News

With federal layoffs across various government agencies making the weekly news, one announcement deserves far more attention than it is receiving: staffing cuts at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Amid a wave of reductions affecting civil servants in science, health, and environmental agencies, the NIH layoffs could quietly deliver a significant blow to the…

NASA has announced the elimination of its chief scientist position and the closure of several internal offices, including the Office of Technology Policy and Strategy and the agency’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) branch. According to Reuters, the move, which affects at least 23 employees, is part of a broader reorganization aligned with federal…

The Trump administration’s broad cuts to federal science budgets and staff are significantly impacting the U.S. research and development community. From National Institute of Health (NIH) labs to top-tier universities, scientists and engineers are facing stalled projects, hiring freezes, and growing uncertainty as efforts to reduce the federal workforce and suspend research funding take hold.…

Battery giant Duracell is moving its global Research and Development (R&D) headquarters to Atlanta’s Science Square Labs, marking a significant advancement for the region’s growing research and innovation landscape. The relocation, announced by real estate developer Trammell Crow Company (TCC), represents a major investment in battery technology and further strengthens Atlanta’s status as an emerging…

The R&D World Index (RDWI) for the week ending March 7, 2025, closed at 4,106.42 for the 25 companies in the RDWI. The Index dipped –1.37% (or -56.96 basis points). Seventeen RDWI members gained value last week from 0.08% (Stellantis NV) to 12.51% (Volkswagen AG). Eight RDWI members lost value the previous week from -0.25%…

Major investments, policy debates, and sustainability efforts are reshaping the semiconductor industry. TSMC’s $100 billion U.S. expansion carries geopolitical significance, while Broadcom’s strong earnings highlight AI’s growing role. Siemens is investing $285 million in U.S. manufacturing, adding to its long-term growth. Meanwhile, the CHIPS Act faces scrutiny, with Trump calling for its repeal. The Semiconductor…

President Donald Trump’s recent push to repeal the CHIPS and Science Act, signed into law in August 2022, has raised concerns about the future of U.S. semiconductor manufacturing. The act allocates $39 billion in subsidies and up to $75 billion in government-backed loans to strengthen domestic chip production. Proponents credit the measure with prompting high-profile…

Sandia National Laboratories, a cornerstone of U.S. national security engineering, has announced the appointment of Laura J. McGill as its 17th Laboratories Director. McGill, a seasoned leader with extensive experience in defense systems and nuclear deterrence, will assume the helm on May 1, 2025, succeeding James S. Peery, who will retire at the end of…

The R&D World Index saw gains this week, driven partly by a surge in Intel’s value amid significant developments across various sectors. Honda and Nissan have ended their merger talks, citing concerns over autonomy and decision-making, while GlaxoSmithKline consolidates its vaccine R&D in Cambridge, MA. Novartis is set to reacquire rights to a blood clot…

The battery industry is buzzing with activity as researchers explore alternatives like aluminum-ion and solid-state batteries, promising greater safety and sustainability. Toyota is preparing a battery plant in North Carolina for 2025, KORE Power has canceled a $1.2 billion Arizona gigafactory, and Octillion has opened a Nevada facility to meet demand. Nuvvon is advancing solid-state…

Fires sweeping through Los Angeles have caused extensive destruction, reducing over 10,000 homes to rubble and claiming at least 27 lives. However, the dangers do not end when the flames are extinguished. Post-wildfire hazards, including toxic chemicals, mudslides, household debris, and dispersed ash, continue to pose significant risks, according to Farshid Vahedifard, professor and Louis…

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…

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced over $136 million for 66 projects designed to reduce energy consumption and emissions in America’s most critical industrial subsectors. The funding aims to accelerate the adoption of new technologies that can strengthen U.S. manufacturing competitiveness, secure supply chains, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Major funding areas Projects…

In the decades-long search for a “silver bullet” to tackle the U.S. obesity crisis, immense sums have been spent on diets, pills, and intensive workout programs. Now, researchers say GLP-1 — originally a treatment for type 2 diabetes — also addresses obesity, effectively solving two problems at once. But there may be additional benefits. A…

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…

The State Department has announced that the United States and China have amended and extended their bilateral Science and Technology Agreement (STA) for five years. Initially signed in 1979 by President Jimmy Carter and Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping, the deal was designed to foster cooperation in agriculture, energy, space, health, and the environment. U.S. officials…

Semiconductor-based quantum processors are driving rapid advancements in computational power, with companies like Google and IBM leading the charge. Recent reports highlight increasing interest in quantum computing as a transformative force in finance, energy, and other sectors. Several key developments underscore the importance of cutting-edge semiconductor fabrication and design in enabling these next-generation devices: 1.…

Sandia National Laboratories executed 72 new Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) in fiscal year 2024, the second-highest number in its history. Sandia last reached similar levels in the early 1990s when the World Wide Web was introduced. CRADAs are collaborative agreements that allow federal laboratories and external organizations to jointly develop new technologies by…

Tomás Díaz de la Rubia, an accomplished scientist and executive, has been selected as the new senior vice president for research and innovation at the University of Arizona. He is expected to begin his role on November 11th. In this position, Díaz de la Rubia will oversee the university’s vast research portfolio, managing an estimated…

In a world rapidly adapting to artificial intelligence (AI), large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT and DALL-E are changing the landscape of creativity and communication. Instead of relying on code, users can now interact with these “chatbot” models by asking questions in plain language and receiving instant responses. Yet, while LLMs have already altered how…

The R&D World Index (RDWI) for the week ending October 11, 2024, closed at 4.049.72 for the 25 companies in the RDWI. The Index was up 1.11% (or 44.32 basis points). Fourteen RDWI members gained value last week from 0.06% (Microsoft) to 5.06% (Eli Lilly & Co.). Eleven RDWI members lost value last week from…

The R&D World Index (RDWI) for the week ending October 4, 2024, closed at 4.005.40 for the 25 companies in the RDWI. The Index was up 0.62% (or 24.71 basis points). Eight RDWI members gained value last week from 1.07% (Eli Lilly & Co.) to 6.71% (Alibaba).  Seventeen RDWI members lost value the previous week…

The R&D World Index (RDWI) for the week ending September 20, 2024, closed at 4,006.95 for the 25 companies in the RDWI. The Index was up 2.11% (or 82.94 basis points). Twenty-one RDWI members gained value last week from 0.14% (Astra Zeneca PLC) to 11.09% (Intel). Four RDWI members lost value the previous week from…

The R&D World Index (RDWI) for the week ending September 13, 2024, closed at 3,924.01 for the 25 companies in the RDWI. The Index was up 2.95% (or 112.59 basis points). Seventeen RDWI members gained value last week from 0.30% (Volkswagen AG) to 14.26% (Oracle). Eight RDWI members lost value the previous week from -0.85%…

The R&D World Index (RDWI) for the week ending August 30, 2024 closed at 3,969.84 for the 25 companies in the RDWI. The Index was up 0.57% (or 22.41 basis points). Seventeen RDWI members gained value last week from 0.08% (Microsoft) to 7.30% (Intel). Eight RDWI members lost value last week from -0.12% (Stellantis NV)…