https://phys.org/ en-us Latest news from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology Researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have reported important progress in quantum physics and materials science by optically initializing, controlling, and reading out nuclear spin states in a molecular material for the first time. Because of their weak interaction with the environment, nuclear spins are particularly stable quantum information carriers. The research, published in Nature Materials, shows that molecular nuclear spins could be a promising building block for future quantum technologies. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-optical-nuclear-molecules-paths-quantum.html Optics & Photonics Wed, 08 Apr 2026 13:00:01 EDT news694866541 The number of scientific papers is growing so rapidly that scientists are no longer able to keep track of all of them, even in their own research area. Researchers from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), in collaboration with scientific partners, have shown how new research ideas can still be obtained from this wealth of information. Using artificial intelligence (AI), they systematically analyzed materials science publications to identify potential new avenues of research. Their results have been published in Nature Machine Intelligence. https://techxplore.com/news/2026-04-ai-science-papers-trends-years.html Computer Sciences Wed, 01 Apr 2026 15:20:05 EDT news694274532 Researchers at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) present a novel component that enables very fast, economical, and reliable data transmission thanks to an advanced manufacturing technology. Their new electro-optical modulator transmits data efficiently through fiber-optic cables and can be manufactured inexpensively in large quantities on standard semiconductor wafers. This is important, as AI applications and growing data traffic are pushing data centers and fiber-optic networks to their performing limits. The researchers present their findings in Nature Communications. https://techxplore.com/news/2026-03-ai-centers-faster-links-mass.html Electronics & Semiconductors Sun, 22 Mar 2026 10:00:02 EDT news693069264 Researchers at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have set a record runtime with a new compressorless gas turbine. The burner, featuring a revolutionary pressure-gain combustion technology, operated for 303 seconds. This achievement not only exceeds NASA's previous record of 250 seconds but also sets new standards for the use of hydrogen in energy supply, which—unlike natural gas—can be produced using renewable energy sources. https://techxplore.com/news/2026-02-compressorless-hydrogen-turbine-seconds-nasa.html Energy & Green Tech Tue, 17 Feb 2026 14:30:21 EST news690561002 Since 2010, the IceCube Observatory at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station has been delivering groundbreaking measurements of high-energy cosmic neutrinos. It consists of many detectors embedded in a volume of Antarctic ice measuring approximately one cubic kilometer. IceCube has now been upgraded with new optical modules to enable it to measure lower-energy neutrinos as well. Researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) made a significant contribution to this expansion. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-icecube-deep-sensor-energy-neutrinos.html General Physics Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:10:01 EST news690209917 Artificial intelligence can help to predict how well patients with hip osteoarthritis will be able to walk again after an operation. Researchers at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have developed an AI model to analyze movement patterns. This gait biomechanics analysis also enables rehabilitation programs to be tailored to patients' personal needs. The researchers consider it possible that this approach, developed for the hip joint, could be extended to other joints in the future. They present their results in the journal Arthritis Research & Therapy. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-02-ai-success-hip.html Surgery Thu, 12 Feb 2026 13:36:44 EST news690125762 When does a soccer team really face a crisis—and in which situations is the dismissal of a coach nothing but an over-hasty reaction? In a recently published study, researchers at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) describe the development of a system that objectively measures crises in professional soccer. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-12-crisis-professional-soccer.html Psychology & Psychiatry Mon, 08 Dec 2025 11:20:04 EST news684412167 Quantum computers will be able to assume highly complex tasks in the future. With superconducting quantum processors, however, it has thus far been difficult to read out experimental results because measurements can cause interfering quantum state transitions. https://phys.org/news/2025-12-calibrating-qubit-quantum-reliable.html Superconductivity Mon, 01 Dec 2025 12:02:42 EST news683812922 Inside cells, RNAs and proteins form tiny, liquid-like droplets called biomolecular condensates. These droplets are essential for organizing cellular life, yet why some RNAs cluster more readily than others has remained unclear. Disruptions in condensate formation are linked to developmental defects, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. https://phys.org/news/2025-11-unusually-sticky-rna-class-cells.html Cell & Microbiology Fri, 28 Nov 2025 11:00:06 EST news683549725 A novel magnetic material with an extraordinary electronic structure might allow for the production of smaller and more efficient computer chips in the future: the p-wave magnet. Researchers from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) were involved in its development. https://phys.org/news/2025-11-p-magnet-helix-enable-smaller.html Condensed Matter Mon, 24 Nov 2025 13:30:03 EST news683212910 Higher yields, greater resilience to climatic changes or diseases—the demands on crop plants are constantly growing. To address these challenges, researchers of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) are developing new methods in genetic engineering. https://phys.org/news/2025-11-genetic-chromosome-affecting-growth.html Biotechnology Fri, 21 Nov 2025 12:34:03 EST news682950841 Wet meadows, steep slopes, and loose ground often present a challenge to agricultural vehicles. A new drive system that gets off-road vehicles safely through difficult terrain has been developed by researchers of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) together with a partner from industry. It replaces conventional differential gears with an independent gearbox on each wheel. This way, it is possible to cope with terrain that was impassable before. https://techxplore.com/news/2025-10-drivetrain-technology-road-vehicles-safely.html Automotive Wed, 29 Oct 2025 21:20:01 EDT news680964363 If you pass by a café that operates a Wi-Fi network, you can be identified—even if you do not carry a smartphone with you. Researchers at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have found out that it is possible to identify people solely through Wi-Fi signals. They point out that this constitutes a significant risk to privacy. https://techxplore.com/news/2025-10-spy-wi-fi-beware-radio.html Telecom Fri, 10 Oct 2025 11:30:01 EDT news679310328 A new material might contribute to a reduction of the fossil fuels consumed by aircraft engines and gas turbines in the future. A research team from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) has developed a refractory metal-based alloy with properties unparalleled to date. https://techxplore.com/news/2025-10-alloy-extreme-conditions-metals-aircraft.html Engineering Thu, 09 Oct 2025 11:10:01 EDT news679226792 Pathogens are becoming more and more resistant to antibiotics. With the goal of developing new therapeutic approaches to treat bacterial infections more effectively in the future, researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and the Max Planck Institute in Marburg investigated the plague-related bacterium Yersinia enterocolitica. https://phys.org/news/2025-09-disease-gene-bacterial-infections.html Cell & Microbiology Thu, 11 Sep 2025 12:03:04 EDT news676810981 In human cells, there are about 20,000 genes on a two-meter DNA strand—finely coiled up in a nucleus about 10 micrometers in diameter. By comparison, this corresponds to a 40-kilometer thread packed into a soccer ball. Despite this cramped space, stem cells manage to find and activate the correct genes in a matter of minutes. Which genes these are differs from cell to cell. Precise activation is crucial as errors in gene selection can lead to disease or cell death. https://phys.org/news/2025-09-molecular-biomimetics-cell-nucleus-dna.html Biotechnology Tue, 09 Sep 2025 13:05:03 EDT news676641901 Cities are particularly vulnerable to heat stress because paved and densely built-up areas tend to store heat. More frequent and intense heat waves are a growing challenge for public health and urban infrastructure. https://phys.org/news/2025-08-deep-visualizes-urban-stress-meter.html Earth Sciences Tue, 26 Aug 2025 09:22:04 EDT news675418922 Until now, the early phase of drug discovery for the development of new therapeutics has been both cost- and time-intensive. Researchers at KIT (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology) have now developed a platform on which extremely miniaturized nanodroplets with a volume of only 200 nanoliters per droplet—comparable to a grain of sand—and containing only 300 cells per test can be arranged. https://phys.org/news/2025-08-nanodroplets-medicine-1.html Bio & Medicine Thu, 21 Aug 2025 08:31:11 EDT news674983864 Until now, the early phase of drug discovery for the development of new therapeutics has been both cost- and time-intensive. Researchers at KIT (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology) have now developed a platform on which extremely miniaturized nanodroplets with a volume of only 200 nanoliters per droplet—comparable to a grain of sand—and containing only 300 cells per test can be arranged. https://phys.org/news/2025-08-nanodroplets-medicine.html Bio & Medicine Thu, 21 Aug 2025 08:31:07 EDT news674983861 Off-grid, modular, and seaworthy: KIT (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology) and partners intend to produce synthetic fuels on a floating platform using wind energy, seawater, and ambient air. For this purpose, the "PtX-Wind" project was launched under the H2Mare lead project. A corresponding modular plant was installed on a barge and lies operational at anchor in Bremerhaven. Later this year, it will start producing synthetic fuel directly on the sea just off Helgoland Island. https://techxplore.com/news/2025-07-platform-synthetic-fuels-seawater-air.html Energy & Green Tech Tue, 15 Jul 2025 12:08:46 EDT news671800122 Transportation experts at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have demonstrated that autonomous shuttles offer great potential for public transport, enabling completely new and flexible services, especially in suburban and rural areas. https://techxplore.com/news/2025-07-high-potential-autonomous-shuttles-opportunity.html Automotive Fri, 11 Jul 2025 09:29:20 EDT news671444956 Severe weather events, such as heavy rainfall, are on the rise worldwide. Reliable assessments of these events can save lives and protect property. Researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have developed a new method that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to convert low-resolution global weather data into high-resolution precipitation maps. The method is fast, efficient, and independent of location. Their findings have been published in npj Climate and Atmospheric Science. https://phys.org/news/2025-07-ai-generate-global-realistic-rainfall.html Environment Thu, 10 Jul 2025 13:32:30 EDT news671373146 Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are characterized by high porosity and structural versatility. They have enormous potential, for example, for applications in electronics. However, their low electrical conductivity has so far greatly restricted their adoption. https://phys.org/news/2025-06-metal-frameworks-metallic-pave-paths.html Nanophysics Tue, 24 Jun 2025 15:49:04 EDT news669998942 There is more movement in our genome than we think. Almost half of the human genome consists of transposons—short DNA sequences capable of relocating within the genome. They "jump" from one place to another, not uniformly distributing across the genome, but often grouping together in clusters. https://phys.org/news/2025-06-genes-transposons-cluster-local-genome.html Evolution Tue, 17 Jun 2025 13:40:09 EDT news669386051 Sorghum millet is seen as the crop plant of the future: It builds up a particularly high amount of biomass and thrives in harsh conditions. Certain varieties even produce more sugar on salty soils. https://phys.org/news/2025-05-gene-sweet-sorghum-salt-tolerant.html Molecular & Computational biology Tue, 06 May 2025 09:36:03 EDT news665742960 Green spaces play an important role for urban populations, whether by protecting against extreme weather events or providing space for recreation. In two studies, researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) show just how much a diverse tree population affects the microclimate, rainwater seepage and human well-being. Their results have been published in the journals Sustainable Cities and Society and Scientific Reports. https://phys.org/news/2025-04-diverse-tree-populations-cities-climate.html Environment Tue, 29 Apr 2025 13:33:03 EDT news665152381 Radiation therapy is an established method of cancer treatment. It works by subjecting tumor cells to ionizing radiation, damaging their genetic material and, ideally, eliminating the tumor. Researchers have long been working on methods for directing as much radiation as possible at tumors while avoiding harm to surrounding tissue, but thus far it has proven impossible to prevent damage to the skin and healthy organs when treating internal tumors. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-tumor-therapy-approach-side-effects.html Oncology & Cancer Thu, 24 Apr 2025 14:00:01 EDT news664718868 Neutrinos are among the most enigmatic particles in the universe. They are omnipresent yet interact extremely rarely with matter. https://phys.org/news/2025-04-reveal-neutrinos-mass-electronvolts.html General Physics Mon, 14 Apr 2025 09:23:06 EDT news663841376 Quantum computers are a specter for future data security because they might break many of today's encryption methods. Among other things, this will affect encrypted emails, messenger services, or online banking. Together with partners, researchers from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have developed a method that can reliably protect today's Internet communication from tomorrow's quantum technology threats. https://techxplore.com/news/2025-04-encryption-method-key-exchange-enables.html Hi Tech & Innovation Mon, 07 Apr 2025 16:28:03 EDT news663262082 Wearables such as smartwatches, fitness trackers, or data glasses have become an integral part of our everyday lives. They record health data, monitor your sleep, or calculate your calorie consumption. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-smart-wearable-ear-based-high.html Biomedical technology Fri, 04 Apr 2025 13:22:03 EDT news662991720