R&D Editors

Current wireless charging technology for electric vehicles is limited by the bulky and heavy nature of high-power systems. While light-duty vehicles are limited to 11 kW charging, systems capable of 100 to 250 kW are too large for practical use, even in heavier vehicles. This new wireless charging technology development from Oak Ridge National Laboratory…

Satellite communications, known as non-terrestrial networks (NTN), are bridging the gap in cellular coverage, bringing connectivity to remote areas and disaster zones. NTN technology allows devices to remain connected even when outside the range of traditional cell towers, enabling users to communicate, receive emergency warnings, and navigate.Ameba RAN is a software-defined cellular base station. Ameba…

A coalition led by the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM), Hyundai Motor, and Kia has developed “the world’s first engine capable of directly injecting ammonia into the combustion chamber at high pressure.” The coalition reported overcoming longstanding challenges in power stability and emissions. Direct High-Pressure Injection: The engine eliminates the need for gaseous…

In Taiwan, traffic violations, especially those involving motorcycles, remain a problem. In 2022 alone, traffic accidents resulted in 3,085 deaths and nearly 500,000 injuries, the highest in a decade. Limited police resources make traffic violation enforcement difficult, leading to a gap between issued penalties and actual infractions. Traditional enforcement methods pose safety risks to officers,…

The Device Research Conference (DRC) has announced a Call for Papers for DRC 2025, the conference’s 83rd anniversary. The 83rd annual DRC will be held from June 22-25, 2025, at Duke University in Durham, N.C. The DRC brings together scientists, researchers, and students from many disciplines in academia and industry to share their latest research…

In the early 1990s, the internet seemed poised to improve our lives by democratizing knowledge, publishing, and communication. While it did achieve many of these goals, it also introduced security risks ranging from malware to phishing. The online world of 2024 feels more like a war zone than a digital playground, “If you connect a…

All unexpected radiological releases affect public health, economic stability, and global security. Los Alamos National Laboratory’s QUIC-DEPDOSE is a software application that calculates individualized radiation doses for people downwind from a radioactive plume by combining two key models: QUIC (for atmospheric dispersion) and DEPDOSE (for respiratory tract deposition and dose calculations). It leverages real topography…

Elegen has developed a custom synthetic DNA product that is changing genetic medicine development. This new technology, which uses a combination of molecular biology, chemistry, and microfluidics, produces linear, double-stranded DNA in a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods. ENFINIA DNA boasts a 20x higher accuracy and lengths up to 20,000 base pairs,…

The Pixel Primo is an advanced device for multiplexed measurements at single-cell resolution. It combines unique measurements, using varying electrical field geometries and frequencies, with the highest electrode density on the market. This allows it to provide unparalleled information on cellular morphology and function, surpassing other live cell impedance devices. The Pixel Primo is the…

Detailed knowledge of seafloor topography is valuable for applications ranging from locating missing objects and undersea resources like oil and minerals to tracking human impacts, monitoring marine life, and modeling deep-ocean currents’ climate effects. Yet, most of the Earth’s oceans remain largely unmapped. The challenge lies in the lack of technology capable of producing high-resolution,…

In a demonstration of “mind over matter,” a 69-year-old man with C4 AIS C spinal cord injury — whose remaining movement was largely restricted to low-amplitude muscle twitching — has piloted a virtual quadcopter merely by thinking about moving his paralyzed fingers. This achievement stems from an intracortical brain-computer interface (iBCI) primarily developed and tested…

Hemolysis accounts for up to 70% of all unsuitable specimens and can falsely elevate potassium by up to 152%. Potassium is critical in managing cardiac function. Misdiagnosis due to hemolysis can significantly affect the management of the patient, causing repeated blood draws, delays in care, or unnecessary medical interventions. Studies demonstrate hemolysis prevalence throughout acute…

Nenovision’s LiteScope 2.5 represents an inventive AFM-in-SEM technology, especially for nanoscale analysis. Its unique integration of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Scanning Force Microscopy (SEM) capabilities allows site-specific, multimodal correlative analysis, making advanced research accessible to various industries. Key features include self-sensing probe technology, seamless SEM integration without modifications, and AI-driven image correlation, enhancing precision,…

SHINE is transforming neutron detection with its ability to be shaped into any size or form within minutes at room temperature, while offering detection capabilities comparable to current technologies. This material addresses the helium-3 (3He) shortage, thus aligning with national security considerations and helping prevent the entry of illicit special nuclear materials (SNM) into the…

Given the prevalence of anti-science rhetoric and dubious advice from certain podcasters and influencers, one might believe that trust in science has reached an all-time low. However, an international study involving participants from 68 countries found that most people overall have a high level of confidence in scientists and want them to be more involved…

MAVERICK is a platform designed specifically for biologists, using Raman spectroscopy to streamline bioprocess development and optimization. It offers out-of-the-box capabilities for real-time monitoring of variables like glucose, lactate, and biomass, all through an intuitive touchscreen interface. This platform supports automation, remote access, and compliance with cGMP standards for pharmaceutical industry applications. While Raman spectroscopy…

From nanoelectrode arrays that peer inside heart cells to single-layer spintronics that manipulate quantum states, researchers are advancing how we observe and control matter at multiple scales. This roundup examines breakthroughs in non-invasive cardiac monitoring and AI-powered genomic modeling, alongside developments in energy-efficient computing through anomalous Hall torques. Also in this week in AI and…

  Researchers at the University of California San Diego have created and evaluated Spatial Modeling Algorithms for Reactions and Transport (SMART), a software package designed to simulate cell-signaling networks — complex molecular interactions that enable cells to respond to various environmental cues. These networks involve multiple steps and are heavily influenced by the three-dimensional structure…

Every year, millions of windshields are replaced worldwide, leaving behind a significant amount of waste in the form of the polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayer, which keeps shattered glass together. Recycling this material is complex and costly, often resulting in low-quality materials unsuitable for reuse. The sheer volume of PVB waste is substantial — over 175…

While smart home devices have expanded to include speakers, security systems, lights, and thermostats, their control has mostly been limited to a remote, an app, or voice commands. Users can interact with their phones or speak to the technology. Still, these methods are often less convenient than the simple switches they replace, significantly since devices…

Maintaining large-scale infrastructure is becoming increasingly challenging as urban populations expand and extreme weather events occur more frequently. Waste landfill facilities, in particular, present difficulties for managers with limited on-site access, resulting in various issues, including environmental pollution. Tapping into free satellite data, the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT) has developed…

The MSP 320 automated digital slide scanner is designed to improve pathology workflows by providing secure digital access to high-resolution slide images, allowing remote review and shortening turn-around times. It scans up to 320 slides per session and integrates advanced AI and machine learning to analyze pathological features, reducing human error and enhancing diagnostic accuracy.…

A new study reveals that bacteria in our guts update their defenses against viruses far more slowly than expected. On average, these microbes modify their CRISPR-based immune system only once every three years. This finding challenges the assumption that gut bacteria are constantly adapting to viral threats and suggests they may rely on other, less…

MIT researchers have developed AbMap, a computational model that predicts antibody structures with improved accuracy. This could accelerate the development of treatments for infectious diseases like SARS-CoV-2. Unlike existing AI models, AbMap focuses on antibodies’ hypervariable regions — highly diverse segments critical for binding pathogens — and overcomes limitations in previous protein modeling approaches. Using…

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT, have received acclaim for their potential to reduce clinician workloads. These tools can collect patient histories, triage cases, and even offer preliminary diagnoses. Referred to as large language models, these technologies are already employed by patients who depend on them to interpret symptoms and comprehend medical test results.…