Researchers have developed a two‑dimensional fluid model to study atmospheric pressure non‑equilibrium CO₂–H₂O plasma in a needle‑plate configuration. The model incorporates plasma chemical reactions and photoionization effects. Numerical simulations reveal that increasing initial water vapor content significantly reduces electron energy and density, causing the discharge channel to contract when the reduced electric field is below 200 Td. Higher quenching pressure enhances photoionization but plasma discharge remains primarily sustained by direct electron‑impact ionization. The study identifies the dominant reaction pathways for key products (CO, OH, and electrons) and shows that low water vapor content and elevated quenching pressure both accelerate streamer propagation.

Researchers have developed a novel CuBi₂S₄/Al₂WO₆/Ti₃C₂ MXene Schottky/Z‑scheme ternary heterojunction photocatalyst for the efficient photoreduction of nitrate and carbon dioxide, as well as photocatalytic water splitting under visible‑light irradiation. The nanocomposite achieves a nitrate reduction efficiency of 80% with N₂ as the predominant product (55% selectivity), a CO₂ photoreduction efficiency of 70% with CH₄ generation of 13.87 mL·g⁻¹·h⁻¹ (50% selectivity), and a hydrogen evolution rate of 16 mL·g⁻¹·h⁻¹ (60% efficiency) from water splitting. The catalyst also exhibits excellent reusability over five consecutive cycles.

 Researchers have developed an integrated strategy combining cathode catalytic H₂-O₂ reaction heating, machine learning, and multi-objective optimization to significantly improve the cold-start performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. At -20 °C, the approach achieves a temperature rise exceeding 30 °C without external load, suppresses peak ice volume fraction in the cathode catalyst layer to 3.28 vol%, and ensures post-start stability. Machine learning models accurately predict key cold-start indicators, while SHAP analysis reveals complex nonlinear interactions among operating parameters.

 The design and industrial application of autothermal reactors for CO₂-to-methanol synthesis face significant challenges due to multiscale transport phenomena, intrinsic multi-stability, and difficulties in scaling from laboratory to industrial scales. This review highlights the need for advanced modeling approaches, particularly Virtual and Digital Twins, to optimize reactor performance and enable reliable scale-up for sustainable methanol production.

Scientists have demonstrated a fiber-optic sensing method that detects strain and displacement by reading interference patterns in the electrical spectrum after photodetection. The approach uses modal delay in polymer optical fibers and may support faster, simpler sensing systems.

Now in its 28th year, the European Congress of Endocrinology (ECE) 2026 commences on Saturday 9 May and runs until Tuesday 12 May. The Congress will bring together endocrine specialists from across Europe and the rest of the world to meet, collaborate and celebrate endocrinology at the Prague Congress Centre in Prague, Czech Republic. This year’s Congress will also celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the European Society of Endocrinology (ESE) since the formation of the Society in 2006. 

Li metal batteries (LMBs), owing to their high theoretical specific energy, are considered a crucial development direction for future high-energy-density battery systems. However, the high reactivity of the Li metal anode leads to extreme electrochemical and chemical instability at the interface with the electrolyte. This instability triggers detrimental effects, including Li dendrite growth, repeated cracking and reformation of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), and continuous irreversible consumption of both active Li and electrolyte. Therefore, designing high-performance electrolytes to precisely regulate interfacial chemistry has become one of the core strategies for advancing the practical application of LMBs. Significant progress has recently been made in stabilizing the Li metal–electrolyte interface (Li-electrolyte interface) through strategies including additives, weakly solvating electrolytes (WSEs), high-concentration/localized high-concentration electrolytes (HCEs/LHCEs), and novel molecular design. Nevertheless, these advanced strategies and their corresponding stabilization mechanisms have not yet been systematically organized. To address this gap, this review focuses on four core electrolyte design strategies and systematically summarizes their mechanisms for stabilizing the Li-electrolyte interface. Building on this foundation, it discusses the inherent limitations of individual electrolyte design strategies. It then focuses on the potential of synergistic electrolyte design to achieve a more electrochemically stable Li-electrolyte interface. Finally, it proposes future research directions requiring key focus for existing electrolyte design strategies.