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

Interfacial adsorption layers based on N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine (BHEG) are constructed to inhibit Zn corrosion and polyiodide shuttle by employing an electrolyte additive strategy. These layers stabilize Zn anode via creating a “H2O-deficient” inner Helmholtz plane (IHP) and buffering the interfacial pH, while hindering polyiodide migration at the I2 cathode through ion–dipole interactions. Attributing to these benefits, a long-lasting aqueous Zn–I2 battery is realized.

Aqueous zinc–iodine (Zn–I2) batteries are promising candidates for large-scale energy storage due to the merits of low cost and high safety. However, their commercial application is hindered by Zn corrosion and polyiodide shuttle at I2 cathode. Herein, N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine (BHEG) based interfacial adsorption layers are constructed to stabilize Zn anodes and mitigate polyiodide shuttle according to ion–dipole interactions, by using a strategy of electrolyte additive. The tertiary amine (N(CH2)3) and carboxyl (─COO−) groups in the deprotonated BHEG can reversibly capture H+ and dynamically neutralize OH− ions, efficiently buffering the interfacial pH of Zn metal anodes and suppressing hydrogen evolution reactions. Additionally, the BHEG adsorption layers can repel 39.3% of H2O molecules at the Zn interface, creating a “water-deficient” inner Helmholtz plane and preventing Zn corrosion. Significantly, the N(CH2)3 groups in BHEG also inhibit polyiodide shuttle at the I2 cathode, which exhibits high adsorption energies of −0.88, −0.41, and −0.39 eV for I−, I2, and I3 −, respectively. Attributing to these benefits, the Zn–I2 battery can achieve a high areal capacity of 2.99 mAh cm−2 and an extended cycling life of 2,000 cycles, even at a high mass loading of I2 cathode (≈21.5 mg cm−2).

Responsive molecules are essential for organic in-sensor computing devices. This Review highlights recent advances in thedesign, synthesis, and incorporation of electrically, optically, and magnetically responsive molecules in multifunctional synaptic perception devices endowedwith both nonvolatile and volatile memory diversification. By exploiting the multifunctional nature of molecular switches, complex logic operations can be accomplished, bringing molecule-based neuromorphic computing closer to become a real technology.

In the brain, both the recording and decaying of memory information following external stimulus spikes are fundamental learning rules that determine human behaviors. The former is essential to acquire new knowledge and update the database, while the latter filters noise and autorefresh cache data to reduce energy consumption. To execute these functions, the brain relies on different neuromorphic transmitters possessing various memory kinetics, which can be classified as nonvolatile and volatile memory. Inspired by the human brain, nonvolatile and volatile memory electronic devices have been employed to realize artificial neural networks and spiking neural networks, respectively, which have emerged as essential tools in machine learning. Molecular switches, capable of responding to electrical, optical, electrochemical, and magnetic stimuli, display a disruptive potential for emulating information storage in memory devices. This Review highlights recent developments on responsive molecules, their interfacing with low-dimensional nanostructures and nanomaterials, and their integration into electronic devices. By capitalizing on these concepts, a unique account of neurotransmitter-transfer electronic devices based on responsive molecules with ad hoc memory kinetics is provided. Finally, future directions, challenges, and opportunities are discussed on the use of these devices to engineer more complex logic operations and computing functions at the hardware level.

This study introduces a novel programmable encryption strategy with controllable DNA synthesis and sequential encoding. The proposed hairpin-mediated primer exchange reaction (HAMER) system enables the dynamic generation of DNA sequences and the secure recording of information with user-specific access. This approach enhances data security, positioning DNA as a high-performance material to meet future confidentiality, integrity, and availability demands.

DNA molecules, with highly variable sequences and inherent programmability, emerge as a promising material for next-generation information storage and data encryption. However, due to the singular encryption method or limited randomness of the secret key, current encryptions remain vulnerable to brute-force attacks and the need for enhanced information security persists. This study introduces a programmable encryption strategy based on long-chain DNA synthesis and sequential encoding. The proposed hairpin-mediated primer exchange reaction (HAMER) system enables the generation of DNA keys and the recording of encoded information. Ultimately, encrypted text and image data can be decoded and retrieved through sequencing with customized access based on user permissions. This approach positions DNA as a high-performance information material and establishes a programmable encryption framework, offering strong potential to meet the confidentiality, integrity, and availability demands of future information security systems.

A fully synthetic active liquid crystal, energized by an acoustic field, is presented. This system exhibits active nematic behavior, tunable topological defect dynamics, and persistent hydrodynamic vortices at high activity levels. The material maintains stable properties while enabling precise activity control in a wide range.

Active nematic materials combine orientational order with activity at the microscopic level. Current experimental realizations of active nematics include vibrating elongated particles, cell layers, suspensions of elongated bacteria, and a mixture of bio-filaments with molecular motors. The majority of active nematics are of biological origin. The realization of a fully synthetic active liquid crystal comprised of a lyotropic chromonic liquid crystal energized by ultrasonic waves, is reported. This synthetic active liquid crystal is free from biological degradation and variability, exhibits phenomenology associated with active nematics, and enables precise and rapid activity control over a significantly extended range. It is demonstrated that the energy of the acoustic field is converted into microscopic extensile stresses disrupting long-range nematic order and giving rise to an undulation instability and proliferation of topological defects. The emergence of unconventional free-standing persistent vortices in the nematic director field at high activity levels is revealed. The results provide a foundation for the design of externally energized active liquid crystals with stable material properties and tunable topological defect dynamics crucial for the realization of reconfigurable microfluidic systems.

Implantable devices rely on batteries that demand surgical replacement, posing risks, and financial burdens. Ultrasound energy transfer (US-ET) offers a revolutionary wireless alternative but struggles with efficiency. The presented dielectric-ferroelectric-boosted US-TENG (US-TENGDF-B) is thin, flexible, and biocompatible that provides high-efficiency and stable power delivery in curved positions, fostering a future of noninvasive and sustainable wireless energy transfer solutions for biomedical applications.

Wireless powering of rechargeable-implantable medical devices presents a challenge in developing reliable wireless energy transfer systems that meet medical safety and standards. Ultrasound-driven triboelectric nanogenerators (US-TENG) are investigated for various medical applications, including noninvasive percutaneous wireless battery powering to reduce the need for multiple surgeries for battery replacement. However, these devices often suffer from inefficiency due to limited output performance and rigidity. To address this issue, a dielectric-ferroelectric boosted US-TENG (US-TENGDF-B) capable of producing a high output charge with low-intensity ultrasound and a long probe distance is developed, comparatively. The feasibility and output stability of this deformable and augmented device is confirmed under various bending conditions, making it suitable for use in the body's curved positions or with electronic implants. The device achieved an output of ≈26 V and ≈6.7 mW output for remote charging of a rechargeable battery at a 35 mm distance. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the output-augmented US-TENG for deep short-term wireless charging of implantable electronics with flexing conditions in curved devices such as future total artificial hearts.

This study presents an anisotropic inductive liquid metal sensor (AI-LMS) inspired by the biomechanical properties of human fingertips. The AI-LMS demonstrates superior performance in multidimensional pressure sensing, characterized by high linearity and stability. Potential applications encompass enhancing robotic tactile perception and facilitating precise 3D surface scanning, representing a significant milestone in the field of soft robotics technology.

The advancement of robotic behavior and intelligence has led to an urgent demand for improving their sensitivity and interactive capabilities, which presents challenges in achieving multidimensional, wide-ranging, and reliable tactile sensing. Here an anisotropic inductive liquid metal sensor (AI-LMS) is introduced inspired by the human fingertip, which inherently possesses the capability to detect spatially multi-axis pressure with a wide sensing range, exceptional linearity, and signal stability. Additionally, it can detect very small pressures and responds swiftly to prescribed forces. Compared to resistive signals, inductive signals offer significant advantages. Further, integrated with a deep neural network model, the AI-LMS can decouple multi-axis pressures acting simultaneously upon it. Notably, the sensing range of Ecoflex and PDMS-based AI-LMS can be expanded by a factor of 4 and 9.5, respectively. For practical illustrations, a high-precision surface scanning reconstruction system is developed capable of capturing intricate details of 3D surface profiles. The utilization of biomimetic AI-LMS as robotic fingertips enables real-time discrimination of diverse delicate grasping behaviors across different fingers. The innovations and unique features in sensing mechanisms and structural design are expected to bring transformative changes and find extensive applications in the field of soft robotics.

The study investigates the effects of nanoplastics on human immune cells using palladium-doped polystyrene nanoplastics and mass cytometry. It reveals that nanoplastics accumulate in various immune cell subpopulations, reducing cell viability and impairing function. In vivo experiments in mice confirm their accumulation in several immune cells. This accumulation poses health risks, highlighting the potential dangers of nanoplastics to human health.

The increasing exposure to nanoplastics (NPs) raises significant concerns for human health, primarily due to their potential bioaccumulative properties. While NPs have recently been detected in human blood, their interactions with specific immune cell subtypes and their impact on immune regulation remain unclear. In this proof-of-concept study, model palladium-doped polystyrene NPs (PS-Pd NPs) are utilized to enable single-cell mass cytometry (CyTOF) detection. The size-dependent impact of carboxylate polystyrene NPs (50–200 nm) is investigated across 15 primary immune cell subpopulations using CyTOF. By taking advantage of Pd-doping for detecting PS-Pd NPs, this work evaluates their impact on human immune-cells at the single-cell level following blood exposure. This work traces PS-Pd NPs in 37 primary immune-cell subpopulations from human blood, quantifying the palladium atom count per cell by CyTOF while simultaneously assessing the impact of PS-Pd NPs on cell viability, functionality, and uptake. These results demonstrate that NPs can interact with, interfere with, and translocate into several immune cell subpopulations after exposure. In vivo distribution experiments in mice further confirmed their accumulation in immune cells within the liver, blood, and spleen, particularly in monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. These findings provide valuable insights into the impact of NPs on human health.

Biological Tissue Microstructures

The Morpho butterfly wing is a natural photonic crystal that interacts selectively with polarized light. Lisa V. Poulikakos and co-workers interface the Morpho wing with breast cancer tissue sections and illuminate the system with polarized light for quantitative, contact- and stain-free assessment of tissue microstructures. This imaging approach enables improved understanding of the role of tissue microstructure in the origin and progression of disease. More details can be found in article number 2407728.

Lignocellulose-Mediated Functionalization of Liquid Metals Composites

In article number 2415761, Wei Li, Liyu Zhu, Ying Xu, Guanhua Wang, Ting Xu, and Chuanling Si summarize the state-of-the-art of lignocellulose-based liquid metals materials for the frontiers of multifunctional materials and discuss how to design and functionalize lignocellulose-based liquid metals materials with specific performance. The cover image shows a lignocellulose-based liquid metals materials for the frontiers application.

Heterogeneous Integration of Wide Bandgap Semiconductors and 2D Materials

The heterogeneous integration of 2D materials and WBG enables the growth of high-quality WBG films and the 2D material-assisted layer transfer of them, facilitating flexible electronics and micro- LEDs. This cover image illustrates the transfer process of WBG/2D heterostructures and their potential applications in HEMTs and micro-LEDs. More details can be found in article number 2411108 by Soo Ho Choi, Yongsung Kim, Il Jeon, and Hyunseok Kim.

Nanomedicine Accumulation

Accurate prediction of nanomedicine accumulation is crucial for guiding patient stratification and optimizing treatment strategies in precision medicine. In article number 2416696, Shouju Wang and colleagues present an interpretable radiomics model capable of predicting nanomedicine tumor accumulation using routine medical imaging, achieving an impressive accuracy of 0.851. This study demonstrates the potential of noninvasive imaging for patient stratification and the precise tailoring of nanomedicine therapies, paving the way for more personalized and effective cancer treatment.

Nanoplastics

In article number 2413413, Acelya Yilmazer, Marco Orecchioni, Lucia Gemma Delogu, and co-workers explore the interaction of nanoplastics with human immune cells, using advanced single-cell mass cytometry. Findings reveal nanoplastics uptake on several immune cell subpopulations, affecting cell viability and functionality. Art by the team of INMYWORK Studio.

Suppression of Sepsis Cytokine Storm

Escherichia coli can be transformed into therapeutic nanodrugs through high-temperature treatment, alluding to the concept of the ‘phoenix bathing in fire, attaining nirvana, and being reborn, transforming defilement into purity.’ This suggests that drugs for combating infectious diseases can be derived from the transformation of pathogens themselves, offering a versatile and promising approach for drug development with broad potential applications. More details can be found in article number 2414237 by Yang Zhang, Wenqing Gao, Huijuan Liu, Tao Sun, and co-workers.

3D-Bio-NanoRulers

Central to super-resolution fluorescence microscopy is the need for reliable, biocompatible 3D nanostructures to validate resolution capabilities. The selection of these standards is challenging due to precise geometric and specific labelling requirements. In article number 2403365, José Ignacio Galle, Oleksii Nevskyi, Mark Bates, Jörg Enderlein, and co-workers propose the T4 virus as a 3D-Bio-NanoRuler. Using a simple preparation protocol and DNA-PAINT with astigmatic imaging, we detail viral structures, showcasing the benchmarking potential of T4.

The heterogeneous integration of wide-bandgap semiconductors (WBGs) and 2D materials is emerging as a promising way to address various challenges faced by WBGs. This review covers recent advancements in fabrication techniques, mechanisms, devices, and novel functionalities of WBG/2D heterostructures. Furthermore, the directions and perspectives are outlined for realizing practical applications in the near future.

Wide-bandgap semiconductors (WBGs) are crucial building blocks of many modern electronic devices. However, there is significant room for improving the crystal quality, available choice of materials/heterostructures, scalability, and cost-effectiveness of WBGs. In this regard, utilizing layered 2D materials in conjunction with WBG is emerging as a promising solution. This review presents recent advancements in the integration of WBGs and 2D materials, including fabrication techniques, mechanisms, devices, and novel functionalities. The properties of various WBGs and 2D materials, their integration techniques including epitaxial and nonepitaxial growth methods as well as transfer techniques, along with their advantages and challenges, are discussed. Additionally, devices and applications based on the WBG/2D heterostructures are introduced. Distinctive advantages of merging 2D materials with WBGs are described in detail, along with perspectives on strategies to overcome current challenges and unlock the unexplored potential of WBG/2D heterostructures.

Lignocellulose-mediated liquid metal (LM) composites exhibit significant potential across various applications due to their chemical bonding capabilities and tailored microstructures. This review comprehensively summarizes the fundamental principles and recent advancements in lignocellulose-mediated LM composites, highlighting the advantages of lignocellulose in composite fabrication, including facile synthesis, versatile interactions, and inherent functionalities. Challenges and future directions for these composites are also summarized.

Lignocellulose-mediated liquid metal (LM) composites, as emerging functional materials, show tremendous potential for a variety of applications. The abundant hydroxyl, carboxyl, and other polar groups in lignocellulose facilitate the formation of strong chemical bonds with LM surfaces, enhancing wettability and adhesion for improved interface compatibility. Beyond serving as a supportive matrix, lignocellulose can be tailored to optimize the microstructure of the composites, adapting them for diverse applications. This review comprehensively summarizes the fundamental principles and recent advancements in lignocellulose-mediated LM composites, highlighting the advantages of lignocellulose in composite fabrication, including facile synthesis, versatile interactions, and inherent functionalities. Key modulation strategies for LMs and innovative synthesis methods for functionalized lignocellulose composites are discussed. Furthermore, the roles and structure–performance relationships of these composites in electromagnetic shielding, flexible sensors, and energy storage devices are systematically summarized. Finally, the obstacles and prospective advancements pertaining to lignocellulose-mediated LM composites are thoroughly scrutinized and deliberated upon. This review is expected to provide basic guidance for researchers to boost the popularity of LMs in diverse applications and provide useful references for design strategies of state-of-the-art LMs.

Researchers have developed a two-terminal AlScN/p-i-n GaN heterojunction ferroelectric memristor with ultraviolet photoelectric synapse function, enabling nonvolatile memory and optoelectronic synaptic characteristics. This innovation achieves a high memory on/off ratio and a relatively low synaptic energy consumption, advancing optoelectronics and artificial vision systems with potential applications in on-chip sensing and computing.

Ferroelectric materials represent a frontier in semiconductor research, offering the potential for novel optoelectronics. AlScN material is a kind of outstanding ferroelectric semiconductor with strong residual polarization, high Curie temperature, and mainstream semiconductor fabrication compatibility. However, it is challenging to realize multi-state optical responders due to their limited light sensitivity. Here, a two-terminal AlScN/p-i-n GaN heterojunction ultraviolet optoelectronic synapse is fabricated, overcoming this limitation by leveraging hole capture at the AlScN/p-GaN hetero-interface for multi-state modulation. The novel structure maintains excellent memristor characteristics based on the ferroelectric of AlScN, realizing an on/off ratio of 9.36 × 105. More importantly, the device can mimic synaptic characteristics essential for artificial vision systems, achieving an image recognition accuracy of 93.7% with a weight evolution nonlinearity of 0.26. This approach not only extends the applications of AlScN in optoelectronics but also paves the way for advanced artificial vision systems with image preprocessing and recognition capabilities. The findings provide a step forward in the development of non-volatile memories with potential for on-chip sensing and computing.

Can lignin revolutionize lithium-ion battery separators? A single-layer lignin-based ultrathin separator (as thin as 15 µm) is fabricated using a dry fibrillation method, enabling exceptional thermal stability, low energy consumption, and full material utilization. Sulfonate functional groups enhance interfacial stability, significantly improving cycling in graphite||NMC811 and Si-Gr||NMC811 cells. This scalable, sustainable approach paves the way for next-generation functional separators.

Separators are critical components in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), preventing internal short circuits, mitigating thermal runaway, and influencing rate capability and cycling performance. However, current polyolefin separators suffer from limitations, such as high thermal shrinkage, relatively poor wettability, and inadequate long-term stability, impacting safety and cycle life in critical applications like electric vehicles. Here, a single-layer lignin-based ultrathin separator (as thin as 15 µm) with exceptional intrinsic thermal stability and cycling performance is demonstrated. The separator is fabricated using lignosulfonate, a natural polymer derived as a byproduct of chemical pulping and biorefinery processes. By employing a dry fibrillation method, the process achieves low energy consumption and a 100% raw material conversion rate, highlighting its scalability and sustainability. Interfacial studies reveal the improved cycling performance in both graphite||NMC811 and Si-Gr||NMC811 cells is attributed to the abundant sulfonate functional groups in lignosulfonates, which promote the formation of a sulfur-rich cathode/solid electrolyte interphases (CEI/SEI) with low resistance in both the cathode and anode. The high thermal stability, manufacturing feasibility, battery performance, and low cost of such lignin-based separators offer new inspiration for developing next-generation, single-layer functional separators tailored for high-performance LIBs.

VAFe bionic cartilage hydrogel with a double-network semi-crosslinked chain entanglement structure and motion-driven magnetoelectric-coupled cyclic transformation effect shows the high water content, a porous structure, good mechanical properties, and the electromagnetic effect of the bionic cartilage, which provides a functional compensation and a suitable induced environment for the defective cartilage repair.

Enhancing defective cartilage repair by creating a bionic cartilage hydrogel supplemented with in situ electromagnetic stimulation, replicating endogenous electromagnetic effects, remains challenging. To achieve this, a unique three-phase solvent system is designed to prepare a magnetoelectric bionic cartilage hydrogel incorporating piezoelectric poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid-3-hydroxyvaleric acid) (PHBV) and magnetostrictive triiron tetraoxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) into sodium alginate (SA) hydrogel to form a dual-network, semi-crosslinked chain entanglement structure. The synthesized hydrogel features similar composition, structure, and mechanical properties to natural cartilage. In addition, after the implantation of cartilage, the motion-driven magnetoelectric-coupled cyclic transformation model is triggered by gentle joint forces, initiating a piezoelectric response that leads to magnetoelectric-coupled cyclic transformation. The freely excitable and cyclically enhanced electromagnetic stimulation it can provide, by simulating and amplifying endogenous electromagnetic effects, obtains induced defective cartilage repair efficacy superior to piezoelectric or magnetic stimulation alone.