2025-09-10 2026, Volume 8 Issue 1

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  • review-article
    Yunpeng Liu, Jing Huang, Huabo Huang, Peng Yu, Jiayou Ji, Liang Li, Juan Huang

    Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are strong contenders for next-generation energy storage systems due to their advantages of safety, environmental friendliness, and low cost. However, challenges such as zinc dendrite formation, cathode dissolution, and electrolyte side reactions have hindered their development. Electrospinning technology can be employed to fabricate high-surface area, porous, and tunable nanofiber membranes, offering innovative solutions for optimizing the performance of AZIBs (anodes, cathodes, separators, and electrolytes). This review systematically summarizes the research progress on the utilization of electrospinning technology for the multi-scale structural regulation and performance enhancement of AZIBs. First, the working principle of AZIBs and the existing challenges of each AZIB component are analyzed. Then, the influences of electrospinning parameters (i.e., voltage, spinneret solution composition, and environmental factors) on fiber morphology and function are discussed, highlighting their potential for improving battery performance. The review further focuses on the design of AZIB components, summarizing the application cases of electrospun materials in AZIBs. These materials include: (1) cathodes: derived carbon nanofiber/metal oxide composites with enhanced electronic conductivity and structural stability; (2) anodes: three-dimensional porous fiber scaffolds or interfacial layers that suppress zinc dendrites and promote uniform zinc deposition; (3) separators: functionalized nanofiber membranes that exhibit high ionic conductivity and dendrite suppression; (4) solid-state electrolytes: polymer composite fiber-based solid-state electrolytes with improved interfacial compatibility. Finally, this review highlights the ongoing need for using electrospinning methods to achieve breakthroughs in the large-scale production, interfacial optimization, and long-term cycling stability of AZIBs. On this basis, this review proposes future research strategies that integrate artificial intelligence (AI) bionic design, in-situ characterization, and green material development, aiming to provide key theoretical and technical support for the practical application of high-performance AZIBs.

    Graphical Abstract

  • review-article
    Hanbai Wu, Yang Ming, Shuo Shi, Chuanwei Zhi, Daming Chen, Xin Hu, Rujun Yu, Shuang Qiu, Hang Mei Leung, Jinlian Hu, Jooyoun Kim, Joanne Yip, Bin Fei

    Smart textiles have emerged as a transformative class of materials that extend the role of conventional fabrics into personalized health management. This evolution is driven by the seamless integration of textiles with flexible electronics, enabling new paradigms in skin-interfaced systems. In the exploration of novel smart textiles for skin health, microorganisms living in the skin microenvironment necessitate consideration. Skin microbiomes are essential to skin homeostasis and balance the barrier to infection. Moreover, microbes have been extensively explored as functional components in skin health monitoring and therapeutic devices. In this review, the distribution of skin microbes, interactions between host and resident microbiota, and mechanisms of microbial functions in the skin microenvironment are introduced systematically. In addition, recent progress in skin-based flexible devices for health management, and design and fabrication methods for smart textiles are discussed. However, some challenges still exist in association with the integration of microbes into smart textiles, such as the biosafety of microbes, long-term storage, and activation. This review provides a summary of innovative technologies including microencapsulation, synthetic biology, optogenetics, and artificial intelligence for microbe-integrated smart textiles. Next-generation smart textiles will hold significant promise for precision skin disease diagnostics, personalized therapeutics, skin status monitoring, and intelligence regulation.

  • research-article
    Yalin Zhang, Yang Xiang, Jin Zhang, Hongfei Huang, Hao Tan, Shuo Chen, Jinghong Ma, Zhengwei You, Shihui Zhu

    Exudate reversal to wounds significantly limits rapid and effective wound healing when a hydrophilic dressing is used. Inspired by Murray’s law of the structural characteristics of rhizomatous plants, we constructed an electrospinning-nanofibrous membrane to achieve unidirectional exudate transport. Polycaprolactone (PCL) was used to construct a graded pore size variation compliant with Murray’s law. Upon liquid wetting, the macro-pore layer (wound side) forms unidirectional capillary forces that propel fluid toward the micro-pore layer (outer side), exhibiting liquid transport efficiency compliant with Murray’s law. This outward capillary force, on the one hand, drives the continuous drainage of wound exudate, reducing the accumulation of inflammatory substances, and promoting wound healing; on the other hand, it prevents the backflow of inflammatory fluid within the outer hydrophilic material. Moreover, hydrophobic materials do not adhere to tissues, which helps reduce secondary damage during dressing replacement. In addition, curcumin (CUR) loading on the wound side enhances the membrane’s antioxidant and proangiogenic properties, supporting vascularization, collagen deposition, reducing inflammation, and accelerating healing. In conclusion, this biomimetic nanofiber dressing represents straightforward wound treatment approach with substantial clinical potential.

  • research-article
    Xinwei Jiang, Yidi Wang, Wenfang Li, Yintung Lam, Jichao Zhang, Xinjun Bao, Jinhao Tang, Xianhong Zheng, Shou-xiang Jiang, Hao Jia

    Zinc–iodine (Zn–I2) batteries have emerged as promising candidates for next-generation energy storage systems due to their high theoretical energy density, cost-effectiveness, and enhanced safety. However, critical challenges such as polyiodide shuttle effects and sluggish redox kinetics at the cathode–electrolyte interface impede their practical implementation. In this study, we design a hierarchically porous hetero-carbon nanofiber-based iodine host material, incorporating TiO2 active sites with homojunction configurations, designed to simultaneously immobilize and catalytically convert polyiodide species. Through integrated density functional theory calculations and comprehensive experimental characterization, we reveal that the synergistic hetero-/homojunction structure substantially improves charge transfer efficiency and catalytic activity, effectively mitigating polyiodide diffusion while promoting redox kinetics. The optimized band structure endows the cathode with a high specific capacity of 190.5 mAh·g−1 and exceptional cycling stability, retaining 98.9% of its capacity after 50,000 cycles under high iodine loading (8 mg·cm−2). Furthermore, the structural flexibility of this cathode enables the development of high-performance flexible Zn–I2 batteries, opening new avenues for wearable energy storage devices.

  • research-article
    Yawen Wei, Zhe Li, Haochen Yan, Jie Li, Duo Xu, Yingcun Liu, Keshuai Liu, Li Niu, Jian Fang

    With the advancement of wearable devices, textiles as flexible substrates are increasingly applied in strain sensors to enhance flexibility and wearing comfort for monitoring physiological signals and recognizing gestures. However, obtaining resistive strain sensors with stable electrical conductivity and precise signals remains a great challenge since ambient temperature fluctuation significantly compromises sensitivity and reliability in practical applications. Addressing this, we proposed a near-zero temperature coefficient resistive (TCR) yarn sensor with a three-layer coaxial structure, namely NZ-TCRY. The near-zero resistivity behavior of the yarn sensor is achieved by using silver nanowires (AgNWs) with a positive TCR behavior to compensate for the negative TCR behavior of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). To achieve thermos-protective behavior under high temperature conditions, aramid fibers were spun into yarn sheaths. Based on the aforementioned materials and structural designs, the NZ-TCRY sensor achieved an approximately zero TCR value (| TCR |≤2.21×10⁻4 K⁻1) from −20 °C to 130 °C, high sensitivity (3.3977), fast transient response (≤72 ms), and remarkable durability (over 20,000 cycles). The NZ-TCRY sensor can be seamlessly integrated with smart wearables and soft robot-sensor integration for various applications, such as gesture recognition, intelligent sorting, and human–machine interaction, precisely recognizing objects with different sizes and weights across diverse temperature conditions. This work provides an effective approach to solving the issue of temperature dependence for preparing sensitive and flexible strain sensors and expanding the application prospects in healthcare, personal protection, artificial intelligence, and digital twins.

  • research-article
    Xinhua Liu, Yitong Wang, Xuechuan Wang, Long Xing, Linbin Li

    Emerging bio-based plastics offer a promising next-generation solution to address two persistent challenges in the plastics industry: environmental pollution and the hazards posed by microplastics (MPs). Here, we propose a microplastics-free transparent bio-based plastic (MCBP) substitute derived from pre-processed natural skin by an integrative water-mediated hydrogen-bond domestication and optical skin-transparency strategy. The MCBP retains the intact fibrous 3D-network and multi-hierarchical structure of natural skin, predominantly composed of collagen fibers, resulting in exceptional physicochemical properties, including biodegradability, viscoelasticity, toughness, softness, and mechanical strength. By simultaneously regulating glycerol (Gly) and water content to modulate hydrogen bonds and removing non-collagenous components from the skin, the arrangement of collagen fibers shows more control-oriented with the reduced hydrogen bonding among the binary solvent and collagen fibers, thus minimizing light scattering and further achieving plastic-like optical transparency of natural skin. The strategy imparts water-responsive shape-memory to MCBP, enabling it to be processed into diverse two-dimensional or three-dimensional shapes, significantly extending its practical service life and recyclability. Notably, MCBP achieves MPs-free production while also enabling the adsorption and removal of MPs throughout its life cycle. Furthermore, MCBP has been shown to substantially enhance food shelf-life when used for active food packaging, underscoring its potential for diverse practical applications.

  • research-article
    Jinping Zhang, Peibo Du, Xiaoyan Li, Weiguang Liu, Chengcheng Li, Yating Ji, Chuan Zeng, Dandan Zong, Zaisheng Cai

    The development of efficient fog-harvesting materials is of great significance for addressing freshwater scarcity. However, conventional materials with hydrophilic/hydrophobic regions frequently struggle with coordinating water droplet capture and transport, resulting in lower water collection efficiency. Herein, an integrated strategy based on the engineering of cellulose molecular modification for achieving high-performance fog harvesting is presented. The well-designed cellulose heterogeneous wettability surface (CWF-Cu), through the coordination of copper ions with nanofibrils and masking-assisted spray technique, significantly facilitates water capture and transport for fog harvesting. The copper ions are introduced into the cotton fabric, endowing it with high hydrophobicity (with a contact angle of approximately 130°) and polarity, which regulates wettability and increases potential nucleation sites. The as-prepared CWF-Cu fabric realizes a superior water collection rate (WCR) of 2672 mg·cm−2·h−1, increasing by 70% compared with those of the conventional hydrophobic materials. Moreover, the CWF-Cu fabric demonstrates stable performance to withstand the impact of water and pollutant flushing, and enhanced mechanical strength and ultraviolet (UV) durability, which ensures the long-term usability of the material. This work provides an efficient route to achieving efficient fog harvesting that addresses water scarcity from the environment.

  • research-article
    Huazhen Liu, Qianwei Su, Yongjun Zheng, Wenbin Sun, Chunxiang Lu, Weihuang Cai, Chao Ji, Chuang Gao, Yi Zhang, Shichu Xiao, Yuhai Ma, Jiacan Su, Yuanyuan Liu

    Stem cell therapy has emerged as a promising strategy for managing chronic wounds. However, its effectiveness in diabetic wound healing remains limited due to sustained hypoxia, excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), and a persistent inflammatory microenvironment. Developing harmful-microenvironment-adapted reparative materials could enhance stem cell survival and function, thereby improving therapeutic outcomes. This study developed a stem-cell-supported multifunctional bio-scaffold, composed of polyethylene oxide/polyvinyl butyral (PEO/PVB) nanofiber scaffolds and umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs), named living nanofiber scaffolds (LNFS). A three-dimensional (3D) PEO/PVB nanofiber scaffold with a controlled gradient structure was first fabricated using in-situ dual-component alternating electrospinning. By integrating in-situ cell electrospinning with this technique, UC-MSCs were evenly embedded within the scaffold, achieving high cell density and viability. Furthermore, Chlorella pyrenoidosa (CP) was incorporated into the LNFS to supply oxygen, scavenge ROS, and reduce glucose levels, thereby enhancing the synergistic effect of CP and UC-MSCs. In vivo experiments demonstrated that LNFS@CP effectively absorbed wound exudate, suppressed inflammation, promoted collagen deposition and angiogenesis, and ultimately accelerated diabetic wound healing. This study presents a non-contact 3D stem cell delivery system and a multifunctional bio-scaffold that synergistically enhances the effects of CP and UC-MSCs, providing a novel strategy for wound treatment.

  • research-article
    Lisha Peng, Hailiang Sheng, Ting Wang, Debo Zeng, Yue Zhang, Jintao Shi, Tao Zhou, Jinglan Yang, Yifan Gu, Zong Qin, Bo-Ru Yang, Shaozhi Deng

    Textile displays have emerged as a promising technology for wearable electronics, yet maintaining excellent display performance and durability in daily use remains a challenge. We present a highly flexible yarn-based electrophoretic display fiber (EPDF) for wearable textile displays, fabricated using a low-temperature solution process. The EPDFs feature a coaxial structure with a diameter of less than 500 μm, enabling seamless integration into fabrics while maintaining textiles’ lightweight and breathable properties. The EPDFs exhibit stable black and white states under driving, with potential for thermal management applications. A dual encapsulation layer provides protection against sweat and sebum, enhancing durability for daily use. These features make EPDFs a promising candidate for next-generation wearable textile displays.

  • research-article
    Xingchi Li, Zhihan Li, Yangyang Chen, Chi Zhang, Wenxin Lian, Yi Kong, Sha Luo, Yan Qing, Xianzhang Wu, Lei Li, Yiqiang Wu

    Porous films with high strength and toughness are in high demand for energy storage, flexible electronics, and biomedical applications. However, balancing mechanical performance with controlled pore architecture remains challenging. In this study, a bioinspired strategy was employed to fabricate strong and tough cellulose nanocrystals (CNC)-reinforced polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composite nanofibers using a modified electrospinning technique. This approach yields a well-ordered soft–hard intercalated structure inspired by natural spider silk. By tuning CNC content and nanofiber orientation, the resulting CNC/PVA composite nanofiber-based films exhibit excellent specific strength (156.8 MPa g−1 cm−3), high toughness (27.3 MJ m−2), and tunable porosity (68–90%). Additionally, these films exhibit excellent thermal stability, enhanced electrolyte wettability, and a well-controlled pore architecture, rendering them highly effective as lithium-ion battery separators that effectively suppress lithium dendrite growth. Compared to conventional plastic films (e.g., Polypropylene, Polyethylene), the aligned CNC/PVA nanofiber film has a lower carbon footprint and inherent biodegradability. This work presents a sustainable pathway for developing high-performance porous materials with promising applications in renewable energy systems, flexible electronics, and related fields.

  • research-article
    Renhao Li, Yan Bao, Ruyue Guo, Lu Gao, Wenbo Zhang, Chao Liu, Jianzhong Ma

    The cold energy of the Universe can be harnessed through radiative cooling (RC) to achieve thermal comfort and energy conservation, representing a promising green thermal management strategy. However, most studies have focused on maximizing cooling power. The limitations of dynamic environmental changes in the RC performance have been overlooked. In this study, a Janus-structured polyimide composite nanofiber membrane was developed using electrospinning for efficient thermal management in various environments. The concept of mismatched charge transfer complexes was utilized to prepare fluorinated polyimides, which exhibit excellent RC performance and effectively address the issue of high solar absorption (average solar reflectance (

    R¯solar
    )=96.2%; average mid-infrared emissivity (
    ε¯MIR
    )=89.7%). Moreover, lauric acid@fluorinated polyimide composite nanofibers with a core–shell structure were continuously deposited onto hollow polyimide nanofibers to construct a Janus-structured membrane that integrates RC, thermal shock resistance (melting enthalpy (ΔHm)=107.6 J g−1 and crystallization enthalpy (ΔHc)=111.9 J g−1), and thermal insulation. This structure exhibits excellent RC power (105.9 W m−2), temperature regulation ability (cooling of approximately 12.8 °C in summer and maintaining temperature for 2400 s without sunlight), and thermal insulation performance under complex weather changes. The thermal management mechanism and energy-saving principle of this structure in different environments were systematically summarized. Considering these advantages, this study provides design inspiration and theoretical support for the development of multifunctional integrated RC materials.

    Graphic Abstract

  • research-article
    Changsheng Lu, Xiao Wang, Yingqi Yang, Keyi Li, Yihua Lin, Guiyang Lin, Guanying Zheng, Baosong Xie, Zerong Jiang, Zongqu Xu, Yali Liu, Sunkui Ke, Boyu Zhang, Kunlin Han, Yongxiang Huang, Lina Cui, Xiang Yang Liu

    Flexible sensing technologies for dynamic respiratory monitoring face critical limitations in environmental robustness and signal resolution accuracy. To address these challenges, a humidity-sensitive dielectric material was developed through intermolecular force modulation, synergistically integrated with a hermetically sealed digital mask to establish a medical-grade respiratory monitoring platform. A novel quantitative respiratory waveform analytical model was proposed, transcending conventional flexible sensors’ capability of merely tracking respiratory rhythms to enable precise quantification of pulmonary function parameters, including peak expiratory flow (PEF) and forced vital capacity (FVC). Leveraging a Darcy’s law-based porous media gas dynamics model, a linear response mechanism was identified between sensing signals and airflow/volume parameters (R2>0.995). Time–frequency characteristics of respiratory waveforms were extracted via synchrosqueezed wavelet transforms, revealing robust correlations between spectral signatures and physical activity intensity. Clinical validation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) cohorts demonstrated the system’s efficacy in detecting characteristic patterns of airway obstruction and diminished pulmonary elasticity, enabling early-stage diagnostics. Furthermore, a 1-dimensional convolutional neural network (1D-CNN) achieved high-accuracy cough event recognition (95.24% precision). A vertically integrated “sensing material–medical device–algorithm” framework is pioneered for home-based artificial intelligence (AI) respiratory disease management, advancing flexible electronics from physiological tracking to precision medical applications.

  • research-article
    Jeong-Ho Park, Jae Hong Choi, Jae-Woo Seo, Ilgyu Kim, Jong Seok Nam, Joo-Hyung Kim, Hyeong Min Jin, Seon-Jin Choi, Pilgun Oh, Ji-Won Jung

    Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZiBs) offer a sustainable, cost-effective, and safe alternative to lithium-ion batteries, yet they face challenges related to cathode limitations, such as low energy density and stability issues. In this study, we report the successful synthesis of minuscule ZnV2O4 nanoparticles uniformly integrated into conductive carbon nanofibers (m-ZnV2O4@CNFs) via electrospinning followed by a reduction heat treatment. Structural and electrochemical analyses demonstrate that this composite considerably improves ionic and electronic conductivity, reduces vanadium dissolution, and preserves structural integrity during extended cycling. In situ X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy analyses reveal a partial structural transformation from the spinel ZnV2O4 phase to a layered vanadate phase, which stably coexists with residual spinel structures, enhancing both capacity and stability. Electrochemical testing demonstrates exceptional cycling stability, with a specific capacity of approximately 175 mAh·g−1 after 600 cycles at 100 mA·g−1, and outstanding longevity over 10,000 cycles at an increased current density of 2 A·g−1. This study provides valuable insights into the design of multifunctional cathode materials, advancing the practical application of AZiBs.

  • research-article
    Jeong Ho Na, Seohyeon Jang, Hyun Jin Kim, Jin Koo Kim, Haeseong Jang, Inho Nam, Seung-Keun Park

    Carbon-supported single-atom catalysts (SACs) with metal-N moieties have garnered significant attention for their ability to enhance redox kinetics and suppress the dissolution of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) in lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries. However, fully harnessing the catalytic potential of these SACs requires simultaneous optimization of the carbon substrate structure and modulation of the SACs coordination environment—a challenging feat. We propose a metal–organic framework-engaged dual-level engineering strategy to fabricate a hierarchical porous carbon nanofiber with low-coordinated SACs (CoSA/p-CNF). This strategy integrates both macro- and micro-level designs, resulting in a hierarchical pore structure that enhances ionic conductivity and electrolyte wettability, while providing highly active, low-coordinated Co–N3 moieties for efficient LiPS adsorption and conversion. Consequently, the CoSA/p-CNF demonstrates a high capacity of 917.7 mA⋅h⋅g−1 with excellent retention (95.3% after 300 cycles at 0.5 C) and outstanding rate performance (745 mA⋅h⋅g−1 at 4.0 C). Under demanding conditions, the Li–S cell with CoSA/p-CNF exhibits exceptional electrochemical performance (858 mA⋅h⋅g−1 at 0.5 C with a sulfur loading of 3.8 mg⋅cm−2). X-ray absorption spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations confirm that the low-coordinated Co–N3 moieties effectively adsorb and convert LiPSs, offering a practical solution to enhance sulfur redox kinetics in Li–S batteries.

  • research-article
    Xin Chen, Xikai Ma, Rui Shang, Xin Zhao, Qinghua Zhang

    The rigid molecular structure and inherent golden color of polyimide fibers pose a significant challenge for its color construction. Traditional dyeing methods often come at the expense of mechanical properties due to the swelling effect. Here, the supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) dyeing method was used to balance the contradictory relationship between color and mechanical properties of polyimide. Employing scCO2 fluid as the dyeing medium leverages its unique dissolution and diffusion properties to drive the dye deep into the fiber, thereby imparting the satisfactory color to the polyimide fiber with the uptake ratio of 31.46 mg/g and the color fastness of up to grade 5. Furthermore, the swelling effect of the carrier on the fibers and the optimization and arrangement effect of the fluid on the molecular chains produce a synergistic effect, resulting in the tensile strength increased by about 20%. Given its streamlined process, eco-friendly nature and consistent results, we anticipate this prospective approach to be a formidable competitor in the field of color construction of polyimide fibers.

  • research-article
    Meimei Fu, Yue Li, Yitao Zhao, Yuting Zhu, Zhou Fang, Zhuoyi Huang, Wenjun Luo, Xinyu Huang, Jintao Li, Zhiqi Hu, Keke Wu, Jinshan Guo

    Continuous wound healing micro-environment regulation and timely angiogenesis modulation are crucial for preventing excessive collagen accumulation and promoting scarless wound healing. Herein, a bilayer silk fibroin (SF)-based Janus adhesive dressing (SCE) was developed, featuring a lower layer of Ca2+/Zn2+-modified silk fibroin (SCZ) and an upper layer of silk fibroin core–shell electrospun fibers with epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) encapsulated in the core (SE). The Ca2+/Zn2+ modification induced decrystallization of the SF, thereby conferring strong tissue adhesion to the lower SCZ layer and providing rapid hemostasis and initial anti-inflammatory effects upon wound contact. The macro (double layers) and micro (core–shell) dual design enabled EGCG to be slowly released during the early healing stage, exerting both antioxidant and synergistic anti-inflammatory effects in conjunction with Zn2+. With complete absorption of the lower layer and degradation of the shell of the upper layer, substantial amounts of EGCG were continuously released to inhibit angiogenesis during the later healing stages. In vivo studies employing both rat full-thickness skin wound models and rabbit ear scar models further confirmed the potential of SCE to promote scarless wound healing by combining early-stage hemostatic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties with late-stage angiogenesis braking to reduce vascular density and blood supply, thereby allowing extracellular matrix remodeling and preventing collagen overproduction and deposition.

  • research-article
    Sijia Yu, Xinheng Yan, Chenglong Wang, Weirong Cao, Yunsong Su, Ziwei Liu, Jiajia Wang, Yiqing Yang, Sihui Yu, Hongyu Jiang, Wenjun Li, Pengzhou Li, Hongji Sun, Songlin Zhang, Ting Liu, Huisheng Peng, Xuemei Sun

    Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a prevalent chronic condition that affects approximately 33% of the population and significantly increases the risk of esophageal cancer (5-year survival rate<10%). Current pharmacological treatments cannot cure GERD, and surgical treatment often interferes with normal gastroesophageal physiology. Here, we developed a non-invasive transoral deliverable bioelectronic stent that enables real-time, closed-loop management of GERD without disrupting normal esophageal function. The stent is fabricated by an industrial weaving machine with functionalized fibers, followed by electroplating and chemical etching. It integrates vertically aligned multiple-channel pH/impedance fiber sensors for reflux detection and an electrical stimulator with pressure feedback. Owing to its shape-memory properties and low modulus, which is comparable to that of the woven structure of the esophagus, the stent is synchronized with esophageal motility without affecting physiological function. These sensing and electrical stimulation modules operate in a closed-loop fashion, where reflux-specific pH and impedance signals trigger LES stimulation, and the resulting contraction efficacy is immediately confirmed by a pressure sensor. In GERD animal models, the stent achieved 99.7% accuracy in reflux episode detection and successfully induced sphincter contraction in more than 95% of events, with negligible esophageal inflammation. This non-invasive, physiologically compatible, and closed-loop bioelectronic stent offers a novel solution for GERD management with real-time intervention for preventing disease progression and improving long-term outcomes.

  • research-article
    Hao-Zike Wang, Chun-Yang Sun, Rui-Hong Xie, Peng-Xiang Hou, Zhao-Qing Gao, Yu-Xin Xiang, Yu-Yang Liu, Sheng-Qian Li, Chang Liu, Hui-Ming Cheng

    The rapid development of intelligent electronic devices demands novel lightweight conducting wires with high ampacity. Carbon nanotube fibers (CNTFs) are regarded as an ideal candidate due to their low density, good stability, and excellent flexibility. However, because the carrier density of CNTFs is relatively low, their electrical properties need to be improved. Herein, a high vapor pressure squeezing method was developed to fill FeCl3 into the inner hollow core and inter-tube nanovoids of highly-compacted double-wall CNT fibers (DWCNTFs) prepared by wet-spinning. It was found that the FeCl3 nanoparticles not only provide sufficient carriers and increase the hole transfer efficiency, but also function in interlocking the aligned DWCNTs. As a result, the obtained fibers had a record-high electrical conductivity of 1.35×107 S m–1 and an ampacity of 1.57×109 A m–2, which are, respectively, 21% and 96% higher than the highest values reported for CNT fibers. The fibers also have a high tensile strength of 2.54 GPa, a high toughness of 177.2 MJ m–3, and good stability during thermal shock cycles at temperatures of−196 to 200 °C.

  • research-article
    Yating Jia, Hao Lu, Xin Xu, Xiaojun Zhou, Yanan Pang, Chuanglong He, Lei Hou

    Elastomers containing functional groups hold significant potential for soft tissue repair, particularly in vascular tissues; however, available materials of this type are scarce. In this study, we present a straightforward and easily synthesized biodegradable elastomer (named PGSCC), which was developed by incorporating citric acid and L-cysteine into the molecular structure of poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS). This elastomer exhibits good elasticity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability comparable to PGS while also demonstrating enhanced reactivity due to the presence of two active functional groups: -COOH and -SH. This unique combination of exceptional properties endows PGSCC with significant potential for various biomedical applications, particularly for the bioactive modification of essential materials or implanted grafts. One notable example was the significantly improved effect of PGSCC-containing fibrous films on cell proliferation following appropriate modification through the PGSCC. By introducing PGSCC into our previously reported fibrous vascular graft, we obtained a new graft (M-Tri-layer tube) with functional groups that can be modified easily with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and heparin simultaneously. The VEGF/heparin dual-modified graft exhibited more favorable outcomes than the unmodified grafts in rabbits, particularly regarding neo-tissue formation and endothelialization during the early stages of implantation (within 16 weeks), demonstrating the excellent efficacy of PGSCC for vascular graft modification.

  • research-article
    Zhenwei Yi, Yaofa Lin, Rui Jing, Xiangru Feng, Xiaoxuan Lu, Diqi Tian, Haodong Lin, Liming Zhao

    After peripheral nerve injury, decreased nerve growth factor (NGF) levels and interrupted bioelectrical signal transmission are key factors leading to delayed nerve regeneration. However, the nerve conduits currently applied in clinical practice fail to simultaneously achieve sustained nutritional support and electrical activity maintenance for the injured microenvironment, limiting their repair effects. Herein, a dual-functional-layer nerve conduit loaded with NGF and exhibiting a high piezoelectric response was fabricated using electrospinning technology. The inner layer was composed of heparin-functionalized chitosan nanofibers loaded with NGF (CPHN), whereas the outer layer was formed from polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofibers incorporated with ZnO nanoparticles (PZ). The results showed that the heparin-functionalized chitosan nanofibers significantly enhanced the loading density and stability of NGF. Additionally, PZ nanofibers with 1 wt% ZnO generated stable and appropriate endogenous electrical stimulation under controlled external stimulation. In vitro experiments demonstrated that the combination of PZ and CPHN (PZ@CPHN) could compensate for TrkA receptor desensitization, improve NGF pharmacodynamics, and activate the NGF/TrkA signaling pathway to regulate PC12 cells proliferation, differentiation, and motility. In the rat sciatic nerve defect model, transplantation of the PZ@CPHN conduit significantly promoted the reconstruction of regenerated nerve tissue and the recovery of muscle motor function after 12 weeks, achieving a repair outcome comparable to that of autologous nerve transplantation. In summary, a novel therapeutic strategy combining NGF administration with endogenous electrical stimulation is proposed to accelerate peripheral nerve regeneration.

  • research-article
    Maorong Zheng, Yalin Dong, Hongfang Liu, Jiayin Yang, Shuo Dong, Liming Wang, Xiaohong Qin

    Although the bionic evaporative cooling mechanism is regarded as a key path to enhance the thermal management efficiency of the human body outdoors, the structural limitations of traditional fabrics and the bottleneck of heat transfer efficiency led to sweat retention, intensifying the skin’s heat load and restricting the realization of the goal of microenvironment comfort regulation. Here, a metafabric with unidirectional sweat transport and three cooling modes is innovatively fabricated by weaving core–shell yarns via mature weaving techniques. The gradient wetting structure formed in the fabric through the plasma treatment can pull liquid water out of the skin and diffuse it to the outer layer of the fabric for rapid evaporation (0.41 g h−1), which is in a leading position in the field of sweat evaporation of cotton materials. Meanwhile, the addition of heat-conducting substances in shell nanofibers has improved the sweat cooling utilization rate of cotton fabrics, providing an additional skin temperature drop of 3.5 ℃ through sweat evaporation. In the outdoor experiment simulating human sweating, a temperature reduction of 7 ℃ is observed for skin-covered metafabric compared with skin-covered cotton fabric. Owing to its exceptional performance, the metafabric can provide promising design guidelines for developing a thermal-moisture comfort textile.

  • research-article
    Doudou Zhu, Xin Jiang, Jingyi Sun, Jichao Zhang, Wen Zhou, Shaohai Fu

    Janus fabrics with moisture management enable directional water transport from the inner hydrophobic layer to the outer hydrophilic region, contributing to personalized moisture comfort. However, when the human body sweats profusely in high-temperature/high-humidity environments or during intense physical activities, current Janus fabrics encounter a daunting challenge of being saturated by sweat, generating unpleasant stuffiness and tight adhesion to the skin. Herein, inspired by the sweat glands in human skin, we propose an innovative “sweating fabric” with a uniquely patterned structure that features physical and chemical asymmetry, towards directional sweat accumulation and droplet rolling capabilities for high-performance personal moisture management. Unlike existing Janus fabrics where sweat permeates, spreads, and evaporates, our “sweating fabric” facilitates directional sweat transport to the outer surface where the sweat reaggregates into liquid droplets that drip off rather than spread or evaporate. By creatively constructing patterned water transport channels with asymmetric pore structure and wettability, each water transport channel of the “sweating fabric” has an outstanding directional water transport rate of 12.2 mL cm−2 min−1 while rendering sweat droplets to slide easily [sliding angle of (45±2)°], which enables sustainable and swift sweat transport, thus opening ample opportunities for advanced fiber materials for wound care, biofluid monitoring, and microfluid control.

  • research-article
    Tong Xue, Yan Yu, Ruijie Ma, Muyan Ma, Juan Li, Chaoxia Wang, Yunjie Yin

    Integrating radiative cooling or solar heating into personal thermal management (PTM) textiles has attracted considerable interest. However, most current PTM textiles exhibit single functionality, limited biocompatibility and degradability, and the impact of intense perspiration is often ignored. Herein, a dual-mode polylactide-based PTM textile (DMTex) with asymmetric optical properties, wettability, and pore size distribution for efficient personal moisture and thermal management is designed via layered electrospinning. The unique optical structure and addition of functional particles endow the cooling side of DMTex with excellent solar reflectance (96.97%) and infrared emissivity (86.93%), whereas the heating side has 85.83% solar absorptance. Compared with white and black polylactic acid fabrics, DMTex achieves an additional cooling effect of 14.32 ℃ and a heating effect of 13.09 ℃ under 1100 W m−2 solar radiation. Moreover, the three-layer construction design endows DMTex with exceptional unidirectional moisture-wicking and anti-backflow performance. In addition, DMTex exhibits excellent wearability, biocompatibility, and degradability. Such a dual-mode and sustainable DMTex presents great potential for achieving efficient personal moisture and thermal comfort.