×
Square launches AI voice ordering and an integrated Bitcoin solution for merchants | TechCrunch

Square launches AI voice ordering and an integrated Bitcoin solution for merchants | TechCrunch

Tech-news , , ,

Square, Block’s merchant payments platform, has launched new features for merchants, including AI-powered voice ordering for restaurants, enhancements to its AI assistants — such as providing local insights — and an integrated Bitcoin solution to accept and hold the digital currency.

The company now lets restaurants and cafes using Square leverage AI to handle incoming calls. This is particularly useful for cloud kitchens (delivery-only restaurants) and other delivery-focused establishments, as they can hand off order taking, customization, and other menu-related questions to AI. The bot can handle requests like, “What is special in your menu today?” or “Make my food spicy, but don’t use any dairy.”

Other companies, such as Yelp and Kea, are building voice AI solutions for restaurants. Square said its solution stands out because it’s integrated with its payment and kiosk ecosystem, making it easier for restaurants to manage orders.

Square is also adding Grubhub integration to streamline third-party delivery orders, a redesigned kiosk interface for easier access to frequently used menus, and an AI-powered inventory management tool to help restaurants manage and optimize supplies.

The point-of-sale company is also adding new features to its Square AI assistant, which was launched earlier this year in open beta. The bot can now provide local insights, such as weather, nearby events, and industry trends.

Image Credits: Square

While the assistant could already create visualizations for merchants based on their data and queries, Square now allows them to save these as auto-updating widgets on their dashboards.

What’s more, Square is bringing new features such as access to conversation history with Square AI and a dashboard on its mobile app for merchants.

Techcrunch event

San Francisco
|
October 27-29, 2025

Bitcoin integration

Block co-founder Jack Dorsey’s affinity for Bitcoin is well-known. Square began allowing merchants to convert part of their daily earnings into Bitcoin last year. The company is now introducing an integrated Bitcoin solution for sellers, including a wallet.

In encourage Bitcoin adoption, the company will allow businesses to accept the digital currency directly from their point-of-sale machines with no processing fee for one year. In 2027, the company will start charging a 1% processing fee.

The company is also introducing an integrated Square Bitcoin wallet with the ability to buy, sell, hold, and withdraw the cryptocurrency directly from the dashboard.

A screenshot of Square app on seller side that shows the Bitcoin wallet functionality, allowing them to hold and trade the cryptocurrency.
Image Credits: Square

Last year, Square allowed retailers to convert 1% to -10% of their daily earnings to Bitcoin. With the introduction of Square Bitcoin, merchants can choose to convert up to 50% of their daily revenue. The company noted that since the start of the program, users have accumulated 142 Bitcoins, which amounts to over $17 million at the time of writing.

“The Bitcoin tools we’re building at Square deliver on two critical needs: ensuring sellers never miss a sale, and giving them access to powerful financial tools that help them more easily manage and grow their finances,” Miles Suter, Head of Bitcoin Product at Block, said in a statement.

“We’re making Bitcoin payments as seamless as card payments while giving small businesses access to financial management tools that, until now, have been exclusive to the largest corporations. Through Square and Cash App, we serve both sides of the counter, meaning Square is uniquely positioned to make Bitcoin everyday money, not just a store of value – while also helping sellers future-proof their operations,” he added.

Block is now allowing Square merchants to accept Bitcoin payments without any processing fee for one year
Image Credits: Block

While hundreds of online merchants accept Bitcoin as a payment method, a large portion of Bitcoin transactions are still related to speculative trading. A survey from eMarketer suggests that the number of U.S. users who use cryptocurrency as a payment method will jump to 7.1 million in 2026. Block, which has been bullish on Bitcoin, aims to capitalize on increased currency adoption with the new merchant offerings.

Source link
#Square #launches #voice #ordering #integrated #Bitcoin #solution #merchants #TechCrunch

Tag

Related Posts

Nuclear startup X-energy began its investor roadshow Wednesday as it works toward its IPO, setting its target price between $16 and $19 per share, according to documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. If it lists at the high end, the startup could net about $814 million.

X-energy and its peers have been riding a renewed wave of interest in fission power as demand for electricity has surged on the back of AI data centers and societywide electrification. 

Amazon is one of X-energy’s biggest backers. The tech giant led a $500 million Series C-1 round and has pledged to buy as much as 5 gigawatts of nuclear power from the company by 2039.

The IPO is sure to come as a relief to X-energy’s investors, which have put about $1.8 billion into the company, according to PitchBook. The startup had previously attempted to go public via reverse merger with a special purpose acquisition company, but the two parties canceled the deal in 2023 as the SPAC craze petered out.

X-energy’s reactor is what’s known as a high-temperature, gas-cooled reactor. Inside, uranium encased in spheres of ceramic and carbon is cooled by helium gas. The gas then transfers heat to a steam turbine loop to generate electricity. The fuel design, known as TRISO, is expected to be safer than previous fuel arrangements, though it’s not widely used today.

The startup said in its SEC filing that it’s already embroiled in a patent dispute with another company that recently went bankrupt. Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC) went bankrupt in 2024, and its assets were purchased in bankruptcy to form Standard Nuclear. X-energy alleges that USNC infringed on its fuel fabrication patents and that the matter hasn’t been resolved to its satisfaction during the course of the bankruptcy proceedings.

Outside of China, development of new nuclear reactors has all but stalled, stymied by delays and cost overruns. A new breed of startups hopes that by shrinking reactors, they’ll be able to overcome some of the challenges that have beset traditional designs.

Techcrunch event

San Francisco, CA | October 13-15, 2026

None of the small modular reactor startups have built a power plant yet, though several are racing to meet a deadline of July 4 set by the Trump administration.

While many might miss the arbitrary deadline, they’re still likely to achieve criticality, the moment when fission reactions become self-sustaining.

But the road from criticality to profitable power plants is likely to be long. Mass manufacturing can help bring costs down, but it usually takes around a decade for the process to start paying dividends. What’s more, the number of reactors these companies are planning to build might be more than other companies have attempted, but it might not be high enough to reap the true benefits of mass manufacturing.

X-energy expects that by the time its reactor production techniques are mature — what experts call “Nth-of-a-kind” — it will be able to bring costs down by 30% relative to the first-of-a-kind. Investors should pay close attention to how much that first reactor costs. It could make or break the company’s prospects.

#Amazonbacked #Xenergy #files #raise #800M #IPO #TechCrunchAmazon,IPO,nuclear fission,nuclear power,X-Energy">Amazon-backed X-energy files to raise up to 0M in IPO | TechCrunch Nuclear startup X-energy began its investor roadshow Wednesday as it works toward its IPO, setting its target price between and per share, according to documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. If it lists at the high end, the startup could net about 4 million. X-energy and its peers have been riding a renewed wave of interest in fission power as demand for electricity has surged on the back of AI data centers and societywide electrification.  Amazon is one of X-energy’s biggest backers. The tech giant led a 0 million Series C-1 round and has pledged to buy as much as 5 gigawatts of nuclear power from the company by 2039. The IPO is sure to come as a relief to X-energy’s investors, which have put about .8 billion into the company, according to PitchBook. The startup had previously attempted to go public via reverse merger with a special purpose acquisition company, but the two parties canceled the deal in 2023 as the SPAC craze petered out. X-energy’s reactor is what’s known as a high-temperature, gas-cooled reactor. Inside, uranium encased in spheres of ceramic and carbon is cooled by helium gas. The gas then transfers heat to a steam turbine loop to generate electricity. The fuel design, known as TRISO, is expected to be safer than previous fuel arrangements, though it’s not widely used today. The startup said in its SEC filing that it’s already embroiled in a patent dispute with another company that recently went bankrupt. Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC) went bankrupt in 2024, and its assets were purchased in bankruptcy to form Standard Nuclear. X-energy alleges that USNC infringed on its fuel fabrication patents and that the matter hasn’t been resolved to its satisfaction during the course of the bankruptcy proceedings. Outside of China, development of new nuclear reactors has all but stalled, stymied by delays and cost overruns. A new breed of startups hopes that by shrinking reactors, they’ll be able to overcome some of the challenges that have beset traditional designs. Techcrunch event San Francisco, CA | October 13-15, 2026 None of the small modular reactor startups have built a power plant yet, though several are racing to meet a deadline of July 4 set by the Trump administration. While many might miss the arbitrary deadline, they’re still likely to achieve criticality, the moment when fission reactions become self-sustaining. But the road from criticality to profitable power plants is likely to be long. Mass manufacturing can help bring costs down, but it usually takes around a decade for the process to start paying dividends. What’s more, the number of reactors these companies are planning to build might be more than other companies have attempted, but it might not be high enough to reap the true benefits of mass manufacturing. X-energy expects that by the time its reactor production techniques are mature — what experts call “Nth-of-a-kind” — it will be able to bring costs down by 30% relative to the first-of-a-kind. Investors should pay close attention to how much that first reactor costs. It could make or break the company’s prospects. #Amazonbacked #Xenergy #files #raise #800M #IPO #TechCrunchAmazon,IPO,nuclear fission,nuclear power,X-Energy

documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. If it lists at the high end, the startup could net about $814 million.

X-energy and its peers have been riding a renewed wave of interest in fission power as demand for electricity has surged on the back of AI data centers and societywide electrification. 

Amazon is one of X-energy’s biggest backers. The tech giant led a $500 million Series C-1 round and has pledged to buy as much as 5 gigawatts of nuclear power from the company by 2039.

The IPO is sure to come as a relief to X-energy’s investors, which have put about $1.8 billion into the company, according to PitchBook. The startup had previously attempted to go public via reverse merger with a special purpose acquisition company, but the two parties canceled the deal in 2023 as the SPAC craze petered out.

X-energy’s reactor is what’s known as a high-temperature, gas-cooled reactor. Inside, uranium encased in spheres of ceramic and carbon is cooled by helium gas. The gas then transfers heat to a steam turbine loop to generate electricity. The fuel design, known as TRISO, is expected to be safer than previous fuel arrangements, though it’s not widely used today.

The startup said in its SEC filing that it’s already embroiled in a patent dispute with another company that recently went bankrupt. Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC) went bankrupt in 2024, and its assets were purchased in bankruptcy to form Standard Nuclear. X-energy alleges that USNC infringed on its fuel fabrication patents and that the matter hasn’t been resolved to its satisfaction during the course of the bankruptcy proceedings.

Outside of China, development of new nuclear reactors has all but stalled, stymied by delays and cost overruns. A new breed of startups hopes that by shrinking reactors, they’ll be able to overcome some of the challenges that have beset traditional designs.

Techcrunch event

San Francisco, CA | October 13-15, 2026

None of the small modular reactor startups have built a power plant yet, though several are racing to meet a deadline of July 4 set by the Trump administration.

While many might miss the arbitrary deadline, they’re still likely to achieve criticality, the moment when fission reactions become self-sustaining.

But the road from criticality to profitable power plants is likely to be long. Mass manufacturing can help bring costs down, but it usually takes around a decade for the process to start paying dividends. What’s more, the number of reactors these companies are planning to build might be more than other companies have attempted, but it might not be high enough to reap the true benefits of mass manufacturing.

X-energy expects that by the time its reactor production techniques are mature — what experts call “Nth-of-a-kind” — it will be able to bring costs down by 30% relative to the first-of-a-kind. Investors should pay close attention to how much that first reactor costs. It could make or break the company’s prospects.

#Amazonbacked #Xenergy #files #raise #800M #IPO #TechCrunchAmazon,IPO,nuclear fission,nuclear power,X-Energy">Amazon-backed X-energy files to raise up to $800M in IPO | TechCrunch

Nuclear startup X-energy began its investor roadshow Wednesday as it works toward its IPO, setting its target price between $16 and $19 per share, according to documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. If it lists at the high end, the startup could net about $814 million.

X-energy and its peers have been riding a renewed wave of interest in fission power as demand for electricity has surged on the back of AI data centers and societywide electrification. 

Amazon is one of X-energy’s biggest backers. The tech giant led a $500 million Series C-1 round and has pledged to buy as much as 5 gigawatts of nuclear power from the company by 2039.

The IPO is sure to come as a relief to X-energy’s investors, which have put about $1.8 billion into the company, according to PitchBook. The startup had previously attempted to go public via reverse merger with a special purpose acquisition company, but the two parties canceled the deal in 2023 as the SPAC craze petered out.

X-energy’s reactor is what’s known as a high-temperature, gas-cooled reactor. Inside, uranium encased in spheres of ceramic and carbon is cooled by helium gas. The gas then transfers heat to a steam turbine loop to generate electricity. The fuel design, known as TRISO, is expected to be safer than previous fuel arrangements, though it’s not widely used today.

The startup said in its SEC filing that it’s already embroiled in a patent dispute with another company that recently went bankrupt. Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC) went bankrupt in 2024, and its assets were purchased in bankruptcy to form Standard Nuclear. X-energy alleges that USNC infringed on its fuel fabrication patents and that the matter hasn’t been resolved to its satisfaction during the course of the bankruptcy proceedings.

Outside of China, development of new nuclear reactors has all but stalled, stymied by delays and cost overruns. A new breed of startups hopes that by shrinking reactors, they’ll be able to overcome some of the challenges that have beset traditional designs.

Techcrunch event

San Francisco, CA | October 13-15, 2026

None of the small modular reactor startups have built a power plant yet, though several are racing to meet a deadline of July 4 set by the Trump administration.

While many might miss the arbitrary deadline, they’re still likely to achieve criticality, the moment when fission reactions become self-sustaining.

But the road from criticality to profitable power plants is likely to be long. Mass manufacturing can help bring costs down, but it usually takes around a decade for the process to start paying dividends. What’s more, the number of reactors these companies are planning to build might be more than other companies have attempted, but it might not be high enough to reap the true benefits of mass manufacturing.

X-energy expects that by the time its reactor production techniques are mature — what experts call “Nth-of-a-kind” — it will be able to bring costs down by 30% relative to the first-of-a-kind. Investors should pay close attention to how much that first reactor costs. It could make or break the company’s prospects.

#Amazonbacked #Xenergy #files #raise #800M #IPO #TechCrunchAmazon,IPO,nuclear fission,nuclear power,X-Energy
F-series, bringing a strong focus on selfie photography, durability, and long battery life. The lineup includes the OPPO F33 5G and F33 Pro 5G, both of which feature a 50MP ultra-wide front camera, AI-powered editing tools, and a massive 7,000mAh battery, as well as high durability ratings. Here’s what you need to know about them.

Big Focus on Selfies and AI Photography

The highlight of the OPPO F33 series is its 50MP ultra-wide front camera with a 100° field of view, which aims to capture more people in a single frame without distortion. The Pro variant also introduces auto-switching to 0.6x zoom when multiple faces are detected, making group selfies more seamless. OPPO has also added a multicolored front fill light for better low-light selfies, along with features such as autofocus and electronic image stabilization.

On the rear, the phones feature a 50MP main camera paired with a depth sensor for portrait shots. The camera system is backed by a wide range of AI tools, including object removal, scene enhancement, portrait lighting, and more. We are currently putting all these claims to the test, so keep an eye on our review dropping pretty soon.

New Design and Performance

OPPO F33, F33 Pro Launch in India with IP69K Rating, Dimensity 6380 Max and 7,000 mAh Battery OPPO has finally taken the covers off its popular F-series, bringing a strong focus on selfie photography, durability, and long battery life. The lineup includes the OPPO F33 5G and F33 Pro 5G, both of which feature a 50MP ultra-wide front camera, AI-powered editing tools, and a massive 7,000mAh battery, as well as high durability ratings. Here’s what you need to know about them. Big Focus on Selfies and AI Photography The highlight of the OPPO F33 series is its 50MP ultra-wide front camera with a 100° field of view, which aims to capture more people in a single frame without distortion. The Pro variant also introduces auto-switching to 0.6x zoom when multiple faces are detected, making group selfies more seamless. OPPO has also added a multicolored front fill light for better low-light selfies, along with features such as autofocus and electronic image stabilization. On the rear, the phones feature a 50MP main camera paired with a depth sensor for portrait shots. The camera system is backed by a wide range of AI tools, including object removal, scene enhancement, portrait lighting, and more. We are currently putting all these claims to the test, so keep an eye on our review dropping pretty soon. New Design and Performance The OPPO F33 Pro 5G introduces a redesigned camera module called the Starry Sea Lens, giving the phone a more premium look. The devices also feature a one-piece unibody design with a mix of glossy and matte finishes. On the front, both models come with a 6.57-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and high brightness levels. Under the hood, both devices are powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6360 MAX processor, paired with up to 12GB RAM. As always, durability is another highlight. The OPPO F33 series comes with IP69K, IP68, and IP66 ratings, offering protection against dust, water immersion, and even high-pressure water jets. The phones also feature a 360-degree armor body with aerospace-grade materials and shock-absorbing internals, along with military-grade certifications for harsh conditions The F33 series runs on ColorOS 16, bringing AI features like document scanning, writing assistance, and system-wide optimizations. It also integrates Google Gemini for smart assistance across apps. Connectivity is another area OPPO is focusing on, with the F33 series being positioned as India’s first Jio-certified 5G++ smartphone. Battery life is handled by a 7,000mAh unit with 80W fast charging, which OPPO claims can fully charge the phone in around 69 minutes. Price and Availability The OPPO F33 series will be available via Flipkart, Amazon, OPPO’s online store, and offline retail outlets. OPPO F33 Pro 5G 8GB + 128GB: ₹37,999 8GB + 256GB: ₹40,999 OPPO F33 5G 6GB + 128GB: ₹31,999 8GB + 128GB: ₹34,999 8GB + 256GB: ₹37,999 The F33 Pro goes on sale from April 23, while the standard F33 will be available starting April 26. #OPPO #F33 #F33 #Pro #Launch #India #IP69K #Rating #Dimensity #Max #mAh #BatteryOppo

The OPPO F33 Pro 5G introduces a redesigned camera module called the Starry Sea Lens, giving the phone a more premium look. The devices also feature a one-piece unibody design with a mix of glossy and matte finishes. On the front, both models come with a 6.57-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and high brightness levels.

Under the hood, both devices are powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6360 MAX processor, paired with up to 12GB RAM. As always, durability is another highlight. The OPPO F33 series comes with IP69K, IP68, and IP66 ratings, offering protection against dust, water immersion, and even high-pressure water jets. The phones also feature a 360-degree armor body with aerospace-grade materials and shock-absorbing internals, along with military-grade certifications for harsh conditions

The F33 series runs on ColorOS 16, bringing AI features like document scanning, writing assistance, and system-wide optimizations. It also integrates Google Gemini for smart assistance across apps. Connectivity is another area OPPO is focusing on, with the F33 series being positioned as India’s first Jio-certified 5G++ smartphone. Battery life is handled by a 7,000mAh unit with 80W fast charging, which OPPO claims can fully charge the phone in around 69 minutes.

Price and Availability

F33 price

The OPPO F33 series will be available via Flipkart, Amazon, OPPO’s online store, and offline retail outlets.

  1. OPPO F33 Pro 5G
    • 8GB + 128GB: ₹37,999
    • 8GB + 256GB: ₹40,999
  2. OPPO F33 5G
    • 6GB + 128GB: ₹31,999
    • 8GB + 128GB: ₹34,999
    • 8GB + 256GB: ₹37,999

The F33 Pro goes on sale from April 23, while the standard F33 will be available starting April 26.

#OPPO #F33 #F33 #Pro #Launch #India #IP69K #Rating #Dimensity #Max #mAh #BatteryOppo">OPPO F33, F33 Pro Launch in India with IP69K Rating, Dimensity 6380 Max and 7,000 mAh Battery OPPO has finally taken the covers off its popular F-series, bringing a strong focus on selfie photography, durability, and long battery life. The lineup includes the OPPO F33 5G and F33 Pro 5G, both of which feature a 50MP ultra-wide front camera, AI-powered editing tools, and a massive 7,000mAh battery, as well as high durability ratings. Here’s what you need to know about them. Big Focus on Selfies and AI Photography The highlight of the OPPO F33 series is its 50MP ultra-wide front camera with a 100° field of view, which aims to capture more people in a single frame without distortion. The Pro variant also introduces auto-switching to 0.6x zoom when multiple faces are detected, making group selfies more seamless. OPPO has also added a multicolored front fill light for better low-light selfies, along with features such as autofocus and electronic image stabilization. On the rear, the phones feature a 50MP main camera paired with a depth sensor for portrait shots. The camera system is backed by a wide range of AI tools, including object removal, scene enhancement, portrait lighting, and more. We are currently putting all these claims to the test, so keep an eye on our review dropping pretty soon. New Design and Performance The OPPO F33 Pro 5G introduces a redesigned camera module called the Starry Sea Lens, giving the phone a more premium look. The devices also feature a one-piece unibody design with a mix of glossy and matte finishes. On the front, both models come with a 6.57-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and high brightness levels. Under the hood, both devices are powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6360 MAX processor, paired with up to 12GB RAM. As always, durability is another highlight. The OPPO F33 series comes with IP69K, IP68, and IP66 ratings, offering protection against dust, water immersion, and even high-pressure water jets. The phones also feature a 360-degree armor body with aerospace-grade materials and shock-absorbing internals, along with military-grade certifications for harsh conditions The F33 series runs on ColorOS 16, bringing AI features like document scanning, writing assistance, and system-wide optimizations. It also integrates Google Gemini for smart assistance across apps. Connectivity is another area OPPO is focusing on, with the F33 series being positioned as India’s first Jio-certified 5G++ smartphone. Battery life is handled by a 7,000mAh unit with 80W fast charging, which OPPO claims can fully charge the phone in around 69 minutes. Price and Availability The OPPO F33 series will be available via Flipkart, Amazon, OPPO’s online store, and offline retail outlets. OPPO F33 Pro 5G 8GB + 128GB: ₹37,999 8GB + 256GB: ₹40,999 OPPO F33 5G 6GB + 128GB: ₹31,999 8GB + 128GB: ₹34,999 8GB + 256GB: ₹37,999 The F33 Pro goes on sale from April 23, while the standard F33 will be available starting April 26. #OPPO #F33 #F33 #Pro #Launch #India #IP69K #Rating #Dimensity #Max #mAh #BatteryOppo

, bringing a strong focus on selfie photography, durability, and long battery life. The lineup includes the OPPO F33 5G and F33 Pro 5G, both of which feature a 50MP ultra-wide front camera, AI-powered editing tools, and a massive 7,000mAh battery, as well as high durability ratings. Here’s what you need to know about them.

Big Focus on Selfies and AI Photography

The highlight of the OPPO F33 series is its 50MP ultra-wide front camera with a 100° field of view, which aims to capture more people in a single frame without distortion. The Pro variant also introduces auto-switching to 0.6x zoom when multiple faces are detected, making group selfies more seamless. OPPO has also added a multicolored front fill light for better low-light selfies, along with features such as autofocus and electronic image stabilization.

On the rear, the phones feature a 50MP main camera paired with a depth sensor for portrait shots. The camera system is backed by a wide range of AI tools, including object removal, scene enhancement, portrait lighting, and more. We are currently putting all these claims to the test, so keep an eye on our review dropping pretty soon.

New Design and Performance

OPPO F33, F33 Pro Launch in India with IP69K Rating, Dimensity 6380 Max and 7,000 mAh Battery OPPO has finally taken the covers off its popular F-series, bringing a strong focus on selfie photography, durability, and long battery life. The lineup includes the OPPO F33 5G and F33 Pro 5G, both of which feature a 50MP ultra-wide front camera, AI-powered editing tools, and a massive 7,000mAh battery, as well as high durability ratings. Here’s what you need to know about them. Big Focus on Selfies and AI Photography The highlight of the OPPO F33 series is its 50MP ultra-wide front camera with a 100° field of view, which aims to capture more people in a single frame without distortion. The Pro variant also introduces auto-switching to 0.6x zoom when multiple faces are detected, making group selfies more seamless. OPPO has also added a multicolored front fill light for better low-light selfies, along with features such as autofocus and electronic image stabilization. On the rear, the phones feature a 50MP main camera paired with a depth sensor for portrait shots. The camera system is backed by a wide range of AI tools, including object removal, scene enhancement, portrait lighting, and more. We are currently putting all these claims to the test, so keep an eye on our review dropping pretty soon. New Design and Performance The OPPO F33 Pro 5G introduces a redesigned camera module called the Starry Sea Lens, giving the phone a more premium look. The devices also feature a one-piece unibody design with a mix of glossy and matte finishes. On the front, both models come with a 6.57-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and high brightness levels. Under the hood, both devices are powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6360 MAX processor, paired with up to 12GB RAM. As always, durability is another highlight. The OPPO F33 series comes with IP69K, IP68, and IP66 ratings, offering protection against dust, water immersion, and even high-pressure water jets. The phones also feature a 360-degree armor body with aerospace-grade materials and shock-absorbing internals, along with military-grade certifications for harsh conditions The F33 series runs on ColorOS 16, bringing AI features like document scanning, writing assistance, and system-wide optimizations. It also integrates Google Gemini for smart assistance across apps. Connectivity is another area OPPO is focusing on, with the F33 series being positioned as India’s first Jio-certified 5G++ smartphone. Battery life is handled by a 7,000mAh unit with 80W fast charging, which OPPO claims can fully charge the phone in around 69 minutes. Price and Availability The OPPO F33 series will be available via Flipkart, Amazon, OPPO’s online store, and offline retail outlets. OPPO F33 Pro 5G 8GB + 128GB: ₹37,999 8GB + 256GB: ₹40,999 OPPO F33 5G 6GB + 128GB: ₹31,999 8GB + 128GB: ₹34,999 8GB + 256GB: ₹37,999 The F33 Pro goes on sale from April 23, while the standard F33 will be available starting April 26. #OPPO #F33 #F33 #Pro #Launch #India #IP69K #Rating #Dimensity #Max #mAh #BatteryOppo

The OPPO F33 Pro 5G introduces a redesigned camera module called the Starry Sea Lens, giving the phone a more premium look. The devices also feature a one-piece unibody design with a mix of glossy and matte finishes. On the front, both models come with a 6.57-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and high brightness levels.

Under the hood, both devices are powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6360 MAX processor, paired with up to 12GB RAM. As always, durability is another highlight. The OPPO F33 series comes with IP69K, IP68, and IP66 ratings, offering protection against dust, water immersion, and even high-pressure water jets. The phones also feature a 360-degree armor body with aerospace-grade materials and shock-absorbing internals, along with military-grade certifications for harsh conditions

The F33 series runs on ColorOS 16, bringing AI features like document scanning, writing assistance, and system-wide optimizations. It also integrates Google Gemini for smart assistance across apps. Connectivity is another area OPPO is focusing on, with the F33 series being positioned as India’s first Jio-certified 5G++ smartphone. Battery life is handled by a 7,000mAh unit with 80W fast charging, which OPPO claims can fully charge the phone in around 69 minutes.

Price and Availability

F33 price

The OPPO F33 series will be available via Flipkart, Amazon, OPPO’s online store, and offline retail outlets.

  1. OPPO F33 Pro 5G
    • 8GB + 128GB: ₹37,999
    • 8GB + 256GB: ₹40,999
  2. OPPO F33 5G
    • 6GB + 128GB: ₹31,999
    • 8GB + 128GB: ₹34,999
    • 8GB + 256GB: ₹37,999

The F33 Pro goes on sale from April 23, while the standard F33 will be available starting April 26.

#OPPO #F33 #F33 #Pro #Launch #India #IP69K #Rating #Dimensity #Max #mAh #BatteryOppo">OPPO F33, F33 Pro Launch in India with IP69K Rating, Dimensity 6380 Max and 7,000 mAh Battery

OPPO has finally taken the covers off its popular F-series, bringing a strong focus on selfie photography, durability, and long battery life. The lineup includes the OPPO F33 5G and F33 Pro 5G, both of which feature a 50MP ultra-wide front camera, AI-powered editing tools, and a massive 7,000mAh battery, as well as high durability ratings. Here’s what you need to know about them.

Big Focus on Selfies and AI Photography

The highlight of the OPPO F33 series is its 50MP ultra-wide front camera with a 100° field of view, which aims to capture more people in a single frame without distortion. The Pro variant also introduces auto-switching to 0.6x zoom when multiple faces are detected, making group selfies more seamless. OPPO has also added a multicolored front fill light for better low-light selfies, along with features such as autofocus and electronic image stabilization.

On the rear, the phones feature a 50MP main camera paired with a depth sensor for portrait shots. The camera system is backed by a wide range of AI tools, including object removal, scene enhancement, portrait lighting, and more. We are currently putting all these claims to the test, so keep an eye on our review dropping pretty soon.

New Design and Performance

OPPO F33, F33 Pro Launch in India with IP69K Rating, Dimensity 6380 Max and 7,000 mAh Battery OPPO has finally taken the covers off its popular F-series, bringing a strong focus on selfie photography, durability, and long battery life. The lineup includes the OPPO F33 5G and F33 Pro 5G, both of which feature a 50MP ultra-wide front camera, AI-powered editing tools, and a massive 7,000mAh battery, as well as high durability ratings. Here’s what you need to know about them. Big Focus on Selfies and AI Photography The highlight of the OPPO F33 series is its 50MP ultra-wide front camera with a 100° field of view, which aims to capture more people in a single frame without distortion. The Pro variant also introduces auto-switching to 0.6x zoom when multiple faces are detected, making group selfies more seamless. OPPO has also added a multicolored front fill light for better low-light selfies, along with features such as autofocus and electronic image stabilization. On the rear, the phones feature a 50MP main camera paired with a depth sensor for portrait shots. The camera system is backed by a wide range of AI tools, including object removal, scene enhancement, portrait lighting, and more. We are currently putting all these claims to the test, so keep an eye on our review dropping pretty soon. New Design and Performance The OPPO F33 Pro 5G introduces a redesigned camera module called the Starry Sea Lens, giving the phone a more premium look. The devices also feature a one-piece unibody design with a mix of glossy and matte finishes. On the front, both models come with a 6.57-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and high brightness levels. Under the hood, both devices are powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6360 MAX processor, paired with up to 12GB RAM. As always, durability is another highlight. The OPPO F33 series comes with IP69K, IP68, and IP66 ratings, offering protection against dust, water immersion, and even high-pressure water jets. The phones also feature a 360-degree armor body with aerospace-grade materials and shock-absorbing internals, along with military-grade certifications for harsh conditions The F33 series runs on ColorOS 16, bringing AI features like document scanning, writing assistance, and system-wide optimizations. It also integrates Google Gemini for smart assistance across apps. Connectivity is another area OPPO is focusing on, with the F33 series being positioned as India’s first Jio-certified 5G++ smartphone. Battery life is handled by a 7,000mAh unit with 80W fast charging, which OPPO claims can fully charge the phone in around 69 minutes. Price and Availability The OPPO F33 series will be available via Flipkart, Amazon, OPPO’s online store, and offline retail outlets. OPPO F33 Pro 5G 8GB + 128GB: ₹37,999 8GB + 256GB: ₹40,999 OPPO F33 5G 6GB + 128GB: ₹31,999 8GB + 128GB: ₹34,999 8GB + 256GB: ₹37,999 The F33 Pro goes on sale from April 23, while the standard F33 will be available starting April 26. #OPPO #F33 #F33 #Pro #Launch #India #IP69K #Rating #Dimensity #Max #mAh #BatteryOppo

The OPPO F33 Pro 5G introduces a redesigned camera module called the Starry Sea Lens, giving the phone a more premium look. The devices also feature a one-piece unibody design with a mix of glossy and matte finishes. On the front, both models come with a 6.57-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and high brightness levels.

Under the hood, both devices are powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6360 MAX processor, paired with up to 12GB RAM. As always, durability is another highlight. The OPPO F33 series comes with IP69K, IP68, and IP66 ratings, offering protection against dust, water immersion, and even high-pressure water jets. The phones also feature a 360-degree armor body with aerospace-grade materials and shock-absorbing internals, along with military-grade certifications for harsh conditions

The F33 series runs on ColorOS 16, bringing AI features like document scanning, writing assistance, and system-wide optimizations. It also integrates Google Gemini for smart assistance across apps. Connectivity is another area OPPO is focusing on, with the F33 series being positioned as India’s first Jio-certified 5G++ smartphone. Battery life is handled by a 7,000mAh unit with 80W fast charging, which OPPO claims can fully charge the phone in around 69 minutes.

Price and Availability

F33 price

The OPPO F33 series will be available via Flipkart, Amazon, OPPO’s online store, and offline retail outlets.

  1. OPPO F33 Pro 5G
    • 8GB + 128GB: ₹37,999
    • 8GB + 256GB: ₹40,999
  2. OPPO F33 5G
    • 6GB + 128GB: ₹31,999
    • 8GB + 128GB: ₹34,999
    • 8GB + 256GB: ₹37,999

The F33 Pro goes on sale from April 23, while the standard F33 will be available starting April 26.

#OPPO #F33 #F33 #Pro #Launch #India #IP69K #Rating #Dimensity #Max #mAh #BatteryOppo
four astronauts returned from their trip around the Moon, a crew of tiny space travelers were already on the move. Scientists sent microscopic worms to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the same broader effort to extend human presence deeper into space.

The space-faring worms arrived at the space station on Monday aboard Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL spacecraft. The uncrewed spacecraft delivered about 11,000 pounds (4,990 kilograms) of science equipment and supplies to the ISS, including a miniature space laboratory with the wriggly inhabitants inside.

The scientists behind the experiment are hoping these small creatures will help better inform them on human health during long duration space travel.

Space worms

The experiment, led by the University of Exeter in England, is designed to study how living organisms respond to the harsh space environment. “It might sound surprising, but these tiny worms could play a big role in the future of human spaceflight,” U.K. Space Minister Liz Lloyd said in a statement.

The worms are called C. elegans nematode worms, a tiny roundworm that measures around 1 millimeter in length. Because of its transparent body, researchers can watch its cells develop under a microscope. The roundworm is also fast-growing and genetically tractable, making it an ideal candidate for biological research.

The worms are placed inside a miniature lab called the Petri Pod. The self-contained experiment is housed in a unit that measures approximately 4 x 11 inches (10 x 30 centimeters) and weighs around 6 pounds (3 kilograms).

A Crew of Worms on the ISS Aims to Help Scientists Unlock the Secrets of Space Travel Shortly after four astronauts returned from their trip around the Moon, a crew of tiny space travelers were already on the move. Scientists sent microscopic worms to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the same broader effort to extend human presence deeper into space. The space-faring worms arrived at the space station on Monday aboard Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL spacecraft. The uncrewed spacecraft delivered about 11,000 pounds (4,990 kilograms) of science equipment and supplies to the ISS, including a miniature space laboratory with the wriggly inhabitants inside. The scientists behind the experiment are hoping these small creatures will help better inform them on human health during long duration space travel. Space worms The experiment, led by the University of Exeter in England, is designed to study how living organisms respond to the harsh space environment. “It might sound surprising, but these tiny worms could play a big role in the future of human spaceflight,” U.K. Space Minister Liz Lloyd said in a statement. The worms are called C. elegans nematode worms, a tiny roundworm that measures around 1 millimeter in length. Because of its transparent body, researchers can watch its cells develop under a microscope. The roundworm is also fast-growing and genetically tractable, making it an ideal candidate for biological research. The worms are placed inside a miniature lab called the Petri Pod. The self-contained experiment is housed in a unit that measures approximately 4 x 11 inches (10 x 30 centimeters) and weighs around 6 pounds (3 kilograms). The Petri Pod provides a miniaturized life support system. Credit: University of Exeter The unit has 12 chambers, four of which can be actively imaged using fluorescent and white light. Each chamber provides a miniaturized life support environment for the worms, maintaining temperature, pressure and a trapped volume of air for them to breathe when exposed to the vacuum of space. They will also receive a supply of food through an agar carrier. Miniature mission The worms will spend some time inside the space station before being mounted on the outside of the ISS. From there, the small creatures will spend around 15 weeks inside their miniaturized environment while being exposed to zero-gravity and radiation of outer space. Throughout that time, the researchers will monitor the worms’ health, using miniaturized cameras to capture stills and time-lapse videos. The experiment will collect data on temperature, pressure, and accumulated dose of radiation experienced by the worms, and send the data back to Earth. “NASA’s Artemis programme marks a new era of human exploration, with astronauts set to live and work on the Moon for extended periods for the first time. To do that safely, we need to understand how the body responds to the extreme conditions of deep space,” Tim Etheridge, a researcher at the University of Exeter Medical School, said in a statement. “By studying how these worms survive and adapt in space, we can begin to identify the biological mechanisms that will ultimately help protect astronauts during long-duration missions – and bring us one step closer to humans living on the Moon.” #Crew #Worms #ISS #Aims #Scientists #Unlock #Secrets #Space #Travelinternational space station,Worms
The Petri Pod provides a miniaturized life support system. Credit: University of Exeter

The unit has 12 chambers, four of which can be actively imaged using fluorescent and white light. Each chamber provides a miniaturized life support environment for the worms, maintaining temperature, pressure and a trapped volume of air for them to breathe when exposed to the vacuum of space. They will also receive a supply of food through an agar carrier.

Miniature mission

The worms will spend some time inside the space station before being mounted on the outside of the ISS. From there, the small creatures will spend around 15 weeks inside their miniaturized environment while being exposed to zero-gravity and radiation of outer space.

Throughout that time, the researchers will monitor the worms’ health, using miniaturized cameras to capture stills and time-lapse videos. The experiment will collect data on temperature, pressure, and accumulated dose of radiation experienced by the worms, and send the data back to Earth.

“NASA’s Artemis programme marks a new era of human exploration, with astronauts set to live and work on the Moon for extended periods for the first time. To do that safely, we need to understand how the body responds to the extreme conditions of deep space,” Tim Etheridge, a researcher at the University of Exeter Medical School, said in a statement. “By studying how these worms survive and adapt in space, we can begin to identify the biological mechanisms that will ultimately help protect astronauts during long-duration missions – and bring us one step closer to humans living on the Moon.”

#Crew #Worms #ISS #Aims #Scientists #Unlock #Secrets #Space #Travelinternational space station,Worms">A Crew of Worms on the ISS Aims to Help Scientists Unlock the Secrets of Space Travel Shortly after four astronauts returned from their trip around the Moon, a crew of tiny space travelers were already on the move. Scientists sent microscopic worms to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the same broader effort to extend human presence deeper into space. The space-faring worms arrived at the space station on Monday aboard Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL spacecraft. The uncrewed spacecraft delivered about 11,000 pounds (4,990 kilograms) of science equipment and supplies to the ISS, including a miniature space laboratory with the wriggly inhabitants inside. The scientists behind the experiment are hoping these small creatures will help better inform them on human health during long duration space travel. Space worms The experiment, led by the University of Exeter in England, is designed to study how living organisms respond to the harsh space environment. “It might sound surprising, but these tiny worms could play a big role in the future of human spaceflight,” U.K. Space Minister Liz Lloyd said in a statement. The worms are called C. elegans nematode worms, a tiny roundworm that measures around 1 millimeter in length. Because of its transparent body, researchers can watch its cells develop under a microscope. The roundworm is also fast-growing and genetically tractable, making it an ideal candidate for biological research. The worms are placed inside a miniature lab called the Petri Pod. The self-contained experiment is housed in a unit that measures approximately 4 x 11 inches (10 x 30 centimeters) and weighs around 6 pounds (3 kilograms). The Petri Pod provides a miniaturized life support system. Credit: University of Exeter The unit has 12 chambers, four of which can be actively imaged using fluorescent and white light. Each chamber provides a miniaturized life support environment for the worms, maintaining temperature, pressure and a trapped volume of air for them to breathe when exposed to the vacuum of space. They will also receive a supply of food through an agar carrier. Miniature mission The worms will spend some time inside the space station before being mounted on the outside of the ISS. From there, the small creatures will spend around 15 weeks inside their miniaturized environment while being exposed to zero-gravity and radiation of outer space. Throughout that time, the researchers will monitor the worms’ health, using miniaturized cameras to capture stills and time-lapse videos. The experiment will collect data on temperature, pressure, and accumulated dose of radiation experienced by the worms, and send the data back to Earth. “NASA’s Artemis programme marks a new era of human exploration, with astronauts set to live and work on the Moon for extended periods for the first time. To do that safely, we need to understand how the body responds to the extreme conditions of deep space,” Tim Etheridge, a researcher at the University of Exeter Medical School, said in a statement. “By studying how these worms survive and adapt in space, we can begin to identify the biological mechanisms that will ultimately help protect astronauts during long-duration missions – and bring us one step closer to humans living on the Moon.” #Crew #Worms #ISS #Aims #Scientists #Unlock #Secrets #Space #Travelinternational space station,Worms

, a crew of tiny space travelers were already on the move. Scientists sent microscopic worms to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the same broader effort to extend human presence deeper into space.

The space-faring worms arrived at the space station on Monday aboard Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL spacecraft. The uncrewed spacecraft delivered about 11,000 pounds (4,990 kilograms) of science equipment and supplies to the ISS, including a miniature space laboratory with the wriggly inhabitants inside.

The scientists behind the experiment are hoping these small creatures will help better inform them on human health during long duration space travel.

Space worms

The experiment, led by the University of Exeter in England, is designed to study how living organisms respond to the harsh space environment. “It might sound surprising, but these tiny worms could play a big role in the future of human spaceflight,” U.K. Space Minister Liz Lloyd said in a statement.

The worms are called C. elegans nematode worms, a tiny roundworm that measures around 1 millimeter in length. Because of its transparent body, researchers can watch its cells develop under a microscope. The roundworm is also fast-growing and genetically tractable, making it an ideal candidate for biological research.

The worms are placed inside a miniature lab called the Petri Pod. The self-contained experiment is housed in a unit that measures approximately 4 x 11 inches (10 x 30 centimeters) and weighs around 6 pounds (3 kilograms).

A Crew of Worms on the ISS Aims to Help Scientists Unlock the Secrets of Space Travel Shortly after four astronauts returned from their trip around the Moon, a crew of tiny space travelers were already on the move. Scientists sent microscopic worms to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the same broader effort to extend human presence deeper into space. The space-faring worms arrived at the space station on Monday aboard Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL spacecraft. The uncrewed spacecraft delivered about 11,000 pounds (4,990 kilograms) of science equipment and supplies to the ISS, including a miniature space laboratory with the wriggly inhabitants inside. The scientists behind the experiment are hoping these small creatures will help better inform them on human health during long duration space travel. Space worms The experiment, led by the University of Exeter in England, is designed to study how living organisms respond to the harsh space environment. “It might sound surprising, but these tiny worms could play a big role in the future of human spaceflight,” U.K. Space Minister Liz Lloyd said in a statement. The worms are called C. elegans nematode worms, a tiny roundworm that measures around 1 millimeter in length. Because of its transparent body, researchers can watch its cells develop under a microscope. The roundworm is also fast-growing and genetically tractable, making it an ideal candidate for biological research. The worms are placed inside a miniature lab called the Petri Pod. The self-contained experiment is housed in a unit that measures approximately 4 x 11 inches (10 x 30 centimeters) and weighs around 6 pounds (3 kilograms). The Petri Pod provides a miniaturized life support system. Credit: University of Exeter The unit has 12 chambers, four of which can be actively imaged using fluorescent and white light. Each chamber provides a miniaturized life support environment for the worms, maintaining temperature, pressure and a trapped volume of air for them to breathe when exposed to the vacuum of space. They will also receive a supply of food through an agar carrier. Miniature mission The worms will spend some time inside the space station before being mounted on the outside of the ISS. From there, the small creatures will spend around 15 weeks inside their miniaturized environment while being exposed to zero-gravity and radiation of outer space. Throughout that time, the researchers will monitor the worms’ health, using miniaturized cameras to capture stills and time-lapse videos. The experiment will collect data on temperature, pressure, and accumulated dose of radiation experienced by the worms, and send the data back to Earth. “NASA’s Artemis programme marks a new era of human exploration, with astronauts set to live and work on the Moon for extended periods for the first time. To do that safely, we need to understand how the body responds to the extreme conditions of deep space,” Tim Etheridge, a researcher at the University of Exeter Medical School, said in a statement. “By studying how these worms survive and adapt in space, we can begin to identify the biological mechanisms that will ultimately help protect astronauts during long-duration missions – and bring us one step closer to humans living on the Moon.” #Crew #Worms #ISS #Aims #Scientists #Unlock #Secrets #Space #Travelinternational space station,Worms
The Petri Pod provides a miniaturized life support system. Credit: University of Exeter

The unit has 12 chambers, four of which can be actively imaged using fluorescent and white light. Each chamber provides a miniaturized life support environment for the worms, maintaining temperature, pressure and a trapped volume of air for them to breathe when exposed to the vacuum of space. They will also receive a supply of food through an agar carrier.

Miniature mission

The worms will spend some time inside the space station before being mounted on the outside of the ISS. From there, the small creatures will spend around 15 weeks inside their miniaturized environment while being exposed to zero-gravity and radiation of outer space.

Throughout that time, the researchers will monitor the worms’ health, using miniaturized cameras to capture stills and time-lapse videos. The experiment will collect data on temperature, pressure, and accumulated dose of radiation experienced by the worms, and send the data back to Earth.

“NASA’s Artemis programme marks a new era of human exploration, with astronauts set to live and work on the Moon for extended periods for the first time. To do that safely, we need to understand how the body responds to the extreme conditions of deep space,” Tim Etheridge, a researcher at the University of Exeter Medical School, said in a statement. “By studying how these worms survive and adapt in space, we can begin to identify the biological mechanisms that will ultimately help protect astronauts during long-duration missions – and bring us one step closer to humans living on the Moon.”

#Crew #Worms #ISS #Aims #Scientists #Unlock #Secrets #Space #Travelinternational space station,Worms">A Crew of Worms on the ISS Aims to Help Scientists Unlock the Secrets of Space Travel

Shortly after four astronauts returned from their trip around the Moon, a crew of tiny space travelers were already on the move. Scientists sent microscopic worms to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the same broader effort to extend human presence deeper into space.

The space-faring worms arrived at the space station on Monday aboard Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL spacecraft. The uncrewed spacecraft delivered about 11,000 pounds (4,990 kilograms) of science equipment and supplies to the ISS, including a miniature space laboratory with the wriggly inhabitants inside.

The scientists behind the experiment are hoping these small creatures will help better inform them on human health during long duration space travel.

Space worms

The experiment, led by the University of Exeter in England, is designed to study how living organisms respond to the harsh space environment. “It might sound surprising, but these tiny worms could play a big role in the future of human spaceflight,” U.K. Space Minister Liz Lloyd said in a statement.

The worms are called C. elegans nematode worms, a tiny roundworm that measures around 1 millimeter in length. Because of its transparent body, researchers can watch its cells develop under a microscope. The roundworm is also fast-growing and genetically tractable, making it an ideal candidate for biological research.

The worms are placed inside a miniature lab called the Petri Pod. The self-contained experiment is housed in a unit that measures approximately 4 x 11 inches (10 x 30 centimeters) and weighs around 6 pounds (3 kilograms).

A Crew of Worms on the ISS Aims to Help Scientists Unlock the Secrets of Space Travel Shortly after four astronauts returned from their trip around the Moon, a crew of tiny space travelers were already on the move. Scientists sent microscopic worms to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the same broader effort to extend human presence deeper into space. The space-faring worms arrived at the space station on Monday aboard Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL spacecraft. The uncrewed spacecraft delivered about 11,000 pounds (4,990 kilograms) of science equipment and supplies to the ISS, including a miniature space laboratory with the wriggly inhabitants inside. The scientists behind the experiment are hoping these small creatures will help better inform them on human health during long duration space travel. Space worms The experiment, led by the University of Exeter in England, is designed to study how living organisms respond to the harsh space environment. “It might sound surprising, but these tiny worms could play a big role in the future of human spaceflight,” U.K. Space Minister Liz Lloyd said in a statement. The worms are called C. elegans nematode worms, a tiny roundworm that measures around 1 millimeter in length. Because of its transparent body, researchers can watch its cells develop under a microscope. The roundworm is also fast-growing and genetically tractable, making it an ideal candidate for biological research. The worms are placed inside a miniature lab called the Petri Pod. The self-contained experiment is housed in a unit that measures approximately 4 x 11 inches (10 x 30 centimeters) and weighs around 6 pounds (3 kilograms). The Petri Pod provides a miniaturized life support system. Credit: University of Exeter The unit has 12 chambers, four of which can be actively imaged using fluorescent and white light. Each chamber provides a miniaturized life support environment for the worms, maintaining temperature, pressure and a trapped volume of air for them to breathe when exposed to the vacuum of space. They will also receive a supply of food through an agar carrier. Miniature mission The worms will spend some time inside the space station before being mounted on the outside of the ISS. From there, the small creatures will spend around 15 weeks inside their miniaturized environment while being exposed to zero-gravity and radiation of outer space. Throughout that time, the researchers will monitor the worms’ health, using miniaturized cameras to capture stills and time-lapse videos. The experiment will collect data on temperature, pressure, and accumulated dose of radiation experienced by the worms, and send the data back to Earth. “NASA’s Artemis programme marks a new era of human exploration, with astronauts set to live and work on the Moon for extended periods for the first time. To do that safely, we need to understand how the body responds to the extreme conditions of deep space,” Tim Etheridge, a researcher at the University of Exeter Medical School, said in a statement. “By studying how these worms survive and adapt in space, we can begin to identify the biological mechanisms that will ultimately help protect astronauts during long-duration missions – and bring us one step closer to humans living on the Moon.” #Crew #Worms #ISS #Aims #Scientists #Unlock #Secrets #Space #Travelinternational space station,Worms
The Petri Pod provides a miniaturized life support system. Credit: University of Exeter

The unit has 12 chambers, four of which can be actively imaged using fluorescent and white light. Each chamber provides a miniaturized life support environment for the worms, maintaining temperature, pressure and a trapped volume of air for them to breathe when exposed to the vacuum of space. They will also receive a supply of food through an agar carrier.

Miniature mission

The worms will spend some time inside the space station before being mounted on the outside of the ISS. From there, the small creatures will spend around 15 weeks inside their miniaturized environment while being exposed to zero-gravity and radiation of outer space.

Throughout that time, the researchers will monitor the worms’ health, using miniaturized cameras to capture stills and time-lapse videos. The experiment will collect data on temperature, pressure, and accumulated dose of radiation experienced by the worms, and send the data back to Earth.

“NASA’s Artemis programme marks a new era of human exploration, with astronauts set to live and work on the Moon for extended periods for the first time. To do that safely, we need to understand how the body responds to the extreme conditions of deep space,” Tim Etheridge, a researcher at the University of Exeter Medical School, said in a statement. “By studying how these worms survive and adapt in space, we can begin to identify the biological mechanisms that will ultimately help protect astronauts during long-duration missions – and bring us one step closer to humans living on the Moon.”

#Crew #Worms #ISS #Aims #Scientists #Unlock #Secrets #Space #Travelinternational space station,Worms

Post Comment