Helios, a US-based quantum computer, demonstrated 99.9975% fidelity in one-qubit operations, while maintaining 99.921% for two-qubit operations. This is the highest fidelity for any commercial quantum computer in the industry, paving the way for a future with fault-tolerant quantum computers. 

Considered to be the next frontier of computing, the race to build reliable quantum computers is on. Research institutes and national laboratories in countries like the US, UK and China are engaged in building the necessary support for quantum computer startups to build the future of computing. 

The superior computing capacities of quantum computers arise from quantum bits or qubits, which can store multiple values between 0 and 1 at once. However, the same qubits are also easily disturbed, introducing errors into computations.

Scientists are therefore working to develop fault-tolerant computers that deliver high fidelity, i.e., a measure of how close the quantum operation is to the value of the expected operation. 

Helios’ highest fidelity

Quantinuum’s Helios is a 98-qubit quantum computer with 50 logical qubits. Built using trapped-ion qubits, the system also integrates photonics, allowing data transfer at the speed of light through the microscopic optical channels. 

This system design has dual benefits. It helps reduce risks to quantum computing data while significantly decreasing its power consumption. Helios’ power consumption is as little as 40 kW, even though it is equipped with the world’s fastest GPUs. 

In a recent paper, Quantinuum confirmed record fidelity for its one-qubit and two-qubit operations, reaching a record of sorts when it comes to two-qubit fidelity in the quantum computing industry. Helios is the company’s most reliable quantum computer to date and is available for commercial usage as a cloud-based service. 

Yet, Quantinuum has a long way to go before quantum computers like Helios and its successors become mainstream, and it is working with the Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) to develop fault-tolerant computers. 

Role of SNL

As a premier engineering laboratory in the US, SNL has been tasked with assessing opportunities and threats for technologies such as quantum computing. For over two decades, the national laboratory has leveraged its expertise and engineering capacities to build and share quantum devices on various platforms. 

SNL’s partnership with Quantinuum too is part of a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement, which was formed after Sandia researchers developed technologies in integrated photonics for trapped-ion quantum computers. 

Although Quantinuum is headquartered in Colorado, its research and development campus is in New Mexico, near SNL. The National Laboratory continues to help Quantinuum design and test new components that will be incorporated into future versions of the quantum computer. 

For instance, SNL researchers developed a new benchmarking methodology that can measure the performance of mid-circuit measurements, non-destructive readout operations that help in correcting quantum computing errors. 

“We evaluate every aspect of quantum computer performance with our commercial partners to accelerate the advent of quantum supercomputing,” said Robin Blume-Kohout, a researcher at SNL who was involved in the work.

By working with different companies and helping them solve issues will help quantum computers tackle unsolved scientific problems, Blume-Kohout added. 

The research findings were published in Nature.  

Divergent Technologies has unveiled a new industrial metal 3D printer and announced a major manufacturing expansion in Southern California, moves that the company says will significantly increase production capacity for defense and commercial customers.

The California-based manufacturer introduced the Monolith One, a large-format metal additive manufacturing system developed specifically for high-volume production. At the same time, the company revealed plans for a new 430,000-square-foot facility in Long Beach, California, where dozens of the machines will support future manufacturing programs.

Built for production

Unlike many metal 3D printers designed primarily for prototyping, Monolith One targets continuous industrial manufacturing. The machine stands more than eight meters tall and incorporates 12 high-powered lasers that deliver a combined 24 kilowatts of output.

Divergent designed the system over a 28-month period using lessons learned from more than a decade of additive manufacturing operations. The company developed the printer exclusively for use within its own manufacturing ecosystem rather than for commercial sale.

The machine supports a wide range of industrial alloys, including aluminum, steel, titanium, and nickel-based materials. It also offers a larger build chamber than many existing systems, allowing engineers to manufacture bigger and more complex structures in a single print.

According to Divergent, the printer can roughly double production throughput compared with current-generation equipment. The system also incorporates automated powder handling, thermal management controls, and optical monitoring technologies designed to improve consistency and reduce downtime.

Chief Technology Officer Brian Erhartic said the company built the printer specifically to improve manufacturing efficiency and quality. He added that integrating the machine directly into Divergent’s production platform helped unlock higher performance across multiple stages of manufacturing.

Factory expansion plans

Divergent currently operates six Monolith One printers at its headquarters in Torrance, California. The company plans to install an additional 64 systems at its new Long Beach facility over the next two years.

Once fully operational, the site will support production of tens of thousands of munition airframes annually. It will also have the capacity to manufacture hundreds of thousands of critical metal components for aerospace and defense programs.

The expansion comes as defense contractors seek faster production methods and more resilient domestic supply chains. Traditional manufacturing processes often require lengthy lead times for complex hardware, particularly in aerospace applications.

Divergent says its software-driven manufacturing approach reduces those timelines from months to weeks or even days in some cases. The company supplies structures and components for several major defense and aerospace organizations, including Lockheed Martin, RTX, and CoAspire.

Chief Executive Officer Lukas Czinger said the new printer reflects years of operational experience gained from delivering production hardware to both defense and commercial customers. He noted that the company manufactures the systems domestically and sources key components through a U.S.-based supply chain.

As production ramps up at the Long Beach facility, Divergent expects the new manufacturing capacity to support growing demand for mission-critical hardware while strengthening domestic industrial capabilities.

A new class of ultrathin polymer membranes, dubbed Polymers of Locked Intrinsic Microporosity (PLIMs), has been developed through a global research collaboration.

These membranes can separate complex hydrocarbon mixtures (like crude oil), potentially transforming the energy-intensive refining process.

Modifying membrane structure

Every single day, standard crude oil refining uses the thermal distillation method. This process boils oil to separate it into useful fractions like gasoline, plastics, and jet fuel. It works well, but it carries an environmental price tag. It consumes a high amount of energy.

Now, a team of international researchers has created a workaround that could take the heat out of the equation entirely.

The Polymers of Locked Intrinsic Microporosity (PLIMs) are ultrathin membranes that can filter out complex hydrocarbon mixtures at a microscopic level without needing a heat source.

“Membranes can, in principle, do the same job as distillation or evaporation, using far less energy,” explained Andrew Livingston, Professor of Chemical Engineering and Vice President Research and Innovation at Queen Mary University of London, and CEO of Exactmer. 

“The problem has been finding materials that are both fast and selective when exposed to real hydrocarbon mixtures,” the lead researcher added.

The study introduces a novel fabrication method that injects a crosslinking agent during membrane formation to create highly efficient separating layers. It combines two features that have eluded scientists for decades: extreme molecular selectivity and incredibly fast transport speeds.

Testing of membrane

Membranes promise a cleaner, low-energy alternative to massive boilers. In this concept, rather than boiling the liquid, it is run through a molecular sieve that catches specific molecules based on their size.

In practice, organic liquids like crude oil ruined everything.

The team focused on highly porous polymers, materials possessing an internal structure like a sub-nanometer sponge. However, these materials have a flaw. When exposed to harsh hydrocarbons, it swells. As the polymer expands, the tiny pores dilate, allowing larger molecules to slip through. The filter becomes useless.

To fix this, the team altered the fabrication process and introduced an in situ crosslinking agent directly into the polymer film during its formation.

“The key was stabilizing the structure before the polymer had a chance to swell,” said Dr Zhiwei Jiang. “This preserves the tiny pores that make molecular separation possible, while still allowing hydrocarbons to flow through very quickly.”

When the researchers tested the membranes against real Arabian Extra Light crude oil, the results defied standard expectations. The PLIM system successfully stripped out 99.8% of heavy hydrocarbons (those with more than 15 carbon atoms). It also slashed corrosive sulfur compounds by 93%. 

This is a massive victory for refineries, as sulfur frequently degrades downstream equipment and catalysts.

The membrane performed just as well on lighter refinery streams, such as virgin naphtha. It sorted out smaller molecules destined for fuel upgrading from heavier components used to manufacture everyday plastics. It did all this while operating at flow rates comparable to those of commercial water desalination systems.

Moreover, this team designed the material with mass manufacturing in mind from day one.

Using standard roll-to-roll processing, PLIM sheets were manufactured over a meter wide. These sheets were wrapped into spiral-wound modules, the exact shape used in existing industrial filtration plants worldwide.

The membranes also proved they have stamina, running continuously for 30 days without a drop in performance.

The results were published in the journal Science on June 18.

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FIFA and Hyundai are using Boston Dynamics Spot robots for patrols, inspections, and risk detection at select 2026 World Cup venues.

Google is expanding Gemini-powered Gmail AI summaries worldwide, giving free, paid, and Workspace users new ways to summarize threads or opt out.

OpenAI is reportedly exploring an AI-agent smartphone with MediaTek, Qualcomm, and Luxshare, though the device remains unconfirmed.

Artificial intelligence is expensive to use, many companies discovered. That has led to a new era of saving costs.

Scientists have developed a practical way to make ultra-black coatings to meet demand for trendy, luxury vehicles in China. The coating, described in a paper published in Matter & Light, is made up of a composite of carbon black pigment and carbon nanotubes. The resulting color is a deep jet black that also meets automotive standards, opening the door for car manufacturers to develop distinguished, high-end models in darker-than-ever hues.

Researchers have developed a new kind of lidar system that simultaneously measures the location, speed and material properties of objects in a scene. This type of information could be useful for applications such as robotics, autonomous driving and remote sensing.

The long-running effort to move driverless shuttles from closed corporate campuses and isolated testing facilities into live, mixed-traffic public infrastructure is taking a decisive step forward.

On June 24, 2026, a fully automated robot bus line operating in the city of Tampere, Finland, will officially transition to driverless operation, completely removing the physical safety driver from the vehicle.

While autonomous shuttles have routinely been deployed in highly restricted pilot environments globally, this European rollout represents a key milestone: integrating an autonomous, Level 4-capable mass transit asset directly into a commercially active municipal public transportation network alongside standard passenger vehicles.

To establish the mathematical and operational safety profiles required to permanently remove the human operator from the cabin, the platform underwent an intensive, real-world data-collection phase.

The autonomous shuttle has been operating daily within active public traffic lanes since late last year, logging extensive operational miles with a passive onboard safety driver to map system responses, sensor reliability, and complex environmental edge cases.

Sensor fusion and emergency braking architecture

Operating a mass transit passenger vehicle without any manual physical overrides requires a highly redundant sensor architecture capable of instantaneous spatial awareness.

The automated shuttle utilizes an advanced sensor fusion array that combines multiple overlapping modalities, including high-definition optical cameras, radar, and precision LiDAR scanners. These onboard peripherals continuously map a 360-degree digital field around the vehicle’s chassis, identifying dynamic obstacles such as pedestrians, cyclists, and adjacent motor vehicles.

The vehicle operates on a strictly digitized, predetermined virtual route guide. The integrated artificial intelligence navigation engine processes spatial data streams in real time, calculating clearances at a capped velocity of 25 km/h (approximately 15.5 mph).

If a pedestrian intersects the vehicle’s safe stopping distance, or if the sensor fusion matrix identifies a situational anomaly, the central processing unit triggers an automated braking sequence. This specialized subsystem bypasses remote network latency, allowing the vehicle to execute high-g emergency stops autonomously and instantaneously to mitigate collision risks.

Low-latency remote monitoring and teleoperation control

The elimination of the onboard crew does not mean the vehicle operates in total isolation; instead, the physical driver is replaced by an advanced, low-latency remote monitoring and teleoperation framework. Professional fleet dispatchers manage the autonomous shuttles in real time from a centralized operations command center.

The vehicle maintains an active, unbroken broadband communication link with this hub, transmitting live telemetry data alongside a continuous, high-definition audio and video feed capturing both internal passenger compartment activity and external road conditions.

In the event of an operational deadlock—such as an illegally parked delivery truck permanently blocking a lane or an unmapped construction zone—the remote operator can intervene directly via the teleoperation link.

To ensure robust passenger safety and clear communication during these automated transits, the vehicle’s interior features an integrated emergency call subsystem. This hardware provides passengers with an on-demand, instant audio-visual link to a human controller, ensuring continuous oversight even if the cloud-based driving stack encounters an unprecedented software edge case.

Cabin structural safety and fleet optimization

Adapting mass transit for fully driverless configurations requires subtle changes to standard cabin safety protocols. Because the vehicle lacks an onboard operator to visually enforce safety rules or cushion against abrupt automated emergency stops, the structural layout demands specific commuter compliance.

The autonomous shuttle accommodates a maximum payload of exactly 12 passengers and includes dedicated, structurally reinforced space to securely anchor strollers.

For passive safety containment, the onboard system mandates that all passengers remain fully seated and securely buckled into integrated seatbelts throughout the duration of the transit loop.

From a user-experience standpoint, the vehicle integrates seamlessly with standard municipal ticketing systems; passengers interact with a localized automated validator mounted directly beside the entry doors.

SpaceX might be stealing the spotlight right now with its blockbuster stock market debut, but things are moving just as fast over at Tesla.

The technical specifications of Tesla’s autonomous Cybercab have reportedly been leaked from its official U.S. Environmental Protection Agency certification documents. 

The regulatory filing, certified on May 26, 2026, confirms several of Tesla’s design goals while revealing a few mechanical surprises regarding the robotaxi’s drivetrain and overall mass.

In February, Tesla announced that production of the upcoming two-seater Cybercab had begun. The company’s official X account shared a photo showcasing the first robotaxi rolling off the assembly line at Gigafactory Texas. However, not many details were disclosed back then.

First Cybercab off the production line at Giga Texas pic.twitter.com/kY8vCqtrCA

— Tesla (@Tesla) February 17, 2026

Vehicle specifications

The Cybercab serves as Tesla’s purpose-built, fully autonomous vehicle designed exclusively for Robotaxi service. The two-seater achieves an unusually light overall mass for an electric vehicle by eliminating driver controls such as a steering wheel or pedals.

According to EPA filings, Tesla has built an EV that weighs a mere 3,113 pounds. This puts the vehicle’s weight roughly 700 pounds below the lightest Tesla Model 3 configuration.

As it is so light, it doesn’t need a massive, heavy battery. It runs on a compact 48-kWh pack and a single front-mounted 219-horsepower motor.

According to The Verge, the Tesla Cybercab is poised to become one of the most efficient electric vehicles ever certified, boasting a 165-watt-hour-per-mile (Wh/mi) rating that yields an expected real-world range of 290 to 300 miles after EPA adjustments. 

This hyper-efficiency allows the robotaxi to travel roughly six miles on a single kilowatt-hour (kWh) of power — outperforming standard EVs that typically get only three to four miles per kWh.

Way behind Waymo

Yet, for all its technical brilliance, the Cybercab remains stuck.

Musk confidently promised investors last summer that autonomous ride-hailing would cover half the U.S. population by the end of the year. It didn’t happen. The service remains locked down to just three Texas cities: Austin, Dallas, and Houston.

The fleet itself is microscopic. Tesla currently holds permits for just 42 unsupervised Model Y robotaxis in Texas, and only 14 of those are actively driving without a human safety monitor behind the wheel. 

Meanwhile, Alphabet’s Waymo is utterly dominating the asphalt. Waymo operates a rapidly scaling fleet of over 3,000 driverless vehicles across 11 major U.S. cities.

Tesla fans often point to safety data as a benefit. The company has logged only 18 automated driving crashes with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) compared to Waymo’s 697. However, experts say that it is simply a game of numbers. If you barely have any cars on the road, you barely have any crashes.

The pieces are moving behind the scenes, though. Tesla has quietly filed municipal plans to build dedicated “robocar” car washes and automated charging stations in Las Vegas and Austin. The infrastructure is coming. The engineering is certified. Now, Tesla just has to prove it can actually scale the service before its competitors leave it in the dust.

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GE Aerospace and its subsidiary Avio Aero have successfully completed the first engine restart test using hydrogen fuel under simulated altitude conditions.

The test, conducted as part of the European Union-funded HYDEA (HYdrogen DEmonstrator for Aviation) project led by Avio Aero, took place at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) Institute of Space Propulsion in Lampoldshausen, Germany.

The firms claim this is a key milestone in the development of hydrogen-powered aviation technology.

Key test establishes relight operability envelope

As GE Aerospace points out in a press statement, hydrogen fuel burns faster and hotter than conventional jet fuel. According to the firm, the new test campaign “addressed one of the most demanding requirements for flying with hydrogen: the ability to relight an engine quickly and reliably in thin, cold air at high altitude.”

For the engine restart test, engineers used a custom hydrogen sector combustor test rig equipped with a synthetic air generator. The system vaporized liquid oxygen and nitrogen to replicate the low-humidity, low-pressure conditions found at altitude.

The test campaign successfully established a relight operability envelope for hydrogen combustion. The ignition system, which was designed and manufactured by Unison (a GE Aerospace company) specifically for hydrogen operation, performed as intended.

The engineers used a multi-cup combustor configuration as it provided a more representative geometry than single-cup setups. This allowed researchers to observe flame propagation and igniter interactions with high-speed cameras. According to GE’s statement, data from these tests will inform the design of a full annular hydrogen combustor rig.

The HYDEA project supports the broader CFM International RISE (Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines) technology demonstration program, a 50-50 joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines. It aims to demonstrate the feasibility of hydrogen propulsion for aircraft engines through ground testing by 2026.

In a parallel effort under the Clean Aviation project AMBER, teams tested a megawatt-class fuel cell system at DLR’s BALIS facility. The tests validated the system’s dynamic response from idle to maximum power and its performance under simulated short- and long-range flight conditions. AMBER focuses on hybrid-electric propulsion integrating fuel cells, power electronics, and electric drives for regional aircraft.

“Avio Aero and GE Aerospace teams in Europe are proud to be at the forefront of new technology innovation. Together with our European partners and research institutions, we’re turning ideas into real, tested capability,” said Luca Bedon, head of research and technology at Avio Aero.

Roman Seele, future of flight leader for GE Aerospace in Germany, added: “The future of flight is more electric. We’re proud to partner with DLR and others around the world to advance the building blocks to help make hybrid-electric flight a reality.”

Working towards a hydrogen future

These achievements advance multiple Clean Aviation initiatives involving GE Aerospace and Avio Aero facilities across Europe.

As GE Aerospace noted in its statement, the RISE program has accumulated more than 350 tests and 3,000 cycles, targeting over 20% fuel burn reduction compared to current engines through advanced architectures, including open fan, compact core, and hybrid-electric systems.

Hydrogen propulsion offers the potential for near-zero carbon emissions in flight, provided challenges in fuel handling, combustion, and infrastructure are addressed.

Successful altitude relight capability is critical for commercial viability, ensuring reliable engine operation across all flight phases. Further testing and full-scale demonstrations will be required before hydrogen-powered aircraft enter service.

Pour sa dixième édition, VivaTech 2026 révèle une France de l’innovation moins parisienne que d’habitude. De la santé numérique à l’hydrogène, du quantique à la mobilité décarbonée, les pavillons régionaux veulent prouver que les prochains champions de la tech se trouvent aussi à Rouen,...

Around 15,000 startups from around Europe and beyond are showing off their wares at the VivaTech trade show in Paris until Saturday.

A Swiss marine power company has achieved another critical milestone on the path to low-carbon shipping using ammonia as a marine fuel. WinGD completed successful testing of its X72DF-A engine in China.

The company has also completed the Factory Acceptance Test on the engine, which will be installed on a 210,000 dwt dry bulk carrier on order for CMB.TECH. 

“We’re proud to work closely with pioneering shipowners like CMB.TECH to build confidence in ammonia as a safe and efficient marine fuel for a zero-carbon future,” said Dominik Schneiter, CEO, WinGD Ltd.

Engine features high-pressure ammonia injection

WinGD also revealed that the testing of the X72DF-A engine was completed at CSSC Engine Co. (CSE), witnessed by Lloyd’s Register (LR) and representatives from classification societies American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and China Classification Society (CCS). The FAT certification joins the already received FIT and TAT approvals for the XDF-A platform, rounding out the robust test campaigns.

The 72-bore engine, built at CSE, with the fuel supply system manufactured by Sunrui Marine Environmental Engineering Co, is being installed on the first of ten bulkers on order for CMB.TECH. An order that demonstrates industry confidence that large-scale commercial vessels can operate safely and efficiently on ammonia, paving the way for widespread adoption across the global fleet. This recent testing, of the X52DF-A and X72DF-A, underscores that this confidence is well-placed, according to a press release.

“We started our journey on the development of the X72 DF-A with WinGD four years ago. Thanks to an excellent collaboration, we are able to deliver the first dual fuel ammonia engines to our large bulk carriers. This is a very important step in the decarbonisation journey of shipping,” said Alexander Saverys, CEO of CMB.TECH.

The X-DF-A engine features high-pressure ammonia injection supplemented by a low, targeted pilot fuel dose of around five per cent at full load. The engine delivers load handling, dynamic response and fuel efficiency on par with WinGD’s equivalent diesel-fuelled X Engines in both ammonia and diesel operating modes. Throughout a rigorous multi-year development and testing process, the X-DF-A platform has proven to achieve over 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in ammonia mode compared to diesel mode, as per the release.

New engine design into commercial operation

“Bringing a new engine design into commercial operation is aways the result of strong joint effort between engine and vessel designer, engine builder, shipyard and owner,” said CSE Chief Engineer, Zhang Guangwei.

“CSE is honoured to be the first engine builder in China to deliver ammonia-fuelled engines to the maritime market, and to take an early role in what will become a significant market as ammonia fuel is used more widely in shipping.”

WinGD has secured an early orderbook of 40 X-DF-A engines for a range of vessel types, underlining increasing market readiness for ammonia propulsion and giving shipowners choice as they navigate evolving regulatory and market demands on the path to net zero emissions, according to details available.

Researchers at Harvard University have developed a semiconductor chip that can synthesize 64 different DNA sequences in parallel using electric currents and a water-based enzymatic process, potentially offering an alternative to conventional DNA manufacturing methods.

The chip uses localized electrical control to trigger DNA synthesis at selected sites on its surface. The team says the approach avoids the solvent-heavy phosphoramidite chemistry widely used to produce synthetic DNA today.

Synthetic DNA is a key tool in modern biotechnology, supporting applications ranging from diagnostics and genome engineering to cancer research. While enzymatic DNA synthesis has emerged as a more environmentally friendly alternative, it has struggled to match the scale of conventional methods.

According to the researchers, enzymatic approaches have so far been limited to producing about a dozen DNA sequences simultaneously. In the new study, the chip generated 64 distinct DNA sequences in parallel, with each sequence reaching up to 39 nucleotides in length.

Electricity guides DNA

DNA synthesis occurs one nucleotide at a time. After each addition, a temporary blocking group must be removed before the next nucleotide can be attached.

To control this process, the Harvard team designed a chip with 64 synthesis sites. Each site contains two concentric ring electrodes surrounding DNA strands anchored at the center.

When activated, the inner electrode generates protons that lower the pH around a selected DNA strand. This acidic environment enables enzymatic DNA growth. At the same time, the outer electrode consumes diffusing protons, preventing the low-pH region from spreading to neighboring sites.

By repeating this process across selected locations during each synthesis cycle, the chip can build many different DNA sequences simultaneously.

The work builds on a semiconductor platform originally developed for neuroscience applications.

“A defining feature of the chip was precision current injection, which we used to permeabilize neuronal membranes for intracellular access,” said Donhee Ham, John A. and Elizabeth S. Armstrong Professor of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Harvard.

“At a certain point, we wondered whether that same current control could be redirected from cells to molecules – replacing the neuron-facing electrodes with ring-electrode pairs that could localize pH for DNA synthesis. It worked.”

Data storage potential

Beyond biological applications, the researchers explored whether the technology could support DNA-based data storage.

Using the 64 synthesized DNA sequences, the team encoded a 169-byte text message, demonstrating the platform’s potential for storing digital information in DNA molecules.

The researchers believe a water-based synthesis approach could become increasingly important if DNA production scales dramatically in the future.

“DNA data storage asks DNA synthesis to operate at a scale far beyond today’s needs,” said Woo-Bin Jung, co-first author of the study.

“That is why enzymatic synthesis in water can matter. If far more than 64 sequences can be synthesized in parallel, it could offer an environmentally friendly route toward writing DNA at very large scale.”

The team also attempted to increase the density of synthesis sites on the chip. While those experiments failed, they revealed that the main limitation came from the chemistry used to remove blocking groups rather than from the chip’s electronic architecture.

“The chip did what we asked it to do: it localized low pH at selected sites,” said Han Sae Jung, co-first author of the study. “The limitation came from the deprotection chemistry, not from the silicon.”

The study was published in Nature Electronics.

In a groundbreaking advancement that promises to reshape the landscape of wearable technology and soft robotics, researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have developed a pioneering self-powered piezoelectric fiber sensor exhibiting unprecedented stretchability and resilience. This novel device, capable of enduring elongations up to 668%, heralds a new era of flexible sensors that can reliably monitor physiological signals over extended periods without relying on external power sources such as batteries.

Wearable medical devices designed to continuously track vital signs—heart rate, respiration, and joint movement—have long been limited by the mechanical and electrical degradation of their sensing components under repeated deformations. Traditional piezoelectric fiber sensors, which convert mechanical forces into electrical signals, often suffer from diminished performance as their thin electrode layers and fragile piezoelectric materials falter during routine bending and stretching. Overcoming this barrier, the KAIST research team led by Professor Miso Kim has introduced a transformative approach that stabilizes sensor function even after thousands of mechanical cycles.

Central to this breakthrough is the adoption of a meticulously engineered “Hierarchical Resilient Design,” wherein resilience is embedded across multiple structural levels of the sensor. This concept mirrors the elasticity of a rubber band, allowing the piezoelectric fibers to recover their original form and function after extensive stretching. The research team achieved this by dispersing elastic polymer microparticles within the piezoelectric nanofibers, creating a Velcro-like interlocking microstructure that enhances the sensor’s mechanical robustness and self-restorative capabilities.

The interface engineering between the sensor’s electrical components also proved critical. By enhancing the bonding between the piezoelectric layers and the electrodes, the team prevented delamination—a common failure mode under deformation—that typically degrades signal integrity. This strong adhesion at the material interfaces ensures continuous charge transfer and maintains stable electrical outputs even when the sensor is twisted, pressed, or stretched significantly.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the sensor’s design is its coil and knot structures. By coiling the piezoelectric fibers, the researchers capitalized on geometric extensions, enabling the sensor to stretch over six times its initial length without losing sensitivity. Furthermore, knot configurations were tested to validate sensor durability under complex and dynamic mechanical stresses such as sudden impacts or localized pressure, demonstrating stable electrical signals regardless of deformation mode.

Beyond mechanical resilience, the KAIST team integrated artificial intelligence techniques to interpret the electrical outputs from the sensor. Utilizing machine learning algorithms, they could accurately distinguish between distinct mechanical stimuli—such as bending, stretching, and pressing—offering a valuable platform for intuitive and precise biosignal monitoring in real-world environments. This capability opens new horizons for dynamic human-machine interfacing, where nuanced movement detection is critical.

What sets this breakthrough apart is its self-powered nature. Unlike conventional wearable sensors that depend on finite battery life, the piezoelectric polymer fibers harvest mechanical energy directly from body movements, converting it into usable electrical signals. This sustainable mechanism not only eliminates maintenance concerns but also allows for ultra-lightweight, unobtrusive devices suitable for long-term wear.

The implications of this technology extend well beyond healthcare monitoring devices. Electronic skins capable of mimicking human sensory reception, soft robotic actuators with sensitive feedback loops, and next-generation digital health tools could all benefit from the combination of stretchability, mechanical resilience, and stable self-generated electrical outputs demonstrated by this platform. Such multifunctional usability places this development firmly at the forefront of flexible electronics innovation.

Professor Miso Kim emphasized the significance of their approach: “By simultaneously achieving mechanical resilience and electrical reliability through fiber structure design combined with precise electrode interface engineering, we have laid the foundation for wearable devices capable of long-term operation under strenuous conditions,” she remarked. This robust design paradigm, she asserts, will empower a new generation of devices that continuously monitor biosignals with unprecedented accuracy and durability.

Published in the prestigious journal ACS Nano, the team’s research showcases both fundamental materials science and applied engineering excellence. The paper titled “Mechanically and Functionally Resilient Piezoelectric Fiber Coils and Knots for Reliable Self-Powered Sensing” details the synthesis of the nanofiber composites, the meticulous fabrication of coil and knot geometries, and a comprehensive analysis of the sensor’s electromechanical performance over extensive cyclical tests.

The scientific community has lauded this work for addressing long-standing issues in flexible sensor design. By merging nanoscale material innovations with macrostructural strategies, the KAIST team has created a versatile sensing platform that bridges the gap between laboratory prototypes and real-world applications. Their work sets a precedent for future interdisciplinary efforts aimed at wearable electronics that demand both high performance and durability.

Funded by multiple National Research Foundation of Korea initiatives, this research underscores Korea’s growing leadership in advanced materials and smart sensor development. The integration of elastic polymer microparticles within piezoelectric nanofibers, combined with interface science and architectural engineering, exemplifies the kind of holistic approach necessary to push boundaries in next-generation electronics.

Looking ahead, this resilient, self-powered fiber sensor technology could transform how we collect and interpret physiological data in ambulatory settings, enable more sophisticated prosthetics with tactile feedback, and empower soft robots with human-like sensory capabilities. As devices become lighter, more adaptable, and energy-autonomous, the convergence of materials science and artificial intelligence will accelerate innovations that make previously impossible applications a reality.

In conclusion, the KAIST team’s pioneering piezoelectric fiber sensor offers a robust and reliable solution to historic challenges in wearable sensory technology. Its remarkable combination of extreme stretchability, stable electricity generation without batteries, and intelligent signal analysis marks a significant leap forward that is poised to impact multiple sectors, from healthcare to robotics and beyond.

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Subject of Research: Development of highly stretchable, mechanically resilient, self-powered piezoelectric fiber sensors for wearable devices and soft robotics.

Article Title: Mechanically and Functionally Resilient Piezoelectric Fiber Coils and Knots for Reliable Self-Powered Sensing

News Publication Date: June 18, 2026

Web References: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.5c19628

References: Choi, Y. J., Park, J., Nam, J., Sim, G.-D., Kim, M.-G., & Kim, M. (2026). Mechanically and Functionally Resilient Piezoelectric Fiber Coils and Knots for Reliable Self-Powered Sensing. ACS Nano.

Image Credits: KAIST

Keywords

Self-powered sensor, piezoelectric polymer, wearable medical devices, stretchable electronics, fiber coil sensor, interface engineering, mechanical resilience, electrical stability, nanofiber composites, artificial intelligence, biosignal monitoring, flexible sensors.

Food spoilage remains difficult to detect before it becomes a health risk. Consumers often rely on appearance and smell other than expiry dates to judge whether products are still safe to eat, despite the limitations of those methods.

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have developed a sensor system designed to provide a more objective assessment. The technology combines miniature gas sensors with machine-learning software to identify chemical signatures associated with food spoilage and common allergens.

The researchers believe the system could eventually support smart appliances and food monitoring tools that help consumers make safer decisions about what they eat.

Digital scent recognition

The device contains 16 microscopic gas sensors, each designed to respond differently to airborne chemical compounds. Together, the sensors create distinct response patterns when exposed to different foods.

Lead author Carla Bassil, a doctoral student in electrical engineering and computer sciences at UC Berkeley, described the system as a set of digital taste buds. Each sensor converts chemical interactions into electrical signals, allowing the device to generate a unique signature for specific foods.

Researchers then trained machine-learning models to recognize those signatures. The team tested the system on strawberries, blueberries, bananas, walnuts, hazelnuts, cashews, and peanuts. It also learned to distinguish between fresh and spoiled samples of milk, eggs, and raw chicken.

“The idea is that we can use the relative selectivity of the gas sensors, paired with the pattern recognition abilities of machine learning,” Bassil said. By combining sensor data with artificial intelligence, the system can identify food-related chemical fingerprints more consistently than human smell alone.

Allergen detection potential

The study also highlighted the technology’s ability to detect allergen-containing foods. During testing, the electronic nose identified as little as 0.05 grams of walnut material, roughly one-hundredth of an average shelled walnut. That level of sensitivity could support future food safety applications for people with severe allergies.

Researchers caution that the device has not yet been tested in more complex settings. Future evaluations will examine how well it performs when allergens are mixed with other foods or when multiple food odors are present at the same time.

The spoilage experiments focused on chicken, milk, and eggs left at room temperature for 24 and 48 hours. The system successfully differentiated between fresh and deteriorated samples by analyzing changes in the gases they released.

Carbon nanotube design

Electronic noses have existed for decades, but manufacturing multiple sensing materials on a single chip has remained a significant challenge. Bassil’s team addressed that problem by using carbon nanotubes instead of conventional metal-oxide materials. The nanotubes form extremely thin conductive layers with large surface areas, making them highly sensitive to chemical compounds at room temperature.

Operating without high temperatures also allowed the researchers to use a wider range of sensing materials, including polymers that might degrade under heat. The design further simplified manufacturing by enabling different sensing materials to be deposited in a single fabrication step.

Although the current study focused on laboratory testing, Bassil has already developed a portable version that connects to an iPhone application. Future work will focus on improving reliability and evaluating the system in real-world environments.

Ali Javey, Berkeley’s Lam Research Distinguished Chair in Semiconductor Processing, served as the study’s senior author. Researchers from Berkeley and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology also contributed to the project.

The study is published in the journal Science Advances.

Most of us have used the sniff test to decide whether a slightly expired bottle of milk or a week-old box of takeout is still good to eat. But while the human nose can be quite astute, it doesn't always catch everything. Each year, millions of people in the U.S. are sickened by food-borne pathogens that thrive in undercooked or spoiled food.

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