Researchers have developed a new type of optical memory called a programmable photonic latch that is fast and scalable, enabling temporary data storage in optical processing systems and offering a high-speed solution for volatile memory using silicon photonics.

In a significant research effort detailed in Engineering, scientists have made a comprehensive analysis of diverse sensing materials and mechanisms for greenhouse gas detection. Their findings not only reveal the top-performing materials like Pd-SnO₂ for CH₄, WO₃ nanowires for N₂O, and BaTiO₃-CuO-Ag nanocomposites for CO₂ but also evaluate the pros and cons of various sensing mechanisms. Moreover, the study addresses the impact of environmental factors and proposes strategies for optimizing sensor performance, offering crucial insights for improving GHG detection accuracy and efficiency.

Protonic ceramic electrolysis cells (PCECs) have attracted significant interest due to their efficiency and environmental sustainability in energy conversion. However, their commercial application is hindered by the absence of effective and robust electrodes capable of performing in harsh environments, such as those characterized by high vapor or CO₂ concentrations. In this study, we developed a stable steam electrode composed of PrBaMn₂O_5+δ (PBM) and the durable proton conductor BaZr_0.85Y_0.15O_3-δ (BZY), enhanced with the deposition of PrO_x nano-catalysts. The composite electrode exhibited a low polarization resistance (~0.34 Ω·cm² at 600 °C), comparable to conventional cobalt-based electrodes. Additionally, extensive testing over hundreds of hours under severe conditions revealed exceptional durability without significant degradation. Notably, the electrode composited with cube-shaped BZY microcrystals and PBM showed a higher proton conductivity of 2.15×10⁻⁵ S·cm⁻¹ at 500 °C, representing an entire order of magnitude increase compared to the electrode composited with irregular nanosized BZY. Besides, the single cell achieved a superior electrolysis current of 2.0 A cm^-2 at 700°C and 1.3 V. These findings demonstrate the superiority of constructing an innovative interface between the mixed ionic-electronic conductor (MIEC) and the proton conductor. Our work presents a promising strategy for the design of durable steam electrodes for PCECs through a rational compositing approach.

Wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) offers distinct advantages, including low equipment cost, high deposition efficiency, and suitability for fabricating large-scale components. 921A steel (10CrNi3MoV) is widely used in the offshore industry and shipbuilding. Therefore, the application of WAAM technology to 921A steel structure manufacturing and component repair is of great significance. In order to understand the melt pool heat transfer flow and microstructural evolution during the WAAM process of 921A steel, a multi-scale model combining computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and cellular automata (CA) methods was developed. The model successfully predicted the temperature and flow fields, as well as the microstructural evolution within the deposition layer.