http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/rss/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1521-4095

A novel amphiphilic polymer Torlon-based membrane with switchable superwettability is developed using a simple one-step phase separation method. Its hierarchical porous structure and surface reorganization enable exceptional oil-water separation with ultrahigh permeance and efficiency. The membrane exhibits excellent antifouling, self-cleaning, and durability, offering a scalable solution for advanced oily wastewater treatment and beyond.

The development of advanced membranes with switchable superwettability has attracted considerable attention for the efficient treatment of oily wastewater. However, challenges persist in designing and fabricating such membranes through straightforward methods. In this study, a novel strategy is presented to design switchable superwettable membranes based on micro/nano-structured porous surfaces and surface chemical composition reorganization. A commercial amphiphilic polymer, polyamide-imide (Torlon), is fabricated into a porous symmetric membrane with a hierarchical surface structure using a one-step non-solvent-induced phase separation method. By leveraging the surface reorganization capability of amphiphilic polymers and the hierarchically porous structure, the resulting membranes demonstrate exceptional superamphiphilicity in air, underwater superoleophobicity, and underoil superhydrophobicity. These properties enable ultrahigh permeance and separation efficiency for oil-in-water, water-in-oil, and crude oil/water emulsions through a gravity-driven process, eliminating the need for external energy. Furthermore, the membranes exhibit excellent antifouling and self-cleaning performance, maintaining stable operation over multiple cycles. This work provides an innovative and scalable approach to next-generation switchable superwettable membranes with broad potential applications in oily wastewater treatment and beyond.

This review article explores the advancement of smart dust networks for high-resolution spatial and temporal chemical mapping. Comprising miniature, wireless sensors, and communication devices, smart dust autonomously collects, processes, and transmits data via swarm-based communication. With applications in environmental monitoring, healthcare, agriculture, and industry, it emphasizes energy efficiency, sustainability, and large-scale deployment to revolutionize chemical analysis in complex environments.

This review article explores the transformative potential of smart dust systems by examining how existing chemical sensing technologies can be adapted and advanced to realize their full capabilities. Smart dust, characterized by submillimeter-scale autonomous sensing platforms, offers unparalleled opportunities for real-time, spatiotemporal chemical mapping across diverse environments. This article introduces the technological advancements underpinning these systems, critically evaluates current limitations, and outlines new avenues for development. Key challenges, including multi-compound detection, system control, environmental impact, and cost, are discussed alongside potential solutions. By leveraging innovations in miniaturization, wireless communication, AI-driven data analysis, and sustainable materials, this review highlights the promise of smart dust to address critical challenges in environmental monitoring, healthcare, agriculture, and defense sectors. Through this lens, the article provides a strategic roadmap for advancing smart dust from concept to practical application, emphasizing its role in transforming the understanding and management of complex chemical systems.

By introducing abundant polar groups as Zn2+ absorption sites and hydrogen bond arrays, a protein structure-derived binder for ZP anode and iodine cathode is proposed. This design can regulate the Zn2+ flux, benefit the formation of free-standing electrode, inhibit the side reactions, suppress the shuttle effect of polyiodides, and enable the large-scale potentials.

Compared with commonly used Zn foil anodes, Zn powder (ZP) anodes offer superior versatility and processability. However, in aqueous electrolytes, dendrite growth and side reactions, such as corrosion and hydrogen evolution, become more severe in ZP anodes than those in Zn foil anodes because of the rough surfaces and high surface areas of ZP, leading to poor reversibility and limitations in high-loading mass cathodes. In this study, a diisocyanate-polytetrahydrofuran-dihydrazide polymer (DDP) binder is developed, inspired by protein structures. The strong Zn2+ adsorption capability of the binder effectively regulates Zn2+ flux, while its unique hydrogen-bond arrays facilitate the formation of a free-standing ZP anode and inhibit side reactions. The binder exhibits superior mechanical performance, providing ZP electrodes with excellent resistance to various mechanical stresses, including tensile, nanoindentation, scratch, and dynamic bending tests. ZP symmetric cells achieve stable cycling at capacities of 2 and 5 mAh cm−2. In addition, DDP functions as an iodine cathode, effectively mitigating the polyiodide shuttle effect. The fabricated ZP/DDP||I2/DDP full cells demonstrate an excellent rate capability and cycling stability, even under a high-loading conditions. This study presents a novel approach for preparing stable ZP anodes and iodine cathodes, offering a promising strategy for large-scale applications.

Rhodium-carbon coordination-based 2D metal-organic frameworks are rationally synthesized and exhibit ultra-narrow bandgaps (0.10–0.28 eV) and intrinsic charge mobilities up to 560 ± 46 cm2 V−1 s−1 via time-resolved terahertz spectroscopy.

2D metal-organic frameworks (2D MOFs) are emerging organic van der Waals materials with great potential in various applications owing to their structural diversity, and tunable optoelectronic properties. So far, most reported 2D MOFs rely on metal-heteroatom coordination (e.g., metal–nitrogen, metal–oxygen, and metal–sulfur); synthesis of metal-carbon coordination based 2D MOFs remains a formidable challenge. This study reports the rhodium–carbon (Rh–C) coordination-based 2D MOFs, using isocyanide as the ligand and Rh(I) as metal node. The synthesized MOFs show excellent crystallinity with quasi-square lattice networks. These MOFs show ultra-narrow bandgaps (0.1–0.28 eV) resulting from the interaction between Rh(I) and isocyano groups. Terahertz spectroscopy demonstrates exceptional short-range charge mobilities up to 560 ± 46 cm2 V−1 s−1 in the as-synthesized MOFs. Moreover, these MOFs are used as electrocatalysts for nitrogen reduction reaction and show an excellent NH3 yield rate of 56.0 ± 1.5 µg h−1 mgcat −1 and a record Faradaic efficiency of 87.1 ± 1.8%. In situ experiments reveal dual pathways involving Rh(I) during the catalytic process. This work represents a pioneering step toward 2D MOFs based on metal–carbon coordination and paves the way for novel reticular materials with ultra-high carrier mobility and for versatile optoelectronic devices.

An electric power generating cell is developed based on potential difference driven reversible ion migration, which generates ultra-long life electric output over 8-month with a high short-circuit of over 40 mA and output power density of up to 6 W m−2, surpassing the values reported for many other sorts of typical electricity generators.

Sustainable energy supply without relying on external power sources is one of the bottlenecks in achieving self-supportive wearable electronics and Internet-of-things (IoT) systems. Here a new type of universally applicable and ultra-long life cyclic power generation is developed induced by interfacial redox reaction-mediated ion-oscillation, which can provide cycling electric energy in a self-charging manner without extra pre-charge. Based on asymmetric manganese dioxide and molybdenum disulfide electrode pairs, the proof-concept electric potential difference power generating cell (EPDC) offers ultra-long life electric output over 8-month testing period for tens of thousands of cycles. A layer-stacking EPDC unit supplies a high direct current of more than 40 mA and a power density of ≈6 W m−2. Such recyclable power-generating process mainly relies on reversible ion migration at an asymmetric interface in response to relative variation of electric potentials. The universal applicability of EPDC is validated by a combination of diverse electrode pairs. Large-scale manufacture of EPDCs is achievable by industry-compatible auto-blade coating technology with on-demand power output, providing a long-acting power supply platform for self-charging electronic systems.

Ultralong organic phosphorescence (UOP) nanocrystals have attracted great attention in the field of in vivo optical imaging due to their ability to effectively minimize the interference of fluorescence background from biological tissues. In this work, a bottom-up strategy is proposed for preparing UOP nanocrystals with different crystal forms for in vivo biological imaging.

Ultralong organic phosphorescence (UOP) materials are valuable for biological imaging to avoid interference from fluorescence background signals because of their delayed emission property. Obtaining nanocrystals with high phosphorescence quantum yield is a critical factor to achieve high-quality UOP imaging. Herein, a pair of host–guest UOP doped system with variable crystal forms for the host is constructed. By exploring the relationship between the crystal form of the host and the UOP of the doped system, the importance of host crystal form is revealed to achieve high quantum yield UOP in doped systems. Furthermore, to overcome the low crystallinity and numerous defects faced by traditional bottom-up strategies for nanocrystal preparation, a strategy is proposed for the selective preparation of nanocrystals with the target crystal form. Through controlling the evaporation rate of the solvent, the ordered growth of crystals can be effectively regulated to obtain nanocrystals with different crystal forms for bioimaging applications.

A chiral ground state of ferroelectric smectric is discovered which emerges in an achiral rod mesogen. This is not due to the torque-driven effect on the surface. The research confirms that the polar smectric blocks are twisted despite its high elasticity. Such a structure is predominantly generated in molecules with larger dipole moments, smaller dipole angles, and smaller aspect ratios.

In soft matter, the polar orientational order of molecules can facilitate the coexistence of structural chirality and ferroelectricity. The ferroelectric nematic (NF) state, exhibited by achiral calamitic molecules with large dipole moments, serves as an ideal model for the emergence of spontaneous structural chirality. This chiral ground state arises from a left- or right-handed twist of polarization due to depolarization effects. In contrast, the ferroelectric smectic state, characterized by a polar lamellar structure with lower symmetry, experiences significantly higher energy associated with layer-twisting deformations and the formation of domain walls, thus avoiding a continuously twisted layered structure. In this study, two types of achiral molecules (BOE-NO2 and DIOLT) are reported that possess different molecular structures but exhibit a NF–ferroelectric smectic phase sequence. It is demonstrated that the chiral ground state of NF is inherited in the ferroelectric smectic phases of BOE-NO2 , which features larger dipole moments and a steric hindrance moiety, thereby triggering the formation of the twisted polar smectic blocks.

This work opens the avenue to molecular-level modulation in organic precursors for developing high-performance hard carbon in sodium-ion batteries. The highly cross-linked polymeric network in the precursor is constructed by unique molecular stitching strategy. The network evolves into highly twisted graphitic lattices with abundant closed ultramicro-pores (<0.3 nm), thereby enabling the storage of massive sodium clusters in hard carbon.

High energy density of sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) requires high low-voltage capacity and initial Coulombic efficiency for hard carbon. However, simultaneously achieving both characteristics is a substantial challenge. Herein, a unique molecular stitching strategy is proposed to edit the polymeric structure of common starch for synthesizing cost-effective hard carbon (STHC-MS). A mild air-heating treatment toward starch is employed to trigger the esterification reaction between carboxyl and hydroxy groups, which can effectively connect the branched polysaccharide chains thereby constructing a highly cross-linked polymeric network. In contrast with the pristine branched-chain starch, the cross-linking structured precursor evolves into highly twisted graphitic lattices creating a large population of closed ultramicro-pores (<0.3 nm) enabling the storage of massive sodium clusters. Resultantly, STHC-MS delivers a reversible capacity of 348 mAh g−1 with a remarkable low-voltage (below 0.1 V) capacity of 294 mAh g−1, which becomes more attractive by combining the high initial Coulombic efficiency of 93.3%. Moreover, STHC-MS exhibits outstanding stability of 0.008% decay per cycle over 4800 cycles at 1 A g−1. STHC-MS||Na3V2(PO3)4 full cells achieve an energy density of 266 Wh kg−1, largely surpassing the commercial hard carbon-based counterpart. This work opens the avenue of molecular-level modulation in organic precursors for developing high-performance hard carbon in SIBs.

Resolving dynamically fine structure of electrocatalysts is realized by advanced X-ray spectroscopies. Based on a case study of operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy at various beamlines, potential artifacts generated by X-ray irradiation are validated and it is identified whether the dynamic behaviors are electrochemical reaction related. A practical protocol is proposed for conducting reliable X-ray spectroscopic measurements for accurate spectra interpretation.

Although numerous techniques are developed to enable real-time understanding of dynamic interactions at the solid–liquid interface during electrochemical reactions, further progress in the development of these methods over the last several decades has faced challenges. With the rapid development of high-brilliance synchrotron sources, operando X-ray spectroscopies have become increasingly popular for revealing interfacial features and catalytic mechanisms in electrocatalysis. Nevertheless, the resulting spectra are highly sensitive to factors such as X-ray radiation, reaction environment, and acquisition procedures, all of which may potentially introduce artifacts that are often overlooked, leading to misinterpretations of electrocatalytic behaviors. In this perspective, several emerging hard X-ray spectroscopies used in electrocatalysis research are reviewed, highlighting their electronic transition processes, detection modes, and functional complementarity. Significantly, based on a case study of operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy at various beamlines, potential artifacts generated by X-ray irradiation are systematically investigated through photon-flux density-, dose-, and time-dependent studies of typical copper electrocatalysts. Accordingly, a practical protocol for conducting reliable X-ray spectroscopic measurements in operando electrocatalytic studies to minimize potential artifacts that can affect the resulting X-ray spectra, thereby ensuring accurate interpretation and a deeper understanding of interfacial interactions and electrocatalytic mechanisms, is established.

An n-doped ETL, that is c-NDI-Br:PEI with high electrical conductivity, strong work function modification ability and good solvent resistance, is developed via a simple in situ cross-linking reaction. The tandem OPVs, with the all-solution-processed organic/organic ICL (m-PEDOT:PSS/c-NDI-Br:PEI) achieve 20.06% efficiency under solar radiation, and 38.50% efficiency under 808 nm laser. This study provides a new method to design high-perfoimance ICLs.

With merits of good solution processability, intrinsic flexibility, etc, organic/organic interconnecting layers (ICLs) are highly desirable for tandem organic photovoltaics (OPVs). Herein, an n-doped cross-linked organic electron transport layer (ETL), named c-NDI-Br:PEI is developed, via a simple in situ quaternization reaction between bromopentyl-substituted naphthalene diimide derivative (NDI-Br) and polyethylenimine (PEI). Due to strong self-doping, c-NDI-Br:PEI films exhibit a high electrical conductivity (0.06 S cm−1), which is important for efficient hole and electron reombination in ICL of tandem OPVs. In addition, the cross-linked ETLs show strong work function modulation ability, and good solvent-resistance. The above features enable c-NDI-Br:PEI to function as an efficient ETL not only for single-junction OPVs, but also for tandem devices without any metal layer in ICL. Under solar radiation, the single-junction device with c-NDI-Br:PEI as ETL achieves a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 18.18%, surpassing the ZnO-based device (17.09%). The homo- and hetero-tandem devices with m-PEDOT:PSS:c-NDI-Br:PEI as ICL exhibit remarkable PCEs of 19.06% and 20.06%, respectively. Under 808 nm laser radiation with a photon flux of 57 mW cm−2, the homo-tandem device presents a superior PCE of 38.5%. This study provides a new ETL for constructing all-solution-processed organic/organic ICL, which can be integrated in flexible and wearable devices.

To concurrently improve activity and stability for seawater electrolysis under high current densities, the problems of firm adherence and coverage of H2 bubbles with core/shell nanoarrays, addressed which further regulates the interfacial H2O activity to reduce overpotentials, hence highlighting its potential as a sustainable and economically feasible application for large-scale hydrogen production.

The catalytic activity and stability under high current densities for hydrogen evolution reactions (HER) are impeded by firm adherence and coverage of H2 bubbles to the catalytic sites. Herein, we systematically synthesize core/shell nanoarrays to engineer bubble transport channels, which further remarkably regulate interfacial H2O activity, and swift H2 bubble generation and release. The self-supported catalyst holds uniform ultra-low Ru active sites of 0.38 wt% and promotes the rapid formation of plentiful small H2 bubbles, which are rapidly released by the upright channels, mitigating the blockage of active sites and avoiding surface damage from bubble movements. As a result, these core/shell nanoarrays achieve ultralow overpotentials of 18 and 24 mV to reach 10 mA cm−2 for HER in 1 M KOH freshwater and seawater, respectively. Additionally, the assembled electrolyzer demonstrates stable durability over 800 hours with a high current density of 2 A cm−2 in 1 M KOH seawater. The techno-economic analysis (TEA) indicates that the unit cost of the hydrogen production system is nearly half of the DOE's (Department of Energy) 2026 target. Our work addresses the stability challenges of HER and highlights its potential as a sustainable and economically feasible solution for large-scale hydrogen production of seawater.

An amplified sensing strategy is reported in the second near-infrared long-wavelength (NIR-II-L, 1500–1900 nm) window for non-invasivel in situ visualization of early cancerization biomarker miRNA-21, providing a promising alternative for early diagnosis of cancerization and a guidance for therapeutic management.

Accurate, sensitive, and in situ visualization of aberrant expression level of low-abundant biomolecules is crucial for early colorectal cancer (CRC) detection ahead of tumor morphology change. However, the clinical used colonoscopy and biopsy methods are invasive and lack of sensitivity at early-stage of cancerization. Here, an amplified sensing strategy is developed in the second near-infrared long-wavelength subregion (NIR-II-L, 1500–1900 nm) by integrating DNAzyme-triggered signal amplification technology and lanthanide-dye hybrid system. In the early-stage of CRC, the overexpressed biomarker microRNA-21 initiates the NIR-II-L luminescence ratiometric signal amplification of the CRCsensor. The high sensitivity with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.26 pm allows non-invasive visualization of orthotopic colorectal cancerization via rectal administration, which achieves early and accurate in situ diagnosis at 2 weeks ahead of the in vitro histological results. This innovative approach offers a promising tool for early diagnosis and long-term monitoring of carcinogenesis progression, with potential applications in other cancer-related biomarkers.

This study explores 2D ferroelectric CuCrP2S6 for developing advanced NC-FET technology. Using MoS2 as the channel material, NC-FETs with optimized capacitance matching conditions achieve ultra-steep subthreshold swings (12 mV dec−1) and negligible hysteresis. A resistor-loaded inverter operating at 0.2 V with hysteresis-free characteristics highlights the potential of engineered 2D ferroelectrics for next-generation low-power electronics.

The relentless pursuit of miniaturization and reduced power consumption in information technology demands innovative device architectures. Negative capacitance field-effect transistors (NC-FETs) offer a promising solution by harnessing the negative capacitance effect of ferroelectric materials to amplify gate voltage and achieve steep subthreshold swings (SS). In this work, 2D van der Waals (vdW) ferroelectric CuCrP2S6 (CCPS) is employed as the gate dielectric to realize hysteresis-free NC-FETs technology. Scanning microwave impedance microscopy (sMIM) is employed to investigate the dielectric property of CCPS, revealing a thickness-independent dielectric constant of ≈35. Subsequently, NC-FETs are fabricated with MoS2 channel, and the capacitance matching conditions are meticulously investigated. The optimized devices exhibit simultaneously ultra-steep SS (≈12 mV dec−1) and negligible hysteresis, with immunity to both voltage scan range and scan rate. Finally, a resistor-loaded inverter is demonstrated manifesting a low operation voltage down to 0.2 V and hysteresis-free transfer characteristics. This work paves the way for the development of high-performance, low-power electronics by exploiting 2D vdW ferroelectric materials.

Combining in situ scanning transmission electron microscopy imaging with machine learning-based image analysis, this study directly visualizes and tracks dynamic restructuring in reducible oxide catalysts for green methanol synthesis. The findings reveal how supports modulate dynamic behaviors of reaction-induced InO x species, underpinning the superior methanol productivity of the In2O3/m-ZrO2 catalyst.

Supported reducible oxides, such as indium oxide on monoclinic zirconia (In2O3/m-ZrO2), are promising catalysts for green methanol synthesis via CO2 hydrogenation. Growing evidence suggests that dynamic restructuring under reaction conditions plays a crucial but poorly understood role in catalytic performance. To address this, the direct visualization of the state-of-the-art In2O3/m-ZrO2 catalyst under CO2 hydrogenation conditions (T  =  553 K, P  =  1.9 bar, CO2:H2  =  1:4) is pioneered using in situ scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), comparing its behavior to In2O3 on supports with similar (tetragonal, t-ZrO2 or anatase TiO2) or lower (LSm-ZrO2) surface areas. Complementary in situ infrared spectroscopy and catalytic tests confirm methanol formation under equivalent conditions. A machine-learning-based difference imaging approach differentiates and ranks restructuring patterns, revealing that partially reduced InO x species on m-ZrO2 undergo cyclic aggregation-redispersion via atomic surface migration, maintaining high active phase dispersion. High-resolution ex situ STEM analysis further shows the epitaxial formation of In2O3 mono- and bilayers on (100) m-ZrO2 facets, highlighting strong oxide-support interactions. In contrast, sintering prevails on t-ZrO2, a-TiO2, and low-surface m-ZrO2, correlating with lower methanol productivity. This work underscores the pivotal role of oxide-support interfacial interactions in the reaction-induced restructuring of InO x species and establishes a framework for tracking nanoscale catalyst dynamics.

An intriguing metal was discovered in a chiral charge density wave material, 1T-TaS2. The random substitution of S by Se induces a transition from an insulator to a metal with a strongly suppressed electron density at the Fermi energy. The pseudogap comes from electronic disorder on with substantial electron correlation and exhibits unprecedented chirality, which may induce exotic superconductivity.

The emergence of a pseudogap is a hallmark of anomalous electronic states formed through substantial manybody interaction but the mechanism of the pseudogap formation and its role in related emerging quantum states such as unconventional superconductivity remain largely elusive. Here, the emergence of an unusual pseudogap in a representative van der Waals chiral charge density wave (CDW) materials with strong electron correlation, 1T-TaS2 is reported, through isoelectronic substitute of S. The evolution of electronic band dispersions of 1T-TaS2 − x Se x (0 ⩽ x ⩽ 2) is systematically investigated using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES). The results show that the Se substitution induces a quantum transition from an insulating to a pseudogap metallic phase with the CDW order preserved. Moreover, the asymmetry of the pseudogap spectral function is found, which reflects the chiral nature of CDW structure. The present observation is contrasted with the previous suggestions of a Mott transition driven by band width control or charge transfer. Instead, the pseudogap phase is attributed to a disordered Mott insulator in line with the recent observation of substantial lateral electronic disorder. These findings provide a unique electronic system with chiral pseudogap, where the complex interplay between CDW, chirality, disorder, and electronic correlation may lead to unconventional emergent physics.

This work proposes an approach for the efficient generation of manifold acoustic holograms underwater by using high-pixel-array binary metasurfaces. Beyond generating simple-pattern holograms, it is shown that increasing the pixel numbers within a single metasurface allows for the creation of 2D/3D complex holographic fields. Moreover, it is demonstrated that holograms at multiple depths or frequencies can be encoded within one metasurface, thereby enhancing its information capacity. This work holds significant potential for applications in fields such as biomedical imaging and non-contact particle manipulation.

Acoustic holograms using artificial materials have become an area of intense interest in acoustics due to the great potential in various applications such as medical imaging, underwater detection and object manipulation, etc. In this article, a general approach is proposed for designing high-pixel-array binary metasurfaces and then fabricating the intricate ultrathin structures via picosecond laser processing for implementing high-resolution manifold holograms in far fields. The angular spectrum propagation is utilized in combination with the forward optimization, instead of the Rayleigh-Sommerfeld integral, to efficiently simulate far-field holograms at the target plane. To obtain manifold acoustic holograms in the planes at different depths, zero-padding is utilized to break the tight constraint of sampling theorem. Benefiting from the realizable high-pixel-array binary metasurface, e.g., the number of pixels ≈90 000 or even more, high-resolution complicated holograms can be readily achieved. As an example, multi-depth holography, multi-frequency holography, and sophisticated holography are generated via binary metasurfaces. The functional meta-devices based on ultrasound amplitude modulations provide more opportunities for exploring practical applications of acoustic metamaterials.

This review highlights the unique autonomous features of silk fibroin (SF), including self-healing, shape-morphing, and biodegradability, which enable its integration into bioelectronics. Key applications such as smart textiles, epidermal sensors, and adaptable implants are explored. The discussion addresses challenges in scalability, reproducibility, and bio-integration while presenting future directions for sustainable and multifunctional silk-based technologies.

The development of autonomous bioelectronic devices capable of dynamically adapting to changing biological environments represents a significant advancement in healthcare and wearable technologies. Such systems draw inspiration from the precision, adaptability, and self-regulation of biological processes, requiring materials with intrinsic versatility and seamless bio-integration to ensure biocompatibility and functionality over time. Silk fibroin (SF) derived from Bombyx mori cocoons, has emerged as an ideal biomaterial with a unique combination of biocompatibility, mechanical flexibility, and tunable biodegradability. Adding autonomous features into SF, including self-healing, shape-morphing, and controllable degradation, enables dynamic interactions with living tissues while minimizing immune responses and mechanical mismatches. Additionally, structural tunability and environmental sustainability of SF further reinforce its potential as a platform for adaptive implants, epidermal electronics, and intelligent textiles. This review explores recent progress in understanding the structure–property relationships of SF, its modification strategies, and its great potential for integration into advanced autonomous bioelectronic systems while addressing challenges related to scalability, reproducibility, and multifunctionality. Future opportunities, such as AI-assisted material design, scalable fabrication techniques, and the incorporation of wireless and personalized technologies, are also discussed, positioning SF as a key material in bridging the gap between biological systems and artificial technologies.

Creating sulfur-vacancy-rich tungsten sulfide into composite polymer electrolyte enables homogeneous high-throughput Li-ion transport (ultra-high ionic conductivity of 1.9 × 10−3 S cm−1 at 25 °C) and uniform lithium deposition (ultra-long lifetime of over 5500 h in Li||Li cells). The sulfurized polyacrylonitrile||Li solid pouch cell exhibits an initial discharge-specific capacity of 1048 mAh g−1, resulting in a total capacity of 0.524 Ah.

Solid polymer electrolytes are emerging as a key component for solid-state lithium metal batteries, offering a promising combination of large-scale processability and high safety. However, challenges remain, including limited ion transport and the unstable solid electrolyte interphase, which result in unsatisfactory ionic conductivity and uncontrollable lithium dendrite growth. To address these issues, a high-throughput Li-ion transport pathway is developed by incorporating tungsten sulfide enriched with sulfur vacancies (SVs) into a poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene)-based composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs). The SVs strong interaction in the CPEs facilitates homogeneous high-throughput Li-ion transport 1.9 × 10−3 S cm−1 at 25 °C) by enhancing the dissociation of lithium salts and effectively creates ample interfaces with the polymer chains to reduce the formation of inner vacuities. Moreover, the SVs confine FSI− anions, while the electron-rich environment induced by sulfur atoms promotes the preferential degradation of bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide anions, ensuring uniform lithium deposition. This fosters the formation of inorganic nanocrystals on the lithium anode and effectively suppresses dendrite growth, enabling an ultra-long lifetime of over 5500 h in Li||Li symmetric cells. When paired with sulfurized polyacrylonitrile cathode, a pouch cell capacity of 0.524 Ah is achieved, demonstrating the effectiveness of a homogeneous, high-throughput Li-ions transport mechanism.

Strategically engineered Ru0.8Ir0.2Ox ultrathin nanosheets with high-density grain boundaries exhibit enhanced oxygen evolution reaction performance in proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers. This design optimizes Ru-Ir interactions and charge distribution, reducing overpotential to 189 mV for 10 mA cm−2 and maintaining stability for >1000 h at industrial-scale current density. This advancement offers a pathway to efficient, cost-effective green hydrogen production.

The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWE) has long stood as a formidable challenge for green hydrogen sustainable production, hindered by sluggish kinetics, high overpotentials, and poor durability. Here, these barriers are transcended through a novel material design: strategic engineering of high-density grain boundaries within solid-solution Ru0.8Ir0.2Ox ultrathin nanosheets. These carefully tailored grain boundaries and synergistic Ir─Ru interactions, reduce the coordination of Ru atoms and optimize the distribution of charge, thereby enhancing both the catalytic activity and stability of the nanosheets, as verified by merely requiring an overpotential of 189 mV to achieve 10 mA cm−2 in acidic electrolyte. In situ electrochemical techniques, complemented by theoretical calculations, reveal that the OER follows an adsorption evolution mechanism, demonstrating the pivotal role of grain boundary engineering and electronic modulation in accelerating reaction kinetics. Most notably, the Ru0.8Ir0.2Ox exhibits outstanding industrial-scale performance in PEMWE, reaching 4.0 A cm−2 at 2 V and maintaining stability for >1000 h at 500 mA cm−2. This efficiency reduces hydrogen production costs to $0.88 kg−1. This work marks a transformative step forward in designing efficient, durable OER catalysts, offering a promising pathway toward hydrogen production technologies and advancing the global transition to sustainable energy.

In kagome lattice magnet Mn₃GaC, controllable multiple spin states with giant baro-magnetoresistance effect, which can enhance magnetic storage, are achieved by manipulating spin rotation within the spin-polarized plane through applied pressure. These multiple spin states originate from the synergistic mechanism between spin frustration and spin polarization.

Strongly correlated magnets, exhibiting distinctive spin properties such as spin-orbit coupling, spin polarization, and chiral spin, are regarded as the next-generation high-density magnetic storage materials in spintronics. Nevertheless, owing to intricate spin interactions, realizing controllable spin arrangement and high-density magnetic storage remains a formidable challenge. Here, controllable multiple spin states induced by the baromagnetic effect in kagome lattice magnet Mn₃GaC are first reported, achieved by manipulating spin rotation within the spin-polarized plane employing pressure. Neutron diffraction refinement and specific heat measurements under pressure, combined with first-principles calculations, demonstrate that multiple spin states are originating from the synergistic mechanism between spin frustration and spin polarization related to the lifting of degeneracy in electronic microstates. Electrical transport measurements under pressure reveal that multiple spin states exhibit giant baro-magnetoresistance effect, enabling enhanced storage density in spintronics via multi-logic state applications. Integrating the pressure response and microscopic behaviors of spins, a comprehensive p-T-H phase diagram is constructed, offering a novel and robust framework for multi-logic states. These findings provide critical insights into controllable spin states, opening a new avenue for high-density magnetic storage through multiple spin states.