Memory and logic in the same device Future artificial intelligence applications and data-intensive computations require the development of neuromorphic systems beyond traditional heterogeneous device architectures. Physical separation between a peripheral signal-processing unit and a memory-operating unit is one of the main bottlenecks of heterogeneous architectures, blocking further improvements in efficient resistance matching, energy consumption, and integration compatibility. Tong et al . present a transistor-memory architecture based on a homogeneous tungsten selenide-on-lithium niobate device array (see the Perspective by Rao and Tao). Analog peripheral signal preprocessing and nonvolatile memory were possible within the same device structure, promising diverse neuromorphic functionalities and offering potential improvements in neuromorphic systems on-chip. —YS

Despite the importance of nanoparticle’s multipods topology in multivalent-interactions enhanced nano-bio interactions, the precise manipulation of multipods surface topological structures is still a great challenge. Herein, the surface-kinetics mediated multi-site nucleation strategy is demonstrated for the fabrication of mesoporous multipods with precisely tunable surface topological structures. Tribulus-like tetra-pods Fe3O4@SiO2@RF&PMOs (RF = resorcinol-formaldehyde resin, PMO = periodic mesoporous organosilica) nanocomposites have successfully been fabricated with a centering core@shell Fe3O4@SiO2@RF nanoparticle, and four surrounding PMO nanocubes as pods. By manipulating the number of nucleation sites through mediating surface kinetics, a series of multipods mesoporous nanocomposites with precisely controllable surface topological structures are formed, including Janus with only one pod, nearly plane distributed dual-pods and tri-pods, three-dimensional tetrahedral structured tetra-pods, etc. The multipods topology endows the mesoporous nanocomposites enhanced bacteria adhesion ability. Particularly, the tribulus-like tetra-pods mesoporous nanoparticles show ~100% bacteria segregation and long-term inhibition over 90% after antibiotic loading.

The potential applications of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) can be further developed by encapsulating functional nanoparticles within the frameworks. However, the synthesis of monodispersed core@shell structured COF nanocomposites without agglomeration remains a significant challenge. Herein, we present a versatile dual-ligand assistant strategy for interfacial growth of COFs on the functional nanoparticles with abundant physicochemical properties. Regardless of the composition, geometry or surface properties of the core, the obtained core@shell structured nanocomposites with controllable shell-thickness are very uniform without agglomeration. The derived bowl-shape, yolk@shell, core@satellites@shell nanostructures can also be fabricated delicately. As a promising type of photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy (PDT), the porphyrin-based COFs were grown onto upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs). With the assistance of the near-infrared (NIR) to visible optical property of UCNPs core and the intrinsic porosity of COF shell, the core@shell nanocomposites can be applied as a nanoplatform for NIR-activated PDT with deep tissue penetration and chemotherapeutic drug delivery.