Frontiers Of Science Research Articles

Enhancing water transportation capacity by asymmetrical patterned surface with super-wettability

Spontaneous and directional water droplet transportation based on patterned surface with super-wettability is crucial for the development of frontier science technology. However, water droplet transportation cannot meet both long distance and fast transportation simultaneously. Here, we overcame this limitation by proposing an asymmetric serial brachistochrone-shaped pattern (ASBP). Water droplet could be transported on the ASBP with a transportation distance of 72.52 mm and a transportation velocity of 158 mm/s after a series of single-factor experiments, orthogonal design optimization, and junction transition optimization. In addition, the water droplet could be transported on a curved ASBP, a super-long ASBP for multi-droplet scenarios, and an ASBP at an inclination angle. Moreover, acidic and alkaline aqueous solution droplet showed similar transportation distance and transportation velocity on the ASBP. Based on the aforementioned superb water transportation capacity, this ASBP can be applied in the fields of fog collection, solution mixing and reaction, and reagent detection. This work has strong implications for promoting the application of patterned surface with super-wettability in the field of high-performance fluid transportation systems.

Laser harmonic generation with independent control of frequency and orbital angular momentum

The non-linear optical process of laser harmonic generation (HG) enables the creation of high quality pulses of UV or even X-ray radiation, which have many potential uses at the frontiers of experimental science, ranging from lensless microscopy to ultrafast metrology and chiral science. Although many of the promising applications are enabled by generating harmonic modes with orbital angular momentum (OAM), independent control of the harmonic frequency and OAM level remains elusive. Here we show, through a theoretical approach, validated with 3D simulations, how unique 2-D harmonic progressions can be obtained, with both frequency and OAM level tuned independently, from tailored structured targets in both reflective and transmissive configurations. Through preferential selection of a subset of harmonic modes with a specific OAM value, a controlled frequency comb of circularly polarised harmonics can be produced. Our approach to describe HG, which simplifies both the theoretical predictions and the analysis of the harmonic spectrum, is directly applicable across the full range of HG mechanisms and can be readily applied to investigations of OAM harmonics in other processes, such as OAM cascades in Raman amplification, or the analysis of harmonic progressions in nonlinear optics.

Small pelagic fish: new frontiers in science and sustainable management

Small pelagic fishes occupy an important trophic role in every global aquatic ecosystem, and many species are heavily exploited by fisheries, including some of the largest and most valuable capture fisheries in the world. In November 2022, a symposium on small pelagic fish titled “ Small Pelagic Fish: New Frontiers in Science and Sustainable Management” was cohosted by PICES, ICES, and FAO in Lisbon, Portugal. This special issue contains a collection of research manuscripts that explore approaches currently being used and developed to assess and manage small pelagic fishes. In particular, this issue covers topics on novel approaches to surveying small pelagic fishes, incorporating environmental covariates into management, management strategy evaluation, and aspects of the economics of small pelagic fisheries. The conclusions highlight the importance of new approaches that seek to enhance small pelagic fish surveys and ecosystem monitoring, incorporate that ecosystem information into management strategy evaluation, and predict the potential impacts of ecosystem changes on outcomes for economies and communities that rely on sustainable populations of small pelagic fishes.

Smart mechanoluminescent phosphors: A review of zinc sulfide‐based materials for advanced mechano‐optical applications

AbstractThe quest for mechanoluminescence (ML) in zinc sulfide (ZnS) spans more than a century, initially sparked by observations of natural minerals. There has been a resurgence in research into ML materials in recent decades, driven by advances in optoelectronic technologies and a deeper understanding of their luminescent properties under mechanical stress. ZnS, in particular, has garnered attention owing to its remarkable ability to sustain luminescence after more than 100,000 mechanical stimulations, positioning it as a standout candidate for optoelectronic applications. In contrast to conventional photoluminescent and electroluminescent light sources, ZnS composite elastomers have emerged as flexible, stretchable self‐powered light sources with considerable practical implications. This review introduces the development history, ML mechanisms, prototype ML devices, ZnS‐based ML material preparation methods, and their diverse applications spanning environmental mechanical‐to‐optical energy conversion, E‐signatures, anti‐counterfeiting, wearable information sensing devices, advanced battery‐free displays, biomedical imaging, and optical fiber sensors for human–computer interactions, among others. By integrating insights from ML‐optics, mechanics, and flexible optoelectronics, and by summarizing pertinent perspectives on current scientific challenges, application technology hurdles, and potential solutions for emerging scientific frontiers, this review aims to furnish fundamental guidance and conceptual frameworks for the design, advancement, and cutting‐edge application of novel mechanoluminescent materials.

The inaugural Catchment Area Data Conference: Beyond definition – charting new frontiers in cancer catchment area research and data science

The inaugural Catchment Area Data Conference: Beyond definition – charting new frontiers in cancer catchment area research and data science

Extracellular Matrix-Surrogate Advanced Functional Composite Biomaterials for Tissue Repair and Regeneration.

Native tissues, comprising multiple cell types and extracellular matrix components, are inherently composites. Mimicking the intricate structure, functionality, and dynamic properties of native composite tissues represents a significant frontier in biomaterials science and tissue engineering research. Biomimetic composite biomaterials combine the benefits of different components, such as polymers, ceramics, metals, and biomolecules, to create tissue-template materials that closely simulate the structure and functionality of native tissues. While the design of composite biomaterials and their in vitro testing are frequently reviewed, there is a considerable gap in whole animal studies that provides insight into the progress toward clinical translation. Herein, we provide an insightful critical review of advanced composite biomaterials applicable in several tissues. The incorporation of bioactive cues and signaling molecules into composite biomaterials to mimic the native microenvironment is discussed. Strategies for the spatiotemporal release of growth factors, cytokines, and extracellular matrix proteins are elucidated, highlighting their role in guiding cellular behavior, promoting tissue regeneration, and modulating immune responses. Advanced composite biomaterials design challenges, such as achieving optimal mechanical properties, improving long-term stability, and integrating multifunctionality into composite biomaterials and future directions, are discussed. We believe that this manuscript provides the reader with a timely perspective on composite biomaterials.

Machine Learning-Driven SERS Nanoendoscopy and Optophysiology.

A frontier of analytical sciences is centered on the continuous measurement of molecules in or near cells, tissues, or organs, within the biological context in situ, where the molecular-level information is indicative of health status, therapeutic efficacy, and fundamental biochemical function of the host. Following the completion of the Human Genome Project, current research aims to link genes to functions of an organism and investigate how the environment modulates functional properties of organisms. New analytical methods have been developed to detect chemical changes with high spatial and temporal resolution, including minimally invasive surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) nanofibers using the principles of endoscopy (SERS nanoendoscopy) or optical physiology (SERS optophysiology). Given the large spectral data sets generated from these experiments, SERS nanoendoscopy and optophysiology benefit from advances in data science and machine learning to extract chemical information from complex vibrational spectra measured by SERS. This review highlights new opportunities for intracellular, extracellular, and in vivo chemical measurements arising from the combination of SERS nanosensing and machine learning.

Chemical and engineering bases for green H2O2 production and related oxidation and ammoximation of olefins and analogues.

Plastics, fibers and rubber are three mainstream synthetic materials that are essential to our daily lives and contribute significantly to the quality of our lives. The production of the monomers of these synthetic polymers usually involves oxidation or ammoximation reactions of olefins and analogues. However, the utilization of C, O and N atoms in current industrial processes is <80%, which represents the most environmentally polluting processes for the production of basic chemicals. Through innovation and integration of catalytic materials, new reaction pathways, and reaction engineering, the Research Institute of Petroleum Processing, Sinopec Co., Ltd. (RIPP) and its collaborators have developed unique H2O2-centered oxidation/ammoximation technologies for olefins and analogues, which has resulted in a ¥500 billion emerging industry and driven trillions of ¥s' worth of downstream industries. The chemical and engineering bases of the production technologies mainly involve the integration of slurry-bed reactors and microsphere catalysts to enhance H2O2 production, H2O2 propylene/chloropropylene epoxidation for the production of propylene oxide/epichlorohydrin, and integration of H2O2 cyclohexanone ammoximation and membrane separation to innovate the caprolactam production process. This review briefly summarizes the whole process from the acquisition of scientific knowledge to the formation of an industrial production technology by RIPP. Moreover, the scientific frontiers of H2O2 production and related oxidation/ammoximation processes of olefins and analogues are reviewed, and new technological growth points are envisaged, with the aim of maintaining China's standing as a leader in the development of the science and technologies of H2O2 production and utilization.

Ultrafast Picometer-Resolved Molecular Structure Imaging by Laser-Induced High-Order Harmonics.

Real-time visualization of molecular transformations is a captivating yet challenging frontier of ultrafast optical science and physical chemistry. While ultrafast x-ray and electron diffraction methods can achieve the needed subangstrom spatial resolution, their temporal resolution is still limited to hundreds of femtoseconds, much longer than the few femtoseconds required to probe real-time molecular dynamics. Here, we show that high-order harmonics generated by intense femtosecond lasers can be used to image molecules with few-ten-attosecond temporal resolution and few-picometer spatial resolution. This is achieved by exploiting the sensitive dependence of molecular recombination dipole moment to the geometry of the molecule at the time of harmonic emission. In a proof-of-principle experiment, we have applied this high-harmonic structure imaging (HHSI) method to monitor the structural rearrangement in NH_{3}, ND_{3}, and N_{2} from one to a few femtoseconds after the molecule is ionized by an intense laser. Our findings establish HHSI as an effective approach to resolve molecular dynamics with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution, which can be extended to trace photochemical reactions in the future.

Frontier Science with ‘Dirty Test Tubes’ - Flaw or Feature?

Frontier Science with ‘Dirty Test Tubes’ - Flaw or Feature?

Space–time characterization of ultrashort laser pulses: A perspective

The characterization of ultrashort laser pulses has significantly advanced beyond the standard spatial and temporal diagnostics to now include sophisticated spatio-temporal measurement techniques. In this perspective, we provide an overview of the current state of space–time characterization, discussing the theoretical foundations of ultrashort laser pulses, the various measurement techniques and their design trade-offs, and the challenges and opportunities for future development. We explore the extension of these techniques to different wavelength regimes and delve into the unique challenges posed by the characterization of polarization-structured beams. The potential for data-driven analysis to enhance the information extracted from the measurements is highlighted, along with the need for direct measurement of previously inaccessible field components, such as the longitudinal electric field in tightly focused beams. As these diagnostic tools continue to evolve, we anticipate a future where the intricate space–time structure of light can be analyzed on a routine basis, opening up new frontiers in ultrafast science and technology.

Fabrication of pristine 2D heterostructures for scanning probe microscopy

Material-by-design has been a long-standing aspiration that has recently become a reality. Such designer materials have been repeatedly demonstrated using the top-down approach of mechanical exfoliation and stacking, leading to a variety of artificial 2D heterostructures with new properties that are otherwise unattainable. Consequently, tremendous research frontiers in physics, chemistry, engineering, and life science have been created. While thousands of layered crystals exist in nature, only a few dozen of them with manageable chemical-stability have been made into heterostructures using this method. Moreover, experimental investigations of materials that have received limited exploration in the 2D realm, such as cuprates, halides, and perovskites, along with their heterostructures, have been fundamentally hindered by their rapid chemical degradation. Another critical challenge imposed by exfoliating and stacking 2D layers in ambient environment is the absorption of itinerant gas molecules that further contaminate sensitive 2D interfaces in the heterostructures. Such contamination and compromised material properties significantly hinder surface-sensitive local probes—scanning probe microscopy (SPM)—that often require nanometer to atomic scale surface cleanliness. In this article, we aim to provide a technical review of recent development toward 2D materials and heterostructure fabrication in more controlled environments that are suitable for SPM characterizations. These include the development of more efficient mechanical exfoliation and dry-transfer techniques, as well as the incorporation of 2D material exfoliation and transfer in inert gas, low vacuum, and, eventually, ultra-high vacuum environments. Finally, we provide an outlook on the remaining challenges and opportunities in ultra-clean 2D material fabrication techniques.

Editorial: Frontiers in marine sciences, social sciences and engineering research related to marine (renewable) energy development

Editorial: Frontiers in marine sciences, social sciences and engineering research related to marine (renewable) energy development

The X-ray science frontier is ultra-short and ultra-intense

The X-ray science frontier is ultra-short and ultra-intense

Analysis of the Current Status and Hot Technologies of Carbon Dioxide Geological Storage

Carbon dioxide geological storage is one of the key measures to control and alleviate atmospheric carbon dioxide content. To better grasp the developmental dynamic and trend of carbon dioxide geological storage research over the world, promoting the research of CO2 storage theory and technology, 5052 related studies published in the past 22 years were collected from the Web Of Science database. The annual published articles on carbon dioxide geological storage research, partnerships, research hotspots, and frontiers were analyzed by using the knowledge map method of article analysis. The results show that the articles on the carbon dioxide geological storage are increasing yearly. The United States, China, and the United Kingdom are the most active countries; meanwhile, Tianfu Xu and Xiaochun Li from China are experts with the most achievements in the field of carbon dioxide geological storage. Although the theoretical and research frameworks for geological storage of CO2 are abundant, the field of enhanced gas formation recovery, shale gas extraction and subsurface storage, methane reservoirs, and methane adsorption are still challenging frontier science and technology topics.

ERC science and invention: Does ERC break free from the EU Paradox?

We explore the relationship between government-supported science and its translation into inventive activities, focusing on the European Research Council (ERC), the principal funding mechanism for top-quality research in Europe. We show that, compared to similar European research, ERC science accrues a greater number of patent citations. Moreover, patents that draw upon ERC research are of superior quality, measured by forward citations. Compared to similar European research, inventive activities arising from ERC science are more likely to be housed within universities and public research organizations. In absolute terms, however, US organizations, especially US companies, still lead in deriving the greatest benefits from ERC science. The significant disparity in corporate sector patenting linked to ERC science in the US and EU is fueled by inventions undertaken by startups, highlighting the crucial role of a dynamic startup landscape in driving inventions at the frontier of science. Overall, our findings suggest that ERC science continues to face challenges associated with the so-called European Paradox.

Islamic Theology and Extraterrestrial Life: New Frontiers in Science and Religion, edited by Shoaib Ahmed Malik and J&amp;ouml;rg Matthias Determann

Islamic Theology and Extraterrestrial Life: New Frontiers in Science and Religion, edited by Shoaib Ahmed Malik and J&amp;ouml;rg Matthias Determann

Tropes and the Literary-Scientific Revolution: Forms of Proof, by Michael Slater

Tropes and the Literary-Scientific Revolution: Forms of Proof, by Michael Slater

Human microbiome and health: Disease, intervention, and regulation

This paper explores the complicated connection between human health and microbiome, with a particular emphasis on the symbiotic relationships that exist between bacteria and the human body. The human microbiome, which is comprised of up of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms, is essential for many body processes, which include digestion, immunological response, metabolism, and even mental health. However, our understanding of these complex relationships remains rudimentary, with existing research facing limitations in sample sizes, research depth, and longitudinal studies. The essay further explores the modulation and intervention of the microbiome, discussing dietary interventions and Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) as promising strategies for microbiome therapy. Despite the challenges and limitations in current research, the study of the human microbiome and its impact on health represents a frontier in medical science, with the potential to revolutionize our approach to health and disease

Exploring the Frontier of Data Science: Innovations, Challenges, and Future Directions

Data science, an interdisciplinary field, has profoundly transformed our understanding and utilization of data across diverse sectors such as healthcare, finance, marketing, and transportation. With the rapid advancements in computational power and the exponential growth of data from digital sources, sophisticated methodologies and tools have emerged, enabling deeper insights and more informed decision-making. This paper explores the latest innovations in data science, focusing on advancements in machine learning algorithms, big data technologies, and data visualization tools. It highlights the development of cutting-edge techniques that enhance predictive accuracy, optimize resource allocation, and improve operational efficiencies. Additionally, we address the key challenges faced by practitioners, including ensuring data quality and management, navigating ethical and privacy concerns, and bridging the skill gap within the workforce. By examining these aspects, the paper provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of data science and its implications for future research and application. The insights gathered aim to guide researchers and professionals in leveraging data science advancements while addressing the inherent challenges to maximize the potential benefits across various industries.