April 7, 20253 min readThis Space Station Miso Tastes Out of This WorldOverall, space miso tastes just like regular misobut slight differences in its microbial profile suggest that extraterrestrial conditions affect how microbes grow and flourishBy Gayoung Lee edited by Sarah Lewin FrasierFor the first time ever, scientists succeeded in fermenting soybeans aboard the International Space Station to make miso, a popular condiment in Japanese cuisine. Nungning20/Getty ImagesThe savory, earthy condiment miso, common to Japanese cuisine, is made by fermenting cooked soybeans, salt and kōji, a type of mold from the fungus Aspergillus oryzae that grows on rice or barley. The process can be complex and surprisingly reminiscent of an experiment in microbiology, which makes it fitting that a cohort of scientists, bioengineers and culinary experts teamed up to ferment misoin space!Compared with Earth miso, space miso tastes nuttier, smells more pungent and is slightly darker, but overall, the space miso is a miso, conclude the researchers in findings published recently in iScience. The new study represents more than just a fun twist on the various microbe experiments conducted on the International Space Station (ISS)fermenting space miso, it turns out, raises interesting questions about the role of microbes in humanitys continued exploration of worlds beyond our own.Researchers prepared a package of pre-fermentation miso to be sent to the International Space Station.Jimmy Day (CC by-SA)On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.Study co-lead author Maggie Coblentz, who conducted the research while at the M.I.T. Media Lab, was particularly intrigued by the nutritional possibilities of fermenting in space, as well as the possibility of expanding the flavors available to astronauts. Fermentation offers astronauts greater autonomy, allowing them to take control over the foods they produce and manage their health and well-being in a way that is deeply personal, she says.From an astrobiological perspective, miso fermentation also illustrates how life can thrive in space through the diversity of microbial communities, Coblentz says. Miso taste and quality depends heavily on factors influenced by microbial activitytemperature, atmospheric pressure and light levels, among othersthat all change dramatically in outer space. Although the primary objective of the study was to ferment edible, tasty miso in space, Coblentz and her co-lead author Joshua Evans were also intrigued by the slight differences in the resulting space misos microbial profile.For example, the fungi in kōji mutated more often in space miso, potentially from increased cosmic radiation, says Evans, a food researcher at the Technical University of Denmark. Additionally, microgravity could have affected microbial growth and metabolism. Now that we know fermentation in space is possible, follow-up experiments could examine these hypotheses, he says.After the miso fermented for 30 days on the International Space Station, it was returned to Earth where the researchers sampled it in the lab.Besides just being tasty, miso (and other fermented food) can also support gut healthso the result is good news for astronauts, says Jay Nadeau, an astrobiologist and physicist at Portland State University. Nadeau, who was not involved in the new study, notes that astronauts often have trouble staying healthy in space, not only because of the effects of microgravity but also because of changes in their gut microbiome.No one has looked at the diet very much, and I know that astronauts do talk about loss of senses of taste and smell, Nadeau says. They dont really care about what theyre eating, although they do like strong flavors. And so I think it is really important to look at fermented foods as a source of both strong flavors and healthy microbiome.According to Coblentz, Food diversity ... can enhance the well-being and performance of astronauts by catering to a wider range of tastes, dietary needs and cultural preferences. Fermenting miso in space expands food diversity and also illustrates the complex microbiology of a seemingly sterile space station.When an astronaut travels to space, Coblentz says, they carry their own microbiome with them, and every material, plant and even food that accompanies them has a similar story to tell.

Clips of an unfinished version of A Minecraft Movie have started making the rounds online. Read more

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games hereThere is a lot for Fortnite players to anticipate! Chapter 6 Season 3 is scheduled for May, and leaks have shown it will bring more Star Wars goodies to the battlefield. In addition, other leaked crossovers for the future include the beloved anime masterpiece, One Piece. But, before more Star Wars and One Piece happen, Epic Games is set to release update v34.30. Prior to its release, here are early Fortnite v34.30 patch notes including a Sabrina Carpenter skin, new maps, event, and much more.Early Fortnite v34.30 patch notesBelow are leaked early patch notes for Fortnite v34.30, as per FortniteFNLK on X:Festival Music Season 8 Battle PassSabrina Carpenter Festival SkinSabrina Carpenter Item Shop SkinSabrina Carpenter EmotesAdventure Time SkinsOG Renegade Raider + Aerial Assault Trooper Black & Gold StyleCheaters Unban UpdateNew Reload Map April 15New Ballistic UpdateMini Live Event LeaksTMNT Wave 2 Skins NewsChapter 6 Season 3 LeaksNew FNCS PJ SkinNew Jam TracksNew Skins, Emotes, Bundles, PacksNew Icon Series EmotesNew Car BodysNew KicksUpdated Item Shop TabsMap ChangesDynamite + SMG Combo, Hop Rock SMG & Cluster Launcher, Armored WallNew Weapons or ItemsUnvaulted Weapons or ItemsImage credit: @FortniteFNLK on XAs confirmed by the official Fortnite X account, this update is scheduled for April 8th. In addition to all of the above, below is whats listed as Fixed In Next Game Update on Trello:Pressing Rocket forward mid-air after running out of charge removes the Rocket Drills slow fall effect, causing fall damage (Battle Royale)The Exit option is missing if the player moves away from their Housing Lot while in the Edit/Decorate mode (LEGO Fortnite)In other Fortnite news, Epic has removed exclusivity from more skins, and a new emote comes with a secret feature.FortnitePlatform(s):Android, iOS, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/XGenre(s):Action, Massively Multiplayer, Shooter9VideoGamerRelated TopicsFortnite Subscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

Subtle, tactile motifs weave the interiors of all four volumes together, from caning details and ceramic furnishings to woven textiles and textural wood. In the family room, a Cassina Sengu sofa covered in Rose Uniacke linen sits beside Galerie Half pine chairs and a Crump & Kwash Mae coffee table. An Allied Maker Wood Totem lamp stands in the corner while a piece by Cassidy Possum Tjapaltjarri hangs on the wall.A spectrum of wood staining lines the interior, showcasing a resplendent diversity of material. Seating and even a coffee table are detailed with woven leather, while ceramic lighting and objets dart further layer tactility. Caning accents the glass dining room table in a nod to the guest room headboards. Theres all these very subtle details, and I think it kind of takes a special client to appreciate that, says Kwong.Appreciation for the landscape anchors the immersive indoor-outdoor design. In addition to framed vistas in the primary bedroom, living and guest wings are both equipped with movable barn-style doors that support natural ventilation and invite the natural splendor inside. The broad awnings of the shallow-pitched seam roofs not only support cooling, but their copper cladding harmonizes with cypress siding to imbue naturalism across the atypical layout.Equipped with massive movable cypress doors, the central volume of Hale Mauu is naturally ventilated with ease.The artful focal points, however, are perhaps most impactful. Custom bedspreads and artwork inject a colorful flair as well as a sense of place with abstract takes on traditional indigenous quilting patterns. The obvious standout in the lineup is a Ruth Asawa sculpture suspended above a standing tub that transforms the grand bathroom into an eye-catching minimalist vignette. We were careful not to over-furnish it, Kwong notes. Keeping the furniture plan very minimal did so much for us.The vision of the client and designer are unified in moments like this, where open space is honored and also humanized. It takes a certain level of sophistication in the client to give us the room to include things that are powerful and unexpected, adds Kwong. That was the approach taken with the architecture, so our approach is a natural complement to it.

By Matthew Gault Published April 6, 2025 | Comments (91) | An advanced medium range ballistic missile target is launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Kauai, Hawaii, as part of the U.S. Missile Defense Agencys Flight Test Aegis Weapon System-32 (FTM-32), held on March 28, 2024 in cooperation with the U.S. Navy. Pentagon photo. The Pentagon is expected to deliver plans for a Golden Dome to Trump this week. In the crudest sense, the Golden Dome is a missile defense system that would shoot nukes, missiles, and drones that threaten the U.S. out of the sky. A scientific study published earlier this month detailed the scientific impossibility of the scheme. America has tried to build a missile defense system since before Ronald Reagan was president. Reagan wanted to put satellites into space that would use lasers to blast Soviet nukes out of the sky. What we built was somewhat more pedestrian. It also probably wont work. But defense contractors made a lot of money. When engineers have been under intense political pressure to deploy a system, the United States has repeatedly initiated costly programs that proved unable to deal with key technical challenges and were eventually abandoned as their inadequacies became apparent, explained a new study from the American Physical Society Panel on Public Affairs. Under Trump, were going to do it again. Trump signed an executive order on January 27 that called on the Pentagon to come up with a plan for an Iron Dome for America, which the President and others have taken to calling a Golden Dome. According to the EO, Trump wants a plan thatll keep the homeland safe from ballistic, hypersonic, advanced cruise missiles, and other next-generation aerial attacks from peer, near-peer, and rogue adversaries. The dream of the Golden Dome is simple: shoot missiles out of the sky before they can do any damage. Its important to not simply think of Golden Dome as the next iteration of the ground-based missile defense system or solely a missile defense system because its a broader mission than that, Jonathan Moneymaker, the CEO of BlueHalo, a defense company working on Golden Dome adjacent tech, told Gizmodo.Moneymaker was clear-eyed about the challenges of building Golden Dome. Everyone looks at it as a replication of Israels Iron Dome, but we have to appreciate that Israels the size of New Jersey, he said. Israels Iron Dome has done a great job shooting down Hamas rockets and Iranian missiles. Its also covering a small territory and shooting down projectiles that arent moving as fast as a nuclear weapon or a Russian Kh-47M2 Kinzhal ballistic missile might. The pitch of the Golden Dome is that it would keep the whole of the continental U.S. safe. Thats a massive amount of territory to cover and the system would need to identify, track, and destroy nuclear weapons, drones, and other objects moving at high speed.Thats like trying to shoot a bullet out of the sky with a bullet. The missile defense study, published on March 3, detailed a few of the challenges facing a potential Golden Dome-style system. Trumps executive order is vague and covers a lot of potential threats. We focus on the fundamental question of whether current and proposed systems intended to defend the United States against nuclear-armed [intercontinental ballistic missile] now effective, or could in the near future be made effective in preventing the death and destruction that a successful attack by North Korea on the United States using such ICBMs would produce. Stopping a nuke is the primary promise of a missile system. And if one of these systems cant stop a nuke then of what use is it?The study isnt positive. This is the most comprehensive, independent scientific study in decades on the feasibility of national ballistic missile defense. Its findings may shock Americans who have not paid much attention to these programs, Joseph Cirincione told Gimzodo. Cirincione is the retired president of the Ploughshares Fund and a former Congressional staffer. He investigated missile defense systems and nukes for the House Armed Services Committee. We have no chance of stopping a determined ballistic missile attack on the United States despite four decades of trying and over $400 billion spent. This is the mother of all scandals, he said.The study looked at a few different methods for knocking a North Korean nuke out of the sky. An ICBM launch has three phases: the boost phase which lasts only a few minutes, the midcourse phase which lasts around 20 minutes, and the terminal phase which is less than a minute. During the boost-phase, the nuke is building up speed and getting into the air. Boost-phase intercept of ICBMs launched from even a small country like North Korea is challenging, the study said. You have to get weapons close to the missile and, in the case of North Korea, that would require building them close to China and then firing them over Chinese territory. Any defense system would only have a few moments to respond to the nuke because the boost phase only lasts a few minutes.For a countermeasure to hit that ICBM under those time constraints means it would need to be built close, probably somewhere in the Pacific. And we would need a lot of them. China would not be happy about a ring of missile defense systems close to its borders, no matter how America tried to sell it to them. But what about space-based systems? Its a territory rivals have less power over. The scientific review panel found that it would take over a thousand orbiting weapons to counter a single North Korean ballistic missile. Even then, the system would be costly and vulnerable to anti-satellite attacks, Cirincione told Gizmodo. Around 3,600 interceptors, to be precise. So were talking about ringing the planet in thousands of munitions-armed satellites. And remember that this is just to handle one nuke launched by North Korea. Imagine scaling up a similar defense shield to guard against all the nukes in Russia and youll begin to see the size of the problem. Well, what about lasers? Reagans original plan was lasers. Surely technology has advanced since the 1980s. There is widespread agreement that laser weapons that could disable ICBMs during their boost-phase, whether based on aircraft, drones, or space platforms, will not be technically feasible within the 15-year time horizon of this study, the study said.This hints at another one of the problems of missile defense: it takes a long time to build and your enemies arent stagnant while its happening. While America works on the Golden Dome, Russia, North Korea, and China will be building their own new and different kinds of weapons meant to circumvent it. We may be able to build lasers capable of shooting nukes out of the sky in two decades but by then Americas enemies may have things to deal with the lasers. OK, so building the systems to shoot down a nuke in its boost phase is a logistical and geopolitical nightmare. What about during its mid-course arc? Theres more time to do something then, between 20 and 30 minutes. Most of Americas currently deployed missile defense systems are designed to strike an object midcourse.The absence of air drag during this phase means that launch debris, such as spent upper stages, deployment and altitude control modules, separation debris and debris from unburned fuel, insulation, and other parts of the booster, as well as missile fragments deliberately created by the offense and light-weight decoys and other penetration aids, all follow the same trajectory as a warhead, the study said. This makes it difficult for the defense to discriminate the warhead from other objects in this threat cloud, so it can target the warhead. In tests, Americas midcourse interceptors only work about half the time. And those tests are done under perfect conditions against known threats. After reviewing carefully the technology and test record of the [ground-based midcourse] system, the report concludes that its unreliability and vulnerability to countermeasures seriously limits its effectiveness, the study said.Theres still the terminal phase, that less than a second before a nuke hits its target. And the U.S. also has systems, like the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THADD), designed to knock a missile out of the air during this crucial moment. The truth is that if a nuke is that close, youve probably already lost. Even effective terminal-phase defenses can defend only limited areas, the study said. Moreover, terminal-phase sensors are vulnerable to the blinding effects of nuclear explosions in the atmosphere. These are just a few of the problems that the researchers discussed in the 60-page report. There are many more. And remember this is just talking about shooting down a North Korean salvo. Things get more complicated when you add Russia, China, or any of Americas other enemies. For Cirincione, the report confirmed his long-held belief that any kind of intricate missile defense system isnt worth the cost of building it. In short, we cannot defend the country against a determined ballistic missile attack now or anytime in the foreseeable future, he said. While we can intercept short-range missiles such as those used in the Middle East or Ukraine, there is zero chance we can intercept long-range missiles that span the oceans. We have spent over $400 billion since 1983 on nothing. Future expenditures will just be throwing money down a rat hole.Moneymaker was bullish. When a nation can get aligned around an objective, whether thats Star Wars or Golden Dome or sending someone to the moon, when you have a unity of mission, a lot of things can happen, he said. He also noted that the Golden Dome was a massive opportunity for disruptive defense companies like Anduril and, yes, BlueHalo. He said that Golden Dome was a project at a scale thats never been seen before. Building any proposed system will require cooperation between state and local officials, police, the Coast Guard, the FBI, and the DHS. Theres a lot of constituents at play that have a next-level order of integration that needs to happen. In Moneymakers imagining, the Golden Dome wouldnt be just one system but a vast patchwork of weapons that cover the United States. Is this one dome? Or is it a series of federated domes that interplay with each other? I just, just given the size and scale of the endeavor, were going to see phases to this development, he said. Moneymaker explained that high-value targets like military bases or large metro areas might get protection first and then be woven together into a tapestry or fabric of protection. He said the project is so big that progress will be incremental. The good news is that I think we can go fast as a nation when we need to or want to.In Washington this week, theres talk of creating a whole new department just to handle the development of the Golden Dome. Booz Allen Hamilton has teased a swarm of refrigerator-sized drones flying in 20 orbital planes around 200 miles in the air. The plan is for these AI-connected drone swarms to identify missiles as they come in and slam into them. Thats just one of the many pitches the Trump administration has received. According to Defense One, the Pentagon has gotten more than 360 plans related to the Golden Dome. I fully expect the Trump administration to ignore this serious scientific advice, just as they reject scientific truth on the climate crisis, vaccines, and the environment, Cirincione said. When there is money to be made, science is shunted aside.Daily NewsletterYou May Also Like Renee Dudley/ProPublica Published April 6, 2025 By Matt Novak Published April 5, 2025 By Lucas Ropek Published April 4, 2025 By Matt Novak Published April 4, 2025 By Matt Novak Published April 4, 2025 By AJ Dellinger Published April 4, 2025

Impractical JockersEnter the chicken jockey: A Minecraft movie scores the biggest US domestic debut in game adaptation history, as some people seemingly pay just to go nuts at the meme linesDo you have to lob popcorn everywhere or take your shirt off just cos Jack Black said a thing?Image credit: Mojang/Warner Bros. News by Mark Warren Senior Staff Writer Published on April 7, 2025 Well, A Minecraft Movie is now out, and its opening weekend at the US box office has gone pretty well - like the biggest amount of dollar signs a video game adaptation has ever chucked at people who already have a lot of money sort of well. How? Well, it looks like at least in part because people like going bananas whenever Jack Black says the stuff the trailers turned into memes.You know the ones I mean. I'm gonna have to write them now. Please don't take off your shirt or be a dick and make a mess that some poor cinema worker is going to have to clean up. Promise?To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Before we get into that, though, the numbers. As per Variety, the movie raked in $301 million globally over its opening weekend following release on April 4. $144 million million of that came internationally, while the US dometic box office total accounted for the rest - $157 million. To put that last number in context, A Minecraft Movie had a $150 million budget outside of marketing costs.Us-wise, that total also means it's knocked off the Super Mario Bros. Movie's $146 million to nick the title of biggest US domestic debut in game adaptation history, though the plumber has retained the rights to say he's the overall highest-grossing video game adaptation of all time. For now, that is. Minecraft may well land that honour too in time.Right, now, what's this about people going bananas over memes? Well, over the weekend, a bunch of videos of cinemas full of people erupting into pandemonium and cheering when Black says trailer phrases like the infamous 'Chicken Jockey' and 'I...am Steve' have been spreading around on Twitter and TikTok over the weekend. One of them even appears to show things getting so unhinged that a few folks have to be escorted out of the movie by cops or security guards. @salesmenpod This whole night was surreal and one of the most unforgettable movie experiences Ive ever had. . . #minecraft #movie #minecraftmovie #chicken #jockey #chickenjockey #fyp #viral #reaction #funny #meme #moviereview #featureme #clips #comedy #video #videogames #games #game original sound - Salesmen: After Hours To see this content please enable targeting cookies. To see this content please enable targeting cookies."The people behind me took their shirts off as well as the ones in the front that were standing," Twitter user @ollie_twt wrote of the clip they shared above, "That was by far the loudest theater Ive ever been in and it was awesome."Naturally, the ones that show people chucking popcorn and drinks all over the shop maybe aren't so awesome, since I doubt the folks doing it would be sticking around once the credits roll to help the staff clean up. Chicken Jockey, though.Have you been to see the Minecraft Movie yet? No matter the answer, you should read this feature. There's a chicken jockey in it, I swear.

Image: NamcoAfter a week of looking ahead to Switch 2, it's strange to think about 'Switch 1' again, but online chatter about the leaked contents of the OG console's dev kit has got us musing on the games that never came to fruition.It all stems from a recent post on the r/GamingLeaksAndRumours Reddit forum, where user capitalggamer1 shared a bunch of titles that can supposedly be found in the Switch dev kit, including dev builds for an unreleased Ridge Racer game, a new Retro Studios project, a 'LEGO Civilization' and debug builds for Splatoon 2 and ARMS.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube805kWatch on YouTube The post doesn't specifically state where the information was sourced from (so take things with a pinch of salt here), though it does link to two screenshots and some rudimentary gameplay footage via Switch emulator Ryujinx claimed to be from Retro Studio's 'Project Harmony'.By the looks of things, the Retro project was a 3D platformer, with magic creature summoning as its central gameplay concept. It's a very early look we assume this is what Retro was working on before it was whisked off to Metroid Prime land but it's a neat little peek at a game that never was, nonetheless.Fortunately, there's a little more meat on the Ridge Racer bone, with more complete-looking gameplay footage of the unreleased title shared to Twitter by user @resethepicture. The game was apparently developed by Bandai Namco in Unreal Engine 4 back in early 2017, and the footage certainly looks legitimate enough to be the real deal.While we never got our hands on the 'new' Ridge Racer, HAMSTER announced last week that an Arcade Archives release of the original PS1 title would be speeding onto Switch 2 for its 5th June launch date. Hey, it's the little victories. It's Ridge Racer!What do you make of these titles that never came to be? Let us know in the comments.[source reddit.com, via x.com]See AlsoShare:00 Jim came to Nintendo Life in 2022 and, despite his insistence that The Minish Cap is the best Zelda game and his unwavering love for the Star Wars prequels (yes, really), he has continued to write news and features on the site ever since. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesNintendo Switch 2 Edition Game Upgrade Pack Prices Seemingly Revealed (Japan)Here's the estimated equivalent locallyPSA: Switch Online Includes Switch 2 Edition Upgrade Pack Access At "No Additional Cost"Active Expansion Pack subscription requiredIntroducing PLAYi - A Whole New Way To Not PlayRevolutionise your free timeNintendo Confirms Switch Controllers Are Compatible With "Switch 2 Exclusive Games"But there is a slight catch...Random: Fantasy Life's Animal Crossing Parody Starring 'Tim Crook' Is A Good Laugh"He's looking more like a hero than a debt collector"

A leak site used by the Everest ransomware gang was hacked and defaced this weekend, TechCrunch has learned.The leak site, which the ransomware gang uses to publish stolen files to extort its victims into paying a ransom demand, was replaced with a brief text note: Dont do crime CRIME IS BAD xoxo from Prague.The site was still defaced at the time of writing. Its not clear if the gang also experienced a data breach as a result of the hack.Image Credits:TechCrunch (screenshot)Everest is a prolific Russia-linked ransomware gang that has claimed credit for multiple hacks and data breaches since its inception in 2020, including the theft of more than 420,000 customers data from cannabis retail chain Stiizy. The U.S. government has also attributed several hacks to Everest, including breaches at the U.S. space agency NASA and the Brazilian government.Ransomware (and extortion) attacks are on the rise, but recent data shows that the number of victim payments to hackers dropped overall during 2024 as more businesses refused to pay hefty ransoms.While law enforcement operations have targeted and disrupted some ransomware gangs in recent years, including the LockBit and Radar hacking groups, several ransomware gangs have also experienced damaging leaks and sabotage from within.

Netflix unveils the trailer for The Eternaut, the highly anticipated adaptation of the graphic novel by Hctor G. Oesterheld and Francisco Solano Lpez. As a mysterious snowfall wipes out millions, a group of survivors must battle an invisible force controlling their fate!The VFX are made by:Bitt Animation StudioBoat Media (VFX Supervisor: Bruno Fauceglia)Control StudioImportant Looking Pirates (VFX Supervisor: Martin Hernblad)K&S FilmsMalditomausPlanet X (VFX Supervisor: Janneke van der Wel)ReDefine (VFX Supervisor: Carlos Miras Sepulveda)Scanline VFXUnbound HubThe Production VFX Supervisor is Bruno Fauceglia.Director: Bruno StagnaroRelease Date: April 30, 2025 (Netflix) Vincent Frei The Art of VFX 2025The post The Eternaut appeared first on The Art of VFX.

Researchers at the Florida A&M University-Florida State University (FAMU-FSU) College of Engineering have received a $5 million NASA grant to develop composite materials and manufacturing systems for future space missions.Administered by FAMU, the project involves collaboration with faculty members from FSU, the Goddard Space Flight Center, and FAMU. Led by Professor Subramanian Ramakrishnan from the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, the team featuring Richard Liang, Emily Pritchard, Satyanarayan Dev, and Margaret Samuels, is working on single-step systems that integrate sensing materials and electrodes to improve manufacturing efficiency and device quality.Imagine while on a space mission having the ability to print sensors, radiation shields or even functional tissues as the mission progresses, said Professor Subramanian Ramakrishnan from the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering. This capability could change the space exploration paradigm, making missions more sustainable and adaptable to unforeseen challenges.Jamel Ali, Ph.D., (L) and Subramanian Ramakrishnan, Ph.D., pose with the nScrypt 3D printer at the High-Performance Materials Institute (HPMI) of the Materials Research Building (MRB) at FAMU-FSU College of Engineering in Tallahassee, Florida. Photo via FSU.Novel inks and printing techniques for space missionsFor this research, the team is working with a range of materials, including 2D materials known as MXenes, along with metallic and semiconducting nanoparticles. These inks are designed to be 3D printed into various components, from sensors and antennas to radiation shielding and flexible electronic circuits. The goal is to make it possible for astronauts to manufacture what they need as they go, without relying entirely on supplies sent from Earth.Theyre also exploring how to make use of materials found on other planets. By turning lunar and Martian soil, or regolith, into inks for 3D printing, the researchers hope to create functional structures directly on Mars or the Moon, reducing dependence on Earth-based resources and making long-term missions more sustainable.Part of their work involves refining a technique called electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printing, which uses electric fields to precisely print nanoparticles. Combined with laser curing, the process is intended to speed up manufacturing, particularly for tasks aboard the International Space Station (ISS) where efficiency is critical.Beyond the NASA grant, Ramakrishnan is leading a separate project funded by a $700,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). This project focuses on expanding 3D printing capabilities through the acquisition of an nScrypt 6-axis 3D printing system at FAMU. The system is designed to produce complex structures on curved surfaces, which has potential applications in aerospace and medical devices.We are experimenting with innovative ink formulations and techniques, Ramakrishnan said. The equipment is helping us produce new and exciting next-generation sensors for NASA.A focus on medical applicationsAnother aspect of the research involves studying how human cells grow and interact in microgravity environments.Co-Director and Assistant Professor Jamel Ali from the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering is leading efforts to examine the behavior of 3D printed tissues in space, with the goal of enhancing therapeutic cell expansion and regenerative medicine. For this purpose, Alis research group is working with researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, who are working with NASAs Kennedy Space Center on related projects.Alis team is also developing semiconducting nanomaterials through EHD printing that are specifically tailored to meet NASAs requirements. Their work includes establishing guidelines to address the challenges associated with 3D printing on curved surfaces.According to the researchers, the outcomes of these projects could extend beyond space exploration. Technologies developed through these initiatives, including sensors, tissues, and other materials, could have broader applications in biomedicine, materials science, and other fields that require advanced manufacturing techniques.In-space manufacturing with 3D printingOngoing developments in manufacturing technology are steadily bringing in-space manufacturing closer to practical application. This year, the European Space Agencys (ESA) Metal3D project sent the first metal 3D printed part produced in space to Earth for testing.Metal 3D printed part from space. Photo via ESA.Manufactured aboard the ISS using Metal 3D Printer developed byAirbus Defence & SpaceandAddUp, the part was created in mid-2024 and has now arrived at ESAs European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in the Netherlands for analysis. Researchers will compare it with Earth-printed samples to evaluate how microgravity affects the printing process, providing data essential for developing reliable in-space manufacturing for future missions.Back in 2023, in-space manufacturing deep-tech startup Orbital Composites received a $1.7 million U.S. Space Force SpaceWERX Orbital Prime SBIR contract, funded by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), to advance In-space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM) antennas.Working with Axiom Space, Northrop Grumman, and Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), Orbital aims to enhance Satellite-Based Cellular Broadband (SBCB) and Space-Based Solar Power (SBSP) through in-space manufacturing. The project seeks to reduce costs and expand commercial opportunities by building antennas directly in space.What3D printing trendsshould you watch out for in 2025?How is thefuture of 3D printingshaping up?To stay up to date with the latest 3D printing news, dont forget to subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter or follow us on Twitter, or like our page on Facebook.While youre here, why not subscribe to our Youtube channel? Featuring discussion, debriefs, video shorts, and webinar replays.Featured image shows Jamel Ali, Ph.D., (L) and Subramanian Ramakrishnan, Ph.D., pose with the nScrypt 3D printer at the High-Performance Materials Institute (HPMI) of the Materials Research Building (MRB) at FAMU-FSU College of Engineering in Tallahassee, Florida. Photo via FSU.