The Fragile State of U.S. Democracy: A Political Scientist's Warning

Researchers at Caltech have developed a groundbreaking solar-powered system designed to produce jet fuel, marking a significant step towards carbon-neutral aviation. This innovative technology utilizes a small-scale photothermocatalytic reactor that operates entirely on solar energy, eliminating the need for fossil fuels or external electricity, according to Aisulu Aitbekova, the study's co-author. The reactor captures solar heat to drive essential chemical reactions, functioning at temperatures up to 249°C under direct sunlight. This allows for the conversion of ethylene into longer-chain hydrocarbons, which are necessary components of jet fuel. Harry Atwater, director of the LiSA and Howard Hughes Professor of Applied Physics at Caltech, stated, "This device demonstrates that the heat generated by abundant solar energy can drive catalytic processes." The current process begins with ethylene derived from fossil fuels, but researchers are working on methods to produce ethylene from carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight, aiming for a fully renewable fuel production system. This advancement brings hope for sustainable aviation, an industry facing increasing pressure to decarbonize. The study is published in the journal Device.

Saritha Ramaraju, a 48-year-old woman of Indian origin, has been charged with felony murder after allegedly killing her 11-year-old son by slitting his throat in Orange County, California. The tragic event occurred shortly after a family trip to Disneyland, during which Ramaraju purchased three-day passes for herself and her son, according to a report by PTI. The Orange County District Attorney's office stated that Ramaraju could face a maximum sentence of 26 years to life if convicted. Following the incident on March 19, local police found the child deceased in their motel room, surrounded by Disney souvenirs, and recovered a large kitchen knife, which was bought the day before. Ramaraju had been in a custody dispute with her ex-husband, Prakash Raju, who was awarded primary custody of their son in 2018. Reports indicate that Ramaraju had accused Raju of substance abuse and aggressive behavior, while he denied her claims as false. Ramaraju is currently hospitalized after attempting suicide following the incident and was arrested upon her release.

Divya Tyagi, an Indian-origin student at Pennsylvania State University, has solved a 100-year-old mathematical problem that could revolutionize wind turbine design and enhance wind energy production. Pursuing a master's degree in aerospace engineering, Tyagi refined a mathematical model originally posed by British aerodynamicist Hermann Glauert, which focused on maximizing turbine power output but overlooked additional critical factors such as rotor forces and blade bending under wind pressure. Her advancements, published in Wind Energy Science, include an addendum that identifies ideal flow conditions for turbines, thus maximizing their aerodynamic performance. "I created an addendum to Glauert’s problem which determines the optimal aerodynamic performance of a wind turbine," Tyagi explained. Her adviser, Professor Sven Schmitz, highlighted the potential impact of her discoveries on future wind turbine technology, noting that her elegant solution could be integrated into educational curricula worldwide. Tyagi, also a recipient of the Anthony E. Wolk Award, emphasized the significance of even a 1% improvement in turbine power coefficient, stating it could substantially increase energy production, potentially powering an entire neighborhood.