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Due to the unique self-acceleration, self-healing, and non-diffraction properties, Airy beams have been explored extensively and found applications in various fields. It has been proven as an essential aspect to tune the trajectory of Airy beams for extensive applications. In this paper, we propose a method based on liquid crystal (LC) alignment with metasurfaces, which enables dynamic tuning of the trajectory of Airy beams. Benefiting from both the tunable property of LCs and the compact alignment of metasurfaces, we achieve a sizeable linear potential in a short distance, which leads to the effective tuning of the trajectory of Airy beams dynamically. The introduction of metasurfaces into the alignment of LCs provides a promising method to manipulate the planar optical field.

In this study, the first in situ static-chamber measurements were conducted at coastal Antarctica tundra for CHCl3 fluxes, which showed that CHCl3 was naturally emitted from the Antarctic tundra at 35 ± 27 nmol m−2 d−1, comparable to other reported important natural sources. Significantly, enhanced CHCl3 emission rates (66 ± 20 nmol m−2 d−1) were observed from ornithogenic soil on the island populated with penguins, which was rich in organic matter and halides coming from penguin excrements. It is estimated that Antarctic tundra emits up to 0.1 Gg CHCl3 per year, which is an important source for regional atmospheric CHCl3. Laboratory-based incubations suggested that organic carbon and chlorine inputs by penguins may stimulate O2 dependent microbial-mediated CHCl3 emission from the Antarctic tundra, and all tundra soils showed the maximum CHCl3 emission at 4°C. The strength of this CHCl3 source is also expected to change in response to Antarctic warming.

Inspired by the emerging field of twistronics, moiré photonic structures have attracted great interest. In this paper, we introduce the concept of the moiré Kagome lattice (MKL), which arises from the overlapping of a Kagome lattice at a commensurable angle of 38.211°. MKL exhibits a significantly broader main photonic bandgap (PBG) when compared to the traditional Kagome lattice. Through numerical simulations, we delved into the adjustable properties of the PBG of MKL by varying lattice parameters, including filling factors and materials. Meanwhile, we also observed the presence of photonic flatbands within the MKL structure. Specifically, the emergence of a super flat isolated flatband aids in achieving single-mode omnidirectional lasers and enhancing the omnidirectional electromagnetic interaction of materials, thereby expanding the applications of moiré photonic crystals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Random lasing in liquid crystals is an emerging field that combines the unique optical properties of liquid crystals with the fascinating behaviour of random lasers. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the basic principles of random lasing, highlights the unique properties of liquid crystals, and examines strategies for optimizing laser performance in this context. Furthermore, we discuss the promising applications of liquid crystal-based random lasers across diverse fields, including telecommunications, display technologies, and sensing. Despite significant progress, challenges persist in enhancing the reliability and operational stability of these systems. To address these issues, we outline potential research directions, such as integrating random lasers into new technologies and developing novel liquid crystal materials. These initiatives have the potential to drive breakthrough innovations in photonics and related fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fibrous SiO2-TiO2 (FST) is one of the most promising materials for advancing photoelectrochemical water-splitting technology due to its cost-effectiveness and environmental friendliness. However, FST faces intrinsic limitations, including its low conductivity and wide bandgap. In this study, significant progress was made in modifying FST to overcome some of these limitations. This work involved synthesizing a new photoanode made of Ag-doped FST utilizing the microemulsion process. The Ag-doped FST was characterized using XRD, FTIR, UV–Vis, DRS, N2 adsorption–desorption, FESEM, TEM, and XPS. The results confirmed the formation of a continuous concentric lamellar structure with a large surface area. The addition of Ag species into the FST matrix caused interactions that reduced the bandgap. The Ag-doped FST photoanode exhibited an impressive photocurrent density of 13.98 mA/cm2 at 1.2 V (vs. RHE). This photocurrent density was notably higher than that of FST photoanodes, which was 11.65 mA/cm2 at 1.2 V (vs. RHE). Furthermore, the conduction band of Ag-doped FST is positioned closer to the reduction potential of hydrogen compared to that of FST, SiO2, and TiO2, facilitating rapid charge transfer and enabling the spontaneous generation of H2. The fabrication of Ag-doped FST provides valuable insights into the development of high-performance photoanodes for PEC water splitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Visible light photocatalysis offers a green and sustainable approach to wastewater treatment and environmental remediation. This study focuses on the synthesis of fibrous silica titania (FST) via a green method and comprehensively evaluates its photocatalytic performance compared with Ti3AlC2 powder. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed superior crystallinity and unique lamellar structures in FST, contributing to its enhanced photocatalytic activity. The FST catalyst achieved remarkable degradation efficiencies of 93% for MB and 96% for rhodamine B (RB) under visible light, outperforming the bare Ti3AlC2 powder. This promising performance is attributed to FST's narrow band gap (∼2.98 eV), high surface area, and minimal photogenerated charge carrier recombination. Kinetic studies showed excellent agreement with pseudo-first-order kinetics, with R2 values of 0.9801 and 0.988 for MB and RB, respectively. Reusability tests demonstrated sustained efficiency, with degradation rates remaining above 80% after four cycles. GC-MS analysis identified intermediates formed during photocatalytic degradation, ultimately converting them into harmless products, i.e., CO2 and H2O. These findings highlight FST as an economical, sustainable, and efficient photocatalyst for organic pollutant degradation compared to Ti3AlC2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose an innovative design for interdigital transducers (IDTs), enabling phase modulation of surface acoustic waves (SAWs) with a dislocated electrode structure. By designing the size and arrangement of these dislocated IDTs, a novel type of Airy SAWs can be generated, exhibiting self-accelerating, self-bending, and self-healing characteristics. The acceleration of the generated Airy SAW is 0.081 cm−1. Furthermore, particles and bubbles can be precisely manipulated using the generated Airy SAW. The proposed dislocated IDTs could be used for generation of many other types of SAWs, hence holding great promise for applications including SAW shaping, particle manipulation/sorting, and acoustic sensing/detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, China's new energy vehicle industry has developed rapidly. The key resources such as nickel, cobalt and lithium, as critical raw materials for the industrial development, has seen a surge in demand. Ni, Co, and Li resources in China are relatively scarce, subject to the mineral export control of the main supplying countries. The contradiction between resource supply and demand is becoming more and more prominent. Its necessary to expand diversified resource supply channels by importing high-quality Ni-Co-Li recycled materials. From the perspective of life cycle and circular development, based on the production process, environmental benefits and standardization status of Ni-Co-Li recycled materials in China, this paper interprets and analyzes the existing standards for recycling resources in China. With regard to commodity codes, identification methods and import, export tax rates, carbon footprint accounting and recovered material standard, this paper puts forwards to practical suggestions, and provides guidance for recycling resources imports in China and supply chain security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel seminaphthorhodafluor‐based fluorescent probe was designed and prepared. It exhibited an outstanding off–on fluorescence response (about 45‐fold enhancement) to Cu2+ because the structure changed from a spirocyclic form to a ring‐open state. It showed satisfactory detection performances for Cu2+ with fast response speed, high selectivity and anti‐interference, and a low detection limit (22.9 nM) due to its long emission wavelength and off–on fluorescence response mode. This probe was also satisfactorily applied for the monitoring of Cu2+ in living cells and zebrafish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CPL‐active flexible materials with high luminescence dissymmetry factor (glum) and luminescent quantum yield are indispensable for 3D displays, wearable devices and so on. Perovskite has drawn much attention due to its fascinating photoelectric properties as well as its abundant applications. However, the existing strategies are inefficient in acquiring perovskite NCs with high glum. In this work, thermoregulated CPL‐active flexible polymer/perovskite hybrid materials with high glum by the creation of chiral photonic bandgap in polymer film with cholesteric domains using toluene as the dielectric media is reported. Based on selective CPL reflection, a satisfied CPL with a maximum glum of 0.6 is achieved. Importantly, the chiral photonic bandgap center of the polymer film can be easily tuned by thermal annealing at different temperatures to adapt various perovskite NCs with full‐spectral emission. The handedness of CPL of hybrid materials can be regulated with and without dielectric media. The presence of the flexible polymer makes hybrid materials a candidate to achieve patterned display applications. Additionally, the polymer/perovskite hybrid materials show excellent stability thanks to the encapsulation effect from polymers. This work provides a facile and general approach to induce adjustable CPL in the whole visible spectrum with high glum and photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]