Researchers from the Faculty of Engineering at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) have made a significant discovery regarding quantum entanglement. This phenomenon, which has long been viewed as a significant obstacle in classical quantum simulations, actually enhances the speed of quantum simulations and acts as a valuable resource. The groundbreaking findings have been featured as the Cover Story in the prestigious journal Nature Physics in an article titled “Entanglement accelerates quantum simulation”.

Radio telescopes are instruments that capture faint radio signals from space and convert them into images of celestial bodies. To observe distant black holes clearly, multiple radio telescopes must capture cosmic signals at exactly the same time, acting as a single unit. Research teams at KAIST have developedr a new reference signal technology that uses laser light to precisely synchronize the observation timing and phase of these telescopes.

Given the ubiquitous presence of water during catalyst synthesis, storage, and application, interactions between water and molecular sieves, along with their consequent effects on frameworks and catalytic reactions, have attracted widespread attention from both academia and industry. This review summarizes the current understanding of water-molecular sieve interactions and elucidates the multiple roles of water in molecular sieve catalysis, providing valuable insights for optimizing catalytic performance in water-involved reactions.

A team from Lanzhou University of Technology have developed a novel NiTi shape memory allow (SMA) with harmonic microstructures fabricated via selective laser melting (SLM). This work explores the relationship between microstructural evolution at various deformation stages and corrosion behaviour in seawater environments. The study reveals that in its initial states, the alloy exhibits superior corrosion resistance, primarily owing to dense and stable passivation films composed mainly of TiO₂ and NiO. Post-fracture, the formation of fragmented amorphous phases and nanocrystalline grains accelerates corrosion processes. Leveraging first-principles calculations and electrochemical analysis, the team provides insights into microgalvanic reactions and phase interactions that influence corrosion resistance, paving the way for advanced smart materials in marine applications.

A team at the Institute of Chemical Industry of Forest Products, Chinese Academy of Forestry and the Institute of Advanced Carbon Conversion Technology, Huaqiao University has developed a coordination-pyrolysis strategy to fabricate a highly dispersed copper sulfide (CuS) nanosheets supported on N-doped porous carbon precatalyst (CuS@NC). The covalent S species trigger the deep-reconstruction of CuS nanosheets, and the in-situ generated SO₄^2- not only promotes the formation of Cu^2+δ species but also facilitates the cleavage of α–C–H and –O–H bonds in HMF. The optimized CuS@NC achieved a high current density of 335 mA cm^-2 at 1.5 V vs. RHE, representing a remarkable 628% enhancement over the control catalyst.

Discover a game-changing method for removing thermal barrier coatings in the aerospace industry! Researchers have found a way to use soluble sugar abrasives to efficiently and cleanly remove coatings, solving a major challenge. Learn how this eco-friendly solution enhances efficiency and paves the way for greener maintenance technologies.

A recent study published in Engineering by Daiwei Li, Xiliang Zhang, and their colleagues from Tsinghua University offers a systematic evaluation of a promising solution: coal-to-nuclear (C2N) conversion, i.e. repowering the to-be-retired coal-fired power plants with nuclear power, particularly small modular reactors (SMRs).