Reviews & Analysis

Thermomechanical stability is a limiting factor when scaling-up perovskite solar cells. This Perspective discusses several aspects of device design that control thermomechanical degradation, including adhesion of layers and encapsulation, and the importance of accelerated degradation testing.

Wearable sensors have been widely studied, but research has tended to focus on their use in adults. This Review explores skin-interfacing smart health systems that are designed with infants and neonates in mind.

Ammonia production from dinitrogen is challenging due to the harsh reaction conditions required and significant energy consumption. Here, this Review discusses how plasmonic materials can offer an energetically and ecologically desirable solution to dinitrogen reduction.

Interest in protein-based fibers is driven by their unique properties, including biocompatibility and biodegradability. This Review summarizes the synthesis and properties of biomimetic protein fibers, such as keratin, collagen, elastin and silk fibers, and their application in energy, air and water treatment, and biomedical uses.

A key aspect of wearable devices used in personal health monitoring are the electrodes that make contact with the skin. This Review discusses how the materials and structure of electrodes used in these devices are vital to their performance, including how altering these factors might optimize their function.

Biomedicinal applications of metal-organic frameworks have mainly focused on nanoscale drug delivery. This Perspective provides an overview of reproducibility issues faced when applying metal-organic framework in nanomedicine, specifically covering their preparation and in vitro analysis.

Sulfide-based solid electrolyte films with high room-temperature ionic conductivity will boost the energy density of all-solid-state batteries. This Review covers the preparation methods and properties of sulfide-based composite electrolytes, while guiding future development.

Human breath contains a vast amount of information that might be used to indicate respiratory and cardiovascular health. This Review summarizes and discusses recent advances in wearable breath sensors for monitoring breath temperature, humidity and airflow, as well as biomarker presence.

There is growing interest in biosensors that detect biomarkers in interstitial fluid. This Review provides an overview of recent developments on interstitial fluid biosensors, including device fabrication and sensing mechanisms, and outstanding challenges faced.

Three-dimensional silicon-based lithium-ion microbatteries have potential use in miniaturized electronics that require independent energy storage. Here, their developments are discussed in terms of their material compatibility, cell designs, fabrication methods, and performance in various applications.

Wearable electronics provide opportunities for personalized health monitoring and treatment. This Perspective addresses challenges in the field, including material selection for devices, device integration strategies, and public adoption factors.