Amine‐functionalized Ti3C2Tx MXene‐integrated Nanocomposite Membranes via Vapor‐phase Interfacial Polymerization for CO2 Separation
A sustainable vapor‑phase interfacial polymerization (VP‑IP) method creates Ti₃C₂Tₓ‑NH₂ MXene‑enhanced thin‑film nanocomposite membranes for CO₂ capture. The solvent‑free process precisely controls polymer growth and embeds MXene nanofillers that form CO₂‑philic channels. The optimized TFN@0.5MX membrane (0.5 wt% MXene) reaches 389 GPU CO₂ permeance and a CO₂/N₂ selectivity of 15 at 25 °C, rising to 418 GPU and 42 selectivity at 40 °C, surpassing Robeson upper bounds. This scalable approach offers an environmentally benign route for post‑combustion CO₂ separation.
Corneal Nerve Regeneration via MSC‐Derived EVs: Tissue Source and Culture Dimensionality Dictate miRNA Cargo and Therapeutic Efficacy
Researchers compared extracellular vesicles (EVs) from human corneal and bone‑marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) grown in traditional two‑dimensional (2D) plates and three‑dimensional (3D) spheroid cultures. EVs were characterized and tested for their ability to promote corneal nerve regeneration in vitro...
Unravelling Mixed Organic‐Halide Perovskite Degradation Under Extrinsic Factors
Researchers used neutron reflectometry with isotope substitution to probe degradation of mixed organic‑halide perovskite films under humidity and temperature stress. The technique revealed that films deposited on TiO₂ exhibit enhanced stability and form a distinct interfacial layer composed of formamidinium...
Designing Stable Graphitic Networks on Ultra‐Porous Polyimide Aerogels via Solvent‐Guided Structuring
Researchers engineered a thermally robust, hierarchically porous polyimide aerogel by tuning solvent‑polymer interactions, enabling stable laser‑induced graphitization. The process creates a uniform graphene network within the aerogel, achieving sheet resistivity as low as 6.5 Ω sq⁻¹ while preserving a dielectric constant of...
Modulate Stresses for Efficient Full‐Air Processed Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells with Polymer Adhesive
Researchers introduced an in‑situ polymerized adhesive (CHDMGE/TETA) that simultaneously mitigates microscopic strain and provides macroscopic stress dissipation in flexible perovskite solar cells. The polymer creates a viscous environment that slows solute diffusion, yielding high‑crystalline perovskite films, while its cross‑linked gel...
Suppression of Dendrite Growth and Enhanced Sodiophilicity in Sodium Metal Batteries by Sb‐Coated Zn Current Collector
Researchers introduced a Sb‑coated Zn (Sb@Zn) current collector to stabilize sodium metal anodes. Density functional theory shows Sb incorporation boosts Na binding energy, fostering uniform deposition. Electrochemical tests reveal the Sb@Zn electrode suppresses dendrite growth, delivering 500 cycles at 5 C...
In Situ Preparation of Bismuth Nanoparticles Encapsulated in Porous Carbon Spheres on Graphite Felt Electrodes for Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries
Researchers have developed an in‑situ method to grow bismuth nanoparticles encapsulated in nitrogen‑doped carbon spheres directly on graphite felt (Bi@NC/GF). The multicore‑shell architecture prevents particle agglomeration, improves electron conductivity, and creates abundant active sites for the V³⁺/V²⁺ redox reaction. When...
Printed Nb2O5 Metasurfaces for Ultraviolet‐Visible Chiro‐Optical Holography
Researchers have created a niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5) particle‑embedded resin that combines a high refractive index with low UV‑visible absorption, enabling single‑step nanoimprint lithography of chiral metasurfaces. The etch‑free process produces large‑area, transparent devices that generate spin‑dependent holographic images from 375 nm...
Supramolecular Gelation of Hydrogen Peroxide: Reconciling Safety and Reactivity
Researchers have created a supramolecular gel using glycyrrhizic acid and polyvinyl alcohol that locks hydrogen peroxide into a mechanically strong, thixotropic matrix. The gel exhibits a storage modulus above 3600 Pa, remains stable for over six months, and eliminates leakage. It...
Twisting‐Induced Phonon Localization and Ultralow Thermal Conductivity in Penta‐PdTe2 Bilayer Revealed by a Universal Machine‐Learning Potential
Interlayer twisting in a penta‑PdTe2 bilayer dramatically localizes phonons, driving the lattice thermal conductivity down to 0.30 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹. The study employs a fine‑tuned universal machine‑learning potential (NEP89) with sub‑2.3 meV atom⁻¹ energy errors, coupled to homogeneous non‑equilibrium molecular dynamics and Wigner transport theory....
Intralayer Nanoconfined CuOx Nanocatalysts in Boron Nitride Membrane for Efficient Micropollutant Oxidation
Researchers have integrated copper oxide (CuOx) nanocatalysts into the water‑transport channels of a boron nitride (BN) membrane, creating a nanoconfined catalytic platform for advanced oxidation processes. The CuOx@BN system activates peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to generate hydroxyl radicals and singlet oxygen, delivering...
ROS‐Responsive Hybrid Nanoparticles Enable Dual‐Target Neurovascular Repair via Blood–Brain Barrier‐on‐Chip Validation
Researchers engineered a reactive oxygen species‑responsive exosome‑liposome hybrid nanoparticle that simultaneously delivers siBACH1 and siGSDMD to target oxidative stress in neurons and pyroptosis in the blood‑brain barrier. The platform incorporates a microfluidic BBB‑on‑chip model that reproduces endothelial, astrocytic, and neuronal...
Beyond C1 Products: How Single‐Atom Catalysts Contribute to Solar‐Driven CO2 Reduction Into C2+ Hydrocarbons
The review examines how single‑atom catalysts (SACs) can be engineered to steer photocatalytic CO₂ reduction toward multi‑carbon (C₂⁺) hydrocarbons. It highlights that coordination environment and electronic structure of isolated metal sites dictate CO₂ activation and C‑C coupling pathways. Dual‑atom and...
Pyridine‐Functionalized Covalent Organic Frameworks as Metal‐Free Photocatalysts for Chlorotrifluoromethylation of Alkenes via Inner‐Sphere Mechanism
Researchers have synthesized two pyridine‑functionalized covalent organic frameworks (COFs) that act as metal‑free photocatalysts for the chlorotrifluoromethylation of alkenes. The linearly conjugated COF‑25Th outperforms its cross‑conjugated counterpart, delivering up to 99% conversion across diverse substrates. The superior activity stems from...
Phosphonic Acid Porphyrin Assemblies Boost Surface Kinetics and Water Oxidation of Α‐Fe2O3 Photoanodes
Researchers introduced a phosphonic‑acid‑terminated porphyrin self‑assembly as a hole‑transport layer on α‑Fe₂O₃ photoanodes. The TPPP (‑PO₃H₂) anchoring group exhibited the strongest chemical adsorption, cutting interfacial charge‑transfer resistance. This molecular interface boosted the photocurrent density by 6.7‑fold and the applied‑bias photon‑to‑current...
Transducer Systems Integrated Into Organ‐on‐a‐Chip Devices: From Detection to Fabrication
Organ‑on‑a‑chip (OoC) platforms are advancing drug testing by mimicking human tissue functions in microfluidic devices. Recent advances in microfabrication and 3D printing have lowered costs and improved reproducibility, but accurate, continuous monitoring of cellular responses remains a bottleneck. Integrating miniaturized...
Engineered Β‐Crystal Domains Enable Strong Humidity‐Responsive Actuation in Recombinant Spider Silk
Researchers engineered recombinant spider‑silk proteins by adding terminal cysteines that form disulfide‑stabilized β‑sheet domains during shear‑assisted wet spinning. The resulting C4S fibers retain crystalline alignment up to 90 % relative humidity, delivering rapid, reversible contraction. Mechanical testing shows a recovery stress...
Underlying Polymorphism: Superhelical Crystallization Induces Architectural and Functional Diversity (Small 6/2026)
Jiahao Zhang, Guanghong Wei, Hai Xu, Kai Tao and colleagues report a hierarchical peptide crystallization pathway that progresses from flexible, twisted fibrils to bundled ribbons and finally to robust, plate‑like crystals built from superhelices. The study reveals that superhelical crystallization...
Thermo‐Responsive Smart Window Coupled with Heat Storage Effect
Researchers unveiled a dual‑layer thermo‑responsive smart window that merges dynamic optical switching with solar heat storage. The device combines a thermochromic PNIPAM layer and a supercooled calcium chloride hexahydrate phase‑change layer, achieving a solar modulation of 70.1% and storing 199 J g⁻¹...
Multifunctional Additives for Performance Improvements in WBG and NBG Perovskite Solar Cells
Researchers highlight multifunctional additives as a key route to boost stability and efficiency in both wide‑bandgap (WBG) and narrow‑bandgap (NBG) perovskite solar cells. In WBG absorbers, additives help reduce open‑circuit voltage loss and curb halide segregation, while in NBG devices...
Functional Nucleic Acids for Cell–Cell Interactions
The review outlines how functional nucleic acids (FNAs) are emerging as programmable tools to modulate cell‑cell interactions. It categorizes regulatory strategies—DNA hybridization, molecular recognition, scaffold construction, and stimulus‑responsive designs—and showcases applications in cellular immunotherapy, force monitoring, 3D tissue model reconstruction,...
Biomimetic Bimetallic‐Polyphenol Network as a Novel siRNA Carrier for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis via Macrophage Repolarization
Researchers have engineered a biomimetic nanocarrier—TSSC@M1—by integrating a metal‑polyphenol network loaded with TNF‑α siRNA, Sr²⁺, and Cu²⁺, and cloaking it with M1 macrophage membranes for inflammatory targeting. The carrier exploits a proton‑sponge mechanism to escape lysosomes, releasing its cargo to...
Corneal Nerve Regeneration via MSC‐Derived EVs: Tissue Source and Culture Dimensionality Dictate miRNA Cargo and Therapeutic Efficacy (Small 6/2026)
Elmira Jalilian and colleagues published a study in Small (June 2026) showing that the tissue source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and whether they are cultured in two‑dimensional versus three‑dimensional environments dictate the microRNA cargo of extracellular vesicles (EVs) and...
Rational Design and Application of MOF‐Based Materials for Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction
The review outlines recent advances in metal‑organic framework (MOF)‑based photocatalysts for CO2 reduction, detailing synthesis routes, mechanistic pathways, and structure‑performance correlations. It categorises MOF design into directly modified frameworks, MOF‑derived structures, and MOF composites, each offering distinct active‑site configurations. The...
Reaction Kinetics in Proton Batteries: An EIS/DRT‐Based Case Study of Vanadium Pentoxide Electrodes
Researchers used vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) electrodes in an aqueous proton electrolyte to dissect the individual contributions of charge transfer, diffusion, and interfacial phenomena to overall impedance. By pairing electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) with distribution of relaxation time (DRT) analysis, they...
A Hidden Magnetic Order Could Unlock Superconductivity
Physicists have uncovered a subtle magnetic order that persists in the pseudogap phase of quantum materials, linking it directly to the emergence of superconductivity. The discovery was made using an ultracold‑atom quantum simulator that mimics the Fermi‑Hubbard model, allowing researchers...
Software Allows Scientists to Simulate Nanodevices on a Supercomputer
Researchers at ETH Zurich and MARVEL unveiled QuaTrEx, a software suite that merges density‑functional theory, GW approximation, and non‑equilibrium Green functions to simulate nanotransistor components at the exascale level. Running on Swiss and U.S. supercomputers, the tool modeled a nanoribbon...
Toothbrush-Activated Powder Whitens, Repairs and Protects Teeth
Researchers at ACS Nano have created a ceramic powder called BSCT that activates under electric‑toothbrush vibrations, generating reactive oxygen species to whiten teeth while simultaneously depositing strontium, calcium and barium ions to repair enamel. Lab tests showed up to 50%...
Visualizing How Cancer Drugs Reshape Proteins Linked to Lung Cancer
Researchers at WPI‑NanoLSI and Kanazawa University used high‑speed atomic force microscopy to watch individual EML4‑ALK fusion proteins change shape in real time. They found that the ALK inhibitor alectinib physically compacts the flexible EML4 region, suppressing oligomer formation that drives...
The Invisible Bubbles that Spread Cancer Could Also Help Stop It
Researchers at ÉTS and McGill are engineering lipid nanoparticles that replicate extracellular vesicles to study how cancer spreads. By producing liposomes with matching size and charge, they can observe real‑time uptake by liver cancer cells and measure metastasis mechanisms. The...
The Magnetic Secret Inside Steel Finally Explained
Researchers at Illinois’ Grainger College have identified the first physical mechanism by which magnetic fields impede carbon diffusion in iron. Using spin‑space averaging simulations, they showed that aligned iron spins increase the energy barrier for carbon atoms moving between octahedral...
A Strange In-Between State of Matter Is Finally Observed
Scientists at the University of Vienna have directly observed the elusive hexatic phase in an atomically thin silver iodide crystal, confirming that a true intermediate state between solid and liquid can exist in real two‑dimensional materials. The experiment used a...
Granzyme B-Mimic Nanozyme Targets Cancer Cells
Researchers have engineered a granzyme B‑mimic nanozyme that selectively attacks cancer cells by replicating the proteolytic activity of the immune‑system enzyme granzyme B. Laboratory tests show the nanozyme cleaves tumor‑specific membrane proteins, triggering apoptosis while sparing healthy tissue. In mouse...
Researchers Use Agricultural Waste to Produce Graphene
Australian researchers at James Cook University and Flinders University have demonstrated a sustainable route to graphene by converting woody‑derived nanocellulose into bio‑char and then exfoliating it in a vortex fluidic device (VFD) using only water. The process operates at 500‑800 °C,...
Cellulose Nanofibril‐Filled Damping and Lubricating Hydrogels for Mitigating Friction‐Induced Vibration of Polyurethane Composites
Researchers introduced a multi‑crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel reinforced with carboxylated cellulose nanofibers (MCPH) and blended it into thermoplastic polyurethane. The hydrogel supplies both hydration lubrication and reversible bonding that dissipates mechanical energy, dramatically improving the composite’s friction and damping behavior....
Impact of Device Architecture on Proton Detection Efficiency in 2D Perovskite Thick Film Detectors
Researchers compared planar and stacked architectures for 2D perovskite thick‑film detectors targeting 5 MeV protons. The stacked configuration, featuring a vertical electric field, delivered superior charge collection, higher sensitivity, and stable, energy‑independent response across 3–5 MeV. Experiments spanning fluxes from 10⁸ to...
A Customizable Perovskite Quantum Dots Platform for Visual Fluorescent Discrimination of Molecular Homologs and Enantiomers
Researchers have created a customizable fluorescence platform using chiral polymer‑coated perovskite quantum dots (CsPbBr3@PAAR/PAAS). The system delivers quasi‑mirror symmetric emission, allowing naked‑eye discrimination of (R)- and (S)-2‑butanol enantiomers. The achiral counterpart (CsPbBr3@PAA) differentiates C1–C4 monohydric alcohols, sulfoxides, and formamides through...
Designing with Li2S in Lithium–Sulfur Batteries: From Fundamental Chemistry to Practical Architectures
The perspective outlines how Li2S‑based lithium‑sulfur batteries are reshaping cell design by tackling sulfur’s insulating nature and polysulfide shuttling. It highlights atomic‑level catalytic engineering, hierarchical carbon scaffolds, and electrolyte‑solvation co‑design as levers to activate Li2S and achieve reversible cycling. These...
Liquid NaK‐Enabled Strategy for the Facile and Scalable Synthesis of Porous Fe/Co/Ni‐Based Materials for Magnetically Enhanced OER Catalysis
Researchers have introduced a room‑temperature liquid NaK‑enabled alloy‑to‑alloy method to produce porous, multiphase Fe/Co/Ni magnetic electrocatalysts. The process avoids high‑temperature calcination and toxic etchants, delivering yields above 80 % and enabling solvent recovery. The resulting amorphous materials exhibit mesoporosity up to...
Determination of Nucleation Process and Spherical Micelle Growth by Time‐Resolved SAXS During PISA: Evidence From Liquid Crystalline Spherical Nanoparticles
Researchers employed time‑resolved small‑angle X‑ray scattering (TR‑SAXS) to monitor polymerization‑induced self‑assembly (PISA) of liquid‑crystalline spherical micelles. The data reveal that nucleation occurs early and particle growth proceeds through a structural shift from interdigitated to non‑interdigitated core conformations, a shift governed...
D‐Band Modulation by Elements Synergistic Design for High‐Performance Zinc Air Batteries
Researchers engineered ultrafine high‑entropy nitride (HEN) nanoparticles that exploit elemental synergy to shift the d‑band center, accelerating *OH adsorption and desorption. Tungsten plays a pivotal role by reconstructing the electronic environment of the other metals. The resulting catalyst delivers an...
Bifunctional Cu–Sn Oxides for Electrocatalytic Upgrade of Nitrate and Glucose to Ammonium Formate
Researchers have introduced a bifunctional Cu‑Sn oxide catalyst that simultaneously drives nitrate reduction and glucose oxidation in a paired electrochemical cell. The catalyst delivers an NH₃ yield of 26.57 mg h⁻¹ cm⁻² with 85.3% Faradaic efficiency, while generating formate at 44.88 mg h⁻¹ cm⁻² and 81.8%...
Tuning Charge Storage in Bimetallic CoV–LDH for High‐Performance Supercapacitor: A Synergistic Experimental and Machine Learning Approach
Researchers employed a controlled partial‑reduction protocol to introduce oxygen vacancies into cobalt‑vanadium layered double hydroxides (CoV‑LDH). Density functional theory showed that these vacancies narrow the bandgap and increase electronic states near the Fermi level, boosting conductivity. Machine‑learning models linked synthesis...
Nanocomposite Cellulose Membranes for High‐Performance Water Evaporation Electricity Generation
Researchers at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics have created a nanocomposite cellulose membrane for hydrovoltaic electricity generation. By depositing bismuth oxyiodide (BiOI) nanoparticles onto cellulose nanofibers via a two‑step liquid‑vapor method, the membrane achieves an open‑circuit voltage of ~3.7 V,...
Deconstruction Engineering of Lignocellulosic Biomass for the Preparation of High‐performance Hard Carbon Anode Materials in Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Researchers introduced a low‑corrosive maleic‑acid hydrothermal pretreatment to selectively strip hemicellulose from coconut shells, enriching lignin and cellulose while recovering xylose and furfural. The resulting hard‑carbon precursor exhibits a reduced closed‑pore size (1.64 nm) and increased closed‑pore volume (0.236 cm³ g⁻¹) after carbonization....
Liquid Metal‐Architected Thermal Management Materials: Void Engineering for Simultaneous High Thermal Conductivity and Flame Retardancy
Researchers have introduced liquid‑metal‑architected silicone composites that use mechanochemical encapsulation of aluminum nitride with eutectic gallium‑indium to eradicate processing‑induced voids. The void‑free architecture creates continuous thermal pathways, delivering 4.60 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ in‑plane and 5.27 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ out‑of‑plane conductivity at just 50 vol.% filler loading. Simultaneously,...
Beyond Thin Stacks: Physics, Materials, and Architectures of Thick Perovskite Light‐Emitting Diodes
The review outlines how thick perovskite light‑emitting diodes—ranging from 100 nm to several micrometers—offer distinct physics, material, and architectural advantages over conventional thin stacks. By increasing the emitter‑metal separation, these devices suppress plasmonic loss, boost photon‑recycling, and achieve higher out‑coupling efficiency....
Dual Enhancement of Electrochemical Ozone Production and Chlorine Evolution Reaction over Sulfur‐Doped 3D Ni‐Sb‐SnO2 Electrodes
Researchers introduced sulfur into a three‑dimensional Ni‑Sb‑SnO2 (DLS‑NATO/TiF) electrode, creating a dual‑function catalyst for electrochemical ozone production (EOP) and chlorine evolution reaction (CER). The sulfur‑doped electrode achieved a Faradaic efficiency of 50.10% for ozone and 95.70% for chlorine under acidic...
Beyond the Chill: Emerging Electrolytes, Cathodes, and Air Electrodes for Cryogenic Aqueous Zn Batteries
The review surveys recent breakthroughs in cryogenic aqueous zinc batteries, focusing on electrolyte engineering, cathode design, anode stabilization, and separator modification. Researchers have introduced liquid, suspension, and gel polymer electrolytes that disrupt hydrogen‑bond networks and improve Zn2+ solvation, enabling operation...
Low Temperature MOCVD Synthesis of High‐Mobility 2D InSe
Researchers have demonstrated low-temperature, wafer-scale metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) of phase-pure two-dimensional indium selenide (InSe) on c-plane sapphire. By systematically varying the Se/In precursor ratio and growth temperature, they mapped the In-rich to Se-rich InxSey phase space and identified...