Materials Advances 2026 Outstanding Paper awards

---

Abstract

We are delighted to introduce the winners of our 2026 Outstanding Paper awards in this Editorial. To choose the most outstanding papers of 2025, we put together a shortlist of articles published during the year based on a variety of metrics including article downloads, altmetrics, and citations. The shortlist was reviewed by the journal’s Editorial and Advisory Board members based on the science presented and potential future impact. Accordingly, and on the high quality of content we published throughout the year, we have chosen to not only award our most Outstanding Paper, but also 3 runners-up. Please join us in congratulating our winners, we hope you enjoy reading their outstanding articles as much as we did.

---

Materials Advances Outstanding Article Winner 2026

Maskless soft lithography for fabricating micro- and nano-scale Ag structures via solid-state electrochemical etching using a polymer electrolyte membrane for optoelectronic and sensing applications

Tatsuya Fujii, Daishi Hakozaki, Atsuki Tsuji, Masaru Takizawa and Junji Murata

In this outstanding article,¹ the authors developed a maskless solid-state electrochemical etching method using a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) stamp to fabricate micro- and nanoscale Ag structures. The process enables direct patterning via anodic dissolution without a resist or liquid chemicals, achieving ∼100 nm resolution and high etching rates. It operates at room temperature and is compatible with flexible substrates, producing transparent conductive films. The patterned Ag surfaces also show enhanced surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) sensitivity, enabling detection of low-concentration molecules for sensing applications.

Materials Advances Outstanding Article Runner-Up A 2026

From black pigment to green energy: shedding light on melanin electrochemistry in dye-sensitized solar cells

Noah Al-Shamery, Jun-Hyeok Park, Seung Rok Kim, Florian Heppner, So Yeon Yoon, Thomas Bredow, Tae-Hyuk Kwon and Pooi See Lee

In this outstanding article,² the authors demonstrate how Eumelanin, a natural pigment with quinone-based building blocks, can efficiently harvest light in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) as a sustainable and stable sensitizer. This eco-friendly, natural dye offers a promising, low-cost path to green energy in efficient light-to-electric conversion. As a sustainable material, it offers a cost-effective, non-toxic alternative to ruthenium-based dyes.

This article resulted from a close international collaboration between Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Republic of Korea, and the University of Bonn, Germany. The NTU team contributed expertise in melanin-based materials, electrochemistry, and materials characterization, whereas the UNIST team brought extensive experience in dye-sensitized solar cell fabrication, device optimization, and photoelectrochemical analysis. The University of Bonn provided theoretical and computational support to interpret the electronic and optical properties of melanin. By combining these complementary strengths, the team was able to connect fundamental melanin chemistry with device-level performance, offering new insight into the opportunities and limitations of natural pigments for sustainable light-to-electric energy conversion.

Materials Advances Outstanding Article Runner-Up B 2026

Investigating the mechanism of copper–carbon interactions in ultraconductor materials via in situ thermal X-ray and Raman spectroscopy

N. Warren, E. Donahue, U. Yunusa, A. Pattammattel, B. Ma and E. Sprague-Klein

This outstanding article³ investigates ultraconductors, advanced materials that operate at or above room temperature due to embedded graphene-like nanostructures enhancing electrical and thermal conductivity. These materials have recently demonstrated extraordinary properties, such as thermal conductivity increases of over 10% compared to base metals. This paper explores how the electronic and local structure of carbon and infused carbon improve energy transport. As temperature rises, we observe changes in the local bonding environment, especially in the fourth and fifth coordination spheres. We identify nanoscale structural factors to address major barriers in this material’s use for improved energy storage.

The team of researchers is comprised of materials chemists, applied physicists, and X-ray scientists across academia and national laboratories seeking to address challenges in energy generation and storage. They develop insights into complex material properties utilizing specialized optical and X-ray setups for probing dynamics on nanometer lengths scales. This is accomplished through resources at Brown University, NSLS-II at Brookhaven National Laboratory, and Argonne National Laboratory.

Materials Advances Outstanding Article Runner-Up C 2026

Exploring bioMOF-on-MOF hybrid nanostructure for controlled drug release: characterization, kinetic modeling, and in vitro evaluation

Luan Minh Nguyen, Giao Thuy Quynh Vu, Manh Hoang Tran, Thi My Huyen Nguyen, Tan Phat Nguyen, Qui Thanh Hoai Ta, Dieu Linh Tran and Dai Hai Nguyen

In this outstanding article,⁴ the authors developed a bioMOF-on-MOF hybrid nanostructure, CuGA/CUR@ZIF-8 (CGCZ), as a controlled drug delivery platform for cancer therapy. The hybrid system exhibited a hydrodynamic size of around 160 nm, good dispersity, and pH-responsive drug release behavior. Notably, CGCZ showed improved control over drug release compared with precursor materials and demonstrated enhanced, selective cytotoxicity toward MCF-7 cancer cells while maintaining good biocompatibility with L929 normal cells.

This work was carried out through close collaboration among researchers with expertise in materials science, nanotechnology, pharmaceutical sciences, and biomedical evaluation. The team combined complementary skills in the synthesis and characterization of hybrid MOF nanostructures, drug loading and release studies, kinetic modeling, and in vitro evaluation. This interdisciplinary approach enabled the successful development of a promising hybrid platform for controlled drug delivery in cancer therapy.

Author biographies

Materials Advances Outstanding Article 2026

Maskless soft lithography for fabricating micro- and nano-scale Ag structures via solid-state electrochemical etching using a polymer electrolyte membrane for optoelectronic and sensing applications

Tatsuya Fujii, from Hyogo, Japan, completed his BEng and MEng in Engineering in 2024 and 2026, respectively, at Ritsumeikan University, Japan. During his studies, he conducted research on the development of environmentally friendly patterning technologies for gold and silver microstructures using polymer electrolyte membranes and their applications. He is currently working as an engineer at Tokyo Electron Ltd.

Daishi Hakozaki, from Osaka, Japan, completed his BEng in Engineering in 2025 and is expected to receive his MEng in Engineering in 2027 from Ritsumeikan University, Japan. He conducts research on the development of environmentally friendly patterning and plating technologies for silver microstructures using polymer electrolyte membranes and their applications.

Atsuki Tsuji is a PhD student in the group of Professor Junji Murata at Ritsumeikan University, Japan. His research focuses on copper micro- and nanopatterning via solid-state electrochemical etching at the anode/polymer electrolyte membrane interface. His work explores the development of novel processing techniques for flexible optoelectronic devices, particularly transparent conductive electrodes. He is also engaged in the fabrication of three-dimensional copper micro- and nanohierarchical structures with enhanced wetting control, enabling the creation of slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces exhibiting pronounced direction-dependent droplet mobility. He received his master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Ritsumeikan University in 2024 and his bachelor’s degree from the same institution in 2022. His research interests include advanced micro- and nanofabrication, surface engineering, and functional materials for next-generation devices.

Masaru Takizawa is a professor in the Department of Physical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, at Ritsumeikan University. He received his PhD from University of Tokyo. His research interests include synchrotron-radiation–based materials analysis, photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy.

Junji Murata received his BS degree in Engineering from Osaka University, Japan, in 2005, and his PhD in Precision Science and Technology and Applied Physics from the Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Japan, in 2010. In 2010, he joined the Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Science and Engineering, Ritsumeikan University, Japan, as an assistant professor. In 2014, he moved to Kindai University, Japan, where he served as a lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, and was promoted to associate professor in 2017. In 2019, he returned to Ritsumeikan University as an associate professor, and became a professor in 2023. His research interests focus on the creation of functional surfaces through electrochemical processes.

Materials Advances Outstanding Article Runner-Up A 2026

From black pigment to green energy: shedding light on melanin electrochemistry in dye-sensitized solar cells

Noah Al-Shamery is a Joint PhD candidate at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, and the University of Warwick, UK under the Singapore International Graduate Award. His research focuses on the electrochemistry of biopolymers, particularly eumelanin and its derivatives, with applications in sustainable energy storage and sensing. During his doctoral studies, he has investigated structure–property relationships in melanin-based materials and their integration into electrochemical devices, combining advanced electrochemical techniques with nanoscale characterization. His current work places a strong emphasis on advanced scanning probe microscopy techniques to study charge transport and interfacial processes at high spatial resolution. He has received the E-MRS Young Researcher Award in 2023 and 2025. Beyond his research, he serves as the current Chair of the European Young Chemists’ Network.

Dr Jun-Hyeok Park received his PhD in 2022 from the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST). In pursuit of his research, he delved into studying the photovoltaic conversion process in dye-sensitized systems, with a particular focus on the impact of chemical structural variations in organic dyes. During his degree program, he employed time-resolved spectroscopy and conducted thorough analyses of the electrochemical properties of these devices. This comprehensive study enabled him to gain deep insights into the principles and characteristics of charge transfer processes in photo-to-electronic conversion. Leveraging this knowledge, Dr Park is currently conducting fundamental research on charge transfer mechanisms across diverse materials. His work aims to bridge these basic principles to various applications, including advanced photo-to-electronic conversion, photoelectrochemical reactions, and photodynamic therapy (PDT) mechanisms.

Seung Rok Kim received his bachelor’s degree in the Department of Chemistry from the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) in 2023. He joined Prof. Tae-hyuk Kwon’s group in 2021 as an undergraduate intern, conducting the synthesis of organic photosensitizers and the fabrication of dye-sensitized solar cells. He is currently a combined masters and PhD student in the same group for the development of light-energy conversion and energy storage materials for rechargeable batteries. His current research interests lie in the development of integrated photo-rechargeable batteries and chemically-bonded cathode materials for rechargeable batteries.

Florian Heppner is a PhD candidate at the University of Bonn, Germany, working at the interface of theoretical and synthetic chemistry. He obtained his MSc in Chemistry from the University of Bonn with distinction, specializing in theoretical chemistry and organic synthesis, and further broadened his experience as a visiting researcher at Sorbonne Université, working on transition metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. He is currently pursuing a PhD in organic chemistry, focusing on the total synthesis of complex polyketide natural products and the integration of computational methods into synthetic planning. He also serves as Deputy Speaker of the German Young Chemists Network Bonn and was involved in the organization of the FJS 2026 symposium.

Dr So Yeon Yoon received her PhD in 2025 from the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST). In pursuit of her research, she focused on advancing the performance and stability of solar cell combined battery systems, with a particular emphasis on the fundamental electrochemical processes of energy storage and conversion materials. During her degree program, she utilized a variety of sophisticated analytical techniques, including Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), to conduct in-depth structural and chemical analyses. This comprehensive approach enabled her to gain profound insights into the complex mechanisms of charge transport and interfacial reactions within energy devices. Leveraging this expertise, Dr Yoon is currently a Researcher at LG Energy Solution, where she focuses on bridging fundamental electrochemical principles to the development of next-generation energy storage solutions. Her work aims to enhance the performance and reliability of advanced battery technologies through precise material characterization and innovative analytical methodologies.

Prof. Thomas Bredow is a Full Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Bonn in the Mulliken Center for Theoretical Chemistry. His research focuses on quantum chemical modeling of crystalline materials and their surfaces with a focus on heterogeneous catalysis and energy conversion.

Prof. Tae-Hyuk Kwon is a Full Professor in the Department of Chemistry at UNIST, Head of the X-dynamic Research Center, and Founder of O2MEDI, a photodynamic therapy start-up company. His research focuses on establishing fundamental principles for non-equilibrium radical control, using light, electricity, and ultrasound to generate and regulate radical species across molecular, materials, and biological systems. His work spans energy conversion and storage, catalysis, organic optoelectronics, and photomedicine, bridging fundamental radical chemistry with translational applications.

Prof. Pooi See LEE is the President’s Chair Professor in Materials Science & Engineering at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. Her current research focuses on flexible and stretchable electronics and energy devices, soft actuators and soft robotics, and stimuli-responsive materials. Professor Lee received the Nanyang Research Award in 2016 and the Nanyang Award for Innovation & Entrepreneurship in 2018. She was awarded the NRF Investigatorship in 2016. She was elected as the National Academy of Inventors Fellow in 2020, RSC Fellow 2022 and MRS Fellow 2022.

Materials Advances Outstanding Article Runner-Up B 2026

Investigating the mechanism of copper–carbon interactions in ultraconductor materials via in situ thermal X-ray and Raman spectroscopy

Natalie Warren is a fourth-year doctoral candidate in Dr Emily Sprague-Klein’s Lab at Brown University. Her work focuses on applying advanced spectroscopic techniques to novel nanoscale materials in clean energy and catalysis. Natalie earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with a minor in Physics from the College of William & Mary.

Elizabeth Donahue is a PhD candidate advised by Dr Emily Sprague-Klein at Brown University. Her work focuses on the development and spectroscopic characterization of nanomaterials for clean energy and phototherapy applications. Elizabeth earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with a minor in Music from Boston College.

Umar Yunusa is currently a doctoral candidate in Chemistry at Brown University. His research focuses on fundamental questions in the field of plasmon-driven catalysis and spectroscopy. Through shape-controlled nanofabrication protocols, he has developed hybrid plasmonic platforms with complex architectures for light-harvesting applications. These systems exhibit novel photo-redox activities, and he utilized surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and nanosecond transient absorption techniques to connect these properties to their vibrational profiles and charge transfer dynamics in excited states.

Dr Ajith Pattammattel is a Research Scientist at the National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) at Brookhaven National Laboratory. His work focuses on developing high-resolution X-ray spectromicroscopy and autonomous experimental frameworks for studying complex, heterogeneous materials. His research advances synchrotron-based hard X-ray nano-XANES and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) imaging to probe chemical speciation at sub-20 nm spatial resolution. His recent work includes developing AI-driven workflows for high-throughput and unbiased analysis of individual nanoparticles.

Dr Beihai Ma is a Principal Materials Scientist with the Applied Materials Division at Argonne National Laboratory. He has been doing electronic ceramics and energy materials R&D for over 20 years. His current research interests encompass the development of nanocarbon enhanced advanced conductors, synthesis of ion-transport membranes for gas separation, fabrication of high energy density ceramic film capacitors, preparation of high-temperature superconductors, epitaxial growth of heterostructures, crystallographic structure and microstructure characterizations, and commercialization of laboratory developed technologies.

Professor Emily Sprague-Klein specializes in in situ and operando time-resolved methods for probing complex materials in the Department of Chemistry at Brown University. Her research group develops new approaches for understanding light-harvesting and energy storage for nanoscale control over chemical reactions. She earned her PhD in Applied Physics from Northwestern University working with Richard Van Duyne the discoverer of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and nanosphere lithography. Her postdoctoral work was with Lin X. Chen and David Tiede in characterizing the fundamental photophysics of water-splitting electrode materials.

Materials Advances Outstanding Article Runner-Up C 2026

Exploring bioMOF-on-MOF hybrid nanostructure for controlled drug release: characterization, kinetic modeling, and in vitro evaluation

Luan Minh Nguyen is a researcher at the Institute of Advanced Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. His research focuses on the design, synthesis, and applications of nano- and micro-systems in life and health sciences.

Giao Thuy Quynh Vu is a researcher at the Institute of Advanced Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. Her research focuses on developing advanced nanomaterial-based drug delivery systems and exploring their potential in biomedical applications.

Manh Hoang Tran is a researcher at the Institute of Advanced Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. He received his BS degree in Chemical Engineering from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology in 2017, and both his MS and PhD degrees in Nano Science and Technology from Gachon University, Republic of Korea, in 2017 and 2022, respectively. From 2023 to 2024, he served as a Research Professor at Gachon University. His major research interests include wide-bandgap semiconductors, hybrid nanostructures, and their applications in photodetectors, photocatalysis, and energy conversion systems.

Thi My Huyen Nguyen is a researcher at the Institute of Advanced Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. She received her BS degree in Chemistry Education from Saigon University in 2016, her MS degree in Chemical Engineering from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology in 2018, and her PhD degree in Nano Science and Technology from Gachon University, Republic of Korea, in 2022. From 2022 to 2024, she served as a Research Professor at Gachon University. Her major research interests include semiconductors, ferroelectric and perovskite materials, and their applications in photodetectors, inorganic–organic solar cells, and energy-harvesting devices.

Tan Phat Nguyen is a researcher at the Institute of Advanced Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. His research focuses on natural compounds, organic synthesis, and their biomedical applications.

Qui Thanh Hoai Ta is a researcher at the Institute of Advanced Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. He obtained his PhD in Nanoscience and Technology from Gachon University, Republic of Korea. His research focuses on advanced multifunctional nanomaterials, integrating experimental approaches with artificial neural networks and density functional theory to address critical challenges in energy and environmental sustainability. His current research interests include gas sensing, photocatalytic systems, batteries, supercapacitors, water splitting, and greenhouse gas capture and conversion technologies.

Dieu Linh Tran is a researcher at the Institute of Advanced Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. She received her PhD in Applied Chemistry from Ajou University, Korea, in 2021. Her research focuses on the development of advanced biomedical materials for drug delivery, diagnostics, therapy, and tissue regeneration, with an emphasis on multifunctional and stimuli-responsive material systems.

Dai Hai Nguyen is a senior researcher at the Institute of Advanced Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. He obtained his PhD in Applied Chemistry from Ajou University, South Korea, in 2013. His main research interests focus on materials engineering, biomedical materials, and nanomaterials.

References

1. T. Fujii, D. Hakozaki, A. Tsuji, M. Takizawa and J. Murata, Mater. Adv., 2025, 6, 5424–5438.
2. N. Al-Shamery, J.-H. Park, S. R. Kim, F. Heppner, S. Y. Yoon, T. Bredow, T.-H. Kwon and P. S. Lee, Mater. Adv., 2025, 6, 3073–3083.
3. N. Warren, E. Donahue, U. Yunusa, A. Pattammattel, B. Ma and E. Sprague-Klein, Mater. Adv., 2025, 6, 9427–9436.
4. L. M. Nguyen, G. T. Q. Vu, M. H. Tran, T. M. H. Nguyen, T. P. Nguyen, Q. T. H. Ta, D. L. Tran and D. H. Nguyen, Mater. Adv., 2025, 6, 7574–7584.

---