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The Verwey transition of magnetite is complex due to the coexistence of strong correlations and electron-phonon coupling. Here, the authors use resonant inelastic X-ray scattering to show evidence for magnetic polarons in magnetite and provide insight into the nature of the transition.

The surface of complex oxides can show properties very different to the bulk. Here, the authors observe unexpected surface Jahn–Teller ordering on the surface of La_5/8Ca_3/8MnO₃thin films that can be traced to the pattern of oxygen adatoms.

Expanded alkali fullerides are molecular superconductors with a Mott parent insulating state. Kluppet al.use infrared spectroscopy to detect the molecular Jahn–Teller distortion of fulleride ions and establish its relevance to strongly correlated superconductivity.

Lattice distortion in electrode materials often results in battery degradation. Here, the authors exploit a cooperative Jahn-Teller effect in a MnO2/graphene superlattice to create strain-relieving structures, improving cycling stability in aqueous zinc-ion batteries.

The interplay between electron-phonon and spin-orbit interactions has led to the concept of a spin-orbit polaron. Here the authors show that such a regime is realized in a spin-orbit-coupled Mott insulator, leading to a new polaron quasiparticle, and study its effect on the Mott metal-insulator transition.

A distorted infinite-layer lattice of single-crystal CaCoO₂ originates from competition between an ordered Jahn–Teller effect and geometric frustration.

The catalytic oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid is a crucial step in the production of bio-based plastics, yet it is hindered by sluggish multi-electron transfer kinetics. Here, the authors address this challenge by introducing a Mn–O–Co electron bridge within spinel CoMn₂O₄ to facilitate and accelerate electron transfer.

Hidden orders involve phase transitions without obvious order parameters, challenging experimental detection and conventional theories. This Review summarizes recent advances in modelling hidden-order phases in correlated insulators, highlighting the role of material-specific theories in the interpretation and prediction of the experimental signatures of hidden orders.

When 100 social and behavioural science claims were examined, 34% of reanalyses closely matched the original results, with 74% reaching the same conclusion, revealing limited robustness of single-path analyses and the need to address analytical uncertainty.

Charge quadrupole order was predicted in several 5d¹ and 5d² double perovskite systems, but experimental verification has been challenging. Here the authors provide experimental and theoretical evidence of simultaneous charge quadrupole order and local structural distortions in Ba₂MgReO₆.

Alkali-doped fullerides are superconductors but the impact of dimensionality and electron correlation remains unclear. Here, Kasaharaet al. report an upper critical field about 90 T, suggesting cooperative interplay between molecular electronic structure and strong electron correlations.

Mononuclear gold(II) complexes are very labile (and thus very rare) species. Now, a gold(II) porphyrin complex has been isolated and characterized, and its reactivity towards dioxygen, nitrosobenzene and acids investigated. Owing to a second-order Jahn–Teller distortion, the gold atoms were found to adopt a 2+2 coordination mode in a planar N₄ environment.

A multi-messenger combination of atomic force microscopy, scanning near-field optical microscopy and magnetic force microscopy demonstrates a strain-modulated photoinduced ferromagnetic metallic state in La_2/3Ca_1/3MnO₃.

In solid state spin-photon interfaces, a key challenge is to efficiently prepare the excited state while spectrally separating excitation light from the emitted photons. Here the authors demonstrate optical control of a spin center in diamond with both resonant driving and the SUPER nonresonant excitation based on two detuned pulses, and propose a broadband excitation protocol for spin-spin entanglement generation.

Manganese-based oxides are promising cathodes for sodium-ion batteries. Here, authors design a titanium substituted oxide cathode with an optimized structure, achieving long cycle life, good air/water stability, and validation in pouch cells, supported by theory and experiments.

Suppressing phase transitions is crucial for the layered lithium/sodium transition metal oxide cathodes in batteries. Here, the authors report a water-mediated strategy to mitigate the phase transitions and boost electrochemical performances of manganese-based layered cathodes for cost-effective Na-ion batteries.

A common feature of many transition metal materials is global symmetry breaking at low temperatures. Here the authors show that such materials are characterized by fluctuating symmetry-lowering distortions that exist pre-formed in higher temperature phases with greater average symmetry.

Electronic phase separation is an important feature of many correlated perovskite compounds but hasn’t been seen in other complex oxides with similar physical behaviour such as magnetite. Hong et al. find phase separation between a magnetite-like charge ordered phase and a charge averaged phase in CaFe₃O₅.

To unlock the potential of Mn-based cathode materials, the fast capacity fading process has to be first understood. Here the authors utilize advanced characterization techniques to look at a spinel LiMn₂O₄ system, revealing that a combination of irreversible structural transformations and Mn dissolution takes responsibility.

Understanding the electronic phases of alkali-doped fullerides is a long-standing and challenging task for material scientists. Here the authors show that Jahn-Teller instability and orbital disproportionation of electronic density in the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital band is universal in these systems.

A mechanism for coupling the electrons and vibrational motion of a suspended carbon nanotube is now demonstrated. Tailoring the coupling between specific electronic and phononic modes by controlling the position of quantum dots along the resonating tube enables spatial imaging of the mode shape.

The discovery of superconductivity in metal hydrides requires an understanding of hydrogen interactions with the heavy atom sublattice under high pressure. Here, the authors report evidence of a strong effect of hydrogen on the density increase of 4d yttrium states and strong anharmonic vibrations of yttrium atoms in YH₃.

T-cell–mediated rejection (TCMR) remains a major cause of kidney transplant failure with incompletely understood mechanisms. Here the authors use single-nucleus RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics and immunofluorescence to show that injured kidney epithelial cell states associate with poor transplant outcomes after T-cell–mediated rejection.

The highly frustrated spin-1/2 kagome lattice antiferromagnet, predicted to exhibit unconventional magnetic behaviours, has remained difficult to synthesize without structural imperfections. Now, a d¹-titanium fluoride kagome lattice antiferromagnet has been prepared in which there is only one crystallographically distinct Ti³⁺ site and one type of bridging fluoride, and it is shown to be a frustrated magnet with unusual magnetic properties.

Polarons — quasiparticles arising from the interaction of electrons with lattice vibrations — strongly influence materials properties. This Review provides a map of the theoretical models and experimental techniques used to study polarons in materials, presenting paradigmatic examples of different types of polarons and polaron-driven phenomena.

Exploiting the magnetic field-induced shift of entropy in certain molecular salts when going from 1D short-range ordering to a 3D quantum critical point could provide a route for producing strongly fluctuating quantum materials.

Single molecular layers of TiSe₂are promising for advanced electronic applications, and it is therefore important to characterize their phases. Here, the authors use ARPES to detect a charge density wave transition without Fermi surface nesting and that takes place at a temperature higher than in bulk.

Applications of rare-earth nickelates are hampered by lack of global understanding of the interplay among various degrees of freedom. Here, Mercy et al. propose that the metal-insulator transition of nickelates arises from the softening of an oxygen breathing distortion, providing a united picture of electronic, structural and magnetic properties.

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.

Due to reduced dimensionality, the properties of 2D materials are often different from their 3D counterparts. Here, the authors identify the emergence of a unique charge density wave (CDW) order in monolayer TiTe₂ that challenges the current understanding of CDW formation.

A theoretical framework for interpreting recent observations of light-induced superconductivity in alkali-doped fullerides is proposed and developed.

Recent work has demonstrated controlled fabrication of single carbon defect spins in the two-dimensional material WS₂. Here, the authors use ab initio methods to determine the electronic and optical properties of this defect, establishing it as a viable qubit candidate operating close to the telecom band.

Chiral multiferroics are rare materials. Here the authors report that ferroelectric, magnetic orders, and chirality coexist in copper hybrid perovskites and reveal a hybrid-improper chiral transfer mechanism by defining a pseudo-scalar order parameter.

Manganite perovskites display the intriguing property of colossal magnetoresistance (CMR), but only at very specific doping values. Now, a detailed crystallographic analysis of a prototype system reveals a novel type of orbital ordering that coexists with charge-disorder stripes, occurring precisely at the doping value where CMR is maximised.

Hydrogen fluoride has been encapsulated in C₆₀-fullerene using molecular surgery. The quantum rotor system has been studied by NMR and infrared spectroscopy as well as neutron scattering. The fullerene cage causes a small red-shift in the HF rotational and vibrational constants, and shields around 75% of its dipole.

At low temperatures, the orbital degrees of freedom in insulating magnets normally do not fluctuate, leaving only magnetic behaviour. Measurements now suggest that in Pr₂Zr₂O₇, it is possible to reach a quantum regime of coupled spin–orbital dynamics.

This study discovers giant negative thermal expansion (volume contraction) in PrMnO₃ above 1000 K, linked to a unique 3D network of elongated chemical bonds, offering a new design strategy for high-temperature volume contraction materials.