Engineers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab make a breakthrough in rotor technology - Ars Technica

Engineers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory have demonstrated rotor blades that can survive sustained supersonic rotation without disintegrating. Test results indicate rotating machinery can operate at much higher tip speeds than previously believed, which could enable new high‑speed rotorcraft, turbines, or scientific instruments. The work ties into broader high‑speed aerodynamics efforts worldwide, and complements other recent JPL engineering activities such as power-conservation work on long‑duration spacecraft.