In this special issue of Small, we are delighted to present exciting research findings from the University of Macau (UM), which marks its 40th anniversary this year. UM was founded in 1981 as the first modern university in Macao. In 2014, it was relocated to its new campus on Hengqin Island, which has provided a strong impetus for its advancement in a wide range of research areas, including science at the nano- and microscale. Moreover, the university has established a strategic ‘3+3+3+3’ research blueprint, with the four ‘3s’ referring to three state key laboratories (State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Analog and Mixed-Signal VLSI, and State Key Laboratory of Internet of Things for Smart City), three emerging research fields (precision medicine, advanced materials, and regional oceanology), three interdisciplinary research fields (cognitive and brain sciences, data science, artificial intelligence and robotics), and three research platforms for the humanities and social sciences (Institute of Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, Centre for Macao Studies, and Asia-Pacific Academy of Economics and Management). Most papers in this special issue highlight the work of researchers in UM's Institute of Applied Physics and Materials Engineering (IAPME), Faculty of Health Science (FHS) and the Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences (ICMS). IAPME takes a well-balanced approach to fundamental and applied research to bridge the gap between pure science and engineering, in such areas as sustainable new energy and environmental materials, photoelectric converting materials, biomedical materials, quantum information and optical metamaterials, and nanoscale functional materials. Meanwhile, FHS focuses on precision medicine for personalised cancer treatment, stem cell and development, and bioimaging and structural biology, through its four research centres and four core facilities equipped with state-of-the-art research infrastructure. ICMS hosts the State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, striving to carry out cutting-edge research projects, nurture high-calibre talent, and transform industries with innovative research. This special issue covers topics such as optoelectronic devices (solar cells, light-emitting diodes and photodetectors), electrochemical batteries, catalysis, bioimaging and biochemicals. Shen et al. (2101316) proposed a tandem structure to simultaneously reduce the carrier transit time and resistance-capacitance time of an organic photodetector and achieved a record response speed of 146.8 ns. This tandem organic photodetector shows potential in applications on wireless transmission systems. Xing et al. (2100560) reported the phase tailoring of quasi-2D perovskite at fixed large spacer cation ratio, in which two different short cations are utilized to compete with large spacer cation, thus successfully tuning the crystallisation dynamics and final-phase distribution. Xing et al. (2100809) also reviewed advances in non-linear phonics in low-dimension perovskites and discussed the field's current challenges and future directions. Sun et al. (2103514) summarised the development of quasi-two-dimensional (quasi-2D) perovskite solar cells, giving an in-depth discussion of the basic crystal structure, properties, and photovoltaic performance of such cells. Wang et al. (2101359) proposed a potassium bromide-enriched surface passivation method for the fabrication of CsPbBr3 nanoplates, which shows a blue emission of a high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 87% with excellent photo and thermal stability. Qu et al. (2102325) reviewed synthesis strategies and current approaches for modulating optical properties of carbon dots (CDs) over the deep-red to near-infrared region. Cai et al. (2100246) introduced patterned sapphire substrates (PSS) to construct MoS2-based photodetectors with improved response performance. Pan et al. (2101482) reported four types of unique structures based on MXenes and C/N-Si layers (CNSi) and performed calculations to illustrate the properties of the designed 2D structures. Lee et al. (2101487) reported on a simple microneedle array solar for spatially salt and steam separation under sun irradiation, with a high solar evaporation rate of 2.94 kg m–2 h–1. With cone-shape microneedle, salt crystallisation is regulated at the tip position with high site-specificity, achieving a high efficiency of wastewater purification without extra energy input. High-performance energy storage devices have shown great promise in meeting the growing demand in related fields around the world. The electrode is the main limit on achieving a greater energy density of lithium-ion batteries. Tang and Liu et al. (2102233) reviewed the latest developments in the rational design of the commercialisation-driven high mass loading electrodes for lithium batteries, including electrode architecture, integrated configuration, interface engineering, mechanical compression, and Li metal protection. In terms of next-generation energy storage systems, potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) are seen as a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries. Hong et al. (2101576) proposed a new approach for the synthesis of N and F dual doped soft carbon nanofibers for enhanced potassium storage. They also investigated the potassium storage mechanism of the doped soft carbon through the ex situ characterisation of electrode materials and density functional theory (DFT) simulation, which demonstrated its optimal ratio of N and F doping dose. Chen and Tang et al. (2103679) reviewed some recent key advances in improving the safety of lithium-ion batteries with a unique focus on thermal-responsive and fire-resistant battery materials. They also analysed certain challenges and perspectives to shed light on further research on high-safety batteries. Catalysis is attracting widespread interest in various fields, such as environmental production and green energy. Yu et al. (2102408) developed the oxygen defect engineering of β-MnO2 catalysts for the selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3 (NH3-SCR). The oxygen defects were introduced by the lattice rearrangement during air calcination, whereby the as-prepared γ-MnO2 nanosheet and nanorod could be transformed into the corresponding β-MnO2. The resulting active β-MnO2 nanosheet with numerous oxygen defects showed a significantly improved NH3-SCR efficiency. Zhang et al. (2101393) developed a series of MOFs-derived Ce/Co bimetallic catalysts for reducing the antibiotics pollution. With the assistance of peroxymonosulfate (PMS), the newly developed catalysts facilitated the degradation of norfloxacin (NFX) and many other pollutions effectively. Pan et al. (2101605) reviewed the development of perovskite oxide as electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Composition engineering, crystal facet control, morphology modulation, defect engineering and hybridization are all summarized and discussed systematically. Sun et al. (2103214) fabricated a wide-temperature-range proton exchange membrane for fuel cells by a self-assembly process with UiO-66 derived carbon (porous carbon–ZrO2), branched poly(4,4′-diphenylether-5,5′-bibenzimidazole) (OPBI), and polyacrylamide hydrogels. The membrane exhibits excellent stable cold start-up cycles and long-term stability. Wearable sensor is another research hotspot that offers a broad spectrum of applications from healthcare monitoring, human-machine interaction, to Internet of things for the emerging intelligent era. Zhou et al. (2103312) designed a high-permittivity gradient micro-dome architecture with a high sensitivity of 0.065 kPa in an ultrabroad linearity range up to 1700 kPa. They also demonstrated how the architecture, which has excellent sensitivity and linearity, can be used for tasks such as physiological signal detection, control instruction transmission and convenient Morse code communication. Moreover, artificial nanochannel sensors can detect various analytes based on the transmembrane ion current signal. Zhang et al. (2100495) reviewed the development of three detection methods in recent years. Compared with the traditional single current signal, the new current-fluorescence double signals and Faraday current signal can improve the detection reliability and analyte diversity. It lays a foundation for the precise detection of nanochannel systems and inspires researchers to solve current problems in this field. Bioimaging technology is essential for modern medical diagnosis and drug efficacy evaluation. Chen et al. (2103780) summarised the optimisations of the second near-infrared window (NIR-II) probes about fluorescence imaging, photoacoustic imaging and optical coherence tomography, which enables the mapping of complex vascular networks in deep tissues and molecular variations associated with vascular diseases. Li et al. (2103127) reviewed recent advances in conjugated polymer materials in bioimaging and cancer therapy. The interdisciplinary interpenetration of nanomedicine and nanobiology is vital to the field of biomedicine. The numerous types of natural or artificial polyphenols and metals endow nanoplatform-Metal-Phenolic Networks (MPNs) with diverse properties and functions, which makes MPNs promising candidates for bioimaging and therapeutics. Dai et al. (2100314) reviewed the recent advances of MPNs, including the classification of polyphenols, the properties and preparation of MPNs, and their applications in bioimaging and antitumour therapies. This review served as a guideline for exploring and designing optimal MPNs with on-demand tumour diagnosis and treatment capacity. Zheng et al. (2103584) established the comprehensive correlation between zebrafish and mice models regarding the biofate of polymeric nanocarriers in vivo. The 7 days post-fertilization (dpf) zebrafish combining with Förster resonance energy transfer technique demonstrate the particle integrity and size effect on the journey of polymeric nanocarriers in vivo and correlate well with their biofate in mice. These findings suggest that the 7-dpf zebrafish is suitable as an in vivo screening model for nanomedicines and predicts their biofate in rodents, which contributes to the rational design and optimisation of nanomedicines in early preclinical study. Yuan et al. (2101397) constructed a theranostic nanoplatform that introduced upconversion nanoparticles and IR-1048 dye into the lipid-aptamer nanostructrure (UCILA) to visually acquire all-round structural and functional information of lung cancer. It is shown that this UCILA nanoplatform is a multifunctional theranostic agent for both penta-modal imaging and temperature feedback photothermal therapy while conducting targeting immunotherapy of lung cancer. The precise accumulation and extended retention of nanomedicines in the tumor tissue has been highly desired for cancer therapy. Wang et al. (2101139) developed a novel supramolecular peptide-camptothecin nanodrug, which can be morphologically transformed from nanoparticles to microfibers in response to intracellular polyamine in cancer cells, for significantly enhancing tumor specific drug accumulation and the overall therapeutic efficacy with minimal side-effects. Wang et al. (2101332) also developed and validated a brand new concept of bioorthogonal “supramolecular tropism” for targeted delivery of guest-modified Au nanoparticles to host-modified iron oxide nanoparticles (as an artificial target) that are magnetically deposited into the tumor tissue, where supramolecular aggregates of these nanoparticles are formed in situ, via strong, multipoint, host-guest interactions. Zhao et al. (2102624) found that one of the main obstacles limiting chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR T-cell) therapy is the tumour microenvironment (TME). They adopted a synergetic strategy by combining nanozymes and CAR T-cells in solid tumours. Nanozymes exhibit merits modulating the immunosuppression of the tumour milieu. This study clearly supports that the TME-immunomodulated nanozyme is a promising tool to improve the therapeutic obstacles of CAR T-cells against solid tumours. This special issue presents a multitude of research developments in advanced materials, physics, biology and biomedicine from UM on the occasion of its 40th anniversary. Today's UM is on the threshold of a new era. It is a university of and for Macao; it is also an active participant in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and China, with the ambition to ‘go global'. It aspires to be a university of excellence that is the pride of Macao residents and recognised by academic communities both at home and abroad. Finally, we would like to take this opportunity to thank the Small editorial team especially Dr. Liying Wang and Dr. Jovia Jiang. Also, we would like to express our sincere thanks to all the authors and reviewers for their great contribution to make the success for this issue. The authors declare no conflict of interest. Zikang Tang is a chair professor at the University of Macau. He obtained his Ph.D. in Condensed Matter Physics from Tohoku University, Japan in 1992. Then, he worked at Japanese Science & Technology Agency as a research fellow (1992–1994). He joined the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (HKUST) as a professor in 1994 and worked for HKUST till 2015. In 2016, he was offered the role of founding director of the Institute of Applied Physics and Materials Engineering, University of Macau. His research interests focus on nano electronic materials and quantum biological materials. Guichuan Xing is a professor in the Institute of Applied Physics and Materials Engineering at the University of Macau (UM). He received his Ph.D. in Physics from National University of Singapore in 2011 and then worked as a research fellow in the Division of Physics & Applied Physics at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore from 2009 to 2016. He then joined UM in 2016. His research interests lie in ultrafast laser spectroscopy, nano optoelectronics, perovskites for light harvesting and light emission. Yuxin Tang is an assistant professor in the Institute of Applied Physics and Materials Engineering at the University of Macau. He obtained his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics in 2006 and 2009 respectively and graduated from Nanyang Technological University with a Ph.D. in Materials Science (2013). His research interests are the development of extreme energy storage devices and real-time electrochemical reaction monitoring techniques. Yonghua Song is a chair professor and Rector of the University of Macau since January 2018. Professor Song received his B.Eng. and Ph.D. from Chengdu University of Science and Technology (now Sichuan University) and the China Electric Power Research Institute in 1984 and 1989 respectively. From 1991 to 2017, he held a number of senior leadership positions and various teaching and research positions at University of Bath, Brunel University, University of Liverpool, Tsinghua University, Zhejiang University and several other universities respectively. His research focuses on electrical power systems.