Archived Intelligence

15 January 2026

← Previous|Current Edition →

Full Report

Image for Atomic Russian Dolls: Solving the 40-Year Riddle of **Gold Nanoclusters**
Chemistry & Material Science

Atomic Russian Dolls: Solving the 40-Year Riddle of **Gold Nanoclusters**

Since 1981, the precise structure of 'Schmid gold' has eluded scientists due to its inherent instability. By utilising fluorine chemistry, researchers have finally stabilised and mapped an Au75 cluster, revealing a complex shell-by-shell configuration.

Image for Large Language Models: The Architectural Blueprint for a New Era
Computer Science & AI

Large Language Models: The Architectural Blueprint for a New Era

A comprehensive survey of current AI architectures details the mechanisms behind today's chatbots. By understanding these underlying structures—like long-context modelling and efficient scaling—visionaries can see a roadmap for how these tools might eventually be adapted to decode complex systems beyond text.

Image for Perovskite nanocrystals: New shell structure pushes efficiency to theoretical limits
Chemistry & Material Science

Perovskite nanocrystals: New shell structure pushes efficiency to theoretical limits

Researchers have developed a hierarchical shell structure that stabilises soft ionic lattices in solid-state emitters. The study reports that this multi-layer coating allows the materials to achieve near-perfect quantum yields while surviving thousands of hours of harsh environmental testing.

Image for Perovskite Solar Cells: Bridging the Gap Between Lab Records and Commercial Reality
Chemistry & Material Science

Perovskite Solar Cells: Bridging the Gap Between Lab Records and Commercial Reality

A new review of 2024-2025 progress indicates that while Perovskite Solar Cells have achieved record-breaking efficiencies in the lab, a significant performance gap remains when scaling to commercial modules. The industry is pivoting toward green solvents, vacuum flash evaporation, and machine learning to solve persistent stability issues.

Image for Phage Genome Engineering: A Blueprint for Total Programmability
Genetics & Molecular Biology

Phage Genome Engineering: A Blueprint for Total Programmability

A new protocol named QuickPhage enables the precise editing of viral genomes in under 24 hours, utilizing CRISPR-Cas9 and short DNA patches. While currently focused on Bacillus subtilis, this rapid methodology offers a blueprint for modernising the synthetic biology toolbox and mastering bacterial systems.

Image for Scrutinising COPD Genetics: Does Whole Genome Sequencing Offer Superior Resolution?
Genetics & Molecular Biology

Scrutinising COPD Genetics: Does Whole Genome Sequencing Offer Superior Resolution?

A massive multi-ancestry study utilises Whole Genome Sequencing to identify novel variants associated with lung function, improving upon the resolution of prior methods. The analysis highlights the gene HMCN1 as a potential driver of tissue remodelling, validated through CRISPR experiments in cell lines.

Image for Simplicity amidst chaos: A lesson for clinical trials in low-resource settings
Medicine & Health

Simplicity amidst chaos: A lesson for clinical trials in low-resource settings

The ProRIDE trial in rural Tanzania successfully recruited 2,000 infants with remarkable retention by prioritising a simple, home-based protocol. It highlights how international collaboration and community-focused design can overcome the logistical hurdles of research in developing regions.

Image for Sub-1 Nanometre Wires: A New Dawn for Li-CO2 Batteries
Chemistry & Material Science

Sub-1 Nanometre Wires: A New Dawn for Li-CO2 Batteries

Researchers have developed ultra-thin bismuth sulfide nanowires that significantly enhance the stability and efficiency of lithium-carbon dioxide batteries. By leveraging light assistance and a novel catalyst structure, this technology offers a promising path toward dual-function energy storage and carbon capture.