🚀 China develops new hypersonic engine, Scientists developing hydrogen jet engine for green aviation, XPENG unveils humanoid robot 'Iron' with 60 joints

Engineers in Beijing have developed the RRDE, a new hypersonic engine that combines a ramjet with a rotary detonation engine. This innovative design aims to boost the efficiency of high-speed flight.

In tests, the RRDE achieved stable operation at speeds up to Mach 4.2, with a 1.6 increase in pressure.

While challenges remain, this technology represents a potential breakthrough for hypersonic propulsion. Explore further with this Must-Read.

🔥Today’s job of the day as featured on jobs.interestingengineering.com:

> System Engineer

Reading Time: 4 mins

Did a friend forward this e-mail to you? Subscribe here.

MUST-READ

🚀 China creates new Ram-Rotor Detonation Engine to boost hypersonic flight

Chinese researchers have developed a new hypersonic engine concept called the Ram-Rotor Detonation Engine (RRDE). This innovative design combines a ramjet with a rotary detonation engine.

The RRDE uses rotating blades in a helical pattern to compress, ignite, and expand fuel and air within a single unit. This design allows the engine to operate at various speeds and addresses limitations of existing detonation engines, such as discontinuous thrust and low start-up speeds.

Simulations and tests using a hydrogen-air fuel mix have shown promising results, with the RRDE achieving stable operation at speeds up to Mach 4.2 and a pressure gain of 1.6.

✈️ Swiss scientists plan powerful hydrogen engine to propel green aviation

Researchers at ETH Zurich are tackling the challenge of adapting jet engines to run on hydrogen, paving the way for a greener future in aviation.

A key focus of this research is understanding the acoustic behavior of hydrogen flames and their impact on engine vibrations. By recreating real flight conditions in a controlled environment, the team is able to measure these acoustics and provide valuable data for optimizing the design of injection nozzles and combustion chambers.

This collaboration with GE Aerospace aims to develop a high-performance hydrogen engine for ground testing in the coming years.

🤖 China’s EV maker XPENG unveils Iron robot with 60 joints to mimic human movements

Xpeng, a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, has revealed its first humanoid robot named Iron at its 2024 AI Day event. This 5'8" robot, powered by Xpeng's own Turing AI chip, comes with over 60 joints and 200 degrees of freedom.

According to Xpeng, Iron has been designed to become a versatile assistant in various settings, from offices and stores to homes, where it can handle administrative tasks and customer service.

Besides, Xpeng recently showcased its Kunang super-electric system for EVs, featuring an 800V silicon carbide platform and ultra-fast charging capabilities.

Love what you're reading, but too many emails? Sign up to IE+ to get Blueprint Weekly, our exclusive weekly premium newsletter that gives all the insights you love in a more digestible weekly format– plus, enjoy an Ad-Free experience on our website. Try IE+ today for just $1 in the first month. Subscribe here

HOT TOPICS OF THE DAY

SCIENCE

> At CERN's Geneva facility, scientists are pursuing a dual research objective: achieving more precise measurements of the Higgs boson's properties while simultaneously searching for evidence of "new physics" beyond the Standard Model. (More)

> Cassius, the world's largest captive crocodile and a Guinness World Record holder, passed away last week in Australia at the age of 110+. Researchers are now studying his remains to determine his exact age and uncover the secrets to his long life. (More)

> CERN's next director-general, Mark Thomson, fully supports building a new, more powerful particle collider. He believes this is the best path forward for both CERN and scientific advancement. (More)

ENERGY

> Russia launched its newest nuclear-powered icebreaker, "Chukotka," capable of breaking through 2.8 meters of ice. This addition to their fleet aims to increase cargo traffic along the Northern Sea Route. (More)

> Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory achieved a major breakthrough by running a neutron production system for 1,250 hours using a 1.7-megawatt proton beam. This successful demonstration using their Spallation Neutron Source confirms the US can produce neutrons at a large scale for advancing scientific research. (More)

> New research shows power grids with high reliance on renewable energy sources like solar and wind actually experience less severe blackouts. This is encouraging news as nations transition to cleaner energy to combat climate change. (More)

INNOVATION

> Researchers suggest readily available technology could help humans survive on Mars by converting carbon dioxide into usable resources. This involves using thermoelectric generators to power the conversion process, harnessing energy from temperature differences in the Martian environment. (More)

> YouTuber Mark Rober unveiled "Rocky", a robot designed to be unbeatable at rock, paper, scissors. Using advanced technology to predict and counter moves, Rocky reigns supreme in the classic game. (More)

> An AI model, trained on videos of goats, can now identify when they are in pain with up to 80% accuracy. This technology could lead to better pain management in animals and could eventually be used to help non-verbal patients as well. (More)

VIDEO

> Tank-hunter aircraft like the A-10 Warthog and AH-64 Apache were once the kings of the battlefield, destroying armored threats with ease. But the rise of modern air defense systems has put these powerful aircraft at greater risk. As the battlefield evolves, these once-dominant fighters face new challenges and questions about their future in modern warfare. (More)

> Metal music and gaming have always had a close connection, fueling creativity and passion for both. But can this shared energy inspire a new wave of music? Hear from While She Sleeps, Polyphia, and TesseracT as they explore the unique bond between metal and gaming. (More)

FROM THE WEB

> Identity of casts of victims at Pompeii not all they seem, research suggests

> Webb telescope reveals rapid growth of primordial black hole

> How scientists are zapping the brain to help treat drug and alcohol addiction

> Could this stem cell study point to a therapy for women struggling with fertility?

> Why do wet dogs shake? Biologists discover the neural mechanism behind this hairy mammalian tactic

> UK's oldest satellite is thousands of miles from where it should be and nobody knows why