Sunday Special: China debuts world's first 6G chip

Welcome back, Superhuman. Turns out, there’s more to ice than meets the eye. A group of scientists has confirmed that ordinary ice, when bent, has a secret superpower that could provide us with a convenient energy source. In other news, researchers have developed a home test that could potentially catch Alzheimer’s risk years before traditional alternatives.

SCIENCE SUNDAY

The most interesting scientific discoveries and breakthroughs this week

1. Scientists find that ordinary ice may have 'electrical' superpowers: Researchers have discovered that ice is "flexoelectric," meaning it generates electrical charge when bent or deformed unevenly. This property is comparable to that of advanced materials like titanium dioxide, which are used in cutting-edge sensors and capacitors. The discovery could potentially solve the mystery of how lightning forms in thunderstorms, and open the door to ice-powered electronics that work directly in frigid environments.

2. China debuts world’s first 6G chip that clocks speeds 10x faster than 5G: Chinese scientists have unveiled the world's first "all-frequency" 6G chip that reportedly hits mobile speeds of 100 Gbps in a thumbnail-sized device. The breakthrough consolidates nine separate radio systems into one 11mm chip, using photonic technology that switches frequencies hundreds of times faster than blinking. If it scales, it could potentially bring lightning-fast connectivity to some of the most remote regions in the world.

3. Scientists turn windows into invisible solar panels: Chinese researchers claim to have developed a transparent coating that transforms ordinary windows into a kind of solar power generators. They used liquid crystal films to selectively capture sunlight and funnel it to photovoltaic cells along window edges. A standard window would be able to slash solar cell requirements by 75%, potentially revolutionizing building design by turning every glass surface into a clean energy source.

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NEW TECH

Our favorite new tech gadgets this week

1. Timekettle W4 Pro: AI-powered earbuds that can translate conversations between 42 languages and 95 accents in real-time with 98% accuracy.

2. Nuwa Pen: A smart pen that uses a triple-camera and AI to digitize your writing on any paper in real time, and even transcribe and organize your notes — no screen needed.

3. Twelve South AirFly SE: A compact Bluetooth transmitter that lets you connect your wireless headphones to any 3.5mm audio jack. Perfect for in-flight entertainment, gym equipment, or gaming devices.

4. Rokid AR Spatial: Glasses that turn any space into a private 300-inch screen. They run on Android, support voice commands, and float up to 3 apps in view.

SOCIAL SIGNALS

What’s trending in tech on socials this week

👮 Walking the Beat: Police in South Korea have rolled out a life-sized “hologram” officer in downtown Seoul to keep crime in check.

🌊 Phantom of the Ocean: Japanese scientists have created a new kind of plastic that dissolves in seawater within hours. A sped-up video of the process has Redditors guessing where the plastic goes.

💡 Lights Out: A Reddit user tried recording a concert on their phone camera, which ended up getting completely totaled by the laser lights. A video of the incident unfolding in real time is doing numbers on Reddit.

✈️ Fatal Findings: In 2012, scientists deliberately ran a Boeing 747 into the ground in order to test which seats in a plane are safest during a crash. Footage of the test shows it’s definitely "not the cockpit".

♻️ Lego Loop: Two years ago, YouTuber JK Brickworks used Lego blocks to create an endless domino loop. The video has recently gone viral on social media.

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ONLY GOOD NEWS

A healthy dose of optimism to kickstart your week

Helping Hands: UCLA engineers have built a brain-computer interface that lets paralyzed patients control robotic arms with their thoughts. The system combines an EEG cap that reads brain signals with AI that acts as a "co-pilot," interpreting what users want to do. This could potentially enable people with limited physical mobility, like those suffering from paralysis or neurological conditions, to carry out everyday tasks independently without the risk of invasive brain surgery.

Fast Track: Scientists at the University of Bath claim to have developed a three-minute brainwave test called 'Fastball' that can spot signs of Alzheimer’s years before traditional diagnosis methods. The test passively monitors brain responses to images using EEG technology and is reportedly effective even when administered at home. The tool could potentially help identify Alzheimer’s risk in people who currently go undiagnosed, catching the disease 10-20 years earlier than current methods.

Stroke Stop: AstraZeneca has created an experimental pill called 'baxdrostat' that reportedly lowers stubborn high blood pressure that typically doesn't respond to standard treatments. The drug works by blocking aldosterone, a hormone that causes the body to retain salt and water. With roughly half of hypertension patients unable to rein in their condition with current medications, this could help patients avoid heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure, if it passes clinical trials.

SUNDAY SCIENCE TRIVIA

The chimp civil war that shocked the world

Don’t Cheat: You can read more on the shocking incident here or watch a short documentary here.

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Zain and the Superhuman AI team