Extremely strong electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption with a minimum reflection loss (RL) of −56.9 dB at 9.3 GHz at an absorber thickness of only 1.92 mm was observed for the hierarchical porous cobalt (Co)/carbon (C) crabapples, lab-made via a facile solvothermal reaction coupled with a following carbon reduction treatment. At an ultrathin thickness of 1.4 mm, the hierarchical porous Co/C crabapples (50 wt% filling content) provided 90% EMW absorption over a broad bandwidth of 5.9 GHz. A broad bandwidth of 5.8 GHz at 2.0 mm thickness was still achieved at a low filling ratio of 30 wt% filler content. This broad-band EMW absorption resulted from the synergy of cobalt and carbon with a significantly improved impedance matching level. The strong magnetism of cobalt endowed the composites with strong absorption ability and thin absorber thickness. The unique porous structural features also contributed to the enhanced EMW absorption by inducing multi-scatterings. The hierarchical porous Co/C crabapples with high absorbing performance together with ultrathin absorber thickness can be applied as a promising EMW absorption material.

Ultrathin high-performance electromagnetic wave absorbers with facilely fabricated hierarchical porous Co/C crabapples

‘The micro/nano reinforced particle’ aluminum metal matrix composites (Al-MMCs) are widely used in manufacturing sector due to light-weight, superior strength-to-weight ratio, better fracture tough...

Developments in the aluminum metal matrix composites reinforced by micro/nano particles – A review:

Free-radical polymerizations of and in deep eutectic solvents: Green synthesis of functional materials

Xanthomonas spp. encompass a wide range of plant pathogens that use numerous virulence factors for pathogenicity and fitness in plant hosts. In this Review, we examine recent insights into host-pathogen co-evolution, diversity in Xanthomonas populations and host specificity of Xanthomonas spp. that have substantially improved our fundamental understanding of pathogen biology. We emphasize the virulence factors in xanthomonads, such as type III secreted effectors including transcription activator-like effectors, type II secretion systems, diversity resulting in host specificity, evolution of emerging strains, activation of susceptibility genes and strategies of host evasion. We summarize the genomic diversity in several Xanthomonas spp. and implications for disease outbreaks, management strategies and breeding for disease resistance.

Xanthomonas diversity, virulence and plant–pathogen interactions

Recent advances in hydrothermal carbonisation: from tailored carbon materials and biochemicals to applications and bioenergy

Natural Cordyceps collected in Bhutan has been widely used as natural Cordyceps sinensis, an official species of Cordyceps used as Chinese medicines, around the world in recent years. However, whether Cordyceps from Bhutan could be really used as natural C. sinensis remains unknown. Therefore, DNA sequence, bioactive components including nucleosides and polysaccharides in twelve batches of Cordyceps from Bhutan were firstly investigated, and compared with natural C. sinensis. Results showed that the fungus of Cordyceps from Bhutan was C. sinensis and the host insect belonged to Hepialidae sp. In addition, nucleosides and their bases such as guanine, guanosine, hypoxanthine, uridine, inosine, thymidine, adenine, and adenosine, as well as compositional monosaccharides, partial acid or enzymatic hydrolysates, molecular weights and contents of polysaccharides in Cordyceps from Bhutan were all similar to those of natural C. sinensis. All data suggest that Cordyceps from Bhutan is a rational alternative of natural C. sinensis, which is beneficial for the improvement of their performance in health and medicinal food areas.

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Jian Zheng

Papers

Cordyceps collected from Bhutan, an appropriate alternative of Cordyceps sinensis.