Chris Campbell:

Tofu Brine Could Power Safer Batteries That Last Decades, Researchers Say

Researchers from the City University of Hong Kong and Southern University of Science and Technology have built a water-based power cell that runs on tofu brine – the mineral-rich solution left behind after pressing soy curds.

The design replaces the complex, flammable chemistry of lithium-ion batteries with an electrolyte that's as safe as saltwater. In lab tests, the prototype endured more than 120,000 charge cycles, an endurance record that far exceeds today's commercial standards. Typical electric-vehicle batteries degrade after just a few thousand cycles – even long-duration grid systems seldom survive beyond ten thousand.

At the core of the project lies a concept the team calls "organic electrodes," which interact with a neutral, non-toxic liquid medium. By maintaining a stable pH, this electrolyte avoids the electrochemical breakdown that limits most aqueous batteries.

The result is a cell that is neither flammable nor caustic – a stark contrast to lithium-ion counterparts known for fire hazards when damaged or overheated. Those safety risks have led to well-documented electric-vehicle fires and complex recycling challenges. Because the tofu-brine system uses benign ingredients, it could simplify end-of-life handling and lessen environmental damage from discarded batteries.

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Ari Goldschmidt:

Pentagon Ditches Anthropic for Elon Musk’s Grok in Massive Classified AI Shakeup

The Pentagon is preparing to expand the artificial intelligence systems running inside its most sensitive classified networks. Elon Musk’s company xAI has signed an agreement that would allow its Grok model to operate within those secure environments.

Until now, Anthropic’s Claude has been the only AI model cleared for use in classified systems tied to intelligence analysis, advanced weapons development, and battlefield operations.

The move by the Pentagon and xAI comes as the Defense Department’s relationship with Anthropic grows increasingly strained. Their dispute centers on how broadly the military can deploy advanced AI systems.

Defense officials have pushed for access to models for all legally permitted uses, including applications tied to surveillance and autonomous weapons. Anthropic has maintained limits on how Claude can be used, declining to remove certain guardrails even when operating in government systems.

That resistance has escalated tensions. Defense leaders have warned that they could reconsider Anthropic’s standing as a trusted supplier if the company does not loosen its restrictions.

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Davis Wilson:

Waymo Robotaxis Are Now Operating in 10 U.S. Cities

Waymo is opening its robotaxi services to the public in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Orlando, as the Alphabet-owned autonomous vehicle company quickens its pace of expansion.

Waymo’s rollout will mimic its public launches in previous cities. Select riders who have downloaded the Waymo app will receive an invitation to take their first rides, starting Tuesday. New riders will be added on a rolling basis, and eventually anyone who downloads the app will be able to hail a ride.

The addition of the new cities adds a striking dimension to Waymo’s fast-paced push to expand. Last February, Waymo was operating commercial robotaxi services in Phoenix and some of its surrounding suburbs, parts of Los Angeles, and San Francisco. At the time, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai said Waymo was providing more than 200,000 rides every week.

That number is growing.

“Waymo is serving more riders than ever, as we are on track to serve over one million rides per week by the end of this year,” Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana said in a blog post Tuesday, adding that the company is laying the groundwork for robotaxi service in more than 20 cities.

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