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Flow sensing exhibits significant potential for monitoring, controlling, and optimizing processes in industries, resource management, and environmental protection. However, achieving wireless real‐time and omnidirectional sensing of gas/liquid flow on a simple, self‐contained device without external power support has remained a formidable challenge. In this study, a compact‐sized, fully self‐powered wireless sensing flowmeter (CSWF) is introduced with a small size diameter of down to less than 50 mm, which can transmit real‐time and omnidirectional wireless signals, as driven by a rotating triboelectric nanogenerator (R‐TENG). The R‐TENG triggers the breakdown discharge of a gas discharge tube (GDT), which enables flow rate wireless sensing through emitted electromagnetic waves. Importantly, the performance of the CSWF is not affected by the R‐TENG's varied output, while the transmission distance is greater than 10 m. Real‐time wireless remote monitoring of wind speed and water flow rate is successfully demonstrated. This research introduces an approach to achieve a wireless, self‐powered environmental monitoring system with a diverse range of potential applications, including prolonged meteorological observations, marine environment monitoring, early warning systems for natural disasters, and remote ecosystem monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) show great potential in large‐scale energy storage systems. However, the inferior cycling life due to water‐induced parasitic reactions and uncontrollable dendrites growth impede their application. Electrolyte optimization via the use of additives is a promising strategy to enhance the stability of AZIBs. Nevertheless, the mechanism of optimal multifunctional additive strategy requires further exploration. Herein, sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) is proposed as a dual‐functional additive in ZnSO4 electrolyte. Benefiting from the additive, both side reactions and zinc dendrites growth are significantly inhibited. Further, a synchrotron radiational spectroscopic study is employed to investigate SDB− adjusted electric double layer (EDL) near the Zn surface and the optimized solvation sheath of Zn2+. First‐principles calculations verify the firm adsorption of SDB−, and restriction of random diffusion of Zn2+ on the Zn surface. In particular, the SDBS additive endows Zn||Zn symmetric cells with a 1035 h ultra‐stable plating/stripping at 0.2 mA cm−2. This work not only provides a promising design strategy by dual‐functional electrolyte additives for high stable AZIBs, but also exhibits the prospect of synchrotron radiation spectroscopy analysis on surface EDL and Zn2+ solvation shell optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suppressing nonradiative recombination and releasing residual strain are prerequisites to improving the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Here, long‐chain polyacrylic acid (PAA) is used to reinforce SnO2 film and passivate SnO2 defects, forming a structure similar to "reinforced concrete" with high tensile strength and fewer microcracks. Simultaneously, PAA is also introduced to the SnO2/perovskite interface as a "buffer spring" to release residual strain, which also acts as a "dual‐side passivation interlayer" to passivate the oxygen vacancies of SnO2 and Pb dangling bonds in halide perovskites. As a result, the best inorganic CsPbBr3 PSC achieves a champion power conversion efficiency of 10.83% with an ultrahigh open‐circuit voltage of 1.674 V. The unencapsulated PSC shows excellent stability under 80% relative humidity and 80°C over 120 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantitative analysis of gait parameters, such as stride frequency and step speed, is essential for optimizing physical exercise for the human body. However, the current electronic sensors used in human motion monitoring remain constrained by factors such as battery life and accuracy. This study developed a self‐powered gait analysis system (SGAS) based on a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) fabricated electrospun composite nanofibers for motion monitoring and gait analysis for regulating exercise programs. The SGAS consists of a sensing module, a charging module, a data acquisition and processing module, and an Internet of Things (IoT) platform. Within the sensing module, two specialized sensing units, TENG‐S1 and TENG‐S2, are positioned at the forefoot and heel to generate synchronized signals in tandem with the user's footsteps. These signals are instrumental for real‐time step count and step speed monitoring. The output of the two TENG units is significantly improved by systematically investigating and optimizing the electrospun composite nanofibers' composition, strength, and wear resistance. Additionally, a charge amplifier circuit is implemented to process the raw voltage signal, consequently bolstering the reliability of the sensing signal. This refined data is then ready for further reading and calculation by the micro‐controller unit (MCU) during the signal transmission process. Finally, the well‐conditioned signals are wirelessly transmitted to the IoT platform for data analysis, storage, and visualization, enhancing human motion monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing high connectivity (>8) three‐dimensional (3D) covalent organic frameworks (COFs) towards new topologies and functions remains a great challenge owing to the difficulty in getting high connectivity organic building blocks. This however represents the most important step towards promoting the diversity of COFs due to the still limited dynamic covalent bonds available for constructing COFs at this stage. Herein, highly connected phthalocyanine‐based (Pc‐based) 3D COFs MPc‐THHI‐COFs (M=H2, Ni) were afforded from the reaction between 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24‐octacarboxyphthalocyanine M(TAPc) (M=H2, Ni) and 5,5′,5′′,5′′′,5′′′′,5′′′′′‐(triphenylene‐2,3,6,7,10,11‐hexayl)hexa(isophthalohydrazide) (THHI) with 12 connecting sites. Powder X‐ray diffraction analysis together with theoretical simulations and transmission electron microscopy reveals their crystalline nature with an unprecedented non‐interpenetrated shp topology. Experimental and theoretical investigations disclose the broadened visible light absorption range and narrow optical band gap of MPc‐THHI‐COFs. This in combination with their 3D nanochannels endows them with efficient photocatalysis performance for H2O2 generation from O2 and H2O via 2e− oxygen reduction reaction and 2e− water oxidation reaction under visible‐light irradiation (λ >400 nm). This work provides valuable result for the development of high connectivity functional COFs towards diverse application potentials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bandgap‐tunable mixed‐halide perovskite materials have attracted considerable interest because of their indispensability as top counterparts in tandem solar cells. However, the soft and disordered lattice always suffers from severe phase segregation under illumination, which is particularly susceptible to residual lattice strain. Herein, we report a strain regulation strategy by using alkenamides terminated Ti3C2Tx MXenes as an additive into perovskite precursor. Apart from the role of a template for grain growth to obtain high‐quality films, the stretchable alkyl chain promotes lattice shrinkage or expansion to form an elastic grain boundary to eliminate the spatially distributed stain and shut down ion migration channels. As a result, the all‐inorganic perovskite solar cells based on CsPbIBr2 and CsPbI2Br halides achieve prolonged device stability under harsh conditions and the best power conversion efficiencies up to 11.06% and 14.30%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The launching of 5G technology provides excellent opportunity for the prosperous development of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and intelligent wireless sensor nodes. However, deploying of tremendous wireless sensor nodes network presents a great challenge to sustainable power supply and self‐powered active sensing. Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) has shown great capability for powering wireless sensors and work as self‐powered sensors since its discovery in 2012. Nevertheless, its inherent property of large internal impedance and pulsed "high‐voltage and low‐current" output characteristic seriously limit its direct application as stable power supply. Herein, a generic triboelectric sensor module (TSM) is developed toward managing the high output of TENG into signals that can be directly utilized by commercial electronics. Finally, an IoT‐based smart switching system is realized by integrating the TSM with a typical vertical contact–separation mode TENG and microcontroller, which is able to monitor the real‐time appliance status and location information. Such design of a universal energy solution for triboelectric sensors is applicable for managing and normalizing the wide output range generated from various working modes of TENGs and suitable for facile integration with IoT platform, representing a significant step toward scaling up TENG applications in future smart sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar photovoltaic power generation technology is the top priority of the global energy development strategy. Although the photoelectric conversion efficiency of crystalline silicon solar cells is as high as 33.7%, the power generation efficiency is relatively low or even unable to generate power normally under low‐light environments such as rainy weather and a cloudy day. Herein, a smart solar panel umbrella system with an auto open and close function is realized by integrating a polysilicon solar cell module and an interdigitated electrode structure triboelectric nanogenerator (IDE–TENG) toward hybrid solar and rain energy harvesting. The output performances of the IDE–TENG are systematically investigated and optimized by regulating the dielectric thickness, inclination angle of IDE–TENG, and various drip types. On this basis, combined with the solar module, the function of auto open and close for the smart solar panel system is realized by a 32‐bit microcontroller and a raindrop sensor, which can be automatically switched as the weather changes and maintain high power conversion efficiency of 19.61% of the solar cell. This smart solar panel umbrella system can be used as a self‐powered supply for all‐weather landscape lighting to save the utilization of fossil energy and contribute in the realization of carbon neutrality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are gaining increasing attention as renewable cathode materials for Li‐ion batteries. However, COF electrodes reported so far still exhibit unsatisfying capacity due to their limited active site density and insufficient utilization. Herein, a new two‐dimensional polyimide‐linked COF, HATN‐AQ‐COF with multiple redox‐active sites for storing Li+ ions, was designed and fabricated from a new module of 2,3,8,9,14,15‐hexacarboxyl hexaazatrinaphthalene trianhydrides with a 2,6‐diaminoanthraquinone linker. HATN‐AQ‐COF possessing excellent stability, good conductivity, and a large pore size of 3.8 nm enables the stable and fast ion transport. This, in combination with the abundant redox active sites, results in a high reversible capacity of 319 mAh g−1 at 0.5 C (1 C=358 mA g−1) for the HATN‐AQ‐COF electrode with a high active site utilization of 89 % and good cycle performance, representing one of the best performances among the reported COF electrodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One great challenge for perovskite solar cells (PSCs) lies in their poor operational stability under harsh stimuli by humidity, heat, light, etc. Herein, a thermal‐triggered self‐healing polyurethane (PU) is tailored to simultaneously improve the efficiency and stability of inorganic CsPbIBr2 PSCs. The dynamic covalent disulfide bonds between adjacent molecule chains in PU at high temperatures self‐heal the in‐service formed defects within the CsPbIBr2 perovskite film. Finally, the best device free of encapsulation achieves a champion efficiency up to 10.61 % and an excellent long‐term stability in an air atmosphere over 80 days and persistent heat attack (85 °C) over 35 days. Moreover, the photovoltaic performances are recovered by a simple heat treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The crystal distortion such as lattice strain and defect located at the surfaces and grain boundaries induced by soft perovskite lattice highly determines the charge extraction‐transfer dynamics and recombination to cause an inferior efficiency of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, the authors propose a strategy to significantly reduce the superficial lattice tensile strain by means of incorporating an inorganic 2D Cl‐terminated Ti3C2 (Ti3C2Clx) MXene into the bulk and surface of CsPbBr3 film. Arising from the strong interaction between Cl atoms in Ti3C2Clx and the under‐coordinated Pb2+ in CsPbBr3 lattice, the expanded perovskite lattice is compressed and confined to act as a lattice "tape", in which the PbCl bond plays a role of "glue" and the 2D Ti3C2 immobilizes the lattice. Finally, the defective surface is healed and a champion efficiency as high as 11.08% with an ultrahigh open‐circuit voltage up to 1.702 V is achieved on the best all‐inorganic CsPbBr3 PSC, which is so far the highest efficiency record for this kind of PSCs. Furthermore, the unencapsulated device demonstrates nearly unchanged performance under 80% relative humidity over 100 days and 85 °C over 30 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coupled triboelectric‐photovoltaic effect by collecting photogenerated charge carriers is increasingly important to dramatically improve the short‐circuit current output of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG), especially for the all‐inorganic cesium lead bromide (CsPbBr3) halide perovskite combined with the optoelectronic and dielectric properties as a fundamental friction layer in TENG. Herein, hole‐extraction polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)‐multi‐wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) composite film (PC) is applied into the fabrication of vertical contact‐separation mode CsPbBr3/PC hybrid TENG with dual role of negative triboelectrification layer and photogenerated hole collector. Through precisely regulating the surface potential of PC films by tuning the MWCNT loadings, the charge quantity is greatly enhanced thanks to the triboelectric‐photovoltaic coupling effect. The best hybrid TENG at MWCNTs loading of 16 wt% achieves a transferred charge of 0.358 mC under illumination, which is nearly 30,000 times higher than that of the pristine PDMS based TENG. Impressively, the champion hybrid TENG at MWCNTs loading of 12 wt% yields a power rating density of 8.24 W m−2. This work demonstrates the PC hole collector to be a promising conductive triboelectric counterpart for efficient charge separation and extraction toward booting current density of hybrid triboelectric‐photovoltaic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The precise regulation of interfacial charge distribution highly determines the power conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, inorganic (NiCo)1−yFeyOx nanoparticle decorated graphene oxide (GO) is successfully demonstrated as a hole booster for all‐inorganic CsPbIBr2 PSC free of precious metal electrode. Arising from the spontaneous electron transfer induced p‐type doping of GO from edged oxygen‐containing functional groups to (NiCo)1−yFeyOx, the best all‐inorganic CsPbIBr2 PSC achieves an efficiency of 10.95 % under one standard sun owing to the eliminated paradox between charge extraction and charge localization in GO surface. Furthermore, the champion device exhibits an excellent long‐term stability at 10 % relative humidity without encapsulation over 70 days because of the suppressed ions migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All‐inorganic CsPbBr3 perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted tremendous attention, owing to their excellent stability and rising power conversion efficiency. However, the mechanical flexibility of these solar cells has ground to a standstill because of the high‐temperature requirement for ideal CsPbBr3 perovskite films. In this study, a flexible CsPbBr3 PSC with an efficiency of 5.71 % has been made by means of fabricating a heat‐resistant conductive muscovite substrate, which demonstrates very high mechanical flexibility with nearly unchanged resistance even after 4000 bending cycles (12000 cycles of concave and convex bending for PSCs), owing to the weak van der Waals force and layered structure. Implementation of the muscovite substrate enables the fabrication of flexible PSCs under high‐temperature conditions, providing a new path to increase the efficiency without lowering the crystallization temperature of state‐of‐the‐art electron‐transporting materials and perovskite films in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perovskite lattice distortion induced by residual tensile strain from the thermal expansion mismatch between the electron‐transporting layer (ETL) and perovskite film causes a sluggish charge extraction and transfer dynamics in all‐inorganic CsPbBr3 perovskite solar cells (PSCs) because of their higher crystallization temperatures and thermal expansion coefficients. Herein, the interfacial strain is released by fabricating a WS2/CsPbBr3 van der Waals heterostructure owing to their matched crystal lattice structure and the atomically smooth dangling bond‐free surface to act as a lubricant between ETL and CsPbBr3 perovskite. Arising from the strain‐released interface and condensed perovskite lattice, the best device achieves an efficiency of 10.65 % with an ultrahigh open‐circuit voltage of 1.70 V and significantly improved stability under persistent light irradiation and humidity (80 %) attack over 120 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improved charge extraction and wide spectral absorption promote power conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The state‐of‐the‐art carbon‐based CsPbBr3 PSCs have an inferior power output capacity because of the large optical band gap of the perovskite film and the high energy barrier at perovskite/carbon interface. Herein, we use alkyl‐chain regulated quantum dots as hole‐conductors to reduce charge recombination. By precisely controlling alkyl‐chain length of ligands, a balance between the surface dipole induced charge coulomb repulsive force and quantum tunneling distance is achieved to maximize charge extraction. A fluorescent carbon electrode is used as a cathode to harvest the unabsorbed incident light and to emit fluorescent light at 516 nm for re‐absorption by the perovskite film. The optimized PSC free of encapsulation achieves a maximum power conversion efficiency up to 10.85 % with nearly unchanged photovoltaic performances under 80 %RH, 80 °C, or light irradiation in air. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The back cover image of the December 2023 issue of Carbon Energy discusses the challenges faced by polyolefin separators in lithium-ion batteries and the potential of electrospun separators as a solution. The article, written by Xuemei Yao and colleagues, reviews the current state of electrospun separators for lithium-based batteries. These separators, made from nonwoven nanofiber membranes, offer advantages such as controllable microporous structure, wide material applicability, multiple functions, and simple processes. The authors highlight the exceptional performance of electrospun separators and suggest that they will be a key area of future research. [Extracted from the article]

The all‐inorganic CsPbBr3 perovskite solar cell (PSC) is a promising solution to balance the high efficiency and poor stability of state‐of‐the‐art organic–inorganic PSCs. Setting inorganic hole‐transporting layers at the perovskite/electrode interface decreases charge carrier recombination without sacrificing superiority in air. Now, M‐substituted, p‐type inorganic Cu(Cr,M)O2 (M=Ba2+, Ca2+, or Ni2+) nanocrystals with enhanced hole‐transporting characteristics by increasing interstitial oxygen effectively extract holes from perovskite. The all‐inorganic CsPbBr3 PSC with a device structure of FTO/c‐TiO2/m‐TiO2/CsPbBr3/Cu(Cr,M)O2/carbon achieves an efficiency up to 10.18 % and it increases to 10.79 % by doping Sm3+ ions into perovskite halide, which is much higher than 7.39 % for the hole‐free device. The unencapsulated Cu(Cr,Ba)O2‐based PSC presents a remarkable stability in air in either 80 % humidity over 60 days or 80 °C conditions over 40 days or light illumination for 7 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this contribution, combined triboelectric and piezoelectric generators (TPEG) with a sandwich structure of aluminum-polydimethylsiloxane/polyvinylidene fluoride composite-carbon (Al-PPCF-Carbon) are fabricated for the purpose of mechanical energy harvesting. Improved by the surface modification of PPCF with zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods through a hydrothermal method, the TPEG generates an open-circuit voltage ( Voc) of ≈40 V, a short-circuit current ( Isc) of 0.28 μA with maximum power density of ≈70 mWm−2, and maximum conversion efficiency of 34.56%. Subsequently, in order to understand the transduction mechanism of the triboelectric and piezoelectric effects, analyses focusing on the potential composition ratio in the final output and the impact of ZnO interfacial nanostructure are carried out. The observed potential ratio between triboelectric and piezoelectric effects is 12.75:1 and the highest potential improvement by ZnO nanorods of 21.8 V is achieved by the TPEG fabricated with spacer. Finally, the relationships between the voltage, power density, conversion efficiency, and the external load resistances are also discussed. Overall, the fabricated TPEG is proved to be a simple and effective nanogenerator in mechanical energy conversion with enhanced output potential and conversion efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combination of fluidity and metallic conductivity has attracted considerable attention to liquid metal (LM), but its development remains challenging due to enormous surface tension. Here, vinyl‐terminated silicone oil and platinum catalyst are added to LM to reduce its surface tension, which develops a special type of liquid‐metal‐silicone (LMS) ink with a catalyst diffusion effect. Combined with an embedded three‐dimentional (3D) printing method, the LMS ink is printed on the support matrix, and the catalyst diffuses outward along the print path to cure the silicone around it, directly constructing self‐encapsulated conductive composites with excellent conductivity and self‐encapsulated flexible tactile sensors based on triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). The sensor exhibits excellent sensitivity (0.308 V kPa−1), high linearity (≈0.99), and good durability (over 10 000 cycles). Furthermore, when used in flexible wearable electronics, the sensor demonstrates a good performance with an accuracy of ≈96% in classifying different human postures using a convolutional neural network. Finally, through embedded 3D printing with LMS ink and silicone ink, a somatosensory soft robotic gripper with complex cavity structures is designed and manufactured in one step, achieving the all‐in‐one integration of sensors and actuators. This study shows great application potential in flexible electronics and soft robotic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solidifying the soft lattice of all‐inorganic mixed‐halide perovskites is of great importance to restrain the notorious halide segregation under persistent light illumination. Herein, a multifunctional columnar macrocyclic molecule additive, namely cucurbituril into perovskite precursor to enhance the crystallization and reduce the defect density in the final perovskite film is introduced. Based on the theoretical calculation and simulation, the cucurbituril molecule with a strong double‐ended negatively‐charged cavity surrounded by terminated oxygen atoms not only coordinates with dangling Pb2+ ions to form host‐guest complexation but also induces an electric dipole field at perovskite grain boundary to effectively repel the iodide ion migration from the inside grain to the defective boundary, significantly suppressing the halide segregation and improving the device performance. As a result, the carbon‐based, all‐inorganic CsPbI2Br solar cell achieves an enhanced efficiency of 15.59% with great tolerance to environmental stresses. These findings provide new insights into the development of a novel passivation strategy with macrocyclic molecules for making high‐efficiency and stable perovskite solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In article no. 1800284, Qunwei Tang and co‐workers apply SnO2 QDs and CsMBr3 (M = Sn, Bi, Cu) QDs as electron transporting and hole transporting materials for all‐inorganic CsPbBr3 PSCs, respectively. Owing to the high optical transmittance and electron mobility of the SnO2 QDs electron transport layer as well as the hole extraction of CsMBr3 QD hole transport layer, the device achieves a champion power conversion effi ciency of 10.60% and improved stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All‐inorganic cesium lead bromide (CsPbBr3) perovskite solar cells have attracted enormous attention owing to their outstanding stability in comparison with organic–inorganic hybrid devices. The greatest weakness for inorganic CsPbBr3 solar cells is their lower power conversion efficiencies, mainly arising from inferior light‐absorbance range and serious charge recombination at interfaces or within perovskite films. To address this issue, the lattice doping of lanthanide ions (Ln3+ = La3+, Ce3+, Nd3+, Sm3+, Eu3+, Gd3+, Tb3+, Ho3+, Er3+, Yb3+, and Lu3+) into CsPbBr3 films for all‐inorganic solar cells free of hole‐transporting materials and precious metal electrodes is presented. Arising from the enlarged grain size and prolonged carrier lifetimes upon incorporating Ln3+ ions into perovskite lattice, the performances of these inorganic CsPbBr3 solar cell devices are significantly enhanced, achieving a champion efficiency as high as 10.14% and an ultrahigh open‐circuit voltage of 1.594 V under one sun illumination. Meanwhile, the nearly unchanged efficiency upon persistent attack by 80% RH in air atmosphere over 110 d and enhanced thermal stability at 80 °C over 60 d provide new opportunities of promoting commercialization of all‐inorganic CsPbBr3 perovskite solar cells. Lanthanide ions are doped into CsPbBr3 films to modulate crystal lattice for high‐performance all‐inorganic perovskite solar cells. Arising from the improved grain size and carrier lifetime, the solar cell achieves a champion power conversion efficiency of 10.14%, an ultrahigh Voc of 1.594 V, and excellent stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The individual triboelectricity and piezoelectricity generation form a combined effect generator is investigated by X. Y. Yang and W. A. Daoud on page 8194. Consisting of aluminum‐polydimethylsiloxane/polyvinylidene fluoride composite carbon, the generator delivers an excellent output upon surface modification with ZnO nanorods. By combining high output with efficient energy generation, the device is promising for powering small electronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]