Multiscale integral synchronous assembly of cuttlebone-inspired structural materials by predesigned hydrogels.

The overall structural integrity plays a vital role in the unique performance of living organisms, but the integral synchronous preparation of different multiscale architectures remains challenging. Inspired by the cuttlebone's rigid cavity-wall structure with excellent energy absorption, we develop a robust hierarchical predesigned hydrogel assembly strategy to integrally synchronously assemble multiple organic and inorganic micro-nano building blocks to different structures. The two types of predesigned hydrogels, combined with hydrogen, covalent bonding, and electrostatic interactions, are layer-by-layer assembled into brick-and-mortar structures and close-packed rigid micro hollow structures in a cuttlebone-inspired structural material, respectively.

Low-Cost Intrinsic Flame-Retardant Bio-Based High Performance Polyurethane and its Application in Triboelectric Nanogenerators.

Flammability is a significant challenge in polymer-based electronics. In this regard, triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have enabled a safe means for harvesting mechanical energy for conversion into electrical energy. However, most existing polymers used for TENGs are sourced from petroleum-based raw materials and are highly flammable, which can further accelerate the spread of fire and harm the ecological environment.

Microbial mechanisms of mesofauna pattern changes affecting soil greenhouse gas emissions and ecosystem multifunctionality.

In mountainous regions, global warming has changed the biological diversity and community structure of both aboveground and belowground organisms, and it may cause biota to move from lower altitudes to higher altitudes. However, our understanding of such migrations of soil mesofauna caused by global warming on soil processes and functions remains limited. We carried out a 79-day experiment comprising treatments without mesofauna (WM), native mesofauna (NM), migratory mesofauna (MM), and both native and migratory mesofauna together (TM) to reveal the effects of soil mesofauna migration on greenhouse gas emissions, ecosystem multifunctionality, and the underlying mechanisms.

Natural variation in an HD-ZIP factor identifies its role in controlling apple leaf cuticular wax deposition.

Natural variation is an invaluable genetic resource for plant trait improvement. Here, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) analysis and identified MdHDG5, which controls apple leaf cuticular wax. An A-to-G single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) on the HDG5 promoter is associated with HDG5 expression and hexacosanol content (a component of leaf cuticular wax).

Sustainable High-Performance Structural Materials from Micro/nanostructured Corn Stover.

Corn stover, as an abundant agricultural residue, has not been well reutilized due to the lack of efficient utilization methods. Based on micro/nanoscale structure design of corn stover, we report an environmentally friendly strategy to prepare micro/nanostructured corn stover-based building blocks. Then, through the directed deformation assembly approach, a high value-added corn stover structural material (CSSM) that with higher strength and more excellent thermal stability than most widely used plastics and wood-plastic composites can be prepared.