Materials Science Research Articles

Toward Precise Fabrication of Finite-Sized DNA Origami Superstructures.

DNA origami enables the precise construction of 2D and 3D nanostructures with customizable shapes and the high-resolution organization of functional materials. However, the size of a single DNA origami is constrained by the length of the scaffold strand, and since its inception, scaling up the size and complexity has been a persistent pursuit. Hierarchical self-assembly of DNA origami units offers a feasible approach to overcome the limitation. Unlike periodic arrays, finite-sized DNA origami superstructures feature well-defined structural boundaries and uniform dimensions. In recent years, increasing attention has been directed toward precise control over the hierarchical self-assembly of DNA origami structures and their applications in fields such as nanophotonics, biophysics, and material science. This review summarizes the strategies for fabricating finite-sized DNA origami superstructures, including heterogeneous self-assembly, self-limited self-assembly, and templated self-assembly, along with a comparative analysis of the advantages and limitations of each approach. Subsequently, recent advancements in the application of these structures are discussed from a structure design perspective. Finally, an outlook on the current challenges and potential future directions is provided, highlighting opportunities for further research and development in this rapidly evolving field.

Type I Porous Liquids with Super-Low Viscosities: the Construction through a Rather Simple One-Step Covalent Linkage Strategy and Its Facile Regulation by a Mixed-Ligand Strategy.

Porous liquids (PLs) are a novel class of flowing liquid systems that possess accessible permanent porosity, exhibiting great prospects in gas capture and separation. Nevertheless, the further development of PLs lies in the facile synthesis and regulation of PLs with low viscosities. Herein, a novel strategy of preparing type I PLs with super-low viscosity is proposed through a simple one-step covalent linkage reaction using UiO-66-NH2 as the pore generator and monoglycidyl ether terminated polydimethylsiloxane (E-PDMS) as the sterically hindered solvent, respectively. More importantly, the idea that PLs can be regulated like advanced porous materials (APMs) is proposed and demonstrated, that is, PLs can be regulated by modulating pore generators with the mixed-ligands method. As expected, the resultant PLs not only demonstrate a promising potential in CO2 sorption as a flowing sorbent but also exhibit a superior CO2/N2 selective separation. Meanwhile, positron annihilation lifetime spectrum (PALS) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations further verify the accessible permanent porosity and the favorable CO2 selective sorption. This work provides a simple and facile method to prepare type I PLs with super-low viscosities, shedding light on the precise regulation of PLs toward task-specific applications.

Transparent ultrasonic transducers based on relaxor ferroelectric crystals for advanced photoacoustic imaging

Photoacoustic imaging is a promising non-invasive functional imaging modality for fundamental research and clinical diagnosis. However, achieving capillary-level resolution, wide field-of-view, and high frame rates remains challenging. To address this, we propose a transparent ultrasonic transducer design using our developed transparent Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3-Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3 crystals. Our fabrication technique incorporates quartz-glass-and-epoxy matching layers with low-resistance indium-tin-oxide electrodes through a brass-ring based structure, enabling a high frequency (28.5 MHz), wide bandwidth (78%), and enhanced pulse-echo sensitivity (2.5 V under 2-μJ pulse excitation). Our Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3-Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3-based transparent ultrasonic transducer demonstrates a four-fold enhancement in photoacoustic detection sensitivity when compared to the LiNbO3-based counterpart, leading to a 13 dB improvement of signal-to-noise ratio in microvascular photoacoustic imaging. This enables dynamic monitoring of mouse cerebral cortex microvasculature during seizures at 0.8 Hz frame rates over a 1.5 × 1.5 mm2 field-of-view. Our work paves the way for high-performance and compact photoacoustic imaging systems using advanced piezoelectric materials.

Advancements and Challenges in Adsorption-Based Carbon Capture Technology: From Fundamentals to Deployment.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) adsorption on solid sorbents represents a promising technology for separating carbon from different sources and mitigating anthropogenic emissions. The complete integration of carbon capture technologies in various industrial sectors will be crucial for a sustainable, low-carbon future. Despite developing new sorbents, a comprehensive strategy is essential to realize the full potential and widespread adoption of CO2 capture technologies, including different engineering aspects. This study discusses the pathway for deploying adsorption-based carbon capture technology in fundamental material science aspects, thermo-physical properties behavior at the molecular level, and industrial pilot scale demonstrations. When integrated with process simulation and economic evaluations, these techniques are instrumental in enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the capturing processes. While advancements in adsorption-based carbon capture technologies have been notable, their deployment still encounters significant hurdles, including technical, economic, and environmental challenges. Leveraging hybrid systems, renewable energy integration, and the strategic application of emerging machine learning techniques appear promising to address global warming effectively and will consequently be discussed in this investigation.

Experimental and Theoretical X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure Study of UOx Systems at the U L3 Edge.

Uranium forms a large number of oxides and its electronic state in them is of great fundamental interest. We employ X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the U L3 edge to differentiate between mixed oxide phases in uranium compounds. By combining experimental XANES spectra with theoretical modeling using the FEFF code, we analyze five uranium oxides: UO2, U4O9, U3O8, UO3, and U3O7. Our study reveals how variations in spectral features correspond to changes in oxidation states, local structure, and electronic information. These findings demonstrate a study that consolidates and systematically compares the entire series UOx, providing analysis of changes in electronic structure as a function of oxidation state and local structure which is important for nuclear materials research.

An Open-Frame Loading Stage for High-Resolution X-Ray CT

The utilisation of high-resolution in situ computed tomography (CT) in the (sub-)μm range is typically only viable in synchrotron facilities, as the deployment of a conventional loading stage in laboratory CTs with a cone beam source does not facilitate a corresponding geometric magnification. This publication presents a CT system with a novel in situ concept that allows spatial resolutions down to 0.5 μm, enabling the analysis of weakly absorbing materials capable of applying loads of up to 5 kN in both the compression and tension directions to the sample during the measurement. The necessity for a highly precise mechanical design to ensure successful measurements at magnifications approaching the theoretical limit makes the system’s development particularly demanding. The components employed are presented, along with the requisite considerations and methodologies. It can be demonstrated that the intended specifications with regard to precision and quality are met. The experimental results of a fibre-reinforced polymer demonstrate the system’s ability to detect matrix damage features below a single fibre diameter, thereby highlighting its potential for applications in materials science where traditional laboratory CTs are insufficient and synchrotron access is limited.

Whole-Genome Resequencing and Evolutionary Analysis of Wild Morel Mushroom Morchella sp.

Morels (Morchella sp.) are important edible fungi cultivated mainly in China. Although the relevant culture technology for Morchella is now fundamentally mature, it is limited to the Elata and Rufobrunnea clades, and the artificial culture technology for the Esculenta clade, which also has economic value, has not been extensively studied. In this study, we selected a wild morel belonging to the Esculenta clade as the research material and performed de novo sequencing and assembly of the Morchella sp. (Mosp) genome using second- and third-generation sequencing. The whole-genome size of Mosp was 55.17 Mb with a contig N50 of 1.89 Mb, and the GC content was 47.49%. A total of 10,896 protein-coding genes were identified. The non-coding RNA prediction results showed that there were 329 tRNAs, 65 rRNAs, and 37 snRNAs in the Mosp genome. The functional annotation of the Mosp genes showed that most of the genes were related to the reproductive and metabolic processes of the cells and participated in nutrient digestion, absorption, utilization, and catabolism in morels. There was a high degree of repetition (21.58%) in the Mosp genome, and the sizes of the DNA transposons and the long terminal repeats were 0.55 Mb and 5.85 Mb, respectively. The phylogeny analysis showed that Mosp clusters together with four other Morchella species: Morchella importuna, Morchella conica, Morchella sextelata, and Morchella snyderi. Molecular dating indicated that the differentiation of Mosp and the black morels group occurred about 147.0 million years ago (MYA). In addition, the evolutionary analysis showed that 296 gene families were contracted and 96 gene families were expanded in Mosp versus the related morel species. The results of this study provide new insights into the genome evolution of Mosp and lay the foundation for future in-depth research into the molecular biology and breeding of the genus Morchella.

Technology for Processing Composite Materials Based on Polylactide Using 3D Printing: Properties and Structure

Technology for Processing Composite Materials Based on Polylactide Using 3D Printing: Properties and Structure

Measurement of Covalent Bond Formation in Light-Curing Hydrogels Predicts Physical Stability under Flow.

Photo-crosslinking hydrogels are promising for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, but challenges in reaction monitoring often leave their optimization subject to trial and error. The stability of crosslinked gels under fluid flow, as in the case of a microfluidic device, is particularly challenging to predict, both because of obstacles inherent to solid-state macromolecular analysis that prevent accurate chemical monitoring and because stability is dependent on size of the patterned features. To solve both problems, we obtained 1H NMR spectra of cured hydrogels which were enzymatically degraded. This allowed us to take advantage of the high-resolution that solution NMR provides. This unique approach enabled the measurement of degree of cross-linking (DoC) and prediction of material stability under physiological fluid flow. We showed that NMR spectra of enzyme-digested gels successfully reported on DoC as a function of light exposure and wavelength within two classes of photo-cross-linkable hydrogels: methacryloyl-modified gelatin and a composite of thiol-modified gelatin and norbornene-terminated polyethylene glycol. This approach revealed that a threshold DoC was required for patterned features in each material to become stable and that smaller features required a higher DoC for stability. Finally, we demonstrated that DoC was predictive of the stability of architecturally complex features when photopatterning, underscoring the value of monitoring DoC when using light-reactive gels. We anticipate that the ability to quantify chemical cross-links will accelerate the design of advanced hydrogel materials for structurally demanding applications such as photopatterning and bioprinting.

New Insight into Industrial Lignin Intermolecular Force Heterogeneity Mitigation: Monodispersed Lignin Colloidal Sphere Synthesis and Full Biomass Photonic Material Preparation.

Industrial lignin is an underutilized resource from the pulping industry due to its high heterogeneity. The transformation of industrial lignin into monodispersed lignin colloidal spheres (LCSs) for the preparation of advanced biomass photonic materials is particularly appealing, because of their unique biocompatibility. However, the LCSs synthesized from industrial lignin generally show a wide size distribution and thus limit this specific application. To address the issue, selective functionalization was carried out to convert phenolic and aliphatic -OH groups into ester groups, decreasing the LCS size distribution to a monodispersing degree. Simulation analysis revealed that the functionalization had narrowed the difference of C-O linkage electron cloud distribution and led to a lignin polarity decrease. Additionally, atomic force microscopy (AFM) quantification of lignin proved a force distribution index (FDI) decrease from 0.38 to 0.11, which was consistent with the LCS polymer dispersity index (PDI) decrease from 0.182 to 0.05. The photonic materials can be readily prepared from monodispersed LCSs with the color precisely adjusted by controlling LCS particle sizes.

Analysis of the Thermomechanical Behavior of SiC/Si/TiSi<sub>2</sub> Cermets Manufactured with Waste Wood from Capirona and Capinuri Peruvian Species

This study analyzes the thermomechanical behavior of SiC/Si/TiSi2 cermets manufactured from Peruvian wood waste of the Capirona and Capinuri species. A sustainable manufacturing process was used that uses sawdust as a precursor. The mechanical properties under compression and the elastic modulus of the cermets were characterized from room temperature to 1400°C. At room temperature, the values achieved exceed 500 MPa in both cermets, with the Capinuri precursor being slightly higher in maximum compressive strength with 691 MPa, but in elastic modulus, the Capirona cermet has a rigidity of 159 GPa. At 500°C, the cermets showed a small reduction in their mechanical performance. At 1100°C, a decrease in strength was observed to 248 MPa for Capinuri and 292 MPa for Capirona and in Young's modulus to 85.18 GPa and 91.92 GPa respectively. At 1400°C, both cermets suffered a significant deterioration of their mechanical properties due to a presumed chemical degradation of the individual components. The results demonstrate the feasibility of using wood waste as precursors for the sustainable manufacturing of advanced composite materials, however, optimization of manufacturing parameters and processes should be considered to improve the performance and stability of this material.

Tuning the interaction between Cu and surface -OH in Cu/Ti3C2 MXene derived catalyst for enhanced semi-hydrogenation of dimethyl oxalate

Methyl glycolate (MG), a crucial chemical raw material and fine chemical intermediate, holds immense potential in the production of the next-generation biodegradable material, polyglycolic acid, via polycondensation reactions. In this study, layered Ti3C2 MXene was used as support precursor to construct Cu based catalysts for the semi-hydrogenation of dimethyl oxalate to MG. By fine-tuning the loading method of Cu species, the interaction between Cu species and surface hydroxyl groups (-OH) was modulated, and the effect on the semi-hydrogenation performance of Cu-based catalysts were thereby explored. These catalysts underwent rigorous characterization using BET, SEM-EDS, XRD, FT-IR, H2-TPR and XPS techniques. The results revealed that varying loading methods significantly influenced the interaction between Cu species and surface -OH on Ti3C2 MXene during preparation process, altering the content of Ti-O-Cu as well as the Cu0 ratio of Cu/Ti3C2-derived catalysts. The Cu/Ti3C2 MXene-I catalyst displayed remarkable performance, achieving a MG selectivity of 88.85 % and stability of up to 120 h in the DMO hydrogenation reaction due to its high Cu0 ratio and large Cu particles.

Direct simulation and machine learning structure identification unravel soft martensitic transformation and twinning dynamics

Phase transition between ordered phases has garnered attention from the viewpoint of materials science as well as statistical physics. One interesting example is martensitic transformation and the resulting formation of twin structures, in which atoms or molecules that form one crystalline phase move in a concerted and diffusionless manner toward another crystalline phase. Recently martensitic transformation has been observed experimentally also in various soft materials. However, the complex internal structures involving many molecules have eluded direct investigation of the dynamical processes of martensitic transformation. Here, we carry out a direct simulation of mesoscale structural transition of a liquid crystalline blue phase (BP) of cubic symmetry, known as BP II. The dynamics is simulated by a Langevin-type equation for the orientational order parameter with thermal fluctuations. We demonstrate that machine-learning-aided analysis of local structures successfully unravels the transformation process from a perfect lattice of BP II to a twinned lattice of another BP (BP I). The nucleation of BP I is initiated by the breakup of junctions of line defects (disclinations), followed by the deformation of disclination network. We further show that twinned BP I is reversibly transformed to a perfect lattice of BP II by temperature variation. Order-parameter-based simulations with machine-learning-aided local structure identification provide valuable insights into not only the martensitic transformation of soft materials but also a wider class of complex structural transitions between ordered phases.

Materials Nanoarchitectonics for Advanced Devices

Advances in nanotechnology have made it possible to observe and evaluate structures down to the atomic and molecular level. The next step in the development of functional materials is to apply the knowledge of nanotechnology to materials sciences. This is the role of nanoarchitectonics, which is a concept of post-nanotechnology. Nanoarchitectonics is defined as a methodology to create functional materials using nanounits such as atoms, molecules, and nanomaterials as building blocks. Nanoarchitectonics is very general and is not limited to materials or applications, and thus nanoarchitecture is applied in many fields. In particular, in the evolution from nanotechnology to nanoarchitecture, it is useful to consider the contribution of nanoarchitecture in device applications. There may be a solution to the widely recognized problem of integrating top-down and bottom-up approaches in the design of functional systems. With this in mind, this review discusses examples of nanoarchitectonics in developments of advanced devices. Some recent examples are introduced through broadly dividing them into organic molecular nanoarchitectonics and inorganic materials nanoarchitectonics. Examples of organic molecular nanoarchitecture include a variety of control structural elements, such as π-conjugated structures, chemical structures of complex ligands, steric hindrance effects, molecular stacking, isomerization and color changes due to external stimuli, selective control of redox reactions, and doping control of organic semiconductors by electron transfer reactions. Supramolecular chemical processes such as association and intercalation of organic molecules are also important in controlling device properties. The nanoarchitectonics of inorganic materials often allows for control of size, dimension, and shape, and their associated physical properties can also be controlled. In addition, there are specific groups of materials that are suitable for practical use, such as nanoparticles and graphene. Therefore, nanoarchitecture of inorganic materials also has a more practical aspect. Based on these aspects, this review finally considers the future of materials nanoarchitectonics for further advanced devices.

Estimation of missing third-law standard entropy of apatite supergroup minerals using the optimized Volume-based Thermodynamics

The thermodynamic characterization of apatite minerals, critical for understanding geological processes and material applications, faces significant challenges due to the scarcity of experimental data, particularly standard entropy (S°) values. In this study, we address this gap by optimization of predictive method based on Volume-based Thermodynamics. In the proposed method, the optimization of the widely used Volume-based Thermodynamics is based on breaking down a single linear functional relationship of formula unit volume (Vm) with S° into a set of linear equations. The apatite supergroup splits into distinct subgroups (populations) formed by Me10(AO4)6X2 with the same Me2+ cations and tetrahedral AO43− anions but with different anions at the X position. Our approach leverages empirical correlations between Vm and S° within specific apatite subgroups. By analyzing the correlations within the subgroups, we established the system of precise linear relationships between S° and Vm, facilitating accurate S° predictions for a wide range of apatite compositions. The proposed approach represents a significant advancement over existing predictive methods offering unparalleled accuracy in estimating S° values for apatite minerals. Through rigorous regression analysis and validation against experimental data, we demonstrate the reliability and robustness of our predictive model across various apatite subgroups. Our findings provide crucial thermodynamic data for understudied apatite compositions and shed light on fundamental relationships between crystal structure and thermodynamic properties in apatite minerals. The precise estimation of S° values enables more accurate modeling of phase equilibria, reaction kinetics, and geological processes involving apatite minerals, facilitating advancements in diverse fields ranging from environmental geochemistry to material science.

The Emerging of 2D Layer‐Blocked Frameworks

Blocked copolymers are a versatile and powerful class of materials, and their properties can be modified by carefully designing the molecular architecture. Their ability to self‐assemble into nanoscale structures and the multifunctionality make them invaluable in advanced materials science, nanotechnology, and biomedical engineering. Compared to traditional blocked copolymer morphologies such as linear, cyclic, and branched, 2D layer‐blocked frameworks provide materials with clear structure, permanent porosity, favorable chemical and thermal stability, larger surface area, ultra‐high carrier mobility, efficient charge separation and migration, and excellent photoexcitation response. In this concept article, we summarized the design concepts and state‐of‐the‐art strategies for the construction of 2D layer‐blocked frameworks and reviewed the development of some 2D‐like blocked frameworks and their applications in semiconductor, catalysis, energy storage, etc. Finally, we also outlook for the challenges of these materials in preparation and applications across different research fields.

4D printed shape memory alloy binary bits for unconventional information processing

ABSTRACT Unconventional information processing techniques leveraging advanced materials and structures have recently gained widespread attention. Bistable structures offer innovative methods for information processing due to their binary physical states, which directly correspond to electronic binary signals. However, conventional bistable structures typically require external driving elements, complicating the system. In this study, we fabricated intelligent bistable bits (IBBs) using 4D printing technology. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the proposed IBBs can sense environmental changes and autonomously achieve configuration transformation. Building on this, the tunable energy barriers and ‘time-sequence’ deformation properties of the IBBs are realised through simple stacking of structures and stimulation at different positions. Furthermore, this paper presents a design example of environment-responsive mechanical metamaterials based on IBBs, highlighting their potential in unconventional data storage. This work provides new insights into the design of IBBs adapted to complex environments and holds significant value for developing similar intelligent devices.

Understanding Structural Dynamics in Flexible Rare‐Earth Metal‐Organic Frameworks

Flexible Metal‐Organic Frameworks (FL‐MOFs) are emerging advanced materials with the ability to respond to various stimuli by adapting their structure and pore. In particular, FL‐MOFs based on rare‐earth (RE) elements offer a unique and sophisticated approach towards truly novel responsive materials and properties. This Concept article provides an overview of the main principles and factors that affect structural features in RE‐FL‐MOFs, identifying trends and exploring potential rational design strategies. Common challenges and possible future research directions are also discussed.

Progress in Biomass-Based Electrospun Nanofibers in Bio-Medical Application

Traditional biomedical applications in wound dressing and tissue engineering materials frequently lack the appropriate balance of environmental friendliness, antibacterial effectiveness, and mechanical strength. A growing number of medical applications are focusing on electrospun nanofibers because of their special qualities, which include a high surface area-to-volume ratio, tailor-made mechanical strength and more eco-friendly. The goal of this review paper is to thoroughly examine the corpus of research that is currently available about electrospun, nanofibers especially made from aloe vera and pineapple leaf fibers for use in biomedical applications. This review's goals include optimizing electrospinning conditions, assessing biocompatibility, researching antibacterial activity, and its current challenge.

Partially recrystallized microstructures expand the strength-toughness envelope of CrCoNi medium-entropy alloy

Engineering materials exhibit an undesirable tradeoff between strength and resistance to crack propagation (fracture toughness). Here we demonstrate how this tradeoff can be circumvented by thermo-mechanical processing that produces a partially recrystallized, heterogeneous microstructure. An equimolar CrCoNi alloy was forged at room temperature (298 K) to produce high densities of three-dimensional crystallographic defect networks. Post-deformation heat treatments caused localized recrystallization that resulted in a bimodal microstructure with hard, non-recrystallized grains and soft, recrystallized grains. In this condition, the yield strength at 298 K is 2.75x the values previously obtained for the same alloy in the fully recrystallized state while the fracture toughness remains the same. The yield strength is further enhanced at 77 K without compromising the fracture toughness. This outstanding strength-toughness combination at 77 K exceeds those reported for other metallic materials and appears to result from the composite nature of the microstructure with non-recrystallized grains providing strength and recrystallized grains enabling plasticity that dissipates stresses during crack propagation. Our findings indicate that by tuning the degree of recrystallization through thermomechanical processing techniques, it will be possible to further expand the envelope bounding the strength and toughness of a range of structural metals at engineering component scales.