Current wearable and implantable biosensors still face challenges to improve sensitivity, stability and scalability. Here the authors report inkjet-printable, mass-producible core–shell nanoparticle-based biosensors to monitor a broad range of biomarkers.

Experiments and simulations of DNA nanostar hydrogels reveal that microscopic topology determines macroscale elasticity in amorphous networks.

NMR spectroscopy and imaging show that dendrites in a solid-state Li battery are formed from Li plating on the electrode and Li⁺ reduction at solid electrolyte grain boundaries, with an interlapped stalled growth period.

Light-controlled motor–microtubule systems are used to construct micrometre-scale fluid flows for programmable transport, separation and mixing.

Weak bonds enable self-strengthening in polymers by triggering mechanochemical reactions during deformation, forming new networks that enhance strength and crack resistance. This rate-dependent process allows custom design of tough polymers.

The authors demonstrate a chemopiezoelectric effect in which the displacive migration of oxygen vacancies driven by an electric field induces a large strain in the surface layer of thin (K,Na)NbO₃ ceramics. They achieve an electrostrain of 1.9% under a field of −3 kV mm^−1, with thermal stability up to 200 °C.

A tactile visual artificial synapse provides a route for in situ health monitoring. Here the authors report an electrochemical transistor comprising a top gate as a tactile receptor and a light-emitting ion gel layer stacked on a polymeric semiconductor to monitor finger motions and heartbeats.

Intradermal microneedles for the co-delivery of mRNA and near-infrared fluorescent microparticles are used in combination with deep learning-based image analysis for the simultaneous administration of therapeutics and registry of patient information records into the skin.

Using a topological inverse design process with finite-difference time-domain simulations, the authors fabricate high-numerical-aperture red, green and blue achromatic metalenses for compact near-eye displays using a scalable roll-to-plate technique.

Elasticity is ubiquitous in everyday life, but the molecular origin of the restoring force remains elusive. Here the authors use a series of density functional theory calculations to understand how interaction energies change as a result of the bending of molecular crystals.

The sorption and storage properties of metal–organic frameworks are extensively reported but their commercialization has been slow. Collaborative efforts from scientists, engineers and investors are needed to accelerate the transition from laboratory to the marketplace.

Improved thermoelectric refrigeration at cryogenic temperatures may lead to enhanced technologies and better research capabilities.

High-purity samples are essential for quantum matter research. This Comment discusses interesting directions and relevant considerations in growth techniques, particularly molecular beam epitaxy, to improve the quality and expand the variety of thin-film quantum materials.

Jürgen Rödel, Franz Faupel and Stefan Klein discuss how scientific societies can aid in the transition for a more sustainable society.

Dan Matuszak, Chief Technology Officer at the Aviation Climate Taskforce, talks to Nature Materials about the challenges and opportunities for sustainable fuels research for air travel, and how linking researchers together may aid breakthroughs.

Mass air travel connects countries and allows building of research or academic communities, but more sustainable fuels need to be produced to address carbon emissions.