🪵 World's first wooden wind turbine, AI cracks particle puzzle, Leech-like device

German wind turbine blade maker Voodin Blade Technology (Voodin) has announced the first-ever real installation of its wood-based blades on a wind turbine in Breuna, Germany.

These 63-foot (19.3-meter) long blades are made from something called laminated veneer lumber (LVL), which is considered more sustainable than synthetic composites used to make wind turbine blades. For a deeper look at the details, read today’s Must-Read.

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

> Director of Engineering Strategy & Operations (PMO)
> Product Engineer, Accessory

🎙 New podcast  Democratizing Autonomous Drone Delivery at Scale

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MUST READ

🪵 World’s first’ wooden wind turbine blades installed in Germany

Beyond being more sustainable than existing fiberglass and other synthetic composites used to make wind turbine blades, laminated wood makes the blades easier to decommission and recycle once their lifespan expires.

Currently, most wind turbine blades are buried at life’s end as the material they are made of cannot be readily recycled. Voodin’s wooden blades use CNC milling machines that excel in creating intricate 3D shapes.

As a result, the manufacturing process is highly automated, eliminating the need for molds in the production facilities. CNC milling technology also provides greater flexibility since it can be used to manufacture blades of any kind.

⚛️ Matter vs. antimatter: CERN cracks particle physics puzzle with AI power

Researchers at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) have used a cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm to find evidence of matter-antimatter asymmetry for the first time.

Thanks to AI, the researchers were able to push the boundary of what can be achieved with the particle detector, an organizational press release said.

Just like a mirror that creates an inverted image, in particle physics, for every matter, there should be antimatter with the exact opposite properties. This is the underlying principle of charge-parity (CP) symmetry. 

🪱 New leech-like device to suck blood for sampling instead of needling

Have a phobia of needles or know someone who does? Well, a new device inspired by leeches may soon be able to help. ETH Zurich noted that while it cannot collect as much blood as a needle, it can collect significantly more than a finger prick.

Since many individuals feel discomfort at the sight of needles penetrating their arms for blood sample requirements, doctors often end up resorting to areas such as a prick to the fingertip or earlobe for blood.

A two-and-a-half-centimeter-long suction cup is affixed to the patient’s arm or back. The microneedles are placed within the cup, and when pressed, they puncture the skin. In just a few minutes, the negative pressure within the suction cup guarantees that an ample amount of blood has been gathered for diagnostic testing.

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HOT TOPICS OF THE DAY

SCIENCE

> A wild male Sumatran orangutan treated his wound with a medicinal plant, the first time such behavior had ever been observed in a close relative of ours. (More)

> Scientists have solved a puzzle relating to the Maud Rise polynya puzzle. Named after an oceanic plateau in the Weddell Sea, it plunges to depths of about 1,000 meters. (More)

> New research found that parrots preferred live video calls over recorded video messages - which may lay the foundations for an online world for animals. (More)

ENERGY

> A UK-based energy startup is developing a first-of-its-kind high-density hydro storage technology at a mining site near Plymouth. The facility aims to help decarbonize the site’s energy consumption. (More)

> A delegation has flown in from Belgium to Namibia this week to unveil plans for Africa’s first hydrogen-powered ship. The project will offer low-carbon logistics supply chains to the country’s customers. (More)

> US wind power slipped last year for the first time in a quarter-century due to weaker-than-normal Midwest breezes. This underscores the challenge of integrating volatile renewable energy sources into the grid. (More)

INNOVATION

> A group of Japanese telecommunication firms have developed a high-speed 6G wireless gadget that can carry data at up to 20 times the speed of 5G. (More)

> Researchers are using math to build aircraft models that are safer, more aerodynamic, and fuel-efficient — particularly when it comes to ice buildup on wings and fuselage. (More)

> In head-to-head trials against other AI platforms, simulated robots, such as NoodleBot, employing Northwestern’s latest AI algorithm consistently surpassed state-of-the-art models. (More)

VIDEO

> Humanoid robot EVE, from 1X, can now multitask from a single set of neural net weights. That's significant, as it makes androids in human spaces easier to command. (More)

> Storms and intense flooding are devastating southern Brazil. Rescue attempts are ongoing, but have themselves been hampered by poor conditions. (More)

> A new bike helmet from O'NEAL and Quintessential Design improves rider safety. In the event of a crash, a sensor in the helmet summons emergency services. (More)

IE QUIZ: THE RESULTS

In yesterday’s quiz, we asked, What is the number in the question mark?

The answer is: The equation to find the middle number is (Sum of vertical digits) + (difference of horizontal digits), in this case (13+8) + (11-7)= ? =25

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

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