Article 20 October 2023 | Open Access Real higher-order Weyl photonic crystal Here, the authors experimentally discover a class of higher-order Weyl semimetal phase in a three-dimensional photonic crystal, exhibiting the concurrence of the surface and hinge Fermi arcs from the nonzero Chern number and the nontrivial generalized real Chern number, respectively, coined a real higher-order Weyl photonic crystals. Yuang Pan, Chaoxi Cui & Yihao Yang Article 20 October 2023 | Open Access Actinide-lanthanide single electron metal-metal bond formed in mixed-valence di-metallofullerenes Understanding metal-metal bonding involving f-block elements has been challenging. Here, the authors report a series of mixed-valence di-metallofullerenes which feature single electron actinide-lanthanide metal-metal bonds. Yingjing Yan, Laura Abella & Ning Chen Article 19 October 2023 | Open Access Multi-scale molecular dynamics simulations of enhanced energy transfer in organic molecules under strong coupling Placing an organic material in an optical cavity can enhance exciton transport, but the mechanism is poorly understood. Here, using molecular dynamics simulations, the authors obtained atomistic insights into that mechanism. Ilia Sokolovskii, Ruth H. Tichauer & Gerrit Groenhof Article 19 October 2023 | Open Access Electric control of spin transitions at the atomic scale Control of spins down to the atomic scale is a major goal for spin-based information processing. Here, Kot et al. demonstrate electric control over the spin-resonance transitions of a single TiH molecule placed on a surface of MgO by exploiting the electric field between the scanning tunnelling microscopy tip and the sample. Piotr Kot, Maneesha Ismail & Christian R. Ast Article 19 October 2023 | Open Access Adaptive design of mRNA-loaded extracellular vesicles for targeted immunotherapy of cancer There is an emerging interest in the use of mRNA therapeutics in cancer treatment, but their precise in vivo delivery remains a challenge. Here the authors develop IFN-γ mRNA-loaded small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) with CD64 overexpressed on their surface and demonstrate its efficacy in glioblastoma mouse models resistant to immunotherapy. Shiyan Dong, Xuan Liu & Wen Jiang Article 19 October 2023 | Open Access Anomalous water molecular gating from atomic-scale graphene capillaries for precise and ultrafast molecular sieving Here authors present water molecular gating in nanofiltration membranes featuring graphene capillaries, which exhibit hindered osmotic diffusion while enabling swift water transport similar to Newton’s cradle-like Grotthus conduction. Qian Zhang, Bo Gao & Lei Jiang Article 19 October 2023 | Open Access Mechanistic insights into excited-state palladium catalysis for C–S bond formations and dehydrogenative sulfonylation of amines Photocatalytic selective C(sp3)–H activation/cross-coupling reactions are appealing in organic synthesis. Here the authors describe the development of excited-state Pd-catalyzed dehydrogenative β-sulfonylation reactions using amines and aryl sulfonyl chlorides via intermolecular hydrogen atom transfer and C−S cross-coupling processes at room temperature. Krishnamoorthy Muralirajan, Rajesh Kancherla & Magnus Rueping Article 19 October 2023 | Open Access Machine learning-enabled constrained multi-objective design of architected materials Architected materials can have enhanced properties compared to bulk but are difficult to design. Here the authors propose a machine-learning-based pipeline to design architected materials with predetermined elastic modulus and enhanced yield strength and test it in additive manufacturing. Bo Peng, Ye Wei & Peng Wen Article 19 October 2023 | Open Access Strain topological metamaterials and revealing hidden topology in higher-order coordinates Some systems can exhibit topologically non-trivial characteristics only when specific coordinate transformations are applied. Here, the authors report on a family of metamaterials whose topological properties are unveiled in higher order coordinates (such as strain) and predicts that topological edge states can exist for diverse boundary conditions. Florian Allein, Adamantios Anastasiadis & Georgios Theocharis Article 19 October 2023 | Open Access Energy-efficient extraction of linear alkanes from various isomers using structured metal-organic framework membrane Extraction of linear alkanes from various isomers is critical for the petrochemical industry. Here authors present an oriented MOF membrane with a rigid triangular pore array for one-step extraction of linear pentane, hexane, and heptane from a ten-component alkane isomer solution. Yuecheng Wang, Yujie Ban & Weishen Yang Article 19 October 2023 | Open Access Kinetics of the xanthophyll cycle and its role in photoprotective memory and response This study explores how the photosynthetic alga Nannochloropsis oceanica, rapidly adapts to changing light conditions, using a short-term “memory" system involving the xanthophyll cycle, which is widespread in photosynthetic organisms. Audrey Short, Thomas P. Fay & Graham R. Fleming Article 19 October 2023 | Open Access Accurate prediction of protein folding mechanisms by simple structure-based statistical mechanical models Predicting how proteins fold into specific native structures remains challenging. Here, the authors develop a simple physical model that accurately predicts protein folding mechanisms, paving the way for solving the folding process component of the protein folding problem. Koji Ooka & Munehito Arai Article 19 October 2023 | Open Access Automatic correction of performance drift under acquisition shift in medical image classification Automatic correction of performance drift caused by changes in image acquisition is key for safe AI deployment. Here, the authors present a solution that restores the expected clinical performance of image classification systems in breast screening and histopathology. Mélanie Roschewitz, Galvin Khara & Ben Glocker Article 19 October 2023 | Open Access Biosynthesis and engineering of the nonribosomal peptides with a C-terminal putrescine Nonribosomal peptides have diverse bioactivities and can possess unusual moieties at their C-terminus, such as polyamines. In this study, the authors identify a class of dodecapeptides glidonins that feature diverse N-terminal modifications and a uniform putrescine moiety at the C-terminus, elucidate their biosynthesis, and introduce the putrescine into the C-terminus of other nonribosomal peptides. Hanna Chen, Lin Zhong & Xiaoying Bian Perspective 18 October 2023 | Open Access In situ X-ray spectroscopies beyond conventional X-ray absorption spectroscopy on deciphering dynamic configuration of electrocatalysts X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) has become an indispensable tool to investigate dynamic natures of electrocatalysts. In this perspective, advanced X-ray spectroscopies are highlighted in a complementary way, providing a promising research model for solid-liquid interface and (electro)catalysis studies. Jiali Wang, Chia-Shuo Hsu & Hao Ming Chen Article 18 October 2023 | Open Access Subwavelength terahertz imaging via virtual superlensing in the radiating near field The authors develop a method for sub-diffraction near-field imaging using measurements taken relatively far from an object, amplifying evanescent waves that encode the highest resolution. The increased distance greatly reduces the perturbation of the fields by the imaging device itself. Alessandro Tuniz & Boris T. Kuhlmey Article 18 October 2023 | Open Access Autonomous self-healing organic crystals for nonlinear optics There are many potential applications for non-centrosymmetric molecular crystals, but due to their typical brittle nature, efficiency of applications declines on prolonged use. Here, the authors report an autonomous self-healing ability of dibenzoate derivative single crystals that can retain its non-linear optical response. Saikat Mondal, Pratap Tanari & C. Malla Reddy Article 18 October 2023 | Open Access Anisotropic resistance with a 90° twist in a ferromagnetic Weyl semimetal, Co2MnGa Weyl semimetals exhibit a rich variety of transport phenomena, but it usually takes low temperatures and a strong magnetic field to realize them. Here, Quirk et al. show that when the ferromagnetic Weyl semimetal Co2MnGa is polished to micron thicknesses, it develops a remarkable resistance anisotropy that has opposite directions on opposing crystal faces. They show that this unusual transport property, which is robust at room temperature and in a strong magnetic field, may be generated by distinct conducting states on the surfaces of these thin crystals. Nicholas P. Quirk, Guangming Cheng & N. P. Ong Article 18 October 2023 | Open Access Light-oriented 3D printing of liquid crystal/photocurable resins and in-situ enhancement of mechanical performance Complex computerized geometries can be obtained by additive manufacturing. However, the printing of purely three-dimensional polymer shapes possesses inherent poor mechanical stability. Here, the authors overcome this drawback by the light-driven orientation of liquid crystals to guide the alignment of acrylate prepolymers along the direction parallel to UV light vibrations. Xiaolu Sun, Shaoyun Chen & Dongxian Zhuo Article 18 October 2023 | Open Access Non-invasive current collectors for improved current-density distribution during CO2 electrolysis on super-hydrophobic electrodes Electrolysis of carbon dioxide holds great promise in providing a sustainable pathway for hydrocarbon fuels. In this work, the authors show the effect of current distribution on super-hydrophobic electrodes that avoid flooding and present a solution fit for the scale-up of these systems. Hugo-Pieter Iglesias van Montfort, Mengran Li & Thomas Burdyny Article 18 October 2023 | Open Access Subcycle surface electron emission driven by strong-field terahertz waveforms THz-driven electron emission is predicted to yield a single burst, due to the single-cycle waveform. Here, the authors demonstrate the confinement of single-cycle THz-waveform-driven electron emission to one of the two half cycles and the control of the active half cycle by changing the field polarity. Shaoxian Li, Ashutosh Sharma & József A. Fülöp Article 18 October 2023 | Open Access Golden section criterion to achieve droplet trampoline effect on metal-based superhydrophobic surface The relation between the rebound behavior of droplets and surface structure is crucial to regulating the surface dynamic wettability based on structure design. Zhao et al. explore droplet rebound numbers when the droplet impacts laser-ablated microstructures with different structure spaces and report that droplets can consecutively rebound 17 times. Shengteng Zhao, Zhichao Ma & Luquan Ren Article 18 October 2023 | Open Access Unveiling the spatially confined oxidation processes in reactive electrochemical membranes Understanding oxidation processes in reactive electrochemical membranes is essential for addressing environmental concerns. The authors highlight that microchannel pore size can profoundly impact not only the reaction kinetics but also the electron transfer pathways. Yuyang Kang, Zhenao Gu & Jiuhui Qu Article 18 October 2023 | Open Access Arctic weather variability and connectivity The authors use a complexity-based approach to analyze Arctic weather variability. They identify a pronounced link between the Arctic’s shrinking sea ice and global weather patterns, underscoring the critical role of the Arctic in shaping global climate. Jun Meng, Jingfang Fan & Jürgen Kurths Article 18 October 2023 | Open Access Impacts of climate change, population growth, and power sector decarbonization on urban building energy use This study quantifies mid-21st century hourly building energy use in 277 urban areas in the USA, revealing spatially and temporally heterogeneous changes influenced by future climate, population dynamics, and electric power sector decarbonization. Chenghao Wang, Jiyun Song & Robert B. Jackson Article 17 October 2023 | Open Access Visible-to-mid-IR tunable frequency comb in nanophotonics Here the authors provide the experimental demonstration of a widely tunable integrated frequency comb source unlocking the spectrum from the visible to the mid-infrared in a thin-film lithium niobate platform. Arkadev Roy, Luis Ledezma & Alireza Marandi Article 17 October 2023 | Open Access Intercalation-type catalyst for non-aqueous room temperature sodium-sulfur batteries Sodium-sulfur batteries show potential as attractive alternatives to Li-ion batteries due to their high energy density but practicality is hampered by sodium polysulfide issues. Here, the authors introduce an intercalation-type catalyst MoTe2 to improve the redox kinetics in Na-S batteries. Jiarui He, Amruth Bhargav & Arumugam Manthiram Article 17 October 2023 | Open Access Lorentz microscopy of optical fields Electron holography and microscopy have long been used to map static electric and magnetic fields. Here, authors establish Lorentz Microscopy of Optical Fields, a new technique that uses the deflection and interference of an electron beam to obtain phase-resolved images of nanoscale optical fields. John H. Gaida, Hugo Lourenço-Martins & Claus Ropers Article 17 October 2023 | Open Access Atomic high-spin cobalt(II) center for highly selective electrochemical CO reduction to CH3OH Molecular catalysts provide an ideal model system to investigate the relationship between active site structure and catalytic performance. Here, the authors explore how electrochemical CO reduction to methanol can be controlled through modification of the active cobalt site in cobalt phthalocyanine. Jie Ding, Zhiming Wei & Bin Liu Article 17 October 2023 | Open Access Material-agnostic machine learning approach enables high relative density in powder bed fusion products Exploring laser powder bed fusion in manufacturing, the authors demonstrate a machine learning-based method to optimize processing conditions achieving materials with relative density greater than 98% and experimentally verify its generality for multiple distinct powder materials. Jaemin Wang, Sang Guk Jeong & Byeong-Joo Lee Article 17 October 2023 | Open Access Autonomous underwater adhesion driven by water-induced interfacial rearrangement The underwater adhesives developed so far usually show water adsorption and lack of spontaneity as major drawbacks. Herein, the authors develop a tough, flexible and autonomous underwater adhesive based on an amphiphilic polymeric matrix swollen by hydrophobic ionic liquid. Le Yao, Chengjiang Lin & Qi Zhang Article 17 October 2023 | Open Access 4D Optical fibers based on shape-memory polymers The authors demonstrate here a method for the production of arbitrarily long, light-guiding microstructured fibers with shape-memory properties. The showcased design of adaptative fibers here holds potential for the development of functional actuators and sensors. Clément Strutynski, Marianne Evrard & Frédéric Smektala Article 17 October 2023 | Open Access Remote inspection of adversary-controlled environments Physical unclonable functions (PUFs) normally ensure authentication of small physical objects. Here, instead, the authors observe that also rooms and buildings can serve as PUFs. They apply this insight to monitor the integrity of enclosed environments, such as art galleries, bank vaults, or data centers. Johannes Tobisch, Sébastien Philippe & Ulrich Rührmair Article 17 October 2023 | Open Access Molecular imprinting-based indirect fluorescence detection strategy implemented on paper chip for non-fluorescent microcystin Fluorescence analysis is a fast and sensitive method for the trace detection of environmental toxins, but it remains challenging to develop a fluorescence method for detecting nonfluorescent toxins. Here, the authors report an indirect fluorescent sensing strategy for the rapid, selective and sensitive detection of the non-fluorescent microcystin as a model target. Bowei Li, Ji Qi & Lingxin Chen Article 17 October 2023 | Open Access Jupiter-like planets might be common in a low-density environment Models predict that giant planets should easily form around solar-type stars, but most radial velocity surveys found a rather low number of them. Here, the authors show that Jupiter-like planets may be more common than previously found, at least in low density environments. Raffaele Gratton, Dino Mesa & Elisabetta Rigliaco Article 17 October 2023 | Open Access Liquid spherical shells are a non-equilibrium steady state of active droplets Dissipative structures are governed by non-equilibrium thermodynamics. Here, the authors describe a size-dependent transition from active droplets to active spherical shells—a dissipative structure that arises from reaction diffusion gradients. Alexander M. Bergmann, Jonathan Bauermann & Job Boekhoven Article 17 October 2023 | Open Access The momentum of the solar energy transition Nijsse and colleagues find that due to technological trajectories set in motion by past policy, a global irreversible solar tipping point may have passed where solar energy gradually comes to dominate global electricity markets, without any further climate policies. Uncertainties arise, however, over grid stability in a renewables-dominated power system, the availability of sufficient finance in underdeveloped economies, the capacity of supply chains and political resistance from regions that lose employment. Femke J. M. M. Nijsse, Jean-Francois Mercure & Hector Pollitt Article 17 October 2023 | Open Access Stretchable piezoelectric biocrystal thin films Developing piezoelectric biocrystals that are stretchable while maintaining structure and stable piezoelectricity is challenging. Here, Li et al. report an amino acid-based piezoelectric biocrystal with omnidirectional stretchability enabled by a truss-like network, for wearable and implantable devices. Jun Li, Corey Carlos & Xudong Wang Article 17 October 2023 | Open Access Capturing nascent extracellular vesicles by metabolic glycan labeling-assisted microfluidics Temporally sorting EV populations is hard. Here the authors report a microfluidic-based strategy to enable selective isolation of nascent EVs by using azido groups to act as a timestamp for click chemistry labelling: they apply this to mouse models of anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy. Qiuyue Wu, Wencheng Wang & Yanling Song Article 17 October 2023 | Open Access Prediction of nonlayered oxide monolayers as flexible high-κ dielectrics with negative Poisson’s ratios 2D dielectric materials with high dielectric constant (κ) are needed for the implementation of scalable electronic devices. Here, the authors predict 51 potentially exfoliable nonlayered oxide monolayers with high κ values, anomalous mechanical properties and large spin orbit coupling. Yue Hu, Jingwen Jiang & Pu Huang Article 17 October 2023 | Open Access Deep-LASI: deep-learning assisted, single-molecule imaging analysis of multi-color DNA origami structures Analysis of single-molecule experiments remains time-consuming and prone to human bias. Here, the authors propose Deep-Learning Assisted Single-molecule Imaging analysis, a tool to rapidly analyse single-, two- and three-color single-molecule FRET data. Simon Wanninger, Pooyeh Asadiatouei & Don C. Lamb Article 17 October 2023 | Open Access NIR-dye bridged human serum albumin reassemblies for effective photothermal therapy of tumor Human serum albumin (HSA) can be used as a drug delivery material for cancer therapy. Here, the authors report an HSA-based photothermal platform that improves drug loading and photothermal therapeutic performance in breast cancer mouse models. Zhaoqing Shi, Miaomiao Luo & Hongzhong Chen Article 16 October 2023 | Open Access Upcycling fish scales through heating for steganography and Rhodamine B adsorption application Waste materials including fish scales are increasingly being developed for alternative applications, but simple processing is required. Here, the authors report the treatment of fish scales to give fluorescent materials suitable for dye absorption. Malcolm Miao Geng Sow, Zheng Zhang & Sharon Xiaodai Lim Article 16 October 2023 | Open Access Photoelectrochemical oxidative C(sp3)−H borylation of unactivated hydrocarbons Organoboron compounds are of high interest in organic synthesis due to the versatility of boryl substituents that allows access to further modifications. Here, the authors report on the development of an oxidative C(sp3)−H borylation reaction under metal- and oxidant-free conditions, enabled by photoelectrochemical strategy Ping-Fu Zhong, Jia-Lin Tu & Wujiong Xia Article 16 October 2023 | Open Access A biocompatible electrolyte enables highly reversible Zn anode for zinc ion battery Aqueous zinc metal batteries utilized in wearable and implanted devices require good biosecurity, long lifespan, and high flexibility. Here, the authors proposed a biocompatible hyaluronic acid-based gel electrolyte to improve the reversibility of zinc anodes and prolong the cycle life of batteries. Guanjie Li, Zihan Zhao & Zaiping Guo Article 16 October 2023 | Open Access Electrochemically induced crystalline-to-amorphization transformation in sodium samarium silicate solid electrolyte for long-lasting sodium metal batteries Solid-state sodium metal batteries require solid electrolytes with high ionic conductivity and optimal electrode compatibility. Here, the authors introduce the Na5SmSi4O12 solid electrolyte with a crystalline-to-amorphous transformation, achieving 4000 cycles lifetime without capacity decline. Ge Sun, Chenjie Lou & Fei Du Article 16 October 2023 | Open Access Rationalizing kinetic behaviors of isolated boron sites catalyzed oxidative dehydrogenation of propane The kinetic parameters in heterogeneous catalysis are informative in a mechanistic study. Here, the authors show the correlation between the coordination environment of isolated boron sites and the kinetics of oxidative dehydrogenation of propane. Hao Tian, Wenying Li & Bingjun Xu Article 16 October 2023 | Open Access Quantitative three-dimensional local order analysis of nanomaterials through electron diffraction Correlated disorder can lead to phenomena that are inaccessible to ordered structures. Here the authors show that local order principles can be directly derived from the three-dimensional difference pair distribution function based on the single crystal diffuse scattering in 3D electron diffraction data from nanometre sized crystals. Ella Mara Schmidt, Paul Benjamin Klar & Lukas Palatinus Article 16 October 2023 | Open Access Controlling the selectivity of the hydrogenolysis of polyamides catalysed by ceria-supported metal nanoparticles Converting waste plastic into valuable chemicals is of high interest. However, transformation of N-containing polymers is still challenging. Here the authors report hydrogenolysis of various polyamides using Pt-group metal supported on CeO2 with different selectivity of the alkane using varied Pt-group metals. XinBang Wu, Wei-Tse Lee & Paul J. Dyson Article 16 October 2023 | Open Access Redundancy and the role of protein copy numbers in the cell polarization machinery of budding yeast Cell polarization of budding yeast recovers reliably and reproducibly from loss of one of its key components. Here, the authors show how this robustness emerges from redundant self-organization mechanisms coexisting within the underlying protein network. Fridtjof Brauns, Leila M. Iñigo de la Cruz & Erwin Frey