The latest estimates put the number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices at approximately 20 billion, a figure that is expected to double by 2033. One of the consequences of this is a huge quantity of empty batteries that need to be replaced regularly and disposed of. Now, under the Ambient-6G project, researchers from TU Graz, Aalto University, KU Leuven, and the University of Oulu are working to make the Internet of Things more sustainable. Their aim is to supply IoT devices with electricity wirelessly or harvest it from nearby sources – removing the need for batteries altogether. The European Union is supporting the project, which also involves leading companies from the electronics and telecommunications sectors, with funding of EUR 8.4 million.

Lungpacer Medical, a Canadian innovation success story, began as a labour of love for both its inventor and its first major business partner.

Simon Fraser University (SFU) biomedical physiology and kinesiology professor and neuroscientist-inventor Andy Hoffer had already co-founded two biotechnical companies (Neurostream Technologies in 1998 and Bionic Power in 2006), when he was presented with his next challenge.

Lungpacer Medical, a Canadian innovation success story, began as a labour of love for both its inventor and its first major business partner.

Simon Fraser University (SFU) biomedical physiology and kinesiology professor and neuroscientist-inventor Andy Hoffer had already co-founded two biotechnical companies (Neurostream Technologies in 1998 and Bionic Power in 2006), when he was presented with his next challenge.

Researchers from the Texas A&M University Center for Worker Health say Labor Day isn’t just a break, it’s a chance to reset and prepare for the rest of the year at work

Kruti Naik, a PhD candidate at the Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform (WADDP), is pioneering new ways to treat eye infections and vision-related diseases that could transform patient care in Africa and beyond.

Instead of relying on traditional eye drops, Naik is developing microneedle patches—similar to contact lenses—that deliver medicine painlessly and directly to the eye. This innovation reduces drug wastage, avoids refrigeration challenges, and could combat severe infections linked to rising antibiotic resistance.

Her work combines microneedle delivery with nanomedicine principles to target diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and inflammation caused by both infectious and chronic illnesses. Currently collaborating with Dr Garry Laverty’s team at Queen’s University Belfast, Naik is also developing self-assembling hydrogels that act as long-lasting implants, steadily releasing medication for conditions like HIV, TB, and cancer.

Backed by a Wits Foundation UK fellowship and NRF/DSI SARChI funding, Naik’s research highlights how accessible, patient-friendly technologies can make life-saving differences. As South Africa marks Women’s Month, her achievements showcase the vital contributions of women scientists to advancing global health.

Texas A&M researchers are working to improve an “ice battery” system that freezes water at night to cool buildings during the day.

Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) has officially begun developing an international standard for digital identity wallets to lead the way in the digital ID era. Digital identity wallets are the next generation of authentication technology that allows users to securely store and access a variety of identification documents on their smartphones, including resident registration cards, driver's licenses, student ID cards, credit cards, and more.