Today's Nanotech Pulse
Updated 45m agoPhotonic‑crystal light sail demonstrates 90% reflectivity for laser propulsion
Researchers have built a photonic‑crystal light sail (PCLS) using a three‑dielectric nanostructure of germanium pillars, air holes, and a polymer matrix. Simulations and electron‑beam fabricated prototypes show about 90 % reflectivity at a 1.2 µm wavelength and the ability to generate continuous thrust when illuminated by a 100‑kW laser.
News•Feb 2, 2026
Nanointerface‐Guided Pt Deposition on Co‐Mn Oxide‐SnO2 Supports for High ORR Durability and Activity
Researchers introduced a nanointerface‑guided catalyst where platinum nanoparticles are deposited on a cobalt‑manganese oxide (CMO) coated tin‑oxide support. The electroless‑plated Pt‑CMO‑SnO2/KB catalyst delivered 1.97‑times higher mass activity than conventional Pt/C and retained 33% more activity after voltage cycling. Microscopy and spectroscopy confirmed selective Pt placement on CMO and strong metal‑support interactions that curb agglomeration. This architecture offers a scalable route to more durable oxygen‑reduction catalysts for polymer electrolyte fuel cells.
By Small (Wiley)
News•Feb 2, 2026
Novel Wide‐Spectrum Virucidal Lipid Nanoparticles (Small 7/2026)
Researchers Yugo Araújo Martins, Caroline Tapparel and colleagues introduced POSTAN, a lipid‑based nanoparticle that mimics heparan sulfate proteoglycans and viral lipid rafts. By exploiting the same entry pathways viruses use, POSTAN physically disrupts viral envelopes, halting replication. The platform showed...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Feb 2, 2026
Magnetron Sputtered Metallic Thin Films as Li‐Ion Battery Anodes
The review evaluates how magnetron sputtering advances metallic thin‑film anodes for Li‑ion batteries, targeting three core barriers: slow Li‑ion kinetics, pronounced volume expansion, and low initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE). It details nanostructure engineering, hybridization, and alloying strategies applied to Si,...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Feb 2, 2026
2D TMD‐Based Backplane Circuitry for Large‐Area Electronics
The review highlights 2D transition‑metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) as a promising platform for backplane circuitry in next‑generation large‑area electronics. It outlines recent advances in CVD synthesis of film‑type TMDs and their integration with low‑temperature, large‑area processes such as printing and vapor...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Feb 2, 2026
Engineering M13 Filamentous Phages to Target Dendritic Cells and Elicit Anti‐Tumour Immunity
Researchers have engineered an M13 filamentous phage vector, termed SCP, that simultaneously displays dendritic‑cell targeting peptides and SpyCatcher proteins for antigen conjugation. In vitro, SCP activates dendritic cells, increasing co‑stimulatory markers and inflammatory gene signatures, which translates into enhanced cytotoxic...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Feb 2, 2026
Role of NaF in Attenuating Interfacial Instability of Lithium Metal Anode: A Strategy to Modulate SEI for Enabling Dendrite Free...
Researchers demonstrate that a sodium fluoride (NaF) coating forms an artificial solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on lithium metal anodes, directing Li⁺ transport and producing smooth, dendrite‑free deposition. In Li||Li symmetric cells the NaF‑modified electrodes sustain over 500 cycles at 1 mA cm⁻²...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Feb 2, 2026
Coherent Spin Waves in Curved Ferromagnetic Nanocaps of a 3D‐Printed Magnonic Crystal
Researchers have demonstrated a fully three‑dimensional magnonic crystal fabricated by two‑photon lithography and coated with a 30‑nm nickel film. Using an on‑chip microresonator, they detected coherent spin‑wave modes at 14 GHz and 24 GHz that follow the face‑centered cubic geometry of the...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Feb 2, 2026
Cationic Covalent Organic Framework‐Based Membranes for High‐Performance Zn/Br2 Redox Flow Batteries
Researchers integrated a cationic covalent organic framework (EB‑COF) into Nafion membranes to tackle the long‑standing trade‑off between ion conductivity and polybromide shuttle in Zn/Br₂ redox flow batteries. The EB‑COF introduces surface –CHO and –NH₂ groups that create extensive water networks,...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Feb 2, 2026
Fern‐Leaf‐Inspired Multifunctional Flexible Strain Sensors for Motion Monitoring, Information Communication and Health Alert
Researchers have developed a high‑performance flexible strain sensor inspired by fern leaves, employing reverse‑molding and film deposition to create hierarchical veins and a deep W‑shaped groove. The design generates staggered cracks and serpentine conductive paths, delivering a sensitivity of up...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Feb 2, 2026
Construction of Cu2O@CuO Sea‐Urchin‐Like Heterojunction Materials for Enhancing Zinc Storage
Researchers synthesized a sea‑urchin‑like Cu2O@CuO heterojunction using a deep eutectic solvent (K2CO3‑EG DES) that serves as solvent, morphology assistant, and reducing agent. The heterointerface accelerates Zn²⁺ ion diffusion and provides extra electromotive force, as confirmed by DFT and SECCM mapping...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Feb 2, 2026
Multiphysics Insights Into Carrier‐Ion Interactions and Electrochemical Reactions in Perovskite/Silicon Tandem Solar Cells
Perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells promise efficiencies beyond single‑junction silicon, but mobile ions trigger electrochemical reactions that erode performance and stability. Researchers built a self‑consistent multi‑physics model linking carrier transport, ion migration, and Butler‑Volmer kinetics to capture these effects. Simulations show...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Feb 2, 2026
Entropy Engineering Accelerating the Phase Transformation Dynamics of Phosphate Cathode for Ultra‐High Rate Capability
Researchers applied entropy engineering to a NASICON‑type sodium‑ion cathode, creating Na3.5V1.35Mn0.5Al0.05Ni0.05Zr0.05(PO4)3/C (NVMANZP). The multi‑cation substitution transforms the native biphasic reaction into a solid‑solution‑like mechanism, lowering the Na⁺ migration barrier and suppressing Mn³⁺ Jahn‑Teller distortion. As a result, NVMANZP delivers 118.3 mAh g⁻¹...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Feb 2, 2026
Dynamic Self‐Switching Electronic State of Pt Sites for Boosting Bifunctional Hydrogen Electrocatalysis and Low‐Temperature Energy Conversion
Researchers introduced a Pt/WO3 catalyst that dynamically switches its electronic state via proton‑driven phase changes between WO3 and HxWO3. This reversible transition toggles Pt sites from electron‑deficient to electron‑rich, lowering the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) barrier to 0.327 eV and the...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Feb 2, 2026
Dual‐Role of Heteroatom (N, Co) Co‐Doped Ti3C2Tx MXene in Hydrogen Evolution Reaction and Energy Storage
Researchers co‑doped Ti3C2Tx MXene with nitrogen and cobalt, creating a MX–N–Co electrode that simultaneously improves electrochemical capacitance and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance. Cobalt contributes enhanced conductivity and catalytic sites, while nitrogen adjusts the electronic structure to accelerate HER kinetics....
By Small (Wiley)
News•Feb 2, 2026
Evolution of Curvatures Between Lamellar and Bicontinuous Phases: Formation of Saddle‐Shaped Hierarchical Lamellar Structures in Binary Self‐Assembly System
Researchers have identified a novel saddle-shaped hierarchical lamellar (saddle‑SML) phase that exhibits negative Gaussian curvature while retaining lamellar topology. The phase emerges in a binary self‑assembly system of polystyrene‑b‑poly(acrylic acid) block copolymer and the surfactant stearyltrimethylammonium bromide. Competing electrostatic screening...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Feb 2, 2026
Carbon‐Bifunctionalized Mo2N Coupled Atomic Pb Sites for Efficient Nitrogen Reduction
Researchers introduced a carbon‑bifunctionalized Mo2N electrocatalyst embedded in a porous Pb‑nitrogen‑carbon matrix with atomically dispersed Pb sites, fabricated via a one‑step carbonitridation process. Interstitial carbon generates nitrogen vacancies that boost N₂ adsorption, while atomic Pb weakly binds H* to suppress...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Feb 2, 2026
Two‐Photon Polymerized 3D Geometries to Study Single‐Cell Mechanotransduction and Force Generation in Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Researchers introduced a two‑photon polymerization direct‑laser‑writing platform that fabricates microscale 3D cages to confine single mesenchymal stromal cells. The cages enable nanometer‑scale traction‑force measurements while independently controlling cell volume and shape. Experiments showed that pure 3D geometry triggers vertical actin...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Feb 2, 2026
Ion Migration Control in Lead‐Free Halide Perovskite Transistors for Logic and Neuromorphic Circuits
Lead‑free tin halide perovskite field‑effect transistors (PeFETs) are emerging as a versatile platform for both logic and neuromorphic computing. Compared with lead‑based perovskites, Sn‑based materials exhibit higher vacancy migration barriers, reducing unwanted ion drift and improving logic stability. The review...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Feb 2, 2026
External Electric Field‐Assisted TS Vacancy Mediation for Accelerating Dipole Polarization to Enhance Electromagnetic Attenuation
Researchers have introduced an external electric field (EEF)‑assisted synthesis to steer vacancy creation in ternary sulfides, enabling precise reconstruction of defect states and electronic structures. The applied field reduces migration barriers for Cu2+ and Co2+ ions while partially mobilizing S2−,...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Feb 2, 2026
Emerging Strategies for Sustainable Nitrogen Activation to Ammonia
The review surveys six cutting‑edge pathways—electrocatalysis, photo/photoelectrocatalysis, non‑thermal plasma, lithium‑mediated reduction, mechanochemistry, and microdroplet catalysis—for converting nitrogen to ammonia under mild conditions. It links molecular mechanisms to interface engineering, benchmarking, and system‑level sustainability, exposing common bottlenecks such as low selectivity...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Feb 2, 2026
The State‐of‐the‐Art Two‐Dimensional Heterostructure Engineering on MXenes and Metal Chalcogenides for Boosting Lithium‐Ion Storage Properties
The review highlights recent progress in two‑dimensional MXene/metal‑chalcogenide heterostructures for lithium‑ion batteries, detailing synthetic routes, interfacial coupling mechanisms, and performance gains. By combining MXenes’ metallic conductivity with the high capacity of sulfides, selenides, and tellurides, these composites achieve markedly higher...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Feb 2, 2026
Large‐Area Atomically Thin WS2 Enables Exceptionally Scratch‐Resistant Silica Glass
Researchers have demonstrated that a large‑area, single‑layer WS2 film grown by chemical vapor deposition can dramatically improve the scratch resistance of silica glass. Atomic‑force microscopy tests show a roughly 95% reduction in nanoscale friction, effectively eliminating abrasive wear while maintaining...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Feb 2, 2026
Spectrally Engineered Hierarchical Nanocomposite Enabling Full‐Spectrum Solar‐Thermal Conversion and Dynamic Anti‐/De‐icing in Harsh Environments
Researchers have created a spectrally engineered nanocomposite (PBMI‑PANI‑Cu@PZS) that converts the entire solar spectrum into heat, reaching a 65.1 °C temperature rise under one‑sun illumination. The material combines UV‑to‑visible Stokes shifting, plasmonic copper nanorods, and near‑ and far‑infrared absorbers to achieve...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Feb 2, 2026
Sorting‐Free Carbon Nanotube Synaptic Transistors
Researchers have demonstrated unsorted carbon nanotube (UCNT) transistors gated by an ion‑gel that achieve efficient conductance modulation without any sorting steps. The devices deliver an ON/OFF current ratio of about 25 and exhibit linear potentiation across 50 conductance states together...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Feb 2, 2026
Isolated Iodine Single Atoms Regulating the In‐Plane Electronic Structure of G‐C3N4 for Enhanced CO2 Photoreduction
Researchers have anchored isolated iodine atoms onto ultrathin graphitic carbon nitride (g‑C3N4), creating a single‑atom catalyst that stabilizes the material and accelerates in‑plane charge separation. The C‑I covalent bond acts as a direct hole‑transfer channel, while orbital hybridization with CO2...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Feb 2, 2026
Bimetallic 2D Metal Organic Frameworks for High Selective Ethylene Glycol Electrooxidation
Researchers have transformed waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into ultrathin 2D Co‑Ni metal‑organic framework (MOF) nanosheets that act as highly active electrocatalysts for ethylene glycol oxidation (EGOR). Incorporating nickel generates high‑valence cobalt sites, lowering the EGOR onset potential and strengthening oxygen‑species...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Feb 2, 2026
Photocatalytic Acetic Acid Production with High Selectivity From Conversion of CH4 and CO Under Mild Conditions
Researchers have engineered a photocatalyst comprising WO3 nanosheets decorated with oxygen vacancies and palladium nanoparticles that converts methane and carbon monoxide into acetic acid. Under visible‑light irradiation at room temperature and ambient pressure, the catalyst delivers a production rate of...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Feb 2, 2026
Regulation and Synthesis of Mixed‐Ligand Titanium–Oxide Nanoparticles for 12 Nm Nanolithography
Researchers have developed titanium‑oxide nanoparticles functionalized with a mixed aromatic ligand shell containing benzoic acid and fluorobenzoic acid. The fluorinated mixed‑ligand design yields a characteristic particle size of 12 nm and achieves line‑width roughness (LWR) of about 1.3 nm in electron‑beam lithography...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Feb 2, 2026
Bandgap Engineering On Demand in GaAsN Nanowires by Post‐Growth Hydrogen Implantation
Researchers demonstrated post‑growth hydrogen implantation to raise the bandgap of GaAsN core‑shell nanowires by up to 460 meV, a shift far beyond what is achievable in planar epilayers. The process forms nitrogen‑hydrogen complexes that push the bandgap toward the GaAs value...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Feb 2, 2026
Tailoring High‐Entropy Oxide via Grain Boundary Engineering to Establish Adjacent Asymmetric Redox Sites for Full‐Spectrum Photothermal Catalytic CO2 Reduction
The researchers applied grain boundary engineering to (CoCrFeMnNi)3O4 high‑entropy oxide nanosheets, creating adjacent asymmetric Fe‑Vo‑Cr‑O redox sites that simultaneously activate water and bind CO2. Electronic redistribution at the boundaries produces electron‑deficient Fe Lewis‑acid sites for proton generation and electron‑rich Cr‑O...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Feb 2, 2026
Topotactic Phase Transition in Epitaxial La0.7Sr0.3MnO3‐δ Films Induced by Oxygen Getter Assisted Thermal Annealing
Researchers report a straightforward thermal vacuum annealing process that uses bulk aluminum as an active oxygen getter to trigger a topotactic phase transition from perovskite to brownmillerite in epitaxial La0.7Sr0.3MnO3‑δ thin films. X‑ray diffraction confirms the structural conversion, while SQUID...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Feb 2, 2026
Weak‐Interaction‐Driven Self‐Positioning for Multi‐Site Modification in Perovskite Solar Cells
Researchers introduced a weak‑interaction‑driven self‑positioning strategy that enables multi‑site modification of n‑i‑p perovskite solar cells without extra deposition steps. Metal phthalocyanine modifiers dissociate during film formation, causing alkali metal ions to migrate to the SnO2/perovskite interface while ligands enrich the...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Feb 2, 2026
Rationally Designed Oxidase‐Mimicking Nanozymes for Correlating Drug Resistance and Cellular Senescence with Total Antioxidant Capacity
Researchers engineered a core‑shell MnO2@ZIF-67 nanozyme that exhibits markedly superior oxidase‑like activity, achieving a 26% higher maximum reaction velocity and a 46% lower Km than bare MnO2. The nanozyme enables ultrasensitive detection of cellular antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, glutathione...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Feb 2, 2026
Probing a Reactive Alkyne Center Aligned via a Triphenylmethane Tripod on Au(111) for Electric Field‐Induced Chemistry by STM and TERS
Researchers demonstrated a triphenylmethane‑based molecular tripod that anchors a terminal alkyne upright on Au(111), creating a reactive center aligned with intense electric fields generated by an STM tip. Low‑temperature STM and tip‑enhanced Raman scattering (TERS) verified the vertical orientation and...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Feb 2, 2026
Novel Wide‐Spectrum Virucidal Lipid Nanoparticles
POSTAN is a novel lipid‑based nanoparticle that acts as a broad‑spectrum virucidal agent. Composed of polyoxyethylene sorbitan oleate and sodium taurodeoxycholate, it mimics host heparan sulfate and lipid rafts to disrupt viral envelopes. In cell cultures and mouse models, POSTAN...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Feb 2, 2026
Bimetallic Active Sites Accelerate Electrons Transfer for Photo‐Thermal Catalytic CO2 Reduction
Researchers engineered bimetallic Fe–Ni active sites on a CaFeO3 perovskite to create a photo‑thermal catalyst that dramatically improves CO2 conversion. The Fe‑decorated Ni particles shift Ni’s 3d orbitals lower, accelerating electron transfer and favoring a formate‑dominated pathway. This catalyst achieved...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Feb 2, 2026
Lithium Extraction in Confined Channels
A recent review spotlights confined‑channel membranes as a breakthrough for sustainable lithium extraction from aqueous sources, including low‑grade seawater. By engineering sub‑nanometer pathways, these membranes achieve high lithium selectivity through size exclusion, pore‑wall interactions, and specific chemical affinities. The paper...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Feb 2, 2026
Revealing Cycling‐Induced Evolution of Intact Sodium Metal Battery Interfaces Using Cryo‐Focused Ion Beam Cross‐Sectioning and Electron Microscopy
The researchers present a full‑cell cryogenic focused ion beam (cryo‑FIB) technique that slices intact sodium‑metal batteries, allowing simultaneous observation of anode, cathode and separator interfaces. By comparing ethylene carbonate/diethyl carbonate (EC/DEC) and diglyme electrolytes, they show that carbonate solvents trigger...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Feb 2, 2026
Single-Cell Microdevice Isolates and Profiles Extracellular Vesicles over Weeks
Researchers at Keio University unveiled a sealed microwell microdevice that can culture individual adherent cells for over 19 days while trapping the extracellular vesicles each cell releases. The platform isolates vesicles per well, eliminating cross‑contamination and enabling direct molecular profiling...
By Phys.org – Nanotechnology
News•Feb 2, 2026
Super-Moiré Spin Textures in Twisted Two-Dimensional Antiferromagnets
Researchers used nitrogen‑vacancy scanning microscopy and atomistic Monte Carlo simulations to reveal super‑moiré antiferromagnetic (AFM) spin textures in twisted double‑bilayer CrI₃ with twist angles up to 2°. Unlike previous single‑moiré models, the magnetic domains extend over hundreds of nanometres, far larger...
By Nature Nanotechnology
News•Feb 2, 2026
Ultra-Rapid Nanoplasmonic Colorimetry in Microfluidics for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Directly From Specimens
Researchers at McGill University have unveiled QolorPhAST, an ultra‑rapid nanoplasmonic colorimetric microfluidic platform that performs antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) directly from clinical specimens. The system leverages self‑assembled plasmonic nanostructures that shift color in response to bacterial growth inhibition, delivering results...
By Nature Nanotechnology
News•Feb 2, 2026
Enzymatic Microbubble Robots
Enzymatic microbubble robots—tiny gas‑filled carriers powered by catalytic enzymes—are emerging as a versatile platform for precision drug delivery and real‑time imaging. Recent studies demonstrate urease‑driven bubbles that self‑propel, breach dense tumor stroma, and release therapeutics directly at bladder cancer sites,...
By Nature Nanotechnology
Blog•Feb 1, 2026
Tiny Titanium Pillars Move Hydrogen-Powered Flight Closer to Reality
Researchers at the University of Birmingham and Loughborough University have used digital design and laser micromachining to create ultrathin titanium flow distributors for polymer electrolyte fuel cells. The optimized micropillar structures achieved a record peak power density of 1.62 W cm⁻², translating...
By Nanowerk
News•Feb 1, 2026
Graphene-Based Wearable Intelligent Throat Enables Stroke Patients to Speak
An international research team has created Revoice, a washable graphene‑based wearable choker that captures throat vibrations and carotid pulse to reconstruct speech for stroke patients with dysarthria. The device uses ultra‑sensitive textile strain sensors and a two‑stage large language model...
By Graphene-Info
News•Jan 31, 2026
Weak Magnetism Causes Big Changes in a Strange State of Matter
Physicists at Auburn University have shown that even weak magnetic fields dramatically alter the behavior of dusty plasmas, a hybrid state of matter found in space and labs. By magnetizing electrons, the fields change how dust grains acquire charge, speeding...
By ScienceDaily – Nanotechnology
Blog•Jan 31, 2026
Mini Tornadoes Spin Out Dried Cellulose Nanofibers
Researchers at the University of Maine and Oak Ridge National Laboratory have unveiled a patent‑pending vortex drying technique that uses counter‑rotating, Mach‑3 heated air streams to rapidly remove water from cellulose nanofiber slurries. The high‑shear method avoids the fiber aggregation...
By Nanowerk
Blog•Jan 31, 2026
Cigarette Butts Could Power the Next Generation of Energy Storage
Researchers at Henan University have developed a scalable method to turn discarded cigarette butts into high‑performance carbon electrodes for supercapacitors. By combining hydrothermal carbonization with potassium hydroxide activation, they produced nanoporous carbon with a surface area of 2,133.5 m² g⁻¹ and a...
By Nanowerk
News•Jan 31, 2026
Accelerating the Exploration of Top Interface Passivators via Machine Learning for High‐Performance Perovskite Solar Cells
Researchers introduced a machine‑learning workflow that rapidly screens 162 ammonium‑salt molecules for perovskite surface passivation. The approach uses architecture‑specific models—XGBoost for n‑i‑p and RDKit‑SVR for p‑i‑n—to predict power‑conversion efficiency gains with low error. SHAP analysis revealed concentration, molecular weight, surface...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Jan 31, 2026
Self‐Powered Neuromorphic Touch Sensors Based on Triboelectric Devices: Current Approaches and Open Challenges
The review examines how triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) can power neuromorphic tactile sensors, mimicking human touch. It categorizes four coupling architectures—ex situ, discrete circuit, direct gating, and monolithic—and two operational modes, displacement-driven and pulse-driven. The authors detail neuromorphic functions achieved, including...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Jan 31, 2026
All‐in‐One Luminescent Dielectric Elastomer Actuator Driven by a Single Electrical Stimulus with Large Out‐of‐Plane Actuation and Fast Response
Researchers have created an all‑in‑one dielectric elastomer actuator that simultaneously bends out‑of‑plane and emits light using a single electrical input. By tuning ZnS:Cu2+ phosphor concentration and employing an asymmetric electrode design, the device achieves a high curvature of 4.71 cm⁻¹, a...
By Small (Wiley)