Carbon-supported single-atom catalysts with metal-N moieties are promising for high-performance lithium–sulfur batteries. In a breakthrough, a team of researchers from Chung-Ang University proposes a metal–organic framework-engaged dual-level engineering strategy to fabricate a hierarchical porous carbon nanofiber with low-coordinated single-atom catalysts. This technology is expected to lead to safer and more efficient batteries, quickening the transition to clean energy and paving the way for a more sustainable future.

Short ultraviolet/ozone (UVO) treatment optimizes cell adhesion on plastic culture substrates by selectively enriching adhesion proteins, as reported by researchers from Institute of Science Tokyo. Their latest study explains the underlying reason why there is an optimal UVO treatment time, with the optimal surface condition arising when the ability to selectively adsorb and immobilize key adhesion proteins is maximized. This study paves the way for the design of polymeric materials used in medical research.

Wearable microfluidic sensors are promising for efficient sweat analysis, with applications in sports, healthcare, worker safety, and more fields. Recently, researchers from Chung-Ang University have successfully demonstrated next-generation soft, skin-interfaced 3D microfluidic systems for accurate and comprehensive sweat rate, cumulative loss, and biochemical content assessment. This cutting-edge technology is expected to revolutionize real-time and non-invasive tracking of health status and disease progression.

Robot-guided neurosurgery in patients with epilepsy involves accurately mapping the skull to identify the entry points and target areas. A recent study compared the clinical utility of a contactless optical method with the conventional method, which requires repeated contacts. The study demonstrates that optical tracking is accurate, less time-consuming, and easily learned by new users. These findings pave the way for faster and more error-free surgical interventions for epilepsy.