Engineering articles within Nature Communications

Featured

  • Perspective
    | Open Access

    Wearable devices and exoskeletons can restore and augment the user’s capability but are not necessarily perceived them as part of their bodies. In this perspective, the authors reflect on the importance of integrating environmental, physiological, and physical information to improve the embodiment of wearable robots.

    • Haisheng Xia
    • , Yuchong Zhang
    •  & Zhijun Li

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Modern electronic devices are too fast and too small to be measured by conventional electronic means. Here the authors combine electron microscopy with femtosecond laser technology and measure the functionality of terahertz electronics in space and time.

    • Maximilian Mattes
    • , Mikhail Volkov
    •  & Peter Baum

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Branched ionizable lipids have aroused great interest for mRNA delivery. Here, the authors devise an in situ construction method for combinatorial synthesis of degradable branched ionizable lipids and summarize key design criteria to enable potent delivery of mRNA therapeutics and gene editors.

    • Xuexiang Han
    • , Junchao Xu
    •  & Michael J. Mitchell

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Solidification cracking during fusion welding of high-strength aluminum alloys has been a long-standing issue. Here, the authors achieve reliable and crack-free welding of 2024 aluminum alloy using a Zr-core-Al-shell wire and the oscillating laser-arc hybrid welding technique.

    • Jun Jin
    • , Shaoning Geng
    •  & Xiangqi Wang

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Porosity is a key issue in additive manufacturing (AM). Here, the authors reveal the bubble evolution mechanisms including formation, coalescence, pushing, growth, entrainment, escape, and entrapment during directed energy deposition AM using in situ X-ray imaging and multiphysics modelling.

    • Kai Zhang
    • , Yunhui Chen
    •  & Peter D. Lee

  • Article
    | Open Access

    It is challenging to create efficient and compact neuromorphic sensory system based on nano-scale nonlinear dynamics. Yang et al. present a capacitance-coupled VO2 oscillatory network, which serves as a continuous-time dynamic system for sensory pre-processing, enabling tasks such as touch and gesture recognition.

    • Ke Yang
    • , Yanghao Wang
    •  & Yuchao Yang

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Conventional staining of post-mortem samples can be affected by several factors, including tissue autolysis. Here, the authors demonstrate a virtual staining tool using a trained neural network to turn autofluorescence images of label-free autopsy tissue into brightfield equivalent images.

    • Yuzhu Li
    • , Nir Pillar
    •  & Aydogan Ozcan

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Authors showcase a framework for visual perception enhancement system based on vision-driven metasurfaces. It can help humans obtain information in multiple frequency bands and allows the metasurface platform with more interesting functions.

    • Tianshuo Qiu
    • , Qiang An
    •  & Shaobo Qu

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Development of high-performance, comfortable and sustainable air filters is challenging. Here, authors design an ultrathin, ultralight dual scale fiber mat composed of true nanofibers and submicron-fibers to integrate the high protection, thermal wet comfort and save raw materials.

    • Yuchen Yang
    • , Xiangshun Li
    •  & Yuekun Lai

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The Young’s modulus of the MXene Ti3C2Tx, theoretically predicted to be 0.502 TPa, has not yet been experimentally confirmed. This work supplants previous reports using nanoindentation with the correctly measured Young’s modulus of 0.484 ± 0.013 TPa.

    • Chao Rong
    • , Ting Su
    •  & Fu-Zhen Xuan

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Interfacing living systems with electronics for biosensing and biocomputing applications is challenging. Here, Gao et al. present hybrid transistors with electroactive bacteria capable of extracellular electron transfer, enabling transduction of biological computations to electrical readouts.

    • Yang Gao
    • , Yuchen Zhou
    •  & Benjamin K. Keitz

  • Article
    | Open Access

    A knowledge gap persists between machine learning developers and clinicians. Here, the authors show that the Advanced Data Analysis extension of ChatGPT could bridge this gap and simplify complex data analyses, making them more accessible to clinicians.

    • Soroosh Tayebi Arasteh
    • , Tianyu Han
    •  & Sven Nebelung

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Loss of communication between the brain and the body severely impacts the sensorimotor abilities of disabled individuals. Here, the authors design and test a neuroscience-driven framework for advancing bionic devices that leverages biomimetic stimulation to induce physiologically plausible information flow in animals and enhances patient performance with neuroprostheses.

    • Giacomo Valle
    • , Natalija Katic Secerovic
    •  & Stanisa Raspopovic

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Without relying on any infrastructure-based vehicle detectors, the authors present a scalable traffic signal re-timing system that uses a small percentage of connected vehicle trajectories as the only input. Real-world tests demonstrate that the system decreases both delays and number of stops.

    • Xingmin Wang
    • , Zachary Jerome
    •  & Henry X. Liu

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The assembly of oligopeptide and polypeptide molecules can reconstruct various ordered advanced structures. Here the authors develop a “molecular velcro”-inspired amphiphilic supramolecular co-assembly strategy, which improves the mechanical strength and cartilaginous regeneration efficiency through conformation transition.

    • Chengkun Zhao
    • , Xing Li
    •  & Yong Sun

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Fe3GaTe2 is a van der Waals material with a Curie temperature well above room temperature, making it an attractive material for integration into spintronic devices. Here, Kajale et al demonstrate spin-orbit torque induced switching of the magnetization of Fe3GaTe2, above room temperature, using a Pt spin Hall layer.

    • Shivam N. Kajale
    • , Thanh Nguyen
    •  & Deblina Sarkar

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Frequency converters for wireless internet of things applications typically require separate circuits for different functions, causing energy and performance inefficiencies. Using an epitaxially grown VO2 memristor array, Liu et al. present a frequency converter with in-situ frequency synthesis and mix functionality.

    • Chang Liu
    • , Pek Jun Tiw
    •  & Yuchao Yang

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The authors showcase a video-rate hyperspectral imager based on a single-pixel photodetector that can achieve high-throughput hyperspectral video recording at a low bandwidth. Specifically, they propose a joint spatial-spectral encoding scheme which can encode the scene into highly compressed single-pixel measurements and obtain temporal correlation at the same time.

    • Yibo Xu
    • , Liyang Lu
    •  & Kevin F. Kelly

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Vascularization remains a significant challenge in organoid technology. Here, the authors develop a microfluidic platform that enhances organoid growth, function and maturation, by establishing functional perfusable vascular networks.

    • Clément Quintard
    • , Emily Tubbs
    •  & Xavier Gidrol

  • Article
    | Open Access

    There hasn’t been much experimental attention to the interaction of chiral active particles with complex environments. Chan et al. propose an interesting granular particle system based on natural plant seeds to examine the transport of chiral active matter in complex surroundings.

    • Chung Wing Chan
    • , Daihui Wu
    •  & Rui Zhang

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The Authors report a novel architecture of photonic beamformer capable of achieving broadband operation and a high number of pointing angles. We demonstrate the operation of a 5-bit beamformer capable of providing 32 pointing angles in the 10−30 GHz range.

    • Pablo Martinez-Carrasco
    • , Tan Huy Ho
    •  & José Capmany

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Electrochemical CO2 reduction is a promising method of producing sustainable chemicals and fuels, yet is highly energy intensive. Here, the authors couple CO2 electrolysis with hydrogen oxidation using a Ni(OH)2/NiOOH auxiliary electrode to enhance energy efficiency.

    • Xiaoyi Jiang
    • , Le Ke
    •  & Ning Yan

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Here the authors develop perfusable inner blood-retinal barrier-specific microvascular networks with human primary retinal microvascular cells. They show that chronic diabetic stimulation leads to the generation of early hallmarks of diabetic retinopathy, including pericyte and capillary dropout, ghost vessels, and inflammation.

    • Thomas L. Maurissen
    • , Alena J. Spielmann
    •  & Héloïse Ragelle

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Reduced-order models provide better understanding for complex spatio-temporal dynamics of fluid flows with high numbers of degrees of freedom and non-linear interactions. The authors propose a variational autoencoder and transformer framework for learning the temporal dynamics of the nonlinear reduced-order models relevant for fluid dynamics, weather forecasting, and biomedical engineering.

    • Alberto Solera-Rico
    • , Carlos Sanmiguel Vila
    •  & Ricardo Vinuesa

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Copper produced by laser additive manufacturing often faces challenges with either low strength or low conductivity. Here, the authors present a design strategy to introduce uniformly dispersed nanoprecipitates during solidification, enhancing the strength while maintaining high conductivity.

    • Yingang Liu
    • , Jingqi Zhang
    •  & Ming-Xing Zhang

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The authors introduce a method for non-destructive testing based on circularly polarized ultrasound in solids, enabled by metamaterials, allows for detecting internal defects regardless of their orientation. This innovation will redefine ultrasonic non-destructive examination.

    • Jeseung Lee
    • , Minwoo “Joshua” Kweun
    •  & Yoon Young Kim

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The abatement of elemental mercury remains an enormous challenge for public health and ecosystems. Here, inspired by the seleno-mercury antagonism effect in biological systems, the authors developed an ideal Hg0 adsorbent with a record-high adsorption capacity of 1621.9 mg g−1.

    • Hailong Li
    • , Fanyue Meng
    •  & Jianping Yang

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Indoor sound fields are disordered due to reflections and multiple scattering, which scrambles acoustic communication. Here, based on tunable metasurfaces and communication theories, the authors demonstrate multi-channel, multi-spectral, cross-talk-free acoustic communication in a room.

    • Hongkuan Zhang
    • , Qiyuan Wang
    •  & Guancong Ma

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Kinks define boundaries between distinct configurations of a material. Here, the authors reveal the emergence of propagating kinks in purely dissipative kirigami and show that such structures can shape-change into different textures depending on how fast they are stretched enabling basic mechanical tasks.

    • Shahram Janbaz
    •  & Corentin Coulais

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Tissue adhesives have received significant interest for their clinical utility but are typically incompatible with advanced manufacturing methods. Here, the authors introduce a 3D printable tissue adhesive for the fabrication of patches and devices for diverse biomedical applications.

    • Sarah J. Wu
    • , Jingjing Wu
    •  & Xuanhe Zhao

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Stretchable sensor networks with multiplexing designs can result in misrecognition due to electrical signal interferences from the sensing nodes and internal circuits. Here, Shao et al. show an untethered triboelectric electronic skin with an elastic composite-based shield layer for lower misrecognition rate.

    • Beibei Shao
    • , Ming-Han Lu
    •  & Ying-Chih Lai

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Sensitivity-dependent data analysis methods disrupted the development of artificial olfactory technologies. Here, authors present a data-centric artificial olfactory system based on eigengraph that reflects the intrinsic electrochemical interaction.

    • Seung-Hyun Sung
    • , Jun Min Suh
    •  & Seong Chan Jun

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Due to recent fluctuations in lithium prices, the instability of lithium-ion batteries prices is on the rise. Here, through a re-evaluation of purity criteria, the authors report that the presence of magnesium impurity in lithium precursor actually improves cathode performance, economics, and environmental aspects.

    • Gogwon Choe
    • , Hyungsub Kim
    •  & Yong-Tae Kim

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Elemental immiscibility limits the development of solid solution materials. Here, authors create a nonequilibrium flame aerosol method to mix nearly any pair of metal elements in a single-phase nano-ceramic. Also, an exsolution behavior is presented to produce active and stable nanoparticles.

    • Shuo Liu
    • , Chaochao Dun
    •  & Mark T. Swihart

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Micropollutant removal in polymeric nanofiltration membranes is difficult to characterise due to pore heterogeneity. A force interplay framework was developed to describe adsorption in VaCNT membranes with defined nanopores, providing insight for the design of membranes with improved selectivity.

    • Minh N. Nguyen
    • , Melinda L. Jue
    •  & Andrea I. Schäfer

Browse broader subjects

Browse narrower subjects

Browse Engineering across other nature.com journals