Jing Zhang

This work investigates the Nernst effect in the Kagome magnet ErMn₆Sn₆ which exhibits both topological and anomalous Nernst effects with the anomalous Nernst coefficient reaching 1.71 µV K⁻¹ at 300 K. This value surpasses that of most canted antiferromagnetic materials, making ErMn₆Sn₆ a promising candidate for advancing thermoelectric devices based on the Nernst effect.

Abstract

The Nernst effect, the generation of a tranverse electric voltage in the presence of longitudinal thermal gradient, has garnered significant attention in the realm of magnetic topological materials due to its superior potential for thermoelectric applications. In this work, the electronic and thermoelectric transport properties of a Kagome magnet ErMn₆Sn₆ are investigated, a compound showing an incommensurate antiferromagnetic phase followed by a ferrimagnetic phase transition upon cooling. It is shown that in the antiferromagnetic phase ErMn₆Sn₆ exhibits both topological Nernst effect and anomalous Nernst effect, analogous to the electric Hall effects, with the Nernst coefficient reaching 1.71 µV K⁻¹ at 300 K and 3 T. This value surpasses that of most of previously reported state-of-the-art canted antiferromagnetic materials and is comparable to recently reported other members of RMn₆Sn₆ (R = rare-earth, Y, Lu, Sc) compounds, which makes ErMn₆Sn₆ a promising candidate for advancing the development of Nernst effect-based thermoelectric devices.

This work presents a time-resolved ratiometric fluorescence nanothermometer with high quantum yield and exceptional thermal sensitivity, enabling rapid and accurate in vivo temperature imaging by eliminating the interference of wavelength-dependent signal attenuation and autofluorescence. A further developed fluorescence temperature endoscopy system overcomes the light penetration limitation, realizing real-time temperature guidance during liver tumor ablation in rabbit model.

Abstract

Thermal ablation is a common treatment option for early-stage cancers, but the lack of real-time temperature imaging feedback method increases the risk of incomplete or excessive ablation. Although ratiometric nanothermometer offers a rapid temperature imaging solution, accurate in vivo signal extraction remains challenging due to the autofluorescence and wavelength-dependent tissue absorption and scattering. Herein, a time-resolved ratiometric fluorescence nanothermometer composed of europium and iridium complex with identical working wavelength but distinguishing lifetimes is reported, whose well-designed structures enable 450 nm excitation of both complexes with a high quantum yield (57.8%). Based on the nanothermometer, accurate signal extraction is realized in whole blood, beneath a 2 cm tissue phantom and a 5 mm pork slice through a time-resolved ratiometric method. By leveraging the exceptional thermal sensitivity (6.9% K⁻¹), high temperature resolution (0.02 K), and clinically relevant temperature range (30–96 °C) of the nanothermometer, a fluorescence temperature endoscopy system is further designed with a real-time temperature imaging speed of 10 fps, which is applied to minimally invasive temperature monitoring during microwave ablation of liver tumors in rabbits, realizing precise ablation control through dynamic ablation power adjustment. The real-time and accurate temperature imaging performance of the nanothermometer may offer a new perspective for intraoperative guidance.

The interaction between La single-atom doped carbon support and high-entropy sulfide facilitates a transformation of electronic structure, leading to a down-shift of d-band center for metal sites, an optimized adsorption energy for oxygen intermediates, and an enhanced OER performance.

Abstract

Reduced energy barrier induced enhanced oxygen evolution reaction (OER) kinetics can be achieved by implementing an efficient electrocatalyst. Herein, positive effect of lanthanum (La) single-atom modified hollow carbon sphere (HCS) support on OER activity of high-entropy sulfide (HES) material (FeCoNiCrCuAl)S has been reported. Briefly, La single-atom boosts the aggregation of electrons at adjacent Fe, Co, Ni, Cr, and Cu sites and dissipation of electrons at Al site in HES material, facilitating reconstruction of electronic structure and down-shifting their d-band center away from Fermi level, resulting in reduced adsorption energy of OER intermediates. As developed (FeCoNiCrCuAl)S@La-HCS depicts high OER performance with an overpotential of only 297 mV at 100 mA cm⁻², surpassing (FeCoNiCrCuAl)S@HCS (324 mV) and commercial RuO₂ catalyst (419 mV). This work provides an insight into the integration of single atom with high-entropy sulfide toward efficient oxygen evolution.

Metal additive manufacturing enables precise control over pore geometry, resulting in porous bone implants that provide optimal mechanical support, as well as promote essential mechanobiological processes critical for tissue regeneration. This review discusses the biomechanical and mechanobiological factors driving their design, highlighting their transformative potential in improving clinical outcomes for bone repair and regeneration.

Abstract

Given that they can replicate both the biomechanical and mechanobiological functions of natural bone, metal additively manufactured porous load-bearing bone implants present a significant advancement in orthopedic applications. Additive manufacturing (AM) of metals enables precise control over pore geometry, resulting in implants that provide effective mechanical support and minimize stress shielding. In addition to its mechanical benefits, the porous architecture of the implants facilitates essential mechanobiological processes, including the transmission of mechanical signals that regulate cellular processes such as adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Before clinical use, the implants should first be engineered to achieve a comparable elastic modulus to native bone, mitigating implant-induced bone resorption while promoting tissue regeneration. It is also noteworthy that the microstructural features of these implants support angiogenesis-a critical process for oxygen and nutrient delivery during bone healing. Despite their potential benefits, challenges remain in balancing mechanical stability for load-bearing applications with biofunctionality for effective integration and controlled degradation. This review comprehensively discusses the biomechanical and mechanobiological factors influencing the design and performance of additively manufactured porous bone implants, highlighting their potential to enhance clinical outcomes in bone repair and regeneration.

Nature Communications, Published online: 18 April 2025; doi:10.1038/s41467-025-58968-z

Perovskite oxides, when combined into heterostructures and superlattices can yield emergent properties not present in the constituent components. Here, by combining LaNiO3, a Pauli paramagnetic material, with LaFeO3, an antiferromagnetic insulator, Zhou et al create a strongly ferromagnetic superlattice with a Curie temperature of over 600 K.

This review significantly concentrates on state-of-the-art progress in preparations, properties, and applications of 2D TMD-based LHSs, which can generate significant interest in recent processes of 2D TMD-based LHSs as well as inspire further future exploration of LHSs.

Abstract

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (2D-TMDs) have attracted considerable attention from academic and industrial fields due to their atomical thin thickness and unique and tunable physical and chemical properties. Especially, 2D TMD-based lateral heterostructures (LHSs), formed by one-to-one covalent bonding of 2D TMDs with similar lattice structure and constant, provide a new freedom and exciting material platforms for exploring exotic physical and chemical properties at micro–nano–pico scales and show great potential applications in high density integrated electric and photoelectric devices. However, progress in this field has been largely limited by the availability of high-quality LHSs, which cannot be obtained by simple stacking but only by precise synthesis. Firstly, this review summarizes the latest research on LHSs, covering synthesis strategies like chemical vapor deposition (CVD) to molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), and analyzing growth mechanisms. Secondly, it explores interface properties (such as bandgap tuning, strain engineering, and interfacial exciton effects), linking them to device performance. Additionally, it also highlights applications in high-speed electronics, optoelectronics, and catalysis, highlighting their cross-disciplinary potential. Finally, it addresses challenges like large-scale fabrication and defect control, and proposes future directions in material design and multifunctional integration. This provides a key reference for the development of 2D-TMDs-based LHSs.

Rapid Drying

Rapid drying is a key principle for scalable, high-speed, uniform, and pinhole-less deposition of 2D materials. Using hot dipping and air knife sweeping (AKS), deposition speeds up to 0.21 m² min⁻¹ are achieved, surpassing conventional protocols by 2–4 orders of magnitude. This approach can extend to 1D and 3D materials if they are uniformly dispersible in rapidly evaporable liquids. More details can be found in article number 2411447 by, Chuan Wang, Dongwook Lee, and co-workers.

Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) are living microorganisms that produce magnetosomes for navigation using the Earth's geomagnetic field. Their built-in magnetic components, along with their intrinsic and/or modified biological functions, make them one of the most promising platforms for making future living and programmable microrobots. This review highlights recent advances in MTB-based microrobotics, detailing their interactions with magnetic fields, propulsion mechanisms, motion control, and emerging strategies for engineering and functionalizing MTB for biomedical applications.

Abstract

Nature's ability to create complex and functionalized organisms has long inspired engineers and scientists to develop increasingly advanced machines. Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB), a group of Gram-negative prokaryotes that biomineralize iron and thrive in aquatic environments, have garnered significant attention from the bioengineering community. These bacteria possess chains of magnetic nanocrystals known as magnetosomes, which allow them to align with Earth's geomagnetic field and navigate through aquatic environments via magnetotaxis, enabling localization to areas rich in nutrients and optimal oxygen concentration. Their built-in magnetic components, along with their intrinsic and/or modified biological functions, make them one of the most promising platforms for future medical microrobots. Leveraging an externally applied magnetic field, the motion of MTBs can be precisely controlled, rendering them suitable for use as a new type of biohybrid microrobotics with great promise in medicine for bioimaging, drug delivery, cancer therapy, antimicrobial treatment, and detoxification. This mini-review provides an up-to-date overview of recent advancements in MTB microrobots, delineates the interaction between MTB microrobots and magnetic fields, elucidates propulsion mechanisms and motion control, and reports state-of-the-art strategies for modifying and functionalizing MTB for medical applications.

Phononic devices offer unique advantages in RF applications due to their shorter wavelengths compared to photons. This perspective explores functional phononic devices that can enable integrated phononic circuits. These circuits promise to enable miniaturized communication systems with improved SWaP-C characteristics, while also finding applications in quantum information science, sensing, and biomedical engineering.

Abstract

The phonon wavelength, being much shorter than that of photons at the same frequency, offers phononic devices a unique niche in radio frequency (RF) applications. However, the current limitations of these devices, particularly their restricted functionality, hinder their broader integration and application. Currently, many functions are achieved using alternative signal forms like electric and photonic signals, requiring bulky converters to transform between phonon signals and other forms. The development of functional phononic devices paves the way for integrated phononic circuits, which aim to minimize the need for signal conversion while accomplishing all necessary functions. In this perspective, a brief overview of several types of functional phononic devices is provided that hold promise for integration, such as phononic modulators, amplifiers, lasers, nonreciprocal devices, and those inspired by topological physics. It is envisioned that through continued developments in materials, fabrication techniques, and designs, it's possible to realize integrated phononic circuits which will be applied in miniaturized communication devices with reduced size, weight, power consumption, and cost (SWaP-C), as well as in other fields including quantum information science, sensing, biomedical engineering, and beyond.

Nature Nanotechnology, Published online: 17 April 2025; doi:10.1038/s41565-025-01901-8

Publisher Correction: Measuring age-dependent viscoelasticity of organelles, cells and organisms with time-shared optical tweezer microrheology

Nature, Published online: 16 April 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-08710-y

The development of multimodal foundation models, pretrained on diverse omics datasets, to unravel the intricate complexities of molecular cell biology is envisioned.

Nature, Published online: 16 April 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-08839-w

A two-dimensional Dirac graphene-channel flash memory based on a two-dimensional-enhanced hot-carrier-injection mechanism that supports both electron and hole injection is used to make devices with a subnanosecond program speed.

This work demonstrates fully printed, monolithically integrated, large-scale transistor arrays featuring high-quality organic single-crystalline films as device channels, which shows a near-ideal subthreshold swing of 59.4 mV dec⁻¹, a high mobility of 13.8 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹, and low operating voltages, unlocking the potential of high-performance printed electronics.

Abstract

Large-area electronics have a natural eagerness to manufacture electronic devices with high scale-cost-performance metrics for emerging applications, spanning from the Internet of Things to flexible and wearable electronics. Printing technologies facilitate high-throughput production of reliable, stable, and cost-effective devices, but the suboptimal electronic quality of solution-printed semiconducting materials has constrained device performance across broader application spaces. Here, fully printed, monolithically integrated, large-scale thin-film transistor (TFT) arrays featuring high-quality organic single-crystalline films as device channels are reported. This breakthrough is achieved through sophisticated fluid dynamic engineering across multiple and uneven heterointerfaces. These fully-printed TFTs unlock previously inaccessible theoretic performance boundaries, delivering exceptional electrical performance with a near-ideal subthreshold swing of 59.4 mV dec⁻¹, a record-high mobility of 13.8 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹, and low operation voltages. This approach through large-scale production is further validated, successfully fabricating 2500 organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) over 30 cm² area with a remarkable device yield exceeding 99.92%. Furthermore, the versatility of this fully printed organic TFT array as an active matrix integrated multisensory platform is showcased, signifying a significant advancement in printed electronics.

Nature Synthesis, Published online: 15 April 2025; doi:10.1038/s44160-025-00791-x

A purely organic crystalline two-dimensional mechanically interlocked polymer comprising [c2]daisy chain units forms via preorganized crystallization and thiol–ene click chemistry. This polymer network can be exfoliated to give nanosheets with a 47-fold stiffness enhancement relative to the bulk parent.

Organic Persistent Luminescence

The D-A-D wedge-shaped TADF emitter TCN, incorporating a strong electron-accepting segment, serves as the guest, while the electron-transporting molecule TPBi acts as the host in an organic deep-trap-induced persistent luminescence system. This design enables multi-mode excitation (UV light, visible light, and X-ray) and stimulation (NIR light and heating), extending the applications of persistent luminescence media to blue-laser writing, X-ray imaging, and NIR signatures. More details can be found in article 2402301 by Jumpei Ueda and co-workers.

Recombinant Silk Proteins

Spiders produce silk fibers with exceptional qualities through non-equilibrium pathways. Engineering approaches to mimic fiber pulling include storage and processing of in vitro protein solutions. In article number 2410421, Markus B. Linder and co-workers propose a minimalist phase diagram for an engineered mini-spidroin solution, serving as a guide to various assembly pathways. They observe metastable liquid–liquid phase separation and aging leading to dynamically arrested aggregate or gel states.

Nanofibrils are considered the universal building blocks of spider silks. In this work, the thinnest natural spider silk nanofibrils are imaged, measured, and mechanically tested for the first time. Gaining insight into the mechanics of silk at the nanoscale is important. Here, it reveals that nanoscale silk is even stretchier than larger fibers but equally as strong.

Abstract

Cribellate silks, produced by ancient spiders, are fascinating because they feature a highly sophisticated, 3D hierarchical structure consisting of filaments with different diameters and shapes. Here, the smallest and thinnest constituents of the cribellate silk are investigated: nanofibrils that form a dense mesh that is supported by larger fibers. Analysis of their structure via atomic force and transmission electron microscopies shows that they are flattened fibrils, only ≈5 nm thick — thinner than any other natural spider silk fibrils previously reported. In this work, the first mechanical tensile testing experiments on these fibrils are carried out, which reveals that the fibrils show an outstanding extensibility of at least 1100%, almost twice as much as the most stretchable spider silk previously reported. Based on these extraordinary findings, this work significantly expands the parameter space of materials properties attainable by spider silks and provides further insights into their nanomechanics.

This review provides an overview of the fundamental photodetection mechanisms and key performance metrics of 2D photodetectors targeting the infrared (IR) region. By summarizing enhancing strategies for IR photodetection including defect engineering, heterostructure construction, and optical field enhancement, and showcasing cutting-edge developments in intelligent applications, it offers valuable insights into the development of 2D materials-based IR intelligent photodetectors with integrated real-time sensing and processing capabilities.

Abstract

Infrared (IR) photodetectors based on narrow-bandgap 2D materials and heterojunctions have shown great promise in constructing IR sensing systems, including optical communication, security monitoring, thermal imaging, and astronomy exploration. In recent years, significant progress has been made in developing performance enhancement strategies for 2D material-based IR photodetectors and integrating them with artificial neural networks, paving the way for sophisticated intelligent IR applications. This review offers a detailed overview of recent advancements in enhancing IR photodetection capabilities and fostering related intelligent applications. First, a concise overview of the underlying photodetection mechanisms and key performance metrics of 2D photodetectors designed for operation in the IR region is illustrated. Next, strategies for enhancing sensitivity and light absorption of IR photodetectors, including defect engineering, heterostructure construction, and optical field enhancement, are discussed. Then, recent advances and applications of 2D material-based photodetectors are summarized, with a particular focus on innovations that enable intelligent, real-time sensing and processing capabilities for IR applications. Finally, the review highlights the challenges and provides a forward-looking perspective on the development of advanced intelligent IR photodetectors.

At increasing length-scales, structural superlubricity (SSL) faces challenges from physical and chemical energy dissipation pathways. This study reviews recent experimental and theoretical progress on these challenges facing the scaling-up of SSL, as well as perspectives on future directions for realizing and manipulating macroscale superlubricity.

Abstract

Structural superlubricity (SSL) at layered material interfaces is an exciting and vibrant field of research, offering vast opportunities to achieve ultralow friction and wear with numerous potential technological applications. At increasing length-scales, new physical and chemical energy dissipation pathways emerge that threaten to push the system out of the superlubric regime. Physical inhibitors of SSL are primarily associated with in-plane elasticity, out-of-plane corrugation, moiré superlattices, grain boundaries, and lattice defects. Chemical mechanisms that may suppress superlubric behavior include interlayer bonding, wear, and external contaminants. In this article, these and other challenges are reviewed facing the scaling-up of structural superlubricity, as reflected in recent experimental and theoretical studies. Further perspectives are offered on future directions for realizing and manipulating macroscale superlubricity, outlining technological opportunities that it entails.

A visible light-responsive adhesive is developed by copolymerizing a novel aryl diazo ester monomer. The monomer remains stable during polymerization but rapidly forms carbene intermediates under visible light, enabling O─H/C─H insertion for in situ cross-linking. This enhances cohesion and adhesion, increasing bond strength by 157% (22.1 MPa) upon irradiation, even with sunlight, offering an energy-efficient strategy for structural adhesives.

Abstract

A novel aryl diazo ester-based acrylate monomer is synthesized and incorporated into radical copolymerization to develop a visible light-responsive adhesive. This aryl diazo ester exhibits stability during polymerization but rapidly activates under visible light irradiation, generating carbene intermediates that undergo instantaneous O─H and C─H bonds insertion reactions. This mechanism enables in situ covalent cross-linking within the adhesive matrix and at the adhesion interface, synergistically enhancing both cohesion and interfacial adhesion. Compared to non-irradiated counterparts, the bonding strength increased by 157% (reaching 22.1 MPa) upon visible light irradiation. Remarkably, ambient sunlight also triggered this enhancement, highlighting its energy-efficient and eco-friendly attributes. This work proposes an innovative strategy for designing stimuli-responsive smart adhesives with potential applications in ultra-high-strength fields such as structural bonding.

Metal-assisted chemical etching (MaCE) enables silicon nanostructure fabrication but suffers from isotropic undercutting. This study highlights the critical role of catalyst morphology in etching directionality. High-aspect-ratio catalysts induce lateral etching, while thermal treatment at 450 °C stabilizes catalyst geometry, promoting vertical etching. These findings offer a strategy for precise silicon nanostructure control, advancing semiconductor and nanofabrication applications.

Abstract

Metal-assisted chemical etching (MaCE) has emerged as a promising technique for fabricating silicon nanostructures, yet the presence of anomalous isotropic etching poses significant challenges for precise dimensional control. Here, it is demonstrated that catalyst morphology, particularly its aspect ratio, plays a crucial role in determining etching directionality. Through systematic investigation of the initial stages of MaCE, it is revealed that significant undercutting occurs within seconds of etching initiation, persisting across all solution compositions. This phenomenon is quantitatively analyzed using the Degree of Undercutting (DoU) and Degree of Anisotropy (DoA) metrics, establishing that conventional solution chemistry control alone cannot suppress lateral etching. These findings reveal that high-aspect-ratio dendrite catalysts, formed at elevated AgNO₃ concentrations, undergo physical separation during etching, leading to residual catalysts that promote localized isotropic etching. To address this, a thermal treatment approach is developed that effectively transforms these problematic structures into stable, low-aspect-ratio catalysts. A critical transition at 450 °C, where enhanced silver atom mobility coincides with surface defect formation, enables nearly perfect vertical etching. This work not only provides fundamental insights into the relationship between catalyst geometry and etching behavior but also presents a practical solution for achieving precise control over silicon nanostructure fabrication.

Inspired by glow-worms, a high-performance multifunctional fluorescent actuator is fabricated by combining ultra-stable perovskite quantum dots with self-healing materials. It integrates large deformation, high brightness, high color-purity, color-changing function and full-device self-healing function together. The full-device self-healing function enables reconfigurable on-demand fluorescent patterns. This actuator opens new paths to soft robots and reconfigurable information encryption.

Abstract

Fluorescent actuators with light-emitting and shape-deformation properties are promising in bionics and soft robotics. However, current fluorescent actuators barely balance actuation performances with fluorescence properties, as they exhibit insufficient brightness, poor color-purity, low-stability, and few functional-integrations, limiting their applications in complex scenarios. Herein, inspired by glow-worms, a multifunctional fluorescent actuator by combining ultra-stable perovskite quantum dots with polyurethane and graphene oxide composites is reported, which integrates large deformation, high brightness, high color-purity, color-changing function and full-device self-healing function together. The actuator shows a large bending curvature of 2.48 cm⁻¹. It exhibits excellent fluorescence performances, such as quantum yields as high as 58.88% and full-widths at half-maximum as narrow as 21 nm. The actuation and fluorescence properties show long-term stability during more than 1100 cycles of near-infrared irradiation and 12 h of ultraviolet exposure. Moreover, the actuator is integrated with color-changing and full-device self-healing functions, enabling a synergetic color/shape change and reconfigurable on-demand fluorescent patterns. Then, a smart gripper and a crawling robot with crawling/rollover motions are demonstrated. Finally, a non-contact dynamic display of reconfigurable encrypted information driven by light is fabricated to mimic light communications of glow-worms. This actuator demonstrates unprecedented multifunctionality, opening new avenues for fluorescent soft robotics.

This review explores the integration of responsive materials and soft robotic actuators with implantable electronics to address key challenges in bioelectronic medicine. By enabling shape actuation, these technologies improve deployment, adaptability, and accuracy in minimally invasive procedures. The review discusses actuation mechanisms, device designs, and future opportunities for intelligent, responsive implants with enhanced therapeutic and diagnostic capabilities.

Abstract

Bioelectronic medicine uses implantable electronic devices to interface with electrically active tissues and transform the way disease is diagnosed and treated. One of the biggest challenges is the development of minimally invasive devices that can be deployed to patients at scale. Responsive materials and soft robotic actuators offer unique opportunities to make bioelectronic devices with shape actuation, promising to address the limitations of existing rigid and passive systems, including difficult deployment, mechanical mismatch with soft tissues, and limited adaptability in minimally invasive settings. In this review, an overview is provided of smart materials and soft robotic technologies that show promises for implantable use, discussing advantages and limitations of underlying actuation mechanisms. Examples are then presented where soft actuating mechanisms are combined with microelectrodes to create shape actuating bioelectronic devices. Opportunities and challenges for next-generation intelligent bioelectronic devices assisted by responsive materials and soft robotic actuators are then discussed. These innovations may allow electronic implants to safely navigate to target areas inside the body and establish large area and spatiotemporally controlled interfaces for diagnostic or therapeutic procedures that are minimally invasive.