🔥 China’s hypersonic heat breakthrough follows US ‘sweat’ tech

Plus: A huge foamboard quadcopter, DNA nanoturbine spins both ways, all-seeing AI battlefield drones. China recently announced a milestone in hypersonic technology — materials that withstand over 7,000°F of heat, though [without the “sweating” cooling tech]( we covered yesterday. While specifics are scarce, experts say enduring such extreme temperatures could enable unprecedented speeds and maneuverability. If verified, the advance would give China the edge in a race to surpass the US in developing hypersonic missiles and aircraft. With more test flights than the US in the last decade, China is aggressively pursuing next-gen platforms. The stakes are high — dominance in this arena may shift the military balance. Jump to today’s [Must Read]( to find out more. Also, are you a Java novice planning to make a career transition? The [Job Ready Java ebook]( will brush up on the fundamentals of your craft with an accessible and up-to-date resource. Good morning. I’m Tim, newsletter editor at IE. This is the Blueprint. Let's fire up the engines! VIDEO OF THE DAY [Is Nikola Tesla Overrated?]( World’s first electric road: Charging EVs on the move Electric roads in Sweden are redefining transportation, allowing EVs to recharge as they drive, reducing the need for frequent stops, and contributing to sustainability. 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 - 📉 [Elon Musk's $28b loss: Tesla's Q3 report shakes EV faith]( Tesla’s Q3 earnings disappoint with a $28 billion loss. 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Must Read [🌡 China allegedly cracks hypersonic thermal barrier, bringing heat on US]( China’s new material reportedly endured 7,343°F on a hypersonic waverider design test without melting. This surface coating could enable vehicles to fly longer distances at higher speeds. Thermal protection has constrained hypersonic operations thus far, but China claims to have crossed this barrier. China’s advance follows extensive R&D, including [detonation wave engines]( for Mach 9 using conventional fuel. Their capabilities now reportedly reach a readiness level nearing field deployment. The next step may be reusable scramjet vehicles for strike, reconnaissance and transport. Yet exactly how China attained this thermal feat is unknown — the devil lurks in undisclosed details. The US can’t afford to cede hypersonic primacy, but closing the gap may prove difficult. The race is on. Learn more about the ripple effects of China’s hypersonic milestone and whether it truly ushers in a new era of thermal limits conquered. [[Read More]( [Innovation]( [📦 World’s largest quadcopter drone made from foamboard takes flight]( Engineers at the University of Manchester have created the world's largest quadcopter drone made entirely from lightweight foamboard. With a 21-foot wingspan but weighing under 55 lbs, the innovative design proves the potential of foamboard for building sustainable aerospace structures. While created as a demonstration, similar drones could carry heavy loads short distances or dock with other drones midair. Click below to learn more about this eco-friendly drone pushing the boundaries of aviation. [[Read More]( [Science]( [🧬 Nanotechnology breakthrough: DNA turbine changes direction with salt]( Researchers developed a nanoscale DNA turbine that rotates bidirectionally based on salt concentration. Using DNA origami, they created a tiny rotor that spins left or right when salt levels change. This unique phenomenon could enable nanomachines for drug delivery, energy harvesting, and more. Building on previous fixed-rotation DNA rotors, the breakthrough brings scientists closer to mimicking natural molecular motors with synthetic DNA devices. Find out how this innovation is unlocking nanoscale motion control. [[Read More]( [Military]( [👁 All-Seeing AI: Shield AI and Sentient partner on next-gen battlefield surveillance]( A new deal will see US firm Shield AI integrate Australian company Sentient's advanced AI visual sensors into Shield's [swarming V-Bat drone](. The collaboration will give commanders immediate total battlefield awareness by combining computer vision and autonomous navigation. With deliveries starting next year, the agreement aligns with the AUKUS pact's goal of advancing defense AI. Discover how this unified system aims to change the game for military surveillance. [[Read More]( job alert In this section you’ll find the latest jobs as featured on: [jobs.interestingengineering.com]( [Senior Software Engineer - Salesforce - Philanthropy Engineering]( at Bloomberg New York(US) - $160,000 - $240,000 a year [Senior Systems Engineer - Digital Engineering/MBSE]( at SciTec Boulder(US) - $131,000 - $185,000 a year [Lead C/C++ Software Engineer (Underwriting Core Platform)]( at CEDENT Reston(US) [Lead Nuclear Surety Software Engineer]( at Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh(US) [Senior R&D Engineer]( at Renewaire Waunakee(US) [Senior DevOps Engineer]( at KUBRA Greater Toronto Area(CA) [Principal Space Systems Engineer]( at The MITRE Corporation El Segundo(US) [Software Engineer]( at American Rheinmetall Vehicles Sterling Heights(US) - $107,000 - $120,000 a year [Senior Software Engineer]( at Vive Financial Fayetteville(US) [Senior Software Engineer - Full Stack]( at Alert Innovation Andover(US) QUESTION OF THE DAY Which of the technologies featured in today’s Blueprint do you think will most likely shape the future? [Thermal-resistant hypersonic materials]( [Autonomous drone target tracking]( [Salt-responsive DNA nanoturbines]( [Foamboard drone fabrication]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS The prospect of greatly improved travel holds most appeal for those who voted in yesterday’s poll on hypersonic flight technology. 41% Increased speed and efficiency of travel 28% Potential for transforming aviation 20% Applications for space travel 12% Innovative new cooling systems ENGINEER'S ARSENAL [Unviersal Crimping Tool]( [$63.00]( [Multi-Bit Screwdriver]( [$21.97]( [Mechanical Pencil Set]( [$34.99]( [Professional Geometry Set]( [$29.99]( AND ANOTHER THING - [ChatGPT-like AI can be tricked to produce malicious code, cyber attacks]( - [Apple’s $1 billion standoff against AI-rivals Microsoft, Google, OpenAI]( - [Slow-moving quasiparticles make the fastest semiconductor in the world]( - [A brave seabird’s 11 hour, 712-mile-long journey through a typhoon]( - [Mapping microwave light: $21.4M boost for telescope probing universe origins]( - [These electrically charged rocks provide efficient energy storage]( - [Midnight eVTOL soars: FAA certification on the horizon for Archer]( - [Can plasma transfusions really reverse aging?]( [premium] - [A new tool reveals one third of US households experience food insecurity]( - [11 of the strangest exoplanets from our wildly diverse universe]( Need help with advertising? 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