As the demand for high-speed wireless communication grows, millimeter-wave frequencies, such as the 27 GHz band, have become increasingly important for 5G and beyond. However, operating at these frequencies poses technical challenges, such as high propagation losses and atmospheric interference. Now, researchers from China have developed an innovative 2-bit phased array antenna that effectively addresses these issues. Its compact, cost-effective design offers a promising and experimentally verified solution for the future of wireless communications.

Perovskite solar cells are a flexible and sustainable alternative to conventional silicon-based solar cells. Researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) are part of an international team that was able to find – within only a few weeks – new organic molecules that increase the efficiency of perovskite solar cells. The team used a clever combination of artificial intelligence (AI) and automated high-throughput synthesis. Their strategy can also be applied to other areas of materials research, such as the search for new battery materials. The researchers report their findings in Science (DOI: 10.1126/science.ads0901).

A latest study published in Engineering has brought exciting news! Scientists have developed an innovative approach to transform discarded face masks, which have become a significant waste issue worldwide, into valuable products such as carbon nanotubes and hydrogen. This research could potentially offer a win - win solution for both environmental protection and economic development.

A breakthrough study reveals that the Shoot-Silicon-Signal (SSS) protein plays a crucial role in managing silicon uptake and distribution in rice and other grasses. This study sheds light on how SSS helps plants adapt to environmental stresses. Understanding the role of silicon could provide valuable information on crop resilience and solutions to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability, especially in the face of climate change.

In a significant perspective article published in Engineering, researchers present an innovative concept: the in situ conversion of universal hydraulic energy to electricity to address common challenges in water treatment. This novel idea might bring about a transformation in the water treatment field, providing a sustainable and effective way to deal with long - standing issues.

Numerical weather prediction (NWP) systems use large amounts of observational data gathered daily using satellite-based and ground-based instruments to make forecasts, but maintaining them is costly and time-consuming. Now, researchers from Japan have tested the feasibility of using drones equipped with meteorological sensors to complement NWP systems. The results highlight the potential of using commercial drones in densely populated urban areas and sparse meteorological observation areas, to make NWP data collection more convenient and inexpensive.