Jing Zhang

The design of 2D layered metal chalcogenides for the state-of-art gas sensors from the surface to interlayer in spatial. Engineering concepts are summarized and classified into three types: surface modification, lattice substitution, and interlayer intercalation. Key advances in recent development are systematically discussed to comprehend the benefits of surface chemical effect, electronic properties, and structure features.

Abstract

2D nanomaterials have triggered widespread attention in sensing applications. Especially for 2D layered metal chalcogenides (LMCs), the unique semiconducting properties and high surface area endow them with great potential for gas sensors. The assembly of 2D LMCs with guest species is an effective functionalization method to produce the synergistic effects of hybridization for greatly enhancing the gas-sensing properties. This review starts with the synthetic techniques, sensing properties, and principles, and then comprehensively compiles the advanced achievements of the pristine 2D LMCs gas sensors. Key advances in the development of the functionalization of 2D LMCs for enhancing gas-sensing properties are categorized according to the spatial architectures. It is systematically discussed in three aspects: surface, lattice, and interlayer, to comprehend the benefits of the functionalized 2D LMCs from surface chemical effect, electronic properties, and structure features. The challenges and outlooks for developing high-performance 2D LMCs-based gas sensors are also proposed.

Nature, Published online: 02 October 2024; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-07996-8

Bulk high-temperature superconductivity observed in pressurized tetragonal La2PrNi2O7 was testified by detecting clear diamagnetic signals below about 75 K with appreciable superconducting shielding volume fractions at a pressure of above 15 GPa.

A new strategy is presented in which multi-level wettability can be patterned on a porous polymer matrix to achieve advanced optical information encryption. The porous polymer matrix allows precise patterning of functional groups that exhibit distinct wettability responses to aqueous solutions with varying surface tensions. Also, the integration of pH- and fluorescence responsivity further elevates the complexity and security of the encrypted information, allowing the information to be only revealed under meticulously controlled conditions.

Abstract

In the rapidly evolving landscape of information security, the demand for optical encryption techniques based on wettability patterning, which allows decryption without sophisticated devices and complex procedures, is progressively increasing. However, conventional approaches based on binary wettability patterned surfaces impose significant constraints in their practical use for high-level information security. Herein, a novel approach to optically encrypt information through multi-level wettability patterning is introduced on a porous polymer matrix synthesized from vinyl methacrylate (VMA) and poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA). By employing the thiol-ene click reaction, precise patterning of functional groups is achieved that exhibit distinct wettability responses to aqueous solutions with varying surface tensions, as well as pH-responsive and fluorescent markers. This multi-level wettability system surpasses traditional binary hydrophilic/hydrophobic patterns by providing enhanced control over wettability states, resulting in higher-level encryption of information. The integration of pH and fluorescence responsivity further elevates the complexity and security of the encrypted information, making it decipherable only under specific and controlled conditions. The innovative approach offers a highly secure, robust, and customizable encryption method, redefining the potential of optical encryption technologies.

The new metal-organic framework (MOF) CAU-54 is synthesized using a tetraphosphonate linker with a tetraphenylethylene (TPE) core in a hydrothermal reaction. Chemical and physical stimuli such as temperature changes, application of mechanical forces or de- and adsorption of guest molecules are found to affect the optical properties and thoroughly studied by powder X-ray diffraction and advanced luminescence spectroscopy.

Abstract

The new microporous metal organic framework [La₂(H₂O)₅(H₂TPPE)]·3H₂O (CAU-54), is obtained in a hydrothermal reaction of the linker 1,1,2,2-tetrakis(4′-phosphonophenyl)ethylene (H₈TPPE) and La³⁺ ions. The extensive characterization including temperature-dependent crystal structures and spectroscopic properties allowed to understand the unique, multi-responsive material properties. CAU-54 exhibits rarely observed reversible photochromism as well as turn-on photoluminescence by various external chemical or physical stimuli including change of pressure, solvent exchange, and temperature variation. These properties can be unequivocally assigned to the presence of tetraphenylethylene (TPE) moieties of the linker molecules within the MOF, i.e., the ordered spatial arrangement of the linker molecules, the presence of accessible pores as well as the coordination flexibility of the phosphonate groups and the rotational freedom of the linker. By temperature-dependent steady-state and time-resolved luminescence studies, it is shown that this compound exhibits a) blue fluorescence that becomes effectively quenched at room temperature, b) green efficient luminescence with thermal stability up to 400 K, and c) red phosphorescence correlated to the observed photochromism. In addition, CAU-54 shows unusual thermal expansion properties as shown by temperature-dependent powder X-ray diffraction measurements with identified transition points that correlate with the observed temperature-dependent changes in the photoluminescence.

Nature Communications, Published online: 28 September 2024; doi:10.1038/s41467-024-52794-5

The authors demonstrate structurally colored adhesives, where shear induces color change through tilting of photonic nanochains, allowing for easy monitoring of adhesion state.

Catechol-functionalized Linear-Dendritic Block Copolymers (LDBCs) are synthesized based on polyether linear polymers and Bis-MPA dendrons. They show high adhesion on aluminum substrates with a clear positive dendritic effect: G2 > G1 > G0. Thanks to the formation of hydrogels, Pluronic F-127 based LDBCs displayed effective adhesion on porcine skin.

Abstract

Inspired by mussels protein adhesives, two series of catechol-functionalized Linear-Dendritic Block Copolymer (LDBC) adhesives are synthesized. They show lap shear adhesion strength as high as 7 MPa on aluminum substrates and adhesion up to 3 kPa on porcine skin. These water-soluble LDBCs are composed of i) either poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) or poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(propylene glycol)-poly(ethylene glycol) triblock copolymer (Pluronic F-127) as linear polymers, ii) Bis-MPA dendrons of generation 0, 1, and 2 as dendritic parts, and iii) 2, 4, or 8 terminal catechol moieties. A LDBCs generation comparative test on aluminum reveals a clear dendritic effect: the LDBCs of second generation display higher adhesion than the LDBCs of first generation that also display higher adhesion than the LDBCs of generation 0 for both series, assessing thus a positive dendritic effect in adhesion. Second, a comparative study is carried out between the LDBCs based on PEG and the ones based on Pluronic. The ability of the Pluronic LDBCs to self-assemble in water appears to reduce adhesion when applied on aluminum whereas it is essential to obtain adhesion on porcine skin, thanks to the formation of hydrogels, as observed by the vial inversion technique and electron microscopy.

Here, a viable strategy is demonstrated to regulate the emission of materials by integrating a standard photochromic compound spiropyran into functionalized HOFs, thereby precisely modulating the fluorescence properties. Leveraging the dynamic fluorescence emission, multilevel information encryption applications such as anti-counterfeiting ink, QR code, base code, and time-resolved information storage are successfully showcased.

Abstract

The powerful capability of multi-stimulus-responsive fluorescent hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) to respond to external chemical or physical stimuli in various manners makes them appealing in advanced information encryption. However, it is still a global challenge to manipulate the fluorescence properties finely to achieve dynamic fluorescence properties in the time dimension. Here, a feasible strategy is shown to control the emission of materials by introducing a common SP photochromic compound (1′, 3′, 3′-trimethyl-6-nitro-spiro- [chromene-2, 2′-indoline]) into functionalized HOFs, to finely manipulate the fluorescence properties. Two kinds of HOFs are successfully synthesized by modifying the unbonded carboxylic group of HOFs with Tb³⁺ or 5-hexene-1-ol termed Tb-HOFs and HOF-olefin, respectively. Then, spiropyran is loaded into the Tb-HOFs or HOFs-olefin and dynamic fluorescence emission can be well controlled by changing the lanthanide dopants and light stimulation time. Relying on the dynamic fluorescence emission, the multilevel information encryption including anti-counterfeiting ink, QR code, base code, and time-resolved information storage has been successfully demonstrated, and the security level has been greatly improved. This work opens an avenue for achieving time-resolved information storage technology, where the “time factor” is equivalent to a dynamic key, which introduces countless unpredictable possibilities and makes imitation more challenging.

Nanowire (NW) lasers with continuous wave (CW) operation hold large potential in silicon photonics applications but have remained scarce in the mid-infrared spectral range. Here, CW lasing is reported from single InAs NWs grown on silicon, where low lasing threshold up to elevated temperatures is observed thanks to the optimization of the cavity design and threshold material gain.

Abstract

Extending the emission wavelength of III-V nanowire (NW) lasers grown on silicon into the mid-infrared (MIR) spectral range has strong potential for applications. Examples include optical sensing and metrology, as well as integrated silicon photonics for information technologies. NW-lasers with continuous wave (CW) operation, have remained, however, scarce in the MIR due to significant material physics challenges, and intrinsic effects such as Auger recombination that limit the radiative efficiency. Here, the CW operation of single InAs NW-lasers site-selectively grown on Si with emission in the range of 2.4–2.7 µm is reported. The cavity design is optimized via simulations of the threshold material gain and the parameters for selective area growth to minimize the modal gain for the TE₀₁ optical mode. For NW diameters exceeding 700 nm, lasing under CW optical pumping with low thresholds of 1.4–27 kW cm⁻² are obtained from 10 to 90 K for NW lengths ranging from 9–30 µm. The observed lasing behavior is quantified by the observation of clear positive net modal gain (630 cm⁻¹) obtained using Hakki-Paoli analysis. These findings mark an important advancement in the development of nanolasers for integrated MIR photonics.

The liquid–liquid interface can be varied in combination and size. The liquid–liquid interface is a place where the size, polarity, and environment can be freely designed while being versatile and dynamic. The liquid–liquid interface plays an important role in process of nanoarchitectonics. The liquid–liquid interfacial nanoarchitectonics creates the future development of materials.

Abstract

Science in the small world has become a crucial key that has the potential to revolutionize materials technology. This trend is embodied in the postnanotechnology concept of nanoarchitectonics. The goal of nanoarchitectonics is to create bio-like functional structures, in which self-organized and hierarchical structures are working efficiently. Liquid–liquid interface like environments such as cell membrane surface are indispensable for the expression of biological functions through the accumulation and organization of functional materials. From this viewpoint, it is necessary to reconsider the liquid–liquid interface as a medium where nanoarchitectonics can play an active role. In this review, liquid–liquid interfacial nanoarchitectonics is classified by component materials such as organic, inorganic, carbon, and bio, and recent research examples are discussed. Examples discussed in this paper include molecular aggregates, supramolecular polymers, conductive polymers film, crystal-like capsules, block copolymer assemblies, covalent organic framework (COF) films, complex crystals, inorganic nanosheets, colloidosomes, fullerene assemblies, all-carbon π-conjugated graphite nanosheets, carbon nanoskins and fullerphene thin films at liquid–liquid interfaces. Furthermore, at the liquid–liquid interface using perfluorocarbons and aqueous phases, cell differentiation controls are discussed with the self-assembled structure of biomaterials. The significance of liquid–liquid interfacial nanoarchitectonics in the future development of materials will then be discussed.

Nature Photonics, Published online: 27 September 2024; doi:10.1038/s41566-024-01529-5

This Review provides an overview on high-performance photonic integrated circuit lasers at visible and short near-infrared wavelengths between 400 nm and 1,000 nm, focusing on low-noise, continuous-wave operation needed for many quantum technologies.

Nature, Published online: 25 September 2024; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-07970-4

Reversible DNA inversions found entirely within genes enable increased coding capacity by encoding multiple versions of a protein in bacteria and archaea.

Artificial compound eye (CE) with ≈2 million concave ommatidia is fabricated through scalable approach by templating polymerized surface microdroplets. Tunable dimensions of CE enable a wide angular field of view of 118°. With strong enhancement of light-generated signals, the detection limit of fluorescence is seven orders of magnitude more sensitive, and two times higher by surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy.

Abstract

Artificial compound eye (CE) draws inspiration from nature, offering advanced imaging capabilities and an expansive field of view. In this work, an innovative technique is developed for the creation of CE with tunable dimensions. A solution-based process is employed that involves in situ polymerization of surface nanodroplets prior to soft lithography to produce CE consisting of millions of ommatidia. The fabricated CE comprised of a densely arranged array of microwells, each with a base radius of 5 µm. Situated on a millimeter-sized spherical dome, the CE can be tailored to arbitrary dimensions, enhancing its adaptability with a wide angular field of view up to 118°. The CE is used to enhance signal detection in fluorescent compounds, reaching a detection limit of 10⁷ times lower concentration than that without using CEs in bulk solution. The signal enhancement capabilities are further utilized for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy by using a portable handheld device, with an enhancement factor of 2. The fabrication technique underscores the advantages of the approach in simplicity, reproducibility, and efficiency in creating CE. The potential applications of CE may be extended to various domains, such as optical sensing, light-dependent signal enhancement, motion perception, and medical endoscopy.

A simple, yet effective technique based on the selective wetting mechanism is demonstrated to fabricate large arrays of nanoscale patterns made of gallium-based liquid metals with precisely defined shapes, sizes, and spatial distributions. Such liquid metal nanoscale patterns may find a broad range of applications in areas including nanophotonics and nanoelectronics.

Abstract

Gallium-based liquid metals (LMs) are widely used for stretchable and reconfigurable electronics thanks to their fluidic nature and excellent conductivity. These LMs possess attractive optical properties for photonics applications as well. However, due to the high surface tension of the LMs, it is challenging to form LM nanostructures with arbitrary shapes using conventional nanofabrication techniques. As a result, LM-based nanophotonics has not been extensively explored. Here, a simple yet effective technique is demonstrated to deterministically fabricate LM nanopatterns with high yield over a large area. This technique demonstrates for the first time the capability to fabricate LM nanophotonic structures of various precisely defined shapes and sizes using two different LMs, that is, liquid gallium and liquid eutectic gallium–indium alloy. High-density arrays of LM nanopatterns with critical feature sizes down to ≈100 nm and inter-pattern spacings down to ≈100 nm are achieved, corresponding to the highest resolution of any LM fabrication technique developed to date. Additionally, the LM nanopatterns demonstrate excellent long-term stability under ambient conditions. This work paves the way toward further development of a wide range of LM nanophotonics technologies and applications.

Nd(trensal) is a mononuclear lanthanide complex which undergoes a switch of the magnetic anisotropy from easy-axis to easy-plane modifying the temperature. When deposited as an ultra-thin film over highly ordered pyrolityc graphtie this phenomenon is retained.

Abstract

Controlling the magnetic anisotropy of molecular layers assembled on a surface is one of the challenges that needs to be addressed to create the next-generation spintronic devices. Recently, metal complexes that show a reversible solid-state switch of their magnetic anisotropy in response to physical stimuli, such as temperature and magnetic field, have been discovered. The complex Nd(trensal) (H₃trensal = 2,2′,2′′-tris(salicylideneimino)triethylamine) is predicted to exhibit such property. An ultra-thin film of Nd(trensal) is deposited on highly ordered pyrolytic graphite as a proof-of-concept system to show that this property can be retained at the nanoscale on a layered material. By combining single crystal magnetometric measurements and synchrotron X-ray-based absorption techniques, supported by multiplet ligand field simulations based on the trigonal crystal field surrounding the lanthanide centre, it is demonstrated that changing the temperature reverses the magnetic anisotropy of an ordered film of Nd(trensal), thus opening significant perspectives for the realization of a novel family of temperature-controlled molecular spintronic devices.

In terahertz (THz) emission experiments, the spin-to-orbital-to-charge conversion process is modulated by utilizing the spin-orbit coupling of rare-earth (RE) metals Nd, Gd, and Ho. Depending on the type of RE metal, a tunable THz emission signal is observed in Pt/CoFeB/RE/Ti multilayer. This work offers insights into the inter-conversion mechanism between charge, spin, and orbital degrees of freedom.

Abstract

It is crucial to study the materials that could effectively facilitate the inter-conversion between charge, spin, and orbital degrees of freedom. In this work, the conversion among these three types of degrees of freedom in Pt/CoFeB/rare-earth (RE, represents Nd, Gd, and Ho)/Ti multilayers is manipulated. Through terahertz (THz) emission measurements, it is found that the spin current induced by a femtosecond laser is converted into an orbital current via the spin-orbit coupling of the RE layer. Notably, the light RE (Nd) and heavy RE (Gd and Ho) induce the orbital current with opposite polarization directions, ultimately leading to a weakening or enhancement of the THz emission intensity, respectively. Moreover, the fast Fourier transform reveals that Gd exerts the most significant influence on increasing the whole THz spectrum within the Pt/CoFeB/RE/Ti structure. The findings of RE-modulated spin-to-orbital conversion provide valuable insights into the fundamental transport mechanism of the orbital current.

Nature Communications, Published online: 19 September 2024; doi:10.1038/s41467-024-52592-z

Author Correction: Chemically and geometrically programmable photoreactive polymers for transformational humidity-sensitive full-color devices

Nature Reviews Materials, Published online: 12 September 2024; doi:10.1038/s41578-024-00711-z

To meet the physical demands of a new environment, organisms evolve morphological and behavioural adaptations that specialize their locomotor performance to that niche. This Perspective discusses how robots can emulate — and perhaps even exceed — biological levels of adaptability through shape-morphing mechanisms and complementary control strategies to achieve compressed, rapid and reversible ‘evolution on demand’.

By bridging the shape memory effect of the inverse opal and the solvent-induced coloration of the double inverse opal, bilayer photonic crystals with multiple color-changing modes are designed and integrated. The “decryption-verification” anti-counterfeiting strategy based on structural color is proposed and the uniqueness of the verification code is further enhanced by creating unclonable patterns, which inspires nanophotonic cryptography.

Abstract

The ability to reversibly exhibit structural color patterns has positioned photonic crystals (PCs) at the forefront of anti-counterfeiting. However, the security offered by the mere reversible display is susceptible to illicit alteration and disclosure. Herein, inspired by the electronic message captcha, bilayer photonic crystal (BPC) systems with integrated decryption and verification modules, are realized by combining inverse opal (IO) and double inverse opal (DIO) with polyacrylate polymers. When the informationized BPC is immersed in ethanol or water, the DIO layer displayed encrypted information due to the solvent-induced ordered rearrangement of polystyrene (PS) microspheres. The verification step is established based on the different structural colors of the IO layer pattern, which result from the deformation or recovery of the macroporous skeleton induced by solvent evaporation. Moreover, through the evaporation-induced random self-assembly of PS@SiO₂ and SiO₂ microspheres, unclonable structurally colored identifying codes are created in the IO layer, ensuring the uniqueness upon the verification. The decrypted code in the DIO layer is valid only when the IO layer displays the pattern with the predetermined structural color; otherwise, it is a pseudo-code. This structural color-based “decryption-verification” approach offers innovative anti-counterfeiting applications in nanophotonics.

Nature, Published online: 18 September 2024; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-07941-9

Superconducting transmon qubits have been fabricated in a 300 mm complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) pilot line using industrial fabrication methods, achieving relaxation and coherence times exceeding 100 μs.

Temperature-dependent Raman spectroscopic studies reveal spin-phonon coupling in the non-magnetic topological insulator Bi₂Te₃ due to the proximity of layered antiferromagnetic FePS₃ at/below 60 K. Insertion of a few-layer hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) within the stacking suppresses the interfacial coupling, which can have potential application in surface code spin logic devices.

Abstract

Induced magnetic order in a topological insulator (TI) can be realized either by depositing magnetic adatoms on the surface of a TI or engineering the interface with epitaxial thin film or stacked assembly of 2D van der Waals (vdW) materials. Herein, the observation of spin-phonon coupling in the otherwise non-magnetic TI Bi₂Te₃ is reported, due to the proximity of FePS₃ (an antiferromagnet (AFM), T _N ≈ 120 K), in a vdW heterostructure framework. Temperature-dependent Raman spectroscopic studies reveal deviation from the usual phonon anharmonicity originated from spin-lattice coupling at the Bi₂Te₃/FePS₃ interface at/below 60 K in the peak position (self-energy) and linewidth (lifetime) of the characteristic phonon modes of Bi₂Te₃ (106 and 138 cm⁻¹) in the stacked heterostructure. The Ginzburg-Landau (GL) formalism, where the respective phonon frequencies of Bi₂Te₃ couple to phonons of similar frequencies of FePS₃ in the AFM phase, is adopted to understand the origin of the hybrid magneto-elastic modes. At the same time, the reduction of characteristic T _N of FePS₃ from 120 K in isolated flakes to 65 K in the heterostructure, possibly due to the interfacial strain, which leads to smaller Fe-S-Fe bond angles as corroborated by computational studies using density functional theory (DFT). Besides, inserting hexagonal boron nitride within Bi₂Te₃/FePS₃ stacking regains the anharmonicity in Bi₂Te₃. Controlling interfacial spin-phonon coupling in stacked heterostructure can have potential application in surface code spin logic devices.

The hydrolytic resistance of SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ phosphors can be improved by sintering the powder to be the ceramic type. The initial luminescence intensity of the obtained ceramic reaches 8200 mcd m⁻² by optimizing the Eu, Dy, and H₃BO₃ concentrations. The prepared ceramics can be excited under 365 nm UV light and X-ray and show potential applications in information storage.

Abstract

SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ (SAED) is one of the most popular materials for information storage and night display applications because it has a wide excitation range and long afterglow duration. However improving the hydrolytic resistance of SAED remains a challenge. In this study, the SAED is presented to be the ceramic type by a solid-state reaction in a vacuum ambiance. The achieved SAED ceramic has 8200 mcd m⁻² initial luminescence intensity. It can also obtain long-persistent luminescence after UV light irradiation even soaking in water for more than 30 days. This ceramic demonstrates sustained imaging capability irradiated under 365 nm UV light and X-ray, as well as erasability and reproducibility of storage by lighting and heating. These results indicate the promising applications of SAED ceramics in optical information storage and night display in complex environments. The phase evolution in the SAED ceramic is identified directly in the micromorphology for the first time based on scanning electron microscopy coupled with a cathodoluminescence system.

This study predicts diverse 2D lattice structures emerging from the self-assembly of multi-branch units with end magnets. By varying unit designs, this work demonstrates tunable mechanical properties, including strain-stress relationships, auxetic behavior, and impact response. The cross-shaped unit shows superior performance. Both simulations and experiments highlight the potential of these lightweight network materials for adaptive structures and impact mitigation.

Abstract

Fabrication of architected materials through self-assembly of units offers many advantages over monolithic solids including recyclability, reconfigurability, self-healing, and diversity of emergent properties – all prescribed chiefly by the choice of the building blocks. While self-assembly is prevalent in biosynthesis, it remains challenging to recapitulate it macroscopically. Recent success in the self-assembly of 2D ordered open magneto-elastic lattices from centimeter-long bar units with sticky magnetic ends, showcasing graceful failure at “magnetic bonds” and re-assembly under extreme loading. However, it is still unclear how this approach can be generalized to design units that preferably form ordered low-energy structures with desirable mechanical properties such as ductility, auxetics, and impact resistance. Here, diverse ordered 2D lattice structures are predicted as the self-assembly outcomes from units with 2 (bar), 3 (Y-shape), and 4 (cross) branches with magnetic ends. The defect formation is significantly reduced by a computational design approach. Tunable mechanical behavior is shown to be achieved by varying unit shapes and magnet orientations. Cross-shaped units are identified for their promise in auxetic response and penetration resistance with these findings validated through experiments. The work highlights the potential of self-assembling magnetic architected materials for adaptive structures, impact mitigation, and energy adsorption.

A unique chiral sensing platform is introduced that utilizes a pixelated array of achiral plasmonic nanostructures to perform Surface-Enhanced Infrared Absorption (SEIRA) and Vibrational Circular Dichroism (SEVCD) in the mid-infrared range. This method enables the unique identification of enantiomers and biomolecules through a chiral “barcoding” scheme, offering a robust, low-cost solution for drug and biomolecule detection.

Abstract

More than half of pharmaceutical drugs in use are chiral, necessitating accurate techniques for their characterization. Enantiomers, molecules with mirrored symmetry, often exhibit similar physical traits but possess distinct chemical and biological implications. This study harnesses the strong light-matter interaction induced by “superchiral” light to perform Surface-Enhanced Infrared Absorption (SEIRA) induced vibrational circular dichroism measurements in the mid-infrared spectral region. Utilizing a nanopatterned pixelated array of achiral plasmonic nanostructures, the system allows unique identification of enantiomers and biomolecules. Tunability of plasmon resonance facilitates spectral variation of the optical chirality over a wide infrared range, enabling development of a unique chiral “barcoding” scheme to distinguish chiral molecules based on their infrared fingerprint. This simple, yet robust sensor presents a low-cost solution for chiral mapping of drugs and biomolecules.