Article 08 April 2024 | Open Access Optics miniaturization strategy for demanding Raman spectroscopy applications Authors present a centimeter-scale miniaturized Raman spectrometer using cheap nonstabilized laser diodes, densely packed optics, and non-cooled small sensors while the performance is comparable with expensive bulky research-grade Raman systems. Oleksii Ilchenko, Yurii Pilhun & Anja Boisen Article 08 April 2024 | Open Access Pushing thermal conductivity to its lower limit in crystals with simple structures The pursuit of materials with low heat conductivity is vital for numerous applications. Here, the authors find AgTlI2 show low heat conductivity of 0.25 W/mK at room temperature, discussing its thermal transport mechanisms. Zezhu Zeng, Xingchen Shen & Yue Chen Article 08 April 2024 | Open Access Universal inter-molecular radical transfer reactions on metal surfaces Radicals are expected to be inactive on metal surfaces. Here the authors describe general intermolecular radical transfer reactions on Ag and Cu surfaces and confirm the reaction mechanism by extensive control experiments. Junbo Wang, Kaifeng Niu & Lifeng Chi Article 08 April 2024 | Open Access Slow magnetic relaxation in a europium(II) complex This study introduces a Eu(II) single molecule magnet that exhibits slow magnetic relaxation at low temperatures. These results highlight the importance of the lanthanide ion’s crystal field in unlocking the magnet-like properties of Eu(II). Dylan Errulat, Katie L. M. Harriman & Muralee Murugesu Article 08 April 2024 | Open Access Essential role of lattice oxygen in hydrogen sensing reaction Understanding the sensing mechanism of metal oxide semiconductors is imperative for developing high-performance sensors. Here, the participation of lattice oxygen, caused by additional Ge, boosts the hydrogen sensing ability of SnO2. Jiayu Li, Wenzhe Si & Guo-Dong Li Article 08 April 2024 | Open Access Onion-like multicolor thermally activated delayed fluorescent carbon quantum dots for efficient electroluminescent light-emitting diodes Shi et al. report the synthesis of multicolour thermally activated delayed fluorescent carbon dots with 3D onion-like configuration to stabilise the triplet state and reduce the singlet-triplet energy gap. LEDs with EQE of 6.0–9.9% are achieved, a step further for efficient and stable displays. Yuxin Shi, Yang Zhang & Louzhen Fan Article 08 April 2024 | Open Access Electron paramagnetic resonance as a tool to determine the sodium charge storage mechanism of hard carbon Hard carbons are considered the most suitable negative electrode materials for Na-ion batteries. Here, authors use electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy to determine the spin nature of mechanochemically-modified hard carbons to predict their charge storage mechanism for sodium-ion batteries. Bin Wang, Jack R. Fitzpatrick & Nuria Tapia-Ruiz Article 06 April 2024 | Open Access Ligand-modified nanoparticle surfaces influence CO electroreduction selectivity Enhancing the kinetics and selectivity of CO2/CO electroreduction towards valuable multi-carbon products poses a scientific challenge and is imperative for practical applicability. Here the authors report that modifying copper catalysts with surface thiol ligands significantly improves acetate selectivity. Erfan Shirzadi, Qiu Jin & Edward H. Sargent Article 06 April 2024 | Open Access Convoluted micellar morphological transitions driven by tailorable mesogenic ordering effect from discotic mesogen-containing block copolymer Assembly of block copolymers can be controlled to give varying morphologies and functionalities, but there are still aspects of the process that are not well understood. Here, the authors report convoluted self-assembly behaviours of block copolymers with discotic liquid crystalline moieties. Huanzhi Yang, Yunjun Luo & Xiaoyu Li Article 06 April 2024 | Open Access Artificial kagome lattices of Shockley surface states patterned by halogen hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks By utilizing the templating effect of a halogen hydrogen-bonded organic framework, the authors show that the Shockley surface states of coinage metals can be patterned into artificial kagome lattices with high tunability. Ruoting Yin, Xiang Zhu & Bing Wang Article 06 April 2024 | Open Access Ultrastiff metamaterials generated through a multilayer strategy and topology optimization High-performance mechanical metamaterials have been designed through a multilayer strategy and topology optimization, showing capability in approaching the theoretical stiffness limit, as well as prospects in treating multiphysics problems Yang Liu, Yongzhen Wang & Jianbin Du Article 06 April 2024 | Open Access Emissive brightening in molecular graphene nanoribbons by twilight states The authors demonstrate that the band structure of graphene nanoribbons is modulated by cove edges, brightening the luminescence 4-fold via emission from otherwise dark twilight states. High spectral resolution of the optical response reveals strong vibron-electron coupling Bernd K. Sturdza, Fanmiao Kong & Robin J. Nicholas Article 06 April 2024 | Open Access A silicon photoanode protected with TiO2/stainless steel bilayer stack for solar seawater splitting Here, the authors report a Si photoanode coated with a TiO2/stainless steel bilayer to inhibit chloride adsorption and facilitate stable alkaline seawater splitting for over 50 h with an applied bias photon-to-current efficiency of 2.62%. Shixuan Zhao, Bin Liu & Jinlong Gong Article 06 April 2024 | Open Access Asymmetric magnetization switching and programmable complete Boolean logic enabled by long-range intralayer Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction The authors find a magnetization switching mechanism and the long-range intralayer Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction effect, which enables asymmetric magnetization switching and complete Boolean logic operations. Qianbiao Liu, Long Liu & Lijun Zhu Article 06 April 2024 | Open Access Light-induced giant enhancement of nonreciprocal transport at KTaO3-based interfaces Optical control is an alternative pathway to boost nonlinear transport in noncentrosymmetric systems. Here, the authors observe a light-induced giant enhancement of nonreciprocal transport coefficient as high as 105 A−1 T−1 at KTaO3-based Rashba interfaces. Xu Zhang, Tongshuai Zhu & Xuefeng Wang Article 06 April 2024 | Open Access Modified t-butyl in tetradentate platinum (II) complexes enables exceptional lifetime for blue-phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes It has been challenging to realize efficient and stable blue phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes. Here, authors explore the effect of substitution position in platinum(II) dopants with suppressed metal-metal-to-ligand charge transfer features, resulting in prolonged lifetime in the devices. Young Hun Jung, Gyeong Seok Lee & Jang Hyuk Kwon Article 06 April 2024 | Open Access The impact of low-mode symmetry on inertial fusion energy output in the burning plasma state Recent improvements in the indirect-drive inertial confinement fusion experiments include the achievement of burning plasma state. Here the authors report the scaling of neutron yield in a burning plasma of Deuterium-Tritium fusion reaction by including the mode-2 asymmetry. J. E. Ralph, J. S. Ross & G. B. Zimmerman Article 06 April 2024 | Open Access Overcoming low initial coulombic efficiencies of Si anodes through prelithiation in all-solid-state batteries All-solid-state batteries with silicon anodes have high capacities but low initial coulombic efficiencies (ICEs) because of first cycle irreversible capacity loss. Here, the authors report a prelithiation strategy to improve ICEs and reversibility. So-Yeon Ham, Elias Sebti & Ying Shirley Meng Article 06 April 2024 | Open Access Tumor-activated in situ synthesis of single-atom catalysts for O2-independent photodynamic therapy based on water-splitting The utility of single-atom catalysts (SACs) for photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been limited by tumor hypoxia and side effects on normal tissues. Here the authors address these issues by developing an approach of tumor microenvironment-activated in situ synthesis of SACs for tumor-specific water-based PDT. Yiyan Yin, Xiyang Ge & Na Na Article 06 April 2024 | Open Access In situ observation of the atomic shuffles during the {\({{11}}\bar{{{2}}}{{1}}\)} twinning in hexagonal close-packed rhenium Atomic shuffles are important phenomena accompanying the twinning in hexagonal close-packed crystals, but the direct experimental observation on it is lacking. Here, the authors show the shuffling mechanism of {112 ̅1} twinning in rhenium nanocrystals by in situ transmission electron microscopy. Yang He, Zhengwu Fang & Scott X. Mao Article 06 April 2024 | Open Access EEG decoders track memory dynamics Successful memorization could be decoded from brain activity. Here the authors decode human memory success from EEG recordings, suggesting memory is linked to context. Yuxuan Li, Jesse K. Pazdera & Michael J. Kahana Article 05 April 2024 | Open Access Long lifetimes white afterglow in slightly crosslinked polymer systems It is challenging to achieve multicolor long-lived room temperature phosphorescence in intrinsic polymers, especially for white afterglow. Here, the authors report a strategy to obtain pure white afterglow micro-crosslinked polymers by covalently coupling different conjugated chromophores with precursors through a simple and rapid one-pot reaction. Qingao Chen, Lunjun Qu & Chaolong Yang Article 05 April 2024 | Open Access Rewritable printing of ionic liquid nanofilm utilizing focused ion beam induced film wetting With a helium focused ion beam, an ionic liquid can undergo induced wetting to flow into a desired pattern on a surface in a controllable, rewriteable manner. Combined with electrochemical deposition, patterned solid materials can be produced. Haohao Gu, Kaixin Meng & Hao Wang Article 05 April 2024 | Open Access Chemical unclonable functions based on operable random DNA pools Physical unclonable functions provide algorithm-independent cryptography based on non-distributable unique tokens. Here, the authors introduce unclonable functions based on random DNA pools, enabling secure decentralized authentication. Anne M. Luescher, Andreas L. Gimpel & Robert N. Grass Article 05 April 2024 | Open Access Hidden non-collinear spin-order induced topological surface states Several recent experimental studies have found disconnected Fermi surface arcs emerging below the Neel temperature in several rare-earth mono-pnictides. While these electronic states have been attributed to a non-collinear antiferromagnetic order, experimental evidence of this has been lacking. Here Huang et al demonstrate the emergence of non-collinear antiferromagnetic order using spin-polarized scanning tunnelling microscopy. Zengle Huang, Hemian Yi & Weida Wu Article 05 April 2024 | Open Access Efficient bubble/precipitate traffic enables stable seawater reduction electrocatalysis at industrial-level current densities Seawater electroreduction is a promising technique for producing hydrogen, but it is hindered by cathodic Mg2 + /Ca2+ precipitation. Here, the authors propose a microscopic bubble/precipitate traffic system that releases small-sized bubbles across the cathode to repel Mg2 + /Ca2+ precipitates from almost the entire surface area of the catalyst. Jie Liang, Zhengwei Cai & Bo Tang Article 05 April 2024 | Open Access A metasurface-based full-color circular auto-focusing Airy beam transmitter for stable high-speed underwater wireless optical communications Authors present an adaptive underwater optical communication (UWOC) technology based on multi-wavelength lasers and a full-color metasurface for converting visible-band Gaussian to circular autofocusing Airy beams. The potential of Airy beams to mitigate optical power degradation is demonstrated, enabling stable data rate transmission via 4 K video transmission for these systems. Junhui Hu, Zeyuan Guo & Chao Shen Article 05 April 2024 | Open Access LaMg6Ga6S16: a chemical stable divalent lanthanide chalcogenide Synthesising chemically stable divalent lanthanide compounds is still faced by great challenges. Here, by using octahedra coupling tetrahedra single/double chains to construct an octahedral crystal field, authors synthesised a stable crystalline La(II)-chalcogenide, LaMg6Ga6S16. Yujie Zhang, Jiale Chen & Hongwei Yu Article 05 April 2024 | Open Access Compact meta-differentiator for achieving isotropically high-contrast ultrasonic imaging High-contrast ultrasonic imaging holds significant importance in biomedical and engineering applications. Here, the authors present a compact spatial differentiator tailored for underwater isotropic edge-enhanced imaging, facilitating the realization of high-contrast ultrasonic imaging. Yurou Jia, Suying Zhang & Xiaojun Liu Article 05 April 2024 | Open Access Activating reversible carbonate reactions in Nasicon solid electrolyte-based Na-air battery via in-situ formed catholyte Metal-air batteries, operated in ambient air, suffer from irreversible redox reactions, limiting their energy density. Herein, the authors present a solid electrolyte-based sodium-air battery with a reversible carbonate reaction, facilitated by the in-situ formed catholyte enabled by moisture. Heetaek Park, Minseok Kang & Byoungwoo Kang Article 05 April 2024 | Open Access Bioelectric stimulation controls tissue shape and size Electrical stimulation of hollow, 3D kidney tissues causes these tissues to inflate and change shape. The authors call this process electro-inflation and connect it to electricity driving ions into the center of the tissues, causing water to follow by osmosis. Gawoon Shim, Isaac B. Breinyn & Daniel J. Cohen Article 05 April 2024 | Open Access DeepDOF-SE: affordable deep-learning microscopy platform for slide-free histology Histopathology can be limited by the time-consuming and labour-intensive preparation of slides from resected tissue. Here, the authors report DeepDOF-SE, a deep-learning-enabled microscope to rapidly scan intact tissue at cellular resolution without the need for physical sectioning. Lingbo Jin, Yubo Tang & Ashok Veeraraghavan Article 05 April 2024 | Open Access Decoding early stress signaling waves in living plants using nanosensor multiplexing Upon stress, plants activate a signaling cascade leading to resistance or stress adaptation. Here, Ang & Saju et al. use sensor multiplexing to elucidate the interplay between H2O2 and SA signaling as plants mount stress-specific defense responses. Mervin Chun-Yi Ang, Jolly Madathiparambil Saju & Rajani Sarojam Article 04 April 2024 | Open Access Observation of Kekulé vortices around hydrogen adatoms in graphene Kekulé vortices in hexagonal lattices can host fractionalized charges at zero magnetic field, but have remained out of experimental reach. Here, the authors report a Kekulé vortex in the local density states of graphene around a chemisorbed hydrogen adatom. Yifei Guan, Clement Dutreix & Vincent T. Renard Article 04 April 2024 | Open Access Aluminum corrosion–passivation regulation prolongs aqueous batteries life Aqueous batteries have a short lifespan due to Al current collector corrosion and Li loss from side reactions on the anode. Here, the authors propose a prototype of self-prolonging aqueous Li-ion batteries by introducing hydrolyzation-type anodic additives to regulate Al corrosion-passivation. Binghang Liu, Tianshi Lv & Liumin Suo Article 04 April 2024 | Open Access Intercavity polariton slows down dynamics in strongly coupled cavities Band engineering in optics allows the design of unconventional forms of light with potential optoelectronic applications. Here, the authors realize slow-light intercavity polaritons in an array of coupled cavities, the photonic architecture enables the spatial segregation of photons and excitons Yesenia A. García Jomaso, Brenda Vargas & Giuseppe Pirruccio Article 04 April 2024 | Open Access Paired electrocatalysis unlocks cross-dehydrogenative coupling of C(sp3)-H bonds using a pentacoordinated cobalt-salen catalyst Cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) of C-H bonds is an ideal approach for C-C bond construction but suffers from low selectivity of similar C-H bonds. Here, the authors describe a highly selective paired electrocatalysis strategy towards CDC combining hydrogen evolution reaction catalysis with hydride transfer catalysis. Ke Liu, Mengna Lei & Sheng Zhang Article 04 April 2024 | Open Access Molecular insight into the initial hydration of tricalcium aluminate The hydration of tricalcium aluminate is an important initial step in the structural build-up of Portland cement. Here the authors use ab initio and accelerated dynamics to describe the reactions and dynamics of this process at the molecular level. Xing Ming, Wen Si & Zongjin Li Article 04 April 2024 | Open Access A Janus carbaporphyrin pseudo-dimer Carbaporphyrin dimers, known for their interesting photophysical properties and application in metal-organic chemistry, generally contain two identical subunits. Here, the authors highlight the benefits that can accrue from breaking the inherent symmetry of carbaporphyrin dimers and details a new approach to creating heterobimetallic complexes. Haodan He, Jiyeon Lee & Xian-Sheng Ke Article 04 April 2024 | Open Access Crosslinking-induced patterning of MOFs by direct photo- and electron-beam lithography Precise and scalable patterning is essential for the use of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in solid-state electronics and photonics. Here, the authors report on resistance-free, direct photo- and electron-beam lithography of MOF films using crosslinking chemistry. Xiaoli Tian, Fu Li & Jinghong Li Article 04 April 2024 | Open Access Aggregation induced emission dynamic chiral europium(III) complexes with excellent circularly polarized luminescence and smart sensors Chiral luminescent materials are of increasing interest in various applications, but achieving a desirable balance of properties can be challenging. Here, the authors report the development of Eu-based complexes with chiral luminescence and aggregation induced emission. Yun-Lan Li, Hai-Ling Wang & Hua-Hong Zou Article 04 April 2024 | Open Access Diffusion-rate sieving of propylene and propane mixtures in a cooperatively dynamic porous crystal Porous coordination polymers (PCPs) are commonly used in gas separation processes but developing PCPs that work at high temperatures and feature both high uptake capacity and selectivity remains challenging. Here, the authors report diffusion-rate sieving of propylene/propane at 300 K by constructing a PCP whose global and local dynamics cooperatively govern the adsorption process via gate opening for propylene and diffusion regulation for propane. Yan Su, Ken-ichi Otake & Cheng Gu Article 04 April 2024 | Open Access The formation of unsaturated IrOx in SrIrO3 by cobalt-doping for acidic oxygen evolution reaction SrIrO3-based catalyst is a promising candidate for acidic oxygen evolution reaction (OER), but the active sites and factors responsible for its effectiveness remain ambiguous. Here, the authors reveal that dynamic dissolution of Co in Co-SrIrO3 leads to the formation of unsaturated IrOx, enabling high-efficiency OER. Jia-Wei Zhao, Kaihang Yue & Gao-Ren Li Article 04 April 2024 | Open Access Nickel-catalyzed switchable arylative/endo-cyclization of 1,6-enynes Divergent functionalizations of pi bonds allow for synthetic chemists to move from simplicity to complexity. Here, the authors report a nickel-catalyzed switchable arylation/cyclization of 1,6-enynes in which the nature of the ligand dictates the regioselectivity of alkyne arylation, while the electrophilic trapping reagents determine the selectivity of the cyclization mode. Wenfeng Liu, Wei Li & Wangqing Kong Article 04 April 2024 | Open Access Low thermal contact resistance boron nitride nanosheets composites enabled by interfacial arc-like phonon bridge Boron nitride nanosheets possess high in-plane thermal conductivity and high thermal contact resistance. Here the authors discover obliquely aligned nanosheets at the interface can act as a phonon bridge to lower the contact resistance. Ke Zhan, Yucong Chen & Ling Qiu Article 04 April 2024 | Open Access Integrated mechanical computing for autonomous soft machines Many mechanical computation platforms developed till date lack a rational design strategy and have limited computational functions, such as stand-alone single logic gates, or deformation/transition behaviors. Byun at al. have reported a systematic design principle for integrated mechanical computing that enables the electronics-free design of autonomous and intelligent soft machines, which are seamlessly integrated. Junghwan Byun, Aniket Pal & Metin Sitti Article 04 April 2024 | Open Access Switching the spin cycloid in BiFeO3 with an electric field Previous understanding of the coupling between ferroelectric structure and magnetic texture in BiFeO3 has relied on mesoscale measurements. Here, the authors image coupling directly, showing a complex spin cycloid controlled with electric field. Peter Meisenheimer, Guy Moore & Ramamoorthy Ramesh Article 04 April 2024 | Open Access An all-optical multidirectional mechano-sensor inspired by biologically mechano-sensitive hair sensilla Hair-like sensilla are evolved widely in organisms that perceive mechanical signals. Here, the authors report an all-optical mechano-sensor that can detect the real-time, directional displacement and force at several nm and μN levels. Yuxiang Li, Zhihe Guo & Xiang Wu Article 04 April 2024 | Open Access Flash healing of laser-induced graphene Laser-induced graphene (LIG) can be obtained via a practically convenient approach, but its amorphous characteristics limit its applications. Here, the authors report a flash Joule heating strategy to improve the crystalline quality and conductivity of LIG, leading to strain sensors with enhanced sensitivity. Le Cheng, Chi Shun Yeung & Ruquan Ye Article 04 April 2024 | Open Access Pd/NiMoO4/NF electrocatalysts for the efficient and ultra-stable synthesis and electrolyte-assisted extraction of glycolate Here, the authors report a path for electrocatalytic conversions of alcohols through in-situ acid-base reaction and the design of electrocatalysts. In this work, the electrocatalyst had reduced Pd content, improved efficiency, and lowered costs. Kai Shi, Di Si & Jianlin Shi