Search Results (3,604)

Tungsten trioxide (WO₃) and molybdenum trioxide (MoO₃) are redox-active Group VI transition-metal oxides widely used in functional thin-film technologies. Many studies have examined single-phase WO₃ and MoO₃ films. However, WO₃/MoO₃ nanocomposite thin films and heterostructures have not yet been comprehensively reviewed as interface-engineered platforms for smart and sustainable technologies. This review addresses this gap by analyzing WO₃/MoO₃ thin-film nanocomposites through the concept of interfacial synergy. Particular attention is paid to the structural complementarity of WO₃ and α-MoO₃, oxygen nonstoichiometry, mixed W⁶⁺/W⁵⁺/W⁴⁺ and Mo⁶⁺/Mo⁵⁺/Mo⁴⁺ valence states, crystallographic-shear suboxides, W–O–Mo interfaces, and fabrication routes for mixed, graded, and multilayer films. The functional advantages of these systems do not arise from simply combining the two oxides. Instead, they result from charge and oxygen-vacancy redistribution, shortened ion–electron transport pathways, phase stabilization, and the formation of new active sites at interphase boundaries. The review also emphasizes the need to distinguish genuine interfacial synergy from apparent improvements caused by surface area, film thickness, porosity, hydration, or measurement conditions. Finally, the review links structural features, defect chemistry, and interface-controlled properties to device-level functionality. This framework highlights promising directions for WO₃/MoO₃ nanocomposite films in a wide range of smart and sustainable technologies. Full article

Dissolved oxygen concentration is a key parameter determining the oxidation and corrosion behavior of structural materials in lead-based fast reactor coolants. Therefore, achieving high-precision in-situ oxygen measurement in LBE systems is a fundamental technical requirement for implementing oxygen-controlled corrosion protection. Currently, nuclear-grade Bi/Bi₂O₃ solid-state electrochemical oxygen sensors have a minimum effective operating temperature of 350 °C, which prevents them from meeting the real-time oxygen monitoring needs under low-temperature conditions. This temperature limitation has become a major bottleneck for the engineering application of oxygen control technology. To address these requirements and challenges, this study develops a novel electrochemical oxygen sensor based on an 8 mol% Y₂O₃-stabilized ZrO₂ (8YSZ) solid electrolyte and La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_0.2Fe_0.8O_3±δ (LSCF) electrode system. Comparative experiments with Bi/Bi₂O₃ sensors are conducted to quantitatively assess the advantages of the LSCF/Air sensor in low-temperature applications within 205~550 °C. Furthermore, considering the irradiation environment in nuclear reactors, oxygen ion irradiation was employed as an accelerated simulation method to preliminarily investigate the electrochemical transport properties of 8YSZ after irradiation. The effects of oxygen ion irradiation on the apparent impedance and apparent oxygen ion conductivity of 8YSZ were evaluated. The results show that the LSCF/Air oxygen sensor has the potential to extend the lower operating-temperature limit of 8YSZ-based oxygen sensors in static, oxygen-saturated LBE environments. Oxygen ion irradiation increased the apparent impedance and decreased the apparent ionic conductivity of the tested 8YSZ samples. These results provide preliminary experimental data for the development of oxygen sensors for oxygen monitoring and corrosion control in liquid-metal-cooled reactor systems over a wider temperature range. Full article

Cancer continues to pose a major global burden because of the high incidence and mortality, underscoring the urgent need for innovative and highly sensitive diagnostic technologies. Conducting polymer–nanomaterial (CP–NM) hybrid biosensors have become promising platforms for cancer biomarker detection, integrating the redox-active and biocompatible nature of conducting polymers such as polyaniline (PANI), polypyrrole (PPy), and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) with the high surface area and charge transport properties of nanomaterials, including metallic nanoparticles, metal oxides, carbon-based nanostructures, and two-dimensional materials. The synergistic interfaces in these hybrids enable efficient electron transfer, signal amplification, and stable biomolecular immobilization, facilitating ultrasensitive and multiplexed detection of proteins, nucleic acids, and metabolites associated with tumor progression. This review highlights recent advances in CP–NM hybrid biosensors for cancer diagnostics, focusing on material design strategies, sensing mechanisms, and representative applications across electrochemical, optical, and mechanical modalities. Finally, key challenges and future perspectives are discussed, emphasizing the potential of CP–NM hybrid platforms to drive next-generation approaches for early cancer detection, therapeutic monitoring, and personalized healthcare. Full article

Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) is a multipurpose crop with considerable potential as a biotechnological platform for producing in vitro seedlings that serve both as sources of pharmacologically valuable phenolic compounds (PCs) and as potential biosorbents/chelators of heavy metals (HMs), including cadmium (Cd). The use of an in vitro culture system under strictly controlled conditions enables the identification of variety-specific responses in flax. The aim of this study was to compare the morphophysiological characteristics, the level of lipid peroxidation (LPO), and phenylpropanoid (PP) and flavonoid (FL) contents in in vitro seedlings of two flax varieties—fiber flax (FF) and oilseed flax (OF)—grown under control conditions and in the presence of Cd (60 and 100 μM). The stem mesostructure was also examined, as the stem is the principal organ responsible for metal transport via its vascular tissues. Our results showed that Cd exposure induced only minor changes in the morphophysiological characteristics of both flax varieties. Using a standardized in vitro system, we demonstrate for the first time that OF accumulated approximately 40% more Cd than FF at both metal concentrations. LPO, assessed by malondialdehyde (MDA) content, remained relatively stable across all treatments, except for a significant increase in OF exposed to 100 μM Cd. Analysis of the phenolic profile revealed that, in FF, the total phenolic content (TPC) and PP content increased relative to the control at 100 μM Cd, indicating the induction of PC-mediated antioxidant defense. In contrast, OF exhibited reduced PP and FL contents under both Cd treatments. Cytochemical analysis revealed a similar localization pattern for Cd and PC, with both accumulating predominantly in the stem epidermis of the in vitro-grown seedlings. However, the two flax types differed markedly in their accumulation profiles: OF accumulated higher levels of Cd, indicating its potential use as a biosorbent for this pollutant, whereas FF exhibited higher PC accumulation, suggesting its suitability as a natural source of PCs. These findings demonstrate that flax responses to Cd exposure are variety-specific. Full article

Dephosphorisation in oxygen steelmaking depends on more than the equilibrium phosphorus partition ratio. It also depends on where gas, slag, metal and injected lime powder coexist while the bath is stirred. We develop a gas–slag–metal–particle reaction model for bottom-blown oxygen–CaO powder injection by coupling Euler–Euler transport of liquid steel, mixed slag, and gas with a discrete phase model (DPM) for CaO particles. The local source terms include oxygen dissolution, FeO/Fe${}_2$O${}_3$ conversion, CO/CO${}_2$ buffering, competitive C/Si/P oxidation, P${}_2$O${}_5$ formation, $C_{2}S$–$C_{3}P$ fixation, reaction heat, and phase-wise mass conservation. Bubble swarms, dispersed slag, and emulsified metal–slag contact are represented through mean-field interfacial area densities tied to local phase fractions and mixing. Two simulated composition states have the same initial phosphorus content but different C, Si, and dissolved O levels; they are therefore compared as Case H and Case L rather than as a carbon-only test. Under the selected closures, Case H shows stronger decarburisation and CO-supported plume motion, whereas Case L retains more FeO${}_x$ and dissolved oxygen near the slag–metal interface. In both states, calculated P removal is confined mainly to locations where FeO${}_x$ supply, CaO availability, $P_2{O}_5$ generation, and $C_{2}S$–$C_{3}P$ fixation overlap. These observations are conditional on the reported parameters, a production mesh accompanied only by a two-grid qualitative sensitivity check, one time step, and the early transient considered here. Quantitative validation, systematic grid/time-step studies, closure-sensitivity tests, and controlled-composition simulations are required before the framework is used for process prediction. Full article

Precise monitoring of ammonia (NH₃) in humid agricultural environments is essential for livestock management and environmental protection. However, conventional metal oxide semiconductor sensors often suffer from signal attenuation and baseline instability because of competitive water adsorption under room-temperature, high-humidity conditions. Here, a non-annealed Sn/Ce-containing polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber membrane was fabricated by electrospinning for room-temperature NH₃ sensing. The resulting Sn/Ce/PAN membrane exhibits an amorphous hybrid structure formed through interactions between the metal species and the PAN matrix. The Sn/Ce/PAN membrane-based sensor delivers a response of 90% toward 100 ppm NH₃ at 80% RH, with a response time of 16 s and a recovery time of 37 s. The sensing response increases with relative humidity and reaches its maximum at 80% RH, demonstrating excellent sensing performance under high-humidity conditions. Combined experimental and theoretical investigations reveal that the outstanding sensing performance originates from humidity-mediated proton conduction enabled by enhanced water adsorption and the formation of a continuous hydrogen-bond network, whereas excessive water accumulation suppresses charge transport under excessively humid conditions. This work provides mechanistic insights into room-temperature NH₃ sensing under high humidity and offers a promising strategy for developing high-performance gas sensors for practical humid environments. Full article

Carbon monoxide-releasing molecules (CORMs) display promising antibacterial activity, yet their global cellular targets and underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to characterize the proteomic response of Escherichia coli MG1655 exposed to a sub-inhibitory concentration (10 µM, 40 min) of the ruthenium-based CORM-3 compared to its inactive counterpart, iCORM-3, in defined minimal medium. Utilizing label-free quantitative LC-MS/MS proteomics combined with differential abundance, functional annotation, and STRING-based network analyses, we explored treatment-associated proteomic signatures and subcellular localization patterns. While iCORM-3 exhibited no antibacterial activity, CORM-3 inhibited growth in a concentration-dependent manner. Although no individual protein reached FDR significance after multiple-testing correction, candidate abundance changes converged on functionally related modules, including envelope/periplasmic stress, sulfur metabolism and transport, redox/metal homeostasis and selected energy-associated functions. These findings support a hypothesis-generating model in which sub-inhibitory CORM-3 exposure is associated with multifactorial bacterial stress adaptation rather than a single dominant protein-level target. Envelope homeostasis, sulfur-containing pathways, redox/metal adaptation, and attenuation of selected energy-associated functions therefore emerge as candidate components of the E. coli response to CORM-3 and require future targeted validation. Full article

Severe friction and extreme temperatures occur at the tool–chip interface during metal cutting. Conventional cutting fluids struggle to penetrate interface micro-capillaries at the contact interface under high contact pressure. This issue causes severe tool–chip adhesion and accelerates tool wear. This study aims to solve fluid delivery limitations by introducing micro-textures with a depth of 15 microns on the tool surfaces. It reveals the mechanism of micro-textures in accelerating fluid penetration and reducing interface friction. An analytical capillary penetration model was established for conventional and micro-textured tools. Thermal penetration tests (30–150 °C) and turning experiments on hardened steel were conducted to evaluate interfacial fluid transport behavior. Theoretical modeling shows that micro-textures facilitate direct vapor-phase filling into micro-capillaries. This mechanism bypasses liquid ingress and droplet evaporation stages. This reduces the fluid penetration time into the capillaries by almost an order of magnitude. Thermal tests show that textured surfaces maintain dynamic vapor–liquid equilibrium. At 150 °C, the vapor penetration area reaches 978.5 × 10⁻³ mm² on micro-textures, over four times that of smooth surfaces. Energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) detected fluid-derived sodium (0.98 at.%) inside micro-textured capillaries. Meanwhile, workpiece material adhesion decreases from 6.04 at.% to 0.11 at.%. In turning tests of AISI 1045 hardened carbon steel, micro-textured tools reduced the main cutting force by up to 17% and the axial force by up to 22%. Cutting temperatures decreased by up to 10.0%. The average tool–chip friction coefficient dropped by 9.2% at a cutting speed of 240 m/min. This work provides insights into a vapor-phase lubrication mechanism and offers quantitative guidance for designing high-efficiency self-lubricating tools. Full article

Salinisation and metal contamination are among the leading causes of arable land loss worldwide, yet halophytes and metallophytes—the plants best adapted to these conditions—remain a considerably underexploited biotechnological resource. Using an eco-evo-devo perspective, in which environmental pressure, developmental plasticity and evolutionary outcome interact to shape adaptive traits, we examine evidence that salinity and metal tolerance arose independently and repeatedly across distant angiosperm lineages, converging on comparable structural and physiological solutions: succulence, anatomical transport barriers, root exudation, osmoprotection, and ion compartmentalisation. This convergence distinguishes stress-tolerance mechanisms that are general from those that are stressor-specific, informing efforts to transfer these traits into other extremophytes and conventional crops. In turn, we assess the ecological roles of halophytes and metallophytes in their natural habitats before evaluating their biotechnological applications, which range from halophyte-derived genes and promoters for crop improvement to halophyte biomass for bioenergy, biomaterials and remediation of saline, polluted soils and wastewaters, while metallophytes underpin phytoremediation, phytomining, and biomonitoring of metal-contaminated sites. Notwithstanding this progress, wider exploitation remains limited by the scarcity of crop-relevant gene-editing platforms for halophytes, low biomass yield in metal-hyperaccumulating species, and inconsistent phytochemical standardisation across growing conditions, as well as by three unresolved gaps: the lack of methods to partition host and microbiome contributions to tolerance, uncertainty over whether mechanisms shared between the two groups are convergent or evolutionarily conserved, and the undetermined contribution of epigenetic inheritance to stress adaptation. Translating this evolutionary and physiological knowledge into stress-adapted cultivars, optimised extraction systems, and field-ready phytoremediation and phytomining programmes is central to addressing land degradation, food security, and sustainable resource recovery. Full article

A complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS)-compatible z-axis magnetic field sensor incorporating an additional collector is proposed to enhance magnetic sensing performance. The sensor consists of four identical magnetic sensing elements arranged in a cross-shaped configuration, while shallow trench isolation (STI) and a post-CMOS cavity structure are employed to suppress substrate leakage current and improve electrical isolation. The sensing characteristics were investigated using three-dimensional TCAD simulations to analyze carrier transport and current density distributions under different magnetic fields. The simulation results confirmed that the structure effectively enhances the differential output response and magnetic sensitivity. The device was fabricated using a commercial CMOS process followed by a simple post-CMOS micromachining process. Optical microscope and scanning electron microscope observations verified the successful formation of the sensing structure and the cavity beneath the sensing elements. The sensor was experimentally characterized under magnetic fields ranging from −300 to 300 mT. The measured results exhibited excellent linearity over the entire measurement range. The sensor achieved a measured sensitivity of 120 mV/T. Owing to its high sensitivity, simple fabrication process, and full compatibility with standard CMOS technology, the magnetic field sensor is promising for integrated microsystems, industrial monitoring, and intelligent sensing applications. Full article

Iron (Fe) deficiency and cadmium (Cd) contamination often co-occur in agricultural systems, yet the way in which Fe deficiency modulates Cd translocation remains unclear. Here, we investigated root cell wall modifications mediating Cd accumulation in two peanut cultivars with contrasting Fe deficiency tolerance. Fe deficiency significantly increased root Cd concentrations in both cultivars but reduced Cd translocation to shoots, an effect more pronounced in the tolerant cultivar Silihong. Cell wall analysis revealed cultivar-specific compositional changes: pectin and cellulose increased under combined Cd exposure and Fe deficiency, while hemicellulose (HC1) decreased. Negative correlations between Fe and Cd accumulation in roots, cell walls, and their components indicate competition between these two metal ions for binding sites in root cell walls. Increased pectin content under combined stress enhances Cd sequestration, while reduced HC1 content facilitates Fe mobilization to shoots. Transcriptomic analysis identified hub genes associated with cell wall modification, including pectinesterases (PME2/4/29/63), beta-galactosidases (BGAL3/5/8), polygalacturonases (PGs), pectin acetylesterases (PAE8), xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolases (XTH8/31) and laccases (LAC7/11/15). Under combined stress, Silihong exhibited superior Cd immobilization, characterized by higher Cd accumulation in HC1 and cellulose fractions, stronger induction of PME, PAE8 and LAC genes, and greater suppression of XTHs, PGs, and BGALs. Our findings demonstrate that Fe deficiency restricts Cd translocation by remodeling root cell walls, increasing pectin and cellulose while modulating hemicellulose integrity, thereby creating an expanded apoplastic reservoir that traps Cd. This structural detoxification mechanism, operating downstream of uptake transporters, identifies key cell wall components and regulatory genes as potential targets for breeding peanut cultivars with improved food safety. Full article

Welding technology, extensively utilized in modern industry, poses significant health risks due to metal dust exposure, which can lead to respiratory discomfort, neurological issues, and an increased risk of lung cancer and pneumoconiosis. Enhancing ventilation within factory buildings has proven to be an economical approach to mitigating these risks. This study employs computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to model the airflow and dust transport within a large welding workshop measuring 300 m in length, 28 m in width, and 21 m in height. The impact of the exhaust-to-supply air ratio (ESR) and the height of the side exhaust port (SEP) on dust removal efficiency is investigated. Comparative analysis of transport dynamics between low-density aluminum alloy welding fume and high-density carbon steel welding fume reveals optimal dust exhaust designs. The study identifies two peaks in workshop air velocity at 0–2 m and 8–12 m above the ground, with the top exhaust port (TEP) outperforming the SEP in dust removal. An increased ESR accelerates the upward migration of welding fume, reducing lateral dispersion. An improperly set SEP height can lead to airflow short-circuiting or excessive lateral dispersion, hindering effective dust removal. Optimal SEP height for aluminum alloy and carbon steel dust are determined to be 5 m and 6 m, respectively. Full article

Gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) have emerged as promising electrolytes for lithium metal batteries owing to their high ionic conductivity, mechanical flexibility, and reduced risk of electrolyte leakage. However, PAN-based GPEs still suffer from limited ion transport caused by the semi-crystalline structure of PAN chains. In this work, polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/lithium aluminum titanium phosphate (LATP)/lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) gel polymer electrolytes were fabricated via direct ink writing (DIW) 3D printing, where PMMA was introduced to regulate the PAN matrix and enhance Li⁺ transport. The results reveal that PMMA incorporation effectively reduces PAN crystallinity, increases the amorphous fraction, and modifies the local functional-group environment of the polymer matrix, while LATP fillers further improve ionic transport and mechanical stability. The optimized PPM8:2 gel polymer electrolyte delivers a room-temperature ionic conductivity of 4.22 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹, a Li⁺ transference number of 0.624, and an electrochemical stability window of 4.75 V. When applied in LiFePO₄|Li batteries, it maintains a discharge capacity of approximately 150 mAh g⁻¹ after 100 cycles at 0.1 C with excellent rate capability and cycling stability. This work provides an effective approach to developing PAN-based gel polymer electrolytes for high-performance lithium metal batteries. Full article

Biomimetic hydrogels have emerged as versatile bioelectronic interface materials for bioelectronics and human–machine interfaces (HMIs), enabling mechanically compliant and multifunctional interactions between electronic devices and biological tissues. Inspired by the structures and functions of biological systems, these hydrogels incorporate tissue-like mechanics, efficient ionic/electronic transport, robust wet adhesion, and environmental adaptability within hydrated polymer networks, enabling stable bioelectronic interfaces. This review first categorizes biomimetic hydrogels into polymer-based hydrogels, carbon–polymer composites, and metal–polymer composites, with emphasis on their structural features and functional properties. We then discuss biomimetic strategies for regulating charge transport, mechanical performance, and interfacial adhesion through structural and molecular engineering, highlighting how biomimetic principles are translated into material properties. Finally, representative applications in electrophysiological monitoring, biochemical sensing, gesture recognition, and robotic control are discussed to establish the link between biomimetic material design and device functionality. Overall, this review highlights the design principles that connect biological inspiration to material properties and bioelectronic functions, providing a framework for the development of hydrogel-based biointerfaces for advanced bioelectronics and HMIs. Full article

Acid mine drainage (AMD) generation in sulfide waste rock deposits involves complex hydrogeochemical processes that require controlled experimental approaches to improve our understanding of them. In this study, a laboratory-scale waste rock dam reactor was operated for 31 weeks using representative materials from the Iberian Pyrite Belt. Continuous monitoring of physicochemical parameters and weekly chemical analyses generated a big dataset that was evaluated using graphical and statistical approaches. The reactor successfully reproduced the principal hydrogeochemical processes characteristic of AMD environments, including sulfide oxidation, contaminant transport and attenuation. Graphical and statistical analyses consistently validated the proposed conceptual hydrogeochemical model. Sulfate concentrations were identified as the main control on electrical conductivity, while alternating wet and dry periods governed pH fluctuations through precipitation–dissolution and redissolution processes. The progressive decrease in dissolved metals and sulfate along the reactor reflected precipitation processes comparable to those observed in natural AMD systems. The reactor reproduced, at a small scale, both the temporal evolution and the three hydrological phases described for natural waste rock dams, demonstrating its reliability as a reproducible experimental platform for hydrogeochemical modeling and the investigation of AMD generation under controlled conditions. An effective diagnosis of contamination processes in mine waters is essential for future remediation interventions. Full article