Researchers from the Physical Chemistry and Theory departments at the Fritz Haber Institute have found a new way to image layers of boron nitride that are only a single atom thick. This material is usually nearly invisible in optical microscopes because it has no optical resonances. To resolve this issue, the team uses nonlinear microscopy with infrared light, making the material shine very brightly and even reveal its crystal orientation. The work has important implications for the vibrant field of designing new (opto-)electronic devices from stacking 2D materials.

Rising greenhouse gas emissions could see the size of extreme floods in the Central Himalayas increase by between as much as 73% and 84% by the end of this century.

In organic synthesis, replacing lithium with sodium would be a significant achievement because it is >1000 times more abundant and its extraction from seawater is sustainable and inexpensive. This research demonstrates the first environmental-friendly organosodium methodology that could sustainably replace lithium in modern day organic synthesis. These findings are published in Nature Synthesis on December 8, 2025.

Acoustic waves can move objects like tiny hands. Zhenhua Tian’s team has devised new tools for this task in work published in Nature Communications.

Perovskite-based photovoltaic devices have garnered significant interest owing to their remarkable performance in converting light into electricity. Recently, the focus in the field of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has shifted towards enhancing their durability over extended periods. One promising strategy is the incorporation of two-dimensional (2D) perovskites, known for their ability to enhance stability due to the large organic cations that act as a barrier against moisture. However, the broad optical bandgap and limited charge transport properties of 2D perovskites hinder their efficiency, making them less suitable as the sole light-absorbing material when compared to their three-dimensional (3D) counterparts. An innovative approach involves using 2D perovskite structures to modify the surface properties of 3D perovskite. This hybrid approach, known as 2D/3D perovskites, while enhancing their performance. Beyond solar energy applications, 2D perovskites offer a flexible platform for chemical engineering, allowing for significant adjustments to crystal and thin-film configurations, bandgaps, and charge transport properties through the different organic ligands and halide mixtures. Despite these advantages, challenges remain in integration of 2D perovskites into solar cells without compromising device stability. This review encapsulates the latest developments in 2D perovskite research, focusing on their structural, optoelectronic, and stability attributes, while delving into the challenges and future potential of these materials.