The use of porous skeletons for encapsulating phase change materials (PCMs) is an effective approach to addressing issues such as leakage, low thermal conductivity, and poor photothermal conversion efficiency. Inspired by the hollow skeletal structure found in birds in nature, high-quality 3D interconnected hollow diamond foam (HDF) was fabricated using a series of processes, including microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (CVD), laser perforation, and acid immersion. This HDF was then used as a scaffold to encapsulate PEG2000. The results demonstrate that HDF significantly reduces the supercooling degree and latent heat discrepancy of PEG2000. Compared to pure PEG2000, the thermal conductivity of the HDF/PEG increased by 378%, while its latent heat reached 111.48 J/g, accompanied by a photothermal conversion efficiency of up to 86.68%. The significant performance improvement is mainly attributed to the combination of the excellent properties of the diamond with the inherent advantages of the 3D interconnected structure in HDF, which creates a high-conductivity transport network inside. Moreover, the HDF/PEG composite extends the temperature cycling time of electronic components by 4 times for heating and 2.3 times for cooling, thereby prolonging the operational lifetime of electronic devices. HDF/PEG offers an integrated solution for solar energy collection, photothermal conversion, heat dissipation in electronic components, and thermal energy transfer/storage. This innovative approach provides innovative ideas for the design and fabrication of composite PCMs and has great application potential, such as solar energy utilization, thermal management, and thermal energy storage.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are emerging as a promising option for next-generation energy storage due to their abundant resources, affordability, eco-friendliness, and high safety levels. Manganese-based cathode materials, in particular, have garnered significant attention because of their high theoretical capacity and cost-effectiveness. However, they still face substantial challenges related to rate performance and cycling stability. To address these issues, researchers have developed various strategies. This review focuses on the key advancements in manganese-based cathode materials for AZIBs in recent years. It begins with a detailed analysis of the energy storage mechanisms in manganese-based cathodes. Next, it introduces a variety of manganese-based oxides, highlighting their distinct crystal structures and morphologies. It also outlines optimization strategies, such as ion doping (both monovalent ions and multivalent ions), the preparation of Mn-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), carbon materials coatings, and electrolyte optimization. These strategies have significantly improved the electrochemical performance of manganese-based oxide cathodes. By systematically analyzing these advancements, it aims to provide guidance for the development of high-performance manganese-based cathodes. Finally, it discusses prospective research directions for manganese-based cathodes in AZIBs.

The global transition to a hydrogen-based clean energy economy faces a critical bottleneck: current proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells and water electrolyzers rely almost exclusively on scarce platinum group metals (PGMs) like platinum and iridium oxide.

A study demonstrates how a renewable material as simple as wood can help transform biomass into valuable chemicals while simultaneously producing clean hydrogen fuel, offering a promising pathway toward sustainable chemical manufacturing.

A study has demonstrated that discarded Jamun tree leaves can be transformed into a highly effective material for cleaning dye-contaminated water, offering a low-cost and environmentally friendly solution to a growing pollution challenge.

In the increasingly digital world, the demand for faster, more efficient and miniaturised optical devices is ever-growing. From high-speed internet and secure quantum communications to advanced medical imaging and precision manufacturing, the backbone of these technologies is light, specifically how we can control and manipulate it at the nanoscale. Two-dimensional (2D) materials have emerged as a game-changer in this arena, offering unique properties that can be harnessed for ultrafast photonics and nonlinear optical applications. 

A Dresden-based research team from the Cluster of Excellence ctd.qmat has discovered a novel transport phenomenon. They found that luminescent quasiparticles can be carried along by magnetic excitations known as spin waves in quantum materials and even accelerated to ultrahigh speeds. To investigate this phenomenon, the researchers studied atomically thin layers of the antiferromagnetic semiconductor chromium sulfide bromide. The newly identified quantum phenomenon holds promise for future magneto-optical applications. The findings have been published in Nature Nanotechnology.

A landmark review reveals conserved core cycles and sequential innovations that drove the diversification of land plants, from simple spores to complex flowers and fruits.