Research articles

Graphene nanoribbons can be used as quantum dot devices, but scalable fabrication methods are needed. Here, a nanobar technique is used to synthesize graphene nanoribbon-based quantum dot devices with a 56 % yield and stable orbital level splitting up to 20 K.

Topological spin textures are promising for their potential application in racetrack memory devices. Here, the characteristic Hall transport signature of antiskyrmions is investigated in Mn_1.4PtSn, providing a platform for higher magnetic and temperature tunability over traditional skyrmion compounds.

FeTi alloys are efficient hydrogen storage mediums but their synthesis using high-purity metals poses considerable environmental sustainability concerns. Here, industrial scraps of iron and titanium are used to synthesise FeTi with high hydrogen storage capacities and tunable thermodynamic properties.

Niobium halide semiconductors are interesting for their breathing kagome geometry, easily exfoliable layered structure, and potential two-dimensional magnetism. Here, experimental evidence of flat bands in Nb₃I₈, originating from the niobium breathing kagome lattice, is observed using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and supported by first-principles calculations.

Foreign substances on the surface of a baseball can alter its delivery and enhance pitching performance. Here, sticky substances are found to increase finger-ball friction which can positively affect spin rate, whereas rosin powder can ensure consistent friction across pitchers, with results differing between baseballs used in the United States and Japan.

The intriguing physics of correlated flat bands in moiré superlattices can be mimicked, in classical physics, by twisted acoustic plates with periodic holes. Here, the authors derive a combined analytical and numerical approach that provides computational advantage in band engineering of holey bilayer plates.

Photodynamic antibiotics are attractive for treating bacterial and fungal infections. Here, polar interactions between graphitic carbon nitride and a nanoclay enhance light absorption and singlet oxygen yield, leading to improved wound healing in a rat model.

Pivotally interconnected polygons are capable of auxetic behavior, but have not been fully explored. Here, a design method is demonstrated based on the selective removal of rotational hinges in pivotally interconnected polygons with even-numbered modules, leading to fully-deployable structures.

Biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoates are promising replacements for non-degradable plastics. Here, neural network property predictors are applied to a search space of approximately 1.4 million candidates, identifying 14 polyhydroxyalkanoates that could replace widely used petroleum-based plastics.

Magnet-superconductor heterostructures provide a means to engineer unconventional spin-triplet Cooper pairs using ordinary superconductors. Here, a magnet-superconductor bilayer is predicted to host a composite quasiparticle consisting of spinful Cooper pairs coupled to a magnon excitation.

Band structure modulation may drive topological phase transitions, but tuning topological phases within the same material is challenging. Here, quantum oscillations are used to map the Berry phase and Dirac bandgap closing and reopening in a strain-induced topological insulator phase transition in ZrTe₅.

Image reconstruction algorithms used in x-ray computed tomography require that the sample not change throughout the scan, necessitating fast data collection times. Here, a machine learning approach for image processing enables sub-10 second data acquisition times and sub-50 nm pixel resolution.

Voltage-controlled magnetic random-access memory is promising for high-performance computing applications. Here, a perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction structure with high voltage-controlled magnetic anisotropy coefficient is developed, allowing sub-volt and sub-nanosecond precessional switching.

Grain boundary self-diffusion mechanisms are not well understood, especially at intermediate temperatures most relevant to engineering applications. Here, molecular dynamics simulations at intermediate temperatures reveal strongly intermittent grain boundary diffusion behavior and finite size effects arising from thermally activated point defect avalanches

Ferroelectric nematic liquid crystals are interesting due to their combined high polarizability, electro-optic activity, and fluidity. Here, the authors tune the ferroelectric nematic phase transition by mixing diastereomer molecules, investigating the role of clusters in the stabilization of the ferroelectric nematic phase.

Merons are spin textures with a half-unit topological charge found in chiral magnetic materials. Here, the authors show that merons with nanometer-scale size are stable and can be used to perform quantum computing gate operations by applying a magnetic field or spin-polarized current.

Nanoporous metals produced by metal agent dealloying are attractive for multiple applications. Here, a machine learning-augmented framework is reported for predicting, synthesizing and characterizing ternary systems for dealloying.

Controlling the dynamics of natural soft photonic systems is challenging due to difficulties in sourcing and stimulating them. Here, natural bovine tapetum is used to investigate soft biophotonic crystals and dynamically control their response, providing insight into the development of displays and dynamic light management.

The mechanical properties of spider silk are known to be dependent on spinning conditions. Here, the tensile behavior of over 1000 biomimetic spider silk fibers spun under 92 different conditions are tested, resulting in a yield strength of more than 250 MPa.

Designing and understanding quantum materials requires continuous feedback between experimental observations and theoretical modelling. Here, a machine learning scheme integrates experiments with theory and modelling on experimental timescales for extracting material parameters and properties of Dy₂Ti₂O₇ spin-ice under pressure.