Themed collection 2023 Materials Horizons Lunar New Year collection

Integration of several functionalities into one isolated electrochemical body is necessary to realize compact and tiny smart electronics.

We review recent advances in 4D printing of LCEs, with emphasis on synthesis and processing methods that enable microscopic changes in the molecular orientation and hence macroscopic changes in the properties of printed objects.

Comprehension of bone–implant, gingiva–abutment and implant–abutment interfaces is necessary in material development. Mechanical complications of the implant–abutment interface provoke biologic complications of the other two interfaces.

Organohydrogels are attractive for constructing various flexible devices with good environmental tolerance and smart materials. Their significant developments in preparation, performance optimization and application are systematically reviewed.

One material, multiple functions. Thermal and UV-adaptive self-healable polyurethanes as flexible substrates for patternable printed electronic circuits were synthesized, using dihydroxybenzophenone as the key monomer.

A bio-inspired, ultra-tough, high-sensitivity, and anti-swelling conductive hydrogel strain sensor for motion detection and information transmission.

Chemical upcycling of plastic wastes into a new low-molecular-weight supramolecular adhesive with excellent performances.

An organic–inorganic hybrid nanocomposite-based dry gel fabricated by self-assembly of LAPONITE® clay and PVP showed the highest solid-state TTA-UC quantum yield of 23.8% under air which was conveniently applied to anti-counterfeiting.

A salt-triggered transparency-switchable polyampholyte hydrogel is engineered as a multifunctional smart window featuring active and facile light modulation ability, on-demand information-provision management capacity, and self-healing capacity.

A magnetoelectric biorobot enables precise cell transportation and delivery to multiple target areas via magnetically assisted stamping and allows for wireless magnetoelectric electrostimulation and differentiation of cells after their deployment.

An improved composite dielectric with an excellent high-temperature energy storage performance has been obtained by modulating the trap parameters.

The coordination between the metal–organic frameworks and the polymer segments endowed the ionogels with sufficient energy dissipation, excellent mechanical properties, and recyclability for applications in flexible electronic devices.

A radical polymer without any delocalized π-stabilization was synthesized from a classical chromophore quencher, TEMPO, which surprisingly shows red emission.

Enforcing balanced electron–hole injection into the emitter layer of quantum-dot light-emitting diodes through a double-type-I heterostructure using polymer semiconductors maximizes the quantum efficiency over a wide current density range.

Highly stretchable, transparent, ultrasensitive, selective and room-temperature NO₂ sensors are created by using ion-conductive hydrogels/organohydrogels. The electrodes play a key role in sensing performances and NO₂ tend to react at the cathode.

An ultrastretchable hydrogel fiber-based proximity/pressure bimodal sensor with high sensitivity, resilience and low detection limit, and capability for real-time monitoring of physiological signals and human-machine interfaces is fabricated.

A ternary polyurethane composite with high isotropic thermal conductivity, electrical insulation and temperature-responsive reversible adhesion was synthesized, promising low thermal resistance and durable thermal contact with electronic substrates.

By introducing molecular-level multi-dynamic interactions (MMDIs) to double network (DN) structures, the preparation of multifunctional strain sensors with synergistic properties was achieved.

Utilizing an MgO insulation interlayer reduces electrical conduction and enhances the electric breakdown strength of PEI dielectric films, this facile but effective method significantly improves the high temperature capacitive performance.

Single-crystals of a series of Bz-based NFAs derivatized via regiospecific N-alkyl engineering have been systematically studied. The J-aggregate-like packing in EHN6SEH-4F facilitates formation of ordered 3D channels for efficient charge transport.