🧲 Zero-power levitation, Non-stop drone, Bioengineers' green plastic

A Japanese research team has successfully demonstrated levitation without using any external energy source. They developed a new material to achieve this feat, which has opened the doors to gravity-free technology in the future.

In short, they used superconducting magnets that created a strong magnetic field and levitated diamagnetic materials. This allows objects to travel at high speeds, such as trains. For more on the details, check out today’s Must-Read.

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MUST READ

🧲 Japan demonstrates levitation without using any external power

The device that researchers aimed for was a ‘frictionless’ platform. However, the system would lose energy over time without an external power source. This is known as ‘eddy damping’ since external forces make an oscillating system lose energy.

The other hurdle to overcome was minimizing the system’s kinetic energy. This is necessary since it can help improve the system’s sensitivity if it were to be used as a sensor.

To achieve this, the team chemically coated microscopic graphite beads with silica and then mixed them with wax. This transformed graphite into an insulator, reducing energy losses and allowing it to levitate in a vacuum.

🚠 Non-stop drone operations enabled by overhead power line recharging

Researchers have proposed an autonomous self-recharging drone system that can operate continuously over extended periods. The system works by drawing energy from overhead transmission cables.

The team claims the project is the “first-in-the-world system with the ability to sustain operation throughout many inspection and charging cycles powered by energy harvesting from power lines in a real outdoor environment.”

Thanks to its powerful onboard perception and navigation system, the drone can find power lines and get close to them for a landing. The use of multirotor drones like this has revolutionized infrastructure inspection, particularly for corridor inspection of linear assets like overhead electricity wires.

🦠 Bioengineers fine-tune bacteria to craft adaptable, degradable plastic

Experts who aim to develop more eco-friendly plastic recently engineered bacteria to produce a plastic modifier called LAHB (long-chain α, ω-hydroxyalkanoate).

This development aims to enhance the processability, fracture resistance, and biodegradability of renewable-sourced plastics. In particular, it represents a solution for making polylactic acid (PLA) more environmentally friendly.

The engineers claim that the bacterial strain employed in their research has the potential capability to utilize CO₂ as a fundamental ingredient. Therefore, synthesizing useful plastics from greenhouse gases could be a possibility.

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VIDEO

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IE QUIZ: THE RESULTS

Well, hello there! Yesterday’s brainteaser was: “If the die is rolled on the showed path, what will be the number on the top?” (Apologies for the plural mistake ‘dice’ in the image 😆)

The answer is: 5

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