###### January 21, 2025

Swiss scientists have developed a biodegradable living battery capable of powering environmental sensors. Environmental sensors are useful for collecting data, but they often experience power supply issues. The Swiss researchers' solution is a 3D printed biologically degradable battery.

This battery uses the metabolism of two different types of fungi to produce energy, acting like a microbial fuel cell. Between 300 and 600 millivolts, as reported [in the paper ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering](https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acssuschemeng.4c05494), the efficiency is not particularly high, but it is enough to run a four-cell temperature sensor for two and a half days. Usually, environmental studies and agriculture use these sensors.

Since these fuel cells historically use bacteria, the technique isn't exactly new. But this invention, made by the team at [Empa's Cellulose and Wood Materials Laboratory](https://www.empa.ch/web/s604/fungal-biobattery), is the first time that two separate fungi have been used to produce a functional fuel cell. While the cathode uses a white rot fungus that produces an enzyme to transport electrons, the anode releases electrons using regular baker's yeast.

The creation procedure involves 3D printing an ink composed of cellulose and fungal cells, to which graphite flakes and carbon black are added for conductivity. To keep the material electrically conductive and biodegradable, this ink is designed to promote fungal growth and preserve cell viability.

By eating the extra sugar molecules and, once the sugar is depleted, the cellulose itself, mushrooms also contribute to battery breakdown. When water and nutrients are added, the cells wrapped in beeswax, which can be kept dry, become active.

In the future, the Empa team intends to study more species of fungi that may be suitable for this technology and improve the functionality and durability of their fungal battery. According to them, fungi have untapped potential in materials science that deserves to be studied in more depth.

Stay on top of the[ latest in technology and innovation](https://codelabsacademy.com/news) with updates from[ Code Labs Academy](https://codelabsacademy.com/).


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Swiss Researchers Develop Biodegradable Battery Powered by Fungi for Environmental Sensors


In an effort to advance cognitive robotics, the Metzingen, Germany-based robotics company [Neura Robotics](https://neura-robotics.com/) has raised €120 million in a Series B funding round. To challenge the dominance of China and the United States in the humanoid robotics industry, the company intends to use this money to improve the hardware and software development of its robots.

Blue Crest Capital Management, Volvo Cars Tech Fund, InterAlpen Partners, Vsquared Ventures, HV Capital, Delta Electronics, C4 Ventures, L-Bank and David Reger, founder and CEO of the company, all contributed to the investment campaign led by Lingotto Investment Management.

In order to strengthen its national presence and promote its still globally successful “Made in Germany” label, Neura Robotics, founded in 2019 and initially operated in China, [repatriated the majority of its production to Germany in 2024](https://www.heise.de/news/Roboterhersteller-holt-Fertigung-komplett-nach-Deutschland-9637687.html).

Unlike other companies that focus on robotic hardware or software, Neura Robotics stands out in the European market by producing both.

Five models are currently in the company's product line, including the MAiRA cognitive robotic arm, the MAV heavy-duty transport robot, and the MiPA humanoid robot, which is intended for healthcare but is not yet commercially available. The third generation of the 4NE-1 humanoid robot, already in its second iteration, is expected in 2026.

In terms of software, Neura Robotics offers Neuraverse, a cloud-based platform that allows customers to train robots and develop custom robotic applications, such as technology providers and specialized machine manufacturers.

With an order book of one billion euros and a workforce that has almost doubled to 300 people, Neura Robotics has recorded tenfold growth in its turnover in 2024.

With this additional funding, Neura Robotics is poised to scale up its robotics research and development activities, with a focus on software and hardware advancements. The company wants to launch new products based on Neuraverse.

In order to counterbalance the domination of the United States and China in this field, Neura Robotics wishes to establish itself in the lucrative and rapidly expanding sector of robotics, particularly with humanoid robots.

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Neura Robotics Raises €120 Million to Advance Humanoid Robotics and Challenge US-China Dominance

###### January 14, 2025

The UK had placed itself at the forefront of the debate over AI safety in 2023, highlighting its influence on international conversations about the dangers of AI . The tone has now radically changed. Yesterday, the government presented a comprehensive [investment plan](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/prime-minister-sets-out-blueprint-to-turbocharge-ai), promoting artificial intelligence as the cornerstone of a “decade of national renewal”.

Part of the “Plan for Change” are a record £14 billion ($17 billion) in commitments from private tech companies, expected to create 13,250 jobs, creating 'AI Growth Zones' to support AI infrastructure such as data centers and R\&D facilities, and significant investments in AI to improve public services.

Culham, in Oxfordshire, was highlighted in early announcements as the first of several AI growth areas. The UK Atomic Energy Authority and data centers managed by [AWS](https://aws.amazon.com/de/free/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAs5i8BhDmARIsAGE4xHzMquvd_ge16adE1QWEz1RhMREqGBWYmfCrrDm2XC4rual0N6WV_HgaAq9OEALw_wcB\&trk=946a9192-9b37-44c7-8b34-dbfa59d5a000\&sc_channel=ps\&ef_id=Cj0KCQiAs5i8BhDmARIsAGE4xHzMquvd_ge16adE1QWEz1RhMREqGBWYmfCrrDm2XC4rual0N6WV_HgaAq9OEALw_wcB:G:s\&s_kwcid=AL!4422!3!455709741510!e!!g!!aws!10817378570!108173613722\&all-free-tier.sort-by=item.additionalFields.SortRank\&all-free-tier.sort-order=asc\&awsf.Free%20Tier%20Types=*all\&awsf.Free%20Tier%20Categories=*all) and [CloudHQ](https://www.cloudhq.net/g_suite) are located here. A new supercomputer project, a national data library for public data storage and use of AI, a twenty-fold increase in public computing capabilities and a new Energy Council to meet the energy demands of the AI are also included in the proposal. It is based on 50 proposals from venture capitalist Matt Clifford's July 2024 "[AI Opportunities Action Plan](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/artificial-intelligence-ai-opportunities-action-plan-terms-of-reference/artificial-intelligence-ai-opportunities-action-plan-terms-of-reference)." 

Given the significant impact artificial intelligence is expected to have, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has underlined the necessity of government engagement in the field. He said that considering the significance of this technology on a global scale, waiting is not an option. His strategy urges quick and forceful action to establish Britain as a leading AI nation.

In the UK, which remains the largest hub of technology investment in Europe and a major player in AI companies, this development comes at a pivotal moment between politics and technology. However, when it comes to producing major IT giants, the UK lags behind the US.

In the long term, the government wants to modernize the UK economy and strengthen its sovereignty. Reaction from the investment community has been largely supportive but cautious, recognizing the long-term work required for the strategy to succeed. All things considered, today's statements mark a bold but controversial shift in the UK's approach to AI, prioritizing technological leadership and economic growth over previous AI concerns about ethics and security.

Secure your future in AI and big data with Code Labs Academy’s hands-on[ Data Science and AI Bootcamp](https://codelabsacademy.com/courses/data-science-and-ai).


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UK Unveils Ambitious AI Strategy for National Advancement


[According to a recent report](https://www.netskope.com/netskope-threat-labs/cloud-threat-report/cloud-and-threat-report-january-2025) from security firm [Netskope](https://www.netskope.com/), employee clicks on phishing websites almost tripled last year compared to 2023. Cloud storage sites were commonly targeted, at more than 0.8%. of employees clicking on these links, a notable increase from less than 0.3 percent in 2023 the previous year. The dangerous links are often encountered through search engines and employees continue to click on phishing links even after being trained. They are often less vigilant when searching the Internet, but more aware of email attacks..

Employees of several companies receive phishing awareness training. Researchers hypothesize that cognitive fatigue due to the high number of phishing attempts and the creativity of attackers could be the reason why people continue to click on fraudulent sites. Distinguishing fake websites has become more difficult. Researchers believe that most link clicks come from other sources because awareness of email phishing is now well recognized.

Search engine phishing is on the rise. Nearly 20% of clicks on phishing links came from search engines. To ensure that fraudulent websites appear high in search results, cybercriminals have placed advertisements on them or changed search engine optimization. Ten percent of those clicks were to commercial websites. Phishing URLs have also been discovered hidden in advertisements and comments on technology, business and entertainment websites. AI is used by browser manufacturers to protect against phishing websites.

More than 25% of clicks on phishing links led users to fake login pages for cloud services, making them a prime target for attackers looking to gain access to confidential company information and possibly more victims. With over 42% of phishing clicks, Microsoft was the most targeted cloud application. Adobe Cloud comes in second with 18% and DocuSign third with 15%.

Shadow IT Danger: Employee use of personal cloud applications puts company data at even greater risk. More than 25% of workers submit data to these apps and 88% of workers use them at least once a month. Sometimes, due to automatic smartphone backups, professional content unintentionally ends up in personal cloud accounts. Because they frequently contain links to video chats or meeting notes, work messages sent from private email addresses and personal calendar appointments are also dangerous. Recently, a phishing scam targeted Google Calendar.

Employees have used generative AI applications in 94% of companies. Nearly 75% of companies restrict at least one of these applications to prevent data from leaking to AI providers. The apps QuillBot, Beautiful.ai, and AiChatting were blocked most often. To control data flows, 45% of companies use data loss prevention techniques. About a third use coaching tools to alert users when an AI tool within the organization is inappropriate for sensitive data.

Using anonymized usage data for its products, Netskope examined the risks observed among its customers between November 2023 and 2024 for the study; however, the analysis did not take into consideration the impact of these attacks.

Lead the fight against cyber threats with[ Code Labs Academy’s Cybersecurity Bootcamp](https://codelabsacademy.com/en/courses/cybersecurity).


Swiss Researchers Develop Biodegradable Battery Powered by Fungi for Environmental Sensors

Neura Robotics Raises €120 Million to Advance Humanoid Robotics and Challenge US-China Dominance

UK Unveils Ambitious AI Strategy for National Advancement

Rising Phishing Threats in 2025: Why Employee Vigilance is Critical in Digital Security