47 dinosaur footprints dating back to 200 million years ago found in Australia
The fossilized footprints display each distinctly three toes left by 47 individual dinosaurs.
Two hundred million years ago, dinosaurs left their mark on a patch of the land that is now Queensland.
Today, this schoolyard boulder with ancient footprints is revealing a vibrant moment in Australia’s prehistoric past.
Dr. Anthony Romilio, a researcher from the University of Queensland’s Dinosaur Lab, has confirmed that this one-square-metre slab contains one of the highest concentrations of dinosaur footprints ever found in Australia.
Over 66 fossilized footprints — left behind in the Early Jurassic period — tell a story of a bustling dinosaur community that once lived here.
“Evidence from skeletal fossils overseas tells us dinosaurs with feet like these were plant-eaters with long legs, a chunky body, short arms, and a small head with a beak,” Romilio noted.
Another rock with footprints
This ordinary white rock has been quietly residing in the main office of Biloela State High School in Central Queensland for over two decades. It was gifted to the school from the nearby Callide coal mine, where it was unearthed.
It was only after Romilio’s research on the Mount Morgan footprints that its hidden value was revealed.
“Significant fossils like this can sit unnoticed for years, even in plain sight. It’s incredible to think that a piece of history this rich was resting in a schoolyard all this time,” Romilio said.
To fully understand the hidden details within the fossilized footprints, the researchers created a precise 3D silicon model of the rock’s surface. Images were captured and processed, leading to the complete revelation of the find.
Sustainable solution
The researchers utilized a molybdenum catalyst and activated carbon—both of which inexpensive, abundant, and non-toxic.
To begin the process, they combined PET with the catalyst and activated carbon and then heated up the mixture. Polyester plastics consist of large molecules with repeating units linked by chemical bonds. Within a short time, these bonds broke apart.
Next, the researchers exposed the fragmented material to air. With just a trace of moisture, it transformed into terephthalic acid (TPA), a highly valuable precursor for polyesters. The only byproduct was acetaldehyde, an easily removable industrial chemical with commercial value.
“On average, even in relatively dry conditions, the atmosphere holds about 10,000 to 15,000 cubic kilometers of water,” Naveen Malik, the study’s first author, said.
“Leveraging air moisture allows us to eliminate bulk solvents, reduce energy input and avoid the use of aggressive chemicals, making the process cleaner and more environmentally friendly.”
Kratish stated that the system worked flawlessly but failed when extra water was added, as the excess disrupted its function. Maintaining the right balance was crucial, and ultimately, the natural moisture in the air provided the perfect amount.
The plastic problem
PET plastics —widely used in food packaging and beverage bottles — account for 12% of global plastic consumption. It is a major contributor to plastic pollution due to its resistance to natural degradation. After use, it either ends up in landfills or degrades into tiny microplastics or nanoplastics, polluting wastewater and waterways.
Fast and efficient
The process is both fast and efficient, recovering 94% of the possible TPA within just four hours.
The catalyst is not only durable but also recyclable, maintaining its effectiveness through repeated use. Moreover, the method is designed to work with mixed plastics, selectively targeting polyesters for recycling. This selectivity eliminates the need for pre-sorting, offering a significant economic advantage to the recycling industry.
When tested on real-world materials such as plastic bottles, clothing, and mixed plastic waste, the process remained highly effective, even breaking down colored plastics into pure, colorless TPA.
Moving forward, the researchers aim to scale up the process for industrial applications, ensuring it can efficiently manage large volumes of plastic waste.
The study was recently published in Green Chemistry, a journal published by the Royal Society of Chemistry.
“One day, these could be used in medicine or robotics – and anywhere else where things need to move at the touch of a button, said researchers in a statement.
Next-gen soft actuators
Artificial muscles could one day assist workers, aid mobility, or replace damaged tissue. However, replicating real muscle function remains a challenge. To match biological muscles, artificial versions must be powerful, elastic, and soft.
They are fundamentally dependent on actuators, which are parts that translate electrical information into motion. Although actuators are frequently found in automobile engines, industrial systems, and residences, their conventional designs are stiff and lack the flexibility of actual muscles.
Artificial muscle breakthrough
Printing such structures is complex, as the materials must remain distinct yet adhere together. They must also be soft enough for electrical activation while meeting 3D printing requirements—liquefying under pressure for extrusion but solidifying quickly to maintain shape, balancing conflicting properties.
Researchers from EMPA, in collaboration with ETH Zurich, developed a breakthrough method for 3D printing soft actuators, overcoming many conflicting material properties. Using specially formulated inks and a custom-designed nozzle, they successfully created functional artificial muscles.
The effort is a component of the Manufhaptics project, which intends to create a glove that simulates resistance while gripping to enable users to feel virtual things.
These soft actuators have several uses outside of virtual reality. They are a possible substitute for conventional actuators in automobiles, industrial machinery, and robots since they are small, quiet, and incredibly flexible in shape. According to the team, their adaptability and customization create opportunities for medical applications like prosthetics or assistive technology.
The recently created method increases the possibility of soft, responsive materials by printing long, elastic threads in addition to intricate structures. These developments may eventually result in actuators that closely resemble the way muscles work naturally, which would advance wearable technologies, robotics, and medical treatments.
“If we manage to make them just a little thinner, we can get pretty close to how real muscle fibers work,” said Dorina Opris, who leads the research group Functional Polymeric Materials at Empa, in a statement.
Vertical lift electric helicopters to get a boost with US firm’s new 7,000 RPM engine
The new HeliStorm engines can also generate power, making them ideal for hybrid-electric helicopters.
US electric aviation company magniX has revealed its new line of HeliStorm electric engines designed for helicopters.
The new engines operate at speeds of 6,000 to 7,000 RPM, the company explains in a press statement. The first model in the series delivers a peak power of 330kW and weighs just 75 Kg (165 lbs).
According to magniX, the new engines can be used in a range of rotorcraft, including single-engine helicopters as well as larger hybrid-electric twin-engine models.
Now, magniX has drawn on its extensive experience to develop the HeliStorm engines. “Our HeliStorm engines allow us to electrify a broader range of platforms, leveraging our unparalleled experience in powering aircraft with our industry-leading electric powertrains,” magniX CTO Riona Armesmith explained.
“magniX has a proven track record in powering our R44 with their electric motors,” David Smith, CEO of Robinson Helicopters, added. “Robinson is excited to continue collaborating with magniX to deliver market-leading, sustainable helicopters.”
Entering the electric helicopter space
Over the years, magniX has partnered with several firms to develop eco-friendly aviation applications. In 2020, it partnered with fuel logistics firm Universal Hydrogen with a view to developing a hydrogen powertrain that can be retrofitted into existing aircraft. It has also collaborated with NASA to develop hybrid electric planes.
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!summarize #mcp #ai #technology
47 dinosaur footprints dating back to 200 million years ago found in Australia
The fossilized footprints display each distinctly three toes left by 47 individual dinosaurs.
Two hundred million years ago, dinosaurs left their mark on a patch of the land that is now Queensland.
Today, this schoolyard boulder with ancient footprints is revealing a vibrant moment in Australia’s prehistoric past.
Dr. Anthony Romilio, a researcher from the University of Queensland’s Dinosaur Lab, has confirmed that this one-square-metre slab contains one of the highest concentrations of dinosaur footprints ever found in Australia.
Over 66 fossilized footprints — left behind in the Early Jurassic period — tell a story of a bustling dinosaur community that once lived here.
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“Evidence from skeletal fossils overseas tells us dinosaurs with feet like these were plant-eaters with long legs, a chunky body, short arms, and a small head with a beak,” Romilio noted.
Another rock with footprints
This ordinary white rock has been quietly residing in the main office of Biloela State High School in Central Queensland for over two decades. It was gifted to the school from the nearby Callide coal mine, where it was unearthed.
It was only after Romilio’s research on the Mount Morgan footprints that its hidden value was revealed.
“Significant fossils like this can sit unnoticed for years, even in plain sight. It’s incredible to think that a piece of history this rich was resting in a schoolyard all this time,” Romilio said.
To fully understand the hidden details within the fossilized footprints, the researchers created a precise 3D silicon model of the rock’s surface. Images were captured and processed, leading to the complete revelation of the find.
Sustainable solution
The researchers utilized a molybdenum catalyst and activated carbon—both of which inexpensive, abundant, and non-toxic.
To begin the process, they combined PET with the catalyst and activated carbon and then heated up the mixture. Polyester plastics consist of large molecules with repeating units linked by chemical bonds. Within a short time, these bonds broke apart.
Next, the researchers exposed the fragmented material to air. With just a trace of moisture, it transformed into terephthalic acid (TPA), a highly valuable precursor for polyesters. The only byproduct was acetaldehyde, an easily removable industrial chemical with commercial value.
“On average, even in relatively dry conditions, the atmosphere holds about 10,000 to 15,000 cubic kilometers of water,” Naveen Malik, the study’s first author, said.
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“Leveraging air moisture allows us to eliminate bulk solvents, reduce energy input and avoid the use of aggressive chemicals, making the process cleaner and more environmentally friendly.”
Kratish stated that the system worked flawlessly but failed when extra water was added, as the excess disrupted its function. Maintaining the right balance was crucial, and ultimately, the natural moisture in the air provided the perfect amount.
The plastic problem
PET plastics —widely used in food packaging and beverage bottles — account for 12% of global plastic consumption. It is a major contributor to plastic pollution due to its resistance to natural degradation. After use, it either ends up in landfills or degrades into tiny microplastics or nanoplastics, polluting wastewater and waterways.
Fast and efficient
The process is both fast and efficient, recovering 94% of the possible TPA within just four hours.
The catalyst is not only durable but also recyclable, maintaining its effectiveness through repeated use. Moreover, the method is designed to work with mixed plastics, selectively targeting polyesters for recycling. This selectivity eliminates the need for pre-sorting, offering a significant economic advantage to the recycling industry.
When tested on real-world materials such as plastic bottles, clothing, and mixed plastic waste, the process remained highly effective, even breaking down colored plastics into pure, colorless TPA.
Moving forward, the researchers aim to scale up the process for industrial applications, ensuring it can efficiently manage large volumes of plastic waste.
The study was recently published in Green Chemistry, a journal published by the Royal Society of Chemistry.
“One day, these could be used in medicine or robotics – and anywhere else where things need to move at the touch of a button, said researchers in a statement.
Next-gen soft actuators
Artificial muscles could one day assist workers, aid mobility, or replace damaged tissue. However, replicating real muscle function remains a challenge. To match biological muscles, artificial versions must be powerful, elastic, and soft.
They are fundamentally dependent on actuators, which are parts that translate electrical information into motion. Although actuators are frequently found in automobile engines, industrial systems, and residences, their conventional designs are stiff and lack the flexibility of actual muscles.
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Artificial muscle breakthrough
Printing such structures is complex, as the materials must remain distinct yet adhere together. They must also be soft enough for electrical activation while meeting 3D printing requirements—liquefying under pressure for extrusion but solidifying quickly to maintain shape, balancing conflicting properties.
Researchers from EMPA, in collaboration with ETH Zurich, developed a breakthrough method for 3D printing soft actuators, overcoming many conflicting material properties. Using specially formulated inks and a custom-designed nozzle, they successfully created functional artificial muscles.
The effort is a component of the Manufhaptics project, which intends to create a glove that simulates resistance while gripping to enable users to feel virtual things.
!summarize #robots #manufacturing #technology
These soft actuators have several uses outside of virtual reality. They are a possible substitute for conventional actuators in automobiles, industrial machinery, and robots since they are small, quiet, and incredibly flexible in shape. According to the team, their adaptability and customization create opportunities for medical applications like prosthetics or assistive technology.
The recently created method increases the possibility of soft, responsive materials by printing long, elastic threads in addition to intricate structures. These developments may eventually result in actuators that closely resemble the way muscles work naturally, which would advance wearable technologies, robotics, and medical treatments.
“If we manage to make them just a little thinner, we can get pretty close to how real muscle fibers work,” said Dorina Opris, who leads the research group Functional Polymeric Materials at Empa, in a statement.
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Vertical lift electric helicopters to get a boost with US firm’s new 7,000 RPM engine
The new HeliStorm engines can also generate power, making them ideal for hybrid-electric helicopters.
US electric aviation company magniX has revealed its new line of HeliStorm electric engines designed for helicopters.
The new engines operate at speeds of 6,000 to 7,000 RPM, the company explains in a press statement. The first model in the series delivers a peak power of 330kW and weighs just 75 Kg (165 lbs).
According to magniX, the new engines can be used in a range of rotorcraft, including single-engine helicopters as well as larger hybrid-electric twin-engine models.
Now, magniX has drawn on its extensive experience to develop the HeliStorm engines. “Our HeliStorm engines allow us to electrify a broader range of platforms, leveraging our unparalleled experience in powering aircraft with our industry-leading electric powertrains,” magniX CTO Riona Armesmith explained.
“magniX has a proven track record in powering our R44 with their electric motors,” David Smith, CEO of Robinson Helicopters, added. “Robinson is excited to continue collaborating with magniX to deliver market-leading, sustainable helicopters.”
Entering the electric helicopter space
Over the years, magniX has partnered with several firms to develop eco-friendly aviation applications. In 2020, it partnered with fuel logistics firm Universal Hydrogen with a view to developing a hydrogen powertrain that can be retrofitted into existing aircraft. It has also collaborated with NASA to develop hybrid electric planes.
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