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Sluggish interfacial charge transfer in Li-metal batteries limits ultrafast charging and causes side reactions. The authors design solvent molecules to enhance Li⁺ coordination, improving the charge-transfer kinetics and enabling stable high-rate cycling of Li-metal cells.

A new architecture based on high-valence sulfur/sulfur tetrachloride cathode chemistry is described for manufacturing high-voltage anode-free sodium–sulfur batteries, demonstrating promise for applications in grid energy storage and wearable electronics.

The impact of atomic substitution in sodium-layered oxides and how substitutions affect the properties and performances of battery materials are discussed, with the aim of improving sodium-layered oxides and accelerating the commercialization of sodium-ion batteries.

RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) is typically considered as an essential enzyme. Here the authors show that natural degradation of RNAPII drives chromatin reorganization in growing oocytes, preparing the chromatin for genome activation after fertilization.

Selective lithium extraction from low-grade brines remains a substantial challenge due to intense competition from coexisting ions such as magnesium and sodium. In pilot-scale electrochemical systems, [100]-oriented LiFePO₄ nanosheets have shown enhanced lithium selectivity, effectively isolating lithium even from brines with extremely high Na/Li and Mg/Li ratios.

High-voltage, anode-free sodium metal batteries combine high energy density and sustainability, but the lack of suitable electrolytes hinders their application. This work formulates an eco-friendly electrolyte design that supports exciting performance in such batteries.

Electrochemical CO reduction to multi-carbon products offers a carbon-negative approach to produce chemicals, but the intricate reaction pathways lead to a broad spectrum of products. Now it has been shown that alkali cations alter the mechanistic pathways that govern the reaction selectivity involved in the formation of hydrocarbons versus oxygenates.

Sodium metal is of interest for high-energy-density batteries, but the lack of large-area ultrathin sodium metal foils hinders research. Here a metre-length, ultrathin (≤50 μm), mechanically strengthened sodium metal foil is fabricated by a roll-to-roll calendaring process with interfacial lubrication and functional modification.

Precise separation of ions with similar valence and size is critical. Here, authors designed a selective membrane that precisely extract Li+ from Na+ and Ca²⁺ interferences. The high selectivity and permeability enable energy-efficient, precise, and chemical-free lithium extraction using the electrodialysis process.

Rechargeable Na/Cl₂ and Li/Cl₂ batteries are produced with a microporous carbon positive electrode, aluminium chloride in thionyl chloride as the electrolyte, and either sodium or lithium as the negative electrode.

Alkali metals are widely used as promoters in heterogeneous metal catalysts, yet their precise role remains unclear. Here, the authors elucidate the promotional effects of alkali metals in hydrogenation reactions from a unified perspective and reveal a novel phenomenon termed “strong metal–base interaction”.

Saline-alkaline stress affects worldwide crops production, but the tolerance mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Here, the authors show that EF-hand Ca2 + -binding-protein coding gene ZmNSA1 can regulate root H + efflux, Na + homeostasis, and saline-alkaline tolerance in maize.

Recycling lithium-ion batteries is crucial for sustainability. Here, authors develop a “Three-in-One” strategy using mechanochemical treatment to recover over 95% lithium, upgrade transition metals into catalysts, and sequester CO₂, offering an efficient and environmentally friendly recycling solution.

Sodium-air batteries are appealing energy storage systems due to high theoretical energy density and high sodium abundance. But they are plagued with low efficiency and large overpotential. Here, authors report long-term reversibility over 1000 cycles with 99% efficiency using a cascade electrocatalysis strategy based on Na[Li_1/3Ru_2/3]O₂ electrodes.

Membranes which extract lithium are critical to developing sustainable technologies. Here, the authors report a covalent organic framework featuring randomly oriented channels, separating lithium from a mixture of cations.

Natural variation in the promoter of OsTPS8 contributes to differences in grain chalkiness and seed vigor between indica and japonica rice subspecies by altering trehalose-6-phosphate biosynthesis and α-amylase levels.

Highly ionically conductive and flexible solid-state composite battery electrolytes are engineered by alternately stacking inorganic Li_xM_yPS₃ (M = Cd or Mn) nanosheets with lithium-containing organic polymers in a perpendicular orientation to the surface of the electrodes.

The coronavirus proofreading exoribonuclease (ExoN) is a major cause of viral resistance to nucleotide analog (NA) antivirals. Here, the authors reveal how different NAs are recognized by ExoN, shedding light on improved anticoronavirus drug design.

A global synthesis of >600 studies finds that across agro-ecosystems, grasslands and forests in temperate and tropical zones, increasing plant diversity has a consistently positive effect on plant performance and the suppression of antagonists.

The use of benzene ring contraction in chemical synthesis is challenging due to the need to disrupt aromaticity and generate highly strained intermediates. Now, a photothermal ring contraction reaction for the synthesis of multisubstituted fused pyridines is reported, from arylhydrazines and carbonyl compounds, via benzene ring contraction.

The success of Li batteries relies on electrolyte reduction at anodes for interphase formation, yet controlled interphase formation on high-energy cathodes has proven challenging. Now it has been shown that a bimolecular nucleophilic substitution-assisted strategy advances both primary and secondary batteries by regulating the electrolyte reduction potential and interphase passivation capability.

Cation separation is of great importance or energy and environmental scientists, though it is challenging to design systems with high selectivity. Here the authors report a polyacrylonitrile-chitosan composite sphere-system by humidity controlled to separate cations for lithium extraction.

Polymer solid-state batteries operable across low and high temperatures face sluggish ion transport limitations. The authors develop a fluorinated polymer electrolyte with tailored Li–F/O coordination that decouples ion conduction from polymer relaxation, enabling stable Li metal cell operation from −50 to 70 °C.

Conventional solid-state electrolyte design is limited by dopant–lattice compatibility. This work introduces solid dissociation, using halide van der Waals materials to dissolve salts and create amorphous conductors with high ionic conductivity and potential for use in devices.

The authors achieve piezoelectric coefficient d₃₃ ∼ 807 pC·N⁻¹, along with high k₃₃ ∼ 88 % and T_c ∼ 245 °C in (K,Na)(Nb_1-xSb_x)O₃-Bi_0.5Na_0.5ZrO₃-BiFeO₃ system through structural flexibility and grain orientation strategies.

During nanocluster crystallization, weak supramolecular interactions result in independent monomers, while strong intermolecular coordination promotes omnidirectional crystal packing into 3D superstructures. Designing 2D assembly structures is more challenging. Here a series of atomically precise 2D crystalline materials is assembled from metal nanoclusters and applied as electrolytes in Li-ion batteries.

Newly emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants underscore the need for broad-spectrum antiviral solutions. This study shows a macrocyclic peptide inhibitor that locks the SARS-CoV-2 spike trimer into a “closed” conformation by engaging a conserved region, and demonstrates that intranasal administration of the peptide inhibitor protects against Omicron variants.

Initially anode-free sodium batteries promise high energy density but suffer from poor rate and low-temperature capability. Here, authors introduce a fluorinated sodiophilic interphase (BiF3@Al) which enables fast Na plating/stripping, demonstrating extended lifetime under harsh conditions.

Solid-state polymer electrolytes are crucial for developing future rechargeable batteries, but they are still limited in performance. Here, the authors designed a topological polymeric solid electrolyte, enabling an all-solid-state high-voltage lithium metal pouch cell to cycle 200 times efficiently.

Authors report on organic molecule called DQPZ-3PXZ that can stably store 5 counter ions during redox reaction and thus can be simultaneously used to construct three symmetric batteries with stable lifespan.

The mechanism of how different anion dopants influence the catalytic performance for sulfur species is currently lacking systematic theoretical studies. Here, an accurate p-p-s electronic coupling descriptor was proposed as a criterion to guide the design of anion-doped Li-S catalysts.

The distinct architecture of the Escherichia coli membrane transporter LetA mediates lipid trafficking across the bacterial envelope in partnership with the tunnel-like complex LetB.

Advancing solid-state batteries relies on high performance solid electrolytes. Here, the authors report a family of superionic halides (e.g., NaTaCl₆) driven by the paddle-wheel mechanism, emphasizing the key role of anion dynamics in facilitating fast cation transport.

Purinergic signalling dysregulation can drive inflammatory disorders, but effective targeted therapy is still lacking. Here, authors develop a smart DNA origami nanodevice that can precisely sense and metabolize high levels of extracellular ATP, thereby fine-tuning purinergic signalling and immune homeostasis.

Grain number per panicle (GNP) is a critical yield component trait of rice. Here, the authors clone a MAPKKK encoding gene GNP3 positively regulating grain yield and show its role in rice panicle development by interacting and destabilizing ethylene biosynthesis related enzyme SADENOSYLMETHIONINE SYNTHETASE 1.

Reverse iontophoresis offers non-invasive extraction of interstitial fluid but it has proven hard to be used for glucose monitoring. Here, the authors establish the mechanism by which skin surface pH modulates RI through zeta potential changes of keratin, supported by theoretical analysis and numerical simulations

Controlling the hydrothermal reaction kinetics during the fabrication of Sb₂(S,Se)₃ solar cells is challenging. Chen Qian et al. show that sodium sulfide buffers the pH and allows a controlled release of Se, enabling a certified efficiency of 10.7%.

Anode-free sodium metal batteries without excess sodium achieve high energy density and low cost, but their cycling stability remains poor. Here an optimized current collector interphase enables unprecedented cyclability and energy density.

The integration of high-κ dielectrics with low equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) is crucial for the development of 2D transistors. Here, the authors report the low-temperature fabrication of wafer-scale HfO₂ dielectric films with sub-5-Å EOT and their application for the realization of high-performance 2D MoS₂ transistors and circuits.

Seawater lithium extraction represents an innovative transformative solution that could alleviate future lithium supply concerns. In response, we propose an Albizia julibrissin-inspired adsorption-responsive photothermal ion pump for enhanced and reversible Li+ extraction from seawater.

Here they show that NONO collaborates with HOXA1 to modulate gene expression during early cardiomyocyte differentiation. This interaction facilitates activation of the Wnt signaling pathway, establishing the NONO-HOXA1-Wnt axis as a key mechanism in cardiac development.

Conventional battery electrodes exhibit high tortuosity, impeding ion transport. Here, authors report the use of a temporally shaped ultraviolet femtosecond laser to create an array of high-density through-holes, reducing tortuosity in thick electrodes with low material loss (> 1%) in up to 280 μm-thick LiFePO4 electrodes, improving gravimetric energy density and power capabilities.

Rechargeable magnesium batteries suffer from poor mobility of Mg-ions, severely affecting the electrochemical performance. Here, authors demonstrate a strategy of co-intercalation of monovalent ions into the host lattice, which substantially improves Mg-ion mobility and battery performance.

Using sacrificial salts to enhance sodium-ion batteries is hampered by practical issues. Here, authors demonstrate a solvent-free dry-processing method that ensures complete salt decomposition for major gains in energy density and lifespan.

Seasonal variation in K isotopes of rivers that drain the Chinese Loess Plateau indicates that riverine K isotopes can trace changes in silicate weathering intensity over time, offering a tool to track Earth’s climate–rock interactions.

The genetic basis underlying resistance to Sclerotinia stem rot (SSR) in oilseed rape remains elusive. Here, the authors identify BnaA07.MKK9 as a pivotal regulator of SSR resistance in oilseed rape by GWAS, providing new insights into plant defense mechanisms against necrotrophic pathogens.

Developing positive electrodes with high stability and rapid ion migration kinetics faces challenges for sodium ion batteries. Here, authors report a universal synthesis approach for layered transition-metal oxides by updating the conventional solid-state reaction with only dicyandiamide introduced.

Lattice strain impacts battery cathode performance and cycle life. Here, authors visualize and quantify strain in layered oxides through electron backscatter diffraction imaging, revealing heterogeneous, cycle-dependent distortions that slow Li transport and limit capacity, with irreversible layer bending driving capacity fade.

Subduction of sediment, derived from weathered continental crust, can enrich the mantle in critical metals and volatiles. Melting of such enriched mantle produces alkaline magmas that may form major rare-earth deposits.

The authors create a room-temperature super relaxor critical state in a lead-free ceramic, delivering dual-high recoverable energy density and efficiency by residing at a crossover between dynamic and static/frozen polar states.