Recent Posts
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 rapid anode failure through excessive solid‑electrolyte interphase (SEI) growth, whereas diglyme stabilizes the sodium metal but leads to void formation and electrolyte depletion at the cathode. The work delivers direct mechanistic insight into solvent‑specific degradation pathways, a capability previously unavailable for liquid‑electrolyte cells.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
A Non‐Volatile, Low‐Voltage, Stretchable Transparent Dielectric Heater for Real‐World Autonomous Thermal Management Platform (Small 7/2026)
Researchers Jin Woo Bae et al. present a non‑volatile, low‑voltage dielectric heater that is both stretchable and transparent, enabling wearable thermal management in harsh, cold environments. The device uses a sandwich‑structured dielectric heating layer that activates autonomously when ambient temperature drops below a...
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
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...
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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•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)
News•Jan 31, 2026
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...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Jan 31, 2026
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...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Jan 31, 2026
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,...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Jan 31, 2026
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...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Jan 31, 2026
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,...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Jan 31, 2026
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...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Jan 31, 2026
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...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Jan 31, 2026
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...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Jan 31, 2026
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...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Jan 31, 2026
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...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Jan 31, 2026
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...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Jan 31, 2026
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...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Jan 31, 2026
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...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Jan 31, 2026
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...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Jan 31, 2026
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...
By Small (Wiley)
News•Jan 31, 2026
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...
By Small (Wiley)