Article
Energy & Fuels
Nahid Chaudhary, Manika Khanuja
Summary: The synthesis of stable hybrid materials for electrodes to exhibit excellent supercapacitor performance is a challenge. In this study, MoS2/PbS hybrid structures were successfully synthesized by a two-step method, with varying concentrations of PbS leading to optimized supercapacitive parameters in the MP100 hybrid structure. The inclusion of metal sulfide enhanced the supercapacitive application of pure MoS2 nanosheets.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pawel W. Majewski, Aaron Michelson, Marco A. L. Cordeiro, Cheng Tian, Chunli Ma, Kim Kisslinger, Ye Tian, Wenyan Liu, Eric A. Stach, Kevin G. Yager, Oleg Gang
Summary: The rapid development of DNA-based assembly methods allows for the creation of organized nanomaterials with versatile capabilities. By creating inorganic, silica-based replicas of 3D periodic DNA-NP structures, the formed nanomaterials demonstrate excellent resiliency and stability under extreme conditions. This approach opens up new possibilities for the use of DNA assembly strategies in creating organized nanomaterials for a broad range of operational conditions.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Aaron Michelson, Honghu Zhang, Shuting Xiang, Oleg Gang
Summary: This study demonstrates a method for creating nanoengineered 3D SiC architectures using DNA-based self-assembly and templating processes, resulting in highly structured and spatially prescribed SiC nanoarchitectures with significant enhancements in electrical conductivity.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ivan Vulovic, Qing Yao, Young-Jun Park, Alexis Courbet, Andrew Norris, Florian Busch, Aniruddha Sahasrabuddhe, Hannes Merten, Danny D. Sahtoe, George Ueda, Jorge A. Fallas, Sara J. Weaver, Yang Hsia, Robert A. Langan, Andreas Plueckthun, Vicki H. Wysocki, David Veesler, Grant J. Jensen, David Baker
Summary: Protein nanomaterial design using rigid fusion of homo-oligomer and spacer building blocks generates user-defined architectures with more geometric solutions, optimized using the Rosetta software. Experimental validation confirmed the assembly states for 11 designs mostly comprising designed ankyrin repeat proteins, exploring their use in cryo-EM structure determination. The dual anchoring strategy reduced flexibility in the target-DARPIN complex, suggesting potential for cryo-EM structure determination of small proteins.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lukas Grossmann, Benjamin T. King, Stefan Reichlmaier, Nicolai Hartmann, Johanna Rosen, Wolfgang M. Heckl, Jonas Bjork, Markus Lackinger
Summary: The study focuses on the synthesis of ordered porous two-dimensional polymers on alkane-passivated graphite surfaces through two-staged photopolymerization. The highly ordered monolayer structures are first formed by self-assembly, followed by complete covalent cross-linking induced by violet light irradiation.
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Chenggen Wu, Xun Zhang, Rui Wang, Li Jun Chen, Meng Nie, Zhiqiang Zhang, Xiaodong Huang, Lei Han
Summary: This review discusses the importance of wearable sensors in the Internet of Things and the use of low-dimensional materials to create high-performance sensors. It introduces the application of sensors based on different low-dimensional materials in wearable devices, such as temperature, pressure, strain, and humidity sensors. The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive overview of the research status and future development direction of wearable sensors based on low-dimensional materials, as well as highlight the challenges in developing commercially viable nanomaterial-based wearable sensors.
Article
Biophysics
Wenhui Chen, Tingting Li, Chengbo Chen, Jinghui Zhang, Ziyu Ma, Weilin Hou, Yao Yao, Wei Mao, Chang Liu, Dezhao Kong, Sheng Tang, Wei Shen
Summary: Precise and early screening of colorectal cancer is crucial for its treatment. In this study, a three-dimensional ordered DNA network was used to detect a colorectal cancer-related biomarker pair, miRNA-211 and H2S. This method allows for simultaneous detection of biomolecules and inorganic gases, overcoming the limitations of single type detection.
BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yu Li, Cuicui Li, Jianyou Zeng, Ting Zhang, Jiachen Li, Zhaoqi Guo, Zhao Qin, Jianhua Yi, Fengqi Zhao, Haixia Ma
Summary: 3DOM-FeCo2O4 with different pore diameters were successfully prepared using PMMA colloidal crystals as a template, and the one with a pore diameter of 176 nm showed the best catalytic performance on the thermolysis of AP. The reduction in decomposition peak temperature and apparent activation energy was significant.
ADVANCED POWDER TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Samantha Llewellyn, Marye Niemeyer, Penny Nymark, Martijn J. Mone, Bob van de Water, Gillian E. Conway, Gareth J. S. Jenkins, Shareen H. Doak
Summary: This review discusses the chronic liver damage caused by exposure to engineered nanomaterials and the challenges in using in vitro models to assess genotoxicity. It identifies the need for advancements in assessing DNA damage in the liver and highlights the importance of supporting various biochemical endpoints in nano(gen)toxicology research.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zhiyuan Xiong, Yang Cao, Wen-Jie Jiang, Lianhai Zu, Qinghua Liang, Dan Li
Summary: This study investigates the impact of shear processing on the electrochemical performance of 2D nanomaterial-based electrodes. It is found that high shear rate during processing can induce ordered structures in the electrodes, leading to improved pseudocapacitive kinetics. These findings highlight the importance of electrode processing for large-scale manufacturing of 2D nanomaterials.
ENERGY STORAGE MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zhe Li, Shunzhi Wang, Una Nattermann, Asim K. Bera, Andrew J. Borst, Muammer Y. Yaman, Matthew J. Bick, Erin C. Yang, William Sheffler, Byeongdu Lee, Soenke Seifert, Greg L. Hura, Hannah Nguyen, Alex Kang, Radhika Dalal, Joshua M. Lubner, Yang Hsia, Hugh Haddox, Alexis Courbet, Quinton Dowling, Marcos Miranda, Andrew Favor, Ali Etemadi, Natasha I. Edman, Wei Yang, Connor Weidle, Banumathi Sankaran, Babak Negahdari, Michael B. Ross, David S. Ginger, David Baker
Summary: In this study, a computational approach was developed to design protein crystals with high accuracy. The crystals were self-assembled from specifically designed oligomers and showed high porosity and stability. This research provides a powerful platform for biological materials engineering.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Alice Comberlato, Marianna M. Koga, Simone Nuessing, Ian A. Parish, Maartje M. C. Bastings
Summary: The research provides the first evidence of the importance of geometric patterns and defined distances of biomolecules in regulating receptor binding and cell signaling. By utilizing DNA-based nanomaterials and crystallography data, the study demonstrates the significance of controlled nanospacing of immunostimulatory agents for immune cell activation. The study creates DNA origami nanoparticles with spatially patterned CpG motifs to activate Toll-like Receptor 9 in macrophages, showing that stronger immune activation is achieved when active molecules are positioned at a specific distance matching the receptor's active dimer structure. Moreover, the study reveals how the introduction of linkers between nanoparticles and ligands can impact binding.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Zhaoyue Lv, Yi Zhu, Feng Li
Summary: DNA nanomaterials, with unique properties such as biocompatibility and precise control, have shown significant advantages as delivery vectors for nucleic acid-based drugs. This study summarizes the recent progress in the design of DNA-based nanomaterials for cancer therapy, showcasing their applications in controlled nucleic acid delivery.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yuxiao Feng, Hongtong Hu, Zichen Wang, Yingjie Du, Le Zhong, Chenxi Zhang, Yanjun Jiang, Shiru Jia, Jiandong Cui
Summary: A novel magnetic amino-functionalized ZIF-8 with highly ordered macroporous structure was successfully synthesized using PS nanosphere monoliths as a template, and catalase molecules were immobilized with high efficiency and loading capacity. The immobilized CAT showed 500% higher activity than CAT/ZIF-8 and maintained 90% activity after 8 cycles of reuse, indicating excellent recyclability and enhanced activity.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qing Liu, Yu Zhou, Ahmed Shaukat, Zhuojun Meng, Daniella Kyllonen, Iris Seitz, Daniel Langerreiter, Kim Kuntze, Arri Priimagi, Lifei Zheng, Mauri A. Kostiainen
Summary: In this article, a light-controlled protein crystal is introduced, which is obtained by complexing the model proteins with cationic azobenzene dyes. The crystalline state can be switched to a dispersed phase under ultraviolet light and restored by visible-light illumination, and this switching can be repeated without structure deterioration. This approach significantly increases the crystallinity and enables the formation of protein single crystals. It offers a method for fabricating optically controlled crystallization and studying metamaterials.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fangqing Wang, Rui Zhang, Yangyang Zhang, Ying Li, Jun Zhang, Wenhao Yuan, Hui Liu, Fei Wang, Huolin L. Xin
Summary: This research reports a carbon-supported single-atom nickel catalyst with boron and nitrogen dual coordination, which shows excellent oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) performance in fuel cells and metal-air cells. Density functional theory calculations indicate that the catalyst has active sites more favorable for the adsorption of ORR intermediates, reducing the thermodynamic barrier and accelerating the reaction kinetics, thereby enhancing the catalytic activity.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chunyang Wang, Ruoqian Lin, Yubin He, Peichao Zou, Kim Kisslinger, Qi He, Ju Li, Huolin L. Xin
Summary: Designing stable Li metal and supporting solid structures (SSS) is crucial for rechargeable Li-metal batteries. Through in situ observations of a solid-state Li-metal battery, two distinct modes of Li stripping controlled by the SSS thickness to Li deposit's radius ratio are discovered. A quantitative criterion is established to understand the damage tolerance of SSS on the Li-metal stripping pathways. This work highlights the importance of designing delicate Li-metal supporting structures for high-performance solid-state Li-metal batteries.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xianyun Peng, Rui Zhang, Yuying Mi, Hsiao-Tsu Wang, Yu-Cheng Huang, Lili Han, Ashley R. Head, Chih-Wen Pao, Xijun Liu, Chung-Li Dong, Qian Liu, Shusheng Zhang, Way-Faung Pong, Jun Luo, Huolin L. Xin
Summary: In this study, disordered Au nanoclusters anchored on two-dimensional ultrathin Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets are explored as highly active and selective electrocatalysts for efficient N-2-to-NH3 conversion. A combination of in situ near-ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and operando X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy is employed to unveil the uniqueness of this catalyst for N2RR. The disordered structure is found to serve as the active site for N-2 chemisorption and activation during the N2RR process.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hua Li, Digantkumar Chapla, Robert A. Amos, Annapoorani Ramiah, Kelley W. Moremen, Huilin Li
Summary: In this study, the structure of the human EXT1-EXT2 heterocomplex was determined in the presence of donor and acceptor substrates. The results showed that only two out of the four glycosyltransferase domains were major contributors to co-polymer syntheses, namely the EXT1 GT-B fold beta 1,4GlcA transferase domain and the EXT2 GT-A fold alpha 1,4GlcNAc transferase domain.
NATURE CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wenjun He, Rui Zhang, Da Cao, Ying Li, Jun Zhang, Qiuyan Hao, Hui Liu, Jianling Zhao, Huolin L. Xin
Summary: In this study, a self-supported microporous Ni(OH)x/Ni3S2 heterostructure electrocatalyst was designed and fabricated, exhibiting exceptional performance in alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at large current density. The electrocatalyst possesses super-hydrophilic property and long-term durability.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wei Liu, Haoqiang Li, Pengfei Ou, Jing Mao, Lili Han, Jun Song, Jun Luo, Huolin L. Xin
Summary: Chinese researchers reported a non-precious Cu-Sn diatomic sites catalyst anchored on nitrogen-doped porous carbon (CuSn/NPC) for efficient CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) to CO. The catalyst showed outstanding selectivity with CO Faradaic efficiency up to 99.1%, much higher than that of individual Cu and Sn single-atom catalysts. The high stability and selectivity of CuSn/NPC were confirmed through consecutive 24-hour electrolysis. Theoretical calculations revealed the activation of CO2 and weakened C-O bonds upon chemisorption on the CuSn/NPC catalyst.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Prashant Kumar, Thi Vo, Minjeong Cha, Anastasia Visheratina, Ji-Young Kim, Wenqian Xu, Jonathan Schwartz, Alexander Simon, Daniel Katz, Valentin Paul Nicu, Emanuele Marino, Won Jin Choi, Michael Veksler, Si Chen, Christopher Murray, Robert Hovden, Sharon Glotzer, Nicholas A. Kotov
Summary: Bowtie nanostructured microparticles display a continuum of chirality and can be used to create photonically active metasurfaces with tuneable polarization signatures for light detection and ranging (LIDAR) devices.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wenjun He, Rui Zhang, Hui Liu, Qiuyan Hao, Ying Li, Xuerong Zheng, Caichi Liu, Jun Zhang, Huolin L. Xin
Summary: A novel NiCo LDH electrocatalyst modified with single-atom silver on carbon cloth (Ag-SA-NiCo LDH/CC) is reported to exhibit exceptional OER activity and stability in 1.0 m KOH. The Ag-SA-NiCo LDH/CC catalyst shows a low overpotential of 192 mV to reach a current density of 10 mA cm(-2), significantly improving the OER activity of NiCo LDH/CC (410 mV@10 mA cm(-2)). Moreover, Ag-SA-NiCo LDH/CC can maintain its high activity for up to 500 h at a large current density of 100 mA cm(-2), exceeding most single-atom OER catalysts.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Peichao Zou, Chunyang Wang, Jiayi Qin, Rui Zhang, Huolin L. Xin
Summary: A reactive wetting strategy is used to achieve conformal and highly reversible Li0 plating/stripping, which significantly improves the reversibility of Li0 batteries.
ENERGY STORAGE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Thi Vo
Summary: Proposed the use of triblock, star-like polymers to design patterning on nanoparticles and developed a theory to characterize their structural organization. Demonstrated tighter control over structural orderings and the ability to pattern directional interactions during self-assembly. Provides a new approach for nanoscale synthesis and enables the design of complex building blocks for materials fabrication.
Article
Electrochemistry
Lei Wang, Yubin He, Huolin L. Xin
Summary: Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) have potential advantages over liquid electrolytes, but suffer from low room-temperature ionic conductivity. A recent study reports a poly(ethyl acrylate) based SPE with added succinonitrile (SN) solid plasticizer, lithium salt, and fluoroethylene carbonate additive, which achieves high room-temperature ionic conductivity. The addition of SN leads to decoupling of Li-ion from the polymer backbone, enabling Li-ion migration primarily through SN.
JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xiang Feng, Michelle M. Spiering, Ruda de Luna Almeida Santos, Stephen J. Benkovic, Huilin Li
Summary: The authors demonstrate the assembly process of the T4 primosome, consisting of gp41 helicase and gp61 primase, using cryo-EM structures. They show that gp41 undergoes a conformational change upon ssDNA binding, leading to ring closure and helicase activation. The activated helicase recruits the gp61 primase through a bipartite binding mode, resulting in the assembly of the primosome on the helicase hexamer.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shaobo Ma, Peichao Zou, Huolin L. Xin
Summary: This study successfully stabilizes the structure of P2-type layered sodium oxide Na0.667Mn0.667Ni0.167Co0.167O2 through a high-entropy doping strategy and proposes a novel HE-NMNC composite. The HE-NMNC demonstrates outstanding rate capability and cycling stability, providing new insights for the development of advanced cathode materials.
MATERIALS TODAY ENERGY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Chunyang Wang, Xuelong Wang, Peichao Zou, Rui Zhang, Shefang Wang, Bohang Song, Ke-Bin Low, Huolin L. Xin
Summary: Understanding the chemomechanical degradation of layered oxide cathodes is crucial for the development of next-generation lithium-ion battery cathodes. Current understanding of their mechanical failure is limited to cracking, while our study reveals a stress-driven phase degradation mechanism caused by severe lattice bending and interlayer shear. This stress-driven phase transformation is a typical degradation modality widely existing in the material. Our work provides new insights into the mechanical deformation-induced phase transformation in layered oxide cathodes through deep-learning-aided super-resolution imaging and density functional theory calculations.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Peichao Zou, Chunyang Wang, Yubin He, Huolin L. Xin
Summary: This study presents a universal solid electrolyte design that allows for a wide range of ceramic LICs to be used in solid-state lithium batteries. The design eliminates the need for electronic insulation or chemical stability in ceramic LICs.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)