Article 03 November 2023 | Open Access Negative capacitors and inductors enabling wideband waveguide metatronics The authors showcase a method to design negative lumped elements by engineering the effective permittivity within the waveguide, which enables realizations of wideband waveguide metatronics and promises performance enhancement in various fields. Xu Qin, Pengyu Fu & Yue Li Article 03 November 2023 | Open Access Parallel window decoding enables scalable fault tolerant quantum computation In order to be useful for future large-scale quantum computing, quantum error correction needs to allow for fast enough classical decoding time, while at the moment the slowdown is exponential in the size of the code. Here, the authors remove this roadblock, showing how to parallelize decoding and make the slowdown polynomial. Luka Skoric, Dan E. Browne & Earl T. Campbell Article 03 November 2023 | Open Access Non-reciprocity across scales in active mixtures Non-reciprocal interactions (NRI) are ubiquitous in active systems, but, in the presence of NRI, it is difficult to predict which microscopic systems correspond to a given macroscopic description. Dinelli et al. relate microscopic and macroscopic dynamics of active mixtures and show that non-reciprocity strongly depends on the scale of description. Alberto Dinelli, Jérémy O’Byrne & Julien Tailleur Article 03 November 2023 | Open Access Observation of an exotic insulator to insulator transition upon electron doping the Mott insulator CeMnAsO Doping a Mott insulator can lead to novel electronic states. Wildman et al. observe a novel quantum insulating state in electron-doped Mott insulator CeMnAsO and propose a tentative interpretation in terms of many-body localization, which has not been observed in a solid-state material. E. J. Wildman, G. B. Lawrence & A. C. Mclaughlin Article 03 November 2023 | Open Access Distinct spin and orbital dynamics in Sr2RuO4 The authors present resonant inelastic x-ray scattering measurements of Sr2RuO4 in the normal Fermi-liquid state. They find that spin excitations are confined below 200 meV, while orbital fluctuations appear only at higher energies. This separation of energy scales is a hallmark of Hund’s-rule-induced electron correlations. H. Suzuki, L. Wang & B. Keimer Article 03 November 2023 | Open Access The nature and nurture of network evolution Degree distributions are often used as informative descriptions of complex networks, however previous studies mainly focused on characterizing the tail of the distribution. The authors propose an evolutionary model that integrates the weight and degree of a node, which allows to better capture degree and degree ratio distributions of real networks and replicate their evolution processes. Bin Zhou, Petter Holme & Xiangyi Meng Article 02 November 2023 | Open Access Transport of bound quasiparticle states in a two-dimensional boundary superfluid Superfluid 3He appears to be composed of two independent superfluid subsystems. Here the authors discuss diffusion of quasiparticles in the two-dimensional boundary superfluid. Samuli Autti, Richard P. Haley & Dmitry E. Zmeev Article 02 November 2023 | Open Access Emergent superconductivity in topological-kagome-magnet/metal heterostructures The authors deposit non-superconducting metallic thin films on surfaces of the kagome Chern magnet TbMn6Sn6 and observe emergent superconductivity even though neither component is a superconductor. Furthermore, the superconducting state is quasi-two-dimensional and coexists with ferromagnetism, consistent with possible spin-triplet pairing and topological superconductivity. He Wang, Yanzhao Liu & Jian Wang Article 02 November 2023 | Open Access Evidence for ground state coherence in a two-dimensional Kondo lattice Recently the Kondo effect has been observed in transition metal dichalcogenide heterobilayers, but the evidence for low-temperature coherent state has been missing. Wan et al. observe signatures of such state in the form of a split Kondo peak with a characteristic magnetic-field dependence by STM at 340 mK. Wen Wan, Rishav Harsh & Miguel M. Ugeda Article 02 November 2023 | Open Access Azobenzene-based optoelectronic transistors for neurohybrid building blocks Designing efficient optoelectronic synaptic devices with advanced light responsive multimodal platforms remains a challenge. Here, the authors report on an organic optoelectronic neuromorphic platform that is based on conductive polymers and light-sensitive molecules that can be used to imitate the retina including visual pathways and typical memory processes of neurons. Federica Corrado, Ugo Bruno & Francesca Santoro Article 02 November 2023 | Open Access Threefold coordinated germanium in a GeO2 melt The structure of GeO2 melt has been debated for decades due to several unexplained bands present in the GeO2 melt Raman spectra. Here authors present a promising way to analyse melt structures from Raman spectra and they demonstrate threefold coordinated germanium is formed in the GeO2 melt. Songming Wan, Shujie Zhang & Jinglin You Article 02 November 2023 | Open Access Evidence for two dimensional anisotropic Luttinger liquids at millikelvin temperatures Recently, a Luttinger liquid state was reported in a moiré superlattice of bilayer tungsten ditelluride at small twist angles and temperatures of a few kelvins. Here, the authors extend this result to millikelvin temperatures, supporting the existence of the 2D anisotropic Luttinger liquid as a stable ground state. Guo Yu, Pengjie Wang & Sanfeng Wu Article 02 November 2023 | Open Access A general large-scale synthesis approach for crystalline porous materials The large-scale production of crystalline porous materials remains a challenge. Here the authors report a general approach of high-pressure homogenization that can realize large-scale synthesis of crystalline porous materials under benign conditions. Xiongli Liu, An Wang & Shengqian Ma Article 02 November 2023 | Open Access Screening the Coulomb interaction leads to a prethermal regime in two-dimensional bad conductors Many-body localization is observed in synthetic systems, but experiments on real materials with Coulomb interactions are vital for insights in higher dimensions. Stanley et al. report a prethermal regime in the dynamics of a 2D disordered electron system in Si MOSFETs and explore the effects of interaction range. L. J. Stanley, Ping V. Lin & Dragana Popović Article 02 November 2023 | Open Access Intrinsic surface p-wave superconductivity in layered AuSn4 The authors study the layered superconductor AuSn4 (Tc = 2.4 K) and reveal a two-fold symmetric angular dependence, consistent with unconventional pairing. They argue that the two-fold symmetry results from the Rashba-driven mixture of p-wave surface and s-wave bulk contributions. Wenliang Zhu, Rui Song & Qi-Kun Xue Article 02 November 2023 | Open Access Title: experimental realisation of multi-qubit gates using electron paramagnetic resonance Molecular electron spins are promising qubit candidates, however physical implementation of quantum gates is challenging. Little et al. explore the implementation of two-qubit entangling gates between nitroxide spin centres by pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance, building on NMR quantum computing protocols. Edmund J. Little, Jacob Mrozek & Richard E. P. Winpenny Article 02 November 2023 | Open Access Efficient ultrafast field-driven spin current generation for spintronic terahertz frequency conversion Terahertz frequencies offer the potential of much higher data transfer rates, but this requires devices able to generate and manipulate terahertz waves. One approach is to utilize the spin dynamics of a magnetic system. Here, Ilyakov et al. show how a multilayer magnetic and heavy-metal heterostructure can be used to achieve terahertz second harmonic generation and optical rectification. Igor Ilyakov, Arne Brataas & Sergey Kovalev Article 02 November 2023 | Open Access Charge decay in the spatial afterglow of plasmas and its impact on diffusion regimes Plasmas have different properties at the boundaries as compared to the bulk which has important implications for applications. Here, the authors study charge decay in a spatial afterglow by both experimental diagnostics and modeling to reveal a transition from ambipolar to free diffusion. Nabiel H. Abuyazid, Necip B. Üner & R. Mohan Sankaran Article 02 November 2023 | Open Access An invertible, invariant crystal representation for inverse design of solid-state materials using generative deep learning The lack of invertible and invariant crystal representations hinders the inverse design of crystals. Here the authors develop SLICES, an invertible and invariant representation, empowering property-driven inverse design of crystals using generative AI. Hang Xiao, Rong Li & Lei Wang Article 02 November 2023 | Open Access Efficient optical plasmonic tweezer-controlled single-molecule SERS characterization of pH-dependent amylin species in aqueous milieus Studying rare species in mixtures is challenging. Here, authors utilize on-and-off optical plasmonic trapping to control SERS-active nanocavity to analyse pH-dependent amylin species at single-molecule level, unveiling amyloid aggregation mechanisms. Wenhao Fu, Huanyu Chi & Jinqing Huang Article 02 November 2023 | Open Access Engineering a scalable and orthogonal platform for synthetic communication in mammalian cells The rational design and implementation of synthetic mammalian communication systems can unravel fundamental design principles of cell communication circuits and offer a framework for engineering of designer cell consortia with potential applications in cell therapeutics. Here the authors present a synthetic communication platform in mammalian cells based on diffusible dipeptide ligands and synthetic receptors, that is by design highly orthogonal, scalable, and programmable. Anna-Maria Makri Pistikou, Glenn A. O. Cremers & Tom F. A. de Greef Article 02 November 2023 | Open Access Catalytic ozonation mechanism over M1-N3C1 active sites Understanding the atomic-level structure-activity relationship in catalytic ozonation is crucial. Here, the authors reveal single-metal-atom-dependent catalytic ozonation and identify surface atomic oxygen reactivity as a descriptor in this relationship. Dingren Ma, Qiyu Lian & Jiaguo Yu Article 02 November 2023 | Open Access In situ quantification of osmotic pressure within living embryonic tissues Osmotic pressure is thought to play a key role in many cellular and developmental processes, but remains challenging to measure it in cells and tissues. Here, the authors present a sensor based on double emulsion droplets that allows quantification of osmotic pressure in situ and in vivo. Antoine Vian, Marie Pochitaloff & Otger Campàs Article 01 November 2023 | Open Access Photocatalytic CO2 reduction to syngas using metallosalen covalent organic frameworks Here, the authors report a gram-scale, one-step synthesis of metallosalen-covalent organic frameworks (M(salen)-COFs) without vacuum evacuation. M(salen)-COFs exhibit good crystallinity and adjustable activities in CO2 photoreduction to syngas. Wei Zhou, Xiao Wang & Wei-Qiao Deng Article 01 November 2023 | Open Access Nanosensitizer-mediated augmentation of sonodynamic therapy efficacy and antitumor immunity The dense stroma of desmoplastic tumor limits nanotherapeutic penetration and hampers the antitumor immune response. Here the authors use tin monosulfide nanoparticles as nano-sonosensitizers to overcome the stromal barrier in triple negative breast cancer and improve the efficacy of sonodynamic therapy and boost antitumor immunity. Yongjiang Li, Wei Chen & Wei Tao Article 01 November 2023 | Open Access A low-nuclear Ag4 nanocluster as a customized catalyst for the cyclization of propargylamine with CO2 The preparation of 2-Oxazolidinones using carbon dioxide offers a productive yet clean synthesis route. Here, a low-nuclear Ag4 nanocluster catalytic system helps the simultaneous activation and the cyclization of propargylamine with CO2. Lin Li, Ying Lv & Manzhou Zhu Article 01 November 2023 | Open Access Quantum storage of entangled photons at telecom wavelengths in a crystal Storage of photon entanglement at telecommunication wavelength is an important milestone for the development of the quantum internet. Here, the authors demonstrate storage and retrieval of entangled telecom photons—generated through SWFM in a silicon nitride microring resonator—in an Erbium doped crystal. Ming-Hao Jiang, Wenyi Xue & Xiao-Song Ma Article 01 November 2023 | Open Access Metasurface-empowered snapshot hyperspectral imaging with convex/deep (CODE) small-data learning theory Hyperspectral imagers play a vital role in material identification, but traditionally, they have been bulky. Here, the authors introduce a compact hyperspectral imaging system that combines metasurface optics with small-data deep learning. Chia-Hsiang Lin, Shih-Hsiu Huang & Pin Chieh Wu Article 01 November 2023 | Open Access Accelerated deprotonation with a hydroxy-silicon alkali solid for rechargeable zinc-air batteries Surface reconstruction caused by adsorbate evolution mechanism leads to poor oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance. Here, the authors introduce a hydroxy-silicon proton acceptor as OER catalyst which greatly accelerates the deprotonation process in OER and prolong the cycle life of zinc-ion batteries. Yaobin Wang, Xinlei Ge & Yunfei Bu Article 01 November 2023 | Open Access Defects and nanostrain gradients control phase transition mechanisms in single crystal high-voltage lithium spinel Lithiation dynamics and phase transition mechanisms in battery materials remain poorly understood. Here authors use operando X-ray nanodiffraction microscopy to reveal how domains relate to defects and how cycling affects the lattice domain reorientation in LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4 single crystals. Isaac Martens, Nikita Vostrov & Tobias U. Schulli Article 01 November 2023 | Open Access Online dynamical learning and sequence memory with neuromorphic nanowire networks Designing efficient neuromorphic systems based on nanowire networks remains a challenge. Here, Zhu et al. demonstrate brain-inspired learning and memory of spatiotemporal features using nanowire networks capable of MNIST handwritten digit classification and a novel sequence memory task performed in an online manner. Ruomin Zhu, Sam Lilak & Zdenka Kuncic Article 01 November 2023 | Open Access Kinetically matched C–N coupling toward efficient urea electrosynthesis enabled on copper single-atom alloy The synthesis of urea by electrochemically converting the waste of nitrate and carbon dioxide is an interesting approach, but currently still restricted to low urea yield rate and Faradaic efficiency. Here, the authors report an efficient copper single-atom alloy electrocatalyst toward urea electrosynthesis. Mengqiu Xu, Fangfang Wu & Wei Ye Article 01 November 2023 | Open Access Wafer-scale organic-on-III-V monolithic heterogeneous integration for active-matrix micro-LED displays The electrical properties of solution deposited organic semiconductor channels are sensitive to substrate surface and processing conditions. Here, authors develop organic-last-integration technology to fabricate multilayer organic thin film transistor material stack onto micro light-emitting diode. Lei Han, Simon Ogier & Xiaojun Guo Article 01 November 2023 | Open Access Reconfigurable self-assembly of photocatalytic magnetic microrobots for water purification Microrobot collectives promise new functions beyond individuals’ capability. Here, nature-inspired reconfigurable self-assembly of microrobots was created, driven by their photocatalytic and magnetic properties, showing potential application in water purification. Mario Urso, Martina Ussia & Martin Pumera Article 01 November 2023 | Open Access Charge-altering releasable transporters enhance mRNA delivery in vitro and exhibit in vivo tropism Polymers are promising for mRNA delivery, but can have limited efficacy in hard to transfect cells. Here, the authors report charge-altering releasable transporters for improved mRNA transfection in primary T-lymphocytes and enhanced and selective protein expression in vivo. Zhijian Li, Laura Amaya & Paul A. Wender Article 01 November 2023 | Open Access One-atom-thick hexagonal boron nitride co-catalyst for enhanced oxygen evolution reactions Developing efficient (co-)catalysts with optimized interfacial mass and charge transport properties is essential for enhanced electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction. Here, the authors report one-atom-thick hexagonal boron nitride co-catalyst with enhanced oxygen evolution reaction efficiency. Yizhen Lu, Bixuan Li & Yang Cao Article 31 October 2023 | Open Access Nickel-catalyzed acylzincation of allenes with organozincs and CO The development of carbonylative reactions with CO gas under mild conditions are important in organic synthesis. Here, the authors demonstrate an earth-abundant nickel-catalyzed three-component tandem acylzincation/cyclization sequence of allene and alkylzinc reagent with 1 atm of CO.’ Xianqing Wu, Chenglong Wang & Yifeng Chen Article 31 October 2023 | Open Access Synthesis of tertiary alkylphosphonate oligonucleotides through light-driven radical-polar crossover reactions Alkylphosphonates are used as chargeneutral replacements for naturally-occurring phosphodiester backbones in nucleotides but the choice of alkyl moieties that can be attached to phosphorus atoms in these compounds is limited to methyl groups or primary/secondary alkyls. Here, the authors demonstrate the tertiary alkylation of the phosphorus atoms of phosphites bearing two 2’-deoxynuclosides using a carbocation generated via a light-driven radical-polar crossover mechanism Kenji Ota, Kazunori Nagao & Hirohisa Ohmiya Article 31 October 2023 | Open Access Organomediated electrochemical fluorosulfonylation of aryl triflates via selective C–O bond cleavage Although aryl triflates are essential building blocks in organic synthesis, the applications as aryl radical precursors are limited. Here, the authors report an organomediated electrochemical strategy for the generation of aryl radicals from aryl triflates, providing a method for the synthesis of aryl sulfonyl fluorides from feedstock phenol derivatives under very mild conditions. Xianqiang Kong, Yiyi Chen & Zhong-Yan Cao Article 31 October 2023 | Open Access Revealing the role of double-layer microenvironments in pH-dependent oxygen reduction activity over metal-nitrogen-carbon catalysts By combining theoretical simulations and spectroscopic measurements, Peng Li et al. demonstrated that distinct interfacial double-layer structures play a key role in the pH-dependent oxygen reduction kinetics over metal-nitrogen-carbon catalysts. Peng Li, Yuzhou Jiao & Shengli Chen Article 31 October 2023 | Open Access Gate-controlled suppression of light-driven proton transport through graphene electrodes Recent experiments have shown that proton transport through graphene electrodes can be promoted by light, but the understanding of this phenomenon remains unclear. Here, the authors report the electrical tunability of this photo-effect, showing a connection between graphene electronic and proton transport properties. S. Huang, E. Griffin & M. Lozada-Hidalgo Article 31 October 2023 | Open Access Organic photodiodes with bias-switchable photomultiplication and photovoltaic modes Preparation of photodiodes with photomultiplication/photovoltaic two operating modes is promising but challenging. Here, the authors report a bias-switchable dual-mode organic photodiode by adopting traps and blocking layer, achieving detectivity of 1012 Jones and fast response speed in both modes. Qingxia Liu, Lingfeng Li & Yadong Jiang Article 31 October 2023 | Open Access Graphene/silicon heterojunction for reconfigurable phase-relevant activation function in coherent optical neural networks Designing an efficient activation function for optical neural networks remains a challenge. Here, the authors demonstrate a modulator-detector-in-one graphene/silicon heterojunction ring resonators enabling on-chip reconfigurable activation function devices with phase activation capability for optical neural networks. Chuyu Zhong, Kun Liao & Hongtao Lin Article 31 October 2023 | Open Access SEI growth on Lithium metal anodes in solid-state batteries quantified with coulometric titration time analysis In lithium-metal batteries, it is vital to quantify electrolyte side reactions occurring at the metal anode surface. Here, the authors introduce an electrochemical technique, using a series of small-step lithium deposition followed by open circuit voltage analysis, to accurately measure these reactions. Burak Aktekin, Luise M. Riegger & Jürgen Janek Article 31 October 2023 | Open Access Robust 2D layered MXene matrix–boron carbide hybrid films for neutron radiation shielding There is an urgent need to develop coatings with good neutron-absorption capacity and workability. Here the authors addressed these challenges by developing a scalable and solution processable two-dimensional Ti3C2Tx MXene hybrid film with homogeneously distributed B4C particles. Ju-Hyoung Han, Shi-Hyun Seok & Soon-Yong Kwon Article 31 October 2023 | Open Access Autonomous and dynamic precursor selection for solid-state materials synthesis Solid-state materials synthesis relies on effective precursor design. Here, the authors introduce an algorithm that combines ab-initio computations with insights gained from experimental outcomes to efficiently optimize the selection of precursors. Nathan J. Szymanski, Pragnay Nevatia & Gerbrand Ceder Article 31 October 2023 | Open Access Self-promoted electroactive biomimetic mineralized scaffolds for bacteria-infected bone regeneration Infected bone defects are a major challenge in orthopedic treatment. Here, the authors develop an electroactive mineralized scaffold that achieves nearly complete in situ healing of infected bone in rats, rabbits and beagle dogs. Zixin Li, Danqing He & Yan Liu Article 31 October 2023 | Open Access Extracting medicinal chemistry intuition via preference machine learning Over their careers, medicinal chemists develop a gut feeling for what is a promising molecule. Here, the authors use machine learning models to learn this intuition and show that it can be successfully applied in several drug discovery scenarios. Oh-Hyeon Choung, Riccardo Vianello & José Jiménez-Luna Article 31 October 2023 | Open Access Auxiliary sequential deposition enables 19%-efficiency organic solar cells processed from halogen-free solvents The optimization of morphology of active layers for halogen-free solvent processing is essential to enhance performance of organic solar cells. Here, the authors report auxiliary sequential deposition method together with branched-chain-engineered acceptor, realizing device efficiency of over 19%. Siwei Luo, Chao Li & He Yan Article 31 October 2023 | Open Access 0D van der Waals interfacial ferroelectricity Down-scaled ferroelectricity normally diminishes due to the arising depolarization field. Here, the authors realize a 0D ferroelectric diode device taking advantage of the sliding at the van der Waals interface by the two crossed tungsten disulfide nanotubes. Yue Niu, Lei Li & Yao Guo