Enhanced ethylene/ethane selectivity of PI membrane with functionalized zeolite addition.

Mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs), consisting of fillers dispersed in a polymer matrix, have been extensively studied for gas separation. However, their application in ethylene/ethane (C₂H₄/C₂H₆) separation remains limited. This study examines the impact of incorporating highly selective zeolite fillers into a 6FDA-DAM-type polyimide on C₂H₄/C₂H₆ separation performance.

Photo-Cross-Linked Polyimide Dielectric for Mechanically Reliable High-Performance Flexible Metal Oxide Thin-Film Transistors.

A critical challenge in flexible high-performance thin-film transistors (TFTs) is ensuring the reliability of the dielectric layer with a high-mobility semiconductor, which must maintain its insulating properties while withstanding repeated mechanical deformation. In this study, we investigate photo-cross-linkable photosensitive polyimide (PSPI), 4,4'-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride-3,5-diaminobenzyl cinnamate (6FDA/DABC), as a dielectric material in oxide TFTs using zinc tin oxide or indium gallium zinc oxide as the channel materials. The photo-cross-linked PSPI dielectric exhibited a high areal capacitance of 17.

Enhanced salt removal in flow-electrode capacitive deionization using PEDOT:PSS as an electron mediator.

Capacitive deionization (CDI) is an energy-efficient and environment-friendly water desalination technology that removes salt ions via electrosorption on porous electrodes. Specifically, CDI using flowable electrodes (FCDI) enables continuous desalination without needing discharging, due to the continuous flow of suspended activated carbon (AC) particles. However, its salt removal performance is limited by the insufficient interparticle electrical connectivity between AC particles.

Augmented Thermoelectric in-Plane Power Factor of 0.8 mW M∙K in Solution-Processed 2D MoS at Room-Temperature by Current Confinement.

In the past decade, 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) have gained significant attention as energy materials because of their unique structure and promising properties. Specifically, TMDC-based thermoelectric (TE) power generation has emerged as a sustainable solution to produce electricity using waste heat. However, the dimensional requirement of TMDC thin films for device utilization and their low electrical conductivity have constrained their in-plane TE properties.

Insulator-Based Dielectrophoresis for Purifying Semiconductor Industry-Compatible Chemicals with Trace Nanoparticles.

As semiconductor scaling advances below 2-3 nm dimensions, precise control of nanoscale impurities becomes crucial for maintaining device performance and production yield. Conventional purification methods, such as distillation and filtration, are ineffective in removing nanoparticles smaller than 10 nm. This study investigates insulator-based dielectrophoresis (iDEP) for efficient removal of silica nanoparticles from semiconductor processing chemicals.

Taekwondo Kyorugi Players' Perceptions of Referees' Judgements: Text-Mining Analysis.

This study aimed to explore athletes' perceptions of referees' judgements in taekwondo competitions using text mining analysis. Participants comprised 100 taekwondo athletes taking part in the World Taekwondo Championships. A total of 898 pieces of identified keywords data were collected on the perceptions of refereeing judgments.

Berry Curvature-Driven Valley Nernst Effect in Monolayer WSe.

The Berry curvature in a Dirac cone causes anomalous transport phenomena, including anomalous Hall, anomalous Nernst, and Valley Hall effects. Detecting the Berry curvature in a 2D transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) layer requires breaking time-reversal symmetry to create a population imbalance between the K and K valleys. Direct observation and control of valley polarization in a 2D TMD layer remain challenging, especially for practical applications.

Sign Reversal of Hall Conductivity in Polycrystalline FeRh Films via the Topological Hall Effect in the Antiferromagnetic Phase.

The intrinsic Berry curvature in ferromagnetic (FM) materials significantly influences Hall conductivity during the antiferromagnetic (AFM)-to-FM phase transition, as demonstrated through the anomalous Hall effect (AHE). First-principles calculations indicate negligible spin Hall conductivity in FeRh materials in the AFM phase due to time-reversal symmetry breaking. To date, the contribution of the Berry curvature to the spin Hall effect remains unexamined in the context of AHE measurements.

Chitooligosaccharides suppress airway inflammation, fibrosis, and mucus hypersecretion in a house dust mite-induced allergy model.

Background: Respiratory allergy is a serious respiratory disorder characterized by inflammation, mucus hypersecretion, and airway tissue sclerosis. Disruption of the T helper 1 (Th1) and T helper 2 (Th2) immune systems by stimuli induced by house dust mites (HDM) and fine particulate matter leads to the secretion of various inflammatory cytokines, resulting in immune respiratory diseases characterized by airway inflammation. Chitooligosaccharides (COS) are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Water-Borne Fluorinated Polyimide Dielectric for Large-Area IGZO Transistors and Logic Gates.

Thin-film transistors offer excellent and uniform electrical properties over large areas, making them a promising option for various future electronic devices. Polyimide dielectrics are already widely used in various electronic devices because of their exceptional dielectric properties, thermal stability, and desirable mechanical flexibility, which make them suitable for harsh environments. However, the current research on polyimide dielectric materials has certain limitations, such as the use of toxic solvents, high-temperature processes, and deficient coating properties.

Low dielectric properties of alkali-free aluminoborosilicate fiber glasses for PCB applications at 10 GHz.

Alkali-free aluminoborosilicate glasses without (GDMC-Si) and with LaO addition (GDMC-La) were fabricated with an aim to develop low dielectric glass fibers for use in printed circuit boards (PCBs) as a reinforcing material in high-speed 5G/6G telecommunications application. This study presents the structural, thermo-physical, and dielectric properties of the glasses. The decrease in glass transition temperature (T) and the increase in coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) were found by the addition of SiO and LaO in the present glass system, which are due to the depolymerization of the glass networks confirmed by the FTIR analysis.

Abnormal Magnetic Phase Transition in Mixed-Phase (110)-Oriented FeRh Films on AlO Substrates via the Anomalous Nernst Effect.

Iron rhodium (FeRh) undergoes a first-order anti-ferromagnetic to ferromagnetic phase transition above its Curie temperature. By measuring the anomalous Nernst effect (ANE) in (110)-oriented FeRh films on AlO substrates, the ANE thermopower over a temperature range of 100-350 K is observed, with similar magnetic transport behaviors observed for in-plane magnetization (IM) and out-of-plane magnetization (PM) configurations. The temperature-dependent magnetization-magnetic field strength (M-H) curves revealed that the ANE voltage is proportional to the magnetization of the material, but additional features magnetic textures not shown in the M-H curves remained intractable.

Thermally Driven Spin Transport of Epitaxial FeRh Films with a Non-magnetic Pt Layer via the Longitudinal Spin Seebeck Effect.

FeRh has been demonstrated to be an important material for the observation of magnetic phase transitions, such as the first-order transition from an antiferromagnetic (AFM) to a ferromagnetic (FM) state, in response to changes in the temperature. This is because of the magnetic moment induced in Rh atoms above the magnetic phase transition temperature. In the present study, we focus on the longitudinal spin Seebeck effect (LSSE), which involves the generation of spin voltage as a result of a temperature gradient in FM materials or FM insulators, and experimentally assess the effect of the crystalline quality of FeRh films and the properties of the substrate on the LSSE thermopower during the FM-AFM phase transition.

Efficacy of tracheostomy for respiratory management in patients with advanced oral cancer.

Background: Many studies have been reported on tracheostomy to prevent upper airway obstruction after surgery. Among these, the scoring system proposed by Cameron et al. quantifies various factors that influence postoperative respiratory failure.

Liquid collagen from freshwater fish skin ameliorates hydration, roughness and elasticity in photo-aged skin: a randomized, controlled, clinical study.

Background/objectives: Collagen is commonly used in diverse forms as a functional component in skincare products. On the other hand, the effects of collagen on human skin are controversial. Dietary collagen hydrolysates from freshwater fish skin ameliorated photo-aged skin of hairless mice.

Controlling Fluorination Density of Soluble Polyimide Gate Dielectrics and its Influence on Organic Crystal Growth and Device Operational Stability.

Fluorinated polyimides (PIs) are among the most promising candidates for gate dielectric materials in organic electronic devices because of their solution processability and outstanding chemical, mechanical, and thermal stabilities. Additionally, fluorine (F) substitution improves the electrical properties of PI thin films, such as enhanced dielectric properties and reduced surface trap densities. However, the relationship between the fluorination density of PIs and crystal growth modes of vacuum-deposited conjugated molecules on PI thin films, which is directly related to the lateral charge transport along the PI-organic semiconductor interface, has not been systematically studied.

Retrospective analysis on prognosis of oral cancer patients according to surgical approaches for effective cancer ablation: swing approach versus visor approach.

Background: For the surgical treatment of oral cancer, it is sometimes necessary to expand intraoral access within the oral cavity. The "swing approach" that involves lip splitting of the mandible and temporary mandibular osteotomy and the "visor approach" that does not split the lower lip and mandible are mainly used. This study analyzed postoperative outcomes such as complications, recurrence rate, and survival rate by these two approaches.

Highly Macroporous Polyimide with Chemical Versatility Prepared from Poly(amic acid) Salt-Stabilized High Internal Phase Emulsion Template.

Macroporous polymers have gained significant attention due to their unique mass transport and size-selective properties. In this study, we focused on Polyimide (PI), a high-performance polymer, as an ideal candidate for macroporous structures. Despite various attempts to create macroporous PI (Macro PI) using emulsion templates, challenges remained, including limited chemical diversity and poor control over pore size and porosity.

Electric Field-Assisted Agglomeration of Trace Nanoparticle Impurities for Ultrahigh Purity Chemicals.

With the advancement of semiconductor manufacturing technology, the effects of trace impurities in industrial chemicals have grown significantly. In industrial processes, conventional purification methods, such as filtration and distillation, have reached their limits for removing nanoparticles from aqueous and acidic solutions. Especially, silicon and silicate are two fundamental byproducts in semiconductor fabrication processes.

Density Functional Theory-Based Approach For Dielectric Constant Estimation of Soluble Polyimide Insulators.

Evaluation of the insulating properties of polymers, such as the dielectric constant and dissipation factor, is crucial in electronic devices, including field-effect transistors and wireless communication applications. This study applies density functional theory (DFT) to predict the dielectric constant of soluble polyimides (SPIs). Various SPIs containing trifluoromethyl groups in the backbone with different pendant types, numbers, and symmetries are successfully synthesized, and their dielectric constants are evaluated and compared with the DFT-estimated values.

Tailoring Three-Dimensional Cross-Linked Networks Based on Water-Soluble Polymeric Materials for Stable Silicon Anode.

For stable battery operation of silicon (Si)-based anodes, utilizing cross-linked three-dimensional (3D) network binders has emerged as an effective strategy to mitigate significant volume fluctuations of Si particles. In the design of cross-linked network binders, careful selection of appropriate cross-linking agents is crucial to maintaining a balance between the robustness and functionality of the network. Herein, we strategically design and optimize a 3D cross-linked network binder through a comprehensive analysis of cross-linking agents.

Green and Facile Synthesis of Hybrid Composites with Ultralow Dielectric Properties from Water-Soluble Polyimide and Dual-Porous Silica Nanoparticles.

Here, we proposed an eco-friendly synthetic method for synthesizing hybrid composites with ultralow dielectric properties at high frequencies up to 28 GHz for true 5G communication from aqueous aromatic polyimide (PI) polymers and dual-porous silica nanoparticles (DPS). The "one-step" water-based emulsion template method was used to synthesize the macroporous silica nanoparticles (MPS). A substantially negative ζ potential was produced along the surface of MPS by the poly(vinylpyrrolidone)-based chemical functionalization, enabling excellent aqueous dispersion stability.

Relative infectivity of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in human alveolar cells.

With the continuous emergence of highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variants, the comparison of their infectivity has become a critical issue for public health. However, a direct assessment of the viral characteristic has been challenging because of the lack of appropriate experimental models and efficient methods. Here, we integrated human alveolar organoids and single-cell transcriptome sequencing to facilitate the evaluation.

Abnormal Seebeck Effect in Vertically Stacked 2D/2D PtSe /PtSe Homostructure.

When a thermoelectric (TE) material is deposited with a secondary TE material, the total Seebeck coefficient of the stacked layer is generally represented by a parallel conductor model. Accordingly, when TE material layers of the same thickness are stacked vertically, the total Seebeck coefficient in the transverse direction may change in a single layer. Here, an abnormal Seebeck effect in a stacked two-dimensional (2D) PtSe /PtSe homostructure film, i.