Chainmail may be making a comeback as part of a next-gen material that could be used for human exoskeletons. The material, made by scientists from Singapore and the US, is composed of interlocking octahedron-shaped particles (first made of nylon, and then aluminium) that’s pliable but also capable of becoming rigid and load-bearing. How does that happen? When the material is enveloped in a plastic case and vacuum-sealed, it stiffens up, similar to a sealed bag of rice.
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Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
