Significant Enhancement in Performance and Durability of Near-Infrared Reflective Flexible Triboelectric Nanogenerators Through Surface Modification Strategy via Self-Assembled Monolayers.

Although triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) have been explored as a promising candidate for applications in multifunctional intelligent systems, the realization of highly efficient TENG that synchronously possess reasonable light transparency, high near-infrared reflectivity against solar heat gain, and good mechanical flexibility still remains challenging. Here, we present a reliable strategy that can substantially boost the performance and durability of indium tin oxide (ITO)-free transparent flexible TENG by surface modification via self-assembled monolayers (SAM). Through the modification of SbO/Ag/SbO electrode and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) dielectric layer with SAM of 12-(dodecylphosphonic acid) triethyl ammonium bromide and perfluorinated molecules, respectively, triboelectric charge generation is facilitated due to relatively large work function (WF) difference between the tribolayers.

The Hydrogen Storage Properties and Catalytic Mechanism of the AZ31-WS Nanotube/Pd Composite.

Magnesium-based alloys, known for their high hydrogen storage capacity, suffer from sluggish kinetics and high activation energy barriers. It can be further optimized through synergistic combinations with metal hydrides. This study aims to address these limitations by investigating the hydrogen sorption properties of AZ31 magnesium alloy combined with different compositions of WS2 nanotubes (NTs) and Pd.

Single target formulation of thin film 58S bioactive glasses magnetron sputtering with custom targets from spray-dried bioactive glass powders.

Due to the bioactive properties that stimulate the growth of new bones, bioactive glasses (BGs) have been widely used in fields of medical science. Yet, the lack of mechanical properties limits the application of BGs. Therefore in this study, thin film 58S BGs were prepared magnetron sputtering with customed targets from spray-dried powders.

Supramolecular engineering in hybrid perovskite optoelectronics.

This review explores the emerging field of supramolecular engineering in hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite optoelectronics. The incorporation of supramolecular agents has shown transformative effects on the crystallization, morphology, stability, and performance of perovskite-based materials and devices. We systematically review the types of supramolecular interactions, mechanisms of supramolecular engineering crystallization, synthesis of perovskite quantum dots, and interface engineering advancements for device stability.

Rheo-SAXS study on electrically responsive hydro-gels with shear-induced conductive micellar networks for on-demand drug release.

This study presents a novel approach to creating electrically responsive hydro-gels utilizing a poly(ethyl-ene oxide)-poly(propyl-ene oxide)-poly(ethyl-ene oxide) (PEO-PPO-PEO) triblock copolymer, functionalized with benzene-sulfonate end groups to form sF127. This functionalization allows the incorporation of sF127 into F127 micelles, resulting in tailored micelles designated as FSP when combined with poly(3,4-ethyl-ene-dioxy-thio-phene):poly(benzene-sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS). For comparison, a control system using non-functionalized PEDOT:PSS/F127 micelles, designated FSP, was also developed.

Predicting 30-Day Postoperative Mortality and American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Using Retrieval-Augmented Large Language Models: Development and Validation Study.

Background: Accurately assessing perioperative risk is critical for informed surgical planning and patient safety. However, current prediction models often rely on structured data and overlook the nuanced clinical reasoning embedded in free-text preoperative notes. Recent advances in large language models (LLMs) have opened opportunities for harnessing unstructured clinical data, yet their application in perioperative prediction remains limited by concerns about factual accuracy.

Versatile Organic Electrochemical Transistors with Self-Assembled Coronene Nanofiber Arrays for the Isolation and Detection of Circulating Tumor Cells and Enhanced Secretion of Extracellular Vesicles.

The integration of organic bioelectronic interfaces has opened new avenues for merging biological systems with electronics, offering transformative solutions to challenges in both fields. In this study, we present a novel hybrid organic electrochemical transistor (OECT) featuring self-assembled three-dimensional (3D) nanofiber arrays (NFAs) of small-molecule semiconductors grown on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrenesulfonate active-layer channels. The hybrid OECT was further evaluated for its potential to capture, recover, and biosense circulating tumor cells (CTCs), as well as to enhance extracellular vesicle (EV) secretion through electrical stimulation (ES).

Promoting the signal reliability of non-invasive biosensors a N-doped graphene quantum dot modified Prussian blue analogue protective layer for glucose monitoring.

Precise and reliable wearable biosensors are essential for diabetes tracking, enhancing result accuracy for patients. Prussian blue (PB) has been the subject of numerous studies in biosensor development due to its high efficiency in hydrogen peroxide reduction. However, PB's limited stability, especially in neutral pH environments, constrains its practical application.

Multifunctional Zwitterionic Self-Healing Polymer Electrolytes for Anode-Free Lithium-Metal Batteries: a Computational Perspective.

The practical application of anode-free lithium-metal batteries (AFLMBs) is limited by their poor cycling performance and unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). Self-healing solid polymer electrolytes (SHSPEs) offer excellent flexibility and healing capabilities, which are expected to mitigate dendrite growth and improve AFLMB cycling performance. In this study, a novel zwitterionic SHSPE, P(SBMA-co-BA):LiTFSI, is proposed, and its suitability for AFLMBs is evaluated through density functional theory (DFT) and ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations.

Polyelectrolyte nanoparticles derived from durian seed gum modified with chitosan for selective targeting in cancer cells.

The synthesis of natural polysaccharides from durian seed gum-modified chitosan as complex nanoparticles was successfully developed. The complex formation of nanoparticles was confirmed by H NMR, indicating the interpenetrating polymer network between the durian seed gum and chitosan. The material's physical properties were analyzed using ZETA potential, SEM, FTIR, swelling assay, and spectrofluorometer.

Surface modification of alginate sponge using tannic acid and dodecanethiol for diesel oil spill separation from water.

An environmentally friendly absorbent sponge was successfully developed for diesel spill remediation via alginate polymer crosslinking followed by surface modification using tannic acid and dodecanethiol (TA/Do). The optimal sponge was obtained with a 3 h crosslinking duration, achieving a balance between absorption performance and structural durability, while longer crosslinking times led to increased density and reduced efficiency. Surface modification imparted hydrophobicity to the alginate sponge, confirmed by a water contact angle of 120.

Referenceless reduction of spin-echo echo-planar imaging distortion with generative displacement mapping.

Purpose: We aimed to develop a fully automatic, referenceless method for correcting distortions in echo-planar imaging (EPI) data sets, specifically designed for applications in retrospective studies lacking reference field maps or reversed-gradient scans. This work primarily targets data sets acquired with anterior-posterior or posterior-anterior phase-encoding protocols.

Methods: Our approach used a generative adversarial network to generate a displacement map.

Mechanistic insights into base-free nickel-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling of acid fluoride and the origin of chemoselectivity: a DFT study.

Palladium-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura Coupling (SMC) is a powerful strategy to construct C-C bonds; however, it suffers from the disadvantages of using expensive palladium catalysts and additives. Based on the experimental development of the base-free nickel catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura coupling of acid fluorides (ArC(O)F) with diboron reagent, we carried out DFT calculations to gain insight into the reaction mechanisms. The coupling reaction proceeds four stages: (1) oxidative addition of the acid fluoride to the Ni(0) center to break the C-F bond, (2) transmetalation with diboron reagent, (3) carbonyl deinsertion reverse carbonyl migratory insertion, and (4) reductive elimination to afford the coupling product and regenerate the active catalyst.

Enhanced photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye valorization of a polyethylene terephthalate plastic waste-derived metal-organic framework-based ZnO@Co-BDC composite catalyst.

The growth of industrialization contributes to the pollution of natural water bodies. Among these pollutants, organic dyes and plastic waste materials account for the majority of contaminants and are associated with health risks. This research explores a metal-organic framework (MOF)-based composite catalyst, ZnO@Co-BDC, for the degradation of methylene blue (MB).

Carbon Nanotubes for Rechargeable Na/Cl Batteries.

Rechargeable Na/Cl batteries were developed for the first time using multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) positive electrodes in SOCl-based electrolytes. At room temperature, these batteries delivered high cycling specific capacities up to 3500 mA h g (normalized to CNT mass) with ∼3.9 V discharge voltage at up to 2 C rates over >140 cycles.

A low-cost broadband photodetector based on CsPbBrquantum dots/transfer-free eco-friendly graphene heterostructures for fast photoresponse.

We have successfully demonstrated CsPbBrperovskite quantum dots (QDs)/transfer-free eco-friendly (TFEF) graphene heterostructures with broadband and fast photoresponse. At first, the TFEF graphene is grown directly on the SiO/Si substrates in an atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) system with the copper-foil wrapping methods and camphor precursors. Raman mapping image (15 × 15m) showed TFEF graphene with high coverage across the surface (∼65% single-layer graphene, ∼15% bilayer graphene, and ∼20% multilayer graphene).

Biomechanical effects of cement neck and interspinous process device on locking lumbar interbody cementation.

Background: Locking lumbar interbody cementation is a surgical option in patients with osteoporosis and low mobility. It can quickly stabilize the spine construct and prevent cage subsidence. However, establishing a stable bridging neck cement between the vertebrae and disc is a key procedure.

Enhanced Self-Powered Photodetection Performance of p-Si/n-BaTiO Film through the Photovoltaic-Pyroelectric Coupled Effect.

Although the novel photovoltaic effects exhibited by ferroelectric materials have been applied for harnessing solar energy, the wide bandgaps often lead to low power conversion efficiencies, below 0.5%, as they absorb only 8-20% of the solar spectrum. In addition to harvesting solar energy, these ferroelectric materials have shown promise for photodetector applications, particularly for sensing near-UV irradiation.

Potassium Underpotential Deposition for Defect-Free Lithium Deposition in Anode-Free Li-Metal Batteries.

Defects in deposited lithium (Li) severely cause dendrite growth and promote reactions between Li and electrolytes, resulting in active Li loss in anode-free Li metal batteries (AFLMBs). Herein, potassium underpotential deposition (K-UPD) is systematically established to heal defective Li and create a K-Cu bimetallic interface, facilitating uniform bulk Li deposition. The K-UPD at a potential of ≈1.

Carboxylic Acid- and Amine-Modified Pluronic F127-Based Thermoresponsive Nanogels as Smart Carriers for Brain Drug Delivery.

Introduction: The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a critical protective barrier that regulates the exchange of substances between the circulatory system and brain, restricting the access of drugs to brain tissues. Developing novel delivery strategies across the BBB is challenging but crucial. Multifunctional nanogels are promising drug carriers for delivering therapeutic agents to their intended target areas in the brain tissue.

Flexible polyurethane scaffolds with high biocompatibility for effective chondrogenic performance in cartilage tissue engineering.

Cartilage tissue engineering offers a promising solution for addressing severe cartilage damage. To replicate native cartilage properties, scaffolds must exhibit both load-bearing capacity and the ability to regain their original shape. Balancing elasticity and hardness remains a challenge for biomaterials currently used in cartilage tissue engineering.

A highly-ordered close-packed metallic nanotube array for surface-enhanced Raman scattering.

This study reports on a rhombic metallic nanotube array (MeNTA) for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) applications. The close-packed structure of the MeNTA is made of silver and comprises over one hundred million rhombic nanotubes per 1 cm. The space-efficient arrangement was developed using finite difference time domain simulations, and fabrication was performed using a top-down lithographic method developed for semiconductors, followed by sputtering at room temperature, making it suitable for SERS applications.

Advancing Pharmacy Students' Communication Skills through Real-Time Feedback in Innovative Simulations.

Objective: Effective communication skills are essential for student pharmacists, particularly in telehealth contexts where clear and professional interactions are critical. This study compared 3 simulation-based teaching methods aimed at improving pharmacy students' telephone communication skills, focusing on the impact of real-time feedback vs postsimulation reflection.

Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 114 student pharmacists from 5 Taiwanese universities, assigned to 3 groups: (1) Standard Simulation Teaching Method (STM, n = 58), (2) Modified STM (MSTM, n = 21), and (3) MSTM with Real-time Feedback (MSTM+RTF, n = 35).

Heterogeneous Interfaces of NiSe Nanoclusters Decorated on a NiN Surface Enhance Efficient and Durable Hydrogen Evolution Reactions in Alkaline Electrolyte.

Transition metal selenides (TMSes) have been identified as cost-efficient alternatives to platinum (Pt) for the alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) owing to their distinct electronic properties and excellent conductivity. However, they encounter challenges such as sluggish water dissociation and severe oxidative degradation, requiring further optimizations. In this study, we developed a dual-site heterogeneous catalyst, NiSe-NiN, by decorating NiSe nanoclusters on a NiN substrate.

Toward the Ideal Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution Electrocatalyst: a Noble Metal-Free Antiperovskite Optimized with A-Site Tuning.

To achieve the ideal non-noble-metal HER electrocatalyst in alkaline media, developing conductive systems with multiple active sites targeting every elementary step in the alkaline HER, is highly desirable but remains a great challenge. Herein, a conductive noble metal-free antiperovskite CdNNi is reported with intrinsic metallic characteristics as a highly efficient alkaline HER electrocatalyst, which is designed by the facile A-site tuning strategy with the modulation the electronic structures and interfacial water configurations of antiperovskites. Impressively, the HER performance of CdNNi antiperovskite is superior to various state-of-the-art non-noble metal catalysts ever reported, and also outperforms the commercial Raney Ni catalyst when assemble as the cathode in the practical anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer (AEMWE) device.