EPFL researchers have achieved a remarkable result: capturing and studying phase changes in quantum hardware, which hold hold promise for next-generation technologies like quantum computing and ultra-sensitive sensors.

At ultracold temperatures, interatomic collisions are relatively simple, and their outcome can be controlled using a magnetic field. However, research by scientists led by Prof. Michal Tomza from the Faculty of Physics of the University of Warsaw and prof. Roee Ozeri from the Weizmann Institute of Science shows that this is also possible at higher temperatures. The scientists published their observations in the scientific journal Science Advances.

Methanolysis of polyethylene terephthalate to dimethyl terephthalate is a sustainable route for recycling of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic. Herein, we demonstrate that mesoporous Beta zeolite supported zinc oxide (Zn-Beta-meso) is efficient for methanolysis of polyethylene terephthalate to dimethyl terephthalate, exhibiting ~99.9% dimethyl terephthalate yield at 180 °C after reaction for 30 min. Model reactions confirmed that the key step in PET methanolysis was the methanolysis of 2-hydroxyethyl methyl terephthalate to form dimethyl terephthalate, where the highly dispersed zinc species are the active sites for this step. In addition, the Zn-Beta-meso catalyst was active for the methanolysis of various PET substrates. When bottle with pigment, terylene, transparent adhesive tape, and soundproof cotton were applied as the substrates, full PET conversion and higher than 99.0% dimethyl terephthalate yield were obtained.

The research team from Shanghai Jiao Tong University has developed a MOF-derived hierarchical porous TiO₂@NPC@S composite as a high-performance cathode for lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs). This material addresses the issues of LSBs such as poor conductivity, volume expansion, and the "shuttle effect", showing high sulfur loading, excellent cycling performance, and rate capabilities, which offers a new approach for the design of LSB cathodes.