Laser shock peening (LSP) is an advanced surface strengthening technique crucial for enhancing the performance of critical components operating in extreme service environments. By generating gradient residual compressive stress and refining the microstructure via the interaction between the laser and metallic materials, LSP achieves multiscale modulation of the surface properties of metal components and considerably improves the fatigue, wear, and corrosion resistance of the material under demanding conditions. Owing to its noncontact surface modification process and properties, LSP has garnered considerable interest across fields such as aerospace, rail transit, biomedicine, and the nuclear industry. The pulse duration of the laser used in LSP considerably influences its interaction with metallic materials. Ultrashort-pulsed LSP exhibits extreme nonlinear, nonequilibrium, and multiscale time/space properties during its interaction with metallic materials, distinguishing it from short-pulsed LSP. However, existing reviews have predominantly analyzed LSP based on various factors, equipment, single performance, and applications. The pulse duration, which inevitably influences the application of LSP, has not been investigated yet. This review analyzes about 180 short-pulsed LSP and approximately 100 ultrashort-pulsed LSP papers published between 1963 and 2025 and focuses on the laser pulse duration to elucidate the existing status and prospective application value of short- and ultrashort-pulsed LSP from the viewpoints of mechanisms, processes, and applications. The associated challenges and prospects are examined and summarized using strengthening mechanisms, high-fidelity prediction models, process coupling innovations, and intelligent and efficient strengthening equipment. This work offers valuable insights for advancing laser manufacturing processes towards meeting the rigorous demands of extreme applications.

The research on the application of plasmas in combustion chambers has been conducted over a century. Spark discharge plasma ignition technology is very mature, while the study of plasma combustion control for advanced engines is currently flourishing. Plasma combustion control technology plays a significant role in broadening the ignition and extinction boundaries of engines, enhancing combustion efficiency, and suppressing combustion instability. The mechanism of plasma combustion control, as an interdisciplinary frontier of plasma dynamics and combustion science, is rich in scientific connotations. This article reviews the research progress on plasma combustion control from two aspects: technology innovation and mechanism exploration. With respect to technology innovation, based on the development ideas of plasma actuation systems and the control effect, the research progress of various plasma combustion control methods is summarized, such as spark, arc, gliding arc, plasma torch, laser plasma, and nanosecond discharge techniques. With respect to mechanism exploration, the three main fundamental principles of thermal effects, chemical effects, and transport effects are analyzed, and the progress of plasma actuation reaction mechanisms for typical fuels, as well as the development of zero-dimensional, multi-dimensional, and phenomenological plasma combustion modelling and simulation models, are summarized. Finally, the outlook of future development of plasma combustion control is discussed. The innovation and exploration of plasma combustion control technology will further integrate and develop to satisfy the needs of advanced combustion chambers such as high-temperature-rise combustion chambers, wide-range afterburning combustion chambers, and wide-range supersonic combustion chambers, promoting the innovation and application of new types of plasma combustion control technologies. The plasma combustion control mechanism needs to be explored systematically and in depth, developing towards the emerging interdisciplinary field of plasma-excited combustion science. Additionally, the plasma combustion control of low-carbon and zero-carbon fuels, as well as plasma-assisted energy conversion, is becoming research hotspots.