Engineers Unveil New Theory for Rapid Water Condensation on Advanced Surfaces

Hello and welcome to our March 28, 2025 edition. The STEAM Digest is a curated newsletter that brings you the latest news in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.

In today’s edition:

• Science - Engineers Unveil New Theory for Rapid Water Condensation on Advanced Surfaces, and more.

• Materials - New Copper Alloy Breakthrough Offers Unmatched Strength and Heat Resistance for Aerospace and Defense, and more.

• Biotechnology & Biomedical Technology - Group Swimming Boosts Speed of Microswimmers, Paving the Way for Smart Drug-Delivering Microrobots, and more.

• Engineering & Technology - Coral-Inspired Material Turns CO₂ into Fire-Resistant Building Blocks for Carbon-Negative Construction, and more.

• Robotics - Dog-Inspired Robot Runs Without Motors Thanks to Smart Mechanics and Machine Learning, and more.

• Health & Medicine - Discovery of Human Retinal Stem-Like Cells Offers Hope for Vision Restoration, and more.

• Neuroscience - New Physics-Based Discovery Reveals How Brain Cells Stay Connected — and What Goes Wrong in Alzheimer’s, and more.

• Environment - Arctic Sea Ice Hits Record Low Winter Peak, Signaling Global Climate Alarms, and more.

• Nature - Scientists Revive 7,000-Year-Old Algae, Unlocking Clues to Baltic Sea’s Past and Future.

Until Tomorrow,

~The STEAM Digest

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SCIENCE

Engineers Unveil New Theory for Rapid Water Condensation on Advanced Surfaces: Mechanical engineers have developed a new theory to explain how specially engineered surfaces can collect and shed condensed water more efficiently than previously understood. When testing a novel surface designed for rapid condensation removal, researchers observed more liquid collection than predicted by classical heat transfer models. Their new theory, outlined in the journal Newton, introduces the concept of "disappearing frequency" to account for high-speed droplet removal during dropwise condensation—where vapor forms droplets that quickly roll off the surface. This breakthrough challenges a decades-old model and paves the way for more effective water harvesting technologies and cooling systems. The team used high-resolution imaging tools to visualize microscopic droplet behavior, confirming condensation even in areas previously thought inactive.

Scientists Uncover How Quantum Dots Transfer Energy to Bacteria in Breakthrough for Biohybrid Tech: Researchers have identified, for the first time, the precise pathways through which semiconductor nanocrystals—known as quantum dots—transfer electrons to microbes. The study shows that electrons can be delivered either directly or via redox mediator molecules produced by the bacteria. Using advanced imaging techniques, the team visualized these interactions between cadmium selenide quantum dots and Shewanella oneidensis, revealing critical insights into charge transfer dynamics. This discovery marks a major step toward developing nano-biohybrid systems that combine quantum dot light-harvesting capabilities with microbial biochemical processes—potentially enabling sustainable production of bioplastics, biofuels, and more.

Nature-Inspired Breakthrough Boosts Uranium Extraction from Seawater: Researchers have developed a biomimetic adsorbent that significantly improves uranium extraction from seawater. Inspired by the porous structure of the Chinese sweetgum fruit (Liquidambar formosana), the new material mimics its radial macropores and fiber network to enhance ion transport and prevent self-blockage—a common issue in conventional adsorbents. The nature-inspired design increased uranium adsorption capacity by up to 213% and outperformed competing ions like vanadium and iron in real seawater tests. The study showcases the potential of biomimicry to overcome major challenges in sustainable nuclear fuel recovery.

MATERIALS

New Copper Alloy Breakthrough Offers Unmatched Strength and Heat Resistance for Aerospace and Defense: Scientists have developed a groundbreaking copper-tantalum-lithium (Cu-Ta-Li) alloy with exceptional strength and thermal stability. Unlike traditional copper alloys, this nanostructured material withstands extreme temperatures and stress without degrading, thanks to the formation of Cu₃Li precipitates stabilized by a tantalum-rich atomic bilayer complexion. This innovation merges copper’s superior thermal and electrical conductivity with the durability of nickel-based superalloys, making it ideal for advanced propulsion systems, hypersonic vehicles, and thermal management technologies. The alloy maintained stability during year-long tests at 800°C and has been patented for its strategic defense potential. Ongoing research will further evaluate its thermal conductivity and explore similar high-performance material designs.

Engineered Microparticles Offer Breakthrough in Studying Immune Cell Protein Degradation: Researchers have developed a novel method using engineered microparticles to study how proteins degrade inside immune cells—a key process in understanding immune responses and diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s, and autoimmune disorders. The study introduces microparticles with fluorescent markers and layered protein structures that mimic natural biological systems. These particles allow real-time observation of protein breakdown within phagosomes—specialized compartments in immune cells. The innovation overcomes limitations of traditional bead-based methods and could lead to more precise diagnostics and therapies, especially for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOMEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

Group Swimming Boosts Speed of Microswimmers, Paving the Way for Smart Drug-Delivering Microrobots: Researchers have discovered that microscopic organisms, like Paramecium, swim faster in groups by altering fluid dynamics around them, reducing resistance and boosting speed. Using computer simulations in liquid crystal environments, the team found that collective motion creates flow fields that enhance propulsion—especially for "pusher"-type swimmers. The findings could guide the development of artificial microswimmers—tiny robots capable of navigating the human body to deliver drugs precisely to target areas, such as tumors or parasites. This research also offers new insights into motion control in complex fluids, relevant to biomedical engineering and micro-robotics.

Breakthrough DNA Delivery Method Could Revolutionize Treatment for Chronic Diseases: Researchers have developed a safer and more effective method to deliver therapeutic DNA into cells using lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), potentially transforming treatment for chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. The study builds on Nobel Prize-winning mRNA research by overcoming the immune reactions that previously made DNA delivery via LNPs unsafe. By adding a natural anti-inflammatory molecule, nitro-oleic acid (NOA), to the DNA-carrying LNPs, scientists prevented deadly immune responses in mice and enabled long-lasting protein production—up to six months from a single dose. This innovation offers advantages over both mRNA and viral-based therapies and marks a major step forward in the field of genetic medicine.

ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

Coral-Inspired Material Turns CO₂ into Fire-Resistant Building Blocks for Carbon-Negative Construction: Researchers at USC have developed a coral reef–inspired method to capture atmospheric carbon dioxide and convert it into strong, fire-resistant building materials. The process mimics coral’s natural biomineralization by using 3D-printed polymer scaffolds as templates. These are coated, connected to an electrochemical circuit, and immersed in a calcium solution. When CO₂ is introduced, it reacts to form calcium carbonate, filling the scaffold and creating a durable composite. The resulting material not only demonstrates impressive mechanical strength and fire resistance—withstanding 30 minutes of direct flame—but also repairs itself using low-voltage electricity. Critically, the entire process has a negative carbon footprint, suggesting potential for widespread use in sustainable, carbon-negative construction.

New Electrolyte Design Paves the Way for Safer, Faster-Charging Lithium-Metal Batteries: A research team has developed a novel electrolyte using symmetric : organic salts that significantly improves the performance of lithium-metal batteries (LMBs)—a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries. These new electrolytes enhance battery stability, speed up charging, and prevent dendrite formation, a major cause of degradation. The design lowers the desolvation barrier, enabling lithium ions to move more freely and form a stable protective layer on the anode. Notably, the electrolytes are non-flammable and resistant to overheating, making them much safer. This advancement could bring LMBs closer to widespread use in electric vehicles and high-demand electronics.

Researchers Use Perovskite to Create Virus-Sized Pixels for Ultra-High-Resolution Displays: A collaborative team has developed record-breaking ultra-small pixels using perovskite, achieving sizes as small as 90 nanometers—comparable to a virus. Their research shows that these perovskite-based LEDs maintain brightness and efficiency at nanoscale sizes, reaching an unprecedented pixel density of 127,000 pixels per inch. Traditional micro-LED technology becomes inefficient and costly at smaller scales, but the team's perovskite approach remains both efficient and affordable. Although the current prototypes are monochrome and long-term durability is still unknown, this breakthrough could pave the way for ultra-high-resolution displays, especially in applications like augmented reality.

ROBOTICS

Dog-Inspired Robot Runs Without Motors Thanks to Smart Mechanics and Machine Learning: Scientists have developed a groundbreaking quadruped robot that can run like a dog—without using motors. The study combines biologically inspired mechanical design with machine learning to create an energy-efficient robot powered solely by the motion of a treadmill. This passive locomotion mirrors natural phenomena, like a dead fish swimming upstream due to its body's optimized structure. The robot's design, based on real canine movement data, strategically arranges springs, cables, and joints to enable efficient motion. While motors are included for handling complex tasks like obstacle avoidance, they’re only used when necessary. This hybrid approach could lead to the next generation of adaptable, energy-efficient robots for diverse environments.

Shape-Shifting Liquid Robot Inspired by Cells and Sci-Fi Offers Breakthrough in Soft Robotics: A joint research team has developed a next-generation soft robot composed of liquid and armored with hydrophobic particles, allowing it to mimic biological cell functions such as deforming, fusing, and capturing foreign objects. The study showcases the robot’s resilience—withstanding impacts and squeezing through tight spaces like the T-1000 robot in Terminator 2.The liquid robot can move across both solid and liquid surfaces, merge with other robots, and be controlled via ultrasound. Its versatility makes it a promising tool for biomedical uses such as targeted drug delivery, as well as for industrial tasks like exploring complex machinery or disaster zones. Future developments aim to give the robot shape-shifting capabilities using sound or electric fields.

Northeastern Researchers Build Hybrid Robot That Can Screw in a Lightbulb:
Researchers have developed a groundbreaking hybrid robot capable of delicately screwing in a lightbulb—solving a challenge that rigid or soft robots alone couldn't manage. Traditional rigid robots excel at applying torque but lack the flexibility to handle fragile objects, while soft robots can move delicately but lack strength. The new design combines the best of both: strength and flexibility. Inspired by biological forms like elephant trunks and octopus tentacles, the robot uses a novel material that mimics the flexible yet strong function of a car’s constant-velocity joint. This innovation represents a new direction in robot design, focusing on structural shape rather than chemical composition.

HEALTH & MEDICINE

Discovery of Human Retinal Stem-Like Cells Offers Hope for Vision Restoration:
Researchers have identified a population of human neural retinal stem-like cells capable of regenerating retinal tissue and supporting vision recovery. Using advanced transcriptomic methods on human fetal retinal tissue and retinal organoids, scientists located these cells in the ciliary marginal zone of the retina. The cells demonstrated self-renewal and the ability to differentiate into all major retinal cell types. In both lab-grown organoids and a mouse model of retinal degeneration, these cells repaired damaged tissue, integrated into the retina, and restored visual function without adverse effects. The findings offer promising prospects for stem cell-based therapies targeting retinal diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration.

Chewing Gum May Release Thousands of Microplastics, New Study Finds: A new pilot study from UCLA suggests that chewing gum could release hundreds of microplastic particles into the mouth with each piece. Researchers found that a single gram of gum released an average of 100 microplastic fragments—some over 600—into saliva. Given that many people chew around 180 pieces of gum annually, this could amount to ingesting approximately 30,000 microplastics a year. Both synthetic gums made with petroleum-based polymers and natural gums using plant-based materials were found to shed microplastics. While experts caution that these amounts are small compared to other sources like bottled water, the study highlights yet another underexplored route of microplastic exposure. Though not peer-reviewed yet, the findings raise environmental and health considerations, especially since gum ingredients are often vague and disposal habits contribute to plastic pollution. Despite the concerns, researchers emphasize there's no evidence that chewing gum poses immediate health risks.

Diverse Plant-Based Diet Found to Improve Gut Health and Lower Toxins in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: Groundbreaking research reveals that a diet rich in a wide variety of plant foods can significantly benefit individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The study is the first globally to show that consuming more than 30 types of plant-based foods weekly improves gut microbiome diversity and reduces harmful toxin levels in the blood and urine. Contrary to traditional restrictive diets for CKD patients, which often limit fruits and vegetables due to potassium concerns, this research demonstrates that a diverse plant-based diet is not only safe but potentially more beneficial—even for those with advanced CKD. The findings suggest a simple, accessible dietary shift could improve quality of life and slow disease progression in millions affected by CKD worldwide

NEUROSCIENCE

New Physics-Based Discovery Reveals How Brain Cells Stay Connected — and What Goes Wrong in Alzheimer’s: Scientists have identified a fundamental physical mechanism that helps neurons maintain their connections, shedding new light on the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. The study reveals that neurons use entropy-based forces—akin to an "invisible glue"—to stay connected, even when not actively signaling. This process relies on maintaining a specific density of vesicles, tiny cellular components that reinforce the strength of neuronal connections. In Alzheimer's-affected brains, this vesicle density is disrupted, leading to weakened connections and cognitive decline. The findings offer a new perspective that integrates physics with neuroscience and may pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies aimed at preserving brain connectivity and slowing neurodegeneration.

First-in-Human PET Imaging Sheds Light on Brain Inflammation via COX-2 Enzyme: A groundbreaking PET imaging study has, for the first time, visualized and quantified the enzyme COX-2 in the human brain—a key player in neuroinflammation. The study used a novel radiotracer, ¹¹C-MC1, which successfully crossed the blood–brain barrier and showed high specificity for COX-2. Involving 27 healthy volunteers, the first-in-human trial confirmed the radiotracer’s ability to map COX-2 distribution, offering a powerful tool for detecting and monitoring brain inflammation. Given COX-2’s role in neurological and psychiatric conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and depression, this imaging advance could pave the way for more personalized diagnostics and targeted therapies in neuropsychiatric care.

New Lab Model Reveals Prion-Like Spread of TDP-43 in ALS and Dementia: In a significant advance for neurodegeneration research, scientists have developed a lab model that mimics key features of TDP-43 protein pathology—central to ALS and frontotemporal dementia. the study demonstrates how lab-made amyloid-like fibrils of TDP-43 fragments can "seed" the aggregation of native TDP-43 in human cells, including neurons derived from stem cells. This prion-like mechanism replicates hallmark disease traits such as cytoplasmic aggregation, nuclear depletion, and relevant gene expression changes. The new model captures both major pathological aspects of TDP-43 dysfunction, providing a powerful tool to study disease mechanisms and test potential therapies.

ENVIRONMENT

Arctic Sea Ice Hits Record Low Winter Peak, Signaling Global Climate Alarms: Arctic sea ice reached its lowest winter peak in 47 years of satellite monitoring, scientists reported, marking another stark indicator of climate change. On March 22, 2025, the sea ice maxed out at 5.53 million square miles—roughly 30,000 square miles less than the previous record low in 2017. Experts attribute the decline to warming temperatures, with the Arctic warming four times faster than the global average. Scientists warn that shrinking ice not only threatens Arctic wildlife like polar bears and seal pups, but also disrupts global weather patterns by weakening the jet stream. This can result in more persistent and extreme weather events far from the poles. The thinning ice is also more vulnerable to summer melt, raising concerns about future seasonal lows. The report comes shortly after Antarctica approached a record low for its minimum sea ice, pushing global sea ice coverage to a historic low in February.

Forest Age Isn’t Everything: Study Reveals Key Drivers of Carbon Sequestration:
A comprehensive study conducted at the University of Michigan Biological Station and led by Michigan Technological University challenges the common belief that older forests automatically store more carbon. Drawing on over two centuries of data from a variety of forest stands, the research shows that carbon sequestration is more strongly influenced by forest structure, tree and fungal community composition, and soil biogeochemical processes than by age alone. These findings highlight the need for forest management strategies that focus on the entire ecosystem—both above and below ground—especially in the face of rapid environmental change.

Water Deep in Earth’s Mantle May Fuel Volcanic Activity Far from Plate Boundaries: A new study suggests that water stored deep in Earth’s mantle transition zone (MTZ), 410–670 kilometers below the surface, may drive volcanic activity away from tectonic plate boundaries. Helene Wang and colleagues reconstructed tectonic plate movements over the past 400 million years to map water transport into the MTZ by subducting slabs. Comparing these maps with records of intraplate volcanism from the past 250 million years, they found that 42%–68% of such volcanism occurred above wetter regions of the MTZ. The findings suggest that long-term water accumulation in the mantle—over tens of millions of years—can trigger mantle melting and volcanic eruptions on continents. This could explain scattered volcanic activity in regions like eastern Asia, western North America, and eastern Australia, while drier areas beneath the Indian Ocean and parts of Africa may account for the lack of volcanism there.

NATURE

Scientists Revive 7,000-Year-Old Algae, Unlocking Clues to Baltic Sea’s Past and Future: A research team has successfully revived 7,000-year-old dormant algae from Baltic Sea sediments, marking one of the oldest documented cases of viable resurrection from aquatic environments. The study focused on the diatom Skeletonema marinoi, a common species still found in the region today. Remarkably, the ancient algae showed growth and photosynthesis rates comparable to modern strains, despite millennia spent in anoxic sediment. The research is part of the PHYTOARK project, which uses "resurrection ecology" to study long-term genetic and functional adaptation of phytoplankton to environmental changes. By reactivating ancient cells and analyzing their DNA, scientists hope to better understand the historical evolution of the Baltic Sea and predict how its ecosystems may respond to future changes.