Modal Motors is trying to cut China out of electric motors entirely

techcrunch.com Sep 24, 2026

Modal Motors is trying to cut China out of electric motors entirely

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Sep 24, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Modal Motors, founded by veteran motor designer Michael Van Steenburg, aims to eliminate China‑dependent rare‑earth magnets from electric motors. The startup, competing at TechCrunch Disrupt, is developing two products: a lightweight, high‑torque motor for drones, fans, and actuators, and a planar “Hybrid Enigma Drive” for low‑profile applications. Van Steenburg cites China’s recent restrictions on rare‑earth exports and the slow domestic supply chain as key motivations for reshoring production to the United States.

💡 Why It Matters

· By removing rare‑earth magnets, Modal Motors could reduce U.S.
· reliance on Chinese supply chains, offering a strategic alternative for high‑tech industries that depend on electric motors.

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Classiq, INGL and IonQ Test Quantum Optimization for Natural Gas Networks

Classiq and Israel Natural Gas Lines (INGL) tested quantum optimization for natural gas transmission planning, running a reduced problem on IonQ’s Forte‑1 quantum processor. The hybrid quantum‑classical workflow searched pressure configurations while respecting supplier pressure, pipe characteristics, minimum customer pressure, and other network constraints. Simulator tests identified a maximum‑throughput valid operating point matching classical solutions, and Forte‑1 produced physically valid candidate points near the optimum. The study demonstrates quantum methods can narrow viable scenarios for subsequent hydraulic validation.

💡 By proving quantum hardware can generate near‑optimal pressure plans, the research offers pipeline operators a faster, more systematic way to shortlist complex scenarios, potentially accelerating decision‑making in expanding gas networks.

thequantuminsider.com · Sep 23

Qunnect Publishes Research on Quantum Security Beyond QKD

Qunnect released a white paper detailing three quantum‑based security applications—Quantum Position Verification, Quantum Factor Authentication, and Quantum Channel Protection—built on its Carina hardware. The company is collaborating with U.S. agencies such as DARPA, In‑Q‑Tel, the Air Force Research Laboratory, NIST, and the Department of Energy to advance these technologies. The research emphasizes using entanglement for physical verification of location, identity, and connection integrity, aiming to safeguard critical communications against quantum and AI‑enabled threats.

💡 By extending security beyond key distribution, Qunnect’s entanglement‑driven methods could set new standards for authenticating devices and detecting intrusions in government and commercial networks, addressing emerging risks from quantum and AI adversaries.

therobotreport.com · Sep 23

Helicon brings automation to high-volume composites manufacturing

Helicon Industries, a Los Angeles startup, has emerged from stealth with $16 million in seed funding to automate carbon‑fiber composite manufacturing. The company is building a 36,000‑sq‑ft facility in Torrance that integrates robotics and autonomous systems to shrink lead times from six months to two weeks, targeting high‑volume markets such as drones, robotics and next‑generation aerospace. Co‑founder and CTO Edmundo Sanz‑Gadea brings experience from autonomous drones, Formula Student self‑driving teams and research at TU Delft, MIT and ETH Zurich. He argues that traditional composite production—manual lay‑up, resin infusion and labor‑intensive assembly—cannot meet the demand for hundreds of thousands of lightweight parts. Helicon’s approach replaces overseas sheet cutting and fastener assembly with end‑to‑end automation, aiming to make U.S. composite production competitive at scale.

💡 By turning a traditionally bespoke process into a fast, automated line, Helicon could unlock mass‑market adoption of carbon‑fiber parts, reshaping supply chains and cost structures for emerging high‑performance products.

techcrunch.com · Sep 22

Morphotonics raises €40M to expand its display tech into data centers

Morphotonics, a Dutch nanoimprint lithography startup, announced a €40 million financing round led by 3M Ventures, Innovation Industries, BOM and Invest‑NL, with participation from the European Innovation Council Fund, Ernij Next and the European Investment Bank. The capital will fund scaling of its NIL equipment, which stamps photosensitive material to create waveguides for augmented‑reality glasses and other optics, and a new push into co‑packaged photonic components for data‑center servers. After 12 years of development, the firm has doubled its staff to 60 and aims for a next‑generation machine capable of producing over 6 million waveguides annually, slated for shipment early next year. 90 % of revenue derives from hardware sales, with 10‑15 systems deployed worldwide and a target of 50 installations within three years.

💡 By adapting its waveguide‑printing expertise to co‑packaged photonics, Morphotonics could accelerate the deployment of light‑based interconnects that dramatically reduce data‑center power consumption.

techcrunch.com · Sep 22

Meta deal will help plastics recycling startup MacroCycle build its first factory

Plastics‑recycling startup MacroCycle announced a partnership with Meta that will fund the construction of its first commercial plant in the United States. The Cambridge‑based company uses a solvent‑based process to dissolve and purify PET from mixed waste streams, including low‑recycling textiles, producing a material indistinguishable from virgin plastic while emitting 80 % fewer carbon emissions. Under the deal, Meta purchases environmental attribute credits for the avoided emissions, allowing the tech giant to count the reductions toward its AI‑driven carbon‑footprint goals. The agreement provides MacroCycle with a revenue stream to support a demonstration facility capable of outputting 5,000 metric tons of recycled plastic annually, with plans for larger plants later. The deal marks Meta’s first such credit purchase.

💡 By monetizing emissions reductions, Meta creates a market incentive that could accelerate the rollout of low‑carbon recycled plastics across its supply chain and beyond.

limerickpost.ie · Sep 22

Futura Innovation Conference to bring Global innovation to Limerick this October

The inaugural Futura Innovation Conference will take place in Limerick City Centre from 19–21 October 2026, drawing over 1,000 participants and more than 200 speakers across 100 sessions. The event spans ten venues, creating a walkable, city‑wide experience that includes keynotes, panels, workshops, start‑up showcases, investor meetings, and partner‑led events. Seven industry tracks—AgTech, Culture, Enterprise, Infrastructure, Innovative Technologies, MedTech, and Transport—will feature policy discussions, university commercialization, and women‑in‑investment sessions. The conference aims to spotlight Limerick’s growing role in Ireland’s innovation ecosystem and boost local businesses.

💡 By turning the city itself into a conference venue, Futura turns Limerick into a live laboratory for global innovation, encouraging lasting partnerships between local firms and international investors.