Nanoscience and technology articles from across Nature Portfolio

Rolling two-dimensional materials into one-dimensional nanoscrolls unlocks tunable emergent properties; however, existing methods rely on external forces. Now, intrinsically driven scrolling in polar two-dimensional materials mediated by out-of-plane electric polarization is reported, establishing a platform for the design of functional nanoscrolls.

The development of kesterite photovoltaic modules has long been hindered by low efficiencies and poor reproducibility. Researchers have now developed a solution-processing approach to achieve uniform and phase-pure kesterite films, enabling the fabrication of large-area modules with 10.1% efficiency.

Fast-moving superconducting vortices generate monochromatic magnons at short wavelengths down to 36 nm in a ferromagnet–superconductor hybrid device.

Performance of solid-state triplet fusion upconversion films is enhanced by surface plasmons, intensity threshold is reduced by a factor of 17 and external quantum efficiency is enhanced by a factor of 19. A white-emitting organic light-emitting diode featuring upconverted blue emission—rather than blue electroluminescence—is demonstrated, with a colour rendering index of up to 86.2.

Tuning the electronic properties of nanocatalysts by doping them with uniformly dispersed hetero-metal atoms is an effective way to improve catalytic performance. Here, the authors show that weakening the Cu–O bond energy in CuO nanocatalysts boosts the efficiency of NH₃ oxidation.

Volatile organic compounds are important analytes in medical diagnostics, with aldehydes forming a characteristic subclass. Here, the authors report that covalent nanopore sensing enables the targeted detection of aldehydes in mixtures through reversible thiol–aldehyde chemistry, offering a route to portable and low-cost analysis.

Rolling two-dimensional materials into one-dimensional nanoscrolls unlocks tunable emergent properties; however, existing methods rely on external forces. Now, intrinsically driven scrolling in polar two-dimensional materials mediated by out-of-plane electric polarization is reported, establishing a platform for the design of functional nanoscrolls.

An electronic eye implant has restored vision in people with blindness caused by age-related macular degeneration.

The development of kesterite photovoltaic modules has long been hindered by low efficiencies and poor reproducibility. Researchers have now developed a solution-processing approach to achieve uniform and phase-pure kesterite films, enabling the fabrication of large-area modules with 10.1% efficiency.

Fast-moving superconducting vortices generate monochromatic magnons at short wavelengths down to 36 nm in a ferromagnet–superconductor hybrid device.

Metal nanoparticles have been made with polymer patches accurately placed on their surfaces — enabling them to self-assemble into otherwise inaccessible 3D structures.

Since the term nanobiosensor first emerged over three decades ago, the field has witnessed an explosion of groundbreaking research. Thanks to the development of advanced nanomaterials and nanotechnologies, combined with decades of expertise in biosensing, a wide range of innovative and improved nanobiosensors have been reported, but many challenges remain. For this technology to truly meet real-world needs — particularly in global health and related applications — further efforts are needed to improve performance, useability, scalability and cost-effectiveness.