Economic Burden of Foodborne Illnesses Acquired in the United States.

Foodborne disease burden estimates inform public health priorities and can help the public understand disease impact. This article provides new estimates of the cost of U.S.

Unmatched Redox Activity of the Palladium-Doped Indium Oxide Oxygen Carrier for Low-Temperature CO Splitting.

The chemical conversion of CO into value-added products is the key technology to realize a carbon-neutral society. One representative example of such conversion is the reverse water-gas shift reaction, which produces CO from CO. However, the activity is insufficient at ambient pressure and lower temperatures (<600 °C), making it a highly energy-intensive and impractical process.

Cobalt-Doped Ceria Sensitizer Effects on Metal Oxide Nanofibers: Heightened Surface Reactivity for High-Performing Chemiresistive Sensors.

Chemiresistive gas sensors based on semiconducting metal oxides typically rely on noble metal catalysts to enhance their sensitivity and selectivity. However, noble metal catalysts have several drawbacks for practical utilization, including their high cost, their propensity for spontaneous agglomeration, and poisoning effects with certain types of gases. As such, in the interest of commercializing the chemiresistive gas sensor technology, we propose an alternative design for a noble-metal-free sensing material through the case study of Co-doped ceria (Co-CeO) catalysts embedded in a SnO matrix.

Dual-Photosensitizer Synergy Empowers Ambient Light Photoactivation of Indium Oxide for High-Performance NO Sensing.

Light-activated chemiresistors offer a powerful approach to achieving lower-temperature gas sensing with unprecedented sensitivities. However, an incomplete understanding of how photoexcited charge carriers enhance sensitivity obstructs the rational design of high-performance sensors, impeding the practical utilization under commonly accessible light sources instead of ultraviolet or higher-energy sources. Here, a rational approach is presented to modulate the electronic properties of the parent metal oxide phase, exemplified by this model system of Bi-doped InO nanofibers decorated with Au nanoparticles (NPs) that exhibit superior NO sensing performance.

Advancing Breathability of Respiratory Nanofilter by Optimizing Pore Structure and Alignment in Nanofiber Networks.

Respiratory masks are the primary and most effective means of protecting individuals from airborne hazards such as droplets and particulate matter during public engagements. However, conventional electrostatically charged melt-blown microfiber masks typically require thick and dense membranes to achieve high filtration efficiency, which in turn cause a significant pressure drop and reduce breathability. In this study, we have developed a multielectrospinning system to address this issue by manipulating the pore structure of nanofiber networks, including the use of uniaxially aligned nanofibers created via an electric-field-guided electrospinning apparatus.

Metallization of Targeted Protein Assemblies in Cell-Derived Extracellular Matrix by Antibody-Guided Biotemplating.

Biological systems are composed of hierarchical structures made of a large number of proteins. These structures are highly sophisticated and challenging to replicate using artificial synthesis methods. To exploit these structures in materials science, biotemplating is used to achieve biocomposites that accurately mimic biological structures and impart functionality of inorganic materials, including electrical conductivity.

Flash-Thermal Shock Synthesis of Single Atoms in Ambient Air.

Single-atom catalysts feature interesting catalytic activity toward applications that rely on surface reactions such as electrochemical energy storage, catalysis, and gas sensors. However, conventional synthetic approaches for such catalysts require extended periods of high-temperature annealing in vacuum systems, limiting their throughput and increasing their production cost. Herein, we report an ultrafast flash-thermal shock (FTS)-induced annealing technique (temperature > 2850 °C, <10 ms duration, and ramping/cooling rates of ∼10 K/s) that operates in an ambient-air environment to prepare single-atom-stabilized N-doped graphene.

Surface Modulation of CoO Yolk-Shell Spheres with Tungsten Doping for Superior Acetone Sensitivity.

This study introduces a promising technique to enhance the sensitivity of p-type semiconductors in gas-sensing applications. By utilizing a glycerate-templated synthesis approach, a unique hierarchical W-doped CoO yolk-shell sphere (YSS)-based sensor was developed, exhibiting exceptional sensitivity toward acetone gas. The synthesized YSSs feature a yolk-shell structure with a diameter of approximately 500 nm and a large surface area of 117.

Rapid Joule Heating Synthesis of Oxide-Socketed High-Entropy Alloy Nanoparticles as CO Conversion Catalysts.

The unorthodox surface chemistry of high-entropy alloy nanoparticles (HEA-NPs), with numerous interelemental synergies, helps catalyze a variety of essential chemical processes, such as the conversion of CO to CO, as a sustainable path to environmental remediation. However, the risk of agglomeration and phase separation in HEA-NPs during high-temperature operations are lasting issues that impede their practical viability. Herein, we present HEA-NP catalysts that are tightly sunk in an oxide overlayer for promoting the catalytic conversion of CO with exceptional stability and performance.

Recent Advances in Triboelectric Nanogenerators: From Technological Progress to Commercial Applications.

Serious climate changes and energy-related environmental problems are currently critical issues in the world. In order to reduce carbon emissions and save our environment, renewable energy harvesting technologies will serve as a key solution in the near future. Among them, triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), which is one of the most promising mechanical energy harvesters by means of contact electrification phenomenon, are explosively developing due to abundant wasting mechanical energy sources and a number of superior advantages in a wide availability and selection of materials, relatively simple device configurations, and low-cost processing.

Inspired by Wood: Thick Electrodes for Supercapacitors.

The emergence and development of thick electrodes provide an efficient way for the high-energy-density supercapacitor design. Wood is a kind of biomass material with porous hierarchical structure, which has the characteristics of a straight channel, uniform pore structure, good mechanical strength, and easy processing. The wood-inspired low-tortuosity and vertically aligned channel architecture are highly suitable for the construction of thick electrochemical supcapacitor electrodes with high energy densities.

Hydrovoltaic Electricity Generator with Hygroscopic Materials: A Review and New Perspective.

The global energy crisis caused by the overconsumption of nonrenewable fuels has prompted researchers to develop alternative strategies for producing electrical energy. In this review, a fascinating strategy that simply utilizes water, an abundant natural substance throughout the globe and even in air as moisture, as a power source is introduced. The concept of the hydrovoltaic electricity generator (HEG) proposed herein involves generating an electrical potential gradient by exposing the two ends of the HEG device to dissimilar physicochemical environments, which leads to the production of an electrical current through the active material.

Toward Sustainable Wearable Electronic Textiles.

Smart wearable electronic textiles (e-textiles) that can detect and differentiate multiple stimuli, while also collecting and storing the diverse array of data signals using highly innovative, multifunctional, and intelligent garments, are of great value for personalized healthcare applications. However, material performance and sustainability, complicated and difficult e-textile fabrication methods, and their limited end-of-life processability are major challenges to wide adoption of e-textiles. In this review, we explore the potential for sustainable materials, manufacturing techniques, and their end-of-the-life processes for developing eco-friendly e-textiles.

Multifunctional Filter Membranes Based on Self-Assembled Core-Shell Biodegradable Nanofibers for Persistent Electrostatic Filtration through the Triboelectric Effect.

The massive production of polymer-based respiratory masks during the COVID-19 pandemic has rekindled the issue of environmental pollution from nonrecyclable plastic waste. To mitigate this problem, conventional filters should be redesigned with improved filtration performance over the entire operational life while also being naturally degradable at the end. Herein, we developed a functional and biodegradable polymeric filter membrane consisting of a polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) matrix blended with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and montmorillonite (MMT) clay, whose surface properties have been modified through cation exchange reactions for good miscibility with PBAT in an organic solvent.

Facile Synthesis of CoO/CoMoO Heterostructure Nanosheets for Enhanced Acetone Detection.

Although p-type semiconductors exhibit highly selective and stable chemiresistive gas sensing performances compared to conventional n-type semiconductors, their low sensitivity had long impeded their practical development. In this work, we developed highly porous CoO/CoMoO heterostructure nanosheets (NSs) with enhanced sensitivity and superior stability toward acetone gas through a facile solution-based approach with Mo-impregnated Co-based metal-organic frameworks as the starting material. The spontaneous formation of a large number of p-p heterojunctions at the CoO-CoMoO interface would facilitate the adsorption of oxygen and acetone molecules, as verified by density functional theory calculations.

Ultrafast Ambient-Air Exsolution on Metal Oxide via Momentary Photothermal Effect.

The process of exsolution for the synthesis of strongly anchored metal nanoparticles (NPs) on host oxide lattices has been proposed as a promising strategy for designing robust catalyst-support composite systems. However, because conventional exsolution processes occur in harsh reducing environments at high temperatures for long periods of time, the choice of support materials and dopant metals are limited to those with inherently high thermal and chemical stability. Herein, we report the exsolution of a series of noble metal catalysts (Pt, Rh, and Ir) from metal oxide nanofibers (WO NFs) supports in an entirely ambient environment induced by intense pulsed light (IPL)-derived momentary photothermal treatment (>1000 °C).

Porous Pd-Sn Alloy Nanotube-Based Chemiresistor for Highly Stable and Sensitive H Detection.

While H is indispensable as a green fuel source, it is highly flammable and explosive. Because it is difficult to detect due to its lack of odor and color, a solution for proper monitoring of H leakage is essential to ensure safe handling. To this end, we have successfully fabricated hollow Pd-Sn alloy nanotubes (NTs) with a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area of 223.

Promoting Ex-Solution from Metal-Organic-Framework-Mediated Oxide Scaffolds for Highly Active and Robust Catalysts.

Ex-solution catalysts, in which a host oxide is decorated with confined metallic nanoparticles, have exhibited breakthrough activity in various catalytic reactions. However, catalysts prepared by conventional ex-solution processes are limited by the low surface area of host oxides, the limited solubility of dopants, and the incomplete conversion of doped cations into metal catalysts. Here, the design of the host oxide structure is reconceptualized using a metal-organic framework (MOF) as an oxide precursor that can absorb a large quantity of ions while also promoting ex-solution at low temperatures (400-500 °C).

Violacein-embedded nanofiber filters with antiviral and antibacterial activities.

Most respiratory masks are made of fabrics, which only capture the infectious virus carriers into the matrix. However, these contagious viruses stay active for a long duration (∼7 days) within the fabric matrix possibly inducing post-contact transmissions. Moreover, conventional masks are vulnerable to bacterial growth with prolonged exposure to exhaled breaths.

Photoenergy Harvesting by Photoacid Solution.

Solar energy has seen 180 years of development since the discovery of the photovoltaic effect, having achieved the most successful commercialization in the energy-harvesting fields. Despite its long history, even the most state-of-the-art photovoltaics remain confined to solid-state devices, limiting spatial and light utilization efficiencies. Herein, a liquid-state photoenergy harvester based on a photoacid (PA), a chemical that releases protons upon light irradiation and recombines with them in the dark through a fully reversible reaction, is demonstrated.

Oxide/ZIF-8 Hybrid Nanofiber Yarns: Heightened Surface Activity for Exceptional Chemiresistive Sensing.

Though highly promising as powerful gas sensors, oxide semiconductor chemiresistors have low surface reactivity, which limits their selectivity, sensitivity, and reaction kinetics, particularly at room temperature (RT) operation. It is proposed that a hybrid design involving the nanostructuring of oxides and passivation with selective gas filtration layers can potentially overcome the issues with surface activity. Herein, unique bi-stacked heterogeneous layers are introduced; that is, nanostructured oxides covered by conformal nanoporous gas filters, on ultrahigh-density nanofiber (NF) yarns via sputter deposition with indium tin oxide (ITO) and subsequent self-assembly of zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8) nanocrystals.

Cost of Hospitalizations for Leading Foodborne Pathogens in the United States: Identification by International Classification of Disease Coding and Variation by Pathogen.

Foodborne illness is a continuing public health problem in the United States. Seven pathogens-, , Shiga toxin-producing O157, , nontyphoidal , norovirus, and are estimated to cause >90% of the foodborne illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths attributed to 31 known pathogens. The purpose of this article was to inform estimates of the cost of hospitalizations associated with these pathogens using National Inpatient Survey data from January 2012 through September 2015.

Understanding the Role of Poly(vinylpyrrolidone) in Stabilizing and Capping Colloidal Silver Nanocrystals.

The ligands anchored to the surface of metal nanocrystals play an important role in controlling their colloidal synthesis for a broad spectrum of applications, but it remains a daunting challenge to investigate the ligand-surface and ligand-solvent interactions at the molecular level. Here, we report the use of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) to extract structural information about the binding of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) to Ag nanocubes as well as its conformational changes in response to solvent quality. When a PVP chain binds to the surface of a Ag nanocube through some of its carbonyl groups, the segments between adjacent binding sites are expelled into the solvent as loops.