Cr-Nb containing refractory high-entropy alloys (RHEAs) excel in high strength beyond 1200℃ but a low density close to Ti-based alloys, which endow them promising for applications in aero engines. However, oxidation is the bottleneck that limits their practical applications. Recently, CrNbO₄ has been found to effectively protect them from oxidation. Nevertheless, little is known about this oxide. To elucidate the protection mechanism of CrNbO₄ and explore its properties, we report herein for the first time the microstructure, mechanical, and thermal properties of CrNbO₄.

Addressing the critical challenge of crack propagation in electrodeposited SiO₂ coatings caused by cristobalite phase transitions, the Al nanoparticles were incorporated into SiO₂ coatings for enhanced phase stability and durable temperature oxidation resistance. Incorporating Al inhibits and optimizes the generation of cristobalite, suppressing the formation of cracks, thereby reducing the parabolic oxidation rate constant of the SiO₂ coating by ​​32.4%​​ after oxidation at 900 °C for 100 h. The DFT calculations demonstrate that the introduced Al preferentially exists in a substitutional form, effectively stabilizing the K@SiO₂ lattice structure by inhibiting K migration-induced cristobalite precipitation. Thermodynamically, the negative solution energy (-4.367 eV) of K@Si_x-1AlO_2x confirms the spontaneous incorporation of substitutional Al into K@SiO₂ lattice. Structurally, substitutional Al forms a shorter Al-K bond (2.91 Å) compared to the Si-K bond (3.39 Å), which can mitigate K-induced channel distortion and hinder the migration of K. Charge distribution analysis reveals that the Mulliken charges of Al (1.040) partially neutralize the Mulliken charges of K (-2.187), reducing electrostatic repulsion and promoting localized bonding. Furthermore, the incorporation of Al can restrain the precipitation of brittle Z-phase, further contributing to improved oxidation performance.

Within the transition process of urban rail transit system, challenges of high energy consumption, increasing carbon emissions, limited economic viability, and intricate risks emerge as significant hurdles. This paper proposes a novel energy utilization framework for urban rail transit system incorporating underground energy storage systems characterized by high resilience and low carbon. Firstly, existing methods are comprehensively reviewed. Then, the integrated framework is introduced, which effectively utilizes and manages diverse renewable energy sources and the available space resources. The viability is demonstrated through a case study by combining Nanjing Metro. Finally, the suggestions research in pivotal areas are summarized.

The protective effectiveness of environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) for SiC-based composites is challenged by the thickening and phase transformation of the SiO₂ scale, known as thermally grown oxide (TGO). In this study, a tri-layered TGOs scale, comprising cristobalite, Hf-doped SiO₂ glass, and particle-reinforced Hf-Si-O glass, was formed during the oxidation of MoSi₂/HfO₂ duplex EBCs. The incorporation of the gradient Hf-doping and HfO₂/HfSiO₄ particle-reinforcement were demonstrated to effectively suppress the crystallization and phase transition of the SiO₂ and mitigate internal stress within the EBCs, generating a crack-blocking effect. This effect prevented the TGOs scale from further channel crack propagation, enabled the SiC substrate with no detectable corrosion after 200 h of exposure at 1500 °C in steam, even when the TGOs thickness reached 24.5 μm. This work presents a novel strategy to simultaneously extend the service lifetime and enhance the high-temperature capability of EBCs through the tailored design of TGOs composition and structure.

This research article focuses on the taxonomic contributions of Pleosporales and Kirschsteiniotheliales from the Xizang Autonomous Region, China. The study identifies ten new taxa of microfungi, including a new genus and nine new species, based on morphological and phylogenetic analyses. It details the methods used for collection, fungal isolation, morphology, DNA extraction, PCR amplification, sequencing, and phylogenetic analyses. The results section provides detailed descriptions of the identified species, including their morphological characteristics, culture characteristics, and phylogenetic relationships. The discussion section highlights the significance of the Xizang Autonomous Region as a hotspot for fungal biodiversity and discusses the taxonomic placement and characteristics of the identified fungi.

Current commercial UV-emitting materials rely heavily on non-sustainable resources such as rare metals, heavy metals, and petroleum-based chemicals. Recently, carbon dots have been synthesized from a renewable feedstock—green tea extract. These carbon dots exhibit UV emission in water. Interestingly, in poorer solvents, their emission blue-shifts and becomes nearly five times more efficient due to aggregation-induced emission behavior.

Inspired by the suckerfishes-shark motion behavior, they designed and prepared a kind of NIR light-propelled micro@nanomotor with weak acid-triggered release of H₂O₂-driven nanomotor. By the coordinated bond interaction, a large amount of Janus Au-Pt nanomotors with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-driven capacity, analogous to suckerfishes, were attached onto immovable yolk-shell structured polydopamine-mesoporous silica (PDA-MS) micromotor as the host to create two-stage PDA-MS@Au-Pt micro@nanomotor. PDA-MS@Au-Pt micro@nanomotor moved directionally by self-thermophoresis under the propulsion of NIR light with low power density. When the PDA-MS@Au-Pt entered into the weak acidic environment formed by a low concentration of H₂O₂, most small Au-Pt nanomotors were detached from the surface of PDA-MS due to the weak acidic sensitivity of the coordinated bond, and then performed self-diffusiophoresis in the environment containing a low concentration of H₂O₂ as a chemical fuel.

A groundbreaking non-hand-worn VR hand rehabilitation system has been developed, utilizing ionic hydrogel electrodes and deep learning for electromyography (EMG) gesture recognition. The system offers load-free rehabilitation without bulky mechanical components, providing a more accessible and flexible alternative to traditional rehabilitation methods. This VR-based solution enables immersive training and precise hand rehabilitation for stroke and joint disease patients in the comfort of their homes, without the constraints of time or location.

Addressing the urgent need for sustainable CO₂ conversion, researchers at Tongji University developed a novel copper-based metal-organic framework (MOF) catalyst, TJE-ttfp, which achieves 99.2% Faradaic efficiency for C1 liquid fuels (formic acid and methanol) at a remarkably reduction potential of −0.1 V. By leveraging dynamic Cu(I)/Cu(II) interconversion and electron-rich ligands, the material suppresses competing hydrogen evolution while enhancing CO₂ activation, offering a breakthrough for energy-efficient carbon utilization.