Inspired by the multimodal perception characteristics of insect antennae (for force, temperature and gas), the ECUST interdisciplinary team developed the Electronic Multifunctional Sensing Antenna (EMSA)—a flexible thin-film self-decoupling multimodal sensor fabricated via a maskless laser direct writing process. The sensor realizes intrinsic decoupling of temperature and strain, as well as simultaneous thermo-mechanical-gas trimodal monitoring, with four core technological breakthroughs.

A recent study by University of Notre Dame researchers describes a promising alternative for next-generation cooling using thermoelectric technology, which has no moving parts ad no gaseous refrigerants, allowing for zero leaks.

A team of gas sensors led by Ronghan Wei from Zhengzhou University in Zhengzhou, China, synthesized In₂O₃ with oxygen vacancies (In₂O₃-L) and anchored Pt single atoms, enabling real-time detection of low-concentration acetone. The In₂O₃-L-Pt sensor demonstrated a 5-fold improvement in response to 20 ppm acetone at 220 °C compared to In₂O₃, exhibiting rapid response/recovery times (2/30 s), ultra-low theoretical detection limits, excellent selectivity, and outstanding long-term stability.

Artificial intelligence systems are becoming increasingly powerful—but also harder to understand. 

Artificial intelligence systems are becoming increasingly powerful—but also harder to understand. 

As global warming intensifies, window technologies that can automatically regulate indoor light and humidity in response to environmental changes could help reduce building energy consumption and support the development of a low-carbon city. A research team at the International Centre of Urban Energy Nexus (UEX) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has developed an innovative smart window film that leverages the unique properties of various materials to lower indoor temperatures during the day while absorbing moisture and reducing its transparency at night, thereby enhancing energy efficiency as well as improving indoor comfort and privacy. Antibacterial, durable and cost-effective, this innovative window film is particularly suitable for use in humid regions such as Hong Kong, offering a promising solution for green building development.

The Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS, President Dr. Lee Ho Seong) has successfully developed a chlorinated graphene (Cl-Gr) gas sensor that uses readily available saltwater to rapidly detect and recover from harmful gases at room temperature. Because the sensor can operate without a separate heating element, it significantly improves the prospects for practical gas sensors in compact devices, where their use has long been limited by power consumption and heat generation.

Adelaide University researchers have developed an innovative wearable glove that uses heat, touch and physical objects to transform data into a sensory experience.