a battery-activated fire. It’s important to note that triggering this can occur easily; merely having coins touch the terminals or the tip of a screwdriver is sufficient to potentially initiate a short circuit. Luckily, there’s a simple precaution you can take to avert this: Cover the terminals with tape.
strange 3D-printing endeavors, you’ll appreciate this tale about a plane powered by electricity that operates with wings made of tissue paper. Aerospace engineer Tom Stanton aimed to construct a 3D-printed aircraft that could be hand-cranked for extended gliding. He drew inspiration from classic wind-up toys that utilize wound rubber bands to rotate the propeller. Similarly, Stanton’s aircraft employs a supercapacitor charged by a hand-cranked generator in merely four seconds.
While vintage toy airplanes are often crafted from balsa wood, Stanton opted for 3D-printed plastic to get his prototype airborne as quickly as possible. The frame of the plane was printed directly onto tissue paper to form the wings, with a carbon fiber rod fastening the wings to the aircraft’s structure. Stanton required a lightweight supercapacitor to retain an electric charge, so he selected a 2.7-volt capacitor with a capacitance of 10 farads, weighing just 3.2 grams. To complete the model, Stanton 3D-printed a plastic bracket for attaching the propeller, supercapacitor, and a micro-brushed motor to the plane.
In practice, the supercapacitor depleted its charge rather swiftly, but that’s acceptable. Its role is to provide the motor with sufficient initial power at launch so that the propeller can elevate the plane and enable it to fly for a considerable duration based solely on aerodynamics. In its optimal test, the plane achieved roughly 45 seconds of uninterrupted flight.
24K-Production/Shutterstock
Build faster with Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 â now $42.97 for a limited time with AI-powered coding tools.
Becoming more eco-friendly isn’t complicated or expensive. In fact, simple low-waste kitchen swaps help me feel less overwhelmed and save money over time.
**Tim Cook Contemplates Leadership and Legacy at Apple**
During a recent town hall gathering at the Steve Jobs Theater, Tim Cook spoke to Apple employees following the announcement of his imminent shift from CEO to Chairman, effective September 1. His successor, John Ternus, was also in attendance, marking a pivotal moment in Apple’s leadership narrative.
Cook seized the moment to reflect on his time at the helm, showcasing both significant accomplishments and noteworthy errors. Among the latter, he recognized the rollout of Apple Maps as his “first truly major mistake.” He honestly confessed that the product was ill-prepared for launch, stating, “The product wasn’t ready, and we thought it was because we were testing more of local kind of stuff.” This acknowledgment highlights the difficulties Apple encountered during the introduction of a service aimed at rivaling established mapping platforms.
In spite of this misstep, Cook asserted that the catalog of errors made under his leadership would be “extraordinary in length.” However, he pointed out that Apple has largely steered clear of the product recalls and cancellations that have plagued other technology companies in the consumer electronics sector over the last 15 years. He characterized the Apple Maps experience as ultimately beneficial, offering lessons that have shaped the company’s strategy in product development.
On a brighter note, Cook recounted one of his most esteemed moments: receiving an email from a user whose life was preserved by the Apple Watch. He stated that this experience resonated deeply with him, even as he now regularly receives similar messages. This story exemplifies the significant influence Apple’s products can have on users’ lives and underscores Cook’s dedication to innovation that prioritizes user health.
In closing, Cook’s insights during the town hall illuminated his leadership path while also paving the way for Ternus as he gets ready to steer Apple into its forthcoming chapter. Cook’s focus on learning from previous mistakes and acknowledging user impact will likely keep shaping Apple’s corporate ethos and product philosophy in the future. For more information, the complete report is available on Bloomberg.
The inaugural F1 Grand Prix in the United States for the 2026 season is set for May 3 in Miami. To prepare for this occasion, Apple is improving the Apple Maps experience with a robust F1 feature that encompasses immersive 3D landmarks, thorough racetrack details, and navigation support.
This effort is part of a larger partnership between Apple Maps and Formula 1, which began earlier this year with the rollout of an in-depth F1 experience for the Qatar Airways Australian Grand Prix. Apple has signaled intentions to broaden this feature to more races throughout the season.
The Miami Grand Prix experience on Apple Maps highlights significant spots within the Miami International Autodrome, showcasing 3D models of important structures like grandstands, The Marina, and the Finish Line. Importantly, there exists a detailed 3D depiction of the Pit Building, complete with race cars.
Users can retrieve detailed data about the racetrack, including particulars on curb striping and turns. Furthermore, Apple Maps has assembled multiple guides for fans attending the Miami Grand Prix in person. “A Local’s Guide to Miami F1 Race Week” presents suggestions for dining and shopping in the vicinity, while the “Hyperlocal F1 Miami Race Week Spots” guide focuses on places near the racetrack.
For event attendees, Apple Maps will furnish crucial navigation details for the Miami International Autodrome, including information about gates, race entrances, bridges, restrooms, and water stations.
Additionally, beginning this year, Apple TV subscribers can watch all F1 races at no extra charge, improving the viewing experience for fans.
This amalgamation of Apple Maps with the F1 experience not only enhances the event for participants but also underscores Apple’s dedication to delivering innovative and immersive experiences for sports enthusiasts.
Tesla vehicles with the company’s Hardware 3 (HW3) computer actually won’t receive unsupervised Full Self-Driving (FSD), CEO Elon Musk said on Wednesday’s Q1 2026 earnings call. Approximately 4 million Tesla vehicles operate on the HW3 platform, meaning that a significant chunk of Tesla owners – including customers that paid for the feature when they bought […]
X’s AI-powered custom timelines are replacing Communities, with Grok-curated feeds…and new ad slots.
The admission could open Tesla to legal challenges after it spent years promising customers they were just one software update away from owning fully autonomous cars.
Google has introduced a host of new automated functions into Workspace, all of which are driven by Workspace Intelligence, its new AI system.
