Surge current (SC) capability is one of the main aspects of reliability for silicon carbide (SiC) power devices. In this work, the influences of neutron radiation-induced defects on the SC capability and reliability of SiC P-intrinsic-N (PiN) diodes were comprehensively investigated. It was found that the surge capability of the diodes can be deteriorated even under the slightly enhanced formation of carbon-vacancy-related Z_1/2 and EH_6/7 defects introduced by neutron irradiation. Surprisingly, it was found that the forward voltage (V_F) decreases with the increased SC and the stress cycles in the irradiated diodes, which is usually found to increase under the SC tests and attributed to the bipolar degradation (BPD). By using technology computer-aided design simulation and deep-level transient spectroscopy characterization, it was found that the significant self-heating during surge stress leads to the annealing effect on the Z_1/2 defects through the promoted recombination with the nearest and second neighbor carbon interstitials injected by irradiation, which thus plays a dominant role in the decrease of V_F over the BPD.

Chalcogenide glass has a unique volatile transition between high- and low-resistance states under an electric field, a phenomenon termed ovonic threshold switching (OTS). This characteristic is extensively utilized in various electronic memory and computational devices, particularly as selectors for cross-point memory architectures. Despite its advantages, the material is susceptible to glass relaxation, which can result in substantial drifts in threshold voltage and a decline in off-current performance over successive operational cycles or long storage time. In this study, we introduce an OTS device made from stoichiometric Sb₂Se₃ glass, which retains an octahedral local structure within its amorphous matrix. This innovative material exhibits outstanding OTS capabilities, maintaining minimal degradation despite undergoing over 10⁷ operating cycles. Via comprehensive first-principles calculations, our findings indicate that the mid-gap states in amorphous Sb₂Se₃ predominantly stem from the atomic chains characterized by heteropolar Sb-Se bonds. These bonds exhibit remarkable stability, showing minimal alteration over time, thereby contributing to the overall durability and consistent performance of the material. Our findings not only shed light on the complex physical origins that govern the OTS behavior but also lay the groundwork for creating or optimizing innovative electrical switching materials.

Flexible electronic devices have garnered increasing attention for their applications in wearable devices, biomedical systems, soft robots, and flexible displays. However, the current sensors face limitations regarding low sensitivity, poor stability, and inadequate adhesion bonding between stimuli‐responsive functional materials and flexible substrates. To overcome these challenges and enable the further development of sensor devices, surface modification of stimuli‐responsive materials with amyloid aggregates has emerged as a promising approach to enhance functionality and create superior multifunctional sensors. This review presents recent research advancements in the flexible sensors based on protein amyloid aggregation. The article begins by explaining the basic principles of protein amyloid aggregation, followed by outlining the process of preparing 1D to 3D amyloid‐based composite materials. Finally, it discusses the utilization of protein amyloid aggregation as a surface modification technique for developing flexible sensors. Based on this foundation, we identify the shortcomings associated with protein amyloid aggregate composites and propose possible solutions to address them. We believe that comprehensive investigations in this area will expedite the development of high-performance flexible sensors with high sensitivity, high structural stability, and strong interface adhesion, especially the implantable flexible sensors for health monitoring.

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have atomic thickness, and thickness-dependent electronic transport, optical and thermal properties, high-lighting great promise applications in future semiconductor devices. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is considered as an industry-oriented method for macro-synthesis of 2D materials. In conventional CVD, high temperatures are required for the synthesis of high-quality large-size 2D materials, which is incompatible with of back-end-of-line of the complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) techniques. Therefore, low-temperature synthesis of 2D materials is of critical importance for the advancement toward practical applications of 2D materials with the CMOS technologies. In this review, we focus on strategies for the low-temperature growth of 2D materials, including the use of low-melting-point precursors, metal-organic CVD, plasma-enhanced CVD, van der Waals-substrate vapor phase epitaxy, tellurium-assisted CVD, salt-assisted CVD, etc., with discussions of their reaction mechanisms, applications, associated advantages, and limitations. We also provide an outlook and perspectives of future low-temperature chemical vapor deposition growth of 2D materials.

The progress of aqueous zinc-ion batteries faces several challenges in zinc electrode technologies. Nevertheless, MXenes exhibit versatile functionalities, such as tunable terminal groups, excellent conductivity, and diverse chemical composition, making them highly suitable for integration into aqueous zinc-ion batteries. This review highlights recent breakthroughs in employing MXenes to enhance the stability of zinc anodes, encompassing strategies such as protective coatings, incorporation of MXenes into zinc frameworks, and electrolyte enhancements. By employing these novel methods, researchers seek to tackle crucial issues concerning the stability and efficiency of zinc electrodes, thus promoting the commercial viability of aqueous zinc-ion batteries.

The Li-CO₂ battery represented an enticing energy storage/output system characterized by its high-specific energy capacity and simultaneously achieving CO₂ fixation and conversion, which held significant promise in mitigating global warming and advancing toward carbon neutrality. Nonetheless, the current Li-CO₂ battery's practical capacity and energy efficiency lagged behind traditional lithium-ion battery considerably, posing great challenges for practical applications and commercialization. This review comprehensively summarized recent advancements and prospective strategies aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of practical Li-CO₂ battery, encompassing insights into the cycling reaction mechanisms, anode electrode protection, key interface optimization, electrolyte design, and cathode catalyst innovations. Furthermore, insights into the prospects and key obstacles that lay ahead in advancing the Li-CO₂ battery toward practical applications were provided.

Graphene, a two-dimensional material renowned for its distinctive electronic band structure and remarkable physical properties, has garnered substantial attention in recent years. Its integration into metamaterials (i.e., artificially structured materials) and metamaterial-based devices opens up exciting possibilities for manipulating electromagnetic waves with various functionalities. These metamaterials and meta-devices, with their strong resonances, enhance interactions with incident waves, further aided by electrically tunable graphene, enabling fruitful modulation of electromagnetic waves. In this review, we present a detailed exploration of the recent advancements in graphene-based microwave meta-devices. We first introduce the electromagnetic properties of graphene, laying the foundation for its electromagnetic modeling and characterization. The second part introduces the fabrication and transfer methods of graphene. Next, we review the passive meta-devices constructed with graphene, exploring how these devices leverage graphene’s unique properties. We further discuss graphene-based active meta-devices for dynamic wave manipulations, with a focus on graphene–electrolyte–graphene sandwich structures. Lastly, the review delves into graphene-based coding and programmable meta-devices, highlighting their innovative applications. Each section provides a focused exploration of a specific aspect of the field, showcasing the diverse and expanding role of graphene in the microwave region. Through this comprehensive review, we aim to enrich our understanding and appreciation for the growing developments and potential of graphene in microwave technology.