Memristors are promising components for neuromorphic computing because of their resistive switching and synaptic functionalities, enabling more energy‐efficient computing architectures. Lead halide perovskites are attractive memristive materials due to their coupled ionic‐electronic conductivity, but lead toxicity limits their practical use. Herein, we report a new lead‐free hybrid zinc halide, (CHA)2[ZnI4] (CHA = cyclohexylammonium), synthesized through a simple, scalable, and environmentally friendly route. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction shows that the compound crystallizes in a noncentrosymmetric structure composed of isolated (ZnI4)2− tetrahedra separated by CHA cations, resembling Ruddlesden–Popper phases despite its zero‐dimensional nature. Although the material is polar, no ferroelectric behavior is observed due to dominant electrical losses, likely related to its relatively narrow 2.3 eV bandgap. Memristors based on (CHA)2[ZnI4] exhibit stable and reproducible electroforming‐free resistive switching at low voltages, together with short‐ and long‐term synaptic plasticity under pulsed bias. These results establish (CHA)2[ZnI4] as a promising sustainable material for memory and neuromorphic applications and demonstrate the potential of Zn‐based hybrid halides for advanced electronic devices.
Utilizing hydrogels to remodel the adaptive microenvironment provides an effective strategy for mitigating chronic inflammation in spinal cord injury (SCI) repair. However, the persistent detrimental impact of inflammation on SCI remains a critical issue requiring urgent resolution. This study developed an in situ cross‐linked alginate hydrogel stabilized by Zn2+ coordination, functionalized with His‐tagged NT3 to enable anti‐inflammatory modulation and neural regeneration following SCI. The hydrogel consists of sodium alginate, zinc sulfate (a Zn2+ source), and His‐NT3 (a neurotrophic factor). Within this system, sodium alginate forms reversible metal–ligand coordination bonds with Zn2+, while the His‐NT3 protein is integrated via affinity‐based interactions, contributing to localized retention and sustained therapeutic delivery. Experimental results demonstrate that this alginate‐based injectable hydrogel effectively modulates immune responses, promotes axonal regeneration, and concurrently enhances neurotransmitter‐associated synaptogenesis and remyelination. Furthermore, significant improvements were observed in the recovery of neurological functions, including motor function, sensory function, and bladder function. Collectively, these results demonstrate the promising potential of this alginate‐based injectable hydrogel for the treatment of traumatic SCI.
Through their large highly hydrophobic binding pockets, odorant‐binding proteins (OBPs) provide ideal confined environments that can be leveraged to study the conformational ensembles of small volatile molecules under different conditions. To investigate how the conformational landscape of odorants changes between the gas and the condensed phase, we analyzed 1‐octen‐3‐ol (OCT) and bovine OBP (bOBP). Quantum chemical (QC) calculations are combined with high‐resolution microwave spectroscopy to sample the conformational landscape of OCT. To characterize the conformational ensembles of OCT sampled in the gas, water, and protein environment, full atomistic molecular dynamics simulations are carried out. As a supporting parameterization step, different partial charge models are benchmarked for OCT, identifying the ATB webserver as the most consistent option with the reference QC energy landscape. Contrary to previous observations of carvone bound to pOBP, the aqueous environment exhibits a conformational space that matches the gas and protein environment, indicating the presence of lower barriers to interconversion between OCT conformers in the condensed phase. Additionally, the experimentally validated gas‐phase conformer matches the reported structure of OCT in complex with bOBP co‐crystallized in the PDB. Together with the experimental data, the simulations provide a general framework for identifying conformational sub‐spaces of volatile organic compounds in confined environments.
Potassium‐ion batteries (KIBs) are a leading candidate for low‐cost energy storage, yet their commercial viability hinges on full cell stability and thermal safety rather than the half cell metrics that dominate the literature. Both are governed by the electrolyte. This review examines recent KIB progress through electrolyte solvation chemistry and its control over the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI), showing how salt and solvent selection dictate sheath composition and whether an anion‐ or solvent‐derived interphase forms. Studies are sorted by whether the solvation structure was characterized, separating electrolytes that are adopted, formulated for a bulk property, or engineered at the sheath. The division is sharpest among the anodes: every solvation‐engineered study uses unmodified commercial graphite, while adopted‐electrolyte studies reach for modified carbons and conversion anodes, placing their engineering on opposite sides of the interface. Thermal safety proves interfacial rather than a bulk‐solvent problem, as nonflammable electrolytes still drive a low‐temperature anode‐initiated exotherm that interphase stabilization delays more effectively than nonflammability alone. That conclusion rests on a narrow base, since all available calorimetry uses potassiated graphite. We identify the half cell‐to‐full cell gap and interphase‐mediated capacity loss as the central obstacles to practical KIBs.
We provide design guidelines for obtaining functional indium (III) oxide nanowire (NW) (In2O3 NW) meshes for chemiresistive sensing via a practical, single‐step templating route that utilizes a precursor‐infused block copolymer (BCP) ink. This approach realizes a long‐sought promise of BCP‐templated functional nanostructures: reproducible patterning of active sensing materials with tunable morphology and high scalability potential. By varying BCP molecular weight, we systematically tune NW geometry and network connectivity, correlate morphology with baseline resistivity and chemiresistive metrics toward volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and identify an optimal BCP molecular weight that maximizes sensitivity. An optimized thermal annealing protocol sinters the sensory NW mesh, increasing its electrical conductivity by two orders of magnitude and stabilizing chemical and microstructural state, which yields durable, repeatable responses. Using the optimized morphology and annealing protocol, we evaluate sensing against six types of model VOC air pollutants, demonstrating robust high sensitivity. By correlating the performance with structural parameters, we establish quantitative guidelines linking BCP molecular weight, NW geometry, percolation, electrical resistivity, and VOC detection sensitivity. This method combines the nanoscale precision and tunability of BCP templating with the practicality of spin‐coating processes, establishing a reproducible process blueprint compatible with large‐area deposition techniques, pending future optimization of strict process control parameters.
