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

In the containerless experiment conducted in space, a spatially ordered separation of dendritic and eutectic regions is observed on the surface of Nb-Si alloy. Furthermore, the space fluid flow induces a dynamic localization effect in the growth patterns of these dendrites and eutectics. These findings provide new insights into in-situ manufacturing and controlled growth of crystals in space environments.

Conventional solidification theory asserts that eutectic phases solidify into only one specific morphology at a fixed undercooling when volume effects are negligible, while dendrites adopt rotationally parabolic tips. Here, experiments aboard China Space Station reveal that space fluid flow localization reshapes these dynamics: confined solute-thermal coupling near solid-liquid interfaces drives transitions among three eutectic growth patterns (worm-like, lamellar, faceted). Simultaneously, Marangoni convection at large undercoolings induces non-parabolic dendritic tip morphologies (dome-like, finger-like, needle-like). Spatially ordered separation of eutectic and dendritic zones is governed by localized spherically symmetric temperature and concentration fields arising from space fluid flow, whereas buoyancy-driven convection in terrestrial gravity environment disrupts this ordering, perturbing phase domain distributions. When solidified at a small undercooling, the weak convection during late stage preserves the near-perfect symmetry of dendrites under microgravity. These findings uncover novel dendritic and eutectic growth patterns under microgravity and may be applied to in-situ space manufacturing and controlled growth of crystals.

A novel Li-NOx battery chemistry achieves reversible 3.8 V operation by harnessing the cage effect of nitrogen oxide (NO) radicals. This strategy establishes a viable NOx redox mechanism for high-voltage energy storage and presents a sustainable route for NOx valorization.

The utilization of redox-active gas as cathode materials has been proposed as a promising approach to meet the demand for next-generation battery technologies. Toward this end, nitrogen oxides (NOx)—inexpensive, abundant gases readily produced from ammonia on an industrial scale—is a promising energy storage media; however, its utilization as cathode material has not been achieved. In this work, the cage effect of NO and NO2 radicals are utilized to stabilize the charge product of Li-NOx cell as N2O3. This cell operates via reversible redox of LiNO3 to N2O3, achieving a specific capacity of 1,570 mA h gcarbon −1 or 25 mA h cmelectrode −2 at a full cell voltage of 3.85 V with an average energy efficiency of 89% at a current density up to 2 mA cmelectrode −2. These metrics represent one of the highest areal capacity, current density, cell voltage, and energy efficiency reported for a metal-gas cells.

To address memristor reliability issues caused by stochastic carrier transport, long-range ordered quantum dot (QD) superlattices with strong quantum coupling are constructed via a dual-ligand strategy, minimizing energetic and positional disorder from atomic-scale QDs to macroscopic devices. This enhanced coupling surpasses localized quantum-confined states, ensuring stable, efficient carrier transport and yielding remarkable performance enhancements in neuromorphic computing.

Bio-inspired neuromorphic computing based on memristors holds significant potential for performing massively parallel computational tasks with high accuracy. However, its practical application is significantly limited by poor reliability, primarily due to instability in carrier transport. Here, long-range ordered quantum dot (QD) superlattices with strong quantum coupling is presented to enable carrier transport stability and improve device reliability. Leveraging a data-assisted QD synthesis optimization loop, Cu12Sb4S13 QDs are synthesized with precisely controlled growth kinetics, crystal orientation, and surface chemistry. These QDs self-assemble into long-range ordered superlattices on flexible substrates, achieving a 56% reduction in inter-dot spacing (to 0.92 nm), aligned lattice orientations, and a 4.4-fold increase in carrier mobility. This architecture enables strong quantum coupling, effectively overcoming the limitations imposed by localized quantum-confined states. As a result, the QD-based memristors exhibit remarkable reliability, with variations below 0.1% over 8.4 × 107 s of continuous operation and 106 rapid read cycles. They further demonstrate linear potentiation and depression characteristics (vp = 2.03 and vd = 2.33), a wide conductance range (Gmax/Gmin = 264), and high recognition accuracy (93.31%) as validated by chip-level convolutional neural network simulations. This work establishes a robust and flexible platform for memristor-based neuromorphic computing, offering a promising route to overcoming critical challenges in device reliability and computational performance.

A unique double-drive WEG (DWEG) is developed with excellent electrical output performance (>1 V, >1 µA cm−2) in multiple water sources and unveil the corresponding double-drive operation mechanism. Not limited to liquid water sources, DWEG can also generate sustainable electricity through the spontaneous harvesting of minimal water from the soil, even in low-temperature (−12 °C) environments.

Restricted electrical output and the heavy reliance on liquid water sources severely limit the further development of water evaporation-induced generators (WEGs) based on the inherently slow phase transition of water molecules. Here, inspired by the rolling logs to transport boulders, a double-drive WEG (DWEG) is developed, in which double ionic circulations and ion-electronic friction provide intensive horsepower and grip for energy capture. DWEGs applied in deionized water can continuously generate a high voltage of 1.13 V and a stable current of 10.54 µA (1.76 µA cm−2) under ambient conditions (≈20 °C, ≈43% RH). In addition, benefiting from the high osmotic pressure and mechanical strength of ionized composite hydrogels, DWEGs can be directly plugged into soil with minimal water (as little as 12.5 wt.%) to generate electricity, eliminating the reliance on a liquid water source. Interestingly, a high electrical output (0.65 V, 0.89 µA) is sustained (>60 h) at low-temperature (e.g., −12 °C), overcoming the temporal and geographical restrictions of conventional WEGs in their practical applications.

Based on the electronegativity difference between oxygen and sulfur element, we designed and implemented ruthenium and oxygen co-modified Zn3In2S6, which achieved controllable reverse photo-generated charge transfer. This carrier transportation enhanced the d-p orbital hybridization between ruthenium and oxygen, promoting efficient charge redistribution, strong oxygen adsorption and activation, ultimately leading to superior hydrogen peroxide evolution rate.

Artificial photosynthesis is emerging as a promising approach for sustainable H2O2 production. However, controlling the electronic structure and charge carrier dynamics to enhance oxygen adsorption and activation remains a major challenge. Here, ruthenium and oxygen co-modified Zn3In2S₆ (O-Ru-ZIS) is presented, a catalyst design to achieve reverse photogenerated carrier transfer through tailored electronic modulation. The introduction of oxygen atoms, with higher electronegativity than sulfur, induces significant surface charge redistribution and transforms the Ru─S coordination environment from Ru─S4 (in Ru-ZIS) to Ru-S₁O3 (in O-Ru-ZIS), as revealed by synchrotron radiation X-ray absorption spectroscopy (SR-XAS). This structural transition drives a reversal in charge carrier transfer pathways: in Ru-ZIS, photogenerated electrons transfer from Ru sites to In sites, whereas in O-Ru-ZIS, electrons transfer from In sites to Ru sites, as validated by in situ XPS and fs-TA spectra. This reverse charge transfer enhances d–p orbital hybridization between Ru and O2, facilitating efficient charge redistribution, strong oxygen adsorption, and activation. In situ spectroscopic studies and density functional theory (DFT) calculations further corroborate these mechanistic insights. As a result, the O-Ru-ZIS catalyst exhibits a photocatalytic H2O2 evolution rate of 3659 µmol g−1 h−1 under ambient conditions without requiring sacrificial agents, significantly outperforming conventional Zn3In2S6-based systems and other reported photocatalysts for H2O2 photosynthesis.

This study presents a new design paradigm for electrical confinement materials (ECMs) aimed at water purification, utilizing the energy equivalence design principle to achieve optimized reaction kinetics efficacy. This approach provides a scalable strategy for fabricating high-performance ECMs, effectively overcoming the limitations associated with small-scale material synthesis and enhancing anti-fouling capabilities in response to environmental disturbances.

Electrochemical water treatment is a promising sustainable environmental remediation technology due to its eco-friendliness, ease of control, and significant effectiveness in degrading organic pollutants. The electrical confinement materials (ECMs) exhibit enhanced mass transfer characteristics that substantially reduce energy consumption and reaction time within the system. In this study, the design strategies of ECMs are evaluated from the perspective of trade-offs in equivalent energy drives, including pressure-driven and electric-driven forms. The reaction efficiency and the potential for interface anti-fouling are investigated across confined spatial scales. These findings indicate that, in scenarios characterized by the equivalent energy input principle, the ECMs can effectively address the challenges associated with material spatial scale design. This advancement facilitates the achievement of energy equivalence in the water purification process, particularly in addressing significant application challenges related to loading catalytic layers within confined channels. The result on the anti-fouling potential of ECMs indicates that an interface oxidation mechanism dominated by hydroxyl radicals is more effective in resisting electrode deactivation caused by dissolved natural polymers in the water matrix. This study offers key insights for designing anti-fouling and energy-saving interfaces with efficient mass transfer in water treatment, enhancing the potential of electrochemical methods.

A stable 3D hydrogen-bonded organic crystal is reported to exhibit extraordinary anhydrous superprotonic conductivity for promising application as a solid electrolyte in high-temperature fuel cells.

A Hydrogen-Bonded Organic Crystal (HOC-88) is reported that achieves unprecedented anhydrous superprotonic conductivity through a molecular topology-driven hierarchical assembly strategy. Single-crystal analysis uncovers a saddle-distorted π-conjugated monomer with eight phenolic hydroxyl groups, whose synergistic geometric confinement enables spontaneous formation of self-templated 3D proton highways-a phenomenon yet to be observed in crystalline organic conductors. The double torsion of the π-system induces helical cooperativity between hydrogen-bonded lamellae and π–π stacked columns, generating interconnected proton pathways with negative thermal expansion behavior along the c-axis. This unique mechanism allows HOC-88 to maintain ultrastable proton conduction without humidity dependence, surpassing all known HOCs and routing state-of-the-art MOF/COF analogues. Crucially, the framework demonstrates chemical omniphobicity-retaining crystallinity in boiling water (100 °C), concentrated acid (0.5 m H2SO4 and 1 m HCl), and 300 °C in air conditions. When deployed in an H2-O2 fuel cell prototype, it establishes the first experimental evidence of HOC operating in practical high-temperature electrochemical devices. The findings reveal that controlled helical distortion in π-systems can programmatically dictate long-range proton ordering, opening an unexplored dimension for designing next-generation solid electrolytes.

Stimulus-responsive materials (SRMs) hold great promise for use in a wide range of biomedical applications. This review covers four stimulus modalities, namely, electrical, optical, magnetic, and ultrasound, and their associated SRMs. It provides a summary of the materials in each modality, their development, and current research perspectives. This review also provides a detailed analysis of the key challenges for translating these SRM technologies into clinical use.

Stimuli-responsive materials (SRMs) are materials that change properties when exposed to external or internal stimuli. They respond to physiological changes within cells and tissues, as well as external triggers including light, magnetic fields, ultrasound, and electricity. In medicine, SRMs have diverse applications spanning drug delivery, tissue engineering, and diagnostics. They enable targeted drug release at specific times and locations, facilitate tissue generation and repair, and enhance disease detection capabilities. Beyond medical uses, SRMs are employed in smart coatings and artificial muscle systems. The breadth of biomedical applications for SRMs is extensive, generating substantial research into novel and innovative material development. Challenges in creating safe and efficient SRMs for medical treatments have driven innovative approaches in two key areas: functionalizing and modifying naturally occurring materials and developing new synthetic nanomaterials. The complexity of producing effective SRMs has necessitated creative solutions to overcome safety and efficiency barriers in medical applications. This ongoing research continues to expand the potential therapeutic uses of these responsive materials. This review examines literature focused on SRM development for external stimuli responses, particularly light, magnetic fields, ultrasound, and electricity, rather than covering the complete spectrum of stimuli-responsive applications.

Inspired by the working principle of membrane-free organelles for the construction of biological cells, a self-assembly strategy of photopolymerization-induced phase transition driving liquid-liquid phase separation is proposed to construct conductive nanochannels and abundant heterogeneous interface for the repairable and durable ultra–broadband electromagnetic wave absorber (<−10 dB from 5 to 40 GHz).

Ultra-broadband electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption depends on the balance of impedance matching and attenuation, which heavily rely on the structural integrity via rigorous production process or extreme reaction condition, constraining their applications particularly in biomedicine and flexible electronics. Here, a simple one-step method is proposed to access a flexible and repairable ultra-broadband EMW absorber by the photopolymerization of one common monomer in ionic liquid. The liquid-liquid phase separation process of poly (N-isopropyl acrylamide) and ionic liquid results in a high polymer content network comprising conductive nanochannels intertwined with abundant polymer chain/ionic liquid heterogeneous interface (basic unit < 20 nm). This strategy effectively achieves the balance of impedance matching and attenuation, and accesses the broadest effective absorption band in the single-layer absorbers (<−10 dB from 5 to 40 GHz). Moreover, the resultant polymer absorbers have high fracture strength (≈8.2 MPa), fracture energy (≈774 kJ m−2) and transparency (≈85%), while being highly stretchable (≈900% strain) and having repairable microwave absorption (≈97% repaired in effective absorption bandwidth). Overall, this work provides a general strategy for the fabrication of ultra-broadband EMW absorbers, which will promote potential advances in flexible electromagnetic materials.

A strategy utilizing a strain-induced intrinsic constraint with triamino-linear GA-acid is implemented to create anisotropic surface strain (ɛ = 0.53%–0.78%) on QDs for stabilizing the perovskite lattice. Simultaneously, modulation of Pb-I/O bonding and Pb-Pb spacing optimizes nonadiabatic coupling and enhances charge carrier transfer. Finally, FAPbI3 QDSCs achieved a PCE of 17.11%, while retaining 81.4% of initial PCE after 1000 h of aging.

Formamidinium lead iodide quantum dots (FAPbI3 QDs) are extensively utilized in photovoltaic applications due to their superior optoelectronic characteristics. Nonetheless, the weak ionic bonds within their soft lattice structure lead to structural deformation, which causes a disordered charge distribution of FAPbI3 QDs. Stress engineering not only can mitigate the inherent soft lattice by reinforcing ion bonds but also can promote electron localization, thus enhancing charge carrier transfer. This work introduces a strain-induced intrinsic constraint (SIC) strategy that employs steric bulk modulation of nitrogen-rich ligands to induce anisotropic surface strain (ɛ = 0.53–0.78) in FAPbI3 QDs. By systematically designing nitrogen-coordinating ligands, guanidinium acetate (GA-acid) is demonstrated to facilitate controlled anisotropic lattice strain by filling A-site vacancies while simultaneously establishing a self-reinforcing stress, which effectively strengthens the antibonding interaction of Pb-O/I and reduces Pb-Pb orbital overlap, resulting in “slow-thermalization and fast-transfer” synergy for enhanced charge transfer. The PQDSCs engineered using the SIC approach achieve a photoelectric conversion efficiency of 17.11% and a highest short-circuit current density of 20.96 mA·cm−2. It is anticipated that stress-induced modulation of nanocrystals offers a critical insight for advancing the photovoltaic performance of perovskite solar cells.

A novel additive, parecoxib (Pr), is presented to catalyze α-FAPbI3 crystallization in the antisolvent-free processes via multinary interactions to the precursor species. This measure provides effective regulation of perovskite crytallization, suppression of δ-FAPbI3, and passivation of grain boundaries. The as-made Cs-free FAPbI3 solar cell reaches a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 25.38%.

Antisolvent-free processes exhibit numerous advantages for fabricating perovskite solar cells (PSCs) while requiring exquisite control of nucleation and crystallization of perovskite film. Without the addition of Cs and Br species, more obstacles are faced for the preferred α-phase pure formamidinium lead triiodide (α-FAPbI3) to achieve high power conversion efficiency (PCE) and stability. In this work, a novel additive, parecoxib (Pr), is proposed, which catalyzes the direct crystallization of α-FAPbI3 through multinary interactions with the solvate perovskite precursor. Detailed molecular interactions and in situ analysis reveal that Pr provides nucleation sites, reduces the grain growth rate, suppresses the formation of δ-FAPbI3, and ultimately enhances the quality of the perovskite film. Furthermore, Pr can in situ passivate the grain boundaries, reduce nonradiative recombination, and enhance open-circuit voltage (V oc) up to 1.195 V. As a result, high-performance antisolvent-free α-FAPbI3 PSCs are achieved with the PCE reaching 25.38% and 19.64% for mini-modules (93 cm2). The unencapsulated device maintains 91.08% of the initial PCE for 1000 h at 85 °C, and 90.62% after 1000 h of maximum power point tracking.

An additive (NH4SCN) ligands-assisted perovskite crystallization dynamics regulation strategy is investigated in this work. Which is proved to modulate both the nucleation and crystal growth progresses synchronously in virtue of the interaction affinity between NH4 +/ SCN- ligands and the Pb─I framework or FA+. Ultimately, perovskite films with superior optoelectronic characteristics are achieved accompanied by a satisfactory performance of relevant PSCs.

Despite the dazzling progress since the emergence of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), a significant ideal-reality discrepancy with respect to the open-circuit voltage (V OC) still reminds the primarily weak parameter, inducing the limited power conversion efficiency (PCE) relative to its Shockley-Queisser theoretical limit. Eliminating the detrimental non-radiative recombination centers enriched at the surface/grain boundaries of perovskite films is generally regarded as the key approaches to bridge this gap. Herein, a perovskite crystallization dynamic regulation template is conducted to ensure the realization of both rapid nucleation and suppressed crystal growth through the synchronous incorporation of SCN− and volatility NH4 + ligands. Thereby promoting the formation of high-quality perovskite films with enlarged grain size, superior crystallinity, ordered surface texture and compensated residual strain. Notably, residual SCN− ligands detected in the buried interface of perovskite films is also inclined to serves as an interface passivators. In conjunction with the above analysis, desired perovskite films with decreased defect density and suppressed non-radiative recombination are acquired for the NH4SCN sample, leading to impressive power conversion efficiencies of 26.13% with one of the lowest V OC losses among all reported p-i-n structure PSCs, reaching 96.13% of their theoretical V OC limit.

LCE optical fiber artificial muscles achieve 40% contraction with precise waveguide control. By being integrated into bundles, LCEOFs exhibit multimodal actuation, including long-distance contraction (≥5 cm), sustaining weightlifting (>4000 times their own weight), omnidirectional bending (0–360°), and wide-range torsion (0–180°). Furthermore, the LCEOFs can be easily integrated into artificial hands and robotic systems for delicate, coordinated tasks in confined spaces.

Artificial muscles mimicking the fibrous structure and functionalities of natural skeletal muscles have garnered substantial interest for applications in actuators, soft robotics, and biomedical devices. However, achieving multidirectional actuation and delicate manipulation in confined environments remains challenging. Inspired by the neuromuscular system, a novel liquid crystal elastomer optical fiber (LCEOF) is introduced as artificial muscle with multimodal actuation and precise control. Fabricated through a two-step process, the LCEOFs possess sufficient orientation order (0.65) and low optical transmission loss (0.37 dB cm−1), enabling over 40% contraction strain with minimal ambient interference. Bundling multiple LCEOFs yields artificial arms capable of complicated and controllable deformations, including long-distance contraction (≥5 cm), weightlifting (>4000 times their own weight), wide-range torsion (0–180°), and omnidirectional bending (0–360°). Multimodal actuation is precisely and independently regulated via terminal-coupled laser inputs for each LCEOF in bundled arrays, enabling coordinated, crosstalk-free motions. These optical fiber artificial muscles allow precise and controllable operation of an artificial hand for grasping and manipulating objects, without reliance on free-space lateral illumination. Additionally, robotics systems incorporating bundles of LCEOFs have been designed and demonstrated for tasks such as laser writing and object transfer in confined environments, thereby offering new possibilities for the advancement of smart actuators.

This study synthesized innovative UV-responsive polyurethanes (NPE-PUs) containing azobenzene units and ionic liquid units, based on nanophotoelectric effect. The generators (NPEGs) from NPE-PUs rapidly yielded 36.57 V electrical signals under UV light. A 9 × 9 matrix of 81 NPEGs, mimicking human vision, achieved 96.22% accuracy in item identification. This comprehensive system advances bionic visual recognition and artificial intelligence fields.

Artificial photoreceptors utilizing piezoelectric polymers and semiconductors can convert external mechanical deformations, forces, or changes in light into electrical signals, making them essential for advanced optoelectronic sensors and smart wearable devices. However, this approach faces several challenges, including slow response time, weak signal, and high power consumption. This study synthesizes a series of polyurethanes containing azobenzene-based photoisomer units and ionic-liquid-based dipole units (comprising loose cation–anion pairs) based on the nanophotoelectric effect, wherein ultraviolet light induces isomerization of photoisomer segments and generates dynamic dipoles, creating equal amounts of charges with opposite signs at the electrodes. The nanophotoelectric generator achieves open-circuit voltage of 37 V, short-circuit current of 265 µA, and rapid response time of 7.5 µs under UV illumination. Furthermore, 81 individual nanophotoelectric generators are integrated into a 9 × 9 pixel array for a machine-learning-assisted system to accurately (96.22%) recognize different items, like human vision; it simultaneously executes super-resolution refinement on the acquired pixel images, further improving the identification results. Precise, efficient intelligent object recognition is thus attained through material innovation, and a comprehensive system is established that encompasses azobenzene–ionic-liquid copolymer preparation, device assembly, integration, signal acquisition, and machine learning, offering novel insights into bionic visual recognition systems.

The development of nature-inspired LCP actuators appears as a bridge between artificial systems and the natural biological intelligence. Here, an overview of the development and cutting-edge advancements is provided in nature-inspired LCP actuators, focusing on how alignment regulation and nano-composition influence their actuation modes and performance. Furthermore, an outlook is proposed for the LCP actuators closer to actual biological muscles and their potential in soft robotics.

Liquid crystal polymers (LCPs) that possess crosslinked networks and ordered alignment of mesogens are renowned for their large and reversible anisotropic deformation in response to external stimuli, which holds great potential in the burgeoning field of nature-inspired actuators and robots. Continuous efforts have been made in revealing the interplay between materials chemistry, processing, and alignment of LCPs, to broaden the actuation modes and enhance the actuation performance toward practical utilization. In this review, the advances in nature-inspired LCP actuators is focused with special attentions devoted in their mesogen alignment and the macroscopic geometry. Since the mesogen alignment is vital for the attainable actuation modes, the methods for alignment regulating are detailly combed, including surface-enforced alignment, field-assisted alignment, mechanical alignment, rheological alignment, and self-assembly. Subsequently, the composition of nanomaterials is futher surveyed in LCP actuators with a focus on enhancing the actuation performance. Finally, perspectives on the current challenges and potential development trends are discussed, which may shed light on future investigations.

A novel Pr3+-doped perovskite oxide (NaTaO3) that exhibits ultrasensitive mechanoluminescence (ML) responses with a deformation detection limit of 0.01% is developed in this work. Impressively, its potential for the real-time, recoverable, and visual strain sensing capabilities in 3D spaces is verified, providing an exemplary application in advanced strain sensing and visualization at microscopic and multidimensional scales.

Owing to the unique mechano-optical response, mechanoluminescence (ML) materials possess dynamic, sensitive, visual, and recoverable strain sensing capabilities. However, the dilemma of lacking outstanding ML materials with high detection precision under micro deformations still exists, thereby hindering advanced applications in multi-angle and multidimensional scenarios. Herein, a novel Pr3+-doped perovskite oxide (NaTaO3:Pr3+)-based composite elastic thin film is developed, which achieves ultrasensitive ML responses to both microscale compressive and tensile strains. Compared with the record of LiTaO3:Tb3+, the corresponding deformation detection limit has been improved by five times, reaching 0.01%, which is comparable to the performance of the widely used piezoresistive and capacitive sensors. The results reveal that the ML originates from the interaction between adjacent defects and the varying local piezoelectric fields near PrNaO9 and PrTaO6 polyhedra. Most notably, the strain and ML demonstrate identical distributions on a 3D-printed model coated with NaTaO3:Pr3+ thin film even under micro deformation less than 0.4%, highlighting the significant potential of NaTaO3:Pr3+ for advanced 3D microstrain sensing applications. This work provides convincing insights into the investigation of ML mechanisms through local trap and piezoelectricity analyses, along with an exemplificative application in advanced strain sensing and visualization at microscopic and multidimensional scales.

TriMag microrobots are two-photon polymerized hydrogel structures embedded with in situ synthesized Fe3O4 and CoFe2O4 nanoparticles, enabling magnetic actuation, high-resolution magnetic particle imaging (MPI), and efficient magnetothermal heating for deep-tissue biomedical interventions including tracking, navigation, and tumor ablation.

Microrobots hold immense potential in biomedical applications, including drug delivery, disease diagnostics, and minimally invasive surgeries. However, two key challenges hinder their clinical translation: achieving scalable and precision fabrication, and enabling non-invasive imaging and tracking within deep biological tissues. Magnetic particle imaging (MPI), a cutting-edge imaging modality, addresses these challenges by detecting the magnetization of nanoparticles and visualizing superparamagnetic nanoparticles (SPIONs) with sub-millimeter resolution, free from interference by biological tissues. This capability makes MPI an ideal tool for tracking magnetic microrobots in deep tissue environments. In this study, “TriMag” microrobots are introduced: 3D-printed microrobots with three integrated magnetic functionalities—magnetic actuation, magnetic particle imaging, and magnetic hyperthermia. The TriMag microrobots are fabricated using an innovative method that combines two-photon lithography for 3D printing biocompatible hydrogel structures with in situ chemical reactions to embed the hydrogel scaffold with Fe3O4 nanoparticles for good MPI contrast and CoFe2O4 nanoparticles for efficient magnetothermal heating. This approach enables scalable, precise fabrication of helical magnetic hydrogel microrobots. The resulting TriMag microrobots, with the synergistic effects of Fe3O4 and CoFe2O4 nanoparticles, demonstrate efficient magnetic actuation for controlled movement, precise imaging via MPI for imaging and tracking in biological fluid and organs, including porcine eye and mouse stomach, and magnetothermal heating for tumor ablation in a mouse model. By combining these capabilities, the fabrication and imaging approach provides a robust platform for non-invasive monitoring and manipulation of microrobots for transformative applications in medical treatment and biological research.

The reducing molecules enhance coverage density of self-assembled molecules (SAM) by forming strong coupling with both NiOx and SAMs, thereby improving interfacial carrier extraction and suppressing interfacial non-radiative recombination. Hence, the as-proposed device obtains a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 26.34% and impressive operational stability (97.5% initial PCE retention rate for 1000 h).

Self-assembled molecules (SAMs) deposited on nickel oxide (NiOx) are the basis for achieving high-performance inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Unfortunately, the dissolution and redeposition of SAMs caused by the perovskite precursors leads to leaky monolayers, resulting in perovskite degradation and reduced stability. Here, a novel method is reported to realize strong coupling between NiOx and SAMs via inserted reductant [9tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine hydrochloride (TCEP)] for an integrated NiOx-SAMs hole transport layer (HTL). TCEP reduces NiOx and in situ forms C═O···Ni coordinated bond and O─H···O─Ni hydrogen bond, while its -COOH is connected with SAM's -PO(OH)2 by phosphonate and hydrogen bond, which improve the compactness of SAMs, thereby strengthening hole extraction and lowering interfacial non-radiative recombination. Simulation calculations demonstrate that the HTL strongly coupled by TCEP has a stronger adsorption energy, significantly improving device long-term stability. Therefore, the device based on integrated NiOx-SAMs HTL obtains a substantial efficiency of 26.34%. The devices maintain an impressive 97.5% of their original efficiency after 1000 h of operation under 1-sun illumination and 90.1% after 1000 h of thermal treatment at 85 °C in nitrogen atmosphere. This work offers new horizons for designing NiOx-based HTLs with high SAMs coverage for high-performance PSCs.

A scalable post-epitaxial strategy introduces a sub-nanometric 2D free surface (2DFS) at the heterointerface, effectively decoupling lattice-mismatched layers. This process significantly reduces strain-driven defects and dislocation density in Ge/Si heterostructures. The resulting bulk-like material quality, validated by advanced microscopy and optical analyses, opens new pathways for high-performance heteroepitaxy across micro- and optoelectronic applications.

Heteroepitaxy has been pivotal in advancing both optoelectronics and microelectronics, driving the development of faster, more efficient devices across diverse applications. However, achieving high material quality remains challenging due to lattice mismatches. Strain induced by variations in lattice parameters and thermal properties provides additional degrees of freedom for material tailoring but often leads to dislocation generation, wafer bowing, and cracking. These issues are addressed through a scalable post-epitaxial approach that strategically targets the misfit dislocation network, leading to the creation of a sub-nanometric 2D free surface (2DFS). This interface effectively decouples the epilayer from the substrate, significantly reducing strain-related defects. Scalable heterostructures exhibited pronounced defect annihilation, as demonstrated by electron microscopy, defect etching, and photoluminescence analysis—an effect attributed to the surrounding free surfaces. This method strikes an optimal balance between bulk-quality characteristics and high surface integrity, offering a new paradigm for achieving heteroepitaxial bulk-class materials.