Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuhui Ma, Yuanhang Cheng, Xiuwen Xu, Menglin Li, Chujun Zhang, Sin Hang Cheung, Zixin Zeng, Dong Shen, Yue-Min Xie, Ka Lok Chiu, Fen Lin, Shu Kong So, Chun-Sing Lee, Sai-Wing Tsang
Summary: While the passivation effect of polymers with large and small dipole moments on MAPbI(3) perovskite films is negligible, they can significantly improve the stability of photovoltaic devices under continuous light irradiation. The additives are able to strongly suppress ion migration, enhancing the electrical-field stress tolerance of perovskite solar cells.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Xiaowei Li, Yongwei Zheng, William R. Fullerton, Christopher Y. Li
Summary: A multilayered solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) structure was developed in this study, consisting of ConSPE and linear PEO SPE with different lithium dendrite resisting properties. The multilayered SPE effectively suppresses lithium dendrite growth, leading to significantly improved cycling performance of lithium-metal batteries.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Mechanics
Caitlin D. Carmody, Rebecca C. Mueller, Benjamin Michael Grodner, Ondrej Chlumsky, James N. Wilking, Scott G. McCalla
Summary: The FDA recommends against washing raw chicken due to the risk of pathogen transfer through splashed water droplets. However, research confirms that bacteria can indeed be transferred from the surface of raw chicken through splashing. Other factors such as faucet height, flow type, and surface stiffness also affect splashing height and distance.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Leonhard Karger, Kevin Synnatschke, Simon Settele, Yvonne J. Hofstetter, Tim Nowack, Jana Zaumseil, Yana Vaynzof, Claudia Backes
Summary: The degradation kinetics of WS2 nanosheet ensembles in the liquid phase were investigated, revealing that thermal degradation is slower and requires higher activation energy than photoinduced degradation. It was observed that using SC as a surfactant can sufficiently suppress photoinduced degradation, while chemical passivation achieved through the addition of cysteine can prevent degradation by coordinating to defects on the nanosheets and stabilizing oxides on the surface.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Elizabeth Ellis, Ivan Djordjevic, Muhammad Naziruddin Bin Mohd Ali, Terry W. J. Steele
Summary: Light-activated carbenes provide a unique method of non-specific covalent bond formation needed in bioadhesives and rapid gelation. The behavior of carbene-based bioadhesives in the presence of various liquid additives containing reactive functional groups has been investigated. The results show that different additives have different effects on material properties, such as maintaining storage modulus, reducing viscosity, accelerating hydrolysis, increasing hydrophilicity, and enhancing dynamic modulus.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yuqing Sun, Sein Chung, Xiaodong Huang, Kilwon Cho, Zhipeng Kan
Summary: By introducing a ternary strategy with D18-Cl as the third component, the performance of all-polymer solar cells was significantly improved, achieving a champion power conversion efficiency of 16.6%.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Congqi Li, Xiaobin Gu, Zhihao Chen, Xiao Han, Na Yu, Yanan Wei, Jinhua Gao, Hao Chen, Meng Zhang, Ao Wang, Jianqi Zhang, Zhixiang Wei, Qian Peng, Zheng Tang, Xiaotao Hao, Xin Zhang, Hui Huang
Summary: Volatile solid additives (SADs) are a simple and effective method to adjust the film morphology of high-performance organic solar cells (OSCs). This study designed and synthesized two volatilizable SADs, and the results revealed that the planar SAD2 can more easily insert between Y6 molecules, leading to a tighter molecular packing mode and improved photovoltaic performance.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cynthia Riginos, Marlene Jahnke
Summary: Comparative methods are crucial for understanding biodiversity distribution, yet current research primarily focuses on single species. In this study, Zbinden et al. utilized landscape genetics to investigate the landscape genomics of 31 fish species in the White River Basin, revealing the significant impact of stream hierarchy on fish population structure. These findings provide empirical evidence for conservation and fisheries management.
Editorial Material
Optics
Oliver Graydon
Summary: Optics is being used for fast optical wireless data transmission in underwater environments for remote-operated vehicles and divers. Boon Ooi from KAUST, a leading researcher in underwater photonics research, discusses this technology.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Cheyenne R. Peltier, Zayn Rhodes, Alexandra J. Macbeth, Adam Milam, Emily Carroll, Geoffrey W. Coates, Shelley D. Minteer
Summary: In this study, a new type of polyethylene membrane was used to address membrane swelling in organic solvents, and remarkable results were achieved with high capacity retention and low crossover.
ACS ENERGY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Li-Hui Chou, Tsubasa Mikie, Masahiko Saito, Cheng-Liang Liu, Itaru Osaka
Summary: In this study, new NTz-based polymers were synthesized with improved solubility by introducing alkylthienyl substituents in the polymer backbone. These polymers exhibited higher photovoltaic performances in nonfullerene-based organic photovoltaic cells, attributed to enhanced miscibility with the nonfullerene acceptor and improved charge generation and reduced charge recombination.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Electrochemistry
Wooyoung Jeong, Hyeonseo Joo, Chaejeong Kim, Kyu-Nam Jung, Ju-Hyuck Lee, Jong-Won Lee
Summary: Solid-state batteries have been proposed as a safer alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries. Biphasic solid electrolytes based on LLZO and a polymer phase have shown promise due to their high Li+ conductivity and compatibility with Li metal. However, the reaction between LLZO and H2O/CO2 during storage causes degradation in Li+-conduction properties. Encapsulation of LLZO with a hydrophobic, Li+-conducting polymer nanolayer effectively improves its air-stability and enhances the ionic conductivity and cycling stability of LLZO-based solid-state batteries.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kyungpyo Son, Seokhwan Jeong, Eunchong Eom, Dohyeong Kwon, Suk-Jo Kang
Summary: Researchers have discovered that the mitochondrial ubiquitin ligase MARCH5 enhances STING activation by ubiquitinating it. However, a prolonged deficiency of MARCH5 leads to the production of reactive oxygen species, which promotes the formation of inactive STING polymers. These findings highlight the important role of MARCH5 in regulating STING activity.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jia-Yao Pei, Li-Juan Yin, Shao-Long Zhong, Zhi-Min Dang
Summary: Polymer-based dielectrics have gained significant attention in the field of high-power energy storage for their flexibility and fast charge-discharge capability. This review emphasizes the importance of suppressing loss in polymer-based dielectrics and discusses the sources of loss, related measurements, recent research results, and challenges and opportunities for high-efficiency polymer-based dielectric design.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
Ye-Cheng Liu, Jun-Cheng Jiang, An-Chi Huang
Summary: Fire accidents, especially oil fires, are unpredictable and often result in serious losses. There are two approaches to studying fire, namely the safety of hazardous substances and the efficiency of fire extinguishing substances. Using a water mist system with 1% polymer composite additives can effectively enhance fire extinguishing efficiency, while 1% NaCl salt additive is negatively correlated with extinguishing efficiency.
JOURNAL OF THERMAL ANALYSIS AND CALORIMETRY
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
Fabian Denner, Fabien Evrard, Alfonso Arturo Castrejon-Pita, Jose Rafael Castrejon-Pita, Berend van Wachem
Summary: This study analyses the capillary breakup of a liquid jet under large excitation amplitudes relevant to inkjet printing using numerical simulations. The results show the reversal of breakup length and inversion of breakup modes, both related to the formation of vortex rings and local flow obstruction inside the jet. An empirical similarity model for the breakup length reversal is proposed, allowing accurate prediction of jet behavior in practical situations, especially continuous inkjet printing.
FLOW TURBULENCE AND COMBUSTION
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Waqas Kamal, Mengmeng Li, Jia-De Lin, Ellis Parry, Yihan Jin, Steve J. Elston, Alfonso A. Castrejon-Pita, Stephen M. Morris
Summary: This study reported on the fabrication and characterization of spatially patterned PDLC pixels using drop-on-demand inkjet printing, demonstrating how these materials can be used to form a new generation of smart windows that can display embedded images or logos, which can disappear with the application of a voltage.
ADVANCED OPTICAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Mechanics
A. Rubio, E. J. Vega, A. M. Ganan-Calvo, J. M. Montanero
Summary: We experimentally studied the stability of micrometer weakly viscoelastic jets produced with transonic flow focusing. We found that highly stable jets are formed when adding low molecular weight polymer to water at low concentration and reducing the injected flow rate. The capillary instability is delayed and jet breakup occurs at distant locations from the ejected. The intense converging extensional flow in the ejection point results in long-lasting viscoelastic stress that is not relaxed in the jet even for times longer than the polymer relaxation time. The drag force exerted by the outer gas stream and partial polymer entanglement at the jet emission point may contribute to this effect.
Article
Polymer Science
Alejandro Rubio, Marta Lopez, Emilio J. Vega, Maria G. Cabezas
Summary: Fire-shaped nozzles are used to study deformability of microcapsules, particles, or cells in flow. The strain rate peak and time to neck can be easily estimated from flow rate and three geometrical parameters. The convergent region of the nozzles allows observation of deformation evolution.
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
A. Rubio, F. J. Galindo-Rosales, E. J. Vega, J. M. Montanero, M. G. Cabezas
Summary: This paper investigates the viscoelastic transition in transonic flow focusing when polymers of low molecular weights are dissolved in water at the appropriate concentration. The phenomenon is explained through the coil-stretch transition of polymers crossing the tapering meniscus, where high strain rates are produced by the airstream. The resulting elastic stress stabilizes the flow, leading to thinner and longer jets compared to Newtonian fluids, which has important implications at the technological level.
PHYSICAL REVIEW FLUIDS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Textiles
Alejandro Rubio, Francisco Javier Martinez-Vazquez, Maria Guadalupe Cabezas, Jose Maria Montanero, Emilio Jose Vega
Summary: In this study, we investigated the production of fibers using Solution Blow Spinning (SBS) technique under low polymer molecular weight and air-coflow pressure conditions. We found that the fiber diameter decreases with decreasing coflow temperature. The coflowing airstream causes whipping oscillations of the viscoelastic jet, with larger amplitude observed in the non-protruding spinneret position. However, the spinneret position does not significantly affect the diameter of the jet and fiber, thus recommending the use of the protruding configuration.
FIBERS AND POLYMERS
(2022)
Article
Mechanics
C. R. Constante-Amores, T. Abadie, L. Kahouadji, S. Shin, J. Chergui, D. Juric, A. A. Castrejon-Pita, O. K. Matar
Summary: This study investigates the effect of insoluble surfactants on the spatio-temporal evolution of turbulent jets through three-dimensional numerical simulations. The results show that surfactant-induced Marangoni stresses play a crucial role in the formation of coherent vortex structures and greatly influence the development of three-dimensional interfacial dynamics. The study also provides theoretical expressions for the mechanisms influencing the circulation production rate in the presence of surfactants.
JOURNAL OF FLUID MECHANICS
(2023)
Article
Mechanics
C. R. Constante-Amores, L. Kahouadji, S. Shin, J. Chergui, D. Juric, J. R. Castrejon-Pita, O. K. Matar, A. A. Castrejon-Pita
Summary: We investigate the influence of insoluble surfactants on the impact of surfactant-free droplets onto surfactant-laden thin liquid films using a three-dimensional numerical simulation approach. Our results show that the presence of surfactants affects the late stages of the dynamics by delaying the end-pinching mechanisms, resulting in longer ligaments. We also demonstrate that the addition of surfactants leads to surface rigidification and retards the flow dynamics.
JOURNAL OF FLUID MECHANICS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Samraj Mollick, Yang Zhang, Waqas Kamal, Michele Tricarico, Annika F. Moslein, Vishal Kachwal, Nader Amin, Alfonso A. Castrejon-Pita, Stephen M. Morris, Jin-Chong Tan
Summary: By utilizing the concept of nanoconfinement and optimal surface design, organic solid-state photochromic materials with excellent mechanical robustness and photoefficiency have been developed. Commercial prototypes, such as smart windows and photochromic sculptures, have been achieved through blending with polymers.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Junseob Kim, Sunghwan Cho, Justin P. Coon, Alfonso A. Castrejon-Pita, Hamidreza Arjmandi
Summary: This paper proposes a novel electrophoretic molecular communication (EMC) framework utilizing a piecewise constant electric field. The framework exploits electric fields to enhance communication performance by inducing the movement of charged particles. Two optimization problems are formulated to design the electric field based on different objectives: minimizing a mean squared error and minimizing a bit interval. The proposed piecewise constant electric field significantly reduces the bit error rate compared to the constant field benchmark while performing slightly worse than the exponential field benchmark.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON NANOBIOSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Radu Cimpeanu, Alfonso A. Castrejon-Pita, Lee Nai Lim, Manu Vatish, Ektoras X. Georgiou
Summary: This article introduces a novel hydrodynamics-based needle design that generates a flow field within the follicle to successfully retrieve oocytes without added stress. Through numerical simulations and testing, it is shown that this new design has a higher success rate compared to traditional designs, and the oocytes experience minimal stress.
JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS
(2023)
Article
Mechanics
Thomas C. Sykes, Radu Cimpeanu, Ben D. Fudge, J. Rafael Castrejon-Pita, Alfonso A. Castrejon-Pita
Summary: When a fast droplet impacts a pool of the same fluid, the depth of the pool is revealed to be a critical factor in the formation of ejecta sheets. On deeper pools, the sheets fold inwards, while on shallower pools, they develop into outward-propagating lamellae. This transition is caused by a confinement effect of the pool base on the impact-induced pressure, which restricts flow into the ejecta sheet from the droplet.
JOURNAL OF FLUID MECHANICS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Waqas Kamal, Alva C. J. Orr, Thomas C. Sykes, Alfonso A. Castrejon-Pita, Steve J. Elston, Stephen M. Morris
Summary: In this study, researchers demonstrated the ability to tune the pitch and reflection band by depositing picolitre volumes of nematic liquid crystal into printed chiral nematic liquid crystal droplets. The redshift of the reflection band can be controlled by varying the number of droplets deposited. This method showcases the potential for creating colored images using this pitch tuning process.
MATERIALS TODAY ADVANCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jack Holland, Alfonso A. Castrejon-Pita, Remco Tuinier, Dirk G. A. L. Aarts, Timothy J. Nott
Summary: The study presents a method to evaluate the surface tension of model biomolecular condensates using straightforward sessile drop measurements. It demonstrates the detrimental impact of increased protein net charge on the surface tension of Ddx4N condensates. The study also explores the application of Scheutjens-Fleer theory to calculate condensate surface tensions and evaluate molecular organization at condensate surfaces.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
A. Rubio, M. Lopez, T. Rodrigues, L. Campo-Deano, E. J. Vega
Summary: There has been significant interest in recent years in producing fluids that have rheological properties similar to real blood. These fluids can be used in both microscale biomicrofluidics and macroscale forensic science. The inclusion of flexible microparticles in blood analogue fluids is essential to replicate the behavior of blood flow in these fields. This study describes a protocol for producing a whole human blood analogue composed of a proposed plasma analogue and flexible spherical microparticles that mimic the key structural attributes of red blood cells (RBCs). The study also explores the flow of the proposed fluid through a microfluidic channel and its impact on a solid surface, demonstrating the in vitro reproduction of multiphase flow effects and its application in bloodstain pattern analysis in forensic science.