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Abstract Hydrogels show great potential in biomedical applications due to their inherent biocompatibility, high water content, and resemblance to the extracellular matrix. However, they lack self‐powering capabilities and often necessitate external stimulation to initiate cell regenerative processes. In contrast, piezoelectric materials offer self‐powering potential but tend to compromise flexibility. To address this, creating a novel hybrid biomaterial of piezoelectric hydrogels (PHs), which combines the advantageous properties of both materials, offers a systematic solution to the challenges faced by these materials when employed separately. Such innovative material system is expected to broaden the horizons of biomedical applications, such as piezocatalytic medicinal and health monitoring applications, showcasing its adaptability by endowing hydrogels with piezoelectric properties. Unique functionalities, like enabling self‐powered capabilities and inducing electrical stimulation that mimics endogenous bioelectricity, can be achieved while retaining hydrogel matrix advantages. Given the limited reported literature on PHs, here recent strategies concerning material design and fabrication, essential properties, and distinctive applications are systematically discussed. The review is concluded by providing perspectives on the remaining challenges and the future outlook for PHs in the biomedical field. As PHs emerge as a rising star, a comprehensive exploration of their potential offers insights into the new hybrid biomaterials. 

Medical robotics has revolutionized healthcare by enhancing precision, adaptability, and clinical outcomes. This field has further evolved with the advent of human–machine interfaces (HMIs), which facilitate seamless interactions between users and robotic systems. However, traditional HMIs rely on rigid sensing components and bulky wiring, causing mechanical mismatches that limit user comfort, accuracy, and wearability. Flexible sensors offer a transformative solution by enabling the integration of adaptable sensing technology into HMIs, enhancing overall system functionality. Further integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into these systems addresses key limitations of conventional HMI, including challenges in complex data interpretations and multimodal sensing integration. In this review, we systematically explore the convergence of flexible sensor‐based HMIs and AI for medical robotics. Specifically, we analyze core flexible sensing mechanisms, AI‐driven advancements in healthcare, and applications in prosthetics, exoskeletons, and surgical robotics. By bridging the gap between flexible sensing technologies and AI‐driven intelligence, this review presents a roadmap for developing next‐generation smart medical robotic systems, advancing personalized healthcare and adaptive human–robot interactions. 

ABSTRACT An increase in atmospheric pO2 has been proposed as a trigger for the Cambrian Explosion at ∼539–514 Ma but the mechanistic linkage remains unclear. To gain insights into marine habitability for the Cambrian Explosion, we analysed excess Ba contents (Baexcess) and isotope compositions (δ138Baexcess) of ∼521-Myr-old metalliferous black shales in South China. The δ138Baexcess values vary within a large range and show a negative logarithmic correlation with Baexcess, suggesting a major (>99%) drawdown of oceanic Ba inventory via barite precipitation. Spatial variations in Baexcess and δ138Baexcess indicate that Ba removal was driven by sulfate availability that was ultimately derived from the upwelling of deep seawaters. Global oceanic oxygenation across the Ediacaran–Cambrian transition may have increased the sulfate reservoir via oxidation of sulfide and concurrently decreased the Ba reservoir by barite precipitation. The removal of both H2S and Ba that are deleterious to animals could have improved marine habitability for early animals. 

Advancing flexible electronics enables timely smart health management and diagnostic interventions. However, current health electronics typically rely on replaceable batteries or external power sources, requiring direct contact with the human skin or organs. This setup often results in rigid and bulky devices, reducing user comfort during long-term use. Flexible biomechanical energy harvesting technology, based on triboelectric or piezoelectric strategies, offers a promising approach for continuous and comfortable smart health applications, providing a sustainable power supply and self-powered sensing. This review systematically examines biomechanical energy sources around the human body, explores various energy harvesting mechanisms and their applications in smart health, and concludes with insights and future perspectives in this field. 

Abstract Wearable electronics revolutionize human–machine interfaces (HMIs) for robotic or prosthetic control. Yet, the challenge lies in eliminating conventional rigid and impermeable electronic components, such as batteries, while considering the comfort and usability of HMIs over prolonged periods. Herein, a self‐powered, flexible, and breathable HMI is developed based on piezoelectric sensors. This interface is designed to accurately monitor subtle changes in body and muscle movements, facilitating effective communication and control of robotic prosthetic hands for various applications. Utilizing engineered porous structures within the polymeric material, the piezoelectric sensor demonstrates a significantly enhanced sensitivity, flexibility, and permeability, highlighting its outstanding HMI applications. Furthermore, the developed control algorithm enables a single sensor to comprehensively control robotic hands. By successfully translating piezoelectric signals generated from bicep muscle movements into Morse Code, this HMI serves as an efficient communication device. Additionally, the process is demonstrated by illustrating the execution of the daily task of “drinking a cup of water” using the developed HMI to enable the control of a human‐interactive robotic prosthetic hand through the detection of bicep muscle movements. Such HMIs pave the way toward self‐powered and comfortable biomimetic systems, making a significant contribution to the future evolution of prosthetics. 

Environmental energy harvesting provides a sustainable solution to energy shortages using clean, renewable sources. Despite advances in technologies like triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) and electromagnetic generators (EMGs), many devices are limited to a single‐energy source and specific conditions, limiting their practical applications. This study presents an innovative amphibious hybrid TENG–EMG (HTEG) that overcomes these limitations by coupling TENG and EMG units with a gear set, amplifying power output through rotational motion. The amphibious HTEG efficiently captures and converts energy from various environmental sources, successfully illuminating over 30 light‐emitting diodes and powering a thermohygrometer. Notably, it operates with minimal speed requirements, harnessing energy from a light breeze of 1.56 m s⁻¹or a small water flow of 3.8 L min⁻¹, a significant advantage given that most existing devices require much higher speeds for efficient energy harvesting. Moreover, the amphibious HTEG approves practical for daily outdoor use, such as charging mobile phones and powering small electronics through natural energy sources. Furthermore, it can be manually operated without the need for external elements. This compact, portable, and effective energy harvesting design showcases the ability to capture natural energy across diverse environments, demonstrating it as a versatile solution with significant potential for real‐world applications.