Voting in person this week reminded me of a childhood arch-nemesis: scantron tests.

I spent sooo much time making sure circles were perfectly filled. The thought of losing credit on a correct answer was unbearable. Don't even get me started on the horror of erasing...

-Steve

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Snack Drone

We know drones can deliver meals, but now they can be food. Researchers at Switzerland’s EPFL created edible wings to save lives.

• Drone wings are made of strategically packed rice cakes

• Cakes are held together with edible gelatin

• Flies up to ~22mph and contains 300 calories

The drone can also carry ~3 ounces of water. Just enough hydration and fuel for a stranded person awaiting their rescue team. Aka boneless wings on-demand.

It’s a snack, it’s a plane, it’s…both?

Blood Lab

Scientists successfully completed the first ever lab-grown blood transfusion. Setting the stage for future factory-like sourcing.

• Recipients are part of an ongoing clinical trial

• Stem cells sourced from donor blood

• Then multiply and develop into full blood cells

The trial involves mini-transfusions to test the safety and lifespan of lab-grown blood. A major step towards alleviating blood shortages and saving lives. Also, a plot for a new sci-fi vampire movie.

Vampire Labs

Pumpachute

Once inter-planetary tourism is in place, humans will need to avoid disintegrating during landing. NASA’s LOFTID pumps up to provide a safe solution.

• LOFTID = Low-earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator

• Test landing topped out at 18k mph and 3,000 °F

• Self-inflating to maximize rocket cargo capacity

LOFTID works like a parachute to slow down objects crashing through an atmosphere. Pending more testing, it will increase NASA’s Mars lander capacity by 20-40x. Conveniently doubles as a floatilla for Titan tourists.

Pump it up

Clickables

• DoorDash deliveries by drone

• Rapidly charging buses in London

• France, future home of parking lot solar farms

• Clip-on ebike converter for zipping up hills

• First-Aid bragging rights - bone repairing gel

st3v on site

Snack Attack

Rice cake-winged drones are a big hit among st3v's local bird populations.

Thank you for reading!

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