Fiber Network Research Articles

Liquid absorbent bamboo fiber foams: Towards 100% ligno-cellulosic menstrual absorbent pads

Traditional menstrual absorbent pads typically combine cellulose fiber fluff pulp with non-biodegradable, petroleum-based superabsorbent polymers (SAPs). To eliminate the need for SAPs, this study explores foaming as a method to create a highly porous lignocellulosic fiber network capable of storing large amounts of fluid. Bamboo fibers were chosen due to their high lignin content, which is expected to help maintain the structural integrity of the porous network during liquid absorption and preventing collapse compared to 100% cellulose fibers. The bamboo fiber foams demonstrated remarkable porosity and superior absorbency compared to commercial pads, but they exhibited lower water retention when subjected to compression. Refining the fibers and incorporating microfibrillated cellulose offer promising opportunities to enhance water retention.

N, O and P co-doped hierarchically porous carbon fiber for high performance Zinc-ion hybrid capacitors

Multi-heteroatoms co-doped hierarchically porous carbon-based electrode is an effective strategy to solve the low energy density and poor cycle stability of Zn-ion hybrid capacitors (ZHCs). Herein, N/O/P co-doped porous carbon nanofiber (N-P-PCF) was prepared, which displays fibrous network hierarchically porous structure to fast electron/ Zn2+ transport and enhance Zn2+ adsorption sites. Meanwhile, rich N (9.47 at.%), O (11.29 at.%) and P (1.29 at.%) co-doping can be beneficial for the infiltration of electrode–electrolyte interface and provide an additional pseudocapacitance. The N-P-PCF based ZHCs can yield a large specific capacitance (205 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1), high energy density (173 Wh kg−1 at 823 W kg−1) and excenllent cycle stability for 10,000 cycles (98.6 % capacity retention), which provides a reliable multi-heteroatoms co-doped porous carbon fiber for high-performance ZHCs.

High thermal and mechanical properties of carbon fiber network reinforced copper matrix composites achieved by configuration design and interface engineering

Constructing three-dimensional (3D) fillers within the matrix represents a highly promising strategy for achieving excellent comprehensive performance. In this study, the possibility of implementing 3D network configuration in carbon fiber/copper (CF/Cu) composites is explored. A novel composite structure was developed through template-electrodeposition and hot-pressing sintering techniques, incorporating a 3D CF network within the Cu matrix. Additionally, tungsten carbide (WC) coating was applied to the CF surface using molten salt method. Research findings indicate that the 3D CF networks establish continuous heat flow channels within the Cu matrix, while the WC coating mitigates the interfacial thermal resistance by improving CF-Cu interface bonding. The 3D-CF(WC)/Cu composite obtained through the synergistic strengthening of configuration design and interface engineering exhibits excellent thermal and mechanical properties. The thermal conductivity (TC), coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), and bending strength of the 3D-CF(WC)/Cu composite in the in-plane direction are 457.4 ± 9.0 W m−1 K−1, 6.9 ± 0.4 × 10−6 K−1, and 281.9 ± 5.2 MPa, respectively; and in the through-plane direction are 400.8 ± 8.9 W m−1 K−1, 6.1 ± 0.4 × 10−6 K−1, and 263.1 ± 5.6 MPa, respectively. This research provides a novel approach to develop carbon reinforced metal matrix thermal management composites.

Advances in mechanotransduction and sonobiology: effects of audible acoustic waves and low-vibration stimulations on mammalian cells

AbstractIn recent decades, research on mechanotransduction has advanced considerably, focusing on the effects of audible acoustic waves (AAWs) and low-vibration stimulation (LVS), which has propelled the field of sonobiology forward. Taken together, the current evidence demonstrates the influence of these biosignals on key cellular processes, such as growth, differentiation and migration in mammalian cells, emphasizing the determining role of specific physical parameters during stimulation, such as frequency, sound pressure level/amplitude and exposure time. These mechanical waves interact with various cellular elements, including ion channels, primary cilia, cell–cell adhesion receptors, cell–matrix and extracellular matrix proteins, and focal adhesion complexes. These components connect with the cytoskeletal fibre network, enabling the transmission of mechanical stimuli towards the nucleus. The nucleus, in turn, linked to the cytoskeleton via the linkers of the nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton complex, acts as a mechanosensitive centre, not only responding to changes in cytoskeletal stiffness and nuclear tension but also regulating gene expression through the transcriptional co-activator YAP/TAZ and interactions between chromatin and the nuclear envelope. This intricate chain of mechanisms highlights the potential of sonobiology in various fields, including dentistry, regenerative medicine, tissue engineering and cancer research. However, progress in these fields requires the establishment of standardized measurement methodologies and biocompatible experimental setups to ensure the reproducibility of results.

Tough, antimicrobial, recyclable hydrogel with tree-trunk-inspired core‐sheath structure for efficient all-day desalination

Solar-driven interfacial evaporation, an economically friendly freshwater harvesting technology, faces the challenge of achieving efficient all-day desalination. Inspired by the core‐sheath structure of tree trunks, herein, a hydrogel evaporator features internal vertical lamellar sodium alginate (SA) pores supported by aramid fiber (AF) networks and surface covered with a dense layer of copper sulfide (CuS) and was fabricated through freeze-drying-cycling alternating immersion method. The internal vertical SA lamellar structure endows the hydrogel with strong water transport capability, while the high photothermal conversion ability of the surface CuS layer enables rapid water evaporation. Therefore, as 2D evaporators, the evaporation rate in highly concentrated salt solutions (15 wt%) is up to 2.07 kg m-2 h-1 under 1.0 sun. As 3D evaporators, efficient evaporation is achieved throughout the day by compensating evaporation at the sides and top. Under the irradiation of 0.2 and 0.8 suns outdoors, the evaporation rate of the 3D evaporator can reach 7.47 kg m-2 h-1 and 12.60 kg m-2 h-1, respectively, and its total evaporation is 4.72 times higher than that of the 2D evaporator. Notably, the hydrogel evaporator has excellent anti-salt properties, antimicrobial properties, and recyclability. This work provides valuable guidance for designing and developing practical hydrogel evaporators.

Electrospun "Hard-Soft" Interpenetrating Nanofibrous Tissue Scaffolds Facilitating Enhanced Mechanical Strength and Cell Proliferation.

"Soft" hydrogel-based macroporous scaffolds have been widely used in tissue engineering and drug delivery applications due to their hydrated interfaces and macroporous structures, but have drawbacks related to their weak mechanics and often weak adhesion to cells. In contrast, "hard" poly(caprolactone) (PCL) electrospun fibrous networks have desirable mechanical strength and ductility but offer minimal interfacial hydration and thus limited capacity for cell proliferation. Herein, we demonstrate the fabrication of interpenetrating nanofibrous networks based on coelectrospun PCL and poly(oligoethylene glycol methacrylate) (POEGMA) nanofibers that exhibit the mechanical benefits of PCL but the interfacial hydration benefits of hydrogels. The electrospinning process results in partially aligned but interpenetrating fiber network with minimal internal phase separation, leading to anisotropic but strong mechanical properties even in the hydrated state; apparent ultimate tensile strengths of the swollen scaffolds ranged from 429 ± 39 kPa in the direction of fiber alignment (longitudinal) to 86 ± 25 kPa perpendicular to fiber alignment (cross-longitudinal), typical of PCL-based scaffolds and enabling efficient suture retention in different directions. However, contact angle measurements indicate hydrogel-like interfacial properties due to the presence of the interpenetrating POEGMA network. C2C12 myoblast proliferation in the PCL-POEGMA scaffolds was 50% higher than that observed on PCL-only scaffolds, a result attributed to the presence of the more hydrophilic POEGMA interpenetrating nanofiber network. Overall, this method is demonstrated to represent a facile single-step strategy to fabricate strong macroporous but still interfacially hydrophilic scaffolds for tissue engineering applications.

The G4 resolvase Dhx36 modulates cardiomyocyte differentiation and ventricular conduction system development.

Extensive genetic studies have elucidated cardiomyocyte differentiation and associated gene networks using single-cell RNA-seq, yet the intricate transcriptional mechanisms governing cardiac conduction system (CCS) development and working cardiomyocyte differentiation remain largely unexplored. Here we show that mice deleted for Dhx36 (encoding the Dhx36 helicase) in the embryonic or neonatal heart develop overt dilated cardiomyopathy, surface ECG alterations related to cardiac impulse propagation, and (in the embryonic heart) a lack of a ventricular conduction system (VCS). Heart snRNA-seq and snATAC-seq reveal the role of Dhx36 in CCS development and in the differentiation of working cardiomyocytes. Dhx36 deficiency directly influences cardiomyocyte gene networks by disrupting the resolution of promoter G-quadruplexes in key cardiac genes, impacting cardiomyocyte differentiation and CCS morphogenesis, and ultimately leading to dilated cardiomyopathy and atrioventricular block. These findings further identify crucial genes and pathways that regulate the development and function of the VCS/Purkinje fiber (PF) network.

Study of a Crosstalk Suppression Scheme Based on Double-Stage Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers

An all-optical crosstalk suppression scheme is desirable for wavelength and space division multiplexing optical networks by improving the performance of the corresponding nodes. We put forward a scheme comprising double-stage semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) for wavelength-preserving crosstalk suppression. The wavelength position of the degenerate pump in the optical phase conjugation (OPC) is optimized for signal-to-crosstalk ratio (SXR) improvement. The crosstalk suppression performance of the double-stage SOA scheme for 20 Gb/s quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) signals is investigated by means of simulations, including the input SXR range and the crosstalk wavelength deviation. For the case with identical-frequency crosstalk, the double-stage SOA scheme can achieve equivalent SXR improvement of 1.5 dB for an input SXR of 10 dB. Thus, the double-stage SOA scheme proposed here is more suitable for few-mode fiber systems and networks.

The Role of the Extracellular Matrix in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Pulmonary Emphysema.

Pulmonary emphysema involves progressive destruction of alveolar walls, leading to enlarged air spaces and impaired gas exchange. While the precise mechanisms responsible for these changes remain unclear, there is growing evidence that the extracellular matrix plays a critical role in the process. An essential feature of pulmonary emphysema is damage to the elastic fiber network surrounding the airspaces, which stores the energy needed to expel air from the lungs. The degradation of these fibers disrupts the mechanical forces involved in respiration, resulting in distension and rupture of alveolar walls. While the initial repair process mainly consists of elastin degradation and resynthesis, continued alveolar wall injury may be associated with increased collagen deposition, resulting in a mixed pattern of emphysema and interstitial fibrosis. Due to the critical role of elastic fiber injury in pulmonary emphysema, preventing damage to this matrix component has emerged as a potential therapeutic strategy. One treatment approach involves the intratracheal administration of hyaluronan, a polysaccharide that prevents elastin breakdown by binding to lung elastic fibers. In clinical trials, inhalation of aerosolized HA decreased elastic fiber injury, as measured by the release of the elastin-specific cross-linking amino acids, desmosine, and isodesmosine. By protecting elastic fibers from enzymatic and oxidative damage, aerosolized HA could alter the natural history of pulmonary emphysema, thereby reducing the risk of respiratory failure.

Rheology of flexible fiber-reinforced cement pastes: Maximum packing fraction determination and structural build-up analysis

The maximum packing fraction (φfm) of flexible fibers is an essential parameter for understanding the rheological behavior of flexible fiber-reinforced cement paste (FFRCP). However, direct measurement of φfm of flexible fibers is still lacking. In this study, a shear rheology-based method for direct measurement of φfm was proposed and the assumption of fiber conformation under shear was verified by micro-CT. Based on this, a yield stress model for FFRCP was constructed to explain the entanglement and friction effects in the fiber network. Finally, static yield stress tests and small amplitude oscillatory shear (SAOS) tests were carried out to explore the structural build-up of FFRCP. It was found that the proposed method enables direct determination of φfm through only a few viscosity-fiber content data for a given FFRCP. Furthermore, the proposed model can describe the static yield stress of FFRCP well. Finally, the relative structural build-up rate of FFRCP follows a similar trend as the relative yield stress, with a critical relative fiber volume fraction (0.299) as the boundary. Subsequently, the relative structural build-up gradually deviates from the relative yield stress due to the limiting effect of the fibers.

Neuropeptides regulate shell growth in the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis)

In bivalves, which are molluscs enclosed in a biomineralized shell, a diversity of neuropeptide precursors has been described but their involvement in shell growth has been largely neglected. Here, using a symmetric marine bivalve, the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis), we uncover a role for the neuroendocrine system and neuropeptides in shell production. We demonstrate that the mantle is rich in neuropeptide precursors and that a complex network of neuropeptide-secreting fibres innervates the mantle edge a region highly involved in shell growth. We show that shell damage and shell repair significantly modify neuropeptide gene expression in the mantle edge and the nervous ganglia (cerebropleural ganglia, CPG). When the CPG nerve commissure was severed, shell production was impaired after shell damage, and modified neuropeptide gene expression, the spatial organization of nerve fibres in the ganglia and mantle and biomineralization enzyme activity in the mantle edge. Injection of CALCIa and CALCIIa peptides rescued the impaired shell repair phenotype providing further support for their role in biomineralization. We propose that the regulatory mechanisms identified are likely to be conserved across bivalves and other shelled molluscs since they all share a similar nervous system, a common mantle biomineralization toolbox, and shell structure.

Deep learning techniques for quality of transmission estimation in optical networks

A large body of research has recently examined the estimation of the quality of transmission (QoT) in optical networks with deep learning. This paper discusses a lightpath’s quality of transmission to design fiber-optic communication and networks using deep learning algorithms. We need different major estimation parameters for advanced optical fiber communication and networks, i.e., modulation formats, baud rate, and code rate. Currently, the quality of transmission for unspecified optical paths depends on different estimation techniques i.e., (1) analytical models estimating physical layer impairments (PLIs) and (2) margined formulas. This paper focuses on deep-learning techniques that can be applied to optimization and complex systems. The deep learning algorithms contain different classifiers that can simulate results and estimate the bit-error rate, and signal-to-noise ratio of unspecified optical paths with threshold values, traffic volume, and modulation format. We must train and test the datasets for various classifiers, and classification features using Korean network topology. The classifier accuracy and Area Under the ROC Curve (AUC) simulation results are carried out using MATLAB.

Novel pseudocapacitive one-dimensional copper pyrophosphate (Cu2P2O7) nanofibers for asymmetric supercapacitor

The redox activity of a supercapacitor electrode can be significantly compromised by irregular, non-uniform, and agglomerated morphologies of the material. The preparation of a one-dimensional fibrous morphology not only ensures a consistent, continuous, and well-separated network of fibers but also results in an increased surface area compared to higher-dimensional structures. In this study, the fabrication of a continuous network of one-dimensional copper pyrophosphate (Cu2P2O7) nanofibers through a straightforward polymer-based electrospinning method followed by calcination at 900°C is reported. The resulting Cu2P2O7 monoclinic nanofibers exhibited an average diameter of 95 nm, highlighting the enhanced surface area of the material. By employing nickel foam (NF) as a current collector, the Cu2P2O7/NF electrode demonstrated a remarkable specific capacitance of 567.31 F g-1 (357.4 C g-1) at 2 A g-1 in 1 M LiOH electrolyte, surpassing performances in 1 M KOH and 1 M NaOH electrolytes. Furthermore, we designed an asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) device configuration by incorporating carbon nanofibers (CNFs) as the negative electrode. Cu2P2O7//CNFs asymmetric supercapacitor showcases an exceptional specific capacitance, reaching 143.73 F g-1 (244.34 C g-1) at a current density of 0.4 A g-1. This remarkable performance is complemented by a notable energy density of 57.69 Wh kg-1 and power density of 1104.7 W kg-1. Furthermore, even at an elevated power density of 5132.25 W kg-1, the device maintained a considerable energy density of 22.81 Wh kg-1. These findings underscore the viability of Cu2P2O7 nanofibers as a compelling choice for energy storage devices.

Didang decoction attenuates cancer-associated thrombosis by inhibiting PAD4-dependent NET formation in lung cancer.

This research aims to investigate the impact of Didang decoction (DD) on the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and cancer-associated thrombosis in lung cancer. BALB/c nude mice were used to establish xenograft models for inducing deep vein thrombosis. Tumor growth and thrombus length were assessed. The impact of DD on NET generation was analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunofluorescence staining, quantitative real-time PCR, and western blot analysis, both in vivo and in vitro. CI-amidine, a PAD4 inhibitor, was employed to evaluate the role of PAD4 in the generation of NETs. In vivo studies demonstrated that treatment with DD reduced tumor growth, inhibited thrombus formation, and decreased the levels of NET markers in the serum, tumor tissues, neutrophils, and thrombus tissues of mice. Additional data indicated that DD could suppress neutrophil counts, the release of tissue factor (TF), and the activation of thrombin-activated platelets, all of which contributed to increased formation of NETs in mouse models. In vitro, following incubation with conditioned medium (CM) derived from Lewis lung carcinoma cells, the expression of NET markers in neutrophils was significantly elevated, and an extracellular fibrous network structure was observed. Nevertheless, these NET-associated changes were partially counteracted by DD. Additionally, CI-amidine reduced the expression of NET markers in CM-treated neutrophils, consistent with the effects of DD. Collectively, DD inhibits cancer-associated thrombosis in lung cancer by decreasing PAD4-dependent NET formation through the regulation of TF-mediated thrombin-platelet activation. This presents a promising therapeutic strategy for preventing and treating venous thromboembolism in lung cancer.

Constructing Multiscale Fibrous Morphology to Achieve 20% Efficiency Organic Solar Cells by Mixing High and Low Molecular Weight D18.

This study underscores the significance of precisely manipulating the morphology of the active layer in organic solar cells (OSCs). By blending polymer donors of D18 with varying molecular weights, a multiscale interpenetrating fiber network structure within the active layer is successfully created. The introduction of 10% low molecular weight D18 (LW-D18) into high molecular weight D18 (HW-D18) produces MIX-D18, which exhibits an extended exciton diffusion distance and orderly molecular stacking. Devices utilizing MIX-D18 demonstrate superior electron and hole transport, improves exciton dissociation, enhances charge collection efficiency, and reduces trap-assisted recombination compared to the other two materials. Through the use of the nonfullerene acceptor L8-BO, a remarkable power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 20.0% is achieved. This methodology, which integrates the favorable attributes of high and low molecular weight polymers, opens a new avenue for enhancing the performance of OSCs.

A new approach to assess post-mortem interval: A machine learning-assisted label-free ATR-FTIR analysis of human vitreous humor

A crucial issue in forensics is determining the post-mortem interval (PMI), the time between death and the finding of a body. Despite various methods already employed for its estimation, only approximate values are currently achievable. Vitreous humor (VH) is an avascular tissue between the lens and the retina, mainly composed by a collagen fibers network, hyaluronic acid, and hyalocytes. Recently, it has received interest in forensic medicine, being easy to collect and susceptible to low microbiological contamination and putrefaction. Based on this evidence and thanks to the ability of Attenuated Total Reflectance – Fourier Transform InfraRed (ATR–FTIR) spectroscopy to perform fast analyses on a minimal sample amount, in this study, a new analytical approach to reliably estimate PMI is proposed combining ATR-FTIR analysis of VH human samples with multivariate statistical procedures, such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA), for discriminant classification. Regression procedures, including Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR), were performed: extremely positive results were obtained, and the most discriminant spectral features were highlighted (peaks at 1665, 1630, 1585, 1400, 1220, 1200, 1120, 854, 835, and 740 cm−1) and associated to PMI classes (average accuracy over 80 %). Specific and reliable markers able to correlate the macromolecular composition of VH with the PMI were identified, revealing a post-mortem protein degradation and amino acids deamination (decrease of proteins and increase of free amino acids and NH3), an increase of lactate, which diffuses from the retina to the VH, and changes in the hyaluronic acid component.

Strong adsorption Fe[sbnd]N[sbnd]C catalytic cathode for 50,000 cycles aqueous zinc-iodine batteries

Aqueous zinc-iodine batteries have garnered increasing attention due to their low cost and high safety. However, their practical application is impeded by sluggish iodine redox reaction kinetics and the “shuttle effect” of polyiodides, which result in poor rate performance and limited cycled life. Here, we developed N-doped porous carbon fiber derived from Prussian blue and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) as a self-supporting cathode material for zinc-iodine batteries. The material demonstrates a high iodine adsorption capacity in the electrolyte solution. Density Function Theory (DFT) calculations indicate that the prepared materials demonstrate good catalytic activity. Furthermore, the interconnected carbon fiber network, characterized by high conductivity and a large specific surface area, facilitates rapid electron transport and ion diffusion. Consequently, the zinc-iodine battery demonstrates outstanding rate performance (148mAh g−1 at a high current density of 10 A/g) and a long cycling life of 50,000 cycles, with a capacity retention rate of 72.1 %. Additionally, the battery achieves an impressive calendar life of 8 months and 23 days.

Optimization of mixing ratio for the production of particle board from bamboo leaves, saw dust and urea formaldehyde

This study investigated the best mix sawdust, bamboo leaves, and urea formaldehyde to create particleboard by optimizing the mixing ratio. Finding the optimal ratio of sawdust, urea formaldehyde, and bamboo leaves for the binders used in particle board production was the aim of this study. The particle boards' mechanical and physical tests were investigated. The surface morphology of particleboards and its elemental compositions were examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). The result observed from mechanical and physical tests conducted particle boards showed that best particleboard of composition 100 % sawdust, 50 % bamboo leaves and 2.5 g urea had the highest density of 675.643 kg/m3, modulus rupture of 3.84 N/mm2 and modulus elasticity of 2756 N/mm2. The optimal level generated by the experimental design of composition 50 % sawdust, 50 % bamboo leaves and 2.0 g urea were validated. MOR of 13.02 N/mm2 and MOE observed were 881.39 N/mm2. The SEM and EDS results revealed that optimal particleboard of validated experiment had surface with more fibrous network structures than particle board of the best process level. The particleboard that was produced from validated experiment complied with the American National Standard ANSI/A208.1–999.

N-doped polyacrylonitrile carbon fiber interlayer for uniform and dendrite free Zn metal battery

The aqueous zinc-ion battery’s (AZBs) inherent safety and inexpensive cost make it an attractive prospect for next-generation energy storage. Nevertheless, AZBs are presently troubled by the formation of Zn dendrites and unwanted side-reactions, which can lead to cycling instability and premature collapse. This study demonstrates the fabrication of an N-doped polyacrylonitrile (PAN) carbon fiber (PCF) network with ionic conductivity using the electrospinning of a PAN solution followed by thermal treatment. Zn plating and stripping behavior can be controlled by using a three-dimensional PCF with a polar functional group as an interlayer covering on the zinc anode. This allows for partially deposited zinc to be accommodated, which ultimately results in zinc dendrite-free deposition on the zinc anode. This phenomenon is initially proven in Zn@PCF symmetric cells, and then it is demonstrated further in Zn@PCF/MnO2 whole cells, where the dendritic Zn anode surfaces become completely smooth and devoid of any features. This results in a charging and discharging cycle that is far longer than one would normally experience. The findings of this study offer a viable path toward the development of dendrite-free AZBs with great performance.

Quantum-Secured Data Centre Interconnect in a field environment

In the evolving landscape of quantum technology, the increasing prominence of quantum computing poses a significant threat to the security of conventional public key infrastructure. Quantum key distribution (QKD), an established quantum technology at a high readiness level, emerges as a viable solution with commercial adoption potential. QKD facilitates the establishment of secure symmetric random bit strings between two geographically separated, trustworthy entities, safeguarding communications from potential eavesdropping. In particular, data centre interconnects can leverage the potential of QKD devices to ensure the secure transmission of critical and sensitive information in preserving the confidentiality, security, and integrity of their stored data. In this article, we present the successful implementation of a QKD field trial within a commercial data centre environment that utilises the existing fibre network infrastructure. The achieved average secret key rate of 2.392 kbps and an average quantum bit error rate of less than 2% demonstrate the commercial feasibility of QKD in real-world scenarios. As a use case study, we demonstrate the secure transfer of files between two data centres through the Quantum-Secured Virtual Private Network, utilising secret keys generated by the QKD devices. %This demonstration marks a significant milestone in the deployment of QKD across Singapore, establishing a foundation for widespread adoption and enhancing the infrastructure for practical, quantum-safe communication in commercial environments.