In a groundbreaking development, researchers have designed a prototype rechargeable battery that functions in saltwater environments, offering a promising new energy source for oceanic and sea-based applications. This innovative saltwater-conductive yarn battery is not only flexible and durable but can also be integrated into fabrics or nets, providing power to marine devices such as safety equipment, fishing nets, and life vests.

Traditional batteries are highly sensitive to water, especially saltwater, due to the potential for damage and malfunction. However, this new design cleverly utilizes seawater as an electrolyte, turning its naturally occurring sodium, chloride, and sulfate ions into a functional energy source. This approach transforms seawater, typically a threat to conventional electronics, into a key component for generating power.

A glove-like robotic exoskeleton hand is helping pianists improve their playing skills without the risk of injury from overpractice. Drawing inspiration from traditional music teaching methods, a team at Sony Computer Science Laboratories in Tokyo has developed a device that moves individual fingers to guide complex hand motions. This innovation promises to support musicians in overcoming skill plateaus and enhancing their performance safely. According to researchers, just a single 30-minute session with the robotic exoskeleton can lead to measurable improvements in finger speed for trained pianists.

Achieving mastery in music, especially on an instrument like the piano, often requires countless hours of practice. However, research suggests that mere repetition isn’t always the key to further improvement. In fact, training alone accounts for less than half of skill development. As individuals reach a high level of proficiency, they often encounter a “ceiling effect,” where progress slows or stalls despite continued practice. This phenomenon challenges the idea that more practice automatically leads to greater skill.

SolidddVision smartglasses, developed by Soliddd Corp, are offering an innovative solution to people suffering from macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness. Inspired by the eyes of a fly and powered by cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) technology, these glasses are changing the way we think about vision correction. First unveiled at CES 2025, they represent what is being called the “first true vision correction” for macular degeneration—a condition that causes central vision to blur as the macula, the part of the retina responsible for sharp central vision, deteriorates.

SolidddVision smartglasses blend augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to create a groundbreaking way of restoring sight to individuals with damaged retinas. The glasses use a unique system of projecting multiple images onto healthy parts of the retina, a method inspired by the structure of a fly’s eye. This design allows the glasses to send light in parallel rays, simulating a complete visual picture by engaging the visual cortex. The result is an enhanced image that bypasses the damaged areas of the retina, helping users see more clearly.