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Rice grown on the Moon?

Researchers have developed a plasma technology that can produce nitrogen fertilizer suitable for cultivating rice seedlings under lunar conditions. The technology successfully neutralizes highly alkaline regolith and releases critical mineral nutrients, allowing plants to absorb them more readily.

SourceTohoku University·Journalnpj Microgravity·DateJun 29, 2026

Commonwealth Fusion Systems builds on learnings from SPARC to publish five peer-reviewed papers validating the physics of the ARC fusion power plant

The papers validate and de-risk Commonwealth Fusion Systems' approach to commercial fusion, demonstrating scientifically robust path to grid electricity in the early 2030s. Advanced computational tools combined decades of empirical research on tokamaks worldwide, predicting 1.1 GW of fusion power and 400 MW of continuous net electricity.

SourceCambridge University Press·JournalJournal of Plasma Physics·DateJun 4, 2026

Bottled lightning makes a cleaner fuel

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a single-step process to turn methane into methanol without high heat and pressures. The method harnesses tiny bursts of plasma to break the chemical bonds in methane, producing a cleaner-burning fuel for ships and industrial boilers.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 15, 2026

Plasma and lemon juice: Milder method retrieves nearly 95% of critical minerals in battery waste

Researchers at Rice University have developed a new method to recover nearly all critical minerals from spent lithium-ion batteries, including metals like lithium and graphite. The process uses microwave-induced plasma treatment with room-temperature solvents, resulting in high recovery rates and minimal environmental impact.

SourceRice University·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 25, 2026

After record-breaking results in fusion research, this highly successful project is winding down to make way for new experiments

The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory successfully completed its marathon run on the Large Helical Device, yielding key findings about fusion energy. The experiment produced world-record milestones, including sustained megawatt-level plasmas for nearly an hour, and demonstrated a unique feature to produce resilient plasmas.

Physicists clarify key mechanism behind energy release in Molybdenum-93

A team of physicists identified the dominant mechanism responsible for energy release in molybdenum-93m using high-precision experiments. Inelastic nuclear scattering is confirmed to be the primary driver of isomer depletion under experimental conditions, contradicting previous hypotheses about nuclear excitation by electron capture.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 8, 2026

First high-precision measurement of potential dynamics inside reactor-grade fusion plasma

Scientists successfully measured electric potential in plasmas using a non-contact diagnostic technique, enabling the detection of temporal transitions in internal plasma potential distribution. The method allows for improved predictive models of plasma behavior and confinement frameworks in fusion research.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalNuclear Fusion·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 12, 2025

Coronal mass ejections at the dawn of the solar system

Researchers from Kyoto University have found multi-temperature coronal mass ejections from a young solar analogue, suggesting frequent strong CMEs could have driven life emergence on early planets. The study used simultaneous space- and ground-based observations to capture hot and cool plasma components.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 27, 2025

DGIST research team led by Donghwan Kim and Jungmin Kim develops next-generation high-performance permanent magnet technology for eco-friendly industries

DGIST researchers develop innovative manufacturing process for high-performance permanent magnets, overcoming conventional limitations. The new technology creates uniform magnetic performance throughout the magnet, enabling miniaturization and weight reduction in electric vehicle motors.

SourceDGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalJournal of Alloys and Compounds·DateOct 20, 2025

Rice physicists probe quark‑gluon plasma temperatures, helping paint more detailed picture of big bang

A research team led by Frank Geurts measured quark-gluon plasma temperatures at various stages of its evolution, providing critical insights into a state of matter believed to have existed just microseconds after the big bang. The study revealed two distinct average temperatures depending on the mass range of dielectron pairs, indicati...

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 14, 2025

Using AI to optimize hydrogen fuel production and reduce environmental impact: Worcester Polytechnic Institute research published in Nature Chemical Engineering

A team of researchers from Worcester Polytechnic Institute has developed a new approach to producing hydrogen using plasma technology and metal alloys. The method reduces energy consumption and carbon emissions compared to traditional methods, making it more environmentally friendly and potentially affordable.

SourceWorcester Polytechnic Institute·JournalNature Chemical Engineering·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 6, 2025

Steel making could get a makeover

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a new method for producing iron that eliminates CO2 emissions and can be performed at room temperature. The process uses hydrogen gas plasma to strip oxygen from iron ore, producing pure iron and water vapor.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 29, 2025

Using new blood biomarkers, USC researchers find Alzheimer’s disease trial eligibility differs among various populations

Researchers found that individuals from African American, Hispanic and Asian groups were less likely to have elevated amyloid in the brain based on blood levels of p-tau217. This finding suggests that these groups may have a lower prevalence of amyloid and are not at sufficient risk to qualify for amyloid-lowering trials.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·TypeObservational study·DateSep 5, 2025

Astrophysicists explore our galaxy’s magnetic turbulence in unprecedented detail using a new computer model

A new computer model simulates magnetism and turbulence in the interstellar medium, providing unprecedented detail on the Milky Way Galaxy's overall magnetic field. The model also helps understand star formation and the propagation of cosmic rays, offering insights into astrophysical phenomenon.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 13, 2025

Scientists discover how stellar-mass black holes emit powerful plasma jets

Researchers have discovered key conditions needed for a stellar black hole to create plasma jets, including the rapid shrinkage of superheated gas material towards the black hole. This study reveals that jets form under dynamic conditions, providing insights into galaxy evolution and the properties of black holes.

SourceNagoya University·JournalPublications of the Astronomical Society of Japan·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 8, 2025

Cold plasma-treated seeds show potential to protect plants, reduce pesticide use

A new study by researchers from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture found that cold plasma-treated seeds can enhance plant growth and increase resistance to insects. However, the benefits were limited to initial stages of plant development, with control plants eventually catching up in later stages.

SourceUniversity of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture·JournalScientific Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 10, 2025

Innovative target design leads to surprising discovery in laser-plasma acceleration

Researchers have made an unexpected breakthrough in laser-plasma acceleration by introducing a novel water sheet target, resolving multiple technical challenges. This breakthrough enables the generation of faster, brighter, and more efficiently produced proton beams, paving the way for real-world applications in medicine and industry.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 10, 2025

KAIST develops AI-driven performance prediction model to advance space electric propulsion technology​

The KAIST research team developed an AI-based technique to accurately predict Hall thruster performance, significantly reducing the time and cost associated with iterative design, fabrication, and testing. The trained neural network ensemble model offers detailed analyses of performance parameters, accounting for key design variables.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalAdvanced Intelligent Systems·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 4, 2025