Inflatable planes on Venus

MIT researchers figured out how to make batteries that are a kilometer long, MIT engineers tested a new hovering rover concept Dec 22, 2021 [View on browser]( Together with [ZW Soft]( Good morning from the clouds of Venus, which we may one day explore with lighter-than-air spacecraft thanks to new software developed by West Virginia University engineers. In the future, the cosmic aircraft could uncover evidence of ancient life on the tumultuous planet. Speaking of space-based aircraft (of a peculiar kind), flying saucers are on their way to the moon. No, it’s not aliens; MIT engineers tested a novel hovering rover concept. And the same prestigious institute has also developed the world's longest flexible battery, in a notable breakthrough for wearable battery technology. This is The Blueprint. Keep reading. INNOVATION [Inflatable Planes Could Search for Alien Life in the Clouds of Venus]( [Northrop Grumman.]( The Venus Atmospheric Maneuverability Platform (VAMP) project, proposed in 2014 by Northrop Grumman, would deploy crewed inflatable aircraft from space to skim Venus' upper atmosphere. - Now, engineers from West Virginia University revealed they [are developing software that]( would allow spacecraft similar to VAMP to navigate Venus' atmosphere autonomously. In case you missed it, this means that lighter-than-air spacecraft might one day help explore the clouds of Venus and investigate signs of ancient life on the planet. - Venus flytrap. Though the planet's scorching hot surface is definitely off-limits (for now), a settlement floating in Venus' clouds would be exposed to temperatures similar to those on Earth. Imagine living in a city in the clouds. The VAMP craft might be launched from such a habitat. This software would optimize flight paths while accounting for strong winds and sunlight intensity, allowing it to plan the craft's flights for the longest periods possible. So be ready: someday soon we may hear word that a fleet of autonomous gliding aircraft has uncovered [the mysteries hiding in Venus' moody clouds](. [Read More]( SCIENCE [MIT Researchers Figured Out How To Make Batteries That Are a Kilometer Long]( [Fiber battery wrapped around a submarine.]( You could call it a breakthrough in wearable battery technology: Researchers at MIT [have developed the world's longest flexible battery]( a rechargeable lithium-ion unit in the form of an ultra-long fiber. - Just how long is it? It's a staggering 460 feet (140 meters), and it could eventually extend much, much farther. The Li-ion fiber battery was fabricated for the first time using a thermal drawing method, and it could be used to forge 3D-printed batteries of any shape. - Who cares! Hear us out. The battery opens up a myriad of opportunities for self-powered communications, sensing, and computational devices that could be worn like ordinary clothing, and devices whose batteries could also double as structural parts. This fiber battery could enable such devices to be completely self-contained. ​​ Remember how we’ve always said that lithium [might be the future of battery technology]( It seems that assertion may have just been proven true. [Read More]( SPONSORED [Building useful and durable products is the only way to survive amid ever-increasing market competition.]( [Design is hard work.]( Product quality holds paramount importance, hence, using the right designing tool is a must to fulfill your design requirements. ZWCAD is an easy-to-use 2D CAD software for efficient designing processes. It’s preferred as the main CAD tool with over 900,000 users worldwide. Additionally, it allows lifetime access to the software. You can also make a switch seamlessly from AutoCAD to ZWCAD with minimal effort. To take your performance up a notch, you can also try out ZW3D - a 3D CAD to innovate your design process. [Visit the ZWSOFT online store]( to buy a perpetual ZWCAD license. INNOVATION [Flying Saucers on the Moon? MIT Engineers Tested a New Hovering Rover Concept]( [The rover concept.]( Flying saucers are on their way to the moon, as [MIT scientists are developing a new concept]( for a circular hovering rover that levitates thanks to the moon's natural electric field. - How? The moon is a large body, if you can believe it. This means it has a surface charge strong enough to power levitating machines — in fact, it’s already been shown to levitate lunar dust up to one meter above the ground. The engineering. The novel levitating rover uses tiny ion beams to charge the vehicle. Small ion thrusters, called liquid ion sources, connect to a tank containing ionic liquid in the form of room-temperature molten salt. When the electric charge reaches the ionic liquid, its ions are charged and emitted downward and out of the rover as a beam through the thrusters. - Freeloading on the moon. The system's disc shape maximizes the repulsive force between the rover and the ground, meaning that it needs very little power. In fact, “the power needed is so small, you could do this almost for free". Holy cow. Machines like this could also be deployed on lucrative scouting missions across the lunar surface, and even asteroids. In 2020, for example, [NASA estimated that the asteroid 16 Psyche]( might be composed of roughly $10,000 quadrillion in rare metals! That’s a lot of money. [Read More]( MAIL & MUSINGS Do you think asteroid mining is a far-fetched dream? Be sure you check back tomorrow for the results! [Totally. They’re too far away!]( [The money is there, but the tech isn't.]( [It’s too late to save the economy.]( [Space miners unite!]( Yesterday’s Results We asked whether a new tire design could supplant conventional tires. And according to the majority of you, it's time for us to reinvent the wheel. Yes, it’s time to reinvent the wheel. 60% Sci-fi promised me flying cars. We shouldn’t need roads! 17% Maybe, but only for high-end EVs. 12% No, conventional tires still work for EVs. 11% QUOTE OF THE DAY “ Even if the open windows of science at first make us shiver after the cozy indoor warmth of traditional humanizing myths, in the end the fresh air brings vigor, and the great spaces have a splendor of their own. ” Bertrand Russell in 'What I Believe' [Video]VIDEO OF THE DAY [How Amazon Is Dealing With the Global Shipping Crisis]( With the right measurements, no crisis can hold back Amazon. [How Amazon Is Dealing With the Global Shipping Crisis]( AND ANOTHER THING... - Watch [Russia's Orion drone take down another drone]( with an anti-tank missile. It makes it look easy. - Africa's space industry has been slow to take off, but [it's predicted to skyrocket]( in the next few years. (CNN) - [A Redditor spotted a flying B-2 stealth bomber]( known for its specially designed skin that keeps it off the radars, on Google Maps. Not so "stealthy" now, is it. - Dell’s Luna laptop concept is all about repairability: The proof-of-concept device [is focused on reducing electronic waste]( and carbon emissions. (The Verge) - Future Meats is now making [lab-grown chicken for just $1.70 per breast]( down from $18 per pound six months ago. - Is nuclear energy green? [France and Germany lead opposing camps]( The French government wants to build reactors. The German government wants to shut them down. (The Washington Post) - Here’s a deep-dive into the James Webb Space Telescope, the [$10-billion successor to Hubble]( which makes space travel look cheap. [Share to Win]SHARE TO WIN [All products]( Share The Blueprint! Give your friends deeper insights into engineering and tech, and win exclusive IE swag for free. [Read Details]( Share your link Copy & share your referral link with others. [ [Referral Program Terms and Conditions]( Prepared by Derya Ozdemir and Brad Bergan Enjoy reading? Don't forget to forward to a friend! Was this email forwarded to you? [Subscribe]( [About Us]( | [Advertise]( | [Contact Us]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Youtube]( [Linkedin]( [Instagram]( You are receiving this email because you have subscribed to our newsletter. Manage your email preferences or unsubscribe [here.]( © Copyright 2021 | The Blueprint is by Interesting Engineering, Inc. 201 Spear Street, Suite 1100 San Francisco, CA 94105 | All Rights Reserved [Interesting Engineering]