Tech & Engineering
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 15-Jan-2026 10:11 ET (15-Jan-2026 15:11 GMT/UTC)
Physical neural networks, the new frontier for sustainable artificial intelligence
Politecnico di MilanoPeer-Reviewed Publication
Artificial intelligence is now part of our daily lives, with the subsequent pressing need for larger, more complex models. However, the demand for ever-increasing power and computing capacity is rising faster than the performance traditional computers can provide.
To overcome these limitations, research is moving towards innovative technologies such as physical neural networks, analogue circuits that directly exploit the laws of physics (properties of light beams, quantum phenomena) to process information. Their potential is at the heart of the study published by the prestigious journal Nature. It is the outcome of collaboration between several international institutes, including the Politecnico di Milano, the École Polytechnique Fédérale in Lausanne, Stanford University, the University of Cambridge, and the Max Planck Institute.
- Journal
- Nature
AI satellite survey challenges long-standing estimates of Serengeti wildebeest numbers
University of OxfordPeer-Reviewed Publication
A pioneering study led by the University of Oxford in collaboration with international partners has applied AI for the first time to count the Great Wildebeest Migration from satellite images. Unexpectedly, the results showed fewer than 600,000 individual wildebeest – less than half the previous estimate of 1.3 million animals. The results have been published today (9 Sept) in PNAS Nexus.
- Journal
- PNAS Nexus
Scientists develop groundbreaking ‘blood on demand’ technology to revolutionize emergency transfusions
University of LeedsPeer-Reviewed Publication
- Journal
- Cryobiology
Chiral optics miracle: ultra-high-Q cavity via BIC-GMR degeneracy boosts chiral sensing
Opto-Electronic Journals GroupPeer-Reviewed Publication
- Journal
- Opto-Electronic Advances
Non-traditional pozzolans emerge as promising precursors for sustainable alkali-activated binders
Higher Education PressLooking for greener building solutions? Scientists have found that non-traditional materials like volcanic ash and calcined clay can be used as sustainable alternatives to cement. These materials offer lower carbon emissions and similar performance to conventional binders. Discover how they work and their potential impact on the construction industry in this new study.
- Journal
- Engineering
Synergistic effect of sulfur atoms and ordered oxygen vacancies to enhance Fe2O3 bifunctional electrocatalytic water splitting activity
Tsinghua University PressPeer-Reviewed Publication
Facing the increased severely environmental challenges and energy shortages, the development of new green energy systems to replace the traditional fossil fuels has become more urgent for human being. Hydrogen (H2) is regarded as the environmentally friendly and renewable energy resource for the future. Its unparalleled virtue lies in the fact that its combustion byproduct is exclusively water. Alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) technology is recognized as one of the most promising methods for hydrogen production, while its widespread adoption has been impeded by the high associated costs, its global market share remains negligible, at less than 4%. Reducing the cost of alkaline water electrolysis for the production of green hydrogen is a common challenge for countries around the world. The limited elemental abundance and high cost of noble metal electrocatalysts like Pt and RuO2 constrain their large-scale application. Therefore, the development of bifunctional non-precious metal electrocatalysts with a high catalytic activity, low cost, and excellent stability is essential to significantly improve the energy efficiencies of AWE.