A recent paper from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (UChicago PME), published in Nature Communications, built an active learning model that was able to explore a virtual search space of one million potential battery electrolytes starting from just 58 data points. From this minimal data, the team from the lab of UChicago PME Asst. Prof. Chibueze Amanchukwu identified four distinct new electrolyte solvents that rival state-of-the-art electrolytes in performance.

Our galaxy’s most abundant type of planet could be rich in liquid water due to formative interactions between magma oceans and primitive atmospheres during their early years. New experimental work demonstrates that large quantities of water are created as a natural consequence of planet formation. It represents a major step forward in how we think about the search for distant worlds capable of hosting life.

A new technology can shape the spectrum of light emitted from a laser frequency comb across the visible and near-infrared wavelengths with record precision.

Researchers from China present a new framework to simulate how black hole images change over time, focusing on rotating regular black holes with nonsingular cores. Using spatio-temporal random fields and efficient light ray tracing, the model captures realistic brightness fluctuations, turbulence, and light-travel effects around the black hole. The simulated results reproduce time-varying features like the shifting bright ring seen in M87*, offering a fast, physically grounded alternative to full GRMHD simulations and paving the way for future dynamic black hole imaging studies.

As cities grow denser and hotter, creating space for greenery becomes increasingly difficult. To address this challenge, researchers from Chiba University developed a data-driven framework that integrates artificial intelligence and spatial analysis to map vertical greenery across Tokyo’s 23 wards. By analyzing over 80,000 street-view images, the team identified uneven distribution patterns and proposed a vertical greening demand index to guide future urban greening initiatives and climate-resilient urban planning.

Hypothesis research looking at the potential of larger Taurid impact in 2032 and 2036.