Techniques and instrumentation articles within Nature Communications

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• Article
  03 April 2023 | Open Access

  Mapping the pathways of photo-induced ion migration in organic-inorganic hybrid halide perovskites

  Ion migration is a plausible origin of material instability and photocurrent hysteresis in perovskite solar cells. Here, authors characterize photo-induced ion migration in perovskites by in situ laser illumination inside scanning electron microscope and observe long-range migration of halide ions.

  • Taeyong Kim
  • , Soyeon Park
  •  & Bolin Liao

• Article
  03 April 2023 | Open Access

  Large piezoelectric response in a Jahn-Teller distorted molecular metal halide

  Here, the authors utilise a combination of quasi-spherical theory and Jahn-Teller distortion to enhance the piezoelectric response of molecular metal halides, and the resulting piezoelectric energy harvesters exhibit superior power densities to the best-reported molecular hybrid energy harvesters.

  • Sasa Wang
  • , Asif Abdullah Khan
  •  & Edward H. Sargent

• Article
  28 March 2023 | Open Access

  In situ constructing atomic interface in ruthenium-based amorphous hybrid-structure towards solar hydrogen evolution

  Solar-driven hydrogen evolution coupled with organic synthesis is important but challenging. Here, the authors report an in-situ oxygen impregnation strategy to build a ruthenium-based amorphous hybrid-mixture with abundant atomic interfaces and show efficient hydrogen evolution with small molecule oxidation.

  • Dong Liu
  • , Tao Ding
  •  & Tao Yao

• Article
  27 March 2023 | Open Access

  Top-down patterning of topological surface and edge states using a focused ion beam

  Topological edge states offer the prospect of dissipationless transport for nanoelectronics, but a precise method to spatially engineer such nanoscale conducting channels is still lacking. Here, the authors demonstrate patterning of topological boundary states in Sb₂Te₃ using a focused ion beam to create amorphous, topologically trivial regions.

  • Abdulhakim Bake
  • , Qi Zhang
  •  & David Cortie

• Article
  27 March 2023 | Open Access

  Ultrafast 3D nanofabrication via digital holography

  The application of two-photon lithography has been limited by the low writing speed. The authors reported a multi-focus improved lithography platform that employs up to 2000 laser foci to perform parallel fabrication with 90 nm resolution via optimised polymerisation and single-pulse printing strategy.

  • Wenqi Ouyang
  • , Xiayi Xu
  •  & Shih-Chi Chen

• Article
  14 March 2023 | Open Access

  Sustainable methane utilization technology via photocatalytic halogenation with alkali halides

  A sustainable photocatalytic methane halogenation strategy is developed for methyl halide production using low-cost alkali halides over Cu-doped TiO2 nanostructures. Copper sites ultimately stabilize *CH3 to promote reaction with Cl− to form CH3Cl.

  • Jun Ma
  • , Can Zhu
  •  & Yujie Xiong

• Article
  14 March 2023 | Open Access

  AlphaFlow: autonomous discovery and optimization of multi-step chemistry using a self-driven fluidic lab guided by reinforcement learning

  Autonomous exploration of materials design space is hindered by its high dimensionality and the scarcity of data. In this work, we present AlphaFlow, a self-driven lab guided by reinforcement learning that enables accelerated discovery and optimization of multi-step chemistries.

  • Amanda A. Volk
  • , Robert W. Epps
  •  & Milad Abolhasani

• Article
  13 March 2023 | Open Access

  Emergent chirality in a polar meron to skyrmion phase transition

  Polar skyrmions are particle-like objects consisted of swirling electric dipoles that hold promise for next generation nanodevices. Here, the authors explore the strain-induced transition from skyrmions to merons using electron imaging methods.

  • Yu-Tsun Shao
  • , Sujit Das
  •  & David A. Muller

• Article
  09 March 2023 | Open Access

  Understanding the evolution of lithium dendrites at Li_6.25Al_0.25La₃Zr₂O₁₂ grain boundaries via operando microscopy techniques

  Lithium metal penetration into solid-state electrolytes is a major drawback for developing all-solid-state batteries. Here, authors, via operando force microscopy, demonstrate that the trapping of electrons in garnet-type solid-state electrolyte grain boundaries is the origin of cell failure.

  • Chao Zhu
  • , Till Fuchs
  •  & Rüdiger Berger

• Article
  04 March 2023 | Open Access

  Robust flexural performance and fracture behavior of TiO₂ decorated densified bamboo as sustainable structural materials

  Fast-growing bamboo still need advanced processing before being fabricated into sustainable structural materials. Here, the authors develop high-performance TiO₂ reinforced densified bamboo via in situ hydrothermal synthesis and reveal the flexural failure mechanism of the composite.

  • Ziyu Ba
  • , Hongyun Luo
  •  & Robert O. Ritchie

• Article
  04 March 2023 | Open Access

  Mechanical metamaterials made of freestanding quasi-BCC nanolattices of gold and copper with ultra-high energy absorption capacity

  The fabrication of freestanding 3D lattice structures with beam diameters less than 100 nm is a considerable challenge. Here, the authors report quasi-BCC nanolattices of gold and copper, featuring beam diameters as low as 34 nm, that demonstrate an exceptionally high capacity for energy absorption.

  • Hongwei Cheng
  • , Xiaoxia Zhu
  •  & Jinglai Duan

• Article
  02 March 2023 | Open Access

  Precise characterization of a corridor-shaped structure in Khufu’s Pyramid by observation of cosmic-ray muons

  Khufu’s Pyramid is one of the largest archaeological monuments in the world, and still contains unexplored voids. Here, the authors use cosmic-ray muon radiography in multiple positions to precisely characterize one of these inner structures called the North Face Corridor.

  • Sébastien Procureur
  • , Kunihiro Morishima
  •  & Mohamed Elkarmoty

• Article
  22 February 2023 | Open Access

  One dimensional wormhole corrosion in metals

  Corrosion is a ubiquitous failure mode in materials. Here the authors report a percolating 1D wormhole corrosion morphology using advanced electron microscopy and theoretical simulations. The work presents a vacancy mapping method with nm-resolution, identifying the incubation sites of the wormholes.

  • Yang Yang
  • , Weiyue Zhou
  •  & Andrew M. Minor

• Article
  17 February 2023 | Open Access

  Sub-resolution contrast in neutral helium microscopy through facet scattering for quantitative imaging of nanoscale topographies on macroscopic surfaces

  Neutral helium microscopy is a completely nondestructive, surface-sensitive imaging technique. Here, the authors demonstrate sub-resolution contrast using an advanced facet scattering model to reconstruct the topography of technological thin films in the ångström range.

  • Sabrina D. Eder
  • , Adam Fahy
  •  & Paul C. Dastoor

• Article
  14 February 2023 | Open Access

  Nanoscale three-dimensional fabrication based on mechanically guided assembly

  3D fabrication via mechanically guided assembly has greatly progressed in the recent years, but has not been applicable for nanodevices. Here the authors suggest a configuration-designable 3D nanofabrication through a nanotransfer printing and design of the substrate’s mechanical characteristics.

  • Junseong Ahn
  • , Ji-Hwan Ha
  •  & Inkyu Park

• Article
  10 February 2023 | Open Access

  Long-term platinum-based drug accumulation in cancer-associated fibroblasts promotes colorectal cancer progression and resistance to therapy

  Standard platinum-based chemotherapy is the basis of treatment of many cancers, however a proportion of patients do not derive benefit. Here the authors show that the platinum-based drug oxaliplatin accumulates in cancer-associated fibroblasts, activating pathways associated with cancer progression and resistance to therapy.

  • Jenniffer Linares
  • , Anna Sallent-Aragay
  •  & Alexandre Calon

• Article
  09 February 2023 | Open Access

  Light-driven biological actuators to probe the rheology of 3D microtissues

  The mechanical properties of biological tissues are key to their integrity and function. Here, the authors engineer 3D microtissues from optogenetically modified fibroblasts and use light to quantify tissue elasticity and strain propagation using their own constituent cells as internal actuators.

  • Adrien Méry
  • , Artur Ruppel
  •  & Thomas Boudou

• Article
  03 February 2023 | Open Access

  A sweat-responsive covalent organic framework film for material-based liveness detection and sweat pore analysis

  Covalent organic frameworks are more and more used in the design of stimuli responsive materials. Here, the authors expand the application range of COFs by demonstrating a sweat induced colour change for detection of fingerprints using a sweat responsive COF.

  • Qing Hao
  • , Xiao-Rui Ren
  •  & Hong Liu

• Article
  02 February 2023 | Open Access

  Direct observation of cation diffusion driven surface reconstruction at van der Waals gaps

  Weak interlayer van der Waals (vdW) bonding has significant impact on the structure and properties of vdW layered materials. Here authors use in-situ aberration-corrected ADF-STEM for an atomistic insight into the cation diffusion in the vdW gaps and the etching of vdW surfaces at high temperatures.

  • Wenjun Cui
  • , Weixiao Lin
  •  & Xiahan Sang

• Article
  30 January 2023 | Open Access

  Piezo robotic hand for motion manipulation from micro to macro

  Traditional robotic hands are facing several issues due to limitations in structures, principles and transmissions. Here, the authors develop a rigid robotic hand with 4 piezo fingers and 12 DOFs to implement high adaptability multi-DOF motion manipulation from micro to macro, as well as micro grasping operation.

  • Shijing Zhang
  • , Yingxiang Liu
  •  & Jie Zhao

• Article
  17 January 2023 | Open Access

  2D Titanium carbide printed flexible ultrawideband monopole antenna for wireless communications

  Designing ultrathin and flexible antenna is of great interest for efficient wireless data communication and transmission at fast-growing IoT applications. The authors report a flexible ultrawideband Ti₃C₂ monopole antenna by combining strategies of interfacial modification and advanced extrusion printing technology.

  • Weiwei Zhao
  • , Hao Ni
  •  & Qiang Zhao

• Article
  14 January 2023 | Open Access

  Near-infrared-featured broadband CO₂ reduction with water to hydrocarbons by surface plasmon

  Changes in Polycomb repression during interphase transition modulate the ability of pluripotent cells to enter cell differentiation.

  • Canyu Hu
  • , Xing Chen
  •  & Yujie Xiong

• Article
  13 January 2023 | Open Access

  Volumetric additive manufacturing of pristine silk-based (bio)inks

  Volumetric additive manufacturing of protein scaffolds has a wide range of possible biomedical applications. Here the authors report on the bioprinting of unmodified silk sericin and silk fibroin inks with shape-memory and tuneable mechanical properties and demonstrate the potential of the inks in different applications.

  • Maobin Xie
  • , Liming Lian
  •  & Yu Shrike Zhang

• Article
  13 January 2023 | Open Access

  Resolving the intrinsic short-range ordering of K⁺ ions on cleaved muscovite mica

  Mica is a naturally occurring 2D mineral that has been heavily studied in many diverse areas. Here authors present atomic force microscopy images to study the mica surface in ultra-high vacuum conditions; they unveil the distribution of its surface K⁺ ions and give insights into the distribution of subsurface Al³⁺ ions.

  • Giada Franceschi
  • , Pavel Kocán
  •  & Ulrike Diebold

• Article
  11 January 2023 | Open Access

  Sub-nanometer-scale mapping of crystal orientation and depth-dependent structure of dislocation cores in SrTiO₃

  Accurate measurement of defect structures is hindered by complex atomic configuration and/or crystal tilt. Here, the authors realize sub-nanometer mapping of crystal tilt and deep-subangstrom resolution and depth-dependent imaging of dislocations.

  • Haozhi Sha
  • , Yunpeng Ma
  •  & Rong Yu

• Article
  06 January 2023 | Open Access

  Wireless dielectrophoresis trapping and remote impedance sensing via resonant wireless power transfer

  The authors use resonant wireless power transfer to remotely trap and release nanoparticles in solution and detect their presence as a shift in impedance in real-time. This is accomplished using the extreme field confinement of a nanogap capacitor.

  • Christopher T. Ertsgaard
  • , Minki Kim
  •  & Sang-Hyun Oh

• Article
  06 January 2023 | Open Access

  Dynamics of the fcc-to-bcc phase transition in single-crystalline PdCu alloy nanoparticles

  Phase transitions in crystals are challenging to study with atomic resolution. Here, the authors reveal that the transition from fcc to bcc occurs across a few-atoms-wide coherent interface, which serves as a precursor phase for the nucleation of the bcc phase.

  • Yingying Jiang
  • , Martial Duchamp
  •  & Utkur Mirsaidov

• Article
  26 December 2022 | Open Access

  Observation of enhanced nanoscale creep flow of crystalline metals enabled by controlling surface wettability

  Solid-solid interface friction usually becomes the bottleneck at micro/nanoscale. Here, Xiang and Liu show that the nanoscale creep flow rate of crystalline metals can increase by orders of magnitude when the contact metal is in diffusion deformation and the thermally activated boundary slip is active.

  • Jun-Xiang Xiang
  •  & Ze Liu

• Article
  26 December 2022 | Open Access

  Deformation characteristics of solid-state benzene as a step towards understanding planetary geology

  Solid benzene and other simple organic minerals play important roles in geological processes on Titan-like cold Solar System bodies. Here, the authors discover benzene microcrystals plastically deform via densification enabled by molecule reorientation and shearing.

  • Wenxin Zhang
  • , Xuan Zhang
  •  & Julia R. Greer

• Article
  24 December 2022 | Open Access

  Centrifugal multimaterial 3D printing of multifunctional heterogeneous objects

  Multimaterial 3D printing using digital light processing (DLP) is challenging because multimaterial switching methods require direct contact onto the printed part to remove residual resin. Here, the authors report a DLP-based centrifugal multimaterial 3D printing method to generate large-volume heterogeneous 3D objects where composition, property and function are programmable at voxel scale.

  • Jianxiang Cheng
  • , Rong Wang
  •  & Qi Ge

• Article
  22 December 2022 | Open Access

  Compressed ultrahigh-speed single-pixel imaging by swept aggregate patterns

  The authors present single-pixel imaging accelerated via swept aggregate patterns (SPI-ASAP), which combines a digital micromirror device with laser scanning for fast and reconfigurable pattern projection, and a lightweight reconstruction algorithm. They demonstrate real-time video streaming at 100 fps, and up to 12,000 fps offline.

  • Patrick Kilcullen
  • , Tsuneyuki Ozaki
  •  & Jinyang Liang

• Article
  20 December 2022 | Open Access

  Primary radiation damage in bone evolves via collagen destruction by photoelectrons and secondary emission self-absorption

  X-rays are used for imaging and sterilisation of bone but cause damage due to ionising radiation. Here, the authors study the degradation of collagen caused by photon-electron excitations and show that damage is initiated from onset which has implications for X-ray imaging and the levels of safe exposure.

  • Katrein Sauer
  • , Ivo Zizak
  •  & Paul Zaslansky

• Article
  17 December 2022 | Open Access

  Lossless enrichment of trace analytes in levitating droplets for multiphase and multiplex detection

  Efficient enrichment of molecules from liquids, solid objects, or the gas phase is critical for their detection at trace concentrations. Here, the authors report on the lossless enrichment of analytes in droplets using acoustic levitation for multiphase and multiplex SERS detection.

  • Xueyan Chen
  • , Qianqian Ding
  •  & Shikuan Yang

• Article
  16 December 2022 | Open Access

  Lithiated Prussian blue analogues as positive electrode active materials for stable non-aqueous lithium-ion batteries

  Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) are appealing materials for aqueous Na- and K- ion batteries but are limited for non-aqueous Li-ion storage. Here, the authors report the synthesis of various lithiated PBAs and discuss critical factors for improving the non-aqueous electrochemical storage of Li ions.

  • Ziheng Zhang
  • , Maxim Avdeev
  •  & Guang He

• Article
  15 December 2022 | Open Access

  A photoacoustic patch for three-dimensional imaging of hemoglobin and core temperature

  The authors present a wearable photoacoustic patch, which integrates laser diodes and piezoelectric transducers for three-dimensional imaging of hemoglobin and temperature in deep tissues.

  • Xiaoxiang Gao
  • , Xiangjun Chen
  •  & Sheng Xu

• Article
  13 December 2022 | Open Access

  Focus image scanning microscopy for sharp and gentle super-resolved microscopy

  Super-resolution microscopy techniques can be challenging for live cells and thick samples. Here, the authors propose a method to reduce beam intensity and remove out-of-focus fluorescence background in image-scanning microscopy (ISM) and its combination with stimulated emission depletion (STED).

  • Giorgio Tortarolo
  • , Alessandro Zunino
  •  & Giuseppe Vicidomini

• Article
  10 December 2022 | Open Access

  Unlocking the hidden chemical space in cubic-phase garnet solid electrolyte for efficient quasi-all-solid-state lithium batteries

  Conventional compositions of garnet solid electrolytes have limited access to the cubic phase for a high Li content of 7.0, which is beneficial for stability against Li metals. Here, the authors unlock the hidden chemical space via a high entropy strategy, enabling stable long-term battery cycling.

  • Sung-Kyun Jung
  • , Hyeokjo Gwon
  •  & Ju-Sik Kim

• Article
  05 December 2022 | Open Access

  Single-shot self-supervised object detection in microscopy

  Object detection using machine learning universally requires vast amounts of training datasets. Midtvedt et al. proposes a deep-learning method that enables detecting microscopic objects with sub-pixel accuracy from a single unlabeled image by exploiting the roto-translational symmetries of the problem.

  • Benjamin Midtvedt
  • , Jesús Pineda
  •  & Giovanni Volpe

• Article
  05 December 2022 | Open Access

  Precise atom manipulation through deep reinforcement learning

  Engineering quantum states requires precise manipulations at the atomic level. Here, the authors use deep reinforcement learning to manipulate Ag adatoms on Ag surfaces, which combined with path planning algorithms enables autonomous atomic assembly.

  • I-Ju Chen
  • , Markus Aapro
  •  & Adam S. Foster

• Article
  03 December 2022 | Open Access

  Ultrafast light-induced dynamics in the microsolvated biomolecular indole chromophore with water

  Experimentally following the ultrafast dynamics of microsolvated molecules is challenging due to the inherently produced soup mix of various gas-phase aggregates. Here, the authors exploit neutral-species selection to reveal intimate details of the UV-induced ultrafast dynamics in the prototypical indole-water system.

  • Jolijn Onvlee
  • , Sebastian Trippel
  •  & Jochen Küpper

• Article
  01 December 2022 | Open Access

  The BrightEyes-TTM as an open-source time-tagging module for democratising single-photon microscopy

  The authors developed an open-source, low-cost, multi-channel time-tagging module for fluorescence lifetime image scanning microscopy and correlation spectroscopy that can tag in parallel multiple single-photon events with 30 ps precision.

  • Alessandro Rossetta
  • , Eli Slenders
  •  & Giuseppe Vicidomini

• Article
  29 November 2022 | Open Access

  Acousto-holographic reconstruction of whole-cell stiffness maps

  Traditional methods for cell stiffness measurements are limited by long processing times and unsuitability for multiple cell analysis. Here, the authors demonstrate a fast technique based on acoustic stimulation and holographic imaging to reconstruct whole-cell stiffness maps of individual and multiple cells.

  • Rahmetullah Varol
  • , Zeynep Karavelioglu
  •  & Huseyin Uvet

• Article
  27 November 2022 | Open Access

  Predicting protein function and orientation on a gold nanoparticle surface using a residue-based affinity scale

  The orientation of proteins on nanoparticle surfaces is important to the nanoparticle’s fate in vivo. Here, the authors use competitive binding between protein variants to develop a residue-based affinity scale to develop a model for the binding and orientation of proteins on gold nanoparticles

  • Joanna Xiuzhu Xu
  • , Md. Siddik Alom
  •  & Nicholas C. Fitzkee

• Article
  25 November 2022 | Open Access

  A soft and ultrasensitive force sensing diaphragm for probing cardiac organoids instantaneously and wirelessly

  It is challenging to directly characterize mechanical properties of soft 3D cardiac organoids with current sensors. Here the authors report an electronic skin-based all-soft organoid-sensing system which can wirelessly monitor minute force profiles of cardiac organoids in real-time in-situ.

  • Quanxia Lyu
  • , Shu Gong
  •  & Wenlong Cheng

• Article
  24 November 2022 | Open Access

  Critical Offset Magnetic PArticle SpectroScopy for rapid and highly sensitive medical point-of-care diagnostics

  Sensitive methods for antibody detection tend to be expensive and slow. Here, the authors report a magnetic particle spectroscopy method named COMPASS, as a rapid and low-cost technique which is comparable to ELISA in terms of sensitivity but with a measurement times of seconds.

  • Patrick Vogel
  • , Martin Andreas Rückert
  •  & Volker Christian Behr

• Article
  24 November 2022 | Open Access

  Effect of current density on the solid electrolyte interphase formation at the lithium∣Li₆PS₅Cl interface

  The interface between the Li metal electrode and inorganic solid electrolyte is crucial for developing reliable all-solid-state Li batteries. Here, the authors show that the Li plating current density distinctly affects the chemistry and morphology of interphase components formed at the interface.

  • Sudarshan Narayanan
  • , Ulderico Ulissi
  •  & Mauro Pasta

• Article
  19 November 2022 | Open Access

  Onboard early detection and mitigation of lithium plating in fast-charging batteries

  Fast-charging is highly desired for lithium-ion batteries but is hindered by potential hazardous lithium plating and the associated parasitic reactions. Here, the authors report a nondestructive differential pressure sensing method for early detection and mitigation of lithium plating in fast-charging batteries.

  • Wenxiao Huang
  • , Yusheng Ye
  •  & Yi Cui

• Article
  16 November 2022 | Open Access

  Covalent transfer of chemical gradients onto a graphenic surface with 2D and 3D control

  Covalent modification is an essential chemical method for altering the physicochemical properties of material interfaces. Here, the authors show that the no-slip conditions in microfluidic devices grant spatiotemporal control over molecular grafting.

  • Yuanzhi Xia
  • , Semih Sevim
  •  & Josep Puigmartí-Luis

• Article
  16 November 2022 | Open Access

  Microfluidic vortex focusing for high throughput synthesis of size-tunable liposomes

  Liposomes are widely used in pharmaceuticals yet trade-offs between uniform size and mass production, limit production and application. Here, the authors report on the design of a microfluidic vortex focusing microfluidic technique which can mass produce liposomes with controlled size and low variability.

  • Jung Yeon Han
  • , Joseph N. La Fiandra
  •  & Don L. DeVoe

• Article
  14 November 2022 | Open Access

  Engineering high quality graphene superlattices via ion milled ultra-thin etching masks

  Focused-ion beam (FIB) lithography enables high-resolution nanopatterning of 2D materials, but usually introduces significant damage. Here, the authors report a FIB-based fabrication technique to obtain high quality graphene superlattices with 18-nm pitch, which exhibit electronic transport properties similar to those of natural moiré systems.

  • David Barcons Ruiz
  • , Hanan Herzig Sheinfux
  •  & Frank H. L. Koppens