Multiple studies address energy, environmental, and climate challenges. Research reveals how green energy and steel imports reduce Europe’s net-zero infrastructure requirements. New zinc–iodine battery electrodes with dry fabrication approach improve stability and capacity for grid storage. Methane capture at California dairies reduces emissions substantially, aiding climate goals. Advances in photonic processors promise efficient 6G wireless signal handling. Additionally, insights into ocean trace-metal cycles driven by abyssal seafloor processes expand understanding of marine biogeochemistry.