Polysilsesquioxanes are regarded as organic–inorganic hybrid materials at a molecular level. We can readily tune the properties of the materials for realizing the desired ones by changing the contents or types of organic components. In addition, the hierarchical structures have potential for generating further characteristics distinctly different from those of the constituents. From this viewpoint, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) is attractive as a cornerstone in highly ordered materials. In this review, we survey recent studies on modified POSS-based functional materials and particularly explain the design concepts for applying the significant characteristics of POSS for the material properties. In the initial sections, we introduce the examples concerning intrinsic properties of POSS such as thermal stability, mechanical property, and structural features. In the latter sections, we describe the application of POSS-based materials for bio-relating functional materials. We describe the validity of POSS for molecular designing of the advanced imaging tools.

Light has profoundly impacted modern medicine and healthcare, with numerous luminescent agents and imaging techniques currently being used to assess health and treat diseases. As an emerging concept in luminescence, aggregation-induced emission (AIE) has shown great potential in biological applications due to its advantages in terms of brightness, biocompatibility, photostability, and positive correlation with concentration. This review provides a comprehensive summary of AIE luminogens applied in imaging of biological structure and dynamic physiological processes, disease diagnosis and treatment, and detection and monitoring of specific analytes, followed by representative works. Discussions on critical issues and perspectives on future directions are also included. This review aims to stimulate the interest of researchers from different fields, including chemistry, biology, materials science, medicine, etc., thus promoting the development of AIE in the fields of life and health.

The concept and representative examples of “element-block polymers” are described. A structural unit consisting of various groups of elements is called an “element-block.” In this review, unique properties of “element-block polymers” composed of organoboron complexes, o-carboranes, and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes as typical examples of element blocks are illustrated. The design and synthesis of new element-blocks and development of methods forming higher-order structures for realizing the desired functions based on a bottom-up approach are explained.