Tunable Properties Research Articles

Tailoring Emission Color Shifts in Mechanofluorochromic-Active AIE Systems of Carbazole-Based D-π-A Conjugates: Impact of π Spacer Unit Variants.

The expanding field of organic electronics has led to the emergence of donor-π-acceptor (D-π-A) systems as promising candidates for various optoelectronic applications. Recent advancements in the design of organic fluorophores allow precise modulation of their optical properties in the solution and solid states, broadening their utility. Here, we synthesize and characterize two series of D-π-A systems based on carbazole-cyanostilbene compounds (3a-c and 4a-c), which feature differences in π-spacer groups and substitution on the acceptor cyanostilbene units. These compounds exhibit intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) characteristics, with 3c possessing a phenyl spacer and -CF3 substitution displaying notable solvatochromism and polarity-enhanced emission (PEE). Additionally, both series show aggregation-induced emission (AIE), with emission color shifts controlled by spacer groups. These compounds demonstrate diverse emissive behaviors, including locally excited (LE), twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT), and π-π stacked aggregated states, contributing to the AIE phenomenon. Compounds with phenyl spacers (3a-c) exhibit higher solid-state quantum yields than those of thiophene (4a-c). Furthermore, the impact of spacer groups and acceptor substitutions on the solid-state emissive properties and mechanofluorochromism (MFC) are highlighted. Compounds with phenyl spacers and substitution (3a, 3c) show a blue-shifted MFC, while those with thiophene (4a, 4c) display a red-shifted MFC. These findings offer insights into the development of advanced materials with tunable emission properties and high thermal stability for optoelectronic applications.

Multiphoton Lithography of Interpenetrating Polymer Networks for Tailored Microstructure Thermal and Micromechanical Properties.

Multiphoton lithography (MPL), an emerging truly 3D microfabrication technique, exhibits substantial potential in biomedical applications, including drug delivery and tissue engineering. Fabricated micro-objects are often expected to undergo shape morphing or bending of the entire structure or its parts. Furthermore, ensuring precise property tuning is detrimental to the realization of the functionality of MPL microstructures. Herein, novel MPL materials based on interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) are presented that effectively combine the advantages of acrylate and epoxy systems. IPNs with varying component ratios are investigated for their microfabrication performance and structural integrity with respect to thermal and micromechanical properties. A variety of high-resolution techniques is applied to comprehensively evaluate IPN properties at the bulk, micron, and segmental levels. This study shows that the MPL laser scanning velocity and power, photoinitiator content, and multi-step exposure can be used to tune the morphology and properties of the IPN. As a result, a library of 3D MPL IPN microstructures with high 3D structural stability and tailored thermal and micromechanical properties is achieved. New IPN microstructures with Young's moduli of 3-4MPa demonstrate high-to-fully elastic responses to deformations, making them promising for applications in morphable microsystems, soft micro-robotics, and cell engineering.

Unlocking the Future of Periodontal Regeneration: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Tissue Engineering and Advanced Therapeutics.

Periodontal defects present a significant challenge in dentistry, necessitating innovative solutions for comprehensive regeneration. Traditional restoration methods have inherent limitations in achieving complete and functional periodontal tissue reconstruction. Tissue engineering, a multidisciplinary approach integrating cells, biomaterials, and bioactive factors, holds tremendous promise in addressing this challenge. Central to tissue engineering strategies are scaffolds, pivotal in supporting cell behavior and orchestrating tissue regeneration. Natural and synthetic materials have been extensively explored, each offering unique advantages in terms of biocompatibility and tunable properties. The integration of growth factors and stem cells further amplifies the regenerative potential, contributing to enhanced tissue healing and functional restoration. Despite significant progress, challenges persist. Achieving the seamless integration of regenerated tissues, establishing proper vascularization, and developing biomimetic scaffolds that faithfully replicate the natural periodontal environment are ongoing research endeavors. Collaborative efforts across diverse scientific disciplines are essential to overcoming these hurdles. This comprehensive review underscores the critical need for continued research and development in tissue engineering strategies for periodontal regeneration. By addressing current challenges and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, we can unlock the full regenerative potential, paving the way for transformative advancements in periodontal care. This research not only enhances our understanding of periodontal tissues but also offers innovative approaches that can revolutionize dental therapies, improving patient outcomes and reshaping the future of periodontal treatments.

Advanced Tuning of electric and dielectric properties in Ba0·5Ni0.5-xCdxFe2O4 spinel ferrites for high-frequency devices with barium dopants

Spinel ferrites are vital in developing next-generation technologies with potential applications covering the medical, electronic, and material industries. Nickel-cadmium spinel ferrites are soft magnetic materials having lots of applications ranging from electronics and magnetic to sensors industries. Herein, we developed cadmium-substituted spinel ferrites (Ba0·5Ni0.5-xCdxFe2O4) and their nanocomposite with polymer polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The results evidently indicate that the successfully developed Ba0·5Ni0.5-xCdxFe2O4, which also confirmed the loading of PVA onto the Ba0·5Ni0.5-xCdxFe2O4 materials. XRD results confirmed orthorhombic single-phase structure. The optimal particle size was 27.22 nm, and the minimum was 21.25 nm, respectively, as shown by Ba0·5Ni0·1Cd0·4Fe2O4 (x = 0.4) and PVA composite of Ba0·5Ni0·2Cd0·3Fe2O4 (x = 0.3). It was also observed that the composites showed lower particle size than nano-ferrites. Spectral analysis (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) confirmed the formation of spinel ferrites by detecting the M − O bonds in the 400-800 cm−1 region. υ1 and υ2 were appeared in the range 560–609 cm−1 and 439-466 cm−1, corresponding to M-O. The average grain size of spinel ferrites was 0.55, 0.50, 1.03, and 1.31 μm for Ba0·5Ni0.5-xCdxFe2O4 (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4) spinel ferrites. Dielectric parameters revealed that these materials are suitable for high-frequency devices due to their low dielectric loss, high quality factor, short relaxation time, and diverse responses.

Influence of chain length of amido betaines and amine degree of diamines on the binary supramolecular assembly and viscosity dynamics of amido betaine/diamine coacervates

Recently, there has been growing interest in the hierarchical assemblies of zwitterionic betaine amphiphiles across various fields due to their utility as stimuli-responsive materials. Herein, we systematically investigate the binary supramolecular assembly of zwitterionic amido betaines and diamines to determine how alkyl chain length of amido betaines (CnDAB) and amine degree of diamines influence their relaxation dynamics of the resultant coacervates. To this end, we synthesized five CnDAB molecules with systematically varying carbon chain lengths (n = 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20) and conjugated them with three different diamines (ethylenediamine, EDA; n,n'-dimethylethylenediamine, DMEDA; and n,n,n',n'-tetramethylethylenediamine,TMEDA). We employed rheology to compare the bulk properties and relaxation dynamics of these assemblies as well as to gain insight into their responsiveness to pH stimulus. All betaine/diamine co-assemblies for all pH values showed shear-thinning behavior while the onset of shear thinning behavior showed some variation for the shear rate inducing such an onset. By changing molecular architecture of co-assembling pairs, zero-shear viscosity values varied from ∼10−1 Pa s to ∼103 Pa s at a concentration of 100 mM CnDAB and 50 mM diamine in water. Four-order-of-magnitude difference in viscosity with small changes in molecular architecture and pH indicates that precise tuning of the rheological properties is possible simply by controlling the self-assembly tendencies and nano-to-micro scale aggregation morphologies through bi-molecular design. Out of 15 different combinations of betaine and diamine pairs studied, the primary amine EDA conjugated with C18DAB resulted in the highest degree of pH-controlled viscosity changes (i.e., highest pH-responsivity). Below 16-carbon alkyl chains on the betaines, pH responsiveness mostly disappeared. Overall, this systematic study brings new insights into the molecular structure-property relationships of amido betaine/diamine systems, which are widely used in diverse sets of applications and fields.

All-Inorganic Halide Perovskites Boost High-Ranged Figure-of-Merit in Bi0.4Sb1.6Te3 for Thermoelectric Cooling and Low-Grade Heat Recovery.

The all-inorganic halide perovskite CsPbX3 (X = Cl, Br, or I) offers various advantages, such as tunable electronic structure and high carrier mobility. However, its potential application in thermoelectric materials remains underexplored. In this study, we propose a simple yet effective method to synthesize a CsPbX3/Bi0.4Sb1.6Te3 (BST) nanocomposite by sintering a uniformly mixed raw powder. The intrinsic excitation of the BST system is suppressed by exploiting the rich phase structure and tunable electrical transport properties of CsPbX3, and the thermoelectric properties were synergistically optimized. Notably, for CsPbI3, its phase-transition-induced dislocation arrays together with low group velocities drastically reduce thermal conductivity. As a result, the composite achieves an ultrahigh average figure-of-merit (ZT) of 1.4 from 298 to 523 K. The two-pair TE module demonstrates a superior conversion efficiency of 7.3%. This study expands the potential applications of inorganic halide perovskites, into thermoelectrics.

Composition and functionality differences of oat protein concentrates: Potential of less refined concentrates obtained by wet milling

The objective of this study was to determine differences in composition and functionality for oat protein concentrates. This was achieved by comparing preparations extracted at different pH levels using either a twin screw press or alkaline extraction followed by isoelectric precipitation. Extraction by twin screw technology provided a higher protein yield compared to isoelectric precipitation. Analysis by SDS-PAGE revealed similar protein composition regardless of the extraction method or extraction pH except for extraction at pH 6. Extraction at a higher pH led to a higher protein purity and yield, while extraction closer to the isoelectric point of the protein resulted in less pure concentrates. All extracts were freeze-dried, and their composition and functionality were compared. Thermal analysis of the protein concentrates extracted by twin screw pressing showed a higher denaturation enthalpy compared to protein isolates prepared by isoelectric precipitation, suggesting that the native structure of the proteins is preserved to a higher extent. All protein fractions exhibited the typical U-shaped solubility profile, except for the concentrate extracted at pH 6, which showed an increase in solubility with increasing pH. Oat protein concentrates prepared by twin screw pressing had a higher affinity for binding to oil than to water, and this was also higher than for isoelectric precipitated protein extracts. Overall results demonstrate a potential for twin screw technology as a viable alternative to conventional wet extraction methods for producing less refined fractions from oats with tunable functional properties.

Development of an FeII Complex Exhibiting Intermolecular Proton Shifting Coupled Spin Transition.

In this study, we investigated reversible intermolecular proton shifting (IPS) coupled with spin transition (ST) in a novel FeII complex. The host FeII complex and the guest carboxylic acid anion were connected by intermolecular hydrogen bonds (IHBs). We extended the intramolecular proton transfer coupled ST phenomenon to the intermolecular system. The dynamic phenomenon was confirmed by variable-temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction, neutron crystallography, and infrared spectroscopy. The mechanism of IPS was further validated using density functional theory calculations. The discovery of IPS-coupled ST in crystalline molecular materials provides good insights into fundamental processes and promotes the design of novel multifunctional materials with tunable properties for various applications, such as optoelectronics, information storage, and molecular devices.

Development of an FeII Complex Exhibiting Intermolecular Proton Shifting Coupled Spin Transition

AbstractIn this study, we investigated reversible intermolecular proton shifting (IPS) coupled with spin transition (ST) in a novel FeII complex. The host FeII complex and the guest carboxylic acid anion were connected by intermolecular hydrogen bonds (IHBs). We extended the intramolecular proton transfer coupled ST phenomenon to the intermolecular system. The dynamic phenomenon was confirmed by variable‐temperature single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, neutron crystallography, and infrared spectroscopy. The mechanism of IPS was further validated using density functional theory calculations. The discovery of IPS‐coupled ST in crystalline molecular materials provides good insights into fundamental processes and promotes the design of novel multifunctional materials with tunable properties for various applications, such as optoelectronics, information storage, and molecular devices.

Sustainable nanomaterials' role in green supply chains and environmental sustainability

The review explores the pivotal role of sustainable nanomaterials in promoting green supply chains and advancing environmental sustainability. Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising field for developing innovative materials with enhanced properties and reduced environmental impacts. Sustainable nanomaterials, characterized by their eco-friendly synthesis methods, biodegradability, and low toxicity, offer transformative opportunities for enhancing the sustainability of supply chains across diverse industries. This review examines the potential applications of sustainable nanomaterials in green supply chains, encompassing areas such as renewable energy, water purification, waste management, and sustainable packaging. By leveraging the unique properties of nanomaterials, such as high surface area-to-volume ratio, catalytic activity, and tunable properties, businesses can develop sustainable solutions to address pressing environmental challenges. Case studies and examples highlight successful integration of sustainable nanomaterials into supply chain practices, showcasing their ability to reduce resource consumption, minimize waste generation, and mitigate environmental impacts. The review also discusses challenges and considerations associated with the adoption of sustainable nanomaterials, including regulatory compliance, risk assessment, and ethical considerations. Strategies for promoting responsible nanotechnology practices and fostering collaboration among stakeholders are proposed, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and stakeholder engagement in achieving sustainable supply chain goals. In conclusion, the integration of sustainable nanomaterials into green supply chains holds immense potential for driving environmental sustainability, innovation, and long-term prosperity. Keywords: Sustainable Nanomaterials, Green Supply Chains, Environmental Sustainability, Circular Economy, Nanotechnology, Supply Chain Optimization

Metal-Halogen Interactions Inducing Phase Separation for Self-Healing and Tough Ionogels with Tunable Thermoelectric Performance.

Ionic liquid-based thermoelectric gels become a compelling candidate for thermoelectric power generation and sensing due to their giant thermopower, good thermal stability, high flexibility, and low-cost production. However, the materials reported to date suffer from canonical trade-offs between self-healing ability, stretchability, strength, and ionic conductivity. Herein, a self-healing and tough ionogel (PEO/LiTFSI/EmimCl) with tunable thermoelectric properties by tailoring metal-halogen bonding interactions, is developed. Different affinities between polymer matrix and salts are exploited to induce phase separation, resulting in simultaneous enhancement of ionic conductivity and mechanical strength. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and spectroscopic analyses show that Cl- ions impair the lithium-ether oxygen coordination, leading to changes in chain conformation. The migration difference between cations and anions is thus widened and a transition from n-type to p-type thermoelectric ionogels is realized. Furthermore, the dynamic interactions of metal-ligand coordination and hydrogen bonding yield autonomously self-healing capability, large stretchability (2000%), and environment-friendly recyclability. Benefiting from these fascinating properties, the multifunctional PEO-based ionogels are applied in sensors, supercapacitors, and thermoelectric power generation modules. The strategy of tuning solvation dominance to address the trade-offs in thermoelectric ionogels and optimize their macroscopic properties offers new possibilities for the design of advanced ionogels.

Synthesis, optical characterization and electrical behavior of chitosan/MgO/Cr2O3 nanocomposite for electrical applications

Magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO NPs) are straightforward, cheap, biocompatible, and biodegradable, making them one of the most popular inexpensive and non-toxic nanoparticles. In addition, Nanosized chromic oxide (Cr2O3) is a significant transition metal oxide due to its numerous exceptional attributes, it finds application in several domains. It has good electrical conductivity, excellent thermal and chemical stability. It is utilized in several industries for its ability to resist oxidation at high temperatures, as well as its application in refractory materials and catalysts. In this study, we utilized a laser ablation approach to synthesize a ternary nanocomposite composed of MgO and Cr2O3 nanoparticles as it is considered a clean method for the preparation of nanoparticles. Subsequently, these nanoparticles were integrated into Chitosan (CS) solution to create polymer nanocomposite via casting route. XRD confirmed the formation of Cr2O3 nanocrystals with size of 61 nm dispersed in chitosan/MgO matrix. FTIR verified the interactions between chitosan, MgO, and Cr2O3 nanoparticles. The broadening and shifting of the OH and NH bands with increasing Cr2O3 content confirms the interaction and complexation between Cr2O3 and Chitosan/MgO. UV–Vis analysis revealed that incorporating 7 wt% Cr2O3 reduced optical band gap from 5.59 eV for chitosan to 3.91 eV. The band gap values decreased with increasing Cr2O3 content due to polaronic defects. TGA showed improved thermal stability, with the 7 wt% Cr2O3 nanocomposite exhibiting a residual mass of 47 % at 700 °C compared to 28 % for chitosan. Dielectric studies demonstrated high dielectric constant and conductivity (10−5 S/cm at 10 Hz) values for the 7 wt% Cr2O3 nanocomposite, attributed to interfacial polarization effects and nanocapacitor formation by the conductive nanofillers. The ternary chitosan/MgO/Cr2O3 nanocomposites with tunable optical, thermal and electrical properties show promising potential for electronic applications.

Effect of Surface Oxidation and Crystal Thickness on the Magnetic Properties and Magnetic Domain Structures of Cr2Ge2Te6.

van der Waals (vdW) magnetic materials, such as Cr2Ge2Te6 (CGT), show promise for memory and logic applications. This is due to their broadly tunable magnetic properties and the presence of topological magnetic features such as skyrmionic bubbles. A systematic study of thickness and oxidation effects on magnetic domain structures is important for designing devices and vdW heterostructures for practical applications. Here, we investigate thickness effects on magnetic properties, magnetic domains, and bubbles in oxidation-controlled CGT crystals. We find that CGT exposed to ambient conditions for 5 days forms an oxide layer approximately 5 nm thick. This oxidation leads to a significant increase in the oxidation state of the Cr ions, indicating a change in local magnetic properties. This is supported by real-space magnetic texture imaging through Lorentz transmission electron microscopy. By comparing the thickness-dependent saturation field of oxidized and pristine crystals, we find that oxidation leads to a nonmagnetic surface layer that is thicker than the oxide layer alone. We also find that the stripe domain width and skyrmionic bubble size are strongly affected by the crystal thickness in pristine crystals. These findings underscore the impact of thickness and surface oxidation on the properties of CGT, such as saturation field and domain/skyrmionic bubble size, and suggest a pathway for manipulating magnetic properties through a controlled oxidation process.

Multicomponent, Multicavity Metallacages That Contain Different Binding Sites for Allosteric Recognition.

The encapsulation of different guest molecules by their different recognition domains of proteins leads to selective binding, catalysis, and transportation. Synthetic hosts capable of selectively binding different guests in their different cavities to mimic the function of proteins are highly desirable but challenging. Here, we report three ladder-shaped, triple-cavity metallacages prepared by multicomponent coordination-driven self-assembly. Interestingly, the porphyrin-based metallacage is capable of heteroleptic encapsulation of fullerenes (C60 or C70) and coronene using its different cavities, allowing distinct allosteric recognition of coronene upon the addition of C60 or C70. Owing to the different binding affinities of the cavities, the metallacage hosts one C60 molecule in the central cavity and two coronene units in the side cavities, while encapsulating two C70 molecules in the side cavities and one coronene molecule in the central cavity. The rational design of multicavity assemblies that enable heteroleptic encapsulation and allosteric recognition will guide the further design of advanced supramolecular constructs with tunable recognition properties.

Integrating K+ into Eu and Tb doped GdCa4O(BO3)3: A dual study on photoluminescence and structure

In this study, we investigate the structural and photoluminescence (PL) properties of rare-earth-doped GdCa4O(BO3)3 (GdCOB) phosphors, specifically focusing on the spectral behaviour induced by doping with Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ ions. The powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra confirm the formation of a monoclinic phase. The XRD data were also refined by a Rietveld refinement method. The existence of B, O, Ca, Gd, Tb, Eu and K elements was verified by EDS spectra. We introduce a detailed examination of the charge compensation process using Kröger-Vink notation to clarify the mechanisms essential for tailoring the optical properties of the phosphors. The PL excitation spectrum of GdCOB:Eu3+, monitored at 611 nm, reveals sharp excitation peaks at 319, 361, 380, and 392 nm, corresponding to 7F0→5H3, 7F0→5D4, 7F0→7F0, and 7F0→5L6 transitions, respectively. The PL spectrum under excitation of 392 nm exhibits that phosphors doped with Eu3+ a significant red emission at 611 nm, which is attributed to the 5D₀→7F₂ transition. This emission intensity is particularly enhanced at non-centrosymmetric sites of the Eu³⁺ ions. Similarly, the PL excitation spectrum of GdCOB:Tb3+, monitored at 552 nm, displays distinct excitation peaks at 316, 341, 353, and 379 nm, which correspond to the transitions 7F₆→5D₀, 7 F₆→5L₇, 7F₆→5D₂, and 7F₆→5D₃, respectively. Tb³⁺-doped phosphors display a bright green emission, with a dominant peak at 552 nm, resulting from the 5D₄→7F₅ transition. Additionally, the introduction of K⁺ ions as co-dopants results in modifications to the local environments of Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ ions. These changes allow for fine-tuning of the emission peaks, significantly enhancing the luminescent output of the phosphors. Optimal doping concentrations of 5 mol% for Eu³⁺ and 1 mol% for Tb³⁺ enhance luminescent intensity and prevent concentration quenching. This phenomenon, often resulting in reduced PL intensity at higher dopant levels, is primarily due to dipole-dipole interactions, consistent with Dexter's theory of energy transfer. Strategic modulation of doping concentrations, coupled with a deep understanding of energy transfer mechanisms are critical for the development of advanced luminescent materials Our analysis of the Commission de l′Eclairage (CIE) chromaticity coordinates reveals enhanced energy transfer dynamics in rare-earth-doped borates, facilitating the tuning of luminescent properties. These results not only deepen our understanding of the fundamental physics governing such phosphors but also open pathways for the development of optoelectronic applications requiring consistent color output, such as LED technologies and solid-state lighting.

Thixotropic chitosan hydrogels for biomedical applications: Unravelling the effect of chitosan concentration on the mechanical behaviour

Chitosan hydrogels are highly sought after in biomedical applications due to their biocompatibility, non-toxicity, and tunable mechanical properties. Nevertheless, achieving stable hydrogels with the required mechanical strength remains a notable obstacle. In this study, we prepared chitosan hydrogels with enhanced stability using minimal concentrations of glutaraldehyde to mitigate toxicity risks. The resulting hydrogel system is characterized by strong covalent bonds formed through imine and hydrogen bonding, facilitated by the aldehyde groups of glutaraldehyde. Rheological analyses reveal the viscoelastic properties of the hydrogels, showcasing stable gel-like structures with shear-thinning behavior, which are further enhanced with increasing chitosan concentration. Our observation demonstrates that the complex shear moduli of 0.5 - 1.5 w/v% chitosan hydrogel ranged between 3.08 kPa and 8.5 kPa, closely matching the shear moduli of the brain and connective tissues. The shear moduli obtained for the 2 w/v% (10.2 kPa) and 2.5 w/v% hydrogels (11.34 kPa) conform to the shear moduli of liver, fat, relaxed muscle, and breast gland tissue. Thixotropic studies reveal good structural recovery behaviour in the hydrogels. The swellability of 2 w/v% and 2.5 w/v% hydrogels (50–70 %) suggests their suitability for bone tissue engineering, with moderate porosity required for bone growth (60–75 %). Moreover, the yield stress values of 0.5 - 1.5 w/v% hydrogels satisfy the requirements for soft tissue engineering, while those of 2 and 2.5 w/v% match the requirements for bone tissue engineering. Our findings suggest that chitosan hydrogels of varying concentrations (0.5–2.5 % w/v) hold promise for a range of biomedical applications, including tissue engineering for brain, nerve, soft, and bone tissues, and wound dressing. This research addresses the pressing need for stable chitosan hydrogels with tailored mechanical properties, potentially offering solutions to challenges in biomedical materials design.

Development of New Polyimide/Spirulina Hybrid Materials: Preparation and Characterization

This study presents the synthesis and characterization of polyimide (PI-2) films incorporated with spirulina powder for potential biomedical applications. The synthesis of PI-2 was achieved through a two-step polycondensation reaction using N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) as the solvent. The incorporation of spirulina was systematically varied to investigate its effects on the structural and surface properties of the hybrid materials. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a tightly bound interface between spirulina and the PI-2 matrix, indicating effective dispersion and strong interfacial adhesion. Profilometry and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the homogeneous integration of spirulina within the polymer matrix, with resulting variations in surface roughness and chemistry. Contact angle measurements demonstrated altered wettability characteristics, with increased hydrophilicity observed with spirulina incorporation. Furthermore, blood component interaction studies indicated the variations in adhesion behavior observed for red blood cells, platelets, and plasma proteins. Water uptake studies revealed enhanced absorption capacity in PI-2 films loaded with spirulina, highlighting their potential suitability for applications requiring controlled hydration. Overall, this comprehensive characterization elucidates the potential of PI-2/spirulina hybrid materials for diverse biomedical applications, offering tunable properties that can be tailored to specific requirements.

Model-Based input energy control for reproducible AISI 316L laser deposited tracks

In the Directed Energy Deposition (DED) process, when the mass flow of metal particles is relatively high, the thickness of the layers increases, leading to a more productive process. The higher the mass flow is, the more difficult it becomes to get a stable melt pool. The accumulation of residual heat in the previously consolidated material constitutes a thermal input affecting the balance at the laser-material interaction zone. An accurate control of the temperature of the laser-material interaction zone is critical to maintain the dynamic viscosity of the liquid metal within the narrow margin in which it can be managed in a stable way. The present work introduces a thermal model in which domains with tunable properties are considered to reproduce the growing of the manufactured sample. Concurrently, a virtual closed-loop PID regulator has been implemented in order to calculate suitable values of laser power to compensate the heat accumulated in the material, offering the results from the model as input process parameters to be directly applied in the real process. The levels of laser power proposed by the model have been experimentally applied, leading to a stable process capable of carrying out in reality the desired component.

High-temperature concomitant metal-insulator and spin-reorientation transitions in a compressed nodal-line ferrimagnet Mn3Si2Te6

Symmetry-protected band degeneracy, coupled with a magnetic order, is the key to realizing novel magnetoelectric phenomena in topological magnets. While the spin-polarized nodal states have been identified to introduce extremely-sensitive electronic responses to the magnetic states, their possible role in determining magnetic ground states has remained elusive. Here, taking external pressure as a control knob, we show that a metal-insulator transition, a spin-reorientation transition, and a structural modification occur concomitantly when the nodal-line state crosses the Fermi level in a ferrimagnetic semiconductor Mn3Si2Te6. These unique pressure-driven magnetic and electronic transitions, associated with the dome-shaped Tc variation up to nearly room temperature, originate from the interplay between the spin-orbit coupling of the nodal-line state and magnetic frustration of localized spins. Our findings highlight that the nodal-line states, isolated from other trivial states, can facilitate strongly tunable magnetic properties in topological magnets.

Dynamics and Internal Structure Evolution during the Glass Transition of the Ethylene-Cyclic Olefin Copolymers: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation.

Amorphous ethylene-cyclic olefin copolymers (COCs) which can be used in cell phone lenses and prefilled syringes have attracted increasing attention due to their excellent and tunable thermal properties. In order to better explain the influence of COC microstructure (cyclic olefin types and content) on the glass transition mechanism, we used molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to track the evolution of free volume, diffusion coefficients, atomic mobility, trans conformation probabilities, and characteristic parameters of α-relaxation kinetics during the quenching process. MD results show that for the classic COC E-co-NB (ethylene-norbornene copolymer), an increase in cyclic olefin content from 25 to 50 mol % reduces atomic mobility, limiting the molecular chain movement at higher temperatures and improving Tg. Compared to NB, the more rigid rings in tricyclopentadiene (TCPD) and exo-1,4,4a,9,9a,10-hexahydro-9,10(1',2')-bridged phenylidene-1,4-bridged methylideneanthracene (HBM) have the following effects: (1) reducing the thermal expansion coefficient and overall chain mobility; (2) enhancing the diffusion energy barrier; (3) promoting the formation of local ordered structures; (4) accelerating α-relaxation dynamics at high temperatures and improving the dynamic fragility m. These lead to an upward shift in the temperature region where chain movement is limited and thus improve Tg and high-temperature dimensional stability. In this simulation, the correlation equation between Tg, m, and the microstructural parameters of COCs is established, which is of great significance for the development of COCs with high performance.