Physicochemical, polymeric and microbial modifications of wood toward advanced functional applications: a review.

As concern for environmental sustainability continues to grow, wood, as a renewable resource and a composite of natural polymers (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin), has garnered increasing research attention. Traditional wood may have certain limitations in specific applications, such as being susceptible to moisture and biological degradation, as well as shortcomings in strength and durability. Therefore, wood modification has become a crucial strategy to enhance its performance and broaden its range of applications.

Recent Advances in C-Labeling With [C]CO for PET Imaging.

Carbon-11 (C)-labeled radiotracers are invaluable tools in positron emission tomography (PET), enabling real-time visualization of biochemical processes with high sensitivity and specificity. Among the various C synthons, cyclotron-produced [C]CO is a fundamental precursor, though its direct incorporation into complex molecules has traditionally been limited by its low reactivity, gaseous form, and short half-life. Recent advances in [C]CO fixation chemistry through both nonphotocatalytic and photocatalytic methods have significantly expanded its utility in the synthesis of structurally diverse compounds, including carboxylic acids, carbonates, carbamates, amides, and ureas.

Shortwave infrared absorbing and fluorescent BODIPY J-aggregates for high-contrast imaging.

J-Aggregates hold significant promise for high-resolution shortwave infrared (SWIR) imaging, yet achieving robust SWIR absorption and emission simultaneously has been hindered by hypsochromic shifts in absorption and emission quenching caused by undesirable H- and random aggregation. To address this, we developed highly fluorescent BODIPY J-aggregates exhibiting absorption and emission spanning 1000-1600 nm. A key innovation was the implementation of a zig-zag molecular design, which effectively suppressed H-aggregation and minimized intermolecular interactions, thereby enabling anti-quenching SWIR emission.

Construction of chitin nanocrystal/poly(deep eutectic solvent) elastomers via glycidyl methacrylate associated modification, polymerization and crosslinking for artificial skin applications.

A one-pot strategy was developed to fabricate a strong and ductile elastomer composed of chitin nanocrystals and poly(deep eutectic solvent) (ChNC/PDES), based on a dual-network structure formed through glycidyl methacrylate (GMA)associated modification, polymerization and crosslinking. This approach enables the integrated pretreatment, chemical modification, and nanodispersion of chitin within a lactic acid/choline chloride deep eutectic solvent (DES) system. Whereafter, the ultraviolet initiated polymerization of GMA with ChNC and DES components produced a homogeneous elastomer with a maximum tensile strength of 4.

Nanocellulose-assisted construction of conductive gradient hydrogel for remote actuated and self-sensing soft actuator.

Hydrogel actuators show tremendous promise for applications in soft robots and artificial muscles. Nevertheless, developing a stretchable hydrogel actuator combining remote actuation and real-time signal feedback remains a challenge. Herein, a light-responsive hydrogel actuator with self-sensing function is fabricated by employing a localized immersion strategy to incorporate polyacrylamide (PAM) hydrogel network into semi-interpenetrating carbon nanotube/2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO)-oxidized cellulose nanofiber/poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (CNT/TOCN/PNIPAM) hydrogel.

"Fight Fire with Fire": Trace-Water-Induced Controllable Synthesis of Hydrophobic Armors to Stabilize Metal-Organic Cage-Based Crystalline Frameworks.

Metal-organic cage-based crystalline frameworks (MCFs) are distinguished for high porosity and diverse functionality, while their applications are constrained by degradation in wet environments. Inspired by the "fight fire with fire" method in traditional Chinese medicine, trace-water-induced synthesis of armors is proposed to stabilize MCFs. Water at ppm concentration is enriched on the hydrophilic surface of MCFs, and then polymerizes with diisocyanate under the catalysis of MCFs to form hydrophobic shells.

Anionically-Reinforced Nanocellulose Separator Enables Dual Suppression of Zinc Dendrites and Polyiodide Shuttle for Long-Cycle Zn-I Batteries.

Zn-I batteries have emerged as promising next-generation energy storage systems owing to their inherent safety, environmental compatibility, rapid reaction kinetics, and small voltage hysteresis. Nevertheless, two critical challenges, i.e.

Multifunctional biocarbon/cellulose composites: Synchronizing superior EMI shielding, flame Retardancy and biofertilization via cradle-to-cradle strategy.

Current shielding technologies predominantly focus on performance optimization while neglecting fire safety considerations especially in construction building. To address the vulnerability of electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials to accidental fires, we develop sustainable biocarbon/cellulose composites with integrated EMI shielding and flame-retardant capabilities. This approach employs porous biocarbon particles as functional units combined with three-dimensional cellulose networks through hydrogen bonding, van der Waals forces, and physical entanglements.

Origin and return of lignin in agriculture and forestry: Realizing a closed-loop system for lignin biological activity utilization.

Lignin is a biologically active compound that exhibits notable antioxidant, antibacterial, and UV-resistant properties, thereby playing a crucial role in sustainable agroforestry systems. This article provides a comprehensive review of strategies aimed at augmenting the biological activity of lignin, with particular emphasis on its applications in regulating plant growth, controlling pests and diseases, and serving as feed additives. The antibacterial properties of lignin present a viable alternative to conventional copper-based pesticides, thereby diminishing the prevalence of plant pests and diseases while fostering ecological sustainability.

Design of lightweight neural network model for provenance discrimination of Lycium barbarum based on hyperspectral imaging technology.

The study aimed to build a lightweight neural network model for Lycium barbarum provenance discrimination using hyperspectral imaging technology. Firstly, hyperspectral images (336.2-1038.

Research Progress of Supramolecular Gels in the Field of Petroleum Engineering.

Traditional petroleum engineering materials have problems such as single functionality and poor environmental adaptability in terms of lost circulation control and enhanced oil recovery. Supramolecular gels, with their dynamic reversible non-covalent network structure, demonstrate unique advantages in this regard. This paper classifies supramolecular gels into hydrogen bond type, metal coordination type, host-guest type, and electrostatic interaction type based on differences in crosslinking structures.

Chromosome-level genome assembly of Ulmus parvifolia identifies genomic signatures and transcriptional profiling underlying Dutch elm disease resistance.

The lack of a high-quality Ulmus parvifolia genome assembly has impeded research on disease resistance and hindered breeding programs for resilient elm cultivars. In this study, we presented a chromosome-level genome assembly of U. parvifolia using integrated sequencing technologies.

Engineered S-Scheme Heterojunction for Efficient CO Photoreduction on Bismuth Oxybromide.

Artificial photosynthesis presents a highly promising approach for addressing global energy and environmental challenges. However, its efficiency remains constrained by rapid charge recombination and inefficient CO activation. To overcome these limitations, cobalt-nickel layered double hydroxide (CN-LDH) is decorated onto BiOBr nanosheets to enhance Lewis alkaline sites and facilitate charge separation.

Interfacial Engineering of BiVO Immobilized on Sodium Alginate Aerogels Enable Synergistic Photocatalytic-Peroxymonosulfate Degradation of Rhodamine B.

The practical application of powdered photocatalysts is significantly hindered by challenges in recyclability and structural instability. This work proposes a sustainable immobilization strategy by integrating BiVO nanoparticles into a sodium alginate (SA) aerogel scaffold through a facile freeze-drying approach. The abundant hydroxyl/carboxyl groups of SA enable uniform dispersion of BiVO within the porous network, while the aerogel architecture enhances light-harvesting efficiency and mass transfer kinetics.

Natural Chitin/Protein Nanofibrils Isolated from Crab Shell As a Green Platform Constructing a Hydrogel/Aerogel for Environmental Remediation.

Chitin/protein nanofibrils are extracted from decalcified crab shells using 100 mM hydrochloric acid and ultrasonication or high-pressure homogenization, achieving a 94% recovery rate. Further increases in the temperature or duration enhance hydrolysis, leading to a significant reduction in the nanofibril size. The increase in the number of acidic amino acids within the nanofibrils enhances electrostatic repulsion, promoting their dispersion under acidic conditions.

Fabricating a Curcumin-Loaded Chitin/Lignin Micelle Thermoresponsive Hydrogel with Dynamic Contractility and Tissue-Adhesive Properties for Enhanced Wound Regeneration.

Skin exhibits limited self-regenerative capacity following an injury; therefore, it is imperative to develop appropriate wound dressings capable of expediting postinjury closure to prevent microbial invasion and enhance the wound healing process. In this study, poly--isopropylacrylamide (PNI), sodium dodecyl sulfate/octadecyl methacrylate micellar (SA), and micellar (chitin/lignin)-loaded curcumin (Cur) were used for constructing a thermosensitive and tissue-adhesive hydrogel (PNI-SA@Cur), aiming to develop a wound dressing that enhanced wound healing. The results demonstrated that PNI-SA@Cur hydrogel exhibited superior thermal shrinkability, along with excellent adhesion and self-healing capabilities, and it also showed good hemocompatibility and cytocompatibility.

Defect-phase engineered NiTi-TiO enabling near-unity selective photocatalytic CO-to-methanol conversion.

Scaling up methanol yields by artificial photosynthesis at a modest cost remains thermodynamically challenge. Designing concerted reaction sites to control intermediate evolution and stimulate proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) is necessary. Here we show a nickel-titanium-based catalyst that achieves near-millimolar hourly methanol yields with 99.

Exploring the impact of display types of information about autonomous driving in semi-autonomous vehicles on drivers' situation awareness and take-over performance under different driving scenarios.

With the advent of the era of autonomous driving, designing an effective and appropriate autonomous driving information display is crucial for ensuring driving safety. Head-up Display (HUD) is regarded as a promising way for presenting in-vehicle information in the future. This study conducted a simulation experiment to explore the impacts of three types of autonomous driving information displays on HUD on Situation Awareness (SA) and take-over performance, while considering the complexity of different driving scenarios.

Development of bioactive humanized collagen I-PCL composites with enhanced mechanical properties for tissue engineering applications.

The hierarchical assembly of collagen critically affected its biological activity, with type I collagen (COL1) being especially important for tissue organization and cell adhesion. This study aimed to identify COL1 fragments that could be biosynthesized by Pichia pastoris while retaining functional bioactivity. We fragmented COL1 and selected variants based on higher thermal stability (T), net charge, and predicted bioactivity.

Sustainable bamboo modification via chitosan/tannic acid/silver bio-based composite system: A facile spray-deposition strategy for enhanced mildew resistance, dimensional stability, and mechanical performance.

Bamboo's intrinsic susceptibility to mold, stemming from its hydrophilic nature and abundant nutrient content, poses significant challenges for industrial applications. Traditional impregnation modification strategies suffer the disadvantage of long processing time, low modifier utilization efficiency, and limitations in scalability for industrial production. To address these issues, this work proposed a novel, facile, and sustainable modification strategy.

Nanostructured Dyed Wooden Materials for Interior Decoration of Automobiles.

Automotive interior materials are increasingly designed to be environmentally friendly, aesthetically pleasing, durable, and lightweight. Herein, we report on the production of nanostructured dyed wooden materials to meet these requirements for automotive interior materials. A natural veneer is created through dyeing processes at a mild temperature of 45 °C to produce various color materials with a maximum dyeing ratio of 83% and 5-fold liquid permeability due to the partial removal of lignin and hemicelluloses.

Phenylboronic acid-functionalized photothermal nanofibers for enhanced suspension cell adhesion and intracellular delivery.

The development of advanced photoporation-mediated intracellular delivery platforms for suspension cells offers significant potential for biomedical applications, particularly in cell-based therapies. However, critical challenges remain in improving suspension cell adhesion to delivery substrates and optimizing intracellular delivery efficiency. Here, a phenylboronic acid-functionalized photothermal electrospun nanofiber (PPEN) substrate is demonstrated for efficient suspension cell adhesion and intracellular delivery.

Facile surface modification of cellulose nanofiber with "cross-linkable" internal alkene by syringaldehyde in aqueous medium towards mechanically robust nanocomposite hydrogels.

Incorporating "cross-linkable" double bonds into cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) is crucial for fabricating high-performance composite hydrogels. Herein, TEMPO-oxidized CNFs syringaldehyde propiolate ether (TS), functionalized with "cross-linkable" internal alkenes (-C=C-), was synthesized via hydroxyl-yne click chemistry under mild aqueous conditions. This rapid modification yielded 0.