PLATFORM UPDATE:
DNA-based hydrogels: a promising material for future energy storage applications
DNA hydrogels play multifunctional roles in energy storage, serving as binders, electrolytes, and active components in supercapacitors and batteries through programmable molecular design.
Review Article
Charge traps revisited: from unwanted defects to functional synapses in photosynaptic devices
A discussion on methodology for engineering optoelectronic neuromorphic devices through an inverted use of reliability-degrading trap sites.
Review Article
Impact of exposure conditions on the uptake of nanoparticles by cultured cells
The influence of different cell culture geometries for studying particle uptake by cells is quantitatively compared.
Communication
Controlled release of glucocorticoid via PLGA nanoparticles for modulating macrophage polarization in inflammation situations
Sustained glucocorticoid delivery from PLGA nanoparticles modulates macrophage polarization and alters cytokine expression compared with free drug.
Communication
Molecular dynamics insights into orientation and hexagonal ordering of tripodal triptycenes on solid surfaces
All-atom MD simulation reveals interface-induced parallel alignment of tripodal triptycenes on SiO2; annealing converts stair-stepped trilayers into flat bilayers while hexagonally ordered domains grow, quantified by the hexatic order parameter ψ.
Communication
Tunable rhenium–ceria–zirconia catalysts for efficient deoxydehydration of C6 polyols: lattice engineering enables high muconate yield
Lattice modulation by Zr incorporation renders CeO2 highly reducible, accelerating Re regeneration on CexZr1−xO2 and boosting deoxydehydration (DODH) efficiency.
Communication
Subcellular nanoparticle trafficking investigated with label-free, live cell imaging
Nanoparticle drug delivery systems have significant potential to transform precision medicine due to their ability to encapsulate a wide range of cargo, improve systemic circulation time, and enhance targeted delivery.
Cell instructive hydrogels functionalized with polymerized DNA nanostructures
A synthetic scheme of a polymerized functional DNA nanostructures–hyaluronic acid hybrid hydrogels. The functionality of the DNA nanostructures via rolling circle amplification was conserved, enhancing cell attachment and proliferation.
Surfactant-induced wetting dynamics in the context of hypersaline desalination for membrane distillation
The dynamics of surfactant-induced wetting in membrane distillation technology can be either rapid or gradual. The interplay of surfactant and salt concentration decides the dynamics.
Communication
Continuous phase hydrophobicity exerts substantial influence on the surface functional group prevalence in protein nanocapsules synthesized in inverse miniemulsion
Precise control over the nanocarrier surface properties is crucial for biomedical applications. Here, we demonstrate how the surface functional group density of protein nanocapsules can be tuned systematically via the continuous phase hydrophobicity.
Communication
Self-assembly of microscale architectures with nanoscale inclusions
Mixtures of 18-methyleicosanoic acid and 4-(tetradecyl)benzene diazonium tetrafluoroborate spontaneously yield microscale “cookie” domains with nanoscale inclusions at the air–water interface, enabling controlled functionalization of 2D materials.
About this collection
This collection brings together the articles behind our 2026 Nanoscale Horizons journal covers, showcasing the wide range of research published in the journal.
If your article has been accepted for publication, and you are interested in highlighting your research on one of our covers, please contact the Editorial Team for further information.