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IEEE study describes ‘breakthroughs’ in semiconductor nanolasers for ultra-efficient optical technologies

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Researchers reveal that advanced nanolaser designs enable ultra-low power operation and compact integration for next-generation optical systems

Semiconductor nanolasers are emerging as key components for next-generation optical systems requiring ultra-low power and compact design. Traditional lasers face limitations at the nanoscale, prompting researchers to explore innovative nanolaser architectures.

A recent study outlines “breakthroughs” in photonic crystal nanolasers, deep subwavelength cavities, and Fano lasers.

These technologies enable enhanced light confinement and energy efficiency, making them ideal for applications in on-chip communication, neuromorphic computing, and hybrid optical-electronic systems.

A new wave of innovation is transforming the future of optical technologies, driven by rapid advancements in semiconductor nanolasers. These advances are essential for future applications such as on-chip optical communication and neuromorphic computing, which require compact, energy-efficient light sources. [Read more…] about IEEE study describes ‘breakthroughs’ in semiconductor nanolasers for ultra-efficient optical technologies

New robotic solution from Fizyr and Yaskawa targets food and life sciences

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Fizyr and Yaskawa Europe has delivered a new automated hygienic handling solution for the food and life sciences industries.

The system utilizes Yaskawa’s new HD-series robots, Fizyr Panoptic vision AI, a binpick food cell from Van Wees Waalwijk, and programming support from Alpha Robotica.

The initial installation is for a salad production company, where two HD7 robots place pieces of raw peppers and bags of salad dressing in bowls of lettuce.

Fizyr Panoptic accurately determines the position of the objects and the correct placement position. Designed for mobility, the machine can be wheeled to the correct place on the production line. [Read more…] about New robotic solution from Fizyr and Yaskawa targets food and life sciences

MIT research: AI shapes new autonomous underwater ‘gliders’


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By Alex Shipps, digital strategy coordinator, MIT Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence Laboratory

AI pipeline enables unique hydrodynamic designs for vehicles that glide underwater. Roughly the size of a boogie board, these new devices could help scientists gather more data about marine life.

By Alex Shipps

Marine scientists have long marveled at how animals like fish and seals swim so efficiently despite having different shapes.

Their bodies are optimized for efficient aquatic navigation (or hydrodynamic) so they can exert minimal energy when traveling long distances.
Autonomous vehicles can drift through the ocean in a similar way, collecting data about vast underwater environments. [Read more…] about MIT research: AI shapes new autonomous underwater ‘gliders’


MIT research: Using generative AI to help robots jump higher and land better

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By Alex Shipps, digital strategy coordinator, MIT Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence Laboratory

Diffusion models like OpenAI’s DALL-E are becoming increasingly useful in helping brainstorm new designs.

Humans can prompt these systems to generate an image, create a video, or refine a blueprint, and come back with ideas they hadn’t considered before.

But did you know that generative artificial intelligence (AI) models are also making headway in creating working robots? Recent diffusion-based approaches have generated structures and the systems that control them from scratch. [Read more…] about MIT research: Using generative AI to help robots jump higher and land better

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