Intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) is one of the most important photophysical mechanisms in organic fluorophores. Among ICT processes, TICT (Twisted Intramolecular Charge Transfer) and PICT (Planar Intramolecular Charge Transfer) represent two highly representative yet frequently confused mechanisms. Although their ground-state structures appear remarkably similar, their excited-state conformations and emission behaviors diverge dramatically. This “similar structures but opposite properties” paradox has long hindered the rational design of fluorescent molecules, making probe development costly, time-consuming, and difficult to scale to large molecular libraries. To address this challenge, the authors Prof. Jie Dong and Prof. Wenbin Zeng from the Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University employed interpretable artificial intelligence to unveil the deep chemical structural essence distinguishing TICT and PICT fluorophores at a systematic level. They further proposed AI-guided design rules for intelligent fluorophore development, significantly improving design efficiency. The key highlights of the study include: (1) Constructing the first comprehensive TICT and PICT fluorophore dataset, covering molecules from nearly a decade of research. (2) Using interpretable algorithms to successfully identify the key factors that critically influence TICT and PICT mechanisms. (3) Releasing an easy-to-use decision tree only based on simple molecular descriptors and fingerprints, ensuring a fast decision and modification when designing TICT and PICT molecules. (4) Proposing the first AI-guided structural design rules for TICT and PICT fluorophores. (5) Conducting both experimental tests and quantitative calculations which confirmed the potential of the approach for the efficient and reliable discovery of TICT and PICT fluorophore candidates.

A research paper by scientists at University of Queensland burst stimulation as an alternative to the conventional stimulation protocol to achieve more sustained responses of cyborg insects from darkling beetles (Zophobas morio)..

The research paper, published on Mar 9, 2026 in the journal Cyborg and Bionic Systems.

Red soil exhibits a high susceptibility to geological disasters and engineering instability owing to its significant dispersibility and substantial strength attenuation upon exposure to water. Consequently, there is an urgent necessity to enhance its engineering properties. As an environmentally friendly and cost-effective industrial by-product, building gypsum powder demonstrates significant potential in improving the mechanical properties of red soil. It not only reduces the burden of landfilling and lowers material costs but also achieves efficient waste utilization and resource recycling, substantially cutting expenses related to soil stabilization and improvement. It is expected to provide a scientific basis for the analysis of geological hazards such as debris flows, landslides, and collapses in red soil regions, as well as offer guidance for selecting appropriate types and dosage of soil modifiers in practical engineering projects.