Short-term changes in sea level can greatly affect coastal communities and maritime industries, making accurate predictions essential. A team of researchers recently optimized the training of an AI model to improve the accuracy of North Pacific Ocean sea level anomaly (SLA) forecasts compared to current state-of-the-art numerical and AI models.

The guest-host chemistry in polymer electrolytes plays a crucial role for all-solid-state Li metal batteries, where the stable operation of such batteries heavily relies on high ion conductivity, strong mechanical properties and stable interfaces of the electrolyte. While traditional ceramic fillers can boost ion conductivity, they fail to improve interfacial stability. In this study, we introduce intermolecular hydrogen bonding into a polyethylene oxide (PEO)-based polymer electrolyte through the incorporation of metal organic framework (MOF) and lithium nitrate additives. The hydrogen on the PEO chain is found to be tightly interacted with the oxygen nodes of UiO-66 MOF and nitrate anions, creating a cross-linked framework that reduces the crystallinity of the PEO and enhances the integrity of composite. This interaction induces a beneficial Li₃N and LiF-rich solid electrolyte interphase, ensuring 2000 hours of stable lithium metal operation without short-circuits. The strong polysulfide adsorption enables compatibility with high-capacity sulfur cathodes, resulting in solid-state Li-S batteries that can achieve a high capacity of 913.8 mAh g^-1 and exhibit stable cycling performance. This work demonstrates the deep understanding of guest-host chemistry in polymer electrolytes and their potential in developing energy-dense solid-state Li metal batteries.

The Gulf of America is experiencing accelerated sea-level rise driven by ocean dynamics, vertical land motion and warming waters, intensifying flood risks for coastal communities – especially rural, under-resourced areas with limited planning capacity. A new four-year, $900,000 grant supports high-resolution modeling, machine learning and community engagement to deliver precise local projections, deploy water sensors and build an accessible AI platform, equipping communities with actionable forecasts to strengthen resilience and long-term adaptation.