“In a new paper, researchers propose and present testing of a concept for an ‘atomically-thin’ graphene light sail—as in just one atom thick. Then it’s attached to the thinnest substrate ever, making for an overall design with a low enough mass to feasibly travel in space.”
Thinness is key according to the researchers: “In order to best harness radiation pressure, light sails need to be highly reflective, lightweight and mechanically robust. This is traditionally achieved by the use of nanometer-thin reflective layers supported by a micrometer-thick substrate that endows them with the necessary sturdiness. This combination usually results in a sail mass that is too high to be efficiently used for extrasolar exploration.”
“Light sails for spaceflight travel by beams of light, meaning the gentle, but steady bombardment of photons from the sun and other stars.” Since these beams travel at the speed of light, if a spacecraft has a “low enough mass” it could utilize this energy.
“[M]ass has always been the key factor in these designs and tests. A sail with no people or cargo can go a long way, and even electronics to pilot them don’t weigh very much. Satellites can operate with just a few dozen grams of mass, even ones that do real tasks in space.”
https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a34229091/graphene-light-sail-interstellar-travel/
Researchers at University Grenoble Alpes in France, have developed a single-quantum-dot heat valve. A device that can help to control the flow of heat in single-quantum-dot junctions.
This episode is a snippet from episode 40 of the That's Cool News podcast.
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"New Mercedes Screen Will Span Nearly Entire Width of Car, Regulates With AI" by Interesting Engineering
This episode is a snippet from episode 39 of the That's Cool News podcast.
Daimler's Mercedes-Benz has debuted an impressive new feature for its forthcoming electric luxury sedan: a large, curved screen spanning almost the full width of the car, called the MBUX Hyperscreen. It features an AI algorithm that will better suggest what the user would want at a specific time.
Do you think this will become a normal feature in all cars? Or will it be just for the Luxury EVs?
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This episode is a snippet from episode 39 of the That's Cool News podcast.
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Water Desalination utilizing a membrane is the most efficient way to create clean drinking water from salt water. Researchers were able to make that process even more efficient with their discovery.
What do you think of this discover? Why isn't desalination more of a thing? Especially with areas that are in a drought or struggling to get clean water.
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