Orbital Shipyards, Smart Insulin, New Solar System, Superconductors, Memory Restoring Drugs - Speciale Focus #21
Massive 3D printed Orbital Shipyards. Age of “The Expanse!”
Rosotics, the Arizona-based startup is focused on using 3D printing to manufacture orbital infrastructure directly in space. The company has been quietly developing a project called "Halo," which involves launching large spacecraft, or "motherships," each carrying smaller autonomous spacecraft known as R2. These R2 units will work together to create structures like shipyards and propellant depots in low Earth orbit (LEO). Rosotics employs a unique 3D printing process that combines induction and "cold welding," allowing metals to join without heat in the vacuum of space.
This innovative approach exploits a natural phenomenon where metals bond without atmospheric oxides. Rosotics, operating with only $2.6 million in funding, attributes its progress to its cost-effective location in Mesa. The company plans to fund its ambitious project by selling its Halo printers, mirroring SpaceX's strategy with Starlink. Rosotics expects to begin producing integrated spacecraft within 12 to 18 months, with launches anticipated in two to three years. The ultimate goal is to revolutionize space exploration by building infrastructure directly in orbit.
Smart Insulin. Enough Said.
Researchers in the US, Australia, and China are developing "glucose-responsive insulins" (GRIs), which are seen as a potential breakthrough for treating type 1 diabetes. Unlike current insulin treatments that require frequent injections, GRIs activate when blood sugar levels rise and deactivate when levels normalize, potentially reducing the need for injections to once a week. This development aims to mimic the body's natural insulin response, easing the burden of glucose management for diabetics. Although promising, GRIs still face challenges such as delays in activation. The research has received significant funding from the UK government, highlighting its potential impact on diabetes care. Experts express optimism about the advancements these innovations could bring to managing type 1 diabetes. Read More.
First Ever Image of Another Solar System
The SPHERE instrument on ESO’s Very Large Telescope captured an image of the star TYC 8998-760-1 and its two planets, visible as bright dots at the center (TYC 8998-760-1b) and bottom right (TYC 8998-760-1c). To distinguish these planets from background stars, the team took multiple images over time. A coronagraph was used to block the light from the central star, allowing the faint planets to be detected. The bright and dark rings seen around the star are optical artifacts.
Superconductors - Huge If True, But?
The superconductivity research community is embroiled in controversy following concerns about data handling in a paper by Mikhail Eremets and colleagues at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry. The paper claimed hydrogen sulfide is superconductive at high temperatures under pressure. Critics, including physicists Jorge Hirsch and Frank Marsiglio, questioned the data processing, particularly the smoothing of raw data. Despite this, experts like James Hamlin and Brad Ramshaw confirm signs of superconductivity, though they criticize the lack of transparency in data processing. This dispute follows a previous scandal involving physicist Ranga Dias, who was found guilty of scientific misconduct. The controversy highlights ongoing debates about data transparency and integrity in superconductivity research. Read more.
Memory Restoring Drugs!
Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, have developed a new molecule, DDL-920, that shows promise in restoring cognitive function and memories in mice with Alzheimer's disease. Unlike current Alzheimer's treatments that focus on removing amyloid plaques from the brain, DDL-920 targets the slowing of gamma oscillations, which are crucial for memory recall. In tests, mice genetically modified to have Alzheimer's regained the ability to remember maze escape routes after two weeks of treatment with DDL-920, performing similarly to healthy mice. Although more research is needed to assess its safety and efficacy in humans, DDL-920 could have broader applications for other neurological disorders characterized by disrupted gamma oscillations, such as autism, depression, and schizophrenia.
That’s it folks. We’ll leave you with this for the month and come back soon with another set of wow reads specially curated for the curious you!
Until then, Team Speciale signing off!