All posts tagged: achieves

“Artificial Sun” achieves fusion milestone: 1,066-second plasma

“Artificial Sun” achieves fusion milestone: 1,066-second plasma

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China’s quest to harness the power of the stars reached a historic milestone as the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), often called the “artificial Sun,” achieved a record-breaking high-confinement plasma operation lasting 1,066 seconds. This feat, accomplished by the Institute of Plasma Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (ASIPP), far surpasses the previous record of 403 seconds set by EAST in 2023. This breakthrough marks a major step in fusion energy research, showcasing advancements in sustaining high-temperature plasma for prolonged periods. The ability to maintain stable operation for over 1,000 seconds is crucial for developing future fusion reactors capable of generating continuous and clean energy. What makes EAST unique? EAST, the world’s first fully superconducting tokamak, boasts several innovative features. Its non-circular cross-section, fully superconducting magnets, and actively water-cooled plasma-facing components enable advanced steady-state plasma operation modes. While it is smaller than the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), EAST is comparable in shape and design, offering greater flexibility for experimental configurations. Since its launch in 2006, EAST has served as an open test platform …

SMART achieves first tokamak plasma

SMART achieves first tokamak plasma

Published by skeptic

In a landmark achievement for sustainable energy, the SMART device has successfully produced its first tokamak plasma. This innovative step marks significant progress toward harnessing fusion energy, a clean and virtually limitless power source. Professor García Muñoz, Principal Investigator of the SMART tokamak, commented: “This is an important achievement for the entire team as we are now entering the operational phase of SMART. “The SMART approach is a potential game changer with attractive fusion performance and power handling for future compact fusion reactors. We have exciting times ahead!” Fusion energy explained Fusion energy is often described as the ‘holy grail’ of energy production. It replicates the process that powers the Sun, where atomic nuclei combine under extreme conditions to release enormous amounts of energy. Unlike traditional nuclear fission, which splits atoms and produces long-lived radioactive waste, fusion generates minimal waste and poses no risk of catastrophic meltdown. The potential of fusion energy is staggering. It offers a virtually limitless supply of clean power, relying on abundant fuels like hydrogen isotopes found in seawater. With the …

Vertical Aerospace’s VX4 achieves major milestone as financial challenges continue

Vertical Aerospace’s VX4 achieves major milestone as financial challenges continue

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Despite needing to raise capital to fund operations, Bristol-based Vertical Aerospace which is pushing the boundaries of electric, zero-emissions aviation, has announced its “Flightpath 2030,” strategy for market leadership before the end of the decade. Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, said: ““This is a transformational moment for Vertical as we advance from prototype to production. Since I became CEO, I’ve been clear that I want Vertical to lead — not just compete in — the eVTOL sector. READ MORE: Bristol’s Vertical Aerospace “in rescue talks with creditors” “The strategy and goals we unveiled today provide a new level of detail on how exactly we intend to get there – the best team, delivering the safest and most versatile aircraft, with the most compelling business model in the industry.” The company is also celebrating its latest full scale VX4 prototype achieve piloted, untethered vertical take-off and landing for the first time as Phase 2 of its flight test programme begins. The VX4 prototype, powered by battery packs delivering up to 1.4 MW of peak power, surpassed …

Jimmy Carter achieves record-breaker status at 100 after exciting announcement

Jimmy Carter achieves record-breaker status at 100 after exciting announcement

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At 100 years old, Jimmy Carter is the oldest living president — a record breaking feat, beating George H. W. Bush who passed away on November 30, 2018 aged 94 years old.  © Scott CunninghamFormer president Jimmy Carter prior to the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Cincinnati Bengals at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 30, 2018 But that isn’t the only milestone that the former president has achieved, as he broke another record recently that may surprise the nation. Jimmy joined the likes of Beyoncé and Taylor Swift in receiving a Grammy nomination on November 8, making him the oldest Grammy nominee of all time, according to the BBC. © NurPhotoFormer U.S. President Jimmy Carter speaks to the congregation at Maranatha Baptist Church before teaching Sunday school in his hometown of Plains, Georgia on April 28, 2019 The former president was nominated for his tenth Grammy, specifically his spoken-word album, which he released on his 100th birthday, featuring recordings from his final Sunday School lesson at Maranatha Baptist Church in his hometown, Plains, Georgia. …

Groundbreaking clinical trial achieves 100% remission rate for all cancer patients

Groundbreaking clinical trial achieves 100% remission rate for all cancer patients

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In a clinical trial involving 14 participants, immunotherapy on its own effectively eradicated rectal cancer. This cutting-edge study is the first-ever investigation into the potential of immunotherapy to combat non-metastatic rectal cancer in patients with a particular genetic mutation in their tumors. Conducted by New York’s Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), the trial reported a complete remission in all participants. Following immunotherapy, the cancer entirely vanished and has remained absent in all patients, some of whom have been cancer-free for as long as two years. This trial is significant because it paves the way for immunotherapy to be used as a first-line treatment for certain types of rectal cancer, potentially sparing patients from the debilitating side effects of standard treatments of radiation, surgery, or chemotherapy. The findings were published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Four people who were successfully treated for rectal cancer in a clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering. (Left to right) Sascha Roth, Dr. Luis Diaz, Imtiaz Hussain, Dr. Andrea Cercek, Avery Holmes and Nisha Varughese. (CREDIT: Memorial Sloan …

Groundbreaking bone cancer treatment achieves 99% success rate

Groundbreaking bone cancer treatment achieves 99% success rate

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Bioactive glasses, a specialized material that can bond with tissue and improve the strength of bones and teeth, are now showing promise as a potential treatment for bone cancer. By combining bioactive glass with gallium, researchers have developed a treatment with impressive potential to eliminate cancerous cells while regenerating diseased bones. Aston University scientists, led by Professor Richard Martin from the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, spearheaded the research. Their studies have yielded encouraging results: bioactive glass doped with gallium eliminated 99% of osteosarcoma (bone cancer) cells in laboratory tests. Importantly, this success was achieved without harming healthy human bone cells. Osteosarcoma is one of the most common primary bone cancers, but despite decades of research and advances in chemotherapy and surgery, survival rates have not improved significantly since the 1970s. Worse, survival rates drop dramatically for patients whose cancer recurs. Patients with primary bone cancer are also highly prone to bone fractures due to the damage caused by both the disease and its treatment. Professor Richard Martin. (CREDIT: Aston University) The key to …

Solar panel breakthrough achieves record efficiency with new quantum material

Solar panel breakthrough achieves record efficiency with new quantum material

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This new material, showcased in a prototype solar cell, boasts an impressive 80% photovoltaic absorption rate and 190% EQE. (CREDIT: Creative Commons) Lehigh University researchers have unveiled a groundbreaking material that could revolutionize the efficiency of solar panels. This new material, showcased in a prototype solar cell, boasts an impressive 80% photovoltaic absorption rate, along with a remarkable external quantum efficiency (EQE) of up to 190%. These figures far surpass the theoretical efficiency limit for traditional silicon-based materials, marking a significant advancement in the realm of photovoltaic technology. Professor Chinedu Ekuma, along with doctoral student Srihari Kastuar, published their findings in the esteemed journal Science Advances. Ekuma expressed enthusiasm, stating, “This work represents a significant leap forward in our understanding and development of sustainable energy solutions, highlighting innovative approaches that could redefine solar energy efficiency and accessibility in the near future.” Schematic of the thin-film solar cell with CuxGeSe/SnS as the active layer. (CREDIT: Ekuma Lab / Lehigh University) The material owes its enhanced efficiency to its unique “intermediate band states,” strategically positioned within its …

Flexible printed perovskite solar achieves a record 11% efficiency

Flexible printed perovskite solar achieves a record 11% efficiency

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Photo: CSIRO Researchers led by Australia’s national science agency had an efficiency breakthrough with roll-to-roll flexible printed perovskite solar cells. The international team, led by the Australian government’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), has developed a new method for producing roll-to-roll flexible printed solar cells that deliver unprecedented levels of efficiency. Printed solar cells are highly efficient, flexible, and decreasing in cost. Unlike traditional silicon panels, solar cells could be deployed in previously impossible ways to generate energy from the sun, including on buildings, vehicles, and wearables. However, scaling up production while maintaining efficiency has long been a hurdle for printed solar cell technology. Many researchers have only achieved 1-2% efficiency levels with a full printed flexible solar panel. The CSIRO team achieved lab-scale solar cells with 11% efficiency for 50 sq-cm large-scale solar panels comprising interconnected perovskite solar cells. Perovskite and printing presses Perovskite can be formulated into inks and printed on widely available industrial printers. It’s lightweight and flexible, which makes it portable and versatile in its potential applications. The perovskite solar cells are …

Anthony Davis achieves an NBA first in Lakers’ win over Minnesota

Anthony Davis achieves an NBA first in Lakers’ win over Minnesota

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As the third quarter turned to the fourth quarter, rarely-used Minnesota big man Luka Garza flipped the ball into the bucket just before the buzzer. The play came after another turnover, a string of mistakes increasingly maddening and propping open the door against the severely undermanned Timberwolves. Last week, Minnesota lost Karl-Anthony Towns to a meniscus tear. On Sunday, the Timberwolves played without Rudy Gobert and without Towns’ replacement in the starting five, Kyle Anderson. And after the Garza basket, the Lakers entered the fourth quarter trailing by one, again looking like a team allergic to good vibes and momentum. But even turnovers — and the Lakers had 20 of them — couldn’t get in the way of the kind of game Anthony Davis had. “It was special night for him,” Austin Reaves said. Davis and the Lakers’ defense responded with a 21-4 run after Garza’s basket, a reminder of what they’re capable of achieving, in a 120-109 win at Crypto.com Arena. It wrapped a stretch in which the Lakers played seven consecutive games in …