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.
Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2026•DOI: 10.1088/1674-4926/26020044
Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are widely recognized as a transformative technology for next-generation photovoltaics, given their exceptional promise for achieving high power conversion efficiencies (PCE), utilizing low-cost raw materials, and enabling versatile fabrication routes. However, commercialization efforts continue to face considerable obstacles, such as the dependence on toxic solvents, inadequate uniformity in large-area film deposition, and limited operational durability. Conventional perovskite inks commonly rely on highly toxic, high-boiling-point aprotic polar solvents, including N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP). These solvents present serious environmental and health hazards while also impeding processing speeds and perovskite film quality in scalable high-throughput manufacturing, such as roll-to-roll slot-die coating, owing to their slow evaporation kinetics. Furthermore, residual solvent and heterogeneous crystallization tend to introduce a high density of defects in perovskite films, which undermines the long-term stability and reliability of the resulting perovskite photovoltaic modules (PPM) and hinders compliance with the rigorous standards required for commercial deployment. Thus, the establishment of an eco-friendly and efficient solvent system is essential for enabling the widespread adoption of perovskite technology in the mainstream photovoltaic market. In this context, Wang et al. devised an eco-friendly ink formulation utilizing green solvents (γ-valerolactone (GVL), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MeTHF)), and integrated it with a solvent-constrained edge-protection (SCEP) strategy. This approach enhanced the edge quality of perovskite films and lowered defect density under ambient conditions, thereby enabling the scalable production of high-performance PPM (Science, 2025, 390, 1021-1028). These approaches enabled the production of 7200-square-centimeter PPM that achieved a certified stabilized efficiency of 17.2% by NREL. In addition, the scalable module passed all IEC 61215 reliability standards as certified by TÜV Rheinland. This work has realized a PPM with a certified stabilized efficiency of 17.2% over an area of 7200 cm2. The adoption of green solvents not only addresses environmental and regulatory concerns, but also owing to their lower boiling point and the optimized process flow, which reduces energy consumption during production. Combined with slot-die coating technology, which is well-suited for large-scale roll-to-roll manufacturing, the proposed solution demonstrates considerable potential for achieving highly competitive levelized cost of electricity in the future, thereby accelerating the commercialization of perovskite photovoltaics.
Journal of Central South University•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s11771-026-6173-x
Zn's natural degradability and biocompatibility make it a promising candidate for implants, however, its mechanical properties remain insufficient for bone applications. In this study, the performance of Zn was enhanced by developing Zn-Cu alloys via laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). Optimal LPBF parameters for forming stable tracks were achieved by adjusting laser power and scanning speed. Under optimized conditions of 100 W and 100 mm/s, high-density (99.58%) Zn-Cu alloys with improved hardness (68.2HV) and yield strength (160 MPa) were achieved. These improvements are attributed to solid solution strengthening, segregation strengthening, and grain refinement. The Zn-Cu alloys also demonstrated favorable degradation behavior, with a rate of 0.16 mm/year. This degradation is primarily driven by micro-galvanic corrosion between the CuZn5 phase and Zn matrix, along with refined grains and increased grain boundary density. This work demonstrates a viable strategy for fabricating Zn-based implants with enhanced structural integrity and mechanical performance via LPBF.
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•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01993-w
With the escalating demand for safe, sustainable, and high-performance energy storage systems, hydrogel electrolytes have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional liquid electrolytes in zinc-ion batteries. By integrating the high ionic conductivity of liquid electrolytes with the mechanical robustness of solid frameworks, hydrogel electrolytes offer distinct advantages in suppressing zinc dendrite formation, enhancing interfacial stability, and enabling reliable operation under extreme environmental conditions. This review systematically summarizes the fundamental characteristics and design criteria of hydrogel electrolytes, including mechanical flexibility, ionic transport capabilities, and environmental adaptability. It further explores various compositional design strategies involving natural polymers, synthetic polymers, and composite systems, as well as the incorporation of electrolyte salts and functional additives. In addition, recent advances in functional optimization, such as anti-freezing properties, self-healing abilities, thermal responsiveness, and biocompatibility, are comprehensively discussed. Finally, the review outlines the current challenges and proposes potential directions for future research.
Journal of Central South University•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s11771-025-6125-x
This comprehensive study investigates the formation and evolution of intermetallic compounds during the solidification process of magnesium alloys using advanced micro X-ray computed tomography. By analyzing both common industrial Mg-Al-Zn alloys and a novel rare earth-containing Mg-Ni-Gd-Y alloy, we aim to characterize the nucleation, growth, and distribution of Al-Mn and eutectic intermetallics across various stages of solidification. The non-destructive imaging technique employed in this research provides high-resolution, three-dimensional insights into the microstructural development, allowing for a detailed examination of the morphology, spatial arrangement, and interconnectivity of intermetallic phases. This approach overcomes limitations of traditional two-dimensional metallographic methods, offering a more comprehensive understanding of the complex three-dimensional structures formed during solidification.
Nano-Micro Letters•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01774-5
Quasi-solid-state electrolytes, which integrate the safety characteristics of inorganic materials, the flexibility of polymers, and the high ionic conductivity of liquid electrolytes, represent a transitional solution for high-energy-density lithium batteries. However, the mechanisms by which inorganic fillers enhance multiphase interfacial conduction remain inadequately understood. In this work, we synthesized composite quasi-solid-state electrolytes with high inorganic content to investigate interfacial phenomena and achieve enhanced electrode interface stability. Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 particles, through surface anion anchoring, improve Li+ transference numbers and facilitate partial dissociation of solvated Li+ structures, resulting in superior ion transport kinetics that achieve an ionic conductivity of 0.51 mS cm−1 at room temperature. The high mass fraction of inorganic components additionally promotes the formation of more stable interfacial layers, enabling lithium-symmetric cells to operate without short-circuiting for 6000 h at 0.1 mA cm−2. Furthermore, this system demonstrates exceptional stability in 5 V-class lithium metal full cells, maintaining 80.5% capacity retention over 200 cycles at 0.5C. These findings guide the role of inorganic interfaces in composite electrolytes and demonstrate their potential for advancing high-voltage lithium battery technology.
Nano-Micro Letters•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01754-9
The utilization of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) holds great potential for achieving tailorable tuning of catalytic performance through bottom-up modulation of the reticular structure. In this work, we show that a single-point structural alteration in the linkage within a nickel phthalocyanine (NiPc)-based series effectively modulates the catalytic performance of the COFs in electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). A NiPc-based COF series with three members which possess the same NiPc unit but different linkages, including piperazine, dioxin, and dithiine, have been constructed by nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction between octafluorophthalocyanine nickel and tetrasubstituted benzene linkers with different bridging groups. Among these COFs, the dioxin-linked COF showed the best activity of CO2RR with a current density of CO (jCO) = −27.99 mA cm−2 at −1.0 V (versus reversible hydrogen electrode, RHE), while the COF with piperazine linkage demonstrated an excellent selectivity of Faradaic efficiency for CO (FECO) up to 90.7% at a pretty low overpotential of 0.39 V. In addition, both a high FECO value close to 100% and a reasonable jCO of −8.20 mA cm–2 at the potential of −0.8 V (versus RHE) were obtained by the piperazine-linked COF, making it one of the most competitive candidates among COF-based materials. Mechanistic studies exhibited that single-point structural alteration could tailor the electron density in Ni sites and alter the interaction between the active sites and the key intermediates adsorbed and desorbed, thereby tuning the electrochemical performance during CO2RR process.
Nano-Micro Letters•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01750-z
With the rapid development of electronic detective techniques, there is an urgent need for broadband (from microwave to infrared) stealth of aerospace equipment. However, achieving effective broadband stealth primarily relies on the composite of multi-layer coatings of different materials, while realizing broadband stealth with a single material remains a significant challenge. Herein, we reported a highly compact MXene film with aligned nanosheets through a continuous centrifugal spraying strategy. The film exhibits an exceptional electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness of 45 dB in gigahertz band (8.2–40 GHz) and 59 dB in terahertz band (0.2–1.6 THz) at a thickness of 2.25 μm, owing to the high conductivity (1.03 × 10^6 S m−1). Moreover, exceptionally high specific shielding effectiveness of 1.545 × 10^6 dB cm2 g−1 has been demonstrated by the film, which is the highest value reported for shielding films. Additionally, the film exhibits an ultra-low infrared emissivity of 0.1 in the wide-range infrared band (2.5–16.0 μm), indicating its excellent infrared stealth performance for day-/nighttime outdoor environments. Moreover, the film demonstrates efficient electrothermal performance, including a high saturated temperature (over 120 °C at 1.0 V), a high heating rate (4.4 °C s−1 at 1.0 V), and a stable and uniform heating distribution. Therefore, this work provides a promising strategy for protecting equipment from multispectral electromagnetic interference and inhibiting infrared detection.
Nano-Micro Letters•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01672-w
This review details the advancement in the development of V–Ti-based hydrogen storage materials for using in metal hydride (MH) tanks to supply hydrogen to fuel cells at relatively ambient temperatures and pressures. V–Ti-based solid solution alloys are excellent hydrogen storage materials among many metal hydrides due to their high reversible hydrogen storage capacity which is over 2 wt% at ambient temperature. The preparation methods, structure characteristics, improvement methods of hydrogen storage performance, and attenuation mechanism are systematically summarized and discussed. The relationships between hydrogen storage properties and alloy compositions as well as phase structures are discussed emphatically. For large-scale applications on MH tanks, it is necessary to develop low-cost and high-performance V–Ti-based solid solution alloys with high reversible hydrogen storage capacity, good cyclic durability, and excellent activation performance.
Nano-Micro Letters•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01675-7
The morphological distribution of absorbent in composites is equally important with absorbents for the overall electromagnetic properties, but it is often ignored. Herein, a comprehensive consideration including electromagnetic component regulation, layered arrangement structure, and gradient concentration distribution was used to optimize impedance matching and enhance electromagnetic loss. On the microscale, the incorporation of magnetic Ni nanoparticles into MXene nanosheets (Ni@MXene) endows suitable intrinsic permittivity and permeability. On the macroscale, the layered arrangement of Ni@MXene increases the effective interaction area with electromagnetic waves, inducing multiple reflection/scattering effects. On this basis, according to the analysis of absorption, reflection, and transmission (A–R–T) power coefficients of layered composites, the gradient concentration distribution was constructed to realize the impedance matching at low-concentration surface layer, electromagnetic loss at middle concentration interlayer and microwave reflection at high-concentration bottom layer. Consequently, the layered gradient composite (LG5-10–15) achieves complete absorption coverage of X-band at thickness of 2.00–2.20 mm with RLmin of −68.67 dB at 9.85 GHz in 2.05 mm, which is 199.0%, 12.6%, and 50.6% higher than non-layered, layered and layered descending gradient composites, respectively. Therefore, this work confirms the importance of layered gradient structure in improving absorption performance and broadens the design of high-performance microwave absorption materials.
Nano-Micro Letters•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01655-x
The past decade has witnessed the rapid increasement in power conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, serious ion migration hampers their operational stability. Although dopants composed of varied cations and anions are introduced into perovskite to suppress ion migration, the impact of cations or anions is not individually explored, which hinders the evaluation of different cations and further application of doping strategy. Here we report that a special group of sulfonic anions (like CF3SO3−) successfully introduce alkaline earth ions (like Ca2+) into perovskite lattice compared to its halide counterparts. Furthermore, with effective crystallization regulation and defect passivation of sulfonic anions, perovskite with Ca(CF3SO3)2 shows reduced PbI2 residue and metallic Pb0 defects; thereby, corresponding PSCs show an enhanced PCE of 24.95%. Finally by comparing the properties of perovskite with Ca(CF3SO3)2 and FACF3SO3, we found that doped Ca2+ significantly suppressed halide migration with an activation energy of 1.246 eV which accounts for the improved operational stability of Ca(CF3SO3)2-doped PSCs, while no obvious impact of Ca2+ on trap density is observed. Combining the benefits of cations and anions, this study presents an effective method to decouple the effects of cations and anions and fabricate efficient and stable PSCs.
Nano-Micro Letters•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01670-y
In the realm of virtual reality (VR), haptic feedback is integral to enhance the immersive experience; yet, existing wearable devices predominantly rely on skin contact feedback, lacking options for compact and non-contact breeze-sense feedback. Herein, we propose a compact and non-contact working model piezoelectret actuator for providing a gentle and safe breeze sensation. This easy-fabricated and flexible breeze-sense generator with thickness around 1 mm generates air flow pressure up to ~163 Pa, which is significantly sensed by human skin. In a typical demonstration, the breeze-sense generators array showcases its versatility by employing multiple coded modes for non-contact information transmitting. The thin thinness and good flexibility facilitate seamless integration with wearable VR setups, and the wearable arrays empower volunteers to precisely perceive the continuous and sudden breeze senses in the virtual environments. This work is expected to inspire developing new haptic feedback devices that play pivotal roles in human–machine interfaces for VR applications.
New Carbon Materials (新型炭材料)•2025•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(NCM2026-41-03-08)
Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have significant promise as large-scale energy storage devices due to their high safety, low cost, and environmental friendliness. However, their application has been constrained by limited operational voltage windows. A high-voltage-resistant Ti-graphene-Ti cathode current collector (TGT) was designed and fabricated by three-dimensional (3D) printing. The surface of the TGT has a TixOy protective layer, which effectively suppresses electrolyte decomposition under high voltage conditions so that the voltage window of the battery is extended to 1.0–2.2 V without the obvious formation of by-products. Simultaneously, the graphene layer in the TGT structure significantly improves the adsorption and insertion/extraction kinetics of cations, resulting in a high specific capacity of 307.5 mAh g−1 and a prolonged cycling life of the battery. The resultant AZIBs have a stable charge/discharge performance over 400 cycles at a high voltage. Furthermore, the influence of the geometric arrangements of Ti and graphene in the 3D printing process on the energy storage mechanism was investigated and provided novel insight for the development of high-voltage-resistant composite cathode current collectors for AZIBs.
New Carbon Materials (新型炭材料)•2025•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(NCM2024-39-03-08)
Exploring cost-efficient and highly-efficient noble metal-free catalysts for the oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs) involved in sustainable energy devices remains a great challenge. Transition-metal phosphides supported on heteroatom-doped carbons have shown potential as alternative candidates for precious metals because of their tunable electronic structures and higher catalytic performance. Phosphating was used to construct CoP nanoparticles (NPs) anchored on a nitrogen-doped porous carbon framework (CoP@NC) from Co NPs loaded on NC, using PH3 gas released from NaH2PO2 during heat treatment. The dodecahedral structure of Co NPs was retained in their transformation to CoP NPs. The CoP@NC electrocatalyst shows a remarkable ORR activity with a half-wave potential up to 0.92 V under alkaline conditions, which is attributed to the combined coupling between the well dispersed CoP nanoparticles on the nitrogen-doped carbon and the efficient mass transport in the porous structure. Zinc-air batteries assembled with the CoP@NC electrocatalyst as a cathode have a high open-circuit voltage of 1.51 V and power density of 210.1 mW cm−2. This work provides a novel strategy to develop low-cost catalysts with an excellent ORR performance to promote their practical use in metal-air batteries.
New Carbon Materials (新型炭材料)•2025•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(NCM2024-39-01-08)
The nitrate reduction reaction (NtRR) has been demonstrated to be a promising way for obtaining ammonia (NH3) by converting NO3− to NH3. Here we report the controlled synthesis of cobalt tetroxide/graphdiyne heterostructured nanowires (Co3O4/GDY NWs) by a simple two-step process including the synthesis of Co3O4 NWs and the following growth of GDY using hexaethynylbenzene as the precursor at 110 °C for 10 h. Detailed scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Raman characterization confirmed the synthesis of a Co3O4/GDY heterointerface with the formation of sp-C―Co bonds at the interface and incomplete charge transfer between GDY and Co, which provide a continuous supply of electrons for the catalytic reaction and ensure a rapid NtRR. Because of these advantages, Co3O4/GDY NWs had an excellent NtRR performance with a high NH3 yield rate (YNH3) of 0.78 mmol h−1 cm−2 and a Faraday efficiency (FE) of 92.45% at −1.05 V (vs. RHE). This work provides a general approach for synthesizing heterostructures that can drive high-performance ammonia production from wastewater under ambient conditions.
Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2025•DOI: 10.1088/1674-4926/25010028
In the applications such as food production, the environmental temperature should be measured continuously during the entire process, which requires an ultra-low-power temperature sensor for long-termly monitoring. Conventional temperature sensors trade the measurement accuracy with power consumption. In this work, we present a battery-free wireless temperature sensing chip for long-termly monitoring during food production. A calibrated oscillator-based CMOS temperature sensor is proposed instead of the ADC-based power-hungry circuits in conventional works. In addition, the sensor chip can harvest the power transferred by a remote reader to eliminate the use of battery. Meanwhile, the system conducts wireless bidirectional communication between the sensor chip and reader. In this way, the temperature sensor can realize both a high precision and battery-free operation. The temperature sensing chip is fabricated in 55 nm CMOS process, and the reader chip is implemented in 65 nm CMOS technology. Experimental results show that the temperature measurement error achieves ±1.6 °C from 25 to 50 °C, with battery-free readout by a remote reader.
Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China (中国有色金属学报)•2025•DOI: 10.1016/S1003-6326(25)66948-2
The age-hardening response, mechanical, and corrosion-resistant properties of AA7085 alloys with and without the addition of 0.3 wt.% scandium (Sc) were compared. Using advanced techniques such as aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy and first-principles calculations, the underlying micromechanisms of Sc microalloying were revealed. Results show that the increase in strength of the AA7085-Sc alloy is mainly attributed to the decreased Al grain size and increased number density of both Al3Sc@Al3(Sc,Zr) core−shell nanoparticles and Sc-containing ηp and GP−ηp nanoprecipitates. Strong strain fields and evident electron transfer from Zr to the neighboring matrix Al atoms exist at the Al3Sc@Al3(Sc,Zr)/Al interface. The Sc doping in GP−ηp and ηp suppresses the GP−ηp → ηp transformation. Modified corrosion resistance of the AA7085-Sc alloy compared with AA7085 alloy is associated with the fine grain boundary precipitates of η phases and narrow precipitation free zone. The reasons of property changes of AA7085 alloy after Sc microalloying are explored based on the multiscale microstructural characterization.
Int. Journal of Mining Science and Technology (采矿与安全工程)•2025•DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmst.2025.03.008
High-salinity wastewater treatment has always been a challenging issue. In this study, coal tar pitch was used as the carbon source and melamine as the nitrogen source to prepare coal tar pitch-based nanosheets (CPN-9) using a salt-template method. The desalination performance of CPN-9 was evaluated using flow-electrode capacitive deionization technology. The results showed that CPN-9 has a high specific surface area (466.34 m2/g), a rich pore structure (micro-/meso-pore volume was 0.28), excellent rheological properties, and hydrophilicity (contact angle of 20.44°), thereby accelerating ion transport. Electrochemical results indicated that CPN-9 exhibits a significant double-layer ion storage mechanism, with a specific capacitance of 176.66 F/g at a current density of 0.5 A/g. CPN-9 has a very low charge transfer resistance. The synergistic effect of aromatic carbon and nitrogen doping (the content of pyrrole and pyridine nitrogen was 36.40% and 35.83%, respectively) in coal tar pitch accelerates electron transfer in CPN-9. The good ion diffusion performance and low impedance of CPN-9 accelerate the ion exchange rate, resulting in outstanding desalination performance. At 1.2 V and 3% mass loading, with a CPN-9 to conductive carbon black ratio of 4:1, the average desalination rate, charge efficiency, and energy consumption reached 0.039 mg/(cm2 min), 48.47%, and 0.012 kWh/mol, respectively. In summary, this study optimized the structure of CPN-9 from the perspective of electronic and ionic transport, enhancing its desalination performance and providing theoretical support for the deionization of high-salinity wastewater.
Ship Mechanics (船舶力学)•2025•DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1007-7294.2025.06.007
In this paper, the failure caused by HRAM loads which were generated by high-speed projectile penetration, and protection technology of the fluid-filled structure were explored. A bubble was preset on the projectile trajectory in a fluid-filled structure. Based on the reflection and transmission phenomena of pressure waves at the gas-liquid interface and the compressibility characteristics of gases, a numerical analysis was conducted on the influence of preset bubble on projectile penetration and structural failure characteristics. The results indicate that the secondary water-entry impact phenomenon occurs when a preset bubble exists on the projectile trajectory, leading to the secondary water entry impact loads. The rarefaction waves reflected on the surface of the preset bubble cause the attenuation ratio of the initial impact pressure peak to reach 68.8% and the total specific impulse attenuation ratio to reach 48.6%. Furthermore, the larger the bubble, the faster the projectile, and the more obvious the attenuation effect. Moreover, due to the compressibility of the bubble, the global deformation attenuation ratio of the front and rear walls can reach over 80%. However, the larger the bubble size, the faster the projectile velocity, the smaller the local deformation attenuation effect of the rear wall, and the more severe the failure at the perforation of the rear wall.
Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2025•DOI: 10.1088/1674-4926/25110013
Perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells, combining high power conversion efficiency (PCE) with cost-effectiveness, are a leading direction for next-generation photovoltaics. In two-terminal tandems, a crystalline silicon (c-Si) bottom cell is series-connected with a wide-bandgap (1.65–1.7 eV) perovskite top cell, leveraging complementary spectral absorption to enhance sunlight harvesting. Rigid perovskite/c-Si tandems have achieved certified PCEs up to 34.9%, exceeding the Shockley–Queisser limit for single junctions. However, flexible perovskite-silicon tandems have lagged due to the intrinsic rigidity of c-Si, interfacial delamination under bending, and processing challenges. Recent breakthroughs in Nature report significant progress. One study by Zhang, Liu, and colleagues from Soochow University and LONGi Green Energy Technology developed a dual-buffer layer strategy using dense and loose SnOx layers formed by modulating ALD purge time. The dense layer ensures efficient charge extraction, while the loose layer acts as a cushion to relieve mechanical stress from TCO sputtering and bending. This architecture achieved a certified efficiency of 33.4% on 1 cm² and 29.8% on a wafer-scale module (~260 cm²), with a power-to-weight ratio of 1.77 W/g and bendability to 15 mm radius. These advances demonstrate the potential of flexible perovskite-silicon tandems for aerospace, wearable, and IoT applications, addressing key challenges in efficiency, flexibility, and durability.
China Foundry•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s41230-024-3072-3
Conventional Fe-C alloy parts used in mechanical transmission and braking systems exposed to the external environment often suffer from wear and corrosion failures. Surface coating strengthening technologies have been explored to improve the surface performance and prolong service life of these parts. Among these technologies, laser cladding has shown promise in producing Fe-based alloy coatings with superior interfacial bonding properties to the Fe-C alloy substrate. Additionally, the microstructure of the Fe-based alloy coating is more uniform and the grain size is finer than that of surfacing welding, thermal spraying, and plasma cladding, and the oxide film of alloying elements on the coating surface can improve the coating performance. However, Fe-based alloy coatings produced by laser cladding typically exhibit lower hardness, lower wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and oxidation resistance compared to coatings based on Co and Ni alloys. Moreover, these coatings are susceptible to defects such as pores and cracks. To address these limitations, the incorporation of rare-earth oxides through doping in the laser cladding process has garnered significant attention. This approach has demonstrated substantial improvements in the microstructure and properties of Fe-based alloy coatings. This paper reviewed recent research on the structure and properties of laser-cladded Fe-based alloy coatings doped with various rare earth oxides, including La2O3, CeO2, and Y2O3. Specifically, it discussed the effects of rare earth oxides and their concentrations on the structure, hardness, friction, wear, corrosion, and oxidation characteristics of these coatings. Furthermore, the mechanisms by which rare earth oxides influence the coating’s structure and properties were summarized. This review aimed to serve as a valuable reference for the application and advancement of laser cladding technology for rare earth modified Fe-based alloy coatings.
Int. Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials (矿物冶金与材料学报)•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s12613-025-3093-y
To satisfy the demand for low-cost and long-range electric vehicles by the market, the commercialization of ultrahigh nickel cathode materials with high specific capacity and a wide electrochemical window is expected to facilitate the development of lithium-ion batteries. However, residual lithium compounds with a strong alkalinity cause difficulty in cathode preparation and indirectly affect the cycling stability of the cathode during cycling. Given the inevitability of the formation of residual alkali, a lithium-borate coating with an adjustable thickness was selected by controlling the formation of residual alkali. An additional lithium source was added to the synthesis process and converted into a thicker and more complete coating structure, which rendered the cathode with better cycle stability. As a result, the percentage of peak area of lithium carbonate on the surface-modified cathode surface exhibited a considerable decrease from 38.07% to 28.26%. The etching results show the formation of a uniform coating layer after boric acid treatment. The initial capacity of the treated cathode was 214.6 mAh·g−1 owing to the favorable effect of the surface coating, and the capacity retention raised from 59.35% to 90.75% and from 63.81% to 91.94% after cycling at 0.5 and 1 C current densities, respectively. The boric acid coating-modified strategy proposed in this paper considerably ameliorates the cycling stabilization of cathodes and provides superior commercial application value for ultrahigh nickel cathode materials.
Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering•2025•DOI: 10.1186/s10033-025-01287-7
The state of the art is reviewed for the crashworthiness of railway vehicles in aspects of materials, energy absorbing structures, train collision simulation and experiments. The recoverable and nonreversible energy absorbers are introduced for railway vehicles first. Metallic and non-metallic materials play a crucial role in the energy dissipation process. Thin-walled structures at vehicle ends are the main energy absorbers in train collisions, which include the deformation tube, crush box, deformable anti-climber and vehicle end structures. It is necessary to build a specific dynamic model for subway and high-speed trains, which includes gas-hydraulic buffers and energy absorption devices. Furthermore, train crashworthiness could be improved with the help of crash energy management. The train collision is commonly studied by numerical methods and experiments. The research method mainly depends on the primary purpose. The simulation depending on numerical methods should be validated by related experiments. The methods provide theoretical support for train crashworthy design.
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/s11771-025-6054-8
As a typical solid waste from the iron and steel, the mechanical properties of steel slag are regarded as the core basis for realizing its resource recycling. To explore the influence of shape and external loading speed on the crushing characteristics of steel slag, single particle crushing tests were carried out. The research focuses on the correlation between parameters such as the load−displacement relationship of single particles, crushing mode, crushing energy, and Weibull modulus, as well as external loading rate and quantified morphological parameters. The results show that the single particle crushing modes of steel slag mainly consist of three modes: through-splitting, complete fragmentation and local cutting; Compared with natural aggregates or recycled materials, steel slag particles are found to potentially exhibit higher compressive strength and the increase in loading rate further accelerates the occurrence of particle crushing behavior; Significant impacts on the crushing mode and characteristic stress of steel slag particles are exerted by their shape differences, and the energy release mode is jointly regulated by shape and loading rate. This research provides theoretical guidance and technical support for the diversified utilization of steel slag single particles, a new type of solid waste resource.
Int. Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials (矿物冶金与材料学报)•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s12613-024-3085-3
Gas rapid unloading (GRU) is an innovative technology for ore comminution. Increasing the production of fine powder in each ore grinding cycle is vital for scaling up the GRU method to industrial applications. This study utilizes laboratory experiments to demonstrate that moderately reducing the orifice size significantly enhances pulverization and increases fine particle yield. Numerical simulations suggest that smaller orifices improve pulverization by increasing jet speed, reducing pressure drop, and creating a larger pressure difference inside and outside the unloading orifice. The orifice size should be optimized based on feed size to ensure efficient ore discharge. Reducing the unloading orifice size improves GRU grinding efficiency and energy use, offering guidance for the design of ore discharge ports in future industrial-scale equipment.
Nano-Micro Letters•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-024-01529-8
Recently published in Joule, Feng Liu and colleagues from Shanghai Jiaotong University reported a record-breaking 20.8% power conversion efficiency in organic solar cells (OSCs) with an interpenetrating fibril network active layer morphology, featuring a bulk p-i-n structure and proper vertical segregation achieved through additive-assisted layer-by-layer deposition. This optimized hierarchical gradient fibrillar morphology and optical management synergistically facilitates exciton diffusion, reduces recombination losses, and enhances light capture capability. This approach not only offers a solution to achieving high-efficiency devices but also demonstrates the potential for commercial applications of OSCs.