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Metal–Phenolic Coatings Enable Universal Design of Spherical Nucleic Acids

Angewandte Chemie International Edition Chaojian Chen, Taokun Luo, Ye Zhang et al. Aug 03, 2026 DOI: 10.1002/anie.7693760

ABSTRACT Spherical nucleic acids (SNAs), structures consisting of a nanoparticle core chemically modified with a dense shell of nucleic acids, are central to the fields of structural nanomedicine and colloidal crystal engineering with DNA. However, the synthetic methods used to prepare them often require different oligonucleotide immobilization chemistries for each type of core. Here, a general strategy to construct SNAs using metal–phenolic (MP) coatings is introduced. The polymeric shell formed through coordination bonds between polyphenols and metal ions (e.g., Fe 3+ ) can be used to modify the surfaces of a wide variety of particles, spanning a diverse range of sizes, shapes, compositions, and surface charges (e.g., gold spheres and cubes, silica, polystyrene, and melamine resin). Importantly, these shells, regardless of nanoparticle core, can be conjugated to thiolated DNA via Michael addition chemistry. MP‐SNAs retain many of the hallmark properties of conventional SNAs, including enhanced cellular uptake, and serve as versatile building blocks for the programmable assembly of a diverse library of nanoparticles and microparticles into larger and more sophisticated superstructures.

Access to C─N and N─N Axially Chiral Pyridinones via NHC‐Catalyzed Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of Rotationally Restricted Cyclic Imides

Angewandte Chemie International Edition Sowmya Shree Ranganathappa, Avishek Das, Akkattu T. Biju Aug 03, 2026 DOI: 10.1002/anie.3289722

ABSTRACT Atropisomers bearing C─N or N─N axes are an important class of chiral molecules, yet stereoconvergent strategies for accessing these compounds using organocatalytic techniques remain limited. Herein, we report the N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐catalyzed dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of rotationally restricted cyclic imides via (3 + 3) annulation with enals under oxidative conditions for the synthesis of C─N or N─N axially chiral pyridinones. Mechanistic experiments shed light on keto‐enol tautomerism in cyclic imides, which serves as the operative mode of enantiomer interconversion. This transformation furnishes C─N/N─N axially chiral frameworks bearing a remote stereogenic center in high yields with excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99:1 er) and good diastereocontrol. Rotation barrier studies confirm the high configurational stability of the products. Reactions conducted using pre‐formed carbenes provide information on DKR operating in the present case over the competing desymmetrization pathway.

HEGFT-UNet: a hybrid transformer–CNN UNet architecture for thyroid ultrasound image segmentation

Scientific Reports J. Tasinkiewicz, H. Piotrzkowska Wróblewska, A. Żyłka et al. Aug 03, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-65479-4

Impact of Tumor Genomic Profile on Adjuvant Chemotherapy Efficacy in Resected Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: Results From the PRODIGE-24/CCTG PA6 Study

Journal of Clinical Oncology Andréa Witz, Thierry Conroy, Aurélien Lambert et al. Aug 03, 2026 DOI: 10.1200/jco-25-02508

PURPOSE Modified fluorouracil, leucovorin, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin (mFOLFIRINOX/mFFX) is the standard adjuvant chemotherapy for resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), offering survival benefits over gemcitabine (GEM). However, the contribution of molecular biomarkers to treatment selection remains unclear. Here, we characterize the molecular landscape of tumors from the PRODIGE-24/CCTG PA6 trial and assess the clinical impact of genomic alterations and molecular subtypes. PATIENTS AND METHODS Tumor DNA sequencing was successfully performed in 317/350 tumors (168 mFFX; 149 GEM), complemented by transcriptomic subtyping using the PurIST classifier. Mutational status of four key PDAC driver genes and 24 homologous recombination repair (HRR)–associated genes was analyzed, alongside single-base substitution (SBS) mutational signatures. Primary and secondary end points were disease-free survival (DFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS), respectively. RESULTS In the mFFX group, the PurIST subtype was prognostic, with classical tumors showing superior DFS compared with basal-like tumors (stratified hazard ratio [sHR], 0.48 [95% CI, 0.31 to 0.77]). Among KRAS- mutated patients, mFFX significantly improved DFS compared with GEM (sHR, 0.60 [95% CI, 0.45 to 0.79]; P < .001), while no benefit was observed in KRAS wild-type tumors (interaction test, P int. = 0.010). HRR and BRCA status were not predictive ( P int. = .568 and P int. = .785, respectively). The benefit of mFFX was consistent across SBS-positive and SBS-negative subgroups. CONCLUSION Overall, these results do not support a change in current adjuvant treatment strategies. mFFX remains the standard adjuvant regimen in PDAC, and the observed lack of benefit in KRAS wild-type tumors should be considered hypothesis-generating and warrants further investigation.

Erratum: Efficacy and Safety of Anselamimab in Immunoglobulin Light Chain Amyloidosis: Results From the Randomized CARES Trials

Journal of Clinical Oncology Ashutosh D. Wechalekar, Angela Dispenzieri, Vaishali Sanchorawala et al. Aug 03, 2026 DOI: 10.1200/jco-26-01665

Force Reveals Hidden Conformations and Dissociation Pathways in Individual π‐Interacting Dimers

Angewandte Chemie International Edition Célia Franceschini, Dorothée Brandt, Maxime Ledent et al. Aug 03, 2026 DOI: 10.1002/anie.9238302

ABSTRACT Harnessing mechanical force to control molecular structure is a central strategy in the design of mechano‐responsive materials. Noncovalent interactions are particularly attractive in this context because of their reversibility and tunable mechanical stability, yet the conformational energy landscapes of such motifs often remain inaccessible to conventional ensemble techniques. Here, we use atomic force microscopy‐based force spectroscopy to probe individual π‐interactions within a perylene diimide dimer. Single‐molecule pulling experiments combined with molecular dynamics simulations reveal two distinct long‐lived conformers with parallel and anti‐parallel perylene diimide orientations that are indistinguishable by ensemble techniques. The parallel conformer exhibits greater mechanical stability and ruptures through a sequential pathway in which the dimer converts to an anti‐parallel arrangement before π–π dissociation. Passive force spectroscopy resolves both conformers in real‐time, validates the force‐induced interconversion pathway predicted by steered molecular dynamics simulations, and quantifies their mechanical resistance and lifetime under constant load. Together, these results show that combining passive force spectroscopy with molecular simulations can reveal hidden conformational states in noncovalent assemblies and map their force‐dependent energy landscape. Our findings provide molecular‐level insight into the mechanics of π–π interactions and highlight single‐molecule force spectroscopy as a powerful approach to uncover hidden structural states in supramolecular systems.

Quaternized Engineered Hydrogels for Subsaturated Moisture‐Driven CO <sub>2</sub> Capture

Advanced Materials Jungjoon Park, Xuanxuan Du, Taeyoung Chang et al. Aug 03, 2026 DOI: 10.1002/adma.74495

ABSTRACT Net zero emissions will require atmospheric carbon dioxide removal to counterbalance unavoidable emissions while sustaining human life. Moisture‐swing direct air capture (DAC) uses humidity for regeneration of a material that absorbs CO 2 , enabling cyclic operation without large thermal swings or vacuum. However, many reported systems require near‐saturated humidification for CO 2 release, narrowing the passive operating window and increasing water management demands. Here, we present passive diurnal moisture‐swing hydrogels (PDMHs) that are regenerated under subsaturated RH conditions, thereby broadening the climatic window for passive CO 2 capture. Specifically, we develop a quaternized poly(2‐(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDEAEMA) hydrogel that combines humidity‐responsive quaternary ammonium sites with a phase‐transition temperature (lower critical solution temperature) that governs hydration behavior. Using air containing 400 ppm CO 2 , PDMH achieves a CO 2 uptake of 1.06 mmol g −1 at 40°C and 30% relative humidity (RH). Humidification at 25°C enables regeneration efficiencies of 92% at 90% RH and 79% at 80% RH. Under a two‐step, 24 h diurnal protocol, PDMH shows &gt;90% CO 2 release during desorption and a stable working capacity of 0.97–1.05 mmol g −1 over 40 cycles. Comparative energy analysis shows that PDMH outperforms the other sorbents evaluated in terms of energy efficiency.

Darolutamide Alone and in Combination With Goserelin in Androgen Receptor–Positive Salivary Gland Carcinoma: Results From the Phase II DISCOVARY Trial

Journal of Clinical Oncology Susumu Okano, Makoto Tahara, Kiyoaki Tsukahara et al. Aug 03, 2026 DOI: 10.1200/jco-25-03028

PURPOSE Salivary gland carcinoma (SGC), particularly salivary duct carcinoma (SDC), is a rare and aggressive malignancy with no standard systemic treatment. Androgen receptor (AR) expression is frequently detected in SDC, which suggests inhibition of the AR pathway as a therapeutic strategy. We conducted a prospective phase II trial of the efficacy and safety of darolutamide, a second-generation AR signaling inhibitor, as monotherapy or in combination with goserelin, in patients with AR-positive unresectable locally advanced (LA) or recurrent/metastatic (R/M) SGC. METHODS DISCOVARY was a multicenter, single-arm, phase II trial conducted in Japan. Patients with unresectable LA or R/M AR-positive SGC were enrolled into two sequential cohorts, a monotherapy cohort (darolutamide 600 mg orally twice daily) and a combination cohort (darolutamide plus goserelin 3.6 mg subcutaneously once every 28 days). The primary end point was objective response rate (ORR). Secondary end points included progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), safety, and health-related quality of life. RESULTS Fifty-seven patients were enrolled (monotherapy, n = 24; combination, n = 33). In the monotherapy cohort, the confirmed ORR was 8.3% (90% CI, 1.5 to 24.0) and the median PFS was 5.7 months. In the combination cohort, ORR was 45.2% (90% CI, 29.7 to 61.3) and the median PFS was 13.1 months. Twelve-month OS rates were 91.3% and 87.0%, respectively. Most adverse events were grade 1 or 2 in severity, with no treatment-related deaths. Quality of life was preserved. No clear association between AR expression level or Ki-67 index and treatment response was evident in exploratory analysis. CONCLUSION Darolutamide demonstrated antitumor activity in AR-positive SGC, with numerically more favorable outcomes with goserelin. Darolutamide plus goserelin may represent a chemotherapy-sparing option in this rare malignancy.

Efficient Trichromatic Ultralong Persistent Luminescence Activated by Body Temperature Toward Convenient Information Encryption and Storage

Advanced Materials Hongye Tang, Gencai Pan, Bingyin Kong et al. Aug 03, 2026 DOI: 10.1002/adma.74539

ABSTRACT Long‐persistent luminescence (LPL) materials, celebrated for their remarkable ability to capture and gradually release light over extended durations, have catalyzed advances in domains such as optical data storage and bioimaging. However, the synthesis of efficient, multicolor ultralong LPL with precise modulation of duration remains a formidable challenge. Here, we introduce an effective strategy for inducing trichromatic ultralong LPL in Cs 2 NaScCl 6 :Sb 3+ through meticulous defect engineering. By judiciously adjusting the dosage of hydrochloric acid during synthesis, we systematically regulate the formation of Na + and Cl − vacancies as well as Sb 3+ ‐induced lattice distortions, affording unprecedented control over the material's luminescent properties. This approach culminates in the achievement of a record‐breaking blue afterglow exceeding 30 h for naked eye, alongside green and red persisting for 48 and 24 h, respectively. Notably, the dual self‐trapped exciton (STE) emissions exhibit disparate thermal behaviors, with the higher‐energy STE demonstrating anti‐thermal quenching, while the lower‐energy counterpart undergoes typical thermal quenching. For the first time, we elucidate the activation of LPL via body temperature, enabling information retrieval through tactile interaction. This innovative material showcases profound potential for x‐ray imaging and secure data encoding, offering a novel avenue for the development of advanced LPL materials with finely tuned emission characteristics.

Unraveling Bridging‐Oxygen‐Driven Ultrafast Amorphization in Superionic Oxyhalide Conductors via in Situ Synchrotron X‐Ray Scattering

Angewandte Chemie International Edition Wen Tang, Kaixin Zhang, Shuaika Liang et al. Aug 03, 2026 DOI: 10.1002/anie.7867809

ABSTRACT The energy‐ and time‐consuming mechanochemical synthesis of high‐performance solid electrolytes (SEs) remains a critical bottleneck for the scaling of all‐solid‐state batteries. Despite the recognition that oxygen incorporation in structure serves as a viable strategy to develop high‐performance halide SEs, systematic investigations into how oxygen in structure modulates synthesis kinetics, local structure, and ion transport are scarce. Herein, we report the synthesis of amorphous oxyhalide NaTaOCl 4 as a model system, achieved via minute‐scale ball milling, a dramatic improvement over the multi‐day synthesis of conventional NaTaCl 6 . Complementary structural characterizations and ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations demonstrate that, low‐coordinated bridging‐oxygen‐dominated Ta−O−Cl environments induce substantial lattice distortions, enabling ultrafast amorphization. Time‐resolved in situ synchrotron x‐ray scattering experiments reveal distinct reaction pathways: NaTaOCl 4 undergoes rapid fragmentation of precursors into metastable intermediates followed by bridging‐oxygen‐driven amorphous formation, whereas NaTaCl 6 experiences a moderate crystallization process prior to prolonged amorphization. By extending this design to a series of mixed‑anion oxyhalides, we establish a universal rapid synthesis strategy. For instance, NaTaO 0.5 Cl 5 exhibits high ionic conductivities of 3.39 mS cm −1 after only 30 min of ball‐milling. This work establishes a strategy that employs oxygen as a structural bridging‐agent to develop high‐conductivity SEs and provides atomic‐scale insights into ultrafast mechanochemical reaction.

From Fiber Bundles to Architected Membranes: Triply Periodic Minimal Surface Architectures for Biohybrid Artificial Lungs

Advanced Materials Michael Pflaum, Kai P. Barbian, Florian Neuhaus et al. Aug 03, 2026 DOI: 10.1002/adma.74361

ABSTRACT Artificial lung systems rely almost exclusively on hollow fiber membrane (HFM) bundles, where gas exchange is constrained by heterogeneous flow distribution and thrombogenic blood–material interfaces. Here, we introduce an architecture‐driven design framework for artificial lungs based on additively manufactured triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) membranes. In contrast to discrete fiber bundles, TPMS membranes form continuous three‐dimensional architectures that simultaneously regulate perfusion pathways, diffusion interfaces, and blood–material interactions. Computational fluid dynamics and multiphysics transport simulations reveal that membrane architecture governs gas exchange through coupled effects of membrane thickness, unit cell size, and three‐dimensional flow topology. Optimized TPMS architectures achieved on average up to ∼88% higher oxygen transfer rates across the investigated flow regime compared to conventional HFM while enabling substantially more homogeneous flow fields and reduced stagnation zones. Experimental screening identifies polydimethylsiloxane‐based printable elastomers compatible with thin gas‐permeable membranes and endothelial functionalization. The biohybrid endothelial interface mitigates thrombogenic interactions, while maintaining gas transport. Computed tomography–derived implant geometries demonstrate the feasibility of translating architected membrane systems into anatomically integrated artificial lungs. Together, these results establish a new design paradigm for artificial lungs, in which membrane architecture becomes the primary determinant of gas transport, flow distribution, and hemocompatibility.

Customizing Axially‐Oriented Dual‐Atomic Synergy for Orchestrating Cascade Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution

Advanced Materials Xin Wang, Sirui Yang, Wenhao Zheng et al. Aug 03, 2026 DOI: 10.1002/adma.74458

ABSTRACT The full orchestration of synergistic geometric and electronic interaction at atomic scale is fundamental to surmounting cascade kinetic bottlenecks inherent in multistep electrochemical processes. Here, an axially‐oriented, sulfur‐bridged hetero‐atomic motif (Ru─S─Co) is customized to achieve synergistic regulation throughout alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The top‐positioned Ru atoms are tailored for enhanced water capture, and the bottom‐inserted Co atoms in lattice activate middle S atoms for balanced hydrogen adsorption–desorption. This customized multi‐site synergy conspicuously lowers the energy barrier for rate‐determining water scission step. The proportion of reactive free water is elevated on this modified interface to prompt alkaline HER initiation. Furthermore, the intrinsically asymmetric charge distribution along the dual‐atom bridge enhances charge transfer during HER, and the prominent orbital coupling induces an upshift in the Ru d ‐band center together with increased density of states in S p‐orbitals around the Fermi level, further augmenting Ru‐S dual‐site activity. With this catalyst adopted as cathode, the anion‐exchange‐membrane electrolysis cell maintains an industrial current density of 1000 mA cm −2 at a small voltage of 1.79 V with negligible performance decay after long‐term stability test. This work provides insights into precise customization of atomic‐scale synergy toward effective management of kinetically mismatched multisteps in HER‐related energy conversion.

Ultra‐Fast Mass Transfer System by ∼100% Validated Micro‐Basins for Large‐Scale Photochemical Hydrogen Production

Advanced Materials Ting Zhi, Wenhao Chen, Ancheng Pan et al. Aug 03, 2026 DOI: 10.1002/adma.74456

ABSTRACT Achieving large‐scale, efficient, and sustainable hydrogen production via environmentally friendly photocatalysis requires not only effective mass transfer but also excellent operational stability. Conventional particulate photocatalyst systems suffer from inherent limitations in mass transfer, such as disordered charge carrier migration and uncontrolled gas bubble evolution, which collectively hinder hydrogen production efficiency. Here, we present a new mass transfer strategy for large‐scale photochemical hydrogen production, which effectively overcomes intrinsic transport limitations and enables ultra‐fast hydrogen bubble detachment by a coalescence‐induced jumping mechanism. By rationally designing a tunnel‐junction photochemical diode integrated with a micro‐basin array of metallic cocatalysts, we achieved nearly 100% activation of surface catalytic sites, thereby promoting directional charge carrier transport and rapid gas bubble evolution. This design delivers an impressive hydrogen production rate of 177.53 µmol h −1 cm −2 and an apparent quantum yield of 70.7% under 420 nm illumination. An outdoor solar‐driven photocatalytic reactor (25 cm × 25 cm) with a high hydrogen production rate was successfully demonstrated, validating the performance of a full‐scale photocatalyst system. This work demonstrates a large‐scale GaN‐based photochemical hydrogen‐production system and provides a useful structural design strategy for the future development of solar hydrogen‐generation technologies.

An E‐interwoven Therapeutic Contact Lens System for Rapid Drug Delivery and Precision Dose Monitoring

Advanced Materials Huan Yang, Hengtian Zhu, Wenyu Teng et al. Aug 03, 2026 DOI: 10.1002/adma.74433

ABSTRACT Precise intraocular pressure (IOP) management and rapid intervention preserve glaucoma vision, yet current ocular delivery systems lack in situ dosage verification, causing treatment blind spots. Here, we develop a wireless therapeutic smart contact lens (SCL) containing a rapid voltage‐triggered drug delivery system with a real‐time dosage monitoring sensor. The e‐interwoven design integrates drug delivery and sensing electrodes in an ultra‐thin (17.4 µm) tri‐interdigital configuration, which enables the electric field to interact with the drug‐loaded hydrogel in the same spatial region. A frequency‐matching strategy boosts voltage coupling to drive a brimonidine tartrate‐loaded hydrogel to achieve high concentrations in the aqueous humor in 20 min, significantly faster than topical eye drops. The built‐in drug dose sensor has a high accuracy &lt;2.8 µg, benefiting from the great linear correlation between wireless frequency drift and release dosage. In acute glaucoma rabbit models, this SCL suppresses peak IOP elevation by 85.7% compared to eye drops. This SCL presents a highly integrated therapeutic platform demonstrating potential for rapid and precise glaucoma treatment.

Hydrogen Spillover by Synergy at Ir─O─Ru Interfaces for Ampere‐Level Hydrogen Evolution

Advanced Materials Hong Tang, Hao Yuan, Xingyang Wang et al. Aug 03, 2026 DOI: 10.1002/adma.74431

ABSTRACT Industrial‐scale hydrogen production via alkaline water electrolysis requires electrocatalysts capable of sustaining ampere‐level current densities, yet the sluggish Volmer step remains a fundamental kinetic bottleneck. In this study, we report a surface‐microenvironment engineered catalyst in which atomically dispersed iridium atoms are selectively decorated on ruthenium nanoparticles through coordination with surface ─OH groups and defect oxygen sites, forming electronically coupled Ir─O─Ru interfacial ensembles. Density functional theory calculations based on the Ir─O─Ru interfacial model reveal a cooperative hydrogen‐spillover mechanism, in which the positively polarized Ir─O microenvironment promotes H 2 O activation, while the electronically tuned adjacent Ru sites accommodate the spilled‐over H* and drive the H─H coupling, thereby reducing the rate‐determining barrier to 0.19 eV. As a result, the catalyst achieves 1.0 A cm −2 at an overpotential of 103 mV in 1.0 M KOH and shows outstanding durability (3038 h at 1.0 A cm −2 ; 1593 h at 2.0 A cm −2 ). It further maintains stable operation in alkaline seawater (1427 h at 1.0 A cm −2 ) and anion‐exchange‐membrane electrolyzer (910 h at 80°C). These findings demonstrate that single‐atom surface decoration can effectively reconfigure interfacial reaction pathways, providing an efficient strategy for high‐flux alkaline hydrogen evolution.

Triboron Multiresonant Emitter With Zigzag B/N Alignment Enables Near‐Degenerate Singlet–Triplet States for High‐Performance Non‐Sensitized OLEDs With Mild Roll‐Off

Advanced Materials Xin Xiong, Wei‐Xiong Guo, Rajat Walia et al. Aug 03, 2026 DOI: 10.1002/adma.74444

ABSTRACT Boron/nitrogen‐embedded polycyclic frameworks are attractive emitters in organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) because they combine narrowband emission with thermally activated delayed fluorescence. Linear extension of multiresonant frameworks with zigzag boron/nitrogen alignment is predicted to enable bathochromic emission, reduced singlet–triplet energy gaps, and enhanced oscillator strengths, yet experimental access to higher‐order structures remains challenging. Here we report a site‐programmable, stepwise borylation strategy for constructing a triboron DABNA‐extended framework with zigzag boron/nitrogen alignment, L‐DABNA‐TriB. Our combined theoretical and experimental studies reveal how progressive linear extension from mono‐ to tri‐boron frameworks modulates the electronic structure, leading to bandgap narrowing, strengthened radiative transition, and near‐degenerate singlet and triplet excited states. Importantly, L‐DABNA‐TriB in toluene exhibits yellow–orange emission at 559 nm with a narrow full width at half‐maximum of 33 nm/0.13 eV, a singlet–triplet energy gap of ca. 4 meV, and a radiative decay rate of 1.5 × 10 8 s −1 . A non‐sensitized OLED based on L ‐DABNA‐TriB achieves a maximum external quantum efficiency of 38.0% and retains 35.2% at 1000 cd m −2 . This work establishes zigzag boron/nitrogen‐aligned linear extension as an effective molecular design strategy for narrowband emitters with efficient exciton harvesting at long wavelengths.

Auxin‐Functionalized Nanocarriers Hijack Endogenous Transport for Systemic Crop Protection in Plants

Advanced Materials Xi Zhang, Yong‐Xia Bai, Xing‐Yu Zhang et al. Aug 03, 2026 DOI: 10.1002/adma.74440

ABSTRACT Precise delivery of functional agents to specific plant organs remains a central challenge, as synthetic materials rarely access endogenous long‐distance transport pathways. Here, we report an auxin‐functionalized nanocarrier strategy that enables programmable systemic transport by interfacing engineered materials with plant signaling networks. Nanocarrier dimensions were tuned to ∼55 nm to limit endocytosis and favor extracellular localization, while auxin motifs were introduced on the particle surface. This design establishes a predominantly extracellular interface that hijacks polar auxin transport pathways. As a result, PIN‐mediated fluxes are enhanced, accompanied by a 10.42‐fold upregulation of PIN1, enabling directional leaf‐to‐root transport over centimeter scales and a 72.32‐fold increase in root accumulation. This signal‐coupled transport mechanism enables efficient root‐targeted delivery of agrochemical cargos (abamectin) via foliar application, achieving up to 79.71% control of root‐knot nematodes while reducing pesticide input by half. Furthermore, bypassing soil application provides a 3.20‐fold higher ecological safety margin and yields a 16.47% increase in crop production. Beyond this application, the work establishes a generalizable design principle in which synthetic materials exploit endogenous signaling frameworks to navigate biological transport systems, opening new opportunities for systemic crop protection and bio‐integrated material delivery.

Dual‐Peak Friction Upon Traversing a Monolithic Subsurface Step in Layered Materials

Advanced Materials Wenjie He, Honglin Zhang, Junhui Sun et al. Aug 03, 2026 DOI: 10.1002/adma.74468

ABSTRACT High‐resolution atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements reveal a distinctive anomalous dual‐peak feature emerges in friction force when the tip scans across a well‐defined monolithic step covered by few‐layer 2D materials, deviating fundamentally from the conventional single‐peak expected for a simple topographic obstacle. Through systematic high‐resolution stick‐slip measurements, nanoindentation experiments, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, this bifurcated frictional response is attributed to the asynchronous evolution of the resistive and driving force as the tip becomes transiently pinned first at the front and then at the rear of the step. The dual‐peak friction mechanism provides new perspectives for addressing inevitable step‐related challenges in 2D material lubrication systems, which is essential for elucidating the frictional origins of structural superlubricity in devices.

Deterministic magnetization switching by giant orbital torque in perpendicularly magnetized V/Pt/Co heterostructures

Applied Physics Letters Shuanghai Wang, Kun He, Xingze Dai et al. Aug 03, 2026 DOI: 10.1063/5.0319516

Spin–Orbit Torque Magnetic Random-Access Memory is a next-generation memory technology. Its conventional switching scheme relies on the spin Hall effect to switch the magnetization of the free layer. However, this approach depends mostly on the materials with strong spin–orbit coupling (SOC). In contrast, the orbital Hall effect offers an alternative pathway that can be efficiently generated even in light materials with weak SOC, e.g., Zr, Nb, and Cr, thereby expanding the range of materials available for energy-efficient magnetization switching. By integrating perpendicularly magnetized Co with the transition metal vanadium (V) in V/Pt/Co heterostructures, this study experimentally discovers a giant orbital Hall angle of 0.71 in V, reducing the critical switching current density (Jc) to 15.5 MA/cm2, a 78.5% decrease compared to conventional Pt-based systems. More importantly, the heterostructure maintains a relatively large coercivity (Hc) of 126 Oe, which indicates a high magnetic anisotropy (Ku) and therefore leads to a high thermal stability factor (Δ). The combination of high orbital torque efficiency, low Jc, and exceptional thermal stability establishes a new material platform for reliable, energy-efficient orbitronic memory applications.

Toughened Hybrid Electron‐Transporting Interlayers for Efficient and Durable Organic Solar Cells

Advanced Materials Lingchen Kong, Baobing Fan, Qian Li et al. Aug 03, 2026 DOI: 10.1002/adma.74415

ABSTRACT Electron‐transporting layers (ETLs) are crucial in determining the performance of organic solar cells (OSCs). However, it is challenging to achieve desired efficiency and stability simultaneously for devices based on single‐component ETLs. Here, we demonstrate the application of polyoxometalate (POM)‐doped hybrid ETLs to achieve significantly mitigated efficiency‐stability trade‐off in OSCs. By tailoring the doping behaviors, hybrid ETLs exhibit cascade energy‐level alignment, increased conductivity, improved electrode adhesion, strong thickness tolerance, and suppressed self‐aggregation. These combined merits enable excellent efficiency (20.4%) and outstanding stability (a T 93 / T 92 lifetime of 1500/1000 h under MPP tracking at 40°C/65°C) to be achieved for OSCs. A further elevated efficiency of 20.8% (20.4%, certified) and a T 90 lifetime of 1000 h can also be achieved when PDIN‐EME is used as the new organic component in the hybrid ETL, demonstrating the easy tunability of these hybrid interlayers for more efficient and robust OSCs.