Dynamic Programme Locking of Isomerization Behavior of Molecular Switch in Liquid Crystal Elastomers.

The reversible isomerization behavior of molecular switches in liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) usually only can be monotonically repeated, because the molecular motion environment is the same for each isomerization cycle in a permanently cross-linked polymer network. Therefore, achieving a tunable photostationary state (PSS) in the same LCE material system is a significant challenge. Herein, a spiropyran-based material (SPBM) as the molecular switch is introduced into a LCE system, which constructed a typical photo-responsive material with reversible isomerization behavior.

The Complete Mitochondrial Genomes of Babylonia spirata and Babylonia zeylanica (Neogastropoda: Babyloniidae) Provide New Insights into Neogastropoda Phylogeny.

The genus Babylonia, classified under Mollusca, Gastropoda, Neogastropoda, has been a subject of controversy concerning the phylogenetic relationships within Neogastropoda, a highly intricate group of predatory marine snails. In this study, we sequenced complete mitogenomes of Babylonia spirata and Babylonia zeylanica. Both mitogenomes consist of 37 genes, including 13 PCGs, 22 tRNAs, and 2 rRNAs, which is consistent with the gene numbers observed in most neogastropod snails.

A multi-responsive 3D deformable soft actuator with tunable structural color enabled by a graphene/cholesteric liquid crystal elastomer composite.

Intelligent soft robots that integrate both structural color and controllable actuation ability have attracted substantial attention for constructing biomimetic systems, biomedical devices, and soft robotics. However, simultaneously endowing single-layer cholesteric liquid crystal elastomer (CLCE) soft actuators with reversible 3D deformability and vivid structural color changes is still challenging. Herein, a multi-responsive (force, heat and light) single-layer 3D deformable soft actuator with vivid structural color-changing ability is realized through the reduced graphene oxide (RGO) deposition-induced Janus structure of the CLCE using a precisely-controlled evaporation method.

A Spectrum-Tailored Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal Film for Energy-Saving Smart Windows.

The polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) holds potential application in smart windows, owing to its feasibility in regulating the transmittance of specific wavelength bands to improve energy utilization. Herein, a composite PDLC smart window is designed, which showcases high emissivity of 93.79% in the mid-infrared region and features the regulation of ultraviolet (UV), visible, and near-infrared (NIR) light.

A Multi-Functional Molecule for Highly Durable, Bending-Resistant, Low-Voltage Driving PSLC Films toward Smart Windows With Radiative Cooling.

Polymer-stabilized liquid crystals (PSLCs) are widely used in smart windows, light modulators, and dimmed glass. However, their low mechanical strength, unsatisfactory electro-optical properties, and poor durability limit their large-scale application. In this study, a PSLC film with outstanding performance is prepared by incorporating a multifunctional molecule into a fine-sculptured liquid crystal/polymer composite.

Visible-light-programmed patterning in dynamically bonded cholesteric liquid crystal elastomer.

Optical properties of cholesteric liquid crystal elastomers (CLCEs) can be tuned by an external field, however, it will spontaneously restore to the original state after the field is removed. Here, we introduce diselenide dynamic covalent bonds (DCBs) into CLCEs, whose optical properties can be reversibly and precisely tuned under the combined action of force and light. The tuned optical properties will be written into and remembered by the CLCEs, thus a programming effect is achieved.

Liquid Crystal Promoted Self-Assembly of Statistical Copolymers into Diverse Nanostructures with Precise Dimensions.

In both natural and synthetic systems, the segregation of multicomponent entities is vital for regulating functions and the ultimate usage of materials. To accomplish the desired properties via nanosegregation or microphase separation, great effort is usually demanded in the synthesis. For example, microphase-separated block copolymers rely on the delicate controlled/living polymerization of different monomers in sequence.

Heteroatom-Terminated Acrylate-Based Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystal Composite Films with High Contrast Ratio and Low Driving Voltage.

A series of polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films were prepared by using acrylate monomers containing heteroatom-terminated groups. The microscopic morphology and electro-optical properties reveal that these monomers effectively reduce the switching voltage and improve the contrast ratio at the same time. The saturation voltage of the best sample was reduced by 47%, and the contrast ratio was improved by 74%.

Reconfigurable Visible Light-Driven Liquid Crystalline Network Showing Off-Equilibrium Motions Enabled by Mesogen-Grafted Donor-Acceptor Stenhouse Adducts.

Liquid crystalline network (LCN)-based soft actuators have opened up great opportunities to fabricate emerging and intriguing smart materials, serving as potential building blocks for intelligent soft robotics. Endowing LCN actuators with complex responsive behaviors to enhance their intelligence is both challenging and highly demanded. Herein, Donor-Acceptor Stenhouse Adducts (DASAs) molecules with rod-like mesogen and the polymerizable group are judiciously designed and synthesized, which is strong-colored at linear form and de-coloration at cyclic form after visible light.

Smart Photovoltaic Windows for Next-Generation Energy-Saving Buildings.

The global energy system transforming from fossil fuels to renewable green energy through the adaption of innovative and dynamic green technologies. Energy-saving buildings (ESBs) are attracting extensive attention as intelligent architectures capable of significantly reducing the energy consumption for heating, air-conditioning, and lighting. They provide comfortable working and living environment by regulating and harnessing solar energy.

A quick and effective trait-based protocol for selecting appropriate native plant species for the reforestation of degraded tropical mines.

Introduction: A critical issue in tropical forests is that anthropogenic deforestation (i.e., mining) degrades the integrity of its ecosystem.

Reverse-Mode Polymer-Stabilized Liquid Crystal Films with Enhanced Peel Strength and Electro-Optical Performance Based on Photoreactive Self-Assembly Alignment Layers and Patterned Polymer Walls.

Polymer-stabilized liquid crystal (PSLC) is a promising material toward the practical application of serving as energy-saving reverse-mode smart windows owing to its superior electro-optical (E-O) properties, simple and efficient processability, and compatibility to most practical circumstances. However, its feeble peel strength originated from low polymer content and poor adhesion between polymer networks and substrates inhibited its large-scale flexible film production. It is still a challenging task to derive good mechanical properties and superior E-O performance for PSLCs at the same time.

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Hypothalamic Hamartoma: A Multi-Institutional Retrospective Study on Safety, Efficacy, and Complication Profile.

Background And Objectives: Gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) is a safe and effective treatment option for hypothalamic hamartomas (HH), but there is no consensus opinion on its timing, dosage, and follow-up. The aim of this study was to define the safety, efficacy, outcome, and complication profile of GKRS in this patient population.

Methods: This retrospective multicentric study involved 39 patients with the mean age of 16 ± 14.

Bioinspired Mechanochromic Liquid Crystal Materials: From Fundamentals to Functionalities and Applications.

Inspired by intriguing color changeable ability of natural animals, the design and fabrication of artificial mechanochromic materials capable of changing colors upon stretching or pressing have attracted intense scientific interest. Liquid crystal (LC) is a self-organized soft matter with anisotropic molecular alignment. Due to the sensitivity to various external stimulations, LC has been considered as an emerging and appealing responsive building block to construct intelligent materials and advanced devices.

A Smart Window with Passive Radiative Cooling and Switchable Near-Infrared Light Transmittance via Molecular Engineering.

Smart windows with synergetic light modulation have heightened demands for applications in smart cars and novel buildings. However, improving the on-demand energy-saving efficiency is quite challenging due to the difficulty of modulating sunlight with a broad bandwidth in an energy-saving way. Herein, a smart window with switchable near-infrared light transmittance and passive radiative cooling is prepared via a monomer design strategy and photoinduced polymerization.

Conserved DNA sequence analysis reveals the phylogeography and evolutionary events of Akebia trifoliata in the region across the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau and subtropical China.

Background: The eastern edge of the Qinghai‒Tibet Plateau (QTP) and subtropical China have various regions where plant species originate and thrive, but these regions have been the focus of very few integrative studies. Here, we elucidated the phylogeographic structure of a continuous and widespread Akebia trifoliata population across these two regions.

Results: Sixty-one populations consisting of 391 genotypes were examined to assess population diversity and structure via network distribution analysis, maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree reconstruction, divergence time estimation, demographic history inference, and ancestral area reconstruction of both conserved internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and chloroplast (rps16) DNA sequences.

Knotted Artificial Muscles for Bio-Mimetic Actuation under Deepwater.

Muscles featuring high frequency and high stroke linear actuation are essential for animals to achieve superior maneuverability, agility, and environmental adaptability. Artificial muscles are yet to match their biological counterparts, due to inferior actuation speed, magnitude, mode, or adaptability. Inspired by the hierarchical structure of natural muscles, artificial muscles are created that are powerful, responsive, robust, and adaptable.

Annual Energy-Saving Smart Windows with Actively Controllable Passive Radiative Cooling and Multimode Heating Regulation.

Smart windows with radiative heat management capability using the sun and outer space as zero-energy thermodynamic resources have gained prominence, demonstrating a minimum carbon footprint. However, realizing on-demand thermal management throughout all seasons while reducing fossil energy consumption remains a formidable challenge. Herein, an energy-efficient smart window that enables actively tunable passive radiative cooling (PRC) and multimode heating regulation is demonstrated by integrating the emission-enhanced polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (SiO@PRC PDLC) film and a low-emission layer deposited with carbon nanotubes.

Impact of crosslinking agents with steric cyclic groups on the properties of polymer-dispersed liquid crystals.

As a type of intelligent dimming film, polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) have been widely applied in various fields, such as smart windows, light shutters and displays. The properties of PDLCs are greatly influenced by the structure of the raw materials. In this work, the impact of crosslinking agents with different cyclic or chain groups was investigated by comparing the electro-optical performance and the morphology of the polymer matrix in the as-made PDLC films.

Global Analysis of the WOX Transcription Factor Family in .

is an economically important, self-incompatible fruit tree in the Lardizabalaceae family. Asexual propagation is the main strategy used to maintain excellent agronomic traits. However, the generation of adventitious roots during asexual propagation is very difficult.

Dynamically Modulating the Dissymmetry Factor of Circularly Polarized Organic Ultralong Room-Temperature Phosphorescence from Soft Helical Superstructures.

Achieving circularly polarized organic ultralong room-temperature phosphorescence (CP-OURTP) with a high luminescent dissymmetry factor (g ) is crucial for diverse optoelectronic applications. In particular, dynamically controlling the dissymmetry factor of CP-OURTP can profoundly advance these applications, but it is still unprecedented. This study introduces an effective strategy to achieve photoirradiation-driven chirality regulation in a bilayered structure film, which consists of a layer of soft helical superstructure incorporated with a light-driven molecular motor and a layer of room-temperature phosphorescent (RTP) polymer.

High-Performance Organic Narrow Dual-Band Circular Polarized Light Detection for Encrypted Communications and Color Imaging.

Conventional circularly polarized light (CPL) detectors necessitate several optical elements, posing difficulties in achieving miniature and integrated devices. Recently developed organic CPL detectors require no additional optical elements but usually suffer from low detectivity or low asymmetry factor (g-factor). Here, an organic CPL detector with excellent detectivity and a high g-factor is fabricated.