Materials Today最新文献

{"title":"Wireless electronic-free mechanical metamaterial implants","authors":"Jianzhe Luo ,&nbsp;Wenyun Lu ,&nbsp;Pengcheng Jiao ,&nbsp;Daeik Jang ,&nbsp;Kaveh Barri ,&nbsp;Jiajun Wang ,&nbsp;Wenxuan Meng ,&nbsp;Rohit Prem Kumar ,&nbsp;Nitin Agarwal ,&nbsp;D. Kojo Hamilton ,&nbsp;Zhong Lin Wang ,&nbsp;Amir H. Alavi","doi":"10.1016/j.mattod.2024.12.018","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mattod.2024.12.018","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Wireless force sensing in smart implants enables real-time monitoring of mechanical forces and facilitates dynamic adjustments to optimize implant functionality <em>in-situ</em>. This capability enhances the precision of diagnostics and treatment, leading to superior surgical outcomes. Despite significant advancements in wireless smart implants over the last two decades, current implantable devices still operate passively and require additional electronic modules for wireless transmission of stored biological data. To address these challenges, we propose an innovative wireless force sensing paradigm for implantable systems through the integration of mechanical metamaterials and nano energy harvesting technologies. We demonstrate composite mechanical metamaterial implants capable of serving as all-in-one wireless force sensing units, incorporating functions for power generation, sensing and transmission with ultra-low power requirements. In this alternative communication approach, the electrical signals harvested by the implants from mechanical stimuli are utilized directly for the wireless transmission of the sensed data. We conduct experimental and theoretical studies to demonstrate the wireless detection of the generated strain-induced polarization electric field using electrodes. The feasibility of the proposed wireless force sensing approach is evaluated through a proof-of-concept orthopedic implant in the form of a total knee replacement. The findings indicate that the created wireless, electronic-free metamaterial implants with a power output as low as 0.1 picowatts enable direct, self-powered wireless communication during force sensing across air, simulated body fluid and animal tissue. We validate the functionality of the proposed implants through a series of experiments conducted on an <em>ex vivo</em> human cadaver knee specimen. Furthermore, the effect of electrode size and placement on the strength of the received signals is examined. Finally, we highlight the potential of our approach to create a diverse array of mechanically-tunable implants capable of precise force measurements and wireless real-time data transmission, all without relying on any external antennas, power sources, or telemetry systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":387,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today","volume":"83 ","pages":"Pages 145-156"},"PeriodicalIF":21.1,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143601853","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Is alloying a promising path to substitute critical raw materials?","authors":"François Rousseau ,&nbsp;Alexandre Nominé ,&nbsp;Janez Zavašnik ,&nbsp;Uroš Cvelbar","doi":"10.1016/j.mattod.2025.01.015","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mattod.2025.01.015","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A long-standing problem in metallurgy has been the alloying of metals and the search for new alloys that can improve performance and replace expensive metals. This decades-long quest for high-performance alloys has led to increasingly complex compositions. The number of possible alloy compositions to explore is literally astronomical. While this enormous range gives hope for the discovery of alternative materials, it also makes trial-and-error research highly speculative. This article will show that while alloying can offer alternatives, the supply risk<del>s</del> increases with the number of elements involved and quickly outweigh the supply risks of the element being replaced. Therefore, the possibilities of alloying are not unlimited and a balance must be found between the overall supply risk and the number of elements used. In substitution scenarios, the supply risk increases almost linearly with the number of elements in the alloy. As a rule, effective combinations comprise no more than five elements, all of which are selected from the elements with the lowest supply risk. This significantly limits the range of possible candidates and makes the task of synthesis and characterization more manageable for materials scientists. By considering the multiple dimensions stepping in the supply risk, the list of suitable elements can be further refined and prioritized.</div></div><div><h3>One sentence summary</h3><div>Alloying should balance performance and element count to ensure viable materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":387,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today","volume":"83 ","pages":"Pages 1-8"},"PeriodicalIF":21.1,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143601211","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Monolithically stacked VIA-free liquid metal circuit for stretchable electronics","authors":"Minwoo Kim ,&nbsp;Jung Jae Park ,&nbsp;Sangwoo Hong ,&nbsp;Yeongju Jung ,&nbsp;Junhyuk Bang ,&nbsp;Chulmin Cho ,&nbsp;Seung Hwan Ko","doi":"10.1016/j.mattod.2024.11.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mattod.2024.11.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Researchers are eagerly developing stretchable conductors because they constitute basic building blocks for stretchable electronic devices in the fields of wearable electronics, soft robotics, and human–machine interfaces. Though various stretchable conductors with high stability are being devised, fabricating stretchable stacked circuits with them leads to new challenges. The most critical problem is evoked by vertical interconnection access (<strong>VIA</strong>) structures, which inevitably become stress-concentrated areas when stretched. Consequently, stretchable circuits become much more unstable when manufactured as stacked circuits than single-layered circuits. Here, we demonstrate a monolithically stacked VIA-free stretchable liquid metal circuit that is mechanically one-body-merged and electrically stacked-circuit-designed. The circuit has no vertical structures, which endows extreme electromechanical stability with various features. It is realized by unique combinations of liquid metal conductor and selective surface treatment. The stacked circuit can be elongated over 1,100 % strain, demonstrating negligible difference in stretchability compared to a single-layered circuit. The circuit also possesses various distinctive characteristics of security, choosability, and extendability. As proof, we demonstrate an encryption element, a choosable circuit, an extendable circuit, and other functional circuits. We expect the proposed stacked circuit to give directions to stretchable stacked electronics with various functionalities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":387,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today","volume":"83 ","pages":"Pages 24-34"},"PeriodicalIF":21.1,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143601214","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Targeted-tuning competitive acidic CO2RR via metalloid antagonism sites","authors":"Beibei Sheng ,&nbsp;Dengfeng Cao ,&nbsp;Zhenghang Qi ,&nbsp;Hongwei Shou ,&nbsp;Yujian Xia ,&nbsp;Xiaozhi Su ,&nbsp;Shuangming Chen ,&nbsp;Chuanqiang Wu ,&nbsp;Hengjie Liu ,&nbsp;Peter Joseph Chimtali ,&nbsp;Yongheng Chu ,&nbsp;Chongjing Liu ,&nbsp;Xiaojun Wu ,&nbsp;Li Song","doi":"10.1016/j.mattod.2024.12.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mattod.2024.12.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To mitigate the high separation costs associated with conventional neutral/alkaline electrocatalysis for CO₂ reduction reactions (CO₂RR), acidic CO₂RR offers economic advantages and improved efficiency in CO₂ utilization. However, it typically involves the cleavage of M−H bonds at a relatively negative potential, leading to the predominant formation of H₂ and poor HCOOH selectivity. Herein, we develop a facile solid-phase thermal diffusion approach to controllably synthesize a novel metalloid-metal single atom alloys (m-SAAs) electrocatalyst Te₁Bi with unique metalloid antagonistic sites, thus enabling high-efficient acidic CO₂-to-HCOOH conversion. Electrochemical test and <em>operando</em> synchrotron radiation multi-techniques (SRMS) characterization reveal that metalloid Te sites bring steric hindrance effect and blocks *H coupling. Furthermore, it actively adsorbs OH⁻ species as a proton source, allowing for effective separation of protons and electrons in space. Thus, leading to enhanced hydrogenation in acidic CO₂RR to produce HCOOH. The flow cell test results demonstrate that the carefully designed Te₁Bi catalyst exhibits a milder reaction potential, along with higher HCOOH Faraday efficiency (∼94.5 %) and single-pass carbon efficiency (SPCE, ∼40 %) in acidic media. This work significantly expands the family of SAAs and offers a novel perspective to analyze the regulation of competitive reactions through site-specific modifications for industrial acidic CO₂RR.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":387,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today","volume":"83 ","pages":"Pages 54-63"},"PeriodicalIF":21.1,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143601428","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hybrid additive manufacturing of flexible copper radiofrequency electronics","authors":"Abdullah Islam ,&nbsp;Zhongxuan Wang ,&nbsp;Ted Dabrowski ,&nbsp;Kalsi Kwan ,&nbsp;Saurabh Khuje ,&nbsp;Jian Yu ,&nbsp;John D. Williams ,&nbsp;Shenqiang Ren","doi":"10.1016/j.mattod.2024.12.016","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mattod.2024.12.016","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Printable metallic conductors, coupled with robust mechanical and thermal stability, exhibit potential for additive manufacturing in radiofrequency electronics. However, their electrical conductivity is indispensable for realizing their potential in microwave communication, particularly considering the essential aspect of miniaturization in microwave applications. Herein we report printed molecular decomposed copper for manufacturing flexible conductors exhibiting an electric conductivity of 47 MS/m nearly 81 % that of bulk copper, for the use in radiofrequency communications and electromagnetic shielding (68 dB). The demonstrated ultra-thin copper can be laser ablated and transferred to a variety of substrate materials (paper, Kapton®, polyethylene terephthalate, ceramics, and glass). Additive manufacturing techniques used herein demonstrate the potential for scalable manufacturing of flexible hybrid radiofrequency electronics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":387,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today","volume":"83 ","pages":"Pages 125-131"},"PeriodicalIF":21.1,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143601856","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Rutile germanium dioxide: An emerging ultrawide bandgap semiconductor for power device applications – A review","authors":"Madani Labed ,&nbsp;Ho Jung Jeon ,&nbsp;Jang Hyeok Park ,&nbsp;S.J. Pearton ,&nbsp;You Seung Rim","doi":"10.1016/j.mattod.2025.01.012","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mattod.2025.01.012","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In recent years, the demand for wide and ultrawide bandgap (UWBG) semiconductors for advanced power electronics and optoelectronic devices has surged. Materials in this class, including GaN, AlN, AlGaN, diamond, c-BN, Ga₂O₃, and emerging candidates like rutile GeO₂, are of particular interest due to their potential for high-efficiency, high-power applications. Rutile GeO₂, with a bandgap around 4.7 eV, possesses excellent electrical, optical, mechanical, and thermal properties, making it a strong contender among UWBG semiconductors. This review examines rutile GeO₂’s structural, electronic, and optical characteristics, focusing on films deposited using methods such as MOCVD, MBE, CVD, and sputtering. The rutile phase of GeO₂ demonstrates notable versatility, as it can be doped for both n- and p-type conduction with elements like Al, In, and As. Recent advancements have enabled the growth of high-quality, epitaxial rutile GeO₂ films, broadening its potential applications. Additionally, large-scale rutile GeO₂ can be produced through melt and flux methods, an advantage for commercial scalability. These qualities highlight rutile GeO₂’s promise as a next-generation material for power devices and optoelectronics, meriting increased research and investment to fully leverage its capabilities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":387,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today","volume":"83 ","pages":"Pages 513-537"},"PeriodicalIF":21.1,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143601218","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unraveling the molecular mechanisms of antisolvent action in localized high-concentration electrolytes for lithium metal batteries","authors":"Yanzhou Wu ,&nbsp;Pengyun Yu ,&nbsp;TianTian Dong ,&nbsp;Li Wang ,&nbsp;Hong Xu ,&nbsp;Jianping Wang ,&nbsp;Xiangming He","doi":"10.1016/j.mattod.2025.01.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mattod.2025.01.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Localized high-concentration electrolytes (LHCEs) stand out as a promising strategy for boosting the energy density of lithium metal batteries (LMBs). While extensive research has been conducted on LHCEs, the molecular-level mechanisms by which antisolvents function remain partially elusive. This study employs a combination of spectroscopic analysis and computational methods to investigate the impact of the antisolvent 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl ether (TTE) on the solvation structures within carbonate-based LHCEs. Our results suggest that the incorporation of TTE modifies the Li⁺ solvation structure by decreasing the dimethyl carbonate (DMC) concentration and increasing the anion proportion in the solvation shell, thereby enhancing Li⁺ transport. Furthermore, two-dimensional infrared (2D IR) spectroscopy discloses that elevated TTE content cause the decrease of the inhomogeneous components of LHCEs, and limited spectral diffusion relaxation dynamics are related to the refined aggregates in higher TTE addition. Most notably, 2D IR spectroscopy enables the detection of the ultrafast dynamics within the solvation structure. Specifically, at higher TTE concentrations, there is a swift energy transfer between Li⁺-DMC and free DMC. The picosecond-scale disparity in energy transfer times implies a possible link to the effectiveness of Li⁺ transport. As such, this research deepens our comprehension of the role of antisolvents and provides novel insights into their influence on the microstructure of LHCEs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":387,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today","volume":"83 ","pages":"Pages 223-230"},"PeriodicalIF":21.1,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143601219","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Highly robust cellulose photonic hydrogels with reconfigurability and mechanochromism","authors":"Qiongya Li ,&nbsp;Chenchen He ,&nbsp;Yi Qian ,&nbsp;Hao Wang ,&nbsp;Cunli Wang ,&nbsp;Xiuxiu Wang ,&nbsp;Fusheng Zhang ,&nbsp;Guangyan Qing","doi":"10.1016/j.mattod.2025.01.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mattod.2025.01.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Biomimetic Bouligand structures hold transformative potential for developing high-performance nanocomposites in cutting-edge fields, ranging from bioplastics and architecture to aerospace. Despite the remarkable precision of the self-assembly strategy, they often function as inert substrates lacking active interfibrous and their biomimetic derivatives exhibit low ductility and insufficient toughness. Here we present robust and photonic Bouligand structural hydrogels with dynamic mechanochromic properties, achieved by reorienting the chiral nematic structures through crystallization domain reduction and chain reconstruction. These hydrogels demonstrate exceptional mechanical performance (ultrahigh stretchability of over 950 % and toughness up to 155.5 MJ∙m⁻³). Furthermore, the photonic hydrogel demonstrates a reversible color change with a wavelength shift of 427 nm, alongside progressive electrical sensing that remains responsive across a broad range of mechanical stretching. This innovative approach and resulting photonic Bouligand hydrogel offer significant potential for smart photonics and pave the way for practical applications of these sustainable photonic cellulose materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":387,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today","volume":"83 ","pages":"Pages 252-262"},"PeriodicalIF":21.1,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143601329","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Diatomaceous cross-species constructs for tendon-to-bone regeneration","authors":"Yahui Han ,&nbsp;Lin Du ,&nbsp;Jinfu Wu ,&nbsp;Hongjian Zhang ,&nbsp;Guangzhen Yang ,&nbsp;Yi Zheng ,&nbsp;Chengtie Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.mattod.2024.12.010","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mattod.2024.12.010","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Diatoms, the typical marine algae with autotrophic oxygen generation and siliceous frustules, are anticipated to address the current obstacle of oxygen deprivation, cellular dysfunction, and repair imperfection in most intricate damaged tissues. Here, we are motivated to apply the <em>Chaetoceros species</em>, an ancient diatom, to an engineered cross-species domesticator for challenging tendon-to-bone injuries. This construct augmented the osteotendinous differentiation of tendon stem/progenitor cells, stamped by the silicon ions released from frustules and the up-regulated oxygen through photosynthetic behavior. The biocompatibility was at the forefront without adverse effects on rat subcutaneous models. The construct promoted hypoxia alleviation and locomotion recovery of rotator-cuff-torn (RCT) rat models. Pre-differentiated constructs induced by sacrificial diatoms displayed superb interface maturation in RCT rabbit models. The photosynthesis and inorganic ion interactive regeneration within a cross-species construct permits the creation of such a diatom-derived artificial domesticator, promising a paradigm shift towards the accomplishment of state-of-the-art regeneration comparable to natural tissues.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":387,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today","volume":"83 ","pages":"Pages 64-84"},"PeriodicalIF":21.1,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143601806","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Modular bistable mechanical metamaterials: A versatile platform for piezoelectric self-charging, sensing, and logic operations","authors":"Renjie Jiang ,&nbsp;Yinghua Chen ,&nbsp;Zhemin Wang ,&nbsp;Ting Tan ,&nbsp;Zhimiao Yan ,&nbsp;Shaopeng Ma","doi":"10.1016/j.mattod.2024.12.013","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mattod.2024.12.013","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To advance intelligent materials that can perceive local environments and make autonomous decisions, multifunctionality is crucial. This includes power supply, environmental sensing, actuation-induced state changes, and information processing. The distinctive properties of bistable metamaterials—such as inter-well dynamics, snap-through instability, and non-volatility—provide an ideal foundation for multifunctionality. In this study, we introduce modular bistable mechanical metamaterials as a unified platform for piezoelectric self-charging, sensing, and logic operations. The bistable inter-well motion enhances the piezoelectric energy harvesting performances, making it an efficient power module for milliwatt commercial sensors. The snap-through instability is utilized to develop a highly sensitive, self-powered sensing module. Additionally, we outline a design methodology for a reprogrammable mechanical information processing system, using metamaterial power module as voltage current condensers and actuators of smaller-scale computing modules. This system can implement all combinational logic operations, demonstrated through basic logic gates, full adders, and full subtractors reprogrammed from the former. Our design prioritizes scalability and reusability, enabling mass production and flexible assembly. This multifunctional metamaterial, with its modular design and strategic utilization of bistable properties, demonstrates significant potential as a key component in intelligent systems or as an intelligent material itself, thereby advancing the development and deployment of advanced materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":387,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today","volume":"83 ","pages":"Pages 96-112"},"PeriodicalIF":21.1,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143601808","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}