Important Innovations

  New Cobalt Free, Less Expensive Battery                                                       Source:  Tesla Model 3 On Model 3's in China Tesla has made an important move on the battery front in China.  It's about to start selling Model 3 vehicles in China equipped with much less expensive, cobalt-free lithium ion phosphate (LFP) batteries.  China-made Model 3's currently use nickel-manganese-cobalt batteries.  The starting price in China with government incentives on Model 3 is $39,900.  Reuters says the Tesla announcement about the battery upgrade may come tomorrow. EV Marketplace In the electric vehicle marketplace, the technology race is all about bringing down battery costs and extending range.  Cobalt is one of the most expensive metals in the world.  Taking that cost out of the battery will be a big savings for Tesla. Tesla is expected to use the China made LFP batteries in all Model 3 vehicles made in China.  That will significantly bring down the cost of produci

  Discovery of  Underground Lake & Nearby Salt Ponds                                            Source:  European Space Agency's Mars Express Water Could Mean Some Form of Life Exists on Mars There may be life on Mars.  Scientists have found evidence of a large underground lake and a number of small salt ponds nearby.  This discovery raises the possibility that some form of "Martian" life exists on Mars.  Scientists say where there is water, there is life. ESA's Mars Express Spacecraft The new science comes from Europe.  Italian scientists used data from the European Space Agency's Mars Express Spacecraft.  They specifically analyzed data from the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding instrument (the MARSIS). They determined that the lake is large - 18.6 miles by 12.4 miles.  The scientists says that the subglacial lake could have important consequences for "astrobiology and the presence of habitable niches on Mars". The extra fi

  New Plane With World's Largest Engines                                                       Source:  Boeing FAA Clearance For GE Engines The Boeing 777X is the world's largest twin engine passenger plane. General Electric GE 9X engines for the 777X just received FAA certification. It is the largest engine ever put on a plane. Its diameter is wider than a 737 fuselage. The engine is huge but very efficient. It cuts emissions by 30% and operational costs by 10%. This clears a big hurdle to bring the jet to market. After thousands of hours of test flight hours, the GE 9x has been given FAA part 33 certification. Big Boost for GE This is a big boost for GE.  GE has orders and commitments for 600 plus GE 9X engines.  It has delivered 8 GE 9X test engines and 2 test spares for Boeing's four 777X test planes. Long Journey In 2019, GE found wear in a part of the engine, which it fixed.  This will be new business for GE and Boeing, which expects to put the 777X into service

  Unprecedented Amount of New Energy Innovation                             Source:  SAIC-GM MINI EV, SAIC (lower) Hydrogen, Electric, Hybrid Vehicles China's biggest automaker SAIC Motors plans to introduce an unprecedented 100 new energy models with its partners by 2025.  The new energy vehicles include hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles.  The hydrogen and battery electric will have zero emissions.  60 of the new energy models will be SAIC's own brands.  10 will be hydrogen and 20 plug-in hybrid models.   Beijing International Auto Show The announcement was made by SAIC President Wang Xiaoqui while the Beijing International Auto Show is underway. It is the first large, in-person global auto show since the Covid-19 pandemic hit.  SAIC partners with Volkswagen and GM, both of which have big plans for selling electric vehicles in China, which is the world's largest auto market. The GM-SAIC partnership has already resulted in th

  Neutral Nation's Value of Self-Reliance                                        Source:  Swiss Fighter Jets New World. Extremely Close and Innovative Vote For the Swiss, armed neutrality is a long standing tradition.  In an extremely close vote, Swiss voters have backed a government plan to buy top of the line innovation in jet fighters, to the tune of $6.5 billion. The vote in favor was 50.2% and it is binding.  It's a sign of our globally turbulent times. This is a brand new world.  And, for the Swiss, this is a case of the virtue of self-reliance in the supersonic and coming hypersonic age of fighting jets. Virtue of Self Reliance in Defense Supersonic jets and fighter jets can traverse Switzerland in under ten minutes.  The Swiss government argued that it is now necessary to replace their aging fleet of 30 F/A-18 Hornet jets that go out of service in 2030.  Switzerland is a neutral country and may have no apparent enemies but global conditions rapidly change.  And Swiss vo

  China's Human Horizons HiPhiX Source:  Human Horizons "Super SUV" Debuts at Beijing International Auto Show What may very well be the most intelligent, connected, advanced technology laden, electric luxury SUV just debuted at the Beijing International Auto Show.  It's called the HiPhiX and is the invention of Human Horizons of Shanghai.  The company says it combines cutting edge innovation, sustainable manufacturing and state-of-the-art design "to create the world's 1st continuously evolving Super SUV" Intelligent Mobility The vehicle is the world's first touch-free, door handle-less production vehicle.  It has: Facial recognition entry 5 G-V2X communications network Level 4 Autonomous Valet Parking (AVP) 562 built in sensors capable of continuous monitoring of its systems, occupants and surroundings "Largest" number of voice controlled functions in any car Over the air updates for continuous improvements of all the car's systems The

  Focus - Technology For 2024 Artemis Mission to the Moon Source:  NASA Potential $1 Billion Plus in New Space Business for Italy The US and Italy have signed an agreement to explore space together.  Specifically, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and Italy's Undersecretary to the Presidency Riccardo Fraccaro have agreed to cooperate on NASA's Artemis mission that will land US astronauts on the Moon.  Other space projects are also covered in the agreement.  According to the CEO of the Italian aerospace and defense group Leonardo, the agreement will generate at least $1.16 billion for the Italian space industry. Artemis and Italy's Technology NASA's Artemis mission aims to land the first woman and the next man on the lunar surface in 2024.  NASA wants to establish a sustainable presence on the Moon by the end of this decade.  Leonardo CEO Allesandro Profumo says Italy will be making a significant technology contribution by developing habitable surface modules for human