- The Blueprint
- Posts
- 🫀World’s first cryopreservation facility, coldest-ever fridge for quantum computers, China finds 30-million-ton lithium reserve
🫀World’s first cryopreservation facility, coldest-ever fridge for quantum computers, China finds 30-million-ton lithium reserve
Plus: Powerful organic solar cells could have 16-year operational life

🎙️ Our latest Lexicon Podcast is live! Sina Flynn reveals how AI is transforming design and sustainability in architecture and engineering.
Catch the episode on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and the IE Website
TimeShift, the world’s first cryopreservation facility, seeks to make the impossible a reality – extending the human lifespan.
This conceptualized facility offers a unique solution for individuals facing terminal illnesses by providing the option of cryopreservation. This could temporarily halt their disease's progression, giving medical science some precious time to develop life-saving cures.
This audacious, science-fiction-esque concept has been put forth by Dr. Alex Zhavoronkov, a generative AI scientist and anti-aging researcher, and Hashem Al-Ghaili, a molecular biologist and science communicator. Let's take a closer look at this Must Read.
Reading Time: 4 mins

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

The facility would use state-of-the-art methods to slow or halt the progression of diseases.
“TimeShift utilizes a groundbreaking process for freezing the human body and biological tissues, overcoming the limitations of traditional cryopreservation methods that rely on outdated technologies,” explained Al-Ghaili in a recent press release.
Bodies will be stored in pressurized cryopods at -196°C for long-term preservation. Moreover, AI systems would enable continuous monitoring of vital signs and maintain optimal conditions within the cryopods.

Researchers at the Chalmers University of Technology have developed a new type of refrigerator that can autonomously cool superconducting qubits to record-low temperatures.
This innovation addresses a major challenge hindering the development of quantum computers: the need to freeze qubits to temperatures close to absolute zero to ensure reliable calculations.
“Qubits, the building blocks of a quantum computer, are hypersensitive to their environment. Even extremely weak electromagnetic interference leaking into the computer could flip the value of the qubit randomly, causing errors – and subsequently hindering quantum computation,” said Aamir Ali, lead author of the study.

China has nearly tripled its lithium reserves, elevating its status to the world’s second-largest holder of this essential metal for renewable energy technology, according to the state news agency Xinhua.
The nation now controls 16.5 percent of global lithium reserves, surpassing Australia, Argentina, and Bolivia, and trails behind just one country – Chile.
China recently announced a substantial increase in its lithium reserves, a 1,740-mile (2,800 km) belt of spodumene located in Tibet, a hard rock ore that is a vital source of lithium. Initial estimates suggest that the spodumene belt alone may contain more than 6.5 million tons of lithium, with potential figures reaching up to a staggering 30 million tons.
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
> Australian researchers have developed a new method to control mosquito populations called the "toxic male technique." (More)
> Fossil remains of a tiny feline species have been recovered from an ancient cave in eastern China. (More)
> A team led by the University of California, Irvine, has discovered a novel type of skeletal tissue with significant potential for regenerative medicine. (More)

ENERGY
> A Chinese battery maker has introduced an advanced offering capable of recharging from 10 percent to 80 percent in just 8.5 minutes. (More)
> Finnish researchers have created a powerful solar cell with a record 24,700-hour lifespan. (More)
> A study proposes that eight former coal sites in Indiana could facilitate a transition from coal to nuclear energy in the US. (More)

INNOVATION
> The U.S. Army has received a new type of drone to boost its modern air warfare tactics. (More)
> Scientists in the United States have made significant achievements for the development of a practical nuclear clock. (More)
> Researchers have developed a flame-retardant coating that effectively protects cotton and other textiles from fire. (More)

VIDEO
> Beatbot’s AquaSense 2 features AI-powered robots for marine monitoring and advanced pool cleaning. (More)
> Tomo, the piano-playing AI robot, showcases advanced automation and musical talent at CES 2025. (More)
FROM THE WEB

> Oil extraction might have triggered small earthquakes in Surrey
> These Newly Identified Cells Could Change the Face of Plastic Surgery
> Rice researchers find dialysis ‘astonishingly effective’ for treating wastewater
> Minimizing the carbon footprint of bridges and other structures
> A total solar eclipse may have ended Egypt’s 4th dynasty
> Meet Alibaba’s AI coder: an automated system that can build an app ‘in minutes’
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? contact@interestingengineering.com