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HighlightsThe formation mechanism of solid electrolyte interface (SEI) is analyzed based on charge distributions at the electrode/electrolyte interface and molecular orbital theory.The factors affecting the formation of SEI are generalized from four aspects: Zn anode, electrolyte, current density and temperature.The design strategies for SEI layer are proposed from regulating temperature, electric and magnetic fields.Due to its high theoretical capacity (820 mAh g−1), low standard electrode potential (− 0.76 V vs. SHE), excellent stability in aqueous solutions, low cost, environmental friendliness and intrinsically high safety, zinc (Zn)-based batteries have attracted much attention in developing new energy storage devices. In Zn battery system, the battery performance is significantly affected by the solid electrolyte interface (SEI), which is controlled by electrode and electrolyte, and attracts dendrite growth, electrochemical stability window range, metallic Zn anode corrosion and passivation, and electrolyte mutations. Therefore, the design of SEI is decisive for the overall performance of Zn battery systems. This paper summarizes the formation mechanism, the types and characteristics, and the characterization techniques associated with SEI. Meanwhile, we analyze the influence of SEI on battery performance, and put forward the design strategies of SEI. Finally, the future research of SEI in Zn battery system is prospected to seize the nature of SEI, improve the battery performance and promote the large-scale application.

Rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries are promising energy storage devices due to their high safety and low cost. However, they remain in their infancy because of the limited choice of positive electrodes with high capacity and satisfactory cycling performance. Furthermore, their energy storage mechanisms are not well established yet. Here we report a highly reversible zinc/sodium vanadate system, where sodium vanadate hydrate nanobelts serve as positive electrode and zinc sulfate aqueous solution with sodium sulfate additive is used as electrolyte. Different from conventional energy release/storage in zinc-ion batteries with only zinc-ion insertion/extraction, zinc/sodium vanadate hydrate batteries possess a simultaneous proton, and zinc-ion insertion/extraction process that is mainly responsible for their excellent performance, such as a high reversible capacity of 380 mAh g –1 and capacity retention of 82% over 1000 cycles. Moreover, the quasi-solid-state zinc/sodium vanadate hydrate battery is also a good candidate for flexible energy storage device. Rechargeable zinc-ion batteries are promising energy storage devices but suffer from the limited choice of positive electrodes. Here Niu and co-workers show a design with sodium vanadate hydrate as cathode, allowing simultaneous proton and zinc-ion insertion/extraction and enhanced performance.

Spatially explicit population grid can play an important role in climate change, resource management, sustainable development and other fields. Several gridded datasets already exist, but global data, especially high-resolution data on future populations are largely lacking. Based on the WorldPop dataset, we present a global gridded population dataset covering 248 countries or areas at 30 arc-seconds (approximately 1 km) spatial resolution with 5-year intervals for the period 2020–2100 by implementing Random Forest (RF) algorithm. Our dataset is quantitatively consistent with the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways’ (SSPs) national population. The spatially explicit population dataset we predicted in this research is validated by comparing it with the WorldPop dataset both at the sub-national and grid level. 3569 provinces (almost all provinces on the globe) and more than 480 thousand grids are taken into verification, and the results show that our dataset can serve as an input for predictive research in various fields. Measurement(s) Global future grid population distribution from 2020 to 2100 Technology Type(s) Random Forest algorithm Factor Type(s) Global projections of future wilderness in 2100 • Travel time to cities in 2015 • WorldPop in 2015 and 2020 (unconstrained global population grids) • Global Urban Land Use Change Product (GULCP, under 5 SSPs) from 2020 to 2100 (10-year intervals) and in 2015 • Global DEM in 2012 • Global Roads • Global Land Cover in 2015 • SSPs population projections from 2020 to 2100

Realization of highly tunable second-order nonlinear optical responses, e.g., second-harmonic generation and bulk photovoltaic effect, is critical for developing modern optical and optoelectronic devices. Recently, the van der Waals niobium oxide dihalides are discovered to exhibit unusually large second-harmonic generation. However, the physical origin and possible tunability of nonlinear optical responses in these materials remain to be unclear. In this article, we reveal that the large second-harmonic generation in NbO X 2 ( X  = Cl, Br, and I) may be partially contributed by the large band nesting effect in different Brillouin zone. Interestingly, the NbOCl 2 can exhibit dramatically different strain-dependent bulk photovoltaic effect under different polarized light, originating from the light-polarization-dependent orbital transitions. Importantly, we achieve a reversible ferroelectric-to-antiferroelectric phase transition in NbOCl 2 and a reversible ferroelectric-to-paraelectric phase transition in NbOI 2 under a certain region of external pressure, accompanied by the greatly tunable nonlinear optical responses but with different microscopic mechanisms. Our study establishes the interesting external-field tunability of NbO X 2 for nonlinear optical device applications. This paper reports the intralayer ferroelectric-to-antiferroelectric and ferroelectric-toparaelectric phase transitions in layered NbOCl 2 and NbOI 2 under a small pressure, respectively, along with the strong manipulations of nonlinear optics.

Micro-nano additive-enhanced lubricating greases are pivotal for extreme-condition tribology, yet optimizing synergistic additive concentrations remains constrained by conventional experimental designs. This study employs a central composite design (CCD) coupled with MATLAB response surface methodology to precisely determine optimal concentrations of nano-graphite (N-G), graphene (GN), and potassium borate (PB) in titanium complex grease. Fifteen formulations were tested under progressive loads (98–598 N) via four-ball tribometry, with SEM/XPS characterizing wear mechanisms. The synergistic grease (G-MX: 0.83 wt% N-G, 0.05 wt% GN, 2.59 wt% PB) reduced the average friction coefficient by 45.3% and wear scar diameter by 23.3% versus base grease, surpassing single-additive variants. The CCD-MATLAB framework addressed sampling limitations of prior orthogonal methods, enabling optimization beyond discrete testing points. Mechanistic analysis revealed a dual lubrication regime: physically adsorbed films (soap molecules and refined PB particles) dominated at low loads, while chemically bonded tribofilms (Fe₃C, B₂O₃, TiO₂) ensured wear resistance under extreme pressures.

Manipulating electronic structure of alloy‐based electrocatalysts can eagerly regulate its catalytic efficiency and corrosion resistance for water splitting and fundamentally understand the catalytic mechanisms for oxygen/hydrogen evolution reactions (OER/HER). Herein, the metallic Co‐assisted Co7Fe3 alloy heterojunction (Co7Fe3/Co) embeds in a 3D honeycomb‐like graphitic carbon is purposely constructed as a bifunctional catalyst for overall water splitting. As‐marked Co7Fe3/Co‐600 displays the excellent catalytic activities in alkaline media with low overpotentials of 200 mV for OER and 68 mV for HER at 10 mA cm−2. Theoretical calculations reveal the electronic redistribution after coupling Co with Co7Fe3, which likely forms the electron‐rich state over interfaces and the electron‐delocalized state at Co7Fe3 alloy. This process changes the d‐band center position of Co7Fe3/Co and optimizes the affinity of catalyst surface to intermediates, thus promoting the intrinsic OER/HER activities. For overall water splitting, the electrolyzer only requires a cell voltage of 1.50 V to achieve 10 mA cm−2 and dramatically retains 99.1% of original activity after 100 h of continuous operation. This work proposes an insight into modulation of electronic state in alloy/metal heterojunctions and explores a new path to construct more competitive electrocatalysts for overall water splitting. Co7Fe3/Co heterojunction embeds in 3D honeycomb‐like graphitic carbon is constructed as a bifunctional catalyst. What is distinctive in the structure is that metallic Co is devoted entirely to assist the formation of electron‐rich state over interface and delocalize the surface electronic state at Co7Fe3. This process changes d‐band center position of Co7Fe3/Co and optimizes affinity of catalyst surface to intermediates.

Biofilms are complex multicellular communities formed by bacteria, and their extracellular polymeric substances are observed as surface-attached or non-surface-attached aggregates. Many types of bacterial species found in living hosts or environments can form biofilms. These include pathogenic bacteria such as Pseudomonas, which can act as persistent infectious hosts and are responsible for a wide range of chronic diseases as well as the emergence of antibiotic resistance, thereby making them difficult to eliminate. Pseudomonas aeruginosa has emerged as a model organism for studying biofilm formation. In addition, other Pseudomonas utilize biofilm formation in plant colonization and environmental persistence. Biofilms are effective in aiding bacterial colonization, enhancing bacterial resistance to antimicrobial substances and host immune responses, and facilitating cell‒cell signalling exchanges between community bacteria. The lack of antibiotics targeting biofilms in the drug discovery process indicates the need to design new biofilm inhibitors as antimicrobial drugs using various strategies and targeting different stages of biofilm formation. Growing strategies that have been developed to combat biofilm formation include targeting bacterial enzymes, as well as those involved in the quorum sensing and adhesion pathways. In this review, with Pseudomonas as the primary subject of study, we review and discuss the mechanisms of bacterial biofilm formation and current therapeutic approaches, emphasizing the clinical issues associated with biofilm infections and focusing on current and emerging antibiotic biofilm strategies.

Previous research suggests that artificial agents may be a promising source of social support for humans. However, the bulk of this research has been conducted in the context of social support interventions that specifically address stressful situations or health improvements. Little research has examined social support received from artificial agents in everyday contexts. Considering that social support manifests in not only crises but also everyday situations and that everyday social support forms the basis of support received during more stressful events, we aimed to investigate the types of everyday social support that can be received from artificial agents. In Study 1, we examined publicly available user reviews (N=1854) of Replika, a popular companion chatbot. In Study 2, a sample (n=66) of Replika users provided detailed open-ended responses regarding their experiences of using Replika. We conducted thematic analysis on both datasets to gain insight into the kind of everyday social support that users receive through interactions with Replika. Replika provides some level of companionship that can help curtail loneliness, provide a \"safe space\" in which users can discuss any topic without the fear of judgment or retaliation, increase positive affect through uplifting and nurturing messages, and provide helpful information/advice when normal sources of informational support are not available. Artificial agents may be a promising source of everyday social support, particularly companionship, emotional, informational, and appraisal support, but not as tangible support. Future studies are needed to determine who might benefit from these types of everyday social support the most and why. These results could potentially be used to help address global health issues or other crises early on in everyday situations before they potentially manifest into larger issues.

With the maturation of satellite technology, Hyperspectral Remote Sensing (HRS) platforms have developed from the initial ground-based and airborne platforms into spaceborne platforms, which greatly promotes the civil application of HRS imagery in the fields of agriculture, forestry, and environmental monitoring. China is playing an important role in this evolution, especially in recent years, with the successful launch and operation of a series of civil hyperspectral spacecraft and satellites, including the Shenzhou-3 spacecraft, the Gaofen-5 satellite, the SPARK satellite, the Zhuhai-1 satellite network for environmental and resources monitoring, the FengYun series of satellites for meteorological observation, and the Chang'E series of spacecraft for planetary exploration. The Chinese spaceborne HRS platforms have various new characteristics, such as the wide swath width, high spatial resolution, wide spectral range, hyperspectral satellite networks, and microsatellites. This paper focuses on the recent progress in Chinese spaceborne HRS, from the aspects of the typical satellite systems, the data processing, and the applications. In addition, the future development trends of HRS in China are also discussed and analyzed.

Continuous imaging of cardiac functions is highly desirable for the assessment of long-term cardiovascular health, detection of acute cardiac dysfunction and clinical management of critically ill or surgical patients 1 – 4 . However, conventional non-invasive approaches to image the cardiac function cannot provide continuous measurements owing to device bulkiness 5 – 11 , and existing wearable cardiac devices can only capture signals on the skin 12 – 16 . Here we report a wearable ultrasonic device for continuous, real-time and direct cardiac function assessment. We introduce innovations in device design and material fabrication that improve the mechanical coupling between the device and human skin, allowing the left ventricle to be examined from different views during motion. We also develop a deep learning model that automatically extracts the left ventricular volume from the continuous image recording, yielding waveforms of key cardiac performance indices such as stroke volume, cardiac output and ejection fraction. This technology enables dynamic wearable monitoring of cardiac performance with substantially improved accuracy in various environments. Innovations in device design, material fabrication and deep learning are described, leading to a wearable ultrasound transducer capable of dynamic cardiac imaging in various environments and under different conditions.