In a groundbreaking study featured on the cover of Optica, Mini Das, a Moores professor at the University of Houston’s College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and Cullen College of Engineering, alongside physics graduate student Jingcheng Yuan, introduces a novel light transport model for a single-mask phase imaging system. This advanced system significantly improves non-destructive deep imaging, particularly for light-element materials such as soft tissues, plastics, and explosives.

Traditional X-ray technology, which relies on X-ray absorption to generate images, faces limitations when dealing with materials of similar density. “Older X-ray technology struggles with materials of similar density, leading to low contrast and difficulty distinguishing between different materials, which is a challenge across medical imaging, explosive detection, and other fields,” Das explained.

Seawater electrolysis offers significant potential for decarbonizing the global energy sector, yet its progress has been stalled by challenges such as anode corrosion from chloride ions, unwanted chloride oxidation reactions, and the high cost of catalysts. To overcome these hurdles, self-supported nickel-iron (NiFe) materials have emerged as promising bifunctional catalysts for both hydrogen and oxygen evolution due to their high activity and affordability. Additionally, wood-based carbon (WC) structures are gaining attention as an ideal substrate for these catalysts, thanks to their porous nature and excellent conductivity.

A team of researchers, including Prof. Hong Chen from the Southern University of Science and Technology in China, Prof. Bing-Jie Ni from the University of New South Wales in Australia, and Prof. Zongping Shao from Curtin University in Australia, has devised an innovative approach to enhance the stability of NiFe-based electrodes in seawater electrolysis. Their work, published in the journal Science Bulletin, introduces tungsten into the active NiFe-based catalysts, significantly improving the anodes’ anti-corrosion properties and stability.

Researchers at James Cook University (JCU) have made a groundbreaking advancement in the fight against microplastic pollution by developing a method to convert microplastics into graphene, a highly valuable material. The findings were published in the journal Small Science.

Professor Mohan Jacob from JCU highlighted the persistent threat posed by microplastics, which degrade into tiny, water-insoluble fragments that are harmful to marine life, animals, and humans. “These microplastics are notorious for their non-degradable and insoluble nature in water and are an evolving threat to fish, animals, and humans,” said Professor Jacob.

Researchers at the University of Maryland have achieved a groundbreaking advancement in sustainable construction by genetically modifying poplar trees to produce high-performance structural wood without the need for chemicals or energy-intensive processing. Traditionally, engineered wood—often seen as a renewable alternative to materials like steel, cement, glass, and plastic—requires significant processing with volatile chemicals and large amounts of energy, leading to considerable waste. This new development promises a more sustainable approach to producing engineered wood, with far-reaching implications for carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation.

The key innovation lies in editing a single gene in live poplar trees, enabling them to grow wood that is ready for engineering without the need for traditional processing. “We are very excited to demonstrate an innovative approach that combines genetic engineering and wood engineering, to sustainably sequester and store carbon in a resilient super wood form,” said Yiping Qi, a professor in the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture at UMD and a corresponding author of the study. He emphasized the importance of carbon sequestration in the fight against climate change, highlighting the potential uses of this engineered wood in the future bioeconomy.

Swisscom Broadcast has partnered with Nokia to deploy a comprehensive drones-as-a-service network across Switzerland. This initiative will see the deployment of 300 Drone-in-Box units, designed to enhance emergency response, perimeter protection, and infrastructure inspection. The advanced network aims to improve the safety of public safety workers and optimize resource utilization, which could be crucial in saving lives during incidents.

Nokia emphasized that these remotely operated drones will collect critical information within the initial minutes of an emergency, significantly boosting the situational awareness of first responders.

Chinese researchers have unveiled a novel material that could revolutionize the development of two-dimensional, low-power computer chips. The team from the Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences created an ultra-thin layer of aluminum oxide, just 1.25 nm thick, using a unique oxidation method at ambient temperature on single-crystalline aluminum. This material meets the stringent requirements set by the International Roadmap for Devices and Systems, offering low gate leakage, low interface state density, and high dielectric strength.

Advancing 2D Field-Effect Transistors (FETs)

As traditional silicon field-effect transistors (FETs) approach their miniaturization limits, new materials are needed to address challenges like short-channel effects. Two-dimensional (2D) materials, such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), have emerged as promising candidates due to their atomic thinness and high carrier mobility. However, the lack of high-quality dielectric materials has hindered the full potential of 2D FETs.