Browse Articles

The inherent differences in epistemologies and research methods in electrical engineering and earth science hinder interdisciplinary collaboration. In the context of climate change, this divide affects the shift towards long-term sustainability in global energy systems, prompting dialogue between the disciplines to enable effective interdisciplinary collaborations.

Current human–machine interfaces for controlling assistive devices fail to offer direct, arbitrary control over multiple degrees of freedom. Based on the implantation and tracking of small magnets in the residual muscles, the myokinetic interface could enable biomimetic, direct, independent and parallel control of artificial limbs.

Networking is an essential skill that offers several perks, from improving the visibility of research by effective communication with peers and scientific editors to advancing careers and building a lasting reputation.

The way in which researchers, scientists and engineers apply for jobs is very inefficient. Creating free online databases of candidates with filtering, ranking and video features could help to maximize reach and identify the most suitable person for each job offer much faster.

Magnetoelectric (ME) microelectromechanical and nanoelectromechanical systems (M/NEMS) are vital for addressing the challenges of the internet of things (IoT) networks in size, energy efficiency and communication. This Review delves into ME materials and M/NEMS for IoT applications, such as sensing and communication technologies.

An article in IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications proposes algorithmic solutions to dynamically optimize MIMO waveforms to minimize or eliminate interference in autonomous machine-to-machine communications.

An article in Nature Machine Intelligence presents a neural signal-based speech decoding framework comprising interchangeable architectures for the electrocorticography decoder and a differentiable speech synthesizer.

Quantum computing can benefit from the advancements made in artificial intelligence (AI) holistically across the tech stack — AI may even unlock completely new ways of using quantum computers. Simultaneously, AI can benefit from quantum computing leveraging the expected future compute and memory power.

This Review systematically compares 2DMs and silicon metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistors technologies in the integrated circuits engineering process and presents potential solutions for channel, contact and dielectric engineering using 2DM to address the scaling challenges faced by a silicon-based device at the advanced tech node.

Since the most advanced nodes in silicon are reaching the limits of planar integration, 2D materials could help to advance the semiconductor industry. With the potential for use in multifunctional chips, 2D materials offer combined logic, memory and sensing in integrated 3D chips.

This Review summarizes latest advancements in memristor-based hardware accelerators, an energy-efficient solution for computing-intensive artificial intelligence algorithms, covering crossbar arrays, peripheral circuits, architectures and software–hardware co-designs. It analyses challenges and pathways for the transition of memristor technology to commercial products.

Bias and distrust in medicine have been perpetuated by the misuse of medical equations, algorithms and devices. Artificial intelligence (AI) can exacerbate these problems. However, AI also has potential to detect, mitigate and remedy the harmful effects of bias to build trust and improve healthcare for everyone.

In the spirit of promoting gender equality, Sony, in partnership with Nature, has launched the ‘Sony Women in Technology Award’ to recognize and celebrate the remarkable women spearheading advancements in STEM.

An article in Nature presents large-area, high-performance intrinsically stretchable electronics thanks to innovation in materials selection, fabrication processes, device engineering and circuit design.

An article in Science Advances reports an integrated van der Waals system that enables field-free electric control of the magnetization of Fe₃GaTe₂ above room temperature.

The ‘uncanny valley’ has guided robot engineers on the limits of human likeness, yielding design principles to mitigate the risk of creepy robots. Yet unease with advancements in AI has exposed a new ‘uncanny valley of mind’, with researchers now exploring acceptable boundaries on simulating human intelligence, emotion, empathy and creativity.

Rational and scientific use of hyperspectral imaging involves the selection of appropriate imaging hardware and data analysis software. Sun et al. describe applications of hyperspectral imaging in food quality inspection and provide guidance for non-specialist researchers aiming to implement this technology.

This Review discusses the current capabilities and challenges facing different power electronic technologies in wind generation systems from single turbines to the system level. Several projects are reviewed to highlight areas of current research focus, and future trends of wind power generation are summarized.

Blockchain technology can be integrated into mobile multi-robot systems. This Perspective overviews the initial achievements, open challenges and research directions in the field of blockchain-based mobile multi-robot systems.

Nature evolves intricate surfaces/interfaces to achieve high energy efficiency, providing a promising, low-carbon solution to energy crisis. This Review explores diverse energy processes in nature and how to translate nature’s inspiration to efficiently harvest energy from water, sunlight, heat and their hybrids, especially through interfacial engineering.