A nonfused ring electron acceptor (NFREA), designated as TT-Ph-C6, has been synthesized with the aim of enhancing the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic solar cells (OSCs). By integrating asymmetric phenylalkylamino side groups, TT-Ph-C6 demonstrates excellent solubility and its crystal structure exhibits compact packing structures with a three-dimensional molecular stacking network. These structural attributes markedly promote exciton diffusion and charge carrier mobility, particularly advantageous for the fabrication of thick-film devices. TT-Ph-C6-based devices have attained a PCE of 18.01% at a film thickness of 100 nm, and even at a film thickness of 300 nm, the PCE remains at 14.64%, surpassing that of devices based on 2BTh-2F. These remarkable properties position TT-Ph-C6 as a highly promising NFREA material for boosting the efficiency of OSCs.

A paper published in PNAS presents a detailed map of how multiple cerebellar projections to the rest of the brain develop, identifying when and how these connections are established and consolidated. The results show that this connectivity emerges much earlier than expected, suggesting that the cerebellum may act as an early ‘hub’ essential for organizing the brain’s initial architecture.

Scientists from the City University of Hong Kong have found that nanoplastics can enter zebrafish via two pathways: waterborne exposure and dietary exposure. These tiny particles can cross biological barriers to enter the circulatory system, and then translocate to and accumulate in various organs, including the blood, brain, gills, liver, intestines, gonads, and muscles. The gills and intestines are the most important absorption organs, while the intestines serve as the primary excretion organ.