Kyoto, Japan -- It's astonishing to realize how innovative our ancestors were in food and beverage production before modern science and technology. Without understanding or isolating them, ancient peoples made use of yeasts like Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the primary species behind the fermentation process that creates alcohol, though there are some non-Saccharomyces yeasts that can also produce alcohol with different characteristics.

While modern wineries typically use cultured S cerevisiae, it is thought that ancient wine production relied on the natural fermentation process of storing crushed grapes in jars. However, research has revealed that S cerevisiae rarely colonizes grape skins, casting doubt on the use of fresh grapes for alcohol fermentation.

This inspired a team of researchers from Kyoto University to investigate the humble raisin's ability to ferment into wine. In a previous study, the team had found that S cerevisiae was abundant on raisins, indicating that in ancient times they could have been used for wine production.

Research teams from Swinburne University of Technology and University of Southern Queensland have provided a deep overview of the current state of the art of fire-retardant recyclable epoxy systems (FRREs) based on covalent adaptable networks. By integrating dynamic covalent bonds (DCBs) and flame-retardant groups into the epoxy crosslinking network can effectively improve fire safety and recyclability. However, how to balance the recyclability, flame retardancy, and network stability of FRREs remains a key challenge. This review provides valuable insights into the directional design of high-stability FRREs.

A joint research team led by Dr. Hee-Eun Song of the Photovoltaics Research Department at the Korea Institute of Energy Research (President Yi Chang-Keun, hereafter “KIER”) and Prof. Ka-Hyun Kim of the Department of Physics at Chungbuk National University (President Koh Chang-Seup, hereafter “CBNU”) has successfully identified, for the first time, the specific types of defects responsible for efficiency loss in silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells. The findings are expected to significantly contribute to improving solar cell efficiency when combined with defect-suppression (passivation) techniques.

In an era where climate change looms large, the aviation industry—responsible for 3%–4% of global CO2 emissions and growing—faces immense pressure to go green without grounding our connected world. Aviation powers trillions in economic activity and millions of jobs, yet its reliance on fossil fuels spews not just CO2 but also NOx, particulates, and other pollutants that harm air quality and accelerate global warming. Enter hydrogen: a boundless, clean-burning fuel that could slash in-flight emissions to zero. But harnessing it means conquering storage challenges onboard aircraft. This survey dives into cutting-edge hydrogen tank technologies, exploring how to safely store gaseous or liquid hydrogen amid extreme pressures and frigid temperatures, all while integrating seamlessly into plane designs. By reviewing materials, structures, and innovations, it highlights hydrogen's role in aligning aviation with global sustainability goals, making eco-friendly flights not just a dream, but an impending reality.