A quantum storage breakthrough

Plus: A birth control pill for men is within reach Mar 24, 2022 [View in browser]( The quantum realm begins where most of our understanding ends. But scientists are making headway every day, connecting new pieces of the cosmic puzzle. Most recently, researchers from the University of Geneva set a new record by storing a qubit in a crystal for 20 milliseconds. Don’t be put off by the technical jargon — in a nutshell, this could help scientists develop long-distance ultra-secure quantum telecommunications networks in the future. Before we explore the intricacies of the quantum world and the latest developments, we have the perfect video showing how synthetic meat is grown in labs. While it doesn’t look too appetizing just yet, it certainly satisfies the soul. Good morning. I’m Derya, an editor at IE. This is The Blueprint. Welcome to the quantum world. [Video]VIDEO OF THE DAY [Synthetic meat is grown in labs to taste just like the real thing]( But it harms no animals! [Synthetic meat is grown in labs to taste just like the real thing]( SCIENCE [Researchers make a quantum storage breakthrough by storing a qubit for 20 milliseconds]( [The crystal used for the quantum storage experiment.]( Researchers from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) [broke a new record]( by storing a qubit in a crystal for 20 milliseconds. - Quantum physics is showing great potential by opening new avenues of research for quantum computing and cryptography, with the latter potentially allowing coded messages to be sent over quantum communication networks. However, one obstacle stands in the way. After traveling hundreds of miles within an optical fiber cable, the photons that carry the qubits (quantum bits) storing the information disappear, ceasing the communication. To solve this problem, the researchers from UNIGE set out to build "repeaters," a type of "relay" partially based on quantum memory. For their experiments, the researchers kept their crystals at temperatures of -459.67°F so as not to disturb the effect of entanglement. This new record in quantum storage could help develop long-distance ultra-secure [quantum telecommunications networks]( though the researchers would still have to extend the storage time further. [Read More]( INNOVATION [Elon Musk’s Starship might finally launch to orbit in May]( [A render of Starship launching into orbit.]( Elon Musk [provided a Starship update]( on his favorite social media platform, suggesting the orbital maiden flight of the spacecraft might be just around the corner. - "First Starship orbital flight will be with Raptor 2 engines, as they are much more capable and reliable," Musk tweeted on Monday, March 21. "We'll have 39 flightworthy engines built by next month, then another month to integrate, so hopefully May for orbital flight test.” Refresher. It's worth pointing out that though NASA aims to carry out its first two Artemis missions using its own SLS launch vehicle, the agency has contracted Starship to send the first astronauts to the Moon since 1972. Starship will be up to 25 percent more powerful than SpaceX's reusable Falcon 9 rocket thanks to its new Raptor 2 engines and will massively boost SpaceX's already-impressive capability for reusable spaceflight. In fact, the launch vehicle is so advanced that NASA officials [are said to be "shitting the bed"]( over the fact that it might obsolesce its own rocket programs. [Read More]( HEALTH [A birth control pill for men is finally within reach]( [A sperm and egg meet.]( A team of researchers from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities [made a stunning announcement]( on the possible discovery of male contraception on Wednesday at the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society. - The efficacy of the drug was "about 99 percent" in tests with mice, which puts this contraceptive for men on par with similar drugs for women, which were first approved by the FDA in 1960. Prior attempts at creating a birth control drug for men have targeted the male sex hormone testosterone, but those efforts were stymied by side effects like depression and increased risk of cardiovascular disease (which are [common side effects experienced by women]( on birth control). Instead of testosterone, the researchers behind this new study looked at vitamin A, which causes mice to become infertile. After two weeks off of the new drug, the mice were producing normal sperm and having babies again. What’s next? Of course, this research is nowhere close to finished. The researchers think that clinical trials should start by the end of this year, and the drug could make it to market within five years. [Read More]( MAIL & MUSINGS While contraceptives have traditionally been women's responsibility, there may be male options one day. Should men take birth control pills? Be sure you check back tomorrow for the results! [Yes, I don’t see why not.]( [No. It makes more sense for women to have control over fertility.]( [Absolutely! Men will jump at the chance for a pill that doesn’t cut testosterone.]( [Both options should be widely available.]( Yesterday’s Results We asked whether you think nuclear fusion will ever power the world, and the overwhelming majority of you believe that it's the way to go. Yes! Nuclear fusion for the win. 68% We’re out of time: Focus on renewable energy instead. 16% It’s too difficult to achieve. It’ll take forever. 11% You people are playing with fire! What if the aliens notice? 5% QUOTE OF THE DAY “ The visions we offer our children shape the future. It matters what those visions are. Often they become self-fulfilling prophecies. Dreams are maps. ” Carl Sagan in “Pale Blue Dot” (1995) AND ANOTHER THING... - Here's how the James Webb Telescope [sees with 4 instruments at once](. - Soccer is getting pretty boring to watch, [and this math proves it](. (Popular Mechanics) - A new brain-computer interface [has enabled a paralyzed 37-year-old man]( to communicate "effortlessly". - Kenya’s great lakes are flooding, in a devastating and long-ignored environmental disaster that is [displacing hundreds of thousands of people](. (The Guardian) - Ukraine has captured a Russian electronic warfare system. It’s [a jackpot for foreign intelligence](. - In this video, autistic children and adults [sketch out the look and feel of their sensory world](. (Aeon) - The Ilyushin Il-80: Check out [all we know about Russia's doomsday plane](. [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. 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