Researchers from North Carolina State University, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, and the University of Waterloo have developed an innovative method to create transparent conductive oxide films through a room-temperature printing process. This advancement is crucial for applications in mobile phone screens and computer monitors, where transparency, flexibility, and high conductivity are essential.

The newly developed technique uses liquid metals to deposit ultra-thin metal oxide layers onto surfaces, resulting in circuits that are both robust and versatile. Michael Dickey, a professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at NC State University, highlighted the significance of this development, especially for devices requiring transparent electrodes.

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.