Front Cover

In article number 2401157, Yu, Choi, Oh, and co-workers introduce a one-dimensional material indium selenide iodide (InSeI) for electrocatalytic template. Oxygen vacancies emerge through electrochemical treatment and boosting local pH and stabilizing active sites. The catalyst achieves over 97% formate selectivity and excellent stability over 50 hours, highlighting the potential of utilizing one-dimensional material as an electrochemical catalyst.

Inside Front Cover

In recent years, chemo-optogenetic dimerization tools, represented by photo-responsive chemical inducers of dimerization (pCIDs), have been developed for spatiotemporal regulation of cellular functions. These dimerizers enable turning ON (paCID), turning OFF (pdCID), or switching between ON/OFF (psCID) of cellular activities. Apart from small molecule pCIDs, nanobody-conjugate photodimerizers are also emerging. These advancements create new opportunities for dissecting complex biological processes. More in article number 2401271, Chen and co-workers.

Inside Back Cover

In article number 2401388, Zeng, Tang, and co-workers introduce a mass production method for micromotors featuring a particle-tip structure, achieved through self-focusing lithography induced by an array of TiO₂ microspheres. By adjusting the tip composition, various capabilities such as photo-redox reaction-induced propulsion, fluorescent imaging, and electric and magnetic navigation are successfully demonstrated. Furthermore, the fabrication of double-tipped motors showcases the method's flexibility and potential for multifunctional combinations.

Back Cover

In article number 2401321, Tsutsui, Okada, and co-workers demonstrated the precise discrimination of full, intermediate, and empty adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors by solid-state nanopore sensing. This innovative method represents a significant advancement in quality control for AAV products, facilitating their broader application in gene therapy.

Chemo-optogenetic dimerization uses photosensitive small molecules with genetically introduced protein tags as a versatile platform for regulating diverse cellular processes and dissecting complex biological networks. Currently, chemo-optogenetic dimerization can be classified into several types: photoactivatable dimerizers (ON), photocleavable dimerizers (OFF), photoswitchable dimerizers (Switch), and nanobody conjugate versions, each associated with different features and application scenarios.

A versatile and high-yield fabrication method is developed for Janus micromotors featuring a spherical tip configuration, achieved through the localized photocuring of SU-8 on a TiO₂ microsphere array. These motors exhibit various functionalities by loading dyes onto the spheres or modifying the composition of tips. Moreover, the efficacy of this method in the production of multifunctional double-tipped motors is demonstrated.

Procedural steps involved in processing and applications of in vitro culture of CTCs. Various methods are employed to expand CTCs, which are subsequently utilized in diverse analyses including phenotypic profiling, clinical diagnosis, genomic and transcriptomic profiling, drug screening, and CTC-derived xenograft models. These applications offer valuable insights into cancer metastasis mechanisms, patient prognosis assessment, and clinical drug guidance. Created with BioRender.com.

This study demonstrates effective non-invasive RF heating using a hybrid yeast-2D FeS₂ system, attaining a fast-heating rate of 1.27 °C s⁻¹ at 3W RF power (50 MHz), which results from ionic diode-like properties and polar conductive channels identified by DFT calculations. The results provide insights into leveraging interactions between 2D materials and biomolecules for specific RF heating applications.

A study on polymorphic β-Ga₂O₃ nanomaterials synthesized via a low-cost tube sealing and muffle calcination process reveals their exceptional ultraviolet-C (UV-C) optoelectronic performance. High-sensitivity UV-C photodetectors fabricated with β-Ga₂O₃ nanobelts enable clear imaging, while β-Ga₂O₃ nanowire-based optoelectronic synapses demonstrate neural signal transmission. These devices showcase significant potential in advanced UV-C optoelectronics, particularly in image sensing and neural communication applications.

Solid-state nanopore sensing in high-viscosity organic-water mixture enables enhanced discriminability of full, intermediate, and empty AAV vectors at the single particle level, paving the way for enhanced quality control of AAV products for their wide applications in gene therapy.

A strategy for electrochemical CO₂ conversion to formate production utilizing InSeI 1D materials is described. This study suggests that the use of 1D materials improves the absolute particle size and chemically active sites. This indicates the potential for further research on 1D materials as electrocatalysts for CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR).

Pyridinic-N anchored Co in a biphasic nanoarchitecture with heterointerfacial sites is strategically developed for all-state ultralong and high performance Zn–air batteries which can be utilized for various portable applications.

Optical Fibers

A SIMS sputtering process of an optical fiber reveals the interplay between theory and reality. While an idealized model predicts dopant placement, real-world diffusion alters the picture. The measured 1D profile requires precise angle correction, leading to the determination of diffusion lengths. The results highlight stark contrasts—germanium retains structure, while ytterbium forms a nearly homogeneous distribution. More in article number 2401601, Michalowski and co-workers.

The theoretical and realistic distribution of Ge and Yb ions in the cross-section of the nanostructured core of the optical fiber. The diffusion leads to a minor broadening of the Ge rods and almost complete homogenization of the Yb distribution.

Transition Metal Redox Properties

Manipulating the redox properties of transition metals in layered cathode structures is crucial for developing high-performance cathode materials. Incorporating Mg²⁺ into LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ alters the oxidation sequence of transition metals during lithium extraction, with Co³⁺ replacing Ni²⁺ as the primary oxidized species initially. Investigating the mechanism and electrochemical impact of this effect could offer valuable insights for designing materials with superior cycle stability. More in article number 2401868, Wang, Cheng, Zhang, and co-workers.

Tailoring the redox characteristics of transition metals within layered cathode structures is a pivotal strategy for the advancement of high-performance cathode materials. Recent findings have uncovered a novel phenomenon: the incorporation of Mg²⁺ into LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ results in a shift in the oxidation sequence of transition metals during lithium extraction, with Co³⁺ replacing Ni²⁺ as the primary oxidized species during the initial stages of lithium extraction. The investigation into the underlying mechanism of this induced effect and its impact on electrochemical performance promises to provide new insights for the design of materials with exceptional cycle stability.

Tactile Sensors

The frontispiece illustration presents a strain-insensitive, tactile sensor array that eliminates crosstalk effects through a highly stretchable mesh design. This unique structure ensures that each sensing cell remains electrically isolated, allowing accurate pressure measurements without cell-to-cell crosstalk. The illustration depicts the strain-insensitive stretchable sensor functioning despite arm joint movement, monitoring sustained pressure on the elbow. More in article number 2401730, Kim and co-workers.

A tactile sensor based on CNT–PDMS clogged in a stretchable mesh is presented. The sensor exhibits negligible changes in sensing performance under lateral stretching of up to 100%. The advantages of sensitivity, sensing range, and repeatability enable the sensor to be used in various applications. Furthermore, prolonged pressure on the wrist and elbow is successfully monitored using the sensor.

Actin Disassembly

In article number 2401522, Zhou, Zuchero, and co-workers develop “ChiActs,” first-in-class chemogenetic tools to induce actin disassembly in living cells. These tools will allow researchers to study the diverse cellular roles of actin filament assembly and dynamics across eukaryotic model systems. The image shows molecularly-accurate actin filaments being disassembled into actin monomers by ChiActs, which are depicted as a wrecking ball. Image credit: Dr. Janet Iwasa, University of Utah.

ChiActs are novel actin-perturbing genetic tools that can be rapidly activated by chemical actuators and optogenetically targeted to distinct subcellular locations using light. ChiActs rapidly induce actin disassembly in several model cell types and are able to perturb actin-dependent nano-assembly and cellular functions, including inhibition of lamellipodial protrusions and membrane ruffling, remodeling of mitochondrial morphology, and chromatin reorganization.

Sodium-Ion Batteries

In article number 2401801, Lee, Jeong, Park, and co-workers demonstrate the ultrafast preparation of hard carbon anodes using intense-pulsed-light-assisted photothermal carbonization. The successive irradiation of intense pulsed lights enables the high-temperature carbonization of the polymer/SWCNT composite films in just one minute, providing a sustainable method for the large-scale, time-efficient, and energy-saving production of hard carbon anodes for future sodium-ion battery technologies.

The ultrafast (<1 min) synthesis of hard carbon (HC) anodes using an intense pulsed light (IPL)-assisted photothermal carbonization process has been demonstrated. This research highlights IPL-assisted photothermal carbonization as a viable, time-efficient, and energy-saving alternative to conventional methods, offering a sustainable pathway for large-scale production of HC anodes for future sodium-ion battery technologies.

Phase Change Materials

In article number 2402089, Qiu, Feng, and co-workers develop a framework of multiscale topology optimization for cellular structures assembled by periodic base cells. The optimized structure renders the minimum thermal compliance, showing the best heat dissipation performance. The findings are expected to provide higher storage and release rates of heat energy to achieve high-efficiency solar power generation.

This work develops a framework of multiscale topology optimization for cellular structures, which can find out the optimal configuration and optimal density distribution for PBCs. The optimized topology structure turns out to be tree-like. The optimized cellular structure renders the minimum thermal compliance under a given constraint condition, and thus shows the best heat dissipation performance.

A simple yet effective approach is developed for in situ measurement of microscopic ionic velocity in solid-state electrolytes (SSEs). The ionic conductivity calculated from the spatiotemporal trajectory of ionic motion under an electric field is closely aligned with the result of macroscopic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests. This method, validated on LiZr₂(PO₄)₃ and Li_1.05Zr_1.95Fe_0.05(PO₄)₃, can be further extended to other SSEs.

This study combines analysis of DFT modelling of complex structure decomposition studies with hybrid ink formulation resulting in inkjet printing of a range of useful electronic materials. The formulated hybrid MOD ink is exploited to form self-regulated layered pattern structures with vertical compositional gradient at low temperature.

This Perspective provides an overview of the fundamental concepts of synthetic biological nanomedicine, defined as the application of gene-engineering strategies in the design and development of nanomedicines. It highlights two primary approaches in this field: top-down and bottom-up strategies. The Perspective explores recent advancements in leveraging these strategies for nanomedicine design and concludes with an analysis of the potential benefits and challenges associated with this rapidly evolving discipline.

This paper comprehensively reviews electrochemical in-situ characterization techniques in the field of energy conversion from three perspectives: spectral characterization techniques of electrochemical reactions, characterization techniques for the spatial distribution of electrochemical reactions, and surface refractive index optical characterization techniques for the spatial analysis of electrochemical reactions.

MXene-based nanocomposites with 2D materials like transition metal oxides, transition metal chalcogenides, and layered double hydroxides improve supercapacitor performance. Here it reviews how these composites facilitate high capacitance, power density, and cycling stability, advancing next-generation energy storage.

This review focuses on defect-engineered Ti and Zr based MOFs with tunable optoelectronic properties as promising approaches for solar-driven hydrogen production. It examines the impact of defect-induced structural and electronic modifications on charge transfer processes, alongside discussing innovative synthesis methods and advanced characterization techniques aimed at enhancing photocatalytic performance. The review also outlines key design principles and innovative strategies, addressing existing challenges, and emphasizing the role of machine learning (ML) in accelerating material design for efficient energy conversions.

This review summarizes recent progress in the design and nanoarchitectural control of bimetallic metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and their applications in quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensors for the detection of various gases. It also discusses the underlying sensing mechanisms of bimetallic MOFs and concludes with challenges and future directions for advancing the synthesis and practical use of bimetallic MOFs in QCM-based sensing technologies.

Electrochemical experimental studies using single-crystal electrodes as model catalysts, with controlled elemental distribution, microstructure, and modification patterns, provide valuable insights into reaction and degradation mechanisms as well as catalyst development strategies. This paper reviews these studies, focusing on electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reactions and oxygen evolution reactions, which are relevant to fuel cells and water electrolyzers.

This review summarizes a general overview from perovskite single-crystal (SC) film growth to light-emitting applications and strategies to optimize SC perovskite light-emitting diodes (SC-PeLEDs) performance. Challenges and perspectives are proposed further to facilitate performance improvement and practical application of SC-PeLEDs. This review will help researchers develop a new perspective on SC-PeLEDs.

This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the recent progress in MXene-based electromagnetic wave-absorbing materials, with a focus on the mechanisms, synthetic methods, performance improvements, and applications. Specifically, the challenges and opportunities of improving absorption performance and achieving multifunctional applications of materials through various preparations are discussed, aiming to provide insightful guidance for researchers in this rapidly growing field.

Cation-anion aggregates in SPEs facilitate Li ion transport and construct anion-driven solid electrolyte interphase for high-performance solid-state batteries. This review traces the evolution of cation-anion aggregates, discusses their ion transport mechanisms, summarizes design strategies, and outlines future prospects and challenges for their further applications in solid polymer electrolyte.

This review mainly introduces the application of 3D printing technology in solid electrolyte manufacturing. Through detailed case studies, the distinctive capabilities of additive manufacturing in solid electrolyte fabrication are demonstrated while pointing out current technological challenges and limitations. This work aims to guide future research efforts toward addressing these identified challenges, thereby advancing the development of solid electrolyte manufacturing technologies.

This paper reviews recent advancements in magnetic field-assisted photocatalysis, focusing on the following aspects: 1) the fundamentals explaining how magnetic fields influence photocatalysis; 2) the classification and demonstration of magnetic field-assisted photocatalytic devices; 3) performance data of magnetic field-enhanced photocatalysts in specific applications; and 4) the interpretation of the mechanisms underlying magnetic field-enhanced photocatalysis, supported by specific research data.

This review summarized the research progress of PMOF photocatalysts in the last ten years and analyzed the effects of the spatial structure, porphyrin ligands, porphyrin central metals, and metal nodes of PMOF on the photocatalytic performance. The applications of PMOF-based photocatalysts in H₂ production, CO₂ reduction, pollutant degradation, and sterilization are reviewed. In addition, the mechanism of these processes are described in detail. Finally, some suggestions on the development of PMOF photocatalysts are put forward.

In this perspective, the research status of fluorine introduction in the cathode materials of polyanionic sodium-ion batteries is reviewed, and the effects of fluorine introduction on the structure, dynamics, and electrochemistry of the materials are discussed. The effect and mechanism of different fluorine content are analyzed in depth, including trace fluorine doping and mass fluorine substitution. It also discusses the challenges faced by the practical application of fluorine introduction materials and proposes corresponding solutions.

Scanning Oscillator Piezoresponse Force Microscopy (SO-PFM) is introduced as a novel technique for visualizing domain wall dynamics at the nanoscale under sub-coercive electric fields. By resolving electrostatic artifacts, SO-PFM reveals thermally activated flow and creep-like regimes, providing unprecedented insights into reversible domain wall motion and its coupling to local material properties.

Radial compression, a common phenomenon at carbon nanotube (CNT) contacts, has been found to significantly enhance thermal conductivity (κ), as demonstrated using the phonon Boltzmann transport equation. An optimal stress level exists for maximizing the κ in CNTs, but is strongly dependent on CNT length. These findings provide a promising strategy for optimizing thermal management in CNT-based electronic devices.

Introducing an experimental route to identify optimal lab-scale redox flow batteries (RFB) operating parameters between electrolyte flow rate, redox-active species concentration and applied current for aqueous and nonaqueous calibration electrolytes via a molar flux concept. K1_critical as an RFB-setup performance evaluating, ζ as an RFB cell-constant, and K2 as an cell-architecture independent performance characteristic number are introduced to improve comparability between lab-scale RFB architectures.

A method by which nanoparticles with ultra-clean surfaces can be controllably fabricated inside TEM is developed. 12 types of materials are used as precursors, respectively, and different kinds of products are found. This work deepens the understanding of the interaction between electron beam and precursors, and provides a novel strategy to unveil the property and behavior of delicate nanoparticles.

Based on direct photolithography, a novel strategy is proposed to regulate the carrier injection behavior by modifying the energy level alignment regions. As proof of concept, QLED devices with a resolution exceeding 3,300 DPI (dot per inch) are achieved utilizing the pixelated hole injection layer. In addition, the external quantum efficiency of the QLED devices has been improved from 17.2% to 18.4%.

The application potential of Ag-Al paste with low Al content suitable for high sheet resistance emitters by modulating the Ag-Si interface structure is demonstrated. The coupling between microstructure and device performance is elucidated. Additionally, an innovative approach for mitigating the contact resistivity of high sheet resistance solar cells to ≈1 mΩ cm² is proposed.

A general strategy for growing nanowire arrays based on homogeneous precursor can be obtained through both calculations and experiments. It is demonstrated that using a self-assembly micro-platform in advance facilitates epitaxial growth via chemical vapor deposition to achieve highly oriented nanowire arrays of SnTe, which is attributed to changes in crystallographic disregistry and adhesion energy.

This study investigates how annealing temperature affects the formation of hole-selective self-assembled monolayers. Advanced in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy uncovers that increasing the annealing temperature beyond the conventional 100°C reduces the thickness of 2PACz from a multilayer stack of ∼5 nm to a monolayer at 150°C and improves its packing density. Consequently, fully-textured perovskite silicon tandem solar cells achieve ∼30% PCE.

In₂Se₃/InSe vertical heterojunctions are prepared with specific phases by optimizing the growth conditions using 2D InSe as the seeding material. Meanwhile, the microstructural mechanism for the temperature-dependent phase evolution of β-In₂Se₃, 3R α-In₂Se₃, and 2H α-In₂Se3 is revealed by using the state-of-the-art Cs-STEM technique. It has been found that β-In₂Se₃ is the intermediate state for the phase transition between different In₂Se₃ polymorphs.

Current electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy methods for in situ liquid-phase catalytic reactions are limited by scale, mass transport control, solid and water applicability, and accessibility. This droplet-based microfluidic platform addresses these challenges, enabling real-time monitoring of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalytic systems, and advancing in situ EPR spectroscopy capabilities for kinetic and mechanistic studies.

Construction of C₆₀─OH/Ag₆─NCs/NMP/H₂O composite through the employment of supramolecular co-assembly strategy and the synergistically enhanced fluorescence properties and NLO performance.

Imidazopyridinium-linked covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are synthesized through the modification of pyridine nitrogen and imine bonds. Both experimental and theoretical results indicate that these charged COFs are advantageous for adsorbing AuCl₄⁻, exhibiting high adsorption performance and rapid kinetics.

The conductivity of TiNb₂O₇ is improved by regulating its oxygen vacancies via calcination at argon atmosphere, which could provide more lithium-ion transmission channels. Furthermore, the introduction of oxygen vacancy can also enhance the charge transfer ability of the material and absorbing anions, guiding the uniform distribution of lithium-ion flux and inhibiting growth of Li dendrite in lithium metal batteries.

The effect of liquid compressibility on flow delays in syringe-pump driven applications is fully characterized experimentally. Long time delays, up to tens of minutes, can be experienced depending on the syringe volume, microchannel resistance and liquid type. The effect of flexibility of the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) channels is also considered and a lumped-electric circuit model is presented to simplify the analysis.

This study introduces EMI shielding bricks by 3D printing PLA composites with carbon-based fillers such as carbon black and carbon nanotubes, followed by polyaniline coating. It examines how 0D and 1D carbon fillers influence electromagnetic interference shielding efficiency and how this can be further improved by electrodepositing with conductive polyaniline.

This article develops a low-impedance hybrid carbon structure on the surface of SiO_X, where C₃H₈ is first deposited to create a short-range, vertically ordered carbon architecture, followed by C₂H₂ to establish a long-range, layered structure, effectively filling the gaps. This dense hybrid carbon layer is characterized by minimal defects, high crystallinity, and excellent electronic conductivity.

An Electrorheological fluid (ERF) based printable capacitive pressure sensor is devised using silylated carbon nanofiber and polydimethylsiloxane, exhibiting excellent pressure-sensing capability (6.3%/kPa) and repeatability over multiple cycles. The yield stress increased by 1600% (at E = 600 V mm⁻¹. The long-term behavior of the ink is predicted using the time-temperature and the time-waiting time superposition.

The proposed transfer method utilizes optimal surface energy control to embed conductive nanomaterials into the surface of polymer networks. This approach enables the fabrication of mechanically robust 3D flexible electrodes of various shapes and scales and contributes to the development of reliable and flexible pressure sensors with diverse characteristics, such as high sensitivity and a wide dynamic range.

Accurate sheet resistance measurements are essential for optimizing porous electrode design in polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolyzers. The authors present a reliable method using a novel probe concept based on industrial printed circuit board technology. Furthermore, the authors use image processing to extract the thickness distribution of the catalyst layer, which is discussed in relation to the in-plane electrical resistivity.

A novel synthetic route successfully explores the tetragonal phase of WO₃, demonstrating its superiority as a supercapacitor electrode with an extended potential window. A phase-dependent charge storage mechanism is proposed, supported by in situ Raman studies that provide real-time insights into the underlying processes and improved electrochemical results.

In this paper, a supramolecular interface buffer layer is proposed. The (2-hydroxypropyl)-β-cyclodextrin (HBCD) prefers to chemical adsorb onto Zn (002) planes and barriers the interfacially active waters, which lead to expanded voltage window and stable anode surface. This endows both of the button and pouch batteries with high capacity and durable service life.

We employed zincophilic N-doped carbon@Sn composites (N-C@Sn) as nano-fillings to effectively release the local stress of high curvature surface of 3D Zn foams toward dendrite-free anode in aqueous zinc ion battery (AZIB). These electronegative and conductive N-C@Sn nano-fillings as supporters can provide a highly zincophilic channel for initial Zn nucleation and reduce local current density for regulating Zn deposition.

The connection between magnetotransport and high-resolution magnetic imaging is established by simultaneously monitoring magnetotransport properties and conducting in-situ Lorentz Transmission Electron Microscopy. Ex-situ approaches necessitated separate specimens, resulting in ambiguous correlations due to sample differences. A new direction for the field of magnetotransport is enabled, advancing its state-of-the-art.

Based on the principle of multimode sensing, the triaxial force sensor consists of a capacitive sensing unit and four resistive sensing units for the detection of pressure and shear forces, respectively. The triaxial force sensor can realize the 3D reconstruction of the object pose according to the mechanical analysis.

This study develops electrostatic dual-carbon-fiber microgrippers for the precise manipulation of SiO₂ microparticles. Theoretical and FEA simulations demonstrate that a non-uniform electric field induces dielectrophoresis for pick-and-place manipulation. Particle release occurs due to van der Waals forces after the voltage is turned off, eliminating the need for corona discharge or vibrational separators. This enables accurate 2D patterning and 3D stacking.

N,O co-doped carbon spheres (NOCS), which are synthesized via a scalable polymerization and pyrolysis method, are coated on the conventional Cu foil current collector as a sodiophilic nucleation layer. The assembled anode-less NOCS||NVP full-cell shows a high energy density of 281.7 Wh kg⁻¹ and superior cycling stability with a capacity retention of 79.0% after 350 cycles at 200 mA g⁻¹.

Trivalent ionic molecular bridges generated in water-processable polymeric films play an efficient charge-trapping role in achieving all-solid-state organic synaptic transistors (OSTRs), which can be operated at low voltages (≤5 V) and act as neuromorphic processors with high recognition accuracy of >95%, for promising next-generation computing applications.

Miniature capacitive picobalances are constructed by using freestanding gold flakes with high reflectivity (≈98% at 980 nm) as the sample tray and silica microfibers with extremely low spring constant (≈0.05 mN m⁻¹) as the cantilever beams. The performance of picobalances can be precisely calibrated by exerting radiation pressure on the gold flake with a laser, showing a detection limit of ≈6.9 pN. As a demonstration, various types of pollens with masses down to 4.6 ng are measured at single-particle level.

A generative AI model for super-resolution microscopy images is presented. Super-resolution microscopy provides high spatial detail at the expense of lower time resolution. Using it for live samples requires computational image reconstruction. It is unclear what good priors and metrics for AI-generated super-resolution images are. Here, a perceptive metric accounting for the human visual system provides clues.

This study develops a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS) metabolomic detection platform utilizing urine and serum samples to identify biomarkers for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The platform facilitates rapid analysis and effectively differentiates BPH patients from those experiencing lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), achieving an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.830.

A method is developed to calculate the anomalous diffusion exponent (α), the radius of the H₂O-rich phase domain (r₀), and the concentration threshold of phase separation (c_p) of crowded solutions, which helps to understand the properties of cytosol inside cells.

CsPbBr₃ perovskite quantum dots are assembled in the cages of UiO-series metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) through in situ method to construct the photocatalytic system. Benefiting from efficient photogenerated electron–hole separation within heterostructure, the CsPbBr₃@MOF hybrid exhibit exceptionally high selectivity and stability for toluene oxidation under visible light irradiation.

By preferential adsorption of anionic surfactants on the Zn(100) and Zn(101) crystal surfaces, the Zn(002) crystal surface becomes a nucleation site for Zn²⁺ ions, while the presence of a large number of amide groups in the additives can form a fast ion channel, inducing rapid and uniform deposition of Zn to ensure a long cycling life.

This study presents a Lego-inspired modular strategy to construct hierarchical perfusable vascular channels in hydrogels. Customized modules with diverse architectures are assembled into multi-dimensional constructs, to validate the flexibility and scalability of the splicing technique. Functionalized models mimic vascular barriers and support endothelial cell viability under flow, providing a valuable platform for advancing research under both physiological and pathological conditions.

This study describes how layer thicknesses of nano-rough surfaces, here black silicon, can be determined by combining spectroscopic and topographical data. Angular integrated spectroscopic data (XPS) of nano-rough surfaces are least-square fitted to angular resolved data from an ultra-flat surface, here Si wafer, after weighting the latter by the inclination distribution of the topography as determined from AFM data.

A robust SEI is designed by modulating competitive reactions between metallic-Na anodes and anion/solvent molecules. The SEI consists of a salt-derived outer layer and a solvent-derived inner layer. Thanks to the water balance between inorganic-absorbing and organic-blocking in the solvent-rich inner layer, which prevents Na corrosion from atmospheric moisture, the metallic Na anode can be used directly in opened batteries.

A highly innovative and implementable diagnostic tool for profiling microenvironmental perturbations in TBI patients by analyzing sEVs derived from glial cells circulating in the blood. This device provides a window into the injured brain and identifies neuroinflammatory signals, potentially serving as a platform for detecting highly specific brain biomarkers following TBI.

The work emphasizes the interfacial engineering of a gold-monolayer MoS₂ junction with another monolayer of vanadium degenerately doped MoS₂, exhibiting an enormous enhancement in the charge transfer properties with low Schottky barrier height for electrons.

The bifunctional Cr/NiBP ǁ Cr/NiBP demonstrates high-performance overall water splitting over benchmark Pt/C ǁ RuO₂. Coupling with Pt/C, the hybrid configuration of Cr/NiBP ǁ Pt/C shows more improved performance up to 2000 mA cm⁻² high current density.

The photooxidation of methionine quickly scavenges the oxygen-mediated triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion luminescence quenching, resulting in a rapid recovery of upconversion emission. Further, a new mechanism of photoinduced electron transfer is proposed to enable highly sensitive, extremely specific, rapid detection of paraquat in real lake water in a background-free manner.

A dual-Marangoni-effect actuator based on graphene oxide foam and direct laser writing is reported. The actuator can compensate for the inability to sustain motion caused by chemical Marangoni effect and slow start-up caused by photothermal Marangoni effect. Under the control of magnetic field, the actuator can achieve intelligent acceleration and deceleration movements.

Magneto-photocatalytic Bi₂O₂CO₃@Fe₃O₄ microrobots enable automated antioxidant detection in food. Under UV light, they generate reactive oxygen species that oxidize a colorless dye into a green radical cation, with antioxidants inhibiting dye oxidation. A rotating magnetic field steers these microrobots across a custom 3D-printed platform, providing high-throughput, cost-effective, and accurate food quality assessments—offering a significant advance in automated food safety technology.

To mitigate optical losses caused by absorption and reflection in flexible plastic substrates, stickers with light-trapping and light-shifting functionalities are introduced, thereby enhancing the overall performance of the devices under both sunlight and indoor lighting conditions.

The integrated portable and automatic digital detection system (IPADS) consists of an automation platform and a disposable integrated cartridge. The cartridge combines novel hybrid magnetic system (HMS)-based nucleic acid extraction with digital RPA-Cas12a detection, enabling rapid, fully automated, “sample-in to digital-answer-out” detection. IPADS demonstrates outstanding efficiency and sensitivity with HBV DNA samples, offering a new solution for point-of-care testing.

The schematic of LMO@Li-Nafion for electrochemical lithium extraction in brine. Through discharge and charging, using LMO as the working electrode and Ag as the counter electrode, the separate extraction of Li⁺ in the salt lake and its enrichment in the recovery solution are achieved respectively. The surface wettability, structural stability, and Li⁺ diffusion kinetics of LMO are enhanced by coating lithiated Nafion.

A 3D free-standing nanotubular graphene is designed with encapsulated nanoporous multicomponent carbide, which exhibits a high lithium storage performance at high current densities and low temperatures without the need for additional binder, conductive agents, or current collectors.

A laser-assisted wet leaching (Laser-WL) method is introduced for efficient recycling of lithium-ion battery cathodes. By decoupling particle and solution temperatures, Laser-WL achieves rapid metal dissolution (95.6% in 15 min) while reducing acid and water consumption by 87% and 27%, respectively. This sustainable approach enhances leaching kinetics, offering a promising solution for circular battery economies.

A simple and feasible method is reported to fabricate NiSe-Ni₃Se₂ heterojunction with tunable NiSe-to-Ni₃Se₂ ratio on graphene-coated nickel foam skeleton (NiSe-Ni₃Se₂/GNF). The two-electrode UOR-HER electrolyzer using optimized NiSe-Ni₃Se₂/GNF as both cathode and anode shows much lower cell voltage than that for the OER-HER electrolyzer, providing a new viable paradigm for energy-saving H₂ production.

The TOC summarizes the energy barriers corresponding to the rate-determining steps in the catalytic HOR and ORR for 1L, 2L, 3L, and MLs Pt-H₂O structures. Compared to MLs Pt, few-layered Pt structures not only significantly enhance Pt utilization but also reduce the reaction energy barriers for catalytic HOR or ORR to varying degrees, thus improving their catalytic activity.

This study demonstrates simultaneous measurements of surface tension and viscosity of liquid by monitoring the time-series impact dynamics of a liquid using a superhydrophobic sensor consisting of three electrode pairs and an echo state network algorithm.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are receiving increasing attention as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and therapy, highlighting the urgent need for computational methods to accelerate their comprehensive discovery. Here, to better predict and provide functional insight into cancer lncRNAs, a novel interpretable machine-learning method (POCALI) is developed by leveraging 44 multi-omics features in six categories.

A nonclassical mechanism of oligomer aggregation is proposed for the controllable synthesis of monodispersed ZrO₂ submicrospheres. By introducing alkanoic acids and amines to precisely regulate homogeneous oligomer formation and aggregation, the controls over the spherical morphology, monodispersity, and diameter are achieved. The resulting ZrO₂ submicrospheres, ranging from 0.263 to 1.295 µm, exhibit enhanced and tunable scattering performance for photonic applications.