Tech Xplore

A crime scene is often accessible only for a short period of time. During that time, all relevant evidence must be documented quickly, and even small details can prove crucial. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office (BLKA) are working together to fundamentally transform this process. Using artificial intelligence, investigators will be able to interact with virtual representations of crime scenes.

An international research collaboration has developed a new molecular strategy for controlling one of the most critical interfaces in perovskite solar cells. The resulting solar cells reached a power conversion efficiency of 26.19% in the n-i-p architecture, together with strong operational stability under prolonged illumination and elevated temperature. The results have been published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

Implantable devices in the brain have been used for about 30 years to assist people with disabilities in completing motor tasks. However, the devices are simply not accessible to the vast majority of people who need help. Despite decades of work in this field, fewer than 100 people worldwide have benefited from the technology. The costs are prohibitive, and the brain surgeries are inherently risky.

For a paper published in the International Journal of Applied Cryptography, a team compared 11 leading large language models (LLMs) for software security. They found that no single system consistently outperforms its rivals in detecting vulnerabilities. This, they suggest, means organizations must select such tools according to the specific software they are analyzing.

Researchers led by Armin Buchroithner from the Institute of Electrical Measurement and Sensor Systems at TU Graz have developed an innovative photovoltaic system that combines significantly higher output with protection from storms, hail and snow. The system, known as FLAPTrack (Face-to-Face Lay-Down Anti-Degradation Protection), continuously aligns the PV modules with the sun's position both horizontally and vertically.

A newly developed material for the electron contact improves the efficiency of single perovskite solar cells and perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells. The new material is based on a carborane molecule. It offers several advantages over the standard material C60, as shown by the study led by Steve Albrecht's team. The new material has since been patented and is already commercially available.

Consumers are more likely to buy cryptocurrencies when they see them as easy to use, trustworthy and beneficial, according to research published in the International Journal of Blockchains and Cryptocurrencies, which used the Technology Acceptance Model as a framework to examine perceptions and adoption.

Imagine reaching for a record or glancing at a map and seeing a display bloom from a small box, offering interactive guidance—and then vanishing moments later. A new device, inspired by science fiction and designed by computer scientists at the University of Chicago, lets digital displays bloom from everyday objects and surfaces. The creators hope it's a step toward creating touch interfaces only when they're needed and helping technology fade seamlessly into daily life.

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Optical see-through augmented reality (AR) glasses are designed to overlay digital information onto the real world, but improving the realism of virtual objects often comes at a cost. Existing occlusion technologies physically block part of the incoming light, reducing the brightness of the real environment and making everyday tasks more challenging. Overcoming this balance between virtual realism and real-world visibility is a key hurdle for next-generation AR systems.