Article 21 November 2024 | Open Access Theoretical insights on potential-dependent oxidation behaviors and antioxidant strategies of MXenes MXenes are two-dimensional materials with promising applications, but their oxidation mechanisms under electrochemical conditions are poorly understood. Here, the authors use theoretical simulations to investigate how the oxidation of MXenes is influenced by the electrode potential. Yumiao Tian, Pengfei Hou & Xing Meng Article 21 November 2024 | Open Access Influence of resonant plasmonic nanoparticles on optically accessing the valley degree of freedom in 2D semiconductors The authors investigate spin-valley polarization in hybrid systems of Au nanoparticles and monolayer MoS2 and observe a nearly complete quenching of the far-field circular polarization state of emission from MoS2 at the position of the nanoparticle. This highlights the need to consider an ensemble, rather than just a single rotating dipole emitter, for precise predictions of polarization responses in these hybrid systems. Tobias Bucher, Zlata Fedorova & Isabelle Staude Article 21 November 2024 | Open Access Fluorescent robust photoactuator via photo-crosslinking induced single-layered janus polyimide The limited functionality and complex fabrication of polymer material with externally controlled reversible deformation hinder their further development. Here, the authors produce fluorescent and robust photoactuators with single layered janus structure for different applications. Shuyu Xue, Zhipanxin Shi & Qiuyu Zhang Article 21 November 2024 | Open Access Realizing the entanglement Hamiltonian of a topological quantum Hall system Spatial entanglement in many-body systems is fully characterized by the entanglement Hamiltonian, but its measurement has remained challenging. Here the authors realize this for a topological quantum Hall system using ultracold gases of dysprosium atoms. Quentin Redon, Qi Liu & Sylvain Nascimbene Article 21 November 2024 | Open Access Width-dependent continuous growth of atomically thin quantum nanoribbons from nanoalloy seeds in chalcogen vapor Size control in quantum materials by direct growth is still difficult to achieve. Here, the authors present the width-dependent growth of single-layer nanoribbons of transition metal dichalcogenides from nanoalloy seeds, achieving strain-induced quantum emission with a purity of up to 90 % for single photons. Xufan Li, Samuel Wyss & Avetik R. Harutyunyan Article 21 November 2024 | Open Access Phase-separating peptide coacervates with programmable material properties for universal intracellular delivery of macromolecules Phase-separating peptide (PSP) coacervate microdroplets (CMs) have emerged as promising intracellular delivery vectors, but the molecular grammar governing intracellular uptake and release kinetics of CMs is elusive. Here, the authors systematically manipulate the sequence of PSPs to establish molecular guidelines for designing and optimizing PSP CM-based intracellular delivery systems. Yue Sun, Xi Wu & Ali Miserez Article 21 November 2024 | Open Access Redox-switchable multicolor luminescent polymers for theragnosis of osteoarthritis Nonaromatic and nonconjugated fluorescent materials are promising for in vivo uses, but usually have low fluorescence quantum yields and limited responsiveness. Here, the authors report a polycysteine derived from natural amino acids that displays intrinsic fluorescence, color switching properties and applicability as a drug-free and self-reporting system for the theragnosis of osteoarthritis. Chuan Peng, Yuling Zhu & Mingming Ding Article 21 November 2024 | Open Access Enantioselective adsorption on chiral ceramics with medium entropy Chiral metals often suffer from limitations such as reduced selectivity caused by kink coalescence and atomic roughness. Here, the authors present chiral medium-entropy ceramics and overcome the trade-off between stability and enantioselectivity. Chao Chen, Yinglin Ma & Wei Liu Article 21 November 2024 | Open Access Super-resolved coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microscopy by coherent image scanning The authors present super-resolved CARS microscopy using phase-sensitive image scanning, achieving nearly twice the resolution of conventional CARS. This method requires low excitation laser power and integrates easily into existing systems. Anna Zhitnitsky, Elad Benjamin & Dan Oron Article 21 November 2024 | Open Access Mechanoelectric sensitivity reveals destructive quantum interference in single-molecule junctions Quantum interference plays an important role in single-molecule charge transport with sharp features predicted in transmission. Here, the authors reconstruct the destructive quantum interference feature of a mechanosensitive molecule at ambient, revealing the smearing effect of thermal fluctuations. Sebastiaan van der Poel, Juan Hurtado-Gallego & Nicolás Agraït Article 21 November 2024 | Open Access Patterned electrical brain stimulation by a wireless network of implantable microdevices Transmitting information directly into the brain is a challenge for future brain-computer interfaces. Here, the authors present a patterned electrical microstimulation protocol using an epicortically-implanted network of silicon microchips to target specific areas of the cortex. A. H. Lee, J. Lee & A. Nurmikko Article 21 November 2024 | Open Access High performance plain carbon steels obtained through 3D-printing The study shows that 3D-printing enables plain carbon steels to achieve martensitic or bainitic microstructures with strength and toughness comparable to alloyed steels. It advocates for alloy simplification and sustainability in metal 3D-printing. Qiyang Tan, Haiwei Chang & Ming-Xing Zhang Article 21 November 2024 | Open Access Glycan-induced structural activation softens the human papillomavirus capsid for entry through reduction of intercapsomere flexibility The study shows that HPV activation requires a minimum glycan length, which enlarges and softens the virus. Using virological assays, AFM, and HDX-MS, the authors propose a model explaining HPV structural activation and its role in infection. Yuzhen Feng, Dominik van Bodegraven & Wouter H. Roos Article 21 November 2024 | Open Access Personalised antimicrobial susceptibility testing with clinical prediction modelling informs appropriate antibiotic use Authors present a personalised approach to clinical laboratory testing of antibiotics, based on real-time mathematical modelling, that encourages the use of drugs less likely to cause antimicrobial resistance, without compromising on overall antibiotic treatment options for prescribers. Alex Howard, David M. Hughes & William Hope Article 21 November 2024 | Open Access In-context learning enables multimodal large language models to classify cancer pathology images Medical image classification remains a challenging process in deep learning. Here, the authors evaluate a large vision language foundation model (GPT-4V) with in-context learning for cancer image processing and show that such models can learn from examples and reach performance similar to specialized neural networks while reducing the gap to current state-of-the art pathology foundation models. Dyke Ferber, Georg Wölflein & Jakob Nikolas Kather Article 20 November 2024 | Open Access Growing large single crystals of two- or three-dimensional covalent organic polymers through unconventional Te-O-P linkages Understanding precise structures of two-/three- dimensional covalent organic polymers through single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis is interesting however, to grow high-quality single crystals of these materials is challenging. Here, the authors incorporate tellurium into the backbones covalent organic polymers as a concise and fast method to grow large single crystals. Miaomiao Xue, Lei Zhang & Qichun Zhang Article 20 November 2024 | Open Access Trapping light in air with membrane metasurfaces for vibrational strong coupling The authors introduce a mid-IR metasurface fabricated by decorating a free-standing Si-membrane with air holes. The enhanced light-matter interactions in such air cavities enable vibrational strong coupling and advanced biochemical sensing. Wihan Adi, Samir Rosas & Filiz Yesilkoy Article 20 November 2024 | Open Access Ordered assemblies of peptide nanoparticles with only positive charge Surface charge patchiness has a great impact on the aggregation and solution stability of colloidal particles and globular proteins. Here, the authors report the solution behaviours of computationally designed peptide coiled-coil ‘bundlemer’ nanoparticles with controlled surface charge patchiness where only a single type of surface charge is allowed. Yi Shi, Tianren Zhang & Darrin J. Pochan Article 20 November 2024 | Open Access Macroscopically uniform interface layer with Li+ conductive channels for high-performance Li metal batteries Here, authors report a macroscopical grain boundary-free interface layer with microscopic Li + -selective conductive channels enables the ultra-dense Li metal deposition, resulting in a high energy density (506 Wh kg−1) and long cycle life (160 cycles) pouch cell performance. Qian Chen, Binyin Gao & Yongji Gong Article 20 November 2024 | Open Access Evidence for correlated electron pairs and triplets in quantum Hall interferometers Electron pairing is of fundamental interest in condensed matter physics. Here, the authors demonstrate electrons forming not only pairs - but also triplets - in graphene quantum Hall Fabry-Pérot interferometers. Wenmin Yang, David Perconte & Benjamin Sacépé Article 20 November 2024 | Open Access Coacervate-pore complexes for selective molecular transport and dynamic reconfiguration Liquid state coacervates are an area of interest, but many applications remain to be explored. Here, the authors report the development of coacervate-pore complexes for the control of through-pore transport. Hao Wang, Hui Zhuang & Lingxiang Jiang Article 20 November 2024 | Open Access Nb impurity-bound excitons as quantum emitters in monolayer WS2 Point defects in 2D semiconductors hold potential as single photon emitters (SPEs), but their controlled fabrication and microscopic understanding remain a challenge. Here, the authors report the synthesis of dilute Nb-doped monolayer WS2, showing that Nb impurities behave as SPEs with well-defined emission energies. Leyi Loh, Yi Wei Ho & Goki Eda Article 20 November 2024 | Open Access Observation of two-dimensional time-reversal broken non-Abelian topological states Non-Abelian band topology reveals the global quantum geometry of multiple Bloch bands and unveils a new paradigm for topological physics. Here, authors find rich T-broken non-Abelian topological phases and their transitions with an unexpected connection to multigap antichiral edge states. Yuze Hu, Mingyu Tong & Yihao Yang Article 20 November 2024 | Open Access Spinel oxide enables high-temperature self-lubrication in superalloys The authors develop an approach for enhancing the wear resistance and lubricity of metals at elevated temperatures of in oxidative environments, where traditional solid lubricants fail. By engineering surface oxidation in additively manufactured Inconel, they achieve low friction coefficients, between 0.10 and 0.32 at 600-900 °C, through the formation of a spinel-based oxide layer. Zhengyu Zhang, Eitan Hershkovitz & Wenjun Cai Article 20 November 2024 | Open Access A core–shell fiber moisture-driven electric generator enabled by synergetic complex coacervation and built-in potential The authors present a core–shell fiber moisture-driven electric generator by a synergetic complex coacervation and built-in potential strategy, enabling self-powered human interactive sensors and synaptic devices. Guangtao Zan, Wei Jiang & Cheolmin Park Article 20 November 2024 | Open Access Saturation of the compression of two interacting magnetized plasma toroids evidenced in the laboratory The interaction of magnetic fields embedded in plasmas is central to many astrophysical phenomena. Here, authors show that plasma flow disruption caused by enhanced magnetic field is unexpectedly small compared to magnetic field compression by shocks, which significantly limits the growth of field strength. A. Sladkov, C. Fegan & J. Fuchs Article 20 November 2024 | Open Access Handedness manipulation of propagating antiferromagnetic magnons Antiferromagnetic magnons have two distinct chiralities, left handed and right handed. Here, Shiota and coauthors demonstrate both the manipulation and electrical readout of this handedness in a synthetic antiferromagnet. Yoichi Shiota, Tomohiro Taniguchi & Teruo Ono Article 20 November 2024 | Open Access Switchable topological polar states in epitaxial BaTiO3 nanoislands on silicon Epitaxial BaTiO3 ultra scaled nanoislands (30−60 nm) on Si exhibit an electrically switchable topological center down-convergent polar pattern. The peculiar island shape induces a lateral swirling component, which confers chirality to the polar domains. Ibukun Olaniyan, Iurii Tikhonov & Catherine Dubourdieu Article 20 November 2024 | Open Access Quantum Hall effect in a CVD-grown oxide The authors demonstrate quantum Hall effect in semiconducting layered oxide Bi2O2Se. Its unique low mass among the oxides of 0.14 me and pronounced layered structure makes Bi2O2Se highly susceptible to the quantum confinement effects. Oleksandr Zheliuk, Yuliia Kreminska & Uli Zeitler Matters Arising 19 November 2024 | Open Access Reply to: The conformations of protein chains at the interface of biomolecular condensates Gaurav Chauhan, Mina Farag & Rohit V. Pappu Matters Arising 19 November 2024 | Open Access The conformations of protein chains at the interface of biomolecular condensates D. Janka Bauer & Arash Nikoubashman Article 19 November 2024 | Open Access Design towards recyclable micron-sized Na2S cathode with self-refinement mechanism Authors report that micron-sized Na2S particles can be self-refinement into nanoparticles during the initial cycle under rapid solid-liquid-solid conversion, which facilitates the development of Na-free anode systems in room-temperature sodium-sulfur batteries. Suwan Lu, Yang Liu & Xiaodong Wu Article 19 November 2024 | Open Access Transforming carbon dioxide into a methanol surrogate using modular transition metal-free Zintl ions Despite being difficult to study, heterogenous pnictogens are an important category of catalytic materials for CO2 conversion as their high crustal abundance and low cost offers advantages in terms of sustainability. Here the authors report group 13 functionalized Zintl clusters as homogenous atom-precise models in hydroborative CO2 reduction. Bono van IJzendoorn, Saad F. Albawardi & Meera Mehta Article 19 November 2024 | Open Access A self-healing plastic ceramic electrolyte by an aprotic dynamic polymer network for lithium metal batteries Self-healing is an appealing property for solid-state battery electrolytes to combat Li metal dendrites that pierce through the solid electrolyte. Here, authors report a self-healing electrolyte and observe its self-repairing kinetics in real-time using advanced microscopy. Yubin He, Chunyang Wang & Huolin L. Xin Article 19 November 2024 | Open Access Halogencarbene-free Ciamician-Dennstedt single-atom skeletal editing Ciamician–Dennstedt rearrangement remains limited to halocarbene precursors. Herein, the authors report a general methodology for the Ciamician-Dennstedt reaction using α-halogen-free carbenes generated in situ from N-triftosylhydrazones. Shaopeng Liu, Yong Yang & Xihe Bi Article 19 November 2024 | Open Access Water motifs in zirconium metal-organic frameworks induced by nanoconfinement and hydrophilic adsorption sites The presence of water adsorption sites plays a pivotal role in the suitability of metal-organic frameworks for atmospheric water harvesting. Here, the emergence of templated water motifs and their beneficial influence on adsorption are investigated. Aran Lamaire, Jelle Wieme & Veronique Van Speybroeck Article 19 November 2024 | Open Access Coordination engineering of heterogeneous high-valent Fe(IV)-oxo for safe removal of pollutants via powerful Fenton-like reactions Coordination engineering of high-valent Fe(IV)-oxo may break the activity-selectivity trade-off of traditional reactive oxygen species but the controllable generation of heterogeneous FeIV=O remains unexplored. Here, the authors alter the coordination number of Fe-Nx single-atom catalysts to regulate oxidation behaviors of heterogeneous FeIV=O. Yuanfang Lin, Ying Wang & Zhifeng Yang Article 19 November 2024 | Open Access Enzymatically catalyzed molecular aggregation Intracellular regulation of small molecule aggregation is challenging. Here, the authors achieved tumor-targeted aggregation of an aggregation-induced emission photosensitizer (AIE-PS), TBmA, using γ-glutamyl transferase, an enzyme overexpressed in tumors, and showed this causes ferroptosis in cancer cells through photodynamic therapy. Wen-Jin Wang, Rongyuan Zhang & Ben Zhong Tang Article 19 November 2024 | Open Access Single-cell encoded gene silencing for high-throughput combinatorial siRNA screening Combined use of multiple siRNAs promises a new path for drug development. Here, the authors demonstrate a multiplexed combinatorial screening of thousands of siRNA formulations through highthroughput single-cell gene silencing, discovering the most effective anti-cancer siRNA cocktail therapeutics. Feng Guo, Xianglin Ji & Peng Shi Article 19 November 2024 | Open Access Heart cockle shells transmit sunlight to photosymbiotic algae using bundled fiber optic cables and condensing lenses Some bivalves have evolved photosynthetic symbioses. Here, the authors show that heart cockles transmit light through their upper shell to internal photosynthetic symbionts, using mineral fiber optic cables to maximize light transmission. Dakota E. McCoy, Dale H. Burns & Sönke Johnsen Article 19 November 2024 | Open Access Effect of adaptive cruise control on fuel consumption in real-world driving conditions Efficient automated driving technology to improve upon human driving behaviour offer a promising pathway to energy and fuel savings. Here, authors analyse real-world data to determine how adaptive cruise control affects fuel consumption and identify specific driving situations where it can be optimized. Ayman Moawad, Matthew Zebiak & Aymeric Rousseau Article 18 November 2024 | Open Access Feedback driven autonomous cycles of assembly and disassembly from minimal building blocks The study of the network dynamics of complex systems formed by simple chemicals can contribute to our understanding of complex behavior from simple organic reactions. Here, built on the minimal building blocks, the authors describe a system with periodic (dis)assembly utilizing feedback loops controlled by time-delayed catalysis and pH-driven assembly. Antara Reja, Sangam Jha & Dibyendu Das Article 18 November 2024 | Open Access Sensing expectation enables simultaneous proprioception and contact detection in an intelligent soft continuum robot The authors propose an expected-actual perception-action loop in soft robots to rapidly and robustly detect contact and distinguish deformation sources. Soft robots enable intelligence to explore and learn through interacting with their surroundings. Peiyi Wang, Zhexin Xie & Cecilia Laschi Article 18 November 2024 | Open Access Programmable and rapid fabrication of complex-shape ceramics Shaping ceramics is important for realizing their material properties. Here, the authors modify a Joule heating method to generate morphing thermomechanical fields, guiding the shape formation of ceramics into complex 3D configurations. Yao Shan, Xuemu Li & Zhengbao Yang Article 18 November 2024 | Open Access Quasi-phase-matching enabled by van der Waals stacking Quasi-phase matching (QPM) is a well-known technique to improve the efficiency of frequency conversion processes in 3D nonlinear optical materials. Here, the authors report the implementation of nanoscale QPM in 2D 3R-stacked twisted MoS2, showing enhanced second harmonic generation and spontaneous parametric down-conversion. Yilin Tang, Kabilan Sripathy & Yuerui Lu Article 18 November 2024 | Open Access Tailoring superstructure units for improved oxygen redox activity in Li-rich layered oxide battery’s positive electrodes The high-voltage oxygen redox activity of Li-rich layered oxides enables additional capacity beyond conventional transition metal redox contributions. Here, authors investigate the correlation between oxygen redox activity and superstructure units. They prove that an excess of LiNiMn5 hinders the extraction/insertion of lithium ions. Hao Liu, Weibo Hua & Sylvio Indris Article 18 November 2024 | Open Access Complex charge density waves in simple electronic systems of two-dimensional III2–VI3 materials This study introduces a family of multiple charge-density-wave orders in 2D III2–VI3 materials, including the chiral Star-of-David configuration. The charge-density-wave transitions involve both metal-to-insulator and insulator-to-insulator transitions, providing a platform for understanding the origins of charge density waves. Yu-Ting Huang, Zhen-Ze Li & Xian-Bin Li Perspective 18 November 2024 | Open Access Rational strategies for improving the efficiency of design and discovery of nanomedicines The rise of high-throughput methods and computer-aided techniques has led to a shift in the design and discovery patterns of nanomedicines to a data-driven and rational mode. In this perspective, the authors describe a directed evolution mode of nanomedicines driven by data to accelerate the discovery of nanomaterials with high delivery efficiency. Xiaoting Shan, Ying Cai & Yaping Li Article 17 November 2024 | Open Access Tracking dendrites and solid electrolyte interphase formation with dynamic nuclear polarization—NMR spectroscopy Using advanced solid state NMR techniques, authors reveal how ceramics particles in composite solid electrolytes control lithium dendrites growth in lithium-metal batteries as well as determine the composition and conductivity of the metal SEI. Ayan Maity, Asya Svirinovsky-Arbeli & Michal Leskes 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