Group 1 - The Southeast University research team has developed a bionic self-generating and energy-storing concrete, which can store approximately one day's electricity for residential use and improve photovoltaic utilization by over 30%, reducing electricity costs by more than 50% [1] - The application of technology in environmental protection is becoming a crucial method to address ecological threats, enabling more efficient pollution monitoring and remediation, promoting energy structure transformation, and facilitating circular economy development [1] - A new engineered bacterial strain has been successfully constructed by a Chinese research team to simultaneously degrade five types of organic pollutants in high-salinity wastewater, demonstrating high degradation efficiency on complex pollutants [1] Group 2 - The issue of plastic pollution has gained significant international attention, with over 300 million tons of plastic waste generated globally each year, of which only 9% is recycled [2] - Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed a floating titanium dioxide material that can decompose waste plastics under light, achieving decomposition efficiency that is dozens to hundreds of times higher than traditional materials, while significantly reducing costs [2] - A team from the University of Manchester has created special light-driven enzymes that work under visible light, potentially offering more environmentally friendly and efficient solutions for drug and important chemical production [2] Group 3 - Researchers at CERN have successfully transformed lead into gold using high-energy physics methods, demonstrating the theoretical feasibility of directional element modification, which may provide new approaches for the safe disposal of nuclear waste [3] - The need for more technological means and broader applications is emphasized in the context of the global ecological crisis, aiming to repair Earth's "injuries" without creating new "scars" [3] - When innovation is driven by the goal of enhancing human well-being and achieving harmony between humans and nature, science and technology can provide more momentum for sustainable development [3]

Core Viewpoint - The research team from Southeast University has developed a groundbreaking bio-inspired self-generating and energy-storing concrete, which aims to transform the construction industry's high energy consumption and carbon emissions into a comprehensive energy solution [1][2]. Group 1: Energy Consumption and Emissions - Currently, the construction process in China accounts for 45% of the national energy consumption and over 50% of carbon emissions [1]. - Traditional photovoltaic power generation is limited by weather conditions and high storage costs [1]. Group 2: Innovative Materials - The team has created two types of self-generating cement-based supermaterials: N-type thermoelectric cement and P-type thermoelectric cement, which can convert temperature differences into electricity [1]. - The N-type thermoelectric cement has a Seebeck coefficient of -40.5 mV/K, approximately ten times higher than the best traditional thermoelectric materials [1]. - The P-type thermoelectric cement has a power factor (PF) 51 times and a ZT value 42 times higher than traditional materials [1]. Group 3: Mechanical Properties and Applications - The self-generating cement-based supermaterial can continuously generate electricity as long as there is a temperature difference, addressing the supply gap in clean energy [1]. - The compressive strength of the new materials is enhanced by 60%, and toughness is increased nearly tenfold, overcoming the mechanical performance limitations of traditional thermoelectric materials [1]. Group 4: Energy Storage Capabilities - The team has also developed a self-storing cement-based supercapacitor that maintains high strength while increasing ionic conductivity by six orders of magnitude [2]. - After 20,000 charge-discharge cycles, the supercapacitor retains 95% of its initial specific capacitance, matching the lifespan of the building [2]. Group 5: Environmental Impact and Future Potential - The innovations in cement materials are reshaping the traditional view of building materials from merely structural to energy-generating entities, providing critical technological support for achieving carbon neutrality goals [2]. - These advancements open up limitless possibilities for a green and intelligent lifestyle for humanity [2].

Group 1 - The core innovation is the development of bio-inspired self-generating and energy-storing concrete, transforming traditional concrete from an energy consumer to an energy complex, addressing high energy consumption issues in the construction industry [1][2] - The new concrete can power a portable fan for a day after being charged, showcasing its practical energy storage capabilities [1] - The concrete's design mimics plant vascular structures, significantly enhancing ionic conductivity while maintaining high strength, with a conductivity increase of six orders of magnitude [1] Group 2 - This technology supports the "dual carbon" goals and opens up possibilities for green and intelligent living [2] - The concrete has potential applications in building "zero-carbon" service areas and can enable electric vehicle charging directly from the pavement [1] - A collaboration has been established with Zhejiang Transportation Group for the implementation of charging pavements, expected to launch by the end of this year or early next year [1]