Abstract Calcium hydroxide, a primary hydration product of Portland cement, is undetectable by conventional scattering methods or thermal analysis during the dormant period of cement hydration. Its absence suggests it is either dissolved in the pore solution or present in a non-crystalline state, prompting us to investigate its native state in cementitious pore solutions. Here, we show that conventional transmission electron microscopy detects large (100 nm) amorphous calcium hydroxide spheres, whereas cryo-high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, combined with small-angle X-ray scattering and pair distribution function analysis, reveals that these spheres are absent from the native pore solution after 15 min of hydration. Instead, calcium hydroxide exists as fully solvated ions or ion pairs, alongside tiny (1 nm) metastable gypsum prenucleation clusters. In addition to silicates, sulfate ions inhibit calcium hydroxide nucleation, keeping isolated pore solutions metastable for days at sub-ambient temperatures under inert gas, whereas heating or evaporation triggers the multistage “non-classical” crystallization of calcium hydroxide. Our findings confirm “non-classical” crystallization pathways during early Portland cement hydration, the binder of concrete, the most widely used man-made material.
Food by-product valorization offers a promising route to generate high-value functional ingredients while supporting sustainable circular bio-economy models. This study investigates a protein hydrolysate from soy okara waste (OH) as a source of bioactive peptides for skin health and tissue repair. Using human dermal fibroblasts, OH demonstrated antioxidant activity by reducing reactive oxygen species, NRF2 and catalase enzymes. OH also exerted anti-inflammatory effects by modulating the NF-κB pathway, reducing TNF-α secretion, and enhancing fibroblast migration in a wound-healing model. To explore material-based delivery strategies, OH was incorporated into poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), thereby generating a 3D-printable bioactive blend (PCL-OH). Mechanical, thermal, and structural analyses confirmed the preservation of PCL properties and a sustained peptide release profile. Biological assays showed that the PCL-OH blend retained antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and pro-healing activities, confirming its potential as a novel bioactive material. Complex designs were 3D-printed using the novel material to demonstrate its potential from both design and manufacturability perspectives. Overall, this work demonstrates how food-processing by-products can serve as functional bioactive ingredients for biodegradable materials in sustainable biomedical and wound-care applications. Food by-product valorization produces high-value ingredients and supports a circular bioeconomy. Here, the authors convert soy okara waste into a 3D-printable bioactive material for wound healing and biomedical applications.
Confined transit hubs require acoustic barriers that reduce broadband noise while preserving ventilation and pressure relief. Here we show a morphology-guided trihybridized acoustic metamaterial that integrates a central micro-perforated panel (MPP), peripheral space-coiling Helmholtz resonators (HRs), and central–peripheral dual-tension membranes. A physics-driven two-stage Time-Varying Acceleration Coefficients Particle Swarm Optimization (TVAC-PSO) strategy keeps the membranes in a stiffness-controlled regime, enabling a deep-subwavelength profile while suppressing parasitic mechanical anti-resonance. The optimized structure provides continuous effective absorption from 250 to 450 Hz and a high-efficiency absorption peak within the 800 to 1500 Hz target range. To satisfy platform screen door (PSD) aerodynamic constraints, four closed unit cells are rearranged into a 2×2 vented supercell with a 5.37% open-area-ratio (OAR) macro-pore. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) confirms smooth buffering of 500 Pa piston wind, while macro-pore-induced Fano anti-resonance provides 28 dB transmission loss at 950 Hz. Experiments validate the analytical and numerical predictions. Confined transit hubs face challenges in reducing broadband noise while maintaining ventilation and pressure relief. Here, the authors develop an acoustic metamaterial using a nature-inspired design and optimization strategy, achieving effective noise absorption and transmission loss, with significant implications for improving acoustic environments in transit systems.
Solid oxide fuel cells face significant challenges in achieving high ionic conductivity and operational stability at low temperatures. Here, we present a high entropy cation integration strategy to engineer next generation semiconductor ionic fuel cells. We synthesized a p-type high entropy Ruddlesden–Popper perovskite oxide, (La0.2Ca0.2Sr0.2Sm0.2Pr0.2)2NiO4+δ (HEO), and combined it with a conventional n-type ionic conductor, Sm0.2Ce0.8O2–δ (SDC), forming HEO–SDC heterostructure membranes with varying mass ratios. The coherent, diffused interfaces (~2 nm domain boundaries), percolated cation networks, significant lattice strain, and abundant surface-active oxygen species, enhance electronic and ionic conductivity via Ni2+/Ni3+ hole hopping. Interfacial heterojunctions establish a built-in electric field that suppresses electronic short circuiting while promoting ionic transport. The 5HEO–5SDC achieves a polarization resistance of 0.096 Ω cm2 and a peak power density of 1034 mW cm−2 at 550 °C, with stable operation over 90 hours. These findings establish high entropy interface engineering as a transformative paradigm for energy conversion devices. Solid oxide fuel cells face low-temperature conductivity and stability challenges. Here, the authors present a high-entropy heterostructure that enhances ionic transport, suppresses electronic leakage, and delivers high power output and stability in semiconductor-ionic fuel cells.
Bi2Te3-based alloys are cornerstones of commercial thermoelectric technology, yet their performance ceiling remains unexplored. Pressure loading can effectively enhance the dimensionless figure-of-merit (ZT) of Bi2Te3-based alloys; however, these gains disappear upon decompression, hindering practical applications. Here, a high-pressure and high-temperature (HPHT) treatment (1-5 GPa, 900-1,000 K) followed by quenching is proposed to preserve superior HP properties under ambient conditions. The results demonstrate that precise control over p-type and n-type conduction behaviors is achieved in a single material via HPHT tuning alone, attributed to a pressure-driven electronic topological transition (ETT). Furthermore, the recovered Bi2Te3-samples reinforce both thermoelectric and mechanical properties. Specifically, with respect to the pristine counterparts, the ZT values increase by factors of 6.75 at 3 GPa (p-type) and 3.88 at 5 GPa (n-type), while Vickers hardness rises by factors of 1.14 and 4.38, respectively. This proposed HPHT strategy challenges the conventional doping-dominated paradigm for semiconductor polarity, providing a novel approach that could redefine the design of future electronic materials. Bi₂Te₃-based alloys are pivotal in thermoelectric technology, yet their performance is limited by transient pressure-induced enhancements. Here, the authors employ a high-pressure and high-temperature treatment to achieve stable, enhanced thermoelectric and mechanical properties, significantly increasing ZT values and hardness, expanding semiconductor design beyond traditional doping methods.
Developing a framework that provides access to the momentum-resolved fine electronic structure of strongly correlated f-electron materials is central to understanding the microscopic mechanisms governing their low-temperature properties. In Ce- and Yb-based heavy-fermion compounds, subtle features arising from crystal-electric-field (CEF)-split 4f states and their hybridization with itinerant bands govern low-energy phenomena, but a detailed, momentum-resolved mapping of these spectral features has so far remained elusive. Here, we present a computational approach that accurately describes the momentum-dependent hybridization of CEF-split 4f states with itinerant electrons, exemplified for two canonical heavy-fermion materials, YbRh2Si2 and YbIr2Si2. The method is based on prior knowledge of the CEF parameters, the energies of the 4f states, and the valency, which must be determined experimentally. Our approach reproduces both surface- and bulk-related 4f hybrid bands, with the computed f-derived Fermi surface in excellent agreement with momentum-resolved photoemission data. It provides access to subtle f − spd hybrid features in regions of the Brillouin zone that are challenging to access experimentally. While demonstrated for Yb-based systems, this framework can be extended to other lanthanide and actinide compounds, providing a general tool to guide and complement experiments and reveal the complex f-electron spectral structure that governs f-driven phenomena in strongly correlated materials. Accessing the momentum-resolved electronic structure of strongly correlated f-electron materials is crucial for understanding their low-temperature properties. Here, the authors introduce a computational framework that accurately maps the hybridization of crystal-field-split 4f states with itinerant electrons, aligning well with experimental data and offering insights into complex f-electron interactions across various compounds.
Due to the enormous economic, social and healthcare burden caused by skin injuries, wound treatment has become a global concern. Driven by the need for advanced wound management, here we present a wearable bioelectronic system for wound monitoring and treatment, using conductive hydrogel as tissue interface. The hydrogel exhibits tissue-like mechanical properties (Young’s modulus (66.69 ± 5.33 kPa), moderate conformal adhesion strength (22.3 ± 2.5 kPa) and efficient electrical properties, including high conductivity (4 S m−1), high charge injection capacity (1.37 mC cm−2) and low interfacial impedance (<70 Ω). In vivo studies demonstrate this bioelectronic system can detect the temperature and wound healing status, and deliver electrical stimulation to accelerate wound closure (~48.56% faster on day 14) by increasing collagen deposition (~128.73%) and epidermal thickness (~67.19%). In addition, it can also improve healing quality by promoting neovascularization, anti-inflammatory effects, polarization of macrophages from M1 to M2, extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and nerve regeneration. Transcriptomic analysis further reveals upregulation of pro-regenerative genes associated with re-epithelialization, ECM remodeling, skin appendages morphogenesis and nervous system development, as well as downregulation of genes associated with inflammatory factors. In summary, this system provides an active platform for improved wound care with the hydrogel bridging the gap between electronics and biological tissue. Skin injuries impose a substantial economic, social, and healthcare burden, making wound treatment a global priority. Here, the authors present a wearable bioelectronic system with a conductive hydrogel interface that monitors wounds and promotes healing.
Prolonged annealing of an AlFeNiCoCrCu complex-concentrated alloy produces pronounced mechanical degradation and nanoscale structural evolution despite limited changes in its bulk phase constitution and dendritic/lamellar morphology. This work combines multiscale characterization with comparative atomistic modeling to identify the nanoscale structural variables associated with this annealing response. During prolonged annealing, the tensile strength and ductility decrease markedly, whereas the overall dendritic/interdendritic and lamellar structure is retained without systematic lamellar coarsening. The structural evolution is characterized by enhanced B2-type ordering within the FeCr-rich BCC-type regions, a marked reduction in the detectable population of Cu-rich nanoscale precipitates, and redistribution of local lattice strain. Correspondingly, the deformation substructure evolves from broadly distributed dislocation networks in the as-cast state to fewer and more spatially confined dislocations after prolonged annealing. Comparative atomistic models show that enhanced B2-type ordering within the FeCr-rich BCC-type regions is associated with lower generated dislocation densities, while the four idealized configurations exhibit distinct atomic-strain and dislocation-distribution patterns. These results highlight the need to consider nanoscale structural evolution and deformation behavior alongside bulk phase constitution and morphology when evaluating long-term mechanical reliability. Prolonged annealing of the AlFeNiCoCrCu complex-concentrated alloy causes mechanical degradation and nanoscale structural evolution. This work combines multiscale characterization with atomistic modeling to identify the nanoscale structural variables associated with this
Translating advanced luminescent materials into field-deployable screening tools remains a core challenge, demanding synergy between advanced optical materials and device engineering. Here, we demonstrate a portable dual-mode near-infrared semi-quantitative screening device. the luminescence performance of the core emitting materials, specifically lead-free Nd³⁺/Yb³⁺ co-doped Cs₂NaYCl₆ double perovskite phosphors, was first optimized through a machine-learning (ML) guided approach. Subsequently, these optimized phosphors were integrated to enable the device. Specifically, the Nd³⁺-doped emitter targets the 885 nm characteristic absorption band of alcohol while exhibiting anomalous thermal quenching, whereas the Nd³⁺/Yb³⁺ variant leverages 78.66% energy transfer efficiency to yield stable 985 nm emission (70% retention at 500 K) matching the characteristic absorption band of water. These optimized phosphor-converted LEDs were integrated into a compact detector featuring a coaxial dual-disc stepper mechanism and a customized three-stage circuit that amplifies faint optical signals into a five-level visual indicator. This configuration enables rapid screening of alcohol (30–60%) and water content (45–100%). Validated on commercial samples, this work establishes a holistic platform bridging high-precision instrumentation and real-world portability. Translating advanced luminescent materials into field-deployable screening tools requires integrating optical materials with device engineering. Here, the authors demonstrate a portable dual-mode near-infrared screening device using optimized lead-free phosphors for rapid detection of alcohol and water.
Metal halide perovskite solar cells have achieved remarkable laboratory-scale efficiencies, but their commercialization requires processing strategies that are reproducible, scalable, sustainable, and broadly applicable. Here, we introduce a static antisolvent treatment applied after film deposition. By incorporating isopropanol into a conventional low-polarity antisolvent, we accelerate and homogenize perovskite crystallization through enhanced polarity and improved interaction with precursors and deposition solvents. In situ grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering and photoluminescence reveal the formation of larger, more uniformly distributed crystalline nanodomains during static treatment with the binary antisolvent. The method is effective for four perovskite compositions under 30% relative humidity, and replacing aromatic antisolvents with eco-friendly ethyl acetate preserves film quality while improving sustainability. We further validate the approach in 25 cm² single-junction minimodules and perovskite/silicon tandem devices, achieving power conversion efficiencies of 18.1% and 27.7%, respectively. Taken together, these findings provide a scalable and sustainable route for the fabrication of perovskite photovoltaics. Metal halide perovskite solar cells achieve high efficiencies; however, practical use requires scalable and reliable processing. Here, the authors demonstrate a static antisolvent treatment enabling scalable and sustainable fabrication of efficient perovskite photovoltaics.
Abstract Magnetic skyrmions are vortex-like spin textures that exhibit remarkable emergent phenomena and hold great promise for applications in spintronics, magnonic devices, and neuromorphic computing. Typically, these spin textures are formed in magnetic samples through the application of magnetic fields on a ground state helical phase. However, achieving the formation of zero-field skyrmions, without the need of prior field-cooling, has remained a significant challenge. Here, using real-space Lorentz transmission electron microscopy, we directly observe the spontaneous emergence of skyrmions beyond room temperature in a centrosymmetric crystal of boron-doped CrTe without the presence of external magnetic fields. These skyrmions exhibit robust stability over a large temperature range in zero field and various specimen thicknesses. We nevertheless demonstrate that a field-cooling process can control the density and arrangement of metastable zero-field skyrmions, which is confirmed by micromagnetic simulations. The stabilization of field-free spontaneous skyrmions beyond ambient temperature holds implications for nonvolatile memory systems.
The structural response of compressed α-quartz is important to understanding shock metamorphism in impact craters. Previous dynamic and static compression experiments have shown inconsistent pathways to forming stishovite, defective niccolite- (d-NiAs), rosiaite-type silica, and coesite below 40 GPa. Using laser shock compression and x-ray diffraction with an x-ray free-electron laser, we studied the time-resolved structural response in Z-cut single-crystal α-quartz at 9 and 38 GPa and polycrystalline quartzite at 38 GPa. We observed the formation of stishovite and an amorphous phase on a timescale of 5-16 ns at 38 GPa, while at 9 GPa only strained α-quartz is observed. Our calculations further revealed that stishovite is energetically favored under faster timescales compared to d-NiAs, while coesite formation requires higher energy barriers and an intermediate phase, such that it is prohibited under dynamic conditions. The observed aggregate of stishovite and the amorphous phase is consistent with observations from impact craters, but differences in timescale and amorphous structure warrant caution in direct comparisons. Understanding the structural response of compressed α-quartz is crucial for insights into shock metamorphism in impact craters, yet previous studies have shown inconsistent pathways to forming high-pressure silica phases. Here, the authors use laser shock compression and x-ray diffraction to reveal that stishovite and an amorphous phase form rapidly at 38 GPa, providing insights into impact processes.
Spider silk’s mechanics and environmental adaptability stem from a hierarchical architecture: crystalline β‑sheet nanodomains embedded in an amorphous protein matrix. While major ampullate (MA) silk’s structural responses to strain and environment have been studied, tubuliform (TU) silk — critical for egg sac construction and promising for biomedical uses — remains poorly understood. We investigate TU and MA silk from Trichonephila (T.) inaurata under varying relative humidity (RH) and mechanical strain using high‑resolution, spatially resolved nanobeam X‑ray diffraction (beam diameter ~100 nm). Increasing RH reduces Young’s modulus, yield strain, and yield stress in both silks, with TU silk being more humidity‑sensitive. Ultrastructural contrasts: At 30% RH, strain‑induced changes in TU are pronounced — decreases in lattice parameter a, increases in crystalline alignment, and reductions in coherent domain length L210 and lattice spacing d210 — whereas most strain responses weaken at higher RH. MA shows similar but smaller changes at 30% RH. Within the methods sensitivity at the probed length scale, zone‑averaged crystalline parameters were similar across the fiber diameter. The observed structural responses offer design templates for biomimetic materials. Future work should assess additional environmental variables and finer length scales to unlock spider silk’s potential as a model biomaterial. Major‑ampullate (MA) silk’s structural responses to strain and environment has been well studied, but tubuliform (TU) silk is poorly understood. This study investigates TU and MA silk under varying relative humidity and mechanical strain using high‑resolution nanobeam X‑ray diffraction.
Green manufacturing approaches and bioinspired materials are revolutionizing the healthcare sector by enabling the development of sustainable, high-performance biomaterials. Lepidopteran silk is an excellent natural material that combines adaptability, biocompatibility, and mechanical strength. The toolkit for turning silk into biomedical constructs has grown with the introduction of green solvents, particularly ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents. Owing to their properties, such as negligible vapor pressure, chemical tunability, and recyclability, these solvents enable fine control over molecular conformation and the regeneration of silk proteins. This review brings together recent advances in the use of green solvents to produce tunable silk-based 2D/3D structures with enhanced chemical and biological performance. It also examines how green solvents influence intermolecular interactions in silk and their implications for therapeutic use. Remaining challenges, such as process reproducibility and scalability, are discussed, and an outline of future trends is presented to establish green solvent-based silk biomaterials as suitable processing platforms for regenerative medicine. This review brings together recent advances in the use of green solvents to produce tunable silk-based 2D/3D structures with enhanced chemical and biological performance. It also examines how green solvents influence intermolecular interactions in silk and their implications for therapeutic use.
Designing mineral ultraviolet (UV) filters that combine strong UV absorption and photostability remains an open challenge. Conventional silica coatings only partially mitigate the photocatalytic activity of titanium dioxide (TiO2) and rely on energy-intensive synthesis. Here, we introduce a room-temperature, surfactant-free dissolution–precipitation strategy that yields α−1,3-glucan- and ethylcellulose-coated TiO2 core–shell particles. Spectroscopy and density functional theory indicate that these biopolymer shells improve nanoparticle dispersion and reduce interfacial charge transfer pathways that generate reactive oxygen species, while maintaining strong UV absorption. The resulting core-shell particles demonstrate up to ~2× higher UV absorbance, while the ethylcellulose and glucan shells enhance emulsion stability. The dissolution-precipitation strategy thus delivers UV protection, photocatalytic activity, and emulsion stability in one coating. Mineral UV filters with strong UV protection and photostability remain challenging. Here, the authors develop biopolymer‑coated titanium dioxide particles that doubled ultraviolet absorption while reducing reactive oxygen species formation and improving emulsion stability.
In conventional doped fluorites, oxygen-vacancy organization is interpreted relative to a defined host lattice and a limited set of dopant-vacancy interactions. When several chemically distinct cations share the fluorite sublattice, this reference becomes ambiguous: vacancies experience locally variable cation environments, and the energetics governing their behavior are better described as distributions rather than single values. In the limited conductivity data reported so far, multi-host fluorites designed around vacancy concentration and configurational entropy have not shown clear gains over optimized single-dopant fluorites. This observation motivates a shift in emphasis: from asking whether these materials are more disordered to determining whether their local vacancy preferences are compatible or competing. This Perspective develops a diagnostic classification based on four limiting regimes: random vacancy disorder, dominant defect association, short-range defect order, and frustrated defect landscapes. No existing dataset yet assigns these regimes unambiguously; defining the evidence standard is a central open problem for the field. This Perspective develops a diagnostic classification for compositionally complex fluorites based on random vacancy disorder, dominant defect association, short-range defect order, and frustrated defect landscapes.
Nanoparticle-functionalized polymer surfaces must reconcile particle retention with interfacial accessibility, a balance central to catalytic and multifunctional surfaces. Existing architectures use binders, primers or grafting layers that bury active area or add chemical complexity. Here we show that mild annealing below the main bulk-softening regime partially embeds nanoparticles into cured polymer surfaces, forming a close-packed, one-particle-thick monolayer through two coupled self-limiting processes: particles above the polymer-contacting layer remain removable, while the retained layer approaches a finite embedding depth. On a commercial epoxy, CeO2 nanoparticles embed to approximately their radius, providing anchoring while remaining partially exposed. The monolayer withstands vortexing, ultrasonication and repeated tape peeling, retains reversible Ce3+/Ce4+ cycling, and suppresses degradation during peroxide cycling, short-term outdoor exposure and artificial-seawater immersion. Density-functional theory supports a vacancy-mediated peroxide-decomposition pathway consistent with redox regeneration. Spray deposition and Ag embedding on low-density and high-density polyethylene support transferability across deposition routes, nanoparticle chemistries and polymer substrates. Contact-layer-selective, depth-limited thermal embedding thus establishes a geometry-based, grafting-free design principle that provides mechanical retention while preserving interfacial accessibility, with broader relevance to catalytic and other functional polymer interfaces. Nanoparticle-functionalized polymer surfaces must balance particle retention with surface accessibility, but current methods often reduce active area or add complexity. Here, the authors show that mild thermal annealing creates a durable nanoparticle monolayer that preserves surface accessibility, catalytic activity, and stability without complex grafting methods.
A correlative workflow is developed for analyzing subsurface crack tips located hundreds of micrometers deep in metallic samples, enabling precise characterization of specific regions of interest by integrating multi-scale data across various microscopy techniques. Using X-ray computed tomography mapping, a crack is selected from a group of candidate cracks and extracted with Laser focused ion beam. The isolated crack is examined using three-dimensional electron backscatter diffraction, revealing that the crack propagated along prior austenite grain boundaries. In addition, the martensitic microstructure exhibits crack deflection and crack-tip blunting at block boundaries and prior austenite grain boundaries triple junction. Additionally, crack propagation is found to be influenced by grain boundary structure and elemental segregation. The nucleation and formation of zinc-rich intermetallic phases along the grain boundaries can weaken grain boundaries and lead to crack propagation. Such insights, linking structure and chemistry across multiple length scales, are possible through this integrated multiscale workflow. A correlative workflow is developed for analyzing subsurface crack tips located hundreds of micrometers deep in metallic samples, enabling precise characterization of specific regions of interest by integrating multi-scale data across various microscopy techniques.
Constructing highly ordered molecular frameworks through effective interfacial engineering is crucial for high-performance organic solar cells (OSCs). However, most advanced interfacial layers rely on complex, multistep procedures, limiting broader implementation and process standardization across different active layer systems. Here, we demonstrate ultrasonic spray coating of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxy thiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) as a unified interfacial engineering strategy for OSCs, achieving universal compatibility with diverse active layer systems, from typical fullerene (PC71BM) to state-of-the-art non-fullerene (IT-series and Y-series) acceptors. Compared to spin coating, spray-coated PEDOT:PSS OSCs enhance molecular crystallinity, structural ordering, and charge transport, delivering equivalent or superior photovoltaic performance across all representative active layer systems, demonstrating that spray coating provides a unified, widely applicable protocol for PEDOT:PSS interfacial layer fabrication. By eliminating intricate processes and standardizing the interface fabrication procedure, this work highlights the significant potential of this facile and versatile deposition technique for generalizable interfacial fabrication in OSCs, offering valuable insights and practical guidance for advancing high-performance devices across diverse systems. Effective interfacial engineering is key to high-performance organic solar cells, but current approaches rely on complex multistep processes. Here, the authors demonstrate ultrasonic spray coating of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): polystyrene sulfonate as a unified strategy, compatible with both fullerene and non-fullerene acceptor systems.
Atmospheric water harvesting is a promising approach for potable water generation, particularly in dry landlocked environments, but high energy costs for condensation and capture remain a fundamental impediment. Passive radiative cooling offers an attractive alternative, cooling surfaces below the dew point without active energy input. However, experimental performance has been limited, with both condensation and collection of dew on radiative cooling surfaces remaining challenging. Here, we introduce a slippery hydrophilic radiative cooling surface that through its high infrared emissivity enables effective sub-ambient cooling, and through its surface wettability optimizes both condensation and collection of atmospheric water. In addition, we demonstrate a vertically oriented device architecture that allows for optimizing convection, collecting 25 g/m² of atmospheric water over 6 h of outdoor nighttime testing at relative humidities of 65% and 45 g/m²/h at relative humidities of 95%. We also develop a model that accurately predicts system performance and show that our approach enables water generation and collection approaching the thermodynamic limit of radiative cooling-driven dew condensation. These results highlight the potential of passive radiative cooling as a practical, cost-effective technology for water generation worldwide. Extracting water from the atmosphere is a promising way to obtain potable water in dry, landlocked environments, but high energy costs for condensation and capture remain a key barrier. Here, the authors introduce a slippery, hydrophilic radiative-cooling surface that enables sub-ambient cooling via high infrared emissivity and optimizes both condensation and collection of atmospheric water through its wettability.
