bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rotibot: Use of Rotifers as Self‐Propelling Biohybrid Microcleaners
Authors: Soto Fernando , Lopez‐Ramirez Miguel Angel , Jeerapan Itthipon , Esteban‐Fernandez de Avila Berta , Mishra Rupesh Kumar , Lu Xiaolong , Chai Ingrid , Chen Chuanrui , Kupor Daniel , Nourhani Amir , Wang Joseph 
Published: March 2019

AbstractSelf‐propelled biohybrid microrobots, employing marine rotifers as their engine, named “rotibot,” are presented and their practical utility and advantages for environmental remediation are demonstrated. Functionalized microbeads are attached electrostatically within the rotifer mouth and aggregated inside their inner lip. The high fluid flow toward the mouth, generated by the strokes of rotifer cilia bands, forces an extremely efficient transport of the contaminated sample over the active surfaces of the functionalized microbeads. The reactive particles confined around the rotifer's lip are thus exposed to a high flow rate of the pollutant solution, resulting in dramatically accelerated decontamination processes, without external mixing or harmful fuels. Theoretical simulations, modeling the greatly enhanced fluid dynamic associated with such built‐in mixing effect, correlate well with the experimental observations. The rotibot thus proves to be an effective, versatile, and robust dynamic microcleaning platform for removing diverse environmental pollutants. Microbeads functionalized with lysozyme and organophosphorus hydrolase enzymes are shown to be extremely useful for enzymatic biodegradation of Escherichia coli and the nerve agent methyl paraoxon, respectively, while ligand (meso‐2,3‐dimercaptosuccinic acid) modified beads are used for removing heavy metal contaminants. Rotifer‐based biohybrid microrobots hold considerable promise as self‐propelling dynamic pumps for diverse large‐scale environmental remediation applications.
Targeted Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Modulation of Hypoxia with Multifunctional Hyaluronic Acid‐MnO2 Nanoparticles in Glioma
Authors: Fu Chaoping , Duan Xiaohui , Cao Minghui , Jiang Shuqi , Ban Xiaohua , Guo Na , Zhang Fang , Mao Jiaji , Huyan Ting , Shen Jun , Zhang Li Ming 
Published: March 2019

AbstractManganese dioxide (MnO2)‐based nanoparticles are a promising tumor microenvironment‐responsive nanotheranostic carrier for targeted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and for alleviating tumor hypoxia. However, the complexity and potential toxicity of the present common synthesis methods limit their clinical application. Herein, multifunctional hyaluronic acid‐MnO2 nanoparticles (HA‐MnO2 NPs) are synthesized in a simple way by directly mixing sodium permanganate with HA aqueous solutions, which serve as both a reducing agent and a surface‐coating material. The obtained HA‐MnO2 NPs show an improved water‐dispersibility, fine colloidal stability, low toxicity, and responsiveness to the tumor microenvironment (high H2O2 and high glutathione, low pH). After intravenous injection, HA‐MnO2 NPs exhibit a high imaging sensitivity for detecting rat intracranial glioma with MRI for a prolonged period of up to 3 d. These nanoparticles also effectively alleviate the tumor hypoxia in a rat model of intracranial glioma. The downregulation of VEGF and HIF‐1α expression in intracranial glioma validates the sustained attenuation effect of HA‐MnO2 NPs on tumor hypoxia. These results show that HA‐MnO2 NPs can be used for sensitive, targeted MRI detection of gliomas and simultaneous attenuation of tumor hypoxia.
High Operation Stability of Ultraflexible Organic Solar Cells with Ultraviolet‐Filtering Substrates
Authors: Kimura Hiroki , Fukuda Kenjiro , Jinno Hiroaki , Park Sungjun , Saito Masahiko , Osaka Itaru , Takimiya Kazuo , Umezu Shinjiro , Someya Takao 
Published: March 2019

AbstractUltralightweight and flexible power sources are essential for driving textile or wearable electronic devices and soft robots because they do not induce discomfort or limit movement when they are attached to human skin, textiles, or soft actuators. Organic solar cells (OSCs) are good candidates for developing such power sources because they have the advantages of being lightweight and flexible. However, achieving operational stability and ultrathin shape simultaneously remains difficult because the ultrathin substrate cannot prevent the penetration of ultraviolet (UV) light, which is major a cause for the degradation of OSCs. Here, ultrathin OSCs that show great operational stability and high performance are reported. The 1.3 µm thick transparent polyimide utilized as a substrate can block light of 350 nm wavelength in the UV range by 90%. The ultrathin OSCs with the transparent polyimide substrate produce a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 9.0% and realize both photostability and operational stability. The PCE was maintained at 90% after 3 h in a maximum power point tracking test, indicating much better operational stability than the reference rigid OSCs.
Electrolytes and Electrolyte/Electrode Interfaces in Sodium‐Ion Batteries: From Scientific Research to Practical Application
Authors: Huang Yongxin , Zhao Luzi , Li Li , Xie Man , Wu Feng , Chen Renjie 
Published: March 2019

AbstractSodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) have drawn considerable interest as power‐storage devices owing to the wide abundance of their constituents and low cost. To realize a high performance–price ratio, the cathode and anode materials must be optimized. As essential components of SIBs, electrolytes should have wide electrochemical windows, high thermal stability, and exceptional ionic conductivity. Therefore, improved electrolytes, based on various materials and compositions, are developed to meet the practical demands of SIBs, including organic electrolytes, ionic liquids, aqueous, solid electrolytes, and hybrid electrolytes. Although mature organic electrolytes are currently used in production, aqueous and solid electrolytes show advantages for future applications, as discussed here in detail. Current efforts in modifying electrolytes to optimize their interfacial compatibility with electrodes, leading to longer battery lifetimes and greater safety, are described. The advanced characterization techniques used to investigate the properties of electrolytes and interfaces are introduced, and the reaction processes and degradation mechanisms of SIBs are revealed. Furthermore, the practical prospects of SIBs promoted by high‐quality electrolytes appropriately matched with electrodes are predicted and directions for developing next‐generation SIBs are suggested.
Wet/Sono‐Chemical Synthesis of Enzymatic Two‐Dimensional MnO2 Nanosheets for Synergistic Catalysis‐Enhanced Phototheranostics
Authors: Tang Wei , Fan Wenpei , Zhang Weizhong , Yang Zhen , Li Ling , Wang Zhantong , Chiang Ya‐Ling , Liu Yijing , Deng Liming , He Liangcan , Shen Zheyu , Jacobson Orit , Aronova Maria A. , Jin Albert , Xie Jin , Chen Xiaoyuan 
Published: March 2019

Abstract2D nanomaterials have attracted broad interest in the field of biomedicine owing to their large surface area, high drug‐loading capacity, and excellent photothermal conversion. However, few studies report their “enzyme‐like” catalytic performance because it is difficult to prepare enzymatic nanosheets with small size and ultrathin thickness by current synthetic protocols. Herein, a novel one‐step wet‐chemical method is first proposed for protein‐directed synthesis of 2D MnO2 nanosheets (M‐NSs), in which the size and thickness can be easily adjusted by the protein dosage. Then, a unique sono‐chemical approach is introduced for surface functionalization of the M‐NSs with high dispersity/stability as well as metal‐cation‐chelating capacity, which can not only chelate 64Cu radionuclides for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, but also capture the potentially released Mn2+ for enhanced biosafety. Interestingly, the resulting M‐NS exhibits excellent enzyme‐like activity to catalyze the oxidation of glucose, which represents an alternative paradigm of acute glucose oxidase for starving cancer cells and sensitizing them to thermal ablation. Featured with outstanding phototheranostic performance, the well‐designed M‐NS can achieve effective photoacoustic‐imaging‐guided synergistic starvation‐enhanced photothermal therapy. This study is expected to establish a new enzymatic phototheranostic paradigm based on small‐sized and ultrathin M‐NSs, which will broaden the application of 2D nanomaterials.
High Phase Purity of Large‐Sized 1T′‐MoS2 Monolayers with 2D Superconductivity
Authors: Peng Jing , Liu Yuhua , Luo Xiao , Wu Jiajing , Lin Yue , Guo Yuqiao , Zhao Jiyin , Wu Xiaojun , Wu Changzheng , Xie Yi 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe development of transition metal dichalcogenides has greatly accelerated research in the 2D realm, especially for layered MoS2. Crucially, the metallic MoS2 monolayer is an ideal platform in which novel topological electronic states can emerge and also exhibits excellent energy conversion and storage properties. However, as its intrinsic metallic phase, little is known about the nature of 2D 1T′‐MoS2, probably because of limited phase uniformity (<80%) and lateral size (usually <1 µm) in produced materials. Herein, solution processing to realize high phase‐purity 1T′‐MoS2 monolayers with large lateral size is demonstrated. Direct chemical exfoliation of millimeter‐sized 1T′ crystal is introduced to successfully produce a high‐yield of 1T′‐MoS2 monolayers with over 97% phase purity and unprecedentedly large size up to tens of micrometers. Furthermore, the large‐sized and high‐quality 1T′‐MoS2 nanosheets exhibit clear intrinsic superconductivity among all thicknesses down to monolayer, accompanied by a slow drop of transition temperature from 6.1 to 3.0 K. Prominently, unconventional superconducting behavior with upper critical field far beyond the Pauli limit is observed in the centrosymmetric 1T′‐MoS2 structure. The results open up an ideal approach to explore the properties of 2D metastable polymorphic materials.
Three‐Component [2+2+1] Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Oxidative Generation of Fully Substituted 1,3‐Oxazoles Involving Internal Alkynes
Authors: Dubovtsev Alexey Yu. , Dar'in Dmitry V. , Kukushkin Vadim Yu. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThree‐component [2+2+1] gold(I)‐catalyzed reaction of internal alkynes (alkynyl esters or ‐ketones), nitriles, and 2‐chloropyridine N‐oxide led to a wide range of fully substituted 1,3‐oxazoles (32 examples; up to 92% isolated yields). Nitrile R3CN species, employed in the reaction as both reactants and solvents, comprise conventional nitriles (R3=Alk, Ar) and also push‐pull systems such as cyanamides (R3=NH2 and NAlk2) and the thiocyanate (R3=SPr). The advantages of the developed method include mild reaction conditions, high functional‐group tolerance, broad range of substituents R1/R3 along with a possibility of easy modification of COR2 or the amino group when R1=NH2.magnified image
Metal‐Free Promoted CF2/CF3‐Difunctionalization of Unactivated Alkenes
Authors: Li Ming , Zhu Xin‐Yu , Qiu Yi‐Feng , Han Ya‐Ping , Xia Yu , Wang Cui‐Tian , Li Xue‐Song , Wei Wan‐Xu , Liang Yong‐Min 
Published: March 2019

AbstractAn operationally simple radical difluoroalkylation/trifluoromethylation and alkynylation of unactivated alkenes under mild conditions has been developed. Through this protocol, a series of CF2/CF3‐ substituted linear alkynyl ketones were synthesized via a unique 1,2‐alkynyl radical migration. Notably, no transition‐ metal catalyst is needed in the developed reaction system, and excellent functional group compatibility was observed.magnified image
Artificial Red Blood Cells Constructed by Replacing Heme with Perfluorodecalin for Hypoxia‐Induced Radioresistance
Authors: Yu Peng , Han Xiaoxue , Yin Lining , Hui Kangyu , Guo Yunfei , Yuan Ahu , Hu Yiqiao , Wu Jinhui 
Published: March 2019

AbstractRadioresistance, a serious problem during radiotherapy (RT) caused by hypoxia, results in tumor relapse. Hemoglobin‐based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) which can deliver oxygen, offer a promising option to cancer patients with radioresistance. However, the potential autoxidative cytotoxicity and renal toxicity of heme in hemoglobin (Hb) hamper their clinical application. Thus, here, a nano red blood cell (nnRBC) is fabricated that replaces heme with perfluorodecalin (FDC), a hydrophobic, high oxygen carrying fluorocarbon, and coated with membranes of RBCs. For the first time, nnRBCs provide a new method for the delivery of FDC since it cannot be emulsified by any FDA approved emulsifiers. nnRBCs encapsulate FDC with 8000% (w/w) drug loading efficiency and show superior storage stability within seven days. After intravenous delivery, nnRBCs reverse tumor hypoxia effectively compared with RT treatment alone. Of note, the components of nnRBCs are all from organisms or safe substances that have been verified by human testing, which gives nnRBCs great potential to rapidly enter into clinical trials.
Insights of Pressure‐induced Unfolding of β‐Lactoglobulin as Revealed by Steered Molecular Dynamics
Authors: Zhang Zhuo , Hu Hao , Xu Xiaoyun , Pan Siyi , Peng Bangzhu 
Published: March 2019

AbstractHigh hydrostatic pressure (HHP) has been widely used in various industries, and the protein as one of the most noticeable bio‐macromolecules has exhibited distinct structural and functional characteristics under HHP conditions. In this work, steered molecular dynamics (SMD) simulations of β‐lactoglobulin (βlg) are exploited to investigate the flexibility of the individual secondary structural element of the polypeptide. The two loops and the two helices on the two sides of the molecular β‐barrel are found to be highly flexible and migrate toward the hydrophobic interior of the protein at relatively low pressures. Interestingly, there is evidence illustrating that water penetrations only occur from the loop‐side of the barrel under pressurizations, which is favored by the enlarged β‐barrel induced through the loop compression. Moreover, increased stability of βlg is attributed to the rigid regions of the protein molecule. N‐ and C‐termini of the polypeptide chain are also found to be of great importance to pressure‐induced unfolding of βlg. It is found the modeling results agree with previous experimental observations, demonstrating the validity of the applications of SMD for studies on pressure‐induced protein unfolding. Such methodology will provide new insight into HHP and be generalized for more complicated systems such as enzymes.
Metallic Nanoparticle Inks for 3D Printing of Electronics
Authors: Tan Hong Wei , An Jia , Chua Chee Kai , Tran Tuan 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe three‐dimensional (3D) printed electronics additive manufacturing industry sector has grown substantially in the past few years, and there is increasing demand for different types of metallic nanoparticle inks in electronics printing for various applications. Metallic nanoparticle inks are commonly used for fabricating conductive tracks and patterns due to their relatively high electrical conductivity as compared to other types of inks, and they can be further categorized into single‐element metallic nanoparticle inks, alloy metallic nanoparticle inks, metallic oxide nanoparticle inks, and core–shell bimetallic nanoparticle (BNP) inks. It is critical to gain a deep understanding of the metallic nanoparticle inks used in 3D printed electronics as the material properties of these inks can directly affect the final electrical and mechanical properties of the printed patterns. This review presents an overview of the available metallic nanoparticle inks used for 3D printing of electronics, and critically reviews the strengths and weaknesses of each type of ink. Finally, the challenges of metallic nanoparticle inks in 3D printed electronics are also discussed along with the future outlook for 3D printed electronics.
Energy‐Efficient Metal–Insulator–Metal‐Semiconductor Field‐Effect Transistors Based on 2D Carrier Gases
Authors: Liao Meiyong , Sang Liwen , Shimaoka Takehiro , Imura Masataka , Koizumi Satoshi , Koide Yasuo 
Published: March 2019

Abstract2D electron and hole gases (2DEG or 2DHG) based on semiconductor surface/interface or 2D materials are promising for next‐generation integrated circuits and high‐frequency and ‐power electronics. To reduce power consumption, normally off operation and low‐switching‐loss metal‐oxide field‐effect transistors (MOSFETs) based on 2DEG or 2DHG are highly in demand. The present methods to achieve normally off MOSFETs have various shortcomings such as reduction in carrier mobility, sacrifice of drain current, high uncertainty in threshold voltage, and poor reliability. Here a universal device concept called a metal–insulator–metal‐semiconductor field‐effect transistor (MIMS‐FET) to achieve normally off operation is shown by combining the advantages of MOSFETs and metal‐semiconductor FETs. High‐performance MIMS‐FETs based on 2DHG of diamond with a low subthreshold swing of ≈76 mV dec−1, on–off current ratio exceeding 109, and high thermal stability up to 623 K are realized. The current work provides a strategy to develop next‐generation energy‐efficient electronic circuits as well as fail‐safety power devices. The proposed concept also adds diversity to the semiconductor devices family.
Dimensionality Dependent Plasticity in Halide Perovskite Artificial Synapses for Neuromorphic Computing
Authors: Kim Sung‐Il , Lee Yeongjun , Park Min‐Ho , Go Gyeong‐Tak , Kim Young‐Hoon , Xu Wentao , Lee Hyeon‐Dong , Kim Hobeom , Seo Dae‐Gyo , Lee Wanhee , Lee Tae‐Woo 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe hysteretic behavior of organic–inorganic halide perovskites (OHPs) are exploited for application in neuromorphic electronics. Artificial synapses with 2D and quasi‐2D perovskite are demonstrated that have a bulky organic cation (phenethylammonium (PEA)) to form structures of (PEA)2MAn‐1PbnBr3n+1. The OHP films have morphological properties that depend on their structure dimensionality (i.e., n value), and artificial synapses fabricated from them show synaptic responses such as short‐term plasticity, paired‐pulse facilitation, and long‐term plasticity. The operation mechanism of OHP artificial synapses are also analyzed depending on the dimensionality and it is found that quasi‐2D (n = 3–5) OHP artificial synapses show much longer retention than 2D and 3D OHP counterparts. The calculated energy consumption of a 2D OHP artificial synapse (≈0.7 fJ per synaptic event) is comparable to that of biological synapses (1–10 fJ per synaptic event). These OHP artificial synapses may enable development of neuromorphic electronics that use very little energy.
An Electric‐Field‐Controlled High‐Speed Coexisting Multibit Memory and Boolean Logic Operations in Manganite Nanowire via Local Gating
Authors: Shi Qian , Jiang Fengxian , Yu Yang , Lin Hanxuan , Kou Yunfang , Miao Tian , Liu Hao , Yang Wenting , Wang Wenbin , Cai Peng , Xu Xiaohong , Guo Hangwen , Yin Lifeng , Shen Jian 
Published: March 2019

AbstractIn‐memory computing is currently a hot research field and shows potential to overcome the Von Neumann bottleneck in conventional computers. Most proposed designs demand use of electrical current, which will generate substantial heat and power consumption when miniaturized. Here, multibit memory and Boolean logic operation are shown at the same location in a manganite nanowire through electric field exploitation. Local electrical fields are employed to control eight‐level resistive states with high accuracy along with Boolean logic operations. Such architecture only requires current density of 4 × 101 A cm−2 for resistance measurements, which is four orders of magnitude smaller than state‐of‐the‐art designs. In addition, the device shows a resistive switching time within 8 ns, which is suitable for high‐speed electronics technology. This study highlights a route towards in‐memory computing with low heat dissipation and power consumption.
A Stand‐Alone Si‐Based Porous Photoelectrochemical Cell
Authors: Vijselaar Wouter J. C. , Perez‐Rodriguez Paula , Westerik Pieter J. , Tiggelaar Roald M. , Smets Arno H. M. , Gardeniers Han , Huskens Jurriaan 
Published: March 2019

AbstractWireless photoelectrochemical (PEC) devices promise easy device fabrication as well as reduced losses. Here, the design and fabrication of a stand‐alone ion exchange material‐embedded, Si membrane‐based, photoelectrochemical cell architecture with micron‐sized pores is shown, to overcome the i) pH gradient formation due to long‐distance ion transport, ii) product crossover, and iii) parasitic light absorption by application of a patterned catalyst. The membrane‐embedded PEC cell with micropores utilizes a triple Si junction cell as the light absorber, and Pt and IrOx as electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reactions and oxygen evolution reactions, respectively. The solar‐to‐hydrogen efficiency of 7% at steady‐state operation, as compared to an unpatterned ηPV of 10.8%, is mainly attributed to absorption losses by the incorporation of the micropores and catalyst microdots. The introduction of the Nafion ion exchange material ensures an intrinsically safe PEC cell, by reducing the total gas crossover to <0.1%, while without a cation exchange membrane, a crossover of >6% is observed. Only in a pure electrolyte of 1 m H2SO4, a pH gradient‐free system is observed thus completely avoiding the build‐up of a counteracting potential.
Structural Engineering of Hierarchical Micro‐nanostructured Ge–C Framework by Controlling the Nucleation for Ultralong‐Life Li Storage
Authors: Zhang Shilin , Zheng Yang , Huang Xuejuan , Hong Jian , Cao Bin , Hao Junnan , Fan Qining , Zhou Tengfei , Guo Zaiping 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe rational design of a proper electrode structure with high energy and power densities, long cycling lifespan, and low cost still remains a significant challenge for developing advanced energy storage systems. Germanium is a highly promising anode material for high‐performance lithium ion batteries due to its large specific capacity and remarkable rate capability. Nevertheless, poor cycling stability and high price significantly limit its practical application. Herein, a facile and scalable structural engineering strategy is proposed by controlling the nucleation to fabricate a unique hierarchical micro‐nanostructured Ge–C framework, featuring high tap density, reduced Ge content, superb structural stability, and a 3D conductive network. The constructed architecture has demonstrated outstanding reversible capacity of 1541.1 mA h g−1 after 3000 cycles at 1000 mA g−1 (with 99.6% capacity retention), markedly exceeding all the reported Ge–C electrodes regarding long cycling stability. Notably, the assembled full cell exhibits superior performance as well. The work paves the way to constructing novel metal–carbon materials with high performance and low cost for energy‐related applications.