Soundwaves could power a new kind of chip inspired by the human brain

Neuromorphic functionality and computational benchmarking of TAS. Credit: Science Advances (2026). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aec6633

Neuromorphic computing is a computing approach that mimics how the human brain works. Our gray matter is a marvel of nature, capable of handling huge volumes of data with incredible energy efficiency. While modern AI hardware is becoming better at processing complex tasks, it consumes vast amounts of energy.

One of the promises of neuromorphic computing is that it places memory and processing in the same location, using far less energy than traditional AI chips. However, even the most sophisticated neuromorphic systems are fairly simple and don’t come close to matching the number of connections among human neurons.

But a new study published in the journ...

Read More

NASA testing advanced capabilities for moon, Mars rovers

Developed at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, ERNEST (Exploration Rover for Navigating Extreme Sloped Terrain) is used in a desert field test to help refine mobility hardware and autonomy software that could be used for a potential future long-range lunar rover mission.

On a bleak stretch of the Colorado Desert in Southern California, a compact four-wheeled rover recently trundled 16 miles (26 kilometers) with minimal intervention from the team of engineers trailing it. Called ERNEST (Exploration Rover for Navigating Extreme Sloped Terrain), this prototype is being used by NASA to advance both robotic autonomy and the ability to traverse challenging landscapes.

Developed at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, ERNEST is 4 feet (1.2 meters) long...

Read More

Ultrasound-based approach may reduce harmful inflammation and support joint healing

As an aging population experiences joint pain and inflammation at an all-time high, researchers at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), a part of The University of Alabama System, have published new findings suggesting continuous low-intensity ultrasound may help shift the body’s immune response from prolonged inflammation toward tissue repair, a discovery that could eventually contribute to novel treatments for joint injuries and post-traumatic osteoarthritis.

The study, published in Scientific Reports, was conducted by a multidisciplinary team of UAH researchers under the leadership of Dr. Anuradha Subramanian, a professor of chemical and materials engineering.

The work brought together biological experimentation conducted by Dr...

Read More

Wet coffee grounds turned into high-grade solid fuel in just 90 seconds

Atmospheric-pressure flame plasma system. Credit: Chemical Engineering Journal (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2026.176452

A research team at the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM) has developed a technology that converts wet spent coffee grounds directly into high-quality biochar in just 90 seconds, with no drying or oil removal required. The breakthrough offers a fast, energy-efficient path to turning high-moisture organic waste into valuable fuel and carbon materials. The study, led by Dr. Taejun Park in collaboration with GodTech Co., Ltd., was published in the Chemical Engineering Journal, one of the world’s leading journals in chemical engineering.

Addressing a growing waste challenge
Every year, global coffee consumption generates more than 10 million ton...

Read More