Feed aggregator

Compared with MX@MoTe2-V, in which the (002) crystal plane of MoTe2 is perpendicular to the MXene layer, MX@MoTe2-P with MoTe2 (002) crystal plane parallel to MXene layer has a more stable interface structure and more sodium ion storage sites, thereby achieving excellent electrochemical performance.

Abstract

The integration of different crystal planes between two-dimensional (2D) materials results in various combinations, which always exert different effects on the electrochemical properties of materials. The metallic 1T′ phase of molybdenum telluride is a promising anode for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), but its rearrangement and restacking during charge/discharge process causes a decline in cycle. Herein, MX@MoTe2-P with MoTe2 (002) planes parallel to MXene layers and MX@MoTe2-V with MoTe2 (002) planes perpendicular to MXene layers are controllably constructed. Compared with MX@MoTe2-V, the new interface formed between MoTe2 and MXene in MX@MoTe2-P has a stronger van der Waals interaction and larger contact area, helpful to store more sodium ions and contributing to its excellent structural stability and battery capacity. Although MX@MoTe2-V has a higher sodium adsorption energy than MX@MoTe2-P, the small interface area lowers the storage capacity and it further aggravates the collapse of the structure. When used as the anode for SIBs, MX@MoTe2-P offers excellent cycle stability and specific capacity. In particular, sodium-ion full cell consisting of MX@MoTe2-P anode and Na3V2(PO4)3 cathode shows the excellent performance (147.2 mAh g−1@1000 cycles at 5 A g−1) surpassing all the reported MoTe2-based materials. This work provides a guide for the manufacture of new electrode materials.

The authors fabricate a reactive oxygen species-driven oxygenation hydrogel (OxyGel) spray, which can rebalance the oxidative and hypoxic microenvironment of the diabetic wound, promote M1-to-M2 macrophage repolarization, and enhance the survival, migration, and angiogenesis of endothelial cells. A single administration of the OxyGel spray accelerates full-thickness back skin wound and refractory foot ulcer wound healing in diabetic rats.

Abstract

The accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and poor oxygen supply are two prominent factors of the inflammatory microenvironment that delay diabetic wound healing. However, current clinical treatments cannot achieve effective ROS scavenging and sustained oxygenation. Herein, a ROS-driven oxygenation hydrogel (OxyGel) spray that integrates a multifunctional nanozyme with a dynamically crosslinked sprayable hydrogel matrix is presented. The nanozyme, which is fabricated based on the ceria-zoledronic acid nanoparticles modified with tannic acid (TCZ nanozymes), can mimic the cascade catalytic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) to effectively scavenge ROS while generating oxygen. These synergistic actions rebalance the oxidative and hypoxic microenvironment of the diabetic wound, promote M1-to-M2 macrophage repolarization, and enhance the survival, migration, and angiogenesis of endothelial cells. A single administration of the nanozyme via the hydrogel spray stably deposits the nanozymes at the target sites to accelerate full-thickness back skin wound and refractory foot ulcer wound healing in diabetic rats. Furthermore, RNA-seq results revealed the upregulation of multiple signaling pathways related to wound healing by the OxyGel spray, highlighting the potential of this platform not only for the treatment of refractory diabetic wounds but also other diseases associated with oxidative stress and hypoxia.

Magnon torques can overcome the Joule heating issue in traditional spintronic devices. The crystalline dependence of magnon torques in Hf/Cr2O3/FM heterostructures is demonstrated. Magnon torques are generated when the Néel vector of Cr2O3 is parallel to the spin polarization generated in Hf. Furthermore, the magnetization switching of perpendicularly magnetized CoFeB is achieved using magnon torques.

Abstract

Electron motion in spin-orbit torque devices inevitably leads to the Joule heating issue. Magnon torques can potentially circumvent this issue, as it enables the transport of spin angular momentum in insulating magnetic materials. In this work, a sandwich structure composed of Hf/antiferromagnetic Cr2O3/ferromagnet is fabricated and demonstrates that the magnon torque is strongly dependent on the crystalline structure of Cr2O3. Magnon torques are stronger when the Néel vector of Cr2O3 aligns parallel to the spin polarization generated in Hf, while they are suppressed when the Néel vector is perpendicular to the spin polarization. The magnon torque efficiency is estimated to be −0.134 using in-plane second harmonic Hall measurements. Using magnon torques, perpendicular magnetization switching of CoFeB is achieved, with a critical switching current density of 4.09 × 107 A cm−2. Furthermore, the spin angular momentum loss due to the insertion of Cr2O3 is found to be lower than that of polycrystalline NiO. The work highlights the role of antiferromagnet crystalline structures in controlling magnon torques, broadening the potential applications of magnon torques.

A novel magnetoresistance effect termed spin-splitting magnetoresistance (SSMR) is demonstrated in (101)-RuO2/Co bilayers. The SSMR is underpinned by the spin–charge interconversion process induced by the nonrelativistic spin-splitting effect in altermagnets. Utilizing the SSMR, a [001]-oriented Néel vector in an epitaxial thin film of RuO2 is revealed, which evidences its altermagnetism.

Abstract

The recently discovered altermagnets, featured by the exotic correlation of magnetic exchange interaction and alternating crystal environments, have offered exciting cutting-edge opportunities for spintronics. Nevertheless, the altermagnetism of RuO2, one of the earliest-discovered altermagnets, is currently under intense debate. Here, this controversy is attempted to be resolved by demonstrating a spin-splitting magnetoresistance (SSMR) effect that is driven by a spin current associated with the giant nonrelativistic spin splitting of an altermagnet. Compared to the spin Hall magnetoresistance induced by a conventional relativistic spin current, the SSMR is characterized by unusual angular dependence with a phase-shift feature underpinned by the Néel-vector orientation and pronounced temperature dependence caused by its susceptibility to electron scattering. Through systematical investigations on the magnetoresistance of (101)-RuO2/Co bilayers, a sizable SSMR is disentangled and hence a Néel vector along [001] direction is unveiled. This work not only demonstrates a simple electric avenue for probing the Néel vector of altermagnets, but also indicates long-range magnetic order in thin films of RuO2.

Conventional solid-phase sintered samples have native surface defects, mainly consisting of lattice mismatches and elemental distortions, and pose problems of TM dissolution and crack growth during subsequent cycles. With an understanding of the spatial distribution of the defects and an appreciation of the importance of the surface state, a strategy of surface defect elimination and crystal framework enhancement is applied and demonstrated to provide strong stability of the cathodes treated by this strategy.

Abstract

Structural and performance degradation in layered transition metal oxide (TMO) cathode materials is often attributed to phase transition induction during sodium de-embedding, while the significance of native defects during complex synthesis is frequently overlooked. Here, the role of native surface remodeling in progressive capacity degradation in P2-type Na2/3Ni1/3Mn2/3O2 is emphasized, where lattice mismatches and elemental distortions are found on the surface of the particles and result in the accumulation of low-valent TMs. Interestingly, the accumulation gradually became the center of cathodic degradation rather than phase transition induction. Given the apparent spatiality of the primary defects and recognizing the importance of the surface state, the stripping repair of the defects and gradient introduction of La can be manipulated. The unique LaO6 configuration enhanced the rigid framework of TMO6 and suppressed the emergence of low-valent TMs, resulting in surface-corrected and reinforced particles, which can be explained by generalized functional density calculations and ex-situ hard X-ray absorption spectroscopy. As a result, the reinforced cathode brought about a capacity retention of up to 98% for 500 cycles at 2 C and 87% for 4000 cycles at 10 C and stable electrochemical performance over a wide temperature range (−20 °C–60 °C).

A bi-continuous polymer electrode (BC-PE) is developed by using PBFDO as the electrical phase and TPU as the mechanical phase, featuring exceptional properties including high conductivity, mechanical toughness, robustness, stretchability, stability, recyclability, and biocompatibility. Leveraging the capabilities of the BC-PE, a record high-performance droplet electricity generator and a self-powered electronic skin for the human-machine interface are achieved.

Abstract

Solution-processable conductive polymers have exhibited promising electrical properties. However, their brittleness and unsatisfactory mechanical characteristics have hindered their creation of flexible electrodes. Here, a robust bi-continuous polymer electrode (BC-PE) is reported that features a stable and high electrical conductivity (>60 S cm−1), remarkable stretchability (>600%), high fracture strength (>57 MPa), excellent toughness (>230 MJ m−3), recyclability, and biocompatibility. The BC-PE is fabricated by facilely blending a high-conducting polymer poly(benzodifurandione)(PBFDO) with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). Serving as a flexible electrode for a droplet electricity generator, a record high current density of 29.2 A m−2 and a power density of 1124.2 W m−2 have been attained. Moreover, the versatility of the BC-PE is validated by the direct ink writing technique, and a soft, thin, BC-PE-based self-powered electronic skin is demonstrated for touch-track recognition. This work presents a straightforward strategy for the development of advanced conductive polymer electrodes that well address the tradeoffs between conductivity and mechanical properties, showcasing their promising applications in energy harvesting and on-skin human-machine interfaces.

An optimization model for zinc anodes centered on anion traction in a low-concentration electrolyte system is proposed. The fluoride-ion enriched interfacial layer on the zinc anode surface enhances the concentration of Zn2+ in a lateral direction through electrostatic forces, thereby facilitating horizontal zinc plating. Moreover, the repulsion between the anion-rich layer and sulfate ions can effectively inhibit the formation of byproducts.

Abstract

In contrast to high-concentration electrolyte systems, low-concentration electrolytes provide a cost-effective strategy to advance the commercialization of aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs). However, such electrolytes frequently exhibit severe dendrite formation caused by localized Zn2+ concentration gradients, which critically compromise the cycling stability and operational safety of AZIBs. In this work, an innovative approach is proposed that involves the in situ construction of a fluoride-ion (F−) enriched interfacial layer on zinc anodes. This method facilitates in-plane diffusion of zinc ions at the anode interface, resulting in accelerated lateral growth of zinc deposits rather than dendritic formation. The results indicate that this orientated growth is closely associated with an anionic layer that effectively reduces random and irregular deposition as well as undesirable side reactions. The proposed system exhibits exceptional electrochemical performance within a low-concentration electrolyte framework, achieving a battery lifespan exceeding 1500 h at a current density of 2 mA cm−2. Furthermore, it maintains Coulombic efficiency above 99% after 800 h of cycling. Additionally, the Na2V6O16·3H2O (NVO)//Zn full battery incorporating this additive showcases enhanced long-term cycling performance and improved capacity retention, further confirming the excellent reversibility of the plating/stripping processes for zinc anode.

Learning Under Constraints: From Federated Collaboration to Black-Box LLMs

In both federated learning (FL) and large language model (LLMs) optimization, a central challenge is effective learning under constraints, ranging from data heterogeneity and personalization to limited communication and black-box access. In this talk, I present three approaches that address these challenges across different settings. FilFL improves generalization in FL by filtering clients based on their joint contribution to global performance. DPFL tackles decentralized personalization by learning asymmetric collaboration graphs under strict resource budgets. Moving beyond FL, I will present ACING , a reinforcement learning method for optimizing instructions in black-box LLMs under strict query budgets, where weights and gradients are inaccessible. While these works tackle distinct problems, they are unified by a common goal: developing efficient learning mechanisms that perform reliably under real-world constraints.

• Speaker: Salma Kharrat, Kaust
• Monday 04 August 2025, 11:00-12:00
• Venue: Computer Lab, FW26.
• Series: Cambridge ML Systems Seminar Series; organiser: Sally Matthews.

Add to your calendar or Include in your list

Condensing the Message: How Notch Signaling Forms Transcriptional Hubs to Control Gene Activation

Developmental decisions rely on cells making accurate transcriptional responses to signals they receive. For example, Notch pathway activity results in rapid transcriptional outputs in the absence of any amplification steps. Local condensates or transcription factor hubs are proposed to facilitate recruitment of key nuclear complexes and their co-factors to promote gene activation. To investigate whether transcription hubs are formed under conditions of endogenous Notch signalling, we combined real-time measurements of Notch transcription-complex enrichments relative to a fluorescently tagged gene locus with quantitative live imaging of gene transcription from two linked loci. An enriched hub containing the co-activator Mastermind (Mam) was formed in a signalling-dependent manner during developmental stages when transcription occurs. Tracking hubs in real time revealed that they are highly dynamic and, when imaged together with transcription in the same nucleus, Mam condensation consistently correlates with the onset and profile of transcription. Manipulations affecting signalling levels had concordant effects on hub intensities and transcriptional profiles, altering the probability and amplitude of transcription. Together the results support a model in which signalling induces the formation of transcription hubs whose properties are instrumental in the quantitative gene expression response to Notch activation.

• Speaker: Carmen Santa Cruz Mateos. Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge.
• Wednesday 16 July 2025, 16:00-17:30
• Venue: in person at Gurdon Institute.
• Series: Cambridge Fly Meetings; organiser: Daniel Sobrido-Cameán.

Add to your calendar or Include in your list

Hox Activity Levels Govern the Evolution of Behaviors

Despite being a fundamental question in Biology, the evolution of animal behaviour remains poorly understood. The divergence of behaviours has been correlated with neuronal circuit changes between species or with distinct genetic makeups, but actual demonstrations of the genetic processes that have taken place to drive the emergence of new behaviours have only been achieved in the sensory system in the context of receptor expression (Auer et al., Nature 2020). Here, we show that by merely tweaking the levels of expression of the key developmental Hox genes, different circuits with different behavioural outputs can be generated. This change occurs only at the final steps of embryonic development, refining connectivity in an otherwise unchanged system. In other words, rather than requiring specific developmental blueprints for each motor circuit—in the case of the fruit fly, those governing, rolling, turning, crawling, etc.—a single blueprint is used, with gene expression levels at the final stages determining the final designation of each circuit. Such a mechanism ensures the system stability and simplifies circuit diversification—within organisms and potentially also across all organisms.

• Speaker: Jimena Berni. Medical Research Building Brighton and Sussex Medical School. University of Sussex
• Wednesday 16 July 2025, 16:00-17:30
• Venue: in person at Gurdon Institute.
• Series: Cambridge Fly Meetings; organiser: Daniel Sobrido-Cameán.

Add to your calendar or Include in your list

Energy Environ. Sci., 2025, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/D5EE00120J, PaperZhen-Yang Suo, Xijiao Mu, Chong Chen, Guobin Xiao, Jing Cao
The instability of doped Spiro-OMeTAD, a widely used hole transport material (HTM), hinders the industrial progress of n-i-p structured perovskite photovoltaics. Phthalocyanines, known for their stability as HTMs, present a...
The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry

Polyhomogeneity and precise asymptotic expansions for quasilinear waves scattering from past to future null infinity, with applications to general relativity

Already for the linear wave equation on the Minkowski spacetime, scattering solutions arising from data in the infinite past (at “past null infinity”) have surprisingly different asymptotic behaviour towards future null infinity depending on both the dimension and on the nature of the scattering data. In this talk, I will explain and prove these differences, and I will then sketch how to more generally determine the asymptotics towards future null infinity for a much wider class of quasilinear equations.

In the context of the Einstein equations of general relativity, this work allows to determine the asymptotics of gravitational radiation, and thus the smoothness of null infinity, in physically realistic scattering scenarios.

Based on joint work with Istvan Kadar (Princeton University)

• Speaker: Leonhard Kehrberger (Leipzig)
• Monday 16 June 2025, 14:00-15:00
• Venue: MR13.
• Series: Partial Differential Equations seminar; organiser: Dr Greg Taujanskas.

Add to your calendar or Include in your list

Grand Rounds - soft tissue

Chaired by Laura Owen

• Speaker: Layla Thompson, Department of Veterinary Medicine
• Friday 06 February 2026, 08:45-10:00
• Venue: LT2.
• Series: Friday Morning Seminars, Dept of Veterinary Medicine; organiser: Fiona Roby.

Add to your calendar or Include in your list

Symmetry Breaking Routes to Natural and Unnatural Ladderanes

Abstract not available

• Speaker: Prof. Santanu Mukherjee, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
• Wednesday 09 July 2025, 14:00-15:00
• Venue: Dept. of Chemistry, Pfizer Lecture Theater.
• Series: Synthetic Chemistry Research Interest Group; organiser: Dr. Robert J. Phipps.

Add to your calendar or Include in your list

Decadal changes in Southern Ocean Water Masses inferred from observations

In this talk I will present how using a combination of data-driven and machine learning methods we infer a slowdown of Antarctic bottom water (AABW) and an expansion and poleward shift of Circumpolar Deep Water (CDW). In particular, I will present analyses based on four decades of CFCs and SF6 observations to reconstruct global tracer budgets and infer decadal variability of deep ocean circulation and tracer ventilation rates.

• Speaker: Laura Cimoli (University of Cambridge)
• Wednesday 18 June 2025, 16:00-17:00
• Venue: BAS Seminar Room 1.
• Series: British Antarctic Survey - Polar Oceans seminar series; organiser: Dr Birgit Rogalla.

Add to your calendar or Include in your list

The Geometry of Equilibrium Book Tour: Lecture 1

This month Cambridge University Press are publishing “The Geometry of Equilibrium: James Clerk Maxwell and 21st-Century Structural Mechanics”.

Edited by Bill Baker and Allan McRobie, the book is the result of around 10 years’ collaborative research with contributions from many others, including current and former members of the Structures Group; Petia Tzokova, Marina Konstantatou, Cameron Millar, Simon Guest and John Ochsendorf.

The talk will explain how a re-examination of the papers of James Clerk Maxwell can lead to a highly geometric perspective on structural engineering theory that is strikingly different to the one usually taught in this and other engineering departments. This ‘new’ perspective is of great relevance to modern, material-efficient structural design. The talk will also describe some of the more recent research into the foundations of structural mechanics that has since been built on Maxwell’s insights. This is founded on Legendre transforms and polarities in 3D and 4D projective geometry, with added elements from algebraic topology, homology and cohomology. Much of this material is too recent to have made it into the book.

• Speaker: Allan McRobie, University of Cambridge
• Friday 13 June 2025, 15:00-16:00
• Venue: CivEng Seminar Room (1-33) (Civil Engineering Building).
• Series: Engineering Department Structures Research Seminars; organiser: Shehara Perera.

Add to your calendar or Include in your list

Metal-Catalyzed Cycloisomerizations of Enyne and Allene in Polycyclic Natural Product Synthesis

Abstract not available

• Speaker: Professor Xiao-Shui Peng (Chinese University of Hongkong)
• Friday 04 July 2025, 11:00-12:00
• Venue: Dept. of Chemistry, Unilever Lecture Theatre.
• Series: Synthetic Chemistry Research Interest Group; organiser: Jasmine Mitchell.

Add to your calendar or Include in your list

Cyan and green long-afterglow luminescence in NaLuF4:Tb(15 mol%)@NaYF4@SiO2 is achieved through a molecular doping strategy under UV and X-ray excitation, respectively. The rationally designed structure of NaLuF4:Tb(15 mol%)@NaYF4@4-PP-doped SiO2 NCs, facilitated by hydrogen bonding and physical interactions, stabilizes the triplet state of 4-PP, thereby enabling afterglow emission under UV and X-ray excitation. This approach expands the library of optical codes for information encryption.

Abstract

The rational design of uniform afterglow nanoparticles (NPs) is critical for applications such as bioimaging and information storage. However, excitation of afterglow NPs remains largely limited to either X-ray or UV light. Integrating both X-ray- and UV-responsive afterglow components into a single NP platform remains a major challenge. Here, a broadband excitation strategy (X-ray to UV) is reported for afterglow emission using lanthanide-doped nanoengineered molecular nanotransducers. A 4-phenylpyridine (4-PP)-doped SiO2 shell is grown on NaLuF4:Tb(15 mol%)@NaYF4 NPs. The SiO2 shell is first coated onto the core, then functionalized via hydrothermal reaction with 4-PP. Hydrogen bonding and physical interactions between 4-PP and the SiO2 matrix enable blue afterglow emission at 472 nm with a 2.41 s lifetime under 290 nm excitation. Under X-ray excitation, high-energy photons induce defect formation in the NaLuF4:Tb3+ core, where stored energy is transferred to Tb3+ ions, producing green afterglow with a persistence time exceeding 600 s. This dual-mode excitation expands the operational versatility of afterglow materials. This approach demonstrates a promising strategy for integrating multiple optically active components into a single core–shell NP structure, offering tunable and extended afterglow performance for advanced optoelectronic and imaging applications.

Nature Nanotechnology, Published online: 10 June 2025; doi:10.1038/s41565-025-01937-w

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) computing and data storage are emerging fields that are unlocking new possibilities in information technology. Here, we discuss technologies and challenges regarding using DNA molecules as computing substrates and data storage media.

Nature Nanotechnology, Published online: 10 June 2025; doi:10.1038/s41565-025-01940-1

Scanning tunnelling microscopy experiments uncover a primary pair density wave at the reconstructed surface of the kagome metal CsV3Sb5, and tip-assisted, atomically precise manipulation of the reconstruction provides control over the emergent quasi-two-dimensional superconductivity.