✈️ Boeing secures deal with US Air Force despite fraud charges, China plans information superhighway between Earth and Moon, world's tallest autonomous robot facilitates warehouse ops

Plus: Complete recycle of solid-state batteries is now possible, thanks to polymer layers                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 July 22, 2024 | [Read Online]( Get IE’s ‘Amped for fun’ T-shirt Elevate your streetwear game with our Gildan Heavyweight T-Shirt. Crafted from 100% cotton. The Interesting Engineering Shop is now live with a curated collection of merchandise designed especially for engineers. [Shop Now for $25.99]( In a move that signals a rebound for [Boeing’s]( defense vertical amidst recent turmoil, the [US Air Force]( has secured a provisional deal with the aerospace giant for the E-7 Wedgetail aircraft. This marks Boeing’s first major victory since its guilty plea in the 737 MAX case earlier this month. The provisional deal ensures [quick production of prototypes](as the Air Force replaces its E-3 Sentry aircraft. It follows reports of price disputes over the 737-based Wedgetail planes, Reuters reported. For more on this development, check out today’s [Must-Read](. 🔥Today’s job of the day as featured on [jobs.interestingengineering.com](: > [Android Software Engineer]( > [ETS Engineer IV (ServiceNow Engineer)]( Reading Time: 4 mins Did a friend forward this e-mail to you? [Subscribe here.]( MUST READ ✈️ [Despite fraud charges, Boeing secures deal with USAF to supply E-7 aircraft]( Earlier this year, Air Force officials admitted that they were having a [“hard time”]( reaching an agreement with Boeing on the E-7 program. Officials said there was an unexpected amount of “nonrecurring engineering”—that is, one-off costs to develop a new platform—in the company’s proposal. And this isn’t the first time the Air Force has [struggled]( to negotiate a contract with Boeing, Defense One writes. The E-7 deal includes [two test aircraft]( as part of the “rapid prototyping program.” Ordered last year, these aircraft are intended to establish a cost-effective foundation for future production, according to Andrew Hunter, the Air Force’s acquisition chief. 🌕 [China plans 30-satellite information superhighway to connect Earth, moon]( China is setting its sights on [cislunar space dominance](. It has unveiled plans for a comprehensive satellite network to revolutionize communication, navigation, and monitoring capabilities between Earth and the moon. The network would offer [real-time communication](, navigation, and monitoring services to global users. This proposal comes from researchers at the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) and the Beijing Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering. The aim is to allow [20 or more travelers]( to simultaneously communicate with Earth through images, audio, or video. The network would also offer accurate [positioning, navigation, and timing]( (PNT) for Earth-moon flights and lunar surface operations. 🤖 [World’s tallest autonomous robot scans 100,000+ pallets daily at warehouse]( The world’s tallest autonomous robot works in a warehouse to scan pellets. However, this [45-foot-tall machine]( hasn’t yet got its name. Equipped with multiple sensors for accurate identification of temperature, humidity, noise, and light, the machine can easily [scan over a million square feet](. Claimed to be safe around humans, the robot is capable of carrying over 12 high-definition cameras. It is predicted that over [4 million robots]( will be operating in [50,000 warehouses]( by 2025. This impressive surge in automation is allowing warehouses to respond to the rising demands of e-commerce, while coping with labor and space shortages. 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 > A strange-looking angler fish, found only on two tiny patches of reef off Tasmania, is perhaps the world’s most endangered fish, according to a report. ([More]() > Researchers have inhibited a protein called IL-11 that can help increase the healthy lifespan of mice by almost 25%. It offers promising insights and could have similar impact in humans as well. ([More]() > A NASA spacecraft has been recorded hurtling through space at almost 400,000mph—around 500 times the speed of sound—as it makes its way toward the sun. ([More]() ENERGY > Researchers in Sweden have discovered how metal batteries can become a viable alternative to conventional energy storage solutions. These batteries promise more energy at a lighter weight. ([More]() > A team of Penn State researchers reconfigured the design of solid-state lithium batteries so that all their components can be easily recycled, potentially making the batteries much more sustainable. ([More]() > A new study suggests that excess runoff or increased erosion can be easily mitigated—if these "solar farms" are properly built. ([More]() INNOVATION > A humanoid robot developed by Tokyo Robotics is seen accurately hammering a nail in a piece of wood in a new video. The synchronized and accurate effort by Torobo shows its potential for industrial use, according to the manufacturer. ([More]() > China’s Iron and Steel Research Institute has announced the release of the nation’s first ultra-large hot isostatic pressing (HIP) machine. Hot isostatic pressing is a manufacturing technique that eliminates porosity in materials, thus increasing their density and strength. ([More]() > Scientists have achieved a series of milestones in growing a high-quality thin film conductor, suggesting in a new study that the material is a promising candidate platform for future wearable electronics and other miniature applications. ([More]() VIDEO > Amidst heatwaves, the brain grapples with significant challenges to uphold its peak function. The surge in temperature can profoundly affect our cerebral abilities and mental well-being. ([More]() > There's a lot of hype around magnesium and its ability to alleviate anxiety and depression. Does the micronutrient really have a positive impact on mental health? ([More]() IE QUIZ: THE RESULTS In yesterday’s quiz, we asked you, Which figure replaces the question mark? The answer is: D Ready for more brainy challenges? Gear up for future IE quizzes by following us on [Instagram]( and [Facebook!]( FROM THE WEB > A coastal snake named Cyclone recently delivered three times the average amount of venom for its species in one go, setting a new [record]( > New simulations suggest that a 9-mile-thick layer of diamonds may lurk deep below the surface of [Mercury]( > As image-generating AI continues to evolve, artists are increasingly fighting against what they see as an existential threat to their [craft]( > A collection of 3,404 rare eggs has been seized in Granton, Tasmania, after a European operation into the illegal bird [trade]( > Near-extinct Siamese crocodiles have made a comeback in Cambodia. The hatching of 60 eggs is a record for the endangered species in this [century]( Additional Reads --------------------------------------------------------------- [⚙️ Mechanical:](Explore the wonders of mechanical engineering. [🛩️ Aerospace:]( The latest on propulsion, satellites, aeronautics, and more. 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