Research Highlights

Combining in-memory sensing and computing is key to the realization of machine vision systems in artificial intelligence applications. Now, non-volatile magnetic memory and optical sensing capabilities are integrated in two-dimensional Fe₃GaTe₂/WSe₂/Fe₃GaTe₂ junctions operating at room temperature.

Sonodynamic therapy is a precise and non-invasive anticancer treatment but is ineffective in killing cancer cells and triggering robust immune responses. Now, a dual-ligand bimetallic framework allows controlled nitric oxide release by ultrasound that is effective for sono-immunotherapy.

There is growing interest in reducing the chemical complexity of engineering alloys. Here, an Mg-Ca alloy for use in bone fixation has less than 1 weight % calcium, and achieves strength and ductility superior to many conventionally-processed magnesium alloys.

Altermagnetism is attracting great interest as a new third type of collinear magnetic order, distinct by symmetry from conventional ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism. Now, a mechanism for an interaction-induced formation of altermagnetism in isotropic crystals is presented, based on spontaneous orbital ordering.

Sodium-ion battery safety can be improved by using non-flammable electrolytes, but they are traditionally incompatible with carbon-based anodes. Now, low-concentration phosphate electrolytes modulated by anion-cation interactions are shown to work well with standard electrodes, displaying stable operation over a wide temperature range.

Solar-powered desalination is attractive for cost-effective drinking water in rural communities. Now, nanoporous zinc films created by dealloying are shown to be efficient photothermal materials.

Adsorption has widely been studied in porous materials but the mechanism remains a mystery for nonporous systems. Now, nonporous polymeric crystals have been demonstrated to absorb molecules by coupling dynamic boron-nitrogen bonding and host-guest binding.