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.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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....
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Dynamic Chain Exchange of Amphiphilic Alternating/Random Copolymer Micelles Promoted by Structural Uniformity and Flexibility
Researchers compared amphiphilic alternating and random copolymer micelles in water, finding that alternating copolymers form monodisperse multichain micelles with narrow size distributions. Kinetic studies using fluorescence energy transfer showed that chain exchange between alternating micelles occurs faster than with random...
Extreme‐Environment Adaptive Hydrogel with Vagus Nerve Modulation for Diabetic Wound Healing and Emotion Management
Researchers have developed a polyphenol‑mediated conductive hydrogel that remains functional at temperatures as low as –80 °C. The hydrogel, composed of casein, dopamine‑modified PEDOT and an antifreeze system, serves both as a wound dressing and a bioelectronic interface. When paired with...
Additives for Aluminum‐Air Batteries: A Review
Researchers review electrolyte additives as a low‑cost strategy to boost aluminum‑air battery performance. Additives, comprising roughly 1 % of the electrolyte, mitigate aluminum corrosion, curb self‑discharge, and prevent surface barrier formation by creating protective films. The review classifies additives into organic,...
High‐Rate and Selective Conversion of Low‐Concentration Carbon Dioxide to Carbon Monoxide Using a Carbon Nanotube‐Supported Molecular Electrocatalyst
Researchers introduced a multi‑walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) gas‑diffusion electrode functionalized with copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) and cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc). The CuPc layer suppresses CoPc aggregation, increasing active‑site exposure and CO2 adsorption. Operating at an ampere‑scale current (0.625 A) with 20 % CO2, the...
Chiral Lead‐Free Hybrid Organic‐Metal Halides for Thermally Switchable Nonlinear Optics
Researchers have created lead‑free antimony‑based chiral hybrid organic‑metal halide microplates using a solvent‑assisted drop‑casting method. The plates exhibit orientation‑controlled crystallinity, strong second‑harmonic generation (SHG) and a laser‑damage threshold above 133 mJ cm⁻². By exploiting a lattice phase transition, the team demonstrated reversible,...
F‐Block Element‐Based MOF Thin Films: A Platform for Luminescence, Sensing, and Energy Applications
f‑Block element‑based metal‑organic framework (f‑MOF) thin films are emerging as multifunctional platforms for luminescence, sensing, and energy applications. The review catalogs recent synthesis routes—including composite particle assembly, layer‑by‑layer, solvothermal, and electrodeposition—highlighting how thin‑film architecture enables precise substrate interfacing unavailable in...
A MWCNT–PVDF/PCL Piezo‐Triboelectric Coupled Nanogenerator by Synergistic Regulation of Microcrystalline Phase and Patterned Structure for Self‐Powered Sensors
Researchers have created a piezo‑triboelectric coupled nanogenerator (PTCNG) that integrates multi‑wall carbon nanotube‑enhanced PVDF with patterned PCL membranes via solution electrospinning and melt‑electrospinning direct writing. By testing four assembly configurations, the optimal design delivers a peak open‑circuit voltage of 260 V...
Harnessing Boron‐Mediated Ti Valence Cycling in TiB2‐PEG‐DOX: A Multimodal CDT/PTT/CT Platform for Colorectal Cancer Therapy
Researchers have engineered TiB2‑PEG‑DOX, a PEG‑modified titanium diboride nanosheet loaded with doxorubicin, to combine chemodynamic, photothermal, and chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. Boron in the lattice drives Ti4+ reduction to Ti2+, boosting Fenton‑like •OH generation in H2O2‑rich tumors. The nanocomposite exhibits...
Enhanced Charge Transfer Process and Chemical Sensing Ability Over a Lattice Rearrangement Strategy via Monatomic Ag Embedded Graphdiyne
Researchers have embedded monatomic silver into nitrogen‑doped graphdiyne, creating an AgO‑N‑C3 configuration that reorganizes the carbon lattice into a highly crystalline hexagonal framework. The resulting AgSAs/GDY material supports ballistic electron channels and achieves a record 10.2 wt% silver loading. When deployed...
Electron Localization in Single Atomic Ga1/PdNi Metallene Boosts Ethylene Glycol Assisted Rechargeable Zn‐Air Battery via Accelerating *OH Adsorption
Researchers introduced a single‑atom gallium‑modified PdNi metallene catalyst that dramatically improves ethylene glycol oxidation in rechargeable Zn‑air batteries. The Ga1/PdNi alloy achieves a mass activity of 1.70 A/mg, nearly five times that of commercial Pd/C, and drives a power density of...
A New Secondary Battery Based on Carbonate Anion Shuttling in Aqueous Alkaline Electrolyte
Researchers have introduced a new aqueous secondary battery that uses carbonate (CO3²⁻) anion shuttling between a CoNiCu‑C layered double hydroxide (LDH) cathode and a Cu₂CO₃(OH)₂ anode. The cell delivers an initial capacity of about 130 mAh g⁻¹ at 200 mA g⁻¹ and retains roughly...
Enhanced Adsorption of NiNb Bimetallic Catalyst for CO2 Intermediates Facilitates the 100% Selective Dicarboxylation
Researchers have introduced a nickel‑niobium bimetallic catalyst (NiNb@NF) that enables the electrocatalytic carboxylation of conjugated dienes using CO₂. The material achieves approximately 100% selectivity toward dicarboxylic acids and delivers a 96.4% isolated yield. In‑situ infrared and Raman spectroscopy reveal that...
Hole Storage Layers in Photoelectrodes for Mitigating Recombination and Driving Stable PEC Water Splitting
The review surveys the emerging role of hole storage layers (HSLs) in photoelectrochemical (PEC) water‑splitting devices, distinguishing them from traditional hole‑transport layers. It details how HSLs temporarily trap holes to suppress recombination, improve interfacial charge transfer, and protect semiconductors in...
Low‐ and High‐Frequency Characterization of Hybrid Acoustofluidic Devices Using Motile Cells
Researchers introduced a novel technique that uses motile Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells as living probes to characterize high‑frequency acoustic microfluidic devices. By balancing the cells’ swimming forces against acoustic radiation forces, the method visualizes evolving pressure fields in hybrid platforms that...
Suppressing the Oxygen/Moisture Effect with 9‐Fluorenylmethyl Carbazate to Facilitate Ambient‐Fabrication of Stable Perovskite Solar Cells
Researchers introduced 9‑fluorenylmethyl carbazate (9FC) into the lead‑iodide precursor to counteract oxygen and moisture degradation during ambient‑air fabrication of perovskite solar cells. The molecule’s carbonyl and hydrazino groups form multidentate chelation bonds, slowing crystallization, enlarging grains, and aligning crystals. This...
Amino Acid‐Based Intelligent Nanocarrier Enhances the Targeted Delivery of Fungicides for Banana Wilt Disease Control
Researchers have engineered an amino‑acid‑based nanocarrier using tryptophan and polysuccinimide to load the non‑systemic fungicide fludioxonil. The carrier achieves a 53.74% loading efficiency and exploits hydrogen‑bonding and π‑π stacking to transport the pesticide via the phloem to banana rhizomes. In...
Two‐Photon Polymerization: Emerging Applications and Innovations in Clinical and Regenerative Medicine
Two‑photon polymerization (2PP) now enables sub‑micron, three‑dimensional printing of medical devices using femtosecond lasers. The technique produces patient‑specific scaffolds, drug‑delivery carriers, and microfluidic components across specialties such as ophthalmology, orthopedics, and neurology. Recent advances in photoinitiators and biomaterials have improved...
Plaid Technologies Ships Graphene to Petro Flow Ahead of Initial U.S. Well Plugging Field Tests
Plaid Technologies has shipped its proprietary graphene material to Petro Flow for the first field trials of graphene‑enhanced wellbore cement, scheduled for Q2 2026 in the United States. The shipment moves the technology from laboratory validation to real‑world testing, using an...
Machine Learning on Systematically Curated Data Reveals Key Determinants of Magnetic Hyperthermia Performance
Researchers introduced a machine‑learning framework that predicts the specific absorption rate (SAR) of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) used in magnetic hyperthermia. The model was trained on a systematically curated dataset of 1,850 entries spanning 30 intrinsic and extrinsic features...
Toward a Robust ZnO Interface via Fullerene‐Based SAMs: Defect Passivation and Compatibility Tuning for High‐Performance Inverted Organic Solar Cells
Researchers introduced two fullerene‑based self‑assembled monolayers (SAMs) to modify zinc oxide (ZnO) electron‑transport layers in inverted organic solar cells. The tetra(ethylene glycol)‑linked 4EG‑PA forms a denser, more uniform film than the alkyl‑linked C2‑PA, delivering superior defect passivation and energy‑level alignment....
Mechanistic Understanding of Curvature Effects on ORR/OER Activity in Single‐Atom Catalysts From Atomic‐Scale Perspective
Researchers used first‑principles calculations to examine how the curvature of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) doped with copper influences oxygen reduction and evolution reactions (ORR/OER). They discovered that nanotube curvature dramatically reshapes the d‑orbital energy hierarchy, inverting the dz2 level and...
Ice‐Templated Undaria Pinnatifida Aerogel‐Derived Porous Carbon for Enhanced Room‐Temperature Hydrazine Sensing
Researchers used an ice‑templating process to convert the marine alga Undaria pinnatifida into a self‑doped porous carbon aerogel (US‑1.5). The material exhibits a record‑breaking 22.53 k% response to 500 ppm hydrazine at room temperature, with rapid 21.3 s response and 2.5 s recovery times....
Ultrathin Polycage Membranes Facilitate Molecular Shuttling for Efficient CO2 Separation
Researchers have created ultrathin polycage membranes by cross‑linking amine‑rich porous organic cages (POCs) with terephthaloyl chloride. The resulting membranes feature angstrom‑scale, amine‑functional channels that act as highways for CO₂ molecules, delivering a permeance of 920 GPU and a CO₂/N₂ selectivity of...