Category: Science & Technology News

On a clear spring morning, a hiker tested the Hypershell exoskeleton—a wearable robotic leg brace designed to assist with walking and climbing—on Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in the UK. Developed by Shanghai-based tech company Hypershell, the device uses AI-powered motors to reduce strain on the legs and enhance mobility, particularly on inclines and long treks.

Weighing approximately 4.4 pounds, the exoskeleton is worn around the waist and thighs and is powered by rechargeable batteries. It features three assistance modes—Eco, Transparent, and Hyper—which determine the level of support the motor provides. The system pairs with a smartphone app for control, though functionality may pose challenges for less tech-savvy users.

Neutrinos are among the most elusive and enigmatic particles in the universe. These ghost-like particles pass through matter—including our own bodies—almost entirely undetected. Yet, despite their abundance, much about neutrinos remains unknown, especially their mass. Unlocking this mystery is critical to deepening our understanding of both cosmology and fundamental particle physics, as even a tiny mass could point to new physics beyond the Standard Model.

At the forefront of this quest is the KATRIN experiment (Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino), an international collaboration designed to make the most sensitive direct measurement of the neutrino’s mass. By observing beta decay—specifically the decay of tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen—KATRIN analyzes the energy of electrons emitted in the process. Since energy conservation links the electron’s energy to that of the neutrino, any deviation can offer a precise estimate of the neutrino’s mass.

In a groundbreaking development, researchers in China have engineered a cement-based material that doesn’t just provide structural support—it can also generate and store electricity. This innovation, developed by a team led by Professor Zhou Yang at Southeast University, could pave the way for self-powered infrastructure in the smart cities of tomorrow.

The new material is a cement-hydrogel composite inspired by the internal structure of plant stems. This bioinspired design allows the material to capture thermal energy and convert it into electricity using the ionic thermoelectric effect. In terms of performance, it sets a new benchmark: the composite boasts a Seebeck coefficient of −40.5 mV/K and a figure of merit (ZT) of 6.6×10⁻²—approximately ten and six times higher, respectively, than previous cement-based thermoelectric materials.

Like many mothers and daughters, Amy and Emily Dawson once filled their phone calls with everything from life’s biggest moments to the everyday details. But now, Amy speaks to Emily through a phone that isn’t connected to any line. After Emily passed away from a terminal illness in 2020 at the age of 25, Amy found solace in creating a “wind phone”—a quiet place where words float into the air, carried by the breeze to someone who can no longer answer.

The idea behind the wind phone isn’t new. For millennia, people have imagined the wind as a messenger. In ancient Greece, the god Zephyrus used it to communicate. In Christianity, the Holy Spirit moves through it. But the modern wind phone offers something tangible—an actual phone to hold and speak into, helping mourners process grief in a personal and symbolic way.

The humanoid robotics revolution is fast approaching. Across the globe, test models are already working side-by-side with humans in factories, while AI companies race to develop advanced foundation models that enable robots to perceive and interact with the world as naturally as people do. But while much attention is focused on the artificial intelligence driving these machines, their physical forms—the “bodies” that make movement possible—are just as critical.

At the core of these robotic bodies are mechanical components like motors, gears, bearings, and screws. Among them, screws play a vital role by converting the rotational energy of motors into the linear motion humanoids need to walk, lift, or perform delicate tasks. Traditionally, ball screws—which use a circulating track of small balls between a threaded shaft and nut—have been the standard. But that’s starting to change.

Chinese researchers have created a groundbreaking new material derived from moss that could significantly improve how we manage oil spills. A team from Guizhou Education University has modified sphagnum moss to absorb oil effectively while repelling water—offering a powerful new tool in environmental protection.

Oil spills, often caused by damaged oil rigs or burst pipelines, can devastate marine ecosystems and pose serious health risks to humans. Cleanup efforts can stretch over months or even years, underscoring the need for fast, efficient, and sustainable solutions.

Despite decades of research, the process of plant seed formation continues to surprise scientists. In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers from Nagoya University in Japan have identified an entirely new plant tissue—something that has remained undetected for over 160 years.

This newly discovered tissue, which resembles the shape of a rabbit, is the first of its kind to be identified since the mid-19th century. It plays a critical role in seed development, particularly in the transfer of nutrients after fertilization. At the center of this discovery is a structure now called the Kasahara Gateway, a crucial mechanism that regulates nutrient flow to the developing seed.

Tiny robots face two major hurdles: limited energy and navigating terrain that dwarfs their size. While walking robots perform well on smooth, flat surfaces, they stumble on rough ground. On the other hand, flying robots easily clear obstacles but burn through power quickly just to stay airborne.

Now, researchers at MIT have designed a new kind of robot that combines the best of both worlds—a miniature hopping robot that can traverse challenging environments with agility, stability, and exceptional energy efficiency.

A groundbreaking achievement in sensor technology has emerged from the Energy & Environmental Materials Research Division at the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS). Led by Dr. Jongwon Yoon, Dr. Jeongdae Kwon, and Dr. Yonghoon Kim, the research team has developed the world’s first ammonia (NH₃) gas sensor built on a copper bromide (CuBr) film, manufactured through a low-temperature, solution-based process.

This innovation marks a significant leap forward in gas sensing technology. The new sensor is flexible, highly sensitive, selectively responsive to ammonia, and cost-effective to produce—opening the door for widespread use in fields like environmental monitoring, industrial safety, and medical diagnostics.

Researchers at the University of Glasgow have developed an innovative computer system that could revolutionize search and rescue missions in remote areas. By analyzing patterns in how real people behave when lost, this new method predicts the most likely locations where missing individuals might be found—without relying on guesswork or chance.

The technology, led by PhD candidate Jan-Hendrik Ewers from the James Watt School of Engineering, uses artificial intelligence to simulate the actions of lost individuals. These “simulated agents” behave according to psychological models and real-world data, factoring in needs like finding water, shelter, paths, or roads. The result is a detailed heat map showing high-probability search areas across a given landscape.

Researchers at Cornell University have developed a groundbreaking device that uses two of Earth’s most abundant resources—sunlight and seawater—to create carbon-free green hydrogen and clean drinking water simultaneously. This compact invention, known as the hybrid solar distillation-water electrolysis system (HSD-WE), measures just 10 by 10 centimeters and could significantly impact the future of sustainable energy and water access.

Traditionally, producing green hydrogen involves splitting pure water into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis, a process that requires vast amounts of clean water and is often energy-intensive and costly. In contrast, Cornell’s device turns the limitations of solar panels—specifically their low efficiency—into an advantage.

Every year, more than 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced worldwide. A significant portion of that—about five percent—finds its way into rivers and oceans, either from general waste or directly through the fishing industry. Regardless of whether it breaks down into microplastics or remains intact, plastic pollution continues to pose a serious environmental and health threat to ecosystems and communities around the world.

In response to this growing problem, researchers have introduced a promising new material called transparent paperboard, or tPB. Designed to look and function like plastic, tPB offers the added benefits of being biodegradable, recyclable, and made entirely from cellulose—the same plant-based material found in traditional paper. It provides a sustainable alternative to plastic without compromising performance.