Becoming a foodie in virtual environments: simulating and enhancing the eating experience with wearable electronics for the next-generation VR/AR.

Human-machine interfaces (HMIs) have received significant attention for their potential in augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Perception of food is an important component of human sensations closely related to healthcare and overall quality of life, which, however, is an underrepresented area in current VR/AR technologies. This review summarizes recent progress in simulating chemical and physical sensations for enhancing eating experiences by utilizing emerging wearable electronics.

Biodegradable origami enables closed-loop sustainable robotic systems.

Robots are increasingly integral across various sectors due to their efficiency and superior capabilities, which enable performance beyond human potential. However, the development of robotic systems often conflicts with the sustainable development goals set by the United Nations, as they generate considerable nondegradable waste and organic/inorganic pollutants throughout their life cycle. In this paper, we introduce a dual closed-loop robotic system that integrates biodegradable, sustainable materials such as plasticized cellulose films and NaCl-infused ionic conductive gelatin organogels.

Ultrafast materials synthesis and manufacturing techniques for emerging energy and environmental applications.

Energy and environmental issues have attracted increasing attention globally, where sustainability and low-carbon emissions are seriously considered and widely accepted by government officials. In response to this situation, the development of renewable energy and environmental technologies is urgently needed to complement the usage of traditional fossil fuels. While a big part of advancement in these technologies relies on materials innovations, new materials discovery is limited by sluggish conventional materials synthesis methods, greatly hindering the advancement of related technologies.