Recently, the work was completed by the group of Prof. Sheng Meng from the Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Beijing National Research Center for Condensed Matter Physics. By using the non-adiabatic time-dependent density functional molecular dynamics method, independently developed by the group software (TDAP), they studied the ultrafast melting process in insulator magnesium oxide (MgO) materials, confirming that longer-wavelength laser-induced tunnel ionization is an important reason for accelerating ultrafast melting in wide-bandgap insulator materials, which provides the universal microscopic mechanism explanations for the laser-induced phase transitions.

Porous organic crystals with superior properties as CO₂ adsorbents were created by researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo. Owing to the novel 2.5-dimensional skeleton, the materials feature ultrahigh-density amines. The covalently-bonded microporous skeleton and high crystallinity realize fast CO₂ adsorption and high thermal stability. Their low adsorption heat, only one-fourth of the current amine scrubbing method, and their light-elemental nature can reduce the cost for CO₂ separation from flue gases.

Researchers from Nantong University developed a novel targeted drug delivery system using functionalized pillararenes for multimodal synergistic cancer therapy, combining chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy to precisely attack tumor cells while sparing healthy ones.

Over time, batteries break down. Studying this process in-depth with imaging techniques may help us improve the lifespan of batteries.

The International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing has published a study by Professor Zhenyu Zhang and his team at Dalian University of Technology, detailing their innovation of an eco-friendly photocatalytic chemical mechanical polishing (PCMP) slurry specifically designed for diamond polishing. This innovative, green PCMP slurry not only delivers high-quality and efficient polishing outcomes but also adheres to sustainable practices, marking a substantial leap forward in material processing technology. Their research offers fresh perspectives on achieving an atomic-level diamond surface, paving the way for potential applications in high-performance devices.

Ancient Egyptian mummified bodies smell ‘woody,’ ‘spicy’ and ‘sweet’, finds a new study led by researchers from UCL and the University of Ljubljana, revealing new details about mumification practices.

A Nebraska research team recently published a study in Communications Earth and Environment that is one of the first to show that methanogens, micro-organsms ubiquitous in low-oxygen envrionments like aquifers, soil and even permafrost, can propel their growth by dissolving calcium carbonate, one of the Earth's most abundant minerals. The discovery paints a clearer picture of carbon flow through the environment and offers new information to guide bioenergy development.