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Smart three-dimensional (3D) lightweight structures are attracting growing interest because they can change their shape automatically in response to external conditions. Structures that can self-shape, self-fold and self-unfold could have important applications in robotics, packaging, solar & space technology, drug delivery, biological devices and advanced engineering. However, making these structures has traditionally been difficult. Complex manufacturing processes, multiple materials and expensive fabrication methods have limited their practical development. Now, researchers Zhang, Zhang and Hu have demonstrated a simpler approach that uses 3D printing and controlled internal strain to turn thin, flat composite sheets into complex 3D structures. The technique could provide a faster and more affordable way to create lightweight structures that can repeatedly switch between flat and 3D forms. The Challenge of Making Smart 3D Structures Conventional lightweight structures are usu...

Miniature force and torque sensors are becoming increasingly important as robots and wearable devices become smaller, smarter, and more capable. These sensors help machines understand how much force is being applied, in which direction, and whether an object is being twisted or moved. Such information is especially valuable for delicate robotic tasks, prosthetics, exoskeletons, and medical rehabilitation. However, building a small sensor that can accurately measure forces and torque in multiple directions is not easy. Conventional six-axis sensors often depend on complicated structures made from several beams and components. They also require extensive calibration and computer-based algorithms to separate the different force and torque signals. These challenges can increase manufacturing complexity, size, cost, and the possibility of measurement errors. A research team led by Gong has introduced a different approach. Instead of assembling several mechanical components, the team develop...

The search for habitable worlds beyond our Solar System is entering an exciting new era. Thousands of exoplanets have already been discovered, and each one offers a different combination of size, atmosphere, orbit, and temperature. At the same time, increasingly powerful ground- and space-based telescopes are bringing scientists closer to the possibility of studying these distant worlds directly. One particularly interesting target is Gl 514 b , a planet orbiting an M0.5 dwarf star located about 7.62 parsecs, or roughly 25 light-years, from Earth . The planet lies within its star’s habitable zone—the region where conditions could potentially allow liquid water to exist on the surface. But being in the habitable zone does not automatically mean a planet is habitable. Climate plays a crucial role. A planet can be too cold, too hot, or covered completely by ice. For Gl 514 b, scientists are especially interested because its orbit is highly eccentric, with an eccentricity of 0.45 . This me...

Supermassive black holes (SMBHs) are some of the most powerful objects in the universe. They can be millions or even billions of times more massive than the Sun and are found at the centers of large galaxies. But an important question has puzzled scientists for years: Where does the gas that feeds these giant black holes come from? A new study by Kwak and colleagues provides an interesting answer. Using 30 detailed computer simulations of massive galaxies, the researchers followed the journeys of individual gas particles through cosmic history. Their goal was to understand where black-hole-feeding gas comes from and how its chemical composition changes before it reaches the black hole. The results show that much of this gas may actually come from stars inside the galaxy itself . Black Holes and Galaxies Grow Together Supermassive black holes do not evolve separately from their galaxies. Scientists have found strong links between the mass of a central black hole and the properties of it...

Scientists have achieved a major breakthrough in nuclear physics by directly detecting antineutrinos released from spent nuclear fuel after a nuclear reactor has been shut down. The groundbreaking measurement was made by researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics (MPIK) in Heidelberg, Germany. Using the Double Chooz detector at the Chooz nuclear power plant in northern France, the team detected around 100 antineutrino events during a 17.2-day period when both reactor units were completely offline. The result is important because it demonstrates that antineutrino detectors can continue to gather useful information even after a reactor stops producing electricity. The technique could eventually provide a new way to independently monitor nuclear reactors and spent fuel. Catching an Almost Invisible Signal Antineutrinos are extremely difficult particles to detect. They are produced during certain radioactive decay processes and interact with ordinary matter only very rare...

Smartwatches, smartphones, drones and other compact electronic devices all depend on lightweight rechargeable energy systems. But when these devices reach the end of their useful lives, their batteries and other electronic parts often become difficult-to-recycle waste. Researchers have now developed a new type of recyclable supercapacitor that could offer a more sustainable solution. The compact energy-storage device can be quickly taken apart, allowing important components to be recovered and reused. In laboratory tests, one of these components was successfully used in two new supercapacitors without losing significant performance. The research, published in ACS Energy Letters , demonstrates that high performance and sustainability can be designed into the same energy-storage technology. A More Sustainable Alternative Many rechargeable electronic devices currently rely on lithium-ion batteries. Although lithium-ion technology offers high energy density, these batteries can contain fl...

The human hand is one of nature’s most remarkable machines. It can pinch a tiny object, twist a bottle cap, hold tools, grasp objects of different sizes and perform delicate movements with impressive precision. For decades, scientists and engineers have tried to reproduce these abilities in robots by copying the complex structure of the human hand. But copying nature does not always mean copying its anatomy. A new robotic system called BioflexBot takes a different approach. Instead of recreating the bones, joints, muscles and tendons of a human hand, researchers designed a simpler machine that focuses on reproducing the hand’s most important functions. The result is a flexible robot that can perform several human-like movements while also offering greater reach and a much simpler design. The research, published in Advanced Science , could point toward a new generation of low-cost, highly capable robotic systems. A Robot Designed for Function, Not Appearance Traditional robotic hands o...