Researchers have conducted a theoretical analysis demonstrating how a “topological quantum battery”—an innovative device that leverages the topological properties of photonic waveguides and quantum effects of two-level atoms—could be efficiently designed.

In mid-May, Professor Academician Jarek Kurnitski received a high international recognition: SHASE, the Japanese association of heating, ventilation and cooling engineers, selected him as its international honorary member.

Free access to information online is a vital component of democratic societies. However, something that is take for granted in this country is by no means possible everywhere. Given this, in a recent study, researchers at Paderborn University and the Technology Innovation Institute in Abu Dhabi have demonstrated how internet censorship can be circumvented by making targeted modifications to the encryption protocols. The aim is to facilitate access to blocked websites and provide approaches for future technologies. This is focusing in particular on well-known censorship systems such as the ‘Great Firewall’ of China or censorship in Iran. In addition, the authors advocate developing the field of ‘censorship research’. Their findings are of practical benefit, as well as providing valuable insights for science and scholarship. In mid-May, the team’s work was recognised with an award at the renowned ‘IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy’ conference in San Francisco.