Molecules like DNA are capable of storing large amounts of data without requiring an energy source, but accessing this molecular data is expensive and time consuming. Publishing May 16 in the Cell Press journal Chem, researchers have developed an alternative method to encode information in synthetic molecules, which they used to encode and then decode an 11-character password to unlock a computer.  

The automotive industry is undergoing a transformative shift toward sustainable propulsion systems to meet stringent environmental regulations, such as the European Union’s push for near-zero-emission vehicles. Among the promising alternatives, proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) stand out due to their high efficiency and rapid response times. However, optimizing PEMFC performance requires advanced turbocharging systems to supply compressed air to the fuel cell stack. Centrifugal compressors, a key component in these systems, face challenges in maintaining stable operation across varying conditions, particularly near surge limits—a phenomenon causing disruptive flow fluctuations. To address this, researchers have explored passive flow control methods, with the ported shroud emerging as a critical innovation for extending compressor operability.

From fundamentals to applications: a review on femtosecond (fs) laser micro/nano processing, recently published online in the International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing. Dr. Le Gao and co-authors from University of Shanghai for Science and Technology present this comprehensive review on the development of fs laser micro/nano processing, including topics such as fundamentals and unique phenomena of fs-laser pluses and matter interactions, pulse-shaping and high throughput fabrication, fs-laser processing in transparent materials, 4D printing, heterogeneous integration and 3D functional micro devices manufactured by fs laser-powered processing technology. This review sums up the recent development of the technology and a perspective is proposed to explore the challenges and future opportunities for further betterment of fs laser micro/nano processing technology.

A new study presents a theoretical model that enhances passive radiative cooling by integrating a thermoradiative diode (TRD) with a heat engine. This self-sustaining system generates a positive photon chemical potential, allowing it to emit more thermal radiation than the conventional passive systems without a positive photon chemical potential. The model predicts a maximum cooling power of 485 W/m²，which has the potential to surpass the blackbody radiation intensity at room temperature. The findings suggest a promising new direction for low-energy cooling technologies and sustainable thermal management.

Researchers at the University of Liège (BE) have designed a high-performance, open-access continuous flow process to safely produce key antibacterial drugs from bio-based furfural. This work was carried out within an international consortium supported by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The results of the study—published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition—are available in open access.

New research from an international group looking at ancient sediment cores in the North Atlantic has for the first time shown a strong correlation between sediment changes and a marked period of global cooling that occurred in the Northern Hemisphere some 3.6 million years ago. The changes in sediments imply profound changes in the circulation of deep water currents occurred at this time.

This crucial piece of work, which showed sediments changed in multiple sites east of the mid-Atlantic ridge but not west of that important geographical feature, opens multiple doors to future research aimed at better understanding the link between deep water currents, Atlantic Ocean heat and salt distribution and ice-sheet expansion, and climatic change.

Researchers have developed a novel wearable biosensor for continuous cortisol monitoring, leveraging computational chemistry and advanced electronics. The system integrates molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) optimized via density functional theory for high selectivity, paired with organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) for high sensitivity, achieving an ultra-low detection limit (0.36 nmol/L). Unlike traditional sensors, the device allows in-situ regeneration of MIPs using electric fields, enabling eight reuse cycles. A microfluidic sweat-sampling module and iontophoresis-driven sweat induction ensure noninvasive, real-time tracking, validated by circadian rhythm studies matching ELISA results. Encased in 3D-printed flexible packaging, the wireless system maintains stability under bending, paving the way for closed-loop therapeutics and precision health applications.