Chinese use $1 adhesive to counter billion-dollar US laser weapon

Plus: Teenager becomes the youngest employee at SpaceX Chinese researchers may have come up with a $1 defense against a multi-billion dollar weapon system, a development that could shift the balance of power. In testing, a 0.1-inch layer of an inexpensive adhesive composite held out against a powerful laser. A layer of this material — called BPR-1 — could be used as a protective coating on missiles, aircraft, and other hardware that might be targeted by laser weaponry. How much of a curveball is this for the US military’s plans to deploy directed energy weapons in future conflicts? We've more on this story in [our Must Read]( below. But first, here’s [your video of the day](. Good morning. I’m Tim, an Editor at IE. This is the Blueprint. Let's get into it. Last Sunday, Blueprint subscribers learned how insects are inspiring next generation 3D-printed microphones. Don't miss out — [subscribe to IE+]( today to receive exclusive interviews, features, and much more. VIDEO OF THE DAY [Big M 500 redefines farming machinery]( [The formidable Big M 500 redefines farming machinery]( With its impressive capabilities, the Big M 500 is poised to revolutionize the way we approach farming. Let's delve into the remarkable features and game-changing potential of this agricultural marvel. MUST READ [Laser weapon]( [Chinese researchers turn to $1 adhesive to counter billion-dollar US laser weapon]( Chinese researchers have developed a low-cost composite material that can withstand powerful laser attacks. This breakthrough could challenge the US military's billion-dollar laser weapons program and redefine the future of warfare. BPR-1 is an enhanced version of boron phenolic resin, commonly used in high-stress environments. By adding inorganic compounds, the researchers created a resilient material capable of resisting intense laser assaults. In tests, a 0.1-inch layer of BPR-1 withstood a relentless 15-second blast from a powerful laser, presenting a significant obstacle to the US military's laser weaponry ambitions. Click below to learn more about the implications. [Read More]( CULTURE 14-year-old Kairan Quazi becomes the youngest engineer at Elon Musk's SpaceX Quazi was speaking full sentences when he was just two years old. His genius was recognized when he turned nine and found his schoolwork to be too easy. In an Instagram post dated April 19, Quazi posted a photo mentioning that he was preparing for a “major job interview.” A follow up post was uploaded on May 9 announcing that he got the SpaceX job, attaching a screenshot of an email from Elon Musk’s company. [Read More]( THE SPONSOR OF THE DAY [The creator economy is growing rapidly. Are you planning to become a part of it?]( With internet consumption steadily rising, the creator economy's market size is estimated to be around $104.2 billion, more than double of what it was in 2019! If you’re planning to become a YouTuber or a Reels creator, it’s never better than now to get started! The Logitech Blue Yeti USB Microphone is specially designed for creators to elevate your streaming or broadcasting quality. From podcasting and Twitch gaming to YouTube videos and voiceovers, this legendary device is both aesthetically pleasing and produces magnificent recording quality. Start your journey online with the Blue Yeti USB Microphone and create jaw-dropping content the world needs to know! INNOVATION Meet X-66A: NASA and Boeing team up for newest X-plane to make travel sustainable NASA has designated the X-66A as its new X plane to be built under the Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project. In a press release, NASA said it will build the aircraft with Boeing to focus on achieving net-zero emissions from passenger aviation, in line with the White House's Climate Action Plan. [Read More]( SCIENCE First galaxies turned early universe from 'opaque to transparent' after Big Bang, Webb finds The cutting-edge James Webb Space Telescope has provided insights into the evolution of the early universe, which has long been a mystery. The early universe was shrouded in incredibly dense stellar gas that star light could not penetrate. However, things began to shift approximately a billion years after the massive Big Bang. The cloudy gas began to clear up and ultimately became entirely transparent. [Read More]( [Lexicon podcast: What is quantum computing?]( MAIL & MUSINGS Do you think laser weapons will ever play a decisive role in warfare? [Yes, they already do]( [No, they’re overhyped]( [Maybe in future]( [They should be banned]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS Only 25 percent of you expect the Artemis III mission to land on the moon in 2025 as scheduled, with 43 percent of you expecting a landing in 2026. 43% 2026 more likely 28% Later than 2026 25% 2025, as planned 4% It won't happen QUOTE OF THE DAY I will be joining the coolest company on the planet… Kairan Quazi, the youngest employee at SpaceX THINGS WE LOVE [iHartan WiFi Extender]( [Charbroil Grill]( [Mini Dog AI Robot]( [Aurora Stripcut Paper Shredder]( JOB BOARD [Vehicle Charging UI C++ Qt Engineer-Energy Software]( Tesla [DevOps Staff Engineer, Operation & Reliability]( StackAdapt [Fullstack Software Engineer (L5) - Resilience Engineering]( Netflix [Principal Software Engineer (Remote Canada)]( Autodesk [Government and Public Sector - Cloud Engineer - Manager]( EY [Manager Software Engineering 3 - NG Space Systems]( Northrop Grumman [Hydromechanical Engineer]( Plaxonic Technologies [Full Stack Software Engineer/Developer]( Leidos [AIML - Sr Data Engineer, AIML Data]( Apple [Software Engineer Sr / Embedded / C++ / Orlando, FL]( Lockheed Martin AND ANOTHER THING - [ChatGPT knows 25 jokes and will repeat them like a broken record]( - A report finds that [86 more nukes have been added to global stockpiles since 2022]( - Groundbreaking study reveals [older adults can improve brain power, defying cognitive aging decline]( [premium] - World's [first thermometer in the sky]( can measure heat output from “any building on the planet” - [US Army is looking to make Humvees self-driving very soon]( - From delayed detection to early intervention: [Innovating cardiac monitoring with e-tattoos]( [premium] [Subscribe to IE+]( [About Us]( [Advertise]( [Contact Us]( [Privacy Policy]( [Term of Service]( © Copyright 2023 | The Blueprint is by Interesting Engineering, Inc. 530 Fifth Ave, 9th floor New York, NY 10036 | All Rights Reserved You are receiving this email because you have subscribed to our newsletter. 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