New molecular capsules capable of imparting chiral activity to non-chiral metal-containing dyes were successfully created by self-assembly in water, as reported by researchers from Japan. These capsules have adaptable chiral cavities, inducing chirality of various large and rigid metal-containing dyes upon encapsulation, without requiring typical chemical modification. Moreover, the chiral properties can be tuned with heat, showcasing the potential use in chiral materials and catalysts.

The quantum metric—a key measure of the quantum distance in solid-state materials—helps determine the electronic properties of solids, such as transport phenomena. While scientists have measured the quantum metric directly in artificial systems, its determination in solids has proven challenging. Recently, researchers from Yonsei University have obtained this quantity using photoemission measurements in black phosphorus, furthering theoretical as well as experimental quantum physics.

To address fidelity loss in deep-tissue imaging, Prof. Peng Xi’s team at Peking University developed Confocal² Spinning-Disk Image Scanning Microscopy (C²SD-ISM). By combining spinning-disk confocal microscopy with structured illumination, C²SD-ISM achieves high-fidelity 3D imaging up to 180 μm deep, with 144 nm lateral and 351 nm axial resolution, and retains up to 92% correlation with original confocal images.

Even large objects with several hundred million atoms can exhibit quantum mechanical behaviour – without cooling and at room temperature, as researchers at ETH Zurich have shown. This yields exciting potential for new technologies.

A novel meta-absorber efficiently captures noise across seven octaves–spanning most of the human hearing range–by engineering how fine-tuned resonator arrays manipulate and dissipate energy.

A research team from Shenzhen University, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Hong Kong Polytechnic University has developed an innovative, bioinspired hydrogel patch with controllable adhesion properties to enhance soft tissue repair and prevent adhesions. Inspired by octopus suction cups and the eyeball surfaces, this patch features a dual-sided design: one side offers adjustable, revocable adhesion, while the other provides anti-adhesive functions. In vivo experiments demonstrate its effectiveness in reducing inflammation, promoting tissue healing, and allowing repositioning during surgical procedures, marking a significant advancement in biomedical materials.