Year: 2024

Chinese scientists have reportedly achieved a major milestone in directed energy technology by developing an energy shield designed to protect military assets from potentially harmful microwaves. The breakthrough, if true, represents a significant advancement in the ongoing aerial-to-anti-aerial arms race, as reported by the South China Morning Post (SCMP).

The energy shield, utilizing a special kind of plasma, aims to resist high-powered electromagnetic radiation, such as microwaves, that can pose a threat to modern technology, including military chips with special circuits. Microwaves can cause electrical interference and increase internal temperatures in sensitive electronics, necessitating effective shielding. The research team, led by Chen Zongsheng from the State Key Laboratory of Pulsed Power Laser Technology at the National University of Defence Technology, claims to have developed a “low-temperature plasma shield” capable of protecting sensitive circuits from electromagnetic weapon attacks up to 170kW at a distance of only 9.8 feet (3 meters).

A groundbreaking achievement in the realm of stainless steel has been realized by a team led by Professor Mingxin Huang from the University of Hong Kong’s Department of Mechanical Engineering. The latest innovation, known as SS-H2, is a stainless steel specifically designed for hydrogen applications, marking a significant advancement in the ‘Super Steel’ Project helmed by Professor Huang.

This achievement builds upon the project’s earlier milestones, including the creation of anti-COVID-19 stainless steel in 2021 and the development of ultra-strong and ultra-tough Super Steel in 2017 and 2020. The newly developed SS-H2 showcases exceptional corrosion resistance, opening the door to potential applications in green hydrogen production from seawater, addressing the need for sustainable solutions.

Researchers at Delft University of Technology, under the leadership of assistant professor Richard Norte, have unveiled a groundbreaking material that not only rivals the strength of diamonds and graphene but surpasses the yield strength of Kevlar, renowned for its use in bulletproof vests. This remarkable material, known as amorphous silicon carbide (a-SiC), holds significant promise for the field of material science.

Amorphous silicon carbide exhibits exceptional strength, with a yield strength 10 times greater than Kevlar. Beyond its strength, this material showcases mechanical properties crucial for vibration isolation on microchips, making it ideal for the production of ultra-sensitive microchip sensors.

Imagine a sustainable way for individuals and households to instantly extract fresh water from the air to power their homes, offices, and various spaces. This vision is now a reality, thanks to the WaterCube (WC-100) system introduced by Genesis Systems, a company dedicated to addressing global water scarcity challenges.

The WC-100 is hailed as the world’s first and only home air device capable of generating a remarkable 120 gallons of pure fresh water daily. This groundbreaking technology harnesses moisture from the atmosphere, employing a condensation method to produce drinkable water, all while prioritizing sustainability and providing pollution-free water sources.