Imagine using one laser beam to 'write' instructions into a material and another to 'bend' it into a complex, functional shape—all on the spot, without moving a thing. Researchers at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) have turned this concept into reality, developing a novel dual-laser method that creates adaptive, shape-locking devices in situ.

In the International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing, A novel conductive hydrogel, termed AirCell Hydrogel and developed by Tianjin University researchers, exhibits an ultra-high sensitivity of 18.9. Its smooth surface enables conformal adhesion that effectively suppresses motion artifacts, while its porous interior structure lowers the Young's modulus during deformation tracking.

A new review in International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing highlights the rapid progress in turning metallic materials into flexible electrodes (FEs) and, ultimately, soft epidermal electrodes (SEEs). Unlike the rigid metal pads traditionally used in medical monitoring, SEEs are engineered to mimic the softness and stretchability of skin itself. They conform like a second layer of tissue, remaining comfortable even during long wear and delivering stable, high-quality signals.

In International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing, researchers used a carefully tuned femtosecond laser under water immersion to etch nanogratings just 46 nanometers apart with groove widths near 13 nanometers onto highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG). It addresses a long-standing challenge: fabricating uniform structures smaller than 100 nanometers.

Ce-MOFs based solid frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) were designed via a competitive coordination strategy using single-carboxylate ligands. Functional groups (–NH₂, –OH, –Br, –NO₂) modulate the Ce–CUS/Ce–OH acid–base sites, enhancing H₂ heterolytic cleavage through a “push-pull” effect. The optimized MOF-808-NH₂ achieves complete conversion of styrene and dicyclopentadiene at 100 °C and 2 MPa, providing an efficient pathway for green olefin hydrogenation catalysis.

Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts reports a 1 000-L process that converts 20 % solids corn stover into 10.6 g L⁻¹ Rhodosporidium toruloides lipids. After 80-day 6 % NaOH ambient storage, one-hour steam and cloth-squeeze detox, the fed-batch fermentation achieves 93.6 % total reducing-sugar recovery and a palm-oil-like fatty-acid profile without centrifuges, demonstrating scalable, low-energy microbial oil production from agricultural waste.

Researchers have discovered a powerful synergy between gold, manganese, and copper that could transform the way we produce valuable chemicals. By supporting tiny gold nanoparticles on a specially designed perovskite material (LaMn_0.75Cu_0.25O₃), the team achieved an impressive 95% yield of acetaldehyde from ethanol at just 225 °C, a major step toward cleaner, more efficient chemical processes. The secret lies in the smart use of copper. A small amount of Cu dramatically improves the catalyst by creating active sites that speed up the toughest step in the reaction. But there’s a catch: too much copper destabilizes the system, reducing efficiency. This delicate balance highlights the importance of atomic-level design in next-generation catalysts for sustainable chemical manufacturing.

Radiative cooling systems (RCSs) possess the distinctive capability to dissipate heat energy via solar and thermal radiation, making them suitable for thermal regulation and energy conservation applications, essential for mitigating the energy crisis. A comprehensive review connecting the advancements in engineered radiative cooling systems (ERCSs), encompassing material and structural design as well as thermal and energy-related applications, is currently absent. Herein, this review begins with a concise summary of the essential concepts of ERCSs, followed by an introduction to engineered materials and structures, containing nature-inspired designs, chromatic materials, meta-structural configurations, and multilayered constructions. It subsequently encapsulates the primary applications, including thermal-regulating textiles and energy-saving devices. Next, it highlights the challenges of ERCSs, including maximized thermoregulatory effects, environmental adaptability, scalability and sustainability, and interdisciplinary integration. It seeks to offer direction for forthcoming fundamental research and industrial advancement of radiative cooling systems in real-world applications.

MXene-based smart contact lenses demonstrate a cutting-edge advancement in wearable ophthalmic technology, combining real-time biosensing, therapeutic capabilities, and user comfort in a single platform. These devices take the advantage of the exceptional electrical conductivity, mechanical flexibility, and biocompatibility of two-dimensional MXenes to enable noninvasive, tear-based monitoring of key physiological markers such as intraocular pressure and glucose levels. Recent developments focus on the integration of transparent MXene films into the conventional lens materials, allowing multifunctional performance including photothermal therapy, antimicrobial and anti-inflammation protection, and dehydration resistance. These innovations offer promising strategies for ocular disease management and eye protection. In addition to their multifunctionality, improvements in MXene synthesis and device engineering have enhanced the stability, transparency, and wearability of these lenses. Despite these advances, challenges remain in long-term biostability, scalable production, and integration with wireless communication systems. This review summarizes the current progress, key challenges, and future directions of MXene-based smart contact lenses, highlighting their transformative potential in next-generation digital healthcare and ophthalmic care.

As global demand for green hydrogen grows, scientists are exploring direct seawater electrolysis as a sustainable way to produce hydrogen without consuming scarce freshwater. Yet, seawater contains abundant chloride ions, which corrode electrodes and drastically shorten device lifetimes — a major barrier to commercialization.