A new type of polyelectrolyte–Al2O3/SiO2 composite nanoparticle with excellent dispersibility and superior polishing performance was successfully fabricated using a facile method. Silica acted as a bifunctional molecule by attaching to alumina via covalent bond and adsorbing polyelectrolytes by electrostatic interaction. The material removal rate of the polyelectrolyte–Al2O3/SiO2 abrasive was 30% higher than that of the pure Al2O3 abrasive. In addition, the sapphire surface was much smoother. The material removal mechanism was investigated during CMP using the microcontact and wear model. The enhanced removal rate was mainly attributed to the well-dispersed particles, which can accelerate mechanical removal process. The remarkably smooth surface was due to the decrease in penetration depth of the abrasive into the wafer. The results of this study provided a feasible strategy to satisfy the high efficiency and damage-free polishing requirements for sapphire planarization.

Non-conventional uranium extraction sources are not the most used mainly due to high extraction costs associated with low concentrations and chemical forms that require extra purification processes. Therefore, efforts should focus on cheaper processes and develop more effective extraction materials. In this investigation, ionic-imprinted polymers were synthesized for the selective extraction of uranyl ions in aqueous solution, using polyesters of 2,5-bis((allyloxy)carbonyl)terephthalic acid and 4,6-bis((allyloxy)carbonyl)isophthalic acid as base materials and polymerized by gamma radiation. The extraction capacity (Q) of the resins was evaluated by varying parameters such as pH, temperature, extraction time, and ionic strength.

The influence of Ag-doping on the crystallographic structure, magnetic properties, and magnetocaloric effects of Mn1−xAgxCoGe (0.01 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.10) is reported. A transformation of crystal structure from orthorhombic to hexagonal was observed at room temperature. Doping Ag in Mn sites results in a first-order magnetostructural transition near room temperature. A Curie-temperature window of 90 K was obtained between the Curie temperatures of the austenite (Ni2In-type) and martensite (TiNiSi-type) phases. Large magnetic entropy change values of ~22.0 and 9.4 J/kg/K, and refrigerant capacity of 308 and 272 J/kg, were found for x = 0.06 and 0.05, respectively, for μ0ΔH = 5 T.

The increase of agricultural production in a sustainable scenario depends on the development of new technologies to optimize the use of resources, especially fertilizers. Novel technologies in materials can provide means to the controlled release of inputs as well as to enable strategies for using poorly soluble sources.

Modern agriculture is facing a productivity challenge due to the 9 billion people demands for the next 50 years. To that, the productivity increase requests improvements in input efficiency to fill economic requirements as well as reducing their environmental impacts. Several materials can be specially designed for an adequate release of these inputs (mainly fertilizers) including ion-exchange materials, coatings and high-adsorption capacity materials. Noteworthy materials are nanoparticulate fertilizers and nanocomposites, where their size and structure are useful to control the solubilization, and consequently, the nutrient availability for plants in a synchronized way, avoiding losses to environment. Therefore, this review aims to introduce a wide view of available and in-development technologies in materials for the best management of agricultural inputs, focused in the sustainable use of fertilizers and minimal environmental impact. These different strategies offer a portfolio of possible solutions for sustainable agriculture in the next years.

The mechanical deformation behavior of nanocomposite metals depends on the dimensions of their constituents, due to the interactions of dislocations with grain and phase boundaries. It is now becoming apparent that the mechanical behavior of these materials also depends on the constituent shapes. This article summarizes experimental and modeling investigations on two types of metal nanocomposites composed of intricately interpenetrating phases—those formed by phase separation in physical vapor codeposited alloys and those synthesized by liquid-metal dealloying. The opportunities and challenges these materials present for investigating complex microstructural morphologies and their effects on mechanical behavior are discussed.

The water and energy sectors of an economy are inextricably linked. Energy is required in water production, distribution, and recycling, while water is often used for energy generation. In many geographical locations, the energy-water nexus is exacerbated by the shortage of both fresh water resources and energy generation infrastructure. New materials, including metamaterials, are now emerging to address the challenges of providing renewable energy and fresh water, especially to off-the-grid communities struggling with water shortages. Novel nanomaterials have fueled recent technology breakthroughs in solar water desalination, fog and dew collection, and cloud seeding. Materials for passive thermal management of buildings and individuals offer promising strategies to reduce the use of energy and water for heating and cooling. While many challenges remain, emerging materials and technologies improve sustainable management of water and energy resources.

Polyethylene is one of the most produced materials in the world—is it a blessing or a curse? This article makes the case for the former by highlighting a range of emerging applications of polyethylene in energy and sustainability, including passive cooling of electronics and wearables, water treatment and harvesting, and even ocean cleanup from plastic waste debris.

Usually, when the word “polyethylene” is mentioned in the context of discussing sustainability issues, a good chance the message is that “the current level of environmental plastic pollution is unsustainable.” Polyethylene does indeed comprise a large volume of plastic waste, but only because it is used in so many different products, which eventually reach the end of their lifetime and end up on the landfills and in the ocean. There is, however, a good reason—actually, many good reasons—why polyethylene is one of the most produced materials in the world, and this review discusses various useful applications stemming from the unique material properties of polyethylene. Some of the emerging applications of polyethylene hold high promise for sustainable energy generation from renewable sources and for sustainable management of planetary energy and water resources. Light weight and corrosion resistance of polyethylene, combined with its unique infrared transparency and heat transfer properties, which can be engineered to span between the near-perfect insulation and metal-like conduction, are at the core of new technological applications of a not-so-old material.