High Elasticity Research Articles

Nature‐Inspired, Heat & Noise‐Insulation, Highly Robust MOFs‐Based Hybrid Fire‐Retardant Coatings with Easy‐Recycling Feature

AbstractFlexible polyurethane foams are widely used in building and vehicle interiors due to their lightweight and high resilience. However, most foams are non‐biodegradable or fireproof, leading to serious white foam pollution and safety problems. Here, FPUF made of a porous MOF material loaded with flame retardant elements as a coating is reported, which realizes fire protection, isolation of heat and noise, and recovery of foam. The results show that FPUF‐3 exhibited excellent fire and smoke suppression effects, and PHRR, CO production, and CO2 production are reduced by 28.5%, 54.5%, and 21.4%, respectively. The FPUF‐3 shows a longer heat preservation effect and can reduce the common noise decibel by >35%. In addition, the coating exhibits excellent stability under extreme acid–base conditions and has longer durability and effectiveness under alkaline conditions. Furthermore, the separation and recovery of FPUF and coating can be realized by ethanol solvent, and the recovery rate of coating can reach >80%, the foam still has the original high elasticity and lightweight characteristics. It provides a sustainable and practical solution for effectively improving the noise reduction, fire prevention, and heat insulation capabilities of FPUF.

Enhancing micro-scale SiOx anode durability: Electro-mechanical strengthening of binder networks via anchoring carbon nanotubes with carboxymethyl cellulose

With the increasing prevalence of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) applications, the demand for high-capacity next-generation materials has also increased. SiOx is currently considered a promising anode material due to its exceptionally high capacity for LIBs. However, the significant volumetric changes of SiOx during cycling and its initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) complicate its use, whether alone or in combination with graphite materials. In this study, a three-dimensional conductive binder network with high electronic conductivity and robust elasticity for graphite/SiOx blended anodes was proposed by chemically anchoring carbon nanotubes and carboxymethyl cellulose binders using tannic acid as a chemical cross-linker. In addition, a dehydrogenation-based prelithiation strategy employing lithium hydride was utilized to enhance the ICE of SiOx. The combination of these two strategies increased the CE of SiOx from 74% to 87% and effectively mitigated its volume expansion in the graphite/SiOx blended electrode, resulting in an efficient electron-conductive binder network. This led to a remarkable capacity retention of 94% after 30 cycles, even under challenging conditions, with a high capacity of 550 mA h g−1 and a current density of 4 mA cm−2. Furthermore, to validate the feasibility of utilizing prelithiated SiOx anode materials and the conductive binder network in LIBs, a full cell incorporating these materials and a single-crystalline Ni-rich cathode was used. This cell demonstrated a ∼27.3% increase in discharge capacity of the first cycle (∼185.7 mA h g−1) and exhibited a cycling stability of 300 cycles. Thus, this study reports a simple, feasible, and insightful method for designing high-performance LIB electrodes.

Study on the preparation and properties of lignin-based flexible polyurethane foams with NaCl as a medium.

Currently, most polyols used in polyurethane foam (PUF) synthesis are derived from petrochemicals. However, lignin as the most abundant aromatic biopolymer rich in hydroxyl groups, is a suitable filler for synthesizing polyurethane foam. Therefore, in this study, Kraft lignin (KL) was utilized as a partial substitute for flexible polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG400). After adding 15 % KL, NaCl was introduced as a medium for synthesizing LFPUF and Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was used as a foam stabilizer. Lignin-based flexible polyurethane foam (LFPUF) with high elasticity was synthesized. The aromatic ring structure of KL acted as a reinforcement for the foam, while the flexible PEG400 provided excellent flexibility to LFPUF. Na+ interacts with oxygen atoms in the long chain of PEG to form a cyclic crown ether structure. This promotes proximity and ordering of the hydroxyl groups, thereby facilitating proton transfer and optimising the cell size of the foam. Ultimately, the foam synthesized with 3 % NaCl (LFPUF-3%NaCl) exhibited an average cell size and hole size of 484.1 and 183.6 μm, respectively, significantly smaller than those of the foam synthesized without NaCl (843.5 and 249.3 μm, respectively). The foam resilience and elastic recovery of LFPUF-3%NaCl were 39.56 and 99.03 %, respectively, which was higher than that of the foam synthesized without NaCl (20.36 % and 97.08 %, respectively). In addition, LFPUF-3%NaCl maintained a high elastic recovery of 97.61 % after 20 cycles of compression. The egg drop test demonstrated that the foam effectively provided protective cushioning for fragile items.

Mussel-Like Silk Fibroin Hydrogel With Skin Compliance Soft Electrode for Wearable Devices.

Flexible wearable electronic devices, capable of real-time physiological monitoring for personalized health management, are increasingly recognized for their convenience, comfort, and customization potential. Despite advancements, challenges persist for soft electrodes due to the skin's complex surface, biocompatibility demands, and modulus mismatch. In response, a mussel-inspired polydopamine-nanoclay-silk fibroin hydrogel (DA-C-SFH) is introduced, synthesized via a two-step process. The initial polydopamine oxidation introduces free catechol groups through polydopamine-incorporated nanoclay, followed by integration with silk fibroin, refining the fibroin network at the mesoscopic scale. This DA-C-SFH exhibits low modulus, high elasticity, adhesive properties, and biocompatibility, enabling conformal skin adhesion. It effectively detects subtle signals, such as pulse waves, and serves as a soft epidermal electrode, capable of recording various electrophysiological signals, including electrocardiograms and electromyograms, thus underscoring its potential in medical electronics and health monitoring applications.

Fructose-Modified Chitosan/Gelatin 3D Composite Sponge for Enhanced Rapid Hemostasis.

Managing uncontrolled and noncompressible bleeding presents a major challenge in emergency trauma care. Methods to halt bleeding quickly and efficiently, without applying direct pressure on the wound, have become a key focus of research. Herein, a novel fructose-modified chitosan/gelatin composite sponge has been developed, exhibiting high elasticity, low rebound pressure, and excellent cell compatibility. This material can rapidly return to its original form in around 1.5 s after being compressed by 80% upon contact with water. Additionally, experimental results from a rat liver wound model demonstrated that it exhibited a clear hemostatic effect. The hemostatic time was shortened from 204 ± 15.35 s to 53.3 ± 6.54 s, and the blood loss was reduced from 867 ± 153.15 mg to 187 ± 61.06 mg. Moreover, it can promote tissue healing by inhibiting the production of inflammatory factors including TNF-α, MCP-1, and IL-6. This material offers an effective solution for noncompressible tissue injuries.

Modeling and Relative Permittivity Modulation of Cu/PDMS Capacitive Flexible Sensor for Pressure Sensing

This study aims to establish an equivalent parallel capacitance model for a copper/polydimethylsiloxane (Cu/PDMS) capacitive flexible pressure sensor and modulate its relative permittivity to optimize pressure sensing performance. The Cu/PDMS composite material is an ideal dielectric layer for sensors due to its high dielectric constant and tunable elasticity. By adjusting the different mixing ratios of PDMS and copper particles in micro size, the components and structure properties of the composite material can be modified, thereby affecting the electrical and mechanical performance of the sensor. We used finite element analysis (FEA) to model the sensor structure and studied the capacitance changes under various normal loading conditions to assess its sensitivity and distribution characteristics. Experimental results show that the sensor has good sensitivity and repeatability in the pressure range of 0 to 50 kPa. Additionally, we explored the effect of the addition of carbon black particles. It could be inferred that the added carbon black can enhance electrical properties due to its conductivity, which would be consequenced by the distribution optimization of Cu particles for carbon black’s low density, and it can mechanically restore some flexibility up to nearly 20%. Through these studies, our work can provide theoretical support for the design and application of flexible pressure sensors.

Super elastic and negative triboelectric polymer matrix for high performance mechanoluminescent platforms

Mechanoluminescence platforms, combining phosphors with elastic polymer matrix, have emerged in smart wearable technology due to their superior elasticity and mechanically driven luminescent properties. However, their luminescence performance often deteriorates under extreme elastic conditions owing to a misinterpretation of polymer matrix behavior. Here, we unveil the role of the polymer matrices in mechanoluminescence through an interface-triboelectric effect driven by elasticity, achieving both high elasticity and brightness. By investigating interactions between elastic polymers and copper doped zinc sulfide microparticles, we reveal that elasticity significantly governed triboelectric effects for mechanoluminescence. In particular, high negative triboelectricity emerged as the key to overcoming poor triboelectric effect in extreme elastic conditions. This led to the discovery of polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate silane and polycarbonate silane, achieving remarkable elasticity over 100% and a brightness of 139 cd/m2. These findings offer fundamental insights to select the optimal polymer matrix based on systematic parameters for various smart wearable applications.

Research on TPS-SBS Composite-Modified Asphalt with High Viscosity and High Elasticity in Cold Regions

Research on TPS-SBS Composite-Modified Asphalt with High Viscosity and High Elasticity in Cold Regions

CPR related injuries of the chest wall: direct and indirect fractures

BackgroundRib and sternum fractures are common injuries associated with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The fracture mechanism is either direct by application of force on sternum and anterior ribs or indirect by bending through compression of the thorax. The aim of this study was to determine morphologies of rib fractures after CPR and to reevaluate prior findings on fracture localisation, type and degree of dislocation.MethodsThe present study was based on all inpatients treated for chest wall fractures after non traumatic cardiac arrest at a Level 1 Trauma Centre from 2010 to 2016 who had received CT scans. Each fracture was analyzed for location, degree of dislocation and fracture type classified according to AO/OTA and CWIS. We also analysed Fracture Line orientation.ResultsWe enrolled 40 patients with a total of 423 rib fractures. We found most fractures anterolaterally between the 3rd to 6th rib symmetrically on both sides of the thorax. We found sternum fractures in 30% of the patients, 50% being located at the at the corpus sterni between rib 3 and 4. All patients with sternum fractures suffered from rib fractures and most had fractures of the cartilage or osteochondral junction. All cartilage fractures were straight, undisplaced type A fractures. Most indirect fractures occurred anterolaterally between 50 and 60° in the axial plane. More than 90% of those fractures were classified as type A, 70% showed a straight fracture line and 60% were undisplaced. There was no difference in degree of dislocation between straight and oblique fracture lines. We found 143 incomplete fractures.ConclusionWe confirmed prior findings regarding fracture patterns in CPR related injuries. We observed approximately 2–3 times as many straight-lined fractures as oblique ones following indirect trauma. One third of all fractures are incomplete, these highlights the special characteristics like high elasticity of ribs.

Gradient Porous and Carbon Black-Integrated Cellulose Acetate Aerogel for Scalable Radiative Cooling.

Passive temperature controls like passive daytime radiative cooling (PDRC)-heating (PDRH), and thermal insulation are essential to meet the growing demand for energy-efficient thermal solutions. When combined with advanced functions like electromagnetic interferenceshielding, these technologies can significantly enhance scalability. However, existing approaches using single thin films or uniform porous materials face inherent limitations in optimizing versatile functions, while lightweight, insulating aerogels can extend their multifunctionality by manipulating pores and fillers. Herein, carbon black (CB)-containing cellulose acetate (CA)aerogels (CB/CA aerogel) featuring gradient pores and bilayer structures are devised to implement switchable PDRC-PDRHand broadband spectral emissivity from infrared to microwave, along with high thermal insulation and elasticity. Using stirring and freeze-drying methods, the CA aerogels show low thermal conductivity (≈0.034 W mK-1) and demonstrate broad-spectrum functionality, with over 95.7% solar reflectivity and 93% long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) emittance, achieving a 12.25°C temperature reduction in outdoor conditions. Furthermore, the CB/CA aerogels enhance LWIR emittance to 98.7% and provide broadband spectral emissivity with 39.4% microwave absorption. This study offers a viable solution to simultaneously control radiative cooling and microwave absorption across a broad spectrum in porous media.

Evaluating export vulnerability through import demand elasticity in carbon border adjustment contexts: a focus on Türkiye.

Import demand elasticity (IDE) is a critical metric often employed to guide government decisions regarding tariffs and non-tariff barriers, ensuring that foreign trade remains uninterrupted while optimizing tax revenues. This study, however, leverages IDE to assess the impact of the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) on Türkiye's decarbonization process. Specifically, the research analyzed the total export quantities and unit prices of four product groups-cement, fertilizers, and inorganic chemicals, steel and iron, and aluminum-exported from Türkiye to the European Union-27 countries under the CBAM framework between 2002 and 2021. Using CCE and AMG methodologies, IDE parameters were estimated, followed by calculations of unit price increases and potential export losses across three distinct scenarios. The findings indicate IDE values of 1.95 for cement, 1.20 for fertilizers and inorganic chemicals, 1.85 for steel and iron, and 1.47 for aluminum. These high elasticity values suggest that Türkiye may face substantial export losses for these products. Later we calculated unit price increase and potential export loss according to three different scenarios. Across all three potential scenarios, while Türkiye's iron and steel exports to the EU-27 face a great risk of declining by approximately 25%, the aluminum sector was found to be the least affected across all three scenarios. Consequently, it is imperative for Türkiye to expedite its decarbonization efforts to safeguard its export market share within the EU.

3D Printing Organogels with Bioderived Cyrene for High-Resolution Customized Hydrogel Structures.

3D printing techniques are increasingly being explored to produce hydrogels, versatile materials with a wide range of applications. While photopolymerization-based 3D printing can produce customized hydrogel shapes and intricate structures, its reliance on rigid printing conditions limits material properties compared to those of extrusion printing. To address this limitation, this study employed an alternative approach by printing an organogel precursor using vat polymerization with organic solvents instead of water, followed by solvent exchange after printing to create the final hydrogel material. Using mask stereolithography (mSLA), we evaluated the effects of solvent choice on a novel and recently developed 3D-printed supramolecular hydrogel, cross-linked with quaternized chitosan/acrylate salt. In this study, we compared the conventional solvent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) with the bioderived solvent Cyrene. Our findings reveal that hydrogels produced with Cyrene-based 3D printing exhibit weaker strength but high swelling capacity and elasticity, resilience to cyclic loading, and the ability to produce detailed and accurate 3D-printed objects. These results provide insights into the solvent-dependent mechanical and physical characteristics of 3D-printed hydrogels and underscore the potential of Cyrene as a sustainable alternative for polymeric synthesis.

Unveiling the interactive effect of green technology innovation, employment of disabilities and sustainable energy: A new insight into inclusive sustainability

The interaction between green technology innovation, employment of disabilities, and sustainable energy is a critical area of research that addresses the emergent need for inclusive sustainability. Nowadays, the interaction between sustainable energy and green technology innovation is considered an essential field of research that has been widely discussed in previous studies. However, the role of employment, especially of people with disabilities, on this effect is still inexistent despite its relative importance for the achievement of sustainable development goals. By unveiling the interactive effect between these factors, strategies can be defined to reduce and limit the negative impact on the environment while promoting employment. This study aims to fill this research gap by investigating the impact of green technology innovation and employment of disability on sustainable energy in 25 OECD countries from 1994 to 2020 using a dual methodological approach that integrates a parametric analysis: the panel vector autoregression (PVAR) model and a nonparametric assessment: the local linear dummy variable method (LLDV). The findings reveal (i) a significant positive correlation between the enforcement of green technology innovation and the increase in the employment rate of people with disabilities, (ii) a limited direct effect of green technology innovation on green energy consumption, and (iii) a positive impact of the interactive effect of employment of disabilities and green technology innovation, with a higher elasticity than that recorded by a separated effect. The outcomes address environmental challenges and promote social equity in the green economy. They also offer some critical recommendations for policymakers and researchers on sustainable energy.

Multifunctional Bilayer Hydrogel Electronic Skin with Thermochromic and Electromagnetic Interference Shielding for Wearable Sensing Applications

The conversion of external stimuli into electronic signals is crucial in ion-conductive hydrogel-based electronic skin (e-skin), selected for its high elasticity, transparency, and biocompatibility. However, temperature increases from sunlight and electromagnetic wave radiation can induce sweating and potentially trigger skin damage and inflammatory responses. To address this challenge, we developed a novel bilayer hydrogel (DT95-Mg hydrogel)-based e-skin that integrates thermochromic and electromagnetic shielding properties. This was achieved through a synthesis process combining layer-by-layer polymerization and solvent displacement. Introducing thermotropic phase change microgels enables the e-skin to alter its phase at varying temperatures, with light transmittance shifting from 81.3% to 15.2% as temperatures rise from 4 °C to 40 °C. This e-skin demonstrates remarkable properties: ionic conductivity of 0.200 S∙m-1, stretchability with an elongation at break of 734%, high initial light transmittance of 81.3%, robust mechanical strength with a tensile strength of 101 kPa, a rapid response time of 87.6 ms, sensitivity (GF=2.90 to 6.71), and an EMI shielding effectiveness of 31.9 dB. Its exceptional stability and heightened sensitivity make this hydrogel e-skin ideal for recognizing multiple stimuli.

Superelastic bamboo cellulose nanofiber based carbon aerogel with layered network microstructure for high sensitivity piezoresistive sensor.

Carbon aerogels, characterized by their high porosity and superior electrical performance, present significant potential for the development of highly sensitive pressure sensors. However, facile and cost-effective fabrication of biomass-based carbon aerogels that concurrently possess high sensitivity, high elasticity, and excellent fatigue resistance remains a formidable challenge. Herein, a piezoresistive sensor with a layered network microstructure (BCNF-rGO-CS) was successfully fabricated using bamboo nanocellulose fiber (BCNF), chitosan (CS), and graphene oxide (GO) as raw materials. The fabrication process involved directional ice-crystal growth and mild hydrothermal reduction methods where the directional ice-crystal growth technique imparted a stable network-like pore structure, while the mild hydrothermal reduction method ensured electrical conductivity without compromising the original properties of the CNF. Taking advantage of the stress transfer properties of the cross-linked network structure, BCNF-rGO-CS exhibited exceptional reversible compressibility (sustaining 80% strain), high fatigue resistance (10,000cycles at 60% strain), and high stress retention (84.6%) over long-term cycling. Furthermore, the BCNF-rGO-CS sensor exhibited notable low-pressure sensitivity, excellent response time (66/76ms), and it was capable of responding to ultra-low pressures of 10Pa. Based on these favorable characteristics, the piezoresistive sensor holds promising prospects for applications in body motion detection, health monitoring, and flexible electronic-skin.

DLP printing PEG-based gels with high elasticity and anti-dryness for customized flexible sensors

DLP printing PEG-based gels with high elasticity and anti-dryness for customized flexible sensors

Precificação do carbono na agricultura: uma revisão sistemática da literatura

Abstract Carbon pricing involves assigning a monetary value to greenhouse gas emissions. This paper systematically reviews the state of carbon pricing in global agriculture over a 20-year period. Based on a systematic literature review, carbon valuation methods were correlated with prices attributed to determinants identified in academic publications, as well as extrapolated to the Brazilian agricultural environment. There was variation in carbon prices (minimum of USD 2.6/tCO2e and maximum of USD 157.5/tCO2e), determined by different socio-economic, agricultural and geographical heterogeneities. Our results showed negative relationship between Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita and CO2 emissions per capita, indicating high elasticity of emissions in response to changes in carbon prices. There was also positive relationship between nitrogen fertilizer use per capita and carbon price. In 2021, the estimated carbon value for Brazilian agriculture using quantile regression was USD 11.54/tCO2e. It is therefore critical that scientifically robust carbon pricing methodologies be applied to agriculture to serve as benchmarks for national environmental valuation systems.

A Recombinant Human Collagen and RADA-16 Fusion Protein Promotes Hemostasis and Rapid Wound Healing.

In this study, we designed a fusion protein, rhCR, by combining human collagen with the self-assembling peptide RADA-16 using genetic engineering technology. The rhCR protein was successfully expressed in Pichia pastoris. The rhCR can self-assemble into a three-dimensional nanofiber network under physiological conditions. The lyophilized rhCR sponge exhibited high elasticity modulus and stable swelling properties. In vitro experiments confirmed that the rhCR had good biocompatibility and could significantly promote the adhesion, proliferation, and migration of fibroblasts (L929), upregulating the expression of genes such as Vim, Fgf, Vegf, and Tgf-β3 in L929 cells. When applied to a mouse liver hemorrhage model, rhCR hemostatic sponges rapidly formed nanofibers on the ruptured liver surface, activated platelet CD62P, and significantly reduced blood loss and bleeding duration compared to the recombinant human collagen (rhCol) alone. Furthermore, the rhCR application markedly accelerated wound healing in a mouse full-thickness skin defect model, with the wound healing rate in the rhCR group being 2.6 times that of the untreated group and 1.7 times that of the rhCol group on day 6 postinjury. Histological and immunofluorescence analyses revealed that the rhCR promoted collagen deposition and epidermal regeneration and improved the quality of skin tissue repair by stimulating tissue cells to produce cytokines, growth factors, and immune factors through immunological regulation. The rhCR fusion protein combines the advantages of collagen and RADA-16, overcoming the limitations of their separate use in hemostatic and tissue engineering applications. This biomaterial and its design idea hold promise for a variety of regenerative applications.

Down fabrics’ water-repellent modification and process optimization using the Taguchi method and grey relational analysis

Down fabrics are the most natural form of thermal insulation due to their notable breathability. However, the primary issue with down jackets is their limited waterproofness. This study focuses on the down water-repellent process to improve the water-repellent qualities. The first stage discusses the single-quality optimization of process parameters using the Taguchi method. The down water-repellent process parameters for the experiment include the detergent, water-repellent agent, bridging agent and glacial acetic acid. The corresponding down fabric quality characteristics are water-repellent time, elasticity and oxygen number. The second stage was multi-quality optimization using Taguchi-based grey relational analysis. A grey relational grade is determined from the grey analysis. The optimized process parameters simultaneously led to a higher water-repellent, higher elasticity and lower oxygen number then verified through a confirmation experiment. According to experimental verification, the optimal process parameter combinations are: detergent concentration is 0.08% of bath ratio, weight ratio of water-repellent agent to down fabric is 5%, weight ratio of bridging agent to down fabric is 3% and glacial acetic acid concentration is 0.03% of the bath ratio. The corresponding optimal quality characteristics were: water repellency time of 120 min, elasticity of 18.4 cm/30 g and oxygen number of 0.8 mg/100 g. These were compared with the International Down and Feather testing laboratory standards used by the industry, which are water-repellent time of 60 min, elasticity of 14.5 cm/30 g and oxygen number of 10 mg/100 g. This study’s optimized water-repellent process’s qualities are much better than the industrial spec requirements for down fabrics.

Stretchable Thermochromic Fluorescent Fibers Based on Self-Crystallinity Phase Change for Smart Wearable Displays.

Smart fibers with tunable luminescence properties, as a new form of visual output, present the potential to revolutionize personal living habits in the future and are receiving more and more attention. However, a huge challenge of smart fibers as wearable materials is their stretching capability for seamless integration with the human body. Herein, stretchable thermochromic fluorescent fibers are prepared based on self-crystallinity phase change, using elastic polyurethane (PU) as the fiber matrix, to meet the dynamic requirements of the human body. The switching fluorescence-emitting characteristic of the fibers is derived from the reversible conversion of the dispersion/aggregation state of the fluorophore coumarin 6 (C6) and the quencher methylene blue (MB) in the phase-change material hexadecanoic acid (HcA) during heating/cooling processes. Considering the important role of phase-change materials, thermochromic fluorescent dye is encapsuled in the solid state via the piercing-solidifying method to avoid the dissolution of HcA by the organic solvent of the PU spinning solution and maintain excellent thermochromic behavior in the fibers. The fibers obtained by wet spinning exhibit good fluorescent emission contrast and reversibility, as well as high elasticity of 800% elongation. This work presents a strategy for constructing stretchable smart luminescence fibers for human-machine interaction and communications.