The Weekly Brief

Enjoying this newsletter? Know someone who would too? Forward this email to them!
Sign up (it’s free) 

September 19^th 2025

💻 Technology

🇬🇧 UK startup builds first full-stack quantum computer using standard silicon chips from laptops

Quantum Motion, a UK-based startup, has launched the world’s first quantum computer built entirely on standard silicon chip technology, marking a major milestone in scalable quantum hardware. Unlike previous systems, it uses CMOS fabrication - the same process used for laptop and smartphone chips - enabling potential mass production and data center integration. Deployed at the UK National Quantum Computing Centre, this compact system could accelerate the development of AI, machine learning, and fault-tolerant quantum applications.

⚡️ Energy

🇨🇳 Chinese researchers create recyclable, self-healing solar glass for long-lasting energy-generating windows

Scientists at Nankai University in China have developed a new type of luminescent solar glass that can self-heal at 392°F (200°C) and retain 95% of its performance after 10 recycling cycles. Unlike nanocrystal-based designs, this glass uses a yellow-emissive phosphor (ETP2SbCl5) formed through a simple room-temperature solution process and thermal treatment, making it cheaper, scalable, and more sustainable. With a power conversion efficiency of 5.56% and high UV absorption, the material, published in Light: Science & Applications, promises energy-generating windows for greener buildings.

🚘 Transport

🇮🇳 Indian engineers design AI-powered airbag system to reduce deaths in unavoidable plane crashes

Engineers from BITS Pilani Dubai have developed Project REBIRTH, an AI-triggered external airbag system that inflates around aircraft during imminent crashes to reduce impact forces by over 60%, according to simulations. The system deploys in under two seconds, using Kevlar and smart materials, and includes reverse thrust, gas stabilizers, and rescue beacons to improve crash survivability and recovery. Initially inspired by a fatal Air India crash, the concept aims to make future air travel significantly safer.

🇬🇧 Shell develop EV fluid enabling 10–80% charge in under 10 minutes

Shell Lubricants has developed a new thermal management fluid that enables ultra-fast EV charging, allowing batteries to reach 80% charge from 10% in less than ten minutes. The electrically non-conductive liquid is used in an immersion cooling system, providing uniform temperature control during high-speed charging to prevent battery degradation and improve safety. Tested with a 34 kWh pack, the system could add up to 24 km of range per minute, matching the convenience of traditional refueling and accelerating EV adoption.

🚀 Space

🇯🇵 Japanese researcher develops dual-plasma engine to safely deorbit space debris without contact

A team at Tohoku University in Japan has created a bidirectional plasma thruster that can deorbit space debris without physical contact, offering a safer, more efficient method for orbital cleanup. The system fires plasma at debris to slow it down, while an equal plasma stream in the opposite direction cancels out recoil, keeping the satellite stable. Published in Scientific Reports, this argon-powered engine could prevent future satellite collisions and help avoid catastrophic Kessler syndrome events.

🇺🇸 US engineers design liquid uranium rocket engine to cut Mars travel time by half

Researchers at The Ohio State University have developed a novel centrifugal nuclear thermal rocket (CNTR) that uses liquid uranium instead of solid fuel, potentially doubling the efficiency of previous nuclear propulsion systems. This innovation could reduce round-trip missions to Mars to just 420 days, significantly improving mission feasibility and astronaut safety. The system, supported by NASA and detailed in a new study, aims for a specific impulse of 1800 seconds, with flexibility to use multiple propellants and enable direct missions to the outer planets.

💊 Healthcare

🇦🇷 Argentine researchers develop eye drops that improve near vision for two years, reducing need for glasses

Scientists at the Center for Advanced Research for Presbyopia in Argentina have created daily eye drops combining pilocarpine and diclofenac that can significantly improve near vision, potentially replacing reading glasses for many. In a two-year study of 766 patients, the drops enabled most users to read two to three extra lines on a vision chart just one hour after application, with effects lasting up to 434 days and minimal side effects. Presented at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, this treatment offers a safe, non-surgical alternative for managing presbyopia.

🇬🇧 UK researchers use AI to predict blindness risk years in advance, enabling early intervention

Scientists at Moorfields Eye Hospital and University College London have developed an AI model that can predict which keratoconus patients are at high risk of vision loss from a single eye scan. Trained on over 36,000 optical coherence tomography (OCT) images, the AI can distinguish between patients needing immediate corneal cross-linking treatment and those safe to monitor, achieving up to 90% accuracy with follow-up data. Presented at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, this breakthrough could prevent blindness, reduce unnecessary treatments, and improve care efficiency.

That’s all for today, please reply to this email if you have any comments or feedback, we’d love to hear from you about what we can do better!

Have you enjoyed this email? Make sure to share it with your friends and colleagues.

See you soon,

Max

Subscribe (it’s free)