Search Results (70)

The chronic digitalisation deficit within the construction sector induces design anomalies and human errors, leading to a severe erosion of investment profitability. This study aims to implement the automation of resource generation and validation processes, acting as a systemic safety barrier to stabilise analytical workflows. The proposed methodology relies on a Multi-Agent System (MAS) architecture embedded within the n8n environment and powered by Gemini-class language models. The framework integrates a deterministic PostgreSQL database within a Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) architecture, enabling the precise, real-time processing of Construction Law regulations. Applying Chain-of-Thought reasoning alongside structured prompt templates helped eliminate model logic drift, ensuring comprehensive result reproducibility. The deployment of this platform induced a 96% acceleration in the pre-construction phase, reducing the formulation time of Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)/Critical Path Method (CPM) structures from a baseline of 480 min to an average of 20 min. The empirical data demonstrates a radical compression of operational costs (OPEX) concurrent with the marginalisation of the Human Error Probability (HEP) index to a residual level of < 1%. Ultimately, the solution drastically minimised the iterative overhead, confining the design cycle to a single execution while maintaining high level of compliance with the 7R (7 Rights) Logistics Directive. Full article

Topologically chiral molecular knots and links represent a unique class of stereochemical architectures in which handedness is encoded by the global crossing pattern of an entangled framework rather than by a local stereogenic element. Their configurational robustness and shape-persistent chiral environments make them promising platforms for molecular recognition, catalysis, chiroptical response, and spin-selective transport. This review summarizes recent progress in the stereoselective synthesis of topologically chiral knots and links, with emphasis on chirality transfer from point, axial and helical elements into persistent topological handedness. Major synthetic strategies are organized into helicity-driven approaches, template-free dynamic systems, coordination-driven self-assembly, and chiral self-sorting. The applications of knots in host–guest confinement, asymmetric catalysis, chiral recognition, and spin-selective transport are also discussed. Full article

Patterned lead-halide perovskite microstructures are promising for integrated optoelectronics, photonics, and polarization-sensitive devices, but the practical growth behavior of compositionally tunable microcrystals under simple static confinement remains insufficiently understood. Here, we investigate template-assisted confined crystallization of MAPbBr₃ and MAPbBr_3−xCl_x microstructures using patterned polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) stamps. MAPbBr₃ was first examined as a reference system to evaluate pattern transfer, morphology, substrate compatibility, and characteristic growth imperfections. Periodic microstructures with template spacings from 0.8 to 10 μm were obtained on Si/SiO₂, ITO, PDMS, and MAPbBr₃ macrocrystal substrates. Static stamping creates strong edge–center morphological divergence: thick patterned microcrystals and coalesced domains formed preferentially near the sample edges, whereas thinner isolated microcrystal arrays were more common in central regions. XRD, AFM, SEM, SAED, EDX, HRTEM, PL microscopy, and TRPL analyses show that the method can generate well-crystallized and optically active perovskite domains while also producing multidomain aggregates, incomplete pattern transfer, pressure-induced wrinkling, and nanoscale secondary crystallites. Extension to MAPbBr_3−xCl_x demonstrates that patterned mixed-halide microstructures can be obtained with composition-dependent structural and optical properties. Nevertheless, XRD, EDX, PL, and TRPL results indicate that Cl-rich samples are not fully described by a simple homogeneous solid-solution model, likely involving compositionally heterogeneous crystallization and a Br-rich emissive component. Preliminary MAPbCl₃-on-MAPbBr₃ experiments further show that PDMS-confined patterning can be coupled with substrate-mediated halide exchange or interfacial recrystallization. Overall, static PDMS-confined crystallization is established as a simple exploratory platform for producing diverse patterned perovskite microstructures. This approach is well-suited for the manual selection of suitable crystals and the fabrication of individual microdevices; however, improved control over pressure, mass transport, nucleation localization, and composition will be required when the uniformity of produced patterned microcrystals is desired. Full article

p-nitrophenol (p-NP) is a pollutant with environmental persistence, bioaccumulation potential, and significant health risks, and is widely dispersed in wastewater, so efficient removal of p-NP is imperative. Among the various methods, the catalytic reduction of p-NP to p-aminophenol (p-AP) using sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) is a particularly promising one and, herein, catalysts play a crucial role. Among the various metals, Au shows unique catalytic activity for p-NP reduction. However, nanosized Au often exhibit limited activity and stability due to their high surface free energy. To address this challenge, we designed and synthesized Au-SnO_x hybrid nanoparticles confined within hollow mesoporous silica nanoreactors (Au-SnO_x@hm-SiO₂) via a soft-template-assisted co-adsorption strategy. The resulting bimetallic Au-SnO_x@hm-SiO₂ nanoreactor showed significantly enhanced catalytic activity toward the NaBH₄-mediated reduction of p-nitrophenol (p-NP) compared with its monometallic Au@hm-SiO₂ counterpart, owing to the synergistic effect between Au and SnO_x. Among various Au/Sn ratios, the catalyst with an Au/Sn molar ratio of 1:0.1 demonstrated the highest activity, achieving complete conversion of p-NP within 5 min at a p-NP/Au molar ratio of 529:1—a tenfold improvement over Au@hm-SiO₂. Moreover, the catalyst maintained high efficiency over six consecutive cycles, with only slight deactivation, benefiting from the protective silica shell. Full article

The lateral organization of the plasma membrane (PM) is vital for cellular signaling, yet the specific mechanisms by which the internal cortical actin meshwork templates the organization of the external lipid leaflet remain poorly understood. While established models like the ‘picket-fence’ emphasize physical barriers to diffusion, recent observations of fiber-like “ghost” structures in the distribution of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins (GPI-APs) suggest a more intricate mode of spatial coordination. In this study, we utilize imaging total internal reflection fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (ITIR-FCS) and variable-angle TIRF to resolve whether these filamentous patterns represent genuine membrane-proximal features or optical artifacts of cytosolic transport. Our results demonstrate that these fiber-like tracks are strictly confined to the immediate PM interface and disappear as the evanescent field probes deeper into the cytosol. While the spatial distribution of GPI-APs is templated by the underlying actin meshwork, quantitative diffusion mapping shows that the lateral dynamics of the probe remains largely uniform and is not significantly modulated by these filamentous patterns. By pharmacologically perturbing the actin scaffold and membrane cholesterol, we show that this transbilayer coupling is contingent upon a cholesterol-dependent cytoskeletal pinning mechanism. These findings demonstrate a decoupling of spatial organization and molecular dynamics, providing evidence for how the actin scaffold patterns nanoscale membrane organization without imposing long-range barriers to diffusion. Full article

Chain topology offers a chemistry-preserving route to tune block copolymer (BCP) self-assembly by modifying intrachain correlations and relaxation pathways without changing monomer interactions. Here, we perform a unit-matched comparison of four lamella-forming AB architectures reconstructed from an identical constitutive diblock unit ($N_0$): a linear diblock (DB), a linear multiblock (MB), a comb-like architecture (CB), and a star-like architecture (SB). Using dynamical density functional theory (DDFT), we quantify topology-dependent bulk ordering thresholds and show that architectural reconfiguration systematically stabilizes the ordered phase, reducing the order–disorder transition relative to DB (MB/CB/SB $\approx 0.793/0.762/0.752$ of the diblock value), in semi-quantitative agreement with random phase approximation (RPA) spinodal trends. We also compare topology-dependent directed self-assembly in a common trench geometry under matched reduced quench depth $\Delta \left(\chi N_0\right)=\chi N_0-{\left(\chi N_0\right)}_{\mathrm{ODT}}$, thereby isolating kinetic differences at comparable thermodynamic distance from bulk ordering. A Fourier-based alignment order parameter $\alpha \left(t\right)$ reveals sigmoidal alignment kinetics over decades in time and is well captured by a logistic form in $lnt$, enabling compact descriptors ($t_{50}$, $t_{90}$, and a steepness parameter k) that separate alignment onset from late-stage defect annihilation, while selective sidewalls robustly template sidewall-parallel lamellae across all topologies, the late-stage kinetics remain strongly connectivity dependent and can exhibit long-tailed completion associated with slow late-stage defect annihilation. These results demonstrate a dual role of topology in DSA: lowering the segregation strength required for bulk ordering while reshaping defect-mediated alignment pathways under confinement. Full article

Laser-based manufacturing processes—including marking, hardening, cutting, and welding—demand the precise selection of processing parameters, as the resulting surface state is critically dependent on the delivered power density and beam–material interaction time. This study presents a unified predictive framework for estimating the critical surface power density thresholds for melting q_scm and evaporation q_scv as functions of scanning speed v for the following four technologically important metallic materials: titanium, C26000 brass, SS304 stainless steel, and 42CrMo4 alloy steel. The principal novelty of this work is twofold. First, it provides the first directly comparative analysis of these four materials under identical, standardized laser conditions (λ = 1064 nm, d = 40 μm, constant absorptivity A = 0.4), eliminating the confounding effects of variable beam geometries and optical assumptions that hinder cross-study comparisons. Second, it translates fundamental thermophysical principles into a practical engineering tool, such as a validated spreadsheet calculator that outputs material-specific threshold curves in real time, enabling rapid, physics-based parameter estimation without recourse to complex numerical simulations. The computed threshold curves exhibit a consistent non-linear increase with scanning speed for all materials, governed by the inverse relationship between interaction time and required power density. The following clear material hierarchy emerges: C26000 brass exhibits the highest thresholds (e.g., q_scm = 0.94 × 10¹⁰ W/m², q_scv = 10.74 × 10¹⁰ W/m² at v = 100 mm/s) due to its high thermal conductivity, while titanium shows the lowest (q_scm = 0.19 × 10¹⁰ W/m², q_scv = 0.48 × 10¹⁰ W/m² at v = 100 mm/s) as a consequence of strong heat confinement. SS304 and 42CrMo4 occupy intermediate positions, with 42CrMo4 demonstrating notably higher evaporation resistance than SS304 despite similar melting thresholds. The resulting dual-threshold framework delineates three distinct process regimes—sub-melting heating, melting-dominant processing, and evaporation—providing a quantitative basis for parameter selection in applications ranging from surface hardening to micromachining. By bridging the gap between theoretical material science and applied manufacturing, this work offers a robust, first-order reference for process design and establishes a methodological template for future comparative studies of laser–material interactions. Full article

Low-dimensional lead-free metal halide perovskites have demonstrated excellent performance in indirect X-ray detectors; however, the imaging resolution remains limited due to the lack of effective scintillation waveguiding. In this work, array-structured scintillation screens were fabricated using anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates via a spatial confinement–assisted in situ growth strategy. The resulting directional optical confinement effect significantly enhances the scintillation performance of the screen. The fabricated Cs₃Cu₂Br_1.25I_3.75-AAO scintillator arrays achieve a spatial resolution of 14.10 lp/mm and a minimum detectable dose rate of 243 nGy/s under X-ray irradiation. In addition, the scintillator arrays exhibit excellent radiation stability, providing a reliable and cost-effective solution for high-resolution array-based X-ray imaging. Full article

This systematic review examines recent advances in blockchain-based electronic voting systems, motivated by the need for more transparent, secure, and verifiable electoral processes. The rapid growth of research between 2022 and 2025 highlights blockchain as a promising foundation for addressing long-standing challenges of integrity, anonymity, and trust in digital elections, particularly in academic contexts where pilot deployments are more feasible. The review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines and applied the evidence-based methodology proposed by Kitchenham & Charters. Searches were conducted in six major databases, yielding 861 records; after removing duplicates and applying eligibility criteria, 338 studies were retained. Data were extracted using a structured template and synthesised qualitatively due to the conceptual and methodological heterogeneity of the evidence. The included studies reveal significant progress in blockchain architectures, smart contracts, and advanced cryptographic mechanisms—such as blind signatures, zero-knowledge proofs, and homomorphic encryption. Multiple authentication and verification strategies were identified; however, real-world validations remain limited and largely confined to small-scale academic pilots. Overall, blockchain-based voting systems demonstrate conceptual advantages over traditional and conventional electronic models, especially regarding transparency and auditability. Nevertheless, the field requires stronger empirical evaluation, greater scalability, and clearer regulatory alignment to support broader institutional adoption. Full article

Candida albicans is a major fungal pathogen associated with vulvovaginal candidiasis, and rapid, sensitive detection remains challenging, particularly in amplification-free formats. Here, we report NaPddCas, a microfluidic-free, droplet-based CRISPR/Cas12a detection strategy for qualitative identification of Candida albicans DNA. Unlike conventional bulk CRISPR assays, NaPddCas partitions the reaction mixture into vortex-generated polydisperse droplets, enabling spatial confinement of Cas12a activation events and effective suppression of background fluorescence. This compartmentalization substantially enhances detection sensitivity without nucleic acid amplification or microfluidic devices. Using plasmid and genomic DNA templates, NaPddCas achieved reliable detection at concentrations several orders of magnitude lower than bulk CRISPR/Cas12a reactions. The assay further demonstrated high specificity against non-target bacterial and fungal species and was successfully applied to clinical vaginal secretion samples. Importantly, NaPddCas is designed as a qualitative or semi-qualitative droplet-dependent digital detection method rather than a quantitative digital assay. Owing to its simplicity, sensitivity, and amplification-free workflow, NaPddCas represents a practical approach for laboratory-based screening of Candida albicans infections. Full article

KIT-6 samples were prepared at hydrothermal aging temperatures of 60, 100, and 140 °C, and used as templates for nanocasting of zirconium-doped ceria. In nanocast samples, the ordered 3D structure collapsed, leaving behind nanorods with a diameter roughly in concordance with the corresponding KIT-6 template pore diameter. In addition to nanocrystalline ceria, a small amount of cubic zirconia is present in the doped samples, but the formation of a solid solution was confirmed by the decrease in the ceria lattice parameter relative to bulk ceria. The specific surface areas of the nanocast samples decreased with the increase in KIT-6 template aging temperature. Ceria bandgap values were slightly blueshifted in comparison with bulk ceria, which was attributed to quantum confinement. No difference between samples concerning lattice ceria defects has been noted. Conversion curves show apparent three-stage conversion with stagnation at temperatures in the range between 250 °C and 300 °C, which is a consequence of abundant adsorption of toluene below 250 °C and desorption above 250 °C. Slight differences in catalytic activity are only due to a difference in the amount of adsorbed toluene caused by differences in the specific surface area of the samples. Full article

Mesoporous carbons based on silica hard templates were used to investigate physical processes in confined pores. Nitrogen adsorption, scanning electron microscopy, and scattered X-ray analyses revealed two classes of materials: carbons with moderate and highly developed mesoporosity. The pore structure was strongly dependent on pore expanders which proved essential for generating open, accessible architectures. All carbons exhibited a basic, graphitic surface (pH_PZC = 8.4–10.9), enriched in electron-donating oxygen functionalities. Differential scanning calorimetry studies of confined water showed that melting point depression follows the Gibbs–Thomson relationship, confirming the strong dependence of phase transitions on pore size and water–surface interactions. Adsorption experiments using methylene blue demonstrated that capacity is governed by surface area, pore volume, and pore size distribution. For carbon with the largest average pore size, adsorption of various dyes revealed that uptake decreases with increasing molecular size, whereas affinity depends strongly on electrostatic interactions. Kinetic studies indicated that carbons with larger mesopores exhibit the fastest adsorption, and that large, complex dye molecules undergo significant diffusion limitations. Overall, the results show that the interplay between pore structure, adsorbate size, and surface chemistry influences both the equilibrium uptake and adsorption kinetics in mesoporous carbon materials. Full article

This study presents a channel-free, micro-well–template-assisted magnetic particle trapping method for efficient single-particle isolation without the need for microfluidic channels. Dual-surface silicon micro-well arrays were fabricated using photolithography, PE-CVD, and DRIE processes, featuring hydrophilic well interiors and hydrophobic outer surfaces to enhance trapping performance. The proposed method combines magnet-assisted sedimentation with rotational sweeping of a glass slide placed above the micro-well array, enabling rapid and uniform particle confinement within a 250 × 250 well array. Experimental results showed that the trapping efficiency increased with the well width and depth, achieving over 93.8% within three trapping cycles for optimized structures. High single-particle occupancy was obtained for wells of comparable size to the particle diameter, while deeper wells enabled stable trapping with minimal loss. The entire trapping process was completed within five minutes per cycle, demonstrating a rapid, simple, and scalable approach applicable to digital immunoassay systems for ultrasensitive biomolecule detection. Full article

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) enables ultra-sensitive molecular detection and has broad analytical and biomedical applications; recent advances focus on high-performance substrates and innovative detection strategies. However, achieving controllable and reproducible substrate fabrication—particularly using natural templates such as hair—remains challenging, limiting SERS application in trace analysis and on-site detection. This study developed a single-hair in situ SERS platform using a natural hair template. Confinement within hair cuticle grooves and capillary-evaporation assembly enables dense arrangement of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-coated Au nanorods and polyvinylpyrrolidone-coated Au nanoparticles, forming uniform plasmonic nanoarrays. Spectroscopy and microscopy analyses confirmed the regular alignment of nanostructures along the hair axis with denser packing at the edges. The platform detected crystal violet at 10⁻⁹ M, yielding clear signals, negligible background, and stable peaks after repeated washing. For p-phenylenediamine, enhancement was observed down to 10⁻⁶ M. On the platform, a concentration-dependent response appeared within 10⁻³–10⁻⁵ M, with spatial Raman imaging along the hair axis. Capillary-evaporation coupling and interfacial wettability facilitated solute enrichment from larger to smaller gap hotspots, improving signal-to-noise ratio and reproducibility. This portable, low-cost, and scalable method supports rapid on-site screening in complex matrixes, offering a general strategy for hotspot engineering and programmable assembly on natural templates. Full article

Graphoepitaxial directed self-assembly (DSA) of block copolymers (BCPs) has emerged as a promising strategy for sub-30 nm line spacing patterning in semiconductor nanofabrication. Among the available BCP systems, polystyrene-block-poly (methyl methacrylate) (PS-b-PMMA) has been extensively utilized due to its well-characterized phase behavior and compatibility with standard lithographic processes. However, achieving a high-fidelity pattern with PS-b-PMMA remains challenging, owing to its limited etch contrast and reliance on UV-assisted degradation for PMMA removal. In this study, we report the synthesis of an acid-cleavable lamellar BCP, PS-N=CH-PMMA, incorporating a dynamic Schiff base (-N=CH-) linkage at the junction. This functional design enables UV-free wet etching, allowing selective removal of PMMA domains using glacial acetic acid. The synthesized copolymers retain the self-assembly characteristics of PS-b-PMMA and form vertically aligned lamellar nanostructures, with domain spacings tunable from 36.1 to 40.2 nm by varying the PMMA block length. When confined within 193i-defined trench templates with a critical dimension (CD) of 55 nm (trench width), these materials produced well-ordered one-space-per-trench patterns with interline spacings tunable from 15 to 25 nm, demonstrating significant line spacing shrinkage relative to the original template CD. SEM and FIB-TEM analyses confirmed that PS-N=CH-PMMA exhibits markedly improved vertical etch profiles and reduced PMMA residue compared to PS-b-PMMA, even without UV exposure. Furthermore, Ohta–Kawasaki simulations revealed that trench sidewall angle critically influences PS distribution and residual morphology. Collectively, this work demonstrates the potential of dynamic covalent chemistry to enhance the wet development fidelity of BCP lithography and offers a thermally compatible, UV-free strategy for sub-30 nm nanopatterning. Full article