Weekend Edition: A Monster Chopper, a dirt-powered fuel cell, and humanoid bots get to work

[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 our Weekend Edition. Darren Quick Editor-in-Chief Motorcycles [KTM-powered "Monster Chopper" gets hydraulic steering]( [A gravity-powered test ride for the hydraulically-steered Monster Chopper]( "This thing's gonna be a chungus!" In the northern tip of Idaho, 70-odd miles from Spokane, Washington, a magnificently silly project is underway: a colossal batpod of a motorcycle with a KTM motor, monster truck wheels, and hydraulic steering. [Read more]( Energy ["Dirt-powered fuel cell" draws near-limitless energy from soil]( [A microbial fuel cell buried in soil and generating power]( A Northwestern University team has demonstrated a remarkable new way to generate electricity, with a paperback-sized device that nestles in soil and harvests power created as microbes break down dirt – for as long as there's carbon in the soil. [Read more]( Robotics [Figure's humanoid robots are about to enter the workforce at BMW]( [The Figure 01 humanoid has just scored its first job, at a BMW plant in South Carolina]( Figure has signed its first commercial deal, and is sending its general-purpose humanoid robots off to start real-world work at BMW's manufacturing plant in South Carolina. Founder and CEO Brett Adcock talks us through this rubber-meets-road moment. [Read more]( Biology [Surprise plant cell discovery unlocks human anti-aging potential]( [Researchers Heeseung Choi and Katie Dehesh holding young (green) and old (yellow) Arabidopsis plants in the laboratory]( Scientists have discovered a new contender in the quest to hack the human aging process, and it's within each of our cells. They believe this breakthrough may have far-reaching implications for how we approach premature aging and age-related diseases. [Read more]( Tiny Houses [Czech architect crafts tiny house on stilts for serene living]( [The dwelling is constructed using sustainable materials, whilst also providing both durability and a natural aesthetic]( Prague-based architectural firm Jan Tyrpekl recently revealed its latest tiny house project, a 30-sq-m dwelling perched above concrete pillars named Zen House that's nestled in the tranquil landscape of Hainburg an der Donau, Austria. [Read more]( Photography [Shy sea lion and orangutan operation lead Nature Photo Contest wins]( ["Predatore e Preda occhi negli occhi" by Giulio Ilari, a finalist in the Birds category of the Nature Photography Contest 2023]( A new photography competition has released its first batch of winners and finalists. A portrait of a playful sea lion has won the inaugural Nature Photography Contest, which showcases animals, plants, landscapes and human impact on the environment. [Read more]( Energy [Betavolt says its diamond nuclear battery can power devices for 50 years]( [The BV100 is smaller than a coin]( China's Betavolt New Energy Technology has unveiled a new modular nuclear battery that uses a combination of a nickel-63 (⁶³Ni) radioactive isotope and a 4th-generation diamond semiconductor and can power a device for 50 years. [Read more]( Marine [Mercury introduces its most powerful electric outboard motors yet]( [The all-new 75e and 110e join the 7.5e, 20e (pictured) and 35e in Mercury's Avator lineup]( A year ago at CES 2023, Mercury Marine presented its first electric outboard ever, the Avator 7.5e. For this year's show, it cranked up the power to present the most powerful models of the all-electric Avator lineup. [Read more]( Tiny Houses [Ultra-compact tiny house embraces space-saving Japanese design]( [The Bonzai is small even by tiny house standards, and has a length of just 4.5 m (almost 15 ft)]( This latest model by French firm Baluchon is very small, even by tiny house standards – measuring just 4.5 m in length. Featuring Japanese-inspired styling, its diminutive size required some clever space-saving design. [Read more]( Medical [Lax vax resulted in thousands more COVID deaths, UK-wide study shows]( [Robust models confirm vaccine importance]( The first study of its kind has looked at every UK resident – more than 67 million people – across four months, and found that, as vaccine uptake tapered off in 2022, 7,180 hospitalizations and deaths could have been avoided had jabs been up to date. [Read more]( Robotics [Busted: Elon Musk admits new Optimus video isn't what it seems]( [Tesla's Optimus humanoid folds laundry... With a telltale telepresence glove poking into frame to signal that a human is driving it]( Elon Musk has Xeeted out a video of Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot folding a t-shirt – which would be great, but then followed up with a second Xeet clarifying that the video is far less impressive than it looks – after being called out by observers. [Read more]( Drones [Evolution Eagle drone flips the bird at enemy forces]( [Along with military use, the Evolution Eagle could also be utilized in applications such as wildlife observation and poacher patrolling]( If you're conducting covert military reconnaissance, you probably don't want the enemy seeing what's obviously a drone flying overhead. That's where the Evolution Eagle is intended to come in, as it's a drone that just looks like a big ol' bird. [Read more]( Medical [ID of five subtypes of Alzheimer's has huge implications for treatment]( [This breakthrough study could be pivotal in the research into and treatment of Alzheimer's disease]( Scientists have, for the first time, identified five distinct subtypes of Alzheimer’s disease, each with different neurodegenerative behaviors, survival rates and medical interventions. It could be a game-changer for research and therapeutic success. [Read more]( Biology [New species of giant Tyrannosaurus predates T. rex by 6 million years]( [An artist's impression of Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis, a new species closely related to T. rex]( If T. rex is too mainstream, discerning 10-year-olds may now have a new answer when asked their favorite dinosaur – Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis. The newly identified species appears to be more primitive than its famous cousin, but just as big and scary. [Read more]( Marine [Jetcycle reveals tri-hull recumbent ebike that hydrofoils over water]( [Jetcycle expands its lineup with the electrified E-Jetcycle hydrofoil trimaran]( After debuting a hydrofoil water bike a few years ago, Jetcycle seems to have realized not everyone is up for the task of vigorously pedaling a foil. It's now adding an e-trimaran variant that kicks in e-assist and stability to ease the ride. [Read more]( Aircraft [X-59 supersonic X-plane gets rolled out by NASA and Lockheed Martin]( [The X-59 rolling out]( With the usual ballyhoo, NASA and Lockheed Martin have rolled out the X-59 supersonic aircraft today. In a ceremony at the famous Skunk Works in Palmdale, California, the experimental plane was introduced to the public before a party of dignitaries. [Read more]( Automotive [Winnebago Ekko B+ camper van becomes a Mercedes Sprinter adventure rig]( [Winnebago expands its off-grid product line with the all-new Ekko Sprinter - the Mercedes of Winnebago all-terrain Class B+ RVs]( The original Winnebago Ekko debuted in 2020 as a rugged off-grid breed of Ford Transit adventure RV. Winnebago now grows the Ekko line with a Mercedes variant that promises even more all-terrain capability, more space and a few versatile extras. [Read more]( Materials [Climate alchemy: Team turns carbon dioxide into super-strong fibers]( [In this illustration of the process, the blue ring represents the electrocatalytic reaction while the orange ring represents the thermocatalytic phase]( In an effort to mitigate human-caused climate warming, scientists are focused on ways to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. One of the more novel ways to do this has just been announced by scientists employing a smart dual-method process. [Read more]( Science [One liter of bottled water found to contain 240,000 plastic fragments]( [Researchers have used single-particle imaging to determine the number of nanoplastics in a liter of bottled water]( Using advanced single-particle imaging technology, researchers have ascertained the number of nanoplastics – plastic fragments smaller than a micrometer – in bottled water, finding that, on average, a liter contains 240,000 detectable fragments. [Read more]( Science [Shape-memory hair product keeps curls curly even in 80% humidity]( [Researchers have created a hair product that keeps curls curly, even in high-humidity conditions]( Researchers have developed a product that reduces hair’s moisture-absorbing tendencies, maintaining frizz-free curls for at least six hours in high-humidity environments and even allowing them to bounce back thanks to its shape-memory properties. 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