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🌸Spring’s finally here, and with it, a fresh wave of science to get excited about in this month's roundup. From the tiniest nanomaterials to the depths of outer space, this month had it all! And of course, no current science conversation would be complete without throwing AI into the mix. This weekend is set to be a beauty. So throw on your sunnies, get outside, and be sure to read this month's highlights while you soak up that vitamin D. Here’s to warmer weather, brighter days, and even brighter new ideas 💡

This week’s Editor’s Pick is cooler than you think 🧊 One topic I really enjoyed covering this month was the monitoring of Antarctic ice… from space. NASA is now using emerging quantum sensing techniques to track ice loss, observing ice sheets down to the centimetre with lasers and detecting even the most subtle gravity shifts that reveal changes in mass. It’s a nice step outside the labs where quantum tech is often confined, and helps us keep score as the planet changes in real time.

Graphene's success - like much of science - is dependent on its ability to scale. This is First Graphene Limited (ASX: FGR)'s factory floor. It's where the company is doing just that: scaling graphene production and helping move graphene closer to broader commercial use. In our latest Insights from Industry interview, CEO Mike Bell discusses how the company is making practical, scalable adoption possible. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/eVxiqQhH

🌸 AZoNetwork's favourite pink and swirly girly back this week! Has anyone else watched Project Hail Mary yet? Well, it's really got me thinking about space, so this story from #AZoMaterials is my highlight this week. It challenges a basic assumption that Earth is the best place to study materials. In reality, gravity introduces noise: movement, separation, instability. Remove it, and suddenly you can observe systems much more clearly. It raises an interesting question... How many breakthroughs are still hidden by the conditions we take for granted?

Your favourite monthly dump is back ✨ We're taking a break from our Editor's pick this week to bring you a recap of the weird, the wacky, and the all-time legendary from March. Go on, have a scroll...

Day two at analytica and we're back for more. Yesterday was a brilliant reminder of what makes events like this special. New faces, familiar ones, and the kind of conversations that make the trip to Munich count. You'll find us on the booth at GAMBICA's UK Pavilion, Hall B1.331. Our video team are out on the show floor today capturing interviews, so keep an eye out for them. And if you want to talk about connecting with the right technical audiences and improving your brand visibility, the rest of the team are ready and waiting. Come and find us 👋

One of the things we love about events like Analytica is the chance to step away from the desk and have real conversations with the people behind the science. This year, we're proud to be exhibiting as part of GAMBICA's UK Pavilion (Hall B1.331) in Munich, alongside leading organisations from across the UK lab technology sector. If you're there, please do come and say hello! We'll be talking about how to reach engaged technical audiences and what AI-driven search means for brand visibility right now. Not making it to Munich this year? Analytica is just one stop, so keep an eye out for where we're headed next. Read more about what we'll be doing at Analytica below ⬇️

Hello! Fran here 👋😊 Quantum is one of those fields that I find endlessly fascinating.  I spotted this piece on AZoQuantum about Qunnect, a company integrating quantum teleportation over operational telecom fiber in Berlin, with live classical data traffic sharing the same network. I mean. Quantum teleportation - how cool. On top of sounding futuristic, it’s the kind of development that makes quantum feel a little more real. This is actual infrastructure, not just theory.

Hi, it's Laura here, Senior Editor for AZo. 👋 This week, I'm sharing a question I came across in one of our recent interviews... what if a diamond could help map the Earth’s magnetic field from space? SBQuantum began as a PhD project exploring tiny defects in synthetic diamonds known as nitrogen-vacancy centres. These quantum-scale impurities can detect minute changes in magnetic fields, enabling extremely precise sensors that operate at room temperature. Just five years later, that research is heading into orbit. The company is preparing to launch its magnetometer as part of the MagQuest program, helping to update the World Magnetic Model — the same magnetic map that supports navigation systems used in smartphones, aircraft, and many other technologies. Why does that matter? Because the Earth’s magnetic north pole is constantly moving. As it drifts, the models we rely on for navigation must be updated to keep everything pointing in the right direction. From a laboratory experiment to a space-bound sensor in half a decade, this is a fascinating example of how quantum research can move from theory to real-world impact. Let us know your thoughts below! ⬇️