Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) has been well-recognized as a critical locomotive to drive the advancement of modern technology. Along with other developed countries, Taiwan has been inspiring and investing in MSE research for the past five decades, and has thus achieved impressive and substantial results. Such MSE achievements from Taiwan contribute scientific influences which benefit international communities, have social impacts which uplift local industries, and have even paved the way towards a brand-new subject in MSE research (e.g., high-entropy alloys, HEA).

In December 2020’s issue of Research Highlights, we focus on introducing Taiwan’s cutting-edge MSE research. Seven marvelous works are presented; for instance, green multifunctional nano silicon powders for green energy applications, a creative piezoelectrocatalyst for hydrogen production and environmental remediation, an ultralow-threshold plasmonic nanolaser using a single quantum dot, an aluminum plasmonics enriched ultrasensitive UV photodetector, disruptive innovation of perovskite solar cells for photovoltaic technology, high-performance organic photovoltaics with flexible, light-weight and high power conversion efficiencies and revolutionary high-entropy alloys. These research highlights from Taiwanese researchers not only demonstrate fundamental breakthroughs, but also create practical applications and commercial value.

Yu-Jung Lu

Ultralow-threshold Plasmonic Nanolaser by Using a Single Quantum Dot

Jien-Wei Yeh

Recreating new life in the periodic table－high-entropy alloys

Chuan-Pu Liu

Green multifunctional nano silicon powders for green energy application

Jyh-Ming Wu

Piezoelectrocatalyst induces hydrogen production and environmental remediation

Wei-Fang Su

Disruptive Innovation for Photovoltaic Technology: Perovskite Solar Cells

Ta-Jen Yen

An Aluminum plasmonics-enriched ultrasensitive UV photodetector

Kung-Hwa Wei

The recent development of high-performance organic photovoltaics