Latest news with #Tartu
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Researchers discover mind-blowing method to give old smartphones new life: 'A new way of thinking about the old'
In a time when the average smartphone is replaced every two to three years, researchers in Estonia have found an innovative way to give old devices a meaningful second life — by turning them into tiny data centers. This new approach could reshape the way we think about electronics, pollution, and the digital systems that power our lives. It's a sustainable tech breakthrough that offers more than just a clever reuse — it has the potential to reduce electronic waste, save money, and unlock new possibilities for greener data processing. Every year, the world produces over 1.2 billion smartphones. Manufacturing them uses up energy and precious raw materials and contributes heavily to pollution. And while some of these phones are recycled, many end up in landfills — sometimes with their batteries still inside, leaking toxic chemicals into the environment. But the problem doesn't stop with waste. There's also growing demand for data centers — the massive facilities that store and process information for everything from email to AI. These centers are energy-intensive and expensive to build. At the University of Tartu's Institute of Computer Science, researchers have created a working prototype that turns old smartphones into mini data centers. The devices are deconstructed — their batteries removed and replaced with safer, external power sources — then mounted into 3D-printed holders and linked together. The whole setup costs just around €8 per phone, or about $9. Once connected, these upcycled phones can collect, store, and analyze data. One early test involved marine life monitoring. Instead of relying on a diver to manually capture footage, the underwater phone-powered center automatically identified and recorded sea creatures — all in real time. Another potential application? Urban environments. These smartphone clusters could be installed at bus stops to count passengers and help improve public transportation schedules. The research, published in IEEE Pervasive Computing, shows that with just a small investment, smartphones once considered "e-waste" can take on important new jobs — no cutting-edge chips or big budgets needed. And while consumer behavior shifts — like holding onto your phone longer — remain the most sustainable solution, innovations like this provide a smart, realistic way to reduce pollution and extend the usefulness of our devices. As Associate Professor of Pervasive Computing Huber Flores put it: "Innovation often begins not with something new, but with a new way of thinking about the old, re-imagining its role in shaping the future." Which of these factors would most effectively motivate you to recycle old clothes and electronics? Giving me money back Letting me trade for new stuff Making it as easy as possible Keeping my stuff out of landfills Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Right now, the data center prototype is still in its early stages. But researchers say future versions could be easier to assemble and adapt to more types of hardware. With further development, we could see these tiny data centers powering smart cities, community centers, and conservation projects — all using tech we already have. It's a small idea with big potential — and a reminder that sometimes, the smartest solution starts with what's already in our hands. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Russia Today
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Baltic state's citizens push back against hosting foreign prisoners
Hundreds of Estonians have signed a petition protesting against a government initiative to lease space in a local prison to house criminals from Sweden. Last year, the Baltic state said it could allow domestic prisons to host criminals from abroad to generate income for the national budget. Sweden, which is facing soaring crime levels and an overburdened prison system, has shown interest in the scheme. In response, residents of the small Estonian city of Tartu launched a petition last week to demand the government stop the initiative. 'We stand against Tartu Prison being used to house dangerous foreign criminals,' the petition said. The scheme intends to house 'third-country nationals from its prisons, including those convicted of serious crimes, like rape and murder,' the petition said. 'We do not want our city to become a place of punishment for people who have no connection to Estonia,' the appeal continued, stressing that the people of Tartu do not want the town to become 'a risk zone.' The petition has gathered 889 signatures and needs 111 more to be submitted to the parliament in Tallinn. Justice Minister Liisa Pakosta first floated the idea of renting out jail space last year to utilize the nation's half-empty prisons to boost the Estonian budget amid planned spending cuts and tax hikes. Estonia has a comparatively low national crime rate. Last week, Stockholm announced that, starting in July of next year, it will send up to 600 criminals to serve sentences in Tartu Prison under the proposed scheme. They will be housed separately from local convicts, according to the plan. The agreement still requires parliamentary approval in both countries. Sweden has experienced a spike in gang-related violent crime in recent years. Tougher laws and harsher sentences have contributed to overpopulation in its prisons. This May, the Swedish prison system was overloaded with more than 7,000 inmates held in just over 5,000 cells – with an occupancy rate of 141%, Reuters wrote last week, citing statistics from the Swedish Prison and Probation Service. The overall occupancy rate was reportedly 96%, including standby accommodation. Sweden expects to be able to save an average of €11,500 ($13,100) a month per inmate by sending prisoners to serve their time in Estonia. In turn, Tallinn hopes to leverage its prison-renting plan to make some €30 million ($34 million) annually.
