💧 Just add water: Game-changing aqueous design creates greener, safer batteries

Plus: “Smart” molecule that could preserve astronaut bone mass, VR in trauma surgery, and the Moon’s ice may not be as old as we think. This battery chemistry breakthrough could be set to make waves. Researchers have developed the world’s first aqueous aluminum radical battery using water instead of hazardous materials. Early results hint at impressive voltage and long-term stability that could outpace traditional batteries reliant on flammable organic solvents. By ditching toxic electrolytes for water, the inventors may also have unlocked the formula for the next generation of smart, green batteries. We have the full story in today’s [Must Read](. Good morning. I’m Tim, newsletter editor at IE. This is the Blueprint. Let's start the week! 💬🔥 Also today, prompt engineering is becoming one of the hottest skills. Get the [ChatGPT Newbie e-book]( learn more about how to supercharge your content creation and data analysis, and stay ahead of 95% of the competition. VIDEO OF THE DAY [Is Nikola Tesla Overrated?]( What is Flipper Zero and what dangers did it bring Inspired by Tamagotchi, Flipper Zero is a compact ethical hacking device that allows a world of digital possibilities. 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 - ♻️ [Apple to be carbon neutral in seven years: CEO Tim Cook]( “Our work is meant to improve other people's lives,” said the executive. - 🐜 [Parasites turn ants into zombies that adapt to temperature]( A new study uncovers liver flukes’ savvy manipulation of ants, making them climate-aware zombies. - 🕵️‍♂️ [Google fined $93 million for deceiving users about tracking]( Users should continue to evaluate their settings to understand how they are being tracked. - 🛰🛰🛰 [Stop crowding earth’s orbital environment: ESA report]( The problem of space debris would worsen even if we sent nothing else into orbit. - 😎 [Solar power five times more popular than fossil fuels: Survey]( A new global poll is revealing that 68 percent of people worldwide prefer solar. Must Read [New water-based battery tech that is safe, efficient, and non-toxic]( Scientists in Australia and China created an aluminum battery with water-based electrolytes, eliminating toxic and flammable organic solvents traditional batteries require. This aqueous design achieves impressive 1.25V voltage and stability over 800 cycles. By using abundant aluminum and harnessing radicals in water, the inventors developed an eco-friendly, high-performing alternative to more toxic battery chemistries. While still early-stage, the technology may signal a shift towards smarter, cleaner, more sustainable batteries. [[Read More]( [Innovation]( 🧑🏽‍🚀 'Smart' molecule could tackle microgravity-induced bone loss Researchers developed a modified protein that prevented bone loss in weightless mice aboard the ISS, offering a promising therapeutic strategy against microgravity's skeletal risks. The engineered molecule could counteract rapid bone density loss in astronauts and also benefit patients on Earth. [[Read More]( [Science]( 🌗The Moon's ice is not as old as believed, study finds New research finds that most of the Moon's permanently shadowed regions that contain ice are much younger than previously thought. Lunar ice is geologically young, only accumulating when shadowed regions recently cooled enough to trap it. [[Read More]( [Health]( 🩻 Trauma surgeon uses VR to fix shattered bones Scottish surgeon David Howie is revolutionizing complex fracture surgery using virtual reality. His adapted VR software lets surgeons examine patient breaks in 3D with a clarity no X-ray provides. The system helps prevent errors, boost surgical skills, and educates patients through immersive visualization. Howie’s cheaper VR tech could soon influence orthopedic care nationwide. [[Read More]( QUESTION OF THE DAY Would you allow a surgeon to operate on you remotely? [Yes, the technology is ready]( [Yes, but not major surgery]( [No, keep it real]( [You go first!]( “My daughter and I got a VR headset for Christmas and it was great for gaming and playing Angry Birds and things. I suddenly thought, hang on, we should be able to view CT scans using this same technology and there must be clever people who have already created the software.” David Howie, trauma surgeon THE ACCESSORY CORNER [Dongle Adapter Kit]( [$128.99]( [UGreen Nexode Charger]( [$179.99]( [VisionTek Docking Station]( [$69.00]( [ESR Charger Stand]( [$119.99]( AND ANOTHER THING - [New high speed DRUM technology puts $100,000 cameras at risk]( - [Chinese researchers create dancing microrobots using lasers]( [premium] - [9 examples of when AI went haywire]( [premium] - [Universe slows cosmic growth defying the theory of relativity]( - [Swiss startup puts a new spin on the security robot market]( - [Germany signs Artemis Accords, eyes peaceful space future]( - [Researchers suggest how to make space telescopes cheaper and better]( - [China sets up new base for space object identification]( - [Researchers develop a novel method to generate deep-UV light]( - [ESA and NASA join forces to answer the Sun's heating riddle]( 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.](