Researchers at POSTECH, Gyeongsang National University, and KIER develop a molecularly engineered membrane that stabilizes both battery electrodes simultaneously.

Bacteria that multiply on surfaces are a major headache in healthcare when they gain a foothold on, for example, implants or in catheters. Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have found a new weapon to fight these hotbeds of bacterial growth – one that does not rely on antibiotics or toxic metals. The key lies in a completely new application of this year's Nobel Prize-winning material: metal-organic frameworks. These materials can physically impale, puncture and kill bacteria before they have time to attach to the surface.

The cherry harvest wrapped up months ago. But in Michigan, some growers are already anticipating the spring resurgence of a tiny raptor that could benefit next season’s crop. As birds of prey, American kestrels deter smaller birds that like to snack on farmers’ fruit. New research shows they reduce the likelihood of cherry damage more than tenfold. But the study suggests that these winged security guards may have an additional benefit: food safety.

Researchers from The University of Osaka developed mirror-image semiconductor polymer molecules for organic solar cells. The new acceptor molecules prevent recombination of electrons and holes by generating currents with spin-polarization of about 70% in which one electron spin dominates. Solar cells containing the new acceptors showed three times higher efficiency than the non-mirror-image version. Using mirror-image acceptor molecules provides a new way of increasing efficiency in clean energy technology.

A research team at Kumamoto University (Japan) has unveiled a new mathematical framework that makes it possible to accurately model systems using multiple sensors that operate at different sensing rates. This breakthrough could pave the way for safer autonomous vehicles, smarter robots, and more reliable sensor networks.