Lifeboat Foundation

Engineers at the University of Pennsylvania have found a new way to build and package microbatteries that drastically improve energy and power density even at the smallest sizes. They developed a new kind of current collector and cathode that increases the fraction of materials that store energy while simultaneously serving as a protective shell. This reduces the need for non-conductive packaging that normally protects a battery’s sensitive internal chemicals.

It weighs the same as two grains of rice but has the energy density of a much larger, heavier battery.

Three scientists on Tuesday won the Nobel Physics Prize, including the first woman to receive the prestigious award in 55 years, for inventing Chirped-pulse amplification, or CPA. The 9-million-Swedish-kronor award (about $1 million) will be doled out to Arthur Ashkin of Bell Laboratories in Holmdel, N.J., Gérard Mourou of École Polytechnique in Palaiseau, France, and Donna Strickland of the University of Waterloo in Canada. This is a technique for creating ultrashort, yet extremely high-energy laser pulses necessary in a variety of applications. It is remarkable what can be achieved with lasers in research and in applications, and there are many good reasons for it, including their coherence, frequency stability, and controllability, but for some applications, the thing that really matters is raw power. Article by Dr. Olivier Alirol, Physicist, Resonance Science Foundation Research Scientist.

Although we expect the Ford Mustang Mach-E will be a hit, the reality that Ford emblazoned its all-electric crossover with a pony logo and the historic Mustang brand has turned off many fanatics. The answer is still out on whether the Mach-E will be a long-term plus or bad for the Mustang. Lichen Zhang, who regularly shares some cool-looking vehicle designs, has created this futuristic Ford Mustang EV. As a result, this design lacks the classic style we’ve come to anticipate from Mustangs in previous generations, while there are some clues of the past, notably in the front end. With a steeply sloped roof, huge haunches, and the kind of visage that reinforces the idea it’s after our lunch money, this 2,030 Ford Mustang EV “prototype” is surely a head-turner. The shape has a prominent beltline that leads to a somewhat narrow cockpit, making it difficult to seat two people side by side. Moreover, the rear end features an entirely new take on the Mustang’s renowned tri-bar taillights, which appear as if a wild animal has just scratched them somewhat. Nonetheless, this futuristic 2,030 Ford Mustang EV drawing signals a whole new trend in Mustang aesthetics, and we have to question if it’s a viable possibility. Anything is possible, considering The Blue Oval’s bravery in calling a battery-electric crossover a Mustang and the intrepid design of the current, third-gen Ford GT.Returning to reality for a moment, there is already a Ford Mustang EV in the form of the Mach-E, and we’re convinced that a hybrid will follow in the coming years. The hybrid, which will appear with the next-generation Mustang in 2,023 will, nevertheless, probably dominate much, if not all, of its gas-powered sibling’s appearance. We wouldn’t count out a major shift in automobile design as the industry switches to battery electric power.

Parkin Research.

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Seeing the environmental crises rising particularly because of the construction sector, more conscious choices regarding building materials need to be considered. Since the beginning of our craft, architects and constructors have been trying to utilize natural materials in buildings—either used in their raw form, like bamboo, or processed and incorporated into different materials. Hempcrete is one type of concrete incorporating natural materials; it is energy-saving and durable.

SpaceX is reportedly partnering with Canadian tech startup Geometric Energy Corporation to launch a billboard into orbit around Earth.

Energy storage ideas.

Mateo Jaramillo sees the future of renewable energy in thousands of iron pellets rusting away in a laboratory in Somerville, Massachusetts.

Jaramillo is chief executive of Form Energy, a company that recently announced what it says is a breakthrough in a global race: how to store renewable energy for long periods of time.

Honda may have dragged its feet for years when it came to electric two-wheelers, but the company has now released a number of new and interesting designs. The latest is the ultra-affordable Honda U-GO electric scooter.

Honda launched the U-GO through its Chinese arm Wuyang-Honda as a follow-up to its other low-cost Chinese electric scooters designed purely for urban riding.

The company announced two versions of the U-GO with different speeds and power levels.

In a major breakthrough, scientists have created time crystals which continuously and repeatedly change their state over time, without either absorbing or dissipating any energy, thus becoming true perpetual motion machines.