Slow scintillation component due to charge carrier capture at point defects is a serious issue in scintillator materials. Therefore, the fabrication of scintillators with a high proportion of fast component in scintillation response is of great interest to material scientists. By applying the defect engineering strategy in the advanced optical Lu₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce,Mg (LuAG:Ce,Mg) ceramics, ultrahigh fast scintillation proportion can be achieved with slight loss of the fast scintillation light. This strategy has a broad application potential in improving fast scintillation proportion of various oxide scintillators.  

Transition metal diborides (TMB₂) are materials of choice for the applications in hypersonic vehicles and scramjet engines due to their unique combination of fascinating properties such as high melting point, high elastic modulus, excellent thermal and chemical stability, etc. Understanding microscopic information such as the electronic structure and chemical bonding of TMB₂ is essential for establishing the structure-property relationships. However, for decades, direct observation of atomic arrangements in TMB₂ was seldom conducted due to the limited resolution of transmission electron microscope and filling this research gap was imperative. Herein the crystal structure and chemical bonding of CrB₂ were approved for the first time using aberration corrected transmission electron microscopy coupled with electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) accessory. Combined with first-principles calculations based on density functional theory (DFT), CrB₂ is confirmed to have an AlB₂-type structure, where Cr bonds to each other in (001) plane by metallic bonding and B is bonding in the form of a graphite-like six-membered ring in (002) plane through sp² hybridization, while Cr-B ionic-covalent bonding is formed in (110) plane. A detailed analysis of the experimental and calculated results of EELS of CrB₂ show that the hybridization between Cr 3d and B has a significant effect on EELS of transition metal borides (TMB₂). In addition, hysteresis loop of CrB₂ was tested for the first time based on the theoretical calculation and the molar susceptibility of CrB₂ was about 5.77×10^-4 emu/mol.

To meet the demand of ultrahigh-temperature thermal insulation, a novel porous dual-phase high-entropy ultrahigh-temperature ceramic (TiZrHfNbTa)C-(TiZrHfNbTa)B₂ with outstanding merits is designed and fabricated, which has superhigh porosity, low density, high strength, low thermal conductivity, and excellent oxidation resistance. The research results provide a potential alternative for ultrahigh-temperature thermal insulation materials in aerospace field.

The limitations of conventional electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorbing materials in terms of high-temperature resistance have stimulated interest in the development of high-temperature EMW absorbing materials across various fields. However, due to the temperature dependence of the permittivity, achieving effective EMW absorption across a wide temperature range remains a significant challenge for high-temperature EMW absorbing materials. Herein, a novel molecular-scale strategy is proposed for in-situ construction multi-heterointerface during the polymer-derived ceramics process, thereby achieving temperature-insensitive permittivity. This approach to developing temperature-insensitive dielectric ceramics significantly improves the performance and functionality of high-temperature EMW absorbing materials, thereby providing substantial guidance and reference value.

A recent study highlights both the promise and limitations of the inhaled COVID-19 vaccine Ad5-XBB.1.5. Researchers found that the vaccine effectively induced strong immunoglobulin A (IgA) responses in the nasal mucosa and bloodstream, with nasal IgA showing a stronger correlation with virus-neutralizing activity than immunoglobulin G (IgG). The vaccine also boosted antigen-specific CD8⁺ T cell responses and slightly increased antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP). However, the study revealed that nasal IgA levels declined significantly by six months post-vaccination, and the majority of participants experienced breakthrough infections during the recent JN.1 wave. Additionally, individuals with high levels of pre-existing antibodies against adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) showed reduced neutralizing responses, indicating that vector immunity may limit the vaccine’s effectiveness. These findings underscore the challenges of achieving long-lasting mucosal immunity through current inhaled vaccine strategies. The researchers call for the development of next-generation mucosal vaccines, that can sustain strong and durable IgA responses in the nasal mucosa, offering better protection against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and reducing community transmission.

Composite solid electrolytes (CSEs) are regarded as one of the most promising candidates for solid state battery. Herein, a ZIF-based functional heterojunction nanoparticle is constructed as filler to form PVDF-based composite solid-state electrolyte, facilitating the dissociation of salt and improving the Li⁺ transport. This work provides valuable insights into the functional filler design for CSEs with highly efficient ion transport.

Alumina (Al₂O₃) ceramics represent a crucial category of advanced structural engineering materials due to their excellent physicochemical properties and relatively low cost. However, their broader application has been limited by low fracture toughness, making toughening a key research focus for Al₂O₃ ceramics. Silicon carbide whiskers (SiC_w) are among the most effective toughening agents for Al₂O₃ ceramics, but recent studies have primarily focused on optimizing SiC_w introduction methods and sintering processes. Departing from conventional approaches, the present research has pioneered a novel strategy—designing a core-shell composite structured SiC_w as the toughening phase for Al₂O₃ ceramics, thus offering a new perspective for Al₂O₃ ceramic toughening studies.

As power systems evolve to accommodate rising levels of renewable energy, traditional grid-following converters (GFLs) are no longer sufficient to ensure grid stability. Researchers from Imperial College London and Tsinghua University, led by Dr. Fei Teng and Mr. Guoxuan Cui, conduct a comprehensive techno-economic analysis of how to determine the optimal penetration of grid-forming converters (GFMs) required for future power networks. Their findings highlight how coordinated planning and dynamic operational control strategies can enable cost-effective and stable operation of “new-type power systems”.