Meet China's new ‘Force’ gun that moves things at a distance

Plus: Starship ready for liftoff, artificial embryos, more SF AV chaos ✳️ The Force is strong with this one! Chinese scientists have created a real-life “tractor beam” that uses plasma rings to move objects without touching them. This pioneering technology could allow us to pluck satellites out of orbit and clear a path through space junk. But will this power be used for good or evil? Jump to today’s [Must Read]( to learn how China's force-pushing device works - and whether the Dark Side could prevail. Good morning. I’m Tim, newsletter editor at IE. This is the Blueprint. Let's get into it! 🔥 Hot job alert: NVIDIA is hiring a [Senior Design Engineer]( with a salary bracket up to $287,500 a year. Hurry up and apply before the opening gets closed! VIDEO OF THE DAY [Is Nikola Tesla Overrated?]( How Skynex annihilates Russian drones in Ukraine Skynex, developed by Rheinmetall, defends assets from diverse aerial threats — including drones — using AHEAD 35 mm rounds for ultra-short-range defense. SUPPORT INTERESTING ENGINEERING Invest in science and engineering Insider access to exclusive content, featuring riveting stories that take you right to the heart of the action. Engage with our thriving online community, dive into captivating science discoveries, and stay informed with our enlightening weekly premium newsletters. With IE+, quality reporting is more than just news - and it is Ad-Free. [SUBSCRIBE]( HOT TOPICS - 🇯🇵 [Japan's lander mission to reach lunar orbit in three months]( SLIM (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon) aims to make a precise landing on the lunar surface. - [premium] [The future of medicine could lie in organoid research]( They could revolutionize areas of biomedical research from disease modeling to drug development. - 🥎 [Early humans successfully engineered symmetrical spheroids]( They made spherical stones using an intentional reduction strategy. - [🚑 Cruise autonomous vehicles allegedly disrupt medical care in San Francisco]( According to city officials, two driverless cars delayed an ambulance taking an injured man to hospital. - 🐣 [China's new flying dinosaur fossil is an 'odd' one]( The 150-million-year-old discovery is described as having a bizarre avian body plan. How did flight evolve from this? Must Read [✳️ Chinese scientist have built a device that can ‘use the Force‘]( Chinese researchers have developed a prototype device that can manipulate objects at a distance using plasma rings. It works by shooting magnetized plasma rings at speeds up to 10,000 meters per second. The team suggests that the device could be used for contactless recovery of satellites or clearing space debris. In tests, the prototype has manipulated objects up to 1 kilometer away within minutes of activation. The technology has been compared to the mysterious telekinetic Force used by the Jedi and Sith in the Star Wars universe, though based on real physics. If proven effective, the device could revolutionize many industries. However, links between the research team and China's defense industry raise questions about potential militarization. [[Read More]( [Innovation]( [🚀 Starship is now 'ready to fly' again, according to Elon Musk]( SpaceX has essentially confirmed that its major pre-flight preparations are complete, having conducted a series of static fire engine tests in recent months. They must now await Federal Aviation Administration approval before beginning the countdown to launch a fully-stacked Starship for a second time. [[Read More]( [Science]( [🧫 Model of human embryo developed without sperm, eggs or a womb]( The researchers claim it's the first “complete” embryo model for simulating all the important components that form in the early embryo. Although the new method cannot be legally used to make babies, it will enable a better understanding of how genetic illnesses emerge and may be the key to answering how various human cell types originate and develop. [[Read More]( [Culture]( [📲 How Huawei’s new chip changes the US-China tech landscape]( The launch of the Mate 60 Pro smartphone has come under intense scrutiny, mainly due to its Kirin 9000s chip. The device is a showcase for China's growing prowess in semiconductor technology, and leaves industry insiders debating whether it signifies a significant milestone in the US-China technology cold war. [[Read More]( QUESTION OF THE DAY Do you think the new Chinese “Force” technology will be used for the benefit of humanity? [Yes, many civilian uses]( [Strictly Dark Side]( [A mix of good and bad]( [It probably doesn't work]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS Yesterday, we asked you about the new Russian tactic of protecting aircraft from drone attacks by covering them with tires. 47 percent of you said it is unlikely to work, though 12 percent conceded that it could help conceal them. 47% No, it’s unlikely to help 35% I look forward to finding out 12% It could help conceal them 7% Yes, missiles will simply bounce off “This is really a textbook image of a human day-14 embryo, this hasn't been done before.” Professor Jacob Hanna, Weizmann Institute of Science THINGS WE LOVE [Neovivid Sundial Compass]( [$38.85]( [US Maritime Antique]( [$179.40]( [Riedel Cornetto Decanter]( [$225.00]( [Royal Selangor Goblet]( [$240.00]( AND ANOTHER THING - [The future of medicine could lie in organoid research]( [premium] - [Astronomers detect new type of brightest cosmic explosion]( - [MIT’s underwater sensor offers low-power long-range signals]( - [Cancer rates are increasing for those under 50]( - [Why are Americans so obsessed with UFOs?]( [premium] - [New 3D-printed “living material” could purify water]( - [Galactic Energy performed China’s first sea rocket launch]( - [Deep sea fossil spines reveal life after huge mass extinction]( - [Heart-like pumps can help save energy, shows Austrian study]( - [Four hidden Roman swords found in an Israeli cave]( Need help with advertising? Reach 150,000 engineering and tech professionals. [Contact us](mailto:sales@interestingengineering.com?subject=Newsletter Sponsorship) what else? For the week’s top engineering stories, subscribe to [Vital Component]( For expert advice on engineering careers, subscribe to [Engineer Pros]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Give Feedback](mailto:tim.snaith@interestingengineering.com?subject=User feedback for the Blueprint) --------------------------------------------------------------- © Copyright 2023 | The Blueprint is by Interesting Engineering, Inc. 530 Fifth Ave, 9th floor New York, NY 10036, USA All Rights Reserved You are receiving this email because you have subscribed to our newsletter. Manage your e-mail preferences [here.]( Unsubscribe from our emails [here.]( See our full [privacy policy]( or [terms of conditions](. You are receiving this email because you have subscribed to our newsletter. Manage you e-mail preferences or unsubscribe [here.](