Wool fabrics are ideal for wearable and outdoor applications due to intrinsic flexibility, breathability, and biocompatibility. However, their hydrophilicity leads to moisture absorption, inferior thermal insulation, and ice accumulation in cold environments. To address these issues, this study develops a versatile wool fabric integrated with hydrophobic, photothermal power generation, anti/de-icing and infrared stealth properties via a polydopamine (PDA)-assisted hydrophobic modification combined with in-situ growth of Ag 2S particles. The formed micro-nano hierarchical structure endows HMWF@Ag 2S with prominent multi-functionality: 1) Effective hydrophobicity, achieving a water contact angle (WCA) of 139.3°; 2) Efficient photothermal conversion (efficiency (η) 62.3%), supporting its potential as a photothermal power generation and anti/de-icing material. The hydrophobic HMWF@Ag 2S can also effectively facilitate ice melting and removal under NIR irradiation, even in -20 °C environments; 3) Broadband IR stealth capability covering the 3–14 μm band, thus filling the gap in multifunctional wearable IR stealth materials. Therefore, this strategy not only resolves wool fabrics’ practical issues in cold environments but also expands their application scenarios in broader fields.

We present a ‘scissorable’ piezoelectric nanogenerator (SCIPENG) platform comprising flexible micrograting electrodes laterally interconnected by piezoelectric nanowires, whose scalable and homogenous architecture uniquely allows easy cut into the desired size simply by using a scissors. On each sidewall of the microgratings formed by UV nanoimprint lithography, Ag and Au are sequentially deposited via glancing angle deposition (GLAD), followed by another GLAD of Cr on top of the microgratings. Through the metal-mediated seedless hydrothermal synthesis, the ZnO nanowires (ZNWs) can be laterally grown preferentially from each Au sidewall to interconnect each neighboring Ag sidewall while a catalytic-inactive Cr capping layer securely suppresses unnecessary ZNW growth outside the micrograting scaffold. The resulting SCIPENG structure, consisting of multiple stacks of laterally aligned ZNW-interconnected, Au- and Ag-deposited asymmetric micrograting electrodes, exhibits excellent piezoelectric performance under repeated mechanical bending without external bias, with the maximum peak-to-peak voltage of ~140 V. Scissoring into the controlled sizes ( e.g., half-length. half-stack) demonstrates well-predictable scaling behavior; output voltage increases with decreased micrograting length; current scales linearly with the stacking number of microelectrodes. This platform offers highly scalable fabrication and extremely easy scaling, particularly promising for sustainable high-mix, low-volume production of flexible devices requiring diverse sizes upon diverse uses.

Recent global viral outbreaks have highlighted the urgent need for protective face masks that combine high filtration performance with environmental sustainability. Herein, we developed a biodegradable, breathable, and antiviral nanofiber (NF) filter composed of quercetin (QU) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) via a solution-blowing (SB) technique. The resulting QU/PEO NF filter exhibited a non-woven morphology with high porosity and excellent mechanical durability, showing a high yield strength of 30 MPa. It also demonstrated rapid biodegradation in soil, confirming its eco-friendly nature. Filtration tests showed a high particulate matter (PM) removal efficiency of up to 96.2% at an airflow rate of 20 L/min, with a low pressure drop, outperforming commercial mask filters. In addition, antiviral assays confirmed that the NF filter effectively reduced viral infectivity, while showing protective effects against oxidative stress and inflammation in skin cells. These results demonstrate the strong potential of the QU/PEO NF filter as a next-generation non-woven material for personal protective equipment, requiring effective viral protection, excellent breathability, skin compatibility, and environmental sustainability.

Wearable photothermal materials can capture light energy in nature and convert it into heat energy, which is critical for flexible outdoor sports. However, the conventional flexible photothermal membranes with low specific surface area restrict the maximum photothermal capability, and loose structure of electrospun membrane limits durability of wearable materials. Here, an ultrathin nanostructure candle soot/ multi-walled carbon nanotubes / poly (l-lactic acid) (CS/MWCNTs/PLLA) photothermal membrane is first prepared via solvent-induced recrystallization. The white blood cell membrane-like nanowrinkles with high specific surface area are achieved for the first time and exhibit optimal light absorption. The solvent-induced recrystallization also enables the membrane to realize large strength and durability. Meanwhile, the membranes also show two-sided heterochromatic features and transparency in thick and thin situations, respectively, suggesting outstanding fashionability. Nanowrinkled photothermal membranes by novel solvent-induced recrystallization show high flexibility, fashionability, strength, and photothermal characteristics, which have huge potential for outdoor warmth.