Coffee-Ring Structures

In article number 2205696, Jianfeng Yan and co-workers propose a strategy of laser induced transient solid-liquid transition to fabricate coffee-ring structures. Through modulating the transient state of metal from solid to liquid phase using ultrafast laser pulse train, the controllable fabrication of coffee-ring structures is achieved. The coffee-ring structure exhibit tunable structure color, which can be used for color printing.

Baicalin-Condensed Aptamer Nanodrugs

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-driven DNA micro-nano-flowers are used to construct a nanosized baicalin-compressed-aptamer-nanodrug (bcaND) via one-pot assembly. The tailored Adipo-8 (tAdi-8) overhang in the PCR amplicon, like an arrow, displays anti-obesity targeting activity, while the baicalin loaded in the bcaND plays a three-fold role as a lipid-lowering factor, bcaND size compressor, and uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1)-raised thermogenic activator. More details can be found in article number 2205933 by Wentao Xu and co-workers.

High-Throughput Cellular Heterogeneity

In article number 2206754, Yu-Chih Chen and co-workers present a microfluidic cell migration platform that coordinates robotic liquid handling and computer vision for rapidly quantifying individual cellular motility. The high-throughput single-cell screening experiments reveal that many compounds inhibit migration of most cells while leaving fast-moving subpopulations unaffected. They further investigate dynamic cell movement and discover synergistic drug combinations that overcome the resistance of fast-moving subpopulations.

Nanocomposite Triboelectric Fibers

In article number 2206107, Mustafa Ordu and co-workers demonstrate the strategy for single-step scalable fabrication of MXene-polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanocomposite fibers. The thermal drawing process has the potential to fabricate fibers in kilometers of length necessary for textile and electronic industries. The triboelectric fibers are capable of energy harvesting and biomotion analysis.

Nanopore brings extraordinary properties for a variety of potential applications, such as DNA/RNA sequencing, energy conversion and storage, water desalination, nanosensors, nanoreactors, and dialysis. However, the mass manufacturing of nanopores is still a global challenge. This review systematically summarizes the manufacturing methods for single nanopore and nanopore array, and presents some new possibilities for fabricating large area nanopore array.

This review summarizes the current progress of nanotechnology methods to improve drug penetration against biofilm matrix obstacles. The mentioned strategies mainly include 1) regulating material morphology and surface properties, 2) utilizing the physical penetration of nano/micromotors or microneedle patches, and 3) equipping nanoparticles with extracellular polymeric substances degradation enzymes or signal molecules.

Chemo/Photothermal Therapy for Cancer Guided by SERS Imaging

In article number 2206762, Mo Yang, Siu Hong Dexter Wong, and co-workers develop a multilayered mesoporous gold nanoarchitecture labeled with Raman reporters for ultraeffective surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) imaging-guided synergistic therapy toward cancer. This nanoplatform enables efficient xenograft tumor model targeting with sensitive SERS imaging in vitro and in vivo for identifying the tumor cells and optimal therapeutic time point, thereby achieving the highest therapeutic outcome of noninvasive near-infrared triggered photothermal therapy and hyperthermia enhanced chemotherapy.

A multilayered mesoporous gold nanoarchitecture (RGD/DOX−pAS@AuNC) labeled with Raman reporters for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) imaging-guided synergistic therapy toward cancer is reported. This nanoplatform enables efficient xenograft tumor of HeLa cell targeting with ultraeffective SERS imaging for tumor site and optimal therapeutic time point identification, as well as near-infrared triggered photothermal therapy and hyperthermia enhanced chemotherapy.

The Effect of Edge Termination

In article number 2205800, Humberto Terrones, Ana Laura Elías, Mauricio Terrones, and co-workers demonstrate the importance of atomic edge termination in determining the spatial distribution of substitutional dopants in 2D transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) hexagonal monolayers. Preferential iron and vanadium doping occurs on the sulfur-terminated edges of the hexagonal monolayers, causing a decrease in photoluminescence intensity and forming binary optical/electrical domains.

An edge-dependent dopant distribution effect (i.e., sulfur-zigzag edge terminated domains host a higher density of transition metal dopants) is demonstrated using examples of hexagonal Fe- and V-doped WS₂ monolayers. This work highlights the important role of edge termination in tuning the spatial distribution of dopants, which constitutes a novel knob for creating in-plane hetero-/multi-junctions that locally display intriguing physicochemical properties.

Ultrafast laser processing is an effective technology for functional micro/nano structures manufacture. This study proposes a novel strategy of laser induced transient solid-liquid transition to fabricate coffee-ring structures. The solid-liquid transition dynamics is revealed and controlled by modulating the ultrafast laser pulse train. Based on the laser-induced coffee-ring structure, color printing with different structure color is achieved.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-driven DNA micro-nano-flowers are used to construct a nanosized baicalin-compressed-aptamer-NanoDrug (bcaND) via one-pot assembly. The tailored Adipo-8 (tAdi-8) overhang in the PCR amplicon, like an arrow, displays anti-obesity targeting activity, while the baicalin loaded in the bcaND plays a three-fold role as a lipid-lowering factor, bcaND size compressor, and uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1)-raised thermogenic activator.

This work presents a high-throughput single-cell migration platform that coordinates robotic liquid handling and autonomous image processing for quantifying cellular heterogeneity and dynamics in migration. Using this innovative technology, this work has revealed a surprisingly low correlation between inhibition of cell migration and growth, and many compounds inhibited migration of most cells but not fast-moving subpopulations.

The first study to integrate 2D Ti₃C₂T_x MXene in the polymer fiber fabricated by the thermal drawing process. The flexible fibers allow weaving into fabric structure and show promise as an energy harvester and self-powered sensor for human activities monitoring.

Herein, the L-amino acids are introduced through biomimetic strategy to fabricate the gated nanochannels for the chiral drugs. The gated transport effect of l-tyrosine nanochannels on propranolol enantiomers is found, which is not presented by other nanochannels. The research would provide a new idea for constructing artificial channels to regulate chiral drug delivery.

One new small molecule donor with the combination strategy of symmetry-breaking and liquid-crystal (LC) property is synthesized. The LC temperature (117 °C) of a-BTR-H4 coincides well with the thermal annealing temperature of Y6-based accepters, which is conducive to gaining more favored morphology, better light harvest as well as balanced carrier generation and transport in binary all-small-molecule-organic solar cells.

Phase transition of MoS₂ is realized under the layered AlOOH template with high lattice matching degree, prompting the conductivity of materials. The purity of 1T phase is regulated through the tunable lattice mismatch, which also expands the absorbing bandwidth to 6.3 GHz. Diverse heterojunctions benefiting from numerous crystal defects and interfaces are constructed to trigger more polarization phenomenon.

A highly active and stable ammonia synthesis catalyst is prepared by the exsolution of Ru nanoparticles from Ba₁Ce_0.9Y_0.1O_3-δ. The optimal nanoparticle size is maintained as the Ru nanoparticles are well-anchored to the support with in-plane epitaxy. The electronic structure of Ru is modified by in situ Ba promoter accumulation around the base of the Ru nanoparticles.

A methodology to create photonic pigments as dispersed and micrometer-scale particles based on highly ordered concentric lamellar microspheres made of block copolymers is presented. Color tuning of the Bragg interference-based reflection band across the entire visible spectrum is achieved by controlling the lamellar thickness by domain differential swelling. These photonic pigments find applications in inks, coatings, and displays.

Hierarchical Fe₂O₃/Fe₃O₄-CeO₂ nanotubes with remarkable electrochemical N₂ reduction performance are fabricated through an unconventional galvanic replacement reaction, in which CeO₂ is essential to stabilize Fe²⁺ species. The generation of Fe₂O₃-Fe₃O₄ interfaces is of great significance in boosting the hydrogenation of *N₂ to *N*NH, thereby accelerating the reaction rate.

Ultrathin 4 nm magnesium diboride multilayers are synthesized using a simple mechanochemical approach and display enhanced reactivity toward dihydrogen at 70 MPa and 330 °C. Simulations and experiments reveal that exfoliation disrupts the stable boron–boron ring structure, while during hydrogenation it becomes energetically favorable to trade a small number of Mg vacancies in Mg(BH₄)₂ for greater surface Mg coverage in MgB₂.

When functionalized with gold and/or platinum nanoparticles, tungsten trioxide thin films can serve as optical sensors for hydrogen detection. By means of experimental and computational investigations, we were able to assess the role the metal species and nanoparticle dimension have toward the device performances, proposing a novel mechanism for hydrogen sensing which highlight the fundamental importance of the metal-oxide interface.

Herein, a method to grow chirality-enriched SWNT horizontal arrays is developed with high density using solid “Trojan” catalysts at very low temperature. In our method, high temperature “Trojan” catalyst formation process provides sufficient catalyst number to obtain high density. These liquid “Trojan” catalysts were cooled to solid state by adopting low growth temperature (≈540 °C). The solid “Trojan” catalysts can be good template to realize the chirality controlling of SWNTs with exposing six-fold symmetry face, (111). Finally, after optimizing the growth condition, (9, 6) and (13, 1) SWNTs enriched horizontal array with the purity of ≈90% and density of 4 tubes µm⁻¹ are realized.

This work reports the unique single Ni sites (Ni₁-N₂S) on graphitic carbon nitride with unique local coordination structure featuring one Ni atom coordinated with two nitrogen atoms and one sulfur atom, acting as non-precious metal cocatalyt to efficiently promote H₂ evolution from water splitting under visible light irradiation, ascribed to the unique electron structure of Ni₁-N₂S sites.

The thermo-, electro-, and photo-responsive composite foam is fabricated through in situ crosslinking polycaprolactone on the surface of carbon foam (CF). CF has robust elasticity and efficient electrothermal/photothermal conversions acting as the flexible supporting framework and continuous energy transition network. Combined with unique super-amphiphilicity, it's applied as a new type of sensor for leakage detection.

The novel CNTs@EMIM-Br host material is prepared as a dual-effect host material in solid-state Li-Sulfur battery. It not only inhibits the polysulfides shuttling by strong chemical interactions via imidazolium cation (EMIM⁺), but also facilitates the electrochemical kinetics for promoting the formation of 3D particulate Li₂S through high donor anion (Br⁻).

A synergistic effect of surface p-doping and passivation on the inorganic perovskite CsPbIBr₂ is studied. The p-type doping treatment optimizes film quality, improves energy level alignment, and suppresses nonradiative recombination. Finally, the device achieves a high PCE of 11.02%, a V_oc of 1.33 V, and a FF of 0.75. Lead leakage is well reduced within the safe range of human blood lead content.

An efficient cation exchange membrane is prepared for an aqueous K-ion battery with decoupling electrolyte (zinc foil anode in alkaline electrolyte and Prussian blue cathode in neutral electrolyte). The electrolyte decoupling strategy maximizes the operating window of the system to 2.6 V and the membrane can effectively block anion shuttling and smoothly conduct cations to ensure long-term normal operation.

Incorporation of oxophilic bismuth by an underpotential deposition strategy endows Pd-based nanocrystals (NCs) with outstanding nanozyme properties. Mechanistic studies suggest that the oxophilicity of Bi contributes to the excellent peroxidase-like activity of the alloy NCs, and thus they can be utilized in biosensing with high sensitivity.

Dense lattice distortions were induced by Cu and Ag dopants possessing large differences in atom radius with host elements, resulting in extremely low lattice thermal conductivity in MnTe. Cu and Ag codoping enables multiple valence band convergence in its electronic structure, contributing to large Seebeck coefficient. Consequently, an outstanding ZT of 1.3 is achieved for Mn_0.98Cu_0.04Ag_0.04Te by these synergistic effects.

The lead-free ceramics with gradient structure are designed and prepared by the tape-casting method. After optimizing the composition and distribution of the gradient-structured ceramics, giving rise to slim P–E loops, large P_max and high energy storage performance (W_rec > 6.5 J cm⁻³ and η ≥ 89%) along with excellent stability.

Injected functional self-assembling peptide hydrogel loaded with intracellular sigma peptide/LAR peptide might promote endogenous neural regeneration by modulating chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) after spinal cord injury (SCI). Local CSPG manipulation establishes an anti-inflammatory environment by inducing anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype, which facilitates extracellular matrix remodeling for neuronal differentiation of endogenous neural stem cells and axon regrowth. The precise modulation of CSPGs will provide novel insights for the endogenous repair of SCI potentially.

Molybdenum carbide doped carbon hollow spheres with different crystalline phases XX obtained by changing the heat treatment atmosphere. The prepared Mo-PDA double-shell hollow spheres XX heat treated in H₂-Ar atmosphere to obtain β-phase Mo₂C, which belongs to the P63/mmc space group and is a closely spaced hexagonal crystal system. And the α-phase MoC_1-x XX obtained in Ar atmosphere, which is a face-centered cubic crystal system and belongs to the Fm3m space group.

Magnetic microrobots (MagRobots) based on paramagnetic hybrid microstructures modified with anti-rabbit IgG produced in goat and IgG from rabbit serum, that can specifically bind and isolate S. aureus bacteria from milk using the protein A present on the bacteria cell wall for efficient bacteria removal as well as their specific determination.

An extremely stretchable, malleable, adherable, reusable, and tear-resistible (SMART) hydrogel is synthesized from a double network of poly(vinyl alcohol)/boric acid and chitosan. The instant bond exchange of boronic ester dynamic covalent bonds leads to extreme stretchability and rapid self-healing and stress relaxation. Various water-dispersible additives can be readily incorporated in the hydrogels via hand kneading.