🛰️ 500% more EV range with Panasonic’s battery, China launches first ‘reusable’ satellite, 600-pound dinosaur skull found

Panasonic is set to begin mass production of the 4680 battery that will increase energy density and boost EV range efficiency by 500%.

Panasonic maintains that the 4680 cylindrical automotive lithium-ion batteries offer substantial improvements over the conventional 2170 cells. The company claims that these new cells possess five times the energy capacity of the 2170 cell.

This not only extends the driving range of EVs but also reduces the number of cells required for the same battery pack capacity. Dive deeper into this Must-Read.

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🚗 500% more EV range: Panasonic’s 4680 battery to skyrocket electric vehicle efficiency

Panasonic Energy claimed that it has leveraged its 30 years of know-how in the development of cylindrical lithium-ion battery technology to pioneer a mass production method for high-performance 4680 cells, setting a benchmark in the industry.

The company maintained that Wakayama factory in Western Japan will now act as the mother factory for the production of 4680 cells and will serve as a demonstration hub for new products and methods.

The factory will play a key role enhancing product quality and competitiveness, with processes newly trialed there set to be implemented globally in other factories. By March 2025, it is expected that roughly 400 staff will be involved in the development and production of next-generation batteries at the Wakayama factory, according to Panasonic.

🛰️ China launches first ‘reusable’ satellite Shijian-19 for seed science research

China has achieved a significant milestone in its space program with the successful launch of the Shijian-19, marking the country’s first foray into reusable satellite technology and paving the way for advancements in space-based research and development.

The Shijian-19 was successfully launched into orbit by a Long March 2D (CZ-2D) rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

Researchers aim to use it for space experiments and to develop new space technologies, supporting areas like microgravity and space life science. It will also conduct space breeding experiments to speed up innovation in germplasm resources.

🦕 72 million-year-old giant dinosaur skull weighing 600 pounds discovered

Recently, an exciting discovery emerged from “one of the densest dinosaur beds in North America:” a dinosaur skull weighing 600 pounds (272 kg) has been unearthed.

Last week, paleontologists transported this 72-million-year-old fossil, securely covered in plaster, from Alberta’s badlands to the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum, marking a significant addition to the museum’s collection.

As the second adult specimen recovered from this rich deposit of dinosaur bones, it belonged to the Pachyrhinosaurus, a relative of the Triceratops, famously remembered as Sarah from the classic dinosaur animated feature The Land Before Time.

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