Linchao Sun , Zhong Li , Yan Zhang , Yao Lu , Shiguo Zhang
{"title":"Stimuli-responsive shape-morphing soft actuators: metrics, materials, mechanism, design and applications","authors":"Linchao Sun , Zhong Li , Yan Zhang , Yao Lu , Shiguo Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.pmatsci.2025.101531","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmatsci.2025.101531","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The rapid development of flexible wearable devices and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in robotics have driven the evolution of soft actuators, positioning soft shape-morphing actuators at the forefront of cutting-edge research in soft robotics, intelligent devices, and bio-inspired engineering. Stimuli-responsive soft actuators are intelligent devices constructed from flexible materials capable of precise and controllable deformation in response to external stimuli, attracting growing scientific and technological interest. This review systematically delineates and evaluates critical performance metrics essential for evaluating actuator functionality. It offers a comprehensive analysis of the predominant stimuli-responsive actuating materials, elucidating their actuation mechanisms while critically examining their inherent advantages, limitations, and emerging research trajectories. Fundamental design principles are meticulously articulated to guide the development of next-generation shape-morphing actuators. Furthermore, this review extensively surveys diverse practical applications, underscoring the versatility and broad technological impact of stimuli-responsive soft actuators across multiple domains. Finally, key challenges in the current state-of-the-art and prospective research pathways are thoroughly discussed, aiming to foster the development and widespread adoption of soft actuators in both academic research and industrial applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":411,"journal":{"name":"Progress in Materials Science","volume":"155 ","pages":"Article 101531"},"PeriodicalIF":33.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144566676","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}
Hanpeng Gao , Zetian Xing , Siyu Chang , Fangyi Zhao , Honglin Zhang , Zong Meng , Zhiwu Han , Yan Liu
{"title":"Bioinspired multifunctional antifogging surfaces: Progress, AI design and challenges","authors":"Hanpeng Gao , Zetian Xing , Siyu Chang , Fangyi Zhao , Honglin Zhang , Zong Meng , Zhiwu Han , Yan Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.pmatsci.2025.101530","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmatsci.2025.101530","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Over the past few decades, various antifogging strategies and preparation methods have been proposed. Unfortunately, a surface with a single antifogging function cannot achieve a wide range of practical applications. For example, medical endoscopes require antifogging and antibacterial capabilities to improve diagnostic accuracy and safety. Inspired by the near-perfect multifunctional properties of natural creatures, antifogging materials with specific functions have drawn more and more attention owing to their promising and wide applications. However, the design of bioinspired antifogging surfaces with broad applicability still presents some challenges, such as the integration of multifunctional properties, and the optimization of preparation routes. In this review, beginning with the fogging mechanism and wettability theory, the latest antifogging surface materials and pattern designs are analyzed in detail and critically evaluated. The natural biomaterials with multifunctional characteristics are summarized, and the integration mechanism and design difficulties of the four multifunctional characteristics are then emphatically analyzed. Based on artificial intelligence (AI) assisted design optimization, we introduce the neural network into the bionic multifunction antifogging path realization for the first time and summarize the antifogging prototype and antifogging multifunction database. Finally, the challenges and future trends of bioinspired multifunction antifogging surfaces (MF-AFS) are presented.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":411,"journal":{"name":"Progress in Materials Science","volume":"155 ","pages":"Article 101530"},"PeriodicalIF":33.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144533707","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}
Huayu Liu , Yeling Zhu , Yuhang Ye , Isabella Therrien , Felix Wiesner , Feng Jiang
{"title":"Flame-retardant strategies for lignocellulose: recent progress and prospect","authors":"Huayu Liu , Yeling Zhu , Yuhang Ye , Isabella Therrien , Felix Wiesner , Feng Jiang","doi":"10.1016/j.pmatsci.2025.101529","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmatsci.2025.101529","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Lignocellulose offers significant promise as a renewable and environmentally sustainable material for construction, while its inherent combustibility poses a major challenge to its widespread application, especially in fire-sensitive environments. In this review, the combustion behavior of lignocellulose and the key mechanisms underlying its flame-retardant strategies are examined. Various classes of flame retardants (FRs), categorized based on the functional elements, are discussed in terms of their flame-retardant mechanisms and interactions with lignocellulosic substrates. Emerging approaches that integrate FRs are explored and compared, with a focus on enhancing flame resistance while minimizing their adverse effects on material properties. Finally, the review concludes with an outlook on current challenges and future research directions, shedding the light to develop more effective, durable, and sustainable flame-retardant solutions for lignocellulose-based materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":411,"journal":{"name":"Progress in Materials Science","volume":"155 ","pages":"Article 101529"},"PeriodicalIF":33.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144516185","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":"Triptycene-based porous organic network polymers: From synthesis to applications","authors":"Akhtar Alam, Atikur Hassan, Neeladri Das","doi":"10.1016/j.pmatsci.2025.101528","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmatsci.2025.101528","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Triptycene, a member of a distinct class of aromatic compounds called iptycenes, has garnered significant attention across various research domains. In recent years, triptycene and its derivatives have emerged as valuable and efficient building blocks for the design and synthesis of novel porous materials with tailored structures and properties. Porous organic polymers (POPs) based on triptycene are organic macromolecules regarded as emerging materials because of their high carbon content, high specific surface area, tunable porosity, low density, high chemical and thermal stability and variable composition. Triptycene-based POPs have demonstrated their competitiveness in various applications, including but not limited to gas storage and separation, water treatment, and catalysis applications. This review comprehensively summarizes recent research on triptycene-based porous organic polymers in materials chemistry.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":411,"journal":{"name":"Progress in Materials Science","volume":"155 ","pages":"Article 101528"},"PeriodicalIF":33.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144516250","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}
Duo Ma , Juan Liu , William Weijia Lu , Wenguang Liu , Changshun Ruan
{"title":"Dynamic bioinks for tissue/organ bioprinting: Principle, challenge, and perspective","authors":"Duo Ma , Juan Liu , William Weijia Lu , Wenguang Liu , Changshun Ruan","doi":"10.1016/j.pmatsci.2025.101527","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmatsci.2025.101527","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bioprinting that can quickly generate custom-shaped organ-like constructs opens up a new horizon for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The importance of bioinks cannot be overemphasized in advancing bioprinting development. Superior to conventional static bioink, dynamic bioink, mimicking the natural extracellular matrix, possesses reversible dynamic molecular networks that provide cellular activity and growth and thus enhance the maturation of bioprinted organ-like constructs, which has gained lots of attention and developed rapidly in the past decade. This paper completely summarizes the progress of dynamic bioink in bioprinting. First, we outline the molecular design principle of dynamic bioinks, involving two main patterns: supramolecular force and reversible chemical bonding. Then, key factors of dynamic bioinks in advancing bioprinting, including printability, structural stability, and modulation of cell behavior, are highlighted. Finally, the review further discusses the challenges and perspectives in fabricating tissues and organs with dynamic bioinks, aiming to offer an illuminating insight into bioprinting.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":411,"journal":{"name":"Progress in Materials Science","volume":"155 ","pages":"Article 101527"},"PeriodicalIF":33.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144335086","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}
Ghulam Yasin , Mohammad Tabish , Saira Ajmal , Qiongfang Zhuo , Muhammad Asim Mushtaq , Ali Saad , Mohammed Mujahid Alam , Huaihe Song
{"title":"Single atom horizons for shaping the future of catalysis and sustainability: the next frontiers in energy conversion and storage","authors":"Ghulam Yasin , Mohammad Tabish , Saira Ajmal , Qiongfang Zhuo , Muhammad Asim Mushtaq , Ali Saad , Mohammed Mujahid Alam , Huaihe Song","doi":"10.1016/j.pmatsci.2025.101525","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmatsci.2025.101525","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Single-atom catalysts have recently emerged as a revolutionary frontier in catalysis, energy production, and storage. Due to their compositional diversity, structural tunability, and modulated distinctive electronic properties, SACs pave significant promises for viable avenues toward a more sustainable future. Here, the discussion begins with the emergence of SACs, their synthesis techniques to regulate atomic dispersion, atomically-resolved advanced characterizations, probing different supports, and engineering strategies to boost stability and reactivity. This review as a key reference in this field comprises the mechanistic understanding of SACs in electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, and thermocatalysis for energy and environmental applications. We also discussed their transformative potential in H<sub>2</sub> and O<sub>2</sub> evolution reactions for water splitting, the reduction of O<sub>2</sub>, carbon dioxide, N<sub>2</sub>, and nitrate for electrocatalysis and photocatalysis, and their remarkable role in energy storage technologies, including metal-O<sub>2</sub>, lithium-sulfur, and metal-CO<sub>2</sub> batteries. Additionally, we assess their efficiency in environmental remediation by removing harmful nitrogen oxides, various hydrogenation processes, catalytic oxidation, and CO<sub>2</sub> hydrogenation, which sets this review apart from others. Despite the considerable progress, challenges persist in the scalability and commercial implementation of SACs. This comprehensive review significantly delivers valuable insights into the current advancement of SACs, highlighting their substantial potential and suggesting future research avenues that would enable next-generation technologies for energy conversion, storage, environmental sustainability, and various other functional applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":411,"journal":{"name":"Progress in Materials Science","volume":"155 ","pages":"Article 101525"},"PeriodicalIF":33.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144329139","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}
Ting Zhang , Yameng Yu , Yupu Lu , Hao Tang , Kai Chen , Jiahui Shi , Zeqi Ren , Shuilin Wu , Dandan Xia , Yufeng Zheng
{"title":"Bridging biodegradable metals and biodegradable polymers: A comprehensive review of biodegradable metal–organic frameworks for biomedical application","authors":"Ting Zhang , Yameng Yu , Yupu Lu , Hao Tang , Kai Chen , Jiahui Shi , Zeqi Ren , Shuilin Wu , Dandan Xia , Yufeng Zheng","doi":"10.1016/j.pmatsci.2025.101526","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmatsci.2025.101526","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) represent a category of intricate coordination polymers that are formed by the deliberate assembly of metal ions/clusters with organic ligands via coordination bonds. Their hybrid inorganic–organic composition and programmable structural adaptability endow them with multifunctionality. This integration enables degradation-controlled release of bioactive components, positioning MOFs as a uniquely versatile platform for biomedical applications. This review systematically outlines the structural taxonomy of MOFs and underscores their transformative potential in pharmaceutical delivery, therapeutic interventions, and biomedical imaging applications. The degradation behavior of MOFs is systematically summarized, as it governs the controlled release of guest molecules and metal ions, critically influencing their biosafety and therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, we further summarize the impacts of MOF degradation products in both <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em> environments. Finally, we outline the challenges in translating laboratory findings into clinical products, and propose future research directions, so that to guide the rational design and construction of MOF-based biomedical platforms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":411,"journal":{"name":"Progress in Materials Science","volume":"155 ","pages":"Article 101526"},"PeriodicalIF":33.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144290013","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}
Yue-Yi Wang , Jie Li , Li-Chuan Jia , Jun Lei , Ding-Xiang Yan , Zhong-Ming Li
{"title":"Recent progress on segregated polymer composites for functional applications","authors":"Yue-Yi Wang , Jie Li , Li-Chuan Jia , Jun Lei , Ding-Xiang Yan , Zhong-Ming Li","doi":"10.1016/j.pmatsci.2025.101524","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmatsci.2025.101524","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Polymer composites embedded with functional particles (e.g., conductive, thermally conductive, or magnetic fillers) integrate the processability of polymers with the tailored functionalities of these additives. However, conventional composites often necessitate excessively high loadings to establish percolation networks, leading to challenges such as increased costs, diminished mechanical performance, and compromised processability. Segregated structures-where particles are selectively localized at polymer domain interfaces-significantly enhance filler utilization efficiency, outperforming traditional composites with uniformly dispersed particles. Since our group’s seminal 2014 review on electrically conductive segregated polymer composites, extensive advancements have been achieved across diverse applications, including electromagnetic interference shielding, thermal management, and gas barriers. Innovative processing strategies have also been tailored to accommodate various polymer matrices. Despite these breakthroughs, critical gaps persist in understanding the mechanistic interplay and scalable fabrication of multifunctional segregated systems. This review systematically synthesizes the progress in segregated polymer composites over the past decade, emphasizing novel fabrication techniques, matrix-dependent design principles, and emerging functional applications. We critically analyze persistent challenges-such as interfacial control, and scalability-alongside recent solutions and evolving research trends. By elucidating structure–property correlations and offering actionable design guidelines, this work aims to drive the broader adoption of segregated structures and accelerate the development of next-generation high-performance functional materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":411,"journal":{"name":"Progress in Materials Science","volume":"155 ","pages":"Article 101524"},"PeriodicalIF":33.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144288468","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}
Lu Liu , Younes Ahmadi , Young-Hoon Kim , Ki-Hyun Kim
{"title":"Advances in morphological and interfacial tuning of metal oxides for electrochemical CO2 conversion","authors":"Lu Liu , Younes Ahmadi , Young-Hoon Kim , Ki-Hyun Kim","doi":"10.1016/j.pmatsci.2025.101522","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmatsci.2025.101522","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The electrochemical CO<sub>2</sub> reduction reaction (CO<sub>2</sub>RR) has been recognized as a highly promising technological approach for realizing carbon capture and utilization. A plethora of metal-oxide (MO) nanostructures have been designed with the merits of unique crystal structures to achieve noticeable advances in the electrochemical CO<sub>2</sub>RR. However, more efforts are needed to properly elucidate the intricate relationships between their synthesis, structure, and activity. In this perspective, this review centers on: (i) the structural engineering of key factors (e.g., crystal facet, defect, interface, spin, and morphology), (ii) synthesis strategies governing the development of such structural features, (iii) structure–activity relationships, (iv) catalytic mechanisms of multiple proton/electron transfer steps in conversion of CO<sub>2</sub> (e.g., either into C<sub>1</sub> (e.g., CO, CH<sub>4</sub>, and CH<sub>3</sub>OH) or C<sub>2+</sub> products (e.g., C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>4</sub>, C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>6</sub>, C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub>OH, CH<sub>3</sub>COOH, and C<sub>3</sub>H<sub>7</sub>OH)), and (v) the performance metrics of diverse electrocatalysts (e.g., in terms of Faradaic efficiency, current density, and stability). The factors controlling the catalyst morphology and the adsorption/transfer behavior of the key intermediates are also discussed based on <em>in situ</em>/<em>ex-situ</em> techniques combined with density functional theory. Collectively, this review aims to provide critical insights that can guide the rational design of next-generation MO-based electrocatalysts for efficient and selective CO<sub>2</sub> electroreduction.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":411,"journal":{"name":"Progress in Materials Science","volume":"155 ","pages":"Article 101522"},"PeriodicalIF":33.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144279017","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":"Freeze-enabled synthesis of functional materials: fundamental, progress, and applications","authors":"Yunfeng Bai , Haifei Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.pmatsci.2025.101523","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmatsci.2025.101523","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ice-templating, or more broadly, freezing-enabled processing and synthesis, is a highly versatile approach to fabricating a wide range of porous, nanostructured, and functional materials. These materials have been extensively explored in the fields of engineering, energy storage, thermal management, wave shielding, biomedical applications, environmental remediation, and catalytical reactions, etc. The research in this topic has been continuously going strong and indeed has attracted intensive efforts from scientists across diverse research fields in recent years. In this review, we first describe key aspects and key parameters of freezing process and freeze-drying for the preparation of ice-templated materials. The understanding and control of freezing process is essential for many other processes, e.g., cryopreservation, freeze-desalination, although they are not covered in this review. This is followed by the production of biopharmaceuticals by freezing and freeze-drying. We then demonstrate how the freezing process can be applied to prepare a wide range of porous and nanostructured materials, organized by the materials morphologies. We further describe how freezing reaction and the synthesis of functional materials, particularly 2D materials, are enabled via freeze-concentration and catalytic property of ice surface. The applications of the ice-templated materials in diverse fields are then reviewed, with a focus on recent progress and how the ice-templated features and freeze-drying enhance the performance in these applications. This comprehensive review is completed with a conclusion and proposed challenges in moving this research field ahead.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":411,"journal":{"name":"Progress in Materials Science","volume":"155 ","pages":"Article 101523"},"PeriodicalIF":33.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144269209","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}