A Novel Distributed Hybrid Cognitive Strategy for Odor Source Location in Turbulent and Sparse Environment.

Precise odor source localization in turbulent and sparse environments plays a vital role in enabling robotic systems for hazardous chemical monitoring and effective disaster response. To address this, we propose Cooperative Gravitational-Rényi Infotaxis (CGRInfotaxis), a distributed decision-optimization framework that combines multi-agent collaboration with hybrid cognitive strategy to improve search efficiency and robustness. The method integrates a gravitational potential field for rapid source convergence and Rényi divergence-based probabilistic exploration to handle sparse detections, dynamically balanced via a regulation factor.

Robust Mesoporous SiO-Coated TiO Colloidal Nanocrystal with Enhanced Adsorption, Stability, and Adhesion for Photocatalytic Antibacterial and Benzene Removal.

The utility of nanostructured TiO in the degradation of organic compounds and the disinfection of pathogenic microorganisms represents an important endeavor in photocatalysis. However, the low photocatalytic efficiency of TiO remains challenging. Herein, we report a robust photocatalytic route to benzene removal rendered by enhancing its adsorption capacity via rationally designed mesoporous SiO-coated TiO colloids.

The Effects of Calcium Phosphate Bone Cement Preparation Parameters on Injectability and Compressive Strength for Minimally Invasive Surgery.

Compared with biocompatibility, osteoconductivity, and mechanical properties, the poor injectability of calcium phosphate bone cements (CPCs) is always ignored, which actually hinders the development of CPC clinical transfer in minimally invasive orthopedic surgeries. Moreover, currently, CPC preparation in the clinic is labor-intensive and requires well-trained technicists, which might also result in the unstable quality of CPCs. In this work, we focused on three research objectives: (i) introducing a standardized preparation method for CPCs; (ii) studying the effects of preparation parameters on CPC injectability and compressive strength; and (iii) studying the injecting condition effects on CPC injectability, aiming to overcome CPCs' disadvantages in minimally invasive surgeries.

Metal ion-enhanced photosynthetic bacteria for bioplastic production from kitchen waste digestate: performance and mechanism.

Background: Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) production from food waste by photosynthetic bacteria (PSB) face the bottleneck of low production efficiency. Metal ions have the potential to enhance the PHB production by PSB. Thus, for the first time, this study explored the effect of Fe and Mn on the enhancement of PHB production from kitchen waste digestate by PSB and their enhancement mechanism.

Challenges in Dielectric Elastomer Artificial Muscles: Paving the Way for Real-World Soft-Robot Applications.

Dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) have emerged as leading candidates for artificial muscles in high-performance soft robotics, simultaneously offering large reversible deformations, excellent mechanical compliance, a fast response, and a high energy density. These features make them ideal for broad applications that require versatile adaptability, lightweight construction, and safe human-machine interactions. Despite their potential, their practical implementation remains hindered by several interrelated challenges, including high driving voltages, poor electromechanical stability, limited power density, and inadequate cycling durability.

Volcano-Shaped Relationship Between Interfacial K-HO Ratio and CO Reduction Activity in Tandem Electrocatalysts.

Modulating surface-active hydrogen (*H) supply represents a critical strategy to boost the electrocatalytic CO reduction reaction (ECRR), yet the mechanistic interplay between *H dynamics and catalytic behavior remains ambiguous. Herein, we construct tandem catalysts (M/NiNC, M = Fe, Co, Cu, or Mn) by coupling tetranuclear metal clusters (M) with single-atom Ni sites on N-doped carbon (NiNC) to regulate *H supply. Experimental and theoretical results reveal that the *H supply is governed by both thermodynamics and kinetic factors.

Visible-Light-Activated Multi-Color Tunable Time-Dependent Afterglow Triggered by Variable Conjugation Effects via the Transformation of Matrix.

Achieving multi-color tunable time-dependent afterglow color (TDAC) in pure organic materials under visible light excitation remains a significant challenge. Herein, TDAC composites (CDs/U) are prepared with multi-color tunability upon visible-light excitation. Furthermore, the TDAC mechanism is the coexistence of shorter-lived afterglow and longer-lived afterglow.

AlzhiNet: Traversing from 2D-CNN to 3D-CNN, Towards Early Detection and Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with increasing prevalence among the ageing population, necessitating early and accurate diagnosis for effective disease management. In this study, we present a novel hybrid deep learning framework, AlzhiNet, that integrates both 2D convolutional neural networks (2D-CNNs) and 3D convolutional neural networks (3D-CNNs), along with a custom loss function and volumetric data augmentation, to enhance feature extraction and improve classification performance in AD diagnosis. According to extensive experiments, AlzhiNet outperforms standalone 2D and 3D models, highlighting the importance of combining these complementary representations of data.

Prediction and optimization of in-situ excess sludge reduction in wastewater treatment process by machine learning.

In-situ excess sludge reduction includes three main techniques: uncoupling metabolism, lysis-cryptic growth, and microbial predation. In this study, machine learning was utilized to analyze in-situ sludge reduction, addressing the gap between large dataset and industrial needs. The best prediction model was Random Forest (R = 0.

Cationic Defect Engineering for Promoting Oxidation of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural While Passivating OER.

Electrochemical organic oxidation has shown great industrial potential due to its green, low-carbon, and energy-efficient advantages. However, the competing oxygen evolution reaction (OER) severely impacts the faradaic efficiency and conversion rate of organic oxidation reactions. In this work, we report a method that can promote the oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMFOR) while suppressing the OER, which is achieved by etching NiMnFe-LDH with ,-dimethylacetamide (DMF), resulting in the formation of numerous cationic defects.

Multi-CEM-embedded microfluidic system for simultaneous molecular enrichment and separation by multi-stage ion concentration polarization.

The ion concentration polarization (ICP) effect is widely utilized in low-abundance particle preconcentration with a high enrichment factor. However, it is still challenging to realize the locational molecular separation based on their mobilities in traditional single-cation-exchange-membrane (CEM) microsystems. In this study, we developed a multi-CEM-embedded molecular enrichment and separation system leveraging the ICP effect, where analytes could be selectively enriched at distinct membrane interfaces.

Exceptional n-Type Ionic Thermoelectric Hydrogels by Synergistic Hydrophobic and Coordination Interactions.

Ionic thermoelectric (i-TE) materials show promise for flexible energy harvesting and self-powered sensing due to their high ionic Seebeck coefficients (S). However, achieving both high thermoelectric performance and mechanical stretchability, especially in n-type systems, remains a critical challenge. Herein, a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-based n-type i-TE hydrogel is presented that exhibits both large negative S (-38.

Lanthanide-Containing Bilayer Polymers With Programmable Wrinkling Dynamics Coherent With Visible Light.

A family of lanthanide metallopolymer/polyurethane bilayer polymers exhibiting multicolor luminescence and tunable wrinkling behavior are engineered to combat escalating challenges in information forgery and data leakage. These architectures are fabricated by spin-coating a lanthanide-coordinated metallopolymer skin layer onto a polyurethane substrate, facilitating strained-induced topographical transformations through a tensile-release process. During dynamic relaxation, the emergent wrinkled topographies modulate optical diffraction, yielding three distinct states: diffuse scattering (frosted glass effect), constructive interference (iridescent rainbow effect), and optical transparency.

Iodine Dopants Facilitate Tandem Catalysis via Transformation Adsorption Behavior for Efficient Electrochemical Nitrate Reduction Reaction.

Electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (NORR) has great potential for simultaneously achieving nitrate-rich wastewater treatment and ammonia (NH) synthesis. Given that the NORR process encompasses distinct steps of deoxygenation and hydrogenation, the active sites of most catalysts frequently demonstrate similar adsorption behavior. In this work, the second-shell iodine-doped modified cobalt single atoms (I-CoN) and cobalt atomic clusters (Co AC) anchored on nitrogen-doped carbon (Co SAAC/INC) are synthesized through a mild etching synchronization doping strategy.

An efficient hybrid reliability analysis method with application to the harmonic drive.

The harmonic drive is a new type of high-efficiency gear transmission system, widely used in precision machinery, robotics, and aerospace due to its compact structure and high transmission accuracy, and the multiple uncertain parameters in it will seriously affect its transmission performance. In this paper, the limit state functions for multiple failure modes of harmonic drive are established based on the stress-strength interference theory. Considering the hybrid uncertainties in the harmonic drive, the modified chaos control method and multiplicative dimension reduction method are coupled to solve the probabilistic and interval reliabilities continuously.

Robust Hydrogel Sensors Induced by Intermolecular Mechanical Interlocking of Covalent Organic Frameworks for Non-Invasive Health Monitoring.

The compromise of tensile strength and toughness is essential for conductive hydrogels to enhance their cycling stability and mechanical durability in wearable strain sensors. It is effective but challenging to balance energy dissipation. Herein, a new strategy based on the intermolecular mechanical interlocking of the hydrogels has been proposed for improving their tensile strength and toughness.

Gas Dynamically Confined Synthesis of Platinum-Based Intermetallic Nanowires for Active and Ultrastable Oxygen Reduction Catalysis.

Precisely controlling the surface and internal atomic structures of platinum (Pt)-based nanocrystals remains a critical challenge for developing high-performance oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts. Here, we report a gas dynamically confined strategy leveraging hydrogen adsorption to synthesize Pt-based intermetallic nanowires (NWs) with ordered bulk atomic lattices (PtFe L1, PtCo L1, PtNi L1) and abundant high-index {311}, {211}, and {221} facets. Dynamic hydrogen adsorption reduces surface energy and suppresses atomic migration during high-temperature annealing, preserving the one-dimensional morphology and enabling structural ordering, as confirmed by in situ transmission electron microscopy and density functional theory calculations.

Tandem Electrocatalysis With Cu-Based Alloy Catalysts for Efficient Multi-Carbon Formation in Strongly Acidic Conditions.

Electrochemical CO reduction reaction (CORR) in acidic electrolyte enables high single-pass carbon efficiency (SPCE), while highly corrosive acidic electrolytes typically cause catalyst degradation. It is reported that the dealloying of Cu/Ag and Cu/Al alloys, as well as the increased C─C coupling energy barrier, are reasons that advances in neutral/alkaline electrolysis do not translate to acidic conditions. Detailed characterizations reveal the dynamic evolution of the alloy in acidic CORR, that is CuAg undergoes dealloying, re-deposition, and surface restructuration, ultimately forming the stable Ag/Cu interfacial structure.

Multicomponent Protection at Metal/Oxide Interfaces: Electron-Atomic Scale Mechanism of TT-LYK Inhibitor in Cobalt Chemical Mechanical Polishing.

In the chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) of cobalt (Co), surface planarization is critically influenced by the selective adsorption of inhibitor molecules at the metal/oxide interface. Existing studies have confirmed the presence of CoO and Co(OH) on cobalt surfaces; however, there has been no investigation into the adsorption behavior of inhibitors on these oxide and hydroxide surfaces. This area remains largely unexplored in the current theoretical research landscape.

Size matching and electrostatic potential as complementary methods for understanding the metallic cluster configurations inside fullerenes.

The size matching between the internal cluster and the outer cage is widely used to explain the former's configuration in endohedral clusterfullerenes (ECFs). For example, the trimetallic nitride (MN) clusters within smaller fullerenes are expected to become more relaxed in larger ones due to the weak cage confinement. However, recent single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) experiments reveal that, although being planar in C, the ScN cluster exhibits an abnormal pyramidal shape in (51365)-C and (19)-C.

Equilibrium Mechanics in Fracture Reduction of Tibial Plateau.

Background: Tibial plateau fracture is one of the common fractures in the lower limb, mostly caused by high-energy injuries, which may be accompanied by different degrees of compression and displacement of the joint surface, affecting the knee joint alignment, stability, and sports function, and improper treatment may cause various complications, which are a more difficult problem in the clinic. The objective of this study was to investigate the biomechanical mechanisms underlying effective closed reduction in the treatment of tibial plateau fractures, particularly focusing on the performance of the homeopathic double reverse traction repositor compared to traditional traction table methods.

Methods: We developed a biomechanical model to analyze the equilibrium mechanics during tibial plateau fracture reduction.

A Mechanically Matched Hydrogel Incorporated with Biomimetic Mineralized Liposome for Synergistic Nucleus Pulposus Repairment.

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is recognized as a major cause of back pain, yet the underlying mechanism of degeneration remains unclear. Although hydrogels have been explored to replace the nucleus pulposus (NP) to delay IVDD, mechanical incompatibility may exacerbate the degeneration. Moreover, a single mechanical support cannot effectively address the vicious cycle between damaged NP cells and the pathological microenvironment.

Material-Efficient Synthesis of Polymer Membrane-Immobilized Metal Oxides for Advanced Oxidation Processes: Catalytic Mechanism, Stability and Performance.

A unique all-in-one synthesis is presented for membrane-immobilized transition metal oxides, integrating into a single process: metallic nanoparticle synthesis within a polymer dope solution, porous support membrane formation via film casting and polymer precipitation, and aqueous room-temperature oxidation using atmospheric oxygen. This approach achieves near-perfect metal utilization and enables synthesis of different metal oxides under identical conditions. As-prepared CrO, MnO, FeOOH, CoOOH, Ni(OH), CuO, and ZnO are benchmarked in advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) for water treatment at neutral pH and with NaCl and NaHCO.

Action sequence guidance with exposure trajectory technology improves performance of motor imagery-based brain-computer interface.

Background: The paradigms greatly influence the performance of motor imagery (MI)-based brain-computer interfaces (BCI) by guiding subjects to imagine. How to make the guidance clear and intuitive is important for MI-BCI to improve performance.

New Methods: This study proposes a novel MI-BCI paradigm based on action sequence (AS) guidance, which visualizes and choreographs sequential actions to support motor imagery.

Application of Phage-Modified Conjugated Polymer-Based Nanoparticles in the Disruption of Bacterial Biofilms.

Photothermal antimicrobial therapy (PTT) has demonstrated significant potential in eradicating biofilms and reducing bacterial resistance. However, a major drawback of traditional PTT is the lack of selectivity, which reduces the efficiency and can cause substantial damage to healthy cells and tissues. Therefore, improving the precision of photochemical therapy against pathogenic bacteria is critical.