Featured
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News |
Superconductivity hunt gets boost from China's $220 million physics 'playground'
From extreme cold to strong magnets and high pressures, the Synergetic Extreme Condition User Facility (SECUF) provides conditions for researching these potential wonder materials.
- Gemma Conroy
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News |
Judge dismisses superconductivity physicist’s lawsuit against university
Ranga Dias sued his university, in part, for allegedly conducting a biased investigation, which found he had committed extensive scientific misconduct.
- Dan Garisto
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Nature Podcast |
How gliding marsupials got their ‘wings’
Researchers find the genetic mutations that allow some marsupials to soar, and an ultra-accurate clock is put through its paces on the high seas.
- Benjamin Thompson
- & Elizabeth Gibney
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Editorial |
Retractions are part of science, but misconduct isn’t — lessons from a superconductivity lab
Journals, funders and institutions that employ researchers all want to produce or disseminate rigorous scientific knowledge — and all can learn lessons from misconduct cases.
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Article |
Growth of diamond in liquid metal at 1 atm pressure
Diamond crystals and polycrystalline diamond films can be grown using liquid metal at standard pressure and high temperature instead of conventional high pressure and high temperature.
- Yan Gong
- , Da Luo
- & Rodney S. Ruoff
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Article |
Valleytronics in bulk MoS2 with a topologic optical field
We develop an optical method that can set and read the state of electrons in the valley polarization of bulk transition metal dichalcogenide semiconductors, with potential utility as digital storage at quantum coherent timescales and application in quantum computing.
- Igor Tyulnev
- , Álvaro Jiménez-Galán
- & Jens Biegert
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News |
Meet ‘goldene’: this gilded cousin of graphene is also one atom thick
Sheets of gold might find use as catalysts, or in light-sensing devices.
- Mark Peplow
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Article
| Open AccessLight-wave-controlled Haldane model in monolayer hexagonal boron nitride
We introduce strong tailored light-wave-driven time-reversal symmetry breaking in monolayer hexagonal boron nitride, realizing a sub-laser-cycle controllable analogue of the topological model of Haldane and inducing non-resonant valley polarization.
- Sambit Mitra
- , Álvaro Jiménez-Galán
- & Shubhadeep Biswas
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Article |
Selenium alloyed tellurium oxide for amorphous p-channel transistors
- Ao Liu
- , Yong-Sung Kim
- & Yong-Young Noh
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Research Briefing |
Scalable, high-quality 2D telluride nanosheets for energy and catalysis applications
An innovative solid-state lithiation strategy allows the exfoliation of layered transition-metal tellurides into nanosheets in an unprecedentedly short time, without sacrificing their quality. The observation of physical phenomena typically seen in highly crystalline TMT nanosheets opens the way to their use in applications such as batteries and micro-supercapacitors.
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Article |
Phononic switching of magnetization by the ultrafast Barnett effect
Ultrafast light-induced driving of phonons at resonance in a substrate facilitates the permanent reversal of the magnetic state of a material mounted on it.
- C. S. Davies
- , F. G. N. Fennema
- & A. Kirilyuk
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Article |
A hybrid topological quantum state in an elemental solid
A hybrid topological phase of matter is discovered in the simple elemental-solid arsenic and explored using tunnelling microscopy, photoemission spectroscopy and a theoretical analysis.
- Md Shafayat Hossain
- , Frank Schindler
- & M. Zahid Hasan
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Article |
Giant energy storage and power density negative capacitance superlattices
- Suraj S. Cheema
- , Nirmaan Shanker
- & Sayeef Salahuddin
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News |
Exclusive: official investigation reveals how superconductivity physicist faked blockbuster results
The confidential 124-page report from the University of Rochester, disclosed in a lawsuit, details the extent of Ranga Dias’s scientific misconduct.
- Dan Garisto
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Article |
Phase-change memory via a phase-changeable self-confined nano-filament
We present a device that can reduce the phase-change memory reset current while maintaining a high on/off ratio, fast speed and small variations, representing advances for neuromorphic computing systems.
- See-On Park
- , Seokman Hong
- & Shinhyun Choi
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Article |
Shell buckling for programmable metafluids
A metafluid with programmable compressibility, optical behaviour and viscosity is realized by mixing deformable spherical shells that undergo buckling within an incompressible fluid; the versatility of these metafluids opens up numerous opportunities for functionality.
- Adel Djellouli
- , Bert Van Raemdonck
- & Katia Bertoldi
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Article |
Metal telluride nanosheets by scalable solid lithiation and exfoliation
Fast and scalable synthesis of a variety of transition metal telluride nanosheets by solid lithiation and hydrolysis is demonstrated and several interesting quantum phenomena were observed, such as quantum oscillations and giant magnetoresistance.
- Liangzhu Zhang
- , Zixuan Yang
- & Hui-Ming Cheng
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Nature Podcast |
How climate change is affecting global timekeeping
Melting polar ice could delay major time adjustment, and the strange connection between brain inflammation and memory.
- Elizabeth Gibney
- & Nick Petrić Howe
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Article |
A three-dimensional liquid diode for soft, integrated permeable electronics
Incorporation of a ‘liquid diode’ into a wearable electronic platform enhances comfort and stability by shunting away sweat as it accumulates.
- Binbin Zhang
- , Jiyu Li
- & Xinge Yu
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Article |
Controlling the helicity of light by electrical magnetization switching
The helicity of light from a light-emitting diode can be electrically controlled by spin–orbit torque effects, enabling a seamless integration of magnetization dynamics with photonics.
- Pambiang Abel Dainone
- , Nicholas Figueiredo Prestes
- & Yuan Lu
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Analysis
| Open AccessA figure of merit for efficiency roll-off in TADF-based organic LEDs
Efficiency roll-off in a wide range of TADF OLEDs is analysed and a figure of merit proposed for materials design to improve efficiency at high brightness, potentially expanding the range of applications of TADF materials.
- S. Diesing
- , L. Zhang
- & I. D. W. Samuel
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Article |
Interchain-expanded extra-large-pore zeolites
We report a strategy that yields thermally and hydrothermally stable silicates by expansion of a one-dimensional silicate chain with an intercalated silylating agent that separates and connects the chains.
- Zihao Rei Gao
- , Huajian Yu
- & Miguel A. Camblor
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Research Highlight |
A glowing glass transmits X-rays with ease
Copper-containing ‘nanoclusters’ form glasses with an orderly structure and unusual properties.
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News |
Weird new electron behaviour in stacked graphene thrills physicists
This 2D material is only the second to exhibit the fractional quantum anomalous Hall effect, and theorists are still debating how it works.
- Dan Garisto
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Research Highlight |
Squeeze, freeze, bake: how to make 3D-printed wood that mimics the real thing
Scientists turn waste wood into an ‘ink’ that can be printed into a variety of structures.
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News & Views |
Magnetic whirlpools offer improved data storage
Complex magnetic structures called skyrmions have been generated on a nanometre scale and controlled electrically — a promising step for fast, energy-efficient computer hardware systems that can store large amounts of data.
- Qiming Shao
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Article |
Dual quantum spin Hall insulator by density-tuned correlations in TaIrTe4
A study reports a dual quantum spin Hall insulator in monolayer TaIrTe4, arising from the interplay of its single-particle topology and density-tuned electron correlations.
- Jian Tang
- , Thomas Siyuan Ding
- & Qiong Ma
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Article |
All-electrical skyrmionic magnetic tunnel junction
Wafer-scale realization of a nanoscale magnetic tunnel junction hosting a single, ambient skyrmion enables its large readout, efficient switching, and compatibility with lateral manipulation, and thereby provides the backbone for all-electrical skyrmionic device architectures.
- Shaohai Chen
- , James Lourembam
- & Anjan Soumyanarayanan
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Article |
Long-term continuous ammonia electrosynthesis
Use of a chain-ether-based solvent instead of tetrahydrofuran for lithium-mediated nitrogen reduction enables long-term continuous ammonia electrosynthesis with high efficiency and improved gas-phase ammonia distribution.
- Shaofeng Li
- , Yuanyuan Zhou
- & Ib Chorkendorff
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News & Views |
3D printing enables mass production of microcomponents
Combining a high-throughput technique with 3D printing offers a way of fabricating micrometre-sized particles for use in electronics and biotechnology. The versatile method can produce one million intricate shapes in a single day.
- Christoph A. Spiegel
- & Eva Blasco
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Article |
High-speed and large-scale intrinsically stretchable integrated circuits
High-density, intrinsically stretchable transistors with high driving ability and integrated circuits with high operation speed and large-scale integration were enabled by a combination of innovations in materials, fabrication process design, device engineering and circuit design.
- Donglai Zhong
- , Can Wu
- & Zhenan Bao
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Article
| Open AccessRoll-to-roll, high-resolution 3D printing of shape-specific particles
We introduce a scalable, high-resolution, 3D printing technique for the fabrication of shape-specific particles based on roll-to-roll continuous liquid interface production, enabling direct integration within biomedical, analytical and advanced materials applications.
- Jason M. Kronenfeld
- , Lukas Rother
- & Joseph M. DeSimone
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Article
| Open AccessBlueprinting extendable nanomaterials with standardized protein blocks
A study describes an approach using designed building blocks that are far more regular in geometry than natural proteins to construct modular multicomponent protein assemblies.
- Timothy F. Huddy
- , Yang Hsia
- & David Baker
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Article |
Self-enhanced mobility enables vortex pattern formation in living matter
We demonstrate that self-enhanced mobility offers a simple physical mechanism for pattern formation in living systems and, more generally, in other active matter systems near the boundary of fluid- and solid-like behaviours.
- Haoran Xu
- & Yilin Wu
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News Feature |
Superconductivity scandal: the inside story of deception in a rising star’s physics lab
Ranga Dias claimed to have discovered the first room-temperature superconductors, but the work was later retracted. An investigation by Nature’s news team reveals new details about what happened — and how institutions missed red flags.
- Dan Garisto
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Article |
Healable and conductive sulfur iodide for solid-state Li–S batteries
A conductive, low-melting-point and healable sulfur iodide material aids the practical realization of solid-state Li–S batteries, which have high theoretical energy densities and show potential in next-generation battery chemistry.
- Jianbin Zhou
- , Manas Likhit Holekevi Chandrappa
- & Ping Liu
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News & Views |
Well-matched vibrations cool electronic hot spots
Diamond layers can help to dissipate the heat generated by high-power semiconductor devices. This effect has now been enhanced by adding layers of materials and engineering their crystal-lattice vibrations to be compatible at the interfaces.
- Liwen Sang
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Article
| Open AccessDopant-additive synergism enhances perovskite solar modules
A synergistic dopant-additive combination strategy using methylammonium chloride as the dopant and a Lewis-basic ionic-liquid additive is shown to enable the fabrication of perovskite solar modules achieving record certified performance and long-term operational stability.
- Bin Ding
- , Yong Ding
- & Mohammad Khaja Nazeeruddin
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Article |
Triple-junction solar cells with cyanate in ultrawide-bandgap perovskites
Triple-junction solar cells with cyanate in ultrawide-bandgap perovskites exhibit enhanced defect formation energy and substantially decreased non-radiative recombination.
- Shunchang Liu
- , Yue Lu
- & Yi Hou
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Outlook |
Robot, repair thyself: laying the foundations for self-healing machines
Advances in materials science and sensing could deliver robots that can mend themselves and feel pain.
- Simon Makin
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News & Views |
Self-assembling synthetic polymer forms liquid-like droplets
The molecules of liquid crystals and proteins can form liquid-like condensates, but such a phenomenon had not been observed for supramolecular polymers, which are held together by non-covalent bonds — until now.
- Jennifer L. Ross
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News & Views |
Tiny sheaths of solvent boost battery performance
Small solvent molecules have been found to enable a previously unknown ion-transport mechanism in battery electrolytes, speeding up charging and increasing performance at low temperatures.
- Chong Yan
- & Jia-Qi Huang
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Article |
Imaging the Meissner effect in hydride superconductors using quantum sensors
In order to explore superconductivity in hydride materials, local magnetometry inside a diamond anvil cell is performed with sub-micron spatial resolution at megabar pressures using nitrogen-vacancy colour centres.
- P. Bhattacharyya
- , W. Chen
- & N. Y. Yao
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Article |
High fatigue resistance in a titanium alloy via near-void-free 3D printing
We successfully rebuild an approximate void-free additive manufacturing microstructure in Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy by the development of a void-free additive manufacturing processing technique through an understanding of the asynchronism of phase transformation and grain growth.
- Zhan Qu
- , Zhenjun Zhang
- & Zhefeng Zhang
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Article |
Ligand-channel-enabled ultrafast Li-ion conduction
An electrolyte design using small-sized fluoroacetonitrile solvents to form a ligand channel produces lithium-ion batteries simultaneously achieving high energy density, fast charging and wide operating temperature range, desirable features for batteries working in extreme conditions.
- Di Lu
- , Ruhong Li
- & Xiulin Fan
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Article
| Open AccessSupramolecular polymers form tactoids through liquid–liquid phase separation
Spontaneous liquid–liquid phase-separation behaviour of high-aspect-ratio fibrils, obtained from supramolecular polymerizations of synthetic components, forms tactoids by means of an entropy-driven pathway.
- Hailin Fu
- , Jingyi Huang
- & E. W. Meijer
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Research Briefing |
The first bulk ceramic that deforms like a metal at room temperature
An innovative high-strength ceramic consists of interlocked, nanometre-scale plates in which stacked layers of the material are twisted relative to each other. It can deform at room temperature without fracturing instantly — thereby achieving a long-standing goal for materials scientists.
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Research Briefing |
Fractional quantum Hall effect at zero magnetic field observed in an unexpected material
The fractional quantum anomalous Hall effect occurs when the Hall resistance in a material is quantized to fractional multiples of the fundamental unit h/e2 at zero magnetic field. Observing the effect in a system consisting of a combination of five-layer graphene and hexagonal boron nitride enriches the family of topological matter phases, and opens up new opportunities in quantum computation.
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Article |
Double-side 2D/3D heterojunctions for inverted perovskite solar cells
A study presents a technique to sandwich 3D perovskite with 2D perovskites at the top and bottom, improving the performance and stability of perovskite solar cells.
- Randi Azmi
- , Drajad Satrio Utomo
- & Stefaan De Wolf