This study explores the enhancement of biocompatible titanium‐based implants through surface functionalization for improved bone healing. Specifically, a near‐beta type Ti‐13Nb‐13Zr alloy is 3D printed using laser powder bed fusion and subsequently textured using nanosecond (ns) and picosecond (ps) direct laser interference patterning (DLIP) to create single‐scale and multi‐scale surface textures. On these textures, the cell behavior, morphology, metabolic activity and osteogenic differentiation potential of human bone marrow stromal cells are assessed using fluorescence microscopy and MTS assays. Moreover, tissue non‐specific alkaline phosphatase activity served as an early osteoblast production marker. Compared to untextured specimens, both types of textures exhibited higher metabolic activity and cell proliferation. Single‐scale ns‐DLIP textures encouraged cell extensions anchored in groove regions, while ps‐DLIP textures with hierarchical structures promoted cell extensions attaching to nanostructures on sidewalls. The groove width and nanotopographies in groove areas facilitated cell spreading. Surface topography, roughness, and surface chemistry (surface energy, wettability) influenced cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. A comprehensive evaluation of DLIP‐generated surface textures, including their topography and chemical states, complements the factors affecting in vitro cell behavior. Overall, this research demonstrates the potential of surface‐functionalized 3Dprinted titanium for a novel generation of biocompatible implants.

The promise of silicon anodes for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs), owing to the high theoretical capacity, is significantly affected by the huge volume changes (over 300%) during the lithiation/delithiation process. This leads to particle cracking during cycling impacting the electrode at multiple levels, from continued solid‐electrolyte interphase formation, particle contact losses, to delamination of the coating from the current collector. As a results, there is increased electrolyte consumption, and significantly shortened cycle life, hindering its commercial application. The problem is severe for commercially viable larger silicon microparticles (SiMPs > 1 µm). Herein, the cycling of 325 mesh (≤45 µm) SiMPs is successfully demonstrated using a composite binder consisting of inner graphene oxide coating and outside DNA polymer. The resultant hierarchical structure, with cycling‐induced 3D interconnection, maintains the electrodes integrity, as well as helps to stabilize the SEI. Thus, an excellent cycle life is observed, retaining a capacity of 808 mAh·g⁻¹ after 450 cycles at a current density of 840 mA·g⁻¹. This double protection strategy with a robust particle coating and a chemically bonded soft polymer offers an effective strategy for cyclability of SiMPs in practical LIBs.

Transition metal phosphide alloying is an effective approach for optimizing the electronic structure and improving the intrinsic performance of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). However, obtaining 3d transition metal phosphides alloyed with noble metals is still a challenge owing to their difference in electronegativity, and the influence of their electronic structure modulated by noble metals on the HER reaction also remains unclear. In this study, we successfully incorporated Ru into an Fe₂P single crystal via the Bridgeman method and used it as a model catalyst, which effectively promoted HER. Hall transport measurements combined with first-principles calculations revealed that Ru acted as an electron dopant in the structure and increased the Fermi level, leading to a decreased water dissociation barrier and an improved electron-transfer Volmer step at low overpotentials. Additionally, the (21̅1) facet of Ru-Fe₂P was found to be more active than its (001) facet, mainly due to the lower H desorption barrier at high overpotentials. The synergistic effect of Ru and Fe sites was also revealed to facilitate H* and OH* desorption compared with Fe₂P. Therefore, this study elucidates the boosting effect of Ru-alloyed iron phosphides and offers new understanding about the relationship between their electronic structure and HER performance.