Materials science articles within Communications Materials

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  • Perspective
    | Open Access

    Thermomechanical stability is a limiting factor when scaling-up perovskite solar cells. This Perspective discusses several aspects of device design that control thermomechanical degradation, including adhesion of layers and encapsulation, and the importance of accelerated degradation testing.

    • Marco Casareto
    •  & Nicholas Rolston

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Rare-earth engineering is an effective way to introduce and tune magnetism in topological materials. Here, titanium-based kagome metals RETi3Bi4 (RE = Yb, Pr, and Nd) are synthesized and characterized, whereby changing the rare earth atoms in zig-zag chains the magnetism can be tuned from nonmagnetic YbTi3Bi4 to short-range ordered PrTi3Bi4 and finally to ferromagnetic NdTi3Bi4.

    • Long Chen
    • , Ying Zhou
    •  & Gang Wang

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Silicon spin qubits are promising for the realisation of scalable quantum computing platforms but their coherence times in natural silicon are limited by the non-zero nuclear spin of the 29Si isotope. Here, enriched 28 Si down to 2.3 ppm residual 29Si is obtained by focused ion beam implantation.

    • Ravi Acharya
    • , Maddison Coke
    •  & Richard J. Curry

  • Review Article
    | Open Access

    Ammonia production from dinitrogen is challenging due to the harsh reaction conditions required and significant energy consumption. Here, this Review discusses how plasmonic materials can offer an energetically and ecologically desirable solution to dinitrogen reduction.

    • Arsha Choudhary
    • , Anubhab Halder
    •  & Vishal Govind Rao

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Ternary alloys of rare-earths and transition metals exhibit complex ferrimagnetic behavior as a function of alloy compositions. Here, X-ray magnetic circular dichroism of the Gd6(Mn1−xFex)23 series is used to explain the composition dependence of sublattice Curie temperatures in terms of element-specific magnetic moment evolution.

    • Truc Ly Nguyen
    • , Thomas Mazet
    •  & Ashish Chainani

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Commercial adiabatic demagnetisation refrigerators are typically based on hydrated salts that are subject to corrosion and have poor thermal conductivity and low entropy at sub-Kelvin temperatures. Here, YbNi1.6Sn is identified as a metallic magnetocaloric which retains high entropy into the 100 mK regime, providing an economical and durable alternative to magnetic refrigeration.

    • Thomas Gruner
    • , Jiasheng Chen
    •  & F. Malte Grosche

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The recent claim of near-ambient superconductivity in nitrogen-doped lutetium hydrides has sparked great excitement and strong controversies in the community. Here, a comprehensive first-principles calculations study predicts the stability and critical temperatures of Lu-N-H compounds based on their composition and applied pressure.

    • Yue-Wen Fang
    • , Đorđe Dangić
    •  & Ion Errea

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Neural circuitry is important for comprehending computational mechanisms and physiology of the brain but controlling neuronal connectivity and response in 3D is challenging. Here, titanium carbide MXene-coated 3D polycaprolactone scaffolds are demonstrated to effectively control neuronal interconnection.

    • Jianfeng Li
    • , Payam Hashemi
    •  & Joyce K. S. Poon

  • Review Article
    | Open Access

    Interest in protein-based fibers is driven by their unique properties, including biocompatibility and biodegradability. This Review summarizes the synthesis and properties of biomimetic protein fibers, such as keratin, collagen, elastin and silk fibers, and their application in energy, air and water treatment, and biomedical uses.

    • Tim Schiller
    •  & Thomas Scheibel

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Polyimides are attractive dielectrics for communication devices, but there is a need to reduce their high-frequency dissipation factor. Here, a series of polyimides are fabricated and characterized, finding that those that contain ester groups and ether bonds in their molecular structure have low dissipation factors.

    • Chenggang Zhang
    • , Xiaojie He
    •  & Qinghua Lu

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Additive manufacturing is known to create microstructures that cannot be achieved by conventional alloy processing. Here, heat treatment of an additively-manufactured aluminum alloy creates a hierarchical microstructure with a large number of precipitates, achieving high strength and ductility.

    • Fei Xiao
    • , Da Shu
    •  & David H. StJohn

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Irradiation-induced void swelling is known to be higher in metals with an fcc structure compared to bcc, though the reason behind this is unclear. Here, by combining simulations and STEM imaging, stacking fault tetrahedra are found to be the cause of a high swelling rate in fcc copper.

    • Ziang Yu
    • , Yan-Ru Lin
    •  & Haixuan Xu

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Ferroelectric field-effect transistors are interesting for their non-destructive readout characteristic and energy efficiency but are difficult to integrate on silicon platforms. Here, ferroelectricity in ZrXAl1−XOY generated by compressive strain in contact with ZnO is demonstrated, showing promising multi-level memory and synaptic weight performance for neuromorphic computing devices.

    • Md Mobaidul Islam
    • , Arqum Ali
    •  & Jin Jang

  • Review Article
    | Open Access

    A key aspect of wearable devices used in personal health monitoring are the electrodes that make contact with the skin. This Review discusses how the materials and structure of electrodes used in these devices are vital to their performance, including how altering these factors might optimize their function.

    • Kyeonghee Lim
    • , Hunkyu Seo
    •  & Jang-Ung Park

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Structural transformations offer a route to control functional properties but it is difficult to design metal-organic frameworks with multiple and fast transformations. Here, a 2D metal-organic framework was designed with continuous structural transformations driven by light and used for optical modulation.

    • Yuliya A. Kenzhebayeva
    • , Nikita K. Kulachenkov
    •  & Valentin A. Milichko

  • Review Article
    | Open Access

    Sulfide-based solid electrolyte films with high room-temperature ionic conductivity will boost the energy density of all-solid-state batteries. This Review covers the preparation methods and properties of sulfide-based composite electrolytes, while guiding future development.

    • Shenghao Li
    • , Zhihua Yang
    •  & Shuo Wang

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The Dicke model, describing the cooperative coupling of an ensemble of two-level atoms with a single-mode light field, has a rich phenomenology in quantum optics and quantum information, but its analytical or numerical solution is beyond current reach. Here, a solid-state quantum simulator of an extended Dicke model is achieved using ErFeO3 crystals, where terahertz spectroscopy and magnetocaloric effect measurements reveal an atomically ordered phase in addition to the expected superradiant and normal phases.

    • Nicolas Marquez Peraca
    • , Xinwei Li
    •  & Junichiro Kono

  • Review Article
    | Open Access

    Human breath contains a vast amount of information that might be used to indicate respiratory and cardiovascular health. This Review summarizes and discusses recent advances in wearable breath sensors for monitoring breath temperature, humidity and airflow, as well as biomarker presence.

    • Dohyung Kim
    • , Jinwoo Lee
    •  & Seung Hwan Ko

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Metallic copper is a potent antimicrobial agent against microorganisms but its coating on high-touch surfaces reduces their optical transparency. Here, a transparent antimicrobial nanostructured copper surface is reported with >99.9 % antimicrobial effectiveness and high transmittance.

    • Christina Graham
    • , Alessia Mezzadrelli
    •  & Valerio Pruneri

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Giant magneto-thermal resistance has been recently observed in spintronic materials and superconductors, with exciting prospects in thermal management technologies. Here, nonvolatile thermal switching by magnetic field is demonstrated in commercial Sn-Pb solders, with electron thermal conductivity retaining its value even when the field is turned off.

    • Hiroto Arima
    • , Md. Riad Kasem
    •  & Yoshikazu Mizuguchi

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Cyanobacteria convert light and energy into physical movement. Here, the effect of light intensity gradients on the motion of dense bacterial filaments is investigated, revealing self-assembly of 2D and 3D active nematic states, and changes in orientational and velocity order parameters.

    • Andrii Repula
    • , Colin Gates
    •  & Ivan I. Smalyukh

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Complex oxides are interesting for their potential to host multiple properties and functionalities by integrating different elements in a single compound, however they are often challenging to stabilize. Here, epitaxial stabilization of LaRuO3 and NdRuO3 is demonstrated, revealing an unconventional anomalous Hall effect in NdRuO3 which is possibly related to a non-coplanar spin texture on the Nd3+ sublattice.

    • Lingfei Zhang
    • , Takahiro C. Fujita
    •  & Masashi Kawasaki

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Signatures of pressure-induced high-temperature superconductivity in nickelates have sparked great interest in these materials. Here, the sensitivity of Ruddlesden–Popper nickelate formation to in-plane misfit strain is investigated, revealing that tensile strain favours the perovskite structure LaNiO3, whereas compressive strain stabilizes the La3Ni2O7 phase where high-temperature superconductivity was reported.

    • Ting Cui
    • , Songhee Choi
    •  & Er-Jia Guo

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Kagome superconductors provide a platform to explore intertwined symmetry-breaking orders, but controversies remain despite intensive experimental and theoretical efforts. Here, a combined density functional theory and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy study reveals quantum confinement phenomena on the surface of CsV3Sb5, reconciling conflicting observations of time-reversal symmetry breaking between bulk- and surface-sensitive probes.

    • Yongqing Cai
    • , Yuan Wang
    •  & Chaoyu Chen

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The response of a polycrystalline material during loading is strongly dependent on grain-level effects, such as residual stress from plasticity and grain orientation. Here, in-situ three-dimensional X-ray diffraction reveals the role of local and interacting grain stresses in a ferritic steel.

    • James A. D. Ball
    • , Anna Kareer
    •  & David M. Collins

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Hole-doped polymer PEDOT:PSS shows high conductivity but the carrier transport mechanism is not yet clarified. Here, broadband optical conductivity spectra are derived using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy and far-infrared to-ultraviolet reflection spectroscopy, demonstrating band transport of hole carriers.

    • Zijing Guo
    • , Tetsu Sato
    •  & Hiroshi Okamoto

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Gas-responsive polymers are unconventional smart materials that utilizes specific gases. Here, polydimethylsiloxane elastomers appended with amine groups react with CO2 leading to gas-induced mechanical reinforcement.

    • Yohei Miwa
    • , Hanako Yoneda
    •  & Shoichi Kutsumizu

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Memory structures are key components of any functional computing device, but achieving persistent storage of information in the form of light is extremely difficult. Here, the authors demonstrate the sequential formation of multiple memory pathways in photochromic crystals via optical near-field interactions.

    • Yuji Arakawa
    • , Kazuharu Uchiyama
    •  & Hirokazu Hori

  • Review Article
    | Open Access

    Three-dimensional silicon-based lithium-ion microbatteries have potential use in miniaturized electronics that require independent energy storage. Here, their developments are discussed in terms of their material compatibility, cell designs, fabrication methods, and performance in various applications.

    • Andam Deatama Refino
    • , Calvin Eldona
    •  & Hutomo Suryo Wasisto

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Doped carbon nanotubes are essential for molecular electronic and energy devices. Here, protonic acids and lithium salts are employed as hole dopants and stabilizers, respectively, to induce thermally stable p-doped states in carbon nanotubes.

    • Kaho Kawasaki
    • , Ikuyo Harada
    •  & Kenji Ishida

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Metallic surfaces are often coated with corrosion inhibitors to prevent damage but these are typically toxic to the environment. Here, a recombinant adhesive cement protein from barnacles is shown to effectively protect steel against corrosion under marine environment conditions.

    • My Hanh Bui
    • , Shu Hui Hiew
    •  & Ali Miserez

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Single atom detection in nanoporous materials is challenging due to their sensitivity to electron irradiation. Here, the three-dimensional atomic occupancy of natural beryl is quantitatively analysed using high-angle annular dark-field imaging in a scanning transmission electron microscope and statistical analysis.

    • Daniel Knez
    • , Christian Gspan
    •  & Ferdinand Hofer

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Liquid crystal polymers rarely have high thermal conductivities due to their disordered directionality that limits conductivity in a specific direction. Here, an electric field is applied to align liquid crystal monomers before photopolymerization to result in high anisotropic thermal conductivity.

    • Maohua Li
    • , Ping Gong
    •  & Jinhong Yu

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Unconventional superconductivity can be found in many artificial compounds such as cuprates, iron-based and heavy-fermion superconductors, and recently discovered exotic materials; however, it rarely occurs naturally. Here, nodal superconductivity is observed in synthetically clean miassite minerals, which can also be found in nature.

    • Hyunsoo Kim
    • , Makariy A. Tanatar
    •  & Ruslan Prozorov

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Cathodic protection is widely used in protecting structures from corrosion, but its working mechanism remains unclear. Here, in-situ and ex-situ characterization techniques, coupled with electrochemical measurements, are used to study the spatio-temporal changes at the steel-electrolyte interface.

    • Federico Martinelli-Orlando
    • , Shishir Mundra
    •  & Ueli M. Angst

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Refractory high-entropy alloys are attractive for high-temperature applications, but are challenging to process. Here, a method is shown for identifying a processing window that allows the additive manufacturing of a TiZrNbTa refractory alloy with a low defect content and mechanical properties comparable to as-cast samples.

    • Shahryar Mooraj
    • , George Kim
    •  & Wen Chen

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Polarization rotation is key for modern optics but achieving it at mid-infrared frequencies is challenging and requires very thick phase retarders. Here, α-MoO3 flakes provide mid-infrared phase retardation and 90 degrees polarization rotation within one micrometer of material, a thickness ten times thinner than the operational wavelength.

    • Michael T. Enders
    • , Mitradeep Sarkar
    •  & Georgia T. Papadakis

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Materials language and processing with large language models provide an automated approach for text classification. Here, a generative pretrained transformer (GPT) approach is reported to provide a simple architecture for text classification, including identifying incorrectly annotated data and for manual labelling.

    • Jaewoong Choi
    •  & Byungju Lee

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