Hydrogen Powered Flight

Daily Upsider on December 28, 2023

In a groundbreaking development for aviation, startup ZeroAvia has successfully completed a test flight of a 19-seat aircraft powered in part by hydrogen fuel cells. This marks the largest plane the company has tested in the air to date.

The test flight took off from Cotswold Airport in the UK and lasted approximately 10 minutes. During the flight, the aircraft’s left engines were powered by a combination of hydrogen fuel cells and batteries, while the right side relied on traditional kerosene.

This achievement has garnered significant attention, being voted the Breakthrough Technology of 2023 in a survey by MIT Technology Review. The successful test flight highlights the scalability of ZeroAvia’s technology and the rapid progress being made in the field of hydrogen aviation.

As the world continues to focus on reducing carbon emissions, the aviation industry has been under increasing pressure to find greener solutions. ZeroAvia’s successful test flight represent one potential solution to reducing emissions from the aviation industry. However, scaling this technology to power larger aircraft will be necessary to make a significant impact on emissions.

ZeroAvia has raised over $140 million in funding from investors such as United Airlines and American Airlines, as well as Breakthrough Energy Ventures. The company has also received over 1500 pre-orders for its hydrogen fuel-cell systems.

Nuclear Waste to Glass!

Daily Upsider on December 28, 2023

A major nuclear waste treatment facility at the Hanford cleanup site in Washington which was built through a public-private partnership with Bechtel National— is set to start operations soon.

The facility transforms liquid and solid nuclear waste into non-radioactive glass bricks, which can be safely stored underground. This initiative aims to address the environmental and health concerns associated with nuclear power plants, particularly the legacy of radioactive plutonium from Cold War-era nuclear warheads.

The Hanford site recently advanced its plans after completing a successful test that produced 30,000 pounds of vitrified glass. The first of the two 300-ton melters is expected to be operational next year, marking a significant step in the risk reduction for the Hanford environmental cleanup mission.

Out of the over 100 tanks of radioactive plutonium waste stored underground at the site, 20 of these have some sort of leak. This new waste treatment will be a great solution for addressing this problem.

The True Origins of the Christmas Tree

Daily Upsider on December 25, 2023

Is the Christmas tree a leftover of some pagan practice? Does the tree have a connection to the Roman festival of Saturnalia? Or is it from the Norse Yule festival?

These are often said in casual conversation, but the evidence points to a much more recent origin. (if you think of the 1500’s as recent, that is)

We can never know for 100% certain what the origin of the Christmas tree is. There might even be a few traditions that came together and created what we now know. But there are some things it wasn’t, that might surprise you.

The earliest record of a Christmas tree comes in 1419, when a guild of bakers reported seeing a tree “decorated with apples, wafers, gingerbread, and tinsel in the local Hospital of the Holy Spirit” in Freiburg Germany.

The actual origin of the Christmas tree appears to have come from the Upper Rhine Valley in Germany. The earliest indications come from forestry laws in the 14th century limiting the number of trees or wood that peasants could collect or cut down on Christmas eve or the sounding days.

Now it is likely that the trees were either being burned, or used for some other type of decoration, not specifically for a tree to decorate in your home. But this practice seems to have evolved in the 15th century, perhaps blending with the tradition of the Maypole.

Many of the ideas we have about the origin of the Christmas tree was unfounded claims from Johannes Marbach, a German socialist writer form the 1850’s, who wanted to make a connection from modern Germany all the way back to their ancient ancestors.

ReligionForBreakfast is a channel dedicated to exploring the worlds different religions and practices. He takes a deep dive into history to find answers about the Christmas tree.

If you want to learn the fascinating details, watch the video, you will not be disappointed.

Ozone Layer to Recover Within Decades

Daily Upsider on December 24, 2023

Scientists and researchers have been closely monitoring the ozone layer since the 1980s, when alarming reports of its depletion first surfaced. Now, over 40 years later, have we gotten past this potential danger?

The ozone layer, a vital shield that protects Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation, is on track to be fully restored within the next few decades. This remarkable recovery is likely the result of decisive action taken around world to phase out ozone-depleting substances, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), following the 1989 Montreal Protocol.

In the years since the Montreal Protocol was signed, the ozone layer has shown steady improvement. Scientists and researchers have been closely monitoring the ozone layer since the 1980s, when alarming reports of its depletion first surfaced. In the years since the Montreal Protocol was signed, it has shown steady improvement.

According to the latest UN assessment, the ozone layer is expected to be completely recovered by 2040 across most of the world, with the polar regions taking a bit longer – 2045 for the Arctic and 2066 for the Antarctic.

If you liked that article, you will probably enjoy reading this article about Amazon deforestation. Don’t worry, it is good news!

Can Cringe be a SEC Violation?

Daily Upsider on December 24, 2023

Blackstone, (not to be confused with BlackRock) one of the world’s largest investment firms, has once again released its annual holiday video, and this year, they’ve gone all-in on their love for Taylor Swift. The video, titled “The Alternatives Era Tour,” is a parody of Swift’s highly successful “The Eras Tour.”

The video features Blackstone executives showcasing their humor while paying homage to the pop sensation. It has has certainly garnered attention. But the question remains: is it cringy or funny?

Opinions on the video have been mixed. Some find it to be a lighthearted and entertaining way for the company to celebrate the holiday season, while others believe it to be a cringe-worthy attempt at corporate humor.

Blackstone’s holiday video tradition began in 2018 and has become an annual event for the company. Each year, the video is themed and allows the executives to showcase their comedic side. This year’s Taylor Swift theme certainly seems to have made an impression.

One thing I am sure of, it looks like the team at Blackstone had a lot of fun making the video. Whether you find it cringy or funny, it’s hard not to appreciate the effort that went into creating a unique and memorable holiday video.