Abstract: Industrialization has boosted productivity and transformed wealth accumulation, but has also caused resource depletion, pollution, and ecological imbalances. Against this backdrop, sustainable development has evolved from an environmental concern into a global principle, as marked by milestones from the 1972 Stockholm Conference and the 1992 Rio Summit to the 2015 UN 2030 Agenda, through which the international community has reinforced the consensus that development must respect ecological carrying capacity and intergenerational equity. China, however, has not followed the "grow first, clean up later" model. Instead, given its vast population, pronounced regional disparities, and complex developmental stages, it has forged a distinctive institution-driven pathway anchored in three pillars: state-level coordination that translates green targets into enforceable governance; strategic integration of carbon neutrality goals with industrial upgrading and energy restructuring; and a people-oriented approach that links ecological governance to improved livelihoods. This paper examines this pathway from three dimensions—global evolution, China's institutional practices, and worldwide implications—to demonstrate its practical necessity and international relevance. It argues that despite challenges such as regional imbalances, China's experience offers valuable insights for developing countries navigating trade-offs between growth, resource limits, and environmental stewardship. Read More

Abstract: Stretchable electronic devices have exerted an overt impact on developments in wearable electronics, biomedical devices, soft robotics and the Internet of Things (IoT), with flexible substrate materials playing a fundamental role as building blocks. This extensive study provides a detailed comparison and contrast of the properties (mechanical, electrical, environmental) of polymer-based, organic compounds, bio-based materials as well as hybrids as substrates for stretchable electronics. Polymer substrates like polydimethylsiloxone (PDMS) and polyurethane have made it possible to obtain stretchability (150%-200%) along with biocompatibility, crucial for making wearable sensors or implants with sensitivity down to 0.5 kPa⁻¹ Biodegradability within 30 days makes organic substrates such as cellulose and silk part of the sustainable materials that derived functional properties, suitable for disposable biosensors. The graphene /silver nanowires hybrid substrates exhibit relatively low sheet resistance (10 Ω/sq) and high transmittance (89%), which is well suited for stretchable circuits and displays. Scalability is further supported by spin-coating, 3D printing, and roll-to-roll processing techniques but uniformity as well as cost remains into question. Key limitations include mechanical fatigue (typically 10,000 cycles), conductivity decrease under flexion, high processing costs ($50–100/kg for organic substrates) and regulatory challenges in the biomedical field. The review focuses on novel trends such as self-healing polymers which recover up to 90% of mechanical properties and bio-inspired substrates for enhanced biocompatibility. Future work, which targets at low-cost and easy scale-up of nanomaterial synthesis, 4D printing for dynamic structures, and integrating with AI/IoT to realize intelligent devices (50 µW/cm²), is also discussed. This work revisits the studies of substrates, as well as actives and passives in other works to present an all-embracing view … Read More

Abstract: Foundation pit engineering is a critical component of urban underground space development, and its safety is directly associated with the protection of buildings, surrounding infrastructure, and human life and property. Seepage forces and seepage-induced deformation are among the primary factors affecting the deformation and stability of deep foundation pits. This study investigates two representative engineering cases—the Jingguang Plaza foundation pit failure in Guangzhou and the Zuguo Plaza foundation pit failure in Zhuhai—to examine the influence of soil seepage behavior on foundation pit stability. By analyzing the geological and hydrogeological conditions, design schemes, and construction processes of these two projects, the critical role of soil permeability in the safety performance of foundation pit engineering is elucidated. The results indicate that soil permeability has a significant influence on groundwater control, the mechanical behavior of retaining structures, and the overall stability of the soil mass. Therefore, comprehensive seepage analysis and continuous deformation monitoring should be incorporated throughout the design and construction stages to effectively reduce the risk of seepage-induced failures in deep foundation pit engineering. Read More

Abstract: With the introduction of new construction methods in recent years, many AI and digital fabrication (DF) technologies are now being used to build buildings. Systematically explore the integration paths of AI technology, including machine learning, computer vision and generative design, with digital fabrication processes such as additive manufacturing and robotic assembly, in this paper. Based on the present design-to-robotic-production (D2RP) framework, this paper demonstrates how AI can bridge the gap between virtual design optimisation and real-world material constraints. The three conceptualized integration paths are as follows: AI-driven generative conceptualization, fabrication-aware predictive parameterization, and real-time human-robot collaborative construction. Based on the above results, these technologies will change the nature of an architect's work to that of a digital artisan, enabling the creation of complex, materially sensitive and performative buildings. In short, this study offers an all-around plan for applying AI and digital fabrication to address the current problems of inefficiency in civil construction, promoting the development of environmentally friendly, high-precision and personalised architecture. Read More

Abstract: With low density, high specific strength, favorable thermal conductivity and wear resistance, SiC particle‑reinforced aluminum matrix composites are highly promising candidate materials for lightweight brake discs of high‑speed trains. This paper summarizes the fundamental theories, various preparation technologies and existing engineering challenges of brake discs made from such composites. It illustrates strengthening mechanisms including load transfer, thermal mismatch and dislocation obstruction, and analyzes the influences of SiC/Al interfacial reactions, particle agglomeration and pore defects on the thermo‑mechanical fatigue, fracture and wear properties of materials. The control essentials, advantages and disadvantages, as well as engineering adaptability of processes such as powder metallurgy, stir casting, pressure infiltration, friction stir processing and additive manufacturing are compared. It is indicated that stir casting is suitable for large‑size components; friction stir processing can construct gradient wear‑resistant microstructures; dual‑configuration microstructures and particle surface coatings can achieve synergistic improvement of strength and ductility. Current material applications mainly face bottlenecks including difficult particle dispersion, formation of interfacial brittle phases, initiation of thermal fatigue cracks, and conflicts between manufacturing scale and cost. The research demonstrates that brake discs require coordination between material microstructure regulation and structural thermo‑mechanical coupling design, which provides references for subsequent process optimization and engineering development of SiCp/Al brake discs for high‑speed trains. Read More

Abstract: In clinical orthopedics, the effective management of bone defects remains a major challenge. Conventional options—including autografts, allografts, and synthetic substitutes—are often limited by insufficient mechanical strength, weak osteoinductive capability, and poor antimicrobial performance. In contrast, graphene and its related derivatives possess a distinct two-dimensional architecture combined with outstanding mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, and biocompatibility, making them promising promising novel modifying agents for applications in bone tissue engineering. This review systematically summarizes the recent progress of graphene-based composites used in bone repair, with emphasis on their functional mechanisms serving as mechanical reinforcement frameworks, osteoinductive factors, electroactive interfaces, antibacterial barriers and immunomodulatory components. It summarizes application cases of graphene composites with matrix materials including hydroxyapatite, polylactic acid and chitosan, and highlights the advantages of such materials in repairing large-segment bone defects and infectious bone defects. Graphene-based composites can markedly enhance the mechanical strength of scaffolds, facilitate osteogenic differentiation and angiogenesis, and achieve synergistic antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, offering new strategies and material prospects for clinical bone repair. Read More

Abstract: The rapid development of flexible wearable electronics has imposed comprehensive requirements on energy storage devices, including safety, thinness, stretchability, and high reliability. Traditional lithium batteries suffer from issues such as flammability, high cost, and insufficient flexibility. In contrast, flexible aqueous zinc batteries are regarded as an important alternative due to the abundance of zinc resources, moderate operating voltage, environmental friendliness, and high safety. However, their performance is limited by bottlenecks such as slow ion transport in the electrolyte, poor interfacial stability, and the tendency for zinc dendrite growth. PVA/PAA/PAM-based hydrogel electrolytes, with advantages such as film-forming ability, adhesiveness, water retention, and strong designability, provide a new approach for regulating Zn2+ migration and suppressing dendrite growth, and thus have become a current research hotspot. Flexible aqueous zinc-ion batteries are considered promising energy storage devices for wearable and portable electronics because of their intrinsic safety, low cost, and environmental compatibility. However, practical deployment remains hindered by sluggish ion transport in hydrogel electrolytes, unstable electrode/electrolyte interfaces, limited mechanical robustness, and severe zinc dendrite growth during repeated cycling. This study focuses on polyvinyl alcohol/polyacrylic acid/polyacrylamide (PVA/PAA/PAM)-based hydrogel electrolytes and systematically analyzes the structural basis and synergistic regulation mechanisms that enable improved ionic conduction and dendrite suppression.  By integrating complementary molecular interactions, the composite hydrogel can construct continuous ion-conduction pathways, reduce the activation energy for ion migration, and regulate the Zn2+ solvation structure through reversible coordination with polar groups. In addition, crosslinking engineering, double-network or interpenetrating-network design, … Read More