Nanoconfined iontronics employs ions as charge carriers to transmit signals, regulate charge flux, and amplify signals, mimicking the functionality of the nervous system by controlling the magnitude and direction of ionic currents. Through precise modulation of the electrical double layer (EDL) within nanoconfined spaces, Prof. WEI has achieved controlled ionic currents, which underpin numerous scientific and technological advancements, serving as carriers of energy and information as well as probes for reaction kinetics.

1. Energy: By tailoring the confinement dimensions to match the Debye length of the EDL, selective ion transport was achieved, enabling directional ion conduction. For the first time, portable, efficient, fully printable, and ultra-thin (10 µm) energy systems based on osmotic effects with high energy and power densities were realized using two-dimensional nanofluidic materials [Nat. Energy 9, 263–271(2024), Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 63, e202414984 (2024), Nat. Commun. 13, 4965 (2022), PNAS 118, e2023164118 (2021)].

2. Information: The concept of triboiontronics, involving dynamic EDL modulation through triboelectric fields, was proposed by Prof. WEI [Matter 6, 3912-3926 (2023)]. By triboelectric-induced polarization, the polarity and magnitude of the ionic charge within the Stern layer and diffuse layer of the EDL could be dynamically controlled. This enabled the development of self-driven neuromimetic ionic logic control circuits without requiring an external power supply [Nat. Commun. 15, 6182 (2024)]. Additionally, through hierarchical design of surface electret arrays with nanomaterials and integration with artificial intelligence algorithms, a tele-perception framework was firstly established, capable of identifying object shapes and types at a distance of up to 3 meters [Sci. Adv. 10, eadp8681 (2024)].

3. Probes: By regulating electron transfer in the Stern layer of the EDL during solid-liquid contact electrification on non-metallic materials (semiconductors and dielectrics), the generation of radicals in liquids was controlled. The concept of Contact-electro-Chemistry (CE-Chemistry) was introduced, correlating triboelectric series with electrochemical standard electrode potentials based on electron transfer capability [Nano Energy 122, 109286 (2024)]. Using triboelectric charges, a new paradigm of chemical reactions was demonstrated, including chemiluminescence, polymerization, and redox reactions, in both aqueous and non-aqueous systems [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 146, 31574–31584 (2024)].