The Homeland Defense (HD) Digest is a curated bi-weekly news summary from worldwide sources, showing headlines of innovative, emerging technologies in HDIAC's eight focus areas.

HDIAC ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Webinars – Nuclear Power for the Modern Grid - HDIAC

Join HDIAC on Wednesday, June 24, from 1200 to 1300 EDT for our next webinar presentation. Electric power production in the United States faces challenges on several fronts. This includes the near-term retirement of aging coal-fired power plants, grid stability challenges arising from increased penetration of variable power generators, regional energy imbalances, and the need for more carbon-free power to meet government mandates. The reliability and resilience of power production systems are also gaining attention and thought must be given to hardening power generation systems against natural events such as severe weather events and the potential for man-made events such as aircraft impact, cybersecurity attacks, or electro-magnetic pulses. This webinar explores nuclear power and small modular reactors and discusses associated implementation challenges as part the US transformation to a 21st century power grid.

RECENT HEADLINES:

Airflow Launches eSTOL Electric Cargo Aircraft - AINonline

Airflow, a startup launched by five former members of Airbus's Vahana eVTOL aircraft development team, today announced plans to build an electric-powered short takeoff and landing aircraft (eSTOL) to be used for cargo operations. The California-based company said it can get the fixed-wing aircraft into production and certified under FAA Part 23 rules by 2025.

WSU Researchers Advance Fuel Cell Technology - WSU

Washington State University researchers have made a key advance in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC's) that could make the highly energy-efficient and low-polluting technology a more viable alternative to gasoline combustion engines for powering cars.

Loss of Taste and Smell is Best Indicator of COVID-19, Study Shows - Harvard

Though fever, cough, and shortness of breath are the symptoms most commonly associated with COVID-19 infection, a recent study in which 2.6 million people used a smartphone app to log their symptoms daily showed that the most oddball pair of indicators loss of smell and taste was also the best predictor, and one that scientists said should be included in screening guidelines.

Researchers Study Alternative Training Tools to Improve Soldier Performance - ARL

As the U.S. Army revamps its small arms training and raises rifle qualification standards, researchers are studying alternative training and tools to help improve Soldier performance.

Hangar Foam: A Solution Looking for a Problem? - AINonline

For FBO's, OEM's, and other hangar keepers, the inadvertent discharge of fire foam systems is a persistent and growing problem. Nearly everyone has seen photos taken in the aftermath of one of these events a hangar filled with a thick layer of foam that can reach 10 feet high, spilling out on to the ramp in some cases.

Scientists ‘Re-Train’ Immune System to Prevent Attack of Healthy Cells - Medical Xpress

The body's immune system can be re-wired to prevent it from recognizing its own proteins which, when attacked by the body, can cause autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, a significant new study by UK scientists has found.

Universal Virus Detection Platform to Expedite Viral Diagnosis - ScienceDaily

The prompt, precise, and massive detection of a virus is the key to combat infectious diseases such as Covid-19. A new viral diagnostic strategy using reactive polymer-grafted, double-stranded RNAs will serve as a pre-screening tester for a wide range of viruses with enhanced sensitivity.

Touchless Biometrics from Princeton Identity Expanded to Support College and University Re-Opening - Biometric Update

Princeton Identity is expanding its portfolio of touchless face and iris biometric technologies for the university market to provide a fast, safe and convenient way to provide high-assurance access to students, staff, and employees.

Energy Investing: Exploring Risk and Return in the Capital Markets - Imperial College Business School

Going into the COVID-19 crisis, the trend towards renewable power was accelerating. Renewables accounted for nearly two-thirds of additions to the power sector last year and renewable power capacity had been increasing at over 8% annually over the past 10 years. Yet, despite enormous advances in the cost-competitiveness of renewables over the past decade, investments in clean energy are still falling short of the level needed to put the world's energy system on a sustainable path.

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