# The Download: faking blood and future batteries

> The US military funds synthetic blood research while a Chinese startup races to build safer, denser batteries.
- Title: The Download: faking blood and future batteries | Shortify
- Summary: The US military funds synthetic blood research while a Chinese startup races to build safer, denser batteries. DARPA is investing seventy three million…
- Keywords: darpa, synthetic blood, military medicine, welion new energy, semi-solid batteries, electric vehicles, battery technology, technology, science, Download, faking, blood
- Source: MIT Technology Review — https://technologyreview.com/2026/10/14/1146452/the-download-military-fake-blood-future-batteries
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: darpa, synthetic blood, military medicine, welion new energy, semi-solid batteries, electric vehicles, battery technology, technology, science
## A helicopter and seven lives lost
In February two thousand seven, a US military helicopter carrying blood to a field hospital was shot down in Iraq, killing all seven crew members. The mission highlighted the risks of transporting blood.
## DARPA's seventy three million dollar bet
DARPA is now funding a seventy three million dollar effort to create shelf-stable versions of plasma, platelets, and red blood cells that can be stored for long periods and deployed quickly on the battlefield.
## Dried blood by twenty twenty nine
The project aims to have bags of dried blood products deployed in the field by twenty twenty nine. But researchers still have major questions about the safety and effectiveness of synthetic alternatives.
## WeLion's semi-solid battery quest
Chinese company WeLion New Energy is developing liquid-solid hybrid battery cells that aim to pack more power into electric cars, boats and drones, potentially improving safety and offering greater energy density than lithium-ion batteries.
## Over one thousand kilometres on one charge
In twenty twenty three, WeLion released a battery pack with EV-maker Nio that offered a range of over one thousand kilometres. The company is now developing batteries with even higher energy density.
## Scale and cost remain the challenge
Scaling up production and competing on cost remain major challenges for WeLion as it pursues its push to make safer, higher-capacity batteries for the global market.
## Key takeaway

DARPA is investing seventy three million dollars to create shelf-stable synthetic blood for battlefield use by twenty twenty nine, while WeLion New Energy develops semi-solid batteries offering greater energy density than lithium ion cells.