Advanced Functional Materials

Spinal cord injury (SCI) poses significant challenges for regeneration due to a series of secondary injury mechanisms, including ischemia, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation. These pathological processes lead to neuronal apoptosis and create a microenvironment that hinders neural regeneration. Recent advancements in tissue engineering have introduced biomaterials that feature precisely engineered micro-and nanoscale topographical cues, representing a novel class of therapeutic interventions. These biomimetic scaffolds are designed to modulate the mechanotransduction pathways of neural stem cells (NSCs), thereby enhancing neurogenesis and guiding neuronal differentiation. They also influence essential cellular processes such as adhesion, cytoskeletal alignment, morphological polarization, and gene regulation. This review systematically evaluates current strategies for optimizing topographical designs, emphasizing their role in promoting neurite outgrowth, axonal guidance, and synaptic reformation. The mechanisms are elucidated by which scaffold topographies regulate NSC fate decisions through mechanobiological signaling and interactions with the extracellular matrix. Additionally, critical barriers are analyzed for clinical translation, including the precision fabrication of tunable architectures, the scalability of novel materials, and strategies to mitigate glial scar formation. By synthesizing interdisciplinary insights from biomaterial science, neurobiology, and translational medicine, this work aims to provide a roadmap for developing next-generation topographical scaffolds that address the pressing clinical need for effective SCI repair.

Microporous carbon materials are widely used in gas storage, sorbents, supercapacitor electrodes, water desalination, and catalyst supports. While these microporous carbons usually have a particle size in the 1–100 μm range, here the synthesis of porous carbide‐derived carbon (CDC) with particle diameters around 30 nm by extraction of titanium from nanometer‐sized titanium carbide (TiC) powder at temperatures of 200 °C and above is reported. Nanometer‐sized CDCs prepared at 200–400 °C show a disordered structure and the presence of CN sp1 bonds. Above 400 °C, the CN bond disappears with the structure transition to disordered carbon similar to that observed after synthesis from carbide micropowders. Compared to CDCs produced from micrometer‐sized TiC, nano‐CDC has a broader pore size distribution due to interparticle porosity and a large contribution from the surface layers. The material shows excellent electrochemical performance due to its easily accessible pores and a large specif...

Intrinsic, two-dimensional (2D) ferromagnetic semiconductors are an important class of materials for spin-charge conversion applications. Cr2Ge2Te6 retains long-range magnetic order in bilayer at cryogenic temperatures and shows complex magnetic interactions with considerable magnetic anisotropy. Here, we performed a series of structural, magnetic, X-ray scattering, electronic, thermal transport and first-principles calculation studies which reveal that localized electronic charge carriers in Cr2Ge2Te6 are dressed by surrounding lattice and are involved in polaronic transport via hopping that is sensitive on details of magnetocrystalline anisotropy. This opens possibility for manipulation of charge transport in Cr2Ge2Te6 -based devices by electron-phonon-and spin-orbit coupling-based tailoring of polaron properties.

Research developing molecularly targeted medical imaging and therapy has increased tremendously in recent years. The principle is based on the detection of probes providing imaging contrast that can be targeted to specific molecular markers. The potential of molecularly targeted contrast agents to elucidate molecular processes, to provide specific diagnosis and to help to target therapy has been demonstrated. Although, positron emission tomography (PET) is the most well-established molecular imaging technique and provides the highest sensitivity for probe detection, ultrasound and

Digital programmable metasurfaces provide a very powerful and versatile platform for implementing spatio‐temporal modulation schemes that are of great interest within the emerging framework of space–time metastructures. In particular, space–time‐coding digital metasurfaces have been successfully applied to advanced wavefront‐manipulations in both the spatial and spectral domains. However, conventional space–time‐coding schemes do not allow the joint syntheses of the transmission/scattering angular responses at multiple frequencies, which are potentially useful in a variety of applications of practical interest. Here, a strategy is put forward to lift this limitation, thereby enabling joint multi‐frequency beam shaping and steering, that is, the independent and simultaneous syntheses of prescribed scattering patterns at given harmonic frequencies. The proposed approach relies on a more sophisticated space–time coding, with suitably designed, and temporally intertwined coding sub‐sequ...

In the present investigation, we reported a novel green strategy for the biological synthesis of calcium carbonate crystals using water-soluble polysaccharides extracted from the apple and pear. The resultant crystals were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD). The results showed that water-soluble polysaccharides as a soft template were easy to induce calcium carbonate with unusual morphologies (such as straw bundles-like). Based on the time-dependent growth of CaCO 3 particles, possible mechanisms were proposed for the formation of straw bundle-like CaCO 3 microspheres with secondary structures in the presence of water-soluble polysaccharides.

Recently, all-inorganic cesium lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (IPNCs) (CsPbX 3 , X = Cl, Br, I) were discovered to possess superior optical gain properties appealing for solutionprocessed cost-effective lasers. Yet, the potential of such materials has not been exploited for practical laser devices, rendering the prospect as laser media elusive. Herein, we realized for the first time the challenging but practically desirable vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) based on the CsPbX 3 IPNCs, featuring low threshold (9 μJ/cm 2 ), unidirectional output (beam divergence of ~3.6º) and favorable stability. The lasing wavelength can be tuned across red, green and blue region maintaining comparable thresholds, which is promising in developing single source-pumped full-color visible lasers. It is fully demonstrated that the characteristics of the VCSELs can be versatilely engineered by independent adjustment of the cavity and solution processable nanocrystals. Our results represent a significant leap towards practical laser sources leveraging on the advantageous CsPbX 3 IPNCs.

Herein, the preparation of silver particle containing microfibril cotton as filling material and fluid dispersant with intrinsic anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties is presented. Upon finding cherished results for such characteristics through different assays, it may be concluded that the protection against the bacterial and fungal infections can be improved and hence the contact time of such products with the body. Whereas, the overall appalling effects on health could also be reduced by application of such materials. The cotton fluff pulp was extracted from commercial diapers and without any further treatment, the loading of silver particles through chemical and sonochemical methods was established. The characterization of the material for silver-ion loadings was accomplished via using multiple instrumental techniques majorly UV-Visible spectrophotometer, thrmogravemetric analysis and elemental analysis whereas, for antimicrobial efficacies, disc diffusion method was incorpo...

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) hold immense potential as sustainable energy sources, with waste materials serving as promising materials for their fabrication. Nearly 270 million tons of waste is produced yearly, most of which remains unrecycled. TENGs can utilize this wide range of waste to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy while providing a solution for the global issue of plastic waste. On the other hand, the enormous demand for wearable electronics and the Internet of Things (IoT) trigger the development of self-reliant energy sources. Currently, TENGs are one of the preferred choices as they are easy to design and generate high output. In this regard, TENGs are promising for utilizing waste materials, particularly for self-powered or energy-autonomous applications. This review focuses on utilizing waste materials from diverse sources, including biowaste, household waste, medical, laboratory, pharmaceutical, textile, electronic waste (e-waste), and automotive waste for TENG development. Different waste materials are detailed for their potential as materials for TENGs, their availability, and recycling methods. The review also highlights the applications of TENGs fabricated from waste materials. Finally, the challenges, limitations, and future perspectives of using waste materials for TENG fabrication are discussed to motivate further advances.

Biologically inspired, fibrillar dry adhesives continue to attract much attention as they are instrumental for emerging applications and technologies. To date, the adhesion of micropatterned gecko-inspired surfaces has predominantly been tested on stiff, smooth substrates. However, all natural and almost all artificial surfaces have roughnesses on one or more different length scales. In the present approach, micropillar-patterned PDMS surfaces with superior adhesion to glass substrates with different roughnesses are designed and analyzed. The results reveal for the first time adhesive and nonadhesive states depending on the micropillar geometry relative to the surface roughness profile. The data obtained further demonstrate that, in the adhesive regime, fibrillar gecko-inspired adhesive structures can be used with advantage on rough surfaces; this finding may open up new applications in the fields of robotics, biomedicine, and space exploration.

We present far‐infrared (FIR) reflection studies for Zn1–x Mnx Se. It is found that a modified oscillator model provides improved agreement with the experimental data. Our results suggest an intermediate‐mode behavior for the optical phonon modes in Zn1–x Mnx Se. In addition to the known ZnSe‐like and MnSe‐like phonon resonances a weak defect‐related feature ‘D’ is found below the MnSe‐like phonon band. The frequency of this feature shows a temperature and Mn dependent red‐shift. Furthermore, the observation of a drastic reduction in the free‐electron concentration with increasing Mn content suggests a compensation effect related to the formation of Mn‐related defect complexes. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Organic stilbazolium family single crystal 4-N, N-diethylamino-4-N-methyl-stilbazolium Iodide (DESI) has been successfully grown from aqueous methanol solution by adopting slow solvent evaporation technique. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis was carried out and it shows that DESI crystal belongs to triclinic structure with P-1 space group. The presence of hydrogen in the crystal structure was determined by recording H 1 NMR spectrum. The excitation spectrum of the DESI was recorded by fluorescence analysis. The thermal study confirms the stability of the material.

Natural tissues and extracellular matrices (ECMs) are not purely elastic materials but exhibit dissipative properties. Although it has recently emerged as a novel regulator of cellular responses, the contribution of material dissipation to guiding cell-fate decisions is still in its infancy. Here, a strategy for tuning the dissipation rate of viscoplastic substrates while precisely regulating linear elasticity is reported. Semi-interpenetrating substrates consisting of a rigid hydrogel network intertwined with a branched biopolymer are described. The release of these weak physical entanglements under loading dissipates the applied stress and leads to the extension of the linear elasticity. These results reveal a crucial link between this material property and cell response in 2D cultures, impacting cell migration mode and speed, vinculin-dependent focal adhesion geometry and size, F-actin organization, the transmission of forces, and Yes-associated protein nuclear translocation. It is shown that cells require joint actomyosin contractility and microtubule tension to probe the substrate and decide whether or not to adhere, revealing a clear correlation between force transmission, substrate dissipation rate, and amount of anchoring points. Overall, these findings introduce linear elasticity as a novel design parameter for assembling tunable dissipative materials to study cell mechanosensing in 2D and possibly also in 3D cultures.

A cost-effective and sustainable approach was used to enhance the thermoelectric performance of printable thermoelectric composite films. Using this approach, we are trying to get rid of the highly energy-intensive (high temperature and long duration) and time-consuming process of manufacturing thermoelectric generators. This study presents a unique approach of using an environmental-friendly and naturally occurring binder, a heterogeneous particle size distribution and applied mechanical pressure to fabricate n-type thermoelectric composite films. Recently spotlighted biomaterial, chitosan, was employed as a binder and it provided enough binding strength to the composite thermoelectric films. Bi 2 Te 2.7 Se 0.3 is an attractive n-type thermoelectric material because of its high thermoelectric performance. In this work, we are using two different (100-mesh and 325-mesh) n-type Bi 2 Te 2.7 Se 0.3 thermoelectric conductive particles for thermoelectric composite films to understand the role of wide-range particle distribution on thermoelectric composite films. In addition, two different weight ratios (1:2000 and 1:5000) of binders to Bi 2 Te 2.7 Se 0.3 particle and two different applied pressures (150 MPa and 200 MPa) were used for this study. The application of pressure and the use of a heterogenous particle distribution improves the packing density which leads to well-aggregated and coalesced polycrystal bulk-like structure in chitosan 100-mesh (heterogeneous particle distribution) Bi 2 Te 2.7 Se 0.3 thermoelectric composite films and hence improves the overall electrical conductivity and power factor. The best performing composite film was made with an ink of a 1:2000 weight ratio of binder to100-mesh Bi 2 Te 2.7 Se 0.3 and the applied pressure was 200 MPa. The electrical conductivity was 200 ± 7 S cm À1 , the Seebeck coefficient was À201 ± 6 lV K À1 , the power factor was 808 ± 69.7 lW m À1 K À2 , the thermal conductivity was 0.6 W m À1 K À1 , and the figure of merit was 0.4 at room temperature. Using energy efficient, sustainable, and cost effective method we achieved ZT of 0.40 for n-type thermoelectric composite films which is comparable to other printed n-type TE composite films. A 2-leg n-type Bi 2 Te 2.7 Se 0.3 device was fabricated with a power output of 0.48 lW at a closed circuit voltage of 2.1 mV and DT of 12 K.

Robust catechol coatings for enhanced moisture tolerance were produced in one step by direct reaction of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) with synthetic catechols. We ascribe the rapid formation of homogeneous coatings around the metal-organic framework particles to the biomimetic catalytic activity of Cu(II) dimers in the external surface of the crystals. Use of fluorinated catechols results in hydrophobic, permeable coatings that protect HKUST from water degradation while retaining close to 100% of its original sorption capacity.

Rechargeable graphite dual‐ion batteries are extremely appealing for grid‐level stationary storage of electricity, thanks to the low‐cost and high‐performance metrics, such as high‐power density, energy efficiency, long cycling life, and good energy density. An in‐depth understanding of the anion intercalation mechanism in graphite is fundamental for the design of highly efficient systems. In this work, a comparison is presented between pyrolytic (PG) and natural (NG) graphite as positive electrode materials in rechargeable aluminum batteries, employing an ionic liquid electrolyte. The two systems are characterized by operando synchrotron energy‐dispersive X‐ray diffraction and time‐resolved computed tomography simultaneously, establishing a powerful characterization methodology, which can also be applied more in general to carbon‐based energy‐related materials. A more in‐depth insight into the AlCl4−/graphite intercalation mechanism is obtained, evidencing a mixed‐staged region in ...

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are pivotal regulators of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and major contributors to resistance against conventional and immunotherapeutic interventions. Rather than eliminating TAMs, emerging strategies aim to functionally reprogram them toward an antitumor phenotype, a therapeutic objective uniquely enabled by the precise, transient, and non-integrating nature of mRNA, which allows reversible modulation without genomic risk. Recent progress in nanocarrier design has improved selective delivery to TAMs through both passive uptake and active targeting, with administration routes tailored to tumor location. Precise immunomodulatory interventions in macrophages, accomplished by mRNA payloads designed to induce pro-inflammatory polarization, enhance phagocytosis, or block immunosuppressive signals, thereby remodel the tumor immune microenvironment and generate synergy with established treatments. Future efforts might concentrate on macrophage heterogeneity, carrier immunogenicity, and scalable formulation development to advance clinical translation, not only in cancer but also in other diseases shaped by dysregulated macrophage function.

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Recently, photo‐controlled reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization has been successfully applied in digital light processing 3D printing. It provides a convenient way to tune the surface properties of the 3D printed object. However, so far, 3D micro‐ and nanostructures and reconfigurations based on photo‐induced RAFT polymerization have not been presented. In this work, one macro‐photoiniferter, synthesized by photo‐controlled RAFT polymerization is applied, to 3D direct laser writing. Thanks to the exquisite spatial control of the photoreaction, 3D microstructures with feature sizes of around 500 nm are successfully obtained. Taking advantage of the presence of dormant polymeric RAFT agents, photo‐induced post‐modification of the printed microstructures is highlighted via the elaboration of multi‐chemistry patterns including thermo‐responsive ones. These results open new perspectives in multi‐material and 4D micro‐printing.

Altogether, seven Zintl compounds in the solid solution Ca 9-x Yb x Zn 4.5-y Cu y Sb 9 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.5, 0 ≤ y ≤ 0.15) system were successfully prepared by the molten Pb-flux and hot-pressing method. From the powder X-ray and single crystal X-ray diffraction investigations, all these isotypic phases were observed to have been crystallized in the Ca 9 Mn 4 Bi 9type phase (space group Pbam, Z = 2, Pearson code oP45). The overall crystal structure consists of complex anionic [Zn 4 Sb 9 ] clusters and the space-filling cationic elements. Notably, the central Zn1 site in a triangular coordinate exhibited a partial occupation and a relatively large atomic displacement parameter, which was necessary for the charge balance of the title compounds. All five intra-layer and inter-layer cationic sites showed the Ca/Yb mixed-occupancy with Yb presenting a specific site-preference for the A3 site. Density functional theory calculations unveiled a synergistic effect of the Yb-substitution and the p-type Cu-doping increased carrier concentration by reducing bond polarity through the tuning of the electronegativity difference. Thermoelectric property measurements further validated that the given synergistic effect was successful in enhancing the electrical conductivities of the quinary title compounds compared to the parental ternary compound Ca 9 Zn 4.5 Sb 9. As a result, the title compound Ca 8 YbZn 4.4 Cu 0.1 Sb 9 achieved the largest figure-of-merit of 0.81 at 843 K, which should be attributed to improved electrical transport properties while maintaining balanced thermal conductivity.

In electronics, the field‐effect transistor (FET) is a crucial cornerstone and successful integration of this semiconductor device into circuit applications requires stable and ideal electrical characteristics over a wide range of temperatures and environments. Solution processing, using printing or coating techniques, has been explored to manufacture organic field‐effect transistors (OFET) on flexible carriers, enabling radically novel electronics applications. Ideal electrical characteristics, in organic materials, are typically only found in single crystals. Tiresome growth and manipulation of these hamper practical production of flexible OFETs circuits. To date, neither devices nor any circuits, based on solution‐processed OFETs, has exhibited an ideal set of characteristics similar or better than today's FET technology based on amorphous silicon. Here, bar‐assisted meniscus shearing of dibenzo‐tetrathiafulvalene to coat‐process self‐organized crystalline organic semiconduct...

Organic photovoltaics are under intense development and significant focus has been placed on tuning the donor ionization potential and acceptor electron affinity to optimize open circuit voltage. Here, it is shown that for a series of regioregular‐poly(3‐hexylthiophene):fullerene bulk heterojunction (BHJ) organic photovoltaic devices with pinned electrodes, integer charge transfer states present in the dark and created as a consequence of Fermi level equilibrium at BHJ have a profound effect on open circuit voltage. The integer charge transfer state formation causes vacuum level misalignment that yields a roughly constant effective donor ionization potential to acceptor electron affinity energy difference at the donor–acceptor interface, even though there is a large variation in electron affinity for the fullerene series. The large variation in open circuit voltage for the corresponding device series instead is found to be a consequence of trap‐assisted recombination via integer cha...

Systematic investigation of the contact resistance in electrolyte‐gated organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs) demonstrates a dependence of source charge injection versus gate electrode work function. This analysis reveals contact‐limitations at the source metal‐semiconductor interface and shows that the contact resistance increases as low work function metals are used as the gate electrode. These findings are attributed to the establishment of a built‐in potential that is high enough to prevent the Fermi‐level pinning at the metal‐organic interface. This results in an unfavorable energetic alignment of the source electrode with the valence band of the organic semiconductor. Since the operating voltage in the electrolyte‐gated devices is on the same order as the variation of the work functions, it is possible to tune the contact resistance over more than one order of magnitude by varying the gate metal.

Synthesizing metal oxides through the sol–gel process provides a convenient way for forming a nanostructured layer in wide band gap semiconductors. In this paper, a unique method of introducing dopants into the metal oxide semiconductor is presented. The doped TiO2 is prepared by adding a Cs2CO3 solution to a nanocrystalline TiO2 solution that is synthesized via a non‐hydrolytic sol–gel process. The properties of the TiO2:Cs layer are investigated and the results show stable nanostructure morphology. In addition to providing morphological stability, Cs in TiO2 also gives rise to a more desirable work function for charge transport in organic electronics. Polymer solar cells based on the poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT): methanofullerene (PC70BM) system with the addition of a TiO2:Cs interfacial layer exhibit excellent characteristics with a power conversion efficiency of up to 4.2%. The improved device performance is attributed to an improved polymer/metal contact, more efficient electr...

This work was supported in part by the NSF (CAREER Award CHE-0456130), the ACS-PRF (39729-AC5M) and UCSC. Supporting Information is available including a representative Langmuir isotherm and additional AFM images of Janus nanoparticle aggregates.

Nominally pure nanocrystalline KTaO 3 was thoroughly investigated by micro-Raman and magnetic resonance spectroscopic techniques. In all samples the defect driven ferroelectricity and magnetism are registered. Both ordering states are suggested to appear due to the iron atoms and oxygen vacancies. The concentration of defects was estimated to be 0.04 and 0.06-0.1 mole %, respectively. Note that undoped single crystals of KTaO 3 are nonmagnetic and have never exhibited ferromagnetic properties. The results enable us to refer a nanosized KTa(Fe)O 3 to the class of multiferroics and assume that it could perform the magnetoelectric effect at T<29 K. It was also established that the critical concentration of impurity defects necessary to provoke the appearance of the new phase states in the material strongly correlates with the size of the particle; as the size of the particle decreases, the critical concentration decreases as well.

IF/00808/2013 (POPH, UE-FSE). M.R. acknowledges the financial support from the project PTDC/FIS-NAN/0909/2014, FCT, Portugal.The adsorption of intact liposomes on surfaces is of great importance for the development of sensors and drug delivery systems and, also, strongly dependent on the surface roughness where the liposomes are adsorbed. In this paper, we analyzed, by using atomic force microscopy in liquid, the evolution of the morphology of gold surfaces and of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) surfaces with different roughness during the adsorption of liposomes prepared with the synthetic phospholipid 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-[phospho-rac-(1-glycerol)]. Our results reveal the following. On smooth surfaces of Au only and Au with PAH, the liposomes open and deploy on the substrate, creating a supported-lipid bilayer, with the opening process being faster on the Au/PAH surface. On rough substrates of Au coated with polyelectrolyte multilayers, the liposomes were adsorbed int...

TlBiTe 2 and TlBiSe 2 -that are ternary analogs of the IV-VI semiconductors-, although they crystallize in the same space group R3m (D 5 3d ), exhibit different behaviour during heating. The observed phase transformation depends on Se content (x) in the system TlBi(Te 1-x Se x ) 2 and the transformation disappears by increasing Se content after a certain value (x=0.25). This dependence is examined through the analysis of the DSC nonisothermal measurements and an attempt for the explanation of the observed behaviour is undertaken through the consideration of off -center atoms.

The use of cancer immunotherapy has considerably revolutionized cancer treatment by leveraging the immune system's capacity to specifically target and eliminate malignant cells. However, the field still faces several ongoing challenges, including poor tumor invasion, immune resistance, and off-target effects. The targeted administration of immunotherapeutics using polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs) has been shown to increase both efficacy and specificity. In this review, we discuss the cutting-edge technology of PNPs to improve the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy. This paper summarizes the steps in designing and developing PNPs for the targeted delivery of immune modulators, antigens, and other bioactive compounds. It also discusses the current challenges in immunotherapy and explores the mechanisms by which PNPs enhance therapeutic outcomes. Tumor microenvironment modifications, immunological activation, and prolonged release of therapeutic agents are described, highlighting the successes of PNPs in cancer treatment are highlighted.

As one of the most promising negative electrode materials in lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs), SnO2 experiences intense investigation due to its high specific capacity and energy density, relative to conventional graphite anodes. In this study, for the first time, atomic layer deposition (ALD) is used to deposit SnO2, containing both amorphous and crystalline phases, onto graphene nanosheets (GNS) as anodes for LIBs. The resultant SnO2‐graphene nanocomposites exhibit a sandwich structure, and, when cycled against a lithium counter electrode, demonstrate a promising electrochemical performance. It is demonstrated that the introduction of GNS into the nanocomposites is beneficial for the anodes by increasing their electrical conductivity and releasing strain energy: thus, the nanocomposite electrode materials maintain a high electrical conductivity and flexibility. It is found that the amorphous SnO2‐GNS is more effective than the crystalline SnO2‐GNS in overcoming electrochemical and mec...

their simple colloidal synthesis, abundant nature, environmentally friendly compositions, and excellent memory functionalities, these fully carbon-based non-volatile optoelectronic memories offer promising prospects for the field's future development. CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1 Chapter 1 fonctionner dans le spectre SWIR. À cette fin, la question de savoir s'il existe des nanomatériaux candidats appropriés qui peuvent offrir un compromis entre la facilité de fabrication et les propriétés du dispositif est toujours ouverte. D'autre part, pour les mémoires optoélectroniques basées sur des transistors à effet de champ, des efforts de recherche continus sont nécessaires pour fournir une meilleure et plus longue capacité de mémoire sans augmenter leur faible consommation d'énergie ou augmenter les coûts de fabrication. Pour les deux applications susmentionnées, de nouvelles solutions de dispositifs peuvent être conçues en proposant des matériaux innovants. En particulier, les nanocristaux semi-conducteurs colloïdaux sont avantageux en raison de leur facilité de mise en solution, de leur absorption spectrale réglable en taille et de leur compatibilité avec différents substrats. La combinaison de nanomatériaux colloïdaux avec des semiconducteurs plus conventionnels peut permettre de réaliser des dispositifs hybrides qui tirent parti à la fois de la mobilité élevée des porteurs de charge des matériaux semiconducteurs conventionnels et de la possibilité d'accorder (dès la synthèse) les propriétés optiques et électroniques des nanocristaux colloïdaux.

In this paper we demonstrated experimentally and theoretically that the rotation of the polarization of incident light is intrinsic property of 3-dimensional photonic crystals. An opal crystal was used as an example. This effect should be taken into account when discussing polarization anisotropy of finite size photonic crystals because its magnitude is comparable to the transmission/reflectance in co-polarized light.

2D van der Waals ferroelectrics, particularly α-In2Se3, have emerged as an attractive building block for next-generation information storage technologies due to their moderate band gap and 2 robust ferroelectricity stabilized by dipole locking. α-In2Se3 can adopt either the distorted zincblende or wurtzite structures; however, the wurtzite phase has yet to be experimentally validated, and its large-scale synthesis poses significant challenges. Here, we report an in-situ transport growth of centimeter-scale wurtzite type α-In2Se3 films directly on SiO2 substrates using a process combining pulsed laser deposition and chemical vapor deposition. We demonstrate that it is a narrow bandgap ferroelectric semiconductor, featuring a Curie temperature exceeding 620 K, a tunable bandgap (0.8-1.6 eV) modulated by charged domain walls, and a large optical absorption coefficient of 1.3 ×10 6 /cm. Moreover, light absorption promotes the dynamic conductance range, linearity, and symmetry of the synapse devices, leading to a high recognition accuracy of 92.3% in a supervised pattern classification task for neuromorphic computing. Our findings demonstrate a ferroelectric polymorphism of In2Se3, highlighting its potential in ferroelectric synapses for neuromorphic computing.

The construction of biomimetic microenvironments with specific chemical and physical cues for the organization and modulation of a variety of cell populations is of key importance in tissue engineering. We show that a range of human cell types, including promyoblasts, chondrocytes, adipocytes, adenovirally transduced osteoprogenitors, immunoselected mesenchymal stem cells, and the osteogenic factor, rhBMP-2 (BMP: bone morphogenic protein), can be successfully encapsulated within mineralized polysaccharide capsules without loss of function in vivo. By controlling the extent of mineralization within the alginate/chitosan shell membrane, degradation of the shell wall and release of cells or rhBMP-2 into the surrounding medium can be regulated. In addition, we describe for the first time the ability to generate bead-in-bead capsules consisting of spatially separated cell populations and temporally separated biomolecule release, entrapped within alginate/chitosan shells of variable thick...

Polymersomes are vesicles whose membranes are comprised of self-assembled block co-polymers. We recently showed that co-encapsulating conjugated multi-porphyrin dyes in a polymersome membrane with ferritin protein in the aqueous lumen confers photo-lability to the polymersome. In the present study, we illustrate that the photo-lability can be extended to vesicles containing dextran, an inert and inexpensive polysaccharide, as the luminal solute. Here we explore how structural features of the polymersome/porphyrin/dextran composite affect its photo-response. Increasing dextran molecular weight, decreasing block copolymer molecular weight, and altering fluorophore-membrane interactions results in increasing the photo-responsiveness of the polymersomes. Amphiphilic interactions of the luminal encapsulant with the membrane coupled with localized heat production in the hydrophobic bilayer likely cause differential thermal expansion in the membrane and the subsequent membrane rupture. This study suggests a general approach to impart photo-responsiveness to any biomimetic vesicle system without chemical modification, as well as a simple, bio-inert method for constructing photo-sensitive carriers for controlled release of encapsulants.

The limited self-healing capacity of bones and the disadvantages of traditional grafting methods make large bone defects a significant challenge in regenerative medicine. Recent developments in bone tissue engineering (BTE) have highlighted the therapeutic potential of bioelectronic scaffolds and piezoelectric biomaterials. As a result of these smart systems, bone regeneration can be actively controlled by responding to external or internal biophysical cues, including electrical and mechanical stimulation. A critical examination of recent in vivo studies using piezoelectric ceramics and polymers is presented in this review which explores the role of endogenous bioelectric signaling in bone healing. Furthermore, this study assesses the interaction between conductive scaffolds, electrical stimulation modes, and piezo-responsive materials to improve osteogenesis, osteointegration, and vascularization. A particular emphasis is placed on translational implications, scaffold fabrication techniques such as 3D printing, and the integration of remotecontrolled stimulation systems for battery-free and self-sufficient stimulation. The insights provided here provide a roadmap for developing next-generation bioelectronic platforms that overcome current clinical limitations in orthopedic repair.

This is the final version. Available on open access from Wiley via the DOI in this recordWith the rapid development of nanotechnology during the last decades, the ability to detect and control individual objects at the nanoscale has enabled to deal with complex biomedical challenges. In cancer imaging, novel nanoparticles (NPs) offer promising potential to identify single cancer cells and precisely label larger areas of cancer tissues. Herein, a new class of size tunable core-shell composite (Au-SiO2-WO3) nanoparticles is reported. These nanoparticles display an easily improvable ∼ 103 surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) enhancement factor (EF) with a double Au shell for dried samples over Si wafers and several orders of magnitude for liquid samples. WO3 core nanoparticles of 20-50 nm in diameter are sheathed by an intermediate 10-60 nm silica layer, produced by following the Stöber basedprocess and Turkevich method, followed by a 5-20 nm thick Au outer shell. By attaching 4- m...

Topologically stabilized spin configurations like helices in the form of planar domain walls (DWs) or vortex-like structures with magnetic functionalities are more often a theoretical prediction rather than experimental realization. In this paper we report on the exchange coupling and helical phase characteristics within Dy-Fe multilayers. The magnetic hysteresis loops with temperature show an exchange bias field of around 1.0 kOe at 10 K. Polarized neutron reflectivity reveal (i) ferrimagnetic alignment of the layers at low fields forming twisted magnetic helices and a more complicated but stable continuous helical arrangement at higher fields (ii) direct evidence of helices in the form of planar 2π-DWs within both layers of Fe and Dy. The helices within the Fe layers are topologically stabilized by the reasonably strong induced in-plane magnetocrystalline anisotropy of Dy and the exchange coupling at the Fe-Dy interfaces. The helices in Dy are plausibly reminiscent of the helical ordering at higher temperatures induced by the field history and interfacial strain. Stability of the helical order even at large fields have resulted in an effective modulation of the periodicity of the spin-density like waves and subsequent increase in storage energy. This opens broad perspectives for future scientific and technological applications in increasing the energy density for systems in the field of all-spin-based engineering which has the potential for energy-storing elements on nanometer length scales.

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) are attracting significant attention due to their exceptional catalytic performance and stability. However, the controllable, scalable and efficient synthesis of SACs remains a significant challenge for practical application of SACs. Herein, we report a new and versatile seeding approach to synthesize SACs supported on different two-dimensional (2D) materials such as graphene, boron nitride (BN) and molybdenum This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. disulfide (MoS 2 ). This method has been demonstrated on the synthesis of Ni, Co, Fe, Cu, Ag, Pd single atoms as well as binary atoms of Ni and Cu co-doped on 2D support materials with the mass loading of single atoms in the range of 2.8-7.9 wt%. In particular, the applicability of the new seeding strategy in electrocatalysis has been demonstrate on nickel SACs supported on graphene oxide (SANi-GO), exhibiting excellent catalytic performance for electrochemical CO 2 reduction reaction with a turnover frequency (TOF) of 325.9 h -1 at a low overpotential of 0.63V and high selectivity of 96.5% for CO production. The facile, controllable and scalable nature of this approach in the synthesis of SACs is expected to open new research avenues for the practical applications of SACs.

Detailed measurements of the electron performance of the ATLAS detector at the LHC are reported, using decays of the Z, W and J /ψ particles. Data collected in 2010 at √ s = 7 TeV are used, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of almost 40 pb -1 . The inter-alignment of the inner detector and the electromagnetic calorimeter, the determination of the electron energy scale and resolution, and the performance in terms of response uniformity and linearity are discussed. The electron identification, reconstruction and trigger efficiencies, as well as the charge misidentification probability, are also presented.