Thermoacoustic-Stirling engine promises ultra-quiet subs, and much more

It could spark a silent revolution in clean energy, plus touchy-feely robots, silver fuel cell catalysts, and high-hopping locust-bots. 🤫 This could be a silent, clean energy revolution. Chinese researchers have refined the Stirling heat engine to achieve a record-breaking power output. Free of noisy pistons or turbines, the new system uses sound waves in helium to drive an electricity-generating motor. Their innovative approach efficiently converts various heat sources into useable power, making it ideal for ultra-quiet submarines. But the versatile technology could also sustainably exploit industrial waste heat and solar energy back on land. Has China just mastered the future of distributed green power generation? Today’s [Must Read]( reveals more about how their thermoacoustic Stirling generator could reshape the energy landscape with game-changing efficiency. Good morning. I’m Tim, newsletter editor at IE. This is the Blueprint. 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Must Read [New Chinese thermoacoustic Stirling engine breaks power record]( Researchers in China have developed a record-breaking thermoacoustic Stirling generator delivering 140 hp (102 kilowatts) of power. The engine efficiently converts heat to electricity without moving parts, combining the principles of Stirling engines and thermoacoustic generators. With its high reliability and compatibility with various heat sources, the technology could enable quiet, efficient power for applications like submarines. The engine uses sound waves in helium gas to drive a linear piston motor that generates electricity. Its symmetrical, vibration-free design and airtight seal enable durability and 28 percent conversion efficiency. Efficiency could reach 34 percent with a hotter heat source, rivaling even steam turbines. The simple, lubrication-free system could exceed a decade of lifespan. While submarine propulsion is one high-consequence potential use for this technology, it could also be the basis for renewable energy systems. Its efficiency and longevity make it a good fit for sustainable, distributed electricity generation using waste heat and solar energy. Click below to learn more about this game-changing power technology. [[Read More]( [Innovation]( [🦗 Insect-sized robots leap 60 times their own size]( Researchers 3D-printed tiny robots inspired by locusts that can jump up to 60 times their body length. Weighing just 0.2 grams, the robots contain compact elastomeric muscles that store energy for long jumps. Advanced manufacturing techniques enabled a single-piece design that gives the robots unmatched agility to traverse rough terrain. Click below to see them in action, and learn more about these jumping micro-robots with big potential. [[Read More]( [Science]( [🤖 Artificial fingertip identifies textures like human touch]( Scientists in China developed a robotic tactile sensory system that can detect microscopic textures with precision approaching human fingertips. The flexible sensor collects pressure and vibration data, achieving excellent sensitivity and response speed. Using machine learning, the artificial fingertip classified 20 fabrics with 98.6 percent accuracy. The technology could enhance prosthetic and robot touch capabilities. Discover more about this sensory breakthrough. [[Read More]( [Energy]( [⚡️ Silver catalysts spark hydrogen fuel cell revolution]( Researchers have found a way to slash the cost of hydrogen fuel cells by substituting expensive platinum with silver. Controlled vacuum deposition of the new catalyst onto electrodes enables more reliable manufacturing. Tests showed the silver-based catalyst performs equally well at a fraction of the cost, overcoming a key barrier to widespread fuel cell adoption. Learn how silver is making clean hydrogen energy more viable. [[Read More]( job alert In this section you’ll find the latest jobs as featured on: [jobs.interestingengineering.com]( [Test Engineer AWS - 1001]( at Reinventing Geospatial, Inc. (RGi) Denver(US) [Senior Surveillance Systems Engineer]( at The MITRE Corporation McLean(US) [Engineering/ Systems Engineer I-II]( at TRISTAR Crane(US) [Senior Network Engineer]( at The Villages The Villages(US) [IT Support Engineer]( at Merge IT Greer(US) QUESTION OF THE DAY Which of today’s emerging innovations is the most exciting? [Thermoacoustic-Stirling engine setting power records]( [3D-printed jumping robots]( [Artificial fingertip identifying textures]( [Silver catalyst reducing fuel cell costs]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS Good news for trainee astronauts! There’s still a place for crewed space exploration according to 73 percent of respondents to yesterday’s poll. 39% Yes, it's the whole point 34% Yes, but it's not the most important thing 14% Space should not be a priority at all 13% No, we can learn more through robots “It operates quietly and efficiently and can use different types of heat, including solar energy, waste heat, and biomass.” Statement on the thermoacoustic Stirling generator by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) THE UNIQUE BOUTIQUE [Bedside Touch Lamp]( [$55.99]( [FORYOU Charger Station]( [$39.99]( [Aiuwo Mens Slim Wallet]( [$43.99]( [HEITICUP Charcuterie Board]( [$49.99]( AND ANOTHER THING - [Diwali and crop burning worsen Delhi's already escalating pollution]( - [X-37B Mission 7 to rocket into space aboard SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy]( - [9 bridges that are masterpieces of engineering]( - [Innovative system retrieves SuperBIT data despite landing damage]( - [10 interesting facts about the Earth’s rotation]( - [Yandex to sell all Russian businesses amid founder’s comments on war]( - [Comets may be crashing into planets depositing life’s building blocks]( - [Meet Carlsberg, the newly found beetle with a bottle opener-shaped penis]( - [After lab-grown meat, is lab-grown oil the next big thing?]( [premium] - [10 of the deadliest snakes in the world]( Need help with advertising? 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