Tech & AI

Researchers have built an AI system that predicts exactly how printing speed, layer height, and infill density affect the environmental cost of 3D-printed parts. The tool achieves 97% accuracy and works across different materials and designs—giving manufacturers a practical way to cut electricity use and plastic waste before hitting print.EN

A year after launching an open-source platform for modeling how drugs work in the body, developers say the tool is now used by over 100 institutions—including major pharmaceutical companies and regulatory agencies. The shift toward shared, transparent software could accelerate drug approvals and cut development costs by letting firms collaborate on complex calculations that traditionally required expensive proprietary tools.EN

Researchers have developed machine learning models that automatically analyze scrap metal composition before furnace melting, eliminating time-consuming manual selection. The advancement could significantly reduce production costs and energy consumption for European steel producers, while improving competitiveness as the industry faces mounting climate regulations.EN

Researchers tested a web-based diabetes education portal with actual patients and identified specific design flaws that prevent self-management. The findings reveal a framework for building digital health tools that patients will actually use—critical as healthcare systems worldwide scale remote monitoring to reduce costs and improve outcomes.EN

Researchers found that converting wood residues into hydrochar and adding it to soil cuts greenhouse gas emissions by up to 300 kg annually while improving financial returns. For pulp and paper companies, the discovery offers a dual payoff: a new revenue stream from waste valorization and measurable climate credentials that regulators and investors increasingly demand.EN

Researchers combined three imaging techniques to pinpoint exactly where and why clots develop in ECMO machines—artificial lungs that keep severely ill patients alive. The findings could guide design improvements and better anticoagulation protocols, reducing a major complication that costs hospitals time, resources, and patient safety.EN

A new study shows that combining photovoltaic cells with solar-assisted heat pumps dramatically improves performance and reduces climate impact. But the upfront cost is steep: payback periods stretch 24% longer, raising questions about subsidy models needed to make the technology commercially viable.EN

Researchers developed a camera-based method to analyze machined surfaces in real time, catching quality problems before parts leave the shop floor. The approach cuts inspection time and costs by eliminating the need to send samples to separate metrology labs, potentially reshaping how manufacturers control quality.EN

A study of 12 master's programs across Sweden found that while universities cover all major cybersecurity roles, they're unevenly preparing students for emerging threats like AI and cloud attacks. The gap could leave European employers scrambling for talent as cyber threats grow more sophisticated.EN

A new composite binder made from bioash and minimal cement can solidify contaminated soil and lock away heavy metals like zinc and cadmium at a fraction of the cost of conventional methods. A pilot test treating 100 tonnes of soil in northern Sweden proved the approach works at scale, offering a cost-effective remediation path for mining regions across Europe.EN

Engineers have developed a more precise way to control inverters that convert renewable energy onto the power grid, addressing a critical bottleneck as utilities worldwide shift away from coal and gas. The advance could reduce grid instability and allow utilities to integrate far more solar and wind capacity without expensive infrastructure upgrades.EN

Scientists have identified the optimal settings for sintering aluminum parts made with low-cost extrusion-based 3D printing, potentially unlocking a faster, safer route to metal manufacturing. The findings could accelerate adoption of additive manufacturing in industries from aerospace to automotive by eliminating expensive laser equipment.EN

Researchers have identified chemical recipes that extract valuable materials—copper, arsenic, antimony, and bismuth—from industrial sludge left behind during copper processing. The breakthrough could turn a costly waste stream into a profitable secondary resource, reducing mining pressure on scarce elements while solving an environmental liability.EN

Researchers have developed a specialized AI algorithm that solves hard optimization problems—like delivery routing and factory scheduling—more efficiently than existing approaches. The advance could help companies reduce logistics costs and improve resource allocation in real-world operations.EN

Five years into publishing urban sustainability research, npj Urban Sustainability argues that cities have exhausted incremental fixes and need fundamental regeneration strategies. For investors and policymakers, the shift signals that adaptation-focused infrastructure—from smart grids to waste systems—must now integrate circular economy principles and social justice to deliver real climate outcomes.EN

Researchers created a streamlined artificial intelligence system that diagnoses gastric cancer from tissue samples with 98% accuracy while running 30 times faster and smaller than traditional models. The breakthrough matters because hospitals can now deploy cancer detection on standard computers and mobile devices, reducing diagnosis wait times and expanding screening capacity in resource-limited settings.EN

Researchers have developed a chemical process that makes silicon particles more durable in lithium-ion batteries, achieving high charging efficiency and stable performance over repeated cycles. The advance could extend battery life and reduce costs for electric vehicles and grid storage systems that rely on silicon-enhanced anodes.EN

Researchers have created the first white light-emitting device using only metal-free materials, achieving efficient light output without rare metals or complex manufacturing. The breakthrough could lower costs and environmental impact for next-generation displays and lighting—opening new opportunities for manufacturers seeking sustainable alternatives.EN

Security researchers demonstrated that automated building systems can be fooled into creating false or missing activity logs, potentially allowing intruders to operate invisibly. The findings raise serious concerns for crime scene investigations, workplace security, and facility managers relying on sensor data to track building occupancy and detect unauthorized access.EN

Researchers have designed a software system that treats food ingredients like data points, matching raw materials to recipes based on nutritional content and processing efficiency rather than tradition. The approach could help manufacturers slash waste and optimize production at scale—a critical advantage as regulators tighten sustainability requirements across the sector.EN

Researchers created a display screen that doubles as a sensor for touch, fingerprints, and ambient light—eliminating the need for separate sensing components. The innovation could cut manufacturing costs and enable thinner devices while adding a power-harvesting capability that lets screens charge equipment.EN

Researchers have built the first stable, bright near-infrared LEDs that work reliably at high power—a breakthrough that could accelerate development of night vision, medical imaging, and secure communications systems. The lead-free design solves a decade-old durability problem that has blocked commercial deployment.EN

Researchers have created artificial neurons from organic materials that mimic how biological brains sense and respond to the world—potentially replacing rigid silicon-based systems. The breakthrough could enable softer, biocompatible robots and wearables that adapt in real-time, opening new markets in healthcare devices and autonomous systems where current AI hardware falls short.EN

Researchers have created an electrically charged growing substrate that accelerates plant growth in hydroponic systems, boosting seedling dry weight by half in just two weeks. The breakthrough could slash fertilizer use and upend indoor farming economics, potentially transforming agtech operations and food production costs.EN

A systematic review of 16 studies across Nordic countries found that cybercrime vulnerability depends heavily on demographic and economic factors—not just technology. The findings suggest prevention strategies must target specific at-risk populations rather than treating cybercrime as a purely technical problem.EN