Hi Tech & Innovation news

Electronics & Semiconductors

Photonic chip packaging can withstand extreme environments

Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a new way to package photonic integrated circuits—tiny chips that convey information using light instead of electricity—so they can survive ...

Electronics & Semiconductors

Engineers create light-activated gel that boosts ion conductivity 400-fold

Consider the chief difference between living systems and electronics: The first is generally soft and squishy while the latter is hard and rigid. Now, in work that could impact human-machine interfaces, biocompatible devices, ...

Consumer & Gadgets

New technique turns everyday surfaces like walls and desks into touch panels

Augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) headsets let us see the world around us with virtual elements superimposed on top. For example, many modern AR/MR headsets use hand-tracking cameras to detect hand gestures in ...

Engineering

Concrete's distinct microbial zones could change how building health is assessed

Concrete may be one of the world's most familiar materials, yet much is still unknown about its inner microbial world. Researchers from Hiroshima University and Kyoto University found that once concrete hardens, microbes ...

Engineering

Smart yarn tracks muscle activity in the body

Created from noise-resistant, conductive threads, a high-tech new smart fabric could find uses in health monitoring, sports performance and rehabilitation. The work is published in the journal Science Advances.

Engineering

Strengthening wood with needle and thread

Wood laminates are used in many different ways, for example, in the manufacture of skis and snowboards or in components for vehicle interiors. However, their weight advantages for lightweight construction also have disadvantages. ...

Hi Tech & Innovation

AI on deck: Assessing impact of MLB's new ball-strike system

For 150 years, Major League Baseball (MLB) players and fans have accepted that an umpire missing a few balls and strikes is just part of the game. But this spring, MLB is rolling out an artificial intelligence-augmented camera ...

Telecom

Researchers achieve 100-meter underground wireless communication

Korean researchers have confirmed that underground wireless communication is possible, moving beyond the terrestrial wireless communication they have primarily focused on until now. This opened up a new wireless channel for ...

Electronics & Semiconductors

Expanding storage capacity with smart gate semiconductor technology

From smartphones to large-scale AI servers, most digital information in modern society is stored in NAND flash memory. KAIST researchers have developed an innovative technology that can overcome the limitations of next-generation ...

Energy & Green Tech

Turning extreme heat into large-scale energy storage

Thermal batteries can efficiently store energy as heat. But building them requires a carefully designed system with materials that can withstand cycles of extremely high temperatures, without succumbing to problems like corrosion, ...

Robotics

Swimming robot propelled by lab-grown muscle hits record speed

NUS researchers have developed a platform that lets lab-grown muscle tissues train themselves to record-breaking strength, with no external stimulation required. By mechanically coupling two muscle tissues so they continuously ...