Short Takes – 10-29-24

New Metal 3D Printing Technology for Ultra-Strong Materials used in Space! NewsWise.com article. Pull quote: “The technology allows the maximization of the strengthening effect of carbon addition to the alloy via finely distributed nano-carbides at the boundaries of nano-sized cell structure. As a result, the team achieved a combination of tensile strength (the ability to resist forces) and ductility (the ability to endure deformation before failure) that was over 140% better than carbon-free alloys in cryogenic environments. In particular, the elongation of the alloy is twice as high at 77 K compared to 298 K. This technology also offers a potential guideline for alloying design in additive manufacturing to produce high-performance products with excellent load-bearing capacity for use in cryogenic applications. Another key distinction of this technology is its ability to fine-controlling microstructure through additive manufacturing.” Journal article here.

UAH Researcher Wins $300k NSF Award to Characterize Vulnerability of Intelligent Controllers for Cyber-Physical Systems to Safeguard Smart Grids, Robotic Swarms, Autonomous Vehicles. Newswise.com article. Pull quote: ““In reinforcement learning, an agent or controller interacts with an environment by taking actions and receiving feedback in the form of rewards,” Sahoo says. “The goal is to learn an optimal policy that maximizes cumulative rewards. For example, in a microgrid – a cyber-physical system comprising generators, controllers and loads – a controller regulates parameters like voltage or frequency. The generator (acting as the environment) evaluates the controller's action and provides a reward based on how well the regulation goal was achieved.”

Long COVID Is Harming Too Many Kids. ScientificAmerican.com commentary. Pull quote: “The JAMA study comparing infected and uninfected children found that trouble with memory or focusing is the most common long COVID symptom in kids aged six to 11. Back, neck, stomach and head pain were the next most common symptoms. Other behavioral impacts included “fear about specific things” and refusal to go to school.”

Plans to Trash the Space Station Preview a Bigger Problem. ScientificAmerican.com article. Pull quote: “Experts are beginning to be concerned that that effect might actually be substantial and that it will grow more so. In samples of the rarefied air, “there’s all of this sort of metallic crap there that didn’t used to be there that looks like it’s from vaporized spacecraft,” McDowell says. He’s currently working on a paper estimating how much of that foreign material remains in the atmosphere. “We just don’t know yet what the effects are,” he says. “But that doesn’t mean you go, ‘Oh, well, no worries,’ right?””

Lumma/Amadey: fake CAPTCHAs want to know if you’re human. SecureList.com article. Really complex CAPTCHAs. Pull quote: “To avoid falling for the attackers’ tricks, it’s important to understand how they and their distribution network operate. The ad network pushing pages with the malicious CAPTCHA also includes legitimate, non-malicious offers. It functions as follows: clicking anywhere on a page using the ad module redirects the user to other resources. Most redirects lead to websites promoting security software, ad blockers, and the like – standard practice for adware. However, in some cases, the victim lands on a page with the malicious CAPTCHA.”

Starship Next Gen Upper Stage Rocket Pops Up – Is Nothing Short Of A Work Of Art. WCCFTech.com article. Pull quote: “While the new Starship upper stage will not fly on Flight 6, true to form, SpaceX has kept up with its pace of rapid iteration development and rolled the rocket out of its assembly facility in Boca Chica, Texas. Fresh images of the ship from local media show the fins pointing away from the heat shield. This is the biggest upgrade to the Starship second stage's exterior since SpaceX started its integrated flight test campaign. It also follows Musk's comments where he had confirmed that Starship fins would be "shifted leeward" to avoid damage.”

Satellite servicing industry faces uncertain military demand. SpaceNews.com article. Pull quote: “The ability to refuel satellites in orbit is particularly appealing to the U.S. military, which operates some of the most expensive spacecraft in geosynchronous orbit. Keeping these critical assets functional for as long as possible is a top priority. However, beyond basic refueling, the military remains uncertain about adopting other ISAM (in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing) services.”