High-temperature resistant inorganic aerogels hold irreplaceable importance in the field of thermal protection owing to their excellent thermal insulation properties. Exploring aerogel systems with novel microstructures and high temperature resistance limits has become a research hotspot. Aluminum borate ceramics possess high modulus, high strength, exceptional temperature resistance and corrosion resistance. Accordingly, hierarchically structured aluminum borate whisker aerogels represent a new competitive thermal protection material due to their unique microstructure, high temperature resistance limit and superior thermal insulation performance.

A novel thermally-responsive lubricant infused surface (TLIS) using composite phase change materials (CPCMs) can effectively resist scale formation under temperature change and water flushing environment. The TLIS combines the structural stability of high melting point component with the lubricating properties of low melting point component, enabling repeatable, high-efficiency descaling and offering long-term applications in heat exchange systems.

Low-dielectric continuous ceramic fibers with thermal and load-bearing functions are critical for accident-tolerant composites in aerospace shuttles. Leveraging Si₂N₂O ceramics high-temperature-resistance exceeding 1700°C, this study develops near-stoichiometric sinoite fibers via precursor conversion, achieving 1.53 GPa tensile strength. Fibers retain 65% strength at 1600°C in nitrogen; after 1700°C treatment, surface Si₂N₂O crystallization forms a mosaic-shell structure, maintaining 51% strength with low porosity. Offering superior high-temperature-resistance versus alumina and Si₃N₄ fibers, these sinoite fibers promise reinforcement for thermal protection systems and electromagnetic components served in extreme environments.

Severe parameter coupling between electrical and thermal transport limits the performance of GeTe-based thermoelectrics. A research team led by Prof. Lei Miao and Prof. Jie Gao successfully mitigated this trade-off through a synergistic Sb/Ni co-doping strategy. By leveraging Ni-induced shallow impurity levels to enhance carrier effective mass and forming in situ NiGe nanophases to suppress lattice thermal conductivity, the study optimized the interdependent transport properties. This approach yielded a peak figure of merit (ZT) of 2.15 and a single-leg device conversion efficiency of ~10%, demonstrating significant potential for mid-temperature waste heat recovery.