Kitaev magnets are interesting as they can host quantum spin liquid phases and fractional quasiparticles for decoherence-free topological quantum computing. Here, a parallel computational program explores all possible 4f electron configurations of rare-earth Kitaev materials, identifying those configurations, such as 4f³ and 4f¹¹ in Nd³⁺ and Er³⁺ compounds, where anisotropic Kitaev interactions prevail over isotropic Heisenberg exchange.

Protein-loaded nanoparticles are important for immunomodulatory applications. Here, an efficient method for producing protein-containing nanoparticles at large scale is developed which overcomes prior limitations on the use of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles.

Memristors based on 2D materials are promising candidates for realizing artificial synapses in next-generation computing. Here, utilizing optimal-power argon plasma treatment, the authors enhance the performance of memristors fabricated from monolayer MoS₂, reducing non-linearity and asymmetry in synaptic weight updates and minimizing cycle-to-cycle variability.

Moiré field-effect transistors based on graphene/hexagonal boron nitride heterostructures are promising for their high room-temperature carrier mobilities and magnetotransport properties. Here, high-temperature molecular beam epitaxy growth of graphene/hBN gives rise to a moiré-fringed hexagonal superlattice with Hofstadter butterfly electronic band structure and quantum magneto-oscillations above room temperature.

Most van der Waals homo- and hetero-junctions of 2D transition-metal dichalcogenides of group VIB have indirect bandgaps. Here, the authors demonstrate a way of inducing direct gaps in these systems by tuning interlayer interactions via rotational misalignment or energy mismatch between layers.

Metal-organic frameworks are promising materials for hosting functional biomolecules. Here, a 3D europium metal-organic framework could split into a 2D one upon solvent addition and re-cross-link to 3D with excess solvent which can host enzymes as a biocatalyst.

There is growing interest in reducing the chemical complexity of engineering alloys. Here, an Mg-Ca alloy for use in bone fixation has less than 1 weight % calcium, and achieves strength and ductility superior to many conventionally-processed magnesium alloys.

Altermagnetism is attracting great interest as a new third type of collinear magnetic order, distinct by symmetry from conventional ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism. Now, a mechanism for an interaction-induced formation of altermagnetism in isotropic crystals is presented, based on spontaneous orbital ordering.

Sodium-ion battery safety can be improved by using non-flammable electrolytes, but they are traditionally incompatible with carbon-based anodes. Now, low-concentration phosphate electrolytes modulated by anion-cation interactions are shown to work well with standard electrodes, displaying stable operation over a wide temperature range.

Solar-powered desalination is attractive for cost-effective drinking water in rural communities. Now, nanoporous zinc films created by dealloying are shown to be efficient photothermal materials.

Adsorption has widely been studied in porous materials but the mechanism remains a mystery for nonporous systems. Now, nonporous polymeric crystals have been demonstrated to absorb molecules by coupling dynamic boron-nitrogen bonding and host-guest binding.

Celebrating one year of publishing at Communications Materials