Category: Renewable Energy

MIL-OSI Submissions: Microbes in deep-sea volcanoes can help scientists learn about early life on Earth, or even life beyond our planet

Source: The Conversation – USA – By James F. Holden, Professor of Microbiology, UMass Amherst

A submersible, which travels to the seafloor to collect rock and microbe samples, is lifted by the arm of a research vessel. James F. Holden

People have long wondered what life was first like on Earth, and if there is life in our solar system beyond our planet. Scientists have reason to believe that some of the moons in our solar system – like Jupiter’s Europa and Saturn’s Enceladus – may contain deep, salty liquid oceans under an icy shell. Seafloor volcanoes could heat these moons’ oceans and provide the basic chemicals needed for life.

Similar deep-sea volcanoes found on Earth support microbial life that lives inside solid rock without sunlight and oxygen. Some of these microbes, called thermophiles, live at temperatures hot enough to boil water on the surface. They grow from the chemicals coming out of active volcanoes.

Because these microorganisms existed before there was photosynthesis or oxygen on Earth, scientists think these deep-sea volcanoes and microbes could resemble the earliest habitats and life on Earth, and beyond.

To determine if life could exist beyond Earth in these ocean worlds, NASA sent the Cassini spacecraft to orbit Saturn in 1997. The agency has also sent three spacecraft to orbit Jupiter: Galileo in 1989, Juno in 2011 and most recently Europa Clipper in 2024. These spacecraft flew and will fly close to Enceladus and Europa to measure their habitability for life using a suite of instruments.

A diagram of the interior of Saturn’s moon Enceladus, which may have hot plumes beneath its ocean.
Surface: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute; interior: LPG-CNRS/U. Nantes/U. Angers. Graphic composition: ESA

However, for planetary scientists to interpret the data they collect, they need to first understand how similar habitats function and host life on Earth.

My microbiology laboratory at the University of Massachusetts Amherst studies thermophiles from hot springs at deep-sea volcanoes, also called hydrothermal vents.

Diving deep for samples of life

I grew up in Spokane, Washington, and had over an inch of volcanic ash land on my home when Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980. That event led to my fascination with volcanoes.

Several years later, while studying oceanography in college, I collected samples from Mount St. Helens’ hot springs and studied a thermophile from the site. I later collected samples at hydrothermal vents along an undersea volcanic mountain range hundreds of miles off the coast of Washington and Oregon. I have continued to study these hydrothermal vents and their microbes for nearly four decades.

Crewed submarines travel deep underwater to collect samples from hydrothermal vents.
Gavin Eppard, WHOI/Expedition to the Deep Slope/NOAA/OER, CC BY

Submarine pilots collect the samples my team uses from hydrothermal vents using human-occupied submarines or remotely operated submersibles. These vehicles are lowered into the ocean from research ships where scientists conduct research 24 hours a day, often for weeks at a time.

The samples collected include rocks and heated hydrothermal fluids that rise from cracks in the seafloor.

The submarines use mechanical arms to collect the rocks and special sampling pumps and bags to collect the hydrothermal fluids. The submarines usually remain on the seafloor for about a day before returning samples to the surface. They make multiple trips to the seafloor on each expedition.

Inside the solid rock of the seafloor, hydrothermal fluids as hot at 662 degrees Fahrenheit (350 Celsius) mix with cold seawater in cracks and pores of the rock. The mixture of hydrothermal fluid and seawater creates the ideal temperatures and chemical conditions that thermophiles need to live and grow.

Plumes rising from hydrothermal vents in the Atlantic Ocean.
P. Rona / OAR/National Undersea Research Program; NOAA

When the submarines return to the ship, scientists – including my research team – begin analyzing the chemistry, minerals and organic material like DNA in the collected water and rock samples.

These samples contain live microbes that we can cultivate, so we grow the microbes we are interested in studying while on the ship. The samples provide a snapshot of how microbes live and grow in their natural environment.

Thermophiles in the lab

Back in my laboratory in Amherst, my research team isolates new microbes from the hydrothermal vent samples and grows them under conditions that mimic those they experience in nature. We feed them volcanic chemicals like hydrogen, carbon dioxide, sulfur and iron and measure their ability to produce compounds like methane, hydrogen sulfide and the magnetic mineral magnetite.

The thermophilic microbe Pyrodictium delaneyi isolated by the Holden lab from a hydrothermal vent in the Pacific Ocean. It grows at 194 degrees Fahrenheit (90 Celsius) on hydrogen, sulfur and iron.
Lin et al., 2016/The Microbiology Society

Oxygen is typically deadly for these organisms, so we grow them in synthetic hydrothermal fluid and in sealed tubes or in large bioreactors free of oxygen. This way, we can control the temperature and chemical conditions they need for growth.

From these experiments, we look for distinguishing chemical signals that these organisms produce which spacecraft or instruments that land on extraterrestrial surfaces could potentially detect.

We also create computer models that best describe how we think these microbes grow and compete with other organisms in hydrothermal vents. We can apply these models to conditions we think existed on early Earth or on ocean worlds to see how these microbes might fare under those conditions.

We then analyze the proteins from the thermophiles we collect to understand how these organisms function and adapt to changing environmental conditions. All this information guides our understanding of how life can exist in extreme environments on and beyond Earth.

Uses for thermophiles in biotechnology

In addition to providing helpful information to planetary scientists, research on thermophiles provides other benefits as well. Many of the proteins in thermophiles are new to science and useful for biotechnology.

The best example of this is an enzyme called DNA polymerase, which is used to artificially replicate DNA in the lab by the polymerase chain reaction. The DNA polymerase first used for polymerase chain reaction was purified from the thermophilic bacterium Thermus aquaticus in 1976. This enzyme needs to be heat resistant for the replication technique to work. Everything from genome sequencing to clinical diagnoses, crime solving, genealogy tests and genetic engineering uses DNA polymerase.

DNA polymerase is an enzyme that plays an essential role in DNA replication. A heat-resistant form from thermophiles is useful in bioengineering.
Christinelmiller/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

My lab and others are exploring how thermophiles can be used to degrade waste and produce commercially useful products. Some of these organisms grow on waste milk from dairy farms and brewery wastewater – materials that cause fish kills and dead zones in ponds and bays. The microbes then produce biohydrogen from the waste – a compound that can be used as an energy source.

Hydrothermal vents are among the most fascinating and unusual environments on Earth. With them, windows to the first life on Earth and beyond may lie at the bottom of our oceans.

James F. Holden receives funding from NASA.

– ref. Microbes in deep-sea volcanoes can help scientists learn about early life on Earth, or even life beyond our planet – https://theconversation.com/microbes-in-deep-sea-volcanoes-can-help-scientists-learn-about-early-life-on-earth-or-even-life-beyond-our-planet-260977

MIL OSI –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Zoom in on 3rd CISCE from three perspectives

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

The third China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE), which concluded on Sunday in Beijing, has reinforced its role as a vital platform for promoting resilient, diversified and cooperative global supply chains, with a promising increase in international collaborations.

With over 6,000 cooperation agreements and partnership intents reached this year, the world’s first national-level exhibition dedicated to supply chains is steadily transforming the global supply network into a chain of shared benefits for all.

“This event is much more than an expo. It is a forest of connections between economies, industries and people,” John Denton, the secretary-general of the International Chamber of Commerce, said at the opening ceremony. “We are here together to advance our shared prosperity.”

Innovation

After three editions, CISCE has built a reputation as a hub of technological innovation in supply chain and a striking showcase for China’s new quality productive forces.

“Innovation is the defining feature of CISCE and the source of its vitality,” said Yu Jianlong, the vice chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), organizer of the expo.

This year’s expo showcased an array of standout technologies, including a humanoid robot equipped with Nvidia chips, an AI-supported car paint defect inspection system, and a hydrogen energy supply chain display based on liquid hydrogen technology.

Beyond the high-tech products dazzling eager audiences, this edition of the expo also spotlighted a deeper question: how to transform technological achievements into powerful drivers of industrial development.

This year’s CISCE featured, for the first time, a dedicated innovation chain zone. Though modest in size, the zone brings together a diverse range of 14 participating institutions, including the World Intellectual Property Organization and the China National Intellectual Property Administration. These exhibitors represent key players across various stages of science and technology commercialization, ranging from policy-making and technology transfer to innovation incubation, and provide targeted solutions to critical challenges in transforming technological achievements.

“Here in China, people are so advanced. The technology adoption is so fast,” said Jensen Huang, Nvidia CEO, during an interview on the sidelines of the expo, citing many examples of how China’s innovative applications are setting global trends — with companies worldwide learning from its practices.

Cooperation

As an international expo shared by the world, the CISCE continues to promote inclusive and mutually beneficial cooperation globally. Through the expo, an increasing number of international participants are aligning with the world’s most comprehensive supply chain while keeping pace with its rapid development.

According to the data from CCPIT, the expo has seen a steady rise in international participation. The proportion of overseas exhibitors has grown from 26 percent in the first edition to 32 percent in the second, and reached 35 percent this year. Over 65 percent of the exhibitors are Fortune Global 500 companies or industry leaders. Meanwhile, the geographic reach of participants has expanded from 55 countries and regions in the inaugural expo to 75 in the latest edition.

Major multinational companies have utilized CISCE to strengthen local partnerships and expand their presence in China. “Over the past three years at CISCE, we’ve showcased progress alongside our suppliers in smart manufacturing, green manufacturing and talent development,” Isabel Ge Mahe, Apple’s vice president and managing director of Greater China, told Xinhua.

She highlighted Apple’s 20 billion U.S. dollars investment in China over the past five years, primarily focused on innovation and supply chain advancements, and praised China’s dynamic innovation ecosystem and sophisticated smart supply chains. “We are deeply rooted here, incredibly proud of the supply chain we helped build, and will continue to invest and innovate with our local partners.”

Domestic provinces also used the expo to court supply-chain partners. At a side event, southwest China’s Sichuan Province drew foreign giants with its complete industrial chain, pro-business climate and huge market.

“We entered China more than 40 years ago and we’re still expanding,” said Utsugi Yuyama, executive officer of Japanese material manufacturer AGC Inc. The company already runs chemical and electronic lines in Sichuan and plans more. He hailed the province’s talent pool and comprehensive industrial chain, where local and foreign enterprises integrate to drive growth.

Greener supply chain

Green development has increasingly become the foundation and highlight of the expo. How to promote green and low-carbon development across industrial and supply chains has become a notable question at the expo, and an increasing number of major enterprises in their supply chain are stepping up with innovative solutions.

“Green standards, including carbon tracking and sustainability metrics, are becoming essential across industries,” said Zhou Xing, head of public affairs at PwC China, who identified green transformation as one of the four key trends shaping the current global supply chain restructuring.

At this year’s expo, multinational companies such as Schneider Electric made their debut, showcasing digital solutions for sustainable supply chain construction. The company is working to establish an efficient and resilient green supply chain that can respond swiftly to market shifts.

“The supply chain expo provides an important platform for global enterprises, especially in green supply chain construction,” said Yin Zheng, executive vice-president of Schneider Electric and president of its China and East Asia operations. Yin added that Schneider Electric hopes to share its experience and seek more cooperation opportunities through the event.

Returning to CISCE for the third consecutive year, Starbucks China spotlighted a comprehensive look at the “green path” from coffee bean to brewed cup. According to the company, around 30 percent of its total carbon emissions in China stem directly or indirectly from its own operations, while the remaining 70 percent originate upstream, from sectors like dairy production and logistics.

To tackle this challenge, Starbucks China announced a strategic partnership with Envision Group, a leading green tech company, at this year’s expo. Over the next three years, the two sides will work together to roll out a digital carbon management platform aimed at gradually covering 100 percent of Starbucks China’s direct suppliers.

MIL OSI China News –

July 21, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: International Energy Forum (IEF) Secretary General Joins African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 Amid Forecasts Global Energy Growth

Source: APO – Report:

Jassim Alshirawi, Secretary General of intergovernmental organization the International Energy Forum (IEF), has joined the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference as a speaker. As the world’s largest gathering of energy ministers, the IEF accounts for more than 90% of global oil and gas supply, and as such, Alshirawi is well-positioned to lead discussions around Africa’s oil market, including trends, opportunities and challenges.

Representing the global home of energy dialogue, the IEF focuses on energy security, data transparency and energy transition, uniting global energy ministers and stakeholders to advance global supply chains. Founded more than 30 years ago, the organization facilitates discussions between producing and consuming countries, offering a neutral and inclusive platform to address supply chain challenges. Alshirawi’s participation at AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 – Africa’s largest energy event – is expected to further strengthen these discussions as Africa’s role in global energy markets increasingly grows.

AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

Alshirawi’s participation comes as Africa moves to promote Africa-centric energy policies, ones that center around the continent’s need to scale-up energy capacity while advancing a just energy transition. Given that over 600 million people currently lack access to electricity across the continent while 900 million people lack access to clean cooking solutions, many countries are advocating for a differentiated approach to the energy transition in Africa, one that prioritizes the development of low-carbon oil and gas. Organizations such as the IEF are uniquely positioned to facilitate energy dialogue, thereby enhancing a better understanding of Africa’s energy dynamics.

Beyond energy dialogue, the IEF provides a series of reports and data analysis, with insights supporting investments and decision-making by leading operators and financiers. In the IEF’s latest Comparative Analysis of Monthly Reports on the Oil Market, the organization offers a comparison of forecasted market trends by major organizations such as OPEC and the International Energy Agency (IEA). In its comparison, the IEF outlines that OPEC predictions show global oil demand rising 1.3 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2025, driven predominantly by increased consumption of transportation fuels. The 2026 forecast will see demand rise by a further 1.3 million bpd, sustained by rising demand for mobility and petrochemicals feedstocks. At the same time, the IEA projects global oil demand to rise by 0.7 million bpd in 2025 and 720,000 bpd in 2026. These discrepancies underscore the need to connect under one platform, with AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 emerging as a strategic forum in this regard.

AEW: Invest in African Energies unites stakeholders from the global and African energy landscapes to discuss strategies for accelerating investment and development in pursuit of enhanced energy security. As a continent rich with a variety of natural resources and offering significant untapped opportunities, Africa is well-positioned to play a more central role in global supply chains. Established markets such as Angola, Nigeria, the Republic of Congo and Libya are rapidly increasing oil and gas production, targeting new exploration frontiers and incremental production projects. Concurrently, emerging markets such as Namibia, Uganda, Ivory Coast, South Africa and Zimbabwe are all driving frontier exploration, with the aim of establishing themselves as future producers. In tandem with advancements in clean energy developments – from large-scale green hydrogen to integrated solar and wind – Africa offers significant opportunities across its entire energy sector and value chain.

Stepping into this picture, Alshirawi’s participation at AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 will strengthen Africa-global dialogue. His participation will not only seek to address challenges and opportunities across the global energy market but foster discussions around Africa’s unique strategy to scale-up energy and advance its transition.

“As Africa’s energy sector experiences rapid growth, a unique opportunity has emerged for operators, financiers and technology providers to capitalize on global demand and position the continent as a major supplier. Insights shared by the IEF have long-played an important part in de-risking investments in Africa and will continue supporting developments as companies unlock the full potential of the continent’s energy resources,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber.

– on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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MIL OSI Africa –

July 20, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: The government has expanded the list of modern technologies for concluding special investment contracts

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

The list of modern technologies, during the development or implementation of which companies can conclude special investment contracts with the state (SPIC 2.0), has been expanded by another 21 items. The order to supplement the existing list was signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

The updated list includes technologies that can be used in medicine, the chemical and food industries, agriculture, energy, and construction.

These technologies include new methods for producing hydrogen, ammonia, nitric acid, granulated urea, building materials, new generation feed enzyme preparations, bread and bakery products with an extended shelf life, vegetable oil and other products.

Commenting on the signed documentGovernment meeting on July 17, Mikhail Mishustin emphasized that it will attract additional private investment in priority areas, and will also help develop the production of products that are critically important for the country.

In a new format, the special investment contract mechanism has been in effect since the end of 2020. It allows attracting large private capital investments in the development of innovative solutions and the creation of high-tech production facilities for the production of competitive domestic products.

Within the framework of the SPIC mechanism, the investor undertakes to implement an investment project for the introduction or development and introduction of modern technology for the development of serial production of industrial products on the territory of Russia within the timeframes specified in the contract.

The state, for its part, guarantees such an investor favorable, clear and unchangeable conditions for investments, including tax benefits and special conditions for land lease without tenders. Contracts are concluded for a period of up to 15 years if investments in the project do not exceed 50 billion rubles. For a larger amount, the period of the agreement may be extended to 20 years.

The document will be published.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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MIL OSI Russia News –

July 20, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Tag along with Jay at CISCE: How wind and solar are powering a zero-carbon future?

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

Diamonds can be made from green hydrogen? The solar-powered parasols can charge your phone? Wind turbines resemble Chinese stilt walkers? British host Jay Ian Birbeck explores the clean energy cycle at the third China International Supply Chain Expo. From Chinese innovation to global collaboration, the expo presents not only the entire clean energy chain but also cooperation and shared success in tackling climate change!

MIL OSI China News –

July 20, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Legislation considered under suspension of the Rules of the House of Representatives during the week of July 21, 2025
Source: US Congressional Budget Office

The Majority Leader of the House of Representatives announces bills that will be considered under suspension of the rules in that chamber. Under suspension, floor debate is limited, all floor amendments are prohibited, points of order against the bill are waived, and final passage requires a two-thirds majority vote.

At the request of the Majority Leader and the House Committee on the Budget, CBO estimates the effects of those bills on direct spending and revenues. CBO has limited time to review the legislation before consideration. Although it is possible in most cases to determine whether the legislation would affect direct spending or revenues, time may be insufficient to estimate the magnitude of those effects. If CBO has prepared estimates for similar or identical legislation, a more detailed assessment of budgetary effects, including effects on spending subject to appropriation, may be included.

CBO’s estimates of the bills that have been posted for possible consideration under suspension of the rules during the week of July 21, 2025, include:
- H.R. 131, Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act, as amended
- H.R. 183, Law Enforcement Officer Recreation Pass Act, as amended
- H.R. 672, To establish new ZIP Codes for certain communities, and for other purposes, as amended
- H.R. 1043, La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act
- H.R. 1450, OFAC Licensure for Investigators Act
- H.R. 1469, Senior Security Act of 2025, as amended
- H.R. 1549, China Financial Threat Mitigation Act of 2025, as amended
- H.R. 1716, Taiwan Conflict Deterrence Act of 2025, as amended
- H.R.1764, Aligning SEC Regulations for the World Bank’s International Development Association Act, as amended
- H.R. 1917, Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act of 2025, as amended
- H.R. 2170, To name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Toms River, New Jersey, the Leonard G. ‘Bud’ Lomell, VA Clinic, and for other purposes
- H.R. 2384, Financial Technology Protection Act, as amended
- H.R. 2625, VERY Act of 2025
- H.R. 3095, To direct the United States Postal Service to designate single, unique ZIP Codes for certain communities, and for other purposes, as amended
- H.R. 3339, Equal Opportunity for All Investors Act of 2025, as amended
- H.R. 3343, Greenlighting Growth Act, as amended
- H.R. 3351, Improving Access to Small Business Information Act, as amended
- H.R. 3357, Enhancing Multi-Class Share Disclosures Act, as amended
- H.R. 3382, Small Entity Update Act, as amended
- H.R. 3395, Middle Market IPO Underwriting Cost Act, as amended
- H.R. 3937, Wabeno Economic Development Act, as amended
- H.R. 4275, Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, as amended
- S. 201, ACES Act
- S. 423, PRO Veterans Act of 2025
MIL OSI USA News –
July 19, 2025

MIL-OSI Africa: Empowering Women through Clean Energy: African Development Bank Launches Country Diagnostics to Accelerate Inclusive Energy Transitions

Source: APO – Report:

In a significant step toward advancing inclusive climate solutions, the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org), in partnership with the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) (https://apo-opa.co/44PhRQI), has launched the Gender and Renewable Energy Country Diagnostics (https://apo-opa.co/3GXAwSi)—a pivotal initiative exploring the nexus between gender equity and energy access in six African countries: Ghana (https://apo-opa.co/450VUOL), Liberia (https://apo-opa.co/44DKrFW), Mali (https://apo-opa.co/44ZZLM5), Lesotho (https://apo-opa.co/3GTIKeb), Madagascar (https://apo-opa.co/46jgk7Q), and Malawi (https://apo-opa.co/46dH5KX).

Commissioned by the Bank under CIF’s Scaling Up Renewable Energy Program, the diagnostics provide evidence-based, country-specific recommendations to enhance women’s leadership, financial inclusion, and participation in Africa’s clean energy economy. Focusing on localized, actionable solutions, the reports identify opportunities to embed gender considerations into national energy planning, investment strategies, and policy frameworks. They also propose inclusive financing models that de-risk women-led energy enterprises and highlight the need for capacity-building efforts to strengthen technical skills, entrepreneurial readiness, and leadership among women in the renewable energy sector.

The findings were officially unveiled at a virtual launch event on 30 June 2025, hosted by the Bank’s Climate Change and Green Growth Department and Gender and Women Empowerment Division. The event brought together stakeholders from government, civil society, the private sector, and development institutions, underscoring a strong regional commitment to gender-equitable and resilient energy transitions.

Opening the event, Al Hamndou Dorsouma, Manager of the Climate Change and Green Growth, reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to a just and inclusive energy transition. “Gender equality is a source of serious innovation and sustainable growth,” he stated, emphasizing the need to translate diagnostic findings into concrete reforms, strengthening institutional coordination, and gender-responsive business and financing mechanisms. He noted that the initiative directly responds to growing country-level demand for stronger gender integration in energy strategies, building on earlier successes in East Africa.

Nathalie Gahunga, Manager of the Gender and Women Empowerment Division, closed the event with a compelling call to action. She urged governments, development partners, NGOs, financiers, and the private sector to turn the data into transformative investments, innovative programs, and inclusive policy reforms. “The real work begins now,” she declared, calling for cross-sector collaboration to remove structural barriers and unlock women’s full participation in Africa’s green economy.

Fewstancia Munyaradzi, Executive Director of Rand Sandton Consulting Group (www.RandSandton.com), presented a consolidated action plan focused on closing financing gaps, building institutional capacity, and integrating gender-responsive approaches into energy policy and project design.

At the African Development Bank, gender integration is a core priority. Gender considerations are mainstreamed in 100 percent of the Bank’s climate operations—from design through implementation. These diagnostics reflect that commitment, providing practical tools to help countries operationalize gender equality in energy planning and programming.

As Africa advances on its path to energy transformation, diagnostics are now available to guide gender-responsive policy and investment decisions across the continent. They affirm that gender inclusion is not only a development imperative but a cornerstone of sustainable, resilient progress.

This new effort builds on the Bank’s earlier collaboration with the Climate Investment Funds in 2020, which produced Gender and Sustainable Energy Access country briefs for Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda (https://apo-opa.co/46MLNiY). Those briefs guided gender-sensitive energy interventions and highlighted the importance of sex-disaggregated data, national-level engagement, and context-specific recommendations.

To review the Country Diagnostic Studies on Gender and Renewable Energy, click here (https://apo-opa.co/3GXAwSi):

Ghana (https://apo-opa.co/450VUOL)	Liberia (https://apo-opa.co/44DKrFW)	Mali (https://apo-opa.co/44ZZLM5)
Lesotho (https://apo-opa.co/3GTIKeb)	Madagascar (https://apo-opa.co/46jgk7Q)	Malawi (https://apo-opa.co/46dH5KX)

– on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Media Contact:
Sonia Borrini
Climate Change & Green Growth Department
s.borrini@afdb.org

About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org

MIL OSI Africa –

July 19, 2025

MIL-OSI Africa: The African Development Bank (AfDB) and Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) provide $40 million investment in equity platform Zafiri to accelerate renewable energy access across Africa

Source: APO – Report:

The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) has approved a $40 million equity investment in Project Zafiri, a transformative equity platform and flagship initiative under Mission 300 (https://apo-opa.co/4m1ve7m). This investment will accelerate the expansion of renewable energy access across Africa.

Zafiri – jointly developed by the Bank, World Bank Group and other partners – aims to address the critical shortage of patient, longer-term equity capital needed to de-risk and scale Decentralized Renewable Energy solutions (DRE) for underserved communities across the continent.

Decentralized Renewable Energy is the fastest, most cost-effective, and sustainable way to expand electricity access in rural Africa. Unlike centralized grids, DRE solutions—such as mini-grids and stand-alone solar home systems—can be deployed quickly and affordably, even in remote or fragile areas.

Under Mission 300, which aims to connect an additional 300 million people to electricity by 2030, DRE will play a central role in ensuring no community is left behind. These decentralized systems are modular, scalable, and well-suited to the continent’s dispersed populations and geographic challenges. More than half of all new electricity connections by 2030 are expected to come from DRE.

Zafiri is structured as a Permanent Capital Vehicle with a targeted capitalization of $1 billion, raised through a phased approach. Phase 1 targets $300 million in total commitments, equally split between junior and senior equity, with junior equity serving as a key catalyst to crowd-in private sector in this higher-risk, undercapitalized market.

The African Development Bank’s $40 million contribution consists of $30 million in senior equity from its balance sheet and $10 million in junior equity from the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), a multi-donor special fund managed by the Bank.

“Zafiri is a catalytic platform that will be an integral component of the Bank’s strategy to accelerate universal access to modern energy in Africa. With just five years remaining to reach Mission 300’s goal of additional 300 million connections by 2030, this initiative provides a timely and innovative solution to scale private capital for impact,” noted Kevin Kariuki, Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate, and Green Growth at the African Development Bank.

Wale Shonibare, Director for Energy Financial Solutions, Policy, and Regulations, described Zafiri as the largest patient capital commitment to the African DRE sector to date. He said it exemplifies how structured blended financing can unlock commercial capital while delivering inclusive, climate-resilient energy access across the continent.

Project Zafiri will address the lack of longer-term equity that is constraining the growth of the DRE sector in Africa, Daniel Schroth, Director for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, said, adding that by anchoring the junior equity tranche, SEFA is helping to crowd in private investment at scale.

Zafiri aligns with the Bank’s Ten-Year Strategy (2024–2033) to promote private investment in energy infrastructure, the High 5s, particularly Light Up and Power Africa, Industrialize Africa, and Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa, and the New Deal on Energy for Africa. It also contributes to both mitigation and adaptation goals under the Bank’s Climate Change and Green Growth Policy and Strategy and supports the objectives of SEFA and the Private Sector Development Strategy (PSDS) to mobilize equity for clean energy and energy efficiency investments. Zafiri also aligns with the Bank’s Equity Investment Framework and represents a pioneering approach to blended finance in Africa’s energy transition and a critical step toward achieving universal energy access.

– on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Contact:
Amba Mpoke-Bigg
Communication and External Relations Department
Email: media@afdb.org

About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org

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MIL OSI Africa –

July 19, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Stay Cool: NASA Tests Innovative Technique for Super Cold Fuel Storage

Source: NASA

In the vacuum of space, where temperatures can plunge to minus 455 degrees Fahrenheit, it might seem like keeping things cold would be easy. But the reality is more complex for preserving ultra-cold fluid propellants – or fuel – that can easily overheat from onboard systems, solar radiation, and spacecraft exhaust. The solution is a method called cryogenic fluid management, a suite of technologies that stores, transfers, and measures super cold fluids for the surface of the Moon, Mars, and future long-duration spaceflight missions.
Super cold, or cryogenic, fluids like liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen are the most common propellants for space exploration. Despite its chilling environment, space has a “hot” effect on these propellants because of their low boiling points – about minus 424 degrees Fahrenheit for liquid hydrogen and about minus 298 for liquid oxygen – putting them at risk of boiloff.
In a first-of-its-kind demonstration, teams at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, are testing an innovative approach to achieve zero boiloff storage of liquid hydrogen using two stages of active cooling which could prevent the loss of valuable propellant.
“Technologies for reducing propellant loss must be implemented for successful long-duration missions to deep space like the Moon and Mars,” said Kathy Henkel, acting manager of NASA’s Cryogenic Fluid Management Portfolio Project, based at NASA Marshall. “Two-stage cooling prevents propellant loss and successfully allows for long-term storage of propellants whether in transit or on the surface of a planetary body.”
The new technique, known as “tube on tank” cooling, integrates two cryocoolers, or cooling devices, to keep propellant cold and thwart multiple heat sources. Helium, chilled to about minus 424 degrees Fahrenheit, circulates through tubes attached to the outer wall of the propellant tank.

Teams installed the propellant tank in a test stand at NASA Marshall in early June, and the 90-day test campaign is scheduled to conclude in September. The tank is wrapped in a multi-layer insulation blanket that includes a thin aluminum heat shield fitted between layers. A second set of tubes, carrying helium at about minus 298 Fahrenheit, is integrated into the shield. This intermediate cooling layer intercepts and rejects incoming heat before it reaches the tank, easing the heat load on the tube-on-tank system.
To prevent dangerous pressure buildup in the propellant tank in current spaceflight systems, boiloff vapors must be vented, resulting in the loss of valuable fuel. Eliminating such propellant losses is crucial to the success of NASA’s most ambitious missions, including future crewed journeys to Mars, which will require storing large amounts of cryogenic propellant in space for months or even years. So far, cryogenic fuels have only been used for missions lasting less than a week.
“To go to Mars and have a sustainable presence, you need to preserve cryogens for use as rocket or lander return propellant,” Henkel said. “Rockets currently control their propellant through margin, where larger tanks are designed to hold more propellant than what is needed for a mission. Propellant loss isn’t an issue with short trips because the loss is factored into this margin. But, human exploration missions to Mars or longer stays at the Moon will require a different approach because of the very large tanks that would be needed.”
The Cryogenic Fluid Management Portfolio Project is a cross-agency team based at NASA Marshall and the agency’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. The cryogenic portfolio’s work is under NASA’s Technology Demonstration Missions Program, part of NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate, and is comprised of more than 20 individual technology development activities.
Learn more about cryogenic fluid management:
https://go.nasa.gov/cfm

MIL OSI USA News –

July 19, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Tax credits drive carbon capture deployment in our Annual Energy Outlook

Source: US Energy Information Administration

In-brief analysis

July 18, 2025

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Annual Energy Outlook 2025 (AEO2025)

In our recently published Annual Energy Outlook 2025 (AEO2025), we introduce our new Carbon Capture, Allocation, Transportation, and Sequestration module (CCATS), which allows us to model carbon capture in the coming decades.

The CCATS module allocates projected supply of captured CO₂ across the energy system for either enhanced oil recovery or geologic storage using a network representation of capture facilities, transshipment points, and sequestration sites.

In AEO2025, we project CO₂ capture at electric power and industrial facilities will increase through the 2030s, primarily due to increased tax credit values. Captured emissions peak at 1.5%–3.5% of energy emissions in the late 2030s in most cases.

In most of our cases, we considered laws and regulations in place as of December 2024, which meant including tax credit values implemented under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). We did not include changes in the recent One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which essentially preserved tax credits for carbon capture but made them more generous in the case of utilization.

Under the IRA, developers could claim the tax credits, known as 45Q, for projects that begin construction before January 1, 2033, for up to 12 years once placed in service. The 12-year period will end between the late 2030s through the mid-2040s. We project CO₂ capture will decrease as the tax credits expire through 2050 across all AEO2025 cases.

How do CO₂ capture rates look through 2050?
Projected peak CO₂ capture amounts vary by AEO2025 case. In the Reference case, CO₂ capture peaks at just under 71 million metric tons (MMmt) in 2039, or about 2% of overall energy emissions. Projected peak captured emissions are lowest in the Alternative Electricity case, at 56 MMmt in 2037, and highest in the High Oil Price case, at 122 MMmt in 2039.

Our Alternative Electricity case has less carbon capture activity because it does not model Clean Air Act 111 regulations implemented in 2024, which effectively require carbon capture for coal and natural gas power plants. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently proposed to repeal the rule.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Annual Energy Outlook 2025
Note: ZTC= Zero-Carbon Technology Cost

Historically, most CO₂ capture has occurred at ethanol and natural gas processing plants. We project CO₂ capture at coal power plants, natural gas power plants, and hydrogen facilities to surpass these industries across many of the AEO2025 cases. In addition, we project that no bioenergy with carbon capture and storage is deployed in any of our cases, and CO₂ capture at cement facilities remains small—between 1 MMmt and 2.5 MMmt in 2035.

How will CO₂ be sequestered?
We modeled CO₂ sequestered in saline storage—deep underground formations containing saltwater—and injected into oil fields to increase output, a process known as enhanced oil recovery (EOR). The 45Q tax credit under the IRA was $60 per metric ton of CO₂ for EOR and $85 per metric ton for saline storage. The recently passed OBBBA increased the value of the credit for EOR to $85 per metric ton, but the new value is not included in our analysis.

In all our cases, we project captured CO₂ sent to saline storage will increase through the mid- to late-2030s. In the Reference case, we project CO₂ sequestered in saline storage will increase from essentially none in 2024 to 52 MMmt in 2040. Less CO₂ is sequestered in saline formations after 2041 as the 45Q tax credits expire because we do not model other sources of revenue.

We project CO₂ sequestered for EOR sites will increase in the Reference case from 12 MMmt of CO₂ in 2024 to 26 MMmt of CO₂ in 2044. The amount of CO₂ sequestered at EOR sites through the projection period stays relatively steady because revenue from increased oil production supports the projects even after 45Q tax credits expire.

What portion of emissions is captured and sequestered?

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Annual Energy Outlook 2025

CO₂ capture remains small relative to overall energy emissions across AEO2025 cases. We project that for the electric power sector, gross emissions decline in all cases while CO₂ capture increases. Peak CO₂ capture in the electric power sector ranges from 2.8% to 15.6% of sector emissions, depending on the AEO2025 case. In the industrial sector, we project that gross CO₂ emissions increase in most cases and captured CO₂ emissions remain low. Peak CO₂ capture ranges from 2.6% to 3.9% of industrial sector emissions in our projections.

Previous Today in Energy articles for the AEO2025 presented key findings on crude oil and natural gas exports, energy consumption growth, and electricity use for commercial computing.

Principal contributors: Will Sommer, Jeff Bennett, Kendyl Partridge, Anna Cororaton

MIL OSI USA News –

July 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: South Africa Ramps Up Energy Investment Drive with Dedicated Roundtable at African Energy Week (AEW) 2025

Source: APO

South Africa is positioning itself as a premier investment destination in Africa’s energy transition, with a strategic push across the entire energy value chain – from oil and gas exploration to renewables and green hydrogen. At African Energy Week (AEW) 2025: Invest in African Energies, an “Invest in South Africa” Roundtable will bring together top-tier investors, policymakers and energy executives to spotlight the country’s evolving regulatory landscape, its new national oil company and a host of bankable infrastructure projects.

This year’s roundtable brings together a powerful lineup of speakers driving South Africa’s energy future, including Shahrukh Mirza, VP LNG Development at ExxonMobil, Stefano Marani, CEO of Renergen Limited, and senior representatives from both the newly formed South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC) and the South African National Energy Development Institute.

South Africa’s energy sector is undergoing a critical transformation: years of load-shedding and grid instability has prompted bold reforms aimed at liberalizing the energy market, fast-tracking private-sector participation and diversifying supply sources. As the government unbundles Eskom and opens transmission infrastructure to independent power producers, investor interest in South Africa’s power and gas markets is growing sharply. Meanwhile, the Integrated Resource Plan and Renewable Energy Masterplan are paving the way for expanded solar, wind and battery storage deployment, backed by robust public-private collaboration.

The upstream oil and gas sector is also entering a pivotal new phase. The recently established SANPC is spearheading fresh exploration efforts and opening up acreage across frontier basins, including the Orange Basin – an area that has drawn renewed interest following a string of offshore discoveries in neighboring Namibia. Energy major Shell has secured approval for a five-well drilling campaign in the Northern Cape Ultra Deep block, while TotalEnergies is targeting a two-well wildcat campaign in South Africa’s portion of the Orange Basin, slated for 2026. With upcoming licensing opportunities, transparent fiscal terms and enhanced data packages, South Africa is well-positioned to attract both new market entrants and experienced independents to its upstream sector.

In its gas monetization strategy, South Africa is advancing efforts to leverage domestic resources – including those under development by Renergen at the Virginia Gas Project – to support helium exports and the production of LNG for transport and industrial fuel use. The country’s Gas Master Plan, currently under review, sets out a roadmap for critical infrastructure, including LNG terminals, pipeline expansions and strategic gas storage, aimed at enhancing long-term energy security. At the same time, public-private initiatives such as the green hydrogen corridor – linking the Northern Cape to key export hubs – are laying the groundwork for large-scale hydrogen production, backed by the region’s exceptional solar and wind potential.

“As South Africa retools its regulatory environment and builds momentum behind energy diversification, AEW 2025 stands as the ideal venue to connect capital with opportunity. From the Orange Basin’s high-impact prospects to scalable renewables and gas monetization, the country is open for business,” says Oré Onegbesan, Program Director, AEW.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

AEW: Invest in African Energies:
AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

Media files

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MIL OSI Africa –

July 18, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Ranking Member Marcy Kaptur Statement at the Full Committee Markup of the 2026 Energy and Water Development Funding Bill

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)

Washington, DC — Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09), Ranking Member of the Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, delivered the following remarks at the full committee’s markup of its fiscal year 2026 bill:

Thank you very much, Chairman Cole. Ranking Member DeLauro, my dear friend, Chair Fleischmann and all the members as we gather today to mark up this Fiscal Year 2026 Energy and Water Development Bill. I have to restate, Chairman Fleischmann, I have truly appreciated working with you. You are always open to suggestions and, to all of our colleagues on this subcommittee that is a very, bipartisan subcommittee to develop and pass these bills, and our committee has long had this practice. We affect every single Congressional District in this country.

I’m truly saddened that this vital subcommittee is, being steered yet again to return to a partisan process not caused by our subcommittee, but as we move forward with this Fiscal Year 2026 House bill.

I would like to begin by thanking our diligent staff for all their hard work on this bill from the minority staff Scott McKee, Anisha Singh, and Adam Wilson, and on our personal staff, Kaitlin Ulin, TJ Lowdermilk, and Margaret McInnis. Truly thank you to you all.

Engineered energy and water systems undergird America’s way of life. They are not optional, but essential to sustaining life. Of late, we have been piercingly reminded about our subcommittee’s purpose, especially as related to water management by the extreme flash flooding and tragic loss of over 132 lives, and with over 101 missing, in the Guadalupe River catchment area in Texas.

The deadly West Virginia flash flooding this past month significantly damaged over 100 homes. Unfortunately, taking the lives of at least nine people, including a three year old, in Valley Grove, West Virginia. And we’ve seen flooding events in central North Carolina and New Mexico. All our hearts go out to the families of the victims and their communities. These tragedies inform us of the power of water and wild energy in our atmosphere. Not because of cloud seeding, but because of nature’s awesome power generated inside the thin seven layer atmosphere surrounding our spinning and rotating earth. Let me be clear. No matter how much members on the other side of the aisle want to pretend that the climate isn’t changing, for the record, the last ten years are the ten hottest in recorded history.

So many have been held up on their plane flights back here. It’s an unusual change in the weather across this country, and members are personally experiencing these delays, as are the American people. These recent floods are made worse by the heating atmosphere. We had four 1,000 year floods last week alone. That is a record.

So far in July, our country has seen over 1,200 flooding events, more than double the normal for an average July, and we’re just halfway through the month. Constitutionally, it is our sworn duty to prepare and protect the people in our communities, and it is hard to accept that no warning sirens had been installed along the Guadalupe River, despite prior tragedies along that very treacherous corridor. Our nation needs to install warning systems and build resilient infrastructure, and we are behind.

For example, in a district like mine, we had to bring funding for tornado sirens many years ago. I was shocked that they didn’t exist. And in Ohio, we do zone to prevent flooding from threatening human life. But many places in our country do not, and we cannot keep bailing out places that are irresponsible in their behavior. My home in the City of Toledo has gone into Billions of dollars of debt to build new sewers, along with gigantic underground catchment basins, some as large as two football fields in size, in order to handle increasing water loads.

We are making investments all over our district to protect Lake Erie shoreline and its tributaries. But in places where infrastructure investments aren’t cost effective, how does our nation make sure that families will be protected with adequate local planning and disaster warning systems? America needs more rigor in land and water planning systems, and my friends, quite frankly, we as a nation don’t get a grade A on that.

It is our awesome responsibility as public servants to address the structural shortcomings at the federal, state, and local level that contributed to the recent loss of life. Sadly, this Republican energy and water bill does not meet our nation’s imperative for the future. It’s over $700 Million below last year. We must invest faster in modern infrastructure, and become energy independent in perpetuity. That is our responsibility. In a nation of 350 million people headed to 500 million people, we must make energy cost less and invest in grid resilience, which is sadly behind what this country needs.

I find it interesting that Russell Vought, the chief architect of the budget cuts that we are being asked to endure in this bill, claims that he’s so savvy. But how is it possible? He’s supposed to be known as a budget cutter, right? But how is it possible that he has added $3.4 Trillion, despite our cuts to the national debt over the next ten years? Over 20 years, he’s adding $9.5 Trillion, and $18.7 Trillion by 30 years out. So that’s a total of $32 Trillion, if temporary measures are extended permanently. Think about that one. So if they’re doing such a good job over there at the Executive Branch and OMB, how come the national debt is rising when we’re cutting every single bill that we are discussing today, and those that will follow?

This bill fails to address the cost of living crisis. The price of electricity has risen 5.8% over the last year. Every family in this country knows that, and even higher energy bills lie ahead for families and businesses. China is investing record levels in energy, my friends. But this bill retreats from US global leadership in the future in the form of a diversified and clean energy economy. This energy and water bill cuts $1.6 Billion, or 47%, from the Department of Energy’s energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. The adage analysis prevention is worth a pound of cure applies to our nation’s imperative to deliver clean, affordable, and secure energy to the American people and to ensure our nation leads, not lags, in the global race toward energy independence in perpetuity, including an abundant clean energy future.

Our mom and dad taught us how to be thrifty and not wasteful. Dad would say, “it’s not how much you make, it’s how much you save,” and that applies to energy and fresh water. Conservation are good goals for the future of our children and grandchildren, and we’ve made some strides toward those horizons. The United States on the oil front is producing more than ever before, record high levels of production, but we are still tethered to a volatile global energy market dominated by cartels and petroleum dictators like OPEC. We must advance an all of the above energy strategy to be successful long term. Europe learned the hard way about being too reliant on one source of energy, Russian gas. In their case when Russia invaded Ukraine. Let us heed that chilling warning.

China aims to be the OPEC for the next century, and gain dominance in clean energy, and they are well on their way. Their investments dwarf the rest of the world’s. A Chinese company has developed an EV battery. Are you ready for this? That can travel 1,800 miles in a single charge and recharge in just five minutes. Think about that. What sense does it make for this Energy and Water Bill to slash the Department of Energy’s vital research and development programs?

The Republican plan cripples America’s energy future by awarding giant tax breaks to Millionaires and Billionaires in the Big Billionaire Bonanza Bill that’s creating the big, huge additions to the debt. America must focus on building an economy that works for everyone, especially our working families and retirees, not just the wealthy few. The bill this bill eliminates funding for the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, and worse, it revokes $5.1 Billion of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law resources from the Department of Energy that will cede the US global lead in hydrogen, direct air capture, battery recycling, and energy savings in every public and private structure. Already, US businesses have canceled. This is shocking number. More than $15 Billion in investments in new factories and electricity production projects this year, as a result of the Republican Bonanza for Billionaires Bill. Those canceled projects were expected to create nearly 12,000 new jobs, all now gone.

I can remember when we brought back the heavy Ford heavy truck line from Mexico to the region that I represent, and I stood next to the CEO of the company at that time, and I said, what can I do to keep these jobs anchored here in Northern Ohio? And he looked at me and he didn’t waste a moment. He said, cut my energy bills by a third. Well, think about that one.

Thus I strongly oppose the Republican cuts to vital energy production and conservation and our future through the US Department of Energy. Shortchanging these advances pushes our nation backwards and raises already high energy prices for consumers. Why drive America backwards by slow walking energy innovation and failing to modernize our nation’s electric grids, which are old.

In other areas, this bill dangerously short changes our national security, and this is really critical. The bill slashes $412 Million from the Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation account. This effectively guts our efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, detect covert nuclear threats, and uphold arms control agreements that keep us safe. All a big gift for Iran, Russia, China, Belarus, and North Korea. Think about that Spiderweb of Tyranny.

Additionally, this bill turns its back on communities still living with the toxic legacy of America’s atomic past. Zeroing out the Army Corps program to clean up radioactive waste at early nuclear sites. It slashes $779 Million from the Department of Energy’s nuclear cleanup efforts. Delaying the cleanup of these communities have been promised for decades. I’ll note for the committee that one of these sites is in the village of Luckey, Ohio, not so far from my district, and believe me, you don’t want to breathe in or ingest atomic waste anywhere in the world. Finally, this bill includes numerous controversial poison pill riders that sadly show some extremists among us are not interested in real bills that can gain bipartisan support and become law.

In closing, I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill. America can, and must meet the new age frontiers of energy and water. We owe it to the future. Nature is signaling, times are changing. And it’s good to remind ourselves, 200 years after Daniel Webster stated this, that is up on the wall in the House of Representatives chamber. “Let us develop the resources of our land, call forth its powers, build up its institutions, promote all its great interests, and see whether also we in our time and generation may not perform something worthy to be remembered.” That is our mandate today.

Thank you, and I yield back.

# # #

MIL OSI USA News –

July 18, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: NASA to Launch SNIFS, Sun’s Next Trailblazing Spectator

Source: NASA

July will see the launch of the groundbreaking Solar EruptioN Integral Field Spectrograph mission, or SNIFS. Delivered to space via a Black Brant IX sounding rocket, SNIFS will explore the energy and dynamics of the chromosphere, one of the most complex regions of the Sun’s atmosphere. The SNIFS mission’s launch window at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico opens on Friday, July 18.
The chromosphere is located between the Sun’s visible surface, or photosphere, and its outer layer, the corona. The different layers of the Sun’s atmosphere have been researched at length, but many questions persist about the chromosphere. “There’s still a lot of unknowns,” said Phillip Chamberlin, a research scientist at the University of Colorado Boulder and principal investigator for the SNIFS mission.

The chromosphere lies just below the corona, where powerful solar flares and massive coronal mass ejections are observed. These solar eruptions are the main drivers of space weather, the hazardous conditions in near-Earth space that threaten satellites and endanger astronauts. The SNIFS mission aims to learn more about how energy is converted and moves through the chromosphere, where it can ultimately power these massive explosions.
“To make sure the Earth is safe from space weather, we really would like to be able to model things,” said Vicki Herde, a doctoral graduate of CU Boulder who worked with Chamberlin to develop SNIFS.

The SNIFS mission is the first ever solar ultraviolet integral field spectrograph, an advanced technology combining an imager and a spectrograph. Imagers capture photos and videos, which are good for seeing the combined light from a large field of view all at once. Spectrographs dissect light into its various wavelengths, revealing which elements are present in the light source, their temperature, and how they’re moving — but only from a single location at a time.
The SNIFS mission combines these two technologies into one instrument.
“It’s the best of both worlds,” said Chamberlin. “You’re pushing the limit of what technology allows us to do.”
By focusing on specific wavelengths, known as spectral lines, the SNIFS mission will help scientists to learn about the chromosphere. These wavelengths include a spectral line of hydrogen that is the brightest line in the Sun’s ultraviolet (UV) spectrum, and two spectral lines from the elements silicon and oxygen. Together, data from these spectral lines will help reveal how the chromosphere connects with upper atmosphere by tracing how solar material and energy move through it.
The SNIFS mission will be carried into space by a sounding rocket. These rockets are effective tools for launching and carrying space experiments and offer a valuable opportunity for hands-on experience, particularly for students and early-career researchers.

“You can really try some wild things,” Herde said. “It gives the opportunity to allow students to touch the hardware.”
Chamberlin emphasized how beneficial these types of missions can be for science and engineering students like Herde, or the next generation of space scientists, who “come with a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of new ideas, new techniques,” he said.
The entirety of the SNIFS mission will likely last up to 15 minutes. After launch, the sounding rocket is expected to take 90 seconds to make it to space and point toward the Sun, seven to eight minutes to perform the experiment on the chromosphere, and three to five minutes to return to Earth’s surface.

[embedded content]
A previous sounding rocket launch from the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. This mission carried a copy of the Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment (EVE).Credit: NASA/University of Colorado Boulder, Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics/James Mason

The rocket will drift around 70 to 80 miles (112 to 128 kilometers) from the launchpad before its return, so mission contributors must ensure it will have a safe place to land. White Sands, a largely empty desert, is ideal.
Herde, who spent four years working on the rocket, expressed her immense excitement for the launch. “This has been my baby.”

By Harper LawsonNASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 18, 2025
MIL-OSI: Fusion Fuel’s BrightHy Solutions and Houpu Global Clean Energy Sign Strategic Agency Agreement to Expand Hydrogen Infrastructure in Europe and Latin America

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

DUBLIN, July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — via IBN — Fusion Fuel Green PLC´s (NASDAQ: HTOO) (“Fusion Fuel” or the “Company”) hydrogen advisory and solutions subsidiary, Bright Hydrogen Solutions Ltd (“BrightHy Solutions”), has signed an agency agreement with Houpu Global Clean Energy Co., Ltd. (“Houpu Global Clean Energy”), a leading Chinese manufacturer of hydrogen refueling equipment and clean energy technologies.

The commercial relationship represents a key milestone in Fusion Fuel’s strategy to expand the deployment of advanced hydrogen refueling infrastructure and integrated hydrogen systems across Iberia and Latin America.

Under this agreement, BrightHy Solutions will act as Houpu Global Clean Energy’s authorized agent for its hydrogen product portfolio within the territory, leveraging BrightHy Solutions’ deep market experience, commercial network, and engineering expertise to promote, negotiate, and deliver Houpu Global Clean Energy’s equipment and services. The collaboration aims to accelerate the development of hydrogen infrastructure projects that support industrial decarbonization and clean mobility solutions throughout the region.

Houpu Global Clean Energy, with its extensive manufacturing capabilities, engineering know-how, and global project references, brings cutting-edge hydrogen refueling and clean energy solutions to the commercial relationship. Combined with BrightHy’s localized presence, business development capabilities, and technical support services, customers will benefit from an integrated approach that ensures reliable, efficient, and high-quality project execution.

“We are excited to collaborate with Houpu Global Clean Energy to expand the reach of their hydrogen refueling and clean energy technologies in our markets,” said Mr. Frederico Figueira de Chaves, Chief Executive Officer of BrightHy Solutions. “Houpu Global Clean Energy’s strong industrial background, combined with BrightHy Solutions’ customer-driven approach and local expertise, positions us to deliver complete and dependable solutions to clients who are driving the hydrogen transition.”

Mr. Liu Xing, vice president of Houpu Global Clean Energy, added: “Working with BrightHy Solutions strengthens our ability to serve the growing demand for hydrogen infrastructure outside of China. Their market knowledge and commitment to technical excellence make them an ideal partner to jointly pursue the expansion of hydrogen solutions across new territories.”

As demand for hydrogen continues to grow globally, this agreement reinforces both companies’ shared vision to advance practical, safe, and scalable hydrogen technologies in support of the global energy transition.

About Fusion Fuel Green PLC

Fusion Fuel Green PLC (NASDAQ: HTOO) provides integrated energy engineering, distribution, and green hydrogen solutions through its Al Shola Gas and BrightHy Solutions platforms. With operations spanning LPG supply to hydrogen solutions, the Company supports decarbonization across industrial, residential, and commercial sectors.

About Bright Hydrogen Solutions Ltd

Bright Hydrogen Solutions Ltd, a subsidiary of Fusion Fuel Green PLC (NASDAQ: HTOO) is positioning itself as a leader in the hydrogen through electrolysis solutions market. With its substantial industry experience, BrightHy Solutions is a partner to clients through the entire hydrogen production value chain including plant design, tailored engineering solutions, equipment sourcing, engineering and implementation oversight. BrightHy Solutions has a strong and core focus on safety, reliability, and efficiency.

About Houpu Global Clean Energy Co., Ltd.

Houpu Global Clean Energy Co., Ltd. is a leading provider of hydrogen refueling and clean energy infrastructure solutions, specializing in the development and integration of equipment for the entire hydrogen value chain. As a pioneer in China’s clean mobility sector, Houpu Global Clean Energy leverages decades of engineering experience and a strong manufacturing base to deliver advanced solutions including hydrogen dispensers, compressors, storage systems, and control systems. The company’s expertise spans design, manufacturing, and turnkey deployment of hydrogen refueling stations and related equipment. With a commitment to safety, reliability, and innovation, Houpu Global Clean Energy is enabling the decarbonization of transportation and industry, supporting the global shift toward a low-carbon future.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or the Company’s future financial or operating performance. In some cases, you can identify these statements because they contain words such as “may,” “will,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “should,” “seeks,” “future,” “continue,” “plan,” “target,” “predict,” “potential,” or the negative of such terms, or other comparable terminology that concern the Company’s expectations, strategy, plans, or intentions. Forward-looking statements relating to expectations about future results or events are based upon information available to the Company as of today’s date and are not guarantees of the future performance of the Company, and actual results may vary materially from the results and expectations discussed. The Company’s expectations and beliefs regarding these matters may not materialize, and actual results in future periods are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including, without limitation, the risks and uncertainties described under Item 3. “Key Information – D. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), on May 9, 2025 (the “Annual Report”), and other filings with the SEC. Should any of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should the underlying assumptions about the Company’s business and the commercial markets in which the Company operates prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described as anticipated, estimated or expected in the Annual Report. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning the Company or other matters and attributable to the Company or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date hereof, except as required by law.

Investor Relations Contact
ir@fusion-fuel.eu
www.fusion-fuel.eu

Wire Service Contact:
IBN
Austin, Texas
www.InvestorBrandNetwork.com
512.354.7000 Office
Editor@InvestorBrandNetwork.com

The MIL Network –

July 18, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Treaty between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Federal Republic of Germany on friendship and bilateral cooperation
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Press release

Treaty between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Federal Republic of Germany on friendship and bilateral cooperation

Treaty between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Federal Republic of Germany on friendship and bilateral cooperation
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Federal Republic of Germany, hereinafter referred to as “the Parties”,

Guided by the desire to join forces for a prosperous, secure and sustainable future for their citizens and their open, democratic societies in the face of fundamental changes of the geopolitical environment;

Inspired by a common will to address the momentous new challenges to Euro-Atlantic security in an era characterised by increased strategic competition, challenges to the rules-based international order and challenges to their democracies from increasing hybrid threats;

Identifying the Russian Federation’s brutal war of aggression on the European continent as the most significant and direct threat to their security;

Convinced that they will better master these challenges by deepening their close cooperation as European neighbours and allies on the basis of the strong ties that connect their countries, peoples and governments and their shared history, values and interests;

Determined to join forces to assert these values and interests in close cooperation in a changing world, and to uphold peace and security for their citizens; convinced of the need to pursue a broad, integrated and multifaceted approach to their security;

Guided by their steadfast commitment to individual liberty, human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in open societies, and by their will to work together for the good of the European continent and of an international order based on shared rules, norms and principles;

Convinced that prosperity and security can only be guaranteed by limiting the increase of global average temperature to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and conserving biodiversity and ecosystems; recognising the importance of their free and open market economies and of delivering mutual growth, including through their trade and investment relationship, to provide high-quality jobs to their citizens and underpin their prosperity while ensuring growth aligns with their net zero commitments and a just transition;

Convinced of the imperative of international cooperation to seize the opportunities and mitigate the risks of technological change; reaffirming the critical role that science, innovation and technology as well as education play in contributing to their collective security and their sustainable economic growth and prosperity, and recognising the value of building cooperation in critical areas of science and technology that will shape their futures;

Recalling the Federal Republic of Germany’s membership in the European Union and the commitments and obligations resulting therefrom; and the legal framework for the relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland underpinned by the Withdrawal Agreement, including the Windsor Framework, and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement; sharing the view that their cooperation is consistent with and benefits from the wider relationship of the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and that a positive development of the latter is in their shared interest;

Reaffirming their ironclad commitment to the Transatlantic Alliance as the bedrock of their security, based on shared values, and a shared commitment to the security of the Euro-Atlantic area, and underpinned by enhanced European contributions;

Commending the Agreement on Defence cooperation between the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Federal Ministry of Defence of the Federal Republic of Germany, signed at Trinity House in London on 23 October 2024;

Mindful of the vital role, specific responsibilities and interests of municipalities, the German Länder, the German Bundestag and Bundesrat in the Federal Republic of Germany, and of the devolved governments, Parliaments and legislative assemblies and the Houses of Parliament in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,

HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

Chapter 1

Diplomacy, Security and Development

ARTICLE 1

The Parties shall consult each other on foreign and security policy matters to enable the closest cooperation across all shared priorities. They shall work together on their respective policies and seek to establish joint approaches, including with regard to their collaboration with global partners and in multilateral and other settings.

The Parties shall pursue deep exchanges on strategic aspects of security policy, including deterrence and defence, nuclear issues, arms control, non-proliferation, chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear threats space security, counter-terrorism and the broader international security architecture, in order to support the security of Europe and the world. They shall increase cooperation on intelligence and national security capabilities in order to contribute effectively to this goal.

The Parties shall deepen their cooperation to understand, counter and respond to threats and hostile actions by state and non-state actors. The Parties shall work together on their approaches to crisis management, consular support and conflict resolution and prevention.

The Parties emphasise the importance of close cooperation on sanctions policy and implementation, to strengthen their effectiveness.

Foreign Ministers shall hold an annual Strategic Dialogue. A Senior Level Officials Group shall meet annually to coordinate foreign, security and defence policy.

ARTICLE 2

The Parties shall strive to strengthen the Strategic Partnership between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the European Union, including through the Security and Defence Partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Federal Republic of Germany affirms its deep and unwavering commitment to its role as a founding member of the European Union, which remains a foundation of its policy decisions.

The Parties shall seek to intensify the trilateral cooperation with the French Republic, as well as their cooperation with other partners, and within multilateral formats such as the G7 and the United Nations, in order to jointly address international challenges.

ARTICLE 3

(1) The Parties reaffirm their commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation as the foundation of their collective defence and to their obligations as stipulated in the North Atlantic Treaty of 4 April 1949, in particular Article 5. The Federal Republic of Germany reaffirms its deep commitment to its obligations as a member of the European Union, including paragraph 7 of Article 42 of the Treaty on European Union.

(2) The Parties shall work together as North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Allies to ensure the Alliance continues to strengthen collective deterrence and defence against all threats and from all directions and to enhance the European contribution to Europe’s own security. To this end, they shall coordinate their positions, including in the area of deterrence and defence, and ensure that increased contributions and investments deliver on their commitments. They commit to working towards fostering close and effective cooperation between the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and the European Union.

Conscious of the close alignment of their vital interests and convinced that there is no strategic threat to one which would not be a strategic threat to the other, the Parties affirm as close Allies their deep commitment to each other’s defence and shall assist one another, including by military means, in case of an armed attack on the other.

ARTICLE 4

(1) The Parties share deep concern at the threats and challenges posed by hybrid threats and foreign interference from state actors and their proxies using increasingly aggressive actions to undermine their security and democratic values, and those of their Allies and partners. These include inter alia sabotage, malicious cyber activity, foreign information manipulation and interference and the malign use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

(2) The Parties shall work to strengthen resilience as well as build capacity and capability to detect, deter, disrupt, and respond to these threats. They acknowledge the key roles of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, the G7, and the European Union in this regard. To achieve this, the Parties shall consider means such as information sharing, the development of tools, coordination of disruption and response options, and exchanges of lessons learned and other means.

(3) The Parties shall continue to cooperate in the field of cyber diplomacy, cybersecurity and emerging technologies. They also agree to promote responsible behaviour in cyberspace.

ARTICLE 5

Guided by the principles of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals, the Parties shall cooperate strategically on sustainable development, crisis prevention and response, peacebuilding, stabilisation and humanitarian assistance. They shall support strong coordination in the nexus between humanitarian, development and peace efforts. They shall work together on the protection and promotion of global public goods including climate, biodiversity, global health and education. Jointly they shall fight inequalities worldwide, including through the empowerment of women and girls. They will work together on anticipatory action to improve local resilience and promote inclusive and locally led responses to crises. Both countries shall contribute jointly to strengthening and reforming the multilateral system and the international financial architecture, making them more just, effective and sustainable and ensuring they deliver for the most vulnerable. They shall hold a regular intergovernmental dialogue on these topics.

ARTICLE 6

The Parties shall seek closer collaboration to address health threats and advance global health priorities including pandemic prevention, preparedness and response as well as anti-microbial resistance and the ‘One-Health’ approach. They shall work on these issues both bilaterally and via more coordinated, effective, and efficient global health institutions. The Parties shall share experiences to tackle common domestic health issues.

Chapter 2

Defence Cooperation

ARTICLE 7

(1) In this new era for enhanced European defence, the Parties share the strategic objective to reinforce Euro-Atlantic security and ensure effective deterrence against potential aggressors by building credible, resilient defence forces, strengthening their capability across all domains. The Parties shall seek to support their defence industries and enhance bilateral military interoperability, interchangeability and integration. They shall ensure their mutual support to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, committing to working together towards the vision of a peaceful and secure Euro-Atlantic area.

(2) The Parties remain committed to improving and further strengthening bilateral defence cooperation. They shall build a long-term partnership to improve and further enhance European defence, also with a view to enabling enhanced cooperation with Allies and partners.

(3) The Parties shall intensify their cooperation through joint political leadership, enhanced dialogue, and agreed mechanisms. They shall deepen their cooperation on deterrence and regularly review their collaboration in order to meet future threats across all domains: Land, Sea, Air, Space and Cyber.

(4) Sharing a special interest and focus on the northern and eastern flanks of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, the Parties shall work together, alongside their North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Allies, to strengthen deterrence and defence to these areas, coordinating their forces where possible.

(5) The Parties reaffirm their determination to meet their commitments as North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Allies, to be prepared for high-intensity and multi-domain collective defence. They shall provide such forces, capabilities, resources and infrastructure as are needed to enable the execution of the Defence Plans of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

(6) The Parties shall seek to enhance industrial and capability cooperation through a long-term joint approach endeavouring to deliver effective military capabilities efficiently, minimising national constraints, and strengthening industrial competitiveness.

(7) The Parties shall endeavour to maintain a close dialogue on defence issues of mutual interest and global horizon-scanning, including on nuclear issues.

ARTICLE 8

(1) The Parties recognise the importance of having a reliable agenda with regard to transfers and exports in order to ensure the economic and political success of their industrial and intergovernmental cooperation and their respective competence to authorise the transfer or export, from their territory, of defence-related products from intergovernmental programmes or developed by their industries.

(2) Recognising the joint and unanimous invitation dated 25 June 2025 from the contracting parties of the Agreement on Defence Export Controls concluded by the French Republic, the Federal Republic of Germany and the Kingdom of Spain on 17 September 2021 (the “Agreement on Defence Export Controls ”) to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to accede to such Agreement on Defence Export Controls, the Parties agree to preliminarily apply as between them, in their cooperation on defence export controls, Articles 1 to 5 and Annexes 1 to 3 of the Agreement on Defence Export Controls until the date on which the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland accedes to such Agreement on Defence Export Controls.

(3) In the event that the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland accedes to the Agreement on Defence Export Controls, paragraph 2 of the present Article shall cease to have effect.

Chapter 3

Internal Security, Justice and Migration

ARTICLE 9

The Parties shall cooperate closely and equitably to counter state and non-state threats to their internal security, including to critical infrastructure, making best use of all suitable policy, legal, operational, diplomatic and technological tools and mechanisms and ensuring that law enforcement bodies and intelligence agencies have the right tools and capabilities.

The Parties shall work together bilaterally and through multilateral organisations to improve their law enforcement capabilities. They shall work with INTERPOL to support the integrity of the international system and prevent abuse by malign actors. They acknowledge the vital role of European Union agencies, such as Europol and Eurojust, in this regard. They shall consider further ways to strengthen their response to organised crime and terrorism, noting the challenges posed by hybrid threats.

(3) The Parties agree that it is in their common interest to cooperate closely on preventing and countering transnational serious and organised crime, including criminal offences falling within the jurisdiction of the customs authorities. They re-confirm their cooperation in the joint efforts to strengthen anti-money laundering and counter the financing of terrorism and their fight against illicit financial flows and other shared organised crime threats, such as drug trafficking.

(4) The Parties shall continue to hold a Home Affairs Dialogue at senior official level at least annually which covers the full range of Home Affairs issues, including tackling serious and organised crime, including migrant smuggling, and border security. The Parties shall pursue a comparable bilateral exchange on criminal offences falling within the jurisdiction of the customs authorities.

(5) The Parties shall strengthen collaboration to counter terrorist threats to both their countries, including on protective security measures against emerging threats.

ARTICLE 10

(1) The Parties are committed to fostering the most effective cooperation in criminal justice matters between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Federal Republic of Germany.

(2) The Parties shall work to intensify collaboration on the rule of law, including in its promotion overseas, and exchange learning on the modernisation of their domestic justice systems.

(3) The Parties shall share information, best practice and technical assistance in civil and family matters.

ARTICLE 11

(1) Recognising the challenge from irregular migration and global pressures, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Federal Republic of Germany commit to being active leaders in the global conversation on migration, asylum and borders. The Parties shall cooperate in the joint fight against organised cross-border crime involving migrant smuggling and trafficking in persons. They will support the provision of mutual legal assistance and the prosecution of offenders involved in the smuggling of migrants into and between the two countries. The Parties affirm their joint commitment to border security and regulated migration systems.

(2) The Parties shall deepen comprehensive partnerships with countries of origin and transit to address the upstream drivers of irregular migration, including by meeting humanitarian needs, providing education and skills training, boosting employment, and building resilience to conflict and climate change. The Parties recognise that safe and legal pathways in line with national competences are important for regular and orderly migration. Both Parties support a safe, regulated migration system, and share a firm commitment to international law and human rights standards.

Chapter 4

Economic Growth, Resilience and Competitiveness

ARTICLE 12

The Parties shall work together to support economic growth, job creation, digital transition and innovation. This includes delivering a just industrial transformation that enables a sustainable and carbon-neutral future and takes into account the needs of future generations. They shall therefore identify vulnerabilities and collaborate on policies.

The Parties acknowledge strong business-to-business and people-to-people ties, including many Small and Medium Enterprises, as the foundation of their economic relationship, and agree to take forward joint work in the field of promoting trade and investment, to further build value chains between their countries.

The Parties shall work together to deliver their shared ambition of mobilising investment in opportunities that will grow their economies. In doing so, they shall take into consideration the important role of private sector investment and the benefits of coordinating activities between public financial institutions.

The Parties recognise the need to strengthen the multilateral trading system particularly by supporting reform of the World Trade Organisation including through discussions in relevant international fora such as the G7 and G20.

(5) The Parties agree to continue the structured annual dialogue between their ministries of finance, and explore further opportunities to support exchanges between economic experts.

ARTICLE 13

The Parties, acknowledging the strength and complementarity of their economies as well as the importance of a favourable business environment, commit to working with business to drive growth and strengthen the business, commercial and industrial links between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Federal Republic of Germany. The Parties shall focus their cooperation particularly on those areas where it will be most effective in securing the future competitiveness of their economies.

The Parties shall work jointly to take full advantage of the significant economic opportunities arising from the green transition, including in particular the renewable energy potential in the North Sea.

The Parties recognise the importance of long-term industrial cooperation and shall work together to identify opportunities for coordination and cooperation in the context of their industrial transformations.

The Parties shall enhance transport connectivity and collaborate in the field of sustainable, innovative and universally accessible transport solutions and mobility, including cooperation to support the decarbonisation of transport. To this end, they will seek to facilitate direct long distance rail passenger services between their countries.

The Parties share the common goal of strengthening the international competitiveness of their aerospace industries and at the same time significantly reducing the climate impact of aviation. Therefore, the Parties agree to further strengthen the existing bilateral activities in the field of aerospace research and to engage in consultations between the ministries and their national research institutions on a regular basis.

The Parties’ responsible ministries agree to a structured exchange to address the issues of inclusive and sustainable employment and social policy, just transition of the economy, society and the work environment, and ethical principles and shared values in the context of digital transformation, ensuring that digitalisation and the evolving digital society meet the rights and needs of citizens and the work environment in both countries.

The Parties shall work together to enhance their domestic housing policies, to promote innovative approaches to sustainable construction and buildings, and to share best practice on urban matters, with a view to achieving cities that are socially, ecologically, and economically balanced They shall cooperate in multilateral settings on these matters.

ARTICLE 14

The Parties commit to working together to safeguard economic stability. They shall strive to strengthen economic resilience to safeguard and protect their national security and deliver secure, sustainable and resilient growth. They shall increase dialogue on economic security to enhance cooperation on priorities such as supply chain resilience, including for critical raw materials, critical technology and critical infrastructure as well as protective toolkits.

ARTICLE 15

(1) The Parties shall intensify their cooperation in the field of science, technology, research and innovation, including in critical and emerging areas and research security. The Parties agree to consider funding channels and other means to develop joint bilateral and multilateral activities.

(2) The Parties shall place special emphasis on their cooperation on innovative or disruptive technologies, ensuring they are able to capitalise more effectively on their strengths in basic and applied research to enable their businesses to grow through the development and commercialisation of new products, processes and services.

(3) The Parties shall promote the global development and deployment of technologies, with particular attention to ensuring the secure and responsible advancement of fields such as artificial intelligence or space.

(4) The Parties agree to regular and structured exchanges on science, innovation and technology, building on existing structures including the Science, Innovation and Technology Dialogue. The Parties commit to cooperate on current and future challenges across research and innovation, and emerging and critical technologies. This cooperation will include promoting technology development and adoption, international governance, competition policy, sustainability and exchanges on regulatory issues consistent with national competence.

ARTICLE 16

(1) The Parties shall intensify their cooperation in the field of digitalisation and modernisation of the state, including digitalisation of society, economy, science, government and public administration. The Parties agree to consider funding channels and other means to develop joint bilateral and multilateral activities.

(2) The Parties agree to regular and structured exchanges on digitalisation and the modernisation of the state, building on existing structures including a dialogue on digital policy. The Parties commit to cooperate on current and future challenges across digital and data affairs, digitalisation of the state and digital sovereignty.

Chapter 5

Open and Resilient Societies

ARTICLE 17

The Parties shall cooperate on strategies for strengthening the resilience of their democracies in order to build resilient societies which are able to contribute to their countries’ security and to withstand the increasing attempts of interference and manipulation.

The Parties shall deepen their cooperation in the fight against all forms of hate crime, whilst promoting freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief.

ARTICLE 18

The Parties shall strive to reduce obstacles in order to promote exchanges between their citizens on all levels. They shall work towards strengthening people-to-people contacts. The Parties shall promote smoother border fluidity and will provide each other’s citizens access to automated border technology.

Particular focus shall be placed on increasing exchange between young people. The Parties value bilateral school and youth exchanges, and shall facilitate such exchanges, supporting the development of relevant structures and initiatives, such as the “UK-German Connection”.

The Parties recognise the importance of vocational training, university education and learning opportunities such as internships. The Parties shall jointly endeavour to increase exchanges within their own legislative frameworks with regard to education, skills and training.

The Parties shall promote closer relations in all fields of cultural expression, including activities to promote dialogue and cooperation to share best practice between cultural institutions; close cooperation of the British Council and Goethe-Institut; and establishment of an intergovernmental Working Group on Creative Technology.

The Parties acknowledge the important role of civil society and they shall strive to support the work of educational institutions, cultural bodies and political organisations.

The Parties shall use the annual meetings of the Cultural Commission to the ends of this Article.

Chapter 6

Climate, Energy, Nature, Environment and Agriculture

ARTICLE 19

The Parties shall further deepen their bilateral and multilateral cooperation to mitigate the effects of climate change and to pursue efforts to limit the increase of global average temperature to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, including through implementation of the Paris Agreement, the Outcome of the first Global Stocktake adopted at the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 28) and the Glasgow Climate Pact adopted at the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 26).

The Parties shall enhance their climate foreign policy collaboration and cooperation, including through the UK-Germany Climate Diplomacy Dialogue, to make financial flows consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development, address the interplay between climate, environment, peace, and security, and support developing countries to decarbonise their economies and adapt to the adverse effects of climate change.

Recognising the significant societal, environmental economic, and geopolitical impacts of the global energy transition and the shift towards climate neutrality, the Parties shall intensify their dialogue to anticipate and address emerging foreign policy and security challenges.

ARTICLE 20

The Parties intend to work together under the Joint Declaration of Cooperation on Energy and Climate, including the Hydrogen Partnership, to realise their shared ambitions regarding: renewable energy; the role of hydrogen, in particular from renewable sources; carbon capture utilisation and storage, in particular in hard-to-abate sectors; energy security; net zero strategies and policies; and green transition. The scope and priorities for this work shall be reviewed by annual senior official and ministerial meetings.

The Parties shall work together to achieve their respective domestic emissions reductions targets, to enhance domestic and global just energy transition resilience and security, including by improving energy and resource efficiency, and to provide secure, sustainable and affordable clean energy derived from renewable sources, in an effort to implement the goals laid out in the Paris Agreement and in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Recognising their leading role in the North Seas, they shall work together to accelerate the development of offshore wind energy, electricity, hydrogen and carbon dioxide infrastructures.

ARTICLE 21

The Parties shall cooperate bilaterally and multilaterally to promote environmental protection and halt and reverse biodiversity loss in line with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, including through restoring nature, halting and reversing deforestation, protecting the ocean, reducing plastic, chemical and air pollution and pursuing nature-based solutions.

The Parties shall work together to promote resilient and sustainable agriculture and food systems internationally, including high animal welfare standards. They shall focus in particular on achieving global food security and nutrition including as a means of pursuing global stability and security.

Chapter 7

Forms of Cooperation

ARTICLE 22

The Parties agree to hold government ministerial consultations led by Heads of Government every two years, which shall endorse an Implementation Plan of projects under the Treaty for the following two-year period. The venue for the consultations shall alternate between the two countries. Ministerial level dialogues on individual policy themes shall take place whenever both Parties deem appropriate. The Parties’ foreign ministries shall meet annually to review the bilateral relationship in accordance with the provisions of this Treaty.

ARTICLE 23

Existing cooperation agreements and Memoranda of Understanding between line ministries shall be continued and pursued in the framework of this Treaty.

Final Provisions

ARTICLE 24

This Treaty and its application shall be without prejudice to the Parties’ obligations stemming from international law and, in respect of the Federal Republic of Germany, its obligations stemming from its European Union membership. Nothing in this Treaty shall affect the Federal Republic of Germany’s obligations under European Union law.

ARTICLE 25

This Treaty shall apply:

(a) to the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany; and

(b) to the territory of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and may be extended to any or all of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, the Bailiwick of Jersey, and the Isle of Man by mutual agreement between the Parties by exchange of notes.

ARTICLE 26

The Parties may agree, in writing, to amend this Treaty. Such amendments shall enter into force in accordance with Article 30.

ARTICLE 27

(1) A Party may terminate this Treaty by giving the other Party notice in writing. Such termination shall take effect six months after the date of the notification, or on such date as the Parties may agree.

(2) Either Party may request consultations regarding whether the termination of this Treaty should take effect on a date later than that provided in paragraph 1.

ARTICLE 28

Any disputes concerning the interpretation, application or implementation of the Treaty shall be resolved solely by negotiation between the Parties.

ARTICLE 29

Registration of this Treaty with the Secretariat of the United Nations, in accordance with Article 102 of the Charter of the United Nations, shall be initiated by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland immediately following its entry into force. The Federal Republic of Germany shall be informed of registration, and of the United Nations registration number, as soon as this has been confirmed by the Secretariat of the United Nations.

ARTICLE 30

(1) The present Treaty is subject to ratification; the instruments of ratification shall be exchanged as soon as possible.

(2) The present Treaty shall enter into force on the date of the exchange of the instruments of ratification.

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Updates to this page

Published 17 July 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
July 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Mashatile calls for SA and China to shift focus from raw material trade to collaborative industrialisation

Source: Government of South Africa

South Africa and China are at a crucial juncture in redefining their economic partnership, moving from a focus on raw material trade to a collaborative approach to industrialisation.

This is according to Deputy President Paul Mashatile, who was speaking during a working dinner with the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) and Standard Bank at the China World Summit Wing Hotel Conference Hall in Beijing.

“South Africa and China are at a pivotal moment to redefine our economic partnership, from raw material trade to co-industrialisation. Together, we can pave the way for a brighter future that brings prosperity to our people and strengthens the bonds between our nations.“

The Deputy President emphasised the need for collaboration in strategic sectors to promote investment and trade in areas such as battery manufacturing, critical minerals, renewable energy, green hydrogen, infrastructure, rail modernisation, and metallurgy revitalisation.

“South Africa presents significant investment opportunities in metallurgy and smelter revitalisation, driven by its rich mineral resources and the global shift towards a low-carbon economy.

“Let us turn commitments into concrete projects that create jobs, transfer technology, and position South Africa as China’s gateway to Africa.”

Mashatile is currently in China for a strategic working visit.

The purpose of the visit, which began on Monday, is to strengthen bilateral relations and enhance economic cooperation between South Africa and China.

He told the attendees that the gathering signifies the importance of fostering strong partnerships between South Africa and China in strategic sectors for investment and trade promotion.

“With the diversified resources of South Africa and the economic strength of China, there is a great deal that we can accomplish together. We must augment our collaboration, especially in critical industries poised for investment and trade.”

Currently, the Deputy President stated that South Africa and China have strong economic cooperation, with bilateral commerce amounting to US$34 billion in 2024 and Chinese foreign direct investment in South Africa being US$13.21 billion.

The Deputy President believes that this partnership is characterised by a growing trade relationship, with China being South Africa’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years.

“A notable aspect of the trade relationship is the trade imbalance, where South Africa exports primarily raw materials to China and imports manufactured goods, creating a trade deficit for South Africa. South Africa needs to benefit more from its active, albeit highly unequal, trading partnership with China,” he said.

He said the dinner presented a strategic opportunity to leverage the institutions’ financial expertise and advisory market insights to deepen investment in SA’s priority sectors and to also address trade imbalances by promoting value-added exports and technology transfer.

The Deputy President said the platform was crucial to advancing partnerships in renewable energy, critical minerals, infrastructure, and manufacturing under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) framework.

“Through the process of recognising and capitalising on these key sectors, we can create an environment in which both of our economies benefit and in which we make progress towards our common objectives.

“I am certain that the many areas of expertise and knowledge that have been collected around these tables will make it possible for us to devise specific plans and strategies that can be put into action, which will propel our partnership ahead.”

He also highlighted some opportunities in green industrialisation, infrastructure financing, and export diversification.

“In addition to a rapidly expanding renewable energy industry, the country’s plentiful natural resources, which include minerals that are essential for the development of environmentally friendly technology, provide a solid basis for the expansion of green industrialisation.”

Meanwhile, he stressed that strategic investments in infrastructure, particularly in water and sanitation, and a focus on export diversification can further drive sustainable economic development and job creation.

Mashatile said there was potential for South Africa and China to work together to foster innovation, the transfer of technology, and the development of skills.

“There is the potential for us to form partnerships that are beneficial to both parties if we capitalise on our skills and explore new ways of working together.

“Through partnership and working together for a common purpose, we can realise the full potential of both our countries.” – SAnews.gov.za

MIL OSI Africa –

July 18, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Hoyle, Houchin, LaLota Lead Bipartisan Effort to Get Fire Fighters the Parkinson’s Care They Need

Source: US Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04)

July 16, 2025

For Immediate Release: July 16, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Val Hoyle (OR-04), Erin Houchin (IN-09), and Nick LaLota (NY-01) introduced the bipartisan Parkinson’s Protection for Fire Fighters Act of 2025 to provide medical coverage and increased support for federal fire fighters who develop symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

Despite clear evidence linking fire fighting to an increased risk for developing Parkinson’s, the federal government has yet to officially recognize the connection. As a result, fire fighters living with Parkinson’s face needless bureaucratic barriers when seeking thecare they need. This bill would change that by formally recognizing Parkison’s as a job-related illness for fire fighters to access the care they have earned and deserve.

“Fire fighters are exposed to significantly more toxins than the civilian population. They put their lives on the line to protect and serve our communities. It is our responsibility to ensure that the medical issues that disproportionately arise as a result of their service are covered. Fire fighters shouldn’t have to fight to prove the link between their service and Parkinson’s disorders, given the data. This is the least we can do to those who dedicated their lives to protecting and serving us,” Rep. Hoyle said.

“Our fire fighters put their lives on the line every day, facing extreme risks most of us will never fully understand. The science is clear—chemical exposure and head trauma from fire fighting significantly increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease. The Parkinson’s Protection for Fire Fighters Act ensures these heroes aren’t left to fight this battle alone. This bill is about honoring their service with the care and support they’ve earned,” Rep Houchin said.

“The risks fire fighters face don’t end when the fire is out, and the science is clear: repeated exposure to toxic chemicals on the job significantly increases their risk of developing Parkinson’s. That’s why I support federal legislation to establish a presumptive link. Our fire fighters deserve more than praise—they deserve care, support, and the full backing of the country they serve,” said Rep. LaLota.

“The research is clear: fire fighters face an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease due to frequent, repeated exposure to toxins on the job. That’s why the Parkinson’s Protection for Fire Fighters Act is so important. This bipartisan legislation will help ensure fire fighters have access to the care and support needed following a Parkinson’s diagnosis,” said International Association of Fire Fighters General President Edward Kelly. “The IAFF is proud to endorse this bill, and we’re grateful to Reps. Hoyle, Houchin, and LaLota for their leadership on this critical issue.”

“The sacrifices made by federal fire fighters extend far beyond the immediate risks of responding to fires and other emergencies,” said NFFE National President Randy Erwin. “Many suffer from job-related injuries and illnesses, including Parkinson’s, long after their federal service ends. NFFE is proud to endorse the Parkinson’s Protection for Fire Fighters Act to ensure these brave men and women receive the workers’ compensation benefits they deserve should they be diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Thank you to Representatives Hoyle, Houchin, and LaLota for their leadership on this important issue.”

“Fire fighters are exposed to numerous neurotoxic chemicals as they do their vital work. The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) is proud to endorse Representative Hoyle’s efforts to support fire fighters who develop Parkinson’s disease as they bravely protect our communities,” said Rebecca Gilbert, MD, PhD, Chief Mission Officer, APDA.

The Parkinson’s Protection for Fire Fighters Act of 2025 is also cosponsored by U.S. Representatives Carbajal (CA-24) and Neguse (CO-02).

The bill is also supported by 6 organizations including the: International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE), American Parkinson Disease Assocation, Davis Phiney Foundation for Parkinson’s Power Over Parkinson’s, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, and Power Over Parkinson’s.

Background

Parkinsonism (PD) is a term used to describe a group of disorders that impacts movements and motor controls. Studies show that certain consistent chemical exposures and head injuries are linked to increased risk of PD.

Fire fighters are routinely exposed to chemicals such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide through their service, both of which have well documented links to developing PD.

Fire fighters are also at greater risk of concussions, which has been shown toincreased risk of developing PD.

The Bill

The Parkinson’s Protection for Fire Fighters Act of 2025 would officially establish PD as one of the “certain illnesses and diseases deemed to be proximately caused by employment in fire protection activities.”

Adding PD to the list of diseases linked to fire fighting would make it easier for fire fighters with PD to get medical coverage, care, and benefits without each individual fire fighter having to prove their occupation caused it.

The bill helps to ensure that current and future generations of federal fire fighters get the protection, support, and care they earned and deserve.

The full text of the bill can be found here.

###

MIL OSI USA News –

July 17, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: Zonal pricing is dead – here’s how the UK should change its electricity system instead

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Cassandra Etter-Wenzel, DPhil Candidate in Energy Policy, University of Oxford

Marcin Rogozinski/Shutterstock

The UK government has decided against setting different prices for electricity based on the locations of consumers.

Zonal pricing would have categorised Britain into distinct zones, each with wholesale electricity prices that reflect how much power is generated locally, and how much demand there is for it. It would have raised prices in areas with lots of demand but low generation, like London, and lowered them where supply outstrips demand, such as in the turbine-rich Scottish Highlands.

This might have caused an immediate increase in the energy bills of already vulnerable households in some high-demand, low-generation areas, such as Tower Hamlets in London and Blackpool in north-west England.

But the idea was to encourage the construction of renewable energy to meet high demand in higher-priced zones, and prompt big electricity consumers to move to where electricity is cheaper. It was also intended to ease the need for new infrastructure to transmit electricity over long distances, like pylons. Australia, Norway and several EU nations already use this method.

The ultimate goal of zonal pricing was to make the price of electricity more accurately reflect generation and transmission costs. However, one thing has significantly inflated electricity prices in recent years, which this pricing method wouldn’t have addressed on its own: gas.

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Gas is expensive, even more so since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Britain’s electricity system operator brings power plants onto the system to meet demand in order of the lowest to highest marginal costs.

The point at which supply meets demand forms the wholesale price of electricity. Renewable sources, like wind and solar, have zero or very low marginal costs. But most of the time the wholesale price is set by gas plants, because they can readily fill a gap in supply but have high and erratic marginal costs (largely tied to what they pay for fuel).

We need another, cheaper technology to set the wholesale price of electricity. Batteries, which can store electricity over several hours, and options capable of storing energy for longer, such as compressed air and low-carbon hydrogen, could be just the thing.

The idea is simple: batteries can be charged at times when there is a lot of surplus electricity generation (on a bright, windy day, for example) and discharge it at times of peak demand (or when the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow). This would entail grid operators (and ultimately, consumers) not having to pay gas plants to fire up when renewable generation cannot meet the shortfall.

Unfortunately, batteries comprised just 6% of Britain’s total electricity capacity in 2024. Investment in energy storage has lagged behind what the government forecasts is necessary to meet its 2030 clean power goals, but it is at least increasing.

Research shows that the more money that is invested in batteries, the more associated costs come down. If used instead of gas to stabilise the grid, energy storage could significantly lower the wholesale cost of the UK’s energy over time, and with the right balance of policies, household bills too. This would require subsidies to cover some of the cost of making and installing batteries, and planning mandates to build new renewables alongside new batteries.

Affordable and fair

The government could also try alternatives to zonal pricing. Wholesale electricity prices could reflect the “strike” price in renewable energy contracts. This is the price at which developers have agreed to build clean electricity generation projects, like wind farms. This would mean that gas no longer sets the wholesale price, but stable, predictable prices agreed years in advance, which would help to regulate the retail costs consumers pay.

Solar arrays installed on farmland in Devon, southern England.
Pjhpix/Shutterstock

These types of reforms can help set efficient energy prices, which the government usually talks about as the price needed to encourage investment in new energy technologies. But just because prices are efficient, it doesn’t mean they’re fair. Some households struggle to afford their energy bills even when markets are working efficiently. So, when prices change to encourage cleaner energy, it can hit them harder.

The government should implement new policies and expand eligibility for existing measures to take the burden off energy-poor households. These include social tariffs, which offer discounted rates to vulnerable consumers, and discounts for blocks of electricity use when renewables are generating a lot of it.

Transition funds could help poorer households meet bills, while schemes to encourage home insulation and other improvements could see more homes with rooftop solar panels and battery storage.

This support, combined with increasing investment in energy storage and renewables, will lower the wholesale price of electricity over time – and make energy more affordable (and fair) for everyone.

Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

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Anupama Sen has previously received funding from the Quadrature Climate Foundation and Children’s Investment Fund Foundation.

Cassandra Etter-Wenzel and Sam Fankhauser do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Zonal pricing is dead – here’s how the UK should change its electricity system instead – https://theconversation.com/zonal-pricing-is-dead-heres-how-the-uk-should-change-its-electricity-system-instead-260985

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 17, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: David Robie: New Zealand must do more for Pacific and confront nuclear powers

Rongelap Islanders on board the Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior travelling to their new home on Mejatto Island in 1985 — less than two months before the bombing. Image: ©1985 David Robie/Eyes of Fire

He accused the coalition government of being “too timid” and “afraid of offending President Donald Trump” to make a stand on the nuclear issue.

However, a spokesperson for New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters told RNZ Pacific that New Zealand’s “overarching priority . . . is to work with Pacific partners to achieve a secure, stable, and prosperous region that preserves Pacific sovereignty and agency”.

The spokesperson said that through its foreign policy “reset”, New Zealand was committed to “comprehensive relationships” with Pacific Island countries.

“New Zealand’s identity, prosperity and security are intertwined with the Pacific through deep cultural, people, historical, security, and economic linkages.”

The New Zealand government commits almost 60 percent of its development funding to the region.

Pacific ‘increasingly contested’
The spokesperson said that the Pacific was becoming increasingly contested and complex.

“New Zealand has been clear with all of our partners that it is important that engagement in the Pacific takes place in a manner which advances Pacific priorities, is consistent with established regional practices, and supportive of Pacific regional institutions.”

They added that New Zealand’s main focus remained on the Pacific, “where we will be working with partners including the United States, Australia, Japan and in Europe to more intensively leverage greater support for the region.

“We will maintain the high tempo of political engagement across the Pacific to ensure alignment between our programme and New Zealand and partner priorities. And we will work more strategically with Pacific Governments to strengthen their systems, so they can better deliver the services their people need,” the spokesperson said.

The cover of the latest edition of Eyes of Fire: The Last Voyage and Legacy of the Rainbow Warrior. Image: Little Island Press

However, former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark, writing in the prologue of Dr Robie’s book, said: “New Zealand needs to re-emphasise the principles and values which drove its nuclear-free legislation and its advocacy for a nuclear-free South Pacific and global nuclear disarmament.”

Dr Robie added that looking back 40 years to the 1980s, there was a strong sense of pride in being from Aotearoa, the small country which set an example around the world.

“We took on . . . the nuclear powers,” Dr Robie said.

“And the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior was symbolic of that struggle, in a way, but it was a struggle that most New Zealanders felt a part of, and we were very proud of that [anti-nuclear] role that we took.

“Over the years, it has sort of been forgotten”.

‘Look at history’
France conducted 193 nuclear tests over three decades until 1996 in French Polynesia.

Until 2009, France claimed that its tests were “clean” and caused no harm, but in 2010, under the stewardship of Defence Minister Herve Morin, a compensation law was passed.

From 1946 to 1962, 67 nuclear bombs were detonated in the Marshall Islands by the US.

The 1 March 1954 Bravo hydrogen bomb test at Bikini Atoll, the largest nuclear weapon ever exploded by the United States, left a legacy of fallout and radiation contamination that continues to this day. Image: Marshall Islands Journal

In 2024, then-US deputy secretary of state Kurt Campbell, while responding to a question from RNZ Pacific about America’s nuclear legacy, said: “Washington has attempted to address it constructively with massive resources and a sustained commitment.”

However, Dr Robie said that was not good enough and labelled the destruction left behind by the US, and France, as “outrageous”.

“It is political speak; politicians trying to cover their backs and so on. If you look at history, [the response] is nowhere near good enough, both by the US and the French.”

This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

July 16, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: David Robie: New Zealand must do more for Pacific and confront nuclear powers

Rongelap Islanders on board the Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior travelling to their new home on Mejatto Island in 1985 — less than two months before the bombing. Image: ©1985 David Robie/Eyes of Fire

He accused the coalition government of being “too timid” and “afraid of offending President Donald Trump” to make a stand on the nuclear issue.

However, a spokesperson for New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters told RNZ Pacific that New Zealand’s “overarching priority . . . is to work with Pacific partners to achieve a secure, stable, and prosperous region that preserves Pacific sovereignty and agency”.

The spokesperson said that through its foreign policy “reset”, New Zealand was committed to “comprehensive relationships” with Pacific Island countries.

“New Zealand’s identity, prosperity and security are intertwined with the Pacific through deep cultural, people, historical, security, and economic linkages.”

The New Zealand government commits almost 60 percent of its development funding to the region.

Pacific ‘increasingly contested’
The spokesperson said that the Pacific was becoming increasingly contested and complex.

“New Zealand has been clear with all of our partners that it is important that engagement in the Pacific takes place in a manner which advances Pacific priorities, is consistent with established regional practices, and supportive of Pacific regional institutions.”

They added that New Zealand’s main focus remained on the Pacific, “where we will be working with partners including the United States, Australia, Japan and in Europe to more intensively leverage greater support for the region.

“We will maintain the high tempo of political engagement across the Pacific to ensure alignment between our programme and New Zealand and partner priorities. And we will work more strategically with Pacific Governments to strengthen their systems, so they can better deliver the services their people need,” the spokesperson said.

The cover of the latest edition of Eyes of Fire: The Last Voyage and Legacy of the Rainbow Warrior. Image: Little Island Press

However, former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark, writing in the prologue of Dr Robie’s book, said: “New Zealand needs to re-emphasise the principles and values which drove its nuclear-free legislation and its advocacy for a nuclear-free South Pacific and global nuclear disarmament.”

Dr Robie added that looking back 40 years to the 1980s, there was a strong sense of pride in being from Aotearoa, the small country which set an example around the world.

“We took on . . . the nuclear powers,” Dr Robie said.

“And the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior was symbolic of that struggle, in a way, but it was a struggle that most New Zealanders felt a part of, and we were very proud of that [anti-nuclear] role that we took.

“Over the years, it has sort of been forgotten”.

‘Look at history’
France conducted 193 nuclear tests over three decades until 1996 in French Polynesia.

Until 2009, France claimed that its tests were “clean” and caused no harm, but in 2010, under the stewardship of Defence Minister Herve Morin, a compensation law was passed.

From 1946 to 1962, 67 nuclear bombs were detonated in the Marshall Islands by the US.

The 1 March 1954 Bravo hydrogen bomb test at Bikini Atoll, the largest nuclear weapon ever exploded by the United States, left a legacy of fallout and radiation contamination that continues to this day. Image: Marshall Islands Journal

In 2024, then-US deputy secretary of state Kurt Campbell, while responding to a question from RNZ Pacific about America’s nuclear legacy, said: “Washington has attempted to address it constructively with massive resources and a sustained commitment.”

However, Dr Robie said that was not good enough and labelled the destruction left behind by the US, and France, as “outrageous”.

“It is political speak; politicians trying to cover their backs and so on. If you look at history, [the response] is nowhere near good enough, both by the US and the French.”

This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Rosneft Improves Associated Petroleum Gas Purification Technologies

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Employees of Orenburgneft, Rosneft’s key production asset in the Volga region, have patented a technology for reducing the content of hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans in associated petroleum gas (APG). The innovation has been implemented at the Vakhitovsky group of fields of the enterprise, which has increased the volume of rational use of APG from 20 to 80 thousand m3 per day. The economic effect from the implementation of the innovation will amount to more than 1 billion rubles within five years.

The essence of the innovation is to purify the gas flow in the pipeline by feeding a liquid reagent-neutralizer, which removes sulfur compounds from the APG without using additional equipment. Then the primarily purified product is sent to the Zagorskaya complex gas treatment plant for subsequent processing.

The company’s specialists were the first to propose the idea of cleaning gas directly in the pipeline, which itself acts as a reactor, and proved its effectiveness. The technology does not require capital expenditures, construction of new facilities or additional equipment.

The introduction of the innovation made it possible to process additional volumes of sulfur-containing associated petroleum gas, increase the production of a wide fraction of light hydrocarbons and dry stripped gas, and supply additional volumes of treated gas to main gas pipelines.

Reference:

JSC Orenburgneft develops oil and gas fields in the Orenburg and Samara regions. Cumulative production is more than 470 million tons of oil.

The Vakhitovsky group of fields is located in the Orenburg region and covers an area of over 283 square kilometers. It includes the Vostochno-Kapitonovskoye, Mamalayevskoye, Tarashchanskoye, Khutorskoye, Donetsko-Syrtovskoye and Vakhitovsky fields. The total volume of current recoverable oil and gas reserves exceeds 39 million tons.

Department of Information and AdvertisingPJSC NK RosneftJuly 16, 2025

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Researcher Spotlight: Violeta Sanchez i Nogue’s Journey to Bioprocess Development at NREL

Source: US National Renewable Energy Laboratory

On a Christmas morning in the early 1990s, in a small town north of Barcelona, a young Violeta Sanchez i Nogue’s interest in chemistry was born. She unwrapped a junior chemistry lab kit that would ignite a love of science and lead to a successful career as a senior researcher at NREL.

Violeta Sanchez i Nogue, now a senior researcher, started her career at NREL as a postdoctoral researcher. Photo by Werner Slocum, NREL

“With the kit, you could run lots of different assays inside glass tubes with different chemical compounds,” Sanchez i Nogue said. “It even had an alcohol burner! In retrospect probably not the safest game, but you can imagine lots of color changes and fume generation when reactions were taking place. I had lots of fun playing with this game with my sister, and I was just fascinated by it.”

With visions of someday working in a chemistry lab, Sanchez i Nogue took an opportunity to expand her horizons by joining an engineering boot camp during the summer before high school graduation.

“I really enjoyed it, as it gave me exposure to university-level research,” she said. “We spent a couple of weeks taking environmental samples in the Pyrenees and analyzing them in a lab the university had installed at the mountain hostel. Most of the researchers were from the chemical engineering department, so I had the chance to learn about the types of research they were doing.”

Combining Scientific Passions

Needless to say, she was hooked. She decided to combine her two interests and pursue a degree in chemical engineering at the Autonomous University of Barcelona. During her undergraduate studies, she completed an internship at Lund University in Sweden, where she later returned to earn a Ph.D. in engineering. It was here that she became familiar with NREL’s leading work on lignocellulosics and bioethanol—the focus of her thesis.

Sanchez i Nogue worked for a startup company developing yeast strains and processes for second-generation ethanol and other biotech applications. In the summer of 2015, she joined NREL as a postdoctoral researcher working on a project to produce renewable carbon fibers.

“It just felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity when a colleague from grad school sent me the job posting,” Sanchez i Nogue said. “It was a relatively big project with universities, other national labs, and industrial partners. This first project was ambitious, and the fermentations I was running were really fast, but it was an amazing experience to be able to work with a highly multidisciplinary team. After a few months of being at NREL, I had the opportunity to join another project, which I am still part of.”

Working With Microorganisms

“While one might think the challenges an organism faces when we put them in bioreactors are really different compared to their native environment, you can actually leverage lots of natural strengths and weaknesses from learning about their origins,” Sanchez i Nogue said.

Violeta Sanchez i Nogue works with digesters in NREL’s Field Test Laboratory Building. Photo from Violeta Sanchez i Nogue, NREL

Most of her projects have parallel efforts across the laboratory in metabolic engineering, separations, catalysis, and analysis.

“Working on multidisciplinary projects with people who all have unique sets of expertise and backgrounds can be challenging at times,” Sanchez i Nogue said. “But it always feels like a pivotal moment when synergies occur because people work together.”

“I love the fact that I learn something new every single day,” she said. “I have what I consider one of the greatest privileges in a job: I work with dedicated, hard-working, and kind people, and this is a pleasure not everyone has.”

Seeking New Challenges

While the development of core capabilities happens on a laboratory scale, Sanchez i Nogue also works at the pilot scale in NREL’s Integrated Biorefinery Research Facility and externally with different industrial and university project partners.

Given her proclivity for collaboration, Sanchez i Nogue is not one to shy away from a new challenge. In 2023, she worked to onboard new operations in NREL’s Field Test Laboratory Building to be able to use different types of organic waste (including food waste, manure, and wastewater). Today, she is doing similar work on setting up an aerobic gas fermentation system in NREL’s new Research and Innovation Laboratory that will allow the use of hydrogen, oxygen, and flue gases.

“Deploying new capabilities in the lab is often challenging,” Sanchez i Nogue said. “Who do we bring to the table to help moving things forward? How does it fit into the current lab operations? Which changes will be needed to implement it safely? It is a lot of work behind the scenes.”

Sanchez i Nogue’s behind-the-scenes work has a history of paying off.

“Over these last years, I have been fortunate to work with people who took our challenges as theirs, and that has allowed for instrumental changes to the system,” she said. “I am happy to contribute to expanding NREL’s bioeconomy and sustainable transportation research capabilities!”

Living Beyond the Lab

Outside of work, Sanchez i Nogue enjoys cooking, baking, reading, gardening, and raising her 2-year-old daughter, which includes answering endless whys about people and nature’s curiosities.

“We recently had a nice opportunity to see a couple of robins nesting in our front yard, so we talked about how and why they were constructing the nest, laying the eggs, incubating them, feeding them, teaching them to fly, and more,” she said. “She is also fascinated by butterflies and has just started to distinguish ants from spiders.”

Her daughter’s expanding love of learning about the world around her mirrors that of her own, nurtured by the fateful junior chemistry lab kit from many Christmases ago.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI: Poland – the hottest offshore market in Europe! The future of energy at the largest event in Central and Eastern Europe – Offshore Wind Poland 2025

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

WARSAW, Poland, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Poland is entering the operational phase of offshore development – the first turbines are already standing in the Baltic Sea, and by 2026, electricity from offshore sources will begin to power Polish homes. This is a turning point – Poland is rapidly becoming one of the most promising markets in Europe in terms of investment, partnerships and innovation. Now is the best time to invest and build a position in Poland – this will be the main theme of the Offshore Wind Poland 2025 Conference organized by Polish Wind Energy Association.

“The investment campaign in the maritime sector is unrivalled among other investments currently underway in Poland. It will generate capital expenditure of PLN 300 billion by 2040. This is the largest energy transition project in Polish history, demonstrating Poland’s ambition and courage in its pursuit of modernity. Ambitious investment plans and growing industrial potential give our country a real chance to become one of the leaders of the European energy transition. The upcoming event is the best time to prepare for this change and strengthen your position in the strategic market of the future,” says Janusz Gajowiecki, President of the Polish Wind Energy Association.

On 18-19 November 2025, politicians, experts, scientists and the biggest players in the wind and renewable energy sectors will meet in Warsaw. For years, the event has been a strategic platform for dialogue on Poland’s responsibility for EU security, energy solidarity and active participation in shaping European policy.

The focus will be on topics related to the current status of the first and second phase projects, preparations for upcoming auctions, and the development of a national industrial strategy and local supply chains. There will also be discussions on the importance of offshore wind in the context of strengthening the energy security and independence of Poland and Europe.

The planned workshops will place particular emphasis on practical aspects. This is also an opportunity to establish cooperation with key market players. Information:
http://www.konferencjaowp.pl/

PWEA is the largest Polish organisation promoting wind energy in Poland. It brings together over 200 companies – the largest energy giants in the wind energy market: investors, developers, turbine manufacturers and the supply chain.

Source: PWEA

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cb3d2fde-0d9c-46bb-8b8d-4b8e54b00d90

The MIL Network –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LegCo Secretariat releases Policy Pulse on “Strategies and edges of Hong Kong in hydrogen development”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

The Legislative Council (LegCo) Secretariat today (July 15) released the latest issue of the Policy Pulse on “Strategies and edges of Hong Kong in hydrogen development”. This issue provides a brief overview of hydrogen energy development strategies in Hong Kong, the edges of promoting the hydrogen energy industry, the latest progress of improving relevant legislation by the Government, as well as relevant discussions of LegCo along with suggestions by Members.

LegCo will resume the Second Reading debate on the Gas Safety (Amendment) Bill 2025 tomorrow (July 16). The Bill seeks to regulate the use of hydrogen as fuel to ensure the safe application of hydrogen fuel. It also empowers the Government to introduce new subsidiary legislation to ensure the flexibility of updating the regulatory requirements. The Government intends to introduce subsidiary legislation in 2026 to cover the entire supply chain of hydrogen as fuel.

The Policy Pulse highlights that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government actively promotes the development of hydrogen energy, and promulgated the Strategy of Hydrogen Development in Hong Kong last year. Setting out four major strategies of improving legislation, establishing standards, aligning with the market and advancing with prudence, the Strategy aims to create an environment conducive to the development of hydrogen energy in Hong Kong in an orderly manner, so as to make preparations for the wider application of hydrogen energy in the future.

With a “zero carbon emissions” feature, hydrogen is a new energy with significant decarbonisation potential. Our country is the largest hydrogen producer in the world, and strives to achieve the “dual carbon” goals of peaking carbon emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060. The SAR Government also targets to cut carbon emissions by half from the 2005 level before 2035 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2050. The Policy Pulse points out that, with its unique advantage of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world, as well as the strengths in scientific research, robust legislation and energy infrastructure, Hong Kong has very great potential to become a demonstration base for the development of hydrogen energy in the country, and facilitate the development of the hydrogen energy industry in the Belt and Road region and other overseas places. In addition, as an international financial centre, Hong Kong can help enterprises with their green transformation by providing green financing and professional services.

The Policy Pulse also introduces a number of measures by the SAR Government to support research and innovation in the hydrogen energy technology. These include setting up the Inter-departmental Working Group on Using Hydrogen as Fuel to co-ordinate the efforts in promoting the local use of hydrogen energy and initiate relevant trial projects. Meanwhile, the Government has launched several funding schemes that cover the research and development of hydrogen energy technology, and actively promotes talent training, technological exchange and application in relevant scientific and technological fields, so as to cultivate professionals with the specialised knowledge and skills to ensure the safe application of hydrogen energy technology.

LegCo Members have long attached great importance to the development of hydrogen energy in Hong Kong. In March 2023, LegCo passed a motion advocating the SAR Government to comprehensively promote the development of hydrogen energy industry in Hong Kong. The LegCo Panel on Environmental Affairs also visited hydrogen projects during its duty visit to Mainland cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (the Greater Bay Area) in August of the same year, and has been following up on issues related to hydrogen energy. The Policy Pulse summarises various recommendations made by Members on hydrogen energy development. These include capitalising on the strengths of Hong Kong’s financial services industry to attract capital investment in the city’s hydrogen energy industry and reserve land for development. Furthermore, the Government should take the lead in developing green industries and make use of new development areas as a springboard to bring in quality hydrogen energy industries; formulate relevant policies on hydrogen energy pricing to stimulate demand for hydrogen energy; promote carbon index certification to include hydrogen energy into Hong Kong’s carbon emissions trading market; and actively research and develop local hydrogen production technology, among others.

The Policy Pulse points out that hydrogen energy is an integral component of the country’s future energy system. Members urge the Government to collaborate with other cities in the Greater Bay Area on the joint research, development and promotion of hydrogen energy development projects to facilitate exchanges and co-operation between the two places across the hydrogen energy industrial chain, with a view to promoting the alignment of the safety monitoring and quality testing standards between Hong Kong and the Mainland. Members also advise the Government to speed up the development of a set of internationally recognised hydrogen energy certification standards, so as to assist the Greater Bay Area and even the entire hydrogen industry in the country to enter the international market.

The detailed content of “Strategies and edges of Hong Kong in hydrogen development” is available on the LegCo Website. The Policy Pulse, published by the Council Business Divisions of the LegCo Secretariat, covers specific topics and offers a comprehensive overview of related policy developments and summarised discussions in LegCo.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnic University’s breakthrough projects received grant support from the Russian Science Foundation

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

The Russian Science Foundation has summed up the results of three competitions for 2025, including one for the extension of ongoing projects.

Following the results of the Russian Science Foundation’s competition for grant support for fundamental and exploratory scientific research in 2025–2028, 211 projects were supported. They are being carried out by research groups led by young candidates and doctors of science under the age of 35. Including three developments of the Polytechnic University, support was provided.

According to the results of the examination, the following Polytechnic projects will receive from 3 to 6 million rubles annually:

“Synaptic dysfunction in hippocampal neurons in Alzheimer’s disease and methods of their correction: the influence of the endoplasmic reticulum structure and ryanodine receptors” under the supervision of Ekaterina Pchitskaya, Institute of Coronary Heart Diseases and Bone Health; “Molecular mechanisms of the influence of recombinant interferon-lambda on the course and outcome of secondary bacterial pneumonia developing against the background of influenza infection” under the supervision of Alexey Lozhkov, Institute of Coronary Heart Diseases and Bone Health; “Modeling and optimization of thermochemical technology for hydrogen production based on the sulfur-iodine cycle” under the supervision of Ekaterina Sokolova, Institute of Economics.

Following the results of the RSF competition for conducting initiative fundamental and exploratory scientific research by young scientists and candidates of science under the age of 33 in 2025–2027, 327 projects were supported. Including five SPbPU projects:

“Innovative Alkaline Electrolytes Based on Nanofluids for Highly Efficient Hydrogen Production by Water Electrolysis”, Supervised by Sadeghi Khashayar, Institute of Economics; “Development of a Lingvodidactic Model of Sustainable Learning Using Artificial Intelligence”, Supervised by Ekaterina Shostak, Institute of Economics; “Development of Scientific and Technological Foundations for the Formation of Biomedical Materials with a Given Gradient of Properties by Selective Laser Melting for Personalized Implantology”, Supervised by Igor Polozov, Institute of Mathematics and Electronics; “Development of a System for Predicting the Failure of the Strength of Load-Bearing Metal Structures at Sub-zero Temperatures Using Digital Twin Technology”, Supervised by Ivan Vasiliev, Institute of Mathematics and Electronics; “Multimode Fiber Bragg Gratings with Optimal Spectral Response”, Supervised by Alexander Markvart, Institute of Economics and Electronics.

The grant amount will be up to 1.5 million rubles annually.

Based on the results of the competition for the extension of the deadlines for projects implemented under the supervision of young scientists in 2025–2027, the SPbPU project “Study of the antiviral activity of small interfering RNAs against rotavirus infection when administered orally in complexes with hybrid microcarriers” was supported, led by Alexandra Brodskaya, IBSiB.

The annual grant amount will be from 3 to 6 million rubles.

“I congratulate our young scientists who generate ideas and demonstrate scientific achievements. Eight applications is a good result, higher than last year. To make it even better, we will set more global tasks. We, for our part, intend to help this within the framework of the Grant Readings seminar series,” said Yuri Fomin, Vice-Rector for Research at SPbPU.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 15, 2025
Amit Shah hails Bharat Vikas Parishad’s role in nation-building at 63rd Foundation Day

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, on Monday addressed the 63rd Foundation Day celebration of the Bharat Vikas Parishad (BVP) in New Delhi, praising the organisation for its six-decade-long contribution to national development and social service. The event was attended by several dignitaries, including retired Supreme Court Judge and National President of the Parishad, Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel.

Describing BVP as a living embodiment of India’s civilisational ethos, Shah said the organisation has effectively connected “service with organisation, organisation with values, and values with nation-building.” Inspired by the ideals of Swami Vivekananda, BVP has, according to Shah, helped mobilise society’s creative energy through its core principles of dedication (Samarpan), organisation (Sangathan), and values (Sanskar).

“An institution that works tirelessly for 63 years doesn’t just survive—it thrives on the dedication of countless volunteers. While 63 years may be old in a person’s life, for a service-driven institution like BVP, it marks youthful vibrance,” Shah remarked.

Shah also honoured the legacy of freedom fighter Hemam Nilamani Singh from Manipur, who was posthumously recognised at the event. Singh, inspired by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, joined the Indian National Army in 1944 and devoted his life to education, service, and linguistic unity.

Highlighting the reach of BVP, Shah noted that the organisation operates more than 1,600 branches across 412 districts and engages over 84,000 families. BVP has actively contributed to disaster relief, blood donation drives, rural education camps, and moral value-building initiatives in schools across the country.

Turning to national development, Shah said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has envisioned a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047 and laid out five foundational goals: economic progress, freedom from mental and cultural slavery, pride in India’s heritage, unity and solidarity, and a sense of civic duty. “The Bharat Vikas Parishad has worked silently but powerfully toward these goals for years,” Shah said.

He highlighted achievements from the last 11 years of Modi’s tenure: the opening of over 55 crore bank accounts, the provision of safe drinking water to 15 crore households, construction of toilets in 12 crore homes, distribution of gas cylinders to 10 crore families, and the building of over 4 crore homes for the poor. He also emphasized the empowerment of women through initiatives like Lakhpati Didi and Mudra Yojana, where two-thirds of the loan beneficiaries are women.

Shah pointed to the government’s efforts to decolonize national symbols and reclaim India’s heritage. From renaming Rajpath to Kartavya Path to replacing colonial insignia in the Indian Navy with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s sword, he said these moves inspire national pride. Other symbolic actions include renaming islands in Andaman-Nicobar as Subhash Dweep and Shaheed Dweep, and Race Course Road as Lok Kalyan Marg.

“Prime Minister Modi has shown how heritage and development can progress hand-in-hand,” said Shah. “While he built the Ram Temple, he also rolled out 5G and expanded digital payments to every corner of the country—even to vegetable vendors.”

He also highlighted simultaneous progress in education and technology, citing the New Education Policy’s focus on mother-tongue instruction, and the expansion of premier institutes like IITs, IIMs, and AIIMS. India, he said, is emerging as a leader in AI, cybersecurity, drones, and green hydrogen. He connected this progress with national pride initiatives like the establishment of the Sengol in Parliament and the international promotion of Yoga.

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: NIST Ion Clock Sets New Record for Most Accurate Clock in the World

Source: US Government research organizations

(From left to right) Mason Marshall, David Hume, Willa Arthur-Dworschack and Daniel Rodriguez Castillo stand in front of the aluminum ion clock at NIST. With its recent improvements, the clock can pave the way for the campaign to redefine the second as well as explore new ideas in physics.

Credit: R. Jacobson/NIST

There’s a new record holder for the most accurate clock in the world. Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have improved their atomic clock based on a trapped aluminum ion. Part of the latest wave of optical atomic clocks, it can perform timekeeping with 19 decimal places of accuracy.

Optical clocks are typically evaluated on two levels — accuracy (how close a clock comes to measuring the ideal “true” time, also known as systematic uncertainty) and stability (how efficiently a clock can measure time, related to statistical uncertainty). This new record in accuracy comes out of 20 years of continuous improvement of the aluminum ion clock. Beyond its world-best accuracy, 41% greater than the previous record, this new clock is also 2.6 times more stable than any other ion clock. Reaching these levels has meant carefully improving every aspect of the clock, from the laser to the trap and the vacuum chamber.

The team published its results in Physical Review Letters.

“It’s exciting to work on the most accurate clock ever,” said Mason Marshall, NIST researcher and first author on the paper. “At NIST we get to carry out these long-term plans in precision measurement that can push the field of physics and our understanding of the world around us.”

NIST physicist David Hume holds the newly modified ion trap for the aluminum ion clock. By modifying the trap, the aluminum ion and its magnesium ion partner were able to “tick” unperturbed.

Credit: R. Jacobson/NIST

The aluminum ion makes an exceptionally good clock, with an extremely steady, high-frequency “ticking” rate. Its ticks are more stable than those of cesium, which provides the current scientific definition of the second, said David Hume, the NIST physicist leading the aluminum ion clock project. And the aluminum ion isn’t as sensitive to some environmental conditions, like temperature and magnetic fields.

But the aluminum ion is kind of shy, Marshall explained. Aluminum is difficult to probe and cool with lasers, both necessary techniques for atomic clocks. The research group therefore paired the aluminum ion with magnesium. Magnesium doesn’t have the beautiful ticking properties of aluminum, but it can be easily controlled with lasers. “This ‘buddy system’ for ions is called quantum logic spectroscopy,” said Willa Arthur-Dworschack, a graduate student on the project. The magnesium ion cools the aluminum ion, slowing it down. It also moves in tandem with its aluminum partner, and the state of the clock can be read out via the magnesium ion’s motion, making this a “quantum logic” clock. Even with this coordination, there was still an array of physical effects to characterize, said Daniel Rodriguez Castillo, also a graduate student on the project.

“It’s a big, complex challenge, because every part of the clock’s design affects the clock,” Rodriguez Castillo said.

One challenge was the design of the trap where the ions are held, which was causing tiny movements of the ions, called excess micromotion, that were lowering the clock’s accuracy. That excess micromotion throws off the ions’ tick rate. Electrical imbalances at opposite sides of the trap were creating extra fields that disturbed the ions. The team redesigned the trap, putting it on a thicker diamond wafer and modifying the gold coatings on the electrodes to fix the imbalance of the electric field. They also made the gold coatings thicker to reduce resistance. Refining the trap this way slowed the ions’ motion and let them “tick” unperturbed.

The newly modified ion trap for NIST’s aluminum ion clock, with an inset showing a CCD image of the aluminum-magnesium ion pair. The circle shows the position of the aluminum ion, which is dark to the camera as it can only be read out using quantum logic spectroscopy via the magnesium ion.

Credit: NIST

The vacuum system in which the trap must operate was also causing problems. Hydrogen diffuses out of the steel body of a typical vacuum chamber, Marshall said. Traces of hydrogen gas collided with the ions, interrupting the clock’s operation. That limited how long the experiment could run before the ions needed to be reloaded. The team redesigned the vacuum chamber and had it rebuilt out of titanium, which lowered the background hydrogen gas by 150 times. That meant they could go days without reloading the trap, rather than reloading every 30 minutes.

There was still one more ingredient they needed: a more stable laser to probe the ions and count their ticks. The 2019 version of the clock had to be run for weeks to average out quantum fluctuations — temporary random changes in the ions’ energy state — caused by its laser. To reduce that time, the team turned to NIST’s own Jun Ye, whose lab at JILA (a joint institute of NIST and the University of Colorado Boulder) hosts one of the most stable lasers in the world. Ye’s strontium lattice clock, Strontium 1, held the previous record for accuracy.

This was a team effort. Using fiber links under the street, Ye’s group at JILA sent the ultrastable laser beam 3.6 kilometers (a little more than 2 miles) to the frequency comb in the lab of Tara Fortier at NIST. The frequency comb, which acts as a “ruler for light,” allowed the aluminum ion clock group to compare its laser with Ye’s ultrastable one. This process enabled the Ye lab’s laser to transfer its stability to the aluminum clock laser. With this improvement, the researchers could probe the ions for a full second compared to their previous record of 150 milliseconds. This improves the clock’s stability, reducing the time required to measure down to the 19th decimal place from three weeks to a day and a half.

(From left to right) Daniel Rodriguez Castillo, Willa Arthur-Dworschack and Mason Marshall work together on the aluminum ion clock at NIST in Boulder. This atomic clock sets a new record for accuracy.

Credit: R. Jacobson/NIST

With this new record, the aluminum ion clock contributes to the international effort to redefine the second to much greater levels of accuracy than before, facilitating new scientific and technological advances. The upgrades also drastically improve its use as a quantum logic testbed, exploring new concepts in quantum physics and building the tools needed for quantum technology, an exciting prospect for those involved. More importantly, by cutting down the averaging time from weeks to days, this clock can be a tool to make new measurements of Earth’s geodesy and explore physics beyond the Standard Model, such as the possibility that the fundamental constants of nature are not fixed values but actually changing.

“With this platform, we’re poised to explore new clock architectures — like scaling up the number of clock ions and even entangling them — further improving our measurement capabilities,” Arthur-Dworschack said.

Paper: Mason C. Marshall, Daniel A. Rodriguez Castillo, Willa J. Arthur-Dworschack, Alexander Aeppli, Kyungtae Kim, Dahyeon Lee, William Warfield, Joost Hinrichs, Nicholas V. Nardelli, Tara M. Fortier, Jun Ye, David R. Leibrandt and David B. Hume. High-stability single-ion clock with 5.5×10−19 systematic uncertainty. Physical Review Letters. Published online July 14, 2025. DOI: 10.1103/hb3c-dk28

MIL OSI USA News –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: NIST Ion Clock Sets New Record for Most Accurate Clock in the World

Source: US Government research organizations

(From left to right) Mason Marshall, David Hume, Willa Arthur-Dworschack and Daniel Rodriguez Castillo stand in front of the aluminum ion clock at NIST. With its recent improvements, the clock can pave the way for the campaign to redefine the second as well as explore new ideas in physics.

Credit: R. Jacobson/NIST

There’s a new record holder for the most accurate clock in the world. Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have improved their atomic clock based on a trapped aluminum ion. Part of the latest wave of optical atomic clocks, it can perform timekeeping with 19 decimal places of accuracy.

Optical clocks are typically evaluated on two levels — accuracy (how close a clock comes to measuring the ideal “true” time, also known as systematic uncertainty) and stability (how efficiently a clock can measure time, related to statistical uncertainty). This new record in accuracy comes out of 20 years of continuous improvement of the aluminum ion clock. Beyond its world-best accuracy, 41% greater than the previous record, this new clock is also 2.6 times more stable than any other ion clock. Reaching these levels has meant carefully improving every aspect of the clock, from the laser to the trap and the vacuum chamber.

The team published its results in Physical Review Letters.

“It’s exciting to work on the most accurate clock ever,” said Mason Marshall, NIST researcher and first author on the paper. “At NIST we get to carry out these long-term plans in precision measurement that can push the field of physics and our understanding of the world around us.”

NIST physicist David Hume holds the newly modified ion trap for the aluminum ion clock. By modifying the trap, the aluminum ion and its magnesium ion partner were able to “tick” unperturbed.

Credit: R. Jacobson/NIST

The aluminum ion makes an exceptionally good clock, with an extremely steady, high-frequency “ticking” rate. Its ticks are more stable than those of cesium, which provides the current scientific definition of the second, said David Hume, the NIST physicist leading the aluminum ion clock project. And the aluminum ion isn’t as sensitive to some environmental conditions, like temperature and magnetic fields.

But the aluminum ion is kind of shy, Marshall explained. Aluminum is difficult to probe and cool with lasers, both necessary techniques for atomic clocks. The research group therefore paired the aluminum ion with magnesium. Magnesium doesn’t have the beautiful ticking properties of aluminum, but it can be easily controlled with lasers. “This ‘buddy system’ for ions is called quantum logic spectroscopy,” said Willa Arthur-Dworschack, a graduate student on the project. The magnesium ion cools the aluminum ion, slowing it down. It also moves in tandem with its aluminum partner, and the state of the clock can be read out via the magnesium ion’s motion, making this a “quantum logic” clock. Even with this coordination, there was still an array of physical effects to characterize, said Daniel Rodriguez Castillo, also a graduate student on the project.

“It’s a big, complex challenge, because every part of the clock’s design affects the clock,” Rodriguez Castillo said.

One challenge was the design of the trap where the ions are held, which was causing tiny movements of the ions, called excess micromotion, that were lowering the clock’s accuracy. That excess micromotion throws off the ions’ tick rate. Electrical imbalances at opposite sides of the trap were creating extra fields that disturbed the ions. The team redesigned the trap, putting it on a thicker diamond wafer and modifying the gold coatings on the electrodes to fix the imbalance of the electric field. They also made the gold coatings thicker to reduce resistance. Refining the trap this way slowed the ions’ motion and let them “tick” unperturbed.

The newly modified ion trap for NIST’s aluminum ion clock, with an inset showing a CCD image of the aluminum-magnesium ion pair. The circle shows the position of the aluminum ion, which is dark to the camera as it can only be read out using quantum logic spectroscopy via the magnesium ion.

Credit: NIST

The vacuum system in which the trap must operate was also causing problems. Hydrogen diffuses out of the steel body of a typical vacuum chamber, Marshall said. Traces of hydrogen gas collided with the ions, interrupting the clock’s operation. That limited how long the experiment could run before the ions needed to be reloaded. The team redesigned the vacuum chamber and had it rebuilt out of titanium, which lowered the background hydrogen gas by 150 times. That meant they could go days without reloading the trap, rather than reloading every 30 minutes.

There was still one more ingredient they needed: a more stable laser to probe the ions and count their ticks. The 2019 version of the clock had to be run for weeks to average out quantum fluctuations — temporary random changes in the ions’ energy state — caused by its laser. To reduce that time, the team turned to NIST’s own Jun Ye, whose lab at JILA (a joint institute of NIST and the University of Colorado Boulder) hosts one of the most stable lasers in the world. Ye’s strontium lattice clock, Strontium 1, held the previous record for accuracy.

This was a team effort. Using fiber links under the street, Ye’s group at JILA sent the ultrastable laser beam 3.6 kilometers (a little more than 2 miles) to the frequency comb in the lab of Tara Fortier at NIST. The frequency comb, which acts as a “ruler for light,” allowed the aluminum ion clock group to compare its laser with Ye’s ultrastable one. This process enabled the Ye lab’s laser to transfer its stability to the aluminum clock laser. With this improvement, the researchers could probe the ions for a full second compared to their previous record of 150 milliseconds. This improves the clock’s stability, reducing the time required to measure down to the 19th decimal place from three weeks to a day and a half.

(From left to right) Daniel Rodriguez Castillo, Willa Arthur-Dworschack and Mason Marshall work together on the aluminum ion clock at NIST in Boulder. This atomic clock sets a new record for accuracy.

Credit: R. Jacobson/NIST

With this new record, the aluminum ion clock contributes to the international effort to redefine the second to much greater levels of accuracy than before, facilitating new scientific and technological advances. The upgrades also drastically improve its use as a quantum logic testbed, exploring new concepts in quantum physics and building the tools needed for quantum technology, an exciting prospect for those involved. More importantly, by cutting down the averaging time from weeks to days, this clock can be a tool to make new measurements of Earth’s geodesy and explore physics beyond the Standard Model, such as the possibility that the fundamental constants of nature are not fixed values but actually changing.

“With this platform, we’re poised to explore new clock architectures — like scaling up the number of clock ions and even entangling them — further improving our measurement capabilities,” Arthur-Dworschack said.

Paper: Mason C. Marshall, Daniel A. Rodriguez Castillo, Willa J. Arthur-Dworschack, Alexander Aeppli, Kyungtae Kim, Dahyeon Lee, William Warfield, Joost Hinrichs, Nicholas V. Nardelli, Tara M. Fortier, Jun Ye, David R. Leibrandt and David B. Hume. High-stability single-ion clock with 5.5×10−19 systematic uncertainty. Physical Review Letters. Published online July 14, 2025. DOI: 10.1103/hb3c-dk28

MIL OSI USA News –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: NIST Ion Clock Sets New Record for Most Accurate Clock in the World

Source: US Government research organizations

(From left to right) Mason Marshall, David Hume, Willa Arthur-Dworschack and Daniel Rodriguez Castillo stand in front of the aluminum ion clock at NIST. With its recent improvements, the clock can pave the way for the campaign to redefine the second as well as explore new ideas in physics.

Credit: R. Jacobson/NIST

There’s a new record holder for the most accurate clock in the world. Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have improved their atomic clock based on a trapped aluminum ion. Part of the latest wave of optical atomic clocks, it can perform timekeeping with 19 decimal places of accuracy.

Optical clocks are typically evaluated on two levels — accuracy (how close a clock comes to measuring the ideal “true” time, also known as systematic uncertainty) and stability (how efficiently a clock can measure time, related to statistical uncertainty). This new record in accuracy comes out of 20 years of continuous improvement of the aluminum ion clock. Beyond its world-best accuracy, 41% greater than the previous record, this new clock is also 2.6 times more stable than any other ion clock. Reaching these levels has meant carefully improving every aspect of the clock, from the laser to the trap and the vacuum chamber.

The team published its results in Physical Review Letters.

“It’s exciting to work on the most accurate clock ever,” said Mason Marshall, NIST researcher and first author on the paper. “At NIST we get to carry out these long-term plans in precision measurement that can push the field of physics and our understanding of the world around us.”

NIST physicist David Hume holds the newly modified ion trap for the aluminum ion clock. By modifying the trap, the aluminum ion and its magnesium ion partner were able to “tick” unperturbed.

Credit: R. Jacobson/NIST

The aluminum ion makes an exceptionally good clock, with an extremely steady, high-frequency “ticking” rate. Its ticks are more stable than those of cesium, which provides the current scientific definition of the second, said David Hume, the NIST physicist leading the aluminum ion clock project. And the aluminum ion isn’t as sensitive to some environmental conditions, like temperature and magnetic fields.

But the aluminum ion is kind of shy, Marshall explained. Aluminum is difficult to probe and cool with lasers, both necessary techniques for atomic clocks. The research group therefore paired the aluminum ion with magnesium. Magnesium doesn’t have the beautiful ticking properties of aluminum, but it can be easily controlled with lasers. “This ‘buddy system’ for ions is called quantum logic spectroscopy,” said Willa Arthur-Dworschack, a graduate student on the project. The magnesium ion cools the aluminum ion, slowing it down. It also moves in tandem with its aluminum partner, and the state of the clock can be read out via the magnesium ion’s motion, making this a “quantum logic” clock. Even with this coordination, there was still an array of physical effects to characterize, said Daniel Rodriguez Castillo, also a graduate student on the project.

“It’s a big, complex challenge, because every part of the clock’s design affects the clock,” Rodriguez Castillo said.

One challenge was the design of the trap where the ions are held, which was causing tiny movements of the ions, called excess micromotion, that were lowering the clock’s accuracy. That excess micromotion throws off the ions’ tick rate. Electrical imbalances at opposite sides of the trap were creating extra fields that disturbed the ions. The team redesigned the trap, putting it on a thicker diamond wafer and modifying the gold coatings on the electrodes to fix the imbalance of the electric field. They also made the gold coatings thicker to reduce resistance. Refining the trap this way slowed the ions’ motion and let them “tick” unperturbed.

The newly modified ion trap for NIST’s aluminum ion clock, with an inset showing a CCD image of the aluminum-magnesium ion pair. The circle shows the position of the aluminum ion, which is dark to the camera as it can only be read out using quantum logic spectroscopy via the magnesium ion.

Credit: NIST

The vacuum system in which the trap must operate was also causing problems. Hydrogen diffuses out of the steel body of a typical vacuum chamber, Marshall said. Traces of hydrogen gas collided with the ions, interrupting the clock’s operation. That limited how long the experiment could run before the ions needed to be reloaded. The team redesigned the vacuum chamber and had it rebuilt out of titanium, which lowered the background hydrogen gas by 150 times. That meant they could go days without reloading the trap, rather than reloading every 30 minutes.

There was still one more ingredient they needed: a more stable laser to probe the ions and count their ticks. The 2019 version of the clock had to be run for weeks to average out quantum fluctuations — temporary random changes in the ions’ energy state — caused by its laser. To reduce that time, the team turned to NIST’s own Jun Ye, whose lab at JILA (a joint institute of NIST and the University of Colorado Boulder) hosts one of the most stable lasers in the world. Ye’s strontium lattice clock, Strontium 1, held the previous record for accuracy.

This was a team effort. Using fiber links under the street, Ye’s group at JILA sent the ultrastable laser beam 3.6 kilometers (a little more than 2 miles) to the frequency comb in the lab of Tara Fortier at NIST. The frequency comb, which acts as a “ruler for light,” allowed the aluminum ion clock group to compare its laser with Ye’s ultrastable one. This process enabled the Ye lab’s laser to transfer its stability to the aluminum clock laser. With this improvement, the researchers could probe the ions for a full second compared to their previous record of 150 milliseconds. This improves the clock’s stability, reducing the time required to measure down to the 19th decimal place from three weeks to a day and a half.

(From left to right) Daniel Rodriguez Castillo, Willa Arthur-Dworschack and Mason Marshall work together on the aluminum ion clock at NIST in Boulder. This atomic clock sets a new record for accuracy.

Credit: R. Jacobson/NIST

With this new record, the aluminum ion clock contributes to the international effort to redefine the second to much greater levels of accuracy than before, facilitating new scientific and technological advances. The upgrades also drastically improve its use as a quantum logic testbed, exploring new concepts in quantum physics and building the tools needed for quantum technology, an exciting prospect for those involved. More importantly, by cutting down the averaging time from weeks to days, this clock can be a tool to make new measurements of Earth’s geodesy and explore physics beyond the Standard Model, such as the possibility that the fundamental constants of nature are not fixed values but actually changing.

“With this platform, we’re poised to explore new clock architectures — like scaling up the number of clock ions and even entangling them — further improving our measurement capabilities,” Arthur-Dworschack said.

Paper: Mason C. Marshall, Daniel A. Rodriguez Castillo, Willa J. Arthur-Dworschack, Alexander Aeppli, Kyungtae Kim, Dahyeon Lee, William Warfield, Joost Hinrichs, Nicholas V. Nardelli, Tara M. Fortier, Jun Ye, David R. Leibrandt and David B. Hume. High-stability single-ion clock with 5.5×10−19 systematic uncertainty. Physical Review Letters. Published online July 14, 2025. DOI: 10.1103/hb3c-dk28

MIL OSI USA News –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: NIST Ion Clock Sets New Record for Most Accurate Clock in the World

Source: US Government research organizations

(From left to right) Mason Marshall, David Hume, Willa Arthur-Dworschack and Daniel Rodriguez Castillo stand in front of the aluminum ion clock at NIST. With its recent improvements, the clock can pave the way for the campaign to redefine the second as well as explore new ideas in physics.

Credit: R. Jacobson/NIST

There’s a new record holder for the most accurate clock in the world. Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have improved their atomic clock based on a trapped aluminum ion. Part of the latest wave of optical atomic clocks, it can perform timekeeping with 19 decimal places of accuracy.

Optical clocks are typically evaluated on two levels — accuracy (how close a clock comes to measuring the ideal “true” time, also known as systematic uncertainty) and stability (how efficiently a clock can measure time, related to statistical uncertainty). This new record in accuracy comes out of 20 years of continuous improvement of the aluminum ion clock. Beyond its world-best accuracy, 41% greater than the previous record, this new clock is also 2.6 times more stable than any other ion clock. Reaching these levels has meant carefully improving every aspect of the clock, from the laser to the trap and the vacuum chamber.

The team published its results in Physical Review Letters.

“It’s exciting to work on the most accurate clock ever,” said Mason Marshall, NIST researcher and first author on the paper. “At NIST we get to carry out these long-term plans in precision measurement that can push the field of physics and our understanding of the world around us.”

NIST physicist David Hume holds the newly modified ion trap for the aluminum ion clock. By modifying the trap, the aluminum ion and its magnesium ion partner were able to “tick” unperturbed.

Credit: R. Jacobson/NIST

The aluminum ion makes an exceptionally good clock, with an extremely steady, high-frequency “ticking” rate. Its ticks are more stable than those of cesium, which provides the current scientific definition of the second, said David Hume, the NIST physicist leading the aluminum ion clock project. And the aluminum ion isn’t as sensitive to some environmental conditions, like temperature and magnetic fields.

But the aluminum ion is kind of shy, Marshall explained. Aluminum is difficult to probe and cool with lasers, both necessary techniques for atomic clocks. The research group therefore paired the aluminum ion with magnesium. Magnesium doesn’t have the beautiful ticking properties of aluminum, but it can be easily controlled with lasers. “This ‘buddy system’ for ions is called quantum logic spectroscopy,” said Willa Arthur-Dworschack, a graduate student on the project. The magnesium ion cools the aluminum ion, slowing it down. It also moves in tandem with its aluminum partner, and the state of the clock can be read out via the magnesium ion’s motion, making this a “quantum logic” clock. Even with this coordination, there was still an array of physical effects to characterize, said Daniel Rodriguez Castillo, also a graduate student on the project.

“It’s a big, complex challenge, because every part of the clock’s design affects the clock,” Rodriguez Castillo said.

One challenge was the design of the trap where the ions are held, which was causing tiny movements of the ions, called excess micromotion, that were lowering the clock’s accuracy. That excess micromotion throws off the ions’ tick rate. Electrical imbalances at opposite sides of the trap were creating extra fields that disturbed the ions. The team redesigned the trap, putting it on a thicker diamond wafer and modifying the gold coatings on the electrodes to fix the imbalance of the electric field. They also made the gold coatings thicker to reduce resistance. Refining the trap this way slowed the ions’ motion and let them “tick” unperturbed.

The newly modified ion trap for NIST’s aluminum ion clock, with an inset showing a CCD image of the aluminum-magnesium ion pair. The circle shows the position of the aluminum ion, which is dark to the camera as it can only be read out using quantum logic spectroscopy via the magnesium ion.

Credit: NIST

The vacuum system in which the trap must operate was also causing problems. Hydrogen diffuses out of the steel body of a typical vacuum chamber, Marshall said. Traces of hydrogen gas collided with the ions, interrupting the clock’s operation. That limited how long the experiment could run before the ions needed to be reloaded. The team redesigned the vacuum chamber and had it rebuilt out of titanium, which lowered the background hydrogen gas by 150 times. That meant they could go days without reloading the trap, rather than reloading every 30 minutes.

There was still one more ingredient they needed: a more stable laser to probe the ions and count their ticks. The 2019 version of the clock had to be run for weeks to average out quantum fluctuations — temporary random changes in the ions’ energy state — caused by its laser. To reduce that time, the team turned to NIST’s own Jun Ye, whose lab at JILA (a joint institute of NIST and the University of Colorado Boulder) hosts one of the most stable lasers in the world. Ye’s strontium lattice clock, Strontium 1, held the previous record for accuracy.

This was a team effort. Using fiber links under the street, Ye’s group at JILA sent the ultrastable laser beam 3.6 kilometers (a little more than 2 miles) to the frequency comb in the lab of Tara Fortier at NIST. The frequency comb, which acts as a “ruler for light,” allowed the aluminum ion clock group to compare its laser with Ye’s ultrastable one. This process enabled the Ye lab’s laser to transfer its stability to the aluminum clock laser. With this improvement, the researchers could probe the ions for a full second compared to their previous record of 150 milliseconds. This improves the clock’s stability, reducing the time required to measure down to the 19th decimal place from three weeks to a day and a half.

(From left to right) Daniel Rodriguez Castillo, Willa Arthur-Dworschack and Mason Marshall work together on the aluminum ion clock at NIST in Boulder. This atomic clock sets a new record for accuracy.

Credit: R. Jacobson/NIST

With this new record, the aluminum ion clock contributes to the international effort to redefine the second to much greater levels of accuracy than before, facilitating new scientific and technological advances. The upgrades also drastically improve its use as a quantum logic testbed, exploring new concepts in quantum physics and building the tools needed for quantum technology, an exciting prospect for those involved. More importantly, by cutting down the averaging time from weeks to days, this clock can be a tool to make new measurements of Earth’s geodesy and explore physics beyond the Standard Model, such as the possibility that the fundamental constants of nature are not fixed values but actually changing.

“With this platform, we’re poised to explore new clock architectures — like scaling up the number of clock ions and even entangling them — further improving our measurement capabilities,” Arthur-Dworschack said.

Paper: Mason C. Marshall, Daniel A. Rodriguez Castillo, Willa J. Arthur-Dworschack, Alexander Aeppli, Kyungtae Kim, Dahyeon Lee, William Warfield, Joost Hinrichs, Nicholas V. Nardelli, Tara M. Fortier, Jun Ye, David R. Leibrandt and David B. Hume. High-stability single-ion clock with 5.5×10−19 systematic uncertainty. Physical Review Letters. Published online July 14, 2025. DOI: 10.1103/hb3c-dk28

MIL OSI USA News –

July 15, 2025

Category: Renewable Energy

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