Atomic-scale manufacture is a critical technology required for future atomic-scale information devices. Among various techniques, scanning probe microscopy-based tip manipulation plays an essential role in atomic-scale manufacturing, enabling the construction and precise tuning of atomic structures with single-atom accuracy. For materials like graphene and other 2D materials, this technique all...

BackgroundThere is a significant demand for high-energy lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with long cycle life, especially for electric vehicles. To achieve cell-level energy densities surpassing 400 Wh kg⁻¹, the ideal strategy is to pair high-voltage Ni-rich (NMC811) cathodes with silicon-majority-graphite (SmG, >1500 mAh g−1) anodes. Silicon offers a theoretical capacity far exceeding graphite, ...

Most engineering alloys are crystalline. When crystallization is bypassed by rapid quenching, the resulting alloy—though macroscopically indistinguishable from conventional metals—lacks long-range crystalline order (Fig. 1, left). A wide range of elements and combinations can form amorphous states, including elemental Ta and Au; binary, ternary, and multicomponent systems such as Ni–B, Cu–Z...

In aerospace, nuclear energy, and advanced manufacturing, structural materials must operate reliably from cryogenic to high temperatures. Conventional alloys face a persistent strength–ductility trade-off: strengthening typically comes at the expense of tensile elongation, and high-temperature strength degrades sharply. Refractory high-entropy alloys (RHEAs)—composed of high-melting elements ...

​Under China’s “dual-carbon” goals, photovoltaic and wind power are becoming central to the energy mix, yet their intermittency and volatility impede large-scale grid integration. Aqueous organic redox flow batteries (AORFBs) are an attractive storage solution because of their low cost, intrinsic safety, and decoupled power/energy design. Among anolytes, viologen derivatives are widely used...

Photocatalysis is a promising approach for sustainable chemical synthesis, but its efficiency relies on precise control of electron transfer dynamics—a challenge that natural photosynthesis inspires but artificial systems struggle to replicate. While crystalline frameworks offer ordered structures for directing charge transport, their dense packing limits mass transport and light penetration. ...

A recent study has marked a significant breakthrough in atomic-scale simulations of phase-change memory (PCM) devices, providing a powerful theoretical tool for the research and design of next-generation memory devices and neuromorphic computing chips. The paper, titled “Full-cycle device-scale simulations of memory materials with a tailored atomic-cluster-expansion potential”, was published ...

The yield strength and tensile plasticity of metallic materials are crucial for engineering applications. High strength can meet load-bearing requirements and significantly reduce material usage, thereby conserving energy and lowering emissions. High plasticity enhances the safety of materials during service, and its most important engineering significance lies in the ability for uniform deform...

Nature Materials published the research article “Amorphous phase-change memory alloy with no resistance drift” online on October 1, 2025.Phase change memory utilizes the resistance difference between the amorphous and crystalline phases of chalcogenides to achieve data storage. However, amorphous materials typically exhibit spontaneous structural relaxation. For phase-change materials (such a...