In the realm of secure information storage, optical encryption has emerged as a vital technique, particularly with the miniaturization of encryption devices. However, many existing systems lack the necessary reconfigurability and dynamic functionality. This study presents a novel approach through the development of dynamic optical-to-chemical energy conversion metamaterials, which enable enhanced steganography and multilevel information storage. We introduce a micro-dynamic multiple encryption device that leverages programmable optical properties in coumarin-based metamaterials, achieved through a direct laser writing grayscale gradient strategy. This methodology allows for the dynamic regulation of photoluminescent characteristics and cross-linking networks, facilitating innovative steganographic techniques under varying light conditions. The integration of a multi-optical field control system enables real-time adjustments to the material’s properties, enhancing the device’s reconfigurability and storage capabilities. Our findings underscore the potential of these metamaterials in advancing the field of microscale optical encryption, paving the way for future applications in dynamic storage and information security.

Sustainable water, energy and food (WEF) supplies are the bedrock upon which human society depends. Solar-driven interfacial evaporation, combined with electricity generation and cultivation, is a promising approach to mitigate the freshwater, energy and food crises. However, the performance of solar-driven systems decreases significantly during operation due to uncontrollable weather. This study proposes an integrated water/electricity cogeneration–cultivation system with superior thermal management. The energy storage evaporator, consisting of energy storage microcapsules/hydrogel composites, is optimally designed for sustainable desalination, achieving an evaporation rate of around 1.91 kg m⁻² h⁻¹. In the dark, heat released from the phase-change layer supported an evaporation rate of around 0.54 kg m⁻² h⁻¹. Reverse electrodialysis harnessed the salinity-gradient energy enhanced during desalination, enabling the long-running WEC system to achieve a power output of ~0.3 W m⁻², which was almost three times higher than that of conventional seawater/surface water mixing. Additionally, an integrated crop irrigation platform utilized system drainage for real-time, on-demand wheat cultivation without secondary contaminants, facilitating seamless WEF integration. This work presents a novel approach to all-day solar water production, electricity generation and crop irrigation, offering a solution and blueprint for the sustainable development of WEF.

In our increasingly electrified world, supercapacitors have emerged as critical components in transportation and renewable energy systems, prized for their remarkable power density, cycling stability, and rapid charge-discharge capabilities. However, accu

In a paper published in aBIOTECH, the authors developed APTES—a deep learning system for automated segmentation of individual Arabidopsis leaves and siliques, coupled with the calculation of 128 phenotypic traits. The extracted traits are readily applicable to genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and other genetic analyses. Using this tool, the authors identified 1,042 trait-associated SNPs in their GWAS.

 

Professor Wen-Bo Liu's research group at Wuhan University reported a nickel-catalyzed regioselective hydrogen metallization/5-exo-trig cyclization reaction. Using β-propargylcyclobutanone as a starting material, multi-substituted bicyclo[2.1.1]hexanol can be synthesized in one step, followed by skeletal rearrangement to yield 1,2,4-trisubstituted bicyclo[2.1.1]hexanone. This structure can be used for diverse derivatization reactions. DFT computational studies elucidated the crucial role of carbonyl coordination in regioselectivity control. This research provides a new method for obtaining structurally diverse bicyclo[2.1.1]hexane (BCH) derivatives, with potential applications in drug development. The article was published as an open access research article in CCS Chemistry, the flagship journal of the Chinese Chemical Society.

The inspiring online talk, "Turn Waste Into Wonder: Discover How 'Supercharged Biochar' Can Grow a Greener Future!" is now available on demand.

A new scientific review highlights major advances in the use of iron enhanced biochar as a powerful tool for cleaning contaminated environments and supporting sustainable agriculture. The study synthesizes recent breakthroughs in modifying biochar with iron to dramatically improve its ability to capture pollutants, catalyze chemical reactions, and stabilize nutrients in soil and water systems.

Antibiotic resistance is widely recognized as one of the most urgent public health challenges of the twenty first century. Now, a new study shows that even very small amounts of antibiotics that commonly appear in soil, rivers, wastewater, and agricultural runoff may significantly accelerate the spread of antibiotic resistance genes among bacteria.

A study in Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts reports large-area transparent bamboo produced by peroxyacetic-acid delignification followed by 20 MPa hot-pressing. A 10 µm polylactic-acid film loaded with 1% W-VO2 nanoparticles endows the composite with a 9.7% solar modulation range around a 31°C phase-change threshold. EnergyPlus simulations for four Chinese climate zones show annual energy savings of 1.6–5.6% versus clear single glass while cradle-to-gate life-cycle analysis indicates lower toxicity, particulate-matter and carbon footprints than either glass or cement.