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. 

Researchers have successfully grown platinum crystals in liquid metal, using a powerful X-ray technique giving rare insight into how these delicate crystals form and grow.