Themed collection 2024 Materials Horizons Lunar New Year collection

This review provides a brief overview of the recent developments in hydrogel systems that respond dynamically to various stimuli, including some of the interesting fabrication strategies, and their application in cardiac, bone, and neural tissue regeneration.

Here, we introduce bio-piezoelectric platforms from the perspective of antitumor therapy, review their recent applications as nanomedicines and carriers in tumor diagnosis and treatment, and discuss future challenges and opportunities.

Machine learning can accelerate the process of electrocatalyst discovery and optimization, especially when incorporated into a closed-loop approach with autonomous laboratories. This review highlights the recent progress and challenges in this field.

An all-round therapeutic strategy based on high-density platinum nanoparticle assemblies nanozymes was developed to simultaneously scavenge ROS, generate O₂ and regulate the immune system for accelerating diabetic wound healing.

Photoswitchable supramolecular fluorescent polymers (PSFPs) were prepared that can adaptively change their fluorescence between none, green and red by the irradiation of different light. PSFPs were successfully applied in underwater data encryption and anti-counterfeiting labels.

A two-step method to fabricate COF nanosheets is proposed, comprising framework assembly and functional group switching. Functionalized COF-316 membranes were fabricated and demonstrated excellent separation performance.

Advanced Li–S batteries made by solid-state single-ion conducting hybrid electrolytes Co-assembling binary core–shell polymer nanoparticles achieved ionic conductivity of 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹, electrochemical stability of >6 V, and elastic moduli of 0.12 GPa at 25 °C.

A strong and ductile polyurethane adhesive with mechano-responsive characteristics is synthesized to exceptionally show the different phenomenon of only interfacial failure yet still exhibiting superior adhesive strength and toughness.

A kirigami-inspired smart window is presented with a solar/radiative cooling dual-control function and improved durability. It is promising for building energy saving and outperforms state-of-the-art dual-regulation smart windows in the literature.

The proposed diagnostic clothing incorporates a curcumin/thermoplastic polyurethane composite fiber-based colorimetric pH sensor. It can serve as a diagnostic tool to assess the deterioration of symptoms associated with cystic fibrosis.

A new class of high-performance and multifunctional zwitterionic hydrogels were designed based on the incorporation of polydopamine-coated liquid metal nanoparticles into poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate) zwitterionic hydrogels.

Conductive elastomers with both softness and conductivity are widely used in the field of flexible electronics.

Chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels with high adhesion of up to 527 kPa due to the synergy of phytic acid and boric acid. The hydrogel-based strain sensor has high sensitivity (gauge factor = 4.61) and wide linear strain range (up to 1000%).

Living probiotics secrete bioactive substances to accelerate wound healing, but the clinical application of antibiotics inhibits the survival of probiotics.

The liquid metal hydrogel with multiple physical cross-links possesses super-stretchability, notch resistance, self-healing properties, and photothermal properties, which give it the potential for human–computer interaction and infrared camouflage.

A tough adhesive hydrogel composed of cellulose nanofibril, poly acrylic-acid with a tight hydrogen-bond network is realized via turning the perceived intrinsic flaws of sweat into merits, showing great potential in self-powered e-skins.

A physical crosslinked thermochromic smart hydrogel demonstrated easy fabrication, improved anti-freezing and good structural integrity across phase transition, to be used in smart windows, sensing, camouflage, etc.

Illustration of improved solar absorption capabilities of transparent 3D lattice structured electrodes compared to conventional flatbed electrodes for photoelectrochemical water electrolysis.

High-efficiency organic solar cells processed from anisole, a real green and eco-compatible solvent recommended by the United Nations, are achieved by introducing the polar B–N covalent bond into the conjugated backbone of the polymer donor.

We report a new paradigm, via a decoupled approach, in the design of acousto-mechanical multifunctional metamaterials.