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Going places: Muscle-inspired mechanism powers tiny autonomous insect robots

Science frequently draws inspiration from the natural world. After all, nature has had billions of years to perfect its systems and processes. Taking their cue from mollusk catch muscles, researchers have developed a low-voltage, muscle-like actuator that can help insect-scale soft robots to crawl, swim and jump autonomously in real-world settings. Their work solves a long-standing challenge in soft robotics: enabling tiny robots to move on their own without sacrificing power or precision.

Muscles are that work by contracting and relaxing to cause movement. Insect muscles are particularly good at this because they are incredibly powerful for their small size. Similarly, actuators are devices that convert mechanical energy into motion.

However, when it comes to robotics, creating tiny, powerful actuators that move with the same agility, precision and resilience as a biological has proved challenging. What’s more, the rigid motors in current robotic systems are difficult to scale down because they easily break.

Don’t throw away those cannabis leaves—they’re packed with rare compounds

Analytical chemists from Stellenbosch University (SU) have provided the first evidence of a rare class of phenolics, called flavoalkaloids, in cannabis leaves.

Phenolic compounds, especially flavonoids, are well-known and sought after in the because of their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic properties.

The researchers identified 79 in three strains of cannabis grown commercially in South Africa, of which 25 were reported for the first time in cannabis. Sixteen of these compounds were tentatively identified as flavoalkaloids. Interestingly, the flavoalkaloids were mainly found in the leaves of only one of the strains. The results were published in the Journal of Chromatography A recently.

Customized moiré patterns achieved using stacked metal-organic framework layers

When two mesh screens or fabrics are overlapped with a slight offset, moiré patterns emerge as a result of interference caused by the misalignment of the grids. While these patterns are commonly recognized as optical illusions in everyday life, their significance extends to the nanoscale, such as in materials like graphene, where they can profoundly influence electronic properties.

This phenomenon opens new avenues for advancements in areas like superconductivity and quantum effects. Traditionally, controlling the length scales of moiré patterns has been challenging due to the fixed nature of atomic structures, which limits the ability to fine-tune .

A research team, led by Professor Wonyoung Choe at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), South Korea, has demonstrated, for the first time, the ability to precisely control over moiré periods by stacking (MOFs) layers—crystalline materials composed of metal clusters linked by .

Bioelectrosynthesis platform enables switch-like, precision control of cell signaling

Cells use various signaling molecules to regulate the nervous, immune, and vascular systems. Among these, nitric oxide (NO) and ammonia (NH₃) play important roles, but their chemical instability and gaseous nature make them difficult to generate or control externally.

A KAIST research team has developed a platform that generates specific signaling molecules in situ from a single precursor under an applied electrical signal, enabling switch-like, precise spatiotemporal control of cellular responses. This approach could provide a foundation for future medical technologies such as electroceuticals, electrogenetics, and personalized cell therapies.

The research team led by Professor Jimin Park from the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, in collaboration with Professor Jihan Kim’s group, has developed a bioelectrosynthesis platform capable of producing either or on demand using only an electrical signal. The platform allows control over the timing, spatial range, and duration of cell responses.

Quasi-solid electrolyte developed for safer and greener lithium-ion batteries

3D-SLISE is a quasi-solid electrolyte developed at the Institute of Science Tokyo, which enables safe, fast-charging/discharging of 2.35 V lithium-ion batteries to be fabricated under ambient conditions. With energy-efficient manufacturing using raw materials free from flammable organic solvents, the technique eliminates the need for dry rooms or high-temperature processing. Moreover, it also allows direct recovery of active materials through water dispersal—ensuring a sustainable, recyclable approach to battery production.

In today’s era of portable power and , form the backbone of modern technology—powering everything from smartphones to electric vehicles. While demand for lithium-ion batteries continues to grow, so do concerns about their safety, environmental impact, and recyclability. Most lithium-ion batteries that rely on flammable organic solvents are energy-intensive to manufacture, and require complicated recycling processes. These issues not only drive up costs but also pose serious safety and —highlighting the need for safer and cleaner alternatives.

To address this challenge, a research team from Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo), Japan, led by Specially Appointed Professor Yosuke Shiratori and Associate Professor Shintaro Yasui from the Zero-Carbon Energy Research Institute, Science Tokyo, developed a new quasi-solid electrolyte called 3D-Slime Interface Quasi-Solid Electrolyte (3D-SLISE), which can transform battery manufacturing. With a simple borate-water matrix, the electrolyte supports the production of 2.35 V lithium-ion batteries under standard air conditions. The detailed findings of the study were made available in the journal Advanced Materials on July 9, 2025.

Finding clarity in the noise: New approach recovers hidden signals at the nanoscale

In the world of nanotechnology, seeing clearly isn’t easy. It’s even harder when you’re trying to understand how a material’s properties relate to its structure at the nanoscale. Tools like piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) help scientists peer into the nanoscale functionality of materials, revealing how they respond to electric fields. But those signals are often buried in noise, especially in instances where the most interesting physics happens.

Now, researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a powerful new method to extract meaningful information from even the noisiest data, or when, alternatively, the response of the material is the smallest. Their approach, which combines physical modeling with advanced statistical reconstruction, could significantly improve the accuracy and confidence of nanoscale measurement properties.

The team’s findings, led by Nazanin Bassiri-Gharb, Harris Saunders, Jr. Chair and Professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and School of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE), are reported in Small Methods.

Parents reported higher rates of infidelity than non-parents during pandemic, survey finds

In a survey study of more than 1,000 U.S. adults who were in committed, heterosexual relationships during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, parents were more likely than non-parents to report an increased desire for infidelity since before the pandemic, and were also more likely to report having actually cheated on their partner during the pandemic.

Dr. Jessica T. Campbell of Indiana University Bloomington, U.S., and colleagues present these findings in the open-access journal PLOS One.

Prior research has suggested that COVID-19 conditions strained many romantic and sexual relationships. Other research suggests that high stress and relationship dissatisfaction may prompt some people to consider engaging in romantic or .

Molecular hybridization achieved through quantum vacuum manipulation

Interactions between atoms and molecules are facilitated by electromagnetic fields. The bigger the distance between the partners involved, the weaker these mutual interactions are. In order for the particles to be able to form natural chemical bonds, the distance between them must usually be approximately equal to their diameter.

Using an which strongly alters the , scientists at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light (MPL) have succeeded for the first time in optically “bonding” several molecules at greater distances. The physicists are thus experimentally creating synthetic states of coupled molecules, thereby establishing the foundation for the development of new hybrid light-matter states. The study is published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Atoms and molecules have clearly defined, discrete energy levels. When they are combined to form a , the energy states change. This process is referred to as molecular hybridization and is characterized by the overlap of electron orbitals, i.e., the areas where electrons typically reside. However, at a scale of a few nanometers, the interaction becomes so weak that molecules are no longer able to communicate with each other.

Unlocking the sun’s secret messengers: DUNE experiment set to reveal new details about solar neutrinos

Neutrinos—ghostly particles that rarely interact with normal matter—are the sun’s secret messengers. These particles are born deep within the sun, a byproduct of the nuclear fusion process which powers all stars.

Neutrinos escape the sun and stream through Earth in immense quantities. These particles are imprinted with information about the inner workings of the sun.

Our new theoretical paper published in Physical Review Letters shows that the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), currently under construction, will help us unlock the deepest secrets of these solar messengers.

Bioimaging device with nonmechanical design could improve eye and heart condition detection

If you’ve been to a routine eye exam at the optometrist’s office, chances are you’ve had to place your chin and forehead up close to a bioimaging device.

It’s known as (OCT), and it’s widely used in eye clinics around the world. OCT uses to take high-resolution, cross-sectional images of the retina in a noninvasive manner. These images can be essential for diagnosing and monitoring eye conditions.

In any bioimaging—either retinal or in-vivo imaging that takes place inside the human body—devices must be quite small and compact to produce high-quality images. However, mechanical aspects of OCT devices, like spinning mirrors, can increase the chance of device failure.

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