Featured Article 07 September 2024 | Open Access Effect of ion-specific water structures at metal surfaces on hydrogen production Water structures at the electrolyte and electrode interfaces are crucial for electrochemical reactions. Here, the authors report that alkali metal cations can modify two-dimensional water networks at charged surfaces, impacting both reaction kinetics and efficiency. Ye Tian, Botao Huang & Ying Jiang Article 07 September 2024 | Open Access Spatiotemporal hologram The authors showcase a spatiotemporal holographic method that can arbitrarily sculpt spatiotemporal light by generating various spatiotemporal wavepackets. The ability to deploy these fully customizable wavepackets opens up exciting avenues for their use in broader applications. Qian Cao, Nianjia Zhang & Qiwen Zhan Article 07 September 2024 | Open Access Asymmetric paired oxidative and reductive catalysis enables enantioselective alkylarylation of olefins with C(sp3)−H bonds The pursuit of methods to rapidly construct of molecular complexity from easy-to-obtain starting materials drives chemical synthesis. Here, the authors report an asymmetric three-component coupling of simple alkanes, alkenes, and aryl halides, using asymmetric paired oxidative and reductive catalysis. Long Zou, Xinyue Zheng & Qingquan Lu Article 07 September 2024 | Open Access Supported Au single atoms and nanoparticles on MoS2 for highly selective CO2-to-CH3COOH photoreduction Reducing CO2 to CH3COOH using visible and near-infrared light is challenging. Here, Wu and Zhang et al. incorporate Au nanoparticles and single atoms into Mo-edge-rich MoS2 to provide a pathway to overcome limitations and boost productivity. Cai Chen, Chunyin Ye & Yuen Wu Article 07 September 2024 | Open Access A metal-free cascaded process for efficient H2O2 photoproduction using conjugated carbonyl sites Elucidating active sites and reaction pathways is an important goal for understanding catalytic reaction mechanisms. Here, the authors report the key role of conjugated carbonyl sites in carbon nitrides for photocatalytic H2O2 production. Tiwei He, Hongchao Tang & Zhenhui Kang Article 07 September 2024 | Open Access Ambient-pressure alkoxycarbonylation for sustainable synthesis of ester Alkoxycarbonylation reactions are widely used in the chemical industry, but their sustainability is often hindered by inefficient CO utilization. Here, the authors tackle the challenge by developing a sustainable and efficient carbonylation process for producing methyl propionate, achieving high CO utilization and regioselectivity. Bin Zhang, Haiyang Yuan & Graham J. Hutchings Article 07 September 2024 | Open Access Manipulation of anisotropic Zhang-Rice exciton in NiPS3 by magnetic field NiPS3 is a van der Waals antiferromagnet with a rich optical response including an exciton of very narrow linewidth, the origin of which is still a topic of active discussion. Herein, Song, Lv and coauthors study the response of the Zhang-Rice exciton to applied magnetic fields. Feilong Song, Yanpei Lv & Jun Zhang Article 07 September 2024 | Open Access Large Spin Polarization from symmetry-breaking Antiferromagnets in Antiferromagnetic Tunnel Junctions Antiferromagnets have both negligible stray fields, and fast dynamics, making them ideal for fast and densely packed spintronic devices. However, readout of the antiferromagnet state is challenging. Here, Chou et al detect the spin-polarized current emanating from a noncollinear AFM, Mn3Sn. Chung-Tao Chou, Supriya Ghosh & Luqiao Liu Article 07 September 2024 | Open Access Stabilized Cu0 -Cu1+ dual sites in a cyanamide framework for selective CO2 electroreduction to ethylene This study reports a cyanamide-framework stabilized multivalent copper catalyst for efficient electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide to ethylene with 77.7% selectivity at 400 mA cm−2, offering a rational strategy for CO2 conversion. Kaihang Yue, Yanyang Qin & Ya Yan Article 07 September 2024 | Open Access Role of vector phenotypic plasticity in disease transmission as illustrated by the spread of dengue virus by Aedes albopictus There is a need for accurate models to predict disease dynamics by considering the interactions between environment and vector traits. This study finds that incorporating delayed phenotypic plasticity in mosquito traits significantly enhances the accuracy of dengue risk predictions. Dominic P. Brass, Christina A. Cobbold & Steven M. White Article 06 September 2024 | Open Access Transverse recoil imprinted on free-electron radiation Free-electron X-ray radiation is typically treated classically. Here, the authors identify unprecedented quantum features of X-ray emission from crystals, due to transversely recoiled electron-photon entanglement, enabling precisely tuned emission via quantum control of free electrons. Xihang Shi, Lee Wei Wesley Wong & Ido Kaminer Article 06 September 2024 | Open Access 3D height-alternant island arrays for stretchable OLEDs with high active area ratio and maximum strain Conventional stretchable optoelectronics suffer from sacrificed area ratio of active components to enhance maximum strain. Here, the authors develop a 3D buckled height-alternant architecture, allowing high initial active-area ratio and maximum system strain in displays with reliable performances. Su-Bon Kim, Donggyun Lee & Seunghyup Yoo Article 06 September 2024 | Open Access Comprehensive analysis of ordering in CoCrNi and CrNi2 alloys Here authors use calorimetry to quantify chemical short-range order (CSRO) experimentally, in good agreement with atomistic simulations. Synchrotron in-situ tensile testing showed no effect of varied CSRO levels on mechanical properties. Vinícius P. Bacurau, Pedro A. F. P. Moreira & Francisco G. Coury Article 06 September 2024 | Open Access Cavity Floquet engineering The authors demonstrate enhancement by nearly two-orders of magnitude of the optical Stark effect in WSe2 embedded into a Fabry Perot cavity, and use this mechanism to obtain an effective magnetic field of over 200 T and implement a XOR switch. Lingxiao Zhou, Bin Liu & Hui Deng Article 06 September 2024 | Open Access Merging semi-crystallization and multispecies iodine intercalation at photo-redox interfaces for dual high-value synthesis Artificial photocatalytic systems based on graphitic carbon nitride are improving, but production of high-value products at electron and hole sites is challenging. Here, the authors report a system using graphite-phase carbon nitride modified with potassium iodide/triiodide eutectic salt to generate H2O2 and benzaldehyde. Fei Chen, Chang-Wei Bai & Han-Qing Yu Article 06 September 2024 | Open Access Wearable bio-adhesive metal detector array (BioMDA) for spinal implants No method exists for real-time evaluation of the status of spinal implants. Here, the authors developed a bio-adhesive metal detector array (BioMDA) that provides a wearable, non-invasive solution for positional analyses of osseous implants within the spine. Jian Li, Shengxin Jia & Giovanni Traverso Article 06 September 2024 | Open Access High-order diffraction for optical superfocusing The authors introduce the independent manipulation of high-order diffraction with a high-order diffractive lens for sub-diffraction limit focusing in confocal microscopy and laser ablation lithography. Jun He, Hong Liu & Kun Huang Article 06 September 2024 | Open Access Flexible solid-liquid bi-continuous electrically and thermally conductive nanocomposite for electromagnetic interference shielding and heat dissipation Composites of MXene-bridging-liquid metal (MBLM) networks in aramid nanofiber/polyvinyl alcohol matrices are developed, achieving high electrical and thermal conductivity, along with EMI shielding of 74.6 dB at 22 μm thickness Yue Sun, Yunting Su & Liping Heng Article 06 September 2024 | Open Access Triscysteine disulfide-directing motifs enabling design and discovery of multicyclic peptide binders Multicyclic peptides have the potential to mimic the antigen-binding potency of the complementarity-determining regions of antibodies, enabling the development of potent peptide binders to challenging targets, but the scaffolds of multicyclic peptides are difficult to engineer. Here, the authors design a range of triscysteine motifs with disulfide-directing capability for regulating the oxidative folding of multicyclic peptides and employ them in the design of disulfide-directed multicyclic peptide libraries for discovery of potent peptide binders. Zengping Duan, Chuilian Kong & Chuanliu Wu Article 06 September 2024 | Open Access MXene-based kirigami designs: showcasing reconfigurable frequency selectivity in microwave regime Modern communication applications may demand devices with tunable performances and simple fabrications. Here, we show strain dependent, adjustable RF/microwave performance by applying patterns of conductive Ti3C2Tx MXene coatings on low-cost acetate substrates in a straightforward coating process. Omid Niksan, Lingyi Bi & Mohammad H. Zarifi Article 06 September 2024 | Open Access Liquid metal interface mechanochemistry disentangles energy density and biaxial stretchability tradeoff in composite capacitor film This study reports a mechanochemical solution that applies liquid metal on rigid dielectric fillers to transforming polymer-filler interface properties. It disentangles energy density and biaxial stretchability tradeoff in composite capacitor films. Zilong Xie, Jianan Zhu & Qiang Fu Article 05 September 2024 | Open Access Tbps wide-field parallel optical wireless communications based on a metasurface beam splitter In this work, the authors present a metasurface-based wide-angle beam splitter designed for future applications in optical wireless communication. By leveraging the metasurface polarization multiplexing and wavelength division multiplexing properties, they achieved a high-performance optical wireless communication system, possessing a Tbps communication rate, more than 120° coverage range, and up to 144 users parallel communication capabilities. Yue Wu, Ji Chen & Tao Li Article 05 September 2024 | Open Access Brightening triplet excitons enable high-performance white-light emission in organic small molecules via integrating n–π*/π–π* transitions The authors demonstrate that high-pressure treatment of IPA endows the material with enhanced hydrogen bonding, which brightens the white-light emission by regulating the ratio of singlet and triplet exciton populations. Qing Yang, Xinyi Yang & Bo Zou Article 05 September 2024 | Open Access An edge-coupled magnetostatic bandpass filter Since the development of mobile networks over 30 years ago, the amount of data, and therefore the required bandwidth for mobile networks has grown substantially. Future expansion relies on the GHz frequency range, this requires filters able to operate at GHz frequencies and fit into devices. Here Devitt et al demonstrate a magnetostatic bandpass filter, tunable over a wide range, from 4.5 GHz to 10.1 GHz. Connor Devitt, Renyuan Wang & Sunil A. Bhave Article 05 September 2024 | Open Access Interfacial dynamics mediate surface binding events on supramolecular nanostructures Surface dynamics play a central role in the biological function of natural supramolecular structures. Here, the authors investigate the nanoscale dynamics at the surface of synthetic nanostructure using binding affinity to surface bound chelators. Ty Christoff-Tempesta, Yukio Cho & Julia H. Ortony Article 05 September 2024 | Open Access Spatiotemporal dynamics of fast electron heating in solid-density matter via XFEL Intense, short-pulse laser irradiation generates energetic electrons that heat targets to extreme conditions relevant to laser fusion. Here, authors used an X-ray Free Electron Laser to perform spatiotemporal measurements in solid-density copper foil with sub-micron and femtosecond resolutions. H. Sawada, T. Yabuuchi & Y. Sentoku Article 05 September 2024 | Open Access Photonic probabilistic machine learning using quantum vacuum noise Probabilistic machine learning is an emerging computing paradigm which utilizes controllable random sources to encode uncertainty and enable statistical modelling. Here, authors harness quantum vacuum noise as a controllable random source to perform probabilistic inference and image generation. Seou Choi, Yannick Salamin & Marin Soljačić Article 05 September 2024 | Open Access Transformable 3D curved high-density liquid metal coils – an integrated unit for general soft actuation, sensing and communication Developing flexible coils for soft robotic applications is challenging due to their sparse structure. Here, the authors present a design of transformable 3D curved high-density liquid metal coils, surpassing the structural density level of enameled wire for soft actuation, sensing, and communication. Nan Li, Yingxin Zhou & Jing Liu Article 05 September 2024 | Open Access Quantifying concentration distributions in redox flow batteries with neutron radiography Advancing electrochemical technologies requires local information that is not available with traditional techniques. Here, the authors introduce a neutron imaging methodology to visualize concentration distributions in operando nonaqueous redox flow cells, shedding light into reactive mass transport. Rémy Richard Jacquemond, Maxime van der Heijden & Antoni Forner-Cuenca Article 05 September 2024 | Open Access Programming gel automata shapes using DNA instructions Shape transformation without the need for external devices or wires is desirable for soft robotics, but challenging to achieve. Here, the authors report the development of actuators capable of shape changes by polymerization and depolymerization of DNA activator sequences. Ruohong Shi, Kuan-Lin Chen & Rebecca Schulman Article 05 September 2024 | Open Access Control nucleation for strong and tough crystalline hydrogels with high water content Tough hydrogels are desirable but balancing material properties and water content is challenging. Here, the authors report the development of a material with favorable properties and high water content by a nucleation strategy. Limei Huang, Hao Li & Jianfeng Wang Article 05 September 2024 | Open Access Breunnerite grain and magnesium isotope chemistry reveal cation partitioning during aqueous alteration of asteroid Ryugu Returned samples from the carbonaceous asteroid Ryugu provide pristine information on the original aqueous alteration history of the Solar System. Here, the authors utilize Breunnerite grain and magnesium isotope chemistry to reveal cation partitioning during aqueous alteration of asteroid Ryugu. Toshihiro Yoshimura, Daisuke Araoka & Yoshinori Takano Article 05 September 2024 | Open Access Deterministic photon source of genuine three-qubit entanglement Entanglement between single photons and solid-state emitters is a key component for photonic quantum computing and networks. Here, using a single electron spin in a quantum dot, the authors present a deterministic photon source achieving three-qubit entanglement of one electron spin and two photons. Yijian Meng, Ming Lai Chan & Peter Lodahl Article 05 September 2024 | Open Access Quantum geometry quadrupole-induced third-order nonlinear transport in antiferromagnetic topological insulator MnBi2Te4 MnBi2Te4 is a topological antiferromagnet, and has a second-order nonlinear Hall effect when inversion symmetry is broken. Here, Li, Zhang and coauthors observe a third order longitudinal response and show how the observed non-linear response relates to the quantum geometry quadrupole of the material. Hui Li, Chengping Zhang & Jiannong Wang Article 05 September 2024 | Open Access A molecular ferroelectric thin film of imidazolium perchlorate on silicon Authors report the synthesis of a molecular ferroelectric thin film of imidazolium perchlorate on silicon, holding promise for advanced on-chip electronic devices. They reveal two types of domain wall dynamics with different piezoresponses. Congqin Zheng, Xin Li & Zijian Hong Article 05 September 2024 | Open Access Springtail-inspired omniphobic slippery membrane with nano-concave re-entrant structures for membrane distillation Here, authors successfully fabricated a springtail-inspired nano-concave reentrant structured polystyrene (PS) membrane using electrospraying technology followed by lubricant dip-coating, which endowed the membrane with omniphobic properties. Jiaxin Guo, Mengnan Jiang & Alicia Kyoungjin An Article 05 September 2024 | Open Access Designing electrolytes with high solubility of sulfides/disulfides for high-energy-density and low-cost K-Na/S batteries Advanced solvents that dissolve both polysulfides and sulfides are developed for intermediate temperature K-Na/S batteries. The innovation enhances cell’s reaction kinetics and energy density, making them attractive for long-duration energy storage. Liying Tian, Zhenghao Yang & Yuan Yang Article 05 September 2024 | Open Access Efficient learning of ground and thermal states within phases of matter Scalable characterisation of quantum states can be achieved by leveraging on simplifications valid for specific classes of states. Here, the authors show how to combine the strengths of shadows and many-body tomography for all states exhibiting exponential decay of correlations and the approximate Markov property. Cambyse Rouzé, Daniel Stilck França & James D. Watson Article 05 September 2024 | Open Access Quantitative localisation of titanium in the framework of titanium silicalite-1 using anomalous X-ray powder diffraction Here authors use anomalous X-ray powder diffraction to locate titanium atoms in two TS-1 catalysts. Titanium appears as isolated species at T3 and T9 sites within the frameworks of both catalysts and as non-framework species in one structure. Przemyslaw Rzepka, Matteo Signorile & Jeroen A. van Bokhoven Article 05 September 2024 | Open Access Second harmonic generation at a time-varying interface Indium Tin Oxide thin films exhibit ultrafast optical switching of permittivity. Here, the authors demonstrate a change in nonlinear optical properties of the material, and a modulation of harmonic generation. Romain Tirole, Stefano Vezzoli & Riccardo Sapienza Article 05 September 2024 | Open Access Long-range interactions driving neighboring Fe–N4 sites in Fenton-like reactions for sustainable water decontamination Non-metallic functionalized species in single-atom catalysts potentially contribute to catalytic performance. Herein, the authors report a long range interaction induced by intrinsic carbon defects to enhance the Fenton-like reactivity and stability of adjacent single-atom sites. Zelin Wu, Zhaokun Xiong & Bo Lai Article 05 September 2024 | Open Access Unveiling the solution structure of a DNA duplex with continuous silver-modified Watson-Crick base pairs The challenge of transforming organized DNA structures into their metallized counterparts persists in the scientific field. Herein, the authors report the solution structure of a silver-metallized DNA duplex containing 7-deazapurines, demonstrating a methodology to create Ag-DNA systems with silver-modified Watson-Crick base pairs that retain their original organization. Uroš Javornik, Antonio Pérez-Romero & Miguel A. Galindo Article 04 September 2024 | Open Access Time Lens Photon Doppler Velocimetry (TL-PDV) for extreme measurements Velocimetry diagnostics such as photon Doppler velocimetry (PDV) are essential to the field of shock and high energy density physics. Here, the authors demonstrate a system that dramatically extends the velocity dynamic range of PDV into the regime of fusion experiments by harnessing a time lens. Velat Kilic, Christopher S. DiMarco & Mark A. Foster Article 04 September 2024 | Open Access Controlling light emission from semiconductor nanoplatelets using surface chemistry Semiconductor nanoplatelets emit light in narrow spectral ranges. Here, the authors establish a theoretical model showing this behavior is controlled by the inhomogeneities of the ligand layer on the nanoplatelet surface. Michael W. Swift, Alexander L. Efros & Steven C. Erwin Article 04 September 2024 | Open Access Photochemical conversion of CO to C1 and C2 products mediated by porphyrin rhodium(II) metallo-radical complexes Reductive coupling of CO, a relatively inert molecule, enables its incorporation into both simple building block chemicals as well as more complex synthetic targets. Here, the authors exploit the reactivity of rhodium porphyrin complexes, using photoirradiative conditions to produce manifold reactive pathways after CO binding to the metal center. Hongsen Li, Boao Han & Jiajing Zhang Article 04 September 2024 | Open Access Nanotube spin defects for omnidirectional magnetic field sensing Optically addressable spin defects, such as the NV centre in diamond, have enabled the nanoscale measurement of external stimuli. Here, Gao, Vaidya and coauthors observe a single spin colour centres in boron nitride nanotubes, which, due to their spin S = 1/2 ground state, allow for omnidirectional magnetic field sensing. ’ Xingyu Gao, Sumukh Vaidya & Tongcang Li Article 04 September 2024 | Open Access 12.1 terabit/second data center interconnects using O-band coherent transmission with QD-MLL frequency combs The authors showcase a cutting edge12.1 Tbps coherent optical fiber transmission system using two Quantum-Dot Mode-Locked Lasers as both carrier and LO, which opens the way for a cost-effective solution to scaling intra-data center interconnects capacities. Santiago Bernal, Mario Dumont & David V. Plant Article 04 September 2024 | Open Access Water-catalyzed iron-molybdenum carbyne formation in bimetallic acetylene transformation Bioinspired Fe-Mo complexes are promising for the activation of small molecules, offering valuable insights into the interactions and transformations of unsaturated hydrocarbons with abundant metals. Here, the authors report the synthesis and mechanistic studies of FeMo carbyne complexes and unveil the pivotal role of H2O as a proton shuttle. Xiaofang Zhai, Minghui Xue & Wenguang Wang Article 04 September 2024 | Open Access Directional self-assembly of organic vertically superposed nanowires Organic crystal-based superimposed heterostructures demonstrate potential for manipulating excitons/photons at the micro- or nanoscale for integrated optoelectronics but the precise construction of organic these heterostructures with fixed superimposed sites remains challenging. Here, the authors construct vertically superimposed organic heterostructures with fixed superimposed positions which possess preferential nucleation sites for molecular epitaxial growth processes. Ying-Xin Ma & Xue-Dong Wang Article 04 September 2024 | Open Access Spatial segregation of catalytic sites within Pd doped H-ZSM-5 for fatty acid hydrodeoxygenation to alkanes Hierarchical ZSM-5 boosts fatty acid hydrodeoxygenation by compartmentalization of catalytic sites. Separating acid sites within micropores and metal nanoparticles in mesopores provides control over the reaction and reduces unwanted side reactions. Shengzhe Ding, Dario Luis Fernandez Ainaga & Xiaolei Fan