Printed supercapacitors (PSC) have attracted increasing attention in flexible electronics and emerging energy storage systems owing to their scalability and compatibility with flexible integration. As a key functional layer, the gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) plays a decisive role in determining the performance and stability of PSC. This review systematically summarizes the recent research progress on GPE in PSC, with a particular focus on their classification based on polymer systems, solvent systems, and fabrication methods. The influence of the GPE on the ion transport behavior, electrode/electrolyte interfacial characteristics, and electrochemical performance of PSC was comprehensively analyzed. On this basis, the advantages and limitations of different GPE systems in terms of printability, cycling stability and mechanical reliability are further discussed. Current studies indicate that achieving a balance among high ionic conductivity, mechanical integrity and printing compatibility remains challenging, while interfacial resistance control, environmental adaptability and manufacturing consistency continue to limit the performance improvement and practical application of PSC. Future research should focus on material structural design, mechanistic understanding, and synergistic optimization of printing processes, aiming to develop multifunctional and environmentally friendly GPE systems to promote PSC toward high performance, flexibility, and system-level integration. This review provides experimental references and research insights for the rational design of GPE and their application in printed energy storage devices.

With the advancement of display technologies toward flexibility and high weatherability, dye-based polarizers have attracted widespread attention owing to their excellent resistance to high temperature and humidity. This review systematically summarizes recent research progress on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-based dye-type polarizing films, focusing on their preparation principles, PVA optical film properties, and the effects of these mechanisms on polarizing performance. To address the key challenges of enhancing optical performance and durability, diversified modification strategies are discussed, including molecular structure optimization of dyes, synergistic dye compounding, improvements in dyeing processes, and modifications of the PVA substrate. Studies have shown that constructing strong interfacial interactions between dyes and the PVA matrix can significantly improve the orientation order and moisture-heat stability of the dyes. Composite modification of the PVA substrate not only enhanced its mechanical and water-resistant properties but also provided a more stable orientation platform for the dye molecules. Finally, this review outlines the challenges and future directions for dye-based polarizers in flexible displays and harsh-environment applications, emphasizing the importance of establishing a “structure-processing-performance” relationship. This study provides a theoretical basis and technical pathway for the design and development of a new generation of high-performance composite-based polarizers.

This review summarizes the current status and recent advances in the condensed-state chain structure characteristics, modification optimization strategies, and processing technologies of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). Furthermore, factors such as temperature control, antioxidant incorporation, irradiation sterilization, melt pretreatment, foaming, crosslinking, stepwise stretching, and composite modification strategies were systematically investigated,  and the regulatory rules governing the relationships between these factors and molecular chain crystallinity, chain entanglement density, orientation degree, and lamellar morphology were elucidated. UHMWPE produced via different processes exhibits distinct applications, such as rubber modification, battery separators, artificial joints, and high-strength lightweight materials. Based on these summaries, this review provides valuable insights for future exploration of condensed-state structures of UHMWPE, processing systems, and development of high-value, functionalized, and differentiated applications.

Boron nitride (BN) has emerged as a highly promising functional filler for overcoming the performance limitations of conventional rubber matrices by leveraging its superior comprehensive properties, including high thermal conductivity, electrical insulation, and excellent thermal stability. However, the inherent interfacial incompatibility between BN and rubber matrices poses a fundamental challenge to optimizing composite performance, making the modification of BN imperative. This review summarizes recent advances in the preparation, modification strategies, and application of BN in rubber composites. It begins with an overview of the structure, properties, and primary synthesis methods of BN. Subsequently, covalent and non-covalent modification strategies employed to enhance interfacial bonding are discussed. This review systematically summarizes the improvements achieved in the thermal conductivity, thermal stability, flame retardancy, and mechanical properties of composites based on various rubber matrices, including EPDM, silicone rubber, and natural rubber. This study aims to provide a valuable reference for the development of high-performance BN/rubber composites and offers perspectives on future research directions.

Isooctyltriethoxysilane (iO-T₇) and its lithium salt compounds (iO-T₇-OLi) were prepared with high yield and high purity. The structures of the products were systematically characterized using diverse methods, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, ²⁹Si-NMR), and MALDI-TOF MS. It was confirmed that iO-T₇-OLi possesses a disubstituted lithium salt structure, thereby expanding the structural diversity of incompletely condensed POSS. The glass transition temperatures (T_g) of iO-T₇ and iO-T₇-OLi were determined via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) at a heating rate of 10 K/min, yielding values of 244.05 and 239.35 K, respectively. Additionally, the T_g values derived from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were 225.87 and 216.45 K, respectively, providing insights into the glass transition behaviors of the compounds. Furthermore, radial distribution functions for both iO-T₇ and iO-T₇-OLi were calculated, and a detailed analysis was performed considering intermolecular interactions and chain dynamics.

Conventionally synthesized styrene-maleic anhydride (SMA) dispersants often exhibit broad molecular weight distributions, resulting in a broad and heterogeneous particle size distribution of pigments, known as the “gradient effect”. To address this issue, in this study, SMA copolymers with controlled molecular weights were synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The influence of chain transfer agents and initiators on the molecular weight and distribution of SMA was thoroughly investigated. The structures of the resulting SMA copolymers were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The dispersion performance of the SMA copolymers for carbon black pigments was evaluated and compared with that of commercial SMA dispersants. The results indicate that the polymerization system using 2-phenylpropyl 2-benzenedicarboxylate (PPB) as the chain transfer agent and AIBN as the initiator afforded SMA copolymers with the narrowest molecular weight distribution, exhibiting a remarkably low dispersity (Đ) of 1.13. Structural analysis confirmed that the RAFT-synthesized SMA copolymers possessed alternating structures. When used as a dispersant for carbon black, the aqueous dispersion system prepared with these RAFT-synthesized SMA copolymers achieved an ultra-fine particle size of 151 nm and an exceptionally low dispersion index of 0.109, demonstrating an outstanding dispersion stability. Its dispersing performance significantly surpassed that of the commercially available SMA dispersants.

To solve the difficulty of recovery and reuse of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in aqueous systems, MOF-76 was successfully immobilized onto viscose spunlace nonwoven (VSN) fibers via an in situ solvothermal synthesis. The resulting MOF-76@VSN was applied for the adsorption of organic dyes from water. The results showed that MOF-76 crystals with a rod-like morphology were anchored on the surface of VSN fibers, the average length was approximately 400 nm. MOF-76@VSN demonstrates high adsorption efficiency toward several anionic dyes, such as congo red (CR) and carmine (CAR). Under the optimal conditions of adsorption temperature of 35 ℃, and the adsorption solution of pH=7; the adsorption efficiency of MOF-76@VSN for CR was the maxmium, and reached 99.50% within 30 min. In addition, MOF-76@VSN exhibits good reusability, maintaining an adsorption efficiency of approximately 67.05% after five adsorption–desorption cycles.

This study systematically investigated the anomalous retention of small-molecule solutes during semipermeable membrane filtration. Experimental results confirm the widespread occurrence of this phenomenon, even when the hydrodynamic diameters of the solutes are smaller than the nominal membrane pore sizes. Two underlying mechanisms have been proposed and validated: (1) molecular agglomeration via intermolecular interactions (e.g., hydrogen bonding), which forms larger clusters that hinder permeation, and (2) dynamic pore blockage caused by the adsorption and stacking of long-chain compounds within the pores. Both mechanisms were identified as key contributors to unexpected solute retention. These findings directly link the fundamental filtration behavior to practical membrane fouling, offering important insights into the understanding and design of membrane separation processes.

Amid rapid advances in artificial intelligence, integrating AI into polymer physics education is necessary. Undergraduate courses should adopt evidence-centered design to build data literacy and cross-disciplinary skills. We implemented a project-based module on AI-assisted rational design of soft matter in an undergraduate early-stage course. The module is organized around case, properties, model, and validation, and establishes a reproducible workflow that combines molecular simulation with machine learning. Using charge-sequence effects in polyelectrolytes as the case study, students ran simulations to obtain radial distribution functions, radius of gyration, and end-to-end distance. They then trained baseline models and deep neural networks to predict properties and compare methods. The outcomes show that students completed the full loop from modeling to evaluation, improved the clarity of evidence presentation, and adopted a data-driven analytic approach. The module helped students grasp core concepts in polymer physics, gain hands-on experience with simulation tools, and develop habits that support data-driven research.

The understanding and balancing the relationship between knowledge acquisition and holistic development constitute critical entry points for promoting innovation in educational teaching methodologies, and comprehensively enhancing the quality of education and teaching in higher education. The “Polymer Physics” course teaching team at Beijing University of Chemical Technology adopted a progressive competency-building approach according to the educational objectives of memory, comprehension, application, analysis, evaluation, and innovation. Based on course knowledges, the team strengthened students’ ability to independently construct knowledge systems by the integration of online and offline hybrid teaching methods, and then a progressive competency-based teaching model that involves “building knowledge maps–analyzing research cases–solving practical problems” was explored. Depended on the study of polymer physics knowledge, the holistic development of students’ knowledge, competencies, and literacy was achieved. Therefore, the quality of education for students majoring in polymer materials and engineering was improved.

There are lots of knowledge points, difficult points and extensive content in the course of Polymer Physics. Under the background of large-category enrollment and emerging engineering education, many issues become increasingly prominent, such as the contradiction between “numerous knowledge points” and “limited teaching hours”, the insufficient of cutting-edge scientific advancements and course ideology-politics construction. Based on the teaching practices of “Polymer Physics” at School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, the author attempts to deconstruct and reconstruct the key knowledge points such as the “chain-folding model”, “polymer crystalline morphology” and “electron microscopy research methods”. Using the story of Professor Keller’s proofing of folded-chain model as the clue, the course content is reorganized. Subsequently, the cutting-edge scientific advancement is introduced, supplemented by specialized articles from relevant scientific public account and supporting literature, aiming to construct a course unit that integrates knowledge-imparting, ability-fostering and value-shaping. The author hopes these explorations and thoughts can provide valuable references for the development of “Polymer Physics” in other colleges and universities.

Chain dynamics constitutes the foundational framework for understanding the rheological behavior and mechanical properties of polymeric materials. This study introduces an instructional design grounded in the theoretical computation of relaxation time, with scaling relationships serving as its unifying conceptual scaffold. By systematically developing the Rouse model, Zimm model, and Tube model—progressing from “single-chain dynamics in dilute solutions” to “hydrodynamic interactions” and finally to “entanglement-constrained motion”—we establish a coherent, hierarchically structured pedagogical pathway. Guided by a problem-driven approach, we explicitly articulate the physical assumptions, mathematical approximations, and logical derivation steps underpinning each model, thereby highlighting how scaling theory bridges microscopic chain motions with macroscopic viscoelastic responses. This design directly responds to two persistent challenges in polymer physics education: (1) the lack of conceptual depth in connecting molecular mechanisms to observable phenomena, and (2) the fragmentation of chain dynamics topics across disjointed modules. As such, it provides a principled foundation for curriculum reform aimed at fostering mechanistic reasoning and quantitative intuition.

“Polymer Physics”, as a fundamental course for polymer materials-related majors, has a core framework of the structure-performance relationship of polymers, featuring numerous abstract concepts and a strong theoretical nature. Traditional classroom teaching methods are difficult to achieve satisfactory teaching results within limited class hours. Students’ autonomous learning ability, higher-order thinking ability, and innovative consciousness in class still need to be enhanced. With the rapid development of internet technology, the integration of “Internet+” and higher education is constantly being explored and developed. Classroom teaching in engineering colleges aims to cultivate applied talents. In response to the “bottleneck” problems in the teaching process of this course, a blended teaching model was adopted to vigorously promote the classroom reform of “integration of science and education”. By leveraging mobile devices, a cloud teaching platform, encyclopedic knowledge content, and mobile applications for auxiliary teaching were established. Through the traction of scientific research projects in the teaching process, a multi-dimensional integrated teaching model is constructed, emphasizing the cultivation of students’ innovative consciousness and engineering literacy, and improving their ability to solve practical engineering problems, so as to meet the current social demands for talents in the polymer materials and engineering field.

Under the background of developing new quality productivity, the cultivation of innovative abilities of applied talents has become a core requirement of the talent training in universities, and is also an important guarantee of universities to provide high-quality talent support for the development of new quality productivity. Polymer materials and engineering major of NingboTech University relied on the research platform and achievements of teachers to built an integrated curriculum system of “theory+practice” and “theory+practice+innovation” through deep integration of science and education, and implemented innovatively a research-oriented teaching mode to enhancing comprehensively students’ academic thinking and professional innovation ability. Meanwhile, the close connection and innovative interaction between the primary and secondary classrooms have been achieved through the collaborative education of “teaching” and “learning”, ultimately an efficient innovative talent training system of “integrations of science & education, learning & competition and industry & education” was been formed. The practice of this talent cultivation model has improved significantly the quality of training applied talents for polymer materials and engineering major, as well as the compatibility of industry demand for talents under the background of new quality productivity.

Combined with the concept of industry-education integration and in alignment with the standards of engineering education accreditation and the demands of industrial transformation, the polymer materials and engineering major of Shandong University of Science and Technology conducts research-oriented experimental teaching reform practice for the “Comprehensive Experiment of Polymer Materials” based on engineering requirements. Taking actual industrial problems as the entry point, a four-dimensional experimental teaching model of “theoretical guidance−virtual simulation−remote collaboration−engineering practice” is constructed. Through the method of “participation of professional teachers, students and enterprise engineers, data sharing between schools and enterprises, result verification by enterprises” a research-oriented experimental module is systematically formed, covering basic principles, problem analysis, experimental plan formulation, simulation training, sample preparation and performance testing, and product verification. This teaching reform prompted students to achieve a cognitive leap in relevant theoretical knowledge, such as polymer processing and polymer physics, and systematically strengthened their engineering practice and collaborative innovation abilities.

The teaching team of the polymer materials and engineering of Anhui University explored how to set up a comprehensive professional experimental project for students of this major: the design, preparation and performance research of PBAT-based degradable composite materials. The items was based on the collaborative innovation project of Anhui Province’s universities and the formulation design and processing technology of degradable plastics (such as PBAT) was used as an example, during which the postgraduate was trained meanwhile. The interfacial issues between polymer-polymer and polymer-inorganic fillers, as well as AI-assisted formulation design, were introduced simultaneously. The research detected how to integrate course ideological and political education and objective-oriented teaching models into the talent cultivation process, thereby cultivating students’ ability to solve complex engineering problems in the processing of degradable polymer materials.

With the rapid progress of educational connectivity between China and “Belt and Road” countries, more and more international students are coming to China for higher education. Focusing on the teaching reform of the “Manufacture Engineering of Polymers” course for the international students of Beijing University of Chemical Technology, this study fully considers the academic backgrounds and cognitive characteristics of international students. It builds an adaptive all-English teaching environment, accumulates high-quality teaching resources, introduces innovative teaching methods, and adopts diversified evaluation standards. These measures aim to enhance the learning achievements of international students and cultivate highly qualified talents with solid fundamental knowledge, professional engineering mindset, and a global perspective. By employing approaches including using daily life scenarios or polymer history as a lead-in, performing “micro-experiments” in class, distilling knowledge points from polymer production videos, carrying out topic discussions and inquiry learning, and advancing the integration of science, industry, and education, this study generates an immersive learning experience. This approach promotes the learning interest and initiative of international students and improves their performance in analyzing and solving practical engineering problems. In addition, it aims to cultivate the students’ international vision and sentiment towards China, promote exchange and mutual trust between other nations and China, and turn international students into a bridge for international communication in the future.

The course of “Material Simulation and Computation” is divided into basic theoretical teaching and innovative training teaching. In terms of basic theoretical teaching content, the knowledge points are relatively theoretical and have a certain degree of abstraction, making it difficult for students to fully grasp them. Innovative training section combines abstract and complex theoretical knowledge with practical application cases by designing important polymer material simulation practice cases. The simulation calculation of thermal conductivity of silicone rubber is taken as an example. A software tool is used to construct an atomic model of silicone rubber material. The reverse non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulation method is used to analyze heat flow, establish a stable temperature field, and calculate the thermal conductivity of silicone rubber material based on Fourier equation. As a result, it is found that students have a deeper understanding and practical operation of simulated knowledge, effectively improving teaching effectiveness.