Nanoscience News (<front>)

Au substrate induces a strain in the adhered bottommost MoS2 layer. The strain weakens the coupling at the first MoS2-MoS2 interface, making it the weakest point in the system, therefore MoS2 crystal preferentially cleaves at this interface, facilitating the selective exfoliation of large-area monolayers with size comparable to that of the parent crystal.

Abstract

Gold-assisted exfoliation (GAE) is a groundbreaking mechanical exfoliation technique that produces centimeter-scale single-crystal monolayers of 2D materials. Such large, high-quality films offer unparalleled advantages over the micron-sized flakes typically produced by conventional exfoliation techniques, significantly accelerating the research and technological advancements in the field of 2D materials. Despite its wide applications, the fundamental mechanism of GAE remains poorly understood. In this study, using MoS₂ on Au as a model system, ultra-low frequency Raman spectroscopy is employed to elucidate how the interlayer interactions within MoS2 crystals are impacted by the gold substrate. The results reveal that the coupling at the first MoS2-MoS2 interface between the adhered layer on the gold substrate and the adjacent layer is substantially weakened, with the binding force being reduced to nearly zero. This renders the first interface the weakest point in the system, thereby the crystal preferentially cleaves at this junction, generating large-area monolayers with sizes comparable to the parent crystal. Biaxial strain in the adhered layer, induced by the gold substrate, is identified as the driving factor for the decoupling effect. The strain-induced decoupling effect is established as the primary mechanism of GAE, which can also play a significant role in general mechanical exfoliations.

A microfluidic-assisted hydrogen-bond organic framework (HOF) nanoplatforms depletes polyamines in the tumor microenvironment, reversing T-cell immunosuppression and enhancing dendritic cell activity. By releasing CRISPR-Cas9 and inducing neoantigen generation via carbonyl stress and mutational burden elevation, this system enables precision cancer immunotherapy through dual-action mechanisms targeting both immune vigor and tumor vulnerability.

Abstract

Polyamines have tantalized cancer researchers as a potential means to rein in the rampant growth of cancer cells. However, clinical trials in recent decades have disappointed in delivering notable progress. Herein, a microfluidic-assisted synthetic hydrogen-bond organic framework (HOF) as a polyamine-depleting nanoplatforms designed to unleash the vigor of both dendritic cells (DCs) and T cells for precision cancer immunotherapy is reported. Upon internalization by tumor cells, the loaded plasma amine oxidase (PAO) in HOF efficiently depletes polyamines, remolding the tumor microenvironment and alleviating T-cell immunosuppression. This process also generates acrolein and H2O2, triggering CRISPR-assisted neoantigen generation. Specifically, Acrolein induces carbonyl stress, increasing mutational burdens. Simultaneously, HOF leverages the energy from the bis[2,4,5-trichloro-6-(pentyloxycarbonyl)phenyl] oxalate (CPPO)-H2O2 reaction for CRET-triggered singlet oxygen production, leading to thioether bond cleavage and release CRISPR-Cas9. Once released, CRISPR-Cas9 knocks out the DNA mismatch repair (MMR)-related MLH1 gene, further elevating mutational burdens and generating neoantigens, ideal targets for DCs. This dual-action strategy not only corrects T-cell immunosuppression but also enhances DC efficacy, presenting a powerful approach for tumor immunotherapy.

A microphase separated “water-in-oil” (W/O) electrolyte is proposed to simultaneously regulate the water molecules in both electrolyte bulk and electrode interface. Benefiting from the directed movement and reversible demulsification of micelles under the electric field, the as-developed zinc metal batteries using W/O electrolyte exhibits extended cyclability, improve interface dynamics and negligible H2 evolution.

Abstract

The sustained hydrogen evolution and zinc (Zn) dendrite growth greatly impede the practical application of low-cost aqueous Zn metal batteries (ZMBs). Herein, for the first time, a microphase separation strategy is proposed to construct a ″water-in-oil (W/O) electrolyte to endow durable ZMBs. As validated by theoretical modeling and experimental characterizations, the unique reverse micelle structure within the electrolyte not only disrupts water hydrogen bonding and efficiently inhibits the water consumption at Zn anode, but also undergoes directed movement and reversible demulsification under electric field, thus enhancing the anode desolvation kinetics and inhibiting the interfacial side reactions. Owing to the simultaneous regulation of water molecules in both electrolyte bulk and anode interface, this W/O electrolyte achieves a high Zn plating/stripping Coulombic efficiency of 99.76% over 6000 cycles, and maintains an extend lifespan in Zn||V10O24·12H2O (VOH) cells with negligible hydrogen evolution and dendrite formation. These key findings are expected to promote the electrolyte engineering toward reversible ZMBs.

Herein, an effective strategy is proposed to efficiently harvest waste heat by Zn-ion battery under thermally regenerative electrochemical cycles. A record high temperature coefficient of 2.944 mV K−1 is obtained, leading to the high relative Carnot efficiency of 26.08% and energy efficiency of 104.11% when the battery is charged at 50 °C and discharged at 5 °C.

Abstract

Typical technologies that can convert waste heat into electricity include thermoelectrics, thermionic capacitors, thermo-cells, thermal charge cells, and thermally regenerative electrochemical cycles. They have small thermal-to-electrical conversion efficiency or poor stability, severely hindering the efficient recovery of waste heat. Herein, a thermally regenerative electrochemical Zn-ion battery to work under Carnot-like mode to efficiently harvest waste heat into electricity is successfully developed. Through introducing Layered Double Hydroxides to modify the battery's anode reaction, a record absolute high temperature coefficient of 2.944 mV K−1 is achieved in NiHCF/Zn battery, leading to a high thermal-to-electrical conversion efficiency of 26.08% of the Carnot efficiency and an extraordinary energy efficiency of 104.11% when the battery is charged at 50 °C and discharged at 5 °C. This work demonstrates that thermally regenerative electrochemical batteries can effectively harvest waste heat to provide a powerful energy conversion technology.

Through the de novo design of bioinspired hedgehog artificial mesoporous nanostructure with virus-like spiky topography (mAPt), the antibody-level bacteria grabbing attributed to the “mechanic invasion”-induced hierarchical dynamic identification ranging from rough surface contact to penetration fixation is verified. Further integrated with spiky-induced near-superblack characteristic and plasmonic “hot spot”, mAPt enables advanced applications in immunoassay and photothermal sterilization.

Abstract

The interactions exploration between microorganisms and nanostructures are pivotal steps toward advanced applications, but the antibody-level bacteria grabbing is limited by the poor understanding of interface identification mechanisms in small-sized systems. Herein, the de novo design of a bioinspired hedgehog artificial mesoporous nanostructure (core–shell mesoporous Au@Pt (mAPt)) are proposed to investigate the association between the topography design and efficient bacteria grabbing. These observations indicate that virus-like spiky topography compensates for the obstacles faced by small-sized materials for bacteria grabbing, including the lack of requisite microscopic cavities and sufficient contact area. Molecular dynamics simulation reveals that spiky topography with heightened mechano-invasiveness (6.56 × 103 KJ mol−1) facilitates antibody-level bacteria grabbing, attributed to the “mechanic invasion”-induced hierarchical dynamic identification ranging from rough surface contact to penetration fixation. Furthermore, light reflectance and finite element calculation confirmed that mAPt exhibits near-superblack characteristic and plasmonic hot spot, facilitating enhanced photothermal conversion with power dissipation density at 2.04 × 1021 W m−3. After integrating the hierarchical dynamic identification with enhanced light response, mAPt enables advanced applications in immunoassay with 50-fold sensitivity enhancement and over 99.99% in vitro photothermal sterilization. It is anticipated that this novel biomimetic design provides a deeper understanding of bacteria grabbing and a promising paradigm for bacteria combating.

The advancement of lubricating materials is essential across multiple fields, including biomedicine and mechanical manufacturing. Insights drawn from natural lubrication are invaluable for designing innovative lubrication materials. This review examines the lubrication mechanisms in natural organisms and highlights recent advancements in biomimetic soft matter lubricating materials, providing a valuable resource for research in advanced lubrication technologies.

Abstract

Friction-induced energy consumption is a significant global concern, driving researchers to explore advanced lubrication materials. In nature, lubrication is vital for the life cycle of animals, plants, and humans, playing key roles in movement, predation, and decomposition. After billions of years of evolution, natural lubrication exhibits remarkable professionalism, high efficiency, durability, and intelligence, offering valuable insights for designing advanced lubrication materials. This review focuses on the lubrication mechanisms of natural organisms and significant advancements in biomimetic soft matter lubrication materials. It begins by summarizing common biological lubrication behaviors and their underlying mechanisms, followed by current design strategies for biomimetic soft matter lubrication materials. The review then outlines the development and performance of these materials based on different mechanisms and strategies. Finally, it discusses potential research directions and prospects for soft matter lubrication materials. This review will be a valuable resource for advancing research in biomimetic lubrication materials.

Nanocrystalline perovskites enable efficient, high-color-purity future displays through advanced material engineering. This review highlights their roles in improving PeLED efficiency and stability, focusing on three types: polycrystalline perovskites, quasi-2D perovskites, and perovskite nanoparticles. It discusses material design strategies, exciton recombination dynamics, development trends, challenges, and pathways for commercialization.

Abstract

Nanocrystalline perovskites have driven significant progress in metal halide perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) over the past decade by enabling the spatial confinement of excitons. Consequently, three primary categories of nanocrystalline perovskites have emerged: nanoscale polycrystalline perovskites, quasi-2D perovskites, and perovskite nanocrystals. Each type has been developed to address specific challenges and enhance the efficiency and stability of PeLEDs. This review explores the representative material design strategies for these nanocrystalline perovskites, correlating them with exciton recombination dynamics and optical/electrical properties. Additionally, it summarizes the trends in progress over the past decade, outlining four distinct phases of nanocrystalline perovskite development. Lastly, this review addresses the remaining challenges and proposes a potential material design to further advance PeLED technology toward commercialization.

Nature Materials, Published online: 20 February 2025; doi:10.1038/s41563-025-02179-w

Author Correction: Predesigned perovskite crystal waveguides for room-temperature exciton–polariton condensation and edge lasing

Nature Energy, Published online: 20 February 2025; doi:10.1038/s41560-025-01721-z

Large emission reductions in buildings and transport are possible by integrating demand-side strategies to electrify energy use, improve technological efficiency, and reduce or shift patterns of activity. With enabling policies and infrastructures, final energy users can make significant contributions to climate goals, particularly through widespread deployment of heat pumps and electric vehicles.

Nature Energy, Published online: 20 February 2025; doi:10.1038/s41560-025-01726-8

Ni-rich cathodes in all-solid-state batteries experience capacity fading due to surface degradation, particle isolation and detachment at the cathode–electrolyte interface. This study quantifies these degradation factors, showing that detachment increases with Ni content and emphasizing the need for strategies to address these challenges.

Nature Nanotechnology, Published online: 20 February 2025; doi:10.1038/s41565-025-01868-6

Theoretical studies discover quantum momentum tunnelling between liquid flows separated by nanometre-thick graphene layers via the interaction between molecular dipole excitations and plasmons.

Nature Nanotechnology, Published online: 20 February 2025; doi:10.1038/s41565-024-01853-5

A four-qubit processor of three phosphorus nuclear spins and an electron spin in silicon enables the implementation of a three-qubit Grover’s search algorithm with 95% fidelity. The implementation is based on an advanced multi-qubit gate with single-qubit gate fidelities above 99.9% and two-qubit gate fidelities above 99%.

Nature Nanotechnology, Published online: 20 February 2025; doi:10.1038/s41565-025-01870-y

This paper shows that nano-enabled dehydrogenation catalysis in biological systems induces a domino effect, including reductive stress, immunosuppression and tumour metastasis.

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.

Zoom link for remote joining: https://cam-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/85958833166?pwd=y4vX6U2YS4wID0gP6v7koVjjYVCIrr.1

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 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.

Add to your calendar or Include in your list

Title to be confirmed

Abstract not available

• Speaker: Carlos Jerez Hanckes (University of Bath)
• Thursday 15 May 2025, 15:00-16:00
• Venue: Centre for Mathematical Sciences, MR14.
• Series: Applied and Computational Analysis; organiser: Georg Maierhofer.

Add to your calendar or Include in your list

TBC

Abstract not available

• Speaker: Xavier Pritchard, Sussex
• Friday 21 March 2025, 13:00-14:00
• Venue: Potter room.
• Series: DAMTP Friday GR Seminar; organiser: Xi Tong.

Add to your calendar or Include in your list

TBC

Abstract not available

• Speaker: Zoe Wyatt, DAMTP
• Friday 14 March 2025, 13:00-14:00
• Venue: Potter room.
• Series: DAMTP Friday GR Seminar; organiser: Xi Tong.

Add to your calendar or Include in your list

TBC

Abstract not available

• Speaker: Alex Colling, DAMTP
• Friday 07 March 2025, 13:00-14:00
• Venue: Potter room.
• Series: DAMTP Friday GR Seminar; organiser: Xi Tong.

Add to your calendar or Include in your list

TBC

Abstract not available

• Speaker: Stav Zalel, University of Cambridge
• Friday 28 February 2025, 13:00-14:00
• Venue: Potter room.
• Series: DAMTP Friday GR Seminar; organiser: Xi Tong.

Add to your calendar or Include in your list

Title to be confirmed

Abstract not available

• Speaker: Dominik Hahn, Oxford
• Thursday 24 April 2025, 14:00-15:30
• Venue: TCM Seminar Room.
• Series: Theory of Condensed Matter; organiser: Gaurav.

Add to your calendar or Include in your list