Polymeric scaffolds coated with antimicrobials are promising for the treatment and prevention of osteomyelitis. The literature gap regarding the in vitro viability and applicability of these biomaterials throughout their development pipeline (manufacturing technique and coating method), mechanical properties, antimicrobial capacity, and osteoblastic viability motivated this systematic review to answer the question, "What is the state of the art of antimicrobial-coated scaffolds for bone tissue engineering?". This review was structured according to the PRISMA guidelines, and the search strategy was applied to four databases and the grey literature, without time or language restrictions. The selection process occurred in two phases, blinded and performed independently by the reviewers. Eligibility criteria included in vitro experimental studies that evaluated antimicrobial-coated scaffolds for mechanical properties, antibacterial activity, and cytocompatibility. Of the 635 articles identified, 8 were included, and all had an overall low risk of bias. These were evaluated for fabrication technique, coating method, compression/tension behavior, osteoblastic viability, and antibacterial activity. The limited and heterogeneous literature available suggests that the addition of antimicrobial coating conferred potential antibacterial activity to scaffolds without negatively affecting mechanical performance. The class and concentration of the antibacterial agent appears to influence osteoblastic viability, with dose-dependent cytotoxicity. The available evidence does not allow the identification of which coating approaches, fabrication methods, or antimicrobial concentrations are most effective for specific clinical scenarios—such as acute versus chronic osteomyelitis or weight-bearing versus non-weight-bearing anatomical sites.
Flexible capacitive pressure sensors possess broad application prospects in fields such as wearable devices and smart sensing. Nevertheless, they still face several limitations, including complex fabrication processes, trade-offs between sensitivity and sensing range, and pronounced hysteresis. Drawing inspiration from the mechanical characteristics of bellows structures, herein we constructed a 3D-printed bellows-shaped structure serving as the dielectric layer. Meanwhile, barium titanate (BaTiO3) as a dielectric filler and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as a conductive filler were simultaneously incorporated into the silicone rubber (SR) matrix to enhance the interfacial polarization effect. A bellows-structured capacitive pressure sensor (BSCPS) was rationally developed. The structural design parameters were systematically optimized through finite element simulation and experimental testing. And the optimal content ratios of dual fillers were further investigated. The optimized sensor exhibits a sensitivity of 1.24 kPa−1(0–2.67 kPa) and a wide sensing range of up to 240 kPa, thereby achieving a favorable balance between sensitivity and sensing range. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using dual fillers to improve the electromechanical characteristic of the nanocomposites. Moreover, the BSCPS exhibits enhanced sensing performance, including an ultra-low hysteresis error (1.2%), fast response/recovery times (87.5 ms/100 ms), and long-term stability (6000 load/unload cycles under three different pressure conditions). Benefiting from these characteristics, the sensor can distinguish pressure distributions associated with different sitting postures and can be incorporated into seat cushions. This demonstrates its broad potential in the fields of smart electronics, health monitoring, and healthcare.
Developing highly sensitive, non-invasive point-of-care (POC) devices for bladder cancer screening remains a critical challenge due to the high costs and low sensitivity of current clinical diagnostic methods. To overcome these limitations, this study reports the first-ever development of an ultra-sensitive electrochemical biosensor utilizing a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) modified with a novel silver metal-organic framework integrated with a multilayer Niobium MXene composite (Ag-MOF@multilayer Nb-MXene). The key novelty lies in the synergistic interface of the Ag-MOF@multilayer Nb-MXene composite, which provides an exceptionally stable matrix and vastly accelerated charge-transfer capabilities for the high-density immobilization of cytokeratin-20 (CK-20) antibodies. Benefiting from this unique nano-architecture, the engineered biosensor demonstrated extraordinary analytical performance toward the target biomarker, exhibiting an exceptionally wide linear range from 10 fg/mL to 100 ng/mL and an unprecedentedly low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.001 pg/mL. Finally, the practical utility of this novel platform was successfully validated through the quantitative assessment of CK-20 expression levels in clinical human urine samples. This work introduces a powerful, high-performance strategy for non-invasive, early-stage bladder cancer diagnostics.
Herein, we fabricated trilayer lipid polymer hybrid nanospheres for the co-delivery of the synergistic combination of dasatinib (DTB) and doxorubicin (DOX) for the management of breast cancer. The DTB-loaded PLGA NPs core was prepared and coated with a thin DOX-entrapped lipidic layer, which was further modified with a finely controlled polydopamine (PDA) nanolayer to form trilayer core-shell morphological hybrid nanospheres (TLNPs). Based on preliminary screening and cell viability assays, the 1:2 (Dox: DTB) ratio showed optimal formulation feasibility and was selected for further optimization of hybrid nanospheres (TLNPs). The optimized hybrid carrier system exhibited an efficient entrapment of 83.59 ± 5.66% and 80.24 ± 5.23% for DTB and DOX in the core and shell, respectively. In vitro release studies revealed the controlled and stimuli-responsive release of the entrapped drugs from TLNPs following degradation of the PDA layer in the tumor microenvironment. In vitro cytotoxicity studies exhibited an approximately 12.78-fold reduction in IC50 compared to the DTB-DOX combination. TLNPs exhibited increased ROS generation, apoptosis, and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential compared to the DOX-DAS in MDA-MB-231 cells. TLNPs significantly curtailed the clonogenic and invasion potential of the MDA-MB-231 cells. TLNPs markedly elevated the expression of pro-apoptotic protein BAX in comparison to control (*p < 0.001) and DADO (p < 0.01), conversely Caspase-3 was markedly diminished in TLNP-treated group relative to control (p < 0.001) and DADO (p < 0.001), indicating increased activation of apoptosis. 3D MDA-MB-231 spheroids exhibited enhanced cell death, disintegration and decreased tumor volume when treated with TLNPs compared to the DOX-DAS combination. These results show that the TLNPs could be a promising advanced nanocarrier system for breast cancer management.
Cracks formed in metallic materials during service degrade their performance and structural reliability. In this study, molecular dynamics simulations were used to investigate in situ crack healing, although related concepts in practice are only partial implemented in indirect ways, under thermal and vibrational stimuli. The in situ crack healing was analyzed in three aspects: material properties, crack geometry, and external dynamic regulation. Results of the study show that the critical healing temperature correlates with diffusion activation energy, surface energy, melting point, and electron work function. Temperature-induced phonon softening, coupled with crack-induced local vibrational softening, enhances atomic mobility and enables rapid crack closure near the critical temperature. Parabolic cracks exhibit accelerated healing due to reduced atomic migration distances at tapered tips. For wide cracks, thermal activation alone is insufficient. However, periodic external vibrations significantly reduce the required healing temperature and exhibit strong frequency selectivity, arising from dynamic matching between vibrational and atomic migration timescales. Overall, crack healing in metals is governed by the coupled effects of material properties, crack geometry, and external dynamic regulation, with vibration acting as an important additional control mechanism. This work provides a fundamental framework for understanding metallic self-healing and guiding clues in engineering practice.
Leveraging highly efficient and reversible thermal energy storage and release, phase change materials (PCMs) show immense potential in advanced thermal management. However, the leakage issues, low thermal conductivity, and flammability of organic PCMs severely limit their applications in lithium-ion battery (LIB) thermal management. This work reports the synthesis of a novel microencapsulated PCM (MPCM, OADP/PG), which consists of a polyethylene glycol-modified graphite composite (PEG-g-Graphite, shell) and an intrinsically flame-retardant PCM (OADP, core). With 20 wt% PEG-g-Graphite, OADP/PG20 achieves a thermal conductivity of 0.60 W m−1 K−1, 130.8% higher than that of OADP, and its leakage ratio is only 1.3% at 65 °C. In the candle ignition test, OADP/PG20 exhibits rapid self-extinguishing behavior within 25 s. In addition, under 5 C charge-discharge conditions, OADP/PG20 reduces the maximum surface temperature of the LIB by 10.8 °C. In the LIB thermal runaway (TR) test, OADP/PG20 significantly delays the onset of TR. It also reduces the peak temperature and suppresses the TR propagation. This work develops an advanced MPCM integrating superior thermal conductivity, leakage resistance, latent heat storage, and flame retardancy. It provides a potential material solution for thermal safety management in LIBs.
The rapid development of big data and machine learning is opening up new opportunities for the improvement and design of materials, particularly biodegradable alloys. This review provides an extensive analysis of recent advances in the application of machine learning to biodegradable alloys. Various available approaches to data mining have been discussed, including database searching, self-made experiments, and machine learning-based searching. Advanced machine learning predictive models have been analysed providing their specific applications, such as optimization of the composition, properties and manufacturing conditions of biodegradable alloys. A detailed overview also presents advanced hybrid frameworks focusing on multi-objective prediction for simultaneous optimization of conflicting parameters of biodegradable alloys. In conclusion, the challenges and prospects for refining machine learning models to enable their direct use in automated manufacturing and clinical laboratories, facilitating the design, production, and on-site implementation of biodegradable alloys have been outlined.
The rapid proliferation of information exchange necessitates secure data transmission. Conventional software-based encryption relies on static algorithmic frameworks, making it vulnerable to sophisticated attacks. In contrast, physical unclonable functions (PUFs) generate unique hardware fingerprints to eliminate the risk of key exposure. Inspired by the concept of PUFs, a proton-associated hardware security system is proposed based on a polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan hybrid electrolyte gated indium-zinc-oxide neuromorphic transistor with dual-gate configuration. Enabled by protonic interfacial coupling, the device demonstrates stable synaptic behavior under diverse bending conditions and achieves a paired-pulse facilitation index of ∼303%. Drawing inspiration from biological axon-multisynapse structures, the bionic heterogeneous synaptic dynamics of the dual-gate transistor facilitate physical unclonable image encryption that mimics a tiger-tally mechanism. Additionally, the intrinsic nonlinear dynamics enable a physical reservoir computing system for fingerprint recognition, achieving a classification accuracy of ∼90% under noisy conditions. The work demonstrates the viability of flexible electrolyte-gated transistors as an integrated hardware platform for encryption and neuromorphic computing.
Two sets of alkali-activated pastes based on natural and industrial volcanic residues from Mt. Etna (Italy), namely volcanic ash and basalt sawing sludge, were synthesized to evaluate their microstructural and durability performance for construction and restoration applications. For each precursor, standard and modified formulations were produced, with the latter incorporating Ca-bearing additives, namely slaked lime and Ca-Al bearing cement. Then, the formulations were investigated through a multidisciplinary approach including hydric behaviour, mercury intrusion porosimetry, ultrasonic pulse velocity, colorimetric analysis, infrared thermography, contact angle measurements and ageing tests. Newly obtained X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), Vicat setting time and compressive strength data for basalt sludge-based formulations were integrated with previously reported results for volcanic ash-based binders to establish structure-property-durability relationships. Although the two volcanic precursors showed similar bulk chemical compositions, differences in particle size and mineralogical features strongly influenced the final properties of the pastes. Basalt sludge-based formulations exhibited lower water absorption and higher compactness, while the modified binder showed the highest compressive strength (i.e., 45 MPa). Conversely, the modified volcanic ash-based formulation exhibited the best freeze-thaw resistance. All samples showed high surface hydrophilicity and negligible colorimetric deviations, whereas salt crystallization represented the main durability limitation. Overall, the results highlight both the potential and the limitations of alkali-activated volcanic materials for construction and heritage conservation applications and provide useful insights for further optimization of their physical properties and durability.
Aiming at the complex preparation and insufficient temperature resistance of conventional polymer microspheres, novel core-shell polymer microspheres (PMN@SiO₂) was designed and synthesized via facile interfacial self-assembly strategy. Under the action of high-speed shear force, superhydrophobic nanoparticles are spontaneously and orderly arranged on the surface of water droplets, forming "solid-encapsulated liquid" microreactors, through which polymerization reactions occur to yield core-shell polymer microspheres. PMN@SiO₂ exhibits a distinct core-shell structure, demonstrating superhydrophobicity and high-temperature resistance. Core plugging experiments results indicate that PMN@SiO₂ achieves a plugging efficiency of up to 89.4%. In sand bed tests, the penetration depth into 60–80 mesh sand layers was merely 5.5 cm, while penetration into 80–100 mesh sand layers was only 4.7 cm, demonstrating exceptional plugging capability. On the one hand, PMN@SiO₂ seals formation pores and fractures through the combined effects of downhole differential pressure and electrostatic attraction. Through bridging and stacking between particles, PMN@SiO₂ achieve effective adsorption and retention within pore-fracture spaces, reinforcing the wellbore. On the other hand, the wettability of the rock on the borehole wall is altered. PMN@SiO₂ forms a hydrophobic barrier, inhibits clay particles hydration and swelling, further enhances wellbore stability. An innovative preparation method for water-based drilling fluid plugging agents provides robust technical support for enhancing wellbore stability.
5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) is a key platform molecule obtained from the catalytic dehydration of glucose and fructose, yet its production yield remains limited by the physicochemical properties of the catalysts. In this study, nine functionalized hafnium-based UiO-66 metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) were synthesized via two synthesis methods, solvothermal (ST) and modulated hydrothermal (MHT), and systematically evaluated for glucose dehydration to 5-HMF. Among the series, the sulfonated SO₃H-MHT catalyst exhibited the highest performance, achieving a 5-HMF yield of 67.5% and a 71.1% selectivity at 140 ℃ after 4 h in DMSO, with 45% yield achieved within the first hour, placing it among the top-performing MOF-based catalysts reported to date. Further optimization revealed that a 5-HMF yield of 58% could be achieved in just 1 h at 150 °C. This superior activity is attributed to the synergistic combination of medium-strength Brønsted acid sites (-SO3H), moderate acid density (5.6 H+/g), and a high number of linker defects (2.11), which promote selective glucose dehydration while minimizing humins formation. Comparative analysis revealed that the MHT synthesis method systematically increased acid-site density and linker defects relative to ST synthesis, leading to superior catalytic performance. Furthermore, catalytic activity was strongly influenced by the linker functionality; -NH₂ and -SO₃H groups improved glucose conversion via synergistic interactions with Hf nodes, whereas weaker acidic groups, such as -OH and -COOH, lead to lower activity. Finally, catalyst recycling experiments demonstrated its stability, maintaining a 5-HMF yield of 58% even after four cycles at 150 °C for 1 h. These findings underscore the critical role of coupled acidity and defect engineering in UiO-66(Hf) MOFs and establish design principles for developing highly efficient catalysts for biomass valorization and sustainable chemical production.
Highly sensitive tactile sensors are increasingly important in flexible electronics, wearable devices, soft robotics, and human–machine interfaces, but improving sensitivity often brings compromises in working range, hysteresis, mechanical durability, and fabrication complexity. Biological tactile systems provide useful design clues, as many organisms detect weak mechanical stimuli through micro-/nanostructures that amplify deformation before signal transduction. This review discusses bioinspired micro-/nanostructured materials and devices for amplified tactile sensing, with emphasis on three typical mechanisms: lever amplification, stress localization, and array cooperation. Typical biological examples, including whiskers, trigger hairs, slit sensilla, dome organs, and skin-like receptor arrays, are analyzed to show how geometry, hierarchy, and spatial arrangement influence force transfer, local deformation, and sensing output. We then summarize recent efforts to translate these principles into artificial tactile sensors through material selection, structural design, and micro-/nanofabrication. The discussion focuses on the relationship between structural features and device performance, including sensitivity, detection range, response speed, stability, and application versatility. Finally, we outline remaining challenges in mechanism coupling, material–structure co-design, scalable fabrication, long-term reliability, and performance evaluation. These bioinspired amplification strategies offer practical guidance for developing tactile sensors with improved sensitivity, robustness, and usability in real application environments.
SnTe is an intriguing thermoelectric (TE) material that offers a promising alternative to its toxic Lead-based counterparts. Herein, we demonstrated the energy filtering of the charge carriers in SnTe thin films by incorporating Au nanoparticles (NPs) in SnTe-Au nanocomposite system. The embedded Au NPs introduces band bending potential at the SnTe/Au heterojunction that enables the scattering of low energy holes of the SnTe thin films. The Kelvin force probe microscopy measurements were performed to investigate the charge transport at the SnTe/Au heterojunction. The filtering of low energy holes ultimately leads to a significant improvement in the TE power factor of the nanocomposite samples. A remarkably high-power factor of 25.27 μW/cm-K2 and 79.53 μW/cm-K2 was achieved by incorporating 0.6 at% of the Au NPs at 300 K and 675 K, respectively. Further, the pronounced scattering of phonons by incorporated Au NPs dramatically reduces lattice thermal conductivity, resulting in the high near-room temperature zT of ∼0.25 at 350 K. This work opens a new paradigm for development of a non-toxic and high-performance TE materials by tailoring the transport properties at metal-semiconductor heterojunction.
The development of efficient plasmonic-semiconductor photocatalytic systems relies on the precise control of hot carriers generated by localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). This photocatalyst uniquely drives chemical reactions by producing non-equilibrium hot carriers. Injecting hot carriers from plasmonic metal into a semiconductor can promote reactions through mechanisms such as plasmon-induced electron transfer (PIET), plasmon-induced resonance energy transfer (PIRET), and plasmon-induced interfacial charge-transfer transition (PICTT). Most studies focus on hot electron transfer due to the relatively longer electron lifetime compared to the ultrafast, transient hot hole. This review examines approaches for the simultaneous extraction of hot electrons and hot holes in plasmonic-semiconductor heterostructures. By employing interfacial engineering/Schottky junctions, external force modulation, plasmonic/2D semiconductor hybrids, anisotropic and non-stoichiometric self-doping, both hot electrons and hot holes can be efficiently extracted. This bipolar hot carrier system creates localized energetic electrons as reductive sites and energetic holes as oxidative sites, resulting in improved catalytic performance. Integrating dual-carrier extraction enables more effective solar spectrum utilization and provides a robust foundation for designing highly selective catalysts. This study discusses hot-carrier generation and thermalization, extraction (barrier crossing probability), theoretical models for quantifying hot-carrier yield, injection mechanisms, synergistic hot-carrier utilization, optimized architecture design, and advanced techniques for plasmonic hot-carrier characterization. The review identifies critical knowledge gaps and outlines future directions, including the development of alternative earth-abundant plasmonic materials and advanced spectroscopic methods with theoretical modeling (DFT and FDTD) to bridge laboratory findings and practical, large-scale photocatalytic applications.
High-quality AlN films were achieved on p-Si(111) substrates with a combined pretreatment using TMAl and NH3 in the initial stage of heteroepitaxial growth of metalorganic chemical vapor deposition procedure. We demonstrated that the combined pretreatment enables the formation of an ultrathin AlN crystal nucleation seed layer on the Si(111) substrate surface. This layer effectively suppresses the formation of amorphous SixNy impurities on Si surface and provides abundant uniform nucleation sites for subsequent AlN epitaxial growth, thus greatly improving crystalline quality of thin films. Benefiting from the pretreatment, pits on AlN surface are eliminated and an atomically smooth surface is achieved with a root-mean-square roughness of only 0.274 nm over a 5 µm ×5 µm scanned area. The full width at half maximum of AlN (002) X-ray rocking curve is reduced to 0.26°. A photodetector based on AlN/p-Si heterojunction exhibits outstanding photodetection performance with low dark current and high photo-to-dark current ratio of 3.25 × 103 in vacuum UV wavelength region.
