Secondary Bonding Interactions (SBIs), particularly chalcogen bonding interactions (ChBIs), offer powerful opportunities to direct the assembly of functional organic materials on surfaces. Here we combine Te-based ChBIs with F⋯H hydrogen bonds (HBs) to drive the hierarchical engineering of supramolecular nanoribbons on Au(111) using a chalcogenazolo-pyridine derivative. Low-temperature scanning tunnelling microscopy imaging reveals that the molecules first undergo directional Te⋯N chalcogen-bonded dimerisation, followed by HB-mediated polymerisation into robust nanoribbon architectures. Density functional theory calculations confirm the adsorption geometries and intermolecular binding modes. The Au(111) herringbone reconstruction templates the nanoribbon orientation and maximum attainable length, with the face-centred cubic regions being the preferred adsorption sites. Scanning tunnelling spectroscopy reveals two intrinsic electronic fingerprints at +0.6 V and +1.8 V, corresponding to the LUMO and LUMO+1 of the dimeric repeat unit, respectively. The dI/dV mapping visualises their distinct spatial distributions along the ribbon backbone and edges. Control experiments with a non-pyridyl congener that cannot engage in Te⋯N ChBIs yield only simple linear assemblies, confirming the pivotal role of ChBIs in enabling hierarchical ordering.

Donor–acceptor (D–A) architectures underpin many high-performance conjugated polymers but remain largely unexplored in atomically precise nanoribbons. Here, we report the on-surface synthesis of ultra-narrow D–A nanoribbons using two complementary brominated precursors based on the electron donor peri-xanthenoxanthene and the acceptor anthanthrone. High-resolution scanning tunnelling microscopy, non-contact atomic force microscopy and scanning tunnelling spectroscopy reveal submolecular structural and electronic features of the resulting nanoribbons. Homopolymerisation of each precursor yields structurally well-defined donor-only and acceptor-only nanoribbons, whose electronic character strengthens with length. Co-deposition of both precursors produces mixed D–A nanoribbons with tuneable electronic structures governed by monomer sequence. The spatial character and energetic alignment of their frontier orbitals match gas-phase density functional theory calculations, while a simplified linear combination of molecular orbitals model captures dominant trends. This bottom-up synthetic strategy enables precise control over nanoribbon composition and functionality, offering a versatile platform for engineering π-conjugated nanostructures with tailored optoelectronic properties.

On Au(111), an alkyne-terminated borazine derivative undergoes thermally induced cyclotrimerisation, forming nanoporous boronnitrogen-carbon networks featuring regular BN-doped patterns, with borazine cores preserved during the reaction as characterised by scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

Immunotherapy has achieved remarkable clinical success in certain cancers, particularly through adoptive cell therapy (ACT), where T cell engineering with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) has driven major clinical breakthroughs in the treatment of hematologic malignancies. However, efficacy against solid tumors remains limited due to multiple barriers, including the scarcity of tumor-specific antigens, antigen heterogeneity, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and physical obstruction of T cell infiltration by dense extracellular matrix. Nanoparticle (NP)-based approaches can overcome these obstacles and enhance ACT by improving tumor immunogenicity and vascular permeability, while reducing off-target toxicity to healthy tissues. This review discusses different strategies leveraging NPs to enhance ACT, including the delivery of immunomodulators and chemotherapeutics, NP-mediated hyperthermia, magnetic guidance to improve T cell accumulation in tumors, and in vivo NP-mediated generation and activation of CAR T cells. While prioritizing patient safety is essential, it does not fully reflect the range of risks and challenges associated with novel nanomedicines. In this regard, we discuss how integrating environmental impact assessments early in the development process is crucial for identifying key impact areas of concern and steering innovation towards more sustainable and responsible designs. Finally, we also identify current challenges, and discuss potential solutions and future research directions, including safety and sustainability.