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Five ice-age mammoths unearthed in Cotswolds

Among%20all%20the%20planets%20of%20our%20solar%20system%2C%20Earth%20turned%20out%20to%20be%20the%20lucky%20one%2C%20as%20water%20covers%20approximately%2071%25%20of%20its%20surface.%20Water%20is%20a%20key%20ingredient%20for%20life%20on%20Earth.%20It%20also%20influences%20the%20weather%20and%20climate%20dynamics%20of%20the%20planet.%20The%20vast%20majority%20of%20water%20remains%20way%20beyond%20the%20human%20eyes%2C%20thus%20making%20it%20hard%20to%20survey.%20%0A%0ATowards%20this%2C%20NASA%20recently%20launched%20a%20brand%20new%20satellite%20dedicated%20to%20closely%20monitoring%20this%20Earth%E2%80%99s%20most%20precious%20natural%20resource.%20Thanks%20to%20this%20new%20satellite%2C%20scientists%20can%20gain%20a%20better%20understanding%20of%20global%20hydrology%20science%20like%20never%20before.%20The%20%241.2%20billion%20satellite%20will%20track%20the%20extent%20and%20movement%20of%20water%20around%20the%20world%20at%20unprecedented%20scales.%0A%0AThe%20Surface%20Water%20and%20Ocean%20Topography%20(SWOT)%20satellite%20will%20scan%20more%20than%2090%25%20of%20the%20Earth%E2%80%99s%20surface%20for%20water%2C%20and%20will%20measure%20the%20depth%20of%20water%20in%20oceans%20and%20freshwater%20bodies.%20SWOT%20will%20travel%20across%20the%20entire%20Earth%E2%80%99s%20surface%20at%20least%20once%20every%2021%20days%2C%20according%20to%20NASA.%20On%20a%20daily%20basis%2C%20approximately%20one%20terabyte%20of%20unprocessed%20data%20would%20be%20generated%20and%20sent%20back%20to%20Earth.%20It%20has%20been%20outfitted%20with%20the%20Ka-band%20Radar%20Interferometer%2C%20or%20KaRIn%2C%20which%20makes%20the%20satellite%20unique.%20The%20radar%20can%20record%20information%20in%20much%20greater%20detail%20than%20sensors%20placed%20at%20sea%20level%20can.%0A%0AIt%20will%20provide%20in-depth%20data%20on%20the%20global%20lakes%20measuring%20over%2015%20acres%20(62%2C500%20square%20meters)%20and%20rivers%20stretching%20up%20to%20330%20feet%20(100%20meters)%20across.%20As%20per%20Nature%2C%20out%20of%20six%20million%20lakes%20and%20reservoirs%2C%20the%20data%20is%20only%20available%20for%20just%2010%2C000%20to%2020%2C000.%20The%20newly%20launched%20satellite%20will%20allow%20scientists%20to%20even%20track%20smaller%20water%20bodies%2C%20which%20otherwise%20are%20hard%20to%20observe%20from%20space.%20%0A%0AOne%20of%20the%20satellite%E2%80%99s%20primary%20applications%20is%20to%20estimate%20the%20impact%20of%20global%20warming%20on%20oceans%2C%20lakes%2C%20rivers%20and%20reservoirs.%20Not%20just%20this%2C%20SWOT%20has%20been%20designed%20to%20collect%20high-resolution%20data%20on%20swirling%20eddies%2C%20ocean%20currents%20and%20tides.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWarming%20seas%2C%20extreme%20weather%2C%20more%20severe%20wildfires%20%E2%80%94%20these%20are%20only%20some%20of%20the%20consequences%20humanity%20is%20facing%20due%20to%20climate%20change%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20NASA%20Administrator%20Bill%20Nelson%20in%20a%20press%20release.%20%E2%80%9CThe%20climate%20crisis%20requires%20an%20all-hands-on-deck%20approach%2C%20and%20SWOT%20is%20the%20realization%20of%20a%20long-standing%20international%20partnership%20that%20will%20ultimately%20better%20equip%20communities%20so%20that%20they%20can%20face%20these%20challenges.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ASWOT%20analysis%20will%20also%20provide%20valuable%20insights%20into%20tracking%20sea%20level%20rise%20for%20coastal%20safety.%20This%20satellite%20would%20be%20especially%20useful%20in%20areas%20lacking%20tide%20gauges%20and%20other%20measuring%20instruments%20for%20recording%20sea%20surface%20height.%20SWOT%20observation%20will%20aid%20in%20better%20flood%20and%20drought%20forecasting%20and%20mitigation%20efforts.%0A%0AFurthermore%2C%20researchers%20and%20policymakers%20can%20develop%20better%20policies%20and%20solutions%20for%20people%E2%80%99s%20safety%20in%20a%20warming%20world.%20It%20will%20also%20assist%20local%20communities%20to%20be%20more%20prepared%20for%20water-related%20events%2C%20such%20as%20floods.%20Recent%20floods%20are%20clear%20evidence%20that%20climate%20change%20is%20likely%20to%20exacerbate%20the%20situation%20of%20water-related%20weather%20extremes%20in%20the%20coming%20years.%0A%0AThe%20satellite%20is%20jointly%20developed%20by%20NASA%20and%20the%20French%20space%20agency%20Centre%20National%20d%E2%80%99%C3%89tudes%20Spatiales%20(CNES)%2C%20along%20with%20Canadian%20Space%20Agency%20(CSA)%20and%20the%20U.K.%20Space%20Agency.%20

NASA launched first global water survey satellite

A%20SpaceX%20Falcon%209%20rocket%20successfully%20launched%20from%20Florida%20on%20Friday%2C%20carrying%20a%20new%20NASA%20device%20that%20can%20track%20air%20pollution%20over%20North%20America.%20The%20Tropospheric%20Emissions%20Monitoring%20of%20Pollution%20(TEMPO)%20instrument%20will%20allow%20scientists%20to%20monitor%20air%20pollutants%20and%20their%20emission%20sources%20from%20space%20more%20comprehensively%20than%20ever%20before%2C%20down%20to%20the%20neighborhood%20level.%0A%0AAccording%20to%20Kevin%20Daugherty%2C%20NASA's%20TEMPO%20project%20manager%2C%20the%20instrument%20will%20measure%20pollution%20and%20air%20quality%20across%20greater%20North%20America%20on%20an%20hourly%20basis%20during%20the%20daytime%2C%20all%20the%20way%20%22from%20Puerto%20Rico%20up%20to%20the%20tar%20sands%20of%20Canada.%22%0A%0AThe%20data%20will%20be%20used%20by%20the%20US%20Environmental%20Protection%20Agency%20(EPA)%2C%20the%20National%20Oceanic%20and%20Atmospheric%20Administration%20(NOAA)%20and%20other%20agencies%20responsible%20for%20tackling%20atmospheric%20pollution.%0A%0AWhy%20is%20TEMPO%20so%20special%3F%0A%0A%22The%20TEMPO%20mission%20is%20about%20more%20than%20just%20studying%20pollution%20%E2%80%94%20it's%20about%20improving%20life%20on%20Earth%20for%20all%2C%22%20NASA%20Administrator%20Bill%20Nelson%20said%20in%20a%20statement.%0A%0A%22By%20monitoring%20the%20effects%20of%20everything%20from%20rush-hour%20traffic%20to%20pollution%20from%20forest%20fires%20and%20volcanoes%2C%20NASA%20data%20will%20help%20improve%20air%20quality%20across%20North%20America%20and%20protect%20our%20planet%2C%22%20he%20added.%0A%0AA%20unique%20feature%20of%20TEMPO%2C%20which%20is%20about%20the%20size%20of%20a%20washing%20machine%20and%20has%20been%20described%20as%20a%20chemistry%20laboratory%20in%20space%2C%20is%20that%20it%20will%20be%20hosted%20on%20an%20Intelsat%20communications%20satellite%20in%20geostationary%20orbit.%0A%0AExisting%20pollution-monitoring%20satellites%20are%20in%20low%20Earth%20orbit%2C%20which%20means%20they%20can%20only%20provide%20observations%20once%20a%20day%20at%20a%20fixed%20time.%0A%0ATEMPO%20will%20be%20able%20to%20measure%20atmospheric%20pollution%20down%20to%20a%20spatial%20resolution%20of%204%20square%20miles%20(10%20square%20kilometers)%2C%20or%20neighborhood%20level.%0A%0AWhat%20is%20geostationary%20orbit%3F%0A%0A%22Geostationary%20orbit%20is%20a%20common%20orbit%20for%20weather%20satellites%20and%20communications%20satellites%2C%20but%20an%20air%20quality%20instrument%20measuring%20gases%20hadn't%20been%20there%20yet%2C%22%20Caroline%20Nowlan%2C%20an%20atmospheric%20physicist%20at%20the%20Harvard%20%26%20Smithsonian%20Center%20for%20Astrophysics%2C%20explained%20to%20news%20agency%20AFP.%0A%0AIn%20a%20geostationary%20orbit%2022%2C236%20miles%20(35%2C786%20kilometers)%20above%20the%20equator%2C%20TEMPO%20will%20match%20the%20rotation%20of%20the%20Earth%2C%20meaning%20it%20will%20stay%20over%20the%20same%20location%20%E2%80%94%20North%20America%20%E2%80%94%20at%20all%20times.%0A%0A%22The%20great%20thing%20about%20TEMPO%20is%20that%20for%20the%20first%20time%20we'll%20be%20able%20to%20make%20hourly%20measurements%20over%20North%20America%2C%20so%20we'll%20be%20able%20to%20see%20what's%20happening%20over%20a%20whole%20day%20as%20long%20as%20the%20sun%20is%20up%2C%22%20Nowlan%20added.%0A%0ATEMPO%20will%20have%20multiple%20applications%20from%20measuring%20levels%20of%20various%20pollutants%20to%20providing%20air%20quality%20forecasts%20and%20helping%20the%20development%20of%20emission-control%20strategies.%0A%0AWhy%20is%20the%20mission%20important%3F%0A%0AMore%20than%2040%25%20of%20the%20US%20population%2C%20137%20million%20people%2C%20live%20in%20places%20with%20unhealthy%20levels%20of%20particle%20pollution%20or%20ozone%2C%20according%20to%20the%20American%20Lung%20Association.%20Air%20pollution%20is%20blamed%20for%20some%2060%2C000%20premature%20deaths%20a%20year.%0A%0AAmong%20the%20pollutants%20tracked%20by%20TEMPO%20will%20be%20nitrogen%20dioxide%2C%20produced%20from%20the%20combustion%20of%20fossil%20fuels%2C%20formaldehyde%20and%20ozone.%0A%0AThe%20data%20will%20be%20made%20available%20online%20for%20members%20of%20the%20public%20to%20monitor%20air%20quality%20information%20in%20their%20local%20area.%0A%0ADaugherty%20said%20TEMPO%20will%20power%20up%20at%20the%20end%20of%20May%20or%20in%20early%20June%20and%20begin%20producing%20data%20in%20October%2C%20although%20it%20will%20not%20be%20made%20available%20to%20the%20public%20until%20April%20of%20next%20year.%0A

NASA to launch air pollution-monitoring device

NASA%20launched%20two%20small%20satellites%20designed%20to%20track%20tropical%20cyclones%20hour%20by%20hour%20from%20a%20base%20in%20New%20Zealand%20on%20Monday%2C%20in%20a%20project%20that%20could%20improve%20weather%20predictions%20on%20devastating%20storms.%0A%0AThe%20new%20storm%20trackers%2C%20sent%20into%20orbit%20on%20a%20rocket%20built%20by%20US%20company%20Rocket%20Lab%2C%20can%20fly%20over%20hurricanes%20(or%20typhoons%20in%20the%20Pacific)%20every%20hour%2C%20compared%20to%20every%20six%20hours%20with%20current%20satellites.%0A%0AResearchers%20will%20be%20able%20to%20see%20storms%20evolve%20on%20an%20hourly%20basis%2C%20said%20NASA%20scientist%20Will%20McCarty%20at%20a%20press%20conference%20for%20the%20first%20launch%20of%20the%20TROPICS%20mission.%0A%0A%22We%20still%20need%20the%20large%20satellites%2C%22%20he%20added.%20%22What%20we%20get%20from%20this%20is%20the%20ability%20to%20add%20more%20information%20to%20the%20flagship%20satellites%20that%20we%20already%20have.%22%0A%0AA%20second%20Rocket%20Lab-built%20vessel%20is%20due%20to%20launch%20in%20about%20two%20weeks%20carrying%20two%20more%20satellites%20to%20complete%20a%20small%20constellation%20of%20four%20storm-tracking%20satellites.%0A%0AThe%20information%20gathered%20on%20rainfall%2C%20temperature%20and%20humidity%20could%20help%20scientists%20determine%20where%20a%20hurricane%20will%20make%20landfall%20and%20how%20intense%20it%20will%20be%2C%20helping%20people%20living%20in%20coastal%20areas%20be%20better%20prepared%20for%20possible%20evacuations.%0A%0A%22Many%20operational%20organizations%20like%20the%20National%20Hurricane%20Center%20and%20the%20Joint%20Typhoon%20Warning%20Center%20and%20many%20others%20are%20ready%20to%20receive%20tropical%20imagery%20to%20help%20inform%20their%20forecasters%2C%22%20said%20Ben%20Kim%2C%20a%20program%20executive%20at%20NASA.%0A%0AIn%20the%20long%20term%2C%20a%20better%20understanding%20of%20the%20formation%20and%20evolution%20of%20these%20storms%20could%20help%20improve%20climate%20models.%0A%0AThe%20constellation%20was%20originally%20intended%20to%20have%20six%20satellites%2C%20not%20four%2C%20but%20the%20first%20two%20were%20lost%20when%20a%20US%20Astra%20rocket%20malfunctioned%20shortly%20after%20lift-off%20last%20year.%0A%0AHurricanes%2C%20or%20typhoons%2C%20are%20becoming%20more%20powerful%20as%20the%20ocean%20surface%20warms%2C%20scientists%20say.%0A%0AHurricane%20Ian%2C%20which%20devastated%20Florida%20in%202022%2C%20killed%20dozens%20of%20people%20and%20caused%20more%20than%20%24100%20billion%20in%20damage%2C%20making%20it%20by%20far%20the%20world's%20most%20expensive%20weather%20disaster%20of%20the%20year.

NASA launches satellites to track hurricanes

NASA%E2%80%99s%20satellite%20mission%20to%20study%20ocean%20health%2C%20air%20quality%2C%20and%20the%20effects%20of%20a%20changing%20climate%20for%20the%20benefit%20of%20humanity%20launched%20successfully%20into%20orbit%20at%201%3A33%20a.m.%20EST%20Thursday.%0A%0AKnown%20as%20PACE%2C%20the%20Plankton%2C%20Aerosol%2C%20Climate%2C%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ecohubmap.com%2Flist%2FNGO%2Focean%2Fall%22%3Eocean%20Ecosystem%3C%2Fa%3E%20satellite%2C%20launched%20aboard%20a%20SpaceX%20Falcon%209%20rocket%20from%20Space%20Launch%20Complex%2040%20at%20Cape%20Canaveral%20Space%20Force%20Station%20in%20Florida.%20NASA%20confirmed%20signal%20acquisition%20from%20the%20satellite%20about%20five%20minutes%20after%20launch%2C%20and%20the%20spacecraft%20is%20performing%20as%20expected.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CCongratulations%20to%20the%20PACE%20team%20on%20a%20successful%20launch.%20With%20this%20new%20addition%20to%20NASA%E2%80%99s%20fleet%20of%20Earth-observing%20satellites%2C%20PACE%20will%20help%20us%20learn%2C%20like%20never%20before%2C%20how%20particles%20in%20our%20atmosphere%20and%20our%20oceans%20can%20identify%20key%20factors%20impacting%20global%20warming%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20NASA%20Administrator%20Bill%20Nelson.%20%E2%80%9CMissions%20like%20this%20are%20supporting%20the%20Biden-Harris%20Administration%E2%80%99s%20climate%20agenda%20and%20helping%20us%20answer%20urgent%20questions%20about%20our%20changing%20climate.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AFrom%20hundreds%20of%20miles%20above%20Earth%2C%20the%20PACE%20mission%20will%20study%20the%20impact%20of%20tiny%2C%20often%20invisible%20things%3A%20microscopic%20life%20in%20water%20and%20microscopic%20particles%20in%20the%20air.%0A%0AThe%20satellite%E2%80%99s%20hyperspectral%20ocean%20color%20instrument%20will%20allow%20researchers%20to%20measure%20oceans%20and%20other%20waterbodies%20across%20a%20spectrum%20of%20ultraviolet%2C%20visible%2C%20and%20near-infrared%20light.%20This%20will%20enable%20scientists%20to%20track%20the%20distribution%20of%20phytoplankton%20and%20%E2%80%93%20for%20the%20first%20time%20from%20space%20%E2%80%93%20identify%20which%20communities%20of%20these%20organisms%20are%20present%20on%20daily%2C%20global%20scales.%20Scientists%20and%20coastal%20resource%20managers%20can%20use%20the%20data%20to%20help%20forecast%20the%20health%20of%20fisheries%2C%20track%20harmful%20algal%20blooms%2C%20and%20identify%20changes%20in%20the%20marine%20environment.%0A%0AThe%20spacecraft%20also%20carries%20two%20polarimeter%20instruments%2C%20Hyper-Angular%20Rainbow%20Polarimeter%20%232%20and%20Spectro-polarimeter%20for%20Planetary%20Exploration.%20These%20will%20detect%20how%20sunlight%20interacts%20with%20particles%20in%20the%20atmosphere%2C%20giving%20researchers%20new%20information%20on%20atmospheric%20aerosols%20and%20cloud%20properties%2C%20as%20well%20as%20air%20quality%20at%20local%2C%20regional%2C%20and%20global%20scales.%0A%0AWith%20the%20combination%20of%20the%20instrument%20and%20the%20polarimeters%2C%20PACE%20will%20provide%20insights%20into%20the%20interactions%20of%20the%20ocean%20and%20atmosphere%2C%20and%20how%20a%20changing%20climate%20affects%20these%20interactions.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CObservations%20and%20scientific%20research%20from%20PACE%20will%20profoundly%20advance%20our%20knowledge%20of%20the%20ocean%E2%80%99s%20role%20in%20the%20climate%20cycle%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Karen%20St.%20Germain%2C%20director%2C%20Earth%20Science%20Division%2C%20Science%20Mission%20Directorate%2C%20at%20NASA%20Headquarters%20in%20Washington.%20%E2%80%9CThe%20value%20of%20PACE%20data%20skyrockets%20when%20we%20combine%20it%20with%20data%20and%20science%20from%20our%20Surface%20Water%20and%20Ocean%20Topography%20mission%20%E2%80%93%20ushering%20in%20a%20new%20era%20of%20ocean%20science.%20As%20an%20open-source%20science%20mission%20with%20early%20adopters%20ready%20to%20use%20its%20research%20and%20data%2C%20PACE%20will%20accelerate%20our%20understanding%20of%20the%20Earth%20system%20and%20help%20NASA%20deliver%20actionable%20science%2C%20data%2C%20and%20practical%20applications%20to%20help%20our%20coastal%20communities%20and%20industries%20address%20rapidly%20evolving%20challenges.%E2%80%9D%20%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIt%E2%80%99s%20been%20an%20honor%20to%20work%20with%20the%20PACE%20team%20and%20witness%20firsthand%20their%20dedication%20and%20tenacity%20in%20overcoming%20challenges%2C%20including%20the%20global%20pandemic%2C%20to%20make%20this%20observatory%20a%20reality%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Marjorie%20Haskell%2C%20PACE%20program%20executive%20at%20NASA%20Headquarters.%20%E2%80%9CThe%20passion%20and%20teamwork%20are%20matched%20only%20by%20the%20excitement%20of%20the%20science%20community%20for%20the%20data%20this%20new%20satellite%20will%20provide.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AEarth%E2%80%99s%20oceans%20are%20responding%20in%20many%20ways%20to%20climate%20change%20%E2%80%93%20from%20sea%20level%20rise%20to%20marine%20heat%20waves%20to%20a%20loss%20of%20biodiversity.%20With%20PACE%2C%20researchers%20will%20be%20able%20to%20study%20climate%20change%E2%80%99s%20effects%20on%20phytoplankton%2C%20which%20play%20a%20key%20role%20in%20the%20global%20carbon%20cycle%20by%20absorbing%20carbon%20dioxide%20from%20the%20atmosphere%20and%20converting%20it%20into%20their%20cellular%20material.%20These%20tiny%20organisms%20drive%20larger%20aquatic%20and%20global%20ecosystems%20that%20provide%20critical%20resources%20for%20food%20security%2C%20recreation%2C%20and%20the%20economy.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CAfter%2020%20years%20of%20thinking%20about%20this%20mission%2C%20it%E2%80%99s%20exhilarating%20to%20watch%20it%20finally%20realized%20and%20to%20witness%20its%20launch.%20I%20couldn%E2%80%99t%20be%20prouder%20or%20more%20appreciative%20of%20our%20PACE%20team%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Jeremy%20Werdell%2C%20PACE%20project%20scientist%20at%20NASA%E2%80%99s%20Goddard%20Space%20Flight%20Center%20in%20Greenbelt%2C%20Maryland.%20%E2%80%9CThe%20opportunities%20PACE%20will%20offer%20are%20so%20exciting%2C%20and%20we%E2%80%99re%20going%20to%20be%20able%20to%20use%20these%20incredible%20technologies%20in%20ways%20we%20haven%E2%80%99t%20yet%20anticipated.%20It%E2%80%99s%20truly%20a%20mission%20of%20discovery.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ANASA%E2%80%99s%20Launch%20Services%20Program%2C%20based%20at%20the%20agency%E2%80%99s%20Kennedy%20Space%20Center%20in%20Florida%2C%20managed%20the%20launch%20services%20for%20the%20mission.%20The%20PACE%20mission%20is%20managed%20by%20NASA%20Goddard%2C%20which%20also%20built%20and%20tested%20the%20spacecraft%20and%20the%20ocean%20color%20instrument.%20The%20Hyper-Angular%20Rainbow%20Polarimeter%20%232%20was%20designed%20and%20built%20by%20the%20University%20of%20Maryland%2C%20Baltimore%20County%2C%20and%20the%20Spectro-polarimeter%20for%20Planetary%20Exploration%20was%20developed%20and%20built%20by%20a%20Dutch%20consortium%20led%20by%20Netherlands%20Institute%20for%20Space%20Research%2C%20Airbus%20Defence%2C%20and%20Space%20Netherlands.

NASA Launches New Climate Mission to Study Ocean

State-of-the-art%20printed%20flexible%20solar%20cell%20technology%20developed%20by%20Australia's%20national%20science%20agency%2C%20CSIRO%2C%20was%20successfully%20launched%20into%20space%20today%20(March%205)%20aboard%20Australia's%20largest%20private%20satellite%2C%20Optimus-1%2C%20on%20Space%20X's%20Transporter-10%20mission.%0A%0ACSIRO%20is%20exploring%20the%20potential%20of%20printed%20flexible%20solar%20cells%20as%20a%20reliable%20energy%20source%20for%20future%20space%20endeavors%2C%20in%20collaboration%20with%20Australian%20space%20transportation%20provider%2C%20Space%20Machines%20Company.%0A%0ACSIRO%20Space%20Program%20Director%20Dr.%20Kimberley%20Clayfield%20said%20a%20major%20challenge%20in%20the%20development%20of%20spacecraft%20is%20low-mass%2C%20high-efficiency%20power%20systems.%0A%0A%22CSIRO's%20printed%20flexible%20solar%20cells%20could%20provide%20a%20reliable%2C%20lightweight%20energy%20solution%20for%20future%20space%20operations%20and%20exploration%2C%22%20Dr.%20Clayfield%20said.%0A%0A%22If%20the%20space%20flight%20test%20reveals%20similar%20performance%20as%20we've%20shown%20in%20the%20lab%2C%20this%20technology%20offers%20significant%20advantages%20over%20traditional%20silicon-based%20solar.%0A%0A%22Yet%20another%20example%20of%20CSIRO's%20terrestrial%20expertise%20being%20applied%20to%20solve%20challenges%20in%20the%20space%20domain.%22%0A%0ARajat%20Kulshrestha%2C%20Space%20Machines%20Company%20CEO%2C%20said%20the%20completion%20of%20Optimus%20marks%20a%20major%20milestone%20for%20Space%20Machines%20Company.%0A%0A%22Through%20perseverance%20and%20teamwork%2C%20our%20engineers%20and%20scientists%2C%20alongside%20partners%20like%20CSIRO%2C%20have%20created%20something%20truly%20ground-breaking%2C%22%20Kulshrestha%20said.%0A%0A%22CSIRO's%20innovative%20flexible%20solar%20cells%20will%20transform%20spacecraft%20power%20systems%20and%20enable%20new%20possibilities%20for%20future%20space%20missions.%0A%0A%22We're%20thrilled%20to%20integrate%20this%20ground-breaking%20technology%20into%20Optimus.%20This%20is%20just%20the%20beginning%2C%20and%20I'm%20excited%20to%20see%20what%20the%20future%20holds%20as%20we%20continue%20to%20innovate.%22%0A%0ADr.%20Chesman%20said%20in%20situ%20testing%20would%20secure%20information%20on%20the%20performance%20of%20the%20perovskite%20cells%20as%20they%20orbit%20the%20planet.%0A%0A%22We%20will%20get%20information%20on%20how%20the%20panels%20are%20holding%20up%20under%20the%20extreme%20conditions%20in%20space%20and%20data%20on%20the%20efficiency%20they%20achieve%2C%22%20Chesman%20said.%0A%0AChesman%20said%20the%20team%20had%20already%20undertaken%20pioneering%20research%20on%20the%20likely%20performance%20of%20the%20cells%20in%20a%20space%20environment.%0A%0A%22Based%20on%20our%20research%20we%20expect%20our%20printed%20flexible%20solar%20cells%20will%20stand%20up%20to%20the%20effects%20of%20cosmic%20electron%20and%20gamma%20radiation%20which%20can%20compromise%20the%20performance%20and%20integrity%20of%20traditional%20solar%20cells%2C%22%20Chesman%20said.%0A%0A%22We%20are%20also%20confident%20these%20cells%20will%20outperform%20traditional%20cells%20in%20cases%20where%20sunlight%20hits%20them%20at%20non-optimal%20angles.%0A%0A%22The%20feedback%20we%20receive%20from%20the%20satellite%20will%20provide%20valuable%20insights%20into%20the%20practical%20application%20of%20our%20technology%20and%20inform%20future%20technology%20development.%22%0A%0AChesman%20highlighted%20the%20unique%20opportunity%20the%20solar%20technology%20could%20present%20for%20Australian%20manufacturing.%0A%0A%22This%20is%20a%20great%20opportunity%20for%20Australian%20technology%20to%20contribute%20to%20global%20space%20exploration.%20We%20are%20eager%20to%20collaborate%20with%20potential%20partners%20to%20explore%20this%20further%2C%22%20he%20said.%0A%0ACSIRO%20research%20exploring%20the%20potential%20of%20printed%20flexible%20solar%20cells%20in%20space%20is%20available%20in%20a%20recent%20paper%20published%20in%20ACS%20Applied%20Energy%20Materials.%0A%0ACSIRO%20Renewable%20Energy%20Systems%20Group%20Leader%20Dr.%20Anthony%20Chesman%20said%20eight%20mini-modules%20of%20CSIROs%20Australian-made%20printed%20flexible%20solar%20cells%20were%20attached%20to%20the%20surface%20of%20Space%20Machine%20Company's%20Optimus-1%20satellite.%0A%0A%22CSIRO%20researchers%20have%20been%20working%20for%20many%20years%20to%20improve%20our%20solar%20cell%20performance%20using%20perovskite%E2%80%94an%20advanced%20material%20that%20is%20highly%20efficient%20in%20converting%20sunlight%20into%20energy%2C%22%20Dr.%20Chesman%20said.

CSIRO flexible solar cells launched into space

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NASA launches climate change satellite

Scientists%20have%20built%20a%20highly%20accurate%20digital%20simulation%20of%20planet%20Earth%20to%20provide%20reliable%20information%20about%20extreme%20weather%20and%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ecohubmap.com%2Fgreen-spots%2Fclimate%2Fall%22%3Eclimate%3C%2Fa%3E%20change.%0A%0AThis%20AI-powered%20%E2%80%9Cdigital%20twin%E2%80%9D%20virtually%20simulates%20the%20interaction%20between%20natural%20phenomena%20and%20human%20activities%20to%20predict%20their%20effect%20on%20things%20like%20water%2C%20food%20and%20energy%20systems.%0A%0AIn%20the%20past%2C%20climate%20and%20weather%20predictions%20have%20either%20focused%20on%20local%20regions%20or%20larger%20global%20systems.%20The%20new%20project%2C%20known%20as%20Destination%20Earth%20(DestinE)%2C%20brings%20all%20of%20this%20information%20together%20alongside%20human%20actions%20to%20%E2%80%9Cdepict%20the%20complex%20processes%20of%20the%20entire%20Earth%20system%E2%80%9D.%0A%0AThe%20project%2C%20activated%20by%20the%20European%20Commission%20on%2010%20June%20with%20over%20%E2%82%AC315%20million%20in%20funding%20from%20the%20Digital%20Europe%20programme%2C%20hopes%20to%20provide%20a%20method%20of%20testing%20scenarios%20that%20will%20help%20policymakers%20and%20scientists%20to%20prepare%20for%20the%20future.%0A%0A%22The%20launch%20of%20the%20initial%20Destination%20Earth%20(DestinE)%20is%20a%20true%20game%20changer%20in%20our%20fight%20against%20climate%20change%2C%22%20says%20Margrethe%20Vestager%2C%20Executive%20Vice-President%20for%20a%20Europe%20Fit%20for%20the%20Digital%20Age.%20%22It%20means%20that%20we%20can%20observe%20environmental%20challenges%20which%20can%20help%20us%20predict%20future%20scenarios%20-%20like%20we%20have%20never%20done%20before...%20Today%2C%20the%20future%20is%20literally%20at%20our%20fingertips.%22%0A%0ADestinE%20currently%20consists%20of%20two%20models%20-%20one%20focusing%20on%20climate%20change%20adaptation%20and%20the%20other%20on%20weather-induced%20extremes%20-%20which%20draw%20on%20data%20from%20sources%20like%20Copernicus.%0A%0AIt%20is%20expected%20to%20continually%20evolve%20over%20the%20coming%20years%2C%20completing%20a%20full%20digital%20replica%20of%20the%20Earth%20by%202030.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EWhy%20do%20we%20need%20a%20'digital%20twin'%20of%20Earth%3F%3C%2Fh2%3E%0AWith%20our%20weather%20becoming%20more%20severe%2C%20there%20is%20a%20growing%20need%20to%20estimate%20the%20impacts%20of%20the%20climate%20crisis.%20Over%20two%20million%20people%20died%20in%20extreme%20weather-related%20events%20between%201970%20and%202021%2C%20according%20to%20the%20WMO.%0A%0AExtreme%20heatwaves%20in%202003%20and%202010%20accounted%20for%2080%20per%20cent%20of%20weather-related%20deaths%20in%20Europe%20during%20this%20period%20-%20and%20climate%20disasters%20are%20getting%20worse%2C%20with%20May%20breaking%20the%20global%20temperature%20record%20for%20the%2012th%20month%20in%20a%20row.%0A%0ADestinE%20will%20be%20used%20to%20help%20Europe%20respond%20to%20natural%20disasters%20more%20effectively%2C%20adapt%20to%20climate%20change%2C%20and%20assess%20the%20potential%20socioeconomic%20and%20policy%20impacts%20of%20such%20events.%0A%0AHypothetical%20scenarios%20such%20as%20building%20wind%20farms%20across%20Europe%20and%20information%20on%20where%20to%20plant%20crops%20as%20our%20climate%20changes%20could%20be%20provided%20by%20the%20model.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIf%20you%20are%20planning%20a%20two-metre%20high%20dike%20in%20The%20Netherlands%2C%20for%20example%2C%20I%20can%20run%20through%20the%20data%20in%20my%20digital%20twin%20and%20check%20whether%20the%20dike%20will%20in%20all%20likelihood%20still%20protect%20against%20expected%20extreme%20events%20in%202050%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Peter%20Bauer%2C%20co-initiator%20of%20Project%20Destination%20Earth%2C%20when%20the%20project%20was%20initially%20announced%20in%202021.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EHow%20will%20a%20%E2%80%98digital%20twin%E2%80%99%20help%20Europe%20reach%20its%20climate%20targets%3F%3C%2Fh2%3E%0AFor%20Destination%20Earth%2C%20the%20European%20Commission%20has%20partnered%20with%20the%20European%20Centre%20for%20Medium-Range%20Weather%20Forecasts%20(ECMWF)%2C%20the%20European%20Space%20Agency%20(ESA)%20and%20the%20European%20Organisation%20for%20the%20Exploitation%20of%20Meteorological%20Satellites%20(EUMETSAT).%0A%0A%0AThe%20European%20Union%20is%20making%20a%20big%20investment%20in%20green%20technology%20as%20part%20of%20the%20bloc%E2%80%99s%20plan%20to%20become%20the%20first%20climate%20neutral%20continent%20by%202050.%20The%20EU%20hopes%20this%20project%20will%20enable%20more%20sustainable%20development%20and%20support%20environmental%20policies%20in%20the%20coming%20years.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ESupercomputers%20used%20to%20power%20the%20simulation%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ABut%20the%20climate%20impact%20of%20the%20simulation%20itself%20could%20be%20significant.%20In%20a%202021%20study%2C%20researchers%20estimated%20that%20they%20would%20need%20a%20supercomputer%20with%2020%2C000%20graphics%20processors%20consuming%20around%2020MW%20of%20power%20to%20create%20the%20highly%20complex%20model.%0A%0ADestinE%20relies%20on%20Europe's%20High-performance%20computers%20(EuroHPC)%2C%20including%20the%20LUMI%20supercomputer%20in%20Kajaani%2C%20Finland.%0A%0AAlthough%20it%20is%20unclear%20how%20the%20system%20will%20be%20powered%2C%20computing%20experts%20previously%20stressed%20the%20importance%20of%20carbon-neutral%20energy%20in%20its%20development.%20Finland%20gains%20almost%20half%20of%20its%20energy%20from%20renewable%20sources%2C%20coming%20second%20only%20to%20Sweden%20in%20the%20EU.%0A%0ABy%202027%2C%20the%20team%20aims%20to%20have%20additional%20digital%20twins%20and%20services%20up%20and%20running.%20The%20data%20from%20these%20simulations%20will%20then%20be%20combined%20to%20create%20%E2%80%9Ca%20full%20digital%20twin%20of%20Earth%E2%80%9D%20by%20the%20end%20of%20the%20decade.

Scientists are developing a digital twin of Earth

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Building bionic jellyfish for ocean exploration

Japan%20deployed%20an%20upgraded%20Earth%20observation%20satellite%20for%20disaster%20response%20and%20security%20after%20it%20was%20launched%20on%20a%20new%20flagship%20H3%20rocket%20Monday.%0A%0AThe%20H3%20No.%203%20rocket%20lifted%20off%20from%20the%20Tanegashima%20Space%20Center%20on%20a%20southwestern%20Japanese%20island%20and%20released%20its%20payload%20about%2016%20minutes%20later%20as%20planned%2C%20the%20Japan%20Aerospace%20Exploration%20Agency%2C%20or%20JAXA%2C%20said%20during%20a%20livestream.%0A%0AThe%20Advanced%20Land%20Observation%20Satellite%2C%20or%20ALOS-4%2C%20is%20tasked%20primarily%20with%20Earth%20observation%20and%20data%20collection%20for%20disaster%20response%20and%20mapmaking.%20It's%20also%20capable%20of%20monitoring%20military%20activity%2C%20such%20as%20missile%20launches%2C%20with%20an%20infrared%20sensor%20developed%20by%20the%20Defense%20Ministry.%0A%0AThe%20rocket%20appeared%20to%20fly%20as%20planned%2C%20and%20JAXA%20is%20expected%20to%20give%20further%20details%20at%20a%20news%20conference%20later%20Monday.%20The%20launch%20was%20initially%20planned%20for%20Sunday%20but%20was%20delayed%20due%20to%20bad%20weather%20at%20the%20launch%20site.%0A%0AThe%20ALOS-4%20is%20a%20successor%20to%20the%20current%20ALOS-2%20and%20can%20observe%20a%20much%20wider%20area.%20Japan%20will%20operate%20both%20for%20the%20time%20being.%0A%0AThe%20launch%20was%20the%20third%20of%20the%20H3%20system%2C%20after%20the%20successful%20one%20on%20Feb%2017.%20and%20the%20shocking%20failed%20debut%20flight%20a%20year%20earlier%20when%20the%20rocket%20had%20to%20be%20destroyed%20with%20its%20payload%E2%80%94a%20satellite%20that%20was%20supposed%20to%20be%20the%20ALOS-3.%0A%0AJapan%20sees%20a%20stable%2C%20commercially%20competitive%20space%20transport%20capability%20as%20key%20to%20its%20space%20program%20and%20national%20security.%0A%0AJAXA%20and%20its%20main%20contractor%20Mitsubishi%20Heavy%20Industries%20have%20been%20developing%20the%20H3%20launch%20system%20as%20a%20successor%20to%20its%20current%20mainstay%2C%20H-2A%2C%20which%20is%20set%20to%20retire%20after%20two%20more%20flights.%20MHI%20will%20eventually%20take%20over%20H3%20production%20and%20launches%20from%20JAXA%20and%20hopes%20to%20make%20it%20commercially%20viable%20by%20cutting%20the%20launch%20cost%20to%20about%20half%20of%20the%20H-2A.

Japan launches advanced earth satellite

A%20McGill-led%20research%20team%20has%20developed%20the%20first%20real-time%2C%20on-site%20technology%20capable%20of%20detecting%20and%20deciphering%20nanoplastics%20from%20all%20other%20particles%20in%20water%2C%20a%20capacity%20akin%20to%20being%20able%20to%20find%20a%20needle%20in%20a%20haystack%20within%20milliseconds.%0A%0AThe%20work%2C%20%22Nanoplastics%20in%20water%3A%20Artificial%20intelligence-assisted%204D%20physicochemical%20characterization%20and%20rapid%20in%20situ%20detection%2C%22%20was%20published%20in%20Environmental%20Science%20%26%20Technology.%0A%0AMicroplastic%20pieces%20are%20between%201%20micrometer%20and%205%20millimeters%2C%20roughly%20equivalent%20to%20a%20grain%20of%20rice.%20Nanoplastics%20are%20far%20tinier%E2%80%94a%20single%20nanometer%20is%20just%200.000001%20millimeters.%20For%20comparison%2C%20a%20human%20hair%20is%20approximately%2080%2C000%E2%80%93100%2C000%20nanometers%20wide.%0A%0A%22This%20technology%20has%20the%20potential%20to%20revolutionize%20how%20we%20monitor%20and%20manage%20plastic%20pollution%2C%20ultimately%20contributing%20to%20the%20preservation%20of%20our%20environment%2C%22%20said%20Parisa%20Ariya%2C%20James%20McGill%20Professor%20in%20the%20Departments%20of%20Chemistry%20and%20Atmospheric%20and%20Oceanic%20Sciences%20at%20McGill%2C%20the%20study's%20lead%20author.%0A%0AAccording%20to%20the%20United%20Nations%20Environment%20Program%20(UNEP)%2C%20the%20equivalent%20of%20approximately%202%2C000%20garbage%20trucks%20full%20of%20plastic%20is%20dumped%20into%20the%20world's%20oceans%2C%20rivers%20and%20lakes%20each%20day.%20Understanding%20the%20impact%20of%20nanoplastics%20on%20ecosystems%20has%20been%20challenging%20due%20to%20the%20limitations%20of%20existing%20detection%20methods.%0A%0AThe%20artificial-intelligence-powered%20innovation%20addresses%20a%20critical%20need%20for%20real-time%20analysis%20of%20plastic%20pollution.%20This%20technology%2C%20an%20AI-assisted%2C%20nano%20digital%20in-line%20holographic%20microscopy%20dubbed%20%22AI-Assisted%20Nano-DIHM%2C%22%20has%20garnered%20attention%20from%20experts%20since%20the%20innovation%20was%20unveiled%20in%20a%20recent%20publication.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EA%20practical%20tool%20for%20identifying%20pollution%20'hotspots'%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0A%22Our%20research%20has%20demonstrated%20that%20the%20AI-Assisted%20Nano-DIHM%20can%20automatically%20detect%20and%20differentiate%20nanoplastics%20and%20microplastics%2C%20even%20when%20they%20are%20coated%20in%20other%20particles%2C%20providing%20a%20comprehensive%20understanding%20of%20plastic%20pollution%20in%20aquatic%20ecosystems%2C%22%20Ariya%20said.%0A%0AThis%20technology%20offers%20a%20practical%20tool%20for%20identifying%20and%20addressing%20pollution%20%22hotspots%22%20more%20effectively.%20Preliminary%20findings%20from%20Lake%20Ontario%20and%20the%20St.%20Lawrence%20River%20indicate%20AI-Assisted%20Nano-DIHM%20can%20identify%20micro-%20and%20nanoplastics%20within%20waterborne%20particles.%0A%0AThis%20pioneering%20technology%2C%20developed%20in%20collaboration%20with%20the%20National%20Research%20Council%20of%20Canada%2C%20represents%20a%20crucial%20breakthrough%20in%20environmental%20monitoring.

Detecting nanoplastics with cutting-edge tech

The%20UK%20military%20has%20launched%20its%20first%20satellite%20which%20can%20capture%20daytime%20images%20and%20videos%20of%20the%20Earth%E2%80%99s%20surface.%20%0A%20%0AThe%20satellite%2C%20named%20Tyche%2C%20will%20support%20military%20operations%20as%20well%20as%20environmental%20disaster%20monitoring%2C%20mapping%20information%20development%20and%20tracking%20the%20impact%20of%20climate%20change%20globally%2C%20the%20Ministry%20of%20Defence%20(MoD)%20said.%20%0A%20%0AThe%20satellite%20was%20launched%20on%20Friday%20from%20a%20rocket%20owned%20by%20SpaceX%2C%20the%20company%20co-founded%20by%20technology%20entrepreneur%20and%20billionaire%20Elon%20Musk.%0A%0ATyche%2C%20which%20is%20comparable%20in%20size%20to%20a%20washing%20machine%2C%20was%20designed%20and%20built%20in%20the%20UK%20through%20a%20%C2%A322%20million%20contract%20awarded%20to%20Surrey%20Satellites%20Technology%20Limited%20(SSTL)%20and%20is%20the%20first%20satellite%20to%20be%20fully%20owned%20by%20the%20MoD.%20%0A%20%0AThe%20MoD%20said%20the%20war%20in%20Ukraine%20had%20shown%20that%20the%20use%20of%20space%20is%20%E2%80%9Ccrucial%E2%80%9D%20to%20military%20operations.%0A%0ASSTL%20received%20the%20first%20signals%20from%20Tyche%20a%20few%20hours%20after%20lift-off%20that%20confirmed%20the%20successful%20launch%20from%20Vandenberg%20space%20force%20base%2C%20California%2C%20on%20a%20SpaceX%20Falcon%209%20rocket%20as%20part%20of%20the%20Transporter%2011%20mission.%20%0A%20%0AOver%20a%20five-year%20life%20span%2C%20the%20150kg%20satellite%20will%20provide%20imagery%20to%20support%20the%20UK%20armed%20forces%20and%20is%20the%20first%20to%20be%20launched%20by%20the%20MoD%20out%20of%20a%20constellation%20of%20satellites%20under%20its%20space-based%20Intelligence%2C%20Surveillance%20and%20Reconnaissance%20(ISR)%20programme.%20%0A%20%0AMaria%20Eagle%2C%20minister%20for%20defence%20procurement%20and%20industry%2C%20said%3A%E2%80%AF%E2%80%9CTyche%20will%20provide%20essential%20intelligence%20for%20military%20operations%20as%20well%20as%20supporting%20wider%20tasks%20across%20government.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CTyche%20also%20shows%20the%20UK%E2%80%99s%20commitment%20to%20support%20innovation%20in%20science%20and%20technology%2C%20stimulating%20growth%20across%20the%20sector%20and%20supporting%20highly-skilled%20jobs%20in%20the%20UK.%E2%80%9D%20%0A%20%0AThe%20MoD%20said%20the%20design%20and%20build%20of%20Tyche%20had%20supported%20about%20100%20high-skilled%20roles%20at%20SSTL%20since%202022.%0A%0AUK%20Space%20Commander%20Major%20General%20Paul%20Tedman%20said%3A%E2%80%AF%E2%80%9CThis%20is%20a%20fabulous%20day%20for%20UK%20space.%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20successful%20launch%20of%20Tyche%20has%20shown%20that%20UK%20Space%20Command%2C%20and%20its%20essential%20partners%20across%20defence%20and%20industry%2C%20can%20rapidly%20take%20a%20concept%20through%20to%20the%20delivery%20of%20a%20satellite%20capability%20on%20orbit.%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CTyche%20represents%20the%20first%20of%20a%20future%20constellation%20of%20Intelligence%2C%20Surveillance%20and%20Reconnaissance%20satellites%20that%20we%E2%80%99ll%20launch%20over%20the%20coming%20years.%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CI%E2%80%99d%20like%20to%20take%20this%20opportunity%20to%20congratulate%20everybody%20involved%20with%20Tyche%20and%20thank%20them%20for%20their%20support.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ADefence%20equipment%20and%20support%20space%20team%20leader%20Paul%20Russell%20described%20the%20project%20as%20an%20%E2%80%9Cexciting%20journey%E2%80%9D.%20%0A%20%0AHe%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CTo%20see%20Tyche%20%E2%80%93%20the%20first%20of%20a%20new%20generation%20of%20UK%20military%20capabilities%20%E2%80%93%20delivered%20into%20orbit%20is%20an%20incredibly%20proud%20moment%20and%20a%20tribute%20to%20everyone%E2%80%99s%20commitment%20to%20this%20key%20project.%E2%80%9D

UK launches first military earth-imaging satellite

Developed%20by%20the%20agency%E2%80%99s%20Jet%20Propulsion%20Laboratory%2C%20the%20imaging%20spectrometer%20will%20provide%20actionable%20data%20to%20help%20reduce%20emissions%20that%20contribute%20to%20global%20warming.%20%0A%20%0ATanager-1%2C%20the%20Carbon%20Mapper%20Coalition%E2%80%99s%20first%20satellite%2C%20which%20carries%20a%20state-of-the-art%2C%20NASA-designed%20greenhouse-gas-tracking%20instrument%2C%20is%20in%20Earth%20orbit%20after%20lifting%20off%20aboard%20a%20SpaceX%20Falcon%209%20rocket%20from%20Space%20Launch%20Complex%204E%20at%20Vandenberg%20Space%20Force%20Base%20in%20California%20at%2011%3A56%20a.m.%20PDT%20Friday%2C%20Aug.%2016.%20Ground%20controllers%20successfully%20established%20communications%20with%20Tanager-1%20at%202%3A45%20p.m.%20PDT%20the%20same%20day.%20%0A%20%0AThe%20satellite%20will%20use%20imaging%20spectrometer%20technology%20developed%20at%20NASA%E2%80%99s%20Jet%20Propulsion%20Laboratory%20in%20Southern%20California%20to%20measure%20methane%20and%20carbon%20dioxide%20point-source%20emissions%2C%20down%20to%20the%20level%20of%20individual%20facilities%20and%20equipment%2C%20on%20a%20global%20scale.%20Tanager-1%20was%20developed%20as%20part%20of%20a%20philanthropically%20funded%20public-private%20coalition%20led%20by%20the%20nonprofit%20Carbon%20Mapper.%20Planet%20Labs%20PBC%2C%20which%20built%20Tanager-1%2C%20and%20JPL%20are%20both%20members%20of%20the%20Carbon%20Mapper%20Coalition%20and%20plan%20to%20launch%20a%20second%20Tanager%20satellite%20equipped%20with%20a%20JPL-built%20imaging%20spectrometer%20at%20a%20later%20date.%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20imaging%20spectrometer%20technology%20aboard%20Tanager-1%20is%20the%20product%20of%20four%20decades%20of%20development%20at%20NASA%20JPL%20and%20truly%20in%20a%20class%20of%20its%20own%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20JPL%20Director%20Laurie%20Leshin.%20%E2%80%9CThe%20data%20that%20this%20public-private%20partnership%20provides%20on%20sources%20of%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions%20will%20be%20precise%20and%20global%2C%20making%20it%20beneficial%20to%20everyone.%E2%80%9D%20%0A%20%0AOnce%20in%20operation%2C%20the%20spacecraft%20will%20scan%20about%2050%2C000%20square%20miles%20(130%2C000%20square%20kilometers)%20of%20Earth%E2%80%99s%20surface%20per%20day.%20Carbon%20Mapper%20scientists%20will%20analyze%20data%20from%20Tanager-1%20to%20identify%20gas%20plumes%20with%20the%20unique%20spectral%20signatures%20of%20methane%20and%20carbon%20dioxide%20%E2%80%94%20and%20pinpoint%20their%20sources.%20Plume%20data%20will%20be%20publicly%20available%20online%20at%20the%20Carbon%20Mapper%20data%20portal.%20%0A%20%0AMethane%20and%20carbon%20dioxide%20are%20the%20greenhouse%20gases%20that%20contribute%20most%20to%20climate%20change.%20About%20half%20of%20methane%20emissions%20worldwide%20result%20from%20human%20activities%20%E2%80%94%20primarily%20from%20the%20fossil%20fuel%2C%20agriculture%2C%20and%20waste%20management%20industries.%20Meanwhile%2C%20there%20is%20now%2050%25%20more%20carbon%20dioxide%20in%20the%20atmosphere%20than%20there%20was%20in%201750%2C%20an%20increase%20largely%20due%20to%20the%20extraction%20and%20burning%20of%20coal%2C%20oil%2C%20and%20gas.%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20Carbon%20Mapper%20Coalition%20is%20a%20prime%20example%20of%20how%20organizations%20from%20different%20sectors%20are%20uniting%20around%20a%20common%20goal%20of%20addressing%20climate%20change%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Riley%20Duren%2C%20Carbon%20Mapper%20CEO.%20%E2%80%9CBy%20detecting%2C%20pinpointing%2C%20and%20quantifying%20super-emitters%20and%20making%20this%20data%20accessible%20to%20decision-makers%2C%20we%20can%20drive%20significant%20action%20around%20the%20world%20to%20cut%20emissions%20now.%E2%80%9D%20%0A%20%0AThe%20imaging%20spectrometer%20aboard%20the%20satellite%20measures%20hundreds%20of%20wavelengths%20of%20light%20that%20are%20reflected%20by%20Earth%E2%80%99s%20surface.%20Different%20compounds%20in%20the%20planet%E2%80%99s%20atmosphere%20%E2%80%94%20including%20methane%20and%20carbon%20dioxide%20%E2%80%94%20absorb%20different%20wavelengths%20of%20light%2C%20leaving%20spectral%20%E2%80%9Cfingerprints%E2%80%9D%20that%20the%20imaging%20spectrometer%20can%20identify.%20These%20infrared%20fingerprints%20can%20enable%20researchers%20to%20pinpoint%20and%20quantify%20strong%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions%2C%20potentially%20accelerating%20mitigation%20efforts.%20%0A%20%0ATanager-1%20is%20part%20of%20a%20broader%20effort%20to%20make%20methane%20and%20carbon%20dioxide%20data%20accessible%20and%20actionable.%20That%20effort%20includes%20using%20measurements%20provided%20by%20NASA%E2%80%99s%20EMIT%20(Earth%20Surface%20Mineral%20Dust%20Source%20Investigation)%2C%20an%20imaging%20spectrometer%20developed%20by%20JPL%20and%20installed%20on%20the%20International%20Space%20Station.

NASA launches greenhouse gas-detection instrument

Engineers%20who%20specialize%20in%20building%20NASA%20spacecraft%20to%20explore%20distant%20worlds%20are%20designing%20a%20fleet%20of%20underwater%20robot%20probes%20to%20measure%20how%20rapidly%20climate%20change%20is%20melting%20vast%20ice%20sheets%20around%20Antarctica%20and%20what%20that%20means%20for%20rising%20sea%20levels.%0A%0AA%20prototype%20of%20the%20submersible%20vehicles%2C%20under%20development%20by%20NASA's%20Jet%20Propulsion%20Laboratory%20near%20Los%20Angeles%2C%20was%20tested%20from%20a%20U.S.%20Navy%20laboratory%20camp%20in%20the%20Arctic%2C%20where%20it%20was%20deployed%20beneath%20the%20frozen%20Beaufort%20Sea%20north%20of%20Alaska%20in%20March.%0A%0A%22These%20robots%20are%20a%20platform%20to%20bring%20science%20instruments%20to%20the%20hardest-to-reach%20locations%20on%20Earth%2C%22%20Paul%20Glick%2C%20a%20JPL%20Robotics%20engineer%20and%20principal%20investigator%20for%20the%20IceNode%20project%2C%20said%20in%20a%20summary%20posted%20on%20Thursday%20on%20NASA's%20website.%0A%0AThe%20probes%20are%20aimed%20at%20providing%20more%20accurate%20data%20gauging%20the%20rate%20at%20which%20warming%20ocean%20water%20around%20Antarctica%20is%20melting%20the%20continent's%20coastal%20ice%2C%20allowing%20scientists%20to%20improve%20computer%20models%20to%20predict%20future%20sea%20level%20rise.%0A%0AThe%20fate%20of%20the%20world's%20largest%20ice%20sheet%20is%20a%20major%20focus%20of%20nearly%201%2C500%20academics%20and%20researchers%20who%20gathered%20this%20week%20in%20southern%20Chile%20for%20the%2011th%20Scientific%20Committee%20on%20Antarctica%20Research%20conference.%0A%0AA%20JPL%20analysis%20published%20in%202022%20found%20that%20thinning%20and%20crumbling%20away%20of%20Antarctica's%20ice%20shelf%20had%20reduced%20its%20mass%20by%20some%2012%20trillion%20tons%20since%201997%2C%20double%20previous%20estimates.%0A%0AIf%20melted%20completely%2C%20according%20to%20NASA%2C%20the%20loss%20of%20the%20continent's%20ice%20shelf%20would%20raise%20global%20sea%20levels%20by%20an%20estimated%20200%20feet%20(60%20meters).%0A%0AIce%20shelves%2C%20floating%20slabs%20of%20frozen%20freshwater%20extending%20miles%20from%20the%20land%20into%20the%20sea%2C%20take%20thousands%20of%20years%20to%20form%20and%20act%20like%20giant%20buttresses%20holding%20back%20glaciers%20that%20would%20otherwise%20slide%20off%20easily%20into%20the%20surrounding%20ocean.%0ASatellite%20images%20have%20shown%20the%20outer%20%22calving%22%20off%20into%20icebergs%20at%20a%20higher%20rate%20than%20nature%20can%20replenish%20shelf%20growth.%0A%0AAt%20the%20same%20time%2C%20rising%20ocean%20temperatures%20are%20eroding%20the%20shelves%20from%20underneath%2C%20a%20phenomenon%20scientists%20hope%20to%20examine%20with%20greater%20precision%20with%20the%20submersible%20IceNode%20probes.%0A%0AThe%20cylindrical%20vehicles%2C%20about%208%20feet%20(2.4%20meters)%20long%20and%2010%20inches%20(25%20cm)%20in%20diameter%2C%20would%20be%20released%20from%20boreholes%20in%20the%20ice%20or%20from%20vessels%20at%20sea.%0A%0AAlthough%20equipped%20with%20no%20form%20of%20propulsion%2C%20the%20robot%20probes%20would%20drift%20in%20currents%2C%20using%20special%20software%20guidance%2C%20to%20reach%20%22grounding%20zones%22%20where%20the%20frozen%20freshwater%20shelf%20meets%20the%20ocean%20saltwater%20and%20land.%20These%20cavities%20are%20impenetrable%20to%20even%20satellite%20signals.%0A%0A%22The%20goal%20is%20getting%20data%20directly%20at%20the%20ice-ocean%20melting%20interface%2C%22%20said%20Ian%20Fenty%2C%20a%20JPL%20climate%20scientist.%0A%0AUpon%20arrival%20at%20their%20targets%2C%20the%20submersibles%20would%20drop%20their%20ballast%20and%20float%20upwards%20to%20affix%20themselves%20to%20the%20underside%20of%20the%20ice%20shelf%20by%20releasing%20three-pronged%20%22landing%20gear%22%20sprung%20from%20one%20end%20of%20the%20vehicle.%0A%0AThe%20IceNodes%20would%20then%20continuously%20record%20data%20from%20beneath%20the%20ice%20for%20up%20to%20a%20year%2C%20including%20seasonal%20fluctuations%2C%20before%20releasing%20themselves%20to%20drift%20back%20to%20the%20open%20seas%20and%20transmit%20readings%20via%20satellite.%0A%0APreviously%2C%20thinning%20of%20the%20ice%20shelf%20was%20documented%20by%20satellite%20altimeters%20measuring%20the%20changing%20height%20of%20the%20ice%20from%20above.%0A%0ADuring%20the%20March%20field%20test%2C%20an%20IceNode%20prototype%20descended%20330%20feet%20(100%20meters)%20into%20the%20ocean%20to%20gather%20salinity%2C%20temperature%20and%20flow%20data.%20Previous%20tests%20were%20conducted%20in%20California's%20Monterey%20Bay%20and%20below%20the%20frozen%20winter%20surface%20of%20Lake%20Superior%2C%20off%20Michigan's%20upper%20peninsula.%0A%0AUltimately%2C%20scientists%20believe%2010%20probes%20would%20be%20ideal%20to%20gather%20data%20from%20a%20single%20ice%20shelf%20cavity%2C%20but%20%22we%20have%20more%20development%20and%20testing%20to%20go%22%20before%20devising%20a%20timeline%20for%20full-scale%20deployment%2C%20Glick%20said.

Robot probes monitor Antarctica ice shelf melting

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Supplement to protect bees from pesticides

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Engineers unlock lithium from extreme environments

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New cyanobacteria strains could sequester carbon

Researchers%20have%20discovered%20a%20method%20to%20transform%20textiles%20into%20power%20sources.%20This%20means%20someday%20your%20sweater%20could%20charge%20your%20phone%20or%20monitor%20your%20health%2C%20all%20while%20you%E2%80%99re%20on%20the%20go.%20%0A%20%0AScientists%20at%20Chalmers%20University%20of%20Technology%20in%20Sweden%20are%20bringing%20this%20vision%20closer%20to%20reality.%20%0A%0AThey%20have%20developed%20a%20special%20silk%20thread%20coated%20with%20a%20conductive%20plastic%20material.%20This%20innovative%20thread%20can%20harness%20the%20power%20of%20body%20heat%20to%20generate%20electricity.%0A%0AThis%20flexible%2C%20lightweight%2C%20and%20non-toxic%20material%20makes%20it%20ideal%20for%20wearable%20applications.%0A%0A%3Cb%3ESilk%20thread%20with%20conducting%20polymer%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%20%0AThermoelectric%20textiles%20generate%20electricity%20from%20temperature%20differences%2C%20such%20as%20between%20your%20body%20and%20the%20environment.%20When%20combined%20with%20sensors%2C%20this%20technology%20can%20benefit%20us%20in%20numerous%20ways%2C%20from%20powering%20wearable%20devices%20to%20monitoring%20vital%20signs.%20Interestingly%2C%20it%20completely%20eliminates%20the%20use%20of%20batteries.%20%0A%0AThe%20silk%20thread%20was%20coated%20with%20a%20conducting%20polymer%2C%20a%20plastic%20material%20with%20a%20unique%20chemical%20structure%20that%20allows%20for%20electrical%20conductivity.%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20polymers%20that%20we%20use%20are%20bendable%2C%20lightweight%20and%20are%20easy%20to%20use%20in%20both%20liquid%20and%20solid%20form.%20They%20are%20also%20non-toxic%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Mariavittoria%20Craighero%2C%20the%20first%20author%20and%20a%20doctoral%20student%20at%20the%20university.%20%20%0A%20%0ATo%20demonstrate%20the%20practical%20application%20of%20the%20new%20thread%2C%20the%20researchers%20created%20two%20thermoelectric%20generators%3A%20a%20button%20and%20a%20piece%20of%20fabric%20with%20threads.%20%20%0A%20%0AWhen%20these%20devices%20were%20exposed%20to%20a%20temperature%20difference%2C%20they%20generated%20electricity.%20The%20amount%20of%20voltage%20produced%20varied%20based%20on%20the%20temperature%20difference%20and%20the%20quantity%20of%20conductive%20material%20present.%20%0A%20%0AThe%20bigger%20the%20temperature%20difference%2C%20the%20more%20power%20the%20textile%20generated.%20%0A%20%0AThe%20larger%20fabric%20produced%20approximately%206%20millivolts%20at%20a%2030-degree%20temperature%20difference.%20Combined%20with%20a%20voltage%20converter%2C%20it%20could%20potentially%20charge%20portable%20devices%20via%20USB.%20%0A%20%0A%3Cb%3EThe%20thread%20is%20washable%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%20%0AInterestingly%2C%20the%20thread%20remained%20effective%20for%20over%20a%20year%20and%20can%20withstand%20multiple%20washes%20without%20losing%20its%20electrical%20conductivity.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CAfter%20seven%20washes%2C%20the%20thread%20retained%20two-thirds%20of%20its%20conducting%20properties.%20This%20is%20a%20very%20good%20result%2C%20although%20it%20needs%20to%20be%20improved%20significantly%20before%20it%20becomes%20commercially%20interesting%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Craighero.%0A%0ACurrently%2C%20the%20thermoelectric%20fabric%20and%20buttons%20are%20challenging%20to%20produce%20efficiently%20outside%20of%20a%20lab%20setting.%20They%20require%20manual%20labor%20for%20both%20material%20creation%20and%20sewing.%20For%20instance%2C%20sewing%20a%20single%20fabric%20took%20four%20days.%20%20%0A%20%0AHowever%2C%20researchers%20believe%20that%20the%20new%20thread%20has%20significant%20potential%20and%20that%20automating%20the%20process%20could%20enable%20large-scale%20production.%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20have%20now%20shown%20that%20it%20is%20possible%20to%20produce%20conductive%20organic%20materials%20that%20can%20meet%20the%20functions%20and%20properties%20that%20these%20textiles%20require%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Christian%20M%C3%BCller%2C%20the%20lead%20researcher%20from%20the%20university%2C%20in%20the%20press%20release.%20%0A%20%0AThis%20is%20an%20important%20step%20forward.%20There%20are%20fantastic%20opportunities%20in%20thermoelectric%20textiles%20and%20this%20research%20can%20be%20of%20great%20benefit%20to%20society.%E2%80%9D%20%0A%20%0ABy%20converting%20temperature%20differences%20into%20electrical%20energy%2C%20these%20textiles%20can%20power%20a%20range%20of%20wearable%20devices%2C%20from%20fitness%20trackers%20to%20medical%20sensors.%0A%0AThe%20field%20of%20smart%20textiles%20has%20seen%20considerable%20advancements%20in%20recent%20years.%20Another%20recent%20exciting%20development%20came%20from%20the%20University%20of%20Waterloo%2C%20where%20researchers%20unveiled%20a%20new%20smart%20fabric.%20%0A%20%0AThe%20team%20combined%20MXene%20and%20conductive%20polymers%20with%20innovative%20textile%20techniques%20to%20create%20stretchable%20thermoelectric%20fabric.

Turning textiles into power generators

%D0%86n%20the%20last%20decade%2C%20wearable%20electronics%2C%20particularly%20those%20designed%20for%20healthcare%2C%20have%20gained%20significant%20popularity.%20However%2C%20researchers%20are%20still%20working%20on%20the%20best%20ways%20to%20power%20them.%20%0A%20%0ATraditional%20batteries%20are%20currently%20the%20most%20common%20solution%2C%20but%20they%20often%20need%20more%20flexibility%20and%20last%20only%20a%20short%20time%20with%20continuous%20use.%0A%0AWireless%20power%20transfer%20techniques%20provide%20an%20alternative%20solution%2C%20but%20these%20systems%20have%20limited%20range%20and%20portability.%0A%0AAs%20a%20solution%2C%20Binghamton%20University%20Professor%20Seokheun%20%E2%80%9CSean%E2%80%9D%20Choi%2C%20Assistant%20Professor%20Anwar%20Elhadad%2C%20and%20PhD%20student%20Yang%20%E2%80%9CLexi%E2%80%9D%20Gao%20have%20developed%20a%20new%20method%20to%20pull%20moisture%20from%20the%20air%20and%20turn%20that%20water%20into%20electricity.%20%0A%20%0A%3Cb%3EElectricity%20generation%20through%20air%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%20%0AIn%20a%20recently%20published%20paper%20in%20the%20journal%20Small%2C%20the%20Binghamton%20team%20outlined%20their%20paper-based%20wearable%20device%20that%20would%20provide%20sustained%20high-efficiency%20power%20output%20through%20moisture%20capture.%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CWearable%20electronics%20will%20use%20energy-harvesting%20techniques%20in%20the%20future%2C%20but%20right%20now%2C%20the%20techniques%20are%20very%20irregular%20in%20time%2C%20random%20in%20location%20and%20inefficiently%20converted%2C%E2%80%9D%20Choi%20said.%20%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CI%20was%20interested%20in%20this%20topic%20because%20the%20moisture%20in%20our%20air%20is%20ubiquitous%2C%20and%20I%20realized%20that%20energy%20harvesting%20from%20moisture%20is%20very%20easy.%20%0A%20%0AAdapting%20the%20knowledge%20that%20Choi%E2%80%99s%20Bioelectronics%20and%20Microsystems%20Lab%20has%20gained%20about%20biobatteries%20over%20the%20past%2015%20years%2C%20the%20generator%20uses%20bacterial%20spores%20as%20the%20%E2%80%9Cfunctional%20group%E2%80%9D%20that%20breaks%20down%20the%20water%20molecules%20into%20positive%20and%20negative%20ions.%20%20%0A%20%0AThe%20paper%E2%80%99s%20capillaries%20absorb%20the%20spores%2C%20creating%20a%20gradient%20with%20more%20positive%20ions%20on%20top%20than%20on%20the%20bottom.%20That%20imbalance%20leads%20to%20an%20electric%20charge.%20%0A%20%0AAdding%20a%20Janus%20paper%20layer%20that%20is%20hydrophobic%20on%20one%20side%20and%20hydrophilic%20on%20the%20other%20enhances%20moisture%20absorption.%0A%0AThis%20layer%20draws%20in%20water%20molecules%20and%20keeps%20them%20inside%20the%20device%20until%20they%20are%20processed.%20%0A%20%0A%3Cb%3EPaper-based%20wearable%20device%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%20%0AThe%20research%20continues%20Choi%E2%80%99s%20pursuit%20of%20papertronics%2C%20which%20involves%20making%20devices%20entirely%20out%20of%20paper%20that%20are%20flexible%2C%20wearable%2C%20scalable%2C%20and%20disposable%20without%20harming%20the%20environment.%20%20%0A%20%0AHe%20sees%20the%20moist-electric%20generator%20as%20revolutionary%20for%20low-power%20sensors%2C%20drug%20delivery%2C%20or%20electrical%20stimulation.%20%0A%20%0APotential%20improvements%20and%20refinements%20include%20increasing%20power%20output%2C%20developing%20a%20method%20for%20energy%20storage%2C%20and%20integrating%20it%20with%20other%20energy-harvesting%20techniques.%20%20%0A%20%0AChoi%20also%20hopes%20to%20shrink%20the%20device%20to%20the%20same%20scale%20as%20micro-electromechanical%20systems%20(MEMS).%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20size%20of%20one%20device%20is%20too%20big%20for%20me.%20I%E2%80%99m%20a%20MEMS%20guy!%E2%80%9D%20he%20said.%20%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CBy%20decreasing%20each%20unit%20and%20connecting%20more%20cells%20within%20a%20small%20footprint%2C%20we%20can%20improve%20the%20power%20density%20significantly.%20Also%2C%20because%20we%20use%20paper%2C%20we%20can%20try%20many%20other%20ideas%2C%20including%20origami%20techniques.%E2%80%9D%20%0A%20%0AWhile%20other%20researchers%20are%20developing%20long-term%20wearable%20devices%2C%20Choi%E2%80%99s%20instinct%20is%20to%20go%20the%20opposite%20direction%20by%20focusing%20on%20disposable%20devices%20that%20won%E2%80%99t%20clutter%20up%20landfills%20with%20electronic%20waste.%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CI%20don%E2%80%99t%20want%20to%20wear%20something%20all%20day%20for%20four%20months%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20said.%20%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CI%20want%20to%20use%20it%20for%20a%20short%20time%20and%20then%20throw%20it%20away%20%E2%80%94%20so%20in%20that%20way%2C%20paper%20is%20the%20best.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AHowever%2C%20this%20is%20not%20the%20first%20time%20a%20device%20has%20been%20made%20that%20generates%20electricity%20from%20moisture%20in%20the%20air.%0A%0AIn%20May%2C%20researchers%20at%20the%20University%20of%20New%20South%20Wales%20(UNSW)%20in%20Australia%20successfully%20engineered%20protein%20filaments%20produced%20by%20bacteria%20so%20that%20they%20can%20conduct%20electricity%20and%20even%20harness%20it%20using%20moisture%20from%20the%20air.%20%20%0A%20%0AA%20university%20press%20release%20said%20this%20interdisciplinary%20research%2C%20comprising%20protein%20engineering%20and%20nanoelectronics%2C%20could%20one%20day%20help%20scientists%20develop%20%E2%80%98green%20electronics.%E2%80%99

Paper device generates electricity from air

Researchers%20in%20China%20have%20unveiled%20a%20new%2C%20highly%20effective%20technique%20for%20separating%20oil%20and%20water%20mixtures.%0A%0AOil%20and%20water%20mixtures%20naturally%20separate%20over%20time.%20However%2C%20in%20industrial%20processes%2C%20this%20separation%20can%20be%20incredibly%20challenging.%20%0A%0ARecycling%20uses%20various%20methods%2C%20including%20centrifugation%2C%20skimming%2C%20and%20chemical%20reactions.%20However%2C%20these%20traditional%20methods%20are%20often%20slow%2C%20energy-intensive%2C%20and%20ineffective.%0A%0AZhejiang%20University%20researchers%20have%20developed%20a%20new%20membrane-based%20technology%20called%20the%20Janus%20Channel%20of%20Membranes%20(JCM)%20to%20tackle%20this%20issue.%20%0A%0A%E2%80%9COur%20JCM%20achieves%20exceptional%20oil%20and%20water%20recoveries%20of%20up%20to%2097%20and%2075%25%2C%20respectively%2C%20with%20near%2099.9%25%20purities%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20researchers%20wrote%20in%20the%20study%20paper.%20%0A%0A%3Cb%3EThe%20recycling%20tech%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AAs%20per%20the%20study%20paper%2C%20this%20new%20JCM%20technology%20uses%20a%20pair%20of%20semipermeable%20membranes%3A%20one%20hydrophilic.%0A%0AThe%20membranes%20are%20separated%20by%20a%20channel%20that%20can%20adjust%20in%20width%20from%204%20to%20125%20millimeters%2C%20optimizing%20the%20separation%20process.%0A%0AThe%20confined%20space%20between%20the%20membranes%20amplifies%20the%20separation%20process%2C%20leading%20to%20high%20recovery%20rates%20of%20up%20to%2097%25%20for%20oil%20and%2075%25%20for%20water%2C%20with%20minimal%20impurities.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CGuo%20et%20al.%20stacked%20a%20hydrophilic%20and%20a%20hydrophobic%20membrane%20one%20in%20front%20of%20the%20other%20to%20form%20a%20square%20channel%20between%20them%2C%20with%20a%20size%20that%20can%20be%20varied%20between%204%20and%20125%20millimeters%2C%E2%80%9D%20noted%20the%20study%20paper.%20%0A%0AA%20small%20amount%20of%20pressure%20is%20applied%20to%20pump%20the%20oil-water%20mixture%20into%20the%20chamber.%20The%20membranes%20work%20simultaneously%20to%20recover%20both%20oil%20and%20water.%20%0A%0ASmall%20oil%20droplets%20collide%20and%20merge%2C%20forming%20larger%20droplets%20that%20can%20easily%20pass%20through%20the%20hydrophobic%20membrane%20and%20end%20up%20in%20an%20external%20tank.%0A%0ASimultaneously%2C%20water%20molecules%20slip%20through%20the%20hydrophilic%20membrane%20and%20fall%20into%20another%20tank.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CAs%20an%20emulsion%20of%20oil%20and%20water%20is%20forced%20to%20circulate%20through%20the%20slit%2C%20water%20passes%20through%20the%20hydrophilic%20membrane%2C%20and%20the%20increased%20concentration%20of%20oil%20in%20the%20emulsion%20creates%20increases%20the%20rate%20of%20oil%20permeation%20through%20the%20hydrophobic%20membrane%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20authors%20explained%20in%20the%20study%20paper.%0A%0A%3Cb%3ESeparation%20of%20both%20oil%20and%20water%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AWhile%20conventional%20separation%20technologies%20typically%20isolate%20oil%20or%20water%20from%20an%20emulsion%2C%20this%20innovative%20method%20enables%20the%20recovery%20of%20both%20components.%0A%0AThis%20simple%20yet%20ingenious%20approach%20has%20shown%20remarkable%20results.%20In%20lab%20tests%2C%20the%20technique%20recovered%20nearly%2097%25%20of%20the%20oil%20and%2075%25%20of%20the%20water%20from%20the%20mixture.%0A%0AThe%20recovered%20oil%20and%20water%20exhibit%20exceptionally%20high%20purity%20levels%2C%20approaching%2099.9%25%20purity.%0A%0AAccording%20to%20the%20South%20China%20Morning%20Post%20(SCMP)%2C%20the%20Janus%20Channel%20of%20Membranes%20(JCM)%20is%20aptly%20named%20after%20the%20ancient%20Roman%20god%20Janus%2C%20who%20was%20known%20for%20his%20two%20faces.%20The%20name%20symbolizes%20the%20technology%E2%80%99s%20ability%20to%20simultaneously%20process%20oil%20and%20water.%0A%0AInterestingly%2C%20these%20membrane%20pairs%20have%20the%20potential%20to%20be%20scaled%20up%20for%20larger-scale%20operations.%0A%0AIndustries%20like%20petrochemicals%2C%20metallurgy%2C%20food%2C%20and%20pharmaceuticals%20produce%20large%20volumes%20of%20challenging%20oily%20wastewater.%20%0A%0AThis%20innovative%20technology%20has%20the%20potential%20to%20improve%20the%20sustainability%20of%20wastewater%20treatment%20significantly.%20

Slick trick achieves 99.9% oil-water separation

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Scientists create crystals to pull water from air

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%20pilot%20studies.%20The%20concentration%20of%20carbon%20dioxide%2C%20though%20it%20is%20increasing%2C%20now%20stands%20at%20about%20400%20parts%20per%20million%2C%20or%200.04%25.%20That%20means%20that%20any%20technology%20to%20capture%20the%20gas%20from%20the%20air%20requires%20moving%20huge%20volumes%20of%20air%20%E2%80%93%20and%20that%20requires%20large%20electricity%20consumption%20for%20running%20fans%2C%20says%20Kazemifar.%20%E2%80%9CI%20believe%20the%20high%20energy%20intensity%20of%20the%20process%20is%20the%20main%20challenge%20with%20all%20%5Bdirect%20air%20capture%5D%20technologies.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ASome%20scientists%20worry%20that%20the%20expectations%20of%20direct%20air%20capture%20systems%20has%20been%20overly%20rosy.%20A%20group%20of%20scientists%20from%20MIT%20recently%20wrote%20a%20paper%20analyzing%20the%20assumptions%20of%20many%20climate%20stabilization%20plans%2C%20and%20pointing%20to%20ways%20that%20direct%20air%20capture%20may%20be%20overly%20optimistic.%0A%0AMa%20also%20points%20out%20that%20a%20major%20challenge%20to%20using%20this%20approach%20to%20combat%20climate%20change%20lies%20in%20the%20high%20cost%20of%20materials%20for%20creating%20substances%20that%20capture%20carbon.%0A%0AStill%2C%20Yaghi%20says%20this%20material%20can%20change%20the%20way%20we%20address%20carbon%20removal.%20%E2%80%9CThis%20is%20something%20we%E2%80%99ve%20been%20working%20on%20for%2015%20years%2C%20that%20basically%20addresses%20some%20of%20the%20lingering%20problems%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20says.%20%E2%80%9CIt%20gives%20no%20excuse%20now%20for%20us%20%5Bnot%5D%20to%20start%20thinking%20more%20seriously%20about%20taking%20carbon%20dioxide%20out%20of%20the%20air.%E2%80%9D

New powder that captures carbon from air

In%20a%20new%20study%2C%20scientists%20from%20University%20of%20Southampton%2C%20University%20of%20the%20West%20of%20England%20Bristol%2C%20University%20of%20Exeter%2C%20University%20of%20Cambridge%2C%20University%20of%20Leeds%20and%20University%20of%20Bath%20have%20developed%20a%20way%20to%20make%20smart%2C%20electronic%20textiles%20that%20are%20also%20sustainable%20and%20biodegradable.%20%0A%0AThe%20researchers%20have%20created%20%E2%80%98Smart%2C%20Wearable%2C%20and%20Eco-friendly%20Electronic%20Textiles%E2%80%99%20(SWEET)%2C%20technological%20fabrics%20with%20features%20like%20sensors%20or%20lights%20that%20are%20designed%20to%20biodegrade%20after%20they%20reach%20the%20end%20of%20their%20lifespan.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIntegrating%20electrical%20components%20into%20conventional%20textiles%20complicates%20the%20recycling%20of%20the%20material%20because%20it%20often%20contains%20metals%2C%20such%20as%20silver%2C%20that%20don%E2%80%99t%20easily%20biodegrade%2C%E2%80%9D%20explained%20Nazmul%20Karim%2C%20lead%20author%20of%20the%20study%20and%20a%20professor%20at%20the%20Winchester%20School%20of%20Art%20at%20University%20of%20Southampton.%20%E2%80%9COur%20potential%20ecofriendly%20approach%20for%20selecting%20sustainable%20materials%20and%20manufacturing%20overcomes%20this%2C%20enabling%20the%20fabric%20to%20decompose%20when%20it%20is%20disposed%20of.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ATo%20make%20a%20biodegradable%20e-textile%2C%20the%20researchers%20created%20a%20three-layer%20fabric%20with%20a%20Tencel-fabric%20base%2C%20an%20interface%20layer%2C%20and%20the%20sensor%20layer.%20The%20Tencel%20is%20a%20wood%20pulp-based%20fabric%2C%20and%20the%20team%20used%20graphene%20and%20a%20type%20of%20conductive%20polymer%20known%20as%20PEDOT%3APSS%20for%20the%20electronic%20elements.%20%0A%0AFrom%20there%2C%20they%20were%20able%20to%20use%20inkjet%20printing%20to%20adhere%20these%20materials%20to%20the%20fabric%2C%20as%20this%20process%20used%20less%20water%20and%20energy%20and%20produced%20no%20material%20waste%2C%20according%20to%20the%20researchers.%0A%0AThe%20researchers%20tested%20the%20fabric%20by%20attaching%20it%20to%20gloves%2C%20which%20five%20humans%20wore%20in%20the%20study.%20The%20fabric%20was%20able%20to%20effectively%20measure%20the%20humans%E2%80%99%20electrocardiogram%20(ECG)%20signals%20and%20skin%20temperature%2C%20just%20like%20many%20smart%20wearables%20on%20the%20market%20today.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CAchieving%20reliable%2C%20industry-standard%20monitoring%20with%20eco-friendly%20materials%20is%20a%20significant%20milestone.%20It%20demonstrates%20that%20sustainability%20doesn%E2%80%99t%20have%20to%20come%20at%20the%20cost%20of%20functionality%2C%20especially%20in%20critical%20applications%20like%20healthcare%2C%E2%80%9D%20Shaila%20Afroj%2C%20a%20co-author%20of%20the%20study%20and%20associate%20professor%20of%20sustainable%20materials%20at%20the%20University%20of%20Exeter%2C%20said%20in%20a%20statement.%0A%0AAfter%20testing%20how%20the%20fabric%20performed%20in%20tracking%20human%20physiology%20metrics%2C%20the%20team%20put%20SWEET%20to%20its%20bigger%20test%20%E2%80%94%20whether%20it%20was%20biodegradable.%20The%20fabric%20was%20buried%20in%20soil%20with%20a%206.5%20to%206.8%20pH%20in%20an%20incubator%20with%20a%20temperature%20of%20around%2029%20degrees%20Celsius%20(84%20degrees%20Fahrenheit)%20and%20a%20relative%20humidity%20of%20around%2090%25.%0A%0AAfter%20a%20four-month%20period%2C%20the%20fabric%20had%20a%2048%25%20decrease%20in%20weight%20and%2098%25%20decrease%20in%20strength.%20The%20graphene%20elements%20also%20revealed%20a%2040%20times%20smaller%20impact%20upon%20decomposition%20compared%20to%20standard%20electrodes%20in%20wearables.%20The%20researchers%20published%20their%20findings%20in%20the%20journal%20Energy%20and%20Environmental%20Materials.%0A%0AAccording%20to%20Statista%2C%20smart%20wearable%20shipments%20were%20expected%20to%20reach%20543%20million%20units%20worldwide%20in%202024%2C%20and%20this%20number%20is%20only%20expected%20to%20grow%2C%20reaching%20an%20estimated%20612.5%20million%20units%20by%202028.%0A%0AFurther%2C%20a%20report%20by%20ResearchAndMarkets.com%20has%20estimated%20that%20the%20global%20smart%20textiles%20market%20will%20increase%20from%20%244.85%20billion%20as%20of%202024%20to%20%2429.1%20billion%20by%202033.%0A%0AWith%20this%20increasing%20demand%20comes%20the%20risk%20of%20increasing%20e-waste%2C%20or%20electronic%20waste.%20As%20Earth.org%20reported%2C%20humans%20currently%20generate%20about%2050%20million%20to%2060%20million%20tons%20of%20e-waste%20per%20year%2C%20and%20much%20of%20this%20waste%20does%20not%20break%20down%20into%20the%20soil.%20Instead%2C%20the%20materials%20can%20corrode%20or%20react%20to%20UV%20rays%20and%20leach%20harmful%20substances%20into%20the%20environment.%20According%20to%20the%20United%20Nations%20Institute%20for%20Training%20and%20Research%2C%20e-waste%20is%20slated%20to%20increase%2032%25%20by%202030.%20%0A%0AWith%20the%20growing%20demand%20for%20smart%2C%20wearable%20technology%2C%20advancements%20such%20as%20biodegradable%20electronic%20textiles%20will%20be%20necessary%20to%20meet%20demand%20without%20contributing%20to%20more%20e-waste.%20The%20researchers%20noted%20that%20their%20study%20can%20help%20further%20additional%20research%20into%20more%20sustainable%2C%20and%20ultimately%20fully%20biodegradable%20or%20recyclable%2C%20e-textiles%20and%20other%20materials.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CAmid%20rising%20pollution%20from%20landfill%20sites%2C%20our%20study%20helps%20to%20address%20a%20lack%20of%20research%20in%20the%20area%20of%20biodegradation%20of%20e-textiles%2C%E2%80%9D%20Karim%20said.%20%E2%80%9CThese%20materials%20will%20become%20increasingly%20more%20important%20in%20our%20lives%2C%20particularly%20in%20the%20area%20of%20healthcare%2C%20so%20it%E2%80%99s%20really%20important%20we%20consider%20how%20to%20make%20them%20more%20eco-friendly%2C%20both%20in%20their%20manufacturing%20and%20disposal.%E2%80%9D

Scientists develop biodegradable e-textiles

Agroundbreaking%20study%20has%20unveiled%20an%20innovative%20method%20to%20convert%20carbon%20dioxide%20(CO2)%20and%20electricity%20into%20single-cell%20protein%20(SCP).%20%0A%0AThis%20breakthrough%20bioprocess%20holds%20promise%20not%20only%20for%20food%20security%20but%20also%20for%20addressing%20environmental%20challenges%20related%20to%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions.%20%0A%0AConducted%20by%20researchers%20from%20Xi%E2%80%99an%20Jiaotong%20University%20and%20the%20Tianjin%20Institute%20of%20Industrial%20Biotechnology%2C%20both%20part%20of%20the%20Chinese%20Academy%20of%20Sciences%2C%20this%20study%20leverages%20advanced%20biotechnology%20to%20revolutionize%20protein%20production.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EA%20dual-reactor%20system%20for%20efficient%20protein%20production%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AThe%20key%20to%20this%20new%20bioprocess%20is%20the%20creation%20of%20a%20dual-reactor%20system%20that%20integrates%20anaerobic%20and%20aerobic%20processes.%20In%20the%20first%20phase%2C%20microbial%20electrosynthesis%20(MES)%20is%20used%20to%20convert%20CO2%20into%20acetate%2C%20an%20essential%20intermediate.%0A%0AThis%20acetate%20is%20then%20fed%20into%20the%20second%20reactor%2C%20where%20aerobic%20bacteria%20from%20the%20genus%20Alcaligenes%20produce%20SCP.%20The%20system%20has%20proven%20to%20be%20highly%20efficient%2C%20yielding%2017.4%20g%2FL%20of%20dry%20cell%20weight%2C%20demonstrating%20excellent%20resource%20utilization.%0A%0AOne%20of%20the%20standout%20features%20of%20this%20SCP%20is%20its%20impressive%20protein%20concentration%20of%2074%25%2C%20significantly%20surpassing%20conventional%20protein%20sources%20like%20fish%20meal%20and%20soybean.%20This%20high-quality%20protein%20can%20be%20used%20as%20an%20additive%20in%20animal%20feed%2C%20improving%20livestock%20health%20and%20productivity.%0A%0AAdditionally%2C%20the%20potential%20for%20human%20consumption%20further%20broadens%20the%20impact%20of%20this%20research%2C%20offering%20an%20alternative%20protein%20source%20in%20the%20growing%20plant-based%20market.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EEnvironmental%20benefits%20and%20the%20future%20of%20food%20security%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AThis%20bioprocess%20brings%20numerous%20environmental%20advantages.%20Traditional%20protein%20production%20methods%20often%20require%20pH%20adjustments%20and%20generate%20wastewater%2C%20both%20of%20which%20are%20costly%20and%20environmentally%20damaging.%0A%0AIn%20contrast%2C%20the%20new%20system%20minimizes%20these%20issues%20by%20reducing%20the%20need%20for%20pH%20adjustments%20and%20limiting%20wastewater%20generation.%20This%20not%20only%20makes%20the%20system%20more%20sustainable%20but%20also%20shows%20how%20food%20production%20can%20be%20made%20more%20environmentally%20friendly.%0A%0AThe%20broader%20implications%20of%20this%20research%20are%20profound.%20As%20global%20food%20demand%20rises%2C%20especially%20in%20the%20context%20of%20climate%20change%2C%20the%20ability%20to%20convert%20CO2%E2%80%94a%20major%20greenhouse%20gas%E2%80%94into%20valuable%20human%20resources%20is%20crucial.%0A%0AThis%20bioprocess%20offers%20a%20way%20to%20recycle%20atmospheric%20carbon%20into%20high-quality%20protein%2C%20providing%20a%20sustainable%20solution%20to%20global%20hunger%20while%20promoting%20environmental%20stewardship.%0A%0AThe%20protein%20produced%20through%20this%20method%20is%20rich%20in%20essential%20amino%20acids%2C%20making%20it%20highly%20nutritious%20for%20both%20animals%20and%20humans.%20As%20interest%20in%20sustainable%20nutrition%20grows%20worldwide%2C%20this%20research%20demonstrates%20how%20unused%20resources%E2%80%94such%20as%20CO2%E2%80%94can%20be%20turned%20into%20vital%20food%20sources.%20This%20shift%20not%20only%20addresses%20climate%20challenges%20but%20also%20redefines%20how%20we%20view%20and%20use%20biomass%20in%20food%20production.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EAdvancing%20a%20circular%20carbon%20economy%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AThe%20study%E2%80%99s%20authors%20emphasize%20the%20potential%20of%20this%20bioprocess%20to%20drive%20a%20circular%20carbon%20economy.%20Rather%20than%20focusing%20solely%20on%20reducing%20CO2%20emissions%2C%20this%20method%20turns%20carbon%20dioxide%20into%20useful%20resources%2C%20making%20it%20an%20integral%20part%20of%20sustainable%20food%20systems.%20As%20societies%20work%20toward%20long-term%20food%20security%2C%20this%20bioprocess%20could%20become%20a%20foundational%20technology%20for%20achieving%20these%20goals.%0A%0AThis%20innovative%20approach%20aligns%20with%20global%20objectives%2C%20such%20as%20those%20outlined%20in%20the%20United%20Nations%20Sustainable%20Development%20Goals%20(SDGs).%20By%20reducing%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions%20while%20creating%20new%20food%20production%20opportunities%2C%20this%20research%20offers%20a%20model%20that%20can%20be%20applied%20across%20various%20industries.%20It%20promises%20not%20only%20sustainable%20nutrition%20but%20also%20holistic%20environmental%20solutions%20that%20can%20inspire%20future%20innovations.%0A%0AAs%20the%20field%20evolves%2C%20further%20research%20could%20refine%20microbial%20protein%20production%20systems%20to%20enhance%20both%20yield%20and%20quality.%20Exploring%20new%20technologies%2C%20such%20as%20selective%20breeding%20for%20high-yield%20microbial%20strains%2C%20could%20lead%20to%20even%20more%20efficient%20production%20methods.%0A%0AThis%20could%20help%20stabilize%20food%20supply%20chains%2C%20particularly%20in%20regions%20facing%20food%20shortages.%20Additionally%2C%20localized%20operations%20could%20encourage%20community%20involvement%20and%20education%20about%20sustainability%2C%20empowering%20consumers%20and%20fostering%20positive%20change%20in%20markets.

Chinese scientists turn CO2 into nutritious food

Scientists%20have%20developed%20a%20groundbreaking%20technology%20that%20addresses%20key%20limitations%20in%20clean%20hydrogen%20production%20using%20microwaves.%20An%20interdisciplinary%20team%20at%20Pohang%20University%20of%20Science%20%26%20Technology%20(POSTECH)%20successfully%20elucidated%20the%20underlying%20mechanism%20of%20this%20innovative%20process.%20Their%20findings%20mark%20a%20transformative%20step%20in%20the%20pursuit%20of%20sustainable%20energy.%0A%0AScientists%20underlined%20that%20existing%20hydrogen%20production%20technologies%20face%20significant%20barriers.%20Conventional%20thermochemical%20methods%2C%20which%20rely%20on%20the%20oxidation-reduction%20of%20metal%20oxides%2C%20require%20extremely%20high%20temperatures%20of%20up%20to%201%2C500%C2%B0C%20(2%2C732%C2%B0F).%20These%20methods%20are%20not%20only%20energy-intensive%20and%20costly%20but%20also%20challenging%20to%20scale%2C%20limiting%20their%20practical%20application%2C%20according%20to%20researchers.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EMicrowaves%20drive%20chemical%20reactions%20efficiently%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0ATo%20address%20these%20challenges%2C%20scientists%20opted%20for%20%E2%80%9Cmicrowaves%E2%80%9D%20energy%2C%20the%20same%20source%20used%20in%20household%20microwave%20ovens.%20While%20microwaves%20are%20commonly%20associated%20with%20heating%20food%2C%20they%20can%20also%20drive%20chemical%20reactions%20efficiently.%0A%0AScientists%20demonstrated%20that%20microwave%20energy%20could%20lower%20the%20reduction%20temperature%20of%20Gd-doped%20ceria%20(CeO2)%E2%80%94a%20benchmark%20material%20for%20hydrogen%20production%E2%80%94to%20below%20600%E2%84%83%20(1%2C112%20%C2%B0F)%2C%20cutting%20the%20temperature%20requirement%20by%20over%2060%20percent.%20Remarkably%2C%20microwave%20energy%20was%20found%20to%20replace%2075%20percent%20of%20the%20thermal%20energy%20needed%20for%20the%20reaction%2C%20a%20breakthrough%20for%20sustainable%20hydrogen%20production%2C%20according%20to%20a%20press%20release.%0A%0AResearch%20can%20revolutionize%20commercial%20viability%20of%20hydrogen%20production%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20research%20has%20the%20potential%20to%20revolutionize%20the%20commercial%20viability%20of%20thermochemical%20hydrogen%20production%20technologies.%20It%20will%20also%20pave%20the%20way%20for%20the%20development%20of%20new%20materials%20optimized%20for%20microwave-driven%20chemical%20processes%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Professor%20Hyungyu%20Jin%20from%20POSTECH.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIntroducing%20a%20new%20mechanism%20powered%20by%20microwaves%20and%20overcoming%20the%20limitations%20of%20existing%20processes%20are%20major%20achievements%2C%20made%20possible%20through%20the%20close%20interdisciplinary%20collaboration%20of%20our%20research%20team.%E2%80%9D%0A%0A%3Cb%3EMicrowave-assisted%20hydrogen%20production%20is%20a%20promising%20technology%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AResearchers%20maintain%20that%20microwave-assisted%20hydrogen%20production%20is%20a%20promising%20technology%20with%20the%20capability%20to%20decompose%20H2O%20into%20H2%20economically.%0A%0APublished%20as%20the%20Inside%20Front%20Cover%20of%20Journal%20of%20Materials%20Chemistry%2C%20the%20study%20claims%20that%20the%20potential%20of%20this%20technology%20depends%20on%20the%20parameter%20fr%20that%20measures%20the%20fraction%20of%20microwave%20energy%20directly%20contributing%20to%20the%20reduction%20reaction%20of%20metal%20oxides%20by%20extracting%20the%20lattice%20oxygen.%0A%0AResearchers%20revealed%20that%20findings%20advocate%20that%20microwave%20energy%20significantly%20contributes%20to%20defect%20formation%20under%20alleviated%20conditions%20(lower%20T%20and%20higher%20P(O2))%20with%20a%20shorter%20timescale%20compared%20to%20conventional%20thermal%20reduction.%0A%0A%E2%80%9COur%20study%20reaffirms%20the%20importance%20of%20fr%20in%20microwave-assisted%20reduction%20and%20provides%20a%20new%20thermodynamic%20insight%20into%20the%20interaction%20between%20defects%20and%20microwave%20fields%20in%20doped%20ceria%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20researchers.%0A%0AThey%20also%20highlighted%20that%20another%20critical%20advancement%20lies%20in%20the%20creation%20of%20%E2%80%9Coxygen%20vacancies%E2%80%9D%2C%20which%20are%20defects%20in%20the%20material%20structure%20essential%20for%20splitting%20water%20into%20hydrogen.%20Conventional%20methods%20often%20take%20hours%20at%20extremely%20high%20temperatures%20to%20form%20these%20vacancies%2C%20according%20to%20researchers.%0A%0AScientists%20achieved%20the%20same%20results%20in%20just%20minutes%20at%20temperatures%20below%20600%C2%B0C%20(1%2C112%20%C2%B0F)%20by%20leveraging%20microwave%20technology.%20This%20rapid%20process%20was%20further%20validated%20with%20a%20thermodynamic%20model%2C%20which%20provided%20valuable%20insight%20into%20the%20mechanism%20underlying%20the%20microwave-driven%20reaction%2C%20according%20to%20the%20study.

Microwave technology delivers clean energy faster

Firefighting%20is%20a%20dangerous%20profession%20where%20every%20second%20counts.%20%0A%20%0AResearchers%20at%20Ohio%20State%20University%20have%20developed%20a%20novel%20portable%20tool%20for%20safer%20and%20more%20efficient%20fire%20suppression.%20%20%0A%20%0AThis%20device%20uses%20the%20properties%20of%20conductive%20aerosols%E2%80%94tiny%2C%20electricity-conducting%20particles%E2%80%94to%20put%20out%20fires.%0A%0AThe%20tools%20of%20firefighting%20have%20remained%20largely%20unchanged%20for%20years.%20Hence%2C%20the%20team%20set%20out%20to%20refine%20existing%20fire%20management%20techniques.%20%0A%20%0AThis%20new%20firefighting%20technology%20offers%20a%20more%20environmentally%20friendly%20option%20compared%20to%20traditional%20methods%20like%20chemical%20foams%20(which%20can%20be%20toxic)%20and%20hydrants%20(which%20can%20deplete%20water%20supplies).%0A%0A%3Cb%3ELow%20cost%20bucket-like%20device%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%20%0AThe%20main%20tech%20that%20makes%20this%20new%20device%20work%20is%20vortex%20rings%2C%20which%20are%20donut-shaped%20air%20bands%20that%20carry%20electrically%20charged%20particles.%20%0A%20%0AThe%20conductive%20aerosols%20are%20made%20up%20of%20coarse%20copper%20solution.%20%0A%20%0AThe%20rings%20create%20short%2C%20powerful%20bursts%20of%20wind%20that%20convert%20surrounding%20oxygen%20into%20ozone.%20%0A%0AIt%20creates%20a%20turbulent%20wind%20that%20disrupts%20combustion%20and%20quickly%20extinguishes%20fires.%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CUsing%20a%20combination%20of%20electricity%20and%20this%20vortex%20ring%20technology%2C%20we%20found%20a%20more%20efficient%20way%20of%20solving%20an%20environmental%20problem%20that%20will%20improve%20our%20quality%20of%20life%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20John%20LaRocco%2C%20lead%20author%20of%20the%20study%20and%20a%20research%20scientist%20in%20psychiatry%20at%20The%20Ohio%20State%20University%20College%20of%20Medicine.%20%20%0A%20%0AThe%20launcher%20is%20a%20small%2C%20bucket-like%20device%20worn%20on%20the%20arm.%20The%20bucket%20is%20equipped%20with%20compressed%20air%20or%20an%20elastic%20diaphragm%20to%20propel%20aerosol-filled%20vortex%20rings%20to%20extinguish%20the%20flames.%20%0A%20%0ATo%20improve%20the%20launcher%E2%80%99s%20power%2C%20the%20team%20tested%20two%20prototypes.%20%20%0A%20%0AOne%20version%20was%20made%20with%20compressed%20air%20with%20a%20conical%20muzzle%2C%20and%20the%20second%20used%20an%20elastic%20diaphragm%20with%20a%20square%20muzzle.%20Both%20versions%20were%20designed%20to%20generate%20vortex%20rings.%0A%0A%3Cb%3ECould%20be%20used%20in%20military%20vehicles%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%20%0AAfter%20the%20testing%2C%20the%20team%20found%20that%20the%20compressed%20air%20version%20was%20much%20more%20efficient.%20Despite%20design%20differences%2C%20both%20vortex%20generator%20prototypes%20had%20a%20comparable%20effective%20range%20of%20around%206.5%20feet%20(2%20meters).%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20design%20of%20our%20Vortex%20Launcher%20is%20actually%20really%20simple%20in%20nature.%20One%20of%20the%20benefits%20of%20that%20simplicity%20is%20it%E2%80%99s%20also%20very%20scalable%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20John%20Simonis%2C%20co-author%20of%20the%20study%20and%20an%20undergraduate%20student.%20%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CIt%E2%80%99s%20maneuverable%20in%20tight%20spaces%20so%20that%20you%20can%20walk%20through%20doors%20and%20indoor%20environments%2C%20but%20also%20large%20enough%20to%20have%20the%20practical%20benefits%20of%20generating%20those%20vortex%20rings%2C%E2%80%9D%20Simonis%20added%20in%20the%20press%20release.%20%20%0A%20%0AMoreover%2C%20these%20vortex%20rings%20can%20carry%20chemicals%20further%20than%20other%20methods%2C%20which%20would%20allow%20firefighters%20to%20stay%20at%20a%20safer%20distance%20from%20the%20flames.%20This%20is%20because%20the%20rings%20maintain%20their%20shape%20over%20a%20long%20distance.%20%20%0A%20%0AThe%20team%20plans%20to%20add%20sensors%20and%20image%20analysis%20(computer%20vision)%20to%20the%20device%2C%20enabling%20it%20to%20target%20fires%20from%20various%20causes.%20%0A%20%0AThis%20low-cost%2C%20portable%20device%20could%20also%20be%20equipped%20on%20military%20vehicles%20and%20spacecraft%20to%20protect%20the%20interiors%20from%20fire.%20%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThere%20are%20lots%20of%20applications%20for%20our%20device%20to%20make%20a%20difference%2C%E2%80%9D%20added%20Simonis.%20%0A%20%0AMultiple%20devices%20would%20likely%20be%20needed%20to%20fight%20a%20real%20fire%2C%20depending%20on%20the%20fire%E2%80%99s%20size%20and%20the%20number%20of%20firefighters%20present.

New device uses electric wind to combat fires

UC%20Riverside%20computer%20science%20team%20has%20developed%20a%20sensor-based%20technology%20that%20could%20revolutionize%20commercial%20beekeeping%20by%20reducing%20colony%20losses%20and%20lowering%20labor%20costs.%20%0A%20%0ACalled%20the%20Electronic%20Bee-Veterinarian%2C%20or%20EBV%2C%20the%20technology%20uses%20low-cost%20heat%20sensors%20and%20forecasting%20models%20to%20predict%20when%20hive%20temperatures%20may%20reach%20dangerous%20levels.%20The%20system%20provides%20remote%20beekeepers%20with%20early%20warnings%2C%20allowing%20them%20to%20take%20preventive%20action%20before%20their%20colonies%20collapse%20during%20extreme%20hot%20or%20cold%20weather%20or%20when%20the%20bees%20cannot%20regulate%20their%20hive%20temperature%20because%20of%20disease%2C%20pesticide%20exposure%2C%20food%20shortages%2C%20or%20other%20stressors.%20%20%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20convert%20the%20temperature%20to%20a%20factor%20that%20we%20are%20calling%20the%20health%20factor%2C%20which%20gives%20an%20estimate%20of%20how%20strong%20the%20bees%20are%20on%20a%20scale%20from%20zero%20to%20one%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Shamima%20Hossain%2C%20a%20Ph.D.%20student%20in%20computer%20science%20at%20UCR%20and%20lead%20author%20of%20a%20paper%20explaining%20the%20technology.%20%0A%20%0AThis%20simplified%20metric%20%E2%80%94%20with%20a%20score%20of%20%E2%80%98one'%20meaning%20the%20bees%20are%20at%20full%20strength%20%E2%80%94%20allows%20beekeepers%20unfamiliar%20with%20the%20underlying%20model%20to%20assess%20hive%20health%20quickly.%20%0A%20%0ABoris%20Baer%2C%20a%20UCR%20professor%20of%20entomology%2C%20believes%20the%20technology%20could%20revolutionize%20beekeeping%2C%20which%20is%20essential%20to%20vast%20sectors%20of%20global%20agriculture.%20Honeybees%20pollinate%20more%20than%2080%20crops%20and%20contribute%20an%20estimated%20%2429%20billion%20annually%20to%20U.S.%20agriculture.%20Yet%20bee%20populations%20have%20declined%20due%20to%20various%20factors%2C%20including%20habitat%20loss%2C%20pesticide%20exposure%2C%20parasites%2C%20and%20climate%20change.%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9COver%20the%20last%20year%2C%20the%20U.S.%20lost%20over%2055%25%20of%20its%20honeybee%20colonies%2C%E2%80%9D%20Baer%20said%2C%20citing%20data%20from%20Project%20Apis%20m.%2C%20which%20monitors%20beehive%20losses%20throughout%20the%20U.S.%20%E2%80%9CWe%20are%20experiencing%20a%20major%20collapse%20of%20bee%20populations%2C%20and%20that%20is%20extremely%20worrying%20because%20about%20one-third%20of%20what%20we%20eat%20depends%20on%20bees.%E2%80%9D%20%0A%20%0ABeekeepers%20now%20rely%20on%20their%20own%20judgment%20and%20manual%20inspections%20to%20detect%20problems%2C%20often%20leading%20to%20delayed%20interventions.%20With%20EBV%2C%20they%20can%20get%20real-time%20insights%20and%20predict%20conditions%20days%20in%20advance%2C%20significantly%20reducing%20labor%20costs%2C%20said%20Baer%2C%20who%20collaborated%20with%20Hossain%20and%20other%20scientists%20at%20UCR%E2%80%99s%20Bourns%20College%20of%20Engineering.%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CPeople%20have%20dreamed%20of%20these%20sensors%20for%20a%20very%20long%20time%2C%E2%80%9D%20Baer%20said.%20%E2%80%9CWhat%20I%20like%20here%20is%20that%20this%20system%20is%20fully%20integrated%20into%20the%20hive%20setup%20that%20beekeepers%20already%20use.%E2%80%9D%20%0A%20%0ATemperature%20fluctuations%20are%20among%20the%20first%20responses%20to%20any%20kind%20of%20threats%20to%20a%20hive%E2%80%99s%20health.%20Honeybees%20maintain%20a%20precise%20internal%20hive%20temperature%20between%2033%20and%2036%20degrees%20Celsius%20(91.4%E2%80%9396.8%C2%B0F)%2C%20a%20requirement%20for%20proper%20brood%20development%20and%20colony%20survival%2C%20Baer%20said.%20%0A%20%0AThe%20EBV%20method%20is%20based%20on%20thermal%20diffusion%20equations%20and%20control%20theory%2C%20making%20its%20predictions%20interpretable%20to%20both%20scientists%20and%20beekeepers%2C%20Hossain%20said.%20The%20model%20uses%20temperature%20data%20collected%20from%20low-cost%20sensors%20installed%20inside%20the%20hive%2C%20feeding%20that%20information%20into%20an%20algorithm%20that%20predicts%20hive%20conditions%20several%20days%20in%20advance.%20%0A%20%0AIn%20tests%20conducted%20at%20UCR%E2%80%99s%20apiary%2C%20the%20EBV%20method%20analyzed%20data%20from%2010%20hives%20during%20initial%20development%20and%20later%20expanded%20to%2025%20hives.%20The%20technology%20has%20already%20proven%20its%20effectiveness%2C%20detecting%20conditions%20that%20required%20beekeeper%20intervention.%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CWhen%20I%20looked%20at%20the%20dashboard%20and%20saw%20the%20health%20factor%20dropped%20below%20an%20empirical%20threshold%2C%20I%20contacted%20our%20apiary%20manager%2C%E2%80%9D%20Hossain%20recalled.%20%E2%80%9CWhen%20we%20went%20to%20check%20the%20hive%2C%20we%20found%20that%20there%20was%20actually%20something%20wrong%2C%20and%20they%20were%20able%20to%20take%20action%20to%20manage%20the%20situation.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AHyoseung%20Kim%2C%20an%20associate%20professor%20of%20electrical%20and%2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Beehive sensors could save honeybees

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Satellite design for small space debris detection

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Space probe to map carbon in remote forests

Human%20urine%20is%20often%20dismissed%20as%20waste.%20But%20in%20large%20volumes%2C%20it%20poses%20serious%20environmental%20risks%20by%20overloading%20water%20systems%20with%20excess%20nutrients.%0A%0ANow%2C%20a%20team%20of%20scientists%20has%20found%20a%20way%20to%20turn%20this%20problem%20into%20an%20opportunity%20by%20transforming%20urine%20into%20a%20valuable%20medical%20resource.%0A%0AResearchers%20from%20the%20University%20of%20California%2C%20Irvine%2C%20along%20with%20collaborators%20from%20U.S.%20and%20Japanese%20institutions%2C%20have%20engineered%20a%20synthetic%20yeast%20system%20that%20converts%20urine%20into%20hydroxyapatite%20(HAp).%0A%0AThis%20biocompatible%20calcium%20phosphate%20mineral%20is%20widely%20used%20in%20bone%20and%20dental%20implants%2C%20archaeological%20restoration%2C%20and%20biodegradable%20materials.%0A%0A%3Cb%3ETackling%20two%20problems%20with%20one%20process%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20process%20achieves%20two%20goals%20at%20the%20same%20time%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20co-author%20David%20Kisailus%2C%20UC%20Irvine%20professor%20of%20materials%20science%20and%20engineering.%20%E2%80%9COn%20the%20one%20hand%2C%20it%20helps%20remove%20human%20urine%20from%20wastewater%20streams%2C%20mitigating%20environmental%20pollution%20and%20the%20buildup%20of%20unwanted%20nutrients%3B%20and%20on%20the%20other%20hand%2C%20it%20produces%20a%20material%20that%20can%20be%20commercially%20marketed%20for%20use%20in%20a%20variety%20of%20settings.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AUrine%E2%80%99s%20high%20nutrient%20load%20can%20damage%20watersheds%20if%20left%20untreated.%20The%20team%E2%80%99s%20process%20neutralizes%20that%20risk%20while%20producing%20a%20substance%20projected%20to%20reach%20a%20%243.5%20billion%20market%20value%20by%202030.%0A%0A%3Cb%3ESynthetic%20yeast%20mimics%20natural%20bone-building%20cells%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AIn%20mammals%2C%20bone-forming%20cells%20called%20osteoblasts%20draw%20calcium%20phosphate%20from%20body%20fluids%20to%20produce%20HAp.%20But%20these%20natural%20cells%20can%E2%80%99t%20support%20large-scale%20production.%0A%0ATo%20overcome%20that%2C%20the%20team%20created%20%E2%80%9Costeoyeast%2C%E2%80%9D%20a%20synthetic%20yeast%20strain%20that%20mimics%20osteoblast%20behavior.%0A%0AThese%20cells%20break%20down%20urea%20to%20increase%20the%20pH%2C%20triggering%20internal%20cavities%20to%20gather%20calcium%20and%20phosphate.%0A%0AThe%20material%20then%20crystallizes%20into%20hydroxyapatite%20and%20is%20secreted%20outside%20the%20cell.%20The%20process%20yields%20up%20to%201%20gram%20of%20HAp%20per%20liter%20of%20urine.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EScalable%2C%20low-cost%2C%20and%20globally%20accessible%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20process%20to%20yield%20hydroxyapatite%2C%20or%20bone%20mineral%2C%20takes%20less%20than%20one%20day%2C%E2%80%9D%20Kisailus%20said.%20%E2%80%9CThe%20fact%20that%20it%20uses%20yeast%20as%20a%20chassis%2C%20which%20is%20inexpensive%20and%20can%20be%20placed%20in%20large%20vats%20at%20relatively%20low%20temperatures%20%E2%80%93%20think%20about%20beer%20that%E2%80%99s%20made%20via%20fermentation%20processes%20and%20is%20well%20scaled%20%E2%80%93%20shows%20that%20this%20can%20be%20done%20easily%20without%20major%20infrastructural%20needs%2C%20and%20that%20has%20the%20added%20benefit%20of%20making%20it%20accessible%20to%20developing%20economies.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AUsing%20yeast%20also%20means%20this%20system%20could%20be%20deployed%20in%20regions%20where%20high-tech%20manufacturing%20isn%E2%80%99t%20feasible%2C%20making%20advanced%20medical%20materials%20more%20accessible.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EFrom%20waste%20stream%20to%20multifunctional%20future%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AHAp%20is%20known%20for%20being%20lightweight%2C%20strong%2C%20and%20durable%2C%20which%20is%20ideal%20for%20implants%20and%20restoration.%20But%20the%20team%20envisions%20wider%20use.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CI%20am%20continuing%20to%20work%20with%20Professor%20Yasuo%20Yoshikuni%20from%20Lawrence%20Berkeley%20Laboratory%2C%20a%20corresponding%20author%20of%20this%20paper%2C%20to%20make%20other%20materials%20using%20this%20process%2C%20including%20materials%20for%20energy-based%20applications%2C%E2%80%9D%20Kisailus%20said.%20%E2%80%9CWe%20are%20currently%20developing%20strategies%20to%20leverage%20his%20yeast%20platform%20with%20our%203D%20printing%20and%20structural%20knowledge%20to%20make%20multifunctional%20architected%20materials.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20project%20received%20funding%20from%20the%20U.S.%20Department%20of%20Energy%2C%20the%20Defense%20Advanced%20Research%20Projects%20Agency%2C%20and%20the%20Air%20Force%20Office%20of%20Scientific%20Research.

Scientists create implants from human urine

A%20formidable%20new%20radar%20satellite%20jointly%20developed%20by%20the%20United%20States%20and%20India%20is%20set%20to%20launch%20Wednesday%2C%20designed%20to%20track%20subtle%20changes%20in%20Earth's%20land%20and%20ice%20surfaces%20and%20help%20predict%20both%20natural%20and%20human-caused%20hazards.%0A%0ADubbed%20NISAR%20(NASA-ISRO%20Synthetic%20Aperture%20Radar)%2C%20the%20pickup%20truck-sized%20spacecraft%20is%20scheduled%20to%20lift%20off%20at%205%3A40%20pm%20(1210%20GMT)%20from%20the%20Satish%20Dhawan%20Space%20Center%20on%20India's%20southeastern%20coast%2C%20riding%20an%20ISRO%20Geosynchronous%20Satellite%20Launch%20Vehicle%20rocket.%0A%0AHighly%20anticipated%20by%20scientists%2C%20the%20mission%20has%20also%20been%20hailed%20as%20a%20milestone%20in%20growing%20US-India%20cooperation%20between%20President%20Donald%20Trump%20and%20Prime%20Minister%20Narendra%20Modi.%0A%0A%22Our%20planet%20surface%20undergoes%20constant%20and%20meaningful%20change%2C%22%20Karen%20St%20Germain%2C%20director%20of%20NASA's%20Earth%20Science%20division%2C%20told%20reporters.%0A%0A%22Some%20change%20happens%20slowly.%20Some%20happens%20abruptly.%20Some%20changes%20are%20large%2C%20while%20some%20are%20subtle.%22%0A%0ABy%20picking%20up%20on%20tiny%20changes%20in%20the%20vertical%20movement%20of%20Earth's%20surface%E2%80%94as%20little%20as%20one%20centimeter%20(0.4%20inches)%E2%80%94scientists%20will%20be%20able%20to%20detect%20the%20precursors%20for%20natural%20and%20human-caused%20disasters%2C%20from%20earthquakes%2C%20landslides%20and%20volcanoes%20to%20aging%20infrastructure%20like%20dams%20and%20bridges.%0A%0A%22We'll%20see%20land%20subsidence%20and%20swelling%2C%20movement%2C%20deformation%20and%20melting%20of%20mountain%20glaciers%20and%20ice%20sheets%20covering%20both%20Greenland%20and%20Antarctica%2C%20and%20of%20course%2C%20we'll%20see%20wildfires%2C%22%20added%20St%20Germain%2C%20calling%20NISAR%20%22the%20most%20sophisticated%20radar%20we've%20ever%20built.%22%0A%0AEquipped%20with%20a%2012-meter%20dish%20that%20will%20unfold%20in%20space%2C%20NISAR%20will%20record%20nearly%20all%20of%20Earth's%20land%20and%20ice%20twice%20every%2012%20days%20from%20an%20altitude%20of%20464%20miles%20(747%20kilometers).%0A%0A%3Cb%3EMicrowave%20frequencies%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AAs%20it%20orbits%2C%20the%20satellite%20will%20continuously%20transmit%20microwaves%20and%20receive%20echoes%20from%20the%20surface.%0A%0ABecause%20the%20spacecraft%20is%20moving%2C%20the%20returning%20signals%20are%20distorted%E2%80%94but%20computer%20processing%20will%20reassemble%20them%20to%20produce%20detailed%2C%20high-resolution%20images.%0A%0AAchieving%20similar%20results%20with%20traditional%20radar%20would%20require%20an%20impractically%20large%2012-mile-wide%20dish.%0A%0ANISAR%20will%20operate%20on%20two%20radar%20frequencies%3A%20L-band%20and%20S-band.%20The%20L-band%20is%20ideal%20for%20sensing%20taller%20vegetation%20like%20trees%2C%20while%20the%20S-band%20enables%20more%20accurate%20readings%20of%20shorter%20plants%20such%20as%20bushes%20and%20shrubs.%0A%0ANASA's%20Jet%20Propulsion%20Laboratory%20and%20India's%20ISRO%20shared%20the%20workload%2C%20each%20building%20components%20on%20opposite%20sides%20of%20the%20planet%20before%20integrating%20and%20testing%20the%20spacecraft%20at%20ISRO's%20Satellite%20Integration%20%26%20Testing%20Establishment%20in%20the%20southern%20Indian%20city%20of%20Bengaluru.%0A%0ANASA's%20contribution%20came%20to%20just%20under%20%241.2%20billion%2C%20while%20ISRO's%20costs%20were%20around%20%2490%20million.%0A%0AIndia's%20space%20program%20has%20made%20major%20strides%20in%20recent%20years%2C%20including%20placing%20a%20probe%20in%20Mars%20orbit%20in%202014%20and%20landing%20a%20robot%20and%20rover%20on%20the%20moon%20in%202023.%0A%0AShubhanshu%20Shukla%2C%20a%20test%20pilot%20with%20the%20Indian%20Air%20Force%2C%20recently%20became%20the%20second%20Indian%20to%20travel%20to%20space%20and%20the%20first%20to%20reach%20the%20International%20Space%20Station%E2%80%94a%20key%20step%20toward%20India's%20own%20indigenous%20crewed%20mission%20planned%20for%202027%20under%20the%20Gaganyaan%20(%22sky%20craft%22)%20program.

US, India launch earth-monitoring satellite

A%20groundbreaking%20collaboration%20between%20NASA%20and%20the%20innovative%20aerospace%20startup%20Aloft%20Sensing%20has%20led%20to%20the%20creation%20of%20HALE%20InSAR%2C%20a%20next-generation%20radar%20system%20designed%20to%20detect%20incredibly%20small%20changes%20in%20Earth%E2%80%99s%20surface%20with%20millimeter-level%20precision.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EA%20lightweight%20powerhouse%3C%2Fh2%3E%0AWeighing%20less%20than%2015%20pounds%20and%20drawing%20under%20300%20watts%20of%20power%E2%80%94about%20the%20same%20as%20an%20electric%20bike%E2%80%94HALE%20InSAR%20is%20small%2C%20efficient%2C%20and%20remarkably%20powerful.%20This%20compact%20design%20enables%20it%20to%20measure%20terrain%20shifts%2C%20snowpack%20variations%2C%20and%20volcanic%20activity%20with%20unprecedented%20accuracy.%0A%0AUnlike%20traditional%20radar%20sensors%2C%20HALE%20InSAR%20operates%20without%20relying%20on%20GPS.%20Instead%2C%20it%20uses%20advanced%20self-positioning%20algorithms%20that%20ensure%20exceptional%20accuracy.%20As%20Brian%20Pollard%2C%20Chief%20Engineer%20at%20Aloft%20Sensing%2C%20explains%3A%0A%E2%80%9CSynthetic%20Aperture%20Radar%20is%20like%20a%20long-exposure%20camera%2C%20but%20with%20radio%20waves.%20Precise%20positioning%20is%20critical%E2%80%94otherwise%2C%20your%20images%20blur.%E2%80%9D%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EDesigned%20for%20high-altitude%20endurance%3C%2Fh2%3E%0AThe%20radar%20system%20is%20specifically%20engineered%20for%20HALE%20platforms%E2%80%94high-altitude%2C%20long-endurance%20aircraft%20capable%20of%20staying%20airborne%20for%20weeks%20or%20even%20months.%20These%20platforms%20can%20revisit%20the%20same%20geographic%20location%20multiple%20times%20per%20hour%2C%20making%20them%20ideal%20for%20tracking%20gradual%20geologic%20or%20environmental%20changes.%0A%0AThe%20underlying%20technology%2C%20Interferometric%20Synthetic%20Aperture%20Radar%20(InSAR)%2C%20compares%20sequential%20radar%20images%20to%20detect%20subtle%20surface%20movements.%20Conventional%20InSAR%20instruments%20are%20far%20too%20large%20for%20lightweight%20aircraft%2C%20but%20HALE%20InSAR%20changes%20that.%0A%0AWith%20its%20flat%20phased-array%20antenna%20and%20electronically%20steered%20radar%20beam%2C%20the%20system%20eliminates%20heavy%20gimbals%20and%20moving%20parts%2C%20combining%20efficiency%20with%20precision.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ETransforming%20Disaster%20Monitoring%20and%20Security%3C%2Fh2%3E%0ABy%20tracking%20minute%20ground%20deformations%2C%20HALE%20InSAR%20has%20the%20potential%20to%20serve%20as%20an%20early-warning%20system%20for%20natural%20disasters%2C%20including%20volcanic%20eruptions%2C%20earthquakes%2C%20and%20landslides.%20Its%20ability%20to%20function%20without%20GPS%20also%20makes%20it%20well-suited%20for%20remote%20regions%2C%20disaster%20zones%2C%20and%20national%20security%20operations.%0A%0ALauren%20Wye%2C%20CEO%20of%20Aloft%20Sensing%2C%20emphasized%20its%20transformative%20potential%3A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20level%20of%20sensitivity%20has%20always%20required%20bulky%2C%20expensive%20hardware.%20With%20HALE%20InSAR%2C%20we%E2%80%99ve%20broken%20that%20barrier.%20The%20applications%20for%20science%2C%20civil%20engineering%2C%20and%20security%20are%20enormous.%E2%80%9D%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EFrom%20stratospheric%20balloons%20to%20satellites%3C%2Fh2%3E%0AHALE%20InSAR%20has%20already%20proven%20itself%20in%20real-world%20tests%2C%20flying%20aboard%20stratospheric%20balloons%20at%2065%2C000%20feet%20and%20lightweight%20airships.%20The%20next%20phase%20will%20place%20it%20on%20fixed-wing%20HALE%20aircraft%2C%20and%20the%20long-term%20vision%20includes%20deploying%20the%20radar%20on%20small%20satellites%20in%20low%20Earth%20orbit%20(LEO).%0A%0AThe%20project%20was%20supported%20by%20NASA%E2%80%99s%20Earth%20Science%20Technology%20Office%20(ESTO)%2C%20which%20funded%20the%20development%20of%20its%20electronically%20steered%20antenna%20and%20agile%2C%20software-defined%20transceiver.%20This%20support%20has%20enabled%20Aloft%20Sensing%20to%20move%20from%20prototype%20to%20proven%20technology%2C%20attracting%20both%20civilian%20and%20military%20interest.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EA%20new%20era%20for%20compact%20radar%20technology%3C%2Fh2%3E%0AHALE%20InSAR%20represents%20a%20paradigm%20shift%20in%20Earth%20observation%20technology.%20With%20its%20combination%20of%20compact%20size%2C%20GPS-independent%20navigation%2C%20and%20millimeter-scale%20accuracy%2C%20this%20radar%20system%20is%20set%20to%20revolutionize%20how%20scientists%2C%20governments%2C%20and%20agencies%20monitor%20our%20planet.%0A%0AFor%20researchers%20and%20decision-makers%20alike%2C%20HALE%20InSAR%20offers%20a%20powerful%20new%20tool%20to%20understand%20Earth%E2%80%99s%20dynamic%20processes%20in%20real%20time%E2%80%94from%20tracking%20snowpack%20stability%20to%20predicting%20volcanic%20hazards%E2%80%94all%20while%20remaining%20lightweight%2C%20energy-efficient%2C%20and%20versatile%20enough%20for%20multiple%20platforms.

Compact radar system redefining earth monitoring

Researchers%20in%20Antarctica%20have%20officially%20opened%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20first%20international%20archive%20dedicated%20to%20preserving%20mountain%20ice%20cores%2C%20creating%20a%20frozen%20library%20that%20captures%20Earth%E2%80%99s%20atmospheric%20history%20as%20climate%20change%20accelerates%20glacier%20loss%20worldwide.%0A%0AIce%20cores%20function%20as%20natural%20climate%20records%2C%20trapping%20ancient%20air%2C%20dust%2C%20and%20chemical%20particles%20within%20layers%20of%20frozen%20snow.%20These%20frozen%20samples%20provide%20invaluable%20insight%20into%20how%20Earth%E2%80%99s%20atmosphere%20has%20evolved%20over%20thousands%20of%20years.%20As%20rising%20global%20temperatures%20cause%20glaciers%20to%20melt%20at%20record%20speeds%2C%20scientists%20are%20racing%20against%20time%20to%20collect%20and%20protect%20these%20fragile%20climate%20archives%20before%20they%20vanish%20forever.%0A%0AThe%20newly%20established%20ice%20core%20sanctuary%20is%20located%20at%20Concordia%20Station%20on%20the%20Antarctic%20Plateau.%20The%20facility%20was%20inaugurated%20this%20week%20by%20the%20Ice%20Memory%20Foundation%2C%20a%20collaborative%20network%20of%20European%20scientific%20institutions.%20The%20opening%20ceremony%20was%20broadcast%20live%2C%20showcasing%20the%20unveiling%20of%20a%20subterranean%20ice%20vault%20designed%20to%20preserve%20climate%20data%20for%20future%20generations.%0A%0AThe%20first%20ice%20core%20deposits%20originated%20from%20two%20Alpine%20glaciers%E2%80%94Mont%20Blanc%20in%20France%20and%20Grand%20Combin%20in%20Switzerland.%20These%20samples%20completed%20a%20carefully%20controlled%2050-day%20journey%20by%20refrigerated%20icebreaker%20and%20aircraft%2C%20traveling%20from%20Trieste%2C%20Italy%2C%20to%20Antarctica.%0A%0ADuring%20the%20ceremony%2C%20researchers%20transported%20insulated%20containers%20filled%20with%20ice%20cores%20into%20a%20frozen%20cave%20carved%20deep%20within%20a%20compacted%20snow%20mound.%20The%20vault%20maintains%20a%20stable%20temperature%20of%20approximately%20-52%C2%B0C%20(-61%C2%B0F)%2C%20ensuring%20the%20long-term%20preservation%20of%20the%20samples.%0A%0ABy%20conserving%20physical%20evidence%20such%20as%20greenhouse%20gases%2C%20airborne%20particles%2C%20pollution%20residues%2C%20and%20mineral%20dust%20locked%20within%20ice%20layers%2C%20the%20Ice%20Memory%20initiative%20enables%20future%20scientists%20to%20analyze%20past%20climate%20conditions%20using%20advanced%20technologies%20that%20may%20not%20yet%20exist.%0A%0ALaunched%20in%202015%2C%20the%20Ice%20Memory%20project%20brings%20together%20leading%20research%20organizations%20from%20France%2C%20Italy%2C%20and%20Switzerland.%20Since%20its%20inception%2C%20scientists%20have%20identified%20and%20extracted%20ice%20cores%20from%2010%20glacier%20locations%20across%20the%20globe.%20Additional%20samples%20are%20scheduled%20for%20transport%20to%20the%20Antarctic%20repository%20in%20the%20coming%20years.%0A%0AOver%20the%20next%20decade%2C%20project%20leaders%20aim%20to%20establish%20an%20international%20agreement%20to%20formally%20protect%20these%20ice%20cores%20as%20a%20shared%20scientific%20heritage%20for%20humanity.%0A%0AThe%20urgency%20behind%20the%20initiative%20is%20underscored%20by%20the%20rapid%20decline%20of%20global%20glaciers.%20Since%20the%20year%202000%2C%20regional%20glacier%20ice%20loss%20has%20ranged%20from%202%25%20to%20nearly%2040%25%2C%20with%20an%20estimated%20global%20average%20loss%20of%20about%205%25.%20As%20glaciers%20retreat%2C%20irreplaceable%20atmospheric%20data%20is%20disappearing%20with%20them.%0A%0AClimate%20experts%20emphasize%20that%20these%20ice%20cores%20are%20not%20historical%20curiosities%20but%20essential%20scientific%20benchmarks.%20They%20allow%20researchers%E2%80%94both%20today%20and%20in%20the%20future%E2%80%94to%20understand%20how%20Earth%E2%80%99s%20climate%20has%20changed%2C%20the%20pace%20of%20those%20changes%2C%20and%20the%20underlying%20causes.

Antarctica opens ice vault to save climate data

China%20and%20Chile%20are%20preparing%20to%20launch%20a%20groundbreaking%20three-month%20deep-sea%20research%20expedition%20into%20the%20eastern%20Pacific%20Ocean%2C%20marking%20one%20of%20the%20most%20ambitious%20oceanographic%20missions%20ever%20conducted%20in%20the%20region.%20The%20international%20project%20aims%20to%20uncover%20new%20marine%20life%2C%20analyze%20deep-ocean%20ecosystems%2C%20and%20advance%20scientific%20understanding%20of%20earthquakes%20and%20tsunamis%20linked%20to%20tectonic%20plate%20movements.%0A%0AThe%20mission%20will%20begin%20this%20Monday%20aboard%20China%E2%80%99s%20advanced%20research%20vessel%20Tan%20Suo%20Yi%20Hao%2C%20which%20will%20travel%20approximately%20700%20kilometers%20around%20the%20Atacama%20Trench%2C%20one%20of%20the%20deepest%2C%20least%20explored%20ocean%20trenches%20on%20the%20planet.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ELargest%20deep-sea%20mission%20ever%20conducted%20in%20the%20eastern%20Pacific%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AYears%20in%20preparation%2C%20the%20expedition%20is%20jointly%20led%20by%20the%20Institute%20of%20Deep-Sea%20Science%20and%20Engineering%20under%20the%20Chinese%20Academy%20of%20Sciences%20and%20Chile%E2%80%99s%20Millennium%20Institute%20of%20Oceanography%20at%20the%20University%20of%20Concepci%C3%B3n.%20The%20ship%20will%20depart%20from%20the%20port%20city%20of%20Valpara%C3%ADso%2C%20initiating%20what%20organizers%20describe%20as%20the%20largest%20deep-ocean%20scientific%20operation%20ever%20undertaken%20in%20the%20area.%0A%0AThe%20collaboration%20provides%20Chilean%20scientists%20access%20to%20cutting-edge%20deep-sea%20technology%20unavailable%20elsewhere%2C%20dramatically%20accelerating%20years%20of%20research%20into%20a%20single%20mission.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EAdvanced%20submersibles%20and%2020%20deep-sea%20dives%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20expedition%20includes%2033%20research%20stations%20and%20nearly%2020%20manned%20and%20unmanned%20dives%20into%20hadal%20depths.%20Central%20to%20the%20mission%20is%20the%20deployment%20of%20Fendouzhe%20(Striver)%E2%80%94one%20of%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20most%20advanced%20manned%20deep-sea%20submersibles%2C%20capable%20of%20descending%20beyond%2010%2C000%20meters.%0A%0AScientists%20will%20conduct%20direct%20observations%2C%20collect%20biological%20and%20geological%20samples%2C%20and%20map%20trench%20environments%20at%20depths%20exceeding%208%2C000%20meters%2C%20offering%20unprecedented%20insight%20into%20Earth%E2%80%99s%20deepest%20ocean%20zones.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EUnlocking%20the%20secrets%20of%20earthquakes%20and%20tsunamis%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AA%20major%20scientific%20objective%20is%20to%20study%20subduction%20processes%20along%20the%20Pacific%20seismic%20belt%2C%20where%20the%20Nazca%20Plate%20slides%20beneath%20the%20South%20American%20Plate.%20This%20region%20is%20among%20the%20most%20seismically%20active%20on%20Earth%20and%20plays%20a%20critical%20role%20in%20generating%20powerful%20earthquakes%20and%20tsunamis%20that%20impact%20not%20only%20South%20America%20but%20also%20East%20and%20Southeast%20Asia.%0A%0AUnderstanding%20these%20processes%20could%20significantly%20improve%20global%20seismic%20risk%20models%20and%20disaster%20preparedness.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ESearch%20for%20new%20life%20and%20biomedical%20molecules%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ABeyond%20geophysics%2C%20the%20mission%20focuses%20on%20deep-sea%20biodiversity%20and%20the%20search%20for%20previously%20unknown%20organisms%20thriving%20in%20total%20darkness.%20Researchers%20are%20particularly%20interested%20in%20chemosynthetic%20life%20forms%E2%80%94organisms%20that%20derive%20energy%20from%20chemical%20reactions%20rather%20than%20sunlight.%0A%0AThese%20life%20forms%20may%20produce%20novel%20molecules%20with%20potential%20applications%20in%20biomedicine%2C%20biotechnology%2C%20and%20pharmaceutical%20research.%0A%0AScientists%20also%20aim%20to%20confirm%20whether%20the%20Atacama%20Trench%20acts%20as%20a%20major%20carbon%20sink%2C%20recycling%20organic%20material%20from%20the%20upper%20ocean%20and%20playing%20a%20hidden%20role%20in%20the%20global%20carbon%20cycle.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ECutting-edge%20oceanographic%20technology%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ATo%20achieve%20these%20goals%2C%20the%20team%20will%20deploy%20a%20suite%20of%20high-tech%20instruments%2C%20including%3A%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Autonomous%20deep-sea%20landers%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Robotic%20sampling%20systems%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Advanced%20CTD%20sensors%20measuring%20conductivity%2C%20temperature%2C%20depth%2C%20salinity%2C%20and%20pH%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Real-time%20data%20transmission%20systems%20connected%20directly%20to%20the%20research%20vessel%0A%0AThe%20Striver%20submersible%20accommodates%20three%20crew%20members%20and%20is%20equipped%20with%20robotic%20arms%2C%20sample%20containers%2C%20and%20high-resolution%20imaging%20systems%20for%20precise%20scientific%20work%20at%20extreme%20depths.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EBuilding%20on%20previous%20deep-sea%20breakthroughs%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20Striver%20has%20already%20proven%20its%20capabilities%20during%20earlier%20expeditions%2C%20including%20a%202024%20mission%20to%20the%20Kuril%20Trench%2C%20where%20it%20descended%20more%20than%209%2C500%20meters%20and%20documented%20thriving%20ecosystems%20of%20ancient%20mollusks%20and%20marine%20worms%20in%20complete%20darkness.%0A%0AResearchers%20hope%20to%20discover%20similar%20chemosynthetic%20communities%20in%20the%20Atacama%20Trench%2C%20further%20reshaping%20scientific%20understanding%20of%20life%20in%20extreme%20environments.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EGlobal%20scientific%20collaboration%20backed%20by%20the%20United%20Nations%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20expedition%20brings%20together%20multiple%20Chilean%20institutions%2C%20including%20the%20Catholic%20University%20of%20Chile%2C%20Austral%20University%20of%20Chile%2C%20University%20of%20Valpara%C3%ADso%2C%20and%20Sernageomin%2C%20the%20country%E2%80%99s%20geological%20and%20mining%20authority.%0A%0AIt%20is%20also%20part%20of%20the%20Global%20Hadal%20Exploration%20Programme%2C%20a%2010-year%20international%20initiative%20involving%2016%20countries%20and%20endorsed%20by%20the%20United%20Nations%2C%20aimed%20at%20systematically%20exploring%20Earth%E2%80%99s%20deepest%20ocean%20trenches.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EA%20new%20chapter%20in%20ocean%20exploration%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AAs%20scientists%20push%20deeper%20into%20the%20hadal%20zone%2C%20the%20China%E2%80%93Chile%20expedition%20represents%20a%20major%20leap%20forward%20in%20deep-sea%20exploration%2C%20marine%20biology%2C%20and%20earth%20science.%20By%20mapping%20uncharted%20depths%20and%20studying%20life%20forms%20that%20thrive%20without%20sunlight%2C%20the%20mission%20promises%20discoveries%20that%20could%20transform%20our%20understanding%20of%20the%20planet%E2%80%94from%20the%20ocean%20floor%20to%20global%20seismic%20systems.

China–Chile expedition explores Atacama Trench

China%20has%20announced%20the%20discovery%20of%20major%20new%20reserves%20of%20critical%20minerals%2C%20strengthening%20its%20position%20as%20a%20global%20leader%20in%20resources%20essential%20for%20advanced%20technology%2C%20renewable%20energy%2C%20and%20defense%20industries.%0A%0AAt%20the%20Maoniuping%20mining%20site%20in%20Mianning%20County%2C%20located%20in%20Sichuan%20Province%2C%20recent%20geological%20surveys%20revealed%20approximately%209.7%20million%20tonnes%20of%20rare%20earth%20oxides%2C%20bringing%20the%20mine%E2%80%99s%20total%20confirmed%20reserves%20to%2010.4%20million%20tonnes%2C%20according%20to%20official%20reports.%0A%0AIn%20addition%20to%20rare%20earth%20elements%2C%20the%20site%20contains%20significant%20deposits%20of%20other%20valuable%20industrial%20minerals%2C%20including%2027.1%20million%20tonnes%20of%20fluorite%20and%2037.2%20million%20tonnes%20of%20baryte.%20Authorities%20have%20categorized%20both%20as%20super-large%20deposits%2C%20highlighting%20their%20economic%20and%20strategic%20importance%20for%20China%E2%80%99s%20industrial%20supply%20chains.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EFluorite%20and%20baryte%20emerge%20as%20key%20strategic%20resources%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AWhile%20the%20rare%20earth%20findings%20are%20substantial%2C%20industry%20experts%20emphasize%20that%20fluorite%20and%20baryte%20may%20be%20the%20most%20impactful%20discoveries.%0A%0ARare%20earth%20elements%E2%80%94a%20group%20of%2017%20critical%20materials%E2%80%94are%20essential%20for%20manufacturing%20technologies%20such%20as%20smartphones%2C%20electric%20vehicles%2C%20renewable%20energy%20systems%2C%20and%20advanced%20military%20equipment.%20These%20new%20reserves%20are%20expected%20to%20further%20reinforce%20China%E2%80%99s%20dominance%20in%20the%20global%20rare%20earth%20market.%0A%0AHowever%2C%20according%20to%20leading%20geological%20experts%2C%20fluorite%20and%20baryte%20stand%20out%20due%20to%20their%20direct%20role%20in%20key%20industrial%20processes%3A%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Fluorite%20(fluorspar)%20is%20vital%20for%20semiconductor%20production%20and%20lithium-ion%20batteries%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Baryte%20is%20crucial%20in%20oil%20and%20gas%20drilling%2C%20where%20it%20stabilizes%20wells%20and%20prevents%20dangerous%20blowouts%0A%0AWithout%20baryte%2C%20modern%20energy%20exploration%E2%80%94including%20shale%20extraction%E2%80%94would%20face%20serious%20limitations.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EAdditional%20antimony%20discovery%20strengthens%20China%E2%80%99s%20resource%20base%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AIn%20a%20separate%20development%2C%20authorities%20in%20Gansu%20Province%20reported%20the%20discovery%20of%20over%2051%2C000%20tonnes%20of%20antimony%20in%20Tanchang%20County.%0A%0AAntimony%20is%20widely%20used%20as%20a%20flame%20retardant%20in%20plastics%20and%20electronic%20components%2C%20making%20it%20a%20key%20material%20for%20manufacturing%20and%20safety%20applications.%20This%20new%20deposit%20is%20expected%20to%20increase%20the%20region%E2%80%99s%20confirmed%20reserves%20by%20more%20than%2050%25%2C%20further%20enhancing%20China%E2%80%99s%20supply%20capabilities.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EChina%20leverages%20rare%20earth%20dominance%20amidglobal%20trade%20tensions%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AChina%E2%80%99s%20strong%20control%20over%20rare%20earth%20production%20has%20become%20an%20increasingly%20important%20factor%20in%20global%20trade%20dynamics%2C%20particularly%20in%20its%20ongoing%20economic%20tensions%20with%20the%20United%20States.%0A%0AIn%20response%20to%20trade%20restrictions%2C%20China%20introduced%20export%20controls%20on%20key%20rare%20earth%20elements%20and%20permanent%20magnets%2C%20requiring%20companies%20to%20obtain%20government%20approval%20before%20exporting%20certain%20materials.%0A%0AThese%20measures%20were%20implemented%20following%20tariffs%20on%20Chinese%20goods%20imposed%20by%20the%20U.S.%2C%20signaling%20a%20strategic%20use%20of%20resource%20control%20in%20geopolitical%20negotiations.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EExport%20policy%20adjustments%20impact%20global%20supply%20chains%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ATo%20balance%20control%20with%20market%20stability%2C%20China%20later%20introduced%20long-term%20export%20licenses%2C%20allowing%20select%20partners%20more%20predictable%20access%20to%20critical%20materials.%0A%0AThis%20adjustment%20has%20already%20influenced%20global%20trade%20patterns%3A%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20European%20markets%20have%20adapted%20quickly%2C%20leading%20to%20a%20recovery%20in%20shipments%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20U.S.%20imports%20remain%20lower%2C%20reflecting%20ongoing%20trade%20and%20regulatory%20challenges%0A%0A%0AThese%20developments%20highlight%20how%20critical%20mineral%20supply%20chains%20are%20increasingly%20shaped%20by%20both%20economic%20policy%20and%20geopolitical%20strategy.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EConclusion%3A%20a%20strategic%20shift%20in%20slobal%20critical%20mineral%20supply%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AChina%E2%80%99s%20latest%20discoveries%20of%20rare%20earth%20elements%2C%20fluorite%2C%20baryte%2C%20and%20antimony%20reinforce%20its%20dominant%20position%20in%20global%20resource%20markets.%20Beyond%20sheer%20volume%2C%20the%20strategic%20value%20of%20these%20materials%E2%80%94especially%20for%20clean%20energy%2C%20electronics%2C%20and%20defense%E2%80%94makes%20them%20central%20to%20future%20technological%20and%20economic%20competition.

China finds major rare earth deposits

The%20U.S.%20Geological%20Survey%20(USGS)%20has%20revealed%20a%20substantial%20untapped%20lithium%20reserve%20in%20the%20Appalachian%20region%2C%20estimating%20approximately%202.3%20million%20metric%20tons%20of%20economically%20recoverable%20resources%20yet%20to%20be%20discovered.%20Based%20on%20projected%202025%20import%20levels%2C%20this%20amount%20could%20supply%20the%20United%20States%20with%20lithium%20for%20more%20than%20three%20centuries.%0A%0AAccording%20to%20the%20study%2C%20these%20lithium%20deposits%20are%20primarily%20found%20in%20pegmatites%E2%80%94coarse-grained%20igneous%20rocks%20closely%20related%20to%20granite%2C%20known%20for%20hosting%20valuable%20minerals.%0A%0AUSGS%20Director%20Ned%20Mamula%20emphasized%20the%20strategic%20importance%20of%20the%20discovery%2C%20noting%20that%20the%20Appalachian%20region%20could%20play%20a%20key%20role%20in%20strengthening%20domestic%20mineral%20security%20amid%20surging%20global%20demand%20for%20lithium.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EMajor%20lithium%20deposits%20identified%20in%20Appalachia%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20report%20divides%20the%20estimated%20resources%20between%20two%20key%20regions%3A%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Southern%20Appalachians%3A%201.43%20million%20metric%20tons%20of%20lithium%20oxide%2C%20concentrated%20mainly%20in%20the%20Carolinas.%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Northern%20Appalachians%3A%20Roughly%20900%2C000%20metric%20tons%2C%20with%20the%20richest%20deposits%20located%20in%20Maine%20and%20New%20Hampshire.%0A%0AResearchers%20reached%20these%20conclusions%20through%20a%20combination%20of%20geochemical%20analysis%2C%20geophysical%20mapping%2C%20and%20studies%20of%20the%20region%E2%80%99s%20tectonic%20evolution.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EPotential%20to%20power%20millions%20of%20batteries%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20USGS%20findings%20suggest%20that%20these%20lithium%20reserves%20could%20have%20massive%20industrial%20applications.%20The%20total%20resource%20could%20support%20the%20production%20of%3A%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Batteries%20for%20approximately%20130%20million%20electric%20vehicles%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Around%201.6%20million%20grid-scale%20energy%20storage%20systems%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Up%20to%20180%20billion%20laptops%2C%20representing%20a%20millennium%20of%20supply%20at%20current%20usage%20rates%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Nearly%20500%20billion%20smartphones%2C%20equivalent%20to%20about%2060%20devices%20per%20person%20globally%0A%0AMamula%20highlighted%20that%20these%20insights%20could%20inform%20future%20policy%20decisions%2C%20including%20permitting%20reforms%20and%20workforce%20development%20initiatives.%20While%20the%20U.S.%20was%20once%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20leading%20lithium%20producer%20three%20decades%20ago%2C%20it%20now%20depends%20on%20imports%20for%20over%20half%20of%20its%20annual%20consumption.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ELithium%E2%80%99s%20role%20as%20a%20critical%20mineral%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ALithium%20was%20officially%20added%20to%20the%202025%20Critical%20Minerals%20List%20due%20to%20its%20essential%20role%20in%20manufacturing%20batteries%20used%20in%20electronics%2C%20defense%20systems%2C%20electric%20vehicles%2C%20and%20renewable%20energy%20storage.%0A%0AGlobally%2C%20Australia%20remains%20the%20top%20lithium%20producer%2C%20followed%20by%20China%2C%20which%20dominates%20refining%20and%20consumption%20capacity.%0A%0AMamula%20stated%20that%20the%20study%20underscores%20the%20opportunity%20for%20the%20United%20States%20to%20regain%20leadership%20in%20lithium%20production%20and%20reduce%20reliance%20on%20foreign%20supply%20chains.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ERising%20demand%20and%20future%20supply%20outlook%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20USGS%20forecasts%20that%20global%20lithium%20production%20capacity%20could%20double%20by%202029%20as%20demand%20accelerates%2C%20particularly%20from%20the%20technology%20and%20clean%20energy%20sectors.%0A%0AThe%20lithium-rich%20pegmatites%20in%20the%20Appalachian%20Mountains%20formed%20over%20250%20million%20years%20ago%20during%20the%20assembly%20of%20the%20supercontinent%20Pangea.%20Intense%20heat%20and%20pressure%20during%20this%20period%20caused%20crustal%20rocks%20to%20melt%2C%20forming%20lithium-enriched%20magmas.%0A%0AInterestingly%2C%20similar%20geological%20formations%20can%20be%20found%20in%20regions%20such%20as%20Ireland%20and%20Portugal%2C%20which%20were%20once%20geologically%20connected%20to%20the%20Appalachian%20belt.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EResource%20uncertainty%20and%20future%20exploration%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20USGS%20notes%20that%20the%20current%20estimates%20carry%20a%2050%25%20confidence%20level%2C%20meaning%20actual%20resources%20could%20be%20either%20higher%20or%20lower.%20In%20the%20northern%20Appalachians%20alone%2C%20there%20is%20a%2010%25%20probability%20that%20undiscovered%20lithium%20resources%20could%20reach%20as%20much%20as%207.4%20million%20metric%20tons.%0A%0AThis%20assessment%20aligns%20with%20the%20mandate%20established%20under%20the%20Energy%20Act%20of%202020%2C%20which%20directs%20the%20USGS%20to%20evaluate%20domestic%20mineral%20resources%20to%20enhance%20national%20supply%20security.

2.3M tons of lithium found in Appalachia

The%20smartphone%20in%20your%20pocket%2C%20the%20electric%20vehicle%20in%20your%20driveway%2C%20and%20the%20giant%20wind%20turbines%20powering%20modern%20cities%20all%20depend%20on%20one%20critical%20resource%3A%20rare%20earth%20elements.%20These%20essential%20minerals%20are%20the%20backbone%20of%20advanced%20technology%2C%20renewable%20energy%20systems%2C%20and%20next-generation%20electronics.%20However%2C%20the%20global%20supply%20chain%20faces%20a%20serious%20challenge%20because%20China%20currently%20dominates%20rare%20earth%20production%20and%20processing.%0A%0AThat%20reality%20may%20soon%20shift%20thanks%20to%20a%20groundbreaking%20scientific%20discovery%20revealing%20how%20rare%20earth%20metals%20form%20deep%20beneath%20Earth%E2%80%99s%20surface.%0A%0AScientists%20at%20the%20University%20of%20Cambridge%20have%20developed%20a%20revolutionary%20geological%20%E2%80%9Catlas%E2%80%9D%20that%20could%20transform%20the%20global%20search%20for%20rare%20earth%20deposits.%20Their%20findings%20reveal%20that%20these%20valuable%20minerals%20are%20not%20randomly%20distributed%20underground.%20Instead%2C%20they%20consistently%20form%20near%20the%20thickest%20and%20oldest%20sections%20of%20Earth%E2%80%99s%20continents.%0A%0AThis%20breakthrough%20offers%20a%20powerful%20new%20strategy%20for%20mining%20exploration.%20It%20gives%20Western%20nations%20and%20other%20economies%20a%20predictive%20roadmap%20for%20locating%20domestic%20rare%20earth%20supplies%2C%20reducing%20dependence%20on%20foreign%20sources%2C%20and%20strengthening%20technological%20and%20energy%20security.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ERare%20earth%20deposits%20linked%20to%20thick%20lithosphere%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AFor%20decades%2C%20geologists%20considered%20the%20unusual%20carbon%20dioxide-rich%20igneous%20rocks%20associated%20with%20rare%20earth%20elements%20to%20be%20geological%20curiosities.%20Scientists%20collected%20and%20studied%20them%2C%20but%20nobody%20fully%20understood%20why%20they%20appeared%20in%20specific%20regions.%0A%0ATo%20solve%20the%20mystery%2C%20researchers%20led%20by%20Dr.%20Emilie%20Bowman%20analyzed%20chemical%20information%20from%20more%20than%209%2C000%20rock%20samples%20gathered%20across%20the%20globe.%20The%20team%20combined%20this%20massive%20dataset%20with%20advanced%20seismic%20imaging%20technology%20that%20uses%20earthquake%20waves%20to%20visualize%20Earth%E2%80%99s%20interior%2C%20similar%20to%20how%20sonar%20maps%20the%20ocean%20floor.%0A%0AThe%20results%20revealed%20a%20striking%20pattern.%20Rare%20earth-bearing%20rocks%20consistently%20formed%20along%20the%20steep%20boundaries%20of%20Earth%E2%80%99s%20thickest%20lithosphere%20%E2%80%94%20the%20rigid%20outer%20shell%20made%20up%20of%20the%20crust%20and%20upper%20mantle.%0A%0AAccording%20to%20geophysicist%20Professor%20Sergei%20Lebedev%2C%20seismic%20imaging%20allowed%20researchers%20to%20create%20detailed%20cross-sectional%20views%20of%20the%20lithosphere.%20The%20data%20clearly%20showed%20that%20lithospheric%20thickness%20plays%20a%20major%20role%20in%20determining%20where%20rare%20earth%20deposits%20develop.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EHow%20earth%20creates%20rare%20earth%20element%20deposits%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20study%20found%20that%20thick%20lithosphere%20acts%20like%20a%20natural%20underground%20trap%20for%20molten%20rock.%20Deep%20beneath%20ancient%20continental%20cores%2C%20the%20mantle%20experiences%20extreme%20pressure%20while%20remaining%20relatively%20cool.%20These%20conditions%20limit%20widespread%20melting%20and%20allow%20only%20small%20pockets%20of%20magma%20to%20form.%0A%0AThose%20isolated%20magma%20pockets%20remain%20trapped%20deep%20underground%20for%20long%20periods%2C%20slowly%20accumulating%20dissolved%20gases%20such%20as%20carbon%20dioxide%20while%20concentrating%20rare%20earth%20elements%20over%20millions%20of%20years.%0A%0AResearchers%20compare%20the%20process%20to%20a%20%E2%80%9Cdeep-earth%20slow%20cooker.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AHowever%2C%20one%20geological%20event%20alone%20is%20not%20enough%20to%20create%20economically%20valuable%20deposits.%20The%20rocks%20must%20undergo%20a%20second%20tectonic%20event%20that%20reheats%20and%20remelts%20the%20same%20material.%20This%20second%20cycle%20further%20enriches%20the%20magma%2C%20eventually%20producing%20highly%20concentrated%20rare%20earth%20ore%20deposits%20suitable%20for%20mining.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EA%20new%20era%20for%20rare%20earth%20mining%20exploration%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20timing%20of%20this%20discovery%20is%20especially%20important%20as%20nations%20race%20to%20secure%20critical%20minerals%20needed%20for%20clean%20energy%2C%20electric%20vehicles%2C%20semiconductors%2C%20smartphones%2C%20and%20defense%20technologies.%0A%0ADependence%20on%20a%20single%20dominant%20supplier%20poses%20major%20geopolitical%20and%20economic%20risks.%20Governments%20worldwide%20are%20urgently%20seeking%20alternative%20sources%20of%20rare%20earth%20elements%20to%20strengthen%20supply%20chain%20resilience.%0A%0AThe%20new%20geological%20atlas%20could%20dramatically%20improve%20exploration%20success%20rates.%20By%20identifying%20the%20conditions%20required%20for%20rare%20earth%20formation%2C%20scientists%20can%20now%20better%20predict%20where%20undiscovered%20deposits%20may%20exist.%0A%0ADr.%20Bowman%20explained%20that%20the%20research%20provides%20valuable%20predictive%20insight%20into%20where%20these%20rare%20earth-bearing%20rocks%20%E2%80%94%20and%20the%20mineral%20deposits%20connected%20to%20them%20%E2%80%94%20are%20most%20likely%20to%20form.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ESearching%20for%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20oldest%20rare%20earth%20treasures%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20next%20phase%20of%20research%20focuses%20on%20rocks%20older%20than%20200%20million%20years.%20This%20presents%20a%20major%20challenge%20because%20ancient%20continents%20have%20repeatedly%20collided%2C%20separated%2C%20and%20reshaped%20over%20geological%20time%2C%20destroying%20many%20of%20the%20original%20clues%20scientists%20rely%20on.%0A%0ADespite%20the%20difficulty%2C%20success%20could%20unlock%20access%20to%20some%20of%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20oldest%20and%20richest%20rare%20earth%20reserves%20%E2%80%94%20resources%20that%20may%20become%20essential%20for%20the%20future%20of%20green%20technology%2C%20renewable%20energy%2C%20and%20global%20technological%20independence.

New atlas reveals rare earth deposits

As%20wildfire%20activity%20intensifies%20across%20the%20United%20States%2C%20NASA%20researchers%20have%20introduced%20an%20innovative%2C%20low-cost%20thermal%20monitoring%20system%20designed%20to%20enhance%20firefighter%20safety.%20Developed%20through%20NASA's%20FireSense%20initiative%2C%20the%20new%20sensors%20are%20being%20installed%20on%20firefighting%20bulldozers%20to%20warn%20operators%20when%20heat%20levels%20from%20nearby%20wildfires%20become%20hazardous.%20Beyond%20protecting%20crews%2C%20the%20technology%20also%20helps%20scientists%20gather%20critical%20data%20about%20fire%20behavior%20beneath%20forest%20canopies.%0A%0AIn%20April%2C%20wildfire%20experts%2C%20researchers%2C%20and%20firefighters%20met%20in%20southern%20Alabama%20to%20showcase%20the%20new%20technology%20and%20discuss%20emerging%20challenges%20in%20wildfire%20management.%20The%20demonstration%20was%20part%20of%20an%20ongoing%20partnership%20between%20NASA%20and%20the%20Alabama%20Forestry%20Commission%20(AFC)%2C%20focused%20on%20improving%20firefighter%20protection%20while%20advancing%20wildfire%20science.%0A%0AAccording%20to%20Ian%20Brosnan%2C%20Wildland%20Fire%20Program%20Manager%20at%20NASA's%20Ames%20Research%20Center%20in%20California%2C%20ground-based%20observations%20play%20a%20crucial%20role%20in%20complementing%20satellite%20data.%20Understanding%20conditions%20on%20the%20ground%20allows%20researchers%20to%20better%20interpret%20what%20they%20observe%20from%20space%20and%20develop%20more%20effective%20wildfire%20response%20tools.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EProtecting%20fire%20dozer%20Operators%20from%20extreme%20heat%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AFirefighters%20regularly%20rely%20on%20bulldozers%E2%80%94commonly%20known%20as%20fire%20dozers%E2%80%94to%20clear%20vegetation%20and%20construct%20firebreaks%20that%20help%20contain%20wildfires.%20Because%20these%20machines%20often%20operate%20only%20a%20short%20distance%20from%20active%20flames%2C%20operators%20face%20significant%20exposure%20to%20intense%20radiant%20heat.%0A%0AThe%20Alabama%20Forestry%20Commission%20is%20transitioning%20to%20enclosed-cab%20bulldozers%20known%20as%20%22envirocabs.%22%20While%20these%20cabs%20provide%20greater%20protection%20from%20smoke%20and%20debris%2C%20they%20also%20limit%20an%20operator's%20ability%20to%20accurately%20judge%20dangerous%20heat%20levels%20outside%20the%20vehicle.%0A%0AEthan%20Barrett%2C%20Fire%20Analyst%20for%20the%20AFC%2C%20explained%20that%20excessive%20heat%20can%20damage%20a%20bulldozer's%20electrical%20systems%20before%20visible%20signs%20of%20danger%20become%20apparent.%20Melted%20wiring%20or%20electrical%20failures%20can%20disable%20equipment%2C%20potentially%20leaving%20operators%20stranded%20in%20hazardous%20conditions.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ESimple%20technology%20with%20a%20big%20impact%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ATo%20address%20this%20challenge%2C%20NASA%20engineers%20developed%20a%20straightforward%20and%20affordable%20thermal%20alert%20system%20using%20readily%20available%20components.%20The%20AFC%20specifically%20requested%20a%20solution%20that%20would%20be%20cost-effective%2C%20reliable%2C%20and%20easy%20for%20firefighters%20to%20use%20in%20the%20field.%0A%0AJennifer%20Fowler%2C%20Science%20Integration%20Manager%20for%20NASA's%20Wildland%20Fire%20Program%20at%20Langley%20Research%20Center%2C%20noted%20that%20the%20system%20utilizes%20commercial%20off-the-shelf%20technology.%20The%20temperature%20sensor%2C%20or%20thermocouple%2C%20is%20similar%20to%20those%20commonly%20found%20in%20ovens%20and%20industrial%20kilns.%0A%0AThe%20thermocouple%20is%20connected%20to%20an%20LED%20warning%20light%20mounted%20on%20the%20bulldozer%20dashboard.%20When%20surrounding%20temperatures%20exceed%20a%20safe%20threshold%2C%20the%20light%20begins%20flashing%2C%20instantly%20alerting%20the%20operator.%20The%20entire%20system%20runs%20on%20standard%20AA%20batteries%2C%20making%20installation%20and%20maintenance%20simple.%0A%0ARyan%20Wade%2C%20a%20research%20scientist%20with%20the%20University%20of%20Alabama%20in%20Huntsville%20and%20NASA%20FireSense%2C%20emphasized%20that%20the%20project's%20innovation%20lies%20in%20rapidly%20adapting%20existing%20technology%20to%20solve%20a%20real-world%20problem%20rather%20than%20creating%20entirely%20new%20hardware.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ESuccessful%20field%20testing%20on%20wildfires%20and%20prescribed%20burns%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20first%20thermal%20sensor%20was%20installed%20in%20September%202025%2C%20followed%20by%20a%20second%20unit%20in%20March%202026.%20Since%20deployment%2C%20the%20sensors%20have%20been%20tested%20during%20active%20wildfires%20and%20prescribed%20burns%20across%20Alabama.%0A%0AAccording%20to%20AFC%20officials%2C%20the%20devices%20have%20consistently%20performed%20as%20intended%2C%20improving%20operator%20awareness%20and%20helping%20crews%20make%20safer%20decisions%20in%20dynamic%20fire%20environments.%20Encouraged%20by%20the%20positive%20results%2C%20the%20Alabama%20Forestry%20Commission%20is%20exploring%20plans%20to%20equip%20its%20entire%20bulldozer%20fleet%20with%20the%20technology.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EExpanding%20NASA%20and%20Alabama%20forestry%20collaboration%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20thermal%20sensor%20project%20represents%20the%20latest%20achievement%20in%20a%20growing%20collaboration%20between%20NASA%20and%20the%20Alabama%20Forestry%20Commission.%20Over%20the%20past%20year%2C%20NASA%20researchers%20have%20conducted%20training%20programs%20covering%20weather%20analysis%20and%20soil%20moisture%20monitoring%20while%20also%20partnering%20with%20AFC%20crews%20to%20evaluate%20airborne%20wildfire%20observation%20systems%20during%20active%20incidents.%0A%0ALooking%20ahead%2C%20the%20organizations%20plan%20to%20integrate%20NASA's%20Fire%20Thermal%20InfraRed%20Spectrometer%20(FireTIRS)%2C%20an%20advanced%20instrument%20capable%20of%20measuring%20fire%20temperature%2C%20spread%20rate%2C%20flame%20length%2C%20convection%20dynamics%2C%20and%20gas%20emissions.%0A%0AResearchers%20are%20also%20evaluating%20additional%20equipment%20for%20fire%20dozers%2C%20including%20compact%20weather%20sensors%20and%20onboard%20cameras.%20These%20tools%20can%20provide%20valuable%20information%20about%20wind%20conditions%2C%20fire%20spread%20patterns%2C%20burn%20severity%2C%20fuel%20consumption%2C%20and%20vegetation%20impacts.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EBuilding%20the%20future%20of%20wildfire%20prediction%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AScientists%20believe%20that%20collecting%20comprehensive%20field%20data%20from%20active%20fires%20will%20significantly%20improve%20next-generation%20wildfire%20models.%20By%20combining%20satellite%20observations%20with%20detailed%20ground%20measurements%2C%20researchers%20can%20develop%20more%20accurate%20forecasting%20tools%20and%20provide%20firefighters%20with%20earlier%20warnings%20about%20changing%20fire%20conditions.%0A%0AFowler%20emphasized%20that%20these%20new%20datasets%20will%20help%20create%20advanced%20predictive%20systems%20capable%20of%20anticipating%20wildfire%20behavior%20with%20greater%20precision.%20For%20firefighters%20operating%20on%20the%20front%20lines%2C%20even%20a%20few%20extra%20minutes%20of%20warning%20can%20make%20a%20critical%20difference%20in%20protecting%20lives%2C%20equipment%2C%20and%20communities.%0A%0AAs%20wildfire%20threats%20continue%20to%20grow%2C%20NASA's%20FireSense%20technology%20demonstrates%20how%20practical%2C%20low-cost%20innovations%20can%20simultaneously%20improve%20firefighter%20safety%20and%20advance%20wildfire%20research.

Smart NASA sensors help fight wildfires

A%20team%20of%20scientists%20led%20by%20Boston%20University%20engineering%20researcher%20Brian%20Walsh%20has%20introduced%20an%20innovative%20concept%20designed%20to%20protect%20Earth%20from%20dangerous%20space%20weather%20events.%20The%20proposed%20system%2C%20called%20StormWall%2C%20would%20deploy%20a%20constellation%20of%20spacecraft%20to%20reinforce%20Earth's%20magnetic%20defenses%20during%20powerful%20solar%20storms%2C%20potentially%20reducing%20their%20impact%20by%20up%20to%2050%25.%0A%0AThe%20idea%20arrives%20at%20a%20critical%20time%20as%20experts%20increasingly%20warn%20that%20modern%20technological%20infrastructure%20is%20highly%20susceptible%20to%20disruptions%20caused%20by%20solar%20activity.%20With%20societies%20relying%20heavily%20on%20satellites%2C%20communication%20systems%2C%20navigation%20technologies%2C%20and%20electrical%20grids%2C%20a%20major%20geomagnetic%20storm%20could%20trigger%20widespread%20economic%20and%20operational%20consequences.%0A%0AResearch%20conducted%20by%20scientists%20from%20Boston%20University%20and%20the%20University%20of%20Michigan%20indicates%20that%20StormWall%20could%20significantly%20weaken%20incoming%20solar%20storm%20energy%20before%20it%20reaches%20Earth's%20atmosphere.%20Their%20findings%20were%20recently%20published%20in%20the%20journal%20Space%20Weather.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EWhy%20space%20weather%20poses%20a%20growing%20global%20threat%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AUnlike%20hurricanes%2C%20floods%2C%20or%20earthquakes%2C%20space%20weather%20originates%20from%20the%20Sun.%20Solar%20flares%20and%20coronal%20mass%20ejections%20release%20enormous%20amounts%20of%20charged%20particles%20into%20space%2C%20which%20can%20interact%20with%20Earth's%20magnetic%20field%20and%20disrupt%20critical%20technologies.%0A%0AToday's%20global%20economy%20depends%20heavily%20on%20satellite-based%20systems.%20GPS%20technology%20supports%20transportation%20networks%2C%20precision%20agriculture%2C%20logistics%20operations%2C%20and%20financial%20services.%20Many%20banking%20transactions%20also%20rely%20on%20ultra-accurate%20timing%20signals%20transmitted%20by%20satellites.%0A%0AThe%20vulnerability%20of%20these%20systems%20became%20evident%20in%20May%202024%20when%20a%20severe%20solar%20storm%20interfered%20with%20GPS-guided%20farming%20equipment%20across%20several%20regions%20of%20the%20United%20States.%20The%20disruption%20affected%20planting%20and%20harvesting%20activities%2C%20resulting%20in%20estimated%20losses%20worth%20hundreds%20of%20millions%20of%20dollars.%0A%0ABeyond%20GPS%20failures%2C%20intense%20geomagnetic%20storms%20can%20damage%20satellites%2C%20interrupt%20radio%20communications%2C%20and%20generate%20powerful%20electrical%20currents%20capable%20of%20overwhelming%20power%20grids.%20Scientists%20have%20repeatedly%20cautioned%20that%20an%20extreme%20solar%20event%20could%20create%20significant%20global%20disruptions.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EStormWall%3A%20a%20new%20strategy%20for%20solar%20storm%20protection%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AMost%20current%20efforts%20to%20address%20space%20weather%20focus%20on%20forecasting%20solar%20activity%20and%20strengthening%20infrastructure%20to%20withstand%20potential%20impacts.%20StormWall%20introduces%20a%20different%20approach%20by%20attempting%20to%20reduce%20the%20threat%20before%20it%20reaches%20Earth.%0A%0AThe%20concept%20draws%20inspiration%20from%20a%20natural%20process%20occurring%20within%20Earth's%20magnetosphere%E2%80%94the%20magnetic%20shield%20that%20protects%20the%20planet%20from%20harmful%20solar%20radiation.%20Researchers%20observed%20that%20particles%20escaping%20Earth's%20upper%20atmosphere%20can%20help%20strengthen%20the%20outer%20boundaries%20of%20this%20protective%20field.%0A%0AThe%20StormWall%20system%20seeks%20to%20artificially%20enhance%20that%20process.%0A%0AUnder%20the%20proposed%20design%2C%20six%20spacecraft%20would%20be%20placed%20in%20geosynchronous%20orbit%20around%20Earth.%20Each%20satellite%20would%20carry%20reserves%20of%20alkaline%20elements%20such%20as%20lithium%20or%20barium.%0A%0AWhen%20released%20into%20space%2C%20these%20materials%20would%20become%20ionized%20by%20sunlight%2C%20creating%20a%20cloud%20of%20plasma%20near%20the%20outer%20edge%20of%20Earth's%20magnetic%20field.%20Researchers%20believe%20this%20artificial%20plasma%20layer%20could%20interfere%20with%20the%20energy%20transfer%20from%20incoming%20solar%20storms%2C%20redirecting%20a%20portion%20of%20the%20harmful%20effects%20away%20from%20the%20planet.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EComputer%20simulations%20show%20strong%20potential%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AAccording%20to%20the%20research%20team's%20simulations%2C%20StormWall%20could%20substantially%20reduce%20the%20intensity%20of%20major%20geomagnetic%20storms.%0A%0ABy%20injecting%20plasma%20into%20strategic%20regions%20of%20the%20magnetosphere%2C%20the%20system%20would%20create%20a%20temporary%20reinforcement%20layer%20that%20weakens%20incoming%20solar%20energy.%20Modeling%20results%20suggest%20that%20this%20intervention%20could%20lower%20storm%20severity%20by%20approximately%2050%25.%0A%0ASuch%20a%20reduction%20could%20help%20protect%20satellites%2C%20communication%20networks%2C%20navigation%20systems%2C%20and%20electrical%20infrastructure%20from%20severe%20damage.%0A%0AAlthough%20StormWall%20remains%20a%20theoretical%20concept%2C%20researchers%20emphasize%20that%20the%20science%20behind%20it%20is%20supported%20by%20established%20physics.%20They%20also%20note%20that%20modern%20launch%20capabilities%20are%20advanced%20enough%20to%20make%20such%20a%20mission%20technically%20feasible.%0A%0AThe%20proposal%20challenges%20the%20long-standing%20belief%20that%20humanity%20can%20only%20predict%20and%20endure%20solar%20storms.%20Instead%2C%20it%20introduces%20the%20possibility%20of%20actively%20mitigating%20space%20weather%20risks.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EFinancial%20challenges%20could%20limit%20deployment%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AWhile%20the%20concept%20appears%20promising%2C%20cost%20remains%20one%20of%20the%20biggest%20obstacles.%0A%0ALaunching%20six%20spacecraft%20carrying%20substantial%20quantities%20of%20material%20would%20require%20significant%20investment.%20In%20addition%2C%20the%20plasma-generating%20materials%20would%20be%20consumed%20during%20operation%20and%20could%20not%20be%20recovered%20or%20replenished%20once%20released.%0A%0AResearchers%20estimate%20the%20mission%20would%20require%20material%20volumes%20roughly%20equivalent%20to%20a%20dozen%20tanker%20trucks.%20However%2C%20they%20argue%20that%20the%20potential%20expense%20should%20be%20compared%20against%20the%20economic%20devastation%20that%20an%20extreme%20geomagnetic%20storm%20could%20cause.%0A%0AA%20modern%20event%20comparable%20to%20the%20historic%20Carrington%20Event%20of%201859%20could%20result%20in%20trillions%20of%20dollars%20in%20damages%20worldwide%2C%20affecting%20power%20systems%2C%20satellite%20infrastructure%2C%20telecommunications%20networks%2C%20and%20numerous%20sectors%20of%20the%20global%20economy.%0A%0AAs%20governments%20and%20private%20companies%20continue%20expanding%20investments%20in%20space-based%20technologies%2C%20preventive%20solutions%20like%20StormWall%20may%20become%20increasingly%20attractive.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EFuture%20development%20plans%20for%20StormWall%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20research%20team%20is%20already%20exploring%20methods%20to%20improve%20the%20system's%20efficiency%20and%20reduce%20overall%20costs.%0A%0AUpcoming%20studies%20will%20investigate%20whether%20smaller%20amounts%20of%20plasma-generating%20material%20could%20achieve%20similar%20protective%20effects.%20Scientists%20are%20also%20examining%20whether%20periodic%20plasma%20releases%20could%20extend%20the%20system's%20operational%20lifespan%20while%20minimizing%20resource%20consumption.%0A%0AAdditional%20research%20will%20focus%20on%20identifying%20the%20most%20effective%20chemical%20elements%20and%20evaluating%20alternative%20orbital%20configurations%20that%20may%20enhance%20performance.%0A%0AEnvironmental%20impacts%20are%20expected%20to%20be%20minimal.%20Researchers%20report%20that%20the%20charged%20particles%20released%20into%20space%20would%20naturally%20disperse%20and%20leave%20Earth's%20magnetosphere%20within%20hours%2C%20preventing%20long-term%20accumulation%20of%20space%20debris.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ECould%20space%20weather%20geoengineering%20become%20the%20future%3F%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AStormWall%20represents%20one%20of%20the%20most%20ambitious%20space%20weather%20mitigation%20concepts%20ever%20proposed.%20While%20still%20in%20its%20early%20stages%2C%20the%20project%20introduces%20a%20groundbreaking%20vision%20for%20protecting%20Earth%20from%20solar%20storms%20and%20geomagnetic%20disturbances.%0A%0ARather%20than%20relying%20solely%20on%20forecasting%20systems%20and%20emergency%20preparedness%2C%20future%20generations%20may%20be%20able%20to%20actively%20strengthen%20Earth's%20magnetic%20defenses%20against%20solar%20threats.%0A%0AIf%20ongoing%20research%20validates%20the%20initial%20simulation%20results%2C%20StormWall%20could%20usher%20in%20a%20new%20era%20of%20space%20weather%20protection%E2%80%94helping%20safeguard%20the%20satellites%2C%20communication%20networks%2C%20power%20grids%2C%20and%20digital%20infrastructure%20that%20modern%20civilization%20depends%20on%20every%20day.

Scientists develop StormWall for solar storms

Europe%20has%20expanded%20its%20Earth%20observation%20capabilities%20with%20the%20successful%20launch%20of%20two%20new%20satellites%20designed%20to%20monitor%20vegetation%2C%20oceans%2C%20land%2C%20ice%20and%20the%20atmosphere.%0A%0AThe%20FLEX%20and%20Sentinel-3C%20satellites%20were%20carried%20into%20orbit%20aboard%20a%20Vega-C%20rocket%20from%20Europe%E2%80%99s%20spaceport%20in%20Kourou%2C%20French%20Guiana.%20The%20launch%20marks%20an%20important%20step%20in%20improving%20scientists%E2%80%99%20understanding%20of%20Earth%E2%80%99s%20ecosystems%20and%20how%20they%20are%20being%20affected%20by%20a%20changing%20climate.%0A%0AKnown%20as%20mission%20VV30%2C%20the%20launch%20will%20provide%20researchers%20with%20new%20sources%20of%20environmental%20data%2C%20ranging%20from%20plant%20photosynthesis%20and%20water%20stress%20to%20ocean%20conditions%20and%20atmospheric%20changes.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EFLEX%20will%20observe%20photosynthesis%20from%20space%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20Fluorescence%20Explorer%2C%20or%20FLEX%2C%20is%20focused%20on%20one%20of%20the%20most%20fundamental%20biological%20processes%20on%20Earth%3A%20photosynthesis.%0A%0AIts%20primary%20objective%20is%20to%20investigate%20how%20vegetation%20functions%20and%20how%20plants%20react%20to%20environmental%20pressures%20such%20as%20drought%2C%20extreme%20temperatures%20and%20water%20shortages.%0A%0ADuring%20photosynthesis%2C%20plants%20release%20an%20extremely%20weak%20glow%20known%20as%20solar-induced%20fluorescence.%20Although%20this%20signal%20is%20invisible%20to%20the%20human%20eye%2C%20specialized%20satellite%20instruments%20can%20detect%20it.%0A%0ABy%20measuring%20this%20fluorescence%20from%20orbit%2C%20FLEX%20will%20provide%20scientists%20with%20valuable%20information%20about%20plant%20activity%20and%20health.%20Changes%20in%20the%20signal%20can%20indicate%20when%20vegetation%20is%20experiencing%20environmental%20stress%2C%20potentially%20allowing%20researchers%20to%20identify%20problems%20before%20they%20become%20visible%20through%20conventional%20satellite%20imagery.%0A%0AFLEX%20is%20expected%20to%20generate%20detailed%20maps%20of%20vegetation%20activity%20at%20a%20spatial%20resolution%20of%20approximately%20300%20by%20300%20metres.%20The%20satellite's%20planned%20operational%20lifetime%20is%20at%20least%20three%20and%20a%20half%20years.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ENew%20data%20could%20improve%20climate%20research%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AUnderstanding%20how%20plants%20respond%20to%20heat%2C%20drought%20and%20other%20environmental%20pressures%20is%20increasingly%20important%20as%20climate%20change%20alters%20ecosystems%20around%20the%20world.%0A%0AVegetation%20plays%20a%20major%20role%20in%20the%20global%20carbon%20cycle%20by%20absorbing%20carbon%20dioxide%20through%20photosynthesis.%20More%20precise%20measurements%20of%20plant%20activity%20could%20therefore%20help%20researchers%20improve%20climate%20models%20and%20better%20understand%20interactions%20between%20ecosystems%20and%20the%20atmosphere.%0A%0AThe%20FLEX%20mission%20also%20has%20significant%20involvement%20from%20Spain.%20Jos%C3%A9%20Moreno%2C%20a%20professor%20at%20the%20University%20of%20Valencia%20and%20principal%20investigator%20for%20FLEX%2C%20leads%20the%20mission's%20scientific%20team.%20Spain%20has%20played%20an%20important%20role%20in%20the%20development%20of%20the%20European%20Space%20Agency%20project.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ESentinel-3C%20expands%20Europe's%20earth%20observation%20network%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AFLEX%20was%20launched%20alongside%20Sentinel-3C%2C%20the%20latest%20spacecraft%20in%20the%20Sentinel-3%20series%20operated%20as%20part%20of%20Europe's%20Copernicus%20Earth%20observation%20programme.%0A%0ASentinel-3C%20is%20designed%20to%20continuously%20collect%20information%20about%20the%20oceans%2C%20Earth's%20land%20surface%2C%20ice%20and%20atmosphere.%20Its%20observations%20will%20support%20environmental%20monitoring%2C%20climate%20research%20and%20weather%20forecasting.%0A%0AThe%20satellite%20joins%20Sentinel-3A%20and%20Sentinel-3B%2C%20extending%20the%20continuity%20of%20a%20mission%20that%20has%20been%20gathering%20environmental%20observations%20for%20years.%0A%0ASentinel-3C%20is%20expected%20to%20eventually%20replace%20Sentinel-3A%2C%20which%20has%20been%20operating%20since%202016.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ECombining%20satellite%20data%20for%20a%20broader%20view%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AAlthough%20FLEX%20and%20Sentinel-3C%20travelled%20aboard%20the%20same%20Vega-C%20rocket%2C%20the%20satellites%20will%20initially%20operate%20in%20different%20orbital%20configurations.%0A%0AScientists%20will%20ultimately%20be%20able%20to%20combine%20observations%20from%20the%20two%20missions.%20FLEX's%20measurements%20of%20photosynthetic%20activity%20can%20be%20compared%20with%20complementary%20environmental%20information%20collected%20by%20Sentinel-3%20satellites.%0A%0ATogether%2C%20these%20datasets%20could%20provide%20a%20more%20detailed%20picture%20of%20how%20vegetation%20reacts%20to%20changing%20temperatures%2C%20water%20availability%20and%20other%20environmental%20conditions.%0A%0AThe%20launch%20strengthens%20Europe's%20growing%20network%20of%20Earth%20observation%20satellites%20and%20gives%20researchers%20new%20tools%20to%20monitor%20ecosystem%20health%20and%20track%20the%20environmental%20impacts%20of%20climate%20change%20from%20space.I%20can%20also%20prepare%20the%20SEO%20title%2C%20meta%20description%2C%20and%20a%20%E2%89%A450-character%20headline%20for%20this%20article.