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Smart composite combines ceramic strength with metal flexibility for large-scale manufacturing
Since his postdoctoral days at MIT, Hang Yu, associate professor of materials science and engineering, has been wrestling with the challenge of creating a shape-memory ceramic that can be manufactured at scale without breaking. Now, in tandem with Ph.D. student Donnie Erb '15, M.S. '18 and postdoctoral researcher Nikhil Gotawala,... Read more
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One pull of a string is all it takes to deploy these complex structures
MIT researchers have developed a new method for designing 3D structures that can be transformed from a flat configuration into their curved, fully formed shape with only a single pull of a string.... Read more
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Magnetic control of lithium enables a safe, explosion-free 'dream battery'
A new battery technology has been developed that delivers significantly higher energy storage—enough to alleviate EV range concerns—while lowering the risk of thermal runaway and explosion.... Read more
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Waymos blocked roads and caused chaos during San Francisco power outage
Many of Waymo's self-driving cars blocked streets of San Francisco during a mass power outage Saturday and forced the company to temporarily suspend service, raising questions about the cars' ability to adapt to real-world driving conditions.... Read more
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Uber and Lyft plan to bring robotaxis to London in partnerships with China's Baidu
Ride-hailing companies Uber and Lyft plan to bring robotaxi services to London next year in separate partnerships with Chinese tech giant Baidu, the companies said Monday.... Read more
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Ionic liquids slow perovskite degradation: Solar cells retain 90% performance at 90°C
Solar cells, devices that can generate electricity from sunlight, are already helping to reduce fossil fuel emissions in many countries worldwide. In recent years, energy engineers have been assessing the potential of materials other than silicon for the development of efficient, durable and more affordable solar cells.... Read more
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Ultra-low power, fully biodegradable artificial synapse offers record-breaking memory
In Nature Communications, a research team affiliated with UNIST present a fully biodegradable, robust, and energy-efficient artificial synapse that holds great promise for sustainable neuromorphic technologies. Made entirely from eco-friendly materials sourced from nature—such as shells, beans, and plant fibers—this innovation could help address the growing problems of electronic waste... Read more
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AI video translation shows promise but humans still hold the edge
AI video translation is not yet a perfect substitute for human translation, according to new research from the University of East Anglia.... Read more
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Optical fiber bundles offer promising solution for high-altitude laser communication systems
Free-space optical communications (FSOC), which use lasers for data transmission, are a promising approach for achieving high-speed links between aircraft, spacecraft, and ground stations. However, achieving 360-degree coverage requires multiple articulated terminals installed on the fuselage of aircraft, exceeding size, weight, and power limits.... Read more
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Self-healing nuclear fuel could improve safety, reduce waste in reactors
Nuclear power is among the cleanest energy sources on Earth, but the materials that fuel it can degrade during operation. A new international study may unlock safer, longer-lasting fuel for the next generation of reactors.... Read more
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Sodium-ion batteries can charge faster than lithium counterparts with hard carbon electrodes
The worldwide push for sustainability requires better, more durable batteries to support renewable energy systems and ubiquitous electronic devices.... Read more
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A step forward in the practical application of non-terrestrial networks for beyond 5G/6G
The National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) has successfully demonstrated 2 Tbit/s Free-Space Optical (FSO) communication using small optical communication terminals that can be mounted on satellites and HAPS, marking a world first for this technology.... Read more
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MXene-based e-tattoos harvest energy and monitor health in real time
Researchers at Boise State University have developed a breakthrough in wearable electronics: a multifunctional electronic tattoo (e‑tattoo) that integrates energy harvesting, energy storage, and real‑time biometric sensing into a single, skin‑conformal platform.... Read more
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What's old is new: CeraPiper a cool, customizable ceramic system
Evaporative cooling is far from new—it has been used to cool living spaces and drinking water for centuries—but the Matter of Tech Lab at Cornell Tech has come up with a new way to deploy an old idea.... Read more
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We think of mushrooms as food. But mycelium-based blocks could be the future of construction
When mushrooms make the news, it's often for grim reasons—a mysterious poisoning, toxic species in the bush, or high-profile court cases.... Read more
