Technology

NASA Awards $1.5 Million at Watts on the Moon Challenge Finale

Published

3 months ago

September 20, 2024

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — NASA has awarded a total of $1.5 million to two U.S. teams for their novel technology solutions addressing energy distribution, management, and storage as part of the agency’s Watts on the Moon Challenge. The innovations from this challenge aim to support NASA’s Artemis missions, which will establish long-term human presence on the Moon.

This two-phase competition has challenged U.S. innovators to develop breakthrough power transmission and energy storage technologies that could enable long-duration Moon missions to advance the nation’s lunar exploration goals. The final phase of the challenge concluded with a technology showcase and winners’ announcement ceremony Friday at Great Lakes Science Center, home of the visitor center for NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland.

“Congratulations to the finalist teams for developing impactful power solutions in support of NASA’s goal to sustain human presence on the Moon,” said Kim Krome-Sieja, acting program manager for NASA Centennial Challenges at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. “These technologies seek to improve our ability to explore and make discoveries in space and could have implications for improving power systems on Earth.”

The winning teams are:

First prize ($1 million): High Efficiency Long-Range Power Solution of Santa Barbara, CaliforniaSecond prize ($500,000): Orbital Mining Corporation of Golden, Colorado

Four teams were invited to refine their hardware and deliver full system prototypes in the final stage of the competition, and three finalist teams completed their technology solutions for demonstration and assessment at NASA Glenn. The technologies were the first power transmission and energy storage prototypes to be tested by NASA in a vacuum chamber mimicking the freezing temperature and absence of pressure found at the permanently shadowed regions of the Lunar South Pole. The simulation required the teams’ power systems to demonstrate operability over six hours of solar daylight and 18 hours of darkness with the user three kilometers (nearly two miles) away from the power source.

During this competition stage, judges scored the finalists’ solutions based on a Total Effective System Mass (TESM) calculation, which measures the effectiveness of the system relative to its size and weight – or mass – and the total energy provided by the power source. The highest-performing solution was identified based on having the lowest TESM value – imitating the challenges that space missions face when attempting to reduce mass while meeting the mission’s electrical power needs.

Team H.E.L.P.S. (High Efficiency Long-Range Power Solution) from University of California, Santa Barbara, won the grand prize for their hardware solution, which had the lowest mass and highest efficiency of all competitors. The technology also featured a special cable operating at 800 volts and an innovative use of energy storage batteries on both ends of the transmission system. They also employed a variable radiation shield to switch between conserving heat during cold periods and disposing of excess heat during high power modes. The final 48-hour test proved their system design effectively met the power transmission, energy storage, and thermal challenges in the final phase of competition.

Orbital Mining Corporation, a space technology startup, received the second prize for its hardware solution that also successfully completed the 48-hour test with high performance. They employed a high-voltage converter system coupled with a low-mass cable and a lithium-ion battery.

“The energy solutions developed by the challenge teams are poised to address NASA’s space technology priorities,” said Amy Kaminski, program executive for Prizes, Challenges, and Crowdsourcing in NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “These solutions support NASA’s recently ranked civil space shortfalls, including in the top category of surviving and operating through the lunar night.”

During the technology showcase and winners’ announcement ceremony, NASA experts, media, and members of the public gathered to see the finalist teams’ technologies and hear perspectives from the teams’ participation in the challenge. After the winners were announced, event attendees were also welcome to meet NASA astronaut Stephen Bowen.

The Watts on the Moon Challenge is a NASA Centennial Challenge led by NASA Glenn. NASA Marshall Space Flight Center manages Centennial Challenges, which are part of the agency’s Prizes, Challenges, and Crowdsourcing program in the Space Technology Mission Directorate. NASA contracted HeroX to support the administration of this challenge.

For more information on NASA’s Watts on the Moon Challenge, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/wattson

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SOURCE NASA

Technology

New Generation Centralized Control System Promotes “Integrated Operation Monitoring”

Published

9 minutes ago

December 26, 2024

BORTALA, China, Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — On December 26, personnel at the monitoring operation and maintenance center of the State Grid Bortala Power Supply Company were conducting acceptance testing for the new generation centralized control system. The company is actively promoting the application of this new system to facilitate “integrated operation monitoring” and enhance the risk management capabilities and equipment refinement levels of the power grid.

The new generation centralized control system serves as a technical support system for monitoring the operational status and fault defects of grid equipment. It acts as the “eyes” and “hands” for managing the operation of power grid equipment. Compared with the old Open3000 system, it optimizes the human-machine interface, refines system functions, and achieves comprehensive awareness of equipment status, defect detection, and proactive early warning, thereby providing efficient information processing capabilities to ensure that monitoring personnel can supervise equipment operation in real time.

During the system construction process, the company actively adapts to changes in production models, scientifically formulates project timelines, and deepens new operation and maintenance management models, such as “unattended + centralized monitoring” and “equipment owner + general practitioner.” This enhances the construction of the new centralized monitoring system and the integration of substation sites, providing comprehensive and robust monitoring support for the reliable operation of the Bortala power grid.

Up to now, the company has completed the construction of the main station of the new generation centralized control system, software and hardware debugging, graphic drawing and other tasks, as well as the station-end access of the new generation centralized control system for 54 substations, the entry of monitoring information into the database, and the forwarding of the front-end data of the new generation centralized control system within the centralized control range. The company carries out the orderly supplementation of monitoring information points for access devices and the verification of remote control information at substations.

In the next step, the company will actively explore digital transformation, strengthen modern team construction, and innovate practices in intelligent monitoring and business collaboration, all aimed at advancing the construction of modern centralized control stations to ensure the safe and stable operation of equipment.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/new-generation-centralized-control-system-promotes-integrated-operation-monitoring-302339181.html

SOURCE State Grid Bortala Power Supply Company

Technology

BC.GAME Launches Monkey King-Themed Slot Game Wukong

Published

9 minutes ago

December 26, 2024

NICOSIA, Cyprus, Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — BC.GAME has launched its latest slot game, Wukong, inspired by the highly acclaimed Black Myth: Wukong, a groundbreaking AAA game that has captivated players worldwide. Officially released on December 24, this 6-reel, 5-row slot game allows players to experience the essence of Wukong’s legendary journey while aiming for rewards of up to 10,000 times their bet.

The game incorporates iconic symbols and elements from Black Myth: Wukong, such as the Ruyi staff, gourd bottles, and treasure pearls, designed to recreate the mythical atmosphere of the original story. The addition of the Sticky Symbols feature enhances gameplay by keeping special symbols locked in place during free spins, significantly increasing the chances of winning and unlocking larger rewards.

Dark Visual Design and Storytelling Behind Wukong

The visual design of Wukong draws from traditional Chinese art styles, blending elements from Journey to the West. The reels are filled with recognizable symbols like the Ruyi staff, gourd bottles, and treasure pearls. These symbols immerse players in the mythical world of the story, faithfully recreating key moments from the novel, such as Sun Wukong’s havoc in Heaven and his encounters with the White Bone Demon.

The game’s background is rooted in Journey to the West, where Sun Wukong embarks on a journey with the monk Tang Seng and his companions to obtain sacred scriptures. Each detail of the game is carefully crafted to bring this legendary tale to life, offering a unique gaming experience and a tribute to Chinese culture and mythology.

Key Features of the Wukong Slot Game:

Free Spins and Bonus Opportunities: Triggering free spins unlocks additional reward mechanisms, increasing the chances of landing big wins.

Sticky Symbols Feature: Special symbols remain in place during free spins, greatly enhancing winning potential.

Up to 10,000x Max Win: The game offers a maximum payout of up to 10,000 times the bet, providing significant winning opportunities.

“Wukong is not just about spinning reels; it’s about experiencing a rich part of Chinese culture. We’ve worked hard to ensure the game is stunning and fun and engaging for players, with layers of features that add excitement. We’re proud to offer a game that blends storytelling with gameplay, and we think players will love the journey through Wukong’s legendary world,” Jack Dorset, CEO of BC.GAME said.

About BC.GAME

BC.GAME is a leading online gaming platform that integrates blockchain technology and cryptocurrency into its casino games, by offering a secure, transparent, and decentralized experience, BC.GAME allows players to enjoy a variety of gaming options, including slots, table games, and live casino offerings. The platform is dedicated to providing players with exciting, fair, and innovative ways to engage with the world of gaming. citing, fair, and innovative ways to engage with the world of gaming.

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SOURCE BC.GAME

Technology

Infidigit Welcomes Pinaki Gupta as an Advisor to Foster Leadership and Drive Strategic Growth

Published

1 hour ago

December 26, 2024

MUMBAI, India, Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Infidigit, an AI-enabled digital growth partner known for delivering exceptional results in SEO, CRO, and digital growth, welcomes Pinaki Gupta as Director – Strategy and Oversight. Pinaki’s vast experience in driving business transformation and fostering innovation will be instrumental in shaping Infidigit’s strategic direction and positioning the organisation for long-term success.

With a career spanning global enterprises such as Tata Interactive Systems and MPS Interactive and as the founder of Pisarto, a prominent home decor marketplace, Pinaki has consistently driven innovation and growth. His expertise will play a pivotal role in further scaling Infidigit’s vision and helping it explore untapped opportunities in the dynamic digital marketing ecosystem.

Sharing his thoughts, Pinaki Gupta, said, “Infidigit’s rise as a leader in digital marketing has been remarkable. Kaushal and his team have built an organisation with a strong culture of innovation and performance that truly sets them apart. I am excited to join Infidigit as an Advisor to bring a new perspective and help evaluate business opportunities and accelerate their growth journey. Together, we will focus on building strategic frameworks that ensure Infidigit continues to thrive in an evolving digital-first world.”

Kaushal Thakkar, Founder and Managing Director of Infidigit, said, “Pinaki and I share a long and fruitful professional history, during which I’ve consistently been impressed by his incisive strategic mind. His knack for challenging the status quo and driving transformative change makes him an ideal fit for Infidigit’s ambitious growth trajectory. We’re excited to leverage his mentorship as we reach new heights, fortify our leadership team, and continue delivering exceptional results for our clients.”

Infidigit, under Kaushal Thakkar’s leadership, has consistently set benchmarks in SEO, CRO, and digital growth strategies. With over 100 award-winning campaigns, Infidigit has delivered measurable results across industries. Pinaki’s addition to the leadership team further strengthens its mission of combining innovation, leadership, and performance to help businesses grow sustainably.

About Infidigit:

Infidigit, an AI-enabled digital growth partner, empowers top brands to achieve impactful results through SEO, ASO, CRO, and data-driven digital strategies. At the forefront of AI innovation in marketing, Infidigit is developing a SaaS product to further simplify SEO. With a proven track record of measurable success, Infidigit partners with startups, MSMEs, and enterprises across diverse industries, enabling them to thrive in the digital-first economy. Their commitment to excellence is underscored by over 100 award-winning campaigns recognized by prestigious platforms such as the SMX, APAC Search Awards, ET BrandEquity Shark Awards, Sparkies and Exchange4Media IDMA. Infidigit continues to set new standards in digital marketing, driving sustainable growth and unparalleled success for its clients.

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