💠 ‘Super-hardness’: New Carbon nitrides tougher than diamond

Plus: China’s pebbled bed reactor activated, a giant lunar lamp post, solar-powered spacesuit Researchers have finally succeeded in synthesizing elusive carbon nitride compounds long theorized to be ultra-hard challengers to materials like diamond. Using specialized high pressure chemistry techniques that simulate heat and pressure found deep underground, the team produced nanocrystalline carbon nitrides with extreme mechanical stability at a level that surpasses all substances besides diamond. One key advantage is their thermal durability over 1,500°C, making them suitable for uses that are too extreme for most other materials. Now proven viable in the lab after decades of failed attempts, we can expect commercial adoption of carbon nitrides in many fields, from manufacturing to electronics. We explore the significance of these mighty new crystals in today’s [Must Read](. 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?]( US Navy attack submarines prepare to protect vital infrastructure Did you know that there is a fairly high possibility of an attack that could suddenly leave you without internet, electricity, or heating? This is the reality of seabed warfare. 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 - 🛰 [SpaceX gets green light to test its Starlink mobile services]( The approval comes a week after the FCC initially gave SpaceX a partial nod to deploy the Starlink mobile service. - 🤖 [Robo-retailer? Watch GXO test ‘human-centric’ robot at SPANX warehouse]( The operation cost for the Digit robot is reportedly estimated to be in the range of $10 to $12 per hour. - 💨 [Chinese firm unveils ‘world’s first’ typhoon-proof 18 MW wind turbine]( This enormous 18 MW turbine towers over nine soccer fields and has a massive diameter of up to 958 feet (292 meters). - 🥇 [US researchers become first to 3D-print steam turbine blades]( ORNL researchers, in collaboration with Siemens, have achieved a 3D-printing milestone. - 🕰 [Chinese scientists unleash age-reversing hydrogen therapy]( A study underscores the impact of hydrogen in undoing the cellular clock. Must Read [⬥ Scientists find carbon nitrides tougher than diamonds]( Researchers have synthesized long theoretical carbon nitride compounds, revealing some variants to be harder than all known materials except diamonds, with heat resistance over 1,500°C. By subjecting precursors to extreme conditions mimicking the Earth’s lower mantle, the team produced three nanocrystalline carbon nitrides, exhibiting extraordinary mechanical stability. With wide-ranging applications from tools to electronics to solar cells, these elusive yet incredibly resilient substances remained out of reach for three decades. Now tamed in the laboratory, their unique properties position carbon nitrides to potentially transform industries that rely on hardened materials. Click below to learn more and stay tuned as the implications of these super-hard compounds unfold across the scientific and industrial worlds. [[Read More]( [Innovation]( [💡 Moon could get these giant lamp posts to guide future astronauts]( Honeybee Robotics proposed installing a 100-meter tall structure on the Moon carrying solar panels and swiveling lights to illuminate lunar habitats through the long night span. The multi-purpose tower, called LUNARSABER, would provide visibility for increased working hours and host communications gear or other payloads. Its extendable design aims to meet NASA’s goal for an easily deployable system. See how this towering lunar lamp post could guide exploration. [[Read More]( [Science]( [🔥❄️ This solar-powered suit could work in outer space]( Scientists developed thermo-adaptive apparel using panels to harness sunlight and power rapid heating or cooling across varying ambient conditions. Integrating flexible photovoltaics and reversible electrocalorics, the system maintains comfort from 12°C to 37°C unlike passive clothing restricted to narrow temperature band. This dual heating and cooling mode works round the clock by storing daytime solar energy. Learn more about this innovative outfit’s potential to support human resilience in harsh environments like space. [[Read More]( [Energy]( [⚛️ World’s first Generation IV nuclear reactor operational in China]( China announced the demonstration launch of the world’s first commercial-scale Generation IV nuclear plant using high-temperature gas-cooled reactor technology. Fueled by ceramic balls instead of rods, its advanced heat transfer and passive safety permit a more flexible range of potential locations, without the need for external water cooling. China plans further units because the technology promises cleaner, safer, and more flexible nuclear energy. Learn more about this milestone. [[Read More]( job alert In this section you’ll find the latest jobs as featured on: [jobs.interestingengineering.com]( [Senior ASIC Verification Engineer, Coherent High Speed Interconnect]( at NVIDIA Santa Clara(US) [Lead IT Platform Systems Engineer]( at Sound Transit Seattle(US) [DevSecOps Engineer, Kubernetes (Top Secret) - 1003]( at Reinventing Geospatial, Inc. (RGi) Herndon(US) [Sustainment Senior Systems Engineer - Sign-On Bonus Available]( at ENSCO, Inc. Colorado Springs(US) [Staff Software Engineer, Platform]( at ServiceTitan Remote(US) [Senior DevOps Engineer]( at KUBRA Tempe(US) [Senior Software Systems Engineer]( at Tential Annapolis(US) [Director, Media Systems Engineer]( at Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology Bristol(US) [RCDD Project Manager w/BICSI]( at Logistics Integration Solutions (LIS) Raleigh(US) QUESTION OF THE DAY What do you think would be the most significant application for these new carbon nitrides? [Outer coating for spacecraft]( [Drillbit tips]( [Tougher nano-materials]( [It remains to be seen]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS [Quantum batteries]( received a warm reception yesterday, with 39 percent excited about their potential and 37 percent hopeful for a big breakthrough based on the indefinite causal order effect. 39% Excited about the vast new potential 37% Hopeful for a big breakthrough 13% Confused, it breaks my brain 11% Indifferent, it's only in a lab “Upon the discovery of the first of these new carbon nitride materials, we were incredulous to have produced materials researchers have been dreaming of for the last three decades.” Dr. Dominique Laniel, University of Edinburgh. THINGS WE LOVE [Skullcandy Wireless Speaker]( [$63.99]( [CARMOUNT Tech Mount]( [$59.99]( [DOCKCASE USB Hub]( [$89.99]( [Reesibi Air Duster]( [$89.99]( AND ANOTHER THING - [Why Elon Musk isn’t too happy with Netflix's new apocalypse movie]( - [World’s first electromagnetic power generator that uses no fuel debuts]( - [Tiniest ‘failed star’ spotted 1,000 light years away, JWST's new record]( - [Man rips windpipe open in a rare case of suppressing sneeze]( - [Russia stretches its naval muscle with two new nuclear submarines]( - [Compact 3D printer to build fire-resistant house in California]( - [Eight of the longest rivers in the world]( - [Hot helium stars shift to 'hydrogen-poor supernovae' in binary system]( - [Intel’s new chip Gaudi3 competes with Nvidia and AMD]( - [1,000-year-old chicken DNA reveals how this virus came to be so deadly]( 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.](