A Set of New Promising Solid Chalcogenides for Na-Ion Batteries: Yield from the Crystal Chemical, Monte-Carlo and Quantum-Chemical Calculations.

Free crystal space in more than 600 chalcogenide structures taken out from the ICSD has been theoretically analyzed. As a result, wide voids and channels accessible for Na-ion migration were found in 236 structures. Among them, 165 compounds have not been described in the literature as Na-conducting materials.

Deceleration of fast ion rarefied beam due to Cherenkov interaction with ion-acoustic waves.

The deceleration of a low-density beam of ions in plasma with developed ion-acoustic turbulence arising in strong electric field is described. The time and length of beam deceleration along and across the anisotropy axis of the wave number distribution of ion-acoustic waves are found. It is shown to what extent an increase in the strength of the electric field that generates turbulence is accompanied by a decrease in the time and length of braking.

Predicting Diffusion Coefficients in Nafion Membranes during the Soaking Process Using a Machine Learning Approach.

Nafion, a versatile polymer used in electrochemistry and membrane technologies, exhibits complex behaviors in saline environments. This study explores Nafion membrane's IR spectra during soaking and subsequent drying processes in salt solutions at various concentrations. Utilizing the principles of Fick's second law, diffusion coefficients for these processes are derived via exponential approximation.

Excited States in Single-Stranded and i-Motif DNA with Silver Ions.

We have studied the excited states and structural properties for the complexes of cytosine (dC) chains with silver ions (Ag) in a wide range of the Ag to DNA ratio () and pH conditions using circular dichroism, steady-state absorption, and fluorescence spectroscopy along with the ultrafast fluorescence upconversion technique. We also calculated vertical electronic transition energies and determined the nature of the corresponding excited states in some models of the cytosine-Ag complexes. We show that (dC) chains in the presence of silver ions form a duplex stabilized by C-Ag-C bonds.

Characterization of the fiber-like cortical cells in moss gametophytes.

Fiber-like cells with thickened cell walls of specific structure and polymer composition that includes (1 → 4)-β-galactans develop in the outer stem cortex of several moss species gametophytes. The early land plants evolved several specialized cell types and tissues that did not exist in their aquatic ancestors. Of these, water-conducting elements and reproductive organs have received most of the research attention.

Cytotoxicity of Laser-Synthesized Nanoparticles of Elemental Bismuth.

High X-ray absorption combined with photothermal properties make bismuth nanoparticles (Bi NP) a promising agent for multimodal cancer theranostics. However, the synthesis of Bi NP by the "classical" chemical methods has numerous limitations, including potential toxicity of the produced nanomaterials. Here we studied in vitro toxicity of laser-synthesized Bi NP coated with Pluronic F-127 on mouse fibroblast cell line L929.

Luminescent Er based single molecule magnets with fluorinated alkoxide or aryloxide ligands.

We report the synthesis, structures, and magnetic and luminescence properties of a series of new mono- and dinuclear Er complexes derived from sterically demanding aryloxide and fluorinated alkoxide ligands: [4-Bu-2,6-(PhCH)CHO]Er(THF) (1), [(CF)CO]Er(MeSiOH) (2), [(CF)CO]Er[(MeSi)NH] (3), [(CF)CO]Er(CHCH) (4), [(CF)CO]Er(-MeNCHCH) (5) and {[Ph(CF)CO]Er(μ-OC(CF)Ph)} (6). In compounds 1, 2, and 4, the Er ion is four-coordinated and adopts a distorted trigonal pyramidal geometry, while in 3, 5, and 6, the coordination geometry of Er is impacted by the presence of several relatively short Er⋯F distances, making them rather 6-coordinated. All compounds behave as field-induced Single Molecule Magnets (SMMs) and exhibit an Er characteristic near infrared (NIR) emission associated with the I → I transition with a remarkably long lifetime going up to 73 μs, which makes them multifunctional luminescent SMMs.

Nitrogen Plasma Treatment of Composite Materials Based on Polylactic Acid and Hydroxyapatite.

The effect of surface modification by an arc discharge plasma in a nitrogen flow with treatment durations of 5 and 10 min on the physicochemical properties and biocompatibility of the surface of composites based on polylactic acid and hydroxyapatite (PLA/HA) with different mass ratios (80/20, 70/30, 60/40) has been investigated. The aim of this work was to show the correlation between the changes of the physicochemical characteristics (chemical compound, morphology, wettability) of the surface layer of the PLA/HA composites and the cell viability (macrophages) in the presence of the plasma-modified materials. The dependence of alterations of the functional properties (wettability, biocompatibility) on the change in the chemical composition under the plasma exposure has been established.

Stacked Polarizing Elements for Controlling Parameters of Surface Relief Gratings Written in Photosensitive Materials.

Photosensitive materials are widely used for the direct fabrication of surface relief gratings (SRGs) without the selective etching of the material. It is known that the interferometric approach makes it possible to fabricate SRGs with submicron and even subwavelength periods. However, to change the period of the written SRGs, it is necessary to change the convergence angle, shift a sample, and readjust the interferometric setup.

Extensive research of conductivity in the fluorite-like KLnMoOF (Ln = La, Pr, Nd) rare earth molybdates: theoretical and experimental data.

The conductive properties of fluorite-like structures KLnMoOF (Ln = La, Pr, Nd: KLM, KPM, KNM) have been studied theoretically and experimentally. Theoretical studies included the geometrical-topological analysis of voids and channels available for migration of working ions; bond valence site energy calculations of the oxygen ions' migration energy; quantum-chemical calculations for the estimation of the oxygen vacancies formation energy. Experimental measurements of conductivity were made using impedance spectroscopy and as a function of oxygen partial pressure.

Orientational effects in the polarized absorption spectra of molecular aggregates.

We present a detailed theoretical analysis of polarized absorption spectra and linear dichroism of cyanine dye aggregates whose unit cells contain two molecules. The studied threadlike ordered system with a molecular exciton delocalized along its axis can be treated as two chains of conventional molecular aggregates, rotated relative to each other at a certain angle around the aggregate axis. Our approach is based on the general formulas for the effective cross section of light absorption by a molecular aggregate and key points of the molecular exciton theory.

Ytterbium 10-carboxyperylene-3,4,9-tricarboxylates for targeted NIR luminescent bioimaging.

Two new ytterbium coordination compounds Yb(HPTC)(HO) (Yb1) and Yb(HPTC)(Phen) (Yb2) were obtained using 10-carboxyperylene-3,4,9-tricarboxylate ion (HPTC) as a sensitizer. Both coordination compounds exhibited intense NIR-II luminescence upon excitation in the visible range and formed stable suspensions with nanoparticles of 50-70 nm in size in an aqueous solution of sodium alginate. Both complexes demonstrated non-toxicity up to at least 25 mg L in two cell cultures: cancer cells MCF7 and embryonic cells HEK293T - making them suitable for bioimaging.

Polysaccharide Composite Alginate-Pectin Hydrogels as a Basis for Developing Wound Healing Materials.

This article presents materials that highlight the bioengineering potential of polymeric systems of natural origin based on biodegradable polysaccharides, with applications in creating modern products for localized wound healing. Exploring the unique biological and physicochemical properties of polysaccharides offers a promising avenue for the atraumatic, controlled restoration of damaged tissues in extensive wounds. The study focused on alginate, pectin, and a hydrogel composed of their mixture in a 1:1 ratio.

Inert-Atmosphere Microfabrication Technology for 2D Materials and Heterostructures.

Most 2D materials are unstable under ambient conditions. Assembly of van der Waals heterostructures in the inert atmosphere of the glove box with ex situ lithography partially solves the problem of device fabrication out of unstable materials. In our paper, we demonstrate an approach to the next-generation inert-atmosphere (nitrogen, <20 ppm oxygen content) fabrication setup, including optical contact mask lithography with a 2 μm resolution, metal evaporation, lift-off and placement of the sample to the cryostat for electric measurements in the same inert atmosphere environment.

Cost-Effective Laboratory Matrix Projection Micro-Lithography System.

This paper presents a home-built projection lithographer designed to transfer the image from a DLP (digital light processing) projector MEMS matrix onto the microscope objective's field of view, where a photoresist-covered substrate is placed. The photoresist is exposed using blue light with a wavelength of 450 nm. To calibrate the device and adjust focal lengths, we utilize a red light that does not affect the photoresist.

Multilayer Bolometric Structures for Efficient Wideband Communication Signal Reception.

It is known that the dielectric layer (resonator) located behind the conducting plate of the bolometer system can significantly increase its sensitivity near the resonance frequencies. In this paper, the possibility of receiving broadband electromagnetic signals in a multilayer bolometric meta-material made of alternating conducting (e.g.

Tridentate Nitrogen Ligand as a Tool for the Construction of Well-Defined Rare Earth Trichloride Complexes.

LnCl(THF) (Ln = Y, La ÷ Nd, Sm ÷ Lu) readily react with the tridentate 1,3,5-trimethyl-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane (Metach) ligand to form mono- or binuclear lanthanide trichloride complexes, depending on the stoichiometry of the reaction and the ionic radius of the metal: mononuclear pseudosandwich [LnCl(Metach)], (Ln = Y, La ÷ Ho) or binuclear complexes [LnCl(Metach)], or [LnCl(Metach)(THF)] (Ln = Sm, Tb). Detailed analysis of the NMR data of [LnCl(Metach)] complexes with paramagnetic lanthanide ions showed that their structures remained unchanged in the toluene solution. A series of isomorphous complexes [LnCl(Metach)(Py)] (Ln = La, Sm, Tb, Er, Lu; Py = pyridine) have been obtained by the recrystallization of either mononuclear or binuclear complexes from pyridine.

Josephson dynamics and Shapiro steps at high transmissions: current bias regime.

We investigate Josephson dynamics of highly transparent superconducting nanojunctions at subgap voltages and temperatures. In this limit, intrinsic dissipation in such junctions turns out to be sub-Ohmic, which yields a linear dependence of the average voltage on the bias current slightly exceeding the critical one . We demonstrate a strong impact of intrinsic sub-Ohmic dissipation on integer Shapiro steps appearing on the - curve in the presence of external microwave radiation.

Nitrate Radicals Suppress Biogenic New Particle Formation from Monoterpene Oxidation.

Highly oxygenated organic molecules (HOMs) are a major source of new particles that affect the Earth's climate. HOM production from the oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) occurs during both the day and night and can lead to new particle formation (NPF). However, NPF involving organic vapors has been reported much more often during the daytime than during nighttime.

A novel class of multivalent ionic conductors with the LaCuSiS structure type: results of stepwise ICSD screening.

The results of high-throughput screening of the inorganic crystal structure database for new promising Ca-, Mg-, Zn- and Al-ion conducting ternary and quaternary sulfides, selenides, and tellurides are presented (∼1500 compounds). A geometrical-topological approach based on the Voronoi partition was initially used and yielded 104 compounds, which were unknown as conductors with possible cation migration. All compounds were passed through the bond valence site energy analysis to determine the migration energy .

Be and Na radionuclides for a new therapy for cancer.

B isotopes have been almost exclusively used in the neutron-capture radiation therapy (NCT) of cancer for decades. We have identified two other nuclides suitable for radiotherapy, which have ca. ten times larger cross section of absorption for neutrons and emit heavy charged particles.

Iodine oxoacids enhance nucleation of sulfuric acid particles in the atmosphere.

The main nucleating vapor in the atmosphere is thought to be sulfuric acid (HSO), stabilized by ammonia (NH). However, in marine and polar regions, NH is generally low, and HSO is frequently found together with iodine oxoacids [HIO, i.e.

Laser-Synthesized Elemental Boron Nanoparticles for Efficient Boron Neutron Capture Therapy.

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is one of the most appealing radiotherapy modalities, whose localization can be further improved by the employment of boron-containing nanoformulations, but the fabrication of biologically friendly, water-dispersible nanoparticles (NPs) with high boron content and favorable physicochemical characteristics still presents a great challenge. Here, we explore the use of elemental boron (B) NPs (BNPs) fabricated using the methods of pulsed laser ablation in liquids as sensitizers of BNCT. Depending on the conditions of laser-ablative synthesis, the used NPs were amorphous (a-BNPs) or partially crystallized (pc-BNPs) with a mean size of 20 nm or 50 nm, respectively.