Article
Polymer Science
Akihide Sugawara, Taka-Aki Asoh, Yoshinori Takashima, Akira Harada, Hiroshi Uyama
Summary: A mechano-responsive hydrogel was developed using the dissociation of a host-guest complex to induce phase transition of a thermoresponsive polymer, demonstrating a decrease in transmittance when mechanical stress was applied. This strategy provides a new approach for applications requiring controlled functions through applied stress.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yifei Liang, Holly L. Sullivan, Kendal Carrow, Joshua M. Mesfin, Joanna Korpanty, Kendra Worthington, Colin Luo, Karen L. Christman, Nathan C. Gianneschi
Summary: In this paper, a low-ring-strain cyclic olefin monomer (MePTDO) was developed to generate degradable polyphosphoramidates. The resulting amphiphilic peptide brush copolymers self-assembled into micellar nanoparticles and showed excellent cyto- and hemocompatibility, as well as MMP-induced assembly into micron-scale aggregates. When applied in a rat model of myocardial infarction (MI), these particles displayed a distinct biodistribution and clearance pattern, suggesting their potential as a promising biodegradable platform for inflammation targeted delivery.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Yanyao Zhang, Yusheng Tang, Junliang Zhang, Simon Harrisson
Summary: The fluorescence properties of the copolymer can be adjusted by rationally designing the copolymer structure. The asymmetric diblock copolymer shows a gradual increase in fluorescent intensity as the environmental pH decreases, in contrast to the limited and stepwise change of its symmetric block counterpart.
Article
Polymer Science
Xia Huang, Hatice Mutlu, Shaojian Lin, Patrick Theato
Summary: Polysulfobetaine copolymers were successfully synthesized with amphiphilic properties, able to self-assemble into vesicles in aqueous solution and exhibit dual-responsive behavior towards O-2 and temperature stimuli. The switchable temperature-dependent aqueous solution behavior of these vesicles was studied, showing size change behavior via external stimuli due to their suitable chemical structure and stimuli responsiveness.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2021)
Review
Polymer Science
Guangran Shao, Yuan Liu, Rong Cao, Guang Han, Bing Yuan, Wangqing Zhang
Summary: Thermo-responsive block copolymers have attracted a lot of attention due to their mature synthesis technology, well-defined structure, controllable molecular weight, and easy implementation of their nano-assemblies in water through temperature regulation. Previous reviews have mainly focused on their biomedical applications, but these polymers also show promising potential in temperature-regulated adsorption and/or separation, nanoreactors for green organic synthesis, etc. This review summarizes the recent progress in thermo-responsive assembly in water and highlights the applications of five different thermo-responsive block copolymers beyond the biomedical field.
Article
Polymer Science
Ana C. Santos, Sergio P. C. Alves, Goncalo Carvalhao, Natalia T. Correia, M. Teresa Viciosa, Jose Paulo S. Farinha
Summary: The random copolymers of MEO2MA and OEGMA exhibit a temperature-induced phase transition in aqueous solutions, with the transition temperature tunable by changing the monomer ratio. By combining UV-Vis measurements and differential scanning calorimetry, phase diagrams of copolymers with different compositions were obtained, showing significant influence of concentration on temperature response.
Article
Polymer Science
Yuichi Ohya, Hidenori Yonezawa, Chihiro Moriwaki, Nobuo Murase, Akinori Kuzuya
Summary: This study investigates the temperature-responsive sol-to-gel transition of aqueous polymer solution and its potential application in biomedical materials. Block copolymers with different molecular structures were synthesized, and the effects of these parameters on the transition behavior and morphology were analyzed. The results provide molecular design guidelines for preparing biodegradable injectable polymers.
Article
Physics, Applied
M. Bialek, J. Zhang, H. Yu, J. -Ph. Ansermet
Summary: This study characterizes the antiferromagnetic resonance of hematite and estimates its Neel temperature to be 966 K.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jae Sang Lee, Min Jeong Kang, Jae Hee Lee, Dong Woo Linl
Summary: Researchers have genetically engineered block copolypeptides that respond to multiple stimuli and can self-assemble into vesicles and form hydrogels. These stimuli-responsive hydrogels show potential for biomedical applications due to their similarity to human cell behavior.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fiona Diehl, Simone Hageneder, Stefan Fossati, Simone K. Auer, Jakub Dostalek, Ulrich Jonas
Summary: This review discusses the importance of plasmonic nanomaterials in various technologies and introduces a new class of tunable plasmonic nanomaterials that combine metallic nanostructures and responsive hydrogels. The article provides an overview of the principles, design rules, and current implementations of responsive hydrogels and metallic nanostructures, as well as their combination for rapid mechanical actuation and controlled confinement of light. The review also presents the latest advances in plasmonic biosensing, optically driven miniature actuators, and light-fueled micromachines.
CHEMICAL SOCIETY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Sina Hajibabazadeh, Hakimeh Ghaleh, Farhang Abbasi, Kamran Foroutani
Summary: The objective of this study was to fabricate cell sheets using a newly designed thermo-responsive polymer. Thermo-responsive diblock copolymers of PNIPAM-bPS with different ratios were synthesized and characterized. The PNIPAM-b-PS coatings showed a temperature-triggered phase transition in water due to the reversible hydration of PNIPAM segments. Human dermal fibroblasts were able to adhere to and detach from the coatings by adjusting the ratio of PNIPAM to PS segments.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Albert Prause, Michelle Hechenbichler, Benjamin von Lospichl, Artem Feoktystov, Ralf Schweins, Najet Mahmoudi, Andre Laschewsky, Michael Gradzielski
Summary: The thermosensitive aggregation behavior of a library of amphiphilic BAB* copolymers in an aqueous solution is investigated. The study reveals that the choice and length of a thermoresponsive block greatly influence the aggregation, providing insights into the underexplored class of temperature-sensitive polymeric amphiphiles.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Saugata Sahu, Pulak Karan, Ashok Kumar Mishra
Summary: FDAPT is an efficient environment-sensitive fluorescent probe that can sense the alteration of its microenvironment with six different fluorescent parameters. The study investigates the saccharide-induced dehydration of a F127 polymeric micelle using multiparametric fluorescence approach, revealing that saccharide molecules not only decrease the critical micellization temperature of the F127 solution but also strongly alter the physical properties inside the micellar structures. The dehydration efficiency order of different saccharide molecules is found to be trisaccharide (raffinose) > disaccharide (sucrose) > monosaccharide (glucose and fructose), with dehydration occurring more significantly in the core region than in the corona region.
Article
Polymer Science
Ke Wang, Qi Liu, Ganghui Lu, Yi Zhang, Yuanhong Zhou, Siqi Chen, Qian Ma, Guiyan Liu, Yongfei Zeng
Summary: The research synthesized a novel acid-labile temperature-responsive homopolymer with unique dissolution temperature characteristics and prepared an acid-induced phase transition copolymer, providing new ideas for the design of multi-stimuli responsive polymers.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Dhruvi Patel, Debes Ray, Vinod K. Aswal, Ketan Kuperkar, Pratap Bahadur
Summary: This study investigates the self-association behavior of star-shaped block copolymers with varying molecular characteristics and different hydrophilic-hydrophobic ratios in an aqueous solution. The transition of unimers to micelles is observed through scattering experiments. The structural parameters of the micellar system are thoroughly extracted using DLS and SANS techniques. The solubilization ability of the micellar systems for anticancer drugs is also examined.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jyoti, Edurne Redondo, Osamah Alduhaish, Martin Pumera
Summary: This article introduces the advantages of 3D printing technology and its application in manufacturing nanocarbon electrodes. The study found that 3D printing can be used for low-cost and diagnosis of priority nerve agents.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ben Wang, Stephan Handschuh-Wang, Jie Shen, Xuechang Zhou, Zhiguang Guo, Weimin Liu, Martin Pumera, Li Zhang
Summary: Small-scale robots (SSRs) have emerged as promising and versatile tools in various applications, thanks to their ability to perform tasks at small length scales. The viscous and surface forces, such as adhesive forces and surface tension, have become dominant as robots are miniaturized, significantly impacting motion efficiency. Surface engineering with hydrophilic and hydrophobic modifications provides a new pathway to overcome motion resistance and enhance the ability of SSRs to target and regulate robots for various tasks.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Su-Jin Song, Carmen C. Mayorga-Martinez, Jan Vyskocil, Marketa Castoralova, Tomas Ruml, Martin Pumera
Summary: Magnetotactic bacteria can be precisely controlled by applying a magnetic field, allowing them to remove organic phosphate pesticides from aqueous solutions by binding with organic matter. These bacteria exhibit swarm behavior and can move in a circular direction under a programmed magnetic field. This technology shows potential for pollution removal and retrieval in various environments through directional magnetic actuation.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Anna Jancik-Prochazkova, Hana Michalkova, Zbynek Heger, Martin Pumera
Summary: In this study, microrobots based on quinacridone and indigo, members of the organic hydrogen-bonded pigment family, were prepared. The microrobots were fabricated by depositing asymmetric platinum on corresponding micro-particles of quinacridone and indigo, resulting in a homogeneous size and shape distribution. These organic pigment-based microrobots exhibited autonomous locomotion in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, and their internalization into mouse colorectal carcinoma cells was visualized using confocal laser scanning microscopy. This study highlights the potential of fabricating hydrogen-bonded organic pigment-based microrobots for biomedical applications using nanoarchitectonics principles.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jayraj V. Vaghasiya, Carmen C. Mayorga-Martinez, Jan Vyskocil, Martin Pumera
Summary: The authors developed a black phosphorous-based tactile sensor array system that provides touch sensing and audio feedback. This assistive technology is utilized by visually or speech-disabled individuals to communicate using audio as a platform. The piezoresistive tactile sensor based on a black phosphorous and polyaniline composite showed excellent sensitivity, low-pressure sensitivity, reasonable response time, and good cycle stability. A prototype device using six of these tactile sensors was able to convert pressed text into audio to assist visually or speech-disabled persons.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Carmen C. Mayorga-Martinez, Jaroslav Zelenka, Karel Klima, Michaela Kubanova, Tomas Ruml, Martin Pumera
Summary: Modern micro/nanorobots have versatile capabilities for biomedical and environmental tasks. Magnetic microrobots are particularly promising for biomedical applications, as they can be fully controlled by a rotating magnetic field without the use of toxic fuels. These microrobots can also form swarms to perform tasks at a larger scale.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Xia Peng, Mario Urso, Martin Pumera
Summary: Mass transfer plays a crucial role in heterogeneous reactions. Micro/nanomachines, as a promising technology for environmental applications, can greatly improve the performance of purification treatments due to their active motion ability and enhanced diffusion. In this study, we developed Pt-free single-component light-powered WO3 micromotors with enhanced diffusion and effective degradation capability for nitroaromatic contaminants in water.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Stefan Wert, Christian Iffelsberger, Akshay Kumar K. Padinjareveetil, Martin Pumera
Summary: Transition metal trichalcogenphosphites (MPX3) are 2D materials with potential as electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In our study, we found that edge-like defects of FePSe3 crystals exhibit increased electrochemical activity and catalytic activity for the HER. These findings have important implications for the application of these materials in electrochemistry and for understanding the electrochemical performance of layered compounds.
ACS APPLIED ELECTRONIC MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Paula Mayorga-Burrezo, Carmen C. Mayorga-Martinez, Martin Pumera
Summary: Micromachines have been functionalized with magnetic components to achieve efficient magnetic microrobots with photodegradation activity for environmental pollutant decomposition. The influence of photocatalyst on the micromotors' trajectory in conjunction with magnetic motion was investigated. The light-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) power the microrobots and have a strong influence on magnetic trajectories, resulting in an unexpected alteration of their motion direction. These dual magnetic/photocatalytic microrobots showed great potential for catalytic applications in various fields.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Keval K. Sonigara, Jayraj V. Vaghasiya, Carmen C. Mayorga-Martinez, Martin Pumera
Summary: Flexible aqueous zinc-ion batteries with a Ti3C2Tx decorated sulfur cathode and iodine-added amphiphilic gel electrolyte show high storage capacity, good cycling stability, and excellent mechanical stability. They can power various electronic gadgets and offer promising potential for flexible energy storage technologies.
NPJ 2D MATERIALS AND APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jyoti, Jose Munoz, Martin Pumera
Summary: Graphene quantum dot-based microrobots demonstrate potential for optical real-time monitoring of DNA, offering high sensitivity and selectivity.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Radhika Nittoor Veedu, Siowwoon Ng, Michela Sanna, Martin Pumera
Summary: 3D printing technology allows for the creation of 3D electrodes, however, printed devices lack certain properties. To improve the photoelectrochemical properties of these electrodes, functionalized 2D germananes can be beneficial and the enhancement of photoelectrocatalytic performance extending with applications beyond water splitting.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Siowwoon Ng, Michela Sanna, Edurne Redondo, Martin Pumera
Summary: Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a popular technique for producing customized parts, and 3D carbon electrodes have great potential in electrochemical applications. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) can create functional coatings on 3D carbon electrodes, enhancing their performance in light-driven water splitting hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
