Perspectives

Optical computing via free-space-based structured optical materials allows to access optical information without the need for preprocessing or optoelectronic conversion. In this Perspective, the authors describe opportunities and challenges in their use for optical computing, information processing, computational imaging and sensing.

Assessing the performance of self-driving labs (SDLs) is challenging due to the specificities of each experiment. In this Perspective, the authors review recent literature of SDLs for materials science and chemistry and suggest how to report SDL performance more effectively.

In order to complete the transition to the era of large-scale integration, silicon photonics will have to overcome several challenges. Here, the authors outline what these challenges are and what it will take to tackle them.

Natural climate solutions can mitigate climate change but misunderstandings about what constitutes a natural climate solution generate unnecessary confusion and controversy. This Perspective distills five foundational principles of natural climate solutions and fifteen operational principles for practical implementation.

Neuroprosthetic devices have recently emerged as promising solutions to restore sensory-motor functions lost due to injury or neurological diseases. In this perspective, Donati and Valle propose to combine neuroprostheses with neuromorphic technologies for designing more natural human-machine interfaces with possible improvements in device performance, acceptability, and embeddability.

Climate change could drive critical parts of the Earth system past tipping points, causing large-scale, abrupt and/or irreversible changes that harm societies. Here, the authors suggest that satellite remote sensing can play a unique role in helping manage these profound risks, by providing improved early warning of tipping points across scales.

Life-crucial membrane fusion and budding were traditionally viewed with electron microscopy. With recent breakthroughs that visualize membrane transformation in real time, Wu and Chan synthesize a new model with mechanistic principles and functions.

In this Perspective, the authors illustrate the physics of hyperbolic polaritons in anisotropic 2D and 1D materials, proposing new potential material candidates, forward looking opportunities and technological applications.

Endangered polar ecosystems play critical roles in the Earth’s climate system and comprise many different habitats with unique organisms. Here, the authors propose a community road map to use multi-omics data from polar organisms for conservation, ecosystem services and societal gain.

High pressure and low temperature are the greatest challenges faced by scientists to explore deep oceans, which remain largely unknow to us today. Li et al. review these challenges and give insight into designing soft robots, inspired by deep-sea creatures, that enable resilient operations in harsh conditions.

The utilization of one-carbon assimilation pathways for bioproduction represents a promising direction towards a more sustainable bio-based economy. Here, the authors compare the thermodynamic efficiencies and energy demand of C1-assimilation pathways and discuss their implementation for energy, material, and food production.

To guide research and implementation of aqueous organic redox flow batteries it is essential to estimate their potential costs. In this perspective, the authors present an overview of the potential cost of organic active materials for aqueous flow batteries and identify cost reduction routes.

Using one carbon (C1) molecules as primary feedstock for bioproduction holds great potential for a circular and carbon neutral economy. Here, the authors discuss the potential of merging knowledge gained from natural and synthetic C1-trophic organisms to expedite the development of efficient C1-based biomanufacturing.

X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) has become an indispensable tool to investigate dynamic natures of electrocatalysts. In this perspective, advanced X-ray spectroscopies are highlighted in a complementary way, providing a promising research model for solid-liquid interface and (electro)catalysis studies.

Substandard and falsified medicines are a problem, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, and effects on antimicrobial resistance development aren’t well understood. Here, the authors discuss mechanisms by which they can increase or decrease levels of resistance and the need for improved data collection and analytical approaches.

Mechanical metamaterials are known for their unconventional mechanical properties. In this perspective, the authors give an overview of the current state of mechanical materials research and suggest a roadmap for next-generation active and responsive mechanical metamaterials.

Defining and revising best practices for accurate measurements and data reliability and quality checks is a continuous effort for the commercialization of perovskite solar cells. Here, the authors discuss the systematic discrepancy between the short circuit current and integrated quantum efficiency.

Climate model ensemble boosting can yield physically coherent storylines for record-shattering climate extremes such as the 2021 Pacific Northwest heatwave. Combining information from storyline approaches with process understanding can inform planning for future extremes of unprecedented intensity.

Learning from human brains to build powerful computers is attractive, yet extremely challenging due to the lack of a guiding computing theory. Jaeger et al. give a perspective on a bottom-up approach to engineer unconventional computing systems, which is fundamentally different to the classical theory based on Turing machines.

The ecology and evolution of eukaryotic microbes in extreme environments are poorly understood. In this Perspective, Rappaport and Oliverio summarize data from over 80 studies of protists in extreme environments and identify lineages of particular interest as targets for future research.