Anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) offers a sustainable route for green hydrogen production. However, its large-scale deployment is constrained by the limited activity and stability of non-precious metal electrocatalysts, as well as challenges in designing efficient porous transport layers (P

Scientists create a new surface that can switch from repelling water to attracting it. This changes how we think about materials.

We report a first-principles study of a novel two-dimensional carbon allotrope, termed Dewar–Octa–Decagraphene (DOD–graphene), and evaluate its potential as a solid-state hydrogen carrier upon lithium functionalization. The pristine monolayer is metallic and dynamically stable. It remains intact during ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) at 300 K. Single-atom adsorption shows that Li binds strongly at the centers of the decagonal pores (−2.97 eV) and donates ∼0.8 e to the π network. A fully saturated configuration with two Li per decagon preserves metallicity and withstands AIMD at room temperature. Successive adsorption of up to 20 H2 molecules (7.52 wt %) yields average binding energies ranging from −0.30 to −0.20 eV, which are optimal for reversible storage without dissociation. Thermodynamic isotherms predict full capacity at 300 K under ∼10 atm. At the same time, AIMD simulations confirm rapid desorption: most H2 molecules leave the surface within 3 ps at 300 K without compromising structural integrity. Projected density of states, charge–density difference, and reduced density gradient analyses reveal negligible charge transfer to H2 and identify van der Waals interactions mediated by Li+ centers. The combination of robust Li anchoring, high gravimetric capacity, and facile, physisorptive release positions Li-decorated DOD–graphene as a promising candidate for next-generation hydrogen storage media.

If a surface is hot enough, a liquid droplet can develop an insulating vapour layer that makes it levitate above the surface, which is known as the Leidenfrost effect. A solid structure of liquid-fill...

To address the technical challenge of frequent condensation on radiant cooling panels (RCPs) in high-humidity environments, this study innovatively employed an