Innovative technology using liquid metal tin can simultaneously purify water and recover valuable metals from desalination brine—as reported by researchers from Science Tokyo. Their method, which consists of spraying brine onto liquid tin heated by concentrated sunlight, distills freshwater while extracting elements like sodium, magnesium, calcium, and potassium. Through controlled cooling, these metals precipitate at different temperatures, allowing for separate recovery. Notably, this technique also effectively removes arsenic from contaminated groundwater.

High-performance neodymium-iron-boron (Nd-Fe-B) magnets are susceptible to environmental degradation. In a recent breakthrough, researchers from Hangzhou Dianzi University in China have pioneered a novel coating technology to overcome their long-standing vulnerability in harsh conditions. This work is expected to pave the way for the reliable use of Nd-Fe-B magnets in offshore wind turbines, aerospace systems, as well as other extreme environments.

New research from Incheon National University highlights that pedestrian and roadside facilities—modifiable during maintenance, such as sidewalks, crossing facilities, and street lighting—play a critical role in reducing crashes rather than geometric attributes that are fixed on the road design stage. The study suggests that road safety is shaped by the interaction of various design attributes, with safety outcomes influenced by dynamic factors like volumes and speeds.

Zinc-ion batteries are promising for energy storage, but their traditional current collectors suffer from scalability issues, restricting industrial applications. In a recent study, researchers from Dongguk University have designed a novel alternative current collector in the form of graphene-coated stainless-steel foil. Consequently, they achieve batteries with high electrochemical performance and superior cycling stability, potentially paving the way for industrial-scale systems.  

Carbon, the miraculous element in nature, continues to refresh the understanding of materials science. From soft graphite to hard diamond, carbon atoms display dramatically different material structures and properties through various arrangements. Recently, a review by Prof. Yanwu Zhu’s team at University of Science and Technology of China, published in National Science Review, summarizes the latest theoretical prediction and experimental preparation of 3D carbon crystals, painting an exciting blueprint for this field full of possibilities.