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Scientists develop polymer waveguides for high-speed, high-capacity data transmission by laser

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Researchers have found that glass-epoxy-based waveguides have characteristics that make them ideal for transmitting optical signals in co-packaged optics

Co-packaged optics (CPO) technology requires reliable laser sources, either integrated or external, for operation. Since integrated laser sources are associated with reliability challenges, researchers are increasingly exploring CPO systems with external sources.

Recently, polymer waveguides fabricated on glass-epoxy substrates have emerged as a reliable solution for transmitting laser signals from external sources to photonic circuits.

Researchers from Japan have now demonstrated the suitability of these waveguides for use in CPO systems.

Co-packaged optics (CPO) technology can integrate photonic integrated circuits (PICs) with electronic integrated circuits (EICs) like CPUs and GPUs on a single platform. [Read more…] about Scientists develop polymer waveguides for high-speed, high-capacity data transmission by laser

MIT scientists develop new system to enable robots to solve manipulation problems in seconds

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By Adam Zewe, MIT News

Researchers have developed an algorithm that lets a robot ‘think ahead’ and consider thousands of potential motion plans simultaneously.

Ready for that long-awaited summer vacation? First, you’ll need to pack all items required for your trip into a suitcase, making sure everything fits securely without crushing anything fragile.

Because humans possess strong visual and geometric reasoning skills, this is usually a straightforward problem, even if it may take a bit of finagling to squeeze everything in.

To a robot, though, it is an extremely complex planning challenge that requires thinking simultaneously about many actions, constraints, and mechanical capabilities. Finding an effective solution could take the robot a very long time – if it can even come up with one. [Read more…] about MIT scientists develop new system to enable robots to solve manipulation problems in seconds

Caltech unveils flying robot that transforms into road vehicle in mid-air

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The ‘morphorobot’ was ‘inspired by nature’, say its developers

Specialized robots that can both fly and drive typically touch down on land before attempting to transform and drive away. But when the landing terrain is rough, these robots sometimes get stuck and are unable to continue operating.

Now a team of Caltech engineers has developed a real-life Transformer that has the “brains” to morph in midair, allowing the dronelike robot to smoothly roll away and begin its ground operations without pause.

The increased agility and robustness of such robots could be particularly useful for commercial delivery systems and robotic explorers. [Read more…] about Caltech unveils flying robot that transforms into road vehicle in mid-air

Dire Wolves: From Ancient DNA to Living Animals

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The successful revival of dire wolves (Aenocyon dirus) by Colossal Biosciences marks an extraordinary journey from ancient DNA fragments to living, breathing animals. This scientific achievement, announced on April 8, 2025, transformed 13,000-year-old genetic code into three healthy dire wolf pups named Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi.

The scientific process began with the extraction of ancient DNA from two well-preserved dire wolf fossils: a tooth from Sheridan Pit, Ohio, approximately 13,000 years old, and an inner ear bone from American Falls, Idaho, around 72,000 years old. These rare specimens provided the genetic blueprint that would guide the resurrection effort.

Extracting usable DNA from specimens this old presented enormous challenges. Ancient DNA is typically highly fragmented and degraded, with only random portions of the genome surviving. Dr. Beth Shapiro, Colossal’s Chief Science Officer and a leading expert in ancient DNA, led the team that overcame these obstacles through innovative sequencing and computational approaches. [Read more…] about Dire Wolves: From Ancient DNA to Living Animals

NorDan becomes first timber products manufacturer to monitor tree health

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NorDan, one of Europe’s leading timber composite window and door manufacturers, has become the first manufacturer in its sector to actively measure and monitor the health of the forests from which it sources its timber.

NorDan invited independent consultants Fortis Facades to analyse the Polish forests that are a vital part of its supply chain, checking important factors such as tree health, density and chronology of the trees, as well as the quality and yield of timber.

Fortis Facades’ “BIOME” division employed the use of scientific methods to assess the condition and sustainability of the NorDan forests in Poland. [Read more…] about NorDan becomes first timber products manufacturer to monitor tree health

Scientists develop ‘supercharging technology’ for batteries using graphene

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Researchers say they have developed a graphene coating that ‘supercharges zinc-ion batteries for grid use’

Zinc-ion batteries are promising for energy storage, but their traditional current collectors suffer from scalability issues, restricting industrial applications.

In a recent study, researchers from Dongguk University, South Korea have designed a novel alternative current collector in the form of graphene-coated stainless-steel foil.

Consequently, they achieve batteries with high electrochemical performance and superior cycling stability, potentially paving the way for industrial-scale systems.

The present century has witnessed a proactive shift towards more sustainable forms of energy, including renewable resources such as solar power, wind, nuclear energy, and geothermal energy. [Read more…] about Scientists develop ‘supercharging technology’ for batteries using graphene

Are scientists really bringing extinct animals back to life? How about extinct humans?

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The concept of bringing extinct animals back to life, once confined to the realm of science fiction like the Jurassic Park films, is rapidly becoming a tangible reality.

Scientists are employing advanced techniques such as genetic engineering, cloning, and back-breeding to revive lost species, sparking both excitement and ethical debate.

While the idea of a real-life Jurassic Park – a science-fiction film in which dinosaurs are brought back to life from a mosquito found preserved in amber (main image) – remains far-fetched, there seems to be a great deal of progress being made in the whole science of “de-extinction”. [Read more…] about Are scientists really bringing extinct animals back to life? How about extinct humans?

The Science Behind Dire Wolf Revival

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How Colossal Biosciences Achieved 20 Genetic Edits

The resurrection of the dire wolf (Aenocyon dirus) by Colossal Biosciences represents a landmark achievement in genetic engineering, setting a new record with 20 precise genomic edits in a vertebrate animal.

This scientific breakthrough not only brought back an iconic Ice Age predator but also demonstrated the feasibility of sophisticated genetic interventions that could revolutionize conservation efforts for endangered species worldwide. [Read more…] about The Science Behind Dire Wolf Revival

US National Science Foundation funds ‘Vulcan mind meld’ technology

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US National Science Foundation awards hundreds of thousands of dollars to develop mind-reading technology

It’s the stuff of science fiction: the ability to communicate with someone else simply by thinking – no speaking or physical gesture. For fans of Star Trek, this is known as the “Vulcan mind meld”, wherein Captain Spock is able to communicate with someone else telepathically.

For Chang Soo “CS” Nam, chair of the Northern Illinois University’s Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, it’s brain to brain interface (BBI or B2BI). Nam is the principal investigator on a $600,000 research grant from the US National Science Foundation to explore this relatively new realm of science and technology.

Over the next three years, in collaboration with Dr. Xiaoning Jiang, the co-principal investigator at North Carolina State University, Nam will guide this ambitious pursuit. [Read more…] about US National Science Foundation funds ‘Vulcan mind meld’ technology

Machine learning unlocks ‘superior performance’ in light-driven organic crystals

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Researchers at Waseda, University, Japan have developed a machine learning workflow to optimize the output force of photo-actuated organic crystals.

Using LASSO (least absolute shrinkage and selection operator) regression to identify key molecular substructures and Bayesian optimization for efficient sampling, they achieved a maximum blocking force of 37.0 mN – 73 times more efficient than conventional methods.

These findings could help develop remote-controlled actuators for medical devices and robotics, supporting applications such as minimally invasive surgery and precision drug delivery. [Read more…] about Machine learning unlocks ‘superior performance’ in light-driven organic crystals