Researchers have employed granulation technology to resolve the challenges of decreased CO₂ capture performance and powder elutriation in alkaline metal salt-promoted MgO sorbents. The optimized alkaline metal salt-promoted MgO sorbent pellets exhibited a CO₂ capture capacity of 11.46 mmol·g⁻¹ and a mechanical strength of 11.14 MPa. This mechanical strength was nearly three times greater than that of alkaline metal salt-promoted MgO sorbent pellets without granulation promoters. After 20 cycles, CO₂ capture capacity stabilized at 8.71 mmol·g⁻¹, while mechanical strength was maintained at 8.92 MPa.

The researchers explore the optimization and integrated application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the manufacturing of polymer composite materials. By analyzing the diversity of composite molding processes and the demand for multifunctional integration, and combining the potential of AI in areas such as process parameter optimization, real-time control, and quality prediction, the study presents practical cases and discusses future development trends, offering ideas and methods for economically viable engineering applications.

Researchers from Penn have developed HoloRadar, a system that allows robots to see around corners by using radio waves and AI to reconstruct hidden spaces in 3D. Unlike previous approaches based on visible light, HoloRadar works reliably in darkness and despite occlusions, with potential applications in autonomous vehicles and indoor settings like warehouses and factories.

After high-profile water crises like the one in Flint, Michigan, some Americans distrust the safety of tap water, choosing to purchase drinking water from freestanding water vending machines or kiosks. Yet this more expensive water may contain different pollutants than local tap water, according to a study in ACS’ Environmental Science & Technology. Researchers report that water sampled from 20 kiosks in six states sometimes contained lead at levels above public health recommendations.

The art of mummification has long been shrouded in mystery, but new research shows the musty smell of mummified remains helps unlock important information about the ancient practice.

Bone fractures heal more slowly with age, increasing health risks for older adults. A new study reveals that rising levels of the liver-produced protein apolipoprotein E (ApoE) interfere with bone repair by suppressing osteoblast activity. Using aged mouse models and human cells, scientists showed that neutralizing circulating ApoE restores bone formation and accelerates fracture healing. The findings highlight a promising noninvasive therapeutic strategy to improve bone healing in the elderly.

A team of researchers from the Università Statale and the Politecnico di Milano has developed a new optical imaging system for real-time visualisation of how a plant’s leaves, stem and roots communicate with each other in response to environmental stress. Mappi (MAcro Plant Projection Imaging) offers the opportunity to study plants comparable in size to those grown in greenhouses (this has been very difficult to do until now), thus taking a decisive step towards understanding the response of plant organisms to climate change. The study was published in Science Advances