Precise Control Research Articles

Design and testing of a nutrient solution control system for soilless culture using mathematical models

The optimization of nutrient management is crucial for successful soilless plant cultivation, where precise control of fertilizer application significantly impacts plant growth. This research addresses the challenge of developing an effective nutrient control system tailored for soilless cultivation by focusing on regulating electrical conductivity (EC) levels in nutrient solutions. The proposed system utilizes mathematical models and linear regression techniques to manage the nutrient solution mixing ratio. To ensure accuracy, sensors were calibrated, achieving a 99.59% accuracy rate for pH measurement and 95.25% for EC measurement. Experimental validation of the system demonstrated that, with a target EC range of 1.5-2.3 mS/cm, a 10 L solution volume yielded a maximum error rate of 1.75% and an average error of 0.95%. In contrast, a 50 L solution volume showed a slight increase in maximum error rate to 2.89% and an average error of 2.08%. These results highlight the system’s capability to precisely adjust EC levels using a defined linear regression model for AB liquid fertilizer ratios. In conclusion, the developed system effectively controls nutrient levels, demonstrating its potential for enhancing nutrient management in hydroponic farming applications.

Exploration of functional group effects on D2/H2 separation selectivity within the UiO-66 framework

The incorporation of functional groups into UiO-66 enables effective modulation of the material's pore size and polarity, thus facilitating precise control over its performance in hydrogen isotope separation.

Implementing magnetic properties on demand with a dynamic lanthanoid-organic framework.

We present the synthesis of a lanthanoid-organic framework (LOF) featuring a dynamic structure that exhibits tunable magnetic properties. The LOF undergoes breathing and gate-opening phenomena in response to changes in DMF content and N2 sorption, leading to the emergence of new crystal phases with distinct characteristics. Notably, the desolvated form of the LOF excels as a single-ion magnet, while the fully activated structure demonstrates impressive qubit properties, exhibiting Rabi oscillations up to 60 K. Our work enables precise control over the LOF's geometry, allowing us to selectively tailor its magnetic behavior to achieve either of these two intriguing functionalities.

Colloidal ionogels: Controlled assembly and self-propulsion upon tunable swelling.

Active colloids driven out of thermal equilibrium serve as building blocks for smart materials with tunable structures and functions. Using chemical energy to drive colloids is advantageous but requires precise control over chemical release. To address this, we developed colloidal ionogels-polymer microspheres infused with ionic liquids-that show controlled assembly and self-propulsion upon tunable swelling. For example, we synthesized microspheres of polymethylmethacrylate loaded with ionic liquid [Bmim][PF6], which were released from the colloidal ionogel upon swelling in alcohol-water mixtures and dissociated into cations and anions of different diffusivities. The resulting electric field leads to four types of pair-wise colloidal interactions via ionic diffusiophoresis and diffusioosmosis, giving rise to four types of self-assembled superstructures. These interactions were precisely modulated by altering the swelling conditions and the ionic liquids used. Additionally, partially blocking the ionogel's surface induces anisotropic swelling and asymmetric ion release, turning the colloidal ionogel into a self-propelled Janus colloidal motor powered by ionic self-diffusiophoresis, reaching speeds of several µm/s and lasting about 100s. These findings indicate that colloidal ionogels are smart colloidal building blocks with highly tunable pair-wise interactions, self-assembled structures, and self-propulsion, offering potential applications in biomedical sensing, environmental monitoring, and photonics.

Nanoionics enabled atomic point contact construction and quantum conductance effects.

The miniaturization of electronic devices is important for the development of high-density and function-integrated information devices. Atomic-point-contact (APC) structures refer to narrow contact areas formed by one or more atoms between two conductive electrodes that produce quantum conductance effects when the electrons pass through the APC channel, providing a new development path for the miniaturization of information devices. Recently, nanoionics has enabled the electric field reconfiguration of APC structures in solid-state electrolytes, offering new approaches to controlling the quantum conductance states, which may lead to the development of emerging information technologies with low power consumption, high speed, and high density. This review provides an overview of APC structures with a focus on the fabrication methods enabled by nanoionics technology. In particular, the advantages of electric field-driven nanoionics in the construction of APC structures are summarized, and the influence of external fields on quantum conductance effects is discussed. Recent studies on electric field regulation of APC structures to achieve precise control of quantum conductance states are also reviewed. The potential applications of quantum conductance effects in memory, computing, and encryption-related information technologies are further explored. Finally, the challenges and future prospects of quantum conductance effects in APC structures are discussed.

Reducing heat load density with asymmetric andinclined double-crystal monochromators: principles and requirements revisited.

xxxx Asymmetric double-crystal monochromators (aDCMs) and inclined DCMs (iDCMs) can significantly expand the X-ray beam footprint and consequently reduce the heat load density and gradient. Based on rigorous dynamical theory calculations, the major principles and properties of aDCMs and iDCMs are presented to guide their design and development, particularly for fourth-generation synchrotrons. In addition to the large beam footprint, aDCMs have very large bandwidths (up to ∼10 eV) and angular acceptance, but the narrow angular acceptance of the second crystal requires precise control of the relative orientations and strains. Based on Fourier coupled-wave diffraction theory calculations, it is rigorously proved that the iDCM has almost the same properties as the conventional symmetric DCM, including the efficiency, angular acceptance, bandwidth, tuning energy range and sensitivity to misalignment. The exception is that, for the extremely inclined geometry that can achieve very large footprint expansion, the iDCM has (beneficially) a larger bandwidth and wider angular acceptance. Inclined diffraction has the `rho-kick effect' that can be cancelled by the second reflection of the iDCM (even with misalignment), except that inhomogeneous strains may cause non-uniform rho-kick angles. At present, fabrication/mounting-induced strains pose low risk since they can be controlled to <0.5 µrad over large areas. The only uncertain challenge is the thermally induced strains, yet it is estimated that these strains are naturally lowered by the large footprint and may be further mitigated by optimized cryogenic cooling to the 1-2 µrad level. Overall, aDCMs and iDCMs have more stringent requirements than normal DCMs, but they are feasible schemes inpractice.

Continuous flow synthesis of metal nanowires: protocols, engineering aspects of scale-up and applications.

This review comprehensively covers the translation from batch to continuous flow synthesis of metal nanowires (i.e., silver, copper, gold, and platinum nanowires) and their diverse applications across various sectors. Metal nanowires have attracted significant attention owing to their versatility and feasibility for large-scale synthesis. The efficacy of flow chemistry in nanomaterial synthesis has been extensively demonstrated over the past few decades. Continuous flow synthesis offers scalability, high throughput screening, and robust and reproducible synthesis procedures, making it a promising technology. Silver nanowires, widely used in flexible electronics, transparent conductive films, and sensors, have benefited from advancements in continuous flow synthesis aimed at achieving high aspect ratios and uniform diameters, though challenges in preventing agglomeration during large-scale production remain. Copper nanowires, considered as a cost-effective alternative to silver nanowires for conductive materials, have benefited from continuous flow synthesis methods that minimize oxidation and enhance stability, yet scaling up these processes requires precise control of reducing environments and copper ion concentration. A critical evaluation of various metal nanowire ink formulations is conducted, aiming to identify formulations that exhibit superior properties with lower metal solid content. This study delves into the intricacies of continuous flow synthesis methods for metal nanowires, emphasizing the exploration of engineering considerations essential for the design of continuous flow reactors. Furthermore, challenges associated with large-scale synthesis are addressed, highlighting the process-related issues.

Dual acid/glutathione-responsive core-degradable/shell-sheddable block copolymer nanoassemblies bearing benzoic imines for enhanced drug release

Development of dual acid/GSH-responsive strategy based on block copolymer nanoassemblies labeled with benzoic imine bonds at core/corona interfaces and disulfide linkages in hydrophobic cores at dual locations for precise control over drug release.

BF3·Et2O controlled selective synthesis of α-substituted propargylamides and β-(N-acylamino) ketones: application to carbon and sulphur nucleophiles.

This study presents a metal-free and selective synthesis of α-substituted propargylamides and β-(N-acylamino) ketones utilizing nitriles, aldehydes, and terminal alkynes, mediated by BF3·Et2O. The unique reactivity of BF3·Et2O, a potent Lewis acid, facilitates precise control over product formation. By adjusting the concentration of BF3·Et2O, we can effectively manipulate reaction pathways and selectivity, ensuring the desired products are achieved with enhanced specificity. Notably, this method demonstrates remarkable tolerance to other nucleophiles, such as β-naphthol, indole, arenes and thiol, thereby enabling the synthesis of a diverse array of functionally significant compounds. This approach offers a valuable tool for advancing synthetic methodologies in organic chemistry.

Separation of polar and neutral lipids from mammalian cell lines by high-performance thin-layer chromatography.

The introduction of high-performance TLC (HPTLC) instrumentation that allows precise control of critical parameters has transformed the technique into an efficient and rapid tool for analyzing various metabolites, namely lipids. Although mass spectrometry (MS) has largely replaced lipid analysis techniques over recent decades due to its comprehensive lipidome profiling capabilities, it typically lacks the rapidity and simplicity of TLC. HPTLC remains advantageous due to its ease of use, simpler data interpretation, and compatibility with complementary techniques. In this study, we established a HPTLC protocol to fractionate both polar and non-polar lipids on a single normal phase plate. Twenty lipid standards were fractionated and the method was successfully applied to whole extracts from six mammalian cell lines. Standards and extracted lipids were applied with an automated sampler, and polar lipids were first fractionated in a 5-step automated gradient elution, followed by the fractionation of neutral lipids in a twin-trough chamber with three different elutions. Plates were automatically sprayed with a modified copper sulfate solution and charred to reveal lipids and obtain the respective chromatograms. LC-MS was used to identify ambiguous bands, thus ensuring the accuracy of lipid identification.

Immunoadjuvant-functionalized metal-organic frameworks: synthesis and applications in tumor immune modulation.

Cancer immunotherapy, which leverages the body's immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells, has made significant progress, particularly in the treatment of metastatic tumors. However, challenges such as drug stability and off-target effects still limit its clinical success. To address these issues, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising nanocarriers in cancer immunotherapy. MOFs have unique porous structure, excellent drug loading capacity, and tunable surface modification properties. MOFs not only enhance drug delivery efficiency but also allow for precise control of drug release. They reduce off-target effects and significantly improve targeting and therapy efficacy. As research deepens, MOFs' effectiveness as drug carriers has been refined. When combined with immunoadjuvants or anticancer drugs, MOFs further stimulate the immune response. This improves the specificity of immune attacks on tumors. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the applications of MOFs in cancer immunotherapy. It focuses on synthesis, drug loading strategies, and surface modifications. It also analyzes their role in enhancing immunotherapy effectiveness. By integrating current research, we aim to provide insights for the future development of immunoadjuvant-functionalized MOFs, accelerating their clinical application for safer and more effective cancer treatments.

Topological regulation in polysilsesquioxanes for achieving super-hard and flexible membranes: insights from molecular simulation.

Cage-like and ladder-like polysilsesquioxane, named EPOSS and ELPSQ, were synthesized and employed as precursors to develop a UV-curable membrane exhibiting remarkable hardness, superior flexibility, exceptional transparency and excellent friction resistance. Nanoindentation analysis demonstrates that the precise control of the Silicane molecular frameworks by adding a small quantity of EPOSS to ELPSQ can significantly enhance the hardness of the membranes. The resulting hardness value reaches a record 1.56 GPa, which is notably higher than all of the reported rigid polymer membranes. Meanwhile, the membrane displays superior flexural properties with a minimum radius of curvature of 0.35 mm, and after 10 000 folds in the cyclic flexure test, only slight creases were observed even under a polarizing microscope. The molecular dynamics simulation reveals how different molecular stereo topologies endow materials with astonishing hardness and excellent flexibility, thereby formulating a novel strategy for material design. ELPSQ's trapezoidal topology exhibits anisotropy, enabling the material to bend while maintaining super hardness. EPOSS's cage topology endows materials with a higher modulus and improved bending performance. Incorporating an appropriate amount of EPOSS into the ELPSQ can inhibit the movement of molecular chains, thereby enhancing the mechanical properties of the resin. This work presents a new strategy for preparing membranes with super-hardness and high flexibility, and investigates how the cage-like topological structure influences the hardness of resin systems.

Development of supported intermetallic compounds: advancing the Frontiers of heterogeneous catalysis.

Intermetallic compound (IMC) catalysts have garnered significant attention due to their unique surface and electronic properties, which can lead to enhanced catalytic performance compared to traditional monometallic catalysts. However, developing IMC materials as high-performance catalysts has been hindered by the inherent complexity of synthesizing nanoparticles with well-defined bulk and surface compositions. Achieving precise control over the composition of supported bimetallic IMC catalysts, especially those with high surface area and stability, has proven challenging. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the recent progress in developing supported IMC catalysts. We first examine the various synthetic approaches that have been explored to prepare supported IMC nanoparticles with phase-pure bulk structures and tailored surface compositions. Key factors influencing the formation kinetics and compositional control of these materials are discussed in detail. Then the strategies for manipulating the surface composition of supported IMCs are delved into. Applications of high-performance supported IMCs in important reactions such as selective hydrogenation, reforming, dehydrogenation, and deoxygenation are comprehensively reviewed, showcasing the unique advantages offered by these materials. Finally, the prevailing research challenges associated with supported IMCs are identified, including the need for a better understanding of the composition-property relationships and the development of scalable synthesis methods. The prospects for the practical implementation of these versatile catalysts in industrial processes are also highlighted, underscoring the importance of continued research in this field.

Quality and shelf-life extension of vegetables using precision control storage system

Post harvest loss is one of the factors causing the reduction in the amount of food available for the future. This research is to study the change of the weight, visual, sensory and total soluble solid of the butterhead lettuce with IoT storage chamber with different treatments (i.e T1, T2, and T3). At the final day of storage period, there are no significant differences on weight loss between T2 and T3, and between T1 and T2. The visual quality of the butterhead lettuce significantly decreased during the storage period. The overall acceptability and sweetness of T1 are the highest; T3 has the better aroma and texture; the appearance was not significantly different among all the treatments. For the total soluble solid, the content for all treatments were significantly increased when the storage period progressed. T1 is the most recommended treatment as it had extended one week of storage period and able to retain better sweet taste and appearance compared to the other treatments.

Plasma displacement calculation for TT-1 device based on multiple magnetic probes fitting methods

The HT-6M device has been upgraded and rebranded as the Thailand Tokamak 1 (TT-1), which has been reinstalled and is now operational in Thailand. In tokamak discharge experiments, precise monitoring of plasma position and the implementation of effective feedback control are essential for ensuring the stability of the high-temperature plasma. Accurate calculation of plasma displacement is critical to the success of the experiment. This paper presents a method for calculating plasma displacement through a multi-probe fitting technique, utilizing data from twelve magnetic field probes. Initially, magnetic field signals generated by the plasma are collected via multiple magnetic field probes installed poloidally outside the vacuum chamber, coupled with corresponding signal conditioning and integration circuits, with each probe undergoing calibration. Subsequently, during tokamak discharges, interference signals from the toroidal field coils, ohmic heating coils, and vertical field coils are generated by the magnetic system and corrected through a detailed calibration process. Lastly, the distances between the probes and the plasma are computed using data from the magnetic field probes, which are arranged in a circular configuration. The least squares method is employed to formulate a residual equation for fitting the actual plasma displacement. The effectiveness of this approach was validated through experimental data from the TT-1 device, demonstrating that the calculated plasma displacement exhibits a consistent trend with the CCD video recordings. This multi-probe displacement calculation method enables precise control of plasma displacement, thereby providing theoretical support for tokamak experiments and establishing a foundation for future experimental operations and data analysis.

Size-controlled antimicrobial peptide drug delivery vehicles through complex coacervation.

Due to the escalating threat of the pathogens' capability of quick adaptation to antibiotics, finding new alternatives is crucial. Although antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are highly potent and effective, their therapeutic use is limited' as they are prone to enzymatic degradation, are cytotoxic and have low retention. To overcome these challenges, we investigate the complexation of the cationic AMP colistin with diblock copolymers poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(methacrylic acid) (PEO-b-PMAA) forming colistin-complex coacervate core micelles (colistin-C3Ms). We present long-term stable kinetically controlled colistin-C3Ms that can be prepared from several block lengths of PEO-b-PMAA polymers, where the polymerisation degree governs the overall micellar size. To achieve precise control over size and polydispersity, which are crucial for drug delivery applications, we investigate the hybridisation of PEO-b-PMAA polymers with varying chain lengths or PMAA homopolymers in ternary complex coacervation systems with colistin. This results in size-tunable colistin-C3Ms, ranging, depending on the mixing ratios, from micellar sizes of 26 nm to 100 nm. With size tunability at rather narrow size distributions and high stability, ternary colistin-C3Ms offer potential advancements in C3M drug delivery, paving the way for more effective and targeted treatments for bacterial infections in precision medicine.

Seasonal instability of phytoplankton community in extreme arid lake basin during interval period of large-scale ecological water transport.

Large-scale water transport helps solve the imbalance in water resources. Studies on ecological benefits after long-term EWT mainly focus on vegetation restoration and increase in water surface. However, the maintenance of aquatic communities in the EWT context is a major challenge. This study studied the seasonal dynamics of phytoplankton communities during the interval period of 22nd and 23rd EWT in a newborn lake generated by long-term EWT in an extremely arid zone. The 22nd EWT was carried out from August 2021 to November 2021, and the 23rd EWT was implemented from July to September 2022. Our research indicates that during the interval period, water temperature (WT), pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), suspended solids (SS), turbidity, total nitrogen (TN), NO3-N, total phosphorus (TP), chemical oxygen demand (CODcr), SO42- showed seasonal dynamic changes. Meanwhile, the phytoplankton community also exhibits seasonal variations, including the succession of dominant phyla and dominant species, the decrease in density and α diversity, as well as the increased instability of functional groups and ecological networks. These phenomena are more pronounced in summer when the lake water evaporates and the water quality changes, suggesting that the phytoplankton community shows attenuation along with the changes of environmental factors during the interval period. Based on this, our study suggested that the coupling relationship between water quantity, water quality change and aquatic community succession should be considered for the precise control of EWT projects aiming at improving ecological benefits. Regular phytoplankton monitoring is recommended to track the evolution of aquatic ecosystems after long-term EWT.

A strategy for fast and precise control of polarity and chirality in magnetic vortices

A strategy for fast and precise control of polarity and chirality in magnetic vortices

Microfluidic vessel-on-chip platform for investigation of cellular defects in venous malformations and responses to various shear stress and flow conditions.

A novel microfluidic platform was designed to study the cellular architecture of endothelial cells (ECs) in an environment replicating the 3D organization and flow of blood vessels. In particular, the platform was constructed to investigate EC defects in slow-flow venous malformations (VMs) under varying shear stress and flow conditions. The platform featured a standard microtiter plate footprint containing 32 microfluidic units capable of replicating wall shear stress (WSS) in normal veins and enabling precise control of shear stress and flow directionality without the need for complex pumping systems. Using genetically engineered human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived ECs (iECs) to express the recurrent TIE2L914F VM mutation we assessed responses on EC orientation and area, actin organization, and Golgi polarization to uni- and bidirectional flow and varying WSS. Comparison of control and TIE2L914F expressing ECs showed differential cellular responses to flow and WSS in terms of cell shape elongation, orientation of F-actin, and Golgi polarization, indicating altered mechanosensory or mechanotransduction signaling pathways in the presence of the VM causative mutation. The data also revealed significant differences in how the primary and iPSC-derived iECs responded to flow. As a conclusion, the developed microfluidic platform allowed simulation of multiple flow conditions in a scalable and pumpless format. The design made it a desirable tool for studying different EC types as well as cellular changes in vascular disease. The platform should offer new opportunities for biomechanical research by providing a controlled environment to analyze the flow-dependent mechanosensory pathways in ECs.

Three-dimensional bioprinting utilizing sacrificial material support and longitudinal printability evaluation through volumetric imaging.

In three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting, the internal channel network is vital for nutrient and oxygen transport, crucial for cell survival and tissue construction. However, bioinks' poor mechanical properties hinder precise control over these networks. Advancements in 3D printing strategies, structure characterization, and deformation monitoring can improve hydrogel scaffolds with interconnected channels. Using label-free, non-invasive, in-situ optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging, we monitored the dynamic deformation of 3D bioprinted hydrogel scaffolds. We validated sacrificial materials' role in enhancing internal channels and introduced deformation characteristics, lateral pore ratio and pore-specific surface area as new parameters. Results from cell-laden hydrogels show that 3D bioprinting with sacrificial materials achieves high fidelity, minimizing collapse, inter-filament fusion, and enhancing lateral porosity. Furthermore, these promote cell proliferation and cell viability.