Resonant p-shell excitation of a Purcell-enhanced In(Ga)As quantum dot–micropillar system enables efficient biexciton loading, leading to efficient two-photon emission with strong two-photon correlations and a high two-photon fraction.

A model is devised to investigate free charge generation in neat acceptor domains and at donor–acceptor heterojunctions. Efficient photocurrent generation in organic heterojunctions at low energetic offsets can be related to key molecular parameters and to electronic state delocalization.

The on-surface synthesis of π-conjugated covalent organic frameworks (COFs) enables the realization of designer quantum nanomaterials. Orbital-phase frustration within an aza-triangulene COF-based kagome lattice is reported to give rise to non-trivial flat bands.

Antiferroelectrics possess an antipolar ground state, and can be electrically driven into a polar phase. This Perspective discusses the history of these systems, defines these materials, surveys different types of antiferroelectricity and presents an outlook on future research pathways.

Gene correction in the lung is achieved with inhalable mRNA lipid nanoparticles containing an amino acid-derived ionizable lipid identified from screening and structure–function optimization studies.

Au nanowires with an unconventional hexagonal close-packed (4H) phase stabilize the 4H-phase high-entropy alloys grown epitaxially on their surface through a facile chemical synthesis. The resulting core–shell nanostructures demonstrate promising overall water electrolysis performance.

The role of temperature and excitation density in promoting cooperative emission regimes such as superfluorescence and amplified spontaneous emission, as well as the transitions between such regimes in perovskite nanocrystals, is reported.

Nanoscale bandgap tuning in van der Waals heterobilayers using an electro-plasmonic nanocavity provides electrical control of exciton dynamics, producing localized interlayer exciton density gradients and enhanced diffusion currents in the nanoscale.

Mg₃(Sb, Bi)₂ is a potential next-generation thermoelectric with cost-effectiveness compared with Bi₂Te₃; however, it suffers from poor moisture corrosion resistance. Here, an anodic protection strategy is presented that substantially reduces corrosion, enabling the 28-day performance of a module in high-temperature and high-humidity environment.

A bioelectronic device incorporating triphylite (LiFePO₄) as electrode is used for lithium-ion-specific inhibition of peripheral and central nervous system activities in rats and in mice.

Heterogeneous microstructure engineering has become a powerful strategy for optimizing properties and performance of metallic alloys.

We discuss altermagnetic multiferroics, materials hosting distinct advantages for low-power spintronic devices, including a zero net magnetization that eliminates stray fields, a momentum-dependent spin splitting enabling controllable spin currents and an intrinsic strong magnetoelectric coupling originating from the spin space symmetry.

As artificial intelligence tools continue to develop, their impact is growing.

Metasurfaces and metamaterials (or meta-optics) and their optoelectronic hybrid integration are set to drive the next era of computing, sensing and communications. As electronic systems reach fundamental limits, optical-enabled artificial intelligence emerges as a way forward, with meta-optics enabling speed, efficiency and scalability. We argue the need for comprehensive national innovation strategies to exploit the value of meta-optics in the photonics industry.

The ability to make porous extended structures in a predictable manner is now a mature and useful concept for materials scientists to solve real-world problems.

Swathi Kumar, Lakshmi Sujeesh, Lois Hong, Jennifer Young and Andrew Holle discuss how scientists can work with communities in low- and middle-income countries to address health-related challenges.