For decades, scientists have observed that the mass diffusion coefficient D and viscosity η governing momentum diffusion violate their expected inverse scaling relationship in glass-forming liquids implied by the widely assumed Stokes-Einstein relationship derived from Brownian motion theory. A recent article in National Science Review reveals that this so-called‘decoupling’ phenomenon does not arise from the inherent dynamic heterogeneity of glass-forming liquids, as often assumed, but rather simply from differences in the activation free energies of D and η already present in liquids at elevated temperatures where no appreciable dynamic heterogeneity exists. Dynamic heterogeneity is a symptom rather than the cause of decoupling.

Quasicrystals are neither conventional crystals nor amorphous solids, and their magnetic behavior remained a mystery. Researchers have now created the first bulk, annealable ferromagnetic quasicrystals and uncovered an unexpected form of magnetic critical behavior. The results show that the quasicrystal magnetism is controlled by both quasiperiodic structure and spin symmetry, establishing new design principles for magnetic quasicrystalline materials. These materials can form the foundation for new magnetic and quantum functional materials.

Future terahertz systems need front ends that can not only transmit data but also process signals directly. Scientists in China, Poland and Japan have developed a subarray programmable terahertz metasurface that performs optical Boolean logic and four-level amplitude modulation on the same chip. By gating four HEMT-based subarrays, the device achieves broadband control from 170 to 260 GHz, real-time logic up to 200 MHz, PAM-4 signaling, and 6 GHz modulation response.

Why do some coral reefs weather marine heatwaves better than others? A new study published in Scientific Reports shows that the answer may lie not only in local ocean conditions, but also in climate patterns that span entire ocean basins. By combining long-term ocean observations with chemical records preserved in coral skeletons, the researchers reveal how large-scale climate oscillations regulate the natural cooling that can help protect coral reefs during marine heatwaves. First author Dr. Hana Camelia and Dr. Thomas Felis from MARUM – Center for Marine Environmental Sciences at the University of Bremen lead the study.

Ongoing research reveals how the aroma of cannabis is not only heavily influenced by the chosen cultivar, but also by different drying and storage methods. Through a combination of high-resolution chromatography and human-perception aroma assessments, this project provides detailed insights into the impact of preparation and transportation on cannabis chemistry and how humans perceive and interpret its’ aromas.

In most materials, heat absorption and heat emission are linked, meaning a surface that absorbs thermal radiation well from a particular direction will also emit it in the same way. A team from OMU in Japan has designed a reconfigurable device that breaks this symmetry, enabling heat to be absorbed and emitted differently depending on the direction of absorption. This technology could eventually lead to smarter thermal-management systems and infrared sensors.