National Science Review最新文献

All-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries (ASSLSBs) promise high theoretical energy density and inherent safety, but their full capacity delivery is seriously hindered by incomplete sulfur conversion. Here, we propose to exploit deep conversion of S₈ to Li₂S via intermediate Li₂S₂ by using tandem catalysis for high-capacity ASSLSBs, which we demonstrate by cobalt single-atom catalysts anchored on a conductive MXene substrate. In contrast to commonly believed one-step S₈ reduction to Li₂S in ASSLSBs, our results show that tandem catalysis achieves stepwise S₈ reduction to Li₂S via Li₂S₂, during which atomically dispersed Co sites break S-S bonds and the polar MXene surface facilitates Li⁺ diffusion, significantly reducing the sulfur conversion energy barriers. Consequently, the Co@MX-based ASSLSB reserves a high capacity of 1329 mAh g_S ^-1 after 2000 cycles at 2.8 mA cm^-2 at room temperature. This work demonstrates the promise of tandem catalysis for tailoring an all-solid-state sulfur conversion path and exploiting deep sulfur conversion capacity for high-performance ASSLSBs.

The global plastic crisis demands sustainable polymer design and production across the full life cycle. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), a family of biodegradable polyesters produced by microorganisms, provide a representative model for circular material development and applications. This review summarizes advances in microbial chassis engineering, seawater-based Halomonas biomanufacturing, and low-energy downstream processing that together reduce freshwater use, energy input, and process complexity. The structural versatility of PHA supports applications ranging from compostable packaging to long-term biomedical devices. End-of-life options, including biodegradation, anaerobic digestion, and chemical recycling, enable efficient material recovery, and reintegration into natural carbon cycles. Life cycle assessments consistently show reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions, fossil-resource dependence, and marine eutrophication relative to conventional plastics. Remaining challenges include lowering production costs, improving material performance, and developing standardized biodegradation and circular-economy frameworks. Integration on synthetic biology, materials science, and industrial ecology help shape design principles for sustainable PHA-based polymer systems.

The development of heavy-atom-free crystalline photosensitizers is highly favorable for practical applications due to their inherent advantages in robustness, facile post-reaction removal, and recyclability. However, achieving such systems with high molar absorptivity (>50 000 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹) and singlet oxygen quantum yields (>70%) remains a critical challenge, as these properties are typically compromised by intermolecular π-π interactions in molecular systems. Herein, we present a donor-acceptor (D-A) molecule featuring a uniquely twisted dual-acceptor backbone (D-A-A-D), achieving both high molar absorptivity and efficient singlet oxygen generation in monomeric solution. Critically, this connection topology facilitates the formation of crystalline nanofibers through CH/π and electrostatic interactions while effectively suppressing π-π stacking. The resulting crystalline nanofibers exhibit exceptional solid-state photophysical properties, including remarkably high molar absorptivity (ε = 53 400 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹) and singlet oxygen quantum yield (∼72%), surpassing even their monomeric forms. These synergistic attributes enable rapid, singlet oxygen-mediated aerobic photo-oxidation of organic substrates (e.g. benzylamines, sulfides). Furthermore, the nanofibers demonstrate excellent photostability and recyclability, retaining catalytic efficiency over at least five consecutive cycles. This work establishes crystalline photosensitizers as a new paradigm for integrating high molar absorptivity, exceptional singlet oxygen generation, and long-term structural durability.

The intensive and irreplaceable consumption of precious metals (PMs) including gold (Au), palladium (Pd) and platinum (Pt) in the electronic and catalysis industries, coupled with their scarcity in Earth's crust, demand innovative recycling solutions for PM sustainability. However, efforts to recycle PMs from leachates of their waste are frustrated by an unsatisfactory extraction capacity at low concentrations and remain predominantly focused on gold, leaving other PMs largely unexplored. We report the ultrahigh reductive recycling of PM ions and their simultaneous aqueous-phase deposition on semimetallic transition-metal dichalcogenides of TiS₂ and TaS₂ nanosheets_. Notably, TiS₂ shows unprecedentedly high extraction capacities of ∼8, 2.3 and 1.15 g/g for Au, Pd and Pt ions, respectively, and the adsorbed PM ions are directly transformed into nanoparticles deposited on the nanosheets. Mechanistic studies reveal that water-mediated electron donation from the sulfur site of the semimetallic TiS₂ and TaS₂ nanosheets is responsible for the ultrahigh extraction capacity, with a single TiS₂ molecule donating >13 electrons to gold ions. This electron transfer is mediated by the formation of sulfur-oxygen species during water dissociation. We further demonstrate the selective and complete recovery of Au, Pd and Pt from real-world waste streams including electronic waste, spent catalysts and automotive catalytic converters.

High Mountain Asia stands out as the global epicentre of cryospheric risk, and is possible to provide a model for global resilience in a rapidly warming world. Typesetting of author information: set at the end of the article. use the same type as that of the Perspective articles.

Organic solar cells (OSCs) offer unique advantages like flexibility and lightweight design, making them suitable for solar-extended unmanned aerial vehicles (SUAVs). However, conventional transparent electrodes limit their performance due to high sheet resistance. To address this, a flexible, transparent electrode with ultra-low sheet resistance (<1 Ω/□) and 90% transmission was developed. Utilizing non-halogenated solvent processing and slot-die coating, a 1 cm² single cell achieved 17.12% (certified 16.88%) power conversion efficiency (PCE), while a 42 cm² module achieved 15.60%. Stability tests showed unencapsulated devices retained 90% efficiency after 1080 h (ISOS-D-1) and 97% after 1000 bending cycles. SUAVs equipped with the flexible OSC modules, combined with a lithium battery and power management system, demonstrated a flight time extension of 24.2%. Outdoor testing confirmed reliable sensor performance and data transmission. This study validates flexible OSCs for SUAV applications, advancing renewable energy solutions in lightweight mobile systems.

Direct electrolysis of CO₂ capture solutions (e.g. (bi)carbonate) streamlines upstream carbon supply, yet faces challenges including high cell voltage, low-value anode byproduct, and gaseous product impurity owing to incomplete CO₂ utilization. Herein, we demonstrate a bipolar membrane (BPM) electrolyzer coupling CO₂ capture solution reduction with sulfion oxidation reaction (SOR) for cogeneration of syngas and sulfur. Tailoring BPMs with rapid water dissociation kinetics and mass transfer facilitates paired reactions through pH gradients, with cathode acidification triggering in situ CO₂ production for electroreduction while sustaining the alkaline environment necessary for anodic SOR. Leveraging gas-liquid extraction between the cathodic product stream and anolyte enables simultaneous syngas purification and sulfur precipitation, establishing a self-sustained system. With these material and process innovations, the paired electrolyzer achieves low energy consumptions (cell voltage <2.5 V), high carbon utilization (>97%), and long-term stable operation (>300 h) at 100 mA cm^-2, continuously producing syngas (CO/H₂ ratios = 2/1-1/1, with CO₂ content <3%) and pure elemental sulfur.

Sleep-wake states are fundamental regulators of memory processing. While memory consolidation relies on sleep, memory encoding and retrieval depend primarily on wakefulness. Although the role of sleep in memory consolidation has been extensively characterized, the contribution of wakefulness to memory encoding and retrieval remains less systematically summarized. In this review, we synthesize current evidence on how wakefulness regulates memory through two key dimensions: (i) structural organization, defined by the anatomical innervation of memory-related brain regions by the wakefulness system; and (ii) activity-dependent regulation, in which arousal states modulate the efficiency of memory encoding and retrieval. We highlight three major mechanisms-memory engrams, synaptic plasticity and neural oscillations-and propose adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) as an additional timescale-specific mechanism linking wakefulness to memory. Finally, we discuss how wakefulness abnormalities disrupt memory encoding and retrieval in aging, Alzheimer's disease and post-general anesthesia, and suggest that moderate enhancement of arousal level provides a novel strategy for improving memory function.

Biodegradable hydrogels are promising for tissue adhesives and implantable coatings, but are often limited by harsh degradation triggers and uncontrolled breakdown. Here, we present a biodegradable hydrogel design strategy that leverages a redox-responsive crosslinker with a low activation threshold, enabling spatiotemporally controlled degradation in response to trace levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The hydrogel undergoes rapid and complete degradation, even under low redox stress, disassembling entirely within 2 h under 0.1% (w/w) ROS, and 24 h at concentrations as low as 0.0001% (w/w) (37°C). Functioning as a tissue adhesive, the hydrogel forms bonds within 5 s, maintains strong wet adhesion (200 J/m²), and exhibits excellent sealing performance in both in vitro and in vivo models, with complete degradation under physiological ROS concentrations [∼0.0000001% (w/w)] occurring over 3 weeks-well aligned with the natural wound healing process. Notably, initial mild degradation triggers chain growth, which reinforces wet adhesion by actively compensating for swelling-induced interfacial weakening. The strategy demonstrates remarkable generality and biocompatibility, facilitating the clinical application of biodegradable materials and minimizing the risk of synthetic residue and contamination.

Exciton-polaritons perform as ideal carriers of macroscopic quantum coherence, which can be potentially manipulated through precisely shaping the driving laser field. However, the connection of the coherence properties between the pumping laser and the strongly coupled light-and-matter system is studied to a lesser extent. In this paper, we visualize the femtosecond dynamics of coherence transfer from the driving laser field to the resonantly excited exciton-polariton by an interferometric measurement. The resonant polaritons can effectively preserve the coherence of the pumping laser field in femtosecond timescales. At a high excitation strength, non-resonant polaritons appear at higher energies delayed by several picoseconds, without the phase coherence from the pump, which is understood by a coupled oscillator model. Our results offer the possibility of regulating the polariton coherence by finely shaping the external pump laser fields.