For how much time we spend staring at our phones and computers, it was inevitable that we would become… close. And the resulting human relationships with computer programs are nothing short of complex, complicated, and unprecedented. AI is capable of simulating human conversations by way of chatbots, which has led to an historic twist for therapists.

Composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs) offer a promising solution for all-solid-state lithium-metal batteries (ASSLMBs). However, conventional nanofillers with Lewis-acid–base surfaces make limited contribution to improving the overall performance of CPEs due to their difficulty in achieving robust electrochemical and mechanical interfaces simultaneously. Here, by regulating the surface charge characteristics of halloysite nanotube (HNT), we propose a concept of lithium-ion dynamic interface (Li⁺-DI) engineering in nano-charged CPE (NCCPE). Results show that the surface charge characteristics of HNTs fundamentally change the Li⁺-DI, and thereof the mechanical and ion-conduction behaviors of the NCCPEs. Particularly, the HNTs with positively charged surface (HNTs⁺) lead to a higher Li⁺ transference number (0.86) than that of HNTs⁻ (0.73), but a lower toughness (102.13 MJ m⁻³ for HNTs⁺ and 159.69 MJ m⁻³ for HNTs⁻). Meanwhile, a strong interface compatibilization effect by Li⁺ is observed for especially the HNTs⁺-involved Li⁺-DI, which improves the toughness by 2000% compared with the control. Moreover, HNTs⁺ are more effective to weaken the Li⁺-solvation strength and facilitate the formation of LiF-rich solid–electrolyte interphase of Li metal compared to HNTs⁻. The resultant Li|NCCPE|LiFePO₄ cell delivers a capacity of 144.9 mAh g⁻¹ after 400 cycles at 0.5 C and a capacity retention of 78.6%. This study provides deep insights into understanding the roles of surface charges of nanofillers in regulating the mechanical and electrochemical interfaces in ASSLMBs.

Industrial dyes used in textiles, plastics, paper, and cosmetics make wastewater vividly colored and potentially toxic. Many of these dyes resist normal treatment, threatening aquatic life and human health. Now researchers have harnessed machine learning to predict how well biochar, a carbon-rich, low-cost material made from plant waste, can remove these stubborn pollutants from water.

UC Riverside engineers have discovered a pontentially new method of solar desalination that uses deep ultraviolet (UV) light to separate salt from water without heat. Led by Luat Vuong, associate professor of mechanical engineering, the team showed that high-frequency UV light around 200 nanometers can break salt-water bonds more effectively than visible light. Using aluminum nitride ceramic wicks, the researchers achieved significantly faster evaporation of salt water under UV light compared to other wavelengths. Reported in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, the finding reveals an unexplored “deep UV channel” that could make desalination more energy-efficient and sustainable.