Volume 6, Issue 1 (2026) – 23 articles
Cover Picture: The structures of metallic melts are of utmost significance for understanding liquid properties, atomic dynamics, and solidification behaviors, including the formation of solidified microstructures. In recent years, with the continuous advancement of experimental techniques and numerical simulation methods, researchers have obtained deeper insights into the microscopic details of the liquid structure, the structure evolution, and the correlations between the liquid structure and the solidified microstructure. This article reviews the main experimental techniques and simulation methods employed in the study of metallic melt structures, as well as the pioneering findings in the field. High-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction and in situ X-ray imaging techniques and their applications in elucidating the liquid structure and its evolution during solidification are introduced. Special attention is given to the development of synchrotron equipment. Simulation methods for analyzing melt structures include classical molecular dynamics (MD), ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD), reversed Monte Carlo (RMC), and machine learning (ML), all of which have been applied to predict the atomic structures of metallic melts. The most recent progress in machine learning potentials or force fields is also introduced. The article also discusses future research directions, including the integration of high-resolution imaging with high-energy X-ray diffraction techniques, the application of artificial intelligence-assisted simulations to reduce computational costs, and the investigation of external factors such as pressure and cooling rates on solidification behavior. By combining advanced experimental and computational approaches, research on metallic melt structures is expected to move toward a more comprehensive and in-depth understanding, opening new opportunities for breakthroughs in metallurgy and materials science.
view this paper 
Back Cover Picture: The growing demand for batteries with higher energy density and improved safety necessitates the development of advanced electrode materials beyond conventional systems. Although high-energy electrodes offer superior theoretical capacities, they encounter major challenges, including structural instability caused by volume changes and uncontrollable dissolution. These issues contribute to performance degradation and safety risks at both the electrode and cell levels. Addressing these persistent problems is therefore essential to achieving safe, high-energy-density batteries. Polymers, with their versatile functionalities, present significant opportunities in this regard. The strategic design and deployment of tailored polymer architectures can enhance structural stability and improve cell configurations. In this work, we highlight the role of polymer chemistry in governing electrochemical behavior and demonstrate how it can drive substantial improvements in both performance metrics and the critical safety features required for reliable battery operation.
view this paper
