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

• and the mechanisms of defect formation. This indicates that defects can also be created deliberately during exposure to the electron beam, which can be used for engineering structure and properties of materials with potentially atomic resolution [34][35][36][37]. It should be pointed out that many

• beyond a “trial and error” approach. What are the oxidation mechanisms and kinetics of defective surfaces in 2D materials? Substitutional oxygen defects are present in 2D materials synthesized via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) [51]. This can be a result of oxide precursors, which are frequently used

• ], which can propagate further the formation of larger vacancy clusters. It is expected that the mechanisms of oxidation will be similar for multilayer films and defective monolayers and driven by the effective charges of W atoms exposed by S vacancy clusters. However, changes in the positions of the

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

• as antioxidant activity through reactions with free radicals or reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inhibition of lipid peroxidation and DNA damage. These mechanisms contribute to reduced oxidative stress and enhanced wound-healing processes [17]. Consequently, curcumin is currently under investigation

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

• thermodynamic mechanisms and decrease the reliability of the lead-free solder joints. The results presented in this study will not only unveil the effects of Ni alloying on the interfacial properties of lead-free solder joints, but also will provide a guidance for high-performance lead-free solder design by

• orientation relationship of (001)ε//(111)Cu and [100]ε//[−110]Cu; the underlying mechanisms responsible for the influence of Ni alloying on the work of adhesion and interfacial toughness are demonstrated. Methods In this study, first-principles calculations within the framework of density functional theory

• /Cu increases with increasing Ni content, as the composition changes from Cu3Sn/Cu to (Cu0.8Ni0.2)3Sn/Cu. After further increase of Ni content, the interfacial toughness will decrease to 0.306 MPa·m0.5 for (Cu0.7Ni0.3)3Sn/Cu. In the following, the mechanisms responsible for the effects of Ni alloying

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

• , preferred orientations, and relative abundance of the specified molecules on the specified material surfaces giving an insight into the mechanisms of bio–nano interaction [4]. Varsou et al. demonstrated a novel approach to evaluate the performance of different models for the same endpoint (zeta potential of

• Roy constructed a quantitative structure–property relationship (QSPR) model with 132 metal oxide (MeOx) nanomaterials to understand the possible mechanisms of cell membrane damage and the role of zeta potential (a proxy for surface charge) in particular. The results showed that zeta potential, along

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

• nanostructured materials, significantly expanding the range of agents available for PDT applications [18]. The photochemical pathway for ROS generation involves non-radiative relaxation of the excited PS, typically occurring through two primary mechanisms [19]. Type-I reactions involve electron transfer

• and active targeting mechanisms, (iii) controlled and stimuli-responsive release profiles, (iv) overcoming of tumor hypoxia, (v) efficient light conversion, and (vi) the development of multifunctional platforms by combining PDT with other therapeutic modalities [38]. Additionally, nanoparticles enable

• coating thickness, core material, and release mechanisms. Addressing these challenges through standardized production protocols, improved characterization, and enhanced biocompatibility will be critical to advancing BNPs toward clinical application. Biomimetic nanocarriers, designed to replicate structure

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

• fibrinogen, which thereby inhibited platelet adhesion and activation [22][50][52], as observed in our study in the PTYR-coated samples. Conclusion The results of our study indicated that PDA and PTYR coating layers on steel might be formed by slightly different mechanisms, which leads to distinct effects on

Ferroelectric nanodot reservoir for neuromorphic computing

• Anna Razumnaya,
• Yuri Tikhonov,
• Dmitrii Naidenko,
• Léo Boron,
• Valerii Vinokur and
• Igor Lukyanchuk

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 352–364, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.24

• architecture and processing mechanisms of the human brain to achieve energy-efficient and adaptive information processing [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Among various neuromorphic approaches, reservoir computing has emerged as a particularly promising paradigm, owing to its conceptual simplicity and hardware amenability

• establish the physical principles and theoretical framework of a charge-driven ferroelectric reservoir based on nanodot ensembles. We delineate the mechanisms that endow the system with nonlinearity, and high dimensionality, linking electrostatic coupling, hysteretic switching, and the resulting frustrated

• engineering compact, energy-efficient, and scalable ferroelectric platforms for neuromorphic information processing. The objectives of this work are to introduce a physically realizable reservoir architecture based on ferroelectric nanodots, to highlight the mechanisms enabling nonlinearity, fading memory

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

• achieved in chemical synthesis using microfluidics-based reactors [14]. PLAL mechanisms and the ablation dynamics can be described starting with the pulsed emission from the laser source [16]. The laser beam travels through the transparent liquid layer, ideally minimising energy losses due to absorption

• synthesis and the underlying optical mechanisms including its influence on ablation efficiency, size control, and colloidal stability. Refractive elements rely on the interaction of light with a transparent material with a different refractive index than air. Standard refractive optics elements such as

• lenses in PLAL can lead to the formation of nanoribbons [140], and this may be attributed to two main mechanisms. First, the initially formed Ag nanospheres could undergo nanowelding under the influence of a line-shaped light sheet produced by cylindrical focusing, leading to chain- or ribbon-like

Calculation of the dynamic stiffness of a cantilever under torsional oscillation

• Keita Nishida,
• Yuuki Yasui and
• Yoshiaki Sugimoto

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 303–308, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.21

• detailed mechanisms remain not fully understood [5]. Non-contact atomic force microscopy (nc-AFM) is widely employed to investigate non-contact friction through its dissipation channel. Common techniques include pendulum AFM, bimodal AFM, and quartz tuning fork AFM [6][7][8]. Pendulum AFM uses cantilevers

Fast vortex dynamics and relaxation times in NbRe-based heterostructures

• Francesco De Chiara,
• Zahra Makhdoumi Kakhaki,
• Francesco Avitabile,
• Francesco Colangelo,
• Abhishek Kumar,
• Carmine Attanasio and
• Carla Cirillo

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 292–302, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.20

• superconducting coherence. This phenomenon, known as flux-flow instability (FFI), depends on several factors such as structural disorder and defects [3], pinning mechanisms [4][5], thermal effects [6], and sample geometry [7]. FFI is effectively described by the Larkin–Ovchinnikov (LO) model [8], which relates

• ]. The enhancement of vortex dynamics and the reduction of τE are strongly linked to the optimization of quasiparticle relaxation mechanisms. Excited quasiparticles can relax primarily through two processes, namely thermal electron–phonon (e–ph) interaction and electron–electron (e–e) recombination [1

• /N [26][27][28][29][30] or S/F [31][32][33][34] systems, different mechanisms can influence the vortex dynamics depending on the thickness and conductivity of the capping layer. In particular, a sufficiently thick metallic overlayer may lead to a damping of vortex motion due to eddy currents induced

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

• the application of a voltage bias between a conductive AFM tip and the sample surface, resulting in localized electrochemical reactions. This section delves into the fundamental principles governing LAO, including its mechanisms, controlling factors, fabrication metrics and advancements in the

• complexities and might reduce dependency on trial-and-error methodologies. For example, numerical simulations can be employed to explore complex reaction mechanisms involved in nanomanufacturing processes at the nanoscale. This approach has recently been used to clarify the anisotropic effects observed during

Durable antimicrobial activity of fabrics functionalized with zeolite ion-exchanged nanomaterials against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli

• Perla Sánchez-López,
• Kendra Ramirez Acosta,
• Sergio Fuentes Moyado,
• Ruben Dario Cadena-Nava and
• Elena Smolentseva

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 262–274, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.18

• nanoparticles act against viruses involves the interaction with the surface of the NPs, leading to adhesion and inactivation, thereby preventing the virion from entering the host cell. NPs release ions or transfer them to microorganisms, inducing oxidative stress. Given these possible mechanisms, viral

• leaves of some plants are water- or dust-repellent, and these repellent properties can be transferred to textiles by modifying the components involved in these mechanisms [24]. Among the physicochemical methods used for fabric functionalization with nanomaterials are coatings, electrospinning, assembling

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

• inspiration from biological solutions for technology [3]. By studying multiscale structures and mechanisms in biological systems, biomimetics enables the translation of the fundamental principles into technological solutions for practical uses. In this context, bioinspired nanotechnology plays a vital role in

Time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry imaging of contaminant species in chemical vapour deposited graphene on copper

• Barry Brennan,
• Vlad-Petru Veigang-Radulescu,
• Philipp Braeuninger-Weimer,
• Stephan Hofmann and
• Andrew J. Pollard

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 200–213, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.13

• substrate, depending on processing conditions employed and the chemical species present on the surface. This has implications for the gas permeation barrier properties of this material, graphene transfer mechanisms, as well as the effectiveness of using the oxidation of the copper foil as a rapid graphene

• directly under the graphene after post-growth exposure to atmosphere. This could have implications for better understanding transfer mechanisms that rely on oxidation of the Cu substrate [39][40], defect characterisation [41], or the heat dissipation ability of graphene on Cu [42]. Methods CVD graphene

• the same areas of the samples as in Figure 1. ToF-SIMS depth profile images of graphene grown on copper foils utilising different graphene growth mechanisms from the first 50 nm of the sample, for (a) back side oxidation + Ar annealed (BO), (b) Ar:H2 annealed (Ar:H2), (c) electro-polished + Ar:H2

Structure-dependent thermochromism of PAZO thin films: theory and experiment

• Georgi Mateev,
• Dean Dimov,
• Nataliya Berberova-Buhova,
• Nikoleta Kircheva,
• Todor Dudev,
• Ludmila Nikolova,
• Elena Stoykova,
• Keehoon Hong,
• Dimana Nazarova,
• Silvia Angelova and
• Lian Nedelchev

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 186–199, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.12

• the molecular assembly governs birefringence in PAZO remains incomplete, leaving open questions about the fundamental mechanisms driving the observed photoresponsive behavior. This knowledge gap serves as the primary motivation for the present study. Here, we investigate the optical properties of PAZO

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

• , relying on animal tests that measure outcomes such as mortality without explaining the underlying mechanisms, is effectively a “black box.” In contrast, using AI and XAI can provide mechanistic insights, leading to greater transparency for regulators and improved protection for the public [69]. Increasing

• technologies – particularly those incorporating real-time sensor data – enables adaptive feedback mechanisms that support proactive decision making. This comprehensive integration of data standards, explainable AI, and digital twins has the potential to not only optimize product development cycles but also to

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

• distinct edge over conventional nanocarriers, representing a significant leap toward more precise and efficient cancer treatments [16]. This review aims to present an in-depth analysis of charge-reversible nanocarriers (CRNs) in cancer treatment, emphasising their underlying mechanisms, benefits, and

• through pH-sensitive or neutral/zwitterionic designs enhances therapeutic precision, circulation stability, and biocompatibility by enabling controlled drug release while minimising immune recognition and cytotoxicity. CRNs exhibit diverse mechanisms, applications, and advantages that enhance their

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

• may stem from the incomplete understanding of factors affecting the NLs optimal delivery to the central nervous system (CNS). Therefore, understanding the mechanisms of NLs transport across the BBB and the impact of NLs properties as well as the disease pathophysiology is crucial for improving

• systems behave in biological environments is limited, and further research is needed to explore the fundamental mechanisms of nano–bio interactions and develop strategies for their manipulation. In order to obtain valuable insights into the behavior of nanodelivery systems, as well as the nano–bio

• especially in the context of brain-related disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, thus providing useful starting point for testing potential therapies and understanding disease mechanisms [12][13]. Hence, proper cell line selection and optimized experimental conditions help predicting in vivo

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

• cancer, but there are cellular mechanisms of resistance, such as membrane transporters, which lower the therapeutic response rate. However, when the treatment with 5-FU was evaluated, associated with photodynamic therapy using Foslip® as a liposomal system, it was found that this treatment was effective

• is a semi-empirical model that encompasses release profiles of drugs through polymeric chains when the governing mechanism is a combination of Fickian and non-Fickian mechanisms: where Q is the amount of dose released at time t, k is the release rate constant, and n is the exponent. 2.3.5 Atomic

• analyses provide strong evidence of liposome functionalization. The transition from a smooth surface in HSPC-50-R-PE to a rougher HSPC-IM-R-PE topography is likely to impact biological interactions such as cellular uptake mechanisms, biodistribution, clearance by the reticuloendothelial system, and even

Functional surface engineering for cultural heritage protection: the role of superhydrophobic and superoleophobic coatings – a comprehensive review

• Giuseppe Cesare Lama,
• Marino Lavorgna,
• Letizia Verdolotti,
• Federica Recupido,
• Giovanna Giuliana Buonocore and
• Bharat Bhushan

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 63–96, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.6

Quantitative estimation of nanoparticle/substrate adhesion by atomic force microscopy

• Aydan Çiçek,
• Markus Kratzer,
• Christian Teichert and
• Christian Mitterer

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 1–14, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.1

• conditions during the use of functional devices or surfaces. Future studies should focus on the effects of environmental factors, such as humidity and temperature, and the exploration of alternative NP/substrate combinations to expand the understanding of the adhesion mechanisms at the nanoscale. Schematics

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

• ability to map temperature with high spatial resolution is a critical tool for probing disease mechanisms, potentially aiding in diagnostics and therapeutic evaluation. To address these limitations, luminescent nanomaterial-based thermometers (LNTs) have emerged as promising alternatives for biological

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

• generate heat through Brownian and Néel relaxation mechanisms [4]. The heat generation capacity of these nanoparticles is often quantified by the specific absorption rate (SAR), which represents the power dissipated as heat per gram of nanoparticles under the influence of an alternating magnetic field. The

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

• geometric variations modify the amplitude and spatial profile of the Cooper pair wave function, as well as the effective barrier potential at the interface. These geometric effects influence the balance between Andreev reflection and quasiparticle scattering, modulate pair-breaking mechanisms, and thus

Chiral plasmonic nanostructures fabricated with circularly polarized light

• Tian Qiao and
• Ming Lee Tang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2245–2264, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.154

• cPNSs. As a traceless chiral agent, CPL holds great potential for integration with nanofabrication technologies. In this review, we will summarize the progress made in fabricating cPNSs using CPL. We will discuss the mechanisms involved in the CPL-based fabrication process and share our insights

• the advances in the fabrication of cPNSs using CPL. Section 1 will present a brief background that summarizes representative fabrication technologies for cPNSs, which employ various strategies. Section 2 will explore the mechanisms by which CPL leads to the formation of cPNSs and summarize the