Terahertz wireless communication is a promising technology for future networks, but it often fails when line-of-sight paths are blocked. A new study in Engineering introduces a liquid-crystal programmable metasurface that brings stable connections to non-line-of-sight scenarios. This dual-broadband device flexibly controls terahertz beams, supports high-speed data transmission, and works reliably in real-world blocked environments, making widespread terahertz communication more practical.

Peptides are important biological compounds that carry key information for many biological processes. However, accurately reading their sequences has long been a challenge. In a new study, researchers developed a mass-spectrometry-based approach that attaches a coumarin-derived tag to the N-terminus of each peptide, enabling accurate and reliable sequencing of even short peptides, directly from spectral data without relying on protein sequence databases. This helps in identifying novel peptides.

Researchers at Penn State have developed an artificial intelligence-powered modeling framework that uses fiber-optic sensors to monitor and predict permafrost degradation in the Arctic, offering a new tool for monitoring the stability of buildings and roads in this warming climate.

A simple surface coating could make it easier to reliably make parts of next-generation computer chips using silicon and a promising new class of materials called transition metal dichalcogenides (TMD). By coating the surface of TMD with oxygen or fluorine before bombarding it with plasma ions, the team determined that the top layer of atoms could be removed from the material while lower layers were less likely to be damaged. The approach could help manufacturers build better computer chips and processors in the future.

This study develops a replicable Transformative Service Ecosystem for Sustainable Operations Management (TSESOM) model to address research gaps and empower botanic gardens to deliver integrated sustainability, conservation and visitor economy outcomes.

An elephant’s trunk is both strong and capable of extremely fine motor movements. With this muscular, boneless structure, an elephant can carry heavy logs—or deftly peel a banana. Lucia Beccai and colleagues studied the skin of the trunk, hoping to understand its properties and derive lessons for the next generation of advanced soft robotics. 

While optical computing systems (OCS) with high bandwidth, low latency, and inherent parallelism are promising accelerators for artificial intelligence, the existing OCS implementations require direct participation of physical hardware, tightly coupling development workflows to device access and limiting offline design. Now, researchers have developed a Digital Twin OCS, a system-level, measurement-driven digital surrogate that enables a hardware-decoupled and fully offline development paradigm for OCS.

Biomass chemical looping is emerging as a promising route for producing renewable energy and chemicals while enabling efficient carbon management. A comprehensive review highlights advances in hydrogen, methanol, syngas, and power generation pathways, alongside the growing role of machine learning in oxygen carrier design and process optimization. The study also evaluates lifecycle and economic performance, identifying biomass chemical looping as a sustainable platform for future low-carbon energy systems.