In nature, living systems effortlessly sense, move, and adapt to changing environments. Replicating such dynamic behavior in artificial materials has long challenged scientists. A recent study introduces supramolecular robotics—a molecular design strategy that enables soft materials to exhibit autonomous motion, reversible transformations, and tissue-like organization. This innovation marks a key step toward creating programmable, life-like systems that blur the line between chemistry and robotics.

Wet meadows, steep slopes, and loose ground often present a challenge to agricultural vehicles. A new drive system that gets off-road vehicles safely through difficult terrain has been developed by researchers of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) together with a partner from industry. It replaces conventional differential gears with an independent gearbox on each wheel. This way, it is possible to cope with terrain that was impassable before.

Scientists have demonstrated the key role of a tungsten-containing enzyme in the production of ethanol from carbon monoxide performed by the microbe Clostridium autoethanogenum. This discovery resolves a long-standing biochemical debate and provides new insight into how bacteria can transform industrial waste gases into valuable biofuels and chemicals.