China just tested a hypersonic engine powered by explosions; could this change the future of warfare?
Interestingly, the concept behind this engine isn't entirely new. It traces back to research by the U.S. Air Force and the University of Michigan in the late 1950s. American scientists had originally proposed the Oblique Detonation Engine (ODE) as a possible solution for hypersonic propulsion. NASA explored this idea further in the 1970s, targeting speeds up to Mach 16. However, due to the technical challenges of stabilizing detonation and managing fuel-air mixing, the U.S. abandoned development of the technology.The U.S. Navy also explored advanced concepts like the 'dream shell' in 2012, designed to travel at Mach 5 using satellite navigation. That project continued until 2017 but was eventually scrapped by 2021.
The breakthrough was made by a teamfrom China's National University of Defense Technology. According to Chinese media reports, they tested a small RDE in a wind tunnel. The engine reportedly ran steadily for 600 seconds (10 minutes), a record for this kind of engine. They also managed to maintain high thrust while keeping the engine temperature under control.The engine used ethylene and oxygen as fuel and burned the mixture in a continuous detonation wave — a process that is extremely fast and very difficult to stabilize.
Hypersonic weapons are seen as the next big thing in military technology. They are hard to detect, harder to intercept, and capable of carrying nuclear or conventional warheads. Countries like the U.S., Russia, and China are racing to build the most advanced hypersonic systems.
If China's claims are accurate, they could now have an edge over the U.S. The RDE could power next-generation missiles, spaceplanes, or high-speed jets. While the Chinese test sounds impressive, independent verification is still lacking. China tends to keep military developments secret. International experts haven't confirmed the findings yet. However, if China has achieved a stable and scalable version of this engine, it could mark a major shift in global military power.
China's interest in hypersonic tech is well known. This engine could pave the way from lab testing to real-world weapons. If so, it may intensify the global arms race in hypersonic warfare, and rewrite the balance of power in the skies.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
19 minutes ago
- Time of India
Jensen Huang, AI visionary in a leather jacket
Academy Empower your mind, elevate your skills Unknown to the general public just three years ago, Jensen Huang is now one of the most powerful entrepreneurs in the world as head of chip giant The unassuming 62-year-old draws stadium crowds of more than 10,000 people as his company's products push the boundaries of artificial intelligence Chips designed by Nvidia, known as graphics cards or GPUs (Graphics Processing Units), are essential in developing the generative artificial intelligence powering technology like tech's insatiable appetite for Nvidia's GPUs, which sell for tens of thousands of dollars each, has catapulted the California chipmaker beyond $4 trillion in market valuation, the first company ever to surpass that meteoric rise has boosted Huang's personal fortune to $150 billion -- making him one of the world's richest people -- thanks to the roughly 3.5 percent stake he holds in the company he founded three decades ago with two friends in a Silicon Valley a clear demonstration of his clout, he recently convinced President Donald Trump to lift restrictions on certain GPU exports to China, despite the fact that China is locked in a battle with the United States for AI supremacy."That was brilliantly done," said Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, a governance professor at Yale was able to explain to Trump that "having the world using a US tech platform as the core protocol is definitely in the interest of this country" and won't help the Chinese military, Sonnenfeld in Taipei in 1963, Jensen Huang (originally named Jen-Hsun) embodies the American success story. At nine years old, he was sent away with his brother to boarding school in small-town uncle recommended the school to his Taiwanese parents believing it to be a prestigious institution, when it was actually a school for troubled young to be a student, Huang boarded there but attended a nearby public school alongside the children of tobacco farmers. With his poor English, he was bullied and forced to clean toilets -- a two-year ordeal that transformed him."We worked really hard, we studied really hard, and the kids were really tough," he recounted in an interview with US broadcaster "the ending of the story is I loved the time I was there," Huang home by his parents, who had by then settled in the northwestern US state of Oregon, he graduated from university at just 20 and joined AMD, then LSI Logic, to design chips -- his he wanted to go further and founded Nvidia in 1993 to "solve problems that normal computers can't," using semiconductors powerful enough to handle 3D graphics, as he explained on the "No Priors" created the first GPU in 1999, riding the intersection of video games, data centers, cloud computing, and now, generative AI Always dressed in a black T-shirt and leather jacket, Huang sports a Nvidia logo tattoo and has a taste for sports it's his relentless optimism, low-key personality and lack of political alignment that sets him apart from the likes of Elon Musk and Mark them, Huang was notably absent from Trump's inauguration ceremony."He backpedals his own aura and has the star be the technology rather than himself," observed Sonnenfeld, who believes Huang may be "the most respected of all today's tech titans."One former high-ranking Nvidia employee described him to AFP as "the most driven person" he'd ever visits to his native Taiwan, Huang is treated like a megastar, with fans crowding him for autographs and selfies as journalists follow him to the barber shop and his favorite night market."He has created the phenomena because of his personal charm," noted Wayne Lin of Witology Market Trend Research Institute."A person like him must be very busy and his schedule should be full every day meeting big bosses. But he remembers to eat street food when he comes to Taiwan," he said, calling Huang "unusually friendly."Nvidia is a tight ship and takes great care to project a drama-free image of the former high-ranking employee painted a more nuanced picture, describing a "very paradoxical" individual who is fiercely protective of his employees but also capable, within Nvidia's executive circle, of "ripping people to shreds" over major mistakes or poor choices.
Time of India
30 minutes ago
- Time of India
Popular artificial sweetener linked to brain cell damage and stroke risk; Natural sweeteners to use as sugar substitutes
Can you keep up with your sweet treat indulgences while keeping the guilt at bay? Turns out, with artificial sweeteners, you can. But what if that very solution becomes a rather bigger problem in the long run? Artificial sweeteners promised sweetness without the guilt. However, new research is now raising serious questions. A recent study from the University of Colorado Boulder has raised concerns about erythritol, a common sugar substitute often marketed to people with diabetes. Used in popular brands like Wholesome, Truvia, and Splenda, erythritol was once thought to be one of the best sweeteners due to its sweetness without significant effects on insulin or blood sugar levels. However, new findings suggest it may pose more risks than benefits. Read on to know more. What does the study say? In a new study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology , researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder found that erythritol can harm brain cells and increase the risk of stroke and heart attack. Following earlier findings that showed a connection between higher levels of erythritol in the bloodstream and increased risks of stroke and heart attack, Professor Christopher DeSouza and graduate student Auburn Berry aimed to dive deeper into this concerning trend. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo In their lab experiments, they treated brain blood vessel cells with the amount of erythritol found in a typical sugar-free drink. They discovered that these cells displayed lower levels of nitric oxide, a molecule that helps relax and widen blood vessels. At the same time, they had higher levels of endothelin-1, a protein that constricts blood vessels. What are the key findings? The lab-based research revealed that the sweetened cells produced lots of "free radicals," which can cause inflammation and aging in cells, and showed a significantly muted response to a compound called thrombin, which assists in clot formation. In simple terms, the cells were not functioning as they should have. Berry explained in a press release., 'Big picture, if your vessels are more constricted and your ability to break down blood clots is lowered, your risk of stroke goes up.' These worrying effects were seen even with the erythritol from just one sugar-free drink. As DeSouza cautioned, for those consuming multiple drinks daily, the consequences could be even more severe, advising, "Given the epidemiological study that inspired our work, and now our cellular findings, we believe it would be prudent for people to monitor their consumption of non-nutrient-sweeteners such as this one. " DeSouza also suggested checking food labels for erythritol, also known as "sugar alcohol." This is especially important since people with diabetes already face double the risk of stroke compared to those without diabetes. What is erythritol? Erythritol is an organic compound, the naturally occurring achiral meso four-carbon sugar alcohol. It is the reduced form of either D- or L-erythrose and one of the two reduced forms of erythrulose. It is used as a food additive and sugar substitute. It is synthesized from corn using enzymes and fermentation. Created during the corn fermentation process, erythritol, an organic compound used for so-called "stevia" products sold by the brands Wholesome, Truvia, and Splenda, was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration back in 2001. Since then, erythritol has been considered one of the best sweeteners on the market because of its near-sugar-level sweetness that barely affects insulin or blood sugar in diabetics. What are the alternatives? As erythritol is proving to be a 'sweet poison', it's better to opt for natural sweeteners as alternatives. Raw honey: Raw, unprocessed honey is packed with antioxidants, enzymes, and trace vitamins (B6, C), along with minerals such as zinc, iron, and potassium—much more nutritious than regular sugar. Mix into yogurt, herbal tea, homemade granola, or drizzle over pancakes. Use about ¾ cup of honey for every cup of sugar, but reduce the surrounding liquids and include a pinch of baking soda to balance the acidity. Pure maple syrup: Rich in antioxidants and essential minerals like manganese, zinc, and calcium, providing recipes with an appealing earthy sweetness. Replace ¾ cup of sugar with syrup, reducing about 3–4 tablespoons of liquid. Pour over oatmeal, toast, smoothies, or incorporate into marinades and dressings. Date syrup or date sugar: Made from whole dates, this sweetener is high in potassium, magnesium, and antioxidants, plus fiber that slows the absorption of sugar. Add date syrup to smoothies or use as a natural syrup, or utilize date sugar in baking. Note that it may not dissolve completely, but it provides texture and caramel flavor. Coconut Sugar: It has caramel undertones and is less refined than white sugar. It contains small amounts of iron, zinc, potassium, calcium, and inulin fiber. Substitute cup-for-cup in recipes; ideal for cookies, cakes, and coffee, bringing that warm sweetness. Moderation is still key. Blackstrap molasses / Jaggery: Blackstrap molasses offers iron, calcium, magnesium, and B vitamins; jaggery provides iron, potassium, magnesium, and a rich caramel flavor. Bold and intense, molasses offers a robust flavor profile; jaggery delivers earthy caramel. Combine with gingerbread, BBQ marinades, chai, or break into porridges, using it sparingly as a flavor enhancer. Monk fruit (Luo Han Guo): Monk fruit from Southeast Asia produces mogrosides, natural antioxidants yielding 150–300 times the sweetness without calories, and is generally recognized as safe (GRAS). Sprinkle in teas, salad dressings, and baked goods. Since it lacks bulk, pair with bulking agents if necessary. Yacon syrup and allulose: Yacon syrup is a prebiotic substance from the Andes that is high in inulin and FOS; it has half the calories and a caramel flavor while supporting gut health. Allulose is a unique sugar that mimics the taste and texture of sugar, has negligible calories, does not cause an insulin spike, and may help with weight management. Low-calorie sweetener can also improve gut health: Study
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Sona Comstar establishes joint venture for EV components manufacturing in China
Auto components maker Sona BLW Precision Forgings (Sona Comstar) has signed a binding term sheet with Jinnaite Machinery Co (JNT) to establish a joint venture company in China. The JV will manufacture and supply driveline systems and components to automotive manufacturers in China and globally, Sona Comstar informed stock exchanges in a filing on Sunday. Sona Comstar will invest $12 million, while JNT will contribute $8 million in assets and business to the joint venture in the first phase. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category healthcare PGDM Data Science Operations Management Product Management CXO Public Policy MCA Artificial Intelligence MBA others Others Project Management Cybersecurity Technology Finance Leadership Data Science Degree Management Digital Marketing Data Analytics Design Thinking Healthcare Skills you'll gain: Duration: 11 Months IIM Lucknow CERT-IIML Healthcare Management India Starts on undefined Get Details The JV is expected to commence operations in the second half of the current financial year, marking a significant milestone in Sona Comstar's expansion into the Chinese electric vehicle market . by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ranked: The 25 Best Cities To Live In The World Learn More "Sona Comstar, a leading global supplier of driveline solutions for various automotive segments, is strategically expanding its presence in the faster-growing Asian markets," said the exchange filing. The manufacturing operations in China align with the company's strategy to expand its presence in Asian markets, particularly in India, China, Japan, and South Korea, while also working to increase its market share further in North America and Europe, it added. Live Events Referring to China's large EV market, Sona Comstar said it is natural for any company with aspirations to be a global EV supplier to be part of the Chinese market and supply chain. Jinnaite Machinery Co., Ltd. (JNT) operates a foundry utilizing patented technology to manufacture complex castings and molds. JNT holds 63 patents and 36 proprietary technologies, and it is actively engaged in the formulation of Chinese national standards, having contributed to the development of five national standards. Its strong customer base in the automotive, off-highway, and railway sectors, including leading Chinese automotive OEMs, as well as those from North America, Europe, and Japan, further underscores its expertise and capabilities. The JV is expected to commence operations in the second half of the current financial year to fulfill orders from both EV and non-EV automotive customers. Vivek Vikram Singh, MD and Group CEO of Sona Comstar, said, "As the largest electric vehicle market in the world and a leader in EV technologies, China offers tremendous opportunities for innovation and growth. By leveraging the strengths of both partners, this venture is well-positioned for strong growth, and it has the potential to become a key supplier of driveline solutions for electric vehicles in the region. With a robust order book already in place, we expect operations to commence later this year."
