Materials science articles from across Nature Portfolio

Friction typically scales with load but magnetic systems can defy this rule. Sliding arrays of magnetic rotors reveal that energy dissipation peaks where competing magnetic orders dynamically clash. This non-monotonic magnetic drag arises from sliding-induced hysteresis, offering a blueprint for tunable, contactless braking at any scale.

Atomically thin single-crystalline high-κ dielectrics can be grown directly on a two-dimensional semiconductor by van der Waals epitaxy, providing ultrathin gate stacks with excellent interface quality.

Multifunctional bioelectronic interfaces have been challenging to realize. Now, a bioelectronic platform is demonstrated that combines electrochemical sensing, electrophysiological monitoring and neuromorphic computing in a single device. Multimodal functionality is achieved by selectively incorporating different electrolytes across the organic electrochemical transistor array in the platform.

Bimerons are magnetic solitons that are topologically equivalent to skyrmions in in-plane magnetized systems. This study demonstrates the room-temperature creation of bimerons in Co₈Zn₈Mn₄ via femtosecond laser pulse excitation, revealing dynamic topological control and morphological transitions of these solitons.

This study reports the development of a high-performance supercapacitor utilizing a templated carbon electrode (graphene mesosponge; GMS) and a novel ionogel electrolyte. By integrating an ionic liquid ([EMIM]⁺[HSO4]^-) within a PVA/GMS polymer matrix, the device achieves enhanced electrochemical stability and ion mobility. Electrochemical characterization via CV, EIS, and GCD demonstrates superior capacitive behaviour and reduced internal resistance (IR drop). The results were supported by computational models that confirms that GMS's unique structure enhances ion accessibility and interaction and the ionogel enables efficient charge storage, offering a promising strategy for flexible and robust energy storage applications.

Nanostructure fragility limits applications. The authors develop a tribochemical surface reconstruction strategy to build single-crystal nanostructures on sapphire, which retain bulk-level wear resistance and improve triboelectric device performance.

A dual-symmetry-guided strategy is used to assemble a broad class of complex Archimedean lattices and two-dimensional quasicrystalline structures, providing a general and experimentally accessible route to complex-symmetry materials.

An article in Nature Physics reports how combining distinct transition metal dichalcogenide monolayers enables the formation of an emergent exciton crystal — the bosonic analogue of the fermionic Wigner crystal.

Lead recycled from centuries-old ammunition provides raw materials for perovskite solar cells.

Friction typically scales with load but magnetic systems can defy this rule. Sliding arrays of magnetic rotors reveal that energy dissipation peaks where competing magnetic orders dynamically clash. This non-monotonic magnetic drag arises from sliding-induced hysteresis, offering a blueprint for tunable, contactless braking at any scale.

Owing to the low volatility and structural designability of ionic liquids, initial applications primarily focused on replacing molecular solvents to build safer electrolytes for lithium batteries. Ionic liquid-based materials have since expanded their application into electrochemical technologies such as electrodeposition and sodium and other battery systems.

Arsalan Ahmad discusses how a viscoelastic matrix composed of polymer chains, embedded with hard particles, can be used to create a custom abrasive to smoothen surfaces, cut grooves, or map pressure-points on surfaces of materials.

Atomically thin single-crystalline high-κ dielectrics can be grown directly on a two-dimensional semiconductor by van der Waals epitaxy, providing ultrathin gate stacks with excellent interface quality.