As the core foundational materials for modern wireless communication systems, microwave dielectric ceramics (MWDCs) directly determine the performance of key components such as antennas, resonators, and filters in 5G/6G mobile communications, satellite communications, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. With the rapid evolution of communication frequencies toward millimeter-wave and even sub-terahertz bands, the materials science community has imposed increasingly stringent requirements on the accurate characterization, property regulation, advanced fabrication, and intelligent development of microwave dielectric ceramics.

To systematically review the scientific progress and technological breakthroughs in this field, 14 institutions jointly published a comprehensive review on microwave dielectric ceramics. Starting from the three core parameters (ε_r, Q×f, and τ_f), this review discusses the latest research advances, prospects, and challenges across five key dimensions: property evaluation, mechanistic understanding, innovative processing, device applications, and data-driven discovery.

Electrocatalytic nitrite reduction reaction (NO₂⁻RR) to synthesize ammonia (NH₃) has been constrained by sluggish kinetics of water dissociation and the weak adsorption of nitrite. In this work, we develop an in-situ reconstruction strategy that transforms Ni-doped BiO_2-x (NiBiO_2-x) to Bi/NiBiO_2-x, which exhibits excellent activity and selectivity for NO₂⁻RR to synthesize NH₃. Diverse ex-situ and in-situ characterizations reveal potential-driven structural transformation from NiBiO_2-x to Bi/NiBiO_2-x, which features dual Ni²⁺-Bi⁰ active sites. The Ni²⁺ site is able to reduce the water dissociation barrier from 0.79 to 0.41 eV, while concurrently the Bi⁰ site can strengthen NO₂⁻ adsorption to promote *NO₂H intermediate formation. Consequently, the in-situ constructed Bi/NiBiO_2-x catalyst with Ni²⁺-Bi⁰ catalytic pairs enable an excellent NO₂⁻RR performance, achieving a NH₃ Faradaic efficiency (FE_NH3) of 94.5% at −0.6 V vs. RHE. The present study opens the new direction to in-situ construct high-performance electroreduction catalysts for small molecule synthesis.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) have attracted significant interest as safe, low-cost, and environmentally friendly energy storage systems. However, their performance and stability are limited by complex interfacial phenomena such as zinc dendrite growth, parasitic side reactions, and the evolution of the solid electrolyte interphase. These processes are inherently dynamic and span multiple spatial and temporal scales, posing challenges to traditional ex situ characterization techniques. To address this, advanced in situ and operando techniques have been developed, broadly categorized into imaging, spectroscopic, synchrotron scattering/diffraction, and coupled mass spectrometry approaches. These methods enable real-time visualization and chemical analysis of the electrode/electrolyte interface, providing insights into nucleation and dissolution dynamics, interfacial chemical transformations, and the mechanisms driving dendrite formation and parasitic reactions. Through the integration of these complementary techniques, structural evolution can be correlated with electrochemical behavior, elucidating the underlying physicochemical mechanisms. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in in situ and operando characterization methods and highlights their contributions to understanding interfacial stability in aqueous ZIBs. Future directions emphasizing multi-modal strategies and data integration to guide the rational design of high-performance ZIBs are discussed. These insights are expected to accelerate the development of next-generation aqueous energy storage systems.

Vat photopolymerization (VPP) 3D printing of silica ceramic cores often struggles with excessive shrinkage and severe high-temperature deflection during casting. To overcome this challenge, researchers introduced kyanite to compensate for shrinkage via its thermal decomposition. The optimized ceramic core (15 wt.% kyanite, sintered at 1225°C) showed drastically reduced sintering (3.06%) and casting shrinkage (0.86%), alongside a remarkably low high-temperature deflection of 0.82 mm. This novel strategy significantly enhances dimensional precision and accelerates the manufacturing of complex hollow turbine blades for advanced aerospace applications.

This article draws on eight recent studies published in Energy and Climate Management to assess the current status and future trajectory of China’s carbon market. While the national ETS has made notable progress, it remains constrained by low liquidity, weak price signals, and challenges in sectoral expansion—particularly due to MRV limitations. The studies highlight that improving institutional design, especially through robust price stabilization mechanisms, and introducing financial tools such as carbon futures are critical to enhancing market effectiveness. Insights from Japan and South Korea further underscore the importance of broader participation and policy flexibility. Overall, China’s carbon market is transitioning from institutional setup to market deepening, with growing emphasis on market-driven signals.