Common Materials Research Articles

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Outcomes in Type 1 Thyroplasty Comparing Silastic to Gore-Tex.

Type 1 Thyroplasty is a well-established procedure used for medializing an immobile vocal fold. Silastic and Gore-Tex are the two most common materials used to accomplish this, but comparative data on their relative efficacy are scarce. We sought to compare outcomes between Silastic and Gore-Tex implants via systematic review and meta-analysis for unilateral vocal fold immobility. We collected available data from PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science on demographics, maximum phonation time (MPT), voice handicap index (VHI-10/30) score, and any other relevant metrics encountered before comparatively evaluating differences in outcomes. The search yielded 1,534 records with 55 manuscripts ultimately included. There were 41 unique studies that utilized Silastic for a total of 1038 patients. There were 13 unique studies that utilized Gore-Tex for a total of 245 patients. The pooled mean increase in MPT for Silastic patients was 7.8 s (+1.3 SMD) compared with 5.7 s for Gore-Tex (+1.6 SMD). There was significant publication bias present in both analyses. The pooled mean change in VHI-30 with Silastic was -45.4 (62.2%, -2.09 SMD) compared with -51.6 (73.5%, -1.1 SMD) with Gore-Tex. The pooled mean change in VHI-10 with Silastic was -15.6 (54%, -0.46 SMD) compared with -11.6 (43%, -0.86 SMD) with Gore-Tex. There was no significant publication bias present in VHI outcomes. Silicone and Gore-Tex implants provide adequate and comparable results in TT1. The data supporting this conclusion are limited by follow-up, diversity in outcomes, limited data availability, and publication bias. Future research should be dedicated to comparing implants in a well-randomized environment. Laryngoscope, 2024.

Facile Preparation and Study of Self-Healing Water-Absorbing Expanding Elastomers.

The absorbent expansion elastomer plays a crucial role in engineering sealing and holds a promising future in this field as infrastructure continues to develop. Traditional materials have their limitations, especially when used in large construction projects where the integrity and reliability of the material are of utmost importance. In this work, a self-healing water-absorbing expansion elastomer was developed for continuous production at a large scale to monitor the sealing conditions of massive infrastructure projects. At room temperature, the material exhibited a repairing efficiency of 57.77 % within 2 h, which increased to 84.02 % after 12 h. This extended reaction time allowed for effective repairs when defects were detected. The material's strength can attain 3 MPa, placing it at the upper echelon among common self-healing materials, thereby granting it a certain level of durability in its application environment. The material's volume expansion rate reached 200-400 % to achieve effective sealing, and the functional filling of the filler endowed the material itself with a favorable external force induction effect and prevented heat accumulation. The conductive detection performance of the absorbent expansion elastomer was improved by utilizing triple self-healing strategies, including dipole-dipole interaction, ion cross-linked network, and externally-aided restoration materials. These strategies were combined with a double packing strategy to enhance the material's properties. This innovative elastomer can be applied in various fields such as tunnel construction, infrastructure development, aerospace sealing, and railway transportation, showcasing significant potential for diverse engineering applications.

Teaching Aid Regarding the Application of Advanced Organic Petrography in Recycling End-of-Life Lithium-Ion Batteries

This teaching aid aims to illustrate a range of the most common materials in end-of-life (EoL) lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) to demonstrate the usefulness of advanced organic petrography in the characterization of EoL LIB materials and to assess the efficiency of LIB recycling processes from the pre-processing stage up to the impurities of the metallurgical processes. Additionally, it may be useful for students, petrographers, and professionals in battery development and recycling.

Electrochemical Sensing/Biosensing ‐ Bench to Market

The proposition of new sensors based on carbon (nano)structures as well as metal (nano)particles is a great alternative for electroanalysis. In this context, graphite, carbon nanotubes, graphene, carbon black and fullerene, as well as gold, silver, platinum, copper are the most common materials employed [1]. Also, biomolecules such as antibodies, DNA sequences, enzymes and aptamers can be promising molecular recognition elements and enable specific sensor/biosensor designs, with interferent species [2]. Since the pioneering works from Professor Joseph Wang [3,4], the screen‐printed and disposable electrodes have been reported in the literature as options to be used in point‐of‐care and point‐of use sites. Also, the evolution of 3D printing [5] and wearable devices have led to an increase in the number of papers reporting on their use.. The “Achilles heel” is that the laboratory creations don't make it to the market place [6]. Therefore, academia needs to think more about in the validation, demonstration and promotion of the laboratory developed technology with of new companies based on startups, for example, to attract investments and promote these sensors to commercial ones. In this context, the special issue “Electrochemical Sensing/Biosensing ‐ Bench to Market” brings the discussion and advances of electrochemical sensors, which can be used in many areas, such as medical, environmental, food safety, pharmaceutical, and forensic. For this purpose, the preparation, characterization, and application of these devices have attracted interest. Studies of the production, shelf‐life as well as reproducibility, and repeatability have been highlighted for mass production. Important subjects such as screen printing, and 3D printing are welcome for submissions. Therefore, we expect you to enjoy this Special Issue published in Electroanalysis.

Designing Tin and Hard Carbon Architecture for Stable Sodium‐Ion Battery Anode

The lack of anodes stability is one among key barriers to the widespread commercialization of sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs). This is attributed to graphite, a well‐known common anode material for a range of commercial batteries including lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs), which limits the insertion of sodium (Na) ions due to their large ionic size. Tin (Sn) has shown its potential as a suitable anode material because it exhibits high capacities in conversion and alloying reactions. However, it endures significant volumetric expansion and slower reaction rates during sodiation. To overcome these challenges, this work presents a novel anode material for SIBs where a 2D layered architecture of Sn with a hard carbon (HC) buffer layer is engineered using physical vapor deposition technique. This novel anode (SnHT/HC) exhibits a high initial capacity of 470 mAhg−1 and an exceptional retention of 438 mAhg−1 after 3000 cycles at 0.2C, with 99 % Coulombic efficiency. SnHT/HC testing at varying fast charge and discharge C‐rate of 5C, 10C, 15C, and 50C has shown promising results. Better electron transport and reduced volumetric changes are perceived to enhance the overall performance of SnHT/HC electrodes.

Multiplatform metabolomic interlaboratory study of a whole human stool candidate reference material from omnivore and vegan donors.

Human metabolomics has made significant strides in understanding metabolic changes and their implications for human health, with promising applications in diagnostics and treatment, particularly regarding the gut microbiome. However, progress is hampered by issues with data comparability and reproducibility across studies, limiting the translation of these discoveries into practical applications. This study aims to evaluate the fit-for-purpose of a suite of human stool samples as potential candidate reference materials (RMs) and assess the state of the field regarding harmonizing gut metabolomics measurements. An interlaboratory study was conducted with 18 participating institutions. The study allowed for the use of preferred analytical techniques, including liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Different laboratories used various methods and analytical platforms to identify the metabolites present in human stool RM samples. The study found a 40% to 70% recurrence in the reported top 20 most abundant metabolites across the four materials. In the full annotation list, the percentage of metabolites reported multiple times after nomenclature standardization was 36% (LC-MS), 58% (GC-MS) and 76% (NMR). Out of 9,300 unique metabolites, only 37 were reported across all three measurement techniques. This collaborative exercise emphasized the broad chemical survey possible with multi-technique approaches. Community engagement is essential for the evaluation and characterization of common materials designed to facilitate comparability and ensure data quality underscoring the value of determining current practices, challenges, and progress of a field through interlaboratory studies.

Optimum Use of Recycled Waste Materials as Partial Replacement of Fine Aggregate in Portland Cement Concrete Mixes

This study explored the independent utilization of five common waste materials - rubber, plastic, glass, slag, and sewage sludge ash (SSA) - as partial replacement of fine aggregate in Portland cement concrete (PCC) mixes. The main objective was to determine an optimum substitution range for each waste material that would offer well performing concrete in terms of workability, compressive strength, and durability. To this end, multiple concrete batches were prepared, incorporating each waste material at four different levels: 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% by weight of fine aggregate. Then, concrete samples (100-mm diameter × 200-mm tall cylinders) were cast from each batch and were moisture-cured for 7, 14, and 28 days prior to testing. Also, the chemical composition of each waste material was identified using FTIR spectroscopy to understand its impact on the development of concrete strength. While most waste led to the diminished strength gains at all substitution rates, the addition of glass, slag, and SSA contributed positively to the strength development at specific replacement levels: 5% for glass, 10 - 15% for slag, and 5 – 15% for SSA. Furthermore, these additions of glass and slag exhibited comparable workability and durability although SSA did not exhibit comparable workability and durability. The findings of this study can hold significant implications for environmental sustainability and cost effectiveness in construction projects.

Role of chemistry in modern world: Boons and banes of chemical coating effects on human health

Water is the principal component of fresh fruits and Vegetable which constitutes between 80 to 90% of a produce's fresh weight. Fruits are covered by a layer of natural wax which acts as a barrier to reduce moisture loss and at the same times give the fruit a shiny surface. Besides orange shellac, other common materials used for these purposes include starch, carrageenan, alginates, wood rosin and various waxes. Panko breadcrumbs are crucial to the vegetables being very crispy. The coatings are typically made from natural materials, such as CHI, cellulose, and pectin that are safe for human consumption. The multilayer coating method has been shown to be effective in extending the shelf life of a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, including apples, strawberries, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Both natural waxes (carnauba, shellac, beeswax or resin) and petroleum-based waxes (usually proprietary formulae) are used, and often more than one wax is combined to create the desired properties for the fruit or vegetable being treated. However, chemical treatments, such as copper sulfate, rhodamine oxide, malachite green, and deadly carbide, used on green vegetables to enhance coloration and freshness, are often counterproductive to their nutritional value. There is multiple health risks associated with these chemicals. This study reveals that food preservatives have made a big difference in eating food every day. They help keep the food safe because they add these chemicals to prevent spoilage and retard prevent or control undesirable changes in flavor, color, texture, or consistency of food and nutritive value of food which means the Control natural spoilage of food.

Magnetic‐induced isomerization of paramagnetic bridged azobenzene derivatives with conjugated alkyl chains

AbstractInducing a reversible structural transformation in organic photochromophores under the effect of a magnetic field is challenging owing to their poor magnetic properties. Compared with common azobenzene materials, bridged azobenzene materials exhibit a considerable potential for rapid trans‐cis isomerization induced by an external magnetic field because of the restricted torsion of N=N bonds during the transformation. Herein, we designed and synthesized pentenyl‐grafted bridged azobenzene (BA‐X5), hexenyl‐grafted bridged azobenzene (BA‐X6), and pentynyl‐grafted bridged azobenzene (BA‐Q5). Density functional theory calculations indicate that the activation energy for the trans‐cis transition of BA‐X5 and BA‐X6 is ~18.0 kcal/mol, which is 8.2% lower than that of BA‐Q5 (19.6 kcal/mol). The results obtained using EPR and a superconducting quantum interference device demonstrate that during the isomerization process, a net spin reduction of bridged azobenzene occurred because of the aggregation of the electron cloud toward the C−N bond, leading to a reduction in the paramagnetism of the materials. BA‐X5 and BA‐X6 exhibit a clear and rapid magnetically induced trans‐cis isomerization with short half‐lives, which are 10.4% and 16.9%, respectively, lower than those obtained under dark conditions. In contrast, the isomerization of BA‐Q5 under the effect of the same magnetic field does not change. Magnetically induced isomerization might be attributed to the combined effect of the magnetothermal effect, changes in the net spin density of the electron cloud, and regularity of molecular arrangement under the effect of the magnetic field. These results provide a basis for exploring the design and research of magnetically controlled azobenzene derivatives.

Hydroaminoalkylation for Amine Functionalization of Vinyl‐Terminated Polyethylene Enables Direct Access to Responsive Functional Materials

AbstractWhile functionalized polyethylenes (PEs) exhibit valuable characteristics, the constraints of existing synthetic approaches limit the variety of readily incorporated functionality. New methods to generate functionalized PEs are required to afford new applications of this common material. We report 100 % atom economic tantalum‐catalyzed hydroaminoalkylation of vinyl‐terminated polyethylene (VTPE) as a method to produce amine‐terminated PE. VTPEs with molecular weights between 2200–16800 g/mol are successfully aminated using solvent‐free conditions. Our catalytic system is efficient for the installation of both aromatic and aliphatic amines, and can be carried out on multigram scale. The associating amine functional groups afford modified material properties, as measured by water contact angle, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polymer rheology. The basic amine functionality offers the opportunity to convert inert PE into stimuli‐responsive materials, such that the protonation of aminated PE affords the generation of functional antibacterial PE films.

Hydroaminoalkylation for Amine Functionalization of Vinyl-Terminated Polyethylene Enables Direct Access to Responsive Functional Materials.

While functionalized polyethylenes (PEs) exhibit valuable characteristics, the constraints of existing synthetic approaches limit the variety of readily incorporated functionality. New methods to generate functionalized PEs are required to afford new applications of this common material. We report 100 % atom economic tantalum-catalyzed hydroaminoalkylation of vinyl-terminated polyethylene (VTPE) as a method to produce amine-terminated PE. VTPEs with molecular weights between 2200-16800 g/mol are successfully aminated using solvent-free conditions. Our catalytic system is efficient for the installation of both aromatic and aliphatic amines, and can be carried out on multigram scale. The associating amine functional groups afford modified material properties, as measured by water contact angle, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polymer rheology. The basic amine functionality offers the opportunity to convert inert PE into stimuli-responsive materials, such that the protonation of aminated PE affords the generation of functional antibacterial PE films.

Influence of Target Surface BRDF on Non-Line-of-Sight Imaging

The surface material of an object is a key factor that affects non-line-of-sight (NLOS) imaging. In this paper, we introduce the bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) into NLOS imaging to study how the target surface material influences the quality of NLOS images. First, the BRDF of two surface materials (aluminized insulation material and white paint board) was modeled using deep neural networks and compared with a five-parameter empirical model to validate the method’s accuracy. The method was then applied to fit BRDF data for different common materials. Finally, NLOS target simulations with varying surface materials were reconstructed using the confocal diffusion tomography algorithm. The reconstructed NLOS images were classified via a convolutional neural network to assess how different surface materials impacted imaging quality. The results show that image clarity improves when decreasing the specular reflection and increasing the diffuse reflection, with the best results obtained for surfaces exhibiting a high diffuse reflection and no specular reflection.

Dense ceramics by cold reaction sintering using 95 % powdered construction and demolition waste and sodium silicate

This work explores the feasibility of producing ceramic-like materials from recycled construction and demolition waste through cold reaction sintering using sodium silicate as the liquid medium. The recycled material consists of a mixture of ceramics, mortar, and/or plasterboard - common building materials. Samples containing 95 wt% of recycled content were successfully fabricated at 150 ºC, a considerably lower temperature compared to conventional ceramic processes. These samples exhibited dense microstructures with relative densities of ∼ 90 %, as well as promising mechanical properties, including Vickers hardness values comparable to conventional bricks. In particular, samples with 30 % non-ceramic material showed more than twice the hardness when mortar was incorporated. Leaching tests confirmed the chemical stability of the material, with the incorporation of Ca²⁺ ions into non-leachable species, suggesting a reaction during CRS that enhances its durability. Additionally, FTIR analysis showed a blueshift in the signature from 973 cm⁻¹ to 1041 cm⁻¹ under more aggressive conditions, indicating structural changes and improved leachability. The primary advantage of this process would lie in the high recycled content used to create materials. This proposed new method allows obtaining dense pieces at very low temperatures, which also supposes a reduction of energy consumption, and therefore, an improvement of the sustainability of the production process. Given that this construction and demolition waste are often limited to not high added values, this approach not only supports environmental sustainability and resource conservation but also offers a viable pathway to decarbonizing the ceramic industry.

Nanomedicine in Cancer Treatment: Mechanisms, Applications, and Future Directions

Nanomedicine, an emerging field at the intersection of nanotechnology and medicine, holds significant promise for revolutionizing cancer treatment. By utilizing materials at the nanoscale, ranging from 1 to 100 nanometers, nanomedicine offers a versatile platform for targeting tumors, improving drug delivery, and minimizing side effects. This paper explores the design and preparation of nanoparticles, including common materials like liposomes, polymers, metals, and quantum dots, as well as their mechanisms of targeted delivery through both passive and active methods. Key applications of nanomedicine are discussed, particularly in chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and imaging. Clinical progress is highlighted through examples such as FDA-approved drugs like Onivyde for pancreatic cancer and experimental treatments like BIND-014 for metastatic prostate cancer. Despite rapid advancements, significant challenges remain, particularly in scaling up production and ensuring batch consistency. Safety concerns, such as nanoparticle toxicity and unintended accumulation in organs, must be addressed through rigorous testing and design improvements. Ethical considerations and regulatory hurdles also pose obstacles to the widespread clinical adoption of nanomedicine. Looking forward, multifunctionalization and personalized nanomedicine represent key areas of future growth, offering the potential for highly individualized treatments that combine therapeutic and diagnostic capabilities. Continued research and collaboration across scientific disciplines will be crucial in overcoming current limitations and unlocking the full potential of nanomedicine for cancer treatment.

A Novel High-Throughput Immunoaffinity LC-MS/MS Assay for P-III-NP and Other Fragments of Type III Procollagen in Human Serum.

The amino-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen (P-III-NP) is used with IGF-I to detect the illicit use of growth hormone and to monitor growth hormone therapy. However, the only currently available assays for P-III-NP are immunoassays, which are not well harmonized. In addition, other fragments of type III procollagen may better evaluate collagen turnover. We aimed to develop a high-throughput assay using immunoaffinity enrichment coupled to ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to quantify peptides belonging to three different regions of type III procollagen in human serum simultaneously. To facilitate higher throughput, we transferred the assay from microcentrifuge tubes to a 96-well plate format with partially automated pipetting. The method was linear (Pearson's R ≥ 0.994) over an estimated concentration range of 1.35-13.3 nM, 0.04-2.28 nM, and 0.26-5.1 nM for each surrogate peptide of P-III-NP, collagen degradation products, and the carboxyl-terminal propeptide, respectively. Intra-day and inter-day imprecision were both < 13.6%, and the results of robustness testing were also encouraging. The method was successfully applied to capillary blood samples obtained using Tasso+ microsampling devices. Modest correlation of P-III-NP concentration was observed between our new method and a WADA-approved immunoassay (N = 40, Pearson's R = 0.789) with a significant bias of -87.8%. Our method simultaneously quantifies four peptides belonging to three regions of type III procollagen in human serum. High bias between assays highlights the need for common higher-order calibrators or reference materials to help improve the comparability of results across laboratories.

Development and characterisation of novel compressed earth bricks bio-sourced with raw and treated alpha fibres

In this research, the effect of using alpha fibres on the physico-mechanical properties of compressed earth bricks (CEBs) was investigated. CEBs were produced using soil, lime and different amounts (0%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5% and 2%) of raw (RAF) or treated alpha fibres (TAF). First, the diameter, density and water absorption of RAF and TAF were determined. Then, the produced CEBs reinforced by these fibres were subjected to compressive strength, thermal test, density and capillarity water absorption tests. The obtained results showed that the addition of RAF and TAF leads to a reduction of the thermal conductivity by 33% and 31%, respectively. The finding also indicated that the density was decreased by 26% and 17% with the inclusion of TAF and RAF respectively. Besides, the compressive strength was reduced and water absorption coefficient was increased when fibres reinforced CEBs but remaining within the standard’s recommended limits. Moreover, the addition of fibre improves the acoustic properties of samples by 98%. The CEBs developed in this paper could be an alternative to other more common building materials, which would lead to a reduction of energy demand and environmental problems.

Physical, Mechanical and Durability Properties of Eco-Friendly Engineered Geopolymer Composites

Engineered geopolymer composite (EGC) is a high-performance material with enhanced mechanical and durability capabilities. Ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) and silica fume (SF) are common binder materials in producing EGC. However, due to the scarcity and high cost of these materials in some countries, sustainable alternatives are needed. This research focused on producing eco-friendly EGC made of cheaper and more common pozzolanic waste materials that are rich in aluminum and silicon. Rice husk ash (RHA), granite waste powder (GWP), and volcanic pumice powder (VPP) were used as partial substitutions (10–50%) of GGBFS in EGC. The effects of these wastes on workability, unit weight, compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural strength, water absorption, and porosity of EGC were examined. The residual compressive strength of the proposed EGC mixtures at high elevated temperatures (200, 400, and 600 °C) was also evaluated. Additionally, scanning electron microscope (SEM) was employed to analyze the EGC microstructure characteristics. The experimental results demonstrated that replacing GGBFS with RHA and GWP at high replacement ratios decreased EGC workability by up to 23.1% and 30.8%, respectively, while 50% VPP improved EGC workability by up to 38.5%. EGC mixtures made with 30% RHA, 20% GWP, or 10% VPP showed the optimal results in which they exhibited the highest compressive, tensile, and flexural strengths, as well as the highest residual compressive strength when exposed to high elevated temperatures. The water absorption and porosity increased by up to 106.1% and 75.1%, respectively, when using RHA; increased by up to 23.2% and 18.6%, respectively, when using GWP; and decreased by up to 24.7% and 22.6%, respectively, when using VPP in EGC.

High-selective platinum and palladium capture using polyamide 6: A potent material for platinum group metals’ recovery from spent car catalytic converter

Platinum (Pt) and palladium (Pd) are commonly integrated into automotive catalytic converters to convert harmful emissions into relatively safer substances. Their scarcity has resulted in the rapid development of an industry focused on their recovery. Polyamide 6 (PA6), a microplastic pollutant, is a common industrial material. Proper recycling of PA6 can mitigate the environmental impact caused by its microplastic pollution. This work revealed the capability of PA6 in recovering Pt and Pd from solution. Experimental data demonstrated that PA6 recovered about 90% of Pt and 70% of Pd. Importantly, PA6, without any functionalization or modification, adsorbed Pt and Pd without adsorbing present competing metals, exhibiting notably greater recovery selectivity towards Pt and Pd than materials discussed in other works. Furthermore, approximately 81% of Pt and 83% of Pd could be desorbed from PA6 as noted by the desorption studies. After obtaining fitted results using empirical equations and surface group identification, chelation and electrostatic interaction were discerned to be the key pathways for Pt and Pd recovery. This study represents a novel investigation into PA6's adsorption selectivity for Pt and Pd, through which experimental results confirm PA6's potential as a practical, environmentally-friendly alternative for Pt and Pd recovery, distinguishing it from its conventional counterparts.

Water vapor stable isotope memory effects of common tubing materials

Abstract. Water molecules in vapor can exchange with gaseous water molecules sticking to surfaces of sampling tubing, and exchange rates are unique for each water isotopologue and tubing material. Therefore, water molecules on tubing walls take some time to reach isotopic equilibrium with a new vapor isotopic signal. This creates a memory effect that is observed as attenuation time for signal propagation in continuous stable water vapor isotope measurement systems. Tubing memory effects in δD and δ18O measurements can limit the ability to observe fast changes, and because δD and δ18O memory are not identical, this introduces transient deuterium excess (D-excess, defined as δD-8×δ18O) artifacts in time-varying observations. To our knowledge, a comprehensive performance comparison of commonly used tubing material water exchange properties in laser-based measurement systems has not been published. We compared how a large isotopic step change propagated through five commonly used tubing materials for water isotopic studies – perfluoroalkoxy (PFA), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and copper – at two different temperatures and an airflow rate of 0.635 L min−1 through approximately 100 ft (30.5 m) of 1/4 in. (6.4 mm) outer diameter (o.d.) tubing. All commonly used tubing materials performed similarly to each other in terms of attenuation times, reaching δ18O-location-adjusted δD and δ18O 95 % completion in less than 45 s, with slight variations based on temperature. PFA does appear to perform slightly better than the other materials, although memory metric differences are small. A tubing material commonly used in the early 2000s but reported to have memory effects on δD, Dekabon, was also tested at ambient temperature and changing humidities. The Dekabon isotopic equilibrium was not reached until nearly an hour after source transition, much later than H2O mixing ratios equilibrated. Bev-A-Line XX (used in some soil O2 and CO2 gas studies) was also tested at ambient temperature, but it did not approach isotopic equilibrium until after nearly 6 h of testing. Therefore, we cannot recommend the use of Bev-A-Line XX or Dekabon in water vapor isotope applications. Source transition from heavy to light or from light to heavy affected isotopic transition speed only in experiments where H2O ppmv was changing. While a shorter tubing lengths and smaller inner diameters shorten the delay of signal propagation through the tubing, they did not greatly change the attenuation curves under these conditions for the current commonly used tubing materials tested. However, in Dekabon, attenuation curves were greatly extended with increased tubing length. Our results show that the commonly used plastic tubing materials tested were not inferior to copper in terms of isotopic memory under these conditions, and they are easier to work with and are less expensive than copper.

Dynamics‐Oriented Underwater Mechanoreception Interface for Simultaneous Flow and Contact Perception

The lack of a sufficient and efficient way to simultaneously perceive general underwater mechanical stimuli, physical contact, and fluidic flow has been a bottleneck for many aquatic applications. To address this challenge, dynamics‐oriented underwater mechanoreceptor interface (DOUMI), a bioinspired mechanoreception system that realizes simultaneous contact and flow perception using a single receptor, is introduced. This receptor, response‐elevated‐and‐expanded hair‐like tactile mechanoreceptor (REEM), is inspired by the mechanoreceptive mechanism of aquatic arthropods. REEM combines structural features from different mechanoreceptive sensilla, enabling it to capture a wide range of stimulus dynamics. Under different stimuli, REEM encodes stimuli dynamics as its oscillations with distinct spectral attributes. Those oscillations are efficiently transferred through mechanical processes and imaging, enabling vision‐based extraction and further analysis. Therefore, by evaluating the oscillation dynamics with tailored wavelet‐based indices, DOUMI can distinguish between contact‐ and flow‐induced oscillations at each receptor unit with 90.5% accuracy. Furthermore, DOUMI provides comprehensive 2D mechanoreception with a scalable array of REEMs, delivering capabilities like stimuli spatiotemporal visualization, flow trend detection, and scenario classification with an accuracy of 99.5%. With its robustness and operational efficiency in underwater environments, DOUMI can be easily adapted to existing applications using common materials and hardware, establishing a new, streamlined paradigm for underwater general mechanoreception.