🏗️ Cities Powered by Concrete

Good morning. It’s been a week of remarkable discoveries and inspiring transformations. Scientists are turning concrete into giant batteries, offering a new way to store renewable energy in the very buildings and roads around us.

In Spain, a vulture’s nest has revealed a 650-year-old shoe and a treasure trove of ancient artifacts, providing a window into both human history and the secret lives of birds.

Meanwhile, a stray dog saved from the brink has become a brilliant detective, reuniting lost pets with their families and proving the power of second chances.

—Stephanie S

Researchers have developed a new type of cement-based supercapacitor that could transform concrete structures into large-scale energy storage systems. By mixing cement with carbon black and water, the team created a material that stores and releases electricity efficiently.

This innovation could allow buildings, roads, and bridges to double as batteries, storing renewable energy for later use. The technology is durable, scalable, and uses inexpensive, widely available materials.

Potential applications include powering streetlights, charging electric vehicles, and supporting the energy grid during peak demand.

The breakthrough offers a sustainable way to integrate energy storage into the built environment, helping cities transition to cleaner energy sources.

Rico, a stray dog rescued from a Portuguese pound just days before euthanasia, surprised his new owner, Rachel Rodgers, with his remarkable tracking skills.

Rachel soon discovered Rico’s talent for sniffing out lost pets, leading to over 20 successful rescues, including runaway dogs and even a capybara.

Now, Rico and Rachel train others to help find missing animals, spreading hope and second chances for pets and their families.

Swiss company Panatere has launched the world’s first solar-powered steel recycling furnaces. Using 500 mirrors to focus sunlight, the system can melt steel in just 1.5 hours without burning fossil fuels.

This innovation aims to reduce the carbon footprint of Switzerland’s watchmaking industry, which imports most of its steel.

By 2028, Panatere expects to produce 1,000 tons of solar steel annually, showcasing a bright future for green manufacturing.

Scientists in Spain discovered a 650-year-old straw sandal, called an Agobía, in a bearded vulture nest, along with other ancient artifacts. The nest, reused by generations of birds, also held tools, a basket piece, dyed leather, and a carved goat horn.

The cave’s unique environment preserved these items for centuries, turning the nest into a natural time capsule.

Researchers believe studying these finds could reveal more about the region’s history and the birds’ disappearance.

62 years ago today, From Russia With Love, the second film in the James Bond series, premiered, cementing Sean Connery’s place as the definitive 007. The plot follows Bond as he’s sent to aid the defection of Soviet clerk Tatiana Romanova in Turkey, unaware that SPECTRE is using her as bait to avenge Dr. No’s death. Though critics called the story “mad and nonsensical,” they also hailed it as “absolutely delightful”, a perfect mix of espionage, humor, and style.

Lauded by the British Film Institute as one of the franchise's high points, the film balanced intelligence, intrigue, and international flair while toning down the Cold War tension. With an elegant score by John Barry, thrilling train fights, and exotic Istanbul backdrops, From Russia With Love became a fan favorite, earning $78 million worldwide and setting the gold standard for Bond films to follow.

Other notable October 10 events:

1902: The Gibson Guitar Company was founded in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

1970: Fiji declared independence from British rule.

1978: President Jimmy Carter authorized the minting of the Susan B. Anthony dollar.

2005: Angela Merkel became Germany’s first female chancellor.

🎤 South Korea: Over 600 North Korean refugees have found their voices and shared their stories after receiving public speaking and English classes.

🐪 Saudi Arabia: Archaeologists have discovered 12,000-year-old life-sized camel carvings, believed to have served as ancient road signs.

🚀 USA: NASA successfully used a laser to transmit 15 terabits of data from a spacecraft beyond Mars.

🐕 Canada: A heroic Doberman named Night was honored as Dog of the Year after bravely saving his owner from a grizzly bear attack on a trail near Calgary.

🌾 UK: Britain's oldest working brick windmill is still grinding grain into flour after 250 years, thanks to dedicated volunteers preserving this historic craft.

— John Dewey

Every day brings amazing advances and uplifting moments that remind us just how wonderful the world can be. Here are five reasons why today is the best time ever to be alive:

🧬 Gene Editing Hope: Breakthroughs in CRISPR gene editing are offering potential cures for genetic diseases once thought incurable.

♿ Inclusive Innovation: Disability inclusion in tech workplaces is rising, leading to more diverse and innovative solutions.

📖 Parents Learning: Global literacy programs for adults are empowering parents to better support their children’s education.

🤖 Farm Robotics: Robotics in agriculture is reducing labor demands and making farming more efficient and sustainable.

🕊️ Peace in Progress: International peacekeeping missions have significantly reduced violent conflicts in many regions.

Australian researchers have developed a bite-resistant wetsuit fabric that dramatically reduces shark bite wounds, even from great whites. Tested in real ocean conditions, this new material could soon protect surfers, divers, and lifeguards in shark-prone waters, saving lives while helping us coexist safely with nature.

👉 Catch this, along with other feel-good stories from around the world, in this week’s episode of Good News To Go.

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