News
- Penn State researchers built a monolithic 3D chip that runs entirely off ambient light without leveraging a battery
- The chip stacks silicon photovoltaics, MoS₂/WSe₂ complementary logic, and graphene chemical sensors within ~50 nm of each other
- The development also opens the door for larger 2D circuits that incorporate some of the same design philosophy in the future
Research at Penn State university has come up with an interesting breakthrough in engineering, building out a compact integrated circuit that runs entirely off solar power.
The IC, which skips batteries altogether aims to run calculations and be able to sense chemicals in its vicinity by harvesting solar power available to it aims to do so by stacking everything monolithically versus splitting things up across different dies.
The move comes as engineers continue to grapple with the need for long-lasting and versatile IoT and edge computing systems, many of which are deployed in remote or hard to access locations, making changing batteries a hard, if not impossible proposition at times.
A vertically-stacked solution that centers around solarBattery-free electronics that rely on renewable power are in greater focus as engineers, stakeholders, and consumers seek such devices to meet growing market demand.
What makes the research team at Penn State's development so unique is that it has attempted to address what conventional electronics have failed to do so far: cutting losses by investing in a structure that effectively skips a significant part of the board area requirements, wiring losses in terms of power and latency that are in play for such devices.
The chip does so by leveraging two types of semiconducting materials (MoS₂ and WSe₂), a silicon photovoltaic module, and graphene-based sensors, and stacking all three layers vertically.
The graphene-based sensors at the top respond to liquids placed on them, sending electrical signals that are processed in the middle logic layer, where the semiconductor layer lies, while the silicon photovoltaic module at the bottom generates power by converting ambient light into electricity.
"We showed that heterogeneous materials—silicon, graphene, MoS2 and WSe2—can be integrated monolithically in three dimensions to create a self-powered sensing and computing system. This is different from simply placing separate chips next to each other or connecting them externally. We show that sensing, computation, and energy harvesting can be brought into nanoscale proximity, which can reduce footprint, interconnect length, and energy loss," said Saptarshi Das, one of the authors of the paper documenting this approach.
While the move itself documents a small purpose-built chip, it has interesting ramifications for the future, where larger circuits could use the design as a building block for IoT needs, especially in remote settings where batteries might be difficult to replace even as efficiency takes center stage for lower-powered, nanoscale circuits.
A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Monday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Monday, July 13 (game #862).
Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.
Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.
SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.
NYT Strands today (game #863) - hint #1 - today's themeWhat is the theme of today's NYT Strands?• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Make yourself comfortable
NYT Strands today (game #863) - hint #2 - clue wordsPlay any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.
- RELIC
- SOCK
- BREAK
- ERASE
- HORN
- RAVE
• Spangram has 9 letters
NYT Strands today (game #863) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?• First side: left, 2nd row
• Last side: right, 5th row
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.
NYT Strands today (game #863) - the answers(Image credit: New York Times)The answers to today's Strands, game #863, are…
- CHAIR
- ROCKER
- BEANBAG
- OTTOMAN
- RECLINER
- THRONE
- SPANGRAM: HAVEASEAT
- My rating: Easy
- My score: Perfect
Today’s search takes from the high-born of the seating world (THRONE), to the lowest (BEANBAG).
If I am going to make myself comfortable then I would pick the BEANBAG any day. Although it does depend on how long you’ve owned it; a baggy bean bag is nobody’s friend. Having said that, I’ve not sat in many thrones. Or indeed any, but judging by House of the Dragon, they’re not particularly ergonomic.
Anyway, it was hard not to whizz around today’s game, with even the longest and most obscure word, OTTOMAN, being easy to spot thanks to the double T.
Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Monday, July 13, game #862)- PLEASANT
- DELIGHTFUL
- ENJOYABLE
- SATISFYING
- SPANGRAM: HITSTHESPOT
Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.
I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.
A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Monday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Monday, July 13 (game #1128).
Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.
What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.
SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.
NYT Connections today (game #1129) - today's words(Image credit: New York Times)Today's NYT Connections words are…
- U-TURN
- PICNIC
- CUT
- SHUFFLE
- LAUNDRY
- RECYCLING
- DEAL
- COPY
- BARGAIN
- GROCERY
- UNDERSTANDING
- THIS SIDE UP
- PASTE
- AGREEMENT
- EASTER
- DELETE
What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?
- YELLOW: A treaty or pact
- GREEN: Choices for changing text
- BLUE: Like a bucket, but with holes
- PURPLE: Graphics with a point
Need more clues?
We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…
NYT Connections today (game #1129) - hint #2 - group answersWhat are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?
- YELLOW: CONTRACT
- GREEN: EDIT MENU OPTIONS
- BLUE: KINDS OF BASKETS
- PURPLE: SYMBOLIZED WITH ARROWS
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.
NYT Connections today (game #1129) - the answers(Image credit: New York Times)The answers to today's Connections, game #1129, are…
- YELLOW: CONTRACT: AGREEMENT, BARGAIN, DEAL, UNDERSTANDING
- GREEN: EDIT MENU OPTIONS: COPY, CUT, DELETE, PASTE
- BLUE: KINDS OF BASKETS: EASTER, GROCERY, LAUNDRY, PICNIC
- PURPLE: SYMBOLIZED WITH ARROWS: RECYCLING, SHUFFLE, THIS SIDE UP, U-TURN
- My rating: Hard
- My score: 1 mistake
With PICNIC, LAUNDRY and GROCERY locked in I made the mistake of selecting BARGAIN instead of EASTER.
There was logic to my error. My parents used to run a grocery store and they would put items that were close to their sell-by date or damaged in a basket that became known as the BARGAIN basket. I thought it was a universal thing, but maybe not.
The next two groups came pretty easily, especially the four tiles that made up the yellow CONTRACT group, as they are words that seem to be constantly in the news in regards to negotiations surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.
Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Monday, July 13, 2026, game #1128)- YELLOW: INTERROGATE: EXAMINE, GRILL, PUMP, QUESTION
- GREEN: THINGS WITH HANDLES: BUCKET, DRAWER, MUG, UMBRELLA
- BLUE: FICTIONAL CATS: FIGARO, PUSS, SALEM, TOM
- PURPLE: STARTING WITH SMOOCHES: BUSSIN, KISSER, PECKISH, SMACKDOWN
NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.
On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.
It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.
It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.
A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Monday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Monday, July 13 (game #1631).
Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,500 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today — or scroll down further for the answers.
Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.
SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.
Quordle today (game #1632) — hint #1 — VowelsHow many different vowels are in Quordle today?• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 5*.
* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).
Quordle today (game #1632) — hint #2 — repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 1.
Quordle today (game #1632) — hint #3 — uncommon lettersDo the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.
Quordle today (game #1632) — hint #4 — starting letters (1)Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 0.
If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:
Quordle today (game #1632) — hint #5 — starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?• E
• A
• R
• C
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.
Quordle today (game #1632) — the answers(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)The answers to today's Quordle, game #1632, are…
- EBONY
- AVOID
- RODEO
- CUTIE
There was a while when I doubted my three starter words of “duchy”, “robin” and “slate”, but they really have helped me whiz through games recently.
Today, for example, I had three words where I had all the right letters (but not necessarily in the right order) and one word where the missing letter was obvious.
Daily Sequence today (game #1632) — the answers(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1632, are…
- SEDAN
- VALVE
- FAULT
- SMELT
- Quordle #1631, Monday, 13 July: VOICE, BISON, BURNT, BUILT
- Quordle #1630, Sunday, 12 July: STAIN, BINGO, LARVA, DICEY
- Quordle #1629, Saturday, 11 July: WORTH, PRONG, DINGO, DRUID
- Quordle #1628, Friday, 10 July: GREET, STEAK, DUSKY, HAUTE
- Quordle #1627, Thursday, 9 July: CRUMP, PHONE, SHINY, STONY
- Quordle #1626, Wednesday, 8 July: GHOST, TREND, EXALT, ALONG
- Quordle #1625, Tuesday, 7 July: ARRAY, SUITE, KIOSK, BOULE
- Quordle #1624, Monday, 6 July: TRAWL, SPICE, PIANO, SHARK
- Quordle #1623, Sunday, 5 July: PINEY, SWOON, TITLE, PINTO
- Quordle #1622, Saturday, 4 July: ARGUE, MOTEL, OPERA, TRUCE
- Quordle #1621, Friday, 3 July: AVERT, MOTOR, MANIC, WORDY
- Quordle #1620, Thursday, 2 July: BULKY, PARSE, BELOW, MOVIE
- Quordle #1619, Wednesday, 1 July: EASEL, OTTER, LYRIC, SHACK
- Quordle #1618, Tuesday, 30 June: HALVE, DRYER, THERE, MINTY
- Quordle #1617, Monday, 29 June: SLURP, CRACK, CRANK, PHONY
- Quordle #1616, Sunday, 28 June: RUPEE, TOPAZ, FULLY, BEING
- Quordle #1615, Saturday, 27 June: PRINT, MARRY, SADLY, BICEP
- Quordle #1614, Friday, 26 June: JUICE, ARRAY, BONEY, SKIFF
- Quordle #1613, Thursday, 25 June: SHELF, TAWNY, HYPER, SOLVE
- Quordle #1612, Wednesday, 24 June: SOBER, ECLAT, GOOSE, NINNY
- QinetiQ testing of SuperDielectrics' water-based zinc cells showed up to 13x longer high-power cycle life, 100C discharge in 36 seconds, and zero thermal runaway
- The company is pitching its solution to AI datacenters as a 'shock absorber' that can deal with power requirement spikes safely and reliably
- SuperDielectrics' Faraday 3's first commercial deployment is slated for early 2027 as it goes up against existing Lithium-ion battery-based energy storage as an alternative that can be deployed inside the data center
Cambridge-based advanced battery technology company SuperDielectrics recently published independent test results for its upcoming water-based Zinc battery, which could help cement its de facto presence in most projects that leverage renewable energy, whose output is often inconsistent.
The next-generation battery offers up to 13 times longer life cycle under high-power cycling, zero thermal runway, and charging and discharging gains that eclipse those of Lithium-ion-based batteries.
This makes it a great add-on for critical infrastructure, as well as for a new, fast-growing sector that is extremely power-intensive with huge power spikes in tow: AI data centers.
A solution that caters specifically to the AI power problem?SuperDielectrics is painting its battery technology as the holy grail for AI data center problems, and with good reason: it is where all infrastructure spending will be concentrated over the next decade, and the firm decidedly wants a piece.
SuperDielectrics’ core innovation is a unique, patented polymer that enables it to deliver results that dwarf those of similarly configured single-layer lithium-ion cells. With the battery leveraging Zinc in addition to the proprietary polymer, the abundantly available metal could mean that batteries would be cheaper, immune to geopolitical and supply chain vulnerabilities, and easier to scale.
Room temperature testing of the battery showed impressive results when compared to lithium-ion-based alternatives, with SuperDielectrics claiming:
- Up to 13x longer cycle life under high-power cycling (10 mins charge and discharge, 100% depth of discharge);
- 10x better discharge performance (maintained >85% nominal capacity, achieved at 36 seconds)
- 8x better charging performance (maintained >70% nominal capacity, achieved at 1 minute, 12 seconds)
“These results provide independent benchmarking of the technology at the heart of our batteries: a proprietary polymer separator that combines rapid ion transport with the safety advantages of an aqueous electrolyte system," noted Shelley Brown, CTO of SuperDielectrics.
"The outcome is an energy storage solution purpose-built for high-power, fast-cycling applications, offering an alternative to lithium-ion systems that typically rely on extensive oversizing and additional safety infrastructure to manage demanding power profiles."
There is more to the story that makes the solution ideal: Unlike lithium-ion-based solutions, the battery is safe to deploy in datacenters, whereas off-site deployments are currently required for lithium-ion-based solutions due to their potential as a fire hazard.
AI datacenters are known to be particularly power-intensive and often require significantly higher peak power when performing certain computing tasks. Lithium-ion batteries are not ideal for this because not only do frequent charging and discharging degrade them fairly quickly, but they also do not charge or discharge as fast as the Zinc-based offering from SuperDielectrics.
As a result, as noted by the CTO of SuperDielectrics, data centers need to overcompensate for this limitation by buying more capacity than needed to allow smooth operations without pushing existing lithium-ion-based infrastructure too hard.
There is a trade-off, however: Zinc batteries generally sacrifice energy density to offer advantages over lithium, and SuperDielectrics' silence on capacity does not work in its favor here.
Despite this, thanks to AI compute requirements' near-violent power swings requiring a moderator, SuperDielectrics seems to have a winner on its hands, at least on paper, but it might have its limits for datacenters that require longer backup times. The question that comes to mind is whether a smoothing layer can grow into genuine storage, especially for rack-scale product deployment.
On the flip side of the equation, SuperDielectrics is not the only one toying with a 'safe' battery solution; Chinese researchers are concentrating on a similar approach even as the automobile industry is already using sodium for EVs, which is already racking up wins in extreme low-temperature conditions.
- AI expansion is overwhelming transformer factories across global electricity markets today
- Power transformer delivery times have stretched from months into several years
- Aging electricity grids are driving an urgent wave of transformer replacements
Electricity grids across Europe and North America are facing a serious equipment shortage that could delay new electricity connections for years, experts have warned.
Power transformers, the large devices that regulate voltage before electricity reaches homes and factories, now take considerably longer to manufacture.
Orders that once took 6 to 12 months before 2020 can now take between 24 and 48 months to complete.
What is fueling the surge in demand?The rise of electric vehicles and the shift toward industrial electrification are placing significant new demands on local power grids.
Utility companies increasingly compete directly with private developers for the same limited factory capacity, extending wait times for nearly everyone.
Much of the substation infrastructure built 30 to 50 years ago across the United States and Western Europe now requires urgent replacement.
Wind farms and solar installations also require specialized step-up transformers to convert the power they generate before long-distance transmission occurs.
Battery storage projects add further complexity, since each installation requires its own dedicated transformer connected directly to the wider power grid.
The most significant new demand originates from data centers built to support artificial intelligence and AI tools, which consume electricity at an extraordinary rate.
A single facility of this kind can draw several hundred megawatts, comparable to the electricity consumption of a mid-sized city.
Large technology firms can pay in advance to reserve years of factory output, leaving smaller buyers to wait even longer.
The situation is so critical that the largest transformers, rated above 100 MVA and 230 kV, once shipped within 12 to 18 months, can now require well more than 36 months for delivery.
Why factories cannot simply build fasterThe principal constraint lies at the material level, since transformer cores depend on grain-oriented electrical steel that remains in short supply.
Alternative steel grades cannot satisfy strict efficiency standards set by the European Union and the United States Department of Energy.
Copper prices for internal winding materials have remained high, adding considerable cost pressure to already constrained manufacturing budgets across the industry.
Skilled labour shortages further complicate matters across the industry, since transformer assembly still depends heavily on precise, hands-on manual craftsmanship.
Factory testing facilities, where each unit undergoes impulse voltage and short-circuit evaluation, can only process a limited volume weekly, further limiting overall output.
As a result, equipment prices have climbed 50% to 80% above pre-2020 levels, driven largely by rising material and labour costs.
While industrial transformers take more time, smaller units used in residential and commercial settings ship faster, usually within 12 to 20 months.
Industry analysts regard these pressures as structural rather than temporary, suggesting sustained capacity investment will be required before conditions ease
Buyers who plan early, secure factory slots in advance, and standardize technical specifications appear better equipped to manage prolonged delays.
Diversifying supplier relationships beyond congested manufacturers may offer flexibility as global demand continues to outpace available production capacity worldwide.
Via Evernew Electrical (originally in Swedish)
- Marshall's 1959BJA Signature amp was first seen at the Super Bowl
- Built on Marshall’s handwired 1959HW platform, with a custom 'Dookie Mod'
- The color? A nod to Billie Joe Armstrong's first guitar, Blue (are you even an Idiot?)
When Billie Joe Armstrong et al took to the stage for Green Day's Super Bowl performance earlier in the year, I'm pretty sure most guitarists stopped listening for the "MAGA agenda" lyric switcheroo that never came and instead simply breathed "That amp though…"
And now, shredders can buy their own striking baby-blue Marshall head, just like the one that was set up behind Billie Joe Armstrong — for a not insignificant sum of $3,999.99 / £3,099.99 (which is around AU$5,779, where sold).
It is Marshall's first artist signature amp in 14 years, and its full name is the Billie Joe Armstrong 1959BJA Artist Signature. Yes, it's inspired by one of punk rock’s most recognizable guitar tones, and yes, that means it has a special "Dookie mod".
Basket Case? No, just the amp please (Image credit: Marshall)The amp was developed with Billie Joe Armstrong (it even bears his signature on the front and back) and is built on Marshall’s hand-wired 1959HW platform, refined with a custom “Dookie Mod”. This, says Marshall, is "inspired by the tone shaped alongside producer Rob Cavallo during Green Day’s breakthrough era".
The promise? A classic plexi but with modern performance flexibility, "increased gain, tighter lows and the saturated punch that brings Billie’s signature sound into a modern stage-ready format."
The design, of course, is a nod to Billie’s first guitar, Blue (seen in the main image), combining baby-blue with brass and silver panel details, all hand-wired in the UK.
It is released as a head-only unit, so axe men can pair it with the cabinet of their choice — but I'm sure a blue cabinet is possible to purchase as well…
And this isn't Billie Joe Armstrong's first rodeo with Marshall. Back in 2024, he actually appeared in the Monitor III ANC headphones campaign. So, the 1959BJA simply marks the natural progression of that relationship? It certainly looks that way.
Armstrong himself is quoted as saying, “I’m so overjoyed to have my own signature Marshall amp", adding "These amps have been a part of my musical life, from my heroes down to little old me. Turn it the f**k up!!”
You'll be able to buy the 1959BJA Billie Joe Armstrong Artist Signature from July 21, and again, you'll need to part with $3,999.99 / £3,099.99 (or around AU$5,779) to get yours when they become available.
Sometimes you don't find the amp; it finds you. It's something unpredictable, but in the end, it's right…
- Xiaomi reveals its first extended-range electric vehicle
- SkyNomad will sit separately from its pure EV Xiaomi Auto company
- The 1.5-liter engine is manufactured by Changan's subsidiary Harbin Dongang
Xiaomi is set to enter the hotly contested luxury SUV sector with an all-new business that it has dubbed SkyNomad.
Fresh off the success of both the SU7 and YU7, the former of which has outsold the Tesla Model 3 in the Chinese market, smartphone-maker Xiaomi sees a gap in the market for its first extended-range electric vehicle (EREV), which sees a gasoline engine act as a generator to charge battery packs on the move.
While the powertrain is still in its infancy in Europe, with just the Leapmotor C10 REEV and Mazda MX-30 R-EV currently on sale in many markets, it has experienced sales success in much of China.
Li Auto is the current market leader, with six models offering a mix of combustion engines and battery packs, while AITO, Deepal, Avatar and Leapmotor also offer similar solutions.
Unlike traditional plug-in hybrids, which use a gas engine to drive the wheels or charge the batteries, EREVs rely solely on a fully electric powertrain for propulsion, with the combustion engine serving as a generator to charge the batteries.
According to Car News China, Xiaomi's SkyNomad brand will offer the N70 and N90, the latter coming as a full-size, three-row SUV with rotating front seats, a full leather premium interior, and an N90 Max Camping Edition that adds a pop-up roof and a built-in side awning for upmarket camping trips.
SkyNomad is also selling the idea of modularity, stating in its promotional material that the cabin can transform into a studio for one, a cafe for two, a meeting room for three, or a play area for the whole family.
Under the skin, a 1.5-liter gasoline engine from Changan's subsidiary, Harbin Dongang, sends power to a 76 kWh ternary NMC battery pack in the N90, while a pair of electric motors team up to deliver 310 kW (416 hp) of power.
Analysis: unnecessarily enormous(Image credit: Xiaomi/SkyNomad)Xiaomi's decision to launch an EREV-focused brand, SkyNomad, is a clear shot at market leader Li Auto, which is experiencing a 74% year-over-year sales decline in the first four months of 2026, according to Electrek.
The introduction of EREVs to Xiaomi's stable will undoubtedly help it boost sales in China, but it's difficult to get away from the fact that the N90 is absolutely enormous. It measures over five meters in length and weighs 3,361 kg, which makes the 416 hp feel slightly underpowered.
Car News China says the N90 can manage around 230 miles before the batteries are depleted, by which point the 1.5-liter engine is called upon. Overall range is in excess of 1,500 km — or around 930 miles.
It's also interesting that Xiaomi, a company that found great success with pure EVs, is pivoting back to fossil fuels.
All of the PR coming out of China suggests that its public EV charging network is both faster and more widespread than most other markets, which raises the question of why the market needs big, heavy range extenders like this in the first place.