Potassium-ion batteries (KIBs) have emerged as promising candidates for grid-scale energy storage due to abundant K resources and reversible K+ de-/intercalation in graphite (KC8, 279 mAh g-1). However, practical application is hindered by severe volume expansion (≈60% for K+ vs. ≈10% for Li+), which induces stress accumulation, structural degradation, and capacity fading. Here, we develop a few-layer quasi-graphite (QGr) via structural reconstruction of graphite to regulate its mechanical stability and kinetics. The resulting QGr architecture integrates ordered domains with mechanically compliant graphene interfaces, creating a rigid-flexible synergy that alleviates intercalation-induced stress and lowers the kinetic barrier for K+ intercalation. As a result, the QGr anode delivers a reversible capacity of 279.2 mAh g-1 at 0.1 A g-1 and maintains stable cycling over 1200 cycles. Notably, QGr exhibits a pronounced low-voltage plateau of 246.1 mAh g-1 below 0.5 V. Combined in situ Raman spectroscopy and kinetic analysis demonstrates that K+-storage in QGr is dominated by an intercalation mechanism. This work demonstrates that rational structural engineering of graphite can simultaneously regulate structural stability and ion transport kinetics, providing a promising strategy for designing high-energy KIBs.
Conventional tough hydrogels generally suffer from high Young's modulus, which severely weakens their mechanical compliance with human skin and further impairs the interfacial adhesion. Herein, a PDMAA-deep eutectic solvent (PDMAA-DES) gel is fabricated by anchoring polymerizable DES onto the network backbone during in-situ polymerization. The synergistic covalent and hydrogen bonding interactions between the solvent molecules and the polymeric matrix drastically boost the cohesive energy of the gel. In conjunction with dense polymer network and macromolecular crosslinking, it resolves the contradiction between high toughness and mechanical compliance (high toughness of 21.36 MJ/m3 and skin compatible low Young's modulus of 200.92 kPa). Combined with abundant surface groups, the gel realizes robust adhesive strength of 2.85 MPa on glass and 390 kPa on pigskin. Besides, doping with dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride improves the gel's conductivity. This material also presents long-term anti-drying property and electrochemical stability after 10000 cycles. Coupled with its good biocompatibility, the gel is assembled into a wireless wearable sensor, which achieves high precision ECG/EOG signal collection (SNR of 30.09 dB), and outstanding resistance to motion artifacts over commercial hydrogel electrodes. This work offers a facile strategy to construct advanced interfacial materials for wearable dynamic physiological signal monitoring.
Chiral halide perovskites are promising materials for circularly polarized light (CPL) optoelectronics owing to their strong light absorption, long carrier diffusion lengths, and intrinsic chiroptical activity. However, most reported CPL perovskite devices still suffer from limited chiroptical selectivity and poor operational stability, hindering practical applications. Here, we report a facile interfacial passivation strategy using an atomic layer deposition (ALD)-grown AlF3 film for high-performance and stable CPL photodetectors (PDs). The dense AlF3 underlayer modifies the local interfacial environment of the perovskite, promotes grain growth, and reduces defect sites in the chiral perovskite films. Consequently, the AlF3-based films exhibit enhanced apparent chiroptical properties, with circular dichroism (CD) and circularly polarized photoluminescence (CPL-PL) g-factors increasing by approximately 3.8-fold and 2-fold, respectively, compared with pristine films. CPL PDs fabricated on the AlF3 underlayer achieve a photoresponsivity of 54 mA W-1, a specific detectivity of 1.68 × 1011 Jones, and a photocurrent g-factor of 0.48, representing an 84% enhancement over pristine devices. Interfacial AlF3 passivation also significantly improves device durability, providing a T70 operational lifetime more than 9.3 times longer under ambient conditions. This work demonstrates an effective interface-engineering strategy for simultaneously enhancing chiroptical selectivity, device performance, and operational stability in CPL perovskite optoelectronics.
Precise control over atomic-scale defects is crucial for elucidating structure-activity relationships but remains a formidable synthetic challenge. Benefiting from the ordered distribution of trivalent cations within their host layers, layered double hydroxides (LDHs) offer an ideal platform for atomic-scale defect engineering. Herein, we report an in situ Al3+-incorporation and selective etching strategy to introduce well-defined single-atom defects into monolayer NiFe-LDH (mLDH) nanosheets. Free from layered lattice interference, these single-atom-defected mLDH (SAD-mLDH) nanosheets serve as a well-defined model system to probe intrinsic catalytic behaviors. Electrocatalytic evaluations in 1.0 M KOH demonstrate that SAD-mLDH exhibits exceptional oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity, requiring an overpotential of just 269 mV at 10 mA cm-2, significantly outperforming defect-free mLDH (300 mV) and commercial RuO2 (340 mV). Mechanistic investigations reveal that the isolated single-atom defects reconfigure the local coordination and electronic structure of the Ni and Fe centers. The upward shifts of the Ni and Fe d-band centers, together with the site-dependent redistribution of metal-oxygen covalency revealed by M-O ICOHP analysis, optimized the adsorption energetics of OER intermediates and reduced the thermodynamic free-energy requirement of the rate-determining *O-to-*OOH step. This work establishes a robust paradigm for designing high-performance electrocatalysts via atomic defect engineering in 2D systems.
Illegal use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs) to feed livestock can lead to food residues and endanger public health. Thus, the development of rapid, sensitive detection methods for AASs is urgently needed for AASs to safeguard food safety. In this study, four novel haptens were designed for six AASs (androstenedione, 1,4-androstadienedione, boldenone, methandienone, testosterone, and methyltestosterone). By integrating computer simulation with animal immunization, we identified an optimal hapten combination and generated a hybridoma cell line capable of broadly recognizing all six AASs. Based on cell sequencing, a recombinant antibody (rAb-4E2) was prepared, with half-maximal inhibitory concentrations of 3.37-22.24 ng/mL for the six AASs. Molecular docking revealed TRP106 and VAL99 as key residues for broad-spectrum recognition. A lateral flow immunochromatographic assay strip using rAb-4E2 was developed for AASs detection in milk, beef, and fish, achieving visual detection limits of 2-10 ng/mL, 5-20 µg/kg, and 10-100 µg/kg, respectively. Validation with LC-MS/MS confirmed its reliability for real samples, offering an effective approach for rapid qualitative hormone screening.
Peripheral nerve transection requires surgical treatment, although functional recovery remains incomplete. Here, we developed a biofunctional nanocomposite nerve interface combining an ion-covalent gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA)/Laponite hydrogel with engineered thermostable fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) to recreate a regenerative microenvironment. Laponite incorporation (2%-2.5% w/v) precisely modulated the hydrogel network, providing shear-thinning behavior, enhanced viscoelasticity, microporosity, a twofold increase in compressive modulus, controlled degradation, injectability, and three-dimensional (3D) bioprintability. Functionalization with thermostable FGF-2 enabled sustained release while preserving bioactivity, promoting Schwann cell viability, metabolic activity, cytoskeletal organization, and upregulation of nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), early growth response protein 2 (EGR2), octamer-binding transcription factor 6 (OCT6), and SRY-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9). Nerve interfaces consisting of a basal polycaprolactone (PCL) layer and a biofunctional GelMA (10%)/Laponite (2%) hydrogel containing FGF-2 (1 µg mL- 1) were fabricated by 3D bioprinting followed by visible-light crosslinking. In a rat neurotmesis model, FGF-2-functionalized wraps significantly improved motor function, electrophysiological recovery, Schwann cell activity (S100 calcium-binding protein), neurofilament organization and myelination (FluoroMyelin), and muscle preservation. Collectively, this work introduces a 3D-bioprinted, cell-instructive nerve interface integrating mechanical neuroprotection with sustained neurotrophic signaling to enhance peripheral nerve regeneration.
Although extracellular vesicles (EVs) facilitate selective molecular exchange between cells, their low yields and inherent heterogeneity limit translational applications. Cell-derived nanovesicles (CDNs), produced by mechanical extrusion of donor cells, offer a scalable alternative while retaining key membrane features of EVs. Yet how fabrication reshapes vesicle-cell communication remains poorly understood. Here, vesicle-side proteomics is integrated with TurboID proximity labeling of recipient-cell proteins to construct quantitative, dual-sided maps of CDN and small extracellular vesicle (sEV) interactions. Despite similar size and surface charge, CDNs displayed a substantially more diverse proteome and a broader repertoire of predicted uptake-associated signatures. Recipient-cell proximity proteomics further resolved distinct molecular cohorts. The CDN-associated cohort contained recipient-derived CALR and NCL, which are literature-linked to LRP1/CD91-associated efferocytic recognition and NCL-associated macropinocytic processes, respectively, whereas the sEV-associated cohort contained signatures consistent with HSPG-assisted docking and clathrin-mediated or CLIC/GEEC-related uptake. Together, these complementary datasets reveal molecular interfaces for extrusion-generated CDNs that are distinct from those of naturally secreted sEVs. Receptor dependence and the contributions of surface association and internalization require direct testing; however, the identified associations define specific mechanistic targets for further investigation. This dual-sided proteomic strategy establishes a quantitative framework for dissecting vesicle-cell communication and engineering membrane-based nanocarriers.
ABSTRACT The concurrent optimization of electrochemical energy storage and third‐order nonlinear optical (NLO) performance within a single material system remains a fundamental challenge. Here, V 2 CT x /WS 2 composites were fabricated via a solvothermal method on carbon cloth substrates, and (V 2 CT x /WS 2 ) x /PMMA were prepared for optical measurements. Interfacial interactions between V 2 CT x surface functional groups and WS 2 promote the formation of sulfur vacancies and interfacial charge redistribution during compositing. The enlarged interlayer spacing, three‐dimensional WS 2 nanoflower architecture, and defect‐rich structure collectively increase accessible active sites and facilitate charge transport. The V 2 CT x /WS 2 electrode delivers a specific capacity of 2251.95 F·g −1 at 1 A·g −1 , retaining 94.80% of its initial capacity after 10 000 cycles. The assembled supercapacitor achieves an energy density of 47.93 Wh·kg −1 at a power density of 983.45 W·kg −1 . For NLO performance, the (V 2 CT x /WS 2 ) 8 /PMMA sample exhibits a nonlinear absorption coefficient β of 232 cm·GW −1 , a nonlinear refraction coefficient γ of −9.29 × 10 −4 cm 2 ·GW −1 , and an optical limiting threshold of 1.09 J·cm −2 . The results demonstrate that V 2 CT x /WS 2 exhibits excellent electrochemical and NLO properties through composite structure design and defect engineering.
The concurrent optimization of electrochemical energy storage and third-order nonlinear optical (NLO) performance within a single material system remains a fundamental challenge. Here, V2CTx/WS2 composites were fabricated via a solvothermal method on carbon cloth substrates, and (V2CTx/WS2)x/PMMA were prepared for optical measurements. Interfacial interactions between V2CTx surface functional groups and WS2 promote the formation of sulfur vacancies and interfacial charge redistribution during compositing. The enlarged interlayer spacing, three-dimensional WS2 nanoflower architecture, and defect-rich structure collectively increase accessible active sites and facilitate charge transport. The V2CTx/WS2 electrode delivers a specific capacity of 2251.95 F·g-1 at 1 A·g-1, retaining 94.80% of its initial capacity after 10 000 cycles. The assembled supercapacitor achieves an energy density of 47.93 Wh·kg-1 at a power density of 983.45 W·kg-1. For NLO performance, the (V2CTx/WS2)8/PMMA sample exhibits a nonlinear absorption coefficient β of 232 cm·GW-1, a nonlinear refraction coefficient γ of -9.29 × 10-4 cm2·GW-1, and an optical limiting threshold of 1.09 J·cm-2. The results demonstrate that V2CTx/WS2 exhibits excellent electrochemical and NLO properties through composite structure design and defect engineering.
Redox homeostasis is essential for cellular function and organismal health, and its dysregulation is linked to inflammation, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. Precise, dynamic monitoring is critical yet challenging due to the reversible and fluctuating nature of redox processes. Fluorescent probes offer a promising solution through non-invasiveness, high sensitivity, and reversible responsiveness. This Perspective systematically reviews recent advances in reversible fluorescent probes for tracking redox homeostasis, focusing on four major sensing mechanisms: FRET, ICT, PET, and ESPT. For each, we evaluate applicability, reversibility, response kinetics, and signal stability across diverse redox contexts. We further highlight that integrating reversible probes with high-throughput or multiplexed imaging platforms will be essential to advance redox monitoring from static snapshots to dynamic network-level analysis.
Photolithography, a cornerstone of semiconductor manufacturing, faces persistent challenges in lift-off processes, particularly regarding solvent usage, sidewall adhesion, and limited pattern fidelity. While dry lift-off and bilayer resist schemes provide promising alternatives, conventional approaches often rely on multiple materials and exhibit uncontrollable undercut profiles. Here, we report a universal bilayer photoresist strategy that uses a single material and enables solvent-free, high-yield dry lift-off. By integrating surface modification and UV pre-exposure (222 nm), our method allows precise control of the undercut structure and maintains full compatibility with subsequent processes such as sputtering and dry lift-off. Experiments demonstrate robust multiscale patterning capability, achieving from wafer-scale down to 17 nm features, with a 100% yield, high density (line width: spacing = 5:4), and clean sidewalls without residue. This strategy also enables high-resolution quantum dot patterning and is compatible with the fabrication of pixelated perovskite micro-LEDs, highlighting its potential for optoelectronic applications including displays, optical encryption, and anti‑counterfeiting.
Manganese telluride (MnTe) has been proposed to be a favorable candidate for middle range temperature thermoelectric (TE) material; whereas, the low carrier concentration and higher thermal conductivity have restricted its applications. Herein, a crucial role of Cu-ion in synthesized MnTe with the addition of Cu2Se through mechanical alloying and hot press sintering facilitate the improvement of carrier density and thus enhanced power factor of MnTe with the incorporation of 8 at.% Cu2Se due to novel liquid-like behavior of Cu-ion in Cu2Se at elevated temperatures. Moreover, the excessive hole density of Cu2Se and the undissolved nano-scale Cu2Se results in a remarkable scattering of phonons and thus suppressed lattice thermal conductivity at higher temperatures. With this approach, the overall thermoelectric performance of MnTe + x at.% Cu2Se was investigated and we found enhancement in the thermoelectric performance with the inclusion of Cu2Se with a maximum ZT of ∼0.72 in 8 at.% Cu2Se added MnTe sample at 873 K.
Cysteine (Cys) is a crucial biomarker and a significant analyte in physiological and pathological processes; however, achieving its accurate detection with high spatiotemporal resolution in complex biological environments remains challenging. Herein, we address this by developing a dual-mode optoelectronic sensing platform. A self-designed Cys fluorescent probe was integrated into a plasmonic nanopore via a site-selective functionalization strategy. This platform synergistically combines plasmon-enhanced fluorescence with nanopore-based electrochemical detection, providing complementary optical and electrical signals that enable high spatio-temporal resolution for accurate analyte quantification. The confined geometry of the nanopore enhances sensitivity by concentrating electromagnetic fields into sub-diffraction volumes and restricting molecular motion within the nanospace. The developed Cys sensor achieves high sensitivity, along with excellent selectivity and strong anti-interference capability, as validated through an "AND" logic gate operation. Importantly, the practical utility of the sensor is demonstrated by successful quantification of exogenous Cys in living MDA-MB-231 cells, confirming its capability for in situ cellular analysis. Furthermore, this versatile plasmonic nanopore platform can be readily adapted for the detection of various small molecules by simply substituting the probe molecule, offering a simple, stable, and generalizable sensing approach in small molecules detection.
Aqueous zinc-ion batteries are plagued by dendrite growth and uncontrollable side reactions, which stem from an incompatible electrode-electrolyte interface. Herein, interfacial engineering by dextran sulfate sodium is developed to enhance the stability of the electrode-electrolyte interface. Experimental results and computational characterizations reveal that this polymer additive self-assembles into a protective layer on the anode surface, which isolates the anode from direct contact with water molecules, and can enter the Zn2+ solvation sheath to replace partial water molecules, thus synergistically mitigating the occurrence of side reactions. The enrichment of zincophilic and negatively charged sulfate groups in the polymer enhances Zn affinity and leads to homogeneous nucleation. Remarkably, with the assistance of this polymer additive, the Zn-Zn symmetric cells exceptionally survive for 10188 h at 2 mA cm-2, and more reversible Zn plating and stripping are realized in the Zn-Cu asymmetric cells. More importantly, the assembled Zn-I2 batteries deliver 50000 cycles at 10 A g-1. The pouch cell exhibits stable performance for over 288 cycles at 6 mA cm-2. This work highlights the vital role of molecular-level design of polymer additives in stabilizing the Zn metal anode.
Altermagnetism has recently emerged as a distinct class of collinear magnetic order that extends the conventional classification of ferromagnets and antiferromagnets. Unlike ferromagnets with finite net magnetization and conventional antiferromagnets with symmetry-protected spin degeneracy, altermagnets exhibit symmetry-enforced, momentum-dependent spin splitting despite possessing zero net magnetization. This unique behavior originates from crystal and spin-group symmetries, including proper and improper rotations, mirror reflections, and roto-inversions, which relate opposite-spin sublattices and generate anisotropic spin polarization throughout the Brillouin zone. In this review, we present a comprehensive and concept-driven overview of the fundamental principles, materials, and emerging functionalities of altermagnetism. We discuss the theoretical framework based on spin-space-group symmetry, its relationship to conventional magnetic space groups, and the role of symmetry in determining electronic, magnetic, and transport properties. We further review key experimental techniques for identifying altermagnetic states, including spin-resolved and soft-x-ray ARPES, x-ray magnetic dichroism, neutron scattering, and transport measurements, together with current challenges such as the ongoing RuO2 debate. Representative three-dimensional, two-dimensional, Janus, topological, superconducting and strain-engineered altermagnetic materials are surveyed alongside first-principles and multiscale computational approaches for materials discovery. Finally, we highlight emerging transport phenomena and potential applications in spintronics, superconducting heterostructures, valleytronics, magnonics, orbitronics, and quantum technologies.
Metallic clusters in the 2-200 atom range exhibit exceptional functional properties arising from their large fraction of under-coordinated surface sites and quantum size effects. However, structural characterization of these clusters is challenging due to the absence of well-defined periodicity and long-range crystal structure. In this size regime, surface and finite-size effects dominate, leading to highly relaxed and/or multiply twinned configurations minimizing total energy. Experimental approaches using x-rays and electrons require particular care, as irradiation can distort the intrinsic structure of these clusters. To accurately resolve their structure, probing techniques must operate at sufficiently low dose to avoid atomic displacement from equilibrium sites. Here, we investigate the structure of Pt55/Pt200 clusters supported on amorphous Carbon from room temperature to catalytically relevant conditions using 4D-STEM-based pair distribution function (PDF) analysis, demonstrating its power to resolve intrinsic atomic arrangements. The atomic structures of Pt55/Pt200 clusters differ significantly from bulk Pt, exhibiting mixed characteristics of ideal isomeric configurations combined with contributions from chemical bonding to the substrate. The temperature dependence of the Pt-Pt bond length, measured from room temperature to 500°C, is used to extract the linear thermal expansion coefficient (TEC), which exhibits a pronounced enhancement of TEC with size confinement.
Three-dimensional, interconnected hydrogel networks are central to tissue engineering and disease modeling, where tailored pore architecture and mechanical robustness are essential for supporting cellular functions. However, the limited ability to engineer microstructural features in vat polymerization 3D-printed natural hydrogels often compromises scaffold performance, as oversized pores reduce cell attachment and cell-cell interactions while smooth pore walls lack essential topographical cues. Here, we report an emulsion-based ink for vat polymerization 3D printing that enables the fabrication of hydrogels with finely tunable and highly interconnected porous architectures. An oil-in-water resin formulated using gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) contains stable solvent nanodroplets that act as sacrificial templates during photopolymerization. Removal of the dispersed phase yields additive-free porous hydrogels with pore sizes ranging from 0.66 to 46.15 µm and a 2.5-fold enhancement in compressive toughness. This strategy is compatible with digital light processing (DLP) and broadly applicable to multiple photocurable biopolymers, including alginate methacrylate (ALMA) and hyaluronic acid methacrylate (HAMA). The resulting porous scaffolds promote enhanced cell attachment, proliferation, and cell-cell interactions, highlighting the potential of this vat polymerization-compatible platform for advanced biofabrication.
Halide perovskite single crystals are promising active materials for direct x-ray detectors because of their strong x-ray absorption, efficient charge transport, and solution-processable crystal growth. However, in thick single-crystal detectors, lateral side surfaces can act as conductive leakage pathways, increasing dark current, inducing baseline drift, and generating transient overshoot and undershoot during x-ray irradiation. Previous passivation and heterojunction strategies have mainly focused on metal-semiconductor interfaces, leaving side-surface transport pathways insufficiently controlled. Here, a selective side-surface ion-exchange strategy is developed to construct halide-gradient sidewall heterojunctions in MAPbBr3 single crystals. Through methylammonium chloride-induced ion exchange, compositionally graded MAPbBr3 - xClx/MAPbBr3 multi-heterojunctions are formed along the crystal sidewalls, creating wide-bandgap lateral barriers that confine charge carriers within the Br-rich bulk region. Spatial conductivity mapping and current-distribution simulations reveal that the graded sidewalls suppress edge-dominated conductivity and homogenize vertical charge transport without requiring guard-ring electrodes. Consequently, side-surface leakage, baseline drift, and transient undershoot are strongly suppressed, yielding reproducible and distortion-free x-ray responses. The treated detectors exhibit a 4.7-fold enhancement in sensitivity, a 2.85-fold reduction in detection limit, and markedly improved low-dose x-ray imaging contrast. This work establishes sidewall-selective halide-gradient engineering as a scalable route for lateral charge confinement in perovskite single-crystal radiation detectors.
