impressive, remove the friction and significantly decrease the required energy. working prototype in testing IronLev's Groundbreaking Passive Maglev Tests Could Revolutionize Rail Transport on Existing Tracks (msn.com) IronLev’s system represents a significant departure from traditional maglev technology, which relies on an active electromagnetic cushion that can be costly to maintain and requires specialized infrastructure. As co-founder Luca Cesaretti put it, “Thanks to the features of our technology and to low and speed independent frictions, we can move a 10-ton wagon with the same force that is needed to lift a 22-lb backpack.” This innovative approach seeks to democratize maglev transit by making it compatible with the over 1.5 million kilometers of existing iron railways around the world. The recent tests on the Adria-Mestre route in the Veneto region of Italy are a testament to the adaptability of IronLev’s system. A prototype weighing a ton reached speeds of 70 km/h (43.5 mph) with motors situated at each skid, without requiring any modifications to the existing tracks. Cesaretti highlighted the potential cost savings, aiming to “cut the infrastructure costs tenfold with respect to existing systems.” In fact, while traditional maglev networks require significant investment in new infrastructure, the concept here aims to utilize over 1.5 million kilometers of pre-existing iron railway tracks worldwide. Presently, the team has successfully conducted a trial run on a 2-km (1.2-mile) section of rail track along the Adria-Mestre route, in collaboration with the Veneto Region of Italy. Aside from passenger transportation, the IronLev system’s applications are vast, with potential benefits for industrial sectors such as automated parking systems, roller coasters, and even seismic base isolation systems, due to the lack of wear and friction traditionally associated with wheels. The IronLev venture is not only a step forward in transport innovation but also an illustration of the versatility of passive maglev technology. With the team dedicated to refining the system for commercial deployment, the potential to repurpose existing rail infrastructure into a high-speed, energy-efficient network without the significant capital investment previously required for maglev systems could disrupt rail transportation as we know it. As we move towards a future where fast, quiet, and efficient transportation is in high demand, IronLev’s recent test on conventional tracks offers a tantalizing glimpse of what could become the new normal for rail travel.
I'm not smart enough to understand what is written here, let alone begin to imagine the implications this could have down range when advanced with greater focus by more people. If we can learn to manipulate and stop light, can we be far from manipulating time? If we can stop light, do we create a claok of invisibility or a black hole or a shining light? the materials advances that are forthcoming over the next decade + are going to launch a major revolution to either propel humans or destroy them. I suspect that 20 years from now this will be considered a golden age of science. Quantum leap: Scientists make light waves ‘stand still’ (msn.com) A team of researchers from AMOLF, in collaboration with Delft University of Technology, has successfully brought light waves to a halt by deforming the two-dimensional photonic crystal that contains them. The researchers demonstrate that even a subtle deformation can have a substantial effect on photons in the crystal, resembling the effect that a magnetic field has on electrons. "This principle offers a new approach to slow down light fields and thereby enhance their strength. Realizing this on a chip is particularly important for many applications," says AMOLF-group leader Ewold Verhagen. .................................................................................. The group of Verhagen, in collaboration with Kobus Kuipers of Delft University of Technology, demonstrated a similar effect for light in a photonic crystal. "A photonic crystal normally consists of a regular -- two dimensional -- pattern of holes in a silicon layer. Light can move freely in this material, just like electrons in graphene," says first author René Barczyk, who successfully defended his Ph.D. thesis on this topic in 2023. "Breaking this regularity in exactly the right manner will deform the array and consequently lock the photons. This is how we create Landau levels for photons," Barczyk concluded. In Landau levels, light waves no longer move; they stand still instead of flowing through the crystal. The researchers succeeded in demonstrating this, showing that the deformation of the crystal array has a similar effect on photons as a magnetic field on electrons.
New propeller concept increases propulsion efficiency by over 20% using electric motors and Photos: Super maneuverable Swiss marine propeller offers 85% efficiency (msn.com) An independent study performed by OSK-ShipTech A/S revealed that a passenger vessel design equipped with different propulsion solutions saves on energy consumption by up to 22 percent compared to conventional shaftline configuration. The Dynafin concept is fully compatible with zero-emission battery and fuel cell technologies. Initially available in the power range of 1–4 MW per unit, the new propulsion concept will particularly be effective for medium-sized and smaller vessels. These include ferries for passengers and vehicles, offshore support vessels operating at wind farms, and yachts. The system improves passenger and crew comfort by reducing vibrations and noise levels. In addition, the concept follows ABB’s proven design philosophy of gearless power transmission, delivering superior maneuverability and positioning performance. Besides superior maneuverability, ABB is promising instant thrust control and precise dynamic positioning capabilities, aiming for an open-water efficiency of up to 85%. The modular concept can also be optimized for different operator needs, different ship types, and hull types. ABB notes that the concept could be deployed on vessels running electric, fuel-cell, or hybrid systems where large battery banks can take up valuable cargo space. These vessels could operate in “sensitive marine areas.” The motors, housed within the host vessel’s hull for reduced underwater noise, would create less turbulence, combined with the relatively “low-pressure pulses and blade-tip speeds.” The company envisions a 1 to 4 MW per propulsor unit suitable for small and medium-sized passenger or work vessels. Larger vessels, such as cruise ships, could host multiple units.
Interesting concept that I wonder how well it holds up over time. One motor to rotate the white portion, then each blade has its own separate motor. Makes me think they rotate individual blades flat on the push side and turn them like a knife on the return side. Lots of moving parts that will constantly need to make adjustments as they rotate 50-80 times a minute.
James Cameron should ret-con these into Titanic. That'll put a stop to people laughing at propeller guy.
if they can get a 22% bump in propulsion and power it with solid state batteries being recharged by solar cover over the ship that might be worth dealing with the motors. definitely need sealed motors with the best lubricant they can make. getting the heat away from the smaller motors would seem to be a challenge. here is another prop that claims better fuel mileage. I know a guy that has three of them on a center console with trip 400's and he says he gets between 15 - 25% better mileage depending on how hard he runs them and around 15 mph faster on top end. they are also quieter, never knew props cavitating made that much noise with an outboard. hopefully they come down in price over time. Time's best invention of 2023. Sharrow Marine - The Propulsion Revolution is Here
more on the sharrow props and how they reduce noise. also applicable for drones, suspect they could do similar for airplanes MSN
Astronauts to launch from Cape Canaveral for first human spaceflight in nearly 56 years (msn.com) Don't want to start a new thread, so I'll get put this in the "science" thread ... I don't understand why the article is saying this is first human launch from the Cape in 56 years ... Didn't the space shuttle launch from the Cape for like 30 years? For the first time in over half a century, astronauts will be lifting off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida next week. If all goes according to plan, the Boeing Starliner spacecraft on an Atlas V rocket will launch from Cape Canaveral, making it the first time humans have taken flight from the space station in nearly 56 years. The last time humans were launched into space from the Cape was on Apollo 7 in 1968.
I may be wrong, but I think they mean out of orbit. The Difference Between Space And Orbit | Everyday Astronaut
I generally consider that whole thing “the cape” but I assume for this “first since…” idea they are being very specific. I believe all shuttles launched from a single pad.
A Vast, Untapped Source of Lithium Has Just Been Found in The US It is located in the wastewater from fracking in the Pennsylvania shale basin
if they can figure out how to extract the lithium, that would be a great source, especially if they can recover all of the fracking reject that has been put back down into deep injection wells and not have to keep fracking to get more. creating ways to safely extract it without having to mine for it seems like a win-win. this is another thing that AI may be able to model to solve rather than trial and error
impressive results cutting fuel costs while maintaining speeds Winged cargo ship with revolutionary tech features completes impressive trial at sea: 'It's an exciting time' (msn.com) The Pyxis Ocean, a 47,000-ton bulk freighter chartered by Cargill, recently completed a groundbreaking six-month sea trial using a combination of diesel engines and high-tech sails, according to New Atlas. The ship's innovative "WindWings" were developed by BAR Technologies. These aren't your typical canvas sails — they're massive 123-foot-tall wings made of steel and glass fibers. An automatic system adjusts the wings to catch the wind for optimum speed, so the crew can throttle back the diesel engines without losing momentum, per New Atlas. During its trial run across the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans, the Pyxis Ocean saved a whopping 3.3 tons (over 6,000 pounds) of fuel per day. That means this innovative transport vessel kept about 24,000 pounds of toxic carbon dioxide out of our atmosphere daily — which, over the course of the six months, is equivalent to keeping around 480 cars off the road, based on a calculator from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Overall, the ship cut pollution by 14%, per New Atlas.
Two question come to mind. 1- have they tested the ship in an open ocean storm? Those rigid sails look like they would be a detriment in a big storm. 2- The article mentioned cleaner air in port communities. How? Those sails would be useless close to ports when slower speeds are needed for navigating and docking. But the idea of using old sailing tech (wind) is pretty cool.
Says they were tested across 3 oceans over 6 months. One would imagine they encountered storms along the way. Sails are rigid but rotate so they likely turn to align to winds in excess of ratings to minimize stress on the sail. This were results with two sails. Next ships will have 3
the lowly, destructive cynabacteria that causes blue green algae has yielded some valuable information. Researchers uncover mechanism of enzyme in blue-green algae that could revolutionize agriculture: 'What we found was completely unexpected' (msn.com) However, cyanobacteria also have environmental benefits — the researchers behind the discovery referred to them as "tiny carbon superheroes" and said they capture around 12% of the world's carbon dioxide each year. Now, the scientists understand how they are doing that. "Until now, scientists were unsure how the CsoSCA enzyme is controlled. Our study focused on unraveling this mystery, particularly in a major group of cyanobacteria found across the globe. What we found was completely unexpected," Ben Long, the study's lead author, said. "The CsoSCA enzyme dances to the tune of another molecule called RuBP, which activates it like a switch. Think of photosynthesis like making a sandwich. Carbon dioxide from the air is the filling, but a photosynthetic cell needs to provide the bread. That's RuBP. The most exciting aspect of this new research is that the CsoSCA enzyme could be used to bioengineer crops that are easier to grow and require less nitrogen fertilizer (which comes with a host of environmental drawbacks) and irrigation (whose systems use large amounts of water) — all while capturing more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, cooling our planet in the process. In addition, growing crops that can withstand the impacts of extreme weather while also being able to suck up carbon will help secure food supplies for communities.
new economical way to freeze CO2 ie form hydrates (fastest, easiest way to sequester it) and store it at depths in the ocean that it should not ever melt. Little CO2 bombs waiting to explode if the ocean gets too warm. anywhere with cold deep ocean nearby could build a plant and dump CO2 hydrates into the ocean to do their part to get to carbon neutral if I understand this Sounds like a good idea but who gets to determine if the ocean will stay cool enough to not need the cCO2 popsicles to thaw to support it? New carbon storage technology is fastest of its kind (msn.com) A new way to store carbon captured from the atmosphere, developed by researchers at The University of Texas at Austin, works much faster than current methods without the harmful chemical accelerants they require. In new research published in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, the team developed a technique for ultrafast formation of carbon dioxide hydrates. These unique ice-like materials can bury carbon dioxide in the ocean, preventing it from being released into the atmosphere. ....................................... Hydrates represent a "plan B" for gigascale carbon storage, Bahadur said, but they could become "plan A" if some of the main issues can be overcome. Until now, the process of forming these carbon-trapping hydrates has been slow and energy-intensive, holding it back from becoming a large-scale means of carbon storage. In this new study, the researchers achieved a sixfold increase in the hydrate formation rate compared with previous methods. The speed combined with the chemical-free process make it easier to use these hydrates for mass-scale carbon storage.
TiSapphire lasers are the industry standard for reading light spectrum. Big, expensive, requires lots of energy. Stanford researchers jsut reduced them from a room size instrument to a chip. 10,000x reduction in size, 3,000 times reduction in cost Engineers produce the world's first practical Titanium-sapphire laser on a chip (msn.com) As lasers go, those made of Titanium-sapphire (Ti:sapphire) are considered to have "unmatched" performance. They are indispensable in many fields, including cutting-edge quantum optics, spectroscopy, and neuroscience. But that performance comes at a steep price. Ti:sapphire lasers are big, on the order of cubic feet in volume. They are expensive, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars each. And they require other high-powered lasers, themselves costing $30,000 each, to supply them with enough energy to function. As a result, Ti:sapphire lasers have never achieved the broad, real-world adoption they deserve—until now. In a dramatic leap forward in scale, efficiency, and cost, researchers at Stanford University have built a Ti:sapphire laser on a chip. The prototype is four orders of magnitude smaller (10,000x) and three orders less expensive (1,000x) than any Ti:sapphire laser ever produced. In technical terms, Ti:sapphire lasers are so valuable because they have the largest "gain bandwidth" of any laser crystal, explained Yang. In simple terms, gain bandwidth translates to the broader range of colors the laser can produce compared to other lasers. It's also ultrafast, Yang said. Pulses of light issue forth every quadrillionth of a second. But Ti:sapphire lasers are also hard to come by. Even Vučković's lab, which does cutting-edge quantum optics experiments, only has a few of these prized lasers to share. The new Ti:sapphire laser fits on a chip that is measured in square millimeters. If the researchers can mass-produce them on wafers, potentially thousands, perhaps tens-of-thousands of Ti:sapphire lasers could be squeezed on a disk that fits in the palm of a human hand. "A chip is light. It is portable. It is inexpensive and it is efficient. There are no moving parts. And it can be mass-produced," Yang said. "What's not to like? This democratizes Ti:sapphire lasers."
