Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ching Wen Lou, Sen Li, Yujia Fan, Ting-Ting Li, Xing Liu, Liyan Liu, Bing-Chiuan Shiu, Jia-Horng Lin
Summary: Polypropylene/polycarbonate/polytetrafluoroethylene (PP/PC/PTFE) composite membranes with micro-nanostructure were prepared by melt blowing and electrospinning techniques. Carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) was loaded onto the surface of the PP/PC melt-blown layer, resulting in high filtration efficiency and excellent antibacterial performance against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The composite membrane also exhibited high filtration efficiency for different particle sizes and maintained good stability after repeated washing and drying.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY-JMR&T
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Guangyao Wang, Dingwen Xiao, Yueguang Fang, Guiling Ning, Junwei Ye
Summary: This study developed nanofibrous membranes with remarkable antibacterial properties using coaxial electrospinning technology. The membranes were applied to facial masks and demonstrated excellent ability to capture airborne particles.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2024)
Article
Polymer Science
Yanlong Zhan, Wen Li, Alidad Amirfazli, Sirong Yu
Summary: Smart control of surface wettability, especially for superhydrophobic surfaces, has gained widespread attention. Shape memory superhydrophobic surfaces, based on the shape memory effect of shape memory polymers (SMPs), can intelligently control surface topographies and wettability, and have shown great potential for extensive applications. This review summarizes recent achievements and applications of shape memory superhydrophobic surfaces, introduces the research background, concepts, and significance, reveals the fundamental wetting theory and models, evaluation of shape memory effect, and mechanism. It also reviews recent advances in magnetic, photo, electrical, thermo, and chemical-induced shape memory superhydrophobic surfaces, and summarizes the major representative applications including wettability control, droplet manipulation, self-healing, and other smart applications. Finally, the future research directions and perspectives are discussed.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yaowen Liu, Siying Li, Wenting Lan, Md Alomgir Hossen, Wen Qin, Kangju Lee
Summary: Poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL)/zein/Ag nanoparticle (AgNP) fibrous membranes were prepared by ultrasonication-assisted electrospinning in this study. The membrane with 1% AgNP content and 30 minutes of sonication time exhibited the best performance in terms of air filtration and antibacterial/antiviral activity. The results showed that the bead-on-string morphology of the membrane contributed to its high performance due to the low packing density and the presence of open interconnected beaded airflow channels and small beads.
MATERIALS TODAY ADVANCES
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Yanpeng Wu, Xiaoyu Li, Qiaoyang Zhong, Faming Wang, Bin Yang
Summary: This study created a PVDF/SiO2/Ag composite nanofiber membrane with superhydrophobic and antibacterial properties using an electrospinning method. The membrane was deposited on PET fibers to create an air filter material. The results showed that the addition of nano-silver significantly improved the antibacterial performance while increasing the concentration of hydrophobic nano-SiO2 improved the hydrophobicity. The composite nanofiber membrane had a filtration efficiency of 99.94% for 0.3μm particulate matter and a drag pressure drop of 112.3 Pa, with a filtration efficiency for air microorganisms greater than 99.99%.
JOURNAL OF BUILDING ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Zhijie Liang, Haibing Cheng, Haiying Wang, Lei Zhong, Qinghui Mao, Dongdi Zhang
Summary: A method to prepare functional fiber by linking nanometer-sized polyoxometalate and cotton fabric has been developed. The composite fabric exhibits a broad absorption peak and color changes in the visible range, showing excellent repetition stability and antibacterial property while retaining natural features after chemical modification.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chonghui Fan, Yuxin Zhang, Zhiwen Long, Alfred Mensah, Qingqing Wang, Pengfei Lv, Qufu Wei
Summary: A moisture-wicking nonwoven metafabric is reported, which combines radiative cooling and evaporative heat dissipation to achieve high-performance thermal and moisture comfort management. It demonstrates excellent selectivity and wettability, and can reduce the risk of excessive sweating by enabling fast evaporation of sweat. The cooling performance of the metafabric can be regulated by applying strains, offering innovative applications in sustainable energy, smart textiles, and thermal wet comfort.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yuanqiang Xu, Xiaomin Zhang, Defang Teng, Tienan Zhao, Ying Li, Yongchun Zeng
Summary: This study designs a multi-layer structured nonwoven material using meltblowing and electrospinning technologies, which incorporates fibers with different diameters and pore sizes. By adding silver nanoparticles, the nonwoven material exhibits excellent antibacterial performance. It has high filtration efficiency and low air resistance, making it a promising filter core for face masks.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Guilong Yan, Zihao Yang, Xunlong Zhang, Han Li, Li Wang, Zhenyu Li, Jingyu Chen, Yuanpeng Wu
Summary: Nanofibrous filters with a hybrid needleless electrospinning technique show potential for filtering particulate matters (PMs). Cellulose acetate/quaternary chitosan (CA/Q-CS) composite nanofibrous membranes were fabricated, with the aggregate structure transitioning from 2D to 3D by controlling the gap between two spinnerets. The CA/Q-CS composite nanofibrous air filter demonstrates high filtration efficiency and low air resistance, as well as excellent biodegradability and antibacterial performance.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shanshan Wu, Jinhui Huang, Shirong Jing, Hui Xie, Shaobing Zhou
Summary: This study proposes biodegradable shape-memory ionogels as eco-friendly and adaptive wearable electronics for robot-assisted rehabilitation. By incorporating polycaprolactone segments into the ionogel matrix, the wearable electronics can conform to joints and provide stable real-time signals for evaluating rehabilitation efficacy. The potential of using these ionogels in long-term rehabilitation training is demonstrated.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Xiaowei Xu, Xinyue Hao, Jing Hu, Weisheng Gao, Nanying Ning, Bing Yu, Liqun Zhang, Ming Tian
Summary: A novel strategy has been developed to prepare a silicone elastic light-triggered actuator with a Janus structure using UV light-induced heterogeneous crosslinking with carbon nanotube accretion. By tailoring various factors, the Janus membranes can achieve multiple deformations and exhibit shape transformation triggered by organic solvent or laser irradiation.
Article
Polymer Science
Ni Yin, Yina Zhuge, Haixia Ji, Fujuan Liu
Summary: This study prepared an electrospun membrane made of biodegradable polyglycolic acid and antibacterial epsilon-polylysine-dialdehyde microcrystalline celluloses, which showed excellent filtration efficiency and antibacterial activity.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jing Hu, Zhenjun Xiong, Yuqing Liu, Jinyou Lin
Summary: This study presents a facile method for preparing a biodegradable composite filter material for air filtration, by overlaying electrospun zein fibers on commercial cellulose paper towels. The flat ribbon fiber filters were found to have higher filtration efficiency and lower pressure drop compared to round zein fiber filters, showing great potential for application in air filtration.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Composites
Xiaoming Qi, Yubing Dong, Md Zahidul Islam, Yaofeng Zhu, Yaqin Fu, Shao-Yun Fu
Summary: The study successfully achieved excellent triple shape memory effect by regulating the crystalline structure transformation of EVA fibers. Dynamic mechanical analysis and differential scanning calorimetry observed a wide melting transition temperature, indicating the superior shape memory effect and tunable reversible effect of EVA fibers. Thermo-mechanical testing showed that EVA fibers have the ability to achieve an excellent triple shape memory effect and a superior recovery stress.
COMPOSITES SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Wenying Cui, Tingting Fan, Yanan Li, Xueyan Wang, Xianfeng Liu, ChaoJing Lu, Seeram Ramakrishna, Yun-Ze Long
Summary: Researchers have successfully developed a robust functional Janus nanofibrous filter that can control air pollution and purify oily wastewater in harsh environments. The filter, with its unique bi-layer structure and synergistic effect of multiple components, has high filtration efficiency and low air resistance. It also offers significant advantages in personal protection and retains excellent performance even after strong acid/alkali treatments. Moreover, the filter exhibits switchable oil/water separation ability, efficiently separating different oil/water mixtures and emulsions.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chengbin Yang, Haoqiang Huang, Nishtha Manish Singh, Cheng Zhou, Guang Yang, Zhourui Xu, Haoming Lin, Gaixia Xu, Ken-Tye Yong, Guillermo C. Bazan
Summary: The conjugated oligoelectrolyte COE-S6 forms spherical nanoplexes with siRNA, which show protective effects, endosome escape, and transfection efficiencies comparable to commercial products. It can effectively silence the K-ras gene in pancreatic cancer cells, inhibit tumor growth, and has low toxicity. COE-S6-based nanoplexes have potential as nonviral vectors for gene delivery.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhourui Xu, Yihang Jiang, Yuanyuan Shen, Lele Tang, Zulu Hu, Guimiao Lin, Wing-Cheung Law, Mingze Ma, Biqin Dong, Ken-Tye Yong, Gaixia Xu, Ye Tao, Runfeng Chen, Chengbin Yang
Summary: This study combines phosphorescent materials with two-photon excitation to improve the generation of reactive oxygen species and precision of photodynamic therapy. A novel phosphorescent-based photosensitizer is successfully prepared, which exhibits high photoluminescence quantum yield and remarkable intersystem crossing efficiency. Encapsulated into a BSA matrix, the photosensitizer shows excellent biocompatibility, low dark toxicity, and high photostability, enabling efficient ROS generation and precise cell damage at the desired location.
MATERIALS HORIZONS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Luyu Zhang, Caichao Wan, Jiahui Su, Chonghao Zhang, Song Wei, Wenyan Tian, Xinyi Liu, Wenjie Cheng, Xingong Li, Xianjun Li, Xin Guo, Ken-Tye Yong, Yiqiang Wu
Summary: This study presents a dual-crosslinked hydrogel obtained by infiltrating a flexible polyvinyl alcohol network into the rigid network of bamboo cellulose. The hydrogel exhibits superior flexibility, shape controllability, self-healing ability, high ionic conductivity, and sensing capabilities. It also demonstrates potential for use in wearable products and as a green platform for creating eco-friendly and powerful functional composites.
MATERIALS & DESIGN
(2022)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Shuangyang Kuang, Nishtha Manish Singh, Yichao Wu, Yan Shen, Weijia Ren, Liangcheng Tu, Ken-Tye Yong, Peiyi Song
Summary: This review focuses on the recent advances in space microfluidic technologies and their impact on the state-of-the-art space missions. It discusses the behavior of micro-sized fluid and microfluidic instruments in space conditions based on hydrodynamic theories. The review categorically investigates a series of successful space missions integrated with microfluidic technologies to outline the reasons why microfluidic components and operations have become crucial in recent missions. It provides a comprehensive technical analysis on the recently developed in-space microfluidic applications and presents insights on microfluidic technologies that hold considerable promise for the upcoming space missions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Na Qiao, Yufan Zhang, Ying Fang, Heli Deng, Desuo Zhang, Hong Lin, Yuyue Chen, Ken Tye Yong, Jiaqing Xiong
Summary: A silk fabric-based medical dressing decorated by a thermo-responsive hydrogel is proposed for sustained release of paracetamol, effectively avoiding the drawbacks of oral ingestion.
MACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Matthew Hadden, David Martinez-Martin, Ken-Tye Yong, Yogambha Ramaswamy, Gurvinder Singh
Summary: This review highlights the importance and applications of functional nanoporous materials, and provides recent advances in synthesis strategies and design approaches. It also discusses the working principles, challenges, and limitations associated with nanoporous material fabrication strategies, and explores the potential role of digitally controlled additive manufacturing in developing next-generation nanoporous materials.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ying Fang, Na Qiao, Heli Deng, Meng Ren, Yufan Zhang, Desuo Zhang, Hong Lin, Yuyue Chen, Ken Tye Yong, Jiaqing Xiong
Summary: Transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) is effective in alleviating patient's pain and reduces frequent administration. Realizing tunable drug release on fibers/fabrics is important for constructing TDDS platform with good skin affinity and long-term comfortability.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Arman Ahnood, Andre Chambers, Amy Gelmi, Ken-Tye Yong, Omid Kavehei
Summary: The advent of electronic technology for neural interfacing in the past 50 years has transformed medicine and biology. Devices like deep brain stimulators and cochlear implants have revolutionized the treatment of previously untreatable conditions. Semiconducting electrodes have advanced neural interfacing technologies, enabling high precision sensing and stimulation in electrical, biochemical, and optical domains. This emerging class of electrodes offers new opportunities for research and treatment.
CHEMICAL SOCIETY REVIEWS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shuo Li, Weiyao Han, Quan-Fu An, Ken-Tye Yong, Ming-Jie Yin
Summary: Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have great potential for membrane-based gas separation applications due to their unique properties. Defect engineering of MOFs has opened up new possibilities for enhancing membrane separation but more research is needed to fully understand its effects. This summary discusses recent developments in defect engineering of MOF-based membranes and outlines the challenges and future prospects in this field.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yan Guo, Xianglong Su, Kaihua Wu, Ken-Tye Yong
Summary: In this study, a biosensor based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technique and nanodisk array was developed to enhance the sensitivity of virus detection. Through systematic optimization of all parameters, four optimal sensing configurations were achieved, leading to improved sensor performance and a smaller detection limit compared to bare gold-based sensors. The optimized sensors can clearly distinguish multi-jump resonance angle curves at tiny refractive index, which is important for accurate detection of trace substances.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tian-Run Lv, Wen-Hai Zhang, Ya-Qiong Yang, Jia-Chen Zhang, Ming-Jie Yin, Zhigang Yin, Ken-Tye Yong, Quan-Fu An
Summary: With increasing demands for flexible organic electronic devices, conductive polymers have shown significant breakthroughs in the past decade due to their outstanding conductivity, solution-processing ability, and tailorability. However, commercialization of these devices still lags behind due to performance limitations and limited manufacturing techniques. This review comprehensively summarizes the state-of-the-art technologies for developing organic devices using conductive polymers, including synthesis methods, film fabrication techniques, nanostructure and microstructure tailoring, device applications, and future directions.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Miaozhuang Fan, Gang Feng, Lu Xia, Yibin Zhang, Maixian Liu, Zhengzheng Li, Yihang Jiang, Chengbin Yang, Wing-Cheung Law, Ken-Tye Yong, Yuanyuan Shen, Zhourui Xu, Gaixia Xu
Summary: Aggregation-induced emission luminogens (AIEgens) have gained significant attention in the research community as a new class of optical probes for two-photon imaging (2PI). However, their non-radiative energy dissipation affects their performance in 2PI. To address this, an organic doping method using TPE-Br and MeOTTMN is proposed, resulting in enhanced brightness but increased production of reactive oxygen species. The heavily organic-doped AIEgen (ODA) nanoparticles (NPs) enable ultradeep imaging depth of 1000 μm in a mouse brain, surpassing MeOTTMN NPs' imaging depth of 156 μm. The safety of ODA NPs is evaluated through toxicity assessment, providing a promising approach to control energy relaxation of AIEgen NPs in 2PI.
ADVANCED OPTICAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yibin Zhang, Miaozhuang Fan, Zhourui Xu, Yihang Jiang, Huijun Ding, Zhengzheng Li, Kaixin Shu, Mingyan Zhao, Gang Feng, Ken-Tye Yong, Biqin Dong, Wei Zhu, Gaixia Xu
Summary: In this study, machine learning techniques were used to screen AIEgens with desired excitation and emission wavelength for biomedical fluorescence imaging. A database of various AIEgens was established and ML models were trained to predict molecular absorption and emission wavelength peaks. Three newly predicted AIEgens were successfully synthesized and applied for cellular fluorescence imaging and deep penetration imaging, demonstrating the great potential of ML in screening AIEgens with suitable wavelengths for novel organic fluorescent materials.
JOURNAL OF NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hossein Moeinzadeh, Poogitha Jegakumaran, Ken-Tye Yong, Anusha Withana
Summary: Water quality is primarily assessed based on its visual acceptability, and this study proposes a deep learning-based approach to reconstruct seven heavy metal parameters from four parameters in order to estimate the water quality index. The proposed model effectively reconstructs these parameters with high accuracy and reliability, offering a cost-effective solution for understanding water quality.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2023)
