Extreme precipitation events can have severe impacts on society and the environment. Understanding what causes these events is a vital step toward better prediction and improved disaster preparedness. One research direction is to answer the question: Where did the moisture that rained here come from? The moisture sources for precipitation (i.e., where the moisture originally evaporated) cannot be measured directly and, therefore, a variety of different moisture-tracking methods have been developed and evolved over time. To better understand the uncertainty of these methods, we unite the community to advance common understanding and guidelines. As the first step, in this study, we quantify moisture sources of three extreme precipitation events using methods obtained from 14 different research groups. These three events cover different meteorological conditions: monsoon precipitation in Pakistan, convective precipitation in Australia, and atmospheric river-associated precipitation over Scotland. We find that for the three cases, the different moisture-tracking methods qualitatively agree in moisture source patterns, but there are regional and quantitative differences. For example, for the Pakistan case, the recycling ratio shows a multimethod spread of 2%–20%. We also find similar behavior across methods for the three different events, where methods consistently show either more recycling or more sources further away from the precipitation region. This coordinated model intercomparison facilitates the explanation and quantification of uncertainty, acting as a point of reference and inspiration for future work and literature on moisture tracking. ... Read more

Underwater wireless communication is a cornerstone of modern marine exploration, infrastructure maintenance, and naval operations. While terrestrial systems rely on electromagnetic radio-frequency (RF) waves, these are impractical underwater due to rapid attenuation. Consequently, underwater communication typically utilizes acoustic pressure waves, which can propagate over tens of kilometers. However, underwater acoustic (UWA) communication is characterized by limited bandwidth, high latency due to slow propagation, and severe distortions from multipath-induced delay and motion-induced Doppler spreads. This dissertation investigates the design of an UWA system that is both analytically tractable and sufficiently flexible to adapt to these volatile conditions in real time.

The research begins by examining state-of-the-art communication schemes in both UWA and terrestrial domains. A key theoretical contribution is the demonstration that two prominent schemes, developed independently in their respective fields, are mathematically equivalent. Further analysis of the time-frequency signal structure reveals that the benefit of these schemes stems from the fact that information is spread across both time and frequency.

A central challenge addressed is the trade-off between training and data transmission. By proposing a novel training design, this dissertation demonstrates a 50% reduction in training overhead compared to conventional designs without sacrificing estimation accuracy. Finally, to bridge the gap between theory and application, a channel-aware adaptation protocol is introduced. This allows the system to optimize parameters in-situ, ensuring a robust link. The approach was validated through synthetic simulations, channel replay, and real-world experiments. ... Read more

Aircraft noise has a significant impact on communities near airports. To regulate noise, annual average levels such as Lden are modelled across large areas. This study examines the consistency between Lden predicted by the European Civil Aviation Conference Doc 29 model and measurements from noise monitoring terminals around Amsterdam Airport Schiphol from 2017 to 2024. While strong correlations confirm Doc29′s suitability for system-level assessments, systematic biases persist, with nighttime levels Lnight generally overestimated and Lden underestimated. Three potential sources were identified: difference between modelled and flown tracks, background noise influencing measured levels, and undetected flights, particularly for quieter aircraft and in low noise regions. Accounting for these factors improves correlation and reduces deviation between measurements and predictions. These results demonstrate promising methods for enabling noise model validation near airports. Further improvements in detection methods and operational modelling will increase the robustness of noise assessments and better support evidence-based policy development around major airports. ... Read more

All-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) demonstrate unique advantages in energy density and safety performance. However, the point contact between multiphase particles restricts the ion/electron transport, severely limiting the kinetic performance of ASSBs. Planar metal electrodes can cancel out tortuous transport paths, providing the possibility for a revolutionary breakthrough in the kinetic performance of ASSBs. Herein, we develop a universal electrolyte framework that enables the comigration of Li+ and Cu+, facilitating the design of a Daniell-type ASSB. Remarkably, this system exhibits unprecedented kinetic performance and cycling stability. By canceling out the tortuous ion/electron transport, 100% capacity retention is achieved even under a 10-fold increment of current density (from 1.0 to 10.0 mA cm–2). Meanwhile, the reduction in the average discharge voltage is also extremely small (ΔV ≈ 45 mV). The invariant interfacial microstructure ensures 100% capacity retention over 10,000 cycles at 10.0 mA cm–2 (30 °C) and 25,000 cycles at 100.0 mA cm–2 (60 °C). The metal electrode configuration further endows exceptional advantages in electrode fabrication and battery recycling, reducing material costs by 80% and recycling costs by 97% compared to traditional ASSBs. This work transcends the cognitive constraints of powder-based cathodes, charting a transformative pathway for high-performance energy storage systems. ... Read more

Storage and discharge are two fundamental solutions to strengthening pluvial flood resilience. Recent studies reveal that many urban catchments operate under a persistent storage–discharge imbalance, driven by urban densification. This ‘imbalance’ raises concerns in hydrologic, economic, spatial, and social aspects. This research aims to quantify the balanced relationship between storage capacity and discharge capacity (storage discharge balance, SDB) for pluvial flood protection and provide planning strategies for different urban topographies. We suggest and apply a quantification method using different modelling tools, hydrological and hydrodynamic models, in two cases with distinct physical and socioeconomic characteristics: one in a flat polder area in Nanjing, China, and the other in a sloping hilly area in Feldbach, Austria. By comparing these cases, insights are gained into the modelling methods, results, and proposed strategies for each context. The use of the SDB chart mapping framework supports the identification of both short- and long-term targets, as well as dynamic pathways toward enhanced flood resilience. These insights will facilitate multidisciplinary dialogue on key constraining factors, thereby enabling the co-creation of an actionable solution. While the quantitative findings are context-dependent, the novel approach can be applied to other cities to facilitate their resilience planning. ... Read more