MIT’s new wind tunnel is finally here 🌬️

Plus: The world's first liquid telescope for astronomy is now in India Jun 09, 2022 [Blueprint]( Wind tunnels are breathtaking. They can be small contraptions or as big as a building, and move air around an object, making it soar like a flying dream. A prime example is the Wright Brothers Wind Tunnel. After being a landmark at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for nearly 80 years, it's now being replaced with a novel facility that will make it the most advanced wind tunnel in U.S. academic environs. That’s a hefty feat — and an exciting one. Put kids in a wind tunnel with air blowing on their faces at a breezy 30 mph, and they're sure to be interested in STEM. Before we climb inside MIT’s novel wind tunnel, watch today's video to see why NASA is renting $3.5-billion space suits instead of building them. Good morning. I’m Derya, an editor at IE. This is The Blueprint. Let’s follow the flow. [Play]VIDEO OF THE DAY [Here's why NASA will rent space suits instead of building them]( [NASA.]( It's a $3.5-billion rental. [Must Read]MUST READ [MIT now possesses one of the most advanced wind tunnels in the world]( [The new tunnel is a massive improvement from the old one.]( The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) [has recently unveiled]( a new, state-of-the-art wind tunnel, replacing its 80-year-old predecessor. Now the most advanced wind tunnel in the United States, MIT has high hopes for the tunnel’s future. Winging it. For example, wind tunnel measurements can be used to estimate how much fuel an aircraft will spend, how slowly it can land, and how long it will take to take off. They can also monitor wind loads on stationary objects like bridges and buildings. → Stats. The whole drive system has just one moving part, which is a substantial improvement over the old tunnel's mechanically complex variable-pitch drive. The motor speed is controlled by a variable frequency drive, which is more energy-efficient and quieter than the old tunnel system. The new tunnel will continue a significant history of [representing AeroAstro in MIT]( and public outreach activities, much as its predecessor did. [READ MORE [Arrow]]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Linkedin]( [SCIENCE]SCIENCE [Google Cloud just calculated the first 100 trillion digits of pi]( In 2019, Google Cloud calculated pi out to 31.4 trillion digits. That was a world record. Later, in 2021, scientists from the University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons tacked on another 31.4 trillion digits to the figure, raising the total to 62.8 trillion decimal places. But now, Google Cloud [has shattered the latest record]( calculating pi out to an unprecedented 100 trillion digits. [READ MORE [Arrow]]( And Other Stories in Science - Saudi Arabia [plans to spend $1 billion per year]( on anti-aging research. - Microplastics [were found in Antarctica's fresh snow]( for the first time. - Researchers just broke [the standard model for solar flares](. [INNOVATION]INNOVATION [The world's first liquid telescope for astronomy is now in India. How does it differ?]( India's first liquid-mirror telescope, which also happens to be Asia's largest telescope, [stared into the vast expanse of sky]( for the first time from an altitude of roughly 1.5 miles (2.4 km) in the Himalayas. [READ MORE [Arrow]]( And Other Stories in Innovation - The U.S. Navy’s fleet of “Doomsday” planes [is getting a major upgrade](. - Norway’s massive offshore floating wind farm [will power oil and gas production](. Yes, you read that right. - The world's largest solar-powered steam plant [will be built in Saudi Arabia](. [MAIL & MUSINGS]MAIL & MUSINGS At MIT, wind tunnels are sometimes used to give classes and test other club equipment with student groups. Have you ever been in one? [Yes! It was magical.]( [Never. I’d like to!]( [No, but it doesn’t seem that interesting.]( [Hey, I’ve even used one!]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS In our poll, we asked if eating cloned animals would be problematic for you. It seems that most of you are okay with it. 35% No, I don’t mind it. 28% If the FDA approves, then it’s fine by me. 26% Yes! It feels wrong to me. 11% I don’t eat animals. [QUOTE OF THE DAY]QUOTE OF THE DAY "The real problem of humanity is the following: we have paleolithic emotions; medieval institutions; and god-like technology." Edward O. Wilson at a debate at the Harvard Museum of Natural History, Cambridge, Mass., September 9, 2009 [THINGS WE LOVE]THINGS WE LOVE [image]( [CyberPower Intelligent UPS System]( [image]( [Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer]( [image]( [Joytutus 12V Portable Freezer]( [image]( [GREEN HOUSE Portable Beer Dispenser]( [AND ANOTHER THING]AND ANOTHER THING - Bill Gates, the man who warned us about the pandemic, [thinks that the world got lucky]( with COVID-19. - Computer scientists [can now solve a decades-old problem]( in practically the time it takes to write it down. (Quanta Magazine) - The F-14 "Tomcat" is missed by many, but [it was retired for a reason](. - Brain fog had eluded scientific scrutiny until COVID-19 thrust it into the spotlight. Now, we're starting to [learn more about what exactly it is]( and how we can beat it. (New Scientist $) - The European Union has reached an agreement to make [USB-C charging ports mandatory]( for all cellphones. What will Apple do? - Turns out, [a car’s color can help or hurt its resale value](. (iSeeCars) - Ford's F-150 Lightning EV now comes with a Tesla adapter. [Is this corporate trolling]( Prepared by Derya Özdemir and Brad Bergan Enjoy Reading? Forward this email to a friend. Was this email forwarded to you? [Join Free!]( [About Us]( [Advertise]( [Contact Us]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Youtube]( [Linkedin]( [Instagram]( You are receiving this email because you have subscribed to our newsletter. Manage you e-mail preferences or unsubscribe [here](. © Copyright 2022 | The Blueprint is by Interesting Engineering, Inc. 201 Spear Street, Suite 1100 San Francisco, CA 94105 | All Rights Reserved [Interesting Engineering]