World's Smallest Capacitor Paves Way for Next-Generation Quantum Metrology
TU Wien researchers have fabricated a parallel‑plate capacitor with a 32‑nanometre gap, setting a new world record for miniaturization. The device couples an aluminum nanomembrane to an electrical resonant circuit, enabling ultra‑sensitive vibration detection without optical components. Experiments show that both electromechanical and purely mechanical resonators can operate at room temperature with quantum‑limited noise performance. The breakthrough positions these nanostructures for next‑generation atomic force microscopy and portable quantum sensors.
Vibrational Spectroscopy Technique Enables Nanoscale Mapping of Molecular Orientation at Surfaces
Researchers have pushed sum‑frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy into the nanoscopic regime by integrating a plasmonic nanogap tip with a scanning tunneling microscope, achieving roughly 10 nm spatial resolution. The new tip‑enhanced SFG (TE‑SFG) directly visualizes absolute up/down molecular orientation on heterogeneous...
Lifting Magnetic Fingerprints Using Scanning Probe Microscopy
A Czech‑Spanish research team used a nickelocene‑functionalized scanning tunneling microscope to differentiate magnetic ground states of two nanographene molecules and to map their spin distribution at atomic resolution. The method leverages exchange‑coupling between the probe‑bound nickelocene and the sample, which...
Reprogramming the Cancer Messenger: A New Era of Tumor Extracellular Vesicle Engineering
Researchers at National Taiwan University unveiled the EV Bimodal Functional Regulator (eBFR) platform, which separates and edits tumor‑derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) to remove oncogenic cargo while preserving surface features. The system integrates CLEAR, SWITCHER, and eSimoa modules to map and...
Eco‐Friendly Synthesis and Mechanistic Exploration of Multifunctional Cu/Cr Self‐Assemblies for Durable and High‐Performance Fuel Cell Composite Membranes
Researchers introduced eco‑friendly Cu(II) and Cr(III) L‑aspartic acid self‑assemblies into sulfonated poly(phenylene oxide) membranes, creating mixed‑matrix composites that outperform pristine SPPO. The Cr(III)‑based filler, featuring both –COOH and –NH2 groups, boosted proton conductivity and water uptake, delivering a peak power...
Atomically Precise Iron Catalysis for Efficient Electrochemical Cycloaddition of CO2 With Low‐Cost Feedstocks to Styrene Carbonate
Researchers have developed a ZIF‑derived single‑atom Fe/N‑C catalyst that drives the electrochemical cycloaddition of CO₂ with styrene oxide to produce styrene carbonate under mild conditions. The Fe1.98‑N‑C material achieves a 78% yield and 99% selectivity within six hours, outperforming conventional...
Modulation of SpiroOMeTAD Hole‐Transport Layers for Carbon‐Based Perovskite Solar Cells
The review surveys recent strategies for modulating hole‑transport layers in carbon‑based perovskite solar cells, emphasizing doping of Spiro‑OMeTAD with asymmetric carbon nanohorns (ACNHs). ACNH incorporation boosts the HTL’s electrical conductivity, curtails hysteresis, and markedly improves long‑term stability. By addressing intrinsic...
A New Nanorobot Designed to Improve Immune Cell Recognition Could Help Treat Colorectal Cancer
Researchers at Xinqiao Hospital and the CAS Center have created a peptide‑based nanorobot that binds PD‑L1 on colorectal‑cancer cells, blocks the PD‑1/PD‑L1 checkpoint, and self‑assembles into fibrils in the acidic tumor microenvironment. The fibrils perforate cancer‑cell membranes, releasing damage‑associated molecular...
Defect‐Passivating and Dense Indolocarbazole‐Based Self‐Assembled Monolayers for Efficient Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells With over 26.1% Efficiency
Researchers introduced indolocarbazole‑based self‑assembled monolayers (SAMs) with tailored nitrogen positions and phosphonate anchoring groups to improve inverted perovskite solar cells. The monophosphonate‑anchored M3PAICz‑1 achieved a record 26.12% power conversion efficiency for a 1.55 eV bandgap device and 22.19% for a 1.68 eV...
Carbon Nanogrid‐Directed Interfacial Electric Field Engineering Boosts Selective CO2‐to‐Formate Electrosynthesis
Researchers have developed a nanogrid-directed interfacial electric field engineering approach that embeds tin nanoparticles within a conductive carbon nanotube framework (Sn@CNT). The architecture generates intense, well‑distributed electric fields that boost charge transport, facilitate water activation, and lower the desorption barrier...
Synthesis of Large‐Area 2D Prussian Blue as Ion‐Transport Channels for Non‐Volatile Memristors
Researchers have developed a scalable liquid‑liquid interfacial method to grow large‑area, continuous 2D Prussian blue (FeFe) films with thicknesses from ~2 nm to several hundred nanometres. The technique avoids nanoparticle aggregation, delivering high‑quality flakes suitable for device integration. When incorporated into...
New Hybrid Nanocomposite Films for Optical Diagnostics and Optical Temperature Sensing: Synergy Among Α‐Synuclein, Gold and Upconverting Nanoparticles
Researchers engineered a quasi‑monolayer hybrid film by using the intrinsically disordered protein α‑synuclein as a molecular linker between gold nanoparticles and Yb³⁺, Er³⁺‑doped CaF₂ upconverting nanoparticles. The resulting 2D nanocomposite exhibits strong upconversion emission under 980 nm excitation and functions as...
Correction to “Janus Magnetic‐Plasmonic Nanoparticles for Magnetically Guided and Thermally Activated Cancer Therapy”
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Cellulose Formate‐Based Surgical Sutures With Tunable Absorbability and Enhanced Biocompatibility
Researchers have developed a cellulose formate‑based surgical suture that combines collagen and a poly(vinyl alcohol) surface coating to deliver mechanical strength comparable to commercial collagen sutures. By tuning the polymerization and substitution degree of the cellulose formate, the suture’s absorbability...
The Preparation of Porous CuO@F‐GDY Nano‐Arrays for High‐Performance Sodium‐Ion Battery Anodes
Researchers have engineered a porous CuO nano‑array anode coated with fluorinated graphdiyne (F‑GDY) for sodium‑ion batteries. The F‑GDY shell confines the CuO structure, mitigating volume expansion and facilitating rapid interfacial charge transfer. Electrochemical testing shows a reversible capacity of 681 mAh g⁻¹...
Leveraging Natural Wood Structures for Sustainable and High‐Performance Osmotic Energy Harvesting
Researchers created a heterogeneous membrane by infiltrating sodium alginate into delignified wood, leveraging the wood's natural channels and added surface charges to boost ion transport for osmotic energy harvesting. The wood/alginate (W/SA) membrane achieved a power density of 14.43 W m⁻² under...
A Multifunctional Bioactive Nanoscale Coating Deposited by Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Polymerization of Peppermint Essential Oil
Researchers have developed a substrate‑independent nanoscale coating by atmospheric pressure plasma polymerisation of peppermint essential oil. The plasma‑derived film retains antioxidant, antibacterial and immunomodulatory functional groups, delivering up to 90% reactive species scavenging and significant cytokine modulation. In vitro tests...
Experimental Visualization and the Mechanism of Current‐Collector Geometry Effects on Ion Distribution and Device Longevity
Researchers experimentally mapped the three‑dimensional ion distribution in transition‑metal‑oxide cathodes and identified a pervasive “bottom effect,” where trapped cations accumulate far from the current‑collector pole, accelerating localized aging. Simulations had predicted uneven current density from collector geometry, but this study...
Light‐Guided Molecular Patterning for High‐Throughput Single‐Molecule Mechanical Characterization
Researchers have introduced a light‑guided molecular patterning technique that arranges oligonucleotides on surfaces using UV patterns projected through a digital micromirror device. The method eliminates the need for specialized lithography tools, offering a cost‑effective, scalable way to create precise single‑molecule...
Real‐Time Imaging of Intercalation–Conversion Li Storage in MXenes for Solid‐State Batteries
Operando scanning transmission electron microscopy directly visualizes lithium transport and redox evolution in Ti3C2Tx MXene electrodes within a sulfide‑based solid‑state battery. The study identifies three reaction pathways: interlayer Li (de)intercalation with Ti redox, partially reversible Li2O formation on the MXene...
Highly Connected Stable Metal–Organic Frameworks With Polyhedral Cage‐Like Cavities for Natural Gas Upgrading
Researchers synthesized four highly connected metal‑organic frameworks (MOFs) featuring polyhedral cage‑like cavities using an isoreticular design strategy. The materials demonstrate strong uptake of ethane (C2H6) and propane (C3H8) while adsorbing significantly less methane (CH4), enabling CH4 purification to over 99.9%...
Chemical Passivation and Crystallization Kinetics Regulation for Enhancing Efficiency and Stability of Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells
Researchers introduced the organic small‑molecule additive MSB into perovskite precursor solutions, slowing crystallization and enlarging grain size while simultaneously passivating defects. The multifunctional sulfonyl and amidinium groups bind lead ions and resist deprotonation, delivering multi‑site, long‑term passivation. These combined effects...
Nano‐Functionalized Biopolymer Films with Green‐Synthesized CuO/Attapulgite for Light‐Promoted Antibacterial Therapy and Wound Healing
Researchers used olive leaf extract to green‑synthesize copper‑oxide nanoparticles anchored on attapulgite clay, creating a visible‑light‑responsive nanocomposite. The CuO/attapulgite particles were embedded in κ‑carrageenan/carboxymethyl chitosan films, yielding dressings with a water contact angle of 56.7°, high moisture retention, and robust...
Printed Liquid Metal–Solid Metal Hybrid Electrodes for Stabilizing Liquid Platinum–Gallium Droplets During Electrocatalysis
Researchers have created a printed liquid‑metal catalyst platform that confines platinum‑in‑gallium droplets within a fused tungsten nanoparticle matrix on porous molybdenum mesh. The W‑nanoparticle scaffold physically traps the Ga‑based liquid droplets, preventing agglomeration and leaching while maintaining reactive surface exposure....
AI‐Guided Droplet Microreactors Enable Rapid and Reproducible Protein Crystallization
Researchers unveiled the Droplet Concentration Control and Vision (DCCV) platform, a microfluidic system that combines programmable osmotic modulation with automated computer‑vision analysis. By using semi‑permeable double‑emulsion droplets, the platform can adjust solute concentrations after droplet formation, precisely managing protein supersaturation....
High‐Selective and Ultrafast Furfural Removal From Simulated Biomass Hydrolysates via a Sustainable MOF‐Based Strategy
Researchers introduced MIL-53-TDC, a metal‑organic framework that removes furfural from simulated biomass hydrolysates with unprecedented speed and selectivity. The material combines size‑based molecular sieving with moderate hydrogen‑bonding to achieve 98% furfural removal and a static capacity of 424.6 mg g⁻¹, while leaving...
Corn Cob Biochar Filters Pull Ammonia and Micro and Nanoplastics From Water
Researchers at the University of Delaware have converted discarded corn cobs and other agricultural residues into high‑performance biochar filters. In laboratory trials, the optimized biochar removed up to 64 % of dissolved ammonia and more than 97 % of polystyrene micro‑ and...
Germanium Oxide Interface Boosts Tin Monosulfide Thin Film Solar Cell Efficiency and Stability
Researchers at Chonnam National University introduced a nanometer‑scale germanium oxide (GeOₓ) interlayer between the molybdenum back contact and the tin monosulfide (SnS) absorber, addressing deep‑level defects, sodium diffusion, and MoS₂ formation. The 7 nm GeOₓ layer improves SnS grain uniformity and...
Nanoscience Breakthrough Puts Low-Cost, Printable Electronics on the Horizon
Researchers led by Dr. Tian Carey have unveiled a predictive framework that links in‑plane versus out‑of‑plane stiffness to successful electrochemical exfoliation of 2D materials. The model identified dozens of new semiconducting nanosheets, enabling the fabrication of printed transistors, digital‑to‑analogue converters...
Hebrew University Team Develops Flexible Color Tunable Solar Window Technology
Hebrew University researchers have created a flexible, semi‑transparent perovskite solar cell that can be color‑tuned for use in windows and curved surfaces. The device achieves up to 9.2% power‑conversion efficiency while maintaining about 35% visible transparency. Light transmission and hue...
Carbon Monoxide Enables Rapid Atomic Scale Control for Fuel Cell Catalysts
Researchers at the Korea Institute of Energy Research introduced CO Adsorption‑Induced Deposition (CO AID), a carbon‑monoxide‑driven method that forms 0.3 nm platinum shells on low‑cost metal cores. The technique reduces catalyst fabrication time to 30 minutes‑2 hours at kilogram scale, far faster than...
Acid Treated Carbon Nanotubes Raise Efficiency and Durability of Flexible Perovskite Solar Modules
Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Zhengzhou University have demonstrated flexible perovskite solar modules exceeding 20 % efficiency by using sulfuric‑acid‑treated single‑walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) films as ITO‑free window electrodes. The acid treatment raises conductivity and creates a NiSO₄–NiOₓ...
Polymer Nanoparticles Drive Platinum Free Solar Hydrogen
A team at Chalmers University has demonstrated a photocatalytic system that uses conjugated polymer nanoparticles to split water into hydrogen under simulated sunlight, eliminating the need for expensive platinum. By engineering hydrophilic, loosely packed polymer chains, the particles achieve a...
Micro Nano Robots Aim to Cut Carbon Buildup in Closed Life Support Systems
Researchers at Guangxi University unveiled micro‑nano reconfigurable robots (MNRM) that capture and release carbon dioxide using sunlight as an energy source. In laboratory tests the robots sequestered 6.19 mmol CO₂ per gram of sorbent and regenerated at just 55 °C, maintaining over...
Carbon Nanotube Films Boost Flexible Perovskite Solar Module Performance
Researchers at the University of Surrey have replaced indium tin oxide (ITO) with single‑walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) films in flexible perovskite solar modules, achieving over 20% power‑conversion efficiency on large areas and a record 24.5% on small cells. A sulfuric‑acid...
In Situ Constructed Zn3N2‐Enriched Hybrid Solid Electrolyte Interphase Enables Highly Efficient Zinc Deposition Kinetics for Ultra‐Stable Zinc‐Iodine Batteries
Researchers introduced copper hexadecafluorophthalocyanine (FCP) as an electrolyte additive that in situ creates a Zn3N2‑rich inorganic‑organic hybrid solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on zinc anodes. The hybrid SEI provides high Zn2+ conductivity and a delocalized electric field that speeds desolvation, leading...
This Tiny Power Module Could Change How the World Uses Energy
Researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory have unveiled ULIS, an ultra‑low inductance smart power module built on silicon‑carbide that delivers record‑breaking efficiency and five‑fold higher energy density. The 1,200‑volt, 400‑amp device cuts parasitic inductance by 7‑9×, enabling ultra‑fast switching,...
Haydale Graphene Industries Announces Change of Name
Haydale Graphene Industries has legally renamed itself Haydale and will trade on AIM under the unchanged ticker HAYD and ISIN. The rebrand drops the explicit graphene reference, suggesting a strategic pivot toward a broader advanced‑materials and clean‑technology portfolio. Management signals...
Silver Just Solved a Major Solid-State Battery Problem
Stanford researchers have demonstrated that a 3 nm silver ion coating on the LLZO solid electrolyte can dramatically improve its mechanical resilience, making it five times more resistant to cracking. The heat‑treated Ag⁺ layer infiltrates the ceramic surface, replacing lithium atoms...
Spatiotemporal Targeting of Messenger RNA Lipid Nanoparticles to the Endometrium for the Treatment of Reproductive Disorders
Researchers engineered lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) functionalized with an RGD peptide directly attached to the lipid tail, enabling precise mRNA delivery to the uterine endometrium during the window of implantation. In mouse models, the RGD‑LNPs achieved a 3,900‑fold increase in uterine...
Lyten Expands Into Construction Materials with Graphene-Enhanced Concrete
Lyten announced Lyten S Cure™, a graphene‑enhanced concrete admixture that boosts early strength and durability without altering existing mix designs. The product delivers a 110% increase in one‑day compressive strength, 29% higher strength at seven days, and up to 20% improvement in...
Engineers Just Created a “Phonon Laser” That Could Shrink Your Next Smartphone
Engineers at the University of Colorado Boulder, the University of Arizona and Sandia National Laboratories have demonstrated a surface‑acoustic‑wave (SAW) phonon laser that generates coherent vibrations on a single chip. The device combines silicon, lithium niobate and indium‑gallium‑arsenide layers to...
Molecule Deposition on 2D Materials Promotes Defect Healing and Quality Restoration
Researchers at the Institute of Physics Zagreb deposited a thin layer of organic H₂Pc molecules onto MoS₂ and WS₂ monolayers, demonstrating that the molecules can both heal surface defects and modulate optical emission. In MoS₂, electron transfer from the semiconductor...
Reorientation‐Driven Degradation in Oriented Perovskite Films: Shifting Facet Engineering to Thermodynamic Stability
Researchers investigated the link between crystallographic orientation and thermal stability in narrow‑bandgap Sn‑Pb mixed perovskite solar cells. Using an additive‑free two‑step deposition, they produced highly oriented films that, when aged at 120 °C, retained only 73 % of their initial power conversion...
Superior High‐Temperature Capacitive Energy Storage Enabled by Interfacial Ion‐Matrix Synergy in Fluoride‐Composites
Researchers have introduced a dual‑functional interfacial design that embeds calcium fluoride (CaF2) nanoparticles into a polyetherimide (PEI) matrix, addressing the degradation of polymer dielectrics at high temperatures. The fluoride anions neutralize mobile ions while the Ca2+ cations form deep energy...
High Perpendicular Anisotropy in Mo‐Inserted Mg Composite Free Layer for Nonvolatile Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory in 4K‐400K Universal Temperature Applications
Researchers have unveiled a universal‑temperature nonvolatile MRAM (UTF‑NVMRAM) that operates reliably from 4 K to 400 K by inserting molybdenum into a CoFeB composite free layer and optimizing a MgO/MgOx capping stack. The design dramatically reduces temperature‑dependent switching‑voltage drift to 0.68 mV/K and...
Vapor‐Phase Synthesis of Potassium‐Doped Polymeric Carbon Nitride Photocatalytic Panels
Researchers have introduced a vapor‑phase condensation technique to grow potassium‑doped polymeric carbon nitride (CN) panels directly on KCl‑coated substrates. The process creates cyano‑group defects that shift the band edge, enhancing light absorption and charge separation. As a result, the doped...
Microbubble‐Mediated Synthesis of Smart Spindle Microfibers for Fog Harvesting
Researchers have introduced a microfluidic technique that injects microbubbles into a PNIPAm pre‑gel and uses pulsatile flow to form spindle‑knotted microfibers. The resulting fibers feature textured hydrophilic surfaces that extend the three‑phase contact line, delivering a 1.65‑fold increase in fog‑water...
Decoding pH‐Driven Phase Transition of Lipid Nanoparticles
Researchers applied constant‑pH molecular dynamics to the Comirnaty lipid nanoparticle formulation, uncovering a dramatic pKa shift for the ionizable aminolipid ALC‑0315. The intrinsic pKa of 9.3 in water drops to an apparent 4.9 within the LNP, with surface regions remaining...
Highly Selective and Flexible HCl Sensor Enabled by Ag2O‐Functionalized Graphene Micropatterns
Researchers have functionalized graphene with silver oxide (Ag₂O) nanoparticles, creating a flexible sensor that detects hydrogen chloride (HCl) at room temperature. The device achieves an ultra‑low detection limit of 5.61 parts per trillion and operates on just 6.47 mW of power. Real‑time...