All-PbS quantum dot (QD) tandem solar cells (TSC), modified with D18-Cl interfacial passivation, achieve a record 13.15% efficiency and superior stability boosted by enhanced carrier extraction in semi-transparent wide-bandgap top cells.

Researchers at Huazhong University of Science and Technology have developed an IRS-assisted UAV FSO system that unifies intermittent jamming, composite channel effects, and performance–cost optimization, slashing outage probability tenfold within budget for military, disaster response, and 6G applications.

Turning carbon dioxide into clean fuels just got more efficient. A new study in Engineering explores a promising technique that removes water vapor during CO₂ hydrogenation, helping reactions run better at lower pressures. The method supports methane, methanol, and dimethyl ether (DME) production using green hydrogen and captured CO₂. While challenges in materials and reactor design remain, this approach could make low-carbon synthetic fuels more practical for industry and energy transition.

Superhydrophobic wearable strain sensors represent an emerging frontier in flexible electronics, offering the potential to bridge the gap between laboratory prototypes and practical applications in humid, corrosive, or underwater environments. However, their widespread adoption is hindered by insufficient robustness against chemical, mechanical, and wetting state failures. The current literature lacks systematic insights into coupled multimode failures and integrated optimization frameworks, and standardized protocols for robustness evaluation remain absent. This review systematically summarizes strategies for material selection, structural design, and functional integration in superhydrophobic systems, with a focus on analyzing failure mechanisms across chemical, mechanical, and interfacial state dimensions. Key quantitative benchmarks—including resistance drift, contact angle retention, and cyclic stability—are established. We introduce a “failure-mechanism-oriented robustness optimization” framework and summarize corresponding testing standards. Finally, we discuss key future challenges and potential breakthroughs, most urgently the development of eco-friendly low-surface-energy modifiers and unified testing protocols, providing a theoretical framework and technological roadmap for the next generation of robust amphibious flexible sensing systems.

Liquid ammonia is drawing growing attention as a promising carbon-neutral fuel for engines. A new review in Engineering summarizes recent advances in liquid-ammonia injection, spray, and combustion technologies, while highlighting key challenges such as low reactivity, high latent heat, and increased nitrogen-based emissions. It also evaluates dual-fuel solutions, improved ignition methods, and engine applications, pointing out a feasible path toward low-carbon transport and power systems.

Looking for cleaner, low-carbon fuel alternatives? A new review in Engineering breaks through the complex combustion chemistry of biomass-derived oxygenated fuels. It reveals how molecular structures shape burning behaviors, summarizes key reaction patterns of five major fuel types, and points out clear research paths for more accurate kinetic models. This article offers accessible insights for anyone interested in renewable energy and sustainable combustion development.

Ionic liquid-based localized high-concentration electrolytes (IL-based LHCEs), derived from non-solvating diluents and ionic liquid electrolytes (ILEs), are promising candidates for long-life and safe lithium metal batteries (LMBs). However, conventional understanding holds that diluents merely reduce electrolyte viscosity and enhance ionic conductivity at the macroscopic level, overlooking their influence on the solvation structure at the molecular scale. Herein, we propose an anion–diluent decoupled solvation structure that is more conducive to stable cycling of high-voltage LMBs. Specifically, diluents with weak interactions toward FSI⁻ anions effectively promote coordination between FSI⁻ anions and Li⁺, leading to a solvation structure dominated by contact ion pairs (CIPs). The small anionic clusters within CIPs in IL-based LHCEs further facilitate Li⁺ ion transport. Moreover, compared to aggregate (AGG)-dominated solvation structures rich in anions and electrons, the CIPs exhibit superior oxidation resistance, contributing to the formation of a thin and compact cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI). As a proof, an IL-based LHCE incorporating 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl methyl ether (TFE) as the diluent (TFE-LHCE) was developed. A Li||TFE-LHCE||NCM523 (LiNi_0.5Mn_0.3Co_0.2O₂) cell cycled at 4.3 V achieves a capacity retention of 70% after 600 cycles, while a Li||NCM811 (LiNi_0.8Mn_0.1Co_0.1O₂) cell at 4.5 V retains 88% capacity after 200 cycles. Furthermore, a 2.6 Ah Li||NCM83 (LiNi_0.83Mn_0.1Co_0.07O₂) pouch cell demonstrates stable cycling over 40 cycles and successfully passes a nail penetration safety test. This work elucidates the critical mechanism by which nonsolvating diluents reconstruct the Li⁺ ion solvation structure, establishing a theoretical foundation for the rational screening and design of highperformance electrolyte diluents.

As renewable energy like wind and solar booms, coal-fired power plants are taking on a new flexible role. A new review in Engineering explores how intelligent perception, control, and operation technologies are upgrading these plants. It details real-world applications such as flywheel energy storage and unmanned operation, showing practical ways to boost flexibility, efficiency, and reliability while supporting a low-carbon energy transition.