Article 17 November 2024 | Open Access Dynamical regimes of diffusion models Diffusion methods are widely used for generating data in AI applications. Here, authors show that optimally trained diffusion models exhibit three dynamical regimes: starting from pure noise, they reach a regime where the main data class is sealed, and finally collapse onto one training point. Giulio Biroli, Tony Bonnaire & Marc Mézard Article 17 November 2024 | Open Access Dispersion kinks from electronic correlations in an unconventional iron-based superconductor Abrupt changes, or kinks, in electron dispersion, caused by the coupling of electronic excitations to collective modes, could provide insights into the superconducting pairing mechanism. Here the authors report dispersion kinks driven by electronic correlations in the normal state of an iron-based superconductor. M.-H. Chang, S. Backes & H. Pfau Article 17 November 2024 | Open Access Breaking the capacity bottleneck of lithium-oxygen batteries through reconceptualizing transport and nucleation kinetics To realize the theoretical energy density of lithium-oxygen batteries, this work uses the relationship between microscopic phenomena and macroscopic performance. By adjusting lithium-ion concentration, alignment of transport and nucleation kinetics improves and discharge capacity of the electrodes maximized. Zhuojun Zhang, Xu Xiao & Peng Tan Article 17 November 2024 | Open Access An embedding-based distance for temporal graphs Temporal graphs can be applied to represent time-evolving complex natural systems, describing the evolution of the interactions between system elements, however quantifying the similarity between temporal graphs remains an open problem. The authors introduce a notion of distance to compare time-resolved interaction patterns, based on their representations as temporal graphs. Lorenzo Dall’Amico, Alain Barrat & Ciro Cattuto Article 17 November 2024 | Open Access Bioelectrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction by an engineered formate dehydrogenase from Thermoanaerobacter kivui Thermoanaerobacter kivui-drived CO2 reductase (TkHDCR) requires hydrogen as substrate, which can lead to safety issue. Here, the authors engineered TkHDCR into an electro-responsive carbon dioxide reductase to harvest electrons from either an external mediator or a polarized electroactive surface. Weisong Liu, Kuncheng Zhang & Lingling Zhang Article 16 November 2024 | Open Access Strongly enhanced shift current at exciton resonances in a noncentrosymmetric wide-gap semiconductor Quantum geometry effects in condensed matter physics are a topic of growing interest. Here, the authors show that the quantum geometry associated with excitons can generate detectable shift currents in a wide-gap semiconductor. Masao Nakamura, Yang-Hao Chan & Masashi Kawasaki Article 16 November 2024 | Open Access Emergent biaxiality in chiral hybrid liquid crystals The study of nematic hosts with anisotropic colloidal particles is reported, but not on the chiral counterparts. Here, the authors report on biaxial properties in a system of colloidal rods with designed surface anchoring doped into a chiral nematic host. Jin-Sheng Wu, Marina Torres Lázaro & Ivan I. Smalyukh Article 16 November 2024 | Open Access Ultrafast bounce of particle-laden droplets It is essential to have a short contact time for self-cleaning, anti-icing, anti-fog, heat transfer, droplet manipulation, and energy harvesting. In this study, the authors discuss the extremely quick bounce seen when droplets containing a particle impact a surface, achieving a contact time of only 0.3 milliseconds with an elastic particle and 0.05 milliseconds with a rigid particle. Yanhong Li, Wenchang Zhao & Pingan Zhu Article 16 November 2024 | Open Access Determining the rate-limiting processes for cell division in Escherichia coli The recruitment of protein FtsN to midcell is thought to be the main rate-liming process for cell division in the bacterial model E. coli. Here, Männik et al. use experiments with live bacteria as well as stochastic cell-cycle modeling to show that instead of FtsN, accumulation of the tubulin-like protein FtsZ in the Z-ring is one of the main drivers of the onset of cell division at fast growth rates in E. coli. Jaana Männik, Prathitha Kar & Jaan Männik Article 15 November 2024 | Open Access Surface superconductivity in the topological Weyl semimetal t-PtBi2 Topological superconductivity is a promising concept for generating fault-tolerant qubits. Here, the authors report surface superconductivity at 5 K in a topological semimetal—trigonal PtBi2. Sebastian Schimmel, Yanina Fasano & Christian Hess Article 15 November 2024 | Open Access Interface engineering enabling thin lithium metal electrodes down to 0.78 μm for garnet-type solid-state batteries Fabricating thin lithium electrodes is challenging due to lithium’s fragility and viscosity. Here, authors convert surface Li2CO3 on Ta-doped Li7La3Zr2O12 to a lithiophilic layer via trifluoromethanesulfonic acid treatment, enabling precise control over lithium metal negative electrode thickness. Weijie Ji, Bi Luo & Ji Liang Article 15 November 2024 | Open Access A Ni4O4-cubane-squarate coordination framework for molecular recognition Materials for multifunctional molecular recognition are essential in industry. Here, the authors present a cost-effective, stable and multifunctional Ni-cubane MOF that effectively separates hexane isomers, xenon/krypton, and carbon dioxide/nitrogen. Qingqing Yan, Shuyi An & Jiangfeng Du Article 15 November 2024 | Open Access Electronic asymmetry of lattice oxygen sites in ZnO promotes the photocatalytic oxidative coupling of methane Photocatalytic oxidative coupling of methane is a promising approach to create muti-carbon products. Here, the authors use Ce dopants to construct electronically asymmetric lattice oxygen sites in ZnO to enhance methyl migration and promote C-C coupling. Mengyao Sun, Yanjun Chen & Zhen Zhao Article 15 November 2024 | Open Access Learning reaction-transport coupling from thermal waves Thermal waves describe the propagation of heat in chemically reacting flows such as combustion processes. Here the authors establish a differential-equation based framework that reveals reaction and material properties directly from analyzing thermal waves. Suyong Kim & Sili Deng Article 15 November 2024 | Open Access Metallaphotocatalytic triple couplings for modular synthesis of elaborate N-trifluoroalkyl anilines The trifluoromethyl group can confer advantageous properties to biologically relevant molecules, but methods for its incorporation into aliphatic carbons that are more embedded within the core of the structure are less available. Here, the authors present a multicomponent coupling to synthesize carbon skeletons with a branched trifluoromethyl group via iridium metallaphotoredox catalysis. Ting Zhou, Zhong-Wei Zhang & Chi Wai Cheung Article 15 November 2024 | Open Access Automated estimation of cementitious sorptivity via computer vision Monitoring water uptake in cementitious materials is important to assess their durability. Here, the authors introduce a low-cost computer vision method to predict initial and secondary sorptivity in real time in paste, mortar, and concrete systems. Hossein Kabir, Jordan Wu & Nishant Garg Article 15 November 2024 | Open Access Carbon-silicon-switch effect in enantioselective construction of silicon-stereogenic center from silacyclohexadienones Silicon has been incorporated into organic molecules in place of carbon under the principle that, given that they belong to the same periodic group, their reactivity could be similar. Here, the authors perform desymmetrizations on silacyclohexenone and the carbon analogue, with the two substrates yielding opposite enantiomers, showing that our understanding of the similarities of the two atoms is incomplete. Yu Yan, Qi Wei & Jialin Ming Article 15 November 2024 | Open Access Inducing exceptional points, enhancing plasmon quality and creating correlated plasmon states with modulated Floquet parametric driving Manipulation and control of collective oscillations in solids by light enabling fast electronics and the creation of active time-varying materials in THz range attracts many interests. Here, the authors present a new approach to Floquet engineering - the active reshaping of electronic band structures with coherent signals - named “Modulated Floquet parametric driving”. Egor I. Kiselev, Mark S. Rudner & Netanel H. Lindner Article 15 November 2024 | Open Access Roles of copper(I) in water-promoted CO2 electrolysis to multi-carbon compounds Water plays a key role in electrocatalytic CO2 reduction, but the role of catalyst in water management is unknown. Here, the authors report the importance of catalyst in determining the function of water and demonstrate that the catalyst containing Cu+ promotes water activation and C2+ formation. Xiaoyang He, Li Lin & Ye Wang Article 15 November 2024 | Open Access Robust liquid crystal semi-interpenetrating polymer network with superior energy-dissipation performance The design of liquid crystal networks as energy dissipation materials achieving simultaneously good mechanical and energy dissipation properties is challenging. Here, the authors fabricate energy-dissipation liquid crystal semi-interpenetrating polymer networks consisting liquid crystalline polymers with synergistic properties. Zhijun Yang, Yang Yang & Yan Ji Article 15 November 2024 | Open Access Stimuli-responsive self-regulating assembly of chiral colloids for robust size and shape control The self-regulation of self-assembled systems is well understood for non-responsive systems, but responsive systems are less studied. Here, the authors report the development of a stimuli-responsive, self-regulating assembly of chiral and magnetically responsive nanorods, with control over the chirality of the system. Shuxu Wang, Louis Kang & Yasuhiro Ishida Article 15 November 2024 | Open Access Enantioselective synthesis of inherently chiral sulfur-containing calix[4]arenes via chiral sulfide catalyzed desymmetrizing aromatic sulfenylation Due to the special structures and relatively large sizes, the catalytic asymmetric synthesis of inherently chiral calixarenes is challenging with limited examples available. Here, the authors report the enantioselective synthesis of inherently chiral sulfur-containing calix[4]arenes through the desymmetrizing electrophilic sulfenylation of calix[4]arenes. Xin-Yu Zhang, Deng Zhu & Zhi-Min Chen Article 15 November 2024 | Open Access Improved conduction and orbital polarization in ultrathin LaNiO3 sublayer by modulating octahedron rotation in LaNiO3/CaTiO3 superlattices Larger orbital polarization is highly desired in the nickelate-based superconductivity. Here, the authors report on the improved conduction and large in-plane polarization up to 35% in ultrathin LaNiO3 layer with a distinct octahedron rotation. Wenxiao Shi, Jing Zhang & Jirong Sun Article 15 November 2024 | Open Access Exceptional points induced by unidirectional coupling in electronic circuits Exceptional points can be realized via engineering gain and loss or unidirectional coupling, as demonstrated in optical platforms. Here, the authors report an EP in unidirectionally coupled LC circuits and demonstrate a square-root scaling of frequency splitting with perturbation. Wenzheng Zhao, Yeang Zhang & Qi Zhong Article 15 November 2024 | Open Access Targeted elimination of tetravalent-Sn-induced defects for enhanced efficiency and stability in lead-free NIR-II perovskite LEDs Guan et al. report a strategy of moisture-triggered selective hydrolysis of Sn4+ into Sn(OH)4, eliminating Sn4 + -induced defects in tin-based perovskites and enhancing the electron injection in NIR-II LED devices with peak emission of 945 nm and external quantum efficiency of 7.6%. Xiang Guan, Yuqing Li & Zhanhua Wei Article 15 November 2024 | Open Access Reversible and controllable reduction in friction of atomically thin two-dimensional materials through high-stress pre-rubbing This manuscript presents a method for reversible and controllable friction reduction in two-dimensional materials through high-stress pre-rubbing, driven by enhanced graphene adhesion strength to the substrate via interfacial charge transfer. Haoyang Su, Honglin Zhang & Yitian Peng Article 15 November 2024 | Open Access Kitaev interactions through extended superexchange pathways in the \({j}_{{\mathsf{eff}}}=1/2\) Ru3+ honeycomb magnet RuP3SiO11 Recent theoretical studies indicate that the Kitaev model may be realized in framework materials exhibiting extended superexchange pathways. Here the authors report experimental evidence showing that the material requirements for a Kitaev quantum spin liquid are satisfied in a inorganic framework material. Aly H. Abdeldaim, Hlynur Gretarsson & Lucy Clark Article 14 November 2024 | Open Access Synthesis and redox catalysis of Carbodiphosphorane ligated stannylene Heavier group 14 carbene analogue display remarkable capability for small molecule activation but their application in redox catalysis remains elusive. Here, the authors report the synthesis and isolation of a stannylene with carbodiphosphorane ligand and characterize its catalytic activity in the hydrodefluorination reaction of fluoroarenes. Zhuchunguang Liu, Zhijun Wang & Zhaowen Dong Article 14 November 2024 | Open Access A self-reactivated PdCu catalyst for aldehyde electro-oxidation with anodic hydrogen production A low-potential dual-side hydrogen production system is more efficient than water splitting but suffers from stability issues. Here, the authors report a self-reactivating PdCu catalyst that operates stably for 120 h, offering an alternative solution for energy-efficient hydrogen production. Ming Yang, Yimin Jiang & Yuqin Zou Article 14 November 2024 | Open Access Hybridizing anomalous Nernst effect in artificially tilted multilayer based on magnetic topological material The anomalous Nernst effect is a key for transverse thermoelectric applications. Here, the authors show an intense performance improvement of the anomalous Nernst effect via hybrid actions with the off-diagonal Seebeck effect in artificial materials. Takamasa Hirai, Fuyuki Ando & Ken-ichi UchidaArticle 14 November 2024 | Open Access Hydrogen radical-boosted electrocatalytic CO2 reduction using Ni-partnered heteroatomic pairs Commercially viable catalytic CO2 electroreduction to CO would enable many green technologies, yet it is impeded by the initial hydrogenation step of CO2. Here, the authors report Ni-Cd dual atom catalysts with complementary properties of favorable adsorption of CO2 and H to overcome this barrier. Zhibo Yao, Hao Cheng & Zhenyu Sun Article 14 November 2024 | Open Access Co-infiltration and dynamic formation of Pd3ZnCx intermetallic carbide by syngas boosting selective hydrogenation of acetylene Transition metal carbides exhibit outstanding performance in the selective hydrogenation of acetylene, but carburizing Pd-based intermetallic compounds has been challenging. Here, the authors present a successful synthesis of Pd3ZnCx intermetallic carbide for selective hydrogenation of acetylene through a one-step co-infiltration of zinc and carbon using syngas. Huan Chen, Lulu Li & Tao Zhang Article 14 November 2024 | Open Access Ultrafast upconversion superfluorescence with a sub-2.5 ns lifetime at room temperature The luminescence efficiency of lanthanide-doped nanoparticles is hindered by long radiative lifetimes. Here the authors achieve short lifetimes of 2.5 ns in nanoparticles through superfluorescence by aligning a large number of coherently coupled dipoles. Mengwei Zhou, Ping Huang & Xueyuan Chen Article 14 November 2024 | Open Access Experimental realization of on-chip few-photon control around exceptional points The authors observe an exceptional point and the corresponding phase transition in a superconducting non-Hermitian circuit. They find non-reciprocal microwave transmission can be achieved within the broken symmetry phase in the few-photon regime. Pengtao Song, Xinhui Ruan & Zhihui Peng Article 14 November 2024 | Open Access Isotope-dependent site occupation of hydrogen in epitaxial titanium hydride nanofilms The lattice location of hydrogen in titanium hydride nanofilms was identified by the channeling 15N-NRA mapping. H and D occupy the tetrahedral and octahedral sites differently because of the hydrogen Jahn-Teller effect and nuclear quantum effect. T. Ozawa, Y. Sugisawa & K. Fukutani Article 14 November 2024 | Open Access Palladium catalyzed ortho-C(sp2)–H activation/cyclization of aryl amines assisted by imine and vinylacetic acid Imines are often used as directing/chelating groups in C(sp3)–H activations of due to their ease of installation and removal, but have been rarely explored in the context of aryl C(sp2)–H activations of aryl amines given the strained intermediate that would follow. Here, the authors report a methodology for C(sp2)–H functionalization of aryl amines via palladium catalysis, assisted by vinylacetic acid, which putatively reduces the necessity of a four-membered strained intermediate. Xiangwen Tan, Yaru Jing & Huanfeng Jiang Article 14 November 2024 | Open Access Bringing atom probe tomography to transmission electron microscopes The authors report the unification, in a single instrument, of two microscopy instruments: Atom Probe Tomography and Transmission Electron Microscopy. This instrumental outcome opens original perspectives for 3D atomic scale microscopy. Gerald Da Costa, Celia Castro & Williams Lefebvre Article 14 November 2024 | Open Access Understanding pillar chemistry in potassium-containing polyanion materials for long-lasting sodium-ion batteries The sodium storage mechanism of K-containing polyanion compounds is intricate and unclear. Here, the authors reveal that the residual K+ pillars uphold K-containing polyanion structure upon sodium storage, enabling long-term cycling stability. Wenyi Liu, Wenjun Cui & Jinping Liu Article 14 November 2024 | Open Access High-voltage and intrinsically safe electrolytes for Li metal batteries This work provides a high voltage and intrinsically safe electrolyte (VSE) designed by integrating different functional groups into one molecule that enables Li metal batteries to safely operate at high temperatures and achieve a high energy density. Zhixin Xu, Xiyue Zhang & Jiulin Wang Article 14 November 2024 | Open Access Transport phase diagram and anomalous metallicity in superconducting infinite-layer nickelates Recent advancements in the sample quality of infinite-layer nickelates have made systematic comparisons with cuprates increasingly relevant. Hsu et al. report anomalous electronic transport in high-crystallinity (Nd,Sr)NiO2 at large magnetic fields, map out the transport phase diagram, and discuss similarities and differences with cuprates. Yu-Te Hsu, Kyuho Lee & Nigel E. Hussey Article 14 November 2024 | Open Access Direct visualization of the charge transfer state dynamics in dilute-donor organic photovoltaic blends The interconversion dynamics between charge transfer state charges and separated charges remains an unresolved issue. Here, the authors spectrally resolve those charges and report a kinetic model to reveal the charge generation, separation, and recombination mechanism in α6T:C60 systems. Gareth John Moore, Florian Günther & Natalie Banerji Article 14 November 2024 | Open Access Mormyroidea-inspired electronic skin for active non-contact three-dimensional tracking and sensing Developing electronic skins for sensing the spatial location of objects beyond two-dimensional space is difficult. The authors present a flexible, lightweight, and transparent electronic skin for non-contact accurate 3D motion sensing. This achieves micron-level precision, reducing complexity and power consumption. Jingkun Zhou, Jian Li & Xinge Yu Article 14 November 2024 | Open Access Extreme electron–hole drag and negative mobility in the Dirac plasma of graphene The physics of charge transport in graphene becomes particularly interesting near the Dirac point. Here, the authors demonstrate a negative minority carrier mobility due to drag between majority and minority carriers in graphene at the charge neutrality point. Leonid A. Ponomarenko, Alessandro Principi & Andre K. Geim Article 14 November 2024 | Open Access Patterns of partisan toxicity and engagement reveal the common structure of online political communication across countries Identifying patterns of polarization is important for understanding its root cause. Here, using Twitter data from 9 countries, the authors show that out-group mentions use more toxic language than than in-group mentions, and political mentions are more toxic than apolitical mentions. Max Falkenberg, Fabiana Zollo & Andrea Baronchelli