bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Methylene Blue/Sodium Sulfinate Photo‐Initiating System for the Red‐Light Emulsion Photopolymerization of Methyl Methacrylate
Authors: Kalout Hanine , Lansalot Muriel , Bourgeat‐Lami Elodie , Morlet‐Savary Fabrice , Lacôte Emmanuel , Lalevée Jacques
Published: June 2024

The emulsion photopolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) using red light is reported. The synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) latexes is initiated by irradiation of a new, very efficient red‐absorbing methylene blue (MB)/sodium para‐toluenesulfinate (NapTS) system in the red region (660 nm). Visible, and especially red light penetrates the dispersed medium imposed by the emulsion process better than ultra‐violet photons (UVs). However, emulsion photopolymerizations require the development of fully water‐soluble initiating systems activable by red light, which is still hugely challenging because red photons are much less energetic, therefore generally lead to less efficient photochemical processes. The influence of the surfactant concentration and the solids content is examined over particle sizes and polymerization kinetics. The polymerizations work for solids contents between 10 and 25 wt%, with narrowly distributed particles of average sizes ranging from 40 to 65 nm. Calculations of Mie scattering support the observation that at a given wavelength the larger the particles the lower the penetration. All latexes obtained are slightly blue, which are traced to the regeneration of MB when the latexes are exposed to dioxygen. The dye regeneration enables the reactivation of the photopolymerization process.
Hierarchically‐Structured and Mechanically‐Robust Hydrogel Electrolytes for Flexible Zinc‐Iodine Batteries
Authors: Tan Yun , Liao Ruixi , Mu Yongbiao , Dong Li , Chen Xingmei , Xue Yu , Zheng Ziman , Wang Fucheng , Ni Zhipeng , Guo Jin , Gu Huicun , Wang Yafei , Wang Zongbao , Zeng Lin , Liu Ji
Published: June 2024

Hydrogel electrolytes have been widely explored in aqueous zinc‐iodine batteries (AZIBs), in light of their intrinsic strong water‐retention capability and superior flexibility of hydrogel network. However, hydrogel‐based AZIBs are still facing challenges due to the inferior ionic conductivity, dendrite formation, and corresponding fatigue‐induced damage. Herein, a hydrogel electrolyte is designed and engineered with preferentially aligned porous structures, where Zn2+ can promptly transport along the pores. AZIBs fabricated from the hydrogel electrolyte exhibited distinct cycling stability over 1,000 h (500 cycles) at 0.5 mA cm−2. Moreover, in light of the substantially improved mechanical robustness, the hydrogel electrolyte network remained intact over a 27,000‐cycle charging/discharging test at 5 A g−1, with a slight change in capacity, surpassing most previously reported AZIBs. Such kind of hydrogel electrolyte‐based AZIBs can be further explored as the flexible power system for wearable devices, enabling significantly accelerated wound healing through electrical stimulation over the epidermal wounds. This work sheds light on hydrogel electrolytes design for long‐life aqueous zinc‐based batteries, with great potential as power systems for wearable and implantable devices.
High‐Performance Transparent Electron‐Selective Contact for Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells
Authors: Xu Dacheng , Bi Qunyu , Li Kun , Gao Kun , Wang Xinyu , Shi Wei , Wang Shibo , Xing Chunfang , Zhang Xiaohong , Yang Xinbo
Published: June 2024

High‐efficiency silicon solar cells featuring doped silicon layer‐based carrier‐selective contacts suffer from optical losses due to parasitic absorption. In this work, a high‐performance electron‐selective contact with high transparency is presented, consisting of intrinsic hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a‐Si:H) passivation layer, atomic‐layer‐deposited conductive magnesium oxide (MgOx) and low‐work‐function aluminium doped zinc oxide (AZO). The a‐Si:H/MgOx/AZO stack is demonstrated to be an excellent and transparent electron‐selective contact on c‐Si, featuring a small contact resistivity (ρc) of 56.0 mΩ cm2 and a low saturation current density (J0) of 2.9 fA cm−2 simultaneously. By the implementation of the a‐Si:H/MgOx/AZO front contact, a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 23.3% is achieved on silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells, featuring an absolute short‐circuit current density (Jsc) and PCE gain of 1.3 mA cm−2 and 1.2%, respectively, compared to the conventional phosphorus‐doped silicon layer‐based electron‐selective contact. Moreover, a state‐of‐the‐art PCE of 22.8% is obtained on c‐Si solar cells with dopant‐free asymmetric heterocontacts on both sides, featuring an a‐Si:H/MgOx/AZO front contact and an a‐Si:H/vanadium oxide (VOx) rear contact.
Trifunctional Intermetallic PtZn‐Based Electrocatalyst for Integrated Hybrid Acid/Alkali Electrochemical Cell toward Glycerol Conversion and H2 Generation
Authors: Wang Peng , Chen Kai , Chen Junxiang , Wang Genxiang , Pan Weifan , Wen Zhenhai
Published: June 2024

The advancement of renewable energy is intricately relied on the development of diverse sustainable electrochemical devices. Persuing exceptionally efficient multifunctional electrocatalysts is imperative, as it promises to significantly streamline the electrode fabrication process, thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness of these devices. Herein, a trifunctional electrocatalysts of N‐doped carbon (NC) supported intermetallic PtZn catalyst (PtZn‐IMC@NC) are reported, which performs highly attractively toward the electrocatalysis of glycerol oxidation reactions (GOR), oxygen reduction reactions (ORR), and hydrogen evolution reactions (HER). Its effectiveness are demonstrated as electrocatalysts for both the anode and cathode in a hybrid acid/alkali direct glycerol fuel cell (AA‐DGFC) and a hybrid acid/alkali glycerol‐hydrogen electrolyzer (AA‐GHEC). The AA‐DGFC can release an impressive peak power density of 286.8 mW cm−2, while the AA‐GHEC achieves a noteworthy current density of 100 mA cm−2 at a significantly low applied voltage of 0.47 V. Such intermetallic PtZn‐based trifunctional electrocatalyst empowers them to establish a self‐powered integrated electrochemical device with the AA‐DGFC driving the AA‐GHEC. This setup exemplifies efficient valorization of glycerol into formate in both cells and hydrogen production in electrolyzer device. This study sparks innovation across diverse applications of multifunctional electrocatalysts and infuses renewed momentum into the realm of advanced energy devices.
Microfluidic Interfaces for Chronic Bidirectional Access to the Brain
Authors: Marcigaglia Simone , De Plus Robin , Vandendriessche Charysse , Schiltz Eleonore , Cuypers Marie‐Lynn , Cools Jordi , Hoffman Luis D. , Vandenbroucke Roosmarijn E. , Dewilde Maarten , Haesler Sebastian
Published: June 2024

Two‐photon polymerization (TPP) is an additive manufacturing technique with micron‐scale resolution that is rapidly gaining ground for a range of biomedical applications. TPP is particularly attractive for the creation of microscopic three‐dimensional structures in biocompatible and noncytotoxic resins. Here, TPP is used to develop microfluidic interfaces which provide chronic fluidic access to the brain of preclinical research models. These microcatheters can be used for either convection‐enhanced delivery (CED) or for the repeated collection of liquid biopsies. In a brain phantom, infusions with the micronozzle result in more localized distribution clouds and lower backflow compared to a control catheter. In mice, the delivery interface enables faster, more precise, and physiologically less disruptive fluid injections. A second microcatheter design enables repeated, longitudinal sampling of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) over time periods as long as 250 days. Moreover, further in vivo studies demonstrate that the blood‐CSF barrier is intact after chronic implantation of the sampling interface and that samples are suitable for downstream molecular analysis for the identification of nucleic acid‐ or peptide‐based biomarkers. Ultimately, the versatility of this fabrication technique implies a great translational potential for simultaneous drug delivery and biomarker tracking in a range of human neurological diseases.
Multifunctional Laser‐Induced Graphene‐Based Microfluidic Chip for High‐Performance Oocyte Cryopreservation with Low Concentration of Cryoprotectants
Authors: Li Yifang , Zhang Jixiang , Han Wei , Liu Bianhua , Zhai Mengjie , Li Nian , Wang Zhenyang , Zhao Jun
Published: June 2024

Oocyte cryopreservation is essential in the field of assisted reproduction, but due to the large size and poor environmental tolerance of oocytes, cell freezing technology needs further improvement. Here, a Y‐shaped microfluidic chip based on 3D graphene is ingeniously devised by combining laser‐induced graphene (LIG) technology and fiber etching technology. The prepared LIG/PDMS microfluidic chip can effectively suppress ice crystal size and delay ice crystal freezing time by adjusting surface hydrophobicity. In addition, LIG endows the microfluidic chip with an outstanding photothermal effect, which allows to sharply increase its surface temperature from 25 to 71.8 °C with 10 s of low‐power 808 nm laser irradiation (0.4 W cm−2). Notably, the LIG/PDMS microfluidic chip not only replaces the traditional cryopreservation carriers, but also effectively reduces the dosage of cryoprotectants (CPAs) needed in mouse oocyte cryopreservation. Even when the concentration of CPAs is cut in half (final concentration of 7.5% ethylene glycol (EG) and 7.5% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)), the survival rate of oocytes is still as high as 92.4%, significantly higher than the control group's 85.8%. Therefore, this work provides a novel design strategy to construct multifunctional microfluidic chips for high‐performance oocytes cryopreservation.
Correlating Material Properties to Osteoprotegerin Expression on Nanoparticulate Mineralized Collagen Glycosaminoglycan Scaffolds
Authors: Chen Wei , Bedar Meiwand , Zhou Qi , Ren Xiaoyan , Kang Youngnam , Huang Kelly X. , Rubino Grace , Kolliopoulos Vasiliki , Moghadam Shahrzad , Cascavita Catherine T. , Taylor Jeremiah M. , Chevalier Jose M. , Harley Brendan A.C. , Lee Justine C.
Published: June 2024

Precision material design directed by cell biological processes represents a frontier in developing clinically translatable regenerative technologies. While understanding cell‐material interactions on multipotent progenitor cells yields insights on target tissue differentiation, equally if not more important is the quantification of indirect multicellular interactions. In this work, the relationship of two material properties, phosphate content and stiffness, of a nanoparticulate mineralized collagen glycosaminoglycan scaffold (MC‐GAG) in the expression of an endogenous anti‐osteoclastogenic secreted protein, osteoprotegerin (OPG) by primary human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) is evaluated. The phosphate content of MC‐GAG requires the type III sodium phosphate symporter PiT‐1/SLC20A1 for OPG expression, correlating with β‐catenin downregulation, but is independent of the effects of phosphate ion on osteogenic differentiation. Using three stiffness MC‐GAG variants that do not differ significantly by osteogenic differentiation, it is observed that the softest material elicited ≈1.6–2 times higher OPG expression than the stiffer materials. Knockdown of the mechanosensitive signaling axis of YAP, TAZ, β‐catenin and combinations thereof in hMSCs on MC‐GAG demonstrates that β‐catenin downregulation increases OPG expression by 1.5‐fold. Taken together, these data constitute a roadmap for material properties that can used to suppress osteoclast activation via osteoprotegerin expression separately from the anabolic processes of osteogenesis.
Responsive Multi‐Arm PEG‐Modified COF Nanocomposites: Dynamic Photothermal, pH/ROS Dual‐Responsive, Targeted Carriers for Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment
Authors: Ge Saisai , Wang Xinyue , Zhao Xinru , Yuan Lingling , Bao Xuewei , Sun Caidie , Gong Zehua , Guo Jun , Yuan Siyu , Hu Danyou , Yang Jing , Yuan Bin , Zhang Guiyang
Published: June 2024

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic immune disease characterized by the infiltration of immune cells and the proliferation of fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (FLS) at the joint site, leading to inflammation and joint destruction. However, the available treatment options targeting both inflammatory and proliferative FLS are limited. Herein, this work presents three covalent organic frameworks (COFs) photothermal composite systems modified with multi‐armed polyethylene glycols (PEG) for the treatment of RA. These systems exhibit a dual response under low pH and high reactive oxygen species (ROS) conditions at the site of inflammation, with a specific focus on delivering the protein drug ribonuclease A (RNase A). Notably, molecular docking studies reveal the interaction between RNase A and NF‐κB p65 protein, and Western blotting confirm its inhibitory effect on NF‐κB activity. In vitro and in vivo experiments verify the significant reduction in joint swelling and deformities in adjuvant‐induced arthritis (AIA) rats after treatment with RNase A delivered by multi‐armed PEG‐modified COF ligands, restoring joint morphology to normal. These findings underscore the promising therapeutic potential of COFs for the treatment of RA, highlighting their unique capabilities in addressing both inflammatory and proliferative aspects of the disease and expanding the scope of biomedical applications for COFs.
Cu/CuxO/Graphdiyne Tandem Catalyst for Efficient Electrocatalytic Nitrate Reduction to Ammonia
Authors: Feng Xueting , Liu Jiyuan , Kong Ya , Zhang Zixuan , Zhang Zedong , Li Shuzhou , Tong Lianming , Gao Xin , Zhang Jin
Published: June 2024

The electrocatalytic reduction reaction of nitrate (NO3−) to ammonia (NH3) is a feasible way to achieve artificial nitrogen cycle. However, the low yield rate and poor selectivity toward NH3 product is a technical challenge. Here a graphdiyne (GDY)‐based tandem catalyst featuring Cu/CuxO nanoparticles anchored to GDY support (termed Cu/CuxO/GDY) for efficient electrocatalytic NO3− reduction is presented. A high NH3 yield rate of 25.4 mg h−1 mgcat.−1 (25.4 mg h−1 cm−2) with a Faradaic efficiency of 99.8% at an applied potential of −0.8 V versus RHE using the designed catalyst is achieved. These performance metrics outperform most reported NO3− to NH3 catalysts in the alkaline media. Electrochemical measurements and density functional theory reveal that the NO3− preferentially attacks Cu/CuxO, and the GDY can effectively catalyze the reduction of NO2− to NH3. This work highlights the efficacy of GDY as a new class of tandem catalysts for the artificial nitrogen cycle and provides powerful guidelines for the design of tandem electrocatalysts.
Induction of Synaptic Plasticity in Flexible Organic Synaptic Transistors with Cross‐Linked Polymer Dielectric
Authors: Bhattacharjee Somnath , Tiwari Shree Prakash
Published: June 2024

Controlled cross‐linking of polymer dielectric poly (4‐vinylphenol) (PVP) is demonstrated as an effective tool in enhancing the performance of flexible organic synaptic transistors (OSTs). Investigation of variation of concentration of the cross‐linking agent methylated poly (melamine‐co‐formaldehyde) (PMCF) in PVP in bilayer combination with high‐k hafnium oxide (HfO2) as gate dielectric in devices shows that the lower concentration of cross‐linking agent results in better memory performance. OSTs with 26% PMCF concentration in PVP (by mass) exhibit excellent memory performance with memory window > 4 V for VGS sweep of ±5 V, static retention of ≈104 s, dynamic retention for 500 cycles, and ≈125 continuous program/erase cycles. Pulse paired facilitation with relaxation time constants of 370 and 4670 ms respectively for slow and rapid phases with regulating modulation amplitude of ≈1 resemble a biological synapse. Through excitatory post synaptic current characteristics, spike timing dependant plasticity and spike voltage dependant plasticity are clearly observed, with low energy consumption per spike on the order of 10 pJ. Further, by leveraging the intricate interconnected data transfer and computation phenomenon, “AND” logic is effectively implemented using these OSTs. These exciting results may open up new directions toward the development of hardware for neuromorphic computing.
Hybrid White OLEDs with High Electroluminescence Efficiency and High Color Rendering Index Achieved by a Sandwich Interlayer Sensitizing Configuration
Authors: Qiu Nuoling , Wu Xing , Zhuang Ning , Peng Xiaoluo , Tang Ben Zhong , Zhao Zujin
Published: June 2024

White organic light‐emitting devices (WOLEDs) exhibit promising applications as white illumination and background light, but achieving high efficiencies, and high color quality for the WOLEDs still remains difficult. Herein, to enhance exciton utilization and improve the color quality of WOLEDs, a new sandwich configuration of an ultrathin orange phosphorescent layer located between two blue thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) layers is proposed, and the working mechanism is investigated. In this configuration, the interlayer sensitization from blue TADF layers to orange phosphorescent layer via efficient Förster energy transfer occurs, which effectively alleviates exciton quenching in emitting layers and thus results in excellent electroluminescence (EL) efficiencies and improved color quality. The obtained two‐color hybrid WOLED exhibits an external quantum efficiency (ηext) exceeding 27%, with Commission Internationale del'Eclairage (CIEx,y) coordinates of (0.335, 0.396) and a color rendering index (CRI) of 63. By further incorporating an ultrathin red phosphorescent layer between the orange phosphorescent layer and the blue TADF layer, the ηext maintains at 21.96% and the CRI increases to 91 (CIEx,y = 0.380, 0.366). These results demonstrate the proposed sandwich interlayer sensitizing configuration is an effective and feasible strategy for realizing high EL efficiencies and high color quality simultaneously for hybrid WOLEDs.
Dual‐Wavelength Controllable and Exciplex Emission for Laser Concealment
Authors: Man Zhongwei , Chen Zhong , Lv Zheng , Xu Zhenzhen , Liao Qing , Tang Aiwei , Teng Feng , Yao Jiannian , Fu Hongbing
Published: June 2024

As an advanced signal source, laser is very suitable for various photonic devices but implementing tunability of wavelength is more challenging. Herein, the study designs and synthesizes boron difluoride derivative tBuBF2, systematically studying the impact of assembly behavior on laser performance. The laser test results indicate that the emission wavelength of tBuBF2 microcrystals can be controlled by varying the length of the microcrystals, with the shorter wavelength of 0–1 vibronic lasing emission at 444 nm and the longer wavelength of 0–2 lasing emission at 468 nm. Mechanistic studies reveal that laser color change comes from an increase in optical propagation losses due to self‐absorption at the 0–1 vibronic band. Furthermore, CBP@tBuBF2 microcrystals constructed by doping with 4,4′‐bis(9‐carbazolyl)‐1,10‐biphenyl (CBP) as the guest molecule, which primarily exhibits 580 nm exciplex yellow emission while retaining weak blue emission. Moreover, it is demonstrated that the laser emission only occurred within the 0–2 vibronic band in the blue region owing to the increased self‐absorption phenomenon with 0–1 band, thus achieving controllable dual‐wavelength and exciplex emission for laser concealment. This work expands novel regulation strategy available for laser behavior control by enhancing the self‐absorption process, describing structure‐property relationships that will guide the design of advanced laser materials.
Synthesis of Enantiopure Vicinal Halohydrins Using a Sequence of Haloperoxidase and Lipase
Authors: De Marchi Elisa , Hilberath Thomas , Zippilli Claudio , Wever Ron , Saladino Raffaele , Hollmann Frank , Botta Lorenzo
Published: June 2024

Vicinal halohydrins are key building blocks to produce bioactive molecules and drugs, especially if they can be obtained in enantiomerically pure form. In this study, we present a bi‐enzymatic sequence that allows to obtain vic‐halohydrins through a photochemoenzymatic olefin hydroxy halogenation followed by a lipase catalysed kinetic resolution. The absolute configuration of the resulting products was determined using Mosher's method
2D Layered Materials Based Triboelectric Self‐Powered Sensors
Authors: Rajaboina Rakesh Kumar , Khanapuram Uday Kumar , Kulandaivel Anu
Published: June 2024

Sensors play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life, ensuring safety, and facilitating technological advancements. Over the past decade, 2D layered materials have been added as new sensing element in addition to existing materials such as metal oxides, semiconductors, metals, and polymers. 2D Layered materials are typically characterized by their single or few‐layer thickness and offer a high surface‐to‐volume ratio, exceptional mechanical strength, and unique electronic attributes. These properties make them ideal candidates for a variety of sensing applications. This review article focused on utilizing 2D layered materials in triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) for different sensing applications. The best part of TENG‐based sensing is that it is self‐powered, so no external power supply is required. The initial part of the review focused on the importance of the 2D layered materials and their innovative integration methods in TENGs. Further, this review discusses various sensing applications, including humidity, touch, force, temperature, and gas sensing, highlighting the impact of 2D layered materials in enhancing the sensitivity and selectivity of TENG sensors. The last part of the review discusses the challenges and prospects of TENG‐based self‐powered sensors.
Design and Characterization of a Dual‐Interval Elastic Force Sensor for Robot‐Assisted Microinjection
Authors: Lyu Zekui , Ai Nana , Ge Wei , Xu Qingsong
Published: June 2024

Robot‐assisted microinjection has been widely implemented in the field of experimental biology research. Force perception is more accurate than visual feedback in determining the state of interaction between the micropipette and the biological sample. The existing micro‐force sensors are difficult to directly combine with micropipettes to fully utilize their capabilities. This paper develops a new integrated force‐sensing microinjector with both micro‐force sensing and micropipette carrying functions using a symmetrical compliant guide mechanism and highly sensitive semiconductor strain gauges. Overload protection is considered in the structure design of the sensor, which is beneficial in reducing damage caused by displacement overshot due to misuse. The mechanical performance of the proposed dual‐interval force sensing device is verified through theoretical derivation, simulation analysis, and experimental testing. The sensitivity, resolution, accuracy, dynamic response, stability, and repeatability of the sensor are investigated and evaluated in the established experimental platform. Finally, puncture experiments are conducted on zebrafish larvae and crab eggs using the proposed force‐sensing microinjector. The results indicate that the sensor is effective in recording force signals during penetration of the sample.
Spatial Isolation of Oversized Lithium and Separator via Janus Carbon Fabric Anode for Safer and Steadier Lithium Metal Batteries
Authors: Li Dongdong , Li Tingting , Han Xuan , Cui Jiajie , Liu Qingyi , Xu Jun , Hu Henghui , Yang Shengchen , Lai Wen‐Yong
Published: June 2024

Although Li metal is regarded as a promising anode material, the undesired dendritic growth and continuous consumption of lithium during battery cycling result in severe safety risks and low Coulombic efficiency. Herein, a critical spatial‐isolation strategy is demonstrated to separate the originally adjacent lithium metal and separator for higher safety and stability of lithium metal batteries by designing a Janus carbon fabric (CF) anode. Transferring lithium from the anode/separator interface to CF bottom shuts down the prerequisite of lithium dendrite formation, while the oversized lithium at CF bottom can be also used to compensate for the loss of lithium during the charge‐discharge cycling. As a result, the Janus CF//Li anode exhibits an ultralong cyclic life of 450 h at 2 mA cm−2 and >250 h at 4 mA cm−2, which significantly exceeds the common CF//Li anodes. Full cells coupling the Janus CF//Li anodes demonstrate longer cycle life (550 cycles) than that of the CF//Li anodes (450 cycles) at 1C, along with higher rate capability, and excellent cyclic stability at 2C. The remarkable results, as a proof of concept, signify the superior anode structure for improving both battery safety and cyclic stability for the realistic application of lithium metal batteries.
Nexus Between Water Consumption and Economic Output for the Metallic and Non‐Metallic Mineral Products Sector: An Empirical Analysis at the Enterprise Level
Authors: Wang Chenglong , Shuai Chenyang , Chen Xi , Sun Jingran , Zhao Bu
Published: June 2024

With rapid urbanization and industrialization in China, the demand for mineral products and subsequent water consumption have significantly increased, posing challenges to sustainable economic growth due to escalating water scarcity. Few studies have explored the nexus between water use and economic output from the enterprise perspective. This study focuses on the metallic and non‐metallic mineral products sector, quantifying the nexus between water consumption and economic output at the enterprise level, analyzing the heterogeneity of water consumption elasticity of economic output across different regions and sub‐sectors, and identifying key sub‐sectors within each region that are highly dependent on water consumption. The results indicate that for the metallic and non‐metallic mineral products sector, a 1% increase or decrease in water consumption leads to a corresponding increase or decrease in economic output by 0.096%. Water consumption elasticity of economic output varies from 0.056 to 0.131 according to the regions. And it ranges from 0.048 to 0.104 for different sub‐sectors. This study identifies regions and sub‐sectors where economic output is highly dependent on water resources. The findings may help tailor policies to measure the value of water, especially in the context of potential water shortages.
Biomimetic Hydrogel‐Mediated Mechano‐Immunometabolic Therapy for Inhibition of ccRCC Recurrence After Surgery
Authors: Dong Yunze , Luo Jun , Pei Mingliang , Liu Shuai , Gao Yuchen , Zhou Hongmin , Nueraihemaiti Yimingniyizi , Zhan Xiangcheng , Xie Tiancheng , Yao Xudong , Guan Xin , Xu Yunfei
Published: June 2024

The unique physical tumor microenvironment (TME) and aberrant immune metabolic status are two obstacles that must be overcome in cancer immunotherapy to improve clinical outcomes. Here, an in situ mechano‐immunometabolic therapy involving the injection of a biomimetic hydrogel is presented with sequential release of the anti‐fibrotic agent pirfenidone, which softens the stiff extracellular matrix, and small interfering RNA IDO1, which disrupts kynurenine‐mediated immunosuppressive metabolic pathways, together with the multi‐kinase inhibitor sorafenib, which induces immunogenic cell death. This combination synergistically augmented tumor immunogenicity and induced anti‐tumor immunity. In mouse models of clear cell renal cell carcinoma, a single‐dose peritumoral injection of a biomimetic hydrogel facilitated the perioperative TME toward a more immunostimulatory landscape, which prevented tumor relapse post‐surgery and prolonged mouse survival. Additionally, the systemic anti‐tumor surveillance effect induced by local treatment decreased lung metastasis by inhibiting epithelial‐mesenchymal transition conversion. The versatile localized mechano‐immunometabolic therapy can serve as a universal strategy for conferring efficient tumoricidal immunity in “cold” tumor postoperative interventions.
Optimizing Nanofluidic Energy Harvesting in Synthetic Clay‐based Membranes by Annealing Treatment
Authors: Zavala‐Galindo Yozelin , Yang Guoliang , Zang Hanwen , Lei Weiwei , Liu Dan
Published: June 2024

Nanofluidic energy harvesting from salinity gradients is studied in 2D nanomaterials‐based membranes with promising performance as high ion selectivity and fast ion transport. In addition, moving forward to scalable, feasible systems requires environmentally friendly materials to make the application sustainable. Clay‐based membranes are attractive for being environmentally friendly, non‐hazardous, and easy to manipulate materials. However, achieving underwater stability for clay‐based membranes remains challenging. In this work, the synthetic clay Laponite is used to prepare clay‐based membranes with high stability and excellent performance for osmotic energy harvesting. The Laponite membranes (Lap‐membranes) are stabilized by low‐temperature annealing treatment to effectively reduce the interlayer space, achieving a continuous operation under salinity gradients. Furthermore, the Lap‐membranes conserve integrity while soaking in water for more than one month. The output power density improves from ≈4.97 W m−2 on the pristine membrane to ≈9.89 W m−2 in the membrane treated 12 h at 300 °C from a 30‐fold concentration gradient. Especially, It is found that the presence of interlayer water to be favorable for ion transport. Different mechanisms are proposed in the Lap‐membranes involved for efficient ion selectivity and the states found with varying annealing temperatures. This work demonstrates the potential application of Laponite based nanomaterials for nanofluidic energy harvesting.
Targeting Nr2e3 to Modulate Tet2 Expression: Therapeutic Potential for Depression Treatment
Authors: Ma Xiaohua , Xu Shiyao , Zhou Yaohui , Zhang Qian , Yang Hao , Wan Bo , Yang Yong , Miao Zhigang , Xu Xingshun
Published: June 2024

Epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation play a significant role in depression. This research has shown that Ten‐eleven translocation 2 (Tet2) deficiency prompts depression‐like behaviors, but Tet2's transcriptional regulation remains unclear. In the study, bioinformatics is used to identify nuclear receptor subfamily 2 group E member 3 (Nr2e3) as a potential Tet2 regulator. Nr2e3 is found to enhance Tet2's transcriptional activity by binding to its promoter region. Nr2e3 knockdown in mouse hippocampus leads to reduced Tet2 expression, depression‐like behaviors, decreased hydroxymethylation of synaptic genes, and downregulation of synaptic proteins like postsynaptic density 95 KDa (PSD95) and N‐methy‐d‐aspartate receptor 1 (NMDAR1). Fewer dendritic spines are also observed. Nr2e3 thus appears to play an antidepressant role under stress. In search of potential treatments, small molecule compounds to increase Nr2e3 expression are screened. Azacyclonal (AZA) is found to enhance the Nr2e3/Tet2 pathway and exhibited antidepressant effects in stressed mice, increasing PSD95 and NMDAR1 expression and dendritic spine density. This study illuminates Tet2's upstream regulatory mechanism, providing a new target for identifying early depression biomarkers and developing treatments.
Mechanically Robust Lubricating Hydrogels Beyond the Natural Cartilage as Compliant Artificial Joint Coating
Authors: Zhao Weiyi , Zhang Yunlei , Zhao Xiaoduo , Sheng Wenbo , Ma Shuanhong , Zhou Feng
Published: June 2024

Natural cartilage exhibits superior lubricity as well as an ultra‐long service lifetime, which is related to its surface hydration, load‐bearing, and deformation recovery feature. Until now, it is of great challenge to develop reliable cartilage lubricating materials or coatings with persistent robustness. Inspired by the unique biochemical structure and mechanics of natural cartilage, the study reports a novel cartilage‐hydrogel composed of top composite lubrication layer and bottom mechanical load‐bearing layer, by covalently manufacturing thick polyelectrolyte brush phase through sub‐surface of tough hydrogel matrix with multi‐level crystallization phase. Due to multiple network dissipation mechanisms of matrix, this hydrogel can achieve a high compression modulus of 11.8 MPa, a reversible creep recovery (creep strain: ≈2%), along with excellent anti‐swelling feature in physiological medium (v/v0 < 5%). Using low‐viscosity PBS as lubricant, this hydrogel demonstrates persistent lubricity (average COF: ≈0.027) under a high contact pressure of 2.06 MPa with encountering 100k reciprocating sliding cycles, negligible wear and a deformation recovery of collapse pit in testing area. The extraordinary lubrication performance of this hydrogel is comparable to but beyond the natural animal cartilage, and can be used as compliant coating for implantable articular material of UHMWPE to present, offering more robust lubricity than current commercial system.
Macrophage‐Mimicking Cellular Nanoparticles Scavenge Proinflammatory Cytokines in Specimens of Patients with Inflammatory Disorders
Authors: Zhou Zhidong , Mukundan Nilesh , Zhang Jiayuan Alex , Wu You‐Ting , Zhang Qiangzhe , Wang Dan , Fang Ronnie H. , Gao Weiwei , Zhang Liangfang
Published: June 2024

Effectively neutralizing inflammatory cytokines is crucial for managing a variety of inflammatory disorders. Current techniques that target only a subset of cytokines often fall short due to the intricate nature of redundant and compensatory cytokine networks. A promising solution to this challenge is using cell membrane‐coated nanoparticles (CNPs). These nanoparticles replicate the complex interactions between cells and cytokines observed in disease pathology, providing a potential avenue for multiplex cytokine scavenging. While the development of CNPs using experimental animal models has shown great promise, their effectiveness in scavenging multiple cytokines in human diseases has yet to be demonstrated. To bridge this gap, this study selected macrophage membrane‐coated CNPs (MФ‐CNPs) and assessed their ability to scavenge inflammatory cytokines in serum samples from patients with COVID‐19, sepsis, acute pancreatitis, or type‐1 diabetes, along with synovial fluid samples from patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The results show that MФ‐CNPs effectively scavenge critical inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐8, interferon (IFN)‐γ, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, in a dose‐dependent manner. Overall, this study demonstrates MФ‐CNPs as a multiplex cytokine scavenging formulation with promising applications in clinical settings to treat a range of inflammatory disorders.
Droplet Micro‐Sensor and Detection of Respiratory Droplet Transmission
Authors: Lu Jiaqi , Chen Xiangdong , Ding Xing , Jia Zhuolin , Li Mengxiang , Zhang Mengxi , Liu Fang , Tang Kun , Yu Xiang , Li Guoping
Published: June 2024

Droplet transmission is the primary infection route for respiratory diseases like COVID‐19 and influenza, but small and low‐cost wearable droplet detection devices are a significant challenge. Herein, a respiratory droplet micro‐sensor based on graphene oxide quantum dots (GOQDs) assembled onto SiO2 microspheres by the nebulized natural deposition is presented. Benefiting from the energy dissipation of the microsphere to droplets, the sensor can detect droplets as far as 2 m from coughing. With this sensor, droplet signal variations caused by some factors like distance, speech, angles, and wind directions are explored, and the effectiveness of different protective measures in preventing droplet transmission is evaluated. This droplet detection technology is expected to be utilized for the development of personal detection and protection devices against infectious respiratory diseases.
Dynamic Addressing Molecular Robot (DAMR): An Effective and Efficient Trial‐and‐Error Approach for the Analysis of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms
Authors: Chen Tianshu , Chen Guifang , Cao Siyu , Tang Xiaochen , Li Wenxing , Liu Chenbin , Gou Hongquan , Sun Pei , Mao Yichun , Pan Qiuhui , Zhang Penghui , Zhu Xiaoli
Published: June 2024

Accurate and efficient molecular recognition plays a crucial role in the fields of molecular detection and diagnostics. Conventional trial‐and‐error‐based molecular recognition approaches have always been challenged in distinguishing minimal differences between targets and non‐targets, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of oligonucleotides. To address these challenges, here, a novel concept of dynamic addressing analysis is proposed. In this concept, by dissecting the regions of the target and creating a corresponding recognizer, it is possible to eliminate the inaccuracy and inefficiency of recognition. To achieve this concept, a Dynamic Addressing Molecular Robot (DAMR), a DNA‐based dynamic addressing device is developed which is capable of dynamically locating targets. DAMR is designed to first bind to the conserved region of the target while addressing the specific region dynamically until accurate recognition is achieved. DAMR has provided an approach for analyzing low‐resolution targets and has been used for analyzing SNP of miR‐196a2 in both cell and serum samples, which has opened new avenues for effective and efficient molecular recognition.
Enantioselective Synthesis of Oxazocines via MQ‐Phos Enabled Palladium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Formal [4+4]‐Cycloadditions
Authors: Meng Qiaojing , Meng Yinggao , Liu Qinglin , Yu Bing , Li Zhong‐Jun , Li Er‐Qing , Zhang Junliang
Published: June 2024

Oxazocines are key structural intermediates in the synthesis of natural products and pharmaceutical molecules. However, the synthesis of oxazocines especially in a highly enantioselective manner, is a long‐standing formidable challenge due to unfavorable energetics involved in cyclization. Herein, a series of new PNP‐Ligand P‐chiral stereocenter is first designed and synthesized, called MQ‐Phos, and successfully applied it in the Pd‐catalyzed enantioselective higher‐order formal [4+4]‐cycloaddition of α, β‐unsaturated imines with 2‐(hydroxymethyl)‐1‐arylallyl carbonates. The reaction features mild conditions, excellent regio‐ and enantiocontrol and a broad substrate scope (54 examples). Various medium‐sized rings can be afforded in moderate to excellent yields (up to 92%) and excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99% ee). The newly developed MQ‐Phos is critical for synthesis of the medium‐sized ring in excellent catalytic reactivity and enantioselectivity.
Highly‐Polarized Emission Provided by Giant Optical Orientation of Exciton Spins in Lead Halide Perovskite Crystals
Authors: Kopteva Nataliia E. , Yakovlev Dmitri R. , Yalcin Eyüp , Akimov Ilya A. , Nestoklon Mikhail O. , Glazov Mikhail M. , Kotur Mladen , Kudlacik Dennis , Zhukov Evgeny A. , Kirstein Erik , Hordiichuk Oleh , Dirin Dmitry N. , Kovalenko Maksym V. , Bayer Manfred
Published: June 2024

Quantum technologic and spintronic applications require reliable material platforms that enable significant and long‐living spin polarization of excitations, the ability to manipulate it optically in external fields, and the possibility to implement quantum correlations between spins, i.e., entanglement. Here it is demonstrated that these conditions are met in bulk crystals of lead halide perovskites. A giant optical orientation of 85% of excitons, approaching the ultimate limit of unity, in FA0.9Cs0.1PbI2.8Br0.2 crystals is reported. The exciton spin orientation is maintained during the exciton lifetime of 55 ps resulting in high circular polarization of the exciton emission. The optical orientation is robust to detuning of the excitation energy up to 0.3 eV above the exciton resonance and remains larger than 20% up to detunings of 0.9 eV. It evidences pure chiral selection rules and suppressed spin relaxation of electrons and holes, even with large kinetic energies. The exciton and electron–hole recombinations are distinguished by means of the spin dynamics detected via coherent spin quantum beats in magnetic field. Further, electron–hole spin correlations are demonstrated through linear polarization beats after circularly polarized excitation. These findings are supported by atomistic calculations. All‐in‐all, the results establish lead halide perovskite semiconductors as suitable platform for quantum technologies.
Assessment of Segal method for identifying crystallinity evolution in developing cotton fibers
Authors: Nam Sunghyun , Liu Yongliang , He Zhongqi , Hinchliffe Doug J. , Fang David
Published: June 2024

The crystallinity index (CI) is an important parameter in evaluating cotton fiber quality. Due to its ease and speed in measuring CIs from X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, the Segal method is popularly used. In this study, we assessed the Segal method for monitoring the crystallinity evolution in developing cotton (Gossypium L.) fibers between 20 and 60 days post anthesis (DPAs) by comparing Segal CIs with those obtained from a Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy‐based method and other XRD‐based methods. The Segal method estimated higher CIs than other methods, especially for shorter DPAs. The Segal method suggested a rapid evolution of crystallinity in the early developmental stage, whereas other methods suggested a gradual increase in crystallinity. The calculation of diffraction patterns for cellulose Iβ crystallites with different sizes showed very little effect of the crystallite size on the Segal CIs for developing cotton fibers studied.
Random Projection‐Based Locality‐Sensitive Hashing in a Memristor Crossbar Array with Stochasticity for Sparse Self‐Attention‐Based Transformer
Authors: Wang Xinxin , Valov Ilia , Li Huanglong
Published: June 2024

Self‐attention mechanism is critically central to the state‐of‐the‐art transformer models. Because the standard full self‐attention has quadratic complexity with respect to the input's length L, resulting in prohibitively large memory for very long sequences, sparse self‐attention enabled by random projection (RP)‐based locality‐sensitive hashing (LSH) has recently been proposed to reduce the complexity to O(L log L). However, in current digital computing hardware with a von Neumann architecture, RP, which is essentially a matrix multiplication operation, incurs unavoidable time and energy‐consuming data shuttling between off‐chip memory and processing units. In addition, it is known that digital computers simply cannot generate provably random numbers. With the emerging analog memristive technology, it is shown that it is feasible to harness the intrinsic device‐to‐device variability in the memristor crossbar array for implementing the RP matrix and perform RP‐LSH computation in memory. On this basis, sequence prediction tasks are performed with a sparse self‐attention‐based Transformer in a hybrid software‐hardware approach, achieving a testing accuracy over 70% with much less computational complexity. By further harnessing the cycle‐to‐cycle variability for multi‐round hashing, 12% increase in the testing accuracy is demonstrated. This work extends the range of applications of memristor crossbar arrays to the state‐of‐the‐art large language models (LLMs).
Phase Separation‐Induced Electrical Conductivity for Liquid Metal‐Embedded Plastic Hybrid Composites with Metallic Conductivity and Recyclability
Authors: Xin Yumeng , Cheng Yi , Sun Lianhao , Ren Haidong , Mao Xiyue , Yu Ping , Ban Xinxin , Lou Yang
Published: June 2024

Conductive fillers‐embedded plastic polymer hybrid composites are crucial electronic materials in modern technologies owing to their tunable conductive properties, low density, and corrosion resistance. However, the application of traditional rigid inorganic conductive fillers‐embedded plastic composites is constrained by their subpar electrical conductivity and mechanical properties. Consequently, liquid metals (LMs) including gallium and gallium‐based alloys, have recently emerged as the preferred conductive flexible fillers over traditional rigid fillers. This work employs a solvent evaporation method and phase separation‐induced conductivity mechanism. The resulting flexible and electrically conductive LM‐polycarbonate (PC) film circuits demonstrate ultrahigh metallic conductivity, robust mechanical performance, excellent solvent recyclability, and notable processability. The fluidic nature of LMs and the superior mechanical properties of the PC polymer confer high electrical stability and durability to the LM‐PC film circuits under diverse mechanical forces and environmental conditions. The LM‐PC film circuits are exceedingly promising and apt for use as flexible conductors in contemporary electrical applications, including electricity transmission and underwater working.
Resolving the Relaxation of Volatile Valence Change Memory
Authors: Hellwig Johannes , Funck Carsten , Siegel Sebastian , Sarantopoulos Alexandros , Spithouris Dimitrios , Menzel Stephan , Dittmann Regina
Published: June 2024

Memristive devices based on the valence change mechanism are highly interesting candidates for data storage and hardware implementation of synapses in neuromorphic circuits. Although long‐term retention is often required for data storage applications, a slight resistance drift of the low resistive state (LRS) is observed even for stable devices. For other devices, the LRS has been observed to decay rapidly to the high resistive state (HRS). These types of devices are of interest for neuromorphic circuits where short‐term plasticity is required. In this work, the LRS relaxation of volatile, crystalline Pt/SrTiO3/Nb:SrTiO3: devices is investigated in detail, yielding time constants ranging from milliseconds to seconds. The decay is analyzed in terms of the Gibbs free energy gradient for the contribution of oxygen ion migration. A relaxation model based on drift‐diffusion dynamics is presented. The model may serve as a tool for developing guidelines and design rules for future volatile memristive technology based on Schottky barrier mediated electron transport.
All‐Solution‐Processed Top‐Emitting InP Quantum Dot Light‐Emitting Diode with Polyethylenimine Interfacial Layer
Authors: Jeon Youngwoo , Sim Soobin , Shin Doyoon , Bae Wan Ki , Lee Hyunkoo , Lee Hyunho
Published: June 2024

Recent studies on top‐emitting structure, which is designed to enhance the color purity and outcoupling efficiency of quantum‐dot light‐emitting diodes (QLEDs), employ commercially unviable methods owing to limited options for applying the hole injection layer through solution processes on the bottom electrode. In this study, all‐solution‐processable conventional top‐emitting QLEDs (TQLEDs) are successfully fabricated by introducing a polyethylenimine (PEI) interlayer, doping isopropyl alcohol (IPA) into the hole‐injection layer (poly (3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(4‐styrenesulfonate), PEDOT:PSS), and using the dynamic spin‐coating method. The increased hole injection resulting from the tuned anode‐HIL interface by the PEI and IPA‐doped HIL, coupled with the enhanced outcoupling efficiency and full width at half maximum (FWHM) derived from the optimized cavity length through simulation, realizes a red InP QLED with high efficiency and color purity. The optimized TQLED exhibits a maximum current efficiency and FWHM of 28.04 cd A−1 and 36 nm, respectively, which are threefold higher and 8 nm narrower than those of bottom‐emitting QLEDs, marking the highest current efficiency ever reported for top‐emitting red InP QLEDs.