Bai, S., Liu, Z., Cheng, D., Lu, B., Zaluzec, N. J., Raghavendran, G., Wang, S., Marchese, T. S., van Leer, B., Li, L., Jiang, L., Stokes, A., Cline, J. P., Osmundsen, R., Chen, M., Barends, P., Bright, A., Zhang, M., & Meng, Y. S. (2026). Guidelines for correlative imaging and analysis of reactive alkali metal battery materials. Joule, 102311. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joule.2025.102311

The study, was led by Professor Shirley Meng and carried out through a collaboration involving the Energy Storage Research Alliance, the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, Argonne National Laboratory, and Thermo Fisher Scientific. Researchers involved in the work include Shuang Bai of Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Chicago, and Zhao Liu of Thermo Fisher Scientific. The team examined how different methods of preparing and transferring battery materials for microscopy can influence the structures that scientists ultimately observe.

Professor Shirley Meng from University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering stated,

“This will be getting more and more critical once you go to next-generation batteries like sodium, because the materials we use will be more and more air- and beam- sensitive, imposing a higher challenge for proper characterization.”

Lithium and sodium based materials are central to many emerging battery designs, particularly those intended for electric vehicles and large scale energy storage. These metals are highly reactive and can quickly degrade when exposed to air or moisture. To prevent contamination, samples are usually prepared in sealed laboratory gloveboxes that maintain an inert atmosphere. The challenge arises when those samples need to be moved to imaging equipment such as an electron microscope. Even short exposures during transfer can change the chemical or structural state of the material.

The research team found that sample handling procedures vary widely across laboratories, which can lead to inconsistent experimental results. Different groups often use their own methods for storing samples, transporting them to microscopes, and controlling imaging conditions. As a result, identical materials studied in different labs can appear to have different structures or properties simply because of variations in the imaging process.

To investigate the problem, the researchers prepared multiple identical samples of several lithium and sodium based battery compounds. Each sample had the same particle size and composition. The only variable was how the sample was transferred to the microscope and how imaging was performed. By isolating these variables, the team was able to determine how each step in the process could affect the final images.

One of the most widely used transfer approaches involves cryogenic cooling. In this method, samples are rapidly frozen using liquid nitrogen before being moved into the microscope. The idea is that freezing stabilizes the material and prevents reactions with air. However, the team found that this approach introduces its own complications. When a cryogenic sample is exposed to ambient air during transfer, moisture from the air can condense and freeze on the surface. This effect is similar to the condensation that forms on a cold glass of water and can damage the delicate surface structure of lithium and sodium samples.

Another commonly used method involves placing the sample inside a cooling holder and transferring it using a protective glovebag filled with inert gas. Although this approach reduces exposure to oxygen and moisture, the team found that even very brief air exposure during insertion into the microscope can alter lithium metal. In some experiments, structural changes were observed after only a few seconds of contact with air.

The researchers also tested a third method in which samples are transferred at room temperature within a sealed inert gas holder. This approach had often been dismissed in previous studies because many researchers believed lithium metal could only be safely imaged at cryogenic temperatures. The new experiments showed that this assumption may not be correct. According to the study, pure lithium metal can be imaged at room temperature if it is properly protected from air during transfer.

The confusion appears to stem from a thin layer that forms on lithium surfaces during battery operation. When lithium metal is deposited during electrochemical processes, it develops what is known as a solid electrolyte interphase, or SEI. This layer is extremely sensitive to the electron beam used in microscopy. Earlier studies interpreted damage to this layer as evidence that lithium itself required cryogenic imaging. The new findings suggest that the SEI is the component that is most sensitive, not the underlying lithium metal.

The researchers also examined what happens once samples are inside the electron microscope. They found that the intensity of the electron beam can influence the structure of certain compounds. For example, lithium fluoride particles exposed to a high electron beam dose can decompose and form lithium metal. That lithium metal can then react with residues inside the microscope column and form lithium oxide. These reactions can occur during imaging, which means the microscope itself may unintentionally change the material being studied.

One of the concerns highlighted by the study is that many published research papers do not report the electron beam dose used during imaging. Without this information, it becomes difficult to determine whether the observed structures represent the original material or artifacts introduced during the experiment. The authors suggest that more detailed reporting standards would allow researchers to compare results more reliably across different laboratories.

To address these challenges, the team proposes a set of guidelines for imaging reactive battery materials. The framework covers the entire workflow, including sample storage, preparation, transfer to the microscope, imaging conditions, and data reporting. By standardizing these steps, the researchers hope to reduce inconsistencies in the way lithium and sodium battery materials are studied.

The issue is likely to become more important as battery technologies evolve. Future battery designs are expected to incorporate materials that are even more sensitive to air and electron beams than those used in current lithium ion systems. Sodium based batteries and other emerging chemistries are already attracting attention for grid scale energy storage and other applications. Accurately characterizing these materials will be essential for improving performance and reliability.

The researchers describe their work as an effort to bring greater consistency to a critical experimental technique. Electron microscopy remains one of the most powerful tools available for studying battery materials at the atomic level. By clarifying how imaging conditions influence the results, the study provides a framework that could help laboratories produce more reliable data and better understand how next generation batteries function.

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Vitale, O., McCabe, R., Brundan, A., Mandalam, Y., Alonso Munera, A. S., & Haji, M. N. (2026). Design, Build, and Analysis of Small-Scale Wave Energy Converter Prototypes. Journal of Mechanical Design, 148(9). https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4070757

The work, brings together researchers from the University of Michigan, Cornell University, the Georgia Institute of Technology, and Princeton University. The team developed a standardized methodology for designing and testing small scale wave energy converter prototypes. By consolidating fragmented design practices into a unified process, the researchers aim to make laboratory experiments more consistent and easier to reproduce across institutions.

Maha Haji at the University of Michigan College stated,

“We are driven to use the vast ocean resource to create sustainable power for humanity. Wave energy has been long overlooked. It is predictable, constant and 100 times more power dense than wind. It is time we advance this technology past benchtop testing.”

Wave energy has long been recognized as a potentially significant contributor to renewable electricity generation. Unlike wind and solar power, which depend on weather conditions and daylight cycles, ocean waves are relatively stable and predictable. Estimates suggest that coastal waters in the United States alone contain enough extractable wave energy to meet roughly one third of national electricity demand if the resource could be efficiently harnessed. Despite this potential, engineering challenges have slowed the technology’s progress toward commercialization.

One of the major obstacles has been the diversity of wave energy converter designs. Unlike wind turbines, which have largely converged around a standardized three blade rotor configuration, wave energy devices exist in many different forms. Individual research groups often develop their own prototypes without shared design guidelines. As a result, lessons learned in one project are not always transferred to others, and new teams frequently repeat the same early stage mistakes.

The research group sought to address this gap by creating a design process specifically for small scale experimental systems. The team designed and tested two representative wave energy converter prototypes. The first was a heaving point absorber, a buoy like device that moves vertically as waves pass. The second was an oscillating surge converter, which rotates around a hinge as waves push against it. Both systems were anchored to the seafloor through mooring systems and connected to a power take off mechanism that converts wave motion into rotational motion suitable for electricity generation.

Developing a prototype begins with determining the physical constraints of the testing environment. In this case, experiments were conducted at the O. H. Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory at Oregon State University, which has a maximum water depth of 137 centimeters. The dimensions of the testing facility influence wave characteristics, hydrodynamic forces, and the scale at which experimental models must be built.

To ensure the prototype accurately represents real ocean conditions, the researchers applied Froude scaling. This technique is commonly used in fluid dynamics when gravitational forces dominate the system. Under this approach, the team selected a scale of one to fifty, meaning a one meter laboratory prototype represents a device approximately fifty meters tall in full scale operation. Scaling the system correctly ensures that wave forces, buoyancy, and motion dynamics remain physically consistent with real ocean environments.

Once the scale is established, the converter must be designed to resonate with incoming waves. Resonance occurs when the natural motion of the device aligns with the frequency of the waves, allowing the system to capture more mechanical energy. Achieving this alignment requires careful tuning of the device’s mass distribution, geometry, and mechanical components. The mooring system also plays a crucial role. It must secure the device in place while allowing the converter to move naturally with the waves. If the mooring restricts motion too strongly, the system’s energy capture capability can be reduced.

Small scale prototypes present additional engineering challenges. Mechanical friction becomes proportionally larger as systems shrink, which can reduce the accuracy of energy conversion measurements. To address this issue, the researchers selected a rack and pinion power take off mechanism. In this design, a toothed bar engages with a rotating gear to convert linear motion into rotational movement. The same principle is widely used in vehicle steering systems and is known for relatively low friction and mechanical simplicity.

Electrical measurement also becomes more difficult at small scales. Laboratory prototypes typically generate only milliwatts of electrical power, which is often below the resolution of standard motor controllers. To improve measurement accuracy, the research team incorporated a programmable controller capable of recording electrical current in real time. This approach allowed the researchers to track small variations in generated power and evaluate system performance more precisely.

By organizing these engineering considerations into a step by step framework, the team created what they describe as the first comprehensive design methodology for small scale wave energy converter prototyping. The approach centralizes previously scattered knowledge about scaling laws, resonance tuning, mooring design, and measurement techniques. According to the researchers, standardizing these early stage development processes will allow future teams to focus more on improving device performance rather than troubleshooting common experimental problems.

The broader goal is to help move wave energy technology beyond laboratory demonstrations toward practical deployment. Standardized design practices have played an important role in the development of other renewable technologies, particularly wind turbines, where decades of experimentation eventually converged on a widely accepted design structure. Researchers hope that similar convergence may occur in wave energy systems once more consistent engineering frameworks are adopted.

While wave energy remains an emerging field, efforts like this highlight the importance of engineering methodology in technological progress. By establishing common design principles and experimental practices, researchers may be able to shorten development cycles and build a stronger foundation for future ocean based renewable energy systems.

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Wu, H., Kong, Q., Huber, M., Sun, M., & Craig, M. T. (2026). Climate change will increase high-temperature risks, degradation, and costs of rooftop photovoltaics globally. Joule, 10(1), 102218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joule.2025.102218

Wu conducted the research while working as a visiting doctoral student at the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability. The study, published in the journal Nature Climate Change, examined how battery durability may change as global temperatures rise. To do this, the research team combined electric vehicle simulations with experimentally calibrated models of battery degradation and global climate projections. The framework allowed the researchers to estimate battery lifetimes across approximately 300 cities worldwide under different warming scenarios while accounting for driving behavior and environmental conditions.

Haochi Wu of the University of Michigan stated,

“More vulnerable regions are going to suffer a larger negative impact from climate change, but we’re finding technological improvements can mitigate that. That is good news.”

The analysis compared two generations of electric vehicle batteries. The first group included batteries manufactured between 2010 and 2018, which represent many of the earlier lithium ion battery systems used in electric vehicles. The second group consisted of batteries produced between 2019 and 2023, reflecting improvements in materials, design, and battery management systems. When the researchers modeled a scenario in which global temperatures increase by two degrees Celsius, they found that older batteries could experience an average lifetime reduction of about eight percent, with losses reaching as much as thirty percent in the warmest locations.

The results were notably different for newer battery systems. In the same warming scenario, batteries produced between 2019 and 2023 showed a much smaller impact. Average lifetime reductions were estimated at around three percent, with a maximum decline of about ten percent even in the hottest climates. These results indicate that the pace of technological improvement in electric vehicle batteries is currently outpacing the negative effects that higher temperatures could impose on battery longevity.

Advances in battery engineering over the past decade have contributed to these improvements. Researchers and manufacturers have refined cathode and anode materials to improve stability and energy density. Thermal management systems in modern electric vehicles have also improved significantly, allowing battery packs to maintain more stable operating temperatures during driving and charging. At the same time, software based battery management systems have become more sophisticated, controlling charging rates and operating conditions to reduce stress on battery cells and extend their useful life.

The study also revealed that technological improvements appear to hold up across a wide range of geographic conditions. Simulations across hundreds of cities showed that even in regions with high ambient temperatures the benefits of newer battery designs still outweigh the expected increases in degradation caused by warming climates. In some cases, the relative gains from modern battery systems were most pronounced in warmer regions where older batteries previously struggled with capacity loss.

However, the researchers note that their findings are based on representative electric vehicles commonly used in North America and Europe, including models such as the Tesla Model 3 and the Volkswagen ID.3. Vehicle fleets in other regions may include older battery technologies or different vehicle designs, which could experience different degradation patterns. This means that while the overall trend is encouraging, the impact of climate change on battery durability may vary depending on the technologies available in each market.

The research also connects to broader questions about how climate change will affect energy technologies more generally. In related work published in the journal Joule, members of the same research group examined how rising temperatures could influence the performance of rooftop solar panels. Their analysis suggested that high temperature risks for solar systems may be underestimated under current standards, particularly in regions that are expected to experience the most significant warming.

Taken together, these studies highlight how climate change interacts with engineering systems in complex ways. Rising temperatures introduce new operational stresses for technologies such as batteries and solar panels, yet ongoing technological improvements can also mitigate those risks. For electric vehicles in particular, the findings suggest that concerns about climate related battery degradation may become less significant as battery technology continues to evolve.

For the transition to electric mobility, the study provides evidence that durability improvements are progressing quickly enough to maintain confidence in battery performance even in a warmer future. While climate change will continue to influence engineering challenges across the energy sector, advances in battery materials, thermal management, and system design appear capable of keeping electric vehicle performance on track.

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García-Bernete, I., Pereira-Santaella, M., González-Alfonso, E., Agúndez, M., Rigopoulou, D., Donnan, F. R., Speranza, G., & Thatte, N. (2026). Abundant hydrocarbons in a buried galactic nucleus with signs of carbonaceous grain and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon processing. Nature Astronomy. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-025-02750-0

The team focused on IRAS 07251–0248, a galaxy whose central region is concealed by dense gas and dust. In visible wavelengths, this material blocks most radiation emerging from the supermassive black hole and surrounding star forming activity. Infrared observations, however, can penetrate these layers. By analyzing spectroscopic data from Webb’s NIRSpec and MIRI instruments across wavelengths from roughly 3 to 28 microns, the researchers were able to identify molecular fingerprints within the hidden nucleus.

Dr. Ismael García Bernete from the University of Oxford stated,

“We found an unexpected chemical complexity, with abundances far higher than predicted by current theoretical model. This indicates that there must be a continuous source of carbon in these galactic nuclei fueling this rich chemical network.”

The observations revealed high abundances of small hydrocarbons, including benzene, methane, acetylene, diacetylene, and triacetylene. The methyl radical was also detected, marking its first confirmed identification beyond the Milky Way. In addition to gas phase molecules, the spectra showed evidence of carbon rich dust grains and icy components such as water ice embedded within the surrounding material.

What stands out is not simply the presence of these compounds, but their concentration. According to the authors, the observed abundances exceed what current chemical models predict for such environments. Standard explanations based on high temperatures, shocks, or turbulent gas do not fully account for the molecular richness.

To interpret the results, the researchers used theoretical models of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons developed at the University of Oxford. These large carbon based molecules are common in space and are known to emit distinctive infrared signatures. The analysis suggests that intense cosmic ray fields within the galactic nucleus may be interacting with carbonaceous grains and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Collisions with energetic particles can fragment larger carbon structures, releasing smaller hydrocarbons into the surrounding gas.

The team also compared their findings with similar obscured galaxies and found a correlation between hydrocarbon abundance and indicators of cosmic ray ionization. This supports the idea that cosmic rays, rather than thermal processes alone, are driving the chemistry in these compact, dust embedded regions.

Although the detected molecules are relatively simple, they are considered building blocks in broader organic chemistry networks. Small hydrocarbons such as acetylene and benzene are intermediates in reactions that can lead to more complex carbon based structures. While this does not imply biological activity, it does demonstrate that the raw ingredients for advanced chemistry can accumulate in extreme galactic environments.

The work highlights Webb’s capability to probe regions previously inaccessible to observation. Earlier infrared missions lacked the sensitivity and spectral resolution required to disentangle overlapping molecular features in such dusty systems. With Webb’s instruments, astronomers can now quantify both the composition and temperature of molecular gas in nuclei that were once effectively hidden.

Beyond the immediate chemical implications, the findings contribute to a larger question in galaxy evolution. Buried nuclei like IRAS 07251–0248 are common in the early universe, where intense star formation and black hole growth often occur within dust rich environments. If these regions routinely act as production sites for organic molecules, they may influence the chemical enrichment of their host galaxies over time.

The study, published in Nature Astronomy, suggests that extreme galactic cores are not chemically suppressed by their obscuration. Instead, they may operate as concentrated chemical factories, reshaping carbon bearing material through cosmic ray processing and redistributing organic compounds into the interstellar medium. As Webb continues to survey similar systems, researchers expect to refine models of how organic chemistry evolves under the combined influence of radiation, dust, and energetic particles on galactic scales.

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Caceres-Palomo, L., Sanchez-Mejias, E., Trujillo-Estrada, L., Perez-Moreno, J. J., Lopez-Oliva, E., Lim, T. E., DeFlitch, L., Chang, S. H., Kampman, L., Corces, M. R., Blurton-Jones, M., Moreno-Gonzalez, I., Pascual, A., Vitorica, J., Garcia-Leon, J. A., & Gutierrez, A. (2025). Human iPSC-derived APOE4/4 Alzheimer´s disease astrocytes exhibit a senescent and pro-inflammatory state that compromises neuronal support. Journal of Neuroinflammation, 23(1), 9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12974-025-03607-z

Alzheimer’s disease has long been associated with amyloid plaques, tau tangles, and neuronal loss. However, increasing attention has turned toward the role of glial cells, which provide structural and metabolic support to neurons. Astrocytes, the most abundant glial cells in the brain, are essential for maintaining synaptic stability, regulating neurotransmitter levels, and supporting neuronal survival. The Málaga team’s work places these cells at the center of disease progression rather than at the periphery.

Professor Antonia Gutiérrez from University of Málaga stated,

“We have confirmed that these damaged astrocytes not only lose their ability to protect neurons but also adopt a pro-inflammatory profile that severely compromises neuronal survival.”

The researchers report that astrocytes in Alzheimer’s patients, especially those with the APOE4 genotype, exhibit signs of cellular senescence. Senescent cells remain metabolically active but lose their normal function and adopt a pro inflammatory profile. In this state, astrocytes accumulate DNA damage, show mitochondrial dysfunction, and release signaling molecules that can amplify inflammation within the brain. Instead of protecting neurons, they appear to compromise neuronal survival.

To investigate the mechanism in detail, the team generated astrocytes from induced pluripotent stem cells derived from patient skin samples. This approach allowed them to study human astrocytes carrying the APOE4 variant in a controlled laboratory environment. Compared with astrocytes derived from individuals without the high risk genotype, the APOE4 cells showed accelerated aging markers and reduced capacity to support neuronal health.

Importantly, the laboratory findings were supported by analyses of post mortem brain tissue from individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. In the cerebral cortex, approximately 80 percent of cells displaying premature aging characteristics were identified as astrocytes. This proportion was significantly higher than that observed in age matched individuals without the disease, reinforcing the conclusion that astrocyte senescence is not merely a byproduct of neurodegeneration but may contribute directly to it.

The APOE4 gene is widely recognized as the strongest genetic risk factor for late onset Alzheimer’s disease. While previous research has linked APOE4 to altered lipid metabolism and amyloid processing, this study connects the variant to astrocyte aging and inflammatory signaling. The findings align with a broader shift in Alzheimer’s research that views neuroinflammation as a central component of disease progression rather than a secondary consequence.

From a therapeutic standpoint, the results open a potential avenue involving senolytic strategies. Senolytic drugs are designed to selectively eliminate senescent cells or modulate their inflammatory activity. Although still under investigation in various age related conditions, such approaches could, in principle, be adapted to target dysfunctional astrocytes in Alzheimer’s disease. By reducing the burden of senescent support cells, it may be possible to preserve neuronal function and slow cognitive decline.

The study was conducted by the NeuroAD group within the Department of Cell Biology, Genetics, and Physiology at the University of Málaga, in collaboration with affiliated research platforms including IBIMA BIONAND and CIBERNED. The use of patient derived stem cell models, combined with validation in human brain tissue, strengthens the translational relevance of the findings.

While further research is required before clinical application, the identification of senescent astrocytes as an active driver of pathology marks a notable development in the field. Rather than focusing exclusively on neurons or protein aggregates, the work suggests that addressing the aging state of support cells may form part of a broader strategy to modify disease progression.

In a field where effective disease modifying treatments remain limited, redefining the cellular targets of therapy represents a meaningful shift. By placing astrocyte biology at the center of investigation, the Málaga team has contributed to an evolving understanding of how cellular aging intersects with neurodegeneration.

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Professor Stefano Sacanna from New York University stated,

“Our approach brings us closer to dynamic, programmable colloidal materials that can be reconfigured on demand . This system also allows us to test a number of predictions on how self-assembly should behave when interactions between particles or molecules are changing across space or time.”

van Kesteren, S., Smina, N., Zang, S., Leung, C. W., Hocky, G. M., & Sacanna, S. (2026). Light-controlled colloidal crystallization. Chem, 102917. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chempr.2025.102917

Crystals form when particles arrange into repeating, ordered structures. At the atomic scale, this process underpins semiconductor devices, catalysts, and pharmaceutical solids. To better understand and manipulate crystallization, scientists often turn to colloids, which are micrometer sized particles dispersed in a liquid. These systems act as accessible models because their behavior can be observed directly under a microscope. However, even in colloidal suspensions, nucleation and growth are sensitive to parameters such as ionic strength, particle surface chemistry, and temperature. Once those conditions are set, the pathway to crystallization is usually difficult to adjust.

Sacanna and his colleagues approached this limitation by introducing light responsive molecules known as photoacids into the colloidal mixture. When exposed to light, these molecules temporarily increase the acidity of their surroundings. That change modifies the surface charge of the colloidal particles, which directly affects how strongly they attract or repel one another. By adjusting the intensity and spatial pattern of illumination, the researchers were able to tune interparticle forces and determine whether particles assembled into ordered crystals or dispersed back into a fluid like state.

Experiments combined with computational modeling showed that crystals could be formed at specific locations, reshaped under focused illumination, or dissolved when the light conditions changed. The response was reversible, meaning the same sample could cycle between ordered and disordered states multiple times. Because light can be delivered with fine spatial resolution, the team could effectively sculpt microscopic crystalline regions inside a single droplet without disturbing the rest of the system.

A practical aspect of the work is that it operates as a one pot system. The particles and photoacids remain in the same solution throughout the experiment, and no additional chemical adjustments are required once the mixture is prepared. Traditional methods for tuning colloidal interactions often involve adding salts, modifying particle coatings, or rebuilding the suspension. In this case, control is achieved by varying illumination alone, which simplifies both experimentation and potential future applications.

The findings suggest a path toward materials whose internal structure can be rewritten after fabrication. Colloidal crystals are known for their optical properties, including their ability to reflect specific wavelengths of light depending on particle spacing. If such structures can be assembled and erased using patterned illumination, materials could be reconfigured on demand. Possible applications include adaptive optical coatings, tunable photonic elements, and sensors whose response depends on dynamically defined microstructures.

Beyond applications, the system also offers a controlled platform for studying self assembly under changing conditions. By altering particle interactions across space and time, researchers can test theoretical predictions about how ordered structures emerge in non equilibrium environments. In that sense, the work provides both a practical technique and a research tool for exploring how matter organizes itself when external fields are used as active design parameters rather than fixed boundary conditions.

The study represents a shift from viewing crystallization as a process that must be carefully set up in advance to one that can be adjusted as it unfolds. By using light as a controllable input, Sacanna and his team have added a flexible method to the toolkit of materials science, one that could support the development of programmable and reconfigurable soft matter systems.

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Palme, P. R., Grover, S., Abdelaziz, R., Mann, L., Kany, A. M., Ouologuem, L., Bartel, K., Sonnenkalb, L., Reiling, N., Hirsch, A. K. H., Schnappinger, D., Rubinstein, J. L., Imming, P., & Richter, A. (2025). Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Mono- and Diamino-Substituted Squaramide Derivatives as Potent Inhibitors of Mycobacterial Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) Synthase. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5c02284

The technology is being commercialized by Osmoses, a spinout founded by Francesco Maria Benedetti, Katherine Mizrahi Rodriguez, Holden Lai, and Smith. The company’s approach centers on a class of hydrocarbon ladder polymers whose three dimensional backbones can be tuned to control pore size and molecular transport. These membranes are designed to separate gases with high selectivity while maintaining industrially relevant flow rates, a balance that has historically limited membrane adoption in large scale chemical processing.

Professor Zachary Smith from Massachusetts Institute of Technology stated,

“Chemical separations really matter, and they are a bottleneck to innovation and progress in an industry where innovation is challenging, yet an existential need. We want to make it easier for our customers to reach their revenue targets, their decarbonization goals, and expand their markets to move the industry forward.”

Gas separation presents particular challenges because gas molecules are small and diffuse rapidly. Traditional distillation relies on differences in boiling points, which means heating large volumes of material to isolate specific components. Membrane systems, by contrast, use pressure gradients and size or solubility differences to drive separation without phase changes. Research published in journals including Science and Nature has documented record selectivity in certain gas pairs using these polymer structures, demonstrating that membranes can compete with established thermal systems under specific conditions.

In laboratory development, Benedetti and Mizrahi Rodriguez worked to integrate polymer chemistry advances with process engineering requirements. Collaborations extended beyond MIT, including work with chemists at Stanford University. Over several years, iterative material design improved permeability and selectivity to levels suitable for industrial translation. Patents were filed through MIT and Stanford, and the team entered the National Science Foundation I Corps program to assess market viability by interviewing industry stakeholders.

According to Osmoses, more than 90 percent of energy used in the chemicals sector is tied to thermally driven separations. Studies have suggested that replacing portions of distillation infrastructure with membrane systems could yield substantial reductions in energy use and associated emissions. The appeal is not only operational efficiency but also equipment footprint. Membrane modules can be compact compared with distillation columns, which may simplify retrofitting in existing facilities.

The company is currently advancing pilot projects in several sectors. One near term focus is biogas upgrading, where methane must be separated from carbon dioxide to produce pipeline quality renewable gas. Landfill and agricultural waste streams represent a significant share of this market. Osmoses is working with utility partners in Canada to validate membrane performance under real world conditions. Additional pilots target hydrogen recovery from chemical plants and helium extraction from underground hydrogen wells in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy.

Helium recovery illustrates the broader implications of high selectivity gas membranes. Helium is present in low concentrations in many gas streams yet remains essential for applications such as magnetic resonance imaging and semiconductor manufacturing. Efficient recovery from dilute sources has both economic and strategic significance. Similarly, hydrogen separation is central to refining, ammonia production, and emerging clean energy systems.

Scaling production from laboratory grams of polymer to industrial quantities remains a key engineering challenge. Osmoses reports ongoing efforts to increase manufacturing capacity while reducing material costs. The objective over the next several years is to validate long term membrane durability, fouling resistance, and performance stability in pilot installations before broader commercial deployment.

Membrane based separations are not new, but their expansion into high volume chemical processing has been constrained by material limitations and process integration hurdles. Advances in polymer architecture, combined with closer alignment between chemists and chemical engineers, have narrowed that gap. If performance targets are met at scale, membrane systems could gradually displace portions of heat intensive infrastructure.

The broader significance of this work lies in its potential to address a systemic inefficiency in industrial chemistry. Chemical production will continue to require energy, but reducing reliance on phase change driven separations offers one pathway to lower emissions without altering product demand. Whether membranes become a primary separation platform or a complementary technology will depend on economic validation and long term reliability. For now, the progress from laboratory research to funded pilots marks a tangible step toward rethinking how industrial gases are purified and recovered.

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Bian, T., Colomer, G., Liu, Y., Tius, M. A., & Zhang, Z. (2025). Deoxygenative Difunctionalization of Aldehydes via Ketyl Radical and Light/Dark Pd Synergy. Angewandte Chemie International Edition. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202521847

Led by Halil Tekinalp, the team has developed a modular extrusion system that combines the output of multiple smaller extruders into a single, coordinated material stream. Rather than scaling up one large extrusion head, the approach distributes the load across parallel units and merges their molten polymer flows through specially engineered nozzle blocks. The result is a high-output system that maintains the responsiveness and control of smaller extruders while approaching the deposition rates of much larger equipment.

Led by Halil Tekinalp from Oak Ridge National Laboratory stated,

“This innovation opens up new manufacturing horizons, making it possible to achieve complex, efficient and creative designs with dynamic material switching, all while preventing cross contamination—meaning the distinct materials remain pure and do not mix unintentionally.”

The mechanical challenge is straightforward but difficult to solve. Large extruders are heavy and introduce inertia into motion systems, especially in gantry-based printers. That added mass can reduce accuracy during rapid direction changes and create inconsistencies at lower flow rates. It can also contribute to heat buildup, increasing the risk of warping in tapered or thin-walled geometries. By contrast, ORNL’s approach allows individual extruders to be activated or deactivated depending on the required output, without physically swapping hardware.

At the center of the system is a patent-pending nozzle architecture designed to merge parallel melt streams. The nozzle blocks, fabricated from aluminum bronze for thermal conductivity and mechanical durability, contain internal channels that guide two molten polymer streams into a unified bead. A Y-shaped configuration improves flow uniformity and reduces centerline porosity, a common issue in high-throughput extrusion where incomplete fusion can weaken parts.

In addition to the Y-shaped design, the team engineered a nozzle capable of producing core-and-sheath structures, where one material encapsulates another within the same extruded bead. This configuration enables true multi-material printing within a single pass. Instead of switching extruders between layers or segments, different materials can be deposited simultaneously in controlled geometries. According to Vipin Kumar, a technical lead on the project, this architecture allows dynamic material transitions while preventing cross-contamination between feedstocks.

From a materials engineering standpoint, the implications are significant. Multi-material beads can combine stiffness and flexibility, or structural strength and functional properties such as electrical conductivity or flame resistance. Embedding a composite core within a thermoplastic sheath may also improve interlayer adhesion, addressing delamination, a persistent limitation in large-format polymer additive manufacturing.

The system is compatible with pellet-based feedstocks, which are commonly used in large-scale printing for cost efficiency. Early testing indicates that the multiplexed configuration can double flow rates compared with a single extruder of comparable scale, with potential for further increases depending on the number of active units. Importantly, higher output does not appear to compromise bead consistency at lower flow conditions, which has historically been a weakness of oversized extrusion heads.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory has long focused on scaling additive manufacturing for industrial use, particularly in energy, aerospace, and defense applications. In those sectors, the ability to fabricate large components with tailored mechanical properties is increasingly relevant. Aerospace structures may require sections with impact resistance integrated alongside lightweight support regions. Energy infrastructure components may demand flame-retardant housings combined with load-bearing frames. Civil engineering applications such as bridge elements or marine structures often involve varied stress profiles within a single part.

The modular extrusion concept is intended to support that level of design freedom without introducing excessive machine mass or sacrificing process control. Because individual extruders can be independently managed, manufacturers gain flexibility in balancing throughput and precision across different build phases. A thick structural region may call for maximum combined output, while a finer feature could be printed with only one active unit.

The broader context for this development is the ongoing push to industrialize additive manufacturing beyond prototyping. As print volumes increase and parts move into structural roles, process reliability and repeatability become central concerns. Innovations in nozzle geometry and melt-stream management, such as those demonstrated here, address bottlenecks that have limited polymer-based systems at larger scales.

While further validation and integration into commercial platforms will be required, the work from Oak Ridge National Laboratory suggests that extrusion-based additive manufacturing does not need to rely on larger and heavier components to increase output. Instead, distributing flow across coordinated modules may offer a more scalable path forward, combining throughput, material versatility, and mechanical performance within a single system.

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Sarkar, S., Ash, B., Wu, Y., Boechler, N., Shankar, S., & Mao, X. (2025). Mechanochemical Feedback Drives Complex Inertial Dynamics in Active Solids. Physical Review Letters, 135(25), 258301. https://doi.org/10.1103/19rh-3whq

Glass has long defined the presentation of Scotch whisky. It is chemically stable, widely recyclable, and closely tied to the identity of premium spirits. However, it is energy-intensive to produce and relatively heavy to transport. Aluminium, by contrast, is lighter and benefits from well-established recycling streams. From a life-cycle perspective, reducing packaging weight could lower transport emissions, particularly for export markets where bottled spirits travel significant distances.

Professor Annie Hill of Heriot-Watt University stated,

“We are not suggesting glass disappears tomorrow. But offering customers a lower carbon option for a premium product is something worth exploring. As a small distillery, we can help start that conversation.”

The scientific challenge lies in understanding how matured whisky behaves in prolonged contact with aluminium. To address this, researchers stored spirit supplied by Stirling Distillery in aluminium bottles and monitored it over several months. Analytical work was carried out using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to track changes in organic compounds and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to measure trace metal levels in the liquid.

The data showed that certain organic acids that develop during cask maturation, including gallic acid, can react with aluminium surfaces. In controlled laboratory conditions where spirit was stirred directly with aluminium metal, aluminium concentrations in the liquid rose beyond levels considered acceptable for drinking water. These results indicate that unmanaged contact between whisky and bare aluminium would not meet safety standards. The reactions were less pronounced in newly distilled spirit, which contains a different chemical profile before ageing.

Alongside the chemical analysis, the team conducted sensory evaluations to determine whether measurable changes translated into perceptible differences. Panelists were unable to reliably distinguish between whisky stored in aluminium and that stored in glass. While this suggests that short-term storage did not produce noticeable flavour deviations, sensory neutrality alone is not sufficient if trace metal migration occurs over longer periods.

The role of internal liners has therefore become central to the next phase of research. Aluminium beverage containers typically rely on polymer coatings to prevent direct contact between liquid and metal. In the initial trials, available liners were not fully resistant to prolonged exposure to high alcohol concentrations. The researchers are now exploring alternative barrier materials capable of maintaining integrity over extended storage without degrading or allowing metal transfer.

For the whisky industry, which operates within strict regulatory frameworks and long maturation cycles, any packaging change must satisfy safety, durability, and brand considerations. Stirling Distillery has indicated that the project is exploratory rather than a replacement mandate. The intention is to assess whether a lower-carbon packaging option could be offered alongside traditional glass, particularly as producers face increasing pressure to reduce environmental impact.

From an engineering perspective, the study highlights the complexity of substituting materials in established consumer products. Weight reduction and recyclability are important sustainability metrics, but they must be balanced against chemical compatibility and long-term containment performance. Whether aluminium can meet those requirements for high-proof spirits remains an open technical question, one that will depend on advances in barrier coatings as much as on the metal itself.

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Hu, L., Zhang, A., & Warshel, A. (2025). Exploring evolutionary trajectories of drug resistance. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 122(45). https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2517715122

The project began after the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency issued a call for proposals in late 2024. The agency challenged research teams to design a 3D printable concrete mixture that could be deposited underwater at shallow depths. The constraints were significant. The material needed to function in continuous water exposure and contain mostly seafloor sediment, with only a limited amount of cement. The timeline was also tight, with just one year to demonstrate feasibility.

Assistant Professor Sriramya Nair from Cornell University stated,

“We want to be constructing without being disruptive. If you have a remotely operated underwater vehicle that shows up on site with minimal disturbance to the ocean, then there is a way to build smarter and not continue the same practices that we do on the land.”

Nair’s group had prior experience working with a large scale industrial robot capable of printing concrete structures on land. Extending that capability to underwater conditions required rethinking both material composition and fabrication control. Water introduces a range of complications, the most immediate being washout. In underwater environments, cement particles can disperse before binding, weakening the structure. Traditional anti washout chemical admixtures increase viscosity, but overly viscous mixtures are difficult to pump through a robotic extrusion system. Achieving a workable balance between pumpability, cohesion, and structural stability became central to the research.

In parallel, DARPA’s requirement to incorporate seafloor sediment introduced another layer of complexity. Transporting cement to remote marine sites is expensive and logistically challenging. If sediment already present at the site can form the bulk of the material, construction becomes more practical and potentially less carbon intensive. However, sediment characteristics vary widely, and fine particles can influence strength development and print stability.

To address these issues, Nair assembled an interdisciplinary team. The materials subgroup focused on mixture design and mechanical performance, while the fabrication subgroup developed sensing and control systems for underwater operation. Collaborators include Nils Napp from electrical and computer engineering, Greg McLaskey from civil and environmental engineering, Uli Wiesner from materials science and engineering, and Jenny Sabin from architecture. Additional researchers from the University of Michigan, Clarkson University, and the University of Arizona are contributing to the effort.

Testing has taken place in controlled laboratory settings, where the team conducts repeated underwater prints in large water tanks. These experiments allow close monitoring of layer deposition, bonding between layers, and compressive strength development. The researchers are not only evaluating whether the material holds its shape during extrusion but also whether successive layers fuse effectively to create structural integrity.

Printing underwater introduces challenges that extend beyond material chemistry. Visibility can drop quickly when sediment is disturbed, making direct visual inspection impractical. Napp’s group has been developing integrated sensing systems that attach to the robotic arm, enabling real time monitoring of deposition even in turbid water. The aim is to adjust the printing path dynamically if irregularities are detected. Achieving this level of autonomy is critical, as sending divers to manually inspect structures during construction is not always feasible.

The culmination of the DARPA challenge will involve multiple teams printing an arch underwater as part of a competitive demonstration. An arch is a deliberate choice, as it tests structural performance under compression and requires accurate geometry to maintain stability. For Nair’s team, integrating optimized material mixtures with reliable sensing and robotic control has become the immediate priority.

Beyond the competition, the implications extend to maritime infrastructure more broadly. Ports, bridge foundations, offshore energy installations, and coastal defenses often require underwater repairs. Traditional methods can be disruptive, costly, and dependent on large support vessels. A robotic system capable of depositing concrete directly at the site could reduce both operational complexity and environmental disturbance.

Underwater additive manufacturing is still in early stages, and several questions remain. Long term durability in marine environments, resistance to saltwater corrosion, and structural performance under dynamic loads all require further validation. However, the combination of locally sourced sediment, robotic fabrication, and adaptive sensing represents a shift in how engineers may approach construction below the waterline.

For now, the team continues to refine mixture proportions, sensor integration, and robotic control algorithms in preparation for field demonstrations. If successful, underwater 3D printing could move from experimental tanks to real marine environments, offering a new method for building and maintaining the infrastructure that supports global trade and coastal communities.

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