Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) and Trinasolar, a global smart photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage solutions provider, are collaborating to develop smart energy storage systems (ESS) to enhance efficiency, reliability, and economic viability in renewable energy applications.

 

As solar, wind, and hydrogen energy sources expand globally, energy storage technologies will play a critical role in ensuring power grid stability and optimising energy use.

 

Led by the Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N), the collaboration aims to develop AI-driven tools that can improve investment decisions, enhance system stability through intelligent energy forecasting, and deploy smart optimisation algorithms for diverse energy storage applications.

Low-frequency (LF) wireless communication is widely used in challenging environments like underwater, underground, and ionospheric waveguides due to its strong penetration and anti-interference capabilities. However, the demand for miniaturized, high-efficiency, and sensitive antennas in portable platforms presents a significant challenge, as traditional LF antennas are limited by size and performance constraints. Recent advancements have seen optical levitation technology emerge as a promising solution. By harnessing optically levitated nanoparticle resonators, our research has demonstrated a groundbreaking approach to LF communication. These nanoparticle antennas break the conventional size-sensitivity tradeoff, offering ultra-miniaturization and enhanced sensitivity, which is crucial for communication systems. Unlike traditional antennas, the performance of these levitated resonators is independent of their size and their resonant frequencies can be further tuned by adjusting the optical trap. This breakthrough opens new possibilities for applications in IoT, miniaturized communication in extreme environments.

Researchers from Okayama University of Science have made a groundbreaking discovery, identifying bitter taste receptors in keratinocytes (skin cells). Previously thought to exist only on the tongue, these receptors detect and expel harmful substances from the skin, serving as a crucial protective mechanism. The study reveals that upon binding to harmful substances, these receptors activate efflux pumps to remove them from cells, highlighting a novel biological defense system in the skin. This finding paves the way for potential applications in developing skin protectants and anti-inflammatory treatments. The research, conducted in collaboration with Kyoto University and the University of Tokyo, was published in FASEB BioAdvances.

Researchers developed crossing matrices to classify doubly periodic weaves, addressing challenges in mathematical modeling of woven structures. This breakthrough enables systematic analysis of periodic entanglements, with applications in materials science, fabric design, and nanostructure development.

University of Texas at Arlington physicist Ben Jones has received an international honor for his contributions to developing advanced instruments used in particle physics research. Dr. Jones, an associate professor of physics, was awarded the 2025 International Committee for Future Accelerators (ICFA) Early Career Researcher Instrumentation Award. Presented by the ICFA Instrumentation Innovation and Development Panel, the award recognizes significant advancements in the innovation and development of new instrumentation for future accelerator experiments.

A Caltech-led team has used a process known as DNA origami to make electrochemical sensors that can quickly detect and measure biomarkers.