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| Open AccessAtomically dispersed Cu coordinated Rh metallene arrays for simultaneously electrochemical aniline synthesis and biomass upgrading
Electrocatalytic conversion of low-cost organic compounds to high-value chemicals urgently demands the development of efficient electrocatalysts. Mao et al. report the synthesis of Cu single-atom dispersed Rh metallene arrays for electrochemical aniline synthesis and biomass upgrading with enhanced electrocatalytic activity.
- Qiqi Mao
- , Xu Mu
- & Hongjing Wang
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Article
| Open AccessUnexpected doping effects on phonon transport in quasi-one-dimensional van der Waals crystal TiS3 nanoribbons
Doping generally hinders phonon transport. Here, authors significantly increase the thermal conductivity of TiS3 nanoribbons through doping, originating from the intensified bonding strength along the molecular chain direction without distorting the one-dimensional structure induced by doped atoms.
- Chenhan Liu
- , Chao Wu
- & Yunfei Chen
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Article
| Open AccessJanus particle-engineered structural lipiodol droplets for arterial embolization
Embolization is one of the most promising strategies for clinical disease treatments, however, the existing embolic materials normally have poor embolization effectiveness. Here, the authors report Janus particle-engineered structural lipiodol droplets by programming the self-assembly of Janus particles at the lipiodol-water interface to achieve highly efficient renal embolization.
- Sijian Tao
- , Bingquan Lin
- & Jun-Bing Fan
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Article
| Open AccessNanoscale ductile fracture and associated atomistic mechanisms in a body-centered cubic refractory metal
Understanding the competing modes of brittle versus ductile fracture is critical for preventing material failure. Here, the authors reveal the atomic-scale processes of crack growth in Mo crystals, providing mechanistic insights into the ductile to brittle transition in BCC refractory metals.
- Yan Lu
- , Yongchao Chen
- & Xiaodong Han
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Article
| Open AccessHighly sensitive and broadband meta-mechanoreceptor via mechanical frequency-division multiplexing
There’s a trade-off between the sensitivity and bandwidth for mechanics guided sensor designs. Here, authors report a mechanical sensor comprised of piezoelectric resonators with near infinite effective piezoelectric coefficients, leading to highly sensitive and broadband micromotion sensing.
- Chong Li
- , Xinxin Liao
- & Qingbo He
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Article
| Open AccessLarge-scale assembly of isotropic nanofiber aerogels based on columnar-equiaxed crystal transition
In this work, the authors present an ice-templating strategy to produce large-scale isotropic nanofiber aerogels using a unique process of freezing the material on a rotating cryogenic drum surface, crushing it, and then re-casting the nanofiber slurry enabling high-throughput and design flexibility.
- Lei Li
- , Yiqian Zhou
- & Hui Wu
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Article
| Open AccessElectrically insulating PBO/MXene film with superior thermal conductivity, mechanical properties, thermal stability, and flame retardancy
Constructing thermally conductive but electrically insulating composites remains a challenge. Here, Ti3C2 MXene is combined in a nacre-like structure with the polymer PBO to form such materials, also exhibiting high thermal stability and flame retardancy.
- Yong Liu
- , Weizhi Zou
- & Jian Xu
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Article
| Open AccessIn-memory mechanical computing
Here, Mei and Chen propose an in-memory mechanical computing architecture with simplified and reduced data exchange, where computing occurs within mechanical memory units, to facilitate the design of intelligent mechanical systems.
- Tie Mei
- & Chang Qing Chen
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Article
| Open AccessContribution of boundary non-stoichiometry to the lower-temperature plasticity in high-pressure sintered boron carbide
Improving plasticity in non-oxide ceramics while maintaining their high-temperature strength is challenging. Here, the authors report an enhancement of plasticity in B4C owing to the boundary non-stoichiometry. The results show excellent strength maintenance before the onset of plasticity.
- Haiyue Xu
- , Wei Ji
- & Zhengyi Fu
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Article
| Open AccessImpact damage reduction of woven composites subject to pulse current
In this work, the authors demonstrate that pulse current can effectively be used to reduce delamination damage and residual deformation in 3D orthogonal woven composites, enhancing mechanical properties and damage tolerance.
- Yan Li
- , Fusheng Wang
- & Laohu Long
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Article
| Open AccessOperando neutron diffraction reveals mechanisms for controlled strain evolution in 3D printing
Residual stress affects most manufactured goods and is prevalent in casting, welding, and additive manufacturing. Here, the authors use operando neutron diffraction to elucidate mechanisms for lattice strain evolution during printing of a low-temperature transformation steel.
- A. Plotkowski
- , K. Saleeby
- & S. S. Babu
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Article
| Open AccessMetal 3D nanoprinting with coupled fields
Manufacturing metallized arrays of 3D nanoarchitectures is generally limited by existing lithographic methods. Here, by manipulating applied electric and flow fields, authors demonstrate fast 3D nanoprinting of nanostructured arrays of multiple materials and geometries over millimetre-scale areas.
- Bingyan Liu
- , Shirong Liu
- & Jicheng Feng
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Article
| Open AccessBamboo-like dual-phase nanostructured copper composite strengthened by amorphous boron framework
Achieving strength and toughness synergy via microstructure design is challenging in materials science. Here, the authors construct a bamboo-like dual-phase copper-boron structure that has unique mechanical response resulting in simultaneous increase in hardness, strength, and ductility.
- Hang Lv
- , Xinxin Gao
- & Weitao Zheng
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Article
| Open AccessNon-reciprocal and non-Newtonian mechanical metamaterials
In this work, authors demonstrate a model for non-reciprocal and non-Newtonian mechanical metamaterials by combining the concept of local resonances and fixing boundaries. Via computational models and impact experiments they show that stiffness substantially changes as a function of the loading velocity.
- Lianchao Wang
- , Julio A. Iglesias Martínez
- & Muamer Kadic
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Article
| Open AccessEmerging exotic compositional order on approaching low-temperature equilibrium glasses
Understanding glass transition would rely on the knowledge of the structural ordering upon slow cooling in the absence of crystallization or phase separation. The authors identify exotic compositional order, not accompanied by any thermodynamic signature, directly impacts the structural relaxation dynamics.
- Hua Tong
- & Hajime Tanaka
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Article
| Open AccessExperimental study platform for electrocatalysis of atomic-level controlled high-entropy alloy surfaces
Understanding the surface atomic-level structure–property relationships of complex high-entropy alloy electrocatalysts is a challenge. Here, authors propose an experimental study platform to elucidate the relationship between surface nanostructures and high-entropy alloy electrocatalyst properties.
- Yoshihiro Chida
- , Takeru Tomimori
- & Toshimasa Wadayama
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Article
| Open AccessGiant uniaxial negative thermal expansion in FeZr2 alloy over a wide temperature range
Negative thermal expansion alloys possess an important role in regulating thermal expansion. Here, the authors report a giant uniaxial negative thermal expansion, mainly driven by high-frequency optical branches, in metallic FeZr2 from 93 to 1078 K.
- Meng Xu
- , Qiang Li
- & Jun Chen
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Article
| Open Access3D printing of ultra-high viscosity resin by a linear scan-based vat photopolymerization system
The printing mechanism of vat photopolymerization 3D printing technique places strict requirements on the fluidity of the UV-curable resin. Here, authors broaden the processing windows of the UV-curable resin using synchronous spreading and linear detachment method to 3D print high-viscosity resin.
- Zixiang Weng
- , Xianmei Huang
- & Lixin Wu
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Article
| Open AccessAtomic stiffness for bulk modulus prediction and high-throughput screening of ultraincompressible crystals
Fast and accurate prediction of bulk moduli for diverse materials is challenging. Here, the authors introduce the concept of atomic stiffness to accelerate bulk modulus prediction and high-throughput screening of ultra-incompressible crystals.
- Ruihua Jin
- , Xiaoang Yuan
- & Enlai Gao
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Article
| Open AccessSoft corrugated channel with synergistic exclusive discrimination gating for CO2 recognition in gas mixture
Developing porous systems with high molecular recognition performance can be challenging. Here the authors present a corrugated channel system that cooperatively responds to only CO2 molecules over nine other similar gas molecules.
- Yifan Gu
- , Jia-Jia Zheng
- & Susumu Kitagawa
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Article
| Open AccessMesoporous multimetallic nanospheres with exposed highly entropic alloy sites
Nanostructured materials made from multimetal alloys are attractive for catalytic applications. Here, the authors propose a soft-templating approach to prepare mesoporous PtPdRhRuCu nanospheres that feature exposed porous structures rich in highly entropic alloy sites.
- Yunqing Kang
- , Ovidiu Cretu
- & Yusuke Yamauchi
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Article
| Open AccessProgrammable spatial deformation by controllable off-center freestanding 4D printing of continuous fiber reinforced liquid crystal elastomer composites
Liquid crystal elastomer printing methods are often limited to planar structures. In this work, authors integrate 4D printed structures with fully impregnated composite interfaces to enable programmable deformation ability and high bearing capacity by adjusting the off-centre distribution of the fibres.
- Qingrui Wang
- , Xiaoyong Tian
- & Dichen Li
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Article
| Open AccessRadial bimetallic structures via wire arc directed energy deposition-based additive manufacturing
Bimetallic wire arc additive manufacturing has traditionally been limited to deposition of planar interfaces. Here, the authors demonstrate deposition of complex radial interfaces with in situ mechanical interlocking, resulting in the prestressed compressive effect in the as-built parts.
- Lile Squires
- , Ethan Roberts
- & Amit Bandyopadhyay
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Article
| Open AccessSubstantially enhanced homogeneous plastic flow in hierarchically nanodomained amorphous alloys
Topological heterostructures are desired in metallic glasses to improve their mechanical properties. Here, the authors present an enthalpy-guided alloy design to introduce nanoscale chemical heterogeneity, producing a metallic glass with a large homogeneous plastic flow at room temperature.
- Ge Wu
- , Sida Liu
- & Zhi-Wei Shan
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Article
| Open AccessAtomic motifs govern the decoration of grain boundaries by interstitial solutes
Interplay between structure and composition of grain boundaries remains elusive, particularly at the atomic level. Here, the authors discover the atomic motifs, which is the smallest structural unit, control the most important chemical properties of grain boundaries.
- Xuyang Zhou
- , Ali Ahmadian
- & Dierk Raabe
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Article
| Open AccessMulti-layered cement-hydrogel composite with high toughness, low thermal conductivity, and self-healing capability
Despite widely used in the construction sector, Portland cement’s high brittleness and low toughness still pose challenges in some applications. Here, authors apply an ice-templating method to fabricate a cement-hydrogel composite with alternating layered microstructure resulting in significantly increased toughness.
- Yuan Chen
- , Yangzezhi Zheng
- & Changwen Miao
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Article
| Open AccessThree-dimensional printing of silica glass with sub-micrometer resolution
Silica glass is a high-performance material used in most branches of society from glassware and windows to optical lenses and fibers. Here, we develop a sintering-free method for 3D printing silica glass with sub-micrometer resolution and successfully demonstrate an optical microtoroid resonator.
- Po-Han Huang
- , Miku Laakso
- & Frank Niklaus
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Article
| Open AccessUnderlying factors determining grain morphologies in high-strength titanium alloys processed by additive manufacturing
Predictive scheme for Ti alloys with equiaxed microstructures is often limited by the methods based on growth restriction factors, Q. Here, the authors present a predictive solution based on the freezing range of alloys for columnar to equiaxed transition during fusion-based additive manufacturing.
- Mohan S. K. K. Y. Nartu
- , Brian A. Welk
- & Hamish L. Fraser
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Article
| Open AccessCryogenic characteristics of graphene composites—evolution from thermal conductors to thermal insulators
Graphene composites can serve both as efficient thermal insulators at low temperatures and thermal conductors at high temperatures. Here, the authors report the evolution of thermal conductivity of composites with graphene fillers from cryogenic to room temperature.
- Zahra Ebrahim Nataj
- , Youming Xu
- & Alexander A. Balandin
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Article
| Open AccessBidirectional thermo-regulating hydrogel composite for autonomic thermal homeostasis
Developing materials which mimic thermal homeostasis is limited by complicated fabrication steps or unidirectional temperature transport. Here, the authors develop a homeostatic hydrogel that shows improved heat trapping at low temperatures, and enhanced evaporative cooling at high temperatures.
- Gyeongsuk Park
- , Hyunmin Park
- & Steve Park
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Article
| Open AccessFabricating strong and tough aramid fibers by small addition of carbon nanotubes
High-performance fibers are promising materials in the impact protection field but fabricating fibers with high strength and high toughness is challenging. Here, the authors polymerize carbon nanotubes into aramid fibers to simultaneously improve strength and toughness.
- Jiajun Luo
- , Yeye Wen
- & Jin Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessCompact A15 Frank-Kasper nano-phases at the origin of dislocation loops in face-centred cubic metals
It is historically assumed point defects in metals coalesce directly into larger dislocation loops. Here the authors revise the fundamental mechanism, reveal the formation of A15 nano-phase clusters in fcc metals prior to dislocation loops, and highlight the major implications of this discovery.
- Alexandra M. Goryaeva
- , Christophe Domain
- & Mihai-Cosmin Marinica
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Article
| Open AccessUltra-strong tungsten refractory high-entropy alloy via stepwise controllable coherent nanoprecipitations
Tungsten-based alloys with ultrahigh strength and ductility are in high demand for a wide range of applications, potentially for fusion reactors. Here the authors develop a tungsten refractory high-entropy alloy with high strength (~2.15 GPa) and sufficient ductility (~15%).
- Tong Li
- , Tianwei Liu
- & Lanhong Dai
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Article
| Open AccessSynergy of multiple precipitate/matrix interface structures for a heat resistant high-strength Al alloy
Coarsening of precipitates in medium and high temperatures causes reduction in strength of Al alloys. Here, the authors design an Al-Cu-Mg-Ag-Si-Sc alloy with multiple interface structures, showing an excellent combination of strength and heat resistance compared to conventional Al alloys.
- Qiang Lu
- , Jianchuan Wang
- & Yong Du
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Article
| Open AccessRobust microscale structural superlubricity between graphite and nanostructured surface
Structural superlubricity (SSL) is a state of nearly zero friction and no wear between two contacted solid surfaces. Here, authors show that, by preventing edge contact with the substrate, a microscale graphite flake can achieve robust SSL against nanostructured silicon surfaces under ambient condition.
- Xuanyu Huang
- , Tengfei Li
- & Quanshui Zheng
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Article
| Open AccessWood xerogel for fabrication of high-performance transparent wood
Optically transparent wood composites are commonly prepared by delignification of wood and subsequent infiltration of thermo- or photocurable polymer resins but the fabrication is still limited by the intrinsic low mesopore volume of the delignified wood. Here, the authors report a facile approach to fabricate transparent wood using wood xerogel which allows solvent-free infiltration of resin monomers into the wood cell wall under ambient conditions.’
- Shennan Wang
- , Lengwan Li
- & Qi Zhou
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Article
| Open Access4D nanoimaging of early age cement hydration
In this work, the authors use near-field ptychographic nanotomography to visualize cement hydration in situ. They report hydration features with submicrometer detail including calcium silicate dissolution rates, etch-pit growth rates and water-to-air porosity evolution.
- Shiva Shirani
- , Ana Cuesta
- & Miguel A. G. Aranda
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Article
| Open AccessTheory-guided design of high-entropy alloys with enhanced strength-ductility synergy
There is a lack of guiding parameters to design metallic materials such as high-entropy alloys with strength-ductility synergy. Here, the authors propose such an effective parameter κ, the ratio of short-ranged interactions between closed-pack planes, experimentally validated by six alloys.
- Zongrui Pei
- , Shiteng Zhao
- & Michael C. Gao
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Article
| Open AccessA quinary WTaCrVHf nanocrystalline refractory high-entropy alloy withholding extreme irradiation environments
Refractory high entropy alloys (RHEAs) have recently been developed in the context of high-temperature and severe environmental applications. Here the authors, by combining simulation and experiments, develop an irradiation resistant, thermally stable, and strong RHEA for nuclear application.
- O. El Atwani
- , H. T. Vo
- & E. Martinez
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Article
| Open AccessDeconvoluting Cr states in Cr-doped UO2 nuclear fuels via bulk and single crystal spectroscopic studies
Additive based UO2 nuclear fuels, which incorporate small amounts of metal oxides such as chromia (Cr2O3), are an important class of accident tolerant fuels. Here authors determine the structural-redox mechanism for Cr lattice incorporation into UO2 nuclear fuels.
- Gabriel L. Murphy
- , Robert Gericke
- & Nina Huittinen
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Article
| Open Access3D Printing and processing of miniaturized transducers with near-pristine piezoelectric ceramics for localized cavitation
Despite advances in additive manufacturing of piezoceramics, resultant transducers generally suffer from high porosity, weak piezoelectric responses, and limited geometry. Here, authors report the design and printing of fully packaged freeform ultrasonic transducers capable of traveling inside mm-sized channels and deliver localized high ultrasound energy.
- Haotian Lu
- , Huachen Cui
- & Xiaoyu (Rayne) Zheng
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Article
| Open Access3D printing of unsupported multi-scale and large-span ceramic via near-infrared assisted direct ink writing
In 3D ceramic printing, the need for additional supports can increase processing time and introduce defects during post-processing removal. Here, authors merge direct ink writing and up-conversion particles-assisted photopolymerization under near-infrared irradiation for support-free printing with controlled curing rates reducing material waste, printing time, and post-processing steps.
- Yongqin Zhao
- , Junzhe Zhu
- & Ren Liu
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Article
| Open AccessA non-Newtonian fluid quasi-solid electrolyte designed for long life and high safety Li-O2 batteries
Lithium dendrite growth and liquid electrolyte volatilization limit the further development of lithium-oxygen batteries. Here, authors report a non-Newtonian fluid quasi-solid electrolyte to address those issues, which improve the life duration of the lithium-oxygen batteries.
- Guangli Zheng
- , Tong Yan
- & Huiyu Song
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Article
| Open AccessCell invasion during competitive growth of polycrystalline solidification patterns
It is challenging to fully characterize solidification in a well-homogenized conditions owing to the gravity effect. Here the authors perform microgravity experiments and simulations to show interpenetration of spatial domains of different crystal orientations during alloy solidification.
- Younggil Song
- , Fatima L. Mota
- & Alain Karma
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Article
| Open AccessLarge piezoelectric response in a Jahn-Teller distorted molecular metal halide
Here, the authors utilise a combination of quasi-spherical theory and Jahn-Teller distortion to enhance the piezoelectric response of molecular metal halides, and the resulting piezoelectric energy harvesters exhibit superior power densities to the best-reported molecular hybrid energy harvesters.
- Sasa Wang
- , Asif Abdullah Khan
- & Edward H. Sargent
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Article
| Open AccessEvanescent field trapping and propulsion of Janus particles along optical nanofibers
Manipulation of Janus particles is challenging and has limited precision. Here, the authors propose manipulation of Janus particles by optical forces in the evanescent field of an optical nanofiber, and demonstrate that they exhibit strong transverse localization on the nanofiber and much faster propulsion compared to all-dielectric particles of the same size.
- Georgiy Tkachenko
- , Viet Giang Truong
- & Síle Nic Chormaic
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Article
| Open AccessMultimaterial 3D printed self-locking thick-panel origami metamaterials
Thick panel origami holds great potential in engineering structures, but conventional fabrication processes limit their design and applications. Here the authors report a multimaterial 3D printing-based design and fabrication strategy for thick-panel origami structures with push-to-pull deformation.
- Haitao Ye
- , Qingjiang Liu
- & Qi Ge
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Article
| Open AccessTrifunctional nanoprecipitates ductilize and toughen a strong laminated metastable titanium alloy
Engineering metastability can enhance the ductility of alloys, but it often comes at an expense of relatively low yield strength. Here, the authors fabricate a Ti-based alloy with heterogeneous laminated structures and α-nanoprecipitates that enhance yield strength without sacrificing ductility.
- Chongle Zhang
- , Shuaiyang Liu
- & Jun Sun
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Article
| Open AccessPhase formation capability and compositional design of β-phase multiple rare-earth principal component disilicates
Developing high-entropy environmental barrier coatings is challenged by the intricacy to form stable multicomponent materials. Here the authors report the phases of high-entropy β-RE2Si2O7 could be precisely designed by monitoring the entropy descriptor and the cationic radii on rare earth sites.
- Yixiu Luo
- , Luchao Sun
- & Jingyang Wang