All-inorganic CsPbI₃ quantum dots (QDs) are regarded as promising candidates for advanced display materials due to their outstanding optoelectronic properties. However, conventional high-temperature thermal injection methods struggle with precise bandgap tuning, making it challenging to achieve pure red emission from CsPbI₃QDs. Now, in a study published in Science Bulletin, researchers from Zhejiang University of Technology have developed a thermally stable ethylammonium (EA⁺) doping strategy for CsPbI₃ QDs, achieving Rec.2020-standard pure-red perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) with a high external quantum efficiency exceed 26%. The key innovation lies in an in situ acid–base equilibrium reaction that generates thermally stable ethylammonium oleate. This allows for the successful synthesis of EA⁺-doped CsPbI₃ QDs via high-temperature thermal injection, enabling precise emission tuning (630-650 nm) and exceptional spectral stability. The breakthrough opens new avenues for high-performance display technologies.

A study in National Science Review reports systematic observations of diazotroph abundance, community structure, and N₂ fixation rates in the western North Pacific. Using generalized additive models, the team characterized ecological niches of key cyanobacterial diazotrophs and quantified UCYN-B’s contribution to global N₂ fixation. The findings highlight UCYN-B’s pivotal role in marine N₂ fixation and provide new insights into ocean nitrogen cycle and productivity under climate change.

Lithium–oxygen batteries (LOBs) offer extraordinary energy density but face critical roadblocks in efficiency and lifespan. A new study unveils a breakthrough catalyst design using phosphorus-doped MnMoO₄ hollow nanospheres, which leverage a “relay orbital hybridization” effect to accelerate reaction kinetics and stabilize cycling. This approach strengthens internal bonding within the catalysts while simultaneously activating external orbital interactions with lithium superoxide intermediates, dramatically improving charge transfer. As a result, the engineered cathodes delivered stable operation for over 380 cycles at high current density, outperforming even some noble-metal systems. The discovery provides a blueprint for designing cost-effective catalysts capable of powering the next generation of sustainable energy storage.

Creating strongly coupled heterostructures with favorable catalytic activities is crucial for promoting the performance of catalytic reactions, especially those involve multiple intermediates. Herein, we fabricated a strongly coupled platinum/molybdenum nitrides nanocluster heterostructure on nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide (Pt/Mo₂N–NrGO) for alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction. The well-defined Pt-containing Anderson-type polyoxometalates promote strong interfacial Pt–N–Mo bonding in Pt/Mo₂N–NrGO, which exhibits a remarkably low overpotential, high mass activity, and exceptional long-term durability (> 500 h at 1500 mA cm^-2) in an anion-exchange membrane water electrolyzer (AEMWE). Operando Raman spectroscopy and density functional theory reveal that pronounced electronic coupling at the Pt/Mo₂N cluster interface facilitates the catalytic decomposition of H₂O through synergistic stabilization of intermediates (Pt–H* and Mo-OH*), thereby enhancing the kinetics of the rate-determining Volmer step. Techno-economic analysis indicates a levelized hydrogen production cost of $2.02 kg^-1, meeting the US DOE targets. Our strategy presents a viable pathway to designing next-generation catalysts for industrial AEMWE for green hydrogen production.

Inverse lithography technology (ILT) is driving transformative innovations in semiconductor patterning processes. This paper reviews the evolution of ILT, providing an analysis of the applications in semiconductor manufacturing. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has introduced breakthroughs for ILT, such as convolutional neural networks, generative adversarial networks, and model-driven deep learning, demonstrating potential in large-scale integrated circuit design and fabrication. This paper discusses future directions for ILT, which is expected to provide insights into semiconductor industry development.

The review, entitled “Design strategies for high entropy materials in water electrolysis: enhancing activity, stability, and reaction kinetics,” presents an integrated framework guiding the development of HEMs from atomic-level tuning to industrial-scale application. “The core advantage of HEMs lies in their multi-element composition, which brings synergistic effects that single-element catalysts cannot achieve,” said Dr. Jing Zhang, the first author and a PhD candidate at Shanghai University. “This allows us to simultaneously optimize activity, stability, and reaction kinetics.”