Search Results (1,598)

Anode-less battery architectures, which eliminate the host anode material, have attracted considerable attention as a promising approach to increase energy density, simplify cell manufacturing, and improve safety in next-generation energy storage systems. This review provides a structured and integrative overview on the current research landscape of anode-less cells, spanning both liquid- and solid-electrolyte technologies. It first introduces the fundamental principles, key advantages, and inherent challenges of the anode-less concept. Advanced characterization techniques, including electrochemical, interfacial, morphological, and operando approaches, are then discussed as essential tools for probing metal plating/stripping behavior and degradation mechanisms. The core of the review examines how system design governs performance, addressing strategies for liquid electrolytes, including current collector design, electrolyte formulation, and deposition control, as well as solid electrolytes, with an emphasis on interfacial engineering, fundamental limitations, and extensions to Na- and K-based batteries. By integrating insights across these systems, the review identifies critical challenges, including unstable solid-electrolyte interphases, dendrite formation, and interfacial contact loss. Finally, a development pyramid is introduced as a conceptual framework linking fundamental research to practical implementation, outlining key priorities from interface control and full-cell compatibility to long-term reliability while also highlighting industrial pathways toward hybrid and fully solid-state anode-less batteries. Full article

In recent decades, the requirement for materials with excellent electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption properties has been steadily expanding. Developing and designing multifunctional hybrid absorbers featuring diverse components and synergistic loss mechanisms have become a significant research field. MOF materials feature abundant heterogeneous interfaces and high porosity, and their derivatives exhibit superior magnetic effects. They can enhance EMW absorption through multiple scattering and reflection. These merits enable them to satisfy the demands of diverse EMW absorption applications. Therefore, this work summarizes the investigations and applications of MOF derivatives in EMW absorption. The EMW absorption mechanisms of MOF derivatives are thoroughly investigated from the aspects of precursor design, framework construction, and compounding with reinforcing phases. Meanwhile, the research progress of related materials is summarized, including multi-component MOF-derived EMW absorbers, MOF-derived biomass composite absorbing materials, and MOF-derived conductive polymer composite absorbers. In addition, the subsequent progress of EMW absorbers shows promising prospects. The various deficiencies of MOF-derived absorbers in current research are also analyzed. It is expected to provide more systematic and thorough guidance for the future investigations in related fields. Full article

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a highly toxic mycotoxin commonly detected in food and agricultural products, requiring sensitive analytical methods for reliable monitoring. Herein, we report an ultrasensitive turn-on electrochemical aptasensor for OTA detection based on a target-induced displacement of an aptamer–complementary DNA (cDNA) duplex assembled on an electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ERGO)-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). In the absence of OTA, a methylene blue (MB)-labeled aptamer hybridized with cDNA is immobilized on the ERGO surface via π–π stacking interactions, forming a rigid duplex that suppresses electron transfer and yields a low electrochemical signal. Upon OTA binding, the aptamer undergoes a conformational transition into a G-quadruplex structure, leading to dissociation of the cDNA strand. This target-induced folding brings the MB redox tag into close proximity to the ERGO surface, markedly accelerating electron transfer and enhancing the cathodic reduction current of MB, thereby producing a pronounced signal-on response in square-wave voltammetry (SWV). The ERGO-modified electrode provides a conductive and stable interface without chemical linkers. Under optimized conditions, the aptasensor shows a linear response to OTA from 10 fM to 100 pM with an ultralow LOD of 0.67 fM, together with high selectivity, good reproducibility, and satisfactory stability. This work demonstrates a simple and effective turn-on aptasensing strategy for sensitive electrochemical detection of OTA. Full article

This study investigates the multi-scale tribo–thermo–viscoelastic performance of a sustainable bio-based FormuLITE epoxy reinforced with single and hybrid carbon nanofillers (0.1 wt.% total loading) under dry sliding up to 50 N. Pin-on-disk tests at 10, 30, and 50 N showed a consistent reduction in contact pressure and wear volume in the order: neat epoxy > 0.1 CNT > 0.1 GNP > 0.1 ND > 0.1 CNT/GNP > 0.1 CNT/ND > 0.1 GNP/ND. At 50 N and 1500 m sliding distance, neat epoxy exhibited a wear volume of 13.43 mm³ and contact pressure of 13.4 N/cm², while the GNP/ND hybrid reduced wear to 4.86 mm³ and contact pressure to 6.2 N/cm², corresponding to reductions of 64% and 54%, respectively. The accelerating wear coefficient decreased from 2.9 × 10⁻⁶ to 8.5 × 10⁻⁷, confirming slower damage accumulation in hybrid systems. Time-dependent contact pressure analysis revealed reduced asymptotic intensity and suppressed mid-cycle pressure spikes, indicating enhanced tribolayer stability. Effective surface hardness increased from 0.18 GPa (neat epoxy) to 0.30 GPa (GNP/ND), while normalized wear decreased from 1.00 to 0.36. Enhanced damping behavior and improved thermal conductivity in hybrid systems promoted stress redistribution and minimized flash-temperature localization. An interfacial energy-partition framework calibrated to experimental wear data quantitatively linked effective driving pressure, tribofilm stabilization, and surface hardness to material removal. The results demonstrate that wear mitigation in sustainable bio-epoxy systems is governed by coupled mechanical, viscoelastic, and thermal energy redistribution, with GNP/ND hybrids providing the most stable tribological interface under severe sliding. The findings contribute to the development of durable and sustainable bio-epoxy composite systems for engineering applications, supporting broader goals of responsible material utilization and sustainable industrial innovation aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 9 and SDG 12). Full article

This study aims to develop high-performance hybrid nanocomposites for solid-state energy conversion. We achieved this by improving charge transport and thermoelectric efficiency through the interaction of polymers, nanoparticles, and ionic liquids. Nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO NPs) were synthesized via a sonochemical route using a novel ionic liquid, 1,2-(propan). In our recent work, this approach enabled the formation of a hybrid [NiO NPs + IL] system, which was subsequently incorporated at different loadings (8, 15, and 30 wt.%) and coated with polyethylene glycol (PEG). The resulting nanocomposites were investigated to elucidate charge-transport mechanisms and assess the influence of the polymer coating on their optical, electrical, and thermal transport properties. Optical measurements showed a shift in the band gap due to π–π* electronic transitions. This effect indicates strong interface interactions. The PEG-coated [NiO NPs + IL] nanocomposites exhibited significantly enhanced charge-carrier mobility, resulting in improved electrical conductivity. Remarkably, a high Seebeck coefficient of 720 μV/K and an electrical conductivity of 0.35 S/cm were achieved, resulting in a maximum power factor of 24.74 μW/m·K², surpassing many recently reported polymer-based nanocomposites. PEG-coated [NiO NPs + IL] systems offer tunable optical properties and superior thermoelectric performance. Consequently, they are a promising alternative to conventional nanocomposites for sustainable energy conversion. Full article

Hybrid nanomaterials that integrate surface functionality, colloidal stability, and efficient electron-transfer pathways are highly attractive for improving electrochemical sensing performance. Herein, we report the fabrication and evaluation of polyethyleneimine-functionalized gallium nitride nanoparticles (GaN) decorated with gold nanoparticles (GaN-PEI-Au) as a tunable electrode modifier for enhanced differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) detection of erythromycin. Branched polyethyleneimine was employed as a multifunctional interfacial layer to stabilize GaN dispersions, introduce amine-rich surface chemistry, and enable in situ gold nanoparticle formation at the GaN-PEI. The optimized GaN-PEI-Au material exhibited high colloidal stability, a characteristic Au localized surface plasmon resonance in the ~520–525 nm range, and well-defined Au nanoparticles attached to the GaN surface. When applied as an electrode coating, GaN-PEI-Au significantly enhanced the erythromycin oxidation response compared to bare Au and GaN-PEI interfaces, consistent with synergistic increases in electroactive surface area and interfacial charge-transfer efficiency. Under optimized DPV conditions, GaN-PEI-Au-modified electrodes enabled quantitative erythromycin determination with a linear range of 5 nM–2 µM (R² = 0.990), sensitivity of 1.32 × 10⁻³ µA nM⁻¹, and a limit of detection of 52.5 nM, while maintaining stable baseline behavior during repeated scans. The reported GaN-PEI-Au nanocomposites represent a robust platform for sensitive electrochemical detection of pharmaceutical compounds. Full article

The synergy between additively manufactured (AM) polymers and functional PVD coatings is crucial for advanced applications, yet the reliability of these hybrid systems is dictated by the residual stresses induced during deposition. This work presents the first in-depth, nanoscale profiling of residual stresses in Ti6Al4V and SS316 coatings on 3D-printed Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate (ASA) and Silicon (Si) substrates. A cutting-edge methodology combining Focused Ion Beam (FIB) milling with Digital Image Correlation (DIC), rigorously interpreted through the non-integral eigenstrain theory, is employed. Our findings reveal a consistent pattern of compressive stresses near the coating surface but expose a significant tensile stress peak at the coating-substrate interface, a feature not observed on reference silicon substrates. High-resolution electron microscopy and elemental analysis suggest that this stress concentration is associated with the presence of a thin, brittle oxide interlayer formed on the substrate surface. Furthermore, this study quantifies the dominant effect of the low-stiffness polymer substrate, which leads to a strain relief magnitude an order of magnitude higher than in rigid substrates. This work provides critical quantitative data on the failure-driving mechanisms in these emerging material systems and establishes a robust, optimized metrological protocol for their characterization. Full article

The ACE-funded project Clay and Augmented Reality (CAR) explored how the combination of tactile and digital media might activate embodied memory, foster art expression, and stimulate new forms of creative learning. The project investigated memory recollection by integrating clay sculpting with immersive Augmented Reality (AR), focusing on psychoanalysis and participatory art research. The created multisensory environment was a significant element in reconnection with early-life experiences. Six workshops engaged over 40 participants in memory-mapping through AR interfaces and tactile activities. Extensive theoretical and methodological research focuses on theories of Freud, Polanyi, Ettinger, and art practice of Hepworth, integrating embodied making with experimental technologies, including 3D scanning, ARvid/HoloLens experiences, and qualitative feedback analysis. The outcome is a hybrid repository of over 120 memory-informed artefacts titled My Mother and I, presented on the sketchfab platform. The collection showcases intergenerational memory, imprints of intangible and visual storytelling. During the research, the significance of slowness, play, and relational presence was underlined as conditions for memory activation. It concludes that memory lives in gesture, spatial perception and given care, and that hybrid arts-based methods offer new epistemologies of healing, creativity and pedagogical inquiry. CAR presents a model for participatory research that bridges physical and digital realms in deeply human ways. Full article

Microbial biosurfactants, derived from diverse aquatic and extreme ecosystems, offer a sustainable and environmentally compatible strategy for enhanced oil recovery by fundamentally altering subsurface rock wettability. These biologically produced amphiphiles can efficiently transform oil-wet rock surfaces into water-wet states, thereby mobilizing otherwise trapped crude oil. The primary aim of this review is to provide an integrative understanding of how these biomolecules function at the interface between aquatic microbial ecology and subsurface petroleum engineering, with a particular focus on wettability alteration as a key mechanism for enhancing oil recovery. This review surveys major biosurfactant classes—glycolipids, lipopeptides, and polymeric bioemulsifiers—and their core mechanisms, emphasizing their relevance to challenging reservoir conditions such as high temperature and salinity. A detailed assessment is devoted to persistent hurdles such as stability, adsorption onto rock formations, and economic scalability. Future prospects center on three key approaches: advancing synergistic “bio-hybrid” systems that integrate biosurfactants with complementary agents such as biopolymers and nanomaterials; achieving cost-effective production through the valorization of waste feedstocks; and expanding targeted bioprospecting of microbial diversity from extreme aquatic environments. Together, these strategies are reviewed to drive the advancement of robust, green microbial-enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) technologies, charting a course from fundamental insights to field-scale implementation. Full article

Sensitive quantitative detection of breast cancer gene synthetic sequences is crucial for related biosensing research. To address the limitations of traditional sensors for detecting ultra-low concentrations, this study developed a novel fiber-optic biosensor by combining nanomaterial sensitization with nanoparticle signal amplification strategies. A fiber optic sensor based on single-mode fiber-thin-core fiber-multimode fiber-single-mode fiber structure was fabricated and functionalized with black phosphorus (BP) nano-interface. The Au@cDNA complex was prepared by covalently immobilizing sulfhydryl-modified complementary DNA (cDNA) on the surface of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The complex specifically hybridized with the probe DNA (pDNA) immobilized on the surface of the sensor. The experimental results show that this sensor has a sensitivity of 0.793 nm/lgM and a detection limit of 20.27 fM in the concentration range of 100 fM to 100 nM. Specifically, the BP-functionalized sensor exhibits superior dynamic range, higher sensitivity, and lower detection limits for detecting Au@cDNA. The synergistic effect of interfacial sensitization by BP and signal amplification by AuNPs significantly enhances detection performance, providing a promising platform for ultra-sensitive biosensing applications. Full article

The precursor infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP) route is widely adopted to fabricate carbon fiber-reinforced silicon carbide (C_f/SiC) composites; however, the atomic-scale restructuring of the pyrolytic carbon/silicon carbide (PyC/SiC) interface during ceramization—and its impact on mechanical integrity—remains elusive. Here, reactive molecular dynamics (ReaxFF MD) simulations elucidate the coupled thermochemical–mechanical evolution of polycarbosilane (PCS) precursors on PyC substrates with orientation angles (OAs) of 0°, 25°, 55°, and 85°. Dynamic pyrolysis triggers a pivotal transition from sp² to sp³ hybridization at the interface. High-OA substrates (55° and 85°) present a dense population of reactive edge sites, fostering extensive cross-interfacial covalent bonding. Subsequent shear loading reveals that these pyrolysis-induced chemical bridges govern failure modes, shifting from interlayer sliding dominated by weak non-bonded interactions (0°) to ductile fracture featuring uniform plasticity and crack deflection. The OA = 55° interface attains a theoretical peak shear strength of 15 GPa and exhibits the most favorable combination of high strength and ductile failure under tensile loading, owing to an optimal balance between reactive site availability and interlayer steric openness. In contrast, the OA = 85° interface, despite comparable peak stress, fails via brittle crack penetration into the SiC matrix. By correlating atomistic structure with macroscopic performance, this study provides a bottom-up framework for engineering C_f/SiC composites via interfacial texturing and optimized pyrolysis protocols. Full article

In the era of renewable dominated grids, integration of dynamic loads such as EV charging stations have increased the operational challenges in multifolds, particularly in DC microgrids (DC MGs). Traditional battery-dominated grid energy management strategies (EMSs) are often not capable of handling fast transients due to the limitations of battery electrochemistry. To overcome this limitation, a hierarchical hybrid energy management strategy is proposed that uses the combination of data-driven and metaheuristic algorithms. The designed optimization framework consists of particle swarm optimization (PSO) and a neural network (NN) implemented in the central controller of a 4-bus ringmain DC MG. An efficient decoupling of fast and slow storage dynamics is performed, where the supercapacitor (SC) is optimized using the NN and the battery is optimized using PSO. This selective optimization reduces the computational overhead on the PSO making it more feasible for real-time implementation. The designed hybrid PSO-Neural EMS framework is initially designed on MATLAB and further validated on a real-time hardware setup. Robustness of the control scheme is verified with various case studies, such as renewable intermittency, dynamic loading and partial shading scenarios. An effective optimization of the SC in both transient and heavy load scenarios are observed. LabVIEW interfacing is used for MODBUS-based interaction with PV emulators and DC-DC converters. Full article

Brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) have great potential for consumer electronics, as they enable the decoding of brain activity to control external devices and assist human–computer interaction. However, current decoding methods for BCIs face several challenges, such as low accuracy, poor stability under electrode shift, and slow processing for real-time use. In this paper, we propose a hybrid decoding framework designed to address the challenges of current EEG decoding methods. Our method combines manifold learning with contrastive learning. The core of our method lies in a dual-manifold model that uses non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) and a contrastive manifold learning framework to extract clear and useful features from brain signals. To improve decoding stability, we introduce a joint training strategy that enhances feature learning. Furthermore, the system is optimized for real-time interaction, reducing the system latency to 100 ms. We collect EEG signals from 15 subjects performing motor execution tasks and 10 subjects performing motor imagery tasks to construct a motor EEG dataset. On this dataset, the proposed method achieves superior decoding performance, reaching F1-scores of 0.7382 for the motor imagery tasks and 0.8361 for the motor execution tasks. Furthermore, the method maintains robustness even with reduced electrode counts and altered spatial distributions, highlighting its potential as a decoding solution for reliable and portable BCI systems. Full article

Current in vitro tissue models struggle to recapitulate the structural, vascular, and mechanical complexity of human tissues, limiting their physiological relevance for disease modelling and preclinical testing. Self-organising three-dimensional cultures such as spheroids and organoids capture key aspects of cellular organisation and differentiation, but they commonly lack controlled geometry, perfusable vasculature, and reproducible mechanical microenvironments. Conversely, biofabrication strategies, such as three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting and organ-on-chip (OoC) microfluidic devices, offer spatial control, integrated perfusion, and dynamic mechanical stimulation, yet often fall short in recapitulating the full cellular diversity and self-organisation of native tissues. Notably, emerging hybrid approaches that embed self-organising biological units (e.g., organoids and spheroids) into engineered scaffolds or microfluidic platforms combine biological relevance, architectural fidelity, and functional control. Advances in bioink chemistry, sacrificial-printing vascularisation, and chip–organoid interfaces now enable perfusable, multicompartment tissues suitable for disease modelling and preclinical testing. This review highlights the most recent (2020–2025) progress in organoid vascularisation, bioprinting strategies for prevascularised constructs, and OoC integration, outlining remaining challenges and emphasising priorities for next-generation hybrid cellular and tissue models. Full article

The ionic liquids are increasingly used as versatile media capable of reshaping the electrochemical environment for hydrogen production. Their wide electrochemical windows, thermal stability, and customizable solvation structures enable these liquids to tailor the electrode–electrolyte interface in such a way that the traditional alkaline and polymer-membrane systems cannot. These features allow for reductions in the hydrogen evolution overpotentials, improved catalyst stability, and effective suppression of gas crossover, positioning the ionic liquids as promising components for advanced electrolysis systems. Despite these benefits, their broader deployment remains constrained by certain challenges. The elevated viscosity and associated mass-transport limitations complicate the cell design and energy efficiency, whereas the cost and long-term stability of many ionic liquids limit their competitiveness in industrial hydrogen production. Also, the hydrolysable anions and other reactive species increase the burden, particularly in environments where moisture and anodic potential are present. As a result, the ionic liquids electrolysis has its most promising prospects in niche and hybrid configurations like the renewable integrated systems and configurations where the tailored interfacial chemistry and long operational lifetimes outweigh the investment cost and maintenance requirements. Future progress will depend on the development of greener, task-specific ionic liquids with improved stability and lower synthesis costs, alongside hybrid electrolyte designs that balance the unique interfacial benefits of ionic liquids with the practicality of aqueous systems. Advancing these materials from laboratory research to large-scale sustainable hydrogen production will require coordinated advances in the materials compatibility, device and infrastructural architecture, and techno-economic optimization. Full article