Ever wondered how nature’s waterproof leaves and self-cleaning surfaces could inspire new materials? A recent study in Engineering explores how starch, a common kitchen ingredient, can be used to create advanced superwettable systems for packaging, water treatment, and even food taste enhancement. Discover how this eco-friendly solution is shaping the future of material science!

Looking to improve zinc production? Scientists have developed a new model that can quickly and accurately predict temperatures in industrial roasters using minimal data. This innovation could enhance efficiency and product quality in zinc smelting. Find out how it works and its potential impact in our latest report!

Scientists have developed a pioneering framework that translates human brain activity into editable visual imagery, opening up new possibilities for creative design and human–computer interaction. Named DreamConnect, the system employs a dual-stream diffusion model to directly interpret functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) signals and refine them with natural language instructions. By progressively aligning brain activity with user-directed prompts, the method allows for manipulation of imagined scenes—such as transforming a mental picture of a lake into a vivid sunset. This breakthrough demonstrates the potential of brain-to-image technologies to actively shape human “dreams,” suggesting future applications in design, therapy, and communication.

Unlocking deep oil reservoirs just got easier! Scientists have developed a groundbreaking nanographite system that boosts oil recovery in extreme conditions. Read on to discover how this innovative solution overcomes high-temperature and high-salinity challenges, offering a game-changing approach for enhanced oil extraction.

Origami-inspired deployable structures are promising owing to their compact storage and efficient deployment. Recently, a team of researchers from Pusan National University have made an innovative breakthrough in this field. They present a multi-resin dispensing process for creating monolithic fiber-reinforced polymer structures with selective rigidity and flexibility, enabling origami-inspired deployable robotics applications with precise mechanical property control and mass production potential.

Tactile sensors are indispensable in robotics, prosthetics, wearables, and healthcare monitoring. Now, researchers from SeoulTech have investigated 3D-printed auxetic metamaterials with negative Poisson's ratio behavior that enhance tactile sensor performance through inward contraction and localized strain concentration under compression. The research demonstrates superior sensitivity in both capacitive and resistive sensor configurations, with practical applications in pressure mapping arrays and wearable gait monitoring systems.

The ability to monitor soil moisture at high resolutions is crucial for improving agricultural productivity, water resource management, and environmental forecasting.