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The failure of transpassive films on transition metal alloys was investigated. The results show that the failure of the transpassive film on 3D printing nickel-based superalloy in flowing NaNO3 solution is dominated by self-induced cracking of the film on niobium-segregated phases and the erosion-induced degradation on the film assisted by cation vacancy condensation at the metal/barrier layer interface. Secondary passivation induces the formation of a transpassive film, the nature of which has been debated for decades. The findings are consistent with a bi-layer structure comprising a point-defective barrier layer that grows into the substrate alloy and a precipitated outer layer.

Bio‐inspired micro soft robots mimic biologically specific body structures and movement mechanisms by utilizing bionic principles. Because of its soft body, it can adapt to complex external environments. However, the existing polymer material system is single and the fabrication process is limited. How to further reduce soft robot size has become a key issue. In this work, a Programming Magnetic Elastic Composites (PMEC) is proposed for 3D printing to manufacture micro soft robots. The PMEC has the advantage of changing the direction of the internal magnetic field in response to changes in the external magnetic field. A Microsoft robot is designed and fabricated using PMEC inspired by an inchworm. Numerical simulations are also used to study the effect of soft robot size parameters on local stresses and optimize the structure. The results show that the microscale soft robot can crawl with a load of 2 times its weight at a speed of 6.67 mm s−1, crawl on slopes from 0° to 90°, and crawl over obstacles with a maximum height of 7 mm. In addition, active adaptation of soft robots to complex tunnel models based on external stimuli is achieved by magnetic field control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-resolution electronics on complex curved surfaces have wide applications in fields such as biometric health monitoring, intelligent aircraft skins, conformal displays, and biomimetics. However, current manufacturing processes can only adapt to limited curvature, posing a significant challenge for achieving high-resolution fabrication of electronics on complex curved surfaces. In this study, we propose a novel fabrication strategy that combines electric field-driven jetting and water-assisted transfer printing techniques to achieve the fabrication of high-resolution electronics on complex curved surfaces. The electric field-driven jetting enables the fabrication of high-resolution 2D electronics on sacrificial layer substrates. After dissolving the sacrificial layer, it is observed that the 2D electronics form a self-supporting structure with a certain rigidity and flexibility. During the water-assisted transfer printing process, this self-supporting structure undergoes stretching deformation with excellent conformity of the electronics to curved surfaces while effectively minimizing wrinkles. Finally, we successfully demonstrate the manufacture of 25 μm high-resolution electronics on highly curved surfaces (nautilus shell) and complex (scallop shell, stone) surfaces. The integrity of transferred circuit patterns and consistency of conductors are verified through infrared thermography analysis, confirming the feasibility of this manufacturing strategy. In addition, a protective film with strong adhesive properties is sprayed onto the transferred curved circuits to enhance their adhesion and resistance to extreme environments such as acids and alkalis. Our proposed technique provides a simple and effective new strategy for the fabrication of high-resolution electronics on complex curved surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the field of stretchable electronics, eutectic gallium–indium alloys (EGaIn) have become an ideal conductive material due to their exceptional electrical conductivity and natural fluidity. However, high surface tension poses an obstacle to the widespread application of EGaIn. To cope with these challenges, a fundamental and comprehensive understanding of surface tension is required. This paper reviews research on the surface tension of EGaIn, covering (1) the principles of oxide layer formation, (2) factors influencing surface tension, and (3) methods for surface modification of liquid metals. This is followed by an introduction to the applications of EGaIn surface modification in different fields and concludes with a summary of the challenges still faced and an outlook for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to their outstanding electrical conductivity, simplicity of synthesis, and exceptional flexibility, conductive polymers are the most attractive electrode materials for micro‐supercapacitors (MSCs). However, when used as an electrode material alone, its poor capacitive performance and cycle‐life hinder the wide engineering applications. Herein, a polypyrrole (PPy)/Ag‐interdigitated electrodes MSCs is proposed, and the impact of aromatic sulfonic acid group anion modification on the electrochemical properties and flexibility of PPy/Ag MSCs is investigated. In the results, it is shown that different aromatic sulfonic‐acid‐based anionic dopants have different effects on the properties of PPy films. Among the prepared three PPy/Ag MSCs devices, PPy:anthraquinone‐2‐sulfonic acid/Ag MSCs have the highest areal capacitance (198.8 mF cm−2) at a current density of 0.5 mA cm−2, surpassing PPy:2‐naphthalenesulfonic acid/Ag MSCs (114.3 mF cm−2) and PPy:p‐toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate/Ag MSCs (89.7 mF cm−2). Furthermore, at a power density of 0.25 mW cm−2, the PPy:AQS/Ag MSCs exhibit a high energy density of 27.61 μWh cm−2, which is above the most of the previously reported PPy‐based MSCs. Therefore, in this research, the groundwork is provided for improving properties of flexible MSCs based on PPy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries have high theoretical energy density and are regarded as next‐generation batteries. However, their practical energy density is much lower than the theoretical value. In previous studies, the increase of the areal capacity of the cathode and the decrease of the negative/positive ratio can be well achieved, yet the energy density shows no corresponding increase. The main reason is the difficulty in decreasing electrolyte dosage because lean electrolyte inevitably causes the deterioration of reaction kinetics and sulfur utilization. Thus, the electrolyte/active material ratio in the reported works is usually higher than 10 µL mg−1, much higher than that in Li‐ion batteries (usually lower than ≈0.3 µL mg−1 for cathode). Although many works have focused on this topic, a systematic discussion is still rare. This review systematically discusses the key challenges and solutions for assembling high‐performance lean‐electrolyte Li–S batteries. First, the key challenges arising from lean‐electrolyte conditions are discussed in detail. Then, the approaches and the recent progress to reduce electrolyte usage, including optimization of electrode porosity and ion conduction, the introduction of electrocatalysis, exploration of new active materials, electrolyte regulation, and Li metal protection are reviewed. Finally, future research directions in lean‐electrolyte Li–S batteries are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]