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• An intrinsically stretchable tribotronic mechanoplastic artificial synapse was proposed. • The device can be modulated by the triboelectric potential induced by mechanical stimulation. • The device establishes an active mechanically adjustable synaptic plasticity. Stretchable synaptic devices with adaptability to elastic deformation, sensing environmental stimuli, and unique information processing functions are of great significance for the development of the next generation of artificial nervous systems. Here, an intrinsically stretchable tribotronic mechanoplastic artificial synapse (STMAS) is proposed, which is integrated by a triboelectric nanogenerator and an electrolyte-gated transistor with ion-gel as dielectric layer. The STMAS can be modulated by the triboelectric potential induced by mechanical stimulation without the need to apply an external gate voltage, achieving an active mechanical tuning of synaptic plasticity such as excitatory postsynaptic current, paired-pulse facilitation, short-term plasticity, and long-term plasticity. The STMAS exhibits stable synaptic plasticity under 0–50% stretcher strain in parallel and vertical to channel directions, respectively. Furthermore, the International Morse code triggered by mechanical signals has been successfully mimicked. This work has achieved an intrinsically stretchable tribotronic artificial synapse with mechanically tuned synaptic behavior, which will help promote the development of artificial nervous systems and expand the applications of artificial synapses in intelligent robotics, artificial limbs and human–machine interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eucommia ulmoides Oliver seed oil, rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), is susceptible to lipid oxidation in foods. Tea polyphenols (TPs) may effectively retard lipid oxidation in non-polar systems according to the polar paradox theory. In this study, we constructed a TPs-loaded water-in oil (W/O) microemulsion, which is a transparent, spontaneously formed, and thermodynamically stable colloidal system. This system consisted of E. ulmoides oil (38%, w/w), Span80, Tween 80, 1,2 propanediol, water, and TPs (3%, w/w). TPs were encapsulated in water cores of microemulsion, endowing this system with the higher oxidative stability and radical scavenging abilities. The accelerated oxidation assay demonstrated that low-dose TPs (<0.5%, w/w) were more effective in retarding lipid oxidation than that of high-dose TPs. Within 56 d, the peroxide value of TPs-loaded microemulsion increased to 16.479 meq/kg oil at 65 ℃ and that of E. ulmoides oil exceeded the Food Safety standards value within only 45 d. These findings indicate that TPs encapsulated into microemulsion effectively inhibit PUFA-rich oil oxidation. The nano-scale W/O dispersed system favors the protection and practical application of natural water-soluble antioxidants in PUFAs-rich lipid foods. [Display omitted] • TPs- E. ulmoides oil microemulsion was designed to allow sufficient dispersion of a polar antioxidant. • The system has nano-sized reverse micelles and excellent physicochemical stability. • This system can efficiently retard lipid oxidation and scavenge free radicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Power management is an efficacious route to promote the development of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), in which the buck switch for efficient energy extraction has always been a challenge. Here, we propose a three-port cantilever buck switch which can autonomously release energy from the TENG in maximum by the generated electrostatic field of the TENG. The influence of closing voltage of the buck switch on different structure parameters has been thoroughly investigated. The U-Q curve indicates that the optimal energy extraction can reach 90.86%, and the matched impedance of the TENG is reduced from 60 MΩ to 470 kΩ. Compared to the output power at matched impedance, the average power managed by this three-port cantilever buck switch is increased by 1.554 times, which can power the Bluetooth device, electronic watch, calculator and thermo-meter. This work has realized ultra-efficient power management of TENG by leveraging an autonomous cantilever buck switch, which can contribute to the efficient utilization of micromechanical energy. • A three-port cantilever buck switch controlled by the electrostatic field of the TENG for its power management is pioneered. • A detailed analysis of the force-electricity conversion process has been conducted. • U-Q curve and P-R curve has been linked to characterize the output efficiency for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • P. chrysosporium could tolerate IMI and transform 93.5% for 6 days. • Manganese and lignin peroxidase played important roles in IMI transformation. • IMI mainly underwent nitrate-reduction, hydroxylation, and de-chlorination process. • MD results explained the reactive sites and metabolic mechanisms of enzymes. • 6-chloronicotinic acid, a less neurologically toxic major metabolite, was detected. As one of the widely used neonicotinoid insecticide, imidacloprid (IMI) poses serious threat on many kinds of non-target species. The acceleration of its removal from the contaminated environment is therefore an urgent task. Herein, the transformation of IMI by white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium was examined, and the reaction mechanism underlying enzymes-mediated IMI biotransformation was elucidated. In addition, transformed products, pathways, and toxicity to Escherichia coli and Microcystis aeruginosa or the growth of rice seeds were investigated. P. chrysosporium could efficiently transform 93.5% of IMI for 6 days primarily through biotransformation, in which extracellular manganese peroxidase and lignin peroxidase substantially responded to transform IMI. IMI mainly underwent nitrate reduction, hydroxylation, and de-chlorination. A less neurologically toxic major metabolite of IMI, 6-chloronicotinic acid, was detected. Molecular dynamics simulation demonstrated that IMI stably bonded to active pocket of extracellular enzymes. This study reveals the key metabolic mechanism and fate of IMI in environment, and highlights the potential of fungi for IMI transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer composites of highly effective thermal conductivity (ETC) are commonly used in various industries, for renewable energy systems and Electronic Systems. Owing to the low thermal conductivity (TC) of polymers, inserting particles with ultra-high TC into the polymer matrix makes it possible for polymer composites to possess high ETC. The ETC of polymer composites is determined by several factors, including the particle and matrix properties and microscopic structures. Modelling methods are powerful tools to understand how these factors influence the ETC of polymer composites. Modelling methods can be combined with experimental data and can be used to qualitatively and quantitatively analyse the impact of various factors on the ETC. Moreover, modelling methods can be used as a guide for the choice and design of particle-filled composites for engineering applications. Herein, we review the recent research on ETC models of polymer composites. First, the classical theoretical models of ETC for polymer composites are introduced. Then, novel theoretical and simulation models are described. We focus on the influence of the theoretical models and the simulation models of polymer composites at multiple scales. Finally, we conclude and give an outlook regarding the ETC models of polymer composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A compact, springless, easy-to-process kirigami-inspired TENG (KI-TENG) is developed. The frequency responses of the KI-TENG under the influence of mass, acceleration, and initial distance are investigated in detail to optimize its structural design. Moreover, the TENG coupled with the kirigami structure could collect ultra-wide-band vibration energy and as a sensor measuring acceleration. [Display omitted] • A compact and springless kirigami-inspired TENG (KI-TENG) is developed. • The frequency response characteristics of the KI-TENG are investigated. • The KI-TENG can harvest ultra-wide-band vibration energy from 2 to 49 Hz. • The output of the KI-TENG at different vibration tilt angles is explored. • The KI-TENG can effectively monitor acceleration changes from 1 to 9 m/s2. Triboelectric Nanogenerators (TENGs) based on spring-assisted structures play a central role in scavenging vibrational energy that is widely available in the natural environment. However, they suffer from difficulties in adjusting the stiffness and bonding the springs to the triboelectric layer. Here, a kirigami-inspired TENG (KI-TENG) with a kirigami structure is demonstrated, which can be used as an ultra-wide-band vibrational energy harvester and self-powered acceleration sensor. The triboelectric layer of the KI-TENG can be easily processed into the kirigami structure with one or two-degree-of-freedom by laser cutting technology. The frequency responses of the KI-TENG under the influence of mass, acceleration, and initial distance are investigated in detail to optimize the structural design. With optimized structural parameters, the KI-TENG can not only harvest broadband vibration energy from 2 to 49 Hz in vertical vibration state but also obtain high output performance over a wide frequency range in horizontal vibration state. Moreover, the KI-TENG can be used as a sensor measuring acceleration from 1 to 9 m/s2. This work demonstrates a compact TENG coupled with the kirigami structure for energy harvesting and active sensing, which has great prospects in intelligent plants, artificial intelligence, and the internet age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]