Recently, Professor Shijian Zheng and Associate Professor Kaixiang Lei from Hebei University of Technology, in collaboration with Professor Lin Li and Dr. Xunzhu Zhou from Wenzhou University, published a research paper titled "Synergistic biphasic engineering and dual-site high-entropy doping enable stable sodium storage in layered oxide cathodes" in the journal Nano Research. In this study, a novel P2/O3 biphasic high-entropy oxide cathode material (Na_0.88K_0.02Ni_0.24Li_0.06Mg_0.07Fe_0.1Mn_0.41Ti_0.1Sn_0.02O₂, HEO) for sodium-ion batteries was successfully synthesized. By integrating biphasic engineering with a high-entropy strategy, this material effectively suppresses irreversible phase transitions, significantly enhances particle integrity and structural stability, and simultaneously improves the diffusion kinetics of Na⁺. Experimental results demonstrate that the cathode material maintains a high capacity retention of 82.68% after 1000 cycles, exhibiting its outstanding cycling stability.

Sulfide-based all-solid-state lithium metal batteries (ASSLMBs) are promising for high-energy-density and safe energy storage. But the poor compatibility of sulfide electrolytes with both high-voltage cathodes and lithium metal anodes hinders their practical application. Here, Professor Xie Jia's group from Huazhong University of Science and Technology discloses a fluorine-nitrogen synergistic interfacial engineering strategy by modifying Li5.5PS4.5Cl1.5 (LPSC) with lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI). The modified LPSC electrolyte shows a high ionic conductivity of 2.88 mS/cm. Moreover, LiTFSI induced dual-functional interphases, a fluorine-rich CEI (LiF/LixPOyFz) and a fluorine-nitrogen composite SEI (Li3N/LiF/LixPOyFz), contributing to high oxidation stability (LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2//LiIn battery retains 107% capacity retention after 13000 cycles at 15 C) and excellent lithium dendrite inhibition ability (Li//Li: CCD 3.4 mA/cm2, stably cycling 2600 h at 0.5 mA/cm2). As a result, the LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2//Li cell with modified electrolyte demonstrates 1000 stable cycles at a high cut-off voltage of 4.5 V and wide-temperature adaptability (-20~50 ℃). This work shows a facile and effective method for constructing long-life high-energy-density sulfide based ASSLMBs.

Growing port congestion demands smarter management. In a new study, researchers developed a dynamic forecasting framework using real-time operation indicators from a two-stage queuing model to predict vessel turnaround time. Tested with data from Busan Port, the model achieved up to 28% higher accuracy than traditional methods. By improving berth planning and resource allocation, this approach can significantly enhance efficiency and reduce delays in global port operations.

A novel magnetic material with an extraordinary electronic structure might allow for the production of smaller and more efficient computer chips in the future: the p-wave magnet. Researchers from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) were involved in its development. The magnetic behavior in the interior of this material results from the way the electron spins arrange themselves – in the shape of a helix. Therefore, the electric current flowing through is deflected laterally. The results are published in the Nature journal.