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This work presents the first demonstration of the nonvolatile ferroelectric polarization modulation of magnetic domains in van der Waals multiferroic Fe3GaTe2/CuInP2S6 heterostructures at ambient conditions, which is primarily attributed to the ferroelectric polarization-controlled Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction.

Abstract

Multiferroic heterostructures offer a promising platform for next-generation low-power spintronic devices by enabling electric-field control of magnetism. While recent advances in two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals (vdW) magnetic and ferroelectric materials have sparked significant interest, achieving reliable and nonvolatile electrical modulation of magnetism at room temperature within vdW multiferroic heterostructures remains a substantial challenge. Here, this study demonstrates robust, reproducible, and nonvolatile electrical control of ferromagnetism in Fe3GaTe2/CuInP2S6 multiferroic heterostructures under ambient conditions. The modulation is evidenced macroscopically by reshaped magnetic hysteresis loops in anomalous Hall voltage measurements and microscopically by in situ magnetic and electric field-induced domain evolution captured via magnetic force microscopy. The first-principles calculations reveal that the polarization of CuInP2S6 induces a significant modulation of the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI) in Fe3GaTe2. Incorporating these effects into micromagnetic simulations reproduces key features of the experimental hysteresis behaviors, indicating that the polarization-enhanced DMI lowers domain wall formation energy and drives a transition from coherent to incoherent magnetic reversal. These findings not only surmount the challenge of electrically modulating ferromagnetism in vdW systems via remanent ferroelectric polarization at room temperature but also open new pathways for energy-efficient skyrmion manipulation and vdW spintronic device engineering.

An artificial optoelectronic synapse capable of generating bidirectional post-synaptic current is presented, eliminating the need for differential synapse pairs in HW-NNs. By utilizing an asymmetric metal contact structure and a charge trapping layer, it achieves precise control over current flow, demonstrating compatibility with MAC operations and promising superior performance in neuromorphic hardware systems.

Abstract

Conventional hardware neural networks (HW-NNs) have relied on unidirectional current flow of artificial synapses, necessitating a differential pair of the synapses for weight core implementation. Here, an artificial optoelectronic synapse capable of bidirectional post-synaptic current (I PSC) is presented, eliminating the need for differential synapse pairs. This is achieved through an asymmetric metal contact structure that induces a built-in electric field for directional flow of photogenerated carriers, and a charge trapping/de-trapping layer in the gate stack (h-BN/weight control layer) that can modulate the surface potential of the semiconductor channel (WSe2) using electrical signals. This structure enables precise control over the direction and magnitude of injected charge. The device demonstrates key synaptic behaviors, such as long-term potentiation/depression and spike-timing-dependent plasticity. A fabricated 3 × 2 artificial synapse array shows that the bidirectional I PSC characteristic is compatible with multiply-accumulate operations. Finally, the feasibility of these synapses in HW-NNs is demonstrated through training and inference simulations using the MNIST handwritten digits dataset, yielding competitive recognition rates and reduced total energy consumption for updating weights of the weight core compared to unidirectional I PSC-based systems. This approach paves the way toward more compact and energy-efficient brain-inspired computing systems.

This study introduces indium phosphide (InP) nanolaser particles operating in the near-infrared-I (NIR-I) spectrum, with ultrawide tunability (740–970 nm) and nanometer-scale linewidths. Optimized for deep-tissue imaging and multiplexed barcoding, these particles offer excellent stability, high signal-to-noise ratios in scattering media, and biocompatibility, making them highly promising for advanced biomedical research and applications.

Abstract

Laser particles (LPs) emitting narrowband spectra across wide spectral ranges are highly promising for high-multiplex optical barcoding of biological cells. Here, LPs based on indium phosphide (InP) nanodisks are presented, operating in the near-infrared wavelength range of 740–970 nm. Utilizing low-order whispering gallery resonance modes in size-tuned nanodisks, an ultrawide color palette with 25% spectral utilization and nanometer-scale linewidth is achieved. A simple theoretical model accurately predicts spectral ranges based on particle size. The minimum laser size is 430 nm in air and 560 nm within cells, operating at mode orders of 4 or 5. The high brightness and narrow linewidths of polymer-silica-protected InP LPs, combined with a silicon-detector spectrometer, enable spectral detection of laser peaks with high signal-to-background ratios in highly-scattering media, including 1-cm-thick chicken breast tissue and blood vessels in live mice.

This study develops a pH/cathepsin dual-gated nanoplatform (PCANER) enabling tumor-responsive, precise endoplasmic reticulum (ER) delivery of photosensitizers to induce type-II immunogenic cell death and pyroptosis. With 83% ER-targeted efficacy, PCANER promotes glucose-regulated protein 78/calreticulin exposure and reprograms the tumor immune microenvironment, establishing a subcellular organelle-targeted immunomodulation paradigm for cancer therapy.

Abstract

Specific induction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-initiated type-II immunogenic cell death (ICD) shows great potential in boosting tumor immunogenicity and anti-tumor immunotherapy. However, it remains challenging to selectively provoke type-II ICD, due to the lack of highly efficient ER targeting strategy. Here, a pH/Cathepsin-Activatable Nanoplatform (PCAN) is reported to specifically photo-induce ER stress (PCANER) and type-II ICD for cancer immunotherapy. PCANER integrates the long-circulating properties of nanomedicines with pH/cathepsin B dual-gated design, exhibiting excellent ER targeting with a colocalization efficacy of 83% in cancer tissues. Through directly intensifying glucose-regulated protein 78 and calreticulin exposure, PCANER augments type-II ICD and pyroptotic cancer cell death with high immune priming to cascade-amplify the cancer-immunity cycle, while the mild type-I ICD induced by lysosome stress (PCANLy) exhibits negligible antitumor efficacy. By leveraging the spatiotemporal subcellular organelle targeting of PCAN technology, this study achieves precise tuning of the type of ICD and cellular pyroptosis-based cancer therapy. This study offers new insights into the design of organelle level-targeted nanomedicines, paving the way for dissecting and modulating the cell death mechanism to boost cancer immunotherapy.

A special antiferroelectric state composed of the coexistence of polymorphic polarization configurations has been identified, and two completely different non-ergodic relaxor ferroelectric states are sequentially induced from its matrix. This kind of phase transition simultaneously provides high maximum polarization and fast domain dynamics response. The energy storage density exceeds 23 J cm−3, and the energy storage efficiency can reach 88%.

Abstract

Multiphase transition type antiferroelectric lead zirconate is one of the ideal candidate dielectrics for energy storage ceramic capacitors, it is challenging to fully reveal its formation and regulation mechanism, and further enhance the energy storage performance. Here, the essence of polymorphic modulation of multiphase transition antiferroelectric is proposed, and its non-ergodic relaxor phase transition nature is revealed. The polymorphic modulated antiferroelectric ceramics show a giant energy storage density of 23.73 J cm−3 and an excellent efficiency of 88%, which is much superior to the commensurate and incommensurate modulated antiferroelectric phases and other dielectric ceramics. The polymorphic modulated antiferroelectric ceramic is composed of both commensurate and incommensurate modulated ferrielectric like antiferroelectric sub-grain regions. Under an electric field, relaxor ferroelectric and ferroelectric phases are successively derived from the incommensurate and commensurate antiferroelectric regions, constituting two distinct non-ergodic relaxor ferroelectric states. The independent evolution of antiferroelectric short-range to ferroelectric short-range and ferroelectric long-range, and their interaction are the key to the excellent energy storage performance of polymorphic modulated antiferroelectric ceramics. The findings offer a novel insight into the field-induced phase transition in antiferroelectric, and promote the potential applications of pulse power antiferroelectric ceramic capacitors.

This study decouples the effects of cathode-anode matching and coupling on performance of a system in hybrid electrochemical capacitors (HECs) which are like black boxes. By modulating the three-electrode mode to focus on the self-matching effect of cathode-anode potentials ranges, the matching and coupling is correlated with current, providing a guiding principle for predicting and optimizing the performance of HECs based on electrode.

Abstract

Hybrid electrochemical capacitors (HECs) are advanced energy storage devices that offer high energy density, high power density, and long cycle life by integrating the energy storage mechanisms of both batteries and supercapacitors. The electrochemical coupling resulting from the cathode-anode kinetic differences severely restricts the accuracy of predicting the performance of HECs based on electrode performance. However, no general method can decouple the effects of cathode-anode kinetics matching on electrochemical performance by integrating electrochemical coupling from an electrochemical perspective. Here, using an integrated method that combines two distinct three-electrode testing modes in the typical sodium-ion hybrid capacitors, the self-matching effect of cathode-anode working potential ranges is first refined as the foundation for kinetic matching and electrochemical coupling. The discrepancies and interdependencies in cathode-anode electrochemical coupling for an individual kinetic match are decoupled by examining the impact of the self-matching effect on the electrochemical results. The critical matching current density is introduced as a key kinetic parameter for evaluating the degree of cathode-anode matching in complex electrochemical systems. This advancement provides an innovative design principle for electrode matching and coupling in high-performance HECs.

Facet-controlled growth of molybdenum phosphide single crystals via liquid-metal-assisted chemical vapor deposition, demonstrating MoP nanoplate and pillar morphologies formed at different temperatures for efficient hydrogen peroxide synthesis.

Abstract

Transition metal phosphides (TMPs) stand out for their excellent catalytic activity, driven by metal‒phosphorus bonding that promotes electron donation, which makes them ideal for electrocatalysis applications. However, the synthesis of single-crystal TMP, which is essential for elucidating intrinsic properties, remains challenging owing to the lack of efficient methods, low yields, and lengthy processes. This study presents the synthesis of facet-controlled molybdenum phosphide (MoP) single crystals using a liquid-metal-assisted chemical vapor deposition method. By adjusting the synthesis temperature, two distinct MoP morphologies are created: nanoplates dominated by (0001) facets and pillars dominated by (101¯0)$( {10\bar 10} )$ facets. Electrochemical evaluation reveals that the MoP pillars outperform nanoplates in the two-electron oxygen reduction reaction, achieving over 92% selectivity for H2O2 production and significantly higher kinetic current density. Long-term stability tests confirm that the MoP pillars maintain a high Faradaic efficiency (>90%) and stable electrosynthesis over 80 h of continuous operation, highlighting their robustness. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the (101¯0)$( {10\bar 10} )$ facets of the pillars enhance catalytic activity by reducing the OOH adsorption strength, thereby lowering the overpotential. This study underscores the importance of facet engineering in optimizing catalytic performance and provides a pathway for designing advanced TMP-based materials for energy and environmental applications.

Controlling stem cell differentiation to produce functional vesicles offers a promising approach for novel delivery carriers. This study explores the differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into ‘tentacled’ stem cells, utilizing their derived ‘tentacled’ vesicles as functional carriers to facilitate non-invasive, enhanced optogenetic therapy, offering a novel therapeutic approach for Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract

Neural-activated optogenetics technique contributing to the “restart” of degenerative neurons offers hope for the treatment of several neurodegenerative diseases. However, the limitations of persistent invasiveness and inadequate repair of the pathological environment strongly hinder its further application. Here, a concept of differentiating stem cells is proposed to produce functional materials to enhance the therapeutic applicability of optogenetics. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are differentiated to generate the “tentacled” stem cells TenSCs. Their “tentacled” vesicles TenSCev, upon inheriting the biological functions of the parent cell, will possess both neural targeting capacity and pathological environment repair ability. Hence, TenSCev are utilized as functional carrier to deliver optogenetics elements for completely non-traumatic and controllable neuron activation, while also facilitating the comprehensive restoration of the pathological environment, thus effectively halted disease progression and significantly improved cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease or aged mice. Further, the concept of generating specialized biomaterials from differentiated stem cells as functional carriers holds the potential to broaden the applicability of various neuroregulatory techniques in the treatment of neurological disorders.

A room-temperature phosphorescent polyurethane with a microphase separation structure exhibits excellent stretchability properties and ultralong phosphorescence. Different afterglow color effects are achieved by modifying the structure of the phosphor. The polyurethane demonstrates remarkable resistance to humidity and heat. The potential applications of polymers in flexible light-emitting devices, information encryption systems, and anti-counterfeiting technologies are explored.

Abstract

Polymeric room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) materials exhibiting facile processability, high thermal stability, and environmental compatibility have garnered considerable attention. However, achieving excellent stretchability in simultaneity with ultralong RTP remains challenging because most RTP polymers rely on rigid structures with inherently poor tensile properties. Herein, a stretchable, ultralong RTP polyurethane is prepared through copolymerizing a novel phosphor dihydroxy-functionalized indolocarbazole, 4,4′-methylenedicyclohexyl diisocyanate (HMDI), poly(tetrahydrofuran) (PTMEG 2000), and adipic dihydrazide (AD). The phosphor is covalently bonded to the polyurethane backbone, which facilitates the stabilization of triplet excitons and achieves ultralong RTP. The obtained copolymers exhibit a maximum strain of 1400% and the longest phosphorescence lifetime of 1888 ms. Additionally, the polyurethanes exhibiting different afterglow colors are prepared by varying the molecular structure of the phosphor. Notably, the RTP polyurethane materials also display resistance to humidity and heat. This work may provide a new option for the development of stretchable, ultralong RTP materials.

This review article provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in organic photovoltaics (OPVs), covering key aspects such as material development, morphology control, stability challenges, and emerging applications—including semitransparent OPVs. In addition, future perspectives are discussed to guide the advancement of OPVs toward higher efficiency and enhanced stability.

Abstract

Solar energy is the most promising and ultimate renewable energy resource, and silicon photovoltaic technology has gone through exciting growth globally. Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) provide solar energy solutions for application scenarios different from existing PV technologies. The organic PV technology, with the synergetic progress in the past decades, has now reached 20% power conversion efficiency (PCE), which has the potential to empower serious new applications using the unique features of OPV—light weight, colorful, semitransparent, flexibility, etc. The concise review focuses on recent device engineering progress in OPV technologies. The background of OPV devices and materials, especially recent nonfullerene acceptors, will first be presented; then, in the recent device engineering progress, the focus will be on active layer engineering to control the morphology of OPV, leading to recent 19%–20% efficiency. The parallel progress in bulk heterojunction (BHJ) and sequential layer-by-layer approaches will be summarized. The transparent OPV (TOPV) devices are of great interest with unique features and provide the broadest design space among all solar technologies. This work reviews the TOPV progress covering the active layer and transparent optical structure designs. The future research directions in OPV are discussed with perspective.

This review highlights recent progress in piezoelectric materials for regenerative medicine, emphasizing their ability to convert mechanical stimuli into bioelectric signals that promote tissue repair. Key discussions cover the intrinsic piezoelectric properties of biological tissues, co-stimulation cellular mechanisms for tissue regeneration, and optimized structural designs aligned with specific tissue demands for translational applications.

Abstract

Piezoelectric materials, capable of converting mechanical stimuli into electrical signals, have emerged as promising tools in regenerative medicine due to their potential to stimulate tissue repair. Despite a surge in research on piezoelectric biomaterials, systematic insights to direct their translational optimization remain limited. This review addresses the current landscape by bridging fundamental principles with clinical potential. The biomimetic basis of piezoelectricity, key molecular pathways involved in the synergy between mechanical and electrical stimulation for enhanced tissue regeneration, and critical considerations for material optimization, structural design, and biosafety is discussed. More importantly, the current status and translational quagmire of mechanisms and applications in recent years are explored. A mechanism-driven strategy is proposed for the therapeutic application of piezoelectric biomaterials for tissue repair and identify future directions for accelerated clinical applications.

The vertical graphene/LiNbO3 dynamic diode generator (DDG) demonstrated an ultra-high voltage output exceeding 41 V, attributed to the coupling enhancement between the ferroelectric polarization electric field on the LiNbO₃ surface and the built-in electric field at the graphene/LiNbO3 interface, thus opening up a novel avenue for the efficient harvesting of environmental mechanical energy.

Abstract

Substantial endeavors have been dedicated to continuously harvesting mechanical energy from the environment, where dynamic semiconductor diode generators (DDGs) have recently been drawing significant attention as the miniature, portable in situ energy device. However, despite their unique advantages of direct-current output and high current density, the output voltage of DDG is usually less than 1 V, which needs to be further improved to satisfy the demands of practical applications. Therefore, this study proposes a vertical graphene/LiNbO3 DDG that is conducive to an ultra-high voltage output. The coupling enhancement effect arising from the synergy between the ferroelectric polarization electric field on the LiNbO3 surface and the built-in electric field at the graphene/LiNbO3 interface has been identified as a key factor in achieving an impressively high open-circuit voltage output of 41.3 V and a short-circuit current of 1.53 µA. The vertical graphene/LiNbO3 DDG can effectively power an LED without the requirement of an external energy storage and conversion circuit. Moreover, it demonstrates outstanding stability, showing no evident performance attenuation after continuous operation exceeding 3 h. The graphene/LiNbO3 DDG has enhanced the feasibility of real-time energy supply for electronic components and paved the way for the efficient harvesting of mechanical energy from the environment.

Title to be confirmed

Abstract not available

• Speaker: Professor Allan McRobie, CUED
• Friday 20 June 2025, 16:00-17:00
• Venue: JDB Seminar Room, CUED.
• Series: Engineering - Dynamics and Vibration Tea Time Talks; organiser: div-c.

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Gravitational Wave Signatures of Dark Matter in Neutron Star Mergers

Binary neutron star mergers provide insights into strong-field gravity and the properties of ultra-dense nuclear matter. These events offer the potential to search for signatures of physics beyond the standard model, including dark matter. We present the first numerical-relativity simulations of binary neutron star mergers admixed with dark matter, based on constraint-solved initial data. Modeling dark matter as a non-interacting fermionic gas, we investigate the impact of varying dark matter fractions and particle masses on the merger dynamics, ejecta mass, post-merger remnant properties, and the emitted gravitational waves. Our simulations suggest that the dark matter morphology – a dense core or a diluted halo – may alter the merger outcome. Scenarios with a dark matter core tend to exhibit a higher probability of prompt collapse, while those with a dark matter halo develop a common envelope, embedding the whole binary. Furthermore, gravitational wave signals from mergers with dark matter halo configurations exhibit significant deviations from standard models when the tidal deformability is calculated in a two-fluid framework neglecting the dilute and extended nature of the halo. This highlights the need for refined models in calculating the tidal deformability when considering mergers with extended dark matter structures. These initial results provide a basis for further exploration of dark matter’s role in binary neutron star mergers and their associated gravitational wave emission and can serve as a benchmark for future observations from advanced detectors and multi-messenger astrophysics.

• Speaker: Violetta Sagun, University of Southampton
• Friday 30 May 2025, 13:00-14:00
• Venue: MR9/Zoom https://cam-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/87235967698.
• Series: DAMTP Friday GR Seminar; organiser: Xi Tong.

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Energy Environ. Sci., 2025, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/D5EE01388G, PaperKaian Sun, Shaohui Xie, Ping Guan, Zewen Zhuang, Xin Tan, Wei Yan, Jiujun Zhang, Chen Chen
Carbon dioxide electroreduction reaction (CO2RR) to ethanol (C2H5OH) represents a sustainable route toward carbon neutrality. Herein, we present the design of enzyme-inspired zirconium-Fe porphyrinic-based metal-organic framework (MOF) nanosheets functionalized with...
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Quantum Hydrodynamics

The complex behavior of interacting many-body quantum systems continues to challenge contemporary researchers. In particular, inferring edge dynamics from bulk properties, which typically relies on a bulk-boundary correspondence, remains an unsolved problem in many condensed matter systems. Most edge theories are derived by integrating out bulk matter fields, leaving behind a theory that describes only the edge degrees of freedom. Alternatively, when a suitable hydrodynamic theory for the system is developed, the relationship between bulk matter fields and edge dynamics naturally follows from “classical” hydrodynamic boundary conditions, such as no-penetration and no-stress.

If a system admits an effective theory in terms of a single complex scalar, such as an order parameter or wavefunction, constructing a hydrodynamic theory becomes straightforward, with boundary conditions arising directly from conservation laws. In this talk I will outline this general process and apply the formalism to three illustrative examples. Fractional Quantum Hall fluids offer insights into hydrodynamic Chern-Simons theories, while polariton fluids motivate the introduction of dissipative effects. Integer quantum Hall states of bosons, representing a type of symmetry-protected topological phase, are effectively described by a two-fluid model which leads to a broader class of boundary conditions and edge modes. Time permitting, I will discuss how this framework may also shed light on turbulence in both quantum and classical systems.

• Speaker: Dylan Reynolds, ICTS Bangalore
• Tuesday 19 August 2025, 14:00-15:30
• Venue: Seminar Room 3, RDC.
• Series: Theory of Condensed Matter; organiser: Gaurav.

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James Sear - Plumes in Turbulence Ross Shepherd — Efficiency of CO2 storage in aquifers

James Sear, IEEF - Plumes in Turbulence

Ross Shepherd, IEEF — Efficiency of CO2 storage in aquifers

• Speaker: James Sear and Ross Shepherd, IEEF
• Thursday 29 May 2025, 11:30-12:30
• Venue: Open Plan Area, Institute for Energy and Environmental Flows, Madingley Rise CB3 0EZ.
• Series: Institute for Energy and Environmental Flows (IEEF); organiser: Catherine Pearson.

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Universal Diophantine Equations in Isabelle

If you have a question about this talk, please contact Anand Rao Tadipatri.

Abstract: In this talk I will present the formalisation of a universal construction of Diophantine equations with bounded complexity in Isabelle/HOL. This is a formalisation of my own work in number theory.

Hilbert’s Tenth Problem (H10) was answered negatively by Yuri Matiyasevich, who showed that there is no general algorithm to decide whether an arbitrary Diophantine equation has a solution. I will give an introduction to Hilbert’s Problem and its original solution. Moreover, I will motivate and give the key idea of the stronger version of H10 which we formalised. Finally, I will talk about the various challenges that came up during the formalisation and, more importantly, the insights we drew from formalising our yet-unpublished, unpolished manuscript.

This is joint work with Marco David, Timothé Ringeard, Xavier Pigé, Anna Danilkin, Mathis Bouverot-Dupuis, Paul Wang, Quentin Vermande, Theo Andrée, Loïc Chevalier, Charlotte Dorneich, Eva Brenner, Chris Ye, Kevin Lee, Malte Haßler, Simon Dubischar, Thomas Serafini, Dierk Schleicher and Yuri Matiyasevich.

=== Hybrid talk ===

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

Meeting ID: 898 5609 1954 Passcode: ITPtalk

• Speaker: Jonas Bayer (University of Cambridge)
• Thursday 29 May 2025, 17:00-18:00
• Venue: MR14 Centre for Mathematical Sciences.
• Series: Formalisation of mathematics with interactive theorem provers ; organiser: Jonas Bayer.

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Nature Nanotechnology, Published online: 28 May 2025; doi:10.1038/s41565-025-01935-y

Tailored non-aqueous electrolyte solutions are formulated using data obtained from extensive analytical measurements and analyses. These optimized electrolytes improve the cycling performance of single-layer stack lithium metal pouch cells, particularly in lean electrolyte conditions.

Nature Materials, Published online: 28 May 2025; doi:10.1038/s41563-025-02248-0

A family of organic metals that behave as hyper-gap transparent conductors is discussed. Such an elusive combination of electronic conduction and optical transparency is highly attractive for plasmonics and photonics applications.