Physics

Lung cancer, particularly nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC), poses significant therapeutic challenges due to frequent late-stage diagnosis and limited treatment efficacy. While chemoimmunotherapy has emerged as a promising approach, its clinical application is hampered by systemic toxicity and pharmacokinetic asynchrony. To address these limitations, we developed an innovative inhalable platform utilizing liquid nitrogen-treated tumor cells (LNT cells) that serve dual functions as both drug carriers and potent immunostimulators. These LNT cells retain their structural integrity while being rendered nonviable, exposing tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) that robustly promote dendritic cell (DC) maturation and proinflammatory cytokine secretion via activation of Toll-like receptor (TLR) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways. This biomimetic system demonstrates excellent pulmonary retention following inhalation and exhibits high drug-loading capacity, with the preserved cellular architecture of LNT cells enabling the sustained release of doxorubicin (DOX) under physiologically relevant conditions. The resulting LNT-DOX formulation combines controlled chemotherapeutic delivery with immunogenic cell death (ICD) induction, achieving synergistic therapeutic effects. In both orthotopic lung cancer and aggressive pulmonary metastasis models, inhalation of LNT-DOX demonstrated superior tumor suppression, significantly prolonged survival, and reduced systemic toxicity compared with conventional DOX administration. Mechanistic studies revealed that this enhanced efficacy stems from a multifaceted immunomodulatory response, including sustained local chemotherapy, robust DC activation, M1 macrophage polarization, and significant recruitment of NK cells and CD8⁺ T cells into the tumor microenvironment. Our findings present a transformative approach to lung cancer treatment that simultaneously delivers targeted chemotherapy and in situ immune activation through an inhalable, tumor cell-based platform.

Solid-state batteries are increasingly regarded as a key future energy storage option because they are highly safe and exhibit increased energy density, enabling them to address the drawbacks of traditional liquid lithium-ion batteries. Nevertheless, their industrial deployment is still hindered by obstacles, including significant interfacial resistance, limited ionic conductivity, and inadequate interface stability. To address these limitations, this work introduces a combined approach that employs defect modulation alongside rational structural design. A three-dimensional nanofibrous network composite solid electrolyte (NATP-TiO₂-PAN) was fabricated via electrospinning, incorporating Al³⁺-doped oxygen-deficient NaTi₂(PO₄)₃ (NATP) and TiO₂ into a polyacrylonitrile (PAN) polymer matrix. Defect engineering via Al³⁺ doping introduces oxygen vacancies into the NATP framework. These vacancies broaden the electrochemical window and decrease the activation energy for Li⁺ transport, thereby enhancing Li⁺ mobility. Computational results indicate that the (110) crystal plane of NATP is strongly compatible with lithium metal, promoting stable Li⁺ adsorption and the formation of a passivated interface, thereby suppressing lithium dendrite growth. The NATP-TiO₂-PAN composite electrolyte demonstrates a high ionic conductivity of 1.06 × 10^-4 S cm^-1 at 60 °C and a wide electrochemical stability window of 4.5 V. The assembled Li|NATP-TiO₂-PAN|Li symmetric cell maintains stable cycling for more than 1100 h with minimal polarization, confirming effective dendrite suppression. Benefiting from the stabilized interface and mitigation of volume expansion, the assembled quasi-solid-state Li|NATP-TiO₂-PAN|FeS₂ battery delivers excellent cycling stability, retaining 350 mAh g^-1 after 800 cycles at 500 mA g^-1 and maintaining more than 50% capacity retention after 1500 cycles at 1000 mA g^-1. This work provides a promising material design strategy and experimental foundation for developing highly safe, high-performance quasi-solid-state lithium-ion batteries (QSSBs).

In the practical applications of rechargeable Zn-anode batteries as leading alternatives for postlithium batteries, the suppression of Zn dendrite formation during charging is a critical challenge. Here, to clarify the correlation between reaction conditions and Zn metal morphology, in situ multiscale observations of the electrodeposition process in liquid electrolytes were conducted using liquid-phase electrochemical transmission electron microscopy, liquid-phase electrochemical scanning electron microscopy (LP-EC-SEM), and in situ optical microscopy. The dependence of Zn morphology on the electrochemical conditions and electrolyte concentration was clarified by using the LP-EC-SEM observations of electrochemical reactions with high reproducibility. During electrodeposition, the Zn diffusion layer in the liquid electrolyte strongly influences the formation of Zn dendrites.

The balance between performance and safety in lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries under extreme conditions has become increasingly prominent. In the present study, a sandwich-structured nanofiber separator (PPNFs-PI) with tunable surface porosity and integrated thermal shutdown function is fabricated. It features a polyimide (PI) nanofibrous skeleton (prepared via electrostatic spinning) sandwiched between two polypropylene nanofiber (PPNFs) layers (prepared via multilayer coextrusion). The PI skeleton provides exceptional mechanical strength and thermal stability to suppress dimensional change under harsh conditions, while the PPNFs functional layer substantially enhances surface porosity and ionic conductivity due to its finer fiber diameter. This rational design enables a distinct thermal shutdown function. At temperatures above 170 °C, the PPNFs layers melt to rapidly block ionic transport, preventing combustion during thermal runaway, while the intact PI skeleton maintains a physical barrier against short circuits. Furthermore, the nanofiber-based architecture creates a homogeneous three-dimensional ion transport network, promoting uniform Li⁺ flux and suppressing dendrite growth. The as-prepared PPNFs-PI separator exhibits excellent thermal dimensional stability (no shrinkage at 180 °C), high porosity (66.4%), superior electrolyte uptake (358%), and a high ionic conductivity of 1.18 mS cm^-1. Electrochemical tests verify outstanding interfacial stability, as evidenced by a stable polarization voltage over 1000 h of Li plating/stripping cycling. In NCM811/graphite full cells, it enables remarkable rate performance (145.96 mAh g^-1 at 5C) and cycling stability, retaining 90.8% capacity after 200 cycles at 1C. This work proposes a scalable and cost-effective strategy for designing advanced nanofiber separators for high-performance LIBs and related battery technologies.

Direct electrolysis of carbon dioxide (CO₂)-captured bicarbonate solutions offers a promising route for CO₂ valorization, as it avoids the energy-intensive regeneration and compression steps required to supply purified gaseous CO₂. However, most bicarbonate electrolyzers rely on proton-driven <i>in situ</i> CO₂ release at the cathode, which promotes hydrogen evolution, increases the cell voltage, and limits energy efficiency. Here, we demonstrate a bicarbonate electrolyzer based on a forward-bias bipolar membrane (fBPM) that decouples local CO₂ release from direct proton flux. The fBPM cell delivers a carbon monoxide (CO) partial current density of 167.1 (±2.6) mA cm^-2 at 4.44 (±0.03) V, with CO Faradaic efficiencies of up to 71% at 100 mA cm^-2, surpassing the reverse-bias BPM and cation-exchange membrane configurations and comparing favorably with state-of-the-art bicarbonate systems. <i>Operando</i> Raman spectroscopy revealed that the fBPM maintains a more alkaline cathode-membrane microenvironment, increasing the availability of locally released CO₂. A system-level energy analysis indicates an energy cost of 36.7 GJ per tonne of CO, highlighting fBPM-enabled bicarbonate electrolysis as a viable approach for integrated CO₂ capture and electrochemical conversion.

To investigate the regulatory mechanisms of the main-chain configuration on the microscopic morphology, ion transport, mechanical, and chemical stability of anion exchange membranes (AEMs), a series of AEMs with different poly(aryl piperidine-<i>co</i>-pyridine) backbones were prepared, and their performance in anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) and anion exchange membrane water electrolyzers (AEMWEs) was evaluated. Both molecular dynamics simulations and experimental results demonstrated that rigid conjugated backbones could induce the formation of well-connected hydrophilic/hydrophobic microphase separation via strong π-π stacking interactions while suppressing excessive swelling. Among them, the <i>p</i>-PQPP-6-Pip exhibited a good OH^- conductivity (111.45 mS/cm at 80 °C) and a peak power density of 697.76 mW/cm² in AEMFCs and a current density of 1.96 A/cm² at 2.2 V in AEMWEs. Furthermore, the hexyl-substituted piperidinium cations with low ring strain and ether-free polymer backbones endowed the AEMs with outstanding alkaline stability, with only 8.3-11.3% degradation in OH^- conductivity in 2 M NaOH at 80 °C for 1800 h.

All-solid-state lithium metal batteries (LMBs) are recognized as prospective next-generation energy storage systems due to their high energy density and inherent safety. However, as a critical component of LMBs, solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) face challenges, such as low ionic conductivity and a low Li⁺ transference number, leading to severe interfacial polarization and lithium dendrite growth. Herein, we develop a mechanically reinforced composite solid polymer electrolyte (QPCE-SPE) by impregnating a PEO/LiTFSI matrix blended with quaternized poly(crown ether) into an ultrathin porous polypropylene substrate. The cationic polymer immobilizes TFSI^- anions while crown ether moieties promote lithium salt dissociation, enabling an enhanced ionic conductivity of 1.05 × 10^-4 S cm^-1 at 80 °C and a Li⁺ transference number of 0.56. Consequently, QPCE-SPE delivers stable cycling performance (>1300 h at 0.1 mA cm^-2) in Li symmetric cells, and the Li|QPCE-SPE|LFP battery retains 81.9% of its capacity after 1000 cycles at 0.5C and 60 °C. Pouch cells based on QPCE-SPE remain stable under mechanical abuse, demonstrating robust mechanical resilience and intrinsic safety. This study presents an effective strategy for developing high-performance SPEs for LMBs.

Secondary brain injury after traumatic brain injury (TBI) is driven largely by ferroptosis-induced neuronal death and maladaptive neuroinflammation. Current therapies are limited by poor drug delivery and the narrow scope of single-pathway interventions. Here, we report a biomimetic hybrid nanovesicle (hMLV) engineered to codeliver the ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) and M2 macrophage-derived exosomes, enabling simultaneous suppression of neuronal ferroptosis and reprogramming of the immune microenvironment. The liposomal core encapsulates hydrophobic Fer-1 to enhance solubility and stability, while the exosomal membrane promotes blood-brain barrier penetration, lesion targeting via chemokine receptors, and immune evasion through CD47 expression. Within injured brain tissue, released Fer-1 restores glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) activity, reduces lipid peroxidation, and prevents ferroptotic neuronal death. Concurrently, exosomal cytokines such as interleukin-10 and transforming growth factor-β drive macrophage polarization toward a reparative M2 phenotype, mitigating neuroinflammation. This dual mechanism establishes a positive therapeutic cycle: ferroptosis inhibition dampens inflammatory triggers, while M2 polarization reduces oxidative stress. In a murine TBI model, hMLV treatment conferred superior neuroprotection and functional recovery compared with monotherapies. These findings highlight hMLV as a clinically translatable nanoplatform for synergistic, mechanism-guided intervention in secondary brain injury.

Currently, the live treatment strategy based on <i>Escherichia coli</i> Nissle 1917 (ECN) is widely researched in the field of tumor therapy based on its outstanding tumor targeting and colonization ability. ECN can serve as an immunological adjuvant, releasing self-antigens and related metabolic products to stimulate immune responses at tumor sites to break the immunosuppressive microenvironment. However, the propensity for ECN to colonize tumor sites might inadvertently stimulate IFN-γ production, leading to an upregulation of PD-L1 expression in tumor cells, which could suppress immune cell activity and foster immune evasion. To solve this problem, we encapsulate ECN with a hybrid film of metformin (Met) and a Lipo membrane by electrostatic adsorption to inhibit expression of PD-L1 in the tumor. <i>In vivo</i> experiments show that ECN can specifically colonize the core of the tumor and effectively deliver Met to the core of the tumor, enhancing the Met penetration ability in the tumor. On the other hand, Met inhibits the expression of PD-L1 in tumor cells, reverses the immune suppressive microenvironment of the tumor, and recruits CD3⁺ CD4⁺ CD8⁺ T lymphocyte cells to infiltrate the tumor site, ultimately enhancing the antitumor response.

A key challenge in the commercialization of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technology is the scalable and controllable preparation of substrates that simultaneously achieve high sensitivity, uniform signal distribution, excellent reproducibility, and long-term stability. In this study, we report a flexible SERS substrate based on a porous, high-surface-energy nanofilm, designed to serve as a spatially confined template for the uniform growth of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). This substrate exhibits outstanding SERS performance with an enhancement factor (EF) of 2.05 × 10¹⁰ and a detection limit (DL) as low as 1.74 × 10^-15 M for rhodamine 6G (R6G). The preparation process is mild, highly reproducible (RSD = 8.53% over 60 consecutive batches), and scalable to 25 cm² areas. Moreover, the substrate maintains its SERS activity for over three months within a vacuum bag at room temperature. Owing to its excellent adhesion and good flexibility, the substrate can adhere effectively to complex surfaces. The substrate was successfully applied to sensitive in situ detection of trace thiram residues on grape surfaces, achieving a detection limit (DL) of 8.51 × 10^-10 g cm^-2. Additionally, a wearable sensor was developed based on the substrate and used for the noninvasive monitoring of uric acid levels in human sweat, with a DL of 2.95 × 10^-7 M. This work provides a practical strategy for constructing high-performance, scalable, and flexible SERS substrates, advancing their potential for real-time, on-site analysis.

Multimodal and edge AI systems increasingly face bandwidth bottlenecks, data-movement overhead, and the rigid, thermally coupled limitations of conventional 3D integration. Here, we introduce a monolithic 3D integration (M3D) of heterogeneous neuromorphic platform that overcomes these constraints by vertically integrating atomic-scale electronics with complementary memristive devices. Ultralow-power van der Waals transistors provide selective access, WS₂ conductive-filament memristors deliver stable low-voltage synaptic storage, and Ag-MoS₂ diffusive memristors produce threshold-driven, biologically inspired spiking. These layers form a compact neuromorphic stack capable of synaptic plasticity, firing-rate modulation, temporal learning, analog in-memory computation, and convolutional feature extraction. This architecture allows layers to be manipulated enabling on-demand compute scaling. Demonstrations of analog vector-matrix multiplication for CNN inference and image filtering─achieving 93.1% CIFAR-10 accuracy under realistic nonidealities─highlight the platform's capability for energy-efficient, beyond-von Neumann computation. The proposed 2D-material-based platform enables heterogeneous functional partitioning while preserving programmability across vertically integrated tiers. The unified 3D architecture supports multimodal neuromorphic operation with layer-level specialization and intertier signal coupling, covalidating learning and system-level functionality within a single integrated stack.

In recent years, single atom nanozymes have attracted increasing attention in the antitumor field due to their excellent features such as efficient catalytic activity. However, chemotherapy alone is often insufficient to eradicate tumors and even less effective in inhibiting tumor recurrence and metastasis. Therefore, we developed a cell membrane biomimetic single-atom nanozyme (named MnGY@CCM) and used it for combined chemodynamic therapy-immunotherapy antitumor research. Manganese-doped graphyne (MnGY), a single atom nanozyme, catalyzes excessive hydrogen peroxide in the tumor microenvironment (TME) to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), inducing immunogenic cell death of tumor cells. Cancer cell membrane (CCM) can both promote dendritic cell maturation and inhibit distant tumor growth in combination with an immune checkpoint blockade. In addition, we found that CCM not only did not affect but also enhanced the catalytic activity of MnGY. Therefore, the nanoplatform composed of MnGY and CCM exerted the advantages of chemodynamic therapy and immunotherapy and produced synergistic therapeutic results.

Precise spatial arrangement of catalytic centers is essential to emulate the efficiency of natural enzymatic cascades. Herein, we report a protein-mediated interfacial self-assembly strategy to construct vesicle-like proteinosomes with spatially arranged gold clusterzymes (AuNEs) to enhance multienzyme cascade catalysis. AuNEs were synthesized in situ within the confined cavity of a stable cyclic SP1 protein scaffold, genetically engineered with a Cysteine-Cysteine-Tyrosine (CCY) peptide to control cluster nucleation and growth. Metal doping with copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd) yielded catalytically distinct Au-CuNEs and Au-CdNEs, exhibiting superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT)-like activities. These functionally complementary clusterzymes coassembled into size-tunable, ordered proteinosomes via electrostatic interactions with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, enabling dense catalytic packing and proximity-enhanced reactions. The resulting proteinosomes displayed efficient cellular uptake and significantly improved reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging in <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i>. This work presents a spatially programmable platform for synergistic catalysis, offering a promising approach for treating ROS-related diseases.

Abstract In this short paper, we show that, within the Schrödinger picture, quantum mechanics exhibits a fundamental ambiguity in the roles of energy and time, opening the possibility that neither should be regarded as ontologically primitive. Motivated by this ambiguity, we propose a geometric reformulation in which the total curvature of a surface bulk generates quantum evolution. We show that all physically detectable quantum transformations are encoded in the boundary geometry, so that the effective structure acquires a holographic character. We further consider the model from a relational perspective, examine special cases, and discuss qualitative and quantitative connections with the role of geometry in general relativity.

Abstract This paper investigates the quasi-periodic breathers of the (2+1)-dimensional Hirota equation, which can describe the wave phenomena in nonlinear optics and fluid mechanics. By combining the theta function and Hirota bilinear method, the quasi-periodic breather solutions are constructed. The solvability problem of the quasi-periodic breathers is transformed into a least squares problem, which can be solved via a new algorithm called the global Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) method. Different types of quasi-periodic breathers are obtained, including quasiperiodic Kuznetsov-Ma breather, quasi-periodic Akhmediev breather as well as regular quasiperiodic breather. By introducing an analysis method related to characteristic line, the dynamical characteristics of the quasi-periodic breathers are derived. In addition, the data-driven quasiperiodic breathers are studied by using the physics-informed neural network-adaptive residual distribution optimization (PINN-ARDO) method.

Abstract Using simulated annealing, we find optimal protocols that evolve a simple product state into a three-qubit $W$ state with a Hamiltonian that describes XY coupling and single-qubit gates, and determine the associated quantum speed limit. Applying Pontryagin’s minimum principle, we fully characterize the optimal “bang-bang” protocols. While leakage affects performance, the protocols remain robust to implementation errors and operate well within relaxation and decoherence times. Our findings highlight Pontryagin’s principle as a powerful tool for designing pulse shapes that directly link device interactions to specific quantum gates and target states.

Abstract Constant intensity (CI) solutions of the nonlinear Schr"odinger equation with third order dispersion (TOD), a polynomial law of self-phase modulation (cubic, quintic, and septimal nonlinearities) and $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric potential are considered. The potential is obtained by using an inverse design approach, in which the complex $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric potential is constructed to support an exact constant intensity solution. By introducing $c$ as an asymmetry parameter, the modulational instability (MI) is mapped onto the $(k,\beta)$ plane for $c=\pm1$, exploring all combinations of self-focusing and self-defocusing cubic‐quintic‐septimal nonlinear terms. Also, the effect of the amplitude $A$ on MI has been investigated for different values of Bloch momenta $k$. It has been shown that TOD, higher order nonlinearities, and the asymmetry parameter $c$ significantly affect MI growth and stability regions.

Abstract Cloaking based on the coordinate transformation theory presents an alternative avenue for developing an earthquake protection method by precisely controlling seismic waves, distinct from the conventional band structure engineering method that attenuates seismic waves within band gaps. Seismic cloaks have remained elusive due to the lack of formal invariance in the Navier equations underlying the operation of the cloak. This challenge is primarily attributed to the elastic tensor breaking the minor symmetry and requiring polar and chiral characteristics that no known materials exhibit. Here, we propose physically realizable seismic cloaks based on a discrete transformation elasticity theory by designing uniform lattice-based polar metamaterials capable of exhibiting polar and chiral elastic tensors. Numerical simulations demonstrate excellent cloaking performance under different types of seismic wave loads including Rayleigh waves, longitudinal (P) waves and transverse (S) waves, and confirm the validity of the proposed cloaks over a wide frequency band.

Abstract We report a novel pump-probe laser spectroscopy technique to measure the spatial polarization of spin-orbit coupling (SOC) mode of the vector vortex beam (VVB) using electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) protocol. An experiment is performed for observing the EIT signal in a five-level Λ-type configuration of 85Rb-D2 line coupled with the pump VVB and non-vortex probe beam. Interestingly, the sinusoidal modulation of the EIT amplitude is observed with spatial polarization rotation of the pump VVB for two different orbital angular momentum (OAM). This remarkable feature enables the extraction of information about the spatial polarization and azimuthal petal-like pattern of the SOC mode of the VVB. Furthermore, we propose that the experimental results may be considered as a hybrid quantum logic gate operation by employing the spatial polarization and EIT amplitude as the photonic qubits, which may offer promising applications in quantum information science.

Abstract Developing robust network systems that can sustain functionality after random failures or malicious attacks is a vital problem in complex networks. Many works have focused on improving the robustness of the network. However, these works are based on link manipulation, including swapping links, adding links, and reinforcing links. In this paper, we propose a method that reinforces nodes to improve the robustness of networks. In the proposed method, all nodes vote for their neighbors in each turn, and the voting ability of neighbors of the elected node will decrease in subsequent turns. Experimental results on multiple real-world networks demonstrate that our method significantly outperforms traditional centrality-based protection strategies in enhancing network robustness, achieving an optimal balance between defense effectiveness and resource efficiency.

Atomically precise tin oxo clusters (TOCs) with superior extreme ultraviolet (EUV) absorption and nanoscale homogeneity have been recognized as the most promising candidate resists for next-generation semiconductor manufacturing. However, the complex radiation reaction pathways of TOCs limit the full exploration of their high-resolution potential to meet advanced process requirements. Herein, using time-resolved transmission electron microscopy (TEM) as an accelerated and visualization method, we revealed that conventional Sn₁₂ TOCs underwent rapid radiation-induced crystallization into tin oxide nanocrystals under a high-energy electron beam. Interestingly, when larger-radius, lower-valence Eu³⁺ ions with stronger oxygen affinity than Sn⁴⁺ were further incorporated, the aggregation of tin-oxygen units was dramatically suppressed, and the bimetallic Sn₁₂Eu₈ cluster exhibited superior crystallization resistance. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that Eu³⁺ doping could significantly increase the formation energy of tin vacancies (V_Sn) and strengthen surrounding Sn-O bonds. Such high skeletal stability of Sn₁₂Eu₈ under higher-energy TEM irradiation promoted dense network formation ability in relatively mild lithography conditions, giving rise to an unprecedented small line width of 9.78 nm by EUV exposure. This work provides an efficient ionic oxygen-affinity engineering strategy for modulating radiation-induced structural evolution of atomically precise metal oxo cluster photoresists, which can benefit the development of high-resolution nanopatterning technology.

As the formation of a biofilm shields the pathogens from antimicrobials, implant-associated osteomyelitis (IAOM) remains a clinical challenge in orthopedic practice. However, existing drug delivery systems for IAOM are often hampered by insufficient targeting and poor retention at the infection site, limiting their therapeutic efficacy. For site-specific delivery and controlled release of antibiofilm agents, here we proposed a bispecific nanovehicle (PPTV@M_Sa) by coencapsulating thymol (Thy) and vancomycin (Van) within alendronate (ALN)-functionalized polydopamine nanoparticles to combat IAOM. A macrophage membrane (M_Sa), which is pretreated with methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (MRSA), was further used to camouflage the nanoparticles and facilitate targeted accumulation of PPTV@M_Sa at the infection site. When bacterial toxins disrupt the outer membrane of PPTV@M_Sa, the inner ALN is exposed and the particles are thus able to anchor to the bone matrix, resulting in increased local drug concentration and enhanced biofilm eradication. Specifically, Thy suppresses the expression of phenol-soluble modulins and disarms the amyloid structures of the biofilm, which eventually destabilizes the biofilm and facilitates Van to effectively eradicate the embedded bacteria. In vivo studies further confirmed the precise targeting and strong antibiofilm efficacy of the proposed nanovehicle. The dual-targeting method proposed in this study is a promising strategy for treating IAOM.