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ZnO@ZnS core–shell nanocomposites enable ultra-enhanced ultraviolet exciton luminescence in ZnO
ZnO materials play a crucial role in optoelectronic devices, such as ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors and radiation detectors, owing to their strong UV exciton emission. In this work, ZnO nanoparticles with high crystallinity were synthesized via a hydrothermal method, followed by surface sulfuration to form a dense ZnS shell, resulting in ZnO@ZnS core–shell nanocomposites with enhanced UV exciton emission. The mechanism underlying the ZnS shell-induced enhancement was systematically investigated. Although surface sulfuration increased the specific surface area, the ZnO@ZnS core–shell nanocomposites retained the original morphology of ZnO. With an increasing sulfuration degree, the UV exciton emission intensity of ZnO@ZnS gradually increased, reaching optimal performance at a thioacetamide/ZnO molar ratio of 4:10, where the emission intensity was enhanced by nearly an order of magnitude. This significant improvement is attributed to the ZnS shell acting as an “inert” passivation layer, which effectively suppresses surface defect states while providing a confined pathway for charge carrier transport, thereby reducing scattering and improving light absorption efficiency. Notably, the introduction of the ZnS shell does not prolong the photoluminescence decay time; instead, ZnO@ZnS exhibits a fast decay time of 0.65 ns, indicating efficient suppression of nonradiative recombination pathways. These findings provide an effective strategy for enhancing UV exciton emission in ZnO and highlight the potential of ZnO@ZnS nanocomposites for advanced optoelectronic applications.
A comparative transcriptomic analysis of mouse demyelination models and multiple sclerosis lesions
Single pair of charge-two Weyl fermions in chiral boron allotropes
The realization of a minimal Weyl semimetal (WSM) hosting a single pair of Weyl points (WPs) has thus far been restricted to magnetic systems, since time-reversal symmetry generally enforces a minimum of four WPs in nonmagnetic materials. Here, combining first-principles calculations with symmetry analysis, we identify two stable boron allotropes, chiral HDSBC-B20 and cage-like CR-B12, as the first nonmagnetic electronic materials realizing a single pair of WPs in the spinless regime. We show that the interplay between time-reversal symmetry and crystallographic rotation symmetry (C4 or C3) stabilizes exactly one pair of charge-2 WPs pinned at time-reversal-invariant momenta, thereby circumventing the conventional node-quartet constraint. These double-WPs exhibit linear dispersion along the rotation axis and quadratic dispersion in the perpendicular plane. In HDSBC-B20, the sign of the topological charge is directly correlated with structural chirality. Both materials host exceptionally long double Fermi arcs spanning the surface Brillouin zones, providing experimentally accessible signatures. Our findings establish nonmagnetic material platforms for minimal double-Weyl fermions and broaden the landscape of unconventional WSMs.
Decoding spatial transcriptomics across multicellular and subcellular resolutions
Localized electrothermal annealing for rapid recovery of ambient degradation in indium oxide transistors via COMSOL simulations and experimental characterization
This work reports an electrothermal annealing (ETA) technique based on localized Joule heat for effective recovery of the electrical characteristics of indium oxide (In2O3) thin-film transistors (TFTs) that are degraded by ambient exposure. We investigated the current–voltage (I–V) characteristics, resistance, subthreshold swing, and μFE under three conditions: the initial state, the degraded state after 10 days, and the state after ETA. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and subgap density-of-states analyses were conducted to examine variations in oxygen vacancy (VO) quantitatively and thereby demonstrate the effects of ETA. Additionally, COMSOL simulations were performed to elucidate the temperature distribution induced by localized Joule heat and to validate the feasibility of reducing shallow trap states via ETA in In2O3 TFTs.
Phage-encoded factor stimulates DNA degradation by the Hna anti-phage defense system
Abstract Prokaryotic organisms have evolved unique strategies to acquire immunity against the constant threat of bacteriophage (phage) and mobile genetic elements. Hna is a broadly distributed anti-phage immune system that confers resistance against diverse phage by eliciting an abortive infection response. Using a combination of biochemistry, cryo-electron microscopy, and single-molecule fluorescence imaging, we reveal that Hna functions as a 3’—5’ single-stranded DNA exonuclease that forms an auto-inhibited dimer under physiological ATP concentrations. Biochemical and mutational analyses demonstrate that Hna catalytic outputs are governed by kinetic partitioning between ATPase and nuclease active sites. Disruption of this balance enhances DNA cleavage and causes cellular toxicity. Furthermore, we show that a phage-encoded single-stranded DNA-binding protein (5 A SSB) destabilizes the autoinhibited Hna dimer and shifts catalytic partitioning toward dysregulated nuclease activation. Conversely, phage escape mutants encode SSB variants that evade Hna surveillance by adopting higher order stoichiometries with enhanced DNA binding affinity. Our work establishes the molecular basis of Hna-mediated anti-phage activity and provides insights into how phage-encoded proteins can directly stimulate a bacterial immune response.
High-efficiency scalable hybrid silicon grating couplers for thin-film lithium niobate photonics
In this work, we report a high-efficiency hybrid silicon-on-thin-film lithium niobate (Si-on-TFLN) grating coupler platform. By utilizing a silicon overlay to enhance diffraction contrast, a simulated peak coupling efficiency of −0.76 dB (84%) at 775 nm and −0.9 dB (81%) at 1552 nm using apodized structures is achieved. Experimental verification shows a measured efficiency of −2.1 dB using a 780 nm narrow linewidth source (Rb absorption line) and −1.24 dB at 1520 nm, representing the highest reported values for metal-unassisted transverse electric grating couplers on TFLN to date. The platform exhibits a 3 dB bandwidth of 40 nm at 1520 nm. This hybrid architecture eliminates the need for complex metal reflectors and deep TFLN etching, providing a scalable solution for system-on-chip integration in quantum sensing, medical diagnostics, and optical communications.
Trunk-branch-inspired carbon fiber scaffolds with boron nitride network for heat dissipation and electromagnetic interference shielding
Microwave field sensing and laser stabilization with Rydberg atoms excited through the 7 <i>P</i> 1/2 state in an inverted ladder scheme
We present an inverted ladder cesium Rydberg atom excitation scheme with a probe transition of 6S1/2→7P1/2 (459 nm) and coupling transition of 7P1/2→nD3/2 (⩾1038 nm) for electric field sensing, as an alternative to schemes that use the D1 and D2 probe laser transitions and green light coupling laser transitions. We investigate the transition from enhanced absorption (EA) to electromagnetically induced transparency for different probe Rabi frequencies and conduct experiments to validate Autler–Townes splitting of the nD3/2→(n+1)P1/2 and nD3/2→(n−2)F5/2 Rydberg transitions in the presence of on-resonance microwave fields, for a proof-of-concept demonstration of microwave field sensing using EA in an inverted ladder scheme. Finally, we demonstrate 459 nm probe laser stabilization to the hyperfine lines in a saturated absorption spectroscopy configuration, and laser stabilization of the 1038 nm coupling laser to an EA spectral feature in a counter-propagating probe and coupling laser configuration. Under stabilization, Allan deviations of less than 200 kHz for τ&lt; 50 s are achieved for both the probe and coupling lasers.
Subduction legacies in the mantle transition zone modulate intraplate oceanic volcanism
Abstract How oceanic crust forms and intraplate volcanism arises remains central to resolving the mechanisms driving Earth’s dynamic evolution. Anomalously thick oceanic crust is conventionally attributed to thermal mantle plumes, yet large igneous provinces such as the Azores Plateau, with its 8–30 km thick crust, dispersed volcanism, and distinctive water-rich geochemical signatures, challenge this paradigm. Here we use geodynamic numerical models to show that a migrating ridge over a locally hydrated layer (0.1–0.4 wt.% H₂O), generated by dehydration of the Mantle Transition Zone (MTZ), can trigger upwelling and melting sufficient to produce a 10–20 km-thick crust. This mechanism accounts for the plateau’s anomalous crustal thickness, long-lived volcanism, and volatile-rich mantle source. We propose that recycled water, a subduction legacy stored in the MTZ, acts as a primary driver of intraplate volcanism, providing an alternative to the classical stationary mantle plume model. This mechanism may also help explain the widespread contamination of large-scale upper mantle domains by subduction-related fluid signatures, as in the DUPAL and South Atlantic domains.
A DNA-inspired magnetic millimeter-scale swimmer with double conical chains
Microswimmers have attracted significant attention in biomedical engineering and targeted drug delivery. However, the current microswimmer designs are hindered by low swimming velocity and poor maneuverability. In the present study, a DNA-inspired magnetic millimeter-scale swimmer with double conical chains was designed. The millimeter-scale swimmer was fabricated by 3D printing and magnetron sputtering processes. The position of the magnetic swimmer was controlled via a rotating magnetic field generated by the Helmholtz coils. The dynamic model of the DNA-inspired magnetic swimmer was established to analyze the swimming velocity. The effects of various magnetic field strengths and fluid viscosities on the swimming velocity were investigated by theoretical, simulative, and experimental approaches. The maximum swimming velocity and the highest out-of-step frequency of the millimeter-scale swimmer were 1.6 mm/s and 34 Hz, respectively. The maneuverability of the designed millimeter-scale swimmer was verified by the W-shaped trajectory experiments.
Bio-inspired antioxidant stabilization for efficient tin-lead and all-perovskite tandem solar cells
Synergistic strengthening at the <b> <i>γ</i> </b> / <b> <i>γ</i> </b> ′ interface: A pinning-to-network transition driven by trace Co
Precisely tuning interfacial properties with trace elements is a key challenge in alloy design, particularly for Ni-based superalloys where the role of trace Co at the γ/γ′ interface is unclear. This study addresses this challenge using atomistic simulations, uncovering a non-monotonic strengthening effect optimized at 0.25 at. % Co. A distinct double yielding behavior is observed in all samples, but the optimal concentration uniquely enhances the second yield strength. The origin of this enhanced strength is a remarkably stable Cottrell atmosphere. This stability fundamentally alters the deformation pathway by catalyzing the formation of a dense dislocation network while simultaneously suppressing premature shearing of the γ′ phase. This efficient transition to a network-hardening regime allows the system to sustain higher stresses before ultimate yield and successfully avoids the dynamic strain aging instabilities inherent to other concentrations. These findings therefore deepen the understanding of the pinning-to-network strengthening transition and provide a mechanistic pathway for designing advanced alloys via the precise engineering of interfacial deformation.
Conformal graphene coatings on ordinary fabrics for wearable electronic devices
Abstract Dip-coating ordinary fabrics with conductive macromolecules holds promise for mass-production of next-generation wearable electronics but faces an interaction dilemma in high-entangled fabrics: weak interactions for uniform penetration versus strong for stable coating. Herein, we present a temporal decoupling strategy, designing stage-specific interaction strengths to achieve uniform graphene oxide penetration and robust reduced graphene oxide adhesion. Using the triphilic surfactant Triton X-100 as a representative system, this strategy enables the fabrication of fabrics with conductivity (283.1 S m −1 ) and comprehensive wearability (hydrophilicity, air permeability, washability, bacteriostasis, and biocompatibility) over 200-meter roll. This combination of conductivity and production scale outperforms current competitors by over 100-fold, with over 10-time-lower cost (0.4 US$ m −2 ). This strategy is universally applicable to various ordinary fabrics and enables multifunctional applications, including electromagnetic interference shielding and Joule heating. Our work offers a scalable, universal and low-cost methodology for fabric-based wearable electronics with immediate potential for industrial adoption.
Interplay of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions in epitaxial Co3ZnN
Antiperovskite nitrides with the general formula M3AN have attracted significant attention due to their tunable electronic and magnetic properties. Among them are many cobalt-based compounds predicted to exhibit high thermodynamic stability and intriguing magnetic behavior. Here, we report the synthesis and magnetic characterization of epitaxial Co3ZnN thin films grown by radio frequency sputtering on SrTiO3 (STO) and MgO substrates. X-ray diffraction confirms phase-pure (00l)-oriented films with cube-on-cube epitaxy on STO, with a c-lattice parameter of 3.752 Å. Magnetic measurements reveal clear hysteresis at 2 K with a coercive field of ∼0.11 T and a small net moment of 0.108 μB/f.u., suggesting either a canted antiferromagnetic (AFM) or ferrimagnetic (FiM) configuration. Temperature-dependent magnetization measurements show a transition near 25 K, with strong AFM interactions with Curie–Weiss temperature (Θ) = −80.13 K. Complementary density functional theory and Monte Carlo simulations indicate a ferromagnetic (FM) ground state, with the FM–AFM energy difference decreasing systematically with increasing supercell size, consistent with competition between FM and AFM/FiM interactions. These results highlight Co3ZnN as a magnetically complex antiperovskite nitride with competing exchange interactions.
Oxidative stability as a guiding principle for durable ionomer cations in pure-water electrolysis
Non-epitaxial growth and electrical properties of highly (222)-oriented ITO thin films
The crystallographic orientation of transparent conducting oxides is a critical determinant of their functional properties. Herein, we demonstrate the non-epitaxial growth of highly (222)-oriented indium tin oxide (ITO) films on quartz substrates via magnetron sputtering, mediated by a yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) buffer layer. The YSZ layer not only provides a stable template for preferential ITO growth but also ensures exceptional process robustness. Morphological analysis reveals a quasi-triangular grain morphology and a continuous vertical columnar growth mode throughout the film thickness. Following optimization of an in situ annealing process, the ITO films exhibit a low resistivity of 1.65 × 10−4 Ω cm and a high figure of merit of 0.039 Ω−1. This overall performance surpasses that of commercial ITO benchmarks and most values reported in the literature.
Gut microbiota-induced perturbation in bile acids alter keratinocyte lipid metabolism via FXR-NQO1 signaling in psoriasis
Enhanced near-infrared emission in Na2ZnSiO4:Fe3+ via lattice engineering toward highly sensitive fluorescence lifetime thermometry
Fe3+-activated near-infrared luminescent materials are gaining interest for applications in night vision, bioimaging, and food analysis. Although Fe3+ is often considered a luminescence quencher, proper control can make it an efficient activator. In this study, a novel Na2Zn0.7Mg0.3SiO4:0.003Fe3+ (NZMS:0.003Fe3+) phosphor was synthesized by substituting Mg2+ for Zn2+ in the Na2ZnSiO4 host. Upon 280 nm excitation, NZMS:0.003Fe3+ exhibits a broad emission band centered at 720 nm. The substitution of Zn2+ with Mg2+ induces lattice distortion and lowers the local symmetry of Fe3+ centers, resulting in a 6.4-fold enhancement in photoluminescence intensity at the optimal concentration (x = 0.3). The optimized NZMS:0.003Fe3+ phosphor shows high thermal sensitivity in the 300–362 K range, with a maximum relative sensitivity of 3.40% K−1 at 357 K. Based on this, a fiber-optic system for fluorescence lifetime thermometry was designed. Its high sensitivity and robust lifetime-based detection show great potential for minimally invasive biomedical procedures and printed circuit board monitoring. This work provides a strategy for enhancing Fe3+ luminescence and explores new applications for Fe3+-doped phosphors.