Researchers have developed an innovative hydrogel electrolyte that dramatically enhances the performance of sodium-zinc hybrid ion batteries. This breakthrough material offers exceptional ionic conductivity and an expanded electrochemical stability window, addressing key challenges in energy density and safety. With its impressive properties, the hydrogel electrolyte opens new possibilities for large-scale energy storage systems, promising more efficient and reliable solutions for future energy demands.

Hydrogen sourced from coke oven gas, a byproduct of steel production, is currently the most economically viable option as an input for “calcium looping”, a type of carbon capture, at least until the price of hydrogen sourced from cleanly powered electricity significantly drops, researchers have concluded.

A study in Forest Ecosystems shows that particulate organic carbon (POC) dominates surface soils, while mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC) prevails in deeper soils across eastern China’s forests. The research highlights how microbial activity influences carbon storage, with increased microbial processing of organic carbon in warmer, lower-latitude regions.

A research team has published a review summarizing synthetic design strategies for developing high-performance photocatalysts.

In a major advancement for energy storage, researchers have developed an innovative in situ polymerized quasi-solid polymer electrolyte (DS-QSPE) that addresses critical challenges in room-temperature sodium-sulfur (Na-S) batteries. This breakthrough technology effectively mitigates common issues such as void-filled interfaces and the polysulfide shuttle effect, which have long hindered the practical application of Na-S batteries. By significantly enhancing ionic conductivity and sodium-ion transference, the DS-QSPE extends the lifespan and boosts the electrochemical performance of these batteries, offering a promising solution for large-scale energy storage and paving the way for more reliable and efficient energy systems.

A comprehensive review paper has brought new insights into the derivation of patient-derived organoids (PDOs) for cancer research, focusing on a comparative analysis of mechanical dissociation and enzymatic digestion techniques. It delves into how these methods influence key organoid properties such as stemness, heterogeneity, and their ability to be cultured long-term. The findings are instrumental in informing the selection of dissociation techniques based on tissue type and research objectives, with far-reaching implications for drug screening, cancer modeling, and the optimization of organoid production for more effective cancer research.

Wireless surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors hold great promise for in-situ, real-time monitoring and accurately assessing the health status of hot-end components. However, the thin-film electrode as the SAW sensor core unit with excellent high-temperature conductivity, stability, and oxidation resistance is still a challenge, especially in ultra-high temperature harsh environments. Polymer-derived ceramics (PDCs) method has attracted great attention because of the advantages of rapid preparation of film and adjustable thickness of film. PDC SiHfBCN ceramics have been proved promising ceramics for ultra-high-temperature applications due to excellent high-temperature stability and oxidation resistance up to 1500 °C. However, the high-temperature electrical conductivity of PDC SiHfBCN ceramic coating, especially above 1000 °C, have not been reported yet. The relationship between microstructure and electrical conductivity at high temperatures was established to explain the conductive mechanism for the first time.

Hydrogen peroxide is an environmentally friendly and powerful oxidant that is used in a variety of industries. At industry-scale, it is currently manufactured using a process called anthraquinone oxidation-reduction process, but researchers are searching for a better way. An electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is a safe, clean, and reliable method, but an effective catalyst has yet to be identified and adopted widely because of low selectivity.