bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supervariate Ceramics: Ice‐Like Solids, Stress‐Induced Liquefaction, and Biomineralization
Authors: Pan Jie , Wang Chong , Zhong Jing , Li Hongkun , Xu Zhengtao , Lu Jian , Li Yang Yang
Published: September 2022

Unlike malleable polymers or metals, ceramics and many other inorganic materials are harder to process, because of their brittle nature and high melting points. If these refractory materials can be liquefied at lower temperatures, their fusion, molding, casting, mixing, deformation, segmentation, carving, and polishing will be greatly facilitated. Herein, a stress‐induced liquefaction mechanism that transforms “ice‐like” (shrinking upon melting) materials into supercooled liquids at room temperature, opening a route for processing refractory substances, is reported. Furthermore, this discovery sheds light on key puzzles in materials science, particularly how life fuses and modifies bioceramics in water under ambient conditions.
Ultra‐Stable Titanium Carbide MXene Functionalized with Heterocyclic Aromatic Amines
Authors: Yun Hwajin , Chae Yoonjeong , Kim Eunji , Kim Hong Ki , Jang Sukhyeun , Baik Mu‐Hyun , Ahn Chi Won , Lee Yonghee
Published: September 2022

2D transition metal carbides (MXenes) obtained from bulk Mn+1AXn (n = 1, 2, 3, or 4) phases are an intriguing class of crystalline solids with unique physicochemical properties for promising applications such as batteries, capacitive energy storage, and electrocatalysis. One of the obstacles that must be overcome for technical applications is that MXene flakes delaminated in aqueous conditions suffer from phase transition and/or structural decomposition over time. Herein, a simple but powerful strategy to enhance their stability by passivating vulnerable edges on the delaminated MXene (Ti3C2Tx) with heterocyclic aromatic amines is reported. In particular, pyrrole‐functionalized MXenes are found to facilitate anti‐oxidation in aqueous solutions at room temperature over 700 days, at 70 °C over 42 days, and even with a strong oxidizer (H2O2, 9.70 mmol) over 50 days. On the other hand, the as‐prepared MXene solution lost its color within a month at room temperature, a day at 70 °C, and 5 min in the presence of H2O2 (9.70 mmol). Density functional theory calculations indicate that chemical interactions between MXene and pyrrole are extremely strong and involve the formation of TiC bonds. Furthermore, pyrrole‐functionalized MXenes exhibit higher electrochemical performance than pristine MXenes as a supercapacitor.
2D Bismuthene as a Functional Interlayer between BiVO4 and NiFeOOH for Enhanced Oxygen‐Evolution Photoanodes
Authors: Cui Junyi , Daboczi Matyas , Regue Miriam , Chin Yi‐Chun , Pagano Katia , Zhang Jifang , Isaacs Mark A. , Kerherve Gwilherm , Mornto Aris , West James , Gimenez Sixto , Kim Ji‐Seon , Eslava Salvador
Published: September 2022

BiVO4 has attracted wide attention for oxygen‐evolution photoanodes in water‐splitting photoelectrochemical devices. However, its performance is hampered by electron‐hole recombination at surface states. Herein, partially oxidized two‐dimensional (2D) bismuthene is developed as an effective, stable, functional interlayer between BiVO4 and the archetypal NiFeOOH co‐catalyst. Comprehensive (photo)electrochemical and surface photovoltage characterizations show that NiFeOOH can effectively increase the lifetime of photogenerated holes by passivating hole trap states of BiVO4; however, it is limited in influencing electron trap states related to oxygen vacancies (VO). Loading bismuthene on BiVO4 photoanodes increases the density of VO that are beneficial for the oxygen evolution reaction via the formation of oxy/hydroxyl‐based water oxidation intermediates at the surface. Moreover, bismuthene increases interfacial band bending and fills the VO‐related electron traps, leading to more efficient charge extraction. With the synergistic interaction of bismuthene and NiFeOOH on BiVO4, this composite photoanode achieves a 5.8‐fold increase in photocurrent compared to bare BiVO4 reaching a stable 3.4 (±0.2) mA cm–2 at a low bias of +0.8 VRHE or 4.7(±0.2) mA cm–2 at +1.23 VRHE. The use of 2D bismuthene as functional interlayer provides a new strategy to enhance the performance of photoanodes.
A High Power Density Zn‐Nitrate Electrochemical Cell Based on Theoretically Screened Catalysts
Authors: Lin Wan , Zhou Enbo , Xie Jia‐Fang , Lin Jing , Wang Yaobing
Published: September 2022

Designing artificial nitrogen fixing devices with functions of light energy adsorption and driven nitrogen species upgrade and oxygen evolution is highly attractive. However, advanced catalytic materials for key NO3‐‐to‐NH4+ and OH‐‐to‐O2 reactions are rather rare. Herein, first principle calculations are performed to pre‐screen target catalysts and then the effective catalyst in the experiment is successfully prepared, with which, a high power density Zn‐nitrate electrochemical cell is demonstrated. The cathode catalyst can promote both reductive NO3‐‐to‐NH4+ and oxidative OH‐‐to‐O2 reactions in low‐overpotential pathways, contributing to the total battery reaction: NO3‐ + 3H2O → NH4+ + 2OH‐ + 2O2. The resulting electrochemical cell shows over 90% NO3‐‐to‐NH4+ selectivity, a high power density over 25 mW cm‐2, and stable 35 h cycling at 12.5 mA cm‐2. Moreover, this Zn‐nitrate electrochemical cell can work driven by the photovoltaic cell with the solar‐to‐NH3 efficiency up to 19.5%. This study demonstrates a theoretically screened catalyst realizing a photovoltaic driven high‐rate Zn‐nitrate electrochemical cell system, which mimics soybean system upgrading N species and producing oxygen.
Engineering Novel 3D Models to Recreate High‐Grade Osteosarcoma and its Immune and Extracellular Matrix Microenvironment
Authors: Pierrevelcin Marina , Flacher Vincent , Mueller Christopher G. , Vauchelles Romain , Guerin Eric , Lhermitte Benoît , Pencreach Erwan , Reisch Andreas , Muller Quentin , Doumard Layal , Boufenghour Wacym , Klymchenko Andrey S. , Foppolo Sophie , Nazon Charlotte , Weingertner Noelle , Martin Sophie , Briandet Claire , Laithier Véronique , Di Marco Antonio , Bund Laurent , Obrecht Adeline , Villa Pascal , Dontenwill Monique , Entz‐Werlé Natacha
Published: September 2022

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary bone cancer, where the overall 5‐year surviving rate is below 20% in resistant forms. Accelerating cures for those poor outcome patients remains a challenge. Nevertheless, several studies of agents targeting abnormal cancerous pathways have yielded disappointing results when translated into clinic because of the lack of accurate OS preclinical modeling. So, any effort to design preclinical drug testing may consider all inter‐, intra‐, and extra‐tumoral heterogeneities throughout models mimicking extracellular and immune microenvironment. Therefore, the bioengineering of patient‐derived models reproducing the OS heterogeneity, the interaction with tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs), and the modulation of oxygen concentrations additionally to recreation of bone scaffold is proposed here. Eight 2D preclinical models mimicking several OS clinical situations and their TAMs in hypoxic conditions are developed first and, subsequently, the paired 3D models faithfully preserving histological and biological characteristics are generated. It is possible to shape reproducibly M2‐like macrophages cultured with all OS patient‐derived cell lines in both dimensions. The final 3D models pooling all heterogeneity features are providing accurate proliferation and migration data to understand the mechanisms involved in OS and immune cells/biomatrix interactions and sustained such that engineered 3D preclinical systems will improve personalized medicine.
Pseudocatalytic Hydrogels with Intrinsic Antibacterial and Photothermal Activities for Local Treatment of Subcutaneous Abscesses and Breast Tumors
Authors: Ma Yan , Sun Yanbin , Xu Lingling , Li Xueqiao , Gong Deyan , Miao Zhaohua , Qian Haisheng
Published: September 2022

The intimate relationship between bacteria and tumors has triggered a lot of activities in the development and design of bioactive materials to concurrently respond to antitumor and antibacterial demands. Herein, a pseudocatalytic hydrogel (AM‐I@Agar) with intrinsic antibacterial and photothermal activities, synthesized by incorporating prefabricated amylose‐iodine nanoparticles into low‐melting‐point agarose hydrogel, is explored as a bioactive agent for local treatment of subcutaneous abscesses and breast tumors. The AM‐I@Agar hydrogel depicts the ability of pseudocatalytic O2 generation from H2O2 to alleviate hypoxia. Meanwhile, the AM‐I@Agar hydrogel exhibits temperature self‐regulation features, beneficial for avoiding thermal injury during photothermal therapy owing to thermochromic properties. Upon local injection into a subcutaneous abscess, methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus is effectively eliminated by the AM‐I@Agar hydrogel, and complete skin recovery is achieved in 8 d, demonstrating much better antibacterial effects compared with penicillin, a small‐molecule antibiotic. AM‐I/5‐FU@Agar hydrogel, obtained after loading 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU), significantly inhibits tumors in both normal 4T1 tumor‐bearing mice and MRSA‐infected 4T1 tumor‐bearing mice models via a synergistic photothermal‐chemo effect, and shows treatment efficiency superior to that achieved with photothermal therapy or 5‐FU alone. This work provides a concept for the design and development of bioactive agents for potential management of bacteria‐associated cancer.
Open‐Chip Droplet Splitting in Electrowetting
Authors: Sagar Nitish , Bansal Shubhi , Sen Prosenjit
Published: September 2022

Electrowetting‐on‐dielectric (EWOD) has emerged as a powerful technique to perform on‐chip droplet operations like transportation, dispensing, splitting, and mixing in sandwiched droplets. In contrast, open‐chip droplet manipulation using electrowetting enables micro‐total‐analysis systems with multiple sensor integration and re‐routing capabilities. Droplet splitting has been the bottleneck in developing open‐chip platforms. Droplet splitting on an open‐chip platform using electrowetting‐on‐dielectric is presented. An energy‐based simulation model has been developed. It shows that splitting a sessile water droplet is impossible on an open‐chip configuration because of the low pad contact angle requirement. Low contact angles cannot be achieved due to contact angle saturation in electrowetting. It is experimentally shown that splitting is possible if the droplet is engulfed in an oil shell (i.e., in compound droplets). The planar electrode configurations and regime of electrowetting numbers for which splitting can be achieved are identified. It is observed that larger gaps and higher electrowetting numbers favor symmetrical splitting because the electrostatic force driving the actuation is significantly higher than the retarding interfacial forces. Conversely, asymmetrical splitting has been obtained when the actuation force is barely sufficient. Further the splitting of surfactant‐loaded single‐phase sessile droplets is demonstrated and a preferential surface charging phenomenon is explained.
Superhydrophobic Materials: Versatility and Translational Applications
Authors: Yong Haiyang , Li Zhili , Huang Xiaobei , Wang Kaixuan , Zhou Ya‐Nan , Li Qiuxia , Shi Jianjun , Liu Ming , Zhou Dezhong
Published: September 2022

Inspired by the lotus leaf in nature, superhydrophobic materials have attracted considerable attention in both science and industry over the past three decades. Apart from the most characteristic yet widely used properties such as waterproofing, anti‐fouling, and self‐cleaning, superhydrophobic materials have also developed exciting new functions such as drag reduction, corrosion resistance, anti‐icing, anti‐bacteria, and anti‐reflection. In this review article, the theoretical models describing superhydrophobic surfaces are first briefly introduced. Then, the most common substrates and strategies for fabricating superhydrophobic surfaces are presented. After that, the application scenarios for superhydrophobic materials in various fields of daily life are systematically presented, from transportation, architecture/building protection, oil/water separation, and seawater desalination to biomedical device fabrication, biosensing, energy conversion and utilization, and textile manufacturing. In particular, the special functional properties are presented and the most representative applications of superhydrophobic materials in the last decade are highlighted. Finally, the potential challenges in translating superhydrophobic materials from the laboratory to practical applications are discussed.
Adhesion Energy Modulation Acts as an NGF Receptor Activator for Neuronal Differentiation in NGF‐Free Medium
Authors: Sénépart Océane , Legay Claire , Helary Christophe , Hamraoui Ahmed
Published: September 2022

Neuronal repair is promoted after a nerve injury by chemical and physical stimuli from their environment. Among them, local adhesion energy gradients generated on surfaces trigger cone formation and neurite outgrowth without any nerve growth factor (NGF) addition. In this study, the molecular mechanisms leading to neuronal differentiation after stimulation via energy gradients are investigated. For this purpose, PC12 cells are cultured on n‐[3‐(trimethoxysilyl)propyl] ethylendiamine (EDA) and n‐hexyl trimethoxysilane (HTMS), two functionalized surfaces possessing local energy gradients but chemically different. These surfaces similarly trigger neurite and growth cone formation after 3 days in culture. Gene expression of PI3/Akt quantified through a microarray and the action of a specific inhibitor of the corresponding pathway reveal that PI3/Akt signaling pathway is induced and activated on these surfaces in the same way as NGF does after binding on its TrkA receptor. The biological downstream effectors of this signaling pathway are also upregulated, thereby promoting cell survival, growth cone formation, and neurite outgrowth. EDA and HTMS surfaces act as an ongoing stimulus of the TrkA receptor as the addition of 100 nM K252a, its specific inhibitor, leads to the inhibition of neurite growth. Taken together, these results suggest that functionalized surface with energy surface gradients could be useful to promote nerve repair after an injury.
A Critical Review on New and Efficient 2D Materials for Catalysis
Authors: Zhao Liping , Wang Bingquan , Wang Rui
Published: September 2022

The unique structure and properties of graphene make it have excellent performance in the field of catalysis. It can be modified in various ways to improve its catalytic ability. Notably, other 2D materials with similar properties to graphene (black phosphorus (BP), 2D transition metal dichalcogenides represented by molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and tungsten disulfide (WS2), boron nitride (BN), and transition metal carbide and nitride (MXenes) and their hybrid materials also have a wide range of applications in the field of catalysis. In general, 2D materials can be used as catalysts, catalytic supports or electron donors. Therefore, they have been widely used in many catalytic reactions in recent years, such as photocatalysis, thermocatalysis, and electrocatalysis. In this paper, the research progress of the above 2D materials in the catalytic degradation of organic matter in water and carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR) is summarized. In addition, some excellent composite 2D catalysts in the fields of photocatalysis and electrocatalysis are summarized and compared. Finally, the opportunities and challenges of the above 2D materials in the field of catalysis are pointed out, and the development prospects of the 2D materials in the field of catalysis are addressed.
Interfacial Catalysis Enabled Acetone Sensors Based on Rationally Designed Mesoporous Metal Oxides with Erbium‐Doped WO3 Framework
Authors: Liu Yan , Li Yanyan , Gao Meiqi , Yuan Chenyi , Ren Yuan , Xie Wenhe , Yang Xuanyu , Liao Yaozu , Zou Yidong , Deng Yonghui
Published: September 2022

The emerging combination of Internet of Things requires the development of intelligent gas sensor, and semiconductor gas sensors based on metal oxides have been widely applied in industrial production, environmental monitoring, and food safety. Although versatile nanomaterials have been exploited as gas sensitive materials, restricted gas sensing performance including sensitivity, selectivity and stability, is still the fatal problem of practical applications. Herein, inspired by heteratomic doping engineering, unique rare earth erbium (Er)‐doped mesoporous tungsten oxide (Er/mWO3) has been synthesized via one‐step collaborative coassembly strategy, and Er ion‐doped mWO3 exhibited peculiarly hexagonal mesostructure (P63/mmc), tunable specific surface area (58.1–78.3 m2 g–1), uniform mesoporous size and highly crystallized framework with heteroatomic pore wall doping. The introduction of Er can significantly adjust the micro/nano structure and band characteristics, and 1.5 wt% Er‐doped mWO3 displays superior acetone sensing performance, including high response values (107 for 50 ppm), rapid response–recovery dynamics (9/56 s), prominent acetone selectivity, low concentration detection (125 ppb), anti‐humidity property and excellent long‐term stability. Such an excellent sensing performance is mainly attributed to unique interfaces catalytic sites induced by heteroatom interstitial doping. This finding opens a door for the design of smart gas sensors for environmental monitoring and industrial safety.
Widening the Sensing Range of Piezoresistive Composites by Constructing Multilevel Porous Structure
Authors: Li Linhua , Li Yunxia , Liu Zhanqi , Chen Tao , Jiang Xiao , Zhang Zemin , Wang Fangcong , Han Weihua
Published: September 2022

Piezoresistive composite is one of the promising candidates for wearable and flexible force sensors due to its simple and low‐cost preparation and conformability to various surfaces. However, it is challenging to achieve a wide sensing range and a high sensitivity simultaneously. Herein, it is proposed to use multilevel porous structure to address the conflict between sensing range and pressure sensitivity. The multilevel porous structure consists of alternately stacked polyacrylonitrile nanofibers and silver nanowires. The nanostructure presents a multilevel deformation when increasing the applied pressure. The sensor has a broad sensing range while maintaining its sensitivity. These results show that the pressure sensor has a superior sensitivity (defined by the resistance change ratio per unit pressure) of 0.437 kPa–1 and a wide stress range of 0–48.4 kPa. The unique multilevel porous structure makes the sensor stable, repeatable, and durable even after a test of 8000 cycles. Moreover, the sensor also shows small size and lightweight which can be used to detect the movement of various body motions, including facial muscle movements, vocalization, and joint motions. This work provides an effective strategy to achieve high sensitivity and a broad range of piezoresistive sensor through rationally building a multilevel porous structure.
Microfluidic Synthesis of Hydrogel Microparticles with Superparamagnetic Colloids Embedded at Prescribed Positions for Anticounterfeiting Applications
Authors: Zhang Mengmeng , Warth Thom , Boon Niels , Demirörs Ahmet Faik , Eral Hüseyin Burak
Published: September 2022

A microfluidic platform for continuous synthesis of hydrogel microparticles with superparamagnetic colloids (SPCs) embedded at prescribed positions is described. The shape of the cross‐linked microparticle is independently controlled by stop–flow lithography, whereas the position of trapped SPCs are dictated by virtual magnetic moulds made of 2D nickel patches facilitating magnetic trapping. The spatial positions of trapped SPCs collectively function as a binary code matrix for product authentication. Analytical and finite element methods are combined to optimize the trapping efficiency of SPCs by systematically investigating magnetic field microgradients produced by nickel patches. It is envisioned that the proposed magnetic microparticles will contribute to the development of soft matter inspired product quality control, tracking and anti‐counterfeiting technologies.
Reverse Dual‐Ion Battery by Coupling Adsorption and Conversion Mechanism
Authors: Li Yong , Zhang Jian , Yuan Qingyan , Wu Yunjia , Han Jingbin
Published: September 2022

As one kind of promising energy storage device, dual‐ion batteries (DIBs) have attracted extensive attention because of their high voltage, environmental friendliness, and low cost. However, they generally suffer from low power density resulting from sluggish kinetic of electrolyte anion intercalation. In this work, a new strategy to break through the trade‐off of power density and energy density in DIBs is proposed. A vanadium‐doped anatase is synthesized by the hydrothermal method and used as the cathode of DIB (employing Li as the anode). During the charging/discharging process, the organic cations in the electrolyte are reversibly adsorbed–desorbed at the cathode; while a conversion reaction of Li/LiCl occurs at the anode. The effective integration of cation adsorption and conversion reaction mechanism results in a large power density of 1532 W kg−1 along with a high energy density of 214 Wh kg−1 at 1 A g−1. This design concept is universal and has been successfully transplanted to cation/Br− DIB. Therefore, this work provides a novel approach to optimize the energy/power density of DIBs, which is highly desired in constructing high‐performance energy storage devices.
Smooth Transparent Omniphobic Coatings with Remarkable Liquid Repellence
Authors: Mayoussi Fadoua , Chen Yunong , Mössner Daniela , Franco Corredor Santiago , Goralczyk Andreas , Mader Markus , Warmbold Andreas , Kotz‐Helmer Frederik , Helmer Dorothea , Rapp Bastian E.
Published: September 2022

Liquid repellent surfaces are of high interest in various fields like protective coatings and droplet manipulation due to their outstanding properties from self‐cleaning to anti‐fouling. Most reported surfaces rely on the fabrication of micro/‐nanostructured surfaces, the infusion of porous surfaces with immiscible lubricants, or the grafting of monolayers with low surface energy to achieve repellence of various liquids. However, these methods are limited in terms of their durability and long‐term stability. Here, the fabrication of smooth, transparent fluorinated poly (perfluoroalkyl methacrylate) coatings via UV‐initiated radical polymerization in a simple one‐step procedure is reported. The resulting surfaces show very low surface energies of down to 7 mN m−1, low contact angle hysteresis below 5°, very good repellence towards various liquids with different polarities as well as self‐cleaning and anti‐graffiti ability. The fabricated coatings can be applied to various substrates from glass slides to microfiber cloths. This demonstrates that they outperform common commercially available fluorinated coatings, such as, for example, Hyflon AD 40L S, in terms of liquid repellence and their performance in real‐world applications.
Regulation of Interfacial Polarization and Local Electric Field Strength Achieved Highly Energy Storage Performance in Polyetherimide Nanocomposites at Elevated Temperature via 2D Hybrid Structure
Authors: Ding Xiangping , Pan Zhongbin , Zhang Yong , Shi Songhan , Cheng Yu , Chen Hanxi , Li Zhicheng , Fan Xu , Liu Jinjun , Yu Jinhong , Zhai Jiwei
Published: September 2022

Dielectric materials with excellent high‐temperature energy storage performances are urgently demanded in advanced electronic market. However, the sharply reduced energy storage capabilities caused by conduction loss impede the applications of polymer‐based nanocomposites at harsh environments. In this work, the 2D hybrid structure fillers of boron nitride nanosheets‐titanium dioxide (BNNSs‐TiO2), where TiO2 nanoparticles tightly wrap around the 2D BNNSs, are fused with polyetherimide (PEI) forming polymer nanocomposite films. The finite element simulation and experiment results indicate that the hybrid structure 2D BNNSs‐TiO2 can effectively regulate local electric field strength and interfacial polarization, facilitating the enhancement in energy storage properties. Accordingly, the composite film delivers a superior discharged energy density (≈4 J cm−3) and charging/discharging efficiency (≈90%) at 150 °C, better than recently discussed high‐temperature pristine polymer and their composite films. This contribution offers a feasible idea to explore reliable dielectric capacitors at high temperature.
Graphene Oxide as a Biocompatible and Osteoinductive Agent to Promote Implant Osseointegration in a Rabbit Tibia Model
Authors: Kwak Jeong Min , Kim Jungho , Lee Chung‐Sung , Park Il‐Soo , Lee Min , Min Dal‐Hee , Yeo In‐Sung Luke
Published: September 2022

Graphene, a nanomaterial made of sp2 hybridized carbon atoms, has recently been investigated as a novel surface treatment for promoting osseointegration. This study aims to evaluate the biological effects of graphene oxide (GO) on turned and sandblasted, large‐grit, and acid‐etched (SLA) titanium surfaces. In vitro, bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) are seeded onto titanium discs, whose surfaces have been treated in four different ways (SLA and/or GO), to observe its effects on cellular responses such as adhesion, proliferation and differentiation. In vivo, a rabbit tibia model is used to observe the effects of the four surface treatments on osseointegration of screw‐shaped titanium implants. The bone‐to‐implant contact is analyzed using light microscopic histomorphometry. GO significantly promotes the viability, proliferation and osteoblast differentiation of BMSCs, and it enhances the attachment and proliferation of HGFs. SLA and GO treatment of implant surfaces results in significant improvement of osseointegration in vivo. Physicochemical modification of the titanium surface by SLA treatment and GO coating stimulates osteogenic activities of mesenchymal stem cells and improves biocompatibility to connective tissue cells, leading to enhancement of bone healing at the bone‐implant interface.
Flash‐Lamp Processing of Charge Extraction Layers for Polymer Solar Cells
Authors: Sokeng Djoumessi Aurelien , Madalaimuthu Jose Prince , Alam Shahidul , Anand Aman , Sichwardt Anastasia , Fischer Peter , Rösch Roland , Schubert Ulrich S. , Hoppe Harald
Published: September 2022

Thermal annealing (TA) is one of the most used processing techniques for the fabrication of polymer solar cells. The method is not only used to dry solution‐processed films but also for improving the electrical conductivity and the optical absorption of the materials after coating as films. Its use is questionable in combination with high throughput manufacturing techniques such as roll‐to‐roll large‐scale production since annealing times of several minutes already put up high demands on oven lengths. Furthermore, the commonly used flexible substrates are not compatible with high processing temperatures. Therefore, there is a need for more rapid treatment techniques, which do not negatively affect the plastic substrate. Herein, it is successfully demonstrated that flash lamp annealing (FLA) can be a valid alternative to TA. The FLA technique is applied at various pulse durations and thus energy doses to PEDOT:PSS and SnO2 films used as charge extraction layers in conventional and inverted solar cells architectures. In combination with PM6:Y6 photoactive layer, the obtained device's performances are comparable or even better than the devices treated with the classical TA on a hotplate. In terms of energy efficiency, the FLA is clearly more efficient than the TA, even at the size of prototypes.
Electronic Characteristics of Ultra‐Thin Passivation Layers for Silicon Photovoltaics
Authors: Pain Sophie L. , Khorani Edris , Niewelt Tim , Wratten Ailish , Paez Fajardo Galo J. , Winfield Ben P. , Bonilla Ruy S. , Walker Marc , Piper Louis F. J. , Grant Nicholas E. , Murphy John D.
Published: September 2022

Surface passivating thin films are crucial for limiting the electrical losses during charge carrier collection in silicon photovoltaic devices. Certain dielectric coatings of more than 10 nm provide excellent surface passivation, and ultra‐thin (<2 nm) dielectric layers can serve as interlayers in passivating contacts. Here, ultra‐thin passivating films of SiO2, Al2O3, and HfO2 are created via plasma‐enhanced atomic layer deposition and annealing. It is found that thin negatively charged HfO2 layers exhibit excellent passivation properties—exceeding those of SiO2 and Al2O3—with 0.9 nm HfO2 annealed at 450 °C providing a surface recombination velocity of 18.6 cm s−1. The passivation quality is dependent on annealing temperature and layer thickness, and optimum passivation is achieved with HfO2 layers annealed at 450 °C measured to be 2.2–3.3 nm thick which give surface recombination velocities ≤2.5 cm s−1 and J0 values of ≈14 fA cm−2. The superior passivation quality of HfO2 nanolayers makes them a promising candidate for future passivating contacts in high‐efficiency silicon solar cells.
Surface Charge and Nanoparticle Chromophore Coupling to Achieve Fast Exciton Quenching and Efficient Charge Separation in Photoacoustic Imaging (PAI) and Photothermal therapy (PTT)
Authors: Liu Zehan , Wen Jiangping , Zhou Guanqing , Xu Jinqiu , Zhu Lei , Zhang Ming , Liu Feng , Zhang Yongming
Published: September 2022

An organic semiconductor nanoparticle (OSN) with surface charge strategy is proposed, which displays excellent photothermal conversion performance. The donor–acceptor hybrid organic semiconductor Y6 is selected as a photothermal chromophore into nanoparticle by self‐assembly, which affords long wavelength absorption, sub‐bandgap emission, and high photon‐to‐thermal conversion. Y6 in OSN adopts closed packing comparing to that in single crystal. The surface charge in OSN causes super‐quenching of the photon excitons, which enhances the nonradiative transition to improve photothermal effect. Lower energy level electronic states are created, which breaks up the bandgap limit and leads to long wavelength emission over 1100 nm. Photothermal therapy and photoacoustic imaging are applied successfully, indicating the success of the new methodology in designing photothermal conversion materials.
Efficient Sensing of Selected Amino Acids as Biomarker by Green Phosphorene Monolayers: Smart Diagnosis of Viruses
Authors: Panigrahi Puspamitra , Pal Yash , Panigrahi Akshaya , Bae Hyeonhu , Lee Hoonkyung , Ahuja Rajeev , Hussain Tanveer
Published: September 2022

Effective techniques for the detection of selected viruses detection of their amino acids (AAs) constituents are highly desired, especially in the present COVID pandemic. Motivated by this, we have used density functional theory (DFT) simulations to explore the potential applications of green phosphorene monolayer (GPM) as efficient nanobio‐sensor. We have employed van der Waals induced calculations to study the ground‐state geometries, binding strength, electronic structures, and charge transfer mechanism of pristine, vacancy‐induced and metal‐doped GPM to detect the selected AAs, such as glycine, proline and aspartic, in both aqueous and non‐aqueous media. We find that the interactions of studied AAs are comparatively weak on pristine (−0.49 to −0.76 eV) and vacancy‐induced GPM as compared to the metal‐doped GPM (−0.62 to −1.22 eV). Among the considered dopants, Ag‐doping enhances the binding of AAs to the GPM stronger than the others. In addition to appropriate binding energies, significant charge transfers coupled with measurable changes in the electronic properties further authenticate the potential of GPM. Boltzmann thermodynamic analysis have been used to study the sensing mechanism under varied conditions of temperatures and pressure for the practical applications. Our findings signify the potential of GPM based sensors towards efficient detection of the selected AAs.
Modeling Hydrogen and Oxygen Evolution Reactions on Single Atom Catalysts with Density Functional Theory: Role of the Functional
Authors: Barlocco Ilaria , Cipriano Luis A. , Di Liberto Giovanni , Pacchioni Gianfranco
Published: September 2022

The most widely used approach to predict catalytic activity is density functional theory, whose results however depend on the adopted exchange‐correlation functional. In this work, the role played by the functional in predicting the activity of single atom catalysts (SAC) in the hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions (HER and OER) is studied. 16 transition metal (TM) atoms embedded in N‐doped graphene are simulated and the performance of the widely adopted Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof (PBE) functional against the hybrid PBE0 functional is assessed. The PBE+U approach, a computationally less complex way to correct for the self‐interaction error in density functional theory, is also considered. The predictions obtained with PBE have a substantial deviation from PBE0 for first row TMs, i.e., 3d systems, while smaller deviations are found for the 4d and 5d series. The PBE+U results represent an improvement with respect to PBE, although some differences from PBE0 remain. This study underlines the importance of the choice of the DFT functional in screening new catalysts and in predicting catalytic activities. The use of PBE appears acceptable for 4d and 5d metals, while in the case of 3d systems PBE+U or PBE0 approaches are recommended, in particular for magnetic ground states.
Unveiling the Accelerated Water Electrolysis Kinetics of Heterostructural Iron‐Cobalt‐Nickel Sulfides by Probing into Crystalline/Amorphous Interfaces in Stepwise Catalytic Reactions
Authors: Gu Zhengxiang , Zhang Yechuan , Wei Xuelian , Duan Zhenyu , Ren Long , Ji Jiecheng , Zhang Xiaoqin , Zhang Yuxin , Gong Qiyong , Wu Hao , Luo Kui
Published: September 2022

Amorphization and crystalline grain boundary engineering are adopted separately in improving the catalytic kinetics for water electrolysis. Yet, the synergistic effect and advance in the cooperated form of crystalline/amorphous interfaces (CAI) have rarely been elucidated insightfully. Herein, a trimetallic FeCo(NiS2)4 catalyst with numerous CAI (FeCo(NiS2)4‐C/A) is presented, which shows highly efficient catalytic activity toward both hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions (HER and OER). Density functional theory (DFT) studies reveal that CAI plays a significant role in accelerating water electrolysis kinetics, in which Co atoms on the CAI of FeCo(NiS2)4‐C/A catalyst exhibit the optimal binding energy of 0.002 eV for H atoms in HER while it also has the lowest reaction barrier of 1.40 eV for the key step of OER. H2O molecules are inclined to be absorbed on the interfacial Ni atoms based on DFT calculations. As a result, the heterostructural CAI‐containing catalyst shows a low overpotential of 82 and 230 mV for HER and OER, respectively. As a bifunctional catalyst, it delivers a current density of 10 mA cm−2 at a low cell voltage of 1.51 V, which enables it a noble candidate as metal‐based catalysts for water splitting. This work explores the role of CAI in accelerating the HER and OER kinetics for water electrolysis, which sheds light on the development of efficient, stable, and economical water electrolysis systems by facile interface‐engineering implantations.
Ultrathin Fiber‐Mesh Polymer Thermistors
Authors: Okutani Chihiro , Yokota Tomoyuki , Someya Takao
Published: September 2022

Flexible sensors enable on‐skin and in‐body health monitoring, which require flexible thermal protection circuits to prevent overheating and operate the devices safely. Here, ultrathin fiber‐mesh polymer positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistors via electrospinning are developed. The fiber‐type thermistors are composed of acrylate polymer and carbon nanofibers. The fibrous composite materials are coated with a parylene to form a core–sheath structure, which improves the repeatability of temperature characteristics. Approximately 5 µm thick fiber‐type thermistors exhibit an increase in the resistance by three orders of magnitude within ≈2 °C and repeatable temperature characteristics for up to 400 cycles. The mesh structure enables the thermistor layer to be ultra‐lightweight and transparent; the mesh‐type thermistor operates with a fiber density of 16.5 µg cm−2, whose fiber layer has a transmittance of more than 90% in the 400–800 nm region. By fabricating the mesh thermistor on a 1.4 µm thick substrate, the thermistor operates without degradation when wrapped around a 280 µm radius needle. Furthermore, the gas‐permeable property is demonstrated by fabricating the fibrous thermistor on a mesh substrate. The proposed ultrathin mesh polymer PTC thermistors form the basis for on‐skin and implantable devices that are equipped with overheat prevention.
Engineering Alendronate‐Composed Iron Nanochelator for Efficient Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Treatment
Authors: Zhao Jing , Huang Xiuyu , Liu Peng , Qiu Miaojuan , Li Binbin , Wen Yingfei , Li Yongshu , Wang Qiang , Wu Meiying , Chen Yu , Pan Yihang
Published: September 2022

Iron is an essential element for various cellular metabolism. Cancer cells also have high requirement of iron in their proliferation, invasion, and metastasis processes. Alendronate (ALN), a kind of FDA‐approved bisphosphonates with metal‐chelating capability, is initially certified to selectively bind to intracellular Fe3+ theoretically and experimentally in this study. Hence, CaALN iron nanochelator is rationally designed to kill cancer cells by synergism of Fe‐depletion and calcium accumulation. In vitro experiments and RNA sequencing analysis indicate that CaALN nanomedicine inhibits the proliferation of cancer cells by depleting Fe, interfering with DNA replication, and triggering intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Meanwhile, released Ca2+ and ROS mutually promote and induce damage of cellular macromolecules, which leads to mitochondrial apoptosis of cancer cells. In an intraperitoneal disseminated mouse model with the human ovarian cancer cells SKOV3, CaALN nanoparticles selectively accumulate in tumor tissues and result in significant retardation of tumor growth and ascites formation. The mean survival time of SKOV3‐bearing mice in treatment group is prolonged from 33 to 90 d. These results indicate that the alendronate‐originated iron chelator can serve as an efficient strategy for the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis.
Decoy Exosomes Offer Protection Against Chemotherapy‐Induced Toxicity
Authors: Fan Miao , Li Hang , Shen Deliang , Wang Zhaoshuo , Liu Huifang , Zhu Dashuai , Wang Zhenzhen , Li Lanya , Popowski Kristen D. , Ou Caiwen , Zhang Kaihan , Zhang Jinchao , Cheng Ke , Li Zhenhua
Published: September 2022

Cancer patients often face severe organ toxicity caused by chemotherapy. Among these, chemotherapy‐induced hepatotoxicity and cardiotoxicity are the main causes of death of cancer patients. Chemotherapy‐induced cardiotoxicity even creates a new discipline termed “cardio‐oncology”. Therefore, relieving toxicities induced by chemotherapy has become a key issue for improving the survival and quality of life in cancer patients. In this work, mesenchymal stem cell exosomes with the “G‐C” abundant tetrahedral DNA nanostructure (TDN) are modified to form a decoy exosome (Exo‐TDN). Exo‐TDN reduces DOX‐induced hepatotoxicity as the “G‐C” base pairs scavenge DOX. Furthermore, Exo‐TDN with cardiomyopathic peptide (Exo‐TDN‐PCM) is engineered for specific targeting to cardiomyocytes. Injection of Exo‐TDN‐PCM significantly reduces DOX‐induced cardiotoxicity. Interestingly, Exo‐TDN‐PCM can also promote macrophage polarization into the M2 type for tissue repair. In addition, those decoy exosomes do not affect the anticancer effects of DOX. This decoy exosome strategy serves as a promising therapy to reduce chemo‐induced toxicity.
Anchoring Vertical Dipole to Enable Efficient Charge Extraction for High‐Performance Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Liu Heng , Lu Zhengyu , Zhang Weihai , Wang Jiantao , Lu Zhengli , Dai Quan , Qi Xingnan , Shi Yueqing , Hua Yuhui , Chen Rui , Shi Tingting , Xia Haiping , Wang Hsing‐Lin
Published: September 2022

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) via two‐step sequential method have received great attention in recent years due to their high reproducibility and low processing costs. However, the relatively high trap‐state density and poor charge carrier extraction efficiency pose challenges. Herein, highly efficient and stable PSCs via a two‐step sequential method are fabricated using organic—inorganic (OI) complexes as multifunctional interlayers. In addition to reduce the under‐coordinated Pb2+ ions related trap states by forming interactions with the functional groups, the complexes interlayer tends to form dipole moment which can enhance the built‐in electric field, thus facilitating charge carrier extraction. Consequently, with rational molecular design, the resulting devices with a vertical dipole moment that parallels with the built‐in electric field yield a champion efficiency of 23.55% with negligible hysteresis. More importantly, the hydrophobicity of the (OI) complexes contributes to an excellent ambient stability of the resulting device with 91% of initial efficiency maintained after 3000 h storage.
Inducing Ectopic T Cell Clusters Using Stromal Vascular Fraction Spheroid‐Based Immunotherapy to Enhance Anti‐Tumor Immunity
Authors: Lee Jae‐Won , Park Bum Chul , Jang Na Yoon , Lee Sihyeon , Cho Young Kyu , Sharma Prashant , Byun Sang Won , Jeon Kyeongseok , Jeon Yun‐Hui , Park Uni , Ro Hyo Jin , Park Hyo Ree , Kim Yuri , Lee Dong‐Sup , Chung Seok , Kim Young Keun , Cho Nam‐Hyuk
Published: September 2022

Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) provide specialized niches for immune cells, resulting in improved prognoses for patients undergoing cancer immunotherapy. Shaping TLS‐like niches may improve anti‐cancer immunity and overcome the current limitations of immune cell‐based immunotherapy. Here, it is shown that stromal vascular fraction (SVF) from adipose tissues can enhance dendritic cell (DC)‐mediated T cell immunity by inducing ectopic T lymphocyte clusters. SVF cells expanded ex vivo have phenotypes and functions similar to those of fibroblastic reticular cells in a secondary lymphoid organ, and their properties can be modulated using three‐dimensional spheroid culture and coculture with DCs spiked with antigen‐loaded iron oxide–zinc oxide core‐shell nanoparticles. Thereby, the combination of SVF spheroids and mature DCs significantly augments T cell recruitment and retention at the injection site. This strategy elicits enhanced antigen‐specific immune response and anti‐tumoral immunity in mice, illustrating the potential for a novel immunotherapeutic design using SVF as a structural scaffold for TLS.
Tuning Fe Spin Moment in Fe–N–C Catalysts to Climb the Activity Volcano via a Local Geometric Distortion Strategy
Authors: Wang Ruguang , Zhang Lifu , Shan Jieqiong , Yang Yuanyuan , Lee Jyh‐Fu , Chen Tsan‐Yao , Mao Jing , Zhao Yang , Yang Liujing , Hu Zhenpeng , Ling Tao
Published: September 2022

As the most promising alternative to platinum‐based catalysts for cathodic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in proton exchange membrane fuel cells, further performance enhancement of Fe–N–C catalysts is highly expected to promote their wide application. In Fe–N–C catalysts, the single Fe atom forms a square‐planar configuration with four adjacent N atoms (D4h symmetry). Breaking the D4h symmetry of the FeN4 active center provides a new route to boost the activity of Fe–N–C catalysts. Herein, for the first time, the deformation of the square‐planar coordination of FeN4 moiety achieved by introducing chalcogen oxygen groups (XO2, X = S, Se, Te) as polar functional groups in the Fe–N–C catalyst is reported. The theoretical and experimental results demonstrate that breaking the D4h symmetry of FeN4 results in the rearrangement of Fe 3d electrons and increases spin moment of Fe centers. The efficient spin state manipulation optimizes the adsorption energetics of ORR intermediates, thereby significantly promoting the intrinsic ORR activity of Fe–N–C catalysts, among which the SeO2 modified catalyst lies around the peak of the ORR volcano plot. This work provides a new strategy to tune the local coordination and thus the electronic structure of single‐atom catalysts.
Patient‐Derived Organoids from Colorectal Cancer with Paired Liver Metastasis Reveal Tumor Heterogeneity and Predict Response to Chemotherapy
Authors: Mo Shaobo , Tang Peiyuan , Luo Wenqin , Zhang Long , Li Yaqi , Hu Xiang , Ma Xiaoji , Chen Yikuan , Bao Yichao , He Xingfeng , Fu Guoxiang , Xu Xiaoya , Rao Xinxin , Li Xiaomeng , Guan Ruoyu , Chen Shengzhi , Deng Yun , Lv Tao , Mu Peiyuan , Zheng Qiang , Wang Simin , Liu Fangqi , Li Yiwei , Sheng Weiqi , Huang Dan , Hu Chen , Gao Jianjun , Zhang Zhen , Cai Sanjun , Clevers Hans , Peng Junjie , Hua Guoqiang
Published: September 2022

There is no effective method to predict chemotherapy response and postoperative prognosis of colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM) patients. Patient‐derived organoid (PDO) has become an important preclinical model. Herein, a living biobank with 50 CRLM organoids derived from primary tumors and paired liver metastatic lesions is successfully constructed. CRLM PDOs from the multiomics levels (histopathology, genome, transcriptome and single‐cell sequencing) are comprehensively analyzed and confirmed that this organoid platform for CRLM could capture intra‐ and interpatient heterogeneity. The chemosensitivity data in vitro reveal the potential value of clinical application for PDOs to predict chemotherapy response (FOLFOX or FOLFIRI) and clinical prognosis of CRLM patients. Taken together, CRLM PDOs can be utilized to deliver a potential application for personalized medicine.
Injection Molding of Magnesium Aluminate Spinel Nanocomposites for High‐Throughput Manufacturing of Transparent Ceramics
Authors: Mader Markus , Prediger Richard , Schell Karl G. , Schmidt Gabriela , Dorn Alex , Jenne Sophie , Kluck Sebastian , Hambitzer Leonhard , Luitz Manuel , Schwarz Claudia , Milich Marcel , Greiner Christian , Rapp Bastian E. , Kotz‐Helmer Frederik
Published: September 2022

Transparent ceramics like magnesium aluminate spinel (MAS) are considered the next step in material evolution showing unmatched mechanical, chemical and physical resistance combined with high optical transparency. Unfortunately, transparent ceramics are notoriously difficult to shape, especially on the microscale. Therefore, a thermoplastic MAS nanocomposite is developed that can be shaped by polymer injection molding at high speed and precision. The nanocomposite is converted to dense MAS by debinding, pre‐sintering, and hot isostatic pressing yielding transparent ceramics with high optical transmission up to 84 % and high mechanical strength. A transparent macroscopic MAS components with wall thicknesses up to 4 mm as well as microstructured components with single micrometer resolution are shown. This work makes transparent MAS ceramics accessible to modern high‐throughput polymer processing techniques for fast and cost‐efficient manufacturing of macroscopic and microstructured components enabling a plethora of potential applications from optics and photonics, medicine to scratch and break‐resistant transparent windows for consumer electronics.