Polymer dielectrics for electrostatic energy storage exhibit low energy density, low efficiency, and poor reliability at high temperatures, limiting the application of film capacitors in harsh environments. Designing wide bandgap structures, introducing carrier traps and constructing carrier barriers are effective for optimizing the energy storage performance of polymer dielectrics. However, it is

Obtaining green hydrogen by water splitting is a promising form of clean energy that relies on the development of efficient and stable electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Here we present a new electrocatalyst Ca2CoRuO6 (CCRO), which exhibited a record low overpotential of 62 mV at a high current density of 1 A cm−2, a smallest Tafel slope of 10 mV dec−1 (vs more than 400 mV@1

The application of zinc metal-based battery is hindered by the low thermodynamic stability of zinc anodes and sluggish desolvation kinetics of the interfacial [Zn(H2O)6]2+ complex, which can induce serious side reactions and aggravated dendrites. Herein, an innovative catalytic desolvation mechanism is proposed to manipulate the interfacial solvation structure by engineering a π-electron-rich (C=O/C=N

Some argue that using CO2 from direct air capture (DAC) in enhanced oil recovery (CO2-EOR) can produce carbon-neutral oil by permanently storing more CO2 than it is emitted when using the extracted fossil fuels. However, existing analyses often provide case-specific insights based on short-term operations without considering the full life cycle of reservoir exploitation, including primary, secondary

The aqueous zinc-iodine battery is considered as a promising technology for large-scale energy storage due to its high safety, large energy density, and easy accessibility. However, its development suffers from two challenges: parasitic side reactions on the Zn anode and the polyiodide shuttling effects. To overcome them, we designed an artificial protective layer on the Zn anode based on the amorphous

The shuttle effect of polyiodides and aggregation of solid iodine on the cathode surface in aqueous Zn-iodine batteries are considered as the main issues for unsatisfactory cycling stability and slow charge transfer kinetics, respectively. Herein, we develop a biphasic (BP) electrolyte composed of immiscible organic (ethyl acetate, EA) and aqueous solvents for the co-extraction of iodine/polyiodides

The development of non-noble metal catalysts for efficient CO2 methanation reaction under mild conditions remains a significant challenge. Herein, a non-noble metal catalyst, cobalt nanoparticles (Co NPs) encapsulated within the hollow channels of nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (Co@CN-700) were prepared by a pyrolysis-reduction strategy for photothermal CO2 methanation. Remarkably, the Co@CN-700 catalyst

Particulate photoelectrodes are promising for the development of innovative unbiased water-splitting devices by combining a photoanode and a photocathode. This configuration relaxes the requirements for band edge potentials of oxygen- and hydrogen-evolution systems while enhancing the solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency. However, particulate photocathodes often exhibit lower performance than thin-film-based

Multiphase reduction of ambient dinitrogen (N₂) was observed during the deposition of charged or uncharged aqueous microdroplets containing a lithium salt pre-catalyst onto conducting or inert surfaces to yield mixed lithium nanoparticles. We propose that this method leverages the high electric fields and partial solvation of ions at the gas-water-solid interface to enhance reaction rates and perform

An asymmetric intramolecular reductive coupling of bisimines has been accomplished for the first time under mild conditions with bis((+)-pinanediolato)diboron as the template, providing the unprecedented chiral dihydrophenanthrene-9,10-cis-diamines in high yields and excellent enantioselectivities. The chiral exocyclic cis-diamine products have served as effective chiral ligands for asymmetric catalysis

Although lithium-ion batteries have achieved widespread commercial success, they are not suitable for large-scale energy applications due to limited lithium resource and relatively high cost. In this context, aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have emerged as promising alternatives, offering advantages such as cost-effectiveness, superior safety and simplified manufacturing process. Nevertheless, AZIBs

This study presents an effective and robust portable analyzer-chip system for rapid on-site antibiotic detection. The integrated design enables real-time quantification within 10 minutes, while the interchangeable aptamer probes allow universal sensing of kanamycin and tetracycline. The method demonstrates an early capability for concentration differentiation, excellent selectivity, and straightforward

Current eutectogels still exhibit shortcomings in weak mechanical strength and toughness. Here, a new class of eutectogels facilely prepared by leveraging abundant noncovalent crosslinks between deep eutectic solvents (DES) and polymer chains. The eutectogels with more than 60 wt% liquid exhibit enormous Young’s modulus (655 MPa), fracture strength (16 MPa) and toughness (46 MJ/m3).

We report a simple protocol for the electrochemical synthesis of cyclic sulfites. Starting from diols and easy-to-handle stock solutions of SO2, the reaction features a quasi-divided cell setup under constant current conditions. The feasibility of this novel electrochemical dehydrative reaction was demonstrated by a broad scope of 20 examples, achieving yields up to 87%.

Semi-transparent organic solar cells are suitable for integration into various settings like buildings, automotive vehicles, and greenhouses as electricity-generating elements. For these applications, an important figure of merit is the light utilization efficiency — defined as the product of transparency to visible light and the power conversion efficiency. There is a trade-off between these two parameters:

Zinc batteries are promising for grid-scale energy storage due to their safety, low cost, and high capacity. A key part of their appeal lies in the use of metallic zinc at the anode, which is abundant, non-toxic, and water compatible. However, even when the battery is resting — not charging or discharging — the zinc anode gradually corrodes. Now, Yi Yuan, Alex Robertson and colleagues at the University

A critical consideration of the dominant vocabulary on home energy injustices around the world is overdue. We briefly unpack terms such as ‘energy poor’, ‘fuel poor’, ‘energy vulnerable’ and ‘hard to reach’, question their utility and argue that they may do more harm than good. While acknowledging our own positionality and past use of such terminology, we argue that future debates on the inability

The emergence of two-dimensional (2D) materials has dramatically transformed the landscape of modern electronics, particularly in the realm of wearable, flexible, and next-generation devices. This feature article summarises our achievements and the potential of 2D materials in developing a wearable device prototype, highlighting key material properties, device architectures, and fabrication strategies

A series of rare-earth metal-organic frameworks were synthesized based on a novel pentiptycene-octacarboxylic ligand. High-sensitivity and high-selectivity fluorescent sensing of 1-hydroxypyrene was achieved the europium compound, with a rapid response time of merely 35 seconds and remarkable resilience to interfeents.

The demand for sustainable and fast-charging energy storage systems has grown significantly, yet traditional lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) face challenges related to costly resources and sluggish charge transport kinetics. As a promising alternative, dual-ion batteries (DIBs), also known as anion-shuttle batteries, have gained attention for their high operational voltage and ultrafast charging capabilities

The total syntheses of naturally occurring diterpenoids triptobenzenes N (1c) and R (1d) have been accomplished via a late-stage d-Csp3–H functionalization of an enone intermediate. The highly functionalized dienone intermediate 2 has been utilized as a common scaffold for this study. The XRD analysis of compounds 8 and 4 confirmed the stereochemistry of the quaternary centers of the abietane core

Electrochemical CO2 reduction (ECR) in aprotic electrolytes holds significant potential for mitigating CO2 emissions while producing valuable chemicals. However, challenges such as the hydrogen evolution reaction and electrolyte crossover, caused by the hydrophilicity of anion exchange membrane (AEM) used in the ECR system, greatly hinder its efficiency. This study introduces a facile hydrophobic modification

The hetero-metallo-oligomer monolayers are superior to their monomers for interfacial electrocatalysis but remain unpredictable in synthetic complexity. Here, we present a general strategy to systematically optimize interfacial electrocatalysts by engineering monomer composition and sequence of hetero-oligomer monolayers. These monolayers are prepared by electrochemically sequencing the addition of

TNFRs within the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily represent promising therapeutic targets for cancer treatment, particularly for chemotherapy-resistant cells capable of p53-independent apoptosis induction. We developed peptide agonists utilizing β-sheet structures from FasL and TRAIL as scaffolds to induce oligomerization of CD95 and death receptor 5 (DR5) receptors. Computational design

Lithium extraction from sedimentary brines using spinel lithium manganese oxide, Li1.6Mn1.6O4, is challenging because of the presence of dissolved organic compounds, resulting in manganese reduction and loss. Coating the sorbent with a 7.5 nm layer of zirconium dioxide decreased manganese loss by approximately 50%, while not substantially impacting its adsorption capacity and selectivity, thereby increasing

In poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)-based electrolytes, residual solvents play a crucial role in determining the electrolyte performance. Herein, the influence of various residual solvents on electrolyte properties is investigated through atomistic modeling. It is found that fluorination and reduced molecular volume can facilitate fast ionic diffusion and enhanced cycling stability.

Letter to the Editor

Snippets from Nature’s past.

Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor

After decades of pioneering institutional change in Chinese research, neuroscientist Rao Yi explains why US hesitation might offer China an opportunity to catch up internationally.

Genomic analyses of mother–father–fetus trios after early pregnancy loss uncover contributions from chromosomal abnormalities and subtle genetic variants.

Julian Kirchherr craved a role with real-world impact. A career that straddles academia and management consultancy helped him to achieve his goal.

Research is revealing the cellular mechanisms that link mental well-being and longevity.

A toolkit outlines how academia can prevent various forms of misconduct.

Researchers in both countries are feeling the effects of a string of missile attacks exchanged between them.

Premenopausal women are more likely than men to develop certain cancers. Pathways activated by the sex hormone responsible could be targeted in cancer therapies.

Long (>200 nucleotides) non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in diverse aspects of life. Over 20 classes of lncRNAs have been identified in bacteria and bacteriophages through comparative genomics analyses, but their biological functions remain largely unexplored1-3. Due to the large sizes, the structural determinants of most lncRNAs also remain uncharacterized. Here we report the structures

Models suggest that human-caused global warming would have been detectable in the nineteenth century with today’s know-how.

The decision means that the US biomedical agency has to restore funding to hundreds of research projects, but the government will likely appeal.

Fifty countries have now ratified the UN High Seas Treaty, an agreement to put 30% of the ocean into protected areas. Plus, researchers have grown hearts containing human cells in pig embryos for the first time and the mysterious link between Earth’s magnetism and oxygen.

In response to the escalating demand for advanced energy storage solutions and the pursuit of safer, more sustainable alternatives to conventional lithium-ion batteries, addressing the reversibility and stability challenges of Zn anodes in Zn-air batteries has become imperative. To tackle these issues, particularly under alkaline conditions, a unique separated Zn-air system (SZAS) is demonstrated.

Correction for ‘Decoding recombination dynamics in perovskite solar cells: an in-depth critical review’ by Ramkrishna Das Adhikari et al., Chem. Soc. Rev., 2025, 54, 3962–4034, https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CS01231C.