Developing high-efficient flame-retardant coatings is crucial for fire safety polymer and battery fields. Traditional intumescent coatings and ceramifiable coatings struggle to provide immediate and prolonged protection simultaneously, which limits the applicability. To address this, an innovative bi-layered coating with organic/nano-inorganic additives is inspired by differential response behaviors, enabling relay response effect with both fast-acting and extended protection. Specifically, two layers function continuously in the form of a relay. With a mere 320 microns, the bi-layered coating withstands fire temperatures of up to 1400 °C for at least 900 s. Consequently, the coating effective prevented burn through in aluminum plates and glass fabric-reinforced epoxy resin, which otherwise were burned through in 135 and 173 s, respectively. Meanwhile, the bi-layered coating suppressed the formation and decomposition of solid interface layer in lithium soft-package batteries, leading to prolonged electrochemical stability and fire safety. Additionally, the bi-layered coating with a fast response endows polyurethane foam with rapid self-extinguishing, preventing ignition even under exposure to strong fire of 1400 °C. Shortly, our work offers new insights into the design and development of thin, high-performance, and multi-application flame-retardant coatings.

Advances in wearable electronics and information technology drive sports data collection and analysis toward real-time visualization and precision. The growing pursuit of athleticism and healthy life makes it appealing for individuals to track their real-time health and exercise data seamlessly. While numerous devices enable sports and health monitoring, maintaining comfort over long periods remains a considerable challenge, especially in high-intensity and sweaty sports scenarios. Textiles, with their breathability, deformability, and moisture-wicking abilities, ensure exceptional comfort during prolonged wear, making them ideal for wearable platforms. This review summarized the progress of research on textile-based sports monitoring devices. First, the design principles and fabrication methods of smart textiles were introduced systematically. Textiles undergo a distinctive fiber–yarn–fabric or fiber–fabric manufacturing process that allows for the regulation of performance and the integration of functional elements at every step. Then, the performance requirements for precise sports data collection of smart textiles, including main vital signs, joint movement, and data transmission, were discussed. Lastly, the applications of smart textiles in various sports scenarios are demonstrated. Additionally, the review provides an in-depth analysis of the emerging challenges, strategies, and opportunities for the research and development of sports-oriented smart textiles. Smart textiles not only maintain comfort and accuracy in sports, but also serve as inexpensive and efficient information-gathering terminals. Therefore, developing multifunctional, cost-effective textile-based systems for personalized sports and healthcare is a pressing need for the future of intelligent sports.

Abstract

Purpose – Although an increasing body of research has examined the role of emission trading systems (ETS) at the macroeconomic level and their various effects at the firm level (Liu et al., 2022; Zhang et al., 2023; Ni et al., 2022; Huang et al., 2024; Ren et al., 2024), there remains a lack of systematic empirical analysis on the specific impact of pilot implementations in different regions on the cost of equity for high-carbon firms, particularly when accounting for varying levels of regional economic development and firm characteristics. Therefore, this study employs a difference-in-differences (DiD) approach to systematically analyze the impact of ETS pilots on the cost of equity for high-carbon firms.

Design/methodology/approach – From late 2013, several regions initiated carbon ETS pilots. ETS’s phased and orderly implementation provides an excellent quasi-natural experiment for formulating a DID model. The pilot regions span China’s eastern, central and western areas, covering various stages of socio-economic development, effectively representing China. To examine the impact of ETS on the cost of equity for high-carbon firms, we use a staggered DiD approach.

Findings – We find that the implementation of ETS significantly increases high-carbon firms’ cost of equity. Investors request more compensation for the increased stock return volatility, reduced operating cash flows and heightened distress risks following ETS. The effect is more pronounced for firms with severe financing constraints, while it is alleviated in state-owned enterprises and firms with higher institutional ownership. Additionally, the effect of ETS is stronger in areas with better governance capacity and economic conditions.

Originality/value – First, this paper complements to some extent the literature on the microeconomic consequences of carbon trading systems. Second, this paper has some policy implications by discussing the heterogeneity of ETS effects at firm and regional levels. We find that ETS had a greater impact on non-state-owned enterprises, suggesting that the government should support the transformation of non-state-owned enterprises by providing targeted assistance for complying with carbon-trading regulations and promoting green economic growth. Additionally, we find that ETS is more effective in economically developed areas with good governance capacity, which means that the government should tailor local carbon trading policies to each region’s governance and economic conditions and avoid a one-size-fits-all approach.

Researchers from the China Institute of Atomic Energy (CIAE) and Lanzhou University have jointly conducted systematic integral experiments using D-T and D-D neutron sources on natural lead (^natPb) slabs. By addressing key data gaps in large-angle neutron scattering and thoroughly validating four major evaluated nuclear data libraries, this study establishes new benchmark data, supporting safer reactor designs, advanced fusion systems, and optimized radiation shielding applications.

A new study published in Engineering offers fresh insights into Alzheimer’s disease, revealing that inhibiting an enzyme called ST6Gal-I can reduce levels of BACE1 and amyloid-β plaques, which are key factors in the disease’s progression. This research underscores the potential of targeting glycosylation pathways as a strategy for developing new treatments for Alzheimer’s.

In a recent article published in Engineering, researchers Li Guo and Jinghai Li from the Chinese Academy of Sciences explore the future development of artificial intelligence (AI), emphasizing the need for consistency in the logical structures of datasets, AI models, model-building software, and hardware. They argue that while current AI systems excel at handling statistical properties of complex systems, they face challenges in effectively representing spatiotemporal complexity patterns. The authors propose integrating principles of multilevel complexity into AI development to enhance its functionality and reliability in engineering applications.