Nanoscience and technology articles within Communications Materials

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  • Article
    | Open Access

    Magnetic Josephson junctions are important for studying the interplay between superconductivity and ferromagnetism. Here, an inverse proximity effect with tunable nanoscale spin ordering at the superconductor/ferromagnet interface of Nb-permalloy structures is observed, confirming theoretical predictions on these systems.

    • Roberta Satariano
    • , Anatoly Fjodorovich Volkov
    •  & Davide Massarotti

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Due to their plasmonic properties, silver nanoparticles are promising across a vast range of applications, from physics instrumentation to biomedicine and environmental science. Here, the photon-to-heat conversion efficiency of individual nanoparticles is elucidated by designing and fabricating an ultra-sensitive bolometer with 26 pW power resolution.

    • Hanliang Zhu
    • , Evelína Gablech
    •  & Pavel Neuzil

  • 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

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Rydberg excitons in cuprous oxide feature giant optical nonlinearities that may be exploited in quantum applications if suitably confined. Here, the authors show how exciton confinement can be realised by focused-ion-beam etching of Cu2O crystals without noticeable degradation of excitonic properties.

    • Anindya Sundar Paul
    • , Sai Kiran Rajendran
    •  & Hamid Ohadi

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Magnetic ordering in 2D materials represents a promising platform for data storage, computing, and sensing. Here, nanometer scale imaging of few-layer Cr2Ge2Te6 reveals its thickness-dependent magnetic textures such as labyrinth domains and skyrmionic bubbles.

    • Andriani Vervelaki
    • , Kousik Bagani
    •  & Martino Poggio

  • 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

    Metal-organic frameworks are versatile materials but typically suffer from poor electrical conductivity. Here, a patterning technique allows controlled metal-organic framework growth on predefined areas of functionalized carbon nanotube for increased conductivity.

    • Marvin J. Dzinnik
    • , Necmettin E. Akmaz
    •  & Rolf J. Haug

  • 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

  • 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

    Pinning sites are extremely detrimental to the frequency tunability of nano-rectifiers based on magnetic tunnel junctions. Here, the effect of pinning defects in vortex-based magnetic tunnel junctions is thoroughly explored, revealing that an amorphous magnetic material utilized as free layer can significantly reduce the impact of pinning.

    • Alex. S. Jenkins
    • , Leandro Martins
    •  & Ricardo Ferreira

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Suspended carbon nanotubes are ideal for hosting long-lived quantum states but mechanically integrating nanotubes into circuits is challenging. Here, by engineering a transparent metal-nanotube interface, the authors can reach the open quantum dot regime and integrate the nanotube within the circuit with a 200 nm precision.

    • Tim Althuon
    • , Tino Cubaynes
    •  & Wolfgang Wernsdorfer

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The epitaxial growth of large-scale single-crystalline 2D materials requires precise control over crystallographic orientation and morphology during the initial stages of nucleation. Here, noncontact atomic force microscopy and density functional theory provide atomic-scale mechanistic insights into the nucleation of hexagonal boron nitride on Ir(111).

    • Jinliang Pan
    • , Tongwei Wu
    •  & Xiaohui Qiu

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Cooling computer chips remains a key requirement for improving their performance. Here, a CMOS-compatible MOSFET is used to electrically, rather than physically, induce quantum confinement in a thermoelectric device, improving its thermoelectric performance and making it a viable microchip thermal management solution.

    • Samuel W. Oxandale
    • , Charles Reinke
    •  & Ihab El-Kady

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Water-thermal management is difficult to coordinate in solar evaporators, limiting their performance. Here, hierarchical MXene-reduced graphene oxide sponges with anisotropic thermal conductivity and axial-directional channels integrate water-thermal management for rapid and continuous evaporation.

    • Zonglin Liu
    • , Renjie Ding
    •  & Xiaodong He

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The maximum 3D morphology resolution of porous materials without vacuum has been limited to hundreds nanometer range. Here, ptychographic x-ray computed tomography has been demonstrated to study in situ polymeric membranes at nanoscale resolution with large visualization volumes.

    • Radosław Górecki
    • , Carla Cristina Polo
    •  & Suzana P. Nunes

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Nanobubbles are sources of charge trapping that influence the performance and stability of devices based on 2D materials. Here, Kelvin probe force microscopy is used to study the origin and mechanism of charge trapping in nanobubbles of MoS2 on a SiO2 substrate.

    • Dohyeon Jeon
    • , Haesol Kim
    •  & Taekyeong Kim

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Lithiation and de-lithiation of lithium-ion microbatteries pose a challenge for adoption due to their extreme volume change and active lithium loss. Here, the surface morphologies of a monocrystalline vertical silicon nanowire-based lithium microbattery were investigated against performance.

    • Andam Deatama Refino
    • , Egy Adhitama
    •  & Hutomo Suryo Wasisto

  • Article
    | Open Access

    It is difficult to control nanoparticle dispersion and size in preceramic polymer composites which require additional processing. Here, a pre-ceramic polymer assists in stable nanoparticle formation and serves as a surface graft for controlled dispersion in a one-pot copper sulfide synthesis.

    • Patricia A. Loughney
    • , Kara L. Martin
    •  & Vicky Doan-Nguyen

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Hexagonal boron nitride is a promising host for single-photon quantum emitters, but irreversible loss of emission by photobleaching hinders its practical use. Here, the mechanistic investigation of hBN emitters reveals two distinct photobleaching lifetimes, suggesting a way to mitigate the shorter, environmentally sensitive, bleaching process.

    • Sylvia Xin Li
    • , Takeo Ichihara
    •  & Michael S. Strano

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Brain-inspired neuromorphic computing is a key technology for processing an ever-growing amount of data. Here, an artificial synapse with dual resistance modulation mechanisms is demonstrated, achieving a dynamic range of 60, an endurance exceeding 1010 cycles, and more than 10 years of retention.

    • Mattia Halter
    • , Laura Bégon-Lours
    •  & Bert Jan Offrein

  • Review Article
    | Open Access

    Integrating perovskite photovoltaics with other systems can substantially improve their performance. This Review discusses various integrated perovskite devices for applications including tandem solar cells, buildings, space applications, energy storage, and cell-driven catalysis.

    • Abdulaziz S. R. Bati
    • , Yu Lin Zhong
    •  & Munkhbayar Batmunkh

  • Article
    | Open Access

    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.

    • Jiayong Zhang
    • , Wah-Keat Lee
    •  & Mingyuan Ge

  • Article
    | Open Access

    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.

    • Yixin Shao
    • , Victor Lopez-Dominguez
    •  & Pedram Khalili Amiri

  • Article
    | Open Access

    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.

    • Jing Xia
    • , Xichao Zhang
    •  & Motohiko Ezawa

  • Article
    | Open Access

    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.

    • Chonghang Zhao
    • , Cheng-Chu Chung
    •  & Yu-chen Karen Chen-Wiegart

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Achieving photodetectors with a wide spectral range and rapid response remains challenging. Here, Sb2Te3 nanosheets are used to construct a photodetector that covers visible to millimeter wavelengths, with a fast response time of 900 ns.

    • Wanli Ma
    • , Tuntan Wu
    •  & Zhiming Huang

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Ionic selectivity in microfluidics is challenging due to the differing length scales between ions and channels. Here, a model system emulates ionic transport at the microscale with electrokinetic spherical Janus micromotors moving over surfaces with spatially varying charge.

    • Tao Huang
    • , Vyacheslav Misko
    •  & Larysa Baraban

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Developing scalable strategies of miniaturization and integration is key for achieving high-density integrated circuit devices. Here, the authors propose a silicon-based one-transistor device with a 40% reduction in circuit footprint, which combines the functionalities of logic gates, memory, and artificial synapses for mass production.

    • Mingzhi Dai
    • , Zhitang Song
    •  & Junhao Chu

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Nanoscale light manipulation and characterization are essential in nano-optics, but conventional microscopy or indirect imaging methods are often limited by low resolution or invasive nature. Here, a non-destructive light-field imaging with ~20 nm resolution is realized by p-n junction photodetection in graphene controlled by gate voltage.

    • Tongcheng Yu
    • , Francisco Rodriguez
    •  & Alexander N. Grigorenko

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Understanding grain morphology and kinetics of solid-phase crystallization is important for controlling the functional properties of polycrystalline materials. Here, in situ coherent X-ray diffraction imaging and transmission electron microscopy elucidate quantitatively the kinetics of a single-grain growth in Zr-doped In2O3 films.

    • Dmitry Dzhigaev
    • , Yury Smirnov
    •  & Michael Elias Stuckelberger

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Graphene is known to display a number of attractive mechanical properties. Here, anisotropy in the fracture toughness of graphene is investigated by in-situ mechanical testing, revealing weak anisotropy between armchair and zigzag directions.

    • Shizhe Feng
    • , Ke Cao
    •  & Zhiping Xu

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Topological insulator nanowires are interesting because, in the presence of superconductivity, they may host elusive Majorana fermions. Here, superconductivity in (Bi1−xSbx)2Te3 topological-insulator nanowires is realized by using palladium diffusion, providing a tunable platform for Majorana zero modes.

    • Mengmeng Bai
    • , Xian-Kui Wei
    •  & Yoichi Ando

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Ptychography is an imaging technique based on algorithmic reconstruction of diffraction patterns that improves the spatial resolution of scanning transmission X-ray microscopy. Here, the possibility of ptychography at the carbon K-edge is demonstrated on carbon nanotube bundles, using a defocused beam to reduce radiation damage.

    • Nicolas Mille
    • , Hao Yuan
    •  & Adam P. Hitchcock

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene is interesting for its correlated superconducting and insulating states, but samples are typically micrometer-scale. Here, 3 × 5 mm2 twisted bilayer graphene samples are fabricated, exhibiting a flat band and large bandgap revealed by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy.

    • Keiju Sato
    • , Naoki Hayashi
    •  & Wataru Norimatsu

  • Review Article
    | Open Access

    Carbon dots are suitable for a range of biological applications due to their unique physicochemical properties and biological behavior. This Review summarizes research related to the emerging field of red-emissive two-photon carbon dots for bioimaging, biosensing, and phototherapeutic applications.

    • Pooria Lesani
    • , Aina Hazeera Mohamad Hadi
    •  & Hala Zreiqat

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Thin-film phototransistors based on multilayer MoS2 are of great technological importance, but their photoresponsivity may be hindered by an indirect bandgap. Here, nano-patterning of multilayer MoS2 overcomes this limitation by inducing trap states within the bandgap, resulting in a high photoresponsivity of 622.2 A W−1.

    • Heekyeong Park
    • , Jiyoul Lee
    •  & Sunkook Kim

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Artificial intelligence may significantly accelerate the discovery of new materials but is not easily applicable to non-periodic structures. Here, a deep learning framework is proposed to predict properties of tangible carbon nanotubes by generating virtual structures at different scales and compositions.

    • Takashi Honda
    • , Shun Muroga
    •  & Kenji Hata

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Two-dimensional materials have well-defined atomic-scale structure, which has the potential to be tuned by processing. Here, substrate-induced straining during the growth of ReS2 causes the formation of martensite-like domain structures.

    • Lingli Huang
    • , Fangyuan Zheng
    •  & Thuc Hue Ly

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Oxygen species on a TiO2 surface exist in different redox states, which can be switched between by electron tunneling with an atomic force tip. Here, a fast experimental setup enables statistically significant tunneling rates to be determined, revealing changes in electronic structure.

    • Yuuki Adachi
    • , Ján Brndiar
    •  & Lev Kantorovich

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The redistribution of water molecules when an ion passes through a nanopore is known to create complex patterns. Here, an analytical model accurately predicts the patterns when an ion passes through a graphene nanopore, and reveals the physical origins of the patterns.

    • Miraslau L. Barabash
    • , William A. T. Gibby
    •  & Peter V. E. McClintock

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