Abstract The next-generation sensing and communication applications rely on high-frequency microwave generation with low noise. Microwave photonic technology is highly promising; however, its practical applications have so far been limited by the complexity of existing system architectures. Here, we demonstrate an optically locked low-noise photonic microwave oscillator, in which all the optical components are packaged within a small module of 166 mL, and low noise microwave generation is achieved at 10.4 GHz with single-sideband phase noise of − 54 dBc/Hz at 10 Hz, −141 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz, and − 162 dBc/Hz at 10 MHz offset. Above performance arises from a dual-laser self-injection-locking scheme to a single Fabry–Pérot cavity with high Q exceeding 108, with over 20 dB common-mode noise suppression. The low-noise nature of this reference is coherently transferred to the X-band through a high-performance TFLN electro-optic comb chip, thereby overcoming long-standing barriers in photonic microwave integration to enable truly field-deployable low-noise microwave generation.

Magnetic graphene nanostructures (MGNs) represent a rapidly advancing frontier in molecular quantum materials, distinguished by π-magnetism that arises from the topological design of their π-electron networks. The π-magnetism and correlated quantum phases in these systems can be precisely engineered through deliberate control of the molecular topology, sublattice symmetry and electron correlation, transforming low-dimensional carbon-based architectures into versatile model platforms for exploring exotic quantum phenomena. Recent advances in on-surface synthesis have further propelled this field by enabling the atomically precise fabrication of MGNs and fine control over their electronic and magnetic properties. Complementing these synthetic advances, progress in low-temperature scanning probe microscopy now affords unprecedented capabilities to characterize individual π-spins, exchange coupling and correlated ground states at the single-molecule level. Together, these developments have established a robust foundation for exploring long-lived spin coherence, tunable quantum entanglement and spin-based logic operations in carbon-based systems. This review highlights recent conceptual and methodological advances, emphasizing how rational molecular design, atomically precise synthesis and state-of-the-art characterization techniques collectively advance the understanding and realization of π-magnetism in MGNs. Remaining challenges, including stabilizing chemically reactive open-shell structures, mitigating substrate-induced hybridization and integrating molecular magnets into functional device architectures, are also discussed. Continued progress in this field will reshape our perspective on designing novel forms of magnetism in conjugated organic materials and open up new pathways toward scalable molecular spintronics and quantum technologies.

Abstract Stochastic switching is a central phenomenon in dissipative many-body systems, offering a key probe of metastability across classical and quantum regimes. Here, we unravel the connection between switching dynamics and quantum metastability through the lens of spectral decomposition, quantum-jump simulations, and the large deviation principles. By establishing a direct correspondence between classical fixed points and quantum metastable states, we distinguish the trajectory-level noise-induced metastability from the spectrum-level deterministic metastability in a Markovian open quantum system with bistability. The Liouvillian gap, the steady-state occupation ratio, and the observed switching rates of the metastable states all exhibit exponential scaling with system size, giving rise to a quantum analogue of Arrhenius law, with the inverse system size serving as an effective temperature. These results provide a unified picture of quantum bistability and clarify the relaxation processes of strongly interacting, dissipative quantum systems far from the thermodynamic limit.

Magnetic molecules on surfaces provide atomically precise test beds for quantum magnetism and device concepts in spintronics and quantum information. Scanning probe techniques now resolve and control single-molecule spin states, their coupling to substrates and emergent many-body phenomena, including the Kondo effect and Yu-Shiba-Rusinov states. This review summarizes recent progress in combining molecular design, adsorption geometry and interfacial hybridization to create measurable spin anisotropy, excitations and correlations. We first recall the fundamentals of spin formation and surface-induced modifications, then survey key methodologies such as scanning tunneling microscopy, inelastic tunneling spectroscopy, pump-probe protocols, functionalized and superconducting tips, and magnetic exchange force microscopy. Case studies span single-ion magnets, metal-free Kondo-active molecules, molecular magnets on superconductors, and coupled spin architectures assembled by on-surface synthesis. Across these examples, we distill design rules for tuning exchange, anisotropy and charge transfer at the molecule-surface interface. We conclude with open challenges-reproducibility, room-temperature stability and multiscale theory-and outline opportunities in van der Waals integration, ultrafast spin dynamics and data-driven spectroscopy, charting a path from single-molecule experiments to programmable molecular spin devices.

Hydrogels are promising materials for constructing next-generation bioelectronics because of their excellent biocompatibility and mechanical compliance. Yet, creating robust and multifunctional hydrogel devices that conform to the surface of 3D organs remains challenging. Here, we report a biomimetic strategy for engineering ultrathin and ultrastrong hydrogel membranes as an advanced platform for organ-conformal bioelectronics. In these hydrogels, self-organized nanofiber networks confer strain-stiffening characteristics with a phenomenal combination of high mechanical strength (∼13.65MPa), fracture toughness (∼21573J/m2), and low initial stiffness (∼600kPa), which accommodates the construction of ultrathin membranes (∼10μm thickness) reconciling mechanical robustness and 3D conformability. Theoretical simulations reveal unique strengthening mechanisms originating from the topological reconfiguration of fibrillar joints, indicating a widely applicable principle for designing soft composites involving 3D fibrillar networks. We show that various electronic components, including conducting polymers and wafer-fabricated microelectronic sensors, can be integrated on the ultrathin hydrogel membranes, providing means for multimodal physiological sensing and stimulation. These hydrogel membranes open paths to robust, functional and biocompatible interfaces with 3D soft organs and tissues, which are useful for epidermal electronics, implantable brain-machine interfaces, peripheral nerve stimulation, and many other bioelectronic applications.

Abstract Although large-scale populations are used to detect genes for polygenic traits, few studies integrate genes and gene-by-environment interactions (GEIs) into breeding by design. Here, we present Fast3VmrMLM, which uses eight big-data techniques to analyze climatic, phenomic, and genomic data together to detect GEIs, decipher plasticity, and guide breeding. In multi-environment joint analyses (MEJA) of maize, rice and soybean datasets, a total of 396 known genes and 84 known GEIs validated Fast3VmrMLM. In twelve-environment maize dataset, six GEIs interacting with five meteorological factors and two MEJA-detected GEIs helped to explain flowering time plasticity. Thirteen known genes, eight known GEIs and seven plasticity genes advanced flowering by 1.10 ~ 6.61 days, whereas nine known genes, one known GEIs and three plasticity genes increased yield by 0.51 ~ 3.56 Mg ⋅ ha -1, identifying fifteen high breeding potential hybrids and 29 genes. By incorporating SNPs, haplotypes and structural variations, Fast3VmrMLM offers a big-data platform for identifying GEIs and developing climate-adaptive cultivars.

ABSTRACTThe integration of non-diffracting beams with metasurfaces offers exceptional potential for advanced wave control, yet their practical deployment in communication systems, especially those requiring optical transparency, has remained largely unrealized. Here, we propose a transparent metasurface as a smart window that bridges this gap by generating self-accelerating Weber beams for robust in-vehicle wireless communications. Fabricated via a low-cost printed circuit board (PCB) process on flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates, the smart window achieves 73.5% optical transmittance and efficient microwave cross-polarization conversion. Two beam types, i.e. orthogonal and semi-auto-focusing Weber beams, are tailored for lateral and rear windshield integration, both exhibiting self-bending and self-healing capabilities. In real-world vehicle cabin tests, the metasurface-enhanced system significantly improves the link reliability under physical obstruction, yielding an average enhanced power of 8.37 dB and reduced bit error rate below 1% with successful high-fidelity RGB image reconstruction. This work establishes a practical framework for transparent electromagnetic interfaces that dynamically reroute the wireless signals, with promising applications in smart vehicles, building-integrated communications, biomedical devices and industrial Internet of Things.

ABSTRACTIon migration plays a critical role in the operational stability and efficiency of hybrid perovskite solar cells, yet direct and species-specific quantification of mobile cations remains challenging. Here, we employ infrared photo-induced force microscopy (IR-PiFM) to investigate the migration dynamics of MA+ and FA+ in MAPbI3, FAPbI3 and FA0.5MA0.5PbI3. These techniques allow nanoscale mapping and real-time tracking of individual cations with high chemical specificity and 250 μs temporal resolution. Our results reveal composition- and location-dependent ion transport behavior; while MA+ exhibits higher mobility in pure MAPbI3, its diffusion is significantly suppressed in the mixed-cation system. Surprisingly, FA+ and MA+ in FA0.5MA0.5PbI3 exhibit similar migration rates, suggesting a cooperative migration mechanism. Density functional theory calculations support this interpretation, showing that A-site mixing alters lattice symmetry and raises migration barriers through steric and electrostatic interactions. Bias-dependent nano-infrared imaging and open-circuit voltage measurements further show that mixed-cation perovskites confine cation motion and suppress bulk migration, leading to stabilized internal fields and improved voltage performance. These results provide direct evidence for cooperative cation migration dynamics in mixed A-cation perovskites and demonstrate that controlled cation mobility, rather than complete immobilization, may be key to achieving both efficiency and operational durability in perovskite optoelectronics.

ABSTRACTImparting broadband transparency and focusing on flexible ultrasound bioelectronics can significantly enhance the capabilities for precise evaluation of tissues and organs as well as treatment of diseases. While existing wearable ultrasound devices, whether rigid or stretchable, often merge rigid ultrasound element arrays with soft materials to achieve a reliable interface on the human skin, they lack controlled artificial microstructures, resulting in compromised ultrasound transparency and challenges in achieving broadband focusing. Here, we report a metapad made of hydrogel metamaterials with high ultrasound transparency and broadband focusing by controlling the hydrogel porosity at a sub-wavelength scale. The hydrogel metapad achieves near-perfect acoustic impedance matching with tissues, low attenuation loss, broadband transmission, and high focusing intensity gain. Ultrasound imaging simulations further show a significant improvement in imaging contrast near the focal region when using the hydrogel metapad. Practical applications demonstrate that it enhances the imaging capabilities of ultrasound probes for vital human organs, including blood vessels and the heart. Our hydrogel metapad holds great potential for advancing soft acoustic functional devices, capable of seamlessly interfacing with both biological tissues and aquatic environments.

ABSTRACTAlcohol is one of the most prevalent functional groups found in biologically active molecules with unparalleled abundance and structural diversity. The hydroxylation reaction of alkenes represents a convenient approach for synthesizing such molecules. However, a general and direct method featuring a broad substrate scope and good functional group tolerance remains elusive. Herein, we report our efforts in applying electrochemistry to accomplish the hydroxylation of alkenes utilizing H2O as the sole source of hydroxyl without the need for stoichiometric oxidants and strong acidic reagents. This process operates via the formation of a high-valence cobalt(IV) intermediate, which could readily be entrapped by water to deliver the desired alcohol product. Mechanistic studies, cyclic voltammetry analysis and density functional theory calculations have been conducted to verify the feasibility of cobalt valence changes, including the generation of cobalt hydride species, the formation of intermediates following hydrogen atom transfer, the oxidation potential from Co(III) to Co(IV), which substantiate the proposed reaction pathways. Furthermore, the late-stage modification of biorelevant molecules has demonstrated promising potential applications for this approach in synthetic chemistry.