Technology

Asia Research News monitors the latest research news in Asia. Some highlights that caught our attention this week are screentime changing children’s brains, a bacterium that can help reduce toilet time, and a reproductive strategy that is definitely not the butt of the joke.

To reach the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, on November 14, Academia Sinica and the Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) held a technology conference on Methane Pyrolysis to Power (MPTP) power generation at the Taiwan Power Research Institute (TPRI). Emerging from the laboratories of Academia Sinica, methane pyrolysis technology has recently been successfully applied in Taipower’s small-scale power generation units! President Ing-Wen Tsai attended the conference to deliver a speech, and together with Academia Sinica President Liao and other dignitaries, witnessed the significant milestone of net-zero emissions.

On 14 November 2023, Lingnan University and the Shenzhen Technology and Innovation Commission signed an agreement at the 2023 Assembly of Shenzhen Virtual University Park, announcing that Lingnan University will officially become a member of the Shenzhen Virtual University Park.

A research team led by Osaka University used 125 physical markers to understand the detailed mechanics of 44 different human facial motions. The aim was to better understand how to convey emotions with artificial faces. Beyond helping with the design of robots and androids, this research can also benefit computer graphics, facial recognition, and medical diagnoses.

SINGAPORE, November 7, 2023 – TechInnovation 2023, IPI's flagship event and a premier technology-matching platform, successfully concluded on Thursday, 2 November 2023, profoundly impacting audiences with insights into Sustainability, Health & Well-being, and AI in Healthcare. Over 5,000 people registered to attend TechInnovation, which brought together industry leaders, innovators, and technology experts alike to share and discover opportunities to partner and collaborate to create a sustainable future.

Asia Research News monitors the latest research news in Asia. Some highlights that caught our attention this week are mouse embryos grown on the International Space Station, a super-efficient micro engine, and how a virus can help deaf children hear.

A research team at Osaka Metropolitan University has developed a new simulation method that accurately predicts powder mixing using AI, and has succeeded in increasing calculation speed by approximately 350 times while maintaining the same level of accuracy as conventional methods. This method is expected to not only pave the way for more efficient and precise powder mixing processes but also open up new possibilities for industries seeking to enhance product quality and streamline production.

This prestigious event will feature 400 education leaders from schools and higher education establishments across Asia, taking the stage to share insights and best practices on shaping the digital future of education.

- DGIST developed an image sensor technology that automatically analyzes phenomena in cardiac muscle cells, such as calcium dynamics and impulse patterns, based on multi-mode images combining holograms and calcium. - This technology can be used to examine characteristics of calcium dynamics and cellular motility depending on drugs inserted, thus being a core technology for new drug development customized for patients.

- A DGIST graduate student developed a super-resolution non-linear hyper-spectral imaging method and published a research paper on it as the lead author in PhotoniX, a renowned international academic journal.

[Kuala Lumpur, 21 October 2023] - The MTE 2023 Sustainable Development Goals International Innovation Awards & Expo, a virtual expo held from 18th to 20th October 2023, witnessed a gathering of visionaries, innovators, and advocates committed to advancing the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Graphene is often referred to as a wonder material for its advantageous qualities. But its application in quantum computers, while promising, is stymied by the challenge of getting accurate measurements of quantum bit states with existing techniques. Now, Tohoku University researchers have developed design guidelines that enable radio-frequency reflectometry to achieve high-speed electrical readouts of graphene nanodevices.

Scientists have theoretically predicted that light can be bent under pseudogravity. A recent study by researchers using photonic crystals has demonstrated this phenomenon. This breakthrough has significant implications for optics, materials science, and the development of 6G communications.

Researchers at Osaka University developed a nanostructured light diffuser that provides balanced lighting by diffracting blue and red light, and can be cleaned by simple rinsing with water. The diffuser consists of cheap materials and can be shaped with common tools. A protective glass coating maintains the diffuser’s optical performance yet adds durability. This work might improve the visual performance of everyday lighting displays.

Asia’s premier technology-matching platform returns for its 11th edition from 31 October to 2 November at Marina Bay Sands.

To extend the depth of field in mask-based lensless cameras, researchers from Osaka University replaced conventionally coded masks with a radial-coded mask optimized to balance the frequency response. As a result, the point spread function depends less on distance, and subjects at various depths can be clearly imaged. Experiments in simulation and on a prototype show that the depth of field of the camera is extended when the proposed radial mask is used.

The legacy of Sarawak's dedication to fostering innovation and technology will continue to reverberate on the international stage

The finalists in the Applied Microbiology International Product of the Year Award 2023 have been announced. The awards promote the research, groups, projects, products and individuals who are shaping the future of applied microbiology.

Sarawak also launches Digital Economy Blueprint 2030 as part of its vision to become a digital economy powerhouse in the region

Insect cyborgs may sound like something straight out of the movies, but hybrid insect computer robots, as they are scientifically called, could pioneer a new future for robotics. It involves using electrical stimuli to control an insect’s movement. Now, an international research group has conducted a study on the relationship between electrical stimulation in stick insects' leg muscles and the resulting torque (the twisting force that causes the leg to move).

The annual burning of crop residue in India causes widespread air pollution, particularly in the northwestern regions. A group of international researchers has used low-cost yet reliable instruments to gauge the effects of air pollution in these areas, making it the first quantitative study of its kind.

The behavior of electrons in liquids is crucial to understanding many chemical processes that occur in our world. Using advanced lasers that operate at the attosecond, a team of international researchers has revealed further insights into how electrons behave in liquids.

A group of researchers have unraveled the mysteries behind a recently identified material—zirconium nitride (ZrN) —that helps power clean energy reactions. Their proposed framework will help future designs for transition metal nitrides, paving a path for generating cleaner energy.

A recent discovery in spintronics could potentially transform future electronics. A group of researchers have revealed the key role of cobalt-tin-sulfur in reducing energy consumption, unlocking new possibilities for high-speed, low-power spintronic devices.

Scientists have revealed that the outer part of our brain (the cortex) is skilled at managing all the info it gets from the outside world thanks to special groups of nerve connections called modules, which work together but also independently.

The physical laws of everyday water flow were established two centuries ago. However, scientists today struggle to simulate disrupted water flow virtually, e.g., when a hand or object alters its flow. A research team from Tohoku University has harnessed the power of deep reinforcement learning to replicate the flow of water when disturbed. The replication allowed for recreating water flow in real time based on only a small amount of data, opening up the possibility for virtual reality interactions involving water.

Researchers have explored the efficacy of combining solar panels on rooftops with electric vehicles acting as storage batteries in Paris and its surrounding areas, finding some encouraging results.

To address the lack of suitable training data for deep-learning semantic segmentation models in urban landscaping, researchers from Osaka University developed a method that generates a training dataset without the need for real images or a model of an existing city. The method, which is based on procedural modelling and image-to-image techniques, enables segmentation models to achieve comparable performance under some conditions at a fraction of the cost of real dataset generation.

A research team led by researchers from Osaka University created an aluminum-nitride device that can convert visible light into deep-ultraviolet light through the process of second harmonic generation. This work can lead to the development of practical devices that can sterilize surfaces with ultraviolet radiation while using less energy.

Capturing carbon dioxide, Shells go nuclear, Worms surf electric fields, Brain repair & Creating matter from light. Plus from our blog: Monitoring research for further impact. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice.