The UAE’s underwater bullet train, NASA’s $18 quintillion asteroid, and a new hydrogen fuel catalyst
?? You're reading The Vital Component, a breakdown of the week's engineering news delivered to your inbox. I’m Tim, newsletter editor at IE. Let's dive in.
This weekend’s highlights take in ambitious infrastructure, space missions, and sustainable energy.?
The UAE unveiled plans for an incredible underwater bullet train to Mumbai capable of 600 mph through transparent tunnels. Meanwhile, NASA's Psyche spacecraft began its journey to an asteroid containing $18 quintillion in precious metals. And researchers developed a catalyst to enable hydrogen fuel generation from liquid carriers, easing the transition for current vehicles.
Also this week, SpaceX announced its Starlink satellite internet service for smartphones is delayed to 2024. Scientists created an autonomous robotic needle that can steer through living tissue on its own. And the US Army will start prototyping a new all-electric reconnaissance vehicle.
Check out Lexicon, Interesting Engineering's podcast featuring guests from across the world of engineering, science, and tech. New this week — Drones: The future of aerial transportation?
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MUST KNOW
The United Arab Emirates is aiming high with a plan to construct an underwater bullet train link to Mumbai. Traveling at 600 mph through tunnels with scenic sea views, it could cut journey times by an hour. But constructing over 1,200 miles of transparent tunnel underwater poses a monumental challenge.
The vision first surfaced in 2018, but feasibility studies are only now underway. Beyond faster trips, the UAE eyes bilateral trade growth, exporting oil to India and importing water. Cost estimates reach billions, but the bigger obstacle is engineering on this unprecedented scale. If realized, this futuristic vision would cement the UAE's reputation for globe-striding ambition. Read more
It will travel approximately 2.2 billion miles to investigate the asteroid 16 Psyche, which scientists have estimated could contain a staggering $18 quintillion worth of heavy metals — a value greater than the entire global economy. Read more
Researchers developed a catalyst enabling hydrogen fuel generation from liquid carriers in vehicles, making it more compatible with current transport infrastructure. The catalyst efficiently extracts hydrogen from liquids like isopropanol in a closed-loop, zero emission system. Stored hydrogen is released to fuel cells while spent liquid gets recharged. Though challenges like catalyst lifespan remain, the conversion technology could help transition vehicles to hydrogen without new distribution chains. Read more?
WEEK'S MOST IMPORTANT NEWS?
INNOVATION
?? SpaceX says Starlink-for-phones will be available in 2024 The service was supposed to be launched in beta this year but has been pushed back after Starship has failed to reach orbit.
?? Autonomous robotic needle can maneuver through living tissue For the first time, scientists have demonstrated a steerable robotic needle that can move through living tissue autonomously.
?? Raytheon to build new rotating detonation engine for DARPA missiles DARPA has officially chosen Raytheon to develop a working prototype as part of its “Gambit” program.
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SCIENCE
?? 21-year-old uses AI to decode a burnt & unopened Herculaneum scroll Luke Farritor, a college student and former SpaceX summer intern, has decoded an entire word from within an unopened scroll.
?? Metal nanoclusters boost sustainability in batteries Energy storage could be revolutionized with metal nanoclusters for stable lithium-sulfur batteries.
?? Scientists find carbon and water in asteroid Bennu sample Early analysis of the 4.5-billion-year-old asteroid Bennu sample carried to earth by NASA reveals evidence of carbon-rich material and water-bearing clay minerals
TRANSPORTATION
?? MASK architects reveal hydrogen-powered superyacht Get a glimpse of the future of yachting with ONYX H2-BO 85, the hydrogen-powered superyacht redefining marine luxury and sustainability.
?? Toyota looks to the Moon with Baby Lunar Cruiser concept The groundbreaking Baby Lunar Cruiser concept fuses heritage design with cutting-edge technology for off-road and lunar adventures.
???US Army to start prototyping for new Electric Light Reconnaissance Vehicle Defense forces have completed initial tests with EV offerings from GM, Canoo, and Lordstown Motors.
JOB ALERT
In this section you’ll find the latest jobs as featured on: jobs.interestingengineering.com
“This will be our first time visiting a world that has a metal surface.”
Lindy Elkins-Tanton, principal investigator for NASA’s Psyche mission
RECOMMENDATIONS
Hydrogen is not a real solution for several reasons, starting with it being a fossil "fuel" in the first place. Fuels of any type, fossil, synthetic or biological, are not sustainable in the long run, because there's no unlimited supply of anything.? Hydrogen also comes with a host of political, environmental and chemical exposure issues, along with one more reason for countries to go to war, or hold entities hostage. No Thank You! Hydrogen processing facilities are highly automated for safety reasons which is good, but that also means they don't produce very many well paying jobs. No Thank You! While all of the processing facilities of hydrogen, biomass, synthetic fuels or by definition, any other kind of "fuel", are just military, or Lone Wolf targets in, or near your back yard. No Thanks Another set of reasons are the old fashioned Massive Explosion Risks at processing facilities, frozen fuel leak acute exposure risks and long term exposure risks for employees. No Thanks For people who live near railroad tracks, hydrogen presents yet another extremely toxic, horrendously explosive, ultra dangerous, frozen fossil gas coming just a few hundred feet from their heads.? So Hydrogen, the fuel of the future? Again, No Thank You!
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1 年Thanks for sharing
Business Specialist at Anirudh Digital Studio
1 年Could you send m