The rapid evolution of modern warfare toward distributed, intelligent, and global stealth has posed severe energy supply and information perception bottlenecks for combat nodes. Traditional energy supply strategies are unable to meet the strategic needs of long-range stealth operations and extreme environmental survival. Triboelectric nanogenerators provide a disruptive path for constructing self-sustaining military microsystems with high-efficiency and zero-power-sensing characteristics. This review establishes a comprehensive framework that systematically evaluates recent technological advances across an escalating hierarchy, encompassing individual soldier combat platforms, unmanned combat systems, strategic aerospace equipment, and special tactical scenarios. Crucially, moving beyond generic laboratory demonstrations, this review adopts a rigorous defense engineering perspective by conducting an integrated failure mode analysis to evaluate device degradation under severe battlefield stressors. Furthermore, it critically analyzes the primary engineering bottlenecks currently hindering military adoption, such as inherent impedance mismatch and scalable manufacturing barriers, and proposes targeted mitigation strategies. To systematically validate these solutions, we explicitly propose a concise evaluation framework strictly aligned with established military testing protocols. Ultimately, this review outlines several forward-looking strategic priorities, thereby constructing a highly actionable roadmap to accelerate the practical deployment of self-driven intelligent technologies.

Solid-state thermoelectric (TE) power generation through the direct conversion of a temperature difference into electricity has received worldwide attention. In this work, a segmented GeTe/BST-SKD TE module is optimized and fabricated to achieve outstanding power density and energy conversion efficiency. To enable high module-level TE performance, p-type GeTe with a ZTmax of 2.47 is used, while p-type BST (Bi2−xSbxTe3, with high ZT in the low temperature range) and n-type SKD (skutterudite, Yb0.3Co4Sb12) are optimized to reach ZTmax values of 1.38 and 1.33, respectively. Furthermore, module structure optimization is conducted using multiphysics-field simulations for three shape factors, including the segmentation ratio, height-to-area ratio, and cross-sectional area ratio between p- and n-type legs. When the three factors are 0.35, 0.67 mm−1, and 1.85, respectively, both the maximum power density and energy conversion efficiency reach their optimal values. Finally, Ni foil is applied at the GeTe/BST interface to serve as both a metallization layer and a diffusion barrier, minimizing internal contact resistances and enhancing high-temperature stability. The maximum power density and energy conversion efficiency of the segmented module are increased by 35% and 21 %, respectively, compared with those of the unsegmented one. The segmented module achieves a substantial power output of ∼0.43 W at ΔT = 500 K, corresponding to a power density of 0.35 W/cm2 per module area and 143 W kg−1 per module weight, with an effective material-level power density of 1.51 W/cm2. The segmented module achieves an outstanding energy conversion efficiency of 12.7%, demonstrating the effectiveness of the optimized leg-segmentation strategy for highperformance solid-state energy harvesting.

Proton-exchange-membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) is a leading technology for green hydrogen production, yet its performance and durability at high current densities are increasingly constrained by transport and interfacial losses within the porous transport layer (PTL). Positioned between the flow field and the catalyst layer, the PTL governs coupled two-phase water/oxygen transport, electronic conduction, heat dissipation, and mechanical support under harsh anodic conditions. In particular, the counter-current flow of liquid water and evolved oxygen, bubble nucleation and detachment dynamics, interfacial contact resistance, and corrosion-induced degradation collectively dictate cell efficiency and lifetime. This review summarizes recent advances in the development of high-performance Ti-based PTLs for PEMWE. Key thermal/electrical conduction and mass-transport mechanisms in PTLs, together with their influence on cell performance, are discussed. PTL performance can be improved through rational control of substrate microstructure, protective coatings, and surface modification. Two-phase transport can be enhanced by tuning pore architecture and wettability, while PTL–CL contact and catalyst utilization can be improved by introducing a microporous top layer. In addition, various PTL fabrication and processing strategies are comparatively discussed to highlight their respective advantages, limitations, and roles in enabling highperformance PEMWE operation.

Ultra-thin 2D semiconductors exhibit strong optical responses, enabling compact photonic structures. Few-layer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) combine high refractive index, nonlinearity, and anisotropy, making them suitable for miniaturized elements. Scientists from Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology in Moscow report a laser-assisted method for direct formation of TMDC diffractive elements from chemical precursors via localized reactions. This scalable approach enables fabrication of high-resolution gratings and lenses for chip integration and thin-film focusing applications.

Digital projection lithography is a promising alternative technology for the fabrication of functional micro/nanostructures. Researchers in China have developed a digital phase-shift mask projection lithography method that breaks the diffraction limit of conventional DMD-based maskless lithography. By introducing programmable phase control using dual spatial light modulators, the system enables high-contrast interference imaging and sub-100 nm patterning. The approach provides a low-cost, flexible, and scalable route for advanced semiconductor and nanophotonic manufacturing.

Researchers have developed sustainable biochar‑supported mono‑ and bimetallic catalysts from date palm trunk waste for CO₂ methanation. The optimal catalyst (BCNi‑3.0, 4.6 wt% Ni) achieved 58 % CO₂ conversion and 91 % CH₄ selectivity at 400 °C and 1 bar. Increasing pressure to 30 bar enhanced performance to 76 % conversion and nearly 99 % CH₄ selectivity, with stable operation over 20 h. Bimetallic NiFe catalysts promoted CO formation via the reverse water‑gas shift (RWGS) reaction, while K promotion further favored CO production. The study demonstrates that biochar from date palm trunk provides a viable, low‑cost support for CO₂ methanation with competitive performance at significantly reduced metal loading.

Researchers have developed a controllable hydrothermal synthesis strategy for spherical cerium oxide (CeO₂) abrasives with tunable particle sizes from 32 to 531 nm while maintaining excellent sphericity and dispersity. Mechanistic studies reveal that CeO₂ formation occurs via nitrateinduced oxidation of Ce³⁺, with subsequent precipitation coupled to acetate decomposition thermodynamically driving the reaction forward. Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) tests show that 343 nm CeO₂ achieves the highest material removal rate (73.7 nm·min⁻¹) with low surface roughness (Ra = 0.31 nm). The hydrothermally synthesized CeO₂ outperforms commercial abrasives in both short and longterm polishing owing to its uniform morphology.

Researchers have developed a porous composite sponge (ZnCuCCS) by anchoring ZnS, CuS, and Zn₁₋ₓCuₓS nanoparticles onto a cellulose–chitosan matrix via a facile hydrothermal route. The material exhibits a high porosity of 88.37 %, a narrow bandgap of 1.31 eV, and excellent mechanical stability. In simulated solar irradiation, ZnCuCCS achieves a levofloxacin (LEV) removal efficiency of 90.12 %, maintaining a stable degradation rate of 72.9 % after five reuse cycles. The study elucidates the adsorption–photocatalytic degradation mechanism, demonstrating that photogenerated holes (h⁺) and superoxide radicals (O₂⁻) are the dominant active species.

Researchers have developed a bifunctional catalyst system combining ZnZrOₓ (ZZO) with silanol nest‑enriched silicalite‑1 (AS‑1) for CO₂ hydrogenation coupled with toluene alkylation. The moderate acidity of AS‑1 significantly suppresses side reactions, reducing benzene selectivity from 6.04 % (using conventional ZSM‑5) to 0.5 %, while increasing para‑xylene (PX) selectivity from 23.6 % to 33 %. Epitaxial silicalite‑1 shell coating further enhances shape selectivity, boosting PX selectivity to 44.4 %. Optimizing the spatial distribution of ZZO and AS‑1 increases toluene conversion to 16.3 %. The integrated ZZO/AS‑1@S‑1 catalyst achieves a CO₂ conversion of 9.5 %, toluene conversion of 15 %, and PX selectivity of 57.5 % under optimized conditions.

Researchers have developed a multifunctional flame‑retardant strategy for epoxy resin by incorporating polyphosphazene‑decorated hierarchical nickel phyllosilicate (NiPS@PZN) as a reinforcing and wear‑resistant filler, together with 9,10‑dihydro‑9‑oxa‑10‑phosphaphenanthrene‑10‑oxide (DOPO) as a flame‑retardant synergist. At a total loading of 6 % (1:1 mass ratio), the composite achieves a UL‑94 V‑0 rating and a limited oxygen index of 26.6 %, while total heat release, total smoke production, and CO₂ production are reduced by 10.4 %, 23.2 %, and 26.8 %, respectively. The tensile strength increases to 103.5 MPa and the minimum wear rate reaches 1.78 × 10⁻⁵ mm³·N⁻¹·m⁻¹, demonstrating a breakthrough in overcoming the traditional trade‑off between flame retardancy and mechanical/tribological properties.