The development of a highly responsive and selective gas sensor for volatile organic compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide and acetone, is still required. In a recent study carried out by Chen et al., FeWO₄ hollow spheres modified with Pd nanoparticles were synthesized using ammonium phosphotungstate hydrate dodecahedra as sacrificial templates followed by liquid-phase reduction.

 Researchers have uncovered the initial adaptive mechanisms of Bacillus velezensis C5 when exposed to polyethylene microplastics. Using comparative transcriptomics, the study revealed a robust, polymer‑specific transcriptional program distinct from general starvation or surface‑contact responses. Exposure to polyethylene triggered massive upregulation of genes involved in biofilm formation and sporulation, while genes associated with canonical degradation were not induced. The bacterium remained viable without growth, formed dense biofilms, and increased surface hydrophilicity but caused only subtle physicochemical changes to the plastic. This survival‑first strategy represents a critical initial phase that must be overcome to enable efficient biodegradation.

An research article published in Nano Research provides a comprehensive review of the latest advancements in ADCs, particularly distinguishing different structural subclasses and linking structural types with asymmetric catalytic mechanisms. It discusses the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the high-throughput screening, performance prediction, and elucidation of catalytic mechanisms of ADCs. The review also highlights the intrinsic logical advancements in characterization techniques and the applications of ADCs in key electrocatalytic reactions, such as the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR).

Recently, a team from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (in collaboration with the Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences) made significant progress in strain-modulated optoelectronic perception and neuromorphic vision systems. Their findings were published in Nano Research on February 26, 2026.

When intense femtosecond laser pulses irradiate nanoparticles, the rapid energy deposition triggers a cascade of electronic and ionic responses within an extremely short time window, giving rise to transient nanoplasma shock waves-one of the most extreme states of matter reproducible in laboratory environments. These nanoscale shock waves offer a unique platform for studying mesoscale physical processes on ultrafast timescales, and hold promise for applications ranging from nanofabrication and compact laser-driven ion accelerators to targeted cancer therapies. However, achieving fine control over the spatial characteristics and propagation of nanoplasma shock fronts has remained a long-standing challenge.

Semitransparent thin-film photovoltaics (PV) have been increasing popular for urban structures, vehicles, and applications requiring visible transparency. However, these materials suffer from reduced light absorption, owing to limited absorber volume, leading to low efficiency. In a new study, researchers utilized geometric optics principles to create a novel microprism sheet that leverages light trapping effect to significantly enhance light absorption of thin-film PV sheets.

Batteries are part of everyday life, powering everything from phones and laptops to electric cars. Most rechargeable batteries use a liquid to help lithium ions move during charging and discharging. But this liquid can create safety issues and limit how far battery performance can improve.

Solid-state batteries replace the liquid with a solid material. They could lead to safer, more compact and more powerful batteries. But making them work reliably remains a challenge. Unlike in a liquid, lithium ions must move through solid materials and if this movement is uneven, some parts of the battery may charge faster than others, reducing performance.

For the first time, a team at the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) and its partners have watched the lithium movement in real time using neutron diffraction, the only technique sensitive enough to track lithium deep inside a thick, working battery.

Their results revealed unexpected structural complexity in the electrode, showing that lithium movement inside the battery was not as uniform as expected. Understanding this hidden behaviour could point the way toward smarter battery designs.