Recent progress in enhancing built-in electric fields of perovskite solar cells via junction engineering

• Tong Xiao and
• Ke Xu

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 602–621, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.42

• Tong Xiao Ke Xu School of Electrical & Control Engineering, Shenyang Jianzhu University, Shenyang, China 10.3762/bjnano.17.42 Abstract The performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is primarily governed by the built-in electric field (BEF), which dictates photocarrier separation, drift

• ; junction; perovskite solar cells; Introduction Driven by the global push for carbon neutrality, next-generation high-efficiency and low-cost photovoltaic technologies have gained increasing attention. Due to their high absorption coefficients, long carrier diffusion lengths, tunable bandgaps, and solution

• processability, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have advanced significantly since their inception [1]. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of single-junction devices has risen from 3.8% to 27.3% [2][3][4], highlighting their potential to approach the Shockley–Queisser limit. In typical heterojunction solar cells

Towards targeted drugs and next generation of nanomedicines

• Anna Salvati,
• Silvia Giordani and
• Wolfgang J. Parak

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 598–601, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.41

• size in a "big" human. At the same time, recent findings suggested that nanoparticles may be able to reach tumor tissue also via active mechanisms of uptake and transport across tumor endothelial cells, potentially opening up new ways to reach tumors with drugs [20][21][22]. Next to passive targeting

• , active targeting strategies are also being investigated, where drugs and drug carriers are modified via the addition of ligands specifically recognizing receptors overexpressed at the targeted cells. While few antibody–drug conjugates have been approved for clinical use [23], active targeting still

• several reviews on the current development of specific classes of nanomaterials, nanomedicines applied to specific diseases, and fundamental understanding of how nanomedicines are processed by cells and in the body. As a conclusion one can say that nanomedicine is in its infancy steps, where first

Impacts of annealing on structural and photophysical properties of zinc phthalocyanine adsorbed on graphene

• Gautier Creutzer,
• Quentin Fernez,
• Nataliya Kalashnyk,
• Zohreh Safarzadeh,
• Lydia Sosa Vargas,
• Céline Fiorini-Debuisschert,
• Nicolas Fabre and
• Fabrice Charra

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 576–585, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.39

• a promising route to design original and innovative electronic devices [1] such as diodes [2][3], transistors [4][5][6], photodetectors [7][8], solar cells [9][10][11], or light-emitting devices [12]. In such heterostructures most electronic processes take place at the interface between graphene and

Laser–material interactions in liquids for the synthesis of nanomaterials: current status and perspectives

• Carlos Doñate Buendia,
• Bilal Gökce and
• Leonid V. Zhigilei

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 571–575, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.38

• ]), generation of soft magnets for magnetocaloric applications [58], fabrication of photodetectors [59], nanoscale agents for photodynamic [60] and neutron capture therapy [61], incorporation of nanoparticles into solar cells [62], light-harvesting nanofluids [63], and materials with enhanced mechanical [64] or

Advances in nanotechnology applied to natural products

• Douglas Dourado,
• Fábio Rocha Formiga,
• Éverton do Nascimento Alencar and
• Franceline Reynaud

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 555–558, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.36

• applications, including cancer therapy, where they may be designed as conventional liposomes or as immunoliposomes functionalized with antibodies or ligands to promote targeted delivery to tumor cells or components of the immune microenvironment [18]. Combining liposomes with natural products and co-loaded

Defects and defect-mediated engineering of two-dimensional materials: challenges and open questions

• Arkady V. Krasheninnikov,
• Matthias Batzill,
• Anouar-Akacha Delenda,
• Marija Drndić,
• Chris Ewels,
• Katharina J. Franke,
• Mahdi Ghorbani-Asl,
• Alexander Holleitner,
• Ado Jorio,
• Ute Kaiser,
• Daria Kieczka,
• Hannu-Pekka Komsa,
• Jani Kotakoski,
• Manuel Längle,
• David Lamprecht,
• Yun Liu,
• Steven G. Louie,
• Janina Maultzsch,
• Thomas Michely,
• Katherine Milton,
• Anna Niggas,
• Hanako Okuno,
• Joshua A. Robinson,
• Marika Schleberger,
• Bruno Schuler,
• Alexander Shluger,
• Kazu Suenaga,
• Kristian S. Thygesen,
• Richard A. Wilhelm,
• E. Harriet Åhlgren and
• Carla Bittencourt

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 454–488, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.31

Nanocarrier-integrated multilayer films produced by 3D printing for improved skin adhesion and curcumin photostability

• Thayse Viana de Oliveira,
• Ana Paula Farias Leão,
• Júlia Leão,
• Cesar Liberato Petzhold and
• Ruy Carlos Ruver Beck

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 440–453, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.30

• to test our central hypothesis that multilayer printing can provide enhanced bioadhesion and light protection. However, they will be crucial for future optimisation and translation, including in vitro release testing using Franz diffusion cells as well as skin permeation studies. Conclusion In this

First-principles study on elastic properties of Cu, (Cu_1−x,Ni_x)₃Sn and interfacial mechanical properties of (Cu_1−x,Ni_x)₃Sn/Cu in the lead-free solder joint

• Guomin Hua

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 428–439, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.29

• calculated the energy increments of the deformed cells. Via quadratic fits of the relation between the energy increments and the strains, the elastic constants C11, C12, and C44 for Cu and C11, C22, C33, C12, C13, C23, C44, C55, and C66 for (CuxNi1−x)3Sn were extracted. Based on the calculated elastic

Nanoinformatics: spanning scales, systems and solutions

• Iseult Lynch,
• Diego S. T. Martinez,
• Kunal Roy and
• Georgia Melagraki

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 423–427, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.28

• of cancerous cells, also offering insights for potential nano-based cancer therapeutics [6]. Focusing on one specific MeOx nanomaterial, nano-TiO2, and a kidney epithelial cell – human renal cortex proximal tubule epithelial (HK-2) – Roy and Roy explored the potential for the nano-TiO2 to act as a

• carrier for other heavy metals such as Cd, Zn, Pb, Co or Ni into the cells – a so-called Trojan Horse mechanism. Using an ensemble learning approach that implements gradient boosting and bagging algorithms, four models were developed (i.e., a random forest, AdaBoost, Gradient Boost, and Extreme Gradient

• classification, random forest, support vector classifier, and linear discriminant analysis) applied to multiple cell types (pancreatic cancer cells (PaCa2), human endothelial cells (HUVEC) and human macrophage cells (U937)). The best model for each cell type was identified, and the structural fingerprints

Biomimetic nanoparticles in cancer photodynamic therapy: a review of targeted delivery systems and therapeutic outcomes

• Valentina I. Gorbacheva,
• Alexey S. Grabovoy,
• Polina S. Marukhina,
• Anastasiia O. Syrocheva and
• Ekaterina P. Kolesova

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 396–422, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.27

• reduced systemic toxicity [1]. Among emerging treatments, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has garnered considerable attention due to its minimally invasive nature, spatiotemporal control, and ability to selectively destroy tumor tissues while sparing healthy cells [2]. PDT operates through a unique mechanism

• involving three key components: a photosensitizer (PS), light of a specific wavelength, and molecular oxygen [3]. Upon light activation, the PS transitions to an excited state and transfers energy to surrounding oxygen molecules, generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can eradicate tumor cells. While

• circulation by the organs and the cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS), primarily the liver and spleen, and (ii) ineffective overcoming of biological barriers, that is, nanoparticles have to overcome numerous biological barriers to reach the target tissue, including extravasation from the

Polycatecholamine nanocoatings on stainless steel: the effect on attachment of human fibroblasts and platelets

• Paulina Trzaskowska,
• Ewa Rybak,
• Maciej Trzaskowski,
• Kamil Kopeć,
• Jakub Krzemiński,
• Rafał Podgórski,
• Hatice Genc,
• Mehtap Civelek and
• Iwona Cicha

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 365–380, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.25

• thin, expandable struts. However, bare SS 316L stents exhibit limited hemocompatibility and are susceptible to in-stent restenosis and thrombosis [6][7]. Early and complete endothelialization plays a crucial protective role in preventing these complications, as endothelial cells restore vascular

• with native cells promotes their integration and mitigates inflammatory processes, the coatings on long-term metallic implants must fulfil some essential requirements. Such coatings must (i) provide corrosion protection, (ii) maintain mechanical integrity, (iii) support cell–material interactions, and

• biggest –NH2 amount. It must be noted that the coating thickness does not determine the –NH2 content available for reaction with methyl orange since the reaction happens on the material surface. Cytotoxicity towards L929 cells According to ISO 10993-5, materials are non-cytotoxic if their cytotoxicity

Beam shaping techniques for pulsed laser ablation in liquids: Unlocking tunable control of nanoparticle synthesis in liquids

• Sergio Molina-Prados,
• Nadezhda M. Bulgakova,
• Alexander V. Bulgakov,
• Jesus Lancis,
• Gladys Mínguez Vega and
• Carlos Doñate-Buendia

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 309–342, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.22

• efficiency, throughput, and colloid stability. Therefore, optimising ablation conditions (e.g., using high-repetition-rate lasers, flow-through cells, and improved cavitation management) will be critical for enabling commercially viable production [94]. One promising strategy to overcome these limitations

Advancing nanolithography: a comprehensive review of materials for local anodic oxidation with AFM

• Matteo Lorenzoni

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 275–291, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.19

• polymers can be selectively oxidized to create hydrophilic regions or chemically reactive sites, enabling controlled interactions with proteins, cells, or other biomolecules. However, challenges remain in ensuring that the LAO process does not degrade the material’s biocompatibility or structural integrity

Comparative study on 3D morphologies of delignified, single tracheids and fibers of five wood species

• Helen Gorges,
• Felicitas von Usslar,
• Cordt Zollfrank,
• Silja Flenner,
• Imke Greving,
• Martin Müller,
• Clemens F. Schaber,
• Chuchu Li and
• Stanislav N. Gorb

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 239–250, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.16

• ]. They are especially important in gymnosperms, where they serve as primary conduits for water transport, whereas in angiosperms, they function alongside vessel elements, contributing to both axial and lateral water movement by providing strength of the tissue [3][4]. Tracheids are specialized cells that

• part of the membrane (torus) that is slightly larger than the pit aperture [4][7]. Similar to other plant cells, fibers and tracheids have a primary wall (P) composed of cellulose, hemicelluloses, and pectin that are formed during cell growth [8][9]. Once fully grown, they develop two secondary walls

• connections between neighboring cells. This knowledge is valuable for optimizing wood processing techniques, developing new wood-based materials and improving the understanding of wood anatomy and its biological function. By removing lignin, it is now possible to obtain high-resolution 3D models of separated

Micro- and nanoscale effects in biological and bioinspired materials and surfaces

• Thies H. Büscher,
• Rhainer Guillermo Ferreira,
• Manuela Rebora and
• Stanislav N. Gorb

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 214–217, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.14

• composition of the secreting cells and its cement product, providing a strong basis for further research on the assembly of biological and bioinspired adhesives. Sawant et al. [15] focused on the cement of a barnacle and experimentally investigated a specific key cement protein and its self-assembly under

Safe and sustainable by design with ML/AI: A transformative approach to advancing nanotechnology

• Georgia Melagraki

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 176–185, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.11

• enabled targeted therapies for cancer, minimizing side effects while enhancing therapeutic efficacy [1][2]. In the energy sector, nanostructured materials have enhanced the performance and energy density of batteries and solar cells, providing more sustainable and efficient solutions [3]. Additionally

From shield to spear: Charge-reversible nanocarriers in overcoming cancer therapy barriers

• Madhuri Yeduvaka,
• Pooja Mittal,
• Ameer Boyalakuntla,
• Usman Bee Shaik,
• Himanshu Sharma,
• Thakur Gurjeet Singh,
• Siva Nageswara Rao Gajula and
• Lakshmi Vineela Nalla

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 159–175, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.10

• Cancer remains a foremost global health challenge, characterized by uncontrolled cellular proliferation and the ability to invade and metastasize to distant sites. Unlike normal cells, cancer cells bypass regulatory mechanisms to form tumours and spread via lymphatic or circulatory systems, such as

• malignant breast epithelial cells metastasizing to axillary lymph nodes [1]. Leukaemias and other haematological malignancies spread differently, affecting the bone marrow, lymph nodes, and the blood [2]. According to the latest GLOBOCAN and World Health Organization data, cancer ranks as the leading cause

• , primarily aim to eliminate rapidly dividing cancer cells. However, these conventional approaches often face limitations in specificity and long-term efficacy [4][5][6]. In recent years, significant advancements have transformed the therapeutic landscape with the introduction of gene therapy, stem cell

Influence of surface characteristics on the in vitro stability and cell uptake of nanoliposomes for brain delivery

• Dushko Shalabalija,
• Ljubica Mihailova,
• Nikola Geskovski,
• Andreas Zimmer,
• Otmar Geiss,
• Sabrina Gioria,
• Diletta Scaccabarozzi and
• Marija Glavas Dodov

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 139–158, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.9

• /D3) and neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) under different conditions. The results obtained from comparative in vitro cell uptake studies on both cell culture lines after treatment with three different concentrations of fluorescently labelled NLs (5, 10, and 100 μg/mL) over a period of 1, 2, and 4 h

• showed a time- and concentration-dependent internalization pattern, with high impact of the surface characteristics of the different formulations. In addition, transport studies on hCMEC/D3/SH-SY5Y co-cultures confirmed the successful transport of NLs across the BBB cells and their subsequent uptake by

• true dynamics of NLs and drug absorption or trafficking within brain cells. Finally, optimized experimental conditions help reduce variability between cell uptake experiments and ensure that results are consistent across different cell passages, laboratories, or research conditions which is

Capabilities of the 3D-MLSI software tool in superconducting neuron design

• Irina E. Tarasova,
• Nikita S. Shuravin,
• Liubov N. Karelina,
• Fedor A. Razorenov,
• Evgeny N. Zhardetsky,
• Aleksandr S. Ionin,
• Mikhail M. Khapaev and
• Vitaly V. Bol’ginov

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 122–138, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.8

• design of superconducting electronics components. Keywords: adiabatic superconductor cells; inductance extraction; Josephson interferometers; multilayer niobium technology; superconductivity; Introduction This article is devoted to one of the issues related to the design of adiabatic superconducting

• , that is, a matrix for interactions between mesh cells and a Galerkin matrix for solution of integro-differential equations. Filling the matrices needs O(N2) operations, and the solution procedure needs O(N3) operations, where N is the number of mesh nodes. These two operations basically define the

• . Calculations are performed on a highly graded mesh of triangular cells (see inset on Figure 8a) based on two mesh step parameters. The first parameter, ah, defines the size of triangular cells inside the superconducting film far enough from the nearest boundary. The other parameter, ahb, is related to the cell

Development and in vitro evaluation of liposomes and immunoliposomes containing 5-fluorouracil and R-phycoerythrin as a potential phototheranostic system for colorectal cancer

• Raissa Rodrigues Camelo,
• Vivianne Cortez Sombra Vandesmet,
• Octavio Vital Baccallini,
• José de Brito Vieira Neto,
• Thais da Silva Moreira,
• Luzia Kalyne Almeida Moreira Leal,
• Claudia Pessoa,
• Daniel Giuliano Cerri,
• Maria Vitória Lopes Badra Bentley,
• Josimar O. Eloy,
• Ivanildo José da Silva Júnior and
• Raquel Petrilli

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 97–121, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.7

• . These systems are formed by monoclonal antibodies linked to the lipid bilayer, allowing the nanoparticle to recognize and specifically bind to receptors overexpressed in the membrane of tumor cells. This active functionalization expands the therapeutic potential of liposomes by promoting greater

• tumor cells, enhancing the internalization of the system and promoting greater cytotoxic activity compared to conventional therapies [10]. By combining selective cytotoxicity with the potential to label cancer tissue using an imaging probe, EGFR-targeted immunoliposomes represent an integrated approach

• potential application in cancer treatment, ranging from in vitro cell programmed death induction in the liver, lung, and gastric cancer cells [12] to in vivo reduction in nodule number and liver weight in rats [13]. In addition, R-PE also has a photosensitizing role that can be explored in photodynamic

Reduced graphene oxide paper electrode for lithium-ion cells – towards optimized thermal reduction

• Agata Pawłowska,
• Magdalena Baran,
• Stefan Marynowicz,
• Aleksandra Izabela Banasiak,
• Adrian Racki,
• Adrian Chlanda,
• Tymoteusz Ciuk,
• Marta Wolczko and
• Andrzej Budziak

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 24–37, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.3

• electrode material in lithium-ion cells. Mildly reduced graphene oxide paper underwent further thermal reduction steps. The structural and chemical properties of the obtained materials were determined using Raman and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopies and elemental combustion analysis. The morphology

• of rGO paper regarding its application as an electrode material in lithium-ion batteries. Considering the possible implementation of this material as an electrode in secondary cells, its additional advantages in terms of the production process are also worth mentioning. The applied method of

• measurements. Galvanostatic charge–discharge tests The prototype cells (Swagelok-type with stainless steel current collectors) for the galvanostatic charge–discharge tests were prepared in an argon-filled glovebox (MBraun). The materials were tested in a two-electrode configuration in a full-cell setup for

Internal 3D temperature mapping in biological systems using ratiometric light-sheet imaging and lipid-coated upconversion nanothermometers

• Dannareli Barron-Ortiz,
• Enric Pérez-Parets,
• Rubén D. Cadena-Nava,
• Emilio J. Gualda,
• Jacob Licea-Rodríguez,
• Juan Hernández-Cordero,
• Pablo Loza-Álvarez and
• Israel Rocha-Mendoza

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2306–2316, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.159

• obtained. For instance, Vetrone et al. [36] used UCNP@PEI as nanothermometers for two-dimensional (2D) temperature mapping inside Hella cells. Similarly, Piñol and co-workers [20] used the FIR of Ln3+ (Sm, Eu)-bearing polymeric micelles to achieve real-time 2D temperature maps of breast metastatic

• adenocarcinoma cells. Di et al. [45] used functionalized UCNPs to monitor mitochondrial thermal dynamics in HeLa cells, and Wang et al. [37] used core–shell UCNPs to monitor temperature and imaging inside and outside onion cells simultaneously. These studies underscore the versatility and potential of UCNP-based

• the entire volume. The C. elegans intestine is a simple, tubular organ composed of 20 epithelial cells arranged into nine rings (int1–int9), spanning approximately 80% of the worm’s body length. The lumen, located centrally within these rings, is lined with microvilli that facilitate nutrient uptake

Improving magnetic properties of Mn- and Zn-doped core–shell iron oxide nanoparticles by tuning their size

• Dounia Louaguef,
• Ghouti Medjahdi,
• Sébastien Diliberto,
• Klaus M. Seemann,
• Thomas Gries,
• Joelle Bizeau,
• Damien Mertz,
• Eric Gaffet and
• Halima Alem

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2285–2295, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.157

• heating capability, a critical requirement for hyperthermia applications. The temperature increases of 6.5 and 9.6 °C under 536 and 796 kHz, respectively, surpass the thermal threshold required to induce apoptosis in cancer cells (42–46 °C). The fast heating kinetics observed here are comparable to those

Visualizing nanostructures in supramolecular hydrogels: a correlative study using confocal and cryogenic scanning electron microscopy

• Shaun M. Smith,
• Ferdinando Malagreca,
• Jacqueline Hicks,
• Giuseppe Mantovani,
• David B. Amabilino,
• Christopher Parmenter and
• Lluïsa Pérez-García

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2274–2284, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.156

• selective incorporation of fluorophores, it is possible to highlight different components of the hydrogel or embedded cells, facilitating 3D reconstruction of the microarchitecture [10]. However, the achievable resolution in conventional confocal microscopy is still restricted to over one hundred nanometres

Geometry-controlled engineering of the low-temperature proximity effect in normal metal–superconductor junctions

• Munisa A. Tomayeva,
• Vyacheslav D. Neverov,
• Andrey V. Krasavin,
• Alexei Vagov and
• Mihail D. Croitoru

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2265–2273, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.155

• lines in Figure 1. For numerical simulations, we used a discretized lattice model with a system size of 128 unit cells along the z-direction (the principal axis of the NS transition) and 64 unit cells in the perpendicular x-direction. A total of twelve different geometries were modeled by varying η in