Search Results (97)

Driven by the rising frequency of extreme climatic events and the escalating demand for sustainable infrastructure, modern pavement materials must deliver enhanced resilience, structural stability, and environmental adaptability. This study presents the design and synthesis of a novel polyurethane-polyurea (PU-PUa) pavement binder, engineered via a synergistic framework combining nanoscale microphase separation and a hierarchical hydrogen-bonding network. Utilizing a streamlined, one-step synthesis approach involving an aliphatic isocyanate, a polyaspartic ester, polytetramethylene ether glycol, and 1,4-butanediol, the PU-PUa copolymer achieves distinct nanoscale phase separation between its hard and soft segments. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy verifies the successful formation of characteristic PU-PUa moieties and a multi-scale hydrogen-bonding network, while DSC and DMA reveal SSC-dependent soft-segment mobility, crystallization/melting behavior, and viscoelastic relaxation. These intra- and inter-segmental interactions, together with thermally activated soft-segment transitions, establish the structural foundation for the macro-performance enhancement of the system. Comprehensive evaluations demonstrate that the PU-PUa binder exhibits excellent mechanical and highly tunable properties. Rheological measurements indicate that increasing the soft segment content (SSC) or incorporating an appropriate diluent concentration significantly lowers the system viscosity, thereby enhancing processing workability during mixing and paving. Contact angle goniometry reveals that the surface hydrophobicity of PU-PUa can be effectively regulated by adjusting the SSC, offering a viable strategy to optimize moisture damage resistance. Moreover, curing behavior analyses show that the polymerization kinetics are strictly governed by both the SSC and environmental temperature, where a lower SSC or elevated curing temperature accelerates strength development. Mechanically, the PU-PUa binder displays desirable surface hardness (>80 Shore A) and exceptional aggregate adhesion (>2 MPa), ensuring robust bonding stability and resistance to traffic-induced abrasion. Characterized by balanced tensile performance, the elongation at break of the binder can be tailored from 90% to 161%, while its tensile strength varies between 6.4 MPa and 17.8 MPa at intermediate temperatures, manifesting excellent resilience and cracking resistance. Overall, this molecular-to-macroscopic design strategy establishes the PU-PUa copolymer as a highly promising, durable binder for next-generation resilient pavement infrastructures. Full article

The spatial organization of the eukaryotic nucleus plays a pivotal role in regulating pre-mRNA splicing; however, the underlying principles governing this organization remain incompletely understood. Recent advances in imaging and sequencing technologies have revealed that splicing regulation is orchestrated across multiple hierarchical levels, from nanoscale protein–RNA interactions to large-scale nuclear architecture. Intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) in RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) mediate multivalent interactions that drive liquid–liquid phase separation, leading to the formation of dynamic biomolecular condensates, such as nuclear speckles, paraspeckles, and nuclear stress bodies (nSBs). These structures act as functional hubs that modulate RNA processing efficiency and respond to cellular stress. In addition, emerging evidence highlights nucleus-wide RBP meshworks that spatially organize co-transcriptional splicing through dynamic RNA-dependent interactions. The interplay between these condensates and meshworks forms a spatially organized network that fine-tunes the efficiency and fidelity of pre-mRNA splicing. Collectively, this review presents a unified model in which phase separation and higher-order nuclear architecture coordinately regulate transcriptomic output in space and time. Full article

To clarify the anomalous corrosion behavior in Cu-containing CoCrNi-based medium-entropy alloys, in which an enhanced corrosion driving force is accompanied by a reduced overall corrosion rate, the phase constitution, microstructure, electrochemical behavior, post-corrosion morphology, and surface chemical states of CoCrNi, CoCrNiCu, and CoCrNiCuFe alloys were systematically compared. The results show that Cu addition induces pronounced phase separation in the CoCrNi matrix, leading to the formation of a Cu-depleted FCC1 phase, a continuous Cu-rich FCC2 intergranular network, and dispersed nanoscale Cu-rich precipitates, with an FCC2 area fraction of about 0.145. In 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution, CoCrNiCu exhibits a stronger thermodynamic tendency for corrosion, whereas its overall corrosion rate does not increase, but instead shows the lowest corrosion current density and higher impedance, indicating an anomalous electrochemical response. Post-corrosion SEM morphology, EDS elemental mapping, and XPS valence-state analyses further reveal that corrosion is mainly concentrated in the Cu-rich phases and their adjacent narrow regions, while the Cu-rich phases themselves remain relatively stable as non-sacrificial cathodes. Semi-quantitative thermodynamic and mass-transport calculations indicate that although Cu-induced phase separation enhances the micro-galvanic corrosion driving force, with an estimated interphase potential difference of about 0.337 V, the overall corrosion rate remains constrained by the oxygen diffusion supply during cathodic oxygen reduction on the Cu-rich regions. Therefore, the anomalous corrosion response of CoCrNiCu can be attributed to the synergistic effect of the enhanced micro-galvanic corrosion driving force caused by Cu-induced phase separation and the restricted cathodic oxygen supply. Full article

Hybrid carbon nanotube–fullerene architectures provide a controllable setting in which to study irreversibility and information flow in strongly structured quantum environments. We analyze entropy generation in a platform where paramagnetic endohedral fullerenes (PEFs), such as N@C₆₀ and P@C₆₀, are encapsulated inside a suspended carbon nanotube (CNT) resonator, such that selected multi-level PEF spin states define an effective qubit coupled to quantized CNT flexural modes. Motivated by prior work on fullerene-filled CNTs, on spin–phonon manipulation in suspended nanotubes, and on exact phase-space propagators for damped driven oscillators, we formulate a hybrid open-system description that combines a driven quantum Brownian description of the CNT resonator with an effective Jaynes–Cummings type spin–vibrational interaction. The resonator dynamics are represented in phase space through the Wigner function, whose time evolution can be written analytically in terms of the initial Wigner distribution and a Gaussian propagator. This representation makes it possible to separate drive-induced phase space displacement, diffusion, and damping, and to connect these features directly to entropy flow. The coupled spin–mechanical dynamics are then embedded in a Lindblad quantum master equation that includes mechanical damping, spin relaxation, pure dephasing, and thermally activated excitation channels. Within this framework we derive the entropy balance equation—identifying entropy flux and non-negative entropy production—and examine how hybridization between the molecular spin and the nanotube vibration redistributes irreversibility between coherent exchange and dissipative channels. We show that spin–phonon coupling enhanced by a magnetic field gradient, resonant driving, and moderate thermal occupation can produce identifiable crossovers between entropy–production regimes dominated by the oscillator and those dominated by the spin. The resulting framework provides a quantitative basis for using CNT–PEF hybrids as nanoscale platforms for studying nonequilibrium quantum thermodynamics, decoherence, and information loss in structured vibrational environments. Full article

Polymeric fibers represent a vital class of functional materials due to their versatile properties, such as wide availability, low cost, recyclability, biodegradability, and excellent mechanical and chemical stability. Polymer fibers can be fabricated at both micro- and nanoscale dimensions using a variety of processing techniques. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the principal methods employed for polymer fiber preparation, including electrospinning, melt and solution blowing, dry and wet spinning, template synthesis, phase separation, and self-assembly. The technical principles, as well as the advantages and limitations, of each technique are systematically discussed. The review also explores polymeric fibers as smart materials for actuation applications. Particular focus is given to stimulus-responsive fiber systems such as shape memory fibers, hydrogel fibers, liquid crystal fibers, and electroactive polymers. Overall, this review establishes a coherent framework linking polymer fiber fabrication strategies with structure–property–function relationships, offering practical guidance for material selection and accelerating the development of next-generation smart polymer fibers for advanced actuation and multifunctional applications. Full article

Thermal runaway (TR) remains a critical bottleneck for the safe application of lithium-ion battery (LIB) in large-scale energy storage systems, arising from the instability of battery materials under high temperatures. This review systematically summarizes materials design strategies to suppress TR, focusing on modifications of cathodes, anodes, separators, and electrolytes. For cathodes, surface coating and bulk doping enhance the structural stability and thermal decomposition temperature of high-Ni materials, while nanoscale engineering and carbon networks improve the electronic conductivity and interfacial stability of LiFePO₄ (LFP). For anodes, surface modification of graphite suppresses solid-electrolyte interphase degradation, and nanostructured silicon-based composites mitigate thermal failure caused by volume expansion. Separator functionalization, including ceramic coating, inorganic separators, and thermal shutdown separators, enhances thermo-mechanical stability and enables thermally triggered ion blocking. Flame-retardant electrolytes incorporate phosphorus-based, organosilicon, and halogenated additives that act through combined gas- and condensed-phase mechanisms. The review further discusses challenges in interfacial compatibility, system integration, and trade-offs among multiple performance metrics. Future efforts should focus on integrating intrinsic thermal stability with smart safety functions to achieve both high energy density and inherent safety. This review provides a systematic reference for the design and industrialization of high-safety materials for LIBs. Full article

Cellulose ether, like hypromellose (HM), is an extremely versatile material that is widely used in pharmaceutical products as film coatings. To modify the surface properties of HM films, additives are routinely included during the film formulation process, which are typically hydrophobic lubricants or hydrophilic plasticizers. Plasticizers increase the flexibility and reduce the brittleness of the film. The first goal of this study is to demonstrate that plasticization of HM films by low-molecular-weight (400 g∙mol⁻¹) polyethylene glycol (PEG) allows tuning adhesion and friction properties of HM films, both at nano- and macroscales. Surface morphology, surface energy, nano/macro adhesion, and nano/macro friction coefficient were studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM) in adhesion or friction modes at the nanoscale, wettability, and probe-tack adhesion, as well as pin-on-disk friction experiments at the macroscale. The results show that the addition of PEG decreases the Young’s modulus and the Tg of HM-plasticized films while increasing their strain at break and surface energy. The macroadhesion force increases from 9 to 90 mN by the addition of 40% w/w of PEG, whereas the macrofriction coefficient is reduced by 50%. The hypothesis of insertion of plasticizer molecules in HM chains’ nano-domains is evidenced and explains these results. The second goal of this study is to investigate nanoscale versus macroscale correlation of adhesion and friction properties and the role of adhesion in friction experiments. The results show, first, that the evolution of the adhesion energy at the macroscale as a function of adhesion energy at the nanoscale is linear. On the contrary, a high friction coefficient at the nanoscale corresponds to a low friction coefficient at the macroscale and vice versa, showing a first linear decrease for PEG contents ranging from 0 to 30% (w/w) and the second linear decrease, less pronounced, is observed for PEG contents ranging from 30 to 40% (w/w). The hypothesis of a difference in contact pressure applied on the probe at both scales, as well as HM-PEG surface phase separation at a high PEG content (>30% w/w), is proposed to explain this difference. The variations in friction coefficients are linear according to the PEG plasticizer content and suggest its lubricant role in HM-Plasticized films. Finally, the interplay between adhesion and friction, in friction experiments, is evidenced and appears dominant at the nanoscale. Full article

Sol–gel processing provides an unusually controllable route to nanoporous solids, making silica aerogels the leading reference systems for extremely low thermal conductivity due to their high porosity, nanoscale pore sizes, and tunable solid frameworks. Under near-ambient conditions, thermal transport is multi-scale and multiphase, arising primarily from coupled solid conduction through the skeletal network and gas conduction within the pore space. Accordingly, aerogel design has emphasized suppressing solid-phase transport by reducing network connectivity, increasing tortuosity, and enhancing boundary scattering, while also limiting gaseous conduction through the control of pore size and gas pressure. This critical review provides an integrated overview of these mechanisms and the theory-to-experiment toolbox used to quantify the separate and combined contributions of the solid and gas phases to the effective thermal conductivity. We link key structural and environmental parameters (porosity, pore size distribution, density, backbone morphology, and pressure) to dominant transport regimes and the assumptions embedded in common models. Classical approaches, including effective-medium and percolation-based models, are assessed alongside phonon-scaling descriptions that incorporate characteristic length scales. Particular attention is given to the Knudsen effect and pressure-sensitive gas-conduction models, which are central to interpreting performance at atmospheric conditions and under vacuum or low-pressure operation. This review highlights inconsistencies across datasets and modeling practices, identifies persistent knowledge gaps, and outlines practical directions toward processable structure–property guidelines for manufacturing aerogels with targeted thermal performance, with regard to conduction-dominated heat transport mechanisms. Full article

Biobased hybrid semiconducting composites are attracting significant attention as sustainable alternatives to traditional inorganic photocatalysts for environmental remediation and energy-related applications. Recent research progress in biobased hybrid photocatalytic systems is critically reviewed to outline their design strategies, photocatalytic mechanisms, and environmental applications. These composites integrate bioderived polymers with metal oxide semiconductors, forming hybrid architectures that improve interfacial contact at the molecular level, enhance charge transfer efficiency, and impart higher structural flexibility. The polymer matrix not only provides mechanical adaptability and functional surface groups, but also serves as an environmentally friendly support that can modulate surface electronic states and influence the photoinduced electron–hole dynamics in the inorganic phase. By controlling the molecular interactions between the polymer chains and metal oxide surfaces, these hybrids can mitigate key limitations of conventional metal oxides, such as rapid electron–hole recombination and restricted visible-light absorption. This review first summarizes the fundamental electronic and structural properties of widely employed metal oxide semiconductors and highlights their intrinsic limitations in photocatalytic processes. It then examines the role of biopolymers from the perspective of molecular structure, charge transport pathways, and interfacial interaction mechanisms with the inorganic component. Various synthesis strategies—including sol–gel, hydrothermal, in situ nanoparticle generation, green synthesis, and surface functionalization—are discussed, with emphasis on their ability to tune the nanoscale morphology and interfacial chemistry of the hybrids. Applications of these biohybrid systems in dye degradation, pharmaceutical pollutant removal, heavy metal reduction, and antimicrobial photocatalysis are analyzed alongside mechanistic insights into charge separation efficiency and band alignment at the molecular interface. Furthermore, challenges related to long-term stability, reproducibility, scalability, and performance in real wastewater matrices are also addressed. Overall, this review provides a thorough discussion on the design principles, photocatalytic mechanism, and environmental applications of biobased hybrid semiconductors, while emphasizing future opportunities for the development of efficient and sustainable photocatalytic systems. Full article

Additive engineering has become a critical strategy for optimizing the morphology and performance of bulk heterojunction (BHJ) organic solar cells (OSCs), while volatile solid additives have been widely employed to control nanoscale phase separation during film formation. Concerns regarding reproducibility, residual solvent effects, and long-term stability have stimulated increasing interest in non-volatile solid additives. In recent years, solid additive engineering has emerged as a promising approach for modulating molecular packing, regulating phase separation, enhancing charge transport, and improving device stability. However, a systematic analysis of its material design principles and performance impact remains limited. This review summarizes recent progress in solid additive engineering for OSCs, categorizing reported additives into non-volatile, volatile and nanomaterials. The effects of these additives on key photovoltaic parameters, including open-circuit voltage (Voc), short-circuit current density (Jsc), fill factor (FF), and power conversion efficiency (PCE), are comparatively analyzed based on the reported data. Particular emphasis is placed on morphology and structural performance relationships and stability enhancement mechanisms. Finally, current challenges, including the lack of universal molecular design rules and limited mechanistic understanding of additive host interactions, are discussed, and future research directions are proposed. This review aims to provide a comprehensive perspective on the material-level role of solid additives and to guide the rational design of next-generation high-performance and stable organic solar cells. Full article

The dynamic self-assembly and phase separation of donor–acceptor blends are processes that dictate the nanoscale morphology in organic solar cells. Here, we employ a fluidics-inspired framework, integrating dissipative particle dynamics simulations with percolation theory, to investigate the morphogenesis of two non-fullerene systems: P3HT-PPerAcr and P3HT-PFTBT. We analyze monomeric and homopolymer blends, and copolymer macrostructures, focusing on how key parameters such as temperature and polymer chain flexibility govern the dynamic evolution towards percolating networks. Our simulations captured the fundamental fluidic behavior and universal scaling near the critical percolation threshold (χ_c). The critical exponent β revealed distinct universality classes dictated by system compatibility and flexibility: monomeric and flexible homopolymer blends below the critical temperature (T_c) exhibit mean field behavior (β ≈ 1). In contrast, monomeric systems above χ_c and flexible copolymers below χ_c display 3D percolation behavior (β ≈ 0.45). In the case of flexible copolymeric macromolecules, above percolation threshold a quasi-bidimensional behavior emerge with (β ≈ 0.1). Notably, semi-rigid and rigid homopolymeric and copolymeric linear architectures induce a dimensional crossover, yielding quasi-2D (β ≈ 0.14) and quasi-1D (β ≈ 0.0) morphologies. These findings establish a direct link between tunable fluidic interactions, chain dynamics, and the emergence of optimal bicontinuous percolation networks. Full article

Photo-thermo-refractive (PTR) glass is a key material for optical devices, yet the synergistic mechanism between its raw material precursors remains unclear. This study systematically investigates the individual and combined effects of silver precursors (Ag₂O and AgNO₃) and sodium salts (Na₂CO₃ and NaNO₃) on the structural evolution and crystallization behavior of Si-Na-Al-Zn-based PTR glasses. Through a combination of spectroscopic (UV-Vis, FTIR, Raman), thermal (DSC), and microscopic (SEM) characterizations, we demonstrate that the precursor combination profoundly influences the glass network homogeneity, ion mobility, and phase separation behavior. The results reveal that the AgNO₃ and NaNO₃ combination fosters a highly homogeneous and thermally stable network, facilitating the formation of a uniform distribution of silver nanoparticles and, subsequently, a dense nanoscale precipitation of NaF crystals. This work elucidates the critical synergistic mechanism between precursors, providing a fundamental basis for the precise composition design of high-performance PTR glasses for advanced optical applications. Full article

Electrophysiology, mechanobiology, and the study of soft matter within cells demonstrate increasing amounts of evidence that neuronal signaling arises from interactions between membrane potential, force, and phase. Herein, we have attempted to collect and organize the evidence for each of these areas of study into an approximate structure called the electromechanical connectome: a three-way state–space (membrane potentials, nanoscale mechanical forces, and cytoplasmic rheology, including phase-separated liquid–liquid droplets) where membrane potentials, nanoscale mechanical forces, and cytoplasmic rheology, and phase-separated liquid–liquid droplets are likely to influence one another, influencing synaptic processing, plasticity and network stability. We will also attempt to illustrate the following: how changes in electrostatic fields can be used to alter the arrangement of lipids, hydration, and dielectric microdomains, and the contact geometry between organelles and activity dependent transcription; how mechanical dynamics associated with spines, axons, and the active zone of synapses may be used to modify the energy landscape of channels, the docking and priming of vesicles, and the transport of cytoskeletons; and how viscosity corridors, along with phase-separated micro-reactors, can be used to regulate the kinetics of signaling, molecular trafficking and metabolic processes in local environments. With these connections in mind, we will propose a multiphysical attractor model in which cognition is the result of navigating through metastable manifolds, while neurodegenerative disease may be a result of the progressive loss of electromechanical coherence, phase boundary control and energetic flexibility. Finally, we will present testable hypotheses and use AI-enabled digital twin methods to potentially quantify the early deformation of manifolds and provide precision biomarkers and therapeutic options. Full article

In this study, a material-driven strategy is presented to realize tunable triboelectric–electromagnetic hybrid generators while overcoming the form-factor limitations of conventional magnet-assisted systems. A magneto-dielectric hybrid generator (MDHG) was constructed using a soft magnetized dielectric composite, where NdFeB microparticles were embedded in an Ecoflex matrix and activated by pulse magnetization, allowing a single compliant layer to operate simultaneously as a triboelectric contact medium and a magnetic flux source coupled to a coil. The magnetic filler loading was systematically optimized to elucidate the trade-off between enhanced electromagnetic induction and a non-monotonic triboelectric response governed by dielectric polarization, surface potential, and interfacial energetics. To selectively strengthen the triboelectric branch without sacrificing electromagnetic output, nanoscale BaTiO₃ was introduced as an interstitial dielectric phase to promote polarization-active pathways and suppress screening-driven charge-utilization loss. Under contact–separation operation, the optimized MDHG produced triboelectric outputs up to a V_OC of 400.40 V and I_SC of 56.95 μA, while the electromagnetic branch delivered up to a V_OC of 260.04 mV and I_SC of 0.89 mA, corresponding to 2.87- and 2.62-fold increases in triboelectric V_OC and I_SC over pristine Ecoflex. Finally, the hybrid signatures enabled a wearable smart-skin interface capable of decoupling touch occurrence, intensity, and counter-material identity. Full article

Ciprofloxacin, being a widely used antibiotic agent, has sparked growing interest in the field of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) for its selective recognition and removal. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the recent advances in the synthesis and applications of ciprofloxacin-imprinted polymers. The examination of synthesis compositions for the preparation of these polymers includes thorough discussions on functional monomers, crosslinkers, initiators, and solid supports. Various imprinting techniques, including bulk, precipitation, co-precipitation, and surface polymerization, have been assessed for the fabrication of the imprinted polymers. Furthermore, the advancing imprinting techniques, encompassing nano-scale imprinting, multi-functional monomers, multi-template imprinting, and electrochemical imprinting, are also highlighted. Additionally, an extensive exploration of the diverse applications of these polymers is also presented. These applications encompass selective separation and removal of ciprofloxacin from environmental samples, visual and electrochemical detection in complex matrices, their use as a stationary phase for HPLC, drug release, and photocatalysis. This review offers valuable insights into the current advancements and potential future directions in the development of ciprofloxacin-imprinted polymers, emphasizing their importance in diverse analytical and environmental applications. Full article