Researchers at Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) in South Korea, in collaboration with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), have achieved a significant breakthrough in the integration of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) into programmable photonic integrated circuits (PPICs). The study, published in the journal Nature Photonics, marks a major advancement in the field.

PPICs are designed to process light waves for computation, sensing, and signaling, offering programmable capabilities to meet diverse requirements. Sangyoon Han from the DGIST team highlights the potential of programmable photonic processors to outperform conventional supercomputers, providing faster, more efficient, and massively parallel computing. The use of light instead of electric current not only increases speed but also reduces power consumption and the size of PPICs, opening up possibilities for advancements in artificial intelligence, neural networks, quantum computing, and communications.

China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), the country’s largest missile manufacturer, has made significant strides in hyperloop technology, claiming to have achieved the fastest speed ever for a superconducting maglev vehicle. The tests, conducted in a low-vacuum tube measuring just 2 km, showcased speeds exceeding 623 km/h (387 mph).

Hyperloop technology, often met with skepticism, aims to propel maglev trains at high speeds through vacuum-sealed tubes, minimizing air drag and friction for efficient travel. Despite challenges, CASIC’s innovative approach integrates a piezoelectric framework with the growth-promoting properties of hydroxyapatite (HAp), a mineral found in bones.

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have achieved a groundbreaking feat by cultivating and characterizing tomato varieties with increased water use efficiency, all without compromising yield. Leveraging the CRISPR genetic editing technology, the team managed to grow tomatoes that not only consume less water but also maintain high yield, quality, and taste. The study, led by Prof. Shaul Yalovsky and Dr. Nir Sade from the School of Plant Sciences and Food Security at Tel Aviv University’s Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, involved contributions from a diverse group of researchers, including collaborators from Ben Gurion University and the University of Oregon.

Published in the journal PNAS, the research addresses the pressing need for agricultural crops that thrive with reduced water consumption, given the challenges posed by global warming and dwindling freshwater resources. The study focuses on the intricate relationship between transpiration, where plants release water through their leaves, and the uptake of carbon dioxide, essential for photosynthesis.