Article
|
Open Access
Featured
-
-
Article
| Open AccessMagnetic fingerprint of individual Fe4 molecular magnets under compression by a scanning tunnelling microscope
The incorporation of single-molecule magnets into spintronic devices is often hindered by electronic or structural modifications. Here, the authors demonstrate how confinement of Fe4 molecules in junctions between a Cu2N substrate and a scanning microscope tip enhances intra-molecular exchange interaction.
- Jacob A.J. Burgess
- , Luigi Malavolti
- & Sebastian Loth
-
Article
| Open AccessHelicity multiplexed broadband metasurface holograms
The demonstration of visible frequency metasurfaces with broadband optical response is challenging due to plasmonic losses and non-uniform nanofabrication. Here, Wenet al. demonstrate a helicity multiplexed metasurface hologram capable of achieving high efficiency and image quality in the visible and near infrared.
- Dandan Wen
- , Fuyong Yue
- & Xianzhong Chen
-
Article
| Open AccessSparsity-based super-resolved coherent diffraction imaging of one-dimensional objects
In measurements that employ phase retrieval algorithms, such as coherent diffraction imaging, reconstruction of one-dimensional signals is challenging due to ambiguity issues. Here, the authors demonstrate super-resolution coherent imaging of one-dimensional objects by utilizing sparsity prior information.
- Pavel Sidorenko
- , Ofer Kfir
- & Oren Cohen
-
Article
| Open AccessCritical heat flux maxima during boiling crisis on textured surfaces
Cooling hot surfaces by boiling water is widely practiced, but the amount of heat transfer is normally constrained by vapour layer formation at sufficiently high temperatures. Here, the authors report the maximum in the critical heat flux on textured hydrophilic surfaces at an intermediate texture density.
- Navdeep Singh Dhillon
- , Jacopo Buongiorno
- & Kripa K. Varanasi
-
Article |
Accessing topological superconductivity via a combined STM and renormalization group analysis
A topological superconductor is an exotic state of matter that is gapped in the bulk but possesses gapless surface states, but its identification has been so far elusive. Here, the authors develop a theory for scanning tunnelling microscopy which would allow to resolve topological superconductor states.
- Lars Elster
- , Christian Platt
- & Ewelina M. Hankiewicz
-
Article
| Open AccessCarrier multiplication detected through transient photocurrent in device-grade films of lead selenide quantum dots
In semiconductors, the absorption of a high energy photon can result in the formation of several charge pairs. Here the authors perform ultrafast photocurrent measurements on thin films to explore how quantum dot couplings and the electric field influence multiexciton photovoltaic devices.
- Jianbo Gao
- , Andrew F. Fidler
- & Victor I. Klimov
-
Article
| Open AccessNon-covalent synthesis of supermicelles with complex architectures using spatially confined hydrogen-bonding interactions
Ubiquitous in nature, hierarchical architectures are less commonly achieved in synthetic functional materials. Here, the authors design and carefully assemble block copolymer micelles into complex supermicelles using hydrogen bonding in orthogonal combination with other non-covalent interactions.
- Xiaoyu Li
- , Yang Gao
- & Ian Manners
-
Article |
Imaging of alignment and structural changes of carbon disulfide molecules using ultrafast electron diffraction
Imaging the structure of molecules in transient excited states remains a challenge due to the extreme requirements for spatial and temporal resolution. Here, the authors probe the dynamics in CS2using ultrafast electron diffraction and femtosecond laser mass spectrometery.
- Jie Yang
- , Joshua Beck
- & Martin Centurion
-
Article
| Open AccessNanoscale imaging of buried topological defects with quantitative X-ray magnetic microscopy
Transmission X-ray microscopy allows for the imaging of magnetic domains in thin film materials. Here, the authors exploit the angular dependence of the magnetic contrast to extract out-of-plane canting angles of stripe domains and topological defects in NdCo5films buried under a NiFe layer.
- C. Blanco-Roldán
- , C. Quirós
- & S. Ferrer
-
Article
| Open AccessTowards nanoprinting with metals on graphene
The precise delivery of materials onto graphene is important for nano-processing but little is known about the mechanisms of such processes. Here, the authors use a range of microscopic techniques for the real-time observation of nanoparticle transfer from the inner channel of a carbon nanotube onto graphene.
- G. Melinte
- , S. Moldovan
- & O. Ersen
-
Article
| Open AccessMapping molecules in scanning far-field fluorescence nanoscopy
Mapping the distribution of fluorescence molecules, rather than just their emission intensity, can improve super-resolution fluorescence microscopy. Here, the authors present a general solution for rendering the number of fluorescent molecules recorded by confocal or STED microscopy.
- Haisen Ta
- , Jan Keller
- & Stefan W. Hell
-
Article
| Open AccessPiezotransistive transduction of femtoscale displacement for photoacoustic spectroscopy
Microelectromechanical systems—micrometre-sized devices with movable parts—make highly sensitive transducers. Here, the authors fabricate an integrated gallium nitride microcantilever and heterojunction field effect transistor that uses piezoelectric effects to measure displacement at the femtoscale level.
- Abdul Talukdar
- , M. Faheem Khan
- & Goutam Koley
-
Article
| Open AccessAn on-chip electrical transport spectroscopy approach for in situ monitoring electrochemical interfaces
In situprobing electrochemical interfaces is important for the development of improved electrocatalysts. Here, the authors present an on-chip electrical transport spectroscopy approach, which enablesin situmonitoring the dynamic electrochemical interface characteristics.
- Mengning Ding
- , Qiyuan He
- & Xiangfeng Duan
-
Article
| Open AccessNon-plasmonic nanoantennas for surface enhanced spectroscopies with ultra-low heat conversion
Metallic nanoantennas can enhance and confine electromagnetic fields, however, localized heating hinders many applications. Here, Caldarola et al.demonstrate both high near-field enhancement and ultra-low heat conversion in the visible-near infrared region using silicon dimer nanoantennas with 20 nm gaps.
- Martín Caldarola
- , Pablo Albella
- & Stefan A. Maier
-
Article
| Open AccessSingle-atom electron energy loss spectroscopy of light elements
Light atoms are hardly visible through standard microscopy techniques, because of their smaller scattering power and higher knock-on probability. Here, the authors present an approach to probe light atoms by means of electron energy loss spectroscopy, relying on inelastically scattered electrons.
- Ryosuke Senga
- & Kazu Suenaga
-
Article
| Open AccessDirect observation of multistep energy transfer in LHCII with fifth-order 3D electronic spectroscopy
Photosynthesis is a complex process, involving the transfer of sunlight driven excitation energy to a reaction centre. Here, the authors directly observe the multistep excitation energy transitions in a light-harvesting complex using ultrafast fifth-order three-dimensional electronic spectroscopy.
- Zhengyang Zhang
- , Petar H. Lambrev
- & Howe-Siang Tan
-
Article
| Open AccessDeep and high-resolution three-dimensional tracking of single particles using nonlinear and multiplexed illumination
Existing single-particle tracking techniques are limited in terms of penetration depth, tracking range or temporal resolution. Here, Perilloet al. demonstrate three-dimensional particle tracking up to 200-μm depth, with 35-nm spatial localization and 50-μs resolution using multiplexed two-photon excitation.
- Evan P. Perillo
- , Yen-Liang Liu
- & Andrew K. Dunn
-
Article
| Open AccessControllable synthesis of molybdenum tungsten disulfide alloy for vertically composition-controlled multilayer
The band gap modulation of two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide alloy is essential for successful applications. Here, we show a controllable synthesis of Mo1−xWxS2 alloy and vertically composition-controlled Mo1−xWxS2multilayer, which is promising as a photoactive material.
- Jeong-Gyu Song
- , Gyeong Hee Ryu
- & Hyungjun Kim
-
Article
| Open AccessObservation of vibrational overtones by single-molecule resonant photodissociation
Studying the spectra of molecules typically requires large samples, which can be difficult to achieve for hard-to-generate ions. Here, the authors obtain spectra from single CaH+molecules in a three-ion Columbic crystal, observing new molecular transitions.
- Ncamiso B. Khanyile
- , Gang Shu
- & Kenneth R. Brown
-
Article
| Open AccessSolubility design leading to high figure of merit in low-cost Ce-CoSb3 skutterudites
Thermoelectric materials have the potential to convert waste heat into electricity. Although some of the more viable thermoelectric materials are based on expensive rare earth elements, here the authors replace Yb with low-cost Ce by engineering Ce solubility, thereby making Ce-CoSb3 a competitive thermoelectric.
- Yinglu Tang
- , Riley Hanus
- & G. Jeffrey Snyder
-
Article
| Open AccessCreating semiconductor metafilms with designer absorption spectra
Ultrathin semiconductor metafilms can be designed to achieve near-unity absorption in specific spectral regions. Here, Kim et al. engineer nanoscale optical resonances in sub-50-nm-thick germanium nanobeams metafilms to demonstrate near-unity absorption in one or more desired wavelength regions.
- Soo Jin Kim
- , Pengyu Fan
- & Mark L. Brongersma
-
Article
| Open AccessTransition of dislocation nucleation induced by local stress concentration in nanotwinned copper
Metallic materials with a nanometre-scaled lamella structure can have properties that are very different from their coarser-grained counterparts. Here, the authors demonstrate how dislocations in such a material—nanotwinned copper—can nucleate in two distinctly different mechanisms depending on local stress
- N. Lu
- , K. Du
- & H. Q. Ye
-
Article
| Open AccessChemical structure imaging of a single molecule by atomic force microscopy at room temperature
Atomic force microscopy is capable of resolving the chemical structure of a single molecule on a surface, usually at low temperatures. Here, the authors demonstrate that the chemical structure of a single molecule strongly adsorbed onto a silicon surface can be determined at room temperature.
- Kota Iwata
- , Shiro Yamazaki
- & Yoshiaki Sugimoto
-
Article
| Open AccessRational design of crystalline supermicroporous covalent organic frameworks with triangular topologies
Covalent organic frameworks are currently arousing considerable interest due to their desirable properties for a wide range of applications. Here, Jiang et al. report two such materials with triangular topologies which exhibit high hole mobility arising from extensive π-cloud delocalisation.
- Sasanka Dalapati
- , Matthew Addicoat
- & Donglin Jiang
-
Article
| Open AccessDynamic structural evolution of supported palladium–ceria core–shell catalysts revealed by in situ electron microscopy
There is currently renewed interest in the use of core–shell catalysts for methane combustion. Here, the authors perform anex situ and in situelectron microscopy study to probe the structural evolution of palladium–cerium dioxide catalytic core–shell subunits over a wide temperature range.
- Shuyi Zhang
- , Chen Chen
- & Xiaoqing Pan
-
Article
| Open AccessTowards experimental quantum-field tomography with ultracold atoms
Full tomography of the quantum state of a many-body system becomes harder as more and more atoms are included. Here the authors borrow a concept from condensed-matter physics, continuous matrix-product states, and present an efficient approach for experimental quantum-field tomography.
- A. Steffens
- , M. Friesdorf
- & J. Eisert
-
Article
| Open AccessRetrieving spin textures on curved magnetic thin films with full-field soft X-ray microscopies
The determination of the three-dimensional magnetic domain structures of nanostructures is an ongoing challenge. Here, Streubel et al.use two-dimensional X-ray microscopy to reconstruct three-dimensional domain structures in ferromagnetic thin-film cylinders.
- Robert Streubel
- , Florian Kronast
- & Denys Makarov
-
Article
| Open AccessDetermining the location and nearest neighbours of aluminium in zeolites with atom probe tomography
Substitution of framework silicon for aluminium in zeolites affects Brønsted acidity and subsequently catalytic activity. Here, the authors use atom probe tomography to obtain quantitative insights into the spatial distribution of individual aluminium atoms, including their distribution and segregation.
- Daniel E. Perea
- , Ilke Arslan
- & Bert M. Weckhuysen
-
Article
| Open AccessAtomic species identification at the (101) anatase surface by simultaneous scanning tunnelling and atomic force microscopy
Anatase is a pivotal material in devices for energy-harvesting applications and catalysis. Here, Stetsovych et al. demonstrate the potential of simultaneously combining atomic force microscopy and scanning tunnelling microscopy to identify the atomic species populating the (101) surface of anatase.
- Oleksandr Stetsovych
- , Milica Todorović
- & Oscar Custance
-
Article
| Open AccessComplex structural dynamics of nanocatalysts revealed in Operando conditions by correlated imaging and spectroscopy probes
Studying a catalyst during reaction (operando conditions) can give significant insights into the changes a catalyst undergoes. Here, the authors use an operandoapproach to correlate X-ray spectroscopy and electron based imaging techniques to measure the dynamic changes in Pt nanoparticles during the catalytic hydrogenation of ethylene.
- Y. Li
- , D. Zakharov
- & A.I. Frenkel
-
Article
| Open AccessExtreme ultraviolet imaging of three-dimensional magnetic reconnection in a solar eruption
Magnetic reconnection is a fundamental energy release process taking place in various astrophysical environments, but it is difficult to observe it directly. Here, the authors provide evidence of three-dimensional magnetic reconnection in a solar eruption using combined perspectives of two spacecraft.
- J. Q. Sun
- , X. Cheng
- & C. Fang
-
Article
| Open AccessProbing three-dimensional sodiation–desodiation equilibrium in sodium-ion batteries by in situ hard X-ray nanotomography
In situ3D visualization of sodium-ion battery processes is challenging due to the highly active sodium metal and the sluggish kinetics. Here, the authors present a X-ray tomography technique, which enables tracking the sodiation–desodiation process of a Sn anode in battery operation.
- Jiajun Wang
- , Christopher Eng
- & Jun Wang
-
Article
| Open AccessHyperbolic phonon-polaritons in boron nitride for near-field optical imaging and focusing
Hyperbolic phonon polariton modes in natural hyperbolic materials could have uses in near-field optical imaging, guiding, and focusing applications. Here Li et al.demonstrate enlarged imaging and super-resolution focusing from a flat slab of hexagonal boron nitride enabled by hyperbolic phonon polariton modes.
- Peining Li
- , Martin Lewin
- & Thomas Taubner
-
Article
| Open AccessA scanning cavity microscope
Fluorescence from nanoparticles enables high-resolution optical imaging, but this approach is limited to those structures that emit light. Here, the authors demonstrate a microscope that uses a cavity to enhance the measurement of the alternative optical properties of absorption and dispersion.
- Matthias Mader
- , Jakob Reichel
- & David Hunger
-
Article |
Resonant tunnelling in a quantum oxide superlattice
Quantum mechanical resonant tunnelling is believed to be only feasible in semiconductor-based heterostructures due to high crystalline quality required, which restricts the number of viable materials. Here, the authors demonstrate resonant tunnelling in a deliberately designed complex-oxide superlattice.
- Woo Seok Choi
- , Sang A. Lee
- & Ho Nyung Lee
-
Article
| Open AccessMembranes with artificial free-volume for biofuel production
The free-volume of a polymer is a key parameter in its ability to permit through transport of small molecules. Here, the authors develop a way of introducing different degrees of artificial free-volume to a polymer membrane, and thus tailor its penetrability for applications including biofuel purification.
- Nikos Petzetakis
- , Cara M. Doherty
- & Nitash P. Balsara
-
Article |
Design and discovery of a novel half-Heusler transparent hole conductor made of all-metallic heavy elements
Materials that are both electrically conducting and transparent to light are vital for optoelectronic devices, but are rare. Here, the authors perform a quantum mechanical search for such materials and identify the compound TaIrGe as an unexpected possibility, which they then synthesize.
- Feng Yan
- , Xiuwen Zhang
- & Alex Zunger
-
Article
| Open AccessSpatial and temporal imaging of long-range charge transport in perovskite thin films by ultrafast microscopy
Determining the mechanism of charge carrier transport in solar cells is important for their development towards higher efficiencies. Here, the authors elucidate the spatial and temporal diffusion of charge carriers in hybrid perovskite thin films through ultrafast transient absorption microscopy.
- Zhi Guo
- , Joseph S. Manser
- & Libai Huang
-
Article
| Open AccessRevealing the planar chemistry of two-dimensional heterostructures at the atomic level
The properties of 2D materials such as graphene can vary according to the quality and, for vertical devices, the interfaces between materials. Here, the authors report a method using TOF-SIMS, micro-Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy to give high levels of detail of vertical 2D heterostructures.
- Harry Chou
- , Ariel Ismach
- & Andrei Dolocan
-
Article
| Open AccessHigh-performance flexible perovskite solar cells exploiting Zn2SnO4 prepared in solution below 100 °C
There has been impressive progress in the development of perovskite solar cells in recent years, but the best performing systems tend to be fabricated on glass surfaces. Here, the authors present a cell built on a polymer substrate, allowing flexibility whilst maintaining high efficiency.
- Seong Sik Shin
- , Woon Seok Yang
- & Sang Il Seok
-
Article
| Open AccessAtomically thin resonant tunnel diodes built from synthetic van der Waals heterostructures
The family of two-dimensional materials is ever growing, but greater functionality can be realized by combining them together. Here, the authors report the direct synthesis of multijunction heterostructures made from graphene, tungsten diselenide and either molybdenum disulphide or molybdenum diselenide.
- Yu-Chuan Lin
- , Ram Krishna Ghosh
- & Joshua A. Robinson
-
Article
| Open AccessThe solvation of electrons by an atmospheric-pressure plasma
Free, or solvated, electrons in a solution are known to form at the interface between a liquid and a gas. Here, the authors use absorption spectroscopy in a total internal reflection geometry to probe solvated electrons generated at a plasma in contact with the surface of an aqueous solution
- Paul Rumbach
- , David M. Bartels
- & David B. Go
-
Article
| Open AccessRhodium-catalysed C(sp2)–C(sp2) bond formation via C–H/C–F activation
Fluoroalkenes are found widely in biologically active compounds, but their introduction can be difficult or laborious. Here, the authors report a C–H/C–F activation strategy to introduce monofluoroalkenes into organic molecules in one step with good to excellent yields.
- Panpan Tian
- , Chao Feng
- & Teck-Peng Loh
-
Article
| Open AccessSurface determination through atomically resolved secondary-electron imaging
Technical difficulties have so far limited the application of high-resolution secondary-electron microscopy in imaging surface structures. Here, the authors report a successful determination of surface reconstruction of strontium titanate, using the secondary-electron microscopy along with other techniques.
- J. Ciston
- , H. G. Brown
- & L. D. Marks
-
Article
| Open AccessA palladium-catalysed multicomponent coupling approach to conjugated poly(1,3-dipoles) and polyheterocycles
The requirement for multistep synthesis can render the fabrication of highly substituted polymers particularly troublesome. Here, the authors take advantage of metal-catalysed multicomponent polymerization to synthesize a large family of such materials with ease from single-pot reactions.
- David C. Leitch
- , Laure V. Kayser
- & Bruce A. Arndtsen
-
Article
| Open AccessEnabling unassisted solar water splitting by iron oxide and silicon
Water splitting using earth-abundant materials promises a low cost solution to the problem of large scale energy storage. Here, the authors fabricate a haematite and silicon-based high-efficiency water splitting device, which operates without the need for an externally applied bias.
- Ji-Wook Jang
- , Chun Du
- & Dunwei Wang
-
Article
| Open AccessCrystallization of DNA-coated colloids
DNA-coated colloids have failed to achieve their promise of programmable self-assembly because they stick to each other like Velcro. Here Wang et al.overcome this problem by making clickable smooth colloids that are coated with short single-stranded DNA at high density.
- Yu Wang
- , Yufeng Wang
- & David J. Pine
-
Article
| Open AccessSynthesis of three-dimensionally interconnected sulfur-rich polymers for cathode materials of high-rate lithium–sulfur batteries
There is intensive research underway into the cathode development of lithium–sulphur batteries. Here, the authors present a battery with organosulfur-containing polymers as the cathode active materials which displays promising electrochemical performance.
- Hoon Kim
- , Joungphil Lee
- & Moon Jeong Park
-
Article
| Open AccessGeneral synthesis of complex nanotubes by gradient electrospinning and controlled pyrolysis
Nanowires and nanotubes are ideal candidates for energy applications but inorganic multielement oxides are less well studied. Here, the authors propose a gradient-electrospinning followed by controlled-pyrolysis method to synthesize various controllable one dimensional metal oxide nanostructures.
- Chaojiang Niu
- , Jiashen Meng
- & Liqiang Mai