 2024 solar eclipse apology — Archaeologists find huge, 2,500-year-old Egyptian astronomy observatory Those aspects are known because of evidence, and that's why Magli hopes we'll soon stumble upon some first-hand sources concerning what Shepsekaf really thought about the solar eclipse that shrouded his kingdom. "The architectural settings of the Shepsekaf period have to be studied much more," he said. "It may be that there we find texts … it would be very important to excavate them." "I've been researching the pyramids for many years. To me, it is fundamental to touch it. You cannot speak about the monument without touching it," he added. "We have the instruments to analyze monuments from the air, from satellite images and so on — and I do use them — but I think that this cannot be in substitution of touching the stones."
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Maserati MC20 Sets Autonomous Speed Record at 198 MPH
Read the full story on Modern Car Collector A modified Maserati MC20 has become the world's fastest autonomous car, reaching a top speed of 197.7 mph on the Kennedy Space Center's 2.8-mile runway. The record-breaking feat was achieved by the Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC) in collaboration with Politecnico di Milano. This accomplishment surpasses the previous autonomous speed record of 192.8 mph, set by an AV-21 race car. The MC20 was piloted by artificial intelligence software developed by PoliMOVE-MSU, part of the university's AIDA (Artificial Intelligence Driving Autonomous) initiative. 'These world speed records are much more than just a showcase of future technology,' said Paul Mitchell, CEO of the Indy Autonomous Challenge. 'We are pushing AI-driver software and robotics hardware to the absolute edge. Doing so with a street car is helping transition the learnings of autonomous racing to enable safe, secure, sustainable, high-speed autonomous mobility on highways.' The MC20's success highlights the potential for AI-driven high-performance vehicles. Unlike previous records set by race cars, the Maserati is a road-going supercar, demonstrating that autonomous technology can be adapted for consumer vehicles. Following the record-setting run, a Maserati MC20 Cielo, the convertible version of the supercar, participated in the 1000 Miglia Experience Florida. The same model was also featured in the 2023 1000 Miglia race in Italy, where it covered 60 kilometers in autonomous mode. Maserati's foray into autonomous technology aligns with the broader push toward AI-driven mobility. While the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport holds the human-driven top speed record of 304.7 mph, and the Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut aims for 330 mph, the MC20's autonomous achievement signals a new frontier in self-driving capabilities. As AI continues to evolve, experts anticipate further breakthroughs in speed and safety, bridging the gap between human and machine-driven performance. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Maserati's AI-driven supercar shatters speed records
On top of making some sexy cars, Maserati is now dabbling in world records, as well. Their MC20 supercar just became the world's fastest autonomous vehicle, reaching a top speed of 197.7 mph without a human at the helm. The previous record of 192.8 mph was set by the Indy Autonomous Challenge and PoliMOVE, a team from the performance division of Artificial Intelligence Driving Autonomous of Politecnico di Milano, at the same location in April 2022 with an IAC AV-21 racecar. That same PoliMOVE team developed the AI driver software that piloted Maserati's record-breaking supercar. For reference, the Maserati MC20 sports a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 that makes 621 horsepower and has a top speed of 202 run was done in collaboration with the Indy Autonomous Challenge, the Italian university Politecnico di Milano, as well as the newly established 1000 Miglia Experience Florida. The four partners took the MC20 to the fabled Space Florida Launch and Landing Facility at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a 2.8-mile-long runway that is an absolute godsend for any top speed runs. 'These world speed records are much more than just a showcase of future technology; we are pushing AI-driver software and robotics hardware to the absolute edge. Doing so with a streetcar is helping transition the learnings of autonomous racing to enable safe, secure, sustainable, high-speed autonomous mobility on highways', said Paul Mitchell, CEO of Indy Autonomous Challenge and Aidoptation BV. After the autonomous high-speed run, a Maserati MC20 Cielo went on to participate in the 1000 Miglia Experience Florida. This same MC20 Cielo was part of the Italian 1000 Miglia in 2023 where it drove approximately 60 kilometers (about 37 miles) in autonomous may seem strange to test how fast a robot can drive a car, but as it turns out, there is a lot of thought behind the process. The goal of high-speed tests is to evaluate the behavior of robo-drivers in extreme conditions. These AI systems have been tested in production vehicles at legal road speeds in the Indy Autonomous Challenge races since 2021," said Prof. Sergio Matteo Savaresi, the Scientific Director of the project and Director of the Department of Electronics, Information, and Bioengineering at the Politecnico di Milano. "The AIDA team used this test to push the boundaries of autonomous driving, improving safety and reliability. Conducted in controlled environments without a human driver, the test assesses the AI's stability, robustness, and reaction time, ultimately enhancing safety for low-speed urban mobility situations.'The frequent developments in self-driving technology are nothing short of astonishing. Perhaps, at this rate, full self-driving will actually become what its name claims to be. That said, we really hope the autonomous driving trend doesn't fully extend to supercars. While we understand that using them as test beds to prove what your technology is capable of makes sense, part of the reason for owning a supercar is the joy of driving it. We imagine Maserati knows all about that, though. View the 17 images of this gallery on the original article Love reading Autoblog? Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get exclusive articles, insider insights, and the latest updates delivered right to your inbox. Click here to sign up now!
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Driverless Maserati MC20 Hits 197 MPH At Kennedy Space Center
Maserati's MC20 supercar is the pinnacle of the brand's performance. The 621-horsepower supercar debuted in 2020 as a spiritual successor to the MC12 supercar from the 2000s, and since then the brand has gone on to create variants like the track-ready GT2 Stradale and the convertible MC20 Cielo. While the MC20 might not attract the buyers in ways that competitors like the Porsche 911 Turbo and Chevy Corvette Z06 have, it's still a halo car for the brand. That halo status was further cemented recently with an impressive showing of the MC20's performance and AI technology as part of the Indy Autonomous Challenge, the world's only active racing series for autonomous cars. In a combined effort with Italy's largest scientific technology school, Politecnico di Milano, and Italy's National Center for Sustained Mobility, Maserati set a new world speed record with a driverless MC20. With no one behind the wheel, the MC20 was able to hit nearly 200 mph in a controlled setting. Read more: IndyCar's $1 Million Exhibition Race At A Club Track Was A Ridiculous Attempt To Recreate The Worst Parts Of Formula 1 The basis for the driverless MC20 was an MC20 Cielo convertible. Using AI programming that was developed by PoliMOVE-MSU, an artificial intelligence team from the school, the autonomous MC20 was able to hit 197.7 mph at the Kennedy Space Center. Not only is that impressive for a driverless car and just a few ticks shy of the Cielo's 202-mph top speed, it's also a new world record, beating the previous record set in November 2024 by another driverless MC20 coupe at Piacenza Military Airport in Italy. During that run, the driverless car reached 177 mph. This new record also beats a previous driverless car record set at the Kennedy Space Center in 2022 when the IAC AV-21 race car hit 192.8 mph. Paul Mitchell, CEO of Indy Autonomous Challenge and Aidoptation BV, said the new record helps push the boundaries of what AI can do so it can be used in real-world driving. These world speed records are much more than just a showcase of future technology; we are pushing AI-driver software and robotics hardware to the absolute edge. Doing so with a streetcar is helping transition the learnings of autonomous racing to enable safe, secure, sustainable, high-speed autonomous mobility on highways. Maserati says a second driverless MC20 Cielo will drive around the U.S. as part of the 1000 Miglia Experience Florida. This MC20 has already driven nearly 40 miles autonomously in Italy, and the brand says it's now in the U.S. to showcase the "excellence of Italian research." Maserati echoed Paul Mitchell's statement in its announcement of the record, saying that this run helps further AI and driverless car research so it can be used in both production and motorsport applications. Could this all be the beginning of a new age of driverless car tech? It could be. It remains to be seen what benefit a driverless car going nearly 200 mph would be for the public, but if it helps improve Level 2 and Level 3 automated driving systems already in use, it'll be a win for sure. Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.
