3D Printing In Aerospace And Defense Market Study Report (2020-2028), Competitive Analysis, Proposal Strategy, Potential Targets, Assessment And…

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3D Printing In Aerospace And Defense Market is analyzed with industry experts in mind to maximize return on investment by providing clear information needed for informed business decisions. This research will help both established and new entrants to identify and analyze market needs, market size and competition. It explains the supply and demand situation, the competitive scenario, and the challenges for market growth, market opportunities and the threats faced by key players.

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A 360 degree outline of the competitive scenario of the Global 3D Printing In Aerospace And Defense Market is presented by Quince Market Insights. It has a massive data allied to the recent product and technological developments in the markets.

It has a wide-ranging analysis of the impact of these advancements on the markets future growth, wide-ranging analysis of these extensions on the markets future growth. The research report studies the market in a detailed manner by explaining the key facets of the market that are foreseeable to have a countable stimulus on its developing extrapolations over the forecast period.

Companies Covered:Stratasys, 3D Systems, Arcam Group, Renishaw, ExOne, Optomec, SLM Solutions, EnvisionTEC, VoxelJet AG, SciakyInc, EOS e-Manufacturing Solutions

Table of Contents:

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Market Segmentation: By product Type (Metal, Polymer, Ceramic, Others), By end user (Civil Aviation, Military Aviation, Spacecraft, other)

A detailed outline of the Global 3D Printing In Aerospace And Defense Market includes a comprehensive analysis of different verticals of businesses. North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America have been considered for the studies on the basis of several terminologies.

This is anticipated to drive the Global 3D Printing In Aerospace And Defense Market over the forecast period. This research report covers the market landscape and its progress prospects in the near future. After studying key companies, the report focuses on the new entrants contributing to the growth of the market. Most companies in the Global 3D Printing In Aerospace And Defense Market are currently adopting new technological trends in the market.

Finally, the researchers throw light on different ways to discover the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats affecting the growth of the Global 3D Printing In Aerospace And Defense Market. The feasibility of the new report is also measured in this research report.

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3D Printing In Aerospace And Defense Market Study Report (2020-2028), Competitive Analysis, Proposal Strategy, Potential Targets, Assessment And...

Military Aerospace Coatings Market Report 2020 | Industry Size, Share, Trend And Forecast Is A Professional And In-Depth Study By 2027 – Levee Report

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The latest study on the Military Aerospace Coatings market presented by Reports and Data provides comprehensive information about the market size and market trends, along with factors impacting the market. The study offers a panoramic view and insights into the market along with a detailed outline of key outcomes of the industry. This information assists the businesses and companies in making strategic business decisions and formulating profitable plans to improve profitability and business. The study provides beneficial help to venture capitalists to understand other companies better and to boost the decision-making process. The report also provides extensive profiles of key competitors operating in the market.

COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on the world and has brought about an economic slowdown. The report covers an impact analysis of the COVID-19 crisis on the overall industry. The report provides an in-depth analysis of the changing dynamics of the market and emerging trends and demands due to the pandemic. It also offers a current and future impact estimation of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Get a sample of the report @ https://www.reportsanddata.com/sample-enquiry-form/1922

The dominant and slow-growing market segments are also analyzed in the report to provide a complete understanding of each key segment of the market. Emerging market players are also profiled in the report, along with their transition in the market. Strategic alliances such as mergers and acquisitions, product launches, joint ventures, collaborations, partnerships, agreements, and government deals are anticipated to change the market landscape and are included in the report. The report also provides quantitative and qualitative analysis and statistical data for the forecast period.

Key players of the market mentioned in the report are:

PPG Industries, Inc., Evonik Industries AG, The Sherwin-Williams Company, AkzoNobel N.V, Hentzen Coatings, Inc, Creative Coatings Co., Inc., Hentzen Coatings

Research Methodology:

The research report is formulated by extensive primary and secondary research gathered by the research analysts. The data is further validated and verified by industry experts and have assisted in compiling the parametric estimations of the market for a comprehensive study. The competitive landscape data is provided by SWOT analysis of each market player along with feasibility analysis, investment return analysis, and Porters Five Forces analysis.

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The report provides a market forecast for each of the segments of the industry, such as product types and end-user applications.

Aircraft Type Outlook (Volume, Kilo Tons; and Revenue, USD Million; 2016-2026)

Resin Outlook (Volume, Kilo Tons; and Revenue, USD Million; 2016-2026)

End User Outlook (Volume, Kilo Tons; and Revenue, USD Million; 2016-2026)

Technology Outlook (Volume, Kilo Tons; and Revenue, USD Million; 2016-2026)

The research for the Military Aerospace Coatings market based on global and regional analysis is an astute process of collecting and organizing the statistical data related to the services and products offered in the Military Aerospace Coatings market. The research provides an insight to better understand the needs and wants of the targeted consumer audience. The report also provides an analysis of how efficient the company is to achieve the set targets. The research report is compiled using customer insights, marketing strategies, competitive landscape analysis, and overall growth trends of the market. The Military Aerospace Coatings industry is consolidated by several new players entering the market.

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Regional Bifurcation of the Market: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa.

Key offerings of the Global Military Aerospace Coatings Market Report:

To get the Report Description and TOC, visit @ https://www.reportsanddata.com/report-detail/military-aerospace-coatings-market

Thank you for reading our report. For further information or query regarding customization, kindly get in touch with us. Our team will make sure the report is customized according to your needs.

David is an Experience Business writer who regularly contributes to the blog, He specializes in manufacturing news

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ERP software in Aerospace (Helicopter) Industry Market Size, Application, Revenue, Types, Trends in Future, Scope to 2025 – Express Journal

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According to new Recent report on ERP software in Aerospace (Helicopter) Industry Market Size by Application (Commercial andCivil), By Types (On-premise ERP andCloud ERP), By Regional Outlook - Global Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook, Growth Potential, Price Trend, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2020 2027

The research report on ERP software in Aerospace (Helicopter) Industry market comprises of an in-depth analysis of this business vertical, while evaluating all the segments of this industry landscape. The report provides with key insights regarding the competitive ambit as well as gross earnings of key market players. Moreover, the information concerning the regional contribution and the competitive landscape of the market is cited in the report.

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The COVID-19 pandemic has compelled various governments to impose strict lockdown which in turn has halted the operations and processes of several firms as well as manufacturing facilities, thereby affecting global economy. Additionally, numerous enterprises across the globe are witnessing scarcity of labor along with insufficient raw materials owing to the disease outbreak, which is estimated to result in modification in the growth of ERP software in Aerospace (Helicopter) Industry market in the forthcoming years.

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ERP software in Aerospace (Helicopter) Industry Market Size, Application, Revenue, Types, Trends in Future, Scope to 2025 - Express Journal

In memoriam: Kwang-Tzu Yang, professor emeritus of aerospace and mechanical engineering – ND Newswire

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Kwang-Tzu Yang

Kwang-Tzu Yang, professor emeritus of aerospace and mechanical engineering at the University of Notre Dame, died in his home Wednesday, July 29.

He will be remembered by his students and colleagues for his joy, his genuine smile and his significant contributions to the field of thermal sciences. An article in the International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, celebrating his 80th birthday and numerous accomplishments, described his approach to life: Yet to him it is all simply a search for understanding and a part of the unity of knowledgeand he is always looking for new ways of stimulating the interest of his audience and of getting them to participate in the quest for understanding.

Yang was born in Suzhou, China, in 1926 and came to the United States in 1948 to attend the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. While there, he earned his bachelors degree in 1951, masters degree in 1952 and completed his Ph.D. in 1955 under the supervision of Max Jakob, physicist and pioneer in the field of thermal heat transfer.

Soon after receiving his doctorate, he joined the Notre Dame faculty of the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering. He was promoted to professor in 1963, served as department chair from 1967 to 1978 and was appointed the Viola D. Hank Professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering in 1986.

He received numerous honors for his contributions to the heat transfer community, including senior editorship of the Journal of Heat Transfer, North American editorship of the International Journal of Experimental Thermodynamics and Fluid Flow, Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineering (ASME), the ASME Heat Transfer Memorial Award and the Foreign Research Award of the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineering. He also received the prestigious lifetime achievement award the Max Jakob Heat Transfer Memorial Award named for his mentor.

When he retired from Notre Dame in 1998, Yang had graduated a total of 31 Ph.D. students. Since he did not believe in a restful retirement, he continued to serve as a guest lecturer at many leading universities throughout Asia, to enjoy his children and grandchildren and to fill his seat as a member of the viola section of the South Bend Symphony.

Early in his career Joseph M. Powers, professor of aerospace and mechanical engineering, worked with Yang on several projects and committees. I learned a lot from K.T. Yang and thoroughly enjoyed our interactions, Powers said. He influenced generations of students and faculty at Notre Dame. His wisdom, leadership and scholarship were always leavened with wit, kindness and charity.

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In memoriam: Kwang-Tzu Yang, professor emeritus of aerospace and mechanical engineering - ND Newswire

TT Electronics receives grant to further aerospace innova… – evertiq.com

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TT ElectronicsElectronics Production | August 07, 2020

TT Electronics will receive Innovate UK funding for furthering innovation in the nations civil aerospace industry. These funds have been awarded to participants in the Aerospace Electric Propulsion Equipment, Controls & machines (AEPEC) project led by Safran. The project also brings together 3T PRD, MEP, Midland Tool and Design and the University of Bristol as part of the consortium being supported by Innovate UK.Over the next five years, TT will receive an overall award of GBP 620,157 with the majority funded within the next three. The grant will be allocated primarily to support and accelerate the development of more electric aircraft via the companys integrated power electronics solutions designed specifically for deployment in propulsion and control system applications.TT is firmly committed to ensuring we play our part in creating and supporting the future of the Aerospace and Defence industry. This Innovate UK recognition supports our pledge to advance industry progress with more electric aircraft an initiative that is of critical environmental importance, especially over the next few years, says Engineering Director at TT Electronics, Julian Thomas, in a press release.

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1.2m CNC investment helps TGM move up the aerospace and defence supply chain – Bdaily

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Member Article

Targeting opportunities with the major aerospace primes has seen a Lancashire manufacturing specialist invest 1.2m into state-of-the-art CNC technologies.

TGM, which is part of the 43m Aero Services Global (AS.G) Group, has just completed its first parts for a MoD contract on its recently installed Zimmermann FZ33 compact milling machine.

The long bed capabilities, machine dynamics, 30,000 RPM and fast cycle times are perfect for creating complex components to the exacting standards required by the aerospace and defence sectors.

This investment will provide the company with additional capability to take on more than 2m of new work annually, as well as allowing it to tender for work on larger structural assemblies.

Sarah Stephens, Director at TGM, commented: Traditionally we have provided 3, 4 and 5-axis machined components to aerospace tier 1s and this is still a core market, but we now have the technology, processes and skills in place to work directly with the primes.

The Zimmermann is a fantastic machine and is the largest out of all of the 18-strong CNC machine tools we currently have at our Preston facility. An initial package of work is already in production on the Zimmermann and there are plenty of opportunities we are currently exploring that could fill up capacity.

With this additional technology, we are hoping to double sales from 3m to 6m over the next two years.

TGM, which became part of AS.G in 2016, specialises in the machining of both hard and soft metals, producing components and sub-assemblies for customers supplying Airbus and BAE Systems.

Continued investment in processes, upgrading operational efficiencies and upskilling of its workforce has helped it achieve world class manufacturing (99.85%) and delivery (99.16%) performance and the Bronze SC21 award for the third successive year.

The companys core engineering skills have also been further boosted by the introduction of CATIA V5 CAD design packages and inspection software to ensure a total end-to-end solution for the customer.

Sarah added: The first package of work for the Zimmermann is worth 1.4m to our business over two years and is the type of contract we are now looking to secure.

Its all about positioning TGM as a strategic critical partner to the primes and ensuring we can add value at every part of the process. This wouldnt have been possible three years ago, but a combination of the investment, industry approvals and a track record of quality and delivery has paved the way.

Covid-19 has brought its own challenges, but we feel we are in a good position to come through the pandemic and proactively establish our new position in the supply chain.

About AS.G

AS.G was founded in 2015 with the aim of developing a highly specialist group, which could help a global customer base to consolidate their supply chains through innovation, efficiencies and excellent value for money.

It started operations with the acquisition of Phoenix Ltd in December that year and now boasts seven subsidiary companies, including Queens Award-winning Arrowsmith Engineering, B&H Precision Tooling, Datum, Ludolph, TGM and AMF Precision Engineering.

The group, which employs nearly 380 people, is split into two core divisions focusing on aerospace and tooling, providing a wide range of products from simple brushes, complex mill turned components and small, medium and large 5-axis milled parts to tooling, transportation media and fixtures for existing and next generation aircraft fuselages and wings.

These parts are delivered all over the world to customers, including Aeronova, Airbus, Leonardo Helicopters, GKN, ITP, Meggitt, Rolls-Royce and Spirit Aero Systems.

For further information, please visit http://www.tgmeng.co.uk or http://www.aeroservicesglobal.com

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Russ Cockburn .

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1.2m CNC investment helps TGM move up the aerospace and defence supply chain - Bdaily

Stripped F-117 Nighthawk Arrives at Hill Aerospace Museum Direct From Tonopah – The Drive

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While the U.S. Air Force still has some F-117A Nighthawks actively involved in flying operations, others are being removed from storage and transported for display at a select number of museums. This stripped-down F-117A was delivered to the Hill Aerospace Museum at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, yesterday.

The fuselage of the aircraft arrived by truck, direct from Tonopah Test Range Airport (TTR) in Nevada. Staff from Hill AFB, which is adjacent to the museum, assisted in moving it from the truck and into the museum. The aircraft arrived having been stripped of its trademark black Radar Absorbent Material (RAM). The demilitarization process for the Nighthawk is extremely complex, and it is detailed in this previous War Zone feature. The USAF has established a special facility to assist in the demilitarization of the F-117s at Tonopah.

The museum staff at Hill AFB will now re-attach aircraft 82-0799s wings, rear stabilizers, and other parts of the aircraft before it is repainted and put on display at the museums Lindquist Stewart Gallery. Some of these parts will be totally fabricated to look like the real thing as their structures are still highly classified and they cannot be kept within reach of the public. This particular aircraft flew some 21 missions during Operation Desert Storm in 1991.

The airframe appeared to have been delivered without its wings or tails and in an uncovered state, which is different than how we have seen F-117s transported in the past. This aircraft could be the same one the Department of Defense listed on its internal surplus exchange last March.

Another F-117 is shortly due to go on display at the Palm Springs Air Museum for its new Houston Pavilion, along with The Air Zoo Aerospace and Science Museum, in Michigan, which says it will be the first non-government museum to exhibit the aircraft.

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, in Dayton Ohio, is due to receive an F-117A to complement YF-117A serial 79-10781 that is currently on display. F-117A serial 82-0803 is now loaned to the Reagan Presidential Foundation and on display at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, California. This particular Nighthawk was actually demilitarized at the Air Force Plant 42 at Palmdale, California, rather than at Tonopah. The preparation of the aircraft for display can be seen here.

The USAF has earmarked a dozen F-117s for loan to museums for public display. With the exception of the remains of Vega 31 in Serbia, the few other Nighthawks currently on display are pre-production YF-117s.

All told, the USAF looks to be moving fast to place the 12 F-117s set aside for display around the country, while a handful of others remain active flying missions from TTR. The rest of the airframes still being stored at the remote airbase are set to slowly be destroyed over the coming decade.

Contact the author: jamie@thedrive.com

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Stripped F-117 Nighthawk Arrives at Hill Aerospace Museum Direct From Tonopah - The Drive

Dazzling Photo of Chinese Port Cities at Night Taken by an Astronaut on the International Space Station – SciTechDaily

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By NASA Earth ObservatoryAugust 9, 2020

September 12, 2019. (Click image for full view.)

This photograph, taken by an astronaut from the International Space Station (ISS), captures the bright urban lights of two Chinese port cities. Xiamen and Quanzhou stand out amidst a complex network of roads and railways and the night-darkened waters of the South China Sea.

Inland areas are mountainous here, with less urban development to illuminate the landscape. Smaller towns and roads zig-zag through the valleys. Closer to the coast, several islands and small harbors make up one of Chinas most highly trafficked port regions. Offshore, two bright clusters of pixels are likely ships traveling to or from one of the harbors.

The ancient city of Quanzhou was once one of the most important ports along the Maritime Silk Road. Beyond its role as a major center of commerce and trade, Quanzhou remains a major manufacturing center in China.

Astronaut photograph ISS060-E-60237 was acquired on September 12, 2019, with a Nikon D5 digital camera using a 50 millimeter lens and is provided by the ISS Crew Earth Observations Facility and the Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, Johnson Space Center. The image was taken by a member of the Expedition 62 crew. The image has been cropped and enhanced to improve contrast, and lens artifacts have been removed. The International Space Station Program supports the laboratory as part of the ISS National Lab to help astronauts take pictures of Earth that will be of the greatest value to scientists and the public, and to make those images freely available on the Internet. Additional images taken by astronauts and cosmonauts can be viewed at the NASA/JSC Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth. Caption by Laura Phoebus, Jacobs Technology, JETS Contract at NASA-JSC.

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SpaceX splashes down in the Gulf with UAB devices on board – Bham Now

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The Polar unit, built by UABs EITD team is visible in images shared by NASA. Photo via UAB School of Engineerings Facebook page

The SpaceXs Crew Dragon Endeavour made its historic splash in the Gulf of Mexico near Pensacola on Sunday, August 2. Why is UABs Engineering and Innovative Technology Department (EITD) so excited? Find out!

The rocket didnt just carry astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley from the International Space Station back home to Earth. It also hauled science experiments and other cargo.

This cargo included two rapid-freeze devices, the Polar unit and the Glacier unit, designed and built by engineers at UABs Engineering and Innovative Technology Department. The designs were part of a $3.6M contract with with NASA.

When freezing biological samples as part of a scientific experiment, the most important thing is to freeze the samples as quickly as possible. With UABs devices, astronauts were able to do just that during their two-month mission that began on May 30, 2020.

Any time a rocket manages to blast in and out of orbit, its rather amazing, but there are several more reasons this particular mission is one of interest:

Interesting facts about the launch:

Now that the launch is complete, the fun continues for the EITD team at UAB as they refurbish the units for use in future missions.

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SpaceX splashes down in the Gulf with UAB devices on board - Bham Now

‘Away’ exclusive: Photos, trailer and Hilary Swank on her timely new Netflix space drama – USA TODAY

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Oscar winner Hilary Swank's new mission to Mars drama "Away" premieres Sept. 4 on Netflix. USA TODAY Handout

Hilary Swank has always wanted to be among the stars. But we're not talking Brad or Leo.

"I wanted to be an astronaut before I wanted to be an actor, which was about the age of 9," Swank says. "It still has the same feeling for me now as it did then,the whole idea of something bigger than us and the unknown. I still would love to go to space someday, but being an actor and playing an astronaut is second best."

Swank, atwo-time Oscar-winner, gets that chance in Netflix's drama "Away" (streaming Sept. 4), from producerJason Katims ("Parenthood," "Friday Night Lights").

Interview: Hilary Swank's perspective on life, love changed after caring for ailing father

What to watch: 50 best TV shows on Netflix: 'Legend of Korra,' 'The Office,' more

Emma Green (Hilary Swank) suits up for a mission to Mars in this exclusive first look from Netflix's "Away."(Photo: DIYAH PERA/NETFLIX)

Set in the near future, the 10-episode first season dramatizes the first human-led expedition to Mars, commanded by pragmaticAmerican astronaut Emma Green (Swank). Emma leads an international crew of scientists and astronauts, whose backstories and families we come to know over the course of the season. Members of the team initially question Emma's leadership abilities, while she wrestles with distance from and guilt over leaving her teenage daughter (Talitha Bateman) and husband (Josh Charles) back on Earth.

Here's an exclusive first look at Oscar winner Hilary Swank's new Netflix space drama "Away," premiering Sept. 4. USA TODAY Handout

The series is loosely based on a 2014 Esquire story by Chris Jones, about the first American astronaut to spend a year in space.

"I don't consider myself a space show guy, but there was something about this article that really gripped me," Katims says. "It was a different way of thinking about space: this very intimate look at what the human experience was like to be away for so long, how to stay connected to the world, and what it does to your mind and body. That seemed so different."

International space crew Yu (Vivian Wu, left), Kwesi (Ato Essandoh), Ram (Ray Panthaki), Misha (Mark Ivanir) and Emma (Hilary Swank) must learn to live and work together in close quarters in "Away."(Photo: DIYAH PERA/NETFLIX)

Shortly after launch, Emma's husband, Matt, suffers a strokecaused by a rare vascular disease known ascerebral cavernous malformation. Emma considers leaving the mission to help with Matt's recovery, but he and their daughter, Alexis, insist she press on. That story line especially resonated withAndrew Hinderaker, who created the show with Katims and executive producer Jessica Goldberg.

"There's a moment in the article that talks about an astronaut being up in the International Space Station when something really catastrophic happens to his family,and what that is to be so far away," Hinderaker says. "I'vebeen in a long-distance relationship with a woman who was diagnosed with a progressive disease just shortly before Jason had brought me the article, so that moment of finding out that someone you love is in trouble and needs you and you're away (working)was something that resonated really deeply."

Alexis (Talitha Bateman, left) helps care for her dad, Matt (Josh Charles), while Emma is in space.(Photo: DIYAH PERA/NETFLIX)

Charles, who's best known for CBS' "The Good Wife," says hefound the show's combination of cosmic and interpersonal drama "intriguing.(Director) Ed Zwick said that every marriage is like a mission to Mars. And while funny, it also really stuck with me. The potential of exploring this couple and this family during this trying time seemed rich."

To prepare for the role, Swank, 46,spoke extensively to former astronaut Mike Massimino and attended a so-called "boot camp," where she learned wire work for the series' zero gravity space scenes.

"We were on these wires all the time trying to learn to move gracefully, which is something I don't do. I'm kind of lumbering," Swank says. In addition to the stunts, "the most challenging thing was doing a monologue that's emotional while other people are floating by. You get kicked in the face and you just start laughing."

Hilary Swank, 46, won acting Oscars for "Boys Don't Cry" and "Million Dollar Baby," and now stars in Netflix space drama "Away."(Photo: Rachel Luna, Getty Images)

For Swank and the creators, the show's emphasis on science and teamwork couldn't come at a more apt time, as many of us continue to isolate at homewith family or others due to COVID-19. One particularly prescient episode finds Ram (Ray Panthaki), an astronaut from India, fallinggravely ill with a virus. He is quarantined from the rest of the crew, who wear protective gear and attempt to treat him from a safe distance.

"If someone had said this (pandemic) would be happening right when we wrapped filming (last winter), I wouldn't have been able to believe it," Swank says. "There's probably nothing more isolating than going to space for three years, but I think people (now) are going to relate to that more and understand it a little deeper. This pandemic has put into perspective what's important in life, which is our health and really being able to be with loved ones."

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The cure is out there: Miniature space labs are leading to scientific breakthroughs – CTech

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The time is 4 a.m. The night watchman at the commercial center in Herzliya, which is half abandoned even in the middle of the day, is surprised to see the unusual gathering: a large group of children and their parents are excitedly lining up to enter the building. The location may be drab, opposite a beauty parlor, and a floor above a spy products shop, but what is taking place between the walls of the building is nothing short of revolutionary. It is here that the scientists of SpacePharma developed the new global technological frontline in medical experimentationan innocent-looking box that in fact functions as an autonomous laboratory launched via satellite to carry out experiments in outer space.

The ambitious Israeli startup has already launched four such boxes into space and on one night in late June, it appeared that it could finally carry out the fifth launch, following two delays in the past year and a failed launch a week earlier. The employees arrived with their families to watch the launch that was supposed to take place 10,000 kilometers away at the European Space Agencys launch site in French Guiana, in South America.

Cookies and other assorted refreshments were brought out of the kitchen while the children (who should have been waking up to go to school in a few hours) inflated blue and white balloons in one of the labs. Before long, the open space resembled a political party headquarters on election night. At the same time in the Sheba Medical Center, which is leading one of the experiments, another event is being held in parallel. The guest of honor is the new Minister of Science Yizhar Shai.

But then, while the workers were still adjusting the monitors to view the live launch and the minister was starting on his speech, clouds started to cover the skies above the exotic beach town of Kourou, the Monsoon winds rising from the Atlantic Ocean disrupting the celebration. The launch was once again postponed.

The following day, all the workers gathered again, this time without their families, with the hope that the launch had already gone ahead. But then a further delay is announced. The message arrived just seven minutes before the planned time, again because of those darn Monsoon winds.

The senior managers, who hadnt slept in two days, gather in the kitchen area and console themselves with the leftover cookies from the previous night. They try to figure out what to do and fret over the fate of the bacteria colony that is inside the mini-satellite, one of 53 that were loaded on the launch rocket. If the launch is delayed for too long, they will have no choice but to send the satellite back to the Netherlands, where the biological material is packed into the little box.

The original launch date for SpacePharmas DIDO-3 satellite launch was September 2019. However, a technical malfunction in one of the rockets of the launching company led to it being scheduled for March 2020, but then Covid-19 happened and forced everything to be postponed until deep into Guianas rain season.

The Israeli and Italian space agencies spent 2 million euros on the project and the delays came at a price tag of $300,000 more. The next launch date was scheduled for August 17, nearly a year after the original date, with the hopes that the weather will ease off by then.

The Israeli development that freed up NASAs bottleneck

Medical and physiological studies have been taking place in space since the 1950s when the Soviets sent Laika the dog into space to prove that living creatures can survive the conditions. In the 1970s NASA started using its space missions to host various experiments that required zero-gravity conditions, but due to the international space stations monopoly on space experimentation and the requirement to cooperate with NASA, the space experiment market is nearly completely concentrated in the U.S.

The problem is that astronauts time up there is limitedevery astronaut has a quota of tasks they need to complete while in spaceand therefore very expensive. Moreover, astronauts arent necessarily scientists and must be trained in advance in how to carry out the hosted experiments. The result is a major bottleneck: in the past year 300 applications for space station experimentswere submitted to the U.S. space agency, but it is only able to carry out 10% of the requests. This is where SpacePharmas development enters the game, aiming to make those problems history.

SpacePharma is doing for the drug industry what the electronics industry did to old computersit is converting massive equipment into small silicon plates. The wonders of nanotechnology were recruited to produce what they call lab on chipa tiny, centimeters large 3D printed silicon chip that contains miniature test tubes connected by pipes. The chip is fed by a complete system, which stores the materials needed to conduct the experiments, including bacterial cultures, DNA molecules, skin tissues and chemicals, all in tiny doses of a few milliliters. The system also includes a set of sensors, including a microscope the size of a fingertip. The full system constantly monitors what takes place within the diminutive lab.

All of that baggage is placed in a three-liter box, roughly the size of a shoebox, with a simple USB plug at the bottom. All the astronauts at the space station need to do is connect up the box with the stations computer and the experiment is set to go, managed by software that automates the process and controlled remotely by the folks at SpacePharma and Earthbound scientists. In the case of the current experiment, that keeps getting postponed, the astronauts wont even have to plug anything in. The experiment will begin automatically as soon as the lab reaches space and six times a day, when the little satellite that carries it passes over the companys communications center in Switzerland, the team members on Earth will be able to download data and send it new information. The scientists wont even need a sophisticated control center as they will be able to do it all via a smartphone app.

SpacePharmas first box was launched into space in 2017 aboard a nano-satellite. The experiment is over, but the satellite is still hovering in space until eventually it will fall into the atmosphere and burn up. Three other boxes that were sent up have since returned complete and one of them sits on display in the meeting room in Herzliya.

From a cancer research breakthrough to cracking the process of aging

Yossi Yamin, the CEO and founder of SpacePharma, founded the company seven years ago from his basement together with Ido Priel, who has since left the company. He is a retired lieutenant colonel , a former commander of the satellite unit of Israeli Military Intelligence, and has a bachelor of business administration from the University of Phoenix. In 2012, shortly after his discharge, he met with several of the heads of NASA who were visiting Israel and was inspired to found the company. According to Yamin, SpacePharm has raised $19 million from the likes of State of Mind Ventures, the Chief Scientists Office, the Israeli Space Agency, and the EUs Horizon 2020 initiative.

Why does the drug industry even need experiments in space? The answer lies in crystals. The operating mechanism of many drugs is based on crystalstiny solids that exist in liquids or gases, which due to their shape can easily penetrate or attach to the desired location in the body. The problem is that Earths gravity creates pressure on the crystals at the molecular level and warps them so that often the impact their original form would have had is botched.

In 200 Japanese researchers used zero-gravity to develop a drug to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). They shipped the protein that functions as the active ingredient of the drug to the space station and there, managed to produce a perfect crystal unwarped by gravity. The precision of the crystal together with the use of sophisticated sensory equipment enabled the scientists to see that a molecule of water that was in the active region of the protein disrupted its effectiveness and as a result, they were able to better design the proteins structure.

Research in zero-gravity conditions has also enabled a breakthrough in cancer research. This is because when artificial cancer tumors are produced in the laboratory, they grow two-dimensionally because gravity subdues them. But in space, it is possible to produce three-dimensional tumors that better mimic the way tumors develop in the human body. For that reason, experiments performed on tumors produced in space have allowed researchers to test the efficacy of drugs that penetrate the tumor more reliably. American pharmaceutical giant Merk was assisted in an experiment in the process of protein formation, which took place at the International Space Station in the development of the popular drug Keytruda, which is used to treat several types of cancer.

The field of medical experimentation is space is mostly built around collaborations between the pharmaceutical giants and technology companies like Nanoracks and Techshot, which provide the resources for the trials. No other company, however, offers a solution like SpacePharma, which removes the responsibility for the experiment from the astronauts.

SpacePharmas first experiments took place in 2017, testing the effect of zero-gravity on the formation of proteins in order to improve the use of inhaler medicines used by asthma patients. In the experiment, SpacePharma was able to form a crystal that in its pure form had the appearance of tiny needles that could lodge into an asthma patients throat and easily penetrate its tissue.

In SpacePharmas later experiments, the company provided the platform, while the experiments were conducted by other research bodies. For example, in the long-delayed fifth launch, there are supposed to be four experiments resulting from collaborations between Israeli researchers and Italian universities. The first, done by researchers from Sheba Medical Center, is set to examine the process of developing the resistance of bacteria to antibiotics in the absence of gravity; the second from the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, will monitor the rate at which the lysosome enzyme breaks down disease-causing bacterial residues, assuming that gravity slows the process down; The third, also by the Technion, will test how the protein albumin attaches to molecules in the blood as part of the activity of the immune system; while the fourth, conducted by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, will test the aging process in human cells.

When a healthy young astronaut returns to Earth from a three-month stretch at the space station, he or she is incapable of walking. When you examine their bodies you see that they have physiologically aged by 10 years, explains Guy Samburski, the missions scientific manager and a former researcher at Teva. They lose muscle mass and bone density, they experience hormonal changes and changes in their blood pressure. Anywhere you look you will find changes.

A team led by Hebrew Universitys Professor Itamar Willner is examining the mechanisms that cause rapid aging in space and discovered that the blame is linked to telomeres, a region of repetitive nucleotide sequences at each end of a chromosome. The telomeres are responsible for chromosome replication, which when it occurs ages our body's cell to a small degree. The theory is that in the absence of gravity to keep them in place, the telomeres loosen and that affects the replication process. As long as the monsoons dont strike again and ruin the plans, the answer will be found in space.

From factories in space to storage facilities on the Moon

With all due respect for developing drugs, SpacePharm is already thinking of the future. After succeeding in carrying out experiments in space, the next natural step is to transition from experimentation to manufacturing. We are examining other fields, such as food and agricultural technology, which have never entered space and we have only now begun to touch upon, said Yamin. The conversation with him soars to the heights of imagination and the array of possibilities he suggests is vast. If we think of distant isolated locations, like deserts as suitable spots to store dangerous substances, perhaps the Moon is a better option? Yamin describes, in all seriousness, futuristic industrial zones that can house dangerous industries on the Moon or even Mars.

These are not pie-in-the-sky notions either. Just a few days prior to our meeting, it was reported that U.S.-based Mine in Space, which develops technology to mass produce solar panels and fibre optics in space, was acquired by AE Industrial Partners Redwire. In zero-gravity, materials can be made in their pure form, without all sorts of unnecessary molecular level blemishes, and thus produce fiber optics that can transmit much higher volumes than those that exist today, and solar panels that can generate more electricity from the sun.

SpacePharma, which has previously collaborated with Made in Space, wants a stake in this playground. Its next mission, scheduled for 2022, will shift from satellites to small production units that will operate in unmanned spacecrafts, blasting off with raw materials. The production process will be done in a space controlled remotely by SpacePharma personnel, and the finished products will land on Earth.

"The goal is to launch a soft drink containing an anti-aging polymer that will be produced in the unit within two years. At the same time, we are working on the production of crystals, antibodies for the pharmaceutical industry and even nerve cells and skin for transplants," Yamin said.

For that purpose, the company rented 100 kilograms on the Space Rider shuttle, the European Space Agencys flagship project, that will be wholly dedicated to space production. Their share makes up eight percent of the shuttles total capacity, most of which was leased by electronics and optical companies.

Mass production in space is the next challenge and it is much closer than we think, Yamin said. It wont be long before tiny spaceships will land in our homes delivering products we ordered directly from the factory in space.

Continued here:

The cure is out there: Miniature space labs are leading to scientific breakthroughs - CTech

ISOVAC patient isolation units allow safe transport of infectious patients – AirMed and Rescue Magazine

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When and how did ISOVAC start trading? Has it always specialized in infection control / containment products?

ISOVAC incorporated in June of 1999 and introduced the CAPSULS Patient Isolation Unit. Casualty Isolation is ISOVACs core competency as an organization, but we do delve into other areas of infection and disease control.

ISOVAC works with government organizations around the world, such as US Coast Guard, US Special Operations, US Army, UK Special Operations, UAE Army, Brazilian Air Force, Veterans Health Administration (VA) Hospitals, Bahamas Ministry of Health, Mayo Clinic Hospital System, Nebraska Medical Center, NASA, and most recently ISOVAC was awarded a LTA (Long Term Agreement) contract with the United Nations for their Worldwide efforts on COVID. We also work closely with various State and Local governments to support their isolation needs, may it be for hospitals, fire departments, police departments, or private ambulance services. With the start of COVID-19 earlier this year putting restrictions on travel, we have seen a tremendous increase in aeromedical evacuation companies purchasing the CAPSULS system as well.

NASAs request for deploying one of our Isolation capabilities on board the International Space Station (ISS) is a great example of our ever-expanding and versatile market.

The concept of the CAPSULS came to light during the Gulf War due to the possibility of Chemical weapons being deployed by enemy forces.ISOVAC came up with the concept of being able to provide a safe method of transport and allowing for medical intervention of a contaminated individual while also protecting the First Line defenders and theyre assets,(ground and air transport vehicles etc...) from cross-contamination.

During the entire design process, ISOVAC welcomed the input of the experts from within their prospective fields of expertise, medical, ems and aviation from both the Military and Civilian sides. This allowed for a smooth process of obtaining all the Reps and Certs for the ISOVAC CAPSULS system.

The CAPSULS has been designated EAR 99 by the US State Department, giving us the permission to ship anywhere in the free world. We have our technology deployed in North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the South Pacific. ISOVACs CAPSULS system is also regulated as a class ll medical device by the U.S. Food and Drug administration under 21CFR 880.5450.

The CAPSULS Iso-shell barrier materials, Iso-weld seam technology, and glove-arm caps provide a smooth, nonabsorbent surface, free of pockets and crevices.

As the Search and Rescue (SAR) Coordinator and primary provider of medevac services in the US Maritime region, the US Coast Guard contacted ISOVAC during the Ebola crisis of 2014/2015 and asked us to design a system which would allow for extraction of contaminated individuals on-board ships or other maritime platforms via rotary wing (MH-60/MH-65) aircraft utilizing the 406A stokes basket.

In collaboration with USCG, ISOVAC completed all design, testing, and received FDA class ll medical device clearance by mid-2016. We are currently the sole source provider to the USCG and SOCOM for this capability. The US Army has added the ORCA and CAPSULS systems to the PMI (Patient Movement Item) AWR (Airworthiness Release) for both the H-60 and UH-72 helicopters. These Patient Movement Items, support the MEDEVAC mission that will increase patient survivability, and ensures ORCA and CAPSULS meet or exceed Army airworthiness requirements.

The ORCA (Operational Rescue Containment Apparatus)

NASA was to introduce the ISOVAC technology at the Aerospace Medical Association (ASMA) Show but due to the Pandemic, that product introduction has been understandably delayed. So as not to take their thunder away from them, I can comfortably say that one of ISOVAC s technologies was launched onboard Northrop Grummans Antares rocket and Cygnus spacecraft (NG CRS-13) on February 15 2020 to the International Space Station.

One of the major challenges ISOVAC faced in design was adapting the unit to operate in a zero-gravity atmosphere. Not having the ability to replicate this environment, collaborating with the NASA team allowed ISOVAC to overcome the challenges of this harsh environment and provide NASA with a superior mission ready system. NASA being pleased with the ISOVAC system, is now planning to include it on future missions.

Among the many accomplishments ISOVAC has experienced through the years, I feel this one in particular, to be one of its greatest.

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ISOVAC patient isolation units allow safe transport of infectious patients - AirMed and Rescue Magazine

Astronaut Samantha Cristoforett on what it feels like to live in outer space – The Star Online

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The sun is setting, signalling the end of my first orbital day. I catch a glimpse of the Milky Way; I recognise Cassiopeia. There is something so poignant about contemplating it from up here, from inside this metal box, this not particularly cutting-edge bundle of technology that allows us to be here where no human being should ever be.

This is an excerpt from the diary of astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, now being published with Penguin after she spent 200 days on the International Space Station, longer than any other European.

Cristoforettis journey to the space station took long enough, starting with a complicated selection procedure in November 2014, followed by years of training.

All this Cristoforetti describes in her diary, taking readers on a journey that spans the highest of high tech to simpler aspects, such as the fact that a plaster cast is used for the shell for the seats in Russias Soyuz spaceship, a procedure that has apparently stood the test of time.

It seems that traditions matter in this world. Cristoforetti writes that those returning from the ISS lay flowers before the statue of Yuri Gagarin in the Star City space training facility outside Moscow.

She describes ritual farewell breakfasts and of the Russian superstition that before travelling anywhere, people should sit down briefly in silence. Before taking off, the astronauts always watch the Soviet film White Sun Of The Desert.

Her book is also packed with facts, such as that the ISS weighs 400 tons, is the size of a football field and orbits 400km above the earth.

The International Space Station, where Italian astronaut Samantha Christoforetti spent 200 days, longer than any other European. NASA/dpa

Christoforetti, the flight engineer on the Futura mission, details the training for controlling the Soyuz and the countless hours spent in a gigantic pool in Houston, Texas, where the non-Russian ISS modules are replicated underwater in their original size.

Perhaps some of the 400 pages of writing in the Diary Of An Apprentice Astronaut could have been shortened, while occasionally, the many abbreviations disturb the flow of the reading experience. Also, sadly there are no photos besides some illustrations.

And yet page by page, the immensity of the effort involved in getting into space becomes ever clearer. Cristoforetti balances this by explaining the experiments she does in space and what benefits they could have on Earth.

The astronauts travel a lot between Houston and Star City and the book underlines the importance of international cooperation in space and how much astronauts and cosmonauts feel as a community presumably also because, despite all the training, their missions are still life-threatening. Given this fact, humour is important.

Cristoforetti tells her story chronologically, like a countdown, and takes the reader on a journey through her everyday life as an astronaut on Earth and on the ISS. dpa

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Astronaut Samantha Cristoforett on what it feels like to live in outer space - The Star Online

Letter: Shelton Trails Committee celebrates tire removal from White Hills open space – The Wilton Bulletin

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Published 1:08pm EDT, Monday, August 10, 2020

Below is a Letter to the Editor from this weeks Shelton Herald. If you'd like to have a letter to the editor run next week, email letters to brian.gioiele@hearstmediact.com

Below is a Letter to the Editor from this weeks Shelton Herald. If you'd like to have a letter to the editor run next week, email letters to brian.gioiele@hearstmediact.com

Photo: Contributed Photo /

Below is a Letter to the Editor from this weeks Shelton Herald. If you'd like to have a letter to the editor run next week, email letters to brian.gioiele@hearstmediact.com

Below is a Letter to the Editor from this weeks Shelton Herald. If you'd like to have a letter to the editor run next week, email letters to brian.gioiele@hearstmediact.com

Letter: Shelton Trails Committee celebrates tire removal from White Hills open space

To the Editor:

The Shelton Trails Committee and Conservation Commission very much appreciate the cooperative effort between the city Public Works and town volunteers. We have known about the existence of the large number of tires in the Beach Tree Hills Road open space for several years. It seems that around the year 2000, an energetic group of dads and high school boys brought those tires to the open space along with plywood, corner posts, ropes and canvas to create a very impressive wrestling rink.

From a 2006 aerial photo of the area, it is easy to see the white square of the rink. Neighbors remember the enthusiasm of the competitors from that era. But the boys grew up and moved on to college or vocations. By the 2013 aerial photo, the rink was hardly visible, significantly overgrown by bushes and vines. In the summer of 2014 when Luke Clair proposed building a trail from Beech Tree Hill Road to the Little Pond as his Eagle Scout Service Project, the Trails Committee became aware of the rink amid the brambles and vines that engulfed it. In 2018, a volunteer went to disassemble the wrestling rink, removing the corner posts, ropes and plywood base, only to discover the massive number of tires that supported the structure. He removed the wood but left the tires for another project.

While we were aware of the tires, they posed no immediate issue with any trail and we have limited volunteer help to maintain nearly 30 miles of trails. But like almost everything in 2020, things come up to change priorities. Teresa Gallagher, Sheltons natural resource officer, developed the Out and About Challenge, which included the Little Pond Trail from Beech Tree Hill Road to the Little Pond. As several of us cleared the trail to the pond, it became clear that this horde of tires needed to be removed. Not only were they a breeding ground for mosquitoes, rodents and snakes, but if someone showed up with a can of gasoline and a match, the black plume of smoke would have been visible from the International Space Station.

Ideally, we would develop a plan to remove the tires in late fall or early spring after bug and poison ivy season. The easiest route to remove the tires was across a homeowners yard on Pine Tree Hill Road, who gave us permission to do so. However, he planned to sell his home soon, so we chose to move quickly.

Our committee member Mark Vollaro contacted Nancy McMonagle of Public Works to request the city provide a dumpster. Not only did she act quickly to arrange for a large dumpster to be on site for our Saturday work party, but she, her husband and son loaded the tires into the dumpster. Twenty-some volunteers used a variety of motorized assistance and manual labor to transport the tires from the large pile in the woods to the dumpster. Due to the nearly 200 tires to be recycled, the city had to make an appointment with the Milford tire recycling facility before they could be delivered. Project now complete.

Bill Dyer

Shelton Trails Committee

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Letter: Shelton Trails Committee celebrates tire removal from White Hills open space - The Wilton Bulletin

Vibra Improves Marketing Campaign With First Look Partnership – Inkedin

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After partnering with First Look Games, the LatAm-focused game maker, Vibra Gaming has improved its marketing campaign around its online slot and casino games portfolio.

Vibra Gaming has gained direct access to hundreds of online casino affiliates for the first time as part of the deal, and will exchange information and assets for its existing games portfolio and all potential updates.

First Look Games Founder Tom Galanis stated: Vibra Gaming is a fantastic addition to our growing roster of popular game developers and will undoubtedly be of huge interest to publishers targeting emerging markets and in particular LatAm where Vibra has enjoyed great success.

First Look Games is all about allowing game developers to maximise the power of affiliates when it comes to marketing their games to players and we are thrilled that Vibra Gaming has decided to partner with us as it continues to establish itself as a leading slot provider.

The contract contains fact sheets on games and marketing assets such as logos, photographs and videos of games being played. This will be uploaded either individually or in bulk to the First Look Games library where affiliates can download them.

Vibra Gaming CEO Ramiro Atucha has added: As we continue to establish Vibra Gaming as a tier one game developer in Latin America we will be ramping up our marketing activity and First Look Games will play a significant role in this.

FLG provides us with a platform to directly work with online casino affiliates and leverage the tremendous opportunities they provide when it comes to making players, and operators, aware of our games and the thrilling experience they offer.

Because of the agreement, First Look Games will allow developers to push up alerts to affiliate members about network deals, incentive programmes and operator collaborations, further increasing future exposure to all its games and brands.

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Vibra Improves Marketing Campaign With First Look Partnership - Inkedin

Local artists work beautifies transformation of Federal Ways… – Federal Way Mirror

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Federal Way resident barry johnson taught himself how to draw when he was a frequent commuter on public transit.

Now, his artwork will be soon displayed near the Sound Transit construction site in Federal Way to beautify the transformation process of the incoming Federal Way Link Extension.

As construction moves in, Sound Transit is showcasing artwork by local artists that reflects the beauty and diversity of Federal Way. Artwork from about a dozen local artists will be displayed along the 7.8-mile project corridor.

We really look to include art in these public spaces and work with local artists, said Scott Thompson, public information officer for Sound Transit. For us, having art involved with our spaces gives them a sense of community and being part of the public landscape.

One of the artists selected to create temporary art installations is 35-year-old johnson, a self-taught interdisciplinary artist,. His work is both a connection and a reflection of the community. (note: barry johnson does not capitalize his name)

His work has been showcased both locally, such as at the Museum of Flight, Pioneer Square, King Street Station and more, and he has also held residencies around the world in Mexico, Kauai and Argentina.

Recently, his talents graced the streets of Seattle as his artwork decorated the Black Lives Matter mural on the roadway of East Pine Street in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. The E in Lives depicts a teal background with purple, blue, yellow and coral colored shapes, while contributing to the larger message of ending racism, strengthening equality and diminishing oppression, he said.

Its a life statement, johnson said of the mural. We were all trying to say the thing that needs to be said, as loud as possible.

Originally from Kansas, johnson moved to the area about nine years ago for a job with the American Red Cross in Tacoma. After about a year, he began working in a tech start-up as a data scientist. He took up mural making to keep my head in flow because I was doing so much math. Long bus commutes to Seattle for work helped his transition into art full-time.

One of the foundations for me learning how to draw was all the time I spent on the bus commuting back and forth, said johnson, who is currently in school for architecture. When I was presented with the opportunity to work with Sound Transit for the expansion, it was amazing and just being able to go put some art up in the city that I live in was an even bigger thing.

For the first local installation, johnson created a colorful, abstract 6-foot by 27-foot mural for the local community at large. The mural should be on display within the coming weeks.

Across it, it says our Federal Way, because we are starting to create a better sense of art coming out of Federal Way it also speaks to us having something big coming into our city, he said.

johnson is also planning to paint large portraits of Federal Way residents to be displayed along the outer fencing of the construction sites. His hope is to highlight diversity in ages, colors, sexual orientations and more to capture the multitude of people who call this city their home.

For the portraits, johnson is looking for 10 Federal Way community members who are willing to submit their photo for his portrait project in order to highlight the unique essence of those who call Federal Way home.

If interested, people are encouraged to send a picture of themselves from the shoulders up, not selfie style, with a candid, straightforward expression without smiling to info@barryjohnson.co (not .com).

[I am] really just excited to be able to capture a lot of the people that make up this city, he said. I love painting portraits and I would love to be able to highlight a lot of the voices that are coming out of Federal Way.

For more information or to view more of his artwork, visit barryjohnson.co.

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Local artists work beautifies transformation of Federal Ways... - Federal Way Mirror

Telehealth: The future of mental health care – The Georgetown Voice

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When the nationwide stay-at-home orders began in mid-March, for some, it seemed to provide a little respite from life. As the coronavirus has rapidly spread, however, our vacation has turned into what seems like a never-ending sentence to life at home. Tiger King feels like years away, and one can only binge-watch so many shows before even Netflix grows boring. As time goes on, the present feels ever more confining and the future daunting. The pandemic, and more specifically quarantine, has had a unique impact on those who struggle with mental illness.

While quarantine has a lasting effect on people with diagnosed mental health conditions, it is also bringing about a new wave of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders for people who have no prior history of mental illness. A federal emergency hotline providing emergency counseling for people in emotional distress reported a 1,000 percent increase in calls from last April to this April. Feelings of isolation and loneliness from quarantine are having a serious effect on the general populations mental health. Moreover, mental illness among frontline healthcare workers, in particular, is rising, as they are constantly reminded of the pandemics intensity.

The pandemic has completely changed the landscape of mental health care, one of the key components to battling mental illness. Perhaps one of the hardest parts of quarantine has been losing in-person visits with my mental health professionals. In their stead, telehealth therapy appointments are one of the only ways I have made it through quarantine. Previously, telehealth mental health services faced issues with HIPAA, given concerns over privacy and security of services over the internet. During the COVID-19 outbreak, however, the Office of Civil Rights gave healthcare providers the OK to deliver telehealth practices over secure networks such as FaceTime, Zoom, and Skype. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid also passed a waiver to include mental health in telehealth services covered by federal insurance. Many private companies have followed suit, extending reimbursement policies to include telehealth therapy services.

This has had tremendous effects on the reach of therapy across the United States. With telehealth, patients now have much greater access to the countrys network of therapists and psychiatrists. By allowing greater insurance coverage for telehealth services, the financial barrier to mental health services is lowered greatly. Telehealth services also allow people to participate in therapy from the comfort of their home. This makes appointment times more flexible and easier to attend by removing the commuting times to appointments. Additionally, telehealth removes some of the stigma of having to visit a therapist in person, where you may find yourself making shifting eye contact with someone in the waiting room. Online appointments provide comfort and privacy in ways unattainable in physical space.

Similar to telehealth appointments, the use of e-therapy apps and websites like Talkspace and Betterhelp are on the rise. E-therapy apps offer a cheaper alternative to face-to-face therapy and focus heavily on text therapy. Instead of meeting or videoconferencing with a therapist, users are connected to a therapist and form a relationship primarily over text. Like telehealth, these apps provide a range of benefits that one does not see in traditional therapyeasy, constant access and privacy. Texting a therapist can help remove the stigma of seeing a therapist at all. There are, however, many concerns regarding e-therapy. Despite using licensed therapists, very little research has been done regarding the effectiveness of text-therapy, which concerns some users. There are also questions regarding the privacy of conversations on the app. In terms of privacy and effectiveness, telehealth provides a more secure platform for online mental health treatment, as opposed to these new e-therapy apps. We must acknowledge, however, that there are also downsides to telehealth. States have different licenses, which can limit a providers ability to access patients across state lines. There are also concerns surrounding the appropriate platform to conduct telehealth appointments on, for fear of the patients privacy and data safety.

Despite the benefits and comforts of teletherapy, most of these waivers are temporary, having been put in place to fill a void during quarantine. As time rolls by, the periods for these waivers are expiring, and it is unclear if they will be extended, either throughout the continuing pandemic or permanently.

Telehealth is an overwhelming upgrade to the population who previously could not access these services. The extension of these health services now becomes even more important, as data proves that a spike in mental illness is already occurring, and an even larger one may follow the pandemic. Past pandemics and economic recessions demonstrate a pattern of precedence for a wake of mental illness following major crisis: following the 2007 recession, suicide rates increased by more than one percent for every one percent increase in unemployment. If the telehealth waivers are not extended, this new portion of the population that has been able to access mental health care will once again be left with very limited options.

This is especially true because therapy is not the end all-be all solution for mental health disorders. One of the pinnacle mechanisms for dealing with a mental illness is creating a daily routine, which quarantine has largely disrupted. Without structure during the day, it is easy to stay up all night, wake up late, and spend endless hours on your phone or computer mindlessly scrolling and watching, disrupting natural sleep cycles and serving as a buffer from engaging in enriching activities. When a daily routine is ripped out from under a person, it is very difficult to do anything else but think. Routines are so important for those dealing with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and substance abuse issuesthey help people structure their time in productive ways, allowing them to actively work to combat the anxious and depressed feelings that creep in during unstructured time.

As dire as this may seem, there are ways in which we can add a little routine in our lives during quarantine. Setting a regular sleep schedule ensures both a proper amount of sleep as well as a better time structure to the day. Carving out 30 minutes to read a book every day can engage the mind more actively than brainlessly watching TV. Dedicating evenings to learning a new craft is another constructive and fun activity that one must actively take part in. I, for example, have been teaching myself to sew.

The point is you have to start somewhere, and even the smallest additions of structure help. For me, this has taken the form of using exercise not only as a way to build my routine, but also as an outlet for the extra anxiety and stress that quarantine and the uncertainty of COVID-19 has caused me. In another article written for The Voice, Rose Dallimore talks about how her practice of mindfulness has helped her find a little peace during these scary times. In a New York Times article, two writers discuss how it can be as simple as changing your mindset from I am being forced to do this, to I am choosing to do this for the safety of my community.

Beyond a need for telehealth waiver extensions and routine creation, the mental health crisis that accompanies the COVID-19 pandemic is being greatly ignored. Only two percent of the $2 trillion relief package was dedicated to substance abuse and mental health services. In the 2021 city budget, the D.C. Council cut $4 million proposed to be spent on mental health services, which already face a dire shortage in funding. If we do not begin to address these problems in mental health, the fallout may ravage the country for years to come.

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Telehealth: The future of mental health care - The Georgetown Voice

The technological advances that will take immersive virtual experiences to the next level – AV Magazine

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The virtual reality (VR) industry is growing at a startling pace: consumer VR hardware and software markets are projected to be worth over $16 billion by 2020. Meanwhile, companies like Facebook, Hyundai, and Accenture have already adopted VR solutions to help connect, educate, and entertain their users.

While VR once revolved around 360-pixel videos that somewhat limited the user experience, nowadays, the technology had made significant advances. 5K and 8K stereoscopic videos are able to create depth perception and heightened visual projections that share far more immersive experiences. At the same time, VR has begun moving away from the confines of gaming and entered into spheres like recruitment, healthcare, marketing, design, and travel.

No doubt, VR is becoming more commonplace in everyday tasks, and is gaining considerable momentum as a valuable tool. Here are some of the technological advances taking immersive virtual experiences to the next level:

6 Degrees of Freedom

6DoF (Degrees of Freedom) relates to the motion along or about an axis, and is used in VR to build 3D objects that can move in a space. The movement happens in three directional axes and three rotational axes hence six degrees of freedom. Within VR, 6DoF describes how axes are tracked, meaning the distance and orientation of axes as monitored by hardware (like a headset or glasses).

3DoF allows for a full range of motions within a virtual world; for example, users can watch a film and interact with the scenery or characters. However, 3DoF is usually limited to being stationary while wearing a VR device and journeying through a place. 6DoF on the other hand, tracks the movement of the hardware in vectors, so users can walk through virtual realities. With this option, users have a complete motion range in a 360-degree world they can wander around and explore the details. They can also use both hands to react and respond to changes in scenarios, like picking up items from the ground.

Some companies are utilizing 6DoF capabilities to facilitate training for high-risk professions. Rather than pay to send teams to offshore oil rigs, 6DoF VR provides onboarding programs that help technicians prepare and adapt to conditions. For instance, VR can simulate carrying heavy equipment, experiencing severe storms, and enacting fire safety protocols.

Although 6DoF is already available as a form of VR, it is significantly more expensive and complicated to set-up in comparison to 3DoF. That said, as the industry scales and the benefits of VR are recognised (particularly in corporate business), there is the possibility that more affordable versions of 6DoF will be released.

Wearables

Accessing virtual reality has typically only been possible with oversized, clunky headsets connected to a range of wires and machines. Yet there are now signs that wearables small devices that can be worn on peoples bodies will offer the same access without compromising quality or experience.

Facebook Reality Labs recently announced that it has introduced a miniaturisation process in VR and had designed lightweight glasses for a full VR experience. The near-eye displays are said to combine the power of holographic optics and polarisation-based optical folding to use space efficiently. Not to mention, the glasses have laser illumination to deliver a broader spectrum of colour than traditional VR technology. The sophisticated technology allows for VR sessions that last for longer and can even improve productivity among users due to a comfortable, cleaner overall experience.

While Facebook is certainly pioneering a wearable VR device, the industry as a whole still needs more research and development to commercialise portable, personal VR use. Unlike smartphones and existing wearables that have optimised the user experience through data, VR wearables still need to find a way to incorporate user behaviour. Nonetheless, there are systems being built to increase usability and functionality of VR in wearables. These systems propose having APIs that plug in to a selection of smart wearables across different operating systems (Android and iOS). For example, VR glasses could connect with a VR retail app so that users can shop virtually in a store. If successfully achieved, inter connectivity within VR could completely revolutionise everyday actions.

Eye-tracking

An important element of immersive VR is creating a world that doesnt just simply place a user in a location, but that the location is tailored to the users presence. Eye tracking is key to bridge the gap between reality and virtual reality.

By monitoring what users eyes focus on, VR projections can be fine-tuned to the best resolution. Foveated rendering, as its known, reduces the image quality in the peripheral vision and sharpens whatever the user is looking at. Subsequently, the quality of VR is enhanced and processing systems can save GPU cycles when not having to support complete renderings. Another bonus is that eye-tracking can smooth the frame rate, so users feel less nausea.

Its worth noting that eye-tracking in VR aligns well with wearables, particularly thinner glasses that can more precisely monitor eye movements. Currently, some VR headsets are too thick to efficiently track eye response.

Obstacles to overcome

Beyond 6DoF, wearables, and eye-tracking, for VR to be more immersive, it needs to see the release of more premium content. A number of mobile apps are realising the void and attempting to uberize it and offer on-demand services via mobile. Back in 2017, news outlets like the New York Times rolled out daily 360-degree video reports to place readers directly in a story. Although the stories didnt envelope users, it was a step towards high-quality, mainstream VR content. Still, the difficulty that remains for content producers is having the expertise and funds to keep up with technological advances in VR.

In general, cost is certainly a barrier for VR, with the average headset priced at $600. If companies cant afford to expand into VR, and people cant afford to regularly use it, the industry is in danger of stalling. Be that as it may, the next generation of VR is demonstrating value in a way that previously didnt exist, and thus helps to justify the high costs. Equally, as cost-effective modes of production and distribution are realised, prices could gradually fall.

By solidifying wholly immersive experiences, VR is transitioning away from a trial-and-error business model and into an established industry at the forefront of innovation. Of course, there is plenty more work to be done, but judging from its ongoing progress, VR is set to be a permanent, extraordinary reality.

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The technological advances that will take immersive virtual experiences to the next level - AV Magazine

Virtual Reality: School Board Opts for Online Instruction – The Crozet Gazette

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The Albemarle County School Board voted 4-3 to offer solely online learning for the vast majority of public school students for the first nine weeks of school beginning September 8. In-person instruction inside school buildings will be limited to students who are English language learners (in grades 4-12), those with special education needs, and those who lack adequate internet access at home. All other students will receive virtual instruction in various forms both synchronously (live with an online teacher) and asynchronously (via recorded videos and online assignments).

The focus of the boards July 30 presentation stood in stark contrast to its July 9 emphasis on hybrid (a mix of in-person and online) learning options, in which students would attend in-person classes from one to four times per week depending on three different transportation and capacity scenarios. Those plans were shelved for the foreseeable future as the school division pivoted to five stages of returning, with Stage 1 being virtual learning for all and Stage 5 in-person learning for all. The board ultimately selected Stage 2 for reopening. (See nearby table of stages.)

The hybrid learning scenarios are now subsumed under the new Stage 4 in the progression that will be adopted gradually as COVID-19 conditions improve. The division expects between 1,000 and 1,500 students to be in school buildings during Stage 2. Those students would be coached through their assigned virtual learning lessons by volunteer teachers from throughout the school system, while maintaining social distance and masking requirements.

The boards vote on the reopening stage was split as members struggled with the decision. Three board members (Judy Le, Ellen Osborne, and Graham Paige) voted no on the motion for a Stage 2 reopening because they preferred Stage 1, with no in-person instruction of any kind. White Hall representative David Oberg paused for more than a minute before also voting no, causing the initial motion to fail. After a recess, Oberg recalled the motion and changed his vote to yes so that it passed along with the votes of Katrina Callsen, Kate Acuff, and Jonno Alcaro.

This is one of the hardest things Ive done on the School Board, said Oberg. Theres no good answer to any of this. Weve received literally thousands of emails and all have had a good basis for their positions.

Before the vote, division staff presented the results of recent school staff and parent surveys, in which 65% of teachers and staff said they were uncomfortable returning to work for face-to-face instruction. While 51% of parents said they were moderately or extremely concerned about in-person learning, 67% said they preferred a hybrid learning option over a virtual option for their children.

Board member Katrina Callsen, the mother of a rising kindergartener and first grader, expressed sympathy for parents who now have to become teachers in their homes. What I wonder about is the accountability piece, she said. Do parents have to help their young kids synchronously, or will there be other options? How do we do assessments to know if a kid is on target, and what structures will be in place for parents trying to do this? Staff responded that they are working on common division assessments and common timing for content across the division.

The Stage 2 reopening plan allows Superintendent Matt Haas to move the school system back to Stage 1 without board input if things move quickly in the wrong direction, even before the September 8 start date. We need stability, but also flexibility, said Haas. We will watch the new Virginia Department of Health dashboard, which is school division-specific, to give us greater detail about our locality. Haas and his staff will evaluate COVID-19 conditions during each nine-week segment at the half-way point to decide if the schools can move to the next stage. (See the nearby list of factors the division will consider.)

The division said it would look for conditions such as a less than 10-per-100,000 case incidence rate (the countys rate is currently 10.1) with a decreasing trend on new cases (currently increasing), and a below-10% positivity rate in testing (currently 5.7%), with a decreasing trend in positivity (currently decreasing). Specific protocols for what would happen if a student or staff member becomes sick during Stage 2 include contact tracing and a 14-day quarantine to monitor symptoms.

As for next steps, the division plans to release virtual learning details and a response plan for illness or suspected/confirmed COVID-19 cases by early August, and the School Board meeting on August 13 will include final decisions about the 2020-21 school calendar and a mask policy.

Several events in July provided context for the School Boards July 30 decision.

Three hybrid scenarios were presented to the board during its July 9 meeting. The scenarios were based on the limiting factor of school bus capacity, as buses can carry only 12 to 24 students under proper distancing rules. Across the three options, elementary students would generally attend in-person school four days a week, while secondary (middle and high school) students would attend in-person from as little as four days every five weeks to as many as two days each week.

At the July 9 meeting, board member Katrina Callsen said she appreciated the scenarios that involved in-person instruction, especially for younger students. Our role is to educate all students, and [virtual learning] hasnt been shown to be as effective for younger students. We know that over 10% of our students didnt have a single virtual interaction [last spring] and it was troublesome to me to think that we might be leaving those students behind. What virtual learning looks like with a first grader is a parent doing it with them, so we are ultimately leaving our most vulnerable students behind if we dont offer them an option to come into school.

Teachers responded with dismay during the public comment segment of the meeting. Having [the plan] kept from us until today felt very hurtful and disrespectful, said Jack Jouett Middle School teacher Mary McIntyre. We have to execute your plan. Execute seems like an appropriate word for this. If it is so safe for us to return to school, why arent you having your meetings in person? You are asking us to do something you would not do yourselves.

Though they originally planned to settle on a student schedule at the July 9 meeting, the board decided to wait until teachers had been surveyed about their opinions on the proposed scenarios (survey dates July 10-22), and parents had been surveyed regarding whether they planned to use bus transportation and whether their children would attend in-person or virtually (July 20 to 30). The board agreed to decide on a reopening plan at their July 30 meeting.

Several days after the July 9 meeting, Albemarle county teachers posted an open letter to Superintendent Matt Haas and the School Board explicitly requesting that the face-to-face learning plan be scrapped and the division instead pivot to a virtual opening. It is unequivocally unsafe for Albemarle County staff and families to begin the year with an in-person learningmodel, read the letter, which was signed by over 500 teachers from across the school system. The letter rebutted the idea that a return to in-person learning would restore a sense of normalcy for students, and called on the School Board to pivot to a virtual learning plan quickly to give teachers time to adequately prepare for the fall semester.

Below the letters text and signatories was a list of over 150 questions from teachers about how a face-to-face reopening would be handled, from overall policy considerations to day-to-day operations. In response to the teachers letter, Superintendent Haas posted an update on a school employee news blog in which he declared that he would present an online-only option at the School Boards July 30 meeting, to be considered in addition to the three hybrid scenarios.

Following the teachers letter, an open letter from parents was posted on Google during the week of July 20 asking the board to continue planning for in-person instruction, citing benefits to child and adolescent mental and physical well-being from attending school with their fellow students.

Finally, just ahead of the July 30 meeting, the school division hosted three Town Hall virtual gatherings on July 23, 24, and 27, intended to provide the community with updated COVID-19 health data and recommendations and to allow parents to ask questions of School Board members, who attended the meetings in pairs. The Town Halls laid bare the extent to which many basic questions about the in-person learning model remained unanswered, as school board members were unable to respond to queries such as how the virtual portion of hybrid learning would actually work and who would teach it.

After the boards July 30 meeting in which a Stage 2 reopening was selected, the Charlottesville City Schools decided on an online-only model for their schools as well, with a forthcoming decision on whether to allow the same limited groups of students as the county to attend in-person.

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Virtual Reality: School Board Opts for Online Instruction - The Crozet Gazette

These Motorised Shoes Could Be the Key to Making Virtual Reality Fully Immersive – Gizmodo UK

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Theres no shortage of people trying to make virtual reality gaminga more immersive experience. There areVR arenaswhere people strap onPC backpacksand play in a pre-programmed area. There areglovesandshoes, andeven VRtreadmills.Nothing seems to have thatfull immersionfactor, though,either because the person playingstill needs to sit down to game, the haptic technology isnt responsive enough, or because the headsetis too large and expensive. But nowsoftware engineerAlexander Evansis making his own 3D-printedVR shoes,and they look like the best VRaccessory todate.

Evans posted his creation, which kind of lookslike an80s moonshoe prototype,toReddita few days ago. Each shoe has one track of horizontally facing wheels and one track of vertically facing wheelsor omnidirectional wheels. Theres also a motor attached to each battery-poweredshoe to help control movement. Users dont need to necessarily lift their feet off the ground, either. The shoes are heavy, but are designed to give users the ability to glide in multiple directions.

Evans noted inhisblogthatthe shoes should be used with a safety harness mounted to the ceiling, which will prevent the user from rolling into any walls and possibly injuring themselves or breaking something while wearing a VR headset. That seems to indicate thatthe garage would bethe best place for this. Apartment dwellers might have to talk with their landlord if they want to install a safety harness in their kitchen or bedroom.

Also, at present the shoes have to be manually controlled with an Android app, but Evans is working with the software to automate movement and integrate it with VR games.

I did not expect them to be very responsive or stable at this point. Still, for the very first tests, they worked well, he wrote.

He also plans to support crouching in the future, as well as jogging speed, but doesnt think the shoes will support a full-out sprint. The issue is adding shocks to the whole design, he said. He has made his design for anyone to use and improve upon, too. The 3D-printing files can bedownloaded from GitHub.

It seems like these shoes could help with motion sickness. Theres only theories at this point as to why VR makes some people sick and not others, but one of those theories issensory conflict: When your brain sees itself moving in the game but doesnt feel itself moving, it can cause confusion. Our bodies naturally dip and sway when we walk, and our eyes detect that slight movement. To see that movement but not physically feel itcan cause some people to feel sick.

When I play VR games in first person, I dont feel sick if Im stationary in the game, but the second I start walking or running, a wave of nausea blasts my entire head. I havent had the opportunity to test any VR mobility setups, butI would try these motorised shoes in a heartbeat.

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These Motorised Shoes Could Be the Key to Making Virtual Reality Fully Immersive - Gizmodo UK