Researchers at Caltech have developed a groundbreaking silicon device that could help quantum computers communicate over long distances.
The innovation, created by a team led by Professor Mohammad Mirhosseini, successfully converts microwave photons into optical photons, overcoming a major challenge in quantum networking. Their findings were recently published in Nature Nanotechnology.
Quantum computers rely on microwave photons to store and process information, but these particles require near-zero temperatures and lose data when travelling through standard internet cables.
Optical photons, however, can move efficiently over long distances at room temperature. The new device acts as a bridge between the two, using a vibrating silicon beam to convert microwave signals into optical ones with remarkable efficiency.
Built from silicon to minimise noise, the transducer outperforms older systems by 100 times while maintaining the same level of signal clarity.
The breakthrough brings the concept of a quantum internet closer to reality, offering a scalable way to link quantum computers across vast networks in the future.
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Japan’s national nuclear research agency has unveiled what it claims is the world’s first uranium-based rechargeable battery — a breakthrough that could open up new uses for vast stockpiles of depleted uranium. The battery, developed by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency, successfully demonstrated charging and discharging capabilities using uranium as the core material to generate electricity.
The prototype, about the size of a small cup, uses a uranium-based electrolyte on the negative side and iron on the positive. With a 1.3V voltage comparable to that of a standard alkaline battery, the device maintained its performance over ten charge cycles, suggesting it is relatively stable in its current form.
That innovation could give a new purpose to the approximately 16,000 tons of depleted uranium stored in Japan and the estimated 1.6 million tons worldwide, which are currently unusable in regular nuclear reactors. Researchers also believe the battery could help store surplus electricity from renewable energy sources.
While promising, the uranium battery’s practical use will likely remain restricted to radiation-controlled zones like nuclear facility sites. The agency plans to work on scaling up the technology by developing a redox flow version starting in fiscal 2025.
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Quantum computing firm PsiQuantum is reportedly raising at least $750 million in a new funding round led by BlackRock, pushing the startup’s pre-money valuation to $6 billion.
The round remains ongoing, but it signals strong investor confidence in PsiQuantum’s ambitious timeline to deliver a fully functional quantum computer by 2029, or sooner.
The US, California-based company uses photonics and semiconductor techniques to produce quantum chips in partnership with GlobalFoundries at a facility in New York.
It has also secured collaborations with the governments of Australia and the US to build quantum computers in Brisbane and Chicago.
The Chicago project will anchor the new Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, marking a major milestone in the commercialisation of quantum technologies.
PsiQuantum faces stiff competition from tech giants like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Nvidia, all of whom are making significant strides in quantum research.
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A well-known Washington, D.C. bar popular among Republican staffers is closing down, creating a new social space – a cryptocurrency bar. Hill Country, a Texas-style barbecue restaurant and nightlife spot near power lobbying firms is shutting its doors after 14 years.
It will reportedly be replaced by a D.C. outpost of Pubkey, a New York-based bitcoin-themed bar known for its casual vibe and crypto payments. Pubkey first opened in 2022 in Manhattan and quickly became a gathering spot for crypto enthusiasts.
The bar gained national attention when Donald Trump visited during his 2024 campaign and used nearly $1,000 worth of bitcoin to buy food for patrons, making him the first US president to complete a bitcoin transaction. Pubkey owner Thomas Pacchia confirmed that a Washington location is in the works and that it aims to welcome a bipartisan crowd.
The shift reflects a broader cultural and political trend as cryptocurrency gains more influence in American politics. Once viewed with scepticism, the crypto world now has strong ties to Trump’s circle, with figures like Elon Musk and David Sacks pushing the agenda. Trump has further embraced the space, launching a memecoin, appointing a ‘crypto czar,’ and proposing a national cryptocurrency reserve.
While PubKey proudly accepts Bitcoin as a form of payment, cash and credit payments options are also available.
Why does it matter?
The arrival of Pubkey in D.C. is symbolic of crypto’s growing presence in national discourse—both politically and socially. While Hill Country offered smoked brisket and karaoke nights for Capitol Hill insiders, its crypto-centric replacement signals a new kind of power player is stepping onto the scene.
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The Abu Dhabi Government has signed a landmark agreement with tech giant Microsoft and Core42, a subsidiary of AI powerhouse G42, to fast-track the adoption of AI across its public services.
The partnership will focus on merging Microsoft’s advanced cloud technology with G42’s AI capabilities to drive innovation and efficiency.
As part of its digital transformation strategy, Abu Dhabi aims to process more than 11 million digital interactions daily, making public services more innovative and responsive. Officials say this collaboration marks a pivotal step toward redefining how the government engages with citizens through technology.
With a dedicated budget of around $3.54 billion (Dh13 billion), Abu Dhabi has set its sights on becoming the world’s first fully AI-powered government by 2027. The initiative signals the emirate’s ambition to lead globally in AI-driven governance and digital innovation.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella called the agreement a new benchmark for public sector AI use, emphasising that Abu Dhabi is setting the pace for governments worldwide in embracing transformative technologies.
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Disney’s dream of bringing lifelike robotic characters to its theme parks is closer to reality, thanks to a new collaboration with Nvidia and Google DeepMind. At GTC 2025, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang introduced Newton, an advanced physics engine designed to enhance how robots interact with their surroundings. The first to benefit from this technology will be Disney’s next-generation entertainment robots, including the Star Wars-inspired BDX droids, one of which made a surprise appearance on stage during Huang’s keynote.
Newton is engineered to improve the expressiveness and adaptability of robots, enabling them to handle complex tasks with greater precision. The open-source engine will allow developers to simulate interactions with real-world elements such as fabric, sand, and food, making robotic movement more natural. Nvidia confirmed that Newton will integrate seamlessly with Google DeepMind’s robotics toolkit, including MuJoCo, its multi-joint simulation engine.
Disney has long experimented with robotic characters for its theme parks, showcasing controlled demonstrations at events like SXSW. With the introduction of Newton, Disney Imagineering sees an opportunity to roll out these robots across multiple park locations starting next year. The collaboration between Nvidia, Disney, and Google DeepMind marks a major leap in entertainment robotics, promising theme park guests a more immersive and dynamic experience.
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Mark Cuban, the tech entrepreneur and investor, spoke at the SXSW conference, where he highlighted the importance of AI for small businesses. He stressed that while AI can be a valuable tool, it should never be seen as the ultimate answer to business success. Cuban explained that AI can help entrepreneurs by making it easier to start and grow businesses, answering questions, and aiding in tasks like research, emails, and sales calls. However, he cautioned against over-relying on AI.
Cuban encouraged entrepreneurs to spend time learning about AI, pointing out how much easier it is to start a business today compared to the past, thanks to the availability of AI tools and internet access. He acknowledged that AI can make mistakes and isn’t perfect, but noted that human experts can also be wrong. In creative fields, Cuban argued that while AI can help with certain tasks like video creation, it’s not a substitute for human creativity, especially when it comes to things like writing scripts or generating quality art.
The tech mogul highlighted that AI should amplify human skills, not replace them. He warned that those who neglect to use AI might find themselves at a disadvantage, as competitors who utilise AI will have the edge.
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The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in New York City has partnered with Google Public Sector on a pilot program designed to detect track defects before they cause significant disruptions. Using Google Pixel smartphones retrofitted onto subway cars, the system captured millions of sensor readings, GPS locations, and hours of audio to identify potential problems. The project aimed to improve the efficiency of the MTA’s response to track issues, potentially saving time and money while reducing delays for passengers.
The AI-powered program, called TrackInspect, analyses the sounds and vibrations from the subway to pinpoint areas that could signal defects, such as loose rails or worn joints. Data collected during the pilot, which ran from September 2024 to January 2025, showed that the AI system successfully identified 92% of defect locations found by human inspectors. The system was trained using feedback from MTA inspectors, helping refine its ability to predict track issues.
While the pilot was considered a success, the future of the program remains uncertain due to financial concerns at the MTA. Despite this, the success of the project has sparked interest from other transit systems looking to adopt similar AI-driven technologies to improve infrastructure maintenance and reduce delays. The MTA is now exploring other technological partnerships to enhance its track monitoring and maintenance efforts.
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A new proposal by the UK government to alter copyright laws has sparked significant concern among artists, particularly in Devon. The changes would allow AI companies to use the content found on the internet, including artwork, to help train their models unless the creators opt-out. Artists like Sarah McIntyre, an illustrator from Bovey Tracey, argue that such a shift could undermine their rights, making it harder for them to control the use of their work and potentially depriving them of income.
The Devon Artist Network has expressed strong opposition to these plans, warning that they could have a devastating impact on creative industries. They believe that creators should retain control over their work, without needing to actively opt out of its use by AI. While some, like Mike Phillips from the University of Plymouth in the UK, suggest that AI could help artists track copyright violations, the majority of artists remain wary of the proposed changes.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has acknowledged the concerns and confirmed that no decisions have yet been made. However, it has stated that the current copyright framework is limiting the potential of both the creative and AI sectors. As consultations close, the future of the proposal remains uncertain.
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At a conference in Hyderabad this week, pharmaceutical companies highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence in evolving the drug development process. Companies like Amgen and Parexel showcased how AI can reduce trial times, with Parexel demonstrating a model that speeds up drug safety reports by 30-45 minutes. Industry experts believe that AI can potentially halve the costs and time needed to develop drugs, cutting down the process from over a decade to just a few years.
Beyond speeding up trials, AI is also aiding in drug discovery and medical diagnostics. For instance, AI is being used to repurpose existing drugs for new uses and to analyse medical images, potentially identifying conditions such as cancer that might be missed by human doctors. Medtronic’s CTO stressed that integrating AI across the industry is essential to its future success.
Despite these technological strides, the conference was overshadowed by ongoing uncertainty regarding US President Trump’s proposed tariffs on pharmaceutical imports. Companies, particularly those based in India, expressed concern over the potential impact of these tariffs, with some, like Dr Reddy’s, opting to take a ‘wait and watch’ approach until further clarity emerges. This tariff uncertainty remains a pressing issue for India’s pharmaceutical industry, which is a major exporter of affordable drugs to the US.
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