Periprosthetic joint infection remains a major challenge for artificial joint materials, highlighting the need for antibacterial and anti-adhesive ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) surfaces. Here, a hydrated hyaluronic acid (HA)/Pluronic F127 biointerface was constructed on epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)-loaded UHMWPE to couple polyphenol release modulation with active–passive antibacterial protection. The HA/F127 layer contributed to enhancing the outward migration of EGCG from the UHMWPE matrix. Compared with uncoated EGCG/UHMWPE, this hydrated interface increased the 24 h cumulative EGCG release by 52
Fibrous architectures have emerged as highly promising platforms for triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) due to their large surface area, mechanical flexibility, and enhanced mechanical-to-electrical energy conversion efficiency. However, conventional fabrication strategies for fiber-based triboelectric layers typically require high-voltage processing such as electrospinning, which limits scalable manufacturing. Here, we introduce a one-step spray-coating strategy that simultaneously induces fiber formation, hierarchical micro/nanostructuring, and spontaneous phase separation, producing self-stratified polydimethylsiloxane/poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) [PDMS/P(VDF-TrFE)] hybrid fibrous composites without the need for high-voltage equipment. Rapid solvent evaporation drives surface energy-mediated spontaneous self-stratification, resulting in a compositionally graded architecture with a PDMS-enriched exterior and a P(VDF-TrFE)-rich interior. The resulting self-stratified hybrid fibrous networks promote β-phase crystallization within the P(VDF-TrFE)-rich interior, strengthen charge retention through the PDMS-enriched sheath, and enlarge the effective contact area, collectively leading to synergistically enhanced triboelectric performance. Consequently, the optimized material composition yields an open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 290 V, a short-circuit current (Isc) of 7.5 µA, and a maximum power density of 1.23 W m−2. The fabricated devices maintain stable output over 30,000 mechanical cycles and demonstrate practical utility in handwritten letter recognition systems and smart door lock devices. This scalable spray-coating approach provides a simple and effective strategy for fabricating fibrous triboelectric layers with strong potential for self-powered sensing systems, human–machine interfaces, and large-area energy harvesting applications.
The pervasive use of carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy (CFRE) laminates in aerospace and marine engineering is hindered by the permanent nature of conventional thermoset matrices, which precludes self-healing and end-of-life circularity. Furthermore, suboptimal interfacial bonding between the fiber and matrix frequently compromises structural performance. Here, we report a high-performance, fully circular CFRE architecture enabled by a dual-dynamic vitrimer epoxy (VE) matrix comprising associative disulfide and silyl ether covalent adaptable networks (CANs) reinforced with hydroxyl-functionalized graphene oxide (hGO). To bridge the interfacial gap, the carbon fiber (CF) surface was functionalized with a dissociative Diels-Alder (DA) adduct, creating a responsive covalent interface. This synergistic engineering resulted in a 53
Basalt fibers (BFs) have garnered significant attention due to their excellent properties; however, their inherently smooth surface and chemical inertness limit applications requiring visual identification and multifunctionality. Enhancing their coloration appeal and functionality is therefore of practical interest. In this study, we developed an effective strategy to fabricate brightly colored hydrophobic BF fabrics. First, a non-solvent induced phase separation method was employed to convert silk fibroin (SF) into nanoparticles and deposit them onto the BF surface. Subsequently, coloration was achieved using an acid dye in an ethanol/water system, and the underlying mechanism was investigated. Finally, a hydrophobic surface was obtained by high-temperature curing of a polydimethylsiloxane coating on the samples. The results demonstrated that an SF concentration of 60 wt
Polydiacetylenes (PDAs) are widely studied stimuli-responsive materials owing to their characteristic chromatic transition originating from conformational changes in the conjugated backbone. However, practical applications are limited by structural instability, weak signal output, and limited control over reversibility and selectivity. To address these challenges, recent efforts have focused on design strategies that integrate PDA with inorganic components, polymer matrices, and nanostructured materials to regulate interfacial interactions, stress transfer, and analyte transport. This review presents a unified framework linking design strategies and manufacturing approaches in PDA-based systems. We examine key design strategies, including organic–inorganic hybridization, polymer matrix engineering, and spatially organized architectures, and how these collectively govern molecular signaling, analyte transport, and sensing performance. We further highlight manufacturing strategies, such as electrospinning, microfluidics, additive manufacturing, and centrifugal processing, that enable the formation and organization of hierarchical structures. Finally, we discuss emerging applications in food safety, environmental monitoring, and biomedical diagnostics, along with future perspectives on data-driven design and system-level integration. This work provides design principles for next-generation PDA-based sensing materials.
Strategically coupling and nanoconfining intelligent molecules and atomically precise nanoclusters at the interface of nanofibers to establish monitoring-therapy integrated topological dressings holds an innovative approach for treating scald-infected wounds. Inspired by hexagonal topology of a honeycomb, a flexible honeycomb-topological dressing is constructed using an atomically precise gold nanocluster-monitoring beeway, Janus hives with asymmetric wettability, and therapeutic hives. Beeway, inlaid with gold nanoclusters using the nanoconfinement effect and molecular stacking, enabled visualization of the fluorescence signal to quantify the bacterial infection severity by virtue of specific reactive oxygen species detection. Janus hives accomplish the unidirectional clearance of biological fluids, facilitating molecular delivery within the dressing. Ingeniously, therapeutic hives comprise entangled network of photothermal and photosensitive cellulose nanofibers, nanoconfining intelligent photosensitive molecules, which generated heat and released ¹O₂ at the wound upon 808 nm laser activation. Subsequently, the wound’s acidic microenvironment stimulates the therapeutic hives to release photosensitive molecules into deep tissues, producing more ¹O₂ under 660 nm laser irradiation to eradicate bacteria continuously. Notably, the dressing achieves intelligent monitoring and therapy of complex infected scald wounds and simultaneously achieving scarless healing. Thus, this study provides a path for the coupling of intelligent molecules and nanoclusters in nanoconfined dressing spaces.
Inspired by the asymmetric structure of human skin, this work is based on a gravity driven self-assembly strategy to construct biomimetic Janus structured thin films with asymmetric distribution of MXene nanosheets modified with tannic acid in a polyurethane matrix. The material has achieved synergistic optimization of mechanical and electrochemical properties, with a fracture elongation of 114
Realizing programmable mechanical compliance is essential for ensuring safety and adaptability in robotic systems. While active frictional interfaces utilizing electrostatic forces offer a desirable lightweight form factor, they generally suffer from high driving voltages. Furthermore, sliding-induced stick–slip instabilities prevent precise friction modulation, typically restricting their functional range to simple binary (on/off) modes. Here, a thin-film dynamic friction modulator is presented, enabling stick–slip-free, variable clutching via tunable electromechanical dynamics of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-gel charge accumulator. Unlike conventional dielectrics, the PVC-gel utilizes interfacial charge accumulation to generate exceptionally strong electrostatic forces, resulting in high shear stress capacity ( 29 N/cm² at 100 V). Crucially, optimizing plasticizer in the PVC-gel results in suppressing stick–slip by concurrently minimizing the static-kinetic friction disparity and inducing velocity-strengthening friction response contributing to sliding continuity. This synergy ensures stick–slip-free sliding and precise kinetic friction control even under high shear stress (22.5 N/cm²). The versatility of this mechanism is validated across robotic control systems, including programmable impact damping, variable clutch, and wearable haptic device. By transcending conventional binary friction control, this thin-film friction modulator establishes a versatile platform for continuous dynamic control.
Non-isocyanate polyurethane (NIPU) adhesives have attracted increasing attention as sustainable alternatives to conventional polyurethane adhesives owing to their isocyanate-free synthesis and the availability of renewable feedstocks. Their adhesive performance is governed by complex interactions among molecular structure, reaction kinetics, network architecture, and interfacial phenomena. This review summarizes recent advances in NIPU adhesives with emphasis on the cyclic carbonate-amine polyaddition reaction, discussing the influence of reaction kinetics, β-hydroxy urethane chemistry, hydrogen bonding, and network evolution on adhesion development and mechanical performance. The roles of bio-based precursors, synthetic monomers, hybrid network architectures, and dynamic covalent chemistries are investigated in relation to curing behavior, crosslink density, moisture resistance, thermal stability, and durability. Recent strategies, including epoxy hybridization, siloxane modification, and vitrimer-like network design, are discussed as effective approaches for improving curing efficiency, environmental stability, and mechanical performance while maintaining the sustainability advantages of NIPU systems. The review also highlights current challenges associated with slow curing kinetics, wet durability, processing, and industrial scalability, together with recent developments in cyclic carbonate structural design and alternative synthetic pathways. A comprehensive understanding of the interplay between molecular architecture, network topology, and interfacial interactions is essential for optimizing the performance of NIPU adhesives and advancing the development of sustainable, high-performance adhesive systems.
Resection of bone-metastatic tumors is often accompanied by severe bone erosion and structural defects. Three‐dimensional (3D) printed hydrogel scaffolds with tailorable architectures and mechanical robustness are increasingly employed to restore bone integrity after tumor removal. Here, a 3D-printed sodium alginate/GelMA hydrogel scaffold is engineered to remodel the local microenvironment for simultaneous tumor ablation and bone repair, aiming to overcome the persistent challenge of functionally modifying hydrogel scaffolds to achieve both effective tumor eradication and bone regeneration. The scaffold encapsulates dendritic cell-derived exosomes loaded with the STING agonist Cyclic dinucleotide (Dex-CDN), together with methacrylated osteogenic growth peptide (OGP-MA), while a dopamine–manganese coordination nanozyme (DM) forms a mussel‐inspired catalytic coating on the surface. Under the acidic tumor milieu, DM exhibits peroxidase‐like activity to trigger Fenton reactions, deplete glutathione, and induce oxidative stress–mediated tumor cell death. Under physiological conditions, DM displays superoxide dismutase‐ and catalase‐like activities, scavenging reactive oxygen species and maintaining redox homeostasis to promote osteogenesis. Sustained Dex‐CDN release activates STING signaling and elicits potent antitumor immunity, whereas OGP‐MA triggers BMP/Smad‐mediated osteogenic differentiation. This integrated scaffold unites catalytic therapy, immune activation, and osteoinduction, offering a promising strategy for localized tumor control and bone regeneration following bone metastatic tumor resection.
Global warming arises from the net accumulation of solar energy within the Earth–atmosphere system. Passive radiative cooling paints (PRCPs) offer a scalable approach to mitigate this imbalance by reflecting solar radiation and emitting heat to outer space, thereby reducing surface and urban temperatures. PRCPs are photonic composites, in which binders, fillers and interfaces govern scattering, absorption and mid-infrared emission. Most existing studies treat binders and fillers as independent, idealised phases—an assumption that fails to capture the complexity of practical PRCP systems. In reality, filler–filler and binder–filler coupling as well as coating morphology collectively govern cooling performance in ways that single-component models cannot predict. External factors, e.g. building configuration, sky view factor and atmospheric conditions, further influence performance, yet are rarely integrated into material-level analyses. This review bridges this gap by examining, for the first time in a unified framework, how intrinsic material properties, interfacial interactions and composite architectures, together with climatic constraints and building-to-urban deployment contexts, jointly determine cooling performance. We further highlight emerging multifunctional directions, i.e. weathering resistance, flame retardancy, thermal adaptivity and sustainable formulations. Finally, we identify unresolved challenges and outline priority directions to advance PRCPs towards real-world application.
Low back pain (LBP) is a prevalent musculoskeletal disorder worldwide, and intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) constitutes its primary etiological factor. With the continuous advancement of research, an increasing number of studies have demonstrated that mitochondrial dysfunction is closely associated with IDD, and repairing damaged mitochondria represents a valuable target for intervening in IDD. Given the disadvantages of low efficacy and substantial side effects of conventional mitochondrial repair methods, it is urgent to establish efficient targeted repair strategies. This review discusses the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of IDD and the difficulties in repairing degenerated intervertebral discs (IVDs). Additionally, we review the physiological barriers and classification of mitochondria-targeted therapies (MTTs). In particular, we elaborate on the application of emerging MTTs strategies in IDD, including targeted small molecules, nano-drug delivery systems (NDDSs), and mitochondrial supplementation therapies. Furthermore, this review extensively explores the future challenges and directions of MTTs, aiming to provide a comprehensive framework for preclinical research and future clinical translation of MTTs.
High-temperature thermal management materials are widely applied in extreme environments, including thermal power, nuclear power and hydrocracking industries, where the surface temperature can reach 400 ℃. Nevertheless, conventional solid coating-based thermal management materials suffer from insufficient heat resistance and limited thermal insulation, failing to meet the demands of such high-temperature conditions. Herein, a hybrid composite coating was designed and fabricated using amino-phenoxy phthalonitrile (APN)/bismaleimide (BMI) blends as organic matrix. By introducing heat-shielding silicon carbide (SiC) particles, together with micropores derived from pyrolyzed polyethylene glycol (PEG) and mesopores constructed by γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS)-modified nanoscale m-SA, a “barrier-turbulence-scattering” system with micro-nano multi-scale porous structure was established (m-SA + SiC/APN-BMI). It was melt-coated at some arbitrary temperature between 95.64 ℃ and 151.12 ℃ with viscosity below 3000 Pa·s, followed by gradient curing at 180 ℃/2 h, 220 ℃/2 h, 260 ℃/2 h and 300 ℃/0.5 h. The lightweight porous coating exhibited a density of 0.34 g·cm− 3 and a porosity of 67.47
The vibration energy that exists in most real structures is dissipated mainly because of the damping property of the material. This study investigates the effect of varying weight percentages of Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT) as reinforcement in Al, LM6, and LM25 composites fabricated through powder metallurgy on the damping behavior. Since the Aluminium (Al) and Aluminium- Silicon (Al-Si) alloys are the predominant materials in aerospace, automotive, and structural applications, the MWCNT reinforced Composite cylindrical ingots prepared through powder metallurgy method were hot-extruded to obtain rectangular strips and subjected to free vibration, impulse, and sweep sine tests to investigate the damping behavior. The 0.5 weight
Maintaining human thermal comfort relies heavily on energy-intensive space heating and cooling, significantly exacerbating global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Although functional clothing has made rapid progress, there is a lack of systematic understanding on how to integrate the multiscale structural engineering from the intrinsic material properties to the macroscopic fabric topology in a coordinated manner to break through the thermodynamic limitations of traditional textiles. This review provides a comprehensive overview of multiscale thermal management textiles for localized personal microclimates, extreme occupational protection, and wearable electronics, aiming to maximize personal energy savings and specifically address the pronounced research deficit concerning the scalable, durable, and sustainable deployment of these smart fabrics. The strategies of meticulous structural control across multiple dimensions, including 1D intrinsic fiber engineering, mesoscopic yarn assemblies, and 2D/3D macroscopic Janus or biomimetic fabric topologies, are systematically highlighted to dynamically modulate heat conduction, convection, and multi-band radiation. This review offers a critical framework, design principles, and a roadmap for developing next-generation intelligent textiles aimed at getting rid of reliance on the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in building, ultimately accelerating the transition toward global carbon neutrality and sustainable personal thermal management (PTM).
In this study, a high-power laser-arc hybrid additive manufacturing process with synchronous powder feeding (LAHAM-SPF) was developed to fabricate TiC/Al-Cu composites. By optimizing the processing parameters, efficient introduction, stable deposition, and effective incorporation of TiC particles were achieved. On this basis, the evolution of TiC particles in the hybrid molten pool, the associated solidification behavior, and the resulting microstructure-property relationship were systematically investigated. The results showed that, under the high-power laser-arc hybrid thermal field, the initially added coarse TiC particles were evidenced to undergo partial dissolution and subsequent reprecipitation, leading to the formation of a multilevel strengthening architecture composed of retained coarse TiC particles, in-situ re-precipitated fine TiCp/TiCw and Al3(Ti,Zr) phases. This architecture significantly modified the solidification behavior of the hybrid molten pool, reduced the heterogeneous nucleation barrier of α-Al, and suppressed Cu segregation and the formation of a continuous grain-boundary θ-Al2Cu eutectic network. Owing to the synergistic effects of dislocation multiplication, grain refinement, Orowan strengthening, and load transfer, the ultimate tensile strength increased from 267.1 MPa for the Al-Cu matrix to 310.8 MPa for the composite. In addition, the wear resistance of the composites was markedly improved at both room and elevated temperatures, with the average wear rate reduced by approximately 88
Fiber reinforced composites (FRCs) are important to aerospace, automotive and marine industries because of their good strength-to-weight ratio and flexibility in design. However, their highly reliable design is defined by a complex interaction of numerous processing parameters which makes challenge for predicting mechanical properties. Conventional destructive testing is expensive and time consuming and existing predictive models are often limited to single fiber systems or a limited set of the many properties of interest, failing to cover the holistic system performance of hybrid composites. To overcome these limitations, in this work a robust machine learning framework is developed for simultaneous prediction of tensile strength and primary failure modes classification of the mono, bi, and tri fiber reinforced epoxy laminates. Experimental results found carbon-dominated 8 cross ply tri-fiber hybrid laminate (CGK) as the balance condition with a maximum tensile strength 389.79 MPa while delamination is found as main failure. Consequently, five boosting models like AdaBoost, Gradient Boosting, XGBoost, CatBoost and LightGBM were trained, validated, optimized and tested on tensile experimental data. SHAP analysis showed that tensile strength is dominated by design parameters such as lay-up configuration and actual thickness while the failure mode is more sensitive to as manufactured features such as the lay-up type and lay-up configuration. After tuning hyper-parameters, CatBoost proved to be best for regression task having R2 of 0.74, MSE of 1648.90 MPa, MAE of 29.65 MPa indicating good agreement with experimental observations while LightGBM proved to be sound classifier having Accuracy, Recall or sensitivity and F1-score of 1.0 for multi-class categorical failures. The proposed model have competitive and strong performance compared to the existing works on fiber reinforced composite, which usually claim high accuracy in single fiber systems and do not consider the more complex mono, bi and tri fiber hybrid systems. This work presents a broad, twin objective reliable, physically consistent predictive tool for capturing highly complex structure-property relations in hybrid composites, making competent structure design optimization and experimental testing less dependent on generous experimental data.
Recent advances in aerospace, automotive, and communication electronics have driven a growing demand for aluminum matrix composites (AMCs) with superior mechanical properties. The performance of AMCs is largely governed by their reinforcements, which typically feature high strength, melting point, and chemical stability. In particular, reinforcements formed via in situ chemical reactions offer distinct advantages over their ex situ counterparts, including cleaner interfaces, better thermodynamic compatibility, and more uniform dispersion within the matrix. This paper provides a comprehensive and critical review of the state-of-the-art in processing, properties, and applications of in situ reinforced AMCs. Emphasis is placed on various in situ synthesis strategies, elucidating the reaction mechanisms and characterization techniques associated with different precursor materials. It critically examines how key fabrication methods influence the control of reinforcement characteristics (e.g., size, distribution, and interfacial structure) and the evolution of microstructural features. The resultant impact on the overall composite performance is also systematically analyzed. Finally, based on current understanding, this review outlines key challenges and proposes future research directions for the development of in situ reinforced AMCs. By integrating advanced processing, microstructural design, in situ synthesis mechanisms, and performance strengthening into a multi‑dimensional framework, this review establishes clear linkages from material design and processing to microstructural evolution and final performance, thereby aiming to guide the rational design and development of high‑performance AMCs.
The rapid miniaturization of electronic devices demands efficient thermal management while exacerbating the e-waste crisis. Although thermal interface materials (TIMs) are essential for heat dissipation, their end-of-life recycling remains challenging due to the stable polymers they contain. Herein, we develop a polymer-grafted Nickel nanoparticles as thermal interface paste (DAMF-Ni) that features dual-mode interface conformability and multi-pathway recyclability. By integrating phase-change polymer segments onto the surface of nickel nanoparticles via reversible covalent bonds, DAMF-Ni achieves enhanced interfacial adaptability through melt infiltration and magnetic-induced attachment, while enabling both chemical and physical recycling via dynamic reactions and magnetic force. Accordingly, DAMF-Ni exhibits a low thermal contact resistance of 0.61 cm²·K·W⁻¹ and a 377.5
The need for the efficient platforms creating innovative applications in the field of sensing, wastewater treatment, and industrial safety has resulted in the development of novel and advanced hybrid materials with unique morphological structures and superior performance. Hybrid nanostructures are being developed with the motive to incorporate advantageous attributes of both and to compensate the weakness of the individual components, thereby improving stability and enhancing the properties and features of both the materials through hybridization effects. Thus, opening the door for their usage in wide variety of applications. MXenes are one of the most rapidly growing family of two-dimensional materials with attractive physical and electrochemical properties such as high electrical and high thermal conductivity, hydrophilicity, enhanced surface mechanism, ease of processability, mechanical flexibility, compositional versatility, and rich surface chemistry. Despite their advantages, certain inherent drawbacks of MXenes, including oxidative degradation, restacking issues, could restrict their utility in various applications. In contrast, metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are coordination compounds featuring high surface area, ultra-high porosity, tunable pore size, tunable structure, high density of active sites, high catalytic activity, chemical and thermal stability but with the limitation of poor electrical conductivity. Coalescing the high surface area and porosity feature possessed by MOFs with the excellent electrical conductivity of MXenes allow the formation of hybrid nanostructures with enhanced features and properties. This review aims to provide comprehensive overview of MXene/MOF hybrids in sensing, photocatalysis, and wastewater treatment applications. Finally, the current challenges and future research directions are critically evaluated, providing insights and direction for the efficient design and development of these composites.
