The future of wireless technology — from charging devices to boosting communication signals — relies on the antennas that transmit electromagnetic waves becoming increasingly versatile, durable and easy to manufacture. Researchers at Drexel University and the University of British Columbia believe kirigami, the ancient Japanese art of cutting and folding paper to create intricate three-dimensional designs, could provide a model for manufacturing the next generation of antennas.

An international research team has for the first time designed realistic photonic time crystals – exotic materials that exponentially amplify light. The breakthrough opens up exciting possibilities across fields such as communication, imaging, and sensing by laying the foundations for faster and more compact lasers, sensors and other optical devices.

The Create the Future Design Contest — sponsored by COMSOL, Mouser Electronics, and presented by SAE Media Group — has helped bring out the best technologies for the future throughout its 22-year run.

Animashree (Anima) Anandkumar: Our research was inspired by nature: Birds, fish, and other biological organisms can sense the fluids (air or water) around them, predict how that is likely to evolve, and change their movements accordingly. This gives them agility and fluidity even under challenging conditions. That is not seen in artificial flight — we wanted to change that.

In the evolving world of healthcare, medical devices require compact, powerful computing solutions to support critical applications like robotic surgery, diagnostic imaging, and real-time data analytics. Single board computers (SBCs) offer reliability, adaptability, and long-term support essential for medical environments. Kontron SBCs enable innovative healthcare technologies by handling high data loads, ensuring secure connectivity, and providing lifecycle stability, meeting the stringent demands of modern healthcare.