China’s stealth fighters, critical minerals from lithium waste: 7 science highlights

1. China's stealth fighters are advancing with new technology that allows them to operate independently if a pilot loses consciousness, navigate without satellite signals, and function in self-reorganizing drone formations.

2. Chinese scientists have devised an oil refining method that could decrease energy consumption by up to 90% while generating higher-value products, such as petrol and plastics.

3. A Chinese research team has achieved a fourfold increase in the power output of hydrogen fuel cells, a development that may expand their application from vehicles to space missions.

4. Researchers are investigating the possibility of a single nanodrug injection that could regulate "bad" cholesterol levels for an extended period, ranging from a year to a lifetime, potentially eliminating the need for daily cholesterol medication.

5. China has successfully constructed a 500-tonne production line that extracts critical rare metals, including rubidium and caesium, from lithium waste. These metals are vital for advanced technologies such as aerospace and quantum computing.

6. Deng Yu, a Chinese mathematician who recently won the prestigious 2026 Fields Medal, has humorously suggested that if artificial intelligence were to replace his field, he would turn to writing romance novels instead.

7. Scientists have developed a lightweight, battery-free device that can assist stroke survivors in regaining natural walking abilities. This self-powered neural device could greatly improve the mobility of individuals who struggle with walking due to stroke or other conditions.