Scientists in China achieved a major breakthrough that could help unlock nearly unlimited clean energy via fusion.
They hope to do so by solving one of the biggest challenges for fusion reactors, as Interesting Engineering explained. That is the puzzle of measuring the ultrahot plasma, which creates fusion reactions quickly and accurately in real time. Having faster data will help optimize fusion performance and maintain reactor stability.
The research team from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science used neural networks powered by artificial intelligence. Neural networks leverage pattern recognition and advanced calculation abilities that allow them to quickly generate measurements, per Interesting Engineering.
The scientists enlisted two neural network models to measure two critical parameters of the plasma: ion temperature and rotation velocity. The results were impressive and bode well for future applications to harness fusion power. READ MORE...
South Korea’s Hyundai subsidiary Rotem has just unveiled its vision for the future of main battle tanks for the Republic of Korea (ROK), hydrogen-powered powertrains.
The next version of ROK’s K-series battle tanks, the K3, will be powered by hydrogen fuel cells and feature other advanced tech to become one of the world’s most sophisticated tanks.
The new hydrogen-powered K3 has been developed in collaboration with Korea’s Agency for Defense Development and other national technology research institutions. Once operational, the tank is hoped to enter production as soon as 2040, making it the world’s first. READ MORE...
A fusion energy firm has revealed the first details of its pilot plant design. Tokamak Energy claims that its pilot plant will be capable of generating 800 megawatts (MW) of fusion power and 85MW of net electricity.
This will reportedly be enough to power and heat more than 70,000 American homes.
Initial designs specify an aspect ratio of 2.0, a plasma major radius of 4.25 meters, and a magnetic field of 4.25 Tesla, as well as a liquid lithium tritium breeding blanket, according to Tokamak Energy. READ MORE...
Robot Era, a rising name in the humanoid robot space, has captured the attention of tech enthusiasts again with a new stunt.
After showcasing its XBot-L humanoid strolling along the Great Wall of China a few months ago, the company has now released footage of two Star1 models racing through the Gobi Desert.
Racing humanoids in the Gobi Desert
The video (below), shot late last month, shows two Star1 humanoid robots racing through diverse terrain in the Gobi Desert. The robots are seen navigating rocky paths, grassy areas, and winding roads.
One of the robots runs “bare-footed,” while the other sports a pair of sneakers, which, as it turns out, played a significant role in the outcome of the race. READ MORE...
Preventing tungsten atoms from entering the plasma is one of the biggest challenges of modern nuclear fusion reactors, and researchers at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) may have found a solution to fix it.
The discovery, which uses boron powder to shield tokamak walls from the extreme heat of fusion, presents a solid strategy for achieving sustainable fusion energy, per a PPPL, U.S. Department of Energy, press release published on Monday.
“We’ve developed a new way to understand how injected boron material behaves in a fusion plasma and how it interacts with the walls of fusion reactors to keep them in good condition while they are operating,” Florian Effenberg, a staff research physicist at PPPL, said in the press release. READ MORE...
One of the most complex problems scientists face while working with quantum information is ensuring qubits remain protected. This is because every time they reset, measure, or delete even a single qubit, neighboring qubits can be damaged, leading to loss of information.
A new study from the University of Waterloo researchers proposes a solution to this problem. The study authors have devised a way to precisely control the laser light used to manipulate qubits.
They even performed an experiment to perform this almost impossible task. The experiment involved measuring and resetting a trapped ion qubit to a known state without causing any damage or disturbance to adjacent qubits located only a few micrometers away.
“This demonstration has the potential to significantly impact future research in the field, including advancing quantum processors, enhancing speed and capabilities for tasks like quantum simulations in machines that already exist today, and implementing error correction.” the study authors note. READ MORE...
The United Kingdom is leading the world in nuclear fusion energy power plant design, according to a report by The Royal Society. The special edition report details the progress achieved by the spherical tokamak for energy production (STEP).
The STEP program aims to design and build the UK’s first prototype fusion energy plant. The report presents the technology needed for the prototype and also presents the steps needed for integrating it with the power plant for producing energy from fusion.
One of the unique aspects of the program is that it also considers decommissioning as a part of the design.
UK’s STEP for nuclear fusion
STEP is scheduled to be built at the former coal-fired power station site of West Burton, Nottinghamshire. Ground and environment surveys are underway for the project and first operation is expected to begin in early 2040s.
The program aims for the formation of an integrated delivery organization based on a public-private partnership model that will deliver the prototype plant. This includes designing for cost, and at pace. READ MORE...
The US has set a target to produce 100 percent of its electricity using renewable energy sources by 2035, and nuclear power will play a major role in its clean energy transition.
About 20 percent of all the electricity produced in the US already comes from nuclear power plants. However, this isn’t enough. If the country wants to become a leader in the clean energy space, it needs to boost its nuclear energy program and make its nuclear plants more efficient than ever.
A big issue with nuclear reactors is their dependency on nickel-based alloys, which are expensive and are abundantly found in countries (like Russia, Indonesia, Philippines) that are not always on good terms with the US. Moreover, the high moisture content of nickel ore poses transport challenges as well.
Addressing these issues, a team of researchers from Department of Energy‘s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory (AGL) have developed a framework to find material that could replace these nickel-based alloys. Using their framework, the AGL team identified and tested some promising materials.
In fact, the researchers have identified a new material that can successfully endure intense radiation testing and withstand extreme reactor conditions for extended periods. READ MORE...
Scientists in China have developed an organic material to extract uranium from seawater. The material is said to be cost-effective and has “exceptional uranium adsorption capability.”
Uranium, a nonrenewable energy source and the primary heavy metal used to fuel nuclear reactors, has been essential for nuclear power. The metal has traditionally been mined from rock but now scientists aim to extract uranium ore from seawater.
Researchers from the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT) selected affordable sodium alginate (SA) and functional DNA strands to fabricate SA-DNA hydrogel microspheres for the selective adsorption of uranyl ions (UO22+) in an economically viable manner.
Higher selectivity for uranium
Compared to reported advanced adsorbents utilizing the amidoxime group for uranium extraction, the SA-DNA hydrogel microspheres demonstrated significantly higher selectivity for uranium, with uranium-to-vanadium ratios of 43.6 in simulated seawater and 8.62 in natural seawater. READ MORE...
Moreover, this new absorbent is environmentally friendly, cost-effective, easily synthesized, and with impressive mechanical robustness and recyclability. Owing to the distinct ability of specific DNAzymes to recognize various metal ions, such DNA-based adsorbents may be utilized to retrieve other valuable metal ions from seawater, according to the study.
Torobo humanoid robot can be used for research on automation of tasks that involve active contact with people. Tokyo Robotics A humanoid robot developed by Tokyo Robotics is seen accurately hammering a nail in a piece of wood in a new video. The synchronized and accurate effort by Torobo shows its potential for industrial use, according to the manufacturer.With a height of 1660 mm, a reach of 680 mm, the size of the robot is close to that of humans. According to the company, the payload of one arm is 8 kg at the worst-case holding posture and 20 kg at the instantaneous maximum holding force (when the elbow is bent at a right angle), which are sufficient to conduct robotics R&Ds to replace human work.The company stated that the action performed by robot is easier than it looks.“The instantaneous rebound force from the hammer is absorbed through a combination of the elasticity of the rubber material securing the hammer, the deflection in torque sensors and harmonic gears, backdrivability, and impedance control,” said Tokyo Robotics. READ MORE...
Imagine if a tiny design tweak could prevent some of the worst nuclear accidents imaginable while simultaneously making clean nuclear energy more efficient and affordable.
It sounds too good to be true, right? But that's exactly what a team of researchers may have just accomplished, according to Interesting Engineering.
What they found is that carefully crafting the surface of materials used in nuclear reactors can actually change when and how liquids boil — a discovery with massive implications for reactor safety and performance. When water touches an extremely hot surface, it floats on a layer of its own vapor in what's known as the "Leidenfrost effect."
It was long thought this could only happen above 446 degrees. But by etching a special pattern of microscopic pillars onto the surface, a research team at Virginia Tech demonstrated this effect can start at just 266 degrees. READ MORE...
A wind fence developed by New York-based designer Joe Doucet is set to bring clean energy production into urban landscapes. The fence consists of vertical wind turbines, is modular, and, most importantly, is pleasing to the eye, making it more likely to be adopted in hotels, corporate buildings, and residential units.
Wind energy is an important component of the renewable energy mix that countries have adopted as they aim for a future away from fossil fuels. To achieve maximum energy gain and efficiency, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) build bigger turbines every year for large installations.
This has been preventing wind energy from participating in distributed energy generation, much like solar panels can be installed on rooftops, in gardens, and now even on balconies.
In 2021, Doucet was researching distributed energy products for wind energy and found that few good options were available. So, the designer did what he could best: design a new product that was both efficient and scored on aesthetics. READ MORE...
Imagine a unique Starbucks that features about 100 robots serving orders for customers.
This happens for real, day in and day out, at Naver 1784 tower, the world’s largest robotics testbed, and also the headquarters of South Korean technology firm Naver.
The numerical digit 1784 signifies the site’s lot number address, 178-4, and also the year marking the beginning of the first industrial revolution.
The tower is a proving ground for the company’s advancements in robotics, artificial intelligence, and cloud services, showcasing Naver’s dedication to transforming ideas into tangible solutions.
According to Naver, 1784 redesigns how we live and work and claims that its “advanced technologies are embedded into the building to provide a better work environment, bringing us one step closer to the future,” according to the firm’s website. READ MORE...
The electric vehicle market continues to excel as it addresses common anxieties about EV ranges. IM Motors is one of the latest companies introducing EVs with solid-state battery technology to increase their range and charging speeds.
Chinese automaker IM Motors — a joint venture of tech companies SAIC Motor and Alibaba — has just released a revolutionary new electric vehicle with a "semi-solid-state battery" that allows for better charging capabilities and a longer life cycle, according to Interesting Engineering.
The development of high-performance batteries is important because it can help reduce anxieties about EV ranges, proving that new technologies can eliminate drivers' fears about their EV batteries not lasting long enough. READ MORE...
Popular Chinese robotics firm Unitree, known for its quadrupeds like Go2 and B2, entered the humanoid space last year by unveiling its H1 model.
Since then, it has rapidly advanced in the domain, with H1 showcasing remarkable agility after withstanding kicks, executing a backflip, and its ability to lift heavy items. In March, it also claimed to become the fastest humanoid robot, with its capacity to sprint at 7.38 mph.
The company has taken the game forward by introducing a new all-rounder general-purpose human
oid called G1 Humanoid Agent.
The $16,000 robot claims to offer remarkable flexibility, force-controlled dexterous hands, and an imitation and reinforcement learning-driven model that helps it blend into daily life. READ MORE...
The humanoid robot domain has seen intense activity in recent times with multiple startups vying to get their prototypes into the market.
Now, a state-backed robotics innovation center in Beijing has launched its first electric humanoid “Tiangong”.
The robot was revealed at the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area on May 4, which coincided with the announcement of numerous AI technological advancements at the 2024 Zhongguancun Forum (ZGC Forum).
Tiangong, crafted by the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center Company, the general-purpose humanoid boasts the capability to sustain a consistent pace of 3.73 miles per hour (6 kilometers per hour). READ MORE...
The US Navy has accepted the delivery of its latest Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarine from Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) subsidiary Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS).
USS New Jersey (SSN 796) is the 11th Virginia-class submarine delivered by NNS and the 23rd built under the teaming agreement with General Dynamics Electric Boat.
The nuclear-powered submarine’s name, New Jersey, was given to it in November 2021 at NNS by the ship’s sponsor, Susan DiMarco, a New Jersey resident, retired dentist, and wife of former Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson.
The submarine is expected to be commissioned in late 2024. A commissioning ceremony for the future New Jersey is planned for September 14.
Strengths and capabilities
Designed to meet the Navy’s requirements in a post-Cold War era, Virginia-class submarines have enhanced stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities, and special warfare enhancements that enable them to meet multi-mission requirements.
The submarines can reach submerged speeds of more than 25 knots (29 miles per hour or 46 kilometers per hour) and can stay submerged for up to three months at a time. READ MORE...
Israel’s Mentee Robotics has just unveiled its artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled household chore robot, Menteebot. After two years of research and development, the new robot certainly looks impressive.
Developed by Amnon Shashau (the former founder of Mobileye), Professor Shai Shalev-Shwartz, and Professor Lior Wolf, the new robot is gearing up for official orders in the first quarter of 2025. The unit’s price is still a mystery, but it is being marketed as “affordable.”
“We are on the cusp of a convergence of computer vision, natural language understanding, strong and detailed simulators, and methodologies for transferring from simulation to the real world,” explains Mentee Robotics.
“Menteebot represents a significant leap forward in humanoid robotics, designed for comprehensive functionality across diverse environments,” Mentee Robotics explains in a promotional video on LinkedIn. READ MORE...
A stellarator may sound like something cooked up in the laboratory of a supervillain, but a breakthrough with this device may help bring us clean fusion energy at an affordable price.
As detailed by Interesting Engineering, a team at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) developed the first stellarator with permanent magnets rather than electromagnets.
In other words, scientists created a device that generates a fusion reaction — the process that powers the sun and other stars — with refrigerator magnets.
"Using permanent magnets is a completely new way to design stellarators," graduate student Tony Qian explained to the online platform. "This technique allows us to test new plasma confinement ideas quickly and build new devices easily." READ MORE...
A new laser-based propulsion technique developed by researchers at the Harbin Engineering University in China could help the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) build silent yet superfast submarines in the future.
The technology could also power underwater missiles and torpedoes, a South China Morning Post (SCMP) report said.
The concept of underwater laser propulsion isn’t new. Japanese researchers first considered it more than twenty years ago. In principle, the technology works fairly simply. READ MORE...
