<p><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1700760608566-Screenshot+2023-11-23+192950.png" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></p><p dir="ltr" id="isPasted">Refineries, with their challenging conditions, rely on Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) inspections to ensure safety and reliability. Flare stacks, crucial assets within these refineries, require special attention. Ultrasonic Thickness (UT) inspections play a vital role in maintaining flare stack integrity, preventing incidents, and enabling proactive maintenance.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">Flare stacks are undeniably vital components but inspecting them has historically been challenging due to their high temperature and heights. Conventional methods often required shutting down the stacks, resulting in productivity losses. Inspectors also had to use ropes or scaffolding, introducing risks and incurring significant time and resource expenses.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">In the past, conventional inspection methods in refineries were marked by their costliness, time-consuming nature, and inherent risks, particularly in the case of flare stack inspections. However, the introduction of intelligent flying robots has been a game-changer. These innovative robots can seamlessly conduct inspections while flare stacks remain operational, minimizing downtime and boosting productivity.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">Avestec is on a mission to enhance safety for NDT inspection crews by introducing cutting-edge technology. Safety is the top priority at Avestec, and the introduction of SKYRON has significantly elevated safety standards for inspecting refineries and their assets. Flare stacks, notorious for their extreme temperatures, have made traditional inspections a risky endeavor. SKYRON eliminates these risks by conducting inspections without human intervention, ensuring the safety and well-being of inspection crews.&nbsp;</p><p>SKYRON redefines inspection efficiency. Unlike traditional methods that require time-consuming setup and human work in heights, the intelligent flying robot can swiftly deploy to fly, attach, and measure these assets. It easily navigates the heights of flare stacks, offering comprehensive inspections in a fraction of the time it would take an entire human inspection crew. This enhanced efficiency translates to significant cost savings, making inspections safer and more cost-effective.&nbsp;</p><p><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1700760706840-Screenshot+2023-11-23+193128.png" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></p><p dir="ltr" id="isPasted">One of the most significant advantages of employing SKYRON for flare stack inspections is the ability to avoid shutdowns. In traditional methods, shutting down operations was often necessary to ensure personnel's safety by preventing contact with hot surfaces. This not only incurred substantial costs but also led to production interruptions.&nbsp;&nbsp;<iframe id="6433ae788de910000801b259" width="250" class="specs-iframe" height="440" src="https://wevolver.com/iframe/specs/skyron?iframe=true" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe></p><p dir="ltr">SKYRON, with its ability to perform inspections without the need for human contact, eliminates the need for shutdowns. This breakthrough ensures uninterrupted operations, saving both time and money. The cost savings achieved by avoiding shutdowns can be substantial, especially in industries where downtime is a critical concern.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">Efficiency isn't just about speed; it's also about precision. SKYRON's advanced rotary arm, equipped with a 38DL PLUS gauge, captures detailed data, providing a comprehensive assessment of the inspected areas. This precision is vital for informed decisions about maintenance and repair, ensuring that potential issues are addressed promptly.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">By utilizing SKYRON for flare stack inspections, safety is prioritized. The intelligent flying robot can operate in extreme temperatures without risking human lives, making inspections in challenging environments significantly safer. Inspectors remain at a safe distance on the ground. Furthermore, SKYRON's ability to reach areas that are difficult to access for human inspectors minimizes the risks associated with manual inspections, ensuring that even the most hard-to-reach spots are thoroughly examined.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr"><br></p><p dir="ltr">In conclusion, the introduction of SKYRON has ushered in a new era of safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness for inspecting challenging flare stack hot surfaces. The ability to conduct inspections without human contact of these high-temperature environments is a testament to the transformative power of advanced technology.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">SKYRON has left an indelible mark as a groundbreaking innovation, revolutionizing the way we approach inspections in challenging industrial environments. In doing so, it ensures that safety remains paramount, efficiency is redefined, and cost-effectiveness is unleashed, making it a key player in the future of industrial inspections, particularly in the realm of flare stack hot surfaces.&nbsp;</p>

Refineries, with their challenging conditions, rely on Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) inspections to ensure safety and reliability. 

Elevating Safety and Efficiency in Flare Stack Inspections

As the global adoption of uncrewed vehicles gains momentum in firefighting operations, it's evident that these technological advancements hold immense potential. 


Why drones are the next step to managing dire responses globally

<p id="isPasted">Maintenance teams and materials have to travel long distances to reach offshore wind turbines. Can drones take over transport tasks and relieve maintenance personnel? The German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) is investigating the possibilities and requirements together with the energy supplier Energie Baden-Württemberg AG (EnBW). In this context, an unmanned DLR small helicopter has now flown to a wind turbine and automatically communicated with it. Seven commercial drone manufacturers will follow up on the findings to further advance the technology developed at DLR. To this end, DLR and EnBW are organising the '<a href="https://www.enbw.com/renewable-energy/wind-energy/our-offshore-wind-farms/offshore-logistics-drones/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Offshore Drone Challenge'</a> (ODC) in June 2024 at the <a href="https://www.dlr.de/ux/en/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-13303/29379_read-76977/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">National Experimental Test Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems</a> in <a href="https://www.dlr.de/en/dlr/locations-and-offices/cochstedt" target="_blank">Cochstedt</a>.</p><p>The wake turbulence of wind turbines can strongly affect drones. The drone requires a lot of power to compensate for the air turbulence. "For automated use in a wind farm, the drone must therefore exchange information with the turbines," says Sebastian Cain from <a href="https://www.dlr.de/ft/en/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-1336/1837_read-32330/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the DLR Institute of Flight Systems</a>, which is leading the project. It is important that the drone and the wind turbine 'understand' each other well. "The drone needs to find the optimum route autonomously. To do this, it needs data from the turbines and wind turbines may have to be stopped so that the drone can reach its destination safely." The interruption in turbine operation – and thus in power generation – needs to be as short as possible.</p><h2>Communication between wind farm system and superARTIS successfully demonstrated</h2><p>At the beginning of October 2023, the unmanned DLR small helicopter <a href="https://www.dlr.de/de/forschung-und-transfer/forschungsinfrastruktur/grossforschungsanlagen/superartis" target="_blank">superARTIS</a> took off at the EnBW wind farm in Schwienau (Lower Saxony). superARTIS included information on the operating status of the individual wind turbines, weather information and wake turbulence in the calculation of its flightpath. By means of communications interfaces, the aircraft announced its arrival at a wind turbine. A simulated control room approved the approach, and the controlled wind turbine was stopped. The aircraft was able to approach without danger. The turbine was then reactivated. Had the drone not received clearance, it would have automatically entered a holding pattern. For a realistic scenario, the researchers attached a payload to the aircraft. The test did not take place offshore but on land, to make it safer and easier to conduct the experiments. "However, the results can be transferred to offshore installations. The communication between the flying vehicle and the turbine was conceptualised for offshore operation and is being studied in simulations for this purpose," explains Sebastien Cain.</p><p><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 768px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1699581191327-image-1600-89a9ce22ef9de5a5c8ca1ffcc8ec5c3b.jpeg" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-inner">Together with the energy company EnBW, DLR is investigating whether the use of drones can simplify logistics for offshore wind turbines. Researchers from the DLR Institute of Flight Systems used the unmanned DLR superARTIS helicopter for flight tests. These tests were conducted as part of the 'Upcoming Drones Windfarm' project. Credit: DLR (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0)</span></span></span></p><h2 id="isPasted">Commercial enterprises benefit from research results</h2><p>The flight test was an important intermediate step in the 'Upcoming Drones Windfarm' (UDW) project organised by DLR and EnBW. The aim of the project is to find out the conditions and necessary steps for the realisation of drone operations, initially for the transport of materials, and subsequently also for passenger transport. The project also includes the 'Offshore Drone Challenge' (ODC), where drone manufacturers and service providers will present suitable solutions. The stakeholders will be able to benefit from the current research results. Companies Anavia, Flowcopter, Flying Basket, HyFly, NEXaero, Unmanned Helicopters and Volocopter were selected and will now present their technologies in Cochstedt during June 2024.</p><p>"We will see several firsts in terms of the number and size of the aircraft," says Sebastian Cain. "In addition, they will all contribute to making the Offshore Drone Challenge a venue for drone demonstrations. It will also create a space for an exchange on technology, business and regulatory matters." Michael Splett, Head of Offshore Operations at EnBW and a member of the National Drone Council of the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (Bundesministerium für Digitales und Verkehr; BMDV), adds: "Offshore wind energy is indispensable for the energy transition and a sustainable energy supply. As operators, it is our task to bring together the two technologies of wind energy and heavy-lift drones. Accordingly, with the ODC we are taking an important step to further explore the realisation of future drone operations."</p><h2>Test flight maneouvres at the Offshore Drone Challenge in Cochstedt</h2><p>The Challenge in Cochstedt will focus on testing flight manoeuvres that are relevant to the operation and maintenance logistics for offshore wind farms. This includes software topics as well as design modifications to connect the 'drone' and 'wind farm' systems. The Challenge will be carried out on land, as this is significantly safer, simpler and more cost-effective than the subsequent application at sea. The seven drone manufacturers and service providers will be able put their technologies to the test during the Challenge, which will be held over two days. The various stages include tasks such as picking up and setting down a load as automatically as possible or flying beyond line of sight.</p><p><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 768px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1699581095450-image-1600-8d391c8898893358433a98bded40d44b.jpeg" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-inner">The participants of the Offshore Drone Challenge present their technologies in June 2024. The Offshore Drone Challenge will take place at DLR's National Experimental Test Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems in Cochstedt. Credit: EnBW</span></span></span></p><p id="isPasted">In addition to the DLR Institute of Flight Systems in <a href="https://www.dlr.de/en/dlr/locations-and-offices/braunschweig" target="_blank">Braunschweig</a> and the National Experimental Test Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, the <a href="https://www.dlr.de/lv/en/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-18931/30340_read-83666/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">DLR Institute of Air Transport</a> in <a href="https://www.dlr.de/en/dlr/locations-and-offices/hamburg" target="_blank">Hamburg</a> is also involved in the Upcoming Drones Windfarm project.</p><p>The project is being funded by the <a href="https://www.bmwk.de/Navigation/EN/Home/home.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action</a> (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz; BMWK).</p><h3 id="isPasted">Safe operation of unmanned aircraft systems</h3><p>The aim of the <a href="https://www.dlr.de/en/ft" target="_blank">research and development work</a> at the Institute of Flight Systems is the simple and safe operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) under complex conditions – challenging weather conditions, obstacle-rich flight environments and interactions with other traffic. One focus is on unmanned cargo transport, together with the development of hardware and software components and the necessary approvals. For this purpose, the Institute operates several unmanned aerial vehicles as test systems.</p><h3>DLR National Test Center in Cochstedt</h3><p>The <a href="https://www.dlr.de/en/images/institutes-1/national-experimental-test-center-for-unmanned-aircraft-systems" target="_blank">DLR National Experimental Test Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems</a> is located in Cochstedt. The testing centre allows networking between interested parties and enables the further development of technologies for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). The test site in Saxony-Anhalt is accessible to users from start-ups through to the established air transport industry for research and testing. It also acts as an incubator and enabler for start-ups and SMEs. In Cochstedt, UAS technologies can be tested under real conditions before they find their way into everyday use.</p>

The test flight with the unmanned DLR superARTIS helicopter was an important milestone for the 'Upcoming Drones Windfarm' project. The project, which is being carried out by the DLR Institute of Flight Systems together with the energy company EnBW, focuses on the question of whether drones can take over transport tasks for offshore wind farms and relieve maintenance personnel. Credit: DLR (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0)

Logistics for offshore wind farms could be simplified with the use of drones. DLR is working with energy supplier EnBW to determine requirements and possibilities.

Drones to transport personnel and materials to offshore wind farms

<p id="isPasted">Small satellites are becoming increasingly compact and powerful. The technology of conventional radio channels is reaching its limits due to the rising number of satellites. Laser communications offers solutions for the efficient transmission of high data volumes without interfering with other channels. For this application, the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) <a href="https://www.dlr.de/en/kn" target="_blank">Institute of Communications and Navigation</a>, together with the company Tesat-Spacecom GmbH &amp; Co. KG <a href="https://www.tesat.de/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">TESAT</a>, developed OSIRIS4CubeSat, the world's smallest commercially available laser communications terminal. The reliability and error-free functionality of the terminal, which was specifically developed for use on microsatellites, was confirmed during a test mission in space.</p><p><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 768px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1699086525920-image-1600-66c2779f82a779fcbe74aba8d1b6a0ad.jpeg" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-inner">The highly compact communication terminal CubeLCT was developed at the DLR Institute of Communication and Navigation on behalf of the company Tesat Spacecom. It is prepared for series production and can be integrated and adjusted with a few degrees of freedom. Credit: DLR (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0)</span></span></span></p><p>"This success is the result of our many years of research in the field of optical satellite communications," says Florian David, Director of the DLR Institute of Communications and Navigation. "It demonstrates the impressive potential for designing small, light and at the same time powerful optical satellite terminals. This is an important building block for future satellite systems, for example for Earth observation or in megaconstellations."</p><h2>Microsatellite with an optical communications system</h2><p>The first OSIRIS4CubeSat terminal was launched into space on board the CubeL satellite on 24 January 2021. During the <a href="https://www.dlr.de/de/aktuelles/nachrichten/2021/01/20210124_pionierstart-kleinsatellit-mit-kleinstem-laserterminal-der-welt" target="_blank">PIXL-1 mission</a>, images acquired by the camera system on CubeL could be sent to the Optical Ground Station Oberpfaffenhofen using the OSIRIS4CubeSat laser. Both the satellite and the laser terminal have since undergone extensive testing. Now the tests have been successfully completed with an end-to-end demonstration. The reliability and error-free functionality of OSIRIS4CubeSat in space have been confirmed.</p><p>Microsatellites, or CubeSats, have a standardised cube shape with an edge length of 10 centimetres and can be extended as required. The laser communications terminal developed in the <a href="https://www.dlr.de/kn/en/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-17840/#gallery/36173" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">OSIRIS4CubeSat</a> project together with TESAT complies with this standard. The patented design, in which an electronic circuit board was used as the mechanical basis for the optical elements for the first time, made it possible to achieve a high degree of compactness.</p><h2>High data transmission rates without electromagnetic interference</h2><p>With a data rate of 100 megabits per second, the laser terminal's speed far surpasses the transmission capabilities of comparable radio systems. In addition to the high data rate, laser light as a transmission medium is unaffected by electromagnetic interference. Channel crosstalk, as often occurs with conventional radio channels, does not exist with laser transmission. This means that laser transmission channels do not require lengthy approval procedures on the part of the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur; BNetzA) or the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).</p><p>When transmitting image data to Earth by laser, encoding procedures developed at DLR were employed to safeguard the data. This is necessary to maintain stable, zero-loss transmission from the satellite to Earth, since the data must be protected from disruptions caused by atmospheric effects. For this purpose, they are encoded on the satellite before being sent to the ground station using the laser link. There, following reception, they are decoded and then processed. The <a href="https://www.dlr.de/en/research-and-transfer/projects-and-missions/iss/the-german-space-operations-center" target="_blank">German Space Operations Center (GSOC)</a> is responsible for the commanding, operation and support of the satellite. CubeL is thus the first CubeSat to be successfully integrated into GSOC's existing ground segment.</p><p><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 768px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1699086552505-image-1600-a23a7a8f570e1abd2658cf00a0296875.jpeg" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-inner">The new op­ti­cal ground sta­tion on the roof of the DLR In­sti­tute of Com­mu­ni­ca­tions and Nav­i­ga­tion in Oberp­faf­fen­hofen. Credit: DLR (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0)</span></span></span></p><h2>From research to industrial application</h2><p>The results from PIXL-1 show the error-free functionality of the OSIRIS4CubeSat terminal along the complete transmission chain. This will enable widespread use of laser communications on a large number of satellites in the future. The technology was transferred to TESAT even before the demonstration mission was completed. TESAT has since incorporated the terminal into its portfolio and offers it to commercial customers under the name 'CubeLCT' or 'SCOT20', which is a further development of the product.</p><p>Siegbert Martin, Chief Technology Officer at TESAT said: "This underlines the great opportunities that arise from cooperation between research and industry in Germany."</p>

The PIXL-1 small satellite can acquire images of the Earth with a high-resolution camera and send them to the Optical Ground Station Oberpfaffenhofen with the CubeLCT via a laser link. Credit: DLR (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0)

Small satellites are becoming increasingly compact and powerful. The technology of conventional radio channels is reaching its limits due to the rising number of satellites.

Demonstration of data transmission from a microsatellite by laser

In this episode, we discuss a joint endeavor led by ETH Zurich to leverage robotic teams to explore the lunar surface for precious materials.

Podcast: Robotic Pioneers on the Moon's Surface

<p id="isPasted"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Effective time management is essential when conducting inspections on container ships, as it directly influences the cost-effectiveness and competitiveness of maritime cargo transportation. Inspection plays a&nbsp;crucial&nbsp;role in ensuring container ship safety, averting cargo damage,&nbsp;maintaining&nbsp;compliance with environmental rules, and preserving the vessel's value.&nbsp;Ensuring the safety and dependability of container ships involves employing fundamental methods such as contact-based Ultrasonic Thickness (UT) inspections and visual assessments.&nbsp;These inspections proactively&nbsp;identify&nbsp;potential issues before they escalate into significant concerns, thereby aiding in the prevention of maritime mishaps.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p><p>&nbsp;<br><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Regularly inspecting cargo vessels becomes a complex task due to their significant size,&nbsp;necessitating&nbsp;careful maneuvering to access various compartments, structures, and cargo holds.&nbsp;Traditional approaches, like rope access and scaffolding, come with inherent risks and time consumption. Addressing these hurdles, innovative flying robots have&nbsp;emerged&nbsp;as&nbsp;an optimal&nbsp;solution for ship inspections.&nbsp;Avestec's&nbsp;intelligent airborne robot, SKYRON, effectively addresses the difficulties&nbsp;encountered&nbsp;in ship inspections.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Watch the video above to see how SKYRON performed UT and visual inspections on a container ship in Vancouver, Canada. It focused on checking the back wall of the cargo hold, the guides for the columns, and the ship's side facing the water. This inspection happened while the ship was parked at the port to unload cargo, highlighting the importance of saving time. SKYRON is a highly advanced flying robot designed for various inspections, reducing risks for&nbsp;humans&nbsp;and cutting down on inspection time and costs.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>

Watch How Flying Robots Like SKYRON Are Redefining Safety Checks at Sea 

From Robo-Flyers to Smart Scans, Unveiling the Future of Vessel Safety and Performance

<div data-id="9908f31" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="heading.default" id="isPasted"><h2>International Space and Robotics Contest</h2></div><p data-id="69b735e" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">For the first time in the history of the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland FHNW, a team of nine Bachelor students from three different fields of study successfully participated in the European Rover Challenge (ERC). Within a year, the students built a Mars rover and placed 6th in the competition out of 19 teams from all over Europe, being the only newcomer in the top 10. 'It was a bit like a ‘fish out of water’ experience because we didn’t have any inside knowledge of the competition', explains Nadine Richard- the 5th-semester mechanical engineering student was in charge of the gripper, deep sampling, and the robotic arm.</p><p><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjk2MjQ0NjcyNzA2LW1hcnMtcm9ib3QtM2QtcHJpbnRlZC0zLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></p><p><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjk2MjQ0NjgxMTM4LW1hcnMtcm9ib3QtM2QtcHJpbnRlZC0yLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></p><p><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 768px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjk2MjQ0NjkwMTc5LW1hcnMtcm9ib3QtM2QtcHJpbnRlZC0xLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false">The Mars rover of the FHNW in action at the European Rover Challenge (ERC)</span></span></span></p><h2>Success with the right goals</h2><p data-id="bc27b16" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">For the first participation in the ERC, it was important for the FHNW team to be able to compete with a functioning rover. In the four disciplines of navigation, probing, maintenance, and science, the Mars rover had to prove its skills.&nbsp;</p><blockquote><p data-id="bc27b16" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">'In the development, we focused especially on the drivetrain, as well as the manipulator (robotic arm and gripper), since these two components are elementary for all four tasks in the competition,' emphasizes Nadine.</p></blockquote><div data-id="c866847" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="heading.default" id="isPasted"><h2>Components from the 3D printer</h2></div><p data-id="9d6c717" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">3D printing played a key role in the development of the rover. 'A big advantage of additive manufacturing is the complexity of the parts you can design, as well as the different technologies and materials ready to use,' Nadine explains. For the tires and the signal mast, the team used the FDM printers available at the university. Due to the high demands on the gripper, selective laser sintering (SLS) was used as another 3D printing technology. High durability – due to forces from all directions – and extreme lightness – due to the gripper’s center of gravity being far out – led the students to Sintratec. 'The sponsored components from Sintratec exceeded all our set requirements and performed excellently in all four tasks of the competition', Nadine happily points out.</p><p data-id="9d6c717" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">See these incredible images below that showcase the rover and gripper.&nbsp;</p><p><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjk2MjQ0NzUxMjI0LXNscy0zZC1wcmludGluZy1tYXJzLXJvYm90by5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></p><p><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjk2MjQ0NzU3NzY5LXJvdmVyX2luX3RoZV9GSE5XX3dvcmtzaG9wLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></p><p><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 768px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjk2MjQ0NzYzMjM2LWdyaXBwZXJfbW91bnRlZF9jbG9zZXVwLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false">An important element on the Mars rover is the gripper on the manipulator, which is under high loads from all directions.</span></span></span></p><p><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjk2MjQ0ODAzMDc3LW1hcnMtcm9ib3QtM2QtcHJpbnRlZC00LmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></p><p><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjk2MjQ0ODA4NDkzLW1hcnMtcm9ib3QtM2QtcHJpbnRlZC01LmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></p><p><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 302px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjk2MjQ0ODEyMTE3LW1hcnMtcm9ib3QtM2QtcHJpbnRlZC02LmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false">The gripper was 3D printed from lightweight and durable PA12 with the Sintratec SLS technology.</span></span></span></p><div data-id="f17ceb6" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="heading.default" id="isPasted"><h2>SLS convinces tomorrow’s engineers</h2></div><p data-id="2c67180" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">Nadine Richard’s team was impressed with the high durability, stability, and accuracy of the SLS components printed with PA12 on the Sintratec S2. The lack of support structures also made it advantageous for the project. Sintratec provided guidance and allowed them to incorporate new technology into their project. Nadine plans to use SLS technology for future robotic projects. Learn more about the project in the video below.</p><p data-id="2c67180" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"><span contenteditable="false" draggable="true" class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ia4PSyXHeYo?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br></p>

Students from the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) build a functional Mars rover using SLS 3D printed parts and take 6th place at the European Mars Rover Challenge (ERC) in Poland.

SLS technology on a mission to Mars?

In this episode, we embark on a journey to the red planet and unveil the remarkable success of the NASA JPL MOXIE (Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment) mission on Mars.

Podcast: Breathing on Mars: MOXIE's Astounding Success

<p dir="ltr" id="isPasted">Natural disasters, such as floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires can cause immense damage to human life and property. In recent years, technology has evolved to the point where uncrewed vehicles can be used to help mitigate the effects of disasters. They excel in areas where human access might be limited or hazardous, enabling them to perform critical tasks such as pre-disaster monitoring, post-disaster assessment, debris removal, supply delivery, and environmental data collection.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">Critical to utilising uncrewed vehicles for disaster relief is the ability to coordinate vehicles into autonomous fleets and leverage live video links for real-time observation. An example of this is <a href="https://www.cloudgroundcontrol.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Cloud Ground Control (CGC)</a>, a platform that can elevate uncrewed vehicles to be effectively employed in managing and mitigating natural disasters.&nbsp;</p><h2 dir="ltr" id="isPasted">Utilising uncrewed vehicles for pre-disaster preparedness</h2><p dir="ltr">Uncrewed vehicles can be leveraged pre-disaster, such as mapping risk areas and identifying changing environmental conditions as well as post-disaster, for example risk mitigation, rescue and relief.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">The foremost strategy to disaster mitigation is pre-disaster preparedness which refers to the monitoring of disaster-prone areas and detecting changes in environmental parameters. These changes help scientists in predicting when a climatic anomaly or disaster may take place and aid in taking preventive actions. Uncrewed vehicles use sensors to gather data in real-time. This data is then sent to software with special algorithms that automatically analyse it and trigger specific actions based on AI interpretation of the results.</p><p dir="ltr">CGC, for example, aggregates the data collected from multiple uncrewed vehicles and stores it in a centralised cloud-based platform. This central repository ensures that all relevant data is accessible to decision-makers and experts involved in disaster preparedness.<br><br>The sensors gather data across a wide spectrum of phenomena, such as temperature, humidity, atmospheric composition, electromagnetic radiation, and more. For instance, temperature sensors employ thermoelectric materials to convert thermal energy into measurable electrical signals. Electromagnetic sensors exploit interactions between electromagnetic fields and their target materials to discern properties like object proximity, material composition, or radiation intensity.<br><br>In the realm of pre-disaster preparedness, the utilisation of uncrewed vehicles equipped with these sensors brings substantial advantages. Firstly, the real-time data collection capability of these sensors enables the continuous monitoring of key environmental parameters that might serve as early indicators of impending disasters.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">For instance, sudden shifts in temperature, atmospheric pressure, or gas composition could signify the onset of natural events like wildfires, tsunamis, or seismic activities. By promptly identifying these anomalies, authorities and response teams can be promptly alerted, allowing for timely evacuation and mitigation measures. The robust data security measures offered by platforms like CGC ensure the safeguarding of critical environmental and situational data collected by uncrewed vehicles, enhancing the integrity and effectiveness of pre-disaster preparedness efforts.<br><br>Moreover, the automated relay of sensor-derived data to software integrated with specialised algorithms enables swift data analysis, extracting meaningful patterns and anomalies from the collected information. This analytical process aids in identifying potential disaster precursors, assisting experts in making informed decisions and predictions. The subsequent activation of specific actions through AI-driven interpretation further enhances preparedness.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">For instance, if a sudden increase in gas concentration indicative of a chemical leak is detected, AI can trigger the deployment of containment measures, thus minimising potential harm to human life and the environment.&nbsp;</p><h2 dir="ltr">Mapping an area post-disaster</h2><p dir="ltr">While preparing for natural disasters is key, once they strike, uncrewed vehicles can be on scene rapidly to provide a response. Uncrewed vehicles can be equipped with an array of sensing technologies to accurately map and analyse disaster-stricken areas. These maps are extremely helpful in aiding and increasing the effectiveness of humanitarian efforts. They allow relief workers to identify critical regions and prioritise response efforts. Thermal camera drones can scan a large area and fly over collapsed structures to identify people in distress. Drones can also be employed for pre-and post-disaster large scale 3D mapping of an area which can help in preventive measures before possible disasters and relief efforts afterwards.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">Furthermore, uncrewed vehicles contribute to post-disaster mapping, surveying, and assessment. Utilising CGC’s cellular micro-modem CGConnect, uncrewed vehicles can be seamlessly linked to a cloud-based drone fleet management platform, enabling real-time live-streaming, command, and control from a web browser. Instead of having to collect data from multiple drones after they have conducted surveys, CGC allows for a simultaneous data collection and transmission from the entire drone fleet of up to 1000 uncrewed vehicles. This significantly enhances emergency response and disaster relief capabilities.&nbsp;</p><h2 dir="ltr">Humanitarian Relief</h2><p dir="ltr">Another important use of uncrewed vehicles in disaster relief efforts is their ability to quickly deliver lifesaving supplies. Drones and other unmanned vehicles are currently being employed to directly deliver food, water, and medical supplies to people affected by natural calamities. Due to their maneuverability and flight capability, aerial drones respond much faster in many areas compared to crewed vehicles.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">Additionally, uncrewed water vehicles (UWVs) can be used to transport supplies and people across flooded areas. These UWVs are equipped with GPS and obstacle detection systems to navigate submerged streets and obstacles effectively. Using their payload capacity, the UWVs travel through flooded neighborhoods, delivering supplies directly to doorsteps where people are stranded.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">Technology plays a huge role in this, for example CGC can serve as a central platform for coordinating the delivery of such lifesaving supplies. It enables real-time tracking of multiple vehicles' locations, routes, and cargo status. Relief teams can monitor the progress of supply deliveries and adjust routes in response to changing conditions or emerging priorities.&nbsp;</p><h2 dir="ltr">An ongoing development&nbsp;</h2><p dir="ltr">Uncrewed vehicles have the potential to revolutionise the way we respond to natural disasters and save countless lives. By providing critical information and assistance in hazardous environments, uncrewed vehicles are becoming an increasingly important tool in the response to natural disasters. &nbsp;It is important to note, however, that uncrewed vehicles are not a panacea but rather an auxiliary tool in the effort of disaster management. While uncrewed vehicles offer substantial benefits, they complement a comprehensive disaster management approach, underscoring the importance of coordinated relief efforts that integrate emerging technologies like <a href="https://www.cloudgroundcontrol.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CGC</a> to achieve optimal disaster response outcomes.</p><h2 dir="ltr" id="isPasted">References</h2><ol><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Qiu,Stephanie. Cloud Ground Control Empowers Emergency Response And Disaster Relief With 5G Drone Fleet Control. 5 April 2023. [Internet]. <a href="https://www.advancednavigation.com/news/cloud-ground-control-empowers-emergency-response-and-disaster-relief-with-5g-drone-fleet-control/" target="_blank">https://www.advancednavigation.com/news/cloud-ground-control-empowers-emergency-response-and-disaster-relief-with-5g-drone-fleet-control/</a> .&nbsp;</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">CORDIS EU Research Results. EU project successfully deploys robots following Italy earthquake [Internet]. <a href="https://cordis.europa.eu/article/id/120405-eu-project-successfully-deploys-robots-following-italy-earthquake" target="_blank">https://cordis.europa.eu/article/id/120405-eu-project-successfully-deploys-robots-following-italy-earthquake</a>&nbsp;</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory. NOAA Saildrone Hurricane Observation [Internet]. [cited 2023 May 14]. Available from: https://www.pmel.noaa.gov/saildrone-hurricane/</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Bateman J. China’s Launching Drones to Fight Back Against Deadly Earthquakes. Wired [Internet]. [cited 2023 May 14]; Available from: https://www.wired.com/2017/01/chinas-launching-drones-fight-back-earthquakes/</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Armed with drones, aid workers seek faster response to earthquakes, floods. Reuters [Internet]. 2016 May 16 [cited 2023 May 14]; Available from: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-humanitarian-summit-nepal-drones-idUSKCN0Y7003</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Martin G. Drones aid SANDF disaster relief efforts in KwaZulu-Natal [Internet]. defenceWeb. 2022 [cited 2023 May 14]. Available from: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/aerospace/aerospace-aerospace/drones-aid-sandf-disaster-relief-efforts-in-kwazulu-natal/</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Science and Technology Directorate. Feature Article: Unmanned Vehicles Could Lead in Dangerous Rescue Situations | Homeland Security [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2023 May 14]. Available from: https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/news/2022/06/09/feature-article-unmanned-vehicles-could-lead-dangerous-rescue-situations</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Covid in Scotland: Drones to carry Covid samples. BBC News [Internet]. 2021 Feb 23 [cited 2023 May 14]; Available from: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-56154503</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Frey T. Using Drones to Eliminate Future Forest Fires [Internet]. Futurist Speaker. 2018 [cited 2023 May 14]. Available from: https://futuristspeaker.com/technology-trends/using-drones-to-eliminate-future-forest-fires/</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Partheepan S, Sanati F, Hassan J. Autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Bushfire Management: Challenges and Opportunities. Drones. 2023 Jan;7(1):47.&nbsp;</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Drone Amplified. Fire Management System Embedded to Drones [Internet]. Ignis by Drone Amplified. [cited 2023 May 14]. Available from: https://droneamplified.com/ignis/</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Ocean Infinity. Our Technology - Ocean Infinity [Internet]. Ocean Infinity. 2022 [cited 2023 May 14]. Available from: https://oceaninfinity.com/ourtechnology/</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Tabor A. Volcano-observing Drone Flights Open Door to Routine Hazard Monitoring [Internet]. NASA. 2022 [cited 2023 May 14]. Available from: http://www.nasa.gov/feature/ames/volcano-observing-drone-flights-open-door-to-routine-hazard-monitoring</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Bonali FL, Tibaldi A, Marchese F, Fallati L, Russo E, Corselli C, et al. UAV-based surveying in volcano-tectonics: An example from the Iceland rift. Journal of Structural Geology. 2019 Apr;121:46–64.&nbsp;</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">eBee X mapping drone - Drones [Internet]. AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. [cited 2023 May 14]. Available from: https://ageagle.com/drones/ebee-x/</p></li></ol>

Critical to utilising uncrewed vehicles for disaster relief is the ability to coordinate vehicles into autonomous fleets and leverage live video links for real-time observation. 


How Uncrewed Vehicles are Rising to the Challenge of Natural Disasters

<p><img alt="A blue line drawing of a person wearing a hard hatDescription automatically generated" src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1695324692147-1695324692147.png" id="isPasted" class="fr-fic fr-dii"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span></p><p id="isPasted"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">For the management of hydropower conveyance systems within pulp and paper facilities, surge tanks stand as critical components, serving as key players for efficient operations. A robust maintenance strategy and a secure work environment are paramount for these systems to thrive. Non-destructive testing (NDT) inspections emerge as a vital practice in maintaining surge tank performance. However, circumstances can be challenging, as showcased in a recent case undertaken by Avestec.</span><span data-ccp-props='{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}'>&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">The situation presented a dual challenge. Initially, accessing the surge tanks proved intricate due to obstructive towering trees on one front. Subsequently, a haunting specter of potential asbestos contamination&nbsp;emerged&nbsp;on the opposing&nbsp;side, adding&nbsp;an element of danger that&nbsp;couldn&#39;t&nbsp;be ignored. The confluence of these obstacles demanded an innovative approach, one that safeguarded&nbsp;workers&rsquo;&nbsp;well-being while ensuring thorough assessments of the tanks.&nbsp;</span><img alt="A group of men in safety gearDescription automatically generated with medium confidence" src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1695324672404-1695324672404.jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dii"><span data-ccp-props='{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}'>&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">In response to these complex challenges,&nbsp;Avestec&nbsp;utilized&nbsp;the capabilities of SKYRON, an intelligent flying robot.&nbsp;SKYRON&nbsp;emerged&nbsp;as the perfect&nbsp;inspection&nbsp;tool, smoothly navigating the intricate&nbsp;environment&nbsp;and flawlessly conducting ultrasonic thickness tests on the tank shell.&nbsp;By doing so, it enabled inspection without exposing human personnel to the hazards.</span><span data-ccp-props='{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}'>&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Operating SKYRON was a precise coordination of human&nbsp;expertise&nbsp;and&nbsp;cutting-edge&nbsp;technology.&nbsp;A skilled pilot and inspector collaborated to guide the flying robot with precision. While the robot soared over the dense canopy of trees, the team&nbsp;maintained&nbsp;a safe distance, evading the potential asbestos threat. A&nbsp;first-person&nbsp;view&nbsp;camera&nbsp;system&nbsp;interface&nbsp;facilitated&nbsp;real-time monitoring as SKYRON ventured beyond the limits of direct line of sight.</span><span data-ccp-props='{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}'>&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">The&nbsp;results&nbsp;of&nbsp;Avestec&#39;s&nbsp;inspection were&nbsp;truly&nbsp;remarkable.&nbsp;Within&nbsp;a single day, SKYRON&nbsp;conducted thorough&nbsp;inspections,&nbsp;collecting&nbsp;577 ultrasonic thickness readings in&nbsp;60 minutes&nbsp;flight time.</span>&nbsp;<br><img alt="A large metal tower with a ladderDescription automatically generated" src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1695324672418-1695324672418.jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dii"><span data-ccp-props='{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}'>&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">This achievement marked a transformative change in the methods of inspecting surge tanks. Through overcoming challenging conditions and executing seamless inspections, SKYRON proves its advantages over conventional approaches, triumphing even in the most demanding environments.</span><span data-ccp-props='{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}'>&nbsp;</span></p>

SKYRON's Cutting-Edge Solution Overcomes Hazardous Obstacles and Delivers Rapid Results

Revolutionizing Tank Inspections: How Intelligent Flying Robots Ensure Safety and Efficiency

<p id="isPasted">This article was discussed in our <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wevolver.com/profile/the.next.byte&source=gmail&ust=1672821999265000&usg=AOvVaw3lLKdHdEN0YvCEsaHI7hx9" href="https://www.wevolver.com/profile/the.next.byte" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Next Byte podcast</a>.&nbsp;</p><p><span contenteditable="false" draggable="true" class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable"><iframe height="200px" width="100%" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" seamless="" src="https://player.simplecast.com/95b5b321-ff01-4131-9a82-dc2417f0588b?dark=false" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe></span><br></p><p>The full article will continue below.</p><hr><p id="isPasted">Think about this: while we&#39;re here on Earth, a device on Mars (called MOXIE) is breathing life into our interplanetary ambitions by turning carbon dioxide into oxygen. And it&#39;s not just working; <em>it&#39;s thriving.</em></p><p><br></p><h3>The minds behind the mission</h3><p>The team behind the Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment, colloquially known as MOXIE, was led by principal investigator Michael Hecht from MIT but also includes collaborators from Caltech as well as OxEon Energy. Stationed on NASA&#39;s Perseverance rover, which was designed and managed by NASA JPL, this compact device is making interstellar history.</p><p><br></p><h3>The drive to innovate</h3><p>Fundamentally speaking, there will be a massive demand for oxygen in a society that is interplanetary &ndash; it is not only required to sustain life but is also necessary for the combustion of rocket fuel. The roots of MOXIE&#39;s endeavor trace back to the persistent challenge in space exploration: resource transport. Carrying massive oxygen tanks across the vast expanse between Earth and Mars is logistically daunting and downright uneconomical. Thus, the inception of MOXIE: <em>to negate this transportation need by producing oxygen right on the Red Planet.</em></p><p>Fast forward to today, MOXIE hasn&#39;t just met expectations; it&#39;s exceeded them. From the time of its Martian touchdown in February 2021, the instrument has not only produced oxygen consistently, but it has also done so under varied atmospheric conditions and at different times, day and night. Its performance, irrespective of the fluctuating Martian atmosphere, stands as a testament to its engineering excellence.</p><p><br></p><h3>MOXIE&#39;s breathtaking success</h3><p>Between its start-up in February 2021 and September 2023, MOXIE accumulated a total output of 122 grams of oxygen. At maximum operational capacity, the system produced 12 grams of oxygen each hour, achieving a purity level of 98% or higher. The consistent target was six grams of oxygen per hour, a rate comparable to the oxygen output of a standard terrestrial tree.&nbsp;MOXIE matched or exceeded both its purity and volume targets during this experiment.</p><p>Impressively, MOXIE&#39;s oxygen production was also consistent across Mars&#39; intense seasonal variation. Because of vast differences in temperature between seasons, Mars&#39; atmospheric density can vary up to twofold throughout the year, which presents a dynamic environment for MOXIE&#39;s oxygen production.</p><p><br></p><h3>The secret sauce behind MOXIE</h3><p>The wizardry of MOXIE is both fascinating and profoundly technical, ingeniously designed to work under the highly variable Martian conditions.</p><p>MOXIE begins its operations by first drawing in carbon dioxide-rich Martian air, which is filtered to rid contaminants. The air is subsequently pressurized and channeled through the Solid OXide Electrolyzer (SOXE), which was developed by OxEon Energy. SOXE electrochemically dissects the air into oxygen ions and carbon monoxide. The oxygen ions are skillfully isolated and recombined, resulting in molecular oxygen, or O2. Before releasing it back into the Martian atmosphere (alongside carbon monoxide and other gases), MOXIE conducts tests to determine whether the oxygen&#39;s quantity and purity meet the mark.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 520px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjk1MjQ1NDc0MjM3LTY0OTBfTWFycy0yMDIwLU5BU0EtTU9YSUUtQ2FyYm9uLU94eWdlbi1mdWxsMi5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 518px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-inner">NASA/JPL-Caltech</span></span></span></p><p>Furthermore, accommodating MOXIE&#39;s function within the Perseverance rover&#39;s busy schedule demanded adaptability. Designed to operate intermittently, MOXIE&#39;s performance during various times of the Martian day and throughout diverse seasons showed its resilience. While full-scale versions of MOXIE are envisioned to run continually, the current design&#39;s episodic functioning has demonstrated robustness against potential wear and tear.</p><p><br></p><h3><strong>Beyond the experiment</strong></h3><p>Following MOXIE&#39;s success, the research group still sees lots of future work on the horizon for in-situ oxygen production, including designing a future full-scale system that is designed to run nonstop (the current system is designed to operate only in short bursts). The ultimate goal is to a dispatch larger version of MOXIE to Mars and allow it to produce and store up large quantities of oxygen to support future missions.</p><p>All in all, this isn&#39;t just a technological win; it&#39;s a game-changer. MOXIE&#39;s proven ability to transform plentiful Martian carbon dioxide into oxygen means the dream of return flights from Mars &ndash; and perhaps eventual manned exploration &ndash; &nbsp;is a significant step closer. MOXIE has not just created oxygen but also started paving the path for humanity&#39;s next big interplanetary leap.</p>

MOXIE successfully turned Martian carbon dioxide into usable oxygen – a monumental achievement with even bigger implications for the future of space exploration 


Breathtaking Success on Mars: MOXIE Experiment Delivers as Promised

BVLOS, swarm, and military-grade encryption will enable wider and more diverse applications of drones, while cutting-edge software platforms enable operators to improve fleet coordination with more data control


How drone management platforms are enhancing the next generation of drone technologies

Fig 1 - Printed Circuit Board Chips and Radio Components

Unveiling the Duel of Digital Design - A Comprehensive Exploration of History, Syntax, and Applications of the two popular hardware description languages

Verilog vs VHDL: A Comprehensive Comparison

<div data-mesh-id="comp-llgao0tzinlineContent" data-testid="inline-content"><div data-mesh-id="comp-llgao0tzinlineContent-gridContainer" data-testid="mesh-container-content"><div data-testid="richTextElement"><p>Pushing the boundaries of space technology requires innovative thinking and the right tools for the job.</p><p>The Scientific Workgroup for Rocketry and Spaceflight (<a href="https://warr.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WARR)</a> at the Technical University of Munich launched their cryogenic rocket 12.7 kilometers above the earth. See how the group transformed &ldquo;Project Cryosphere&rdquo; from an idea to a reality with critical parts made by <a href="http://www.makerverse.ai" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">MakerVerse</a>.</p><p><br></p><p><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 302px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjkyNzcyMDEwOTc5LVJvY2tldCBpbiBmbGlnaHQuSlBHIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-inner">Project Cyrosphere successfully takes off. Photo credit: Matthew Swenson.</span></span></span></p><div data-testid="richTextElement" id="isPasted"><h3>The challenge: Blasting Off to 11 Kilometers</h3></div><div data-testid="richTextElement"><p>Since its foundation in 1962, WARR has been no stranger to ambitious space-related projects. Within that group is WARR Rocketry, whose student members come from all backgrounds ranging from mechanical engineering to business.</p><p>The team&rsquo;s previous altitude record was 4 kilometers. With Project Cyrosphere, they wanted to go far beyond. WARR knew they needed an impeccable design and perfect parts to achieve that goal.<br><br>One of the significant challenges is the extreme conditions that the rocket would undertake. The 135-kilogram rocket would travel 3.5 times the speed of sound, undergoing intense strain until reaching the apogee. Every part must be precisely manufactured to handle severe heat and cold.</p><p>Furthermore, the student group faced tight deadlines to complete the rocket in time for the scheduled launch in California (US).</p><div data-testid="richTextElement" id="isPasted"><h3>The solutions: MakerVerse for the Universe</h3><p><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 768px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjkyNzcyNDQyMjQzLVdBUlIgcGFydHMgKEFwcHJvdmVkKSAoNCkucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-inner"><span contenteditable="true" id="isPasted">The interior and exterior of the aluminum critical connectors made by MakerVerse. They&#39;re attached to carbon fiber.</span></span></span></span></p></div><div data-testid="richTextElement"><p>WARR&rsquo;s rocket is made largely of carbon fiber, as this material combines strength with reduced weight. For the crucial connector interfaces, which connect the carbon fiber with the cryogenic tank and the upper segments of the rocket, WARR turned to MakerVerse.</p><p>With MakerVerse&rsquo;s<a href="https://app.makerverse.ai/quote/upload" target="_self" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;on-demand manufacturing platform</a>, WARR gained access to the full range of manufacturing technologies and materials. In this case, <a href="https://www.makerverse.ai/cnc" target="_self" rel="noreferrer noopener">CNC machining&nbsp;</a>created these aluminum connectors to exact specifications. Considering the delicacy and difficult conditions, MakerVerse&rsquo;s attention to detail was critical.</p><p><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 429px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjkyNzcyMjIwOTA1LVdBUlIgcGFydHMgKEFwcHJvdmVkKSAoMikucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 427px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-inner">The assembled structure.</span></span></span></p><p>Throughout the process, MakerVerse provided very clear pricing and communications, which helped ensure all lead time expectations were met.</p><div data-testid="richTextElement" id="isPasted"><h3>The results: Reaching for the Stars</h3></div><div data-testid="richTextElement"><p>With the successful launch of its cryogenic rocket WARR, gained invaluable date on supersonic flight and the performance of the hardware. This data will be put to use for other projects.<br><br>The team already has other ambitious projects planned for the near future, including innovative new rocket designs. For these projects, WARR plans to work with MakerVerse again using a combination of additive manufacturing, CNC machining, and other technologies as needed.</p><p>&ldquo;MakerVerse was a great partner for our manufacturing projects,&rdquo; said Francesco Longhetti, Head of WARR Rocketry. &ldquo;They helped save us a lot of time.&rdquo;</p></div></div></div></div></div></div>

See how the student group from Technical University of Munich reached an altitude of nearly 13 kilometers with their rocket launched in the US.  Some key components were made by MakerVerse, the on-demand manufacturing platform for industrial-quality parts. 

WARR Launches Cryogenic Rocket with Machined Parts

In this episode, we discuss the fascinating world of bioinspired robotics. Discover how researchers have created versatile robots inspired by nature's flight, rolling, and walking abilities.

Podcast: Mighty Morphing All Terrain Robots Made By Nature

Airspeeder-Fri Jun 30 2023 23:59:59 GMT+0200 (Central European Summer Time)

Airspeeder-Mon Jul 31 2023 23:59:59 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Airspeeder-Thu Aug 31 2023 23:59:59 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Airspeeder-Thu Aug 31 2023 23:59:59 GMT+0200 (Central European Summer Time)

Airspeeder-Sat Sep 30 2023 23:59:59 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Wiferion GmbH-Fri Jun 30 2023 23:59:59 GMT+0200 (Central European Summer Time)

Wiferion GmbH-Mon Jul 31 2023 23:59:59 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Wiferion GmbH-Thu Aug 31 2023 23:59:59 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Wiferion GmbH-Thu Aug 31 2023 23:59:59 GMT+0200 (Central European Summer Time)

Wiferion GmbH-Sat Sep 30 2023 23:59:59 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

USound GmbH

aerospace

In this article, we will dive deep into the world of simultaneous localization and mapping using Lidar technology. Lidar SLAM has been gaining popularity in recent years, thanks to its versatility and applications across various domains, including autonomous vehicles, mobile robotics, and indoor mapping.

Lidar SLAM: The Ultimate Guide to Simultaneous Localization and Mapping

James Webb Space Telescope aims to take us to the unexplored realm of our cosmic origins. From observing the formation of the first stars and galaxies to looking for the possibility of life on other planets, the telescope will play a major role in the future of space exploration.

aerospace

Technical Guides

James Webb Space Telescope Science Instruments Explained

Lidar SLAM: The Ultimate Guide to Simultaneous Localization and Mapping

Verilog vs VHDL: A Comprehensive Comparison

Profiles