Riad Hussain Rakib,Bharat Tandon,Gyorgy Jaics,Wilson Kagabo,Pavle V. Radovanovic
Plasmonic semiconductor nanocrystals could enable internal coupling between the localized surface plasmon and exciton, laying the foundation for various photonic, optoelectronic, and quantum technologies. Although resonant coupling between plasmon and exciton has not been realized, the angular momentum generated by the cyclotron motion of plasmon-related free carriers in an external magnetic field allows for unipolar exciton polarization in degenerately doped semiconductor nanocrystals. However, exploitation of this nonresonant coupling for technological applications requires on-demand manipulation of the carrier angular momentum and the corresponding exciton polarization in a static magnetic field. Here, we demonstrate electrochemical tuning of the excitonic magneto-optical chirality in plasmonic ZnO nanocrystals via small external potentials. Using operando magnetic circular dichroism measurements of spectroelectrochemical cells fabricated from these nanocrystals, we show that energy and intensity of the excitonic magneto-optical signal are strongly dependent on the applied voltage. Our results suggest that only a few electrons injected in a sub-10 nm nanocrystal could lead to a detectable change in the exciton polarization, potentially allowing for single-carrier-induced quantum information processing and sensing in a static magnetic field at room temperature.
{"title":"Electrochemically Tunable Magneto-Optical Chirality Enables Dynamic Manipulation of Exciton Polarization in Plasmonic Semiconductor Nanocrystals","authors":"Riad Hussain Rakib,Bharat Tandon,Gyorgy Jaics,Wilson Kagabo,Pavle V. Radovanovic","doi":"10.1021/acsnano.5c16710","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.5c16710","url":null,"abstract":"Plasmonic semiconductor nanocrystals could enable internal coupling between the localized surface plasmon and exciton, laying the foundation for various photonic, optoelectronic, and quantum technologies. Although resonant coupling between plasmon and exciton has not been realized, the angular momentum generated by the cyclotron motion of plasmon-related free carriers in an external magnetic field allows for unipolar exciton polarization in degenerately doped semiconductor nanocrystals. However, exploitation of this nonresonant coupling for technological applications requires on-demand manipulation of the carrier angular momentum and the corresponding exciton polarization in a static magnetic field. Here, we demonstrate electrochemical tuning of the excitonic magneto-optical chirality in plasmonic ZnO nanocrystals via small external potentials. Using operando magnetic circular dichroism measurements of spectroelectrochemical cells fabricated from these nanocrystals, we show that energy and intensity of the excitonic magneto-optical signal are strongly dependent on the applied voltage. Our results suggest that only a few electrons injected in a sub-10 nm nanocrystal could lead to a detectable change in the exciton polarization, potentially allowing for single-carrier-induced quantum information processing and sensing in a static magnetic field at room temperature.","PeriodicalId":21,"journal":{"name":"ACS Nano","volume":"57 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":17.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146111118","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mitesh Amin,Farwa Awan,Michael W. Swift,William Girten,Sean W. O’Neill,Steven C. Erwin,Alexander L. Efros,Todd D. Krauss
Dopants in semiconductor nanostructures offer tremendous control over electronic, optical, and magnetic properties beyond what is achievable in bulk materials. We demonstrate that the broad dopant emission in semiconductor nanoplatelets effectively maps the electron wave function across the nanoplatelet thickness. Both the emission energy and lifetime of the dopant transition depend strongly on the depth of the dopant within the nanoplatelet. This dependence arises from the electrostatic self-interaction of the charged dopant, which varies with proximity to the dielectric discontinuity at the nanoplatelet surface. Through comprehensive single-particle spectroscopy of silver-doped CdSe nanoplatelets, we verify that acceptors near the center emit at higher energies with shorter lifetimes, while those near the surface emit at lower energies with longer lifetimes. This spatial mapping also reveals unusual two-color emission from individual nanoplatelets, with enhanced Auger recombination yielding exceptional photon antibunching (>90% purity) at room temperature, suggesting potential applications in quantum information technologies.
{"title":"Depth-Dependent Emission from Silver Dopants in Single CdSe Nanoplatelets","authors":"Mitesh Amin,Farwa Awan,Michael W. Swift,William Girten,Sean W. O’Neill,Steven C. Erwin,Alexander L. Efros,Todd D. Krauss","doi":"10.1021/acsnano.5c11745","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.5c11745","url":null,"abstract":"Dopants in semiconductor nanostructures offer tremendous control over electronic, optical, and magnetic properties beyond what is achievable in bulk materials. We demonstrate that the broad dopant emission in semiconductor nanoplatelets effectively maps the electron wave function across the nanoplatelet thickness. Both the emission energy and lifetime of the dopant transition depend strongly on the depth of the dopant within the nanoplatelet. This dependence arises from the electrostatic self-interaction of the charged dopant, which varies with proximity to the dielectric discontinuity at the nanoplatelet surface. Through comprehensive single-particle spectroscopy of silver-doped CdSe nanoplatelets, we verify that acceptors near the center emit at higher energies with shorter lifetimes, while those near the surface emit at lower energies with longer lifetimes. This spatial mapping also reveals unusual two-color emission from individual nanoplatelets, with enhanced Auger recombination yielding exceptional photon antibunching (>90% purity) at room temperature, suggesting potential applications in quantum information technologies.","PeriodicalId":21,"journal":{"name":"ACS Nano","volume":"41 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":17.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146111120","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating neuropathological condition. Currently, there is an urgent need for highly effective therapies for SCI treatment. Here we developed a multifunctional hydrogel therapy (LPPXN), by rationally integrating pharmacologically active nanomicelles into hydrogels composed of noncovalently cross-linked nanoparticles that are self-assembled by a functionalized amphiphilic triblock polymer. LPPXN exhibits temperature-responsive gelation, high strength, favorable bioadhesive properties, and excellent shear-thinning and self-healing capabilities under pathological conditions. Following local injection, LPPXN can be sustained for over one month. Therapeutically, LPPXN significantly improved the structural integrity of injured spinal cords and promoted function recovery in a mouse model of SCI. Furthermore, LPPXN demonstrated beneficial therapeutic effects in mice with SCI combined with ischemia-reperfusion injury, a model closely replicating real-world scenarios. Mechanistically, LPPXN treatment promoted neuroprotective astrocyte polarization and structured network assembly at the SCI lesion site, while reconstructing a regenerative niche to enhance neural preservation and protection. This multifaceted efficacy was primarily mediated through suppressing oxidative/inflammatory cascades, inducing anti-inflammatory polarization of macrophages and microglia, and modulating the CCL2/CCL5-JAK-STAT signaling pathway. Notably, LPPXN showed excellent tissue biocompatibility in the spinal cord. Accordingly, LPPXN warrants further development as a promising therapeutic option for SCI and other nerve injury-associated diseases.
{"title":"Nanoparticle-Assembled Multifaceted Hydrogel Therapy Promotes Functional Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury","authors":"Yan Wang,Yang Huang,Wenkai Wang,Min Zhou,Xiaoting Wang,Yong Tang,Wei Chen,Siheng Du,Wendan Pu,Yang Li,Qingshan Guo,Peng Wu,Jianxiang Zhang","doi":"10.1021/acsnano.5c21336","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.5c21336","url":null,"abstract":"Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating neuropathological condition. Currently, there is an urgent need for highly effective therapies for SCI treatment. Here we developed a multifunctional hydrogel therapy (LPPXN), by rationally integrating pharmacologically active nanomicelles into hydrogels composed of noncovalently cross-linked nanoparticles that are self-assembled by a functionalized amphiphilic triblock polymer. LPPXN exhibits temperature-responsive gelation, high strength, favorable bioadhesive properties, and excellent shear-thinning and self-healing capabilities under pathological conditions. Following local injection, LPPXN can be sustained for over one month. Therapeutically, LPPXN significantly improved the structural integrity of injured spinal cords and promoted function recovery in a mouse model of SCI. Furthermore, LPPXN demonstrated beneficial therapeutic effects in mice with SCI combined with ischemia-reperfusion injury, a model closely replicating real-world scenarios. Mechanistically, LPPXN treatment promoted neuroprotective astrocyte polarization and structured network assembly at the SCI lesion site, while reconstructing a regenerative niche to enhance neural preservation and protection. This multifaceted efficacy was primarily mediated through suppressing oxidative/inflammatory cascades, inducing anti-inflammatory polarization of macrophages and microglia, and modulating the CCL2/CCL5-JAK-STAT signaling pathway. Notably, LPPXN showed excellent tissue biocompatibility in the spinal cord. Accordingly, LPPXN warrants further development as a promising therapeutic option for SCI and other nerve injury-associated diseases.","PeriodicalId":21,"journal":{"name":"ACS Nano","volume":"88 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":17.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146111174","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Founded in 2005 with a mission to advance convergence-centered nanotechnology, the SKKU Advanced Institute of Nanotechnology (SAINT) has grown into a leading hub for discovery and translation across two-dimensional materials, flexible and neuromorphic electronics, catalysis, sustainable energy, and bioinspired systems. To mark SAINT’s 20th anniversary, this Nano Focus highlights representative advances by SAINT-affiliated researchers published in ACS Nano and outlines strategic directions in biomaterials, semiconductors, carbon-neutral technologies, and quantum science. The selected vignettes emphasize mechanistic insight, device-level figures of merit, and platforms poised for scale. Looking ahead, SAINT will deepen interdisciplinary collaborations and talent cultivation to accelerate nanoscience solutions for energy, health, information processing, and sustainability.
{"title":"Celebrating 20 Years of SAINT: Leading the Future of Nanoscience through Convergence and Innovation","authors":"Il Jeon,Pil Jin Yoo,Ji Beom Yoo,Sungjoo Lee","doi":"10.1021/acsnano.5c21807","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.5c21807","url":null,"abstract":"Founded in 2005 with a mission to advance convergence-centered nanotechnology, the SKKU Advanced Institute of Nanotechnology (SAINT) has grown into a leading hub for discovery and translation across two-dimensional materials, flexible and neuromorphic electronics, catalysis, sustainable energy, and bioinspired systems. To mark SAINT’s 20th anniversary, this Nano Focus highlights representative advances by SAINT-affiliated researchers published in ACS Nano and outlines strategic directions in biomaterials, semiconductors, carbon-neutral technologies, and quantum science. The selected vignettes emphasize mechanistic insight, device-level figures of merit, and platforms poised for scale. Looking ahead, SAINT will deepen interdisciplinary collaborations and talent cultivation to accelerate nanoscience solutions for energy, health, information processing, and sustainability.","PeriodicalId":21,"journal":{"name":"ACS Nano","volume":"47 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":17.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146111113","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jin Peng,Guisheng Zou,Zehua Li,Bin Feng,Tianming Sun,Jiali Huo,Jinpeng Huo,Lei Liu
The trend toward ultimate edge computing systems requires a paradigm shift from integrating individual components to intrinsic multifunctional devices. However, a primary challenge lies in engineering a single device capable of harvesting energy, sensing complex environmental information, and performing on-device computation without overcomplicated device configuration. Herein, we address the challenge by developing a single-step, facile, ultrafast laser-induced symmetry engineering (LISE) process to fabricate a self-powered, polarization-sensitive neuromorphic vision device in a single MoTe2-based architecture. By engineering the localized phase transition, we achieve simultaneous symmetry engineering of both the energy band and crystal structures. This dual asymmetry allows for self-powered operation via a built-in photovoltaic effect and polarization sensitivity from the engineered crystal anisotropy. Leveraging the photovoltaic volatile memory, an engineered FeFET operating as a physical reservoir achieves fully self-powered and all-optical reservoir computing for underwater imaging. Computation can be actively modulated by the polarization state of incident light and preconditioned by gate voltage, revealing a powerful hardware-level method for tuning computation. The proposed LISE approach demonstrates the ultrafast laser as a powerful tool for the local manipulation of material-symmetry-related properties and facilitates the creation of high-performance multifunctional neuromorphic systems.
{"title":"A Self-Powered Polarization-Sensitive Neuromorphic Vision Device Enabled by Laser-Induced Symmetry Engineering","authors":"Jin Peng,Guisheng Zou,Zehua Li,Bin Feng,Tianming Sun,Jiali Huo,Jinpeng Huo,Lei Liu","doi":"10.1021/acsnano.5c19524","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.5c19524","url":null,"abstract":"The trend toward ultimate edge computing systems requires a paradigm shift from integrating individual components to intrinsic multifunctional devices. However, a primary challenge lies in engineering a single device capable of harvesting energy, sensing complex environmental information, and performing on-device computation without overcomplicated device configuration. Herein, we address the challenge by developing a single-step, facile, ultrafast laser-induced symmetry engineering (LISE) process to fabricate a self-powered, polarization-sensitive neuromorphic vision device in a single MoTe2-based architecture. By engineering the localized phase transition, we achieve simultaneous symmetry engineering of both the energy band and crystal structures. This dual asymmetry allows for self-powered operation via a built-in photovoltaic effect and polarization sensitivity from the engineered crystal anisotropy. Leveraging the photovoltaic volatile memory, an engineered FeFET operating as a physical reservoir achieves fully self-powered and all-optical reservoir computing for underwater imaging. Computation can be actively modulated by the polarization state of incident light and preconditioned by gate voltage, revealing a powerful hardware-level method for tuning computation. The proposed LISE approach demonstrates the ultrafast laser as a powerful tool for the local manipulation of material-symmetry-related properties and facilitates the creation of high-performance multifunctional neuromorphic systems.","PeriodicalId":21,"journal":{"name":"ACS Nano","volume":"33 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":17.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146111114","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Osteoarthritis (OA), a leading cause of disability worldwide, impacts over 300 million people through progressive joint degeneration marked by chronic pain and functional impairment. A key driver of osteoarthritis progression is synovitis, characterized by inflamed synovial tissue harboring senescent fibroblasts and pro-inflammatory macrophages. These senescent cells secrete senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) components, includining cytokines and proteases, which drive macrophage polarization toward a pro-inflammatory M1 state. Simultaneously, M1 macrophages release reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory mediators, amplifying cellular senescence and establishing a pathological feedback loop. Unfortunately, conventional single-target therapies, such as senolytics or macrophage modulators, fail to address this interdependence vicious cycle. Herein, guided by bioinformatics analysis integrated with clinical and murine specimen data, we developed an easy-to-produce combinatorial nanomedicine platform comprising: (i) synovium-targeting liposomes delivering senolytics to clear senescent fibroblasts and suppress SASP, and (ii) M2 macrophage-derived exosomes to convert M1 macrophages into regenerative M2 phenotypes. In rat OA models, this dual approach combined disrupted the senescence-inflammation cascade, achieving 73.53% synovitis index reduction and 75.00% OARSI score reduction. In summary, by concurrently clearing SASP-producing senescent cells and pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages, our strategy restores joint homeostasis and presents a translatable framework for treating age-related inflammatory disorders.
{"title":"Disrupting the Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype–M1Macrophage Feedback Loop in Synovitis Using Dual Nano-Switches To Restore Joint Homeostasis","authors":"Jing Zhang,Xinghua Li,Ping Wang,Xin Liu,Wuqi Guo,Jia Si,Qiang Huo,Ming Xu,Yang Liu,Yimin Niu","doi":"10.1021/acsnano.5c15543","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.5c15543","url":null,"abstract":"Osteoarthritis (OA), a leading cause of disability worldwide, impacts over 300 million people through progressive joint degeneration marked by chronic pain and functional impairment. A key driver of osteoarthritis progression is synovitis, characterized by inflamed synovial tissue harboring senescent fibroblasts and pro-inflammatory macrophages. These senescent cells secrete senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) components, includining cytokines and proteases, which drive macrophage polarization toward a pro-inflammatory M1 state. Simultaneously, M1 macrophages release reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory mediators, amplifying cellular senescence and establishing a pathological feedback loop. Unfortunately, conventional single-target therapies, such as senolytics or macrophage modulators, fail to address this interdependence vicious cycle. Herein, guided by bioinformatics analysis integrated with clinical and murine specimen data, we developed an easy-to-produce combinatorial nanomedicine platform comprising: (i) synovium-targeting liposomes delivering senolytics to clear senescent fibroblasts and suppress SASP, and (ii) M2 macrophage-derived exosomes to convert M1 macrophages into regenerative M2 phenotypes. In rat OA models, this dual approach combined disrupted the senescence-inflammation cascade, achieving 73.53% synovitis index reduction and 75.00% OARSI score reduction. In summary, by concurrently clearing SASP-producing senescent cells and pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages, our strategy restores joint homeostasis and presents a translatable framework for treating age-related inflammatory disorders.","PeriodicalId":21,"journal":{"name":"ACS Nano","volume":"33 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":17.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146111151","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Colloids can be utilized as model “meta-atoms” to emulate phase behaviors at the atomic scale for easy observation and slower dynamics. Photoactive colloids have recently been demonstrated with on-demand directional interactions as well as tunable dynamics, which are particularly suitable to emulate the phase transition of atomic lattices due to their excellent tunability. In this study, we demonstrate that the photochemical reaction on active colloids can induce an optically tunable hydrodynamic interaction field. By spontaneously controlling the directional interaction and omnidirectional repulsion with two sets of illumination, the phase transition between the zigzag band, chains, and dispersed phase, distinguished by their 2-fold bond orientational order, can be realized. Furthermore, the addition of passive colloids, analogous to reactant atoms with different chemical natures and sizes, causes a “chemical reaction” between the colloid species, forming colloid compounds with well-defined stoichiometric ratios, while the phase transition of the colloid compound can also be emulated with external illumination. By bridging active matter physics and solid-state chemistry, our platform provides a versatile tool for studying phase diagrams and optically encoding “reaction pathways” in colloidal alloys.
{"title":"Active Colloid Phase Transitions and Living Binary Crystal Formation","authors":"Jingyuan Chen,Shaobin Zhuo,Binglin Zeng,Zhigang Li,Jinyao Tang","doi":"10.1021/acsnano.5c19183","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.5c19183","url":null,"abstract":"Colloids can be utilized as model “meta-atoms” to emulate phase behaviors at the atomic scale for easy observation and slower dynamics. Photoactive colloids have recently been demonstrated with on-demand directional interactions as well as tunable dynamics, which are particularly suitable to emulate the phase transition of atomic lattices due to their excellent tunability. In this study, we demonstrate that the photochemical reaction on active colloids can induce an optically tunable hydrodynamic interaction field. By spontaneously controlling the directional interaction and omnidirectional repulsion with two sets of illumination, the phase transition between the zigzag band, chains, and dispersed phase, distinguished by their 2-fold bond orientational order, can be realized. Furthermore, the addition of passive colloids, analogous to reactant atoms with different chemical natures and sizes, causes a “chemical reaction” between the colloid species, forming colloid compounds with well-defined stoichiometric ratios, while the phase transition of the colloid compound can also be emulated with external illumination. By bridging active matter physics and solid-state chemistry, our platform provides a versatile tool for studying phase diagrams and optically encoding “reaction pathways” in colloidal alloys.","PeriodicalId":21,"journal":{"name":"ACS Nano","volume":"28 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":17.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146111116","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play an important role in tumorigenesis induced by carbon nanotubes (CNTs) exposure, but the specific mechanism remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that circTNIK promotes CNTs-induced malignant transformation by regulating the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperone GRP78, thereby disrupting ER homeostasis and inhibiting type I interferon (IFN-I)-mediated antitumor immunity. Mechanistically, circTNIK interacts with GRP78 and interferes with its interaction with UPR sensors, thereby activating the ER stress response and promoting the transformation of cells toward a malignant phenotype. Meanwhile, circTNIK upregulates the expression of GRP78 and promotes its partial translocation into the nucleus. In the nucleus, GRP78 competitively binds to ID2, preventing its interaction with p65, a subunit of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), thereby inhibiting the phosphorylation of both NF-κB and IRF3, attenuating the IFN-I-mediated antitumor immune response and accelerating malignant transformation. Animal experiments showed that overexpression of circTNIK aggravated lung lesions in CNTs-exposed mice, accompanied by increased recruitment of M2 macrophages and decreased infiltration of CD8+ T cells. In clinical lung cancer tissue samples, circTNIK expression was positively correlated with GRP78 expression and negatively correlated with IFN-I signaling intensity, further supporting its oncogenic role in vivo. In summary, this study reveals that circTNIK plays a key role in CNTs-induced lung cancer development by regulating GRP78-mediated ER stress and IFN-I immunosuppression, providing a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for the early diagnosis and treatment of environmental-exposure-related lung cancer.
{"title":"circTNIK Promotes Carbon Nanotubes-Induced Lung Carcinogenesis via GRP78-Mediated Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Suppression of Type I Interferon Signaling","authors":"Wenlong Peng,Kexin Chen,Yi Hu,Ziyao Xiao,Zhenyu Pan,Xiliang Yang,Yuqing Tang,Wei Xue,Hongxing Liu,Wen Liu","doi":"10.1021/acsnano.5c16536","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.5c16536","url":null,"abstract":"Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play an important role in tumorigenesis induced by carbon nanotubes (CNTs) exposure, but the specific mechanism remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that circTNIK promotes CNTs-induced malignant transformation by regulating the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperone GRP78, thereby disrupting ER homeostasis and inhibiting type I interferon (IFN-I)-mediated antitumor immunity. Mechanistically, circTNIK interacts with GRP78 and interferes with its interaction with UPR sensors, thereby activating the ER stress response and promoting the transformation of cells toward a malignant phenotype. Meanwhile, circTNIK upregulates the expression of GRP78 and promotes its partial translocation into the nucleus. In the nucleus, GRP78 competitively binds to ID2, preventing its interaction with p65, a subunit of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), thereby inhibiting the phosphorylation of both NF-κB and IRF3, attenuating the IFN-I-mediated antitumor immune response and accelerating malignant transformation. Animal experiments showed that overexpression of circTNIK aggravated lung lesions in CNTs-exposed mice, accompanied by increased recruitment of M2 macrophages and decreased infiltration of CD8+ T cells. In clinical lung cancer tissue samples, circTNIK expression was positively correlated with GRP78 expression and negatively correlated with IFN-I signaling intensity, further supporting its oncogenic role in vivo. In summary, this study reveals that circTNIK plays a key role in CNTs-induced lung cancer development by regulating GRP78-mediated ER stress and IFN-I immunosuppression, providing a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for the early diagnosis and treatment of environmental-exposure-related lung cancer.","PeriodicalId":21,"journal":{"name":"ACS Nano","volume":"295 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":17.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146111119","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The stability of perovskite precursors significantly impacts the performance of perovskite solar cell (PSCs). Notably, in the vapor–solid reaction perovskite fabrication process, both organic amine salt precursors and inorganic lead halide precursors are involved. Consequently, the long-term stability of these precursor materials plays a critical role in enabling the industrial-scale production of PSCs. Our observations revealed that the inherent instability of iodide ions (I–) in formamidinium iodide (FAI) precursor solutions accelerates solution aging. Additionally, the photoinstability of lead iodide (PbI2) promotes I– loss, generating iodine vacancies in the material. To address these issues, we introduced l-ascorbic acid (LAA) into the organic amine salt precursor solution to create an acidic and reducing environment, thereby reducing side reactions of the amine salt. Additionally, we effectively enhanced the stability of the PbI2 film by performing a surface dimensional regulation strategy on the PbI2 precursor film with 2-thiophenethylammonium iodide (2-ThEAI) vapor, inhibiting the formation of Pb0. As a result, PSCs fabricated by the optimized precursors achieve a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 22.51% (@0.16 cm2) and 20.02% (@10 cm2). Remarkably, the four-terminal tandem photovoltaic device integrated with silicon solar cells achieves a PCE of 29.39%, demonstrating exceptional performance potential for next-generation solar technologies.
{"title":"Precursor Stabilization Strategies via Vapor–Solid Reaction for Reproducible and High-Efficiency Vapor-Deposited Perovskite Solar Cells","authors":"Shenghan Hu,Peiran Hou,Yichen Dou,Changyu Duan,Xinyu Deng,Yong Peng,Yi-Bing Cheng,Guijie Liang,Xiong Li,Zhiliang Ku","doi":"10.1021/acsnano.5c18423","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.5c18423","url":null,"abstract":"The stability of perovskite precursors significantly impacts the performance of perovskite solar cell (PSCs). Notably, in the vapor–solid reaction perovskite fabrication process, both organic amine salt precursors and inorganic lead halide precursors are involved. Consequently, the long-term stability of these precursor materials plays a critical role in enabling the industrial-scale production of PSCs. Our observations revealed that the inherent instability of iodide ions (I–) in formamidinium iodide (FAI) precursor solutions accelerates solution aging. Additionally, the photoinstability of lead iodide (PbI2) promotes I– loss, generating iodine vacancies in the material. To address these issues, we introduced l-ascorbic acid (LAA) into the organic amine salt precursor solution to create an acidic and reducing environment, thereby reducing side reactions of the amine salt. Additionally, we effectively enhanced the stability of the PbI2 film by performing a surface dimensional regulation strategy on the PbI2 precursor film with 2-thiophenethylammonium iodide (2-ThEAI) vapor, inhibiting the formation of Pb0. As a result, PSCs fabricated by the optimized precursors achieve a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 22.51% (@0.16 cm2) and 20.02% (@10 cm2). Remarkably, the four-terminal tandem photovoltaic device integrated with silicon solar cells achieves a PCE of 29.39%, demonstrating exceptional performance potential for next-generation solar technologies.","PeriodicalId":21,"journal":{"name":"ACS Nano","volume":"215 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":17.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146111117","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
III–V Colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) have been widely studied for their applications as detectors and emitters from visible to short-wave infrared. They might also be used in the mid-infrared if they can be stably n-doped to access their intraband transitions. Mid-infrared intraband transitions are therefore studied for InAs, InAs/InP, and InAs/ZnSe CQDs with an energy gap of 1.4 μm. Using electrochemistry, the quantum dot films show state-resolved mobility, state-resolved electron filling, and intraband absorption in the 3–8 μm range. The InAs/ZnSe films need a more reducing potential than the InAs, but the InAs/InP films need a lower reduction potential. As a result, we found that dry films of InAs/InP dots show stable n-doping of the 1Se state, with a steady-state intraband absorption in the 3–5 μm range and intraband luminescence at 5 μm. With low toxicity, high thermal stability, and stable n-doping, InAs quantum dots become an interesting material for mid-infrared applications.
{"title":"Mid-infrared Intraband Transitions in InAs Colloidal Quantum Dots","authors":"Shraman Kumar Saha,Philippe Guyot-Sionnest","doi":"10.1021/acsnano.5c20445","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.5c20445","url":null,"abstract":"III–V Colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) have been widely studied for their applications as detectors and emitters from visible to short-wave infrared. They might also be used in the mid-infrared if they can be stably n-doped to access their intraband transitions. Mid-infrared intraband transitions are therefore studied for InAs, InAs/InP, and InAs/ZnSe CQDs with an energy gap of 1.4 μm. Using electrochemistry, the quantum dot films show state-resolved mobility, state-resolved electron filling, and intraband absorption in the 3–8 μm range. The InAs/ZnSe films need a more reducing potential than the InAs, but the InAs/InP films need a lower reduction potential. As a result, we found that dry films of InAs/InP dots show stable n-doping of the 1Se state, with a steady-state intraband absorption in the 3–5 μm range and intraband luminescence at 5 μm. With low toxicity, high thermal stability, and stable n-doping, InAs quantum dots become an interesting material for mid-infrared applications.","PeriodicalId":21,"journal":{"name":"ACS Nano","volume":"398 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":17.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146111150","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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