Researchers at the University of Rochester are developing a new system that will allow people to speak anonymously in real time through computer-generated voices to help protect privacy and avoid censorship or retaliation.

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Dr. Byungwook Hwang’s research team from the CCS Research Department at the Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER) has successfully developed a process that applies the circulating fluidized bed technology, commonly used in coal-fired power plant boilers, to recycle waste plastics and produce pyrolysis oil on a large scale.

New groundbreaking research recently published in Applied Sciences, by  scientists from Oxford University, the University of Southampton, and Diamond Light Source, focuses on developing a new technology for writing and reading covert information on authentication labels. This technology leverages the unique properties of Ge2Sb2Te5 thin films, which can change their structure when exposed to specific types of laser light. By using circularly or linearly polarised laser light, the researchers can encode hidden information in these thin films. This information can then be revealed using a simple reading device, making the technology both advanced and accessible. The paper is called “Application of Photo-Induced Chirality in Covert Authentication" and explains how photo-induced chirality in Ge2Sb2Te5 thin films can be exploited to improve authentication.   The significance of this research lies in its potential applications. Authentication labels are essential in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, electronics, and currency. The ability to encode and read covert information securely can help prevent counterfeiting and ensure the authenticity of products. Moreover, the technology's reliance on existing manufacturing methods makes it a practical solution for widespread use.  

Physicist Christian Schneider from the University of Oldenburg, Germany, has been awarded a Consolidator Grant by the European Research Council (ERC). His project focuses on so-called two-dimensional materials and their optical properties. In the "Dual Twist" project, Schneider and his team will investigate double layers of these extremely thin crystals, which offer far more possibilities than single-layer crystals. The researchers also want to build a quantum simulator made of light to better predict the properties of the materials.