Anisotropic Heat Transfer in a Fibrous Membrane with Hierarchically Assembled 2D Materials.

Effective heat redistribution in specific directions is vital for advanced thermal management, significantly enhancing device performance by optimizing spatial heat configurations. We have designed and fabricated a hierarchical fibrous membrane that enables precise heat directing. By integrating hierarchical structure design with the anisotropic thermal conductivity of two-dimensional (2D) materials, we developed a fibrous membrane for anisotropic heat transfer.

Multiscale modeling of solid starch-based foods digestion in the intestinal tract for dietary property-based glycemic prediction.

The digestion of starch-based foods in the intestinal tract is important for human health. Modeling the details enhances fundamental understanding and glycemic prediction accuracy. It is, however, a challenge to take granular properties into account.

Comparative Analysis of Micrometer-Sized Particle Deposition in the Olfactory Regions of Adult and Pediatric Nasal Cavities: A Computational Study.

Direct nose-to-brain drug delivery, a promising approach for treating neurological disorders, faces challenges due to anatomical variations between adults and children. This study aims to investigate the spatial particle deposition of micron-sized particles in the nasal cavity among adult and pediatric subjects. This study focuses on the olfactory region considering the effect of intrasubject parameters and particle properties.

Tailored interface engineering of CoFe/FeC heterojunctions for enhancing oxygen reduction reaction in zinc-air batteries.

The rational construction of highly active and robust non-precious metal oxygen reduction electrocatalysts is a vital factor to facilitate commercial applications of Zn-air batteries. In this study, a precise and stable heterostructure, comprised of a coupling of CoFe and FeC, was constructed through an interface engineering-induced strategy. The coordination polymerization of the resin with the bimetallic components was meticulously regulated to control the interfacial characteristics of the heterostructure.

Numerical modelling of the interaction between dialysis catheter, vascular vessel and blood considering elastic structural deformation.

The dialysis catheter indwelling in human bodies has a high risk of inducing thrombus and stenosis. Biomechanical research showed that such physiological complications are triggered by the wall shear stress of the vascular vessel. This study aimed to assess the impact of CVC implantation on central venous haemodynamics and the potential alterations in the haemodynamic environment related to thrombus development.

On-column capping of poly dT media-tethered mRNA accomplishes high capping efficiency, enhanced mRNA recovery, and improved stability against RNase.

The messenger RNA (mRNA) 5'-cap structure is indispensable for mRNA translation initiation and stability. Despite its importance, large-scale production of capped mRNA through in vitro transcription (IVT) synthesis using vaccinia capping enzyme (VCE) is challenging, due to the requirement of tedious and multiple pre-and-post separation steps causing mRNA loss and degradation. Here in the present study, we found that the VCE together with 2'-O-methyltransferase can efficiently catalyze the capping of poly dT media-tethered mRNA to produce mRNA with cap-1 structure under an optimized condition.

Optimization of formulation and atomization of lipid nanoparticles for the inhalation of mRNA.

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have demonstrated efficacy and safety for mRNA vaccine administration by intramuscular injection; however, the pulmonary delivery of mRNA encapsulated LNPs remains challenging. The atomization process of LNPs will cause shear stress due to dispersed air, air jets, ultrasonication, vibrating mesh etc., leading to the agglomeration or leakage of LNPs, which can be detrimental to transcellular transport and endosomal escape.

Numerical simulation of a mechanical flocculation process with multi-chambers in series.

A mechanical flocculation system with multi-chambers in series is commonly used as the advanced phosphorus removal technology for wastewater treatment. This work aims to numerically investigate the inner states and overall performance of industrial-scale mechanical flocculators in series. This is based on our previously developed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) flocculation model which is extended to consider the key chemical reactions of phosphorus removal.

Experimental Study on Coaxial Waterjet-Assisted Laser Scanning Machining of Nickel-Based Special Alloy.

The problems of the recast layer, oxide layer, and heat-affected zone (HAZ) in conventional laser machining seriously impact material properties. Coaxial waterjet-assisted laser scanning machining (CWALSM) can reduce the conduction and accumulation of heat in laser machining by the high specific heat capacity of water and can realize the machining of nickel-based special alloy with almost no thermal damage. With the developed experimental setup, the laser ablation threshold and drilling experiments of the K4002 nickel-based special alloy were carried out.

Droplets Patterning of Structurally Integrated 3D Conductive Networks-Based Flexible Strain Sensors for Healthcare Monitoring.

Flexible strain sensors with significant extensibility, stability, and durability are essential for public healthcare due to their ability to monitor vital health signals noninvasively. However, thus far, the conductive networks have been plagued by the inconsistent interface states of the conductive components, which hampered the ultimate sensitivity performance. Here, we demonstrate structurally integrated 3D conductive networks-based flexible strain sensors of hybrid Ag nanorods/nanoparticles(AgNRs/NPs) by combining a droplet-based aerosol jet printing(AJP) process and a feasible transfer process.

In Vitro and In Silico Investigations on Drug Delivery in the Mouth-Throat Models with Handihaler®.

This work aimed to evaluate the relative inhalation parameters that affect the deposition of inhaled aerosols, including mouth-throat morphology, airflow rate, and initial condition of emitted particles. In vitro experiments were conducted using the US Pharmacopeia (USP) throat and a realistic mouth-throat (RMT) with Handihaler®. Then, in silico study of the gas-solid flow was performed by computational fluid dynamics and discrete phase method.

Self-Assembly of Ir-Based Nanosheets with Ordered Interlayer Space for Enhanced Electrocatalytic Water Oxidation.

Iridium (Ir)-based electrocatalysts are widely explored as benchmarks for acidic oxygen evolution reactions (OERs). However, further enhancing their catalytic activity remains challenging due to the difficulty in identifying active species and unfavorable architectures. In this work, we synthesized ultrathin Ir-IrO/C nanosheets with ordered interlayer space for enhanced OER by a nanoconfined self-assembly strategy, employing block copolymer formed stable end-merged lamellar micelles.

Tip-Viscid Electrohydrodynamic Jet 3D Printing of Composite Osteochondral Scaffold.

A novel method called tip-viscid electrohydrodynamic jet printing (TVEJ), which produces a viscous needle tip jet, was presented to fabricate a 3D composite osteochondral scaffold with controllability of fiber size and space to promote cartilage regeneration. The tip-viscid process, by harnessing the combined effects of thermal, flow, and electric fields, was first systematically investigated by simulation analysis. The influences of process parameters on printing modes and resolutions were investigated to quantitatively guide the fabrication of various structures.

Silkworm-inspired electrohydrodynamic jet 3D printing of composite scaffold with ordered cell scale fibers for bone tissue engineering.

The combination of biomimetic and 3D printing has created novel opportunities for the manufacture of 3D engineered materials. A sub-microscale E-Jet 3D printing method, inspired by the dehydration and protein enrichment process of silkworm, was developed to fabricate composite bone tissue scaffold with the characteristics of controllability, fast and inexpensive. By applying the resultant effects of thermal field and flow field to low viscous composite ink, the concentration gradient biopolymer ink was obtained near the needle tip, mimicking the advanced dehydration of natural spinning apparatus.

A New Interaction Force Model of Gold Nanorods Derived by Molecular Dynamics Simulation.

Interactions between nanoparticles is one of the key factors governing their assembly for ordered structures. Understanding such interactions between non-spherical nanoparticles and developing a quantitative force model are critical to achieving the ordered structures for various applications. In the present study, the non-contact interactions of two identical gold nanorods (AuNRs) with different aspect ratios have been studied by molecular dynamics simulation.

Feeding spent coffee grounds into reactors: TFM simulation of a non-mechanical spouted bed type feeder.

Due to the increasing coffee production, Spent Coffee Grounds' (SCGs) generation has grown dramatically, hence appropriate management of this solid biomass waste is imperative. SCGs can be used as feedstocks for renewable energy and fuel generation provided that a stable feeding of powders to reactors is maintained. Recently, a non-mechanical spouted bed feeder proved itself an excellent alternative in feeding SCGs to a pilot-scale circulating fluidized bed reactor.

Computational investigation of dust mite allergens in a realistic human nasal cavity.

Inhaled allergens from house dust mite (HDM) are a major source of allergic disease such as allergic rhinitis and asthma. It has been a challenge to properly evaluate health risks caused by HDM related allergens including mite bodies, eggs and fecal pellets. This paper presents a numerical study on particle deposition of dust mite allergens in a human nasal cavity.

Holey Assembly of Two-Dimensional Iron-Doped Nickel-Cobalt Layered Double Hydroxide Nanosheets for Energy Conversion Application.

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) containing first-row transition metals such as Fe, Co, and Ni have attracted significant interest for electrocatalysis owing to their abundance and excellent performance for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline media. Herein, the assembly of holey iron-doped nickel-cobalt layered double hydroxide (NiCo-LDH) nanosheets ('holey nanosheets') is demonstrated by employing uniform Ni-Co glycerate spheres as self-templates. Iron doping was found to increase the rate of hydrolysis of Ni-Co glycerate spheres and induce the formation of a holey interconnected sheet-like structure with small pores (1-10 nm) and a high specific surface area (279 m  g ).

Fabrication of Nanopillar Crystalline ITO Thin Films with High Transmittance and IR Reflectance by RF Magnetron Sputtering.

Nanopillar crystalline indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films were deposited on soda-lime glass substrates by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering under the power levels of 100 W, 150 W, 200 W and 250 W. The preparation process of thin films is divided into two steps, firstly, sputtering a very thin and granular crystalline film at the bottom, and then sputtering a nanopillar crystalline film above the bottom film. The structure, morphology, optical and electrical properties of the nanopillar crystalline ITO thin films were investigated.

Dynamic modelling on the confined crystallization of mono-sized cubic particles under mechanical vibration.

The dynamic crystallization of cubic granular particles under three-dimensional mechanical vibration is numerically investigated by the discrete element method. The effects of operational conditions (vibration, container shape and system size) and particle properties (gravity and friction) on the formation of crystals and defects are discussed. The results show that the formation and growth of clusters with face-to-face aligned cubic particles can be easily realized under vibrations.

Topologically close-packed characteristic of amorphous tantalum.

The structural evolution of tantalum (Ta) during rapid cooling was investigated by molecular dynamics simulation, in terms of the system energy, the pair distribution function and the largest standard cluster analysis. It was found that the critical cooling rate for vitrification was about R ≥ 0.25 K ps-1, two orders lower than other metals (such as Au, Ag, Al, Zr and Zn) and that the meta-stable σ phase (β-Ta) not only appears on the pathway from liquid to the stable body-centred cubic crystal, but is also easily obtained at room temperature as a long-lived metastable phase with some probability.

Mesoporous ZnMnO Microtubules Derived from a Biomorphic Strategy for High-Performance Lithium/Sodium Ion Batteries.

ZnMnO microtubules (ZMO-MTs) with a mesoporous structure are fabricated by a novel yet effective biomorphic approach employing cotton fiber as a biotemplate. The fabricated ZMO-MT has approximately an inner diameter of 8.5 μm and wall thickness of 1.

Seedless Synthesis of Monodispersed Gold Nanorods with Remarkably High Yield: Synergistic Effect of Template Modification and Growth Kinetics Regulation.

Gold nanorods (AuNRs) are versatile materials due to their broadly tunable optical properties associated with their anisotropic feature. Conventional seed-mediated synthesis is, however, not only limited by the operational complexity and over-sensitivity towards subtle changes of experimental conditions but also suffers from low yield (≈15 %). A facile seedless method is reported to overcome these challenges.

Nanoarchitectured Design of Porous Materials and Nanocomposites from Metal-Organic Frameworks.

The emergence of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as a new class of crystalline porous materials is attracting considerable attention in many fields such as catalysis, energy storage and conversion, sensors, and environmental remediation due to their controllable composition, structure and pore size. MOFs are versatile precursors for the preparation of various forms of nanomaterials as well as new multifunctional nanocomposites/hybrids, which exhibit superior functional properties compared to the individual components assembling the composites. This review provides an overview of recent developments achieved in the fabrication of porous MOF-derived nanostructures including carbons, metal oxides, metal chalcogenides (metal sulfides and selenides), metal carbides, metal phosphides and their composites.

Dual-Phase Transformation: Spontaneous Self-Template Surface-Patterning Strategy for Ultra-transparent VO Solar Modulating Coatings.

Dual-phase transformation has been developed as a template-free surface patterning technique in this study. Ordered VO honeycomb structures with a complex hierarchy have been fabricated via this method, and the microstructures of the obtained VO(M) coatings are tunable by tailoring the pertinent variables. The VO(M) honeycomb-structured coatings have excellent visible light transmittance at 700 nm (T) up to 95.