Nanoscience News (<front>)

Focusing on global sustainability, biopolymeric gels are gaining attention for eco-friendly advantages over synthetic gels—renewable raw materials, energy-efficient fabrication, and superior biocompatibility and biodegradability. This review highlights recent advancements in biopolymeric gels, including biopolymeric building blocks and intrinsic properties, gelation and processing strategies, and sustainable applications in energy storage, water management, thermal management, and bioelectronics.

Abstract

With the growing emphasis on building a global sustainable community, biopolymeric gels have emerged as a promising platform for environmentally friendly and sustainable applications, garnering significant research attention. Compared to conventional synthetic gels, biopolymeric gels offer numerous advantages, including abundant and renewable raw materials, energy-efficient and eco-friendly fabrication processes, tunable physicochemical properties, and superior biocompatibility and biodegradability. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in multifunctional biopolymeric gels. It begins by introducing various biopolymeric building blocks and their intrinsic properties across multiple scales. Subsequently, the synthetic strategies for biopolymeric gels are thoroughly discussed, emphasizing versatile gelation strategies, multiple approaches for fabricating gels, diverse processing approaches to achieve tailorable gels with desired functionalities. The sustainable applications of biopolymeric gels are systematically explored, focusing on their roles in energy storage, environmental remediation of water management, thermal management, and bioelectronics. Finally, the review concludes with an outlook on the challenges and opportunities for advancing biopolymeric gels as key materials in the pursuit of sustainability.

Antibody-recruiting molecules (ARMs) can redirect endogenous antibodies to target cancer cells and induce killing; however, currently, they are limited by low antibody affinity. This study presents a novel ARM strategy using lipid nanoparticles to deliver mRNA encoding the common allergen Der p 2, fused to a membrane anchor, enabling high-affinity antibody recruitment. In mice, this approach reduces pulmonary metastasis, with neutrophils as key effector cells. This mRNA LNP strategy offers promise for cancer immunotherapy.

Abstract

Antibody-recruiting molecules (ARMs) are bivalent molecules that contain a cell-binding domain and an antibody-binding domain. ARMs are designed to redirect circulating endogenous antibodies from the bloodstream to the surface of cancer cells and thereby trigger innate immune-mediated killing of the latter. The current generation of clinically explored ARMs relies on synthetic small molecule haptens. However, their effectiveness is restricted by the low affinity of the available repertoire of endogenous anti-hapten antibodies. Utilizing endogenous high-affinity allergen-specific antibodies could potentially circumvent this issue. In this study, a genetically encoded antibody-recruiting strategy that utilizes lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to deliver mRNA encoding the house dust mite allergen Der p 2, fused to a cell membrane anchor, to induce cell surface display and enable the recruitment of anti-Der p 2 antibodies, is presented. Der p 2 mRNA LNP-treated cancer cells cause greatly reduced pulmonary tumor burden in Der p 2 immunized mice, compared to untreated cells or nonimmunized mice. Reduced tumor growth is dependent on circulating antibodies, and neutrophils are identified as a key immune cell subset recognizing and eliminating Der p 2-displaying cancer cells. These findings emphasize the effectiveness of mRNA LNPs as a powerful tool for generating a genetically encoded ARM strategy, with potential applications in cancer immunotherapy.

A stimuli-responsive soft semiconducting composite is prepared with silver microspheres dispersed in a viscoelastic copolymer gel. With an electric field arcing parallel to the applied flow rate, an enhanced electrical signal is detected due to microstructural particle alignment in the same direction that promotes electron transport.

Abstract

Soft materials with reversible electrical and mechanical properties are critical for the development of advanced bioelectronics that can distinguish between different rates of applied strain and eliminate performance degradation over many cycles. However, the current paradigm in mechano-electronic devices involves measuring changes in electrical current based on the accumulation of strain within a conductive material that alters the geometry through which electrons flow. Attempts have been made to incorporate soft materials like liquid metals and concentrated solutions of conjugated polymers and salts to overcome materials degradation but are limited in their ability to detect changes in the rate of the applied strain. Herein, the anisotropic electrical performance of a soft semiconducting composite prepared with silver-coated microspheres dispersed within a swollen copolymer gel is demonstrated. This composite exhibits an electrical response proportional to the magnitude of the applied shear force to enable a rate-of-strain dependent conductivity. Furthermore, a 100-fold increase in the conductivity of the composite is observed when the electric field is oriented parallel to the flow direction. This improvement in the electrical response can be attributed to the enhanced alignment of microspheres in viscoelastic media and can be leveraged in the development of mechanically responsive electronic devices.

A multidimensional biomimetic cascade strategy for bone regeneration is developed by emulating the biomineralization cascade, hierarchical structure, and biological functions of bone tissue. The resulting composite, named “Osteomimix”, exhibits spontaneous in situ biomimetic mineralization in a cell-free way, while fosters vascularized bone formation in a cell-dependent way.

Abstract

Despite advancements in biomimetic mineralization techniques, the repair of large-scale bone defects remains a significant challenge. Inspired by the bone formation process, a multidimensional biomimetic cascade strategy is developed by replicating the biomineralization cascade, emulating the hierarchical structure of bone, and biomimicking its biological functions for efficient bone regeneration. This strategy involves the photocrosslinking of sodium methacrylate carboxymethyl cellulose-stabilized amorphous magnesium-calcium phosphate with methacrylate-modified type I collagen to create a self-mineralizing hydrogel. The hydrogel is then integrated with either naturally derived or synthetic oriented bulk scaffolds. The resulting composite, named Osteomimix, provides excellent mechanical support and can be customized for irregular bone defects using CAD/CAM technology. Through in vitro and in vivo studies, this work finds that Osteomimix exhibits spontaneous in situ biomimetic mineralization in a cell-free environment, while modulating immune responses and promoting vascularized bone formation in a cell-dependent manner. Built on bone-specific insights, this strategy achieves biomimicry across temporal, spatial, and functional dimensions, facilitating the seamless integration of artificial constructs with the natural tissue repair dynamics.

A new family of porous methylated triazine-based linear conjugated polymers is developed for successful photoreduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) with water (H2O) vapor, in the absence of any additional photosensitizer, sacrificial agents or cocatalysts. The key lies in the generation of methylated triazine linkages through a facile condensation reaction between benzamidine and acetic anhydride, which impedes the formation of conventional triazine-based frameworks.

Abstract

The development of semiconducting conjugated polymers for photoredox catalysis holds great promise for sustainable utilization of solar energy. Herein a new family of porous methylated triazine-based linear conjugated polymers is reported that enable efficient photoreduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) with water (H2O) vapor, in the absence of any additional photosensitizer, sacrificial agents or cocatalysts. It is demonstrated that the key lies in the generation of methylated triazine linkages through a facile condensation reaction between benzamidine and acetic anhydride, which impedes the formation of conventional triazine-based frameworks. It is also shown that regulating conjugated linear backbones with different lengths of electron-donated benzyl units provides a facile means to modulate their optical properties and the exciton dissociation, thereby affording more long-lived photogenerated charge carriers and boosting charge separation and transfer. A high-performance carbon monoxide (CO) production rate of 218.9 µmol g−1 h−1 is achieved with ≈ 100% CO selectivity, which is accompanied by exceptional H2O oxidation to oxygen (O2). It anticipates this new study will advance synthetic approaches toward polymeric semiconductors and facilitate new possibilities for triazine-based conjugated polymers with promising potential in artificial photocatalysis.

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) of Al₂O₃ on ZnMgO nanocrystals eliminates aging-induced performance variability in quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QD-LEDs). This scalable passivation strategy suppresses nanocrystal ripening and passivates surface traps, achieving reproducible 17% external quantum efficiency, a tenfold increase in device operational stability, and consistent performance sustained over 39 weeks.

Abstract

Quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QD-LEDs) with stable high efficiencies are crucial for next-generation displays. However, uncontrollable aging, where efficiency initially increases during storage (positive aging) but is entirely lost upon extended aging (negative aging), hinders further device development. It is uncovered that it is chemical changes to nanocrystal (NC)-based electron transport layer (ETL) that give rise to positive aging, their drift in structure and morphology leading to transiently improved charge injection balance. Using grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering, it is found that ZnMgO NCs undergo size-focusing ripening during aging, improving size uniformity and creating a smoother energy landscape. Electron-only device measurements reveal a sevenfold reduction in trap states, indicating enhanced surface passivation of ZnMgO. These insights, combined with density functional theory calculations of ZnMgO surface binding, inspire an atomic layer deposition (ALD) strategy with Al₂O₃ to permanently suppress surface traps and inhibit NC growth, effectively eliminating aging-induced efficiency loss. This ALD-engineered ZnMgO ETL enables reproducible external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) of 17% across 30 batches of LEDs with a T60 of 60 h at an initial luminance of 4500 cd m−2, representing a 1.6-fold increase in EQE and a tenfold improvement in operating stability compared to control devices.

Copper exists as trace impurity in commercial Zn foil and generally gets ignored in terms of its potential for regulating Zn electrodeposition. Herein, it is demonstrated how trace amount of internal Cu atoms can be readily “pumped” out, in one step, to get concentrated on Zn foil surface and to further suppress dendritic Zn electrodeposition as a sustainable aqueous battery interface.

Abstract

Dendritic zinc (Zn) electrodeposition presents a significant obstacle to the large-scale development of rechargeable zinc-ion batteries. To mitigate this challenge, various interfacial strategies have been employed. However, these approaches often involve the incorporation of foreign materials onto Zn anode surface, resulting in increased material costs and processing complexities, not to mention the compromised interface endurability due to structural and compositional heterogeneity. Realizing that Cu atoms typically exist as trace impurities in commercial Zn, a novel approach is demonstrated that leverages these Cu impurities to create a Cu-rich surface for effective modulation of Zn electrodeposition. By simply heating commercially available Zn foil with a naturally oxidized surface, not only the internal Cu atoms are thermally activated to become diffusible, their diffusion is also navigated toward the surface via oxygen attraction. The resulting Cu-rich surface effectively regulates Zn electrodeposition, comparable to conventional interfacial strategies, yet exhibits superior cycling durability. 3D in situ microscopy confirms that this Cu-rich surface enables dendrite-free, compact, and (101)-oriented Zn electrodeposition, contrasting with the traditional (002)-oriented dendrite-suppression mechanism. By transforming trace Cu impurity within Zn foil into a Cu-rich surface, this work demonstrates a straightforward, cost-effective and efficient method for controlling Zn electrodeposition.

Protein can undergo liquid–liquid phase separation and liquid-to-solid transition to form liquid condensates and solid aggregates. These phase transitions can be influenced by post-translational modifications, mutations, and various environmental factors. Effective modulation of protein phase behavior offers promising applications in drug discovery, delivery, and fabrication of multifunctional protein-based liquid and solid materials.

Abstract

Protein phase transitions play a vital role in both cellular functions and pathogenesis. Dispersed proteins can undergo liquid–liquid phase separation to form condensates, a process that is reversible and highly regulated within cells. The formation and physicochemical properties of these condensates, such as composition, viscosity, and multiphase miscibility, are precisely modulated to fulfill specific biological functions. However, protein condensates can undergo a further liquid-to-solid state, forming β-sheet-rich aggregates that may disrupt cellular function and lead to diseases. While this phenomenon is crucial for biological processes and has significant implications for neurodegenerative diseases, the phase behavior of naturally derived or engineered proteins and polypeptides also presents opportunities for developing high-performance, multifunctional materials at various scales. Additionally, the unique molecular recruitment capabilities of condensates inspire innovative advancements in biomaterial design for applications in drug discovery, delivery, and biosynthesis. This work highlights recent progress in understanding the mechanisms underlying protein phase behavior, particularly how it responds to internal molecular changes and external physical stimuli. Furthermore, the fabrication of multifunctional materials derived from diverse protein sources through controlled phase transitions is demonstrated.

This study presents a simple self-assembly strategy to construct Type I photosensitizer nanocluster. Facile intermolecular photoinduced electron transfer within nanocluster forms photosensitizer radical cation and anion via autoionization. These radicals engage in cascade photoredox to generate efficient reactive oxygen species, achieving 97.6% antibacterial efficacy against MRSA that surpasses the efficacy of commercial antibiotic Vancomycin by 8.8-fold.

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) holds significant promise for antibacterial treatment, with its potential markedly amplified when using Type I photosensitizers (PSs). However, developing Type I PSs remains a significant challenge due to a lack of reliable design strategy. Herein, a Type I PS nanocluster is developed via self-assembly of zwitterionic small molecule (C3TH) for superior antibacterial PDT in vivo. Mechanism studies demonstrate that unique cross-arranged C3TH within nanocluster not only shortens intermolecular distance but also inhibits intermolecular electronic-vibrational coupling, thus facilitating intermolecular photoinduced electron transfer to form PS radical cation and anion via autoionization reaction. Subsequently, these highly oxidizing or reducing PS radicals engage in cascade photoredox to generate efficient ·OH and O2‾·. As a result, C3TH nanoclusters achieve a 97.6% antibacterial efficacy against MRSA at an ultralow dose, surpassing the efficacy of the commercial antibiotic Vancomycin by more than 8.8-fold. These findings deepen the understanding of Type I PDT, providing a novel strategy for developing Type I PSs.

The lamellar rare-earth oxychlorides (REOCl) are innovatively used as promoters for ruthenium (Ru) as alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction electrocatalysts. The [RE2O2] and [Cl] layers act as the negative and positive charge transfer channels, respectively, which endows Ru surface with a high density of electrons, thus accelerating the hydroxyl peeling process.

Abstract

Developing efficient electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline environments is vital for hydrogen production, owing to the extra water dissociation and hydroxyl desorption steps. Here, rare-earth oxychlorides (REOCl) are proposed as innovative promoters for ruthenium as HER electrocatalyst in alkali. The lamellar structure of REOCl with weakly bond [Cl] layers can facilitate the formation of an internal electric field that enhances interphase charge transfer. Taking ruthenium/ neodymium oxychloride (Ru/NdOCl) composites as a case study, sub ≈4 nm Ru nanoparticles are successfully embedded into NdOCl crystals through a rapid self-exothermic process, and the highly-coupled Ru−Cl/O−Nd interfaces are observed as metallic Ru particles with the edge of the NdOCl lamellar layers, where the [Nd2O2] and [Cl] layers act as the negative and positive charge transfer channels, respectively. The enhanced charge transfer between REOCl and Ru makes the highly-coupled Ru/REOCl catalysts show better electrocatalytic activity than both the benchmark Pt and Ru catalysts in alkaline electrolyte. This work will encourage more novel promoters for electrocatalysis and other emerging technologies.

A liquid–gas phase-changing pneumatic actuator driven by optical light is introduced. By precisely controlling the light spot using a magnifying glass, the fiber actuator rolls on a horizontal plane in daylight. With an annular design, the actuator achieved vertical crawling under a fixed visible light source. It also demonstrates promising potential for load propulsion in forward movement.

Abstract

Light-driven wireless actuators provide obvious advantages for remote control. However, traditional double-layer actuators are restricted to the thin film deformation mode when undertaking complex tasks. Here, an actuator is proposed that employs thermal strain and local photothermal effects induced by low boiling point liquids to generate asymmetry along the fiber axis, thereby causing elastic deformation of the fiber. Under continuous irradiation, the sustained elastic deformation results in dynamic frustration within the fiber, creating torque around its axis. Based on this principle, the fiber actuator fabricated in this study enables rolling translation, while the ring actuator achieves simultaneous rolling and lifting motion for object manipulation. Continuous rolling under light eliminates the need for complex light manipulation. This new movement method offers an insight for various application scenarios.

Strongly chiral V2O3 NPs with optical responsiveness achieve targeted and precise cleavage of the RSV pre-fusion protein through photoinduction, thereby inhibiting respiratory syncytial virus.

Abstract

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) poses a significant threat to the health of infants, children, and the elderly, and as of now there is a lack of effective therapeutic drugs. To tackle this challenge, chiral vanadium trioxide nanoparticles (V2O3 NPs) with a particle size of 2.56 ± 0.34 nm are successfully synthesized, exhibiting a g-factor value of 0.048 at 874 nm in terms of circular dichroism. Under 808 nm light irradiation, these chiral V2O3 NPs demonstrated selective cleavage of the RSV pre-fusion protein (RSV protein), effectively blocking its conformational rearrangement and preventing RSV infection both in vitro and in vivo. Experimental analysis revealed that the chiral V2O3 NPs specifically bind to the functional domain spanning from aspartate200 (D200) to asparagine208 (N208) in the primary sequence of the RSV protein. Notably, L-V2O3 NPs exhibited a higher affinity, which is 4.06 times that of D-V2O3 NPs and 13.55 times that of DL-V2O3 NPs. The precise cutting site is located between amino acid residues leucine204 (L204) and proline205 (P205), attributed to the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by photoinduced nanoparticles. In addition, L-V2O3 NPs inhibited RSV infection by 99.6% in nasal epithelial cells and 99.2% in Vero cells. In the RSV-infected mouse model, intranasal administration of L-V₂O₃ NPs effectively controlled the viral load in the lungs of mice, reducing it by 92.43%. The hematoxylin and eosin staining of mouse organs and serum biochemical indicators are similar to those of the wild-type group, indicating the biosafety of L-V₂O₃ NPs. The findings suggest that chiral nanoparticles hold great potential in controlling RSV and provide new directions and ideas for drug development against viruses.

This study develops a library of lipopeptide-based organ-specific targeting (POST) lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). The POST LNPs, screened in vitro and in vivo, demonstrate high efficiency and specificity in delivering mRNA and siRNA to the lung, liver, and spleen, respectively. Structure-activity relationship analysis indicates that various lipid systems prefer specific lipopeptide structures for enhanced RNA delivery efficacy.

Abstract

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) with highly efficient and specific extrahepatic targeting abilities are promising in gene delivery, and the lipopeptides (LPs) with excellent designability and functionality are expected to empower the construction of functional LNPs. This study aims to develop highly efficient ionizable components that accurately match different targeting lipid systems through the modular design of LPs. Based on this, a lipopeptide-based organ-specific targeting (POST) LNP screening strategy is constructed, in which lysine-histidine-based lipopeptides (KH-LPs) are designed as highly efficient ionizable components. The optimal KH-LP LNP screened in vitro shows excellent siRNA/mRNA transfecting ability in various hard-to-transfect cell lines. Compared to the classic LNPs, the POST LNPs screened in vivo achieve even higher (or at least comparable) efficiency and specificity in delivering mRNA and siRNA to the lung, liver, and spleen, respectively. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) proves that the modular regulation of LP structures can accurately provide the optimal ionizable components for different targeting lipid systems, demonstrating the potential of this strategy in developing efficient and selective targeting systems, which is expected to open up more possibilities for gene therapy.

The basic principles of constructing chiral nanomaterials along with the latest research progress are comprehensively summarized and the challenges and future development of chiral nanomaterials for the treatment of NDDs are deeply expected.

Abstract

Chiral nanomaterials are widely investigated over recent decades due to their biocompatibility and unique chiral effects. These key properties have significantly promoted the rapid development of chiral nanomaterials in bioengineering and medicine. In this review, the basic principles of constructing chiral nanomaterials along with the latest progress in research are comprehensively summarized. Then, the application of chiral nanomaterials for the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) is systematically described. In addition, the significant potential and broad prospects of chiral nanomaterials in the treatment of NDDs are highlighted from several aspects, including the disaggregation of neurofibrils, the scavenging of reactive oxygen species, regulation of the microbial–gut–brain axis, the elimination of senescent cells, and the promotion of directed differentiation in neural stem cells. Finally, a perspective of the challenges and future development of chiral nanomaterials for the treatment of NDDs is provided.

A spatiotemporal segmentation immunotherapy strategy uses modular microneedles to modulate paradoxical postoperative immunization microenvironments. The modular microneedles load a personalized antitumor vaccine and demonstrate broad antitumor activities in postoperative immunotherapy, reducing recurrence and the incidence of perioperative wound complications.

Abstract

The perioperative period is crucial for determining postoperative tumor recurrence and metastasis. Various factors in postoperative lesions can diminish the therapeutic effect of conventional chemoradiotherapy, while emerging immunotherapy is restricted. The combination use of inflammatory inhibitors during treatment is also controversial. Here, a modular microneedle prepared from engineered keratin proteins is reported, which spatially and temporally differentiates the microenvironment of immune cell activation required for immunotherapy from that of wound healing. The recombinant keratin-84-T-based needle root layer, mainly retained in the epidermis, facilitated dendritic cell recruitment to achieve maximum antigen presentation of loaded vaccines. Meanwhile, the recombinant keratin-81-1Aα-based needle tip layer, located within the dermis, rapidly mitigated inflammatory responses while promoting tissue repair and regeneration. Unlike simply mixing immunotherapy and wound treatment, this spatiotemporal segmentation approach maximized the efficacy of immune therapeutics while promoting wound healing, making it suitable for application throughout the perioperative period.

Nature Energy, Published online: 10 February 2025; doi:10.1038/s41560-025-01705-z

The performance of kesterite solar cells is limited by poor extraction of electrons and holes and their recombination. Researchers have now discovered that annealing the device in a hydrogen-containing atmosphere can promote efficient charge extraction by redistributing certain elements like sodium and oxygen.

Nature Energy, Published online: 10 February 2025; doi:10.1038/s41560-025-01713-z

Jennifer Danis, expert in environmental and energy law and Federal Energy Policy Director at the Institute for Policy Integrity (New York University School of Law), talks to Nature Energy about shifts in the gas infrastructure landscape of the United States, highlighting gaps and opportunities for research and policy to be better aligned for positive change.

Nature Energy, Published online: 10 February 2025; doi:10.1038/s41560-025-01723-x

Author Correction: Scalable fabrication of wide-bandgap perovskites using green solvents for tandem solar cells

Nature Materials, Published online: 10 February 2025; doi:10.1038/s41563-025-02139-4

An advance in fabricating superconducting contacts to germanium leads to new tools for controlling the quantum state of electrons in quantum dots.

Nature Materials, Published online: 10 February 2025; doi:10.1038/s41563-024-02095-5

The authors achieve gate-controlled proximitization of a quantum dot in a planar germanium heterostructure, an isotopically purifiable group IV material. A patterned Pt germanosilicide superconductor is introduced via a thermally activated reaction.