In response to the demanding requirements of next-generation energy storage systems for high-energy density, high-power density, and ultra-long-cycle life, the academic community has continued to focus on coupled devices that combine battery-level energy and capacitor-level power characteristics. Zinc-ion capacitors (ZICs) have become the most promising strategic candidate system for energy storage technology due to their high-energy/power characteristics, excellent intrinsic safety, and significant cost advantages. In this review, the latest research progress of ZICs is reviewed from the perspective of system. Firstly, ZICs are divided into zinc metal anode//capacitive cathode ZICs (ZC-ZICs) and capacitive anode//battery-type cathode ZICs (CB-ZICs) according to the device configuration, and the energy storage mechanisms are analyzed in depth. At the same time, focusing on the two configurations of ZC-ZICs and CB-ZICs and their electrolyte systems, problem-oriented the key puzzles and corresponding solutions are sorted out one by one. Finally, based on the above discussion, this review proposes forward-looking suggestions for material modifications of ZICs, including pulse voltage activation, application of high-entropy materials, and the development of stable and multi-functional electrolytes, aiming to provide scientific guidance for the practical application of high-performance ZICs and promote the in-depth development of high-performance ZICs research.

Nickel-rich nickel phosphide (Ni2P) has emerged as a promising sodium-ion battery anode owing to its high theoretical capacity and intrinsic electronic conductivity, yet its charge storage chemistry remains controversial and is often oversimplified as a conversion reaction. Herein, we design a freestanding Ni2P composite electrode composed of ultrasmall Ni2P nanocrystals embedded within a phosphorus-doped, graphene-like porous carbon matrix. Comprehensive in-situ and ex-situ analyses unequivocally demonstrate an interstitial solid-solution mechanism, wherein Na+ ions reversibly occupy lattice interstitials via (111)-oriented interplanar channels, inducing reversible lattice breathing without phase transformation. This bulk intercalation process is synergistically coupled with a substantial pseudocapacitive contribution, establishing a cooperative dual-mode storage mechanism. Benefiting from this solid-solution-capacitive chemistry, the electrode delivers a high reversible capacity (≈560 mAh g-1), outstanding rate capability (135 mAh g-1 at 10 A g-1), and exceptional long-term stability (263 mAh g-1 after 2000 cycles). When paired with a Na3V2(PO4)3@C cathode, the full cell achieves a high-energy density of 245 Wh kg-1. This work establishes solid-solution-capacitive coupling as a general paradigm for designing high-rate and durable sodium-ion battery anodes.

The shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) and sluggish redox kinetics severely restrict the development of high-energy lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. To alleviate this issue, this study adopts an in situ design strategy to construct tungsten carbide (WC) nanocrystals on the surface of two-dimensional (2D) tungsten boride (WB)-based MBene, creatively forming a WB@WC heterostructure to optimize the adsorption-migration-catalysis mechanism of LiPSs. The WB-WC heterointerface reduces the reaction energy barrier of LiPSs due to the electron delocalization effect and promotes the deposition/dissociation of Li2S and the transfer of charge. In situ Raman verified that WB@WC can effectively inhibit LiPSs shuttling. In situ X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (XAFS) characterizations further explored the dynamic change of W valence state during LiPSs redox cycle. Encouragingly, the WB@WC-modified Li-S cell delivers an initial capacity of 1277 mAh g-1 at 0.2 C. It exhibits extremely stable cycling performance at 2 C, with a low-capacity decay rate of only ~ 0.024% per cycle. Even under sulfur loading of 7.92mgcm-2, high capacity of 7.9 mAh cm-2 can still be achieved. This work provides an effective method for regulating the activity of MBene-based catalysts.

The rapid advancement of naturally microstructure-bioinspired flexible sensors has sparked interest in creating multifunctional systems for human-computer interaction (HCI). However, most existing biomimetic sensors struggle to integrate multiple sensing modes, limiting their practical applications. Herein, this study proposes a design concept for a fully biomimetic sensor. By employing hybrid manufacturing techniques to achieve layer-by-layer biomimicry of the natural layered structure of eggshells, a flexible sensor with multiple sensing modes is developed. The eggshell-inspired multifunctional hybrid flexible sensor (EMHFS) incorporates four functional layers: a triboelectric layer for noncontact sensing, a piezoresistive layer for pressure sensing, and hydrophilic-hydrophobic layers for directional moisture wicking, breathability, and antibacterial properties. The eggshell-inspired structure enables synergistic functionality, allowing seamless switching between contact and noncontact sensing modes. EMHFS demonstrates exceptional performance in multimodal HCI applications, including gesture-controlled robotic hands, wearable unmanned aerial vehicle control systems, and touchless screen password and gesture unlocking, while also exhibiting remarkable sensitivity to weak physiological signals such as breathing and pulse. This fully biomimetic approach offers a novel solution for advanced, flexible, and multifunctional HCI devices.

The widespread deployment of lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4, LFP) batteries has intensified the imperative to address the disposal challenges associated with retired LFP batteries, given their rapidly growing volumes. However, existing regeneration techniques remain constrained by their inherent complexity, high energy demands, and limited scalability, posing significant barriers to achieving efficient and economically viable solutions. Herein, inspired by medical injection therapy, a novel, non-invasive strategy for direct capacity rejuvenation is proposed by injecting recovery reagents into spent LFP batteries, circumventing the need for disassembly. This innovative approach leverages the I3-/I- redox couple to activate residual/dead lithium on the graphite anode and selectively re-engineer the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), preserving its functional components while optimizing interfacial dynamics. The restored lithium from the anode serves as an intrinsic source to replenish lithium deficits and rectify Li-Fe antisite defects within the degraded LFP cathode. The resulting regenerated pouch cells demonstrate remarkable recovery of electrochemical capacity, accompanied by superior kinetics performance and significantly extended cycle life. This pioneering strategy not only delivers an energy-efficient and cost-effective pathway for LFP battery regeneration but also holds transformative potential to redefine sustainable practices in lithium-ion battery reuse, thereby advancing their practical applications and prolonging their service life.

Conductive hydrogels are revolutionizing the fields of wearable sensors, implantable bioelectronics, and soft robotics. However, achieving both mechanical robustness and high conductivity within a single system remains challenging. Here, inspired by the cooperative vascular-neural networks in biological tissues, we develop a nanofiber-reinforced conductive hydrogel composed of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), aramid nanofibers (ANFs), and in situ polymerized PEDOT:PSS. Through solvent- and thermally induced structural reorganization, the hydrogel evolves into a bi-continuous architecture in which the mechanical and conductive networks are intimately coupled. The tough, ANF-reinforced porous PVA mimics the vascular system, providing mechanical support and maintaining toughness, while the poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) network resembles neural pathways, enabling efficient electron transport. This structural evolution enables a rare synergy of high tensile strength (10.72MPa) and ultrahigh conductivity (452.75 S m-1) with excellent biocompatibility. The hydrogel maintains stable conduction under impact and complex deformation, supporting multimodal sensing from large-amplitude joint motion to low-amplitude electrophysiological signals: electrocardiographic and electromyographic. When integrated with a convolutional neural network, it achieves 99.54% accuracy in recognizing five complex hand gestures. This bioinspired strategy paves the way for developing robust and conductive hydrogels toward next-generation intelligent wearable electronics.

The demand for accurate perception of the physical world has led to a dramatic increase in visual sensing data, accompanied by challenges in the energy efficiency of data processing. However, conventional vision systems with separated sensor and processing units struggle to handle increasingly intricate and large-scale data. As such, a rethinking of architecture design is necessary. Inspired by human visual systems, neuromorphic vision computing systems in which computation tasks are moved partly to the sensory or memory units offer transformative solutions to these challenges. As crucial hardware support, biomimetic synapses that replicate synaptic functions and dynamics are urgent for the development of future computing, while further progress requires materials that can support synaptic weight modulation. Given their excellent optical, electrical, and ion migration properties, halide perovskite materials have emerged as promising candidates for biomimetic synapses. Here we review the latest efforts of synaptic devices based on halide perovskite materials for neuromorphic vision computing. We demonstrate the operating mechanism of perovskite synapses and introduce their potential applications in realizing neuromorphic vision computing. We address challenges and future directions related to biomimetic perovskite synapses.

Various metal oxide catalysts have been utilized to enhance the electrode reaction kinetics in vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB). However, the determining factor governing their catalysis is still insufficiently understood. Herein, selectively doping of Sr and Ce at La site of LaMnO3 perovskite (LSMO and LCMO) was used to modulate chemical environments of Mn ion activity donors, thereby boosting vanadium redox reaction processes. Sr doping increases the valence state of Mn ions, making it easier for Mn ions to take an electron from the electrode and transfer it to V3+ ions, which lowers the reaction energy barrier of V3+/V2+ redox processes. Conversely, Ce doping decreases the Mn valence and increases the oxygen vacancies, boosting the charge transfer and mass transfer of VO2+/VO2+ redox processes. Theoretical calculation further demonstrates that doping Sr and Ce enhances the vanadium ion's ability for charge transfer and adsorption. Compared with pristine VRFB, the VRFB with LSMO- and LCMO-modified anode and cathode, respectively, exhibits an excellent energy efficiency (EE) of 67% at a high current density of 300mAcm-2 and an increased EE of 15% at 150mAcm-2. This study is critical for promoting fundamental understanding and offering a design strategy for achieving superior-performance metal-based electrocatalysts in VRFB.

The stability of cathode materials is a crucial factor that influence the overall performance of aqueous batteries. Electrolyte greatly influences on the stability of cathode material due to the complexed electrochemical-chemical reactions at the interfaces. Therefore, electrolyte engineering is a direct and powerful way to solve various problems at aqueous electrolyte interfaces. In this review article, we firstly summarized the fading mechanisms of different kinds of state-of-the-art aqueous battery cathodes including manganese/vanadium-based material, chalcogen and halogen materials, Prussian blue analogues, and Ni(OH)2 cathodes. Afterward, we reviewed recent progresses on electrolyte engineering on the stability of cathode materials such as bulk electrolyte modification, electrolyte additives, water-in-salt electrolytes, and hydrogel electrolytes. Finally, we proposed the issues that should be concerned in future electrolyte design for highly state aqueous battery cathodes.