Recent advances in flexible and stretchable electronics have led to a surge of electronic skin (e-skin)–based health monitoring platforms. Conventional wireless e-skins rely on rigid integrated circuit chips that compromise the overall flexibility and consume considerable power. Chip-less wireless e-skins based on inductor-capacitor resonators are limited to mechanical sensors with low sensitivities. We report a chip-less wireless e-skin based on surface acoustic wave sensors made of freestanding ultrathin single-crystalline piezoelectric gallium nitride membranes. Surface acoustic wave–based e-skin offers highly sensitive, low-power, and long-term sensing of strain, ultraviolet light, and ion concentrations in sweat. We demonstrate weeklong monitoring of pulse. These results present routes to inexpensive and versatile low-power, high-sensitivity platforms for wireless health monitoring devices.
Unit‐cell‐thick MoS2 is a promising electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) owing to its tunable catalytic activity, which is determined based on the energetics and molecular interactions of different types of HER active sites. Kinetic responses of MoS2 active sites, including the reaction onset, diffusion of the electrolyte and H2 bubbles, and continuation of these processes, are important factors affecting the catalytic activity of MoS2. Investigating these factors requires a direct real‐time analysis of the HER occurring on spatially independent active sites. Herein, the H2 evolution and electrolyte diffusion on the surface of MoS2 are observed in real time by in situ electrochemical liquid‐phase transmission electron microscopy (LPTEM). Time‐dependent LPTEM observations reveal that different types of active sites are sequentially activated under the same conditions. Furthermore, the electrolyte flow to these sites is influenced by the reduction potential and site geometry, which affects the bubble detachment and overall HER activity of MoS2.
Li metal anodes are among the most promising options for next-generation batteries, exhibiting the highest theoretical capacity. However, irregular Li electrodeposition, which raises safety concerns, is a major obstacle in practical applications. Therefore, a fundamental understanding of the beginning phases of Li plating, such as nucleation and early growth, which have a decisive influence on the dendritic growth of Li, is essential. In this study, we investigated the early stage of Li plating at the single-particle level and its correlation with the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) using in situ liquid phase transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and cryogenic TEM. We observed contrasting nucleation dynamics and particle growth patterns in two electrolytes (1 M LiPF 6 in ethylene carbonate/diethyl carbonate and 1 M LiTFSI in 1,3dioxolane/dimethoxy ethane), which originate from different chemical and physical properties of the SEIs. Based on our findings, we propose a mechanism of nucleation and initial growth of Li dictated by the SEI.
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