bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accurate Diagnosis of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma by Detection of miRNA‐196a Biomarker in Exosome Using Solution‐Gated Graphene Transistor with Antifouling Design
Authors: Song Peng , Dong Junqi , Yu Tingting , Pan Zexun , Chen Ziwen , Wang Ruixue , Wang Ming , Zhao Liang , Wang Xianbao , Li Jinhua
Published: February 2025

The accurate diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) suffers low specify, and low sensitivity of biomarker detection. In complex biological fluid environments, nonspecific adsorption is prevalent, posing challenges to the accurate detection of biomarkers at low concentrations. Herein, a highly sensitive and selective solution‐gated graphene transistor (SGGT) is fabricated for the detection of miRNA‐196a in exosomes to diagnose PDAC. The antifouling modification on the surface of the gate electrode is employed through using bovine serum albumin as a common sealing agent and poly adenine (polyA8) to enhance surface hydrophilicity. The effect of background noise on the detection is effectively reduced. The limit of detection reached 1.82 × 10−19 m without the need for labeling or amplification, and the detection time is within 25 min. The clinical experiments verify that receiver operating characteristic curve values of miRNA‐196a detection in clinical diagnosis are higher than that of carbohydrate antigen 19‐9 biomarker, and are as high as 0.98. The miRNA‐196a detection can well distinguish PDAC from non‐PDAC subjects. The SGGT sensor platform demonstrates significant potential for the accurate detection and diagnosis of PDAC within the milieu of complex biological samples.
Semiconducting Perylene Diimide J‐aggregates Cross‐linked Hydrogel Enables High‐Efficiency Photothermal Controlled Release of Nitric Oxide for Antibiofilm Therapy
Authors: Zhang Kangxin , Wang Bo , Sun Fengwei , Yang Zhen
Published: February 2025

Antibiofilm treatment, particularly drug‐containing wound healing dressings, does not typically penetrate the robust protective extracellular polymeric substance of biofilm and eradicate the bacteria. Here, a rational design of nitric oxide (NO) donor N,N'‐di‐sec‐butyl‐N,N'‐dinitroso‐1,4‐phenylenediamine (BNN6)‐based injectable hydrogel, is reported in which the NO release can be triggered by a photothermal effect owing to semiconducting perylene diimide (PDI) J‐aggregation fibers. The synthetic PDI derivatives self‐assembling into 0D nanoparticles and then aggregating to 1D J fiber is accompanied by absorbance red‐shifting from 700 to 790 nm and then to 852 nm. After encapsulating BNN6, a “sandwich roll” (SR) like structure is evenly crosslinked into an injectable hydrogel (SRH) exhibiting a high photothermal convenience efficiency of 72%, which enables the SRH to achieve highly efficient photocontrol NO release. The SRH shows excellent injectability, shape adaptability, and effective antibacterial efficacy over 99% to the E.coli and S. aureus. and remarkable in vivo antibiofilm efficiency of 99.58% by laser irradiation. Furthermore, the synergistic treatment displays the ability to eliminate inflammation, facilitate angiogenesis, and promote collagen deposition, thereby significantly stimulating the healing process of wounds. The semiconducting J‐aggregation injectable hydrogel can be a versatile strategy for the treatment of biofilm.
Recent Applications of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles in Gene Therapy
Authors: Huq Tamanna Binte , Anil Kumar Jeeja Punnya , Dam Sudip Kumar , Das Sabya Sachi , Vivero‐Escoto Juan L.
Published: February 2025

Gene therapy offers transformative potential for treating genetic disorders by directly addressing the molecular root causes of diseases. However, the primary challenges of gene therapy involve the efficient delivery of therapeutic genetic material to target cells, crossing biological barriers, managing toxicity and immune responses. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), due to their unique structural features have emerged as a promising platform to overcome these challenges. In recent years, MSNs have gained significant attention as potential nanocarriers for the efficient delivery of various nucleic acids. This review comprehensively examines the role of MSNs in gene therapy, focusing on their capabilities in the targeted delivery of siRNA, DNA, CRISPR‐Cas systems, and other genetic therapeutics. This work explores the modern advancements in MSNs synthesis and functionalization strategies and the impact of structural modifications on their stability, cellular uptake, and controlled release under physiological conditions. Additionally, the review highlights the use of MSNs to develop theranostic systems, where gene delivery is combined with diagnostic imaging for real‐time monitoring and personalized treatment strategies. Finally, this work discusses the future perspectives of MSNs in gene delivery, addressing regulatory challenges, enhancing clinical translation, and expanding their application for treating various genetic disorders and cancers.
Thermal Transport in Chalcogenide‐Based Phase Change Materials: A Journey from Fundamental Physics to Device Engineering
Authors: Aryana Kiumars , Popescu Cosmin Constantin , Sun Hongyi , Aryana Kiarash , Kim Hyun Jung , Julian Matthew , Islam Md Rafiqul , Ríos Ocampo Carlos A. , Gu Tian , Hu Juejun , Hopkins Patrick E.
Published: February 2025

Advancements in nanofabrication processes have propelled nonvolatile phase change materials (PCMs) beyond storage‐class applications. They are now making headway in fields such as photonic integrated circuits (PIC), free‐space optics, and plasmonics. This shift is owed to their distinct electrical, optical, and thermal properties between their different atomic structures, which can be reversibly switched through thermal stimuli. However, the reliability of PCM‐based optical components is not yet on par with that of storage‐class devices. This is in part due to the challenges in maintaining a uniform temperature distribution across the PCM volume during phase transformation, which is essential to mitigate stress and element segregation as the device size exceeds a few micrometers. Understanding thermal transport in PCM‐based devices is thus crucial as it dictates not only the durability but also the performance and power consumption of these devices. This article reviews recent advances in the development of PCM‐based photonic devices from a thermal transport perspective and explores potential avenues to enhance device reliability. The aim is to provide insights into how PCM‐based technologies can evolve beyond storage‐class applications, maintain their functionality, and achieve longer lifetimes.
A Genetically Encoded Endogenous Antibody Recruitment Strategy for Innate Immune‐Mediated Killing of Cancer Cells
Authors: Aelvoet Justine , Zhong Zifu , Gomez Claudia M. Brenis , Aegerter Helena , Louage Benoit , Lambrecht Bart N. , De Geest Bruno G. , Schuijs Martijn J.
Published: February 2025

Antibody‐recruiting molecules (ARMs) are bivalent molecules that contain a cell‐binding domain and an antibody‐binding domain. ARMs are designed to redirect circulating endogenous antibodies from the bloodstream to the surface of cancer cells and thereby trigger innate immune‐mediated killing of the latter. The current generation of clinically explored ARMs relies on synthetic small molecule haptens. However, their effectiveness is restricted by the low affinity of the available repertoire of endogenous anti‐hapten antibodies. Utilizing endogenous high‐affinity allergen‐specific antibodies could potentially circumvent this issue. In this study, a genetically encoded antibody‐recruiting strategy that utilizes lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to deliver mRNA encoding the house dust mite allergen Der p 2, fused to a cell membrane anchor, to induce cell surface display and enable the recruitment of anti‐Der p 2 antibodies, is presented. Der p 2 mRNA LNP‐treated cancer cells cause greatly reduced pulmonary tumor burden in Der p 2 immunized mice, compared to untreated cells or nonimmunized mice. Reduced tumor growth is dependent on circulating antibodies, and neutrophils are identified as a key immune cell subset recognizing and eliminating Der p 2‐displaying cancer cells. These findings emphasize the effectiveness of mRNA LNPs as a powerful tool for generating a genetically encoded ARM strategy, with potential applications in cancer immunotherapy.
A DNA Nanopatch‐Bacteriophage System Targeting Streptococcus Gallolyticus for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatment and Colorectal Cancer Prevention
Authors: Zhao Yadan , Zhu Mengna , ling Yufan , Zhao Yingying , Lu Xing , Chu Binbin , He Yao , Wang Houyu
Published: February 2025

Persistent inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) increases Streptococcus gallolyticus (Sg) colonization, increasing the risk of colorectal cancer progression via the Sg‐activated cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) pathway and β‐catenin upregulation. This study presents Sg‐specific bacteriophages modified with DNA nanopatches (DNPs@P) designed to treat IBD and prevent Sg‐induced malignancy. The DNPs are composed of DNA origami nanosheets and phage capture strands. The DNPs scavenge reactive oxygen species, enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of the phages while targeting and lysing pathogenic bacteria. Coating with an enteric polymer, DNPs@P ensures effective delivery in the gastrointestinal tract. These findings demonstrate significant restoration of colonic length, reduced inflammation, and improved gut microbiota diversity compared with current clinical treatments. Additionally, DNPs@P effectively prevents colonic tumourigenesis in mouse models. This approach presents a promising strategy for treating gastrointestinal diseases by remodeling the gut microenvironment, addressing a critical gap in current therapies.
Rational Design of Methylated Triazine‐Based Linear Conjugated Polymers for Efficient CO2 Photoreduction with Water
Authors: Zhu Xiang , Yang Na , Zhou Li‐An , Tian Chengcheng , Wu Jiwei , Wang Tao , Li Xiaodong , Jiang Xia , Dai Sheng
Published: February 2025

The development of semiconducting conjugated polymers for photoredox catalysis holds great promise for sustainable utilization of solar energy. Herein a new family of porous methylated triazine‐based linear conjugated polymers is reported that enable efficient photoreduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) with water (H2O) vapor, in the absence of any additional photosensitizer, sacrificial agents or cocatalysts. It is demonstrated that the key lies in the generation of methylated triazine linkages through a facile condensation reaction between benzamidine and acetic anhydride, which impedes the formation of conventional triazine‐based frameworks. It is also shown that regulating conjugated linear backbones with different lengths of electron‐donated benzyl units provides a facile means to modulate their optical properties and the exciton dissociation, thereby affording more long‐lived photogenerated charge carriers and boosting charge separation and transfer. A high‐performance carbon monoxide (CO) production rate of 218.9 µmol g−1 h−1 is achieved with ≈ 100% CO selectivity, which is accompanied by exceptional H2O oxidation to oxygen (O2). It anticipates this new study will advance synthetic approaches toward polymeric semiconductors and facilitate new possibilities for triazine‐based conjugated polymers with promising potential in artificial photocatalysis.
A Rolling Light‐Driven Pneumatic Soft Actuator Based on Liquid–Gas Phase Change
Authors: Ai Wenfei , Wu Jiaxin , Long Yue , Song Kai
Published: February 2025

Light‐driven wireless actuators provide obvious advantages for remote control. However, traditional double‐layer actuators are restricted to the thin film deformation mode when undertaking complex tasks. Here, an actuator is proposed that employs thermal strain and local photothermal effects induced by low boiling point liquids to generate asymmetry along the fiber axis, thereby causing elastic deformation of the fiber. Under continuous irradiation, the sustained elastic deformation results in dynamic frustration within the fiber, creating torque around its axis. Based on this principle, the fiber actuator fabricated in this study enables rolling translation, while the ring actuator achieves simultaneous rolling and lifting motion for object manipulation. Continuous rolling under light eliminates the need for complex light manipulation. This new movement method offers an insight for various application scenarios.
Atomic Layer Deposition Stabilizes Nanocrystals, Enabling Reliably High‐Performance Quantum Dot LEDs
Authors: Wan Haoyue , Xia Pan , Jung Euidae , Imran Muhammad , Zhang Ruiqi , Chen Yiqing , Steele Julian A. , Gaznaghi Sabah , Liu Yanjiang , Wang Ya‐Kun , Wang Lianzhou , Won Yu‐Ho , Kim Kwang‐Hee , Bulović Vladimir , Hoogland Sjoerd , Sargent Edward H.
Published: February 2025

Quantum dot light‐emitting diodes (QD‐LEDs) with stable high efficiencies are crucial for next‐generation displays. However, uncontrollable aging, where efficiency initially increases during storage (positive aging) but is entirely lost upon extended aging (negative aging), hinders further device development. It is uncovered that it is chemical changes to nanocrystal (NC)‐based electron transport layer (ETL) that give rise to positive aging, their drift in structure and morphology leading to transiently improved charge injection balance. Using grazing‐incidence small‐angle X‐ray scattering, it is found that ZnMgO NCs undergo size‐focusing ripening during aging, improving size uniformity and creating a smoother energy landscape. Electron‐only device measurements reveal a sevenfold reduction in trap states, indicating enhanced surface passivation of ZnMgO. These insights, combined with density functional theory calculations of ZnMgO surface binding, inspire an atomic layer deposition (ALD) strategy with Al₂O₃ to permanently suppress surface traps and inhibit NC growth, effectively eliminating aging‐induced efficiency loss. This ALD‐engineered ZnMgO ETL enables reproducible external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) of 17% across 30 batches of LEDs with a T60 of 60 h at an initial luminance of 4500 cd m−2, representing a 1.6‐fold increase in EQE and a tenfold improvement in operating stability compared to control devices.
Ordering‐Structured Antiferroelectric Composite Ceramics for Energy Storage Applications
Authors: Luo Nengneng , He Xiafeng , Xu Chao , Chen Zhengu , Zhao Kun , Cen Zhenyong , Chen Xiyong , Shan Dongliang , Liu Yunya , Liu Zhaobo , Xie Han , Zhu Ye , Huang Houbing , Li Jing‐Feng , Zhang Shujun
Published: February 2025

Dielectric capacitors possessing high power density and ultrashort discharge time are valuable for high‐power energy storage applications. However, achieving high energy storage density remains challenging due to the limited breakdown strength of dielectric ceramics. In this study, inspired by the layered architecture of natural nacre and with the guidance of phase‐field simulations, a strategy of constructing a nacre‐like layered structure is proposed to improve the breakdown strength and energy storage density of the ceramics. This unique structure is formed by controlling the morphology and ordering of high‐voltage‐resistant fillers in a ceramic matrix. The (Pb0.98La0.02)(Zr0.7Sn0.3)0.995O3‐Al2O3 antiferroelectric composite ceramics, containing 5vol% parallel‐aligned Al2O3 plates, demonstrate a remarkable enhancement in breakdown strength from 390 to 570 kV cm−1. Of particular importance is that an ultrahigh recoverable energy storage density of up to 13.2 J cm−3 is achieved, representing a 50% enhancement compared to the pure ceramic (8.7 J cm−3). The parallel‐aligned Al2O3 plates are strongly bound together with the ceramic matrix, effectively blocking charge migration and controlling the breakdown path, thus greatly enhancing the voltage endurance of the composite ceramics. This work provides an innovative approach to designing high‐performance composite ceramics for next‐generation energy storage applications.
Photoinduced Cleavage of Respiratory Syncytial Virus by Chiral Vanadium Trioxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Shi Baimei , Xu Xinxin , Sun Maozhong , Xiong Yingcai , Ji Jianjian , Qu Aihua , Kuang Hua
Published: February 2025

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) poses a significant threat to the health of infants, children, and the elderly, and as of now there is a lack of effective therapeutic drugs. To tackle this challenge, chiral vanadium trioxide nanoparticles (V2O3 NPs) with a particle size of 2.56 ± 0.34 nm are successfully synthesized, exhibiting a g‐factor value of 0.048 at 874 nm in terms of circular dichroism. Under 808 nm light irradiation, these chiral V2O3 NPs demonstrated selective cleavage of the RSV pre‐fusion protein (RSV protein), effectively blocking its conformational rearrangement and preventing RSV infection both in vitro and in vivo. Experimental analysis revealed that the chiral V2O3 NPs specifically bind to the functional domain spanning from aspartate200 (D200) to asparagine208 (N208) in the primary sequence of the RSV protein. Notably, L‐V2O3 NPs exhibited a higher affinity, which is 4.06 times that of D‐V2O3 NPs and 13.55 times that of DL‐V2O3 NPs. The precise cutting site is located between amino acid residues leucine204 (L204) and proline205 (P205), attributed to the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by photoinduced nanoparticles. In addition, L‐V2O3 NPs inhibited RSV infection by 99.6% in nasal epithelial cells and 99.2% in Vero cells. In the RSV‐infected mouse model, intranasal administration of L‐V₂O₃ NPs effectively controlled the viral load in the lungs of mice, reducing it by 92.43%. The hematoxylin and eosin staining of mouse organs and serum biochemical indicators are similar to those of the wild‐type group, indicating the biosafety of L‐V₂O₃ NPs. The findings suggest that chiral nanoparticles hold great potential in controlling RSV and provide new directions and ideas for drug development against viruses.
Interfacial Yield Stress Response in Synthetic Mucin Solutions
Authors: Kumar Sumit Sunil , Leadbetter Travis , McClimon J. Brandon , Lema Manuel A. , Khan Farhana M. , Purohit Prashant K. , Braunschweig Adam B. , Carpick Robert W.
Published: February 2025

The solution rheology of a fully synthetic, monodisperse mucin that mimics the glycosylated domains of natural mucins, poly(β‐Gal‐Thr)22, is studied to systematically explore relationships between polymer structure, solution conditions, and rheological properties. Using standard cone‐plate rheometry, shear thinning is observed over a range of concentrations, with an apparent yield stress—typical for gels—evident at the highest concentrations. This is surprising given the dilute, weakly interacting nature of the solutions and the lack of observable structure in cryogenic electron microscopy and particle tracking microrheology. However, interfacial rheometry demonstrates that the gel‐like behavior is attributable to a thin structured layer at the air–water interface, without any bulk gelation. This is attributed to an interfacial layer formed by inter‐mucin H‐bonds that yields when sheared. A computational model using kinetic Monte Carlo (kMC) simulations qualitatively reproduces the yield stress response of such a network through an intermolecular bonding potential. An analytical model of stochastic bond formation and breaking, validated by the kMC simulations, demonstrates that having multiple bonding sites per mucin with a force‐dependent debonding rate aligns with experiments, consistent with intermolecular interactions for other mucin proteins. This suggests that in mucin solutions, gelation may begin at the air–water interface, and emphasizes the need for multitechnique validation when exploring structural cues of mucus gelation through rheometry.
Synthesis of Bimetallic (Iron–Cobalt) Single Atom Catalysts for Electrochemical Detection of Nitrites
Authors: Tostado‐Blazquez Guillermo , Harfouche Messaoud , Cerrillo Jose L. , Bukhamsin Abdullah , Mani Veerappan , Salama Khaled Nabil
Published: February 2025

Nitrite (NO2−) is responsible for several physiological processes but can be harmful in excess. With rising exposure from food preservatives, fertilizers, and pollutants, accurate nitrite assessment is crucial for health and environmental safety. Different methods have been employed for its determination, with electrochemical sensors showcasing great promise. Single atom catalysts (SACs) are a class of nanomaterials that consists of isolated catalytic metal atoms anchored on conductive supports, which exhibit unique electronic properties with great promise for this application. The performance of these materials can be enhanced even more by incorporating a secondary metal in the catalyst structure. This leads to the creation of more surface‐active sites and enables the facilitation of multi‐step reactions. Herein, a bimetallic single atom catalyst (FeCoSAN) is synthesized through a single step laser assisted solid‐process by anchoring iron and cobalt atoms while simultaneously creating a laser‐scribed graphene (LSG) support. The presence of Fe and Co atoms is verified by high‐angle annular dark‐field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF‐STEM) and X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XANES and EXAFS). Through electrochemical testing, the bimetallic system demonstrated excellent capabilities for determination of NO2, achieving up to 100% more efficiency, in comparison with bare LSG, with a detection limit of 2.42 µm and a sensitivity value of 515.07 µA mm−1 cm−2 over a linear range from 5.0 to 1666 µm. This highlights their potential for in vivo and point‐of‐care sensing applications.
Nanostructured Materials for Highly Efficient Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells: A Review
Authors: Ishak Nurul Najihah , Mohamed Ali Mohamed Sultan , Bsoul Anas
Published: February 2025

Dye‐sensitized solar cell (DSSC) represents an emerging technology in the field of photovoltaics, achieving an impressive efficiency of 36.27% with a tandem structure to date. This performance underscores the potential of DSSC to rival commercially established conventional silicon solar cells in the future. However, the development of DSSC hinges on the selection of suitable materials, particularly for the photoanode layer. Challenges arise from non‐ideal interfaces resulting from inefficient material choices, which hinder effective charge transport and cell stability. Given that light harvesting primarily occurs at the photoanode, it is crucial to understand both fundamental and contemporary research methodologies for anchoring dye molecules to prevent unwanted electron recombination. This review focuses on the progress in selecting photoanode materials and associated strategies. It examines metal oxide semiconductors, and explores the potential of 2D materials, conductive polymer materials and metal‐organic frameworks in solar cells, determining their effectiveness compared to other materials in enhancing DSSC efficiency. Additionally, this review emphasizes the latest research progress on DSSC and identifies less‐explored future directions in the photoanode DSSC field.
Beyond 3D: Smart Material Systems for Microscale 4D Printing
Authors: Maher Daniel , Piekarczyk Marcin , Rezaei Babak , Bunea Ada‐Ioana
Published: February 2025

4D printing combines advancements in 3D printing with smart materials that change properties in response to external stimuli, enabling the fabrication of functional devices directly from the printer. Microscale 4D printing is rapidly growing, driving the discovery and applications of new functional materials and fabrication strategies. The interest in microscale 4D printing comes from its potential to propel industrial transformation across different sectors, ranging from advanced healthcare to cryptography. However, this requires rational design and a good understanding of the material response. This review starts by describing smart materials for microscale 4D printing. 3D printing technologies with micrometer resolution and their use in 4D printing are then discussed. The focus then shifts to the different stimuli that microscale smart materials respond to, the mechanism behind the obtained shape changes with respect to the applied stimuli, and the methods implemented so far to realize complex shape changing behaviors. Examples of applications within sensing, microactuation, data encryption, and cargo transport are shown. After discussing current challenges and mitigation strategies, suggestions on the direction the field of microscale 4D printing can take are given, starting from a systematic and iterative approach for developing functional 4D microstructures.
Introducing Conjugation Spacer in Electrochromic Metallo‐Supramolecular Polymer for Enhanced Optical Memory Effect
Authors: Yang Weilong , Liu Shiyou , Jia Sensen , Huang Junjie , Bian Chenchen , Yan Yin , Ma Mengqiu , Ma Jicang , Feng Jifei , Wei Congyuan , Cai Guofa
Published: February 2025

The excellent optical memory effect of electrochromic materials plays a significant role in the construction of a bistable electrochromic device that has great potential application prospects in the field of energy‐saving. Extensive efforts have been devoted to improving the optical memory effect of electrochromic devices by conducting device engineering, whereas fewer efforts focus on molecular engineering at the molecular level. Herein, a scalable method is developed to prepare a new metallo‐supramolecular polymer (MSP) with conjugation spacer among the polymeric skeleton, which switches from deep purple to transmissive with excellent electrochromic performance, such as fast switching speed (1.3 and 3.8 s for coloring and bleaching process, respectively), high coloration efficiency (1052.5 cm2 C−1 at 576 nm) and long‐term cycling stability (decreases 14.1% after 1000 cycles). Moreover, due to the introduction of a conjugation spacer in the molecular skeleton, the optical memory effect of PolyFe‐PF6 film is enhanced considerably, which only attenuates 12% after cutting off the external potential for 3600 s. As a demonstration of its potential application, an electrochromic device switching from purple to transmissive is fabricated. These results illustrate the introduction of a conjugation spacer into the molecular skeleton is an effective strategy for improving the optical memory effect of MSPs.
Engineering Eutectogel Microneedle Patch as Effective Transdermal Delivery System of Hydrophobic Drugs
Authors: dos Santos Danilo M. , Suresh Hasika , Kruzshak Samantha J. , Kim Jihyun , Cebe Peggy , Baleja James D. , Tzanakakis Emmanuel S. , Sonkusale Sameer
Published: February 2025

Conventional drug delivery methods often face challenges in terms of patient adherence and drug administration. Microneedles (MNs) patches have emerged as a promising alternative, offering a minimally invasive transdermal route for medications. However, their drug‐loading capacity remains limited, particularly for hydrophobic active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Herein, microneedles are designed based on eutectic solvent gels (eutectogels) as transdermal carriers for hydrophobic APIs. A natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) is combined to enhance the solubility of the hydrophobic APIs within the GelMA/PEGDA matrix for mechanical strength and sustained release from the resulting eutectogels microneedles (EU‐MNs). Using docetaxel, 5‐fluorouracil, and curcumin as hydrophobic APIs models, the superior drug‐loading capacity of the EU‐MNs is demonstrated. In vitro experiments revealed that the EU‐MNs provided a sustained release of distinct hydrophobic APIs over 4 days. Additionally, by properly adjusting the concentration and type of APIs, these microneedle patches do not exhibit cytotoxic effects on fibroblasts cell line (NIH/3T3), underscoring their potential for safe and effective transdermal drug delivery. These findings highlight the potential of EU‐MNs as versatile, eco‐friendly transdermal vehicles for large amounts of hydrophobic APIs, leading to more effective treatments for these drugs.
Synergistic Enhancement of Carrier Dynamics in Eco‐Friendly Perovskite Solar Cells through Fluorinated Iodide Additive‐Induced Crystallographic and Interface Modifications
Authors: Kumar Utpal , Subudhi Poonam , Punetha Deepak
Published: February 2025

This study explores advancements in tin (Sn)‐based perovskite solar cells (PSCs), which face challenges compared to lead‐based PSCs due to rapid crystallization kinetics and high defect densities in Sn perovskite films. To address these limitations, a synergistic strategy involving benzylamine and fluorine incorporation is employed to enhance device performance. Perovskite materials such as fluorobenzylammonium iodide (FBZAI), 2‐fluorophenylethylammonium iodide (2‐FPEAI), and 4‐fluorooctylammonium iodide (FOEI) engineered formamidinium tin iodide (FASnI3) are evaluated. Key photovoltaic parameters, including fill factor (FF), open‐circuit voltage (Voc), short‐circuit current density (Jsc), and power conversion efficiency (PCE), are analyzed. Comprehensive investigations examine the impact of absorber layer thickness, defect density, bandgap tuning, temperature, and doping concentration. The 2‐FPEAI‐based device with spiro‐OMeTAD (2,2′,7,7′‐tetrakis(N,N‐di‐p‐methoxyphenylamino)‐9,9'‐spirobifluorene)/2‐FPEAI/C60 additives achieved a PCE of 14.65%, FF of 60.19%, Jsc of 24.325 mA/cm2, and Voc of 1.0005 V. FOEI‐based devices with CuI (copper iodide)/FOEI/C60 delivered a PCE of 18.51%, FF of 75.33%, Jsc of 27.31 mA/cm2, and Voc of 0.899 V, while FBZAI devices showed a PCE of 16.13%, FF of 66.28%, Jsc of 26.47 mA/cm2, and Voc of 0.8925 V. These findings highlight the potential of lead‐free PSCs for sustainable, high‐performance photovoltaic applications.
Programmed Fabrication of Vesicle‐Based Prototissue Fibers with Modular Functionalities
Authors: Kojima Tomoya , Asakura Kouichi , Gobbo Pierangelo , Banno Taisuke
Published: February 2025

Multicellular organisms have hierarchical structures where multiple cells collectively form tissues with complex 3D architectures and exhibit higher‐order functions. Inspired by this, to date, multiple protocell models have been assembled to form tissue‐like structures termed prototissues. Despite recent advances in this research area, the programmed assembly of protocells into prototissue fibers with emergent functions still represents a significant challenge. The possibility of assembling prototissue fibers will open up a way to a novel type of prototissue subunit capable of hierarchical assembly into unprecedented soft functional materials with tunable architectures, modular and distributed functionalities. Herein, the first method to fabricate freestanding vesicle‐based prototissue fibers with controlled lengths and diameters is devised. Importantly, it is also shown that the fibers can be composed of different specialized modules that, for example, can endow the fiber with magnetotaxis capabilities, or that can work synergistically to take an input diffusible chemical signals and transduce it into a readable fluorescent output through a hosted enzyme cascade reaction. Overall, this research addresses an important challenge of prototissue engineering and will find important applications in 3D bio‐printing, tissue engineering, and soft robotics as next‐generation bioinspired materials.
PLIN2 Promotes Lipid Accumulation in Ascites‐Associated Macrophages and Ovarian Cancer Progression by HIF1α/SPP1 Signaling
Authors: Luo Hui , She Xiaolu , Zhang Yubo , Xie Bingfan , Zhang Shibo , Li Qianqian , Zhou Yangyang , Guo Shuang , Zhang Shushan , Jiang Yanhui , Dong Yingying , He Jianzhong , Wang Lijie , Zhang Qianqian , Zhuang Yuan , Deng Panxia , Wang Feng , Liu Jihong , Chen Xin , Nie Huilong , He Huanhuan
Published: February 2025

A major characteristic of ovarian cancer (OC) is its unique route of metastasis via ascites. The immune microenvironment in ascites remains understudied, leaving the mechanism of ascites‐mediated abdominal metastasis obscure. Here, a single‐cell transcriptomic landscape of CD45+ immune cells across multiple anatomical sites is depicted, including primary tumors, metastatic lesions, and ascites, from patients diagnosed with high‐grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC). A novel subset of perilipin 2 high (PLIN2hi) macrophages are identified that are enriched in ascites and positively correlated with OC progression, hence being designated as “ascites‐associated macrophages (AAMs)”. AAMs are lipid‐loaded with overexpression of the lipid droplet protein PLIN2. Overexpression or suppression of PLIN2 can enhance or inhibit tumor cell migration, invasion, and vascular permeability in vitro, which is also confirmed in vivo. Mechanistically, it is demonstrated that PLIN2 boosts HIF1α/SPP1 signaling in macrophages, thereby exerting pro‐tumor functions. Finally, a PLIN2‐targeting liposome is designed to efficiently suppress ascites production and tumor metastasis. Taken together, this work provides a comprehensive characterization of the cancer‐promoting function and lipid‐rich property of ascites‐enriched PLIN2hi macrophages, establishes a link between lipid metabolism and hypoxia within the context of the ascites microenvironment, and elucidates the pivotal role of ascites in trans‐coelomic metastasis of OC.
Recent Advances in 3D Printed Electrodes – Bridging the Nano to Mesoscale
Authors: Scheideler William J. , Im Jisun
Published: February 2025

3D architected electrodes offer inherent physicochemical advantages for energy storage, conversion, and sensing. 3D printing methods such as stereolithography and two photon polymerization are uniquely capable of fabricating these architected electrodes with a high degree of geometric complexity impossible to achieve with other methods at the mesoscale (10 µm–1 mm). The material set for 3D printing traditionally is focused on structural materials rather than functional materials suitable for electronic and electrochemical applications. In this review the fundamental challenges are considered for transforming 3D printed materials into conductive, multifunctional electrodes suitable for electrical and electrochemical devices by printing nanocomposites, infusing molecular precursors and post‐processing these structures via carbonization. To understand the design of 3D electrodes toward their use in both sensors and electrochemical devices such as catalysts, this review summarizes recent advances in hierarchical design of porous metastructures, the engineering of mass transport and electronic transport in 3D structures, and the application of high‐throughput materials design by machine learning and artificial intelligence. These emerging approaches to 3D electrode design and architecture promise to expand the capabilities of additive manufacturing beyond structural materials and bring its advantages to bear on modern devices such as sensors, batteries, supercapacitors, and electrocatalysts.
GNE‐317 Reverses MSN‐Mediated Proneural‐to‐Mesenchymal Transition and Suppresses Chemoradiotherapy Resistance in Glioblastoma via PI3K/mTOR
Authors: Yang Yong‐Chang , Jin Xing‐Yu , Yang Ling‐Ling , Xu Xing , Xie Yang , Ai Yi‐Ding , Li Xin‐Chao , Ma Ye‐Cheng , Xu Cheng‐Long , Li Qi , Ge Xiang‐Lian , Yi Tai‐Long , Jiang Tao , Wang Xiao‐Guang , Piao Ying‐Zhe , Jin Xun
Published: February 2025

Glioblastoma (GBM) resistance to chemoradiotherapy is a major factor contributing to poor treatment outcomes. This resistance markedly affects the effectiveness of surgery combined with chemoradiotherapy and leads to post‐surgical tumor recurrence. Therefore, exploring the mechanisms underlying chemoradiotherapy resistance in GBM is crucial for understanding its progression and improving therapeutic options. This study found that moesin (MSN) acts as a key promotor of chemoradiotherapy resistance in glioma stem cells (GSCs), enhancing their proliferation and stemness maintenance. Mechanistically, MSN activates the downstream PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway, driving the proneural‐to‐mesenchymal transition (PMT) in GSCs. This process enhances the repair of DNA damage caused by radiotherapy (RT) and temozolomide (TMZ), thereby increasing the resistance of GSCs to chemoradiotherapy. Additionally, GNE‐317, a small molecule drug capable of crossing the blood‐brain barrier, specifically inhibits MSN and suppresses the activation of downstream PI3K/mTOR signaling. Importantly, the combination of GNE‐317 with RT and TMZ exhibits a strong synergistic effect both in vivo and in vitro, achieving better efficacy compared to the traditional combination of RT and TMZ. This study not only advances understanding of the mechanisms underlying chemoradiotherapy resistance in GBM but also provides a promising new approach for enhancing treatment outcomes.
Longitudinal MRI‐Driven Multi‐Modality Approach for Predicting Pathological Complete Response and B Cell Infiltration in Breast Cancer
Authors: Huang Yu‐Hong , Shi Zhen‐Yi , Zhu Teng , Zhou Tian‐Han , Li Yi , Li Wei , Qiu Han , Wang Si‐Qi , He Li‐Fang , Wu Zhi‐Yong , Lin Ying , Wang Qian , Gu Wen‐Chao , Gu Chang‐Cong , Song Xin‐Yang , Zhou Yang , Guan Dao‐Gang , Wang Kun
Published: February 2025

Accurately predicting pathological complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant treatment (NAT) in breast cancer remains challenging due to tumor heterogeneity. This study enrolled 2279 patients across 12 centers and develops a novel multi‐modality model integrating longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) spatial habitat radiomics, transcriptomics, and single‐cell RNA sequencing for predicting pCR. By analyzing tumor subregions on multi‐timepoint MRI, the model captures dynamic intra‐tumoral heterogeneity during NAT. It shows superior performance over traditional radiomics, with areas under the curve of 0.863, 0.813, and 0.888 in the external validation, immunotherapy, and multi‐omics cohorts, respectively. Subgroup analysis shows its robustness across varying molecular subtypes and clinical stages. Transcriptomic and single‐cell RNA sequencing analysis reveals that high model scores correlate with increased immune activity, notably elevated B cell infiltration, indicating the biological basis of the imaging model. The integration of imaging and molecular data demonstrates promise in spatial habitat radiomics to monitor dynamic changes in tumor heterogeneity during NAT. In clinical practice, this study provides a noninvasive tool to accurately predict pCR, with the potential to guide treatment planning and improve breast‐conserving surgery rates. Despite promising results, the model requires prospective validation to confirm its utility across diverse patient populations and clinical settings.
HBimmCue: A Versatile Fluorescent Probe for Multi‐Scale Imaging of Lipid Polarity and Membrane Order in Inner Mitochondrial Membrane
Authors: Gao Shu , Sun Jing , Hou Yiwei , Ge Xichuan , Shi Ming , Zheng Hongxi , Zhang Yan , Li Meiqi , Gao Baoxiang , Xi Peng
Published: February 2025

Mitochondrial membrane environmental dynamics are crucial for understanding function, yet high‐resolution observation remains challenging. Here, HBimmCue is introduced as a fluorescent probe localized to inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) that reports lipid polarity and membrane order changes, which correlate with cellular respiration levels. Using HBimmCue and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), IMM lipid heterogeneity is uncovered across scales, from nanoscale structures within individual mitochondria to mouse pre‐implantation embryos. At the sub‐organelle level, stimulated emission depletion (STED)‐FLIM imaging highlights nanoscale polarity variations within the IMM. At the sub‐cellular and cellular level, reduced IMM lipid polarity is observed in damaged mitochondria marked for lysosomal degradation and distinct IMM lipid distributions are identified in neurons and disease models. Additionally, metabolic dysfunction associated with oocytes aging and metabolic reprogramming from zygote to blastocyst is detected. Together, the work demonstrates the broad applicability of HBimmCue, offering a new paradigm for investigating lipid polarity and respiration level at multiple scales.
Broadband, Wide‐Angle, and Versatile Metasurface Illusions with Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar Imaging
Authors: Li Haoran , Luo Kang , Tsai Din Ping , Li Yulang , Dou Linyuan , Li Shuqiao , He Tao , Fan Yuancheng , Chen Mu Ku , Wang Zhanshan , Shi Yuzhi , Wei Zeyong , Cheng Xinbin
Published: February 2025

Generation of controllable illusions has raised widespread interest. Over the past few decades, this field has been revolutionized by the emergence of metamaterials and metasurfaces. However, current efforts utilizing single‐layer metasurfaces are limited to simple illusion demonstrations by reproducing electromagnetic field distributions, which also struggle to achieve both broad bandwidths and wide angular ranges. Here, a nontrivial multi‐layer illusion strategy is proposed utilizing the inverse synthetic aperture radar imaging. The customization of illusions is facilitated by correlating the phase dispersion of meta‐atoms within the target frequency interval with the positioning of the structure. The approach enables the creation of illusions across a broadband of 8 to 12 GHz and a wide angular range from −30° to 30°. As a proof of principle, several illusions are experimentally demonstrated, showcasing the diversity of the approach. This work presents a viable illusion strategy that is more feasible for practical applications in the microwave domain, paving the way for future advances of customizable illusions.
Environmental release of a safener fenclorim from rice (Oryza sativa L.) following seed treatment
Authors: Hwang Jeong‐In , Norsworthy Jason K. , Kumar Nanda , Kim Tae‐Hwa
Published: February 2025

The safener fenclorim, effective in protecting rice (Oryza sativa L.) from the phytotoxicity of some herbicides, is regarded as a contaminant of emerging concern that may cause toxicological issues to ecosystems and humans who may consume the final harvested rice. This study investigated time‐dependent environmental releases of fenclorim from rice seeds treated with the safener and insecticide with five different treatments. The treatment with fenclorim alone caused the greatest fenclorim releases from the seed, and the release magnitude was similar to the treatment that had fenclorim and insecticide in mixture. The fenclorim release was the least when treated with safener and insecticide in sequence. Based on the previous literatures, all fenclorim release magnitudes observed in this study were at toxicologically safe levels for various living organisms in the soil, and fenclorim residues determined in the final rice harvest were also safe levels below the instrumentally detectable level.

Core Ideas

Seed treatment with safener alone causes the largest fenclorim release to environments.

Seed treatment with safener and insecticide in sequence minimizes fenclorim releases.

Fenclorim residues in the final rice harvest were below the detectable level.

The fenclorim used will not cause residual issues in the ecosystem and harvested rice.
Highly Efficient Spin‐Orbit Torque Switching in a Topological Insulator/Chromium Telluride Heterostructure with Opposite Berry Curvature
Authors: Zhang Kewen , Wu Yuhang , Song Jingyan , Guo Yitian , Cai Xiaolun , Cheng Long , Zheng Dongxing , Chen Aitian , Li Peng , Zhang Xixiang
Published: February 2025

Energy‐efficient magnetization switching by current‐induced spin‐orbit torques drives the application of spintronics in memory and neural networks. Given the intrinsic strong spin‐orbit coupling, topological insulators (TI) with spin‐momentum locking are expected to be promising candidates for generating a significant spin‐orbit torque compared to the heavy metal system. To achieve high charge‐to‐spin conversion efficiency, it is imperative to incorporate a ferromagnetic layer with low conductivity. In this study, a high spin‐torque efficiency (βL =  12.9 × 10−6mT A−1cm2) and spin Hall conductivity () are reported as being observed at 80 K in a Cr2Te3/(Bi0.5Sb0.5)2Te3 bilayer. The magnetization switching induced by spin‐orbit torque in a Cr2Te3/(Bi0.5Sb0.5)2Te3 bilayer is observed. It is demonstrated that the hump‐like feature in the anomalous Hall effect (AHE) resistance curve can be attributed to the presence of two magnetic phases in compressively strained chromium telluride grown on a c‐Al2O3 substrate using molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). The work holds the promise of propelling efficiency advancements in spintronic applications that leverage the unique properties of topological insulators.
A Review of Ga₂O₃ Heterojunctions for Deep‐UV Photodetection: Current Progress, Methodologies, and Challenges
Authors: Moore Alfred , Rafique Saqib , Llewelyn Ciaran , Lamb Dan , Li Lijie
Published: February 2025

In recent years, gallium oxide (Ga2O3) has drawn considerable research interest as an ultrawide‐bandgap semiconductor due to its promising applications in the power electronics, photodetection, and gas sensing. Moreover, Ga2O3 heterojunctions have emerged as a promising approach to address key limitations of Ga2O3 as a standalone material—most notably, its lack of p‐type doping capability. One of the key application areas for Ga2O3 and its heterojunctions is ultraviolet (UV) photodetection, which has gained significant attention yet remains a relatively nascent field with vast potential for further exploration and optimization. This review provides a detailed overview of the current state‐of‐the‐art in Ga2O3 technology, highlighting recent research advancements, key challenges, and emerging strategies aimed at overcoming these challenges. Specifically, it examines Ga2O3 heterojunctions for deep‐UV photodetection, analysing compatible electrode materials and assessing various substrates suitable for Ga2O3 growth to enhance device performance. This comprehensive review is designed to serve as an essential resource for researchers and engineers working with Ga2O3‐based heterojunctions, especially for applications in UV photodetection. Written with the needs of new entrants in mind, it aims to build a robust foundational understanding of Ga2O3 technology, supporting ongoing innovation and application expansion in this field.
Estimating the State of Charge in Lithium Primary Batteries: Recent Advances and Critical Insights
Authors: Roth Sydney , Wesolowski Daniel , Schrock David , Schorr Noah , Chabi Sakineh
Published: February 2025

Lithium primary batteries (LPBs) remain essential in critical applications such as military, aerospace, medical and emergency devices, and portable electronics. Their superior energy density over lithium‐ion batteries offers a significant advantage for long‐duration use. Therefore, accurate estimation of the state of charge (SoC) is essential for ensuring the reliable and safe operation of these batteries. While extensive research has been conducted on SoC estimation techniques for lithium‐ion secondary batteries, LPBs present unique challenges that complicate accurate SoC estimation. Moreover, research on nondestructive testing techniques for SoC estimation in LPBs is significantly lacking. In this review article, it is aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in SoC estimation for LPBs and generates new insights and directions for future research. Herein, existing methods are discussed and their effectiveness and mechanisms are identified, and areas for further optimization are outlined. More theoretical/experimental efforts to advance SoC detection in LPBs is recommended due to challenges identified with existing techniques.