Curvature-Specific Coupling Electrode Design for a Stretchable Three-Dimensional Inorganic Piezoelectric Nanogenerator.

Structures such as 3D buckling have been widely used to impart stretchability to devices. However, these structures have limitations when applied to piezoelectric devices due to the uneven distribution of internal strain during deformation. When strains with opposite directions simultaneously affect piezoelectric materials, the electric output can decrease due to cancellation.

Nanostructured MnO /g-CN for photodegradation of sulfamethoxazole under visible light irradiation.

The effectiveness of g-CN as photocatalyst is hindered by the rapid recombination of photo-generated electron/hole pairs. To improve its photocatalytic performance, the incorporation of g-CN with co-catalysts can promote charge separation efficiency and enhance redox capabilities. In our study, a two-step approach involving calcination and solvothermal method was utilized to fabricate a proficient MnO /g-CN heterojunction photocatalyst with high photocatalytic activity.

Increased Susceptibility to Mechanical Stretch Drives the Persistence of Keloid Fibroblasts: An Investigation Using a Stretchable PDMS Platform.

Background: Keloids are a common fibrotic disease of the skin, with the pathological hallmark of excessive extracellular matrix synthesis due to abnormal fibroblast activity. Since keloids clinically arise in areas of high mechanical tension, the mechanotransductory pathway may be attributed to its pathogenesis. We aimed to establish a preclinical platform to elucidate the underlying mechanism of keloid development and its clinical persistence.

Synthesis of a 3D Flower-Like BiOCl/Bi-MOF Heterostructure for High-Performance Removal of Rhodamine B and Tetracycline Hydrochloride.

Semiconductor materials based on bismuth metal have been extensively explored for their potential in photocatalytic applications owing to their distinctive crystal structure. Herein, we present the development of a hybrid photocatalyst, CAU-17/BiOCl, featuring a flower-like nanosheet morphology tailored for the photocatalytic degradation of organic contaminants such as rhodamine B (RhB) and tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH). The composite material is obtained by growing thin CAU-17 layers directly onto the host flower-like BiOCl nanosheets under solvothermal conditions.

Construction of BiOCl/bismuth-based halide perovskite heterojunctions derived from the metal-organic framework CAU-17 for effective photocatalytic degradation.

The designed synthesis of an S-scheme heterojunction has possessed a great potential for improving photocatalytic wastewater treatment by demonstrating increased the photoredox capacity and improved the charge separation efficiency. Here, we introduce the fabrication of a heterojunction-based photocatalyst comprising bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl) and bismuth-based halide perovskite (BHP) nanosheets, derived from metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Our composite photocatalyst is synthesized through a one-pot solvothermal strategy, where a halogenation process is applied to a bismuth-based metal-organic framework (CAU-17) as the precursor for bismuth sourcing.

Atomic layer deposition of SnSfilm on a precursor pre-treated substrate.

Two-dimensional (2D) materials are attracting attention because of their outstanding physical, chemical, and electrical properties for applications of various future devices such as back-end-of-line field effect transistor (BEOL FET). Among many 2D materials, tin disulfide (SnS) material is advantageous for low temperature process due to low melting point that can be used for flexible devices and back-end-of-line (BEOL) devices that require low processing temperature. However, low temperature synthesis method has a poor crystallinity for applying to various semiconductor industries.

The Comparison of Clinical Outcomes in Elderly (≥75 Years) and Non-Elderly (<75 Years) Patients with Acute Cholangitis Due to Choledocholithiasis.

: Acute cholangitis may be fatal, particularly in elderly patients. According to the Tokyo Guidelines 2018, those aged ≥75 years are classified as moderate (Grade II) severity. However, it has not been established whether age itself is the deciding factor of poor outcomes.

Fluorescent-based biodegradable microneedle sensor array for tether-free continuous glucose monitoring with smartphone application.

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) allows patients with diabetes to manage critical disease effectively and autonomously and prevent exacerbation. A painless, wireless, compact, and minimally invasive device that can provide CGM is essential for monitoring the health conditions of freely moving patients with diabetes. Here, we propose a glucose-responsive fluorescence-based highly sensitive biodegradable microneedle CGM system.

Strain-Driven Negative Resistance Switching of Conductive Fibers with Adjustable Sensitivity for Wearable Healthcare Monitoring Systems with Near-Zero Standby Power.

Recently, one of the primary concerns in e-textile-based healthcare monitoring systems for chronic illness patients has been reducing wasted power consumption, as the system should be always-on to capture diverse biochemical and physiological characteristics. However, the general conductive fibers, a major component of the existing wearable monitoring systems, have a positive gauge-factor (GF) that increases electrical resistance when stretched, so that the systems have no choice but to consume power continuously. Herein, a twisted conductive-fiber-based negatively responsive switch-type (NRS) strain-sensor with an extremely high negative GF (resistance change ratio ≈ 3.

Strain-Insensitive Stretchable Fiber Conductors Based on Highly Conductive Buckled Shells for Wearable Electronics.

Based on their high applicability to wearable electronics, fiber-based stretchable electronics have been developed via different strategies. However, the electrical conductivity of a fiber electrode is severely degraded, following deformation upon stretching. Despite the introduction of conductive buckled structures to resolve this issue, there still exist limitations regarding the simultaneous realizations of high conductivity and stretchability.

The effects of nearby trees on the positional accuracy of GNSS receivers in a forest environment.

Global Navigational Satellite System (GNSS) technologies are actively being developed to address the demand for enhanced positional accuracy. Smartphones are the most prevalent GNSS receiver today and have garnered attention thanks to improved positional accuracy and usability that can be accessed at an affordable price. In a forested environment, multipath error can deteriorate the positional accuracy, depending on the state of nearby vegetation.

Pd nanoparticles decorated BiVO pine architectures for photocatalytic degradation of sulfamethoxazole.

Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) has been extensively detected in wastewater treatment plant effluents and surface water. Because of its potential risks to ecology and health, treatment for eliminating SMX is urgently required. In this study, we report the application of Pd nanoparticles decorated on BiVO pine architecture for the photocatalytic degradation of SMX.

Tailored Self-Assembled Monolayer using Chemical Coupling for Indium-Gallium-Zinc Oxide Thin-Film Transistors: Multifunctional Copper Diffusion Barrier.

Controlling the contact properties of a copper (Cu) electrode is an important process for improving the performance of an amorphous indium-gallium-zinc oxide (a-IGZO) thin-film transistor (TFT) for high-speed applications, owing to the low resistance-capacitance product constant of Cu. One of the many challenges in Cu application to a-IGZO is inhibiting high diffusivity, which causes degradation in the performance of a-IGZO TFT by forming electron trap states. A self-assembled monolayer (SAM) can perfectly act as a Cu diffusion barrier (DB) and passivation layer that prevents moisture and oxygen, which can deteriorate the TFT on-off performance.

New frontiers of invasive plants for biosynthesis of nanoparticles towards biomedical applications: A review.

Above 1000 invasive species have been growing and developing ubiquitously on Earth. With extremely vigorous adaptability, strong reproduction, and spreading powers, invasive species have posed an alarming threat to indigenous plants, water quality, soil, as well as biodiversity. It was estimated that an economic loss of billions of dollars or equivalent to 1 % of gross domestic product as a consequence of lost crops, control efforts, and damage costs caused by invasive plants in the United States.

Fabrication of binary g-CN/UU-200 composites with enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic performance toward organic pollutant eliminations.

In this study, g-CN/UU-200 heterojunction photocatalysts displaying superior photocatalytic activity for organic pollutant elimination under white LED light irradiation were fabricated an solvothermal method. The successful construction of a heterojunction between g-CN and UU-200 was evidenced by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The improved photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) and tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) over g-CN/UU-200 compared with that over the individual components can be attributed to the anchoring of the g-CN layered structure on the UU-200 surface promoting the decrease of the bandgap of UU-200, as confirmed by ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and to the light-induced charge separation efficiency stemming from a suitable heterojunction structure, which was revealed by photoluminescence spectroscopy and electrochemical analyses.

A critical review on pineapple (Ananas comosus) wastes for water treatment, challenges and future prospects towards circular economy.

Each year, nearly 30 million tons of pineapple fruit are harvested for food and drinking industries, along with the release of a huge amount of pineapple wastes. Without the proper treatment, pineapple wastes can cause adverse impacts on the environment, calling for new technologies to convert them into valuable products. Here, we review the production and application of adsorbents derived from pineapple wastes.

Synthesis of a UiO-66/g-CN composite using terephthalic acid obtained from waste plastic for the photocatalytic degradation of the chemical warfare agent simulant, methyl paraoxon.

In our study, Zr-based UiO-66 (Zr) was synthesized using terephthalic acid obtained from waste plastic. Thereafter, UiO-66/g-CN composites were prepared by the solvothermal method, and their photocatalytic activity in the photodegradation of the chemical warfare agent simulant, dimethyl 4-nitrophenyl phosphate (DMNP), was evaluated. The as-synthesized UiO-66/g-CN exhibited a high surface area (1440 m g) and a high capillary volume (1.

Perovskite superlattices with efficient carrier dynamics.

Compared with their three-dimensional (3D) counterparts, low-dimensional metal halide perovskites (2D and quasi-2D; BAMX, such as B = R-NH, A = HC(NH), Cs; M = Pb, Sn; X = Cl, Br, I) with periodic inorganic-organic structures have shown promising stability and hysteresis-free electrical performance. However, their unique multiple-quantum-well structure limits the device efficiencies because of the grain boundaries and randomly oriented quantum wells in polycrystals. In single crystals, the carrier transport through the thickness direction is hindered by the layered insulating organic spacers.

Urban land use cover changes in three developed cities of the United States: San Diego, Denver, and Buffalo.

Using imagery available through Google Earth Pro and a point sampling methodology, changes in land cover for three U.S. cities were assessed, beginning during the Great Recession (2007) and extending through to 2018.

Clinical Significance of the Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio as an Early Predictive Marker for Adverse Outcomes in Patients with Acute Cholangitis.

Acute cholangitis can be life-threatening if not recognized early. We investigated the predictive value of the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in acute cholangitis. We retrospectively evaluated 206 patients with acute cholangitis who underwent biliary drainage.

Ultrahigh Sensitive Au-Doped Silicon Nanomembrane Based Wearable Sensor Arrays for Continuous Skin Temperature Monitoring with High Precision.

Monitoring the body temperature with high accuracy provides a fast, facile, yet powerful route about the human body in a wide range of health information standards. Here, the first ever ultrasensitive and stretchable gold-doped silicon nanomembrane (Au-doped SiNM) epidermal temperature sensor array is introduced. The ultrasensitivity is achieved by shifting freeze-out region to intrinsic region in carrier density and modulation of fermi energy level of p-type SiNM through the development of a novel gold-doping strategy.

Bimetallic Ag-Zn-BTC/GO composite as highly efficient photocatalyst in the photocatalytic degradation of reactive yellow 145 dye in water.

Ag-Zn-BTC/GO composites (BTC: benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic, GO: graphene oxide) with different Ag/Zn molar ratios were synthesized using microwave-assisted hydrothermal treatment. The Ag-Zn-BTC/GO exhibited excellent photocatalytic performance in the reactive yellow 145 dye (RY-145) degradation under irradiation of visible light with nearly 100% of RY-145 removal after 35 min, as compared to Zn-BTC/GO and Ag-BTC/GO. Reactive oxygen species scavenging assays have shown that the holes (h) and superoxide radical anion (O) play a primary role in RY-145 degradation.

Continuous monitoring of deep-tissue haemodynamics with stretchable ultrasonic phased arrays.

Stretchable wearable devices for the continuous monitoring of physiological signals from deep tissues are constrained by the depth of signal penetration and by difficulties in resolving signals from specific tissues. Here, we report the development and testing of a prototype skin-conformal ultrasonic phased array for the monitoring of haemodynamic signals from tissues up to 14 cm beneath the skin. The device allows for active focusing and steering of ultrasound beams over a range of incident angles so as to target regions of interest.