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

The lamellar rare-earth oxychlorides (REOCl) are innovatively used as promoters for ruthenium (Ru) as alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction electrocatalysts. The [RE2O2] and [Cl] layers act as the negative and positive charge transfer channels, respectively, which endows Ru surface with a high density of electrons, thus accelerating the hydroxyl peeling process.

Developing efficient electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline environments is vital for hydrogen production, owing to the extra water dissociation and hydroxyl desorption steps. Here, rare-earth oxychlorides (REOCl) are proposed as innovative promoters for ruthenium as HER electrocatalyst in alkali. The lamellar structure of REOCl with weakly bond [Cl] layers can facilitate the formation of an internal electric field that enhances interphase charge transfer. Taking ruthenium/ neodymium oxychloride (Ru/NdOCl) composites as a case study, sub ≈4 nm Ru nanoparticles are successfully embedded into NdOCl crystals through a rapid self-exothermic process, and the highly-coupled Ru−Cl/O−Nd interfaces are observed as metallic Ru particles with the edge of the NdOCl lamellar layers, where the [Nd2O2] and [Cl] layers act as the negative and positive charge transfer channels, respectively. The enhanced charge transfer between REOCl and Ru makes the highly-coupled Ru/REOCl catalysts show better electrocatalytic activity than both the benchmark Pt and Ru catalysts in alkaline electrolyte. This work will encourage more novel promoters for electrocatalysis and other emerging technologies.

A liquid–gas phase-changing pneumatic actuator driven by optical light is introduced. By precisely controlling the light spot using a magnifying glass, the fiber actuator rolls on a horizontal plane in daylight. With an annular design, the actuator achieved vertical crawling under a fixed visible light source. It also demonstrates promising potential for load propulsion in forward movement.

Light-driven wireless actuators provide obvious advantages for remote control. However, traditional double-layer actuators are restricted to the thin film deformation mode when undertaking complex tasks. Here, an actuator is proposed that employs thermal strain and local photothermal effects induced by low boiling point liquids to generate asymmetry along the fiber axis, thereby causing elastic deformation of the fiber. Under continuous irradiation, the sustained elastic deformation results in dynamic frustration within the fiber, creating torque around its axis. Based on this principle, the fiber actuator fabricated in this study enables rolling translation, while the ring actuator achieves simultaneous rolling and lifting motion for object manipulation. Continuous rolling under light eliminates the need for complex light manipulation. This new movement method offers an insight for various application scenarios.

Strongly chiral V2O3 NPs with optical responsiveness achieve targeted and precise cleavage of the RSV pre-fusion protein through photoinduction, thereby inhibiting respiratory syncytial virus.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) poses a significant threat to the health of infants, children, and the elderly, and as of now there is a lack of effective therapeutic drugs. To tackle this challenge, chiral vanadium trioxide nanoparticles (V2O3 NPs) with a particle size of 2.56 ± 0.34 nm are successfully synthesized, exhibiting a g-factor value of 0.048 at 874 nm in terms of circular dichroism. Under 808 nm light irradiation, these chiral V2O3 NPs demonstrated selective cleavage of the RSV pre-fusion protein (RSV protein), effectively blocking its conformational rearrangement and preventing RSV infection both in vitro and in vivo. Experimental analysis revealed that the chiral V2O3 NPs specifically bind to the functional domain spanning from aspartate200 (D200) to asparagine208 (N208) in the primary sequence of the RSV protein. Notably, L-V2O3 NPs exhibited a higher affinity, which is 4.06 times that of D-V2O3 NPs and 13.55 times that of DL-V2O3 NPs. The precise cutting site is located between amino acid residues leucine204 (L204) and proline205 (P205), attributed to the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by photoinduced nanoparticles. In addition, L-V2O3 NPs inhibited RSV infection by 99.6% in nasal epithelial cells and 99.2% in Vero cells. In the RSV-infected mouse model, intranasal administration of L-V₂O₃ NPs effectively controlled the viral load in the lungs of mice, reducing it by 92.43%. The hematoxylin and eosin staining of mouse organs and serum biochemical indicators are similar to those of the wild-type group, indicating the biosafety of L-V₂O₃ NPs. The findings suggest that chiral nanoparticles hold great potential in controlling RSV and provide new directions and ideas for drug development against viruses.

This study develops a library of lipopeptide-based organ-specific targeting (POST) lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). The POST LNPs, screened in vitro and in vivo, demonstrate high efficiency and specificity in delivering mRNA and siRNA to the lung, liver, and spleen, respectively. Structure-activity relationship analysis indicates that various lipid systems prefer specific lipopeptide structures for enhanced RNA delivery efficacy.

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) with highly efficient and specific extrahepatic targeting abilities are promising in gene delivery, and the lipopeptides (LPs) with excellent designability and functionality are expected to empower the construction of functional LNPs. This study aims to develop highly efficient ionizable components that accurately match different targeting lipid systems through the modular design of LPs. Based on this, a lipopeptide-based organ-specific targeting (POST) LNP screening strategy is constructed, in which lysine-histidine-based lipopeptides (KH-LPs) are designed as highly efficient ionizable components. The optimal KH-LP LNP screened in vitro shows excellent siRNA/mRNA transfecting ability in various hard-to-transfect cell lines. Compared to the classic LNPs, the POST LNPs screened in vivo achieve even higher (or at least comparable) efficiency and specificity in delivering mRNA and siRNA to the lung, liver, and spleen, respectively. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) proves that the modular regulation of LP structures can accurately provide the optimal ionizable components for different targeting lipid systems, demonstrating the potential of this strategy in developing efficient and selective targeting systems, which is expected to open up more possibilities for gene therapy.

The basic principles of constructing chiral nanomaterials along with the latest research progress are comprehensively summarized and the challenges and future development of chiral nanomaterials for the treatment of NDDs are deeply expected.

Chiral nanomaterials are widely investigated over recent decades due to their biocompatibility and unique chiral effects. These key properties have significantly promoted the rapid development of chiral nanomaterials in bioengineering and medicine. In this review, the basic principles of constructing chiral nanomaterials along with the latest progress in research are comprehensively summarized. Then, the application of chiral nanomaterials for the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) is systematically described. In addition, the significant potential and broad prospects of chiral nanomaterials in the treatment of NDDs are highlighted from several aspects, including the disaggregation of neurofibrils, the scavenging of reactive oxygen species, regulation of the microbial–gut–brain axis, the elimination of senescent cells, and the promotion of directed differentiation in neural stem cells. Finally, a perspective of the challenges and future development of chiral nanomaterials for the treatment of NDDs is provided.

A spatiotemporal segmentation immunotherapy strategy uses modular microneedles to modulate paradoxical postoperative immunization microenvironments. The modular microneedles load a personalized antitumor vaccine and demonstrate broad antitumor activities in postoperative immunotherapy, reducing recurrence and the incidence of perioperative wound complications.

The perioperative period is crucial for determining postoperative tumor recurrence and metastasis. Various factors in postoperative lesions can diminish the therapeutic effect of conventional chemoradiotherapy, while emerging immunotherapy is restricted. The combination use of inflammatory inhibitors during treatment is also controversial. Here, a modular microneedle prepared from engineered keratin proteins is reported, which spatially and temporally differentiates the microenvironment of immune cell activation required for immunotherapy from that of wound healing. The recombinant keratin-84-T-based needle root layer, mainly retained in the epidermis, facilitated dendritic cell recruitment to achieve maximum antigen presentation of loaded vaccines. Meanwhile, the recombinant keratin-81-1Aα-based needle tip layer, located within the dermis, rapidly mitigated inflammatory responses while promoting tissue repair and regeneration. Unlike simply mixing immunotherapy and wound treatment, this spatiotemporal segmentation approach maximized the efficacy of immune therapeutics while promoting wound healing, making it suitable for application throughout the perioperative period.

The therapeutic potential of cancer nanomedicine depends on effective patient stratification. This study introduces a novel “virtual biopsy” method using a radiomics-based model and routine medical imaging to predict nanomedicine accumulation in tumors. By identifying imaging features associated with biological barriers to drug delivery, the model facilitates more accurate patient stratification and personalized treatment planning, thus advancing precision medicine.

Accurately predicting nanomedicine accumulation is critical for guiding patient stratification and optimizing treatment strategies in the context of precision medicine. However, non-invasive prediction of nanomedicine accumulation remains challenging, primarily due to the complexity of identifying relevant imaging features that predict accumulation. Here, a novel non-invasive method is proposed that utilizes standard-of-care medical imaging modalities, including computed tomography and ultrasound, combined with a radiomics-based model to predict nanomedicine accumulation in tumor. The model is validated using a test dataset consisting of seven tumor xenografts in mice and three sizes of gold nanoparticles, achieving an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.851. The median accumulation levels of tumors predicted as “high accumulators” are 2.69 times greater than those predicted as “low accumulators”. Analysis of this machine-learning-driven interpretable radiomics model revealed imaging features that are strongly correlated with dense stroma, a recognized biological barrier to effective nanomedicine delivery. Radiomics-based prediction of tumor accumulation holds promise for stratifying patient and enabling precise tailoring of nanomedicine treatment strategies.

A self-assembled colloidal topological laser with CW room-temperature pumping is presented, featuring extensive wavelength tunability, ultra-high polarization, and good temporal stability. Precise control over a single NPL layer thickness allows excellent performance in semiconductor lasers, advancing solution-processed systems for display technology and modern communication.

The field of optoelectronic integrated circuits is actively developing reliable and efficient room-temperature continuous-wave (CW) lasers. CW-pumped lasers combine the economical and simple manufacturing processes of colloidal semiconductor lasers with the efficient and stable output of continuous pumping, enabling them to significantly impact the field of semiconductor lasers. However, development is still severely challenged by limitations such as gain materials and cavity structures. Consequently, as a compromise, most colloidal semiconductor lasers proposed to date have relied on another pulsed laser as the pumping source. In this study, a self-assembled colloidal topological laser is proposed that benefits from CW pumping at room temperature. By utilizing an interfacial self-assembly strategy, nanoplatelets (NPLs) are managed to control the collective orientation (face-down or edge-up), achieving controlled polarization of amplified spontaneous emission for the first time. Furthermore, precise control over the thickness of a single NPL layer is demonstrated, which enables the laser system to offer extensive wavelength tunability (over 50 nm), ultra-high polarization (over 95%), and good temporal stability. These metrics signify the optimal performance level of colloidal semiconductor lasers, marking a new era in solution processing systems for the optoelectronic integrated circuit field.

A smart covalent organic framework (Por-HQ-COF) possessing environment-initiated switchable photocatalytic reduction and oxidation and H2O2 production, is constructed by engineering at a molecular level and the local phenol-quinone structure of the skeletal building blocks. As a smart photocatalyst, Por-HQ-COF based on phenol-quinone transformation can convert into Por-BQ-COF intelligently with a trigger, and vice versa.

Developing multifunctional photocatalysts with intelligent self-adjusting is of great significance in the photocatalytic process. Herein, a smart covalent organic framework (Por-HQ-COF) with a phenol-quinone conversion structure with pH changes is constructed for photooxidation, photoreduction, and H2O2 production. As a smart photocatalyst, Por-HQ-COF can convert into Por-BQ-COF intelligently with a trigger including solution pH, and vice versa. The reconstruction of phenol-quinone conversion not only significantly alters the morphologies and the specific surface areas of the COF, but also leads to an entirely change in the band energy and charge distribution to influence photoelectric properties. As a result, under acidic conditions, Por-BQ-COF converts into Por-HQ-COF automatically and can photoreduce high concentration Cr(VI) to Cr(III) efficiently. Under neutral conditions, the superoxide anions (·O2 −) initiate the Por-HQ-COF reconstruction into Por-BQ-COF to accelerate photooxidation to degrade high-concentration TC. Under alkaline conditions, Por-HQ-COF converts into Por-BQ-COF, can effectively photosynthesize H2O2 (1525 µmol h−1 g−1 at λ > 420 nm) in the absence of any sacrificial reagents, and reveal the strong alkalinity lower the energy barrier of hydrogen extraction from H2O and clarify active sites for H2O2 production. This work provides a new strategy for developing smart photocatalysts and fulfill the application across the full pH environment.

F-N-C catalysts with high density of accessible sites (D-Fe-N/C) is fabricated by a cascade capturing strategy. Systematic structural and electrochemical characterizations demonstrate that the high active site density and site utilization enable D-Fe-N/C showcases excellent ORR performance, which is further verified in laminated zinc-air batteries with remarkable durability and temperature-adaptive.

Designing single-atom catalysts (SACs) with high density of accessible sites by improving metal loading and sites utilization is a promising strategy to boost the catalytic activity, but remains challenging. Herein, a high site density (SD) iron SAC (D-Fe-N/C) with 11.8 wt.% Fe-loading is reported. The in situ scanning electrochemical microscopy technique attests that the accessible active SD and site utilization of D-Fe-N/C reach as high as 1.01 × 1021 site g−1 and 79.8%, respectively. Therefore, D-Fe-N/C demonstrates superior oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity in terms of a half-wave potential of 0.918 V and turnover frequency of 0.41 e site−1 s−1. The excellent ORR property of D-Fe-N/C is also demonstrated in the liquid zinc-air batteries (ZABs), which exhibit a high peak power density of 306.1 mW cm−2 and an ultra-long cycling stability over 1200 h. Moreover, solid-state laminated ZABs prepared by presetting an air flow layer show a high specific capacity of 818.8 mA h g−1, an excellent cycling stability of 520 h, and a wide temperature-adaptive from −40 to 60 °C. This work not only offers possibilities by improving metal-loading and catalytic site utilization for exploring efficient SACs, but also provides strategies for device structure design toward advanced ZABs.

The electrocatalytic reduction of nitrate into value-added NH3 not only facilitates wastewater denitrification but also promotes nitrogen circulation. The hierarchical carbon-based metal-free electrocatalyst with multi-topological defect-induced active sites in graphene sheets/outside carbon layer and the pristine carbon nanotubes as the conductive core achieves high activity and durability for electrocatalytic reduction of nitrate in a wide pH range.

The electrocatalytic reduction of nitrate (eNO3 −RR) to ammonia (NH3) across varying pH is of great significance for the treatment of practical wastewater containing nitrate. However, developing highly active and stable catalysts that function effectively in a wide pH range remains a formidable challenge. Herein, a hierarchical carbon-based metal-free electrocatalyst (C-MFEC) of winged carbon coaxial nanocables (W-CCNs, in situ generated graphene nanosheets and outside carbon layer with abundant topological defects from pristine carbon nanotubes, CNTs), is prepared through moderate oxidation of CNTs and the subsequent introduction of topological defects. The W-CCNs feature functional separation properties, with an inner core of pristine CNTs that facilitates efficient charge transfer, while the outer shell is composed of in situ generated graphene nanosheets and carbon layers enriched with topological defects characterized by distinct carbon atom configurations, which play a crucial role in promoting the adsorption of NO3 −, the dissociation of water, and the N─H bond formation. This innovative design enables the C-MFEC to exhibit outstanding performance for eNO3 −RR, operating efficiently with the NH3 yield rates of 49.5, 75.3, and 88.1 g h−1 gcat. −1 in acidic, neutral, and alkaline media, respectively. Such performance metrics not only outshine C-MFECs but also rival or surpass those of certain metal-based catalysts.

Narrowband response of organic semiconductors determines the band selectivity and anti-interference in the photodetection process. For constructing strong anti-interference photodetectors, a general strategy is developed to achieve narrowband ultraviolet-responsive organic semiconductors by tuning the absorption state and intermolecular potential of organic semiconductor.

Narrowband response of organic semiconductors determines the band selectivity and anti-interference of the organic photodetectors, which are pursued for a long time but have not yet been resolved in the UV band. Herein, a feasible strategy is developed to realize narrowband UV response by tuning the absorption state and intermolecular potential of organic semiconductors. The as-designed non-Donor-Acceptor molecule, 2,5-diphenylthieno[3,2-b]thiophene (2,5-DPTT), exhibits narrowband absorption by fully suppressing the charge transfer state absorption. Simultaneously, the intermolecular potential is significantly enhanced (to ≈90 KJ mol−1) by modulating the molecular planarity. Consequently, the UV photodetector based on 2,5-DPTT achieves excellent narrowband response at 310 nm wavelength and a record-breaking photosensitivity (P = 1.21 × 106) in the deep UV range. In the demonstration application of flame alarm, the flame detector based on 2,5-DPTT single crystal exhibits excellent anti-interference capability. This work provides the inspiration for designing narrowband responsive organic semiconductors and building up multifunctional optoelectronic devices.

A reliable benchmark for qualitative and quantitative analysis of oxygen functional groups on carbon surface is established by in situ characterizations and theoretical calculations. And the dynamic evolution of carbon surface reveals the special flame-retardant effect and anchor metal ability of oxygen functionalities on carbon materials. These findings strengthen the understanding of carbon surface chemistry from an atomic perspective.

The explicit roles of the hardly avoidable oxygen species on carbon materials in various fields remain contentious due to the limitations of characterization techniques, which lead to a lack of fundamental understanding of carbon surface chemistry. This study delves exhaustively into the comprehension of the features of different oxygen-modified carbons through the dynamic evolution of surficial oxygen functional groups. Significant differences of thermal stability and electronic properties among various oxygen species are elucidated via in situ characterizations and theoretical calculations, providing a reliable benchmark for identifying oxygen functional groups on carbon materials. The chemical properties of the carbon materials are simultaneously investigated to show the influence of the oxygen functional groups on carbon structures, redox stability, and scalable metal adsorption. These findings not only consider the common misconception that oxygen species produced under various conditions possess identical properties but also raise awareness of understanding carbon surface chemistry in the atomic level.

A novel organic electrochemical device achieving over 90% reversible THz modulation via a conducting polymer is developed. The device demonstrates stability under repeated and continuous voltage switching and can operate in either depletion or accumulation modes. This device introduces a new option for future THz wireless sensing and communications, and application scope for organic mixed ionic-electronic conductors.

The sub-Terahertz and Terahertz bands play a critical role in next-generation wireless communication and sensing technologies, thanks to the large amount of available bandwidth in this spectral regime. While long-wavelength (microwave to mm-Wave) and short-wavelength (near-infrared to ultraviolet) devices are well-established and studied, the sub-THz to THz regime remains relatively underexplored and underutilized. Traditional approaches used in the aforementioned spectral regions are more difficult to replicate in the THz band, leading to the need for the development of novel devices and structures that can manipulate THz radiation effectively. Herein a novel organic, solid-state electrochemical device is presented, capable of achieving modulation depths of over 90% from ≈500 nm of a conducting polymer that switches conductivity over a large dynamic range upon application of an electronically controllable external bias. The stability of such devices under long-term, repeated voltage switching, as well as continuous biasing at a single voltage, is also explored. Switching stabilities and long-term bias stabilities are achieved over two days for both use cases. Additionally, both depletion mode (always “ON”) and accumulation mode (always “OFF”) operation are demonstrated. These results suggest applications of organic electrochemical THz modulators in large area and flexible implementations.

A strategy is presented for fabricating high-efficiency, highly stable perovskite solar cells, and minimodules using a slot-die process based on colloidal inks. By incorporating the antisolvents toluene and chlorobenzene as modulator solvents, a colloidal ink system is formulated with superior rheological properties compared to conventional precursor inks. This colloidal strategy achieves devices with a maximum efficiency of 21.32% and remarkable long-term stability.

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have emerged as a promising alternative to silicon solar cells, but challenges remain in developing perovskite inks and processes suitable for large-scale production. This study introduces a novel approach using colloidal inks incorporating toluene and chlorobenzene as co-antisolvents for PSC fabrication via slot-die process. It is found that colloidal inks that are strategically engineered can significantly improve the rheological properties of perovskite inks, leading to enhanced wettability and high-quality film formation. The formation of large colloids such as α cubic perovskite, δ hexagonal perovskite and transition intermediate phases promotes heterogeneous nucleation and lowers activation energy for crystallization, resulting in superior crystal growth and improved film morphology. Notably, the co-solvent enhances the FA-PbI3 binding energy and weakens the dimethyl sulfoxide coordination, which is more thermodynamically favorable for perovskite crystallization. This colloidal strategy yields devices with a maximum efficiency of 21.32% and remarkable long-term stability, retaining 77% of initial efficiency over 10115 h. The study demonstrates the scalability of this approach, achieving 20.26% efficiency in lab-scale minimodules and 19.15% in larger convergence minimodules. These findings provide an understanding of the complex relationship between ink composition, rheological properties, film quality, crystallization kinetics, and device performance.

Stretchable and permeable liquid metal micromeshes are presented, characterized by strain-insensitive resistance for potential applications in textile electronics. These micromeshes are produced by spin-coating liquid metal onto microfiber textiles and then subjecting them to several stretching cycles. The considerable transformation in their microstructure alters the deformation mode during stretching, thereby effectively minimizing fluctuations in resistance.

Gallium-based liquid metals hold promises for applications in stretchable electronics and beyond. However, these materials often encounter notable resistance increases during stretching and have negligible permeability to gases and liquids. This study presents an in situ structural transformation mechanism to create stretchable and permeable liquid metal micromeshes with strain-insensitive resistance. These micromeshes are fabricated by spin-coating liquid metal onto microfiber textiles and subjecting them to several stretching cycles. Consequently, the micromeshes transform from a smooth finish to wrinkled textures due to the growth in their oxide nanoskins. The distinct microstructure alters the stretching-relaxing mode to folding-unfolding, thereby minimizing fluctuations in resistance. The practical significance of this development is demonstrated through the fabrication of wearable heaters and LED matrices using transformed liquid metal micromeshes. Moreover, when integrated into Janus textiles featuring unidirectional water transport, these micromesh conductors act as sensing electrodes capable of acquiring high-fidelity biopotentials, even during intense sweating. These advancements highlight the capability of ambient air as a powerful reactive environment for tailoring the properties of microscale liquid metals.

This study is the first to propose that the surface reconstruction of a Weyl semimetal creates a Hermitian bulk-non-Hermitian boundary system. The non-Hermitian effects arising from the surface reconstruction are manifested by the emergence of non-topological surface Fermi arcs (NTSFAs) and the broadening of both topological surface Fermi arcs (SFAs) and NTSFAs. These effects are demonstrated through angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) measurements in a surface-reconstructed Weyl semimetal NdAlSi.

Non-Hermitian physics, studying systems described by non-Hermitian Hamiltonians, reveals unique phenomena not present in Hermitian systems. Unlike Hermitian systems, non-Hermitian systems have complex eigenvalues, making their effects less directly observable. Recently, significant efforts have been devoted to incorporating the non-Hermitian effects into condensed matter physics. However, progress is hindered by the absence of a viable experimental approach. Here, the discovery of the surface-selectively spontaneous reconstructed Weyl semimetal NdAlSi provides a feasible experimental platform for studying non-Hermitian physics. Utilizing angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) measurements, surface-projected density functional theory (DFT) calculations, and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) measurements, it is demonstrated that surface reconstruction in NdAlSi alters surface Fermi arc (SFA) connectivity and generates new isolated non-topological SFAs (NTSFAs) by introducing non-Hermitian terms. The surface-selective spontaneous reconstructed Weyl semimetal NdAlSi can be viewed as a Hermitian bulk – non-Hermitian boundary system. The isolated non-topological SFAs on the reconstructed surface act as a loss mechanism and open boundary condition (OBC) for the topological electrons and bulk states, serving as non-Hermitian boundary states. This discovery provides a good experimental platform for exploring new physical phenomena and potential applications based on boundary non-Hermitian effects, extending beyond purely mathematical concepts. Furthermore, it provides important enlightenment for constructing topological photonic crystals with surface reconstruction and studying their topological properties.

Hopping phase ion bridge (HPIB) is introduced into the interface between polyvinylidene fluoride and functionalized Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12; high-throughput ion transporter (HTIT-37) is constructed. The self-adsorption of HPIB at the electrode–electrolyte interface effectively enhances the interfacial Li+ transport kinetics and suppresses the formation of lithium dendrites. It provides a more valuable option for the next generation of high energy density solid-state batteries.

Composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs) containing Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12 (LLZTO) is widely regarded as leading candidate for high energy density solid-state lithium-metal batteries due to its exceptional ionic conductivity and environmental stability. However, Li2CO3 and LiOH layers at LLZTO surface greatly hinder Li+ transport between LLZTO-polymer and the electrode–electrolyte interface. Herein, the surface of LLZTO is boronized to obtain functionalized LLZTO, and its conversion mechanism is clarified. By dissolving the crystal structure of cellulose to obtain hopping-phase ion bridge (HPIB), which release the Li+ transport activity of its oxygen-containing polar functional group (─OH, ─O─). Therefore, a high-throughput ion transporter (HTIT-37) with high ion transfer number (0.86) is prepared by introducing the HPIB into functionalized LLZTO and polyvinylidene fluoride interface by intermolecular hydrogen bond interaction, and it is demonstrated that the HPIB acts as a “highway” for the Li+ across this heterogeneous interface. Moreover, the HPIB is found to self-adsorb on the SEI surface, leading to fast Li+ transport kinetics at anode–CPE interface. Thus, the lifespan of Li|HTIT-37|Li is over 8000 h, and the critical current density exceeds 2.3 mA cm−2. The LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2|Li and Li1.2Ni0.13Co0.13Mn0.54O2|Li battery remains stable with the HPIB-enhanced electrode process, proving the application potential of LLZTO-based CPE in high energy density SSLMB.

As a universal genetic material, DNA can inherently encode and transmit information. Various DNA data storage systems are reported as attractive alternatives to current digital data storage media. This review provides a detailed analysis of the characteristics and evolution of readout techniques of DNA storage systems, and discusses challenges and opportunities in readout techniques of DNA data storage systems.

DNA is a natural chemical substrate that carries genetic information, which also serves as a powerful toolkit for storing digital data. Compared to traditional storage media, DNA molecules offer higher storage density, longer lifespan, and lower maintenance energy consumption. In DNA storage process, data readout is a critical step that bridges the gap between DNA molecular/structures with stored digital information. With the continued development of strategies in DNA data storage technology, the readout techniques have evolved. However, there is a lack of systematic introduction and discussion on the readout techniques for reported DNA data storage systems, especially the correlation between the design of the data storage system and the corresponding selection of readout techniques. This review first introduces two main categories of DNA data storage units (i.e., sequence and structure) and their corresponding readout techniques (i.e., sequencing and nonsequencing methods), and then reviewed representative examples of notable advancements in DNA data storage technology, focusing on data storage unit design, and readout technique selection. It also introduces emerging approaches to assist data readout techniques, such as implementation of microfluidic and fluorescent probes. Finally, the paper discusses the limitations, challenges, and potential of DNA data readout approaches.

This review explores the intersection of gelatin and its derivatives with fabrication techniques, offering a comprehensive examination of their synergistic potentials in creating engineered living systems for various applications in biomedicine, and providing guidance for future research and developments within the field.

Engineered living systems (ELSs) represent purpose-driven assemblies of living components, encompassing cells, biomaterials, and active agents, intricately designed to fulfill diverse biomedical applications. Gelatin and its derivatives have been used extensively in ELSs owing to their mature translational pathways, favorable biological properties, and adjustable physicochemical characteristics. This review explores the intersection of gelatin and its derivatives with fabrication techniques, offering a comprehensive examination of their synergistic potential in creating ELSs for various applications in biomedicine. It offers a deep dive into gelatin, including its structures and production, sources, processing, and properties. Additionally, the review explores various fabrication techniques employing gelatin and its derivatives, including generic fabrication techniques, microfluidics, and various 3D printing methods. Furthermore, it discusses the applications of ELSs based on gelatin in regenerative engineering as well as in cell therapies, bioadhesives, biorobots, and biosensors. Future directions and challenges in gelatin fabrication are also examined, highlighting emerging trends and potential areas for improvements and innovations. In summary, this comprehensive review underscores the significance of gelatin-based ELSs in advancing biomedical engineering and lays the groundwork for guiding future research and developments within the field.