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Marker ink transforms into graphene-based electric circuit for low-cost sensors Investigation of non-permanent pen markers and dye identification. a) Image of areas of acrylic glass colored with various Lumocolor markers irradiated with an IR laser showing carbonization and/or ablation, b) FTIR of Lumocolor markers (dashed line = IR laser sources wavenumber); c) schematic of continuous defocus d screening with a 10° wedge; d) images of areas of glass slides coated with a film of the identified dyes and polyimide (considered as a standard reference polymeric precursor of LIG) showing ablation and/or carbonization at different levels of defocus (inset: chemical structures of dyes and polyimide). Credit: Advanced Science (2025). DOI: 10.1002/advs.202412167 The first case of an electric circuit created using a simple marker and a laser beam shows that simple and sustainable materials can generate innovative applications on any surface, such as a coffee cup. A research group coordinated by ...

  Engineers Advance Toward a Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computer In a significant advancement for quantum computing, researchers at MIT have achieved an unprecedented level of nonlinear light-matter coupling using a novel device known as the "quarton coupler." This breakthrough could pave the way for quantum processors capable of performing operations and measurements in mere nanoseconds, thereby enhancing the speed and reliability of quantum computations. Rethinking Quantum Readout: The Role of Nonlinear Coupling Quantum computers hold the promise of revolutionizing fields such as materials science and machine learning by simulating complex systems and optimizing algorithms at unprecedented speeds. However, realizing this potential hinges on the ability to perform rapid and accurate measurements of qubit states—a process known as "readout." The efficiency of readout is critically dependent on the strength of the interaction between photons (light particles carrying ...

  Electronic skin with unique fingerprint patterns offers enhanced security features Source:  Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology Soft artificial finger pad. a) Optical images of the soft artificial finger pad on robotic hand (left), freestanding artificial finger pad (middle), and optical microscopy image of artificial fingerprint (right). b) Schematic exploded view of the fully soft artificial finger pad. c) Stress-strain curves of components used. Credit:  Nature Communications  (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57498-y The likelihood of two human fingerprints being identical is extremely low—about 1 in 640 billion. Even identical twins, despite sharing the same genetic information, have unique fingerprints. A new technology now allows us to engrave these unique fingerprint patterns onto electronic skin, with the probability of matching an artificial fingerprint being 10²³² times lower than that of human fingerprints. A research team, led by Professor...

  🌡️ Flexible Thermoelectric Generators: Harnessing Heat with Sponge-Like Carbon Nanotube Foams 🔍 Introduction In the quest for sustainable and flexible energy solutions, researchers at the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT) have developed a novel thermoelectric generator (TEG) that combines carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with bismuth antimony telluride (Bi₀.₄₅Sb₁.₅₅Te₃ or BST) in a porous, sponge-like foam structure. This innovative design addresses the limitations of traditional thermoelectric materials, offering enhanced flexibility, durability, and efficiency. 🧪 Material Innovation Carbon Nanotube/BST Composite Foam The research team, led by Drs. Mijeong Han and Young Hun Kang, utilized a rapid solvent evaporation method to fabricate a three-dimensional CNT/BST foam. This process involves: ( DSpace at KOASAS: Highly Flexible and Durable Thermoelectric Power Generator Using CNT/PDMS Foam by Rapid Solvent Evaporation ) Molding: Filling a mold with a m...

🧠 NeuroSA: A Quantum-Powered Neuromorphic System for Solving Complex Problems 🌐 Revolutionizing Optimization with Quantum-Driven Neuromorphic Computing Imagine solving a complex problem not by following pre-programmed instructions, but by “discovering” the solution the way a brain would—only faster and more precisely. This is now possible thanks to NeuroSA , a groundbreaking neuromorphic system that leverages quantum effects to guarantee optimal solutions to highly complex optimization problems. Developed by Shantanu Chakrabartty , professor and vice dean at the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, and a team of collaborators, NeuroSA represents a major step forward in solving computational challenges in logistics, transportation, drug discovery, and beyond.  🔍 What Is NeuroSA? NeuroSA (Neuromorphic Simulated Annealing) is a novel computing architecture that mimics human brain structure (neurons and synapses) while embedding quantum tunne...

  🌱 100% Organic Solar Cells Set World Record for Efficiency Kanazawa University  April 2025 🌍 Cleaner, More Sustainable Solar Energy In a major breakthrough for sustainable renewable energy, researchers from Kanazawa University, in collaboration with REIKO Co., Ltd. and Queen’s University in Canada, have developed fully organic solar cells that double the efficiency of previous versions, reaching a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.7%. Unlike conventional silicon or perovskite-based solar cells, which contain hazardous materials such as lead and metal oxides, these new cells are composed entirely of organic carbon-based materials. This allows for safer disposal and significantly reduces environmental impact and end-of-life processing costs. ⚙️ Key Technological Innovations 1. PEDOT:PSS Transparent Electrode The research team developed a transparent electrode using the conductive polymer PEDOT:PSS, which can be fabricated at lower temperatures (80 °C) without th...

  The Best Time to Wake Up Depends on Your DNA, Says Sleep Scientist We’ve all heard it before: early to bed and early to rise makes you healthy, wealthy, and wise. But according to sleep science, the best time to wake up might not be the same for everyone—and that’s perfectly okay. Sleep expert Dr. Rebecca Robbins explains that your ideal wake-up time is largely determined by your genetics , not your discipline. Your natural rhythm is known as your chronotype , and it shapes when your body prefers to sleep and when you naturally feel alert. “Some of us are wired to thrive in the early hours of the day, while others perform better at night,” says Dr. Robbins. “We often call these people ‘larks’ and ‘owls.’ But many people fall somewhere in between.”  🧬 It's in Your Genes If you jump out of bed ready to conquer the day, you’re probably a lark. If you hit snooze ten times and only find your stride after sunset, you’re more of an owl. While neither is “better,” studies sugge...

  Ancient DNA Uncovers the Surprising Origins of the Phoenicians For centuries, the Phoenicians have been celebrated as fearless sailors, skilled traders, and creators of one of the earliest alphabets in the ancient world. Their cultural footprint stretched across the Mediterranean, from present-day Lebanon to Tunisia, Sicily, and even parts of Spain. Yet, a recent genetic study reveals a startling twist: although their cultural influence was widespread, the Phoenicians left behind little trace of their DNA outside their homeland. A team of international researchers, led by population geneticist Harald Ringbauer from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, analyzed the DNA of about 200 individuals from ancient Phoenician archaeological sites located in the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa.  Ancestry Puzzle The findings, published on April 23, 2025, in the journal Nature , challenge long-held assumptions. To the researchers’ surpris...

  China’s humanoid robot walks like human after mastering smart learning 18 hours ago Meet Adam, a cutting-edge humanoid robot with a proprietary reinforcement learning (RL) algorithm. Refined through extensive simulations and vast training data, this innovative algorithm enables Adam to master human-like locomotion. Since its initial design in June 2023, the PNDbotics team has continuously refined Adam’s key components, strengthening the legs and feet to ensure durability across diverse environments. The modular architecture of its actuators also enhances Adam’s flexibility, allowing it to adapt more effectively to dynamic and changing conditions. “We have adopted the most advanced Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) and imitation learning algorithms, providing developers easy access to NVIDIA Isaac Gym parallel DRL training environment for developing individual algorithms,” reads the PNDbotics website. Adaptive robot evolution Traditional robot control algorithms, relying on precis...