Semantic communications have revolutionized wireless communication in this century. In a new study, SeoulTech researchers have investigated ConcreteSC, a novel digital communication framework that eliminates massive codebooks in semantic communication systems through temperature-controlled concrete distributions. The research demonstrates up to threefold improvements in image quality metrics and 39x faster processing speeds compared to traditional vector quantization methods in wireless communication systems.

Tuning magnetic properties in quasicrystals is limited by fixed elemental ratios set by stoichiometry. Now, researchers from Japan developed a “double hetero-valent elemental substitution” method, where atoms are replaced with others of different valency but similar size. Applying this to a Ga-based approximant crystal, they substituted gallium and platinum with gold, transforming the material’s magnetic state from spin-glass to ferromagnetic. The approach allows precise magnetic control, paving the way for advanced magnetocaloric materials.

Peptidyl-arginine deiminase 2 (PAD2) enzyme converts arginine amino acid residues in histone proteins into citrulline groups and promotes tumor cell proliferation in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, report researchers from Institute of Science Tokyo, Japan. Administration of PAD inhibitors reduced PRUNE1 expression and suppressed tumor cell proliferation in both pancreatic cancer cell lines and mouse models. The study thus lays the foundation for future anticancer therapies targeting PAD2 enzymatic activity.

Hydrogel-based devices—such as hydrogel pores—are widely used in miniaturized applications ranging from drug delivery to flexible electronics and robotics. Yet conventional designs with simple geometries often suffer from slow, unpredictable actuation and offer limited control. In a recent study, researchers introduced an origami-inspired “facet-driven folding” strategy using polygonal hydrogel pores to deliver highly controlled, programmable actuation, opening new possibilities for selective drug delivery and information encryption.

Switchable underwater adhesion is desirable for various robotic applications. Recently, a team of researchers from SEOULTECH have proposed a novel hydrogel-based starfish-inspired tube foot that enables temporary yet strong underwater adhesion and transportation. Its underlying mechanism utilizes pressure difference or suction, with pneumatic actuation as the detachment trigger. This innovation is expected to revolutionize display manufacturing technology as well as biomedical engineering.

Metal–carbon dioxide (CO₂) batteries hold great promise for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and are regarded as one of the most promising energy storage techniques due to their efficiency advantages in CO₂ recovery and conversion. Moreover, rechargeable nonaqueous metal–CO₂ batteries have attracted much attention due to their high theoretical energy density. However, the stability issues of the electrode–electrolyte interfaces of nonaqueous metal–CO₂ (lithium (Li)/sodium (Na)/potassium (K)–CO₂) batteries have been troubling its development, and a large number of related research in the field of electrolytes have conducted in recent years. This review retraces the short but rapid research history of nonaqueous metal–CO₂ batteries with a detailed electrochemical mechanism analysis. Then it focuses on the basic characteristics and design principles of electrolytes, summarizes the latest achievements of various types of electrolytes in a timely manner and deeply analyzes the construction strategies of stable electrode–electrolyte interfaces for metal–CO₂ batteries. Finally, the key issues related to electrolytes and interface engineering are fully discussed and several potential directions for future research are proposed. This review enriches a comprehensive understanding of electrolytes and interface engineering toward the practical applications of next-generation metal–CO₂ batteries.