Osteochondral injuries represent prevalent clinical conditions with profound implications for functional impairment and diminished quality of life. Despite the considerable potential of tissue engineering in osteochondral repair, substantial strides in clinical implementation remain elusive. Biomimetic materials, designed to emulate natural cartilage, offer a stabilized structure and microenvironment capable of accommodating the diverse properties inherent in different cartilage regions. Smart materials, endowed with the ability to deliver drugs, metal ions, and growth factors contingent on the disease progression, exert precise control over the microenvironment and cellular epigenetic behaviors. This review scrutinizes the nuanced characteristics of cartilage in both physiological and pathological states. Subsequently, a succinct overview of recent applications of biomaterials with bionic and smart attributes in osteochondral regeneration and repair is provided. Finally, we propose our perspectives on the application of biomimetic-smart materials in osteochondral regeneration and repair, emphasizing their potential clinical translation.

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have attracted enormous attention as candidates in stationary energy storage systems, because of the decent electrochemical performance based on cheap and abundant Na-ion intercalation chemistry. Layered oxides, the workhorses of modern lithium-ion batteries, have regained interest for replicating their success in enabling SIBs. A unique feature of sodium layered oxides is their ability to crystallize into a thermodynamically stable P2-type layered structure with under-stoichiometric Na content. This structure provides highly open trigonal prismatic environments for Na ions, permitting high Na⁺ mobility and excellent structural stability. This review delves into the intrinsic characteristics and key challenges faced by P2-type cathodes and then comprehensively summarizes the up-to-date advances in modification strategies from compositional design, elemental doping, phase mixing, morphological control, and surface modification to sodium compensation. The updated understanding presented in this review is anticipated to guide and expedite the development of P2-type layered oxide cathodes for practical SIB applications.

We developed a new nonenzymatic amperometric glucose sensor by integrating a ternary nanocomposite, Cu/Cu₂O/CuO (Cu/Cu_xO), with multi-wall carbon nanotubes (Cu/Cu_xO@MWCNTs) as the electrocatalyst. The Cu/Cu_xO@MWCNTs nanocomposite is prepared via an electroless plating process followed by thermal treatment. The constructed nanocomposites are systematically characterized with a transmission electron microscope, an X-ray diffractometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, respectively. The Cu/Cu_xO@MWCNTs nanocomposites-modified glassy carbon electrodes exhibit high electrocatalytic activity toward glucose electrooxidation under alkaline conditions. The efficient electrocatalytic activity of Cu/Cu_xO@MWCNTs for glucose electrooxidation is utilized for glucose detection using Cu/Cu_xO@MWCNTs-modified glassy carbon electrodes. The Cu/Cu_xO@MWCNTs-modified electrode displays an excellent sensing performance within a wide analyte concentration from 0.005-6,000 M (low detection limit is calculated to be 0.003 μM) with superior stability, selectivity, repeatability, and reproductivity. This as-prepared electrochemical sensor is successfully applied to selective glucose detection with satisfactory results.

Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) have been brought into focus as the development direction of the next-generation power battery system due to their high energy density, eco-friendliness, and low cost, which has a broad application prospect in the field of energy storage. However, some problems are still unresolved in the sulfur cathode, e.g., poor electric conductivity, serious volume expansion of sulfur, shuttle effect caused by easy dissolution of lithium polysulfides in the electrolyte, and slow redox reaction kinetics of sulfur species. These issues lead to poor cycle stability and rate performance, making it hard to meet the requirement for LSBs in practical applications. Since the inherent nature of sulfur is the root cause of the above problems, reasonable design of functional sulfur hosts will be an effective way to break through the current bottlenecks of LSBs. The review covers the latest research progress on carbon-based sulfur host materials of LSBs, including structural design and functional optimization strategies, aiming to prepare multifunctional sulfur host materials by integrating physical confinement, chemical adsorption, and catalytic effect towards lithium polysulfides. The obstacles and future prospects of carbon-based sulfur hosts have also been brought forward, which provides in-depth guidance for practical application of LSBs.

Metal halide perovskites and organic nonlinear optical materials have showcased enormous potential in many kinds of optoelectronic applications, such as solar cells, light-emitting diodes, and patterned displays. However, further enhancement of optoelectronic performances has been largely limited by the intractable issues of these materials including high defect densities, unstable crystallographic structure, harsh fabrication conditions, and unfavorable biocompatibility and environmental sustainability. Encouragingly, several recent works have demonstrated an effective supramolecular host-guest inclusion strategy could ideally address abovementioned concerns by nesting optoelectronic materials within the cavities of cyclodextrin molecules and their analogs. Specifically, the supramolecule hosts embedded with multiple functional groups and/or crosslinked networks could robustly interact with those optoelectronic materials, which play multifaceted roles in terms of chemical chelation, spatial confinement, structural stabilization, defect passivation, ion immobilization and compensation, thus resulting in comprehensive enhancement of optoelectronic performances and sustainability. The current challenging issues and potential solutions are also discussed to provide a roadmap for achieving more durable and sustainable optoelectronics toward practical applications and real commercialization.

The recent synthesis of a two-dimensional (2D) MBene sheet, referred to as the boridene sheet (Mo₄B₆T_z), has ignited considerable interest in exploring 2D transition metal borides. Boridene has an ordered arrangement of metal vacancies, which are pivotal to its stability. Employing first-principles calculations, we explored the stable phases, electronic properties and catalytic abilities of boridene with different vacancy concentrations (V_m). Our results demonstrate that V_m significantly influences the cohesive energies of boridene sheets. Phonon spectrum and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations reveal the high stability of the vacancy-free boridene Mo₆B₆T₆ (T = O, -OH), underscoring their potential for experimental realization. Substituting Mo atoms with Nb, Ta, or W enhances the structural stability of boridene sheets, leading to the identification of four stable variants: Nb₆B₆F₆, Ta₆B₆F₆, Ta₆B₆O₆, and W₆B₆O₆. These boridene sheets exhibit metallic behavior, with five structures displaying near-zero Gibbs free energy for hydrogen atom adsorption, indicating their potential as catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction. The uncovering of vacancy-free boridenes and their 2D derivatives greatly broadens the scope of the MBene family.

The architecture of anode materials is an essential factor in improving the performance of energy storage devices, which meets the increasing demand for energy storage and helps achieve environmental sustainability targets. Atomic manufacturing allows the makeup of electrodes to be changed precisely at the atomic level. This facilitates the creation of electrode materials with specific physical properties and enhanced performance. This Perspective reviews the details of how the microstructure design influences key electrode material characteristics. Finally, we anticipate the potential of materials and manufacturing techniques for materials microstructure in the future. A thorough grasp of the materials microstructure in electrode materials is offered by this article.

Operating at extreme temperatures is the biggest challenge for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in practical applications, as both the capacity and cycling stability of LIBs are largely decreased due to the sluggish reaction kinetics of the cathodes. Therefore, developing suitable cathode materials is the key point to tackling this challenge. Lithium vanadium phosphate [Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃, LVP] is a promising cathode with good features of a high working voltage, high intrinsic ionic diffusion coefficiency, and stable olivine structure in a wide temperature range, although it is perplexed by the low electronic conductivity. To tackle this issue, a series of nitrogen-doped carbon network (NC) coated LVP composites were synthesized using a hydrothermal-assisted sol-gel method. Among them, the LVP@NC-0.8 sample exhibited a remarkable tolerance at a high charging cutoff voltage of 4.8 V in a wide temperature range. Full cells of LVP@NC-0.8||graphite exhibited superior performance at different current rates. Moreover, the reaction mechanism of the LVP@NC-0.8 electrode was proved by in-situ X-ray diffraction technique, demonstrating that temperature was a critical factor that contributed to the sluggish phase transformation with high voltage hysteresis at low temperature and severe crystal structure distortion at high temperature. Theoretical calculations further demonstrated the superiority of the NC for high electronic conductivity and reduced lithium transportation barriers. The enhanced electrochemical performances of LVP-based cathode materials have provided the possible application of LIBs in a wide temperature range.

In the dynamic landscape of energy storage materials, the demand for efficient microstructural engineering has surged, driven by the imperative to seamlessly integrate renewable energy. Traditional material preparation methods encounter challenges such as poor controllability, high costs, and stringent operational conditions. The advent of microwave techniques heralds a transformative shift, offering rapid responses, high-temperature energy, and superior controllability. This review critically examines the nuanced applications of microwave technology in tailoring the microstructure of energy storage materials, emphasizing its pivotal role in the energy paradigm and addressing challenges posed by conventional methods. Notably, non-liquid-phase advanced microwave technology holds promise for introducing novel models and discoveries compared to traditional liquid-phase microwave methods. The ensuing discussion explores the profound impact of advanced microwave strategies on microstructural engineering, highlighting discernible advantages in optimizing performance for energy storage applications. Various applications of advanced microwave techniques in this domain are comprehensively discussed, providing a forward-looking perspective on their untapped potential to propel transformative strides in renewable energy research. This review offers insights into the promising future of leveraging microwaves for tailoring the microstructure of energy storage materials.

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are recognized as a leading option for energy storage systems, attributed to their environmental friendliness, natural abundance of sodium, and uncomplicated design. Cathode materials are crucial in defining the structural integrity and functional efficacy of SIBs. Recent studies have extensively focused on manganese (Mn)-based layered oxides, primarily due to their substantial specific capacity, cost-effectiveness, non-toxic nature, and ecological compatibility. Additionally, these materials offer a versatile voltage range and diverse configurational possibilities. However, the complex phase transition during a circular process affects its electrochemical performance. Herein, we set the multiphase Mn-based layered oxides as the research target and take the relationship between the structure and phase transition of these materials as the starting point, aiming to clarify the mechanism between the microstructure and phase transition of multiphase layered oxides. Meanwhile, the structure-activity relationship between structural changes and electrochemical performance of Mn-based layered oxides is revealed. Various modification methods for multiphase Mn-based layered oxides are summarized. As a result, a reasonable structural design is proposed for producing high-performance SIBs based on these oxides.

Cardiovascular diseases, primarily driven by thrombosis, remain the leading cause of global mortality. Although traditional cell culture and animal models have provided foundational insights, they often fail to capture the complex pathophysiology of thrombosis, which hinders the development of targeted therapies for cardiovascular diseases. The advent of microfluidics and vascular tissue engineering has propelled the advancement of vessel-on-a-chip technologies, which enable the simulation of the key aspects of Virchow’s Triad: hypercoagulability, alteration in blood flow, and endothelial wall injury. With the ability to replicate patient-specific vascular architectures and hemodynamic conditions, vessel-on-a-chip models offer unprecedented insights into the mechanisms underlying thrombosis formation and progression. This review explores the evolution of microfluidic technologies in thrombosis research, highlighting breakthroughs in endothelialized devices and their roles in emulating conditions such as vessel stenosis, flow reversal, and endothelial damage. The limitations and challenges of the current vessel-on-a-chip systems are addressed, and future perspectives on the potential for personalized medicine and targeted therapies are presented. Vessel-on-a-chip technology holds immense potential for revolutionizing thrombosis research, enabling the development of targeted, patient-specific diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies. Realizing this potential will require interdisciplinary collaboration and continued innovation in the fields of microfluidics and vascular tissue engineering.

Electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (ENRR) has emerged as a potential alternative to the conventional Haber-Bosch process for ammonia production. However, ENRR technology is still restricted by the limited Faradaic efficiency due to the hard-to-break N-N triple bond. Herein, inspired by the biomimetic catalyst, we developed a Fe-modulated MoS₂ catalyst (named Fe@MoS₂) as an efficient ENRR catalyst. Raman spectra, coupled with the X-ray absorption spectroscopy, demonstrate the introduction of Fe into the MoS₂ lattice and achieve partial 2H to 1T phase conversion. The presence of S-vacancies on MoS₂ substrates was observed on scanning transmission electron microscopy images. Operando infrared absorption spectroscopy confirms that the constructed catalytic site significantly reduces barriers to nitrogen activation. The synthesized Fe@MoS₂, with its superior geometric and electronic structures, exhibits a remarkable Faradaic efficiency of 19.7 ± 5.5% at -0.2 V vs. Reversible Hydrogen Electrode and a high yield rate of 20.2 ± 5.3 μg h^-1 mg^-1 at -0.8 V vs. Reversible Hydrogen Electrode. Therefore, this work provides a fresh direction for designing novel catalysts, eventually boosting the nitrogen reduction reaction kinetics and accelerating the ENRR application.

The honeycomb iridate Na₂IrO₃, as a candidate for the Kitaev model, has drawn increasing attention in recent years. It is a rare example of a strongly correlated, topologically nontrivial band structure that may have protected quantum spin Hall states. The nature of its intriguing insulating phase and magnetic order is still under debate. In the present work, we combine low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations to show that Na₂IrO₃ exhibits a band gap of 420 meV at 77 K, indicating a novel relativistic Mott insulator rather than Slater-like states. In addition, it is demonstrated that the Ir-O-Ir bonds and the subtle local density of states variation of Ir atoms induced by spin correlations can be imaged in real space in ultra-high resolution utilizing a spin-polarized oxygen-functionalized scanning tunneling microscopy tip. The direct observation of the zigzag Ir-O-Ir bonds at 77 K strongly dictates the zigzag magnetic ordering below T_N ≈ 15 K because of the strong spin-orbit interactions that lock the lattice and magnetic moments.

Cerium dioxide (CeO₂) has emerged as a promising electrocatalyst for electrocatalytic nitrate reduction to produce ammonia (NRA). However, the NRA performance of CeO₂ still needs to be improved and the interface-related NRA electrocatalytic activity of CeO₂ is unclear. Herein, CeO₂ with exposed (111) or (200)/(220) planes is prepared by adjusting the amount of added surfactant simply. The CeO₂ with exposed (220)/(200) planes presents higher NRA performance than that of CeO₂ with the exposed (111) plane. Based on density functional theory, the enhanced mechanism is revealed. The exposed (111) plane of CeO₂ repels $$\mathrm{NO}_{3}^{-}$$, interrupting the following NRA processes. For exposed (200)/(220) planes of CeO₂, they show high affinity for $$\mathrm{NO}_{3}^{-}$$ and relatively low energy barriers for NRA reactions, bringing about enhanced NRA performance. This work shows a crystal-plane-dependent strategy for enhancing the catalytic performance of electrocatalysts.

As a highly intricate process encompassing multiple length scales, catalysis research evolves into a comprehensive understanding of reaction kinetics across microscopic to atomic dimensions when electron microscopy, particularly the in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM), emerges to be increasingly relevant. Meanwhile, the absence of effective methodologies for measuring reaction products during catalysis complicates efforts to elucidate the operational state and catalytic activity of the catalyst. With ongoing advancements of refined gas-cell design within TEM and other in situ accessories, diverse methodologies have emerged to ascertain the occurrence of chemical reactions. In this review, we summarized the recent progress of operando TEM while further extending its conceptual boundaries by including newly emerged reaction-detecting approaches capable of bridging microstructure to the reaction process. These methods involve not only traditional ones of product detection, e.g., in situ mass spectrometry and electron energy loss spectroscopy, but also other reaction-correlative characterizations, such as directly imaging reactant molecule, modified in situ reactor for thermogravimetry and temperature-programmed reaction, and TEM image-based microstructure quantification and activity correlation. Applications, inherent challenges, and our perspectives within these operando TEM techniques are deliberated.