When it comes to flame retardants, fiberglass is unhealthy, but many chemicals are worse. Here’s what you need to know about buying a safe new mattress.

We’re probably all familiar with adding wood dust, hemp and carbon fibers to PLA filament, but there are so many other fillers one could add. During the completely unrelated recent …read more

html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd" Japanese architect Shigeru Ban has created the Blue Ocean Dome (BOD) for the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025, addressing the urgent issue of marine plastic pollution and raising crucial awareness about it.Named Blue Ocean Dome, the pavilion stands out with its innovative design, comprising three distinct dome types: Dome A, Dome B, and Dome C. Each dome is specifically crafted to host captivating installations and dynamic exhibitions, promising an unforgettable experience for all visitors throughout the event. Image © Taiki FukaoThe project was commissioned by the Zero Emissions Research and Initiatives (ZERI), a global network of creative minds, seeking solutions to the ever increasing problems of the world.Rather than outright rejecting plastic, the pavilion inspires deep reflection on how we use and manage materials, highlighting our critical responsibility to make sustainable choices for the future.The BOD merges traditional and modern materials—like bamboo, paper, and carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP)—to unlock new and innovative architectural possibilities.Dome A, serving as the striking entrance, is expertly crafted from laminated bamboo. This innovative design not only showcases the beauty of bamboo but also tackles the pressing issue of abandoned bamboo groves in Japan, which pose a risk to land stability due to their shallow root systems.Utilizing raw bamboo for structural purposes is often difficult; however, through advanced processing, it is transformed into thin, laminated boards that boast strength even greater than that of conventional wood. These boards have been skillfully fashioned into a remarkable 19-meter dome, drawing inspiration from traditional Japanese bamboo hats. This project brilliantly turns an environmental challenge into a sustainable architectural solution, highlighting the potential of bamboo as a valuable resource.Dome B stands as the central and largest structure of its kind, boasting a remarkable diameter of 42 meters. It is primarily constructed from Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP), a cutting-edge material revered for its extraordinary strength-to-weight ratio—four times stronger than steel yet only one-fifth the weight. While CFRP is predominantly seen in industries such as aerospace and automotive due to its high cost, its application in architecture is pioneering.In this project, the choice of CFRP was not just advantageous; it was essential. The primary goal was to minimize the foundation weight on the reclaimed land of the Expo site, making sustainability a top priority. To mitigate the environmental consequences of deep foundation piles, the structure had to be lighter than the soil excavated for its foundation. CFRP not only met this stringent requirement but also ensured the dome's structural integrity, showcasing a perfect marriage of innovation and environmental responsibility.Dome C, with its impressive 19-meter diameter, is crafted entirely from paper tubes that are 100% recyclable after use. Its innovative design features a three-dimensional truss structure, connected by elegant wooden spheres, evoking the beauty of molecular structures.To champion sustainability and minimize waste following the six-month Expo, the entire BOD pavilion has been meticulously designed for effortless disassembly and relocation. It is anchored by a robust steel foundation system and boasts a modular design that allows it to be conveniently packed into standard shipping containers. After the Expo concludes, this remarkable pavilion will be transported to the Maldives, where it will be transformed into a stunning resort facility, breathing new life into its design and purpose.Recently, Shigeru Ban's Paper Log House was revealed at Philip Johnson's Glass House Venue. In addition, Ban installed his Paper Partition Shelters (PPS) for the victims of the Turkey-Syria earthquake in Mersin and Hatay provinces of Turkey.All images © Hiroyuki Hirai unless otherwise stated.> via Shigeru Ban Architects 

June 13, 20253 min readCould Iran Have Been Close to Making a Nuclear Weapon? Uranium Enrichment ExplainedWhen Israeli aircraft recently struck a uranium-enrichment complex in the nation, Iran could have been days away from achieving “breakout,” the ability to quickly turn “yellowcake” uranium into bomb-grade fuel, with its new high-speed centrifugesBy Deni Ellis Béchard edited by Dean VisserMen work inside of a uranium conversion facility just outside the city of Isfahan, Iran, on March 30, 2005. The facility in Isfahan made hexaflouride gas, which was then enriched by feeding it into centrifuges at a facility in Natanz, Iran. Getty ImagesIn the predawn darkness on Friday local time, Israeli military aircraft struck one of Iran’s uranium-enrichment complexes near the city of Natanz. The warheads aimed to do more than shatter concrete; they were meant to buy time, according to news reports. For months, Iran had seemed to be edging ever closer to “breakout,” the point at which its growing stockpile of partially enriched uranium could be converted into fuel for a nuclear bomb. (Iran has denied that it has been pursuing nuclear weapons development.)But why did the strike occur now? One consideration could involve the way enrichment complexes work. Natural uranium is composed almost entirely of uranium 238, or U-238, an isotope that is relatively “heavy” (meaning it has more neutrons in its nucleus). Only about 0.7 percent is uranium 235 (U-235), a lighter isotope that is capable of sustaining a nuclear chain reaction. That means that in natural uranium, only seven atoms in 1,000 are the lighter, fission-ready U-235; “enrichment” simply means raising the percentage of U-235.U-235 can be used in warheads because its nucleus can easily be split. The International Atomic Energy Agency uses 25 kilograms of contained U-235 as the benchmark amount deemed sufficient for a first-generation implosion bomb. In such a weapon, the U-235 is surrounded by conventional explosives that, when detonated, compress the isotope. A separate device releases a neutron stream. (Neutrons are the neutral subatomic particle in an atom’s nucleus that adds to their mass.) Each time a neutron strikes a U-235 atom, the atom fissions; it divides and spits out, on average, two or three fresh neutrons—plus a burst of energy in the form of heat and gamma radiation. And the emitted neutrons in turn strike other U-235 nuclei, creating a self-sustaining chain reaction among the U-235 atoms that have been packed together into a critical mass. The result is a nuclear explosion. By contrast, the more common isotope, U-238, usually absorbs slow neutrons without splitting and cannot drive such a devastating chain reaction.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.To enrich uranium so that it contains enough U-235, the “yellowcake” uranium powder that comes out of a mine must go through a lengthy process of conversions to transform it from a solid into the gas uranium hexafluoride. First, a series of chemical processes refine the uranium and then, at high temperatures, each uranium atom is bound to six fluorine atoms. The result, uranium hexafluoride, is unusual: below 56 degrees Celsius (132.8 degrees Fahrenheit) it is a white, waxy solid, but just above that temperature, it sublimates into a dense, invisible gas.During enrichment, this uranium hexafluoride is loaded into a centrifuge: a metal cylinder that spins at tens of thousands of revolutions per minute—faster than the blades of a jet engine. As the heavier U-238 molecules drift toward the cylinder wall, the lighter U-235 molecules remain closer to the center and are siphoned off. This new, slightly U-235-richer gas is then put into the next centrifuge. The process is repeated 10 to 20 times as ever more enriched gas is sent through a series of centrifuges.Enrichment is a slow process, but the Iranian government has been working on this for years and already holds roughly 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent U-235. This falls short of the 90 percent required for nuclear weapons. But whereas Iran’s first-generation IR-1 centrifuges whirl at about 63,000 revolutions per minute and do relatively modest work, its newer IR-6 models, built from high-strength carbon fiber, spin faster and produce enriched uranium far more quickly.Iran has been installing thousands of these units, especially at Fordow, an underground enrichment facility built beneath 80 to 90 meters of rock. According to a report released on Monday by the Institute for Science and International Security, the new centrifuges could produce enough 90 percent U-235 uranium for a warhead “in as little as two to three days” and enough for nine nuclear weapons in three weeks—or 19 by the end of the third month.

The raspberry is the edible fruit of a multitude of plant species in the genus Rubus of the rose family, most of which are in the subgenus Idaeobatus. The name also applies to the plant itself. Raspberry plants are perennial with woody stems. It is an aggregate fruit, developing from the numerous distinct carpels of a single flower. Originally occurring in East Asia, the raspberry is now cultivated across northern Europe and North America and is eaten in a variety of ways including as a whole fruit and in preserves, cakes, ice cream and liqueurs. Raspberries are a rich source of vitamin C, manganese, and dietary fiber. Photograph credit: Ivar Leidus Recently featured: Challenger 2 Grey-breasted mountain toucan Auricularia auricula-judae Archive More featured pictures

When we think of an eBike, the form is usually large and clunky with motors whirring to propel us forward when needed – not so with the EIDOLON by Ponomarets. Everything obtrusive and unneeded has been stripped away, leaving a super sleek machine that truly does look and feel like its traditional counterparts in the luxury industry. Elegant German engineering meets material technology innovations in this 9.9 kg (just under 22 lbs) bike, weighing in right around the same, if not a touch beyond comparable traditional bikes. A cut above, the EIDOLON is tough to beat in terms of style, performance, and precision. A carbon fiber frame sets the stage for one of the lightest eBikes on the market. Handcrafted in partnership with All Ahead Composites in Veitshöchheim, Germany, the EIDOLON thoughtfully combines cutting edge components with human artistry. Inspired by classic racing bikes, the form is fluid and fast, showing movement even when stationary. A collaboration with VoyagerCo in Belgium takes this form to the next level, the thoughtful refinement of components and a certain discreet elegance maintaining intrigue and timelessness. For the braking system, Ponomarets worked with Swiss brand 612 Parts and Voyager to create a lightweight yet powerful addition to the EIDOLON. From handling capabilities to overall responsiveness, these brakes are crafted to the highest standards of quality. Exclusively designed for Ponomarets, this brake system features an advanced flatmount design, two-piston functionality, and is equipped with Trickstuff pads and Goodridge hoses. A top consideration is the option of having mechanical shifting or electronic shifting. The electronic shifting option outfits your bike with SRAM RED, top of the line components used by pro racers. The surprising simplicity of SRAM wireless electronic shifting is second to none, and keeps a tidy appearance since it does not require shift cables. Elegance and technical aesthetics are just the beginning with the EIDOLON. In a nod to traditional bike designs of the past, the wiring sits on the outside of the frame, completely serviceable and more importantly, creates the perfect conditions to reduce weight and improve performance. Staying true to their philosophy of honoring the past by retaining the specific choices that have delighted cyclists for decades, all while looking toward the future in terms of material choice and precision machining, the EIDOLON sets a new standard for eBike design going into the future. Ponomarets takes their design philosophy from precision timepieces and luxury cars, embodying the sleek, aerodynamic design choices preferred by these storied industries. Thoughtful, meticulous, and stylish, the brand looks to history in concept, and toward the future in execution. To learn more about the EIDOLON eBike by Ponomarets, please visit ponomarets.com. Imagery courtesy of Ponomarets.