Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) represent one of the most debilitating and costly complications of diabetes, with bacterial infection and biofilm formation as primary drivers of wound chronicity and treatment failure. In response, antimicrobial biomaterials have emerged as a transformative strategy that actively modulates the wound microenvironment. This review surveys recent advances in antimicrobial biomaterials for DFU repair over the past five years, focusing on design strategies, mechanisms, and translational potential. We review natural polymers (chitosan, collagen, alginate), synthetic polymers (PLA, PGA, PLGA, PCL), inorganic antimicrobials (metal nanoparticles, bioactive glass), and bioactive molecules (antimicrobial peptides). We highlight integration of broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, biofilm disruption, inflammation regulation, angiogenesis, and tissue regeneration—within a single platform. We discuss 3D/4D bioprinting, smart responsive systems, lab-on-a-chip/microfluidics, and smart wearables driving personalized, monitorable, and intelligent wound management. Despite preclinical promises, challenges remain in clinical evidence, cost-effectiveness, scalability, and regulatory pathways. Future directions emphasize multidisciplinary collaboration to translate these platforms into practice and improve DFU outcomes worldwide.
This study examined the effects of multifunction cavitation (MFC) and energy-intensive multifunction cavitation (EI-MFC) on residual stress and the hardness of carburized steel. Both treatments increased compressive residual stress and hardness due to plastic deformation, and EI-MFC tended to produce slightly higher residual stress and a deeper affected layer. The increase in hardness is considered to be associated with work hardening. Fatigue tests as stress ratio of −1 showed a tendency toward improved fatigue performance under low stress amplitude conditions. These results suggest that cavitation-based surface modification influences the mechanical properties under the present experimental conditions.
The selective detection of iron(III) ions (Fe3+) is of great importance in environmental and biological systems due to their critical role in various physiological processes and as a water pollutant. In this work, we report a novel amide-containing aggregation-induced emission (AIE) polymer, synthesized via a simple condensation polymerization between pyrazine-2,5-dicarboxylic acid and naphthalene-1,5-diamine. The resulting polyamide exhibits weak fluorescence in dilute solution but demonstrates strong emission upon aggregation in a THF/water mixture, confirming its typical AIE characteristic. Leveraging this property, the polymer was applied as a fluorescent probe for the selective detection of Fe3+. Photoluminescence studies revealed that the polymer's emission is significantly and selectively quenched upon the addition of Fe3+ over a range of other metal ions (Ag+, Al3+, Ba2+, Ca2+, Cr3+, Cu2+, Hg2+, K+, Mg2+, Mn2+, Na+, Ni2+, Pb2+, Pd2+, Zn2+), indicating excellent selectivity. The quenching mechanism is attributed to chelation-enhanced quenching (CHEQ) between Fe3+ and the amide/pyrazine moieties, facilitating efficient electron transfer. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis further confirmed aggregation changes upon Fe3+ binding. This work provides a straightforward and effective approach to developing AIE-active polymeric probes for potential applications in environmental monitoring and biological sensing of Fe3+.
Silica/epoxy composites are widely applied in copper-clad laminates and electronic packaging, but silica is hydrophilic. Traditional hydrolytic silanization suffers from long processes, self-condensation, low grafting efficiency and poor interfacial compatibility. In this work, a facile nonhydrolytic FTES modification under anhydrous conditions is developed to suppress side reactions and enable efficient fluorination. Under optimized conditions (10 wt% FTES, 80 °C, 0.25 h), silica achieves a 145° water contact angle near superhydrophobicity, with better dispersion and lower organic loss. The corresponding epoxy composites show reduced viscosity, enhanced tensile strength, lower dielectric constant and improved thermomechanical properties, providing a rapid, effective strategy for high-performance electronic packaging composites.
Tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is characterised by an abnormal connection between the trachea and oesophagus, which leads to severe complications and is associated with a high mortality rate. To overcome the constraints inherent in the current clinical treatment modalities, an injectable chitosan-based hydrogel (Gel-x) was developed to treat TEF. The incorporation of laponite (Lap) substantially enhanced the adhesive strength of Gelx, which reached up to 23.1 kPa, and the burst pressure of Gel-4 reached 15.7 kPa. Simultaneously, it decreased the swelling ratio from 100% to 50% and reduced the degradation rate to less than 20% within 7 days. Additionally, Gel-x demonstrated excellent biocompatibility and facilitated cell migration. The outstanding characteristics of Gel-x render it a highly promising candidate for TEF treatment.
Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was prepared from graphite by modified Hummers oxidation followed by twostep thermal reduction and used as support for Pt and Ni catalysts in toluene oxidation. The protocol produced few-layer rGO with residual oxygenated anchoring groups and with a 23-fold increase in BrunauerEmmett-Teller (BET) surface area. Pt/rGO (1 wt% Pt) and Ni/rGO (10 wt% Ni) were obtained by wet impregnation. XRD, Raman, FTIR, BET, SEM-EDS, TGA and H2-TPR linked structure, dispersion and reducibility to catalytic behavior. Scherrer analysis gave apparent coherent-domain sizes of 9.4 nm for Pt0(111) and 9.3 nm for Ni0(200). Pt/rGO reached T50 ti 255 degrees C and 99% conversion at 400 degrees C, whereas Ni/rGO reached 55% at 400 degrees C. Time-on-stream tests confirmed stable operation and CO2 as the only carbon-containing product detected. The results demonstrate that rGO can serve as a practical carbon support for noble and non-noble metal formulations in VOC oxidation, while emphasizing the central role of metal reducibility, dispersion and metal-support interaction.
In this work, a mixed transition metal oxide layer, composed of Cr-Mn-Fe-Co-Ni was synthesized on the nickel foam via a one-step microwave-assisted hydrothermal method and investigated as a bifunctional electrode for alkaline water electrolysis. Morphological analysis indicated the deposition of oxide layer on nickel foam. The synthesized material exhibited favorable catalytic performance compared with bare nickel foam, particularly toward the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in 1 M KOH. The catalyst delivered OER performance of eta 10 = 236 mV and eta 100 = 306 mV, with a Tafel slope of 70 mV dec- 1. For HER, eta 10 = 157 mV and eta 100 = 260 mV were obtained, with a Tafel slope of 107 mV dec- 1. These results demonstrate the potential of the Cr-Mn-Fe-Co-Ni oxide as an efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst for alkaline water splitting.
Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is challenging to treat due to anatomical differences from arterial systems. We present a manually adjustable braided NiTi stent retriever with controllable length-to-diameter ratio for CVST, enabling real-time control of radial force and thrombus engagement. Finite element analysis demonstrated uniform stress distribution under tensile, compressive, and bending loads. Mechanical tests confirmed low radial force and high flexibility. Deployment in a human venous sinus model showed excellent conformability, and in vitro thrombus retrieval tests confirmed superior capture efficiency over a commercial control. This stent overcomes key limitations in venous thrombectomy, providing a promising foundation for CVST-specific devices.
Fire safety is a critical concern in the use of combustible materials as improving ignition delay and retardancy can reduce fire propagation, allow time for emergency response, and safeguard life and property. A 200% increase in ignition delay on bamboo was achieved using argon and hexamethyldisiloxane plasma treatment. This is attributed to the presence of hydrophobic C-H groups, SiOx-like layers, and the formation of char on the surface. These barriers reduce heat penetration and flame propagation. This highlights the use of plasma as a promising, scalable, and environmentally friendly approach to improving the fire ignition delay of bamboo without using halogen-based additives or impregnation processes.
Natural tissues often exhibit “J-shaped” stress-strain responses, combining flexibility with high extensibility. This study fabricated parametric ultrafine fiber networks (UFNs) with sinusoidal rhombic lattices via Melt Electrowriting, embedding them in GelMA60 hydrogel to create biocomposite films (BCFs) replicating this behavior. A 1D3D mortar-type finite element method, based on kinematic coupling between beam centerlines and the solid domain, was developed and validated to analyze BCFs with varying structural parameters. Results demonstrate that composite mechanical properties are effectively tuned by adjusting UFNs geometry. Furthermore, the numerical framework was applied to simulate a biocomposite tubular scaffold (BCTS) featuring a cylindrical fiber network. This work provides a specialized computational tool and design insights for the mechanical regulation of fiber-reinforced hydrogels.
Plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) enables direct growth of graphitic nanostructures with high surface area, open porosity, and good electrical conductivity. Depending on growth conditions, the morphology evolves from isolated ultrathin carbon nanosheets to interconnected wall-like networks known as carbon nanowalls (CNWs), and further to isotropic porous frameworks often referred to as three-dimensional (3D) graphene. Although these architectures share common graphitic building blocks, terminology has often been used inconsistently. This article summarizes the growth behavior, structural characteristics, and representative applications of plasma-grown graphene architectures and clarifies their relationships from a growth-stage-dependent viewpoint. The structures are categorized into nanosheets, CNWs, branched CNWs, and 3D graphene based on geometry and connectivity, representing a continuous morphological transition rather than distinct carbon allotropes. This unified description provides a practical framework for consistent comparison and rational design of plasma-grown nanocarbon materials for electrochemical and energy-related applications.
The present study evaluates the effect of double soaking and tempering (DST) heat treatments on the fracture toughness of a forged MMn steel developed from scrap. Three point bending test demonstrated that DS and tempering at 450 degrees C exhibited the highest apparent fracture toughness (K-IQ similar to 64.5 MPa.m(1/2)), ascribed to abundant lath retained austenite (RA). It effectively deflected the primary crack path and promoted the spread of secondary cracks, thereby dissipating greater energy as compared to the other heat-treated variants as well as forged condition. Fractography revealed predominantly dimples for DS450 degrees C condition, while other conditions showed mixed ductile-cleavage features.
Dual-reinforced aluminum alloy 7075 metal matrix composite coatings were cold-sprayed with varying boron carbide and graphene nanoplatelets amounts. The influence of the reinforcements and particle deformation flattening ratio (FR) on the microstructure and corrosion behavior of coatings was investigated. Microscopy revealed higher flattening ratios and improved density, leading to reduced electrolyte penetration. Excessive reinforcement led to micro-galvanic effects and weaker interfacial bonding, which accelerated localized corrosion. These results highlight the role of reinforcement dispersion and FR in the corrosion resistance of cold-sprayed coatings.
This paper focuses on the development of thermosetting resins with lightweight, excellent thermal stability and oxidation resistance. Specifically, the curing behavior and thermal properties of benzoxazines incorporating nitrile groups at the ortho, meta, and para positions of amine moiety were systematically evaluated to identify the most favorable chemical structures. Furthermore, thermal stability analysis revealed that C2-abn exhibited a high char yield of 68.49% at 800 degrees C. Flame exposure tests and EDS analysis indicated that C2-abn showed superior oxidation resistance with a low oxygen content of 18%. This paper provides insights into how nitrile positioning influences polymer network formation, crosslinking, and thermal performance. Also, the design and performance of high-performance benzoxazines emphasize their potential for application, which can contribute to the advancement of defense materials technology.
To optimize the channel doping process and gate oxide reliability of planar 4H-SiC MOSFETs, this study systematically investigates the influence of aluminum ion implantation temperature (25 degrees C vs. 500 degrees C) on dopant distribution and the quality of the subsequently thermally grown oxide layer. Through comparative analysis of the electrical characteristics and material properties of samples implanted at different temperatures, it is found that under low-concentration aluminum doping, the activation rates for both 25 degrees C and 500 degrees C implants are nearly identical, approaching 100%. However, implantation at 500 degrees C exhibits a higher activation rate under high-concentration doping conditions. In contrast, implantation at 25 degrees C introduces a higher density of dislocations, leading to an increase in interface state density at the interface between the subsequently thermally grown SiO2 layer and the 4H-SiC substrate, as well as a rise in leakage current. The results demonstrate that the implantation temperature directly affects the integrity of the gate dielectric oxide layer by modulating the processes of damage formation and repair, providing critical insights for optimizing the doping process in highperformance SiC power devices.
This study examines the effect of unidirectional porous copper (lotus Cu) on the reliability of Ag-sintered interfaces between Si and Cu during thermal cycling. In high-performance wide-bandgap semiconductor power modules, the large coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch generates significant thermomechanical stresses, leading to interfacial degradation. Lotus Cu, with high vertical thermal conductivity and a low elastic modulus was proposed as an alternative joint material. Si/sintered Ag/lotus Cu and Si/sintered Ag/bulk Cu joints were fabricated via Ag particle paste and evaluated through thermal cycling tests (-55 degrees C to 150 degrees C). After 500 cycles, bulk Cu joints exhibited extensive delamination, whereas lotus Cu joints maintained bonding area with only localized interfacial damage. These results suggest that the unique pore structure of lotus Cu can redistribute thermal stress, provide more complex crack propagation paths, and potentially improve the reliability of the Si/ Cu joint.
Due to high mechanical efficiency, closed-cell aluminum foam (CCAF) is suitable for lightweight structures and energy absorption applications. However, mechanical behavior of CCAF has not been fully apprehended in microstructure parameters. For this reason, closed-cells structure-performance of CCAF has been investigated by using comprehensive experimental and microstructure characterization method. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy has been used to evaluate the morphology, deformation mechanism and crack propagation of CCAF. The results have shown that increase in relative densities is directly related to increase in yield strength, young's modulus and ultimate tensile strength due to improvement of load distribution and reduction of stress concentration in dense cell walls of CCAF.
Electrospun nanofibers with high surface area and tunable morphology are promising platforms for advanced functional materials. In this work, polyaniline (PANI)-graphene composites were blended with poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) and fabricated into nanofibers via electrospinning. Structural, chemical, morphological, and thermal properties were systematically investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results reveal enhanced molecular ordering and strong interfacial interactions among PANI, graphene, and PVA, along with bead-free nanofibers exhibiting an average diameter of similar to 32 nm with a narrow size distribution. TGA demonstrates improved thermal stability with delayed degradation compared to PANI/PVA systems reported in literature, attributed to the stabilizing role of graphene. These findings indicate that materials based on PANI-graphene/PVA nanofibers can serve as a tunable composite platform, which with appropriate compositional or surface modifications may be further developed for specific functional applications.
In this study, Mn4Si7 thermoelectric thin films were deposited on Si(111) and SiO2/Si(111) substrates via magnetron sputtering, and their microstructural as well as electrical temperature-dependent properties were thoroughly investigated. The as-deposited films at room temperature exhibited an amorphous structure, which underwent a phase transition to a polycrystalline state upon annealing at 800 K. This annealing process resulted in a significant reduction of surface defects and the formation of a continuous film composed of nanocrystallites with dimensions in the range of 50-100 nm. The presence of the SiO2 dielectric layer on the substrate induced distinct variations in the film's microstructure and density, which in turn affected its electrical resistivity and thermoelectric performance. The enhancement of thermoelectric properties observed during the amorphous-tocrystalline phase transition is attributed to the selective scattering mechanism of charge carriers at nanocluster boundaries. These findings provide a critical foundation for achieving high-performance Mn4Si7-based thermoelectric thin films and expand their potential applications in thermoelectric devices, paving the way for the development of next-generation energy conversion materials.
