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- Making Food From Solar and Air, Batteries From Salt, and Faces From Neanderthal Skulls.
Making Food From Solar and Air, Batteries From Salt, and Faces From Neanderthal Skulls.
Jae Lee
May 03, 2024
It is widely known that the world is finite.
This single fact makes up a huge part of why many conflicts arise in our world history and still today.
There isn’t enough food to go around, so raiders go pillaging villagers of their crops.
There isn’t enough money to go around, so charlatans scam innocent people of their hard-earned wealth.
There isn’t enough oil to go around, so bigger countries invade smaller countries for their natural resources.
It is our scarcity mindset that keeps us stressed and anxious about our perception of our resources — be it money, time, or abilities.
What is a resource of ours that is unlimited?
Human ingenuity.
For hundreds of thousands of years, sand was an obstacle for humans. It was coarse and rough and irritating — and it gets everywhere.
But human ingenuity tried putting sand into high-temperature flames — cause, why not? — and thus created glass.
With that, glass making just became an entire industry, ranging from beads and jewelry to containers and vessels to windows and seals.
Then, just when you think that was it, we discover more uses:
Concrete - used to revolutionize construction and enable amazing structures.
Fibreglass - a lightweight material that’s used for variety of applications.
Silicon - a key element for semi-conductor technology.
For eons, sand was just a useless irritant in our world, but in just a few centuries, it became one of the most important ingredients to build the devices you’re using to read this email right now.
The world may be finite, but what other resource are we overlooking?
What’s On The Menu?
Protein made from air and solar is becoming a reality in labs.
Salt-based battery technology breakthrough.
Neanderthal woman’s face brought back to life.
Artificial pancreas offered to 150,000 patients.
Solar power extraction from space technology breakthrough.
Finnish Startup Making Food “From Air and Solar Power.”
source: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/apr/19/finnish-startup-food-air-solar-power-solein
the power of the sun, in the shape of a ravioli
TL;DR:
Solar Foods, a Finnish company, has started producing food using a process that converts electricity and air into protein.
This protein, known as solein, is created using CO2 and renewable electricity to feed microbes, which are then converted into a food-safe powder.
Solein aims to reduce the environmental impact of traditional agriculture by eliminating the need for vast tracts of land typically used for livestock and feed crops.
The company has begun production in Finland and is expanding to international markets, offering an innovative approach to sustainable food production.
So what…?
With agriculture being a significant contributor to global carbon emissions, innovative solutions like solein offer a promising path towards reducing our environmental footprint and fostering sustainable food systems.
“by jove, jarvis, this solar steak and air potatoes are simply delectable!”
Breakthrough in Salt-Based Battery Technology.
TL;DR:
Scientists at Osaka Metropolitan University in Japan have made significant progress in developing salt-based batteries, a potential alternative to lithium-based batteries.
The team has created a solid sulfide electrolyte with exceptionally high sodium ion conductivity, essential for efficient energy transfer in batteries.
Big whoop, and…?
This advancement could lead to cheaper, safer, and more sustainable batteries for electric vehicles and other technologies.
By utilizing abundant sodium instead of scarce lithium, they accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels and contribute to cleaner air and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
“hmmm, this needs more salt *licks phone*”
Neanderthal Woman's Face Brought to Life in Stunning Reconstruction.
how u doin’?
TL;DR:
The facial reconstruction of Shanidar Z, a Neanderthal woman who lived around 75,000 years ago, has been revealed through 3D-printing techniques and surface scans. Researchers assembled her crushed skull, found in Shanidar Cave in Iraqi Kurdistan in 2018, from numerous fragments.
This detailed reconstruction is part of a documentary, showcasing not only her physical features like a broad nose and large brows but also providing insights into Neanderthal physical traits and their similarities to modern humans.
The findings highlight the interbreeding between Neanderthals and Homo Sapiens, suggesting a closer relationship than previously understood.
Who cares…?
This reconstruction bridges the gap between humans and our closest extinct relatives, offering a visual and scientific glimpse into our shared history.
“homo sapiens and neanderthals, the original romeo and juliet“
Major Diabetes Breakthrough as 150,000 People to Be Offered Artificial Pancreas.
TL;DR:
The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence in the UK has approved a new draft guideline allowing over 150,000 people with type 1 diabetes to access a hybrid closed loop system, commonly referred to as an artificial pancreas.
This device improves blood sugar regulation and reduces the need for finger prick tests and manual insulin injections.
Priority for this technology will be given to children, pregnant women, and current insulin pump users, with a planned five-year rollout based on individual health needs.
Why does this matter…?
This advancement offers a significant enhancement in diabetes management, potentially reducing complications and improving the quality of life for many, while also aiming to cut long-term healthcare costs.
“soon we won’t have diabeetus no more“
Scientists Achieve World-First Technological Breakthrough in Quest to Extract Solar Power From Space.
TL;DR:
A U.K.-based startup, Space Solar, has developed a pioneering technology to harvest solar energy from space, addressing the limitations of Earth-bound solar panels.
The new technology features a 360-degree wireless power transmission system that can send energy back to Earth without the need for large rotating joints.
This innovation aims to provide an uninterrupted supply of solar energy, overcoming the challenges of daytime-only harvesting and weather interference on Earth.
And that means…?
This breakthrough could significantly enhance our ability to access clean, renewable energy, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and potentially transforming global energy strategies.
“it’s basically like a really concentrated beam of light from a suntanning bed“
That’s it for this week!
Maybe you’ve noticed we’ve had a bit of a brand change, hopefully this reflects our mission better than before.
If you were forwarded this e-mail and enjoyed this issue, please subscribe to The Techno-Optimist here!
Cheers,
Jae
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