🪖 US warns of ‘window of vulnerability’ in space, Cheese byproduct extracts gold, Armed robot dogs

Plus: Elon Musk sues OpenAI                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 March 02, 2024 | [Read Online]( While speaking in testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee, Gen. Stephen Whiting, commander of U.S. Space Command, issued a stark warning about U.S. space assets. Whiting claimed that the U.S. faces a “window of vulnerability” over the next few years, during which it could face potential aggression in space from other world powers. For more on this story, check out today’s [Must Read.]( 👀 Have you subscribed to one of our newest newsletters — IE Electrical? From AI to smart grids, charge your curiosity every Friday and [subscribe for free now.]( 🔥Today’s job of the day as featured on [jobs.interestingengineering.com](: > [Senior Software Engineer - Engine]( Reading Time: 4 mins Did a friend forward this e-mail to you? [Subscribe here.]( MUST READ 🪖 US general warns of ‘window of vulnerability’ in space During the February 29 hearing, Gen. Stephen Whiting, commander of U.S. Space Command claimed [China and Russia]( are the two biggest threats to the US space architecture. This is because both nations are developing anti-satellite weapons. Since the start of Russia’s war in Ukraine, the use of satellites has been in the public spotlight, as SpaceX’s [Starlink internet satellite]( service has allowed Ukrainian troops and civilians to stay connected on the ground. Though Whiting explained that the ongoing war in Ukraine has “established space as an indelible enabler of terrestrial warfare,” he emphasized that the long-term priority should be to remain ahead of [China](. 🧀 Scientists extract gold from electronic waste using a cheese byproduct A team led by Professor Mezzenga from ETH has found a highly efficient, affordable, and notably [sustainable solution](: they used a byproduct of the cheesemaking process to extract gold from electronic waste. They used whey proteins to make a sponge-like material that can pull gold from old [computer motherboards]( dissolved in acid. Due to the proteins' unique structure, the material has enhanced effectiveness in adhering to gold ions compared to other metals. After soaking up the gold, it’s then turned into smaller pieces and melted to make a nugget. Surprisingly, from only 20 motherboards, the team got a nugget weighing 450 milligrams and 91 percent pure gold. The team believes that their process could be used on a [larger scale.]( 🧮 AI wars: Elon Musk sues OpenAI, Sam Altman over broken non-profit pledge Elon Musk, the tech visionary renowned for his ventures in space and electric vehicles, finds himself entangled in yet [another legal battle](, but of a different kind. The crux of Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI, which Musk co-founded with his share of $50 million, revolves around what he perceives as a betrayal of the organization’s founding principles. OpenAI, initially established to develop open-source artificial general intelligence (AGI) [for humanity’s betterment](, is now accused of straying from its noble mission. Additionally, the recent partnership forged between OpenAI and tech behemoth Microsoft has attracted scrutiny from the European Union Commission, which is looking into Microsoft’s investment of $13 billion into [OpenAI](. IE+ Love what you're reading? Join our vibrant online community, explore fascinating scientific breakthroughs, get special discounts and stay in the know with our exclusive weekly premium newsletter. Upgrade to IE+ for quality reporting beyond the headlines – plus, enjoy an Ad-Free experience. Try IE+ today for just $1 in the first month. [Subscribe here]( HOT TOPICS OF THE DAY SCIENCE > Frank Herbert’s science fiction novel Dune has been praised for its worldbuilding. Not only did Herbert create a rich fantasy world, he also built a plausible planet, says a UK climate modeler. ([More]() > It’s time to meet Pleurobranchaea britannica, a new species of the side-gill sea slug measuring two to five centimeters. According to sources, this is the first time a sea slug from the Pleurobranchaea genus has been found in UK waters. ([More]() > After 16 years studying Earth’s highest clouds for the benefit of humanity – polar mesospheric clouds – from its orbit some 350 miles above the ground, NASA’s Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, or AIM, mission has come to an end. ([More]() ENERGY > German energy company Iqony is planning to construct hydrogen-ready gas-fired power plants at three of its existing sites in the country. The move is part of the company’s strategy to bid for a portion of the German Government’s upcoming tender for 10GW of new capacity. ([More]() > Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s researchers have revealed how crystal structure perovskites can change the game of solar power. The key revelation from this study is the dual impact of the passivation process. ([More]() > U.S. scientists have used AI to overcome the huge challenge of producing near-limitless clean energy with nuclear fusion. An AI model could predict and prevent instabilities with plasma during fusion reactions. ([More]() INNOVATION > A new Chinese study claims that machine gun-armed robot dogs are as accurate as trained human marksmen. If true, we could be about to witness a revolution of sorts in urban warfare. ([More]() > A new light-based communication network makes seamless connectivity on land, in the sea, and in the air a reality. Researchers turned to four spectra of light to develop an interoperable communication network. ([More]() > Researchers have developed a system that provides a virtual walking experience to a seated person by real-time synthesis of a walking avatar. The shadow of the avatar induces an illusory presence of their body. ([More]() VIDEO > In a world where the promise of a sustainable and net-zero future seemed like an elusive dream, a groundbreaking transformation has ushered in a new era of possibilities. Here, we dive into the world of advanced materials. ([More]() > Ever thought about what the safest seat on an airplane is? It’s a topic that has been explored through numerous studies, often challenging common assumptions. In this video, we explore what might be your go-to seat. ([More]() > Nobel-winning astrophysicist Reinhard Genzel explains the complexity of black holes during our interview at the Hong Kong Laureate Forum 2023, and he highlights their unique properties. ([More]() THINGS WE LOVE > LEVOIT Smart Humidifier: ([Buy Now: $134.99]() > Tineco Vacuum Cleaner: ([Buy Now: $299.99]() > Dreo Pedestal Fan: ([Buy Now: $125.99]() > Cordless Water Flosser: ([Buy Now: $119.00]() FROM THE WEB > Device that withstands 1,400°C temperatures could improve solar energy [production]( > Building bionic jellyfish for ocean [exploration]( > Humanoid robot startup Figure valued at $2.6bn in latest [raise]( > Flexible diamonds could boost EV charging and [performance]( > Nvidia set to close with $2 trillion valuation as Dell stokes AI[rally]( > The true story of the devastating 2015 Mariana dam [disaster]( > Court orders Meta to cease using name in [Brazil]( > The creepy-eyed robot that wants to be your friend and [teacher]( Need help with advertising? 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