Physics

Terahertz (THz) spectroscopy has recently gained significant attention as a powerful tool for biomacromolecule detection due to its exceptional sensitivity in capturing molecular fingerprints, attributed to its unique wavelength range. THz biosensing platforms offer distinct advantages in identifying molecular rotational and vibrational states, making them effective for high-sensitivity, high-precision biomacromolecule analysis. This review highlights recent advancements in THz biosensing platforms, focusing on their spectroscopy interpretation and practical applications. We begin by introducing commonly used THz equipment and various metamaterials, followed by an overview of the key spectroscopy interpretation strategies for THz spectral analysis, including refractive index sensing and molecular fingerprint recognition. We also summarize the machine learning (ML) methods applied to enhance spectral analysis in THz biosensing platforms. Lastly, we provide an integrated perspective on the spectroscopy interpretation, clinical applications, and recent technological advancements in THz biosensing platforms, with an emphasis on how to construct a standardized THz-based biosensing workflow. We believe THz biosensing platforms hold immense potential to revolutionize molecular detection by enabling precise, label-free, and highly sensitive analysis of biomacromolecule interactions, paving the way for breakthroughs in medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and biochemical research.

The advancement of next-generation communication technologies demands multifunctional materials that combine low-frequency electromagnetic wave absorption with environmental durability. In response, we propose a core–shell architecture comprising hollow silicon carbide (SiC) nanospheres uniformly assembled with a bimetallic metal–organic framework (MOF)-derived carbon matrix. Single-component SiC nanospheres struggle with low-frequency absorption due to weak polarization, no magnetic loss, and poor impedance matching. The bimetallic CoNi-MOF-derived shell can address these intrinsic limitations. The robust core–shell structure provides abundant heterointerfaces that synergistically enhance polarization, scattering, and charge transport efficiency. Moreover, dielectric-magnetic synergy optimizes impedance matching and integrates multiple loss mechanisms for maximum low-frequency absorption. Through compositional optimization, SiC@CoNi/C-3 achieves a minimum reflection loss of −64.39 dB at 5.44 GHz and a maximum effective absorption bandwidth of 5.20 GHz. Importantly, a low-frequency bandwidth of 1.76 GHz (4.80–6.56 GHz) at 4.7 mm covers the essential 5G band. Furthermore, the composites exhibit outstanding anticorrosion performance, with the most positive corrosion potential (−0.09 V vs AgCl), and the lowest corrosion current density ( I corr = 1.66 × 10 –6 A·cm –2 ), attributable to the robust physicochemical barrier imparted by the core–shell architecture. Collectively, this work establishes a pivotal design paradigm for multifunctional absorbers capable of reliable operation in low-frequency and corrosive environments.

at a deformation of 80%. This study highlights how the combination of noncovalent interactions and dynamic covalent bonding can be utilized to generate elastomers capable of rapid autonomous healing and property recovery while simultaneously providing exceptional energy dissipation, paving the way for the impact-resistant systems.

The development of high-efficiency metal-free photocatalysts for eliminating endocrine-disrupting compounds continues to pose a considerable challenge. Herein, we report the rational design and fabrication of a green and efficient donor–acceptor heterojunction photocatalyst, PTQ10:Y6@CSC, via a robust π–π stacking strategy. Relative to the PTQ10:IEICO-4F system with weak π–π interactions, the PTQ10:Y6 heterojunction exhibits a significantly enhanced internal electric field, with an intensity 2.05 times greater. This reinforced internal electric field effectively promotes the dissociation of photogenerated excitons and extends the charge carrier lifetime to 1.473 ns (compared to 1.267 ns for PTQ10:IEICO-4F). As a result, the production efficiency of key reactive species ( • O 2 – and h + ) is substantially elevated, enabling the complete degradation of 20 ppm methyltestosterone within 40 min under simulated solar irradiation. The PTQ10:Y6@CSC composite also demonstrates remarkable cycling stability, retaining 97.89% of its initial activity after 16 consecutive runs. Moreover, combining density functional theory simulations with experimental analyses, this study elucidates the underlying photodegradation pathways and reaction mechanisms by identifying the vulnerable attack sites on the methyltestosterone molecule. These findings provide not only a high-performance photocatalytic system for endocrine-disrupting compounds remediation but also fundamental insights into the structure–property relationships governing π–π stacked heterojunctions.

An indium–gallium–zinc oxide (IGZO) oxygen reservoir layer (ORL) was introduced at the bottom interface of W/Hf 0.5 Zr 0.5 O 2 (HZO)/W memcapacitors to induce asymmetric capacitance modulation without relying on domain pinning. The IGZO layer exhibits a polarization-state-dependent capacitance response, transitioning between a limited-screening state and an efficient-screening state during the bias sweep, which modulates the charge-screening response of the stack. This polarization-state-dependent charge-screening response results in asymmetric capacitance peaks during polarization switching and enables a significantly enhanced capacitance memory window (CMW). Equivalent circuit analysis quantitatively reveals the contribution of the IGZO layer and confirms its role in governing the observed C – V asymmetry. Systematic variation of stack configuration and IGZO thickness demonstrates that a bottom-interfaced, thickness-optimized IGZO layer maximizes both asymmetry and CMW. In addition, the IGZO layer functions as an oxygen reservoir, suppressing oxygen-vacancy-induced degradation and improving endurance. The device further exhibits stable analog synaptic characteristics, and a retention-aware state pruning strategy is introduced to mitigate retention-induced degradation, preserving read margin and improving computational accuracy under noise-aware conditions. These results establish IGZO-integrated MFM memcapacitors as a viable platform for high-performance ferroelectric capacitive memory and neuromorphic systems.

Antiferromagnetic spintronics offers a transformative route toward high-density and ultrafast memory technologies. However, probing and manipulating spin dynamics in antiferromagnets remain highly challenging due to their nearly vanishing net magnetization and intrinsically complex magnetic structures. A long-standing puzzle in this field is the anomalous phase shift observed in spin Hall magnetoresistance (SMR) measurements, which has recently been attributed to altermagnetic spin splitting effect. In this work, we demonstrate that such an anomalous phase shift also emerges in nonaltermagnetic materials. By investigating the microscopic interplay between the Néel order and canted spin polarization in fully epitaxial BiFeO 3 /SrRuO 3 heterostructures, we provide a comprehensive explanation for this intriguing phenomenon. Through a combination of angle-dependent transport measurements and first-principles calculations, we show that the SMR signal is governed by two competing mechanisms: a robust contribution originating from the antiferromagnetic Néel vector (NSMR) and a highly temperature-sensitive component arising from ferromagnet-like canted spin polorization (PSMR) which is constrained by the symmetry-allowed Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya coupling. We further reveal that the elusive phase shift stems from the rapid enhancement of the canted spin polarization at low temperatures, which fundamentally alters the symmetry of spin-current absorption. Our findings establish a unified physical framework for disentangling complex spin interactions in antiferromagnetic materials.

Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is a complex pathological process involving neovascularization, hypoxia, oxidative stress, and inflammation. The upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), mediated by hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), drives abnormal angiogenesis and compromises conventional therapeutic outcomes. To overcome these limitations, we developed a multifunctional nanoplatform (PDA@Ce-EGCG@RGD), which enables precise targeting to CNV lesions via αvβ3 integrin-specific recognition. This nanosystem features a coordinated therapeutic cascade by integrating photothermal therapy (PTT) for oxygen-independent vessel ablation, self-supplied oxygen generation through H 2 O 2 catalysis to relieve hypoxia and oxidative stress, and macrophage polarization toward the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype to modulate immune response. Through synergistic integration of PTT, microenvironment regulation, and anti-inflammatory action, this multimodal nanotherapeutic system achieves sustained inhibition of VEGF expression and effective suppression of neovascularization, providing a promising therapeutic avenue for the treatment of CNV.

Insufficient synergy between hydrolysis and hydrogenation seriously hinders the efficient conversion of insoluble cellulose in biomass utilization. Herein, using tobacco straw-derived lignin to prepare ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC), we report a complex-mediated strategy for constructing a Ni–P–O@Ni x P/OMC catalyst with tailored P–C–O doped sites and Ni δ+ –P–O δ− frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs). Characterizations and DFT results indicate that the P–C–O sites in a P/O-doped OMC support promote H 2 O adsorption and polarization, accelerating H 3 O + generation for enhanced cellulose hydrolysis. Simultaneously, the Ni δ+ –P–O δ− FLPs on the Ni x P surface promote H 2 heterolysis and H 2 O dissociation, generating highly active H δ+ /H δ – and H 3 O + species that synergistically enhance hydrolysis and hydrogenation. Benefiting from the spatial coupling of hydrolysis and hydrogenation at the atomic scale, the prepared catalyst achieves an 80% sorbitol yield from cellulose in water at a low Ni loading of 4.5 wt %, along with satisfactory cycling stability. Increasing the Ni content to 8.0 wt % further raises the sorbitol yield to 89.5%, outperforming most reported noble-metal-based catalysts. Finally, a sorbitol yield in excess of 90% is obtained by using the residue after lignin extraction as the substrate. This work establishes a design paradigm for efficient cascade biomass conversion by creating atomic-scale P–C–O sites and Ni δ+ –P–O δ− FLPs that enable spatially coupled hydrolysis and hydrogenation through tailored electronic structures.

High throughput, wide-field hyperspectral imaging of the dynamic and spatially inhomogeneous electrochemical interface is vital for understanding and controlling electrochemical processes. However, acquiring three-dimensional data cubes with spatial and spectral information is typically time-consuming due to the limited speed of raster scanning or wavelength tuning, which impedes fast tracking of dynamic and inhomogeneous electrochemical reactions. Here, we develop Fourier transform wide-field electrochemical hyperspectral imaging (FT-WEHI) and showcase its application to in situ monitor the electrodeposition of Pt on hundreds of single Au nanospheres and nanorods with detailed scattering spectra. This provides an optical analog of voltammetry for all nanoparticles simultaneously, yielding statistically meaningful results that are difficult to obtain from conventional, time-consuming single-particle studies. Statistical analysis shows that even though structural heterogeneity exists for each nanoparticle, the preferential deposition at the tips of nanorods, having relatively “homogenous” morphology and thus nucleation energy, leads to a narrower distribution of onset deposition potential compared to nanospheres. Spectral evolution reveals distinct deposition processes on nanospheres and nanorods as rationalized by simulations. Our method provides large data sets with high throughput, holding potential for accelerating the study of various energy and biological processes with data-driven strategies.

Conventional decontamination methods used in urban warfare or terrorist scenarios typically rely on liquid solvents because of their high decontamination efficiency. Nevertheless, gravity causes the liquids to rapidly run off vertical surfaces and ceilings, resulting in short residence times and reduced decontamination efficacy. To address this limitation, viscosity modifiers have been used to improve the retention of decontamination agents. However, highly viscous formulations typically suffer from poor sprayability and are difficult to rinse off, complicating both application and postuse cleanup. Herein, we present a gravity-resistant, fast-acting biofoam enhanced with hydroxyl-rich depolymerized lignin (HDL) derivatives, a sustainable and biodegradable material. HDL was synthesized via hydrothermal treatment, which yielded an 11-fold increase in hydroxyl group content relative to that of native lignin. This increase significantly improved water retention and foam stability. The resulting hydroxyl-rich depolymerized lignin foam (HDLF) adhered to vertical urban surfaces for over 10 min, allowing sufficient contact time for detoxification despite its low viscosity. Foam stability was further enhanced by hydrogen bonding among the hydroxyl groups in HDL. Specifically, HDLF achieved over 90% detoxification efficiency through the hydrolytic degradation of chemical warfare agents and exhibited an environmentally safe end-of-life. Furthermore, it was easily removed from the wall surface, demonstrating that it can overcome the limitations of conventional viscosity-modifier-based decontaminants. This study introduces a high-performance, ecologically compatible formulation for urban detoxification.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) lacks effective low-toxicity treatments. Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) offers a tumor-specific approach by converting hydrogen peroxide into toxic radicals. However, its efficacy is limited by insufficient H 2 O 2, high glutathione (GSH) levels that neutralize the radicals, and reliance on a single cell death pathway. Herein, we report a precisely programmable catalytic platform consisting of Ru single atoms anchored on a CuTi layered double hydroxide (Ru CuTi-LDH) nanozyme. The Ru sites not endow the nanozyme with superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity and enable precise control over its catalytic functions, which also include peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Together, these features orchestrate a precise cascade reaction to amplify therapeutic efficacy for OSCC. Light-triggered superoxide radicals ( • O 2 – ) are converted to H 2 O 2 by Ru sites, fueling Fenton-like reactions at Cu centers that generate cytotoxic hydroxyl radicals ( • OH). Meanwhile, Ru CuTi-LDH depletes GSH and generates O 2 to alleviate tumor hypoxia. This chemical reprogramming amplifies oxidative damage and sensitizes tumor cells to cuproptosis. Additionally, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress triggered by the cascade activates paraptosis, establishing three distinct cell death pathways simultaneously. This approach achieved 84.7% tumor inhibition and prolonged survival in an orthotopic OSCC model. This work presents a chemical strategy that addresses fundamental CDT limitations through cascade catalysis with atomic-level tunability.

Bimetallic nanoparticles are promising catalysts that can improve performance in heterogeneous catalysis and solid-state electrochemistry. Exsolution is a useful method for forming such nanoparticles; however, it is limited by the elements present within the host oxide lattice. In this work, we develop and demonstrate a strategy to form bimetallic particles from La 0.5 Sr 0.5 Ti 0.94 Ni 0.06 O 3 (LSTN) exsolution and using a reducible SnO 2 capping layer, expanding the range of elements available for bimetallic nanoparticle formation. Using this capping layer strategy, we formed nickel–tin (Ni 0 –Sn 0 ) bimetallic nanoparticles via exsolution. We used in situ near-ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to monitor surface chemical changes during exsolution, showing that first, SnO 2 volatilized. This SnO 2 loss exposed the perovskite surface of LSTN to reducing conditions, which induced Ni exsolution, and compounded with SnO 2 reduction led to the formation of bimetallic Ni 0 –Sn 0 particles. To evaluate the associated microstructural evolution, we measured grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS), which confirmed the loss of the SnO 2 capping layer, and scattering simulations suggested the formation of bimetallic particles. We confirmed the bimetallic nanoparticle composition and morphology by Auger spectroscopy and scanning transmission electron microscopy. The resulting bimetallic nanoparticles were smaller and more thermally stable than the monometallic Ni counterparts on LSTN. This capping layer and exsolution approach allow synthesizing multimetallic nanoparticles and can be applied to other reducible metal oxides and perovskite hosts, broadening the compositional space for advanced catalytic materials.

Accurate analysis of enzymatic activities in complex biological environments is critically important yet remains technically challenging. In this study, we present a laser-emitting droplet assay (LEDA) capable of real-time, label-free monitoring of enzymatic activity. This assay leverages a developed platform based on laser-emitting aqueous droplets, which encapsulate biosamples while simultaneously functioning as whispering-gallery-mode (WGM) microlasers. Enzymatic reactions within the droplets induce measurable shifts in laser signals. Owing to the enhanced light-matter interactions, the LEDA demonstrates a 90-fold increase in sensitivity compared to the conventional polystyrene microlaser configuration. We further applied LEDA for assessing α-amylase activity in saliva and analyzing protein concentration in fresh milk and milk powder. The resulting spectral signatures clearly distinguished the sample differences. By integrating with microfluidic droplet technique, we believe this assay can offer a promising automated and scalable droplet-based analysis and ultrasensitive approach for diverse biochemical analyses.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is attractive for molecular diagnostics, but direct sensing in unprocessed whole blood is hindered by biofouling and poor operational stability. Here, we report a biomimetic-SERS platform integrating vancomycin-responsive structure-switching aptamers and a self-assembled lubricin (PRG-4) antifouling layer on a nanostructured plasmonic nanoslide. The aptamer provides molecular recognition, while the hydrated glycocalyx-mimicking lubricin layer suppresses nonspecific adsorption from blood and preserves access of vancomycin to the sensing interface. The sensor enables direct vancomycin detection in unprocessed whole blood with subnanomolar sensitivity and retains analytical performance after 3 weeks of storage. It also shows proof-of-concept operational stability, retaining 75% peak intensity across six measurement cycles over more than 5 weeks. Although repeated 20 min UV-Ozone cleaning reduces calibration sensitivity, the nanoslide maintains qualitative detection capability and SERS activity, supporting its potential for point-of-use therapeutic drug monitoring.

For a half-century, the Efros-Shklovskii (ES) law has been a powerful framework for describing conduction in disordered systems featuring a Coulomb gap. Here, we examined the validity of the ES law at the ultimate 2D thickness limit by investigating the low-temperature transport of three single-atom-thick crystalline systems based on the √3×√3-Au reconstruction on a Si(111) surface. Structural disorder was represented by three distinct configurations: (i) random network of domain walls (α-Au phase), (ii) inhomogeneous Au-Cu solid solution, and (iii) random 2D gas of Tl adatoms atop the crystalline layer. We found that only the domain-wall-disordered α-Au phase exhibits temperature dependence of the conduction described by the ES law. In contrast, the other two configurations display typical metallic behavior.

Spatially confined β-adrenergic receptor-cAMP nanodomain signaling depends on scaffolded protein-protein interactions (PPIs), yet converting such nanointerfaces into cell-active disruptor peptides remains challenging. Here, we identify a previously unrecognized phosphodiesterase 4A (PDE4A)-filamin A complex in human cardiac tissue that is disrupted in dilated cardiomyopathy. To target this interaction, we developed a nanodomain-resolved AlphaFold3 workflow integrating interface-recurrence filtering, orthogonal docking, and peptide-binding site inference to define a tractable binding region. This approach identified a filamin A docking sequence spanning R2520-H2528, which was optimized to RLVSNHSLH and rendered cell-permeant by N-terminal polyarginine tagging. In ventricular cardiomyocytes, the peptide reduced PDE4A-filamin A proximity and selectively attenuated β-adrenergic cAMP signaling in cytosolic and sarcolemmal compartments, measured by FRET biosensors. This work establishes a potential transferable strategy for translating predicted scaffolded PPI nanointerfaces into functional disruptor peptides and highlights compartmentalized signaling complexes as actionable targets for selective cellular modulation.

layered oxide cathode is appealing for building low-cost sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), but the insufficient specific capacity limits its practical application. Elevating the charging cutoff voltage to trigger the anionic redox reaction (ARR) effectively boosts capacity, yet balancing capacity and cycling stability remains challenging. Herein, we propose a Na-O-Mg/Ti electronic configuration modulation strategy to synergistically enhance capacity and cycling stability by activating reversible ARR. The tailored configuration weakens σ hybridization to activate more lattice oxygen for charge compensation, while enhancing π hybridization to regulate the oxygen oxidation depth and promote oxygen redox reversibility. The reversible anionic redox reaction drives electron transfer on oxygen, thus alleviating O-O repulsion during deep desodiation and fundamentally mitigating detrimental phase transition. Benefiting from the special electronic configuration, the modified material showcases a synergetic enhancement in both specific capacity and cycling stability, exhibiting great application potential.

C–H terminated nanometer scale diamonds ( d = 1 to 15 nm) are synthesized from 1-fluoroadamantane at high pressure (6–8 GPa) and high temperature (500–1500 °C) in a multianvil press. High resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman, diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared, and X-ray absorption spectroscopies demonstrate the excellent crystallinity and atomically flat C–H terminated surfaces of nanodiamonds with (111) and (110) facets. The importance of hydrogen to the synthesis of nanodiamond and its faceting is discussed. Following vacancy generation, annealing and oxidation of the nanodiamonds, optically detected magnetic resonance and electron spin resonance coherence times ( T 2 = 0.9 and 2.1 μs) of nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers are measured. The obtained T 2 values are equivalent to the shallow NV centers (depth <10 nm) in bulk diamond crystals and larger nanocrystals prepared by mechanical milling.