Anastasia Koivikko and colleagues report pneumatic strain gauges integrated into a soft robotic gripper which can recognize objects and close autonomously. The approach enables entirely fluidic robotic systems with no need for electrical or optical sensors.

Space bioprocess engineering integrates synthetic biology and bioprocess engineering with the specific goal to support human life in long term space missions. In this Perspective, Berliner and colleagues describe a pathway towards the development and implementation of space bioprocessing technologies of the future.

Hari Vishnu and colleagues use signal processing that exploits sparsity information to visualise dolphin echolocation signals during object interrogation. The approach is then combined with transmission of dolphin-like click signals towards a compact acoustic imaging tool.

Murray and colleagues report strain distributions in Si/SiGe nanosheet heterostructures using synchrotron x-ray nanodiffraction techniques. The observations and underlying mechanisms provide insights for future nanodevice design and performance prediction.

Omid Yaghmazadeh and colleagues explore non-thermal responses to RF radiation in live rodent brains using electrophysiology and 1-photon Ca²⁺ imaging. They saw no impact of RF energy in metal-free recordings at levels higher than regulatory limits.

Anastasia Koivikko and colleagues report pneumatic strain gauges integrated into a soft robotic gripper which can recognize objects and close autonomously. The approach enables entirely fluidic robotic systems with no need for electrical or optical sensors.

Murray and colleagues report strain distributions in Si/SiGe nanosheet heterostructures using synchrotron x-ray nanodiffraction techniques. The observations and underlying mechanisms provide insights for future nanodevice design and performance prediction.

Hari Vishnu and colleagues use signal processing that exploits sparsity information to visualise dolphin echolocation signals during object interrogation. The approach is then combined with transmission of dolphin-like click signals towards a compact acoustic imaging tool.

A 3D model of a lithium-ion battery reveals that in-plane temperature nonuniformity within electrodes as they charge and discharge is strongly affected by solid-state diffusion processes. The findings hint at methods to diagnose the microscopic mechanisms underlying battery performance.

Space is becoming congested. To manage satellite traffic, Nils Bartels and colleagues introduce and test the feasibility of polarization-modulated satellite laser ranging. This concept could enable precise orbit determination and rapid satellite identification.

A chemical strategy to separate troublesome americium from lanthanides could help reduce the radiological hazards of spent nuclear fuel and create opportunities for waste re-processing.

Findings from a recent publication in Energy and Buildings show that “net-zero energy” renovations can lead to net-positive energy buildings. But the results also raise concerns for the energy grid and overheating in the summer. The analysis of energy consumption of residential buildings give insight into future performance of a Dutch neighborhood’s deep energy-saving refurbishments.

Today we proudly launch Communications Engineering, a selective multidisciplinary journal which brings together the entire engineering community.