The intensifying energy crisis has made it urgent to develop robust and reliable next-generation energy systems. Except for conventional large-scale energy sources, the imperceptible and randomly distributed energy embedded in daily life awaits comprehensive exploration and utilization. Harnessing the latent energy has the potential to facilitate the further evolution of soft energy systems. Compared with rigid energy devices, flexible energy devices are more convenient and suitable for harvesting and storing energy from dynamic and complex structures such as human skin. Stretchable conductors that are capable of withstanding strain (≫1%) while sustaining stable conductive pathways are prerequisites for realizing flexible electronic energy devices. Therefore, understanding the characteristics of these conductors and evaluating the feasibility of their fabrication strategies are particularly critical. In this review, various preparation methods for stretchable conductors are carefully classified and analyzed. Furthermore, recent progress in the application of energy harvesting and storage based on these conductors is discussed in detail. Finally, the challenges and promising opportunities in the development of stretchable conductors and integrated flexible energy devices are highlighted, seeking to inspire their future research directions.

Wearable strain sensors have attracted research interest owing to their potential within digital healthcare, offering smarter tracking, efficient diagnostics, and lower costs. Unlike rigid sensors, fiber-based ones compete with their flexibility, durability, adaptability to body structures as well as eco-friendliness to environment. Here, the sustainable fiber-based wearable strain sensors for digital health are reviewed, and material, fabrication, and practical healthcare aspects are explored. Typical strain sensors predicated on various sensing modalities, be it resistive, capacitive, piezoelectric, or triboelectric, are explained and analyzed according to their strengths and weaknesses toward fabrication and applications. The applications in digital healthcare spanning from body area sensing networks, intelligent health management, and medical rehabilitation to multifunctional healthcare systems are also evaluated. Moreover, to create a more complete digital health network, wired and wireless methods of data collection and examples of machine learning are elaborated in detail. Finally, the prevailing challenges and prospective insights into the advancement of novel fibers, enhancement of sensing precision and wearability, and the establishment of seamlessly integrated systems are critically summarized and offered. This endeavor not only encapsulates the present landscape but also lays the foundation for future breakthroughs in fiber-based wearable strain sensor technology within the domain of digital health.

Neither pristine phase change materials (PCMs) nor metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) can be driven by optical/electrical/magnetic triggers for multiple energy conversion and thermal storage, which cannot satisfy the requirements of multi-scenario applications. Herein, a three-dimensional interconnected forest-type array carbon network anchored by Co nanoparticles serving as optical/electrical/magnetic multimode triggers was developed through in situ growth of two-dimensional MOF nanosheet arrays on pre-carbonized melamine foam and subsequent high-temperature carbonization. After the encapsulation of polyethylene glycol, the resulting composite PCMs simultaneously integrate fascinating photothermal, electrothermal, magnetothermal conversion and storage for personal thermotherapy. Benefiting from the synergistic enhancement of forest-type array carbon heterostructure and Co nanoparticles, composite PCMs exhibit high thermal/electrical conduction and strong full-spectrum absorption capacities. Resultantly, low-energy photoelectric triggers are sufficient to drive high-efficiency photothermal/electrothermal conversion and storage of composite PCMs (93.1%, 100 mW/cm²; 92.9%, 2.5 V). Additionally, composite PCMs also exhibit excellent encapsulation stability without liquid phase leakage, long-term thermal reliability and multiple energy conversion and storage stability after multiple cycles. The proposed photoelectromagnetic multimode triggers are aimed to inspire innovation and accelerate major breakthroughs in advanced responsive composite PCMs toward multiple energy utilization and personal thermotherapy.

High-entropy materials (HEMs) have recently attracted extensive research interest. Featuring unique structural characteristics and excellent mechanical/chemical properties, HEMs (especially high-entropy alloys and oxides) emerge as promising electrode materials for electrochemical energy storage. We herein present a critical review to update the recent progress in developing new HEMs electrodes for various metal-ion batteries. Their design principle is discussed along with the preparation, characterization, and electrochemical performance as electrode materials. The current state-of-the-art HEM electrodes is presented, covering good capacity, rate capacity, and long-term cycle stability in ion batteries. By addressing both the success and challenges associated with HEM development, this review contributes to the recent research efforts toward achieving higher capacity and more stable ion batteries.

Designing and optimizing the pore structure of porous carbon electrodes is essential for diverse energy storage systems. In this study, an innovative approach spray phase-inversion strategy was developed for the rapid and efficient fabrication of controlled porous carbon aerogel. Moreover, the aggregation structure of polyacrylonitrile is controlled by adjusting the Hansen’s solubility parameter, thereby regulating the electrode material structure. Furthermore, the theoretical analysis of the spray phase-inversion process revealed that this regulation process is jointly regulated by solvent hydrodynamic diameter and phase-inversion kinetics. Through optimization, a novel porous carbon material was obtained that exhibited excellent performance as an electrode material. When utilized in supercapacitors for energy storage, it demonstrated a high specific capacitance of 373.1 F g^–1 in a 6 M KOH electrolyte solution. Simultaneously, it has been observed that the preparation strategy for porous electrodes offers notable advantages in terms of excellent designability, broad universality, simplicity, and high efficiency, thereby holding promise for large-scale fabrication of diverse porous electrode materials and various types of electrodes for diverse energy storage applications.

Sulfide solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) with superior ionic conductivity and processability are highly promising candidates for constructing all-solid-state lithium metal batteries (ASSLMBs). However, their practical applications are limited by their intrinsic air instability and serious interfacial incompatibility. Herein, a novel glass-ceramic electrolyte Li_3.12P_0.94Bi_0.06S_3.91I_0.18 was synthesized by co-doping Li₃PS₄ with Bi and I for high-performance ASSLMBs. Owing to the strong Bi–S bonds that are thermodynamically stable to water, increased unit cell volume and Li⁺ concentration caused by P⁵⁺ substitution with Bi³⁺, and the in situ formed robust solid electrolyte interphase layer LiI at lithium surface, the as-prepared Li_3.12P_0.94Bi_0.06S_3.91I_0.18 SSE achieved excellent air stability with a H₂S concentration of only 0.205 cm³ g^–1 (after 300 min of air exposure), outperforming Li₃PS₄ (0.632 cm³ g^–1) and the most reported sulfide SSEs, together with high ionic conductivity of 4.05 mS cm^–1. Furthermore, the Li_3.12P_0.94Bi_0.06S_3.91I_0.18 effectively improved lithium metal stability. With this SSE, an ultralong cyclability of 700 h at 0.1 mA cm^–2 was realized in a lithium symmetrical cell. Moreover, the Li_3.12P_0.94Bi_0.06S_3.91I_0.18-based ASSLMBs with LiNi_0.8Mn_0.1Co_0.1O₂ cathode achieved ultrastable capacity retention rate of 95.8% after 300 cycles at 0.1 C. This work provides reliable strategy for designing advanced sulfide SSEs for commercial applications in ASSLMBs.

Practical high-voltage lithium metal batteries hold promise for high energy density applications, but face stability challenges in electrolytes for both 4 V-class cathodes and lithium anode. To address this, we delve into the positive impacts of two crucial moieties in electrolyte chemistry: fluorine atom (-F) and cyano group (-CN) on the electrochemical performance of polyether electrolytes and lithium metal batteries. Cyano-bearing polyether electrolytes possess strong solvation, accelerating Li⁺ desolvation with minimal SEI impact. Fluorinated polyether electrolytes possess weak solvation, and stabilize the lithium anode via preferential decomposition of F-segment, exhibiting nearly 6000-h stable cycling of lithium symmetric cell. Furthermore, the electron-withdrawing properties of -F and -CN groups significantly bolster the high-voltage tolerance of copolymer electrolyte, extending its operational range up to 5 V. This advancement enables the development of 4 V-class lithium metal batteries compatible with various cathodes, including 4.45 V LiCoO₂, 4.5 V LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂, and 4.2 V LiNi_0.5Co_0.2Mn_0.3O₂. These findings provide insights into design principles centered around polymer components for high-performance polymer electrolytes.

Dysfunction of the hypothalamus is associated with endocrine imbalances, growth abnormalities, and reproductive disorders. However, there is a lack of targeted treatment strategies focused on the hypothalamus. In this study, we constructed a multifunctional nanocarrier system (S@ANP) to directly target the hypothalamic neurokinin receptor 3 (NK3R) via an intranasal delivery strategy. This system could overcome the primary obstacles in drug delivery for hypothalamus-related diseases. Under the guidance of a modified (Trp7, β-Ala8)-neurokinin A (4-10) peptide with cysteine, nanoparticles encapsulated with SB222200, an NK3R inhibitor, were found to readily penetrate hypothalamic cells with substantial loading capacity, encapsulation efficiency, and sustained release in vitro. Moreover, intranasal delivery represents an optimal delivery strategy that allows for a significant reduction in oral dosage and enables nanoparticles to bypass the blood–brain barrier and target relevant parts of the brain. The mucolytic agent N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) was loaded into the nanoparticles (S@ANP + NAC) to increase mucosal solubility and intranasal delivery efficiency. In vivo evaluations showed that S@ANP + NAC could effectively target the hypothalamus and modulate NK3R-regulated hypothalamic functions in mice. Due to its high hypothalamic targeting efficiency and low toxicity, this intranasal nanoparticle drug delivery system may serve as a potential strategy for precision therapy of hypothalamic disorders.

Thermo-electrochemical cells (TECs) provide a new potential for self-powered devices by converting heat energy into electricity. However, challenges still remain in the fabrication of flexible and tough gel electrolytes and their compatibility with redox actives; otherwise, contact problems exist between electrolytes and electrodes during stretching or twisting. Here, a novel robust and neutral hydrogel with outstanding stretchability was developed via double-network of crosslinked carboxymethyl chitosan and polyacrylamide, which accommodated both n-type (Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺) and p-type ([Fe(CN)₆]^3–/[Fe(CN)₆]^4–) redox couples and maintained stretchability (>300%) and recoverability (95% compression). Moreover, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) textile electrodes with porous structure are integrated into gel electrolytes that avoid contact issues and effectively boost the P_max of n- and p-type thermocell by 76% and 26%, respectively. The optimized thermocell exhibits a quick current density response and is continually fully operational under deformations, which satisfies the working conditions of wearable devices. Multiple thermocells (four pairs) are effectively connected in alternating single n- and p-type cells in series and outputted nearly 74.3 mV at ΔT = 10°C. The wearable device is manufactured into a soft-pack thermocells to successfully harvest human body heat and illuminate an LED, demonstrating the potential of the actual application of the thermocell devices.

Electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is a sustainable alternative to the Haber–Bosch process for ammonia (NH₃) production. However, the significant uphill energy in the multistep NRR pathway is a bottleneck for favorable serial reactions. To overcome this challenge, we designed a vanadium oxide/nitride (V₂O₃/VN) hybrid electrocatalyst in which V₂O₃ and VN coexist coherently at the heterogeneous interface. Since single-phase V₂O₃ and VN exhibit different surface catalytic kinetics for NRR, the V₂O₃/VN hybrid electrocatalyst can provide alternating reaction pathways, selecting a lower energy pathway for each material in the serial NRR pathway. As a result, the ammonia yield of the V₂O₃/VN hybrid electrocatalyst was 219.6 µg h^–1 cm^–2, and the Faradaic efficiency was 18.9%, which is much higher than that of single-phase VN, V₂O₃, and VNxOy solid solution catalysts without heterointerfaces. Density functional theory calculations confirmed that the composition of these hybrid electrocatalysts allows NRR to proceed from a multistep reduction reaction to a low-energy reaction pathway through the migration and adsorption of intermediate species. Therefore, the design of metal oxide/nitride hybrids with coherent heterointerfaces provides a novel strategy for synthesizing highly efficient electrochemical catalysts that induce steps favorable for the efficient low-energy progression of NRR.

Hydrogen is a favored alternative to fossil fuels due to the advantages of cleanliness, zero emissions, and high calorific value. Large-scale green hydrogen production can be achieved using proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs) with utilization of renewable energy. The porous transport layer (PTL), positioned between the flow fields and catalyst layers (CLs) in PEMWEs, plays a critical role in facilitating water/gas transport, enabling electrical/thermal conduction, and mechanically supporting CLs and membranes. Superior corrosion resistance is essential as PTL operates in acidic media with oxygen saturation and high working potential. This paper covers the development of high-performance titanium-based PTLs for PEMWEs. The heat/electrical conduction and mass transport mechanisms of PTLs and how they affect the overall performances are reviewed. By carefully designing and controlling substrate microstructure, protective coating, and surface modification, the performance of PTL can be regulated and optimized. The two-phase mass transport characteristics can be enhanced by fine-tuning the microstructure and surface wettability of PTL. The addition of a microporous top-layer can effectively improve PTL|CL contact and increase the availability of catalytic sites. The anticorrosion coatings, which are crucial for chemical stability and conductivity of the PTL, are compared and analyzed in terms of composition, fabrication, and performance.

Active oxygen highly affects the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) owing to the capacity to either passivate defects or decompose perovskite lattice. To better understand the in-depth interaction, we demonstrate for the first time that photooxidation mechanism in all-inorganic perovskite film dominates the phase deterioration kinetics by forming superoxide species in the presence of light and oxygen, which is significantly different from that in organic–inorganic hybrid and even tin-based perovskites. In all-inorganic perovskites, the superoxide species prefer to oxidize longer and weaker Pb–I bond to PbO and I₂, leaving the much stable CsPbBr₃ phase. From this chemical proof-of-concept, we employ an organic bioactive factor, Tanshinone IIA, as a superoxide sweeper to enhance the environmental tolerance of inorganic perovskite, serving as a “skincare” agent for anti-aging organisms. Combined with another key point on healing defective lattice, the best carbon-based all-inorganic CsPbI₂Br solar cell delivers an efficiency as high as 15.12% and superior stability against oxygen, light, humidity, and heat attacks. This method is also applicable to enhance the efficiency of p–i–n inverted (Cs_0.05MA_0.05FA_0.9)Pb(I_0.93Br_0.07)₃ cell to 23.46%. These findings not only help us understand the perovskite decomposition mechanisms in depth but also provide a potential strategy for advanced PSC platforms.