Forget gas — this mini engine runs on pure quantum weirdness

Plus: U.S. Navy looks to expand drone capability across fleet, iPhone’s hidden QR codes, what is nitrogen-9? Move over pistons and combustion... Researchers have created the first-ever quantum engine powered not by heat but by the strange behavior of exotic particles. By switching bosons and fermions, this nano-machine wrings energy from the quantum world. However, at just 25% efficiency, it isn't a practical engine — yet. But this proof-of-concept does crack open the door to technologies fueled by quantum, not classical, principles. This tiny motor provides a glimpse of a future where quantum engines hum away at the core of revolutionary devices. [Jump to today's Must Read]( to learn how it's possible to power an engine without heat. ✅ Also today: Adding some coding know-how to your skills can help launch a new career or bolster an old one. [Coding All-In-One For Dummies]( serves up insights on the basics of coding. It's designed to be easy to follow, even if you’ve never written a line of code in your life. Hurry up and grab this ebook for FREE! Good morning. I’m Tim, newsletter editor at IE. This is the Blueprint. Let's turn the quantum ignition! VIDEO OF THE DAY [Is Nikola Tesla Overrated?]( Sensiworm: Elevating Aircraft Safety Learn how GE Aerospace’s Sensiworm revolutionizes jet engine inspections, enhancing safety with real-time monitoring and gas leak detection. 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 - [premium] [Astrophysicists predict a hidden planet in the Kuiper Belt]( A new study suggests there may be a planet hidden in the Kuiper Belt that affects the orbits of space objects around it. - 🥵 [Apple admits iPhone 15 overheating issue and promises fixes]( Some users have speculated that a new titanium material could be responsible for the overheating issue. - 😎 [Codec avatars: The next frontier of Meta’s VR technology]( Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg reveals the technology behind codec avatars, which create ultra-realistic VR faces. - ☢️ [This new transformer robot can help nuclear decommissioning]( “There could be some really creative and effective ways of moving around or interacting with the environment that we haven’t yet discovered.” - 🪱 [Scientists make eco friendly material inspired by worms]( A reminder that inspiration can be found in the most unexpected places, especially in nature. Must Read [💡 Researchers create a tiny quantum engine that works]( The miniature experimental engine is powered by quantum particles, not heat like conventional engines. Researchers at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) repeatedly converted two quantum types of particles, bosons and fermions, to tap into an energy difference between them. Though the tiny proof-of-concept only achieved 25% efficiency, it shows quantum mechanics can potentially provide new energy sources. But major hurdles remain before such quantum engines become practical. The fragile quantum particle states must stay cold, which itself requires lots of energy. While large-scale viability remains uncertain, this research opens up possibilities for quantum-powered technologies beyond today's classical physics-based devices. The experiment provides an exciting glimpse into a future powered by the strange quantum world rather than the usual combustion of chemical fuels. [[Read More]( [Science]( ⏱ New nitrogen isotope stretches our understanding of nuclear physics Called nitrogen-9, this isotope contains seven protons and two neutrons and only exists for one billionth of a nanosecond. Yet, despite its incredibly brief existence, many physicists agree it "counts" as a nucleus. [[Read More]( [Military]( ⛴ U.S. Navy looking to operate UAVs from non-carrier ships The U.S. Navy has indicated an interest in expanding drone capabilities across the navy fleet using affordable systems adaptable to different ships. The Request for Information may hint at a new strategy of dispersing drone operations and enhancing air power at sea. The immediate goal is likely to be the development of launch and recovery capabilities. [[Read More]( [Innovation]( 🔍 The invisible QR codes that make your iPhone better and cheaper Your iPhone screen hides an invisible secret - a microscopic QR code engraved by lasers into the glass during manufacturing. These tiny tags, smaller than a grain of sand, form a hidden network of traceability across Apple's sprawling supply chain. Scanned during production, the micro-markers track iPhones from assembly line to shipping box, identifying issues and bottlenecks. [[Read More]( QUESTION OF THE DAY Do you think the quantum engine research will scale up to something we can use? [Yes, it obeys the laws of physics]( [Much more research needed]( [No, it's a pipe dream]( [At last, Schrödinger’s Car!]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS We asked you about the return of airships, and 32 percent of you hope that this form of sustainable aviaton will come back for good. However, 28 percent of you believe that this 20th century solution has now been superceded. 32% I hope so, they're more sustainable 28% No, they have been superceded 27% Yes, their time has come again 13% Maybe, but I will never board one “To turn fermions into bosons, you can take two fermions and combine them into a molecule. This new molecule is a boson. Breaking it up allows us to retrieve the fermions again. By doing this cyclically, we can power the engine without using heat.” Professor Thomas Busch, Quantum Systems Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) THE ACCESSORY CORNER [Bellroy Tech Kit]( [$59.00]( [Wireless CarPlay Adapter]( [$89.99]( [Retro Typewriter Keyboard]( [$84.99]( [Compressed Air Duster]( [$59.99]( AND ANOTHER THING - [Alfvén waves: unlocking unlimited clean energy for the Earth]( - [Here's why robots are bad at passing CAPTCHA tests — at least in theory]( [premium] - [Harvest moon 2023: the last supermoon of the year]( - [A new wearable sensor can monitor sweat in real time]( - [Llama 2 Long outperforms other AI models in long queries]( - [Google’s new undersea cable will connect Portugal and the US]( - [Perseverance rover tracks a dust devil moving at 12 mph on Mars]( - [ispace shifts lunar mission to 2026 for NASA design upgrade]( - [Bird flock inspired CubeSats look to observe water bodies]( - [India’s Aditya L1 mission crosses a major milestone]( Need help with advertising? 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