☢️ US scientists detect hidden nuclear threats with light, SpaceX to launch 1st human mission to Earth's poles, Researchers deploy robotic fish to collect eDNA from oceans

Plus: New study sheds light on the origins of six-ton slab central within the Stonehenge                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 August 15, 2024 | [Read Online]( In Coordination with Twilio Segment [Access good data that is real-time, clean, and accurate.]( With Twilio Segment, you get relevant customer experiences that drive real revenue. [Read more.]( Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) have developed a remarkable quantum sensing probe. Led by physicist Moussa N’Gom, the team aims to detect and characterize special nuclear materials remotely without physical contact. The research is part of a larger initiative funded by the US Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration working to advance technical capabilities in nuclear security and nonproliferation missions. For more on this development, check out today’s [Must-Read](. 🔥Today’s job of the day as featured on [jobs.interestingengineering.com](: >[Â]([Controls Engineer]( > [Senior Principal Software Engineer]( Reading Time: 4 mins Did a friend forward this e-mail to you? [Subscribe here.]( MUST-READ ☢️ [US scientists use ‘light with a twist’ to detect hidden nuclear threats]( RPI’s approach leverages the power of light and quantum mechanics. The team is developing a [spectroscopy- and optics-based method]( for nuclear trial verification, dubbed “Light with a Twist.” At the heart of this technology is a [bright single-photon source]( guided through free space. This setup allows precise timing and control, leading to the detection of minute signals from special nuclear materials. The team’s probe could revolutionize how nuclear materials are [detected and monitored](, thus making the world safer. 🚀 [SpaceX to make history, launch 1st-ever human mission to Earth’s poles by year-end]( SpaceX has announced Fram2, the [first crewed spaceflight]( to explore Earth from a polar orbit. This venture will carry a crew of four— [first-time space travelers]( from diverse backgrounds— aboard a Dragon spacecraft, launched by a Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew will embark on a 3-5 day journey orbiting 425-450 km above Earth, using Dragon’s transparent cupola to observe the polar regions. Additionally, the crew will study aurora-like phenomena and research [human health in space](. 🐟 [Eve: Robotic fish deployed to collect environmental DNA from Zurich waters]( Researchers at ETH Zurich have revealed [Eve, a robotic fish]( designed to collect environmental data from marine ecosystems without disturbing the natural habitat. Eve features a silicone tail activated by silent internal pumps, [mimicking real fish movements](. This design allows the robot to blend in with its surroundings. Additionally, Eve is equipped with advanced technology, including cameras, sonar, and an algorithm for safe navigation. The robotic fish will collect [environmental DNA samples from water](, which can help identify species present in the area without direct observation. 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]( A MESSAGE FROM OUR SPONSOR [What can good data do for you?]( Twilio Segment helps every team access real-time, clean, and accurate data. The result? Relevant customer experiences that drive real revenue. Segment helps 25,000+ companies turn customer data into tailored experiences. With customer profiles that update real-time, and best in class privacy features - Segment’s Customer Data Platform allows you to make good data available to every team. Access real-time, clean, and accurate [good data with Segment](. HOT TOPICS OF THE DAY SCIENCE > A recent study led by Curtin University has shed light on the origins of the Altar Stone, a massive six-ton sandstone slab that holds a central position within Stonehenge, and how prehistoric humans transported it. ([More]() > Chinese scientists reveal novel method to produce pure gold that combines lightweight properties with remarkable strength. ([More]() > Researchers develop a new method to turn microplastics into a new material 200x stronger than steel and with an increasing demand in multiple industries. ([More]() ENERGY > Scientists create a W-NiFeS/WC electrode with a three-dimensional porous structure and derived from wood-waste carbon which can act as a catalyst to unlock green hydrogen from oceans. ([More]() > MIT researchers develop microscopic Zinc-based batteries, each holding 2 picoliters of volume, that can power tiny sensors and robotic parts with high energy density. ([More]() > An inspection by a robot at Japan’s wrecked Fukushima-1 nuclear power plant reveals around 25 tons of radioactive water leak from the plant’s Reactor Unit-2. ([More]() INNOVATION > Uber Eats’ new partnership with Serve Robotics could mean your next shake and snack order may be delivered by a self-driving delivery robot. ([More]() > Scientists in China develop a cost-effective method using ordinary industrial equipment to produce stealth coatings for fighter jets. ([More]() > The English Premier League will ditch its Video-Assistant-Referee (VAR) tech for a fleet of iPhones. ([More]() VIDEO > Australia is struggling with an abundance of solar energy, so much so that people are getting taxed for it. Here’s how a bet between Elon Musk and Mike Cannon-Brookes became an unlikely solution. ([More]() > Doyers Street in Chinatown, New York, was once known as the ‘Bloodiest street in America.‘ Here’s how this 200-foot-long unique street ditched hatchets and weapons for restaurants and cocktail bars. ([More]() IE QUIZ: THE RESULTS In yesterday’s quiz, we asked, Which light bulb will glow brighter? The answer is: 60W Ready for more brainy challenges? Gear up for future IE quizzes by following us on [Instagram]( and [Facebook!]( FROM THE WEB > NASA telescopes work out black hole’s feeding [schedule]( > A single Iranian hacker group targeted both Presidential campaigns, Google [says]( > New clue into the curious case of our aging immune [system]( > Supplements companies are cashing in on the Ozempic [wave]( > New chatbot can spot cyber-attacks before they [start]( > New brain-computer interface allows man with ALS to ‘speak’ [again]( Additional Reads --------------------------------------------------------------- [⚙️ Mechanical:](Explore the wonders of mechanical engineering. [🛩️ Aerospace:]( The latest on propulsion, satellites, aeronautics, and more. [🧑🏻‍🔧 Engineer Pros:]( The latest in engineering news, career updates, and insider knowledge. [🧠AI Logs:]( Insights into the intricacies and developments within the realm of artificial intelligence. [🎬 IE Originals:](Weekly round-up of our best science, tech & engineering videos. 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