Articles in 2019

Multiple layers of diamond-like carbon films are shown to act as moisture barriers when conformally deposited on carbon fibre reinforced polymers used in space applications.

Although acceptor-doped barium zirconate is a promising conductor for electrolysers or fuel cells, our understanding of the relationship between proton motion and conductivity is limited. Our simulations now suggest a generic nanoscale percolation mechanism for high mobility in other oxides.

Strain can modify properties, but to prevent cracking is limited to films below a critical thickness. Here, by inserting atomic layers into a ferroelectric superlattice, chemical pressure is generated in thicker films, with enhanced figure of merit for tuneable millimetre-wave dielectrics.

Single-stranded DNA encoders containing polyadenine domains endow colloidal gold nanoparticles with programmable bond valence, orthogonality and reconfigurability, thus achieving post-synthetic control over colloidal structures.

In a murine model of acute colitis, hyaluronic acid–bilirubin-based nanomaterials have been shown to modulate immune response and the gut microbiome, as well as restore the epithelial barrier.

Photonic crystals with optical bandgaps across the entire visible spectrum are generated by reconfiguring three-dimensional blue phase liquid crystalline lattices into long-lived metastable non-cubic structures using sequences of electric pulses.

We are updating our editorial policies to further encourage authors to make their data publicly accessible. Publishing Extended Data figures and source data online will also ensure that data are given a more prominent role.

Epithelial layers under compression avoid buckling by active contraction, but only up to a well-defined threshold at 35% strain, beyond which buckling occurs.

Taking ‘upon request’ out of data availability statements in papers.

Mild Lewis and Brønsted acid sites within the confined porous structure of a Nb–Al-containing zeolite work in co-operation to efficiently break down bio-based γ-valerolactone to butenes.

A transparent, high-permittivity elastomeric dielectric material shows potential for light-emitting soft robots and stretchable optoelectronics that can self-heal.

Stretchable and self-healing light-emitting capacitors operating at low frequency and low voltage have been realized using a transparent elastomeric dielectric with high permittivity.

Using core–shell particles represents an effective design strategy for improving the performance of noble metal catalysts, but their stabilities can suffer during reactions. Atomically thin Pt shells are shown to stabilize titanium tungsten carbide cores, even at highly oxidizing potentials.

Production of olefins from biomass-derived γ-valerolactone could lead to sustainable chemical processes, but catalysts suffer from deactivation due to water. Here, a MFI-type zeolite doped with Nb(v) and Al(iii) shows >99% yield at 320 °C and catalyst stability over 180 hours.

A multi-messenger combination of atomic force microscopy, scanning near-field optical microscopy and magnetic force microscopy demonstrates a strain-modulated photoinduced ferromagnetic metallic state in La_2/3Ca_1/3MnO₃.

Biocompatible and degradable silk materials with programmable mechanical properties can be directly obtained from regenerated amorphous silk using thermal moulding.

An n-type semiconducting polymer is used to realize an organic electrochemical transistor working as a glucose sensor and an all-polymer enzymatic biofuel cell able to power the sensor itself.

Lamin mutations responsible for muscular dystrophy are shown to reduce nuclear envelope stability, resulting in mechanically induced nuclear envelope rupture, DNA damage and activation of DNA damage response pathways that lead to muscle cell death. Preventing nuclear envelope damage by reducing cytoskeletal forces on the nucleus improves muscle fibre health and function.