?? Welcome to Technology Radar ?? - Vol. 16
Embark on an exhilarating journey at the forefront of discovery with Technology Radar, your ultimate destination for the latest developments and innovations in technology and science. Dive deep into the ever-evolving landscape of innovation as we unravel groundbreaking discoveries, disruptive technologies, and cutting-edge advancements shaping the future.
SpaceX will attempt to transfer propellant from one orbiting Starship to another as early as next March. The capability will enable an uncrewed landing demonstration of a Starship on the moon. A crewed landing is currently scheduled for September 2026. SpaceX recently made history when it caught the Super Heavy rocket booster in mid-air using 'chopsticks' attached to the launch tower.
Radian Aerospace has announced the completion of a series of ground tests for its reusable space plane, which will be able to take off from airfields and land on runways like conventional airplanes. The tests were completed with a subscale prototype flight vehicle. They aimed to generate data on how the vehicle would fly and handle and to compare the data to simulations. While the vehicle did not fly, it did perform a series of small hops. The prototype vehicle is much smaller than the final vehicle, but the data will help inform key pieces of the final design and flight control systems.
Japanese researchers launched the world's first wooden satellite into space yesterday. The satellite is made of honoki, a kind of magnolia tree traditionally used to make sword sheaths. The researchers believe that the material can be used to build structures in space. They plan to collect data on the satellite for six months, and if the experiment is successful, pitch the idea of wooden satellites to SpaceX. Pictures of the wooden satellite are available in the article.
The Chinese government's current five-year plan makes comprehensive research facilities for crucial fusion projects a major priority for the country's national science and technology infrastructure. It is estimated to be spending around $1.5 billion each year on fusion, almost double what the US government allocated this year for this research. The country has built itself from being a non-player 25 years ago to having world-class capabilities. Chinese scientists are aiming to build a test reactor with the goal of producing up to 1 gigawatt of fusion power in the 2030s.
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Zap Energy recently raised a $130 million Series D to build its Century device, an approach to fusion power that sends bolts of electricity through plasma streams instead of using magnets or lasers to squeeze the plasma. The current generates a magnetic field that compresses the plasma, which results in fusion. The final commercial-scale model, which should produce 50 megawatts of electricity, will occupy a footprint around the size of a double-decker bus. This article provides an overview of how Zap's technology works and the problems the company has to overcome before its technology becomes commercially viable.
Scientists in China have developed a hydrogel that may be able to treat osteoarthritis and slow down disease progression. The hydrogel restores cartilage lubrication, preventing the progression of early osteoarthritis. It is comprised of tiny hollow spheres made of a biomaterial derived from natural protein and a synthetic polymer, the combination of which creates a favorable environment for cell growth and hydration. The treatment is able to precisely target small areas of inflammation. The hydrogel has shown promise in rat studies, outperforming traditional treatments in terms of reducing friction and improving joint lubrication.
Stanford University researchers have discovered a yellow dye that transforms opaque tissue into a transparent window, allowing them to see the inner workings of living animals. Applied to the abdomen of a mouse, the dye allowed scientists to see its liver, small intestine, bladder, and other organs down to the resolution of microns. Rinsing off the dye with water reverses the process. The technology could have many applications, including assisting in the early detection and treatment of cancers. A picture of the transparent mouse abdomen is available in the article.
It is now possible for humans to genetically modify entire species by inserting genes into them with brute force. The technology has so far gone unused, even though its deployment could mean the end of diseases like malaria. It could be used for many positive things such as giving raccoons immunity to rabies, editing insects so that they're more vulnerable to safer pesticides, and preventing the spread of deadly diseases. However, its existence presents many issues, such as the possibility of a harmful gene being released into human populations.
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