Enhanced Performance of Triboelectric Nanogenerators and Sensors via Cold Spray Particle Deposition.

In this study, a high-performance triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is developed based on cold spray (CS) deposition of composite material layers. Composite layers were fabricated by cold spraying of micron-scale tin (Sn) particles on aluminum (Al) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) films, which led to improved TENG performance owing to functionalized composite layers as friction layers and electrodes, respectively. As-sprayed tin composite layers not only enhanced the flow of charges by strong adhesion to the target layer but also formed a nano-microstructure on the surface of the layers, thereby increasing the surface area during friction.

Enhancement of patterned triboelectric output performance by an interfacial polymer layer for energy harvesting application.

Efficaciously scavenging waste mechanical energy from the environment is an emerging field in the self-powered and self-governing electronics systems which solves battery limitations. It demonstrates enormous potential in various fields such as wireless devices, vesture, and portable electronic devices. Different surface textured PET triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) were developed by the laser pattern method in the previous work, with the line textured TENG device showing improved performance due to a larger surface contact area.

A Preliminary Study of Personalized Head CT Scan in Pediatric Patients.

Objectives: In the present study, we introduced a practical approach to quantify organ-specific radiation doses and investigated whether low-dose head circumference (HC)-based protocols for non-enhanced head computed tomography (CT) could reduce organs-specific radiation dose in pediatric patients while maintaining high image quality.

Methods: A total of 83 pediatric patients were prospectively recruited. Without limits to the HC, 15 patients were selected as a convention group (CON group) and underwent non-enhanced head CT scan with standard-dose protocols (tube current-time products of 250mAs).

Optic nerve Hemangioblastoma with bilateral frontal lobe Oedema: a case report.

Background: Hemangioblastomas are rare benign tumours that are most commonly detected in the subtentorium or spinal cord. Optic nerve hemangioblastoma is very rare and is most commonly associated with Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome.

Case Presentation: Here, we report a case of hemangioblastoma of the optic nerve with bilateral frontal lobe oedema without VHL syndrome, which has not yet been reported.

Fabrication of Flexible Microneedle Array Electrodes for Wearable Bio-Signal Recording.

Laser-direct writing (LDW) and magneto-rheological drawing lithography (MRDL) have been proposed for the fabrication of a flexible microneedle array electrode (MAE) for wearable bio-signal monitoring. Conductive patterns were directly written onto the flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate by LDW. The microneedle array was rapidly drawn and formed from the droplets of curable magnetorheological fluid with the assistance of an external magnetic field by MRDL.

A 3D printed smartphone optosensing platform for point-of-need food safety inspection.

The deficiency in rapid and in-field detection methods and portable devices that are reliable, easy-to-use, and low cost, results in the difficulties to uphold the high safety standards in China. In this study, we introduce a rapid and cost-effective smartphone-based method for point-of-need food safety inspection, which employs aptamer-conjugated AuNPs as the colorimetric indicator, and a battery-powered optosensing accessory attached to the camera of a smartphone for transmission images capture. A user-friendly and easy-to-use Android application is developed for automatic digital image processing and result reporting.

Effect of honeybee stinger and its microstructured barbs on insertion and pull force.

Worker honeybee is well-known for its stinger with microscopic backward-facing barbs for self-defense. The natural geometry of the stinger enables painless penetration and adhesion in the human skin to deliver poison. In this study, Apis cerana worker honeybee stinger and acupuncture microneedle (as a barbless stinger) were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).