January 2023

DIGITAL MAGAZINE

DIGITAL MAGAZINE

January 2023

Cover by Thomas Gaulkin. (Photograph of gold prospector Shorty Harris by Dane Coolidge, ca. 1920, via Arizona Historical Society.)

Introduction: Why some renewable technologies will perish—and others succeed

By Dan Drollette Jr

The Inflation Reduction Act contains $370 billion to cut carbon emissions. What new, climate change-fighting technologies will come of all this money? And what will determine which of those renewable technologies will succeed and which will fail?

Introduction: Why some renewable technologies will perish—and others succeed

By Dan Drollette Jr

The Inflation Reduction Act contains $370 billion to cut carbon emissions. What new, climate change-fighting technologies will come of all this money? And what will determine which of those renewable technologies will succeed and which will fail?

Why will some promising renewables technologies enter a “Valley of Death,” from which they never emerge?

By Jeff Hecht

A science writer who has been covering advanced technology for over 40 years gives a different, rarely seen view of tech startups: how they work, the common problems they seem to encounter—and why there are so many “Valley of Death” pitfalls waiting for them.

Interview with Samuel West, founder of the Museum of Failure

By Dan Drollette Jr

Society needs to embrace the idea that most of the first tries at a new technology—such as those for renewables—will fail at first. But that’s good, so long as one learns from the experiences and moves on to the next iteration, until the technology succeeds.

Renewable ammonia: the future of fuels?

By Douglas R. MacFarlane

Could ammonia replace fossil fuels in transportation?

Remote Monitoring: Verifying geographical arms limits

By Moritz Kütt, Ulrich Kühn, Dmitry Stefanovich

“Active tags,” attached to dual-capable missiles, could help states to monitor remotely defined arms limits without having to rely on resource-intensive human inspections.

Final countdown to site selection for Canada’s nuclear waste geologic repository

By Zoe Braden, Allison Macfarlane

Selecting a site to build a deep geologic repository for high-level nuclear waste is a process fraught with social tension and few countries have managed to do so successfully. Canada is poised to be next, with a site selection decision due in 2024.

Nuclear Notebook: United States nuclear weapons, 2023

By Hans M. Kristensen, Matt Korda

At the beginning of 2023, the US Department of Defense maintained an estimated stockpile of approximately 3,708 nuclear warheads for delivery by ballistic missiles and aircraft. Most of the warheads in the stockpile are not deployed but rather stored for potential upload onto missiles and aircraft as necessary. We estimate that approximately 1,770 warheads are … Continued

Why will some promising renewables technologies enter a “Valley of Death,” from which they never emerge?

By Jeff Hecht

A science writer who has been covering advanced technology for over 40 years gives a different, rarely seen view of tech startups: how they work, the common problems they seem to encounter—and why there are so many “Valley of Death” pitfalls waiting for them.

Interview with Samuel West, founder of the Museum of Failure

By Dan Drollette Jr

Society needs to embrace the idea that most of the first tries at a new technology—such as those for renewables—will fail at first. But that’s good, so long as one learns from the experiences and moves on to the next iteration, until the technology succeeds.

Renewable ammonia: the future of fuels?

By Douglas R. MacFarlane

Could ammonia replace fossil fuels in transportation?

Remote Monitoring: Verifying geographical arms limits

By Moritz Kütt, Ulrich Kühn, Dmitry Stefanovich

“Active tags,” attached to dual-capable missiles, could help states to monitor remotely defined arms limits without having to rely on resource-intensive human inspections.

Final countdown to site selection for Canada’s nuclear waste geologic repository

By Zoe Braden, Allison Macfarlane

Selecting a site to build a deep geologic repository for high-level nuclear waste is a process fraught with social tension and few countries have managed to do so successfully. Canada is poised to be next, with a site selection decision due in 2024.

Nuclear Notebook: United States nuclear weapons, 2023

By Hans M. Kristensen, Matt Korda

At the beginning of 2023, the US Department of Defense maintained an estimated stockpile of approximately 3,708 nuclear warheads for delivery by ballistic missiles and aircraft. Most of the warheads in the stockpile are not deployed but rather stored for potential upload onto missiles and aircraft as necessary. We estimate that approximately 1,770 warheads are … Continued

DIGITAL MAGAZINE

January 2023

DIGITAL MAGAZINE

January 2023

Introduction: Why some renewable technologies will perish—and others succeed

Introduction: Why some renewable technologies will perish—and others succeed

Why will some promising renewables technologies enter a “Valley of Death,” from which they never emerge?

Interview with Samuel West, founder of the Museum of Failure

Renewable ammonia: the future of fuels?

Remote Monitoring: Verifying geographical arms limits

Final countdown to site selection for Canada’s nuclear waste geologic repository

Nuclear Notebook: United States nuclear weapons, 2023

Why will some promising renewables technologies enter a “Valley of Death,” from which they never emerge?

Interview with Samuel West, founder of the Museum of Failure

Renewable ammonia: the future of fuels?

Remote Monitoring: Verifying geographical arms limits

Final countdown to site selection for Canada’s nuclear waste geologic repository

Nuclear Notebook: United States nuclear weapons, 2023

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