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Microwave Technology: A Game Changer for Mining Operations

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Nickel West, Australia, is among various mines that can use microwaves for CO2 storage in waste.

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Mining produces billions of tons of waste rock annually. By reacting these unused rock piles with carbon dioxide, we can potentially eliminate considerable amounts of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. The current technique, however, involves burning fossil fuels to heat rocks to high temperatures. Our findings suggest that activating carbon removal could allow these rocks to require less energy when reacting with CO2.

“It’s akin to microwave popcorn,” says Shawn Laurie, a technology developer at Arca, Canada. Instead of heating the entire rock, microwaves target specific molecules. This mechanism differs from how kitchen microwaves pop corn by heating water within the kernel.

Rocks serve to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, mitigating emissions from fossil fuel combustion. Some projects enhance rock weathering by spreading crushed volcanic rocks on farms, which mineralize CO2 as they dissolve. Others inject CO2 into similar underground rocks. Numerous companies, including ARCA, are focused on utilizing mine tailings from extracting metals like nickel and chromium.

These metals frequently arise from ores rich in magnesium-bearing serpentine, which reacts with CO2. According to an analysis by ARCA, approximately 28 billion tons of such tailings exist globally, with 3 billion tons produced each year. They estimate that current tailings can store up to 8.7 billion tons of CO2, roughly equivalent to two years’ worth of U.S. emissions.

However, serpentine does not react quickly under normal surface pressures and temperatures. Heating rocks to elevated temperatures significantly enhances their reactivity and accelerates CO2 mineralization. Yet, this process usually necessitates the burning of fossil fuels to generate heat.

Utilizing microwaves to heat the rocks brings various advantages, asserts Peter Schuman from Arca. Instead of burning fuel for heat, this method relies on clean electricity, using less energy than conventional heating. Additionally, the treatment time for rocks is significantly shorter. This potentially enables mining companies to incorporate microwave processes into tailing treatments or even utilize them as standalone systems, he notes.

An application for a patent from the company reveals that Schuman and his Arca colleagues have successfully treated serpentine with microwaves for several minutes, enhancing their reactivity to CO2, inducing chemical changes, and consuming less energy than traditional heat treatment.

“By energizing the rock, you break the bonds within that structure and release magnesium,” states Scheuermann, which then reacts with CO2. Treated serpentine has been shown to react with significantly higher amounts of CO2 than untreated rocks, mineralizing the gas at an accelerated rate.

“The improvements they demonstrate are quite remarkable,” comments Raphael Santos, who reviewed the patent application at the University of Guelph, Canada. However, he notes that it’s challenging to ascertain from the documentation alone the exact quantity of serpentine treated by microwaves and how these results might translate to practical scenarios.

Scheuermann has not specified the exact amounts expected from microwave treatment in terms of CO2 capture in serpentine but mentions, “It’s a tremendous increase—by several orders of magnitude in both reaction rate and capacity.”

Currently, the company is only testing its approach in the lab and has yet to sell any of its 700 tons of CO2 removal. However, Scheuermann indicates that the scaled-up process would include supplying rocks through a chute or conveyor belt. Additionally, they have developed an autonomous rover designed to mix the tailings for optimal air exposure. Once the reaction concludes, a fresh layer of tailings is applied.

“This preprocessing using microwaves significantly enhances the likelihood of CO2 storage,” states Quin Miller from the Pacific Northwest Research Institute in Washington. “It’s promising,” he adds, noting that the treatment process also aids in extracting nickel, an essential metal for battery production, from the rocks.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The Arrival of the First Commercial Space Station: A Game Changer for Space Exploration

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In 2026, a group of astronauts is floating inside a gleaming white cylinder, positioned hundreds of kilometers above the Earth.

They gaze down at our planet through a 1.1-meter dome window and rest in an inflatable bed engineered for zero gravity, while conducting experiments focusing on human physiology, plant development, and protein crystallization.

Yet, this isn’t the International Space Station (ISS). It’s not managed by NASA, Roscosmos, or the China National Space Administration. This is Haven-1, the world’s inaugural commercial space station constructed by a private company named Vast.

Set to launch in May 2026 aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9, Haven-1 signifies transformative shifts in how we live and work in space.

“If you can achieve this prior to securing a NASA contract [to replace the ISS], using our funds, we have numerous CEOs,” says Max Haot to BBC Science Focus. “We will not only be the first commercial space station but also the sole predicted bidders to accomplish this.”

Minimum viable space station

Vast’s strategy is quick, concentrated, straightforward, and practical. Rather than constructing an extensive orbital laboratory, they designed a carefully constrained system that prioritizes safety and quality.

With a volume of 45m3 (1,590 feet)3, Haven-1 provides roughly the interior space of a small tour bus. Its life support system operates on a simpler “open loop” model, adapted from previous NASA technology and utilized during the space shuttle era.

The crew will stay for shorter durations compared to the ISS. Instead, four astronauts will visit for approximately 10 days, arriving aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Over Haven-1’s projected three-year orbital lifespan, only four such missions are planned.

“As a demonstration of a minimally viable product space station, safety is our top priority,” Haot states. “The second priority is achieving this within an unprecedented timeline. A swift timeline leads to reduced costs.”

Simplifying processes enables Vast to accelerate progress. The main structure is already assembled and will undergo testing this summer after completion in July. By early next year, the entire system should be integrated, and final tests will commence.

Haven-1 hosts four crew members at a time on a 10-day mission. – Extensive

Stations that look like the future

Aesthetically, Haven-1 is a remarkable departure from its predecessor. While the ISS is an engineering marvel, it often resembles a floating plumbing workshop. Haven-1 is designed with a science fiction aesthetic. Its interior is clean, functional, and sleek for space habitats.

This aesthetic reimagining is not solely for show. It’s about functionality. “We go to space to work,” Haot explains. “It’s straightforward to understand that better rest, well-being, and communication lead to increased productivity.”

Here, Vast’s Human Factors team plays a crucial role, led by veteran NASA astronaut Drew Feestel.

For instance, sleep is facilitated using an inflatable bed that applies gentle pressure, mimicking the physical sensations astronauts crave in microgravity.

“Astronauts have various preferences for sleeping on the ISS,” says Haot. “Many opt for pressure against their bodies while they sleep.”

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What occurs aboard the ship?

Each mission to Haven-1 will be shorter yet packed with activities. Scientists can engage approximately 40 crew members throughout the station’s lifespan, given the limited opportunities for human time in orbit.

“Humanity has limited time to learn about space habitation and test technology,” notes Haot. “We believe that you can be incredibly productive within that time.”

Already lined up are research projects addressing human biology, drug screening, plant development, and protein crystal formation. Vast has established partnerships with Redwire Space (USA), Yuri (Germany), and Exobios Fair (Luxembourg).

A French company, Interstellar Lab, is investigating plant growth in microgravity.

Between missions, the station will be utilized to experiment with artificial gravity systems. This is an early step toward enhancing safety and feasibility for long-duration space travel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqrgo8pgnhc

Strategic moves in the post-ISS era

Haven-1 is more than just a research platform; it’s a strategic maneuver in a much broader competition.

NASA intends to retire the ISS around 2030 and is currently reviewing bids for the next-generation orbital platform. Haot aims to secure that contract, and launching Haven-1 early with private funding is a bold way to leap ahead of competitors.

“Our goal is to present the most compelling strategy among all contenders,” Haot explains. “We’ve already achieved this by being ahead in technology development, teams, facilities, and certification processes.”

However, winning the race is not guaranteed. A competing spaceflight company, Axiom Space, has already secured a $140 million contract from NASA to connect at least one module to the ISS. Work is ongoing at Axiom, with the inaugural launch slated for late 2026.

Other companies, including Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman, and Starlab, are also in the running.

If successful, the Vast team will be well-positioned when NASA makes its decisions in 2026. If NASA’s objectives do not come to fruition, they may explore opportunities with foreign governments and private entities interested in utilizing the station.

“We remain optimistic about the future of Vast, but our primary focus is internally,” affirms Haot. “Winning this opportunity is of pivotal significance—it’s the largest market opportunity currently in the space station sector.”

Despite shorter time frames, astronauts onboard will conduct hundreds of experiments. – Extensive

From Haven-1 to a comprehensive orbital hub

Haven-1 is just the beginning. Vast’s subsequent venture is Haven-2, a more advanced module adhering to the same philosophy. Starting in 2028, the company plans to launch new modules every six months, ultimately assembling a complete commercial station by 2032.

This modular future facilitates more frequent crew missions, civil research programs, and, ultimately, a broader orbital economy.

Thanks to a partnership with SpaceX, Haven-1 will also become the first space station connected to Starlink, providing ORBIT Gigabit Speed Internet.

“If you want to operate Haven-1 and communicate continuously, you can,” Haot asserts. “This will significantly change how the public and crew interact.”

Redefining space

Haven-1 may not be the largest or the most sophisticated station in orbit, but it will be the first entirely constructed, funded, and operated by private enterprises. That’s the crux of its significance.

Vast aims to reshape the landscape of low Earth orbit, illustrating that space infrastructure can be efficient, elegant, and commercially viable. Whether in science, exploration, or industry, HAOT believes the future of space belongs not to nations, but to those who reach the stars first.

“The goal isn’t to erect luxury hotels in space to attract tourists,” emphasizes Haot. “The aim is to create a robust environment that supports exploration.”

“It’s not without risks. We need to observe what transpires in reality.”

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About our experts

Max Hat is an entrepreneur with a background in aerospace, appliances, and the internet. He currently serves as the CEO of Vast.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Experience the Summer Game Changer: 4DX Tornado at the Movies

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isDuring this long, hot, dreary summer, I’ve come to believe in only one thing: seeing Twisters in 4DX. Set in Oklahoma, this Lee Isaac Chung-directed film gets a 7/10 in 2D. It’s a sort of blockbuster sequel to the 1996 disaster movie, with Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones playing tornado chasers and showing off some modest chemistry. But in the immersive theater format of 4DX, where audiences are pelted with literal wind and rain, Twisters gets a can’t-miss 10/10.

In 4DX, you feel every jolt, from the punch in your back to the tickle in your ankles, as the truck sways in the F5 winds. When the characters cling to their bolted-down theater seats during the climactic storm, I clung to the armrests to keep from being torn apart by the wind. There were loud cheers at my screening every time the movie’s tornado hit, as in the scene in which Powell wears a skin-tight white T-shirt in a light rain. I emerged from Twisters with matted hair and tear stains down my side. A friend lost a shoe. In 4DX, in the words of Tyler Owens, who plays Powell, you don’t just “ride out” the storm. teeth storm.

I’m not alone Glorious Recognition4DX has been around in the US for a decade, first introduced with Transformers: Age of Extinction in 2014, but Twisters marks 4DX’s culmination and breakout success this summer. Domestic box office records were broken 4DX grossed $2.3 million in its opening weekend across 62 theaters across the US. A TikTok user recorded himself leaving a screening of Twisters and heading home. Mascara streaks, Pushing and shoving in a four-person theater seat and Seeing God (With shocked parents) In the wind tunnel. A week later, Deadpool and Wolverine Exceeded Twisters’ record $2.8 million marked the second consecutive best weekend ever for 4DX, the second most popular of the so-called “premium large-format” viewing options after IMAX, which accounted for a significant chunk of this month’s box office takings. Alien: Romulus box office.

“Premium formats like 4DX and IMAX are making a full comeback,” says Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore. “People complain about the price of movie tickets, but audiences don’t seem to mind paying a premium for a particular film experience.” For an average of $8 more than a standard ticket, audiences can feel the impact of a sandworm in Dune, simulate the terror of zero gravity in Alien, and scream inside a tornado. The hype for Twisters has been building for years. A Post-Pandemic Craze for Bold, Spectacular Theatrical Experiences “With Twisters, everything clicked,” says Duncan MacDonald, head of worldwide marketing and theatrical development for 4DX company CJ 4DPlex Americas. “We’ve been stuck at home for so long, and theaters have been closed for so long, so we wanted to see something different, and 4DX gave us that.”

4DX’s summer is largely thanks to a team of artists (whom the company calls “editors”) based in Seoul, South Korea, who adapt 35-40 Hollywood movies and about 70-80 non-Hollywood films a year. Since 2009, the studio has enhanced some 1,050 movies, from horror to the Fast and Furious to Pixar films, with 4DX effects such as smells (gardenias, roses from Beauty and the Beast, Wonka chocolate), weather, lighting, and chair programming adapted from a military flight simulator. What began as an experiment by South Korean cinema chain CJ CGV is now screening in 792 cinemas worldwide, including 63 in the U.S. and Canada, according to the company.

Editors take over once nearly all post-production is finished, usually about a month before the film’s release. The team then goes through the film scene by scene, and frame by frame for particularly intense action sequences, choreographing the chair movements and fine-tuning the effects to match the change in perspective. They have to decide which elements to emphasize at which moments and which to tone down. In the case of Twisters, do you focus on the experience of the battered truck, or the wind? In one storm scene, the 4DX experience “starts with the truck, and you feel every little impact,” says Paul Hyun Kim, senior vice president of content and production at CJ 4DPlex. When a tornado forms in the distance, the seats shake less to match the swaying of the truck, emphasizing the tornado’s intense gusts and smooth movement, drawing the audience into the larger storm. “You’re focused on the tornado, you become part of it,” Kim says.

“It’s a very creative process,” he added. It’s also collaborative: Each team has a lead editor who pitches internally to the studio’s editor-in-chief, Cindy Lee, who has edited 300 titles in 15 years. “With that experience, you really start to gain nuance and a feel and expertise for what to highlight and what to distance yourself from,” Kim said.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Apple’s Revolutionary Computer: A Game Changer for the World, for Better or Worse

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○On Sunday, January 22, 1984, the Los Angeles Raiders defeated the Washington Redskins 38-9 in Super Bowl XVIII. With the exception of a few older Raiders fans, we all remember him that night 40 years ago with one ad that set the tone for the techno-optimism that would dominate the 21st century. did.

Advertisement showed an auditorium full of zombie-like figures watching a projection of an elderly leader resembling the Emperor from 1980's The Empire Strikes Back. A young, athletic woman wearing red and white (the colors of the flag of Poland, which waged a massive labor uprising against the Soviet-controlled communist state) spins a hammer and frames the face of her leader. He threw it across the screen. As armored police rush in to stop her.


The ad explicitly referenced George Orwell's dystopian novel 1984. Meanwhile, then-President Ronald Reagan began his re-election campaign with the audacity to confront the threat of the totalitarian Soviet Union, increasing the risk of global nuclear annihilation.

That same month, Apple began selling personal computers. This will change the way we think about computing technology in our lives and will lead to many of the ideological changes that will drive the 21st century. In many ways, the long 21st century began 40 years ago this week for him.

From a garage-based startup in Cupertino, California, we have steadily grown to where we are today. The most valuable company in the history of the world, Apple has changed the way we experience culture and each other. While not the only force to do so, if you look at other ruling forces that left their mark in 1984, such as Reagan, Apple is a key player in how we view and govern ourselves over the next 40 years. It was part of a larger change. Years later, it still impacts daily life in ways few could have imagined at the time.

Before the Macintosh debuted, Apple created high-quality computers like the Apple II (1979) that ran programs using the standard operating system at the time, the Apple Disc Operating System (which was similar to the Apple Disc Operating System). was highly regarded among computer enthusiasts for producing innovative desktop computers. MS-DOS was provided by a small then-starting company called Microsoft and could be programmed in languages ​​such as Basic.

Companies like Texas Instruments and Atari had brought user-friendly computers to homes before the Macintosh, and IBM and Commodore had made desktop computers for businesses, but the Macintosh was something different. I was promised something.

The Macintosh created a mass market for usable computers that looked more like magic than machines. The Macintosh is a sealed box that hides the board and cables and presents a sleekly designed box, similar to the MacBook and the iPhone, which was released in 2007 and was the most influential and profitable of Apple's products. We have established design standards for what will become.

The iPhone represents much of what's appealing and loathsome about 21st century life. This is a device that does things that no other device or technology can do. It just provides all of that in its own controlled environment that masks all of the actual technology and the human agency that created it. There may be a little elf in there.

Billions of people now use such equipment, but few people ever look inside or think about the people who mined the metals and assembled the parts in dangerous conditions. plug. There are now cars and appliances designed to feel like an iPhone, all glass, metal, curves, and icons. None of them provide any clues for humans to build or maintain them. Everything seems like magic.

The shift to magic by design has blinded us to the real situation of most people working and living in the world. Gated devices are similar to gated communities. What's more, the sealed boxes are equipped with ubiquitous cameras and location devices, and when connected through invisible radio signals, serve as a global surveillance system that Soviet dictators never dreamed of. . We have also entered a world of soft control beyond Orwell's imagination.

Gated communities began to grow in popularity in the United States during the Reagan administration. It was to provide the illusion of safety against imagined but undefined invaders. They also resembled private states, with exclusive membership and strict rules of etiquette.

Reagan won reelection in a landslide in the November 1984 election. His Reagan victory established a nearly unwavering commitment to market fundamentalism and technological optimism that was largely adopted by Reagan's critics and even his successors like Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. . Outside the United States, ostensibly left-wing 20th century leaders such as Greece's Andreas Papandreou, France's François Mitterrand, and Britain's Tony Blair limited the vision of change that the growing neoliberal consensus allowed. was.

By the beginning of this century, questioning the techno-optimism imposed by Apple and the faith in neoliberalism secured by Reagan's hold on the world's political imagination seems like a fit of sulking or sulking. Probably. Does anyone doubt the democratizing and liberating potential of computer technology and free markets?

Now, a quarter of the way through this century, it's clear that the only promises kept were to Apple's shareholders and the descendants of Reagan's politicians. Democracy is in tatters around the world. Networked computers rob relationships, communities, and society of the joy and humanity. The economy is more stratified than ever before. Politics excludes any positive vision of a better future.

Of course, you can't blame Apple or Reagan. They simply distilled, harnessed, and sold back to us what we longed for: a simple story of inevitable progress and liberation. If we had heeded the warnings in Orwell's book instead of Apple's ads, we might have learned that simple stories never have happy endings.

Source: www.theguardian.com