Conjugated polymers are promising materials for flexible electronics, with poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) standing out for its ease of solution-based processing. However, the influence of the molecular arrangement on thermal transport remains less understood, particularly with respect to thin-film thickness. Here, we investigate the in-plane thermal conductivity of P3HT thin films with thicknesses ranging from 12 to 136 nm using transient thermal grating (TTG) spectroscopy, a precise noncontact optical technique. A pronounced thickness dependence is observed, with the highest thermal conductivity of 0.88 W/m·K in the thinnest film and the lowest value of 0.25 W/m·K in the thickest film. The enhancement in thermal conductivity in thinner films is attributed to denser lamellar packing in face-on configurations, an increased contribution of face-on domains, and spatial confinement-induced improvements in short-range ordering within the amorphous regions of thinner films. These findings demonstrate that the film thickness is an effective parameter for tuning in-plane thermal conductivity in P3HT thin films.

The concurrent enhancement of the dissymmetry factor (glum) and photoluminescence quantum yield (Φlum) remains a long-standing challenge in chiral circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) materials. Here, we propose a multilevel structural design strategy that integrates pH-regulated in situ ligand hydrolysis, mixed-ligand coordination, supramolecular self-assembly, and polymer matrix embedding to address this issue. Through the controlled hydrolysis of chiral oxazoline-based ligands, enantiomeric lanthanide complexes (R-/S-Lna and R-/S-Lnb, Ln = Eu/Tb) were obtained. The mixed-ligand system R-/S-Lnb exhibits larger glum values (0.027/–0.028 for R-/S-Eub, 0.010/–0.012 for R-/S-Tbb) and higher Φlum values ((75.2 ± 0.2)% for R-Eub and (81.5 ± 0.5)% for R-Tbb). By embedding R-/S-Lnb into PMMA matrices, we fabricate optically transparent, stable, and processable CPL-active thin films R-/S-Lnb@PMMA. The Φlum value of R-Tbb@PMMA is as high as (91.6 ± 0.6)%. Taking advantage of the dual photoluminescence and CPL features of R-/S-Lnb@PMMA films, we demonstrate their proof-of-concept applications in optical information storage and encryption.

Structural dynamism confers intriguing applications to biocompatible materials. Here, we present a protein-based, self-organizing microscale material designed to mimic pathogen-like features. In this formulation, the building block proteins shift their organization through monomeric, microscale, or oligomeric nanoscale states, which is expected to enhance antigen uptake and immune activation. To validate the system, several CT26-derived tumor neoantigens, namely, Ubqln1, AHSL and Phf3, have been assembled as mixed granules, leaking nanoscale protein oligomers. When challenging dendritic cells, this formulation enhanced the expression of the activation markers CD40 and MHC II compared with soluble antigens, underscoring the material's ability to potentiate antigen-presenting functions. While many antigens are attractive targets due to their unique expression in malignant cells, their poor immunogenicity in soluble versions may render them ineffective. The present approach represents a transversal and feasible tool to enhance the immunogenicity of protein antigens through a dynamic material platform that expands their translational potential.

Mixed-anion strategies have proven effective in designing materials with diverse functionalities, particularly for enhancing the ionic conductivity in sodium halides. While prior efforts have largely focused on incorporating oxide anions into halide frameworks, the exploration of other anions, such as sulfides, has recently begun. According to Pauling’s third rule, highly charged cations disfavor ordered edge- or face-sharing polyhedra, making mixed-anion substitution an effective route to promote the structural disorder needed for fast Na+ transport. Here, we contribute to these emerging efforts by investigating sulfide incorporation in amorphous Ta5+ containing Na–halide frameworks. Furthermore, we reveal the formation of an amorphous matrix with structural motifs distinct from those of oxychlorides. These unique features facilitate Na+ transport, achieving room-temperature ionic conductivity of 3.8 mS·cm–1.

Ferromagnetic organic polymers show great potential in spintronics, flexible electronics, and biomedicine due to their lightweight flexibility, biocompatibility, and solution processability. However, existing materials face challenges including insufficient room-temperature magnetic performance and unclear structure–property relationships. This perspective systematically classifies ferromagnetic polymers into three categories based on spin carrier introduction mechanisms: radical-type, charge-transfer-type, and polaronic ferromagnets. Radical polymers achieve high MS (∼1 emu·g–1) but face stability issues. Charge-transfer polymers utilize charge transfer between donor–acceptor units to induce open-shell high-spin states, thereby demonstrating excellent synergistic optoelectromagnetic properties. Polaronic ferromagnets enable an intrinsic magnetism-conductivity combination via doping. Analysis indicates three-dimensional spin network construction, electronic configuration mixing enhancement, and precise doping control as critical strategies for performance improvement. Based on current development trends, this review provides insights for achieving the transition of ferromagnetic polymer materials from laboratory research to practical applications.

Developing sustainable strategies for ambient ammonia synthesis is a critical challenge in materials science and catalysis. While bioinorganic hybrid systems have emerged as a promising solution by combining the light-harvesting efficiency of semiconductors with the catalytic specificity of biological nitrogenases, balancing material toxicity with electron transfer efficiency remains a major bottleneck. In this study, we constructed a robust and biocompatible inorganic-bacterial hybrid system via the in situ binding of magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (NPs) to whole-cell microorganisms. In this architecture, Fe3O4 NPs function as photosensitizers that capture solar energy to generate photoexcited electrons. These electrons are efficiently transferred to the attached Azotobacter vinelandii (A. vinelandii), thereby supplementing the intracellular electron pool. This continuous exogenous electron supply significantly boosts the energy conversion efficiency and nitrogenase activity within the biohybrid. This study underscores the potential of nanobiohybrid systems in solar-to-chemical energy conversion and paves the way for the sustainable production of diverse functional chemicals utilizing solar energy.

The demand for smart materials has driven the development of multifunctional systems combining conductivity, stretchability, and durability. Conductive hydrogels are promising candidates for stretchable electronics and wearable devices. Herein, lab-synthesized pristine poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (L-PEDOT:PSS) hydrogels with enhanced conductivity were obtained using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) doping. The hydrogels were produced via a dry-annealing and immersion method in Dulbecco’s phosphate-buffered saline (DPBS), achieving a conductivity of 75.37 S cm–1. The hydrogels exhibited multifunctional performance, including electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding (35.54 dB), Joule heating (84.93 °C at 6 V), and strain sensing of joint bending and muscle activity. Real-time wireless motion detection further validated strain sensitivity during finger bending, mouse clicks, and pressure sensing. Optimizing the DMSO content, annealing temperature, and immersion time significantly improved the properties. These results highlight the potential of L-PEDOT:PSS hydrogels as multifunctional platforms for smart materials, wearable sensors, and EMI shielding systems.

At present, numerous microorganisms with high biosafety have been found and used to treat various human diseases. Among them, microalgae are abundant in nature and have simple construction. Moreover, living microalgae possess an inherent capability as a natural oxygenator through photosynthesis, offering superior O2-producing efficiency and light-controlled performance. Meanwhile, microalgae contain luxuriant active substances, such as carotenoids, chlorophyll, proteins, and fatty acids, that provide specific biological effects in medical applications. Additionally, these microalgae can be further modified or used together with multifarious materials to improve their biocompatibility and biological function, realizing perfect oxygen supply, free radical scavenging, anti-inflammation, and immunomodulatory effects via topical, oral, or intravenous administration. This Review summarizes the research progress and specific applications of microalgae-containing biomaterials in cancer therapy, skin wound healing, gastrointestinal disease treatment, and other human diseases, providing a theoretical basis for the availability of microalgae-containing biomaterials for biomedical applications.

Highly sp2-hybridized disordered carbons stand out because of their versatile and often complex extended-range order, characterized by curved layers with rings of varying sizes, stacking disorder, and other defects. Understanding this extended-range order is crucial for grasping its role in numerous applications. In this study, we demonstrate the use of the pair-angle distribution function (PADF) analysis to address this challenging task. The three-dimensional aspect of the PADF enables the extraction of a wide range of information, including the ability to separately study intra- and interlayer disorder─a difficult task with other methods like one-dimensional pair distribution functions. Using PADF analysis thus improves our understanding of the extended-range order, which is essential for customizing carbons for specific applications. The proof-of-concept demonstration of separating inter- and intraplane disorder in layered materials also introduces a powerful new approach for studying other materials, including MXenes and layered double hydroxides.