Tea, a nutritionally and culturally vital beverage, demands reliable quality grading and cultivar authentication, particularly for high-value functional varieties. Yet the complex tea matrix and subtle compositional diff...Tea, a nutritionally and culturally vital beverage, demands reliable quality grading and cultivar authentication, particularly for high-value functional varieties. Yet the complex tea matrix and subtle compositional differences among closely related cultivars render on-site identification challenging. While nanopore sensing shows great potential, its application to tea analysis remains unexplored. Herein, we present a rapid single-molecule sensing strategy using phenylboronic acid-modified MspA-90PBA nanopores, achieving accurate tea grading and cultivar discrimination via anthocyanin-catechin dual-component fingerprinting. A total of 10 tea polyphenols (2 anthocyanins and 8 catechins) generate distinct current signals. A machine-learning model reaches 94.2% accuracy for polyphenol identification in complex tea matrixes. This platform precisely discriminates anthocyanin-enriched tea from its closely related tea cultivar and grades samples of various quality levels. This high-precision approach provides an effective tool for tea authentication, quality evaluation, and adulteration detection, with broad potential for rapid natural product assessment.
Nanomedicine translation is limited by inefficient delivery into solid tissues of multilayered cells such as tumors. Recently, several studies highlighted the importance of transcellular transport in nanoparticle (NP) ex...Nanomedicine translation is limited by inefficient delivery into solid tissues of multilayered cells such as tumors. Recently, several studies highlighted the importance of transcellular transport in nanoparticle (NP) extravasation into solid tumors. However, the underlying mechanism, especially the process from NP export from one cell and re-entry into another (termed "intercellular exchange" collectively), remains poorly understood. This review summarizes the progress in eliciting the NP transport across multilayered cells, and the efforts in studying the intercellular exchange of NPs. Particularly, our studies have revealed as a novel conduit of NP transfer between cells and NP delivery into solid tumors . We further overviewed the efforts on how to chemically regulate this EV route for boosting the NP delivery efficiency. Overall, this review highlights the importance of EVs in NP delivery and provides new insights on enhancing nanomedicine efficacy through regulating EV machinery.
Hydrogels are widely used in microelectronics due to their solution storage and mass transport capabilities, with transport properties and mechanical strengths critical for device performance and durability. To address t...Hydrogels are widely used in microelectronics due to their solution storage and mass transport capabilities, with transport properties and mechanical strengths critical for device performance and durability. To address the poor mechanical performance of polyacrylamide (PAM) hydrogels, the deep eutectic solvent sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (DES-NaCMC) is synthesized from wheat straw-derived cellulose via etherification as a functional additive. It possesses a unique aromatic lignin component and significantly enhances the mechanical properties of the PAM hydrogel. More importantly, the incorporation of DES-NaCMC regulates the crystallinity and swelling behavior of the hydrogel and introduces abundant carboxylate (-COO-) groups, thereby strengthening the mass transport within the hydrogel. The resulting micro-direct liquid fuel cell achieves substantially enhanced performance, substantially outperforming the pure PAM system. Additionally, the hydrogel-based strain sensor exhibits high sensitivity and a broad detection range for human-motion monitoring. This work presents a biomass-derived hydrogel platform for advancing next-generation microelectronic devices.
Unlocking extreme fast charging in lithium-ion batteries requires ultra-early detection of lithium plating. While macroscopic expansion tracking is a promising tool, current methods rely on empirical slopes and lack a fu...Unlocking extreme fast charging in lithium-ion batteries requires ultra-early detection of lithium plating. While macroscopic expansion tracking is a promising tool, current methods rely on empirical slopes and lack a fundamental physical boundary. This work establishes an absolute mechanical baseline for lithium plating by bridging first-principles calculations with operando tracking. We quantitatively decouple the intrinsic volumetric strain of intercalation from the massive partial molar volume surge of metallic deposition. This process yields a rigorous theoretical threshold of 1.20 × 10 cm/C without the need for post-mortem fitting. Experiments on a pouch-cell platform demonstrate that this bottom-up baseline acutely captures mechanical anomalies during nascent lithium nucleation. The diagnostic remains robust under overcharge, subzero temperatures, and high charging rates. Finally, we translate this physical boundary into an active feedback loop for millisecond-level current derating. This framework successfully halts dendrite growth and promotes the reintercalation of dead lithium.
With the advancement of the Internet of Everything (IoE), flexible electromagnetics has emerged to enable adjustable electromagnetic performance under mechanical deformation. As key electromagnetic devices, flexible radi...With the advancement of the Internet of Everything (IoE), flexible electromagnetics has emerged to enable adjustable electromagnetic performance under mechanical deformation. As key electromagnetic devices, flexible radio-frequency (RF) antennas enable reliable wireless communication, which requires conductive materials that combine mechanical flexibility with high electrical conductivity to minimize electromagnetic loss. However, maintaining efficient electron transport while accommodating deformation remains a major challenge. MXene emerges as a promising electromagnetic material because its atomic-thin layers can slide under bending to reduce strain, and its high in-plane conductivity enables efficient electron transport. Nevertheless, the monolayer defects or inefficient interlayer charge transport in MXene films increases the effective skin depth and weakens surface current confinement, thereby increasing electromagnetic transmission loss with reduced radiation efficiency. This review summarizes recent advances in high-conductivity (≥10,000 S cm) MXene electromagnetic films and outlines the challenges and prospects for their application in flexible RF antennas.
Dash A, Tripathi SP, Georgakopoulos D
… +17 more, Feng M, Yianni S, Vahapoglu E, Rahman MM, Bonen S, Brace O, Huang JY, Lim WH, Chan KW, Gilbert W, Laucht A, Morello A, Saraiva A, Escott CC, Voinigescu SP, Dzurak AS, Tanttu T
Many technologies require a precise electrical current standard that at present is achieved indirectly through voltage and resistance standards. Silicon-based charge pumps could provide a direct electrical standard that...Many technologies require a precise electrical current standard that at present is achieved indirectly through voltage and resistance standards. Silicon-based charge pumps could provide a direct electrical standard that scales inherently through their compatibility with complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) fabrication methods. However, coherent quantized charge transfer has so far been demonstrated only in nanoscale devices that are custom-fabricated in academic cleanrooms or research technology foundries. Here, we show that a CMOS device manufactured with a commercial 22 nm process node can be used to realize a quantum current standard in the International System of Units (SI). We measure the accuracy of two parallel-connected charge pumps with reference to SI-traceable voltage and resistance standards in a pumped helium system. This translation of low-temperature quantum effect device concepts from scientific research into an industrial fabrication context opens a path toward advancing quantum electrical metrology and quantum hardware engineering.
Two-dimensional (2D) layered materials are well known for superlubricity on their basal plane, but friction and stress can be more than an order of magnitude larger at step edges, preventing the 2D materials from achievi...Two-dimensional (2D) layered materials are well known for superlubricity on their basal plane, but friction and stress can be more than an order of magnitude larger at step edges, preventing the 2D materials from achieving superlubricity in macroscale applications. Here, taking graphene as an example, we show a strategy to achieve friction reduction by introducing carbon chains at step edges via hydrogen plasma treatment. After grafting dodecyl chains, friction at single-layer graphene step edges is reduced by up to 67%. A series of molecular dynamics simulations are performed to unravel the tuning effect, showing that the grafted carbon chains alleviate interfacial strain concentration, which plays a dominant role in friction reduction. This work proposes a selective functionalization strategy for atomic step edges to reduce friction and provides deeper insight into the origin of high friction at step edges.
Plasmonic metal-semiconductor hybrid systems have emerged as promising platforms for enhancing photocatalytic efficiency through hot-carrier generation and transfer, with applications in solar energy conversion and chemi...Plasmonic metal-semiconductor hybrid systems have emerged as promising platforms for enhancing photocatalytic efficiency through hot-carrier generation and transfer, with applications in solar energy conversion and chemical synthesis. Here, we investigate ultrafast charge carrier dynamics in a polymeric carbon nitride photocatalyst hybridized with gold nanostars. Using pump-probe spectroscopy, efficient electron scavenging and strong interfacial electronic coupling between gold and a poly(heptazine imide) matrix was observed, manifesting in significant modifications in the hot-carrier relaxation dynamics. Hot-electron injection from gold to poly(heptazine imide) with an efficiency of approximately 40% (standard error 12%) was observed, one of the highest reported for metal-semiconductor systems. This enhanced efficiency is attributed to the nanostar morphology, whose sharp features promote momentum relaxation and facilitate interfacial charge transfer. The findings provide direct insight into excitation-dependent electron dynamic processes and highlight the strong potential of carbon nitride-based composites for plasmonically enhanced photocatalysis, offering guidance for the design and optimization of advanced photocatalytic systems.
Fluorescence microscopy in deep tissue is strongly degraded by optical aberrations, leading to reduced signal-to-noise ratio and spatial resolution. Conventional adaptive optics (AO) relies on physical wavefront-modulati...Fluorescence microscopy in deep tissue is strongly degraded by optical aberrations, leading to reduced signal-to-noise ratio and spatial resolution. Conventional adaptive optics (AO) relies on physical wavefront-modulation hardware and iterative correction procedures, which increase system complexity and, under photon-limited deep-tissue conditions, constrain temporal resolution. We present a deep-learning-based computational adaptive optics framework, termed virtual deformable mirror AO (VDM-AO), that enables fully digital aberration correction without physical wavefront-modulation hardware. Central to this approach are dual-near-infrared lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles that function as embedded guide stars for aberration sensing in scattering tissue. By integrating Zernike-based aberration modeling with a residual channel attention network, VDM-AO predicts 28 Zernike modes and digitally reconstructs aberration-corrected images from heavily distorted inputs. This strategy accurately recovers severely distorted images and achieves high-resolution imaging at depths up to 360 μm. By introducing UCNP guide stars into computational AO, this approach provides a low-cost, high-throughput solution for reliable deep-tissue aberration correction.
The dense microenvironment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) poses a formidable barrier to nanomedicine penetration, rendering selective tumor retention critical for effective drug delivery. Cell-penetrating peptid...The dense microenvironment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) poses a formidable barrier to nanomedicine penetration, rendering selective tumor retention critical for effective drug delivery. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs)-PEG polymers improve SN38 cellular uptake but lack tumor selectivity. We employed a quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR)-driven strategy to screen a combinatorial CPPs library for tumor microenvironment responsiveness. We elucidated that proline residues induce peptide bending and steric effects, resulting in PEG shield to limit cargo cellular entry. Eliminating these residues abrogated structural kinks, yielding a linearized peptide topology that effectively pierced the PEG shell to engage anionic membrane receptors, thereby enhancing tumor penetration and intracellular accumulation. Consequently, the optimized TAT-PEG-SN38 micelles prolonged blood circulation and suppressed TNBC growth and metastasis. Furthermore, combination treatment with JQ-1 attenuated immune evasion. Overall, peptide structure engineering overcomes the PEG barrier, providing a practical strategy for developing novel peptide-drug conjugates.
Precise characterization of individual Josephson junctions (JJs) is essential for developing uniform superconducting JJ arrays, particularly in precision metrology, coherent THz sources, and quantum computing. Convention...Precise characterization of individual Josephson junctions (JJs) is essential for developing uniform superconducting JJ arrays, particularly in precision metrology, coherent THz sources, and quantum computing. Conventional electrical approaches are often limited by noise, averaging requirements, and the lack of single-junction resolution in large arrays. Here, we introduce a noninvasive optical modulation technique enabling efficient and selective probing of individual JJ characteristics. By modulating the intensity of a light source at high frequencies (50 kHz), we induce controlled changes in JJ properties and extract with high precision using lock-in detection. This method achieves 1% accuracy with only 100 ms of integration, offering comparable precision with substantially reduced acquisition time. Importantly, it enables scalable, parallel superlocalized mapping of JJ arrays through beam steering or multiplexed illumination, allowing identification of local inhomogeneities and defects. Beyond JJs, this approach provides a general framework for spatially resolved probing of emerging quantum materials and devices.
The apparent durability of proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs) employing RuO anodes varies significantly, even though RuO is often used as a benchmark for Ru-based catalysts. We find that the in-plane c...The apparent durability of proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs) employing RuO anodes varies significantly, even though RuO is often used as a benchmark for Ru-based catalysts. We find that the in-plane conductivity effectively indicates key microstructural characteristics that govern the apparent durability. Low in-plane conductivity (e.g., <10 S cm in this study) limits electron transport and catalyst utilization while increasing susceptibility to electrochemical degradation. Only when in-plane conductivity is sufficiently high (above ∼25 S cm in this study) does apparent device durability reflect the intrinsic electrochemical stability of RuO catalysts. Increasing the isopropanol ratio in the catalyst ink or adding carbon black as a conductive additive markedly enhances in-plane conductivity, extending device durability from 10.7 to 63.5 h (5.9-fold) at 1 A cm. This work clarifies the origin of apparent stability discrepancies among RuO catalysts in PEMWEs, identifying in-plane conductivity as a key structural descriptor for reliable durability assessment.
Lazrak G, Abrudan R, Göbel B
… +11 more, Panda S, Hrabovsky D, Luo C, Ukleev V, Mallik S, Vicente-Arche LM, Radu F, Valencia S, Johansson A, Barthélémy A, Bibes M
The broken inversion symmetry at interfaces of complex oxides gives rise to emergent phenomena, such as ferromagnetism and Rashba spin-orbit coupling (SOC) which influence the electronic structure by entangling spin and...The broken inversion symmetry at interfaces of complex oxides gives rise to emergent phenomena, such as ferromagnetism and Rashba spin-orbit coupling (SOC) which influence the electronic structure by entangling spin and momentum. While the interplay between Rashba SOC and ferromagnetism is theoretically intriguing, its experimental manifestations remain largely unexplored. Here we demonstrate a ferromagnetic Rashba two-dimensional electron gas at a SrTiO-based interface in which the anomalous Hall effect (AHE) and nonlinear transport can be tuned electrostatically. The AHE varies in amplitude but also reverses sign with gate voltage due to the reversal of the net Berry curvature, providing a distinct form of magnetoelectric switching. In addition, we observe spontaneous nonreciprocal transport at zero magnetic field whose polarity is governed by the remanent magnetization and is strongly gate-tunable. These results establish oxide-based ferromagnetic Rashba 2DEGs as a platform to engineer Berry-curvature landscapes and explore gate-tunable spintronic functionalities driven by band topology.
Colored radiative cooling paints offer immense potential for aesthetic thermal management. However, previous studies have been limited to either intuition-driven forward designs that are too expensive to yield non-intuit...Colored radiative cooling paints offer immense potential for aesthetic thermal management. However, previous studies have been limited to either intuition-driven forward designs that are too expensive to yield non-intuitive optimal designs or to optimizations only at the level of idealized optical spectra. We present a machine-learning-enabled inverse design framework for generating paint formulations with optimal cooling performance and desired color. By integration of photon Monte Carlo simulations with surrogate modeling, this approach bridges the gap between theoretical spectra and physical realization. Our approach uncovers a non-intuitive "double narrow-band absorption" strategy that reduces solar heating power by up to 193 and 37 W/m compared to conventional additive and single-band subtractive strategies, respectively. A systematic exploration of the HSL color space reveals that 24% of colors can achieve daytime subambient cooling when realistic material limitations are considered. This automated pipeline provides practical guidelines for designing high-performance, aesthetically tailored radiative cooling coatings.
Synthetic, natural, and biological macromolecules are ubiquitous in aquatic environments, affecting industrial processes such as filtration and posing ecological risks even at trace levels. Here, exploiting particle-poly...Synthetic, natural, and biological macromolecules are ubiquitous in aquatic environments, affecting industrial processes such as filtration and posing ecological risks even at trace levels. Here, exploiting particle-polymer interactions under flow, we report a microfluidic platform for ultrasensitive monitoring of macromolecules in water. Fixed obstacles act as "collectors" enriching macromolecules, while injected micro/nanoparticles serve as "detectors" binding to those accumulated at the surface. The resulting ordered particle accumulation is visualized to assess macromolecule contamination using a standard microfluidic setup without additional assays or specialized modules. Quantitative analyses show well-calibrated concentration-intensity relationships, with parts-per-billion-level detection limits and subminute response times. Transitions in accumulation patterns under varying macromolecular properties further allow substance identification. Compared with existing methods, our approach demonstrates superior performance across sensitivity, selectivity, efficiency, and cost. The platform provides an alternative for water quality assessment and enables broader applications such as capture of micro/nanoplastics.
The electrocatalytic nitrate reduction reaction (NORR) efficiently converts nitrate pollutants into valuable ammonia. While layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are promising NORR catalysts, their inherent low conductivity a...The electrocatalytic nitrate reduction reaction (NORR) efficiently converts nitrate pollutants into valuable ammonia. While layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are promising NORR catalysts, their inherent low conductivity and layer stacking hinder performance. Herein, we report a binary-soft-template-mediated colloidal strategy to fabricate monolayer NiMnFe LDH ultrathin nanosheets (UNSs), constructing Fe(OH)/NiMnFe LDHs heteronanostructures (HNs) via edge-selective growth. This noble-metal-free, loop-sheet catalyst achieves an outstanding ammonia production rate (24.41 mg h cm), high selectivity, and long-term durability. These superior catalytic properties are attributed to Fe incorporation, which optimizes the electronic structure and enriches active sites, and the constructed heterointerfaces that facilitate efficient electron transfer. This synthetic strategy provides a robust platform for engineering advanced LDH-based and 2D materials to achieve specific functionalities in nitrate reduction.
Large-scale carbon nanotube (CNT) synthesis based on floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition (FC-CVD), unlike conventional CVD, utilizes a growth promoter, commonly a sulfur-containing species, whose role in the over...Large-scale carbon nanotube (CNT) synthesis based on floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition (FC-CVD), unlike conventional CVD, utilizes a growth promoter, commonly a sulfur-containing species, whose role in the overall growth process is still poorly understood, hindering more efficient reactor design and a better quality CNT product. By developing a machine-learning interatomic potential here, we conduct atomistic molecular dynamics collision simulations for pure Fe and Fe-S clusters that allow us to directly quantify their sticking probability. Sulfur is found to reduce the intrinsic sticking for small clusters, instead strongly enhancing it for larger sizes. We demonstrate that this crossover is driven by S-induced shape compliance, a mechanism where surface passivation leads to large shape fluctuations that efficiently absorb collision energy. These insights may help rationalize the diverse and sometimes conflicting experimental outcomes reported for S-assisted FC-CVD synthesis of CNTs.
Cesium lead bromide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) covered with lecithin ligands in liquid toluene suspensions were investigated with a range of complementary scattering techniques and nuclear magnetic resonance to reveal...Cesium lead bromide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) covered with lecithin ligands in liquid toluene suspensions were investigated with a range of complementary scattering techniques and nuclear magnetic resonance to reveal their surface chemistry, solution structure, and diffusive dynamics. Distinct self-diffusion coefficients were determined and analyzed, namely the center-of-mass diffusion of the NCs and of coexisting ligand micelles, as well as the lateral diffusion of the l-α-lecithin ligand relative to the NC surface and within the micelles. We find a dynamic surface equilibrium, represented by a tunable lateral diffusion coefficient dependent on the ligand surface density. This phenomenon can be rationalized by the extraordinary binding of this zwitterionic ligand and its ability to bind via two different binding sites. These results highlight the dynamic nature of the ligand binding to lead halide perovskite NCs.
Two-dimensional (2D) Ruddlesden-Popper metal halide perovskites exhibit an unusually rich optical response, characterized by multiple sidebands, broad quasi-plateaus, and pronounced thickness-dependent spectral features....Two-dimensional (2D) Ruddlesden-Popper metal halide perovskites exhibit an unusually rich optical response, characterized by multiple sidebands, broad quasi-plateaus, and pronounced thickness-dependent spectral features. In this Review, we reassess their optical properties by examining the interplay between electronic structure, exciton fine structure, exciton-phonon coupling, and photonic effects. We show that the exceptionally large excitonic oscillator strength and high refractive index naturally give rise to excitonic stop bands and interference effects that can dominate reflection, transmission, and absorption spectra, even in nominally free-standing crystals. We further discuss the complexity of the photoluminescence response, including evidence for exciton-polaron formation, self-trapping, and defect-assisted recombination. By placing electronic, vibrational, and photonic effects on equal footing, this Review provides a unified framework for interpreting optical spectra in 2D perovskites.
In this work, we investigate the collective electrostatic effects of one-dimensional (1D) Janus MoSTe nanotubes and their impact on the band alignment of nanotube heterostructures. Using first-principles calculations bas...In this work, we investigate the collective electrostatic effects of one-dimensional (1D) Janus MoSTe nanotubes and their impact on the band alignment of nanotube heterostructures. Using first-principles calculations based on density functional theory, we find that the Janus nanotube generates a large and uniform electrostatic potential of more than 1.3 V within the nanotube pores, which is cumulative for double-wall nanotubes. We developed an analytical model to provide a quantitative understanding of the electrostatic potential and its dependence on the quadrupole moment and nanotube radius. For the double-wall MoSTe nanotube, we find a substantial band edge shift of about 1.0 eV for the inner tube originating from the electrostatic effects, leading to a type II band alignment. These results demonstrate that the electrostatic effects of 1D nanotubes can be used to tune the electronic properties and band alignment of 1D nanotube heterostructures for optoelectronic and catalytic applications.