A low-Tg chalcogenide-glass adhesive (As-S(Se)-I, Tg = 8.85 ℃, n≈2.1) is presented that bonds at 120 ℃, wets interfaces, fills gaps, and cools into a robust glass bonding layer. It lifts transmission to a maximum of 91%, reduces reflection to 4.8% (from 58.5%), increases the laser-damage threshold by >59%, and enables 11.7 W delivery from endcap fiber, providing a universal, thermoplastic yet stable route to compact, high-power, thermally reliable mid-IR photonic systems.

A large-scale study with data from Brazilian Cerrado streams found that about half of the field sampling effort preserved the ability of most habitat and biological indices to distinguish stream disturbance levels, while greatly reducing time and costs. Macroinvertebrate indices remained robust under reduced sampling, and only fish richness was more sensitive to lower effort. The findings suggest that faster, more cost-effective stream assessments could support biomonitoring programs in tropical regions with limited funding.

Linzhi Yu et al. have developed compact metasurface operators for all-optical image processing, enabled by double-phase encoding and polarization multiplexing. This ultrathin nanophotonic platform performs real-time light field transformations, including edge detection, object recognition, and volumetric holography. The work introduces new possibilities for ultra-compact, energy-efficient analog computing systems, with potential applications in imaging, sensing, and holographic displays.

Researchers developed an automated cold plasma and bubble system for dual modality function of treating food-industry wastewater and transforming into nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer for hydroponic farming. This automated electrified flow system runs on a low energy, reduced wastewater organic load while simultaneously improving plant growth, offering a scalable and promising route toward sustainable agriculture and water reuse.

The global transition to a fossil-free energy system highlights the need for photovoltaic technologies that combine high efficiency with scalability, durability, and flexibility. Monolithic perovskite/Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ tandem solar cells (TSCs) are an attractive thin-film alternative to perovskite/silicon TSCs, combining low-temperature processing, mechanical flexibility, and radiation tolerance. However, their practical potential remains constrained by coupled optical, electronic, and interfacial losses. This work develops a modelling approach integrating calibrated optical simulations, drift–diffusion device modelling, and a Shockley–Queisser (SQ) formalism, which incorporates empirical non-radiative recombination factors extracted from an external database. Starting from a certified 24.6% Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH TSC, the analysis identifies the dominant bottlenecks, quantifies the impact of defect passivation, optical optimization, and bandgap tuning, and extends the assessment to annual energy yield across representative climates. The results estimate practical efficiency limits above 35% and demonstrate significant energy-yield gains under real outdoor conditions, compared with perovskite and Cu(In, Ga)Se₂ stand-alone devices, for both fixed-tilt and one-axis tracking configurations. At the same time, the database-informed SQ formalism provides a realistic benchmark by linking empirical non-radiative recombination factors to device performance, supporting consistent assessment across tandem architectures. Overall, these findings position perovskite/CIGS tandems as credible high-performance candidates within the landscape of next-generation photovoltaic technologies.

A review of 56 field studies reveals that vegetative barriers reduce agricultural runoff by 40% and sediment loss by 63% on average, with even stronger performance in dry climates. Woody barriers outperform grass-only strips, but high variability across sites means effectiveness is hard to predict using simple design rules alone. The researchers offer a probabilistic model to help farmers and land managers make better decisions, positioning vegetative barriers as a practical alternative to cover crops in water-limited regions.

Micro-gestures – those almost invisible, fleeting body movements lasting less than a second – can reveal genuine emotions and intentions that words often hide.