Shudong Zhang

This study combines low biochar loading with raster-path programming to control directional heat transport in extrusion-printed polymer composites. Here, bamboo-derived biochar was incorporated into thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) to manufacture B-TPU composite filaments and fused deposition modeling (FDM)-printed heat-spreading structures. Biochar incorporation increased thermal conductivity in both measured directions, with a markedly greater enhancement in the in-plane (IP) direction. At 7.5 wt% biochar, the IP thermal conductivity increased from 0.23 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ for neat TPU (N-TPU) to 1.06 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹, whereas the through-plane (TP) value increased from 0.20 to 0.38 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹, producing an effective IP/TP ratio of 2.79. The directly controlled raster and layered architecture governed this effective anisotropy, with the morphology of the dispersed biochar providing an additional contribution to heat-transfer-path continuity. In arrow-shaped specimens, the [0°, 0°] configuration produced a lower heated-tail temperature and a higher distal-arrowhead temperature than the [90°, 90°] configuration after 240 s, demonstrating more effective longitudinal heat spreading. In the finned demonstration, the [0°, 0°] B-TPU structure showed a base-to-fin temperature difference of 15.9 °C, compared with 33.5 °C for N-TPU under the same conditions. Finite-element analysis captured the observed temperature ordering and linked component-scale heat spreading to the measured directional thermal properties. Biochar incorporation also increased the apparent tensile modulus while reducing tensile strength and failure strain, with the largest losses at 7.5 wt% biochar. These results establish a sustainable additive-manufacturing strategy that combines renewable carbon filler content and raster-path design to program directional heat propagation in lightweight, geometrically customizable TPU structures.

Against the rising demand for advanced materials in high‐temperature and high‐tech applications, it is urgent to develop ceramic fiber aerogels with high specific strength and low thermal conductivity. Herein, we adopt an in situ polycondensation method to induce confined growth of a uniform face‐connected network within partial pores of nanofiber frameworks, and successfully synthesize face‐bridging silica aerogels (FBSAs). Relying on the interlocked face‐bridging microstructure, the as‐prepared monolithic aerogels gain improved structural robustness, high specific strength, and reduced thermal conductivity simultaneously. Versus conventional point‐crosslinked silica aerogels, FBSAs exhibit greatly enhanced mechanical properties: a compressive strength of 318 kPa at 80% compression strain, tensile strength of 120 kPa, and flexural strength of 390.8 kPa. With an ultralow density ranging from 35 to 50 mg cm ⁻³ , the material achieves a specific strength of 6.36 MPa cm ³ g ⁻¹ , which is two to three times higher than that of typical ceramic fiber aerogels. Moreover, the aerogel delivers a room‐temperature thermal conductivity of 0.028 W m ⁻¹ K ^−1, comparable to conventional silica aerogels. It maintains stable thermal insulation between −196°C and 1100°C, and can withstand short‐term exposure at 1300°C. This confined growth strategy provides a reliable route to fabricate high‐performance monolithic silica aerogels.

Silicon‐based anodes are limited by severe volume fluctuations and sluggish charge‐transfer kinetics. Although metallic coatings can improve electronic conductivity, continuous dense coatings may impede electrolyte access, and lithium‐ion transport. Herein, a soft‐hard synergistic bicontinuous conductive network strategy is proposed to fabricate a SiO _x /nitrogen‐doped laser‐induced graphene/Cu (SiO _x /NLIG/Cu) composite. Deep eutectic solvent (DES)‐derived nitrogen‐doped active sites combine with super‐lyophilic NLIG matrix to spatially guide the electrodeposition of an interconnected percolation network, rather than an ionic blocking layer. This bicontinuous configuration decouples electronic and ionic transport. The porous NLIG framework serves as a strain buffer and a low‐tortuosity ion conduit, while the interpenetrating Cu network maintains electrical continuity and structural integrity. This conductive framework is associated with the formation of a stable, LiF‐rich solid electrolyte interphase, enhancing the lithium‐ion diffusion coefficient by one order of magnitude. The binder‐free anode delivers an initial lithiation capacity of 1820.6 mAh g ⁻¹ with an initial Coulombic efficiency of 86.3% at 0.1 A g ⁻¹ . It also exhibits enhanced durability, achieving 86.4% capacity retention after 1000 cycles at 2.0 A g ⁻¹ . Full cells assembled with LiNi _0.8 Co _0.1 Mn _0.1 O ₂ cathodes achieve an active‐material‐level gravimetric energy density of 614.7 Wh kg ⁻¹ . This soft‐hard synergy strategy provides a versatile solution to high‐performance lithium‐ion batteries.

Thick electrodes are pivotal for high-energy-density storage but typically suffer from kinetic limitations as thickness increases.

A symbiotic carbonaceous SiO₂ nanofiber aerogel, incorporating a ZrO₂ pinning structure, effectively balances its mechanical performance, high-temperature thermal insulation and antioxidant capacity.

Smart windows are emerging energy‐saving approaches for buildings, dynamically adjusting light transmittance based on weather changes to maintain indoor comfort. However, conventional thermochromic (TC) materials have slow response rates and poor optical sensitivity. Herein, hollow Cu ₇ S ₄ nanomaterials with broad spectral absorption and high photothermal conversion efficiency are combined with thermoresponsive PNIPAM hydrogel to create a Cu ₇ S ₄ /PNIPAM hydrogel. This composite enables fast transmittance conversion via photothermal response. The smart window, designed with a glass interlayer, can adaptively adjust transmittance according to real‐time light intensity. It is transparent at low light intensity ( T _550 nm = 70.2%) and quickly becomes translucent ( T _550 nm = 39.8%) within 3 min under high light intensity, blocking excess light. This design can reduce indoor temperature by up to 16 °C compared to ordinary glass. Additionally, in cold climates, the smart window can provide heat through photothermal conversion. This approach offers a new way to enhance the performance of traditional TC materials.