Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Engineering 2D spin networks by on-surface encapsulation of azafullerene radicals in nanotemplates Self-organization of organic molecular rings (cycloparaphenylenes) on a gold surface creates a template matrix. This is used to trap spherical C59N azafullerenes, creating a stable 2D hexagonal array of organic spin radicals. Gregor Kladnik, Luca Schio & Dean Cvetko Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Experimental identification of topological defects in 2D colloidal glass Recent numerical simulations indicate that well-defined topological defects arise in the dynamics of glasses. Here, the authors report the presence of topological defects in the vibrational eigenspace of an experimental two-dimensional colloidal glass. Vinay Vaibhav, Arabinda Bera & Alessio Zaccone Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Li2ZrF6 protective layer enabled high-voltage LiCoO2 positive electrode in sulfide all-solid-state batteries High-voltage positive electrodes in sulfide all-solid-state lithium batteries face challenges due to the low oxidation stability of sulfide electrolytes. Here, authors propose a Li2ZrF6 coating on LiCoO2 to suppress interfacial reactions and enhance the long-term battery cycling performance. Xing Zhou, Chia-Yu Chang & Yonggang Wang Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Ir-O-Mn embedded in porous nanosheets enhances charge transfer in low-iridium PEM electrolyzers Building an efficient proton-exchange membrane water electrolyzer with low Ir loading remains important but challenging. Here, the authors report an Ir/MnOx catalyst with rich Ir-O-Mn bonds that serve as charge-transfer channels to generate and stabilize active Ir3+ species, enhancing both activity and stability. Dawei Wang, Fangxu Lin & Shaojun Guo Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access On the longevity and inherent hermeticity of silicon-ICs: evaluation of bare-die and PDMS-coated ICs after accelerated aging and implantation studies Silicon ICs are key to neural implants but face reliability challenges. Here, the authors show bare die ICs can be inherently hermetic, and PDMS encapsulation limits degradation over 12 months, offering insights to enhance active implant longevity for biomedical use. Kambiz Nanbakhsh, Ahmad Shah Idil & Vasiliki Giagka Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Demonstration of high-reconfigurability and low-power strong physical unclonable function empowered by FeFET cycle-to-cycle variation and charge-domain computing Physical unclonable functions (PUFs) are important in authentication applications for Internet of Things devices. This work reports a ferroelectric field-effect transistor-based strong PUF utilizing the transistor cycle-to-cycle variation and verifies its feasibility using 28 nm HKMG technology. Taixin Li, Xinrui Guo & Xueqing Li Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Electronic structure formed by Y2O3-doping in lithium position assists improvement of charging-voltage for high-nickel cathodes Authors report on restructuring the electronic structure of a high-nickel material by substituting Li+ ions with Y3+ ions. This strategy suppresses the generation of oxygen defects with a reduction coupling mechanism improving high-voltage stability. Shijie Wang, Kang Liang & Yurong Ren Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access An integrated photonic engine for programmable atomic control High-speed programmability of spatially-structured light imparts faster control upon atomic qubits. Here, the authors demonstrate reconfigurable GHz-rate modulation on sixteen visible-wavelength channels, used here to address color centers in diamond. Ian Christen, Thomas Propson & Dirk Englund Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Performance and stability analysis of all-perovskite tandem photovoltaics in light-driven electrochemical water splitting The application of all-perovskite tandem photovoltaics is limited by the poor operational stability of the solar cell. Here, the authors report a solar-assisted water-splitting system using an electrochemical flow cell and a tandem solar cell and achieve a solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of 17.8%. Junke Wang, Bruno Branco & René A. J. Janssen Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Photoinduced hidden monoclinic metallic phase of VO2 driven by local nucleation Vanadium dioxide exhibits an insulator-to-metal transition when exciting by a laser. Here, the authors show the transition arises from the dissociation of local V-V dimers and show the existence of the monoclinic metallic phase from ab initio simulations. Feng-Wu Guo, Wen-Hao Liu & Jun-Wei Luo Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Towards non-blinking and photostable perovskite quantum dots Mi et al. report epitaxial surface coverage of single CsPbBr3 quantum dots with size ranging from 3.6 nm to 14 nm using low steric ligand tails with attractive π-π stacking, leading to nearly non-blinking single photon emission with high purity of 98% and photostability over 12-hour irradiation. Chenjia Mi, Gavin C. Gee & Yitong Dong Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Spectral convolutional neural network chip for in-sensor edge computing of incoherent natural light Optical neural networks have been successfully realized on-chip level, yet to operate it requires coherent light sources. Here, the authors proposed integrated computing based on natural light by combining large-scale spectral filters on CMOS image sensor to facilitate vector-inner products from incoherent light. Kaiyu Cui, Shijie Rao & Shengjin Wang Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Magnetochiral charge pumping due to charge trapping and skin effect in chirality-induced spin selectivity Some chiral molecules can produce a giant spin polarization, a feature termed chirality-induced spin selectivity. The origin of this has been hotly debated. In this theory work, Zhao, Zhang and coauthors propose that the origin of the effect lies in charge trapping induced barrier modification, termed magnetochiral charge pumping. Yufei Zhao, Kai Zhang & Binghai Yan Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Robust skin-integrated conductive biogel for high-fidelity detection under mechanical stress Developing soft conductive gels for epidermal electronics is a challenge: Here, the authors introduced a liquid-to-solid transformation concept to improve biointerface integration. Tian Li, Haobo Qi & Wei Zhai Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Tracking the correlation between spintronic structure and oxygen evolution reaction mechanism of cobalt-ruthenium-based electrocatalyst Tuning the spintronic structure in oxygen evolution reactions is underexplored, despite its potential to enhance catalytic performance. Here, the authors report a ruthenium-cobalt-tin oxide with an optimized spintronic structure, highlighting its improved performance and reaction mechanisms. Chen Wang, Chaoyuan Deng & Jungang Hou Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Observation of 1/3 fractional quantum Hall physics in balanced large angle twisted bilayer graphene This study explores fractional quantum Hall physics in large-angle twisted bilayer graphene, revealing a 1/3 fractional quantum Hall state driven by strong interlayer Coulomb interactions. Monte Carlo simulations confirm unique topological ground states and transitions with applied displacement fields. Dohun Kim, Seyoung Jin & Youngwook Kim Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Unusual violation of the Wiedemann–Franz law at ultralow temperatures in topological compensated semimetals This work reveals an unusual T4 temperature dependence of the electronic thermal conductivity at ultralow temperatures and a strong violation of the Wiedemann-Franz law in the topological compensated semimetals TaAs2, NbAs2, and NdSb. Yi-Yan Wang, Xin Rao & Xue-Feng Sun Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Compressible, anti-fatigue, extreme environment adaptable, and biocompatible supramolecular organohydrogel enabled by lignosulfonate triggered noncovalent network Development of synthetic load bearing materials is important, but it can be challenging to achieve all the required properties. Here, the authors report the development of an organohydrogel from biobased materials, with favourable compressive strength and toughness. Yihui Gu, Chao Xu & Chaoji Chen Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Anti-dendrite separator interlayer enabling staged zinc deposition for enhanced cycling stability of aqueous zinc batteries Zinc deposition in aqueous zinc-ion batteries is influenced by separators. Here, authors introduce a mass-producible in situ MOF-modified separator interlayer to regulate Zn2+ concentration in two stages via nitrogenous groups, reducing zinc crystal nucleus radius and ensuring uniform zinc deposition. Dun Wang, Sanlue Hu & Cuiping Han Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Tuning the selectivity of NH3 oxidation via cooperative electronic interactions between platinum and copper sites Selective catalytic oxidation (SCO) of NH3 to N2 is a highly effective approach for reducing NH3 emissions, though achieving high conversion across a broad temperature range without over-oxidation to NOx remains challenging. Here, the authors introduce a bi-metallic surficial Pt-Cu catalyst that effectively removes NH3 from both stationary and mobile exhaust sources via SCO. Lu Chen, Xuze Guan & Feng Ryan Wang Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Pt/IrOx enables selective electrochemical C-H chlorination at high current Large potentials required for C(sp3)-H bond activation and low water solubility make electrochemical functionalization of alkanes challenging. Here, the authors report that Pt/IrOx enables selective generation of Cl free radicals for chlorination of cyclohexane at industrially relevant rates. Bo Wu, Ruihu Lu & Yanwei Lum Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Surface molecular engineering to enable processing of sulfide solid electrolytes in humid ambient air The hypersensitivity of sulfide solid-state electrolytes to moisture are not compatible with today’s manufacturing infrastructure. Here, authors present a reversible surface modification strategy using 1-undecanethiol, that enables the processability of sulfide SSEs under humid ambient air. Mengchen Liu, Jessica J. Hong & Ping Liu Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Multimaterial cryogenic printing of three-dimensional soft hydrogel machines Hydrogel-based machines have potential in a range of applications, but it can be challenging to prepare multimaterial devices with complex structures. Here, the authors report the development of a multimaterial cryogenic printing technique that can be used to prepare three-dimensional structures with geometries such as overhanging, thin-walled and hollow. Jinhao Li, Jie Cao & Guoying Gu Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access High-purity hydrogen production from dehydrogenation of methylcyclohexane catalyzed by zeolite-encapsulated subnanometer platinum-iron clusters The large-scale deployment of H2 storage/transportation plants using the toluene-methylcyclohexane cycle depends on high-performance catalysts. Here, subnanometer bimetallic PtFe clusters confined within MFI zeolite demonstrate remarkable activity and stability for the dehydrogenation of methylcyclohexane, offering great potential for H2 storage systems based on liquid organic hydrogen carriers. Zhe He, Kailang Li & Lichen Liu Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Revealing the excited-state mechanisms of the polymorphs of a hot exciton material There is interest in hot exciton materials with multi-colour emission from solid states of single organic luminescent molecules. Here, the authors report on polymorph dependent differences in emission properties and excited-state behaviours. Ziqi Deng, Chao Huang & David Lee Phillips Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access All-solid-state batteries designed for operation under extreme cold conditions Lithium-ion batteries often struggle to maintain capacity in extreme cold conditions. Here, authors develop amorphous solid electrolytes (xLi₃N-TaCl₅) with high ionic conductivities and design all-solid-state batteries capable of operating at ‒60 °C for over 200 hours. Bolong Hong, Lei Gao & Ruqiang Zou Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Stabilization of oxygen vacancy ordering and electrochemical-proton-insertion-and-extraction-induced large resistance modulation in strontium iron cobalt oxides Sr(Fe,Co)Oy Hydrogen insertion and extraction in solids is a way to explore materials’ phases and properties. Here authors investigate the stabilisation of oxygen vacancy ordering in strontium iron cobalt oxides epitaxial films and their impact on proton accommodation and electrical resistance modulation. Yosuke Isoda, Thanh Ngoc Pham & Daisuke Kan Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Modulating synaptic plasticity with metal−organic framework for information-filterable artificial retina The authors demonstrate an information-filterable artificial retina system for signal perception and processing with attention, using metal-organic framework-based artificial synapses. They show enhanced short-term properties with small pores and long-term properties sustained by large pores and high ion affinity. Seongchan Kim, Ohchan Kwon & Jeong Ho Cho Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Harnessing orbital Hall effect in spin-orbit torque MRAM There has been a recent surge in interest in using the orbital Hall effect to improve switching performance and expand the material options for spin-orbit torque driven magnetic memory. Here, Gupta et al demonstrate a significant improvement switching efficiency through integration of Ru in place of the more standard heavy metal, Pt. Rahul Gupta, Chloé Bouard & Mathias Kläui Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Global-optimized energy storage performance in multilayer ferroelectric ceramic capacitors The authors report the enhanced energy storage performances of the target Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3-based multilayer ceramic capacitors achieved via the design of local polymorphic polarization configuration and the fabrication of prototype devices. Da Li, Zhaobo Liu & Di Zhou Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Atomically distributed Al-F3 nanoparticles towards precisely modulating pore size of carbon membranes for gas separation Carbon molecular sieve (CMS) membranes efficiently separate gas mixtures tuning the pore size of CMS membranes remains challenging. Here, the authors report an approach to finely modulate CMS pore structure via reactive Al(CH3)3 to atomic-level Al2O3 and defluorinated the polymer precursor in situ to Al-F3 particles during pyrolysis. Xiuling Chen, Zhiguang Zhang & Nanwen Li Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Overcoming optical losses in thin metal-based recombination layers for efficient n-i-p perovskite-organic tandem solar cells The performance of n-i-p perovskite-organic tandem solar cells is hampered by non-ideal interconnection layers. This study reports an optimized metal-based interconnection stack featuring high transparency and efficient carrier recombination, achieving 25.34% efficiency and improved stability in tandems. Jingjing Tian, Chao Liu & Christoph J. Brabec Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Trigger inducible tertiary lymphoid structure formation using covalent organic frameworks for cancer immunotherapy The formation of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) is promising for boosting cancer immunotherapy, but it is challenging to develop potential inducers for TLS formation. Here, the authors report a covalent organic framework (COF) that is able to trigger TLS formation. Liang Zhang, Boxin Zhang & Zhi-Jun Sun Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access General (hetero)polyaryl amine synthesis via multicomponent cycloaromatization of amines (Hetero)polyaryl amines are extensively prevalent in pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, and materials but the intricate and varied nature of their structures severely restricts their synthesis. Here, the authors present a selective multicomponent cycloaromatization of structurally and functionally diverse amine substrates for the general and modular synthesis of (hetero)polyaryl amines through copper(I)-catalysis. Lebin Su, Jianyu Dong & Yongbo Zhou Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Mitigating CaCO3 crystal nucleation and growth through continuous ion displacement via alternating electric fields Nucleation and growth of mineral crystals plague surfaces in contact with supersaturated fluids such as heat exchangers. Here, authors achieve near complete ( > 92%) mitigation of CaCO3 precipitation via alternating electric field and elucidate the mechanism through ion displacement and EDL charging. Yiming Liu, Minhao Xiao & David Jassby Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Efficient direct formic acid electrocatalysis enabled by rare earth-doped platinum-tellurium heterostructures Developing advanced Pt-based anodic catalysts is vital for direct formic acid fuel cell technology. Here, the authors present a synergistic amalgamation strategy to design diverse heterostructures, introducing a class of Pt-based catalysts with promising potential for practical applications. Xin Lin, Shize Geng & Lingzheng Bu Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access C–C bond coupling with sp3 C–H bond via active intermediates from CO2 hydrogenation CO2 hydrogenation has emerged as a sustainable alternative for side-chain alkylation of methyl groups. Here, the authors present the side-chain alkylation of 4-methylpyridine using CO2 hydrogenation as a substitute for methanol, facilitated by a Zn40Zr60O/CsX tandem catalyst. Qianli Ma, Jianian Cheng & Can Li Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Programming scheduled self-assembly of circadian materials Harnessing biomolecular systems to endow synthetic materials with life-like properties is a significant challenge. Here, the authors use the biomolecular KaiABC circadian clock proteins to control autonomous self-assembly and oscillation of colloids. Gregor Leech, Lauren Melcher & Rae M. Robertson-Anderson Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Structural and electronic features enabling delocalized charge-carriers in CuSbSe2 Heavy pnictogen-based compounds are promising nontoxic and stable alternatives to lead-halide perovskites, but are limited by carrier localization. Here, by investigating CuSbSe2, the authors identify how this limitation could be avoided. Yuchen Fu, Hugh Lohan & Robert L. Z. Hoye Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Endowing single-crystal polymers with circularly polarized luminescence Single-crystal polymers with circularly polarized luminescence are interesting materials, but challenging to prepare. Here, the authors report a single-crystal-to-single-crystal topochemical photopolymerisation to form polyionic polymer crystals with circularly polarized luminescence. Zhong-Qiu Li, Li Meng & Yu-Wu Zhong Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Enhanced non-classical electrostriction in strained tetragonal ceria Non-classical electrostriction in fluorites arises from defect-induced polarization and lattice distortions. This study shows that mismatch strain in Gd-doped CeO2 thin films fine-tunes electromechanical responses, achieving high electrostriction above 10−15 m2V−2. Simone Santucci, Milica Vasiljevic & Vincenzo Esposito Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access A stable and biocompatible shortwave infrared nanoribbon for dual-channel in vivo imaging While the shortwave infrared (SWIR) region has potential for bioimaging applications, stable and biocompatible SWIR absorbers/emitters are challenging to access. Here, the authors report the approach of crystal-aided aggregate synthesis for the development of J-aggregates for in vivo bioimaging. Cheng Yao, Ruwei Wei & Youjun Yang Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Multiscale integral synchronous assembly of cuttlebone-inspired structural materials by predesigned hydrogels For bioinspired structural materials, integral preparation of multiscale structures remains challenging. The authors report a hierarchical strategy to assemble multiple micro-nano units to complex multiscale structures integrally synchronously. Huai-Bin Yang, Yi-Xing Lu & Shu-Hong Yu Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access A stable open-shell peri-hexacene with remarkable diradical character [n]Peri-acenes have attracted interest as promising candidates for nanoelectronics and spintronics but the synthesis of large (n > 4) [n]peri-acenes is extremely challenging due to their intrinsic open-shell radical character and high reactivity. Herein, the authors report the synthesis and isolation of a derivative of peri-hexacene in crystalline form. Jinji Zhang, Xiaojing Fang & Wangdong Zeng Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Compound electron acceleration at planetary foreshocks Mechanisms responsible for the electron acceleration to near relativistic energies in Earth’s foreshock remains elusive. Here, the authors show that the combination of resonant scattering by distinct wave modes with known acceleration mechanisms explains the formation of observed electron fluxes up to and above 200 keV. Xiaofei Shi, Anton Artemyev & Lynn B. Wilson III Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access The Nordic-walking mechanism and its explanation of deconfined pseudocriticality from Wess-Zumino-Witten theory Deconfined quantum criticality represents a novel class of phase transitions that fall outside the Landau-Ginzburg theory, but experiments on material candidates show a weakly-first order transition. Here the authors introduce a Nordic walking mechanism to explain this behavior. Bilal Hawashin, Astrid Eichhorn & Shouryya Ray Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access The glycerol stabilized calcium phosphate cluster for rapid remineralization of tooth enamel by a water-triggered transformation Using remineralization materials to grow hydroxyapatite crystals on the surfaces is a common strategy for the repair of early demineralized tooth enamels but often stabilizers used for reparation and storage slow down the mineralization process. Here the authors use glycerol stabilized calcium phosphate cluster, which can perform a fast enamel repair via water-triggered transformation. Nan Luo, Bing-Qiang Lu & Xi Chen Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Moisture-based green energy harvesting over 600 hours via photocatalysis-enhanced hydrovoltaic effect This study designs a moisture-enabled electric generator (MEG) with a photocatalytic layer, achieving a 500% power density enhancement and continuous current output for over 600 hours, addressing the challenge of extended operation duration Peng Duan, Chenxing Wang & Tingting Yang Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Nano-island-encapsulated cobalt single-atom catalysts for breaking activity-stability trade-off in Fenton-like reactions SACs are known for their Fenton-like catalytic performance but face a trade-off between activity and stability in PMS -based systems. Here, authors address this issue by developing a nano-island encapsulated Co SAC that enhances the activity and stability of PMS activation via an “island-sea” effect. Zhi-Quan Zhang, Pi-Jun Duan & Han-Qing Yu Article 02 January 2025 | Open Access Living plastics from plasticizer-assisted thermal molding of silk protein Living materials align with sustainability goals, but usually face challenges such as limited environmental adaptability and restricted cellular functionality. Here, the authors report a sustainable plasticizer-assisted thermoplastic molding process to develop silk protein-based living plastics with dense structures, functioning as protective matrices for encapsulated microorganisms. Yushu Wang, Junqi Wu & David L. Kaplan