➀ The Saarbrücken conference focuses on smart materials and their applications in various industries. ➁ It highlights the collaboration between universities and industry to develop new products. ➂ It showcases innovative research in materials science and technology transfer.

➀ A German-Chinese research team led by Prof. Dr. Francesco Ciucci from the University of Bayreuth has developed a new electrochemical water splitting method. ➁ This method not only accelerates hydrogen production for technology and industry but also makes it more sustainable. ➂ The research, published in Nature Nanotechnology, shows a significant improvement in oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity and efficiency.

➀ Perplexity AI is confident it can revolutionize financial market research with its latest AI-enhanced toolset; ➁ The company's new tool, Internal Knowledge Search, allows users to search through their provided data and enhance it with internet data; ➂ Perplexity is also introducing Spaces for team collaboration, allowing secure file sharing and AI customization.

➀ The whitepaper by Learning Systems explores successful AI deployment in businesses that create value for companies, employees, and customers. ➁ It highlights practical examples from various industries on how AI can address both economic and social goals. ➂ The report emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation-friendly environments for AI adoption, while acknowledging challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises in implementing AI technologies.

➀ Dr. Thomas Flisgen has been appointed as a professor at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg; ➁ He will focus on electromagnetic field computation and high-frequency technology; ➂ The appointment strengthens the partnership between BTU and Ferdinand-Braun-Institut (FBH).

➀ The Fraunhofer ICT in Pfinztal researches renewable energy power generation. The campus is powered by wind turbines and photovoltaic systems. After six years, the institute presents a positive balance and outlines future expansion plans. ➁ A 2-MW wind turbine and a 6 MWh redox-flow battery have been in operation since mid-2018. A 690 kWp photovoltaic system was added in summer 2023. ➂ The combination of wind, solar energy, and large-scale batteries provides insights for micro-grid design and operation. The research aims to reduce costs and ensure technical safety and resilience for a cost-effective and secure energy transition.

➀ FH Aachen's Institute of Microwave and Plasma Technology (IMP) has achieved a breakthrough in plasma generation by creating a stand-alone plasma with high energy density. This research aims to mimic the fusion processes occurring in the sun for energy production on Earth. The plasma is produced in a small laboratory-scale setup, demonstrating the potential for large-scale applications. ➁ Professor Dr. Holger Heuermann leads the research, emphasizing the significance of the development for understanding and replicating the fusion processes. ➂ The research team is working on precise measurement and large-scale implementation of the technology, seeking collaboration with industry and research partners.

➀ Researchers at the University of Glasgow have developed 3D-printed lattice-like composites that can detect their own strain, load, and damage. ➁ The material, made from a PEI polymer mixed with carbon nanotubes, is designed to monitor its own performance without additional hardware. ➂ The team has created a complete theoretical model of the substance's piezo resistivity, allowing for accurate prediction of the material's response to stress and strain.

➀ The UKRI has allocated £25m for sustainable electronics design and manufacturing through its Accelerating the Green Economy programme. ➁ Glasgow University will lead a four-year project in collaboration with other institutions to tackle sustainability challenges in the electronics industry. ➂ The focus will be on reducing electronic waste, minimising reliance on critical raw materials, and reducing carbon footprints.

➀ Researchers at the University of Ottawa have discovered that achiral (symmetric) materials can absorb light differently based on the handedness of the light wavefront. This challenges long-held beliefs about their optical properties. ➁ The team found ways to precisely control this absorption, which could be beneficial for technologies like optical switches. ➂ The study could lead to improved efficiency in optical devices and provides new insights into light-material interactions.

➀ Stanford University scientists have used a specialized electron microscope to explore the microstructure of promising soft semiconductors. The research focuses on organic mixed ionic-electronic conductors (OMIECs) with potential applications in next-generation batteries and electronics. The study reveals the internal structure and electron transport mechanisms of OMIECs. ➁ The research technique, cryo 4D-STEM, allows for the observation of the material's microstructure in action, providing insights into how the material performs under stress. ➂ The findings could have significant implications for future research on OMIEC polymers and their electronic applications.

➀ Raytheon has been awarded a contract from DARPA to develop diamond and aluminum nitride semiconductors with ultra-wide bandgap; ➁ These materials are known for their high thermal conductivity, especially diamond; ➂ The project aims to revolutionize semiconductor electronics with improved power delivery and thermal management.

➀ The Fraunhofer IPA's Center for Digitalized Battery Cell Production (ZDB) has launched a flexible winding machine for cylindrical battery cells in partnership with acp systems AG. It serves as a platform for testing new cell formats, components, and tab designs. It enables the development of large-format cells for future battery technologies. The winding machine is unique globally and integrated into an automated and digitalized infrastructure for battery cell production. ➁ The machine is not only a production platform for Jelly Rolls but also a research platform for developing and testing innovative cell systems and formats. ➂ The entire production process is digitalized and networked to minimize waste and improve quality. Data collected by sensors are processed in real-time in the cloud, allowing for traceability technologies that can attribute data to individual battery cells. This enables data analysis, AI training, and the development of monitoring and predictive services.

➀ Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) has signed a new master research agreement (MRA) with RTX Corporation subsidiaries Collins Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney to collaborate on sustainable aerospace technology research. The agreement will enable collaboration on advanced materials, hydrogen propulsion, and advanced manufacturing. ➁ Collins and TU Delft will work on a high-speed intelligent inspection system to improve manufacturing processes for lightweight and recyclable aircraft materials. ➂ Pratt & Whitney and TU Delft will develop novel engine configurations using thermal energy recovery technologies to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions.

➀ The Fraunhofer Institutes IMS and FHR have qualified for the second competitive round of the Fraunhofer Society's performance centers with their work on 'Terahertz sensor technology'. The participation is associated with a 3 million Euro grant from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2027. ➁ The need for bandwidth is the main driver for Terahertz (THz) technologies, as modern applications like cloud computing or artificial intelligence require ever higher data transmission rates. ➂ With the funding from the Fraunhofer Society, the two participating institutes can establish a center over the next three years that focuses on chip development and the transfer of all related manufacturing and evaluation steps to the finished MMIC.

➀ The Green ICT Connect event, organized by FMD, focuses on sustainable information and communication technology. It brings together industry, science, and politics for discussions and networking.➁ The event includes the second Green ICT Awards ceremony and an exclusive breakfast for female scientists.➂ The FMD promotes sustainability in microelectronics and encourages women in the field through various initiatives and events.

➀ Researchers from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore have generated GHz-frequency electromagnetic smoke rings. These semi-stable toroidal electromagnetic structures were first proposed theoretically in 1995 by Hellwarth and Nouchi at the University of Southern California. The researchers believe these vortex rings could have potential applications in data transmission and remote sensing. ➁ The unique spectral and polarization characteristics of the vortex rings allow them to carry more information compared to traditional waves. ➂ The skyrmion textures within the vortex rings offer possibilities for topological data storage and processing.

➀ An advancement in battery chemistry is promising smaller, lighter, and cheaper Li-ion cells without compromising performance at the end of life; ➁ Researchers from Argonne National Laboratory identify cathode hydrogenation as the primary cause of lithium battery degradation; ➂ Mitigating self-discharge could lead to a future of improved rechargeable batteries.

➀ Aston University set a world record by sending data at 402Tbit/s over standard optical fibres. ➁ Researchers at Bath University developed a lactic acid sensor using a graphene-like foam capacitor. ➂ Glasgow University's ANALOGUE IC packaging research could lead to applications in biomedical implants and quantum computing interfaces. ➃ Leicester University's space battery passed vibration tests, and Nottingham Trent University is exploring washable stretchable electronics for medical wearables. ➄ Oxford researchers demonstrated a low-noise qubit integrated circuit for quantum computing.