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New study reports first known use of positron emission particle tracking in a living animal subject

Researchers from the School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences have published a new study exploring the use of positron emission particle tracking (PEPT) in a living subject for the first time.

PEPT technology allows for the 3D localization and tracking of a single radioactive particle within large, dense, and/or optically opaque systems, which is difficult to study using other methodologies. The technology is currently used to study flows within complex mechanical systems such as large engines, industrial mixers, etc., but has not yet been translated for use in .

PEPT has previously been an unexplored area in biomedical imaging due to the lack of methods to isolate and radiolabel a single particle of a small enough size and with enough radioactivity which to would enable it to be injected and detected in a living subject.

Compact, shape-shifting robot by Transformers’ inventors lands on Moon

Japanese toy manufacturer Takara Tomy developed the lunar rover, SORA-Q, in association with JAXA, Sony Group, and Doshisha University.

Innovative offering

The creative minds at JAXA’s design department faced the challenge of developing a compact and lightweight lunar probe capable of accompanying the main lander to the moon. Simultaneously, they aimed for a design that would be straightforward and durable enough to operate effectively on the uneven lunar terrain. To find innovative solutions, they sought inspiration from an unexpected source: a company known for crafting toys.

The creation of SORA-Q drew upon insights in miniaturization and weight reduction derived from the firm’s expertise in toy manufacturing. Additionally, the firm claims it incorporated technologies associated with metamorphic mechanisms, exemplified by Transformers. The company hopes that SORA-Q will kindle children’s curiosity in the natural sciences, fostering an exhilarating exploration of the wonders of space.

BMW to deploy Figure’s humanoid robots challenging Tesla’s Optimus bot

BMW Manufacturing has announced a new partnership with Figure, a robotics startup that specializes in humanoid robots. The partnership will see Figure’s robots being deployed in BMW’s facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the largest automotive exporter in the US.

This is the first commercial deal that Figure has signed since it was founded in 2022. The company did not reveal how many robots BMW will be using but said that the partnership will begin with small quantities and scale up if the robots meet the performance expectations.

SpaceX Starship Can Reach Mars in Just 45 Days

People believe that exotic new propulsion systems are needed to reduce the one way trip times from Earth to Mars from 180–270 days down to 45 days each way. The slower mission times are for chemical rockets where we barely get out of Earth orbit with a small rocket engine. SpaceX Starship can refuel after reaching orbit to enable faster orbits (straighter and less looping paths) to go to Mars. This makes 90 day times each way easy with chemical Starship and even more wasteful but still chemical rockets to Mars in 45 days each way.

This is calculated by Ozan Bellik.

In 2033 there are opportunities to do a high thrust ~45 day outbound transit with a ~10.5km/s TMI (trans Mars injection). If you refill in an elliptical orbit that’s at LEO+2.5-3km/s then the TMI burn requirement goes down to 7.5-8km/s. A SpaceX Starship with 1,200 tons of fuel should be able to do with roughly 150 tons of burnout mass. This is enough for ship, residuals, and a crew cabin with enough consumables to last a moderately sized crew for the 45 day transit. The trouble is that once you get there, you are approaching Mars at ~15km/s.