Bi-rich n-type Mg3(Sb, Bi)2 alloys are promising thermoelectric materials for medium-to-low temperature applications due to their simple synthesis, low cost, and environmental friendliness. However, maintaining high performance over a wide temperature range remains challenging. Here, we employ a dual-doping strategy using Y and Ta to synergistically optimize electronic band structure and interfacial properties. Substituting Mg2+ with Y3+ tunes the Fermi level, increases carrier concentration, and preserves electrical conductivity. Ta forms metallic nanoinclusions that lower interfacial barriers, reduce grain-boundary scattering, and enhance phonon scattering through multiscale interfaces. This cooperative approach enables simultaneous optimization of charge and phonon transport, outperforming single-element doping. At the optimal composition, Mg3.48Bi1.5Sb0.5Y0.01Ta0.01 achieves ZT = 0.68 at 322 K, while Mg3.475Bi1.5Sb0.5Y0.01Ta0.015 reaches a peak ZT > 1.2 between 479 and 531 K and an average ZT of 1.05 over 300-600 K. A single-leg device exhibits a predicted conversion efficiency of 14.58% at a temperature difference of 464 K. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of combining Y doping with Ta nanophase engineering to simultaneously modulate electron and phonon transport, offering a new strategy for sustainable, high-performance n-type thermoelectrics.
{"title":"Synergistic Band and Interface Engineering via Dual Y/Ta Doping for High-Performance n-Type Mg3(Sb, Bi)2 Thermoelectrics.","authors":"Jie Zhang,Xiao-Lei Shi,Li Zhang,Yushuo Ma,Meng Li,Wenyi Chen,Lan Li,Jianfeng Zhu,Yan-Ling Yang,Zhi-Gang Chen","doi":"10.1002/smll.202513764","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202513764","url":null,"abstract":"Bi-rich n-type Mg3(Sb, Bi)2 alloys are promising thermoelectric materials for medium-to-low temperature applications due to their simple synthesis, low cost, and environmental friendliness. However, maintaining high performance over a wide temperature range remains challenging. Here, we employ a dual-doping strategy using Y and Ta to synergistically optimize electronic band structure and interfacial properties. Substituting Mg2+ with Y3+ tunes the Fermi level, increases carrier concentration, and preserves electrical conductivity. Ta forms metallic nanoinclusions that lower interfacial barriers, reduce grain-boundary scattering, and enhance phonon scattering through multiscale interfaces. This cooperative approach enables simultaneous optimization of charge and phonon transport, outperforming single-element doping. At the optimal composition, Mg3.48Bi1.5Sb0.5Y0.01Ta0.01 achieves ZT = 0.68 at 322 K, while Mg3.475Bi1.5Sb0.5Y0.01Ta0.015 reaches a peak ZT > 1.2 between 479 and 531 K and an average ZT of 1.05 over 300-600 K. A single-leg device exhibits a predicted conversion efficiency of 14.58% at a temperature difference of 464 K. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of combining Y doping with Ta nanophase engineering to simultaneously modulate electron and phonon transport, offering a new strategy for sustainable, high-performance n-type thermoelectrics.","PeriodicalId":228,"journal":{"name":"Small","volume":"258 1","pages":"e13764"},"PeriodicalIF":13.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145961442","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Fluorescent hydrogels are emerging as versatile platforms for tissue engineering and soft robotics due to their ability to transduce mechanical stimuli into optical signals. However, existing systems respond only to large stresses, suffer from fluorescence quenching, and lack bioactive functionalities, limiting their ability to detect and quantify subtle mechanical forces. This study reports on a stimuli-responsive hydrogel with robust mechanics, pH sensitivity, biocompatibility, and pronounced mechano-responsive fluorescence for sensitive, quantitative readout of low mechanical stress. Hydrogels were synthesized from gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA), acrylamide (AM), and polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) and infused with carbon-based quantum dots (CQDs) derived from citric acid (GAPC) and cysteine-modified citric acid (GAPCys). Under low compressive forces (250-1250 Pa), the operating range of soft grippers for delicate tissues, hydrogels showed a concentration-dependent linear decrease in photoluminescence, establishing a quantitative correlation between fluorescence intensity and applied stress. The integration of CQDs with tunable hydrogel matrices overcomes fluorescence quenching while maintaining mechanical robustness and bioactivity. These mechanofluorescent hydrogels offer a platform for applications including soft robotic grippers, tissue engineering scaffolds monitoring forces during growth, and implantable sensors for quantitative strain tracking in organs, joints, or vasculature.
{"title":"Carbon Dot-Based Mechanofluorescent Hydrogel with Tunable Fluorescence for Bioengineering Applications.","authors":"Elahe Masaeli,Poushali Das,Seshasai Srinivasan,Amin Reza Rajabzadeh","doi":"10.1002/smll.202512265","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202512265","url":null,"abstract":"Fluorescent hydrogels are emerging as versatile platforms for tissue engineering and soft robotics due to their ability to transduce mechanical stimuli into optical signals. However, existing systems respond only to large stresses, suffer from fluorescence quenching, and lack bioactive functionalities, limiting their ability to detect and quantify subtle mechanical forces. This study reports on a stimuli-responsive hydrogel with robust mechanics, pH sensitivity, biocompatibility, and pronounced mechano-responsive fluorescence for sensitive, quantitative readout of low mechanical stress. Hydrogels were synthesized from gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA), acrylamide (AM), and polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) and infused with carbon-based quantum dots (CQDs) derived from citric acid (GAPC) and cysteine-modified citric acid (GAPCys). Under low compressive forces (250-1250 Pa), the operating range of soft grippers for delicate tissues, hydrogels showed a concentration-dependent linear decrease in photoluminescence, establishing a quantitative correlation between fluorescence intensity and applied stress. The integration of CQDs with tunable hydrogel matrices overcomes fluorescence quenching while maintaining mechanical robustness and bioactivity. These mechanofluorescent hydrogels offer a platform for applications including soft robotic grippers, tissue engineering scaffolds monitoring forces during growth, and implantable sensors for quantitative strain tracking in organs, joints, or vasculature.","PeriodicalId":228,"journal":{"name":"Small","volume":"3 1","pages":"e12265"},"PeriodicalIF":13.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145961390","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yue Li,Yang Huang,Mingjun Xuan,Yingjie Wu,Qiang He
Inspired by the precise collective action of biological motors, we here develop asymmetric photophosphorylation nanobots through the hierarchical co-assembly of thylakoid vesicles and lecithin liposomes. This approach yields anisotropic vesicles that preserve robust photophosphorylation capacity activity while integrating multiple FoF1-ATPase motors into a spatially organized nanoarchitecture. Upon light illumination, proton gradients drive ATP synthesis and trigger synchronized rotation of the embedded motors, leading to emergent vortex flows that enable efficient nanobot propulsion. Importantly, the propulsion velocity exhibits a linear dependence on motor number, providing direct evidence of force amplification through motor coordination. Hydrodynamic simulations further reveal that increased motor density strengthens inter-motor coupling via a single-vortex collective mode. By emulating the fundamental principles of biological motor cooperation through rational supramolecular design, this platform offers a powerful framework for achieving life-like, programmable motion at the microscale, with significant potential for applications in active cargo delivery and adaptive biomimetic robotic systems.
{"title":"Cooperative Rotation of Multiple FoF1-ATPase Motors in a Janus Photophosphorylation Nanobot.","authors":"Yue Li,Yang Huang,Mingjun Xuan,Yingjie Wu,Qiang He","doi":"10.1002/smll.202512963","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202512963","url":null,"abstract":"Inspired by the precise collective action of biological motors, we here develop asymmetric photophosphorylation nanobots through the hierarchical co-assembly of thylakoid vesicles and lecithin liposomes. This approach yields anisotropic vesicles that preserve robust photophosphorylation capacity activity while integrating multiple FoF1-ATPase motors into a spatially organized nanoarchitecture. Upon light illumination, proton gradients drive ATP synthesis and trigger synchronized rotation of the embedded motors, leading to emergent vortex flows that enable efficient nanobot propulsion. Importantly, the propulsion velocity exhibits a linear dependence on motor number, providing direct evidence of force amplification through motor coordination. Hydrodynamic simulations further reveal that increased motor density strengthens inter-motor coupling via a single-vortex collective mode. By emulating the fundamental principles of biological motor cooperation through rational supramolecular design, this platform offers a powerful framework for achieving life-like, programmable motion at the microscale, with significant potential for applications in active cargo delivery and adaptive biomimetic robotic systems.","PeriodicalId":228,"journal":{"name":"Small","volume":"216 1","pages":"e12963"},"PeriodicalIF":13.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145961391","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Paul Neumann,Leire Meabe,Lorena Garcia,Nerea Herran-Diaz de Argote,Rafael Del Olmo,David Fraile-Insagurbe,Maria Carmen Morant-Miñana,Margaud Lecuyer,Marc Deschamps,Heng Zhang,Michel Armand,María Martinez-Ibañez
To improve the performance of all-solid-state lithium metal batteries (ASSLMBs), it is indispensable to work on lithium salt chemistries beyond the well-known lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI), which shows a low lithium-ion transference number (TLi +, ≈0.2) and induces a poor solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI). Herein, the design and synthesis of a new asymmetric lithium salt are reported in which one trifluoromethyl group of LiTFSI is replaced by a dihexylamino group to obtain lithium (trifluoromethanesulfonyl)(N-N-dihexylsulfamoyl)imide {Li[N(SO2CF3)(SO2N(n-C6H13)2)], LiC6,6TFSI}, seeking for a double effect in the electrolyte: 1) to improve cyclability by tuning the transport properties through the reduction of anion mobility; and 2) to ensure compatibility between the polar and non-polar components of the cathode by developing an anion with amphipathic nature. The solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) based on LiC6,6TFSI and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) offers a reduced anion diffusivity leading to high TLi + values (≈0.52). Owing to the high TLi + and the amphipathic nature of the salt, the as-obtained SPE empowers the Li||LiFePO4 cells with good capacity retention under stringent working conditions (e.g., a relatively high cathode areal loading of ≈1.8 mAh cm-2; high current rates of 1 mA cm-2).
为了提高全固态锂金属电池（asslmb）的性能，除了众所周知的锂离子转移数（TLi +,≈0.2）较低且固-电解质间相（SEI）较差的锂盐亚胺（LiTFSI）外，还必须对锂盐化学进行研究。本文设计合成了一种新的不对称锂盐，将LiTFSI的一个三氟甲基替换为二己胺基，得到锂（三氟甲烷磺酰）（N-N-二己基磺酰）亚胺{Li[N（SO2CF3)(SO2N(N- c6h13)2)], LiC6,6TFSI}，在电解质中寻求双重作用：1）通过降低阴离子迁移率调节传输性质来提高循环性；2)通过形成具有两亲性的阴离子来确保阴极极性和非极性组分之间的相容性。基于LiC6、6TFSI和聚环氧乙烷（PEO）的固体聚合物电解质（SPE）可以降低阴离子扩散率，从而获得较高的TLi +值（≈0.52）。由于高TLi +和盐的两亲性，获得的SPE使Li||LiFePO4电池在严格的工作条件下（例如，相对较高的阴极面积负载≈1.8 mAh cm-2；高电流率为1 mA cm-2）具有良好的容量保持能力。
{"title":"Design of an Amphiphilic Anion toward High Loading Solid-State Lithium Metal Battery.","authors":"Paul Neumann,Leire Meabe,Lorena Garcia,Nerea Herran-Diaz de Argote,Rafael Del Olmo,David Fraile-Insagurbe,Maria Carmen Morant-Miñana,Margaud Lecuyer,Marc Deschamps,Heng Zhang,Michel Armand,María Martinez-Ibañez","doi":"10.1002/smll.202507567","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202507567","url":null,"abstract":"To improve the performance of all-solid-state lithium metal batteries (ASSLMBs), it is indispensable to work on lithium salt chemistries beyond the well-known lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI), which shows a low lithium-ion transference number (TLi +, ≈0.2) and induces a poor solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI). Herein, the design and synthesis of a new asymmetric lithium salt are reported in which one trifluoromethyl group of LiTFSI is replaced by a dihexylamino group to obtain lithium (trifluoromethanesulfonyl)(N-N-dihexylsulfamoyl)imide {Li[N(SO2CF3)(SO2N(n-C6H13)2)], LiC6,6TFSI}, seeking for a double effect in the electrolyte: 1) to improve cyclability by tuning the transport properties through the reduction of anion mobility; and 2) to ensure compatibility between the polar and non-polar components of the cathode by developing an anion with amphipathic nature. The solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) based on LiC6,6TFSI and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) offers a reduced anion diffusivity leading to high TLi + values (≈0.52). Owing to the high TLi + and the amphipathic nature of the salt, the as-obtained SPE empowers the Li||LiFePO4 cells with good capacity retention under stringent working conditions (e.g., a relatively high cathode areal loading of ≈1.8 mAh cm-2; high current rates of 1 mA cm-2).","PeriodicalId":228,"journal":{"name":"Small","volume":"142 1","pages":"e07567"},"PeriodicalIF":13.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145961393","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Xuejun Zhou,Yuhan Mei,Weichao Bao,Qingping Wu,Fangfang Xu,Chilin Li
Humdrum catalyst-polysulfide interactions in sulfur cathodes of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries show limited effectiveness to further accelerate the sluggish conversion reaction kinetics under lean electrolyte conditions. Herein, we design an electrode/electrolyte interface coupled with W2N nanoparticles and single-atom W (SA-W) on ultrathin carbon nanosheets for improving the conversion reaction kinetics of Li-S batteries from the perspective of accelerating the desolvation of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs). The desolvation kinetics near the electrode/electrolyte interface are enhanced by the excoriation-type effect of SA-W, first exfoliating the solvation sheath of LiPSs through d-2p hybridization, and then by W2N nanoparticles adsorbing LiPSs and catalyzing their reduction reaction. Structurally, these carbon nanosheets are self-assembled into hollow microspheres, which reinforce the spatial confinement effect and accommodate the volume change during lithiation/delithiation under high sulfur loading. Such optimized catalyst-reactant/-solvent interactions have elicited superb rate capability (with reversible capability of 702 mAh/g at 5C) and remarkable cycling stability (with capacity degradation rate as small as 0.05% per cycle at 1C over 600 cycles). Benefiting from the rapid desolvation process of LiPSs, a high areal capacity of 13.5 mAh/cm2 can be achieved even under high sulfur loading (11.4 mg/cm2) and low electrolyte/sulfur ratio (5 µL/mg). The proposed catalyst/solvent interface engineering has the potential to inspire sustainable liquid-solid interconversion electrochemical energy storage.
{"title":"Excoriation-Type Catalyst-Solvent Interface with Dual Active Sites to Enhance Polysulfide Desolvation Kinetics for Lean-Electrolyte Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.","authors":"Xuejun Zhou,Yuhan Mei,Weichao Bao,Qingping Wu,Fangfang Xu,Chilin Li","doi":"10.1002/smll.202512813","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202512813","url":null,"abstract":"Humdrum catalyst-polysulfide interactions in sulfur cathodes of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries show limited effectiveness to further accelerate the sluggish conversion reaction kinetics under lean electrolyte conditions. Herein, we design an electrode/electrolyte interface coupled with W2N nanoparticles and single-atom W (SA-W) on ultrathin carbon nanosheets for improving the conversion reaction kinetics of Li-S batteries from the perspective of accelerating the desolvation of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs). The desolvation kinetics near the electrode/electrolyte interface are enhanced by the excoriation-type effect of SA-W, first exfoliating the solvation sheath of LiPSs through d-2p hybridization, and then by W2N nanoparticles adsorbing LiPSs and catalyzing their reduction reaction. Structurally, these carbon nanosheets are self-assembled into hollow microspheres, which reinforce the spatial confinement effect and accommodate the volume change during lithiation/delithiation under high sulfur loading. Such optimized catalyst-reactant/-solvent interactions have elicited superb rate capability (with reversible capability of 702 mAh/g at 5C) and remarkable cycling stability (with capacity degradation rate as small as 0.05% per cycle at 1C over 600 cycles). Benefiting from the rapid desolvation process of LiPSs, a high areal capacity of 13.5 mAh/cm2 can be achieved even under high sulfur loading (11.4 mg/cm2) and low electrolyte/sulfur ratio (5 µL/mg). The proposed catalyst/solvent interface engineering has the potential to inspire sustainable liquid-solid interconversion electrochemical energy storage.","PeriodicalId":228,"journal":{"name":"Small","volume":"14 1","pages":"e12813"},"PeriodicalIF":13.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145961443","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Xinyu Kan, Kaisen Gao, Zijing Li, Yunpeng Wang, Jie Ju, Wenbin Niu, Xi Yao
Photonic Paper
In article number 2509143, Yunpeng Wang, Wenbin Niu, Xi Yao, and co-workers report a nacre-inspired photonic paper fabricated via a roll-to-roll-assisted blade-coating process. The photonic paper exhibits a highly aligned "brick-and-mortar" architecture composed of α-zirconium phosphate nanoplates and a hydrogen-bonded polymer matrix, achieving an optimal balance between mechanical robustness, optical tunability, and scalability. This nacre-like design enables high-resolution and rewritable multicolour printing, as well as excellent flame retardancy, providing a promising platform for next-generation structural-colour paper.
{"title":"Scalable Nacre-Like Photonic Paper with Enhanced Mechanical Stability for Rewritable Printing (Small 3/2026)","authors":"Xinyu Kan, Kaisen Gao, Zijing Li, Yunpeng Wang, Jie Ju, Wenbin Niu, Xi Yao","doi":"10.1002/smll.72032","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.72032","url":null,"abstract":"<p><b>Photonic Paper</b></p><p>In article number 2509143, Yunpeng Wang, Wenbin Niu, Xi Yao, and co-workers report a nacre-inspired photonic paper fabricated via a roll-to-roll-assisted blade-coating process. The photonic paper exhibits a highly aligned \"brick-and-mortar\" architecture composed of α-zirconium phosphate nanoplates and a hydrogen-bonded polymer matrix, achieving an optimal balance between mechanical robustness, optical tunability, and scalability. This nacre-like design enables high-resolution and rewritable multicolour printing, as well as excellent flame retardancy, providing a promising platform for next-generation structural-colour paper.\u0000\u0000 <figure>\u0000 <div><picture>\u0000 <source></source></picture><p></p>\u0000 </div>\u0000 </figure></p>","PeriodicalId":228,"journal":{"name":"Small","volume":"22 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":12.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/smll.72032","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145969839","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Harnessing the trifunctional light-harvesting, photoelectron-storage, and photochromic properties of the 2D ionic carbon nitride potassium poly(heptazine imide) (KPHI), this work introduces a 'photovoltachromic battery' (PVCB) as a multifunctional device operating under ambient conditions. The PVCB is constructed from a KPHI photoelectrode and a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) electrode, separated by a cobalt-based redox couple electrolyte. The energy offset between the Fermi level of KPHI and the redox potential of the cobalt couple endows photovoltaic functionality, enabling seamless coupling of photovoltaic-driven solar energy storage with dynamic light modulation. Acting as a solar battery, the PVCB can harvest and electrochemically store excess solar energy at peak sunlight, subsequently discharging it on demand to maintain a stable electricity supply. Simultaneously, the intrinsic color change associated with photoelectron storage in KPHI, together with photovoltaic regulation via external load tuning, allows precise transparency control. This capability overcomes the passive, weather-dependent limitation of traditional smart windows and enables system-level optimization for both energy savings and occupant comfort. By uniting solar energy conversion, storage, and intelligent light management within a single device, PVCBs open a pathway toward next-generation platforms for building-integrated and portable applications.
{"title":"Conceptual 2D Ionic Carbon Nitride Photovoltachromic Batteries for Photovoltaic-Driven Energy Storage and Dynamic Light Management.","authors":"Jun-Kai Yeh,Zhi-Qing Lim,Hsiao-Ching Wang,Yuh-Lang Lee,Jih-Jen Wu","doi":"10.1002/smll.202513241","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202513241","url":null,"abstract":"Harnessing the trifunctional light-harvesting, photoelectron-storage, and photochromic properties of the 2D ionic carbon nitride potassium poly(heptazine imide) (KPHI), this work introduces a 'photovoltachromic battery' (PVCB) as a multifunctional device operating under ambient conditions. The PVCB is constructed from a KPHI photoelectrode and a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) electrode, separated by a cobalt-based redox couple electrolyte. The energy offset between the Fermi level of KPHI and the redox potential of the cobalt couple endows photovoltaic functionality, enabling seamless coupling of photovoltaic-driven solar energy storage with dynamic light modulation. Acting as a solar battery, the PVCB can harvest and electrochemically store excess solar energy at peak sunlight, subsequently discharging it on demand to maintain a stable electricity supply. Simultaneously, the intrinsic color change associated with photoelectron storage in KPHI, together with photovoltaic regulation via external load tuning, allows precise transparency control. This capability overcomes the passive, weather-dependent limitation of traditional smart windows and enables system-level optimization for both energy savings and occupant comfort. By uniting solar energy conversion, storage, and intelligent light management within a single device, PVCBs open a pathway toward next-generation platforms for building-integrated and portable applications.","PeriodicalId":228,"journal":{"name":"Small","volume":"83 1","pages":"e13241"},"PeriodicalIF":13.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145961397","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Congcong Cui,Guangfeng Wei,Matthias Saba,Yuanyuan Cao,Lu Han
The geometric design of structures with optimized physical and chemical properties is one of the core topics in materials science. However, designing new functional materials is challenging due to the vast number of existing and possible unknown structures to be enumerated and difficulties in mining the underlying correlations between structures and their properties. Here, we propose a universal method for periodic structural design and property optimization. The key in our approach is a deep-learning-assisted inverse Fourier transform, which enables the creation of arbitrary geometries within crystallographic space groups. It effectively explores extensive parameter spaces to identify ideal structures with desired properties. Taking the research of three-dimensional (3D) photonic structures as a case study, this method is capable of modelling numerous structures and identifying their photonic bandgaps in just a few hours. We confirmed the established knowledge that the widest photonic bandgaps exist in network morphologies, among which the single diamond (dia net) reigns supreme. Additionally, this method identified a rarely known lcs topology with excellent photonic properties, highlighting the infinitely extensible application boundaries of our approach. This work demonstrates the high efficiency and effectiveness of the Fourier-based method, advancing material design and providing insights for next-generation functional materials.
{"title":"Deep Learning-Assisted Fourier Analysis for High-Efficiency Structural Design: A Case Study on Three-Dimensional Photonic Crystals Enumeration.","authors":"Congcong Cui,Guangfeng Wei,Matthias Saba,Yuanyuan Cao,Lu Han","doi":"10.1002/smll.202511158","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202511158","url":null,"abstract":"The geometric design of structures with optimized physical and chemical properties is one of the core topics in materials science. However, designing new functional materials is challenging due to the vast number of existing and possible unknown structures to be enumerated and difficulties in mining the underlying correlations between structures and their properties. Here, we propose a universal method for periodic structural design and property optimization. The key in our approach is a deep-learning-assisted inverse Fourier transform, which enables the creation of arbitrary geometries within crystallographic space groups. It effectively explores extensive parameter spaces to identify ideal structures with desired properties. Taking the research of three-dimensional (3D) photonic structures as a case study, this method is capable of modelling numerous structures and identifying their photonic bandgaps in just a few hours. We confirmed the established knowledge that the widest photonic bandgaps exist in network morphologies, among which the single diamond (dia net) reigns supreme. Additionally, this method identified a rarely known lcs topology with excellent photonic properties, highlighting the infinitely extensible application boundaries of our approach. This work demonstrates the high efficiency and effectiveness of the Fourier-based method, advancing material design and providing insights for next-generation functional materials.","PeriodicalId":228,"journal":{"name":"Small","volume":"14 1","pages":"e11158"},"PeriodicalIF":13.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145961400","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yang Zuo,Ziqi Chen,Along Ma,Xinru Zhai,Yuansheng Li,Shiyin Yang,Yifei Wang,Shuo Zhang,Xiaoshuang Ma,Shuxin Wang
Atomically precise nanoclusters (Cu NCs) offer an unmatched view of how active-site chemistry steers CO2 electroreduction, yet fine control over competing C2 products remains elusive. Here we introduce a switchable dual-ligand strategy that decorates an identical Cu13H10 core with tailored thiolate (-SR) and phosphine (-PR3) ligands, creating three isostructural catalysts (NC1 to NC3) whose surface electronics diverge by design. A single-step change in electron-withdrawing ligand flips selectivity from C2H4 (Faradaic efficiency, FEC2H4 ≈ 33 %) to EtOH (FEEtOH ≈ 31 %) without sacrificing ≥ -0.2 A·cm-2 current density. In situ ATR-SEIRAS and DFT reveal that -SR ligands accelerate *COCHO → *CCO dehydration toward C2H4, whereas electron-withdrawing -PR3 ligands stabilize *COCH2O route to EtOH. These insights deliver a clear design rule: modulate Cuẟ+ sites through ligand induction to program C─C coupling pathways on demand.
{"title":"Manipulating the C─C Coupling Pathway via Switchable Dual-Ligand Mediation in Copper(I) Nanoclusters for Selective CO2 Electroreduction to Ethylene/Ethanol.","authors":"Yang Zuo,Ziqi Chen,Along Ma,Xinru Zhai,Yuansheng Li,Shiyin Yang,Yifei Wang,Shuo Zhang,Xiaoshuang Ma,Shuxin Wang","doi":"10.1002/smll.202514571","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202514571","url":null,"abstract":"Atomically precise nanoclusters (Cu NCs) offer an unmatched view of how active-site chemistry steers CO2 electroreduction, yet fine control over competing C2 products remains elusive. Here we introduce a switchable dual-ligand strategy that decorates an identical Cu13H10 core with tailored thiolate (-SR) and phosphine (-PR3) ligands, creating three isostructural catalysts (NC1 to NC3) whose surface electronics diverge by design. A single-step change in electron-withdrawing ligand flips selectivity from C2H4 (Faradaic efficiency, FEC2H4 ≈ 33 %) to EtOH (FEEtOH ≈ 31 %) without sacrificing ≥ -0.2 A·cm-2 current density. In situ ATR-SEIRAS and DFT reveal that -SR ligands accelerate *COCHO → *CCO dehydration toward C2H4, whereas electron-withdrawing -PR3 ligands stabilize *COCH2O route to EtOH. These insights deliver a clear design rule: modulate Cuẟ+ sites through ligand induction to program C─C coupling pathways on demand.","PeriodicalId":228,"journal":{"name":"Small","volume":"4 1","pages":"e14571"},"PeriodicalIF":13.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145961387","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Severe lung inflammation and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) represent one of the most life-threatening conditions in critical care units and no effective drugs are available clinically. Here, we show that the polymerization of arginine greatly boosts the anti-inflammatory effect of arginine in vitro. RNA transcription sequencing and analysis indicated that polyarginine upregulated the expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-4. Meanwhile, polyarginine can assemble DNA nanostructures in a magnesium-free manner and enhance the cellular uptake of DNA due to its cell-penetrating nature, thereby boosting DNA nanostructure-based drug delivery efficiency. To validate the potential of polyarginine as an anti-inflammation prodrug, an arginine trimer (3R) assembled DNA nanotube that carries p65 siRNA (NT3R-p65) was assembled as a model nanomedicine for ARDS therapy. Flow cytometry results showed polyarginine-assembled DNA nanotubes exhibited higher cellular uptake efficiencies than the magnesium-assembled counterpart. Most importantly, NT3R-p65 effectively suppressed lung inflammatory in vitro and in ARDS mouse models. Mechanistically, 3R suppresses phosphorylated p65 expression and upregulates IL-4 signaling pathway while p65 siRNA directly silencing p65 expression. The prodrug 3R and p65 siRNA exhibited additive anti-inflammation effects in vitro and vivo. Collectively, the prodrug and gene therapy combination might offer a potential strategy for treating ARDS or other severe lung inflammation-related diseases.
{"title":"Arginine Polymerization Boosts Anti-Inflammatory Effects and DNA Nanostructure-Assisted siRNA Delivery in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.","authors":"Boxuan Li,Chaowang Huang,Wentao Dang,Qian Liu,Bin Wang,Lu Wang,Qianyi You,Binfeng He,Mingzhou Zhang,Gang Liu,Guansong Wang,Zhi Xu,Hang Qian","doi":"10.1002/smll.202511807","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202511807","url":null,"abstract":"Severe lung inflammation and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) represent one of the most life-threatening conditions in critical care units and no effective drugs are available clinically. Here, we show that the polymerization of arginine greatly boosts the anti-inflammatory effect of arginine in vitro. RNA transcription sequencing and analysis indicated that polyarginine upregulated the expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-4. Meanwhile, polyarginine can assemble DNA nanostructures in a magnesium-free manner and enhance the cellular uptake of DNA due to its cell-penetrating nature, thereby boosting DNA nanostructure-based drug delivery efficiency. To validate the potential of polyarginine as an anti-inflammation prodrug, an arginine trimer (3R) assembled DNA nanotube that carries p65 siRNA (NT3R-p65) was assembled as a model nanomedicine for ARDS therapy. Flow cytometry results showed polyarginine-assembled DNA nanotubes exhibited higher cellular uptake efficiencies than the magnesium-assembled counterpart. Most importantly, NT3R-p65 effectively suppressed lung inflammatory in vitro and in ARDS mouse models. Mechanistically, 3R suppresses phosphorylated p65 expression and upregulates IL-4 signaling pathway while p65 siRNA directly silencing p65 expression. The prodrug 3R and p65 siRNA exhibited additive anti-inflammation effects in vitro and vivo. Collectively, the prodrug and gene therapy combination might offer a potential strategy for treating ARDS or other severe lung inflammation-related diseases.","PeriodicalId":228,"journal":{"name":"Small","volume":"4 1","pages":"e11807"},"PeriodicalIF":13.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145961441","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"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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