Scientists at the University of Oxford have unveiled a pioneering method for capturing the full structure of ultra-intense laser pulses in a single measurement.

The breakthrough, published in close collaboration with Ludwig-Maximilian University of Munich and the Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics, could revolutionise our ability to control light-matter interactions.

This would have transformative applications in many areas, including research into new forms of physics and realising the extreme intensities required for fusion energy research.

An interdisciplinary team of experts in green chemistry, engineering and physics at Flinders University in Australia has developed a safer and more sustainable approach to extract and recover gold from ore and electronic waste.

Explained in the leading journal Nature Sustainability, the gold-extraction technique promises to reduce levels of toxic waste from mining and shows that high purity gold can be recovered from recycling valuable components in printed circuit boards in discarded computers.

In summary, this review provides a comprehensive picture of how low-dimensional perovskite materials could revolutionize memory devices and computing, which is expected to inspire new ideas and discussions in the near future.

How can we accelerate the energy transition in a socially responsible way? Empa researchers propose a publicly funded basic service in solar energy that would increase energy autonomy, create social justice and promote further investment in renewable energies. This requires – among other things – a third of all roofs in Switzerland and a total investment every 30 years that is roughly equivalent to the average gross monthly salary per Swiss citizen.

The researchers developed a green and simple method to synthesize a silica aerogel that integrates two contrasting functional groups including methyl and amine. The aerogel not only has high adsorption capacity for low-concentration CO₂ but also possesses excellent thermal insulation performance under humid and high-temperature conditions.