Programmable Functionalities Research Articles

GenoMine: a CRISPR-Cas9-based kill switch for biocontainment of Pseudomonas putida.

Synthetic genetic circuits have revolutionised our capacity to control cell viability by conferring microorganisms with programmable functionalities to limit survival to specific environmental conditions. Here, we present the GenoMine safeguard, a CRISPR-Cas9-based kill switch for the biotechnological workhorse Pseudomonas putida that employs repetitive genomic elements as cleavage targets to unleash a highly genotoxic response. To regulate the system's activation, we tested various circuit-based mechanisms including the digitalised version of an inducible expression system that operates at the transcriptional level and different options of post-transcriptional riboregulators. All of them were applied not only to directly control Cas9 and its lethal effects, but also to modulate the expression of two of its inhibitors: the AcrIIA4 anti-CRISPR protein and the transcriptional repressor TetR. Either upon direct induction of the endonuclease or under non-induced conditions of its inhibitors, the presence of Cas9 suppressed cell survival which could be exploited beyond biocontainment in situations where further CRISPR genome editing is undesirable.

Hierarchical metal–organic framework nanoarchitectures for catalysis

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have garnered significant attention in the field of catalysis due to their unique advantages such as diverse coordination geometry, variable metal nodes, and organic linkers, facilitating precise structural and compositional control for achieving programmable catalytic functionalities. Although their inherent microporous structure could provide excellent shape selectivity during catalysis, it typically impedes the mass transfer process, thereby reducing the use of internal active sites and overall catalytic efficiency. Additionally, employing single MOFs as catalysts presents challenges in achieving complex catalytic reactions that require multifunctional active sites. In recent years, considerable research efforts have focused on designing and constructing hierarchical nanostructured MOFs to alleviate substrate diffusion limitations by introducing secondary nanopores, shortening diffusion distances via the construction of low-dimensional nanoarchitectures, and constructing multifunctional catalysts by integrating distinct MOFs with suitable functions. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the design, synthesis methods, and formation mechanisms of MOF-based hierarchical nanostructures in recent years. Subsequently, it further highlights their applications in thermal catalysis, electrocatalysis, and photocatalysis, along with the relationship between their hierarchical nanostructures and catalytic performances. Finally, it provides an outlook on the challenges and potential development directions of hierarchically structured MOF nanocatalysts.

Magnetic steering continuum robot for transluminal procedures with programmable shape and functionalities

Millimeter-scale soft continuum robots offer safety and adaptability in transluminal procedures due to their passive compliance, but this feature necessitates interactions with surrounding lumina, leading to potential medical risks and restricted mobility. Here, we introduce a millimeter-scale continuum robot, enabling apical extension while maintaining structural stability. Utilizing phase transition components, the robot executes cycles of tip-based elongation, steered accurately through programmable magnetic fields. Each motion cycle features a solid-like backbone for stability, and a liquid-like component for advancement, thereby enabling autonomous shaping without reliance on environmental interactions. Together with clinical imaging technologies, we demonstrate the capability of navigating through tortuous and fragile lumina to transport microsurgical tools. Once it reaches larger anatomical spaces such as stomach, it can morph into functional 3D structures that serve as surgical tools or sensing units, overcoming the constraints of initially narrow pathways. By leveraging this design paradigm, we anticipate enhanced safety, multi-functionality, and cooperative capabilities among millimeter-scale continuum robots, opening new avenues for transluminal robotic surgery.

Review on structural optimization techniques for additively manufactured implantable medical devices

Recent developments in additive manufacturing (AM) have led to significant opportunities in the design and fabrication of implantable medical devices due to the advantages that AM offers compared to conventional manufacturing, such as high customizability, the ability to fabricate highly complex shapes, good dimensional accuracy, a clean build environment, and reduced material usage. The study of structural design optimization (SDO) involves techniques such as Topology Optimization (TO), Shape Optimization (SHO), and Size Optimization (SO) that determine specific parameters to achieve the best measurable performance in a defined design space under a given set of loads and constraints. Integration of SDO techniques with AM leads to utmost benefits in designing and fabricating optimized implantable medical devices with enhanced functional performance. Research and development of various lattice structures represents a powerful method for unleashing the full potential of additive manufacturing (AM) technologies in creating medical implants with improved surface roughness, biocompatibility, and mechanical properties. Furthermore, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in structural optimization has expanded opportunities to improve device performance, adaptability, and durability. The review is meticulously divided into two main sections, reflecting the predictability of the implant’s internal structure: (a) unpredictable interior topology, which explores topology-based optimization techniques, and (b) predictable inner topology, concentrating on lattice structures. The analysis of the reviewed literature highlights a common focus on addressing issues such as stress shielding, osseointegration enhancement, customization to individual needs, programmable functionalities, and weight reduction in implant designs. It emphasizes significant advances in reducing stress shielding effects, promoting osseointegration, and facilitating personalized implant creation. The review provides a detailed classification of optimization methods, with each approach scrutinized for its unique contribution to overcoming specific challenges in medical implant design, thus leading to more advanced, effective, and patient-oriented implantable devices.

Investigation of a new magnetorheological elastomer metamaterial plate with continuous programmable properties for vibration manipulation

Metamaterial plates have attracted considerable attention due to their unprecedented elastic wave manipulation abilities. Currently, the band gap and other properties of traditional metamaterial plates are fixed, and the material parameters of most metamaterials cannot be dynamically and continuously adjusted. To address this issue, a two-dimensional (2D) magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) programmable metamaterial plate (MREPMP) with local resonance was proposed. The proposed MREPMP was composed of a thin steel plate and a periodic array of resonators, consisting of MREs and electromagnetic mass blocks. It not only has a compact structural design, but also enables real-time vibration control and programming wave manipulation by altering the amplitude of the current. The dispersion relation of the proposed MREPMP was theoretically calculated based on the plane wave expansion (PWE) method and the simulated transmissibility was numerically calculated using the finite element method in COMSOL. Subsequently, a prototype of the MREPMP was fabricated, and vibration tests were conducted to assess its programmable vibration manipulation functionalities. Two different types of defect paths were used as excitations and the corresponding real-time vibration manipulation performance was analyzed. The simulation results agree with the experimental results, showing that the MREPMP can dynamically tune the band gap and activate different waveguides through continuous online programming. This paper opens up a new idea for tunable manipulation of wave propagation.

Stimuli‐responsive active materials for dynamic control of light field

AbstractThe increasing demand for the multidimensional and dynamic control of light has spurred the development of stimuli‐responsive, reconfigurable, and programmable optical systems. Liquid crystals (LCs), which combine liquid‐like stimuli‐responsiveness and crystal‐like orientational ordering, have emerged as highly appealing soft materials. Owing to their exceptional optical performance and programmable functionalities, they are becoming incredibly important materials in active planar optics and photonics. Additionally, silk proteins, luminescent materials, and metasurfaces exhibit dynamic optical properties, enabling remarkable multifunctional applications. This review focuses on the advancements in stimuli‐responsive materials, including LCs, silk proteins, luminescent materials, and active metasurfaces as well as some of these materials paired with LCs. Their attractive tunable applications in optics and photonics, along with the great potential for the future development of active optical systems, are also emphasized.

4D Printing of Reprogrammable Liquid Crystal Elastomers with Synergistic Photochromism and Photoactuation.

4D printing of liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) via direct ink writing has opened up great opportunities to create stimuli-responsive actuations for applications such as soft robotics. However, most 4D-printed LCEs are limited to thermal actuation and fixed shape morphing, posing a challenge for achieving multiple programmable functionalities and reprogrammability. Here, a 4D-printable photochromic titanium-based nanocrystal (TiNC)/LCE composite ink is developed, which enables the reprogrammable photochromism and photoactuation of a single 4D-printed architecture. The printed TiNC/LCE composite exhibits reversible color-switching between white and black in response to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and oxygen exposure. Upon near-infrared (NIR) irradiation, the UV-irradiated region can undergo photothermal actuation, allowing for robust grasping and weightlifting. By precisely controlling the structural design and the light irradiation, the single 4D-printed TiNC/LCE object can be globally or locally programmed, erased, and reprogrammed to achieve desirable photocontrollable color patterns and 3D structure constructions, such as barcode patterns and origami- and kirigami-inspired structures. This work provides a novel concept for designing and engineering adaptive structures with unique and tunable multifunctionalities, which have potential applications in biomimetic soft robotics, smart construction engineering, camouflage, multilevel information storage, etc.

Bifunctional Microwave Metagrating Used as Reflectarray for Diffraction Pattern Manipulation

The concept of metagratings is a powerful means to control diffracted electromagnetic fields by accurately engineering the near-field. In this paper, a bi-functional metagrating that can differently allocate energy of distinct diffraction orders at the same frequency is designed. In one mode, the metagrating anomalously reflects total diffracted power in -1st order, and in the other mode, the diffracted power is equally redirected between the -1 <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">st</sup> order and +1 <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">st</sup> order. To manipulate the diffraction pattern, a meta-atom is designed to be switchable via the incorporation of a pin diode, which is compatible with low-complexity external control circuits. A prototype is fabricated and measured in an anechoic chamber. The measured results, consistent with full-wave numerical simulations, demonstrate an excellent qualitative manipulation of the diffracted energy. The proposed switchable metagrating paves the way for the implementation of metagratings in efficient real-time programmable functionalities for wireless power transmission, beam manipulation, and imaging holography.

Modular assembly of microswimmers with liquid compartments.

Artificial microswimmers, i.e. colloidal scale objects capable of self-propulsion, have garnered significant attention due to their central role as models for out of equilibrium systems. Moreover, their potential applications in diverse fields such as biomedicine, environmental remediation, and materials science have long been hypothesized, often in conjunction with their ability to deliver cargoes to overcome mass transport limitations. A very efficient way to load molecular cargoes is to disperse them in a liquid compartment, however, fabricating microswimmers with multiple liquid compartments remains a significant challenge. To address this challenge, we present a modular fabrication platform that combines microfluidic synthesis and sequential capillarity-assisted particle assembly (sCAPA) for microswimmers with various liquid compartments. We demonstrate the synthesis of monodisperse, small polymer-based microcapsules (Ø = 3-6μm) with different liquid cargoes using a flow-focusing microfluidic device. By employing the sCAPA technique, we assemble multiple microcapsules into microswimmers with high precision, resulting in versatile microswimmers with multiple liquid compartments and programmable functionalities. Our work provides a flexible approach for the fabrication of modular microswimmers, which could potentially actively transport cargoes and release them on demand in the future.

Shear Wave-Induced Friction at Periodic Interfaces for Programmable Mechanical Responses

Abstract Nonlinear phononic materials enable superior wave responses by combining nonlinearity with their inherent periodicity, creating opportunities for the development of novel acoustic devices. However, the field has largely focused on reversible nonlinearities, whereas the role of hysteretic nonlinearity remains unexplored. In this work, we investigate nonlinear shear wave responses arising from the hysteretic nonlinearity of frictional rough contacts, and harness these responses to enable programmable functions. By using a numerical approach, we solve the strongly nonlinear problem of shear wave propagation through a single contact and a periodic array of contacts, accounting for frictional effects. Specifically, the Jenkin friction model with experimentally obtained properties is used to capture the effects of stick–slip transition at the contacts. Results show that friction gives rise to shear-polarized eigenstrains, which are residual static deformations within the system. We then demonstrate how eigenstrain generation in multiple contacts can enable programmable functionalities such as an acoustically controlled mechanical switch, precision position control, and surface reconfigurability. Overall, our findings open new avenues for designing smart materials and devices with advanced functionalities via acoustic waves using the hysteretic nonlinearity of frictional contacts.

Joint Amplitude‐Phase Metasurface for Polarization‐Selective Dynamic Wavefront Manipulation and Broadband Absorption

AbstractWith modern science and technology developing towards large information capacity and high integration level, anisotropic metasurfaces have emerged as an advanced platform for integrating distinct functionalities and multitasking. Despite the significant progresses, most of the existing polarization‐controlled metasurfaces support phase‐only modulation for dual orthogonal polarization information channels. Herein, a reconfigurable anisotropic metasurface of 576 independent meta‐atoms embedded with diodes and resistors is proposed to enable polarization‐selective amplitude‐phase modulation, which further integrates dynamic wavefront control and broadband energy absorption for two polarization channels with high isolation. As exemplary demonstrations, a series of programmable functionalities have been realized for one polarization channel, including dual‐beam scanning, quad‐beam radiation, and diffusive scattering for far‐field scattering manipulation, as well as reconfigurable focusing for near‐field redistribution. Meanwhile, robust broadband energy absorption has been maintained for the other polarization channel, irrespective of the programmable functionalities. Experiments in the microwave region are carried out to verify the powerful wavefront tailoring ability, and all the measured results are in good consistency with simulated analysis.

Magnetically Tunable One-Dimensional Plasmonic Photonic Crystals.

Integrating plasmonic resonance into photonic bandgap nanostructures promises additional control over their optical properties. Here, one-dimensional (1D) plasmonic photonic crystals with angular-dependent structural colors are fabricated by assembling magnetoplasmonic colloidal nanoparticles under an external magnetic field. Unlike conventional 1D photonic crystals, the assembled 1D periodic structures show angular-dependent colors based on the selective activation of optical diffraction and plasmonic scattering. They can be further fixed in an elastic polymer matrix to produce a photonic film with angular-dependent and mechanically tunable optical properties. The magnetic assembly enables precise control over the orientation of the 1D assemblies within the polymer matrix, producing photonic films with designed patterns displaying versatile colors from the dominant backward optical diffraction and forward plasmonic scattering. The combination of optical diffraction and plasmonic properties within a single system holds the potential for developing programmable optical functionalities for applications in various optical devices, color displays, and information encryption systems.

Controlled Desiccation of Preprinted Hydrogel Scaffolds Toward Complex 3D Microarchitectures.

Additive manufacturing (AM) is the key to creating a wide variety of 3D structures with unique and programmable functionalities. Direct ink writing is one of the widely used AM technologies with numerous printable materials. However, the extrude-based method is limited by low fabrication resolution, which is confined to printing macrostructures. Herein, a new AM strategy is reported, using a low-cost extrusion 3D printer, to create 3D microarchitectures at the macroscopic level through controlled desiccation of preprinted hydrogel scaffolds followed by infilling objective components. A printable hydrogel with a high-water content ensures maximum shrinkage (≈99.5% in volume) of the printed scaffolds to achieve high resolution. Stable covalent cross-linking and a suitable drying rate enable uniform shrinkage of the scaffolds to retain their original architectures. Particularly, this method can be adapted to produce liquid-metal-based 3D circuits and nanocomposite-based microrobots, indicating its capability to fabricate functional and complex 3D architectures with micron-level resolution from different material systems.

Complex Living Materials Made by Light-Based Printing of Genetically Programmed Bacteria.

Living materials with embedded microorganisms can genetically encode attractive sensing, self-repairing, and responsive functionalities for applications in medicine, robotics, and infrastructure. While the synthetic toolbox for genetically engineering bacteria continues to expand, technologies to shape bacteria-laden living materials into complex 3D geometries are still rather limited. Here, it is shown that bacteria-laden hydrogels can be shaped into living materials with unusual architectures and functionalities using readily available light-based printing techniques. Bioluminescent and melanin-producing bacteria are used to create complex materials with autonomous chemical-sensing capabilities by harnessing the metabolic activity of wild-type and engineered microorganisms. The shaping freedom offered by printing technologies and the rich biochemical diversity available in bacteria provides ample design space for the creation and exploration of complex living materials with programmable functionalities for a broad range of applications.

Transmission Reflection Integrated Programmable Metasurface for Real‐Time Beam Control and High Efficiency Transmission Polarization Conversion

AbstractThe functional versatility and flexibility of multifunctional metasurfaces are of great significance for the application of electromagnetic (EM) metasurfaces in military stealth, holographic imaging, base station antennas, and other fields. Nevertheless, the functions of active programmable coding multifunctional metasurfaces are mostly reflective or transmissive, and the research on active multifunctional metasurfaces with transmission and reflection integration is still in its infancy. Here, a transmission reflection integrated active programmable coding metasurface is proposed to manipulate the transmission and reflection of different polarized electromagnetic waves independently in real time. As a proof of concept, a metasurface that can implement diverse programmable functionalities is designed. Numerical and experimental results indicate that the strategy has excellent performance in beam control and polarization conversion, which provides tremendous potential for extending highly integrated multifunctional devices.

Tailorable Switching of Transmission Modes between Waveguide and Spoof Surface Plasmon Polariton for Flexible and Dynamic Control of Phase Shift.

Programmable metamaterials are suitable for their dynamic and real-time control capabilities of electromagnetic (EM) functions in radars and antenna communications, but it remains a challenge to achieve dynamic modulation of arbitrary transmission phase with high transmission efficiency. Here, we propose a paradigm to tailor transmission phase shift in real time by switching modes between waveguide and SSPP based on the voltage-driven PIN diodes. Step-like phase shift is achieved by the "ON" and "OFF" states of PIN diodes, while continuous phase regulation is by the characteristic of the nonlinear region between those two states. As validations, three systems with programmable functionalities are implemented, including the multibeam generator, the dual-beam scanner, and the active phased-array antenna. The experimental results are consistent with simulation, which verify the feasibility of the proposed approach. Our work offers an alternative route for transmission full-phase modulation and provides unprecedented potential for high-gain, real-time, and multidimensional EM capabilities in applications such as active phased array radars, self-adaption radomes, smart beam shaping.

Anisotropic Microgels by Supramolecular Assembly and Precipitation Polymerization of Pyrazole-Modified Monomers.

Soft colloidal macromolecular structures with programmable chemical functionalities, size, and shape are important building blocks for the fabrication of catalyst systems and adaptive biomaterials for tissue engineering. However, the development of the easy upscalable and template-free synthesis methods to obtain such colloids lack in understanding of molecular interactions that occur in the formation mechanisms of polymer colloids. Herein, a computer simulation-driven experimental synthesis approach based on the supramolecular self-assembly followed by polymerization of tailored pyrazole-modified monomers is developed. Simulations for a series of pyrazole-modified monomers with different numbers of pyrazole groups, different length and polarity of spacers between pyrazole groups and the polymerizable group are first performed. Based on simulations, monomers able to undergo π-π stacking and guide the formation of supramolecular bonds between polymer segments are synthesized and these are used in precipitation polymerization to synthesize anisotropic microgels. This study demonstrates that microgel morphologies can be tuned from spherical, raspberry-like to dumbbell-like by the increase of the pyrazole-modified monomer loading, which is concentrated at periphery of growing microgels. Combining experimental and simulation results, this work provides a quantitative and predictive approach for guiding microgel design that can be further extended to a diversity of colloidal systems and soft materials with superior properties.

Engineering DNA-based synthetic condensates with programmable material properties, compositions, and functionalities.

Biomolecular condensates participate in diverse cellular processes, ranging from gene regulation to stress survival. Bottom-up engineering of synthetic condensates advances our understanding of the organizing principle of condensates. It also enables the synthesis of artificial systems with novel functions. However, building synthetic condensates with a predictable organization and function remains challenging. Here, we use DNA as a building block to create synthetic condensates that are assembled through phase separation. The programmability of intermolecular interactions between DNA molecules enables the control over various condensate properties including assembly, composition, and function. Similar to the way intracellular condensates are organized, DNA clients are selectively partitioned into cognate condensates. We demonstrate that the synthetic condensates can accelerate DNA strand displacement reactions and logic gate operation by concentrating specific reaction components. We envision that the DNA-based condensates could help the realization of the high-order functions required to build more life-like artificial systems.

A programmable magnetoelastic sensor array for self-powered human–machine interface

Skin-integrated electronics that directly interact with machines are transforming our ways of life toward the emerging trend of the metaverse. Consequently, developing a wearable and skin-conformal interface that simultaneously features waterproofness, low cost, and low power consumption for human–machine interaction remains highly desired. Herein, a stretchable, inexpensive, and waterproof magnetoelastic sensor array has been developed as a secondary skin for self-powered human–machine interaction. The magnetoelastic sensor array utilizes the giant magnetoelastic effect in a soft system, which converts mechanical pressure to magnetic field variation and, when coupled with the magnetic induction, can generate electricity. In such a way, our magnetoelastic sensor array comprises the giant magnetomechanical coupling layer made up of nanomagnets and a porous silicone rubber matrix, and the magnetic induction layer, which are coils patterned by liquid metal. With programmable functionalities, the soft magnetoelastic sensor array can supply different commands by producing bespoke electric signals from human finger touch with an optimal signal-to-noise ratio of 34 dB and a rapid response time of 0.2s. To pursue a practical application, the soft magnetoelastic sensor array can wirelessly turn on and off a household lamp and control a music speaker via Bluetooth continuously in real time, even with contact with high-humidity environments such as heavy perspiration. With a collection of compelling features, the soft magnetoelastic sensor array puts forth a unique and savvy avenue of self-powered bioelectronic technology that practically enables a wider variety of applications for wearable human–machine interaction.

Bacterial biofilm functionalization through Bap amyloid engineering

Biofilm engineering has emerged as a controllable way to fabricate living structures with programmable functionalities. The amyloidogenic proteins comprising the biofilms can be engineered to create self-assembling extracellular functionalized surfaces. In this regard, facultative amyloids, which play a dual role in biofilm formation by acting as adhesins in their native conformation and as matrix scaffolds when they polymerize into amyloid-like fibrillar structures, are interesting candidates. Here, we report the use of the facultative amyloid-like Bap protein of Staphylococcus aureus as a tool to decorate the extracellular biofilm matrix or the bacterial cell surface with a battery of functional domains or proteins. We demonstrate that the localization of the functional tags can be change by simply modulating the pH of the medium. Using Bap features, we build a tool for trapping and covalent immobilizing molecules at bacterial cell surface or at the biofilm matrix based on the SpyTag/SpyCatcher system. Finally, we show that the cell wall of several Gram-positive bacteria could be functionalized through the external addition of the recombinant engineered Bap-amyloid domain. Overall, this work shows a simple and modulable system for biofilm functionalization based on the facultative protein Bap.