Lifeboat Foundation

As computer vision (CV) systems become increasingly power and memory intensive, they become unsuitable for high-speed and resource deficit edge applications — such as hypersonic missile tracking and autonomous navigation — because of size, weight, and power constraints.

At the University of Pittsburgh, engineers are ushering in the next generation of computer vision systems by using neuromorphic engineering to reinvent visual processing systems with a biological inspiration — human vision.

Rajkumar Kubendran, assistant professor in Pitt’s Swanson School of Engineering and senior member at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), received a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for his research on energy-efficient and data-efficient neuromorphic systems. Neuromorphic engineering is a promising frontier that will introduce the next generation of CV systems by reducing the number of operations through event-based computation in a biology-inspired framework.

A supersonic drone that will be propelled by a revolutionary new engine has taken to the skies for the first time. When Venus Aerospace’s aircraft does go supersonic on a later date, it will be powered by a Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE).

Supersonic drones may sound like something bleeding edge, but they’re surprisingly old hat as a basic concept. As far back as the early 1950s, the US Air Force was fielding remote-controlled supersonic jets for targets to test air defenses, as platforms for reconnaissance in dangerous areas, or as weapons armed with conventional or nuclear warheads.

Continue reading “Video: Supersonic drone flies with revolutionary detonation engine” »

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A team of researchers from China, who are originally engaged in hypersonic missile development, have developed a mechanical sensor that can boost the safety on the country’s high-speed rail network.

As per an article in the South China Morning Post, the scientists have proposed using a high-sensitivity technology to paint a complete picture of every turn of the train’s wheels.

Chinese researchers have allegedly developed a new, powerful Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) using technology found in electric vehicles.

The catapult can launch a 30-tonne projectile from 0 to 230 feet/s (0 to 70 m/s) in around 2.1 seconds.

Continue reading “China’s new EV-based catapult can fire a 30-ton plane in 2.1 seconds” »

Mr. Xia further noted the expanding utility of unmanned technologies across various domains, including aerial, maritime, underwater, and terrestrial operations, underscoring their revolutionary impact on future military engagements.

“A drone costing just a few thousand dollars can effectively neutralize an advanced tank worth over 5 million dollars,” Mr. Xia said, illustrating a remarkable disparity in warfare economics.

Drones’ ease of manufacture, low detection and radar interception rates, and precision targeting via satellite data further accentuate their tactical viability. Importantly, drones facilitate offensive operations without compromising soldier safety, marking a significant evolution in how military objectives are pursued.

In the mid-1990’s, MEMS emerged in industrial manufacturing in a major way and MEMS components began appearing in numerous commercial products and applications including force sensors used to control brake deployment in vehicles, blood pressure sensors, inkjet printer heads, miniature analytical instruments, fiber-optic network components, air-and spacecraft control and of course military applications like surveillance and munitions guidance.

Chinese researchers have found that high-energy lasers could be an effective counter to hypersonic missiles.

They’ve discovered that there is an upper limit to the power the laser needs to be, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) has reported.

Continue reading “Scientists find ideal laser power to kill hypersonic missiles — China” »

Researchers have developed a revolutionary sensor capable of detecting chemical warfare agents without wires, representing a major advancement in technology for public safety. This innovative device, capable of identifying substances like dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), offers a new level of efficiency and reliability in monitoring and responding to chemical threats, without the need for direct power sources or physical connections.

The urgent need for advanced detection of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) to ensure global security has led to the development of a novel gas sensor. This sensor is distinguished by its rapid response, high sensitivity, and compact size, crucial for the early detection of CWAs. Accurate detection and monitoring of CWAs are vital for effective defense operations, both military and civilian. Due to the hazardous nature of CWAs, research is typically limited to authorized laboratories using simulants that mimic CWAs’ chemical structure without their toxic effects.