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For centuries, scientists have studied crystals because of their beautiful and organized structures. From diamonds to salt, ordinary crystals are defined by atoms arranged in repeating patterns across space. But what if a crystal could repeat not only in space, but also in time? This strange idea led physicists to discover one of the most fascinating concepts in modern science — time crystals . Now, a team of researchers from Hiroshima University, University of Colorado Boulder, and other international collaborators has achieved a major breakthrough. They have demonstrated that space-time crystals can be created using common liquid-crystal materials at room temperature , opening a new path toward practical technologies. Unlike traditional crystals, time crystals do not simply have a repeating arrangement of particles in space. Instead, their structure changes and returns to the same state at regular intervals, creating a repeating pattern in time. Imagine a system that continues its r...

Neutron stars are among the most extreme and mysterious objects in the universe. They are the leftover cores of massive stars that exploded in powerful supernova events. Although they are only about the size of a city, they contain more mass than our Sun. Because of their incredible density, the matter inside neutron stars behaves in ways that are completely different from normal matter on Earth. One of the most interesting parts of a neutron star is its outer crust. Deep inside this crust, atomic nuclei are packed together in a highly organized structure called a Coulomb crystal . These crystals are made of positively charged nuclei surrounded by electrons. The balance between electrical forces holds these nuclei together, creating a solid-like structure under extreme conditions. A team of researchers led by Xia studied how powerful magnetic fields affect these unusual crystals. Their goal was to understand how the strongest magnetic fields in the universe can change the shape, streng...

A visit to the dentist for a damaged tooth can often turn into a long process involving multiple appointments, temporary solutions, and waiting periods. However, a new breakthrough in medical robotics could change the way dental treatments are performed. Researchers at the University of Basel have developed a miniature dental robot that may one day prepare teeth for crowns automatically, making dental procedures faster, more precise, and more convenient for patients. The small robotic system, known as MIR (Miniature Intraoral Robot) , is designed to fit inside a patient’s mouth and assist dentists in preparing teeth according to a digital treatment plan. Although still in the research stage, this technology could reduce the number of visits required for crown treatments and improve accuracy compared with traditional methods. The Challenge of Traditional Crown Treatment When a tooth has severe decay or damage, a dental crown is often needed to restore its shape, strength, and function. ...

Every year, millions of tons of plastic waste end up polluting oceans, rivers, and landfills, creating one of the biggest environmental challenges on Earth. At the same time, the world is searching for cleaner sources of energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Now, scientists have developed a technology that could tackle both problems at once — by using sunlight to transform plastic waste into clean hydrogen fuel. Researchers from the University of Cambridge have demonstrated a solar-powered system that can convert everyday plastic waste, including drink bottles, into hydrogen fuel and valuable industrial chemicals. While earlier versions of this technology worked only in laboratory conditions, the team has now successfully tested a larger version outdoors under natural sunlight, showing a realistic path toward future commercial use. The breakthrough, published in the journal Nature Chemical Engineering , represents an important step toward creating sustainable fuel while reducing...

Imagine a robot that can feel the pressure of a human touch, a wearable device that can monitor the body like a second layer of skin, or artificial limbs that can sense their surroundings just like humans do. This future is becoming closer as researchers develop advanced electronic skin technology that can bring human-like sensing abilities to machines. A team of Korean researchers has achieved a major breakthrough in flexible electronic skin technology by creating a new fabrication method that can produce large-area sensors directly where they are needed. The innovation could accelerate the commercialization of electronic skin for applications ranging from intelligent robots and wearable devices to healthcare systems and human-machine interaction technologies. The research was conducted by the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) in collaboration with Professor Ahn Jun Seong’s research team from the Department of Control and Instrumentation Engineering at Korea...

 For decades, designing advanced robots has been a challenge limited mostly to experienced engineers and researchers. Building a robot with legs, arms, or other moving parts requires deep knowledge of mechanics, electronics, programming, and manufacturing. Even a small mistake in the design process can make a robot unstable, inefficient, or impossible to build. But a new approach powered by artificial intelligence is changing the way robots are created. Researchers have developed a system that allows even non-experts to design personalized limbed robots using simple inputs like text descriptions or images. Instead of spending months designing every component manually, users can now generate robot designs within minutes to a few hours. The new framework , called Decomposition-Optimization-Assembling (DOA) , combines generative AI, engineering optimization, and modern 3D printing technology to automatically create functional robot designs. Turning Ideas Into Real Robots Imagine descr...

Beneath the surface of Earth’s oceans, rivers, and lakes lies a hidden world filled with incredible ecosystems, ancient shipwrecks, and unknown discoveries. Scientists and explorers have always searched for better ways to study these underwater environments, but traditional underwater robots often face a major challenge: they are powerful, but not gentle enough for delicate spaces. Coral reefs, underwater caves, and marine habitats are extremely fragile. A small collision from a heavy robotic vehicle can damage living organisms that may take decades or even centuries to recover. To explore these environments safely, researchers are developing a new generation of underwater robots that can move with flexibility, precision, and minimal disturbance. One such breakthrough is DRAGON 3D (Deformable Robot for Agile Guided Observation and Navigation in Three-Dimensions) — a soft, flexible underwater robot designed to move through complex underwater spaces while interacting safely with the en...