Good Morning! 🌞 

Today, May 21, is National Waitstaff Day—a perfect moment to recognize and appreciate the hardworking servers who keep our dining experiences smooth. We’re grateful for their dedication, patience, and the hustle they bring to every table.

Innovation

Humans Power 350 LEDs

Scientists at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) have developed a low-cost triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) that converts everyday mechanical energy—such as movement or friction—into electricity. The device uses metalized PET film as electrodes and ordinary Scotch tape as the active material. When pressed and released, the interaction between the tape’s polypropylene and adhesive creates tiny gaps due to van der Waals forces, enabling energy generation.

The team, led by research scientist Dr. Moonhyung Jang, published their findings in ACS Omega. Their design sandwiches the TENG between two plastic plates and adds a mass to enable vibration-based energy harvesting. By experimenting with different tape types, they achieved significant performance gains. The generator now operates at frequencies up to 300 Hz—far higher than traditional TENGs, which typically run below 5 Hz—and can produce up to 53 milliwatts of power, enough to light 350 LEDs or power a laser pointer.

To demonstrate real-world applications, the researchers integrated the TENG into a sound sensor and a wearable motion sensor capable of detecting arm movements. These sensors could be used for muscle monitoring, injury prevention, or performance optimization. While the current output is best suited for small devices, Jang says future developments could support battery charging, and a patent for the technology is already in progress.

World News

Ancient 30-foot ‘Sea Monster’

Geologists have discovered a rare vertebra belonging to a massive prehistoric marine reptile near Starkville, Mississippi. Measuring seven inches across, the fossil is believed to be from Mosasaurus hoffmannii, one of the largest marine reptiles to have ever lived. The find was made during a routine geological survey led by James Starnes of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, who was studying sediment layers when the bone was spotted embedded in ancient mud.

The fossil was sent to the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, where experts identified it as M. hoffmannii, a species known to grow over 30 feet long and weigh up to 10 tons—larger than most land dinosaurs. The discovery adds to a collection of marine fossils in the region, including seashell beds, which point to a time during the Late Cretaceous period—roughly 66 million years ago—when a shallow sea covered parts of the southern United States. This ancient ecosystem supported a rich diversity of marine life, from giant reptiles to sharks and sea turtles.

Mosasaurus was first discovered in the Netherlands more than 250 years ago and was named after biologist Johann Leonard Hoffmann. While the genus includes various species of different sizes, M. hoffmannii is considered the largest. According to the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, this recent find underscores the formidable nature of Mesozoic marine ecosystems—an era when dinosaurs ruled the land and colossal predators like mosasaurs dominated the seas.

Culture

Giant ‘Harry Potter’ Dragon

A 25-foot-long animatronic dragon caused a stir in central London this week, snarling and thrashing in chains as it toured iconic landmarks like Westminster Bridge and Big Ben. The dramatic display was a publicity stunt for Triwizard Tournament – Making of Champions, a new feature at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in Hertfordshire inspired by Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

The dragon, modeled after the fearsome Hungarian Horntail, weighs 1.3 tons and was created by animatronic expert Joe Scott, who worked on the original film series. Built with a 3D-printed fiberglass head, 38 resin-printed teeth, and 119 hand-applied spikes, the creature boasts moving eyes, mouth, and head, along with sound effects that replicate its roar. Scott described the chance to revisit the Horntail as “magical,” though he admitted that recreating the Triwizard dragons remains one of the most technically demanding projects of his career.

Running from May 15 through September 8, the new exhibit offers fans a behind-the-scenes look at how the Triwizard Tournament scenes were brought to life. Visitors can explore film sets, view original props, and experience live demonstrations, including the underwater sequence from the second task and the grand entrances of the visiting schools. The Warner Bros. Studio Tour, located just outside Watford, is about an hour from central London.

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Mind Stretchers

⁉️ 

I’m etched in ink but not on a page,
A silent story, bold or beige.
I travel with you, rain or shine,
A mark that’s yours, forever mine.
What am I?

Yesterday’s Answers to the Mind Stretchers:

Slim and sharp, I whisper art through fabric’s weave, I drop the beat on vinyl decks and make tattoos come alive, I calm your aches when pressed just right—yet still I’m tiny and precise. What am I? — needle, Chris Hostetler got this correct first! 🌞 

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.