Surfaces of renewable energy infrastructure like wind turbine blades and photovoltaic panels are facing severe challenges under harsh service environments such as icing, sandstorms and contaminations. Protective outer coatings with low ice adhesion, superior mechanical durability, and high optical transmittance are urgently needed. Herein, we propose a multiscale puzzle complementary strategy to design transparent and mechanically robust self-lubricating surface (TRSS). The self-lubricating constituent (SLC) that synthesized via a molecular-scale puzzle assembly effect endows the surface with ultralow surface energy to achieve self-lubrication and low ice adhesion. Meanwhile, a macroscale interpenetrating polymer network puzzle via integrating reinforcing constituent and SLC drastically improves the composite’s bulk mechanical integrity. The as-prepared TRSS exhibits excellent mechanical robustness, a low friction coefficient, high optical transparency, and outstanding dynamic anti-icing performance. Its remarkable light transmittance minimizes power generation loss when coated on photovoltaic panels, validating its promising applicability in photovoltaic industry. Systematic characterizations reveal that TRSS possesses prominent anti-icing and deicing efficacy with an ice adhesion strength of ∼30 kPa, and exceptional wear resistance where only ∼80 μm thickness loss is observed after 800 cycles of Taber abrasion. Collectively, these comprehensive functional merits establish TRSS as a dependable protective candidate for both aircrafts and renewable energy facilities, possessing great practical significance and broad engineering deployment prospects.

High-flux two-phase cooling is essential for high-power electronics, data centers, aerospace systems and advanced energy devices, yet its performance remains constrained by nucleation loss, flooding, vapor blockage, insufficient replenishment, dryout and material degradation. Natural interfaces offer strategies for sustaining liquid supply, directing interfacial transport and renewing phase-change surfaces. This review extracts transferable transport principles and organizes nature-inspired multiscale architectures into four combinable dimensions: capillary liquid replenishment, anisotropic transport, self-driven condensate removal, and spatial decoupling of nucleation and departure. These dimensions are mapped onto nucleation, growth, transport, departure and rewetting, and linked to interfacial thermodynamics, pressure budgets, thin-film transport, hydraulic resistance and device-level thermal closure. Their implementation across passive and active phase-change systems is assessed against operating limits and failure boundaries. We further connect functional requirements to fabrication, metrology and reliability, distinguishing mechanistic evidence from direct heat-transfer validation and long-term performance. Overall, this review summarizes nature-inspired multiscale architectures for high-flux two-phase cooling according to four combinable design dimensions derived from natural interfacial transport. It provides a practical reference for strategy selection, performance evaluation and engineering translation in bioinspired phase-change cooling and thermal management.

Reducing surface frictional resistance (SFR) on high-speed objects remains a central challenge in engineering research. In this study, a coupled biomimetic surface was fabricated by combining 3D-printed spanwise riblets with a hydrogel coating applied through spraying. Laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) was used to characterize the three-dimensional morphology, while field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) revealed the hydrogel microstructure. Drag reduction effect was assessed in a closed water circulation tunnel and the actual drag reduction performance was measured by model ship in a flume. The coupled surface exhibited a maximum drag reduction rate of 13.2 % at Re=6325. The drag reduction mechanism was investigated using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and high-speed imaging. Streamwise vortices formed at the riblet valleys transformed sliding friction into rolling friction, significantly reducing resistance. Concurrently, the swelling hydrogel exchanged water within its hydration layer and absorbed near-wall turbulent fluctuations, promoting enhanced boundary slip. Given that hydrogel swelling alters the surface morphology, the impact of coating thickness on drag reduction durability warrants further investigation. The findings contribute to the development of multifunctional surfaces with potential applications in drag reduction and antifouling technologies.

Owing to the inherent limitations of lightweight composites, such as a narrow service temperature window, stringent mechanical requirements, and low thermal conductivity, conventional anti-icing/de-icing techniques can hardly be directly applied. This work proposes a macro–micro mechanically interlocked hierarchical structure that systematically solves three critical issues encountered during the co-curing of electro-thermal films embedded in composites: resistance drift under high temperature and pressure, weakened interlayer bonding caused by film insertion, and performance conflicts among mechanical strength, heating uniformity, and electromagnetic wave transmittance. The composites were fabricated via blade coating combined with ultrafast laser etching, and structural parameters were optimized using experiments and simulations. The interlaminar shear strength and impact damage resistance of the composite are enhanced by 52.7% and 25.0%, respectively, with the synergistic optimization of tunable resistance, high heat transfer efficiency, and excellent electromagnetic transmittance achieved simultaneously. This study provides a feasible strategy for the engineering application of high-strength, multifunctional anti-icing/de-icing composites.

Electrospinning enables the scalable fabrication of polymeric fibers ranging from tens of nanometers to a few micrometers; however, precise control of fiber diameter remains challenging due to the strongly coupled and nonlinear effects of processing and solution parameters. This study proposes a machine learning-based approach to predict fiber diameter using three key input parameters: applied voltage, flow rate, and solution viscosity. The proposed model is intended to serve as a decision-support tool for experimental design, thereby reducing trial-and-error costs and improving fabrication efficiency. Through comprehensive data analysis and comparison across multiple machine learning models, the optimal model was identified, achieving a prediction accuracy with an R2 value of 0.9288. Based on this model's predictions, a four-dimensional visualization was constructed, where the three input parameters (voltage, flow rate, and viscosity) were mapped to the x, y, and z axes, respectively, and fiber diameter was represented by color. Further slicing of the 4D plot produced three-dimensional contour maps illustrating the effects of two parameters at a time. Combined with feature importance analysis, the results showed that viscosity had the strongest positive influence on diameter. Voltage demonstrated a negative correlation, while flow rate exhibited a positive correlation under lower voltage conditions. Most existing studies are limited to specific materials, such as PVDF or PCL, when developing machine learning models for electrospinning processes. In contrast, this study investigates PI/PES-based systems and their corresponding additives, and this approach provides a foundation for future research to develop more universal models that are not restricted to fixed material compositions. Furthermore, this study demonstrates the effectiveness of data augmentation as a strategy for overcoming data scarcity, which is a common challenge in electrospinning research, so machine learning models can be trained more effectively and achieve reliable predictive performance by expanding limited experimental datasets. The proposed framework therefore offers a practical solution for researchers working with small datasets, enabling accurate prediction of fiber diameter while reducing the need for extensive experimental trials, and shortens the path from laboratory trials to manufacturable products in filtration, biomedicine, and energy.

While the riblet structures on shark skin are known to reduce frictional drag in turbulent flow, the synergistic contributions from the underlying cavity region and the flexible dermis remain inadequately explored, limiting the performance of existing biomimetic surfaces. To move beyond single-mechanism imitation, we present a biomimetic hierarchical composite surface (BHCS) featuring a normal elastic gradient that integrates denticle arrays, a flexible substrate, and interfacial chemistry. This integrated design is achieved through a multi-material 3D printing and spray-coating process. The optimized BHCS achieves a maximum drag reduction (DR) rate of 18.65% in underwater flow. Systematic experiments and numerical simulations reveal that this superior performance stems from a synergistic mechanism: the denticles induce stable longitudinal vortices that reorganize near-wall turbulence, while the flexible substrate enhances a unique reverse pore flow within the inter-denticle cavities through deformation and directs it against upstream structures. This impingement creates localized zones of elevated pressure, resulting in a net forward thrust that reduces the overall drag. Meanwhile, the surface-grafted PDMS molecular brush forms a liquid-like interfacial layer and increases surface hydrophobicity, thereby reducing interfacial shear. This research demonstrates a novel biomimetic design concept in which the synergy of multiple mechanisms leads to optimized DR.

Water resource scarcity is a severe global challenge. Solar interfacial evaporation technology, which has low-carbon and sustainable attributes, is an effective approach for desalinating decentralized seawater. However, salt accumulation and microbial contamination critically restrict the long-term stable operation of evaporators. This study proposes a new Janus evaporator with a wavy structure, termed the Double-sided Evaporating Wave-shaped Janus (DW Janus) evaporator, which integrates a 3D porous CuO/Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) photothermal layer and an Ag-modified hydrophilic cotton fabric layer to achieve efficient double-sided evaporation and excellent salt resistance and antibacterial properties. This structure utilizes the wavy design and inclined angle to optimize light absorption and thermal localization; additionally, by harnessing the synergistic driving mechanism of gravity and capillary force for directional water transport, it effectively inhibits salt crystallization. Experimental results demonstrate that the DW Janus evaporator achieves an evaporation rate of 1.89 kg m−2 h−1 under 1 sun irradiation, with a photothermal conversion efficiency of 87.81%, and remains stable in 10% high-salt water. Furthermore, the silver nanoparticles impart significant antibacterial activity, exhibiting strong inhibitory effects on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. This research provides a novel concept for developing efficient, salt-resistant, and antibacterial solar evaporators, thereby promoting their practical application in complex water quality environments.

Animals have evolved over millions of years to support locomotion, attachment, and stable residence across diverse surfaces, offering rich biomimetic models for developing artificial interfaces with controllable adhesion and friction. Inspired by these biological mechanisms, extensive efforts have been devoted to enhancing adhesive and frictional performance under complex environmental and interfacial conditions. Beyond strengthening adhesion, achieving controllable attachment and detachment is increasingly crucial for expanding the practical applications of bioinspired attachment systems. Diverse external energy fields and field-responsive materials have been explored to enable reversible, and programmable regulation of interfacial physicochemical interactions. Field-controll adhesion therefore marks a paradigm shift from passive structural replication to active functional modulation. This review summarizes recent advances in varied field-responsive adhesive systems, with a focus on their regulatory mechanisms, stimulus fields, and responsive materials. It further discusses key challenges in interfacial adaptability, adhesion reversibility, and scalable fabrication, and outlines future directions for designing and translating next-generation programmable smart adhesive interfaces.

Intelligent wound dressings offer new potential for the precision treatment of chronic non-healing wounds. However, further improvements in wound sensing accuracy and therapeutic efficiency remain challenging. Here, we present a battery-free, stretchable intelligent microneedle patch (iSMNP) that penetrates the skin barrier to achieve accurate impedance-guided closed-loop drug release and electrical stimulation for full-cycle wound management. A multi-material aerosol jet 3D printing strategy with microscale construction capability is developed to fabricate the fully printed, multilayer microneedle patch featuring high structural precision and serpentine stretchable interconnects. Benefiting from reliable stratum corneum penetration and high conductivity, the iSMNP achieves a 4.2-fold reduction in contact impedance and an 8-fold enhancement in charge injection for electrical stimulation compared with commercial gel electrodes. Closed-loop drug release is realized through an electrostatic interlocking mechanism, while the microneedle structure increases drug delivery depth by approximately 61%. Both in vitro and animal experiments demonstrate that the iSMNP effectively suppresses bacterial infection, promotes vascular normalization, and enhances tissue remodeling. This scalable microneedle-based bioelectronic platform establishes a powerful and efficient strategy for closed-loop precision therapy of chronic non-healing wounds.

Microchannel flow boiling has emerged as a highly promising electronic cooling technology. However, its practical application is suffering from the lack of effective control over bubble dynamics, especially bubble departure processes. Here, we have proposed a dual-bionic micro/nano-structured surface to mediate bubble departure for enhancement of flow boiling performance in microchannels, drawing inspiration from the micro-ratchets on the peristome surface of Nepenthes alata and the wedge-like beak of a phalarope. The microchannel heat sink with bionic micro/nano-structures demonstrates significant improvement in thermo-hydrodynamic performance, and achieves the critical heat flux of 366.5 W·cm-2 and heat transfer coefficient of 11.8 W·cm-2·K-1 at 600 kg·m-2·s-1, indicating respective increase of 82.5% and 103.2% compared to its smooth counterpart. This gain stems from a dual mechanism that the bionic architecture first enables spontaneous migration of nucleated bubbles from the micro-ratchet root to the tip under an interfacial energy gradient, and subsequently promotes bubble departure from the ratchet tip through the net force of buoyancy and drag. The present strategy exhibits superior cooling capacity over conventional air/water-based methods in dissipating heat from a commercial CPU under full power. The present dual-bionic design holds great potential for addressing the demanding cooling requirements of high-power electronics.

Liquid-solid triboelectric nanogenerators (LS-TENGs) and water evaporation-induced electricity generators (WEGs) can be widely utilized for water energy harvesting, for which enhancing their output is crucial for applications. However, classical strategies based on material and structure modifications or coupling with other functional modules offer limited improvements in the output efficiency of LS-TENGs and WEGs. Herein, a synergistic coupling and enhancement model for heterogeneous electricity generation modes is established, leading to the proposal of a triboelectric enhanced water evaporation-induced electricity generator (T-WEG). The T-WEG simultaneously harvests energy from both droplets and microfluidic flows, outputting a positively biased pulse signal with a peak voltage of 19.20 V and a steady voltage of 0.91 V. More importantly, the electrostatic field generated by the charged triboelectric layer enhances ion migration within the evaporation-induced electric layer, boosting the output voltage by 194%. This synergistic enhancement enables the T-WEG to reach a power density of up to 9.68 W center dot m- 3. Owing to its coupled pulsed-steady signal characteristic and excellent performance, the T-WEG exhibits broad application prospects in harvesting low-grade water energy and powering Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

Inspired by the unique microstructures on peristome surfaces of Nepenthes, we have developed a novel capillary wick with the property sets combining unidirectional liquid transport, great capillary performance and high evaporation efficiency. A multi-step molding-casting method based on investment casting and 3D printing has been employed to manufacture designed bionic wicks on copper. We experimentally verified the unidirectional flow characteristics of the bionic wick and numerically revealed the underlying mechanism. The capillary rise performance of the wick has been greatly enhanced when the bionic microstructures are configured consistently with the natural prototype. The final capillary rise height of water in a bionic wick with 600 mu m in width is increased by 53.6%, resulting in an improvement of 24.3% in the capillary performance parameter. A remarkable improvement in heat dissipation capability has been achieved when capillary evaporation occurs in the bionic wick. The evaporation rate of water in a bionic wick with 600 mu m in width is increased by up to 18.8% at the heating power input of 12 W, compared to conventional groove wicks. The present study promises a new direction for designing and manufacturing capillary wicks of high-power vapor chambers with high heat transfer performance.

Micro/nanostructured surfaces are widely applied in drag reduction, optical, and medical fields. The machining accuracy and quality of micro/nanostructured surfaces directly determine the operational performance of functional devices. In this study, a one-degree-of-freedom ultrasonic vibration generator was carefully developed, and the ultra-precision sculpturing process was proposed to enable efficient and precision machining of micro/nanostructured surfaces. Firstly, by integrating one-dimensional longitudinal vibration theory with finite element simulation optimization, an ultrasonic vibration generator was designed. Then, impedance analysis and sweeping frequency testing confirmed the resonance characteristics and vibration stability of the system. The measured resonant frequency deviated by only 2.5% from the designed value, and the vibration amplitude remained stable at 1.6 μm. Finally, cutting experiments demonstrated the high performance fabrication of micro/nanograting spacing of 460 nm and 700 nm, with the workpiece surface exhibiting distinct red and blue structural colors and well-defined boundaries. The results validated the structural reliability and superior machining performance. The machined surface was dominated by residual compressive stress, which increased as the microstructure spacing decreased. Therefore, this study provides a theoretical foundation and technical support for the manufacturing of functional micro/nanostructured surfaces.

Photothermal materials with high conversion efficiency offer a promising approach for preventing ice accretion on infrastructures like wind turbines. However, the conflict between weak-light inefficiency in winter and overheating hazards in summer remains a challenge for composites. Herein, we develop a robust thermochromic photothermal icephobic coating with switchable solar-driven anti-/deicing and anti-overheating modes for all-season demands. During freezing winter, a 0.05 W/cm2 weak solar irradiation can raise the black coating (solar absorbance >97%) temperature from −10 to 7.6 °C and facilitate rapid ice shedding from rotating rotor. During summer, the thermochromic coating turns white with strong reflection and limits coating temperature below 51 °C, inhibiting composites oxidation above 60 °C. Strikingly, the interpenetrating elasticity and ultraslippage endow the coating with exceptional ice detachment properties, exhibiting an ultralow ice adhesion strength (<31 kPa) and sliding angle (<8.3°), which are maintained even after 200 Taber abrasion cycles. This study successfully addresses the critical challenge of regulating the all-season temperature of photothermal coatings, pioneering a new pathway for designing intelligent anti-icing coatings for wind turbines and low-altitude rotorcraft.

Strong frictional attachment in complicated environments is of great importance for interfacial adhesion, particularly fused by the rapid advancements in frictional adhesion technologies and flexible materials. The captivating adhesion phenomena of natural creatures in diverse environments, from dry to wet and even underwater, provide significant inspiration for interfacial adhesion with frictional enhancement. This review provides an overview of the predation and survival behaviors of natural creatures in varied environments, with an emphasis on the adhesive capabilities based on structures and secretions, going from the complex relationship between these characteristics and their functions to the biomimetic applications. First, the fundamental theories and adhesion models of natural biological surfaces are introduced, followed by the discussion of important biomimetic prototypes (e.g., geckos, tree frogs, octopus, and mussels), along with general fabrication methods for frictional adhesion surfaces. Next, the significance of both engineered and bioinspired adhesives is highlighted with selected applications in practical fields. Finally, from a forward‐looking perspective, the challenges and opportunities are discussed to help drive future innovation in adhesive materials through biomimetic strategies and biological materials.

Micro/nanostructure arrays are extensively employed in optics, aerospace, energy, and biomedical applications due to their superior functional properties. Ultra-precision machining technologies have emerged as key enablers for the efficient, accurate, and flexible fabrication of these structures, facilitating their industrial-scale production. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of ultra-precision machining technologies for generating functional micro/nanostructure arrays. Firstly, a metrological analysis of the literature of micro/nanostructure arrays and traditional ultra-precision machining is introduced. Subsequently, various ultra-precision machining technologies, including single-point diamond turning, slow/fast tool servo diamond turning, fly cutting, diamond milling, and ultra-precision grinding/polishing, are systematically reviewed. In addition, field-assisted ultra-precision machining methods, such as ultrasonic vibration-assisted machining, laser-assisted machining, ion implantation-assisted machining, magnetic field-assisted machining, and multi-field assisted machining, are summarized for creating micro/nanostructure arrays on difficult-to-machine material surfaces. Then, the functional applications of micro/nanostructure arrays in numerous fields are discussed in detail, including optical regulation, friction reduction, wettability modification, thermal cooling, and anti-icing. And relationships between structural characteristics and functional performance are elucidated. Finally, the current challenges in ultra-precision machining technology for micro/nanostructure arrays are summarized, as well as the outlook and continuously expanding application fields are also outlined.

Solar-driven interfacial evaporation (SDIE) is a technology that employs photothermal materials to convert solar energy into thermal energy, concentrating it at the gas-liquid interface. This process promotes preferential water evaporation at the interface, facilitating effective water purification. This study introduces a novel solar-driven interfacial evaporator featuring an optimized "square table" three-layer configuration, achieving efficient evaporation through the integration of a photothermal conversion layer (Cu/CuO foam), a water transport layer (polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) sponge), and a thermal barrier layer (ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) sponge). In this distinctive square table-style structure, the top layer comprises hydrophobic Cu/CuO foam. The middle layer is a super-hydrophilic PVA sponge, uniformly perforated with 3 mm diameter through-holes to significantly increase the active evaporation area. Water transmission channels located on the four sides facilitate water absorption. The EVA sponge bonded beneath the PVA sponge serves as an insulation layer, significantly reducing the heat conduction loss from the evaporator to the bulk water. A 2 x 2 cm PVA absorbent column is located at the center of the EVA sponge to prevent insufficient water supply in the middle of the evaporator. Under one sun illumination, the evaporator achieves an evaporation rate of 1.20 kg m-2h-1 with a corresponding photothermal conversion efficiency of 75.3 %. No significant salt accumulation was observed after continuous operation in 10 wt% brine for 10 h, demonstrating excellent salt tolerance and evaporation stability. This design presents a promising approach to minimizing heat loss in solar interfacial evaporators.

Abstract Flexible strain sensors are essential components in wearable electronics and soft robotic systems, yet their reliability is often compromised by the mechanical mismatch and interfacial instability inherent in heterogeneous material integration. Herein, we present an integrated all-laser-induced graphene (all-LIG) flexible strain sensor fabricated via a processing-induced electrical contrast strategy. By spatially selective tuning of laser power and focal position, we achieved orders-of-magnitude differences in electrical resistance within a single LIG material system, creating both a high-resistance sensing line and low-resistance integrated electrodes without incorporating foreign conductive materials. Through systematic optimization of the laser processing and transfer parameters, the sensor exhibits a low detection limit of 0.2%, a fast response time of ∼89.7 ms, a wide working range up to 40.0% strain, and a maximum gauge factor of ∼5.3. Furthermore, the device demonstrates excellent frequency-independent stability, robust durability over 1900 loading–unloading cycles, and remarkable resistance to mechanical damage and water exposure. Owing to the integrated all-graphene architecture and customizable structural design, the sensors enable reliable and conformal motion monitoring across various human joints and deformable surfaces while minimizing redundant interconnects and material interfaces. This work establishes a material-unified and digitally tunable platform for high-reliability flexible strain sensing, offering a scalable and generalizable strategy for next-generation wearable motion monitoring, health-care devices, and human-machine interfaces.