Good Morning! 🌞 

I watched “Dune: Part Two” last weekend. You can see what I thought about it down below. I want to know what you thought about it… if you have watched it that is.

Innovation

Carbon-Neutral Biofuels Within Reach

Researchers have developed a novel concept for a refinery that produces cost-effective and sustainable biofuels, along with valuable chemicals from non-food biomass like agricultural and forestry residues.

This innovation, aimed at addressing the high costs and ethical concerns associated with biofuels derived from food crops like corn and sugarcane, utilizes a straightforward pre-treatment process to convert complex plant materials into usable components.

Charles Cai, a professor of chemical and environmental engineering at the University of California Riverside, highlighted the dual achievements of this approach: "The key advance of our study is to demonstrate a biomass to biofuels and bioproducts strategy that can simultaneously achieve both economic viability and carbon neutral operation." The research, published in Energy & Environmental Science, proposes a next-generation biorefinery capable of producing sustainable aviation fuels at competitive prices around $3.15 per gallon of gasoline equivalent.

The proposed refinery employs a co-solvent enhanced lignocellulosic fractionation (CELF) technique, initially introduced by Cai and his team in 2013. This process uses tetrahydrofuran (THF), a solvent derived from biomass, to effectively separate plant biomass into cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin at relatively low temperatures. The CELF method facilitates the breakdown of plant matter into distinct streams rich in sugars and lignin, which can then be converted into fuel alcohols and specialty chemicals, respectively.

The economic and environmental feasibility of such a refinery was analyzed, focusing on the impact of various biomass feedstocks, the type of biofuel produced, and the management of lignin byproducts. Comparing two types of feedstock, corn stover and poplar wood, the study found that poplar, being richer in carbon and lignin, offers greater benefits.

Cai highlights the simplicity, affordability, and effectiveness of the CELF technology, noting its successful scale-up in trials and minimal variance in product composition. Backed by a $2 million grant from the Department of Energy, the team is now moving forward with plans to construct a pilot CELF plant at UC Riverside, marking a significant step towards realizing the potential of sustainable biofuels and bioproducts.

In summary, the carbon-neutral claim stems from the cycle of carbon absorption by biomass during its growth and the subsequent release of this carbon upon the biofuel's utilization, thus not increasing the net amount of atmospheric carbon. Additionally, by leveraging waste materials and employing an efficient conversion process, the approach minimizes the environmental footprint associated with biofuel production, aligning with broader goals for sustainable and renewable energy sources.

Maybe we will not have to all switch over to electric cars after all! 😁 

Entertainment

$182 Million Weekend - Dune: Part Two Review (No Spoilers)

I saw “Dune: Part Two” last week and I was not disappointed.

As both a sequel to the first part and as a movie on its own, it did excellently. The first thing to mention is the stunning cinematography and visuals. This along side the deep, booming, sound design and amazing score by Hans Zimmer brings such an impactful presence to the story, world, and characters.

Overall the acting was good. The set design was excellent. And they did a good job of taking a fairly long second half of the book and condensing it without sacrificing much of the story. They might have overdone the dramatic slo-mo entrances a bit, but they were still pretty cool.

Dune’s opening weekend had a Domestic box office of $82.5M and a International Box office of $100M bringing Dune to a very strong $182.5M box office total. That number is just shy of Dune: Part Two’s entire budget, which is estimated to be $190M. This is very impressive, particularly when compared to many recent action movies that have struggled or failed to recuperate their budget during their runs in the theater.

I normally do not like it when movies lack color and the saturation is turn way down leaving everything drab and dirty looking. However, it is not out of place in Dune, both because of the setting and because of the thematic elements of the books. Being a desert planet, it does not have many colors outside of shades of orange and yellow, which makes sense. Thematically, the books are on the darker side, so the color de-saturation did not seem out of place and I thought it was a good choice.

Like the first part it is a long movie, with a runtime of 2 hours and 46 minutes. However, they do a good job of not letting it drag. I noticed the length a little more than watching the first one, but I did not find myself getting bored or hoping it would end soon.

Were the movie faltered for me was with some of its deviation from the book. Particularly where it came to the character of Chani (played by actress Zendaya). Some of the movie’s general changes were understandable, and others quite necessary to insure a smooth pacing. However, when it came to the character of Chani, she felt somewhat out of place and was more in line with what you would expect from a teen action drama film or book from the 2010’s.

Despite my small criticism, the film was otherwise exemplary. I think it will be hard for anything else this year to top it and I would certainly recommend it!

If you like action, Sci-Fi, or just good films this is one you will probably not want to miss out on.

World News

Nigerian Chef Earns Michelin Star for London Restaurant

Growing up in Nigeria as the oldest sibling, Adejoké "Joké" Bakare found herself typically responsible for preparing family meals. Upon moving to the UK two decades ago to study microbiology, her culinary passion made the journey with her. Today, her restaurant Chishuru has been honored with a Michelin star, marking Bakare as the first Black female chef in the UK to attain such acclaim.

Chishuru, initially a temporary popup in Brixton, South London, in 2020, has transformed into one of the city's top dining spots. The name Chishuru in the Hausa language means "the silence that descends on the table when the food arrives," representing her love and commitment to food and ingredients. Bakare, in an interview with CNN, shared her aspiration of owning a restaurant and expressed her joy at being awarded a Michelin star as the pinnacle of that dream.

Situated in central London, Chishuru offers a diverse array of West African flavors inspired by Bakare's upbringing. Hailing from the Yoruba and Igbo ethnic groups, Bakare grew up in a Hausa region, incorporating various culinary influences into her dishes.

Bakare dismisses the notion of a singular "Nigerian cuisine," highlighting the diverse food traditions within the country. Rather than pursuing authenticity, she focuses on blending styles and creating innovative recipes.

Chishuru's menu features other exotic dishes such as yassa, a charcoal-grilled guinea fowl breast, and moi moi, a beancake, bone marrow, and omelet combination. Bakare has also introduced animal butchery training for her kitchen staff, promoting sustainability and the use of unconventional meat cuts.

Chishuru's journey from a three-month popup to a permanent fixture was accelerated by critical acclaim, notably from Jay Rayner and TimeOut. Despite challenges, including rejection from landlords who couldn't envision a West African restaurant, Chishuru secured a new home on Great Titchfield Street.

With the newfound Michelin-starred status, Bakare faces the challenge of meeting increased demand. However, she remains focused on pushing culinary boundaries while expressing gratitude for the privilege of cooking her food her way.

Sports

Healing Through Soccer: Ukrainian Veterans' Journey

Breathing hard, Oleksandr Malchevsky puts on his artificial leg after a soccer game. The 39-year-old Ukrainian soldier, who lost part of his leg in the 2022 conflict with Russia, sees soccer as more than just a game – it's helping him adjust to civilian life.

Malchevsky, who joined the army during the 2022 invasion, shares his journey from the frontline to finding comfort in a soccer team with fellow amputees in Kyiv.

The Bannikov Stadium hosts weekly sessions organized by the Ukrainian Football Federation, aiming to support soldiers in their recovery.
Coach Dmytro Rzondkovsky highlights the psychological benefits of soccer, providing camaraderie and purpose. Some amputees have even competed in European football competitions for limb-amputated players.

Rzondkovsky, a professional coach with a UEFA B license, expresses pride in coaching these individuals and underscores the positive impact of rehabilitation through sports.

Amputees like Roman Lyndov and Olha Benda share their experiences. Lyndov, a goalkeeper who lost his left hand in 2014, says, "It was harder on the frontline."

Benda, a veteran who lost part of her left hand in 2017 said “I have to take care of myself. I don’t want to be pushed around in a wheelchair in five years. I don’t want to ruin the lives of my child, wife and parents,”

As they play, these individuals find strength, support, and a sense of purpose beyond the battlefield.

The soccer field becomes a space where these survivors redefine their post-war identities, refusing to let their injuries dictate their futures.

Mind Stretchers

⁉️ 

What is it that given one, you’ll have either two or none?

Yesterday’s Answers to the Mind Stretchers:
A chain ⛓️ 

Unfortunately, while some got close, no one got today’s answer correct.

Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to [email protected] or reply to email.

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to [email protected] for the chance to be featured.