Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) chains are prone to be closely packed and tangle because of the simple and regular long linear structure. Although the resultant bottlenecks in processing of high- performance UHMWPE materials restrict their large-scale development and applications

the unique structure indicate various opportunities for functionalization and materials design. Based on the excellent properties of UHMWPE

a considerable number of studies have shown that functionalization and composites design can be achieved by taking advantages of the polydispersity of molecular weight

adjustable soft/hard phase and physical cross-linking density

pore- foaming effects and stress-induced crystallization under stretching

crystallization-induced phase separation and other characteristics. In this mini-review

the development and application of UHMWPE-based functional composites in recent years are summarized to illustrate the unique advantages and broad prospects of UHMWPE in electromagnetic shielding

intelligent response

biomedicine and thermal management.