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CraigD

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Post and discuss interesting articles & videos about science and technology.

You don't need to be an expert - just interested in the wonders of modern science, technology, and the history of these fields.

Please keep it rational, and post articles from reputable sources.
Try not to editorialise headlines and keep the copy to just a paragraph with a link to the original source. When quoting excerpts from articles, I think the best method is to italicise the copy, and include a link to the source.

Have some fun with your comments and discussions... just keep the sources legitimate.

Other threads:
The Break Room has a number of other popular threads, so there is no need to post material here that is better suited to these other threads:

- Covid19-Coronavirus updates and news
- Conspiracy Thread Free For All
- The *religious* discussion thread


Please enjoy!
 
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The views expressed on this page by users and staff are their own, not those of NamePros.
World's First EV Battery 3D Printer

Sakuu Corporation (previously KeraCel Inc) has today announced a revolutionary new industrial-grade 3D printer for e-mobility batteries. The breakthrough technology will unlock the mainstream adoption of EV and e-mobility vehicles by solving the previous issues of cost, performance, sustainability, and range. Offering an industrial scale 'local' battery production capability, the Sakuu technology is likely to significantly expedite the use of EV's, by providing increased manufacturer and consumer confidence.

Backed by leading Japanese automotive parts supplier to major OEMs, Musashi Seimitsu, Sakuu is set to enable fast and high-volume production of 3D printed solid-state batteries (SSBs) that, compared to lithium-ion batteries, have the same capacity yet are half the size and almost a third lighter. The company's KeraCel- branded SSBs will also use around 30%-50% fewer materials - which can be sourced locally - to achieve the same energy levels as lithium-ion options, significantly reducing production costs. Additionally, Sakuu's SSBs will offer improved safety and sustainability benefits.


https://www.advancedbatteriesresearch.com/articles/23809/worlds-first-ev-battery-3d-printer

So many '1sts' happening at a user level with technology. I remember a favourite author saying in one of his books (Surpetition, by Edward de Bono,1992) that technology is fast becoming a commodity - that what will really matter are the application concepts.

"industrial scale 'local' battery production capability" - It will be interesting to see just how much, how far, 3D printing will be able to allow for more local manufacturing of things.
 
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Next-gen battery electrolyte made from wood offers record conductivity

Today's lithium batteries commonly use a liquid electrolyte to carry ions between the two electrodes, but scientists eyeing solid alternatives see some exciting opportunities ahead. Among them are the authors of a new study who have used cellulose derived from wood as the basis for one of these solid electrolytes, which is paper-thin and can bend and flex to absorb stress as the battery cycles.

One shortcoming of the electrolytes used in today's lithium batteries is that they contain volatile liquids that carry a risk of fire if the device short circuits, and can promote the formation of tentacle-like growths called dendrites that compromise performance. Solid electrolytes, meanwhile, can be made from non-flammable materials, make the device less prone to dendrite formation, and might open up entirely new possibilities around battery architecture.

https://newatlas.com/materials/batt...ail&utm_term=0_65b67362bd-241f39e8b3-90628689
 
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Algae-purified wastewater used to raise fish

Presently, in order to purify wastewater, antibacterial chemicals and ultraviolet light are among the measures commonly used. According to a new international study, however, the utilization of algae may be a more eco-friendly and energy-efficient alternative, resulting in water that's clean enough for use in aquaculture.

It was already known that algae breaks down and feeds upon waterborne compounds such as phosphorous, nitrogen, carbon and heavy metals. Additionally, as algae absorbs nutrients and blocks sunlight in the water, it outcompetes microorganisms such as harmful bacteria, causing them to starve.

With these factors in mind, scientists from India's Shoolini University collected Pseudochlorella pringsheimii algae from a natural pond, then cultivated it in tanks of raw urban wastewater that contained heavy metal pollutants and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. After 14 days, it was found that the heavy metal levels had dropped drastically, and the bacteria were almost completely eliminated.

Once centrifugal force had been utilized to remove the algae, both treated and untreated wastewater was used to raise separate batches of sucker fish. Although no fish survived in the untreated water, 84 percent of them survived in the treated water – what's more, their body weight increased by 47 percent over a 10-day period.

And as a side benefit, it was determined that lipids produced by the harvested algae could be processed into biofuel.

https://newatlas.com/environment/al...ail&utm_term=0_65b67362bd-241f39e8b3-90628689
 
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I don't think Monbiot is denying that climate change is already here. He's saying that having a sense of futility won't do us any good. If you read through all the dramatic changes implemented by the War effort, you will see that it's possible for massive technological and cultural change to occur in a short period of time. Since we're in such dire circumstances with regard to the climate, we might be at a point where people are willing to take action and to force their elected officials to do the same. We can't reverse all the damage that's already been done, but it might be possible to prevent continuing damage.

I understand your point, but just wanted to present another perspective.
Yes, I know that he is not denying climate change. My point is that I think that he is mixing different things in terms of time magnitude. You can combat a pandemic or a war in months. But you cannot combat climate change in months. Just that (y)
 
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For The First Time Ever, Evidence of Ancient Life Was Discovered Inside a Ruby

https://www.sciencealert.com/evidence-of-ancient-life-has-been-found-trapped-inside-a-ruby

"A ruby that formed in Earth's crust 2.5 billion years ago encases evidence for early life, wriggling around in the planet's mud.

Trapped within the precious stone, geologists have identified residue of a form of pure carbon called graphite that, they say, is most likely biological in origin, the remains of some ancient microorganism from the time before multicellular life emerged on Earth.

"The graphite inside this ruby is really unique. It's the first time we've seen evidence of ancient life in ruby-bearing rocks," said geologist Chris Yakymchuk of the University of Waterloo in Canada."
 
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What Happens if 4 Electrons Join Up? A Brand New State of Matter Says a Recent Study

https://www.sciencealert.com/experi...rand-new-state-of-matter-electron-quadruplets

"Almost 20 years after researchers first predicted electron quadruplets, evidence of their existence has been shown to occur in experimental setups, representing a brand new state of matter that opens up a whole new field of possibilities in physics.

Technically what we're talking about here is fermionic quadrupling, referring to the type of particles involved and how they're interacting with each other. Now that scientists have found it, they can get to work on figuring out how to use it.

"The experiments open up a number of new questions, revealing a number of other unusual properties associated with its reaction to thermal gradients, magnetic fields, and ultrasound that still have to be better understood," says Babaev.

The research has been published in Nature Physics."
 
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NASA targeting Feb. 2022 to launch new lunar program Artemis

https://phys.org/news/2021-10-nasa-feb-lunar-artemis.html

"NASA said Friday it is now targeting February 2022 for the uncrewed lunar mission Artemis 1, the first step in America's plan to return humans to the Moon later this decade.

The space agency had initially wanted to launch the test flight by the end of this year, with astronauts on the ground by 2024 on Artemis 3, but the timeline has slipped back.

It achieved a major milestone Wednesday when it stacked the Orion crew capsule atop its Space Launch System megarocket, which now stands 322 feet (98 meters) tall inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

"The February launch period opens on the 12th and our last opportunity in February is on the 27th," said Mike Sarafin, Artemis 1 mission manager.

The next windows are in March and then April.

These potential launch periods are dependent on orbital mechanics and the relative position of the Earth with respect to its natural satellite"
 
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Growing Crops Under Solar Panels? Now There’s a Bright Idea

In the new scientific field of agrivoltaics, researchers are showing how panels can increase yields and reduce water use on a warming planet.

Plants need sunlight, but some need less than others, and indeed get stressed by too many photons. Shading those crops means they will require less water, which rapidly evaporates in an open field. Plus, plants “sweat,” which cools the panels overhead and boosts their efficiency.

“It is a rare win-win-win,” says Greg Barron-Gafford, an earth system scientist at University of Arizona who’s studying agrivoltaics. “By growing these crops in the shade of solar arrays, we reduce the amount of that intense sunlight that bakes off the water and stresses out the plant.”


Science_inline_Agrivoltaic-potatoes.jpg


https://www.wired.com/story/growing-crops-under-solar-panels-now-theres-a-bright-idea/?
 
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How Much Does a 3D Printed House Cost in 2021?

As we mentioned above, it’s hard to give an exact cost or price of a 3D printed building in 2021, as it depends on the structure’s size and complexity. The simple answer would be that, in this day and age, it’s possible to 3D print a house for as low as $4,000. And that covers the structure of the house (i.e. base, walls, and roof) and in some cases, wiring. Pricing then depends on that construction cost, the area the house is built in, and its purpose.

Looking at the different values, you will have noticed that the price for the East 17th Street Residences is quite high in comparison to cheaper and smaller 3D printed houses. For high-end projects with 3D printing concrete and additional construction components, you can expect the costs and prices to be higher, but from what we’ve seen, they’re never more than those of comparable, conventionally built houses.

As time goes on, we predict more and more companies will move towards the construction of 3D printed buildings. This, combined with ever-advancing technologies, should bring prices down and quality and quantity up. And that’s great! After all, who doesn’t want to see a world with greater access to safe, affordable homes?


https://all3dp.com/2/3d-printed-house-cost/

I'm looking forward to having a 3D printed house, and looking forward to one that's at least partially 4D printed. Thinking to make a project or 2 of them using some of my .com domains that are in that direction.
 
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How Much Does a 3D Printed House Cost in 2021?
I'm looking forward to having a 3D printed house, and looking forward to one that's at least partially 4D printed. Thinking to make a project or 2 of them using some of my .com domains that are in that direction.

Let me know if you do a 3D printed Tiny Home project, I'd be happy to do a review. (y)
 
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Let me know if you do a 3D printed Tiny Home project, I'd be happy to do a review. (y)

I asked my wife what she would want - a 3D printed regular type/'sensible' home, or a mansion. She said "Mansion".

https://www.google.com/search?q=3d+printed+mansion&rlz=1C1CHBD_enCA897CA897&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=Y3dvlAVN8y37gM%2CYvMEdO8yqKkgHM%2C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kQMFbHqyPvbzit3U084N-dfYi2wSQ&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=2ahUKEwin9bb23-HzAhVA_7sIHXunDLIQ_h16BAgJEAM&biw=1536&bih=722&dpr=1.25#imgrc=Y3dvlAVN8y37gM

The cost of the printed mansion in the 1st 2 pics was supposed to have been 161,000.00, built in 2013-14 in China, using recycled materials and quick drying concrete. It's supposed to withstand a 8.0 earthquake.

But I'm inclined toward functionalism, and since I'd be doing the project....... :)

Is there such a thing as a truly functional mansion?

3d printed tiny homes:

https://www.google.com/search?q=3d+...ZAzkQ_AUoAnoECAEQBA&biw=1536&bih=722&dpr=1.25
 
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I asked my wife what she would want - a 3D printed regular type/'sensible' home, or a mansion. She said "Mansion".

The cost of the printed mansion in the 1st 2 pics was supposed to have been 161,000.00, built in 2013-14 in China, using recycled materials and quick drying concrete. It's supposed to withstand a 8.0 earthquake.

But I'm inclined toward functionalism, and since I'd be doing the project....... :)

Is there such a thing as a truly functional mansion?

Currently there is a housing shortage, and market prices are going throught the roof! Affordability is a huge problem, and running costs are always going up. Heating large living areas is just not practical and many people who have recently purchased will likely feel house poor in the not-too-distant future. I can see future communities in well-insulated 3D printed condos (made using recycled/sustainable materials) that include shared solar power generation and heating. These units will be standard sized (like sea-cans) stacked to speed construction (y)

iu
 
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Currently there is a housing shortage, and market prices are going throught the roof! Affordability is a huge problem, and running costs are always going up. Heating large living areas is just not practical and many people who have recently purchased will likely feel house poor in the not-too-distant future. I can see future communities in well-insulated 3D printed condos (made using recycled/sustainable materials) that include shared solar power generation and heating. These units will be standard sized (like sea-cans) stacked to speed construction (y)

iu

For what it's worth, an article from Axios today. It gives an indication of where things look to be headed:

3D-printed houses poised to go mainstream

3D-printed cement houses are about to take off, offering a cheaper, more efficient way to provide homes for those who need them — as long as they can be built in ways that don't worsen climate change.

Why it matters: Developers of 3D-printed homes think they can take on multiple challenges: the affordable housing crisis, the shortage of skilled labor and rising material costs.

https://www.axios.com/3d-printed-ho...ing-406555c2-9c51-4ff5-b9c4-affcc6805e49.html
 
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Blue Origin and Sierra Space developing commercial space station

Blue Origin and Sierra Space today announced plans for Orbital Reef, a commercially developed, owned, and operated space station to be built in low Earth orbit. The station will open the next chapter of human space exploration and development by facilitating the growth of a vibrant ecosystem and business model for the future. Orbital Reef is backed by space industry leaders and teammates including Boeing, Redwire Space, Genesis Engineering Solutions, and Arizona State University.

Designed to open multiple new markets in space, Orbital Reef will provide anyone with the opportunity to establish their own address on orbit. This unique destination will offer research, industrial, international, and commercial customers the cost competitive end-to-end services they need including space transportation and logistics, space habitation, equipment accommodation, and operations including onboard crew. The station will start operating in the second half of this decade.

https://www.blueorigin.com/news/orbital-reef-commercial-space-station?Oct 25, 2021


 
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Blue Origin and Sierra Space developing commercial space station

I had no idea there was such broad interest and research being conducted on this outside of NASA and the billionaires.

Arizona State University (ASU) leads a global consortium of universities, the Orbital Reef University Advisory Council. Comprising more than a dozen leading academic institutions with expertise in space and microgravity research, the University Research Advisory Council will focus academic community needs, stimulate research, advise novice researchers, evolve standards of conduct, and lead STEM outreach.
 
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I had no idea there was such broad interest and research being conducted on this outside of NASA and the billionaires.

Arizona State University (ASU) leads a global consortium of universities, the Orbital Reef University Advisory Council. Comprising more than a dozen leading academic institutions with expertise in space and microgravity research, the University Research Advisory Council will focus academic community needs, stimulate research, advise novice researchers, evolve standards of conduct, and lead STEM outreach.

FAR behind China.
USA has fallen behind.
 
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I wanna get me one of these! :woot:


More on Jetson One...

 
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I had no idea there was such broad interest and research being conducted on this outside of NASA and the billionaires.

Maybe when they started hearing about asteroids worth more than our planet....(?)

https://www.google.com/search?q=met...me..69i57.25997j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

I'd like to see humanity share more in what could come from space activities. My .com for a possible future space for humanity project: SpaceforHumanity

https://spaceforhumanity.org/ is developed.
 
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I wanna get me one of these! :woot:


More on Jetson One...



Only 15 minutes fly time, though:

"The flight endurance is pretty disappointing: an 85 kg (187 lb) pilot can expect just 15 minutes of airborne giggles before the battery needs to go back on the charger, presumably for a decent chunk of time."

https://newatlas.com/aircraft/jetson-aero-personal-evtol/

But some new batteries are coming:

"Energy density is a constant pursuit for those who make batteries for electric vehicles. If the clunky batteries found in electric cars and trucks could simply be made lighter, the vehicles would have far better range.

In fact, California–based startup Cuberg says by using light-weight lithium metal, its batteries can provide 70% increased range and capacity, as reported in TechCrunch.
The only problem? It isn’t cost effective on the ground, and it likely won't be for nearly a decade.

That’s why Cuberg has its eye on the sky."

https://www.morningbrew.com/emergin...XCmM_7xALJc-1635301678-0-gqNtZGzNA1CjcnBszQk9
 
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3-D Printed Houses Are Sprouting Near Austin as Demand for Homes Grows

"A major home builder is teaming with a Texas startup to create a community of 100 3-D printed homes near Austin, gearing up for what would be by far the biggest development of this type of housing in the U.S."

https://www.wsj.com/articles/3-d-pr...-for-homes-grows-11635240601?mod=hp_lead_pos5

On the issue of the 3D printed layered look that some - probably most - wouldn't care for having too much of in the interiors, I'm thinking they could consider things like coating walls with something like hemp plaster that has wax beads in it, which can absorb heat during the day and release it slowly when things cool down. Built in temperature control.

Another option could be adding colourant to drywall mud and coating out walls with that:

https://www.frescoharmony.com/gallery/

I'd probably sheet the walls with something like fibafuse 1st, though, to help prevent cracking, or help prevent any cracking from showing through:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Saint-G...and-Plaster-Repair-Fabric-FDW8442-U/204117902

Going the fibafuse route and coating it out with drywall mud, you should be able to paint it as well and have it look good, if wanted.
 
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Has anyone invested or thought about investing in science / tech related projects

If so, what?
 
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Has anyone invested or thought about investing in science / tech related projects

If so, what?

One's own projects? Other people's projects? Both? .....?
 
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Anything, both

Right now I'm looking to invest some time and $ in a couple tech projects I started a few years ago.

One is to upgrade a custom material pump system I built a few years ago, so it can handle chemical set compounds like what they're using to 3d print houses with. The goal is to come up with a pump system that could help solve some issues current pump systems have.

Probably will also be investing some time and $ over the winter on an asphalt repair system I built a prototype of a few years ago. It showed good promise in addressing some of the problems with similar equipment, and I need to upgrade it further for field testing, to make sure it can do what's needed.

After that..... I've techforhumanity in .com, which I'm thinking to make a subcategory to my forhumanity (.com) project I'm working on. I'll be investing more time and $ on that.

Going back to your original question, of "Has anyone invested or thought about investing in science / tech related projects. If so, what?": Any particular reason why you're asking?
 
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