Business Highlights

Electreon, a wireless charging company, is helping UCLA embed new tech in a road on campus. In a few years, new tech will be hidden under a street on the UCLA campus: When one of the university’s electric buses drives down the road, chargers embedded under the asphalt will wirelessly send it power.

Saltwater is a particular problem for lithium-ion batteries because salt dissolved in water is conductive, which means that electric current readily flows through it. Flooding from hurricanes Helene and Milton inflicted billions of dollars in damage across the Southeast in September and October 2024, pushing buildings off their foundations and undercutting roads and bridges.

The Volkswagen subsidiary will produce all electric vehicles, as well as hybrids. COLUMBIA — Excitement was high as state and local lawmakers gathered last Friday for the unveiling of the first Scout Motors vehicles to be made at the Volkswagen subsidiary’s $2 billion electric vehicle assembly plant north of Columbia.

Applications often spike when the economy is struggling, but researchers believe there are other reasons why more people want to go to B-school. Business school applications are through the roof this semester, and while that usually only happens when there’s distress in the labor market, that may no longer be the case, thanks to changing applicant priorities and business realities. 

To understand how to sleep better, and why waking up naturally from sleep helps you feel more alert, you need to start by understanding sleep cycles. Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to curiouskidsus@theconversation.com.

Applications are open for Fast Company’s 9th annual World Changing Ideas Awards. Tell us about your innovative and inspiring work! Applications are open for Fast Company‘s 2025 World Changing Ideas Awards! The deadline is December 6, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. PT. You can submit your project here! If you’re still on the fence, here are some excellent reasons to apply—and some tips on what we’re looking for when we judge the entries.