Nanofluidic memristors, exploiting ion transport in nanochannels, hold promise for neuromorphic applications. A planar architecture is particularly desired for scalable integration with established micro- and nanofabrication technologies. Here, using the Poisson-Nernst-Planck framework, we theoretically propose planar nanofluidic memristors enabled by surface charge gradient, providing an alternative to the commonly used geometrically asymmetric architectures. The resulting memristive behavior is governed by a diffusion-mediated secondary enrichment effect. By systematically solving the PNP equations, we obtain the scaling of the characteristic memory time across the parameter space. We also reveal that the memory effect is related to the first-order moment of surface charge, for arbitrary charge profiles. These results provide a theoretical basis for rationally designing and optimizing planar nanofluidic memristors through spatially patterned surface charge.

Three-dimensional integration is a pivotal strategy for advancing the integrated circuit performance beyond traditional scaling limits. Herein, we report a monolithic 3D (M3D) integration technology using carbon nanotube (CNT) networks to fabricate four-layer complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) thin-film transistors (TFTs), representing the highest layer count to date for CNT-based CMOS M3D devices. The vertically stacked structure achieves enhanced integration density through layer-by-layer stacking with interlayer isolation via low-temperature-processed dielectrics, enabling the stable operation of N-type and P-type CNT-TFTs in separate layers. Functional IC units, including CMOS inverters and trans-impedance amplifiers (TIAs), were successfully implemented using this four-layer architecture. Furthermore, vertical integration of the M3D TIA with a molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) photodetector realized a monolithic optoelectronic sensing system, achieving primary amplification of photocurrents with a trans-impedance gain of 7.21 × 103 Ω. This work validates the feasibility of CNT-based M3D integration for high-density, multifunctional ICs and paves the way for next-generation optoelectronic systems and power devices.

MA as fluorinated electrolyte cosolvent breaks compact solvation structure for faster Li + transport, while constructing elastic EEIs. MA-FBE enables stable operation of NCM811 LMBs at 4.8 V high voltage and over a −70 to 60 °C wide temperature range.

We have successfully developed a nearly perfect absorber coating designed for extreme environmental conditions, utilizing a spray coating process that facilitates easy, cost-effective and large-scale production. The coating is formulated with carbon nanomaterials, enhanced by the incorporation of epoxy resin-coated carbon nanotubes that serve as a binding agent within the carbon black particle matrix. This strategic integration effectively 'freezes' the micro- and nanostructures of the surface, thereby substantially improving the coating's durability and stability. The coating delivers omnidirectional high absorption efficiency, exceeding 99.9 % across a broad wavelength range from 400 nm to 20 mu m. It exhibits excellent adhesion and abrasion resistance, ensuring the maintenance of its absorptive performance under extreme conditions such as high and low temperatures, UV radiation, water impact and prolonged outdoor exposure. Carbon nanotubes have demonstrated their effectiveness as ideal connecting materials for perfect absorber coatings and their application has paved the way for new opportunities in the development of smart coatings. This robust and stable perfect absorber coating addresses the theoretical mechanical limitations inherent in conventional perfect absorber, significantly expanding their potential applications.

The silicon-based field-effect transistor (FET) is approaching the physical limits for the prominent short-channel effects and the sequent leakage currents under the conventional paradigm. Here, we propose a momentum-dependent field-effect transistor (MD-FET) to address this issue, in which a monolayer 2D semiconductor is sandwiched by two cross 1D carbon nanotube electrodes. The MD-FET enables a perfect off state, as the elastic tunneling is forbidden by the momentum mismatch between the cross 1D contacts. It can also access a substantial on state, because the momentum mismatch can be compensated by the electron-phonon scattering in a 2D channel. The MD-FET with sub-1-nm channel thus exhibits high on/off ratios of ~107, which breaks through the theoretical limit on the short-channel effect. The MD-FET opens up a previously unknown paradigm to further scale down transistors beyond silicon and inspires a promising solution for the post-Moore era.

Nanocarbides exhibit interesting mechanical properties and strong oxidation and corrosion resistance. The use of high-entropy effects has enhanced the performance of nanomaterials and enabled new functionalities. Despite the successful development of high-entropy nanoalloys and nanoceramics, controlled synthesis of high-entropy nanocarbides (HENCs) remains challenging due to high growth temperatures, agglomeration of nanoproducts and multi-component immiscibility. Here we achieve synthesis of HENCs containing 5–22 metal elements through a nanoconfined impulse synthetic strategy enabled by Joule heating-induced in situ reactions in carbon nanotube films. These HENCs exhibit multi-element effects and enhanced electrocatalytic activities due to nanoscale size and modification of catalytic sites. In particular, (Pt0.15WTaFe0.15Ni)Cx is highly stable for the hydrogen evolution reaction at 5 A cm−2 and demonstrates low overall-water-splitting cell voltages under industrial conditions. Moreover, (Pt0.5WTaHfCe)Cx shows high mass activities for alcohol oxidation. Density functional theory calculations elucidate the mechanism by which specific sites are modified to achieve optimal adsorption capabilities in HENC catalysts. These results demonstrate the promise of our approach for the synthesis of high performance HENC electrocatalysts. High-entropy nanocarbides (HENCs) containing 5–22 metal elements are synthesized through a nanoconfined impulse synthetic strategy enabled by Joule heating-induced in situ reactions in carbon nanotube films. These HENCs exhibit multi-element effects and enhanced electrocatalytic activities due to their nanoscale size and modified catalytic sites.

AbstractReconfigurable low‐dimensional devices are attractive for electronics in the post‐Moore era. However, their performance and function design are limited by the metal–semiconductor contacts for the Fermi level pinning and fixed Schottky barrier height (SBH). Here, semimetal carbon nanotube (sCNT) contacts are incorporated into a WSe2 transistor to address these issues. The transistor exhibits excellent ambipolar transfer characteristics with on/off ratio exceeding 107 for both hole and electron conduction. Furthermore, the output characteristics are reconfigured among the four equivalent modes, P–P, P–N, N–P, and N–N, by applying appropriate gate voltage. The significant forward and backward rectifying behaviors at P‐N and N‐P modes are highly symmetrical and have high rectification ratios of over 106. The improvements are attributed to specific semimetal contacts for the gate‐tunable SBH and the drain‐induced Schottky barrier lowering (DISBL) effect. Practical circuits include a reconfigurable filter circuit and a logic invertor have been further demonstrated successfully. The progress reveals that the semimetal contacts have great potential in future reconfigurable devices and circuits.

A new approach to effective spatial light modulation is created by integrating a super-aligned carbon nanotube film array with paraffin wax.

This study presents the development of highly sensitive, uniform, and reproducible silicon‐based Surface‐Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) substrates using super‐aligned carbon nanotubes (SACNT) networks as an etching mask. These substrates have been scaled up to the wafer level, offering a cost‐effective solution for point‐of‐care testing (POCT) applications. The substrates provide a dual role as both a support for high‐density hot spots and an external spectral reference, enhancing the accuracy of quantitative SERS detection. The substrates' sensitivity is demonstrated by achieving quantitative detection of BPE solution as low as 10 −12 M with a monitoring deviation of less than 5%. The application of these SERS substrates in monitoring caffeine citrate concentration in urine samples for the treatment of infant apnea of prematurity is also presented, showing a strong linear relationship between SERS signal intensity and caffeine citrate concentration across clinically relevant ranges. The use of a portable Raman spectrometer with these substrates further aligns with the principles of POCT, offering convenient and cost‐effective semi‐quantitative detection. This work underscores the potential of SERS technology in advancing POCT, particularly in neonatal care, where rapid and accurate diagnostic testing is crucial for optimizing treatment plans and improving patient outcomes.

The methanol oxidation reaction is the bottleneck for direct methanol fuel cells. Unfortunately, the state-of-the-art Pt-based catalysts suffer heavily from the CO poisoning problem. Isolating Pt atoms in a material can avoid CO poisoning. However, single-atom Pt catalysts alone are inert towards methanol oxidation reaction. Here, we report high-entropy alloyed single-atom Pt catalysts, in which single-atom Pt sites are alloyed with non-noble elements in a high-entropy structure. This catalyst not only possesses active Pt sites but also inherits the ability of single-atom Pt to resist CO poisoning. Consequently, the catalyst shows a notable mass activity of 35.3 A mg-1 at only 2.3 at% Pt and maintains high activity even after operation for 180,000 s. Both experimental and theoretical results reveal that the high-entropy structure induces a synergistic effect, wherein the elements coordinated around single-atom Pt sites effectively remove adsorbed CO from Pt. This mechanism facilitates the key reaction steps of methanol oxidation reaction and avoids CO poisoning. This work presents a high-entropy alloyed single-atom strategy to realize efficient and durable methanol oxidation reaction catalysis with low costs.

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are paramount in energy storage in consumer electronics and electric vehicles. However, a narrow operating temperature range severely constrains their evolution. In this study, a wide-temperature operating LIB system is constructed utilizing carbon nanotube (CNT)-based electrodes and a "constructive alliance" electrolyte. The unique microstructure of the CNT current collector, with high electrical and thermal conductivity, accelerates the reaction kinetics of active materials at subzero temperatures and optimizes the thermal management of the entire electrode at elevated temperatures. Furthermore, a strategy employing the "constructive alliance" electrolyte is proposed, demonstrating that a simple combination of commercially available electrolytes can enhance resilience to harsh thermal conditions. Molecular dynamics simulations and density functional theory calculations reveal that the hybrid electrolyte predominantly adopts aggregate solvation structures and possesses low Li+ desolvation barriers regardless of thermal variations. Consequently, the assembled Li4Ti5O12//LiCoO2 full cell, with a negative/positive electrode material ratio of 1.2, exhibits outstanding electrochemical performance in the wide temperature range of -40 and 60 °C. This innovative strategy overcomes challenges in wide-temperature electrolyte research and offers promise for next-generation wide-temperature LIBs.

Efficient heat transfer control is highly demanded for dynamic thermal management of equipment and buildings especially when the environmental temperature dramatically changes. Thermal switches, the current approach of heat transfer control, suffer from the issues of low switching ratios below eight and sharp state transition between "on" and "off". Herein, a continuously-tuned thermal regulator with an ultrahigh thermal-conductivity change ratio of 43 based on superaligned carbon nanotube aerogel is reported, which works on the regulation of both thermal interfacial resistance and conduction pathways by compressive deformation-induced microstructure evolution. This thermal regulator can stabilize the device temperature at 25 degrees C when the environmental temperature varies by 7 and 11 degrees C under the natural convection and forced convection conditions, respectively. Toward practical application, the thermal regulator with flexibility is wrapped around a cylindrical lithium-ion battery to control the operation temperature within the optimal range of 20-40 degrees C for enhanced discharging performance even at an environmental temperature of -20 degrees C. Besides, by combining the thermal regulator with radiative cooling film, the house model temperature can be lowered by 2.7 degrees C during daytime and raised by 1.1 degrees C during nighttime compared with the bare one. This efficient thermal regulation approach offers an effective solution for practical thermal management.

Two-dimensional (2D) materials enable vertical field effect transistors (VFETs), which provide an alternative path for scaling down the channels of transistors. The challenge is the short channel effect when the thickness of the 2D channel decreases to ∼10 nm. Here, we show that a VFET with an ultrashort channel can be accomplished by employing a semimetal carbon nanotube (CNT) as a 1D van der Waals (vdW) contact. The CNT-VFETs with 5-10 nm MoS2 channels exhibit high on/off ratios exceeding 105, low subthreshold swing values of 160-120 mV/dec, and high current densities over 104 A/cm2. Such a switch even works with an ∼ 3.4 nm thick channel. The excellent comprehensive performance can be ascribed to the reduced short channel effect as the sub-2 nm CNT contact has weaker electrostatic screening to the gate, a reduced Fermi level pinning effect, and a highly tunable barrier. The VFETs with 1D vdW contacts hold great promise for ultrascaled transistors and are prospective in future nanoelectronics and nano-optoelectronics.

The high-temperature thermal insulation materials (TIM) are critical for aerospace technology. The more thermal insulation it is, the thinner TIM is needed. Here we show that, by stacking super-aligned carbon nanotube (SACNT) films together, SACNT-stacked films (SACNT-SF) can be obtained, which outperforms the traditional TIMs for a wide range of working temperatures. In vacuum, the effective thermal conductivity of SACNT-SF is only 0.004W/m·K at room temperature, and 0.03 W/m·K at 2600℃. Theoretical analysis indicates that the nanometer diameter of the carbon nanotube, the nanoporous and anisotropic structure and the ultra-low density of SACNT-SF, and the high extinction coefficient of sp2-carbon play critical roles in reducing heat conduction via solid skeletons, radiation, and gas medium. The SACNT-SF is nanometer thick and fully flexible, which can be continuously and freely winded on various shapes of surfaces, generating a conformal TIM for a broad spectrum of applications.

Tuning the interfacial Schottky barrier with van der Waals (vdW) contacts is an important solution for two-dimensional (2D) electronics. Here we report that the interlayer dipoles of 2D vdW superlattices (vdWSLs) can be used to engineer vdW contacts to 2D semiconductors. A bipolar WSe2 with Ba6Ta11S28 (BTS) vdW contact was employed to exhibit this strategy. Strong interlayer dipoles can be formed due to charge transfer between the Ba3TaS5 and TaS2 layers. Mechanical exfoliation breaks the superlattice and produces two distinguished surfaces with TaS2 and Ba3TaS5 terminations. The surfaces thus have opposite surface dipoles and consequently different work functions. Therefore, all the devices fall into two categories in accordance with the rectifying direction, which were verified by electrical measurements and scanning photocurrent microscopy. The growing vdWSL family along with the addition surface dipoles enables prospective vdW contact designs and have practical application in nanoelectronics and nano optoelectronics.

Abstract Lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) have gained widespread attention due to their numerous advantages, including high energy density, prolonged cycle life, and environmental friendliness. Nevertheless, their electrochemical performance deteriorates rapidly under extreme temperature conditions, accompanied by a series of safety issues. Electrolyte optimization has emerged as a crucial and feasible strategy to expand the operational temperature range of LIBs. This review comprehensively summarizes the challenges, advances, and characterization methodologies of electrolytes at both subzero and elevated temperatures. Initially, it discusses the degradation mechanisms of different types of electrolytes at extreme temperatures, integrates recent advances, and offers insights into future research directions. Subsequently, various experimental techniques are systematically presented to evaluate the fundamental physical properties, stability, and dynamic behaviors of electrolytes in non‐ambient environments. Finally, it also provides relevant computational methods across the electronic, molecular, and macroscopic scales, and explores the application of high‐throughput techniques in this field. This review offers valuable guidance for breaking the working temperature limits of electrolytes and promoting the development of next‐generation LIBs.

MXene materials hold promise for lithium-ion battery applications but face challenges from interlayer restacking, which impedes both mechanical robustness and ionic transport. Inspired by the dense regular connective tissue of vertebrates, a biomimetic composite is developed, integrating superaligned carbon nanotubes (SACNTs) and Ti3C2. In this architecture, SACNTs "fibers" serve as mechanical skeletons and transport channels, while Ti3C2 "cells" disperse uniformly and expose abundant lithium storage sites. This composite could endure strains up to 8.01% and 1000 cycles of large-angle bending. Electrochemically, it exhibits commendable rate capabilities (253.1 mA h g(-1) at 10 A g(-1)) and robust cycling stability (3300 cycles at 5 A g(-1)) at room temperature, with sustained functionality even at -40 degrees C. Density functional theory calculations highlight the efficacy of carbon layers in reducing the adsorption energy toward Li. This biomimetic strategy effectively addresses the challenge of MXene restacking and improves the utility in advanced energy storage.

The specific and excellent properties of the low-dimensional nanomaterials have made them promising building blocks to be integrated into microelectromechanical systems with high performances. Here, we present a new microheater chip for in situ TEM, in which a cross-stacked superaligned carbon nanotube (CNT) film resistor is located on a suspended SiNx membrane via van der Waals (vdW) interactions. The CNT microheater has a fast high-temperature response and low power consumption, thanks to the micro/nanostructure of the CNT materials. Moreover, the membrane bulging amplitude is significantly reduced to only ∼100 nm at 800 °C for the vdW interaction between the CNTs and the SiNx membrane. An in situ observation of the Sn melting process is successfully conducted with the assistance of a customized flexible temperature control system. The uniform wafer-scaled CNT films enable a high level of consistency and cost-effective mass production of such chips. The as-developed in situ chips, as well as the related techniques, hold great promise in nanoscience, materials science, and electrochemistry.

1,3-Dioxolane (DOL), with its broad liquid phase temperature window and low Li+-solvent binding energy, stands out as an ideal solvent candidate for the wide-temperature and high-rate electrolytes. Unfortunately, DOL is susceptible to undergo ring-opening polymerization under common lithium salts, which markedly retards the reaction kinetics. This work introduces the organic basic additive 1,8-Diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) to effectively suppress the polymerization, thus achieving compatibility between LiFSI, LiDFOB lithium salts, and DOL. Furthermore, density functional theory (DFT) calculations are utilized to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of DOL polymerization and to clarify how DBU inhibits its polymerization. The resulting electrolyte, devoid of polymer chain formation, forms a weak solvation structure rich in anions, which demonstrates rapid ion transport kinetics in the bulk electrolyte and excellent electrochemical stability at the electrolyte-electrode interfaces (EEIs) simultaneously. When applied to the LiFePO4||graphite full cell, it exhibits exceptional wide-temperature and high-rate performance, with specific capacities reaching 101.2 mAh g -1 at room temperature (20 C), 36.9 mAh g-1 at -40 degrees C (0.5 C), and 118.0 mAh g-1 at 60 degrees C (20 C). This study significantly guides the development of wide-temperature, high-rate electrolytes.