A hydroquinone-embedded covalent organic framework (Tz-QH-COF) was designed to address photocatalyst instability in solar-driven H₂O₂ production. The hydroquinone units serve as reversible hole reservoirs, buffering the kinetic imbalances between oxygen reduction and water oxidation. This redox-mediated charge balancing prevents oxidative degradation, enabling continuous H₂O₂ production for 528 hours with an 18.6 mM yield—the longest stability  ever reported for organic photocatalysts. In situ ATR-SEIRAS and DFT calculations confirm an efficient hydroquinone/quinone cycle and favorable reaction pathways.

Tomato plants are increasingly vulnerable to nitrate-induced stress caused by modern agricultural practices. 

Fragrance gives flowers their identity, yet the specific cells orchestrating this scent symphony have remained elusive—until now.

Fruit set, the pivotal moment when flowers transition into fruit, determines the harvest success of grapevines.

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) scholars harness the University’s multidisciplinary strengths to specialise in research on material synthesis, characterisation, and device fabrication for applications in lasers, photosensors and photothermal technologies. With a focus on synthesizing, processing and characterizing low-dimensional materials, the research led by Prof. Yuen Hong TSANG, Professor of the Department of Applied Physics and his team drives impactful applications across various fields of optics and photonics.

What makes a chili pepper spicy, colorful, and full of flavor? 

A team of researchers has developed a new biosensor that turns the invisible signals into visible color changes to detect urea levels in a simple way. 

A new study reveals the critical role of the WRKY-B transcription factor in regulating lateral branch development in tomato plants.

Scientists have engineered a biomimetic sensor that mimics human taste perception by harnessing lab-grown taste bud organoids and microelectrode arrays (MEAs). 

Researchers have developed a new type of nanoelectromechanical system (NEMS) accelerometer using fully clamped, double-layer graphene membranes with attached silicon proof masses.