Researchers from Northeastern University in China have decoded the puzzling "saturation dilemma" in high-power laser lighting materials. Their study reveals that heat generation and luminous saturation stem from intrinsic energy losses and non-radiative transitions, offering a unified framework to overcome these barriers in next-generation lighting technologies.

Achieving both high mechanical strength and functional capabilities in ceramics has long been a "zero-sum game." A research team has now broken this barrier by integrating exfoliated multilayer boron nitride nanosheets into a silicon carbide matrix. The resulting composite yields a ~95% increase in strength and exceptional electromagnetic wave absorption across the full Ku-band, paving the way for next-generation aerospace components.

To achieve a deep understanding of the CMAS corrosion mechanism and lifetime prediction of high-performance thermal/environmental barrier coating materials, the (Er_1/4Y_1/4Lu_1/4Yb_1/4)₂Si₂O₇ and (Er_1/6Tm_1/6Y_1/15Gd_1/15Lu_4/15Yb_4/15)₂Si₂O₇ high-entropy rare-earth disilicates designed in this study exhibit approximately 70% reduction in CMAS corrosion depth compared to their single-principal-component counterparts, demonstrating excellent CMAS corrosion resistance. The research further reveals that lattice distortion induced by multi-cation doping can inhibit the penetration of CMAS melt, while large-radius rare-earth ions reduce the corrosion activity by consuming Ca²⁺ in the melt. Additionally, it elucidates the temperature-dependent transition of corrosion mechanisms—dominantly governed by thermodynamics–kinetics competition at 1300 °C, whereas shifting to a dissolution–reprecipitation mechanism at 1500 °C. On this basis, an extended Kalman filter model incorporating physical mechanisms was developed for the first time, enabling high-precision prediction of long-term corrosion depth and rate, thereby providing a reliable tool for coating lifetime assessment.

In conventional catalysis, morphology regulation only increases the specific surface area to expose more active sites, yet it can also modulate material polarization in piezocatalysis, a dual benefit that remains underexplored. Herein, using CTAB as a modifier to inhibit layer stacking via selective adsorption, 2.26 nm atomic-thick 2D ultrathin Bi₂WO₆ nanosheets were synthesized. This design doubled the specific surface area to 29.15 m² g⁻¹, enhanced interfacial polarization to 18.34 mV and raised the effective piezoelectric coefficient to 27.53 pm V⁻¹, yielding a maximum per-unit-power hydrogen production rate of 61.20 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ W⁻¹. This strategy offers a new paradigm for high- efficiency piezocatalyst design.

Most African countries have in-use steel stocks below 1 tonne per capita—less than one-twentieth of industrialised levels. Meanwhile, €10 billion in European subsidies for domestic green iron has yielded only one project reaching final investment decision. A new article in Technology Review for Carbon Neutrality argues these are not separate problems: they share a solution. Green iron produced in developing country "sweetspots" could supply European steelmakers at 27% lower cost—delivering a competitive decarbonised EU steel industry while providing the bankable anchor investment that developing countries need to build their own steel industries and infrastructure in parallel.