Ag-modified In₂O₃ (Ag-3/In₂O₃) catalyst converts methane to methanol and formaldehyde with 100% liquid-product selectivity under mild photo–thermal conditions (150°C, Xe lamp irradiation). Producing 6544 μmol·g⁻¹·h⁻¹, it outperforms pure photocatalysis by 2.6 times. The catalyst’s unique band structure prevents formation of over-oxidizing hydroxyl radicals, while weak product adsorption avoids deep oxidation. This design eliminates CO₂ emission—a breakthrough for sustainable natural gas utilization.

Published in Engineering, this research from PolyU and Guangzhou Institute of Industrial Technology develops a ConvLSTM-Fire deep learning model to repair broken sensor data and reconstruct 2D building temperature fields. Paired with a ChatGPT-4o-based LLM self-driven agent, the hybrid system converts real-time fire thermal data into actionable emergency guidance. Quantitative tests prove full 2D temperature inputs greatly improve the accuracy of LLM firefighting decisions, supporting voice-aided on-site response for occupants and firefighters.

Want to cut reliance on Earth supplies for Mars colonies? A new Engineering review explores mild-temperature CO₂ conversion tech ECO2R, a lighter, stabler alternative to NASA’s high-heat MOXIE oxygen generator. It turns Mars’ thick carbon dioxide atmosphere into rocket fuel and breathable oxygen via tailored electrodes and catalysts. Researchers also use CFD simulations and machine learning to fix space-specific hurdles like microgravity mass transport, mapping step-by-step plans to build fully self-sustaining Martian habitats down the line.