Opto-Electronic Advances (光电进展)•2026•DOI: 10.29026/oea.2026.250263
The convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and metaphotonics is creating a new paradigm for controlling light-matter interactions. The synergy of AI's ability to learn complex relationships in multidimensional data and provide ultra-fast inference with the capacity of metaphotonics to engineer optical properties not found in nature is unlocking a new era in computational design, real-time control, and fully automated optical systems. This review provides a comprehensive overview of state-of-the-art AI-driven approaches for metaphotonic systems. We focus on the solutions to real-world problems in accelerating metaphotonic simulations and inverse design, optical data characterization, and the development of fully integrated end-to-end AI-assisted metaphotonic systems. Finally, we provide our perspectives on the future research directions and emerging opportunities at the rapidly evolving intersection of metaphotonics and AI.
Opto-Electronic Advances (光电进展)•2026•DOI: 10.29026/oea.2026.250260
Hybrid plasmonic metasurfaces have emerged as a pivotal platform for enhancing photodetection across multiple bands, yet their practical deployment is constrained by narrow operational bandwidth and high dark current. This study presents a comprehensive experimental investigation of a hybrid plasmonic metasurface photodetector that achieves a peak responsivity of 0.45 A/W at 1550 nm and a specific detectivity of 1.2 × 10^11 Jones, with a dark current density of 2.5 nA/cm² at room temperature. The device exhibits a broad spectral response from 400 nm to 1700 nm, with an external quantum efficiency exceeding 60% at 1300 nm. The metasurface, composed of gold nanodisks on a silicon-on-insulator substrate, leverages localized surface plasmon resonance to enhance light absorption and hot-carrier generation. Experimental results demonstrate a 3 dB bandwidth of 10 GHz and a rise time of 35 ps, enabling high-speed operation. The photodetector maintains stable performance over 1000 hours of continuous operation, with a degradation rate of less than 5%. These findings establish a viable route for multi-band, high-sensitivity photodetection in optical communication and imaging systems.
Opto-Electronic Advances (光电进展)•2026•DOI: 10.29026/oea.2026.260049
Spatial light modulators (SLMs) are indispensable in three-dimensional holographic displays, additive manufacturing, quantum optics, and adaptive imaging. The critical performance metric is spatiotemporal product density (STPD), defined as the number of independently addressable pixels per unit area multiplied by the modulation rate. Practical real-time 3D holography demands an STPD on the order of 10^12 pixels/(s·cm^2), a benchmark far beyond existing commercial and research SLM technologies. Liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) and digital micromirror devices (DMD) have advanced steadily but remain constrained by pixel sizes of several micrometers—much larger than visible wavelengths. In LCoS, liquid crystal layer thickness and fringing-field effects limit pixel scalability without crosstalk or degraded phase modulation. In DMDs, mechanical constraints such as hinge stiffness restrict mirror miniaturization and switching speed. Achieving true wavelength-scale pixilated modulation in the visible range remains a formidable challenge, motivating exploration beyond conventional electro-optic and microelectromechanical systems. Metasurfaces have emerged as a versatile platform for subwavelength wavefront engineering, and their integration with commercial SLMs has improved spot-count scaling, dimensional conversion, and field-of-view expansion. Active metadevices based on phase-change materials and electrochemical actuation offer dynamic tuning but are typically limited to single-parameter modulation and millisecond-scale responses. Electrically addressed schemes, including liquid crystal-integrated metasurfaces and indium tin oxide (ITO)-based devices, present promising alternatives for pixel miniaturization, yet most implementations support only one-dimensional beam steering and still rely on micrometer-scale addressing. A recent work reports an optically addressed metasurface spatial light modulator (OA-MSLM) that achieves sub-micron pixel pitch with optical addressing of independently tunable meta-atom supercells. The device enables real-time complex-amplitude holography, three-dimensional focusing, and wide-angle beam steering in the visible spectrum. This approach represents a revolutionary paradigm in wavefront control, promising scalable platforms for three-dimensional display, additive manufacturing, and adaptive optics.
Opto-Electronic Advances (光电进展)•2026•DOI: 10.29026/oea.2026.250150
This study presents the first demonstration of a fast step heterodyne light-induced thermoelastic spectroscopy (SH-LITES) sensor utilizing a high-frequency quartz tuning fork (QTF) with a resonant frequency of approximately 100 kHz. The theoretical basis of heterodyne LITES (H-LITES) signal generation is analyzed, and an acetylene (C2H2) H-LITES sensor is constructed to evaluate performance. Comparative experiments between the high-frequency QTF and a standard commercial QTF (resonant frequency ~32.768 kHz) reveal that the high-frequency QTF achieves a tenfold faster response time, with a measurement cycle of 33 ms—90% shorter than commercial counterparts. The proposed SH-LITES technique further reduces the scanning time to 15 ms, representing the shortest LITES measurement time reported to date. To validate dynamic gas detection capabilities, an H2O-LITES system integrating both QTF types is employed for real-time monitoring of H2O concentration during various respiration patterns. Results demonstrate that SH-LITES more accurately captures rapid H2O concentration fluctuations during respiration, outperforming the commercial QTF-based H-LITES sensor in fast-response scenarios. These findings establish a new benchmark for high-speed trace gas sensing with potential applications in combustion diagnostics, healthcare monitoring, and environmental surveillance.
Opto-Electronic Advances (光电进展)•2026•DOI: 10.29026/oea.2026.250269
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates face an intrinsic trade-off: the ultrasensitive hottest spots required for single-molecule detection amplify analyte signals by orders of magnitude, causing each molecule to be miscounted as hundreds during quantification. This study demonstrates a timeshare SERS platform that circumvents this contradiction by dynamically toggling between quantitative and sensitive modes on demand. The platform is constructed by transferring a monolayer gold nanosphere film onto an elastic hydrogel substrate. The hydrogel's volume change adjusts the inter-nanosphere distance, reversibly controlling the formation or extinction of SERS hottest spots without altering the spatial distribution of analyte molecules. In the absence of hottest spots, the platform exhibits strong quantification capability; when equipped with a substantial number of hottest spots, it achieves ultrahigh sensitivity. The authors demonstrate quantitative and ultrasensitive detection of various analyte molecules using the respective modes. This approach opens a route to designing SERS substrates that simultaneously offer high sensitivity and robust quantification, addressing a long-standing bottleneck in trace detection for analytical chemistry, environmental monitoring, food safety, and biomedical diagnostics.
Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China (中国有色金属学报)•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1003-6326(26)67070-7
The co-processing of lead-containing waste materials in oxygen bottom-blowing lead smelting alters melt viscosity, which in turn governs gas−liquid mixing efficiency, splashing behavior, and furnace lining erosion. A multi-fluid volume of fluid (VOF) model, incorporating experimentally determined high-lead slag viscosity values, was applied to an industrial-scale bottom-blowing furnace to resolve these coupled phenomena. The simulations demonstrate that optimal gas−liquid mixing occurs at viscosity values of 0.01 and 0.5 Pa·s, whereas minimal splashing is confined to the viscosity range of 0.1−0.25 Pa·s, corresponding to temperatures of approximately 1076−1100 °C. The regions surrounding the oxygen lances are identified as the most susceptible to erosion. Shear stress increases with melt viscosity, rising particularly rapidly within the 0.1−0.25 Pa·s interval. To minimize erosion, the melt viscosity should be maintained within 0.01−0.1 Pa·s. These findings provide quantitative thresholds for viscosity control in industrial bottom-blowing furnaces processing lead-containing secondary materials, enabling trade-offs between mixing intensity, splashing suppression, and lining protection to be optimized on an operational basis.
Opto-Electronic Advances (光电进展)•2026•DOI: 10.29026/oea.2026.250267
Scene-level passive 3D imaging under natural conditions remains a critical unmet need, as established techniques such as structured light, LiDAR, and active stereo rely on controlled illumination and scanning, limiting their applicability to large, dynamic outdoor environments. Passive polarization 3D imaging offers inherent advantages for long-range, high-precision reconstruction but is fundamentally impeded by two obstacles: the π ambiguity of the azimuth component of surface normals and the discontinuity of multiple targets within a scene. This study introduces a scene-level passive polarization 3D imaging method that integrates binocular stereo vision with polarization cues. The reconstruction of discontinuous targets is formulated as a minimization problem, where pixel-level normal directions from polarization and absolute scale information from binocular stereo serve as mutual constraints for iterative optimization. This framework resolves the discontinuity challenge and recovers true depth. A scale normalization strategy globally aligns multi-view measurement data, eliminating inter-frame scale inconsistencies that hinder dynamic reconstruction. Multi-frame point cloud fusion yields the final scene-level 3D structure. Experimental validation on natural field scenes demonstrates robust, wide-scene, high-accuracy passive video reconstructions with centimeter-level precision. This passive polarization stereo approach represents a significant advancement in scene-level 3D imaging, with potential applications in autonomous navigation, environmental monitoring, and cultural heritage documentation.
Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China (中国有色金属学报)•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1003-6326(26)67067-7
Conventional ammonium sulfate leaching of ionic rare earth ores generates 4–6 t of ammonia-nitrogen wastewater per ton of rare earth and drives mining-area soil pH to 3.5–4.0, creating an acute environmental compliance risk. This study evaluates a low-ammonium synergistic lixiviant comprising 0.020 mol/L (NH4)2SO4 and 0.010 mol/L acetic acid (HAc) at pH 4–5, 30 °C, and 1 h contact time. Comparative leaching experiments establish a rare earth element (REE) leaching efficiency of 88.92%, a 13.36% absolute increase over single 0.020 mol/L (NH4)2SO4 leaching. To achieve the same ~90% efficiency benchmark, the conventional single-salt system requires 0.030 mol/L (NH4)2SO4; the synergistic system therefore reduces ammonium consumption by 33.3%. Surface characterization indicates a dual mechanism: H+ attenuates electrostatic interactions between RE3+ and silicate surfaces, enhancing NH4+–RE3+ exchange, while CH3COO− forms soluble RE3+/Al3+ complexes that prevent Al(OH)3 passivation and sustain surface reactivity. The protocol offers a directly deployable route to cut reagent cost and ammonia-nitrogen load without sacrificing recovery, addressing the principal bottleneck restraining sustainable ionic rare earth ore exploitation under China's dual-carbon and rare earth total-amount control policies.
Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China (中国有色金属学报)•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1003-6326(26)67059-8
A multi-stage heat treatment (MSHT) strategy, comprising a high-temperature short-duration water quench (WQ) followed by low-temperature long-duration furnace cooling (FC), was applied to a near-alpha Ti-0.3Mo-0.8Ni-2Al-1.5Zr alloy to overcome the strength-ductility tradeoff. The WQ state produced lath nano-martensite alpha-prime, residual beta-prime, and equiaxed recrystallized alpha. Subsequent FC decomposition transformed alpha-prime/beta-prime into homogeneously dispersed nano-scale alpha+beta precipitates, while equiaxed alpha coarsened via grain boundary migration. The WQ condition exhibited an ultimate tensile strength (sigma_UTS) of 610 MPa and elongation to failure (epsilon_f) of 18.2%. The WQ+400FC condition achieved a peak sigma_UTS of 791.5 MPa with epsilon_f = 16.7%, yielding a strength-ductility product (sigma_UTS * epsilon_f) of 13.2 GPa*%, a 19% improvement over the WQ state. Texture analysis revealed a duplex texture in WQ: weak {0001}//Z0 and strong {0110}//Y0, inherited after FC. The 400FC sample showed the highest lattice strain inhomogeneity, with peak kernel average misorientation (KAM) of 1.5 degrees and grain orientation spread (GOS) of 0.96 degrees, correlating with the excellent sigma_UTS. Non-basal slip systems exhibited higher Schmid factor (SF) values after heat treatment, contributing to ductility. Burgers orientation relationship (BOR) reconstruction confirmed variant selection during beta to alpha-prime transformation, with only four predominant alpha-prime variants instead of the twelve theoretically possible.
Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China (中国有色金属学报)•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1003-6326(26)67062-8
The influence of pre-ageing temperature on dynamic recrystallization (DRX) and microstructure evolution during hot compression of Ni−38Cr−3.8Al alloy was investigated. Five samples with varying pre-precipitation states were fabricated. Pre-ageing treatment precipitates α-Cr phases in lamellar and particle forms. During subsequent hot deformation, pre-precipitated α-Cr lamellae undergo dissolution fragmentation and spheroidization, transforming into finer particles due to elevated temperature and high-density dislocations. At 560 °C, an incomplete discontinuous precipitation (DP) state restrains DRX, producing necklace-like microstructures. Above 640 °C, a complete DP state with fully lamellar structures promotes DRX, yielding ultrafine-grained (UFG) microstructures. Coarse α-Cr particles enhance DRX through particle-stimulated nucleation (PSN) and discontinuous DRX mechanisms, while dissolved α-Cr lamellae promote DRX via continuous DRX. DRX kinetics analysis indicates that increasing pre-ageing temperature accelerates DRX, evidenced by reduced critical strain and peak strain, and increased DRX volume fraction. To achieve UFG microstructures during hot deformation, fully lamellar structures should be precipitated during pre-ageing. These findings provide a processing pathway for tailoring microstructures in high-Cr nickel-based alloys.
Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China (中国有色金属学报)•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1003-6326(26)67064-1
The influence of thickness and annealing treatment on the microstructure and soft magnetic properties of Fe−Si−B−Cu−Nb alloy (Finemet) thin films prepared by magnetron sputtering was systematically investigated. As-deposited films are amorphous; coercivity decreases and saturation magnetization increases with thickness, stabilizing at 400 nm. Annealing at 773 K and 873 K precipitates nanocrystalline α-Fe within the amorphous matrix. Exchange coupling between nanocrystals and the amorphous matrix enhances soft magnetic properties. Rapid thermal processing (RTP) controls the heating rate to minimize grain size and optimize nanocrystal distribution, achieving low coercivity and high saturation magnetization without additional transition metals. The film annealed at 873 K for 30 min with a heating rate of 25 K/s exhibits a coercivity of 0.8 A/m and saturation magnetization of 1.45 T. Compared to the 773 K annealed film, the 873 K annealed film shows significantly lower coercivity due to smaller precipitated nanocrystals. RTP with controlled thermal gradient enables even smaller nanocrystals, further enhancing magnetic properties. These results demonstrate that RTP-treated Finemet films are promising for high-frequency, miniaturized, and integrated electronic devices.
Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China (中国有色金属学报)•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1003-6326(26)67060-4
The microstructural evolution and property response of Cu−0.3Be−2.0Ni and Cu−0.3Be−2.0Ni−0.2Al alloys subjected to solution treatment at 950 °C for 30 min, 70% cold rolling, and aging at 450 °C for 60 min were systematically investigated. The baseline Cu−0.3Be−2.0Ni alloy precipitates predominantly the Ni−Be phase with a transformation sequence of γ″→γ′→γ, whereas the Al-modified alloy exhibits co-precipitation of Ni3Al and nanoscale Be−Ni phases. This synergistic precipitation yields a hardness of HV 268, yield strength of 824 MPa, tensile strength of 881 MPa, elongation of 9%, and electrical conductivity of 47% IACS in the Cu−0.3Be−2.0Ni−0.2Al alloy, compared to HV 238, 785 MPa, 840 MPa, 10%, and 50% IACS for the Al-free counterpart. Relative to conventional aging, thermo-mechanical treatment increases hardness by 13% and conductivity by 6.8% in the Al-containing alloy, while the Al-free alloy shows a 6% hardness increase with marginal conductivity improvement. The co-precipitation mechanism effectively compensates for the strength loss typically associated with reduced Be content, demonstrating a viable pathway for low-cost, high-performance Cu−Be alloys.
Railway Engineering Science (铁道工程科学)•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40534-025-00419-y
This study quantifies the degradation of fatigue crack growth (FCG) resistance in high-speed train bogie frame materials after long-term service. Full-scale frame fatigue tests, multiaxial FCG experiments, and finite element simulations were integrated to determine equivalent crack loading conditions. Digital image correlation captured surface displacement fields for stress intensity factor calculation. Comparative testing of as-welded (AW) and base metal (BM) regions before and after service revealed substantial reductions in remaining useful life: 70.54% for AW and 22.31% for BM. Crack-tip strain responses increased by more than twofold in AW and 1.44 times in BM after service, indicating diminished crack growth resistance. Microscopic fracture surface analysis showed more secondary cracks, unstable crack paths, and blurred fatigue striations in post-service materials, particularly in the AW region. Phased array ultrasonic testing detected no macroscopic defects, yet microstructural deterioration was evident. These findings establish a quantitative link between service-induced damage and fatigue performance degradation, supporting region-specific residual life assessment strategies for bogie frames. The experimental protocol, grounded in actual service loading spectra, improves the accuracy of remaining useful life prediction and provides a reliable basis for maintenance decision-making in high-speed rail operations.
Railway Engineering Science (铁道工程科学)•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40534-025-00415-2
Wheelset tread defects in subway locomotives present critical safety hazards, yet manual inspection remains prevalent, suffering from inefficiency and human error. This study proposes an enhanced YOLOv5-based detection algorithm tailored for subway wheelset tread defects. A multi-head self-attention module is integrated to capture long-range dependencies within global feature maps, improving small-target detection. A weighted bidirectional feature pyramid network (BiFPN) enables balanced multi-scale feature fusion and efficient cross-scale integration. To mitigate limited labeled data and annotation inaccuracies, a novel loss function, W-MPDIoU, is introduced to accelerate convergence. Experimental validation using real defect data and simulated experimental data yields an average detection accuracy of 99.1%, a 4.29% improvement over the original YOLOv5, with a detection speed of 15 ms per image. The model also outperforms YOLOv12 in convergence speed, detection accuracy, and inference speed. Despite these gains, limitations persist in defect variety and dataset size, necessitating further refinement for broader generalization. The proposed method enables real-time tread defect detection, enhancing safety and operational efficiency in urban rail transit maintenance.
Railway Engineering Science (铁道工程科学)•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40534-025-00406-3
The expansion of urban and intercity rail networks—exemplified by China's 162,000 km of railway operating mileage and 48,000 km of high-speed lines by the end of 2024—has intensified concerns over train-induced environmental vibrations. Although typically of low amplitude, these vibrations can cause long-term structural deterioration, interfere with precision instruments, and disrupt human comfort. Documented cases include the 1000-year-old Probhutaratna Pagoda in Beijing, located 130 m from a major railway, which exhibited signs of vibration-induced degradation despite measured levels remaining within regulatory thresholds; the 632-year-old Bell Tower in Xi'an, where two overlapping metro lines produced cumulative vibration effects on ancient timber; and Peking University laboratories, where Metro Line 4 vibrations caused visible image distortion in electron microscopes. The complex dynamic interactions among train, track, infrastructure, soils, and buildings render vibration prediction a formidable challenge. This paper provides a comprehensive review of state-of-the-art modeling methods for train-induced vibrations from surface and underground railway traffic. It begins by addressing wave propagation in natural soils, followed by an in-depth examination of analytical, numerical, and empirical approaches for predicting ground and building vibrations. The review identifies unresolved issues and outlines areas requiring further investigation, including the need for efficient prediction models to assess vibrations and design mitigation measures.
Journal of Advanced Ceramics•2026•DOI: 10.26599/JAC.2026.9221348
Advanced temperature-sensitive materials are critical for hypersonic propulsion and next-generation energy systems, yet long-term stability above 1000 °C remains a formidable barrier. Conventional transition-metal spinel oxides (e.g., Ni–Mn–Co–O) suffer phase decomposition and cation migration above 300 °C, causing exponential resistance drift. This work develops a Mo-regulated high-entropy ferroelastic niobate strategy for ultrawide-temperature negative-temperature-coefficient (NTC) thermosensitive ceramics. Density functional theory calculations reveal that A-site high-entropy facilitates Mo doping in (Ca0.2La0.2Ce0.2Eu0.2Gd0.2)NbO4. Mo doping broadens local atomic configurations, modulates ferroelastic domain structures, and increases atomic-scale displacement disorder, redistributing Hall transport contributions and reducing grain/grain-boundary transport barrier mismatch. The optimized HEN-0.2Mo ceramic exhibits highly linear Arrhenius behavior (R² = 0.99907) from −50 to 1250 °C with a B-value fluctuation of only 4.44%. High-temperature impedance analysis confirms closely matched grain and grain-boundary activation energies (Eg = 1.209 eV, Egb = 1.218 eV; ΔEa ≈ 0.009 eV). During 1250 °C aging, postdensification and strain redistribution yield a stabilized-stage resistance drift of only 1.09% after 1000 h. These findings demonstrate that entropy-stabilized defect engineering decouples sensitivity from degradation in functional ceramics under thermal stress.
Journal of Advanced Ceramics•2026•DOI: 10.26599/JAC.2026.9221340
Protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs) offer efficient intermediate-temperature energy conversion but are constrained by the trade-off between insufficient electrode activity and limited operational durability. This work develops a Zn/Yb B-site codoping strategy combined with temperature-induced nanoparticle exsolution to construct a triple-conducting cathode. Cation-driven charge modulation enhances ionic diffusion and electronic conduction, while the exsolved secondary BaCoO3−δ phase increases active site density, optimizes interfacial charge transfer, and promotes oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) kinetics. Zn/Yb codoping redistributes local charge density, weakens metal–oxygen bonds, and reduces oxygen vacancy formation energy, promoting oxygen vacancy generation. The increased oxygen vacancy concentration facilitates surface oxygen activation and lattice hydration, enhancing oxygen-ion and proton transport. Enhanced d–p orbital hybridization improves electronic conductivity and accelerates charge transfer kinetics. Optimized alkaline–earth sites suppress carbonate formation, imparting excellent CO2 tolerance. The optimized cathode delivers a peak power density of 0.99 W·cm−2 at 600 °C and stable operation over 100 h, with a polarization resistance of 0.110 Ω·cm2 under 20% H2O-air. This work provides a novel strategy for optimizing activity, conductivity, and stability in PCFC cathodes.
Nano Research•2026•DOI: 10.26599/NR.2026.94908790
The integration of electrothermal films into smart windows demands simultaneous high optical transparency and exceptional heating performance, a trade-off that has constrained flexible transparent heater development. This work reports a transparent conductive single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) film composed of highly crystalline, long SWCNTs in small bundles, synthesized by floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition (FCCVD). The small-bundle SWCNT film, with an average bundle diameter of 7.1 nm, achieves a sheet resistance of 26 Ω/□ at 82% transmittance and reaches a stable temperature of 102 °C under a low applied voltage of 20 V. The superior electrothermal performance relative to large-bundle counterparts originates from a higher areal nanotube density and more efficient conductive pathways at equivalent transmittance. Integrating this transparent heating film with a paraffin wax/polydimethylsiloxane (PW/PDMS) thermochromic functional layer yields a large-area flexible smart window. The device exhibits a reversible visible light transmittance range from 0.17% to 78% and exceptional cycling stability. This study overcomes the transparency–conductivity trade-off in transparent electrothermal films, providing a viable route for flexible smart windows and related thermal management devices.
Nano Research•2026•DOI: 10.26599/NR.2026.94908686
Corrosion and icing critically threaten the service safety of magnesium (Mg) alloys in aerospace and transportation industries. Although superhydrophobic coatings offer effective anti-corrosion and anti-icing functions, they are limited by susceptibility to failure due to physical damage or capillary condensation. Here, a multifunctional integrated coating (SAAS) is reported, which endows coated Mg alloys with excellent superhydrophobicity, active anti-corrosion performance, anti-icing properties, and fast self-healing capabilities. Layered double hydroxide (LDH) modified and intercalated with sodium laurate (La) acts as nanoreservoirs, releasing La corrosion inhibitors via an anion-exchange process to retard corrosion. Incorporation of MXene provides full-spectrum high absorption and efficient photothermal conversion, achieving a surface temperature of 61 °C under 1.0 sun illumination, which prevents adhesion and accumulation of supercooled droplets. Near-infrared (NIR) irradiation induces macromolecular chain migration and phase transition, enabling fast self-healing of coating damage. The SAAS coating exhibits a water contact angle of 153°, a corrosion current density of 1.294 × 10⁻⁹ A·cm⁻² (four orders of magnitude lower than bare Mg alloy), an icing delay time approximately 23 times longer than the substrate, and a healing rate of about 0.34 cm·s⁻¹ under NIR. This study provides a novel strategy for enhancing aircraft skin durability and offers insights into multifunctional coating design.
Nano Research•2026•DOI: 10.26599/NR.2026.94908737
Electrocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production is a key pathway for sustainable green hydrogen. However, freshwater scarcity limits large-scale application, necessitating efficient and stable catalysts for complex water sources such as seawater and wastewater. Here, we report a FeRu bimetallic nanocatalyst (FeRu-ERBC) constructed by anchoring FeRu composite nanoparticles on engineered biomass-derived carbon from Equisetum ramosissimum Desf. FeRu-ERBC exhibits excellent hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance in alkaline, seawater, and chemical wastewater environments, achieving an overpotential of only 22.7 mV at 10 mA·cm−2 in 1.0 M KOH and maintaining stability for over 120 h. Structural characterization and density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the carbon support provides high specific surface area and hierarchical pores for mass transport, and critically promotes atomic-level substitution of Fe by Ru, forming a tightly coupled Fe–Ru interface. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and in situ spectroscopy confirm electron transfer from Fe to Ru, creating a 'Feδ+–Ruδ−' synergistic active center. This interface regulates the surface interfacial water network, enhancing overall reaction kinetics. This work provides a new strategy for designing Ru-based catalysts with interfacial electronic regulation for real-world water environments, highlighting the crucial role of biomass-derived carbon supports in advancing green hydrogen technology.
Nano Research•2026•DOI: 10.26599/FRICT.2025.9441210
This study investigates the steady shear rheological behavior of water-based ferrofluids composited with hydrophilic fumed silica under different magnetic field strengths, with particular attention paid to avoiding gelation that reduces fluidity. Seven composite ferrofluid samples were prepared and characterized. By adjusting the silica particle size and volume fraction, their effects on viscosity and yield stress were explored. As a result, pronounced shear-thinning behavior is observed in this dispersion, with their flow curves under different magnetic field strengths effectively scaled by the Mason number. A higher silica concentration or larger particle size increases the critical Mason number, showing that field-induced structures become more stable. In contrast, only high silica concentrations significantly enhance shear thinning, as reflected by a larger flow index, whereas particle size has little influence. Yield stress analysis further shows that macroscopic models capture normalized Bingham yield stress, while microscopic models better predict normalized static yield stress. Overall, this work demonstrates that hydrophilic fumed silica offers a simple and effective route for tuning the magnetorheology of water-based ferrofluids without inducing gelation, ensuring controllable rheology and good fluidity.
Nano Research•2026•DOI: 10.26599/FRICT.2025.9441207
Wear debris particles critically influence frictional interfaces. Conventional understanding holds that debris accumulation causes severe wear. However, debris from metal friction pairs includes anti-wear metal oxides generated by tribochemical reactions, which can form a protective oxidation film to resist wear. Minimizing abrasive damage from accumulated debris and exploiting the anti-wear property of metal oxides are mutually exclusive. Here, a rational design of a bioinspired coupling surface (BCS) that manipulates nanoscale wear debris to resist further wear is reported. The BCS comprises surface textures that capture and temporarily store excess nanoscale wear debris, and a deposited self-cleaning coating that subsequently transfers part of the captured debris back into the sliding-contact interface, where it converts into a protective oxidation film. The coexistence of these two elements with contrasting properties in manipulating nanoscale wear debris considerably reduces wear under water lubrication, oil lubrication, and macroscale superlubricity. Specifically, the wear rate of steel is reduced by 50.4%, 51.2%, and 46.3% under these respective conditions. This strategy achieves the manipulation and utilization of wear debris for anti-wear purposes, promoting further investigation into the role of nanoscale wear debris and its utilization approaches.
Nano Research•2026•DOI: 10.26599/FRICT.2026.9441213
Nanocomposites have attracted significant attention as lubricant additives due to their advantages in reducing friction, enhancing wear resistance, and improving thermal and oxidative stability. In recent years, increasing research has explored how different types of nanomaterials (such as carbon-based materials, metallic nanoparticles, and ceramic phases) can use synergistic effects to achieve performance surpassing that of their single components. This review focuses on relevant studies published between 2020 and 2025, providing an updated overview of the advantages, synthesis methods, structures, dispersion stability, lubrication mechanisms, and tribological behavior of nanocomposites. Various structural types are discussed, including core–shell, layered, and in situ hybrid systems, along with their fabrication routes, such as sol–gel processing, hydrothermal synthesis, and surface modification strategies. The lubrication mechanism of nanocomposites is analyzed based on the material structure and the testing conditions. Particular attention is paid to the synergistic effects among multiple components within the nanocomposites and to how these synergies enhance tribological performance. Furthermore, the challenges faced by nanocomposites and potential future developments are discussed. This review aims to clarify the current status of nanocomposites as lubricant additives and facilitate their future application in advanced lubrication systems.
Chinese Journal of Energetic Materials (含能材料)•2026•DOI: 10.11943/CJEM2026036
To address the issue that resin matrices in carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites cannot participate in explosive energy release when used in warhead casings, an epoxy resin cured compound with both high mechanical properties and high energy-release characteristics was prepared by introducing more easily pyrolyzable polyether segments and fluoropolymer-coated nano-aluminum powder into a high-rigidity epoxy cured compound. The crosslinked network structure, mechanical properties, thermal decomposition characteristics, ignition and combustion characteristics, and energy-release performance were characterized using infrared spectroscopy, quasi-static mechanical testing, TG-DSC, laser ignition testing, and closed bomb testing. Results show that the cured compound has a well-formed crosslinked network, a tensile strength of 72.41 MPa, an initial thermal decomposition temperature of approximately 273 °C, a minimum ignition energy reduced to 1.77 J, a maximum pressure rise rate of 0.407 MPa·ms⁻¹, and a peak pressure increased to 5.935 MPa in closed bomb tests. The introduction of polyether segments and fluoropolymer-coated nano-aluminum enhances the energy release rate and total energy release, making the material a potential resin matrix for CFRP-based reactive structural materials.
Chinese Journal of Energetic Materials (含能材料)•2026•DOI: 10.11943/CJEM2026023
The complex composition of mixed explosives poses significant challenges to conventional detection methods, which often suffer from low intelligence and poor discrimination. This study addresses these limitations by employing a sequential detection framework combining infrared (IR) spectroscopy for preliminary screening and Raman spectroscopy for confirmatory analysis, integrated with convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for intelligent spectral recognition. Two energetic material mixtures, m-dinitrobenzene/potassium nitrate and p-nitroaniline/ammonium nitrate, were prepared in powder and tablet forms. IR spectroscopy effectively identified organic components through characteristic absorption peaks but failed to detect inorganic oxidizers such as potassium nitrate and ammonium nitrate. Raman spectroscopy successfully characterized nitroaromatic functional groups and detected inorganic ions, enabling complete component identification. The CNN-based models achieved average classification accuracies of 96.54% for IR spectra and 96.29% for Raman spectra, with per-sample inference times of 0.044 s and 0.042 s, respectively. These results demonstrate that the proposed sequential IR-Raman approach, coupled with deep learning, provides a rapid and reliable solution for field detection of mixed explosives, overcoming the limitations of single-spectroscopy methods.
Journal of Inorganic Materials (无机材料学报)•2026•DOI: 10.15541/jim20260018
Ag2S0.4Te0.6 is an inorganic semiconductor with favorable ductility and thermoelectric performance, showing potential for applications in wearable electronics. Recent studies have indicated that optimization of preparation processes, such as annealing, can significantly enhance the ductility of the material, which is closely related to its phase composition and crystal structure. In this work, high-resolution synchrotron radiation powder X-ray diffraction data of the Ag2S0.4Te0.6 powder sample before and after annealing were collected over a temperature range of 110–700 K. By combining Rietveld structural refinement, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and atomic pair distribution function analysis, the influence of the annealing process on the phase composition and structural evolution behavior of the powder samples was investigated in detail. The results show that the pristine Ag2S0.4Te0.6 powder is predominantly amorphous, containing only a small amount of poorly crystalline monoclinic phase. During heating, the material gradually crystallizes, first forming a monoclinic phase, which subsequently transforms into mixed body-centered cubic (bcc) and face-centered cubic (fcc) phases. After cooling back to room temperature, the sample remains in a mixed state of bcc-dominated cubic crystallinity and amorphous phase. In contrast, the annealed powder sample already exhibits a mixed cubic crystalline/amorphous state at room temperature, and no obvious phase transition behavior is observed during heating. Moreover, the thermoelectric properties of Ag2S0.4Te0.6 bulk sample remain largely unaffected by the annealing process. This study provides structural insights for further understanding the annealing-induced improvement in ductility.
Chinese Journal of Energetic Materials (含能材料)•2026•DOI: 10.11943/CJEM2026123
To predict the full-field deformation damage of ring-stiffened cylindrical shells subjected to underwater explosion loads, a method combining a PointNet conditional diffusion model, K-nearest neighbor (KNN) algorithm, graph neural network (GNN) residual correction, and spatial interpolation is proposed for point cloud displacement field prediction and deformation reconstruction. A dataset of cylindrical shell deformation responses was generated via numerical simulation, and a prediction model was trained to predict three-dimensional deformation displacements and reconstruct complete surface deformation contours under varying charge masses, standoff distances, and time instants. Error evaluation on the validation set yielded a mean squared error (MSE) of 0.0077 mm², root mean squared error (RMSE) of 0.0877 mm, mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.0548 mm, and coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.9858, indicating high displacement prediction accuracy. The reconstructed results effectively capture the deformation history and final overall deformation of the cylindrical shell. This method provides a reference for underwater platform explosion damage prediction and assessment.
Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Science) (上海交通大学学报)•2026•DOI: 10.16183/j.cnki.jsjtu.2026.105
Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) have emerged as a transformative technology enabling direct communication between the brain and external devices, offering unprecedented opportunities for restoring motor function in paralyzed individuals and enhancing human-computer interaction. This comprehensive review synthesizes recent advances in BCI technology, focusing on neural signal acquisition, signal processing algorithms, and diverse applications. We systematically analyze invasive and non-invasive recording modalities, including electroencephalography (EEG), electrocorticography (ECoG), and intracortical microelectrode arrays, highlighting their respective advantages and limitations. The review delves into state-of-the-art signal processing techniques, such as adaptive filtering, common spatial patterns, and deep learning-based classification, which have significantly improved the accuracy and reliability of BCI systems. Furthermore, we explore the expanding landscape of BCI applications, ranging from assistive communication and motor rehabilitation to cognitive enhancement and neurofeedback therapy. Critical challenges, including signal non-stationarity, user variability, and long-term stability, are discussed alongside emerging solutions such as hybrid BCI architectures and closed-loop adaptive systems. By integrating findings from recent studies and clinical trials, this review provides a forward-looking perspective on the future of BCI technology, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and translational research to bridge the gap between laboratory innovations and real-world clinical adoption. Our analysis underscores the potential of BCIs to revolutionize neurorehabilitation and human augmentation, while also addressing ethical and societal implications. This comprehensive overview serves as a valuable resource for researchers, clinicians, and engineers seeking to understand the current state and future directions of brain-computer interface technology.
Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Science) (上海交通大学学报)•2026•DOI: 10.16183/j.cnki.jsjtu.2026.058
Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has revolutionized surgical practice by reducing patient trauma and recovery time. However, current robotic systems face limitations in dexterity, haptic feedback, and autonomous decision-making, particularly in complex anatomical environments. This paper presents a novel multi-scale robotic system designed to enhance surgical precision and autonomy. The system integrates a macro-scale robotic arm with a micro-scale continuum manipulator, enabling precise manipulation across different scales. A hierarchical control architecture combines model-based and learning-based approaches to achieve adaptive motion planning and real-time obstacle avoidance. The system also incorporates a multi-modal sensing framework that fuses visual, force, and proximity data to provide comprehensive situational awareness. Experimental validation in phantom and ex-vivo models demonstrates significant improvements in task completion time, accuracy, and consistency compared to conventional techniques. The system successfully performed complex tasks such as suturing and tissue dissection with reduced error rates. The results indicate that the proposed system can effectively enhance surgical performance, paving the way for more autonomous and intelligent surgical robots. Future work will focus on in-vivo trials and integration with augmented reality interfaces.
Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Science) (上海交通大学学报)•2026•DOI: 10.16183/j.cnki.jsjtu.2026.066
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly heterogeneous malignancy with a complex tumor microenvironment (TME) that profoundly influences disease progression and therapeutic response. In this study, we performed an integrated multi-omics analysis of HCC using transcriptomic, genomic, and epigenetic data from public databases and our own cohort. We characterized the immune cell infiltration patterns and identified distinct TME subtypes associated with differential prognosis and immunotherapy outcomes. Through weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and machine learning, we constructed a prognostic signature based on TME-related genes, which robustly predicted overall survival in multiple independent cohorts. Furthermore, we explored the interplay between TME, somatic mutations, and copy number variations, revealing potential biomarkers for immune checkpoint blockade. Our findings highlight the clinical significance of TME heterogeneity in HCC and provide a foundation for personalized treatment strategies. The prognostic model and immune-related biomarkers may facilitate risk stratification and guide immunotherapeutic decisions in HCC patients.
Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2026•DOI: 10.1088/1674-4926/25060021
The escalating demand for ultra-high-resolution flexible displays necessitates thin-film transistors (TFTs) with carrier mobility exceeding 30 cm2·V−1·s−1 on compliant substrates. Conventional indium-gallium-zinc-oxide (IGZO) TFTs, despite commercial maturity, are constrained by field-effect mobility (μFE) of approximately 10 cm2·V−1·s−1, limiting drive current and pixel density. This work reports the first demonstration of flexible indium tin oxide (ITO) TFTs fabricated through a mass-production compatible process utilizing SiO2 gate dielectric. The devices achieve an average μFE of 39.1 cm2·V−1·s−1, a threshold voltage (Vth) variation of +0.45 V under a 7 mm bending radius, and a mobility reduction of only −5.5% under the same mechanical stress. Dynamic bending tests up to 13,000 cycles reveal no significant degradation in μFE or Vth. Electrical stress tests under ±5 V bias confirm ΔVth constrained within 1 V. The excellent large-scale uniformity is attributed to the ultra-flat surface and low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the polyimide (PI) substrate, combined with laser lift-off (LLO) processing. These results establish ITO as a viable channel material for ultra-high-resolution foldable displays and wearable electronics, though the absence of a passivation layer remains a limitation for long-term stability.
Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2026•DOI: 10.1088/1674-4926/25060031
Aluminum scandium nitride (AlScN) has emerged as a III-nitride semiconductor with exceptional piezoelectric, ferroelectric, and thermal properties, enabling advanced micro/nano devices. This review systematically examines the crystal structure, property modulation mechanisms, and micro/nano fabrication technologies of AlScN, including deposition, etching, and device integration. Key material metrics are consolidated: Sc doping at 40% raises the piezoelectric coefficient d33 from 5 to 30 pC/N and the electromechanical coupling coefficient Kt2 from 7% to 25%, while remnant polarization exceeds 100 μC/cm². The wide bandgap (up to 6.2 eV), high thermal conductivity (~140 W/(m·K)), and high breakdown voltage (>10 MV/cm) underpin applications in MEMS, RF communications, energy conversion, optoelectronics, and sensors. Compositional engineering (20–40% Sc, co-doping with Mg or Yb), process optimization (low stress <500 MPa, FWHM <1.5°), and interface design (AlScN/GaN, AlScN/SiC) are critical for balancing piezoelectric performance and structural stability. Fabrication advances include low-stress (<200 MPa) high-Sc films via magnetron sputtering and 8-inch wafer-scale AlScN with thickness nonuniformity below ±3%. Device demonstrations span 33.7 GHz surface acoustic wave transducers, post-CMOS compatible ferroelectric field-effect transistors, high figure-of-merit Lamb wave resonators, pyroelectric infrared detectors, and ferroelectric RAM. Despite progress, challenges in phase separation, etching anisotropy, and integration scalability persist, necessitating further research into co-doping strategies, low-damage patterning, and heterogeneous integration.
Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2026•DOI: 10.1088/1674-4926/25060033
The von Neumann architecture's physical separation of processing and memory imposes data transfer overhead exceeding 50% of total power consumption and latency penalties above 70%, driving compute-in-memory (CIM) adoption. This study optimizes a 55 nm 'L'-shaped split-gate floating-gate (FG) memory for CIM, fabricated on a commercial CMOS platform and evaluated via wafer acceptance test, Sentaurus TCAD simulation, and the DNN+NeuroSim V2.0 framework. Among devices with varying FG lengths, the 95-nm FG variant achieves a 5.35 V memory window, 19.7 μS maximum conductance under a varying voltage and width pulse scheme (VWPS), 32-state multi-level storage, and 92% training accuracy on CIFAR-10 using the VGG8 network. The split-gate structure suppresses over-erasure and enables low-power program/erase, while the non-series channel accelerates read operations. The optimization methodology, combining TCAD-guided design with experimental validation, provides a generalizable framework for determining optimal dimensions in other technology nodes. These results establish floating-gate engineering as a viable path for high-density, low-power analog synaptic arrays in CIM systems.
Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2026•DOI: 10.1088/1674-4926/25070024
The introduction of high-k/metal gate (HK/MG) technology enables independent tuning of NMOS and PMOS threshold voltages, facilitating advanced nodes and improving overall chip performance. However, severe pattern loading effects during PMOS device fabrication pose challenges in dummy poly removal. This work reports the optimization of the photoresist etch back (PREB) process, providing a wider process window for subsequent AL CMP. By tuning the PR coating uniformity to 1.6% and applying four-zone electrostatic chuck (ESC) temperature control, the wafer-level uniformities of PR, SiN, and SiO2 were reduced to 6.3%, 2.3%, and 5.1%, respectively. An optimized over etch (OE) recipe with a high selectivity of PR : SiN : SiO2 ≈ 1 : 1 : 6 effectively balanced gate height loading between N- and PMOS regions. Furthermore, precise EB1 time tuning enabled defect removal, while advanced KLA inspection ensured early detection of critical failure modes. Collectively, these measures establish a robust and stable PREB process for advanced logic device fabrication.
Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2026•DOI: 10.1088/1674-4926/25070023
Prolonged exposure to n-butanol, a hazardous volatile organic compound (VOC), necessitates sensitive detection at low concentrations for environmental and health monitoring. This study presents a novel Eu/Ce-codoped MOF-ZnO gas sensor for n-butanol detection under ultraviolet (UV) activation at ambient temperature. A series of Eu/Ce-ZnO nanomaterials were synthesized via a simple co-precipitation route by varying the mass ratios of Eu and Ce incorporated into pristine ZnO derived from MOF precursors. Gas testing results revealed that introducing an appropriate amount of Eu and Ce enlarged the specific surface area and enriched the oxygen vacancy content compared to pristine MOF-ZnO. Upon UV irradiation, the 0.03 wt% Eu 0.04 wt% Ce-ZnO sensor achieved a superior response of 611 for 100 ppm n-butanol at room temperature, 15.28 times higher than that of pristine MOF-ZnO (40). Furthermore, the sensor presented rapid response/recovery times (15 s/28 s) and excellent selectivity. The doped rare earth elements Eu and Ce simultaneously suppress the recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, greatly improving response, stability, and selectivity. These findings demonstrate the potential of Eu/Ce-codoped ZnO nanoparticles for efficient, cost-effective n-butanol detection, offering a promising avenue for highly sensitive, UV-enhanced gas sensors for ambient temperature VOC monitoring.
Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2026•DOI: 10.1088/1674-4926/25090006
The electron transport mechanisms in oxide-based programmable diodes (PDs) with a TiN/HfO2/Si/Al structure are investigated through combined electrical measurements and first-principles calculations. The conduction and rectification performance are governed by the interface between oxygen vacancy (VO) filaments and the semiconductor electrode. Under forward bias, the current-voltage characteristics follow Poole-Frenkel emission, with electrons injected from silicon into HfO2 and transported through dense VO trap levels. Under reverse bias, PDs with heavily doped substrates still exhibit Poole-Frenkel behavior, whereas lightly doped substrates show current cutoff due to Schottky barriers at the Si-HfO2 interface. Area-independent current confirms that conduction originates from localized VO filaments. Optimal rectification is achieved at a substrate doping concentration of 1016 cm-3, yielding a switching ratio exceeding 103. These findings clarify the diode-like behavior in metal-oxide-semiconductor resistive switching devices and provide a foundation for device optimization and circuit model development in high-density memory arrays.
Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2026•DOI: 10.1088/1674-4926/25120042
GaN-based vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) are constrained by the absence of p-type conductive epitaxial distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs), forcing reliance on dielectric DBRs that impose high thermal resistance or complex substrate removal. This work demonstrates a room-temperature electrically injected GaN VCSEL incorporating a conductive nanoporous (NP) GaN DBR fabricated by electrochemical etching of alternating n-GaN layers with varying Si doping. The NP-GaN DBR exhibits low electrical resistance, enabling vertical current injection. Under pulsed operation, the device with a 10-μm aperture lases at 427.7 nm with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 0.8 nm. The threshold current is 26 mA, corresponding to a threshold current density of approximately 33 kA/cm². Polarization degree increases from 35% below threshold to 86% above threshold, confirming lasing. The turn-on voltage remains high, primarily due to p-side resistance. These results validate the potential of conductive NP-GaN DBRs for high-density two-dimensional VCSEL arrays, though further reduction of p-side resistance is required for continuous-wave operation.
Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2026•DOI: 10.1088/1674-4926/25120050
The pursuit of retinal-level display fidelity has driven pixel dimensions into the sub-micrometer regime, where conventional emissive technologies such as OLEDs and micro-LEDs encounter fundamental physical barriers: diminished emission intensity, severe color cross-talk, and escalating fabrication complexity. Reflective electronic paper (E-paper) circumvents these luminosity constraints because its optical contrast is governed by nanoscale material properties and remains theoretically unaffected by pixel size reduction. Nevertheless, established electrophoretic displays are limited by slow refresh rates (seconds), narrow color gamuts, and resolutions below 1000 PPI, while static optical metasurfaces exceeding 10,000 PPI lack dynamic tunability. Santosa et al. now demonstrate a retina E-paper based on electrochromic tungsten trioxide (WO3) nanodisks that achieves electrically tunable pixels down to ~560 nm (>25,000 PPI), full-color video capability (>25 Hz), high reflectance (~80%), and low energy consumption (0.5–1.7 mW·cm–2). This system operates via a reversible insulator-to-metal transition in WO3, dynamically modulating reflectance through Mie resonance. However, the color gamut remains narrower than that of emissive technologies due to the low and weakly dispersive extinction coefficient of WO3 in the 'on' state, reduced refractive index contrast in acetonitrile-based electrolytes, and the speed–color purity trade-off inherent to ultra-thin nanostructures. Operational stability is also constrained by cyclic strain from Li+ insertion/extraction, high electric field gradients across the 500 nm electrode gap, and interfacial charge traps in the heterogeneous glass/Al/Pt/WO3/electrolyte stack. These factors collectively define the current performance envelope and the materials-centric pathways required for commercial viability.
Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Science) (上海交通大学学报)•2026•DOI: 10.16183/j.cnki.jsjtu.2026.058
This paper presents a novel multi-scale robotic system designed for autonomous surgical intervention in dynamic environments. The system integrates advanced perception, planning, and control algorithms to enable precise manipulation in minimally invasive procedures. Key contributions include a hierarchical control architecture, real-time adaptive trajectory planning, and a robust force feedback mechanism. Experimental validation in simulated and in-vivo settings demonstrates significant improvements in accuracy, safety, and operational efficiency compared to conventional methods. The proposed framework addresses critical challenges in surgical robotics, paving the way for broader clinical adoption.
Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Science) (上海交通大学学报)•2026•DOI: 10.16183/j.cnki.jsjtu.2026.066
Background: Digital twin technology has emerged as a promising tool in precision oncology, yet its clinical utility remains underexplored. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study integrating multi-omics data (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics) from 1,200 cancer patients to construct digital twin models. Results: The digital twin models accurately predicted treatment responses (AUC=0.89) and identified novel biomarkers for early detection. Integration of multi-omics improved prognostic accuracy by 23% compared to single-omics approaches. Conclusions: Digital twin technology, when integrated with multi-omics data, significantly enhances precision oncology by enabling personalized treatment strategies and improving patient outcomes.
Int. Journal of Mining Science and Technology (采矿与安全工程)•2026•DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmst.2026.01.008
Thermal spalling in heterogeneous rocks under rapid heating poses critical risks to deep mining and geothermal operations. In this study, we develop a coupled thermal–mechanical–damage (TM-D) model that explicitly incorporates Weibull distributed heterogeneity to a single fracture in rock, and validate it against ceramic quenching and granite acoustic emission experiments. Distance based generalized sensitivity analysis (DGSA) is applied to quantify the influence and interactions of key parameters, revealing the dominant controls on spalling onset, severity, and damage morphology. The results demonstrate that thermal stress dominates crack initiation and propagation, that lateral constraints can significantly delay and suppress spalling, and that material heterogeneity markedly influences peak stress and damage modes within a certain range of thermal expansion coefficient and has multiple effects on thermal spalling. This study provides a theoretical basis for quantitative assessment and parameter optimization of thermal spalling processes in rock masses.
Int. Journal of Mining Science and Technology (采矿与安全工程)•2026•DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmst.2026.01.006
Quantifying two-phase fluid flow in fractured rocks is essential for resource reutilization in abandoned mines, subsurface energy recovery and underground waste isolation. This study develops a mathematical framework for predicting the permeability of rough fracture networks by integrating fractal geometry with single-phase and two-phase seepage theory. A permeability model for rough fracture networks is first established, and its sensitivity to key geometric parameters is analyzed. A second model is then formulated to relate water-phase saturation to measurable variables, enabling the estimation of two-phase permeability from Reynolds number and aperture. Model predictions show deviations of less than 10% from numerical simulations for both single-phase and two-phase flow, demonstrating the accuracy and robustness of the proposed approach. The results highlight the dominant roles of fracture number, tortuosity and aperture in controlling permeability, as well as the influence of flow regimes on relative permeability. The proposed framework provides a practical and physically based method for analyzing multiphase seepage in fractured rock and offers a foundation for further applications to field-scale fractured systems.
Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2026•DOI: 10.1088/1674-4926/26020013
Polarization is a defining lever of wurtzite (WZ) III-nitrides, enabling two-dimensional electron and hole gases, polarization doping, and electrostatic control in GaN-based power, RF, and optoelectronic devices. Recent advances, especially ferroelectric nitrides, have pushed polarization to unprecedented magnitudes, elevating it from a static constant to an engineering knob. However, the field has long suffered from ambiguity in polarization magnitude, orientation, and mapping to crystal polarity due to inconsistent sign conventions and reference choices. This mini-review highlights recent progress that rethinks and unifies polarization in wurtzite III-nitrides. It discusses how experimental re-benchmarking of giant polarization is reshaping understanding and enabling predictive polarization engineering. Key issues include the dependence of polarization sign on coordinate choice and magnitude on reference structure, as exemplified by Bernardini et al.'s 1997 predictions (values below 0.1 C/m², downward orientation for metal-polar) and Dreyer et al.'s 2016 refinements. The review emphasizes that consistent benchmarking under a unified convention makes interface bound charge density a quantitative design knob rather than an adjustable fitting parameter, benefiting classical HEMTs, N-polar stacks, polarization-doped structures, and ferroelectric nitride integration. A pragmatic roadmap is proposed: reports should state polarity, sign convention, and reference explicitly to ensure portability and falsifiability.
Int. Journal of Mining Science and Technology (采矿与安全工程)•2026•DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmst.2026.03.001
Conventional hydraulic fracturing is widely used for underground gas control in coal mines; however, in deep, soft coal seams, poor wettability and low mechanical strength can cause rapid energy release under gas pressure and mining-induced disturbances. These conditions increase the risk of coal and gas outbursts, complicate rapid outburst elimination, and pose serious threats to safe mine operations. In this study, SiO2 nanofluid solutions with varying acidity were prepared, and molecular dynamics simulations, contact angle measurements, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nanoindentation tests, and three-dimensional super-depth microscopy were employed to systematically investigate the mechanisms by which acidic SiO2 nanofluids enhance the wettability and nanomechanical strength of soft coal seams. The results show that SiO2 nanoparticles act as bridging agents between water molecules and the coal matrix. In the high-mass fraction H2O/SiO2/coal system, the adsorption layer thickness increases from 15.44 Å in the pure water system to 20.51 Å. Acidic SiO2 nanofluids substantially reduce the coal-water contact angle; at pH 2, the contact angle decreases to 47.9°, representing a 43.86% reduction relative to raw coal. The total absorption peak area of oxygen-containing functional groups increased accordingly, promoting a transition of the coal surface from hydrophobic to hydrophilic. SiO2 nanofluids with varying acidity also induce pronounced changes in the mechanical properties of coal samples. Under mildly acidic conditions (pH 5), the elastic modulus and hardness increase by 17.880% and 18.794%, respectively, while the peak displacement and contact displacement decrease by 8.056% and 8.117%. Mild acidity promotes the formation of local micropores and facilitates the embedding of SiO2 nanoparticles, enhancing structural support and improving nanomechanical performance. In contrast, under strong acidic conditions, the corrosion effect outweighs the supporting role of the nanoparticles, resulting in mechanical degradation. Overall, the synergistic effects of acidic environments and SiO2 nanofluids significantly influence the wettability and mechanical behavior of coal. By elucidating their combined modification mechanisms, this study provides theoretical support and new perspectives for fluid-injection enhancement and dynamic disaster prevention in deep, soft coal seams.
Int. Journal of Mining Science and Technology (采矿与安全工程)•2026•DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmst.2026.02.006
The development of efficient CO2 adsorbents is critical for achieving net-zero targets. MgO represents a promising solid adsorbent for CO2 capture, yet its limited specific surface area and insufficient active sites restrict its adsorption capacity under moderate temperature conditions. A rod-like anhydrous MgCO3 precursor was hydrothermally synthesized and calcined at 500 °C for 3 h to obtain porous MgO (184.9 m2 g−1, 0.38 cm3/g), which was then modified with 20% NaNO2 (by mole) via impregnation. This adsorbent achieved an adsorption capacity of 12.6 mmol g−1 after 120 min under a pure CO2 atmosphere at 325 °C. Comprehensive characterization reveals that NaNO2 modification leads to the NaNO3 and Na2CO3 formation on the MgO surface during calcination. The introduced NaNO3 effectively promotes oxygen vacancy formation, while the generated Na2CO3 serves as heterogeneous nucleation sites, collectively reducing the reaction energy barrier and enhancing interfacial mass transfer. This synergistic effect facilitates the MgCO3 formation followed by its conversion to the thermodynamically more stable Na2Mg(CO3)2. Kinetic studies elucidate that adsorption is dominated by surface chemical reactions and diffusion mechanisms at different stages. These fundamental insights into the adsorption mechanisms of nitrite-modified MgO provide valuable guidance for the rational design of advanced MgO-based CO2 adsorbents with enhanced performance.
Int. Journal of Mining Science and Technology (采矿与安全工程)•2026•DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmst.2026.02.003
Efficient flocculation and sedimentation of ultrafine hematite remain a key challenge in mineral processing. This study elucidates the pH-dependent flocculation behaviour of hematite with anionic polyacrylamide (APAM) using a multi-scale correlation framework integrating interfacial analysis, structural characterization, and sedimentation evaluation. Increasing pH induces progressive surface deprotonation, yielding a more negative hematite surface and enhanced APAM adsorption from 0.106 to 0.186 mg/m2. FTIR, XPS, and molecular dynamics simulations consistently reveal strengthened Fe–OOC coordination, intensified hydrogen bonding, and more stabilised polymer conformations under alkaline conditions. Microscopy, SEM, and FBRM show that alkaline conditions facilitate the formation of larger and denser flocs, with size increasing from 56 to 982 μm and fractal dimension from 1.44 to 1.87. These structural changes markedly improve sedimentation performance, reducing turbidity from 436.8 to 76.7 NTU and increasing settled solids from 35.94 to 52.43 percent. The proposed multi-scale correlation model quantitatively links interfacial chemistry, floc structural evolution, and settling behaviour, providing a unified mechanistic basis for pH-regulated hematite flocculation. This framework not only advances understanding of polymer–mineral interactions but also offers practical guidance for optimising solid–liquid separation and tailings-water recycling in fine mineral beneficiation.
Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)•2026•DOI: 10.1088/1674-4926/26020026
Ferroelectric domain walls are conventionally treated as two-dimensional (2D) interfaces separating regions of differing polarization. Charged domain walls (CDWs), which form head-to-head (H–H) or tail-to-tail (T–T) polarization configurations, carry bound polarization charge and are generally energetically unfavorable, stabilized only through electronic screening, defect accumulation, and lattice relaxation. Recent work by Zhong et al. (Science, 2026) demonstrates that in fluorite ferroelectrics such as ZrO2 and HfO2, CDWs can be confined to one-dimensional (1D) atomic-scale line defects within individual polar layers, enabled by the quasi-layered crystal architecture of weakly coupled polar and nonpolar subcells. Atomic-resolution electron microscopy combined with in situ electric-field manipulation reveals that both H–H and T–T walls exist as self-balancing oxygen-compensated line defects. These 1D CDWs exhibit remarkable dynamic behavior: H–H walls propagate along their 1D trajectories while remaining confined within a single polar layer, with motion coupled to coordinated oxygen-ion shifts rather than cation sublattice deformation. This discovery represents an extreme limit of ferroelectric domain-wall confinement, introducing a new class of polar topological objects intermediate between conventional domain walls and line defects. The findings have profound implications for domain-wall nanoelectronics, where the wall itself acts as an active functional element, and suggest that the density of domain-wall-based devices could far exceed that achievable with 2D walls. The intimate coupling between oxygen chemistry and polarization topology positions 1D CDWs as powerful probes of defect–polarization interactions at the atomic scale.
China Foundry•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s41230-026-5150-1
Optimizing the mechanical properties and fluidity of hypoeutectic Al-Si alloys in high-pressure die casting (HPDC) is critical for manufacturing thin-walled components with large sizes. The performance and fluidity of castings over long flow distances depend on the precise control of solidification behavior during the complex HPDC process. In this study, an AlSi10MnMg alloy was fabricated using a fluidity test mold with three channels of different thicknesses to investigate the influence of varying TiB2 content on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and fluidity of the alloy during long-distance filling in HPDC. Results indicate that the addition of 0.018wt.% TiB2 significantly reduces externally solidified crystals (ESCs) and porosity contents, improving the filling distance from 1,700 mm to 1,833 mm. The reduction in ESCs in the castings by TiB2 is attributed to its ability to promote the migration of ESCs from the shot sleeve toward the melt center, where temperature and flow velocity are higher. At a filling distance of 1,300 mm, the ultimate tensile strength (UTS), yield strength (YS), and elongation increase notably with addition of 0.018wt.% TiB2. When the addition of TiB2 increases to 0.036wt.%, the area fraction of ESCs in the channel increases compared to that with 0.018wt.%, and the filling distance slightly decreases to 1,796.9 mm. The mechanical properties of the alloy with 0.036wt.% TiB2 are better than those of the alloy with 0.018wt.% TiB2 over short distances, but become inferior beyond 1,000 mm. This work reveals the role of TiB2 in regulating solidification and flow during long-range filling, offering new insights into the processability of HPDC Al-Si alloys.
China Foundry•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s41230-026-5201-7
TiAl alloys are attractive for high-temperature structural applications, yet their creep resistance and microstructural stability at high temperatures remain critical challenges. In this study, Ti45Al8Nb-0.6C alloy was prepared by vacuum induction melting to investigate its creep behavior and underlying deformation mechanisms at 800 °C under 200 MPa. The alloy exhibits a relatively homogeneous microstructure composed of (γ+α2) lamellar colonies, B2 phase, and blocky γ phase, with a creep life of 137 h and a typical ductile-brittle mixed fracture mode. Post-creep microstructural characterization reveals pronounced B2 phase formation, deformation twinning, lamellar coarsening, and abundant stacking faults at lamellar interfaces. Extensive dynamic recrystallization occurs during creep, leading to the formation of fine recrystallized grains. The Ti3AlC phase plays a dual strengthening role by effectively impeding dislocation motion and developing characteristic defect structures, including high-density dislocations and ladder-like stacking faults during deformation. These synergistic microstructural evolutions contribute to the enhanced creep resistance of the alloy.
China Foundry•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s41230-026-5206-2
A novel cast stainless steel featuring a multiphase microstructure and a nominal composition of Fe-13.5Cr-2.6Si-6.9Ni-1.1Cu-1.1Mn-1.0Mo-0.35Al-0.025C (wt.%) was investigated. Following solution treatment at 1,050 °C and water quenching, the specimens were subjected to further tempering at 570 °C, 610 °C, and 650 °C to explore the effects of critical tempering on microstructure, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance. Various characterization techniques were employed to examine the phase distribution within the microstructure, with particular attention given to the content and morphology of reverted austenite. Tensile and corrosion tests were carried out to evaluate the performance of the specimens. The results reveal that critical tempering significantly enhances the mechanical properties, with the specimen tempered at 610 °C achieving the highest product of strength and elongation (PSE=23.6 GPa·%), whereas corrosion resistance deteriorates with increasing tempering temperature. Calculations of the martensite start temperature (Ms) and stacking fault energy (γSFE) for the reversed austenite in different specimens indicate that the stability of reversed austenite strongly influences mechanical behavior through the TRIP and TWIP effects. However, tempering-induced Cr segregation at ferrite/martensite interfaces and the formation of Cr-depleted zones become more pronounced at higher tempering temperatures, leading to a degradation in corrosion resistance. Furthermore, multiphase coordinated deformation improves the strength-ductility balance, while corrosion tends to initiate at chemically inhomogeneous phase boundaries.
China Foundry•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s41230-026-5243-x
During the casting process, no-bake resin-bonded sand molds and cores rapidly heat up upon contact with high-temperature molten metal, causing dramatic changes in the resin binder system and a significant deterioration in mechanical properties, which subsequently leads to casting defects. To reveal the mechanism behind the evolution of high-temperature performance, the effects of resin content, base sand type, and particle size on the compressive strength of alkaline phenolic no-bake resin-bonded sand at temperatures ranging from 600 °C to 1,000 °C were investigated. The results show that the temperature range of 600-800 °C represents the primary stage of strength loss, corresponding to intense resin decomposition. Meanwhile, structural reorganization of the carbon skeleton above 900 °C can lead to a partial recovery of strength. This study provides key data and theoretical support for understanding the high-temperature mechanical behavior of resin-bonded sand and its relationship with casting defects.
China Foundry•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s41230-026-5146-x
Wire-arc directed energy deposition (WA-DED) has attracted considerable attention for the fabrication of magnesium (Mg) alloys due to its high efficiency, low cost, and rapid prototyping capability for complex components. However, the inherent rapid solidification and complex thermal cycling associated with WA-DED often result in coarse columnar grains and pronounced mechanical anisotropy, which severely limiting its application potential. In this study, a novel spiral oscillation (SO) strategy was implemented during WA-DED AZ31 Mg alloy to refine the microstructure, reduce mechanical anisotropy, and achieve a strength-ductility synergy. Specifically, the yield strength (YS), ultimate tensile strength (UTS), and elongation (EL) are increased by 9.7%, 38.1%, and 147%, respectively. These improvements by the SO strategy are primarily attributed to the promotion of columnar-to-equiaxed transformation (CET), a 74.2% reduction in maximum texture intensity, and a more uniform distribution of second-phase particles. Second-phase particles are primarily composed of Al8Mn5 and Al8Mn4Y. This study provides a novel strategy for microstructural control aimed at improving the performance of WA-DED AZ31 Mg alloy components.
China Foundry•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s41230-025-4147-5
The effects of the high pressure die casting (HPDC) processes on porosity, microstructure, and mechanical properties of heat-treatment-free aluminum silicon (Al-Si) alloys have long been a focal point in automotive die-casting research. In this work, the combined effect of shot sleeve materials and slow shot speeds on porosity, microstructure and mechanical properties of a newly designed HPDC Al-Si alloy was investigated. Results show that employing a ceramic shot sleeve or increasing the slow shot speed significantly reduces both the average size and area fraction of externally solidified crystals (ESCs), as well as the average pore size and volume fraction. When the slow shot speed is increased from 0.05 m·s-1 to 0.1 m·s-1, the pore volume fraction decreases by 10.2% in steel-shot-sleeve samples, compared to a substantial 67.1% reduction in ceramic-shot-sleeve samples. At a slow shot speed of 0.1 m·s-1, castings produced with a ceramic shot sleeve exhibit superior mechanical properties: 8.3% higher yield strength, 17.4% greater tensile strength, and an 81.4% improvement in elongation, relative to those from a steel shot sleeve. These findings provide valuable insights for minimizing porosity and coarse ESCs in die castings, offering promising potential for broader industrial applications.
China Foundry (中国铸造 - 英文版)•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s41230-026-5062-0
The laser-clad Fe45 alloy coating inherently comprises multiple crystalline phases, resulting in a heterogeneous microstructural distribution that influences its performance. In this study, the rare earth yttria (Y2O3) was employed to modify laser-clad Fe45 alloy coatings, and the effects of Y2O3 addition on their microstructure, microhardness, and tribological properties were investigated. As the Y2O3 content increases from 0% to 0.3wt.%, the dominant microstructure transforms from columnar crystals to fine cellular and equiaxed crystals. The modified coating with 0.3wt.% Y2O3 achieves a surface hardness of 568 HV0.3 and a wear volume of 1,735.41 μm3, representing a 14.06% increase in hardness and a 51.16% reduction in wear volume compared to the undoped coating. Further increasing the Y2O3 content from 0.3wt.% to 0.9wt.% gradually leads to the emergence of a coarser feather-like microstructure, characterized by a dendritic framework with inter-dendritic equiaxed crystals. Concurrently, both the hardness and wear resistance of the coating decrease. Nevertheless, all Y2O3-modified coatings surpass the undoped Fe45 coating in both hardness and wear resistance. Appropriate Y2O3 doping effectively refines the Fe45 alloy coating’s microstructure and induces lattice distortion, thereby enhancing its hardness and wear resistance.
Nano-Micro Letters•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01997-6
Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have demonstrated excellent performance in heterogeneous catalytic reactions owing to their maximized atomic efficiency, distinctive geometric, and electronic configurations. However, the efficacy of SACs remains limited for certain reactions requiring simultaneous activation of multiple reactants over metallic active sites. Herein, we report an atomically dispersed Pt1Ru1 dual-atom pair site anchored on nanodiamond@graphene (ND@G) for CO oxidation. The Pt1Ru1 dual-atom catalyst shows an exceptional turnover frequency (TOF) of 17.6 × 10−2 s−1 at significantly lower temperature (30 °C), achieving a tenfold increase in TOF compared to single-atom Pt1/ND@G catalyst (1.5 × 10−2 s−1) and surpassing to previously reported Pt-based catalysts under similar conditions. Moreover, the catalyst demonstrates excellent stability, maintaining its activity for 40 h at 80 °C without significant deactivation. The superior catalytic performance of Pt-Ru dual-atom catalysts is attributed to the synergistic effect between Pt and Ru atoms with enhanced metallicity for improving simultaneous adsorption and activation of CO and O2, and the tuning of conventional competitive reactant adsorption into a non-competitive pathway over dual-atom pair sites. The present work manifests the advantages of dual-atom pair sites in heterogeneous catalysis and paves the way for precise design of catalysts at the atomic scale.
Nano-Micro Letters•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01847-5
Developing biomass platform compounds into high value-added chemicals is a key step in renewable resource utilization. Herein, we report porous carbon-supported Ni-ZnO nanoparticles catalyst (Ni-ZnO/AC) synthesized via low-temperature coprecipitation, exhibiting excellent performance for the selective hydrogenation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). A linear correlation is first observed between solvent polarity (ET(30)) and product selectivity within both polar aprotic and protic solvent classes, suggesting that solvent properties play a vital role in directing reaction pathways. Among these, 1,4-dioxane (aprotic) favors the formation of 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan (BHMF) with 97.5% selectivity, while isopropanol (iPrOH, protic) promotes 2,5-dimethylfuran production with up to 99.5% selectivity. Mechanistic investigations further reveal that beyond polarity, proton-donating ability is critical in facilitating hydrodeoxygenation. iPrOH enables a hydrogen shuttle mechanism where protons assist in hydroxyl group removal, lowering the activation barrier. In contrast, 1,4-dioxane, lacking hydrogen bond donors, stabilizes BHMF and hinders further conversion. Density functional theory calculations confirm a lower activation energy in iPrOH (0.60 eV) compared to 1,4-dioxane (1.07 eV). This work offers mechanistic insights and a practical strategy for solvent-mediated control of product selectivity in biomass hydrogenation, highlighting the decisive role of solvent-catalyst-substrate interactions.
Nano-Micro Letters•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01889-9
Aqueous zinc metal batteries (AZMBs) are promising candidates for renewable energy storage, yet their practical deployment in subzero environments remains challenging due to electrolyte freezing and dendritic growth. Although organic additives can enhance the antifreeze properties of electrolytes, their weak polarity diminishes ionic conductivity, and their flammability poses safety concerns, undermining the inherent advantages of aqueous systems. Herein, we present a cost-effective and highly stable Na2SO4 additive introduced into a Zn(ClO4)2-based electrolyte to create an organic-free antifreeze electrolyte. Through Raman spectroscopy, in situ optical microscopy, density functional theory computations, and molecular dynamics simulations, we demonstrate that Na+ ions improve low-temperature electrolyte performance and mitigate dendrite formation by regulating uniform Zn2+ deposition through preferential adsorption and electrostatic interactions. As a result, the Zn||Zn cells using this electrolyte achieve a remarkable cycling life of 360 h at −40 °C with 61% depth of discharge, and the Zn||PANI cells retained an ultrahigh capacity retention of 91% even after 8000 charge/discharge cycles at −40 °C. This work proposes a cost-effective and practical approach for enhancing the long-term operational stability of AZMBs in low-temperature environments.
Nano-Micro Letters•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01848-4
Long-life energy storage batteries are integral to energy storage systems and electric vehicles, with lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) currently being the preferred option for extended usage-life energy storage. To further extend the life span of LIBs, it is essential to intensify investments in battery design, manufacturing processes, and the advancement of ancillary materials. The pursuit of long durability introduces new challenges for battery energy density. The advent of electrode material offers effective support in enhancing the battery’s long-duration performance. Often underestimated as part of the cathode composition, the binder plays a pivotal role in the longevity and electrochemical performance of the electrode. Maintaining the mechanical integrity of the electrode through judicious binder design is a fundamental requirement for achieving consistent long-life cycles and high energy density. This paper primarily concentrates on the commonly employed cathode systems in lithium-ion batteries, elucidates the significance of binders for both, discusses the application status, strengths, and weaknesses of novel binders, and ultimately puts forth corresponding optimization strategies. It underscores the critical function of binders in enhancing battery performance and advancing the sustainable development of lithium-ion batteries, aiming to offer fresh insights and perspectives for the design of high-performance LIBs.
Journal of Central South University•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s11771-026-6168-7
With the continual deterioration of mining conditions, the deformation and failure of surrounding rock in roadways with weak roofs under intense mine pressure during close-distance coal seam extraction has become a critical issue restricting the safe and efficient mining of coal. To address the issue of increased surrounding rock damage caused by blasting pressure relief in such roadways, this study proposes an innovative non-explosive method for roof cutting and pressure relief with dense drilling (RCPRDD) to protect the roadway. A combined approach of laboratory experiments, theoretical analysis, numerical simulation, and field testing was employed to clarify the rock weakening effects and mechanisms induced by dense drilling. An optimal design method for drilling diameter and spacing was established, and the effectiveness of this method was validated. The research results indicate that the degree of rock weakening induced by dense drilling is primarily related to the drilling density coefficient. As the drilling density coefficient increases, the rock weakening effect becomes more pronounced. At the same time, dense drilling exerts a significant amplifying effect on the tensile stress experienced by the side roof of the roadway goaf. A functional relationship between the dense drilling weakening coefficient and the drilling density coefficient was established, providing a theoretical basis for the selection of key parameters for dense drilling. The method was ultimately implemented in a field engineering test, effectively reducing the stress in the coal body of the advanced roadway, controlling the deformation and failure of the surrounding rock, and achieving the goal of protecting the roadway. This demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of the RCPRDD. The research findings provide a scientific basis for controlling roadway deformation under similar conditions.
Journal of Central South University•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s11771-026-6266-6
To reduce the subjectivity of conventional instability criteria in deep rock engineering, this study develops an energy-driven criterion grounded in cusp catastrophe theory and embeds it within an improved nonlinear Hoek-Brown (H-B) strength-reduction framework. We derive an explicit algebraic transformation that maps a quartic energy potential to the standard cusp form and introduce the mutation eigenvalue Δ as a physically interpretable measure of proximity to the vanishing of the energy barrier. Building on this, failure staging is diagnosed in practice by the concurrence of a slope mutation in displacement-reduction-factor curves, a threshold jump of total plastic strain-energy increment typically exceeding threefold between adjacent reduction steps, and video-confirmed crack through-connection. Integrating Δ with the nonlinear reduction scheme yields reproducible integral safety factors. Two representative cavern layouts (Model A/B) are validated by scaled physical model tests and companion simulations: global failure occurs at the overload safety factor K=2.33 for Model A and K=2.73 for Model B, with relative deviations from tests (2.4P0 and 2.9P0) of 1.3% and −5.9%, respectively, coinciding with the energy-jump threshold and the multi-evidence diagnosis. Compared with the equivalent Mohr-Coulomb parameter approach, the improved nonlinear scheme produces smaller (more conservative) safety factors by 5.7% and 2.5%, while better matching the observed destabilization process. The framework clarifies the role of Δ as an energy-based instability indicator and offers a practical, verifiable criterion for cavern stability assessment.
Journal of Central South University•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s11771-026-6238-x
In deep underground engineering, rock brittleness is closely associated with rockburst and feasibility of hydraulic fracturing. The loading rate plays a crucial role in determining the severity of rockburst and cuttability. By conducting uniaxial compression tests and single-cycle loading-unloading experiments, the brittle evolution of four types of granite under different loading rates was investigated. During the uniaxial compression process, acoustic emission parameters were used to characterize the crack evolution patterns. Additionally, the macroscopic failure process of the specimens and the post-failure rock fragments were recorded with a high-speed camera, providing multi-scale validation. This study proposes a quantitative brittleness index based on rock fracture energy, and its validity is verified by analyzing the rock failure process and the macroscopic characteristics of rock fragments. This work contributes to advancing research on rock brittleness indices considering the coupling between energy evolution and kinematic mechanisms. The research results indicate that as the loading rate increases from 0.1 mm/min to 5 mm/min, the quantitative evaluation index (Bs) for brittleness increases from 0.17 to 0.28, while the qualitative evaluation indices MF (projectile mass ratio) and l (average lumpiness) increase from 0.3261 to 0.4184 and from 32.96 mm to 38.12 mm, respectively. With increasing loading rates, the brittleness of the rock increases significantly. A series of qualitative and quantitative results, including fractal characteristics and acoustic emission parameters, reveal the crack evolution patterns of granite under different loading rates and confirm the rationality of the brittleness index. This study provides theoretical guidance for practical deep underground engineering applications.
Nano-Micro Letters•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-02012-8
Owing to the exceptional optoelectronic properties, metal halide perovskites have emerged as leading semiconductor materials for next-generation display technologies, providing perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) great potential for high-quality color displays with a wide color gamut and pure color emission. Although laboratory-scale PeLEDs have achieved near-theoretical efficiencies, challenges such as achieving uniform large-area films, improving material stability, and enhancing patterning precision remain barriers to commercialization. This review presents a systematic analysis of scalable manufacturing and precision patterning strategies for PeLEDs, focusing on their applications in large-area lighting and full-color displays. Fabrication methods are categorized into film deposition techniques (spin-coating, blade-coating, and thermal evaporation) and patterning strategies, including top-down (photolithography, laser/e-beam lithography, and nanoimprinting) and bottom-up (patterned crystal growth, inkjet printing, and electrohydrodynamic jet printing) approaches. In this review, we discuss the advantages and limitations of each strategy, highlight current challenges, and outlook possible pathways towards scalable, high-performance PeLEDs for advanced optoelectronic applications.
Nano-Micro Letters•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-02015-5
UV-absorbing additives have recently been demonstrated to be effective interfacial modifiers that simultaneously enhance the UV stability and crystallization of halide perovskite. However, the underlying mechanisms concerning UV absorption, defect passivation, and efficacy optimization of these additives remain unresolved. Herein, two UV tautomeric absorbers (UV320 and UV327) are selected as defect-passivators for perovskites. The keto–enol tautomeric evolution processes and corresponding defect passivation performance/mechanism of both the original molecules and their tautomers are thoroughly compared and elucidated through experimental characterizations and density functional theory calculations. The additional carbonyl (–C=O) groups generated through the keto–enol tautomeric process triggered by the Cl atom in UV327 ultimately provide superior chemical coordination and enhanced defect-passivation capability compared to the original counterparts. Moreover, the versatility of K-UV327 is further demonstrated by its optimization of SnO2 film quality, interfacial energy band alignment, charge extraction efficiency, and defect state suppression. The photodetector optimized by UV327’s tautomer achieves an ultralow dark current density of 3.22 × 10−10 A cm−2, an enhanced linear dynamic range of 94.14 dB, and a fast response time of 23.35/26.19 μs. Notably, unencapsulated devices maintain a stable response at 3900 Hz following 300 h exposure to 40% ± 5% relative humidity and 30 h UV irradiation.
Nano-Micro Letters•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-02003-9
Accurate blood pressure (BP) monitoring is essential for preventing and managing cardiovascular disease. Advancements in materials science, medicine, flexible electronic, and artificial intelligence (AI) have enabled cuffless, unobtrusive BP monitoring systems, offering an alternative to traditional sphygmomanometers. However, extending these advances to real-world cardiovascular care particularly in resource-limited settings remains challenging due to constraints in computational resources, power efficiency, and deployment scalability. This review presents a comprehensive synthesis of AI-enhanced wearable BP monitoring, emphasizing its potential for personalized, scalable, and accessible healthcare. We systematically analyze the end-to-end system architecture, from mechano-electric sensing principles and AI-based estimation models to edge-aware deployment strategies tailored for low-resource environments. We further discuss clinical validation metrics and implementation barriers and prospective strategies. To bridge lab-to-field translation, we propose an innovative "sensor-model-deployment-assessment" co-design framework. This roadmap highlights how AI-enhanced BP technologies can support proactive hypertension control and promote cardiovascular health equity on a global scale.
Nano-Micro Letters•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-02006-6
Pb–Sn mixed perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are crucial components for realizing efficient all-perovskite tandem devices. However, their efficiency and stability are severely limited by oxidative degradation (Sn4+ formation) and metallic defects (Sn0/Pb0). In addition, the rapid and uncontrolled Sn2+ nucleation kinetics result in nonuniform crystallization. Herein, we introduce a natural redox shuttle glutathione (GSH) in Pb–Sn mixed PSCs, achieving regenerable antioxidation and crystallization regulation simultaneously. The reversible redox reactions between GSH and glutathione disulfide (GSSG) enable the self-healing of Sn4+ and Sn0/Pb0 impurities, creating a regenerable antioxidation protective shell at the perovskite interfaces. Meanwhile, the strong coordination between GSH and perovskite regulates the crystallization process, optimizing the nucleation and crystallization kinetics. Furthermore, the GSH incorporation creates a high-quality charge separation junction at the perovskite/hole transport layer, facilitating carrier separation and extraction. The optimized Pb–Sn PSCs exhibit impressive power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of up to 23.71%. The champion all-perovskite tandem PSCs with GSH achieve a PCE of 28.49% and retain 90% of the initial PCE after 560 h of continuous illumination. This work establishes a new nature-inspired redox shuttling strategy and elucidates its working mechanism, advancing the development of efficient and stable all-perovskite tandem solar cells.
Nano-Micro Letters•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-02010-w
Two-step-processed (TSP) inverted p-i-n perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have demonstrated significant promise in tandem applications. However, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of TSP p-i-n PSCs rarely exceeds 24%. Here, we demonstrate that TSP perovskite films exhibit a vertically gradient distribution of residual PbI2 clusters, which form Schottky heterojunctions with the perovskite, leading to substantial interfacial energy-level mismatches within NiOx-based TSP p-i-n PSCs. These limitations were effectively addressed via a vertical interfacial engineering enabled by dual-interface modification incorporating tin trifluoromethanesulfonate (Sn(OTF)2) and 4-Fluorophenylethylamine chloride (F-PEA) at the NiOx/perovskite and perovskite/C60 interfaces, respectively. The functional Sn(OTF)2 not only enhances the conductivity of NiOx films but also suppresses ion migration, while inducing the formation of a Pb-Sn mixed perovskite interlayer that precisely regulates the energy level at the NiOx/perovskite interface. Complementally, F-PEA post-treatment effectively converts surface residual PbI2 clusters into a 2D perovskite capping layer, which simultaneously passivates surface defects and enhances energy-level alignment at the perovskite/C60 interface. Consequently, the optimized NiOx-based TSP p-i-n PSCs achieve a notable PCE of 25.6% with superior operational stability. This study elucidates the underlying mechanisms limiting the efficiency of TSP p-i-n PSCs, while establishing design principles for these devices targeting 26% efficiency.
Nano-Micro Letters•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01990-z
Lithium-oxygen (Li-O2) battery is favored among “beyond lithium-ion” technologies for sustainability because of its exceptional energy density. Major impediments are the poor cycle stability and grievous capacity degradation at high current densities. We address these issues by a “killing two birds with one stone” O2-pressure protocol. It first resolves efficient O2 mass transport at high rates. The accelerated reaction kinetics optimizes the composition and growth pathway of discharge products. This protocol secondly achieves protection of Li anodes via densifying corrosion layers on them. Consequently, the battery delivers both ultrahigh discharge capacity (> 9,000 mAh g−1) at 3,000 mA g−1 and excellent cycling stability. Under a dual-strategy effect of high-pressure O2 and artificial protection layers, the battery actualizes over 11-fold increase in cycle life of 5,170 h (2,585 cycles). The strategy opens avenues for advancing Li-O2 batteries towards practical application and confers the extension to other gas-based batteries.
Nano-Micro Letters•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01978-9
Single-atom catalysts (SACs) are among the most cutting-edge catalysts in the multiphase catalysis track due to their unique geometrical and electronic properties, the highest atom utilization efficiency, and uniform active sites. SACs have been facing an unresolved problem in practical applications: the opposing contradiction of activity-stability. The successful development of single-atom nano-islands (SANIs) cleverly combines the ultra-high atom utilization efficiency of SACs with the confinement effect and structural stability of nano-island structures, realizing the “moving but not aggregation” of SACs, which fundamentally solves this inherent contradiction. Although research on the precise loading of single atoms on nano-islands continues to advance, existing reviews have not yet established a closed-loop cognitive framework encompassing “models-synthesis-high stability mechanisms-high activity essence-applications.” This work fills this critical gap by systematically integrating the basic conceptual models and cutting-edge synthesis strategies of SANIs, focusing on revealing the underlying mechanisms by which SANIs overcome the stability bottleneck of SACs, elucidating the role of nano-islands and their synergistic mechanisms to clarify the high activity essence, and establishing the structure–activity relationship between atomic confinement effects and macroscopic performance, ultimately achieving breakthrough validation across catalytic systems. This review aims to open new perspectives, drive a paradigm shift in understanding the multi-dimensional advantages of SANIs, and thereby spur breakthrough progress in this frontier field.
Nano-Micro Letters•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01986-9
Melt electrowriting (MEW) enables the precise deposition of polymeric fibers at micro-/nanoscale, allowing for the fabrication of 3D biomimetic scaffolds. By incorporating stimuli-responsive polymers and/or functional fillers, MEW-based 4D printing creates scaffolds capable of undergoing controlled, reversible shape transformations in response to external stimuli over time. These dynamic 4D scaffolds can be tailored for minimally invasive delivery, remote actuation, and real-time responsiveness to physiological environments, making them highly relevant for biomedical applications. This review systematically elucidates the principles of MEW-based 4D printing, including material considerations, actuation methods, and structure design strategies, along with shape programming and morphing mechanisms. The versatility of MEW for rational fabrication of biomimetic scaffolds is firstly introduced. Subsequently, the critical elements underpinning MEW-based 4D printing process are overviewed, including an analysis of stimuli-responsive materials compatible with MEW, an evaluation of applicable external stimuli, and a discussion on the advancements in design strategies for 4D scaffolds. Recent progress of MEW 4D scaffolds for applications in tissue engineering, biomedical implants, and drug delivery systems are highlighted. Finally, key challenges and perspectives toward material innovation, fabrication optimization, and actuation control are discussed. This review aims to provide valuable insights for design and creation of multifunctional biomimetic dynamic scaffolds by MEW-based 4D printing.
Nano-Micro Letters•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-02001-x
The development of gradient lubrication materials is critical for numerous biomedical applications, particularly in magnifying mechanical properties and service longevity. Herein, we present an innovative approach to fabricate biomimetic gradient lubrication hydrogel through the synergistic integration of three-dimensional (3D) printed metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) nanoparticle network hydrogel skeletons with bio-inspired lubrication design. Specifically, robust hydrogel skeletons were engineered through single or multi-material 3D printing, followed by the in situ growth of MOFs nanoparticles within this hydrogel network to create a reinforced, load-bearing architecture. Subsequently, biomimetic lubrication capability was enabled by mechanically coupling another lubricating hydrogel within 3D-printed MOFs nanoparticle network hydrogel skeleton. The superficial layer is highly lubricious to ensure low coefficient of friction (~ 0.1141) and wear resistance (40,000 cycles), while the deeper layer is stiffer to afford the obligatory mechanical support (fracture strength ~ 2.50 MPa). Furthermore, the gradient architecture stiffness of the hydrogel can be modulated by manipulating the spatial distribution of MOFs within the 3D-printed hydrogel skeleton. As a proof-of-concept, biomimetic gradient hydrogel meniscus structures with C- and O-shaped configurations were constructed by leveraging multi-material 3D printing, demonstrating exceptional lubrication performance. This innovative biomimetic design opens new avenues for creating implantable biomedical gradient lubricating materials with reinforced mechanical and lubrication performance.
Nano-Micro Letters•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01971-2
The dissolution of iron from the cathode and electrode/electrolyte interface (EEI) during long cycles significantly accelerates the aging process of LiFePO4 (LFP)/graphite batteries; there is a lack of systematic understanding of the spatial distribution of the EEI interface layer and the dissolve of Fe ions, especially in terms of the mechanism of the cathode–electrolyte interphase (CEI), solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), and iron dissolution. In this study, aged cells were subjected to continuous activation with constant current and multi-step segmented indirect activation (IA) and analyzed for capacity fade, impedance growth, and active Li+ mass loss at the EEI and nanoscale levels. The interaction between dissolved Fe2+ and the EEI in LFP/graphite pouch batteries was proposed and verified. The findings indicate that during IA process, the electric field facilitates the migration of solvated ions toward the electrodes, while simultaneously inhibiting the formation of organic species such as ROCO2Li. The SEI primarily consists of a mixture of organic and inorganic small molecules, forming a continuous and uniform film on the electrode surface. This study demonstrates that IA favors the formation of a uniform EEI and offers constructive insights for advancing accelerated lifetime prediction strategies in lithium-ion batteries.
Nano-Micro Letters•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01901-2
Chloride-based solid electrolytes are considered promising candidates for next-generation high-energy–density all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs). However, their relatively low oxidative decomposition threshold (~4.2 V vs. Li+/Li) constrains their use in ultrahigh-voltage systems (e.g., 4.8 V). In this work, ferroelectric BaTiO3 (BTO) nanoparticles with optimized thickness of ~50–100 nm were successfully coated onto Li2.5Y0.5Zr0.5Cl6 (LYZC@5BTO) electrolytes using a time-efficient ball-milling process. The nanoparticle-induced interfacial ionic conduction enhancement mechanism contributed to the preservation of LYZC's high ionic conductivity, which remained at 1.06 mS cm−1 for LYZC@5BTO. Furthermore, this surface electric field engineering strategy effectively mitigates the voltage-induced self-decomposition of chloride-based solid electrolytes, suppresses parasitic interfacial reactions with single-crystal NCM811 (SCNCM811), and inhibits the irreversible phase transition of SCNCM811. Consequently, the cycling stability of LYZC under high-voltage conditions (4.8 V vs. Li⁺/Li) is significantly improved. Specifically, ASSB cells employing LYZC@5BTO exhibited a superior discharge capacity of 95.4 mAh g−1 over 200 cycles at 1 C, way outperforming cell using pristine LYZC that only shows a capacity of 55.4 mAh g−1. Furthermore, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis revealed that Metal-O-Cl by-products from cumulative interfacial side reactions accounted for 6% of the surface species initially, rising to 26% after 200 cycles in pristine LYZC. In contrast, LYZC@5BTO limited this increase to only 14%, confirming the effectiveness of BTO in stabilizing the interfacial chemistry. This electric field modulation strategy offers a promising route toward the commercialization of high-voltage solid-state electrolytes and energy-dense ASSBs.
Nano-Micro Letters•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01943-6
Seawater zinc-air batteries are promising energy storage devices due to their high energy density and utilization of seawater electrolytes. However, their efficiency is hindered by the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and chloride-induced degradation over conventional catalysts. In this study, we proposed a universal synthetic strategy to construct heteroatom axially coordinated Fe–N4 single-atom seawater catalyst materials (Cl–Fe–N4 and S–Fe–N4). X-ray absorption spectroscopy confirmed their five-coordinated square pyramidal structure. Systematic evaluation of catalytic activities revealed that compared with S–Fe–N4, Cl–Fe–N4 exhibits smaller electrochemical active surface area and specific surface area, yet demonstrates higher limiting current density (5.8 mA cm−2). The assembled zinc-air batteries using Cl–Fe–N4 showed superior power density (187.7 mW cm−2 at 245.1 mA cm−2), indicating that Cl axial coordination more effectively enhances the intrinsic ORR activity. Moreover, Cl–Fe–N4 demonstrates stronger Cl− poisoning resistance in seawater environments. Chronoamperometry tests and zinc-air battery cycling performance evaluations confirmed its enhanced stability. Density functional theory calculations revealed that the introduction of heteroatoms in the axial direction regulates the electron center of Fe single atom, leading to more active reaction intermediates and increased electron density of Fe single sites, thereby enhancing the reduction in adsorbed intermediates and hence the overall ORR catalytic activity.
Nano-Micro Letters (纳微快报)•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01888-w
Human action recognition (HAR) is crucial for the development of efficient computer vision, where bioinspired neuromorphic perception visual systems have emerged as a vital solution to address transmission bottlenecks across sensor-processor interfaces. However, the absence of interactions among versatile biomimicking functionalities within a single device, which was developed for specific vision tasks, restricts the computational capacity, practicality, and scalability of in-sensor vision computing. Here, we propose a bioinspired vision sensor composed of a GaN/AlN-based ultrathin quantum-disks-in-nanowires (QD-NWs) array to mimic not only Parvo cells for high-contrast vision and Magno cells for dynamic vision in the human retina but also the synergistic activity between the two cells for in-sensor vision computing. By simply tuning the applied bias voltage on each QD-NW-array-based pixel, we achieve two biosimilar photoresponse characteristics with slow and fast reactions to light stimuli that enhance the in-sensor image quality and HAR efficiency, respectively. Strikingly, the interplay and synergistic interaction of the two photoresponse modes within a single device markedly increased the HAR recognition accuracy from 51.4% to 81.4% owing to the integrated artificial vision system. The demonstration of an intelligent vision sensor offers a promising device platform for the development of highly efficient HAR systems and future smart optoelectronics.
Nano-Micro Letters (纳微快报)•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01895-x
Co3S4 electrocatalysts with mixed valences of Co ions and excellent structural stability possess favorable oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity, yet challenges remain in fabricating rechargeable lithium-oxygen batteries (LOBs) due to their poor OER performance, resulting from poor electrical conductivity and overly strong intermediate adsorption. In this work, fancy double heterojunctions on 1T/2H-MoS2@Co3S4 (1T/2H-MCS) were constructed derived from the charge donation from Co to Mo ions, thus inducing the phase transformation of MoS2 from 2H to 1T. The unique features of these double heterojunctions endow the 1T/2H-MCS with complementary catalysis during charging and discharging processes. It is worth noting that 1T-MoS2@Co3S4 could provide fast Co–S–Mo electron transport channels to promote ORR/OER kinetics, and 2H-MoS2@Co3S4 contributed to enabling moderate eg orbital occupancy when adsorbed with oxygen-containing intermediates. On the basis, the Li2O2 nucleation route was changed to solution and surface dual pathways, improving reversible deposition and decomposition kinetics. As a result, 1T/2H-MCS cathodes exhibit an improved electrocatalytic performance compared with those of Co3S4 and MoS2 cathodes. This innovative heterostructure design provides a reliable strategy to construct efficient transition metal sulfide catalysts by improving electrical conductivity and modulating adsorption toward oxygenated intermediates for LOBs.
Journal of Central South University•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s11771-026-6272-8
The development of coalbed methane in China is constrained by complex geological conditions characterized by low permeability, low saturation, low reservoir pressure, and high adsorption ("three lows and one high"), posing significant challenges to its efficient development. The liquid nitrogen-induced fracturing and permeability enhancement technology can effectively promote the expansion and connection of macroscopic and microscopic fractures, thereby improving the permeability of coal seams. In this study, industrial micro-CT scanning technology, the VRA-UNet method, and fractal dimension calculation methods are employed to conduct an in-depth analysis of the action mechanism of liquid nitrogen cold soaking on the fracture structure of coal bodies with different metamorphism degrees. The results indicate that liquid nitrogen cold soaking promotes the generation, expansion, and connection of new fractures inside coal bodies to form fracture networks. Via Matlab programming and VG Studio MAX image analysis software, fracture extraction and calculation are performed on CT-scanned coal samples; it is statistically found that the quantitative fracture indices of coal increase after liquid nitrogen cold soaking. Compared with the fracture spectrum peak proportions of raw coal samples, the fracture spectrum peak proportions of anthracite, bituminous coal, and lignite increase by 8.375%, 12.680%, and 79.939%, respectively after liquid nitrogen cold soaking. By combining the VRA-UNet method for coal fracture identification, the box-counting method is used to calculate that the fractal dimension of coal fractures after liquid nitrogen cold soaking is larger than that of raw coal samples. The research findings of this paper will provide theoretical and technical support for the efficient development of coalbed methane and the improvement of coal seam gas extraction rates.
Journal of Central South University•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s11771-026-6261-y
To mitigate the detrimental effects of sulfur and enhance the enrichment efficiency of valuable elements in desulfurized diasporic bauxite, the effects of CaO dosage, caustic alkali concentration, reaction temperature and time on the digestion behavior of alumina, sulfur and gallium were illustrated, and the digestion thermodynamics and mechanism were also revealed. During the high-temperature Bayer process, alumina and gallium were digested synergistically, while pyrite was digested to S2− and SO42−. Appropriate CaO dosage promotes the digestion of alumina and gallium, and facilitates the precipitation of sulfur as calcium sulfoaluminate hydrate, effectively removing sulfur from the solution. Excess CaO leads to the formation of hydrogarnet, wherein Ga3+ incorporates into the crystal lattice by substituting for Al3+, reducing the digestion efficiency of gallium. Under the optimum conditions (CaO dosage of 3%, reaction temperature of 260 ℃, reaction time of 60 min, caustic alkali concentration of 260 g/L), the corresponding alumina and gallium digestion efficiencies reach 90.82% and 77.58%, respectively, with a significantly reduced sulfur concentration of 1.32 g/L in the solution. This work provides theoretical guidance for the efficient co-extraction of alumina and gallium from high-sulfur bauxite via the Bayer process.
Journal of Central South University•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s11771-026-6264-8
Aiming at the problem of large deformation of arch shoulder in deep high stress roadway of Hudi Coal Mine, through field sampling, experimental test and numerical simulation, the deformation mechanism of arch shoulder under the coupling action of high stress, soft and hard rock strata of roof, weakening of surrounding rock and disturbance of space staggered roadway was revealed. According to the research results, high-stress increases the range of the plastic zone, and the soft and hard rock strata change the expansion form of the plastic zone. With the decrease of the vertical distance of the space staggered roadway, the insufficient bearing capacity of the supporting material and other factors lead to the increase of the deformation of the shoulder angle and the side, forming the deformation characteristics of the arch shoulder. Based on this, the active and passive collaborative control technology is proposed, and the targeted support concept of "unloading control + strong support + collaborative" is adopted. The optimization scheme controls the deformation of roadway within 8% of the section size, significantly reduces the range of the plastic zone, and effectively solves the problem of difficult support of arch shoulder deformation.
Journal of Central South University•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s11771-026-6237-y
Intergrown ferromanganese ore resources are typical strategic mineral resources with huge reserves and abundant hematite, pyrolusite, and other valuable minerals, which is of great significance for its development and utilization. This paper adopts a combination of phase transformation and magnetic separation to explore the phase transformation mechanism of Fe minerals and Mn minerals during the roasting process. The analysis of the properties of the raw ore shows that the Fe-containing and Mn-containing minerals of the intergrown ferromanganese ore are hematite and pyrolusite, respectively. The optimal conditions for controlling the mineral phase were obtained, including roasting temperature of 600 ℃ for 30 min, and a grinding fineness of <0.074 mm accounting for 50%. Meanwhile, a Fe grade of 61.05% with a recovery of 80.77%, and a Mn grade of 61.60% with a recovery of 87.81% were acquired. The precise mineral phase transformation (MPT) could be realized via adjusting the roasting conditions. Hematite is transformed into magnetite, while pyrolusite is transformed into manganosite, and then they were effectively separated and concentrated via magnetic separation.
Journal of Central South University•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s11771-026-6265-7
A porous wollastonite ceramic with high porosity and low density has been successfully fabricated at low temperature with silicate tailings and electrolytic manganese slag (MS) as primary raw materials in this study. The influences of calcination temperature, SiC, and MS addition amounts on porosity, water adsorption, pore size distribution, bulk density, and bending strength were systematically studied. The results showed that 0.4 wt% of SiC was optimal for the ceramic foaming at a sintering temperature of 1140 ℃. The porosity of ceramics reduced from 78.4% to 63.7%, bulk density elevated from 0.96 to 1.13 g/cm3, and bending strength increased from 8.43 to 11.22 MPa as the MS increased from 8.33 wt% to 41.67 wt%. Moreover, the best corrosion resistance performance was reached to 99.55% with 8.33 wt% MS content and a sintering temperature of 1160 ℃. This work is of significance for the solid waste utilization.
Journal of Central South University•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s11771-026-6228-z
The Western Dongting Lake area, a biodiversity hotspot under traditional farming, has long suffered heavy metal pollution. In this study, the concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Hg, and Pb in agricultural soils were determined and ecological risks were evaluated using both the hazard quotient(HQ) model and the probabilistic ecological risk assessment(PERA) model. The results showed that HQ suggested slight or negligible risks, whereas PERA indicated consistently high and unacceptable risks. This discrepancy arose because HQ criteria are derived from human health thresholds and provide only deterministic estimates, whereas PERA incorporates species-specific predicted no-effect concentration(PNEC), environmental variability, and uncertainty, thereby providing more precise and site-specific risk assessments and assigning probabilities. By applying a tiered PERA model, our study highlights its novelty and superiority in ecological risk characterization, providing critical guidance for soil management and ecological protection in contaminated farmlands.
Journal of Central South University•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s11771-026-6206-5
Precise differential travel-time measurement is essential for earthquake relative locating. The waveform cross-correlation (WCC) technique is widely regarded as the most effective method for calculating the differential travel-time of seismic phases. However, for earthquake pairs with large magnitude differences, substantial biases can arise due to disparities in the duration of the initial pulse, potentially leading to significant mislocations, particularly for mainshocks. To overcome this limitation, we propose to use the dynamic time warping (DTW) algorithm to optimize differential travel-time calculation. Using high-quality earthquake waveform data from the San Andreas Fault (2012 −2019), we systematically compared the performance of DTW and WCC, respectively. Our results demonstrate that DTW substantially improves differential travel-time measurements, especially in cases involving large magnitude differences. In addition, we tested the robustness of DTW using noisy seismic data, demonstrating its superior resilience to noise.
Nano-Micro Letters•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01933-8
Photodetectors can convert light energy into electrical signals, so are widely used in photovoltaics, photon counting, monitoring, and imaging. Photodetectors are easy to prepare high-resolution photochips because of their small size unit integration. However, these photodetector units often exhibit poor photoelectric performance due to material defects and inadequate structures, which greatly limit the functions of devices. Designing modification strategies and micro-/nanostructures can compensate for defects, adjust the bandgap, and develop novel quantum structures, which consequently optimize photovoltaic units and revolutionize optoelectronic devices. Here, this paper aims to comprehensively elaborate on the surface/interface engineering scheme of micro-/nano-photodetectors. It starts from the fundamentals of photodetectors, such as principles, types, and parameters, and describes the influence of material selection, manufacturing techniques, and post-processing. Then, we analyse in detail the great influence of surface/interface engineering on the performance of photovoltaic devices, including surface/interface modification and micro-/nanostructural design. Finally, the applications and prospects of optoelectronic devices in various fields such as miniaturization of electronic devices, robotics, and human–computer interaction are shown.
Nano-Micro Letters•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01946-3
Photo-assisted lithium–sulfur batteries (PALSBs) offer an eco-friendly solution to address the issue of sluggish reaction kinetics of conventional LSBs. However, designing an efficient photoelectrode for practical implementation remains a significant challenge. Herein, we construct a free-standing polymer–inorganic hybrid photoelectrode with a direct Z-scheme heterostructure to develop high-efficiency PALSBs. Specifically, polypyrrole (PPy) is in situ vapor-phase polymerized on the surface of N-doped TiO2 nanorods supported on carbon cloth (N-TiO2/CC), thereby forming a well-defined p–n heterojunction. This architecture efficiently facilitates the carrier separation of photo-generated electron–hole pairs and significantly enhances carrier transport by creating a built-in electric field. Thus, the PPy@N-TiO2/CC can simultaneously act as a photocatalyst and an electrocatalyst to accelerate the reduction and evolution of sulfur, enabling ultrafast sulfur redox dynamics, as convincingly validated by both theoretical simulations and experimental results. Consequently, the PPy@N-TiO2/CC PALSB achieves a high discharge capacity of 1653 mAh g−1, reaching 98.7% of the theoretical value. Furthermore, 5 h of photo-charging without external voltage enables the PALSB to deliver a discharge capacity of 333 mAh g−1, achieving dual-mode energy harvesting capabilities. This work successfully integrates solar energy conversion and storage within a rechargeable battery system, providing a promising strategy for sustainable energy storage technologies.
Nano-Micro Letters•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01949-0
TiNb2O7 represents an up-and-coming anode material for fast-charging lithium-ion batteries, but its practicalities are severely impeded by slow transfer rates of ionic and electronic especially at the low-temperature conditions. Herein, we introduce crystallographic engineering to enhance structure stability and promote Li+ diffusion kinetics of TiNb2O7 (TNO). The density functional theory computation reveals that Ti4+ is replaced by Sb5+ and Nb5+ in crystal lattices, which can reduce the Li+ diffusion impediment and improve electronic conductivity. Synchrotron radiation X-ray 3D nano-computed tomography and in situ X-ray diffraction measurement confirm the introduction of Sb/Nb alleviates volume expansion during lithiation and delithiation processes, contributing to enhancing structure stability. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectra results verify that crystallographic engineering also increases short Nb-O bond length in TNO-Sb/Nb. Accordingly, the TNO-Sb/Nb anode delivers an outstanding capacity retention rate of 89.8% at 10 C after 700 cycles and excellent rate performance (140.4 mAh g−1 at 20 C). Even at −30 °C, TNO-Sb/Nb anode delivers a capacity of 102.6 mAh g−1 with little capacity degeneration for 500 cycles. This work provides guidance for the design of fast-charging batteries at low-temperature condition.
International Journal of Mining Science and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmst.2025.10.009
Investigations into the long-term creep behavior of Beishan granite in uniaxial compression were conducted. Four levels of axial stress (60, 70, 87, and 95 MPa) were applied to rock specimens. Contrasting with earlier research, the long-term creep data in this work present a substantial advancement in the time dimension. Except for the sample subjected to 60 MPa axial loading, which did not fail after a loading duration of 1650 d, the specimens under the other three stresses all failed after sustained constant loading durations of 1204, 1023, and 839 d, respectively. A lower envelope of driving stress-ratio for crystalline rocks was obtained, tending towards approximately 0.45 over an infinite time scale. According to the experimental results, as axial stress increases, both the axial strain accumulated in the transient creep process and the strain rate associated with steady-state creep deformation increase exponentially; however, the share of steady-state creep strain remains nearly constant at about 82.53 %. A novel damage-based creep model was put forward. It provides an enhanced depiction of the comprehensive creep process in rocks, notably improving the accuracy in forecasting the accelerated creep phase, which significantly impacts the long-term stability of engineering structures.
Int. Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials (矿物冶金与材料学报)•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s12613-025-3153-3
Mg–Zn–Mn alloys have the advantages of low cost, excellent mechanical properties, and high corrosion resistance. To clarify the phase equilibria of Mg–Zn–Mn alloy in the Mg-rich corners, the present work experimentally investigated the phase equilibria in the Mg-rich corner at 300–400°C with equilibrated alloy method using electron probe micro analyzer (EPMA), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Mn atoms were found to dissolve into MgZn2 to form a ternary solid-solution type compound, in which Mn content can be up to 15.1at% at 400°C. Three-phase equilibrium of α-Mg + MgZn2 + α-Mn and liquid + α-Mg + MgZn2 were confirmed at 400°C. Subsequently, thermodynamic modeling of the Mg–Zn–Mn system was carried out using the CALPHAD method based on the experimental data of this work and literature data. The calculated invariant reaction Liquid + α-Mn → α-Mg + MgZn2 at 430°C shows good agreement with the DSC results. In addition, the results of solidification path calculations explain the microstructure in the as-cast and annealed alloys well. The agreement between the calculated results and experimental data proves the self-consistency of the thermodynamic database, which can provide guidance for the compositional design of Mg–Zn–Mn alloys.
China Foundry•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s41230-025-4072-7
Ceramic cores fabricated by stereolithography exhibit great potential in casting turbine blades. Previous research on ceramic core molding was primarily conducted using vertical printing techniques, which not only resulted in lengthy molding durations but also compromised the mechanical strength. In this work, silica (SiO2) ceramic cores, with fine complex geometric shapes, were fabricated using 65vol.% ceramic slurry by digital light processing (DLP) with different printing angles. Printing angles significantly impact the surface accuracy, shrinkage, printing efficiency of green bodies, as well as the microstructure and mechanical properties of sintered ceramic core samples. As the printing angle in the green body increases, the bonding area decreases, surface roughness on the XY plane worsens, shrinkage in the Z direction becomes more pronounced, and the printing efficiency declines. Similarly, an increase in the printing angle in the sintered body leads to a reduction in bending strength. At a printing angle of 30°, the printing time is reduced to half of that at 90°, which improves the molding efficiency. Meanwhile, the obtained bulk density of 1.71 g·cm-3, open porosity of 24%, and flexural strength of 10.6±1 MPa can meet the requirements of sintered ceramic cores. Therefore, designing and optimizing the printing angles can achieve the balance between shrinkage, printing efficiency, and flexural strength.
Nano-Micro Letters•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01845-7
The development of highly efficient and durable bifunctional catalysts with minimal precious metal usage is critical for advancing proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE). We present an iridium–platinum nanoalloy (IrPt) supported on lanthanum and nickel co-doped cobalt oxide, featuring a core–shell architecture with an amorphous IrPtOx shell and an IrPt core. This catalyst exhibits exceptional bifunctional activity for oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions in acidic media, achieving 2 A cm−2 at 1.72 V in a PEMWE device with ultralow loadings of 0.075 mgIr cm−2 and 0.075 mgPt cm−2 at anode and cathode, respectively. It demonstrates outstanding durability, sustaining water splitting for over 646 h with a degradation rate of only 5 μV h−1, outperforming state-of-the-art Ir-based catalysts. In situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy and density functional theory simulations reveal that the optimized charge redistribution between Ir and Pt, along with the IrPt core–IrPtOx shell structure, enhances performance. The Ir–O–Pt active sites enable a bi-nuclear mechanism for oxygen evolution reaction and a Volmer–Tafel mechanism for hydrogen evolution reaction, reducing kinetic barriers. Hierarchical porosity, abundant oxygen vacancies, and a high electrochemical surface area further improve electron and mass transfer. This work offers a cost-effective solution for green hydrogen production and advances the design of high-performance bifunctional catalysts for PEMWE.
Nano-Micro Letters•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01837-7
Rechargeable aqueous zinc (Zn)-metal batteries hold great promise for next-generation energy storage systems. However, their practical application is hindered by several challenges, including dendrite formation, corrosion, and the competing hydrogen evolution reaction. To address these issues, we designed and fabricated a composite protective layer for Zn anodes by integrating carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with chitosan through a simple and scalable scraping process. The CNTs ensure uniform electric field distribution due to their high electrical conductivity, while protonated chitosan regulates ion transport and suppresses dendrite formation at the anode interface. The chitosan/CNTs composite layer also facilitates smooth Zn2+ deposition, enhancing the stability and reversibility of the Zn anode. As a result, the chitosan/CNTs @ Zn anode demonstrates exceptional cycling stability, achieving over 3000 h of plating/stripping with minimal degradation. When paired with a V2O5 cathode, the composite-protected anode significantly improves the cycle stability and energy density of the full cell. Techno-economic analysis confirms that batteries incorporating the chitosan/CNTs protective layer outperform those with bare Zn anodes in terms of energy density and overall performance under optimized conditions. This work provides a scalable and sustainable strategy to overcome the critical challenges of aqueous Zn-metal batteries, paving the way for their practical application in next-generation energy storage systems.
Nano-Micro Letters•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01828-8
The therapeutic efficacy of cuproptosis, ferroptosis, and apoptosis is hindered by inadequate intracellular copper and iron levels, hypoxia, and elevated glutathione (GSH) expression in tumor cells. Thermoelectric technology is an emerging frontier in medical therapy that aims to achieve efficient thermal and electrical transport characteristics within a narrow thermal range for biological systems. Here, we systematically constructed biodegradable Cu2MnS3-x-PEG/glucose oxidase (MCPG) with sulfur vacancies (SV) using photothermoelectric catalysis (PTEC), photothermal-enhanced enzyme catalysis, and starvation therapy. This triggers GSH consumption and disrupts intracellular redox homeostasis, leading to immunogenic cell death. Under 1064 nm laser irradiation, MCPG enriched with SV, owing to doping, generates a local temperature gradient that activates PTEC and produces toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS). Hydroxyl radicals and oxygen are generated through peroxide and catalase-like processes. Increased oxygen levels alleviate tumor hypoxia, whereas hydrogen peroxide production from glycometabolism provides sufficient ROS for a cascade catalytic reaction, establishing a self-reinforcing positive mechanism. Density functional theory calculations demonstrated that vacancy defects effectively enhanced enzyme catalytic activity. Multimodal imaging-guided synergistic therapy not only damages tumor cells, but also elicits an antitumor immune response to inhibit tumor metastasis. This study offers novel insights into the cuproptosis/ferroptosis/apoptosis pathways of Cu-based PTEC nanozymes.
Nano-Micro Letters•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01834-w
Refractory wounds cause significant harm to the health of patients and the most common treatments in clinical practice are surgical debridement and wound dressings. However, certain challenges, including surgical difficulty, lengthy recovery times, and a high recurrence rate persist. Conductive hydrogel dressings with combined monitoring and therapeutic properties have strong advantages in promoting wound healing due to the stimulation of endogenous current on wounds and are the focus of recent advancements. Therefore, this review introduces the mechanism of conductive hydrogel used for wound monitoring and healing, the materials selection of conductive hydrogel dressings used for wound monitoring, focuses on the conductive hydrogel sensor to monitor the output categories of wound status signals, proving invaluable for non-invasive, real-time evaluation of wound condition to encourage wound healing. Notably, the research of artificial intelligence (AI) model based on sensor derived data to predict the wound healing state, AI makes use of this abundant data set to forecast and optimize the trajectory of tissue regeneration and assess the stage of wound healing. Finally, refractory wounds including pressure ulcers, diabetes ulcers and articular wounds, and the corresponding wound monitoring and healing process are discussed in detail. This manuscript supports the growth of clinically linked disciplines and offers motivation to researchers working in the multidisciplinary field of conductive hydrogel dressings.
Nano-Micro Letters•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01838-6
Scalable fabrication of efficient wide-bandgap (WBG) perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is crucial to realize the full commercial potential of tandem solar cells. However, there are challenges in fabricating efficient methylammonium-free (MA-free) WBG PSCs by blade coating, especially its phase separation and films stability. In this work, an MA-free WBG perovskite ink is developed for preparing FA0.8Cs0.2Pb(I0.75Br0.25)3 films by blade coating in ambient air. Among various A-site iodides, RbI is found to be the most effective in suppressing the precipitation of PbI2 induced by Pb(SCN)2 while keeping the enlarged grains. The distribution of Rb suggested that the Rb ions are kept isolated with the perovskite grains during the crystallization and Ostwald ripening processes, which contributes to the formation of the large-grain WBG perovskite film with minimum non-radiative recombination. As a result, a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 23.0% was achieved on small-area WBG PSCs, while mini-modules with an aperture area of 10.5 cm2 exhibited a PCE of 20.2%, among the highest reported for solar cells prepared with WBG perovskites via blade coating. This work presents a scalable and reproducible fabrication strategy for stable MA-free WBG PSCs under ambient conditions, advancing their path toward commercialization.
Nano-Micro Letters•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01817-x
Organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells achieve remarkable efficiencies (> 26%) yet face stability challenges. Quasi-2D alternating-cation-interlayer perovskites offer enhanced stability through hydrophobic spacer cations but suffer from vertical phase segregation and buried interface defects. Herein, we introduce dicyanodiamide (DCD) to simultaneously address these dual limitations in GA(MA)nPbnI3n+1 perovskites. The guanidine group in DCD passivates undercoordinated Pb2+ and MA+ vacancies at the perovskite/TiO2 interface, while cyano groups eliminate oxygen vacancies in TiO2 via Ti4+–CN coordination, reducing interfacial trap density by 73% with respect to the control sample. In addition, DCD regulates crystallization kinetics, suppressing low-n-phase aggregation and promoting vertical alignment of high-n phases, which benefit for carrier transport. This dual-functional modification enhances charge transport and stabilizes energy-level alignment. The optimized devices achieve a record power conversion efficiency of 21.54% (vs. 19.05% control) and retain 94% initial efficiency after 1200 h, outperforming unmodified counterparts (84% retention). Combining defect passivation with phase homogenization, this work establishes a molecular bridge strategy to decouple stability-efficiency trade-offs in low-dimensional perovskites, providing a universal framework for interface engineering in high-performance optoelectronics.
Nano-Micro Letters•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01788-z
Although three-dimensional metal halide perovskites are promising candidates for direct X-ray detection, the ion migration of perovskites seriously affects the detector stability. Herein, face-/edge-shared 3D heterometallic glycinate hybrid perovskitoid Pb2CuGly2X4 (Gly = -O2C-CH2-NH2; X = Cl, Br) single crystals (SCs), in which the adjacent lead halide layers are linked by large-sized Cu(Gly)2 pillars, are synthesized in water. The Cu(Gly)2 pillars in combination with face-/edge-shared inorganic skeleton are found able to synergistically suppress the ion migration, delivering a high ion migration activation energy (Ea) of 1.06 eV. The Pb2CuGly2Cl4 SC X-ray detector displays extremely low dark current drift of 1.20 × 10–9 nA mm−1 s−1 V−1 under high electric field (120 V mm−1) and continuous X-ray irradiation (2.86 Gy), and a high sensitivity of 9,250 μC Gy−1 cm−2 is also achieved. More excitingly, the Pb2CuGly2Cl4 nanocrystal can be easily dispersed in water and directly blade-coated on thin-film transistor (TFT) array substrate, and the obtained Pb2CuGly2Cl4-based TFT array detector offers an X-ray imaging capability with spatial resolution of 2.2 lp mm−1.
Nano-Micro Letters•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01820-2
Developing innovative resource utilization strategies to achieve sustainable recycling of waste-to-fuel is highly desirable, yet the design of cost-effective bifunctional catalysts with dual high-efficiency remains unexplored. While the Fenton-like reaction relies on enhancing peroxymonosulfate (PMS) adsorption and accelerating interfacial electron transfer to improve kinetic rates, CO2 reduction is constrained by sluggish kinetics and competing hydrogen evolution reaction. Herein, we construct a bifunctional catalyst (NiFe-BNC) featuring dual-atomic active sites by introducing boron atoms into a biomass-derived chitosan substrate rich in functional groups, which optimizes atomic coordination environments. In situ experiments and density functional theory calculations reveal that B-atom modulation facilitates carbon substrate defect enrichment, while the charge-tuning effect between metal sites and "boron electron bridge" optimizes PMS adsorption configurations. This synergistic effect facilitates the interfacial electron transfer and enhances the CO2 adsorption capacity of NiFe-BNC by 6 times that of NiFe-NC. The obtained NiFe-BNC exhibits significantly enhanced catalytic activity and selectivity, realizing 99% efficient degradation of volatile organic pollutants in the flowing phase within 2 h and stable mineralization exceeding 60%, while achieving a large current density of 1000 mA cm−2 and CO Faraday efficiency of 98% in the flow electrolytic cell. This work innovatively paves a new way for the rational design of cost-effective functional catalysts to achieve carbon cycle utilization.
Nano-Micro Letters•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01781-6
Designing high-performance electrocatalysts is one of the key challenges in the development of microbial electrochemical hydrogen production. Transition metal-based (TM-based) electrocatalysts are introduced as an astonishing alternative for future catalysts by addressing several disadvantages, like the high cost and low performance of noble metal and metal-free electrocatalysts, respectively. In this critical review, a comprehensive analysis of the major development of all families of TM-based catalysts from the beginning development of microbial electrolysis cells in the last 15 years is presented. Importantly, pivotal design parameters such as selecting efficient synthesis methods based on the type of material, main criteria during each synthesizing method, and the pros and cons of various procedures are highlighted and compared. Moreover, procedures for tuning and tailoring the structures, advanced strategies to promote active sites, and the potential for implementing novel unexplored TM-based hybrid structures suggested. Furthermore, consideration for large-scale application of TM-based catalysts for future mass production, including life cycle assessment, cost assessment, economic analysis, and recently pilot-scale studies were highlighted. Of great importance, the potential of utilizing artificial intelligence and advanced computational methods such as active learning, microkinetic modeling, and physics-informed machine learning in designing high-performance electrodes in successful practices was elucidated. Finally, a conceptual framework for future studies and remaining challenges on different aspects of TM-based electrocatalysts in microbial electrolysis cells is proposed.
Nano-Micro Letters•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01822-0
In photocatalytic water treatment processes, the particulate photocatalysts are typically immobilized on membrane, through either chemical/physical loading onto the surface or directly embedding in the membrane matrix. However, these immobilization strategies inevitably compromise the interfacial mass diffusion and cause activity decline relative to the suspended catalyst. Here, we propose a binder-free surface immobilization strategy for fabrication of high-activity photocatalytic membrane. Through a simple dimethylformamide (DMF) treatment, the nanofibers of polyvinylidene fluoride membrane were softened and stretched, creating enlarged micropores to efficiently capture the photocatalyst. Subsequently, the nanofibers underwent shrinking during DMF evaporation, thus firmly strapping the photocatalyst microparticles on the membrane surface. This surface self-bounded photocatalytic membrane, with firmly bounded yet highly exposed photocatalyst, exhibited 4.2-fold higher efficiency in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) photosynthesis than the matrix-embedded control, due to improved O2 accessibility and H2O2 diffusion. It even outperformed the suspension photocatalytic system attributed to alleviated H2O2 decomposition at the hydrophobic surface. When adopted for UV-based water treatment, the photocatalytic system exhibited tenfold faster micropollutants photodegradation than the catalyst-free control and demonstrated superior robustness for treating contaminated tap water, lake water and secondary wastewater effluent. This immobilization strategy can also be extended to the fabrication of other photocatalytic membranes with diverse catalyst types and membrane substrate. Overall, our work opens a facile avenue for fabrication of high-performance photocatalytic membranes, which may benefit advanced oxidation water purification application and beyond.
Nano-Micro Letters•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01805-1
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been an important protective ingredient in mineral-based sunscreens since the 1990s. However, traditional TiO2 nanoparticle formulations have seen little improvement over the past decades and continue to face persistent challenges related to light transmission, biosafety, and visual appearance. Here, we report the discovery of two-dimensional (2D) TiO2, characterized by a micro-sized lateral dimension (~1.6 μm) and atomic-scale thickness, which fundamentally resolves these long-standing issues. The 2D structure enables exceptional light management, achieving 80% visible light transparency—rendering it nearly invisible on the skin—while maintaining UV-blocking performance comparable to unmodified rutile TiO2 nanoparticles. Its larger lateral size results in a two-orders-of-magnitude reduction in skin penetration (0.96 w/w%), significantly enhancing biosafety. Moreover, the unique layered architecture inherently suppresses the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) under sunlight exposure, reducing the ROS generation rate by 50-fold compared to traditional TiO2 nanoparticles. Through precise metal element modulation, we further developed the first customizable sunscreen material capable of tuning UV protection ranges and automatically matching diverse skin tones. The 2D TiO2 offers a potentially transformative approach to modern sunscreen formulation, combining superior UV protection, enhanced safety and a natural appearance.
Nano-Micro Letters•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01808-y
Micro-silicon (Si) anode that features high theoretical capacity and fine tap density is ideal for energy-dense lithium-ion batteries. However, the substantial localized mechanical strain caused by the large volume expansion often results in electrode disintegration and capacity loss. Herein, a microporous Si anode with the SiOx/C layer functionalized all-surface and high tap density (~0.65 g cm⁻3) is developed by the hydrolysis-driven strategy that avoids the common use of corrosive etchants and toxic siloxane reagents. The functionalized inner pore with superior structural stability can effectively alleviate the volume change and enhance the electrolyte contact. Simultaneously, the outer particle surface forms a continuous network that prevents electrolyte parasitic decomposition, disperses the interface stress of Si matrix and facilitates electron/ion transport. As a result, the micron-sized Si anode shows only ~9.94 GPa average stress at full lithiation state and delivers an impressive capacity of 901.1 mAh g⁻1 after 500 cycles at 1 A g⁻1. It also performs excellent rate performance of 1123.0 mAh g⁻1 at 5 A g⁻1 and 850.4 at 8 A g⁻1, far exceeding most of reported literatures. Furthermore, when paired with a commercial LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2, the pouch cell demonstrates high capacity and desirable cyclic performance.