As technologies such as artificial intelligence, autonomous driving, the Internet of Things, wearable electronics, and edge computing continue to spread in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the importance of hardware security for the safe storage, transmission, and processing of large volumes of data has grown substantially. One of the key components of such security systems is the true random number generator (TRNG), which produces unpredictable random numbers for cryptographic use. In recent years, research on TRNGs has increasingly moved beyond conventional CMOS-based approaches toward semiconductor devices built from emerging materials. These material-based TRNGs offer several advantages, including high integration density, low power consumption, compact form factors, and strong suitability for next-generation edge and IoT environments, because they can directly exploit the intrinsic stochasticity of the device itself as an entropy source. In this review, recent studies on TRNGs based on emerging material-based semiconductor devices are examined from the perspectives of entropy sources, device structures, randomness validation, and wearable/flexible extensions. By bringing together the key physical mechanisms, device platforms, evaluation criteria, and prospects for wearable and flexible electronics in edge and IoT environments, this review aims to provide a useful framework for future research on hardware security devices.

The rapid proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) servers and high-performance computing systems has significantly elevated the technical and reliability requirements for multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs). In such systems, MLCCs are critical passive components that must deliver high capacitance, fast transient response, and robust insulation performance under high temperature, voltage, and current density. This review examines the material, structural, and process innovations that underpin MLCC performance in AI applications. Key topics include the development of ultrathin dielectric layers (<0.5 μm), rare-earth doped BaTiO₃-based dielectrics with enhanced DC bias stability, and core-shell microstructures designed for temperature and field resilience. The paper also explores insulation degradation mechanisms―such as vacancydriven conduction and demixing―and advanced reliability assessment methodologies, including HALT, TSDC, and the tipping point framework. Comparisons with automotive-grade MLCCs highlight the unique requirements of AI systems, such as ultraminiaturization, high volumetric efficiency, and ppm-level field failure rates. Finally, the review discusses emerging trends in MLCC technology, including particle engineering, interface stabilization, and advanced lamination techniques, and provides insight into the future direction of capacitor development tailored to AI data center environments.

Citations

• Reliability enhancement in Dy-doped BaTiO3 nanoceramics: from core–shell structure to phase-field modeling
  Shuyan Huang, Xinjie Wang, Mengjian Xiao, Xu Cheng, Xiaohui Wang
  Journal of Materials Science.2026; 61(37): 27665.     CrossRef
• Key factors determining high-temperature operating lifetime of multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs)
  Yuto Tomura, Tzu-han Weng, Yusuke Oba, Tomohiro Kajita, Daiki Ishii
  Japanese Journal of Applied Physics.2026; 65(16): 16SP05.     CrossRef
• Effect of BaZrO3 Addition on the Frequency and Temperature Dependent Dielectric Properties of BaTiO3-Based Ceramics
  Won-Su Lee, Jong Kyu Lee, Moon-Taek Cho, Jung Rag Yoon
  Journal of Electrical and Electronic Materials.2026; 39(5): 478.     CrossRef
• Manufacturing Process Optimization of Oxide-Based Multilayer Ceramic Batteries Using Multilayer Ceramic Processing Technologies
  Won-Su Lee, Jong Kyu Lee, Jung Rag Yoon
  Journal of Electrical and Electronic Materials.2026; 39(5): 519.     CrossRef

This review addresses the development trends of dielectric ceramics, the key material for Multilayer Ceramic Capacitors (MLCCs), which are essential components in high-performance electronic devices. Traditional MLCCs have employed BaTiO₃ (BT)-based dielectrics to achieve high dielectric constant and low resistance. By minimizing oxygen vacancies and suppressing grain growth in BT materials, the temperature and voltage stability of MLCCs have been improved, leading to the development of MLCCs with diverse properties. However, the maximum dielectric constant of approximately 3000 in BT materials poses a limitation in overcoming the trade-off between rated voltage and capacitance density. Therefore, ultra-high permittivity dielectric materials have gained attention to meet the requirements of ultra-high-performance MLCCs, and ongoing research focuses on enhancing the temperature and frequency stability of these materials. This review analyzes the characteristics and limitations of conventional BT materials and explores recent research trends and future potential in developing new MLCCs based on ultra-high dielectric constant materials.

Two-dimensional van der Waals (2D vdW) magnets have attracted enormous attention as an emerging material platform for magnetism, spintronics, and multifunctional applications. Their single-crystalline layered structures, layer-number controllability, and unique 2D properties provide unique opportunities that are difficult to achieve in conventional magnetic materials. However, the discovery and development of new 2D magnetic compounds require considerable time and effort, and only a limited number of these materials have been reported to be suitable for practical use. Therefore, materials engineering based on already established 2D vdW magnets has become an important research direction to explore new characteristics and find a practical route for device applications. This review summarizes recent materials engineering pathways for 2D vdW magnets. The main contents focus on the engineering strategy through electrostatic, chemical, lattice, symmetry, and heterostructure ways. These approaches provide practical design routes for tailoring magnetic properties beyond intrinsic 2D vdW magnets. Further progress will require broader application to various types of materials and delicate optimization that connects expanding fundamental magnetism with electromagnetic device applications.

Lead-free (Bi_1/2Na_1/2)TiO₃ (BNT)-based incipient piezoelectrics are highly promising for high strain actuators, but the high electric fields (4 ~ 6 kV/mm) required for activation limit practical device integration. In the current literature, large strains are frequently attributed to local structural variations like microscopic core-shell architectures. This work systematically investigates an alternative pathway by introducing A-site Strontium (Sr) excess non-stoichiometry into 0.74(Bi_1/2Na_1/2)TiO₃‒0.26SrTiO₃ (BNST26) ceramics. Microstructural and X-ray diffraction analyses reveal highly dense, uniform matrices completely devoid of micro-scale core-shell boundaries or macroscopic symmetry distortions, revealing that Sr non-stoichiometry diverges from typical Bi-excess mechanisms. Interestingly, despite negligible variations in overall macro-scale strain behavior across the composition series, a peak normalized strain (S_max/E_max) of approximately 804 pm/V is achieved at a low driving field of 2 kV/mm for the 1 mol% Sr-excess specimen (x = 0.010). These results indicate that while Sr non-stoichiometry weakly influences nanoscale stability, it can be inferred that subtle modifications of local defect configurations optimize switching energy barriers, enabling high-strain, low-drive-field performance in lead-free relaxors.

Metal sacrificial-layer-assisted transfer is a promising strategy for transferring thermally annealed thin films onto flexible polymer substrates without exposing the receiver substrate to thermal damage. However, stable release of the annealed thin-film stack remains challenging because high-temperature annealing can alter the etching behavior of the sacrificial metal layer and the protective oxide layer. In this study, we propose a thin-film transfer process using a Ni metal sacrificial layer and etch access holes, in which an SU-8/Ti/SiO₂ transferable stack was fabricated on a rigid sapphire donor substrate, annealed at 400–700°C, selectively released by Ni etching, and transferred onto a flexible PET receiver substrate. As the annealing temperature increased from 400 to 700°C, the SiO₂ etch rate decreased from 6.8–6.96 to 2.61–3.83 nm/s, while the Ni release time increased from 72–77 to 82–95 min; nevertheless, the transferable stack was successfully transferred under all process conditions with image-based transfer yields of 58.81–82.76%, with the highest yield obtained for the 200 nm Ni sacrificial layer annealed at 550°C. These results demonstrate the process feasibility of the proposed metal sacrificial-layer and etch-access-hole-based transfer approach for transferring thermally annealed thin-film structures from rigid donor substrates to flexible receiver substrates.

X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS) provides access to nanoscale dynamics, yet practical approaches for interpreting its data remain limited. This tutorial presents a systematic framework for XPCS data analysis, illustrated using measurements performed at the NSLS-II CHX beamline. The fundamental concepts of speckle pattern and the intensity autocorrelation function are introduced, followed by ferroelectric case studies demonstrating how polarization switching and phase transition dynamics can be extracted from XPCS measurements. The influence of the probed q-range experimental conditions such as X-ray transmittance is examined for data interpretation. These elements are consolidated into practical guidelines for the reliable analysis of XPCS data.

This review offers a critical overview of recent developments in lead-free piezoelectric materials and flexible device architectures for self-powered wearable and Internet of Things systems. It examines the scientific and technological rationale for replacing conventional battery-dependent power sources with ambient mechanical energy harvesters, and it evaluates the relative merits of inorganic ceramics, organic polymers, and composite systems in achieving efficient electromechanical conversion under practical operating conditions. The discussion further considers compositional tuning, phase boundary engineering, microstructural optimization, and device-level integration as key strategies for improving piezoelectric output, mechanical compliance, durability, and manufacturability. By connecting fundamental materials design with application-driven device requirements, the review identifies the principal challenges and emerging directions necessary for the realization of reliable, scalable, and sustainable electronic platforms.

Lead-free bismuth sodium titanate (BNT)-based ceramics have attracted strong attention as environmentally benign dielectric materials for high-efficiency electrostatic energy-storage capacitors. A key challenge is that pristine BNT typically exhibits large hysteresis, high remnant polarization, and limited dielectric reliability, which restrict recoverable energy storage and efficiency under practical electric fields. Here, we present a focused mini-review of recent studies to clarify how composition design, phase boundary tuning, defect chemistry, and microstructural control collectively enable slim or pinched polarization-electric field (P-E) behavior and improved energy-storage functionality in BNT-related bulk ceramics. The reviewed outcomes consistently show that stabilizing relaxor states governed by polar nanoregions (PNRs), often via solid-solution engineering and secondary relaxor/antiferroelectric-like incorporation, suppresses irreversible switching and reduces hysteresis loss, while densification and grain-size control enhance electrical homogeneity and breakdown strength. In addition, defect-mediated tuning of oxygen vacancy-related complexes is highlighted as an independent lever to control relaxor ergodicity and polarization reversibility, providing a complementary route to slim-loop optimization. These insights are expected to guide integrated design strategies that couple phase/relaxor-state engineering with defect and microstructure optimization, accelerating the development of reliable, temperature-robust, lead-free dielectric capacitors based on BNT-related ceramics.

Citations

• Progress and outlook of dielectric energy storage characteristics of Lead–free (K,Na)NbO3 based bulk ceramics/composite films for capacitors
  Twinkle, Varun Kamboj, Chetna, Arun Kumar Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Sanjeev Kumar
  Current Opinion in Solid State and Materials Science.2026; 44: 101297.     CrossRef
• Structural Stability and Electromechanical Response of Lead-Free (Bi1/2Na1/2)TiO3‒SrTiO3 Ceramics Under A-Site Strontium Non-Stoichiometry
  Yubin Kang, Trang An Duong, Gwang-Hwi Jeong, Chang Won Ahn, Yong-Jai Kwon, Hyoung-Su Han
  Journal of Electrical and Electronic Materials.2026; 39(5): 549.     CrossRef

The search for sustainable and efficient energy conversion technologies is becoming increasingly critical in response to global energy and environmental challenges. Traditional lead-based piezoelectric materials, such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT), have high piezoelectric constant but present significant health problems and environmental risks due to their hazardous metal contaminants. This study addresses these concerns by investigating barium titanate (BTO), a lead-free alternative, and enhancing its performance using anisotropic nanowires (NWs) structures. BTO NWs were synthesized via a two-step hydrothermal method and incorporated into a poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF-TrFE)] matrix to fabricate a piezoelectric composite film. The resulting device demonstrated a notable increase in electrical output compared to devices based on isotropic morphology of BTO nanoparticles, exhibiting enhanced performance. These findings suggest that BTO NWs hold significant promise for applications in flexible and wearable electronics, paving the way for further advancements in sustainable energy technology.

Citations

• Interphase engineering in carbon black–reinforced piezoelectric nanocomposites: A combined experimental and micromechanical modeling study
  Ziwen Zhao, Masoumeh Khamehchi, Mohammad J. Mahmoodi, Zhenjin Wang, Fumio Narita
  Materials & Design.2026; 268: 116391.     CrossRef
• MXene-reinforced ultrasensitive piezoelectric pressure sensors based on P(VDF-TrFE) nanofibers with hybrid nanofillers
  Jingyi Yang, Jianqiao Wang, Zike Guo, Shuai Liu, Yaohua Dong, Peng Zhou, Tianjin Zhang, Yajun Qi
  Journal of Alloys and Compounds.2026; 1079: 189867.     CrossRef
• Layer-engineered BNBT–polymer films for multifunctional applications
  M. Vijatovic Petrovic, A. Dzunuzovic, J. Bobic, Z. Despotovic, F. Cordero, E. Mercadelli, Z. Radovanovic, F. Craciun
  Journal of Alloys and Compounds.2026; 1079: 189972.     CrossRef
• Piezoionic sensor devices of integrated gradient electrolyte gels
  Yi Fang, Hongbing Li, Taeuk Eom, Chang Kyu Jeong, Yong Zhang
  Chemical Engineering Journal.2026; 540: 177542.     CrossRef
• Interfacial polarization triggered by low-k fillers boosts piezoelectricity of MMT/PT composites for intelligent health monitoring
  Yong Ao, Junjun Yuan, Wenqi Yu, Rui Yuan, Boling Lan, Shenglong Wang, Tingting Zhou, Guicen Liu, Wei Zhao, Zhiyuan Gao, Xiaofei Jiang, Weili Deng, Long Jin, Weiqing Yang
  Journal of Materials Chemistry A.2026;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Interfacial Engineering of Composite Piezoelectric Fibers Via an Anchor-Chain Architecture
  Jun Liu, Qiao Zhou, Pengcheng Zhang, Shuying Hu, Fang Zhou, Shuangshuang Ren, Ting Guo, Leiying Miao
  ACS Applied Engineering Materials.2026; 4(8): 4367.     CrossRef

Quantum dots (QDs) offer size-dependent tunability across the infrared to ultraviolet range with narrow emission linewidths and high color purity, making them highly attractive for next-generation light-emitting devices. Quantum dot lightemitting diodes (QLEDs) further combine precise spectral control with scalable, low-cost solution processing, positioning them as strong candidates for wearable, stretchable, and AR/VR display technologies. However, conventional single-emission QLEDs suffer from charge imbalance, efficiency roll-off, and limited operational lifetime, necessitating new device architectures. Tandem QLEDs, which vertically stack multiple emissive layers (EMLs) connected by charge generation layers (CGLs), provide a compelling solution by enabling higher luminance, improved charge balance, and longer lifetime at equivalent current density. The CGL serves as the interfacial region mediating charge injection and generation between adjacent EMLs, directly determining device efficiency and stability. This review highlights recent progress in CGL engineering, categorizing representative designs into planar heterojunction, inorganic-based, and dipole-based configurations. Comparative analysis of their formation mechanisms, material systems, and process compatibilities reveals evolving charge-control strategies that extend beyond material selection. These insights establish design principles for next-generation tandem QLEDs with enhanced efficiency, durability, and manufacturability.

Multilayer ceramic batteries (MLCBs) have attracted increasing attention as compact all-solid-state energy-storage devices that can be manufactured using multilayer ceramic processing technologies. In this study, an MLCC-compatible fabrication process for oxide-based MLCBs was developed using Li₁₊ₓAlₓTi₂₋ₓ(PO₄)₃ (LATP) solid electrolytes, Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ (LVP) cathodes, and Cu current collectors. Commercial LATP powders were evaluated in terms of particle-size distribution, phase purity, thermal stability, and ionic conductivity. The selected LATP powder was subsequently employed for tape-cast green-sheet fabrication, and the effects of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) binder content on slurry rheology and sheet microstructure were investigated. An optimized binder composition containing 11 wt% PVB (BM-2/BH-3 = 3:7) provided improved processability and microstructural uniformity. Drying conditions during sequential electrode printing were also optimized to suppress sheet warpage and improve multilayer registration. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses (TG–DTA) were used to establish an optimized two-step debinding and co-firing process under a controlled reducing atmosphere. The resulting multilayer structures exhibited uniform densification without significant blistering, delamination, or interfacial defects. Charge–discharge measurements confirmed that electrochemical functionality was retained after the complete manufacturing process, yielding a discharge capacity of approximately 2.5–2.7 μAh.

The 0.2Pb(Zn_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃-0.8Pb(Zr_0.5Ti_0.5)O₃ (0.2PZN-0.8PZT) ceramic system exhibits excellent piezoelectric properties; however, its high sintering temperature (~1,250°C) causes severe PbO volatilization, increases processing cost, and limits co-firing with low-melting-point electrodes in multilayer devices. In this study, LiBiO₂ was introduced as a sintering aid to enable lowtemperature densification of 0.2PZN–0.8PZT ceramics. The optimal composition of x = 0.3 mol% sintered at 1,050°C achieved d₃₃ = 367 pC/N, k_p = 0.54, and ε^T₃₃/ε₀ = 1,643. The Curie temperature was also enhanced to 347.8°C, compared with 297.2°C for the reference specimen sintered at 1,250°C. These results demonstrate that LiBiO₂ addition enables a 200°C reduction in sintering temperature while maintaining piezoelectric performance and improving thermal stability.

In this study, we systematically investigated the effects of thermal atomic layer deposition (ALD) conditions on the electrical characteristics of conductive-filament-based volatile threshold switching memristors with a Pt/Al₂O₃/Ag structure. Although volatile threshold switching memristors have attracted significant attention for neuromorphic computing applications such as spiking neural networks, the impact of dielectric deposition conditions on their switching behavior remains relatively unexplored. The number of ALD cycles was varied from 40 to 200, and the deposition temperature was varied from 50 to 250°C to evaluate their effects on threshold voltage (V_th), off-state resistance (R_off), and device yield. Devices fabricated using 75–150 ALD cycles showed clear volatile threshold switching behavior with relatively high device yield, whereas excessively low or high cycle numbers resulted in short-type and open-type failures, respectively. In addition, V_th and R_off tended to increase at higher deposition temperatures, while the device yield significantly degraded above 150°C. These results indicate that the number of ALD cycles and the deposition temperature define a critical process window for achieving volatile threshold switching while suppressing both short-type and open-type failures. This study provides practical guidelines for optimizing dielectric ALD conditions in conductive-filament-based volatile threshold switching memristors for future neuromorphic hardware applications.

The phase transition of Li₃PO₄ solid electrolyte for secondary batteries in vacuum has been studied by using real-time synchrotron X-ray scattering. According to the vacuum heating results, the crystal β-Li₃PO₄ phase was stable only from room temperature to 400°C. The crystal γ-Li₃PO₄ phase appeared at 410°C and the crystal β-Li₃PO₄ phase completely disappeared at 430°C. The transition from the β-Li₃PO₄ to the γ-Li₃PO₄ phases occurred primarily at 410°C, which is 40°C lower than the transition temperature of 450°C in air. The decrease in the phase transition temperature in vacuum, compared to that in air, is attributed to a relatively high concentration of oxygen vacancies. As the isothermal annealing time at 390°C was increased to 8 hours, the β-Li₃PO₄ phase was completely transitioned into the γ-Li₃PO₄ phase. Our study revealed the detailed transition behavior from the β-Li₃PO₄ to the γ-Li₃PO₄ phases during real-time annealing in vacuum.

Quantum dots (QDs) are semiconductor nanocrystals with sizes on the order of several nanometers, whose bandgaps can be tuned by controlling the particle size. Owing to this bandgap tunability, QDs can absorb near-infrared (NIR) and short-wave infrared (SWIR) light, spectral regions that are difficult to access with conventional silicon-based devices. However, colloidal QDbased infrared photodetectors still suffer from intrinsically high dark current, trap-induced noise, and limited response speed. As a result, they exhibit fundamental performance gaps in terms of detectivity and speed–bandwidth product compared to epitaxial infrared detectors, highlighting the need for structural and architectural design strategies to overcome these limitations. In this review, we discuss recent advances in enhancing the spectral selectivity and sensitivity of infrared photodetectors through three-dimensional optical architectures, including metasurfaces and metamaterials. We focus in particular on design strategies and the underlying mechanisms responsible for performance enhancement, and we outline how structural approaches can be leveraged to effectively control the sensitivity and wavelength selectivity of QD-based infrared detectors.

β-Ga₂O₃ is an ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor promising for high-power electronic applications; however, heteroepitaxial growth on sapphire is challenging lattice and symmetry mismatch. In this study, β-Ga₂O₃ thin films were grown on C-plane sapphire substrates with various off-axis angles (0–12°) using mist-CVD, and the influence of substrate miscut on structural and optical properties was investigated. All films grown at 900°C exhibited (-201) oriented β phase. The crystal quality was strongly dependent on the off-axis angle, with intermediate off-axis angles (Δ_a = 6–8°) showing the narrowest rocking curve width. Off-axis substrates promoted step-aligned growth behavior compared to on-axis growth. Optical measurements revealed enhanced transmittance and wider bandgap values (4.92–4.95 eV) for off-axis samples compared to the on-axis film (4.69 eV). The findings provide practical guidelines for optimizing heteroepitaxial β-Ga₂O₃ growth on low-cost sapphire substrates for high-performance device applications.

Dielectric ceramic capacitors present high output power density due to the fast energy charge and discharge nature of dielectric polarization. By forming dense ceramic films with nano-grains through the Aerosol Deposition (AD) process, dielectric ceramic capacitors can have high dielectric breakdown strength, high energy storage density, and leading to high power density. Dielectric capacitors fabricated by AD process are expected to meet the increasing demand in applications that require not only high energy density but also high power output in a short time. This article reviews the recent progress on the dielectric ceramic capacitors with improved energy storage properties through AD process, including energy storage capacitors based on both leadbased and lead-free dielectric ceramics.

Citations

• Single-Molecule Manipulation Techniques Based on Mechanical, Electrical, and Structural Control
  Jeong Hun Shin, Tae Won Nam
  Journal of Electrical and Electronic Materials.2026; 39(3): 247.     CrossRef

The effects of BaZrO₃ addition on the structural and electrical properties of BaTiO₃-based base-metal-electrode (BME) multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) ceramics were investigated. Dielectric compositions containing 0–9 wt% BaZrO₃ were fabricated using a conventional MLCC process, and their crystal structure, dielectric behavior, temperature stability, frequency stability, and insulation resistance were evaluated. X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement confirmed the formation of a single-phase perovskite structure for all compositions. Increasing BaZrO₃ content resulted in a systematic shift of diffraction peaks toward lower angles and an increase in unit-cell volume from 64.61 to 66.05 ų, indicating successful Zr incorporation into the BaTiO₃ lattice. The dielectric permittivity increased with BaZrO₃ addition and reached a maximum value of approximately 2,110 at 6 wt%, while dielectric loss decreased significantly. Capacitance stability against temperature and frequency variations was markedly improved with increasing BaZrO₃ content. In addition, insulation resistance increased substantially over the investigated temperature range, demonstrating enhanced electrical reliability.

Ocean waves are not only a sustainable renewable energy source but also provide valuable information for monitoring marine environments and natural hazards. In this study, we developed a CNT/SEBS-based self-powered marine monitoring sensor utilizing a mechano-electrochemical mechanism, enabling simultaneous ultralow-frequency wave sensing and electrical energy harvesting. The developed sensor generated an open-circuit voltage of up to 60 mV and a short-circuit current of 80 μA/cm² without an external power source by exploiting variations in electrical double-layer capacitance induced by changes in the electrode–electrolyte interface. The capacitance increased from 0.1 μF to 2.4 μF with increasing immersion area, demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed sensing mechanism. Furthermore, the CNT/SEBS bilayer exhibited high electrical conductivity together with excellent stretchability and flexibility, maintaining stable electrical responses under repeated water-level fluctuations. The proposed mechano-electrochemical self-powered sensor provides a promising platform for next-generation autonomous marine monitoring systems and sustainable blue-energy harvesting technologies.

This study investigates the effect of dielectric layer thickness on the electrical and reliability characteristics of BaTiO₃- based X8R multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) for automotive applications. MLCCs with 30 dielectric layers and thicknesses ranging from 5 to 30 μm were fabricated, and key parameters―including capacitance, equivalent series resistance (ESR), insulation resistance (IR), breakdown voltage (BDV), DC-bias characteristics, temperature coefficient of capacitance (TCC), and ripple current-induced heating―were evaluated. The dielectric constant (~2,000) and sintering shrinkage (~-25%) were nearly independent of thickness, confirming stable microstructure formation. ESR increased with thickness, while normalized BDV (V/μm) decreased due to defect accumulation. IR improved with increasing thickness but dropped sharply above 125℃. Dielectrics thinner than 10 μm exhibited significant capacitance degradation under DC-bias and temperature variation, reflecting strong internal field effects. Ripple-induced heating correlated directly with ESR. These results indicate that, although thinner layers enhance capacitance density, reducing the thickness below 10 μm compromises bias stability and thermal reliability. A minimum dielectric thickness of 10 μm is therefore recommended to achieve an optimal balance between electrical performance and durability in high-reliability X8R MLCCs.

Citations

• Structural Analysis of Electric Field-Induced Polarization and Strain in Ferroelectric BaTiO₃
  Jae Hwan Park
  Journal of Electrical and Electronic Materials.2026; 39(4): 374.     CrossRef

Micro-LEDs, which have a chip size of less than 100 × 100 μm², have been potential candidates for conventional LCDs and OLEDs due to their high optical power, outstanding stability, and nanosecond response time. However, Micro-LED chips are fabricated only on limited substrates due to the high-temperature metal-organic chemical vapor deposition process and lattice-mismatch issues. Therefore, the fabrication of Micro-LED displays requires complex processes such as chip fabrication, transfer, bonding, and repair. Especially, Micro-LED transfer and bonding have been critical challenges for the Micro-LED display commercialization. Here, recent advances in the transfer and bonding of Micro-LEDs are introduced, and novel Micro- LED display fabrication methods are reviewed to provide a practical outlook for both mass production and commercialization of Micro-LED displays.

Multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) are essential for high-capacitance, miniaturized, and reliable electronic applications. This study examines the impact of layer stacking on the dielectric and electrical properties of MLCCs using a BaTiO₃-based dielectric with MgO, Mn₃O₄, Yb₂O₃, V₂O₅, and (BaCa)SiO₃ glass additives. MLCCs with 10 um-thick dielectric layers and varying Ni electrode layers (10, 30, 50, and 100 layers) were fabricated. The dielectric constant increases significantly up to 30 layers due to compressive stress and sintering densification but it becomes linear beyond 30 layers. Dissipation factor and ESR decrease with higher stacking due to improved sinterability, while breakdown voltage declines exponentially from defect accumulation and thermal stress. Insulation resistance decreases but stabilizes relative to capacitance. C-V results show stress-induced polarization suppression, which reduces the dielectric constant under high voltage. Optimized stacking and sintering conditions are crucial for MIL-PRF-32535 compliant MLCC designs.

Citations

• [100]-Oriented BaTiO₃ via reaction-mediated texturing with SrTiO₃ templates
  Nu-Ri Ko, Jinsung Chun, Kutak Lee, Chang Kyu Jeong, Wook Jo
  Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society.2026; 63(4): 574.     CrossRef
• Effect of BaZrO3 Addition on the Frequency and Temperature Dependent Dielectric Properties of BaTiO3-Based Ceramics
  Won-Su Lee, Jong Kyu Lee, Moon-Taek Cho, Jung Rag Yoon
  Journal of Electrical and Electronic Materials.2026; 39(5): 478.     CrossRef

Smart windows capable of dynamically controlling light transmission are gaining increasing attention as a means of reducing building energy consumption while improving indoor comfort. However, indium tin oxide (ITO), the most widely used transparent electrode in such devices, suffers from poor mechanical flexibility due to its intrinsic brittleness, limiting its use in curved or flexible window applications. Here, we demonstrate a flexible ITO/DPP hybrid transparent electrode, fabricated by depositing a dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-doped PEDOT:PSS (DPP) layer on ITO, that achieves markedly improved bending durability while maintaining electro-optical performance comparable to bare ITO. The hybrid electrode with an optimized DPP thickness of 120 nm exhibited a sheet resistance of 23.3 Ω/sq., about 20% lower than that of ITO (29 Ω/sq.), while maintaining comparable visible-range transmittance. A polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) device fabricated with this electrode showed only a slight decline in driving voltage and transmittance relative to ITO. Notably, its resistance change under repeated bending at a curvature radius of 30 mm was only 25.1%, less than half that of ITO (51.6%). These results suggest that the ITO/DPP hybrid electrode is a promising candidate for transparent electrodes in curved and flexible smart windows and other flexible optoelectronic devices.

With the rapid expansion of electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage systems (ESS), ensuring the operational safety of lithium-ion batteries has become a critical technical challenge. Conventional battery management systems (BMS) primarily rely on threshold-based rule logic, which is limited in detecting coupled anomalies and early-stage degradation patterns. In this study, a deep learning-based framework for multivariate anomaly detection is proposed using BMS sensor data, including voltage, current, temperature, state of charge (SOC), and state of health (SOH). Five representative fault scenarios were defined, including thermal runaway precursors, cell voltage imbalance, SOC inconsistency, internal resistance increase, and communication delay. The proposed CNN-LSTM model was compared with conventional Rule-based methods and machine learning models, including Isolation Forest, Autoencoder, and LSTM. Experimental results show that the proposed model achieved the highest performance, with an F1-score of 0.885, an AUC of 0.94, and a detection delay of 8.1 s. In contrast, the Rule-based method exhibited a significantly higher false negative rate of 42.0%, indicating limitations in detecting complex anomaly patterns. These results demonstrate that the proposed spatiotemporal deep learning approach can significantly improve the accuracy and responsiveness of battery anomaly detection. Furthermore, the proposed method is expected to contribute to enhancing safety, reliability, and predictive diagnostics in next-generation intelligent BMS platforms.

This paper reviews the energy yield enhancement characteristics of bifacial photovoltaic systems combined with solar tracking, focusing on their performance relative to conventional monofacial fixed-tilt configurations. The fundamental mechanisms of yield improvement are summarized, highlighting the largely additive contributions of solar tracking, which increases front-side irradiance, and bifacial modules, which utilize rear-side reflected and diffuse radiation. Reported results from previous studies indicate that bifacial systems with single-axis tracking typically achieve 25–35% higher annual energy yield compared with standard monofacial fixed-tilt systems, with variations depending on environmental and design conditions. Key design and environmental considerations influencing system performance are discussed to provide practical insights for the application of bifacial tracking systems in utilityscale photovoltaic installations.

Rietveld refinement has become an essential tool for the quantitative analysis of crystal structures in polycrystalline systems using X-ray diffraction data. This tutorial paper focuses on the background, case studies, and practical implementation of Rietveld refinement using the open-source software PROFEX. Key structural parameters, such as lattice constants and phase fractions, can be quantitatively extracted through full-pattern fitting. Case studies involving compositional variation, electric fields, temperature changes, and battery cycling demonstrate the broad applicability of Rietveld refinement in materials science, energy storage, and catalysis. A step-by-step procedure for performing Rietveld refinement is presented using Bi_1/2Na_1/2TiO₃ perovskite ceramic as an example, providing guidance on software installation, preparing crystal structure information files, performing Rietveld refinement, evaluating results using R-factor and χ² values, and summarizing the results. This tutorial aims to improve understanding and accessibility of Rietveld refinement for researchers seeking to investigate structure-property relationships in complex material systems.

Citations

• Bandgap tuning in anion-mixed perovskite oxysulfide BaZrO3-xSx
  Munir Ahmad, Seongboo Park, Hwan Min Kim, Muhammad Sheeraz, Chang Won Ahn, Ill Won Kim, Soobeom Shin, Hu Young Jeong, Furqanul Hassan Naqvi, Jae-Hyeon Ko, Jieun Kim, Young-Han Shin, Tae Heon Kim
  Current Applied Physics.2026; 89: 100.     CrossRef

In this study, the dielectric and electrical properties of high-capacitance base metal electrode (BME) multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) fabricated using a BaTiO₃-MgO-Mn₃O₄-(Na₀.₅Bi₀.₅)TiO₃ (NBT)-(BaCa)SiO₃ dielectric system were investigated under reducing atmospheres with oxygen partial pressures (PO₂) ranging from 10⁻1⁰ to 10⁻12 MPa. By incorporating NBT, the dielectric performance remained stable across the entire range of reducing atmospheres. The fabricated MLCCs exhibited consistent capacitance values, low dielectric loss (<2.8%), and high insulation resistance, reaching up to 2.4 GΩ at 25℃ and 0.675 GΩ at 125℃. Furthermore, excellent breakdown voltage performance (up to 550 V at 25℃) and Class II-compatible temperature coefficient of capacitance (TCC) behavior were observed, meeting the X8R specification. The BaTiO₃-MgO-Mn₃O₄-NBT-(BaCa)SiO₃ dielectric system demonstrates that NBT can serve as a promising alternative to conventional rare-earth dopants in BME MLCCs, enabling excellent thermal and electrical stability, high capacitance, and longterm reliability even under reducing conditions. These results confirm the feasibility of developing cost-effective, sustainable, and rare-earth-free MLCCs for high-performance applications in automotive, industrial, and energy storage systems.

Citations

• Flexible piezoelectric cross-bar array sensors for upper-limb kinesthetic sensing via muscle dynamics
  Junki Lee, Jihun Choi, Hyunseung Kim, Min Gon Son, Dong Yeol Hyeon, Jung Hwan Park, Andris Šutka, Chang Kyu Jeong
  Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society.2026;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Enhanced dielectric performance in BaTiO3 ceramics by diffusion-controlled core-shell structuring with 2D Ca2Nb3O10 nanosheets
  Tae Yeong Song, Junwon Lee, Nayeon Kwon, Do-Kyun Kwon
  Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society.2026; 63(5): 1194.     CrossRef

This review examines the principles, limitations, and recent advancements in elastic modulus measurement using nanoindentation. The importance of accurate contact area prediction is discussed, along with the Oliver-Pharr method and its limitations. The Continuous Stiffness Measurement (CSM) technique is presented as a significant improvement, allowing continuous measurement of mechanical properties throughout the indentation process. For ultra-thin films, the Li and Vlassak method, which incorporates Yu's solution and the concept of effective thickness, is highlighted as a means to correct for substrate effects. Recent developments in artificial neural network-based models for elastic modulus prediction are also explored. These advancements have greatly expanded the applicability of nanoindentation in semiconductor and MEMS device reliability assessment.

Citations

• Material characterization and local mechanical study with nanoindentation on the stainless steel 316L part with embedded optical fiber sensor fabricated with electrical field-assisted sintering technique for severe environment application
  Wei Li, Minoo Tayefeh Kazemi, Afreeda Hossain, Hongbing Lu
  Materials Characterization.2026; 240: 116959.     CrossRef

With the extensive industrial growth driven by the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the excessive use of fossil fuels, greenhouse gas emissions have accelerated global warming. Energy harvesting technologies have garnered significant attention as a potential solution to this issue. Among them, triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have emerged as promising candidates for energy collection and conversion. However, TENGs typically face limitations in providing an efficient energy supply due to their high output voltage and low output current. To overcome these challenges, numerous studies have explored various methods to enhance the output performance by increasing the surface area of the triboelectric materials. Herein, we report a high-output TENG fabricated through a simple scratch process. By utilizing sandpaper, typically used for abrasion or polishing, the surface roughness of the triboelectric material PFA was increased through surface scratching. The surface-engineered TENG, prepared through this simple and rapid process, demonstrated enhanced output characteristics with a voltage of 276 V and a current of 72 μA, showing a 21% increase in voltage and a 41% increase in current compared to the non-engineered counterpart, providing sufficient energy to power an LED. These results indicate that the scratch-based surface modification process using sandpaper offers an effective solution for improving triboelectric output performance, establishing TENGs as a key contributor to sustainable energy supply.