Mechanoluminescence(ML) directly converts mechanical energy into light, offering a promising route for energy-free sensing. Here, we report a low cost, stable Al₂O₃:Cr³⁺ platform with self-recoverable near-infrared emission. A reversible stress induced ionization–recapture mechanism, together with defect engineering, annealing, and heterostructure optimization, delivers strong and recoverable luminescence. The material enables flexible ML paper and alloy-surface coatings for real time structural stress visualization.

Researchers demonstrate a giant insulator-to-metal transition and room-temperature superparamagnetism by controlling defect reconstruction and nickel nanoparticle formation in perovskite oxide thin films.

Quantum cascade laser (QCL) frequency combs face bandwidth limitations (~100 cm⁻¹) that challenge carrier-envelope offset frequency locking. This work demonstrates ultra-broadband QCLs using a diagonal multi-state-to-continuum active region design, achieving ~600 cm⁻¹ electroluminescence at 298 K. Devices deliver 2.72 W peak power with 1.2 μm lasing bandwidth and 1.93 μm at 80 K, advancing single-stack mid-infrared semiconductor lasers for spectroscopy and communications.

Researchers have resolved a long-standing debate about how water behaves when confined to spaces just a few molecules wide, showing that the chemistry of nanoconfined water is governed less by confinement itself than by pressure and the nature of the surrounding material. This finding could help scientists design more efficient batteries, fuel cells and nanofluidic technologies by providing a new way of controlling water reactivity at the molecular scale.