Lead-free piezoelectric ceramics with high Curie temperature are urgently demanded to replace toxic lead-based materials for environmental sustainability, among which BiFeO3-BaTiO3 (BF-BT) systems show promising potential. Although chemical substitution is widely adopted to modulate properties, achieving balanced electromechanical performance in BF-BT ceramic remains challenging due to the complexity of A-site cations (Bi3+ and Ba2+) with different valence states and ionic radii. Herein, we systematically investigated site-selective Sm3+ substitution effects on structure and properties of BF-BT ceramics. Bi-site substitution promoted grain growth and reduced leakage current via suppressed bismuth volatilization, while Ba-site substitution refined grains but severely disrupted ferroelectric ordering due to charge imbalance. Furthermore, 2/3Bi0.995Sm0.005FeO3-1/ 3BaTiO3 (BF-BT-Bi-Sm0.005) achieved optimized comprehensive performance, exhibiting a piezoelectric coefficient of d33 = 87 pC/N, mechanical quality factor of Qm = 101.5, Curie temperature of Tm = 394 degrees C, and low leakage current density. These results demonstrate that low-level Bi-site substitution effectively coordinates defect chemistry, microstructure, and domain engineering to achieve superior electromechanical coupling, providing a rational design strategy for high-performance lead-free ceramics suitable for high-temperature sensing applications.

High electrostrain, excellent thermal stability, and low hysteresis are critical requirements for advanced high-precision actuators. However, simultaneously achieving these synergistic properties in lead-free ferroelectric ceramics remains a significant challenge. In this work, a targeted B-site doping strategy was employed to develop novel lead-free (0.99-x)BaTiO3-xBaZrO3-0.01Bi(Zn2/3Nb1/3)O3 (BT-xBZ-BZN, x = 0-0.2) ceramics. Systematic investigation identified optimal Zr4+ substitution at x = 0.1, which yielded an outstanding combination of electromechanical properties. For this optimal composition, a high unipolar electrostrain (Smax = 0.11%) was achieved at 50 kV/cm, accompanied by an ultra-low hysteresis (HS = 1.9%). Concurrently, a large electrostrictive coefficient (Q33 = 0.0405 m4/C2) was determined, demonstrating excellent thermal robustness with less than 10% variation across a broad temperature range of 30-120 °C. This superior comprehensive performance is attributed to a composition-driven evolution from a long-range ferroelectric to a pseudocubic relaxor state. In this state, the dominant electrostrictive effect, propelled by reversible dynamics of polar nanoregions (PNRs), minimizes irreversible domain switching. These findings not only present BT-xBZ-BZN (x = 0.1) as a highly promising lead-free candidate for high-precision, low-loss actuator devices, but also provide a viable design strategy for developing high-performance electrostrictive materials with synergistic large strain and superior thermal stability.

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are emerging as promising alternatives to lithium-ion technology for energy storage, driven by the cost-effectiveness and sustainability of sodium resources. However, a persistent challenge lies in developing layered oxide cathode materials that simultaneously exhibit high energy density and robust moisture stability. In this work, we demonstrate an orbital-hybridization regulation strategy to concurrently address these limitations by reinforcing Na-O bonds. This regulation is effectively achieved through the incorporation of Ti, Sn, and Li metals (without single d electrons) into the transition metal (TM) slabs. This reduces the hybridization between TM 3d and O 2p orbitals, thereby restricting the gliding of the TMO2 slab and preventing spontaneous Na+ extraction from a model compound O3-Na0.85Ni0.40Mn0.60O2. Consequently, the phase evolution, previously observed as a complex sequence of O3 - O ' 3 -P3 - P ' 3 - P3 '- O3 '- O1, is simplified. Furthermore, the deleterious and spontaneous P-to-O phase transition, which typically occurs under deep desodiation conditions, is completely suppressed. As a result, the synthesized O3-Na0.85Ni0.40Mn0.35Ti0.2Sn0.03Li0.02O2 cathode exhibits superior electrochemical performance and significantly enhanced air stability. This research provides valuable insights into an effective orbital-hybridization regulation approach for developing high-energy and highly stable cathode materials suitable for advanced rechargeable batteries.

Thermal insulation materials with light weight, high mechanical strength, and efficient thermal insulation are essential for ensuring aerospace vehicle safety. However, the development of thermal insulation materials with low thermal conductivity and radiation suppression is highly in demand. In this study, the hexagonal SiOC precursors were prepared from the methyl-terminated side chain acryloxypropyl silicone oil via digital light processing and continuous liquid interface production, which can be pyrolyzed at 10 0 0 degrees C to obtain SiOC ceramics with various porosities (80 %, 85 %, and 90 %). The hexagonal SiOC-85 % ceramics showed a compressive strength of 13.44 +/- 1.52 MPa with a density of 0.63 g/cm3 . The biomimetic honeycomb SiOC-85 % ceramics were constructed through assembly of the hexagonal SiOC-85 % precursor samples and SiOC precursor fiber membranes prepared by electrospinning, followed by pyrolysis. The honeycomb SiOC-85 %-1 ceramics (one layer) showed a specific strength of similar to 2.02 x 104 N m/kg and a low thermal conductivity of 0.11 +/- 0.01 W/(m K) at room temperature. Moreover, the honeycomb SiOC-85 %-1 ceramics (one layer) and SiOC-85 %-2 ceramics (two layers) exposed to 800 degrees C for 20 min displayed very low back-side temperatures of similar to 184 degrees C and 168 degrees C, respectively. The biomimetic multi-layer honeycomb architecture provides a novel strategy for advanced thermal insulation in aerospace applications. (c) 2026 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The editorial office of Journal of Materials Science & Technology.

P2-type layered oxides, as promising cathode candidates for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), offer high working voltage and rapid Na+ transport, yet suffer from progressive voltage decay and structural instability at deep states of charge, due to detrimental P2-O2 phase transitions and irreversible oxygen redox. Herein, we introduce a multiple-center honeycomb ordering strategy that incorporates LiMn6, MgMn6, and intrinsic NiMn6 topology within the transition-metal layers of P2-Na0.67Ni0.33Mn0.67O2 through rational Li/Mg co-doping. We demonstrate that the LiMn6 order units disperse the NiMn6 superstructure domains to suppress long-range phase evolution, while the MgMn6 motifs act as nanoscale anchors to immobilize Li+ within the TM slabs and prevent its migration during oxygen redox. This synergistic topological design sustains a highly reversible solid-solution reaction over a wide voltage range of 2.0-4.5 V, with minimal voltage hysteresis and a voltage decay of 0.002 V per cycle. The resulting P2-Na0.76Li0.10Mg0.08Ni0.15Mn0.67O2 cathode delivers a high capcity of 134 mAh g-1 and retains an excellent capacity retention of 93.36% after 400 cycles, outperforming conventional analogues. These findings open a new avenue for tailoring the local structure of layered oxide cathodes to achieve voltage-stable and high-energy-density SIBs.

​As representative electrochemical sodium storage technologies, considerable attention and interest have been attracted by sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) and sodium-ion hybrid capacitors (SIHCs) because of their favorable advantages, including low cost, superb energy/power density, and reliable operational security. Nevertheless, sluggish sodium storage kinetics and unsatisfactory cycling stability of anodes gravely hamper their prosperous development and practicalization. Herein, a benign coprecipitation with a followed sulfuration strategy has been proposed to prepare Prussian blue analogue-derived biphasic CuFeS2/CuS heterostructure encapsulated within N, S co-doped carbon (CuFeS@NSC) anodes towards SIBs and SIHCs. The as-obtained CuFeS@NSC anode possesses a strong pseudocapacitive effect with a surface capacitive contribution proportion of 96.1% at 1.0 mV s-1. The biphasic CuFeS heterostructure coupled with a highly conductive NSC layer offers favorable synergistic effects that endow the CuFeS@NSC with fast sodium storage kinetics, resulting in excellent electrochemical properties, such as a high discharge capacity, superior rate capacity, as well as cycling durability. When used as anodes for SIB and SIHC full cells, high energy/power density and cycling lifespans can be produced. The remarkable sodium storage properties reveal that CuFeS@NSC is a highly eligible bifunctional anode toward high-efficiency sodium storage systems.

The Fe(III)|Fe(IV) redox couple in iron-containing Na layered oxides enables high-capacity, cost-effective positive electrodes. However, although a high iron content (when the Fe concentration exceeds 33 at.% on transition metal layers) leads to rapid capacity decay during battery cycling, the underlying mechanism of this detrimental behaviour remains unclear. Here we report that the electrochemomechanical failure mechanism in Fe-rich Na layered oxides is related to the stability of the Fe octahedral coordination environment at the nanoscale. Fe-ion migration and dissolution govern the formation of intragranular microcracking in the positive electrode active material particles, accompanied by dislocations and an uneven distribution of mechanical stress. Driven by the non-uniform strain field, microcracks proliferate and planar gliding occurs, resulting in a stepped surface. By nanoscale doping with Al(III) (1 at.%), Y(III) (1 at.%) and Co(III) (3 at.%), we inhibit the Fe-ion migration and dissolution, thereby reducing cracks and planar gliding. Using the multi-element nanoscale-doped iron-rich sodium layered oxide at the positive electrode and a hard-carbon-based negative electrode, we assembled and tested 2.7-Ah Na-ion pouch cells showing an initial specific energy of 121 Wh kg-1 (based on the total mass of the cell) at 26 mA g-1, and a discharge capacity retention of 83.4% after 2,000 cycles at 130 mA g-1 at 25 °C.

Establishing three-dimensional (3D) conductive structure with heteroatom (e.g. N, P, S) doping is extremely effective strategy in MoS2-based anode for remitting the tough issues (e.g. poor conductivity, severe volume expansion and aggregation) during repeated Na+ intercalation/deintercalation processes. Besides, developing a simple, convenient, environmentally friendly and sustainable synthetic method is of great significance for further realizing its industrial application. Herein, a 3D MoS2/N, S co-doped carbon hybrid (3D-MoS2/N,S-C) was successfully fabricated through a simple, low-cost, eco-friendly and sustainable template-induced self-assembly strategy. The obtained 3D-MoS2/N,S-C possesses heteroatom doping, carbon matrix, hierarchical pores and 3D interconnect network structure. Thereinto, N/S atoms co-doping can produce abundant defects, which is beneficial to enhance the reversible capacity. Establishing 3D hierarchical porous network could fast electron/Na+ transport, leading to superior rate performance. Besides, the in-situ formed conductive carbon substrate can effectively relieve the volume expansion and prevent aggregation, resulting in favourable cycling stability. By virtue of the above merits, the 3D-MoS2/N,S-C anode displays an enhanced capacity of similar to 344/170 mAh g(-)(1) at 0.1 A g(-)(1) in half/full cells. The causation of its excellent electrochemical performance and the mechanism for sodium storage were elucidated by a series of ex-situ characterization techniques. Noteworthily, this controllable, inexpensive and scalable strategy could be applied to synthesize other active materials (such as WS2, VS2, SnS2) and conducive to the further commercial application of these anode materials.

The optimization of ultra-low-loss microwave dielectric ceramics is hindered by the complex interplay of factors governing the dielectric loss and inefficient trial-and-error screening. This study introduces an interpretable machine learning framework that combines accelerated materials discovery with quantitative structure-property analysis for the Li2 TiO3 -Li3 NbO4 -MgO system. A Gaussian process regression-based active learning strategy was employed to explore the compositional space, identifying the near-optimal composition of (1-x )Li3 MgNbO5 - x Li2 TiO3 at x = 0.80 using only six compositions (from a total of 21) over three iterations, closely aligning with the experimentally determined optimum at x = 0.85. Beyond optimization, a high-fidelity ensemble machine learning model ( R2 = 0.8285) was developed to quantitatively evaluate the influence of twelve physically meaningful structural descriptors on dielectric loss, utilizing permutation importance and SHapley Additive exPlanations. Both methods consistently identified internal strain (IS) and configurational entropy (CE) as the most dominant factors influencing Q x f . Maximum Q x f value arises from a synergistic combination of moderate CE associated with order-disorder transitions, minimized IS, and a densely packed microstructure with elevated relative density. Experimental and model validation confirms that the composition at x = 0.85 achieves outstanding dielectric performance, with epsilon r = 16.17, Q x f = 104,300 GHz at 9.2 GHz, and tau f = -3.47 ppm/ degrees C. This closedloop, interpretable, and experimentally supported methodology offers a generalizable route for the rapid design of high-performance dielectric ceramics. (c) 2026 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The editorial office of Journal of Materials Science & Technology.

The (1-x)Ba(Zr0.15Ti0.85)O-3-xCa(V2/3Mg1/3)O-3 dielectric ceramics aiming for the applications in multilayer ceramic capacitors were fabricated using the hydrothermal method. The influences of Ca(V2/3Mg1/3)O-3 modifier on their microstructure, dielectric properties and relaxor behavior were investigated. When increasing Ca(V2/3Mg1/3)O-3 content, the Ba(Zr0.15Ti0.85)O-3-based ceramics change from the single-phase solid solutions to multi-phase composites and the primary phase transforms from tetragonal perovskite structure (space group P4mm) to a pseudo-cubic symmetry. With the increase of x value, the unit cell volume decreases and then bounces back while the decreasing tolerance factors still maintain the perovskite structure. The highly porous structure of undoped Ba(Zr0.15Ti0.85)O-3 ceramic is refined by Ca(V2/3Mg1/3)O-3 addition and an increasingly dense morphology with uniform grain distributions is obtained with higher x value. The average grain size gets diminished from 3.87 mu m to 2.61 mu m as the Ca(V2/3Mg1/3)O-3 concentration increases. A decline in room temperature permittivity epsilon(rRT) with increasing x, alongside a reduction in T-m is found. As increasing the Ca(V2/3Mg1/3)O-3 content, the diffuse phase transition of Ba(Zr0.15Ti0.85)O-3-based ceramics is strengthened and the dielectric temperature stability is improved by decreasing Delta epsilon(r)/epsilon(r)% to +44.6 similar to -38.9 %. The dielectric frequency dispersion is also enhanced by Ca(V2/3Mg1/3)O-3 addition. And a representative relaxor behavior in Ca(V2/3Mg1/3)O-3 modified Ba(Zr0.15Ti0.85)O-3 ceramics is confirmed by the Vogel-Fulcher fitting.

Developing high-capacity transition-metal layered oxide cathodes is crucial for building high-energy sodium-ion batteries. Increasing the redox-active nickel content in O3-type layered cathodes effectively boosts the output capacity, yet a high Ni content (>40%) accounts for the formation of NiO impuritie during the high-temperature solid-state synthesis and compromises the reversible capacity of the cathode. Herein, we revealed the underlying mechanism of NiO formation during sintering, which was driven by the lattice sodium volatilization at an elevated temperature. We further proposed a low-temperature annealing method coupled with an excessive amount of Na to eliminate NiO impurities in the layered cathodes. The optimized NiO-free NaNi0.41Zn0.01Fe0.11Mn0.32Ti0.1Al0.05O2 cathode delivers a high reversible capacity of 156 mAh g-1 at 0.1C and 144 mAh g-1 at 1C in a voltage range of 2.0-4.2 V vs. Na+/Na, with a capacity retention of 91.3% after 100 cycles, showing promise to practically realize high-energy Na-ion batteries.

Segmental bone defects are large, non-healing injuries characterized by insufficient structural support and limited bioactivity, posing a significant clinical challenge. In this study, we developed biomimetic chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol–glycerol (CS/PG) scaffolds inspired by porcupine quills, which were fabricated via fused deposition modeling and unidirectional freeze casting. The as-prepared scaffold featured a dense outer layer of polyvinyl alcohol–glycerol (PG) with high compressive strength (24.21 ± 0.11 MPa at 25% strain) and an oriented inner foam of chitosan (CS). The CS foam was further incorporated with poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonic acid (PEDOT:PSS, denoted as PP) and amorphous zinc phosphate (AZP) to form PP-AZP-CS/PG, aimed at enhancing neural conductivity and stimulating blood vessel formation, respectively. The in vitro results indicated that the biomimetic scaffolds exhibited excellent biocompatibility while significantly enhancing angiogenesis and osteogenesis capabilities. In a rabbit radial segmental defect model, PP-AZP-CS/PG achieved robust bone regeneration, attaining a bone volume/total volume of approximately 26.22% after implantation for 8 weeks. Overall, this biomimetic scaffold demonstrated that integrating hierarchical design with additional bioactive components enhanced mechanical support while promoting new bone regeneration, addressing critical challenges in segmental bone defect repair.

Electrocaloric (EC) refrigeration based on ferroelectric ceramics has attracted growing attention as a compact, environmentally benign alternative to traditional vapor-compression cooling. However, due to high Curie temperature (TC) and first-order phase transition characteristics, typical lead-free ferroelectric BaTiO3 struggles to exhibit a large EC effect near room temperature. Here, we introduced LaAlO3 into the BaTiO3 matrix, where donor La3+ substitutes at the A-site and equal amounts of acceptor Al3+ substitutes at the B-site. Systematic characterization of (1-x)BaTiO3-xLaAlO3 (x=0.01-0.04) ceramics reveals that La3+-Al3+ donor-acceptor ion pair introduces local structural heterogeneity and reduces lattice tetragonality. This enhances the relaxor character and shifts the Curie temperature from 99 °C for x = 0.01 to 25 °C for x = 0.04. This composition-dependent tunability of the phase transition temperature demonstrates that the EC effect can be systematically adjusted toward the different target application ranges. At 40kV/cm, x = 0.04 achieves an optimized electrocaloric response of ΔTm = 0.55K near room temperature with wide working temperature range, associated with the combined effects of successive diffuse phase transitions at converging phase boundaries and the proposed cooperative interaction between La3+-Al3+ defect dipoles and intrinsic Ti-O dipoles. These findings establish A-B-site donor-acceptor ion-pair co-doping as an effective and scalable route to simultaneously tuning the phase transition temperature and enhancing EC effect in lead-free perovskite ceramics.

In this paper, a probabilistic crystal plasticity modelling framework is proposed to consider the influence of material variability (including material properties and microstructure) on the fatigue life of notched components. First, a dual-scale crystal plasticity finite element (CPFE) model is incorporated to predict the cyclic plasticity and fatigue damage of notched components. Specifically, new fatigue indicator parameters considering the mean stress effect are developed for fatigue life prediction under different stress ratios. Subsequently, by quantifying the material variability based on the CPFE method, a framework for probabilistic fatigue life prediction is then established. The simulation results based on the V-notched specimen of Ni-based superalloy GH4169 can well describe the scatter of experimental fatigue life, which confirms the feasibility of the proposed method.

Traditional calcium-based materials often fail in clinical bone repair due to poor vascularization and tissue integration. To address this, we developed a "vascular homeostasis-bone regeneration" strategy using a ternary coacervate system composed of tannic acid (TA), gelatin, and polyethylene glycol to encapsulate amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP). This TGP@ACP system combines moldable wet-adhesion with controlled ion release and potent antioxidant properties. In vitro, the coacervate significantly enhanced both osteogenic and angiogenic activities. In a rat cranial defect model, TGP@ACP increased type H vessel density by 9.5-fold and bone volume by 4.9-fold compared to untreated controls. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that the system stabilizes nascent vessels by improving mitochondrial homeostasis and upregulating tight junction proteins in endothelial cells. Finally, the therapeutic efficacy was validated in a beagle mandibular defect model, where TGP@ACP successfully restored alveolar ridge morphology. This dual-functional system offers a promising clinical solution for complex bone defect repair by synergistically promoting angiogenesis and osteogenesis.

Abstract The precise control of lattice sodium stoichiometry in cathodes is paramount for sodium-ion battery performance, as it constitutes the sole charge carrier inside the battery during the charge/discharge process. However, precisely tracking the lattice sodium inventory within Na-layered oxide cathodes, particularly during manufacturing, remains a significant challenge. Here, we propose a reliable descriptor, the diffraction peak intensity ratio (α = I(003)/I(104)), which allows the rapid, accurate, and nondestructive quantification of lattice sodium and distinguishes it from inactive sodium. In particular, a rational correlation can be established among the α value, lattice sodium content, and electrochemical properties to enable the α value to predict the electrochemical performance of the as-prepared Na-layered oxides. To achieve continuous and scalable online lattice sodium quantification during manufacturing, we design an industrial automated testing platform applicable to the cathode material production lines with high efficiency and accuracy. Our work provides a universal solution for the prediction and adjustment of material performance during the synthesis and processing, which ultimately accelerates the sustainable development of sodium-ion batteries.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are promising drug-delivery vehicles owing to their biocompatibility and low immunogenicity. Genetic engineering of a membrane-bound EV-sorting scaffold protein empowers EVs by installing targeting moieties on the surface and enriching therapeutic cargo in the lumen. However, the choice of scaffold proteins with simple structures and short sequences is limited. Here, we conduct mass spectrometry-based proteomic studies and identify ENPP1 as a superior scaffold protein. Furthermore, we show that a truncated 144-amino acid variant, EN144, efficiently loads diverse therapeutic cargoes and outperforms conventional scaffolds. By fusing EN144 to the IL-6 decoy receptor gp130, we create engineered decoy EVs that potently inhibit inflammatory IL-6 trans-signaling. In mouse models, these EVs reduce inflammation, improve survival in sepsis, and, when targeted to cartilage, alleviate tissue damage in osteoarthritis. Our work establishes EN144 as a minimal, high-performance scaffold for EV engineering and demonstrates its broad therapeutic potential for inflammatory diseases.

Renewable energy-powered water electrolysis offers a compelling route to green hydrogen, yet the rational creation of bifunctional catalysts that are simultaneously active, durable, and inexpensive for both the hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions remains a critical, unsolved challenge. In addition, how to quickly capture material properties from a range of materials, so that efficient and low-cost selection of satisfactory catalysts is also a challenging topic. Herein, more than 350 Cu-based trimetal catalysts were designed, and their catalytic properties were predicted by machine learning (ML) and preliminarily verified by density functional theory (DFT). Then, the catalysts with excellent performance were chemically synthesized and the catalytic properties were investigated by electrochemical testing. The results from DFT calculation indicate that Cu@NiFe shows good performance for HER and OER. Cu@NiFe has a Delta GH* value of 0.01 eV and the overpotential for OER is 0.329 V. The experimental results show that the electrolytic performance of the catalyst is better when the relative content of Cu, Ni and Fe is 5:1:1 (Cu5FeNi). The overpotential required by Cu5FeNi electrode is only 45 mV (the current density is 10 mA cm- 2). The Cu5FeNi electrode can work continuously for more than 60 h under the condition that the current density is not attenuated. This work provides a way for fast and efficient selection of catalysts, paves a new path for the design of efficient electrolytic water catalytic materials, and promotes the application of Cu-based trimetallic catalysts in the field of water splitting.