The rapidly increasing aging population will lead to a shortage of care providers in the future. While robotic technologies are a potential alternative, their widespread use is limited by poor acceptance. In a new study, researchers from Chiba University have examined a user-centric approach to understand the factors influencing user willingness among caregivers and recipients in Japan, Ireland, and Finland. Users’ perspectives can aid the development of home-care robots with better acceptance.

Nanostructured two-dimensional gold monolayers offer possibilities in catalysis, electronics, and nanotechnology.

A newly developed approach can precisely produce four-stranded β-sheets through metal–peptide coordination, report researchers from Institute of Science Tokyo. Their innovative methodology overcomes long-standing challenges in controlled β-sheet formation, including fibril aggregation and uncontrolled isomeric variation in the final product. This breakthrough could advance the study and application of β-sheets in biotechnology and nanotechnology.

Conventional lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), which use carbon-negative electrodes, are prone to catching fire due to the similar operating potentials of carbon and lithium. Recently, Wadsley–Roth phase oxides, like the TiNb₂O₇ (TNO), have received considerable attention as potential alternative negative electrode materials that have higher operating potentials than lithium, reducing the risk of fire. In this study, researchers investigated the atomic configuration and network structure of TNO, unveiling key insights for developing safer, high-performance LIBs.