Researchers from Dalian University of Technology in China have developed a new design for a lightweight material inspired by eggshells, which may help in the future protect spacecraft from dangerous collisions with space debris that moves at tremendous speeds in orbit around the Earth.
The researchers explained that the innovative design relies on aluminum structures filled with water, capable of absorbing and dissipating the energy of high-speed collisions. The results were published on Tuesday in the Journal of Applied Physics.
Space debris is one of the most prominent risks facing satellites, vehicles and telescopes in near-Earth orbit. Scientists estimate that there are about a million pieces of debris larger than one centimeter in size, while even smaller objects can cause significant damage when they collide with a spacecraft at high speeds.
During the study, the researchers were inspired by the method of distributing eggshell units within the structure, rather than relying on a single shell, which may easily break when exposed to concentrated force. The team made small aluminum modules that resembled eggshells, arranged them side by side between two aluminum plates, then filled them with water.
The team explained its idea that when a fast object collides with the outer panel, the entire force of the impact is not transmitted directly to the other side; Rather, the units begin to deform and collapse successively, distributing the force of the collision over a larger area and gradually absorbing its energy. As each unit deforms, part of the energy is consumed, so less energy reaches the corresponding plate.
The researchers also found that water enhances the structure's ability to deal with shocks. When a strong collision occurs, water moves inside the units, and the interaction between it and the aluminum helps limit the spread of shock waves inside the structure, which contributes to absorbing part of the energy and dissipating it instead of transmitting it directly through the armor.
During the tests, the researchers compared several designs using 3D-printed models and computer simulations, which included aluminum panels alone, water-filled aluminum balls between the aluminum panels, and a design inspired by eggshells.
The eggshell-inspired design showed the best performance among the tested models; It was able to withstand high loads, and reduced the speed of the projectile used in the test by about 65 percent, compared to a 51 percent reduction when using aluminum panels alone.
The researchers also found that the orientation of the eggshell modules within the structure affects their efficiency, and modules placed in an upright position, with their smallest end touching the top plate, were the most effective of the orientations the team tested.
The researchers believe that the importance of the design lies in its reliance on the geometry of the material to distribute and dissipate the impact energy, rather than simply increasing the thickness of the metal shield. This approach may be useful in the spacecraft industry, where weight is a critical factor. Every increase in the weight of the vehicle increases the cost of launching it.
The team pointed out that lightweight structures inspired by nature represent a promising path to protection against high-speed collisions, but stressed that the material is still in the research and development stage, and has not become a shield ready for use in spacecraft.
Despite the return of British Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, to the United Kingdom, and the speculation that accompanied this step about the possibility of their rapprochement with the royal family again, it seems that their return will not mean resuming their royal duties. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex expressed their “surprise” at King Charles’ confirmation that they would remain off the list of working members of the royal family, according to the Independent newspaper.
In a letter sent on Monday, King Charles confirmed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will remain private citizens, despite their return to the United Kingdom last month.
The letter, signed by Lord Benyon, a royal aide, makes it clear that the Duke and Duchess do not use their royal titles, and that any matters relating to their security should be directed to the relevant police authorities.
A spokesman for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex told the BBC that the couple were "somewhat surprised that they were not informed of this matter in advance."
On the other hand, the British Broadcasting Corporation reported that royal sources confirmed to it that the couple were aware of the letter before it was published.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex returned to the United Kingdom on August 26, after it was revealed earlier that month that their two children, Archie and Lilibet, had been enrolled in British schools.
Before their return, the king was said to be happy to spend more time with his family members, but at the same time insisted that Harry and Meghan would no longer be working members of the royal family.
The letter said: “Following the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s decision to move to the United Kingdom, we received a number of requests for clarification. To avoid any confusion or ambiguity, the King directed the following information to be published:
It is understood that the Duke and Duchess stepped down in January 2020 from performing their representative duties on behalf of the King, and are no longer working members of the Royal Family. This status, distinct from the state duties and royal duties undertaken by the working royal family, and the personal freedom it gives the couple in terms of financial independence and protection of their privacy, as they wish, will continue to be fully respected.”
The BBC reported that the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royal and Public Figures (RAVEC) will meet on Tuesday to consider funding the family's private security with taxpayer money.
A government spokesman said: “The UK government’s security protection regime is strict and proportionate. It is our established policy not to provide detailed information about these arrangements; Because doing so may harm its safety and affect the security of individuals.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their two children returned to live in Britain last month, after giving up performing royal duties and moving to the United States 6 years ago, during a period characterized by estrangement and tense relations with the royal family.
This return was a surprise even to the closest family members, to the extent that the King, Harry's father, was not informed of the matter until days before the news was announced.
The couple has been making headlines since they left for the United States. Harry accused the royal family of neglecting him, the “yellow press” of ruining his life, and the government of not providing automatic police protection that would allow him to return to his homeland.
In the context of their new life outside the royal institution, the couple also concluded a number of commercial deals, the most prominent of which was their agreement with Netflix, the online broadcasting giant.
Megan also launched a lifestyle brand called “As Ever.”
Australia intends to give social media users the right to stop the algorithms that determine the content that appears in front of them, as part of new legislation aimed at enhancing safety on the Internet.
According to a report published by the British newspaper The Guardian, under the plan called “My Feed... My Way,” users over the age of 16 will receive tools that allow them to disable content chosen by algorithms, while platforms that do not adhere to the rules may face fines exceeding 100 million Australian dollars.
When the algorithms are disabled, the user will only see content posted from people and groups that he or she has chosen to follow. A message will appear to the user asking him what type of feed he wants to adopt by default.
“It's not about giving the government control, it's about giving the people control,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
Albanese is expected to present details of the plan during the UN General Assembly meetings in New York later this month.
The legislation also includes imposing a “digital duty of care” towards users under the age of 18, so that services including electronic games, applications and chatbots based on artificial intelligence must take measures to protect children from specific types of harmful content.
This material includes pornographic content, encouraging eating disorders, misogynistic content, glorifying crime or dangerous, life-threatening acts, as well as content that may cause serious psychological harm, including abuse and bullying.
The Electronic Safety Commissioner will have the power to issue orders to remove content, while platform companies will have to document the measures they have taken to deal with online harm.
Albanese dismissed concerns that Big Tech companies or their owners might retaliate, saying the legislation was aimed at changing the balance of power.
“We are taking power from big global technology companies and giving it to ordinary Australians,” he added. “This is what we do, and it is the right thing.”
In turn, Communications Minister Annika Wells said that technology companies had long been allowed to conduct what she described as “unregulated, real-time product tests” on Australian users.
"There is a global moment of reckoning coming for Big Tech, and it's starting right here in Australia," she added.
The Labor government needs the support of the Green Party to pass the legislation in Parliament, while the Liberals and Nationals expressed their opposition, warning against granting the government powers that could lead to Internet censorship.
But the Green Party believes the proposed legislation does not go far enough. Sarah Hanson-Young, the party's spokeswoman for communications, said that simply giving the user the option to disable algorithms is "unacceptable," demanding that sanctions be imposed on companies as a percentage of their global revenues.
On the other hand, the “DIGI” group, which represents technology companies including “Meta,” “Snapchat,” and “Google,” defended the role of algorithms in helping users discover diverse content, but expressed its willingness to discuss the role of recommendation systems in online safety.
The legislation is expected to be introduced to Parliament before Christmas, but may undergo a lengthy public inquiry and negotiations before being passed.
The step comes after Australia was the first to impose age restrictions on the use of social media for children, at a time when other countries, including France, Britain and New Zealand, are moving to adopt similar measures.
