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This work presents a computationally guided approach to discovering stable amorphous ceramics, using yttrium tungsten nitride (Y-W-N) as a prototype. By combining first-principles random structure sampling with thin-film synthesis, the authors identify and experimentally realize previously unreported amorphous nitrides, demonstrating their exceptional thermal stability, tunable properties, and superior diffusion barrier performance.

Abstract

Amorphous materials offer unique functional characteristics, which are not observed in their crystalline counterparts making them invaluable for many applications in science and technology, such as electronic and optical devices, solid-state batteries, and protective coatings. However, finding compositions that are stable against crystallization and/or phase separation, and at the same time offer the needed functionality in the amorphous phase is still largely done by serendipity or trial-and-error. In this work, using yttrium tungsten nitride as a prototype, it is shown how computational random structure sampling provides a robust method to identify compositions that exhibit a highly corrugated potential energy surface with many narrow local minima, which are consequently hard to crystallize and remain stable in the amorphous phase. Synthesis experiments prove that the predicted nitride is readily synthesized in an amorphous phase with no detectable precipitates. High-throughput and conventional characterization of structural, physical, and functional properties of the discovered amorphous nitride compound reveal its attractive properties and possible application potential. The proposed workflow combining theory and experiment is broadly applicable to the discovery of a wide range of amorphous ceramic materials, paving the way for advanced amorphous materials for diverse emerging technologies.

Modulation of the N-alkyl chain length in polysulfobetaine-based zwitterionic micelles enables precise tuning of nanocarrier interactions with proteins and cell membranes. The optimized micelles comprising poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate)-block-poly(ɛ-caprolactone) with N-butyl substituent (PSB4-PCL), which are protein-resistant yet cell membrane-philic, achieve a unique balance between prolonged circulation and efficient tumor transcytosis, leading to enhanced intratumoral accumulation, deep penetration, and potent antitumor efficacy.

Abstract

Long blood circulation and fast cellular uptake are essential yet paradoxical requirements for efficient tumor-targeted drug delivery carriers. For instance, polyzwitterions, generally nonfouling to proteins and cells, have been extensively explored as long-circulating drug delivery carriers but suffer ultraslow cell internalization, making them inefficient in delivering drugs to cells. Protein-resistant yet cell membrane-binding polymers will simultaneously achieve long blood circulation and fast cellular internalization, but their designs are generally complicated, such as introducing cell-membrane binding groups. Here, it is shown that the N-alkyl chain length of zwitterionic poly(sulfobetaine) can be used to tune its affinity toward proteins and cell membranes. A poly(sulfobetaine) with a moderately long N-alkyl chain became cell membrane-philic while retaining protein resistance, leading to long blood circulation and fast cellular uptake, which further triggered efficient tumor cell transcytosis and intratumor penetration. Thus, its paclitaxel (PTX)-loaded micelles demonstrated potent antitumor efficacy in triple-negative breast cancer models. This study showcases a paradigm of designing polyzwitterions harmonizing long blood circulation and fast cellular uptake properties as tumor-active drug delivery carriers.

Field-effect passivation is achieved by selectively extruded tetraphenylphosphonium cations for suppressing the interfacial non-radiative recombination, yielding an improved power conversion efficiency of 21.0% for hole transport layer-free carbon-based printable mesoscopic perovskite solar cells.

Abstract

Mesoporous electron transport layer (ETL) in printable mesoscopic perovskite solar cells (p-MPSCs) enables rapid and selective extraction of photogenerated electrons and facilitates device fabrication without a hole transport layer (HTL). However, the inherent mesoporous architecture introduces abundant interfacial defects that promote undesired non-radiative recombination, limiting the power conversion efficiency (PCE). To address this challenge, an interface field-effect passivation strategy is implemented, leveraging spatially selective cation extrusion. By incorporating tetraphenylphosphonium cations, sterically bulky organic ions that migrate to the perovskite/ETL interface during crystallization, a robust interfacial electrostatic field is introduced. This field simultaneously suppresses the non-radiative recombination by inducing field-effect passivation and enhances the charge extraction through optimizing energy alignment. The synergistic effects yield a PCE enhancement from 19.4% to 21.0%. This work underscores the potential of cation-engineered interfacial fields to improve the performance of HTL-free carbon-electrode perovskite photovoltaics.

Schematic illustration of a low energy synthesized FePc–MOF–MXene nanozyme-based microneedle patch coupled with an iontophoretic sampling interface for real-time in vivo L-Cysteine detection. The nanozyme enhances electron transfer and catalytic efficiency, while the microneedles and iontophoretic patch enable minimally invasive access to interstitial fluid. The platform demonstrates continuous, on-body monitoring performance in a live murine model.

Abstract

Advancing clinical diagnostics requires platforms that combine catalytic efficiency, biocompatibility, and real-time, in vivo accessibility. Herein, this study reports a structurally integrated FePc–ZIF-8–MX nanozyme that combines the redox activity of FePc, the porous confinement of ZIF-8, and the electrical conductivity of MX. Synthesized via a low-energy, ambient-condition process, this hybrid enables efficient electron transfer, enhanced analyte enrichment, and sustained catalytic activity in physiological environments. To translate this functionality into a wearable diagnostic format, the hybrid is seamlessly incorporated into a microneedle array, offering minimally invasive access to interstitial fluid for continuous L-cysteine (L-Cys) monitoring. The resulting platform exhibits high selectivity and sensitivity across complex biological matrices, including serum, urine, cultured cells, and a murine model of myocardial infarction. This study presents a multifunctional electrochemical platform that enables on-body metabolite monitoring through a microneedle-integrated nanozyme interface. To the best of our knowledge, it constitutes the first realization of real-time, in vivo L-Cys sensing in this format, setting a new benchmark for precision biosensing in translational healthcare.

Elemental iodine (I2) is used to create an iodine-rich environment for inhibiting the formation of iodine vacancy defects. This strategy also modifies the perovskite's surface energy, regulating its crystallization kinetics and resulting in a more well-crystallized perovskite with a preferred (001)-orientation. Consequently, PeLEDs with efficiencies of 32.5% for deep-red (678 nm) and 29.5% for pure-red (649 nm) have been achieved.

Abstract

Perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) face a tough challenge that halogen vacancy defects limit device performance, while the introduction of additional agents to passivate defects may potentially compromise the stability of the structure and increase the complexity of the system. Here, elemental iodine (I2) is employed as an additive, utilizing its ability to create an iodine-rich condition and to transform into I− ions for passivating iodine vacancy defects, while its volatile nature ensures no residue and avoids the introduction of extraneous elements. This approach also alters the perovskite's surface energy and subsequently regulates its crystallization kinetics, which results in a more well-crystallized perovskite with vertically-aligned organic spacer layers, in turn promoting the transport of charge carriers. On the basis of this strategy, PeLEDs with efficiencies of 32.5% and 29.5% for deep-red (678 nm) and pure-red (649 nm) have been achieved, respectively.

A multifunctional dual-anion synergistic strategy that combines acetate anions (Ac−) from formamidinium acetate and thiocyanate anions (SCN-) from guanidinium thiocyanate to produce high-quality MA-free Cs0.1FA0.9Pb0.5Sn0.5I3 perovskite films via a simplified antisolvent-free spin-coating process. Ac− anions retard crystallization and mitigate Sn2+ oxidation through the formation of intermediate phases and anion exchange process, while SCN- anions further promote crystal growth and stabilize Sn2+ via strong coordination interactions, improving energy level alignment and grain boundary management.

Abstract

Mixed tin-lead (Sn-Pb) perovskites are integral to all-perovskite tandem solar cells (TSCs), offering significant potential to surpass the theoretical efficiency limits of single-junction solar cells. However, the rapid crystallization of Sn-Pb perovskite thin films and the propensity of Sn2+ to oxidize into Sn4+ remain critical challenges, hindering device performance and stability. Herein, it is demonstrated that a multifunctional dual-anion synergistic regulation strategy to fabricate high-quality MA-free Cs0.1FA0.9Pb0.5Sn0.5I3 perovskite thin films with superior morphology and crystallinity via a simplified antisolvent-free spin-coating process. Acetate anions (Ac−) derived from formamidinium acetate (FAAc) effectively regulate crystallization kinetics and mitigate Sn2+ oxidation via intermediate phase formation and anion exchange process. Simultaneously, the combination of Ac− and thiocyanate anions (SCN−) from guanidinium thiocyanate (GuaSCN) promotes larger crystal grain growth and stabilizes Sn2+ via strong coordination interactions. The dual-anion strategy effectively minimizes grain boundaries, suppresses non-radiative recombination, and optimizes the energy level alignment at interfaces. As a result, the champion single-junction Sn-Pb perovskite solar cell (PSC) achieves an impressive power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 23.26%, setting a new benchmark for Sn-Pb PSCs fabricated without antisolvent. While all-perovskite TSCs reach 28.07% efficiency with remarkable operational stability, retaining 81% of initial performance after 600 h under maximum power point tracking.

Researchers developed ultra-stable near-infrared perovskite LEDs with peak external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) of ≈24.7% and EQEs of >20% from 70 to 1200 mA cm−2, resulting in an ultra-high peak radiance of 2270 W sr−1 m−2. Furthermore, these PeLEDs exhibit outstanding operational stability at high current densities. The high stability is enabled by a multifunctional stabilizer containing formamidine groups, which prevent phase transition and decomposition of the α-FAPbI3 perovskite under elevated temperatures.

Abstract

Perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) have emerged as a promising candidate for next-generation display technologies, owing to their high efficiency and color purity. However, the operational instability of PeLEDs at high current densities (>100 mA cm−2) remains a significant challenge. Here, near-infrared (≈797 nm) PeLEDs are reported with peak external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) of ≈24.7% and EQEs of >20% across a wide range of current densities (70–1200 mA cm−2), resulting in an ultra-high peak radiance of 2270 W sr−1 m−2. These PeLEDs exhibit outstanding operational stability with operational lifetimes (T 50) of 6.6, 12.7, 19.2, 49.5, 238.6, and 350 h at current densities of 500, 400, 300, 200, 100, and 50 mA cm−2, respectively. The high stability is enabled by a multifunctional stabilizer containing formamidine groups, which prevent phase transition and decomposition of the α-FAPbI3 perovskite under elevated temperatures. This work demonstrates the feasibility of achieving efficient and stable PeLEDs at high current densities, providing strategies for the development of high-power optoelectronic devices based on halide perovskites.

This work presents a solid-solution strategy to modulate the mechanoluminescence of the composite elastomer with the physical principles proposed. With no need for power supply and circuit design, the developed CaBa4(PO4)3Cl:Eu/PDMS elastomer yields bright and repeatable light for over 20 000 cycles under various rapid and continuous stretching conditions, significantly breaking the performance limitations of the existing materials.

Abstract

Mechanoluminescence (ML) elastomer shows tremendous potential for the next generation of flexible displaying, imaging, and sensing devices. However, inadequate repeatability and cyclic stability are the current bottlenecks. In this work, a solid-solution strategy is reported to regulate the interfacial interactions of ML elastomer, in which the (Ca,Ba)5(PO4)3Cl:Eu solid solutions and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) are employed, respectively. The results suggest that the solid-solution strategy can effectively modulate the energy position of the valence band and the charge density distributions of the lowest unoccupied band, as well as the interfacial triboelectrification. Consequently, the ML performance of the composite elastomer in terms of intensity, spectral characteristic, and repeatability has been significantly improved. Particularly, the optimum CaBa4(PO4)3Cl:Eu/PDMS elastomer exhibits stable and repeatable ML for over 20 000 cycles under various rapid and continuous stretching conditions. This work not only provides a highly repeatable and cyclically stable ML elastomer but also clarifies the intrinsic physical principles, showing high guiding significance for future ML design and applications.

Energy Environ. Sci., 2025, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/D5EE00618J, Paper Open Access &nbsp This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence.Saurabh Parab, Jonathan Lee, Matthew Miyagishima, Qiushi Miao, Bhargav Bhamwala, Alex Liu, Louis Ah, Bhagath Sreenarayanan, Kun Ryu, Mingqian Li, Neal Arakawa, Robert D. Schmidt, Mei Cai, Fang Dai, Ping Liu, Shen Wang, Ying Shirley Meng
Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries hold significant promise for electric vehicles and aviation due to their high energy density and cost-effectiveness. However, understanding the root causes of performance degradation remains a formidable...
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Nature Materials, Published online: 23 May 2025; doi:10.1038/s41563-025-02215-9

Treatments for traumatic brain injury are lacking owing to the limited regenerative capacity of neurons. Now, ultrasound-activated piezoelectric nanostickers that attach to cell membranes are shown to promote the neuronal differentiation of transplanted stem cells, leading to substantial brain tissue repair in rats with traumatic brain injury.

Nature Materials, Published online: 23 May 2025; doi:10.1038/s41563-025-02237-3

Growth hormone delivery with a biomimetic and programmed microneedle patch enhances therapeutic efficacy while prioritizing patient comfort and convenience.

Nature Nanotechnology, Published online: 23 May 2025; doi:10.1038/s41565-025-01936-x

Integrating molecular motors into amphiphilic surfactants creates light-activated, fast-spinning molecules that drive conformational changes, offering a non-thermal pathway to supramolecular polymerization.

Nature Nanotechnology, Published online: 23 May 2025; doi:10.1038/s41565-025-01933-0

An amphiphilic light-driven rotary motor is shown to form Langmuir monolayers at the air–water interface. Upon ultraviolet irradiation, the continuous rotation of the motor triggers its supramolecular polymerization and subsequent nanopatterning of the interfacial layer.

Nature Energy, Published online: 23 May 2025; doi:10.1038/s41560-025-01783-z

High-density methane storage typically requires high pressures and/or low temperatures, which can pose operational challenges. Here the authors report graphene-coated carbons that, after high-pressure charging, can store methane at high densities even at ambient external pressure.

Energy Environ. Sci., 2025, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/D5EE00004A, PaperMuhammad Azam, Yao Ma, Boxue Zhang, Zhongquan Wan, Xiangfeng Shao, Haseeb Ashraf Malik, Xian Yang, Junsheng Luo, Chunyang Jia
Conjugated small molecules have emerged as promising candidates for hole-transporting materials (HTMs) in p-i-n structured perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Although various structural designs of these molecules have been proposed, it...
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007: End-to-End Encrypted Audio Calls via Blind Audio Mixing

End-to-end encryption (E2EE) for messaging has become an industry standard and is widely implemented in many applications. However, applying E2EE to audio calls, particularly group calls, remains a complex challenge. Unlike text messages, audio calls involve capturing audio streams from each participant, which must be combined into a single, coherent audio stream that all participants can hear. This is known as audio mixing. In a non-E2EE system, the audio is mixed by a central server, and the result is sent to each participant. In contrast, in an E2EE system, each audio stream must be encrypted locally and sent to every participant in the group call. This method presents major challenges with respect to network overhead, audio synchronization and limitation on applying audio enhancement techniques.

In this talk, we present a new approach using Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE), which enables end-to-end encryption for group voice calls. Concretely, we introduce blind audio mixing and an FHE -compatible compression technique.

• Speaker: Emad Heydari Beni and Lode Hoste, Nokia Bell Labs
• Tuesday 27 May 2025, 14:00-15:00
• Venue: Webinar & LT2, Computer Laboratory, William Gates Building..
• Series: Computer Laboratory Security Seminar; organiser: Anna Talas.

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The multilinear circle method and its consequences in pointwise ergodic theory

The Bergelson conjecture from 1996 asserts that the multilinear polynomial ergodic averages with commuting transformations converge pointwise almost everywhere in any measure-preserving system. This problem was recently solved affirmatively for polynomials with distinct degrees. In this talk, I will review the recent progress on this conjecture, focusing on the multilinear circle method—- a versatile new tool that combines methods from additive combinatorics and Fourier analysis, which are crucial in problems of this kind. This is based on joint work with D. Kosz, S. Peluse and J. Wright.

• Speaker: Mariusz Mirek (Rutgers University)
• Wednesday 28 May 2025, 13:30-15:00
• Venue: MR4, CMS.
• Series: Discrete Analysis Seminar; organiser: Julia Wolf.

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Completeness Theorems for Variations of Higher-Order Logic

Mike Gordon’s Higher-Order Logic (HOL) is one of the most important logical foundations for interactive theorem proving. The standard semantics of HOL , due to Andrew Pitts, employs a downward closed universe of sets, and interprets HOL ’s Hilbert choice operator via a global choice function on the universe.

In this talk, I introduce a natural Henkin-style notion of general model corresponding to the standard models. By following the Henkin route of proving completeness, I discover an enrichment of HOL deduction that is sound and complete w.r.t. these general models. Variations of my proof also yield completeness results for weaker deduction systems located between standard and (fully) enriched HOL deduction, relative to less constrained models.

=== Online talk ===

Join Zoom Meeting https://cam-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/89856091954?pwd=Bba77QB2KuTideTlH6PjAmbXLO8HbY.1

Meeting ID: 898 5609 1954 Passcode: ITPtalk

CANCELLED

• Speaker: Andrei Popescu (University of Sheffield)
• Thursday 22 May 2025, 17:00-18:00
• Venue: Online; live-streamed at MR14 Centre for Mathematical Sciences.
• Series: Formalisation of mathematics with interactive theorem provers ; organiser: Anand Rao Tadipatri.

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Energy Environ. Sci., 2025, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/D5EE01190F, PaperZhongwei Ge, Jia-Wei Qiao, Xiaoming Li, Runzheng Gu, Wenqing Zhang, Bohao Song, Guanghao Lu, Wei Ma, Xiao-Tao Hao, Yanming Sun
The development of thick-film organic solar cells (OSCs) is crucial for enhancing reproducibility in large-area industrial fabrication. Unfortunately, the film thicknesses of several hundred nanometers can exacerbate the imbalance in...
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Energy Environ. Sci., 2025, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/D5EE01216C, Paper Open Access &nbsp This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported Licence.Jeong-Ye Baek, Hae Jin Seog, Sung-Yeon Jang
Thermogalvanic (TG) cells are a promising technology for harvesting low-grade waste heat, but their practical applications have been hindered by low thermopower and output power density. Here, we report the...
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