Researchers developed COIN, a collaborative and interaction-aware reinforcement learning framework for multi-agent autonomous driving. COIN enables vehicles to learn both individual navigation and system-level cooperation, improving safety and efficiency in dense scenarios such as intersections, roundabouts, and bottlenecks. The framework was evaluated in simulation and further validated on a hybrid robotic platform.

A PPPL researcher has developed a faster way of finding the best diamond-based materials for quantum computers. The new approach treats qubits, the basic units of information in quantum computers and the key components of quantum sensors, as isolated molecules. It has already identified promising materials for practical quantum devices. The new research also shows that qubits can be understood through chemistry, enabling scientists to design and build qubits the way a chemist designs custom molecules for a new medication.

Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI have been examining the cladding tubes of nuclear reactor fuel rods using a new 3D imaging technique. They were able to determine with extremely high precision how the quality of the cladding changes over time as a result of corrosion and radiation exposure. The oxide layer on the tubes proved to retain its density even after years in operation. The new method allows this to be checked in great detail.

A new study led by researchers at the University of Oulu sheds light on a poorly understood part of space weather: where powerful waves form at the edge of Earth’s magnetic shield, and where the solar wind can find a way through.

A new report from research technology company Digital Science raises questions about whether current U.S. federal research security policies adequately account for visiting scholars and other short-term researchers.

Scientists at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) have developed a “light-powered brain” that can recognise hidden information in complex patterns of light, potentially paving the way for faster communications systems.

As demand for rechargeable batteries grows across electric transportation, grid-scale energy storage and consumer electronics, the search for electrode materials that combine high performance with lower environmental impact has become increasingly important. In a review published in the Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts, researchers assess the potential of biomass-derived carbon produced from agricultural residues, forestry by-products and other renewable resources. The article compares thermochemical and emerging conversion routes, summarizes reported performance across lithium-, sodium- and potassium-based batteries, and considers techno-economic assessment, life-cycle impacts and technology readiness. The review identifies biomass-derived carbon as a promising materials platform, while emphasizing that feedstock variability, electrode performance limitations and scalable manufacturing must be addressed before broader deployment.

A mini-review published in the Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts explores teak-derived quinones as potential redox-active additives for alkaline pulping. Anthraquinone has long been used to promote lignin removal while helping preserve carbohydrates, but safety concerns have encouraged the search for alternatives. By examining studies published between 1972 and 2026, the review compares synthetic anthraquinone derivatives, teak wood extracts and individual compounds such as 2-methylanthraquinone, deoxylapachol and lapachol. The findings suggest that some teak-derived materials can improve delignification, retain carbohydrates or reduce alkali requirements under specific cooking conditions. Nevertheless, differences in extract composition, limited toxicological evidence and the lack of comprehensive process-level assessments remain important barriers to wider application.