“We wanted to prove that we could run trains faster over conventional rail and gather technical and operating data. We didn’t think we were making history.”
— Don Wetzel, former engineer at New York Central Railroad
1. THE JET SET
Individual jet-powered travel could soon rock your world. Two recent developments:
- A jet-powered “sky taxi” for one that has recently taken flight in Dubai
- The first jet-powered mobility scooter, built at home by a man in Britain — and capable of hitting speeds up to 120 mph
Not too shabby for a technology that truly took off around WWII — and keeps turning heads. For example, a train (powered by GE jet engines) that broke the record for the world’s fastest jet-powered train in 1966 still holds the title of the world’s fastest self-propelled locomotive. And the world’s largest jet engine, another GE creation that will soon power commercial flights, is more powerful than America’s first manned space rocket.
Next up: a commercially available jet pack (that doesn’t cost $250,000, please).
2. THE SCARY TRUTH ABOUT SNORING
Snore much? Sleep apnea might be the cause. It blocks the airways and causes sleepers to temporarily stop breathing — as well as waking them up throughout the night — which can lead to memory and attention problems.
But Australia's Oventus has 3D-printed a solution that might be the stuff of dreams. Its prototype treatment called O2Vent includes a titanium mouthguard with an air channel nestled in a plastic liner. Each device can be custom-designed from a unique scan of the patient’s mouth. It's reportedly more comfortable than the standard treatment (a mask and air pump combo). Plus, it actually works: “Obstructed breathing events” are reduced by as much as 78%, according to a study.
Another benefit of the device’s 3D-printed process: It was cheaper and faster to develop. But sleep apnea sufferers and those who sleep near them probably agree: A good night’s sleep is priceless.
3. FUN AVIATION NEWS THIS WEEK
The aviation industry is experimenting with new ways of flying — but they might not be all passengers’ cup of tea.
- A new UBS report says pilotless planes could take to the skies by 2025. The report also claims that this autonomous flying technology could save the industry $35 billion — and cut the cost of airfare by 10% for you.
- A glider (that’s a plane with no engine!) just tried to fly higher than any plane has flown before — over 90,000 feet.
Will pilotless or engineless flight soon be de rigeur? Maybe not tomorrow, but testing the limits of aviation in these ways will be good in the long run to help us travel faster, longer and more efficiently.
4. THE POWER OF TEQUILA
Mexico has major energy needs, with demand projected to grow 85% by 2040. Rural areas, in particular, need an upgrade. Power plants in the country are spread out, making energy transfer beyond state capitals difficult and expensive, like in the tequila-making state of Jalisco, where only 11% of the energy used to power factories comes from power plants located nearby.
But a new deregulation plan from the Mexican government is aiming to make energy more accessible. Among the solutions: Efficient GE turbines will power two natural gas-fired plants, with one plant in Guadalajara (Jalisco’s capital) estimated to power 2.8 million homes. The turbines are also speedy: They get to full power in just 10 minutes (versus the typical 20), which will help Mexico’s power grid respond more quickly to the ebb and flow of renewable energy.
More supply means a boost to the Mexican economy, but the U.S.-made turbines also support more than 10,000 jobs north of the border.
ASK GE
Monika from Mumbai, India asks,
Given that the legacy asset base cannot be replaced altogether, how do we retrofit existing systems to take advantage of advanced technologies falling under the purview of Industry 4.0?
Answer:
Strategically, it makes sense to enlist a single trusted and credible service provider to help upgrade, manage, modernize and digitalize your existing assets. GE is able to look at power stations on a holistic level to determine the best available solutions and approaches to improve plant availability, efficiency and reliability and integrate digital solutions to enhance plant operations and maintenance capabilities.
— Eric Gray, general manager of Gas Plants at GE’s Power Services Business
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Images: GE Power, Oventus, iStock, Getty Images