Scientists used molecular simulations to reveal how polymer chains adhere to alumina surfaces. Adhesion depends on both polymer chemistry and surface termination, with different responses before and after yielding. These insights clarify metal–plastic bonding mechanisms and offer guidelines for designing stronger, lighter, and more sustainable hybrid materials for use in transportation.

After millennia of study, modern imaging has revealed the secret of chameleons' ability to move their eyes in a nearly 360-degree rotation and look in two different directions at once. Behind their bulging eyes lie two long, coiled optic nerves — a structure not seen in any other lizard.

TorchSim: A Next-Generation Atomistic Simulation Engine for the AI Era

Chloride-based solid electrolytes are considered promising candidates for next-generation high-energy–density all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs). However, their relatively low oxidative decomposition threshold (~ 4.2 V vs. Li⁺/Li) constrains their use in ultrahigh-voltage systems (e.g., 4.8 V). In this work, ferroelectric BaTiO₃ (BTO) nanoparticles with optimized thickness of ~ 50–100 nm were successfully coated onto Li_2.5Y_0.5Zr_0.5Cl₆ (LYZC@5BTO) electrolytes using a time-efficient ball-milling process. The nanoparticle-induced interfacial ionic conduction enhancement mechanism contributed to the preservation of LYZC’s high ionic conductivity, which remained at 1.06 mS cm⁻¹ for LYZC@5BTO. Furthermore, this surface electric field engineering strategy effectively mitigates the voltage-induced self-decomposition of chloride-based solid electrolytes, suppresses parasitic interfacial reactions with single-crystal NCM811 (SCNCM811), and inhibits the irreversible phase transition of SCNCM811. Consequently, the cycling stability of LYZC under high-voltage conditions (4.8 V vs. Li⁺/Li) is significantly improved. Specifically, ASSB cells employing LYZC@5BTO exhibited a superior discharge capacity of 95.4 mAh g⁻¹ over 200 cycles at 1 C, way outperforming cell using pristine LYZC that only shows a capacity of 55.4 mAh g⁻¹. Furthermore, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis revealed that Metal-O-Cl by-products from cumulative interfacial side reactions accounted for 6% of the surface species initially, rising to 26% after 200 cycles in pristine LYZC. In contrast, LYZC@5BTO limited this increase to only 14%, confirming the effectiveness of BTO in stabilizing the interfacial chemistry. This electric field modulation strategy offers a promising route toward the commercialization of high-voltage solid-state electrolytes and energy-dense ASSBs.

Researchers have developed miniature magnetic robots that mimic fish behavior, working together as coordinated swarms to deliver drugs precisely and efficiently to tissue. The breakthrough could transform treatment of conditions where individual tiny robots lack sufficient coverage area for effective therapy.

The Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts has released the most comprehensive bibliometric analysis to date of hydrothermal pretreatment—an eco-friendly technique that uses only hot compressed water or steam to fracture the stubborn lignocellulose wall and release fermentable sugars, biogas precursors and carbon-rich hydrochar. Mining 22 years of global data, the study places China at the helm (36.5 % of output), identifies “enzymatic hydrolysis”, “bioethanol” and “hydrothermal carbonization” as the dominant knowledge clusters, and forecasts the next wave of innovation will marry microwave chemistry, anaerobic microbiomes and graphitic biochar for truly circular biorefineries.