The ultrafast placement of an electron in a polar liquid generates collective molecular vibrations in a spherical nano-volume. The vibrations change the diameter of this sphere periodically for more than 100 picoseconds. New results from ultrafast spectroscopy reveal how such oscillations in radial direction are distinguished from transversal excitations  and how the two of them govern the electric behavior of the liquid. Tuning the concentration of generated electrons allows for adapting the electric properties of different liquids.

Over 500 million years ago, nature evolved a remarkable trick: generating vibrant, shimmering colours via intricate, microscopic structures in feathers, wings and shells that reflect light in precise ways. This “structural colour” has continued to fascinate and perplex scientists—but now, researchers from Trinity College Dublin have taken a major step forward in harnessing it for advanced materials science.

A team, led by Professor Colm Delaney from Trinity’s School of Chemistry and AMBER, the Research Ireland Centre for Advanced Materials and BioEngineering Research, has developed a pioneering method, inspired by nature, to create and programme structural colours using a cutting-edge microfabrication technique. 

The work, which has been funded by a prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant, could have major implications for environmental sensing, biomedical diagnostics, and photonic materials.

Professor Chuang Yu from Huazhong University of Science and Technology significantly enhanced the air stability of chlorine-rich Li₅.₅PS₄.₅Cl₁.₅ electrolyte and improved the electrochemical performance of all-solid-state lithium metal batteries through a phosphate group doping strategy.

Boron-based compounds are known as a class of anion acceptors. Now, writing in the journal Science China Chemistry, a team of researchers from Nankai University use this chemistry in electrolyte design. According to the study, boron-based additives have been found to reduce charge transfer resistance, improve the Li-ion diffusion kinetics, and stabilize high-voltage cathode of batteries. The findings demonstrated versatileness of B-ads that effectively mitigated the critical challenges of energy-dense battery systems.

In medicine permanent magnets demonstrate unique advantages in terms of field strength, tunability of field and gradient distributions, and practical implementation. The findings highlight the critical role of spatial magnetic field characteristics in optimizing the interaction of magnetic fields with biological tissues and cells, thereby improving the efficacy of magnetic medical technologies. The insights derived from this study emphasize the transformative potential of permanent magnet systems in shaping the future of both magnetic surgery and therapeutic applications in medicine.

Researchers at the College of Design and Engineering at the National University of Singapore have developed a copper-based catalyst that significantly improves the energy efficiency of converting carbon dioxide (CO₂) into ethylene. By introducing small amounts of cobalt just beneath the catalyst surface, the team was able to alter the reaction pathway to favour ethylene formation at lower energy cost. The system achieved over 70 per cent selectivity towards ethylene with 25 per cent energy efficiency and ran stably for more than 140 hours. The breakthrough could support the development of commercially viable, low-emissions alternatives to conventional carbon-intensive ethylene production.

Researchers from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics have advanced syngas conversion by integrating Fischer–Tropsch synthesis with heterogeneous hydroformylation. By designing Co–Co₂C and Rh single-atom catalysts, the team achieved efficient, selective, and scalable production of alcohols and α-olefins. Their technologies have already entered industrial use and continue to evolve toward high-value product chains, laying the foundation for greener chemical manufacturing to realize China’s carbon neutrality goals.