New nuclear reactor spider robot triples weld inspection speed, claims Russia

Russia’s state atomic energy corporation Rosatom has unveiled a new “spider robot” capable of inspecting welds in nuclear reactor components three times faster than traditional methods.

Developed by Atommash, the company’s mechanical engineering division, the system is designed to perform ultrasonic inspections of welds up to 30 centimeters thick in nuclear power plant reactors and steam generators, an essential process to ensure critical equipment’s structural integrity and safety.


Ultrasonic testing, a widely used non-destructive technique, helps detect invisible internal defects during visual inspections. Traditionally, this process involves technicians manually moving scanners across the surface of the welds, a time-consuming and physically demanding task. The new robot automates this movement, allowing inspections to be completed far more quickly and with improved accuracy.

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China unveils ‘world’s cheapest’ humanoid robot standing 3.1 feet tall

In a move that could redefine the affordability of humanoid technology, Beijing-based startup Noetix Robotics has unveiled Bumi, a compact humanoid robot priced at just ¥9,998 ($1,370).


The development, first reported by TechNode and Global Times, is a significant milestone in making humanoid robots accessible beyond research labs and corporate settings, targeting consumers, students, and educators instead.

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China unveils ‘world’s first’ humanoid robot that resists dust, rain, heat

Chinese technology company Deep Robotics has unveiled the DR02 humanoid, an industrial robot designed to function in all weather conditions.


The Hangzhou-based company also claimed that it’s the first humanoid robot in the world to achieve an IP66 protection rating, capable of resisting dust and rain.


Most robots in the market struggle to work in real-world conditions with temperature changes, which limits their practical use.

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First proof of plasma ripples reveals link between nuclear fusion energy and cosmos

Researchers in South Korea have solved a long-standing mystery in plasma physics by experimentally demonstrating how tiny magnetic ripples can trigger large-scale structural changes within plasma.

The phenomenon, known as multiscale coupling, was confirmed for the first time by a research team led by Hwang Yong-Seok, PhD, a professor at the Department of Nuclear Engineering at Seoul National University (SNY).

For the study, Hwang and his team, including Park Jong-Yoon, PhD, an assistant professor at the university, and Yoon Young Dae, PhD, a theoretical physicist at the Asia Pacific Center for Theoretical Physics (APCTP), integrated fusion experiments and cosmic plasma theory.

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US firm’s first-of-its-kind nuclear reactor gets funding boost to power data centers

Advanced nuclear firm Aalo Atomics announced it has secured $100 million in new capital and regulatory support to complete its first reactor at Idaho National Laboratory (INL).

The project, selected for the Department of Energy’s (DOE) new Nuclear Reactor Pilot Program, aims to demonstrate a future where dedicated nuclear reactors directly power the massive energy needs of artificial intelligence.

In an announcement on August 19, the Austin-based company detailed its successful Series B funding round led by Valor Equity Partners. The raise, which also included participants like Hitachi Ventures, NRG, and Fine Structure Ventures, brings Aalo’s total capital to over $136 million.

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US nuclear waste could be recycled to create rare hydrogen fuel for reactors

Scientists in the United States are developing a method to recycle nuclear waste to make tritium – a rare version of hydrogen which serves as one of the main fuels in nuclear fusion.

Nuclear fusion is a process that fuses two atoms together to release heat which can turn generators. The generators will ensure a supply of large amounts of electricity that is almost emission-free. Therefore, in theory, it is thought to be one of the cleanest forms of energy.

Nuclear power plants operating today rely on nuclear fission, which results in energy generation, but there is also a lot of nuclear waste generated that remains radioactive for years.  The nuclear fusion process, which provides power to the stars in the universe, on the other hand, would result in very little radioactive waste being produced at the end.

The process would require the fusion of deuterium and tritium. While the former is readily available, the US currently has a shortage of tritium.

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Van Gogh’s iconic ‘The Starry Night’ painting helps discover a new quantum vortex

Famous American writer Isaac Asimov once said, “There is an art to science, and science in art.” A new study proves this quote right by highlighting a never-before-seen connection between Vincent van Gogh’s famous painting “The Starry Night” and quantum physics.

The main focus of the study is the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability (KHI), an effect observed in the everyday world when two fluids slide past each other at different speeds, which can sculpt waves and whorls in clouds, rivers, or ocean surfaces.

“Our research began with a simple question. Can the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability happen in quantum fluids?” Hiromitsu Takeuchi, lead study author and an associate professor at Osaka Metropolitan University, said.

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How China created super steel for nuclear fusion

Nuclear fusion reactors rely on powerful superconducting magnets that must function under intense magnetic fields and at temperatures approaching absolute zero. These extreme conditions place extraordinary demands on the structural materials used, which must remain strong and stable despite the cold and stress.

Finding a material that can withstand both has challenged scientists for decades. Now, researchers in China have introduced CHSN01—China high-strength low-temperature steel No 1—a specially engineered alloy designed to meet these demands.

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In a first, quantum entanglement is made reversible with the help of unique battery

For more than a century, the laws of thermodynamics have helped us understand how energy moves, how engines work, and why time seems to flow in one direction. Now, researchers have made a similarly powerful discovery, but in the strange world of quantum physics.

Scientists have shown for the first time that entanglement, the mysterious link between quantum particles, can be reversibly manipulated just like heat or energy in a perfect thermodynamic cycle.

The researchers support their findings using a novel concept called an entanglement battery, which allows entanglement to flow in and out of quantum systems without being lost, much like a regular battery stores and supplies energy.

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US Navy’s secret SONGBOW laser packs 400kW punch to fry drones, missiles mid-air

The US Navy has taken a significant step forward in the race to develop next-generation laser weaponry by launching its highly classified ‘SONGBOW’ program.

This week, the Department of Defense confirmed that a $29.9 million contract has been awarded to Coherent Aerospace & Defense to develop advanced directed-energy systems, including a powerful 400-kilowatt laser capable of destroying drones, missiles, and other aerial threats.

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China’s humanoid robot masters chopsticks, cooks dumplings, pours wine

A Chinese firm has trained its humanoid robot to become the first to skillfully handle chopsticks, marking a major leap in robotic dexterity.  Being trained to master traditional Chinese culinary tasks, Robotera’s STAR1 can cook dumplings, steam buns, pour wine, and even clink glasses in a toast.

According to the Beijing-based firm, it will continue to train the robot in a growing range of Chinese cooking techniques, highlighting its expanding capabilities in the kitchen.

In March 2025, in a desert showdown in China, the 5.6-foot-tall flagship robot STAR1, wearing sneakers, outpaced its barefoot humanoid rival with a unique running style, reaching speeds of 8 mph (12.8 km/h) across rough terrain.

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Scientists find a way to fit diamond quantum sensors inside living cells

What do luxury diamonds, quantum physics, and your flat-screen QLED TV have in common? Well, if you combine their characteristics, you could have quantum sensors that could fit inside your cell and detect diseases like diabetes, cancer, etc., at their earliest stages.

This isn’t some far-fetched idea, but the latest achievement from researchers at the University of Chicago and the University of Iowa.

Using a special shell, which is also used in QLED screens, they transformed ordinary diamond nanoparticles into advanced quantum sensors that can work inside living cells. This innovation could revolutionize how we monitor cellular health and detect diseases early.

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Liquid carbon made for first time with high-power lasers, could advance nuclear fusion

A team of scientists, led by the University of Rostock and the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), has successfully created liquid carbon for the first time. This material was previously thought impossible to study in a laboratory setting.


“This is the first time we have ever been able to observe the structure of liquid carbon experimentally,” said Professor Dominik Kraus, Head of Carbon Working Group from the University of Rostock and HZDR.


“Our experiment confirms the predictions made by sophisticated simulations of liquid carbon. We are looking at a complex form of liquid, comparable to water, that has very special structural properties.”

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China Fires Laser at the Moon in Broad Daylight—Achieves Unprecedented Deep-Space Targeting Breakthrough

In a major leap for lunar navigation, China has successfully bounced a laser off a Moon-orbiting satellite in full daylight—a feat previously thought impossible due to intense solar interference. The breakthrough, carried out by the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory (DSEL) using the Tiandu-1 satellite, marks the world’s first Earth-Moon laser-ranging success under strong sunlight, according to a report by Interesting Engineering.


The two-day experiment, conducted on April 26–27, demonstrated the precision tracking and signal clarity needed to support continuous navigation between Earth and the Moon. Until now, glaring solar background noise has limited such laser measurements to nighttime windows. With this barrier overcome, China has significantly advanced its roadmap for sustained lunar operations and deep-space infrastructure.

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US scientists discover never-before-seen quantum ‘species’ in twisted material

Quantum mechanics governs the world of fundamental particles, where we can see a variety of quantum phenomena that emerge due to the collective behavior of particles like electrons.

These exotic quantum states are unusual, behaving differently from anything we know, and only emerge under extreme conditions like low temperatures or high pressures. Most of these exotic quantum states remain theoretical, as they are hard to produce due to the fragility and delicacy of the quantum world.

Now, researchers from Japan and the US have observed several previously unseen quantum states in a two-dimensional material. These materials join the growing list of what the researchers call a quantum zoo.

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First Humanoid Race in China

 A one-of-a-kind event is fast approaching in southeast Beijing’s Economic-Technological Development Area (often called “Beijing E-Town”). Slated for April 13, this half-marathon will see humans and humanoid robots compete on the same 21km route.


As registrations begin on March 5, global anticipation is quickly mounting. While the basic format has been public knowledge for some time, newly released rules give a clearer picture of the event and its stakes.


Additionally, recent announcements of more than 10,000 robot placements in key industries amidst the marathon preparations suggest something far larger is at stake for China’s robotics sector.

Extended competition rules
For the robot category, organizers have set a cutoff completion time of roughly 3 hours and 30 minutes. Unlike human runners, robot teams can switch batteries mid-race or swap out their robots in a relay setup. Each change, however, comes with a 10-minute penalty added to the team’s final time.     READ MORE...

Neuralink brain implant

Elon Musk’s Neuralink suggests a human patient may have successfully used its brain chip to control a robotic arm. A video posted by the neurotechnology firm shows a robotic arm writing ‘Convoy’ on a whiteboard, referencing the company’s study on brain-controlled assistive robotics.


The demonstration highlights progress in Neuralink’s N1 chip, designed to restore mobility and communication for individuals with disabilities. While details remain limited, the clip hints at potential breakthroughs in brain-machine interface technology.



In November, Neuralink announced approval for a new feasibility study (CONVOY), on its brain implant and robotic arm, advancing brain-computer interface research.

Brain-powered robotics
The new 30-second clip reveals little, including the operator’s identity. Neuralink’s X post shares the video along with a heart, robot arm, and pen emojis, hinting at brain-controlled robotic advancements. The demonstration is part of its CONVOY feasibility exercise announced in November, which includes participants in its ongoing PRIME (Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface) study.

Some observers noted the significance of Neuralink’s demonstration, suggesting the patient was controlling the robotic arm using only their mind, without a joystick or muscle sensor. Musk acknowledged the interpretation as accurate, according to a report by PCMag.     READ MORE...

Human VS Humanoids

China plans to host a groundbreaking race like no other — a “world’s first” half-marathon where humans will go head-to-head with their own creation: humanoid robots.

The South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that t
he marathon is scheduled for April in Daxing district, Beijing.

The humanoid robots, developed by companies from around the globe, will take to the streets alongside 12,000 human runners. The robots will run the entire race for the very first time this year.

This unprecedented race reflects China’s ambitious push to become a global leader in artificial intelligence and robotics

Reportedly, this first-of-its-kind race will see humans and robots challenge themselves on a 13-mile (21km) route. The top three runners will receive prizes.     READ MORE...

Nuke on Truck

US-based NANO Nuclear Energy has announced an expansion of its microreactor technology portfolio.

It has acquired a significant portfolio of intellectual property related to its transportable, modular microreactor technologies.

“We are pleased to expand our intellectual property portfolio with these recently acquired patents, further strengthening the protections surrounding our proprietary, portable and modular microreactor technologies in development,” said Jay Yu, founder and chairman of NANO Nuclear Energy.

These reactors are designed to provide clean, reliable, and on-demand power for a variety of applications, including remote communities, industrial sites, and, more importantly, military bases.     READ MORE...

MIT Sets World Record

Researchers at MIT have developed two new control techniques that have enabled them to achieve a world-record single-qubit fidelity of 99.998 percent using a superconducting qubit called fluxonium.

This breakthrough marks a significant step towards the realization of practical quantum computing.  Qubits, the building blocks of quantum computers, are highly susceptible to noise and control imperfections.

“This introduces errors into the quantum operations and ultimately limits the complexity and duration of a quantum algorithm,” said the researchers.

To overcome this challenge, the MIT team focused on improving qubit performance by mitigating counter-rotating errors that arise during fast quantum operations.  

“Getting rid of these errors was a fun challenge for us,” said David Rower, PhD ’24, a recent physics postdoc at MIT.     READ MORE...