In the face of growing environmental concerns and the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions, sustainable clean energy solutions have become paramount in addressing the global energy crisis. Hydrogen is emerging as a key solution, as it generates energy with water as its only by-product, offering a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels. However, existing hydrogen storage options, including compressed and cryogenic methods, face challenges such as high cost and safety concerns, limiting their widespread adoption in vehicles. This is where Prof. Tian Tian, Assistant Professor of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), is making a breakthrough in his research. He has developed advanced nanoporous materials that enhance safety and storage efficiency, thereby making hydrogen a more viable and scalable clean energy solution for future transportation.

In a groundbreaking advancement for motor control, Model-Free Predictive Control (MFPC) technology has emerged as a revolutionary advancement. This innovative approach enables motors to operate efficiently and stably even in unpredictable environments. Let's delve into the world of MFPC and explore how it's reshaping the future of motor drives.

Microwave-assisted catalytic reactions are considered energy-efficient and have attracted attention in various chemical processes. This is due to the selective and rapid heating of target materials or species, which is especially beneficial for highly endothermic reactions such as Dry Reforming of Methane (DRM)—a promising reaction for utilising methane and carbon dioxide. At present, reaction mechanisms and kinetic advantages under microwave irradiation remain limited. In this study, we applied Steady-State Isotopic Transient Kinetic Analysis (SSITKA) to elucidate the advantages of microwave heating. We successfully revealed that the microwave activation induces the formation of reactive coke, enhancing the rate of DRM. This work was published in the journal Industrial Chemistry & Materials on Jun 12.

Studying how cells work inside a living body is one of the most powerful ways to understand health and disease. However, looking deep inside live tissue is extremely challenging, especially when trying to see very small structures like mitochondria the tiny engines inside cells that produce energy and help regulate many important biological functions. These structures are constantly moving and changing, so scientists need imaging tools that can capture them in action, clearly and without harming the animal.

H5N1 influenza outbreaks have been reported on more than 1.070 dairy farms in the United States since 2024. The virus severely affects the mammary glands and contaminates the milk, posing a threat to the global dairy industry and public health. The way the virus invades the mammary glands of dairy cattle remains a mystery. A recent study by Shi. et al found that the cows' unique "milk-stealing" behavior is the cause of the virus invading their mammary glands and triggering the outbreaks, and that vaccination would be a practical strategy for controlling this disease. 

A research team led by Prof. DENG Dehui and Prof. YU Liang from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP), collaborating with Prof. LU Junling from the University of Science and Technology of China and Prof. YU Hongmei from the DICP, developed a highly efficient and stable catalyst for acidic hydrogen evolution.