Techniques and instrumentation articles from across Nature Portfolio

Modulating an electron beam with a frequency-beating laser enables a free-electron laser to generate high-power, narrowband terahertz pulses that can be continuously tuned from 7.8 to 30.8 terahertz.

Control of the surface chemistry of Au nanoparticles is central to their functionality, yet probing the interfacial chemistry under operando conditions is challenging. Now, precision nanoparticle gaps provide a spectroscopic window to observe the chemical changes at Au interfaces during electrochemical cycling, revealing the formation of an Au–Cl adlayer that modulates the surface chemistry.

Time-resolved serial femtosecond crystallography at X-ray free-electron lasers is a powerful approach for studying macromolecular dynamics, but its widespread use is limited by high sample consumption. Here, the authors introduce a segmented-droplet mix-and-inject strategy at the European XFEL that reduces sample consumption by up to 97% while preserving the data quality required for time-resolved structural studies of the enzyme NQO1.

Pan et al. report an N-Ni/NiCo@C catalyst for solar-driven photothermal methane dry reforming. Its designed structure enables a lattice oxygen-free reaction mechanism, achieving high efficiency and stability.

A quantitative framework for atomic electron tomography enables reliable determination of three-dimensional (3D) atomic coordinates and elemental identities in amorphous materials.

A simulation approach is used to ascertain the limitations on the structural and chemical information that atomic-resolution electron tomography can determine from noisy electron images.

A strategy compatible with a broad range of materials by precisely manipulating optofluidic interactions within a confined 3D space to control the assembly of colloidal microparticles/nanoparticles is demonstrated, enabling the precise manufacture of complex microstructures/nanostructures.

Atomic force microscopy is used to investigate the adsorption and organization of ions on charged surfaces. Trivalent ions adopt complex networks, clusters and layers associated with overcharging, whereas divalent ions follow classical predictions.

In this Editorial, we reflect on some of the striking covers that Nature Synthesis published in 2025 and highlight the research they represent.

Optimizing Raman spectrometer designs for use in extreme environments can enable acquisition of critical information that may not be accessible in situ by humans. Technology advancements currently being made for space exploration can be exploited in order for such spectrometers to be used in dangerous terrestrial environments.

Modulating an electron beam with a frequency-beating laser enables a free-electron laser to generate high-power, narrowband terahertz pulses that can be continuously tuned from 7.8 to 30.8 terahertz.

Control of the surface chemistry of Au nanoparticles is central to their functionality, yet probing the interfacial chemistry under operando conditions is challenging. Now, precision nanoparticle gaps provide a spectroscopic window to observe the chemical changes at Au interfaces during electrochemical cycling, revealing the formation of an Au–Cl adlayer that modulates the surface chemistry.

An article in Advanced Materials introduces an efficient metabolic detection platform based on mesoporous high-entropy oxides that improves MALDI–MS sensitivity to small-molecule metabolites.

In single-crystal layered lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxides, Mn is detrimental, and Co is beneficial to battery performance, unlike in polycrystalline compounds, where these roles are reversed.