Lithium extraction bets, questions about OpenAI’s Sora, and sodium-ion batteries
A lithium startup is testing a new extraction method on the Great Salt Lake as OpenAI’s Sora app surges and sodium-ion batteries edge toward market. Today’s newsletter also rounds up key tech headlines and a new take on humans in space.
Artificial Intelligence toys surge in China and land on US shelves
China has become a hotspot for Artificial Intelligence-enabled toys, with startups like Haivivi’s BubblePal and FoloToy scaling fast and pushing overseas. Early parent reviews praise screen-free play but flag glitches and voice recognition limits.
DOE review puts two major direct air capture hubs at risk
An internal Department of Energy list indicates potential termination of initial awards for two flagship direct air capture projects, even as officials say no final decisions have been made. The uncertainty is reverberating across developers and industry groups.