Nanoscience News (<front>)

Nature Nanotechnology, Published online: 18 February 2025; doi:10.1038/s41565-025-01857-9

Controlled synthesis of supramolecular structures within lysosomes holds promise for cancer imaging and treatment. The authors introduce a programmable assembly strategy to generate fluorescent nanofibres in tumour cell lysosomes, enabling targeted tumour accumulation and inducing pyroptosis for precise cancer imaging and immunotherapy.

A type of magnetically responsive artificial cells (ACs) has been developed, demonstrating the loading of mitochondria and self-enclosure processes to ensure the protection of mitochondrial transport via the bloodstream. The treatment with ACs effectively transplanted mitochondria around the lesion, thereby improving neurological recovery by supporting microglia immunological homeostasis after intracerebral hemorrhage.

Abstract

The immune-inflammatory responses in the brain represent a key therapeutic target to ameliorate brain injury following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), where pro-inflammatory microglia and its mitochondrial dysfunction plays a pivotal role. Mitochondrial transplantation is a promising strategy to improve the cellular mitochondrial function and thus modulate their immune properties. However, the transplantation of naked mitochondria into the brain has been constrained by the peripheral clearance and the difficulty in achieving selective access to the brain. Here, a novel strategy for mitochondrial transplantation via intravenous injection of magnetically responsive artificial cells (ACs) are proposed. ACs can protect the loaded mitochondria and selectively accumulate around the lesion under an external magnetic field (EMF). In this study, mitochondria released from ACs can effectively improve microglial mitochondrial function, attenuate their pro-inflammatory attributes, and elevate the proportion of immunosuppressive microglia. In this way, microglia immune homeostasis in the brain is reestablished, and inflammation is attenuated, ultimately promoting functional recovery. This study presents an effective approach to transplant mitochondria into the brain, offering a promising alternative to modulate the immune-inflammatory cascade in the brain following ICH.

The functionalized acellular mushroom scaffold promotes the healing of infectious bone defects through 1) controlling bacterial infections through Zn2+/curcumin MOFs; 2) rapid cell recruitment induced by its naturally aligned channels; 3) immune regulation and osteogenic differentiation by icariin.

Abstract

Infected bone defects are a common clinical condition, but conventional treatments often fail to achieve the desired outcomes, including addressing antibiotic resistance and preventing nonunion complications. In the presented study, a functionalized decellularized mushroom stem scaffold is developed composed of its naturally aligned channels, Zn2+/curcumin MOFs, hydroxyapatite minerals, and icariin. In vitro, It is found that functionalized acellular mushroom stem scaffold can control bacterial infections through Zn2+/curcumin MOFs. The naturally aligned channels guide bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) migration, and the components adsorbed on the acellular substrate further promote the migration of BMSCs. Moreover, these functional components further accelerated the polarization of M2 macrophage and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. In vivo, the functionalized decellularized mushroom stem scaffold cleared infected bacteria within 3 days, induced extracellular matrix secretion and alignment, and promoted new bone formation to cover defects within 8 weeks. The functionalized decellularized mushroom stem scaffold provides a promising strategy for treating infectious bone defects.

This work depicts a double confinement design to greatly improve the stability of intermetallic nanoparticles while maintaining their high catalytic activity toward proton exchange membrane fuel cells. This synthesis strategy involves the carbon encapsulation and O2-assisted pyrolysis process to fabricate carbon-supported Pt-based intermetallic nanoparticles with carbon and Pt-skin confinement.

Abstract

Maintaining the stability of low Pt catalysts during prolonged operation of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) remains a substantial challenge. Here, a double confinement design is presented to significantly improve the stability of intermetallic nanoparticles while maintaining their high catalytic activity toward PEMFCs. First, a carbon shell is coated on the surface of nanoparticles to form carbon confinement. Second, O2 is introduced during the annealing process to selectively etch the carbon shell to expose the active surface, and to induce the segregation of surface transition metals to form Pt-skin confinement. Overall, the intermetallic nanoparticles are protected by carbon confinement and Pt-skin confinement to withstand the harsh environment of PEMFCs. Typically, the double confined Pt1Co1 catalyst exhibits an exceptional mass activity of 1.45 A mgPt −1 at 0.9 V in PEMFCs tests, with only a 17.3% decay after 30 000 cycles and no observed structure changes, outperforming most reported PtCo catalysts and DOE 2025 targets. Furthermore, the carbon confinement proportion can be controlled by varying the thickness of the coated carbon shell, and this strategy is also applicable to the synthesis of double-confined Pt1Fe1 and Pt1Cu1 intermetallic nanoparticles.

The use of electrochemical correlative ellipsometry and surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy to trigger, control, and observe changes in the optical properties of reflectin protein films is demonstrated. Voltage-regulated charge neutralization allows tunable, reversible, and cyclic control of the water volume fraction in the reflectin film, thereby influencing its optical characteristics.

Abstract

Neuronally triggered phosphorylation drives the dynamic condensation of reflectin proteins, enabling squid to fine tune the colors reflected from specialized skin cells (iridocytes) for camouflage and communication. Reflectin, the primary component of iridocyte lamellae, forms alternating layers of protein and low refractive index extracellular space within membrane-encapsulated structures, acting as a biologically tunable distributed Bragg reflector. In vivo, reflectin condensation induces osmotic dehydration of these lamellae, reducing their thickness and shifting the wavelength of reflected light. Inspired by this natural mechanism, we demonstrate that electrochemical reduction of imidazolium moieties within the protein provides a reversible and tunable method to control the water volume fraction in reflectin thin films, allowing precise, dynamic modulation of the film’s refractive index and thickness — mimicking the squid’s dynamic color adaptation. To unravel the underlying mechanisms, we developed electrochemical correlative ellipsometry and surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy, enabling real-time analysis of optical property changes of reflectin films. This electrochemically driven approach offers unprecedented control over reflectin condensation dynamics. Our findings not only deepen the understanding of biophysical processes governing cephalopod coloration but also pave the way for bio-inspired materials and devices that seamlessly integrate biological principles with synthetic systems to bridge the biotic-abiotic gap.

Single crystal microcavity organic light-emitting diodes (SC-MC-OLEDs) with high color purity (FWHM < 10 nm), high brightness (> 106 cd m−2), high efficiency (EQE∼4%), high polarization (> 0.90) and high stability are realized by combining the large size 2D organic single crystals with efficient microcavity effect, unlocking potential for ultra-high-definition displays and AR/VR applications.

Abstract

The development of ultra-high-definition (UHD) displays demands organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with high color purity of all three primary colors for a wide color gamut and high brightness essential for future AR/VR applications. However, the vibronic coupling in organic emitters typically results in broad emissions, with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) exceeding 40–50 nm. Herein, multicolor organic single-crystal microcavity light-emitting diodes (SC-MC-OLEDs) are demonstrated by embedding ultrathin 2D organic single crystals (2D-OSCs) between two silver layers that serve as both electrodes and mirrors. By leveraging the microcavity effect, the resonant output frequencies of SC-MC-OLEDs can be continuously tuned from 448 to 602 nm by adjusting the thickness of 2D-OSCs (i.e., the microcavity length), achieving high color purity with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of <10 nm. Furthermore, the Purcell effect in SC-MC-OLEDs enhances the radiative rate and improves light-coupling efficiency, resulting in a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of up to 4% and minimal efficiency roll-off. Due to the excellent bipolar transport properties of OSCs, the brightness of SC-MC-OLEDs surpasses 106 cd m−2, along with a degree of linear polarization exceeding 0.9, unlocking new application opportunities.

Full-color carbon dots (FCDs) with emission wavelengths ranging from 434 to 703 nm are synthesized using Rhodamine B (RhB) as the sole precursor. The photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs) and gain performance of the FCDs are enhanced due to cross-linked enhanced emission (CEE) effects. Tunable liquid-state laser emissions in green, yellow, red, and NIR regions are achieved with lower laser thresholds compared to RhB, demonstrating superior laser stability. Additionally, these FCDs are validated as excellent laser sources. Furthermore, cytotoxicity tests confirmed that FCDs exhibit significantly lower toxicity and superior staining effects compared to RhB.

Abstract

Carbon dots (CDs) serve as a novel, non-toxic, cost-effective, and highly-stable solution-processable nanolaser material. However, compared to commonly used commercial laser dyes, CDs exhibit lower photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs), radiation transition rates, and gain coefficients. Consequently, this leads to higher laser thresholds that significantly impede the expansion of practical applications for CDs. Therefore, enhancing the gain performance of CDs is crucial in guiding the design of CD gain materials and promoting their practical applications. Herein, Rhodamine B (RhB) is employed as a sole precursor for the synthesis of full-color CDs (FCDs) with vibrant blue, green, yellow, red, and NIR (denoted as B-CDs, G-CDs, Y-CDs, R-CDs, and NIR-CDs) fluorescence through cross-linking, polymerization, and carbonization processes. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra ranged from 434 to 703 nm. Notably, the PLQYs and gain performance of FCDs are improved due to cross-linked enhanced emission (CEE) effects. Green, yellow, red, and NIR laser emission is achieved with lower laser thresholds and exhibited superior laser stabilities than RhB. Furthermore, cytotoxicity tests confirm that FCDs possess significantly lower toxicity than RhB. This study not only validates the applicability of CEE in CDs for developing multicolor gain materials but also advances the practical application of miniaturized lasers based on CDs.

HPCA, CGO & CC 2025 practice presentations

To prepare for the wealth of papers at HPCA , CGO and CC in a couple of weeks’ time, we’re running practice talks for the authors. Please join us for some or all of them based on the schedule below.

1030 Karl Mose MASCOT : Predicting Memory Dependencies and Opportunities for Speculative Memory Bypassing

1050 Mahwish Arif Janitizer: Rethinking Binary Tools for Practical and Comprehensive Security

1110 Peter Zhang Parallaft: Runtime-based CPU Fault Tolerance via Heterogeneous Parallelism

1130 Minli Liao A Deep Technical Review of nZDC Fault Tolerance

10 minute break

1200 Sasha Lopoukhine A Multi-Level Compiler Backend for Accelerated Micro-Kernels Targeting RISC -V ISA Extensions

1220 Mathieu Fehr xDSL: Sidekick Compilation for SSA -Based Compilers

1240 Guoliang He CuAsmRL: optimizing GPU SASS schedules via deep reinforcement learning

• Speaker: Computer architecture group students
• Thursday 20 February 2025, 10:30-13:00
• Venue: SS03, Computer Laboratory, William Gates Building.
• Series: Computer Laboratory Computer Architecture Group Meeting; organiser: Timothy M Jones.

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Geometric Deep Learning for Structure-Based Drug Design

Geometric deep learning is revolutionizing structure-based drug design (SBDD), enabling us to harness the full potential of three-dimensional protein structures for drug development. In this talk, I will present a comprehensive overview of how geometric deep learning approaches advance critical tasks in SBDD , from binding site prediction to linker design. I will examine the latest architectures that can effectively process and learn from 3D structural data and discuss their practical applications in drug discovery pipelines. Looking ahead, I will also highlight some emerging opportunities in this rapidly evolving field.

Teams link available upon request (it is sent out on our mailing list, eng-mlg-rcc [at] lists.cam.ac.uk). Sign up to our mailing list for easier reminders via lists.cam.ac.uk.

• Speaker: Zixing Song
• Wednesday 19 February 2025, 11:00-12:30
• Venue: Cambridge University Engineering Department, CBL Seminar room BE4-38..
• Series: Machine Learning Reading Group @ CUED; organiser: .

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Energy Environ. Sci., 2025, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D5EE00217F, PaperZekun Li, Pengfei Huang, Jinfeng Zhang, Zhaoxin Guo, Zhedong Liu, Li Chen, Jingchao Zhang, Jiawei Luo, Xiansen Tao, Zhikai Miao, Haoran Jiang, Chunying Wang, Xinran Ye, Xiaona Wu, Wei-Di Liu, Rui Liu, Yanan Chen, Wenbin Hu
We developed an innovative high-temperature shock (HTS) technique to synthesize uniformly coated materials, resulting in enhanced surface structures, improved cycling stability, and pouch cells retaining over 70% capacity after 700 cycles.
To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above.
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Energy Environ. Sci., 2025, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/D4EE04896B, PaperYitong Peng, Tao Meng, Pingan Li, Rongxin Li, Xianluo Hu
Significant heat is often generated within lithium-ion batteries during practical operation, particularly under fast-charging or extreme conditions. If not dissipated efficiently, this heat can induce catastrophic thermal runaway. In this...
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On Curve Approximation over Nonlinear Domains

In recent years, progress has been made in constructing methods for approximating curves in various domains, such as manifolds. This talk will explore our recent advances in curve approximation within Wasserstein spaces, covering key concepts, ongoing developments in analyzing our approximation operators, and illustrative examples.

• Speaker: Nir Sharon
• Thursday 20 February 2025, 15:00-16:00
• Venue: Centre for Mathematical Sciences, MR14.
• Series: Applied and Computational Analysis; organiser: Matthew Colbrook.

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Title to be confirmed

Abstract not available

• Speaker: Speaker to be confirmed
• Wednesday 07 May 2025, 14:30-15:30
• Venue: Unilever Lecture Theatre, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry.
• Series: Theory - Chemistry Research Interest Group; organiser: Lisa Masters.

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Searching for Life in Stranger Seas

With a planet teaming with life all around us, it is tempting to think that any life on other worlds must be like Earth life. But is that true, and if it is not, what limits can we place on where we might look for life on other worlds? Starting from the still-controversial possibility of the presence of phosphine in the clouds of Venus, I will discuss what we know (not much) can model (some) and speculate about how the chemistry of life might work on other worlds under conditions very different from Earth. In particular, different atmospheres give different chemistries, possibly chemistries that use solvents other than water as their base. Alternative solvents open up the possibility of life on many bodies previously considered uninhabitable, such as the clouds of Venus, the surface of Mars, even the Moon. I will end with some thoughts on complex, even intelligent, life and where we might find it.

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_N2YxZjU5NTgtYzIwNi00MTY2LThkY2ItZjQyMTJmNjdkMWQw%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2249a50445-bdfa-4b79-ade3-547b4f3986e9%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%2253b919d9-f8a7-4f56-9bb0-baaf0ba7404d%22%7d

• Speaker: William Bains
• Tuesday 18 February 2025, 11:00-12:00
• Venue: Chemistry Dept, Unilever Lecture Theatre and Zoom.
• Series: Centre for Atmospheric Science seminars, Chemistry Dept.; organiser: Dr Megan Brown.

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Low carbon construction, a return to stone, a new vernacular for the UK

Steve founded Webb Yates Engineers with Andy Yates in 2005. Since founding the company, he has led a number of prestigious, multi award-winning projects, including the Stirling Prize shortlisted 15 Clerkenwell Close, The Kantor Centre of Excellence for the Anna Freud Centre, and the Hoover Building.

While thriving to make building structures intrinsic to architecture, Steve has pioneered the practice’s approach to innovation and sustainability. He is a strong advocate for the use of non-conventional materials to design low carbon structures, from cast iron to cork, and from inflatables to stone and timber.

Steve has written extensively for industry publications, including the Architect’s Journal, Architectural Review, Architecture Today, and the RIBA Journal. In 2020, he was awarded the Milne Medal, for continuously challenging and redefining what is considered possible in structural design.

• Speaker: Steve Webb, Webb Yates Engineers, UK
• Friday 21 February 2025, 15:30-16:30
• Venue: Teaching Room (James Dyson Building).
• Series: Engineering Department Structures Research Seminars; organiser: Shehara Perera.

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Bubble growth in alkaline electrolysis

In the production of hydrogen via electrolysis, bubbles of hydrogen and oxygen must grow and detach from the electrode. Discussion of factors effecting rate of bubble growth and final detachment volume, and their contribution to overall efficiency.

• Speaker: James Morris, IEEF
• Thursday 20 February 2025, 11:30-12:30
• Venue: Open Plan Area, Institute for Energy and Environmental Flows, Madingley Rise CB3 0EZ.
• Series: Institute for Energy and Environmental Flows (IEEF); organiser: Catherine Pearson.

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Fractal Geometry: War, Peace, Fourier Analysis and the mysterious coastline of Great Britain

Fractals first appeared in traditional architecture, particularly in traditional African, Arabic, and Mudejar styles. In mathematics, while some fractals appeared sporadically from the 17th century onwards, it was not until the 20th century that we began studying them seriously.

In this talk, I will first use the history of fractal geometry to introduce the intuition behind fractal dimensions and their basic properties. This will allow me to explain how different fields study fractal behaviour, including how it arises in nature and what fractals have to do with borders and coastlines. Finally, we will see all previous concepts in action in current research on the dipole Kakeya problem.

• Speaker: Jose Ramon
• Thursday 20 February 2025, 13:00-14:00
• Venue: Richard King room, Darwin College.
• Series: Darwin College Science Seminars; organiser: Alexander R Epstein.

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Energy Environ. Sci., 2025, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/D4EE06107A, Review ArticleXiancheng Wang, Zihe Chen, Shiyu Liu, Shuibin Tu, Renming Zhan, Li Wang, Yongming Sun
High energy density and exceptional fast-charging capability are emerging as critical technical parameters for lithium (Li)-based rechargeable batteries, aimed at meeting the increasing demands of advanced portable electronics, electric vehicles,...
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Energy Environ. Sci., 2025, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/D4EE05699J, Paper Open Access &nbsp This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence.Dong Suk Kim, Yun Seop Shin, Jaehwi Lee, Dong Gyu Lee, Jiwon Song, Jongdeuk Seo, Jina Roe, Min Jung Sung, Sujung Park, Gwang Yong Shin, Jiwoo Yeop, Dongmin Lee, Chang Hyeon Yoon, Minseong Kim, Jung Geon Son, Gi-Hwan Kim, Shinuk Cho, Jin Young Kim, Tae Kyung Lee
In spiro-OMeTAD-based hole-transporting layer (HTL) protocols, 4-tert-butylpyridine (tBP) constitutes an indispensable component; however, its inclusion engenders substantial detrimental ramifications, precluding realizing thermal stability. Here, a tBP-free spiro-OMeTAD approach was successfully...
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The thresholds of an excitable system

An excitable behavior is best characterized by its threshold. But what is the threshold of an excitable behavior ? This talk will briefly review the history of this longstanding question in order to highlight the difficulty of defining a mathematical concept of threshold for a closed dynamical system. This limitation motivates a novel definition of threshold for open physical systems within the classical framework of dissipativity theory. The proposed definition is tested on the paradigmatic model of Hodgkin and Huxley. It is shown to motivate a number of novel research questions in control theory. In particular, we discuss the generalization of dissipative theory from RC circuits to circuits that contain memristive elements and constant voltage sources. Such neuromorphic circuits lead to an attractive generalization of the LQR problem.

The seminar will be held in the JDB Seminar Room , Department of Engineering, and online (zoom): https://newnham.zoom.us/j/92544958528?pwd=YS9PcGRnbXBOcStBdStNb3E0SHN1UT09

• Speaker: Rodolphe Sepulchre, KU Leuven and University of Cambridge
• Thursday 20 February 2025, 14:00-15:00
• Venue: JDB Seminar Room, Department of Engineering and online (Zoom).
• Series: CUED Control Group Seminars; organiser: Fulvio Forni.

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