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| Open AccessRapid synthesis of phosphor-glass composites in seconds based on particle self-stabilization
Phosphor-glass composites can serve as efficient and stable photonic converters, but their synthesis generally requires harsh and time-consuming procedures. Here, the authors report an alternative synthesis route that requires only a few seconds and is based on particle self-stabilization.
- Yongsheng Sun
- , Yuzhen Wang
- & Zhiguo Xia
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Article
| Open AccessAccurate additive manufacturing of lightweight and elastic carbons using plastic precursors
This work reports a simple method to produce 3D printed complex carbon materials with low dimensional shrinkage (<4%) from printed to carbonized state, using commercially available carbon fiber-reinforced polypropylene precursors and a fused filament fabrication-based process.
- Paul Smith
- , Jiayue Hu
- & Zhe Qiang
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Article
| Open AccessCritical role of slags in pitting corrosion of additively manufactured stainless steel in simulated seawater
Mechanisms occurring during seawater corrosion of as-built laser powder bed fusion 316L stainless steels are largely unknown. Here, the authors show that Mn, Si-rich slags found in between laser tracks are responsible for corrosion.
- Shohini Sen-Britain
- , Seongkoo Cho
- & Thomas Voisin
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| Open AccessA strong fracture-resistant high-entropy alloy with nano-bridged honeycomb microstructure intrinsically toughened by 3D-printing
Developing superior structural materials has been challenging because of the inherent conflict between their strength and toughness. Here, the authors use 3D-printing to produce a high-entropy alloy with a microstructure resembling nano-bridged honeycomb structure with good strength and toughness.
- Punit Kumar
- , Sheng Huang
- & Robert O. Ritchie
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Article
| Open AccessDirect 4D printing of ceramics driven by hydrogel dehydration
Four-dimensional (4D) printing ceramics is a challenge due to their weak deformability. Here, the authors report a hydrogel-dehydration-driven direct 4D printing approach, enabling simple and efficient manufacturing of various complex ceramic objects
- Rong Wang
- , Chao Yuan
- & Qi Ge
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Article
| Open AccessEngineering metal-carbide hydrogen traps in steels
Understanding how hydrogen embrittles steels and developing the solutions are crucial for enabling the hydrogen economy. Here, the authors report a materials design strategy that can increase the hydrogen trapping capacity by creating carbon vacancies in metal carbide precipitates via microalloying.
- Pang-Yu Liu
- , Boning Zhang
- & Yi-Sheng Chen
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Article
| Open AccessSub-micro porous thin polymer membranes for discriminating H2 and CO2
The fabrication of polymeric membranes with high permeance and remarkable selectivity for simultaneous H2 purification and CO2 capture is challenging. Here, the authors design a polymer membrane with sub-micro pores via controlled transformation of amine-linked polymer films into benzimidazole- and amine-linked polymer layers.
- Xueru Yan
- , Tianqi Song
- & Xinlei Liu
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Article
| Open AccessAccelerating process development for 3D printing of new metal alloys
Process development for 3D printing of new metal alloys can be time-consuming and variability in the printing outcome makes it even more challenging. Here, authors demonstrate an in-situ method using high-speed imaging and deep learning to accelerate the process design for a more consistent quality.
- David Guirguis
- , Conrad Tucker
- & Jack Beuth
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Article
| Open AccessAtomic-scale observation of nucleation- and growth-controlled deformation twinning in body-centered cubic nanocrystals
Deformation twinning in body-centered cubic (BCC) metals is generally believed to be controlled by twin nucleation, but facilitated by rapid twin growth once the nucleation energy barrier is overcome. Here, the authors demonstrate both nucleation- and growth-controlled twinning modes in BCC Ta nanocrystals depending on the crystal size.
- Li Zhong
- , Yin Zhang
- & Scott X. Mao
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Article
| Open AccessHow solute atoms control aqueous corrosion of Al-alloys
Understanding the underlying mechanisms during corrosion is one of the grand key missions to improve the sustainability of the material world. Here, the authors combine atomic scale imaging and calculations to show how solute atoms react during aqueous corrosion of a multicomponent Al alloy.
- Huan Zhao
- , Yue Yin
- & Dierk Raabe
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Article
| Open AccessMicroscopic mechanisms of pressure-induced amorphous-amorphous transitions and crystallisation in silicon
The mechanism of amorphous-amorphous transitions is highly debated. Here, the authors use molecular dynamics simulations to reveal transitions via nucleation-growth or spinodal decomposition, resembling a thermodynamic phase transition but influenced by mechanics.
- Zhao Fan
- & Hajime Tanaka
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Article
| Open AccessStretchable and negative-Poisson-ratio porous metamaterials
In this work, authors demonstrate highly stretchable conductive porous elastomers that can achieve up to 1200% strain with low or negative Poisson’s ratios by uniaxial, biaxial, and triaxial hot-pressing strategies.
- Xiaoyu Zhang
- , Qi Sun
- & Guoqing Zu
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Article
| Open AccessA micro-architectured material as a pressure vessel for green mobility
A shellular is a micro-architectured material, composed of a continuous smooth-curved thin shell in the form of a triply periodic minimal surface. Here, authors propose schellular designs applied to pressure vessels and demonstrate its competitive practical features against spherical and cylindrical vessels.
- Yoon Chang Jeong
- , Seung Chul Han
- & Kiju Kang
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Article
| Open AccessAnomalous temperature dependence of elastic limit in metallic glasses
It is still challenging to study the atomistic mechanism of inelastic deformation in metallic glasses owing to their amorphous structure. Here, the authors report an anomalous temperature dependence of the onset of plasticity in metallic glasses at low temperature.
- Yifan Wang
- , Jing Liu
- & Wei Cai
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Article
| Open AccessPhysics-aware differentiable design of magnetically actuated kirigami for shape morphing
A differentiable design framework that integrates both geometrical and magnetomechanical analyses to inversely program the shape morphing in magnetically actuated kirigami is proposed, achieving intricate shapes and multistate transitions.
- Liwei Wang
- , Yilong Chang
- & Wei Chen
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Article
| Open AccessStrain-driven Kovacs-like memory effect in glasses
An abnormal stress memory effect is discovered in different types of glassy materials when they are subjected to a low strain after a high strain. This strategy can be used to depress the stress relaxation and increase the stability under loading.
- Yu Tong
- , Lijian Song
- & Jun-Qiang Wang
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Article
| Open AccessLarge mechanical properties enhancement in ceramics through vacancy-mediated unit cell disturbance
Ceramics are very brittle and hard to be plastically deformed. Here, the authors report a unit-cell scale disturbance mechanism to improve the deformation ability of ceramics and ultimately achieve large mechanical property enhancement.
- Zhuo Chen
- , Yong Huang
- & Zaoli Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessRevealing the room temperature superplasticity in bulk recrystallized molybdenum
Body-centered cubic refractory metals are known to exhibit excellent high-temperature strength, but often suffer from brittle fracture. Here, the authors produce a bulk pure Mo with stable fine-grain structure after powder metallurgy, Y-type hot rolling and ultra-high temperature annealing (1000~1700 °C) that exhibits room temperature superplasticity.
- Wenshuai Chen
- , Xiyao Li
- & Zenglin Zhou
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Article
| Open AccessPolyMOF nanoparticles constructed from intrinsically microporous polymer ligand towards scalable composite membranes for CO2 separation
Microporous polymer ligand provides particle size reduction, enhanced ultramicroporosity (3–4 Å), and better colloidal stability in the polymer–metal–organic framework (polyMOF) system. This leads to defect-free and scalable composite membranes for efficient CO2 separation.
- Tae Hoon Lee
- , Byung Kwan Lee
- & Ho Bum Park
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Article
| Open AccessBioinspired rational design of bi-material 3D printed soft-hard interfaces
Stress concentrations make the design of durable interfaces between hard and soft materials a challenging task. Here, the authors, inspired by nature, combine mechanical tests and simulations on multiple geometries to generate design guidelines that yield strong and tough soft-hard interfaces.
- M. C. Saldívar
- , E. Tay
- & A. A. Zadpoor
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Article
| Open AccessHarmonizing sound and light: X-ray imaging unveils acoustic signatures of stochastic inter-regime instabilities during laser melting
In the pursuit of advancing laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) technology, researchers have successfully converged the realms of sound and light. Here, the authors unveil the synergistic potential of synchronized x-ray imaging and acoustics to illuminate hidden instabilities in LPBF process.
- Milad Hamidi Nasab
- , Giulio Masinelli
- & Roland E. Logé
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| Open AccessMulti-step nucleation pathway of C-S-H during cement hydration from atomistic simulations
The nucleation of calcium silicate hydrate is a crucial step in cement hydration, but is still a poorly understood process. Here the authors use atomistic simulations to study primary particles and their aggregation, revealing a potential C-S-H “basic building block”.
- Xabier M. Aretxabaleta
- , Jon López-Zorrilla
- & Hegoi Manzano
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Article
| Open AccessSolute trapping and non-equilibrium microstructure during rapid solidification of additive manufacturing
Solute transport during rapid and repeated thermal cycles is important in additive manufacturing process. Here, the authors develop a fully-coupled model to rationalise solute transport process, elemental segregation, and non-equilibrium solid/liquid interfacial evolution at sub-grain scale.
- Neng Ren
- , Jun Li
- & Jianguo Li
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Article
| Open AccessOrigamic metal-organic framework toward mechanical metamaterial
This work introduces a 2D porphyrinic metal-organic framework based on DCS origami tessellation, displaying unique folding behavior inspired by origami mechanics. This breakthrough paves the way for MOFs toward mechanical metamaterials.
- Eunji Jin
- , In Seong Lee
- & Wonyoung Choe
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Article
| Open AccessDesign for improving corrosion resistance of duplex stainless steels by wrapping inclusions with niobium armour
Nonmetallic inclusions often induce serious corrosion failure of steel, causing catastrophic accidents and economic losses. Here, the authors propose a strategy of wrapping deleterious inclusions with niobium armour (Z phase), improving the corrosion resistance of duplex stainless steel.
- Shucai Zhang
- , Hao Feng
- & Guoping Li
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Article
| Open AccessPreferential ice growth on grooved surface for crisscross-aligned graphene aerogel with large negative Poisson’s ratio
Ice formation on grooved surfaces is ubiquitous, but controlling orientation is difficult due to lack of mechanistic insight. Here, the authors observed oriented growth using graphene oxide nanosheets as probes, revealing the effect of groove size, and programmed ice growth to fabricate freeze-cast metamaterials.
- Meng Li
- , Nifang Zhao
- & Hao Bai
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Article
| Open AccessAnhydrous interfacial polymerization of sub-1 Å sieving polyamide membrane
The design of highly permeable polyamide (PA) membrane capable of precise ionic sieving remains challenging. Here, the authors report an anhydrous interfacial polymerization on the solid-liquid interface to eliminate water-caused side reactions, leading to a PA layer with an ionic sieving accuracy of 0.5 Å.
- Guangjin Zhao
- , Haiqi Gao
- & Hong Meng
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Comment
| Open AccessExploration of truss metamaterials with graph based generative modeling
Optimisation tasks in the inverse design of metamaterials with machine learning were limited due to the representations of generative models. Here the author comments a recent publication in Nature Communications which generates a latent space representation that unlocks non-linear optimisations.
- Angkur Jyoti Dipanka Shaikeea
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| Open AccessUnifying the design space and optimizing linear and nonlinear truss metamaterials by generative modeling
Truss metamaterials are ubiquitous but their vast design space is far from fully explored. Here, authors use machine learning to present a unified, continuous latent space description, enabling the rapid generation of trusses with tunable or exceptional linear and nonlinear mechanical properties.
- Li Zheng
- , Konstantinos Karapiperis
- & Dennis M. Kochmann
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Article
| Open AccessWoven organic crystals
The entanglement of fibrous elements produces flexible structures with enhanced strength and resilience to abrasion. Here, the authors report the weaving of organic crystals into flexible and robust patches with plain, twill, and satin topologies of arbitrary porosity, expanding one-dimensional crystals into flexible, two-dimensional planar structures with potential for future applications in flexible electronics.
- Linfeng Lan
- , Liang Li
- & Hongyu Zhang
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| Open AccessRoom-temperature super-elongation in high-entropy alloy nanopillars
Small-scale metallic materials often suffer from a lack of tensile ductility. Here, the authors report an unusual room-temperature super-elongation in CoCrFeNi nanopillars from spatial and synergistic coordination of deformation twinning and dislocation slips due to chemical heterogeneities.
- Qian Zhang
- , Ranming Niu
- & Xiaoyan Li
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Article
| Open AccessQuantitative three-dimensional imaging of chemical short-range order via machine learning enhanced atom probe tomography
Quantifying chemical short-range order (CSRO) remains a formidable for volume-averaged or 2D microscopy methods. Here the authors introduce a machine-learning approach that breaks the resolution limitations of atom probe tomography to reveal the 3D atomistic architecture of CSRO in Fe-based alloys.
- Yue Li
- , Ye Wei
- & Baptiste Gault
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Article
| Open AccessRealizing reversible phase transformation of shape memory ceramics constrained in aluminum
Achieving reversible phase transformation of shape memory ceramics (SMCs) in a densified composite can have scientific and technological impacts, but is challenging. Here, the authors demonstrate the reversible martensitic transformation of SMCs confined in aluminum without destructive impact.
- Wangshu Zheng
- , Yan Shi
- & Qiang Guo
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Article
| Open AccessStrong yet flexible ceramic aerogel
Mechanically robust, flexible and thermally insulating ceramic aerogels are challenging to obtain due to the conflicting nature of these properties. Here the authors resolved these contradictions and developed a strong yet flexible aerogel, for application in extreme conditions, by laminated structure design.
- Lei Su
- , Shuhai Jia
- & Hongjie Wang
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Article
| Open AccessAdditive manufacturing of alloys with programmable microstructure and properties
The traditional way of beating metals to improve their properties is not practical to 3D printed parts with intricate geometry. Here, the authors demonstrate how to program microstructural modifications of metals site-specifically during 3D printing to tune their properties.
- Shubo Gao
- , Zhi Li
- & Matteo Seita
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Article
| Open AccessBoosting lithium ion conductivity of antiperovskite solid electrolyte by potassium ions substitution for cation clusters
All-solid-state electrolytes for lithium batteries generally suffer from low ionic conductivity. Here, authors manipulate the lattice of antiperovskite-type Li2OHCl by potassium ion substitution, which alters the lattice structure and improves the lithium ion transport properties.
- Lei Gao
- , Xinyu Zhang
- & Ruqiang Zou
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Article
| Open AccessA reprogrammable mechanical metamaterial with origami functional-group transformation and ring reconfiguration
Programmability is a key property for multifunctional metamaterials, but it is limited by homo-element. Here, the authors show a mechanical metamaterials with heterogeneous elements, achieving various mechanical behaviours by functional group transformation and ring configuration.
- Xinyu Hu
- , Ting Tan
- & Zhimiao Yan
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Article
| Open AccessLight-oriented 3D printing of liquid crystal/photocurable resins and in-situ enhancement of mechanical performance
Complex computerized geometries can be obtained by additive manufacturing. However, the printing of purely three-dimensional polymer shapes possesses inherent poor mechanical stability. Here, the authors overcome this drawback by the light-driven orientation of liquid crystals to guide the alignment of acrylate prepolymers along the direction parallel to UV light vibrations.
- Xiaolu Sun
- , Shaoyun Chen
- & Dongxian Zhuo
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| Open AccessMaterial-agnostic machine learning approach enables high relative density in powder bed fusion products
Exploring laser powder bed fusion in manufacturing, the authors demonstrate a machine learning-based method to optimize processing conditions achieving materials with relative density greater than 98% and experimentally verify its generality for multiple distinct powder materials.
- Jaemin Wang
- , Sang Guk Jeong
- & Byeong-Joo Lee
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| Open AccessGrowing recyclable and healable piezoelectric composites in 3D printed bioinspired structure for protective wearable sensor
Smart monitoring devices with integrated mechanical protection and piezoelectric induction are limited. Here, the authors report a strategy to grow piezoelectric Rochelle salt crystals in 3D-printed cuttlebone-inspired structures to produce smart monitoring devices with integrated mechanical protection and electrical sensing capability.
- Qingqing He
- , Yushun Zeng
- & Yang Yang
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Article
| Open AccessJoining of metallic glasses in liquid via ultrasonic vibrations
Under-liquid joining of metals has far-reaching implications for energy storage, space exploration, offshore mining and defense. Here, the authors report an alternative method to join metallic glasses firmly under water, seawater, flammable alcohol and even cryogenic liquid nitrogen.
- Luyao Li
- , Xin Li
- & Jiang Ma
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Article
| Open AccessRealization of an inherent time crystal in a dissipative many-body system
Physical realizations of time crystals, non-equilibrium many-body systems with broken time-translation symmetry, typically require periodic driving. Here the authors demonstrate a time crystal without external periodic drive in a collection of erbium atoms under a continuous laser excitation.
- Yu-Hui Chen
- & Xiangdong Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessThin lamellar films with enhanced mechanical properties for durable radiative cooling
Practical application of radiative cooling technology in harsh outdoor conditions remains challenging. Here, the authors develop a lamellar ANFs/Mica@TiO2 composite via a “solvent exchange-reprotonation” process enabling durable outdoor cooling.
- Lianhu Xiong
- , Yun Wei
- & Hua Deng
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Article
| Open AccessSize-dependent deformation behavior in nanosized amorphous metals suggesting transition from collective to individual atomic transport
How matter deform is a central question in mechanics of materials science. Here, the authors reveal a size-dependent deformation in amorphous metals changing at ~100 nanometer sample size from collective homogeneous flow to interface diffusion realized through individual atomic transport.
- Naijia Liu
- , Sungwoo Sohn
- & Jan Schroers
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Article
| Open AccessHigh-performance cost efficient simultaneous wireless information and power transfers deploying jointly modulated amplifying programmable metasurface
In this work, the authors demonstrate a ‘jointly modulated’ amplifying programmable metasurface (APM) for simultaneous wireless information and power transmission (SWIPT). Their technique outperforms existing methods, significantly improving power transmission and adaptability for conveying energy and data across various domains, including wireless implants, 6 G networks, and IoT systems.
- Xin Wang
- , Jia Qi Han
- & Tie Jun Cui
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Article
| Open AccessSynthesis of CuCo2S4@Expanded Graphite with crystal/amorphous heterointerface and defects for electromagnetic wave absorption
Heterointerface and defect promote the development of electromagnetic wave absorbers. Here, the authors show the 3D flower-honeycomb CuCo2S4@Expanded Graphite heterostructure, report the mechanism of crystal-crystal/amorphous heterointerfaces and cation defects on electromagnetic wave absorption.
- Zhimeng Tang
- , Lei Xu
- & Jinhui Peng
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Article
| Open AccessTensorial stress-plastic strain fields in α - ω Zr mixture, transformation kinetics, and friction in diamond-anvil cell
Fields of stress and plastic strain tensors in a sample under high pressures in diamond-anvil cells are important, but measuring them is difficult. Here, the authors suggest a coupled experimental-analytical-computational approach to measure them before, during, and after α−ω transformation in Zr.
- Valery I. Levitas
- , Achyut Dhar
- & K. K. Pandey
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Article
| Open AccessSmart dynamic hybrid membranes with self-cleaning capability
The performance of membrane desalination of seawater is hampered by fouling. Here the authors develop smart gating hybrid membranes by surface coating with polymer-embedded thermosalient crystals. These membranes enhance pure water flux by over 40% in saltwater desalination by osmotic distillation.
- Elvira Pantuso
- , Ejaz Ahmed
- & Gianluca Di Profio
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Article
| Open AccessSuperhard bulk high-entropy carbides with enhanced toughness via metastable in-situ particles
High-entropy carbides (HECs) with high hardness usually suffer from low fracture toughness. Here, the authors demonstrate a metastability engineering strategy for toughening superhard HECs by introducing in situ metastable ceramic particles, which are transformable under mechanical loading.
- Jiaojiao Hu
- , Qiankun Yang
- & Zhiming Li