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By Randy Gold
BIG OCEAN Update
What does New York, the Cayman Islands, and the music dripping from your car’s interior have in common? Well, they were all visited by Big Ocean!
Yes! Our cover stars from our 2024 Spring/Summer issue may have been in the Cayman Islands, but have been doing anything but keeping it easy. :) They have been on a bit of a whirlwind tour to celebrate something quite momentous — the release of their first mini album, Follow!
Comprising of their trio of hit (and conveniently rhyming) singles, “Glow”, “BLOW”, and “SLOW”, they’ve now added to their joyful sound with a brand new song called “FLOW”, brought to life in collaboration with decorated producer Mark Batson, who has worked on multiple Grammy Award-winning albums alongside powerhouse artists like Beyoncé and Eminem!
So if you haven’t heard Big Ocean yet, and you wanna catch up quickly, this might be the perfect time to climb aboard!
To mark this release, Hyunjin, Jiseok, and Chanyeon got to connect with fans in their premier trip to the states! In a laidback meetup in Central Park for instance, they took photos, laughed, chatted, and signed (ie. language), with those in attendance who met up for this surreal and heartwarming moment.
After a stunning trip to the Empire State Building, (and a giant pizza or two), they headed to the Cool Out festival to perform, aka the Cayman’s premier music and art festival. Here they were met with a thunderous warm welcome as well!
Their unique blend of sign language choreography truly takes center stage in their music videos and performances, and their latest video for “FLOW” goes all out! So definitely give it a look! And keep an eye out for more exciting updates from this exploding band in the new year!
For more, check them out here!
MSU Startup Advances Transition to Sustainable Energy Solutions
Addressing the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions and improving the reliability of power grids are the driving goals of RedoxBlox, a fast-growing company that emerged from Michigan State University (MSU). Named the 2024 MSU Startup of the Year, RedoxBlox is revolutionizing energy storage technology, providing innovative solutions for power generation and industrial heat applications.
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Developed by MSU Research Foundation Professor James F. Klausner, Ph.D., and his team, RedoxBlox’s groundbreaking technology harnesses excess renewable electrical energy or generated heat, storing it efficiently and releasing it as high-temperature air or electricity on demand. The company focuses on decarbonizing industrial heat and grid storage, aiming to address nearly half of the world's carbon emissions.
“We rely on being competitive against natural gas,” says Klausner, co-founder and executive chairman of RedoxBlox. “We rely on a good business proposition to decarbonize.” RedoxBlox's technology utilizes a reversible redox cycle, a breakthrough that allows for efficient storage of renewable energy at temperatures up to 1500°C. This innovation enables retrofitting existing natural gas equipment, making it possible to decarbonize without the need for entirely new infrastructure.
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The core of RedoxBlox’s technology is a receptacle filled with inexpensive, non-toxic, non-flammable metal oxide pellets. These pellets are fully recyclable and store renewable electricity as chemical energy through a reversible chemical reaction. This process mimics the output of a natural gas combustor, providing a reliable and sustainable energy source.
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RedoxBlox's journey began with the discovery of the metal oxide material at the University of Florida in 2018. After joining MSU, Klausner and his team continued developing the technology, leveraging the university's resources and support. The MSU Innovation Center and Spartan Innovations played crucial roles in the company's growth, providing essential connections to talent, resources, and funding.
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The company has secured significant venture capital, including multiple investments from Red Cedar Ventures, a subsidiary of the MSU Research Foundation. Now headquartered in San Diego, with facilities in Oregon and Austria, RedoxBlox is poised to make a substantial impact on the energy industry. Its first major customer, Dow Chemical Company, will install a 10-megawatt-hour unit at its West Virginia chemical plant as part of a Department of Energy demonstration project.
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RedoxBlox continues to attract investment and partnerships, with a strong focus on both industrial heat and future power generation applications. With its innovative approach and solid support from the MSU entrepreneurial ecosystem, RedoxBlox is set to play a pivotal role in advancing sustainable energy solutions.
Is your company ready to learn more about working with Michigan State University’s faculty on sustainability innovations? Click here to learn more.
Rachel Beckwith’s Legacy: Inspiring the World to Provide Clean Water
Rachel Beckwith had a dream. At just nine years old, she wanted to make a difference by helping provide clean water to villages in Africa. Tragically, Rachel’s life was cut short in 2011 in a devastating 15-vehicle accident on Interstate 90 in Issaquah. However, her dream lived on, inspiring her community and beyond to take action.
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In the wake of her passing, thousands in her community came together, donating $140,000 to support her cause. As news of Rachel’s selfless desire spread, more and more people were moved by her story. Donations continued to pour in from all over the world, eventually surpassing a million dollars—all dedicated to bringing clean water to those who desperately needed it.
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Today, Rachel’s legacy lives on through Charity: Water, the nonprofit organization she initially supported. Since Rachel’s passing, Charity: Water has grown exponentially, driven by her spirit and the generosity she inspired. Through its initiative, "The Spring," a global community of monthly givers, Charity: Water has funded clean and safe drinking water for more than 1 million people across 22 countries. Rachel’s impact is evident in every well dug and every community transformed by access to clean water.
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While Charity: Water was already established when Rachel decided to help, her story touched the hearts of people worldwide. Her selfless act and untimely death inspired a global movement, showing how even the smallest actions, motivated by genuine kindness, can have far-reaching effects.
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As we reflect on Rachel Beckwith’s story, it’s a powerful reminder of the potential within each of us to make a difference. Rachel’s dream didn’t end with her passing—it sparked a ripple effect that continues to change lives today. Her legacy challenges us to think about how our actions, big or small, can inspire others and contribute to meaningful change.
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How can your actions inspire others? What dreams do you have that could make a difference in the world? We’d love to hear your story and see how you’re working to make an impact. In the meantime, if you’re moved by Rachel’s story and want to help provide clean water to the millions still in need, you can learn more about Charity: Water and support their mission by visiting their website. Your support can continue the work that Rachel started and bring clean water to communities that need it most.
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