Featured
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News & Views |
Waste product from wood finally used to make glue
Scientists have had limited success in converting lignin, a structural component of plants, into high-value products. The discovery that lignin can be used as a wood glue could be a game-changer for biorefineries.
- Charles E. Frazier
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News |
This insect-sized robot can carry 22 times its own weight
The four-legged miniature machine is powered by tiny explosions.
- Katharine Sanderson
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Nature Podcast |
A mussel-inspired glue for more sustainable sticking
A soya-oil-derived adhesive matches the strength of conventional glues, and reassessing the extent and impacts of childhood malnutrition.
- Nick Petrić Howe
- & Shamini Bundell
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Article |
DNA-based programmable gate arrays for general-purpose DNA computing
Generic single-stranded oligonucleotides used as a uniform transmission signal can reliably integrate large-scale DNA integrated circuits with minimal leakage and high fidelity for general-purpose computing.
- Hui Lv
- , Nuli Xie
- & Chunhai Fan
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Article |
Phase-dependent growth of Pt on MoS2 for highly efficient H2 evolution
We report the production of MoS2 nanosheets with high phase purity, showing that the 2H-phase templates facilitate epitaxial growth of Pt nanoparticles, whereas the 1T′ phase supports single-atomically dispersed Pt atoms.
- Zhenyu Shi
- , Xiao Zhang
- & Hua Zhang
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Article |
Flatband λ-Ti3O5 towards extraordinary solar steam generation
A route to greatly elevate joint densities of states by introducing a flat-band electronic structure is demonstrated, showing metallic λ-Ti3O5 powders have a high solar absorptivity and offering insights into access to cost-effective solar-to-steam generation.
- Bo Yang
- , Zhiming Zhang
- & Liang Zuo
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Article |
Sustainably sourced components to generate high-strength adhesives
We present a sustainably sourced adhesive system, with performance comparable to that of current industrial products, made from epoxidized soy oil, malic acid and tannic acid, all biomass derived, low cost and readily available.
- Clayton R. Westerman
- , Bradley C. McGill
- & Jonathan J. Wilker
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Article |
Towards linking lab and field lifetimes of perovskite solar cells
We correlate lab test and field test results to better predict the performance of perovskite photovoltaics as a step towards real-world implementation.
- Qi Jiang
- , Robert Tirawat
- & Kai Zhu
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Research Highlight |
Wood component yields useful plastics — without the health risks
Lignin and a catalyst allow for green and efficient production of alternatives to bisphenol A.
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Research Briefing |
Surprising reaction pathway observed in lithium–sulfur batteries
Electrochemical-reaction pathways in lithium–sulfur batteries have been studied in real time at the atomic scale using a high-resolution imaging technique. The observations revealed an unexpected collective charge-transfer process that could lead to improvements in the performance of these batteries.
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Article
| Open AccessA catalytically active oscillator made from small organic molecules
We report a small-organic-molecule oscillator that catalyses an independent chemical reaction in situ without impairing its oscillating properties, allowing the construction of complex systems enhancing applications in automated synthesis and systems and polymerization chemistry.
- Matthijs ter Harmsel
- , Oliver R. Maguire
- & Syuzanna R. Harutyunyan
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News & Views |
Surface interaction propels molecule forwards
The interaction of a molecule with a specific surface has been shown to produce consistent unidirectional motion driven by voltage pulses. The mechanism can even facilitate the transport of molecular cargo.
- Leo Gross
- & Jascha Repp
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Article |
Hydrogen-bond-acceptor ligands enable distal C(sp3)–H arylation of free alcohols
Ligands enable alcohol-directed arylation of δ-C(sp3)–H bonds by stabilizing hydroxyl coordination to palladium through charge balance and hydrogen bonding.
- Daniel A. Strassfeld
- , Chia-Yu Chen
- & Jin-Quan Yu
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Article |
Adsorbate motors for unidirectional translation and transport
An adsorbate motor that moves unidirectionally on a copper surface is achieved by inducing intramolecular hydrogen transfer in a single molecule.
- Grant J. Simpson
- , Mats Persson
- & Leonhard Grill
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Research Briefing |
Action spectroscopy of a single gas molecule
Spectroscopy is widely used to characterize samples. Here, spectroscopy of a single molecule of the tropylium cation (C7H7+) presents a new approach to analysis, particularly for rare or reactive molecular ions that are probably important in interstellar chemistry.
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Career Column |
How we set our lab on an environmentally sustainable path
Leading a drive to lower your lab’s carbon footprint alongside your PhD research is tough. Start by celebrating small successes, says Caroline Giuglaris.
- Caroline Giuglaris
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Research Highlight |
A chemical cage holds promise for a better hydrogen-powered fuel cell
Membrane material improves power generation from hydrogen gas — and catalyses the gas’s production from water.
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Research Briefing |
A platform for exploring microscopic processes at electrode–electrolyte interfaces
A centimetre-sized monolayer of the material graphene has been suspended on the surface of an aqueous electrolyte to investigate the intrinsic properties of the graphene–electrolyte interface. The results, based on optical spectroscopy, could aid the design and study of state-of-the-art electrochemical devices.
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Nature Podcast |
Physicists finally observe strange isotope Oxygen 28 – raising fundamental questions
The long-sought finding challenges scientists' understanding of the strong nuclear force, and the AI that can beat human champions at drone racing.
- Dan Fox
- & Nick Petrić Howe
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News |
Rare oxygen isotope detected at last — and it defies expectations
Oxygen-28 might prompt physicists to revamp theories of how atomic nuclei are structured.
- Katherine Bourzac
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Article |
Structure evolution at the gate-tunable suspended graphene���water interface
Using centimetre-sized substrate-free monolayer graphene suspended on aqueous electrolyte surface, the structural evolution versus gate voltage at the graphene–water interface is shown, demonstrating minimal influence of extrinsic factors.
- Ying Xu
- , You-Bo Ma
- & Chuan-Shan Tian
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Article
| Open AccessA microscale soft ionic power source modulates neuronal network activity
A study describes the development of a miniaturized hydrogel-based soft power source capable of modulating the activity of networks of neuronal cells without the need for metal electrodes.
- Yujia Zhang
- , Jorin Riexinger
- & Hagan Bayley
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Editorial |
The science is clear: sustainable development and climate action are inseparable
Sustainability cannot be achieved without climate action, and vice versa. What’s needed is a fight on both fronts.
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Article
| Open AccessLight-enabled deracemization of cyclopropanes by Al-salen photocatalysis
Irradiation of chiral Al-salen complexes with violet light demonstrates efficient deracemization of cyclopropanes, enabling reactivity and enantioselectivity to be regulated simultaneously, negating the requirement for tailored catalyst–substrate recognition motifs.
- Carina Onneken
- , Tobias Morack
- & Ryan Gilmour
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Article |
Quinone-mediated hydrogen anode for non-aqueous reductive electrosynthesis
A quinone-mediated hydrogen anode design shows that hydrogen can be used as the electron source in non-aqueous reductive electrosynthesis, for a more sustainable way to make molecules at larger scale.
- Jack Twilton
- , Mathew R. Johnson
- & Shannon S. Stahl
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Article |
Microstructure and crystal order during freezing of supercooled water drops
Optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction are used to study the freezing of water droplets in vacuum, leading to the development of a seven-stage model of freezing and the mapping of ice structures and crystal order.
- Armin Kalita
- , Maximillian Mrozek-McCourt
- & Claudiu A. Stan
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Article |
High-entropy halide perovskite single crystals stabilized by mild chemistry
Room-temperature-solution (20 °C) and low-temperature-solution (80 °C) synthesis procedures are developed for a new class of metal halide perovskite high-entropy semiconductor single crystals.
- Maria C. Folgueras
- , Yuxin Jiang
- & Peidong Yang
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Article
| Open AccessReversible spin-optical interface in luminescent organic radicals
We report organic molecules showing both efficient luminescence and near-unity generation yield of excited states with high spin multiplicity, simultaneously supporting a high efficiency of initialization, spin manipulations and light-based readout at room temperature.
- Sebastian Gorgon
- , Kuo Lv
- & Emrys W. Evans
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Research Highlight |
How electric-car batteries could be safer and more recyclable
An organic material makes a solid electrolyte in lithium-ion batteries.
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Editorial |
Clean energy can fuel the future — and make the world healthier
Research challenges the myth that clean energy acts as a brake on global economic development.
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Article
| Open AccessBonding wood with uncondensed lignins as adhesives
A straightforward strategy for preparing lignin-based wood adhesives from lignocellulosic biomass is described, with the resulting adhesives demonstrating performance attractive for plywood manufacture.
- Guangxu Yang
- , Zhenggang Gong
- & Li Shuai
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Research Briefing |
Multidecker sandwich compounds assembled into nano-rings
Sandwich compounds are molecules in which two planar molecular rings sandwich a metal ion ‘filling’ between them. The chemistry of these compounds has been extended by the assembly of nano-rings from 18 identical sandwich-type building blocks.
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Article |
Synthesis and properties of cyclic sandwich compounds
The design, synthesis and characterization of a series of circular sandwich compounds, cyclocenes, is described, and these cyclic sandwich compounds are expected to lead to further innovations in new functional organometallic materials.
- Luca Münzfeld
- , Sebastian Gillhuber
- & Peter W. Roesky
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News & Views |
Improved theory of ocean iron cycle resolves modelling issues
A revised conceptual model of the chemical and physical forms of iron in the ocean reconciles the mismatch between observations and simulations of the amount of dissolved iron in seawater — and might aid climate predictions.
- Brandy M. Toner
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Research Briefing |
Lithium forms perfect polyhedra in ultrafast-charging batteries
The performance of next-generation batteries is closely linked to the shape of deposits of metallic lithium that form during charging. Experiments in ultrafast-charging batteries have now revealed that lithium intrinsically forms geometrically perfect 12-face polyhedra, independently of various factors that were long thought to affect the shape of lithium deposits.
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World View |
Power companies must adapt to climate change now. Here’s how researchers can help
To protect millions from unnecessary power outages, utility companies need one thing above all: data.
- Juliet Homer
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News Feature |
Could the world go PFAS-free? Proposal to ban ‘forever chemicals’ fuels debate
A European agency is considering sweeping restrictions on fluorinated chemicals used in jet engines, electric cars, refrigeration systems, semiconductors and many consumer products.
- XiaoZhi Lim
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News & Views |
Sixty years since the report of global lead pollution
The 1963 discovery that even the vast oceans were highly contaminated with lead from car exhausts sparked debate and policy changes that benefited the health of millions — and revolutionized the practices of marine biogeochemistry.
- Jerome Nriagu
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Editorial |
The global fight for critical minerals is costly and damaging
Elements such as rare-earth metals are crucial for the clean-energy transition. Sustainability, equity and security are all at risk in the rush to break China’s dominance over their production.
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Article |
Spin–vibronic coherence drives singlet–triplet conversion
Many aspects of materials chemistry rely on singlet–triplet spin conversion, but spin–vibronic effects are shown to accelerate the process when vibronic coupling causes the quantum-mechanical mixing of spin states.
- Shahnawaz R. Rather
- , Nicholas P. Weingartz
- & Lin X. Chen
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Editorial |
Plastic waste is everywhere — and countries must be held accountable for reducing it
As UN negotiations on eliminating plastic pollution enter a crucial phase, researchers must play their part in designing adequate measurement, monitoring and compliance systems.
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Article
| Open AccessDiverse organic-mineral associations in Jezero crater, Mars
Raman and fluorescence spectra, consistent with several species of aromatic organic molecules, are reported in the Crater Floor sequences of Jezero crater, Mars, suggesting multiple mechanisms of organic synthesis, transport, or preservation.
- Sunanda Sharma
- , Ryan D. Roppel
- & Anastasia Yanchilina
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Article |
Homomeric chains of intermolecular bonds scaffold octahedral germanium perovskites
We report assembly of an organic scaffold within perovskite structures, resulting in the suppression of the lone pair expression of Ge and templating the symmetric octahedra.
- Amin Morteza Najarian
- , Filip Dinic
- & Edward H. Sargent
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Comment |
How to build a circular economy for rare-earth elements
Rare-earth elements that are crucial for clean-energy technologies are jealously fought over. Policies and programmes to encourage recycling and recovery could reduce tensions.
- Yong Geng
- , Joseph Sarkis
- & Raimund Bleischwitz
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World View |
The G20 should forge a pact to support nations’ shifts to a low-carbon future
Fossil fuels should be used sparingly, in the areas where they contribute most to human welfare.
- Navroz K. Dubash
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Article |
Regioselective aliphatic C–H functionalization using frustrated radical pairs
Regioselective functionalization of aliphatic carbon–hydrogen bonds is achieved using frustrated radical pairs generated from disilazide donors and an N-oxoammonium acceptor.
- Zhipeng Lu
- , Minsoo Ju
- & Song Lin
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Article |
Optimality guarantees for crystal structure prediction
An algorithm has been developed that can provably predict the lowest energy structure of crystalline materials using a combination of combinatorial optimization and integer programming.
- Vladimir V. Gusev
- , Duncan Adamson
- & Matthew J. Rosseinsky
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