Nano Research•2026•DOI: 10.26599/NR.2026.94908790
The integration of electrothermal films into smart windows demands simultaneous high optical transparency and exceptional heating performance, a trade-off that has constrained flexible transparent heater development. This work reports a transparent conductive single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) film composed of highly crystalline, long SWCNTs in small bundles, synthesized by floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition (FCCVD). The small-bundle SWCNT film, with an average bundle diameter of 7.1 nm, achieves a sheet resistance of 26 Ω/□ at 82% transmittance and reaches a stable temperature of 102 °C under a low applied voltage of 20 V. The superior electrothermal performance relative to large-bundle counterparts originates from a higher areal nanotube density and more efficient conductive pathways at equivalent transmittance. Integrating this transparent heating film with a paraffin wax/polydimethylsiloxane (PW/PDMS) thermochromic functional layer yields a large-area flexible smart window. The device exhibits a reversible visible light transmittance range from 0.17% to 78% and exceptional cycling stability. This study overcomes the transparency–conductivity trade-off in transparent electrothermal films, providing a viable route for flexible smart windows and related thermal management devices.
Nano Research•2026•DOI: 10.26599/NR.2026.94908587
Aerogels are promising for thermal insulation due to their lightweight and low thermal conductivity, yet achieving high-temperature resistance (>1000 °C) alongside robust mechanical performance remains challenging. Here, we report a cactus-inspired spiral structure strategy via freezing-assisted direct ink writing (DIW). By controlling the rotation angle (θ) and printing spacing (x), we fabricate SiO2/ZrO2 aerogels with programmable macroscopic spiral architectures. The aerogel with θ = 40° and x = 1.3 mm exhibits excellent thermal insulation (30.2 mW·m−1·K−1) but limited compressive strength (159.3 kPa at 24.2% fracture strain). To enhance mechanical properties without compromising insulation, we propose an arctangent-topological DIW strategy using αn = arctan(1/n) to create four-fold rotational symmetry. At αn = 26.6° (n = 2), the aerogel achieves a thermal conductivity of 33.9 mW·m−1·K−1 and a compressive strength of 341.7 kPa at 24.6% fracture strain, representing a significant improvement. Finite element simulations (COMSOL Multiphysics) corroborate experimental results. Demonstrations on electronic chips and flame nozzles confirm effective thermal protection. This work provides a viable route to aerogels with integrated high-temperature stability and mechanical robustness.
Journal of Central South University•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s11771-026-6210-9
The accuracy of wheel-rail rolling contact force is of great significance for vehicle dynamics simulation. A wheel-rail rolling contact behavior model considering wheelset yaw is proposed. The NORM algorithm is adopted to solve the wheel-rail normal contact problem. The extended creep force model (ECF) is used for the tangential contact problem, which considers different interfacial conditions, temperature in the contact area, and the elastoplastic behavior of the third body. A fatigue life prediction framework based on the critical plane method is introduced to evaluate the contact fatigue damage under the coupled influence of yaw angle and interfacial conditions. The effects of wheel yaw angle on the contact pressure and wheel-rail rolling contact fatigue life under dry and wet conditions are investigated. The results show that under both dry and wet conditions, increasing yaw angle leads to an increase in creepage, expansion of the sliding area, enhancement of creep force, and a simultaneous increase in the contact area temperature, thereby causing an increase in the fatigue parameter (FP). The wheel-rail rolling contact life with yaw angle is shortened compared to that without yaw, and the life decay rate under wet condition is slower than that under dry condition.
Nano-Micro Letters•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01777-2
In the quest for high-efficiency and cost-effective catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), a novel biomass-driven strategy is developed to fabricate a unique one-dimensional rod-arrays@two-dimensional interlaced-sheets (C1D@2D) network. A groundbreaking chemical fermentation (CF) pore-generation mechanism, proposed for the first time for creating nanopores within carbon structures, is based on the optimal balance between gasification and solidification. This mechanism not only results in a distinctive C1D@2D multilevel network with nanoscale, intersecting and freely flowing channels but also introduces a novel concept for in situ, extensive and hierarchical pore formation. The unique architecture, combined with the homogeneous dispersion of Ni-Fe nanoparticles, facilitates easy electrolyte penetration and provides abundant active sites for the anchoring and dispersion of reactive molecules or ions. Consequently, the Ni-Fe@C1D@2D porous network demonstrates an exceptional OER electrocatalytic performance, achieving a record-low overpotential of 165 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and maintaining long-term stability for over 90 h. Theoretical calculations reveal that the porous structure markedly strengthens the interaction between alloy nanoparticles and the carbon matrix, thereby significantly boosting their electrocatalytic activity and stability. These findings unequivocally validate the CF pore-generation mechanism as a powerful and innovative strategy for designing highly efficient functional nanostructures.
Nano-Micro Letters•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01765-6
Metallic Zn anodes suffer from hydrogen evolution and dendritic deposition in aqueous electrolytes, resulting in low Coulombic efficiency and poor cyclic stability for aqueous Zn-ion batteries (AZIBs). Constructing stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) with strong affinity for Zn and exclusion of water corrosion of Zn metal anodes is a promising strategy to tackle these challenges. In this study, we develop a self-healing ZnO-based SEI film on the Zn electrode surface by employing an aspartame (APM) as a versatile electrolyte additive. The hydrophobic nature and strong Zn affinity of APM can facilitate the dynamic self-healing of ZnO-based SEI film during cyclic Zn plating/stripping process. Benefiting from the superior protection effect of self-healing ZnO-based SEI, the Zn║Cu cells possess an average coulombic efficiency more than 99.59% over 1,000 cycles even at a low current density of 1 mA cm−2 − 1 mAh cm−2. Furthermore, the Zn║NH4+-V2O5 full cells display a large specific capacity of 150 mAh g−1 and high cyclic stability with a capacity retention of 77.8% after 1,750 cycles. In addition, the Zn║Zn cell delivers high temperature adaptability at a wide-temperature range from −5 to 40 °C even under a high DOD of 85.2%. The enhanced capability and durability originate from the self-healing SEI formation enabled by multifunctional APM additives mediating both corrosion suppression and interfacial stabilization. This work presents an inspired and straightforward approach to promote a dendrite-free and wide-temperature rechargeable AZIBs energy storage system.
Nano-Micro Letters•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01694-4
Elevating the upper cutoff voltage to 4.6 V could effectively increase the reversible capacity of LiCoO2 (LCO) cathode, whereas the irreversible structural transition, unstable electrode/electrolyte interface and potentially induced safety hazards severely hinder its industrial application. Building a robust cathode/electrolyte interface film by electrolyte engineering is one of the efficient approaches to boost the performance of high-voltage LCO (HV-LCO); however, the elusive interfacial chemistry poses substantial challenges to the rational design of highly compatible electrolytes. Herein, we propose a novel electrolyte design strategy and screen proper solvents based on two factors: highest occupied molecular orbital energy level and LCO absorption energy. Tris (2, 2, 2-trifluoroethyl) phosphate is determined as the optimal solvent, whose low defluorination energy barrier significantly promotes the construction of LiF-rich cathode/electrolyte interface layer on the surface of LCO, thereby eventually suppresses the phase transition and enhances Li+ diffusion kinetics. The rationally designed electrolyte endows graphite||HV-LCO pouch cells with long cycle life (85.3% capacity retention after 700 cycles), wide-temperature adaptability (−60–80 °C) and high safety (pass nail penetration). This work provides new insights into the electrolyte screening and rational design to constructing stable interface for high-energy lithium-ion batteries.
Int. Journal of Mining Science and Technology (采矿与安全工程)•2025•DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmst.2025.03.004
Gas content serves as a critical indicator for assessing the resource potential of deep coal mines and forecasting coal mine gas outburst risks. However, existing sampling technologies face challenges in maintaining the integrity of gas content within samples and are often constrained by estimation errors inherent in empirical formulas, which results in inaccurate gas content measurements. This study introduces a lightweight, in-situ pressure- and gas-preserved corer designed to collect coal samples under the pressure conditions at the sampling point, effectively preventing gas loss during transfer and significantly improving measurement accuracy. Additionally, a gas migration model for deep coal mines was developed to elucidate gas migration characteristics under pressure-preserved coring conditions. The model offers valuable insights for optimizing coring parameters, demonstrating that both minimizing the coring hole diameter and reducing the pressure difference between the coring-point pressure and the original pore pressure can effectively improve the precision of gas content measurements. Coring tests conducted at an experimental base validated the performance of the corer and its effectiveness in sample collection. Furthermore, successful horizontal coring tests conducted in an underground coal mine roadway demonstrated that the measured gas content using pressure-preserved coring was 34% higher than that obtained through open sampling methods.
Int. Journal of Mining Science and Technology (采矿与安全工程)•2025•DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmst.2025.04.001
Pressure-preserved coring technologies are critical for deep-earth resource exploration but are constrained by the inability to achieve multidirectional coring, restricting exploration range while escalating costs and environmental impacts. We developed a multidirectional pressure-preserved coring system based on magnetic control for deep-earth environments up to 5000 m. The system integrates a magnetically controlled method and key pressure-preserved components to ensure precise self-triggering and self-sealing. It is supported by geometric control equations for optimizing structural stability. Their structure was verified and optimized through theoretical and numerical calculations to meet design objectives. To clarify the self-triggering mechanism in complex environments, a dynamic interference model was established, verifying stability during multidirectional coring. The prototype was fabricated, and functional tests confirmed that it met its design objectives. In a 300-meter-deep test inclined well, 10 coring operations were completed with a 100% pressure-preserved success rate, confirming the accuracy of the dynamic interference model analysis. Field trials in a 1970-meter-deep inclined petroleum well, representative of complex environments, demonstrated an in-situ pressure preservation efficiency of 92.18% at 22 MPa. This system innovatively expands the application scope of pressure-preserved coring, providing technical support for efficient and sustainable deep resources exploration and mining.
Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2025•DOI: 10.1088/1674-4926/25070031
Photonic crystal surface emitting lasers (PCSELs) utilize the Bragg diffraction of two-dimensional photonic crystals to achieve single-mode output with high power and small divergence angle. While GaAs-based PCSELs have demonstrated exceptional performance, GaN-based PCSELs offer shorter emission wavelengths covering visible to deep ultraviolet, enabling applications in material processing, laser illumination, underwater communication, and more. However, their development has been hindered by small refractive index and immature fabrication technologies. In this work, we report regrowth-free GaN-based PCSELs grown on sapphire substrates, achieving room-temperature electrically pumped lasing with a threshold current density of 13.7 kA/cm2. The device structure incorporates a photonic crystal layer etched on the p-side, eliminating the need for p-AlGaN cladding and simplifying fabrication. Through theoretical optimization based on coupled-wave theory, the photonic crystal layer thickness was set to 300 nm, and the lattice constant to 167 nm, targeting a lasing wavelength around 415 nm. The fabricated devices exhibit a dominant lasing peak at 415.1 nm with a full width at half maximum of approximately 1 nm. This demonstration of regrowth-free GaN-based PCSELs provides a cost-effective approach for mass production, advancing the practical application of GaN-based surface-emitting lasers.
Int. Journal of Mining Science and Technology (采矿与安全工程)•2025•DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmst.2025.09.002
Marine gas hydrates are highly sensitive to temperature and pressure fluctuations, and deviations from in-situ conditions may cause irreversible changes in phase state, microstructure, and mechanical properties. However, conventional samplers often fail to maintain sealing and thermal stability, resulting in low sampling success rates. To address these challenges, an in-situ temperature- and pressure-preserved sampler for marine applications has been developed. The experimental results indicate that the self-developed magnetically controlled pressure-preserved controller reliably achieves autonomous triggering and self-sealing, provides an initial sealing force of 83 N, and is capable of maintaining pressures up to 40 MPa. Additionally, a custom-designed intelligent temperature control chip and high-precision sensors were integrated into the sampler. Through the design of an optimized heat transfer structure, a temperature-preserved system was developed, achieving no more than a 0.3 °C rise in temperature within 2 h. The performance evaluation and sampling operations of the sampler were conducted at the Haima Cold Seep in the South China Sea, resulting in the successful recovery of hydrate maintained under in-situ pressure of 13.8 MPa and a temperature of 6.5 °C. This advancement enables the acquisition of high-fidelity hydrate samples, providing critical support for the safe exploitation and scientific analysis of marine gas hydrate resources.
Journal of Central South University•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s11771-025-6139-4
Water-rich cracks represent common tunnel defects. Intense pressure waves generated by trains traveling through tunnels may undergo enhancement within water-rich cracks. Using the re-normalization group (RNG) k-ε turbulence model and volume of fluid (VOF) method, this study analyzes the spatiotemporal distribution, spectral features, and influencing factors of pressure wave propagation in water-rich cracks when two high-speed trains intersect in a tunnel. The flow mechanisms underlying the pressure enhancement within water-rich cracks are also revealed. The main conclusions are as follows: 1) The positive and negative peak pressure coefficients in water-rich cracks are 1.34 and −2.36, with corresponding pressure gradient peaks of 31.41 kPa/s and −34.01 kPa/s. Compared to the tunnel wall, the peak pressure coefficients and gradients exhibit increases of 34.41%/44.63% and 31.61%/60.46%, respectively. 2) The dominant frequency of the pressure wave power spectral density (PSD) at the crack tip is 26.97% higher than that in the tunnel. The PSD peak value continuously increases with depth and is the largest at the crack tip, representing an increase of 9.36% compared to the tunnel. 3) An increase in crack width reduces the peaks of pressure waves, pressure gradients, and PSD, while increases in vertical and transverse depths amplify these peaks. Crack width has the most significant impact on pressure waves and pressure gradients, while transverse depth has the most significant effect on PSD peak values. 4) Driven by inertia and pressure differences, the water body oscillates variably, enhancing pressure fluctuation amplitude at the crack tip. The higher the water body's movement velocity, the greater the pressure gradient at the crack tip. The above research results may provide a reference for crack harnessing in high-speed railway tunnels.
Journal of Central South University•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s11771-025-6137-6
Aerodynamic drag is the dominant factor contributing to energy consumption as the operational speed of high-speed trains increases, necessitating effective aerodynamic optimization strategies. This study investigates the aerodynamic characteristics of the bogie region under two bogie fairing configurations: baseline bogie fairing (BBF) and full bogie fairing (FBF). Both stationary and rotating wheelset conditions are considered. Wind tunnel experiments were conducted on a full-scale bogie model equipped with a wheelset drive system to simulate wheelset rotation. Additionally, numerical simulations were employed to analyze flow structures. Results indicate that the FBF configuration promotes a more uniform front-to-rear pressure distribution in the bogie region. The rotation of the wheelset notably affects the airflow near the wheels and extends its influence throughout the entire bogie region. Specifically, wheelset rotation reduces drag by 6.38% in the BBF configuration but increases drag by 3.5% in the FBF configuration. Further analysis reveals that, in the FBF configuration, aerodynamic drag primarily originates from the wheelsets. The rotating wheelset increases the aerodynamic drag by 18.8% for the rear wheelset, which is attributed to the shift in the pressure curve on the wheelset in the rotating direction. Therefore, the impact of wheelset rotation on aerodynamic characteristics should not be overlooked.
Journal of Central South University•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s11771-025-6045-9
The study aims to investigate the carbonated water erosion mechanism of lining concrete in tunnels traversing karst environment and enhance its resistance. In this study, dynamic carbonated water erosion was simulated to assess erosion depth, microstructure, phase migrations, and pore structure in various tunnel lining cement-based materials. Additionally, Ca2+ leaching was analyzed, and impact of Ca/Si molar ratio in hydration products on erosion resistance was discussed by thermodynamic calculations. The results indicate that carbonated water erosion caused rough and porous surface on specimens, with reduced portlandite and CaCO3 content, increased porosity, and an enlargement of pore size. The thermodynamic calculations indicate that the erosion is spontaneous, driven by physical dissolution and chemical reactions dominated by Gibbs free energy. And the erosion reactions proceed more spontaneously and extensively when Ca/Si molar ratio in hydration products was higher. Therefore, cement-based materials with higher portlandite content exhibit weaker erosion resistance. Model-building concrete, with C-S-H gel and portlandite as primary hydration products, has greater erosion susceptibility than shotcrete with ettringite as main hydration product. Moreover, adding silicon-rich mineral admixtures can enhance the erosion resistance. This research offers theory and tech insights to boost cement-based material resistance against carbonated water erosion in karst tunnel engineering.
Int. Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials (矿物冶金与材料学报)•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s12613-025-3168-9
Custom 465 (C465) is a martensitic stainless steel known for its high strength, toughness, and corrosion resistance, widely used in aerospace, automotive, and medical industries. However, limited work has been conducted on its additive manufacturing (AM) and no dedicated heat treatments have been developed for additively manufactured C465 to optimize its strength–ductility trade-off. In this work, the C465 was fabricated via laser powder bed fusion. The effect of hot isostatic pressing, solid solution, cryogenic treatment (−78.5°C), and aging on the composition homogenization, austenite-to-martensite transition, and Ni3Ti precipitation were systemically investigated. The atom probe tomography analysis reveals that Mo atoms accumulate on Ni3Ti precipitate surfaces and inhibits the Ni3Ti growth, contributing to the enhanced strength of C465. The modified heat treatment for additively manufactured C465 reaches comparable tensile strength with the wrought counterpart, yielding an ultimate tensile strength of 1773 MPa, yield strength of 1686 MPa, and elongation of 6.5%. A yield strength calculation model was proposed and validated with measured strength under various heat treatments, providing valuable insight for heat treatment design towards diverse industrial applications.
Int. Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials (矿物冶金与材料学报)•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s12613-024-2964-y
This study investigated the effect of konjac glucomannan (KGM) on the flotation separation of calcite and scheelite. Micro-flotation tests showed that under the action of 50 mg/L KGM, the floatability of calcite notably decreased, while the impact on scheelite was negligible, resulting in a recovery difference of 82.53%. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) analyses indicated the selective adsorption of KGM on the calcite surface. Test results of the zeta potential and UV-visible absorption spectroscopy revealed that KGM prevented the adsorption of sodium oleate on the calcite surface. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis further confirmed the chemical adsorption of KGM on the calcite surface and the formation of Ca(OH)2. The density functional theory (DFT) simulation results were consistent with the flotation tests, demonstrating the strong adsorption performance of KGM on the calcite surface. This study offers a pathway for highly sustainable and cost-effective mineral processing by utilizing the unique properties of biopolymers such as KGM to separate valuable minerals from gangue minerals.
Nano-Micro Letters•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-024-01499-x
Porous organic cages (POCs) with permanent porosity and excellent host–guest property hold great potentials in regulating ion transport behavior, yet their feasibility as solid-state electrolytes has never been testified in a practical battery. Herein, we design and fabricate a quasi-solid-state electrolyte (QSSE) based on a POC to enable the stable operation of Li-metal batteries (LMBs). Benefiting from the ordered channels and cavity-induced anion-trapping effect of POC, the resulting POC-based QSSE exhibits a high Li+ transference number of 0.67 and a high ionic conductivity of 1.25 × 10−4 S cm−1 with a low activation energy of 0.17 eV. These allow for homogeneous Li deposition and highly reversible Li plating/stripping for over 2000 h. As a proof of concept, the LMB assembled with POC-based QSSE demonstrates extremely stable cycling performance with 85% capacity retention after 1000 cycles. Therefore, our work demonstrates the practical applicability of POC as SSEs for LMBs and could be extended to other energy-storage systems, such as Na and K batteries.