Two-dimensional porphyrin-based COFs show great promise for photocatalytic CO₂ reduction, yet their π-π stacking often impedes active site exposure and charge transfer. Researchers developed a series of porphyrin COFs with tunably twisted linkers. The N-N-linked twisted unit in NN-Por-COF creates a remarkably undulating layered structure that enhances mass transport and exposes more active sites, while simultaneously modulating the electronic structure of cobalt-porphyrin to reduce reaction barriers. This dual structural and electronic optimization yields outstanding photocatalytic performance, achieving CO production rates of 22.38 and 3.02 mmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ under pure and 10% CO₂, respectively, surpassing most porphyrin-based photocatalysts.

Recently, the team of Prof. Nishuang Liu and Prof. Yihua Gao from Huazhong University of Science and Technology has reviewed the recent advances in self-powered sensors based on ionic hydrogels. The review was published in Research as “Recent Advances in Self-Powered Sensors Based on Ionic Hydrogels”. This review systematically summarizes the self-powered mechanism of ionic hydrogel self-powered sensors, structural engineering related to device and material properties, and related applications, and discusses the challenges and future development of ionic hydrogel self-powered sensors.

Water droplets maintain their spherical shape and optical properties when placed on a hydrophobic surface made by coating a glass slide with electrospun PVC fibers. The optical properties can be changed by simply adjusting the volume of water in the droplet. 

These dynamically adjustable water-based lenses have many potential future uses, from classrooms and research labs to cameras and wearable gadgets.

NUS Medicine study uses AI to modify drug doses for personalised cancer treatment

The Armour Research Foundation Reactor at Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) has been officially recognized as a Nuclear Historic Landmark by the American Nuclear Society (ANS). Nicknamed “the atomic furnace,” the world’s first privately owned and operated nuclear reactor marked a significant transition in the history of nuclear research—from its secretive wartime origins to a publicly celebrated pursuit of knowledge and progress.

Using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), UCF scientists and collaborators analyzed far-away bodies — known as Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs) — and found varying traces of methanol. The discoveries are helping them better classify different TNOs and understand the complex chemical reactions in space that may relate to the formation of our solar system and the origin of life.

In a breakthrough that blends ancient design with modern materials science, researchers at the University of Houston have developed a new class of ceramic structures that can bend under pressure — without breaking.