⚛️ World’s largest fusion reactor powers up after 15 years’ building and testing

Carbon-free energy just got a little closer, plus: Galactic phosphorus detected in unexpected place, AUKUS to use AI to spot subs, EV battery shortages coming to EU In a landmark moment for clean energy, Japan has switched on JT-60SA — the most advanced experimental nuclear fusion reactor ever built. As the forerunner to a larger reactor under construction in France, JT-60SA's successful launch marks a giant leap toward making limitless fusion energy a reality after decades of research. Jump to today’s [Must Read]( to learn more about how researchers will use this reactor to help guide us toward a sustainable, fusion-powered future. 🚨 Also today, ChatGPT has immense potential to solve problems, but LLMs like it can also introduce security risks in two novel ways: leaking information and introducing code vulnerabilities. [This article]( explores how these challenges often arise across organizations and provides mitigation strategies to minimize negative outcomes. Good morning. I’m Tim, newsletter editor at IE. This is the Blueprint. Let’s get into it! VIDEO OF THE DAY [Is Nikola Tesla Overrated?]( This tiny asteroid sample can reveal the truth about our universe NASA’s Osiris-Rex spacecraft returned a sample from asteroid Bennu, shedding light on the early solar system, the origin of Earth's water, and how to mitigate the threat from asteroids. 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 - 📈 [CO₂ emissions to surge past 50% above pre-industrial levels, warns study]( Fossil carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions rose to a record high of 36.8 billion tonnes in 2023, a 1.1 percent markup from 2022, estimated scientists. - 🏙 [China unveils ‘world’s first’ AI-powered vertical farm with 20 floors]( This AI-controlled system utilizes advanced technologies and algorithms to monitor, analyze, and adjust key environmental variables within the vertical farming facility. - 🤔 [New theory may finally unite Einstein's gravity with the quantum world]( A pair of two new papers explain a new theory that could, finally, combine the seemingly conflicting works of Einstein and quantum theory. - 🛩 [CelestialSTAR: How Lufthansa and Boeing’s VVIP cabins redefine luxury]( CelestialSTAR, the new VVIP cabin for BBJ 777-9, combines Middle Eastern grandeur with cutting-edge design to redefine in-flight magnificence. - 🛢 [China claims massive 100-million-tonne untouched oil reserve discovery]( The large-scale, well-preserved oilfield with geological reserves of over 100 million tonnes is in northwest China’s Gansu Province. Must Read [✅ Japan: World’s largest nuclear fusion reactor now operational]( The JT-60SA experimental fusion reactor, the largest and most advanced in the world, has officially commenced operations in Japan. The [tokamak]( machine aims to demonstrate net energy gain from nuclear fusion, the process that powers the Sun. By confining plasma at temperatures over 200 million degrees C in a doughnut-shaped vacuum chamber and inducing fusion of hydrogen isotopes, JT-60SA will provide key insights needed to develop fusion as a viable future carbon-free energy source. With the reactor now functional after 15 years of construction and testing, researchers can begin to investigate techniques that will enhance plasma stability for longer durations, bringing science a step closer to harnessing fusion's immense promise. Click below to learn more about this fusion landmark. [[Read More]( [Science]( [🌌 Surprise phosphorus discovery at Milky Way's fringes]( Astronomers detected phosphorus, a key ingredient for life, in an unexpected location — a molecular cloud 74,000 light-years from our galaxy’s center. Since massive stars that produce phosphorus in supernovae explosions don't exist in the Milky Way’s outskirts, the discovery challenges current theories. Learn more about the cosmic mystery. [[Read More]( [Military]( [👂 Advanced AI to help AUKUS allies track Chinese subs]( The AUKUS partnership of the U.S., U.K., and Australia plans to deploy AI for enhanced anti-submarine warfare capabilities, aimed largely at countering China's growing undersea fleet. By using machine learning to process acoustic data from underwater sensors, the allies hope to boost the speed and accuracy of detecting and tracking Chinese nuclear and conventional submarines. See how artificial intelligence could reshape naval defenses. [[Read More]( [Transportation]( [🪫 Europe’s carmakers secure just 16% of critical metals for EV batteries]( A new report revealed European automakers have secured just 16 percent of the lithium, cobalt and nickel they need to meet their 2030 EV production targets. With manufacturers like BMW lacking sufficient future supply contracts, the analysis warns of severe raw material shortages threatening the transition away from combustion engines. Learn more about the bottlenecks ahead in electrifying transport. [[Read More]( job alert In this section you’ll find the latest jobs as featured on: [jobs.interestingengineering.com]( [Senior Developer Technology Engineer - AI]( at NVIDIA Santa Clara(US) [CAD Designer/Drafter]( at Bi-Con Engineering Derwent(US) [Principal Space Systems Engineer]( at The MITRE Corporation El Segundo(US) [Electronics Technician]( at Thales Salt Lake City(US) [Junior Research Engineer]( at ENSCO, Inc. Pueblo(US) [Senior Software Engineer]( at Light & Wonder Las Vegas(US) [Co-op - Optical Sensor System]( at ASML Wilton(US) [Senior Software Engineer - Rocket Engines]( at Blue Origin, LLC Seattle(US) [Cyber Warfare Engineer]( at Booz Allen Hamilton San Antonio(US) QUESTION OF THE DAY What most excites you about fusion energy progress? [The prospect of cheap, clean electricity]( [Technology finally catching up with physics]( [Mitigating climate change impacts]( [Moving closer to sci-fi-like energy future]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS Yesterday, we asked you about Tesla’s new Cybertruck and found that its aggressive styling still repels 41 percent of you. 41% No, I still can’t get past the styling 35% I’m intrigued but not totally convinced 12% Yes, the engineering sold me on it 12% Reserving judgement until I test drive it “The discovery extends the presence of phosphorus almost twice as far out as where it was known to exist.” University of Arizona release THE ACCESSORY CORNER [Julbo Vermont Glacier Sunglasses]( [$159.94]( [Ekster AirTag Wallet]( [$109.00]( [Gothic Cyber Helmet]( [$89.99]( [Slim Laptop Backpack]( [$67.99]( AND ANOTHER THING - [World’s largest cruise vessel, 5 times larger than Titanic to set sail in 2024]( - [Japanese engineers break internet speed record, 20x global traffic per second]( - [Regent’s aeroplane-boat hybrid could test crewed flights in 2024]( - [Six of the most outlandish space megastructures ever imagined]( - [The Brick: Webb unravels enigmatic dark cloud in the Milky Way’s center]( - [Lockheed Martin’s tech may allow quick calibration of space payload]( - [Genetically-modified Christmas trees may reduce needle shedding]( - [Five ancient weapons that give modern ones a run for their money]( - [Gran Berlinetta VGT: Genesis unveils 1,071hp hybrid power supercar]( - [XCA3000, the world's heaviest wheeled crane, shows promise in first lift]( Need help with advertising? Reach 150,000 engineering and tech professionals. [Contact us](mailto:sales@interestingengineering.com?subject=Newsletter Sponsorship) what else? ⚙️ To explore the wonders of mechanical engineering, get your [Mechanical]( 🔷 For all the week’s top engineering stories, subscribe to the [Vital Component]( 🧑🏻‍🔧 For expert advice on engineering careers, subscribe to [Engineer Pros]( 🧠New: To get the latest AI news every Monday, subscribe to [AI Logs]( 🎬 For a weekly round-up of our best science, tech & engineering videos, subscribe to [IE Originals]( For our weekly premium newsletter and an ad-free experience, [sign up for IE+]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [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.](