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Charge density waves in the graphene sheets of the superconductor CaC6
Charge density waves in the structure and electron density of layered materials are closely linked to superconductivity. Using scanning tunnelling techniques, Rahnejatet al. demonstrate the occurrence of such waves in the doped graphene sheets of the superconductor CaC6.
- K.C. Rahnejat
- , C.A. Howard
- & M. Ellerby
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| Open AccessIntegrated photonic quantum gates for polarization qubits
As quantum information processing continues to develop apace, the need for integrated photonic devices becomes ever greater for both fundamental measurements and technological applications. To this end, Crespiet al.demonstrate a high-fidelity photonic controlled-NOT gate on a glass chip.
- Andrea Crespi
- , Roberta Ramponi
- & Paolo Mataloni
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Concurrent transition of ferroelectric and magnetic ordering near room temperature
Magnetoelectric materials combine ferroelectric and magnetic properties through a coupling of the spin and lattice degrees of freedom. Here, magnetoelectric bismuth ferrite is found to simultaneously undergo both a magnetic and a ferroelectric transition at the same temperature.
- Kyung-Tae Ko
- , Min Hwa Jung
- & Chan-Ho Yang
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High pressure partially ionic phase of water ice
Dissociation of ice into an ionic solid is rare due to the high energy cost of proton transfer. In this study, structure search simulation is used to predict the formation of a partially ionic phase in ice at low temperature and high pressure, which consists of coupled alternate layers of hydroxide and hydronium.
- Yanchao Wang
- , Hanyu Liu
- & Yanming Ma
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| Open AccessExperimental loss-tolerant quantum coin flipping
When two spatially separated parties flip a coin, it is impossible to choose between two alternatives in an unbiased manner. This study presents a quantum coin-flipping protocol that overcomes this problem and ensures a dishonest party cannot bias the outcome completely.
- Guido Berlín
- , Gilles Brassard
- & Wolfgang Tittel
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| Open AccessA new regime for mechanical annealing and strong sample-size strengthening in body centred cubic molybdenum
Mechanical annealing is a process through which the dislocation density in submicrometre metal crystals can be removed purely by applying a mechanical stress. This study shows that mechanical annealing occurs in body centred cubic molybdenum, and not only in face centred crystals as previously thought.
- Ling Huang
- , Qing-Jie Li
- & Evan Ma
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| Open AccessCoupling artificial molecular spin states by photon-assisted tunnelling
Tunnelling transitions triggered by microwave irradiation between coupled quantum dots have generally been assumed to be spin-conserving. This study shows that this condition is violated in the presence of spin–orbit coupling, thus opening new possibilities for manipulating a two–spin qubit system by microwave irradiation.
- L.R. Schreiber
- , F.R. Braakman
- & L.M.K. Vandersypen
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Experimental generation of an eight-photon Greenberger–Horne–Zeilinger state
Generation of multipartite entanglement between quantum states is crucial for developing quantum computation systems, although it has proven harder to achieve for photons than ions. Here, an eight-photon entangled state based on four independent photon pairs is observed, beating the previous record of six.
- Yun-Feng Huang
- , Bi-Heng Liu
- & Guang-Can Guo
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| Open AccessHigh-density magnetoresistive random access memory operating at ultralow voltage at room temperature
Magnetoresistive random access memory offers significant promise as a next-generation memory technology. Nan and colleagues present a design concept for a device that simultaneously possesses ultrahigh storage capacity, ultralow power dissipation, and high-speed operation at room temperature.
- Jia-Mian Hu
- , Zheng Li
- & Ce-Wen Nan
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Copper hexacyanoferrate battery electrodes with long cycle life and high power
Batteries that operate at high power and cycling efficiencies could facilitate the development of large-scale energy storage systems. Wessellset al.report a metal–organic framework electrode that operates in an inexpensive aqueous electrolyte with excellent capacity retention over a very large number of cycles.
- Colin D. Wessells
- , Robert A. Huggins
- & Yi Cui
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| Open AccessElectric field-induced chemical locomotion of conducting objects
External electric fields have been used to control the motion of small objects through electrostatic repulsion. Here, electric fields are used to polarize conducting objects, triggering their movement by spatially separated electrochemical reactions leading to directionally controlled bubble evolution.
- Gabriel Loget
- & Alexander Kuhn
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Ultrafast direct modulation of a single-mode photonic crystal nanocavity light-emitting diode
Photonic alternatives to electrical circuits require low energy demand and fast modulation speed, which has proven difficult for on-chip devices. Using quantum dot photonic crystal nanocavities, Vučkovićet al. demonstrate an electrically-switchable light-emitting diode with such capabilities.
- Gary Shambat
- , Bryan Ellis
- & Jelena Vučković
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| Open AccessWide-band quantum interface for visible-to-telecommunication wavelength conversion
Most quantum communication experiments are performed at visible wavelengths, yet practical, long-range schemes need photons in the telecommunications range. Here, down-conversion of a visible photon to the near-infrared is demonstrated, while retaining its entanglement to another visible photon.
- Rikizo Ikuta
- , Yoshiaki Kusaka
- & Nobuyuki Imoto
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| Open AccessPore surface engineering in covalent organic frameworks
Covalent organic frameworks form a porous skeleton with a precise pore size and geometry, but control of the pore surface is challenging. Here, a protocol is introduced for pore surface engineering of covalent organic frameworks, allowing the control of composition and density of organic groups in the pores.
- Atsushi Nagai
- , Zhaoqi Guo
- & Donglin Jiang
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Self-assembly of DNA nanotubes with controllable diameters
DNA nanotubes could be used to transport nano-cargo and incorporated into nano-devices. In this study, rolling circle amplification is used to generate DNA subunits, and their thermodynamic growth results in the formation of nanotubes with a controlled diameter.
- Ofer I. Wilner
- , Ron Orbach
- & Itamar Willner
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Selective dispersion of high purity semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes with regioregular poly(3-alkylthiophene)s
Metallic and semiconducting carbon nanotubes generally coexist in 'as-grown' materials. In this study, single-walled nanotubes are sorted using regioregular poly(3-alkylthiophene)s; rational selection of polymers, solvent and temperature allows the selective dispersion of semiconducting carbon nanotubes.
- Hang Woo Lee
- , Yeohoon Yoon
- & Zhenan Bao
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Functionalized arrays of Raman-enhancing nanoparticles for capture and culture-free analysis of bacteria in human blood
Detecting bacteria in clinical samples usually requires culture processes that are time consuming and impede rapid diagnoses. Now, a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopic method is reported that allows the label- and culture-free detection and analysis of bacteria.
- Ting-Yu Liu
- , Kun-Tong Tsai
- & Yuh-Lin Wang
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A submicron plasmonic dichroic splitter
The miniaturization of optical devices is crucial for their on-chip integration with a variety of technological applications. Here, Liuet al. present an ultracompact beam splitter to control the direction of light through the generation of surface plasmon polaritons.
- John S.Q. Liu
- , Ragip A. Pala
- & Mark L. Brongersma
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Differentially photo-crosslinked polymers enable self-assembling microfluidics
Leaves and tissues contain three-dimensional networks of fluidic channels, but similar artificial self-assembling systems have not yet been produced. Jamalet al. develop methods to produce three-dimensional microfluidic networks with curved geometries from the self-assembly of photopatterned polymers.
- Mustapha Jamal
- , Aasiyeh M. Zarafshar
- & David H. Gracias
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Direct stereoselective α-arylation of unmodified enals using an organocatalytic cross-coupling-like reaction
Cross-coupling reactions are widely used for creating new carbon–carbon bonds in chemical syntheses. Using the cross-coupling concept, Wang and colleagues present an organocatalytic strategy for the direct and stereoselective α-arylation of enals that occurs under mild conditions.
- Xixi Song
- , Aiguo Song
- & Wei Wang
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| Open AccessA guideline for atomistic design and understanding of ultrahard nanomagnets
Controlling the magnetic properties of nanoparticles is important to enable their widespread use in applications. Antoniaket al. combine X-ray absorption spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations to uncover the origin of these properties in order to appropriately tailor nanoparticle design.
- Carolin Antoniak
- , Markus E. Gruner
- & Heiko Wende
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Broadband polarization-independent resonant light absorption using ultrathin plasmonic super absorbers
Plasmonic nanostructures and metamaterials can augment the performance of photovoltaic and thermophotovoltaic cells by enhancing their absorption properties. Aydinet al. demonstrate a broadband, ultrathin plasmonic super absorber using crossed trapezoids as part of a metal–insulator–metal stack.
- Koray Aydin
- , Vivian E. Ferry
- & Harry A. Atwater
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Rational design of a binary metal alloy for chemical vapour deposition growth of uniform single-layer graphene
Graphene may be used in nanoscale electronics and devices, but the ability to synthesise uniform graphene with well-controlled layer numbers is necessary for these applications. Using a Ni–Mo alloy, this study demonstrates single-layer graphene growth with 100% surface coverage and tolerance to variations in growth conditions.
- Boya Dai
- , Lei Fu
- & Zhongfan Liu
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Super-resolution surface mapping using the trajectories of molecular probes
Surface characterization of soft materialsin situis challenging due to the importance of non-covalent interactions. Now, a new chemical imaging method is reported that generates images of surface interactions by combining many molecular probe trajectories.
- Robert Walder
- , Nathaniel Nelson
- & Daniel K. Schwartz
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A high-rate long-life Li4Ti5O12/Li[Ni0.45Co0.1Mn1.45]O4 lithium-ion battery
Advanced rechargeable lithium-ion batteries have potential applications in the renewable energy and sustainable road transport fields. Junget al. have developed a lithium battery that uses pre-existing concepts but has highly competitive energy densities, life span and cycling properties.
- Hun-Gi Jung
- , Min Woo Jang
- & Bruno Scrosati
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| Open AccessGiant magnetostriction in annealed Co1−xFex thin-films
Magnetostriction—the property that causes ferromagnetic materials to change shape during the process of magnetization—has a range of technological applications. Here, by varying the presence of structural disorder in textured Co1-xFexfilms, unusually strong magnetostrictive properties are presented.
- Dwight Hunter
- , Will Osborn
- & Ichiro Takeuchi
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| Open AccessRedox-responsive self-healing materials formed from host–guest polymers
Stimulus-responsive hydrogels have previously been developed that display heat-, light-, pH- or redox-induced sol–gel transitions. Nakahataet al. develop a self-healing supramolecular hydrogel based on host–guest polymers in which redox potential can induce a reversible sol–gel phase transition.
- Masaki Nakahata
- , Yoshinori Takashima
- & Akira Harada
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| Open AccessTheoretical models of nonlinear effects in two-component cooperative supramolecular copolymerizations
In multi-component mixtures of self-assembling molecules, small differences in association energy between components can be amplified by nonlinear effects. This theoretical investigation of self-assembling systems rationalizes chiral amplification in cooperative supramolecular copolymerizations.
- Albert J. Markvoort
- , Huub M.M. ten Eikelder
- & E.W. Meijer
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Superconductivity at 5 K in alkali-metal-doped phenanthrene
Intercalating alkali metals into picene—a hydrocarbon with five linearly fused benzene rings—results in superconducting materials. Now, alkali-metal-doped phenanthrene, which consists of three fused benzene rings, is also found to be superconducting, opening up a broader class of organic superconductors.
- X.F. Wang
- , R.H. Liu
- & X.H. Chen
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| Open AccessQuantum interferometric visibility as a witness of general relativistic proper time
In the theory of general relativity time flows at different rates depending on the space–time geometry. Here, a drop in the visibility of a quantum 'clock' interference in a gravitational potential is predicted, which cannot be explained without the general relativistic notion of time.
- Magdalena Zych
- , Fabio Costa
- & Časlav Brukner
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Field-effect reconfigurable nanofluidic ionic diodes
Nanofluidic diodes are utilized for the rectification of ionic transport, but their rectifying properties cannot be altered after the devices are made. Here, a field-effect reconfigurable nanofluidic diode is reported in which the forward direction and the degree of rectification can be modulated by a gate voltage.
- Weihua Guan
- , Rong Fan
- & Mark A. Reed
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| Open AccessEngineering modular and orthogonal genetic logic gates for robust digital-like synthetic biology
Biological digital sensors require the fabrication of modular genetic logic gates. Using thePseudomonas syringae hrpsystem, Wang and colleagues generate AND, NOT and NAND gates, demonstrating the ability to engineer a modular system from biological elements.
- Baojun Wang
- , Richard I Kitney
- & Martin Buck
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Control of electronic conduction at an oxide heterointerface using surface polar adsorbates
The interfaces between complex oxides can play host to a range of interesting electronic phenomena. Xieet al. demonstrate that the electronic properties at the LaAlO3/SrTiO3interface can be tuned upon application of common polar solvents such as acetone, ethanol and water.
- Yanwu Xie
- , Yasuyuki Hikita
- & Harold Y. Hwang
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Bottom-up synthesis of finite models of helical (n,m)-single-wall carbon nanotubes
Hoop-shaped aromatic hydrocarbons can be considered as finite models of single-wall carbon nanotubes. Hitosugiet al. describe the bottom-up synthesis of a macrocyclic tetramer of chrysene, and show that its persistent rotational isomers are finite models of chiral nanotubes.
- Shunpei Hitosugi
- , Waka Nakanishi
- & Hiroyuki Isobe
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Selective fluorescent probes for live-cell monitoring of sulphide
Molecular probes that can detect aqueous sulphides could help to elucidate their roles in biological signalling. Qianet al. develop two sulphide-selective fluorescent probes and demonstrate their ability to image free sulphide in living cells.
- Yong Qian
- , Jason Karpus
- & Chuan He
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A mitochondria-targeted inhibitor of cytochrome c peroxidase mitigates radiation-induced death
Radiomitigating compounds could be used to protect against ionizing radiation. In this study, mitochondria-targeted oleic and stearic acid derivatives are shown to inhibit pro-apoptotic oxidative events, prevent cell death, and protect mice against lethal doses of radiation.
- Jeffrey Atkinson
- , Alexandr A. Kapralov
- & Valerian E. Kagan
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Single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy maps the folding landscape of a large protein
The folding of multidomain proteins can involve metastable intermediate states. Here, a single-molecule FRET based method is developed and used to identify six metastable states in the folding landscape of the three-domain protein adenylate kinase.
- Menahem Pirchi
- , Guy Ziv
- & Gilad Haran
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Spin coupling and relaxation inside molecule–metal contacts
The ability to control the charge and spin of single molecules at metal interfaces underpins the concept of molecular electronics. Mugarzaet al. examine these properties using scanning tunnelling microscopy, and uncover their influence on the magnetism and transport properties of the molecule/metal systems.
- Aitor Mugarza
- , Cornelius Krull
- & Pietro Gambardella
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| Open AccessDesigning attractive models via automated identification of chaotic and oscillatory dynamical regimes
Modelling of chaos and oscillations is usually done indirectly and quantitatively by fitting models to a finite number of data-points. Here, a qualitative framework is developed where the characteristics of the underlying dynamical system are directly specified, revealing new properties of such systems.
- Daniel Silk
- , Paul D.W. Kirk
- & Michael P.H. Stumpf
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Room temperature magnetic materials from nanostructured diblock copolymers
Simple routes to self-assembling magnetic materials are elusive. Tew and colleagues produce copolymers containing cobalt complexes, which phase separate to give ferromagnetic properties at room temperature following heat treatment.
- Zoha M. AL-Badri
- , Raghavendra R. Maddikeri
- & Gregory N. Tew
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| Open AccessRole of mid-gap states in charge transport and photoconductivity in semiconductor nanocrystal films
Nanocrystals are used in light-emitting diodes and solar cells, but their charge transport in films is unclear. Here, the study of PbS nanocrystal films reveals the role of mid-gap states in their charge transport, suggesting different design needs for devices operated in dark (transistors) versus light (solar cells) conditions.
- Prashant Nagpal
- & Victor I. Klimov
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| Open AccessIdentification and microbial production of a terpene-based advanced biofuel
Advanced biofuels with comparable properties to petroleum-based fuels could be microbially produced from lignocellulosic biomass. In this study,Escherichia coliis engineered to produce bisabolene, the immediate precursor of bisabolane, a biosynthetic alternative to D2 diesel.
- Pamela P. Peralta-Yahya
- , Mario Ouellet
- & Taek Soon Lee
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| Open AccessHigh pressure route to generate magnetic monopole dimers in spin ice
Spin ices are magnetic materials in which excitations equivalent to monopoles can occur. Using high-pressure techniques, Zhouet al. synthesize a new member of the spin ice family, Dy2Ge2O7, in which monopoles exist at higher densities, and can stabilize as dimers.
- H.D. Zhou
- , S.T. Bramwell
- & J.S. Gardner
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Coupling of plasmonic and optical cavity modes in quasi-three-dimensional plasmonic crystals
Quasi-three-dimensional plasmonic crystals have potential uses in miniaturized photonics. In this study, a method is described to enhance plasmonic resonance in the crystals by coupling them to optical modes of Fabry–Perot type cavities, with possible applications in photonic and sensor components.
- Debashis Chanda
- , Kazuki Shigeta
- & John A. Rogers
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| Open AccessA bimetallic nanoantenna for directional colour routing
Plasmon resonances occur as collective excitations of surface electrons in noble metal nanoparticles. This study presents a new way of manipulating their behaviour by creating bimetallic dimers which, as a result of their asymmetric composition, give rise to unusual optical properties.
- Timur Shegai
- , Si Chen
- & Mikael Käll
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A polysaccharide bioprotonic field-effect transistor
The manipulation of electrons forms the basis of modern technology, whereas electrical signalling processes in nature are based on ions and protons. Rolandi and colleagues present a proton transistor based on polysaccharide nanofibres, which can control the flow of protonic currents.
- Chao Zhong
- , Yingxin Deng
- & Marco Rolandi
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| Open AccessDetecting inertial effects with airborne matter-wave interferometry
Inertial sensors using atom interferometry have applications in geophysics, navigation- and space-based tests of fundamental physics. Here, the first operation of an atom accelerometer during parabolic flights is reported, demonstrating high-resolution measurements at both 1g and 0g.
- R. Geiger
- , V. Ménoret
- & P. Bouyer
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| Open AccessA germanate transparent conductive oxide
Transparent conducting oxides are wide bandgap conductors that have found a range of applications in optoelectronic devices. In this study, Hosono and colleagues fabricate the first transparent conducting oxide based on germanium.
- Hiroshi Mizoguchi
- , Toshio Kamiya
- & Hideo Hosono
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Trapping and rotating nanoparticles using a plasmonic nano-tweezer with an integrated heat sink
Plasmonic nanostructures can be used to manipulate objects larger than the wavelength of light but create thermal heating. In this work, the trapping and controlled rotation of nanoparticles is demonstrated using a plasmonic nanotweezer with a heat sink, predicting a reduction in heating compared with previous designs.
- Kai Wang
- , Ethan Schonbrun
- & Kenneth B. Crozier