3D Printed Super-Aluminum, Quantum Computing Shortcuts, and a 435 MPH Maglev Record w/ Ralph Bond

Show Notes 23 January 2026

Story 1: MIT just made aluminum 5x stronger with 3D printing - it is stronger, lighter, and tough enough to reshape the future of flight

Source: ScienceDaily Based on MIT news announcement

Link: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251226045316.htm

See also: https://news.mit.edu/2025/printable-aluminum-alloy-sets-strength-records-may-enable-lighter-aircraft-parts-1007

Story 2: New 'physics shortcut' lets laptops tackle quantum problems once reserved for supercomputers and AI

Source: LiveScience.com Story by Owen Hughes

Link: https://www.livescience.com/technology/computing/new-physics-shortcut-lets-laptops-tackle-quantum-problems-once-reserved-for-supercomputers-and-ai

Story 3: Hyperloop shock: China’s maglev hits 435 mph in 2 seconds, sets world record

Source: Interesting Engineering Story by Sujita Sinha

Link: https://interestingengineering.com/transportation/china-maglev-hits-435-mph-in-2-seconds

Honorable Mentions

Story: This 3D-printed, carbon-absorbing bridge is inspired by bones

Source: CNN Story by Rebecca Calms

Link: https://www.cnn.com/science/diamanti-3d-printed-concrete-sustainable-bridge-hnk-spc-intl

Story: New drug stalls Alzheimer's development in breakthrough trial

Source: ScienceAlert.com Story by David Nield

Link: https://www.sciencealert.com/new-drug-stalls-alzheimers-development-in-breakthrough-trial

Story: Scientists build a quantum computer that can repair itself using recycled atoms

Source: Phys.org Story by Robert Egan

Link: https://phys.org/news/2025-12-scientists-quantum-recycled-atoms.html

Story: New Image Sensor Breaks Optical Limits – My subhead: a lens‑free system that achieves sub‑micron, 3D resolution across a wide field of view, something previously considered impossible with optical wavelengths

Source: University of Connecticut Story by Sarah Redmond

Link: https://today.uconn.edu/2025/12/new-image-sensor-breaks-optical-limits/