Search Results (1,600)

This study employs a mono-caprylate waterborne polyurethane microencapsulation technique to construct a core–shell phase-change microcapsule system with a structured composite core material. By integrating a silica network with phase change materials (ethyl palmitate/paraffin), a stable core material is formed. The silica not only acts as a physical framework to prevent leakage but also regulates the phase change temperature and latent heat through molecular interactions at its surface active sites. The shell layer polyurethane, derived from a fatty acid monoglyceride prepolymer, exhibits a structure highly similar to that of the core material, ensuring efficient and complete encapsulation, while the aqueous system aligns with green manufacturing requirements. The system successfully achieves two types of performance-tunable microcapsules: the silica–ethyl palmitate type exhibits a broad phase change temperature range near room temperature, while the silica–paraffin type demonstrates high latent heat of phase change in the medium-temperature range. This diversity in performance broadens the material’s application scenarios. Its broad temperature range characteristic is particularly suitable for building energy efficiency and electronic thermal management fields, effectively mitigating temperature fluctuations and reducing energy consumption, demonstrating significant application value and innovative potential. Full article

Fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) have evolved from passive sensing elements into actively programmable photonic components, enabling dynamic wavelength control across diverse applications. This review provides a comprehensive and systematic overview of active wavelength control technologies for FBGs, deliberately excluding passive sensing applications. We systematically categorize the fundamental tuning mechanisms—including mechanical, thermal, optothermal, electro-optic, nonlinear optical, and hybrid approaches—and compare their performance characteristics in terms of tuning range, speed, precision, and trade-offs. Key enhancement techniques, such as mechanical amplification, thermal packaging, femtosecond laser fabrication, and FPGA-based interrogation, are examined. The transformative impact of actively controlled FBGs is elucidated across three major application domains: tunable and narrow-linewidth fiber lasers, reconfigurable microwave photonic systems, and emerging fields including quantum information processing and biomedical imaging. A consolidated technology map visualizes the connections between enabling techniques and applications. Finally, we critically analyze core challenges—performance trade-offs, control complexity, and integration bottlenecks—and outline future research directions driven by novel materials, artificial intelligence, and quantum technologies. This review offers a structured framework for understanding active FBGs as programmable photonic primitives, providing actionable insights for researchers and engineers in academia and industry. Full article

Extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffening is a defining biophysical feature of solid tumors that reshape gene regulation through mechanotransduction. Increased collagen crosslinking and stromal remodeling enhance integrin engagement, focal-adhesion signaling and force transmission to the nucleus, where key hubs such as lysyl oxidase (LOX), focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and the Hippo co-activators YAP1 and TAZ (WWTR1) promote proliferation, invasion, stemness and therapy resistance. Here, we synthesize evidence that quantitative changes in matrix stiffness remodel the miRNome and lncRNome in both tumor and stromal compartments, including extracellular vesicle cargo that reprograms metastatic niches. To address heterogeneity in experimental support, we classify mechanosensitive ncRNAs into studies directly validated by stiffness manipulation (e.g., tunable hydrogels/AFM) versus indirect associations based on mechanosensitive signaling, and we summarize physiological versus pathophysiological stiffness ranges across tissues discussed. We further review competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks converging on mechanotransduction nodes and ECM remodeling enzymes, and discuss translational opportunities and challenges, including targeting mechanosensitive ncRNAs, combining ncRNA modulation with anti-stiffening strategies, delivery barriers in dense tumors, and the potential of circulating/exosomal ncRNAs as biomarkers. Overall, integrating ECM mechanics with ncRNA regulatory circuits provides a framework to identify feed-forward loops sustaining aggressive phenotypes in rigid microenvironments and highlights priorities for validation in physiologically relevant models. Full article

ZnO and ZnO:5%B nanoparticles produced by sol–gel synthesis exhibit a single-phase wurtzite structure. X-ray diffraction (XRD) investigation reveals crystallite sizes in the range of $32.37–39.63$ nm and microstrain values on the order of $(1.98–8.03)\times {10}^{-4}$, despite the Uniform Stress Deformation Model (USDM) indicating the presence of considerable tensile stress. Significant band-tail states are introduced via boron doping, resulting in Urbach energies ranging from $110$ to $193$ meV and a narrowed optical band gap of $3.216$ eV. With a refractive index range of $2.05–2.71$, the material exhibits tunable optical characteristics. Violet and blue emissions originating predominantly from zinc interstitials (Znᵢ) and zinc vacancies (V_Zn) dominate the photoluminescence spectra, while oxygen interstitial-related contributions remain relatively weak. A high spin density is confirmed by electron spin resonance measurements, which reveal a strong defect-related signal at $g\approx 2.294$. The formation of Znᵢ/V_Zn defect centers due to charge compensation and ionic size mismatch induced by B³⁺ substitution for Zn²⁺ significantly modifies the band-edge states and optical constants. These defect-engineered properties render the material promising for applications in ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors, transparent conducting oxides, and electron transport layers in organic photovoltaic devices. Full article

Silica-rich rice husk ash (RHA) was upcycled as an inorganic filler to engineer cellulose acetate (CA) films with tunable properties for higher-value sustainable packaging. Composite films were produced by solvent casting, varying RHA loading with and without glycerol plasticization. FTIRconfirmed the chemical integrity of CA and indicated an increase in hydroxyl interactions in glycerol-plasticized films. Optical microscopy showed that RHA progressively induces particle domains and aggregation, while glycerol improves dispersion and surface uniformity. These microstructural effects translated into controllable optical–mechanical trade-offs: neat CA remained highly transparent, whereas RHA reduced transmittance. Glycerol had a minor effect effect on transmittance, indicating that shielding is primarily governed by the ash-derived inorganic domains and tensile testing highlighted an optimal low-filler regime. A small RHA addition maximized strength and stiffness in non-plasticized films. Contact-angle measurements in neutral and alkaline media indicated pH-sensitive wetting, with faster deterioration under alkaline conditions. Thermogravimetric analysis confirmed increased char residue with RHA addition and that glycerol introduces an early mass-loss stage. Overall, the CA/RHA platform offers a simple and potentially scalable route to upcycled, silica-reinforced films, and the formulation of CA and 1.33 wt% RHA (without glycerol) stands out as a robust secondary layer with low transmittance in the UV-Vis range, making it suitable for high-value light-sensitive flexible healthcare packaging, such as protective overwraps or translucent pouches. Full article

Early detection of precancerous cervical lesions is critical for improving patient management and clinical outcomes. Hyperspectral imaging has emerged as a promising non-invasive, label-free imaging modality for rapid medical diagnosis. This work presents the development of a liquid-crystal-tunable-filter-based hyperspectral colposcopy system covering the visible and near-infrared spectral ranges. The proposed system integrates two tunable filters into an existing Optomic OP-C5 clinical colposcope, enabling hyperspectral acquisition from 460 to 1000 nm with 130 spectral bands at 5 nm resolution using a panchromatic camera. Two alternative acquisition strategies were investigated: (i) filtering the light received by the system, or (ii) filtering the light emitted toward the sample. In addition, wavelength-dependent exposure control was studied to compensate for reduced system sensitivity and improve the signal-to-noise ratio in low-efficiency spectral regions. The system was benchmarked against a previous custom hyperspectral implementation based on a commercial camera. The comparative analysis highlights the advantages and limitations of both approaches, demonstrating the proposed system’s suitability for integration into clinical workflows and its potential for early detection of precancerous cervical lesions during routine colposcopic examinations. Full article

Laser slicing of 4H-SiC wafers offers high efficiency and minimal material loss. While nanosecond lasers are the preferred light source, simultaneously achieving high output power, excellent beam quality (M² < 1.3), and broad operational tunability remains an outstanding challenge. This study developed a highly efficient nanosecond laser source using hybrid fiber and solid-state multi-stage amplification architecture. With excellent beam quality (M² < 1.3), it achieves the highest output power, widest continuously tunable pulse width range, and broadest repetition rate range currently reported for 4H-SiC laser slicing. This advancement is poised to advance the continued development of 4H-SiC slicing technology. Full article

Mixed-anion silicate–phosphate oxysulfide glasses have attracted increasing interest due to their tunable thermal stability, electrical response, and potential use in functional glass and glass–ceramic materials. In this work, silicate–phosphate oxysulfide glasses in the SiO₂-P₂O₅-K₂O-MgO-SO₃-ZnO system were examined to determine how partial substitution of MgO with ZnO influenced their thermal and electrical properties under reducing conditions. Melting in a strongly reducing atmosphere predominantly converted sulfur to reduced sulfur species, producing mixed oxygen–sulfur glass networks. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) shows that ZnO substitution reduces the configurational heat capacity at the glass transition (ΔC_p) by up to ~40%, suppresses crystallization exotherms, and shifts crystallization onset temperatures by more than 100 °C toward higher values, indicating enhanced network rigidity. Potassium and magnesium K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) revealed increased short-range ordering around Mg²⁺ in Zn-free glasses after heat treatment, whereas Zn-containing glasses remain more structurally disordered. Impedance spectroscopy demonstrated that ZnO-substituted glasses exhibit higher activation energies for electrical transport (≈0.9–1.0 eV) and lower AC conductivity compared to Zn-free compositions, reflecting restricted alkali-ion mobility. These results demonstrate that partial substitution of MgO with ZnO significantly enhances the thermal stability and electrical insulating behavior of reduced silicate–phosphate oxysulfide glasses, providing valuable structure–property insights for the design of thermally stable functional glasses and glass–ceramics. Full article

This study presents a passive mechanical filter designed to enhance sub-Hertz Venusquake detection by shaping the seismic transfer path. The mechanism uses a tunable, high-Q pendulum mounted inside a cylindrical enclosure on a three-ring gimbal to ensure self-leveling and alignment in gravity on uneven terrain. Unlike approaches that rely on broadband digitization and require active control and a stable power supply, this housing–gimbal mechanism performs mechanical filtering for sub-Hz signal amplification and higher frequency attenuation without power. Response spectrum analysis shows that the transmissibility can be tuned to achieve peak sensitivities in the 0.5–0.8 Hz range. When tuned to 50–55 mm pendulum length and under assumed undamping, the pendulum-mounted mechanism improves detectability at best by 10–100× relative to a bare sensor for moderate magnitude ($M_s$ = 3–6) in a 12 h observation window, with signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio of 3, and amplitude spectrum density (ASD) of 10⁻⁸ m/s²/√Hz. Furthermore, we extrapolate that the predicted minimum detectable event rates follow $N_m^{min}\propto {\left(\mathrm{S}\mathrm{N}\mathrm{R}\right)}^{1.2}{\left(\mathrm{A}\mathrm{S}\mathrm{D}\right)}^{1.2}{f}_s^{0.6}$, where $f_s$ is the quake wave frequency. The damping ratio, considering both structural damping and viscous drag, is estimated to be in the order of 10⁻³ to 10⁻². A probabilistic sensitivity analysis is performed to account for the inherent uncertainty in the spectral mismatch between the narrowband sub-Hz resonance of the designed mechanical filter and the peak frequencies of seismic events; the derived probability model suggests strategies for improving the detection probability in the 0.01–1 Hz range. Full article

Chronic wounds and implanted medical devices remain highly vulnerable to biofilm-associated infections, which resist conventional antibiotics and immune clearance. Synthetic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have emerged as promising alternatives, offering tunable sequences, short lengths for cost-effective synthesis, and functional modifications that enhance stability and antibiofilm potency. Hydrogels provide an optimal delivery matrix by enabling localized AMP release, maintaining a moist wound environment, and supporting stimuli-responsive or sustained therapeutic action. This review highlights recent advances in peptide engineering strategies—including rational sequence design, chemical modifications, and self-assembling nanostructures—alongside hydrogel integration approaches ranging from physical entrapment to covalent tethering and infection-triggered release systems. Mechanistic insights into antibiofilm activity are discussed, supported by in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo evaluation models. Beyond antimicrobial efficacy, multifunctional AMP–hydrogel systems can deliver complementary benefits such as hemostasis, anti-inflammation, or enzymatic biofilm dispersal, further accelerating tissue repair. Despite significant progress, translational challenges remain, including peptide stability, manufacturing costs, regulatory hurdles, and host safety. Future directions point toward AI-driven peptide design, programmable hydrogels, and point-of-care integration to realize safe, effective, and multifunctional AMP–hydrogel therapies for chronic wound management and biofilm eradication. Full article

In this work, we report a dual-mode ferroelectrically programmable on-chip antenna. The antenna is built on a silicon wafer using complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) processes and exhibits two programmable resonant modes: one in the super high frequency (SHF) range and one in the extremely high frequency (EHF) range. The SHF mode resonates at 8.5 GHz and exhibits ultrawideband (UWB) behavior, while the EHF mode resonates at 36.6 GHz. Both resonance frequencies can be tuned in a non-volatile fashion by controlling the ferroelectric polarization state of a Hafnium Zirconium Oxide (HZO) varactor monolithically integrated into the feed line. This programmability arises from the ferroelectric switching of the embedded HZO film, which results in a non-volatile variation of its permittivity upon application of a voltage pulse. Ferroelectric switching occurs at approximately ±3 V and induces maximum resonance frequency shifts of 381 MHz for the SHF mode and 3 GHz for the EHF mode, corresponding to fractional frequency changes of 4.5% and 8.3%, respectively. Unlike previously reported ferroelectrically tunable antennas, our reported antenna combines full integration, CMOS compatibility, higher operating frequency, compact footprint, and non-volatile programmability. Full article

We report the development of a high-power, cost-effective, and rapidly tunable laser system optimized for rubidium optical pumping in spin-exchange optical pumping (SEOP) applications. The system combines a spectrally narrowed diode laser bar with a low-cost yet high-stability thermal-management architecture based on consumer-grade CPU liquid-cooling components. Wavelength narrowing and fast tuning are achieved by linearly translating a chirped volume Bragg grating (CVBG), providing mode-hop-free, continuous wavelength control without relying on slow thermal tuning mechanisms. Long-term wavelength stability is ensured through a terminal proportional–integral–derivative (PID) feedback loop that locks the laser directly to the rubidium absorption spectrum in the pumping cell, rather than to an internal reference. Operating near 795 nm, the laser delivers up to 40 W of optical power with a measured linewidth of approximately 0.15 nm. The system supports rapid wavelength agility over a continuous tuning range of $794.73\pm 0.24$ nm and exhibits stable spectral performance during extended operation. Owing to its compact design, fast response, and substantially lower cost than conventional volume-grating-based systems, this laser architecture provides a practical and scalable solution for SEOP and other precision atomic and spectroscopic applications that require high power, a narrow linewidth, and robust wavelength stability. Full article

The ultraviolet photodetectors based on In:Ga₂O₃/p-GaN heterojunctions were fabricated by depositing an In:Ga₂O₃ thin film on a p-GaN substrate under different oxygen pressures using the pulsed laser deposition method. The devices exhibit typical self-powered behavior and a broad-spectrum response within the wavelength range of 250–345 nm. Under low oxygen pressure, the self-powered response peak of photodetectors with negative response current is mainly located at 345 nm, corresponding to the p-GaN layer. When the oxygen pressure exceeds 5 Pa, the response peak at 250 nm related to the In:Ga₂O₃ layer becomes the predominant peak, and the response current is positive. Studies demonstrate that the response peaks at 345 nm and 250 nm of the devices could be modulated by varying the applied bias voltage. The results indicate that, as the reverse bias increases, the response peak in the near ultraviolet region gradually decreases, while the response peak in the solar blind ultraviolet region gradually increases. The tunable photoresponse mechanism is attributed to the changes in the spatial-charge region and built-in electric field caused by devices prepared under different oxygen pressures and by varying the reverse bias applied to the devices. Full article

This study seeks to resolve the critical yet often conflicting demands for electrical stability and mechanical tunability in flexible materials for wearable electronics. A composite conductive material was prepared based on the combination of electrospun fiber networks with tunable orientation and ion-gel phase. Through structural regulation, we achieved the designed adjustment of mechanical properties from isotropic to anisotropic while maintaining stable electrical conductivity. By adjusting the fiber orientation, Young’s modulus can be tailored to span a broad range. The fabricated composite membrane was processed into a flexible dry electrode and used for electrocardiogram (ECG) signal acquisition, achieving a high signal-to-noise ratio and stable waveform characteristics. Additionally, it can reliably monitor electromyographic signals from various static and dynamic hand gestures, including clenching, unclenching, and thumbs-up motions. This work provides a viable way to design materials and construct structures for multifunctional wearable electronic devices. Full article

Near-critical and supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO₂) is extensively utilized in high-pressure separation, extraction, polymer processing, and carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technologies owing to its tunable density, low viscosity, high diffusivity, and environmentally benign nature. Reliable phase equilibrium data are indispensable for process design and optimization, especially in the near-critical region characterized by pronounced non-idealities, high compressibility, and density fluctuations. This review synthesizes experimental phase behaviour studies for binary mixtures of CO₂ with diverse components, including hydrocarbons, alcohols, ethers, esters, ketones, water, monomers/polymers, ionic liquids (ILs), and deep eutectic solvents (DESs), compiling extensive vapour–liquid equilibrium (VLE), liquid–liquid equilibrium (LLE), and critical data across industrially relevant pressure (up to 40 MPa) and temperature (up to 400 K) ranges. It critically evaluates analytical (sampling and non-sampling) and synthetic methodologies, addressing challenges in CO₂-rich phase handling, depressurization artefacts, and near-critical phenomena, while assessing data consistency against established reliability criteria. Key trends emerge, such as enhanced solubility with increasing pressure and CO₂ density, chain-length dependencies in hydrocarbons and alcohols, and Lewis acid–base interactions driving solvation in polar systems. The review highlights gaps in multicomponent data and proposes integrating high-quality experiments with advanced thermodynamic modelling to enhance predictive accuracy. Future directions emphasize high-precision in situ techniques, expanded datasets for complex mixtures, and novel CO₂-philic solvents to advance sustainable SC-CO₂ applications. Full article