Weekend Edition: Super-strong glass, super-slim noise cancellation and a super-soldout Leatherman

[New Atlas logo]( Welcome to our weekly wrap of the best stories to grace the pages of New Atlas over the last seven days. Sit back, relax and enjoy the Weekend Edition. Darren Quick Editor-in-Chief Materials [LionGlass boasts 10x the strength of regular glass, greener production]( [Samples of LionGlass, a new material that's at least 10 times more crack resistant than regular glass, and far more environmentally friendly to produce]( Despite its many advantages, glass has one major Achilles' heel – it’s brittle. Now, engineers at Penn State have developed LionGlass, a new form that's not only 10 times more damage resistant, but requires significantly less energy to manufacture. [Read more]( Technology [Plasma-based noise cancelling could silence rooms, cars and planes]( [These ionic speakers have no moving parts, making them exceptionally responsive and effective as thin, lightweight noise cancelling metamaterials]( EPFL researchers have developed a 100% effective, ultra-thin active noise cancelling system that uses an ionized air plasma propulsion system instead of speakers. A 17-mm-thick (0.6-in) layer can block 20 Hz noise as well as a 4-m-thick (13-ft) wall. [Read more]( Outdoors [Cutting-edge Leatherman multitool sells out faster than it flips open]( [Leatherman celebrates 40 years with a new release for its Garage collection]( Leatherman celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. And what better way to mark the occasion than with a fully revamped, modernized version of its most iconic tool. Say hello to the new Batch 005 40th Anniversary Tool. [Read more]( Medical [Upping levels of key nutrient maintains immune cell response to cancer]( [A study has found that an energy-producing nutrient is key to maintaining the body's cancer-destroying immune response]( New research has discovered that a fundamental nutrient found in cells is key to maintaining the body’s cancer-destroying immune response. The discovery may lead to more effective ways of treating the disease. [Read more]( Architecture [World's largest spherical building says hello with dazzling LED display]( [The Sphere officially opens this September and will host concerts, as well as sporting events like boxing]( Looking like a huge high-tech snow globe, the Sphere is the world's largest spherical structure and hosts the world's largest LED display on its exterior. This has now been officially illuminated for the first time with a Hello World message. [Read more]( Technology [World’s first phone and audio recorder to employ ChatGPT as a pocket PA]( [The device looks as sleek as your smartphone]( While there’s a lot of debate over how much AI will impact different industries, perhaps one job you won’t mind it taking is note-taking and transcribing. Enter the Plaud Note, which records phone calls and employs ChatGPT as a PA for your audio. [Read more]( Outdoors [Titanium KeyMaster crams a multitude of tools into a tiny package]( [Boasting more than a dozen features, EDC Monster's KeyMaster is the ultimate everyday carry tool]( If you’re looking for a versatile everyday carry multitool, EDC Monster has designed the 1-oz KeyMaster to pack a variety of tools in a sleek and compact design. Made from high-grade titanium, it's water-repellent and scratch- and wear-resistant. [Read more]( Medical [Anti-aging therapy is one step closer after successful primate trial]( [Boosting klotho expression after it naturally depletes could have vast anti-aging health benefits]( Promising results from the very first primate trial looking at the brain-boosting effects of longevity protein klotho has buoyed scientists and opens the door to human trials aimed at restoring cognitive function and other age-related conditions. [Read more]( Medical [mRNA Trojan Horse tricks cancer into making toxins to kill itself]( [Lipid nanoparticles carry mRNA sequences to cancer cells, causing them to produce toxins that kill the tumors]( Scientists have developed a new potential treatment for cancer that works in a similar way to the COVID-19 vaccines. The technique involves delivering mRNA molecules to cancer cells and tricking them into producing toxic proteins that kill the tumors. [Read more]( Marine [SealVans amphibious caravans are equally at home on land or water]( [On the water, the SealVans cruise at a maximum speed of 13 knots]( Turkish startup SealVans has launched two amphibious caravan models that combine the features of a boat and a traditional caravan. The amphibious vehicles are a unique solution for adventurous families who want to explore both land and sea. [Read more]( Architecture ["World's largest" 3D-printed building nears completion in Florida]( [3D printing work has completed on Printed Farms' horse barn and now human builders are finishing it off]( 3D-printed architecture is really taking off in the USA. Another major milestone comes from Printed Farms, which is nearing completion on what it calls the world's largest 3D-printed building, a "luxury horse barn" in Florida measuring 10,100 sq ft. [Read more]( Marine [Human-powered watercraft being developed to break 30-year speed record]( [Stéphane Rousson is hoping to pedal-power his way into the history books by challenging MIT's long-standing world record for the fastest human-powered watercraft]( French champion of pedal power, Stéphane Rousson, is developing a twin-prop waterbike designed to beat a 30-year-old world record for the fastest human-powered watercraft. The first prototype has been built and tested on the water. [Read more]( Science [Surfactants safely take down mosquitoes without using insecticides]( [Researchers have developed a surfactant spray that counters the mosquito's natural water-resistant properties, killing them without insecticides]( Researchers have developed a surfactant spray that safely and effectively kills mosquitoes without using insecticides. The spray could be used to protect people from the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. [Read more]( Motorcycles [World's first all-titanium motorcycle is spectacular, and nearly done]( [Don't mind the orange bucks – the bike will be all metal when finished, anodized to provide color highlights]( We haven't been paying much attention to the custom motorcycle world lately, but this jaw-dropping project demanded our attention. It's a Hayabusa engine wrapped in a spectacular titanium frame, swingarm, exhaust, subframe and bodywork. [Read more]( Outdoors [1-lb Nemo camp chair pushes reclining comfort deep into the wild]( [The patent-pending reclining system on the Nemo Moonlite Elite chair was inspired by climbing belay devices]( With the all-new Moonlite Elite, Nemo looks to create a backpacking chair that's equal parts lightweight and comfortable. The Elite is extremely light and packable but still offers a comfort-boosting recline function similar to the original Moonlite. [Read more]( Motorcycles [Fastest steam-powered motorcycle in history tears up the 1/8th mile]( [Graham Sykes aboard the record-setting steam-powered Force of Nature]( A husband-and-wife precision engineering team has set a new world record standing 1/8th mile time for steam-powered motorcycles. The Force of Nature is effectively a rocket on wheels, and the team says it should go much faster in the next attempt. [Read more]( Biology [Potential CRISPR alternative gene-editing tool occurs naturally in animals]( [A model map of the Fanzor protein (gray, yellow, light blue, and pink) with ωRNA (purple), target DNA (red) and non-target DNA (blue)]( CRISPR-Cas9 is the household name of genetic engineering tools, but there might be other, better ways. MIT scientists have now demonstrated an alternative called Fanzor, which is naturally found in animals so could be a better fit for human use. [Read more]( Aircraft [Outrageously ambitious VTOL flying car is FAA-approved for takeoff]( [Fully unfolded into aircraft mode, the Aska A5 is less of a visual calamity than it is on the road]( The four-seat Aska A5 is the size of an SUV, but at the touch of a button it extends an array of electric propellers and converts to a cruise-capable eVTOL aircraft with an impressive hybrid range. The FAA has cleared it for flight testing. [Read more]( Space [Galactic-scale detector picks up background distortions in spacetime]( [An artist's impression of a pulsar timing array picking up a background of gravitational waves, which has now been achieved for the first time]( The very fabric of spacetime is constantly warping on unimaginably tiny scales, as ripples from past cataclysms wash over us. Astrophysicists have now detected a background sea of gravitational waves, using a galaxy-scale detector of dead stars. [Read more]( Military [British Army gets drone-killing rifle sights]( [SMASH sights will be rolled out for dismounted close combat operators across the British Army, Royal Navy and RAF]( The British Army has shelled out millions to equip the infantry's SA80 A3 assault rifles with the SmartShooter SMASH Smart Weapon Sight Fire Control System, which is a special sight that allows a soldier to automatically lock onto UAVs in flight. [Read more]( Outdoors [Nike Aerogami running jacket vents open automatically when you sweat]( [Once the wearer begins sweating, the vents open]( With its all-new Aerogami running jacket, Nike experiments with a more intuitive, seamless form of ventilation. The jacket's vents automatically open when the runner sweats, providing cooling that doesn't require slowing down or yanking on zippers. [Read more]( Automotive [Crosscamp 14-in-1 Flex camper van adapts on demand to day's adventure]( [Crosscamp charges forward into the full-size camper van market with three Opel Movano vans, including the innovative Flex 541]( Crosscamp has moved up market, launching full-size camper vans in the same multifunctional urban-to-alpine spirit as its small MPVs. The Flex 541 is the most versatile, transforming from gear shuttle, to mobile bungalow, to everyday utility van. [Read more]( Environment [reTyre claims its rubber-free tires are 100% recyclable – and longer-lasting]( [A demo bicycle tire made from the new material]( Because they're made of vulcanized rubber, old tires can't simply be melted down and used to make new tires. Such is reportedly not the case, however, with new rubber-free tires made from eco-friendly elastomers. [Read more]( Mobile Technology [Asus launches powerhouse Zenfone 10 compact Android flagship]( [The small-but-mighty Asus Zenfone 10 will be available in the US from the third quarter]( Asus has again shunned the big-screen crowd for a hand-sized smartphone that packs a powerful punch. The Zenfone 10 comes with Qualcomm's flagship chipset, a 144-Hz AMOLED display, and a 50-MP stabilized main camera. [Read more]( You are receiving this email because you signed up for our daily newsletter at [newatlas.com]( (or [gizmag.com]( before August 2016). [Update profile]( | [Unsubscribe]( Copyright New Atlas © 2022