Volume 20 Issue 9, September 2021

Data-encoded DNA sequences have been encapsulated in barcoded silica beads for a random access storage system without PCR amplification.

Centimetre-scale few-layer black phosphorus films have been grown on a mica substrate by pulsed laser deposition. The high crystalline quality and homogeneity of these films are promising for device applications.

Elaborately designed DNA icosahedral shells cage intact virions to effectively protect host cells from viral infections.

A substantial spin–orbit interaction is introduced in a purely silicon heterostructure and can be tuned through an applied gate voltage.

Highly ordered crystalline porous solids are useful for many applications. This Perspective explores the evolution of these systems from the ordered state to the glassy and liquid states, discusses the different types of porous liquid and considers possible applications of these disordered systems.

This Review provides an overview of experimental and theoretical methods for the understanding of thermal transport, summarizes recent progress in materials with ultrahigh (or low) thermal conductivities, and outlines strategies for the engineering of extreme thermal conductivity materials.

Centimetre-scale growth of few-layer black phosphorous with high crystalline quality and homogeneity is realized by pulsed laser deposition.

Strong exciton–polariton coupling is leveraged as a means to open up phonon scattering channels that are otherwise weak.

Nanomaterials may present interesting catalytic properties, but well-defined model systems are rare. Here, a Au–Pd core–shell catalyst is investigated for selective hydrogenation of butadiene, with shell-thickness-dependent catalytic activity, high selectivity and activity 50 times greater than that of alloyed counterparts.

The compositional dependence of magnetic, superconducting and topological surface states on an iron-based superconductor is reported.

Silicon is a light element with high lattice inversion symmetry, and so is not expected to possess a substantial spin–orbit interaction (SOI), which is desirable for spintronics. Here, a silicon-based heterostructure is demonstrated to have a gate-tuneable Rashba-type SOI.

A coherent condensate of exciton–polaritons, extending spatially up to 4 µm and spin-polarizable with an external magnetic field, is observed at cryogenic temperatures in a MoSe₂ monolayer embedded in a vertical microcavity.

Metal oxides or carbonaceous supported atomic metal sites coordinated by oxygen or heteroatoms exhibit enhanced electrocatalytic activity. Stabilization of single-atom catalysts on tungsten carbides without heteroatom coordination for efficient oxygen evolution reaction is demonstrated.

Adducts of dimethyl sulfoxide and hydrobromic acid demonstrate efficient p-doping of various organic semiconductors and compatibility with other counterions used to improve stability and other performance parameters of organic-based optoelectronic devices.

Developing safe electrolytes compatible with high-energy-density electrodes is key for the next generation of lithium-based batteries. Stable solid-state rigid-rod polymer composite electrolytes with nanocrystalline lithium ion pathways are now proposed.

An approach integrating molecular dynamics-based computer-aided engineering with computer-aided design allows for the rapid construction of large three-dimensional DNA assemblies and control over their geometry, mechanics and dynamics.

Silica beads encapsulating DNA information and functionalized with DNA labels create an alternative DNA data storage system, where direct random access and data retrieval are enabled by complementary fluorescent strands that identify beads for separation in fluorescence-activated sorting.

Programmable triangular DNA blocks self-assemble into distinct icosahedral shells with specific geometry and apertures that can encapsulate viruses and decrease viral infection.

It is now shown that cells migrate robustly on soft, viscoelastic substrates with fast stress relaxation using a migration mode marked by a rounded cell morphology and filopodia protrusions extending at the leading edge.