Understanding the Dynamics Governing Electrocatalytic Hydrodeoxygenation of Lignin Bio-Oil to Hydrocarbons.

Electrocatalytic hydrodeoxygenation (EHDO) is a promising approach for upgrading biomass-derived bio-oils to sustainable fuels without the use of high-pressure hydrogen gas and elevated temperatures. However, direct EHDO for realistic hydrophobic lignin-based oil production remains challenging. Herein, we discuss the molecular dynamics that govern the EHDO of lignin bio-oil over Pt/C in an acidic electrolyte added with 2-propanol or a surfactant.

Microstructural Characterization of Cellulose Nanocrystals and Microcellulose from Bamboo () for Reinforcing Ordinary Portland Cement Matrix.

This study investigates the microstructural characterization of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and microcellulose (MC) extracted from bamboo fibers () and their potential as reinforcement agents in ordinary Portland cement (OPC) composites. CNC with a mean particle size of 29.3 nm and MC with a mean size of 14.

-Cyano sulfilimine functional group as a nonclassical amide bond bioisostere in the design of a potent analogue to anthranilic diamide insecticide.

To explore the potential of the -cyano sulfilimine group as an amide bond isostere, a derivative of the blockbuster anthranilic diamide, chlorantramiliprole, was synthesized and evaluated with regard to its physicochemical properties, permeability, and biological activity. Given the combination of -cyano sulfilimine chlorantraniliprole 1 and its strong hydrogen bond acceptor character, high permeability, and excellent insecticidal activity, the -cyano sulfilimine functional group could be considered as an amide bond isostere.

Optimization of 3D Printing Technology for Fabrication of Dental Crown Prototype Using Plastic Powder and Zirconia Materials.

This research was aimed at developing a dental prototype from 3D printing technology using a synthetic filament of polylactic acid (PLA) and zirconium dioxide (ZrO) with glycerol and silane coupling agent as a binder. A face-centered central composite design was used to study the effects of the filament extrusion parameters and the 3D printing parameters. Tensile and compressive testing was conducted to determine the stress-strain relationship of the filaments.

Efficient Lithium Growth Control from Ordered Nitrogen-Chelated Lithium-Ion for High Performance Lithium Metal Batteries.

Lithium (Li) metal has attracted significant attention as next-generation anode material owing to its high theoretical specific capacity and low potential. For enabling the practical application of Li-metal as an anode according to energy demands, suppressing dendrite growth by controlling the Li-ion (Li) is crucial. In this study, metal-organic frameworks comprising bipyridinic nitrogen linker (M-bpyN) are proposed as 3-dimensional (3D) Li guiding matrix.

Additive-free photo-mediated oxidative cyclization of pyridinium acylhydrazones to 1,3,4-oxadiazoles: solid-state conversion in a microporous organic polymer and supramolecular energy-level engineering.

We discovered the efficient catalyst-free, photo-mediated oxidative cyclization reaction of bis--pyridinium benzoyl hydrazone (BH1) to 2-pyridinium-5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazoles. This photoreaction is remarkable because it does not require additives (, bases, strong oxidants, or photocatalysts), which are essential in previous reports, and proceeds very effectively even with solid-state microporous organic polymers. Interestingly, we found that the inclusion complexation of BH1 with cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) interferes with the photo-induced electron transfer from BH1 to molecular oxygen through modification of the LUMO energy level, thus inhibiting the photo-medicated oxidative cyclization.

Bioinspired DNase-I-Coated Melanin-Like Nanospheres for Modulation of Infection-Associated NETosis Dysregulation.

The current outbreak of the beta-coronavirus (beta-Cov) severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) began in December 2019. No specific antiviral treatments or vaccines are currently available. A recent study has reported that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection, is associated with neutrophil-specific plasma membrane rupture, and release excessive neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and extracellular DNAs (eDNAs).

Relationship between surface hydrophobicity and flux for membrane separation.

Surface hydrophobicity of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes was controlled carbon coating using the CVD method or O plasma treatment with insignificant changes of pore diameter. This study first demonstrated that a larger hydrophobic pore surface and hydrophilic membrane surface are favorable for developing high performance membranes.

Development and characterization of 17 microsatellite markers for .

Premise: The common sowthistle, (Asteraceae), is a globally invasive weedy species. In order to investigate its genetic diversity, population genetic structure, and evolutionary history, we developed and characterized nuclear simple sequence repeat markers (SSRs or microsatellites).

Methods And Results: Seventeen microsatellite primer pairs were developed based on the Illumina sequence data.

Interfacial electronic structure between a W-doped InO transparent electrode and a VO hole injection layer for inorganic quantum-dot light-emitting diodes.

The interfacial electronic structure between a W-doped InO (IWO) transparent electrode and a VO hole injection layer (HIL) has been investigated using ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy for high-performance and inorganic quantum-dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs). Based on the interfacial electronic structure measurements, we found gap states in a VO HIL at 1.0 eV below the Fermi level.

Highly stretchable polymer-dispersed liquid crystal-based smart windows with transparent and stretchable hybrid electrodes.

We report on highly stretchable polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC)-based smart windows using Ag nanowires (NWs) and conductive PEDOT:PSS hybrid electrodes. By bar coating a Ag NW and PEDOT:PSS mixed ink on a transparent and stretchable polyurethane (PU) substrate, we fabricated highly transparent and stretchable hybrid electrodes with a sheet resistance of 40 ohm per square, an optical transmittance of 82%, and a stretchability of 30% to replace conventional brittle ITO electrode. Bending and stretching tests demonstrated that the mechanical properties of the Ag NW and PEDOT:PSS hybrid electrode were better than those of the ITO/PU sample.

Roll-to-roll sputtered and patterned Cu O/Cu/Cu O multilayer grid electrode for flexible smart windows.

We fabricated cost-effective Cu O/Cu/Cu O multilayer grid electrodes using roll-to-roll (RTR) sputtering and patterning processes for use as transparent and flexible electrodes in flexible smart windows. To optimize the patterned Cu O/Cu/Cu O multilayer grid, the electrical and optical properties of the Cu O/Cu/Cu O multilayer grid electrodes were investigated as a function of grid width and pitch, which directly influence the filling factor of the grid. At the optimized grid width of 16 and pitch of 600 μm, the Cu O/Cu/Cu O multilayer grid had a sheet resistance of 7.

Hydrophobic and stretchable Ag nanowire network electrode passivated by a sputtered PTFE layer for self-cleaning transparent thin film heaters.

We demonstrated hydrophobic, flexible/stretchable, and transparent electrodes made up of Ag nanowire (NW) networks passivated by a sputtered polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) layer to produce self-cleaning transparent thin film heaters (TFHs). Using carbon nanotubes and a PTFE mixed conducting target, we successfully sputtered a transparent PTFE layer on the Ag NW network using mid-frequency magnetron sputtering. The hydrophobic surface of the PTFE/Ag NW electrodes led to water-repelling and self-cleaning transparent Ag NW electrodes, which are beneficial for transparent TFH-based smart windows.

Hybrid energy harvester based on nanopillar solar cells and PVDF nanogenerator.

A tandem device which integrates a PVDF nanogenerator and silicon (Si) nanopillar solar cell is fabricated. The Si nanopillar solar cell was fabricated using a mask-free plasma etching technique and annealing process. The PVDF nanogenerator was stacked on top of the Si nanopillar solar cell using a spinning method.