SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4472-0
Dynamic electrocardiography (ECG) monitoring during physical activity remains compromised by motion artifacts that corrupt signal fidelity, particularly with conventional gel electrodes whose impedance rises sharply under deformation. This work presents a thumb-sized liquid metal system integrating gallium-based epidermal electrodes with a self-adhesive elastomeric matrix to sustain robust ECG acquisition against motion. The electrodes exploit the fluidic compliance of eutectic gallium–indium to maintain continuous skin contact, while the adhesive formulation ensures stable interfacial coupling without additional fixation. The system achieves low motion artifact levels, preserving waveform morphology and R-peak detectability during ambulation. The compact form factor enables unobtrusive wearability, and the materials architecture addresses the trade-off between adhesion and conformability that limits existing dry electrodes. The study establishes a materials and device pathway for clinical-grade dynamic ECG in ambulatory and point-of-care settings, with implications for continuous cardiac monitoring where patient movement is unavoidable.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3617-x
Macrophages are pivotal in infection resolution and tissue repair via dynamic M1-to-M2 phenotypic polarization. Although various nano-biomaterials can modulate macrophage polarization, achieving sequential M1-to-M2 transition using a single nanoformulation remains challenging. Here, we propose a strategy employing transition metal carbide/nitride (MXene) nanosheets, internalized by macrophages, as the sole regulator to induce sequential polarization. Under a rotating magnetic field, the high electrical conductivity and magnetoelectric activity of endocytosed MXene generate electrical signals and reactive oxygen species (ROS), driving M1 polarization. Upon magnetic field removal, the inherent bioactivity of MXene facilitates repolarization to the M2 phenotype. Mechanistically, this transition involves inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway and activation of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. In vivo, MXene nanosheets under on-off rotating magnetic field stimulation enabled sequential M1-to-M2 polarization, promoting bacterial clearance and tissue regeneration in infected wounds. This two-step sequential strategy targeting macrophages offers a promising therapeutic approach for infected wound healing.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3858-8
High-quality β-Ga2O3 membranes are pivotal for fabricating high-performance memristive devices. Here, vertical Ag/β-Ga2O3/Pt memristors built on high-crystalline-quality β-Ga2O3 membranes via lattice epitaxy engineering and a sacrificial-layer-assisted exfoliation strategy are reported. The resulting β-Ga2O3-based device demonstrates a high ON/OFF ratio exceeding 10^8, low SET/RESET voltages of 0.13 V/−0.11 V, low programming current of 10^-10 A, stable data retention beyond 4 × 10^4 s, and excellent subthreshold characteristics of ~0.47 mV/dec. Adjustable compliance current enables the coexistence of volatile and non-volatile switching modes. Additionally, the resistive switching versatility is predominantly governed by the migration of Ag ions, as supported by electrical characterizations and first-principles calculations. Furthermore, a β-Ga2O3 memristor-based circuit that functions as a reconfigurable and non-volatile exclusive OR (XOR) logic gate has been designed and simulated, enabling both image encryption/decryption and edge detection. This work not only demonstrates lattice-engineered, high-quality β-Ga2O3 membranes for fabricating advanced memristors but also extends their applicability to digital logic and reconfigurable image processing.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4150-2
Bacterial infection and irregular wound morphology are major challenges in clinical wound management. Injectable hydrogels can conform to irregular wound geometries but often lack antimicrobial activity. Here, we report an injectable hydrogel (HPAu gel) formed by sequentially mixing phenylboronic acid-modified hyaluronic acid (HA-PBA) and chloroauric acid under alkaline conditions. The gel's internal multiple crosslinks enable uniform encapsulation of in situ-generated gold nanoparticles. Hydrogen bonds and phenylboronic acid ester bonds confer self-healing, injectability, and adhesion, allowing effective sealing of irregular cavities. In vitro, the hydrogel exhibits long-lasting photothermal stability and eliminates multiple bacterial strains. In a mouse dorsal full-thickness infected wound model, HPAu gel under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation eradicated Staphylococcus aureus, reduced inflammation (TNF-α fluorescence area significantly lower; IL-10 area 12.88‰ vs <2‰ in Blank), promoted vascular regeneration (CD31 and α-SMA expression increased), and accelerated wound healing. This work presents a promising strategy for treating irregular infected wounds.