KU Leuven

For the second consecutive time, a team from Belgium has landed in first place in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, a competition that sees dozens of innovative solar vehicles race across the often punishing continent of Australia.

A team of Belgian scientists has developed what is billed as the most sensitive "electronic nose" yet. The chemical sensor detects pesticides and nerve gases and has a design that could see it integrated with electronics such as your smartphone.

Generally, water repellent objects and those that attract or absorb water have very different microscopic-level attributes. Now researchers have discovered a way to use a single type of material to perform both functions, switching between the two simply by applying electric current.

When something is sent by airmail, it goes in a fixed-wing aircraft, not a helicopter. Nonetheless, when we hear about drones being used for deliveries, multirotor-style aircraft are what's usually proposed. Now, students have created a delivery drone which combines the best features of both.