Kaleidocycles—rotating rings made from hinged tetrahedra, are of interest for origami engineering, controllable linkage systems, and mathematics education. However, proving their existence for an arbitrary number of units has remained a challenge. In a recent study, researchers at Kyushu University developed explicit mathematical formulae showing that Kaleidocycles can be successfully constructed from six or more connected tetrahedra, uniting origami mechanisms and geometry in one exact mathematical framework.

Electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (NO₃RR) emerges as a sustainable approach for converting residual nitrate pollutants into valuable ammonia under ambient conditions, offering a promising alternative to the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process. Compared to single-metal-site electrocatalysts, dual-metal-site (DMS) electrocatalysts show synergistic effects between adjacent metal sites, effectively regulating the electronic state and enhancing the catalytic activity and selectivity for NO₃RR with multi-step proton and electron transfers. Further understanding on NO₃RR is of practical significance for design of efficient DMS electrocatalysts.

Understanding the structure–activity relationship of catalysts is crucial for addressing global energy and environmental challenges. A research team led by Professor Jiangwei Zhang from Inner Mongolia University presents a comprehensive review of advanced characterization techniques—including spectroscopy, microscopy, compositional analysis, and in-situ/operando methods—that enable atomic-level insights into catalytic systems. These techniques pave the way for intelligent catalyst design and real-time reaction monitoring.

Can “snow” fall in the ocean and influence the climate of the entire planet? It turns out that it can. Research conducted by scientists from the Faculty of Physics at University of Warsaw, published in Journal of Fluid Mechanics, helps us understand how microscopic “flakes” of dead organic matter collide and sink into the deep ocean, transporting vast amounts of carbon and affecting the pace of global warming.

The effects of the Iran war on the oil market have brought renewed attention to the EU’s plans for domestic production of fossil-free aviation fuels. But EU rules for synthetic aviation fuels risk steering development towards production pathways that are both more expensive and more energy-intensive than necessary – making it harder to meet climate targets. This is shown in a recent study from Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, that has analysed different methods for producing synthetic methanol.

Stevia is a widely used sweetener, but why do some stevia varieties taste cleaner and more sugar-like than others? Recent research conducted at the University of Toyama shows that stevia’s sweetness is genetically linked to variations in specific glycosyltransferase genes and their cell-specific activity in leaves. By combining genetic analysis with cell-level imaging, the team uncovered how stevia produces its high-value sweet compounds, opening the door to better-tasting natural sweeteners for foods and beverages.

Optical skyrmions hold promise for robust information carriers, yet existing technologies are limited to narrow-band generation. Scientists in China and Singapore invented an on-chip platform using ferroelectric spherulites. This device breaks the bandwidth limit by generating stable skyrmions across the entire visible spectrum. The technique paves the way for high-capacity optical communications and topological quantum light sources.