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Consistency, not complexity, is the key to teaching robots dexterity, new research suggests

3 June 2026 at 19:00
Teaching robots to manipulate objects with humanlike dexterity has long been one of robotics' toughest challenges. Tasks such as rotating an object in-hand or coordinating two robot arms to maneuver a bulky item require constant changes in contact, grip, and motion, skills that are difficult both to program and to demonstrate through human teleoperation.

Next-generation computing relies on extremely thin semiconductors—now there's a better way to make them

3 June 2026 at 18:20
The ability to develop extremely thin semiconductors is key to advancing the fields of electronics and computing. But so far, there's been a trade-off between the quality of these semiconductors and the ability to make them at industrial scale. Prof. Cong Su and his research team have found a solution that combines the best aspects of two methods to make high-quality materials at scale.

Electric SUV showdown: Comparing the revamped Toyota bZ to the Tesla Model Y

3 June 2026 at 18:00
Once you've decided to buy an electric vehicle, the exciting but tricky part is choosing which one to get. For a growing number of car shoppers, an electric SUV makes the most sense for everyday life. The latest models have enough range to handle everyday driving and the occasional trek out of town without much of an issue. They're also roomy for your family and have some innovative technology features. But which one to get? That's where the Tesla Model Y and Toyota bZ come in.

Reusable cups made easy: What consumers really want

3 June 2026 at 17:20
A new study from Taiwan combines consumer behavior research and life cycle assessment to design reusable cup systems that people are more willing to use. The findings show that convenience and incentives strongly shape participation, while well-designed reusable cup systems can still reduce environmental impacts compared to single-use cups.

'Baked' yeast-based materials power 3D-printed architectural materials

3 June 2026 at 16:40
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, have developed a new, entirely bio-based material from a somewhat unexpected ingredient: yeast. The material is 3D printed and customized for use in architectural and interior design elements that are currently made from non-renewable or fossil-based materials, such as plaster, plastic or synthetic textiles. These may be daylight modulating and sunlight protecting screens, room partitions or wall systems.

Turbo-charging battery research with AI: An ambitious vision

3 June 2026 at 14:20
Scientists envision batteries will play a central role in improving the security and cost-effectiveness of America's energy systems. But achieving this requires solving numerous technical challenges, such as designing high-performance batteries, battery materials and understanding how batteries degrade. This is no easy task.

Real-time X-ray compression shrinks file size by 8,000 times

3 June 2026 at 14:00
Researchers led by Takaki Hatsui at the RIKEN SPring-8 Center (RSC) in Japan and collaborators have developed a new approach to compressing X-ray imaging data in real time, reducing the size of data files by more than 8,000 times, while at the same time preserving the detailed X-ray intensity information required for quantitative analysis.

Researchers develop adaptive electric vehicle charging method to reduce battery degradation

2 June 2026 at 18:20
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) have developed an adaptive charging strategy for lithium-ion batteries that could help electric vehicles (EVs) charge efficiently while reducing a major cause of battery degradation known as lithium plating. Published in the Journal of Energy Storage, the study introduces a self-adjusting charging framework that dynamically protects batteries from internal degradation while optimizing charging efficiency and time across varying temperature and health conditions.

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