Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Alexander M. Bergmann, Carsten Donau, Fabian Spaeth, Kevin Jahnke, Kerstin Goepfrich, Job Boekhoven
Summary: This study successfully encapsulates the active droplet model using droplet-based microfluidics, and reveals that the concentration of fuel determines the formation and properties of the droplets. The droplets grow through fusion and decay simultaneously, regardless of their volume, and the rate of shrinkage is proportional to their initial volume. This method helps to further understand the regulation of membraneless organelles and provides a basis for future selection- or evolution-based studies.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Cagatay M. Oral, Martina Ussia, Martin Pumera
Summary: In this study, enzyme-immobilized self-propelled zinc oxide microrobots were proposed to effectively remove antibiotics released into water bodies. The presence of laccase enzyme on the microrobot surfaces enhanced the removal of antibiotics via oxidation. This concept provides an environmentally friendly strategy for the removal of released antibiotics from water bodies.
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Lorenzo Monacelli, Ion Errea, Matteo Calandra, Francesco Mauri
Summary: Numerical calculations considering the quantum fluctuations of protons under high pressure explain the optical properties of hydrogen, with hydrogen metallization predicted to occur at 380 GPa in phase III. Replacing hydrogen with deuterium is expected to substantially increase the conductivity and optical gap, emphasizing the isotope dependence of metallization driven by quantum fluctuations.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Quentin Brosseau, Florencio Balboa Usabiaga, Enkeleida Lushi, Yang Wu, Leif Ristroph, Michael D. Ward, Michael J. Shelley, Jun Zhang
Summary: This study demonstrates that tail-heavy swimmers have a preference for upward orientation and ascending along inclined planes when propelled by autophoretic bimetallic nanorods in hydrogen peroxide fuel. The interaction with solid boundaries greatly facilitates this gravitaxis, allowing even extremely heavy microswimmers to climb nearly vertical surfaces. The theory and simulations suggest that the alignment of the rods is reinforced by a fore-aft drag asymmetry induced by hydrodynamic interactions with the wall.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Shuai Yang, Meng Li, Chu Li, Linyu Yan, Qiang Li, Qihuang Gong, Yan Li
Summary: Self-propelled autonomous devices have wide application potential in energy conservation, environmental protection, and biomedical engineering. However, traditional driving forces often require external energy or special chemicals. In this study, a novel and environmentally friendly droplet-driven device (DDD) was developed, which consists of superhydrophilic triangles on a superhydrophobic plate processed solely by a femtosecond laser. The DDD is driven by a water droplet flow along a superhydrophilic channel and can be manipulated by changing the point angle of the triangle and the volume of the droplet. By fabricating multiple or special channels, the DDD can translate, rotate, and even carry objects, providing a new approach for the fabrication of green self-propelled autonomous devices and their application in intelligent systems and environmental protection.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Miguel Angel Alvarez, Jose Reslen
Summary: The grand canonical thermodynamics of a bosonic system is analyzed to identify the evidence of its high-density quantum phase transition. The system displays recognizable patterns at finite temperature near the boundary of the equilibrium diagram, which were established by the phases observed at zero temperature. The study establishes a framework for investigating the phenomenon of condensation under the influence of attraction.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICS A-MATHEMATICAL AND THEORETICAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chaoyang Gong, Zhen Qiao, Song Zhu, Wenjie Wang, Yu-Cheng Chen
Summary: The study demonstrates the dynamic behavior of strong light-matter interactions in complex biological structures providing hidden information on optical coupling in a network, and introduces the concept of biophotonic lasing network. Different lasing patterns were observed from self-assembled amyloids with various structural dimensions, offering potential for applications.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaoxue Du, Fei Yang, Yanjun Liu, Helen F. Gleeson, Dan Luo
Summary: This paper demonstrates light-driven changes in the topological configuration of cholesteric liquid crystals (CLC) droplets, which are experimentally examined. By doping azo-LC into CLC droplets and irradiating them with UV light, novel topological configurations with stable 3D structures are created. The configuration changes are a result of light-induced cholesteric-isotropic phase transition in liquid crystals. Various topological configurations are achieved, such as closed-ring structures with cone-shaped centers and concentric elliptical centers, and open-ring structures formed under unidirectional UV light illumination. Structures with parallel CLC pitch lines at the center and a central point singularity are also formed under multidirectional illumination. These new topological configurations are stable and controllable by light, enabling CLC droplets with novel characteristics and potential applications in biosensors and microlasers.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Oleksandr A. Semenikhin, Olesia I. Kucheriv, Liviu Sacarescu, Sergiu Shova, Il'ya A. Gural'skiy
Summary: By using the antisolvent precipitation technique and stabilization with a cationic surfactant, we successfully synthesized luminescent quantum dots with tunable properties. This work demonstrates the potential of aziridinium-based materials for the fabrication of advanced photonic nanostructures.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Kotaro Shimizu, Shun Okumura, Yasuyuki Kato, Yukitoshi Motome
Summary: This study investigates the impact of magnetic interaction anisotropy on topological spin textures in chiral magnetic metals through theoretical and variational calculations. It discovers how anisotropy deforms and transforms topological spin textures, leading to changes in their dimensional properties. By tracing the emergence of magnetic monopoles and antimonopoles in real space, as well as the magnetic field generated by noncoplanar spin textures, it clarifies the changes in topological properties when controlling the spatial anisotropy, suggesting potential ways to control topological spin textures in chiral materials.
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Alfredo M. Ozorio de Almeida
Summary: Phase space reflection operators play a crucial role in the Wigner-Weyl representation and semiclassical approximations. They generate transitions between eigenstates and can be described by transition Wigner functions. The probability density of these transitions can be calculated using the inverse modulus of a Poisson bracket. The singularity of the Wigner functions can be resolved using improved spectral Wigner functions.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICS A-MATHEMATICAL AND THEORETICAL
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zh Devizorova, A. Putilov, I Chaykin, S. Mironov, A. Buzdin
Summary: This study investigates the superconducting phase transition in a superconductor/ferromagnet bilayer with Rashba spin-orbit interaction, revealing the relationship between spontaneous supercurrents and critical temperature shift, as well as the dependence of critical temperature on the orientation of external magnetic field. The research also predicts the in-plane anisotropy of the critical current.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Karthik Nuthalapati, Yu-Jane Sheng, Heng-Kwong Tsao
Summary: Manipulating and guiding droplet movement on a substrate using vapor-mediated actuation is a novel approach for microfluidic devices. This study demonstrates the self-propulsion of droplets such as N,N-dimethylacetamide and N-methylformamide on glass through evaporation-driven mechanisms. By adding Silwet surfactant, the wetting behavior of the liquids changes and two-component droplets are formed on the glass. The random walk behavior of the droplets can be directed by hydrophobic runways on the substrate, and the long-range transport of the droplets is observed. The effect of Silwet concentration on self-propelled velocity is examined, and the evaporation-driven mechanism is investigated in open and closed environments.
SURFACES AND INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Guillermo Moreno-Alcantar, Alessandro Aliprandi, Remi Rouquette, Luca Pesce, Klaus Wurst, Claudio Perego, Peter Bruggeller, Giovanni M. Pavan, Luisa De Cola
Summary: Self-assembly relies on the ability of smaller entities to arrange into organized systems, with the design of the media playing a crucial role. The media determines the self-assembly pathway and can control the wrapping process of supramolecular homo-aggregates by a different crystal lattice component. This reverse coating process is controlled by the media composition and could lead to the construction of hierarchical supramolecular structures.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lionel Mercury, Claudie Hulin, Arnault Lassin
Summary: This study revisits the formation of salt damage inside porous materials at the pore scale, demonstrating that supersaturation is essential for this process. Through experiments, it was shown that different methods (drying, temperature change, capillarity) can lead to multistep processes of salt damage, and a novel capillary mechanism was observed. These findings highlight the versatility of crystallization pressure and its pore-size dependence, with implications for materials like cement and stones with nanoscale porosity.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Hongkun Li, Kuncheng Cui, Yang Lei, Jianxin Chen, Yanqiu Li, Derong Liu, Wei Xiong
Summary: Selective catalytic hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde is an important process for the preparation of high-value chemical products. Pt-Fe/Fe-NTA nanocatalysts with excellent catalytic performance were prepared and their properties were studied in detail. The high catalytic activity of Pt-Fe/Fe-NTA catalysts can be attributed to the electron-rich property of the active center Pt and the presence of surface Fe3+ species.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Hui Liu, Minggang Zhao, Jianxin Chen
Summary: A novel and practical method for the asymmetric synthesis of alpha-amino amides has been developed using the reaction between N-sulfonyl imines and N-methyl-N-R-(1-phenyl)ethylcarbamoyl (trimethyl)silane under chiral group induction. The protocol allows for the tolerance of various N-sulfonyl imines bearing different groups, and high diastereoselectivity can be achieved with the use of carbamoylsilane with chiral group.
APPLIED ORGANOMETALLIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jianxin Chen, Yiruo Wang, Zimo Gu, Jixing Huang, Wenjuan He, Panbo Liu
Summary: In this work, a hierarchical yolk-double shell Fe@NCNs/MnO2 architecture is fabricated using thermal-induced phase separation engineering and redox strategy. The composites exhibit matched impedance and wideband microwave absorption due to the internal cavity architectures, multiple hetero-interfaces, dielectric-magnetic synergistic effect, and hierarchical conformations. The minimum reflection loss reaches -46.7 dB with 3.3 mm thickness, and the effective bandwidth (<-10 dB) achieves 10.8 GHz at 3.1 mm.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tianfeng Lao, Jianxin Chen, Xianhang Zhou, Ziwu Zhang, Gao Cao, Zhengquan Su, Yue Yu, Hua Cao
Summary: A simple and efficient visible-light-induced approach has been developed for the formation of stable S-S-N bonds. A series of N-disulfanyl indoles, pyrroles, and carbazoles were synthesized with good to excellent yields via these photocatalytic reactions. Furthermore, the practicability of this approach was confirmed by gram-scale experiments.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Peng Miao, Juan Chen, Jianxin Chen, Jie Kong, Kai-Jie Chen
Summary: Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and their pyrolytic derivates have the potential to prepare high-performance microwave absorption materials (MAMs). This review focuses on the recent progress of MOF-based MAMs, including their types and microwave absorption properties. The MOF-based MAMs show superior performance compared to traditional MAMs.
CHINESE JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Desislava Glushkova, Diana Cholakova, Anita Biserova, Krastina Tsvetkova, Slavka Tcholakova, Nikolai Denkov
Summary: The study found that emulsion droplets can spontaneously change their shape upon cooling, transitioning from spheres to various stable, metastable, and unstable shapes. The stable shapes are equilateral triangular platelets and rodlike particles. These experimental results align with a theoretical model previously developed.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS
(2023)
Article
Virology
Huimin Cheng, Liangbing Fu, Xia Yang, Yujian Yang, Zhening Zhang, Yuan Tao, Junting Wan, Zhengchao Tu, Jianxin Chen, Yingjun Li
Summary: This study explores the screening and identification of 3-aryl-quinolin-2-one derivatives as a novel class of antiviral agents. The derivatives were synthesized using an efficient copper-catalyzed reaction cascade. The most potent compound 34 exhibited IC50 values of 2.14 and 4.88 μM against H3N2 and H1N1 strains, respectively, without cytotoxicity on MDCK cells. The findings suggest the potential of these compounds as novel anti-influenza agents.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jianxin Chen, Yiruo Wang, Yufei Liu, Ye Tan, Jia Zhang, Panbo Liu, Jie Kong
Summary: This study proposes a new cooperative method for constructing hollow macroporous magnetic carbon fibers, aiming to solve the conflicts between lightweight characteristics and high absorption performance in microwave absorbents. The fabricated fibers exhibit excellent microwave attenuation performance and can meet the demand for electromagnetic protection.
Article
Materials Science, Composites
Shuhang Liu, Yiting Guo, Guoxin Hu, Sichen Wu, Jie Xu, Jianxin Chen, Weronika Bulejak, Harry Baxter, Bin Yang, Jie Kong, Miko laj Szafran, Feng Gao
Summary: Ceramic/polyetheretherketone (PEEK) composites have attracted great interest in the scientific community due to their outstanding dielectric and mechanical characteristics. This study used polyethersulfone resin (PES) as an interface modifier to improve the physical and electrical properties of barium strontium titanate (Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3, BST)/PEEK materials. The results showed that PES improved the dispersion of BST particles in the polymer, leading to enhanced dielectric properties.
COMPOSITES SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Diana Cholakova, Slavka Tcholakova, Nikolai Denkov
Summary: This paper studies the polymorphic behavior of complex TAG mixtures, composed of two to six mixed TAGs, in order to reveal the general rules for their phase behavior upon cooling and heating. The results show that two or more coexisting phases form upon solidification, the number of which depends on the cooling rate and the number of components in the mixture. The structure of the most stable beta polymorphs formed upon subsequent heating does not depend on the thermal history of the samples.
CRYSTAL GROWTH & DESIGN
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xia Yang, Hailiang Sun, Zhening Zhang, Weixin Ou, Fengxiang Xu, Ling Luo, Yahong Liu, Weisan Chen, Jianxin Chen
Summary: Influenza A virus (IAV) infections pose a serious threat to public health and there is an urgent need for novel anti-IAV medications. This study reveals that ginsenoside rk1 (G-rk1) and G-rg5, derived from panax ginseng, exhibit significant antiviral effects against different IAV subtypes both in vitro and in vivo. G-rk1 specifically blocks IAV binding to sialic acid and interacts with HA1, making it a potential approach for preventing and treating IAV infections.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stoyan Iliev, Sonya Tsibranska, Ilia Kichev, Slavka Tcholakova, Nikolai Denkov, Anela Ivanova
Summary: In this study, a comprehensive method is developed to analyze the structure of quasilinear organic molecules arranged in a polycrystalline sample generated by molecular dynamics. A linear alkane, hexadecane, is used as a test case to observe its behavior during cooling. Instead of a direct transition from liquid to solid, hexadecane forms a short-lived rotator phase before transitioning to the crystalline phase. The proposed methodology involves identifying and separating individual crystallites, fitting the eigenplane of each crystallite, computing the tilt angle of the molecules relative to the eigenplane, estimating the average area per molecule and distance to nearest neighbors using 2D Voronoi tessellation, and quantifying the orientation of molecules with respect to each other through visualization of the second molecular principal axis.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xia Yang, Feixiang Long, Weixin Jia, Mingxin Zhang, Guanming Su, Ming Liao, Zhenling Zeng, Weisan Chen, Jianxin Chen
Summary: We demonstrated that artemisinin and its derivative artesunate (AS) have broad antiviral activity against H5N1, H1N1, H3N2, and oseltamivir-resistant influenza A virus in vitro. AS treatment significantly protected mice from lethal challenges with H1N1 and H5N1 IAV, and the combination of AS and peramivir showed improved survival outcomes compared to monotherapy. Mechanistically, AS inhibited PDE4, induced cAMP accumulation, reduced ERK phosphorylation, and blocked IAV vRNP export, thus suppressing IAV replication.
ANTIVIRAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Jianxin Chen, Dawei Ding, Cupjin Huang, Qi Ye
Summary: We propose an arbitrary single-qubit gate compilation scheme on superconducting processors that uses the phase shift of microwave pulses to obtain a continuous gate set. This scheme is compatible with any two-qubit gate, requiring only calibration of X pi and X pi/2 pulses. In an experimental implementation on a fluxonium device, we achieve state-of-the-art fidelities [Phys. Rev. Lett. 130, 070601 (2023)]. We present two alternative schemes: one involving an X pi pulse and a pulse with a variable rotation angle, and the other requiring four X pi/2 pulses. Additionally, we discover that virtual gates around any axis can be performed if virtual Z gates are possible. Our findings are applicable to any physical platform that supports native virtual Z gates.
PHYSICAL REVIEW RESEARCH
(2023)
