The development of singular optics and vortex beams has facilitated novel rotational sensing through the rotational Doppler effect. Researchers in China have pioneered an "optical singularity protractor" for rotation sensing by shifting the research focus from optical vortices to phase singularities. This approach, compatible with traditional sensing probe and enhanced with neuromorphic vision, enables high-speed, high-precision contactless measurement of rotation in complex scenarios. The technique paves a new way for precision sensing and next-generation neuromorphic systems.

Adaptive optics has been introduced into surface plasmon resonance holographic microscopy to achieve background-free near-field quantitative phase imaging. By exploiting the inherent capability of digital holography to obtain the wide-field complex amplitude—particularly the phase distribution—of light waves, we have achieved rapid, accurate, in-situ adaptive correction of wavefront aberrations and high-quality near-field quantitative phase imaging. This research provides a novel aberration correction scheme and imaging methodology for various types of quantitative phase microscopy systems.

Highly loaded magneto-dielectric composite systems are promising for achieving strong electromagnetic loss and structural design flexibility, yet their processability and geometric controllability remain extremely challenging. Herein, a rheologically engineered direct ink writing (DIW) 3D printing strategy is developed. Graphene (Gr) is introduced to reconstruct the particle-loading network, which synergistically improves the ink’s yield behavior, shear-thinning property, structural recovery, and a magnetic–dielectric synergistic loss system is constructed with carbonyl iron powder (CIP). The critical CIP content (~ 84.06 wt%) is determined by the yield model, and a tunable Gr/CIP (GC) composite ink is obtained. The correlation among rheological response, geometric fidelity, and temporal stability is established, enabling high-fidelity 3D-printed gradient honeycomb structures. The rationally designed 3D-printed GC honeycomb (GCH) absorber achieves an effective absorption bandwidth of 18 GHz–4 THz, with an RL_min of − 84.30 dB at a thickness of 2.6 mm. When integrated into device-level terahertz reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS), the GCH absorber contributes to a ~ 3.3 dBi main lobe gain enhancement, 1.9–3.3 dB sidelobe suppression, and a ~ 58% reduction in reflection beamwidth, showing excellent electromagnetic compatibility performance for communication, imaging, and radar. This work offers a practical strategy for the structural fabrication and device integration of high-load magneto-dielectric synergistic absorbers.

Using a highly sensitive two-coil mutual-inductance technique, we systematically track the evolution of the phase stiffness in interfacial superconducting LaAlO₃/KTaO₃(111) and its correlation with the superconducting transition temperature as a function of electrostatic gating. A crossover from Bose–Einstein-condensate-like to Bardeen–Cooper–Schrieffer-like behavior is revealed, suggesting that superconductivity at the two extremes is limited by the establishment of phase coherence and the formation of Cooper pairs, respectively. This behavior is consistent with the emergence of superconducting granularity in two dimensions, which is further supported by the observation of a paramagnetic Meissner effect.

Seawater zinc-air batteries (SZAB) could provide safe, high-energy power for marine applications, but Cl⁻ in seawater can poison the catalysts that drive oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Researchers from Hainan University and collaborators designed an FeSn dual-single-atom catalysts (FeSn-DSACs) in which Sn neighbors tune Fe active sites through p-d orbital hybridization. The catalyst simultaneously accelerates ORR and suppresses Cl⁻ adsorption and corrosion. In SZAB, it delivered a peak power density of 255.6 mW cm⁻² and operated for more than 500 h, offering a design strategy for durable seawater ORR catalysis.

Researchers have developed a strategy to improve the fire safety of polymer materials by using ZIF-67, a porous metal-organic framework, together with different flame-retardant components. The study explains how ZIF-67 can enhance fire resistance, reduce smoke release and provide a versatile platform for designing safer high-performance polymer composites.

Molecular perovskite energetic materials (PEMs), featuring ordered ABX₃ crystal frameworks, have emerged as a promising platform for integrating fuel and oxidizing components at the molecular and crystal levels. A review in Energetic Materials Frontiers establishes molecular perovskites as a distinctive platform for the development of multicomponent energetic crystals. Their modular crystal architecture enables fuel and oxidizer components to be organized within ordered lattices, while site substitution, composite modification and data-driven design provide multiple pathways for tuning energy release, thermal stability and safety.

New research reveals that natural soil minerals critically control the fate of lead locked into chloropyromorphite—a stable mineral formed during phosphorus-based lead remediation. Negatively charged clay minerals enhance its mobility, while positively charged iron minerals promote rapid settling, highlighting the need for site-specific risk assessments.

Optical neural networks capable of executing large-scale operations in parallel at the speed of light play an ever more prominent role in energy-efficient artificial intelligence. Towards this goal, scientists in China, inspired by the human brain, invented a backpropagation-free framework (B-ONN) for local learning. The technique will open new avenues for deploying physically robust, large-scale optical computing systems in real-world edge devices and green infrastructures.