Researchers have developed a new imaging technique that captures more information about ultrafast processes in the microscopic world than was previously possible.

How do radicals form in aqueous solutions when exposed to UV light? This question is important for health research and environmental protection, for example with regard to the overfertilisation of water bodies by intensive agriculture. A team at BESSY II has now developed a new method of investigating hydroxyl radicals in solution. By using a clever trick, the scientists gained surprising insights into the reaction pathway.

A new study uses theoretical modelling to reveal the key role of graphene in TiO₂/graphene photocatalytic composites. Presence of defects in graphene is found to enable covalent bonding between graphene and TiO₂, creating hybridised electronic states that facilitate charge transfer and hinder electron-hole recombination, and therefore enhance the photocatalytic performance of TiO₂/graphene composites.

Recently, the Insilico team’s research entitled “An Internal Sulfur-Lone Pair Interaction Enabled the Discovery of Potential and Sub-Family Selective PKMYT1 Inhibitors” was invited for publication as a cover Feature in ChemMedChem^[1].

While probing single molecules or atoms typically requires liquid helium—a costly resource—to build a stable environment, a new development from a joint Chinese research team changes the game. By engineering an optical-coupled scanning probe microscope with ångström-scale resolution while eliminating the need for liquid helium, researchers from the Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the University of Science and Technology of China have paved the way for affordable long-term experiments, making high-end research more sustainable and accessible to all.

Researchers from Fuzhou University have announced a significant breakthrough in energy storage technology, developing a novel dual-crystal-phase manganese dioxide (MnO₂) cathode that dramatically improves the performance and stability of aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs). By engineering a unique interface between two different crystal structures, the team has achieved a battery component that offers high capacity, rapid charging capabilities, and exceptional longevity.

High-performance and low-cost oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts are essential for the next generation of energy conversion devices, such as zinc-air batteries and fuel cells. While platinum (Pt)-based materials remain the commercial standard, their widespread adoption is hindered by high costs and poor long-term durability.