The Download: faking blood and the future of batteries

In February 2007, a US military helicopter transporting blood to a field hospital in Iraq was shot down, killing all seven crew members. This incident highlighted the risks of transporting blood, which has a limited shelf life and is often scarce in combat zones. To address this, the US military launched a $73 million project with DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) to develop shelf-stable versions of blood products like plasma, platelets, and red blood cells. The goal is to create dried blood products that can be stored for long periods and quickly deployed on battlefields. Researchers aim to have these dried blood products ready for use by 2029. However, significant challenges remain, particularly regarding the safety and effectiveness of synthetic alternatives. The project underscores the military's push to improve medical logistics and reduce risks associated with blood supply chains in high-risk environments.

WeLion New Energy, a Chinese company, is developing a new type of battery called semi-solid-state batteries to improve electric vehicles (EVs), boats, and drones. These batteries combine liquid and solid components to offer higher energy density than traditional lithium-ion batteries, meaning they can store more energy in the same amount of space. In 2023, WeLion collaborated with EV manufacturer Nio to release a battery pack with a range of over 1,000 kilometers (621 miles). The company is now working on even higher energy density batteries. However, scaling up production and competing on cost remain major hurdles. Semi-solid-state batteries are designed to be safer, as they reduce the risk of fires compared to lithium-ion batteries, which have been prone to overheating and combustion.

Drugmakers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, which produce popular GLP-1 drugs (a class of medications for weight loss), claim that these drugs may slow biological aging. Their findings are based on molecular aging clocks, which track changes in DNA or levels of key proteins to measure how quickly a person is aging. The companies suggest that GLP-1 drugs could be acting on fundamental causes of aging, potentially making them true longevity treatments. However, the extent to which these results can be relied upon is still unclear. This research adds to growing speculation about the broader health benefits of weight-loss drugs beyond their primary use. The findings have been featured in an MIT Technology Review Narrated podcast, which explores scientific topics in audio format.

The FBI arrested an OpenAI engineer in 2024 for allegedly planting a covert recording device in his US workplace. The engineer, a Saudi national, is accused of using a small, inexpensive camera-and-microphone tool (sold online for $13.99) to record conversations. The device was reportedly discovered plugged into a TV’s USB port. The engineer allegedly used chatbots to plan the covert recording. OpenAI stated that its AI models helped identify the employee’s suspicious behavior. This incident highlights potential security risks in tech workplaces and the role of AI in detecting unusual activities. The case raises questions about employee monitoring and the ethical use of AI in workplace surveillance.

In 2024, Ukrainian drones targeted Russia’s largest data center, though Sberbank, a major Russian bank, claimed its systems were not disrupted. The attack caused turmoil in Russia, but it did not stop Russian bot farms (automated accounts used to spread disinformation) from continuing their operations. The strikes reflect Ukraine’s use of drones in modern warfare, a trend that Europe is also exploring for future conflicts. The incident underscores the growing role of drones in cyber warfare and the challenges of defending critical infrastructure against such attacks. It also highlights the ongoing digital conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

New trials of GLP-1 drugs (originally developed for weight loss) are being tested to treat brain disorders such as addiction and depression. These drugs work by mimicking a hormone that regulates appetite and metabolism, but researchers are exploring their potential effects on the brain. However, the side effects of GLP-1 drugs are still not fully understood, and their use for brain disorders is still experimental. The trials represent a shift in how these medications might be repurposed to address mental health conditions. This research is part of a broader effort to understand the full range of benefits and risks associated with GLP-1 drugs.

Tesla’s robotaxis (self-driving taxis) have been accused of speeding in school zones, prompting a review by US regulators. The claims suggest that Tesla’s autonomous vehicles may not be fully compliant with local traffic laws. In a separate incident, Tesla’s security features reportedly thwarted a federal attempt to track one of its vehicles. These developments highlight the ongoing challenges of regulating autonomous vehicles and ensuring their safety in real-world conditions. The incidents also raise questions about the effectiveness of Tesla’s security features and their ability to prevent unauthorized tracking or misuse.

Since 2025, at least 13 joint agreements have been signed between US defense startups and Taiwanese companies to build drones that avoid reliance on Chinese components. This collaboration aims to reduce vulnerabilities in the supply chain for military drones, particularly in light of geopolitical tensions with China. Taiwan’s role in semiconductor manufacturing has earned it the nickname silicon shield, but some experts warn that this advantage may be weakening. The partnerships reflect a strategic effort to secure critical technologies and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers in the defense sector.

A war game simulating a solar geoengineering scenario exposed the risks of an arms race focused on dimming the sun. Solar geoengineering involves techniques to reflect sunlight away from Earth to combat climate change, but the exercise revealed disagreements over rules and governance. The game highlighted the potential for conflicts over who controls such technologies and how they are deployed. Geoengineering also faces practical challenges, including the difficulty of predicting long-term effects on global weather patterns. The exercise underscores the need for international cooperation and regulation in this emerging field.