• The Blueprint
  • Posts
  • Neuralink’s second patient plays Counter-Strike 2 with thoughts, China’s method can produce H2O on moon at large scale, US Air Force buys ‘first-of-a-kind’ tech to remove nuclear threats from water

Neuralink’s second patient plays Counter-Strike 2 with thoughts, China’s method can produce H2O on moon at large scale, US Air Force buys ‘first-of-a-kind’ tech to remove nuclear threats from water

Plus: US perfects lithium vapor cave, breaks nuclear fusion reactor heat barrier

In Coordination with Progressive Recruitment

Progressive Recruitment connects manufacturing, construction and energy industry experts with organisations to build meaningful relationships.

Elon Musk’s Neuralink has reached a significant milestone, revealing that the second human recipient of its brain chip is now utilizing the implant to play the well-known PC game Counter-Strike 2.

The patient, named Alex, suffered a spinal cord injury that resulted in the loss of control over his limbs. Last month, Alex underwent surgery to receive the brain chip, and the results are already making waves. For more on this development, check out our Must-Read.

Reading Time: 4 mins

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

MUST-READ

According to Neuralink, this advanced technology holds the promise of allowing individuals with severe physical disabilities, such as quadriplegia, to regain a degree of autonomy by operating computer-controlled devices with their thoughts.

Since receiving the implant, Alex has been able to use it to remotely control a mouse on his laptop, opening new possibilities for interaction with digital environments.

The search for water resources on the moon has been a top priority for space explorers. Multiple missions previously focused on finding natural water reserves that could actually benefit human civilization on lunar soil.

Now, scientists in China have introduced a revolutionary method to develop water from lunar soil. Their method produces 50 liters (13 gallons) of water from a tonne of lunar soil.

Developed after observing lunar rock samples brought to Earth by the Chang’e-5 probe in 2020, the highly practical method depends on extracting hydrogen and oxygen from the soil at extremely high temperatures.

Genesis Systems, a global technology developer for water scarcity, has signed a contract worth $1.25 million with the US Air Force that will enable the development of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) filtration technologies compatible with Atmospheric Water Generation (AWG) or Renewable Water from Air (RWA) systems.

This technological innovation will ensure that the Department of Defense (DoD) has access to clean, potable water in diverse and challenging environments by using water systems that capture water from the air.

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

A MESSAGE FROM OUR SPONSOR

Engineering is at the forefront of solving the world’s biggest challenges, from combating climate change to leading digital transformation. Yet, the field faces a critical talent shortage.

To bridge this gap, we need to inspire a new generation of diverse, creative thinkers who can revolutionize industries. Discover how we can reshape the narrative around engineering and build a brighter, more innovative future together.

Ready to engineer the future? Let Progressive Recruitment connect you with tomorrow’s talent today.

HOT TOPICS OF THE DAY

SCIENCE

> A new dinosaur fossil has been identified as the distant cousin of the fearsome Tyrannosaurus Rex. The new fossil species has been named Alpkarakush kyrgyzicus. One of Alpkarakush’s most striking features is its unusual “eyebrow” bone, which most likely held a horn. (More)

> Researchers at the University of South Australia have taken inspiration from the humble dung beetle, renowned for its navigational prowess, to create a groundbreaking AI sensor for navigating in low-light conditions. (More)

> A study identified Southeast Asia as the epicenter of a growing threat from antibiotic-resistant superbugs carried in livestock. (More)

ENERGY

> Scientists at the US Department of Energy’s Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) have been working on ways to manage the intense heat that gets generated within fusion reactors. (More)

> Researchers at the Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) in Austria have identified the root cause of why lithium iron phosphate (LFP) consistently undercuts its theoretical capacity. (More)

> The United Nations’ nuclear watchdog said it’s enormously concerned by fighting near a Russian nuclear power plant because the old Soviet reactors in operation are particularly exposed. (More)

INNOVATION

> Researchers have developed a method to give robots an innate sense of touch by integrating their internal force-torque sensors with machine learning algorithms. (More)

> Researchers have created an advanced refrigeration device that combines eco-friendliness with unprecedented cooling efficiency. (More)

> A computational model can predict which drugs will be most effective in treating diseases caused by mutations that can bring protein synthesis to a halt, resulting in unfinished proteins. (More)

VIDEO

> Experience the realm of fusion food with a twist: one contestant is a cutting-edge artificial intelligence tool while the other is acclaimed chef Ixta Belfrage. (More)

> A rocket engine exploded in flames during a test at the SaxaVord Spaceport in Scotland, which last year became Britain's first licensed vertical rocket launch site. (More)

IE QUIZ: THE RESULTS

In yesterday’s quiz, we asked you to solve the number sequence.

The answer is: 1

Ready for more brainy challenges? Gear up for future IE quizzes by following us on Instagram and Facebook! 

FROM THE WEB

> Hydrogen helicopters to be called into service for organ delivery

> Spider forces male fireflies to flash like females to set a lethal trap, scientists say

> China’s coal-fired power boom may be ending amid slowdown in permits

> A Japanese woman who loves bananas is now the world's oldest person

> A massive 2,492-carat diamond — the second-largest stone ever unearthed — has been recovered from a mine in Botswana

Additional Reads


⚙️ Mechanical:Explore the wonders of mechanical engineering.

🛩️ Aerospace: The latest on propulsion, satellites, aeronautics, and more.

🧑🏻‍🔧 Engineer Pros: The latest in engineering news, career updates, and insider knowledge.

🧠 AI Logs: Insights into the intricacies and developments within the realm of artificial intelligence.

🎬 IE Originals:Weekly round-up of our best science, tech & engineering videos.

🟩 Sustainability: Uncover green innovations and the latest trends shaping a sustainable future for the tech industry.

Electrical: From AI to smart grids, our newsletter energizes you on emerging tech.

🎓 IE Academy: Master your field and take your career to the next level with IE Academy


Want to share your feedback? [email protected]