• Novel monolithic stationary phases increase protein capacity and selectivity. • Ion exchange monoliths resolve AAV empty/full capsids and viral vectors. • Brush-grafted surfaces reduce fouling in pDNA and mRNA purification. • Affinity and ion exchange monoliths improve extracellular vesicle isolation. • Rapid monolith formats accelerate process analytics and quality control. Chromatography on monolithic supports combines convective flow through interconnected macropores with tunable surface chemistries, enabling high-flow, low-shear purification of large biomolecules and biological nanoparticles. Recent developments in stationary-phase design, such as brush-grafted surfaces, together with optimized elution protocols, have additionally advanced both resolution and capacity across a broad range of targets. Demonstrated applications include the high-resolution separation of adeno-associated virus (AAV) empty and full capsids, isolation of supercoiled plasmid DNA, and removal of double-stranded RNA impurities from mRNA therapeutics. Furthermore, the platform’s tolerance for complex matrices enables efficient purification of extracellular vesicles and direct recovery of biotherapeutics from undiluted blood plasma. Miniaturized monolithic columns enable rapid and robust on-line monitoring of industrial processes for current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) control. Ongoing progress in multimodal chemistries, continuous and multicolumn operations, and integrated analytics establishes chromatography on monolithic supports as a versatile and robust platform for the rapid, selective purification of large biomolecules and biological nanoparticles and efficient monitoring of industrial processes.

Direct phosphorus recovery from anaerobic digestion sludge by microbial fuel cell with anolyte circulation: Optimization and key factors identification.

Development of a biodegradable smooth-surface microcarrier for retinal pigment epithelial cell expansion and maturation.

ABSTRACT Hydroxylamine (NH 2 OH) is a crucial chemical in various industries, yet its conventional synthesis methods are energy‐intensive and environmentally harmful. In this study, we present a sulfate/oxide‐derived lead (SOD‐Pb) electrocatalyst, fabricated through a stepwise electrode anodization and reduction technique, for the electrochemical synthesis of hydroxylamine via nitrate reduction. The SOD‐Pb electrode exhibits remarkable catalytic activity, achieving a Faradaic efficiency (FE) exceeding 80% within a potential range of –0.4 to –1.0 V, with a partial current density reaching –129 mA cm − 2 at –1.2 V in acidic conditions. Furthermore, its catalytic activity for NH 2 OH conversion is regenerated via in situ electrode reduction, which reverses PbSO 4 passivation during controlled current electrolyses by reforming an active SOD‐Pb‐like surface. The process also allows for the direct recovery of hydroxylammonium sulfate ((NH 3 OH) 2 SO 4 ) as a purified crystalline solid from the electrolyte via crystallization‐based separation, demonstrating its practical applicability. This work introduces a scalable, sustainable method for hydroxylamine production, offering a cleaner alternative to traditional processes by integrating efficient electrochemical conversion with nitrate waste remediation.

Osteoporosis, a major global epidemic, often goes undetected until a fracture occurs, largely due to poor access to screening using gold standard methods, such as dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). As a potential nonionizing radiation alternative, we present a transcutaneous spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS) approach combined with machine learning (ML) to recover bone spectra through overlying soft tissue and extract diagnostic information. In a human cadaveric study spanning normal, osteopenic, and osteoporotic donors, we acquired paired Raman measurements from transcutaneous fingers at multiple spatial offsets (0, 3, and 6 mm) and from the corresponding exposed finger bones. Using this paired dataset, supervised machine-learning models were trained to reconstruct exposed-bone Raman spectra from transcutaneous measurements, enabling direct recovery of bone biochemical signatures from transcutaneous tissue. The ML–predicted bone spectra preserved physiologically meaningful Raman features and demonstrated statistically significant differences between normal and osteoporotic groups across four key Raman-derived metrics (p ≤ 0.05), representing, to our knowledge, the first demonstration of transcutaneous Raman discrimination between clinically established bone-health categories in a human cadaveric study. The ML-predicted spectra further correlated with distal-radius DXA T-scores (r = 0.73, RMSECV ≈ 1.4), approaching the performance achieved using exposed-bone measurements (r = 0.9, RMSECV ≈ 0.8). Finally, preliminary in vivo measurements from two volunteers revealed clear bone-related transcutaneous spectral features consistent with cadaveric data, supporting translational feasibility. Together, these results establish a foundation for nonionizing radiation, transcutaneous Raman assessment of bone health using supervised spectral extraction from accessible measurement sites.

Deep learning has been successfully applied in imaging through scattering media, enabling direct recovery of the input light field from output speckle patterns. However, due to the high degrees of freedom in the light scattering process, current reconstruction methods can only work well in a trained data domain. Hence, achieving out-of-distribution (OOD) robustness in unseen scenes usually requires extensive experimental data collection. To overcome this limitation, we propose an optical image mixing (OIM) approach that introduces an efficient optical-domain data augmentation strategy to enhance model generalization under limited data conditions. By physically mixing optical images, OIM expands the effective training distribution without additional sample collection. We experimentally validate the proposed method on a multimode fiber (MMF) platform. With only 200 measured images and a 40-fold data augmentation by OIM, we achieve generalized reconstruction for 4096-pixel grayscale images. Compared to conventional models without OIM, we improve the image reconstruction fidelity by 26.2%. The results validate that OIM can serve as a plug-and-play module to enhance the generalization performance of existing reconstruction networks in computational imaging applications.

A synergistic ligand complexation-electrocatalysis strategy for efficient uranyl extraction from nuclear wastewater.

Identifying frequency-domain operating deflection shapes and internal damage in structures using geometric vision method

Sulfated polysaccharides from the red microalgae Porphyridium cruentum demonstrate unique physicochemical properties and antiviral activity. Despite growing interest, it is yet unclear how the sulfates within these polysaccharides affect their rheological properties and whether they are required for the antiviral activity. We report a nondestructive method to deplete sulfates from these polysaccharides by directly exposing the growth medium to a moderate electric field (3.43 V/cm); a 5 min exposure yielded a polysaccharide fraction around the cathode, which we collected and compared to polysaccharides extracted via a traditional, ethanol-based method. Although the electric field did not affect the sugar composition of the polysaccharide and retained its gel-like properties, it substantially reduced its sulfate content (from 5.8% to 1.2%), viscosity (by fivefold), and stiffness (by eightfold) relative to the ethanol-separated fraction. Yet, the bioactivity of the sulfate-depleted polysaccharide against Herpes simplex virus 1 was only slightly reduced (~15%), suggesting that the sulfate groups do not significantly contribute to the antiviral potency of this polysaccharide. The reported electric-field separation methods is, therefore, a simple, straightforward, and nontoxic means for the direct recovery of desulfated polysaccharides from P. cruentum cultures, yielding a low-toxicity and highly stable gel-like material with enhanced amenability for antiviral applications.

This study presents an alternative method in diatom genomics using two raphid diatoms-Campylodiscus clypeus and Plagiotropis lepidoptera-whose organellar genome characteristics have remained unexplored due to cultivation constraints. Only a small fraction of the estimated 200,000 diatom species has been cultured in the laboratory. This research showcases the use of minimal-cell genomics as a viable alternative for studying diatoms and other eukaryotic microorganisms that do not respond well to traditional laboratory culture methods. Initial attempts to culture C. clypeus and P. lepidoptera were unsuccessful, hindering the acquisition of genomic data. To overcome these challenges, we employed minimal-cell whole genome amplification (mcWGA) techniques for two uncultured species, followed by metagenomic sequencing and assembly. This enabled direct genomic recovery from minimally isolated and pooled cells, eliminating the need for cultivation. Using mcWGA approach, we successfully obtained the complete chloroplasts and mitochondrial genomes of C. clypeus and P. lepidoptera using only 8-12 viable cells isolated from fresh environmental samples. The plastome size of C. clypeus was 143,367 bp and mitogenome size was 46,274 bp, while P. lepidoptera has plastome and mitogenome sizes of 116,161 bp and 49,356 bp, respectively. The data generated provides a valuable resource for further research, highlighting the importance of culture-independent techniques in microbial genomics.

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) is indispensable to the power industry, yet its emission requires strict control due to the potent greenhouse effect. The direct recovery of high-purity SF6 from industrial waste gas is vital for sustainable use but remains a formidable challenge. Herein, we report NU-62, an Al-MOF featuring methyl-functionalized microporous nano-traps, engineered by employing a hexacarboxylate ligand with three methyl groups on its backbone and two types of unusual 4-connected trinuclear Al clusters coordinated with formates and acetates. Leveraging the tailored pore environments, NU-62 exhibited a high SF6 uptake of 3.99mmolg-1 and an outstanding SF6/N2 (10:90, v/v) selectivity of 209 at 298K and 1bar, achieving highly selective SF6 capture from SF6/N2 mixture. Furthermore, breakthrough experiments confirm its efficient separation for an SF6/N2 mixture, with good performance retained even under 70% relative humidity. Theoretical calculations suggest that SF6 is preferentially adsorbed in the methyl-functionalized nano-traps through multiple C─H···F hydrogen bonding interactions. This work demonstrates the great potential of methyl-functionalized pore engineering in enabling energy-efficient and sustainable SF6 recovery for industrial applications.

Direct carbon recovery from raw wastewater for bioenergy production by anaerobic digestion.

The increasing demand for organ transplantation has necessitated innovative strategies to maximize donor organ utilization, especially in donation after circulatory death (DCD) contexts. This article explores the integration of direct lung recovery with abdominal normothermic regional perfusion (A-NRP) to optimize organ preservation and expand the donor pool. A-NRP effectively mitigates warm ischemic injury, supporting the viability of both abdominal and thoracic organs. Our approach emphasizes meticulous surgical planning, efficient bleeding control, and seamless multidisciplinary collaboration to ensure procedure success. By combining A-NRP with state-of-the-art techniques for lung assessment and preservation, we highlight a promising pathway for enhancing graft quality and outcomes. The article discusses key logistical and ethical considerations, emphasizing the need for standardization and cooperative frameworks across transplant centers. This integrated methodology not only addresses current challenges but also sets the stage for future advancements in DCD organ transplantation, ultimately aiming to increase success rates and save more lives.

This study evaluates ammonia gas recovery from high-strength anaerobic digestate using a bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BPED) and membrane contactor (MC). Ammonia is a promising carbon-neutral energy carrier, while digestates present both environmental challenges and opportunities for ammonia recovery. The BPED was tested at 2,000---10,000mg-N/L under varying voltages and flow rates, achieving up to 87.6% ammonium separation at 10,000mg-N/L. Subsequently, the MC enabled direct gas-phase NH3 recovery, using synthetic base solutions under different vacuum pressures and sweep gas flow rates. Recovery reached 80.9% at low gas-to-liquid ratios (180-720), outperforming air stripping. Ammonia recovery followed first-order kinetics, with overall mass transfer (K·a) governed by vacuum pressure, sweep gas, and pH-dependent speciation. NH3-N flux showed nonlinear dependence on the ionization fraction (α1), underscoring synergistic effects of pH and gas-phase configuration. The BPED-MC offers a scalable, chemical-free, and energy-efficient approach for sustainable ammonia recovery from high-ammonia waste streams.

Fully automated flow-by reactor for direct lithium recovery based on electrochemical ion pumping

Droplet microfluidics, which generates and manipulates water-in-oil microdroplets within continuous phases, has emerged as a compelling platform in modern science. The core advantage of this technology lies in the fact that each picoliter to nanoliter droplet functions as an independent microreactor, ensuring no cross-contamination. This enables ultra-high-throughput experiments while dramatically reducing the consumption of expensive reagents and rare samples. However, the efficient extraction of solid precipitates (such as crystals and particles) formed within droplets remains a fundamental challenge for subsequent analysis and utilization. This study proposes a novel microfluidic device and operational method to address these challenges: (1) the difficulty in extracting solids that cannot be recovered through simple fluid flow and (2) sample loss during long-distance transport. The key innovation combines (1) a passive trap structure for in situ solid formation processes within droplets and (2) a physically accessible harvesting chamber positioned nearby. This design eliminates the need for long-distance sample transport, enabling the gentle transfer of droplets containing precipitated solids to an adjacent extraction chamber with an open top, allowing for physical solid recovery. We demonstrated the system functionality using fluorescent microbeads as model particles, followed by the successful generation and recovery of protein (lysozyme) crystals as a practical application.

Iron-carbon micro-electrolysis enhances microbial sulfate reduction and sulfur recovery.

A novel DES integrates the functions of acidolysis, reduction, and selective precipitation, achieving efficient Li leaching and direct recovery of transition metals from spent lithium-ion batteries.

Biomineralization-driven one-pot separation and stabilization of extracellular lipases bypassing purification.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic underscored the need for innovative approaches to study humoral immunity and isolate monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with diagnostic and therapeutic potential. Current methods for repertoire analysis at the clonal level require large-scale recombinant mAb production, limiting accessibility and delaying functional insight. We developed a single-cell culture (SCC) platform that enables profiling of human memory B cells and direct recovery of functional mAbs. Using samples from COVID-19 convalescent and vaccinated donors, we optimized SCCs with NB21 feeder cells, R848, and IL-2, achieving efficient clonal expansion and antibody secretion in short-term cultures. Screening and pseudovirus neutralization assays were performed directly with culture supernatants, bypassing the need for early recombinant antibody production. Antigen-baited cytometry sorting enriched spike-specific memory B cells by ∼30-fold. Among 592 isolated mAbs, 53% bound the Wuhan spike, targeting the receptor-binding domain (28%), N-terminal domain (15%), or other regions (57%). Cross-reactivity analysis revealed that 40% of anti-spike mAbs recognized all tested variants of concern. VH/VL sequencing uncovered convergent rearrangements, including public V3-30 and V3-53/V3-66 clones, consistent with global findings. Two public receptor-binding domain-specific antibodies demonstrated broad neutralization when produced recombinantly. Together, these results validate the SCC system as a streamlined approach for unbiased repertoire analysis and functional mAb isolation. More broadly, the platform provides a practical framework for linking B cell clonal composition with antigen specificity and serum antibody responses. By reducing costs and simplifying workflows, it expands opportunities for antibody discovery and immunoepidemiological studies, fostering wider global participation in therapeutic antibody research.