Dynamic testing of a prototype "rover" vehicle equipped with Michelin lunar wheels on volcanic soil ... More in Lemptegy (France).MICHELIN 2025 - Jérôme CAMBIER - Double Expresso Michelin is used to succeeding competitively with its tires. The company’s breakthrough removable pneumatic tire was used by Charles Terront to win the world’s first long-distance cycle race in 1891. But most recently Michelin has been competing in another race – to create a tire for the Artemis lunar rover. The goal here isn’t to help the vehicle go faster but overcome challenges that are even greater than you find on a track. Michelin’s Extraterrestrial Aspirations “Today we harvest what has been seeded decades ago,” says Florent Menegaux, CEO, Michelin. “Now, the question is what seeds we need to provide for the next generation. The lunar project is there to do that. It is there to understand what type of composite would be useful for a type of mobility that is unknown on Earth. That’s why this is very important for Michelin.” Michelin isn’t the only company competing to create the tires for the Artemis rover. Goodyear and Bridgestone are also in the running. None of these companies are going to be selling lunar tires by the millions. But the marketing potential from producing a tire that can prevail in the wildly variable conditions of the Moon are astronomical. Of course, without an atmosphere, the Moon isn’t ideal for traditional pneumatic rubber approaches, so this is also an opportunity for companies like Michelin to develop their emerging airless technology. Cryogenics are used to test lunar tire designs at -200C.MICHELIN 2025 - Jérôme CAMBIER - Double Expresso “The second reason why we’re developing a lunar tire is because the operating conditions on the Moon are so extreme - things we have not seen before,” says Menegaux. “The principle of tires is that you have an envelope that encapsulates air, and air does most of the job. What we provide is just the means to manage what the air is good at doing. On the Moon, encapsulating air is not efficient, and you can’t have a puncture, because the Moon is either extremely hot or extremely cold. We need to prepare wheels that would be able to operate under those conditions, plus the fact we have no road on the moon, the surface is made of dust, plus rocks. You need your vehicle to operate whatever the conditions. Developing this technology will have a lot of benefits for our day-to-day operations, tires that will be used on Earth.” To ensure its lunar tires can cope with these conditions, Michelin has been putting prototypes through extensive testing at its R&D center at Ladoux near Clermont-Ferrand. Scale versions of the designs are frozen to -200C. On the dark side of the moon or in shadow, lunar temperatures can rapidly drop to this figure. Conversely, in full sunlight things get hot fast, hitting as much as 100C. It’s even possible that half a lunar vehicle could be in shade and the other half in sunlight. Michelin’s Tires Hit Their PEEK The basis of Michelin’s lunar tire is an airless design using polyether ether ketone (PEEK) thermoplastic that has a useful operating temperature up to 250C. The material must be soft and flexible but also rigid. The plastic is a hundred times stiffer than rubber, because of course there is no air pressure to give the tire load resistance. This material will tolerate solar radiation, wide temperature ranges and regolith abrasion. The contact surface is wide like a snowshoe because the regolith is fluffy and volatile, with some steep inclines, so this will be needed to maintain traction. Michelin has recently patented the tread pattern it plans to use. Michelin is using innovative 3D printing to create its lunar rover tire prototypes.MICHELIN 2025 - Jérôme CAMBIER - Double Expresso The Apollo mission’s rover was an incredible feat at the time. Its tires were meant to last 40km and were made with metallic mesh, but did fail at the end of the mission. In contrast, the Artemis version could be called upon to endure single journeys of this distance, and last for at least 1,000km. Energy efficiency is paramount, too, because the rover could be required to operate in darkness where there is no opportunity for a solar panel top-up of the vehicle’s batteries. Michelin also uses an extinct volcano at Puys de Dôme as part of its testing process, because the surface material has similar properties to lunar regolith. This fine rocky dust is particularly problematic, because it is both soft and abrasive, without the smoothness of beach sand. Further testing will be performed at ESA’s Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, which will have facilities to replicate the Moon’s surface with even greater fidelity. Composites Diversify Michelin’s Business The development process of the lunar rover tire has also required innovative 3D printing techniques, which hasn’t been used for this kind of application before. The tire is made of PEEK combined with materials that Michelin is keeping secret. While a lunar tire might seem like a vanity project, it fits perfectly with Michelin’s strategy to diversify its business into more general composite materials. Tires are naturally composite, particularly since the advent of radials, which Michelin patented in 1946 and started to produce commercially in 1951, helping the legendary Lancia Aurelia B20 to a class win at Le Mans. The technical innovation here was how to bond metal to rubber.The volcanic soil has properties similar to lunar regolith.MICHELIN 2025 - Jérôme CAMBIER - Double Expresso Michelin has made polymer composite solutions one of its four core business areas, alongside tires (of course), connected services, and lifestyle (such as the Michelin Guide). This encompasses products such as conveyor belts, which can be up to 25km long in a mining context and designed to transport up to 1,000 tons of minerals per hour. Seals are another product that relies on composites, alongside belts and hoses. For example, this would include engine timing belts or precision belts for counting banknotes. Michelin now even makes coated fabrics and films, such as materials for inflatable boats and hydrogen fuel cell membranes (in partnership with Symbio, which is the fuel cell supplier for the Extreme H racing series). But the highest profile will come from Michelin winning the bid to provide tires for the Artemis rover. “I am absolutely convinced that when we look at the human race in space, you have plenty of opportunities,” says Menegaux. “We know that scarcity of resources can be solved by exploiting asteroids. The question is, how do you operate on an asteroid? Because of gravity around Earth and because of the atmosphere, it is extremely costly to start exploring space and exploiting space from Earth. From the Moon, with less atmosphere, it would be less costly to start operating from there. That's why it's very important that we start building a first satellite community on the Moon, so that then we can explore space from there. That's also why we are there. Now is the time to start exploring outside the boundary of our planet. Maybe Mars next, but that’s for my successor!”

In context: Running Doom on off-the-wall hardware has become a global pastime. Modders have squeezed id Software's 1993 classic into everything from calculators to printer displays. The obsession may have peaked with Doom now running on the unlikeliest platforms – a cardboard box. Limited Run Games just announced the Doom plus Doom II Will It Run Edition – and yes, players can actually run the game on a small screen built into the collector's box. Pre-orders for the over-the-top bundle start Friday, April 18 at 10 am EDT. Get there early because the 666 Switch, Xbox, PlayStation 5, and PC units will likely go extremely fast, even with the extravagant yet fitting price tag of $666.66. While Limited Run has not released tech specs, it appears to include a built-in screen and processor powerful enough to run the game – specifically, the original 1993 release in all its retro pixelated glory. The Will It Run Edition also includes a quirky handheld device shaped like the iconic Cacodemon enemy, with some of its jagged teeth doubling as controls. The bundle also contains four hours of classic Doom music on retro cassette tapes, a levitating three-inch Cacodemon figurine, random trading cards, and more than 10 games and expansions. These include: Doom Doom II TNT: Evilution The Plutonia Experiment Master Levels for Doom II No Rest for the Living Sigil Sigil II A new 25-map Deathmatch pack Legacy of Rust (2024 community mod) Extras include new translations to languages like Korean and Polish, accessibility options, gyro aiming support, visual enhancements, and alternate soundtracks. // Related Stories Fortunately, cheaper options are on the way. Standard and Big Box editions – priced at $29.99 and $99.99, respectively – offer Doomguys and Doomgals a chance to join the fun without dropping a small fortune. However, these bundles skip the star of the $666 version: the playable box, and most of the other goodies.

Table of Contents Table of Contents Why was it a dire situation? A huge relief for consumers  If you have lately been concerned about an imminent — and meteoric – rise in the price of electronics such as iPhones, laptops, and PC components, you can breathe a sigh of relief. The US government has granted an exemption to a wide range of electronics items from the heavy tariffs it has imposed on China over the past few weeks. The US government recently slapped heavy tariffs on multiple countries in Asia and Europe, including China. While other nations got a temporary 90-day relief, no such reprieve was extended to China, which is a crucial manufacturing hub for companies such as Apple and Nvidia, to name a few.  Recommended Videos Analysts predicted that the price of items such as smartphones, PC gear, and gaming consoles was going to rise sharply. Nintendo halted the pre-sale of its next-gen Switch 2 console, while PC brands such as Razer and Framework also had to adjust their sales strategy in a bid to make tariff-related adjustments. Luiz Felipe/Unsplash / Unsplash A panic buying for products such as iPhones ensued in the US, and as per Reuters, Apple flew a cargo worth 600 tons from India to stockpile its inventory in the United States. The outlet also reported that Amazon suppliers in China were mulling a significant price hike for their products due to the tariffs. Related Apple, HP, Microsoft, Dell, and Intel are some of the companies that not only rely heavily on China for manufacturing their products, but also account for it as a major market. With a hefty 125% tariff levied on China, it was not difficult to estimate the hike on their consumer products entering the US market. Thankfully, the hit has been averted, for now. The US Customs and Border Protection has issued an updated guidance for the Reciprocal Tariff Exclusion policy. The agency has listed 20 product categories that broadly cover a wide range of devices such as memory chips, laptops, disc drives, semiconductors, and flat panel screens.  Jacob Roach / Digital Trends Notably, the exemption also covers machines that are used to make semiconductors, which are at the heart of everything from phones and laptops to cars. According to Bloomberg, Apple imports from China, which include iPhones, iPads, smartwatches, and AirTags, are now technically safe from a tariff-induced price hike. Aside from phones and computing items, the price of discrete processor kits and graphics cards from the likes of Nvidia are now effectively shielded from an imminent price hike for US customers. The move will also benefit products sold in the US by Samsung, HP, and Microsoft, among others. Editors’ Recommendations

The step back was announced in a late Friday filing with Customs and Border Protection.

Tony Gilroy was once a Star Wars outsider. Then he created a series focused on political drama and the roots of rebellion—no Baby Yodas in sight.

The author has gone on several trips to national parks with her 90-year-old father-in-law. Courtesy of the author 2025-04-12T16:29:01Z Save Saved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Visiting national parks has created lifelong memories for my husband, his dad, and me. My father-in-law's energy and enthusiasm at 90 has shown me that you're only as old as you feel. Even though we have differing worldviews, my father-in-law has certain traits I find inspiring. Over the last seven years, my husband and I have traveled to seven national parks with my father-in-law. These trips have taken us across breathtaking landscapes throughout the United States, but their real impact has been on our relationships.From Yosemite to Yellowstone, Grand Teton to Zion, and beyond, we've learned how to navigate our differences and strengthen our connection in ways that everyday life doesn't always allow.Family dynamics can get tricky, especially when spending hour after hour, day after day, in close quarters. But keeping the bigger picture in mind — and going with the flow — has taught me valuable lessons not just about travel but about life in general.Keeping a flexible attitude makes for a happier journeyMy father-in-law loves having a jam-packed itinerary. He wants to be entertained and keep moving — quite impressive, considering we started these trips when he was 83, and now he's 90.My husband and I also enjoy activities, but we like to relax, too. Planning these trips has helped all of us learn how to compromise a bit and blend our different travel styles, balancing activity with downtime.Getting older doesn't mean losing your spontaneity or spirit of adventureMy father-in-law is always up for new experiences and has never let age dampen his adventurous spirit.Our first trip to Yosemite was during the peak of summer, and the heat was intense. As we walked along the river, we saw a few people water tubing and swimming. Mr. Aram (my nickname for him since my husband is also named Aram) suddenly decided to take off his shirt and shoes and jump in the chilly water. We quickly followed his lead and ended up having a blast.That spontaneous, exhilarating moment remains one of our fondest memories to this day.Staying active and curious is key to good healthMy husband and I have seen firsthand how staying active has positively impacted his dad's physical health. His mobility belies his age — and his stamina for walking miles and miles puts us to shame.His curiosity also seems to keep him mentally sharp. He's always eager to learn new tips for taking better photos on our trips or how to use certain apps on his phone.Disagreements happen, but family bonds prevailMy husband and I share a common outlook that doesn't always align with his dad's. In fact, one trip almost ended before it even began because of a heated political discussion. But these trips remind us that love can rise above conflict.We've accepted that we'll never see eye to eye on certain things and have set boundaries — like completely steering clear of politics — so we can focus on what we do have in common and make the most of our time together.Having a sense of humor goes a long wayWhether it was getting stuck in a crowded shuttle bus or evading bears during a late-night bathroom break, our national park trips have had plenty of surprises. Keeping a good sense of humor through it all has served us well, giving us countless memories to laugh about. Patience and gratitude allow for a deeper connectionWe all have habits or quirks that others might find annoying — especially on family getaways. But these pet peeves also offer an opportunity to practice patience and gratitude.My own father died in 2018, and that profound loss has made me even more aware of how fleeting life is. I'm grateful that my husband can still make plans with his dad and explore new places together.Nature has a way of bringing people togetherIn the wild, we focus less on differences and more on shared wonder and adventure. Being in nature sparks appreciation and a sense of peace — not just for the surroundings but for the people experiencing it with you.National parks have been famously described as America's greatest idea, and visiting these natural spaces with my husband and his dad has been one of our greatest ideas. Recommended video

Last year, we learned Science Saru was developing a brand new for Ghost in the Shell. It’s still a ways away, but Saru’s decided to give a cryptic first look at how it plans to adapt the beloved cyberpunk tale. Set over haunting vocals that may end up being the anime’s main theme or opening song (or both, the teaser plays through storyboards and key animation of key scenes and characters, like the Major and Batou. As this goes on, it reveals the creative team at the helm of this new Ghost in the Shell: Toma Kimura—aka Mokochan—a storyboarder and episode director on The Heike Story and Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, will direct the entire series. EnJoe Toh (co-writer of Mojika and The Empire of Corpses) is on script duties, and Pilgrim and Little Witch Academia artist Shuhei Handa is pulling double duty as character designer and executive animation director. There’ve been several Ghost in the Shell adaptations over the decades from Japan—according to creator Shirow Masamune in the press release, that number ranges from four to ten, depending on if you consider the films and split some adaptations into their own specific series. Either way, he thinks this new version by Saru has the potential to be something different, and considered it “the first installment of a second generation.  The original manga is quite old…and I sincerely hope this will once again be an enjoyable visual experience in some form.” Look for The Ghost in the Shell to hit sometime in 2026. Until Saru unveils more footage at a later date, here’s an official look at Motoko and the AI tank Fuchikoma. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

Aguiar Social Center / Pereira Miguel ArquitectosCultural Center•Aguiar, Portugal Architects: Pereira Miguel Arquitectos Area Area of this architecture project Area:  1250 m² Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2023 More SpecsLess Specs Text description provided by the architects. The project consisted of creating a social, cultural and sports facility in the center of Vila de Aguiar, more precisely in Rua Pedras do Lagar. The aim of this multipurpose pavilion is to provide the area with a social center, capable of bringing together local and neighboring inhabitants in a single space for socializing and cultural services.The site is well located within the municipality, close to the school and next to a small garden. It is well accessible, both by car and on foot, making it a good place for people to use.The architectural proposal is characterized by the design of two different volumes that intersect in the middle of the plot, in the entrance area, on the west sidewalk. The lower volume fronts the street and the south façade overlooks the garden and the intersection with the main road. This houses the most varied program and the connections between areas. It has a simple, clean aesthetic with a large opening to the south and generous entrances in the central courtyard. Its more cut-out appearance and more restrained height reduce the scale of the sports hall, which is 8.5m high from the threshold. This second volume, of a more rigid nature, occupies a large implantation area. Given its volume, which will allow sports events to be held, as well as parties and events, its location was defined in the northernmost area. There, it is possible to keep a distance from the edges and reduce the height outside, due to the slope of the land.Save this picture!Save this picture!As the two volumes have different programs and dimensions, their construction methods and exterior aesthetics are also different. The lower part has a white plaster cladding, with a flat roof and openings marked by black anodized frames. The uppermost volume is practically "blind", with few openings (only to the north) and two balconies next to the interior benches. From a height of 4m, it is clad in corrugated white sheet metal, giving it a more functional aesthetic. Project gallerySee allShow less About this office Published on April 12, 2025Cite: "Aguiar Social Center / Pereira Miguel Arquitectos" 12 Apr 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1016162/aguiar-social-center-pereira-miguel-arquitectos&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save世界上最受欢迎的建筑网站现已推出你的母语版本!想浏览ArchDaily中国吗?是否 You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Nature, Published online: 09 April 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-08840-3The MICrONS mouse visual cortex dataset shows that neurons with similar response properties preferentially connect, a pattern that emerges within and across brain areas and layers, and independently emerges in artificial neural networks where these ‘like-to-like’ connections prove important for task performance.

See if your Viking Age trivia knowledge is in ship-shape condition with our quiz.