Modern communication networks must handle ever‑growing volumes of data, driven by cloud services, connected devices, and real‑time applications. At the same time, they face a critical constraint: keeping energy consumption as low as possible. Today, signal recovery and data processing rely mostly on electronic hardware—powerful, but energy‑intensive and increasingly limited by latency. 

To address these challenges, researchers in Roberto Morandotti’s laboratory at the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) have developed a new device that enables optical artificial intelligence, where data is processed using light rather than electronics, enabling high speed and low energy consumption.  

A study from Kyushu University argues that early medieval images were never truly silent. Focusing on a 12th–13th century English scroll, the research draws on predictive processing and the concept of “sound milieu” to show how visual imagery could activate imagined soundscapes in viewers' minds. The findings show that sonic details in the imagery engaged audiences through the full range of sensory experience, inviting a broader reconsideration of how medieval people encountered their world.

Researchers from Jianghan University have developed a biocompatible zinc–oxygen (Zn–O₂) battery that operates stably inside the body, addressing corrosion and biosafety issues that limit traditional implantable power sources. The device uses a composite gel electrolyte to resist oxygen and moisture infiltration while maintaining excellent biocompatibility. When implanted in rats, it delivered stable voltage output sufficient to power biosensors. This work offers a safe and durable energy platform for future implantable medical devices and bioelectronic therapies.