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Nb-W-O materials enable rapid Li⁺ storage, yet sub-minute charging remains unlocked. Here, the authors investigate fast-charging of Nb₁₆W₅O₅₅ cathode, revealing rate-dependent lattice relaxation and [010]-preferred Li⁺ transport, proposing interface engineering to enhance intercalation and achieve ~116 mAh g⁻¹ at 80 C in 45 s.

While diamond is the strongest natural material, it fails to reach its theoretical elasticity limits and is brittle. Here, the authors show that thin <100>-orientated diamond nanoneedles can reach diamond’s theoretical strength and elasticity limits in tension.

Deformation twinning, a key deformation mechanism that is rarely explored in superhard materials, is shown to be activated in cubic boron nitride and other cubic covalent materials under a loading-specific twinning criterion.

In situ mechanical testing and simulations unveil a reversible shuffle twinning mechanism enabled by bond switching, which gives rise to anisotropic tensile superelasticity in GeSe ceramics.

The room-temperature self-healing behaviour of a nanotwinned diamond composite is quantitatively evaluated and found to stem from both the formation of nanoscale diamond osteoblasts and the atomic interaction transition from repulsion to attraction.

Here, the authors report the controlled growth of polycrystalline WS₂ films with high density of grain boundaries to realize surface plasmon Hg²⁺ ion sensors exhibiting attomolar sensitivity and enhanced selectivity.

A van der Waals buffer layer of Sb₂O₃ enables the integration of high-κ dielectric layer with sub-1 nm equivalent oxide thickness on two-dimensional semiconductors, resulting in high performance of two-dimensional field-effect transistors.

Metal oxides with a tunnelled structure are attractive as charge storage materials for rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors. Here, the authors investigate the role of tunnel cations in governing and enhancing the electrochemical properties of electrode materials.

The magnetic anisotropy of the van der Waals ferromagnet Fe₅GeTe₂ can be continuously tuned—from an initial out-of-plane orientation to a canted orientation and then finally to an in-plane orientation—using electrical gating.

Here, the authors realize controllable manipulation of polar domain boundaries in a two-dimensional ferroelectric material In₂Se₃. It reveals the origin of distinct behaviors for different domain boundaries in combination with density functional theory calculations.

A bulk ceramic composed of interlocked boron nitride nanoplates with a laminated structure of twist-stacked nanoslices is created using hot-pressing and spark plasma sintering, which exhibits large elastic and plastic deformability and high strength at room temperature.

We report atomic observations of six incoherent twin boundary configurations and structural transitions in diamond at room temperature, showing a dislocation-mediated mechanism different from metallic systems and shedding new light on grain boundary behaviour.

Diamond-based materials present diverse microstructures that can be tailored to tune their properties. This Review examines the latest developments in diamond and its derivative materials, focusing on microstructural design strategies, phase transition mechanisms, property enhancements and emergent phenomena.

Metal nanoparticle-decorated carbon supports are vital for many applications, ranging from energy storage and catalysis to filtration and environmental remedies. Here, using real-time electron microscopy of a single carbon nanofiber during Joule heating, the authors report atomistic mechanisms responsible for nucleation and stabilization of nanoparticles on amorphous carbon supports.