News from WPI Research Centers
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 21-Jun-2026 18:15 ET (21-Jun-2026 22:15 GMT/UTC)
23-Apr-2026
AI automates quantum dot voltage tuning: toward scaling up quantum computing
Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku UniversityPeer-Reviewed Publication
Researchers developed a new artificial intelligence (AI) technique that could help overcome a major bottleneck in the development of large-scale quantum computers. The method enables automated analysis of key measurement data used in semiconductor spin qubits.
- Journal
- Scientific Reports
22-Apr-2026
Taming overactive immune systems with antibodies: hope for autoimmune diseases
Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC) - The University of OsakaPeer-Reviewed Publication
Researchers from The University of Osaka have discovered a new class of antibodies, called iTabs, that naturally suppress specific immune responses by blocking immune cell activation. These antibodies can reduce autoimmune disease severity in mice, suggesting a new way to treat conditions like multiple sclerosis without weakening the immune system overall.Researchers from The University of Osaka have discovered a new class of antibodies, called iTabs, that naturally suppress specific immune responses by blocking immune cell activation. These antibodies can reduce autoimmune disease severity in mice, suggesting a new way to treat conditions like multiple sclerosis without weakening the immune system overall.
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Funder
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development
22-Apr-2026
Bursting the barrier: catalysts unlock hydrogen from magnesium hydride
Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku UniversityPeer-Reviewed Publication
Magnesium hydride stores lots of hydrogen but the problem comes with the high temperatures needed to release it. Now, researchers have found a new catalyst that helps solve this common bottleneck, focusing on a phenomenon called the burst effect.
- Journal
- Chem Catalysis
16-Apr-2026
Researchers directly observe muonic molecules critical to muon catalyzed fusion
Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the UniversePeer-Reviewed Publication
Researchers including Kavli IPMU's Tadayuki Takahashi have achieved the world's first direct observation of muonic molecules in resonance states using a high-resolution x-ray detector.
- Journal
- Science Advances
15-Apr-2026
The once-theoretical skyrmion could unlock supercomputing memory
Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku UniversityPeer-Reviewed Publication
A once-theoretical structure is now shaping the future of computing. Researchers have uncovered key properties of magnetic skyrmions, ultra-stable, 2 nm vortex-like structures that could enable next-gen memory with extremely low power consumption. Even more surprising? They can form in materials once thought impossible.
- Journal
- Nature Communications
15-Apr-2026
From lab to industry: 3D printing accelerates the future of lithium batteries
Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku UniversityPeer-Reviewed Publication
Researchers are investigating how 3D printers could achieve unprecedented levels of precision when creating batteries, opening the door for new innovations.
14-Apr-2026
Researchers adapt torsion balance experiments to detect dark matter
Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the UniversePeer-Reviewed Publication
Kavli IPMU's Shigeki Matsumoto and Jie Sheng have shown torsion-balance experiments — precision instruments originally built to test the equivalence principle — could double as detectors for very light dark matter.
- Journal
- Physical Review Letters