Researchers developed a two-step CO₂ etching and high-temperature carbonization process to engineer closed nanopores in hard carbon anodes. The synergistic approach precisely controls pore architecture, enabling sodium-ion batteries with 388.8 mAh/g capacity, 83.8% retention after 800 cycles, and 165.2 Wh/kg full-cell energy density, advancing sustainable alternatives to lithium-ion batteries.

Physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) have shown remarkable prospects in solving forward and inverse problems involving partial differential equations (PDEs).

Microplastics are increasingly found in agricultural soils worldwide, raising new questions about how they interact with widely promoted climate solutions such as biochar. A study reveals that these tiny plastic particles can significantly alter how biochar affects soil health, greenhouse gas emissions, and microbial life.

A newly engineered biochar material may offer a powerful and sustainable way to clean up toxic metals from polluted water and soil, according to a recent study published in Biochar.

Machining, involving the precise cutting and shaping of materials, is a key manufacturing process. As industries increasingly adopt the use of high-performance materials with high strength and hardness, traditional machining methods often fall short in delivering the required precision. A research team at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has developed a ground-breaking machining technology that combines laser and magnetic fields during diamond cutting, enhancing cutting smoothness and surface quality while reducing a material’s subsurface damage and tool wear. This dual-field approach demonstrates exceptional manufacturing capabilities that surpass existing field-assisting cutting techniques, making possible ultra-precision machining of a range of challenging advanced materials.

As the world searches for scalable solutions to climate change, a growing body of research is highlighting biochar as a promising carbon-negative technology with far-reaching environmental benefits. A new comprehensive review published in Biochar explores how this carbon-rich material could help tackle global challenges ranging from greenhouse gas emissions to soil degradation and water pollution.

Researchers have developed a new class of sustainable energy storage materials by transforming agricultural waste into high-performance biochar composites that can store and release heat efficiently. The study demonstrates how simple changes in biomass type and production temperature can significantly improve energy storage capacity and durability, offering a promising pathway for low-carbon building technologies and renewable energy systems.

A new study shows that combining machine learning with advanced material engineering can significantly improve the performance of hydrochar, a carbon-rich material derived from waste, offering a promising pathway for sustainable agriculture and climate mitigation.