<p>The oil-rich country has a network of farmlands where agriculture actually thrives.</p>


Here&#8217;s how Saudi Arabia is turning its huge desert into arable land

<p>Did you know that Saudi Arabia is adorned with a network of farmlands where agriculture flourishes and allows farmers to harvest a wide variety of different fruits? <a href="https://interestingengineering.com/saudi-arabia-launches-cloud-seeding-operation"   rel="dofollow">In the blazing heat of the desert</a>, it is unquestionably an extraordinary sight! Moreover, the majority of the farmlands are shaped like circles for unusual reasons&#8230;</p>
<p>According to a video by the YouTube channel <em>Tech Space</em>, the nation possesses an arable land area that is 35,000 square kilometers in size, making it larger than the Netherlands and more than three times the size of Qatar. However, in the beginning of the sixties, it possessed a total of just 400 square kilometers of arable land. This raises the question of how they were able to increase the amount of arable land in such a short amount of time.</p>
<p>If you want to learn more, you can do so by watching the video embedded above. In it, you will discover the clever ways that Saudi Arabia employed to convert their desert into an oasis of farming. And, as always, enjoy.</p>


<p>The single photon LiDAR system demonstrated a resolution of 15 cm from nearly a mile away in pre-flight ground tests. </p>


China: Researchers build high-resolution lidar with lowest-power laser

Artist's rendering of the single photon LiDAR system in action. 


<p>Researchers at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) have developed a compact and lightweight single-photon LiDAR system that can be deployed in the air to generate high-resolution three-dimensional images with a low-power laser. </p>



<p>The technology could be used for terrain mapping, environmental monitoring, and object identification, according to a press release. </p>



<p>LiDAR, which stands for Light Detection And Ranging, is extensively used to determine geospatial information. The system uses light emitted by pulse lasers and measures the time taken by the reflected light to be received to determine the range, creating digital twins of objects and examining the surface of the earth. </p>



<p>A common application of the system has been to help <a href="https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/highly-sensitive-lidar-system-enhances-autonomous-driving-vision"  target="_blank"  rel="dofollow">autonomous driving systems</a> or airborne drones determine their environments. However, this requires an extended setup of LIDAR sensors, which is power-intensive. </p>



<p>To minimize such sensors&#8217; energy consumption, USTC researchers devised a single-photon lidar system and tested it in an airborne configuration.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The single-photon lidar</h3>



<p>The single-photon lidar system is made possible by detection systems that can measure the small amounts of light given out by the laser when it is reflected. The researchers had to shrink the entire LiDAR system to develop it. </p>



<p>It works like a regular LiDAR system when sending light pulses toward its targets. To capture the small amounts of light reflected, the team used highly sensitive detectors called single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) arrays, which can detect single photons. </p>



<p>To reduce the overall system size, the team also used small telescopes with an optical aperture of 47 mm as receiving optics. The time-of-flight of the photons makes it possible to determine the distance to the ground, and advanced computer algorithms help generate detailed three-dimensional images of the terrain from the sensor.&nbsp;</p>



<p>&#8220;A key part of the new system is the special scanning mirrors that perform continuous fine scanning, capturing sub-pixel information of the ground targets,&#8221; said Feihu Xu, a member of the research team at USTC. &#8220;Also, a new photon-efficient computational algorithm extracts this sub-pixel information from a small number of raw photon detections, enabling the reconstruction of super-resolution 3D images despite the challenges posed by weak signals and strong solar noise.&#8221;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="700" height="421" src="https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/low-res_b95d73.jpg" alt="Rendering from the single photon lidar system. " class="wp-image-61269" srcset="https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/low-res_b95d73.jpg 700w, https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/low-res_b95d73.jpg?resize=300,180 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Renderings from the lidar surveys conducted in daytime conditions. Image credit: <a href="https://www.eurekalert.org/multimedia/1023898"  rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Feihu Xu</a></figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-testing-in-real-world-scenario">Testing in real-world scenario</h3>



<p>To validate the new system, the researchers conducted daytime tests onboard a small airplane in Yiwu City, Zhejiang Province. In pre-flight ground tests, the LiDAR demonstrated a resolution of nearly six inches (15 cm) from nearly a mile (1.5 km). </p>



<p>The team then implemented sub-pixel scanning and 3D deconvolution and found the resolution improved to 2.3 inches (six cm) from the same distance. </p>



<p>&#8220;We were able to incorporate recent technology developments into a system that, in comparison to other state-of-the-art airborne <a href="https://interestingengineering.com/science/what-is-lidar-technology-and-what-are-its-main-applications"  target="_blank"  rel="dofollow">LiDAR systems</a>, employs the lowest laser power and the smallest optical aperture while still maintaining good performance in detection range and imaging resolution,&#8221; added Xu. </p>



<p>The team is now working to improve the system&#8217;s performance and integration so that a small satellite can be equipped with such tech in the future.&nbsp;</p>



<p>&#8220;Ultimately, our work has the potential to enhance our understanding of the world around us and contribute to a more sustainable and informed future for all,&#8221; Xu said in the <a href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1042080"  target="_blank"  rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">press release</a>. &#8220;For example, our system could be deployed on drones or small satellites to monitor changes in forest landscapes, such as deforestation or other impacts on forest health. It could also be used after earthquakes to generate 3D terrain maps that could help assess the extent of damage and guide rescue teams, potentially saving lives.&#8221;</p>



<p>The research findings were published today in the journal <em><a href="http://doi.org/10.1364/OPTICA.518999"  target="_blank"  rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Optica</a></em>. </p>


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</ul>

<p>This ultra-thin structure, remarkably thinner than a human hair, surpasses the performance of capacitors with randomly dispersed nanofillers, exhibiting superior energy density and efficiency.</p>


Researchers&#8217; team develops new revolutionary high-energy-density capacitors

A capacitor prototype with stratified 2D nanofillers embedded in the polymer matrix being tested in a University of Houston lab. 


<p></p>



<p>In a significant step towards a more sustainable future, a collaborative research effort led by the University of Houston (UH), Jackson State University (JSU), and Howard University (HU) has yielded a groundbreaking innovation: a <a href="https://interestingengineering.com/energy/stretchy-power-wearables-get-flexible-energy-storage-in-new-breakthrough"  target="_blank"  rel="dofollow">highly flexible capacitor</a> with <a href="https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/fiber-electrode-energy-storage-wearables"  target="_blank"  rel="dofollow">unmatched energy density</a>. This advancement, detailed in the journal <em><a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnano.3c06249"  target="_blank"  rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">ACS Nano</a></em> under the title &#8220;Ultrahigh Capacitive Energy Density in Stratified 2D Nanofiller-Based Polymer Dielectric Films,&#8221; holds immense potential to revolutionize energy storage across diverse sectors, including medicine, aviation, electric vehicles (EVs), consumer electronics, and defense.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-crucial-role-of-dielectric-capacitors">The crucial role of dielectric capacitors</h3>



<p>Dielectric capacitors are ubiquitous components that play a vital role in electronic devices and energy storage systems. Their ability to rapidly discharge significant amounts of energy makes them indispensable for high-power applications.</p>



<p>&#8220;High-energy and high-power capacitors are the backbone of reliable power supplies, especially as we transition towards renewable energy sources,&#8221; explains Alamgir Karim, Dow Chair and Welch Foundation Professor of Chemical Engineering at UH and a faculty mentor on the project. &#8220;However, current dielectric capacitors fall short in terms of energy storage capacity compared to other options like batteries. The advantage of capacitors lies in their superior power density, making them a more suitable choice for various applications.&#8221;</p>



<p>The key factor influencing a capacitor&#8217;s energy storage is a combination of its permittivity (ε) and dielectric breakdown strength (EBD). Professor Karim emphasizes, &#8220;To enhance a capacitor&#8217;s energy storage, advancements in both these aspects are crucial.&#8221;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-novel-design-with-layered-excellence">A novel design with layered excellence</h3>



<p>The research team&#8217;s ingenuity lies in crafting a new kind of capacitor using layered polymers meticulously infused with oriented 2D nanofillers. These nanofillers are produced using mechanically exfoliated flakes of 2D materials.</p>



<p>The researchers achieved maximized energy storage by strategically arranging these materials in distinct layers, forming a &#8220;sandwich-like&#8221; structure that optimizes capacitor performance. This ultra-thin structure, remarkably thinner than a human hair, surpasses the performance of capacitors with randomly dispersed nanofillers, exhibiting superior energy density and efficiency.</p>



<p>&#8220;Our work demonstrates the development of high-energy and high-power density capacitors by employing oriented 2D nanofillers to obstruct electrical breakdown pathways within the polymeric materials,&#8221; explains Maninderjeet Singh, who earned his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at UH last year and shared the lead authorship with Priyanka Das from JSU. &#8220;We achieved a groundbreaking energy density of around 75 J/cm³, the highest ever reported for a polymeric dielectric capacitor.&#8221;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unlocking-efficiency-through-material-innovation">Unlocking efficiency through material innovation</h3>



<p>The research team successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of controlling the orientation of 2D nanosheets in hindering electrical breakdown pathways by utilizing materials like mica and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN). Remarkably, significant improvements in dielectric permittivity were observed even with a minimal volume fraction (1%) of nanofillers.</p>



<p>&#8220;By leveraging mechanical exfoliation and transfer techniques, we were able to achieve the desired orientation,&#8221; explains Professor Karim, highlighting the crucial role played by JSU researchers in this aspect. Both Professor Karim and Professor Nihar Pradhan from JSU are the corresponding authors of the published paper.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broad-applications-and-future-developments">Broad applications and future developments</h3>



<p>This first-of-its-kind design, employing stratified multilayered nanocomposites for polymeric energy storage devices, paves the way for a future where these hybrid capacitors find application in a wide range of sectors. Professor Karim, along with Professor Dharmaraj Raghavan from Howard University, a renowned expert in nanocomposites, envisions their use in various medical devices like pacemakers and defibrillators, alongside applications in electronics, electric vehicles, power systems, and beyond.</p>



<p>&#8220;This research offers invaluable insights into dielectric breakdown and charge polarization phenomena within 2D polymer nanocomposites,&#8221; concludes Dr. Singh, currently a postdoctoral research scientist at Columbia University. &#8220;We firmly believe that our findings will inspire further research endeavors to develop even higher energy-density capacitors, ultimately contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable future.&#8221;</p>



<p>The research team is actively exploring other polymeric systems, including manipulating polymer topology, incorporating polymer-grafted nanoparticles, and utilizing layered block copolymers, all in pursuit of their ultimate goal: high-energy-density capacitors for a clean energy future.</p>


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<p>Salt battery outperforms commercial RED membrane: 2.34x higher output power density, runs continuously for 16 days.</p>


Osmosis breakthrough: New battery uses river salt to generate electricity

Stock image of Tamarindo Beach and Estuary, Guanacaste, Costa Rica.


<p>Researchers have created a semipermeable membrane that generates electricity by absorbing osmotic energy from salt gradients.</p>



<p>The advanced membrane significantly boosted the osmotic energy extracted from salt gradients, such as those found in estuaries where fresh and saltwater mix. </p>



<p>The Chinese team used a unique nanofluidic membrane with multiple layers. Small cellulose channels assist in ion movement on the inside, while on the outside, a polyaniline network facilitates electron movement.</p>



<p>In laboratory tests, researchers claim the new design&#8217;s output power density was more than twice as high as commercial membranes.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-advanced-eco-friendly-membrane">An advanced eco-friendly membrane</h3>



<p>Estuaries, where freshwater rivers merge with the salty sea, offer fantastic opportunities for birdwatching and kayaking. These dynamic zones also host a blend of waters with varying salt concentrations, potentially serving as sustainable sources of &#8220;blue&#8221; osmotic energy.</p>



<p><a href="https://interestingengineering.com/science/reverse-osmosis-desalination-clean-water-ro-diffusion"  target="_blank"  rel="dofollow">Osmotic</a> energy can be produced anywhere there are salt gradients, but researchers claim that there is still potential for improvement in the technology currently used to harness this renewable energy.</p>



<p>In one approach, reverse electrodialysis (RED) membranes are employed; these membranes function as a kind of &#8220;<a href="https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/this-battery-system-offers-sustainable-and-long-duration-energy-storage"  target="_blank"  rel="dofollow">salt battery</a>,&#8221; producing energy from pressure changes brought on by the salt gradient.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Untitled-design-2024-04-25T121409.904.jpg" alt="An improved membrane increased the amount of osmotic power harvested from salt gradients. " class="wp-image-61093" srcset="https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Untitled-design-2024-04-25T121409.904.jpg 1920w, https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Untitled-design-2024-04-25T121409.904.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Untitled-design-2024-04-25T121409.904.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Untitled-design-2024-04-25T121409.904.jpg?resize=1536,864 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">An improved membrane increased the amount of osmotic power harvested from salt gradients.</figcaption></figure>



<p>Positively charged ions from saltwater, such as sodium, go through the system to the freshwater to balance that gradient, which raises the membrane&#8217;s pressure.</p>



<p>The membrane must maintain a low internal electrical resistance by enabling electrons to move freely in the ions&#8217; opposite direction to boost its harvesting power even more. </p>



<p>According to earlier studies, increasing the efficiency of electron transport and the flow of ions over the RED membrane should raise the quantity of electricity drawn from osmotic energy.</p>



<p>Thus, using eco-friendly materials, Dongdong Ye, Xingzhen Qin, and associates created a semipermeable membrane that would theoretically reduce internal resistance and increase output power.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Enhanced RED membrane ups osmotic efficiency</h3>



<p>Ion and electron transport have independent (i.e., decoupled) channels in the RED membrane prototype developed by the team. </p>



<p>They achieved this by encasing layers of an organic, electrically conductive polymer known as polyaniline (for electron transport) between a negatively charged cellulose hydrogel (for ion transport). </p>



<p>They hypothesize that decoupled transport channels lead to stronger ion conductivity and lower resistivity than homogenous membranes of the same materials. Preliminary experiments done by the researchers validated this.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The findings</h3>



<p>Their prototype demonstrated long-term, consistent performance underwater in a water tank mimicking an estuary environment. It obtained an output power density 2.34 times higher than a commercial RED membrane and maintained performance for 16 days of nonstop operation.</p>



<p>&#8220;The layered membrane attained an enhanced output power density of 11.7 W m<sup>–2</sup>&nbsp;and maintained an output performance of up to 10.9 W m<sup>–2</sup>&nbsp;after 16 days of operation under the neutral 50-fold salinity concentration gradient, which is higher than that of the commercial system (5.0 W m<sup>–2</sup>),&#8221; said the researchers in the study. </p>



<p>The team claims that the layered membrane exhibits 1.57 times greater ionic conductivity and 0.99 times lower resistivity than the blend membrane at low salt concentrations. This highlights the advantageous impact of separated ion and electron pathways.</p>



<p>According to researchers, their discoveries increase the variety of natural materials that may be utilized to create RED membranes and enhance the efficiency of osmotic energy harvesting, increasing the viability of these systems for practical application.</p>



<p>Chinese researchers from Guangxi University and Anhui Agricultural University published their <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acsenergylett.4c00320"  target="_blank"  rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">study</a> in the journal <em>ACS Energy Letters</em>.</p>


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<p>The gene editors developed by Profluent are built upon the pioneering techniques recognized with Nobel Prizes.</p>


OpenCRISPR-1: World’s first open-source AI scissor edits human genes 

A still from the concept video released by Profluent.


<p>Every day brings with it a new achievement to the credit of AI. From creating full-length movies to predicting human actions, there is truly no domain left untouched by AI, including medicine and biotechnology. <br><br>Just a few days ago, news of an AI tool that detects cancer within minutes from a drop of blood was making the rounds. Now, it seems that generative AI has been used to edit human DNA itself.</p>



<p>Profluent, an AI-driven protein design company based in Berkeley, has unveiled the OpenCRISPR-1 initiative, introducing the world&#8217;s first open-source, AI-generated gene editor. This launch marks the successful precision editing of the human genome using customizable gene editors crafted entirely through AI innovation.</p>



<p>Profluent&#8217;s technology leverages vast amounts of biological data to design novel gene editors, much like ChatGPT learns to generate language from diverse sources such as Wikipedia articles and chat logs. <br><br>The company plans to present its findings at the upcoming annual American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy meeting.</p>



<p>By harnessing AI to analyze microscopic biological mechanisms used in DNA editing, this cutting-edge technology promises to revolutionize the battle against illnesses and diseases with unprecedented precision and efficiency.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-profluent-s-gene-editor-is-open-source">Profluent&#8217;s gene editor is open-source</h3>



<p>Profluent has announced that it makes the OpenCRISPR-1 technology freely available through open-sourcing. This move allows individuals, academic institutions, and companies to explore and experiment with the technology at no cost.</p>



<p>While it&#8217;s customary for AI researchers to open source the software powering their AI systems to foster collaboration and innovation, it&#8217;s less common for biological labs and pharmaceutical companies to take a similar approach with inventions like OpenCRISPR-1.</p>



<p>It&#8217;s worth noting that while Profluent is sharing the gene editors produced by its AI technology, it is not releasing the underlying AI technology itself to the public domain.</p>



<p>The technology operates on a model that draws insights from sequences of amino acids and nucleic acids. These chemical compounds form the basis of the microscopic biological mechanisms scientists use in gene editing. <br><br>In essence, the system scrutinizes the functions of CRISPR gene editors found in nature, learning from them to create entirely novel gene editors.</p>



<p>“These A.I. models learn from sequences — whether those are sequences of characters or words or computer code or amino acids,” Profluent CEO Ali Madani stated to <em><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/22/technology/generative-ai-gene-editing-crispr.html"  target="_blank"  rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">The New York Times</a>.</em></p>



<p>The gene editors developed by Profluent are built upon the pioneering techniques recognized with Nobel Prizes, which revolve around biological mechanisms known as CRISPR. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-call-to-pressure-test-opencrispr-1">Call to pressure test OpenCRISPR-1</h3>



<p>CRISPR-based technology has already begun revolutionizing scientific research and healthcare by offering a means to modify genes responsible for hereditary disorders like sickle cell anemia and certain forms of blindness.</p>



<p>Traditionally, CRISPR methods have relied on natural mechanisms sourced from bacteria. These mechanisms, derived from bacterial biological material, enable these microorganisms to defend against pathogens.</p>



<p>As OpenCRISPR-1 is the company’s first public release, it is seeking feedback from researchers to develop its work further. </p>



<p>“We encourage the gene editing community to pressure test OpenCRISPR-1,” said Peter Cameron, Profluent&#8217;s head of gene editing. <br><br>“If there are particular features that could be improved for a specific application, we’d like to know and can collaborate to optimize those properties,” he added.</p>



<p>Profluent published its research in a <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.04.22.590591v1"  target="_blank"  rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">preprint publication</a>.</p>


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<p>The cause is not yet known, but extensive investigations will now follow. </p>


Paris: Iconic landmark Moulin Rouge’s 135-year-old windmill blades collapse

Image of the Moulin Rouge in Paris with the blades in situ


<p>The blades of Moulin Rouge&#8217;s iconic windmill have fallen overnight. The windmill has been in place since 1889, and this is the first and only time it has happened.</p>



<p>Firefighters are investigating the incident, which happened around 2 a.m. today (April 25). Thankfully, the streets were empty, and no bystanders were injured. According to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/25/moulin-rouge-windmill-blades-collapse-in-paris"  target="_blank"  rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Parisian firefighters</a> on the scene, there is no risk of further collapse.</p>



<p>“Fortunately, this happened after closing,” an unnamed Moulin Rouge official told Agence France-Presse. “Every week, the cabaret’s technical teams check the windmill mechanism and did not note any problems,” the source said.</p>



<p>The reason for the collapse is unknown, but investigations are bound to follow in the coming weeks and months. Social media shared images of the fallen blade unit lying on the street with some of the blades slightly bent.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moulin-rouge-blades-have-been-in-place-since-1889">Moulin Rouge blades have been in place since 1889</h3>



<p>&#8220;The Moulin Rouge, in 135 years of history, has experienced many adventures, but it is true that for the wings, this is the first time that this has happened,&#8221; general manager Jean-Victor Clerico told reporters,<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/sails-iconic-paris-cabaret-club-moulin-rouge-fell-off-overnight-2024-04-25/"  target="_blank"  rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank"> <em>Reuters </em>reports.</a> </p>



<p>The most serious (until now) was a <a href="https://archive.nytimes.com/iht-retrospective.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/02/27/1915-fire-destroys-moulin-rouge/"  target="_blank"  rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">major fire in 1915</a>, which forced the Moulin Rouge to close for nine years while it underwent repairs. </p>



<p>&#8220;A little before 2 a.m., the wings of the windmill gave way and fell on the boulevard, and fortunately, at this time, the boulevard was empty of passers-by. We are relieved this morning, especially to know that there were no injuries,&#8221; he added. </p>



<p>A spokesperson for the Moulin Rouge stated that the theater would consult experts and insurers to investigate the cause of the incident. Clerico said that regardless of the cause, the incident is believed to be an accident and not a malicious event.</p>



<p>The Moulin Rouge, situated at the foot of Montmartre hill in northern <a href="https://interestingengineering.com/ie-originals/iconic-builds/season-1/ep-10-notre-dame-de-paris-never-ending-run-of-bad-luck"  target="_blank"  rel="dofollow">Paris</a>, is a popular landmark and is renowned as the birthplace of the can-can dance.</p>



<p>The <a href="https://www.moulinrouge.fr/en/news/"  target="_blank"  rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Moulin Rouge</a> was established in 1889 and quickly became a worldwide icon of Parisian culture during the end of the 19th century. Its famous can-can dancers were often depicted in paintings by avant-garde artists of that time, including Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Georges Seurat. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-investigations-will-now-follow">Investigations will now follow</h3>



<p>Nowadays, the majority of the audience is comprised of tourist groups. &#8220;I hope they will build it up again so it will be as it always has been, the old Moulin Rouge,&#8221; Danish tourist Lise Thygesen told <em>Reuters</em>. </p>



<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s weird to me, [the Moulin Rouge], it&#8217;s Paris. [Like] the Eiffel Tower, it&#8217;s Paris. It&#8217;s weird, you can&#8217;t say it any other way,&#8221; a German tourist also said.</p>



<p>The event has also caught the attention of local Parisians who have since flocked to the Moulin Rouge to inspect the damage. </p>



<p>&#8220;I heard it on the radio. As I live next door, I wanted to come and see with my own eyes what it was like, and it&#8217;s very sad,&#8221; local resident Laurence Plu said. &#8220;It&#8217;s not the Moulin anymore; it lost its wings, it lost its soul,&#8221; he added.</p>


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<p>The rise of wearables, from fitness trackers to smart clothing, has necessitated a shift in how we store energy. </p>


Stretchy power! Wearables get flexible energy storage in new breakthrough

Photographs of the MSC array integrated with two LEDs circuit


<p></p>



<p>The growing popularity of wearable technology has highlighted a critical need for <a href="https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/fiber-electrode-energy-storage-wearables"  target="_blank"  rel="dofollow">power sources that can match</a> the flexibility and movement of these innovative devices. Researchers have made a significant leap forward in addressing this challenge with the development of a small-scale energy storage device capable of stretching, twisting, folding, and wrinkling. This exciting advancement, published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41528-024-00306-2#Abs1"  target="_blank"  rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank"><em>npj</em> <em>Flexible Electronics</em></a>, paves the way for truly adaptable and comfortable wearables.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1227" height="323" src="https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image_dede73.png" alt="" class="wp-image-61359" srcset="https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image_dede73.png 1227w, https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image_dede73.png?resize=300,79 300w, https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image_dede73.png?resize=768,202 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1227px) 100vw, 1227px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photographs of the MSC array integrated with two LEDs circuits under various mechanical deformations. <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41528-024-00306-2/figures/1"  target="_blank"  rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Credits: POSTECH</a></em></figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-challenge-brittle-electrodes-vs-deformable-needs">The challenge: Brittle electrodes vs. deformable needs</h3>



<p>The rise of wearables, from fitness trackers to smart clothing, has necessitated a shift in how we store energy. Traditional batteries, while effective, often lack the flexibility required for these soft electronic devices. Micro supercapacitors (MSCs) have emerged as a promising alternative due to their high power density, rapid charging capabilities, and long lifespan. However, a major hurdle remained: the fabrication of electrodes.</p>



<p>Conventionally, electrodes are made from brittle materials like gold, which significantly limit the device&#8217;s ability to deform without compromising performance. Conversely, while eutectic gallium-indium liquid metal (EGaIn) offers superior conductivity and deformability, its high surface tension makes fine patterning, a crucial step in creating efficient electrodes, extremely difficult.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2000" height="1815" src="https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image_7baf54.png?w=1190" alt="" class="wp-image-61305" srcset="https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image_7baf54.png 2000w, https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image_7baf54.png?resize=300,272 300w, https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image_7baf54.png?resize=768,697 768w, https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image_7baf54.png?resize=1190,1080 1190w, https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image_7baf54.png?resize=1536,1394 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Fabrication process for deformable micro-supercapacitors</em>. <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41528-024-00306-2/figures/1"  target="_blank"  rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Credits: POSTECH</a></em></figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">A laser-sharp solution: Patterning the way for flexible power</h3>



<p>The research team, led by Professor Jin Kon Kim and Dr. Keon-Woo Kim from Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) in collaboration with Dr. Chanwoo Yang and Researcher Seong Ju Park from the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH), devised a solution using laser technology. Their innovation lies in the successful laser patterning of both EGaIn and graphene, an active material, on a stretchable substrate made of polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene-co-butylene)-block-polystyrene copolymer (SEBS).</p>



<p>This laser ablation technique offered several advantages. Notably, it ensured the underlying SEBS substrate remained undamaged, preserving the device&#8217;s overall flexibility. Additionally, tests revealed that the areal capacitance, a measure of the device&#8217;s energy storage capacity per unit area, remained unchanged even after undergoing 1,000 stretching cycles. Furthermore, the researchers observed stable operation under various mechanical deformations, including stretching, folding, twisting, and wrinkling.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-wearable-tech">Implications for wearable tech</h3>



<p>This breakthrough holds immense potential for the future of wearable technology. As Professor Jin Kon Kim aptly stated, &#8220;The use of laser-patterned liquid metal electrodes represents a significant step forward in the development of truly deformable energy storage solutions.&#8221; This innovation paves the way for the creation of comfortable and adaptable wearables that can seamlessly integrate into our dynamic lifestyles.</p>



<p>Imagine thinner fitness trackers that comfortably wrap around your wrist during exercise, smart clothing that moves with you throughout the day, or medical devices that conform to the body for a more comfortable and personalized experience. With this research, the future of <a href="https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/uclas-ai-wearable-empowers-speech-for-vocal-cord-impairments"  target="_blank"  rel="dofollow">wearable technology</a> looks brighter and more flexible than ever before.</p>


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<p>The shocking scam began on Instagram, where the victim, a big fan of the Tesla CEO, received a friend request from a profile claiming to be Musk.</p>


South Korean woman falls for deepfake Elon Musk, loses $50K in romance scam

Representational image: A portrait of SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. 


<p>Deepfake technology is doing rounds for its misuse, and a South Korean woman is the latest victim of it. <br><br>Recently, the woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, said she was tricked into giving $50,000 to someone who pretended to be <a href="https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/tesla-optimus-sale-elon-musk"  rel="dofollow">Elon Musk</a>. </p>



<p>According to the local media, the woman was duped by a deepfake video featuring the Tesla CEO. Meanwhile, the victim has shared her experience on a South Korean TV show to warn others.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-setting-up-the-stage">Setting up the stage</h3>



<p>The shocking scam began on Instagram, where the victim, a big fan of the Tesla CEO, received a friend request from a profile claiming to be Musk.</p>



<p>“I experienced something like a dream last year,” she said in her interview.&nbsp;</p>



<p>At first, the woman became skeptical when the person claiming to be the tech billionaire contacted her through Instagram.</p>



<p>“On July 17, ‘Musk’ added me as a friend on Instagram. Although I have been a huge fan of Musk after reading his autobiography, I doubted it at first,” she added.</p>



<p>However, the scammer continued to convince her by sharing images of Musk at work and photos of his official ID.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Clearing all doubts</h3>



<p>He made the impersonation more convincing by detailing personal stories of Musk&#8217;s life. According to the woman, they talked about Musk&#8217;s children and his daily work routine at companies like Tesla and <a href="https://interestingengineering.com/science/nasa-mars-sample-retrieval"  rel="dofollow">SpaceX</a>.</p>



<p>&#8220;&#8216;Musk&#8217; talked about his children and about taking a helicopter to work at Tesla or SpaceX,&#8221; she said.</p>



<p>The scammer even told the woman about a meeting between Musk and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in April 2023. He said the meeting was about building Tesla&#8217;s Gigafactories in Seoul and Jeju.</p>



<p>Trust was further established during a deepfake video call where the scammer, disguised as Musk, expressed romantic interest.</p>



<p>“‘Musk’ even said, ‘I love you, you know that?’ when we made a video call,” she claimed.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The investment trap</h3>



<p>The scammer then presented Ms. Jeong with a fraudulent investment opportunity, claiming to enrich his dedicated fans. <br><br>&#8220;He also explained that he contacts fans randomly,&#8221; narrated the victim. </p>



<p>“‘I’m happy when my fans are getting rich because of me,’” the scammer reportedly told the victim. Thereafter, the conman shared a Korean bank account number and convinced the woman to transfer $50,000.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Not the first incident</h3>



<p>These romance scams are common. People in the US lost $1.3 billion to these tricks in 2022. Besides, this isn&#8217;t the only time someone has pretended to be Elon Musk.</p>



<p>Earlier, Yilong Ma, a Chinese man who resembles Musk, became famous on TikTok. Even the real Elon Musk noticed him and wasn&#8217;t sure if the Chinese man was real.</p>



<p>&#8220;I&#8217;d like to meet this guy (if he is real). Hard to tell with deepfakes these days,&#8221; <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1523656160699502593?s=20"  rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Musk said of Ma on X</a>.</p>



<p>Also, in 2021, a UK school teacher fell victim to a Bitcoin scam claiming Musk would double her investment, resulting in substantial financial losses.</p>


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<p>The researchers found a resilient group of bacteria thriving in the extreme depths of bone-dry Yungay Valley.</p>


Secret biosphere found 13 feet below world&#8217;s driest hot desert


<p>As they say, life finds a way. Microbial life has been discovered existing 13 feet beneath the surface of Earth&#8217;s most hostile desert, the Atacama in northern Chile.   </p>



<p>It is known as the world&#8217;s driest scorching desert, with the sun beating down fiercely and life seems implausible.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The researchers found a resilient group of bacteria thriving in the extreme bone-dry Yungay Valley. This microbial community is completely isolated from the surface world.&nbsp;</p>



<p>&#8220;To our knowledge, this represents the deepest microbial survey and discovery of microbial life in Atacama soils to this day,&#8221; the study authors mentioned. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="700" height="526" src="https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Low-Res_overview-of-the-study-site-with-the-lab-truck-of-the-University-of-Antofagasta-L.-Horstmann.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-61134" srcset="https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Low-Res_overview-of-the-study-site-with-the-lab-truck-of-the-University-of-Antofagasta-L.-Horstmann.jpeg 700w, https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Low-Res_overview-of-the-study-site-with-the-lab-truck-of-the-University-of-Antofagasta-L.-Horstmann.jpeg?resize=300,225 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Researchers and lab truck at Yungay Playa. <a href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1041960#:~:text=In%20a%20finding%20with%20implications,hot%20desert%20in%20the%20world."  target="_blank"  rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Lucas Horstmann, GFZ-Potsdam</a></figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extraction-of-samples">Extraction of samples </h3>



<p>Higher living forms struggle to survive in the Atacama Desert&#8217;s super-arid conditions. Despite the rough environment, microbial life thrives in the desert&#8217;s salty and sulfate-rich soil. These conditions provide a unique environment for some types of microorganisms to live.</p>



<p>Microbes have previously been documented in the desert region to depths of 2.6 feet (80 centimeters). The press release noted that “the first 80 centimeters of soil is thought to be a possible refuge from harsh UV light, a place where some water might be found.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, researchers have wondered if the microbes could survive in deeper soil layers. To examine this, Dirk Wagner and colleagues collected deep subsurface soil samples from the Yungay Valley portion of the desert. </p>



<p>To uncover this hidden biosphere, researchers used a novel extraction procedure that ensured the DNA recovered was from living organisms.</p>



<p>They discovered that microbial life extends from depths of 6.6 feet to at least 13 feet deep below the <a href="https://interestingengineering.com/science/desert-bacteria-solar-energy"  target="_blank"  rel="dofollow">desert</a>&#8216;s surface.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Types of microbes found</h3>



<p>Firmicute phylum microbes were prevalent in the upper 80 cm of playa sediments. Below 200 cm, a distinct microbial population was observed, dominated by Actinobacteria.</p>



<p>The team found bacteria from the phylum Firmicutes, which are resistant to high salt content and thrive in less oxygen. Actinobacteria are known to live in various harsh conditions, including the Arctic and other salty habitats.  </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="525" height="700" src="https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Low-Res_view-on-the-upper-part-of-the-paleo-profile-D.-Wagner-rotated.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-61137" srcset="https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Low-Res_view-on-the-upper-part-of-the-paleo-profile-D.-Wagner-rotated.jpeg 525w, https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Low-Res_view-on-the-upper-part-of-the-paleo-profile-D.-Wagner-rotated.jpeg?resize=225,300 225w" sizes="(max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The upper part of the sampled soil profile.&nbsp;Dirk Wagner, GFZ-Potsdam</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-do-microbes-survive-at-these-depths">How do microbes survive at these depths?</h3>



<p>During the genetic analysis of the <a href="https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/microbial-mining-colonize-moon-mars"  target="_blank"  rel="dofollow">microbial</a> communities, some bacteria exhibited genetic similarities to two specific species: <em>Geodermatophilus pulveris and Modestobacter caceresii.</em> Both types of bacteria belong to the Actinobacteria phylum. </p>



<p>The authors have suggested that this community of bacteria [Actinobacteria] might have colonized the soil 19,000 years ago, &#8220;before being buried by playa deposits, and hypothesize that the community could continue downwards for an indefinite distance, representing a previously unknown deep biosphere under hyper-arid desert soils.”</p>



<p>But how could this microbial colony thrive at such extreme depths? The team suggests they do so by obtaining water from mineral gypsum.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The implications of this discovery extend far beyond Earth. The Atacama Desert resembles a <a href="https://interestingengineering.com/science/mysterious-soil-found-in-chile-points-to-possible-life-on-mars"  target="_blank"  rel="dofollow">Martian landscape</a> with its barren, lifeless terrain. </p>



<p>But there is a tantalizing possibility under the Martian soil: gypsum deposits, similar to those discovered in the Atacama, might provide water for microbial life.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/article/3/4/pgae123/7646996"  target="_blank"  rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">PNAS Nexus.</a></em></p>


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<p>A new approach for generating lab grown diamonds could help deliver thin layers of diamonds to be used in a range of devices and sensors. </p>


Diamonds grown in lab within minutes without extreme pressure 

Lab grown diamonds can now be generated faster and with exceeding demands of pressure conditions. 


<p>A research team led by Rod Ruoff at the Institute of Basic Science (IBS) at the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) in South Korea has developed a new approach to making diamonds in the lab without extreme pressure. </p>



<p>The approach could help synthesize larger-sized diamond crystals and extended films with extensive applications in optics and advanced electronics, as per the researchers. </p>



<p>Lab-grown or artificial diamonds aren&#8217;t a new discovery. General Electric discovered this technique nearly 50 years ago using molten iron sulfide. The High-Pressure, High-Temperature (HPHT) method replicates the natural conditions in the Earth&#8217;s mantle where <a href="https://interestingengineering.com/science/how-do-diamonds-really-form-not-from-coal"  target="_blank"  rel="dofollow">diamonds are naturally formed</a>. </p>



<p>When temperatures reach 2552 degrees Fahrenheit (1400 degrees Celsius) and pressure is at least five gigapascals (1 Pa = 10,000 atm), the liquid metal turns into diamonds. </p>



<p>The other approach, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), is less demanding regarding pressure but requires special semiconductor fabrication equipment to carry out the process. </p>



<p>Both approaches also use a diamond seed to help kickstart diamond formation. However, the UNIST team&#8217;s approach does away with this requirement and puts these diamonds at normal atmospheric pressure. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Synthesizing diamonds at normal pressure</h3>



<p>Many years ago, Ruoff noticed that the synthesis of diamonds may not need higher pressures. A 2017 study showed that liquid gallium dissolves carbon atoms and binds them into a solid sheet-like graphene when exposed to methane gas. </p>



<p>Ruoff believed that under the right conditions, this process could also result in diamonds and began working on developing it. </p>



<p>Initially, the researchers added droplets of molten gallium and other metals, exposing the mix to carbon-related gases. When a blob of molten gallium accidentally spilled over a layer of pure silicon and dissolved it, the researchers found a collection of tiny diamond crystals in the hardened metal. </p>



<p>Further refinements of the approach have now led to a recipe in which a mix of liquid gallium, silicon, iron, and nickel heated in a small crucible to 1877 Fahrenheit (1025 degrees Celsius) and exposed to methane and hydrogen gases forms the pyramidal arrangement seen in diamonds. No diamond seed is needed for this process. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="700" height="577" src="https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Low-Res_Figure-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-61157" srcset="https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Low-Res_Figure-2.jpg 700w, https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Low-Res_Figure-2.jpg?resize=300,247 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Diamonds of various morphologies as developed by the UNIST researchers in their lab. Image credit: <a href="https://www.eurekalert.org/multimedia/1023827"  target="_blank"  rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Institute for Basic Science/ UNIST</a></figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-making-diamonds-in-minutes">Making diamonds in minutes</h3>



<p>In the earlier experiments, the researchers used a large chamber dubbed RSR-A with an interior volume of 26 gallons (100 liters). For effective exposure to methane and hydrogen gases, the team had to first empty the chamber of air, then fill it up with an inert gas, and then empty it again to a vacuum level before the mixture of gases could be pumped in at the required atmospheric pressure. </p>



<p>Due to the chamber&#8217;s large volume, these steps took about three hours to complete before the experiment could even be attempted. </p>



<p>Ruoff then had the idea to reduce the volume of the chamber to quicken these processes and built a new chamber, RSR-S, with an interior volume of just over two gallons (nine liters); the process can now be completed in just 15 minutes. </p>



<p>The research is still in its early stages. Still, it paves the way for the production of thin films of diamonds that can be <a href="https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/two-time-crystals-quantum-ram"  target="_blank"  rel="dofollow">used in quantum computers</a>, magnetic sensors, high-power electric devices, radiation detectors, and lasers in the future, the <a href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1042017"  target="_blank"  rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">press release</a> added. </p>



<p>The research findings were published in the journal <em><a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07339-7"  target="_blank"  rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Nature</a></em>.&nbsp;</p>


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<p>With its focus on nanosheet transistors and innovative backside power delivery, A16 paves the way for the production of 1.6nm chips by 2026.</p>


TSMC races for chip supremacy with new A16 process for AI-ready future


<p></p>



<p>Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the leading flagbearer in chip manufacturing, has unveiled a new technology called A16. This unveil marks a significant step towards the production of its new ultra-advanced 1.6-nanometer (nm) chips by 2026. Although the naming sounds quite similar to Apple’s A16 processor found on the iPhone 15 series and iPhone 14 Pro, which itself is built by TSMC, this is not to be confused. </p>



<p>The announcement underscores TSMC&#8217;s commitment to maintaining its dominance in the chipmaking race, which will be powering the next generation of artificial intelligence (AI) advancements across mobile and personal devices, putting it against the likes of <a href="https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/nvidia-unveils-fastest-ai-chip"  target="_blank"  rel="dofollow">Nvidia</a>, Intel, and Samsung which are other players of the fabrication and AI chip industry.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a16-nanosheet-transistors-with-backside-power-delivery">A16: Nanosheet transistors with backside power delivery</h3>



<p>During the North America Technology Symposium held in Santa Clara, California, TSMC <a href="https://pr.tsmc.com/english/news/3136"  target="_blank"  rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">showcased</a> its A16 technology. This innovative process revolves around nanosheet transistors, a novel approach that promises &#8220;greatly improved logic density and performance&#8221; compared to existing technologies. Notably, A16 employs a revolutionary &#8220;backside power rail&#8221; system. </p>



<p>Unlike traditional chip designs where power flows from the top down, this method delivers power from the bottom. This innovative approach eliminates the need for intricate internal wiring, leading to significant improvements in energy efficiency.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-backside-power-delivery">Backside Power Delivery</h3>



<p>Interestingly, Intel preempted <a href="https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/sam-altman-plans-to-tap-tsmc-to-rival-nvidia-with-his-own-ai-chip"  target="_blank"  rel="dofollow">TSMC</a> in announcing the utilization of backside power delivery. Intel plans to integrate this technology into its 20A and 18A (2nm and 1.8nm) chipmaking processes as early as 2025. </p>



<p>The strategic move highlights the growing importance of efficiency in the ever-competitive chipmaking landscape. Intel has further bolstered its position by unveiling its 14A (1.4nm) technology earlier this year. Meanwhile, Samsung has set its sights on achieving mass production of 1.4nm chips by 2027.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beyond-nanometers-the-rise-of-nanosheet-transistors">Beyond nanometers: The rise of nanosheet transistors</h3>



<p>Traditionally, the nanometer size on a chip has been directly linked to its performance and advancement. A smaller nanometer value indicated a denser packing of transistors, leading to significant performance gains. However, with the constant miniaturization of transistors, this approach has reached its physical limitations. Modern chipmaking necessitates not only a reduction in transistor size but also a complete restructuring of their design.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This is where nanosheet transistors come into play. Starting from the 2nm node, both TSMC and Intel have embraced the gate-all-around, or nanosheet, transistor structure. Samsung has already begun experimenting with this technology in its 3nm chips. Notably, Apple&#8217;s latest top-tier iPhone Pro utilizes TSMC&#8217;s 3nm technology, showcasing the increasing demand for advanced chips to power cutting-edge devices.</p>



<p>While the race for smaller transistors continues, the reality is that only a select few companies – TSMC, Intel, and Samsung – can afford the immense resources required to push the boundaries of chip production. Recognizing this, the U.S. government has awarded these three giants a collective $21.5 billion under the CHIPS Act. This initiative aims to incentivize the production of the most advanced chips within American borders.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">TSMC&#8217;s leading change</h3>



<p>As reported by <em>Nikkei Asia</em>, TSMC currently reigns supreme in the foundry service market, holding a staggering market share of nearly 60% according to Counterpoint, a technology market research firm. Samsung trails behind with a 13% share, followed by Taiwan&#8217;s UMC at 6%. Notably, Intel, traditionally focused on in-house chip production, has entered the foundry arena, aiming to become the number two player by 2030. This aggressive move further intensifies the competition within the chipmaking industry.</p>



<p>With its focus on nanosheet transistors and innovative backside power delivery, A16 paves the way for the production of 1.6nm chips by 2026. Surely, this advancement is crucial not only for maintaining global technological leadership but also for fueling the development of cutting-edge AI applications that will shape the future. As the competition intensifies, the collaboration between governments and leading chipmakers will be critical in ensuring a secure and sustainable future in this ever-evolving domain.</p>


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<p>The green-eyed monster drone is 20 feet (6.1 meters) long and based on Textron&#8217;s highly successful M5 RIPSAW chassis.</p>


US tests bigger, meaner variant of Terminator-like robot drone tank

DARPA's RACER drone during its recent trials.


<p>DARPA has announced that its Robotic Autonomy in Complex Environments with Resiliency (RACER) program has passed another important milestone with testing its bigger, meaner drone variant. </p>



<p>A 12-ton beast of a machine, the larger RACER autonomous ground vehicle also has a pair of green lights reminiscent of glowing eyes.</p>



<p>The green-eyed monster drone is 20 feet (6.1 meters) long, skid-steer tracked, and based on Textron&#8217;s highly successful <a href="https://www.textronsystems.com/products/ripsaw-m5"  target="_blank"  rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">M5 RIPSAW chassis</a>. The US Army already widely uses these for various logistical and tactical roles.</p>



<p>DARPA explains that the 12-ton RACER is being designed to complement and support other members of the RACER Fleet Vehicles (RFVs). However, its compatriots are much smaller, weighing 2 tons and measuring a paltry 11 feet (3.35 meters) long. </p>



<p>“Having two radically different types of vehicles helps us advance towards RACER’s goal of platform agnostic autonomy in complex, mission-relevant off-road environments significantly more unpredictable than on-road conditions,” explained Stuart Young, RACER program manager.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-racer-the-green-eyed-monster-drone">RACER: the green-eyed monster drone</h3>



<p>“For Phase 2, adding the combat-scale RHP robot supports porting and performance demonstration of RACER autonomy stacks at multiple scales concurrently while moving between highly varied terrains,&#8221; he added. </p>



<p>The larger RACER has been jointly developed by the University of Washington and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Its latest test, which appeared to have succeeded, occurred at a Texas-based range in late 2023. </p>



<p>The test involved two teams that had no prior experience in the testing area. This was by design to ensure the test was as realistic as possible for a real deployment.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="RACER Experiment 4 -- RACER Heavy Platform (RHP) Highlight Video" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5t3-eXHC5Zs?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<p>The goal was to see how these vehicles could perform in a foreign environment.</p>



<p>&#8220;Using fully unoccupied RFVs, RACER demonstrated autonomous movement within a 15-square-mile terrain area including highly diverse ground vegetation cover, trees, bushes, rocks, slopes, obstructed ditches, and creek crossings typical of the varied, complex Texas terrain familiar to armored maneuvers,&#8221; DARPA explained in its <a href="https://www.darpa.mil/news-events/2024-04-23"  target="_blank"  rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">official press release</a>. </p>



<p>The tests also included nighttime operation, which DARPA explained revealed the new drone is equally as functional as in daylight hours.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-new-drone-operated-well">The new drone operated well</h3>



<p>In addition to an official press release on the test, DARPA has also released interesting footage of the 12-ton monster drone on the prowl. </p>



<p>Regarding the &#8220;green eyes,&#8221; these are simply status indicators showing that the vehicle is in autonomous mode, DARPA <a href="https://gizmodo.com/darpa-new-12-ton-robot-tank-glowing-green-eyes-vehicle-1851432307"  target="_blank"  rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">explained to <em>Gizmodo</em></a>.</p>



<p>The RIPSAW M5, based on the new drone, is designed for silent operation and is currently used as part of the Army&#8217;s Robotic Combat Vehicle-Medium (RCV-M) program. They offer interesting opportunities for the Army, including protecting convoys and conducting rescue missions.</p>



<p>They can also be used for setting up perimeter defense, surveillance, patrolling the border, and crowd control. The RIPSAW can also be modified for the disposal of explosive devices. </p>



<p>DARPA has been trying to develop <a href="https://interestingengineering.com/military/defiant-to-start-sea-trials"  target="_blank"  rel="dofollow">autonomous</a> vehicles since the early 1980s, notably through something called the <a href="https://paleofuture.com/blog/2013/4/30/darpa-spent-1-billion-trying-to-build-a-real-life-skynet-in-the-1980s"  target="_blank"  rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Strategic Computing Initiative</a>. However, technology has come a long way since then, especially if the latest RACER tests are anything to go by.</p>


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<p>The selection was made from a pool of five competitors which also included Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman.</p>


Anduril, General Atomics step closer to building wingmen drone for US

United States Air Force has selected Anduril and General Atomics selected as vendors to move forward on the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. 


<p>The US Air Force has announced the selection of drone maker General Atomics and defense startup Anduril to build and test the first batch of drone wingmen for the next part of the service’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program.</p>



<p>The selection was made from a pool of five competitors. The vendors out of the race are – Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman.</p>



<p>The Air Force also said that the companies not selected for the CCA program would still be a part of the “broader industry partner vendor pool”, which consists of more than 20 companies, and can compete for future efforts.</p>



<p>The five contractors were picked in the program’s first phase, which focused on design.</p>



<p>The Air Force has decided “to continue funding Anduril and General Atomics for detailed designs, manufacture, and testing of production representative test articles.”</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="630" src="https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/GAASI.jpg?w=1200" alt="Design of General Atomics drone." class="wp-image-61098" srcset="https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/GAASI.jpg 1200w, https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/GAASI.jpg?resize=300,158 300w, https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/GAASI.jpg?resize=768,403 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Design of General Atomics drone.</figcaption></figure>



<p>The CCA program is part of the Next Generation Air Dominance Family of Systems, which is a DAF effort to equip the force with crewed and uncrewed platforms that can meet the pacing challenge.&nbsp;</p>



<p>It had been announced just over two years ago and “it&#8217;s truly encouraging to witness the rapid execution of this program,” said Frank Kendall, Secretary of the Air Force.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-air-force-s-expectations-with-cca-program">Air Force&#8217;s expectations with CCA program</h3>



<p>The announcement is huge as the program aims to create a&nbsp;series of drones using autonomous software&nbsp;to fly alongside piloted fighters, such as the F-35 and Next Generation Air Dominance system.</p>



<p>The Air Force <a href="https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3754980/air-force-exercises-two-collaborative-combat-aircraft-option-awards/"  target="_blank"  rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">said</a> it is on track to make a “competitive production decision for the first increment of CCA in fiscal year 2026 and field a fully operational capability before the end of the decade.”</p>



<p>The program aims to deliver at least 1,000 drones, with a focus on cost-effective scalability.</p>



<p>Planning is also underway for CCA Increment 2 development, and initial activities are going to begin this year.</p>



<p>The <a href="https://interestingengineering.com/military/b52h-bombers-civilian-airfield-landing"  target="_blank"  rel="dofollow">Air Force</a> wants drones to be less expensive than piloted aircraft but still have the ability to carry out strikes, conduct reconnaissance, and also to have electronic warfare capabilities.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-anduril-and-general-atomics">Anduril and General Atomics</h3>



<p>In February 2024, GA-ASI successfully conducted the maiden flight of the XQ-67A CCA prototype aircraft, validating the “genus/species” concept pioneered by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) as part of the Low-Cost Attritable Aircraft Platform Sharing (LCAAPS) program.</p>



<p>General Atomics’ CCA production representative design is based upon the XQ-67A Off-Board Sensing Station developed for the AFRL.</p>



<p>To complement the CCA contract, General Atomics <a href="https://www.ga.com/ga-asi-selected-to-build-cca-for-aflcmc"  target="_blank"  rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">said</a> it will continue to conduct a series of autonomy and mission system tests on the MQ-20 Avenger UAS and XQ-67A to accelerate the readiness of operational autonomy.</p>



<p>“The CCA program redefines the future of aviation and will shape the USAF acquisition model to deliver affordable combat mass to the warfighter at the speed of relevancy,” said Mike Atwood, Vice President of Advanced Programs for General Atomics &#8211; Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI).</p>



<p>Anduril also <a href="https://www.anduril.com/article/anduril-air-force-collaborative-combat-aircraft-CCA/"  target="_blank"  rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">welcomed</a> the decision and said there is “no time to waste” as the success of the US and its allies in the future is dependent on the CCAs being “delivered at a speed, cost, and scale to beat the pacing threat.”</p>



<p>“Anduril is proud to pave the way for other non-traditional defense companies to compete and deliver on large scale programs,” said Brian Schimpf, Anduril CEO, and Co-Founder.</p>


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<p>While all neutron stars boast powerful magnetic fields, magnetars stand out with fields exceeding 10,000 times that of a typical neutron star.</p>


Scientists detect first massive extragalactic magnetar flare in nearby galaxy


<p></p>



<p>On November 15th, 2023, a fleeting phenomenon unfolded in the vast expanse of our space. The European Space Agency&#8217;s (ESA) INTEGRAL satellite, tasked with observing <a href="https://interestingengineering.com/space/brightest-gamma-ray-burst-supernova"  target="_blank"  rel="dofollow">gamma-ray emissions</a>, detected a brief, powerful burst originating from the nearby galaxy M82, roughly 12 million light-years away. This singular event, lasting a mere tenth of a second, sparked a scientific investigation that culminated in a groundbreaking discovery: the first confirmed extragalactic flare from a magnetar.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rapid-response-unveils-a-rare-phenomenon">Rapid response unveils a rare phenomenon</h3>



<p>The sudden nature of the gamma-ray burst presented a unique challenge. Fortunately, INTEGRAL&#8217;s data analysis system, hosted at the University of Geneva (UNIGE), reacted swiftly. &#8220;Only 13 seconds after detection, a gamma-ray burst alert was sent to astronomers worldwide,&#8221; explains Dr. Carlo Ferrigno, co-author of the study and a senior researcher at UNIGE. This rapid response system, developed by UNIGE scientists, played a crucial role in pinpointing the source of the burst within the M82 galaxy.</p>



<p>The location of the event immediately piqued the interest of astronomers. &#8220;Gamma-ray bursts typically originate from distant corners of the cosmos,&#8221; explains Dr. Sandro Mereghetti, lead author of the study published in <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07285-4"  target="_blank"  rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Nature</a></em>, &#8220;but this one came from a bright, nearby galaxy.&#8221; This unusual origin prompted the team to seek follow-up observations.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1439" src="https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image_ef85af.png?w=1441" alt="" class="wp-image-61097" srcset="https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image_ef85af.png 1920w, https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image_ef85af.png?resize=300,225 300w, https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image_ef85af.png?resize=768,576 768w, https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image_ef85af.png?resize=1441,1080 1441w, https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image_ef85af.png?resize=1536,1151 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>No afterglow in X-rays and visible light from a giant magnetar flare</em>. <em><a href="https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2024/04/No_afterglow_in_X-rays_and_visible_light_from_a_giant_magnetar_flare"  target="_blank"  rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Credits: ESA</a></em></figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The search for the elusive afterglow</h3>



<p>Following standard protocol for short gamma-ray bursts, the team quickly enlisted ESA&#8217;s XMM-Newton X-ray space telescope to observe the location of the event. This urgency stemmed from the possibility of detecting an afterglow in X-rays or visible light, a signature often associated with the violent collision of neutron stars, a potential source for the burst.</p>



<p>However, XMM-Newton&#8217;s observations yielded no such afterglow. Ground-based telescopes, including the Italian Telescopio Nazionale Galileo and the French Observatoire de Haute-Provence, also failed to detect any signal in visible light. Additionally, gravitational wave detectors like LIGO, VIRGO, and KAGRA found no corresponding signal.</p>



<p>The absence of these secondary effects, coupled with the location and short duration of the burst, pointed towards a single compelling explanation: a colossal flare from a magnetar.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Magnetars: Universe&#8217;s mega-magnetic monsters</h3>



<p><a href="https://interestingengineering.com/science/nasa-finds-new-clues-about-mysterious-fast-radio-burst-from-magnetar"  target="_blank"  rel="dofollow">Magnetars</a> are a rare breed of neutron stars, the incredibly dense remnants of massive stellar explosions. While all neutron stars boast powerful magnetic fields, magnetars stand out with fields exceeding 10,000 times that of a typical neutron star. This extreme magnetism fuels their outbursts, releasing bursts of immense energy.</p>



<p>&#8220;These flares are incredibly powerful,&#8221; explains Dr. Volodymyr Savchenko, co-author of the study and a senior researcher at UNIGE. He cites the December 2004 magnetar flare, which, despite originating 30,000 light-years away, still impacted Earth&#8217;s upper atmosphere, mimicking the effects of a much closer solar flare.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">A discovery with far-reaching implications</h3>



<p>The detection of this magnetar flare in M82 marks a watershed moment in our understanding of these enigmatic stellar objects.&nbsp; &#8220;This find supports the notion that magnetars are likely young neutron stars,&#8221; highlights Dr. Savchenko. The vibrant star-forming environment within M82 further reinforces this connection.</p>



<p>This discovery has opened a new chapter in the study of magnetars. Astronomers now aim to expand their search to other star-forming regions beyond our Milky Way, with the ultimate goal of comprehending the frequency of these colossal flares and the role they play in the energy dynamics of neutron stars.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">INTEGRAL: A key instrument for cosmic science</h3>



<p>The fleeting nature of such events underscores the importance of instruments like INTEGRAL. Its wide field of view, vastly exceeding that of the full moon, allows it to capture these massive occurrences.  &#8220;Our rapid data processing system is instrumental in alerting the scientific community in real-time,&#8221; emphasizes Dr. Ferrigno. Additionally, the flexibility afforded by ESA&#8217;s observing schedule proves critical for time-sensitive discoveries like this one. In this instance, a delay of merely a day could have significantly hampered scientists&#8217; ability to identify the burst&#8217;s source.</p>



<p></p>


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</ul>

<p>The team trained the robot using computer simulations, then used detailed maps and scans to help it navigate in the real world.</p>


ETH Zurich&#8217;s wheeled-legged robot masters urban terrain autonomously

ETH's Zurich ANYmal robot undergoing testing. 


<p>ETH Zurich researchers have developed a locomotor control that can enable wheeled-legged robots to autonomously navigate various urban environments.</p>



<p>The robot was equipped with sophisticated navigational abilities thanks to a combination of machine learning algorithms. It was tested in the cities of Seville, Spain, and Zurich, Switzerland.</p>



<p>With little assistance from humans, the team&#8217;s <a href="https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/anymal-robot-tackles-tricky-terrains-powered-by-eth-zurichs-new-system"  target="_blank"  rel="dofollow">ANYmal</a> wheeled-legged robot accomplished autonomous operations in urban settings at the kilometer scale. </p>



<p>It made its way past a variety of obstacles, including pedestrians, uneven steps, stairs, and natural terrain.</p>



<p>The team claims the autonomous navigation system helped the robot navigate new areas, recall previous locations to assist in making decisions in real-time, and respond quickly to changing circumstances, such as pedestrian obstructions.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Untitled-design-2024-04-24T130915.089.jpg" alt="Deployments of the ETH Zurich's robot in urban environments. " class="wp-image-60733" srcset="https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Untitled-design-2024-04-24T130915.089.jpg 1920w, https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Untitled-design-2024-04-24T130915.089.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Untitled-design-2024-04-24T130915.089.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https://cms.interestingengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Untitled-design-2024-04-24T130915.089.jpg?resize=1536,864 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Deployments of the ETH Zurich&#8217;s robot in urban environments.</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-robust-urban-navigation-achieved">Robust urban navigation achieved</h3>



<p>The <a href="https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/experts-crafts-waterproof-low-voltage-artificial-muscles-for-bot-motion"  target="_blank"  rel="dofollow">ETH Zurich</a> team engineered a sophisticated autonomous navigation system for wheeled-legged <a href="https://interestingengineering.com/lists/top-7-robotics-stories-of-2023-interesting-engineering"  target="_blank"  rel="dofollow">robots</a>, seamlessly integrating navigation and locomotion controls. </p>



<p>Its method combined hybrid locomotion control, developed through model-free reinforcement learning (RL) and privileged learning, with a navigation controller optimized via hierarchical RL (HRL).</p>



<p>According to the team, the training involved simulated data, with controllers then integrated into a global navigation system using digital-twin models and high-resolution laser scans for experiment planning and onboard localization.</p>



<p>&#8220;Current work on wheel-legged platforms has gone beyond bioinspiration, but simultaneously opens new questions on how inspiration from animals can further improve human-made systems,&#8221; said Krzysztof Walas from Politechnika Poznanska in a statement.</p>



<p>According to researchers, its controllers facilitated adaptive gait selection, efficient terrain negotiation, and responsive navigation, adeptly avoiding static and dynamic obstacles. </p>



<p>Practical assessments highlighted the potential of wheeled-legged robots for achieving efficient and robust autonomy in real-world scenarios. </p>



<p>The claims that additional comparative studies also affirm the superiority of its tightly integrated navigation controller over traditional systems.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advanced-autonomous-mobility">Advanced autonomous mobility</h3>



<p>The autonomous navigation system for wheeled-legged robots integrates multiple payloads for localization, terrain mapping, and safety, including LIDAR sensors, a stereo camera, a delivery box, a 5G router, and a GPS antenna.</p>



<p>The stereo camera, equipped with high-frequency object detection, enables real-time tracking of people within a 20-meter range, enhancing safety.</p>



<p>To address dynamic obstacles, the team buffers the elevation map around detected human positions. </p>



<p>The navigation system employs a hierarchical approach, extracting waypoints from a global navigation path. It also uses a pure-pursuit-inspired algorithm for waypoint tracking.</p>



<p>The low-level controller (LLC), commanded by a high-level controller (HLC), guides the robot along intermediate waypoints. </p>



<p>Both controllers are neural networks trained via reinforcement learning (RL), with the HLC representing a novel contribution. This helps to integrate local navigation planning and path-following control.</p>



<p>The locomotion controller (LLC), based on recurrent neural networks (RNNs), autonomously selects gaits and transitions between walking and driving modes. It is trained using privileged learning in simulation environments.</p>



<p>The team&#8217;s training environment, inspired by navigation graphs from computer games, provides diverse challenges such as detours, dynamic obstacles, and rough terrains. </p>



<p>Kilometer-scale autonomous deployments in the urban environments of Zurich and Seville demonstrate the system&#8217;s capability, covering (5.15 miles or 8.29 kilometers) in Zurich with minimal human intervention.</p>



<p>A handheld laser scanner captures dense point clouds of the area, which are georeferenced and converted into a mesh representation for creating a navigation graph. </p>



<p>The robot localizes itself using onboard sensors and navigates toward goal points autonomously, with paths converted into robot-relative coordinates for navigation policy guidance.</p>



<p>Researchers claim that multiple long-distance experiments validate the system&#8217;s robustness. The experiments required navigation through diverse obstacles to reach distant goal points manually selected to maximize coverage.</p>



<p>The system showcases advanced autonomy and adaptability in complex urban environments, offering promising applications in various real-world scenarios.</p>



<p>The details of the team&#8217;s <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1126/scirobotics.adi9641"  rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">research</a> were published in the journal <em>Science Robotics</em> on April 24.</p>



<p></p>



<p></p>


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