The resonant trident process (Oleinik's resonances) in the field of a strong electromagnetic wave and ultrarelativistic initial and final particles has been theoretically studied. Resonant kinematics and resonant differential and total rates are obtained. Published in Quantum Research. The results obtained can be used to describe experiments at high-intensity lasers centers, as well as in astrophysics near neutron stars and supernovae.

Water is not a magical information storage medium — but its short-lived molecular order can have very real physical consequences. A TU Wien study, together with the University of Vienna and the University of Oslo, shows that the way water arranges itself around ions helps determine whether charged particles stick to surfaces, a key process in electrochemistry, batteries, catalysts and biological membranes. The results, published in Science Advances, provide a quantitative model linking ion adsorption, entropy and the microscopic structure of water.

Rising carbon dioxide emissions pose a major global challenge. Electrochemical CO₂ reduction using copper-based electrocatalysts offers a promising and sustainable route to convert CO₂ into valuable multi-carbon fuels and chemicals. However, achieving high stability and selectivity remains difficult. Researchers have now examined advanced catalyst design strategies that integrate atomic-level engineering, machine learning and in situ analysis to enhance performance and enable scalable carbon recycling systems significantly.

Reliable water supply in large canal systems is often compromised by unpredictable lateral offtake discharges.

Metal–amide chemistry provides a rational approach to controlling heavy-pnictogen reduction, paving the way for safer and more scalable semiconductor quantum dots.

Researchers have developed an optical fiber that uses laser-induced heating and bubble-driven convection to rapidly concentrate bacteria and nanoparticles in liquid samples. The method collects thousands of targets in 60 seconds with over tenfold higher efficiency than conventional approaches. This approach allows for faster and more sensitive detection in biomedical and environmental applications.

Researchers have developed a bioinspired cellulose-based cooling aerogel capable of reflecting nearly all incoming sunlight while efficiently releasing heat through the atmospheric infrared window. Inspired by the optical structure of white beetles, the material integrates nanocellulose and hygroscopic metal-organic frameworks to construct a hierarchical photonic scattering network spanning nanoparticles, microfibers, and macropores. The resulting aerogel achieved a solar reflectance of 95.8% and an infrared emissivity of 95%, enabling subambient daytime cooling of up to 7.1 °C under outdoor sunlight. The biodegradable material also demonstrated strong UV durability and the potential to reduce annual cooling energy consumption in buildings by more than 40% in hot regions of China.

A study recently published in the Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts reports a bioinspired multi-network photonic hydrogel capable of decoupling the traditional trade-off between optical performance and mechanical robustness in mechanochromic materials. The researchers designed a cellulose nanocrystal/polyacrylamide/waterborne polyurethane (CPW) hydrogel featuring a triple-network architecture inspired by octopus iridophores. Through dynamic hydrogen bonding and interpenetrating structural design, the hydrogel achieved a tensile strength of 420 kPa and elongation exceeding 800% while maintaining highly reversible structural color changes from near-infrared to the full visible spectrum. Reflection wavelengths shifted continuously from 467 to 670 nm during stretching, enabling reversible color transitions from blue to red. The material further demonstrated strain-dependent optical encoding and information concealment capabilities with excellent cyclic stability and low-temperature tolerance. The work provides a new strategy for designing intelligent bio-based photonic materials suitable for advanced optical devices and adaptive sensing systems.