Sunday Special: Volonaut's Airbike sticks the landing

Welcome back, Superhuman. All eyes are on Volonaut this week. The Polish startup, which went viral less than a year ago for its futuristic 'hoverbike' concept, is back in the spotlight with a major update on the innovative technology. Meanwhile, scientists claim to have created the darkest fabric ever — so black it swallows light itself, opening up possibilities for everything from stealth tech to avant-garde fashion.

SCIENCE SUNDAY

The most interesting scientific discoveries and breakthroughs this week 

1. Cornell scientists create the darkest wearable fabric ever made: Based on the feathers of a Papua New Guinea bird, the ultra-black material reflects just 0.13% of visible light and appears as pitch black from any viewing angle. The scientists started with white wool, dyed it, and then used plasma etching to create tiny spikes that trap light. Unlike other ultra-black materials, this technology is far easier to manufacture and has major potential implications for everything from solar panels to military camouflage.

2. Scientists claim to have teleported information using light: By creating nearly identical photon emitters and syncing them with frequency converters, the researchers successfully transferred information across fiber optic cables with 70% accuracy. The breakthrough tackles one of the toughest challenges in building quantum networks that can send secure messages over long distances, potentially paving the way to an internet where your data is physically impossible for hackers to access.

3. Volonaut’s hoverbike sticks the landing in new footage: The Polish company just dropped a video of its much-anticipated Airbike nailing a smooth landing, demonstrating precision control that could potentially make personal flight a reality. The single-seat hoverbike packs jet turbines into a 66-pound carbon-fiber frame, hitting 63 mph with 10 minutes of flight per tank. Although it’s a huge development, the hoverbike still has to navigate a maze of safety risks and airspace regulations before it finally hits the market.

4. Scientists unveil technique to cement humanity’s first home on Mars: Italian researchers claim to have figured out how to build human habitats on Mars without hauling concrete from Earth. The scientists plan to use two species of bacteria in tandem; the species can survive Mars-like conditions, and secrete enzymes that can crystallize Martian soil into solid blocks. If true, the innovative plan could slash construction costs significantly, making the prospect of a permanent Mars settlement more feasible.

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NEW TECH

Our favorite new tech gadgets this week

1. Ozlo Sleepbuds: Next-generation sleepbuds that pack passive noise-blocking ear tips and optimized sounds to improve sleep by masking disruptive noises.

2. Effidry S3: A portable clothes dryer that claims to be the world’s fastest, completing cycles in 9 minutes flat. It’s packed with 7 versatile modes, including Baby Care, Silk, and UV.

3. Xteink X4: A tiny magnetic E Ink e-reader that snaps onto the back of your iPhone, letting you read distraction-free without apps, notifications, or social media.

4. Nike x Hyperice Hyperboot: A high-tech recovery shoe that blends dynamic air compression and heat therapy to help you recover as you run.

SOCIAL SIGNALS

What’s trending in tech on socials and headlines this week

🧼 Squeaky Clean: Gone are the days of long, calm baths. A futuristic "human washing machine" that promises to scrub a person clean in 15 minutes flat just went on sale in Japan. You won’t believe the price it’s going for.

☀️ Sun Slam: Shockwaves arising from solar flares are one of the most powerful forces in space. A video showing the terrifying scale of the natural phenomenon is doing massive numbers on Reddit.

🚲️ Up, Up, and Away: Students in Japan have reportedly built a human-powered flying bicycle that actually lifts off the ground using wings and a rear-mounted fan. Much like a regular bike, all the human rider has to do is pedal. Watch it lift off here.

📲 Sky Service: SpaceX just filed a trademark for "Starlink Mobile," signaling it may launch its much-anticipated, satellite-powered cellular service to compete directly with AT&T and Verizon. Read more on it here.

🧠 Brain Mod: Ever wonder how Neuralink chips are implanted into the brain? A short, simplified video showing the process is racking up hundreds of thousands of views on social media.

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ONLY GOOD NEWS

A healthy dose of optimism to kickstart your week

Solo Suspect: Scientists have discovered that a single gene, GRIN2A, can directly cause some mental illnesses, potentially overturning the belief that certain psychiatric disorders only come from multiple genes working together. In a study, certain GRIN2A variants triggered symptoms in childhood instead of adulthood, and some patients showed only mental health issues without the usual seizures or learning disabilities. If it holds up, the discovery could possibly unlock targeted treatments for certain mental illnesses.

Brain Brigade: UK scientists are building the world's first mobile quantum-powered brain scanner that drives straight to military firing ranges to detect blast damage in real-time. The £3M system uses quantum sensors to catch subtle brain changes that disappear within 48 hours, something conventional hospital scanners tend to miss. It could potentially help set safe exposure limits and guide return-to-duty decisions for troops, and even be used to diagnose brain damage in sports and emergencies.

Bone Boost: Scientists say they’ve identified the cell receptor GPR133 as being crucial to bone density. When they activated it with a chemical called AP503 in mice, bone strength shot up significantly, even in animals with osteoporosis-like symptoms. Since current osteoporosis treatments can only slow the disease and often come with risky side effects, the discovery could finally offer a way to rebuild degraded bone in patients battling osteoporosis (if it translates to humans).

SUNDAY SCIENCE TRIVIA

Nuking the Moon

Don’t Cheat: You can read more on the wild plan here.

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