Browse Articles

Unveiling multifunctional synthetic boundaries for enhanced mechanical and electrochemical performance in densified thick composite electrodes

Abstract High energy density lithium-ion batteries are essential for sustainable energy solutions, as they reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Increasing electrode thickness is an effective strategy to raise energy density at the device level, but it poses inherent scientific challenges. Thick electrodes typically require a highly porous structure (over 40% porosity) to maintain sufficient charge transport. Such porosity sharply lowers volumetric energy density, limiting use in space-constrained applications. Conversely, direct densification of thick electrodes intensifies charge diffusion limitations and exacerbates mechanochemical degradation. To overcome these trade-offs, we explore a geology-inspired, transient liquid-assisted densification process that produces dense, thick electrodes with multifunctional synthetic secondary boundaries. These boundaries provide three key benefits: (1) strain resistance that mitigates mechanochemical degradation, as demonstrated by operando full-field strain mapping; (2) enhanced charge transport across boundary phases in thick and dense electrodes (thickness > 200 μm, relative density > 85 %), leading to improved comprehensive electrochemical performance with a volumetric capacity of 420 mAh cm −3 , an areal capacity of 23 mAh cm −2 , and a specific (gravimetric) capacity of 195 mAh g −1 at a current density of 1 mA cm −2 ; and (3) tailored conducting phases that increase active material content to 92.7 % by weight, further elevating volumetric capacity to 497 mAh cm −3 .

Self-Assembly of Artificial Topological Nanostructures for Enhanced Bioorthogonal Activation and Drug Penetration for Cancer Immunotherapy

Origin of switchable quasiparticle-interference chirality in loop-current phase of kagome metals measured by scanning-tunneling-microscopy

Prelimbic cortex to ventral tegmental area projection regulates early social isolation stress-potentiated heroin seeking in mice

Abstract Early-life adversities increase vulnerability to substance use disorders, which are characterized by persistent, uncontrollable drive to seek drugs, often leading to relapse. Previously, we reported that early social isolation (ESI) during adolescence potentiates heroin-seeking in mice. However, the underlying neurobiology remains unknown. Here, we found that ESI aggravated heroin-induced neuronal dysfunction in prelimbic cortex (PrL) to ventral tegmental area (VTA) projecting neurons. Activating PrL->VTA projection attenuated ESI-potentiated heroin seeking, alongside normalized neuronal function. RNA-seq revealed that ESI and heroin convergently altered genes regulating morphogenesis and metabolism, with Tmsb4x (thymosin β4) as a key gene. ESI and heroin interaction affected genes regulating cell cycle and DNA damage response, with Mcm3 and Mcm7 (minichromosome maintenance proteins 3/7) as hubs. PrL thymosin β4 infusion or CRISPR-Cas9-mediated PrL->VTA projection-specific Mcm3/7 knockdown attenuated ESI-potentiated heroin-seeking and neuronal hypofunction. Our study suggests that ESI-potentiated heroin relapse is associated with neuronal and transcriptional alterations in PrL->VTA projection.

Upcycling waste polystyrene to adipic acid through a hybrid chemical and biological process

S/O and vinyl isomerization enables ultrafast cationic ring-opening polymerization toward CO2-derived polythioester with migrated in-chain C=C substituents

Non-damaging laser treatment with electroretinography-based thermal dosimetry activates hormetic heat response in pig retinal pigment epithelium

Antarctic meltwater alters future projections of climate and sea level

Author Correction: Early Triassic super-greenhouse climate driven by vegetation collapse

Direct current generation in triboelectric nanogenerators through ionic dynamics and electrode polarization effects

Conversion from coniferous to broadleaved trees can make European forests more climate-effective

Abstract The climate effectiveness of forestation in Europe is debated, as it may provide more warming via solar energy absorption than evaporative cooling. Since forests play an important role in European climate policy, it is necessary to explore potential solutions to this issue in a warmer world. Here, based on experiments conducted with a regional climate model under several forest change scenarios, we find that conversion from coniferous to broadleaved trees in currently forested areas can provide cooling for summer hot extremes (e.g., reducing the monthly mean daily maximum temperature in July over Continental Europe by 0.6 °C). The conversion can also mitigate the undesired warming impacts of forestation with present-day forest composition in most of Europe, e.g., reversing effects on the monthly mean daily maximum temperature in July over Continental Europe from +0.3 °C to −0.7 °C. This study highlights the importance of considering tree species in European forest policy development and suggests that the Northern and Central regions should be prioritised for forestation over the Western and Southern parts.

Multiscale interlinked structures limit fatigue crack propagation in a MXene-polyurethane composite

A memory transcriptome time course reveals essential long-term memory transcription factors

Abstract Long-term memory (LTM) requires transcription and translation of new proteins, yet the transcriptional control of memory remains poorly understood. Here, we performed a transcriptome time-course during LTM formation in Drosophila melanogaster exposed to courtship conditioning. We identified a mushroom body-specific transcriptional memory trace that becomes activated during memory consolidation. Using scRNAseq of CREB-activated cells we were able to detect a persistent transcriptional response in MB neurons after LTM consolidation and retrieval. As a proof of causality, we conducted a loss-of-function screen for genes comprising the transcriptional memory trace, finding 16 positive hits whose disruption impaired LTM. Among them, we identified two neuron activity-regulated genes, Hr38 and sr , which encode transcription factors that are activated by courtship LTM training, required for LTM, and bind to many genes comprising the transcriptional memory trace. Overall, we further define the transcriptional response to LTM and identify transcription factors that may help shape it.

Visually encoded mechanoluminescence through hierarchical structuring with microscale patterns and nanoscale features

Paused RNA polymerase primes promoters via RNA-mediated stabilisation of transcription factor ERα

Common genetic variation influencing the human lung imaging phenotypes

Crop rotations synergize yield, nutrition, and revenue: a meta-analysis

Electron Ptychography Images Hydrogen Atom Superlattices and 3D Inhomogeneities in Palladium Hydride Nanoparticles

Tuning Core Flexibility and Curvature in Azine-Linked Covalent Organic Frameworks for Attomolar-Level Impedimetric Sensing of Glucose

Antistunting potential of deepsea water concentrate as multivitamin granules: stability and in vivo activity study

Abstract Stunting in children is caused by severely inadequate nutrients; therefore, balanced nutritious foods such as multivitamins is the most promising alternative interventions. Concentrated deep seawater is rich in minerals, thus provide potent multivitamin sources. The hygroscopic nature of minerals makes them prone to moisture. Consequently, the fabrication of a non-hygroscopic dosage form and the study on its potential for stunting conditions are highly needed. The concentrate was encapsulated into granules by using different fillers with Florite as desiccant. Physicochemical evaluations were conducted using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). An in vivo anti-stunting study was performed using zebrafish as an animal model. The results indicated that encapsulation using Avicel PH 102 as filler, either with or without addition of Florite 10%, provided good stability after 5 months of storage. Antistunting activity test showed that, after induction by rotenone, treatments with deep seawater either in form of concentrate water or granule improved the stunted condition of the zebra fish embryos shown as the improvement in the hatching rate, brain length, and body length. Deep seawater concentrate was successfully formulated into granules which provided moisture protection of its highly hygroscopic nature as well as antistunting activity.