Scientists at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have created a new bone‑repair material that mimics the layered structure of a mantis shrimp’s “saddle.” The scaffold is built from tiny metal‑ion clusters of zinc‑doped amorphous calcium phosphate (ACZP) combined with chitin fibers, forming a dense, mineral‑rich outer layer and a softer, organic‑rich inner layer. This gradient design gives the implant both strength and flexibility: it can bend up to 160 MPa and resist cracking with a toughness of 10 MPa·m½, thanks to mechanisms like crack deflection, fiber tearing, and layer sliding. Beyond mechanics, the scaffold continuously releases calcium and zinc ions, which trigger natural healing pathways (PI3K‑Akt, MAPK, HIF‑1). In lab tests, these signals encouraged bone‑forming cells to mature, helped blood vessels grow, and promoted the coupling of bone growth and blood supply. When implanted into rats with skull defects, the material spurred remarkable bone regeneration—new bone made up about 68 % of the defect area after six months. The researchers see this “structure‑composition‑function” approach as a breakthrough for treating large bone injuries and dental defects, offering a blend of durability and bioactivity that could soon move toward clinical use.
Read moreChina’s latest government work plan is putting a big bet on clean energy, especially hydrogen and other green fuels. By the end of March, the country already had more than 250,000 tonnes of renewable‑hydrogen capacity up and running, and another 900,000 tonnes under construction – enough to produce over a million tonnes a year once fully operational. This rapid growth moves hydrogen from small pilot projects to large‑scale production. The government is also backing a suite of green fuels—like ammonia, methanol and sustainable aviation fuel—through policies, financing and special electricity rates. So far, about 8 million tonnes of oil‑equivalent green‑fuel capacity has been built, expanding the market beyond traditional bio‑ethanol and biodiesel. Officials warn the sector is still in its infancy: costs are high, equipment needs innovation, and both domestic and overseas markets are just forming. To tackle these hurdles, the National Energy Administration will launch pilot programs, push new standards and certify products that fit China’s conditions. At the same time, China’s booming artificial‑intelligence industry is driving soaring electricity demand. A new pilot scheme will test how to match computing power with clean, affordable power, using fresh technologies and market mechanisms. The goal is a stable, low‑carbon energy mix that can keep pace with the country’s digital growth.
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