We consider transport through a multilevel interacting quantum dot (N-QD) in the Kondo regime. Using the Kotliar–Ruckentein slave boson approach (SBMFA) for an N -level Anderson model, we define effectively noninteracting quasiparticles of the SU( N ) Kondo system ( N = 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). Kondo resonance transmission coefficients determine linear noise describing quasiparticle partitioning. To discuss nonlinear conductance, susceptibilities, and shot noise in the strong coupling regime, we apply Fermi liquid theory with parameters expressed by susceptibilities of pseudofermions determined within SBMFA. Nonlinear shot noise is dominated by two-quasiparticle scattering. However, we demonstrate that for occupation regions distant from the electron–hole symmetry point, the role of three-body correlations must be considered.

This proof-of-concept study evaluated whether semi-solid extrusion (SSE) 3D printing could be used to fabricate multilayer topical films that simultaneously enhance skin bioadhesion and photoprotection of curcumin, a highly photolabile anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compound. The development of topical films for cutaneous delivery faces several challenges, including the need for strong skin adhesion and the protection of photolabile actives from light exposure. We hypothesized that multilayered films designed for the cutaneous delivery of curcumin and produced by SSE could address these limitations. To overcome its poor solubility and enhance bioadhesion, curcumin was encapsulated in polymeric nanocapsules (C-NCs), yielding a mean particle size of 218 ± 5 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.10 ± 0.02, a zeta potential of −11 ± 4 mV, and 100% encapsulation efficiency. Films were fabricated containing either C-NCs (FC-NC) or unloaded curcumin (FC) and consisted of three layers, namely, a chitosan-based bottom layer, a middle layer of carboxymethylcellulose and alginate, and a carboxymethylcellulose top layer incorporating titanium dioxide (TiO2). The lower and intermediate layers contained C-NC or curcumin. The final films (15 × 15 × 1.5 mm) contained 282.20 ± 7.75 µg and 246.80 ± 6.70 µg of curcumin in FC-NC and FC, respectively. Films containing the bottom chitosan layer exhibited the highest bioadhesion, while the presence of a TiO2 top layer effectively prevented UVC-induced photodegradation, supporting our hypothesis. Furthermore, the presence of C-NCs in FC-NC films promoted higher bioadhesion. This proof-of-concept study demonstrates the feasibility of integrating nanocarriers with 3D printing technology to engineer multilayer polymeric films for cutaneous application, offering enhanced bioadhesion and photoprotection. This work demonstrates how additive manufacturing can be used to design hierarchically structured, nanocarrier-integrated systems with spatially resolved functionalities.

In this study, the elastic properties of Cu and (CuxNi1−x)3Sn were calculated to reveal the effects of Ni alloying on the interfacial mechanical properties of (CuxNi1−x)3Sn/Cu in lead-free solder joints. The results reveal that, within the thermodynamically stable domain of (CuxNi1−x)3Sn, the increase of Ni content can enhance the interfacial mechanical properties of (CuxNi1−x)3Sn/Cu, and increase the reliability of the lead-free solder joints. The enhancement mechanism can be attributed to the simultaneous improvements of oriented Young’s modulus and ductility of (CuxNi1−x)3Sn, achieved by Ni alloying. But higher Ni content beyond the thermodynamically stable domain of (CuxNi1−x)3Sn will deteriorate the interfacial mechanical properties by mechanical or thermodynamic mechanisms and decrease the reliability of the lead-free solder joints. The results presented in this study will not only unveil the effects of Ni alloying on the interfacial properties of lead-free solder joints, but also will provide a guidance for high-performance lead-free solder design by alloying strategies to meet the requirements for electronic device miniaturization and harsh environmental applications.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a minimally invasive cancer treatment that uses photosensitizers (PSs) activated by light to produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS). Although PDT shows clinical promise, its effectiveness is limited by factors such as insufficient tumor targeting, tumor hypoxia, PS instability, and weak immune responses. Biomimetic nanoparticles (BNPs), which combine natural biological materials like cell membranes with synthetic nanocarriers, have emerged as versatile platforms to overcome these challenges. BNPs improve PDT by enhancing tumor-specific delivery of PSs, relieving hypoxia through oxygen delivery or catalytic oxygen generation, and boosting antitumor immunity by promoting immunogenic cell death and working synergistically with immune checkpoint inhibitors. This review details recent progress in BNP-based strategies for targeted PS delivery, ROS production enhancement, hypoxia modulation, and immune system activation. Additionally, it explores multifunctional and theranostic nanoplatforms, their applications in various cancers, and advances toward clinical use. By integrating targeted delivery, tumor microenvironment modulation, and immunotherapy, BNP-facilitated PDT holds great potential for advancing precise cancer treatments.

Natural zeolites have great potential as nutrient carriers to develop eco-efficient materials for massive use in agriculture. Zeolitic minerals usually contain only one dominant zeolite type. The use of minerals with mixtures of zeolites in similar proportions can affect the interaction of chemical species with the zeolitic matrix, altering the behaviour of the resulting materials. In this work, a mineral consisting mainly of a mixture of two zeolites, mordenite (MOR) and clinoptilolite-heulandite (HEU) with equivalent fractions, was used to develop materials carrying nutrients (N, P, and K) for agricultural crops. The mineral matrix provides important elements such as K and Si, while N and P were incorporated into the material by treatment with ammonium hydrogenphosphate and urea. The presence of superficially adsorbed PO4 3-, NH4 + exchanged in zeolites, and urea arranged on the surface so that it covers the material and interacts with the zeolitic frameworks, was evidenced by Fourier-transform IR spectroscopy, adsorption measurements, scanning electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, and other methods, as well as through culture tests. The complexity of the multiphase zeolitic support leads to changes in the position and intensity of FTIR bands compared to other similar materials developed using simpler zeolitic carriers dominated by HEU zeolite. The most intense NH4 + band was observed at 1402 cm-1, while for a HEU zeolite it was at 1540 cm-1. This difference was associated with a higher NH4 + content in MOR compared to HEU. Accordingly, the shift experienced by the urea amino group bands when it interacts with the frameworks of these zeolites is different. The applied treatments did not affect the structures (as evidenced by XRD) and other qualities of these zeolites, highlighting their ion-exchange and adsorption properties for nutrient release and reversible water retention. This is essential for the use of this material as a slow-release fertilizer that efficiently provides nutrients for the agroecological development of plants, as evidenced in the cultivation tests.

In this work, the high-frequency response of a multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) film grown on a silicon substrate is compared with that of MWCNT sponges (CNSs). Different from the CNT film, CNSs are a self-standing material that can operate in the absence of a supporting substrate, showing high flexibility, light weight, and mechanical robustness. We tested our synthesized CNSs as active material for the production of antennas working in the radio frequency (RF) range to determine whether CNT sponges present, in addition to practical advantages over CNT films, also an actual performance gain. The antenna built from CNSs shows an enhanced response gain compared with that of the MWCNT film, with both antennas having a maximum positioned around 4.8 GHz. After identifying the best CNT-based sample, the experiment focused on improving the CNS antenna's response. In particular, we observed that the response of S 11 = -22.6 dB around 4.8 GHz from the CNS antenna improved after a mild treatment with ethanol, reaching S11 = -32.6 dB measured after 10 min of waiting. This observed effect is studied in detail with scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy, which point to significant modifications of the CNS's inner morphology after the treatment. Signal reception tests simulating real-world operation conditions were also carried out at two different distances to evaluate the practical application of the CNS as RF antennas. The ethanol treatment was also applied for these tests, and an increase in the response up to 45% was found for the two studied positions.

Atomic force microscopy using Si cantilevers provides an effective means for investigating both conservative and dissipative interactions in the vertical and lateral directions between the tip and the sample. An accurate evaluation of the dynamic stiffness of the cantilever is indispensable in the quantitative analyses of the interactions. We calculated the dynamic stiffness of cantilevers under torsional oscillation based on the strain energy. Without tips, the torsional dynamic stiffness is approximately 23% larger than the static stiffness. The modification decreases to 21–23% with tips. Applying the present correction is essential for achieving quantitatively accurate stiffness values in dynamic measurements.

An in-depth analysis of Abrikosov vortex dynamics and flux-flow instabilities was performed in NbRe/Au and NbRe/Py bilayers to compare superconducting/normal metal (S/N) and superconducting/ferromagnetic (S/F) heterostructures based on the same superconducting layer. The heterostructures, fabricated by sputtering, were characterized through electrical transport measurements. The I–V characteristics show that, in the NbRe/Py bilayer, vortices reach higher critical velocities than those observed in the NbRe/Au structure. The analysis of the flux-flow instability within the Larkin–Ovchinnikov framework allows one to extract the quasiparticle energy relaxation time. For external magnetic field values for which edge barrier pinning is dominant and thermal effects are negligible, the relaxation times are about 150 ps and 24 ps for NbRe/Au and NbRe/Py bilayers, respectively. These results indicate that NbRe/Py bilayers, having a relaxation time one order of magnitude smaller than values reported in NbRe microbridges, have great potential for the realization of devices where fast relaxation processes are required.

Local anodic oxidation (LAO), also known as local oxidation nanolithography or oxidation scanning probe lithography has emerged as a versatile technique for nanoscale patterning, leveraging the precision of scanning probe microscopy, relying specifically on atomic force microscopy. This review explores the materials utilized in LAO experiments, including semiconductors, metals, insulators, two-dimensional (2D) materials, and emerging heterostructures. Semiconductors such as silicon and silicon carbide remain foundational due to their controllable oxidation kinetics, while metals like titanium and aluminum offer opportunities for plasmonic and optical applications. 2D materials, including graphene, graphene oxide, and transition metal dichalcogenides, demonstrate unique oxidation behaviors, enabling high-resolution applications in electronics and quantum devices. Recent advancements, such as electrode-free LAO, have expanded the range of applicable materials and improved the precision and scalability of the process. This paper also aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of material selection in LAO and its implications for advancing nanotechnology.