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Low-Field Magnetoresistance

In article number 2415426 by Yanan Zhao, Zhixin Guo, Ming Liu, and co-workers a notable low-field magnetoresistance (1.2×103%, 0.1 T) in the layered (NdNiO3) n :NdO films at a high temperature range (≈90–240 K) is obtained. Such layered phases raise the tunneling barriers and magnetic fluctuations at high temperatures, where small ferromagnetic domains are embedded in the antiferromagnetic domains. The achievement of such notable LFMR at high temperatures would advance the magnetic devices.

Biomimetic Metamaterials

In article number 2416314 by Xiaoming Liu, Qiang Wang, and co-workers, a novel metamaterial design, metal-insulator-metal metamaterials with dual coupling gradient resonators, is proposed for broadband absorption. By transforming “resonance points” into “resonance bands” and perfect coupling of the two gradient resonators in nanoscale and microscale dimensions, the GR-MIMs with a thickness of only 200 nm demonstrates ultra-broadband high absorption across the ultraviolet, visible, near-infrared, and mid-infrared spectra.

Biomimicry

In article number 2413939, Ulrich B. Wiesner and co-workers describe a science-art collaboration culminating in a 14-meter-tall art installation with ultra large molar mass block copolymer-based structural color, mimicking the optical behavior of a Morpho butterfly wing. Routes to overcoming the challenges of scaling up block copolymer synthesis and reproducible film formation to the architectural scale are addressed. The approach to generating films with block copolymer-based structural color is then broadened to include iridescent hybrid materials as well as ceramics.

Herein, a reliable and easily controllable approach is provided to prepare over 0.5-kilogram colloidal quantum dots (CQDs), which feature high fluorescence quantum yields of over 90%, and afford their light-emitting diodes with high efficiency, high brightness, and long operation stability.

Abstract

It is known that large-scale synthesis of emitters affords colloidal quantum dot (CQD) materials with a great opportunity toward the mass production of quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) based commercial electronic products. Herein, an unprecedented example of scalable CQD (> 0.5 kilogram) is achieved by using a core/shell structure of CdZnSe/ZnSeS/CdZnS, in which CdZnSe, ZnSeS, and CdZnS alloys are used as the inner core, transition layer and outermost shell, respectively. It exhibits a high fluorescence quantum yield (>90%), a robust excited state, and a fast radiative transition rate. The investigation of morphology and surface state reveals the possible reasons for such excellent optical properties, which include uniform size distribution, no undesired byproducts, and high defect tolerance. The QLEDs exhibit a peak external quantum efficiency of over 21%, a high luminance of over 9.5×104 cd m−2, and a long lifetime of over 1.0×106 h, corresponding to the state-of-the-art performance among the QLEDs based on the large-scale synthesis of CQDs. Therefore, it is believed that an efficient and reliable strategy is provided toward the large-scale synthesis of CQDs, which can be used as emitters in the QLEDs-based commercial electronic devices and make the mass production of these products a reality.

This study introduces a novel concept for broadband absorption metamaterial design—Metal–Insulator–Metal metamaterials with gradient resonators (GR-MIMs). The GR-MIMs absorber couples gradient resonant cavities in both nanoscale and microscale dimensions. By converting “resonance points” into “resonance bands,” the GR-MIMs absorber achieves 93% ultra-broadband high absorption (0.2–5 µm) at a thickness of 200 nm.

Abstract

Ultra-broadband metamaterial absorbers can achieve near-perfect absorption of omnidirectional electromagnetic waves, crucial for light utilization and manipulation. Traditional ultra-broadband metamaterials rely on the superposition of different resonator units either in the plane or in perpendicular directions to broaden absorption peaks. However, this approach is subject to quantity restrictions and complicates the fabrication process. This study introduces a novel concept for broadband absorption metamaterial design—Metal–Insulator–Metal metamaterials with gradient resonators (GR-MIMs) to surpass limitations in quantity and fabrication. The GR-MIMs absorber features gradient resonant cavities in both nanoscale and microscale dimensions, each with continuous resonance points. By converting “resonance points” into “resonance bands” and perfectly coupling the two gradient resonators, the GR-MIMs absorber with a thickness of only 200 nm demonstrates 93% ultra-broadband high absorption across the UV, visible, near-infrared, and mid-infrared spectra (0.2–5 µm). Moreover, the solar spectrum absorption rate of the GR-MIMs absorber can reach 94.5%, offering broad prospects for applications in solar energy utilization. The design of gradient resonators provides a new approach for the development of ultra-broadband metamaterials and photothermal conversion metamaterials.

A simple yet intuitive d-p orbital matching mechanism is proposed for assessing the atomic dispersion stability of Cu-based single atom alloys (SAAs). This theoretical framework offers electronic orbital insights into stability factors and is universally applicable for designing stable SAAs. The designed SAAs are experimentally demonstrated with enhanced mono-carbon product selectivity in a prototype reaction—acidic CO2 electroreduction.

Abstract

Recent advancements in alloy catalysis have yield novel materials with tailored functionalities. Among these, Cu-based single-atom alloy (SAA) catalysts have attracted significant attention in catalytic applications for their unique electronic structure and geometric ensemble effects. However, selecting alloying atoms with robust dispersion stability on the Cu substrate is challenging, and has mostly been practiced empirically. The fundamental bottleneck is that the microscopic mechanism that governs the dispersion stability is unclear, and a comprehensive approach for designing Cu-based SAA systems with simultaneous dispersion stability and high catalytic activity is still missing. Here, combining theory and experiment, a simple yet intuitive d-p orbital matching mechanism is discovered for rapid assessment of the atomic dispersion stability of Cu-based SAAs, exhibiting its universality and extensibility for screening effective SAAs across binary, ternary and multivariant systems. The catalytic selectivity of the newly designed SAAs is demonstrated in a prototype reaction-acidic CO2 electroreduction, where all SAAs achieve single-carbon product selectivity exceeding 70%, with Sb1Cu reaching a peak CO faradaic efficiency of 99.73 ± 2.5% at 200 mA cm−2. This work establishes the fundamental design principles for Cu-based SAAs with excellent dispersion stability and selectivity, and will boost the development of ultrahigh-performance SAAs for advanced applications such as electrocatalysis.

Nature Materials, Published online: 20 March 2025; doi:10.1038/s41563-025-02181-2

A modular programming framework for controlling microtubule-based active matter using light is introduced, enabling the precise design and manipulation of dynamic micrometre-scale fluid flows for tasks such as mixing, transport and separation in microfluidic applications.

Energy Environ. Sci., 2025, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D4EE05845C, PaperYun Cao, Chuannan Geng, Chen Bai, Linkai Peng, Jiaqi Lan, Jiarong Liu, Junwei Han, Bilu Liu, Yanbing He, Feiyu Kang, Quan-Hong Yang, Wei Lv
A micropore confinement and fusion strategy is proposed to eliminate the interfacial mismatch and achieve molecular-level integrated catalysis interfaces for long-life all-solid-state Li–S batteries.
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