Copper conductive inks are attracting immense interest given their augmenting contribution to the field of printed electronics, while its high-temperature conducting performance is indispensable. This study highlights a copper-based printable ink with high electrical conductivity at elevated temperatures for an increased operating life and capable of adhering to any geometric surface. The in situ formed copper−graphene printed conductor displays an electrical conductivity of 8 × 10 5 S/m and maintains its stability up to 650 °C. Furthermore, high-temperature Cu sensor electronics are fabricated by using 3D printing, which paves the way for the resistance thermometer sensors and flexible electronics applications.

To exploit the high-temperature superinsulation potential of anisotropic thermal management materials, the incorporation of ceramic aerogel into the aligned structural networks is indispensable. However, the long-standing obstacle to exploring ultralight superinsulation ceramic aerogels is the inaccessibility of its mechanical elasticity, stability, and anisotropic thermal insulation. In this study, we report a recoverable, flexible ceramic fiber-aerogel composite with anisotropic lamellar structure, where the interfacial cross-linking between ceramic fiber and aerogel is important in its superinsulation performance. The resulting ultralight aerogel composite exhibits a density of 0.05 g/cm3, large strain recovery (over 50%), and low thermal conductivity (0.0224 W m–1 K–1), while its hydrophobicity is achieved by in situ trichlorosilane coating with the water contact angle of 135°. The hygroscopic tests of such aerogel composites demonstrate a reversible thermal insulation. The mechanical elasticity and stability of the anisotropic composites, with its soundproof performance, shed light on the low-cost superelastic aerogel manufacturing with scalability for energy saving building applications.

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Permanent magnets, especially rare-earth based magnets, are widely used in energy-critical technologies applied in many modern applications, involving energy conversion and information technologies. However, the environmental impact and strategic supplies...

A liquid metal magnet achieved by eutectic-grown FePd nanoparticles in a gallium liquid metal medium.

A macromolecular assembly induced transparent and opaque ceramic aerogel material.

Nature has inspired the design of next-generation lightweight architectured structural materials, for example, nacre-bearing extreme impact and paw-pad absorbing energy. Here, a bioinspired functional gradient structure, consisting of an impact-resistant hard layer and an energy-absorbing ductile layer, is applied to additively manufacture ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). Its crystalline graded and directionally solidified structure enables superior impact resistance. In addition, we demonstrate nonequilibrium processing, ultrahigh strain rate pulsed laser shock wave peening, which could trigger surface hardening for enhanced crystallinity and polymer phase transformation. Moreover, we demonstrate the paw-pad-inspired soft- and hard-fiber-reinforced composite structure to absorb the impact energy. The bioinspired design and nonequilibrium processing of graded UHMWPE shed light on lightweight engineering polymer materials for impact-resistant and threat-protection applications.

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