Quantum sensor breakthrough could unlock dark matter and cosmic gravitational waves

A prototype quantum sensor at Imperial College London has demonstrated a noise-canceling technique that could enable detection of dark matter and primordial gravitational waves. In other top news, NASA's TESS satellite accidentally discovered a planet 40,000 light-years away using gravitational microlensing, researchers built the first programmable artificial protein motor, and CERN's Large Hadron Collider entered a multiyear shutdown for a major upgrade. Additionally, organic solar cells reached a record 20.5% efficiency by recycling spin-triplet excitons.

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Quantum sensor cancels noise to reveal dark matter and ancient gravitational waves Researchers at Imperial College London demonstrated that two long-baseline atom interferometers can eliminate experimental noise, recovering hidden signals. This milestone paves the way for searching for dark matter and gravitational waves from the early universe. 1

NASA's TESS finds first planet using Einstein's microlensing technique The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite accidentally detected planet Gaia23bra b 40,000 light-years away via gravitational microlensing, a method it wasn't designed for. The discovery combines data from ESA's Gaia mission and TESS. 2 3

Scientists build first programmable artificial protein motor that walks along DNA The synthetic protein, named Tumbleweed, takes controlled steps along a DNA track using three 'feet' that bind to specific sequences. This milestone in synthetic biology could lead to nanomachines and biocomputing. 4

Large Hadron Collider enters multiyear shutdown for major upgrade CERN's LHC dumped its final physics beams at the end of June 2026, beginning a ~4-year shutdown to install the High-Luminosity LHC, which will increase collision rates tenfold and boost sensitivity to rare processes. 5

Recycling spin-triplet excitons yields 20.5% efficiency in organic solar cells Researchers achieved a certified efficiency of 20.5% in organic solar cells by recycling spin-triplet excitons, a breakthrough that could accelerate commercial adoption of flexible, lightweight solar panels. 6