A collaborated research team from the Institute of Solid State Physics, the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has discovered a high-energy-density barocaloric effect in the plastic superionic conductor Ag₂Te₁₋ₓSₓ. 

Researchers from Zhejiang Lab have proposed a novel spatiotemporal mode multiplexing technology, coupling pulsed orbital angular momentum (OAM) beams with diffractive deep neural networks (D²NN) and optical fiber delay-line arrays to realize a “space-time” projection mechanism. This enables high-speed, all-optical multidimensional multiplexing with potential scalability to the GHz level, offering a breakthrough solution for large-capacity optical communications in challenging environments such as free space and underwater.

Tellurene, a chiral chain semiconductor with a narrow bandgap and exceptional strain sensitivity, emerges as a pivotal material for tailoring electronic and optoelectronic properties via strain engineering. This study elucidates the fundamental mechanisms of ultrafast laser shock imprinting (LSI) in two-dimensional tellurium (Te), establishing a direct relationship between strain field orientation, mold topology, and anisotropic structural evolution. This is the first demonstration of ultrafast LSI on chiral chain Te unveiling orientation-sensitive dislocation networks. By applying controlled strain fields parallel or transverse to Te’s helical chains, we uncover two distinct deformation regimes. Strain aligned parallel to the chain’s direction induces gliding and rotation governed by weak interchain interactions, preserving covalent intrachain bonds and vibrational modes. In contrast, transverse strain drives shear-mediated multimodal deformations—tensile stretching, compression, and bending—resulting in significant lattice distortions and electronic property modulation. We discovered the critical role of mold topology on deformation: sharp-edged gratings generate localized shear forces surpassing those from homogeneous strain fields via smooth CD molds, triggering dislocation tangle formation, lattice reorientation, and inhomogeneous plastic deformation. Asymmetrical strain configurations enable localized structural transformations while retaining single-crystal integrity in adjacent regions—a balance essential for functional device integration. These insights position LSI as a precision tool for nanoscale strain engineering, capable of sculpting 2D material morphologies without compromising crystallinity. By bridging ultrafast mechanics with chiral chain material science, this work advances the design of strain-tunable devices for next-generation electronics and optoelectronics, while establishing a universal framework for manipulating anisotropic 2D systems under extreme strain rates. This work discovered crystallographic orientation-dependent deformation mechanisms in 2D Te, linking parallel strain to chain gliding and transverse strain to shear-driven multimodal distortion. It demonstrates mold geometry as a critical lever for strain localization and dislocation dynamics, with sharp-edged gratings enabling unprecedented control over lattice reorientation. Crucially, the identification of strain field conditions that reconcile severe plastic deformation with single-crystal retention offers a pathway to functional nanostructure fabrication, redefining LSI’s potential in ultrafast strain engineering of chiral chain materials.

A UBC research team has developed a cleaner way to produce rayon, a popular fabric used in clothing for more than a century. The process could significantly reduce chemical use and improve sustainability in textile manufacturing.

To help sound travel between air and water, Hesam Bakhtiary Yekta simulated a metamaterial that will sit at the air-water interface and improve sound transmission. His metamaterial is made from three parallel plates with “ribs” separating them, and sitting at the boundary between the two materials, it works by passing the vibrations through its structure, helping to transfer the energy between the two. Bakhtiary Yekta hopes that his metamaterial will help facilitate communication between underwater and airborne vehicles, such as an underwater robot and a drone.

Sound and noise have a major impact on our ability to focus and communicate, which is why acoustic requirements often feature in green building standards. Acoustic consultant George Edgar evaluated multiple materials, including timber, steel, and concrete, for their sound insulating properties along with their global warming potential. He found that concrete could have a far higher GWP than timber, and walls that incorporated timber outperformed standard steel studs, even when they needed more wall linings to achieve the same acoustic performance.

The KATRIN experiment has searched with unprecedented precision for signs of a fourth type of neutrino, that could reveal new physics beyond the Standard Model. No signal was found, tightening the constraints on one of the most debated puzzles in neutrino research.

As the scientific community embraces open science principles, the American Physical Society is launching a new open access journal designed to meet the moment. With submissions opening in late February 2026, APS Open Science will publish a diverse range of research outputs while upholding the trusted, rigorous review processes that define APS standards.