Nanoscience News (<front>)

Abstract not available

• Speaker: Jeremy Hahn (Cambridge)
• Wednesday 05 March 2025, 16:00-17:00
• Venue: CMS, MR15.
• Series: Differential Geometry and Topology Seminar; organiser: Oscar Randal-Williams.

Add to your calendar or Include in your list

Abstract not available

The host for this talk is Mirjana Bozic

• Speaker: Professor Katie Slocombe, Department of Psychology, University of York, UK
• Friday 14 March 2025, 12:00-13:30
• Venue: Ground Floor Lecture Theatre, Department of Psychology.
• Series: Zangwill Club; organiser: Sara Seddon.

Add to your calendar or Include in your list

Abstract not available

• Speaker: Robert Asher (Associate Professor and Curator, University Museum of Zoology)
• Friday 07 March 2025, 15:30-17:00
• Venue: Seminar Room 2, Department of History and Philosophy of Science.
• Series: Coffee with Scientists; organiser: Prof. Hasok Chang.

Add to your calendar or Include in your list

Abstract not available

• Speaker: Nicholas Humphrey (Emeritus Professor of Psychology, London School of Economics)
• Friday 14 February 2025, 15:30-17:00
• Venue: Seminar Room 2, Department of History and Philosophy of Science.
• Series: Coffee with Scientists; organiser: Prof. Hasok Chang.

Add to your calendar or Include in your list

A facile, rapid, scalable, and low-cost self-accelerated method to synthesize imide covalent organic frameworks (COFs) is developed. This synthetic method is performed under solvent-free and atmospheric pressure conditions. The in situ generated water during monomer condensation can significantly accelerate the reversible self-healing of disordered polymers to form highly crystalline imide COFs.

Imide covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are considered promising materials in various fields due to their exceptional stability, large surface area, and high porosity. However, current synthesis methods of imide COFs typically involve complex vacuum operations, large amounts of solvents, and long reaction times at high temperatures, limiting their scalability for industrial production. Herein, a facile self-accelerated strategy is developed for rapid, low-cost, and large-scale synthesis of eight imide COFs (SACOFs) under solvent-free, vacuum-free, and low-temperature conditions. Mechanistic studies reveal that the self-accelerated synthesis is driven by the self-generated water under atmospheric conditions, which accelerates the reversible self-healing of disordered polymers, ultimately leading to the rapid synthesis of highly crystalline COFs. Notably, the only additive required besides the COF monomers is o-substituted benzoic acid, a small amount of which is grafted onto the imide COFs, enabling their straightforward functionalization. Thiol-functionalized SACOFs are synthesized as supports for anchoring Pd nanoparticles. The as-prepared Pd@SACOFs exhibit high activity and selectivity in the hydrogenation of substituted nitrobenzene due to the surface modulation of Pd by thiol groups. The self-accelerated synthetic strategy enables rapid, low-cost, and large-scale production of imide COFs, potentially paving the way for their transition from laboratory research to commercial applications.

The strategy of manipulating redox signaling molecules to inhibit or activate immune signaling provides an emerging strategy for anti-infective treatment. Here, the MOF nanocatalytic system induces a strong antibacterial response by triggering redox homeostasis imbalance in both of the bacteria and neutrophils, and initiate neutrophil N1 polarization in the infection microenvironment.

Strategies of manipulating redox signaling molecules to inhibit or activate immune signals have revolutionized therapeutics involving reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, certain diseases with dual resistance barriers to the attacks by both ROS and immune cells, such as bacterial biofilm infections of medical implants, are difficult to eradicate by a single exogenous oxidative stimulus due to the diversity and complexity of the redox species involved. Here, this work demonstrates that metal-organic framework (MOF) nanoparticles capable of disrupting the bacterial ROS-defense system can dismantle bacterial redox resistance and induce potent antimicrobial immune responses in a mouse model of surgical implant infection by simultaneously modulating redox homeostasis and initiating neutrophil N1 polarization in the infection microenvironment. Mechanistically, the piezoelectrically enhanced MOF triggers ROS production by tilting the band structure and acts synergistically with the aurintricarboxylic acid loaded within the MOF, which inhibits the activity of the cystathionine γ-cleaving enzyme. This leads to biofilm structure disruption and antigen exposure through homeostatic imbalance and synergistic activation of neutrophil N1 polarization signals. Thus, this study provides an alternative but promising strategy for the treatment of antibiotic-resistant biofilm infections.

Multimodal Sensing Ionogels

In article number 2414663, Chen Xu, Shengqiang Bai, Ziqi Liang, and coworkers demonstrat the multimodal sensing capabilities of a paradigm ionogel, [EMIM][TFSI]/PVDF–HFP. Under applied temperature and pressure fields, the iongel exhibits piezoelectric (PE) augmented ionic thermoelectric (iTE) properties, where ion transport is modulated by a PE-induced internal field. Such dual-stimuli sensitivity, coupled with iTE-based humidity responsiveness, holds great potential for clinical applications. It can effectively monitor vital signs such as blood pressure, cardiac function, and blood loss from wounds.

Extracellular Protein Identification Cytometry

Knowledge of the extracellular matrix drives our understanding of cell behavior. However, current analysis methods are limited to either bulk or low-throughput single-cell analysis, thus masking the heterogeneity in matrix deposition. Extracellular protein identification cytometry (EPIC) combines the high-throughput single-cell analysis of flow cytometry with engineered microniche 3D cell culture, jointly enabling in situ matrix analysis of large cell populations. More details can be found in article number 2415981 by Jeroen Leijten and co-workers.

Stretchable Microelectrode Array

In article number 2412953, Kiup Kim and co-workers introduce a highly stretchable 3D MEA with PEDOT:PSS protruding microelectrodes structurally designed to ensure a reliable and stable interface with organoids even under buoyant forces in media. This design achieves high SNR electrophysiological signals, enabling precise and non-invasive functional assessments of organoids. The system demonstrates significant potential for drug screening and disease modeling.

Epitaxial 1T-TaS2 Spirals

In article number 2413926, Yi-Hsien Lee and his colleagues demonstrate scalable synthesis of epitaxial TaS2 spirals. An intertwined charge density wave (CDW)-Mott appears with a commensurate CDW phase at room temperature. Modulated interlayer spacing effectively manipulates interlayer interactions, which opens a new avenue toward tunable collective properties in spiral 2D lattices.

Trace Adsorptive Removal of PFAS

By tuning the interfacial chemistry of water-stable metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and polymer-MOF hybrids, sorbent filters were developed for rapid, recyclable, and efficient PFAS removal, even at concentrations as low as two parts per billion. More details can be found in article number 2413120 by Jörg E. Drewes, Roland A. Fischer, Soumya Mukherjee, and co-workers.

3D QR Cube Platform

In article number 2416121, Sohyung Kim, Jiheon Lim, and co-workers present a 3D quick response (QR) cube platform that utilizes near-infrared (NIR)-to-NIR upconversion nanoparticles for spatial information storage and security. By employing volumetric space and a convolutional neural network, the platform precisely reconstructs the 3D QR cube and achieves high prediction accuracy. Leveraging the cube's 3D spatial design, it offers advanced encryption capabilities far beyond traditional 2D codes, presenting new possibilities for secure and robust multi-level encryption in 3D space.

Biofilm Eradication

In article number 2409633, Min Ge, Chuang Yang, Han Lin, Jianlin Shi, and co-workers developed a physical and chemical barrier breakthrough strategy for biofilms via redox homeostasis manipulation. The nanosystem can enhance the attack of ROS via exogenous stimulation while providing interference with endogenous H2S synthase to reduce the resistance of reducing species, which together lead to severe structural damage in biofilms. In addition, oxidative stress mediates N1 polarization of neutrophils, leading to immunobactericidal effects.

Metaplastic Synaptic Devices for Continual Learning

In article number 2411237, Yishu Zhang, Changhong Wang, Xiaolei Zhu, and co-workers demonstrat an innovative metaplastic artificial synaptic device, enabling artificial neural networks with multitask continual learning capabilities. The introduction of graphene quantum dots mediates electron motion to balance weight stability and plasticity, successfully mimicking the advanced learning characteristics of biological brains and addressing the issue of catastrophic forgetting in artificial neural networks.

This review presents a comprehensive overview of the cutting-edge research and potential applications of machine learning in the field of solid-state hydrogen storage materials, including mechanism mining, high-throughput design, and scale-up assembly application, outlining a roadmap for more efficient and environmentally friendly energy storage solutions.

Machine learning (ML) has emerged as a pioneering tool in advancing the research application of high-performance solid-state hydrogen storage materials (HSMs). This review summarizes the state-of-the-art research of ML in resolving crucial issues such as low hydrogen storage capacity and unfavorable de-/hydrogenation cycling conditions. First, the datasets, feature descriptors, and prevalent ML models tailored for HSMs are described. Specific examples include the successful application of ML in titanium-based, rare-earth-based, solid solution, magnesium-based, and complex HSMs, showcasing its role in exploiting composition–structure–property relationships and designing novel HSMs for specific applications. One of the representative ML works is the single-phase Ti-based HSM with superior cost-effective and comprehensive properties, tailored to fuel cell hydrogen feeding system at ambient temperature and pressure through high-throughput composition-performance scanning. More importantly, this review also identifies and critically analyzes the key challenges faced by ML in this domain, including poor data quality and availability, and the balance between model interpretability and accuracy, together with feasible countermeasures suggested to ameliorate these problems. In summary, this work outlines a roadmap for enhancing ML's utilization in solid-state hydrogen storage research, promoting more efficient and sustainable energy storage solutions.

Achieving high-performance all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) typically involves high fabrication pressure and operation pressure, which poses a significant challenge for the practical application of ASSBs. This review summarizes the pressure-related challenges and strategies for ASSBs and offers perspectives on how to reduce fabrication and operation pressure. The insights aim to guide the design of low-pressure ASSBs, thus facilitating their practical application.

All-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) are regarded as promising next-generation energy storage technology owing to their inherent safety and high theoretical energy density. However, achieving and maintaining solid–solid electronic and ionic contact in ASSBs generally requires high-pressure fabrication and high-pressure operation, posing substantial challenges for large-scale production and application. In recent years, significant efforts are made to address these pressure-related challenges. In this review, the impact of pressure on ASSBs is explored. First, the categories, origins, and challenges associated with pressure in ASSBs are outlined. Second, an overview of recent advancements in addressing pressure-related issues in ASSBs is provided, focusing on electrode materials and their interfaces with various solid-state electrolytes (SSEs). Third, advanced characterizations and simulations employed to unravel the intricate electrochemical–mechanical interactions in ASSBs are examined. Finally, existing strategies and the insights on achieving low-stack-pressure ASSBs are presented.

Smart wearable devices with reversible color displays are vital for future smart textiles and applications like bio-robots and health monitoring. This review systematically examines the development and design strategies of chromic wearables, categorized by their color-reversing mechanisms: thermochromic, mechanochromic, electrochromic, and photochromic. It highlights functional materials, synthesis processes, and dual/multi-stimuli responsive devices, offering insights and future perspectives for researchers.

Smart wearable devices with dynamically reversible color displays are crucial for the next generation of smart textiles, and promising for bio-robots, adaptive camouflage, and visual health monitoring. The rapid advancement of technology brings out different categories that feature fundamentally different color-reversing mechanisms, including thermochromic, mechanochromic, electrochromic, and photochromic smart wearables. Although some reviews have showcased relevant developments from unique perspectives, reviews focusing on the advanced design of flexible chromic wearable devices within each category have not been reported. In this review, the development history and recent progress in smart chromic wearables across each category are systematically examined. The design strategies for each chromic wearable device are outlined with a focus on functional materials, synthesis processes, and advanced applications. Furthermore, integrated devices based on dual-stimuli and multi-stimuli responsive chromics with customizable functionalities are summarized. Finally, challenges and perspectives on the future development of smart chromic wearables are proposed. Such a systematic summary will serve as a valuable insight for researchers in this field.

This is experimentally observed that the generation of orbital currents from orbital dynamics in the antiferromagnetic insulator α-Fe2O3 via terahertz emission spectroscopy, a phenomenon known as orbital pumping. This phenomenon occurs when the magnonic orbital moment of the antiferromagnetic insulator α-Fe2O3 is excited by the ultrafast laser, resulting in the pumping of orbital current into Pt/CuOx interface.

The orbital Hall effect originating from light materials with weak spin-orbit coupling, has attracted considerable interest in spintronic applications. Recent studies demonstrate that orbital currents can be generated from charge currents through the orbital Hall effect in ferromagnetic materials. However, the generation of orbital currents in antiferromagnets has so far been elusive. In this work, this is experimentally observed that the generation of orbital currents from orbital dynamics in the antiferromagnetic insulator α-Fe2O3 via terahertz (THz) emission spectroscopy, a phenomenon known as orbital pumping. A significant increase in THz signal is obtained in α-Fe2O3/Pt/CuOx heterostructure compared to that of α-Fe2O3/Pt, with the maximum value occurring at a Pt thickness of 2 nm. The enhancement of the THz signal is attributed to the fact that magnons injected into Pt excite a coupled spin-orbital current that flows toward the Pt/CuOx interface, aside from the spin-to-charge conversion in the Pt layer. The magnetoresistance contains the conventional spin-Hall magnetoresistance contributed by the Pt layer and an additional orbital contribution from the Pt/CuOx interface. The Pt/CuOx interface generates an orbital current and absorbs the orbital accumulation, similar to the orbital-Hall magnetoresistance. This finding provides a rich platform for orbital-to-charge conversion and opens an interdisciplinary field of antiferromagnetic orbitronics.