Negative differential transconductance (NDT) presents a promising platform for advancing next-generation computing technologies by reducing power consumption without increasing circuit complexity. The realization of multi-valued logic computing depends on developing innovative device concepts and circuits beyond conventional complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology. In this study, we demonstrate NDT behavior in an InSe/BP heterojunction at room temperature, achieving a tunable NDT with a remarkable peak-to-valley current ratio of 43.5 at V_ds = 1.4 V. The device also exhibits distinct photovoltaic behavior and a broad spectral response spanning from 520 to 1550 nm. It delivers excellent photodetection performance, with a high photoresponsivity of 561.68 A W^-1, detectivity of 3.95 × 10¹² cmHz^1/2 W^-1, an ultrahigh external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 1341.87%, and a fast response speed of 27 μs under 532 nm illumination. Even in the near-infrared regime of 1550 nm, the device maintains a responsivity of 2.21 A W^-1, detectivity of 1.23 × 10¹⁰ cmHz^1/2 W^-1, and a rise time of 477 μs. Furthermore, we successfully implemented a ternary inverter, a key component for multi-valued logic computing technology, and an artificial neuron capable of emulating neural signal transmission. This study not only highlights the exceptional electronic and optoelectronic performance of the device but also provides deeper insights into band modulation, paving the way for future advancements in low-power, high-speed logic, and neuromorphic applications.

Metal electrode corrosion driven by halide migration and interfacial defects remains a significant bottleneck limiting the operational stability and photovoltaic performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), particularly in devices with varied bandgaps. Herein, we present a multifunctional interface engineering strategy by incorporating the IL 1-butylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate (BPYBF₄) into the PCBM electron transport layer to simultaneously address these issues. The BF₄^- anions coordinate with the Ag⁺, forming a corrosion-resistant layer that mitigates iodine-induced degradation. Concurrently, the BPY⁺ cations react with residual PbI₂ at the perovskite surface, inducing the formation of a 1D perovskite capping layer that effectively passivates interfacial defects and suppresses ion migration. Phase-transition process during film conversion was systematically investigated, revealing a gradual transformation of residual PbI₂ into a protective 1D perovskite structure upon BPYBF₄ incorporation. Additionally, the presence of ionized PCBM enhances surface potential alignment, promoting efficient electron extraction and reducing non-radiative recombination losses. This strategy demonstrates broad applicability—not only enhancing the performance of 1.55 eV normal-bandgap PSCs but also achieving outstanding efficiency for wide-bandgap PSCs, with PCEs of 22.69% for 1.67 eV and 18.60% (certified at 17.75%) for 1.85 eV, respectively. This work provides a facile and scalable approach to simultaneously protect the electrode and stabilize the perovskite films, offering a promising strategy for varied bandgaps PSCs in both single-junction and tandem configurations.

Stretchable epidermal electronics with stable electrical performance have been widely applied in numerous fields, including advanced medical therapy, wearable electronics, soft robotics, and human–machine interaction. However, conventional stretchable devices, which typically integrate a pliant substrate and a conductor, often encounter inferior electrical performance under sustained or intense stretching due to poor stretchability, limited permeability, and the notable disparity in Young's modulus between the substrate and the conductor. This mechanical discord intensifies problems such as reduced durability and inconsistent conductivity. In this work, we address these limitations by devising a liquid metal-based flexible conductor via an innovative direct coating method. This conductor, supported by an electrospun fiber nanomesh, reveals markedly enhanced permeability through a pre-stretch activation process. The resulting electrode demonstrates remarkable electrical conductivity reaching 3730 S cm^-1, superior permeability with a water vapor transmission rate of 40.2 g m^-2 h^-1, and extraordinary stretchability (>2000% strain), coupled with exceptional mechanical durability. The liquid metal fiber mat structure allows for the creation of breathable, on-skin electronics capable of long-term electrophysiological monitoring, rendering it ideal for continuous health monitoring applications.

Neuromorphic computing provides a remarkably efficient and adaptable alternative to traditional computing architectures by embodying the impressive power efficiency and parallel processing capabilities of the human brain. However, the prevailing focus on integrate-and-fire mode in current artificial neurons fails to fully acknowledge the nuanced multifunctionality and adaptive characteristics, especially the temporally variable operating modes and spatial heterogeneity present in natural neurons. Here we report a spatiotemporal-specific artificial neuron implemented with a ferroelectric planar memristor, by engineering the inherent in-plane ferroelectricity of α-In₂Se₃ and the extensive regulation capability of the co-planar multi-electrodes. With enhanced information processing capabilities, the artificial neuron facilitates adjustable reservoir computing and reconfigurable 16 types of logic-gate operations, ultimately achieving precise speech recognition with an accuracy approaching 100%. Our work clearly demonstrates the benefits of spatiotemporal specificity in artificial neurons, and contributes to the advancement of more realistic neuromorphic computing systems.

This study introduces a multifunctional coordination approach to enhance wide bandgap (WBG) tin (Sn) perovskite solar cells (PSCs) by incorporating a naturally derived Vitamin H (Biotin) complex into the perovskite precursor. The Biotin complex exhibits strong chemical interaction with Sn²⁺ via its ureido ring (C=O, —NH), valeric acid chain (—COO^-), and tetrahydrothiophene (S—C) functionalities. This multidentate interaction further helps to regulate crystal growth kinetics, resulting in compact, pinhole-free films with enhanced surface homogeneity. Furthermore, Biotin effectively passivates uncoordinated Sn sites, mitigates Sn²⁺ oxidation, and suppresses antisite defects, thereby reducing non-radiative recombination and ion migration. As a result, the optimized device demonstrates a record-high power conversion efficiency of 12.8% (independently certified at 12.5%) and an open-circuit voltage (V_oc) of 1.03 V for WBG Sn PSCs. Notably, the device exhibits outstanding ambient stability, retaining almost 80% of its initial efficiency after 1460 h of storage without encapsulation, highlighting the potential of the Biotin complex for high-performance and durable lead-free perovskite photovoltaics.

Hydrogen production via water electrolysis offers a sustainable pathway to decarbonize energy systems, yet the development of cost-effective, efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts for overall water splitting (OWS) still remains a critical challenge. Current catalysts often rely on complex multiphase heterostructures to optimize oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions (OER/HER), but their intricate designs increase costs and hinder scalability. Here, we present a single-phase bifunctional electrocatalyst, CaCu₃Co₂Ru₂O₁₂ (CCCRO), which exhibited exceptional performance for OWS in alkaline conditions, specifically, 1.536 V at 10 mA cm^-2 and 1.629 V at 100 mA cm^-2, along with 500 h of operational stability at a current density of 100 mA cm^-2. In situ x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) revealed the valence-state transition from Cu²⁺/Co³⁺/Ru⁵⁺ to Cu²⁺/Co^3.5+/Ru^5.5+ during OER, but both valence state reduction and structural reconstruction into a CuCoRu nanoalloy occurred under HER conditions. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicated that synergistic effects among Cu, Co, and Ru ions enhance catalytic activities for both OER and HER. This work demonstrates that structurally simple yet compositionally tuned oxides can surpass complex catalysts in both the efficiency and durability of OWS, offering a scalable design paradigm for advancing green hydrogen technologies.

Thin-film composite (TFC) membranes featuring nanovoid-containing polyamide (PA) layers on supportive nanofiber substrates represent a significant advancement in desalination technology. However, the separation performance of TFC membranes hinges critically on the nanoscale thickness of the PA layers and their distinctive ridge-and-valley roughness. This complex morphology is a direct result of interfacial instability arising during the highly exothermic interfacial polymerization (IP), where heat generation drives non-uniform PA layer growth. To mitigate these instabilities that adversely affect the overall membrane performance, thermally conductive MXene (Ti₃C₂T_x) nanosheets are spray-coated onto the supportive polymeric substrates before initiating the IP process. The MXene-coated substrate significantly improves the surface morphology of the PA layer, reducing its thickness to 18 nm and minimizing nanovoid formation due to the effective lateral heat dissipation by the Ti₃C₂T_x MXene interlayer. These interlayers regulate monomer diffusion via hydrogen bonding and covalent interactions, ensuring uniform polymerization and defect-free PA layers. The optimized Ti₃C₂T_x MXene-interlayered TFC membrane exhibits a more than two-fold increase in the water flux, exceeding that of commercial membranes, while significantly improving ion rejection. This study highlights the significant impact of substrate thermal conductivity on desalination efficiency, enabling the development of smooth and efficient PA nanofilms for high-performance desalination through the tailored design of interlayered TFC membranes.

The slow kinetics and irreversibility of Li₂S deposition and dissolution during the sulfur reduction/evolution reactions (SRR/SER) hinder the fast-charging and high-rate capabilities of lithium–sulfur (Li/S) batteries. To address this challenge, we design a zirconia membrane reactor (ZMR) composed of ZrO₂/N-doped carbon nanofibers (ZONC) to kinetically regulate the interfacial reversible conversion of Li₂S. Electrochemical measurements, in situ x-ray diffraction, and density functional theory calculations are employed to investigate the confinement catalysis of ZMR and elucidate the Li₂S activation mechanism for enhanced rate performance and cycling stability. Operating at the cathode side, the ZMR enables the Li/S cell to deliver an initial discharge specific capacity of 1460.8 mAh g^-1 at 0.1 C (corresponding to a sulfur utilization of approximately 87.2%), a high-rate capability of 931.4 mAh g^-1 at 5 C, and a capacity retention of 91.0% after 200 cycles at 3 C. Moreover, when a sandwich configuration module (ZMR-S-ZMR) is fabricated to support a high-sulfur-loading cathode, the resulting Li/S coin cell with a sulfur loading of 12.0 mg cm^-2 achieves a remarkable areal capacity of 8.6 mAh cm^-2 and 94.2% capacity retention after 90 cycles at 0.1 C (2.2 mA).

Fiber-shaped batteries, distinguished by their unique one-dimensional architecture, offer ultra-high flexibility, remarkable stretchability, and excellent knittability, rendering them highly appealing as energy storage solutions for smart wearable fabrics. Among various fiber-shaped battery systems, aqueous zinc batteries stand out as one of the most promising candidates owing to their high specific capacity, inherent safety, and cost-effectiveness. However, the practical applicability of fiber-shaped zinc batteries (FZBs) is significantly hindered by challenges in scalable production, long-term operational stability, and seamless integration. Despite the growing interest in FZBs, a comprehensive and systematic review that critically examines the essential components, assembly configurations, manufacturing techniques, and performance-enhancing strategies is still lacking. This review aims to fill this gap by first summarizing the fundamental components of FZBs, including cathodes, anodes, electrolytes, current collectors, and encapsulation materials. It then compares the impact of various assembly configurations, including parallel, winding, coaxial, and weaving structures, on battery performance. Furthermore, it provides an in-depth analysis of diverse manufacturing techniques for fiber electrodes, including dip-coating, hydrothermal synthesis, and electrodeposition, as well as the assembly procedures ranging from manual to equipment-assisted and one-step assembly methods. In addition, this review highlights strategies for improving both electrochemical and wearable performance through material modification and structural design. It also underscores the multifunctional applications of FZBs, such as thermosensitive, fluorescent, and sweat-driven variants, along with their potential in physiological sensing and environmental monitoring. Finally, it identifies the existing barriers to FZBs commercialization, including limited energy density, complex integration processes, and unclear internal mechanisms. Based on these insights, it proposes future research directions and development initiatives to advance the field of FZBs, thereby promoting their transition from laboratory prototypes to commercial products.