☢️ X-ray the nukes: How US plans nuclear safety in this underground lab

Plus: Shape-shifting liquid fiber, US B-52 bombers, and Hydrogen powered two-liter turbo engine Three major US defense labs—Sandia, Los Alamos, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories—are collaborating on the Scorpius project. This $1.8 billion initiative, located a thousand feet underground in Albuquerque, New Mexico, aims to assess the reliability of the US nuclear stockpile using powerful X-rays. Although Scorpius's component assembly begins in 2024, the project is slated to become operational in 2027. The need for Scorpius arose from the cessation of traditional nuclear testing in 1992. Since then, the US has relied on computer simulations using surrogate materials, making Scorpius crucial to directly examine plutonium's unique structures and ensure the stockpile's dependability. Jump to today's [Must Read]( and learn more about the Scorpius project. Good morning. I’m Shubhangi, an editorial assistant at IE. This is the Blueprint. Let's dive in! 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Must Read [☢️ X-ray the nukes: How US plans nuclear safety in this underground lab]( Three American defense laboratories are working together on the Scorpius project, an endeavor based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to evaluate the US nuclear stockpile's reliability. Despite financial limitations leading to a single-machine setup, the project intends to perform two plutonium experiments each year for 30 years, ensuring the stockpile's trustworthiness. Operations are slated to begin in 2027. Scorpius utilizes a 46-foot-long electron beam generator to produce 25,000-volt pulses. The beam's intensity is escalated to 22 megavolts, transforming it into X-rays. These powerful X-rays will be employed to scrutinize plutonium's structures, generating data vital for enhancing future nuclear warhead designs and ensuring the nation's nuclear security. [[Read More]( [Innovation]( [🧣 This new unique shape-shifting liquid fiber adapts to the environment]( Researchers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Northeastern University have developed FibeRobo, a unique fiber called liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) that changes shape in response to temperature shifts. LCE consists of tiny particles of liquid crystal that align in an organized manner when stationary. The innovation entails applications in clothing that can change shape silently and swiftly using thermal stimuli. [[Read More]( [Military]( [🪖 US flies nuclear capable bombers supporting Philippines against China]( Two US B-52 bombers from Guam were tracked near the southern Philippines in the South China Sea on October 26, 2023. This routine Bomber Task Force mission aimed to show support for the Philippines amidst tensions with China. These missions are part of the US Indo-Pacific Command's policy, demonstrating strategic deterrence and maintaining a presence in the volatile South China Sea and Taiwan Strait regions. [[Read More]( [Transportation]( [🛣️ Breaking barriers: AVL's hydrogen-powered 2-liter engine tops 410 HP]( Austrian company AVL RACETECH has developed a high-performance two-liter turbo engine powered by hydrogen, challenging the notion of low-performance hydrogen engines. With 410 horsepower and an innovative water injection system, the engine defies previous limitations. This hydrogen engine, emission-free and powerful, offers a transformative solution for eco-friendly racing technology. [[Read More]( QUESTION OF THE DAY How do advanced technologies like Scorpius ensure nuclear safety and our survival amidst global tensions? 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