Aligned Structure Research Articles

BaTiO3 Doping Enhances Ultrasound-Driven Piezoelectric Bactericidal Effects of Fibrous Poly(L-Lactic Acid) Dressings to Accelerate Septic Wound Healing.

Bacterial invasion in infected skin wounds triggers inflammation and impedes healing. Current therapeutic strategies incorporating drug interventions within wound dressings often result in drug resistance and delayed healing. Here, we developed a comprehensive therapeutic modality integrating piezoelectric fibrous dressing with controlled ultrasound stimulation for efficient healing in an infected wound model. The electrospun fibrous dressings composed of barium titanate (BaTiO3) doped poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) possess improved piezoelectric properties due to the aligned structure and high crystallinity, which achieved superior bactericidal efficacy upon ultrasound-mechanical-electric conversion that results in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). There were 88.72% and 90.43% killing rates of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli respectively upon ultrasound stimulation without any need for exogenous drugs, and a wound closure rate of 95.5% within 10 days. The in vivo results confirmed that this dressing effectively shortened wound closure time by about 2 days, with a much-improved healing rate of 14% compared with previously reported therapeutic strategies. This was accompanied by reduced inflammation and increased re-epithelialization and angiogenesis. Hence, our synergistic treatment by piezoelectric materials and controlled ultrasound stimulation provides a drug-free alternative approach in regenerative tissue engineering for simultaneously enhancing antibacterial effects and promoting wound healing.

An aligned pattern sponge based on gelatin for rapid hemostasis.

In this study, we developed a cytocompatible and hemocompatible three-dimensional sponges with pattern/aligned structure using gelatin for rapid hemostasis. The sponges were characterized by light microscope photography and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Pattern sponges with gelatin (P-Gelatin) exhibited aligned structures on their surfaces and the inner structure. In terms of biocompatibility, MTT assay, and hemolysis experiment showed that P-Gelatin had good cytocompatibility and hemocompatibility. In vitro blood coagulation and in vivo hemostasis, P-Gelatin sponges, with their aligned structure, exhibit rapid adsorption of red blood cells (RBCs) and platelets compared to non-patterned gelatin counterparts. This work introduces a safe and convenient patterned sponge for rapid hemostasis, especially highlighting a concept where a patterned structure can enhance the effectiveness of blood clotting, which is particularly relevant for tissue engineering.&#xD.

Imaging with a twist: Three-dimensional insights of the chiral nematic phase of cellulose nanocrystals via SHG microscopy.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are bio-based nanoparticles that, under the right conditions, self-align into chiral nematic liquid crystals with a helical pitch. In this work, we exploit the inherent confocal effect of second-harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy to acquire highly resolved three-dimensional (3D) images of the chiral nematic phase of CNCs in a label-free manner. An in-depth analysis revealed a direct link between the observed variations in SHG intensity and the pitch. The highly contrasted 3D images provided unprecedented detail into liquid crystal's native structure. Local alignment, morphology, as well as the presence of defects are readily revealed, and a provisional framework relating the SHG response to the orientational distribution of CNC nanorods within the liquid crystal structure is presented. This paper illustrates the numerous benefits of using SHG microscopy for visualizing CNC chiral nematic systems directly in the suspension-liquid phase and paves the road for using SHG microscopy to characterize other types of aligned CNC structures, in wet and dry states.

3D-Printed Multi-Axis Alignment Airgap Dielectric Layer for Flexible Capacitive Pressure Sensor.

Flexible pressure sensors are increasingly recognized for their potential use in wearable electronic devices, attributed to their sensitivity and broad pressure response range. Introducing surface microstructures can notably enhance sensitivity; however, the pressure response range remains constrained by the limited volume of the compressible structure. To overcome this limitation, this study implements an aligned airgap structure fabricated using 3D printing technology. This structure, designed with a precisely aligned triaxial airgap configuration, offers high deformability under pressure, substantially broadening the pressure response range and improving sensitivity. This study analyzes the key structural parameters-the number of axes and pore size-that influence the compressibility and stability of the dielectric material. The results indicate that the capacitive pressure sensor with an aligned airgap structure, manufactured via 3D printing, exhibits a wide operating pressure range (50 Pa to 500 kPa), rapid response time (100 ms), wide limit of detection (50 Pa), and approximately 21 times enhancement in sensitivity (~0.019 kPa-1 within 100 kPa) compared with conventional bulk structures. Furthermore, foot pressure monitoring trials for wearable sensor applications demonstrated exceptional performance, indicating the sensor's suitability as a wearable device for detecting plantar pressure. These findings advocate for the potential of 3D printing technology to supplant traditional sensor manufacturing processes.

Scalable ultrastrong MXene films with superior osteogenesis.

Titanium carbide MXene flakes have promising applications in aerospace, flexible electronic devices and biomedicine owing to their superior mechanical properties1 and electrical conductivity2 and good photothermal conversion3, biocompatibility4 and osteoinductivity5. It is highly desired yet very challenging to assemble MXene flakes into macroscopic high-performance materials in a scalable manner. Here we demonstrate a scalable strategy to fabricate high-performance MXene films by roll-to-roll-assisted blade coating (RBC) integrated with sequential bridging, providing good photothermal conversion and osteogenesis efficiency under near-infrared irradiation. MXene flakes were first bridged with silk sericin by hydrogen bonding and then assembled into macroscopic films using a continuous RBC process, followed by ionic bridging to freeze their aligned structure. The resultant large-scale MXene films with strong interlayer interactions are highly aligned and densified, exhibiting high tensile strength (755 MPa), toughness (17.4 MJ m-3) and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding capacity (78,000 dB cm2 g-1), as well as good ambient stability, photothermal conversion and bone regeneration performance. The proposed strategy not only paves a feasible way for realizing the practical applications of MXene in the fields of flexible EMI shielding materials and bone tissue engineering but also provides an avenue for the high-performance and scalable assembly of other two-dimensional flakes.

Translating and validating the Ghosting Questionnaire into Arabic: results from classical test theory and item response theory analyses

BackgroundGhosting refers to the sudden cessation of communication in interpersonal relationships. Ghosting has gained attention as a phenomenon commonly encountered in the context of digital communication. Earlier studies on ghosting mostly focused on Western societies while, in Arab societies, research into this practice has yet to be initiated. The current study aimed to address this gap by translating and validating the commonly used Ghosting Questionnaire (GHOST) into Arabic.MethodsThe translation process involved forward and back translation, expert review, and pilot testing to ensure linguistic and cultural equivalence. A convenience sample of 607 participants from Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, and Tunisia completed the Arabic version of the GHOST. Statistical analyses, including reliability testing and confirmatory factor analysis, were conducted to assess the psychometric properties of the instrument.ResultsThe Arabic version of the GHOST demonstrated high reliability. The Cronbach’s alpha (α = 0.87) and McDonald’s omega (ω = 0.87) coefficients indicated strong internal consistency. Test-retest reliability coefficients confirmed the stability of the responses over time (ICC 0.89, p < 0.001). CFA supported a single-factor structure in alignment with the conceptual framework of the original English version.ConclusionsThe successful translation and validation of the GHOST into Arabic provide researchers with a reliable tool for investigating ghosting behavior within Arab societies. Future research endeavors can build upon these findings to explore the psychological implications of ghosting. Researchers can now also develop culturally sensitive understanding of online dating and related practices in Arab communities.

3D-printed artificial cornea featuring aligned fibrous structure and enhanced mechanical strength

The global shortage of donor eye bank tissue has significantly impeded advancements in biomaterial for corneal implantation. To address this issue, we have developed a 3D-printed artificial cornea using a composite hydrogel of sodium alginate (SA) and cellulose nanofibers (CNF), crosslinked with poly-L-lysine-co-L-glutamic acid (PLL80GA20, PG) and calcium chloride (CaCl2, CC). The 2 wt% SA/CNF composite hydrogel offers several advantages, including low toxicity, cost-effectiveness, excellent printability, and high mechanical strength, even with low crosslinker concentrations. The PG was synthesized via ring-opening polymerization of L-glutamate N-carboxyl anhydride (BGNCA) and L-lysine N-carboxyl anhydride (CBZNCA). The purity of the monomers was verified through DSC analysis, revealing a melting point of 97 ℃. The molecular weight of the synthesized PG was determined to be 47 kDa. A dual crosslinking strategy was employed, starting with electrostatic crosslinking, followed by ionic crosslinking using varying concentrations of PG and CC at different effective charge concentrations of 6.25 mM, 12.25 mM, and 25 mM. The hydrogel and 3D-printed cornea were comprehensively evaluated for chemical structure, surface functional groups, water content, mechanical strength, orientation, cytotoxicity, biocompatibility, and transparency. Notably, the inclusion of PG significantly enhanced the mechanical properties of the 3D-printed cornea, with the hydrogel achieving a storage modulus of 2,360 kPa at 6.25 mM of PG/CC, while maintaining over 95% water content. The artificial cornea demonstrated 86% transparency, and the cell viability showed 96% viable on Day 7 with degradation rate of 35.9% in 28 days. The superior hydrophilicity, transparency, and mechanical strength of the printed hydrogel highlights its potential for the development of full-thickness corneal structures, making it a promising candidate for future corneal implants.

Engineering anisotropic tissue analogues: harnessing synergistic potential of extrusion-based bioprinting and extracellular matrix-based bioink

In the realm of tissue engineering, replicating the intricate alignment of cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM) found in native tissue has long been a challenge. Most recent studies have relied on complex multi-step processes to approximate native tissue alignment. To address this challenge, we introduce a novel, single-step method for constructing highly aligned fibrous structures within multi-modular three-dimensional conglomerates. Our approach harnesses the synergistic potential of extrusion-based bioprinting and the fibrillogenesis kinetics of collagen-rich decellularized ECM. We have identified three key parameters governing ECM microfiber alignment during extrusion-based bioprinting: applied shear stress, stretching or extensional force, and post-print deformation. By carefully manipulating these parameters, we have successfully created highly aligned fibrous structures within multi-modular three-dimensional conglomerates. Our technique offers an efficient solution and has been validated by computational modeling. Comprehensive analyses confirm the efficacy across various scenarios, including encapsulated, top-seeded, and migratory cells. Notably, we have demonstrated the versatility and effectiveness of our approach by bioprinting highly aligned cardiac tissue patches, which show further maturation evidenced by the expression of Troponin-T and Myo-D differentiation factor needed for contractility and myotube formation, respectively. In summary, our streamlined approach offers a robust solution for creating anisotropic tissue analogues with precise ECM organization.

Thermorheological properties and structural characteristics of soy and pumpkin seed protein blends for high-moisture meat analogs

This study explored the effects of soy protein isolate (SPI) and pumpkin seed protein concentrate (PSC) blends on the thermorheological properties and microstructure of high-moisture meat analogs. Using a Discovery Hybrid Rheometer, we observed that increasing PSC content weakened SPI network formation, resulting in decreased gel stability and a more porous, less aligned structure. Microstructural analyses (FE-SEM and FT-IR) revealed a correlation between protein network disruption and increased PSC content. Additionally, higher PSC levels reduced overall bonding (ionic, hydrogen, hydrophobic, disulfide), modifying the texture and softening the gel while retaining solid-like characteristics essential for replicating meat textures. Although full high-moisture extrusion conditions were not replicated, the observed trends offer valuable insights into texture development for meat substitutes. Future research using a closed-system rheometer is required to validate these findings and improve precision.

A Facile Strategy for Preparing Flexible and Porous Hydrogel-Based Scaffolds from Silk Sericin/Wool Keratin by In Situ Bubble-Forming for Muscle Tissue Engineering Applications.

In the present study, it is aimed to fabricate a novel silk sericin (SS)/wool keratin (WK) hydrogel-based scaffolds using an in situ bubble-forming strategy containing an N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N'-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) coupling reaction. During the rapid gelation process, CO2 bubbles are released by activating the carboxyl groups in sericin with EDC and NHS, entrapped within the gel, creating a porous cross-linked structure. With this approach, five different hydrogels (S2K1, S4K2, S2K4, S6K3, and S3K6) are constructed to investigate the impact of varying sericin and keratin ratios. Analyses reveal that more sericin in the proteinaceous mixture reinforced the hydrogel network. Additionally, the hydrogels' pore size distribution, swelling ratio, wettability, and in vitro biodegradation rate, which are crucial for the applications of biomaterials, are evaluated. Moreover, biocompatibility and proangiogenic properties are analyzed using an in-ovo chorioallantoic membrane assay. The findings suggest that the S4K2 hydrogel exhibited the most promising characteristics, featuring an adequately flexible and highly porous structure. The results obtained by in vitro assessments demonstrate the potential of S4K2 hydrogel in muscle tissue engineering. However, further work is necessary to improve hydrogels with an aligned structure to meet the features that can fully replace muscle tissue for volumetric muscle loss regeneration.

Multi-Gradient Bone-Like Nanocomposites Induced by Strain Distribution.

The heterogeneity of bones is elegantly adapted to the local strain environment, which is critical for maintaining mechanical functions. Such an adaptation enables the strong correlation between strain distributions and multiple gradients, underlying a promising pathway for creating complex gradient structures. However, this potential remains largely unexplored for the synthesis of functional gradient materials. In this work, heterogeneous bone-like nanocomposites with complex structural and compositional gradients comparable to bones are synthesized by inducing strain distributions within the polymer matrix containing amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP). Uniaxial stretching of composite films exerts the highest strain in the center, which ceases gradually toward the sides, resulting in the gradual decrease of polymer alignment and crystallinity. Simultaneously, the center with high orientation traps most ACP during stretching due to the nanoconfinement effect, which in turn promotes the formation of aligned nanofibrous structures. The sides experiencing the least strain have the smallest amounts of ACP, characteristic of porous architectures. Further crystallization of ACP produces oriented apatite nanorods in the center with a larger crystalline/amorphous ratio than the sides because of template-induced crystallization. The combination of structural and compositional gradients leads to gradient mechanical properties, and the gradient span and magnitude correlate nicely with strain distributions. Accompanying bone-like mechanical gradients, the center is less adhesive and self-healable than the sides, which allows a better recovery after a complete cutting. Our work may represent a general strategy for the synthesis of biomimetic materials with complex gradients thanks to the ubiquitous presence of strain distributions in load-bearing structures.

Tailoring the Microstructure and Porosity of Porous Piezoelectric Ceramics for Ultrasonic Transducer Application.

Porous piezoelectric ceramics and composites are advantageous for ultrasonic transducers due to their capability to decouple longitudinal and transverse modes, their improved voltage sensitivity, and their enhanced acoustic matching. However, the design and fabrication of porous piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers with excellent electromechanical properties are still challenging. In this work, porous lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramics with an aligned pore structure were prepared using the freeze-cast technique, and the effect of porous structure and porosity on the electromechanical parameters was investigated. The introduction of an aligned pore structure is beneficial to enhance the electromechanical properties and reduce the acoustic impedance. A high d33 (∼530 pC/N), a higher kt (∼0.676), and a lower acoustic impedance (∼10.4 MRalys) were achieved in the porous PZT ceramic with the porosity of 44 vol %. The effect of porosity and pore structure on the decoupling degree of vibration modes and ferroelectric polarization was considered to correct the homogeneous medium model, which can quantify the relationship between the kt and porosity of the porous structure. A demonstration of a piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer based on freeze-cast porous PZT ceramics was presented, which exhibits a -6 dB bandwidth of 52% and a theoretical axial resolution of 520 μm. This work therefore provides a potential alternative of piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers for nondestructive testing and imaging applications.

LDH nanoparticles-doped cellulose nanofiber scaffolds with aligned microchannels direct high-efficiency neural regeneration and organized neural circuit remodeling through RhoA/Rock/Myosin II pathway

Spinal cord injury (SCI) triggers interconnected malignant pathological cascades culminating in structural abnormalities and composition changes of neural tissues and impairs spinal cord tissue function. Cellulose nanofibers (CNF) have considerable potential in mimicking tissue microstructure for nerve regeneration, but the effectiveness of CNF in repairing SCI remains poorly understood. In this study, we designed a Mg–Fe layered double hydroxide (LDH)-doped cellulose nanofiber (CNF) scaffold with aligned intact microchannels and homogeneously distributed pores (CNF-LDH), loaded with retinoic acid and sonic hedgehog (CNF-LDH-RS) for neuroregeneration. The aligned microchannel structure and chemical cues in the scaffold were designed further to enhance the differentiation of neural stem cells towards neurons and promote axon growth while inhibiting differentiation to astrocytes. Transplanting the scaffolds into a completely transected SCI mice model dramatically improved behavioral and electrophysiological outcomes underpinned by robust neuronal regeneration, significant axonal growth and orderly neural circuit remodeling. RNA-seq analysis revealed the pivotal roles of the RhoA/Rock/Myosin II pathway and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway in SCI repair by CNF-LDH-RS. Particularly, Myosin II emerged as a key gene for functional recovery, and its effect on negative regulation of axon growth was suppressed by the scaffolds, resulting in a distinctly oriented growth of the axons along the microchannel structure. The results indicate that CNF-LDH scaffolds rationally combined with physical and biochemical cues create promising tissue-engineered substrates to facilitate the repair of spinal cord injury.

Enhanced carrier transfer performance on blade-coating PbS quantum dot solar cells by coordinated operation of iodine ligands

The significant breakthrough in the photovoltaic conversion efficiency of lead sulfide (PbS) quantum dot solar cells has primarily been achieved on small substrates using the spin-coating method. However, the blade-coating technique offers a scalable alternative for large-scale fabrication of absorption film, addressing the limitations of spin-coating for commercial applications. Given the inherent challenges of the blade-coating method, which often produces low-quality and defective films. Thus, an iodide ligand passivation strategy to realize the formation of high-quality films with reduced trap states was proposed. Typically, the iodide ligand is incorporated into the precursor solution with the aim of fine-tuning the nanoparticle’s functionality, facilitating the formation of systematically aligned and densely coupled film configurations during the blade coating procedure. The functional mechanisms of the aligned and compact-coupled configurations, as well as the effect of iodide introduction on defect mitigation, have been systematically investigated. The results reveal that iodide ligand introduction modulates the interparticle electrostatic potential and inter-dot space, facilitating the formation of a uniform structure with enhanced energy level alignment and reduced trap states. The highly aligned and compact structure improves interfacial integration with the ZnO electron transport layer, enabling efficient photon-electron extraction and transfer. As a result, PbS quantum dot solar cells fabricated using the blade coating technique have achieved an optimized efficiency of 4.68 %, offering significant potential for the development and production of directly-synthesized ink for quantum dot solar cells.

Multi-Scale Hierarchical Organic Photocatalytic Platform for Self-Suspending Sacrificial Hydrogen Production from Seawater.

The widespread application of photocatalysis for converting solar energy and seawater into hydrogen is generally hindered by limited catalyst activity and the lack of sustainable large-scale platforms. Here, a multi-scale hierarchical organic photocatalytic platform was developed, combining a photosensitive molecular heterojunction with a molecular-scale gradient energy level alignment and micro-nanoscale hierarchical pore structures. The ternary system facilitates efficient charge transfer and enhances photocatalytic activity compared to conventional donor-acceptor pairs. Meanwhile, the super-wetted hierarchical interfaces of the platform endow it with the ability to repeatedly capture light and self-suspend below the water surface, which simultaneously improves the light utilization efficiency, and reduces the adverse effects of salt deposition. Under a Xe lamp illumination, the hydrogen evolution rate of this organic platform utilizing a sacrificial agent can reach 165.8 mmol h-1 m-2, exceeding that of mostly inorganic systems as reported. And upon constructing a scalable system, the platform produced 80.6 ml m-2 of hydrogen from seawater within five hours at noon. More importantly, the outcomes suggest an innovative multi-scale approach that bridges disciplines, advancing the frontier of sustainable seawater hydrogen production driven by solar energy.

Research progress of silk-based biomaterials for peripheral nerve regeneration

To describe the research progress of silk-based biomaterials in peripheral nerve repair and provide useful ideals to accelerate the regeneration of large-size peripheral nerve injury. The relative documents about silk-based biomaterials used in peripheral nerve regeneration were reviewed and the different strategies that could accelerate peripheral nerve regeneration through building bioactive microenvironment with silk fibroin were discussed. Many silk fibroin tissue engineered nerve conduits have been developed to provide multiple biomimetic microstructures, and different microstructures have different mechanisms of promoting nerve repair. Biomimetic porous structures favor the nutrient exchange at wound sites and inhibit the invasion of scar tissue. The aligned structures can induce the directional growth of nerve tissue, while the multiple channels promote the axon elongation. When the fillers are introduced to the conduits, better growth, migration, and differentiation of nerve cells can be achieved. Besides biomimetic structures, different nerve growth factors and bioactive drugs can be loaded on silk carriers and released slowly at nerve wounds, providing suitable biochemical cues. Both the biomimetic structures and the loaded bioactive ingredients optimize the niches of peripheral nerves, resulting in quicker and better nerve repair. With silk biomaterials as a platform, fusing multiple ways to achieve the multidimensional regulation of nerve microenvironments is becoming a critical strategy in repairing large-size peripheral nerve injury. Silk-based biomaterials are useful platforms to achieve the design of biomimetic hierarchical microstructures and the co-loading of various bioactive ingredients. Silk fibroin nerve conduits provide suitable microenvironment to accelerate functional recovery of peripheral nerves. Different optimizing strategies are available for silk fibroin biomaterials to favor the nerve regeneration, which would satisfy the needs of various nerve tissue repair. Bioactive silk conduits have promising future in large-size peripheral nerve regeneration.

Biomass microcrystalline cellulose based solar evaporator with aligned channels for clean water and electricity co-generation

Solar-driven interfacial evaporation co-generation (SDIE-CG) technology can effectively solve problems such as low latent heat utilization in the evaporation process, which provides a reliable solution to the problem of hydropower shortage in remote areas. Herein, we report a tea residue microcrystalline cellulose (TMCC) aerogel (abbreviated as TCA), in which TMCC is regenerated by dissolution through the co-solvent method, and microcrystalline cellulose is rearranged by the directional slow freezing technique to get a TCA with a directional aligned pore structure, resulting in a good mechanical and salt-resistant property. Due to the internal doping of carbon black particles, the TCA has an average ultra-high absorbance of 97.46 %. The evaporation rate of TCA is up to 3.066 kg m−2h−1 under 3 kW m−2 illuminations. The maximum output voltage of the TCA is 44.801 mV under 2 kW m−2 illuminations through the introduction of a suitable wind-assisted hydropower generation device. In addition, the TCA can effectively purify the wastewater containing traditional Chinese medicine, and the chemical oxygen demand (COD) value in wastewater shows a significant decrease after treatment. It is worth noting that TCA can maintain structural integrity and stable evaporation performance in saltwater under extreme pH conditions (2<pH<11), and has potential application value in water treatment and cogeneration.

Enhancing strength-conductivity synergy in an ultrathin lamellar-structured W[sbnd]Cu composite prepared by freeze-casting and infiltration

One of the key strategies to enhance the performance of composites is the implementation of a lamellar structure, which has demonstrated remarkable success. In this study, an ultrathin lamellar WCu composite was fabricated using a combination of freeze-casting and infiltration techniques. Compared to the homogeneous WCu composite, the aligned structure in this composite provides continuous conductive channels for electrons, reducing interface scattering. Additionally, the ultrathin lamellae offer exceptional load-bearing capacity. These synergistic effects result in both superior strength and enhanced electrical conductivity. This innovative design strategy for WCu composites presents promising potential for advancing the development of next-generation composite materials.

Extruded plant protein two-dimensional scaffold structures support myoblast cell growth for potential applications in cultured meat

Cultured meat has been proposed as a promising alternative to conventional meat products. Five different plant protein blends made from soy (from two different manufacturers), wheat, mung bean, and faba bean, were extruded to form low-moisture meat analogs (LMMA) and were used to assess LMMA scaffold potential for cultured meat application. Extruded LMMAs were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, water-holding capacity, total soluble matter, and mechanical properties. Two-dimensional LMMA scaffolds were seeded with C2C12 skeletal myoblast cells and cultured for 14 days, and cell attachment and morphology were evaluated. All five extrudates exhibited directionality of their fibrous protein structures but to varying degrees. Soy, wheat, mung bean, and faba bean-based LMMA scaffolds initially supported myoblast cell growth. However, after 14 days of culture, the extruded wheat LMMA exhibited superior myoblast cell growth. This may be attributed to the highly aligned fibrous structure of the extruded wheat LMMA as well as its elastic modulus, which closely approximated that of native skeletal muscle. Overall, two-dimensional structures of the extruded plant proteins support cell growth and advance the development of cultured meat.

Accelerating gas escape efficiency by parallel alignment of nanosheets arrays for high-current oxygen evolution and urea oxidation

Electrocatalysts play a crucial role in energy production and chemical oxidation. Nonetheless, the efficacy of catalysts in expediting reactions is notably affected by the escape of bubbles and the re-exposure of active sites, particularly under high-current-density conditions. Herein, parallel-aligned Ni(OH)2 nanosheets array is anchored on nickel foam as substrate to verify mass transfer enhancement theory. Compare with disordered and interconnected nanosheets structures, parallel alignment of nanosheets array with superior mass transfer capability, larger exposed surface area, and spatial confinement effects is demonstrated to boost effective removal of in situ generated gas bubbles. Moreover, carbon coating layer with high electrical conductivity and nickel-iron-based composite with high activity is simultaneously anchored on parallel-aligned nanosheets surface (C@FeNi/NF-P). As illustration of application viability, C@FeNi/NF-P exhibits overpotential of 317 mV and potential of 1.45 V at 500 mA cm−2, respectively, for oxygen evolution (OER) and urea oxidation (UOR) with good stability. Moreover, the mass transfer enhancement effect of parallel aligned structure for the high active electrodes is also discussed. This work provides new insight for physical structural modulation of active materials to strengthen electrocatalytic activity with high mass-transfer efficiency, further ensuring high-efficient and stable water splitting and urea oxidation.