In a world increasingly burdened by both plastic waste and carbon emissions, scientists at the University of Edinburgh have developed a breakthrough method that could change how we produce everyday medicines. Instead of relying on crude oil and energy-intensive chemical processes, researchers have found a way to turn plastic waste into paracetamol (also known as acetaminophen)—using nothing more than genetically engineered bacteria.

Traditionally, paracetamol is manufactured from fossil fuel-derived compounds. The production process burns through vast amounts of crude oil, contributing heavily to global carbon emissions. Each year, thousands of tons of fossil fuels are consumed to manufacture medicines like paracetamol, generating significant environmental costs.

In a breakthrough that pushes the boundaries of science fiction into reality, the U.S. military’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has set a new record for wireless energy transmission. As part of its Persistent Optical Wireless Energy Relay (POWER) program, DARPA successfully beamed more than 800 watts of power across a distance of 5.3 miles (8.6 kilometers) using a laser. This achievement not only demonstrates the feasibility of long-distance wireless power but also represents a significant leap forward for both military and civilian energy systems.

The test took place at the U.S. Army’s White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. During the experiment, a laser was directed through a narrow aperture, reflected off a parabolic mirror, and focused onto a receiver equipped with high-efficiency solar cells. The result was a 30-second energy pulse with an efficiency of approximately 20 percent—impressive given the challenges of atmospheric interference and energy conversion losses over such a long distance. As a playful demonstration of the system’s effectiveness, some of the transmitted power was used to pop popcorn at the receiving end.

China’s maglev research program has reached a major milestone by accelerating a 1.1-tonne test vehicle to 650 km/h (about 404 mph) in just seven seconds, all within a 600-meter stretch of track. The achievement took place at Donghu Laboratory in Hubei Province, where engineers are developing short-distance, high-speed test methods that depart from the traditional long test tracks typically used for such experiments.

Instead of relying on multi-kilometer tracks to test acceleration and braking, the Donghu team implemented a compact 1-km demonstration line. The system uses electromagnetic propulsion, with a high-power linear motor paired with magnetic levitation that keeps the vehicle hovering just above the guideway. With no physical contact between the vehicle and the track, the system only contends with aerodynamic drag, allowing for rapid acceleration and precise braking.

Researchers at MIT Lincoln Laboratory have unveiled a groundbreaking method for 3D printing glass that dramatically reduces the heat typically required for glass production. This innovative process enables the creation of complex glass structures at room temperature, using a technique known as direct ink writing, and requires curing at only 250°C—far below the 1,000°C or more usually needed in traditional glassmaking.

Using this low-temperature additive manufacturing method, researchers successfully fabricated glass cups with tailored optical properties. These properties can be customized by modifying the chemical composition of the specially formulated inks used during printing. The inks are composed of inorganic particles suspended in a silicate-based solution, which gives engineers control over the final material’s optical, electrical, and chemical characteristics.

A team of chemists from the University of Michigan, University of California, Davis, and University of California, Los Angeles has developed a novel method to capture carbon dioxide and convert it into metal oxalates—solid compounds that can serve as precursors for cement production. This breakthrough offers a promising route to reduce industrial carbon emissions and repurpose CO₂ into valuable materials.

Led by Charles McCrory, associate professor of chemistry and macromolecular science and engineering at the University of Michigan, the research is part of the Center for Closing the Carbon Cycle (4C), an Energy Frontier Research Center. The 4C initiative, directed by Jenny Yang at UC Irvine, focuses on developing methods to transform captured carbon dioxide into usable fuels and products.

A research team in South Korea has developed the world’s first fully functional electric motor constructed entirely without metal components. Replacing traditional copper coils with carbon nanotubes (CNTs), this breakthrough marks a major step toward ultra-lightweight transportation systems. The CNT motor demonstrates a 133% improvement in electrical conductivity and weighs 80% less than conventional designs.

Lightweighting remains a key challenge in the development of electric vehicles, drones, and spacecraft. Lighter components not only reduce energy consumption but also increase battery efficiency and extend operational range. The newly developed motor, created by researchers at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), successfully powers a toy car at speeds exceeding half a meter per second, showcasing its potential in practical applications.