Featured
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| Open AccessMultiscale reconfiguration induced highly saturated poling in lead-free piezoceramics for giant energy conversion
There are difficulty of achieving saturated poling and understanding of multi-scale structures in (K, Na)NbO3 ceramics. Here, the authors find atomic-scale polymorphic distortion and micrometer-scale high-density thin striped domains, which is key for high saturated poling.
- Jinfeng Lin
- , Jin Qian
- & Haijun Wu
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Article
| Open AccessDeciphering the critical role of interstitial volume in glassy sulfide superionic conductors
Glass sulfide electrolytes are promising materials for solid-state Li metal batteries, yet limited understanding hinders their progress. Here, the authors decipher the dissolution process of halogen dopants in glass and introduce a synthetic strategy to increase halogen dopant’s dissolution capacity.
- Han Su
- , Yu Zhong
- & Jiangping Tu
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Article
| Open AccessFlexible temperature-pressure dual sensor based on 3D spiral thermoelectric Bi2Te3 films
A three-dimensional spiral architecture is used to exploit both thermoelectric and piezoelectric properties of Bi2Te3 films to make a combined temperature and pressure sensor in a single material, with applications such as electronic skin.
- Hailong Yu
- , Zhenqing Hu
- & Kaiping Tai
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Article
| Open AccessWell-defined diatomic catalysis for photosynthesis of C2H4 from CO2
Principal interest lies in diatomic catalysts (DACs) for efficient CO2 to C2H4 photoconversion yet optimizing catalytic performance and exploring reaction mechanisms are impeded by heteronuclear atom random distribution. Here, a novel up-bottom ion-cutting architecture is proposed for fabricating well-defined DACs.
- Zhongkai Xie
- , Shengjie Xu
- & Shuyan Song
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Article
| Open AccessAssessing intra- and inter-molecular charge transfer excitations in non-fullerene acceptors using electroabsorption spectroscopy
The performance of Y6-containing donor-acceptor active layers in organic solar cells is highly related to the charge-transfer nature in Y6 aggregates. Here, authors study charge-transfer characteristics of excitations of isolated and aggregated Y6 molecules through electroabsorption spectroscopy.
- Sudhi Mahadevan
- , Taili Liu
- & Sai-Wing Tsang
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Article
| Open AccessHigh figure-of-merit for ZnO nanostructures by interfacing lowly-oxidized graphene quantum dots
It is crucial to design ZnO with uniform nanoscale features to reduce thermal conductivity while maintaining electrical conduction pathways. Authors realize a high figure-of-merit value of 0.486 at 580 K by interfacing graphene quantum dots with three-dimensional nanostructured ZnO.
- Myungwoo Choi
- , Juyoung An
- & Seokwoo Jeon
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Article
| Open AccessCapturing ion trapping and detrapping dynamics in electrochromic thin films
Ion trapping has been found to be responsible for the performance degradation in electrochromic oxide thin films. This paper visualizes ion trapping and detrapping dynamics, and provides a general picture of electrochromism in amorphous WO3.
- Renfu Zhang
- , Qinqi Zhou
- & Rui-Tao Wen
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Article
| Open AccessIntragrain impurity annihilation for highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells
The detrimental effects of intragrain impurity nanoclusters on the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells remain unexplored. Here, the authors study the intragrain impurity annihilation by in situ scanning transmission electron microscopy and adopt a laser stimulus to heal such impurity.
- Songhua Cai
- , Zhipeng Li
- & Yuanyuan Zhou
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Article
| Open AccessDirect observation of tunable thermal conductance at solid/porous crystalline solid interfaces induced by water adsorbates
Interfacial thermal transfer is critical for heat dissipation of devices with interfaces. Here, the authors propose a strategy to tune the interfacial thermal transport between substrate and metal-organic frameworks to benefit their related cooling applications.
- Guang Wang
- , Hongzhao Fan
- & Yanguang Zhou
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Article
| Open AccessMixed tin-lead perovskites with balanced crystallization and oxidation barrier for all-perovskite tandem solar cells
The disparity in crystallization processes between tin- and lead-based perovskites has been a dominant factor contributing to high defect densities. Here, authors employ a functional molecule to inhibit tin oxidation, realizing monolithic all-perovskite tandems with certified efficiency over 27%.
- Jin Zhou
- , Shiqiang Fu
- & Weijun Ke
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Article
| Open AccessA solid-state lithium-ion battery with micron-sized silicon anode operating free from external pressure
Applying high stack pressure is primarily done to address the mechanical failure issue of solid-state batteries. Here, the authors propose a mechanical optimization strategy involving elastic electrolyte to realize solid-state batteries operating without external pressurizing.
- Hui Pan
- , Lei Wang
- & Haoshen Zhou
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Article
| Open AccessSpeaking without vocal folds using a machine-learning-assisted wearable sensing-actuation system
Addressing challenges in voice disorders, the authors present a self-powered, wearable sensor-actuator system based on magnetoelasticity. This innovation enables assisted speaking by capturing laryngeal movements and translating them into voice signals, bypassing the vocal folds.
- Ziyuan Che
- , Xiao Wan
- & Jun Chen
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Article
| Open AccessThe first demonstration of entirely roll-to-roll fabricated perovskite solar cell modules under ambient room conditions
The translation of perovskite solar cells to large-area devices fabricated by industry-relevant manufacturing methods remains a critical challenge. Here, authors report solar modules with serially-interconnected cells produced entirely by industrial roll-to-roll printing under ambient conditions.
- Hasitha C. Weerasinghe
- , Nasiruddin Macadam
- & Doojin Vak
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Article
| Open AccessStable hydrogen evolution reaction at high current densities via designing the Ni single atoms and Ru nanoparticles linked by carbon bridges
Understanding the sustained stability of alkaline hydrogen evolution at high current densities is crucial. Herein, the authors synthesize Ni single atoms, modified with ultra-small Ru nanoparticles with a defective carbon bridging structure, capable of running steadily for 100 h at 3 A cm−2.
- Rui Yao
- , Kaian Sun
- & Jinping Li
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Article
| Open AccessHigh-performance bifacial perovskite solar cells enabled by single-walled carbon nanotubes
The suboptimal optical transmittance of back electrodes and complex fabrication process hindered development of bifacial perovskite solar cells. Here, authors apply single-walled carbon nanotubes as front and back electrodes, achieving power generation density of 36% and bifaciality factor of 98%.
- Jing Zhang
- , Xian-Gang Hu
- & Wei Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessTuning polymer-backbone coplanarity and conformational order to achieve high-performance printed all-polymer solar cells
All-polymer solar cells comprising both polymeric donors and acceptors offer better morphological and mechanical stability, and a broader processing window for printing. Here, the authors report a polymer acceptor based on bithiazole linker with more coplanar and ordered molecular conformation.
- Yilei Wu
- , Yue Yuan
- & Zhenan Bao
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Article
| Open AccessDeciphering the contributing motifs of reconstructed cobalt (II) sulfides catalysts in Li-CO2 batteries
Improving catalyst efficiency is vital for Li-CO2 batteries, but understanding catalyst structures during battery operation is hard. Here, the authors uncover catalyst reconstruction and its link to activity, highlighting a self-constructed oxysulfide structure with high activity and stability in Li-CO2 batteries.
- Yingqi Liu
- , Zhiyuan Zhang
- & Hui-Ming Cheng
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Article
| Open AccessA Ce-CuZn catalyst with abundant Cu/Zn-OV-Ce active sites for CO2 hydrogenation to methanol
Carbon dioxide hydrogenation is an important industrial reaction. Here, the authors design a CeCuZn catalyst through a metal organic framework template for CO2 hydrogenation to methanol with excellent methanol yield and stability.
- Runping Ye
- , Lixuan Ma
- & Jian Liu
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Article
| Open AccessElectric vehicle battery chemistry affects supply chain disruption vulnerabilities
Electric vehicle battery supply chains are currently vulnerable to supply disruptions in China, but research shows that the cumulative effect of multiple supply chain steps creates additional vulnerabilities across multiple critical battery minerals.
- Anthony L. Cheng
- , Erica R. H. Fuchs
- & Jeremy J. Michalek
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Article
| Open AccessFully inkjet-printed Ag2Se flexible thermoelectric devices for sustainable power generation
Ag2Se-based flexible thermoelectric devices are fabricated by inkjet printing technology, which demonstrate exceptional power generation performance owing to unique patterning capability and high-resolution device integration.
- Yan Liu
- , Qihao Zhang
- & Wan Jiang
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Article
| Open AccessProton-selective coating enables fast-kinetics high-mass-loading cathodes for sustainable zinc batteries
Sluggish Zn2+-dominated Faradic reactions lead to suboptimal charge-storage capacity and durability of aqueous zinc battery cathodes. Here, the authors present a proton-selective interfacial coating strategy that enables high-performance cathodes with fast-kinetics proton-dominated Faradic reactions.
- Quanquan Guo
- , Wei Li
- & Xinliang Feng
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Article
| Open AccessAmmonia marine engine design for enhanced efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas emissions
Pilot-diesel-ignition ammonia combustion engines effective adoption is still limited by high unburned emissions and low thermal efficiency. Here, authors propose an in-cylinder reforming gas recirculation concept to improve engine thermal efficiency while reducing unburned NH3, NOx, N2O and GHG emissions.
- Xinyi Zhou
- , Tie Li
- & Wenming Yang
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Article
| Open AccessSelenium substitution for dielectric constant improvement and hole-transfer acceleration in non-fullerene organic solar cells
Dielectric constant of non-fullerene acceptors plays a critical role in organic solar cells in terms of exciton dissociation and charge recombination. Here, authors report selenium substitution on central core of acceptors to improve dielectric constant, realizing devices with efficiency of 19.0%.
- Xinjun He
- , Feng Qi
- & Wallace C. H. Choy
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Article
| Open AccessSupramolecular catalyst with [FeCl4] unit boosting photoelectrochemical seawater splitting via water nucleophilic attack pathway
The strongly coupled interface between molecular catalysts and light absorbers is the key to solving efficient photoelectrochemical water oxidation. An in situ polymerized supramolecular-like catalyst was used to couple with BiVO4 for efficient and stable photoelectrochemical seawater splitting
- Jiaming Miao
- , Cheng Lin
- & Kan Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessMolecular anchoring of free solvents for high-voltage and high-safety lithium metal batteries
Advanced electrolyte is essential for high-energy-density lithium metal batteries. Here, the authors design a molecular anchoring dilute electrolyte via intermolecular hydrogen bonding with free solvents to improve the battery electrochemical and thermal stabilities.
- Zhuangzhuang Cui
- , Zhuangzhuang Jia
- & Xiaodi Ren
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Article
| Open AccessPolymer-acid-metal quasi-ohmic contact for stable perovskite solar cells beyond a 20,000-hour extrapolated lifetime
The development of robust quasi-ohmic contact with minimal resistance, exceptional stability and cost-effectiveness is crucial for practical application of perovskite solar cells. Here, authors report a polymer-acid-metal structure as the contact and realize long photo-thermal-operational stability.
- Junsheng Luo
- , Bowen Liu
- & Yicheng Zhao
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Article
| Open AccessLimited impact of hydrogen co-firing on prolonging fossil-based power generation under low emissions scenarios
Effects of hydrogen and ammonia co-firing with fossil power generation on decarbonization scenario are assessed. Co-fired generation is limited to <1% because of higher cost of hydrogen. It will not delay the phase-out of fossil-based generators.
- Ken Oshiro
- & Shinichiro Fujimori
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Article
| Open AccessCation desolvation-induced capacitance enhancement in reduced graphene oxide (rGO)
Understanding local electrochemical processes can help improve electrochemical energy storage. Here, the authors report a charge storage mechanism in aqueous electrolyte for reduced graphene oxide using an electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance.
- Kangkang Ge
- , Hui Shao
- & Patrice Simon
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Article
| Open AccessRational molecular and device design enables organic solar cells approaching 20% efficiency
A systematic design of light-absorbing molecules is challenging for them to satisfy multiple key requirements for efficient solar cell application. Here, the authors optimize halogen substitution position in terminal groups of acceptors for realizing ternary cells with efficiency approaching 20%.
- Jiehao Fu
- , Qianguang Yang
- & Gang Li
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Article
| Open AccessLatent ion tracks were finally observed in diamond
While high-energy heavy ions create cylindrical damage zones called ion tracks in many materials, diamond was an exception for a long time. The authors have succeeded in creating the ion tracks in diamond utilizing 2−9MeV C60 fullerene ion irradiation and studied the structure of the tracks.
- H. Amekura
- , A. Chettah
- & Y. Saitoh
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Article
| Open AccessEfficient direct repairing of lithium- and manganese-rich cathodes by concentrated solar radiation
Rapid capacity decay and voltage drop hinder lithium- and manganese-rich cathode material (LMRO) development. Here, the authors apply concentrated solar radiation arrays on cycled LMRO electrodes, inducing inverse spinel phase to boost redox activity and reversibility, yielding enhanced electrochemical performance.
- Hailong Wang
- , Xin Geng
- & Xin He
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Article
| Open AccessLiquid metal-embraced photoactive films for artificial photosynthesis
The practical applications of photoelectrochemical water splitting pivot on significant advances that enable scalable production of robust photoactive films. Here, the authors propose a proof-of-concept for fabricating bioinspired robust photoactive films by a particle implanting technique, which embeds semiconductor photoabsorbers in the liquid metal.
- Chao Zhen
- , Xiangtao Chen
- & Gang Liu
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Article
| Open AccessIn situ modulating coordination fields of single-atom cobalt catalyst for enhanced oxygen reduction reaction
The electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction plays an important role in new energy technologies such as fuel cells and metal-air batteries. Here the authors present a cobalt catalyst with a symmetry-broken Cl−Co−N4 moiety capable of dynamically modulating electron occupancy at active sites during practical reaction conditions to optimize oxygen reduction performance.
- Meihuan Liu
- , Jing Zhang
- & Qinghua Liu
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Article
| Open AccessStable water splitting using photoelectrodes with a cryogelated overlayer
Photoelectrodes made of earth-abundant materials can contribute to low-cost and carbon-free hydrogen production, but suffer from a short lifetime. Here the authors report cryogel overlayer to increase the operation time of the device by regulating evolving hydrogen bubble dynamics.
- Byungjun Kang
- , Jeiwan Tan
- & Hyungsuk Lee
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Article
| Open AccessLiquid Madelung energy accounts for the huge potential shift in electrochemical systems
Electrode potential in any electrochemical systems has long been discussed by classical Debye-Hückel theory which holds only under extremely dilute concentrations. Here, the authors establish the concept ‘liquid Madelung potential’ to comprehensively describe the potential shift at practical concentrations.
- Norio Takenaka
- , Seongjae Ko
- & Atsuo Yamada
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Article
| Open AccessKirkendall effect-induced uniform stress distribution stabilizes nickel-rich layered oxide cathodes
Nickel-rich layered oxide cathodes offer high energy density yet suffer from mechanical degradation during (de)lithiation. Here, the authors present a strategy that leverages the Kirkendall effect to equalize stress within the cathode particles, thereby stabilizing their structure and enhancing the cycling stability.
- Ziyao Gao
- , Chenglong Zhao
- & Baohua Li
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Article
| Open AccessCALPHAD accelerated design of advanced full-Zintl thermoelectric device
Based on the CALPHAD method, authors propose an effective screening strategy for thermoelectric contact materials, realizing a high efficiency of ~11% (at ∆T = 430 K) for the full-Zintl phase thermoelectric device.
- Li Yin
- , Xiaofang Li
- & Qian Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessPromoting high-voltage stability through local lattice distortion of halide solid electrolytes
Solid electrolytes play a crucial role as ion conductors and separator between electrodes in all-solid-state batteries. Here, the authors report a high-entropy halide solid electrolyte, which reveals the structure evolution with the increasing configurational entropy and improves the high-voltage stability.
- Zhenyou Song
- , Tengrui Wang
- & Wei Luo
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Article
| Open AccessOxygen-tolerant CO2 electroreduction over covalent organic frameworks via photoswitching control oxygen passivation strategy
Direct use of flue gas for the electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction is desirable but severely limited by the thermodynamically favorable oxygen reduction reaction. Here the authors report an oxygen passivation strategy to improve electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction under aerobic conditions using a covalent organic frameworks with a photoswitching unit.
- Hong-Jing Zhu
- , Duan-Hui Si
- & Yuan-Biao Huang
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Article
| Open AccessIntegrating hydrogen utilization in CO2 electrolysis with reduced energy loss
Electrochemical CO2 reduction is a promising method of producing sustainable chemicals and fuels, yet is highly energy intensive. Here, the authors couple CO2 electrolysis with hydrogen oxidation using a Ni(OH)2/NiOOH auxiliary electrode to enhance energy efficiency.
- Xiaoyi Jiang
- , Le Ke
- & Ning Yan
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Article
| Open AccessCa-dimers, solvent layering, and dominant electrochemically active species in Ca(BH4)2 in THF
Alternatives to lithium-ion electrochemistry present challenges due to undesirable phenomena at the electrode-electrolyte interface. Through simulations, the authors find that the performance of a calcium-based electrolyte is driven entirely by molecular-scale processes within approximately 1 nm of the electrode.
- Ana Sanz Matias
- , Fabrice Roncoroni
- & David Prendergast
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Article
| Open AccessIodide manipulation using zinc additives for efficient perovskite solar minimodules
Interstitial iodides are the most critical type of defects in perovskite solar cells that limits efficiency and stability. Here, the authors introduce small amount of zinc trifluoromethane sulfonate to control iodide defects, facilitating fabrication of minimodules with efficiencies of over 19%.
- Md Aslam Uddin
- , Prem Jyoti Singh Rana
- & Jinsong Huang
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Article
| Open AccessHierarchical Li electrochemistry using alloy-type anode for high-energy-density Li metal batteries
Utilizing an ultra-thin Li anode with a thickness below 50 μm is crucial for enhancing the energy density of batteries. Here, the authors develop a finely tunable, thin alloy-based Li anode that features a hierarchical Li electrochemistry, enabling stable cycling and superior energy density in Li metal batteries.
- Jiaqi Cao
- , Yuansheng Shi
- & Xia Lu
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Article
| Open AccessMicroenvironment reconstitution of highly active Ni single atoms on oxygen-incorporated Mo2C for water splitting
The comprehensive understanding of complex catalytic mechanisms under harsh reaction conditions for efficient bifunctional single-atom electrocatalysts remain challenging. Here the authors found microenvironment reconsitution of highly active Ni single atoms on oxygen-incorporated Mo2C for water splitting.
- Mengyun Hou
- , Lirong Zheng
- & Chen Chen
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Article
| Open AccessStructurally robust lithium-rich layered oxides for high-energy and long-lasting cathodes
O2-type Li-rich layered cathodes suppress voltage decay and aid in oxygen redox research. Here, the authors report trilateral relationship among anionic redox utilization, bulk chemo-mechanical degradation, and electrochemical fading, which can be mitigated by balancing the redox center capabilities.
- Ho-Young Jang
- , Donggun Eum
- & Kisuk Kang
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Article
| Open AccessReal-time monitoring polymerization degree of organic photovoltaic materials toward no batch-to-batch variations in device performance
Polymerization degree plays a vital role in controlling material properties and batch-to-batch variations in device performance of polymer solar cells. Here, authors develop in-situ photoluminescence system in tandem to track and estimate the polymerization degree of organic photovoltaic materials.
- Lin-Yong Xu
- , Wei Wang
- & Jie Min
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Article
| Open AccessTailoring tokamak error fields to control plasma instabilities and transport
Error fields in tokamak appear due to the imperfections and misalignment of the coils generating magnetic field. Here the authors demonstrate use of error field correction to control the plasma transport and instabilities in a tokamak - KSTAR.
- SeongMoo Yang
- , Jong-Kyu Park
- & Won-Ha Ko
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Article
| Open AccessSolvation-property relationship of lithium-sulphur battery electrolytes
In the Li-S battery, a promising next-generation battery chemistry, electrolytes are vital because of solvated polysulfide species. Here, the authors investigate solvation-property relationships via the measurement of solvation free energy of the electrolytes, guiding advanced electrolyte design for Li-S batteries.
- Sang Cheol Kim
- , Xin Gao
- & Yi Cui
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Article
| Open AccessLarge-area, untethered, metamorphic, and omnidirectionally stretchable multiplexing self-powered triboelectric skins
Stretchable sensor networks with multiplexing designs can result in misrecognition due to electrical signal interferences from the sensing nodes and internal circuits. Here, Shao et al. show an untethered triboelectric electronic skin with an elastic composite-based shield layer for lower misrecognition rate.
- Beibei Shao
- , Ming-Han Lu
- & Ying-Chih Lai