Category Physics

Magically reducing errors in quantum computers: Researchers invent technique to decrease overhead

Comparison of zero-level distillation (right) and logical-level distillation (left). Credit: PRX Quantum (2025). DOI: 10.1103/thxx-njr6

For decades, quantum computers that perform calculations millions of times faster than conventional computers have remained a tantalizing yet distant goal. However, a new breakthrough in quantum physics may have just sped up the timeline.

In an article titled “Efficient Magic State Distillation by Zero-Level Distillation” published in PRX Quantum, researchers from the Graduate School of Engineering Science and the Center for Quantum Information and Quantum Biology at the University of Osaka devised a method that can be used to prepare high-fidelity “magic states” for use in quantum computers with dramatically less overhead and unprecedented accuracy...

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Passive cooling paint sweats off heat to deliver 10X cooling and 30% energy savings

New passive cooling paint sweats off heat to deliver 10X cooling and 30% energy savings
Comparison of radiative cooling paint versus integrated cooling paint for buildings. Credit: Science (2025). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adt3372

A new cement-based paint can cool down the building by sweating off the heat. The cooling paint, named CCP-30, was designed by an international team of researchers and features a nanoparticle-modified porous structure composed of a calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) gel network.

This design enabled it to achieve superior cooling by combining both radiative, evaporative and reflective cooling mechanisms, which allowed it to reflect 88–92% of sunlight, emit 95% of the heat as infrared radiation, and hold about 30% of its weight in water, making it a paint ideal for keeping spaces cool throughout the day and across seasons.

As pe...

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MXene-polymer composite enables printed, eco-friendly device for energy harvesting and motion-sensing

MXene-polymer composite enables printed, eco-friendly device for energy harvesting and sensing
Graphical abstract. Credit: Nano Energy (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2025.111206

Researchers at Boise State University have developed a novel, environmentally friendly triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) that is fully printed and capable of harvesting biomechanical and environmental energy while also functioning as a real-time motion sensor. The innovation leverages a composite of Poly (vinyl butyral-co-vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate) (PVBVA) and MXene (Ti3C2Tx) nanosheets, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional TENGs that often rely on fluorinated polymers and complex fabrication.

TENGs are innovative energy-harvesting devices that convert mechanical energy into electricity using the triboelectric effect. They were invented by Prof...

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Tiny receiver chip uses stacked capacitors to block interference in 5G IoT devices

This compact, low-power receiver could give a boost to 5G smart devices
MIT researchers developed this compact, wireless receiver chip that uses a special filtering mechanism which consumes less than a milliwatt of static power while blocking unwanted signals that could jam an IoT device like a health wearable. Credit: Soroush Araei, Mohammad Barzgari, Haibo Yang and Negar Reiskarimian

MIT researchers have designed a compact, low-power receiver for 5G-compatible smart devices that is about 30 times more resilient to a certain type of interference than some traditional wireless receivers.

The low-cost receiver would be ideal for battery-powered internet of things (IoT) devices like environmental sensors, smart thermostats, or other devices that need to run continuously for a long time, such as health wearables, smart cameras, or industrial monitoring sen...

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