Architectural Self-Assembled Fungal Mycelium for Nanofluidic Ion Regulation.

Lithium-ion conductors based on halide anion frameworks have garnered significant attention as optimal ceramic conductors for composite cathodes due to their high oxidation stability and deformability. Recently, a cost-effective halide electrolyte, Li2ZrCl6, has been reported as a promising alternative to rare-metal-based halide solid electrolytes which are not suitable for manufacturing. Despite the economic advantage of using Zr, its ionic conductivity remains relatively low (0.36 mS cm-1), which could limit its applicability in high C-rate applications.To enhance the ionic conductivity of Zr-based solid electrolytes, various structural tuning strategies have been employed. However, challenges persist, such as unstable cycling due to the redox reactions of metal ion and the uneconomical aspects of incorporating rare metals like Yttrium, Indium, and Lanthanides. In this study, we propose economical and rational strategies for tuning Li2ZrCl6 to achieve higher ionic conductivity without compromising stability and affordability.By introducing zero-valent dopants, vacancies, we were able to increase the ionic conductivity of the Zr-based solid electrolyte to nearly twice its original value (0.8 mS cm-1). Our detailed analysis reveals that the enhanced conductivity and reduced activation energy are primarily due to the activation of local diffusion paths, resulting from the alleviated repulsion between transition metal ions and Lithium ions. Furthermore, we establish the relationship between the Lithium-ion content and Li diffusivity in the Zr-based solid electrolyte, uncovering a new aspect for structural tuning in Zr-based solid electrolytes.Consequently, we optimized the content of Lithium ions and dopants in the solid electrolyte, synthesizing a super-ionic conductive Zr-based solid electrolyte with an impressive ionic conductivity of approximately 1.6 mS cm-1 and highest Zr percentage reported to date. Our findings offer a rational and economical design strategy for developing stable hcp-LZC structures with faster ionic conduction. This breakthrough has the potential to facilitate the widespread adoption of Zr-based solid electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries.

An ultra-thin quasi-solid electrolyte (QSE) with dendrite-inhibiting properties is a requirement for achieving high energy density quasi-solid lithium metal batteries (LMBs). Here, a 5.1µm rigid QSE layer is directly designed on the cathode, in which Kevlar (poly(p-phenylene terephthalate)) nanofibers (KANFs) with negatively charged groups bridging metal-organic framework (MOF) particles are served as a rigid skeleton, and non-flammable deep eutectic solvent is selected to be encapsulated into the MOF channels, combined with in situ polymerization to complete safe electrolyte system with high rigidness and stability. The QSE withconstructed topological network demonstrates high rigidity (5.4GPa), high ionic conductivity (0.73 mS cm-1 at room temperature), good ion-regulated properties, and improved structural stability, contributing to homogenized Li-ion flux, excellent dendrite suppression, and prolonged cyclic performance for LMB. Additionally, ion regulation influences the Li deposition behavior, exhibiting a uniform morphology on the Li-metal surface after cycling. According to density-functional theory, KANFs bridging MOFs as hosts play a vital function in the free-state and fast diffusion dynamics of Li-ions. This work provides an effective strategy for constructing ultrathin robust electrolytes with a novel ionic conduction mode.

Hierarchically porous ceria with tunable pore structure from particle-stabilized foams

The intercalation strategy is successfully applied in tuning the interlayer distance of 2D membranes for efficient desalination and ion sieving. However, it is difficult to pursue a intercalant that is few nanometers in size and suitable for further chemical modification . Here, for the first time, we report the intercalation of soft particles-polyacrylonitrile gel particles (PAN GPs) inside the graphene oxide (GO) membranes, which allows for a tunable interlayer distance via the deformation of soft particles. Furthermore, the base-induced hydrophobic/hydrophilic structure of PAN GPs facilitates the water diffusion through the GO membrane. A fast and selective water permeation was observed through separation Cu-EDTA2-from water, with the permeance of 4-13 times higher than the reported 2D membranes. Intercalation of soft particles represents a promising strategy to fabricate high-performance 2D membranes.

Two‐dimensional (2D) semiconductors offer unique advantages for light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) due to their atomic‐scale thickness, strong excitonic effects, tunable band structures, and compatibility with Van Der Waals heterostructures. These properties enable fine control over carrier injection, exciton recombination, and light–matter interactions, facilitating functionalities not easily achieved in bulk semiconductors. This review provides a comprehensive overview of 2D material‐based LEDs, with emphasis on device architectures, performance modulation, and emerging applications. Key configurations, such as p–n junctions, Schottky contacts, and quantum well heterostructures, are examined in terms of charge transport and emission behavior. Strategies to tailor emission properties are discussed, focusing on band structure engineering, interface optimization, and photonic field control. Additionally, unique electroluminescence phenomena arising from spin–valley coupling, in‐plane anisotropy, and multi‐exciton dynamics are highlighted, enabling polarized, valley‐resolved, and dynamically tunable emission. These capabilities open up opportunities for integration into quantum light sources, neuromorphic vision, and reconfigurable photonic platforms. To advance toward practical applications, improvements are needed in spectral tunability, light‐extraction efficiency, and scalable fabrication. Continued progress in materials synthesis, device engineering, and photonic integration is expected to accelerate the development of high‐performance, application‐oriented 2D optoelectronic systems.

The accelerating demand for high-performance energy storage systems has exposed critical limitations in conventional electrode materials, particularly in terms of low electrical conductivity, structural instability, and limited cycling durability of metal oxide-based nanostructures. Despite extensive progress, existing approaches often treat synthesis, surface engineering, and chemical modification as isolated strategies, resulting in suboptimal performance and poor scalability. This study addresses this gap by presenting an integrated framework that combines controlled chemical synthesis with advanced surface engineering and precise chemical tailoring of metal oxide nanoparticles. A hybrid methodological approach is adopted, incorporating experimental synthesis routes alongside critical analysis of recent advancements to establish robust structure–property relationships. The findings demonstrate that synergistic tuning of particle morphology, surface chemistry, and defect structures significantly enhances electrochemical behavior, leading to improved specific capacitance, higher energy and power densities, and superior long-term cycling stability. Furthermore, the incorporation of engineered surface functionalities facilitates efficient charge transfer and ion diffusion, overcoming intrinsic material limitations. The proposed strategy also highlights pathways toward scalable and cost-effective fabrication, addressing key barriers to industrial adoption. These insights position chemically tailored metal oxide nanoparticles as promising candidates for next-generation energy storage technologies, with direct implications for electric vehicles, grid-scale energy systems, and high-performance supercapacitors.

The advancement of nanofluidic applications will require the identification of materials with high-conductivity nanoscale channels that can be readily obtained at massive scale. Inspired by the transpiration in mesostructured trees, we report a nanofluidic membrane consisting of densely packed cellulose nanofibers directly derived from wood. Numerous nanochannels are produced among an expansive array of one-dimensional cellulose nanofibers. The abundant functional groups of cellulose enable facile tuning of the surface charge density via chemical modification. The nanofiber-nanofiber spacing can also be tuned from ~2 to ~20 nm by structural engineering. The surface-charge-governed ionic transport region shows a high ionic conductivity plateau of ~2 mS cm-1 (up to 10 mM). The nanofluidic membrane also exhibits excellent mechanical flexibility, demonstrating stable performance even when the membrane is folded 150°. Combining the inherent advantages of cellulose, this novel class of membrane offers an environmentally responsible strategy for flexible and printable nanofluidic applications.

In matrix-assisted laser-desorption and ionization mass spectrometry, spectral differences are frequently observed using different growth media on agar plates and/or different growth times in culture, which add undesirable analytical variance. In this article, we explore an approach to the above problem based upon the rationale that, while protein expression in fungal mycelium may well vary under different growth conditions, this might not apply to the same extent in fungal spores. To this end, we have exploited the fact that while mycelium is generally anchored to the fungal-growth substrate, some fungi produce physically-isolated spores which, as such, are amenable to manipulation using dielectrophoresis (the translational motion of charged or uncharged matter caused by polarization effects in a non-uniform electrical field). Such fields can be conveniently generated through the charging of an insulator using the triboelectric effect (the transfer of charge between two objects through friction when they are rubbed together). In this study, polystyrene microbiological inoculating loops were used in combination with nylon-fabric rubbing to harvest fungal spores from five species from within the genus Penicillium, which were grown on agar plates containing two different media over an extended time course. In terms of average Bruker spectral-comparison scores, our method generated higher scores in 80% of cases tested and, in terms of average coefficients of variation, our method generated lower spectral variability in 93% of cases tested. Harvesting of spores using a rapid, inexpensive and simple dielectrophoretic method, therefore, facilitates improved fungal identification for the Penicillium species tested.

Nanofluidic membranes derived from cellulose-based biomaterials have garnered increasing attention for ion transport and regulation due to their modifiable nature, ordered structures, sustainability, and excellent compatibility. However, their practical applications in ionic circuits, energy conversion, and sensing have been limited by insufficient mechanical strength and suboptimal ion transport properties. In this study, we report ultra-strong, highly ion-conductive bio-membranes fabricated through phosphorylation-assisted cell wall engineering. This process introduces high-density anionic phosphate groups onto cellulose chains while preserving their natural hierarchical alignment across macroscopic to molecular scales. The resulting PhosWood-40 membrane (bio-membranes phosphorylated for 40 minutes) shows exceptional performance, with a record-high ion conductivity of 21.01 mS cm-1 in 1.0 × 10-5 mol L-1 KCl aqueous solution, an ionic selectivity of 0.95, and a high tensile strength up to 241 MPa under dry conditions and 66 MPa under wet conditions. Phosphorylation enhances the membrane's ionic conductivity by 100-fold and improves cation/anion ratio by 38-fold compared to the unmodified membrane, primarily due to the increased surface charge density and optimized ion channel accessibility. Under simulated conditions of artificial seawater (0.5 mol L-1) and river water (0.01 mol L-1), the phosphorylated PhosWood-40 membranes achieve a remarkable output power density of 6.4 W m-2, surpassing unmodified membranes by 30-fold and outperforming other bio-based nanofluidic systems. This work highlights the potential of renewable and easily modifiable cellulose-based biomaterials for developing high-performance nanofluidic systems.

Advancements in Bimetallic Metal-Organic Frameworks for Oral Medicine.

Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)-based materials have emerged as promising materials for water treatment due to their biodegradability, structural tunability, and compatibility with functional modifications. Beyond previous general PCL reviews, this work offers a focused assessment of PCL-based materials for water treatment, integrating fabrication routes, hierarchical structures, and treatment mechanisms into a coherent framework. A critical summary of recent progress in the design and application of PCL-based composites across four major treatment mechanisms (adsorption, membrane separation, photocatalytic degradation, and biodegradation) was provided, with an emphasis on underlying structure–property–performance relationships. The effects of fabrication strategies, including electrospinning, phase separation, freeze-drying, and 3D printing, on membrane morphology, surface functionality, and pollutant removal performance are systematically analysed. Strategies for performance enhancement are discussed in terms of polymer blending, nanofiller incorporation, and hierarchical structural design, highlighting how these approaches tune wettability, porosity, and interfacial interactions to enhance adsorption and separation efficiency. This review also examines multifunctional hybrid systems that couple photocatalysis with filtration or adsorption, along with the emerging use of PCL as a biodegradable carbon source and microbial carrier for denitrification. In addition, the review provides a comparative perspective that synthesises recent fabrication strategies and treatment pathways, clarifying their respective structural advantages and practical limitations. Despite notable advances, challenges remain in achieving long-term mechanical stability, recyclability, scalable fabrication, and consistent performance under real wastewater conditions. The review concludes with an outlook on integrating green fabrication, quantitative structure–performance correlations, and digital optimisation tools to accelerate the translation of PCL-based materials into practical, sustainable water treatment technologies. • Review of PCL composites in adsorption, separation, photocatalysis, biodegradation. • Evaluation of electrospinning, phase separation, freeze-drying, 3D printing. • Demonstration of multifunctional PCL systems with tailored optimisation strategies. • Identifying key challenges and prospects for advancing practical water treatment.

Solid oxide cells (SOCs) are regarded as a promising energy technology due to their large current density, diverse range of fuels, and high energy conversion efficiency. The double perovskite Sr2FeMoO6 (SFM) has attracted considerable attention for SOCs due to its tunable structure with superior performance of high conductivity, excellent thermal stability, and remarkable carbon deposition resistance in a reducing atmosphere. However, the electrocatalytic activity of SFM is considerably lower than that of commercial Ni-based SOC electrodes. A timely summary of the synthesis, modulation, and application of SFM perovskites is of great significance for its further development for SOCs. In this review, the methods employed in the preparation of SFM electrocatalysts are introduced first. Then, the advancements in the application of different SFM-based electrocatalysts in the field of SOCs are reviewed, and the research progress in the in situ exsolution of SFM-based electrocatalysts through ion regulation is assessed. Finally, the future issues associated with SFM-based electrocatalysts are addressed in the realm of electrocatalysis, to advance their application.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) show revolutionary potential in quasi-solid-state electrolytes (QSSEs) designed for high-energy-density batteries, owing to their tunable nanoporous structures and open metal sites (OMSs). However, their application is hindered by insufficient Li+ dissociation and low ionic conductivity, attributed to limited metal active sites. This study employed defect engineering to modulate hafnium-based MOFs, increasing OMS density while optimizing the pore microenvironment. The engineered defects improve the Lewis acid strength of OMSs, driving lithium salt dissociation and establishing strong chemisorption of TFSI- anions. By synergistically optimizing defect density, Lewis acidity, and structural stability, the defect-engineered Hf-MOF-QSSE achieved an ionic conductivity of 1.0 mS cm-1 at 30 °C and delivered a critical current density of 2 mA cm-2, surpassing previously reported MOF-QSSEs, underscoring the pivotal role of defect engineering in electrolyte optimization. Furthermore, Li||LiFePO4 cells exhibited excellent cycling stability and ultrahigh rate capability, retaining 93% of their capacity after 1500 cycles at 10C, while Li||NCM811 cells maintained a specific capacity of 85 mAh g-1 after 600 cycles at 5C.

Environmental challenges, including carbon emissions, water scarcity, water pollution, etc., have driven the rapid development of 2D membranes as a transformative solution for molecular‐scale separations. 2D nanosheets are ideal building blocks for the construction of advanced lamellar 2D membranes for molecular‐scale separations owing to their excellent processability, highly tunable channel structures, and high surface area. However, it remains a critical challenge to design 2D lamellar membranes with high molecular flux due to the tortuous channels or uncontrollable stacking of nanosheets. In this perspective review, uniquely target providing theoretical analysis and summarizing experimental advances to offer guidelines for designing lamellar membranes with enhanced flux. First, the physicochemical properties of different 2D nanosheets are analyzed by emphasizing their potential and limitations for enabling rapid molecular transport. Next, an in‐depth analysis of transport mechanisms is provided, and based on this, propose systematic optimization strategies for the membrane structure to achieve high flux separation. Last, the most promising future directions for developing high‐flux 2D membranes for real‐world applications are outlook.

Solar-driven hydrogen evolution is emerging as a pivotal strategy in the sustainable energy transition, offering a viable pathway for renewable hydrogen production. Inorganic photocatalysts, such as metal oxides, sulfides, and carbon-based materials, have been extensively studied; however, their performance is often limited by poor tunability of energy levels and structures, low processability, and inadequate utilization of visible light. In contrast, polymeric photocatalysts offer distinct advantages, including precise molecular tunability, scalable fabrication via solution processing, and adjustable energy levels for optimized solar absorption. This review highlights recent advances in polymeric photocatalysts, with particular emphasis on molecular- and particle-level design strategies, fabrication methodologies, and photophysical insights. Molecular design approaches, such as backbone engineering, side-chain modification, and heteroatom incorporation, are discussed alongside particle-level optimization through control of size, morphology, and molecular ordering. Emerging fabrication techniques, including direct polymer dispersions and nanoparticle-based processing, are examined in relation to their effects on dispersibility, light harvesting, and catalytic activity. Photophysical studies are also emphasized to elucidate charge-carrier dynamics and to establish structure–property–performance correlations. Finally, evaluation methodologies, such as hydrogen evolution performance metrics, benchmarking practices, and ongoing challenges in standardization, are critically assessed. This review aims to synthesize current achievements and provide perspectives to guide future research toward the practical implementation of polymeric photocatalysts for solar-driven hydrogen evolution.