Nanoscience News (<front>)

A pH-dependent phosphate conformal coating capable of effectively suppressing the electrolyte decomposition and considerably enhancing the mechanical stability of graphite cathode via a bonding interaction with binder enables 5.0 V graphite cathodes over 10,000 cycles with an exceptional capacity retention of 80.7% in dual-ion batteries.

Dual-ion batteries (DIBs) composed of a graphite cathode and a lithium anode are promising candidates for high-energy and high-power energy storage systems. However, graphite cathode undergoes rapid failure during the extended cycling and rapid charge/discharge mainly because of its structural breakdown and drastic resistance rise of cathode/electrolyte interphase (CEI) arising from the violent electrolyte decomposition at high voltage (4.5–5.0 V). Unlike the mainstream CEI modification strategy solely solving the problem of electrolyte decomposition, this work proposes a bifunctional CEI construction strategy that not only inhibits the electrolyte decomposition but also enhances the mechanical stability of graphite cathodes. Three pH-variable phosphates (LiH2PO4, Li2HPO4 and Li3PO4) are artificially coated on the surface of natural graphite (NG) particles through a green and low-cost wet coating route. The acidic LiH2PO4 coating not only effectively suppresses the electrolyte decomposition through the formation of a conformal coating layer, but also considerably enhances the mechanical strength of NG cathode via a strong bonding between LiH2PO4 and binder. The underlying mechanisms are elucidated through both theoretical calculations and empirical experiments. The optimized NG cathode is able to withstand fast charge/discharge at 60 C and exhibits exceptional capacity retention of 80.7% after 10,000 cycles 2 C.

Next-generation all-solid-state batteries require high-capacity yet stable Si anodes, which still suffer from severe volume expansion and lithium dendrite growth. This article presents a soft carbon-TiSi2 multilayer anode that overcomes these challenges. The designed ST5/SC/Li structure enables ultra-long cycling over 64 000 cycles at 10C with zero capacity decay and charge–discharge cycling time exceeding 10 000 h. The multilayer architecture offers synergistic effects of stress buffering, dynamic lithium replenishment, and stable ion-electron dual conduction.

Li metal and Si anodes are in urgent need for next-generation all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) due to their high energy density. However, short-circuit caused by Li dendrite growth and rapid capacity fading due to severe volume expansion of Si still seriously limit their application. Herein, a Si-TiSi2-LPSCl/soft carbon/Li (ST5-SC-Li) three-layer structured anode is designed to overcome these challenges. Multi-layer structure restricts the anisotropic expansion of Si by using the rigid support of TiSi2 and the plastic deformation capability of LPSCl. The composite layer forms a continuous ionic channel through close contact between Si and sulfide electrolyte, and constructs an “ion-electron dual network” in addition to the high electronic conductivity of the Si-Ti alloy. The SC layer forms ion-conductive LiC6, further absorbing expansion stress and inhibiting dendrite penetration. The Li metal layer dynamically compensates for the irreversible capacity loss of Si. The LCO/LPSCl/ST5-SC-Li SASSBs achieves an ultra-long cycle of 64 000 cycles at a high rate of 10C (6.4 mA cm− 2) with a capacity retention rate >100%. Separately, a high reversible areal capacity of 19.6 mAh cm−2 is achieved at 0.1C under high loading.

Quantum dot (QD)-sensitized upconversion mixtures are encapsulated in droplets within a rigid polymer matrix, enabling liquid-like NIR-I and NIR-II triplet−triplet annihilation upconversion (TTA-UC) in a pseudo-solid format. The system achieves record-high ηUCs${\eta _{U{C_s}}}$ for QD-sensitized solid-state TTA-UC in the NIR-I regime and the first measurement of NIR-II UC emission efficiency at 1064 nm, offering a viable pathway toward silicon-compatible infrared photovoltaics and photodetectors.

Quantum-dot (QD) sensitized triplet–triplet annihilation upconversion (TTA-UC) offers a promising strategy for harvesting sub-bandgap photons in silicon photovoltaics and infrared photodetectors. However, translating solution-based upconversion to the solid state remains a major challenge due to severe efficiency losses. Here, a hybrid approach is reported that encapsulates QD-sensitized upconversion mixtures into mesoscale droplets within a rigid acrylate matrix, preserving liquid-like dynamics in a pseudo-solid form. Using a system of PbS sensitizer, carboxytetracene mediator, and TES-ADT annihilator, a normalized UC emission efficiency (η UC ) of 0.72% and upconverted singlet state generation efficiency (ηUCs${\eta _{U{C_s}}}$) of 18% in the NIR-I regime (785 nm excitation) is achieved, record-high for solid-state QD-sensitized systems. A key advance lies in the rational design of a chemically compatible polymer system that enables spontaneous phase separation of QDs into nanodroplets while preserving QD surface chemistry, preventing an over 1000-fold drop in upconversion efficiency observed in chemically incompatible control systems. Transient absorption spectroscopy confirms that PbS surface chemistry and dynamics are maintained within nanodroplets. Extending this approach to the NIR-II regime, the first quantifiable solid-state TTA-UC under 1064 nm excitation is demonstrated, achieving η UC of 0.022% (ηUCs${\eta _{U{C_s}}}$ of 0.55%). These findings represent a substantial step toward integrating QD-sensitized TTA-UC into Si-based optoelectronics.

A Y-shaped bispecific antibody enhances the homing efficiency of mesenchymal stromal cells and enables competitive binding to leukocyte receptors. Engineered cells preferentially accumulate in inflamed colonic tissue, suppress immune cell infiltration, and promote colonic tissue regeneration.

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are considered a promising cell-based therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), due to their potent immunomodulatory properties and robust regenerative potential. However, their therapeutic efficacy against IBD is hindered by poor homing capacity and excessive leukocyte infiltration at inflamed colonic sites. In this study, MSCs with a Y-shaped bispecific antibody (YMV) assembled via DNA nanotechnology, which integrates anti-vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (anti-VCAM-1) and anti-mucosal addressing cell adhesion molecules-1 (anti-MAdCAM-1) antibodies are engineered, to enhance targeted delivery and inhibit leukocyte recruitment. YMV-modified MSCs show an approximately threefold enhancement in adhesion efficiency compared with native MSCs. Notably, they effectively compete for MAdCAM-1 binding sites and significantly suppress leukocyte adhesion. In a mouse model of IBD, YMV-MSCs demonstrate enhanced homing to the colon, promote mucosal repair, reduce leukocyte infiltration, and attenuate local inflammation. This DNA-mediated bispecific antibody modification strategy improves MSCs targeting and exerts anti-inflammatory effects by blocking leukocyte recruitment, offering a promising platform for MSC-based therapy.

Based on frequency division multiplexing and electromagnetic induction, a 3D self-elevated helical oscillating unit (SEHOU) for wearable high-capacity human-machine interactions is developed. Eigenfrequencies of multiple SEHOUs can be collected by one flexible coil upon triggering of oscillations. Crosstalk-free communications are achieved on a single piece of SEHOU-based interface without compromising the overall wearability.

Equipped with 3D architecture, flexible electronic devices enable intuitive tactile sensing with enhanced spatial efficiency and skin conformity. However, realizing 3D metasurfaces on a flexible substrate remains laborious. Furthermore, conventional methodology often requires complex electrical connections and communication channels to realize tactile addressing. Leveraging magnetic repulsion among ferromagnetic microstructures, here, the spontaneous formation of a 3D self-elevated helical oscillating unit (SEHOU) on flexible films is presented. Through specific pattern design, the 3D morphology can be precisely tuned upon built-in magnetic moments that balance with the inherent elastic strength. Based on electromagnetic induction, axial vibrations of SEHOU generate sinusoidal electric signals with an intrinsic oscillating frequency. Along with the theoretical model, non-overlapping eigenfrequencies are customized, allowing convenient mapping of mechanical inputs from the received electrical signals. It is shown that crosstalk-free interactions can be achieved on a single piece of SEHOU-based interface, e.g., multi-touch recognition, without compromising the overall wearability. Further, the developed fabric coils and signal analysis modules showcase the potential for wireless Internet of Things. This methodology provides a valuable reference to establish reliable, scalable, and distributed tactile addressing for high-capacity human-machine interactions.

This study proposes a promising strategy to design high-performance cobalt-free high-nickel cathodes by introducing non-magnetic ions to suppress magnetic interactions and significantly strengthen metal–oxygen bonds. Multi-ion cooperative doping (B–Al–W) enables the formation of a fast-transport layered-spinel nano-heterostructure. Additionally, the B-enriched near-surface layer effectively stabilizes the interface and inhibits HF erosion.

Cobalt-free high-nickel layered oxides have emerged as promising cathode candidates for next-generation lithium-ion batteries, owing to their exceptional capacity and cost-effectiveness. However, their large‑scale application remains constrained by intrinsic deficiencies stemming from cobalt absence—namely, magnetic‑ordering imbalance and sluggish structural dynamics. Here, a synergistic doping strategy involving nonmagnetic ions (B–Al–W) is presented to achieve atomic-scale coordination between bulk lattice stabilization (via Al/W doping) and near-surface interface passivation (through B enrichment). Precise substitution of non‑magnetic cations effectively mitigates magnetic frustration and superexchange interactions, while strengthened metal–oxygen bonding alleviates anisotropic lattice strain. Simultaneously, the constructed layered–spinel mortise and tenon structure significantly enhances Li+ diffusion kinetics. The optimized cathode material delivers a reversible capacity of 162.2 mAh g−1 at 10 C, retains 88.6% capacity after 100 cycles at 5 C, and markedly suppresses voltage fade. This work provides a novel design paradigm for the synergistic magnetic–electrochemical regulation of Co‑free, high-Ni cathodes in next‑generation, high‑performance LIBs.

Shigella are pathogenic enterobacteria responsible of bacillary dysentery or shigellosis. Shigella virulence relies on the expression of secretion systems (T3SS, T5SS ) and its ability to evolve in and adapt to changing microenvironments. The development of a pan-Shigella vaccine – which is still lacking – requires a better understanding of Shigella virulence strategies, adaptation to its host and, more importantly, the validation of a suitable animal model of shigellosis, to assess protection conferred by candidates.

I will present the most recent studies developed in my team, focusing on the importance of the pO2, its fine tuning during infection and subsequent modulation of Shigella secretion systems’ activity and immune response efficacy (mainly neutrophils). I will further develop the study of the interrelationship between shigellosis and vitamin C deficiency based on recent clinical studies and fundamental researches on new shigellosis animal models.

Host – Kate Baker

• Speaker: Professor Benoit Marteyn from Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology (IBMC), University of Strasbourg
• Thursday 06 November 2025, 14:00-15:00
• Venue: Biffen Lecture theatre and Zoom.
• Series: Genetics Seminar ; organiser: Caroline Newnham.

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Abstract not available

• Speaker: Henrik Dreyer (Quantinuum)
• Thursday 12 March 2026, 14:00-15:15
• Venue: Seminar Room 3, RDC.
• Series: Theory of Condensed Matter; organiser: Gaurav.

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Nature Materials, Published online: 14 October 2025; doi:10.1038/s41563-025-02387-4

The resurgence of data-driven dynamic models offers the tantalising prospect of being able to implement feedback controllers directly from measurements of the trajectories of the system to be controlled. Data-enabled predictive control (DeePC), data-driven predictive control (DDPC), and similar variants circumvent the traditional approach of identifying a dynamic model as an intermediate step in the control design process. Such approaches require regularisation to trade off between the estimation and control objectives. Another weakness is the inability to effectively handle unmeasured disturbances. We take a somewhat different view here that the data matrices used for data-driven control are themselves models (signal matrix models) that use the system trajectories as the representation. We will use this approach to construct Kalman filters and predictive controllers. Regularisation is no longer necessary and unmeasured disturbances can be effectively controlled.

The seminar will be held in JDB Seminar Room, Department of Engineering

• Speaker: Roy Smith, ETH Zurich
• Thursday 16 October 2025, 14:00-15:00
• Venue: JDB Seminar Room, Department of Engineering.
• Series: CUED Control Group Seminars; organiser: Fulvio Forni.

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Subglacial discharge, the release of freshwater from beneath glaciers into the ocean, affects melt patterns beneath Antarctic ice shelves. The added buoyancy at the grounding line accelerates meltwater flow, which directly enhances melt rates and increases entrainment of ambient ocean water. In this seminar, I will present ongoing work on implementing subglacial discharge within the sub-shelf melt model LADDIE2 .0. We will explore how subglacial discharge affects melt patterns beneath different ice shelves, highlighting the magnitude of melt amplification and the most impacted regions. I will also show results from idealised (simplified geometry and forcing) coupled experiments using LADDIE2 .0 and the ice-sheet model UFEMISM2 .0. Interestingly, in these simulations, the strongest initial melt anomalies from including subglacial discharge do not necessarily lead to the greatest long-term ice-sheet mass loss. Instead, the release location of subglacial discharge plays a key role.

• Speaker: Franka Jesse - Utrecht University
• Thursday 06 November 2025, 14:00-15:00
• Venue: BAS Seminar Room 330b.
• Series: British Antarctic Survey - Polar Oceans seminar series; organiser: Katherine Turner.

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Lean is an interactive theorem prover, that is, a programming language in which you can write down mathematical definitions, theorems and their proofs, and it will use its mathematical foundation of type theory to check for mathematical correctness. Lean and its library of mathematics results, Mathlib, are increasingly being used by AI companies to reason about mathematics and automatically proof and state theorems. This talk is about PhysLean, the quest to build the lean library for physics results. In this talk I will demonstrate Lean’s potential in physics, discuss the motivations behind the project PhysLean and its current content.

• Speaker: Joseph Tooby-Smith (Reykjavik University)
• Friday 17 October 2025, 16:00-17:00
• Venue: MR19 (Potter Room, Pavilion B), CMS.
• Series: HEP phenomenology joint Cavendish-DAMTP seminar; organiser: Nico Gubernari.

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A closer look at the Golgi, the cell’s central traffic hub. When this system malfunctions, the flow of vital cargo is disrupted, creating jams that can contribute to brain diseases.

• Speaker: Shubham Kumar, MRC Molecular Biology
• Thursday 23 October 2025, 13:00-14:00
• Venue: 1 Newnham Terrace, Darwin College.
• Series: Darwin College Science Seminars; organiser: Alexander R Epstein.

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Colliot-Thélène recently asked whether every del Pezzo surface of degree 4 (dP4) has a quadratic point over a $C_2$ field. This question has counterexamples over $C_3$ fields and a positive result over $C_1$ fields but remained open for all $C_2$ fields. Last year Creutz and Viray built an infinite family of dP4s without quadratic points over $\mathbb{Q}$. In work in progress, we follow their method to construct an infinite family of dP4s with a Brauer-Manin obstruction to a quadratic point over $\mathbb{F}_p(t)$ for all $p\neq 2$, thus answering Colliot-Thélène’s question in the negative. This is joint work with Giorgio Navone, Harry Shaw and Dr Haowen Zhang.

• Speaker: Katerina Santicola (University of Bath)
• Tuesday 21 October 2025, 14:30-15:30
• Venue: MR13.
• Series: Number Theory Seminar; organiser: Bence Hevesi.

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We discuss modern formulations of the strong cosmic censorship conjecture (SCCC) and possible resolutions supported by rigorous non-linear results for the spherically symmetric Einstein-Maxwell-scalar field system. We show that the presence of a positive cosmological constant suggests a violation of the SCCC at a fundamental level of regularity. Indeed, the blueshift mechanism occurring at the Cauchy horizon can be counterbalanced by the dispersive effects encoded in the exponential Price law along (cosmological) black hole event horizons. On the other hand, we show that, if non-smooth black hole solutions are allowed, then the aforementioned violations are non-generic in a positive co-dimension sense.

• Speaker: Flavio Rossetti (Gran Sasso Science Institute)
• Friday 24 October 2025, 13:00-14:00
• Venue: Potter Room / Zoom .
• Series: DAMTP Friday GR Seminar; organiser: Daniela Cors.

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One of the many outstanding achievements of G I Taylor was the discovery of relatively simple statistical laws that apply to highly complex turbulent flows. The emergence of simple laws from complexity is well known in other branches of physics, for example the emergence of the laws of heat conduction from molecular dynamics. Complexity can also arise at large scales, and the structural vibration of an aircraft or a car can be a surprisingly difficult phenomenon to analyse, partly because millions of degrees of freedom may be involved, and partly because the vibration can be extremely sensitive to small changes or imperfections in the system. In this talk it is shown that the prediction of vibration levels can be much simplified by the derivation and exploitation of emergent laws, analogous to some extent to the heat conduction equations, but with an added statistical aspect, as in turbulent flow. The emergent laws are discussed and their application to the design of aerospace, marine, and automotive structures is described. As an aside it will be shown that the same emergent theory can be applied to a range of problems involving electromagnetic fields.

• Speaker: Professor Robin Langley. Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge
• Monday 02 February 2026, 18:00-19:00
• Venue: Bristol-Myers Squibb Lecture Theatre, Department of Chemistry.
• Series: Cambridge Philosophical Society; organiser: Beverley Larner.

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Abstract not available

• Speaker: Speaker to be confirmed
• Tuesday 21 October 2025, 15:00-16:00
• Venue: BAS Seminar Room 1.
• Series: British Antarctic Survey - Polar Oceans seminar series; organiser: Katherine Turner.

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Abstract not available

• Speaker: Prof. Amos Lapidoth, ETH Zurich
• Wednesday 05 November 2025, 14:00-15:00
• Venue: MR5, CMS Pavilion A.
• Series: Information Theory Seminar; organiser: Prof. Ramji Venkataramanan.

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A novel multi-level Zn2+-buffering gel layer is fabricated through a facile and precisely controlled copolymerization-induced microphase separation strategy. The gel layer exhibits a mult-ilevel Zn2+-buffering capability that synergistically integrates hydrophobicity, nanoconfined ion transport, and highly efficient desolvation, achieving an ultra-stable electrode/electrolyte interface.

The cycle life of aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) is hindered by the unstable Zn anode interface, causing uncontrolled dendrite growth and side reactions. Herein, for the first time, a hierarchical nanostructure-engineered hydrogel interphase layer is developed via a facile and precisely controlled copolymerization-induced microphase separation (CIMS) strategy, which enables multi-level Zn2+-buffering to stabilize the Zn anode interface: 1) The nanoconfinement effect, combined with the hydrophobicity ofmethylacryloyloxypropyl cage-type polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (MP-POSS), facilitates [Zn(H2O)6]2+ desolvation while blocking water and SO4 2− penetration, achieving an optimal balance between enhanced Zn2+ transport and minimized side reactions; 2) CIMS between polar comonomers and MP-POSS creates hierarchical molecular clusters within the hydrogel. These self-assembled domains homogenize Zn2+ flux and reduce interfacial concentration polarization, realizing dendrite-free Zn deposition. After modification, symmetric cells achieve exceptionally long lifespan exceeding 5500 h (1 mA cm−2) and 1500 h (10 mA cm−2). Asymmetric cell demonstrates an impressive Coulombic efficiency of 99.6% after 3600 cycles. MnO2 and V2O5 full cells retain 85.4% and 84.7% capacity retention after 1000 (1 A g−1) and 2000 (5 A g−1) cycles, respectively. This research unveils a novel multi-level Zn2+-buffering mechanism based on gel polymer hierarchical nanostructure engineering and provides a feasible strategy for advancing grid-scale AZIBs.

An ideal implant should mimic native tissues such that it can integrate, sense, heal, and continue to function, i.e., be autonomous. Although early, there are good steps taken in this way, e.g., the development of stimuli-responsive, self-powering, self-actuating, self-healing, self-regenerating, and self-aware implants. This forward-looking review outlines the research done thus far in this direction and efforts to assemble individual aspects of smart implants into a multifunctional implant in the future.

With the increasing aging population, more implants are being used in the body. However, these implants often fail, and they suffer from a lack of integration or proper function. Efforts have been made to generate implants by employing bioactive materials, adding cellular components, and integrating smart characteristics such as self-healing properties. The vision is, however, to develop an implant that can mimic native tissues in their way of doing things, responding to challenges and remodeling. Such automated implants require the integration of advances made in various fields of science. Although early, there are good steps taken in this way, e.g., the development of stimuli-responsive, self-powering, self-actuating, self-healing, self-regenerating, self-aware implants. Attempts to combine more than one smart property into these implants are still at the beginning, e.g., the integration of such special characteristics requires a new set of skills and thinking, which presents new challenges that warrant exploration and investment. Such an implant evolution is expected to be in stages, where the first implant will be able to communicate with doctors and hospitals; then, in the next stage, with patients, and later, they will be independent, sense any disturbances and aberrations from normal early on, and correct themselves before damage becomes irreversible. This forward-looking review looks at the research done thus far in this direction and efforts to assemble individual aspects of smart implants into multifunctional implants in the future. The stages of material, in vitro, and in vivo testing and clinical application, if any, are critically reviewed. In addition, the challenges facing the development of autonomous smart implants are discussed, and research directions and ideas are suggested.