Short Takes – 1-14-25

Coronavirus found in samples from 96% of flights. AirSpotHealth.com article. Testing conducted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Pull quote: “The Center for Disease Control announced it is considering use of wastewater testing at airports, mainly on incoming international flights, to track any emerging new variants as COVID-19 surges in China. Health officials in Australia and the United Kingdom announced similar plans.”

Wearable technology developed leveraging the ISS National Lab aims to protect astronauts in deep space. ISSNationalLab.org press release. Pull quote: “The AstroRad vest employs high-density polymers to selectively shield vital organs most vulnerable to radiation exposure, addressing cancer and radiation sickness risks. Insights from the ISS National Lab-sponsored investigation enabled StemRad and partners to improve the vest’s ergonomics and functionality, advancing efforts toward safer deep-space exploration.”

Phase-changing crystals could cut air-conditioning’s climate impact. ChemistryWorld.com article. Early research. Pull quote: “‘I think this is a really important step,’ says materials scientist Mengfan Guo at the University of Cambridge, UK. He notes two especially important points. First, the transition temperature is not just below room temperature but actually below freezing in some cases, which could allow calorics to be used in freezers. Secondly, he says that, although the materials do not present record caloric effects below room temperature, they open a door to further exploration of a wide family of materials that industry can already produce fairly cheaply for battery applications. ‘That’s pretty exciting,’ he says.”

Axiom Space pitches idea to produce chipmaking materials in space, plans trials aboard ISS. TomsHardware.com article. Pull quote: “However, there are practical considerations associated with the production of anything in space. Launching materials to space and maintaining an orbital facility are extremely expensive. At present, it costs around $3,000 to launch a kilogram into space (one silicon wafer weighs 100 to 150 grams and costs $100 to $200), but the use of Falcon Heavy is expected to reduce the cost to $2,000 per kilogram and below. Even if the wafers are of higher quality, the price of producing them off-planet might outweigh the gains, at least with current launch costs. Over decades, manufacturers have optimized Earth-based crystal growth, and for the most part, chipmakers are happy with the balance of quality and price. Hence, for now, it hardly makes sense to make wafers in low-Earth orbit.”

Pesticide Registration Review; Interim Registration Review Decision for Ethylene Oxide (EtO); Notice of Availability. Federal Register EPA notice. Summary: “This notice announces the availability of EPA's interim registration review decision for ethylene oxide (EtO).”

Minimum Standards for Driver's Licenses and Identification Cards Acceptable by Federal Agencies for Official Purposes: Phased Approach for Card-Based Enforcement. Federal Register TSA final rule. Summary: “This rule ensures that Federal agencies have appropriate flexibility to implement the card-based enforcement provisions of the REAL ID regulations after the May 7, 2025, enforcement deadline by explicitly permitting agencies to implement these provisions in phases. Under this rule, agencies may implement the card-based enforcement provisions through a phased enforcement plan if they determine it is appropriate upon consideration of relevant factors including security, operational feasibility, and public impact. The rule also requires agencies to coordinate their plans with DHS, make the plans publicly available, and achieve full enforcement by May 5, 2027.” Effective date: January 14^th, 2024.