Latest news with #TennesseeTech
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Company unveils revolutionary aircraft motor that operates beyond human hearing — here's how it could reshape the future of flight
The skies may soon be cleaner — and quieter — thanks to a bold new electric jet project. Ultralight aircraft company Whisper Aero was recently awarded a $500,000 grant to help fund testing of the company's electric jet motor concept. As Electrek reported, Whisper Aero's awarded project involves outfitting an existing Aériane Swift3 glider with two of the company's eQ250 electric propulsors, responsible for what the company calls UltraQuiet WhisperDrive. These innovative propulsors feature numerous stiff composite blades housed within acoustically treated ducts, allowing for higher air flow at lower rotational speeds. This means the "blade passage frequency" is above 16,000 Hertz — beyond the range of human hearing. Basically, the result is a quieter operation compared to traditional airplane propulsors, so quiet that humans can't hear it. The aviation company says its propulsors are 20 decibels quieter and 20% more efficient than "comparable quiet propulsion systems." According to Electrek, the modified glider is expected to have a cruising speed of 45 to 55 knots — about 52 to 64 miles per hour — and a climb rate of 1,250 feet per minute. It has an expected range of approximately 109 miles with current battery technology, though that could expand to 170 miles when outfitted with a more efficient battery. The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development awarded the grant to both the aviation company and Tennessee Tech University, which will flight test the company's prototype. The grant is part of the TNECD's Transportation Network Growth Opportunity initiative. Tennessee Tech students and faculty will conduct ground testing to ensure the safe integration of the propulsion system, batteries, and controllers. This initiative also marks the launch of Tennessee Tech's new Crossville Mobility Incubator, aimed at supporting innovation in electric aviation. The upcoming flight tests are anticipated to demonstrate that the Whisper Aero glider can operate within a few hundred feet of residential areas without causing any disturbances, even while carrying a 220-pound payload. This funding and upcoming testing mark an important step toward quieter, more sustainable air travel. Electric aircraft are poised to revolutionize air travel with cleaner, more planet-minded operations. And making them quieter is just another way to decrease pollution — noise pollution, that is. Noise pollution — from aviation, traffic, construction, and more — has been linked to a range of health issues, including hearing loss, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and even developmental delays in children. This type of pollution can also raise the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. And that's just the start. Quieter aircraft could help reduce these impacts, especially in communities near airports or busy flight paths. Which of the following sustainable changes would make you most likely to choose a particular airline? Using cleaner fuel Reducing in-flight waste Making it easy to choose low-emissions itineraries I don't pay attention to sustainability when I fly Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Fox News
16-05-2025
- General
- Fox News
Blind mother of 5 graduates from college with honors alongside her guide dog
When a Tennessee mother of five received her college degree on May 9, she couldn't see her family cheering in the audience – because she is completely blind. Even so, as Amanda Juetten, 47, crossed the stage to accept her degree – magna cum laude – from Tennessee Tech University, she was more certain than ever about her path forward. "I'm totally blind," Juetten told Fox News Digital in an interview. "So I've got my guide dog by my side." "The two guys I was sitting by told me to follow them — we were a team. I'm concentrating on shaking all the hands and getting across the stage. I was thinking, 'This isn't the end. It's really the beginning of what's next.'" Juetten, who recently became a grandmother, began her college journey nearly 30 years ago, but had to postpone her studies when she had a baby right out of high school — and immediately went to work to provide for her new family. She eventually returned to higher education, but in 2020, after years of progressive vision loss from a condition called retinitis pigmentosa, she found herself in the dark — literally. "I was left totally blind with no skills for blindness," Juetten said. "Over the years, I had been taught a lot of skills for using my remaining vision, but not what to do with no vision at all.'" Determined to regain her independence, she enrolled in an eight-month program at the Colorado Center for the Blind. "I thought, 'I know blind parents make their kids' lunches. I know blind parents go to PTA meetings. I can do this. I just need to be around a bunch of other blind people,'" she recalled. "I want to help give people the skills to find their voice." "Blind people are not sitting in their basements waiting for the end. They're out there living their lives, and I wanted to do that, too." With her new skills and adaptive techniques — and a renewed sense of confidence — Juetten enrolled at Tennessee Tech in the fall of 2022, pursuing a professional studies degree with a concentration in organizational leadership. "It's been great," Juetten said. "The instructors were asking, 'What are your needs? How can I make this accessible to you?' They have been fantastic for doing that. I never got pushback. I didn't get people saying, 'Why are you taking these classes?'" Now, the newly graduated Juetten is advocating for more acceptance and understanding of the blind. "The blind need a voice," Juetten said. "I have a voice and I love to use it. I want to help give people the skills to find their voice. We need more teachers and more people in the field who believe in the full capacity of the blind." Next, she plans to pursue a graduate degree in blindness rehabilitation and possibly even a doctorate. "I want to begin offering services in assistive technology, Braille and the things I've learned and am doing well," Juetten said. "I want to teach blind people as a vendor of vocational rehabilitation." Juetten has traveled to Washington, D.C., to lobby for blindness-related initiatives and to San Francisco to protest rideshare drivers who deny service to passengers with wheelchairs or service animals. She also serves on the board of the National Federation of the Blind of Tennessee and is a past president of the Tennessee Association of Guide Dog Users. Her guide dog, Colonel, is always by her side. Juetten has the below message for anyone facing blindness. "You still have the same hopes and dreams," she said. "All of those things that you wanted to do before you were blind, you still want to do those things. So let's find a way to do that."
USA Today
26-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
5 Things to Know about new Lions OG Tate Ratledge
5 Things to Know about new Lions OG Tate Ratledge 5 Things to Know about new Lions OG Tate Ratledge, from his multi-sport background to his prescient tattoo The Lions added to the offensive line in the second round of the draft with the selection of Georgia offensive lineman Tate Ratledge with the 57th pick in the draft. Let's get to know Ratledge with five notes, with the help of Dane Brugler's "The Beast" draft guide. 1. Father coached high school football more than 40 years, comes from athletic family Ratledge gained a love for football through his father, Dean, who has coached high school football for over 40 years. Dean played his college ball at Tennessee Tech before a stint in the NFL. Ratledge also has a sister, Emmaline, who was a standout track, basketball and softball athlete at Darlington High School in Rome, Georgia. 2. Four-year starter in high school, played multiple sports Ratledge grew up with football and made an immediate impact when he reached high school. He earned an invite to the Freshman All-American game. He went to be named second-team all-state as a junior and first-team all-state as a senior. Ratledge spent time on the offensive and defensive lines, lined up as a tight end and also handled punting duties. He eventually became the No. 3 offensive tackle recruit and No. 5 overall recruit in the state of Georgia. 3. Successful track athlete in his own right His sister was a very good track athlete, but Ratledge was a pretty good one in his own right. Good enough to take third in the state in the shot put in 2019, setting a school record of 55 feet, seven inches. He also posted a personal best of 139 feet, 10 inches in the discus. He also finished seventh in the shot put in 2018. 4. Back-to-back All-American selections Ratledge's college career came with plenty of accolades, including two straight years as an All-American. He was named Second Team All-American in 2023 and worked his way up to the First Team in 2024. He was also First-Team All-SEC in both years. 5. Has a tattoo of a lion It's almost like Ratledge was meant to be a Detroit Lion. He has a tattoo of a lion on his arm that he got a year ago. He told the media, "Lions are the king of the jungle for a reason." Talk about a perfect storm.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
MiLaysia Fulwiley reaping benefits of partnership with NBA All-Star Steph Curry
University of South Carolina's MiLaysia Fulwiley (12) drives past Tennessee Tech's Chloe Larry (21) and Keeley Carter (24) during the first half of action in the First Round game of the NCAA Tournament at the Colonial Life Arena on Friday, March 21, 2025. MiLaysia Fulwiley was scrolling on social media late Thursday night when she saw something that nearly brought her to tears. The South Carolina sophomore guard saw pictures and video of Golden State Warriors All-Star guard Stephen Curry walking in Chase Center wearing Fulwiley's 'Playa Society' T-shirt that shows a caricature of her in her Gamecock uniform. The shirt retails for $45. Advertisement ESPN's post of Curry wearing Fulwiley's T-shirt had more than 400,000 views. 'I was like, 'Oh my God,' I can't believe it. … When I seen him with my shirt on, it was like a dream come true,' Fulwiley said Friday after the Gamecocks' 108-48 win over Tennessee Tech in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. 'For him to do that, it shows what a good person he is. Because he didn't have to do it just because I'm signed with his label.' Fulwiley said Curry was supposed to have worn the T-shirt sometime last year but things never materialized. But Curry wearing it this year came at a better time as the Gamecocks go after their second straight national championship. Fuwiley scored 15 points in 19 minutes of the Gamecocks' first-round victory. Advertisement Curry has a connection with the sophomore senior guard dating back to her high school days. She attended his invitation-only camps in California and she played for Curry's AAU team during the summer before her senior year at Keenan High School. Fulwiley was in shock when she got the initial call from Curry to play on his AAU squad, as she already was on a successful team the previous two summers. 'I had to leave because Curry asked me. It was a no-brainer,' Fulwiley said. 'My mom was like, you have to do it. He doesn't just call anyone and ask them to play for him. My mom was like, if you play with him he might be able to give you an NIL deal, and that is exactly what happened.' Advertisement Fulwiley became the first college athlete to sign a name, image and likeness deal with the Curry Brand in March 2024. 'When it comes to the ability to change the game for good, nobody can speak to that more than MiLaysia,' Curry said in a release after he signed Fulwiley last year. 'She's changing the women's game on the fly with how she plays and moves on the court.' Fulwiley had news of her own Friday as her Curry Brand Grade MF12 'Butta' shoes dropped shortly after the Gamecocks' victory. This is her second pair of Curry Brand shoes released this year. In February, the Curry 'FamLAY' Garnet and Black shoes were released and those were the ones she wore in Friday's game. Fulwiley also gave each of her teammates a pair of the shoes for Valentine's Day. Advertisement The new 'Butta' shoes are gold in color, representing more of Fulwiley's flashy on-court personality and her social media handle Laywitdabutter. Fulwiley said she will wear them during the NCAA Tournament. 'I wanted to do something that represented my name and my swagger,' Fulwiley said. '… I feel like I am a very bright person and stand out a lot. It is only right to have bright shoes. I love how they created them. I gave them my colorways and ideas and they put them together.'
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
What's next for AJ Russell after starting for Tennessee baseball vs Tennessee Tech
Tony Vitello expected AJ Russell wouldn't make a second appearance for Tennessee baseball until April as the Vols exercised caution in the pitcher's return. April hit and the Vols coach immediately gave the ball to Russell, who is back — again. 'This was the restart of everything,' Vitello said. Russell made his second start this season Tuesday, returning after a five-week break between starts. He threw a scoreless inning with a pair of strikeouts in No. 1 Tennessee's 7-1 win against Tennessee Tech at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. The junior had not pitched since Feb. 25. He struck out the side in an inning for the Vols (27-2, 8-1 SEC) against North Alabama in his first appearance since having Tommy John surgery in June. 'We kind of took a timeout and said let's build up pitch count and get closer to the date that was target date,' Vitello said. Russell said he felt great against Tennessee Tech (19-11). He threw 12 pitches with 11 strikes. He got both strikeouts looking with 94 mph fastballs. His offspeed pitches did not feel as sharp so he threw a brief bullpen after exiting the game. The 6-foot-6 pitcher hopes to throw two innings in his next outing, which could come next week. Vitello planned to discuss the next steps with Russell on Wednesday as the Vols ready to play Texas A&M (14-14, 1-8 SEC) in a series starting Friday (7 p.m. ET, ESPNU). Vitello suggested that Russell's timeline now will be to get a routine with a 'preparation bullpen and then a competitive day.' Most likely, that means Russell gets on the mound against Alabama State next Tuesday. Russell expects to continue to add to his pitch count as he goes toward his season goal of 40 or 50 innings. 'I want to help this team win as much as humanly possible,' Russell said. 'It is also you've got to be smart about it and not rush back and do anything that hurts you in the long run, too.' Russell initially returned ahead of the expected timeline, which originally slotted him for a mid-April debut. He was eight months out from surgery when he made his one-inning start against North Alabama. Vitello credited Russell for his work ethic and being an "abnormal kid" in returning quickly. The Franklin, Tennessee, native spent time throwing bullpens and live at-bats to Tennessee hitters in the past month. He made sure everything felt good and that led to Tuesday's start, which should serve as the on ramp to the rest of his season. RUSSELL: Inside AJ Russell's return to Tennessee baseball against North Alabama 'Pitch as much as possible this year,' Russell said of his goal. 'It's not saving myself for anything or anything like that. The dream is to go to the next level and everything like that. I am here now and I want to pitch here. It is kind of the biggest thing for me.' Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at and follow him on X @ByMikeWilson or Bluesky @ If you enjoy Mike's coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: AJ Russell: Tennessee baseball, Tony Vitello plans for Vols pitch
