Heteroatom Loading of Nanodiamonds Modulates the Coupled Electrocatalytic Production of H2O2 by Oxygen Reduction and Water Oxidation
Researchers have synthesized oxygen‑doped nanodiamonds (O‑ND) and copper‑doped nanodiamond composites (Cu‑OND) that excel in two‑electron oxygen reduction (ORR) and water oxidation (WOR), respectively. O‑ND raises ORR Faradaic efficiency from 71% to 87.1%, while Cu‑OND delivers 78.2% WOR efficiency. When paired in a full electrochemical cell at 1.8 V, the combined Faradaic efficiency reaches 161.1%, surpassing most literature values. DFT analysis attributes the performance to charge regulation on sp³ carbon and heterojunction effects.
Non‐Corrosive Methide‐Based Lithium Salt for Stabilizing Ni‐Rich NMC Cathodes
Researchers introduced lithium bis‑trifluoromethanesulfonyl‑methide (LiCTf2), a methide‑based analogue of LiNTf2 that eliminates aluminum current‑collector corrosion and reinforces interfacial stability for Ni‑rich NMC cathodes. The CTf2⁻ anion forms low‑solubility Al³⁺ complexes and strengthens Li⁺ coordination, creating a hybrid inorganic‑organic cathode‑electrolyte interphase....
Engineered Biomimetic Nanorobots Orchestrate Targeted Nose‐to‐Brain Delivery to Resolve Neuron‐Glia Entanglement Against Parkinson's Disease
Researchers have engineered a biomimetic nanorobot (hPH‑RNPEC) that can be administered intranasally to deliver a combined payload of endogenous miRNAs and curcumin directly to the brain. The platform uses Pueraria lobata‑derived exosomes cloaked in neutrophil‑like membranes, a rabies virus glycoprotein...
Programmable G‐Quadruplex@DNA Nano‐Highway Network Platform Enables One‐Pot Electrochemical Detection of Exosomes for Breast Cancer Lymph Node Metastasis Evaluation
Researchers have created a rapid, one-pot electrochemical sensor for breast‑cancer‑derived exosomes. The device leverages an aptamer‑triggered hybridization chain reaction combined with a streptavidin‑biotin cross‑link to assemble a G‑quadruplex‑DNA nano‑highway network at room temperature. Binding of the vimentin aptamer disassembles the...
Renovating Neural Networks With Viral‐Mediated Gene Transfer From A Tissue Contacting Matrix Mimic
Researchers engineered a self‑assembling peptide hydrogel (Fmoc‑DDIKVAV) to encapsulate adeno‑associated virus delivering brain‑derived neurotrophic factor (AAV‑BDNF). In a mouse Huntington's disease model, the hydrogel‑mediated delivery achieved markedly higher BDNF expression and neuroprotection in the striatum than direct AAV injection. The...
Charge Directed Selective Co‐Assembly of Ionic Complementary Peptide Binary Mixtures
Researchers have shown that designing peptide charge distribution, together with pH, stoichiometry, and concentration, can selectively direct the co‑assembly of ionic complementary peptide binary mixtures. By adjusting these parameters, they control β‑sheet strand alignment, assembly kinetics, nanofiber morphology, and hydrogel...
Tunable Morphological Engineering of Self‐Assembled Copper‐Glutathione Nanoarchitectures: Size‐Dependent Antibacterial Action for Pathogen Infections Management
Researchers have developed size‑tunable copper‑glutathione (Cu‑GSH) nanocapsules using a simple co‑precipitation method, enabling precise control over particle morphology. In kiwifruit trials, the optimized formulation delivered 77% therapeutic and 66% protective efficacy, outperforming conventional copper pesticides. Small spherical nanocapsules penetrated plant...
Lithiated PAA‐Coated SiOx Anode for Stable and High‐Capacity Lithium‐Ion Batteries: Interfacial Regulation and Volume Expansion Suppression
Researchers have engineered a spherical SiOx@LiPAA composite anode using spray‑drying, where lithiated polyacrylic acid forms a conductive, elastic coating. The LiPAA layer buffers silicon‑oxide volume expansion and fosters a thin, LiF‑rich solid‑electrolyte interphase. Electrochemical tests show 1,234 mAh g⁻¹ after 200 cycles...
Ultrasensitive MicroRNA Detection Combining Reduced Graphene Oxide Electrolyte‐Gated Transistors and Machine Learning
Researchers have created an ultrasensitive biosensor that merges DNA‑functionalized reduced graphene oxide (rGO) electrolyte‑gated transistors (EGTs) with machine‑learning analytics to detect cancer‑ and neuro‑related microRNAs. The platform targets the miR‑34 family and achieves a limit of detection as low as...
Transition‐Metal‐Doped Hexagonal Boron Nitride for Efficient and Selective Nitrate‐to‐Ammonia Electrocatalysis: Theoretical Perspective and Design Principles
Researchers used first‑principles calculations to evaluate transition‑metal‑doped hexagonal boron nitride (TM@h‑BN) monolayers for electrochemical nitrate reduction to ammonia. Fe@h‑BN and Ir@h‑BN emerged as the most promising single‑atom catalysts, showing low limiting potentials of –0.45 V and –0.31 V respectively. Their balanced nitrate...
Sulfur‐Fumigation Engineered Ceria Nanoparticles With Augmented Oxygen Vacancies for Enhanced Therapy of Drug‐Induced Liver Injury
Researchers applied sulfur fumigation to reconfigure ceria nanoparticle surfaces, exposing (200) and (220) crystal facets and generating abundant oxygen vacancies. This structural shift dramatically boosts the particles’ reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging capability while maintaining a liver‑targeting hydrodynamic size (~136 nm)....
Symmetric Metal Organic Framework‐Plasmonic Architectures for Reversible and High‐Sensitivity Optical Sensing
The study introduces a plasmonic sensing platform that couples surface lattice resonances (SLRs) from two‑dimensional metal nanoparticle gratings with ZIF‑8 metal‑organic framework (MOF) films. Gratings are fabricated via a template‑assisted, scalable colloidal assembly compatible with MOF growth. By exchanging solvents...
Hollow RuSe2‐MoSe2@NC Microsphere/Chitosan Aerogel Janus Electrode for Solar‐Driven Photothermal‐Promoted Synchronous Seawater Splitting and Evaporation
Researchers introduced a Janus‑type electrode that merges hollow RuSe2‑MoSe2@NC microspheres and carbon black within a chitosan aerogel matrix. The asymmetric design simultaneously drives seawater electrolysis and solar‑driven evaporation on a single platform. Under 1 kW m⁻² illumination, the device reduces the overall...
Co‐Assembled Layers for High Performance Wide Bandgap Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells
Researchers introduced a co‑assembled hole‑transport layer (AH‑SAM) by blending aminoguanidine dihydrochloride with the standard Me‑4PACz self‑assembled monolayer. The hybrid interface passivates halide vacancies, curbs Me‑4PACz aggregation, and lowers the HTL HOMO level, delivering an open‑circuit voltage of 1.27 V and a...
Pollutants to Products: A Tailored Multicomponent Photocatalyst for Simultaneous CO2 and Plastic Waste Conversion
Researchers have engineered a high‑entropy oxide photocatalyst (BaTiNbTaZnO9) that simultaneously reduces CO₂ to carbon monoxide with over 95% selectivity and oxidizes polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste into methane, acetate, glycolate and terephthalate under light. The catalyst’s distorted lattice combines electron‑accepting d⁰...
Tailored Molecular Fillers Enable High‐Temperature Insulation and Long‐Term Operating Stability in All‐Organic Polymers
Researchers introduced the TU3 organic molecule as a molecular filler for epoxy resin, creating deep charge traps that dramatically improve dielectric performance. With just 0.02 wt% TU3, breakdown strength rose 30.75% at room temperature and 52.28% at 120 °C, while maintaining long‑term...
Promises and Challenges of Na4Fe3(PO4)2(P2O7) Cathode for Electric Vehicles and Energy Storage From an Industrial Perspective
The review establishes a performance‑to‑application framework for Na4Fe3(PO4)2(P2O7) (NFPP) cathodes in sodium‑ion batteries, assessing six key metrics including energy density, power density, cycle life, temperature range, safety and cost. It benchmarks NFPP against commercial LiFePO4, highlighting comparable energy density, superior...
Engineering Interface Polarity via Halide‐Functionalized Self‐Assembled Monolayers for NiO‐Based QLEDs with High External Quantum Efficiency
Researchers introduced halide‑functionalized 2PACz self‑assembled monolayers (SAMs) on Cu‑doped NiO hole‑injection layers, creating a strong interfacial dipole that deepens the valence band and lowers the hole‑injection barrier. The high polarizability of the halide groups enhances van der Waals forces, yielding...
Dual‐Mode Triboelectric Textiles with Electrostatic Breakdown for Energy Harvesting and Motion Monitoring
The researchers introduced a dual‑mode triboelectric textile (DMTT) that can generate direct‑current (DC) in contact‑sliding mode and alternating‑current (AC) in contact‑separation mode. By employing core‑sheath‑structured fibers woven with cotton and conductive yarns, the fabric achieves a peak instantaneous DC current...
Confining Polyiodide in Polymer Cathode Boosts Cycling Stability in High Energy‐Dense Aqueous Zinc‐Sulfur Batteries
Researchers introduced a cationic polymer, poly(vinyl butyl imidazolium iodide) (PVIMI), that immobilizes polyiodide species within the cathode of aqueous zinc‑sulfur batteries. This confinement accelerates sulfur redox reactions, curtails polyiodide shuttling, and mitigates zinc anode corrosion. The binder‑free PVIMIx cathode delivers...
A Breakthrough that Turns Exhaust CO2 Into Useful Materials
Scientists have created a three‑layer electrode that simultaneously captures carbon dioxide from exhaust streams and converts it into formic acid. The device outperforms existing technologies, delivering about 40 % higher efficiency with pure CO₂ and maintaining strong output in simulated flue...
Biomimetic Vesicles Engineered From Modified Tumour Cells Act as Personalized Vaccines for Post-Surgical Cancer Immunotherapy
Researchers engineered tumor cells to overexpress STX11, converting them into dendritic‑cell‑like antigen‑presenting units. Membrane fragments from these cells were fused with PLGA nanoparticles carrying a TLR7 agonist, creating RP@SMs vesicles that act as personalized post‑surgical cancer vaccines. The platform demonstrated...
Biodegradable Graphene Sensors Made From Agripapers
Researchers at XYZ University have unveiled a new class of biodegradable sensors that combine graphene with agripaper—a paper made from agricultural residues. The devices demonstrate up to 95% of the sensitivity of conventional graphene sensors while fully decomposing in compost...
Framework Sets New Benchmarks for 3D Atom Maps in Amorphous Materials
Researchers at UCLA’s California NanoSystems Institute unveiled a step‑by‑step framework that maps three‑dimensional atomic positions and elemental identities in amorphous materials, achieving 100% accuracy for silica with roughly 7 picometer precision. The team validated the workflow using rigorously simulated atomic electron...
PlasmoBridge Chip Enables Ultrasensitive and Rapid Monitoring of Methotrexate
Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences unveiled PlasmoBridge, a dual‑functional sensor chip that uses aptamer‑linked silver nanoparticles to generate plasmonic hotspots for methotrexate detection. The platform achieves a limit of detection of 4.64 × 10⁻⁸ M and, with a convolutional neural network,...
Capturing the Moment of Organelle Handoff Inside Living Cells
Researchers have, for the first time, directly visualized autophagosomes moving from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) onto microtubule tracks inside living cells. By combining interferometric scattering microscopy with fluorescence labeling in a custom DySLIM platform, they captured the handoff event with...
Laser-Activated Nanodroplets Enable Photo-Activated Ultrasound Imaging
Researchers introduced photo‑activated ultrasound localization imaging (PAULI), using laser‑activated nanodroplets that vaporize into microbubbles for ultrasound detection. The method delivers micrometer‑scale spatial resolution and high contrast‑to‑noise ratios, surpassing traditional ultrasound. Activation is tunable via laser wavelength and pulse settings, allowing...
Self‐Adaptive Absorption‐Superspreading Coating for Environment Endurable and Long‐Lasting Antifogging Applications
Researchers have introduced a bioinspired self‑adaptive absorption‑superspreading coating (SAASC) that rapidly absorbs moisture and spreads water droplets within 2.5 ms, preventing fog formation. The polymer blends hydrophilic N‑methyl‑D‑glucosamine with hydrophobic glycidyl methacrylate, creating a cross‑linked network that remains optically clear and...
Curcuma Longa Starch for Effective Green Synthesis of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles
Researchers have introduced a green synthesis route for cerium oxide nanodots using debranched Curcuma longa starch, achieving uniform 2–4 nm particles. The starch acts as both reducing and stabilizing agent, eliminating the need for toxic solvents and high‑temperature steps. In vitro...
HydroGraph Scales up Graphene Capacity with Two New Hyperion Reactors
HydroGraph has begun construction of two additional Hyperion graphene reactors, each capable of producing about 10 tons per year of its FGA‑1 fractal graphene. The reactors, identical in size to the existing unit (6 × 6 × 18 feet), will be commissioned in Manhattan, Kansas, in...
Switching Graphitic Polytypes in Elastically Coupled Cavities
Researchers have demonstrated reversible switching of graphene polytypes using elastically coupled optical cavities. By modulating cavity strain, the stacking order—Bernal, rhombohedral, and mixed configurations—can be toggled on demand, altering band structure and ferroelectric behavior. The technique leverages super‑lubric interlayer sliding...
A Unified Model for Light Emission From Solids
Recent research converges on a unified framework that describes light emission from solids across thermal, plasmonic, and quantum regimes. By extending Kirchhoff’s law to non‑equilibrium nanostructures and linking fluctuational electrodynamics with the Fermi‑golden‑rule approach, the model reconciles disparate emission mechanisms....
Novel Nanomaterial Uses Oxidative Stress to Kill Cancer Cells
Scientists at Oregon State University have engineered an iron‑based metal‑organic framework that simultaneously generates hydroxyl radicals and singlet oxygen within cancer cells, exploiting the acidic, hydrogen‑peroxide‑rich tumor microenvironment. This dual‑reactive‑oxygen‑species approach achieved complete tumor regression in mice bearing human breast...
A New Route to Synthesize Multiple Functionalized Carbon Nanohoops
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science have unveiled a gold‑mediated macrocyclization route that delivers a brominated [9]cycloparaphenylene (CPP) in five steps with a 37 % overall yield. The resulting nanohoop carries six bromine atoms, providing a versatile platform for palladium‑catalyzed cross‑couplings...
Gold 'Supraballs' Nearly Double Solar Energy Absorption in Tests
Researchers at ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces have engineered gold nanosphere clusters called supraballs that capture nearly the entire solar spectrum. Laboratory tests showed an 89% absorption rate, almost double the 45% achieved by conventional gold nanoparticle coatings on a...
Drug Delivery Concept Boosts Nanoparticle Surfactants for Enhanced Oil Recovery
Skoltech researchers have adapted drug‑delivery technology by encapsulating two surfactants in mesoporous silica nanoparticles to improve enhanced oil recovery (EOR). Laboratory tests on carbonate rock cores showed the nanocarriers lower surfactant adsorption, cut water‑oil interfacial tension and increase rock wettability...
Regulating 4f‐2p‐3d Orbital Coupling in CeO2 via Dual‐Transition Metal Doping for Efficient Peroxymonosulfate Activation
Researchers engineered a Fe/Co co‑doped CeO2 catalyst that creates a gradient 4f‑2p‑3d orbital coupling, dramatically improving peroxymonosulfate activation. The dual‑metal system narrows the Fe/Co‑O energy gap, boosts Ce(IV) content, and accelerates electron transfer at Ce sites. As a result, the...
Researchers Develop a New Method for Water-Based, Layer-Selective Exfoliation of Few-Layer Graphene
Researchers at Korea‑based Edmayim Corp. unveiled a scalable, water‑based method for producing few‑layer graphene by first expanding interlayer spacing and then applying controlled centrifugation to fractionate layers. The technique avoids chemical oxidants, yields reproducible five‑layer graphene with preserved crystalline order,...
Pyrochlore‐Type Bi2Ru2O7 With Regulated Local Electronic Structure for Efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Researchers introduced pyrochlore‑type Bi2Ru2O7 (BRO) as a next‑generation oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalyst for anion‑exchange membrane water electrolysis. BRO achieves more than 20‑fold higher OER activity than conventional RuO2 while containing 48.3 wt % less ruthenium. The superior performance stems from bismuth‑induced...
High‐Entropy Spinel Oxides‐Decorated MXene Nanoarchitectures for Efficient Methanol Oxidation‐Assisted Hydrogen Production
Researchers have engineered high‑entropy spinel oxide nanoparticles containing five transition metals directly on ultrathin Ti3C2Tx MXene sheets. The resulting HEO/MX nanoarchitecture acts as a bifunctional electrocatalyst, delivering low‑voltage methanol oxidation (MOR) and efficient hydrogen evolution (HER) in alkaline media. It...
Prussian Blue Analogues for Non‐Aqueous Sodium‐Ion and Potassium‐Ion Batteries: The Landscape From Lab‐Scale Optimizations Toward Practical Applications
Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) are emerging as scalable cathode materials for non‑aqueous sodium‑ion and potassium‑ion batteries. The review connects crystal chemistry, defect control, and particle engineering to electrochemical performance, highlighting synthesis routes, crystal water, and interfacial stability. It outlines lab‑scale...
Interfacial Water Reorganization via Polyethyleneimine‐Functionalization for Enhanced Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution on Single‐Atom Platinum Anchored on Reduced Graphene Oxide
Researchers introduced a dual‑function electrocatalyst, RGO‑PEI/Pt1, that couples single‑atom platinum with a polyethyleneimine‑functionalized reduced graphene oxide scaffold. The PEI layer reorganizes interfacial water into a hydrogen‑bonded chain, acting as a proton pump and dramatically accelerating alkaline hydrogen evolution. The catalyst...
Enhanced Low‐Temperature Photoluminescence in Α‐CsPbI3/WS2 Heterostructures: Experimental and Theoretical Insights Into Exciton Dynamics in Low‐Dimensional Materials
Researchers have achieved a 109‑fold increase in photoluminescence (PL) from α‑CsPbI3 perovskite quantum dots integrated with a monolayer WS2 at 8 K, compared with room temperature. Combined photoluminescence spectroscopy and density functional theory reveal that reduced structural distortion in the perovskite...
Metalloborophenes: Structural Diversity and Emerging Properties of Metal–Boron Two‐Dimensional Frameworks
Metalloborophenes are a newly emerging class of two‑dimensional boron frameworks whose stability and functionality derive from incorporated metal atoms. The first experimental realization—copper‑borophene nanoribbons—in 2024 confirmed long‑standing theoretical predictions and highlighted the material’s tunable electronic, magnetic, and catalytic traits. Computational...
Tuning Spin Valley Coupling via Strain‐Amplified Magnetic Proximity in Fe3GaTe2/WS2 Heterostructures
Researchers have shown that applying strain via a gold‑grating substrate dramatically strengthens the magnetic proximity effect in Fe3GaTe2/WS2 heterostructures. The enhanced interlayer coupling expands the exciton valley‑polarization hysteresis and drives the excitonic Landé g‑factor to an unprecedented –30. First‑principles calculations...
Turning Methane Into Carbon Nanotubes and Hydrogen
Researchers at the University of Cambridge and Stanford have engineered a continuous‑flow floating‑catalyst chemical vapor deposition reactor that simultaneously converts methane into low‑CO₂ hydrogen and high‑performance carbon nanotubes (CNTs). By recycling process gases in a multi‑pass configuration, the system dramatically...
Layered Double Hydroxides‐Incorporated Thin‐Film Nanocomposite Membranes: Emerging Strategies for Sustainable Liquid Separation
Recent research highlights layered double hydroxides (LDHs) as versatile nanofillers in thin‑film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes, offering tunable chemistry, adjustable interlayer spacing, and inherent hydrophilicity. By integrating LDHs into substrates, interlayers, or selective polyamide layers, researchers have demonstrated simultaneous gains in...
Synergistic Interactions Between Single Atoms and Clusters/Nanoparticles on Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Supports for Electrocatalysis: A Critical Review
Recent research highlights the integration of single‑atom catalysts with nanoparticles on nitrogen‑doped carbon supports, forming hybrid electrocatalysts that surpass the performance of each component alone. The review outlines synthetic routes for co‑stabilizing atoms and particles, classifies structural motifs, and examines...
Soft Interferometric Nanostrain Sensor Reveals Solid‐Liquid Interfacial Tension Oscillation Amplified by Competitive Adsorption
Researchers have created an interferometric nanostrain sensor that measures solid‑liquid interfacial tension of unlabeled protein drops with sub‑0.25 mN m⁻¹ resolution. Using fetal bovine serum, the device shows that γSL declines as protein concentration rises while γSV stays unchanged. Beyond the expected...
Photoacid‐Fueled Nanopropeller for the Controllable Motion of One‐Hole Colloidal Motors with On‐Board ATP Supply
Researchers have created a light‑driven colloidal motor by co‑assembling chloroplast‑derived F₁F₀‑ATP synthase onto a single‑hole silica capsule preloaded with a photoacid. UV illumination triggers proton release, generating a transmembrane proton motive force that rotates the ATPases and propels the particle...