Reviews & Analysis

Nanostructured materials, such as quantum dots, are potential candidates for next-generation displays. This Review highlights the degradation mechanisms of devices and points out the strategies that can be used to improve the stability of electroluminescence.

Wireless bioelectronics integrates untethered controlled-release, wireless power and communication modules into drug delivery systems (DDSs), enabling dynamic, precise drug dosage and release adjustments and shaping the next generation of DDSs — wirelessly controlled DDSs (Will-DDSs).

By exchanging messages using the human body as a communication medium, human body communication offers a mean to design low-power, miniature Internet of bodies nodes. Accurate channel modelling and low-power strategies are key to HBC widespread adoption.

This Review analyses the growing threat of wildfires to power systems, focusing on power-line-induced ignitions, infrastructure damage and climate-induced risks. It explores wildfire models and resilience strategies, and provides a roadmap for enhancing power grid resilience in the face of escalating wildfire challenges.

This Perspective provides an overview of boron nitride research from the perspective of its synthesis, integration and simulation from the material engineering aspects to applications in microelectronics industry.

Electroactive biomaterials show promise for repairing various tissues through electrical stimulation. This Review examines the design, engineering strategies, clinical applications and challenges for the effective translation of electroactive biomaterials and devices in regenerative medicine.

This Review provides a critical assessment of the existing photovoltaic recycling technologies, discusses open challenges and makes key recommendations, such as the promotion of design for recycling, widening data availability, policy developments and incentives for upcycling.

Metasurface optics offer a very favourable size, weight, power and cost metric compared to bulky optical elements based on polished pieces of glass or moulded plastics, and these valuable traits are now propelling their use in many areas of technology.

This Review highlights low-power display technologies for a display panel, display electronics and a system, respectively. In principle, static or dynamic power can be reduced through these technologies; however, the reduction is distinct from conventional low-power technologies owing to the unique electro-optical characteristics of displays and specific human visual perception.

Power semiconductors and power electronics have the potential to support the transition to carbon neutrality. This Review outlines advances in wide-bandgap power devices, converter circuits and power applications, and their potential to reduce carbon emissions from electricity generation, ground transport, data centres and residential heating.

Species-agnostic plant sensors can monitor the physiological health of a broad range of crops, which is vital for the implementation of precision farming. Here, we evaluate the different sensors in terms of their effectiveness and propose an integrated sensing approach.

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) describes the properties of the electrodes within bioelectronic devices. This Review discusses the value of EIS, key considerations for experimental set-up and how EIS can be used to understand biological changes during in vivo experiments.

Flexible and transparent neural probes have facilitated the integration of electrical and optical neural recording techniques in multimodal experiments. Combining these studies with state-of-the-art computational methods would deepen our understanding of neural dynamics, advancing neuroscience and improving brain–computer interface systems.

Underwater acoustic communication is crucial for many marine applications. This Review highlights the fundamentals of acoustic propagation, signal processing and networking, and explores directions for future research.

This Review surveys recent progress in photonic-crystal surface-emitting laser development and applications, including high-brightness, high-functionality, short-pulse and short-wavelength operations, and smart integration with machine learning.

Direct characterization of nanoscale electromagnetic fields is crucial for propelling device development. This Review summarizes recent developments and applications of high-resolution electromagnetic field imaging by scanning transmission electron microscopy, demonstrating the real-space electromagnetic field and charge observations at device interfaces.

Trees are crucial for Earth’s ecosystems, aiding in carbon absorption, climate regulation and biodiversity support. High-resolution satellite sensors and artificial intelligence enable detailed tree monitoring at national and continental levels, simplifying biomass assessment, national reporting and climate change mitigation efforts.

Spin-transfer torque magnetoresistive random access memory (STT-MRAM) has recently replaced embedded Flash as the embedded non-volatile memory of choice for advanced applications. This Review discusses STT-MRAM history, operation, application requirements, product status and potential future directions.

High-temperature superconductors are now used mostly in large-scale applications, such as magnets and scientific apparatus. Overcoming barriers such as alternating current losses, or high manufacturing costs, will enable many more applications such as motors, generators and fusion reactors.

Quantum light-emitting devices (QLEDs) are essential for scalable on-chip quantum technologies. This Perspective analyses electrical pumping and quantum confinement schemes enabled by van der Waals materials and explores how they can be harnessed for the advancement of QLED development.