In twisted moiré photonic crystals, how the layers twist and overlap can change how the material interact with light. By changing the twist angle and the spacing between layers, these materials can be fine-tuned to control and manipulate different aspects of light simultaneously — meaning the multiple optical components typically needed to simultaneous measure light’s phase, polarization, and wavelength could be replaced with one device. Now researchers have developed an on-chip twisted moiré photonic crystal sensor that uses MEMS technology to control the gap and angle between the crystal layers in real time. The sensor can detect and collect detailed polarization and wavelength information simultaneously.

Researchers at Northwestern University have expanded the potential of carbon capture technology that plucks CO2 directly from the air by demonstrating that there are multiple suitable and abundant materials that can facilitate direct air capture.

In a paper to be published on Thursday (April 3) in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, the Northwestern researchers present new, lower-cost materials to facilitate moisture-swing to catch and then release CO2 depending on the local air’s moisture content, calling it “one of the most promising approaches for CO2 capture.”

Here, researchers from Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics propose to control thermal stress at coating interfaces during laser induction processes and demonstrate a novel process for precisely graphenizing ultra-thin diamond coating surface through laser induction and mechanical cleavage, without damaging the substrates.

Their work provides an effective and cost-efficient avenue to overcome application bottlenecks in engineered diamond surfaces, expanding their use in friction pairs such as cutting tools, bearings, and mechanical seals. Moreover, it may facilitate advancements in multicarbon heterostructures and their preparation methods, supporting potential applications in electronics, aviation, and biomedicine involving diamond, graphene, and all-carbon devices.

Fluency in a foreign language is often thought to be about speaking quickly and using advanced vocabulary. However, researchers from Waseda University reveal that speakers who use common, everyday expressions sound more fluent than those who rely on rare, complex words. The study highlights the importance of mastering familiar phrases to improve fluency perception, suggesting that learners should naturally incorporate common formulaic expressions in spontaneous speech.

New research by Henan University has achieved significant progress in eco-friendly display technology, constructing bright and efficient green ZnSeTe-based quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QD-LEDs). This achievement was enabled by developing an effective quantum dot defect passivation strategy, which involves inserting an ultrathin ZnSeS interlayer. This research is poised to propel the advancement of the next-generation low-toxic and environmentally friendly display technology.