Computer America

Show Notes 23 January 2026 Story 1: MIT just made aluminum 5x stronger with 3D printing - it is stronger, lighter, and tough enough to reshape the future of flight Source: ScienceDaily Based on MIT news announcement Link: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251226045316.htm See also: https://news.mit.edu/2025/printable-aluminum-alloy-sets-strength-records-may-enable-lighter-aircraft-parts-1007 Story 2: New 'physics shortcut' lets laptops tackle quantum problems once reserved for supercomputers and AI Source: LiveScience.com Story by Owen Hughes Link: https://www.livescience.com/technology/computing/new-physics-shortcut-lets-laptops-tackle-quantum-problems-once-reserved-for-supercomputers-and-ai Story 3: Hyperloop shock: China’s maglev hits 435 mph in 2 seconds, sets world record Source: Interesting Engineering Story by Sujita Sinha Link: https://interestingengineering.com/transportation/china-maglev-hits-435-mph-in-2-seconds Honorable Mentions Story: This 3D-printed, carbon-absorbing bridge is inspired by bones Source: CNN Story by Rebecca Calms Link: https://www.cnn.com/science/diamanti-3d-printed-concrete-sustainable-bridge-hnk-spc-intl Story: New drug stalls Alzheimer's development in breakthrough trial Source: ScienceAlert.com Story by David Nield Link: https://www.sciencealert.com/new-drug-stalls-alzheimers-development-in-breakthrough-trial Story: Scientists build a quantum computer that can repair itself using recycled atoms Source: Phys.org Story by Robert Egan Link: https://phys.org/news/2025-12-scientists-quantum-recycled-atoms.html Story: New Image Sensor Breaks Optical Limits – My subhead: a lens‑free system that achieves sub‑micron, 3D resolution across a wide field of view, something previously considered impossible with optical wavelengths Source: University of Connecticut Story by Sarah Redmond Link: https://today.uconn.edu/2025/12/new-image-sensor-breaks-optical-limits/

Show Notes 16 January 2026 Very Low Earth Orbit Satellites Could be the Next Frontier in Satellite Technology Source: ExtremeTech.com Link: https://www.extremetech.com/aerospace/very-low-earth-orbit-satellites-could-be-the-next-frontier-in-satellite NASA, Boeing Test How to Improve Performance of Longer, Narrower Aircraft Wings Source: NASA Link: https://www.nasa.gov/aeronautics/nasa-boeing-test-aircraft-wings/ See video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJNJfrkge9o These Laser Beams Could Power Military Drones 5,000 Feet in the Air Source: Gizmodo.com Link: https://gizmodo.com/these-laser-beams-could-power-military-drones-5000-feet-in-the-air-2000702020 See video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJNJfrkge9o Robots Smaller Than Salt Grains Can Now Think for Themselves Source: ScienceBlog.com Link: https://scienceblog.com/robots-smaller-than-salt-grains-can-now-think-for-themselves/ Honorable Mentions New 3D chips could make electronics faster and more energy-efficient Source: MIT News Link: https://news.mit.edu/2025/new-3d-chips-could-make-electronics-faster-and-more-energy-efficient-0618 Robot achieves 0.053 mm micro-precision in the world’s first robotic cataract surgery Source: Interesting Engineering Link: https://interestingengineering.com/health/ucla-robotic-cataract-surgery-breakthrough This Soft Robot Is 100% Edible, Including the Battery - It’s designed to feed medication to wild boars, but you can eat it too Source: IEEE Spectrum Link: https://spectrum.ieee.org/soft-edible-robot Research shows how coffee waste could be used to clean contaminated water Source: TechXplore.com Link: https://techxplore.com/news/2025-12-coffee-contaminated.html

Calcopia.com. Nathan Evans, Managing Editor. Herman Exum, Tech Reporter.Calcopia is your place for unique and interesting analyses on the best of gaming, movies, tech, books, a regularly updated Podcast, and original content you won’t find anywhere else. 100 percent independent and agenda-free, our diverse editorial staff is committed to keeping things interesting and always entertaining. A veritable cornucopia of editorial excellence, if you will.Topics:Samsung Unveils World’s First 130-Inch Micro RGB TV Featuring Next-Generation Color and Bold New Design – Samsung Global Newsroom CES – The Most Powerful Tech Event in the World Samsung Family Hub™️ | Samsung US | Samsung USA Introducing Galaxy Z TriFold: The Shape of What’s Next in Mobile Innovation LG CES 2026 | LG Global Luna Band: Displayless health tracker without subscription, with voice | heise online ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDP | 27 to 31.5 Inches | Gaming Monitors｜ROG – Republic of Gamers｜ROG USA Roborock Saros 10R Robot Vacuum – Google Search Lepro AMI – Lepro US The ROG XREAL R1 gaming glasses let you game anywhere on a 171-inch 240Hz virtual screen IXI – The world’s first autofocus eyewear Vision Care at the Speed of Sight – Eyebot Project AVA: 3D Hologram AI Desk Companion | Razer United States RayNeo AR Smart Glasses | Official Olympic Partner Clicks Communicator: the ultimate communication companion LEGO® SMART Play™ System | Official LEGO® Shop US C-200 Ultrasonic 8″ Chef’s Knife – Seattle Ultrasonics ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition | Premium 14 inch AI PC for business | 21NSCTO1WWUS2 | Lenovo US Feeder Vista – Birdfy LG Electronics Presents LG ClOiD Home Robot To Demonstrate “Zero Labor Home” at CES 2026 Throne Science

Main Stories Story 1: The perfect polymer? Plant-based plastic is fully saltwater degradable and leaves behind zero microplastics Source: Phys.org Link: https://phys.org/news/2025-12-polymer-based-plastic-fully-saltwater.html Story 2: First highway segment in U.S. wirelessly charges electric heavy-duty truck while driving Source: Purdue University Link: https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/2025/Q4/first-highway-segment-in-u-s-wirelessly-charges-electric-heavy-duty-truck-while-driving/ Story 3: An iron-on electronic circuit to create wearable tech Source: American Chemical Society press release Link: https://www.acs.org/pressroom/presspacs/2025/december/an-iron-on-electronic-circuit-to-create-wearable-tech.html Story 4: CES News: Headset for the blind uses AI and haptics to guide the user. Source: A company called .lumen Links: https://www.dotlumen.com/glasses, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0H6D01duRc Honorable Mentions Story: New Algorithm Dramatically Speeds Up Stroke Detection Scans Source: NYU Tandon School of Engineering Link: https://engineering.nyu.edu/news/new-algorithm-dramatically-speeds-stroke-detection-scans Story: New materials yank ‘forever chemicals’ from water Source: ScienceNewsExplores.org Link: https://www.snexplores.org/article/mof-filter-pfas-forever-chemicals-water Story: World’s smallest AI supercomputer can fit in your pocket, run without server or GPUs Source: Interesting Engineering Links: https://interestingengineering.com/ai-robotics/us-world-smallest-ai-supercomputer, https://tiiny.ai/, https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/commercial/2025/12/worlds-smallest-mini-pc-thats-about-the-size-of-a-smartphone-unveiled Story: Strengthening asphalt roads with a unique green ingredient: Algae Source: EurekAlert!.org Links: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1109918, https://hexaconstruction.media/article/34059-algae-based-asphalt-shrugs-off-freezing-temperatures-and-reduces-carbon-output Story: Scientists discover 'magical' material that's stronger than steel and lighter than aluminum — and its potential is dizzying Source: The Cool Down on MSN Link: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/scientists-discover-magical-material-that-s-stronger-than-steel-and-lighter-than-aluminum-and-its-potential-is-dizzying/ar-AA1RyiNJ

Show Notes for Computer America Story 1: Real-world helper exoskeletons come closer to reality with AI traininghttps://techxplore.com/news/2025-11-real-world-helper-exoskeletons-closer.htmlhttps://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scirobotics.ads8652Story 2: New Augmented Reality Tech Can Turn Any Surface into Keyboardhttps://news.utdallas.edu/science-technology/augmented-reality-tech-keyboard-2025/Story 3: Supercomputer Creates One of the Most Realistic Virtual Brains Ever Seenhttps://www.sciencealert.com/supercomputer-creates-one-of-the-most-realistic-virtual-brains-ever-seenhttps://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1531823138015033https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5Xcx0dDwGQStory 4: Scientists Discover a Way to 'Recharge' Aging Human Cellshttps://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-discover-a-way-to-recharge-aging-human-cellshttps://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2505237122https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHbSqcemBW8Honorable Mentions Story: CES product announcement: world’s first sonic toothbrush equipped with SmartNose, an integrated connected sensor designed to analyze breath biomarkers in real timehttps://tryautobrush.com/Story: AI trained on bacterial genomes produces never-before-seen proteinshttps://arstechnica.com/science/2025/11/generative-ai-meets-the-genome/https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09749-7Story: Department of Energy, PNNL Partner to Power the Nation’s Bioeconomyhttps://www.pnnl.gov/news-media/department-energy-pnnl-partner-power-nations-bioeconomyStory: Astro Mechanica teams with UK SME Helix to build hybrid-electric engines for the next generation of supersonic aircrafthttps://aerospaceglobalnews.com/news/astro-mechanica-helix-supersonic-engines-electric-motors/

Calcopia. Nathan Evans, Managing Editor. Calcopia is your place for unique and interesting analyses on the best of gaming, movies, tech, books, a regularly updated Podcast, and original content you won’t find anywhere else. 100 percent independent and agenda-free, our diverse editorial staff is committed to keeping things interesting and always entertaining. A veritable cornucopia of editorial excellence, if you will. Topics: https://www.engadget.com/transportation/waymo-vehicles-are-operating-again-in-san-francisco-following-a-power-outage-112924838.html https://mashable.com/article/clair-obscur-expedition-33-indie-game-awards-revoked-ai https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/larry-ellison-gives-404-billion-guarantee-paramount-bid-warner-bros-2025-12-22 https://www.androidauthority.com/spotify-annas-archive-3627023

Show Notes: 19 December 2025Stories of the Day 1. New wearable device lets you touch fabric online, read braille, and more - VoxeLite can help you literally feel websites.Popular Science ArticleResearch Paper2. Birch Leaves and Peanuts Transformed into Cutting-Edge Laser TechnologyBioengineer.org ArticleOptics.org ArticleResearch Paper3. What you need to know about Amazon’s new Starlink rivalIndependent.co.uk ArticleAbout Amazon AnnouncementAmazon Leo Website4. MIT's injectable brain chips could treat disease without surgeryNewAtlas.com ArticleSpin-off Company WebsiteVideoHonorable MentionsLiveScience.com ArticleNational Geographic ArticleOregon State University ArticleSpaceConnect.com.au Article

Show Notes Featured Storieshttps://electrek.co/2025/11/20/hyundai-cut-ev-charging-time-3-minutes/https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251023031612.htmhttps://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.134.180401https://spectrum.ieee.org/smart-bandage-ai-electrical-stimulationHonorable Mentionshttps://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/focused-ultrasound-passes-first-test-treatment-brain-cancer-childrenhttps://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scitranslmed.adq6645https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/research-team-develops-game-changing-material-that-could-transform-future-buildings-challenges-the-idea/ar-AA1QXvLghttps://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/evolution/science-history-experiment-shows-mutations-arise-spontaneously-supporting-pillar-of-darwinian-evolution-nov-20-194https://www.sciencealert.com/breakthrough-helps-scientists-grow-more-realistic-human-brain-modelshttps://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adfm.202509452https://www.slashgear.com/2009844/mit-one-step-closer-building-sized-concrete-batteries/https://news.mit.edu/2025/concrete-battery-now-packs-ten-times-power-1001

Show Notes: 5 December 2025 Story 1: Startup develops incredible tech to pull water from unexpected source: 'This is just the beginning of what's possible'LinkSee alsoSee alsoVideo hereStory 2: PowerLattice attracts investment from ex-Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger for its power-saving chipletLinkSee alsoStory 3: Space-based US solar firm breaks world record for beaming wireless electricityLinkSee alsoStory 4: Artificial cartilage mimics natural flexibility with adjustable structureLinkSee research paper hereHonorable Mentions Story: Russian airline introduces a humanoid robot cabin crew on flightsLinkSee video hereStory: A New Generation? Could Rolls-Royce’s Hydrogen Engine Concept Redefine Jet Power?LinkStory: Scientists Just Unveiled a Lunar Robot So Smart It Might Replace AstronautsLinkStory: The 19 best Christmas gifts for science lovers (and nerds)Link

Story 1 Title: 3D Solar towers boost electricity production by around 50% Source: New Atlas Links: Solar Towers ElectricityJanta Power Closes $5.5 Million Seed Round to Power the Future of Clean EnergyStory 2 Title: European Space Agency to Trial Growing Protein Powder in Space Using Astronaut Urine Source: ExtremeTech.com Links: ESA to Trial Growing Protein Powder in Space Using Astronaut UrineEurope wants to make space food out of thin air and astronaut peeStory 3 Title: This Sunflower-Based Protein Could Be the Future of Vegan Meat Alternatives Source: SciTechDaily.com Link: Sunflower-Based Protein for Vegan Meat AlternativesStory 4 Title: Discovery of key to joint regeneration could help regrow lost limbs Source: MedicalXpress.com Link: Joint Regeneration Key DiscoveryHonorable Mentions Story: US scientists make alloys tough enough to withstand nuclear fusion’s Sun-like heat Source: Interesting Engineering Link: New Alloys for Fusion Reactors Story: Scientists Are Literally Growing Metal Source: Popular Mechanics via MSN Links: Scientists Are Literally Growing MetalResearch PaperStory: Floating device turns raindrops into electricity Source: ScienceDaily.com Link: Floating Device Turns Raindrops into Electricity Story: 12 Times the Speed of Sound? A Look at The World’s 1st Hypersonic Jet Powered By Hydrogen Fuel Source: SimplyFlying.com Links: World’s 1st Hypersonic Jet Hydrogen FuelHypersonix Company Website

Show Notes Story 1: Computing and AILiveScience ArticleResearch PaperCornell Chronicle PostingStory 2: Sustainable MaterialsTechXplore ArticleResearch PaperStory 3: Next-Gen ArmorPopular Mechanics ArticleResearch PaperNew Scientist ArticleStory 4: Medical TechMIT News ArticleHonorable MentionsPhys.org ArticleColumbia Engineering Article3Dprinting.com ArticleTechXplore Article

Show Notes: 14 November 2025 Main Stories Story 1: Wireless Charging RoadsWireless Charging Highway PowerElectreonFirst Highway Charges Cars as They DriveStory 2: Tank-Killer RobotMeet FireAnt: US firm unveils mini ‘tank-killer’ robot built to hunt heavy armorSwarmbotics AIStory 3: Airborne 5G/6G NetworkBeyond 5GSkydweller Aero and Nokia Federal Solutions Secure US Navy Contract to Develop Airborne Beyond 5G Tactical NetworkSkydweller AeroIntelligent Radio Access Network for Beyond 5G Resilient Tactical NetworksStory 4: Universal KidneyBreakthrough: Scientists Create 'Universal' Kidney to Match Any Blood TypeUniversal Kidney ResearchHonorable Mentions Story: Regrowing Tooth EnamelDentists Could Soon 'Regrow' Your Tooth Enamel with a Simple GelEnamel Regrowth ResearchStory: Slashing Household Energy UseStartup unveils incredible tech that could slash household energy useStory: Printing Solar CellsPrinting Solar Cells Like NewspaperStory: Fire-Fighting RobotThis First-Year Student Invented a Fire-Fighting Robot

Bonus Fun Virtual Experiencehttps://artsandculture.google.com/project/route-66Main StoriesNeural organics lead to lower energy costs, faster calculation speedshttps://news.osu.edu/powered-by-mushrooms-living-computers-are-on-the-rise/https://bioengineer.org/mushroom-powered-technology-the-emergence-of-living-computers/https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0328965https://www.equipmentworld.com/technology/article/15768565/kubota-worlds-first-hydrogen-selfdriving-tractor-unveiledhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzIBOK_fkfUhttps://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2025/10/eye-prosthesis.htmlhttps://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa2501396It only took two hours for a visible differencehttps://www.zmescience.com/science/neurology-science/scientists-reverse-alzheimers-in-mice-with-a-single-injection/https://www.nature.com/articles/s41392-025-02426-1Honorable Mentionshttps://www.hydrogenfuelnews.com/hydrogen-production-takes-flight-at-hamburg-airport-with-new-infrastructure-roadmap/8573558/https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/smart-elastomer-muscles-give-soft-robotics-record-2000x-lifting-capability/ar-AA1P4fo5?ocid=BingNewsVerpthey're expected to last longer and charge fasterhttps://www.livescience.com/technology/electric-vehicles/toyota-to-launch-worlds-first-ev-with-a-solid-state-battery-by-2027-theyre-expected-to-last-longer-and-charge-fasterhttps://global.toyota/en/newsroom/corporate/43380876.htmlhttps://www.recycling-magazine.com/2024/05/21/ai-identifies-batteries-in-the-waste-stream/https://lionvision.co.uk/

Show Notes 24 October 2025 Story 1: 3D-Printer Prints Living Tissue Inside Human Bodyhttps://www.electronicsforu.com/news/3d-printer-prints-living-tissue-inside-human-bodyMiniature 3D-printed objects inside the bodyhttps://3dprintingindustry.com/news/stuttgart-research-advances-in-body-3d-printing-with-new-e1-8m-grant-245344/Story 2: Breakthrough Brain Implant from NYU Abu Dhabi Enables Safer, More Precise Drug Deliveryhttps://nyuad.nyu.edu/en/news/latest-news/science-and-technology/2025/october/nyuad-researchers-spiral-brain-implant.htmlhttps://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1741-2552/ae0523Story 3: Tiny living robots made from human cells could one day deliver medicinehttps://knowridge.com/2025/09/tiny-living-robots-made-from-human-cells-could-one-day-deliver-medicine/https://www.technologynetworks.com/biopharma/news/biobots-made-from-human-lung-cells-may-enable-more-targeted-drug-delivery-405224Story 4: Smart shoe insert could improve mobility for people with walking problemshttps://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-smart-insert-mobility-people-problems.htmlHonorable Mentions Story: Engineers Create Soft Robots That Can Literally Walk on Waterhttps://scitechdaily.com/engineers-create-soft-robots-that-can-literally-walk-on-water/Story: First drug treatment for sleep apnea may be within reachhttps://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-10-drug-treatment-apnea.htmlStory: Bricklaying robot stacks 360 blocks an hour to speed up homebuildinghttps://electronics360.globalspec.com/article/22916/bricklaying-robot-stacks-360-blocks-an-hour-to-speed-up-homebuildinghttps://www.fbr.com.au/view/hadrianhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMIDJB3Pd-MStory: Tumbleweed rover tests demonstrate transformative technology for low-cost Mars explorationhttps://phys.org/news/2025-09-tumbleweed-rover-technology-mars-exploration.htmlhttps://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EPSC-DPS2025/EPSC-DPS2025-1775.html

Story 1: Tiny lab-grown brains could help build the next generation of computers - Biocomputing has left the realm of science fiction and entered the laboratoryTiny lab-grown brains could help build the next generation of computersLab-grown brains: The future of computing?FinalSparkStory 2: US firm’s new EV battery design could add 50% more range, targets 1,000 milesUS firm’s new EV battery design could add 50% more range, targets 1,000 miles24M Unlocks New U.S. Battery Manufacturing Opportunities with Groundbreaking Energy-Dense 24M ETOP® Electrode-to-Pack TechnologyStory 3: Can glass replace bone? Scientists 3D print bio-glass that mimics skeletal strengthCan glass replace bone? Scientists 3D print bio-glass that mimics skeletal strengthStory 4: Study Reveals Brain System That Repairs Your Body While You SleepStudy Reveals Brain System That Repairs Your Body While You SleepGrowth Hormone–Releasing Hormone Neurons in the Arcuate Nucleus Govern Sleep-Dependent Body RepairHonorable MentionsStory: “One Molecule Defies Physics”: Cambridge Scientists Unveil P3TTM Solar Breakthrough with Near-Perfect Efficiency, Threatening Conventional Energy Industry Order“One Molecule Defies Physics”: Cambridge Scientists Unveil P3TTM Solar Breakthrough with Near-Perfect Efficiency, Threatening Conventional Energy Industry OrderNear-perfect exciton harvesting in a Mott-Hubbard organic semiconductorStory: Microbes Unlock Copper as AI Demand SoarsMicrobes Unlock Copper as AI Demand SoarsStory: Scientists develop incredible leaf-inspired material that could replace plastic: 'Very strong'Scientists develop incredible leaf-inspired material that could replace plastic: 'Very strong'A layered, ecological, advanced, and multi-functional film (LEAFF) as a sustainable plastic alternativeStory: Scientists crack the mystery of hidden atomic order inside microchips for the first time - Using advanced microscopy and AI, scientists revealed short-range atomic order that changes how semiconductors conduct electricityScientists crack the mystery of hidden atomic order inside microchips for the first time

https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/artificial-plant-cleans-radioactive-soilhttps://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1099362https://www.asiaresearchnews.com/content/purifying-radioactive-soil-sunlight-alone-dgist-successfully-developed-%E2%80%9Cartificial-plant%E2%80%9Dhttps://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.5c03657https://www.engadget.com/ai/microsoft-claims-a-breakthrough-in-ai-chip-cooling-193106705.htmlhttps://news.microsoft.com/source/features/innovation/microfluidics-liquid-cooling-ai-chips/?msockid=3234617e11b66d9c06b0770c100c6c8dhttps://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/battery-made-from-natural-materials-could-replace-conventional-lithium-ion-batteries/ar-AA1Ne9Kthttps://stories.tamu.edu/news/2025/09/24/battery-made-from-natural-materials-could-replace-conventional-lithium-ion-batteries/https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2509325122https://www.fau.edu/engineering/biomedical/news/2509-ai-spine-modeling-back-pain/https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1878875025005923https://www.livescience.com/technology/scientific-breakthrough-leads-to-fluorescent-biological-qubit-it-could-mean-turning-your-cells-into-quantum-sensorshttps://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-worsening-knee-osteoarthritis-ai.htmlhttps://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/laser-blastedebayack-metal-could-make-solar-technology-15-times-more-efficient/ar-AA1LaV4Bhttps://insideevs.com/news/771520/rimac-solid-state-battery-specs/

Show Notes 3 October 2025 Story 1: Some Layers of Your Brain Actually Get Stronger as You Age https://www.sciencealert.com/some-layers-of-your-brain-actually-get-stronger-as-you-agehttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-025-02013-1Story 2: Engineers harness light to help heart cells beat stronger and healthier https://knowridge.com/2025/09/engineers-harness-light-to-help-heart-cells-beat-stronger-and-healthier/https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2509467122Story 3: UCSB-designed soft robot intubation device could save lives https://news.ucsb.edu/2025/022019/ucsb-designed-soft-robot-intubation-device-could-save-liveshttps://doi.org/10.1126/scitranslmed.ads7681Story 4: Wi-Fi sleep monitoring method offers a non-intrusive, accurate alternative to more cumbersome techniques https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/wi-fi-sleep-monitoring-method-offers-a-non-intrusive-accurate-alternative-to-more-cumbersome-techniques/ar-AA1Mn7tvhttps://www.inderscience.com/info/inarticle.php?artid=148201Honorable Mentions https://phys.org/news/2025-09-catalyst-plastic-recycling-reality.htmlhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41557-025-01892-yhttps://www.zmescience.com/ecology/renewable-energy-ecology/a-new-solar-panel-shield-made-from-onion-peels-outlasted-industry-plastics-in-tests/https://www.news.iastate.edu/news/bio-oil-made-corn-stalks-wood-debris-could-plug-orphaned-fossil-fuel-wellshttps://www.realclearscience.com/2025/08/11/biochar_yields_a_triple_win_for_cotton_1127969.html

Show Notes 26 September 2025 Story 1: No sorting needed: Plasma torch shows promise for hassle-free plastic recycling Source: TechXplore.com Link: https://techxplore.com/news/2025-09-plasma-torch-hassle-free-plastic.html Story 2: MIT spinoff achieves major milestone in pursuit of limitless energy beneath our feet: 'Could fundamentally change how we power our world' Source: The Cool Down via MSN.com Link: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/mit-spinoff-achieves-major-milestone-in-pursuit-of-limitless-energy-beneath-our-feet-could-fundamentally-change-how-we-power-our-world/ar-AA1KOf5n Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYHcCsFlD2Q See also: https://www.quaise.com/ Story 3: Scientists build micromotors smaller than a human hair - Tiny light-powered gears could revolutionize medicine by powering machines the size of human cells. Source: ScienceDaily.com Link: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250918025025.htm Research paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-62869-6 Story 4: New Ultrasound Helmet Reaches Deep Inside the Brain Without Surgery Source: ScienceAlert.com Link: https://www.sciencealert.com/new-ultrasound-helmet-reaches-deep-inside-the-brain-without-surgery Research paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-63020-1 Honorable Mentions Story: NASA Is Testing a Nuclear Battery That Could Last 433 Years Source: Popular Mechanics Link: https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a65964293/nuclear-battery-433-years/ Story: China’s transparent coating to turn ordinary windows into solar power generators Source: Interesting Engineering Link: https://interestingengineering.com/energy/colorless-coating-turn-windows-into-solar-panels Story: Scientists Pitch Bold Plan to Turn Nuclear Waste Into Nuclear Fuel - Tapping into discarded nuclear waste could help generate a self-sufficient source of a key ingredient for nuclear fusion, a new plan proposes. Source: Gizmodo Link: https://gizmodo.com/scientists-pitch-bold-plan-to-turn-nuclear-waste-into-nuclear-fuel-2000643875 Story: Scientists Made ‘Jelly Ice’ That Never Melts. It’s Edible, Compostable and Reusable Source: ZME Science Link: https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/scientists-made-jelly-ice-that-never-melts-its-edible-compostable-and-reusable/

Show Notes 19 September 2025 Story 1: Researchers building RoboBalls to explore other planets Source: The Purdue Exponent, a student-run newspaper serving the Purdue community in West Lafayette, Indiana Story by Dean Murrayhttps://www.purdueexponent.org/news/national/researchers-building-roboballs-to-explore-other-planets/article_2c06a5ae-3b24-5834-bfc8-9f7df72e299c.htmlhttps://rad.engr.tamu.edu/roboball-i/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKRN0EEJ5VEhttps://www.facebook.com/reel/637417789106125https://www.msn.com/en-gb/video/news/researchers-working-on-swarm-of-roboballs-to-send-to-other-planets/vi-AA1LSgsN?t=72Story 2: This paint sweats to cool off buildings. No energy required. Source: Anthropocene Magazinehttps://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2025/06/new-paint-sweats-to-cool-off-buildings/https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adt3372https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/lifestyle-buzz/researchers-develop-extraordinary-paint-that-can-sweat-to-keep-buildings-cool-a-practical-and-long-term-solution/ar-AA1L7zL9Story 3: Biochar from Human Waste Offers a Circular Solution to Fertilizer Shortages - Excrement contains nutrients needed for crop growth and a new source of them could cut farming’s huge CO2 output Source: The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/aug/11/biochar-from-human-waste-could-solve-global-fertiliser-shortages-study-findshttps://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.2503668122https://biochartoday.com/news/biochar-from-human-waste-offers-a-circular-solution-to-fertilizer-shortages/Story 4: WiFi signals can measure heart rate — no wearables needed Source: University of California, Santa Cruzhttps://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/wifi-signals-can-measure-heart-rate-no-wearables-neededhttps://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/11096342Honorable Mentions Story: California’s first solar-covered canal is now fully online Source: Canary Media [Clean energy journalism for a cooler tomorrow] Story by Maria Galluccihttps://www.canarymedia.com/articles/solar/california-first-canal-array-project-nexusStory: 3D-printed electronics can dissolve in water for quick recycling Source: NewScientist.com Story by Jeremy Hsuhttps://www.newscientist.com/article/2493756-3d-printed-electronics-can-dissolve-in-water-for-quick-recycling/Story: Ice-cooled buildings could ease strain on power grid Source: TechXplore.com Story by Lesley Hentonhttps://techxplore.com/news/2025-08-ice-cooled-ease-strain-power.htmlStory: Novel backpack enhances stability for people with ataxia Source: MedicalXpress.com Story from Radboud Universityhttps://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-backpack-stability-people-ataxia.html

Show Notes: Story 1: Map of 600,000 brain cells rewrites the textbook on how the brain makes decisions Source: LiveScience.com Link: https://www.livescience.com/health/neuroscience/map-of-600-000-brain-cells-rewrites-the-textbook-on-how-the-brain-makes-decisions Story 2: Super solar cells withstand 10,000 bends, retain over 85% output after 2,800 hours Source: InterestingEngineering.com via MSN Link: https://www.msn.com/en-us/technology/renewable-energy/super-solar-cells-withstand-10-000-bends-retain-over-85-output-after-2-800-hours/ar-AA1JEC2z Story 3: Soft skin, sharp senses: New robotic 'touch' sees danger before it hits Source: TechExplore.com Link: https://techxplore.com/news/2025-08-soft-skin-sharp-robotic-danger.html Research Paper: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11097357 Story 4: Soft wearable robot jacket responds to movements, supports upper-limb impairments Source: InterestingEngineering.com Link: https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/us-engineers-robot-worn-like-jackets Research Paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-62538-8 Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFHTyUrAaz0&t=12s Honorable Mentions: Story: Some People Are Immune to All Viruses. Scientists Now Want to Replicate This Ability for a Universal Antiviral Source: ZME Science Link: https://www.zmescience.com/medicine/universal-antiviral/ Story: Generative AI designs compounds that can kill drug-resistant bacteria Source: Phys.org Link: https://phys.org/news/2025-08-generative-ai-compounds-drug-resistant.html Research Paper: https://www.cell.com/cell/abstract/S0092-8674(25)00855-4 Story: This New Indoor Solar Cell Could Power the Entire Internet of Things Using Only the Light from Your Ceiling Source: ZME Science Link: https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/this-new-indoor-solar-cell-could-power-the-entire-internet-of-things-using-only-the-light-from-your-ceiling/ Story: Researchers Explore ‘Biomining’ Seaweed for Critical Minerals Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Link: https://www.pnnl.gov/news-media/researchers-explore-biomining-seaweed-critical-minerals