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| Open AccessPolyMOF nanoparticles constructed from intrinsically microporous polymer ligand towards scalable composite membranes for CO2 separation
Microporous polymer ligand provides particle size reduction, enhanced ultramicroporosity (3–4 Å), and better colloidal stability in the polymer–metal–organic framework (polyMOF) system. This leads to defect-free and scalable composite membranes for efficient CO2 separation.
- Tae Hoon Lee
- , Byung Kwan Lee
- & Ho Bum Park
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Article
| Open AccessBioinspired rational design of bi-material 3D printed soft-hard interfaces
Stress concentrations make the design of durable interfaces between hard and soft materials a challenging task. Here, the authors, inspired by nature, combine mechanical tests and simulations on multiple geometries to generate design guidelines that yield strong and tough soft-hard interfaces.
- M. C. Saldívar
- , E. Tay
- & A. A. Zadpoor
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| Open AccessHarmonizing sound and light: X-ray imaging unveils acoustic signatures of stochastic inter-regime instabilities during laser melting
In the pursuit of advancing laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) technology, researchers have successfully converged the realms of sound and light. Here, the authors unveil the synergistic potential of synchronized x-ray imaging and acoustics to illuminate hidden instabilities in LPBF process.
- Milad Hamidi Nasab
- , Giulio Masinelli
- & Roland E. Logé
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Article
| Open AccessMulti-step nucleation pathway of C-S-H during cement hydration from atomistic simulations
The nucleation of calcium silicate hydrate is a crucial step in cement hydration, but is still a poorly understood process. Here the authors use atomistic simulations to study primary particles and their aggregation, revealing a potential C-S-H “basic building block”.
- Xabier M. Aretxabaleta
- , Jon López-Zorrilla
- & Hegoi Manzano
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| Open AccessSolute trapping and non-equilibrium microstructure during rapid solidification of additive manufacturing
Solute transport during rapid and repeated thermal cycles is important in additive manufacturing process. Here, the authors develop a fully-coupled model to rationalise solute transport process, elemental segregation, and non-equilibrium solid/liquid interfacial evolution at sub-grain scale.
- Neng Ren
- , Jun Li
- & Jianguo Li
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Article
| Open AccessOrigamic metal-organic framework toward mechanical metamaterial
This work introduces a 2D porphyrinic metal-organic framework based on DCS origami tessellation, displaying unique folding behavior inspired by origami mechanics. This breakthrough paves the way for MOFs toward mechanical metamaterials.
- Eunji Jin
- , In Seong Lee
- & Wonyoung Choe
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Article
| Open AccessDesign for improving corrosion resistance of duplex stainless steels by wrapping inclusions with niobium armour
Nonmetallic inclusions often induce serious corrosion failure of steel, causing catastrophic accidents and economic losses. Here, the authors propose a strategy of wrapping deleterious inclusions with niobium armour (Z phase), improving the corrosion resistance of duplex stainless steel.
- Shucai Zhang
- , Hao Feng
- & Guoping Li
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Article
| Open AccessPreferential ice growth on grooved surface for crisscross-aligned graphene aerogel with large negative Poisson’s ratio
Ice formation on grooved surfaces is ubiquitous, but controlling orientation is difficult due to lack of mechanistic insight. Here, the authors observed oriented growth using graphene oxide nanosheets as probes, revealing the effect of groove size, and programmed ice growth to fabricate freeze-cast metamaterials.
- Meng Li
- , Nifang Zhao
- & Hao Bai
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Article
| Open AccessAnhydrous interfacial polymerization of sub-1 Å sieving polyamide membrane
The design of highly permeable polyamide (PA) membrane capable of precise ionic sieving remains challenging. Here, the authors report an anhydrous interfacial polymerization on the solid-liquid interface to eliminate water-caused side reactions, leading to a PA layer with an ionic sieving accuracy of 0.5 Å.
- Guangjin Zhao
- , Haiqi Gao
- & Hong Meng
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| Open AccessExploration of truss metamaterials with graph based generative modeling
Optimisation tasks in the inverse design of metamaterials with machine learning were limited due to the representations of generative models. Here the author comments a recent publication in Nature Communications which generates a latent space representation that unlocks non-linear optimisations.
- Angkur Jyoti Dipanka Shaikeea
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| Open AccessUnifying the design space and optimizing linear and nonlinear truss metamaterials by generative modeling
Truss metamaterials are ubiquitous but their vast design space is far from fully explored. Here, authors use machine learning to present a unified, continuous latent space description, enabling the rapid generation of trusses with tunable or exceptional linear and nonlinear mechanical properties.
- Li Zheng
- , Konstantinos Karapiperis
- & Dennis M. Kochmann
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Article
| Open AccessWoven organic crystals
The entanglement of fibrous elements produces flexible structures with enhanced strength and resilience to abrasion. Here, the authors report the weaving of organic crystals into flexible and robust patches with plain, twill, and satin topologies of arbitrary porosity, expanding one-dimensional crystals into flexible, two-dimensional planar structures with potential for future applications in flexible electronics.
- Linfeng Lan
- , Liang Li
- & Hongyu Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessRoom-temperature super-elongation in high-entropy alloy nanopillars
Small-scale metallic materials often suffer from a lack of tensile ductility. Here, the authors report an unusual room-temperature super-elongation in CoCrFeNi nanopillars from spatial and synergistic coordination of deformation twinning and dislocation slips due to chemical heterogeneities.
- Qian Zhang
- , Ranming Niu
- & Xiaoyan Li
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Article
| Open AccessQuantitative three-dimensional imaging of chemical short-range order via machine learning enhanced atom probe tomography
Quantifying chemical short-range order (CSRO) remains a formidable for volume-averaged or 2D microscopy methods. Here the authors introduce a machine-learning approach that breaks the resolution limitations of atom probe tomography to reveal the 3D atomistic architecture of CSRO in Fe-based alloys.
- Yue Li
- , Ye Wei
- & Baptiste Gault
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| Open AccessRealizing reversible phase transformation of shape memory ceramics constrained in aluminum
Achieving reversible phase transformation of shape memory ceramics (SMCs) in a densified composite can have scientific and technological impacts, but is challenging. Here, the authors demonstrate the reversible martensitic transformation of SMCs confined in aluminum without destructive impact.
- Wangshu Zheng
- , Yan Shi
- & Qiang Guo
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Article
| Open AccessStrong yet flexible ceramic aerogel
Mechanically robust, flexible and thermally insulating ceramic aerogels are challenging to obtain due to the conflicting nature of these properties. Here the authors resolved these contradictions and developed a strong yet flexible aerogel, for application in extreme conditions, by laminated structure design.
- Lei Su
- , Shuhai Jia
- & Hongjie Wang
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Article
| Open AccessAdditive manufacturing of alloys with programmable microstructure and properties
The traditional way of beating metals to improve their properties is not practical to 3D printed parts with intricate geometry. Here, the authors demonstrate how to program microstructural modifications of metals site-specifically during 3D printing to tune their properties.
- Shubo Gao
- , Zhi Li
- & Matteo Seita
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Article
| Open AccessBoosting lithium ion conductivity of antiperovskite solid electrolyte by potassium ions substitution for cation clusters
All-solid-state electrolytes for lithium batteries generally suffer from low ionic conductivity. Here, authors manipulate the lattice of antiperovskite-type Li2OHCl by potassium ion substitution, which alters the lattice structure and improves the lithium ion transport properties.
- Lei Gao
- , Xinyu Zhang
- & Ruqiang Zou
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| Open AccessA reprogrammable mechanical metamaterial with origami functional-group transformation and ring reconfiguration
Programmability is a key property for multifunctional metamaterials, but it is limited by homo-element. Here, the authors show a mechanical metamaterials with heterogeneous elements, achieving various mechanical behaviours by functional group transformation and ring configuration.
- Xinyu Hu
- , Ting Tan
- & Zhimiao Yan
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| Open AccessLight-oriented 3D printing of liquid crystal/photocurable resins and in-situ enhancement of mechanical performance
Complex computerized geometries can be obtained by additive manufacturing. However, the printing of purely three-dimensional polymer shapes possesses inherent poor mechanical stability. Here, the authors overcome this drawback by the light-driven orientation of liquid crystals to guide the alignment of acrylate prepolymers along the direction parallel to UV light vibrations.
- Xiaolu Sun
- , Shaoyun Chen
- & Dongxian Zhuo
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Article
| Open AccessMaterial-agnostic machine learning approach enables high relative density in powder bed fusion products
Exploring laser powder bed fusion in manufacturing, the authors demonstrate a machine learning-based method to optimize processing conditions achieving materials with relative density greater than 98% and experimentally verify its generality for multiple distinct powder materials.
- Jaemin Wang
- , Sang Guk Jeong
- & Byeong-Joo Lee
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| Open AccessGrowing recyclable and healable piezoelectric composites in 3D printed bioinspired structure for protective wearable sensor
Smart monitoring devices with integrated mechanical protection and piezoelectric induction are limited. Here, the authors report a strategy to grow piezoelectric Rochelle salt crystals in 3D-printed cuttlebone-inspired structures to produce smart monitoring devices with integrated mechanical protection and electrical sensing capability.
- Qingqing He
- , Yushun Zeng
- & Yang Yang
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Article
| Open AccessJoining of metallic glasses in liquid via ultrasonic vibrations
Under-liquid joining of metals has far-reaching implications for energy storage, space exploration, offshore mining and defense. Here, the authors report an alternative method to join metallic glasses firmly under water, seawater, flammable alcohol and even cryogenic liquid nitrogen.
- Luyao Li
- , Xin Li
- & Jiang Ma
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| Open AccessRealization of an inherent time crystal in a dissipative many-body system
Physical realizations of time crystals, non-equilibrium many-body systems with broken time-translation symmetry, typically require periodic driving. Here the authors demonstrate a time crystal without external periodic drive in a collection of erbium atoms under a continuous laser excitation.
- Yu-Hui Chen
- & Xiangdong Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessThin lamellar films with enhanced mechanical properties for durable radiative cooling
Practical application of radiative cooling technology in harsh outdoor conditions remains challenging. Here, the authors develop a lamellar ANFs/Mica@TiO2 composite via a “solvent exchange-reprotonation” process enabling durable outdoor cooling.
- Lianhu Xiong
- , Yun Wei
- & Hua Deng
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| Open AccessSize-dependent deformation behavior in nanosized amorphous metals suggesting transition from collective to individual atomic transport
How matter deform is a central question in mechanics of materials science. Here, the authors reveal a size-dependent deformation in amorphous metals changing at ~100 nanometer sample size from collective homogeneous flow to interface diffusion realized through individual atomic transport.
- Naijia Liu
- , Sungwoo Sohn
- & Jan Schroers
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Article
| Open AccessHigh-performance cost efficient simultaneous wireless information and power transfers deploying jointly modulated amplifying programmable metasurface
In this work, the authors demonstrate a ‘jointly modulated’ amplifying programmable metasurface (APM) for simultaneous wireless information and power transmission (SWIPT). Their technique outperforms existing methods, significantly improving power transmission and adaptability for conveying energy and data across various domains, including wireless implants, 6 G networks, and IoT systems.
- Xin Wang
- , Jia Qi Han
- & Tie Jun Cui
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| Open AccessSynthesis of CuCo2S4@Expanded Graphite with crystal/amorphous heterointerface and defects for electromagnetic wave absorption
Heterointerface and defect promote the development of electromagnetic wave absorbers. Here, the authors show the 3D flower-honeycomb CuCo2S4@Expanded Graphite heterostructure, report the mechanism of crystal-crystal/amorphous heterointerfaces and cation defects on electromagnetic wave absorption.
- Zhimeng Tang
- , Lei Xu
- & Jinhui Peng
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Article
| Open AccessTensorial stress-plastic strain fields in α - ω Zr mixture, transformation kinetics, and friction in diamond-anvil cell
Fields of stress and plastic strain tensors in a sample under high pressures in diamond-anvil cells are important, but measuring them is difficult. Here, the authors suggest a coupled experimental-analytical-computational approach to measure them before, during, and after α−ω transformation in Zr.
- Valery I. Levitas
- , Achyut Dhar
- & K. K. Pandey
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| Open AccessSmart dynamic hybrid membranes with self-cleaning capability
The performance of membrane desalination of seawater is hampered by fouling. Here the authors develop smart gating hybrid membranes by surface coating with polymer-embedded thermosalient crystals. These membranes enhance pure water flux by over 40% in saltwater desalination by osmotic distillation.
- Elvira Pantuso
- , Ejaz Ahmed
- & Gianluca Di Profio
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Article
| Open AccessSuperhard bulk high-entropy carbides with enhanced toughness via metastable in-situ particles
High-entropy carbides (HECs) with high hardness usually suffer from low fracture toughness. Here, the authors demonstrate a metastability engineering strategy for toughening superhard HECs by introducing in situ metastable ceramic particles, which are transformable under mechanical loading.
- Jiaojiao Hu
- , Qiankun Yang
- & Zhiming Li
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Article
| Open AccessChemical inhomogeneity–induced profuse nanotwinning and phase transformation in AuCu nanowires
How the random solid solution (RSS) alloys accommodate plasticity and overcome strength-ductility trade-off remain unresolved. Here, the authors reveal atomic-scale plastic deformation of AuCu alloy, which shed light on the effect of chemical inhomogeneity on plastic deformation of RSS alloys.
- Chengpeng Yang
- , Bozhao Zhang
- & Xiaodong Han
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| Open AccessAtomically dispersed Cu coordinated Rh metallene arrays for simultaneously electrochemical aniline synthesis and biomass upgrading
Electrocatalytic conversion of low-cost organic compounds to high-value chemicals urgently demands the development of efficient electrocatalysts. Mao et al. report the synthesis of Cu single-atom dispersed Rh metallene arrays for electrochemical aniline synthesis and biomass upgrading with enhanced electrocatalytic activity.
- Qiqi Mao
- , Xu Mu
- & Hongjing Wang
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| Open AccessUnexpected doping effects on phonon transport in quasi-one-dimensional van der Waals crystal TiS3 nanoribbons
Doping generally hinders phonon transport. Here, authors significantly increase the thermal conductivity of TiS3 nanoribbons through doping, originating from the intensified bonding strength along the molecular chain direction without distorting the one-dimensional structure induced by doped atoms.
- Chenhan Liu
- , Chao Wu
- & Yunfei Chen
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Article
| Open AccessJanus particle-engineered structural lipiodol droplets for arterial embolization
Embolization is one of the most promising strategies for clinical disease treatments, however, the existing embolic materials normally have poor embolization effectiveness. Here, the authors report Janus particle-engineered structural lipiodol droplets by programming the self-assembly of Janus particles at the lipiodol-water interface to achieve highly efficient renal embolization.
- Sijian Tao
- , Bingquan Lin
- & Jun-Bing Fan
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Article
| Open AccessNanoscale ductile fracture and associated atomistic mechanisms in a body-centered cubic refractory metal
Understanding the competing modes of brittle versus ductile fracture is critical for preventing material failure. Here, the authors reveal the atomic-scale processes of crack growth in Mo crystals, providing mechanistic insights into the ductile to brittle transition in BCC refractory metals.
- Yan Lu
- , Yongchao Chen
- & Xiaodong Han
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| Open AccessHighly sensitive and broadband meta-mechanoreceptor via mechanical frequency-division multiplexing
There’s a trade-off between the sensitivity and bandwidth for mechanics guided sensor designs. Here, authors report a mechanical sensor comprised of piezoelectric resonators with near infinite effective piezoelectric coefficients, leading to highly sensitive and broadband micromotion sensing.
- Chong Li
- , Xinxin Liao
- & Qingbo He
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Article
| Open AccessLarge-scale assembly of isotropic nanofiber aerogels based on columnar-equiaxed crystal transition
In this work, the authors present an ice-templating strategy to produce large-scale isotropic nanofiber aerogels using a unique process of freezing the material on a rotating cryogenic drum surface, crushing it, and then re-casting the nanofiber slurry enabling high-throughput and design flexibility.
- Lei Li
- , Yiqian Zhou
- & Hui Wu
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Article
| Open AccessElectrically insulating PBO/MXene film with superior thermal conductivity, mechanical properties, thermal stability, and flame retardancy
Constructing thermally conductive but electrically insulating composites remains a challenge. Here, Ti3C2 MXene is combined in a nacre-like structure with the polymer PBO to form such materials, also exhibiting high thermal stability and flame retardancy.
- Yong Liu
- , Weizhi Zou
- & Jian Xu
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Article
| Open AccessIn-memory mechanical computing
Here, Mei and Chen propose an in-memory mechanical computing architecture with simplified and reduced data exchange, where computing occurs within mechanical memory units, to facilitate the design of intelligent mechanical systems.
- Tie Mei
- & Chang Qing Chen
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Article
| Open AccessContribution of boundary non-stoichiometry to the lower-temperature plasticity in high-pressure sintered boron carbide
Improving plasticity in non-oxide ceramics while maintaining their high-temperature strength is challenging. Here, the authors report an enhancement of plasticity in B4C owing to the boundary non-stoichiometry. The results show excellent strength maintenance before the onset of plasticity.
- Haiyue Xu
- , Wei Ji
- & Zhengyi Fu
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Article
| Open AccessImpact damage reduction of woven composites subject to pulse current
In this work, the authors demonstrate that pulse current can effectively be used to reduce delamination damage and residual deformation in 3D orthogonal woven composites, enhancing mechanical properties and damage tolerance.
- Yan Li
- , Fusheng Wang
- & Laohu Long
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Article
| Open AccessOperando neutron diffraction reveals mechanisms for controlled strain evolution in 3D printing
Residual stress affects most manufactured goods and is prevalent in casting, welding, and additive manufacturing. Here, the authors use operando neutron diffraction to elucidate mechanisms for lattice strain evolution during printing of a low-temperature transformation steel.
- A. Plotkowski
- , K. Saleeby
- & S. S. Babu
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Article
| Open AccessMetal 3D nanoprinting with coupled fields
Manufacturing metallized arrays of 3D nanoarchitectures is generally limited by existing lithographic methods. Here, by manipulating applied electric and flow fields, authors demonstrate fast 3D nanoprinting of nanostructured arrays of multiple materials and geometries over millimetre-scale areas.
- Bingyan Liu
- , Shirong Liu
- & Jicheng Feng
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Article
| Open AccessBamboo-like dual-phase nanostructured copper composite strengthened by amorphous boron framework
Achieving strength and toughness synergy via microstructure design is challenging in materials science. Here, the authors construct a bamboo-like dual-phase copper-boron structure that has unique mechanical response resulting in simultaneous increase in hardness, strength, and ductility.
- Hang Lv
- , Xinxin Gao
- & Weitao Zheng
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Article
| Open AccessNon-reciprocal and non-Newtonian mechanical metamaterials
In this work, authors demonstrate a model for non-reciprocal and non-Newtonian mechanical metamaterials by combining the concept of local resonances and fixing boundaries. Via computational models and impact experiments they show that stiffness substantially changes as a function of the loading velocity.
- Lianchao Wang
- , Julio A. Iglesias Martínez
- & Muamer Kadic
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Article
| Open AccessEmerging exotic compositional order on approaching low-temperature equilibrium glasses
Understanding glass transition would rely on the knowledge of the structural ordering upon slow cooling in the absence of crystallization or phase separation. The authors identify exotic compositional order, not accompanied by any thermodynamic signature, directly impacts the structural relaxation dynamics.
- Hua Tong
- & Hajime Tanaka
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| Open AccessExperimental study platform for electrocatalysis of atomic-level controlled high-entropy alloy surfaces
Understanding the surface atomic-level structure–property relationships of complex high-entropy alloy electrocatalysts is a challenge. Here, authors propose an experimental study platform to elucidate the relationship between surface nanostructures and high-entropy alloy electrocatalyst properties.
- Yoshihiro Chida
- , Takeru Tomimori
- & Toshimasa Wadayama
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Article
| Open AccessGiant uniaxial negative thermal expansion in FeZr2 alloy over a wide temperature range
Negative thermal expansion alloys possess an important role in regulating thermal expansion. Here, the authors report a giant uniaxial negative thermal expansion, mainly driven by high-frequency optical branches, in metallic FeZr2 from 93 to 1078 K.
- Meng Xu
- , Qiang Li
- & Jun Chen