Plant immune inducers are crucial tools for the green management of crop diseases. As an environmentally friendly biological inducer, oligochitosan (COS) can activate plant defense mechanisms to resist pathogens such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses.

Against the backdrop of continuous global population growth and changes in dietary structures, aquaculture has emerged as one of the fastest-growing food production sectors. However, as its scale expands, concerns about its environmental impacts, particularly greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, have grown. Have you ever wondered how much GHG is emitted during the production of the fish, shrimp, and shellfish on your plate? Where do these emissions come from, and how can they be reduced?

Researchers at the University of Oxford have created ultrathin liquid crystal Fresnel lenses whose focusing power can be switched ON and OFF electrically. Using 3D femtosecond-laser printing inside a liquid crystal layer, the team are able to create  a smooth continuous phase profile that significantly boosts optical efficiency compared with that of a binary lens. A secondary design feature enables switching between two focal lengths, enabling compact varifocal optics for AR/VR, imaging, and adaptive optics.