Technology

NUS researchers innovate scalable robotic fibres with light-emitting, self-healing and magnetic properties

Published

1 year ago

December 6, 2024

Novel multifunctional SHINE fibres enhance human-robot interactions in applications ranging from smart textiles to robotics

SINGAPORE, Dec. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — A team of interdisciplinary scientists from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering under the College of Design and Engineering at the National University of Singapore (NUS) has developed flexible fibres with self-healing, light-emitting and magnetic properties.

The Scalable Hydrogel-clad Ionotronic Nickel-core Electroluminescent (SHINE) fibre is bendable, emits highly visible light, and can automatically repair itself after being cut, regaining nearly 100 per cent of its original brightness. In addition, the fibre can be powered wirelessly and manipulated physically using magnetic forces.

With multiple useful features incorporated into a single device, the fibre finds potential applications as light-emitting soft robotic fibres and interactive displays. It can also be woven into smart textiles.

“Most digital information today is transmitted largely through light-emissive devices. We are very interested in developing sustainable materials that can emit light and explore new form factors, such as fibres, that could extend application scenarios, for example, smart textiles. One way to engineer sustainable light-emitting devices is to make them self-healable, just like biological tissues such as skin,” said Associate Professor Benjamin Tee, the lead researcher for this study.

The team’s research, conducted in collaboration with the Institute for Health Innovation & Technology (iHealthtech) at NUS, was published in Nature Communications on 3 December 2024.

Multifunctional innovation in a single device

Light-emitting fibres have become an area of burgeoning interest owing to their potential to complement existing technologies in multiple domains, including soft robotics, wearable electronics and smart textiles. For instance, providing functionalities like dynamic lighting, interactive displays and optical signalling, all while offering flexibility and adaptability, could improve human-robot interactions by making them more responsive and intuitive.

However, the use of such fibres is often limited by physical fragility and the difficulty of integrating multiple features into one single device without adding complexity or increasing energy demands.

The NUS research team’s SHINE fibre addresses these challenges by combining light emission, self-healing and magnetic actuation in a single, scalable device. In contrast to existing light-emitting fibres on the market, which cannot self-repair after damage or be physically manipulated, the SHINE fibre offers a more efficient, durable and versatile alternative.

The fibre is based on a coaxial design combining a nickel core for magnetic responsiveness, a zinc sulphide-based electroluminescent layer for light emission and a hydrogel electrode for transparency. Using a scalable ion-induced gelation process, the team fabricated fibres up to 5.5 metres long that retained functionality even after nearly a year of open-air storage.

“To ensure clear visibility in bright indoor lighting conditions, a luminance of at least 300 to 500 cd/m2 is typically recommended,” said Assoc Prof Tee. “Our SHINE fibre has a record luminance of 1068 cd/m2, comfortably exceeding the threshold, making it highly visible even in well-lit indoor environments.”

The fibre’s hydrogel layer self-heals through chemical bond reformation under ambient conditions, while the nickel core and electroluminescent layer restore structural and functional integrity through heat-induced dipole interactions at 50 degrees Celsius.

“More importantly, the recovery process restores over 98 per cent of the fibre’s original brightness, ensuring it can endure mechanical stresses post-repair,” added Assoc Prof Tee. “This capability supports the reuse of damaged and subsequently self-repaired fibres, making the invention much more sustainable in the long term.”

The SHINE fibre also features magnetic actuation enabled by its nickel core. This property allows the fibre to be manipulated with external magnets. “This is an interesting property as it enables applications like light-emitting soft robotic fibres capable of manoeuvring tight spaces, performing complicated motions and signalling optically in real-time,” said Dr Fu Xuemei, the first author of the paper.

Unravelling new human-robot interactions

The SHINE fibre can be knitted or woven into smart textiles that emit light and easily self-heal after being cut, adding an element of durability and functionality to wearable technology. With its intrinsic magnetic actuation, the fibre itself can also function as a soft robot, capable of emitting light, self-healing, navigating confined spaces and signalling optically even after being completely severed. Additionally, the fibre can be used in interactive displays, where its magnetism allows for dynamic pattern changes that facilitate optical interaction and signalling in the dark.

Looking ahead, the team plans to refine the precision of the fibre’s magnetic actuation to support more dexterous robotic applications. They are also exploring the possibility of weaving sensing capabilities – such as the ability to detect temperature and humidity – into light-emitting textiles made entirely from SHINE fibres.

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SOURCE National University of Singapore

Technology

Baidu to Report First Quarter 2026 Financial Results on May 18, 2026

Published

39 minutes ago

April 23, 2026

BEIJING, April 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Baidu, Inc. (Nasdaq: BIDU; HKEX: 9888 (HKD Counter) and 89888 (RMB Counter)) (“Baidu” or the “Company”), a leading AI company with strong Internet foundation, today announced that it will report its financial results for the First Quarter 2026 ended March 31, 2026, before the U.S. market opens on May 18, 2026. Baidu’s management will hold an earnings conference call at 8:00 AM on May 18, 2026, U.S. Eastern Time (8:00 PM on May 18, 2026, Beijing Time).

Please register in advance of the conference call using the link provided below. It will automatically direct you to the registration page of “Baidu Inc. Q1 2026 Earnings Conference Call”. Please follow the steps to enter your registration details, then click “Register”. Upon registering, you will then be provided with the dial-in number, the passcode, and your unique access PIN. This information will also be emailed to you as a calendar invite.

For pre-registration, please click:
https://s1.c-conf.com/diamondpass/10054331-iu876y.html

In the 10 minutes prior to the call start time, you may use the conference access information (including dial-in number(s), the passcode and unique access PIN) provided in the calendar invite that you have received following your pre-registration.

Additionally, a live and archived webcast of this conference call will be available at https://ir.baidu.com.

A replay of the conference call may be accessed by phone at the following number until May 25, 2026:
US: 1 855 883 1031
Reply PIN: 10054331

About Baidu

Founded in 2000, Baidu’s mission is to make the complicated world simpler through technology. Baidu is a leading AI company with strong Internet foundation, trading on Nasdaq under “BIDU” and the HKEX under “9888.” One Baidu ADS represents eight Class A ordinary shares.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/baidu-to-report-first-quarter-2026-financial-results-on-may-18-2026-302751204.html

SOURCE Baidu, Inc.

Technology

Phase 1 of 139th Canton Fair Introduces New Dedicated Product Zones as Emerging Technologies Take Center Stage

Published

39 minutes ago

April 23, 2026

GUANGZHOU, China, April 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The 139th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) has further optimized its exhibition landscape with nine new dedicated product zones, reflecting ongoing structural shifts in global trade and the continued upgrading of China’s export portfolio.

Among the most closely watched additions in Phase 1 are the consumer and agricultural drone zones, both making their debut at the Canton Fair and offering a focused showcase of applications in the low‑altitude economy. The consumer drone zone showcases progress in flight control, AI‑based obstacle avoidance and energy efficiency across imaging, tourism, emergency response and patrol. The agricultural drone zone highlights precision farming, with spraying, seeding and field‑management demonstrations showing terrain‑following, intelligent route planning, and precise payload control.

On day one, a Shandong‑based drone manufacturer welcomed buyers from 30+ countries, with over 50 strong leads. One buyer, after seeing load and wind‑resistance demonstrations, immediately confirmed three sample units and even proposed becoming a regional distributor.

Display technology is another focal point of Phase 1, highlighting advances in color accuracy, energy efficiency, and overall visual performance. Developments in fine‑grained control, expanded color gamut, and reduced power consumption point to a clear trend toward immersive viewing experiences combined with sustainability gains.

The smart wearables zone underscores how intelligent devices are becoming key interfaces for human‑machine interaction. From real‑time language translation and adaptive noise cancellation to long‑term health monitoring and AI‑enabled eyewear, wearables are evolving from standalone products into integrated systems that support communication, well‑being, and productivity across daily and professional settings.

The service robots zone further illustrates how artificial intelligence is moving from conceptual exploration to large‑scale deployment. Advanced robots showcased across industrial, commercial, medical, and public‑service scenarios demonstrate growing autonomy, multi‑sensory perception, and closer human-robot collaboration.

By bringing emerging technologies into clearer focus through dedicated zones, the 139th Canton Fair is reinforcing its function as a platform where trade trends take shape, innovation meets application, and global buyers gain early insights into cutting-edge technologies.

For pre-registration, please click: https://buyer.cantonfair.org.cn/register/buyer/email?source_type=16

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2963958/1.jpg

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Technology

OZMOSI Announces Strategic Partnership with Planview to Advance AI-Driven Planning in Pharmaceutical R&D

Published

40 minutes ago

April 23, 2026

By combining structured clinical intelligence with AI-driven portfolio planning, the partnership gives pharmaceutical teams a faster, clearer way to make high-stakes R&D decisions

SPRING LAKE HEIGHTS, N.J., April 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — OZMOSI, a leading provider of structured pharmaceutical development intelligence, today announced a strategic partnership with Planview, the leading AI-powered end-to-end platform for Strategic Portfolio Management (SPM) and Digital Product Delivery (DPD).

By integrating OZMOSI’s machine-readable clinical datasets directly into Planview’s AI-driven portfolio planning platform, external scientific data is now connected to internal R&D planning in one system, helping pharmaceutical organizations better predict market shifts, prioritize R&D investments, and make faster, more confident decisions.

This integration brings external clinical reality into internal R&D decision-making, so teams can plan based on what’s actually happening, not just on what they hope will happen.

The two organizations combine deep expertise in complementary areas, united by a shared focus on improving the quality and usability of data for strategic decision-making. OZMOSI provides structured, machine-readable intelligence across clinical trials, drug development programs, regulatory activity, and scientific literature, built on a consistent taxonomy that standardizes how data is connected and understood. Planview’s platform enables organizations to model complex investment scenarios, align initiatives with corporate strategy, and optimize resource allocation.

Together, these capabilities give teams a clearer, more complete view of the R&D landscape, grounded in clean, standardized data and strengthened by AI-driven analysis.

“AI is only as powerful as the data that fuels it,” said Beau Bush, President and Founder of OZMOSI. “Pharmaceutical organizations have no shortage of data, but too often it’s fragmented, inconsistent, and difficult to operationalize. By bringing OZMOSI’s structured data foundation together with Planview’s AI-driven planning capabilities, we’re enabling teams to move beyond disconnected analysis and toward truly integrated, forward-looking decision-making.”

“Strategic planning in pharmaceutical R&D is becoming increasingly dependent on advanced analytics and AI,” said Louise Allen, Chief Product Officer at Planview. “Integrating OZMOSI’s clinical intelligence into Planview’s platform enables pharmaceutical leaders to make better decisions by combining trusted external data with AI-driven planning

OZMOSI’s dataset spans more than 800,000 clinical trials, over 35,000 drugs, and 4,000 diseases and conditions. It brings together insights from clinical trial registries, regulatory filings, scientific literature, company disclosures, and industry announcements into a unified, structured dataset.

When integrated into Planview’s platform, this intelligence enables pharmaceutical and biotech organizations to evaluate competitive landscapes, identify emerging clinical trends, and simulate portfolio outcomes with unprecedented precision.

Together, OZMOSI and Planview are redefining how pharmaceutical organizations approach R&D strategy, ensuring that investment decisions are guided by accurate, standardized, and AI-ready data. By combining internal portfolio visibility with a continuously updated external view of the market, the partnership helps leaders not only understand what they have, but what to do next.

About OZMOSI

Founded in 2013, OZMOSI specializes in transforming complex pharmaceutical R&D intelligence into structured, machine-readable data. The company provides the foundation needed for accurate competitive analysis, product forecasting, and portfolio strategy. Through its proprietary taxonomy and semantic layer, OZMOSI connects fragmented data across the pharmaceutical ecosystem, enabling faster, more confident decision-making for global pharma, biotech, and investment teams.

Based in Spring Lake Heights, New Jersey, OZMOSI is focused on making pharmaceutical intelligence clear, usable, and ready for the future of AI-driven strategy. Learn more at www.ozmosi.com.

About Planview

Planview is the leading end-to-end platform for Strategic Portfolio Management (SPM) and Digital Product Delivery (DPD), powered by advanced AI capabilities that give business and technology leaders the strategic foresight to prioritize investments and initiatives, make plans real within constraints, and pivot with certainty when things change. Our AI-driven connected platform of solutions underpins the business and digital transformations of more than 3,000 customers and 3.1 million users globally. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Planview has over 1,500 employees worldwide. Learn more at www.planview.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ozmosi-announces-strategic-partnership-with-planview-to-advance-ai-driven-planning-in-pharmaceutical-rd-302750944.html

SOURCE Ozmosi Company