Nanoscience News (<front>)

Denying religious exemptions to secure LGBTQ+ equality

Should a liberal state grant religious vendors exemptions to generally applicable antidiscrimination law so they may refuse service to LGBTQ customers in the marketplace, such as in the provision of wedding cakes to same-sex couples? Andrew Koppelman thinks those exemptions are warranted when the marketplace is competitive enough that LGBTQ customers can acquire the goods they are denied elsewhere at roughly equal cost and quality. I suggest that this presents a problem for opponents of such exemptions in the competitive marketplace: it seems to make every party better off in terms of opportunities to achieve their conception of the good. LGBTQ citizens can still acquire goods and do not suffer material harms. Meanwhile, religious citizens now escape violating their religious commitments that are imperilled by serving LGBTQ customers. There is a ‘trade-in’, rather than a trade-off, of citizens’ interests here.

I assume that liberal states ought to decide exemptions cases on the basis of a liberal-neutral or public reason framework. That kind of framework is ultimately concerned with respecting the equal standing of citizens through securing their shared interests. Since the equal standing of citizens is defined as opportunities to exercise their moral powers to achieve and revise a conception of the good, and hold a sense of justice, it seems there is a clear case for allowing exemptions to discriminate against LGBTQ + customers in a competitive marketplace.

This paper objects to that conclusion by noting a crucial assumption in the foregoing argument: the equal standing of citizens is necessarily linked or reduced to opportunities to achieve one’s conception of the good or one’s commitments. Consequently, granting (or denying) religious exemptions follows a logic of ‘balancing’ between different citizens’ conceptions of the good implicit in many approaches in the literature. But why should we link citizens’ standing to conceptions of the good in this context?

I identify two kinds of (public) justification for this reductionist assumption in the literature that appeal to the interests of religious citizens: fair opportunity and integrity. I critique both, weakening the case for exemptions to discriminate against LGBTQ + customers and showing that they may not justify religious exemptions in other similar cases either, generally speaking.

First, Jonathan Quong and Jonathan Seglow have suggested citizens share interests in opportunities to combine religious or cultural pursuits with important civic opportunities such as employment and education. I argue that Quong’s argument for exemptions relies on a faulty analogy while Seglow’s argument relies on a misunderstanding of the value of nonexploitation or fair play between religious citizens and wider society.

Second, there is an integrity-based justification for religious exemptions championed by Cécile Laborde and Paul Bou-Habib. I suggest that the integrity interests of LGBTQ citizens are also at stake in the case we are considering – and there are reasons to think that it is in fact more at stake by granting an exemption. At the same time, religious integrity is much less burdened by serving LGBTQ customers than proponents of exemptions think.

• Speaker: Sam Cole
• Tuesday 20 February 2024, 18:30-19:30
• Venue: Richard King room, Darwin College.
• Series: Darwin College Humanities and Social Sciences Seminars; organiser: Dr Stefanie Ullmann.

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Bosonic Quantum Solvation Enabled by Machine Learning

My talk will focus on our recent advances that allow us to perform highly accurate and converged path integral simulations of flexible molecules including their reactions in bosonic solvents at 1 Kelvin or less. Our approach is based on using machine learning potentials to describe the many-body interactions at the level of coupled cluster electronic structure theory. Selected applications will be used to explore to what extent Bose-Einstein statistics of the liquid environment such as manifestations of local superfluidity or supersolidity are critical to understand phenomena as probed by the embedded molecular species.

• Speaker: Dominik Marx (Ruhr-Universität Bochum)
• Thursday 22 February 2024, 14:00-15:00
• Venue: TCM Seminar Room.
• Series: Theory of Condensed Matter; organiser: Bo Peng.

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Energy Environ. Sci., 2024, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/D4EE00134F, PaperChangli Chen, Jing Chai, Mengru Sun, Tianqi Guo, Jie Lin, Yurong Zhou, Zhiyi Sun, Fang Zhang, Liang Zhang, Wenxing Chen, Yujing Li
Synthesizing heterometal atomic sites with asymmetric coordination structures is of great significance for improving the electrocatalytic performance of atomically dispersed catalysts, yet it is also a challenge. Herein, an unusual...
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Energy Environ. Sci., 2024, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/D3EE04304E, PaperQiang Hu, Jisong Hu, Fei Ma, Yunbo Liu, Lincai Xu, Lei Li, Xingquan Liu, Jingxin Zhao, Huan Pang
Zn metal-based batteries (ZMBs) are widely considered to be promising energy storage devices due to their cost-effective and safety features, but uneven Zn2+ deposition facilitates rapid dendrite growth. Here, we...
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Towards Human Systems Biology of Sleep/Wake Cycles: Phosphorylation Hypothesis of Sleep

The field of human biology faces three major technological challenges. Firstly, the causation problem is difficult to address in humans compared to model animals. Secondly, the complexity problem arises due to the lack of a comprehensive cell atlas for the human body, despite its cellular composition. Lastly, the heterogeneity problem arises from significant variations in both genetic and environmental factors among individuals. To tackle these challenges, we have developed innovative approaches. These include 1) mammalian next-generation genetics, such as Triple CRISPR for knockout (KO) mice and ES mice for knock-in (KI) mice, which enables causation studies without traditional breeding methods; 2) whole-body/brain cell profiling techniques, such as CUBIC , to unravel the complexity of cellular composition; and 3) accurate and user-friendly technologies for measuring sleep and awake states, exemplified by ACCEL , to facilitate the monitoring of fundamental brain states in real-world settings and thus address heterogeneity in human.

By integrating these three technologies, we have made significant progress in addressing two major scientific challenges in sleep research: 1) understanding sleep regulation (sleep mechanisms) and 2) determining the role of sleep (sleep functions). With regard to sleep mechanisms, we have recently proposed the phosphorylation hypothesis of sleep, which emphasizes the role of the sleep-promoting kinase CaMKIIα/CaMKIIβ (Tatsuki et al., 2016; Tone et al., 2022; Ode et al., 2020) and the involvement of calcium signaling pathways (Tatsuki et al., 2016). According to this novel perspective, the dynamics of calcium, representing neural activity during wakefulness, can be integrated and converted into the auto-phosphorylation status of CaMKIIα/CaMKIIβ, which induces and sustains sleep (Tone et al., 2022). Concerning sleep functions, we conducted computational studies to examine synaptic efficacy dynamics during sleep and wakefulness. Our findings led to the formulation of the Wake-Inhibition-Sleep-Enhancement (WISE) hypothesis, suggesting that wakefulness inhibits synaptic efficacy, while sleep enhances it.

During this talk, we will also present our discoveries regarding the identification of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (Chrm1 and Chrm3) as essential genes of REM sleep. Furthermore, we will discuss new insights into psychiatric disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, and neurodegenerative disorders derived from the phosphorylation hypothesis of sleep.

This talk is hosted by Dr Keita Tamura and Dr Christian Wood.

You can join the talk via Zoom using the following link: https://cam-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/89822382715?pwd=eExMZlpERkRJM1R0d2NmUEZxU1ZEZz09 Meeting ID: 898 2238 2715 Passcode: 112932

• Speaker: Dr Hiroki Ueda, University of Tokyo, RIKEN BDR
• Thursday 15 February 2024, 16:00-17:00
• Venue: Hodgkin Huxley Seminar Room, Physiology builiding, Downing Site CB2 3EG.
• Series: Foster Talks; organiser: kt532.

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Are we bearing the fruits of the personalized genomics revolution?

Since the Human Genome Project’s completion in 2003, scientists have been on a steadfast track to unlock the genome’s secrets, especially regarding health and disease. We’ve made progress in identifying alterations in the genome; however, the interpretation of which changes can be attributable to disease has been slow. In addition to genomics, we’ve now ventured into other omic technologies, such as metabolomics, to achieve our goals. Using a case study of metabolomics in the most heritable cancer syndromes, pheochromocytoma and paragangliomas, I hope to convince you that we are on the edge of translating omics to the clinic.

• Speaker: Yasemin Cole
• Thursday 29 February 2024, 18:30-19:20
• Venue: Richard King room, Darwin College.
• Series: Darwin College Science Seminars; organiser: Dr Tamsin Samuels.

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A polyphenol-palladium network with excellent oxidase-like activity and photothermal effect is constructed. The reactive oxygen species treatment mediated by the oxidase-like activity of the network exhibits selective antibacterial effects, while its photothermal effect-induced hyperthermia possesses potent antifungal properties. Moreover, synergistic antimicrobial systems mediated by the network exhibit remarkable efficacy in combating various biofilms and polymicrobial biofilms, which can be used to treat oral biofilm-associated infections.

Abstract

Designing an effective treatment strategy to combat oral diseases caused by complex polymicrobial biofilms remains a great challenge. Herein, a series of metal-phenolic network with Pd nanoparticle nodes using polyphenols as stabilizers and reducing agents is constructed. Among them, sulfonated lignin-Pd (SLS-Pd) with ultrafine size palladium nanoparticles and broadband near infrared absorption exhibit excellent oxidase-like activity and stable photothermal effect. In vitro experiments demonstrate that the superoxide radical generated by SLS-Pd oxidase-like activity exhibits selective antibacterial effects, while its photothermal effect induced hyperthermia exhibits potent antifungal properties. This difference is further elucidated by RNA-sequencing analysis and all-atom simulation. Moreover, the SLS-Pd-mediated synergistic antimicrobial system exhibits remarkable efficacy in combating various biofilms and polymicrobial biofilms. By establishing a root canal model and an oropharyngeal candidiasis model, the feasibility of the synergistic antimicrobial system in treating oral biofilm-related infections is further validated. This system provides a promising therapeutic approach for polymicrobial biofilm-associated infections in the oral cavity.

A generalized Turing-instability mechanism utilizing liquid metal (GaX)-solid metal (Y film) reaction-diffusion systems has been disclosed. By designing GaX metal pairs owing appropriate reaction kinetics and diffusion coefficients with Y, labyrinths, stripes, and spots-like Turing structures can spontaneously emerge and evolve.

Abstract

The classical Turing morphogenesis often occurs in nonmetallic solution systems due to the sole competition of reaction and diffusion processes. Here, this work conceives that gallium (Ga) based liquid metals (LMs) possess the ability to alloy, diffuse, and react with a range of solid metals (SMs) and thus should display Turing instability leading to a variety of nonequilibrium spatial concentration patterns. This work discloses a general mechanism for obtaining labyrinths, stripes, and spots-like stationary Turing patterns in the LM–SM reaction-diffusion systems (GaX-Y), taking the gallium indium alloy and silver substrate (GaIn-Ag) system as a proof of concept. It is only when Ga atoms diffuse over Y much faster than X while X reacts with Y preferentially, that Turing instability occurs. In such a metallic system, Ga serves as an inhibitor and X as an activator. The dominant factors in tuning the patterning process include temperature and concentration. Intermetallic compounds contained in the Turing patterns and their competitive reactions have also been further clarified. This LM Turing instability mechanism opens many opportunities for constructing microstructure systems utilizing condensed matter to experimentally explore the general morphogenesis process.

A platform that uses bacteria as a template to synthesize guanidinium-functionalized polymers through copper catalyzed ATRP is reported. The polymers recovered from the bacterial surface show high bactericidal activity against the strains that templated them and deplete the target bacteria efficiently without significant collateral damage to complex microbial communities as compared to antibiotics.

Abstract

Selective and targeted removal of individual species or strains of bacteria from complex communities can be desirable over traditional and broadly acting antibiotics in several conditions. However, strategies that can detect and ablate bacteria with high specificity are emerging in recent years. Herein, a platform is reported that uses bacteria as a template to synthesize polymers containing guanidinium groups for self-selective depletion of specific pathogenic bacteria without disturbing microbial communities. Different from conventional antibiotics, repeated treatment of bacteria with the templated polymers does not evolve drug resistance mutants after 20 days of serial passaging. Especially, high in vivo therapeutic effectiveness of the templated polymers is achieved in E. coli- and P. aeruginosa-induced microbial peritonitis. The templated polymers have shown high selectivity in in vivo antimicrobial activity, which has excellent potential as systemic antimicrobials against bacterial infections.

A spatially confined assembly strategy for multiscale nanocarbon building blocks is proposed to decouple stress and heat transfer. The best thermomechanical and insulation trade-off is achieved, exhibiting flyweight density, temperature-invariant elasticity, and a low thermal conductivity (0.04829 W m–1 K–1 at 300 °C), which provides a remarkable thermal protection material in hostile environments for future aerospace exploration.

Abstract

With ultralight weight, low thermal conductivity, and extraordinary high-temperature resistance, carbon aerogels hold tremendous potential against severe thermal threats encountered by hypersonic vehicles during the in-orbit operation and re-entry process. However, current 3D aerogels are plagued by irreconcilable contradictions between adiabatic and mechanical performance due to monotonicity of the building blocks or uncontrollable assembly behavior. Herein, a spatially confined assembly strategy of multiscale low-dimensional nanocarbons is reported to decouple the stress and heat transfer. The nanofiber framework, a basis for transferring the loading strain, is covered by a continuous thin-film-like layer formed by the aggregation of nanoparticles, which in combination serve as the fundamental structural units for generating an elastic behavior while yielding compartments in aerogels to suppress the gaseous fluid thermal diffusion within distinct partitions. The resulting all-carbon aerogels with a hierarchical cellular structure and quasi-closed cell walls achieve the best thermomechanical and insulation trade-off, exhibiting flyweight density (24 mg cm−3), temperature-constant compressibility (−196–1600 °C), and a low thermal conductivity of 0.04 829 W m−1 K−1 at 300 °C. This strategy provides a remarkable thermal protection material in hostile environments for future aerospace exploration.

A gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) with an elastic modulus of GPa magnitude is developed by incorporating an integrated Li7La3Zr2O12 framework into a polymer host. Experiments and numerical modeling jointly reveal that the as-proposed GPE endows lithium-metal batteries with a stable interface by constructing a continuous percolation network and reforming the growing pattern of lithium dendrites at a mechanical level.

Abstract

Gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) have aroused intensive attention for their moderate comprehensive performances in lithium-metal batteries (LMBs). However, GPEs with low elastic moduli of MPa magnitude cannot mechanically regulate the Li deposition, leading to recalcitrant lithium dendrites. Herein, a porous Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO) framework (PLF) is employed as an integrated solid filler to address the intrinsic drawback of GPEs. With the incorporation of PLF, the composite GPE exhibits an ultrahigh elastic modulus of GPa magnitude, confronting Li dendrites at a mechanical level and realizing steady polarization at high current densities in Li||Li cells. Benefiting from the compatible interface with anodes, the LFP|PLF@GPE|Li cells deliver excellent rate capability and cycling performance at room temperature. Theoretical models extracted from the topology of solid fillers reveal that the PLF with unique 3D structures can effectively reinforce the gel phase of GPEs at the nanoscale via providing sufficient mechanical support from the load-sensitive direction. Numerical models are further developed to reproduce the multiphysical procedure of dendrite propagation and give insights into predicting the failure modes of LMBs. This work quantitatively clarifies the relationship between the topology of solid fillers and the interface stability of GPEs, providing guidelines for designing mechanically reliable GPEs for LMBs.

The core–shell design of metastable phase nickel (Ni) catalyst achieves a beyond platinum-group metal performance with exhibiting approaching 100% conversion rate and selectivity, good stability, and a high TOF of 8241.8 h−1. The introduction of Ag core leads to electron transfer, and more oxidation states on the catalyst surface, which is conducive to H2 dissociation and phenylacetylene adsorption.

Abstract

Highly selective semihydrogenation of alkynes to alkenes is a highly important reaction for catalytic industry. Developing non-noble metal based catalysts with platinum group metal-like activity and selectivity is extremely crucial yet challenging. Metastable phase catalysts provide a potential candidate to realize high activity, yet the control of selectivity remains an open question. Here, this work first reports a metastable phase core–shell: face-centered cubic (fcc) phase Ag (10 at%) core-metastable hexagonal closest packed (hcp) phase Ni (90 at%) shell catalyst, which represents high conversion rate, high selectivity, and remarkable universality for the semihydrogenation of phenylacetylene and its derivatives. More impressively, a turnover frequency (TOF) value of 8241.8 h−1 is achieved, much higher than those of stable phase catalysts and reported platinum group metal based catalysts. Mechanistic investigation reveals that the surface of hcp Ni becomes more oxidized due to electron transfer from hcp Ni shell to fcc Ag core, which decreases the adsorption capacity of styrene on the metastable phase Ni surface, thus preventing full hydrogenation. This work has gained crucial research significance for the design of high performance metastable phase catalysts.

The advent of sustainable dual-ion batteries, utilizing beyond-Li cations such as K+, Ca2+, Na+, Mg2+, Al3+, Zn2+, NH4 +, and H+, holds significant promise for the realization of low-cost and environmentally friendly large-scale energy storage solutions. This review describes an extensive overview of the current status, advancements, and future prospects of these new chemistries.

Abstract

The limitations of resources used in current Li-ion batteries may hinder their widespread use in grid-scale energy storage systems, prompting the search for low-cost and resource-abundant alternatives. “Beyond-Li cation” batteries have emerged as promising contenders; however, they confront noteworthy challenges due to the scarcity of suitable host materials for these cations. In contrast, anions, the other crucial component in electrolytes, demonstrate reversible intercalation capacity in specific materials like graphite. The convergence of anion and cation storage has given rise to a new battery technology known as dual-ion batteries (DIBs). This comprehensive review presents the current status, advancements, and future prospects of sustainable DIBs beyond Li. Notably, most DIBs exhibit similar cathode reaction mechanisms involving anion intercalation, while the distinguishing factor lies in the cation types functioning at the anode. Accordingly, the review is organized into sections by various cation types, including Na-, K-, Mg-, Zn-, Ca-, Al-, NH4 +-, and proton-based DIBs. Moreover, a perspective on these novel DIBs is presented, along with proposed protocols for investigating DIBs and promising future research directions. It is envisioned that this review will inspire fresh concepts, ideas, and research directions, while raising important questions to further tailor and understand sustainable DIBs, ultimately facilitating their practical realization.

The study utilizes deep learning and explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) to understand and optimize the perovskite thin-film formation process for scalable solar cell manufacturing. Based on the findings of the algorithms and the interpretations of the material scientists, can be derived new insights and recommendations paving the way toward improved industrial-scale solar cell manufacturing.

Abstract

Large-area processing of perovskite semiconductor thin-films is complex and evokes unexplained variance in quality, posing a major hurdle for the commercialization of perovskite photovoltaics. Advances in scalable fabrication processes are currently limited to gradual and arbitrary trial-and-error procedures. While the in situ acquisition of photoluminescence (PL) videos has the potential to reveal important variations in the thin-film formation process, the high dimensionality of the data quickly surpasses the limits of human analysis. In response, this study leverages deep learning (DL) and explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) to discover relationships between sensor information acquired during the perovskite thin-film formation process and the resulting solar cell performance indicators, while rendering these relationships humanly understandable. The study further shows how gained insights can be distilled into actionable recommendations for perovskite thin-film processing, advancing toward industrial-scale solar cell manufacturing. This study demonstrates that XAI methods will play a critical role in accelerating energy materials science.

A material consisting of the same substance can crystalize in different structural phases with (or without) identical composition, termed “(pseudo)polymorphic phases” (PPs). This work applies this PP concept to copper sulfides to improve thermoelectric performance. The resulting PPs maintain electron transport and enhance phonon scattering. A peak ZT value of 1.25 is obtained, which is 2.3 times higher than that of pristine copper sulfide.

Abstract

Polymorphism (and its extended form – pseudopolymorphism) in solids is ubiquitous in mineralogy, crystallography, chemistry/biochemistry, materials science, and the pharmaceutical industries. Despite the difficulty of controlling (pseudo-)polymorphism, the realization of specific (pseudo-)polymorphic phases and associated boundary structures is an efficient route to enhance material performance for energy conversion and electromechanical applications. Here, this work applies the pseudopolymorphic phase (PP) concept to a thermoelectric copper sulfide, Cu2- x S (x ≤ 0.25), via CuBr2 doping. A peak ZT value of 1.25 is obtained at 773 K in Cu1.8S + 3 wt% CuBr2, which is 2.3 times higher than that of a pristine Cu1.8S sample. Atomic-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy confirms the transformation of pristine Cu1.8S low digenite into PP-engineered high digenite, as well as the formation of (semi-)coherent interfaces between different PPs, which is expected to enhance phonon scattering. The results demonstrate that PP engineering is an effective approach for achieving improved thermoelectric performance in Cu-S compounds. It is also expected to be useful in other materials.

The entangled strategy for manipulating the vertical gradient distribution is proposed to trade-off the efficiency and mechanical properties of flexible organic solar cells. The toughened-pseudo planar heterojunction (Toughened-PPHJ) film exhibits excellent tensile resistance, with twice the crack onset strain of the bulk heterojunction (BHJ) film (11.0%/5.5%). Meanwhile, the efficiency of Toughened-PPHJ device is 18.16%, significantly better than BHJ device (16.99%).

Abstract

Flexible organic solar cells (FOSCs) have attracted considerable attention from researchers as promising portable power sources for wearable electronic devices. However, insufficient power conversion efficiency (PCE), intrinsic stretchability, and mechanical stability of FOSCs remain severe obstacles to their application. Herein, an entangled strategy is proposed for the synergistic optimization of PCE and mechanical properties of FOSCs through green sequential printing combined with polymer-induced spontaneous gradient heterojunction phase separation morphology. Impressively, the toughened-pseudo-planar heterojunction (Toughened-PPHJ) film exhibits excellent tensile properties with a crack onset strain (COS) of 11.0%, twice that of the reference bulk heterojunction (BHJ) film (5.5%), which is among the highest values reported for the state-of-the-art polymer/small molecule-based systems. Finite element simulation of stress distribution during film bending confirms that Toughened-PPHJ film can release residual stress well. Therefore, this optimal device shows a high PCE (18.16%) with enhanced (short-circuit current density) J SC and suppressed energy loss, which is a significant improvement over the conventional BHJ device (16.99%). Finally, the 1 cm2 flexible Toughened-PPHJ device retains more than 92% of its initial PCE (13.3%) after 1000 bending cycles. This work provides a feasible guiding idea for future flexible portable power supplies.

This review highlights recent developments in the use of molecular molybdenum sulfide clusters, thiomolybdates as reactive sites in photo- and electrochemical catalysis. Mechanistic details and comparison of reactivity and stability are reported with a focus on the hydrogen evolution reaction.

Abstract

Thiomolybdates are molecular molybdenum-sulfide clusters formed from Mo centers and sulfur-based ligands. For decades, they have attracted the interest of synthetic chemists due to their unique structures and their relevance in biological systems, e.g., as reactive sites in enzymes. More recently, thiomolybdates are explored from the catalytic point of view and applied as homogeneous and molecular mimics of heterogeneous molybdenum sulfide catalysts. This review summarizes prominent examples of thiomolybdate-based electro- and photocatalysis and provides a comprehensive analysis of their reactivities under homogeneous and heterogenized conditions. Active sites of thiomolybdates relevant for the hydrogen evolution reaction are examined, aiming to shed light on the link between cluster structure and performance. The shift from solution-phase to surface-supported thiomolybdates is discussed with a focus on applications in electrocatalysis and photocatalysis. The outlook highlights current trends and emerging areas of thiomolybdate research, ending with a summary of challenges and key takeaway messages based on the state-of-the-art research.

A high-performance multiscale cellulose-based structural material is constructed through a multiscale interface engineering strategy. The positive and negative charges treatment of microfibers and nanofibers effectively solves the interface bonding problem in multiscale design, and allows them to be easily shaped into complex three-dimensional special-shaped structures. This sustainable material offers superior mechanical and thermal properties compared to petrochemical-based plastics.

Abstract

All-natural materials derived from cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) are expected to be used to replace engineering plastics and have attracted much attention. However, the lack of crack extension resistance and 3D formability of nanofiber-based structural materials hinders their practical applications. Here, a multiscale interface engineering strategy is reported to construct high-performance cellulose-based materials. The sisal microfibers are surface treated to expose abundant active CNFs with positive charges, thereby enhancing their interfacial combination with the negatively charged CNFs. The robust multiscale dual network enables easy molding of multiscale cellulose-based structural materials into complex 3D special-shaped structures, resulting in nearly twofold and fivefold improvements in toughness and impact resistance compared with those of CNFs-based materials. Moreover, this multiscale interface engineering strategy endows cellulose-based structural materials with better comprehensive performance than petrochemical-based plastics and broadens cellulose's potential for lightweight applications as structural materials with lower environmental effects.

This work develops the micro-to-nano oncolytic microbial system to exert tumor killing and remold tumor-draining lymph nodes (TDLNs). Under laser irradiation, the “microscale” Escherichia coli (EcP) is triggered to secret the “nanoscale” outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). Meanwhile, EcP generates toxic H2O2 and leads to the release of tumor antigens. The enhanced TDLNs delivery via OMVs regulates the TDLNs immunomicroenvironment, promoting the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) to potentiate antitumor immune response.

Abstract

Because the tumor-draining lymph nodes (TDLNs) microenvironment is commonly immunosuppressive, oncolytic microbe-induced tumor antigens aren't sufficiently cross-primed tumor specific T cells through antigen-presenting cells (e.g., dendritic cells (DCs)) in TDLNs. Herein, this work develops the micro-to-nano oncolytic microbial therapeutics based on pyranose oxidase (P2O) overexpressed Escherichia coli (EcP) which are simultaneously encapsulated by PEGylated mannose and low-concentrated photosensitizer nanoparticles (NPs). Following administration, P2O from this system generates toxic hydrogen peroxide for tumor regression and leads to the release of tumor antigens. The “microscale” EcP is triggered, following exposure to the laser irradiation, to secrete the “nanoscale” bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). The enhanced TDLNs delivery via OMVs significantly regulates the TDLNs immunomicroenvironment, promoting the maturation of DCs to potentiate tumor antigen-specific T cells immune response. The micro-to-nano oncolytic microbe is leveraged to exert tumor killing and remold TDLNs for initiating potent activation of DCs, providing promising strategies to facilitate microbial cancer vaccination.

Near-infrared photon-assisted annealing facilitates high-performance binary organic solar cells with an impressive efficiency of 19.25% under mild conditions, which allows selectively tuning the molecular ordering of narrow bandgap acceptors within polymer networks to achieve optimal morphologies.

Abstract

Achieving precise control over the nanoscale morphology of bulk heterojunction films presents a significant challenge for the conventional post-treatments employed in organic solar cells (OSCs). In this study, a near-infrared photon-assisted annealing (NPA) strategy is developed for fabricating high-performance OSCs under mild processing conditions. It is revealed a top NIR light illumination, together with the bottom heating, enables the selective tuning of the molecular arrangement and assembly of narrow bandgap acceptors in polymer networks to achieve optimal morphologies, as well as the acceptor-rich top surface of active layers. The derived OSCs exhibit a remarkable power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.25%, representing one of the highest PCEs for the reported binary OSCs so far. Moreover, via the NPA strategy, it has succeeded in accessing top-illuminated flexible OSCs using thermolabile polyethylene terephthalate from mineral water bottles, displaying excellent mechanical stabilities. Overall, this work will hold the potential to develop organic solar cells under mild processing with various substrates.