Daily brief on deep tech and climate tech news from India and around the world.
Image courtesy XinHao Chen/Johns Hopkins University
Robot performs first realistic gallbladder surgery autonomously
A Johns Hopkins University team has developed a robot that autonomously completed a complex phase of gallbladder removal with 100 percent accuracy.
Trained on surgical videos and powered by advanced machine learning, the SRT-H robot adapted in real time to unpredictable scenarios, responded to voice commands, and made surgical decisions like a human trainee.
This breakthrough marks a significant step toward clinically viable autonomous surgical systems capable of operating in real-world, variable conditions.
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Quantum machine learning enhances semiconductor manufacturing
Australian researchers at CSIRO have, for the first time, applied quantum machine learning (QML) to semiconductor fabrication, improving the modeling of Ohmic contact resistance—a critical factor in chip performance.
Their Quantum Kernel-Aligned Regressor (QKAR) outperformed classical machine learning on small, complex datasets, suggesting QML could reduce manufacturing costs and improve device quality as quantum technologies mature, potentially revolutionizing the semiconductor industry.
EU SUPREME consortium to industrialize superconducting quantum chips
The EU-backed SUPREME project, coordinated by Finland’s VTT, will industrialize superconducting quantum chip fabrication over six years. Bringing together 23 partners from eight EU countries, the consortium will develop stable, high-yield processes and validate core technologies like Josephson junctions and 3D qubit integration. Pilot lines will launch in 2026, with fabrication processes available to academia and industry by 2027, strengthening Europe’s quantum technology ecosystem.
Transmutation offers promise, hurdles for nuclear waste reprocessing
A process called partitioning and transmutation (P&T) could convert long-lived radioactive waste into shorter-lived or stable elements, reducing nuclear waste hazards, IEEE Spectrum reports. The process involves separating transuranic elements and bombarding them with neutrons in special reactors. However, industrial-scale transmutation remains decades away due to technical, economic, and regulatory challenges. Large-scale deployment would require extensive new nuclear infrastructure, which is not currently supported in countries like Germany.
MIT develops ultra-efficient 5G chip for IoT expansion
MIT researchers have created a new, ultra-efficient 5G receiver chip that could significantly expand the reach of the Internet of Things (IoT). The chip uses a novel capacitor network for passive filtering, drastically reducing power consumption and improving resistance to interference.
Its compact design enables low-cost, low-power IoT devices to connect over 5G networks, paving the way for widespread deployment in health monitors, smart cameras, and industrial sensors.
Indonesian startup captures coolants to fight global warming
Recoolit, an Indonesian climate startup, tackles the overlooked issue of refrigerant emissions — super-pollutants far more potent than CO₂ — by capturing and destroying AC and fridge coolants.
Technicians are incentivized to recover and send these gases for safe destruction, with Recoolit selling carbon credits based on verified destruction. The company partners with Google to scale operations, addressing a growing climate threat as demand for cooling rises in developing countries.
Skleo Health raises €3M to expand rapid eye screenings in Germany
Skleo Health, a German healthtech startup, has secured €3 million to scale its AI-driven, six-minute eye screening service nationwide. The technology provides fast, accessible eye health assessments, aiming to detect diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy early. The funding will help expand the screening network across clinics and pharmacies, improving preventative care and reducing strain on ophthalmology specialists in Germany.
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In-depth conversations with entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders and other stakeholders building India’s deep tech and climate tech ecosystems.
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Takeaways from conversations with entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders and other stakeholders building India’s deep tech and climate tech ecosystems.
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