A research paper by scientists at Tsinghua University introduced a modular design paradigm that employs revolute joints to interconnect discrete rigid modules.

The research paper, published on May 19, 2026 in the journal Cyborg and Bionic Systems.

A research paper by scientists at Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences developed a dual-mode wireless microsystem that enables simultaneous recording of spikes, local field potentials (LFPs), and dopamine (DA)-related electrochemical signals on microelectrode arrays.

The research paper, published on May 21, 2026 in the journal Cyborg and Bionic Systems.

A new commentary in Engineering presents a clear four-stage roadmap for shifting the global energy system toward carbon neutrality. Unlike past energy transitions, this transformation demands joint advances in technology, policy, and society. It also introduces the T-ESGO framework to integrate energy, material, carbon, and information flows, stressing innovation, cross-disciplinary work, and global cooperation to drive practical, sustainable progress.

A research paper by scientists from Nanyang Technological University developed a miniature wireless controller that is fully implantable to small insects and demonstrated that the implantation of electronic device enhances traversal performance of the cyborg cockroach.

The new research paper, published on May. 25 in the journal Cyborg and Bionic Systems, developed the first fully implantable miniature radio controller for the Madagascar hissing cockroach.

Shenzhen University researchers, with industry partners, developed a black phosphorus-based all-fiber photonic AI platform for medical diagnosis. Built around a microfiber knot resonator, a black phosphorus and molybdenum disulfide heterostructure, and a specialized architecture, the system enables low-power, high-speed optical computing. In clinical tests, it performed well in retinal detachment and liver cancer diagnosis, matching senior radiologists while greatly improving energy efficiency and latency. The work points toward scalable, sustainable photonic AI for healthcare applications.

Biochar, a charcoal-like substance made from biomass, offers a promising pathway for storing carbon in agricultural soils, helping to offset climate change. Despite its potential, the precise mechanisms, particularly the role of diverse microbial communities, influencing its long-term effectiveness remain poorly understood. A comprehensive analysis, published in Carbon Research, examines how biochar application impacts soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration in Chinese croplands, shedding light on the critical interactions with soil microorganisms.

Researchers from Northwest A&F University compiled an extensive dataset from 90 prior studies conducted across China, incorporating 392 observations and over 2600 data points related to SOC and microbial characteristics. Their meta-analysis combined quantitative data extraction, geographical mapping, and linear mixed-effects modeling to spatially predict carbon sequestration rates and explore the nuanced responses of soil microbial communities to varying biochar application rates and durations. This robust approach allowed for a broad assessment of biochar's impact across diverse Chinese agricultural regions.

Paddy soils are critical ecosystems for global food security, yet also significant contributors to atmospheric greenhouse gases like methane and carbon dioxide. These unique wetland environments, characterized by prolonged flooding, play a complex role in the global carbon cycle. Scientists at the Guangdong Academy of Sciences and South China Normal University undertook a detailed investigation to understand the specific biogeochemical turnover of organic carbon fractions within these soils during flooding. This work aims to unravel the intricate mechanisms that govern carbon's fate, helping to predict and manage emissions from these vast agricultural lands.

The world faces an urgent challenge to achieve carbon neutrality, demanding innovative solutions for managing strategic gases like carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and hydrogen (H₂). CO₂ capture is vital for emissions reduction, CH₄ requires careful valorization and control due to its potent global warming impact, and H₂ is rapidly emerging as a cornerstone of future energy systems. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), a class of porous materials recognized by the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, are rapidly changing possibilities for strategic gas management due to their exceptional tunability.

A new review in Carbon Research provides a critical and integrated assessment of MOFs' potential across these three domains. Led by Reda Elkacmi from Sultan Moulay Slimane University, the authors detail how MOFs’ unique attributes—including surface areas exceeding 6000 m² g⁻¹, tunable pore environments, and modular coordination chemistry—enable significant CO₂ uptakes, high methane storage capacities, and impressive hydrogen volumetric densities. These properties empower MOFs to address multiple environmental and energy challenges simultaneously.