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Tech & Engineering

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 23-Apr-2026 15:16 ET (23-Apr-2026 19:16 GMT/UTC)

New cryo-microscope technique reveals atomic secrets of air-sensitive materials without destroying them

Science China Press
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Many next-generation materials for solar cells, batteries, and quantum devices are so sensitive that they degrade instantly in air—and even the electron microscopes used to study them can destroy their atomic structure. Researchers at Southern University of Science and Technology have developed a complete workflow that solves both problems. By continuously protecting materials from air—from preparation through imaging—and using ultra-low electron doses combined with advanced image processing, they have achieved atomic-resolution images of materials previously considered impossible to study.

π–π interactions trap aromatics in carbon nanotubes, limiting supercritical water transport

Maximum Academic Press
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A research team reveals that the structure of organic molecules, particularly aromatic hydrocarbons, plays a decisive role in regulating how supercritical water moves under nanoscale confinement.

Gut phages harbor treasure trove of anti-CRISPR proteins with potential for genome editing

Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A study published in Cell Host & Microbe on March 18 and led by Prof. MA Yingfei from the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences uncovered a vast repertoire of Acrs from human gut phages. It identified 651 potential Acrs targeting type II CRISPR systems, which dominate the gut bacterial landscape, and discovered a novel family of structurally convergent, dual-function Acrs named GutAcr_aca.A study published in Cell Host & Microbe on March 18 and led by Prof. MA Yingfei from the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences uncovered a vast repertoire of Acrs from human gut phages. It identified 651 potential Acrs targeting type II CRISPR systems, which dominate the gut bacterial landscape, and discovered a novel family of structurally convergent, dual-function Acrs named GutAcr_aca.

Journal: Cell Host & Microbe

Microwave optimization turns sugarcane waste into high-performance porous carbon for energy and environmental applications

Maximum Academic Press
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A research team has developed and optimized a microwave-assisted pyrolysis system to convert sugarcane bagasse into high-performance biochar, revealing how pyrolysis temperature, potassium hydroxide (KOH) addition, and CO₂ flow rate interact to control pore structure, surface area, and yield.

Framework for integration of geospatial data in environmental compliance reporting

Big Earth Data
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Environmental and sustainability compliance reporting is getting increasingly dependent on geospatial data and workflows. However, understanding of the connection between new European Union (EU) regulations and existing Earth Observation (EO) and Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies is limited. A new review study highlights how close alignment of law, data, and corporate practices can ensure that the geospatial workflows are fit for purpose in environmental and sustainability compliance reporting.

Journal: Big Earth Data
Funder: National Natural Science Foundation of China, Land Salzburg

Balancing heat and flow: Machine learning reveals how nanodiamond fluids optimize thermal performance on wavy surfaces

Maximum Academic Press
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A research team has demonstrated how carbon-based diamond–water nanofluids can be strategically engineered to boost heat transfer over complex, wavy surfaces under magnetic fields, while carefully balancing the trade-off between thermal performance and flow resistance.

Leak-free thermal batteries from shell waste: Chitin aerogel locks in heat

Maximum Academic Press
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A research team has developed a sustainable, leak-free thermal energy storage material by embedding stearic acid (SA) into a carbon aerogel derived from chitin, a naturally abundant biopolymer.

Microscale “charosphere” around biochar particles cuts cadmium uptake in wheat

Maximum Academic Press
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A research team reveals that biochar does not simply dilute contaminants in soil—it creates a powerful microscale “charosphere” around each particle that actively controls heavy metal mobility.

World’s first soulmate AI semiconductor: A personalized digital soulmate developed

The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
Reports and Proceedings

While Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT are adept at answering countless questions, they often remain unaware of a user's minor habits or previous conversational contexts. This is why AI, despite being deeply integrated into our daily lives, can still feel like a "stranger." Overcoming these limitations, researchers at KAIST have developed the world’s first AI semiconductor, dubbed "SoulMate," which learns and adapts to a user’s speech style, preferences, and emotions in real-time—becoming a true "digital soulmate."

Funder: Ministry of Science and ICT, Institute of Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation