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The emulation of human multisensory functions to construct artificial perception systems is an intriguing challenge for developing humanoid robotics and cross‐modal human–machine interfaces. Inspired by human multisensory signal generation and neuroplasticity‐based signal processing, here, an artificial perceptual neuro array with visual‐tactile sensing, processing, learning, and memory is demonstrated. The neuromorphic bimodal perception array compactly combines an artificial photoelectric synapse network and an integrated mechanoluminescent layer, endowing individual and synergistic plastic modulation of optical and mechanical information, including short‐term memory, long‐term memory, paired pulse facilitation, and "learning‐experience" behavior. Sequential or superimposed visual and tactile stimuli inputs can efficiently simulate the associative learning process of "Pavlov's dog". The fusion of visual and tactile modulation enables enhanced memory of the stimulation image during the learning process. A machine‐learning algorithm is coupled with an artificial neural network for pattern recognition, achieving a recognition accuracy of 70% for bimodal training, which is higher than that obtained by unimodal training. In addition, the artificial perceptual neuron has a low energy consumption of ∼20 pJ. With its mechanical compliance and simple architecture, the neuromorphic bimodal perception array has promising applications in large‐scale cross‐modal interactions and high‐throughput intelligent perceptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microporous polyethylene (PE) membrane is a representative lithium‐ion battery (LIB) separators but regularly shrinks especially in high‐temperature conditions, and is facilely pierced while growing Li dendrites, leading to severe consequences such as short circuits, thermal runaway, and even explosion. Herein, this article reports a quasi‐continuous strategy that utilizes in situ enamel mineralization engineering followed by thermal treatment to easily develop a large‐area, 3D interlaced hydroxyapatite nanosheets array‐reinforced PE nanocomposite separator with robust mechanical properties and excellent resistance to thermal shrinkage. Specifically, the 120 °C‐heated nanocomposite possesses excellent breaking stress, an ultrahigh toughness of ≈434.4 MJ m−3, and an enhanced friction coefficient of ≈0.69, which are distinctly higher than those of commercial PE separators, respectively, and far exceeding those of reported ceramic modified‐PE separators. The elongation of the resultant nanocomposite can achieve an extraordinary ≈2456.4% without any fracture under a 180 °C‐heating temperature. In situ observation and finite element simulation indicate that the impressive mechanical and thermostable integration profits from the co‐effect of efficient energy dissipation at organic–inorganic interfaces and mechanically interlocked, mutually‐supported hybrid microstructure. The enamel‐inspired separator can be potentially applied in safer high‐temperature LIBs and this strategy provides a valuable guide to develop other high‐performance polymer‐based nanocomposites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various approaches have been exploited to copy nacreous structure into human‐made structural nanocomposites with similar structure and impressive mechanical performance. However, it is still facing a great challenge to produce large‐sized, strong, and tough, biopolymer‐based nanocomposite, especially for further scale‐up in practical application. Herein, a large‐sized and nacre‐inspired nanocomposite paper can be successfully prepared via a simple evaporation‐induced self‐assembly technique, based on assembling hybrid graphene oxide/sodium alginate (GO/SA) building blocks. Through optimizing the lamellar hybrid interfacial interactions derived from hydrogen‐bonding network, the nacre‐inspired nanocomposite achieves a unique integration of high strength (up to 350.3 MPa) and high toughness (22.4 ± 2.9 MJ m−3), are superior to natural nacre, almost all GO and SA‐related composites, and many engineering materials. The hydrogen bond‐property correlation, combined with a simple assembling technique, will provide a powerful path for the large‐scale production of lightweight, biopolymer‐based materials with excellent mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]