Artificial intelligence (AI) is driving a paradigm shift in scientific research—from functioning primarily as an "accelerator" to emerging as a genuine "discoverer." Using the "Machine Chemist" platform at the University of Science and Technology of China as an illustrative example, this work provides a systematic analysis of the potential and challenges of AI in chemical knowledge discovery. Through machine learning, knowledge graphs, and automated experimental systems, AI can achieve a true transition from data to knowledge in areas such as molecular design, spectroscopic analysis, catalyst screening, and materials development. However, for AI to become an autonomous discoverer of chemical knowledge, three critical bottlenecks must be addressed: The scarcity of high−quality data, the limitations of human cognitive frameworks, and the low efficiency of experimental validation. This study further examines how chemical foundation models, multimodal data integration, and industrial−scale intelligent laboratories can drive systematic transformation of future scientific research paradigms by enabling data−driven decision optimization, accelerating interdisciplinary research, and restructuring automated experimental workflows.

The ocean is Earth's largest dynamic carbon reservoir and a cornerstone of global climate governance. Building on the microbial carbon pump (MCP) theoretical framework, the ONCE (ocean negative carbon emissions) mega−science program was launched by UNESCO−IOC, followed by an ISO/TC8/WG15 standard platform established by the ISO, which have created a methodology chain of "science−technology−protocols−international standards". Following the logic of "carbon credit—trading mechanism—international governance", this paper briefs ocean carbon sequestration processes and their monitoring methods, examines how standardized methodologies enable credible ocean−based carbon credits and associated finance, and proposes a dual−engine model in which negative carbon emission technological innovation works in tandem with carbon−market leverage to drive green development. Practice in China would offer scalable solutions for the world's low−carbon economy and sustainable development.

Oxygen blast furnace (OBF) has many advantages such as a high coal injection rate, reduced coke ratio, lower CO₂ emissions, and improved production efficiency, and is considered one of the most promising low−carbon ironmaking processes for large−scale application. Therefore, it has received extensive research attention. This article analyzes the current state and development trends of OBF research from various aspects, including its development history, industrial experiments, physical models, and mathematical models. Carbon reduction potential of the OBF is analyzed from the perspectives of internal production state production indexes, material flow, and energy flow. It is found that OBF has significant carbon reduction advantages compared to traditional blast furnaces (TBF), and its carbon reduction potential can be further enhanced with CO₂ capture and storage technologies. Then, the progress made by China Baowu Hydrogen−enriched Carbonic oxide Recycling Oxygenate Furnace (HyCROF) was elaborated in more detail. This process achieved a utilization coefficient of 5.0 t/(m³·d), reducing the cost per ton of iron by approximately 150 yuan compared to previous stages. Finally, it looks ahead to accelerating the integration of the "blast furnace−converter" long process by replacing carbon with hydrogen, combining carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology and pure hydrogen reduction technology, so as to build an intelligent, efficient and high−yield development direction for the steel industry. Finally, the direction of low−carbon iron making in China is prospected.

This paper reviews low−carbon metallurgical technologies in China, Japan, and Europe, analyzing the EU's ULCOS project, Japan's COURSE50 project, and various low−carbon technological advancements in China. Countries are actively addressing the carbon reduction challenges in the iron and steel industry by developing technologies such as hydrogen direct reduction, molten reduction, and electrolytic steelmaking. For instance, the ULCOS project aims to reduce CO₂ emissions per ton of steel through top gas recycling and novel direct reduction processes. The COURSE50 project integrates hydrogen injection with CO₂ capture technologies to achieve its reduction targets. Under the "dual carbon" strategy, China has rapidly developed technologies such as hydrogen−rich carbon−circulating blast furnaces and gas−based direct reduction processes, demonstrating significant carbon reduction potential.

In order to achieve green, low carbon and high−quality development of the iron and steel industry, the development and application of low carbon emissions steelmaking technology should be noted. The study systematically analyzes the structural transformation of the current steelmaking process, with a focus on achieving low−carbon operation in the converter process through high scrap steel ratio smelting and the use of clean raw materials such as direct reduced iron (DRI). At the same time, an in−depth analysis was conducted on how electric arc furnace steelmaking technology can move towards the forefront of low−carbon and even "near zero carbon" smelting through technological solutions such as green electricity, intelligent power supply, biomass carbon sources, and reducing auxiliary material consumption. Finally, a systematic low−carbon emission steelmaking development path was proposed from the dimensions of technology integration, policy guidance, and energy structure transformation, providing theoretical support and practical reference for the high−quality and sustainable development of the steel industry.

The production of ferroalloys necessitates the consumption of substantial quantities of alloy materials. Achieving the national "dual carbon" strategic goals and reducing energy consumption in the steel industry necessitates the implementation of scientific and practical methods and approaches for ferroalloy charging. The objective of alloy reduction technology in the steelmaking alloying process is twofold: first, to minimize the use of alloying elements, and second, to reduce production costs, while ensuring that the final steel retains the required properties and characteristics. The present paper introduces the physicochemical properties of ferroalloys and employs drum tests to quantitatively evaluate their pulverization performance. During handling, alloys should be stored in tiered arrangements based on particle size and density to ensure absorption rates. It is imperative to mitigate the occurrence of collisions during storage, transportation, and utilization to avert pulverization losses prior to furnace entry. An intelligent control system for alloy reduction in steelmaking, developed using neural networks and big data models, has been successfully implemented in over ten domestic steel enterprises. The substitution of customized alloy recycling plans, derived from field operation data and process analysis, has been demonstrated to reduce ferroalloy usage costs for steel producers. In the process of smelting particular steel grades, it is imperative to exercise caution with regard to the presence of deleterious elements within the alloy. Concurrently, precise selection should be made based on changes in the main alloy components to reduce cost increases caused by fluctuations in alloy composition. By analyzing current alloy reduction technologies in steelmaking, this study proposes future improvement directions and trends for ferroalloy reduction methods. Initial efforts must concentrate on the enhancement of ferroalloy quality, with the objective of reducing the usage of superfluous alloy elements and averting the squandering of resources. Secondly, the advancement of digitalization and automation technologies has the potential to enhance the stability and controllability of steelmaking operations by enabling the monitoring and control of the alloying process.

As the world's largest steel producer, China's steel industry generates over 1.4 trillion cubic meters of by−product gas annually, which contains energy equivalent to 266 million tons of standard coal. However, currently, the by−product gas from China's steel industry is mainly used as fuel for combustion, remaining at a stage with high carbon emissions and low comprehensive utilization rate. In view of this, to promote the improvement of the utilization efficiency of by−product gas in China's steel industry, this paper elaborates on the composition, calorific value and other characteristics and availability of three core by−product gases: blast furnace gas, coke oven gas and converter gas. It also analyzes the current utilization status and limitations mainly based on fuel combustion, and explores the high−value utilization pathways under the steel−chemical integration and hydrogen metallurgy approaches, including pressure swing adsorption (PSA) and chemical absorption for purifying CO/CO₂, as well as biological fermentation of converter gas and reforming of coke oven gas to produce methanol/ethanol and hydrogen energy. It focuses on the application advantages and practices of coke oven gas in Midrex and Energiron−ZR direct reduction ironmaking. Research shows that by−product gas can be transformed from a single fuel to a chemical raw material through technological upgrades, such as reducing emissions by 10%~20% through high−pressure injection of coke oven gas into blast furnaces, and the feasibility of Baowu's HyCROFTM hydrogen−rich carbon cycle blast furnace technology has been verified. Based on this, it is concluded that the core directions for efficient and low−carbon utilization are steel−chemical integration and synergy, hydrogen metallurgy coupling, and the integration of CCUS technology, which can drive the industry to shift from "carbon metallurgy" to "hydrogen metallurgy" and provide technical support for the green and low−carbon transformation of the steel industry.

Quantum key distribution (QKD) provides information−theoretic security to address security challenges faced by traditional encryption techniques and threats posed by quantum computers. This paper investigates the application of QKD in wireless public network power services, accounting for parameters such as electromagnetic interference and communication distance through modeling and simulation. Results demonstrate that the pattern matching protocol QKD exhibits excellent performance when the pairing interval exceeds 10⁴, surpassing the PLOB boundary while still achieving transmission distances exceeding 400 km. This ensures the security of communication links and provides theoretical support for the application of pattern matching protocol QKD in wireless public network power services.

Selective laser melting (SLM), as a prominent metal additive manufacturing technology, has achieved industrial applications in aerospace, biomedical, and energy sectors due to its near−net−shape forming capability and ability to fabricate complex structures. Superalloys, owing to their excellent high−temperature strength, oxidation resistance, and creep performance, are the preferred materials for SLM−fabricated heat−resistant components. However, the unmelted powder generated during SLM undergoes degradation (including thermal cycling, oxidation, and particle size distribution alterations), posing significant challenges to its efficient recycling and reconditioning, which constitutes a critical bottleneck for sustainable industrial development. This article is centered on the research progress concerning the recycling of superalloy powders during selective laser melting (SLM). It systematically analyzes the evolution of physical and chemical characteristics of powders throughout the recycling process, elucidates the impact of recycled powders on the formation of defects and mechanical properties of printed parts. As the number of recycling cycles increases, satellite particles and irregular granules appear on the powder surface, leading to an increase in surface roughness, along with a continuous rise in oxygen content. Additionally, the recycled powder results in an increased defect density in the fabricated parts, manifested as a higher prevalence of unmelted pores and micropores, while the mechanical properties exhibit complex variations. Technological breakthroughs and application cases in efficient recycling and reconditioning methods were summarized. Furthermore, it proposes future research priorities and development directions in this field.

Using Kohn–Sham density functional theory, we investigate the Diels–Alder reaction between cyclopentadiene and methyl vinyl ketone as a model system to elucidate the regulatory mechanism and microscopic origin of oriented external electric fields (OEEF) on cycloaddition reactivity. The results demonstrate that both the direction and magnitude (F_Z) of the electric field significantly affect the reaction rate and selectivity: When F_Z>0, the reaction rate accelerates and the endo product ratio increases, whereas F_Z<0 leads to a slower reaction but favors exo product selectivity. Mechanistic analysis reveals that OEEF induces electronic polarization and decreases the HOMO_CP−LUMO_MVK gap, thereby improving the electron transfer capability between molecular orbitals, strengthening the interactions between bonding atoms in the transition state, and facilitating interfragment charge transfer. These effects stabilize the transition state and lower the activation barrier. Furthermore, electronic structure descriptors, including electrostatic potential, electron density difference, orbital energy gaps, fragment charges, and dipole moment, are provided to rationalize and predict the influence of OEEF on Diels−Alder reactivity.

Iron is a crucial element for maintaining immune system function, and iron imbalance can lead to immune dysregulation. The liver, as the central organ for iron storage and regulation, maintains iron homeostasis by precisely sensing systemic iron levels and modulating hepcidin secretion. This review summarizes the impact of iron imbalance on liver immune function and its underlying mechanisms, with a focus on both the innate and adaptive immune systems. In innate immunity, iron deficiency suppresses macrophage polarization toward the M1 phenotype, impairs neutrophil differentiation, and enhances the cytotoxic activity of NK cells. In contrast, iron overload promotes M1 macrophage polarization, inhibits neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, while its effect on NK cells remains unclear.Regarding adaptive immunity, iron deficiency inhibits T cell activation and B cell antibody production, whereas iron overload induces mitochondrial dysfunction, promotes the differentiation of pathogenic T cells, and impairs regulatory T cell function. Current research still presents several gaps; for instance, the regulatory mechanisms of iron deficiency on M2 macrophage polarization and the effects of iron overload on NK cell function remain to be fully elucidated. Future studies should strengthen research on related signaling pathways and clinical translation, exploring immune intervention strategies targeting iron metabolism to provide new insights for the prevention and treatment of liver diseases associated with iron metabolism disorders.

In the last decade, the fatigue damage of machine-made sand concrete caused by cyclic loading has gradually started to attract attention, but the test results are diverse and discrete due to the influence of test equipment, test conditions, and environment, etc. No uniform standard has been reached. To further analyze the fatigue performance of machine-made sand concrete and improve the accuracy of fatigue life prediction, this paper starts from the influencing factors of its mechanical properties—such as the content of stone powder, stress level, and machine-made sand replacement ratio, summarizes the underlying mechanisms and patterns, and analyzes the relationship between the static properties and fatigue life of concrete with the Aas–Jakobsen equation. An empirical fatigue life prediction formula is proposed, which considers the transformation relationships among the compressive, flexural, and tensile strengths of machine-made sand concrete. In addition, for the first time, this study conducted a microscopic analysis of the composition and microstructure of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) and hydration products in concrete at different machine-made sand replacement rates, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and microhardness. Afterward, fatigue tests were carried out on concrete specimens at different replacement rates (0, 30 %, 70 %, and 100 %) of machine-made sand and the optimal replacement rate of machine-made sand for C30 concrete mix ratio was around 50%. Based on the experimental data, a fatigue life prediction model incorporating the machine-made sand replacement rates was developed. The proposed model avoids the need for extensive additional experiments and demonstrates greater applicability in engineering scenarios with significant variations in material composition or limited on-site experiment conditions.

As China Space Station enters the application and development phase, achievements in space science and applications have emerged frequently. Against this backdrop, the selection of priorities for space science and applications has become an urgent issue to be addressed. To efficiently allocate resources and facilitate the production of significant outcomes, four criteria for Selecting priorities are proposed, namely strategic value, inherent value of the direction, development value, and feasibility. This proposal is based on the characteristics of the space science and applications field, including high strategic value, strong cutting−edge exploratory nature, and strong resource constraints. In response to the nature of multi−disciplinary and multi−institutional participation, a selection process featuring top−down and bottom−up integration as well as multiple rounds of iteration is adopted. This process ensures the scientific validity and rationality of the results of Selecting priorities for space science and applications. Furthermore, key issues requiring attention are put forward: conducting systematic thinking from the perspective of the disciplinary development ecosystem; verifying through multiple channels to ensure broad consensus; and improving supporting implementation systems to guarantee the implementation of strategic plans.

Professor John Gurdon of the University of Cambridge, winner of the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, was an authoritative scientist in the global fields of developmental biology and stem cell biology. He cherished a passion for science and was also endowed with the resilience for lifelong research. This article recounted the author's two in-depth interactions with John Gurdon, demonstrating Gurdon's attention to the frontiers of science and technology, his enthusiasm for scientific exploration, and his care for younger scientists—qualities that have exerted a profound influence on the latter. Finally, by addressing the discussions surrounding the Nobel Prize, the article pointed out that the Nobel Prize should not be regarded as the ultimate goal of scientific research; instead, the pure enthusiasm for science that Professor John Gurdon maintained throughout his life and his support and care for younger generations are the precious exemplary forces worthy of recognition.