Apr 17, 2026 OpenProtein.AI is helping biologists stay on the cutting edge of AI with a no-code platform for protein engineering. (Nanowerk News) Artificial intelligence is already proving it can accelerate drug development and improve our understanding of disease. But to turn AI into novel treatments we need to get...
Turning plant waste into nanocellulose and biocomposites for sustainable space missions
Apr 17, 2026 The completed BioSTEP project demonstrated how plant biomass and packaging waste can be converted into nanocellulose and biocomposites for future Moon and Mars missions. (Nanowerk News) Long-term space missions to the Moon and Mars require sustainable resource utilization to overcome logistical challenges and reduce dependence on Earth...
Humid air makes this 3D-printed nanogenerator work better, not worse
Apr 17, 2026 A printable polymer that traps water molecules flips humidity from a performance-killer into a performance-booster for motion-powered generators, enabling wireless charging of implantable electronics through tissue. (Nanowerk Spotlight) Static electricity is fragile. A charged surface in dry air can hold its charge for minutes, but moisture in...
Flexible capacitive pressure sensor gains sensitivity under increasing load
Apr 17, 2026 A 3D cage-like flexible capacitive pressure sensor increases its sensitivity as pressure rises, offering tunable performance for wearable, structural, and environmental monitoring. (Nanowerk News) Researchers at Zhejiang University have developed a flexible capacitive pressure sensor whose sensitivity increases rather than decreases as pressure builds. Published in Microsystems...
An ultrathin solid electrolyte keeps lithium metal batteries from catching fire
Apr 17, 2026 An ultrathin composite solid electrolyte uses MOF-encapsulated flame retardant that releases only during thermal abuse, enabling safe, high-energy lithium metal batteries. (Nanowerk Spotlight) Packaging a reactive substance inside a protective shell and releasing it only at the right moment is a powerful design strategy across many fields...