Certain systems exhibit collective dynamics driven by nonreciprocal interactions, where particles do not exert equal influences on one another. Researchers from Tokyo University of Science demonstrated such behavior in a colloidal system containing more than 10,000 particles. Instead of growing into large static aggregates, the particles formed self-propelled pairs that sustained a dynamic, fragmented state. The experiment provides a platform for studying nonreciprocal interactions and their role in shaping collective dynamics in large-scale systems.

It has been discovered for the first time that the same silver (Ag) nanocatalyst operates at different reaction sites depending on whether the solid oxide cell is generating electricity or producing hydrogen. This finding introduces a new design principle for improving the performance of next-generation solid oxide cells.

Herein, we report a user-friendly electrocatalytic glycosylation strategy that employs stable and readily available acetyl glycosides as glycosyl donors. The reaction proceeds at room temperature and ambient pressure in an undivided electrolytic cell, enabling rapid access to structurally diverse O‑, S‑, and N‑glycosides, as well as disaccharides, with moderate to excellent diastereoselectivity. The lithium perchlorate/acetonitrile electrolyte system was identified as the optimal reaction medium. Mechanistic studies reveal that a Brønsted acid generated in situ at the anode activates the C–O bond of the acetyl glycosides, thereby initiating the glycosylation process. This method features exceptionally broad substrate scope, excellent functional group tolerance, requires only a catalytic amount of charge (0.1 F/mol), and reaches completion within 10 minutes.