Lead scandium tantalate (PbSc_0.5Ta_0.5O₃, PST) is one of the most promising ferroelectric materials for electrocaloric (EC) refrigeration because of the large enthalpy change (ΔH) at room temperature (RT), whose properties are determined by the ordering arrangement of two kinds of heterovalent ions in B-sites. The highly ordered PST ceramic always has excellent EC properties, while it is difficult to achieve. Besides, research on the modulation of ordering degree (Ω) in PST ceramics is still rare up to now, particularly regarding its impact on ferroelectric properties, phase transition characteristics, and electrocaloric effects. Thus, it is imperative to bridge this research gap.

The development of multifunctional composites with desired electromagnetic wave absorption and antibacterial performance for the medical field has aroused wide concern. In this work, SiOC/Ag composites were successfully fabricated via liquid phase method. When the filler content of SiOC/Ag-3 is 40 wt.%, SiOC/Ag-3 exhibits excellent electromagnetic wave absorption performance, achieving a minimum reflection loss value of -58.03 dB with a matching thickness of only 2.82 mm. The superior electromagnetic wave absorption performance is attributed to multiple reflections, conductive loss and interfacial polarization loss. Besides, the RCS simulation indicates all RCS values of PEC with SiOC/Ag-3 coating are below -20 dB·m² across the incident angle range from -60° to 60°, exhibiting strong radar stealth performance. Moreover, SiOC/Ag composites also achieve excellent antibacterial ability to E. coli and S.aureus by reactive oxygen species under visible light radiation. This work provides new insights into the design and development of bifunctional composites with electromagnetic wave absorption and antibacterial performance for application in medical devices.

A study published in Forest Ecosystems shows that low-latitude warming has increased tree growth in Central Asia's alpine forests since the 20th century. Researchers analyzed 128 tree-ring records and found a significant upward trend in tree radial growth, driven by enhanced regional temperatures and precipitation. However, they warn that continued warming may eventually reverse these gains. Future research needs to refine models to better understand these dynamics.

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) represent a cutting-edge class of devices for energy conversion and self-powered sensing. The selection of appropriate triboelectric and conductive materials is critical in determining the performance of TENGs. In recent years, MXenes, particularly Ti₃C₂ MXene, have emerged as promising candidates for triboelectric/conductive materials in TENGs. To elucidate the multifaceted roles of MXenes, this review examines their applications from a materials science perspective. The applications are categorized into four types based on the functional layers of TENGs where MXenes are applied: (1) MXene films as conductive layers, (2) MXene films as triboelectric layers, (3) MXene nanosheets as fillers in polymer-based triboelectric layers, and (4) MXene films as charge trapping layers. The rationale and advantages of utilizing MXenes in each application are analyzed and elucidated. Owing to their unique combination of properties, including electronegativity, electrical conductivity and flexibility, MXenes demonstrate remarkable versatility in all functional layers, either as pure films or composite films. Systematic analysis reveals that MXene composite films are particularly promising for the applications. This review represents the first comprehensive attempt to classify MXene applications in TENGs and articulate their inherent advantages, thereby providing a foundation for the design and development of high-performance MXene-based TENGs.

This paper develops a power system dispatching model that integrates thermal power, wind power, photovoltaic (PV) generation, and energy storage systems (ESS). The model uses Monte Carlo simulations to analyze the impact of renewable energy and ESS capacities on electricity costs, carbon emissions, power fluctuations, and renewable energy utilization. The study optimizes the system configuration using the NSGA-II algorithm and provides valuable insights for decarbonizing power systems while ensuring energy equity.

The BRICS nations have committed to reach carbon neutrality: Brazil and South Africa by 2050, China and Russia by 2060, and India by 2070. A joint study by researchers from Tsinghua and Shanghai Jiaotong universities shows that achieving such targets necessitates a significant increase in electrification and non-fossil fuel use, with 65% to 82% of energy to be supplied from renewables and 55% to 80% in form of electricity. Besides, carbon capture and removal technologies will play an important role, which are expected to contribute 27% to 64% of emission reductions after 2030 across BRICS. The mitigation costs vary by country, ranging from 250 to 390 USD per ton of CO₂ by the carbon neutrality year. Annual investments in the energy sector are projected to be equivalent to 0.8%–3.5% of GDP.

Y₂MgTiO₆(YMT)-based ceramics have become core candidates for high-frequency electronic devices such as millimeter-wave communications due to their high dielectric constant (ε_r), ultra-high quality factor (Q×f) and low dielectric loss. However, most of the existing studies focus on the ion doping effect at a single scale (such as lattice parameters or macroscopic properties), and the structure-activity relationship between atomic bonding, lattice distortion, phonon behavior and dielectric properties has not yet been fully revealed, especially the regulation law of the coupling mechanism of chemical bonding and lattice vibration on doped ions is still theoretically blank. This limits the design and performance control of high-performance microwave dielectric ceramic materials.