New power source
https://techxplore.com/news/2025-05-scientists-gen-energy-storage-technologies.html

Folks with passions like that are treated as curiosities or distractions by governments and businesses both.

Let me guess–the folks over him indulged him only a tad–with some amusement–but never fully backed him on anything major.

These are the folks Gates and Buffett need to give their billions to–not overseas.

It is rare to see folks with a passion have any kind of bank. Elon might be a one off.

Had I wealth, I would “collect” people like your friend…fund them.

If something works–fine–if it doesn’t–fine.

Thanks for the links. Jeff’s third one reminds me of a guy I used to know who would host parties he, somewhat tongue-in-cheek, called “Bismuth Booster Banquets.” He was of the opinion that bismuth, as an element, was criminally underutilized in industry.

“Alloy design model offers faster, more accurate predictions by factoring in material defects.”
by Moneesh Upmanyu at Northeastern University

“A printable aluminum alloy system that can balance strength and cost in the automotive industry.”

“Revolution in friction A way to make super-smooth materials” out of the University of Lodz.
Bismuth slides in straight lines on carbon..

“Tiny thermal sensor shows how molecules can mute heat like music.”

All at phys,org

https://spaceflightnow.com/2025/05/07/vast-to-complete-haven-1-primary-structure-in-july-2025-ahead-of-target-may-2026-launch-date/

The dates were already known, but the article goes into quite a bit of detail on Vast’s current plans.