Lithium–oxygen (Li–O₂) batteries are poised to revolutionize energy storage with their ultrahigh theoretical energy density. However, performance barriers at both the cathode and anode have prevented their practical deployment. A new study proposes an elegant solution: atomic-scale nickel (Ni) catalysts anchored on nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide (Ni–N/rGO). This dual-function material enhances the oxygen reduction/evolution reactions at the cathode while stabilizing lithium metal at the anode. The resulting batteries exhibit impressive capacity, extended cycle life, and reduced polarization. By unifying cathode and anode improvements in a single material platform, the work sets a new standard for the design of high-performance, rechargeable Li–O₂ batteries.

A new study published in Engineering offers fresh insights into how the combinations of foods we eat over the long term can influence cardiometabolic health. Researchers analyzed data from two large cohorts in the United States and China, finding that long-term food pairing patterns are independently associated with cardiometabolic traits and can modulate gut microbial functionalities. These findings suggest that the balance and imbalance of food intake, captured through food pairing patterns, may play a significant role in shaping cardiometabolic health beyond the effects of individual foods or dietary indices.

New insights into energetic disorder may help unlock the full potential of tin–lead perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) for optoelectronic devices. Although tin alloying promises to reduce toxicity and improve air stability compared to traditional lead-based materials, its incorporation has been found to reduce light emission efficiency. This study disentangles the two primary sources of energetic disorder—static disorder from structural defects and dynamic disorder from electron–phonon interactions—and reveals how they govern photoluminescence behavior. Static disorder, strongly influenced by tin-induced lattice distortions, plays a dominant role in suppressing radiative recombination. These findings offer critical guidance for designing next-generation low-toxicity, high-efficiency perovskite emitters.

Electrochemical conversion of small organic molecules offers a promising route to simultaneously generate hydrogen or electricity and value-added chemicals—without emitting carbon dioxide. This dual-function strategy enhances energy efficiency and sustainability, especially when using waste-derived organics, alcohols, or biomass as feedstocks. A recent review highlights how cutting-edge catalyst design, advanced electrochemical reactors, and mechanistic insights are advancing this field. Innovations in non-noble metal catalysts and tailored device architectures have shown potential in overcoming challenges related to selectivity, stability, and scalability. This comprehensive progress positions electrocatalytic conversion as a key technology in carbon-neutral energy systems and green chemical manufacturing.

The protein MmpL5 is an efflux transporter, a critical pump that helps the pathogen M. tuberculosis grow by scavenging essential iron. Unfortunately, overexpressed MmpL5 can also pump out bedaquiline — the first new turberculosis drug in over 40 years — making the bacteria drug-resistant. Diabling the efflux transporter of M. tuberculosis with an inhibitor would strike a double blow — restore microbial sensitivity to antibiotic bedaquiline and break the cycle that gathers scarce iron. Researchers have now solved the structure of MmpL4, a close homolog of MmpL5 that has the same function.

The Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS, President Lee Ho Seong) has developed a detachable acoustic lens that allows for easy adjustment of the focal length in ultrasonic inspection equipment. Much like swapping lenses on a DSLR camera to improve image quality, this technology enables users to optimize the resolution of ultrasonic imaging systems for specific inspection tasks.