Tue 11 Feb 14:00: Designing Counter Strategies against Online Harms
Common mitigation strategies to combat harmful speech online, such as reporting and blocking, are often insufficient as they are reactive, involve unethical human labour and impose censorship. This explores alternative counter strategies such as a quarantining tool and automated counterspeech generator. Quarantining online hate speech and disinformation like a computer virus gives power to the individual user, while a counterspeech generator is specifically designed to produce diverse counter responses to different forms of online harm. Both strategies can protect users from harm and significantly ease the burden of human counterspeakers. The talk will explore the benefits as well as current shortcomings of these strategies and discuss necessary further developments.
- Speaker: Stefanie Ullmann, University of Cambridge
- Tuesday 11 February 2025, 14:00-15:00
- Venue: Webinar & FW11, Computer Laboratory, William Gates Building..
- Series: Computer Laboratory Security Seminar; organiser: Tina Marjanov.
Wed 05 Feb 11:15: Emergent phenomena in nanosculpted devices of quantum materials
Electrons typically traverse a conductive medium in a diffusive manner, resulting in a linear relationship between the measured voltage and applied current – known as Ohm’s law. However, violations of Ohm’s law may be found when the inherent symmetries of the underlying system are broken. Examples include the sliding motion of density waves; ballistic or hydrodynamic electron transport; or the symmetry-breaking realised by lattice or magnetic order. Focused ion beam (FIB) fabrication methods enable precise nanoscale devices to be fashioned from high-quality single crystalline materials, ideal for exploring these nonlinear phenomena. Such nanoengineering offers vast potential for the investigation of both fundamental physics and the development novel quantum devices. In this talk, I will introduce three specific examples. Firstly, we will explore the current-induced sliding motion of a skyrmion lattice in Gd2PdSi3 and the resulting emergent electrodynamics, which originate from a time-dependent Berry phase. Secondly, I will highlight our latest breakthrough to develop FIB fabrication of three dimensional nanostructures, in the form of helical-shaped devices of the high-mobility Weyl magnet CoSn2S2. By breaking inversion symmetry on the length scale of the electron mean free path, we observe large nonreciprocal transport, resulting in a switchable diode effect. Finally, if time permits, I will discuss the possibility to fabricate highly symmetrical devices, which allows the probing of symmetry breaking along multiple directions of a material simultaneously – in this case exploited to study signatures of p-wave magnetism in Gd3Ru4Al12.
- Speaker: Max Birch - RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science
- Wednesday 05 February 2025, 11:15-12:00
- Venue: Mott Seminar Room (531), Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics.
- Series: Quantum Matter Seminar; organiser: Mads Fonager Hansen.
Biocrust-Inspired Interface Layer with Dual Functions towards Highly Reversible Zinc Metal Anode
DOI: 10.1039/D4EE06048B, PaperHuanyu Li, Yu Li, Mingquan Liu, Ziyin Yang, Yuteng Gong, Ji Qian, Ripeng Zhang, Ying Bai, Feng Wu, Chuan Wu
The commercialization of aqueous zinc-ion batteries is still challenging due to the terrible dendrite growth and serious side reactions occurring at anode surface. In-situ construction of solid electrolyte interfaces (SEI)...
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Tailoring Buried Interface and Minimizing Energy Loss Enable Efficient Narrow and Wide Bandgap Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells by Aluminum Glycinate Based Organometallic Molecule
Aluminum glycinate-based organometallic molecule is used to tailor buried interface and minimize interface-driven energy loss, which realizes high efficiencies of 26.74% and 20.71% for 1.55 and 1.785 eV bandgap perovskite solar cells, respectively.
Abstract
Rational regulation of Me-4PACz/perovskite interface has emerged as a significant challenge in the pursuit of highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, an organometallic molecule of aluminum glycinate (AG) that contained amine (-NH2) and aluminum hydroxyl (Al-OH) groups is developed to tailor the buried interface and minimize interface-driven energy losses. The Al-OH groups selectively bonded with unanchored O═P-OH and bare NiO-OH to optimize the surface morphology and energy levels, while the -NH2 group interacted specifically with Pb2+ to retard perovskite crystallization, passivate buried Pb-related defects, and release residual interface stress. These interactions facilitate the interface carrier extraction and reduce interface-driven energy losses, thereby realizing a balanced charge carrier transport. Consequently, AG-modified narrow bandgap (1.55 eV) PSC demonstrates an efficiency of 26.74% (certified 26.21%) with a fill factor of 86.65%; AG-modified wide bandgap (1.785 eV) PSC realizes 20.71% champion efficiency with excellent repeatability. These PSCs maintain 91.37%, 91.92%, and 92.00% of their initial efficiency after aging in air atmosphere, the nitrogen-filled atmosphere at 85 °C, and continuously tracking at the maximum power-point under one-sun illumination (100 mW cm−2) for 1200 h, respectively.
Trace Dual‐Crosslinkable Additives Enable Direct Microlithography for Enhanced Organic Electrochemical Transistors
High-resolution patterning is crucial for advancing organic electronics, enabling miniaturization and high-density integration. A dual crosslinking strategy is developed using a polyrotaxane supramolecular crosslinker (PR) in polybenzodifurandione (PBFDO). At trace loading levels (<0.1 wt%), PR enhances patterning precision (<1 µm) and electrical performance, yielding a 42% µC* increase and improved device stability, offering scalable solutions for organic electronics.
Abstract
Similar to silicon-based electronics, the implementation of micro/nano-patterning to facilitate complex device architectures and high-density integration is crucial to the development of organic electronics. Among various patterning techniques, direct microlithography (DML) is highly applicable and extensively adopted in organic electronics, such as organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs). However, conventional DML often requires high crosslinker concentrations, leading to compromised electrical performance. To address this challenge, a novel strategy is developed that combines supramolecular and covalent interactions by incorporating a polyrotaxane supramolecular crosslinker (PR) into poly(benzodifurandione) (PBFDO). The PR forms a hydrogen bonding network with PBFDO and undergoes UV-triggered covalent crosslinking among its molecules, providing solvent resistance even at trace loading levels (<0.1 wt%). This approach enables precise patterning of PBFDO with feature sizes below 1 µm while preserving high electrical performance. Notably, PR also serves as a performance enhancer, promoting molecular ordering and ionic conduction within PBFDO. OECTs fabricated with PR-crosslinked PBFDO exhibit about one-order-of-magnitude increase in ON/OFF ratio, a 42% increase in µC * (reaching 2460 F cm−1 V−1 s−1), and elevated operational stability compared to pristine ones. This multifunctional crosslinker offers a scalable solution for high-performance, high-density organic electronics and opens new avenues for supramolecular chemistry applications in this field.
Photonic Nanomaterials for Wearable Health Solutions
This review discusses the fundamentals and applications of photonic nanomaterials in wearable health technologies. It covers light-matter interactions, synthesis, and functionalization strategies, device assembly, and sensing capabilities. Applications include skin patches and contact lenses for diagnostics and therapy. Future perspectives emphasize AI-assisted design and systematic integration for advancing wearable systems.
Abstract
This review underscores the transformative potential of photonic nanomaterials in wearable health technologies, driven by increasing demands for personalized health monitoring. Their unique optical and physical properties enable rapid, precise, and sensitive real-time monitoring, outperforming conventional electrical-based sensors. Integrated into ultra-thin, flexible, and stretchable formats, these materials enhance compatibility with the human body, enabling prolonged wear, improved efficiency, and reduced power consumption. A comprehensive exploration is provided of the integration of photonic nanomaterials into wearable devices, addressing material selection, light-matter interaction principles, and device assembly strategies. The review highlights critical elements such as device form factors, sensing modalities, and power and data communication, with representative examples in skin patches and contact lenses. These devices enable precise monitoring and management of biomarkers of diseases or biological responses. Furthermore, advancements in materials and integration approaches have paved the way for continuum of care systems combining multifunctional sensors with therapeutic drug delivery mechanisms. To overcome existing barriers, this review outlines strategies of material design, device engineering, system integration, and machine learning to inspire innovation and accelerate the adoption of photonic nanomaterials for next-generation of wearable health, showcasing their versatility and transformative potential for digital health applications.
Synergistic Enhancement of Fluorescence Through Plasmon Resonance and Interfacial Charge Transfer by AgNC@AgAux Core–Shell Quantum Dots
The work reports on the synthesis and properties of AgNC@AgAux QDs with a core–shell heterostructure. This novel structure exhibits significantly enhanced photoluminescence, which can be attributed to electron injection and a strong local electric field induced by surface plasmons.
Abstract
Bimetallic core–shell quantum dots (QDs) hold great promise in elucidating the bimetallic synergism and optoelectronic devices. The synthesis and properties of AgNC@AgAux QDs of core–shell heterostructure are reported. Significantly enhanced photoluminescence emission on these heterostructures is observed. These enhancements are attributed to electron injection and the surface plasmon-induced strong local electric field, which are observed through time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy. X-ray absorption near edge structure spectra and density functional theory confirms the electron injection from the Ag core to the AgAux shell. On the other hand, the plasmon resonance of the AgNC@AgAux QDs has been studied by finite-element method analysis and time-resolved photoluminescence spectra. There are 94.06 times fluorescence enhancement and 32.40 times quantum yield improvement of oxygen content correlation compared to AgAu3 QDs. It shows a perfect correlation coefficient of 98.85% for the detection of heavy metal Cu2+ ions. Such Bimetallic core–shell heterostructures have great potential for future optoelectronic devices, optical imaging, and other energy-environmental applications.
Supramolecular Engineering of Vinylene‐Linked Covalent Organic Framework – Ruthenium Oxide Hybrids for Highly Active Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis
A functionalized vinylene-linked covalent organic framework adlayer is constructed to precisely tailor the orientation of interfacial water molecule to stabilize the transition state for intermediates adsorption/desorption, optimizing the proton exchange membrane water electrolysis performance.
Abstract
The controlled formation of a functional adlayer at the catalyst-water interface is a highly challenging yet potentially powerful strategy to accelerate proton transfer and deprotonation for ultimately improving the performance of proton-exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE). In this study, the synthesis of robust vinylene-linked covalent organic frameworks (COFs) possessing high proton conductivities is reported, which are subsequently hybridized with ruthenium dioxide yielding high-performance anodic catalysts for the acidic oxygen evolution reaction (OER). In situ spectroscopic measurements corroborated by theoretical calculations reveal that the assembled hydrogen bonds formed between COFs and adsorbed oxo-intermediates effectively orient interfacial water molecules, stabilizing the transition states for intermediate formation of OER. This determines a decrease in the energy barriers of proton transfer and deprotonation, resulting in exceptional acidic OER performance. When integrated into a PEMWE device, the system achieves a record current density of 1.0 A cm−2 at only 1.54 V cell voltage, with a long-term stability exceeding 180 h at industrial-level 200 mA cm−2. The approach relying on the self-assembly of an oriented hydrogen-bonded adlayer highlights the disruptive potential of COFs with customizable structures and multifunctional sites for advancing PEMWE technologies.
Bioinspired Nanochitin‐Based Porous Constructs for Light‐Driven Whole‐Cell Biotransformations
Biomimetically cross-linked nanochitin cryogels are used for immobilization matrix for a solid-state cell factory. The resulting cryogels with hierarchical porosity manage to overcome the conventional limitations of mass transfer and light transmittance, as demonstrated by a number of light-driven biotransformation reactions.
Abstract
Solid-state photosynthetic cell factories (SSPCFs) are a new production concept that leverages the innate photosynthetic abilities of microbes to drive the production of valuable chemicals. It addresses practical challenges such as high energy and water demand and improper light distribution associated with suspension-based culturing; however, these systems often face significant challenges related to mass transfer. The approach focuses on overcoming these limitations by carefully engineering the microstructure of the immobilization matrix through freeze-induced assembly of nanochitin building blocks. The use of nanochitins with optimized size distribution enabled the formation of macropores with lamellar spatial organization, which significantly improves light transmittance and distribution, crucial for maximizing the efficiency of photosynthetic reactions. The biomimetic crosslinking strategy, leveraging specific interactions between polyphosphate anions and primary amine groups featured on chitin fibers, produced mechanically robust and wet-resilient cryogels that maintained their functionality under operational conditions. Various model biotransformation reactions leading to value-added chemicals are performed in chitin-based matrix. It demonstrates superior or comparable performance to existing state-of-the-art matrices and suspension-based systems. The findings suggest that chitin-based cryogel approach holds significant promise for advancing the development of solid-state photosynthetic cell factories, offering a scalable solution to improve the efficiency and productivity of light-driven biotransformation.
A Library of Polyphenol‐Amino Acid Condensates for High‐Throughput Continuous Flow Production of Nanomedicines with Ultra‐High Drug Loading
A scalable and flexible library of natural, renewable tea polyphenol, and amino acid condensate colloidal spheres, synthesized via a one-step process, facilitates the preparation of ultra-high drug-loading nanomedicines with precise size control and uniform dispersion using continuous-flow microfluidics. This approach effectively addresses the challenges associated with the nanonization of poorly soluble drugs and holds significant promise for advancing pharmaceutical formulations.
Abstract
Synthesizing high drug-loading nanomedicines remains a formidable challenge, and achieving universally applicable, continuous, large-scale engineered production of such nanomedicines presents even greater difficulties. This study presents a scalable library of polyphenol-amino acid condensates. By selecting amino acids, the library enables precise customization of key properties, such as carrier capacity, bioactivity, and other critical attributes, offering a versatile range of options for various application scenarios. Leveraging the properties of solvent-mediated disassembly and reassembly of condensates achieved an ultra-high drug loading of 86% for paclitaxel. For a range of poorly soluble molecules, the drug loading capacity exceeded 50%, indicating broad applicability. Furthermore, employing a continuous microfluidic device, the production rate can reach 5 mL min−1 (36 g per day), with the nanoparticle size precisely tunable and a polydispersity index (PDI) below 0.2. The polyphenol-based carrier demonstrates efficient cellular uptake and, in three distinct animal models, has been shown to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of paclitaxel without significant side effects. This study presents a streamlined, efficient, and scalable approach using microfluidics to produce nanomedicines with ultra-high drug loading, offering a promising strategy for the nanoformulation of poorly soluble drugs.
Room‐Temperature Organic Spintronic Devices with Wide Range Magnetocurrent Tuning and Multifunctionality via Electro‐Optical Compensation Strategy
Large, tunable room-temperature magnetocurrent (MC) are crucial for advancing spintronic technologies. This study introduces an electro-optical compensation strategy in organic semiconductor devices, achieving exceptionally high MC values of +13 200% and −10 600%. Leveraging this, a multifunctional device is activated, serving as the high-sensitivity magnetic field sensor, composite field sensor, magnetic current inverter, and magnetically-controlled artificial synaptic, etc.
Abstract
In spintronics, devices exhibiting large, widely tunable magnetocurrent (MC) values at room temperature are particularly appealing due to their potential in advanced sensing, data storage, and multifunctional technologies. Organic semiconductors (OSCs), with their rich and unique spin-dependent and (opto-)electronic properties, hold significant promise for realizing such devices. However, current organic devices are constrained by limited design strategies, yielding MC values typically confined to tens of percent, thereby restricting their potential for multifunctional applications. Here, this study introduces an electro-optical compensation strategy to modulate MC values, which synergistically integrates and manages the interplays among carrier transport, spin-dependent reactions, and photogenerated carrier dynamics in OSCs-based devices. This approach achieves ultrahigh room-temperature MC values of +13 200% and −10 600% in the designed devices, with continuous and precise tunability over this range—marking a breakthrough in organic spintronic devices. Building on this achievement, by integrating multiple controllable parameters—light, bias, magnetic field, and mechanical flexibility—into a single device, a flexible, room-temperature, multifunctional device is activated, functioning as the high-sensitivity magnetic field sensor, composite field sensor, magnetic current inverter, and magnetically-controlled artificial synaptic, etc. These findings open an avenue for designing high-performance, multifunctional devices with broad implications for future spintronic-related technologies.
Bioinspired Super‐Robust Conductive Hydrogels for Machine Learning‐Assisted Tactile Perception System
Bioinspired by naturally oriented structures of biological tissues, it developed super-robust conductive hydrogels with highly tunable mechanical property and anisotropic structure, and demonstrated, for the first time, the mechanical strength of the conductive hydrogels, used as flexible electrodes in triboelectric and piezoresistive device, affected both the accuracy and stability of machine learning-assisted tactile perception.
Abstract
Conductive hydrogels have attracted significant attention due to exceptional flexibility, electrochemical property, and biocompatibility. However, the low mechanical strength can compromise their stability under high stress, making the material susceptible to fracture in complex or harsh environments. Achieving a balance between conductivity and mechanical robustness remains a critical challenge. In this study, super-robust conductive hydrogels were designed and developed with highly oriented structures and densified networks, by employing techniques such as stretch-drying-induced directional assembly, salting-out, and ionic crosslinking. The hydrogels showed remarkable mechanical property (tensile strength: 17.13–142.1 MPa; toughness: 50 MJ m− 3), high conductivity (30.1 S m−1), and reliable strain sensing performance. Additionally, it applied this hydrogel material to fabricate biomimetic electronic skin device, significantly improving signal quality and device stability. By integrating the device with 1D convolutional neural network algorithm, it further developed a real-time material recognition system based on triboelectric and piezoresistive signal collection, achieving a classification accuracy of up to 99.79% across eight materials. This study predicted the potential of the high-performance conductive hydrogels for various applications in flexible smart wearables, the Internet of Things, bioelectronics, and bionic robotics.
Stable and Highly Efficient Near‐Infrared Emission Achieved in Spinel Blocks
Synopsis: Utilizing a 2D framework matrix, a strategy is presented to balance Cr3⁺-pair emissions at high doping concentrations while effectively suppressing undesirable quenching, thereby ensuring sustained luminescent efficiency.
Abstract
Developing efficient and stable near-infrared emitters related to Cr3+-pairs for advanced optoelectronic devices remains a challenge due to concentration quenching effects and unclear luminescence mechanisms. In this study, Cr3+ ions are incorporated into a matrix structure consisting of ZnAl₂O₄ spinel units separated by 11.312 Å, effectively restricting energy transfer between luminescent centers and alleviating quenching effects. Computational analysis identifies the lattice positions of isolated Cr3+ ions and Cr3+-pairs at different doping levels, providing insights into their spatial distribution and local structural environments. Photoluminescence measurements reveals a Cr3+-concentration-dependent emission broadening, with a Cr3+-pair emission band peak at 750 nm, while detailed spectral analysis further clarified the energy level structure of Cr3+-pairs for the first time. Enhanced material performance is achieved through flux-assisted synthesis, reaching a high external quantum efficiency of 58.3%. Consequently, the assembled pc-LEDs exhibit minimal efficiency roll-off and achieve a high output of 183 mW at 650 mA, demonstrating their potential in near-infrared light sources and night vision technology application.
Angstrom Confinement‐Triggered Adaptive Spin State Transition of CoMn Dual Single Atoms for Efficient Singlet Oxygen Generation
Angstrom-confined cobalt (Co) manganese (Mn) CoMn dual single atoms within the carbon nitride interlayer are constructed to efficiently activate peroxymonosulfate for water purification. The angstrom-confined strategy leads to the adaptive change of atomic spin state, and reduces the energy barrier for *SO5 formation and *O2 desorption during singlet oxygen generation, enabling a 38.6-fold increase in singlet oxygen production compared to the surface unconfined one.
Abstract
To achieve high selectivity in the transformation from peroxymonosulfate to singlet oxygen, adaptive tuning of atomic spin state as the peroxymonosulfate structure varied is crucial. The angstrom confinement can effectively tune spin state, but developing an adaptive angstrom-confined atomic system is challenging. Angstrom-confined cobalt (Co) manganese (Mn) dual single atoms within flexible 2D carbon nitride interlayer are constructed to drive adaptive tuning of spin state by changing atomic coordination under angstrom confinement. The in situ characterizations and density functional theory calculations showed that medium-spin Co in Co─N4 absorbed electrons after the adsorption of peroxymonosulfate on CoMn dual single-atom sites and then cleaved O─H of peroxymonosulfate to facilitate *SO5 generation, while the introduction of *SO5 increased interlayer distance and then cleaved Co─N and Mn─N, resulting in the spin state transition from medium to high. Subsequently, the high-spin Co and Mn in Co─N2 and Mn─N2 desorbed the *O2 from *SO5, restoring the initial medium spin state. The adaptive spin state transition enhanced 38.6-fold singlet oxygen yield compared to the unconfined control. The proposed angstrom-confined diatomic strategy is applicable to serial diatomic catalysts, providing an efficient and universal design scheme for singlet oxygen-mediated selective wastewater treatment technology at the atomic level.
Tue 11 Feb 16:00: Towards Scalable Foundation Models for Wearable Sensing Zoom: https://cam-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/82858548158?pwd=GxehopMD68LvYlArGHNjDmiLTgYAC0.1
Abstract: Consumer wearable devices have seen remarkable progress in recent years, becoming more accurate, pervasive, and affordable. Despite these advancements, large-scale foundation models trained on wearable data are a relatively new phenomenon, unlike in many other domains. This talk will explore the technical landscape currently limiting progress in this area, and present our new work, “Scaling Wearable Foundation Models,” recently accepted to ICLR .
Bio: Shyam Tailor is a senior research scientist at Google, specializing in the development of practical, scalable techniques for harnessing large foundational models in health. With a strong track record of both research and real-world impact, Shyam has contributed to several flagship features on Google Fitbit devices, including the first widely available GenAI-powered feature, as well as advanced sensing algorithms for heart rate and activity monitoring which have been widely applauded by the press. Shyam completed his PhD at the University of Cambridge in under three years, where his research, under the guidance of Professor Nic Lane, focused on creating resource-efficient machine learning algorithms. His work has earned recognition across major conferences and workshops, with publications at prestigious venues including ICLR , ICML, MLSys, ECCV , and Ubicomp/IMWUT, and he has won multiple best paper awards for his contributions.
Zoom: https://cam-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/82858548158?pwd=GxehopMD68LvYlArGHNjDmiLTgYAC0.1
- Speaker: Shyam Tailor, Google
- Tuesday 11 February 2025, 16:00-17:00
- Venue: Online.
- Series: Mobile and Wearable Health Seminar Series; organiser: Cecilia Mascolo.
Fri 07 Feb 13:00: Unimodular JT gravity and de Sitter quantum cosmology
In this talk, I will show how a gauge-theoretic approach to Jackiw–Teitelboim (JT) gravity naturally yields a two-dimensional Henneaux–Teitelboim (HT) unimodular theory, applicable to both flat and curved spacetimes. Under a mini-superspace reduction, the Wheeler–DeWitt equation becomes a Schrödinger-like equation admitting a consistent, unitary quantum description. The resulting wavefunction describes a quantum distribution for the scale factor, illuminating cosmic expansion and contraction, and allowing topology change at a=0.
- Speaker: Farbod Rassouli, University of Nottingham
- Friday 07 February 2025, 13:00-14:00
- Venue: Potter room / https://cam-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/87235967698.
- Series: DAMTP Friday GR Seminar; organiser: Xi Tong.
Thu 15 May 14:00: Walter Kohn: the theoretical physicist who created DFT and won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry
Abstract not available
- Speaker: Prof. Sir David Clary, FRS (University of Oxford)
- Thursday 15 May 2025, 14:00-15:30
- Venue: TCM Seminar Room.
- Series: Theory of Condensed Matter; organiser: Bo Peng.
Fri 07 Feb 16:00: Flavour Physics Beyond the Standard Model with the SMEFT Likelihood
New physics beyond the Standard Model (SM) is needed to address open questions within the SM and to explain experimental observations that the SM cannot account for. While direct searches at the Large Hadron Collider have reached their energy limit without finding particles beyond the SM (BSM), precision measurements, in particular those in flavour physics, probe energy scales far beyond the reach of direct searches. In this talk I will discuss how measurements of flavour and other precision observables, combined with Effective Field Theory (EFT) methods, can be used to indirectly search for heavy BSM particles. I will present a likelihood function in the Standard Model EFT (SMEFT) that includes a large number of flavour observables, and show how it can be applied to the flavour phenomenology of BSM models.
- Speaker: Peter Stangl (CERN)
- Friday 07 February 2025, 16:00-17:00
- Venue: MR19 (Potter Room, Pavilion B), CMS.
- Series: HEP phenomenology joint Cavendish-DAMTP seminar; organiser: Nico Gubernari.
An integrated design for high-energy, durable zinc–iodine batteries with ultra-high recycling efficiency
DOI: 10.1039/D4EE05873A, PaperLeiqian Zhang, Han Ding, Haiqi Gao, Jiaming Gong, Hele Guo, Shuoqing Zhang, Yi Yu, Guanjie He, Tao Deng, Ivan P. Parkin, Johan Hofkens, Xiulin Fan, Feili Lai, Tianxi Liu
This work presents a zinc–iodine battery featuring a liquid–liquid biphasic electrolyte and an integrated cell structure, which facilitates an iodine loading of 69.8 mg cm−2, a self-discharge rate of 3.4% per month, and ∼100% recycling efficiency.
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Fri 07 Feb 13:00: Barlow Twins Earth Foundation Model
Abstract
Satellite imagery provides a critical lens for monitoring Earth’s dynamic systems, yet integrating multi-source, multi-temporal data into globally consistent, high-resolution representations remains a challenge. Traditional remote sensing vision models, which process patches or images as inputs, often struggle to capture fine-grained spatiotemporal-spectral relationships critical for downstream tasks like land classification, climate modeling, and change detection. We present a self-supervised framework leveraging Barlow Twins to train an Earth Foundation Model that outputs pixel-level representations from diverse satellite data sources. Unlike conventional ML approaches, our model treats pixels as primary units of learning, explicitly optimizing for temporal-spectral coherence across billions of global 10m-resolution pixels. Preliminary results demonstrate that the resulting representation map encodes high-quality spatiotemporal patterns, outperforming traditional ML methods in land classification. By bridging multi-modal satellite data into a harmonized latent space, our approach unlocks new opportunities for monitoring planetary-scale processes with higher precision.
Bio
Frank Feng is a first-year PhD student in the Department of Computer Science and Technology at the University of Cambridge. His research interests lie at the intersection of machine learning and earth sciences, with a particular focus on the application of self-supervised learning in remote sensing.
- Speaker: Frank Feng, University of Cambridge
- Friday 07 February 2025, 13:00-13:55
- Venue: FW11, William Gates Building. Zoom link: https://cl-cam-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/4361570789?pwd=Nkl2T3ZLaTZwRm05bzRTOUUxY3Q4QT09&from=addon .
- Series: Energy and Environment Group, Department of CST; organiser: lyr24.