Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Humboldt University in Berlin have developed a way to capture nearly all the light emitted from tiny diamond defects known as color centers. By placing nanodiamonds into specially designed hybrid nanoantennas with extreme precision, the team achieved record photon collection at room temperature— a necessary step for quantum technologies such as quantum sensors, and quantum-secured communications. The article was selected as a Featured Article in APL Quantum.

Chinese scientists have significantly improved the efficiency of converting carbon dioxide (CO₂) into fuel using sunlight. By introducing controlled "tension" (lattice strain) into specially designed perovskite nanowires, they achieved a fivefold increase in carbon monoxide (CO) production rate compared to unstrained materials. This breakthrough, published in Science Bulletin, leverages strain to manipulate "polaron" quasiparticles, slowing charge recombination and lowering reaction barriers, paving the way for more efficient solar fuel production.

Wildfires, storms, and bark beetle are putting increasing pressure on Europe’s forests. Beyond their ecological toll, these events also carry major economic consequences. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have now quantified the potential financial losses climate change could cause for European forestry. Their findings reveal significant regional differences: while Northern Europe may even benefit, Central and Southern Europe will need to adapt quickly.