Utilities are shifting from a detect-and-react mindset to one anchored on prevention. New AI models give operators the foresight to act before outages and ignitions occur.

• Overstory’s new Outage Model and Ignition Model identify the specific trees, shrubs, and utility assets most likely to start the next wildfire or result in a power outage, giving operators a prioritized list of exactly what to address before an incident occurs.
• Overstory Scenarios enables utilities to compare the cost and potential risk reduction of any resilience program in real time, ensuring operational budgets are directed to the highest-impact work.

AMSTERDAM, April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Overstory, the leading grid resilience platform trusted by 6 of the 10 largest utilities in North America, today announced the industry’s first AI models that predict where outages and utility-caused wildfires are most likely to start. The new Ignition and Outage Models mark a shift from paper maps and subjective data to predictive scenario planning, giving operators a prioritized view of the exact work that will prevent the most harm per dollar spent.

Utilities are in a moment of profound transformation. Surging costs, more severe storms, and escalating wildfire risk are converging on an industry already stretched thin — forcing operators to get smarter about every dollar spent and every mile of network they protect. For the past seven years, utilities have trusted Overstory to design programs that reduce the vegetation and wildfire risk across their network. Today’s release extends that work, giving operators the ability to model a range of scenarios to predict where the risks are greatest, what it would cost to address, and which actions can reduce it most efficiently.

Built on years of identifying hazards, new models predict outages & ignitions

Since its founding in 2018, Overstory has released a series of innovative models that analyze satellite data and aerial imagery to determine tree height, tree health, and ground fuels across utility networks. Trained across millions of miles and extensively validated by certified arborists, these models give utilities a data-backed view of vegetation and fuel risk at every span, down to the individual tree or shrub.

Today’s release adds a new layer: by incorporating a utility’s historical outages and ignitions alongside factors like asset age and weather data, the models can identify the specific interventions most likely to prevent the next incident, whether that’s removing a dying tree, mowing dry grass around a pole, or replacing an aging asset in a high-ignition-risk corridor.

From paper maps to dynamic scenario modeling

Overstory Scenarios equips utilities to dynamically model resilience programs to tackle wildfire, asset and vegetation risks across their networks. For decades, utilities have met growing risk by deploying more resources — a logical response given the tools available at the time. But as costs continue to climb, that path is no longer tenable. Forward-thinking utilities and regulators are calling for a more predictive, data-driven approach: one that addresses more risk within the budgets they have.

Overstory Scenarios bridges that gap. Teams can design risk-based programs, explore alternative scenarios, and weigh tradeoffs between cost and risk reduction. Analysis that once took weeks can now happen in real-time, helping utilities see where risk lies, what it costs to address, and how to reduce the most risk with every dollar spent.

“For years, utilities have been asked to do more with less while storms and wildfires grow in frequency and severity. What utilities need now is foresight: the ability to act before an outage or ignition occurs. That’s what these models make possible for the first time”

Fiona Spruill, CEO, Overstory

With this intelligence on hand, utilities can continue to deliver on their enduring promise: safe, reliable, and affordable power.

For more information, visit overstory.com.

About Overstory:
Overstory is the enterprise grid resilience platform helping utilities prevent outages and wildfires. Using satellite imagery and proprietary AI models, Overstory analyzes vegetation risk and fuel conditions across a utility’s network, surfacing the highest-impact interventions and the tradeoffs behind them. Built for the unique operational reality of each utility, Overstory helps teams direct every dollar to areas of highest risk to keep communities safe. Overstory is trusted by 6 of the 10 largest utilities in North America and backed by Blume Equity, Energy Impact Partners, B Capital, and Semapa Next. Headquartered in Boston and Amsterdam.

Media contact:
Cait Harding
VP of Marketing
cait.harding@overstory.com

Logo – https://laotiantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/overstory_logo.jpg 

BEIJING, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — CATL today hosted its Super Technology Day in Beijing, unveiling third-generation Shenxing Superfast Charging Battery, third-generation Qilin Battery, Qilin Condensed Battery, second-generation Freevoy Super Hybrid Battery, Naxtra Sodium-ion Battery and a fully integrated supercharging and battery-swapping solution. These innovations are designed to address diverse mobility needs across different usage scenarios.

At the event, Dr. Wu Kai, Chief Scientist of CATL, systematically elaborated on the respective strengths, limitations, and development pathways of different chemistries. He noted that LFP is nearing its theoretical energy density limit, making it better suited for a technology roadmap centered on extreme fast charging to achieve optimal balance. NCM’s high energy density keeps it at the forefront of global competition — underscoring that energy density remains the core metric for leadership. Sodium-ion batteries offer broad potential for extreme temperatures and energy storage applications. Whether from the perspective of differentiated consumer needs, or from the viewpoints of energy security and social development, the lithium-ion battery industry must pursue coordinated development across multiple chemical systems.

Robin Zeng, Chairman and CEO of CATL, emphasized at the conference that industrial innovation must be driven by a rigorous scientific spirit. For Chinese technology to go global, it relies not just on speed and scale, but on the quality of innovation, the ability to validate, and the credibility of the brand.

Third-Generation Shenxing Superfast Charging Battery: Making Superfast Charging and Ultra-Long Lifespan No Longer a Trade-Off

From an electrochemical standpoint, boosting charge rates while protecting battery lifespan hinges on one primary factor: temperature rise, not trickle current. As the Arrhenius equation shows, a 10°C increase in battery temperature can roughly double the rate of internal side reactions—an effect that can significantly shorten cycle life.

The third-generation Shenxing Superfast Charging Battery addresses heat generation and dissipation through three major measures: reduced heat production during operation, stronger thermal propagation, and higher precision control. As a result, after 1,000 complete cycles, the battery’s capacity retention remains above 90%, achieving an optimal balance between extreme superfast charging and ultra-long service life.

The latest third-generation Shenxing Superfast Charging Battery has reached what is claimed to be the industry’s strongest capability: an equivalent 10C and a peak 15C charging rate. Charging from 10% to 35% SOC (State of Charge) takes just 1 minute; from 10% to 80% SOC takes 3 minutes and 44 seconds; and from 10% to 98% SOC takes 6 minutes and 27 seconds. Even at −30°C in extreme cold conditions, charging from 20% to 98% SOC takes about 9 minutes.

In addition, by combining battery self-heating technology with a fully integrated supercharging and battery-swapping network, the system is designed to enable low-temperature superfast charging that is not limited by charging piles—offering both fast charging and battery swapping.

Third-generation Qilin Battery: Lighter, Stronger, More Premium, Redefining EV Excellence

Historically, achieving long range in premium EVs with LFP batteries has relied on simply adding more capacity — an approach that inevitably compromises vehicle lightweighting.

The third-generation Qilin Battery is designed for premium long-range EVs, achieving a cell energy density of 280 Wh/kg and enabling 1,000 km range while supporting 10C superfast charging.

The battery delivers 3 MW peak power, doubling the output of the second-generation Qilin track battery which competed on the Nürburgring (1,330 kW).

The entire battery pack weighs only 625 kg. Compared with equivalent LFP systems, this represents a weight reduction of 255 kg and space savings of 112 litres. The lightweighting metrics deliver exceptionally significant benefits:

• Energy consumption per 100 km decreases by more than 6%, saving approximately 0.78 kWh per 100 km. Across a fleet of one million vehicles travelling 20,000 km annually, this equates to 156 million kWh in electricity savings and a reduction of 78,500 tonnes of CO₂ emissions.
• Performance and safety improvements include a 0.6–second reduction in 0–100 km/h acceleration, a 12% shorter overtaking risk window, an 8% higher moose test speed, a 6.5% lower body roll angle, a 15–25% gain in obstacle avoidance capability, and approximately 1.44 metres shorter braking distance.
• Durability is enhanced, with chassis component life extended by 40% and tyre life by over 30%, increasing replacement intervals by at least 10,000 km. The 112 litres of space saved can increase cabin headroom by at least 18 mm.

Building on the national standard for NP (No Thermal Propagation), safety is strengthened through “thermal-electrical separation”, with each cell incorporating an independent sealed exhaust channel to isolate thermal events and prevent propagation, ensuring “heat takes the heat path, electricity takes the electrical path”. 

Qilin Condensed Battery: Aviation-Grade Technology Applied to Passenger Vehicles for the First Time

The Qilin Condensed Battery applies aviation-grade technology to passenger vehicles for the first time, achieving 350 Wh/kg cell energy density and 760 Wh/L volumetric energy density — setting a new record for mass-produced batteries. This enables 1,500 km range for sedans and over 1,000 km for large SUVs, with pack weight controlled within 650 kg.

The condensed battery features a high-nickel cathode and low-expansion silicon-carbon anode, boosting energy density by 50 Wh/kg. Its first-ever aviation-grade titanium alloy case reduced thickness by 60% and weight by 30%, while tripling unit strength and delivering an additional 20 Wh/kg in energy density.

The technology builds on CATL’s electric aviation programme, where 500 Wh/kg systems have completed maiden flight validation on 4-tonne aircraft, with further validation underway on aircraft exceeding 8 tonnes.

Replacing liquid electrolyte with a condensed system eliminates risks associated with leakage and combustion, achieving “no liquid to leak, no liquid to ignite”. At the same time, CATL has adopted a new composite current collector that acts as a fast self-fusing fuse in extreme cases of internal short circuits.

Second-generation Freevoy Super Hybrid Battery: Bringing Hybrids into the 600 km Pure Electric Era

The second-generation Freevoy Super Hybrid Battery extends all-electric range to up to 600 km and standardises 10C superfast charging. It pioneers a “super hybrid technology” that integrates LFP and NCM materials through gradient-uniform mixing, with the olivine crystal structure of LFP serving as the core backbone, enabling a uniform hybrid of LFP and NCM materials at the powder particle level.

This achieves an energy density of 230 Wh/kg and increases range by over 15% without increasing pack weight compared with single LFP systems. This enables full coverage from mainstream family use to high-end, all-round hybrid scenarios, delivering optimal solutions across diverse applications.

The LFP version delivers up to 500 km pure electric range, enabling a “once-a-week charging” experience for daily commuting. The NCM version further extends pure electric range beyond 600 km, with total vehicle range exceeding 2,000 km, enabling a seamless dual-use experience for both daily electric driving and long-distance travel.

The system delivers 1.5 MW of instantaneous power at full charge and maintains 1.2 MW at 20% SOC, addressing power degradation in low-charge conditions. In off-road scenarios requiring over 350 kW output, the system provides more than three times the required power, ensuring consistent performance even at low charge levels.

Safety features include a reinforced bottom coating capable of withstanding 1,500 joules of impact energy (ten times the national standard) and waterproof sealing that allows continuous immersion in 2 metres of water for over 200 hours without performance degradation.

Naxtra Sodium-ion Battery: Achieving GWh-scale Sodium-ion Industrialisation

The Naxtra Sodium-ion Battery marks CATL’s transition from laboratory breakthrough to large-scale manufacturing. By systematically overcoming hundreds of engineering challenges, CATL has achieved GWh-level industrialisation.

In 2026, CATL successfully addressed four key industry bottlenecks for sodium-ion mass production—extreme water control, gas generation in hard carbon, aluminium foil adhesion, and self-forming anode systems—paving the way for reliable, large-scale deployment. The Naxtra Sodium-ion Battery is set to enter full-scale mass production by the end of 2026.

Integrated Supercharging and Battery-swapping Network: A Unified Replenishment Architecture

CATL also introduced an integrated supercharging and battery-swapping network, designed as a unified system rather than separate solutions, built on three complementary pillars—home charging, public charging, and battery swapping—to define the optimal energy replenishment ecosystem. All passenger vehicle “Choco-Swap” and heavy truck “QIJI” swapping stations will be equipped with Shenxing supercharging systems, enabling true charge–swap synergy, where each station serves both as a battery-swapping node and a high-power charging hub.

The integrated charge–swap stations feature shared compact substations and charging modules, reducing energy conversion steps and lowering overall power loss by more than 13 percentage points compared with conventional storage-equipped charging stations. In emergency scenarios, station batteries can discharge directly to charging piles, driving equipment utilization rate above 85%. This enables a service capacity of 3× per parking space compared with conventional storage-equipped charging stations, while the fixed investment cost of the supercharging segment is reduced to only one-fifth of comparable systems.

CATL launched the Choco-Swap #26 battery, featuring an 800V high-voltage architecture. The first release includes a 75 kWh version, with higher-capacity variants to follow, fully compatible with B- to C-segment 800V vehicles. With this launch, the Choco-Swap system will extend its coverage to a complete vehicle matrix from A0 to C-segment models.

In terms of network deployment, CATL plans to build 4,000 integrated charge–swap stations by the end of 2026, covering nearly 190 cities and a nationwide highway network spanning 12 vertical and 11 horizontal corridors. To date, the Choco-Swap network has already built 1,470 stations across 99 cities, with scaling continuing to accelerate.

Together with automakers and energy partners, CATL will co-develop a “charge–swap sharing network” based on technology sharing, seamless connectivity, and joint investment. Initial partners include Changan, Chery, GAC, Seres, SAIC-GM-Wuling, and BAIC, with a target of building over 100,000 shared energy replenishment facilities by the end of 2028.

Advancing full-scenario energy solutions

From five battery products covering the full material spectrum to an integrated supercharging and battery-swapping network, CATL has established a complete value chain from battery products to infrastructure.

CATL will continue to invest in advanced research, large-scale manufacturing and ecosystem collaboration to accelerate the transition from single-point innovation to full-scenario energy solutions, ensuring the benefits of technological progress are accessible across all mobility use cases.

NEW YORK, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Over the past 28 days, Dimora Medical has seen an average daily increase of over 165% in visitors to its TikTok Shop for its hydrocolloid roll, driven by several factors, with a recent creator video emerging as a key source of visibility and interest. Originally designed as a medical-grade wound dressing, the roll is now gaining wider attention from consumers who value its flexibility, ease of use, and greater value compared with small pre-cut pimple patches.

Unlike individual acne patches, the hydrocolloid roll can be trimmed to the exact size needed, whether for a single blemish, a larger breakout area, or minor wound coverage. It gives users more usable material in one package and is a practical home-care item that can be used to address multiple everyday needs.

Authentic, lifestyle creator content goes viral

The video, posted by the creator @toporganize, starts with her showing Dimora Medical’s hydrocolloid roll and exclaiming, “I wish that someone would have put me on to these sooner than last week!” She then describes how the 16-foot-long roll is a much better value than smaller pimple pads, and how it’s easy to cut and shape to apply on different parts of her face.

Her practical, real presentation of how to use the roll while emphasizing how the roll aids skin repair for minor facial imperfections has attracted a new group of users to Dimora Medical. The roll itself is hypoallergenic and has passed strict third-party skin irritation and skin sensitivity tests.

Safe, skin-friendly wound and acne recovery

Made of a gentle, non-irritating adhesive, Dimora Medical’s hydrocolloid roll is applied directly to the skin. By creating a moist healing environment, it effectively promotes wound recovery and brings a healing efficiency that is 2-3 times higher than other conventional cures.

It also brings visible relief to acne sufferers. Acne pus is actively absorbed, while noticeable redness and swelling are reduced within 8 hours. The hydrocolloid roll effectively addresses multiple acne concerns, including common pimples, papules, and cystic acne.

The medical-grade hydrocolloid roll is FDA certified and was independently tested by STC labs. It passed under the international standard ISO 10993-23 for skin irritation, as determined by intracutaneous reactivity. It also passed the ISO 10993-5 standard for skin sensitivity, as determined by cytotoxicity.

For more information, please visit https://www.dimoramedical.com/.

DimoraMedical: 
support@DimoraMedical.com 

Annualized Advanced AI revenue at $620M; FY26 services revenue up 4.8% in CC; TCV of new deal wins at $9.3B

NEW YORK and NOIDA, India, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — HCLTech, a leading global technology company, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and the full year ended March 31, 2026.

FY26 revenue grew 3.9% in constant currency (CC). USD revenue came in at $14.7 billion, up 6% YoY. Services revenue grew 4.8% YoY in CC, led by steady momentum in IT and Business Services, which grew at 3.7% YoY in CC, and growth of 9.8% YoY in CC for Engineering and R&D Services. Total contract value (TCV) for new deal wins in the year totaled $9.3 billion. HCLSoftware’s annual recurring revenue stood at $1.05 billion, down 0.5% CC.

“HCLTech delivered superior revenue growth of 3.9% in constant currency … in a year marked by an uncertain demand environment … Our new AI-led service offerings are getting traction in the market and this is reflected in annualized Advanced AI revenues crossing $620 million in Q4. Our number one priority in FY27 is to ensure the company is positioned right to take advantage of AI opportunities for multi-decade value creation,” said C Vijayakumar, CEO & Managing Director, HCLTech.

Industry vertical growth was led by Technology and Services, with 15% YoY (CC) growth, followed by Financial Services at 7.5% YoY (CC) and Telecommunications, Media, Publishing & Entertainment at 5.2% YoY (CC). In terms of geographies, India recorded a strong growth of 5.7% YoY (CC), Europe grew by 4.5% YoY (CC) and the U.S. grew by 2.3% YoY (CC). The Rest of the World grew the fastest at 17.8% YoY (CC).

The company expects FY27 revenue growth to be between 1.0% and 4.0% YoY in CC and Services revenue growth between 1.5% and 4.5% YoY in CC. EBIT margin is expected to be between 17.5% and 18.5%.

HCLTech announced a dividend of ₹24/share for the fourth quarter, bringing the total to ₹60/share for FY26.

“HCLTech delivered resilient FY26 results with revenues at ₹130,144 crores, up 11.2% YoY and EBIT at ₹22,397 crores (17.2% of revenue), up 4.6% YoY… Excluding the impact of restructuring costs, EBIT and Net Margin came in at 17.9% and 13.8%, respectively,” said Shiv Walia, Chief Financial Officer, HCLTech.

HCLTech added 1,712 freshers during the quarter, taking the fresher addition in the full year to 11,744. The last twelve months (LTM) attrition was at 12.5%, down from 13.0% in Q4 of last year.

Key Advanced AI deal wins:

• A global technology major selected HCLTech for another AI Factory program worth over $100 million. HCLTech’s solutions will fast-track the client’s requirement of building and operating next-generation AI data centers.
• A U.S.-based global semiconductor company selected HCLTech’s AI Engineering services to support the physical design of its next-generation platforms.
• A global aerospace major selected HCLTech to build an AI-enabled digital simulation environment for aircraft cargo operations, leveraging photorealistic visualization, physics-based modeling and synthetic data generation using precise CAD inputs.

Other key deal wins:

• A Europe-based global luxury fashion major selected HCLTech to accelerate AI-led transformation across its finance, human resources, manufacturing, supply chain and retail operations.
• A U.S.-based global MedTech company selected HCLTech to set up a state-of-the-art Cybersecurity Center of Excellence.
• The U.S. subsidiary of a global semiconductor group selected HCLTech to provide end-to-end firmware development and sustenance services.
• A European public sector entity extended its partnership with Actian to strengthen data governance. Leveraging Actian offerings of Ingres, OpenROAD and Zeenea, the engagement will enhance data integrity, transparency and control for the client.

During the quarter, HCLTech was included in Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies 2026 list. It was recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by Ethisphere for the third consecutive year and was included in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook for the fourth year in a row.

About HCLTech

HCLTech is a global technology company, home to more than 227,000 people across 60 countries, delivering industry-leading capabilities centered around AI, digital, engineering, cloud and software, powered by a broad portfolio of technology services and products. We work with clients across all major verticals, providing industry solutions for Financial Services, Manufacturing, Life Sciences and Healthcare, Technology and Services, Semiconductor, Telecom and Media, Retail and CPG, Mobility and Public Services. Consolidated revenues as of 12 months ending March 2026 totaled $14.7 billion. To learn how we can supercharge progress for you, visit hcltech.com.

For further details, please contact:

Meredith Bucaro, Americas
meredith-bucaro@hcltech.com

Elka Ghudial, Europe
elka.ghudial@hcltech.com

James Galvin, APAC
james.galvin@hcltech.com

Nitin Shukla, India, Middle East & Africa
nitin-shukla@hcltech.com

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Apr. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — This May, Michter’s Distillery is releasing US★1 Barrel Strength Sour Mash Kentucky Whiskey for the first time.

Michter’s US★1 Barrel Strength Sour Mash

“When Michter’s was being produced in the 1970’s and the 1980’s, the then- Pennsylvania distillery’s most popular whiskey was its Sour Mash,” said Michter’s President Joseph J. Magliocco. “The Michter’s US★1 Sour Mash that we make in Kentucky these days is a wonderful whiskey, and we’re excited to have this opportunity to share it at barrel strength.”

In 2019, Michter’s US★1 Sour Mash received international recognition when it became the first American whiskey ever named “Whisky of the Year” by London- based The Whisky Exchange.

According to the Kentucky Distillers Association, “It was 1818 when Catherine Carpenter of Casey County recorded the first known recipe for sour mash, a game-changing technique that enabled a more consistent whiskey-making process and product.” Michter’s Master Distiller Dan McKee observed, “Most whiskey in the United States is made by the sour mash method.But the term is a bit of a misnomer. Our Sour Mash Whiskey is anything but sour. In fact, it is rich with delicious notes of toffee and stonefruit.”

Michter’s US★1 Barrel Strength Sour Mash has a suggested retail price of $120 per 750ml bottle in the United States. The average proof of the batches being offered in this 2026 release is 111.5 proof ( 55.75% ABV).

“The Michter’s US★1 Small Batch Sour Mash Whiskey is known for its consistent, repeatable elegance and deliciously smooth quality at 86 proof,” stated Michter’s Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson. “It is a favorite of whiskey enthusiasts, and our fans will now be able to taste this unique product at barrel strength. In the spirit of keeping with the consistency and beauty and elegance of this product, we decided to offer this whiskey in a barrel strength form wherein the batch is created, but is left uncut and then undergoes our signature filtration protocol.”

In October 2025, Michter’s became the first whiskey to be named in three consecutive years The World’s Most Admired Whiskey by an international academy of voters convened by UK-based Drinks International. Michter’s has a rich and long legacy of offering traditional American whiskeys of uncompromising quality. With each of its limited production offerings aged to its peak maturity, Michter’s highly acclaimed portfolio includes bourbon, rye, sour mash whiskey, and American whiskey. For more information about Michter’s, please visit michters.com and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and X.

Contact:
Joseph J. Magliocco
+1 (502) 774-2300 x580
jmagliocco@michters.com