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NanoManufacturing

Michael De Volder, Engineering Department - IfM
 

Fri 23 May 16:30: To be confirmed The host for this talk is Sarah-Jayne Blakemore

http://talks.cam.ac.uk/show/rss/5408 - Wed, 12/02/2025 - 15:55
To be confirmed

Abstract not available

The host for this talk is Sarah-Jayne Blakemore

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Wed 05 Mar 16:00: Title to be confirmed

http://talks.cam.ac.uk/show/rss/5408 - Wed, 12/02/2025 - 15:34
Title to be confirmed

Abstract not available

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Fri 07 Mar 15:30: Group selection and Ronald Fisher

http://talks.cam.ac.uk/show/rss/5408 - Wed, 12/02/2025 - 15:28
Group selection and Ronald Fisher

Abstract not available

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Fri 14 Feb 15:30: The evolution of sentience

http://talks.cam.ac.uk/show/rss/5408 - Wed, 12/02/2025 - 15:25
The evolution of sentience

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Rapid and Large‐Scale Synthesis of High‐Crystalline Imide Covalent Organic Frameworks Accelerated by Self‐Generated Water

A facile, rapid, scalable, and low-cost self-accelerated method to synthesize imide covalent organic frameworks (COFs) is developed. This synthetic method is performed under solvent-free and atmospheric pressure conditions. The in situ generated water during monomer condensation can significantly accelerate the reversible self-healing of disordered polymers to form highly crystalline imide COFs.


Abstract

Imide covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are considered promising materials in various fields due to their exceptional stability, large surface area, and high porosity. However, current synthesis methods of imide COFs typically involve complex vacuum operations, large amounts of solvents, and long reaction times at high temperatures, limiting their scalability for industrial production. Herein, a facile self-accelerated strategy is developed for rapid, low-cost, and large-scale synthesis of eight imide COFs (SACOFs) under solvent-free, vacuum-free, and low-temperature conditions. Mechanistic studies reveal that the self-accelerated synthesis is driven by the self-generated water under atmospheric conditions, which accelerates the reversible self-healing of disordered polymers, ultimately leading to the rapid synthesis of highly crystalline COFs. Notably, the only additive required besides the COF monomers is o-substituted benzoic acid, a small amount of which is grafted onto the imide COFs, enabling their straightforward functionalization. Thiol-functionalized SACOFs are synthesized as supports for anchoring Pd nanoparticles. The as-prepared Pd@SACOFs exhibit high activity and selectivity in the hydrogenation of substituted nitrobenzene due to the surface modulation of Pd by thiol groups. The self-accelerated synthetic strategy enables rapid, low-cost, and large-scale production of imide COFs, potentially paving the way for their transition from laboratory research to commercial applications.

Piezoelectric‐Enhanced Nanocatalysts Trigger Neutrophil N1 Polarization against Bacterial Biofilm by Disrupting Redox Homeostasis

The strategy of manipulating redox signaling molecules to inhibit or activate immune signaling provides an emerging strategy for anti-infective treatment. Here, the MOF nanocatalytic system induces a strong antibacterial response by triggering redox homeostasis imbalance in both of the bacteria and neutrophils, and initiate neutrophil N1 polarization in the infection microenvironment.


Abstract

Strategies of manipulating redox signaling molecules to inhibit or activate immune signals have revolutionized therapeutics involving reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, certain diseases with dual resistance barriers to the attacks by both ROS and immune cells, such as bacterial biofilm infections of medical implants, are difficult to eradicate by a single exogenous oxidative stimulus due to the diversity and complexity of the redox species involved. Here, this work demonstrates that metal-organic framework (MOF) nanoparticles capable of disrupting the bacterial ROS-defense system can dismantle bacterial redox resistance and induce potent antimicrobial immune responses in a mouse model of surgical implant infection by simultaneously modulating redox homeostasis and initiating neutrophil N1 polarization in the infection microenvironment. Mechanistically, the piezoelectrically enhanced MOF triggers ROS production by tilting the band structure and acts synergistically with the aurintricarboxylic acid loaded within the MOF, which inhibits the activity of the cystathionine γ-cleaving enzyme. This leads to biofilm structure disruption and antigen exposure through homeostatic imbalance and synergistic activation of neutrophil N1 polarization signals. Thus, this study provides an alternative but promising strategy for the treatment of antibiotic-resistant biofilm infections.

Issue Information

Advanced Materials, Volume 37, Issue 6, February 12, 2025.

Piezoelectric‐Augmented Thermoelectric Ionogels for Self‐Powered Multimodal Medical Sensors (Adv. Mater. 6/2025)

Multimodal Sensing Ionogels

In article number 2414663, Chen Xu, Shengqiang Bai, Ziqi Liang, and coworkers demonstrat the multimodal sensing capabilities of a paradigm ionogel, [EMIM][TFSI]/PVDF–HFP. Under applied temperature and pressure fields, the iongel exhibits piezoelectric (PE) augmented ionic thermoelectric (iTE) properties, where ion transport is modulated by a PE-induced internal field. Such dual-stimuli sensitivity, coupled with iTE-based humidity responsiveness, holds great potential for clinical applications. It can effectively monitor vital signs such as blood pressure, cardiac function, and blood loss from wounds.


High‐Throughput Single‐Cell Analysis of Local Nascent Protein Deposition in 3D Microenvironments via Extracellular Protein Identification Cytometry (EPIC) (Adv. Mater. 6/2025)

Extracellular Protein Identification Cytometry

Knowledge of the extracellular matrix drives our understanding of cell behavior. However, current analysis methods are limited to either bulk or low-throughput single-cell analysis, thus masking the heterogeneity in matrix deposition. Extracellular protein identification cytometry (EPIC) combines the high-throughput single-cell analysis of flow cytometry with engineered microniche 3D cell culture, jointly enabling in situ matrix analysis of large cell populations. More details can be found in article number 2415981 by Jeroen Leijten and co-workers.


Highly Stretchable 3D Microelectrode Array for Noninvasive Functional Evaluation of Cardiac Spheroids and Midbrain Organoids (Adv. Mater. 6/2025)

Stretchable Microelectrode Array

In article number 2412953, Kiup Kim and co-workers introduce a highly stretchable 3D MEA with PEDOT:PSS protruding microelectrodes structurally designed to ensure a reliable and stable interface with organoids even under buoyant forces in media. This design achieves high SNR electrophysiological signals, enabling precise and non-invasive functional assessments of organoids. The system demonstrates significant potential for drug screening and disease modeling.


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