Ultrasound-activated piezoelectric nanostickers for neural stem cell therapy of traumatic brain injury
Nature Materials, Published online: 06 May 2025; doi:10.1038/s41563-025-02214-w
Ultrasound-induced differentiation of neural stem cells into neurons using piezoelectric nanostickers achieves injury repair and effective restoration of physiological functions of rats with traumatic brain injury.Moiré periodic and quasiperiodic crystals in heterostructures of twisted bilayer graphene on hexagonal boron nitride
Nature Materials, Published online: 06 May 2025; doi:10.1038/s41563-025-02222-w
A class of moiré quasiperiodic crystals with unexpected electronic properties is presented, exhibiting flat bands and correlation-induced gaps that signal the emergence of correlated quantum states.Tue 06 May 15:00: The successor representation, its neural substrate, and behavioural consequences.
Breaking the mould of purely model free (MF) or model based (MB) reinforcement learning methods, the successor representation (SR) (Dayan, 1993) is a unique factorisation of the value function that bridges MB and MF approaches. At the start of the talk, Puria Radmard will discuss the mathematical formalism behind the SR, and provide a live demo of how such a representation is iteratively learned. In the second part, Daniel Kornai will present two papers. In “The hippocampus as a predictive map” (Stachenfeld et. al 2017 Nature Neuroscience), the authors show how many properties of place fields and grid fields can be recapitulated by a model that assumes that place cells encode the SR, and grid cells encode a low dimensional representation of the SR. In “The successor representation in human reinforcement learning” (Momennejad et. al 2017 Nature Human Behaviour), the authors show how human performance under continual reinforcement learning tasks is most consistent with a hybrid SR model.
- Speaker: Puria Radmard; Daniel Kornai
- Tuesday 06 May 2025, 15:00-16:30
- Venue: CBL Seminar Room, Engineering Department, 4th floor Baker building.
- Series: Computational Neuroscience; organiser: .
Thu 08 May 14:00: An integrated computational physics approach for magnetically confined plasma
The physics governing magnetic plasma confinement in tokamaks involves complex interacting nonlinear processes spanning disparate temporal and spatial scales, and as a result their computational modelling is challenging. In this talk we present a mathematical formulation and a numerical algorithm suitable for the three-dimensional simulation of the complete plasma field (from core to the first wall, including the edge and scrape off layer) and its electromagnetic interaction with the first wall. We then employ the algorithm to study transient magnetohydrodynamic events (edge localized modes and vertical displacements). The study reveals gaps in the underlying mathematical knowledge which will benefit from a synergy between continuum- and atomic-scale computational physics.
- Speaker: Prof. Nikos Nikiforakis (Cambridge)
- Thursday 08 May 2025, 14:00-15:30
- Venue: Seminar Room 2, RDC.
- Series: Theory of Condensed Matter; organiser: Bo Peng.
Wed 14 May 14:15: d-elliptic loci and quasi-modular forms
Let N_{g,d} be the locus of curves of genus g admitting a degree d cover of an elliptic curve. For fixed g, it is conjectured that the classes of N_{g,d} on M_g are the Fourier coefficients of a cycle-valued quasi-modular form in d. A key difficulty is that these classes are often non-tautological, so lie outside the reach of many known techniques. Via the Torelli map, the conjecture can be moved to one on certain Noether-Lefschetz loci on A_g, where there is accesss to different tools. I will explain some evidence for these conjectures, gathered from results of many people, some of which are joint with François Greer and Naomi Sweeting.
- Speaker: Carl Lian, Tufts University.
- Wednesday 14 May 2025, 14:15-15:15
- Venue: CMS MR13.
- Series: Algebraic Geometry Seminar; organiser: Dhruv Ranganathan.
Highly Dense Atomic Fe-Ni Dual Metal Sites for Efficient CO2 to CO Electrolyzers at Industrial Current Densities
DOI: 10.1039/D5EE01081K, Paper Open Access   This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported Licence.Manman Qi, Michael J. Zachman, Yingxin Li, Yachao Zeng, Sooyeon Hwang, Jiashun Liang, Mason Lyons, Qian Zhao, Yu Mao, Yuyan Shao, Zhenxing Feng, Ziyun Wang, Yong Zhao, Gang Wu
Carbon-supported, atomically dispersed, nitrogen-coordinated metal sites (e.g., Fe and Ni) are arguably the most promising catalysts for the electrochemical reduction of CO2 to CO due to their unique catalytic properties...
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Issue Information
Leaf Vein‐Inspired Programmable Superstructure Liquid Metal Photothermal Actuator for Soft Robots (Adv. Mater. 18/2025)
Liquid Metal Photothermal Actuators
In article number 2416991, Xingyou Tian, Xian Zhang, and co-workers present a novel design for programmable liquid metal photothermal actuators using laser etching, overcoming the trade-off between load-carrying capacity and response speed. Featuring high stability, rapid oscillation, and robust performance, these actuators show promise in advanced robotics, enabling versatile smart devices like photothermally actuated robotic dogs for diverse terrains.
Tailoring Self‐Catalytic N─Co Bonds into Heterostructure Architectures: Deciphering Polytellurides Conversion Mechanism Toward Ultralong‐Lifespan Potassium Ion Storage (Adv. Mater. 18/2025)
Potassium-Ion Batteries
In article number 2502894, Shaoming Huang, Wei Zhang, and co-workers reveal a novel self-catalytic conversion reaction mechanism of N-doped CoTe2 composites (N-CoTe2/LTTC) incorporating 3D low-tortuosity tunneling structure, self-catalytic N-Co bonds, and heterojunction. Acting as the anode in potassium-ion batteries, the N-CoTe2/LTTC composite accelerates the catalytic conversion kinetics of potassium polytellurides (K5Te3 and K2Te) and achieves an ultralong-lifespan potassium storage performance over 25000 cycles.
3‐D Printable Living Hydrogels as Portable Bio‐energy Devices (Adv. Mater. 18/2025)
3-D Printable Living Hydrogels
The cover depicts the creation of a miniaturized and portable bio-battery using living hydrogels containing electroactive microorganisms. The electricity generated by this device can be utilized to stimulate neutrons, allowing for precise control over bioelectrical stimulation and physiological blood pressure signals. In article number 2419249, Xinyu Wang, Renheng Wang, Zhiyuan Liu, Chao Zhong, and co-workers represent a pivotal advancement towards engineered living energy materials. Cover image designed by Lei Chen.
Efficient Autonomous Dew Water Harvesting by Laser Micropatterning: Superhydrophilic and High Emissivity Robust Grooved Metallic Surfaces Enabling Filmwise Condensation and Radiative Cooling (Adv. Mater. 18/2025)
Dew Water Harvesting by Laser Micropatterning
A metallic surface micropatterned with a laser achieves self-cooling capacity when it faces the night sky thanks to its enhanced infrared emissivity, which triggers water condensation similar to natural dew on leaves. The patterned microgrooves promote condensation as a continuous film rather than dispersed droplets, enabling an efficient and autonomous harvesting of dew water. More details ban be found in article number 2419472 by Pablo Pou-Álvarez and co-workers.
Cascade electrocatalysis via integrating ruthenium clusters and yttrium single atoms for boosted alkaline hydrogen evolution
DOI: 10.1039/D5EE00810G, PaperHaotian Zhang, Haoran Guo, Fuhui Zhang, Jinyang Zhang, Yizhuo Cheng, Yanqing Ma, Lei Ma, Limin Qi
Anion-exchange-membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) has emerged as a highly prospective technology for large-scale hydrogen production. However, its widespread application is severely restricted by the sluggish kinetics of alkaline hydrogen evolution...
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Fri 09 May 12:00: Research Progress in Mechanistic Interpretability
The goal of Mechanistic Interpretability research is to explain how neural networks compute outputs in terms of their internal components. But how much progress has been made towards this goal? While a large amount of Mechanistic Interpretability research has been produced by academia, frontier AI companies such as Google DeepMind and independent researchers in recent years, there are still large open problems in the field. In this talk, I will begin by discussing some background hypotheses and techniques in Mechanistic Interpretability, such as the Linear Representation Hypothesis and common causal interventions. Then, I’ll discuss how this connects to research we’ve done at Google DeepMind in the past year, such as open sourcing Gemma Scope, the most comprehensive set of Sparse Autoencoders, which took over 20% of the compute used to train GPT -3. Finally, I’ll reflect on current priorities and disagreements in Mechanistic Interpretability, several of which are built from Gemma Scope. In short, Mechanistic Interpretability is able to uncover factors influencing model behavior that cannot naively be inferred from prompts and outputs via circuits research, but Mechanistic Interpretability has thus far underperformed when benchmarked on well-defined real-world tasks (such as probing for harmful intent in user prompts).
Arthur Conmy is a Senior Research Engineer at Google DeepMind who works on the Mechanistic Interpretability team.
- Speaker: Arthur Conmy (Google DeepMind)
- Friday 09 May 2025, 12:00-13:00
- Venue: Room FW26 with Hybrid Format. Here is the Zoom link for those that wish to join online: https://cam-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/4751389294?pwd=Z2ZOSDk0eG1wZldVWG1GVVhrTzFIZz09.
- Series: NLIP Seminar Series; organiser: Suchir Salhan.
Fri 09 May 12:00: Title to be confirmed
The goal of Mechanistic Interpretability research is to explain how neural networks compute outputs in terms of their internal components. But how much progress has been made towards this goal? While a large amount of Mechanistic Interpretability research has been produced by academia, frontier AI companies such as Google DeepMind and independent researchers in recent years, there are still large open problems in the field. In this talk, I will begin by discussing some background hypotheses and techniques in Mechanistic Interpretability, such as the Linear Representation Hypothesis and common causal interventions. Then, I’ll discuss how this connects to research we’ve done at Google DeepMind in the past year, such as open sourcing Gemma Scope, the most comprehensive set of Sparse Autoencoders, which took over 20% of the compute used to train GPT -3. Finally, I’ll reflect on current priorities and disagreements in Mechanistic Interpretability, several of which are built from Gemma Scope. In short, Mechanistic Interpretability is able to uncover factors influencing model behavior that cannot naively be inferred from prompts and outputs via circuits research, but Mechanistic Interpretability has thus far underperformed when benchmarked on well-defined real-world tasks (such as probing for harmful intent in user prompts).
Arthur Conmy is a Senior Research Engineer at Google DeepMind who works on the Mechanistic Interpretability team.
- Speaker: Arthur Conmy (Google DeepMind)
- Friday 09 May 2025, 12:00-13:00
- Venue: Room FW26 with Hybrid Format. Here is the Zoom link for those that wish to join online: https://cam-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/4751389294?pwd=Z2ZOSDk0eG1wZldVWG1GVVhrTzFIZz09.
- Series: NLIP Seminar Series; organiser: Suchir Salhan.
Capillary‐Driven 3D Open Fluidic Networks for Versatile Continuous Flow Manipulation
The capillary-driven 3D open fluidic networks (OFNs), composed of connected polyhedral frames, enable precise, programmable, and versatile manipulation of unary, binary, and multiple continuous flows in both spatial and temporal dimensions. OFNs represent a significant leap beyond conventional microfluidics, unlocking new possibilities for selective metallization, programmable mixing, spatiotemporal control of multi-step reactions, and enhanced mass and heat transfer.
Abstract
Human civilization hinges on the capability to manipulate continuous flows. However, continuous flows are often regulated in closed-pipe configurations to address their instability, isolating the flows from the environment and considerably restricting their functionality. Manipulating continuous flows in open systems remains challenging. Here, capillary-driven 3D open fluidic networks (OFNs) composed of connected polyhedral frames are reported. Each frame acts as a fluid chamber with free interfaces that enable fluid entry and exit; the connecting rods function as valves, allowing precise control over the direction, velocity, and path of the flow. The OFNs seamlessly adapt to various fluid systems, enabling precise 3D manipulation of multiple flows. Leveraging these distinctive features, a series of applications, including selective metallization, programmable mixing and diagnostics, and spatiotemporal control of multi-step reactions, are achieved. The OFNs’ free fluid interfaces also facilitate controlled drug release and efficient heat exchange. These versatile OFNs will significantly advance technological innovations in engineering, microfluidics, interfacial chemistry, and biomedicine.
Highly Efficient Wavelength Red‐Shift Regulating Strategy of Carbon Dots Composites via the Effective Conjugated Domain and the Hydrogen Bonding Synergy
This study uses a structurally fixed conjugation molecule as a precursor. It efficiently forms carbon core states of carbon dots. This approach optimizes the control over the conjugated domain size of the carbon core. It also significantly enhances the synthetic efficiency of CDs and the tunability of the optical properties.
Abstract
Room-temperature phosphorescent (RTP) materials hold significant potential for applications in lighting, anti-counterfeiting, and multi-level information encryption. However, regulating RTP emission wavelengths, especially shifting into the red spectral region, remains challenging due to the spin-forbidden transitions of triplet-state excitons and non-radiative decay. To address this issue, carbon dots (CDs) with different conjugated domain sizes and phosphorescent potential are designed and synthesized. The CDs are then encapsulated in polyacrylamide (PAM), resulting in multicolored RTP emission ranging from cyan to red (465–635 nm), with cyan and red phosphorescence exceeding 10 s and 2 s, respectively. The mechanism suggests that the enhanced conjugation effect leads to energy level splitting and strengthened electron coupling, which lowers the energy gap between singlet and triplet excitons, ultimately causing a redshift in the phosphorescent emission wavelength. Meanwhile, the introduction of hydrogen bonding protects the excited state of the electrons, suppresses non-radiative transitions, and induces RTP in the CDs. These materials are applied in multi-level information encryption and time-delayed LED illumination, offering novel strategies for high-security technologies and advanced optical devices.
Wed 21 May 13:30: Title tbc
Abstract not available
- Speaker: Max Xu (Courant Institute, NYU)
- Wednesday 21 May 2025, 13:30-15:00
- Venue: MR4, CMS.
- Series: Discrete Analysis Seminar; organiser: Julia Wolf.
Wed 28 May 13:30: Title tbc
Abstract not available
- Speaker: Mariusz Mirek (Rutgers University)
- Wednesday 28 May 2025, 13:30-15:00
- Venue: MR4, CMS.
- Series: Discrete Analysis Seminar; organiser: Julia Wolf.
Electromagnetic wireless remote control of mammalian transgene expression
Nature Nanotechnology, Published online: 05 May 2025; doi:10.1038/s41565-025-01929-w
Wireless magnetic control of gene expression in mammalian cells has been developed based on intracellular nanointerface and ROS-mediated signalling. The approach allows remotely tunable insulin release and regulates blood glucose in diabetic mice.Tue 13 May 16:00: Einstein-Maxwell instantons, complex structures, and the Geroch group
Abstract not available
- Speaker: Bernardo Araneda (Edinburgh)
- Tuesday 13 May 2025, 16:00-17:00
- Venue: CMS MR14.
- Series: Mathematical Physics Seminar; organiser: Professor Maciej Dunajski.