- Professor Jongmin Choi’s team, in collaboration with Kookmin University, develops a water-based manufacturing process for “low-voltage photoelectrodes” - Demonstrates a tenfold improvement in hydrogen production efficiency compared with conventional technology, using eco-friendly materials free of lead and cadmium; findings published in Small, a prestigious international journal in materials science

Microplastics are widely recognized as a growing environmental threat. However, new research reveals that these tiny plastic particles may also play an unexpected role in the natural transformation of heavy metal pollutants. Scientists have discovered that ultraviolet (UV) light can activate aged microplastics, enabling them to convert highly toxic hexavalent chromium into a less harmful form.

Many chemical processes that sustain modern society depend on molecules binding to metal surfaces. The production of synthetic fertilizer, for example, relies on heterogeneous catalysis, in which gases react on the surface of a solid catalyst. Yet, up until now an important question has remained unresolved: How much of the metal surface actually participates in determining the strength of a chemical bond on the surface?

A research team from the Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences (MPI-NAT) in Göttingen, Germany, and the Center for Quantum Nanoscience (QNS) within the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) in Seoul, South Korea, has now shown that bonding at metal surfaces extends beyond the atoms immediately surrounding the binding molecule.

Optica has named Paul B. Corkum an Honorary Member—its highest distinction—recognizing his pioneering work as the father of attosecond science. His foundational three-step model of high-harmonic generation enabled the shortest controlled light pulses in science, allowing researchers to observe electron dynamics at unprecedented speeds while advancing decades of leadership within the global optics community.

Metallic materials used in extremely cold environments must maintain high strength, ductility and fracture toughness to support applications in aerospace, clean energy, superconducting systems and deep-space exploration. However, traditional alloys often suffer performance degradation at ultralow temperatures because of the long-standing trade-off among strength, ductility and toughness. Although metals may become stronger at lower temperatures, they can also become more brittle and prone to fracture. The sinking of the Titanic is a well-known historical event associated with low-temperature brittle failure. This vulnerability, known as “cold brittleness”, remains a bottleneck in the development of deep-sea and deep-space exploration technologies.

A study by Harvard and collaborators establishes performance targets for next-generation solar aircraft batteries.

Wiley today launched Wiley Analytical Lab, a new SaaS platform that gives researchers access to its trusted spectral data, compound identification tools, and analytical data management capabilities through one modern online environment.

Distinguished Professor Kenso Soai of Tokyo University of Science, Japan, has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry alongside Professor Emeritus Henri B. Kagan of France for their pioneering contributions to asymmetric organic synthesis. Distinguished Prof. Soai was recognized for discovering the “Soai reaction,” which demonstrates how asymmetric autocatalysis can amplify molecular handedness. This breakthrough provides important insights into chemical chirality and offers a model for investigating the origins of biological homochirality. 

Researchers from Chongqing University and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University revealed how eggshell membranes (ESMs) promote rapid biomineralization via shared interfacial features. Inspired by this, they designed a biomimetic fibrous membrane (b-FM) with superior crystallization-inducing capacity. In a 30-day cooling-water test, the b-FM achieved low-energy water softening and suppressed pipe scaling, offering a sustainable industrial water-treatment strategy.