Photodegradation of steroid hormone micropollutants with palladium-porphyrin coated porous PTFE of varied morphological and optical properties.

In flow-through reactors, the photodegradation rate can be improved by enhancing contact and increasing the photocatalyst loading. Both can be attained with a higher surface-to-volume ratio. While previous studies focused on thin membranes (30 - 130 µm) with small pore sizes of 20 - 650 nm, this work employed poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) supports, of which pore sizes are in the order of 10 µm, while the porosities and thicknesses are variable (22.

Portable astronomical observation system based on large-aperture concentric-ring metalens.

The core advantage of metalenses over traditional bulky lenses lies in their thin volume and lightweight. Nevertheless, as the application scenarios of metalenses extend to the macro-scale optical imaging field, a contradiction arises between the increasing demand for large-aperture metalenses and the synchronous rise in design and processing costs. In response to the application requirements of metalens with diameter reaching the order of 10λ or even 10λ, this paper proposes a novel design method for fixed-height concentric-ring metalenses, wherein, under the constraints of the processing technology, a subwavelength 2D building unit library is constructed based on different topological structures, and the overall cross-section of the metalens is assembled.

Thin Film Formation Based on a Nanoporous Metal-Organic Framework by Layer-By-Layer Deposition.

Understanding the structure of thin films is essential for successful applications of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), such as low k-dielectrics in electronic devices. This study focuses on the thin film formation of the 3D nanoporous MOF Cu(bdc)(dabco). The thin films are prepared by a layer-by-layer technique with varying deposition cycles (1 to 50).

A Building-Integrated Hybrid Photovoltaic-Thermal (PV-T) Window for Synergistic Light Management, Electricity and Heat Generation.

The installation of common solar panels and collectors in the built environment requires access to significant roof space, which is limited. This motivates the development of high-efficiency, building-integrated technologies that can maximize space utilization and energy provision. In this work, a building-integrated hybrid photovoltaic-thermal window (PVTW) is fabricated and tested, composed of a semi-transparent photovoltaic (PV) layer and a selectively absorptive liquid-based thermal absorber.

Microfluidics to Follow Spatiotemporal Dynamics at the Nucleo-Cytoplasmic Interface During Plant Root Growth.

Nuclear dynamics refers to global/local changes in the molecular and spatial organization of genomic DNA that can occur during development or in response to environmental stress signals and eventually impact genomic functions. In plants, nuclear dynamics relies notably on the connection of the nucleus with the cytoskeleton during development. It orchestrates genomic functions in response to developmental and environmental cues.

Repetitive ultramicrotome trimming and SEM imaging for characterizing printed multilayer structures.

Ultramicrotomy is a well-established technique that has been applied in biology and medical research to produce thin sections or a blockface of an embedded sample for microscopy. Recently, this technique has also been applied in materials science or micro- and nanotechnology as a sample preparation method for subsequent characterization. In this work, an application of ultramicrotomy for the cross-section preparation of an inkjet-printed multilayer structure is demonstrated.

Theoretical and experimental analysis of the modulated phase grating X-ray interferometer.

X-ray grating interferometry allows for the simultaneous acquisition of attenuation, differential-phase contrast, and dark-field images, resulting from X-ray attenuation, refraction, and small-angle scattering, respectively. The modulated phase grating (MPG) interferometer is a recently developed grating interferometry system capable of generating a directly resolvable interference pattern using a relatively large period grating envelope function that is sampled at a pitch that is small enough that X-ray spatial coherence can be achieved by using a microfocus X-ray source or G0 grating. We present the theory of the MPG interferometry system for a 2-dimensional staggered grating, derived using Fourier optics, and we compare the theoretical predictions with experiments we have performed with a microfocus X-ray system at Pennington Biomedical Research Center, LSU.

Deep learning corrects artifacts in RASER MRI profiles.

A newly developed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) approach is based on "Radiowave amplification by the stimulated emission of radiation" (RASER). RASER MRI potentially allows for higher resolution, is inherently background-free, and does not require radio-frequency excitation. However, RASER MRI can be "nearly unusable" as heavy distortions from nonlinear effects can occur.

Localized Shims Enable Low-Field Simultaneous Multinuclear NMR Spectroscopy.

This Article introduces a smart localized shimset, integrated with a radiofrequency (RF) microsolenoid and optimized as a single unit to locally achieve high-resolution NMR spectroscopy, as a significant advancement toward achieving parallel NMR spectroscopy. The shimset, consisting exclusively of linear shims, demonstrates the capability to improve NMR line width from 84 to 4 Hz in a 1.05 T preclinical MRI scanner.

Simultaneous multinuclear MRI via a single RF channel.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) stands as one of the most powerful noninvasive and non-destructive imaging techniques, finding extensive utility in medical and industrial applications. Its ability to acquire signals from multiple nuclei grants it additional levels of strength by providing multi-dimensional datasets of the object under test. However, this typically requires dedicated hardware to detect each nucleus.

Repeatable Perovskite Solar Cells through Fully Automated Spin-Coating and Quenching.

Enhancing reproducibility, repeatability, as well as facilitating transferability between laboratories will accelerate the progress in many material domains, wherein perovskite-based optoelectronics are a prime use case. This study presents fully automated perovskite thin film processing using a commercial spin-coating robot in an inert atmosphere. We successfully apply this novel processing method to antisolvent quenching.

Adhesion Reduction at Solid/Liquid Interfaces Based on Topologically Optimized Microtextures.

Artificial microtextures adopted to achieve adhesion reduction help avoid the vulnerability associated with chemical coatings. Most current microtextures strongly rely on biological inspiration or designers' physical intuition. There are also manufacturing challenges due to the complex geometrical configurations.

Dramatic Impact of Materials Combinations on the Chemical Organization of Core-Shell Nanocrystals: Boosting the Tm Emission above 1600 nm.

This article represents the first foray into investigating the consequences of various material combinations on the short-wave infrared (SWIR, 1000-2000 nm) performance of Tm-based core-shell nanocrystals (NCs) above 1600 nm. In total, six different material combinations involving two different types of SWIR-emitting core NCs (α-NaTmF and LiTmF) combined with three different protecting shell materials (α-NaYF, CaF, and LiYF) have been synthesized. All corresponding homo- and heterostructured NCs have been meticulously characterized by powder X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy techniques.

Development of a fully automated workstation for conducting routine SABRE hyperpolarization.

SABRE is emerging as a fast, simple and low-cost hyperpolarization method because of its ability to regenerate enhanced NMR signals. Generally, SABRE hyperpolarization has been performed predominantly manually, leading to variations in reproducibility and efficiency. Recent advances in SABRE include the development of automated shuttling systems to address previous inconsistencies.

Biomineralization of Electrospun Bacteria-Encapsulated Fibers: A Relevant Step toward Living Ceramic Fibers.

Living ceramic materials are proposed as high-performance engineered living materials due to their expected properties, including improved mechanical stability and performance, which could impact a wide range of applications across various fields. Particularly, living ceramic fibers are anticipated to exhibit even superior mechanical and structural properties, considering their fibril nature. This work presents the foundation for developing the family of living ceramic fibers.

Direct Chiral Discrimination with NMR.

Unaided nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is considered incapable of distinguishing enantiomers. However, as first derived by A.D.

Hot Embossing to Fabricate Parylene-Based Microstructures and Its Impact on the Material Properties.

This study aims to establish and optimize a process for the fabrication of 3D microstructures of the biocompatible polymer Parylene C using hot embossing techniques. The different process parameters such as embossing temperature, embossing force, demolding temperature and speed, and the usage of a release agent were optimized, utilizing adhesive micropillars as a use case. To enhance compatibility with conventional semiconductor fabrication techniques, hot embossing of Parylene C was adapted from conventional stainless steel substrates to silicon chip platforms.

Inkjet-Printed Bio-Based Melanin Composite Humidity Sensor for Sustainable Electronics.

A lack of sustainability in the design of electronic components contributes to the current challenges of electronic waste and material sourcing. Common materials for electronics are prone to environmental, economic, and ethical problems in their sourcing, and at the end of their life often contribute to toxic and nonrecyclable waste. This study investigates the inkjet printing of flexible humidity sensors and includes biosourced and biodegradable materials to improve the sustainability of the process.

Enhanced Performance of Laser-Induced Graphene Supercapacitors via Integration with Candle-Soot Nanoparticles.

Laser-induced graphene (LIG) has been emerging as a promising electrode material for supercapacitors due to its cost-effective and straightforward fabrication approach. However, LIG-based supercapacitors still face challenges with limited capacitance and stability. To overcome these limitations, in this work, we present a novel, cost-effective, and facile fabrication approach by integrating LIG materials with candle-soot nanoparticles.

High-throughput screening for cell binding and repulsion peptides on multifunctionalized surfaces.

The adhesion of cells to the extracellular matrix engages cell surface receptors such as integrins, proteoglycans and other types of cell adhesion molecules such as CD44. To closely examine the determinants of cell adhesion, herein we describe the generation of high-density peptide arrays and test the growth of cells on these multifunctionalized surfaces. The peptide library used consists of over 11,000 different sequences, either random or derived from existing proteins.

Polypy: A Framework to Interpret Polymer Properties from Mass Spectroscopy Data.

Mass spectroscopy (MS) is a robust technique for polymer characterization, and it can provide the chemical fingerprint of a complete sample regarding polymer distribution chains. Nevertheless, polymer chemical properties such as polydispersity (Pd), average molecular mass (Mn), weight average molecular mass (Mw) and others are not determined by MS, as they are commonly characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). In order to calculate polymer properties from MS, a Python script was developed to interpret polymer properties from spectroscopic raw data.

Sub-Micron Replication of Fused Silica Glass and Amorphous Metals for Tool-Based Manufacturing.

The growing importance of submicrometer-structured surfaces across a variety of different fields has driven progress in light manipulation, color diversity, water-repellency, and functional enhancements. To enable mass production, processes like hot-embossing (HE), roll-to-roll replication (R2R), and injection molding (IM) are essential due to their precision and material flexibility. However, these processes are tool-based manufacturing (TBM) techniques requiring metal molds, which are time-consuming and expensive to manufacture, as they mostly rely on galvanoforming using templates made via precision microlithography or two-photon-polymerization (2PP).

Spearmint targets microtubules by (-)-carvone.

Allelopathy can provide sustainable alternatives to herbicides because it is based on specific signals rather than generic toxicity. We show that the allelopathic activity of Spearmint and Watermint is linked with their main compounds, (-)-carvone and (+)-menthofuran, both deriving from (-)-limonene. Germination of Poppy and Cress, and root growth of are inhibited by very low concentrations of (-)-carvone, acting even through the gas phase.

Efficient Parahydrogen-Induced C Hyperpolarization on a Microfluidic Device.

We show the direct production and detection of C-hyperpolarized fumarate by parahydrogen-induced polarization (PHIP) in a microfluidic lab-on-a-chip (LoC) device and achieve 8.5% C polarization. This is the first demonstration of C-hyperpolarization of a metabolite by PHIP in a microfluidic device.

Accelerated Screening of Protein-Ligand Interactions via Parallel -Weighted F-MRI.

In drug discovery, ligands are sought that modulate the (mal-)function of medicinally relevant target proteins. In order to develop new drugs, typically a multitude of potential ligands are initially screened for binding and subsequently characterized for their affinity. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a well-established and highly sensitive technology for characterizing such interactions.