Imagine a world where computers can process information at speeds a million times faster than today’s fastest processors. A team of scientists from the University of Arizona, in collaboration with international researchers, have made this vision a reality by creating the world’s first petahertz-speed phototransistor that operates in ambient conditions.

The breakthrough was achieved through a groundbreaking experiment where researchers used pulses of light to manipulate electrons in graphene, a material composed of a single layer of carbon atoms. By leveraging a quantum effect known as tunneling, they recorded electrons bypassing a physical barrier almost instantaneously, redefining the potential limits of computer processing power.

“This achievement represents a huge leap forward in the development of ultrafast computer technologies,” said Mohammed Hassan, an associate professor of physics and optical sciences at the University of Arizona. “By leaning on the discovery of quantum computers, we can develop hardware that matches the current revolution in information technology software. Ultrafast computers will greatly assist discoveries in space research, chemistry, health care, and more.”

The team was originally studying the electrical conductivity of modified samples of graphene when they discovered the unexpected result of electrons slipping through the material almost instantly. This near-instant “tunnelling” effect was captured and tracked in real-time, paving the way for the development of a petahertz-speed transistor.

Using a commercially available graphene phototransistor that was modified to introduce a special silicon layer, the researchers used a laser that switches off and on at a rate of 638 attoseconds to create what Hassan called “the world’s fastest petahertz quantum transistor.”

A transistor is a device that acts as an electronic switch or amplifier that controls the flow of electricity between two points and is fundamental to the development of modern electronics. For reference, a single attosecond is one-quintillionth of a second, making this achievement represent a big leap forward in the development of ultrafast computer technologies.

While some scientific advancements occur under strict conditions, including temperature and pressure, this new transistor performed in ambient conditions – opening the way to commercialization and use in everyday electronics. Hassan is working with Tech Launch Arizona to patent and market innovations related to this invention, aiming to collaborate with industry partners to realize a petahertz-speed transistor on a microchip.

The University of Arizona is already known for developing the world’s fastest electron microscope, and they hope to also be recognized for creating the first petahertz-speed transistor. This achievement has the potential to revolutionize computing as we know it, enabling faster processing speeds, improved efficiency, and breakthroughs in various fields.

The human body is incredibly adept at navigating its surroundings. Our senses work together in harmony to help us avoid obstacles, predict potential dangers, and make our way through even the most challenging environments. We can feel the roughness of tree bark beneath our fingers, smell the sweet scent of blooming flowers, hear the gentle rustle of leaves, and see the intricate details of the world around us.

Robots, on the other hand, have long relied solely on visual information to move through their environment. However, outside of Hollywood, multisensory navigation has remained a significant challenge for machines. The forest, with its dense undergrowth, fallen logs, and ever-changing terrain, is a maze of uncertainty for traditional robots.

Researchers at Duke University have developed a novel framework called WildFusion that fuses vision, vibration, and touch to enable robots to “sense” complex outdoor environments much like humans do. This groundbreaking work has been accepted to the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA 2025), which will be held May 19-23, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia.

WildFusion is built on a quadruped robot that integrates multiple sensing modalities, including an RGB camera, lidar, inertial sensors, contact microphones, and tactile sensors. The camera and lidar capture the environment’s geometry, color, distance, and other visual details. However, what makes WildFusion special is its use of acoustic vibrations and touch.

As the robot walks, contact microphones record the unique vibrations generated by each step, capturing subtle differences such as the crunch of dry leaves versus the soft squish of mud. Meanwhile, the tactile sensors measure how much force is applied to each foot, helping the robot sense stability or slipperiness in real-time. These added senses are complemented by the inertial sensor that collects acceleration data to assess how much the robot is wobbling, pitching, or rolling as it traverses uneven ground.

Each type of sensory data is then processed through specialized encoders and fused into a single, rich representation. At the heart of WildFusion is a deep learning model based on the idea of implicit neural representations. Unlike traditional methods that treat the environment as a collection of discrete points, this approach models complex surfaces and features continuously, allowing the robot to make smarter, more intuitive decisions about where to step, even when its vision is blocked or ambiguous.

WildFusion was tested at the Eno River State Park in North Carolina near Duke’s campus, successfully helping a robot navigate dense forests, grasslands, and gravel paths. The team plans to expand the system by incorporating additional sensors, such as thermal or humidity detectors, to further enhance a robot’s ability to understand and adapt to complex environments.

One of the key challenges for robotics today is developing systems that not only perform well in the lab but reliably function in real-world settings. WildFusion provides vast potential applications beyond forest trails, including disaster response across unpredictable terrains, inspection of remote infrastructure, and autonomous exploration.

WildFusion’s multimodal approach lets the robot “fill in the blanks” when sensor data is sparse or noisy, much like what humans do. The team plans to expand the system by incorporating additional sensors, such as thermal or humidity detectors, to further enhance a robot’s ability to understand and adapt to complex environments.

The success of WildFusion has been recognized by the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA 2025), which will be held May 19-23, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia. The team plans to continue expanding the system and exploring new applications for this groundbreaking technology.

The Hidden Dangers of Cyberbullying: A Trauma-Inducing Reality for Young People

A new national study has shed light on the alarming reality that even subtle forms of cyberbullying can have devastating effects on young people’s mental health. The research, conducted by Florida Atlantic University in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, found a strong link between cyberbullying and trauma in middle and high school students.

The study investigated the relationship between 18 different types of cyberbullying, including exclusion, impersonation, and stalking behaviors, and symptoms of PTSD. The results revealed that even less visible or indirect forms of cyberbullying can be just as traumatizing as explicit threats to one’s physical safety.

Exclusion and rejection were found to have a similar emotional toll as being harassed for personal traits like race or religion. Being the subject of gossip or cruel online comments had an emotional impact comparable to being targeted by direct threats.

The study also explored how demographic factors like age, sex, and socioeconomic status influence the severity of psychological outcomes. The findings showed that girls and younger teens were more likely to experience higher levels of traumatic symptoms than boys or older teens. However, once they factored in how much cyberbullying each student had experienced, these demographic differences became less important.

What mattered most was the overall amount of cyberbullying: the more often a student was targeted, the more trauma symptoms they showed. Cyberbullying alone accounted for a significant portion – 32% – of the differences in trauma levels among students.

The study’s lead author, Sameer Hinduja, Ph.D., emphasized that the research highlights the need for further understanding of protective factors like strong family support, close friendships, and emotional resilience. These factors may buffer against the negative effects of interpersonal victimization in online spaces.

To truly protect young people, we must take a trauma-informed approach, one that prioritizes emotional and psychological safety, incorporates grounding techniques, and includes strong crisis intervention plans. This requires training educators, counselors, and youth-serving adults to recognize signs of trauma, understand its root causes, and respond with empathy, emotional safety protocols, and scientifically proven mindfulness interventions.

Equally important is creating safe environments where students feel supported and seen, and where even subtle forms of bullying are taken seriously given the potentially serious outcomes that compromise youth well-being.