The fabrication of MEMS alkali metal vapor cells based on ultrafast laser welding for single beam magnetometer.

The development of micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) alkali metal vapor cells offers the potential for the batch fabrication of micro-quantum sensors for atomic clocks, atomic magnetometers and atomic gyroscopes. The sealing of MEMS vapor cells is traditionally achieved by anodic bonding. However, high-temperature and high direct-voltage conditions during anodic bonding adversely affect the performance of the vapor cell.

Enhancing Li Kinetics Via Selective Repulsion-Adsorption and Intermolecular Ion-Conduction Layers for High-Energy-Density Anode-Free Lithium-Metal Batteries.

Anode-free lithium-metal batteries, offer high energy density, but suffer from limited lifespan due to sluggish Li desolvation at the anode. Conventional artificial layers on the anode attract Li by polar groups, yet inadvertently accumulate solvent molecules near these polar layers, impede desolvation, and form an organic-rich solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) with low ionic conductivity. Herein, a selective repulsion-adsorption strategy is proposed, achieved using a layer (MS layer, 35 nm) comprising polystyrene sulfonic acid (PSS) and montmorillonite (MMT).

Photoelectrocatalyst in Lithium-Carbon Dioxide Batteries: A Systematic Review and Mechanistic Analysis.

Lithium-carbon dioxide batteries have significant potential in energy storage due to their high energy density (1876 Wh kg) and ability to recycle CO. However, their practical application is significantly hindered by the sluggish cathodic kinetics. While electrocatalysts have been extensively studied to improve reaction kinetics, they remain incapable of overcoming the fundamental thermodynamic bottlenecks of these reactions.

Element Optimization in NASICON Phosphates Enhances Sodium Storage Performance.

NASICON materials have undergone significant development, transitioning from single-transition-metal systems like sodium vanadium phosphate to multi-element compositions designed for diverse performance metrics. This review highlights the iterative advancements in NASICON materials, focusing on their evolution, challenges, and future directions. Early single-element systems offer stability but face limitations such as high costs and low capacities, driving research toward dual- and multi-element systems to achieve higher capacity, better low-temperature performance, and enhance cost-effectiveness.

Conformational Engineering of Solvent Molecules for High-Voltage and Fast-Charging Lithium Metal Batteries.

High-voltage and fast-charging lithium metal batteries (LMBs) are crucial for overcoming electric vehicle range and charging limitations. However, conventional carbonate electrolytes face intrinsic limitations in simultaneously achieving compatibility with high-voltage cathodes and lithium metal anodes. These limitations arise from sluggish Li transport kinetics and parasitic side reactions, both largely driven by excessive Li solvation energy inherent to carbonates.

Beyond macroscopic performance: nanoscale charge transfer dynamics in energy storage/conversion devices scanning electrochemical cell microscopy.

The performance of electrochemical energy storage and conversion devices is fundamentally governed by nanoscale charge transfer dynamics at buried interfaces, which remain elusive to conventional macroscopic characterization techniques. Scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) uniquely combines single-point probing with areal scanning to resolve localized electrochemical activity and bulk-scale architectural evolution, enabling cross-scale correlations between nanoscale charge transfer processes (<100 nm resolution) and macroscale electrode behavior (>100 μm). This capability establishes SECCM as a transformative tool for interrogation of interfacial phenomena, including metal ion deposition/insertion, stripping/extraction, and the distribution of active sites in electrocatalysts and the mechanism of degradation-induced failure, with millisecond temporal resolution.

transmission electron microscopy characterization and manipulation of the morphology, composition and phase evolution of nanomaterials under microenvironmental conditions.

Nanomaterials possess a broad range of applications in areas such as catalysis, energy, and biomedicine because of their unique properties. However, from the perspective of materials synthesis, there are numerous challenges in the controllable preparation of nanomaterials. These include the control of their size, morphology, crystal structure, and surface properties, which are essential for their performance in specific applications.

Microwave-Infrared Compatible Camouflage by MXene-Based Composite Aerogels via Synergistic Electromagnetic, Emissivity, and Thermal Regulation.

The advancement of multispectral surveillance technologies has rendered conventional single-band camouflage materials ineffective, driving an urgent demand for multispectral-compatible stealth materials. Herein, we report a multidimensional MXene-based composite aerogel engineered via cost-effective lyophilization for radar-infrared compatible camouflage. As building blocks, few-layer TiCT MXene nanosheets functionalized with NiB alloy nanoparticles and thermoresponsive VO phase-change materials are cross-linked by poly(vinyl alcohol) to construct the MXene/NiB/VO composite aerogel through one-step cryo-assembly.

Lattice Compression-Driven Electron Localization and Ir-O Coupling Synergistically Enable Ultralow Overpotential Li-CO Batteries.

Developing efficient cathode catalysts plays a crucial role in improving the CO reduction reaction (CORR) and CO evolution reaction (COER) kinetics in Li-CO batteries. However, the chemical stability of the wide-bandgap insulator LiCO severely hinders the COER. To address this challenge, this study proposes a lattice compression strategy in which electronic localization accelerates the CORR, thereby enhancing Ir-O coupling and inducing the formation of low-crystallinity LiCO, ultimately optimizing the COER process.

Orthogonal decoupling of an ionic-electronic transport microarchitectured vertical array cathode for flexible sodium-ion batteries.

Vertically-aligned NaVO(PO)F cathodes with orthogonal ion/electron pathways exhibit enhanced Na diffusion (5.8 × 10 m s), delivering 131 mA h g at 0.2C, 85 mA h g at 5C, and 96% capacity retention after 1000 cycles for flexible energy storage.

Self-Assembled Monolayer Interface with Reconstructed Hydrogen-Bond Network for Enhanced CO Electroreduction.

CO electrolysis is a promising approach to reduce CO emissions while achieving high-value multi-carbon (C) products. Except for the key role of electrocatalyst for electrochemical CO reduction reaction (CORR), Reaction microenvironment is another critical factor influencing catalytic performance for these catalysts. Herein, a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) is proposed with reconstructed hydrogen-bond network to form an efficient three-phase interface that admins mass transport and ion-electron transfer.

Regulation of Pyrrolic N in Grapevine-Based Ultrahigh Microporosity Activated Hydrochar Materials for Supercapacitors.

Recently, significant progress has been made in the application of biomass in the field of supercapacitors, particularly in the development of high-performance electrode materials, which shows great potential and promise. Despite these advancements, the impact of specific surface area and pyrrolic nitrogen content on the final material performance remains inconclusive. The study underscores the pivotal role of nitrogen morphology in the nitrogen doping process, particularly highlighting the relationship between electrical properties and pyrrolic nitrogen content.

Dual-Shielding Solvent Strategy of High Dipole-Moment Monomers for Stabilizing Gel Polymer-Based Lithium Metal Batteries.

Gel polymer electrolytes exhibit excellent interfacial compatibility and high ionic conductivity attributed to the incorporation of high dipole-moment solvents. However, these solvents preferentially adsorb onto the anode compared to the polymer, decomposing into an organic-rich layer with sluggish Li-ion transport kinetics. Furthermore, the solvents dominate the solvation structure, intensifying the formation of unstable interfacial layers.

Elimination of Concentration Polarization Under Ultra-High Current Density Zinc Deposition by Nanofluid Self-Driven Ion Enrichment.

The commercialization of zinc metal batteries aims at high-rate capability and lightweight, which requires zinc anodes working at high current density, high areal capacity, and high depth of discharge. However, frequent zinc anode fades drastically under extreme conditions. Herein, it is revealed that the primary reason for the anode instability is the severe concentration polarization caused by the imbalanced consumption rate and transfer rate of Zn under extreme conditions.

Synergistic Microstructure-driven Polarization and Conductive Loss in 3D Chrysanthemum-like MoC@NiCo LDH Composite for Ultra-high Microwave Absorption Performance.

The development of efficient electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorbing materials relies on rational microstructures and loss mechanisms. This study innovatively proposes a design strategy based on micronano structural regulation─heterogeneous interface construction─synergistic loss optimization and fabricates a MoC@NiCo layered double hydroxide (LDH) composite material with a 3D chrysanthemum-like morphology. The petal-like microstructure enhances the multiple reflection and scattering effects of the incident EMWs, while heterogeneous interfaces further stimulate interface polarization.

Ultrathin Palladium-loaded Cuprous oxide stabilises Copper(I) to facilitate electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction.

Cuprous oxide (CuO) exhibit significant potential for catalytic activity in the electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CORR). However, the rapid reduction of Copper(I) (Cu) to metallic Copper (Cu) leads to catalyst deactivation, significantly impacting product selectivity and stability. This study aims to stabilize the Cu valence state at a metal-CuO heterogeneous interface through interfacial engineering, ultimately enhancing the electrochemical CO reduction performance of CuO.

Li Quasi-Grotthuss Topochemistry Transport Enables Direct Regeneration of Spent Lithium-Ion Battery Cathodes.

Direct regeneration of spent lithium-ion batteries offers economic benefits and a reduced CO footprint. Surface prelithiation, particularly through the molten salt method, is critical in enhancing spent cathode repair during high-temperature annealing. However, the sluggish Li transport kinetics, which predominantly relies on thermally driven processes in the traditional molten salt methods, limit the prelithiation efficiency and regeneration of spent cathodes.

Low-Frequency Phonon Dispersion Relation Enabling Stable Cathode from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Direct recycling technology can effectively solve the environmental pollution and resource waste problems caused by spent lithium-ion batteries. However, the repaired LiNiCoMnO (NCM) black mass by direct recycling technology shows an unsatisfactory cycle life, which is attributed to the formation of spinel/rock salt phases and rotational stacking faults caused by the in-plane and out-of-plane migration of transition metal (TM) atoms during charge/discharge. Herein, local lattice stress is introduced into the regenerated cathode during repair.

Miniaturized silicon-based capacitive six-axis force/torque sensor with large range, high sensitivity, and low crosstalk.

Miniaturized six-axis force/torque sensors have potential applications in robotic tactile sensing, minimally invasive surgery, and other narrow operating spaces, where currently available commercial sensors cannot meet the requirements because of their large size. In this study, a silicon-based capacitive six-axis force/torque sensing chip with a small size of 9.3 × 9.

Specific Adsorption of Alkaline Cations Enhances CO-CO Coupling in CO Electroreduction.

Electrolyte alkaline cations can significantly modulate the reaction selectivity of electrochemical CO reduction (eCOR), enhancing the yield of the valuable multicarbon (C) chemical feedstocks. However, the mechanism underlying this cation effect on the C-C coupling remains unclear. Herein, by performing constant-potential AIMD simulations, we studied the dynamic behavior of interfacial K ions over Cu surfaces during C-C coupling and the origin of the cation effect.

Bubbling Chemical Vapors in Molten Metal toward XIV-Group Nanosheets.

Two-dimensional (2D) XIV-group nanosheets (germanene, silicene, and stannene) possess unique physical and chemical features promising in fields of electronics, energy storage, and conversions. However, preparing these nanosheets is challenging owing to their non van der Waals structure with strong chemical bonds inside. Herein, a bubbling chemical-vapor growth method is proposed to synthesize these XIV-group nanosheets by bubbling XIV-group-element chlorides in molten sodium.

Li Ion-Dipole Interaction-Enabled a Dynamic Supramolecular Elastomer Interface Layer for Dendrite-Free Lithium Metal Anodes.

The unstable lithium (Li)/electrolyte interface, causing inferior cycling efficiency and unrestrained dendrite growth, has severely hampered the practical deployment of Li metal batteries (LMBs), particularly in carbonate electrolytes. Herein, we present a robust approach capitalizing on a dynamic supramolecular elastomer (DSE) interface layer, which is capable of being reduced with Li metal to spontaneously form strong Li ion-dipole interaction, thereby enhancing interfacial stability in carbonate electrolytes. The soft phase in the DSE structure enables fast Li transport via loosely coordinated Li-O interaction, while the hard phase, rich in electronegative lithiophilic sites, drives the generation of fast-ion-conducting solid electrolyte interface components, including LiN and LiS.

d-Electrons of Platinum Alloy Steering CO Pathway for Low-Charge Potential Li-CO Batteries.

Aprotic Li-CO batteries suffer from sluggish solid-solid co-oxidation kinetics of C and LiCO, requiring extremely high charging potentials and leading to serious side reactions and poor energy efficiency. Herein, we introduce a novel approach to address these challenges by modulating the reaction pathway with tailored Pt d-electrons and develop an aprotic Li-CO battery with CO and LiCO as the main discharge products. Note that the gas-solid co-oxidation reaction between CO and LiCO is both kinetically and thermodynamically more favorable.