Silicon anodes can greatly boost the energy density of all-solid-state batteries, but their large volume changes often cause contact loss with solid electrolytes. Using operando synchrotron X-ray micro- and nano-computed tomography, researchers at Ritsumeikan University directly visualized the 3D evolution of the silicon–electrolyte interface during charge and discharge cycling. They found that even as silicon expands and shrinks, the thin, solid-electrolyte layers remain adhered, preserving partial ion pathways and enabling stable operation.

Why does lead behave so differently from every other atomic nucleus when struck by electrons? A team of physicists at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) has taken an important step toward answering this question, only to find that the mystery is even deeper than previously thought. The findings were published in the prestigious scientific journal Physical Review Letters.

New in Nature Communications, an international team of researchers overcomes limitations of working with individual atoms with careful design. Through on-surface synthesis enabled by atomic-resolution scanning probe microscopy techniques, the scientists made one-dimensional organic polymers capable of selectively binding metal atoms at well-defined coordination sites. It is the first time that such a polymer-based architecture has been achieved, using periodic side extensions that are carefully designed to provide tunable active sites.  The platform marks a major advance in single atom catalysis, paving the way towards more efficient and sustainable next-generation catalysts.

Rechargeable batteries get a supercharged boost from newly developed RAMOFs that don’t break down in water, which was previously a major problem for this material.

Naveen Dhar and his collaborators aimed to develop a lightweight gunshot detection neural network that can accompany sensors and process signals in real-time to minimize false positives. The model works with autonomous recording units, which are power-efficient microphones that capture continuous, long-term soundscapes. The proposed system utilizes a web of ARUs deployed across the forest, each performing real-time detection, with a central hub that handles more complex processing.