Pub Date : 2024-10-18DOI: 10.1038/s43246-024-00678-y
Martina Olsson, Robin Storm, Linnea Björn, Viktor Lilja, Leonard Krupnik, Yang Chen, Polina Naidjonoka, Ana Diaz, Mirko Holler, Benjamin Watts, Anette Larsson, Marianne Liebi, Aleksandar Matic
Controlling drug release rate and providing physical and chemical stability to the active pharmaceutical ingredient are key properties of oral solid dosage forms. Here, we demonstrate a formulation strategy using phase-separated polymer blends where the morphology provides a route for tuning the drug release profile. By utilising phase separation of a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic polymer, the hydrophilic component will act as a channelling agent, creating a porous network upon dissolution that will dictate the release characteristics. With ptychographic X-ray tomography and scanning transmission X-ray microscopy we reveal how the morphology depends on both polymer fraction and presence of drug, and how the drug is distributed over the polymer domains. Combining X-ray imaging results with dissolution studies reveal how the morphologies are correlated with the drug release and showcase how tuning the morphology of a polymer matrix in oral formulations can be utilised as a method for controlled drug release. Drug delivery via solid oral dosage requires a controlled release rate and physical and chemical stability of the drug within the formulation. Here, X-ray tomography and spectromicroscopy reveal how the morphology of a phase-separated polymer blend controls drug release.
控制药物释放速度并为活性药物成分提供物理和化学稳定性是口服固体制剂的关键特性。在这里，我们展示了一种使用相分离聚合物混合物的配方策略，其形态为调整药物释放曲线提供了一条途径。通过利用疏水性聚合物和亲水性聚合物的相分离，亲水性成分将起到导流作用，在溶解时形成多孔网络，从而决定药物的释放特性。通过 X 射线层析成像和扫描透射 X 射线显微镜，我们揭示了形态如何取决于聚合物成分和药物的存在，以及药物如何分布在聚合物畴上。将 X 射线成像结果与溶解研究相结合，可以揭示形态如何与药物释放相关联，并展示如何利用调整口服制剂中聚合物基质的形态来控制药物释放。通过口服固体制剂给药需要控制释放率以及制剂中药物的物理和化学稳定性。在这里，X 射线断层扫描和光谱分析揭示了相分离聚合物混合物的形态是如何控制药物释放的。
{"title":"Phase-separated polymer blends for controlled drug delivery by tuning morphology","authors":"Martina Olsson, Robin Storm, Linnea Björn, Viktor Lilja, Leonard Krupnik, Yang Chen, Polina Naidjonoka, Ana Diaz, Mirko Holler, Benjamin Watts, Anette Larsson, Marianne Liebi, Aleksandar Matic","doi":"10.1038/s43246-024-00678-y","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s43246-024-00678-y","url":null,"abstract":"Controlling drug release rate and providing physical and chemical stability to the active pharmaceutical ingredient are key properties of oral solid dosage forms. Here, we demonstrate a formulation strategy using phase-separated polymer blends where the morphology provides a route for tuning the drug release profile. By utilising phase separation of a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic polymer, the hydrophilic component will act as a channelling agent, creating a porous network upon dissolution that will dictate the release characteristics. With ptychographic X-ray tomography and scanning transmission X-ray microscopy we reveal how the morphology depends on both polymer fraction and presence of drug, and how the drug is distributed over the polymer domains. Combining X-ray imaging results with dissolution studies reveal how the morphologies are correlated with the drug release and showcase how tuning the morphology of a polymer matrix in oral formulations can be utilised as a method for controlled drug release. Drug delivery via solid oral dosage requires a controlled release rate and physical and chemical stability of the drug within the formulation. Here, X-ray tomography and spectromicroscopy reveal how the morphology of a phase-separated polymer blend controls drug release.","PeriodicalId":10589,"journal":{"name":"Communications Materials","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":7.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s43246-024-00678-y.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142574267","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Biomimetic chemical logic gates that can reversibly transform their shape and physical properties in response to their environment are an important research field. Most artificial chemical logic gates, however, rely on changes in the microscopic properties of molecules and ions in solution. Hence, developing chemical logic gates that influence macroscopic properties, such as crystal structures and magnetic and electrical properties, is essential for mimicking in vivo phenomena more accurately. Here, we develop a reset-set flip-flop circuit based on a single crystal that reversibly transforms in the presence of Ca2+ ions in aqueous solutions and is analogous to the chemical logic gate in muscles. During the crystal transformation, the lattice volume undergoes ~39% shrinkage, and the magnetic and electrical properties change considerably. Compared with existing products, the constructed crystalline system more closely resembles the function of actual muscles, which is promising for advancing the field of biomimetics. Biomimetic chemical logic gates transform in response to their environment but are currently focused on the microscopic properties. Here, a single crystal reset-set flip-flop circuit undergoes reversible volume shrinkage in response to ions in solution.
{"title":"Shrinkable muscular crystal with chemical logic gates driven by external ion environment","authors":"Jun Manabe, Mizuki Ito, Katsuya Ichihashi, Katsuya Inoue, Yin Qian, Xiao-Ming Ren, Ryo Tsunashima, Tomoyuki Akutagawa, Takayoshi Nakamura, Sadafumi Nishihara","doi":"10.1038/s43246-024-00674-2","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s43246-024-00674-2","url":null,"abstract":"Biomimetic chemical logic gates that can reversibly transform their shape and physical properties in response to their environment are an important research field. Most artificial chemical logic gates, however, rely on changes in the microscopic properties of molecules and ions in solution. Hence, developing chemical logic gates that influence macroscopic properties, such as crystal structures and magnetic and electrical properties, is essential for mimicking in vivo phenomena more accurately. Here, we develop a reset-set flip-flop circuit based on a single crystal that reversibly transforms in the presence of Ca2+ ions in aqueous solutions and is analogous to the chemical logic gate in muscles. During the crystal transformation, the lattice volume undergoes ~39% shrinkage, and the magnetic and electrical properties change considerably. Compared with existing products, the constructed crystalline system more closely resembles the function of actual muscles, which is promising for advancing the field of biomimetics. Biomimetic chemical logic gates transform in response to their environment but are currently focused on the microscopic properties. Here, a single crystal reset-set flip-flop circuit undergoes reversible volume shrinkage in response to ions in solution.","PeriodicalId":10589,"journal":{"name":"Communications Materials","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":7.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s43246-024-00674-2.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142443606","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-15DOI: 10.1038/s43246-024-00670-6
Yang Li, Yilun Weng, Yue Hui, Jiaqi Wang, Letao Xu, Yang Yang, Guangze Yang, Chun-Xia Zhao
Peptide surfactants have been extensively investigated with various applications in detergents, foods, and pharmaceutics due to their biodegradability, biocompatibility, and customizable structures. Traditional peptide surfactants are often designed in a head-to-tail fashion mimicking chemical surfactants. Alternatively, a side-by-side design pattern based on heptad repeats offers an approach to designing peptide surfactants. However, minimalist peptide design using a single heptad for stabilizing interfaces remains largely unexplored. Here, we design four heptad surfactants (AM1.2, 6H, 6H7K, and HK) responsive to metal ions and compare their emulsification performance with a three-heptad peptide, AM1. Among them, the HK peptide generates emulsions exhibiting good stability over months. We further optimize factors such as buffering salts, ionic strength, and emulsion dilutions to uncover their impacts on emulsion properties. Our findings deepen the understanding of emulsion properties and provide practical insights for characterizing peptide-based emulsions, paving the way for their broader utilization in diverse applications. Peptide surfactants are useful in detergents, foods, and pharmaceutics but their design using a single heptad remains largely unexplored. Here, four heptad surfactants were designed that are responsive to metal ions and show good emulsification properties.
{"title":"Design of stimuli-responsive minimalist heptad surfactants for stable emulsions","authors":"Yang Li, Yilun Weng, Yue Hui, Jiaqi Wang, Letao Xu, Yang Yang, Guangze Yang, Chun-Xia Zhao","doi":"10.1038/s43246-024-00670-6","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s43246-024-00670-6","url":null,"abstract":"Peptide surfactants have been extensively investigated with various applications in detergents, foods, and pharmaceutics due to their biodegradability, biocompatibility, and customizable structures. Traditional peptide surfactants are often designed in a head-to-tail fashion mimicking chemical surfactants. Alternatively, a side-by-side design pattern based on heptad repeats offers an approach to designing peptide surfactants. However, minimalist peptide design using a single heptad for stabilizing interfaces remains largely unexplored. Here, we design four heptad surfactants (AM1.2, 6H, 6H7K, and HK) responsive to metal ions and compare their emulsification performance with a three-heptad peptide, AM1. Among them, the HK peptide generates emulsions exhibiting good stability over months. We further optimize factors such as buffering salts, ionic strength, and emulsion dilutions to uncover their impacts on emulsion properties. Our findings deepen the understanding of emulsion properties and provide practical insights for characterizing peptide-based emulsions, paving the way for their broader utilization in diverse applications. Peptide surfactants are useful in detergents, foods, and pharmaceutics but their design using a single heptad remains largely unexplored. Here, four heptad surfactants were designed that are responsive to metal ions and show good emulsification properties.","PeriodicalId":10589,"journal":{"name":"Communications Materials","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":7.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s43246-024-00670-6.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142443608","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-14DOI: 10.1038/s43246-024-00671-5
Jet-Sing M. Lee
Sonodynamic therapy is a precise and non-invasive anticancer treatment but is ineffective in killing cancer cells and triggering robust immune responses. Now, a dual-ligand bimetallic framework allows controlled nitric oxide release by ultrasound that is effective for sono-immunotherapy.
{"title":"Cancer sono-immunotherapy using a multi-metal-ligand framework","authors":"Jet-Sing M. Lee","doi":"10.1038/s43246-024-00671-5","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s43246-024-00671-5","url":null,"abstract":"Sonodynamic therapy is a precise and non-invasive anticancer treatment but is ineffective in killing cancer cells and triggering robust immune responses. Now, a dual-ligand bimetallic framework allows controlled nitric oxide release by ultrasound that is effective for sono-immunotherapy.","PeriodicalId":10589,"journal":{"name":"Communications Materials","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":7.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s43246-024-00671-5.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142431084","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-13DOI: 10.1038/s43246-024-00669-z
Valentina Perricone, Ezra Sarmiento, Andrew Nguyen, Nigel C. Hughes, David Kisailus
Evolution has generated a sophisticated convergence of material components, ultrastructural designs, and fabrication processes in response to similar selective pressures across a diverse array of extinct and extant species. This review explores three key convergent design strategies: struts for lightweight structures with load-bearing efficiency, sutures for increased flexibility and stress management, and helicoids for impact resistance and fracture toughness. Through this examination, the review sheds light on how evolution can inspire innovative engineering approaches and technologies through the adoption of aspects of natural design. We foresee natural evolutive processes of construction as the informative harbingers of new, advanced, ecologically aware, and energy-efficient modes of human fabrication. The evolutionary process has created natural systems with structures that impart high mechanical performance, providing guidance for biomimetics. Here, the role played by three convergent design strategies – struts, sutures and helicoids – is discussed, spanning their occurrence in nature through to applications.
{"title":"The convergent design evolution of multiscale biomineralized structures in extinct and extant organisms","authors":"Valentina Perricone, Ezra Sarmiento, Andrew Nguyen, Nigel C. Hughes, David Kisailus","doi":"10.1038/s43246-024-00669-z","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s43246-024-00669-z","url":null,"abstract":"Evolution has generated a sophisticated convergence of material components, ultrastructural designs, and fabrication processes in response to similar selective pressures across a diverse array of extinct and extant species. This review explores three key convergent design strategies: struts for lightweight structures with load-bearing efficiency, sutures for increased flexibility and stress management, and helicoids for impact resistance and fracture toughness. Through this examination, the review sheds light on how evolution can inspire innovative engineering approaches and technologies through the adoption of aspects of natural design. We foresee natural evolutive processes of construction as the informative harbingers of new, advanced, ecologically aware, and energy-efficient modes of human fabrication. The evolutionary process has created natural systems with structures that impart high mechanical performance, providing guidance for biomimetics. Here, the role played by three convergent design strategies – struts, sutures and helicoids – is discussed, spanning their occurrence in nature through to applications.","PeriodicalId":10589,"journal":{"name":"Communications Materials","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":7.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s43246-024-00669-z.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142431091","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-12DOI: 10.1038/s43246-024-00666-2
J. N. Graham, H. Liu, V. Sazgari, C. Mielke III, M. Medarde, H. Luetkens, R. Khasanov, Y. Shi, Z. Guguchia
The two-dimensional kagome lattice is an experimental playground for novel physical phenomena, from frustrated magnetism and topological matter to chiral charge order and unconventional superconductivity. A newly identified kagome superconductor, Ta2V3.1Si0.9 has recently gained attention for possessing a record high critical temperature, TC = 7.5 K for kagome metals at ambient pressure. In this study we conducted a series of muon spin rotation measurements to delve deeper into understanding the superconducting and normal state properties of Ta2V3.1Si0.9. We demonstrate that Ta2V3.1Si0.9 is a bulk superconductor with either a s+s-wave or anisotropic s-wave gap symmetry, and has an unusual paramagnetic shift in response to external magnetic fields in the superconducting state. Additionally, we observe an exceptionally low superfluid density − a distinctive characteristic of unconventional superconductivity − which remarkably is comparable to the superfluid density found in hole-doped cuprates. In its normal state, Ta2V3.1Si0.9 exhibits a significant increase in the zero-field muon spin depolarisation rate, starting at approximately 150 K, which has been observed in other kagome-lattice superconductors, and therefore hints at possible hidden magnetism. These findings characterise Ta2V3.1Si0.9 as an unconventional superconductor and a noteworthy new member of the vanadium-based kagome material family. Ta2V3.1Si0.9 is an interesting kagome superconductor with a record-high critical temperature of 7.5 K for kagome metals at ambient pressure. Here, muon spin rotation measurements reveal an unusual paramagnetic shift in response to external magnetic fields and an exceptionally dilute superfluid density despite the high TC, signalling the unconventional nature of superconductivity.
{"title":"Microscopic probing of the superconducting and normal state properties of Ta2V3.1Si0.9 by muon spin rotation","authors":"J. N. Graham, H. Liu, V. Sazgari, C. Mielke III, M. Medarde, H. Luetkens, R. Khasanov, Y. Shi, Z. Guguchia","doi":"10.1038/s43246-024-00666-2","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s43246-024-00666-2","url":null,"abstract":"The two-dimensional kagome lattice is an experimental playground for novel physical phenomena, from frustrated magnetism and topological matter to chiral charge order and unconventional superconductivity. A newly identified kagome superconductor, Ta2V3.1Si0.9 has recently gained attention for possessing a record high critical temperature, TC = 7.5 K for kagome metals at ambient pressure. In this study we conducted a series of muon spin rotation measurements to delve deeper into understanding the superconducting and normal state properties of Ta2V3.1Si0.9. We demonstrate that Ta2V3.1Si0.9 is a bulk superconductor with either a s+s-wave or anisotropic s-wave gap symmetry, and has an unusual paramagnetic shift in response to external magnetic fields in the superconducting state. Additionally, we observe an exceptionally low superfluid density − a distinctive characteristic of unconventional superconductivity − which remarkably is comparable to the superfluid density found in hole-doped cuprates. In its normal state, Ta2V3.1Si0.9 exhibits a significant increase in the zero-field muon spin depolarisation rate, starting at approximately 150 K, which has been observed in other kagome-lattice superconductors, and therefore hints at possible hidden magnetism. These findings characterise Ta2V3.1Si0.9 as an unconventional superconductor and a noteworthy new member of the vanadium-based kagome material family. Ta2V3.1Si0.9 is an interesting kagome superconductor with a record-high critical temperature of 7.5 K for kagome metals at ambient pressure. Here, muon spin rotation measurements reveal an unusual paramagnetic shift in response to external magnetic fields and an exceptionally dilute superfluid density despite the high TC, signalling the unconventional nature of superconductivity.","PeriodicalId":10589,"journal":{"name":"Communications Materials","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":7.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s43246-024-00666-2.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142415384","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-12DOI: 10.1038/s43246-024-00664-4
Vahid Moosabeiki, Afaq Khan, Mauricio Cruz Saldivar, Wim Van Paepegem, Brend P. Jonker, Eppo B. Wolvius, Jie Zhou, Nazli Tumer, Mohammad J. Mirzaali, Amir A. Zadpoor
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) replacement prostheses often face limitations in accommodating translational movements, leading to unnatural kinematics and loading conditions, which affect functionality and longevity. Here, we investigate the potential of functionally graded materials (FGMs) in TMJ prostheses to enhance mandibular kinematics and reduce joint reaction forces. We develop a functionally graded artificial cartilage for the TMJ implant and evaluate five FGM designs: hard, hard-soft, and three FGM gradients with gradual transitions from 90% hard material to 0%, 10%, and 20%. These designs are 3D printed, mechanically tested under quasi-static compression, and simulated under physiological conditions. Results from computational modeling and experiments are compared to an intact mandible during incisal clenching and left group biting. The FGM design with a transition from 90% to 0% hard material improves kinematics by 19% and decreases perfomance by 3%, reduces joint reaction forces by 8% and 10%, and increases mandibular movement by 20% and 88% during incisal clenching and left group biting, respectively. These findings provide valuable insights for next-generation TMJ implants. Temporomandibular joint prostheses have limitations in their translational movements that affect functionality and longevity. Here, a 3D-printed functionally graded artificial cartilage attached to the temporomandibular joint implant improves the mandibular kinematics and movement range.
{"title":"Multi-material 3D printing of functionally graded soft-hard interfaces for enhancing mandibular kinematics of temporomandibular joint replacement prostheses","authors":"Vahid Moosabeiki, Afaq Khan, Mauricio Cruz Saldivar, Wim Van Paepegem, Brend P. Jonker, Eppo B. Wolvius, Jie Zhou, Nazli Tumer, Mohammad J. Mirzaali, Amir A. Zadpoor","doi":"10.1038/s43246-024-00664-4","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s43246-024-00664-4","url":null,"abstract":"Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) replacement prostheses often face limitations in accommodating translational movements, leading to unnatural kinematics and loading conditions, which affect functionality and longevity. Here, we investigate the potential of functionally graded materials (FGMs) in TMJ prostheses to enhance mandibular kinematics and reduce joint reaction forces. We develop a functionally graded artificial cartilage for the TMJ implant and evaluate five FGM designs: hard, hard-soft, and three FGM gradients with gradual transitions from 90% hard material to 0%, 10%, and 20%. These designs are 3D printed, mechanically tested under quasi-static compression, and simulated under physiological conditions. Results from computational modeling and experiments are compared to an intact mandible during incisal clenching and left group biting. The FGM design with a transition from 90% to 0% hard material improves kinematics by 19% and decreases perfomance by 3%, reduces joint reaction forces by 8% and 10%, and increases mandibular movement by 20% and 88% during incisal clenching and left group biting, respectively. These findings provide valuable insights for next-generation TMJ implants. Temporomandibular joint prostheses have limitations in their translational movements that affect functionality and longevity. Here, a 3D-printed functionally graded artificial cartilage attached to the temporomandibular joint implant improves the mandibular kinematics and movement range.","PeriodicalId":10589,"journal":{"name":"Communications Materials","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":7.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s43246-024-00664-4.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142415420","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-11DOI: 10.1038/s43246-024-00660-8
Rémi Blinder, Yuliya Mindarava, Thai Hien Tran, Ali Momenzadeh, Sen Yang, Petr Siyushev, Hitoshi Sumiya, Kenji Tamasaku, Taito Osaka, Norio Morishita, Haruki Takizawa, Shinobu Onoda, Hideyuki Hara, Fedor Jelezko, Jörg Wrachtrup, Junichi Isoya
With their optical addressability of individual spins and long coherence time, nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond are often called “atom-like solid spin-defects”. As observed with trapped atomic ions, quantum interference mediated by indistinguishable photons was demonstrated between remote NV centers. In high sensitivity DC magnetometry at room temperature, NV ensembles are potentially rivaling with alkali-atom vapor cells. However, local strain induces center-to-center variation of both optical and spin transitions of NV centers. Therefore, advanced engineering of diamond growth toward crystalline perfection is demanded. Here, we report on the synthesis of high-quality HPHT (high-pressure, high-temperature) crystals, demonstrating a small inhomogeneous broadening of the spin transitions, of T2* = 1.28 μs, approaching the limit for crystals with natural 13C abundance, that we determine as T2* = 1.48 μs. The contribution from strain and local charges to the inhomogeneous broadening is lowered to ~17 kHz full width at half maximum for NV ensemble within a > 10 mm3 volume. Looking at optical transitions in low nitrogen crystals, we examine the variation of zero-phonon-line optical transition frequencies at low temperatures, showing a strain contribution below 2 GHz for a large fraction of single NV centers. Nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond offer a promising platform for quantum applications but their optical and spin properties can be hampered by imperfections of the host crystal. Here, nitrogen-vacancy centers are created in high-pressure high-temperature diamond of high crystalline quality, demonstrating a small inhomogeneous broadening of the spin and optical transitions.
{"title":"Reducing inhomogeneous broadening of spin and optical transitions of nitrogen-vacancy centers in high-pressure, high-temperature diamond","authors":"Rémi Blinder, Yuliya Mindarava, Thai Hien Tran, Ali Momenzadeh, Sen Yang, Petr Siyushev, Hitoshi Sumiya, Kenji Tamasaku, Taito Osaka, Norio Morishita, Haruki Takizawa, Shinobu Onoda, Hideyuki Hara, Fedor Jelezko, Jörg Wrachtrup, Junichi Isoya","doi":"10.1038/s43246-024-00660-8","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s43246-024-00660-8","url":null,"abstract":"With their optical addressability of individual spins and long coherence time, nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond are often called “atom-like solid spin-defects”. As observed with trapped atomic ions, quantum interference mediated by indistinguishable photons was demonstrated between remote NV centers. In high sensitivity DC magnetometry at room temperature, NV ensembles are potentially rivaling with alkali-atom vapor cells. However, local strain induces center-to-center variation of both optical and spin transitions of NV centers. Therefore, advanced engineering of diamond growth toward crystalline perfection is demanded. Here, we report on the synthesis of high-quality HPHT (high-pressure, high-temperature) crystals, demonstrating a small inhomogeneous broadening of the spin transitions, of T2* = 1.28 μs, approaching the limit for crystals with natural 13C abundance, that we determine as T2* = 1.48 μs. The contribution from strain and local charges to the inhomogeneous broadening is lowered to ~17 kHz full width at half maximum for NV ensemble within a > 10 mm3 volume. Looking at optical transitions in low nitrogen crystals, we examine the variation of zero-phonon-line optical transition frequencies at low temperatures, showing a strain contribution below 2 GHz for a large fraction of single NV centers. Nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond offer a promising platform for quantum applications but their optical and spin properties can be hampered by imperfections of the host crystal. Here, nitrogen-vacancy centers are created in high-pressure high-temperature diamond of high crystalline quality, demonstrating a small inhomogeneous broadening of the spin and optical transitions.","PeriodicalId":10589,"journal":{"name":"Communications Materials","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":7.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s43246-024-00660-8.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142415433","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-11DOI: 10.1038/s43246-024-00659-1
Sunmi Kim, Leonid V. Abdurakhimov, Duong Pham, Wei Qiu, Hirotaka Terai, Sahel Ashhab, Shiro Saito, Taro Yamashita, Kouichi Semba
Conventional superconducting flux qubits require the application of a precisely tuned magnetic field to set the operation point at half a flux quantum through the qubit loop, which complicates the on-chip integration of this type of device. It has been proposed that by inducing a π-phase shift in the superconducting order parameter using a precisely controlled nanoscale-thickness superconductor/ferromagnet/superconductor Josephson junction, commonly referred to as π-junction, it is possible to realize a flux qubit operating at zero magnetic flux. Here, we report the realization of a zero-flux-biased flux qubit based on three NbN/AlN/NbN Josephson junctions and a NbN/PdNi/NbN ferromagnetic π-junction. The qubit lifetime is in the microsecond range, which we argue is limited by quasiparticle excitations in the metallic ferromagnet layer. Our results pave the way for developing quantum coherent devices, including qubits and sensors, that utilize the interplay between ferromagnetism and superconductivity. Conventional superconducting flux qubits require a finely tuned magnetic field to operate, hindering their on-chip integration. Here, ferromagnetic Josephson junctions with a π-phase shift in the superconducting order parameter allow the realization of a flux qubit operating at zero magnetic field.
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Hydrogen embrittlement (HE) is a major issue for the mechanical integrity of high-strength alloys exposed to hydrogen-rich environments, with diffusion and trapping of hydrogen being critical phenomena. Here, the role of microstructure on hydrogen diffusion, trapping and embrittlement in additively manufactured (AM) and wrought Inconel 718 is compared, revealing the key role played by dislocation cells. Trapping behaviour in hydrogen-saturated alloys is analysed by thermal desorption spectroscopy and numerical simulations. A high density of hydrogen traps in cell walls, attributed to dense dislocations and Laves phases, are responsible for the local accumulation of hydrogen, causing significant loss in strength, and triggering cracking along dislocation cell walls. The influential role of dislocation cells alters fracture behaviour from intergranular in the wrought alloy to intragranular for the AM alloy, due to the large proportion of dislocation cells in AM alloys. In addition, the cellular network of dislocations accelerates hydrogen diffusion, enabling faster and deeper penetration of hydrogen in the AM alloy. These results indicate that the higher HE susceptibility of nickel superalloys is intrinsically associated with the interaction of hydrogen with dislocation walls. Hydrogen embrittlement is a major issue in alloys used in hydrogen-rich environments, such as in jet engines. In this study, the presence of a large number of dislocation cells in an additively manufactured nickel superalloy promotes hydrogen diffusion and fracture, as compared to a wrought alloy with fewer dislocation cells.
氢脆（HE）是暴露在富氢环境中的高强度合金机械完整性的一个主要问题，其中氢的扩散和捕获是关键现象。本文比较了微观结构对添加制造（AM）和锻造 Inconel 718 中氢扩散、捕集和脆化的作用，揭示了位错电池所起的关键作用。通过热解吸光谱和数值模拟分析了氢饱和合金中的捕获行为。由于致密位错和 Laves 相的存在，晶胞壁中的氢陷阱密度很高，导致氢在局部积聚，造成强度显著下降，并引发沿位错晶胞壁的裂纹。位错晶胞的影响作用改变了断裂行为，从锻造合金的晶间断裂转变为 AM 合金的晶内断裂，这是由于 AM 合金中位错晶胞所占比例较大。此外，位错蜂窝网络加速了氢扩散，使氢在 AM 合金中的渗透更快、更深。这些结果表明，镍超合金较高的氢脆敏感性与氢与位错壁的相互作用有内在联系。氢脆是在喷气发动机等富氢环境中使用的合金的一个主要问题。在这项研究中，与位错单元较少的锻造合金相比，在添加制造的镍超合金中存在大量位错单元会促进氢扩散和断裂。
{"title":"Influence of dislocation cells on hydrogen embrittlement in wrought and additively manufactured Inconel 718","authors":"Claudia-Tatiana Santos Maldonado, Alfredo Zafra, Emilio Martínez Pañeda, Paul Sandmann, Roberto Morana, Minh-Son Pham","doi":"10.1038/s43246-024-00654-6","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s43246-024-00654-6","url":null,"abstract":"Hydrogen embrittlement (HE) is a major issue for the mechanical integrity of high-strength alloys exposed to hydrogen-rich environments, with diffusion and trapping of hydrogen being critical phenomena. Here, the role of microstructure on hydrogen diffusion, trapping and embrittlement in additively manufactured (AM) and wrought Inconel 718 is compared, revealing the key role played by dislocation cells. Trapping behaviour in hydrogen-saturated alloys is analysed by thermal desorption spectroscopy and numerical simulations. A high density of hydrogen traps in cell walls, attributed to dense dislocations and Laves phases, are responsible for the local accumulation of hydrogen, causing significant loss in strength, and triggering cracking along dislocation cell walls. The influential role of dislocation cells alters fracture behaviour from intergranular in the wrought alloy to intragranular for the AM alloy, due to the large proportion of dislocation cells in AM alloys. In addition, the cellular network of dislocations accelerates hydrogen diffusion, enabling faster and deeper penetration of hydrogen in the AM alloy. These results indicate that the higher HE susceptibility of nickel superalloys is intrinsically associated with the interaction of hydrogen with dislocation walls. Hydrogen embrittlement is a major issue in alloys used in hydrogen-rich environments, such as in jet engines. In this study, the presence of a large number of dislocation cells in an additively manufactured nickel superalloy promotes hydrogen diffusion and fracture, as compared to a wrought alloy with fewer dislocation cells.","PeriodicalId":10589,"journal":{"name":"Communications Materials","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":7.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s43246-024-00654-6.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142415409","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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