Yeji Lee, Vineeth Kumar Bandari, Varun Paul Paliakkara, Sheila Monteiro Augusto, Rico Ehrler, Olav Hellwig, Sebastian Amann, Klaus Stöwe, Robert Thalheim, Oliver G. Schmidt
This study demonstrates the development of multifunctional printable piezoelectric actuators using PVDF-TrFE and PEDOT:PSS, capable of operating at low voltages and supporting a wide range of applications. By leveraging the high piezoelectric coefficient of PVDF-TrFE and the conductivity of PEDOT:PSS, the actuators exhibit stable performance with precise inkjet printing deposition and optimized waveform parameters. The fabrication process integrates inkjet printing and standard lithography, enabling monolithic integration for high-performance actuation and multifunctional sensing. The PVDF-TrFE-based actuators achieve low-voltage operation (as low as 50 V), efficient energy transfer, and mechanical stability. Enhancing the beta phase of PVDF-TrFE resulted in a deflection of ≈600 µm and vortex generation, crucial for lift in aerial robotic applications. Durability tests confirmed minimal performance degradation after 2,300 actuation cycles. Beyond mechanical deflection, the actuators exhibit sound detection and strain sensing capabilities. Experimental evaluations validated their ability to differentiate sound frequencies, detect muscle strain, and replicate bio-inspired flight dynamics. A preliminary proof of concept for a double-wing structure demonstrated lift generation at low voltages and resonant frequencies. The results indicate that these piezoelectric actuators are well-suited for miniaturized robotic applications, particularly in aerial locomotion and multifunctional sensing, opening new possibilities for innovations in micro-robotics, wearables, and aerial robotics.
{"title":"Monolithic Integration of Printable PVDF-TrFE Piezoelectric Multifunctional Devices: From Sensing to Actuation","authors":"Yeji Lee, Vineeth Kumar Bandari, Varun Paul Paliakkara, Sheila Monteiro Augusto, Rico Ehrler, Olav Hellwig, Sebastian Amann, Klaus Stöwe, Robert Thalheim, Oliver G. Schmidt","doi":"10.1002/adfm.202413500","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202413500","url":null,"abstract":"This study demonstrates the development of multifunctional printable piezoelectric actuators using PVDF-TrFE and PEDOT:PSS, capable of operating at low voltages and supporting a wide range of applications. By leveraging the high piezoelectric coefficient of PVDF-TrFE and the conductivity of PEDOT:PSS, the actuators exhibit stable performance with precise inkjet printing deposition and optimized waveform parameters. The fabrication process integrates inkjet printing and standard lithography, enabling monolithic integration for high-performance actuation and multifunctional sensing. The PVDF-TrFE-based actuators achieve low-voltage operation (as low as 50 V), efficient energy transfer, and mechanical stability. Enhancing the beta phase of PVDF-TrFE resulted in a deflection of ≈600 µm and vortex generation, crucial for lift in aerial robotic applications. Durability tests confirmed minimal performance degradation after 2,300 actuation cycles. Beyond mechanical deflection, the actuators exhibit sound detection and strain sensing capabilities. Experimental evaluations validated their ability to differentiate sound frequencies, detect muscle strain, and replicate bio-inspired flight dynamics. A preliminary proof of concept for a double-wing structure demonstrated lift generation at low voltages and resonant frequencies. The results indicate that these piezoelectric actuators are well-suited for miniaturized robotic applications, particularly in aerial locomotion and multifunctional sensing, opening new possibilities for innovations in micro-robotics, wearables, and aerial robotics.","PeriodicalId":112,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Functional Materials","volume":"22 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":19.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142678414","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yu-Chia Chen, Qi Jia, Yifei Yang, Yu-Han Huang, Deyuan Lyu, Thomas J. Peterson, Jian-Ping Wang
Voltage-Gated Spin-Orbit-Torque (VGSOT) Magnetic Random-Access Memory (MRAM) is a promising candidate for reducing writing energy and improving writing speed in emerging memory and in-memory computing applications. However, conventional Voltage Controlled Magnetic Anisotropy (VCMA) approaches are often inefficient due to the low VCMA coefficient at the CoFeB/MgO interface. Additionally, traditional heavy metal/perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) ferromagnet bilayers require an external magnetic field to overcome symmetry constraints and achieve deterministic SOT switching. Here, a novel and industry-compatible SOT underlayer for next-generation VGSOT MRAM by employing a composite heavy metal tri-layer with a high work function is presented. This approach achieves a VCMA coefficient exceeding 100 fJ V−1m−1 through electron depletion effects, which is ten times larger than that observed with a pure W underlayer. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that this composite heavy metal SOT underlayer facilitates the integration of VCMA with opposite spin Hall angles, enabling field-free SOT switching in industry-compatible PMA CoFeB/MgO systems.
电压门控自旋轨道力矩(VGSOT)磁随机存取存储器(MRAM)是新兴存储器和内存计算应用中降低写入能耗和提高写入速度的理想选择。然而,由于 CoFeB/MgO 接口的压控磁各向异性 (VCMA) 系数较低,传统的压控磁各向异性 (VCMA) 方法往往效率不高。此外,传统的重金属/垂直磁各向异性(PMA)铁磁体双层膜需要外部磁场来克服对称性限制并实现确定性 SOT 开关。本文介绍了一种新颖且与工业兼容的 SOT 底层,该底层适用于下一代 VGSOT MRAM,采用了具有高功函数的复合重金属三层。这种方法通过电子耗尽效应实现了超过 100 fJ V-1m-1 的 VCMA 系数,是纯 W 底层的十倍。此外,研究还证明这种复合重金属 SOT 底层有助于集成具有相反自旋霍尔角的 VCMA,从而在工业兼容的 PMA CoFeB/MgO 系统中实现无场 SOT 开关。
{"title":"Enhanced Voltage-Controlled Magnetic Anisotropy and Field-Free Magnetization Switching Achieved with High Work Function and Opposite Spin Hall Angles in W/Pt/W SOT Tri-Layers","authors":"Yu-Chia Chen, Qi Jia, Yifei Yang, Yu-Han Huang, Deyuan Lyu, Thomas J. Peterson, Jian-Ping Wang","doi":"10.1002/adfm.202416570","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202416570","url":null,"abstract":"Voltage-Gated Spin-Orbit-Torque (VGSOT) Magnetic Random-Access Memory (MRAM) is a promising candidate for reducing writing energy and improving writing speed in emerging memory and in-memory computing applications. However, conventional Voltage Controlled Magnetic Anisotropy (VCMA) approaches are often inefficient due to the low VCMA coefficient at the CoFeB/MgO interface. Additionally, traditional heavy metal/perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) ferromagnet bilayers require an external magnetic field to overcome symmetry constraints and achieve deterministic SOT switching. Here, a novel and industry-compatible SOT underlayer for next-generation VGSOT MRAM by employing a composite heavy metal tri-layer with a high work function is presented. This approach achieves a VCMA coefficient exceeding 100 fJ V<sup>−1</sup>m<sup>−1</sup> through electron depletion effects, which is ten times larger than that observed with a pure W underlayer. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that this composite heavy metal SOT underlayer facilitates the integration of VCMA with opposite spin Hall angles, enabling field-free SOT switching in industry-compatible PMA CoFeB/MgO systems.","PeriodicalId":112,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Functional Materials","volume":"78 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":19.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142678409","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pathogenic bacteria are commonly found in food, water, and soil, posing significant public health challenges globally. Therefore, early, rapid, and highly sensitive strategies for monitoring the bacterial proliferation are crucial for ensuring public health, medical diagnosis, and food safety. Compared to traditional techniques, microfluidic platforms provide powerful detective tools characterized by high integration, high throughput, ease of operation, low reagent consumption, and high sensitivity. Driven by substantial commercial demand, research and development in microfluidic-based rapid detection methods and technologies has progressed significantly derived by the interdisciplinary integration of multiple disciplines. In this review, progress in clinical detection of pathogenic bacteria with microfluidic biosensors, including microfluidic devices for point-of-care (POC) testing, is summarized. Strategies for pathogenic bacteria detection, containing their advantages and disadvantages are discussed in detail. Advanced platforms for capturing and detecting pathogenic bacteria, such as microchannels, microarrays, digital microfluidics (DMF) and paper-based platforms, are highlighted. The accomplishments and shortcomings of these microfluidic devices are also summarized. Additionally, case studies of biosensor‑based microfluidic devices used for detecting diseases caused by bacterial imbalances are listed. Finally, possible research perspectives for further development in highly effective biosensor‑based microfluidics for clinical detection of pathogenic bacteria are proposed.
{"title":"Biosensor-Based Microfluidic Platforms for Rapid Clinical Detection of Pathogenic Bacteria","authors":"Ying Hou, Zhen Liu, Haina Huang, Chengming Lou, Zhiwei Sun, Xiaoyan Liu, Jinbo Pang, Shenguang Ge, Zenan Wang, Weijia Zhou, Hong Liu","doi":"10.1002/adfm.202411484","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202411484","url":null,"abstract":"Pathogenic bacteria are commonly found in food, water, and soil, posing significant public health challenges globally. Therefore, early, rapid, and highly sensitive strategies for monitoring the bacterial proliferation are crucial for ensuring public health, medical diagnosis, and food safety. Compared to traditional techniques, microfluidic platforms provide powerful detective tools characterized by high integration, high throughput, ease of operation, low reagent consumption, and high sensitivity. Driven by substantial commercial demand, research and development in microfluidic-based rapid detection methods and technologies has progressed significantly derived by the interdisciplinary integration of multiple disciplines. In this review, progress in clinical detection of pathogenic bacteria with microfluidic biosensors, including microfluidic devices for point-of-care (POC) testing, is summarized. Strategies for pathogenic bacteria detection, containing their advantages and disadvantages are discussed in detail. Advanced platforms for capturing and detecting pathogenic bacteria, such as microchannels, microarrays, digital microfluidics (DMF) and paper-based platforms, are highlighted. The accomplishments and shortcomings of these microfluidic devices are also summarized. Additionally, case studies of biosensor‑based microfluidic devices used for detecting diseases caused by bacterial imbalances are listed. Finally, possible research perspectives for further development in highly effective biosensor‑based microfluidics for clinical detection of pathogenic bacteria are proposed.","PeriodicalId":112,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Functional Materials","volume":"60 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":19.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142673682","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Linlin Wang, Huayang Sai, Yi-Yang Tang, Bin Li, Lei Wang, Yunyue Yang, Kai-Cheng Yang, Pengyu Lv, Huiling Duan, Tian-Yun Huang
Intelligent micromachines are devices with sizes ranging from submillimeters to nanometers, capable of performing complex tasks adaptively at small scales. Smart micromachines have recently been developed that exhibit shape-morphing capability in response to various stimuli to adapt to their environment. However, for such micromachines to be effective in harsh environments, micromachines should be more than adaptive. Essentially, they must exhibit a high degree of intelligence, characterized by enhanced locomotion capability, self-adaptability, programmability, reconfigurability, and multifunctionality. 4D direct laser writing has enabled the rapid prototyping of stimulus-responsive adaptive micromechanisms and diverse functional microcomponents, including microscale sensors, actuators, data processors, memory structures, and power-supply structures. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of the art in 4D microprinting technology based on two-photon polymerization for the intelligentization of micromachines. Further, it offers insights into the fabrication of intelligent micromachines via the integration of diverse functional components through the 4D direct laser writing technology.
{"title":"4D Direct Laser Writing for Intelligent Micromachines","authors":"Linlin Wang, Huayang Sai, Yi-Yang Tang, Bin Li, Lei Wang, Yunyue Yang, Kai-Cheng Yang, Pengyu Lv, Huiling Duan, Tian-Yun Huang","doi":"10.1002/adfm.202414571","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202414571","url":null,"abstract":"Intelligent micromachines are devices with sizes ranging from submillimeters to nanometers, capable of performing complex tasks adaptively at small scales. Smart micromachines have recently been developed that exhibit shape-morphing capability in response to various stimuli to adapt to their environment. However, for such micromachines to be effective in harsh environments, micromachines should be more than adaptive. Essentially, they must exhibit a high degree of intelligence, characterized by enhanced locomotion capability, self-adaptability, programmability, reconfigurability, and multifunctionality. 4D direct laser writing has enabled the rapid prototyping of stimulus-responsive adaptive micromechanisms and diverse functional microcomponents, including microscale sensors, actuators, data processors, memory structures, and power-supply structures. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of the art in 4D microprinting technology based on two-photon polymerization for the intelligentization of micromachines. Further, it offers insights into the fabrication of intelligent micromachines via the integration of diverse functional components through the 4D direct laser writing technology.","PeriodicalId":112,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Functional Materials","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":19.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142673717","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Haicong Zhao, Xinyu He, Jinghan Yang, Min Liu, Xue Chen, Peiyi Wang
Conventional bactericides struggle with biofilm barriers and inefficient deposition on hydrophobic leaves, resulting in undesirable control of plant bacterial diseases. To overcome these challenges, an innovative ferrocene-based small-molecule (FccA8R) is conceived, featuring biofilm disruption capabilities. Further optimizing FccA8R with seven-membered oligosaccharide-involved host–guest supramolecular strategy creates two kinds of biocompatible multifunctional supramolecular nanospheres (FccA8R@β-CD and FccA8R@HP-β-CD). This manipulation efficiently eradicates mature biofilm barriers while enhancing droplet retention on hydrophobic leaves. At a concentration of 56.64 µg mL−1, the two materials remove Xanthomonas-biofilms by 76.32–76.83%, notably surpassing that of single FccA8R (57.96%). Their versatility extends to the enhanced inhibition of bacterial motility, extracellular enzymes secretion, and exopolysaccharides production, all reducing the bacterial virulence. In vivo pot experiments, FccA8R@β-CD and FccA8R@HP-β-CD demonstrate workable control efficacies of 48.91–52.03% against rice bacterial blight at 200 µg mL−1, superior to the commercial thiodiazole-copper-20%SC (36.42%) and FccA8R-0.1%Tween (39.54%). Furthermore, these supramolecular assemblies disclose broad-spectrum bactericidal efficacy (71.45–73.19%) against kiwifruit canker, significantly higher than thiodiazole-copper-20%SC (43.05%) and FccA8R-0.1%Tween (57.24%). Besides, supramolecular bactericides are safe for plants and non-target organisms like zebrafish and earthworms. Briefly, this research builds a key foundation for creating green bactericides from small-molecule conception to eco-friendly supramolecular assemblies, realizing the prevention of bacterial diseases and environmental safety.
{"title":"From Original Ferrocene-Based Small-Molecule Design to Multifunctional Supramolecular Bactericides: Their Efficient Applications in Controlling Biofilm-Associated Bacterial Infections","authors":"Haicong Zhao, Xinyu He, Jinghan Yang, Min Liu, Xue Chen, Peiyi Wang","doi":"10.1002/adfm.202418415","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202418415","url":null,"abstract":"Conventional bactericides struggle with biofilm barriers and inefficient deposition on hydrophobic leaves, resulting in undesirable control of plant bacterial diseases. To overcome these challenges, an innovative ferrocene-based small-molecule (FccA8R) is conceived, featuring biofilm disruption capabilities. Further optimizing FccA8R with seven-membered oligosaccharide-involved host–guest supramolecular strategy creates two kinds of biocompatible multifunctional supramolecular nanospheres (FccA8R@<i>β</i>-CD and FccA8R@HP-<i>β</i>-CD). This manipulation efficiently eradicates mature biofilm barriers while enhancing droplet retention on hydrophobic leaves. At a concentration of 56.64 µg mL<sup>−1</sup>, the two materials remove <i>Xanthomonas-</i>biofilms by 76.32–76.83%, notably surpassing that of single FccA8R (57.96%). Their versatility extends to the enhanced inhibition of bacterial motility, extracellular enzymes secretion, and exopolysaccharides production, all reducing the bacterial virulence. In vivo pot experiments, FccA8R@<i>β</i>-CD and FccA8R@HP-<i>β</i>-CD demonstrate workable control efficacies of 48.91–52.03% against rice bacterial blight at 200 µg mL<sup>−1</sup>, superior to the commercial thiodiazole-copper-20%SC (36.42%) and FccA8R-0.1%Tween (39.54%). Furthermore, these supramolecular assemblies disclose broad-spectrum bactericidal efficacy (71.45–73.19%) against kiwifruit canker, significantly higher than thiodiazole-copper-20%SC (43.05%) and FccA8R-0.1%Tween (57.24%). Besides, supramolecular bactericides are safe for plants and non-target organisms like zebrafish and earthworms. Briefly, this research builds a key foundation for creating green bactericides from small-molecule conception to eco-friendly supramolecular assemblies, realizing the prevention of bacterial diseases and environmental safety.","PeriodicalId":112,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Functional Materials","volume":"170 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":19.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142678412","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Currently, reported physical or chemical methods to produce flexible perovskite thin films rely on the use of expensive single crystal substrates or large-scale precision equipment. Here, a high-performance ultrasensitive piezoelectric sensor via a cost-effective strategy is developed to enable the release of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) thin films from an inexpensive mica substrate, which are subsequently transferred to a flexible polyethylene terephthalate substrate. The weak van der Waals interaction between the mica/La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 heterostructures minimizes mechanical clamping effects and provides favorable lattice and thermal matching conditions for the growth of high-quality thin films. The transferred thin films exhibit significantly improved mechanical and functional properties, including an outstanding piezoelectric response (474.2 pm V−1) and an excellent mechanical flexibility, with a bending radius up to 1 mm. The sensor formed via the new transfer strategy exhibits a highly sensitive response to wide-angle bending (110 mV degree−1) and small pressure changes (1.8 V kPa−1), and is successfully employed for real-time breathing monitoring and wireless gesture recognition, thereby demonstrating its significant potential in applications related to flexible electronics.
目前,所报道的生产柔性包晶体薄膜的物理或化学方法依赖于使用昂贵的单晶基底或大型精密设备。在这里,我们通过一种具有成本效益的策略开发了一种高性能超灵敏压电传感器,使锆钛酸铅(PZT)薄膜从廉价的云母基底上释放出来,然后将其转移到柔性聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯基底上。云母/La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 异质结构之间微弱的范德华相互作用将机械夹持效应降至最低,并为高质量薄膜的生长提供了有利的晶格和热匹配条件。转移薄膜的机械和功能特性得到了明显改善,包括出色的压电响应(474.2 pm V-1)和卓越的机械柔韧性,弯曲半径可达 1 毫米。通过新的转移策略形成的传感器对广角弯曲(110 mV degree-1)和微小压力变化(1.8 V kPa-1)具有高灵敏度响应,并成功用于实时呼吸监测和无线手势识别,从而证明了其在柔性电子相关应用中的巨大潜力。
{"title":"High-Performance Ultrasensitive Flexible Piezoelectric Thin Film Sensors via a Cost-Effective Transfer Strategy","authors":"Qianqian Xu, Miao Jia, Peiqiong Zhou, Yan Zhang, Wei Guo, Senfeng Zhao, Hanmin Zeng, Jianxun Zhang, Mingyang Yan, Shumiao Jiang, Kechao Zhou, Dou Zhang, Chris Bowen","doi":"10.1002/adfm.202414211","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202414211","url":null,"abstract":"Currently, reported physical or chemical methods to produce flexible perovskite thin films rely on the use of expensive single crystal substrates or large-scale precision equipment. Here, a high-performance ultrasensitive piezoelectric sensor via a cost-effective strategy is developed to enable the release of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) thin films from an inexpensive mica substrate, which are subsequently transferred to a flexible polyethylene terephthalate substrate. The weak van der Waals interaction between the mica/La<sub>0.7</sub>Sr<sub>0.3</sub>MnO<sub>3</sub> heterostructures minimizes mechanical clamping effects and provides favorable lattice and thermal matching conditions for the growth of high-quality thin films. The transferred thin films exhibit significantly improved mechanical and functional properties, including an outstanding piezoelectric response (474.2 pm V<sup>−1</sup>) and an excellent mechanical flexibility, with a bending radius up to 1 mm. The sensor formed via the new transfer strategy exhibits a highly sensitive response to wide-angle bending (110 mV degree<sup>−1</sup>) and small pressure changes (1.8 V kPa<sup>−1</sup>), and is successfully employed for real-time breathing monitoring and wireless gesture recognition, thereby demonstrating its significant potential in applications related to flexible electronics.","PeriodicalId":112,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Functional Materials","volume":"14 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":19.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142673685","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
<p>The demand for sustainable and renewable energy is increasing due to the depletion of fossil fuels and the global climate crisis. Thus, the need for affordable, clean, safe energy conversion and storage systems that are sustainable is vital and requires new approaches and disruptive technologies to contribute to global energy production. This inspires researchers and engineers from multidisciplinary research areas to discover novel materials for energy conversion and storage. Moreover, it is paramount to unveil their structure–property–performance relationship and fundamental processes of energy materials and devices.</p>