Microplastics and nanoplastics pose growing environmental and health concerns, yet their formation pathways remain unclear. This research compiles data from nearly 300 studies to model plastic degradation and identifies key roles of plastic type and weathering process. Lab experiments reveal mechanical wear can directly generate nanoplastics, improving risk assessment and mitigation strategies.

This research compares ionic polymers to dancers on a crowded floor. When molecular rotation and movement are restricted, viscosity rises and electrical conductivity drops. Using physics-based simulations, the study shows how molecular size and freedom of rotation control material performance, helping guide the design of safer, more efficient batteries.

This research advances artificial photosynthesis by developing a dual-function “two-way” material that combines electrical conductivity and CO₂ adsorption. By pairing this material with simple powder-based fabrication, the study achieves dramatically improved reaction speed and efficiency, enabling scalable, sustainable carbon-neutral energy systems.

Batteries charge slowly and degrade over time. This research develops advanced supercapacitors using novel 2D materials and water-based electrolytes. The resulting devices charge rapidly, store five times more energy than conventional supercapacitors, last over 50,000 cycles, and offer a fast, affordable alternative for electric vehicles and energy storage.

This research explores how rearranging atoms in crystal thin films can radically change material behavior. By engineering strain and atomic orientation in lanthanum strontium manganite films, the work links structure to electrical and magnetic properties, enabling the design of custom materials for next-generation electronics and computing technologies.

This research develops a high-performance supercapacitor using a conductive iron-based metal–organic framework. By overcoming low electrical conductivity, the material enables rapid charging and long cycle life, achieving storage performance three times higher than existing designs. The work advances next-generation energy storage solutions beyond conventional batteries.

This research develops sustainable screen materials using nanoscale “sponges” that trap light-emitting molecules. By converting these materials into ultra-thin nanosheets, the study offers brighter, longer-lasting, and energy-efficient alternatives to toxic, non-renewable screen components, reducing environmental impact while supporting future global screen demand.

This research develops stable, low-cost homogeneous reductants that act like “super glue” for chemical bond formation. By replacing unpredictable metal powders, it enables more efficient, scalable, and affordable chemical synthesis, with major implications for pharmaceuticals, advanced materials, and sustainable industrial chemistry.

This research advances metal additive manufacturing by replacing wasteful machining with laser-based powder fusion. Inspired by baking, printed metal parts are optimized through microstructural analysis. The approach produces complex geometries with equal or superior strength and durability while significantly reducing material waste, enabling cleaner, more sustainable manufacturing.

Rising global electricity demand requires materials that conduct efficiently at extreme temperatures. This research develops scalable metal–ceramic composite conductors with tunable electrical properties by controlling particle interfaces and packing. These materials overcome limitations of metals and semiconductors, enabling efficient, affordable energy technologies for high-temperature industrial applications.