Nanoscience News (<front>)

Nature Nanotechnology, Published online: 02 September 2024; doi:10.1038/s41565-024-01773-4

This work employs nano- to microscale characterization to identify different structural change pathways associated with non-homogeneous reactions within the particles, and explores differences in the failure mechanisms of lithium-rich transition metal oxide materials at different current densities.

Nature Nanotechnology, Published online: 02 September 2024; doi:10.1038/s41565-024-01764-5

Orally administrable and glucose-responsive worm-like micelles have been developed to protect insulin in the gastrointestinal tract, enhance its intestinal absorption, accumulate in the liver and enable efficient and safe blood-glucose management.

Nature Materials, Published online: 02 September 2024; doi:10.1038/s41563-024-01961-6

Cancer cell-derived small extracellular vesicles bind to therapeutic nanoparticles leading them from tumours to the liver for degradation. This mechanism is another barrier for the development of efficient nanoparticle-based cancer therapies.

Nature Materials, Published online: 02 September 2024; doi:10.1038/s41563-024-01997-8

A p-block metal octoate additive in carbonate electrolytes enables the reversible plating/stripping of alkali metal in anode-free batteries by forming a protective layer with a preferentially adsorbed octoate moiety and uniformly plated p-block metal.

Title to be confirmed

Abstract not available

• Speaker: Jo Zanker (University of Northumbria)
• Tuesday 17 September 2024, 14:00-15:00
• Venue: BAS Seminar Room 1.
• Series: British Antarctic Survey - Polar Oceans seminar series; organiser: Dr Birgit Rogalla.

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3D-printed soft multifunctional composites enhance thermoelectric energy conversion by 70%. These stretchable thermoelectric generators exhibit exceptional structural robustness and damage tolerance, with 230% stretchability and functionality maintained even after being damaged by sharp objects and strained for thousands of cycles. Their 3D architecture also enables sufficient energy harvesting from body heat to power LEDs and wearable sensors at room temperature.

Abstract

Flexible thermoelectric devices (TEDs) exhibit adaptability to curved surfaces, holding significant potential for small-scale power generation and thermal management. However, they often compromise stretchability, energy conversion, or robustness, thus limiting their applications. Here, the implementation of 3D soft architectures, multifunctional composites, self-healing liquid metal conductors, and rigid semiconductors is introduced to overcome these challenges. These TEDs are extremely stretchable, functioning at strain levels as high as 230%. Their unique design, verified through multiphysics simulations, results in a considerably high power density of 115.4 µW cm⁻2 at a low-temperature gradient of 10 °C. This is achieved through 3D printing multifunctional elastomers and examining the effects of three distinct thermal insulation infill ratios (0%, 12%, and 100%) on thermoelectric energy conversion and structural integrity. The engineered structure is lighter and effectively maintains the temperature gradient across the thermoelectric semiconductors, thereby resulting in higher output voltage and improved heating and cooling performance. Furthermore, these thermoelectric generators show remarkable damage tolerance, remaining fully functional even after multiple punctures and 2000 stretching cycles at 50% strain. When integrated with a 3D-printed heatsink, they can power wearable sensors, charge batteries, and illuminate LEDs by scavenging body heat at room temperature, demonstrating their application as self-sustainable electronics.

Inspired by the multifunctions of mussel's catechol groups, here a pioneering “group synergy” design strategy has been proposed to create a waterborne fully polymeric fire-retardant coating that exhibits self-healing, strong adhesion, and superior fire protection for various substrates from polymer foams to steel structures. These results offer a promising design principle for creating high-performance fire-retardant coatings.

Abstract

Fire-retardant coatings represent a universal cost-effective approach to providing fire protection for various substrates without compromising substrates’ bulk properties. However, it has been attractive yet highly challenging to create waterborne polymeric fire-retardant coatings combining high-efficiency, generally strong adhesion, and self-repairability due to a lack of rational design principles. Inspired by mussel's unique adhesive, self-healing, and char-forming mechanisms, herein, a “group synergy” design strategy is proposed to realize the combination of self-healing, strong adhesion, and high efficiency in a fully polymeric fire-retardant coating via multiple synergies between catechol, phosphonic, and hydroxyethyl groups. As-created fire-retardant coating exhibits a rapid room-temperature self-healing ability and strong adhesion to (non)polar substrates due to multiple dynamic non-covalent interactions enabled by these groups. Because these functional groups enable the formation of a robust structurally intact yet slightly expanded char layer upon exposure to flame, a 200 µm-thick such coating can make extremely flammable polystyrene foam very difficult to ignite and self-extinguishing, which far outperforms previous strategies. Moreover, this coating can provide universal exceptional fire protection for a variety of substrates from polymer foams, and timber, to fabric and steel. This work presents a promising material design principle to create next-generation sustainable high-performance fire-retardant coatings for general fire protection.

A “dual-layer” coating is fabricated via an in situ conversion strategy, consisting of a VSe2/ZnSe outer layer with low lattice mismatch and a nano metallic V inner layer with corrosion resistance. This design not only facilitates interfacial ion transfer and electric field homogenization but also enables planar deposition, thereby achieving reversible and uniform zinc deposition.

Abstract

Owing to the considerable capacity, high safety, and abundant zinc resources, zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) have been garnering much attention. Nonetheless, the unsatisfactory cyclic lifespan and poor reversibility originate from side reactions and dendrite obstacles to their practical applications. In addition to inhibiting the corrosion of aqueous electrolytes, regulating planar deposition is a key strategy to enhance their long-term stability. Herein, an in situ conversion strategy is reported to construct a protective “dual-layer” structure (VZSe/V@Zn) on zinc metal, consisting of the VSe2-ZnSe outer layer with low lattice mismatch to Zn (002) plane, and corrosion-resistant nanometallic V inner layer. Such design integrates superior interfacial ionic/electronic transfer, corrosion resistance, and unique planar deposition regulation capability. The as-prepared VZSe/V@Zn demonstrates remarkable durability of 238 h at 50 mA cm−2 with a high depth of discharge (68.3% DOD) in the Zn||Zn symmetric cell. Even in the anode-free system, the as-prepared protective layer can extend the cycle life up to 2000 cycles, with an outstanding capacity retention of 93.1% and ultra-high average coulombic efficiency of 99.998%. This work delineates an effective strategy for fabricating lattice-matching protective layers, with profound implications for elucidating zinc deposition mechanisms and paving the way for the development of high-performance zinc batteries.

The enhanced carrier–phonon effect in a locally disordered structure near the pores in KTaO3 ultrathin nanosheets accelerates the formation of active hole polarons, effectively preventing the recombination of photogenerated electrons under mild conditions. The atomic-disordered pore KTaO3 ultrathin nanosheets demonstrate superior nitrogenoxidation performance, producing nitrate at a rate of 2.1 mg g−1 h−1.

Abstract

In the pursuit of successful photocatalytic transformations, challenges persist due to limitations in charge carrier utilization and transfer efficiency, which stemming from rapid recombination. Overcoming these limitations necessitates the exploration of novel mechanisms that enhance the effective separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs. Herein, deviating from the conventional approach of enhancing carrier migration to separate photogenerated charges and extend their lifetime, the proposal is to directly prevent the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes by forming hole polarons. Specifically, disordered pores are introduced on the surface of KTaO3 ultrathin sheets, and the clear-cut evidences in electron paramagnetic resonance, photoluminescence, and ultrafast spectroscopy unambiguously confirm the enhanced carrier–phonon coupling, which results in the formation of hole polarons to impede the recombination of photogenerated electron–hole pairs. Taking the challenging nitrogen oxidation reaction as an example, it is found that the hole polarons in atomic-disordered pore KTaO3 ultrathin nanosheets trigger outstanding photo-oxidation performance of  nitrogen (N2)to nitrate, with a nitrate-producing rate of 2.1 mg g−1 h−1. This scenario is undoubtedly applicable to a wide variety of photocatalytic reactions due to the common challenge of charge carrier recombination in all photocatalytic processes, manifesting broad implications for promoting photocatalysis performance.

Title to be confirmed

Abstract not available

• Speaker: Marc Weber Tobias, Investigative Law Offices
• Friday 13 December 2024, 14:00-15:00
• Venue: Webinar & LT1, Computer Laboratory, William Gates Building..
• Series: Computer Laboratory Security Seminar; organiser: Markus Kuhn.

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Energy Environ. Sci., 2024, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/D4EE02234C, PaperXiaoli Zhou, Wenting Liang, Ruijie Ma, Cuifen Zhang, Zhengxing Peng, Top Archie Padilla Dela Peña, Jiaying Wu, Zaifei Ma, Yaozu Liao, Gang Li, Huawei Hu
Controlling the morphology of organic solar cells (OSCs) presents a significant challenge due to their complex structure and composition. In particular, attaining synergistic control over both the multi-length-scale morphology and...
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Life without HOX

Abstract not available

• Speaker: Olivier Pourquié, Harvard Medical School
• Friday 20 September 2024, 11:00-12:00
• Venue: The Gurdon Institute, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN.
• Series: Gurdon Institute Seminar Series; organiser: events.

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Title to be confirmed

Abstract not available

• Speaker: Ina Sonnen, Hubrecht Institute
• Tuesday 10 December 2024, 11:00-12:00
• Venue: The Gurdon Institute, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN.
• Series: Gurdon Institute Seminar Series; organiser: Florence Leroy.

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Title to be confirmed

Abstract not available

• Speaker: Muzlifah Haniffa, Sanger Institute
• Thursday 30 January 2025, 11:00-12:00
• Venue: The Gurdon Institute, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN.
• Series: Gurdon Institute Seminar Series; organiser: communications.

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The Anne McLaren Lecture

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• Speaker: Alex Joyner, Sloan Kettering Institute
• Tuesday 18 March 2025, 11:00-12:00
• Venue: The Gurdon Institute, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN.
• Series: Gurdon Institute Seminar Series; organiser: Florence Leroy.

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• Speaker: Meritxell Huch, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden
• Tuesday 29 April 2025, 11:00-12:00
• Venue: The Gurdon Institute, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN.
• Series: Gurdon Institute Seminar Series; organiser: events.

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Abstract not available

• Speaker: Alex Schier, Biozentrum, University of Basel
• Tuesday 13 May 2025, 11:00-12:00
• Venue: The Gurdon Institute, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN.
• Series: Gurdon Institute Seminar Series; organiser: events.

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Title to be confirmed

Abstract not available

• Speaker: Ian Swinburne, UC Berkeley
• Tuesday 27 May 2025, 11:00-12:00
• Venue: The Gurdon Institute, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN.
• Series: Gurdon Institute Seminar Series; organiser: events.

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Title to be confirmed

Abstract not available

• Speaker: Jean-Paul Vincent, Crick Institute
• Tuesday 24 June 2025, 11:00-12:00
• Venue: The Gurdon Institute, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN.
• Series: Gurdon Institute Seminar Series; organiser: events.

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Francis Crick Lecture 2024: Neuronal circuits for body movements - In Person Only

Movement is the behavioral output of the nervous system. This lecture will focus on recent work elucidating the organization and function of neuronal circuits central to the regulation of distinct forms of body movements, including locomotion and skilled forelimb movements. It will show that dedicated circuit modules in different regions of the brainstem and their interactions within the motor system play key roles in the generation of diverse actions

• Speaker: Silvia Arber
• Monday 30 September 2024, 11:00-12:00
• Venue: In person in the Max Perutz Lecture Theatre (CB2 0QH) .
• Series: MRC LMB Seminar Series; organiser: Scientific Meetings Co-ordinator.

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