bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mesothelioma and Small Cell Lung Cancer; Effects of Nigella Sativa Thymoquinone on Cell Lines
Authors: Onur Bayrakçi , Demet Taşdemir , Ahmet Ferudun Işik
Published: February 2023

Background: Lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma are types of cancer with a poor prognosis and fatal. Small cell lung cancer is much more aggressive and survival shorter than non-small cell lung carcinoma. Mesothelioma is a rare malignant disease that commonly affects the pleura. Cisplatin is frequently used in chemotherapy protocols. Thymoquinone is a chemical with antineoplastic effects procured from the Nigella Sativa plant. It was aimed to investigate the effects of thymoquinone and cisplatin on small cell lung cancer and mesothelioma cell lines.

Methodology: The study was done in the Cell Culture Laboratory of Gaziantep University. Cell lines of small cell lung cancer, malignant pleural mesothelioma and non-cancerous bronchial epithelium were used in the study. Cells were cultured in dimethyl sulfoxide. The effective doses of thymoquinone and cisplatin were calculated. Accordingly, which were detected doses of thymoquinone as 100 μM and  cisplatin as 200 μM. The viability of cells were evaluated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-il) 2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide test. Experiments were repeated 4 times at different times by the same team in the same laboratory. Statistical analysis of the study was done using the Chi-square test. The study was was accordance with international standards on cell lines in the laboratory.

Results: Chemical treats were administering on all cell lines at doses of 100 μM and 200 μM. Thymoquinone at a dose of 100 mm; viability of cells were detected in 48% in mesothelioma, 44% in small cell lung cancer and 55% in noncancerous epithelium cell lines. Cisplatin at a dose of 200 μM; viability of cells were detected in 63% in mesothelioma, 48% in small cell lung cancer and 59% in noncancerous epithelium cell lines. There was no significant toxicity of dimethyl sulfoxide used as a chemical solvent when compared with physiological saline.

Conclusions: Thymoquinone at a dose of 100 μM was more effective than cisplatin at a dose of 200 μM on both small cell lung cancer and malignant pleural mesothelioma cell lines. Cisplatin was more effective in small cell lung cancer than malignant pleural mesothelioma at a dose of 200 μM. The effects of thymoquinone were similar in both cancer cell lines.
Population Dynamics of Fruit Fly, B. dorsalis (Hendle) on Mango and Correlation with Weather Parameters
Authors: Jena M. K. , Patel S. R. , Patel Z. K.
Published: February 2023

Investigation on the population dynamics of fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendle) (Diptera: Tephritidae) was carried out by installing "Nauroji-Stonehouse Fruit Fly Trap" in the mango orchard of organic farm, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat, India during 2021-22. The population of B. dorsalis prevailed throughout the year in mango orchard with its peak activity from 14th SMW to 31st SMW which coincided with the fruiting and harvesting period of fruits. The population of B. dorsalis decreased from August to February. Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation of population of B. dorsalis with maximum temperature, minimum temperature, average temperature, evening relative humidity, average relative humidity, rainy days, rainfall and wind velocity but a significant negative correlation with duration of bright sunshine hours. However, there was a nonsignificant correlation of population of B. dorsalis with morning relative humidity.
Evaluation of Planting Methods on Crop Performance and Cost Effectiveness in Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.)
Authors: Vijayalaxmi G. , Bindu G. S. Madhu , Kumar M. Vijay , Laxman T.
Published: February 2023

The experiment was conducted during eksali of 2017, 2018 and 2020 at Agricultural Research Station, Basanthpur, Sangareddy, Telangana in red laterite loamy soils. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications and 7 planting methods viz., ridge and furrow method with 3 budded setts (P1), single node planted by seedling transplanter (P2), direct planting of bud chips (P3), direct planting of seedlings manually (P4), seedling transplanting by transplanter (P5), planting with cutter planter (P6) and farmers practice (P7). Pooled mean of three years data indicated that the tiller count at 75 and 120 DAS (102.8 and 189.1 ‘000ha), cane height (306.7 cm), no. of millable canes (104’000 ha), single cane weight (1.67 kg) and cane yield (138.9 t ha-1) registered were significantly highest in direct planting of seedlings.
Determinants of Intensity of Adoption of Climate Change Adaptation Practices in the Agriculture Sector in Nepal
Authors: Joshi Ganesh Raj , Bhandari Ramchandra
Published: February 2023

Climate change has been noticed in the agricultural sector of Nepal which calls for strategies for adaptation and resilience building. We assessed the influence of demographic, institutional factors, and farm characteristics on the adoption of twenty climate change adaptation practices. We used climate change impact survey data of 800 households for Province 1 and analyzed the data using the Poisson regression and corrected the overdispersion using Negative Binomial regression.   The results revealed that the operational size of landholding, years of experience in farming and formal education of the household head, the association of members in cooperatives and community-based organizations, the occurrence of disasters in the last five years, male-headed households, and receiving remittance influenced the adoption of a package of climate change adaptation practices in agriculture in Nepal. The results imply that policies should be geared towards enhancing the capacity of farmers through education and skill training, strengthening social networks, increasing investment for the generation and dissemination of climate-resilient agricultural technologies and practices, implementing additional off-farm and on-farm activities to increase income, and improving access to physical resources, education, and information to female-headed households.
The Diagnostic Utility of Mean Platelet Volume as a Marker of Pulmonary Hypertension in COPD Patients
Authors: Safwat El-Gendy Sara , Mohamed Elsokkary Hatem , Shehata El-dib Ayman , Shawky Mohamed Ahmed
Published: February 2023

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide that induces an economic and social burden. The aim of this work was to assess mean platelet volume (MPV), as a marker of platelet activation, predicting pulmonary hypertension (PAH) in COPD patients and its correlation with severity of PAH.  

Methods: This prospective observational control cross-sectional study was carried out on 80 subjects who divided in to three groups: Group I: 30 mild to moderate COPD patients, group II: 30 severe COPD patients and group III (control): included 20 healthy age-matched individuals.  All patients were subjected to radiological investigation (chest x-ray (PA) and CT chest), spirometry, transthoracic echocardiography and laboratory investigations [CBC and MPV].

Results: The best cut-off value of MPV in diagnosis of moderate PH is ≥9.65 to <9.95 fL with area under curve 0.922, sensitivity 90.5%, specificity 63.6%, Positive predictive value 35.1%, negative predictive value 94.4% and accuracy 68.8%. The best cut-off value of MPV in diagnosis of severe PH is ≥9.95 fL with area under curve 0.968, sensitivity 92.9%, specificity 75.6%, positive predictive value 63.3%, negative predictive value 97.7% and accuracy 80.3 %.

Conclusions: MPV was increased in COPD patients who developed PAH. MPV was positively correlated with severity of PAH.
Heat Transfer Analysis of Silver-water Nanofluid Flow over Stretching Cylinder Subjected to Multiple Convective Conditions over Stretching Sheet and Stretching Cylinder
Authors: Kumar Pardeep , Poonia Hemant , Kumari Pavitra
Published: February 2023

Tiny particles are essential in electronics, heat exchangers, nanotechnology, and materials science because of their exceptional thermal conductivity and unique properties. The study investigate the MHD flow over a stretching cylinder containing silver-water nanofluid in the presence of a magnetic field under multiple convective boundary conditions over stretching sheet and stretching cylinder. A system of PDEs is reduced to a solvable system of ODEs by applying a suitable similarity transformation. We employ the Runga Kutta method along with shooting procedure to solve the flow, heat, and mass transfer equations along with boundary conditions. The results obtained from MATLAB codes are compared with previously published results of the same nature in limiting case. In this model, we made a comparison between the stretching cylinder and a flat sheet and those are represented via graphically. Numerical results of skin-friction coefficient and local Nusselt are systematized in the form of tables for sheet and stretching cylinder. The plots illustrate the effect of different dimensionless parameters on velocity, temperature, and concentration profiles. Significant role of Biot number on temperature and concentration profile was observed. Nusselt number increases with Bi and Pr but decreases with M. The skin friction is enhanced with M but decrease with \(\lambda\)
T‐type calcium channels as therapeutic targets in essential tremor and Parkinson's disease
Authors: Matthews Lillian G. , Puryear Corey B. , Correia Susana S. , Srinivasan Sharan , Belfort Gabriel M. , Pan Ming‐Kai , Kuo Sheng‐Han
Published: February 2023

Neuronal action potential firing patterns are key components of healthy brain function. Importantly, restoring dysregulated neuronal firing patterns has the potential to be a promising strategy in the development of novel therapeutics for disorders of the central nervous system. Here, we review the pathophysiology of essential tremor and Parkinson's disease, the two most common movement disorders, with a focus on mechanisms underlying the genesis of abnormal firing patterns in the implicated neural circuits. Aberrant burst firing of neurons in the cerebello‐thalamo‐cortical and basal ganglia‐thalamo‐cortical circuits contribute to the clinical symptoms of essential tremor and Parkinson's disease, respectively, and T‐type calcium channels play a key role in regulating this activity in both the disorders. Accordingly, modulating T‐type calcium channel activity has received attention as a potentially promising therapeutic approach to normalize abnormal burst firing in these diseases. In this review, we explore the evidence supporting the theory that T‐type calcium channel blockers can ameliorate the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying essential tremor and Parkinson's disease, furthering the case for clinical investigation of these compounds. We conclude with key considerations for future investigational efforts, providing a critical framework for the development of much needed agents capable of targeting the dysfunctional circuitry underlying movement disorders such as essential tremor, Parkinson's disease, and beyond.
Probing the Mysterious Behavior of Tungsten as a Dopant Inside Pristine Cobalt‐Free Nickel‐Rich Cathode Materials
Authors: Zaker Nafiseh , Geng Chenxi , Rathore Divya , Hamam Ines , Chen Ning , Xiao Penghao , Yang Chongyin , Dahn J. R. , Botton Gianluigi A.
Published: February 2023

Nickel‐rich cathode materials with small amounts of tungsten (W) dopants have attracted extensive attention in recent years. However, the chemical state, crystalline form, compound chemistry, and location of W in these layered cathodes are still not well‐understood. In this study, these missing structural properties are determined through a combination of macro‐, to atomic‐sensitive characterization techniques and density functional theory (DFT). W‐doped LiNiO2 (LNO) particles, prepared with mechanofusion and coprecipitation methods, are used to probe changes in the structure and location of W‐species. The results indicate that W is mainly distributed on the surfaces and inside grain boundaries of the secondary particles, regardless of the doping method. Electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) mapping confirms the simultaneous presence of W, O, with and without Ni in the grain boundaries as well as W‐ and O‐rich regions on the very surface. The W‐rich areas inside the grain boundaries are found to be in two forms, crystalline and amorphous. This paper suggests the presence of kinetically stabilized‐Li4+xNi1‐xWO6 (x = 0, 0.1) with the possibility of LixWyOz phases in LNO which are consistent with the electron microscopy, X‐ray absorption and diffraction data. The multiple roles of W in this complex microstructure are discussed considering the W distribution.
A Materials Perspective on Direct Recycling of Lithium‐Ion Batteries: Principles, Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Xu Panpan , Tan Darren H. S. , Jiao Binglei , Gao Hongpeng , Yu Xiaolu , Chen Zheng
Published: February 2023

As the dominant means of energy storage technology today, the widespread deployment of lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) would inevitably generate countless spent batteries at their end of life. From the perspectives of environmental protection and resource sustainability, recycling is a necessary strategy to manage end‐of‐life LIBs. Compared with traditional hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical recycling methods, the emerging direct recycling technology, rejuvenating spent electrode materials via a non‐destructive way, has attracted rising attention due to its energy efficient processes along with increased economic return and reduced CO2 footprint. This review investigates the state‐of‐the‐art direct recycling technologies based on effective relithiation through solid‐state, aqueous, eutectic solution and ionic liquid mediums and thoroughly discusses the underlying regeneration mechanism of each method regarding different battery chemistries. It is concluded that direct regeneration can be a more energy‐efficient, cost‐effective, and sustainable way to recycle spent LIBs compared with traditional approaches. Additionally, it is also identified that the direct recycling technology is still in its infancy with several fundamental and technological hurdles such as efficient separation, binder removal and electrolyte recovery. In addressing these remaining challenges, this review proposes an outlook on potential technical avenues to accelerate the development of direct recycling toward industrial applications.
Contact‐Driven Snapping in Thermally Actuated Metamaterials for Fully Reversible Functionality
Authors: Ma Ruizhe , Wu Lei , Pasini Damiano
Published: February 2023

Mechanical instability is often harnessed in mechanical metamaterials to generate a diverse range of functionalities, and can be triggered by either a mechanical or a field stimulus, such as temperature. Existing field‐responsive metamaterials with snap‐through instability, however, need to rely on a mechanical input to realize functional reversibility, a limitation depriving them of the capacity to operate solely via the applied field. This work demonstrates reversible snap‐through instability in a bi‐material framework that is exclusively driven by environmental temperature. The need for mechanical intervention is bypassed by leveraging the thermally induced contact and mismatched thermal expansion of the constituent materials. A combination of experiments, theory and simulations, unveils the physics underpinning the thermally driven snapping undergoing four successive regimes of deformation: noncontact, full contact, partial contact, and release. The advantages of the concept are showcased in two applications. The first is the development of thermal switches with ternary operation (OFF‐ON‐OFF) and logic functions, going beyond the capabilities of current binary switches. The second is reversible temporal morphing in deployable structures programmed to snap sequentially in multiple locked configurations at predefined values of temperature, opening the door to applications across sectors, such as deployable antennas, soft robots, and self‐reconfigurable medical devices.
Layering Charged Polymers Enable Highly Integrated High‐Capacity Battery Anodes
Authors: Han Dong‐Yeob , Han Im Kyung , Son Hye Bin , Kim Youn Soo , Ryu Jaegeon , Park Soojin
Published: February 2023

High‐capacity anode materials are promising candidates for increasing the energy density of lithium (Li)‐ion batteries due to their high theoretical capacities. However, a rapid capacity fading due to the huge volume changes during charge‐discharge cycles limits practical applications. Herein, a layering‐charged polymeric binder is introduced that can effectively integrate high‐capacity anodes using a strong yet reversible Coulomb interaction and enriched hydrogen bonding. The charged polymeric binder builds a dynamically charge‐directed network on the active materials with high versatility and efficiently dissipates the electrode stress with its excellent mechanical properties. In addition, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) moieties of the charged binder offer a fast Li‐ion conduction pathway that can form an ultra‐thick silicon oxide (SiOx)‐based electrode (≈10.2 mAh cm−2) without compromising the reversible specific capacity and promote effective charge interaction as a mechanical modulator. Such an unprecedented charge‐directed binder provides insights into the rational design of a binder for high‐capacity anodes.
Bioresponsive Self‐Reinforcing Sericin/Silk Fibroin Hydrogel for Relieving the Immune‐Related Adverse Events in Tumor Immunotherapy
Authors: Gou Shuangquan , Meng Weilin , Panayi Adriana C. , Wang Rong , Zhang Rui , Gao Pengfei , He Tingting , Geng Wenbo , Hu Shi , Yu Yongsheng , Feng Qian , Cai Kaiyong
Published: February 2023

Despite the immense potential of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy in tumor treatment, its widespread clinical application is currently limited by unsatisfactory curative effect and off‐target adverse effect. Herein, an injectable sericin (SS)/silk fibroin (SF) recombinant hydrogel, termed SF‐SS‐SMC hydrogel, is developed to enable local delivery of anti‐CD47 antibody (α CD47). The hydrogel displays self‐reinforcement in high H2O2 concentration of tumor microenvironment (TME), as the SS/Fe2+ supramolecular nanocomplex (SS‐SMC) inside the hydrogel converts H2O2 to reactive oxygen species (ROS), further triggering additional crosslinking among the SF polymers. Therefore, the SF‐SS‐SMC hydrogel has an in vivo retention time longer than 21 days and acts as a reservoir for the long‐term sustained release of α CD47. More importantly, the SF‐SS‐SMC hydrogel itself efficiently regulates the remodeling of a protumor immunosuppressive TME to an antitumoral TME through switching of tumor‐associated macrophages from an anti‐inflammatory M2 phenotype to a proinflammatory M1 phenotype without additional drugs. Based on the combined effect of sustained α CD47 release and TME reprogramming, the SF‐SS‐SMC hydrogel has satisfactory immunotherapeutic effects in the treatment of local, abscopal, remitting, and metastatic tumors. Further advantages, including low cost of production, simple fabrication, and ease of use, make it promising for commercial mass production.
A Visible and Near‐Infrared Light‐Fueled Omnidirectional Twist‐Bend Crawling Robot
Authors: Qian Nina , Bisoyi Hari Krishna , Wang Meng , Huang Shuai , Liu Zhongcheng , Chen Xu‐Man , Hu Jun , Yang Hong , Li Quan
Published: February 2023

In recent years, although light‐driven soft actuators have attracted intense scientific attention and achieved remarkable progress, the design and construction of an intelligent robotic system with maneuverability, self‐adaptability, untethered control, and greater freedom of action, in particular the omnidirectional motion capability on a plane, remains challenging. Herein, four types of photo‐thermal fillers and an unprecedented twist‐bend actuation mode is introduced into a liquid crystal elastomer‐based soft robot. The obtained twist‐bend crawling robot not only exhibits in situ rotation, four‐way turning, and four‐way linear motion under light irradiation with four wavelength bands (520, 655, 808, and 980 nm), but also demonstrates the ability to avoid obstacles in complex geographical environments. This work may bring a new perspective for fabrication and development of soft robots that can adapt to dynamic and complex environmental conditions.
Mechanochromic Photonic Vitrimer Thermal Management Device Based on Dynamic Covalent Bond
Authors: Guan Yuan , Li Hongyu , Zhang Shufen , Niu Wenbin
Published: February 2023

Flexible self‐healing thermal management devices are increasingly in demand due to their high flexibility, low driving voltage, and excellent stability of thermal property. In this paper, the design of mechanochromic self‐healing thermal management devices is reported based on photonic vitrimer through self‐healing dynamic covalent bond. A series of new photonic vitrimers i first prepared by dynamic disulfide covalent bond and PS@SiO2 photonic crystals. The resulting photonic vitrimer exhibits bright structural colors, large tensile strain (>1000%), high mechanical strength (>10 MPa) and self‐healing ability (>95% efficiency). More importantly, the structural color remains constant after 10000 stretching/releasing cycles, demonstrating excellent mechanical stability, creep‐resistance, and durability. Taking advantage of the above features, a novel mechanochromic flexible wireless thermal management (MFW) device is developed by semi‐embedding the photonic vitrimer in a thermally conductive carbon nanotube film and then integrating it with a Bluetooth module and a control chip. Interestingly, the MFW device exhibits mechanochromic property, fast thermal response, low driving voltage (103 °C, at 3 V), and precise temperature control. Notably, the device even remains electrothermal performance (105 °C) after self‐healing. This work provides new insight into the self‐healing photonic materials, and the device shows promising applications in wearable electronics, vitro physiotherapy, and personal heating.
Recent Progress on Nanomaterial‐Facilitated Electrochemical Strategies for Cancer Diagnosis
Authors: Yuan Xueli , Lin Bowen , Liu Tao , Zhang Wei , Chu Zhenyu , Gu Xiaoping , Ma Zhengliang , Jin Wanqin
Published: February 2023

Cancer is a malignant disease that endangers human life, especially owing to its high fatality rate; therefore, rapid and accurate early screening is needed to effectively improve the survival rate. Compared with traditional cancer detection methods, electrochemical biosensors that recognize cancer biomarkers in blood have the advantages of low invasiveness, fast diagnosis, and low cost. However, there is always a trade‐off between sensitivity and selectivity, which limits the detection of trace amounts of biomarkers produced in the early stages. To address this issue, an increasing number of nanomaterials with simultaneous improvements in both sensitivity and selectivity have recently been reported. In this review, different categories of state‐of‐the‐art electrochemical biosensors and their operating principles are introduced, and their respective advantages and disadvantages are described. Furthermore, the review discusses the existing detection strategies and performance of nanomaterial‐based cancer biosensors for biomarker recognition, providing overall guidance for the material selection of different biomarkers. Finally, the main challenges involving existing electrochemical cancer biosensors are evaluated to present the future development prospects of nanomaterials and detection strategies.
High‐Precision Synthesis of RNA‐Loaded Lipid Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Seo Hanjin , Jeon Leekang , Kwon Jaeyeong , Lee Hyomin
Published: February 2023

The recent development of RNA‐based therapeutics in delivering nucleic acids for gene editing and regulating protein translation has led to the effective treatment of various diseases including cancer, inflammatory and genetic disorder, as well as infectious diseases. Among these, lipid nanoparticles (LNP) have emerged as a promising platform for RNA delivery and have shed light by resolving the inherent instability issues of naked RNA and thereby enhancing the therapeutic potency. These LNP consisting of ionizable lipid, helper lipid, cholesterol, and poly(ethylene glycol)‐anchored lipid can stably enclose RNA and help them release into the cells’ cytosol. Herein, the significant progress made in LNP research starting from the LNP constituents, formulation, and their diverse applications is summarized first. Moreover, the microfluidic methodologies which allow precise assembly of these newly developed constituents to achieve LNP with controllable composition and size, high encapsulation efficiency as well as scalable production are highlighted. Furthermore, a short discussion on current challenges as well as an outlook will be given on emerging approaches to resolving these issues.
Solid‐Phase Screening and Synthesis of Molecularly Imprinted Nanoparticles for Selective Recognition and Detection of Brain Natriuretic Peptide
Authors: Zhang Ziying , Ma Liang , Yuan Hui , Chen Ziman , Lv Yongqin
Published: February 2023

A new recognition method is explored for the rapid detection of B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) based on the rational design and solid‐phase synthesis of molecularly imprinted nanoparticles (nanoMIP) encapsulated with carbon dots. The nanosized magnetic template is first prepared by attaching the epitope of BNP on amino‐functionalized magnetic carriers. High‐dilution polymerization of monomers in the presence of magnetic template generates lightly crosslinked imprinted nanoparticles. To obtain the optimal MIP formulation, a new combinatorial screening approach is developed by a competitive fluorescence assay using the magnetic template. The resultant nanoMIP exhibits high affinity and selectivity toward BNP with an equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) of ≈10−11 m. The proposed assay allows fast BNP detection within ≈7 min with a linear range of its concentration from 0.25 to 5000 pg mL−1 and a limit of detection of 0.208 pg mL−1 (S/N = 3). To demonstrate its practicability in clinical diagnosis, unknown real serum samples from 160 individuals are analyzed and the relative standard deviation is less than 4.43%. Compared with the routine electrochemiluminescence detection method that is widely used in hospital, the relative error is less than 4.98% and the correlation coefficient is 0.994.
Metal–Halide Perovskite Nanocrystal Superlattice: Self‐Assembly and Optical Fingerprints
Authors: Liu Zhuang , Qin Xian , Chen Qihao , Jiang Tianci , Chen Qiushui , Liu Xiaogang
Published: February 2023

Self‐assembly of nanocrystals into superlattices is a fascinating process that not only changes geometric morphology, but also creates unique properties that considerably enrich the material toolbox for new applications. Numerous studies have driven the blossoming of superlattices from various aspects. These include precise control of size and morphology, enhancement of properties, exploitation of functions, and integration of the material into miniature devices. The effective synthesis of metal–halide perovskite nanocrystals has advanced research on self‐assembly of building blocks into micrometer‐sized superlattices. More importantly, these materials exhibit abundant optical features, including highly coherent superfluorescence, amplified spontaneous laser emission, and adjustable spectral redshift, facilitating basic research and state‐of‐the‐art applications. This review summarizes recent advances in the field of metal–halide perovskite superlattices. It begins with basic packing models and introduces various stacking configurations of superlattices. The potential of multiple capping ligands is also discussed and their crucial role in superlattice growth is highlighted, followed by detailed reviews of synthesis and characterization methods. How these optical features can be distinguished and present contemporary applications is then considered. This review concludes with a list of unanswered questions and an outlook on their potential use in quantum computing and quantum communications to stimulate further research in this area.
Efficient and Robust Molecular Solar Thermal Fabric for Personal Thermal Management
Authors: Fei Liang , Zhang Zhao‐Yang , Tan Yongsong , Ye Ting , Dong Dongfang , Yin Yunjie , Li Tao , Wang Chaoxia
Published: February 2023

Molecular solar thermal (MOST) materials, which can efficiently capture solar energy and release it as heat on demand, are promising candidates for future personal thermal management (PTM) applications, preferably in the form of fabrics. However, developing MOST fabrics with high energy‐storage capacity and stable working performance remains a significant challenge because of the low energy density of the molecular materials and their leakage from the fabric. Here, an efficient and robust MOST fabric for PTM using azopyrazole‐containing microcapsules with a deep‐UV‐filter shell is reported. The MOST fabric, which can co‐harvest solar and thermal energy, achieves efficient photocharging and photo‐discharging (>90% photoconversion), a high energy density of 2.5 kJ m−2, and long‐term storage sustainability at month scale. Moreover, it can undergo multiple cycles of washing, rubbing, and recharging without significant loss of energy‐storage capacity. This MOST microcapsule strategy is easily used for the scalable production of a MOST fabric for solar thermal moxibustion. This achievement offers a promising route for the application of wearable MOST materials with high energy‐storage performance and robustness in PTM.
Quantifiable Relationship Between Antibacterial Efficacy and Electro–Mechanical Intervention on Nanowire Arrays
Authors: Wang Guomin , Tang Kaiwei , Jiang Wenjuan , Liao Qing , Li Yong , Liu Pei , Wu Yuzheng , Liu Mengting , Wang Huaiyu , Li Bin , Du Jianzhong , Chu Paul K.
Published: February 2023

Physical disruption is an important antibacterial means as it is lethal to bacteria without spurring antimicrobial resistance. However, it is very challenging to establish a quantifiable relationship between antibacterial efficacy and physical interactions such as mechanical and electrical forces. Herein, titanium nitride (TN) nanowires with adjustable orientations and capacitances are prepared to exert gradient electro–mechanical forces on bacteria. While vertical nanowires show the strongest mechanical force resulting in an antibacterial efficiency of 0.62 log reduction (vs 0.22 for tiled and 0.36 for inclined nanowires, respectively), the addition of electrical charges maximizes the electro–mechanical interactions and elevates the antibacterial efficacy to more than 3 log reduction. Biophysical and biochemical analyses indicate that electrostatic attraction by electrical charge narrows the interface. The electro–mechanical intervention more easily stiffens and rips the bacteria membrane, disturbing the electron balance and generating intracellular oxidative stress. The antibacterial ability is maintained in vivo and bacteria‐challenged rats are protected from serious infection. The physical bacteria‐killing process demonstrated here can be controlled by adjusting the electro–mechanical interactions. Overall, these results revealed important principles for rationally designing high‐performance antibacterial interfaces for clinical applications.
Bioinspired Superwettable Catheters with Tunable Structural Color for Efficient Drug Release Monitoring
Authors: Jiang Zhijun , Chen Yufei , Xu Mingtian , Shao Wenwen , Zhang Lihao , Liu Cihui
Published: February 2023

Medical interventional catheters are indispensable medical devices that are continuing to reshape current practice in many specialties of clinical applications. However, there has been rapid development of catheters, it remains many challenges in antibiofilm and effective drug delivering. Inspired by natural creatures, a bioinspired superwettable catheter is developed which is constructed with inverse opal photonic crystals hydrogel. The superwettability property is achieved by creating a slippery liquid‐infused porous surface (SLIPS) where the motion state of droplets changes. The expansion and contraction of the hydrogel endow the catheter with tunable structural color and drug release properties. Thus, the catheter could not only report the variation of the drug release process via SLIPS phenomenon obviously but also quantitatively give feedback on the drug release process through visually structural color variations. The multifunctional superwettable catheter shows good antibacterial performance and can be used for drug release monitoring which has excellent prospects in biomedical applications.
Revealing the Superior Electrocatalytic Performance of 2D Monolayer WSe2 Transition Metal Dichalcogenide for Efficient H2 Evolution Reaction
Authors: Pakhira Srimanta , Kumar Vikash , Ghosh Soumen
Published: February 2023

H2 evolution reaction (HER) requires an electrocatalyst to reduce the reaction barriers for the efficient production of H2. 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (2D TMDs) have emerged as a pinnacle group of materials for many potential applications, including HER. In this work, a pristine 2D monolayer WSe2 TMD is computationally designed using the first principle‐based hybrid density functional theory (DFT) to investigate its structural, electronic properties and the electrocatalytic performance for HER. The possible Volmer‐Heyrovsky and Volmer‐Tafel reaction mechanisms for HER at the W‐edge of the active site of WSe2 are studied by using a nonperiodic finite molecular cluster model W10Se21. The study shows that the pristine 2D monolayer WSe2 follows either the Volmer‐Heyrovsky or the Volmer‐Tafel reaction mechanisms with a single‐digit low reaction barrier about 6.11, 8.41 and 6.61 kcal mol−1 during the solvent phase calculations of H•‐migration, Heyrovsky and Tafel transition (TS) states, respectively. The lower reaction barriers, high turnover frequency (TOF) ≈ 4.24 × 106 s−1 and 8.86 × 107 s−1 during the Heyrovsky and Tafel reaction steps and the low Tafel slope 29.58 mV dec−1 confirm that the pristine 2D monolayer WSe2 might be a promising alternative to platinum group metals (PGM) based electrocatalyst.
Comment on: “Polymer Co‐Coating of Gold Nanoparticles Enables Their Integration Into Contact Lenses for Stable, Selective Ocular Light Filters”
Authors: Gawne Timothy J. , She Zhihui , Norton Thomas T.
Published: February 2023

T. j. Gawne,* Z. She, T. T. Norton
Deposition‐Type Lithium Metal All‐Solid‐State Batteries: About the Importance of Stack‐Pressure Control and the Benefits of Hot Pressing during Initial Cycling
Authors: Cronau Marvin , Szabo Marvin , Renz Diemo , Duchardt Marc , Pescara Lars Pateras , Roling Bernhard
Published: February 2023

The concept of using metallic lithium as anode material offers great potential for increasing the energy density of lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). However, the ubiquitous formation of dendrites during lithium plating has prevented this so far. This is also true for all‐solid‐state batteries (ASSBs), for which dendrite formation has been observed particularly at high stack pressures and high current densities. An evolving and very promising strategy for suppressing dendrite formation is the usage of a thin carbon layer on the anode side, referred to as deposition‐type lithium metal anode. Here, it is shown that for ASSBs with carbon‐based deposition‐type anodes of this type, the discharge capacity can be significantly increased by either: i) active stack pressure control; or by ii) hot pressing of binder‐containing anode and separator. High discharge capacities exceeding 190 mAh g−1 are achieved at room temperature without using any expensive elements (thiophosphate‐based solid electrolyte, Ni‐rich NMC cathode active material). This observation points to the importance of ensuring good mechanical contact between the deposition‐type anode and the separator during cycling. While approach (i) is readily applicable for lab‐scale batteries, approach (ii) should be a promising option for future commercial ASSBs.
Advanced Methods for Ion Selectivity Measurement in Nanofluidic Devices
Authors: Hou Jue , Zhang Huacheng
Published: February 2023

Nanofluidic devices with specific ion selectivity have shown great potential in efficient ion separation, biosensing, and energy conversion technologies. Advances in analytical techniques have enabled quantitative measurement of the nanofluidics’ ion selectivity and understanding of the ion selection mechanisms. This review gives a brief overview of recent progress in the fabrication of single‐channel and multichannel nanofluidic devices with specific ion selection functionalities based on nanopores, nanochannels, nanotubes, nanopipettes, and nanoslits. Then advanced experimental methods (i.e., drift‐diffusion experiments, charged molecular diffusion experiments, ion permeation experiments, electrodialysis, ion current/conductance/conductivity measurements, and pyranine assays) and theories (i.e., Goldman–Hodgkin–Katz model and ion selectivity calculation equations) for investigating cation/anion, mono/divalent‐ion, and single‐ion selectivities in nanofluidic devices are summarized. Finally, the challenges that need to be addressed in this research field and the perspective of sub‐nanofluidic devices are discussed.
A Review of Flexible Strain Sensors Based on Natural Fiber Materials
Authors: Wu Yuting , Tang Jian , Ma Shidong , Zhang Keqin , Yan Tao , Pan Zhijuan
Published: February 2023

Flexible strain sensors with outstanding stretchability and sensitivity can be widely used in medical health, smart robot, intelligent garment, man‐machine interaction, and other fields. The use of natural fibers enables a green manufacturing pathway to design strain sensors within the context of increasingly serious environmental pollution. Commercialized natural fibers, including cellulose fibers (cotton and fibrilia), protein fibers (wool and silk), and their regenerated materials (viscose and silk fibroin) exhibit low cost, easy acquisition, and degradability as the basis materials. This paper reviews the preparation methods, performances, and applications of flexible strain sensors based on these natural fibers. Cellulose and protein fibers are carbonized or coated with conductive nanomaterials to form the strain sensing network, and then, elastic polymers are used to improve the sensor strain range. Regenerated natural fiber materials can be uniformly mixed with conductive materials to form conductive composites for sensors. The strain‐sensing performances and mechanisms are analyzed and compared. Natural fiber‐based strain sensors are studied to pave the way for practical integration in electronic systems.
Suspended Graphene/PEDOT: PSS‐PEO Channel for H2Gas Sensing Fabricated Using Direct‐Write Functional Fibers
Authors: Regmi Abiral , Shin Dongwoon , Na Noori , Chang Jiyoung
Published: February 2023

In this study, the hydrogen gas (H2) sensing mechanism of suspended graphene (Gr)/ Poly(3,4‐ethylene dioxythiophene): Poly(styrene sulfonate) – Polyethylene oxide (PEDOT: PSS‐PEO) composite nanoscale channels precisely patterned with near‐field electrospinning is investigated. Suspended Gr/PEDOT: PSS‐PEO nanoscale channels not only have a higher surface‐to‐volume ratio for easy diffusion in/out of the composite but also show enhanced response due to effective charge transfer at the interface of suspended graphene and PEDOT: PSS‐PEO nanofiber. A sensing response of 2% for 1 ppm of H2concentration with good linearity over a wide dynamic range is achieved. Arrays of nanoscale channels for enhanced sensitivity are also implemented and microheaters for effective and fast device recovery are integrated. Moreover, the sensor response is also characterized at various conditions such as channel materials and sizes, temperatures, and gas concentrations. The demonstrated performance, with low power consumption and small form factor, promises a facile and low‐cost suspended graphene/PEDOT: PSS‐PEO sensor solution with enhanced sensitivity.
Terahertz Barcodes Enabled by All‐Silicon Metasurfaces for Process Control and Monitoring Applications
Authors: Zhang Lingyun , Ma Hao , Sun Zhenci , Wang Zilun , Fan Kebin , Jin Biaobing , You Rui , Zhao Xiaoguang , You Zheng
Published: February 2023

Process control and monitoring (PCM) is crucial for the quality control and yield improvement of semiconductor products. Terahertz inspection of semiconductor devices has been of interest since the progress of terahertz spectroscopic techniques. However, due to the diffraction limit, high‐resolution measurement of geometric sizes and multiple parameter monitoring are challenging for terahertz PCM techniques. In this article, XX present terahertz all‐dielectric metasurfaces as the interface on a silicon substrate for monitoring material properties and fabrication errors in the silicon deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) process. It is shown that four different metasurfaces can encode multiple information simultaneously, including the carrier density of silicon substrates, etching depth and linewidth error, forming a terahertz barcode for PCM. By correlating the measured reflection spectra of the barcode with those in the simulation database, the three parameters are retrieved with a mean square error (MSE) of ≈0.5. The results indicate that this proposed technique using emerging artificial photonic materials as PCM structures paves a pathway toward high‐efficiency semiconductor quality control and other sensing applications.
Sensitivity‐Enhanced Skin‐Attachable Strain Sensors Using Multi‐Material Printed Bioinspired Heterogeneous Moduli Structures for Proprioceptive Training
Authors: Li Yuanlong , Lin Rongzan , Wang Xianheng , Li Haojie , Chen Yuqiu , Zhang Boxuan , Zhang Yanlin , Pan Yu , Qiu Xinming , Liu Ran
Published: February 2023

Proprioception evaluated by the repetition performance of limbs’ movement is an important indicator of sports rehabilitation. Since motion monitoring using wearable sensors is hampered by challenges in sensitivity, conformability, and stability, proprioception assessments still rely heavily on bulky apparatus. This work reports a bioinspired strain sensor with sensitivity‐enhanced structures based on strain redistribution to achieve proprioceptive training of joints, showing high sensitivity and stability even under large deformation. The sensing structure consists of units with different moduli and is independent of the sensing materials and sensors’ shape, and thus can be universally applied to various devices. A new method of multi‐material 3D printing is developed to construct the complex substrates with heterogeneous moduli architecture and automatically fabricate the entire sensor. To fulfill effective proprioception exercise, the conformal deformation of printed sensors attached to joints during the whole stretch period is verified in computed tomography imaging, which indicates the output of sensors can precisely reflect the movement of joints. A complete recovery cycle of 4 weeks is demonstrated, during which an injured patient training with our skin‐attachable strain sensors restored his ability in limb control. This proprioceptive training paradigm with intelligent sensors paves the way to home‐based rehabilitation.
Building Blood Vessel Chips with Enhanced Physiological Relevance
Authors: Mu Xuan , Gerhard‐Herman Marie Denise , Zhang Yu Shrike
Published: February 2023

Blood vessel chips are bioengineered microdevices, consisting of biomaterials, human cells, and microstructures, which recapitulate essential vascular structure and physiology and allow a well‐controlled microenvironment and spatial‐temporal readouts. Blood vessel chips afford promising opportunities to understand molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying a range of vascular diseases. The physiological relevance is key to these blood vessel chips that rely on bioinspired strategies and bioengineering approaches to translate vascular physiology into artificial units. Here, several critical aspects of vascular physiology are discussed, including morphology, material composition, mechanical properties, flow dynamics, and mass transport, which provide essential guidelines and a valuable source of bioinspiration for the rational design of blood vessel chips. The state‐of‐art blood vessel chips are also reviewed that exhibit important physiological features of the vessel and reveal crucial insights into the biological processes and disease pathogenesis, including rare diseases, with notable implications for drug screening and clinical trials. It is envisioned that the advances in biomaterials, biofabrication, and stem cells improve the physiological relevance of blood vessel chips, which, along with the close collaborations between clinicians and bioengineers, enable their widespread utility.
Diarylethene Photoswitches and 3D Printing to Fabricate Rewearable Colorimetric UV Sensors for Sun Protection
Authors: Wiedbrauk Sandra , McKinnon Heather , Swann Levi , Boase Nathan R. B.
Published: February 2023

Despite education campaigns linking sun overexposure and skin cancer, it remains one of the leading preventable cancer diagnoses. Skin cancer risk is correlated with overexposure to UV light in sunlight and can be prevented by avoiding exposure. While sun protection can be achieved using sunscreen and clothing, people must be made aware of their risk to facilitate behavior change. Herein, new rewearable UV sensors which overcome the single‐use limitations of other products are presented. These sensors utilize diarylethene photoswitches, which develop a colored appearance upon exposure to UV and are reset to colorless by green light (<10 min). These photoswitches are incorporated into a range of materials, enabling the use of advanced manufacturing to develop highly desirable consumer products. 3D stereolithographic printing is used to prototype sensors, with complex geometries and appealing aesthetics, that can be worn by users. The UV sensitivity of these devices is tuned by incorporating chromophores, meeting the needs of diverse skin types. The colorimetric response allows for direct visual feedback to the user, or quantification using photography, allowing for dosimetry of UV exposure. These new reusable devices aim to reduce people's exposure to UV, while reducing the waste generated by single‐use devices.
Promoting 2D Material Photodetectors by Optical Antennas beyond Noble Metals
Authors: Yi Huaxin , Ma Yuhang , Ye Qiaojue , Lu Jianting , Wang Wan , Zheng Zhaoqiang , Ma Churong , Yao Jiandong , Yang Guowei
Published: February 2023

The distinctive layered crystal structures and diverse properties of 2D layered materials (2DLMs) have established them as prospective building blocks for implementing next‐generation optoelectronics. One critical predicament in terms of light sensing is the weak absorption caused by the atomic‐scale thickness, as well as the limited effective wavelength range/low spectral selectivity constrained by the intrinsic band structures. Despite the fact that numerous noble metal antennas are harnessed for enhancing the light–matter coupling, they suffer from exorbitant cost and narrow resonant optical windows. To this end, a number of non‐noble plasmonic optical antennas have been developed to improve the light‐sensing properties of 2DLM photodetectors, and tremendous advances have been accomplished. Herein, a comprehensive overview of this subject is provided based on four aspects; namely, non‐noble metal antenna promoted 2DLM photodetectors, heteroatom doped semiconductor antenna promoted 2DLM photodetectors, non‐stoichiometric semiconductor antenna promoted 2DLM photodetectors, and MXene antenna promoted 2DLM photodetectors. The focus is on the device structures, preparation, and underlying mechanisms. In the end, the challenges are highlighted, and potential strategies addressing them are proposed, which aim to navigate the upcoming exploration in the related domains and fully exert the pivotal role of non‐noble plasmonic optical antennas toward advancing 2DLM photodetectors.