Glucose uptake is the initial step in cellular metabolism, and its uptake rate directly determines the overall metabolic flow. Here the authors develop a set of programmable bifunctional biosensors for real-time monitoring of glucose uptake rates and dynamic dual control of glucose uptake and central metabolism.

The development of tiny, soft and biocompatible batteries to power minimally invasive biomedical devices is of critical importance. Here the authors present a microscale soft rechargeable lithium-ion battery based on the lipid-supported assembly of silk hydrogel droplets that enables a variety of biomedical applications.

As part of the first anniversary issue of Nature Chemical Engineering, we present a collection of opinions from 40 researchers within the field on what they think are the most exciting opportunities that lie ahead for their respective topics.

As part of the March Focus issue of Nature Chemical Engineering, we asked 13 leading researchers to spotlight a challenge or opportunity in reaction engineering that they believe holds particular promise for advancing this core area of chemical engineering research and practice.

This study reports on self-aggregating injectable microcrystals for administering long-acting drug implants via low-profile needles, a key factor in patient adoption. Microcrystal self-aggregation is engineered through a solvent exchange process to form depots with minimal polymer excipient, demonstrating enhanced long-term release of a model contraceptive drug in rodents.

Biomolecular condensates have emerged as a promising strategy to control metabolic reactions in living cells. Here the authors use mathematical modeling to uncover the key physical parameters that govern the outcomes of metabolic reactions modulated by condensates. These governing principles are then demonstrated experimentally by modulating the biosynthesis of metabolites in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Plastic additives can hinder the mechanical recycling of plastics; a similar issue arises in chemical deconstruction, where plastic additives can deactivate catalysts. Here the authors compare hydroconversion and catalytic pyrolysis to identify specific criteria needed to mitigate the effects organic additives on the deconstruction of polyolefins.

Existing lithium-ion battery recycling methods often involve energy-, chemical- and/or waste-intensive processes. Here, the authors develop an electrochemical method for lithium-ion battery recycling based on a porous solid electrolyte reactor, enabling efficient reuse of valuable materials in spent cathodes, with high lithium and transition metal recovery efficiency and low energy consumption.

Upgrading biogas to valuable solid carbon can potentially lead to negative CO₂ emissions with long-term carbon storage but faces substantial thermodynamic and kinetic limits using a single reactor. Tandem strategies can decouple reactions into tandem reactors, integrate non-equilibrium processes and identify synergistic catalytic sites to enhance carbon nanofiber production.

This study reports on biologically sourced polymuconate polymers with weakened C–C backbone bonds, designed for closed-loop chemical recycling to monomers. Synthesized via free-radical polymerization, these materials achieve tunable mechanical properties comparable to those of commercial plastics. A techno-economic analysis shows that recycling significantly reduces costs and environmental impacts, enhancing the competitiveness of these polymers in the sustainable plastics market.

This month in Nature Chemical Engineering, we present a Focus issue that showcases the multiscale, multiphysics landscape of modern reaction engineering in an era defined by an urgent need for sustainable chemicals production.

Peng Xu discusses the importance of timescale analysis in cellular reaction networks and gene expression dynamics to better integrate dynamic control schemes into cell factory design.

Lynn Gladden, Shell Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Cambridge, talks to Nature Chemical Engineering about the role of operando magnetic resonance imaging in integrating catalyst and reactor design.