Noise and impact hazards are pervasive in engineering, necessitating materials capable of absorbing both sound and stress wave energy. Here, we present bioinspired metamaterials with exceptional sound-absorbing and mechanical properties using a weakly-coupled design strategy. These materials incorporate multi-layered resonators for superior acoustic performance and cambered cell walls for enhanced structural strength. They achieve an average absorption coefficient of 0.80 across the 1.0 to 6.0 kHz range, all within a sleek 21 mm thickness. Furthermore, the design transitions failure modes from catastrophic to progressive, resulting in a remarkable 558.4% increase in energy absorption compared to conventional designs.

We demonstrate a 1D linear potential system in superconducting films by creating vortex-antivortex pairs linked by either quantized or unquantized magnetic flux. Our study of vortex pair manipulation and thermal behavior reveals a 1D force mediated by unquantized magnetic flux. This discovery suggests a universal mechanism for forming 1D force systems, offering a new paradigm in the physics of 1D forces.

Lithium-ion battery (LIB) waste management is an integral part of the LIB circular economy. LIB refurbishing & repurposing and recycling can increase the useful life of LIBs and constituent materials, while serving as effective LIB waste management approaches. A combined effort by governments, industries and end-users will be integral in improving LIB waste collection rates which are largely lacking. A developed pseudo technical green score concept highlights direct recycling as a preferable recycling approach based on various life cycle assessment indicators. Standardized costing for the treatment of end-of-life LIBs shows pyrometallurgy as the least costly recycling approach.

The addition of Li2O-B2O3-Al2O3 (LBA) sintering aid to Li_6.1Ga_0.3La₃Zr₂O₁₂ (LGLZO) solid electrolytes enhances grain boundary characteristics and reduces porosity. This modification leads to a substantial increase in ionic conductivity and mechanical stability, while effectively preventing Li dendrite formation. The optimized LGLZO sample with LBA exhibits improved long-term cycling performance, making it a promising candidate for high-performance all-solid-state batteries. These findings underscore the critical role of grain boundary engineering in enhancing the electrochemical properties of garnet-type electrolytes.

We have fabricated artificial grain boundaries in K-doped BaFe₂As₂ (Ba122:K), one of the Fe-based superconductors. The crystalline orientation map, acquired through the scanning precession electron diffraction measurements, revealed that spontaneous connectivity modification occurred at the grain boundary, which may mitigate weak-link behavior. Specifically, a self-field critical current density J_c of over 0.1 MA/cm² across the grain boundary with misorientation angles up to 24° was recorded even at 28 K. This performance surpasses the grain boundary properties of hitherto reported Fe-based superconductors. Our results highlight the exceptional potential of Ba122:K for polycrystalline applications and pave the way for next-generation superconducting magnets.

Radiotherapy (RT) faces challenges like hypoxia-induced tumor resistance and weak antitumor immune responses. This study developed a nanosystem using mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), R837, and manganese peroxide (Mn/ZnO₂). The MSN@R837-Mn/ZnO₂ nanoparticles showed precise tumor targeting, controlled drug release in acidic conditions, and enhanced MRI sensitivity, boosting RT efficacy by reducing hypoxia and immunosuppression. Tumor cells treated with RT and these nanoparticles had less oxidative stress, improved hypoxia, and normalized blood vessels. Remarkably, all mice in the RT+PD-1+MSN@R837-Mn/ZnO₂ group achieved complete tumor regression and extended survival, with no toxicity observed, indicating its potential for cancer imaging and treatment.

Though the impact of magnetic anisotropy on antiferromagnetism is manifested in spin-flop transition, understanding the preservation of this transition in weak anisotropy remains elusive. By adopting an anisotropic spin model, we find that the spin-flop transition remains intact in extremely weak anisotropy, with a mere 0.12% of interlayer exchange interaction at 33 K, slightly below the Néel temperature of 38 K. We further establish a direct relationship between the visualized spin arrangements and the progressive reversal of magnetic torque in rotating magnetic fields. Our analysis provides valuable insights for exploring novel phenomena in the realm of low-dimensional magnetism.

Robotic faces and hands with human-like thermal infrared emission and physiological temperature are achieved by replicating the circulatory system’s inherent temperature regulation mechanism. The keystone of our development is an intricate system of fibers, reminiscent of blood vessels, embedded within the artificial skin. The fiber network enables controlled heat dissipation by regulating water circulation to mimic human thermal signatures.

Organic electrode materials have gained considerable interest in the area of energy storage owing to their cost effectiveness, stability, tunable nature and high power. The use of natural ingredients, carbon-based materials and polymers for fabrication impart flexibility and light weight to the gadgets. Organic electrode materials present the potential for biodegradable energy storage solutions in batteries and supercapacitors, fostering innovation in sustainable technology.