A research team led by Prof. Guo-Yong Xiang and Prof. Wei Yi from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has reported the experimental observation of chiral switching between collective steady states in a dissipative Rydberg gas. This phenomenon, underpinned by a unique "Liouvillian exceptional structure" inherent to non-Hermitian physics, allows the state of the system to be controlled by the direction in which it is tuned through the parameter space, much like a revolving door that only allows exit in one direction. The results were published in Science Bulletin.

The precise design of functional molecules is of great significance for regulating the microenvironment in the nanospace. Now, writing in the journal National Science Review, the researchers from Northwest University in China have reported a coordination cage for confined nanospaces with flexible aliphatic "grippers". These implanted flexible "grippers" offer an adaptive capture process involving numerous substrates and can achieve better stability through the weak interaction they provide.

Soft robots demonstrate significant potential for applications in complex environments due to their remarkable flexibility; however, the efficient integration of multiple responsive modes remains a major challenge. The team led by Prof. Chen Xin and Prof. Chen Yun at Guangdong University of Technology, in collaboration with Dr. Guo Yuanhui from Guangdong Polytechnic Normal University, has developed an amphibious soft robot that responds to temperature, humidity, and magnetic fields. This work introduces a novel approach in soft robotics with its capability to operate in multiple modes, which is anticipated to find applications in practical situations like search, rescue, and smart logistics.

Penn researchers have developed a groundbreaking AI-powered device that turns ordinary glasses into a smart, energy-efficient health monitor by watching you blink. The device, called BlinkWise, uses radio signals to track eyelid movements with unprecedented detail, all while preserving privacy and using minimal power. The technology opens doors for assessing fatigue, mental workload and eye-related health issues in real-world settings, from long-haul trucking to everyday office work.