Enhancing battery longevity by regulating the solvation chemistry of organic iodide.

For rechargeable zinc-iodine batteries, the low electrical conductivity of iodine and the easy dissolution of polyiodide in the electrolyte need to be carefully managed to ensure efficient operation. Herein, we introduce an organic iodized salt, formamidinium iodide (CHNI), to modulate the solvation structure of iodide ion, aimed to improve the reaction kinetics of iodine for reversible redox conversion. The participation of formamidinium ion (FA) into solvation structure leads to the formation of the favorable FAIZn(HO) complex, facilitating easier desolvation for redox conversion with iodine.

Room-Temperature CsPbI-Quantum-Dot Reinforced Solid-State Li-Polymer Battery.

A novel polymer electrolyte based on CsPbI quantum dots (QDs) reinforced polyacrylonitrile (PAN), named as PIL, is exploited to address the low room-temperature (RT) ion conductivity and poor interfacial compatibility of polymer solid-state electrolytes. After optimizing the content of CsPbI QDs, RT ion conductivity of PIL largely increased from 0.077 to 0.

A pH/GSH Dual-Responsive Triple Synergistic Bimetallic Nanocatalyst for Enhanced Tumor Chemodynamic Therapy.

Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) has garnered significant attention in the field of tumor therapy due to its ability to convert overexpressed hydrogen peroxide (HO) in tumors into highly toxic hydroxyl radicals (•OH) through metal ion-mediated catalysis. However, the effectiveness of CDT is hindered by low catalyst efficiency, insufficient intra-tumor HO level, and excessive glutathione (GSH). In this study, a pH/GSH dual responsive bimetallic nanocatalytic system (CuFeMOF@GOx@Mem) is developed by modifying red blood cell membranes onto glucose oxidase (GOx)-loaded Fe-Cu bimetallic MOFs, enhancing the efficacy of CDT through a triple-enhanced way by HO self-supply, catalysts self-cycling, and GSH self-elimination.

Bioinspired Smart Triboelectric Soft Pneumatic Actuator-Enabled Hand Rehabilitation Robot.

Quantitative assessment for post-stroke spasticity remains a significant challenge due to the encountered variable resistance during passive stretching, which can lead to the widely used modified Ashworth scale (MAS) for spasticity assessment depending heavily on rehabilitation physicians. To address these challenges, a high-force-output triboelectric soft pneumatic actuator (TENG-SPA) inspired by a lobster tail is developed. The bioinspired TENG-SPA can generate approximately 20 N at 0.

Amorphous/Crystalline Urchin-Like TiO SERS Platform for Selective Recognition and Efficient Identification of Glutathione.

Glutathione serves as a common biomarkers in tumor diagnosis and treatment. The levels of its intracellular concentration permit detailed investigation of the tumor microenvironment. However, low polarization and weak Raman scattering cross-section make direct and indirect Raman detection challenging.

Self-Sustained Biophotocatalytic Nano-Organelle Reactors with Programmable DNA Switches for Combating Tumor Metastasis.

Metastasis, the leading cause of mortality in cancer patients, presents challenges for conventional photodynamic therapy (PDT) due to its reliance on localized light and oxygen application to tumors. To overcome these limitations, a self-sustained organelle-mimicking nanoreactor is developed here with programmable DNA switches that enables bio-chem-photocatalytic cascade-driven starvation-photodynamic synergistic therapy against tumor metastasis. Emulating the compartmentalization and positional assembly strategies found in living cells, this nano-organelle reactor allows quantitative co-compartmentalization of multiple functional modules for the designed self-illuminating chemiexcited PDT system.

Efficient Extraction of Phenols from Coal Tar and Preparation of Phenolic Resin-Based Porous Carbon for Advanced Supercapacitor Application.

Developing simple and efficient extraction methods for phenolic substances from coal tar, which facilitate their direct transformation into high-performance electrode materials, holds considerable practical significance. In this study, amide-zinc chloride deep eutectic solvents are employed for efficient phenol extraction. The optimal phenol extraction process is subsequently investigated, and it is found that the robust hydrogen bonding interactions between solvents and phenols significantly enhance extraction efficiency.

Protein-Guided Biomimetic Calcification Constructing 3D Nitrogen-Rich Core-Shell Structures Realizing High-Performance Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

Biomimetic calcification is a micro-crystallization process that mimics the natural biomineralization process, where biomacromolecules regulate the formation of inorganic minerals. In this study, it is presented that a protein-assisted biomimetic calcification method for the in situ synthesis of nitrogen-doped metal-organic framework (MOF) materials. A series of unique core-shell structures are created by utilizing proteins as templates and guiding agents in the nucleation step, creating ideal conditions for shell growth.

Advanced Polymeric Nanoparticles for Cancer Immunotherapy: Materials Engineering, Immunotherapeutic Mechanism and Clinical Translation.

Cancer immunotherapy, which leverages immune system components to treat malignancies, has emerged as a cornerstone of contemporary therapeutic strategies. Yet, critical concerns about the efficacy and safety of cancer immunotherapies remain formidable. Nanotechnology, especially polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs), offers unparalleled flexibility in manipulation-from the chemical composition and physical properties to the precision control of nanoassemblies.

WS/MHS PdTe/Si Mixed-Dimensional Heterojunction as Ultra-Broadband Photodetector for Health and Safety Monitoring.

Ultra-broadband photodetectors (UB-PDs) are essential in medical applications, public safety monitoring, and various other fields. However, developing UB-PDs covering multiple bands from ultraviolet to medium infrared remains a challenge due to material limitations. Here, a mixed-dimensional heterojunction composed of 2D WS/monodisperse hexagonal stacking (MHS) 3D PdTe particles on 3D Si is proposed, capable of detecting light from 365 to 9600 nm.

Additives-Modified Electrodeposition for Synthesis of Hydrophobic Cu/CuO with Ag Single Atoms to Drive CO Electroreduction.

Copper-based electrocatalysts are recognized as crucial catalysts for CO electroreduction into multi-carbon products. However, achieving copper-based electrocatalysts with adjustable valences via one-step facile synthesis remains a challenge. In this study, Cu/CuO heterostructure is constructed by adjusting the anion species of the Cu ions-containing electrolyte during electrodeposition synthesis.

Hydrogen-Bonded Organic Framework Nanoscintillators for X-Ray-Induced Photodynamic Therapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

X-ray induced photodynamic therapy (X-PDT) leverages penetrating X-ray to generate singlet oxygen (O) for treating deep-seated tumors. However, conventional X-PDT typically relies on heavy metal inorganic scintillators and organic photosensitizers to produce O, which presents challenges related to toxicity and energy conversion efficiency. In this study, highly biocompatible organic phosphorescent nanoscintillators based on hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOF) are designed and engineered, termed BPT-HOF@PEG, to enhance X-PDT in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment.

Transferrin-Based Bismuth Nanoparticles for Radiotherapy with Immunomodulation Against Orthotopic Glioma.

Modern radiotherapy frequently employs radiosensitizers for radiation dose deposition and triggers an immunomodulatory effect to enhance tumor destruction. However, developing glioma-targeted sensitizers remains challenging due to the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and multicomponent instability. This study aims to green-synthesize transferrin-bismuth nanoparticles (TBNPs) as biosafe radiosensitizers to enhance X-ray absorption by tumors and stimulate the immune response for glioma therapy.

Colon-Targeted Ginseng Polysaccharides-Based Microspheres for Improving Ulcerative Colitis via Anti-Inflammation and Gut Microbiota Modulation.

Natural plant-derived polysaccharides exhibit substantial potential for treating ulcerative colitis (UC) owing to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and favorable safety profiles. However, their practical application faces several challenges, including structural instability in gastric acid, imprecise targeting of inflamed regions, and limited intestinal retention times. To address these limitations, pH-responsive, colon-targeting microspheres (pWGPAC MSs) are developed for delivering phosphorylated wild ginseng polysaccharides (pWGP) to alleviate UC.

Hypoxia-Responsive Covalent Organic Framework Nanoplatform for Breast-Cancer-Targeted Cocktail Immunotherapy via Triple Therapeutic Switch Mechanisms.

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs), known for their exceptional in situ encapsulation and precise release capabilities, are emerging as pioneering drug delivery systems. This study introduces a hypoxia-responsive COF designed to encapsulate the chemotherapy drug gambogic acid (GA) in situ. Bimetallic gold-palladium islands were grown on UiO-66-NH (UiO) to form UiO@Au-Pd (UAPi), which were encapsulated with GA through COF membrane formation, resulting in a core-shell structure (UAPiGC).

Electroactive Asymmetric Dressing for Spatiotemporal Deep Burn Scarless Healing and Management.

Burn care and treatment differ markedly from other types of wounds, as they are significantly more prone to infections and struggle to maintain fluid balance post-burn. Moreover, the limited self-healing abilities exacerbate the likelihood of scar formation, further complicating the recovery process. To tackle these issues, an asymmetric wound dressing comprising a quercetin-loaded poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) (P34HB@Qu) hydrophilic layer and a zinc oxide nanoparticle-loaded, thermally treated polyvinylidene fluoride (HPVDF@ZnO) hydrophobic layer is designed.

Multiscale Understanding of Anion Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: Mechanisms, Electrocatalysts, Polymers, and Cell Management.

Anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) are among the most promising sustainable electrochemical technologies to help solve energy challenges. Compared to proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), AEMFCs offer a broader choice of catalyst materials and a less corrosive operating environment for the bipolar plates and the membrane. This can lead to potentially lower costs and longer operational life than PEMFCs.

Tumor-Associated Macrophages Nano-Reprogrammers Induce "Gear Effect" to Empower Glioblastoma Immunotherapy.

Glioblastoma (GBM), the most malignant brain tumor with high prevalence, remains highly resistant to the existing immunotherapies due to the significant immunosuppression within tumor microenvironment (TME), predominantly manipulated by M2-phenotypic tumor-associated macrophages (M2-TAMs). Here in this work, an M2-TAMs targeted nano-reprogrammers, MG5-S-IMDQ, is established by decorating the mannose molecule as the targeting moiety as well as the toll-like receptor (TLR) 7/8 agonist, imidazoquinoline (IMDQ) on the dendrimeric nanoscaffold. MG5-S-IMDQ demonstrated an excellent capacity of penetrating the blood-brain barrier (BBB) as well as selectively targeting M2-TAMs in the GBM microenvironment, leading to a phenotype transformation and function restoration of TAMs shown as heightened phagocytic activity toward tumor cells, enhanced cytotoxic effects, and improved tumor antigen cross-presentation capability.

Efficacy and safety of PD-1 inhibitor plus chemotherapy in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A meta-analysis.

Background: The combination of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors and chemotherapy has shown promising results in the treatment of various malignancies. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of combing PD-1 inhibitor with chemotherapy in patients with advanced NPC.

Methods: A thorough search of the literature was carried out using comprehensive methods.

Distinct Transmission of Left- and Right-Handed Magnon Modes in Compensated Ferrimagnet/Antiferromagnet Structures.

The chirality of magnons, exhibiting left- and right-handed polarizations analogous to the counterparts of spin-up and spin-down, has emerged as a promising paradigm for information processing. However, the potential of this paradigm is constrained by the controllable excitation and transmission of chiral magnons. Here, the magnon transmission is explored in the GdFeO/NiO/Pt structures.

Investigating non-target site resistance to pyroxsulam in a glyphosate-resistant Lolium rigidum population.

Background: Resistance to multiple herbicides is common in Lolium rigidum. Here, resistance to acetolactate synthase (ALS)- and susceptibility to acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase)-inhibiting herbicides was confirmed in a glyphosate-resistant L. rigidum population (NLR70) from Australia and the mechanisms of pyroxsulam resistance were examined.

Weakening Pd─O Bonds by an Amorphous Pd Layer to Promote Electrocatalysis.

Construction of core-shell structured electrocatalysts with a thin noble metal shell is an effective strategy for lowering the usage of the noble metal and improving electrocatalytic properties because of the structure-induced geometric and electronic effects. Here, the synthesis of a novel core-shell structured nanocatalyst consisting of a thin amorphous Pd shell and a crystalline PdCu core and its significantly improved electrocatalytic properties for both formic acid oxidation and oxygen reduction reactions are shown. The electrocatalyst exhibits 4.

Intelligent Optimization Design Framework for Alternating Current Pulse Modulation Electrohydrodynamic Printing Process Parameters.

To achieve efficient size tuning of printed microstructures on insulating substrates, an integrated process parameter intelligent optimization design framework for alternating current pulse modulation electrohydrodynamic (AC-EHD) printing is proposed for the first time. The framework is comprised of two stages: the construction of a prediction model and the acquisition of process parameters. The first stage employs the elk herd optimizer(EHO)-artificial neural network(ANN) to establish a mapping relationship between printing process parameters and the size of deposited droplets.

AIE-Active Antibacterial Photosensitizer Disrupting Bacterial Structure: Multicenter Validation against Drug-Resistant Pathogens.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a global challenge in treating bacterial infections, creating an urgent need for broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents that can effectively combat multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. Despite advancements in novel antimicrobial agents, many fail to comprehensively cover common resistant bacterial strains or undergo rigorous multi-center validation. Herein, a cationic AIE-active photosensitizers are developed, ITPM, derived from a triphenylamine-pyridine backbone to address the MDR challenge.

Co-assemblies of Silver Nanoclusters and Fullerenols With Enhanced Third-Order Nonlinear Optical Response.

Exploring potential third-order nonlinear optical (NLO) materials attracts ever-increasing attention. Given that the atomically precise and rich adjustable structural features of silver nanoclusters (Ag NCs), as well as the unique π-electron conjugated system of carbon-based nanomaterials, a supramolecular co-assembly amplification strategy to enhance the luminescent intensity and NLO performance of the hybrids of the two components, are constructed and the relationship between structures and optical properties are investigated. By combining water soluble Ag NCs [(NH)[Ag(mna)] (Hmna = 2-mercaptonicotinic acid, abbreviated to Ag─NCs hereafter) containing uncoordinated carboxyl groups with water-soluble fullerene derivatives modified with multiple hydroxyl groups (fullerenols, C─OH), the π-electron delocalization is expanded owing to non-covalent hydrogen bonding effect between Ag6─NCs and C─OH, which provides a feasible basis for realizing the NLO response.