Minimal domains for maximum energy: Dielectric capacitors are important electronic components that can store energy, at least for a short period of time. Pan et al . used phase-field simulations to help determine the right combination of bismuth iron oxide, barium titanium oxide, and samarium doping that is likely to generate a material with excellent dielectric properties (see the Perspective by Chu). The simulations guide a set of experimental measurements showing this system can produce a very high-energy storage by breaking down polar domains to the nanometer scale. These materials could be useful for high-power applications and to suppress failure. —BG

Flexible ferroelectrics: High-quality ferroelectric materials, which polarize in response to an electric field, are usually oxides that crack when bent. Dong et al. found that high-quality membranes of barium titanate are surprisingly flexible and super-elastic. These films accommodate large strains through dynamic evolution of nanodomains during deformation. This discovery is important for developing more robust flexible devices. Science , this issue p. 475

Relaxor ferroelectric (RFE) films are promising energy-storage candidates for miniaturizing high-power electronic systems, which is credited to their high energy density ( U _e ) and efficiency. However, advancing their U _e beyond 200 joules per cubic centimeter is challenging, limiting their potential for next-generation energy-storage devices. We implemented a partitioning polar-slush strategy in RFEs to push the boundary of U _e . Guided by phase-field simulations, we designed and fabricated high-performance Bi(Mg _0.5 Ti _0.5 )O ₃ -SrTiO ₃ –based RFE films with isolated slush-like polar clusters, which were realized through suppression of the nonpolar cubic matrix and introduction of highly insulating networks. The simultaneous enhancement of the reversible polarization and breakdown strength leads to a U _e of 202 joules per cubic centimeter with a high efficiency of ~79%. The proposed strategy provides a design freedom for next-generation high-performance dielectrics.

Polarization hits a bull's-eye: Polymer-based ferroelectric materials are attractive because they can be solution processed cheaply and have much greater flexibility than ceramics. Guo et al. found concentric circular bands of polarization in a ferroelectric polymer that look like a bull's-eye target (see the Perspective by Martin). This self-organized toroidal texture is aligned perpendicularly to the axis of the polymer chains, allowing the authors to demonstrate selective absorption of infrared radiation and manipulation of terahertz radiation. This distinct structure in a polymer could be of interest for exploring and using other exotic effects. Science , this issue p. 1050 ; see also p. 992