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Early osseointegration of titanium (Ti) dental implants relies on the surface topography. Surface modification of Ti seeks to enhance bone regeneration around implants. Acid etching is the simple, less technique sensitive and cost-effective technique for surface treatment. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the simplified acid etching technique at room temperature lies in its capacity to enhance both physical properties and biological reactions relevant to bone. Utilizing sulfuric acid (H 2 SO 4) and hydrochloric acid (HCl), five distinct acid solutions were prepared, and the acid etching process was executed at five different time points at room temperature. The surface characterization of nanoscale modified titanium disks encompassed surface characteristics analysis, wettability and roughness tests. The biocompatibility evaluation involves tests that assess cell attachment, proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP), and mineralization. The surface modified by HCl exhibited the most significant alterations, characterized by an elevated roughness value and reduced hydrophilicity properties. The surface treated with a mixture of HCl and H 2 SO 4 for 24 h (TH5) displayed a hydrophilic surface and high surface energy. Acid etched surfaces showed the greater cell attachment with long pseudopodia. The cell proliferation rate and ALP reaction rate of TH5 is the highest at day 7. Cells mineralization of Ti surface treated with 37% HCl for 24 h (TC5) shows the lowest and TH5 shows the greatest on day 21. The proposed acid etching at room temperature utilizing a combination of H 2 SO 4 and HCl demonstrated improved physical properties while fostering favorable biological responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2,6-Dichlorophenol is an organochloride of phenol, and it is considered one of the emerging pollutants in wastewater due to its extreme corrosive nature and toxicity even at low concentrations. Melt-blown activated polypropylene (PP) nanofiber is a polymeric adsorbent and it is used to investigate the removal of 2,6-dichlorophenol. The high surface-to-volume ratio, high porosity, low surface energy, low density, and excellent mechanical characteristics of melt-blown PP nanofiber make it a suitable adsorbent. On the removal efficiency of 2,6-dichlorphenol, the influence of the initial concentration of 2,6-dichlorphenol, the weight of PP nanofiber utilized, temperature, and pH of the solution were examined. The Langmuir model, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 44.44 mg/g, was found to be the best match for the adsorption isotherm. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy were used to examine melt-blown PP nanofiber before and after adsorption (FTIR). Through SEM images, it was proven that the average diameter of PP nanofiber after adsorption had increased up to 7.93 μ m. Furthermore, the existence of phenolic chemicals on the surface of PP nanofiber is confirmed by FTIR analysis spectra. The pseudo-first-order model matched the kinetic data nicely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The modification of stereoregulated functionalized polymers on the surface of natural rubber (NR) is a challenging task. This work provided a practicable grafting method to design photochromic polymer brushes on the NR surfaces using surface-initiated ring-opening metathesis polymerization (SI-ROMP). The designed photochromic polymer brushes were based on norbornenes with spiropyrin (SP) pendents, and grew from the surface of NR films in the presence of Grubbs 2nd catalyst. The results showed that the grafting rate of polymer brushes with photoisomerization structure reached up to 44.91 %. The modified natural rubber (NR-SP) films exhibited rapid coloring/decolorization property under UV irradiation and visible light. This photochromic property initiated by the light-induced isomerisation of the spiropyran structure and the increased surface energy under light stimuli. NR-SP films exhibited stable photochromic characteristics and outstanding anti-fatigue properties after exposing to over six cycles of consecutive UV/Vis irradiation. A simple and practical strategy for the preparation of highly sensitive photochromic natural rubber materials is proposed and provides a potential application in the fields of information storage and anti-counterfeiting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to assess the antibacterial activity of boric acid ester derived from boron mines, which is utilised as an active component in the paint industry. Multiple product variations were obtained by adding boric acid ester to the base, referred to as the reference sample, known as silk matte paint, and used as an interior paint with active substance concentrations ranging from 0.005% to 0.6%. Escherichia coli (ATCC10536) bacteria were inoculated at 78000 cfu cm−2 into samples with 0.005- 0.075% active substance, and at 24000 cfu cm−2 into samples containing 0.15- 0.6% of the active substance, and the reduction rates were determined by a mathematical equation via multivariate linear regression analysis, relating Escherichia coli reduction percentages, surface energy values, and pH measurements, including the power percentages and gloss values for the reference sample. The highest level of antibacterial effect was observed in the sample containing 0.075% active substance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly polished 3, 4, and 5 mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia and CAD/CAM composite resin samples were prepared, and the influence of surface roughness (Ra and Sa, 21 areas/group), wettability (contact angle and surface energy, 3 samples/group), and surface chemical composition (2 samples/group) on single-strain bacterial adhesion models (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus gordonii, and Streptococcus mutans) were compared via fluorescent staining with graphical analysis (21 areas/group). Statistical analysis was performed using the Shapiro–Wilk test followed by one-way analysis of variance with Tukey’s test or the Kruskal–Wallis test with Dunn’s test (α=0.05) and linear regression. For dental zirconia with the same surface roughness, the yttria content did not significantly influence the initial bacterial adhesion. However, higher bacterial adhesion was detected for the composite resin owing to its high C, O, and Si contents. There was no correlation between surface energy and bacterial adhesion for any bacterial strain (p<0.005). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultra-precision diamond turning (UPDT) is an extensively adopted technology in optical applications owing to the nanometric surface finish and excellent form tolerance guaranteed on metallic materials. Coolants such as kerosene, isoparaffin etc. are broadly used in UPDT to reduce the friction at tool-workpiece interface for ultimately ensuring optical quality parts. However, the greater emphasis on sustainable manufacturing nowadays demand alternate approaches for minimizing cutting forces and improving the surface finish. The application of a surface active medium (SAM) over the workpiece surface prior to UPDT can be a befitting choice as it can induce Rehbinder effect on materials thereby minimizing cutting forces. Nevertheless, the performance of SAM in UPDT process with reference to material specific properties has not been widely explored in literature. The present study investigates the role of Rehbinder effect in controlling the material surface energy during UPDT of ductile materials. The surface integrity and force analysis indicate that the SAM action is significantly different for the parent metal (Cu) and alloy (Brass) under consideration. Moreover, the chip morphology inspection highlighted that SAM facilitates easier crack initiation and fracture in Cu unlike Brass. The results were further confirmed by conducting experiments on pure Zinc. Thus, the present study establishes the varying effectiveness of SAM towards material specific elemental composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blood-contacting medical devices often succumb to thrombosis, limiting their durability and safety in clinical applications. Thrombosis is fundamentally initiated by the nonspecific adsorption of proteins to the material surface, which is strongly governed by thermodynamic factors established by the nature of the interaction between the material surface, surrounding water molecules, and the protein itself. Along these lines, different surface materials (such as polymeric, metallic, ceramic, or composite) induce different entropic and enthalpic changes at the surface–protein interface, with material wettability significantly impacting this behavior. Consequently, protein adsorption on medical devices can be modulated by altering their wettability and surface energy. A plethora of polymeric coating modifications have been utilized for this purpose; hydrophobic modifications may promote or inhibit protein adsorption determined by van der Waals forces, while hydrophilic materials achieve this by mainly relying on hydrogen bonding, or unbalanced/balanced electrostatic interactions. This review offers a cohesive understanding of the thermodynamics governing these phenomena, to specifically aid in the design and selection of hemocompatible polymeric coatings for biomedical applications. Blood-contacting medical devices often succumb to thrombosis, limiting their durability and safety in clinical applications. A plethora of polymeric coating modifications have been utilized for addressing this issue. This review offers a cohesive understanding of the thermodynamics governing these phenomena, to specifically aid in the design and selection of hemocompatible polymeric coatings for biomedical applications. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of biodegradable magnesium (Mg) alloys in the fabrication of temporary non-vascular stents is an innovative trend in biomedical engineering. However, the heterogeneous degradation profiles of these biomaterials, together with potential bacterial colonization that could precipitate infectious or stenotic complications, are critical obstacles precluding their widespread clinical application. In pursuit of overcoming these limitations, this study applies the principles of biomimicry, particularly the hydrophobic and anti-fouling characteristics of lotus leaves, to pioneer the creation of nanocomposite coatings. These coatings integrate poly-trimethylene carbonate (PTMC) with covalent organic frameworks (COFs), to modify the stent's surface property. The strategic design of the coating's topography, porosity, and self-polishing capabilities collectively aims to decelerate degradation processes and minimize biological adhesion. The protective qualities of the coatings were substantiated through rigorous testing in both in vitro dynamic bile tests and in vivo New Zealand rabbit choledochal models. Empirical findings from these trials confirmed that the implementation of COF-based nanocomposite coatings robustly fortifies Mg implantations, conferring heightened resistance to both biocorrosion and biofouling as well as improved biocompatibility within bodily environments. The outcomes of this research elucidate a comprehensive framework for the multifaceted strategies against stent corrosion and fouling, thereby charting a visionary pathway toward the systematic conception of a new class of reliable COF-derived surface modifications poised to amplify the efficacy of Mg-based stents. Biodegradable magnesium (Mg) alloys are widely utilized in temporary stents, though their rapid degradation and susceptibility to bacterial infection pose significant challenges. Our research has developed a nanocomposite coating inspired by the lotus, integrating poly-trimethylene carbonate with covalent organic frameworks (COF). The coating achieved self-polishing property and optimal surface energy on the Mg substrate, which decelerates stent degradation and reduces biofilm formation. Comprehensive evaluations utilizing dynamic bile simulations and implantation in New Zealand rabbit choledochal models reveal that the coating improves the durability and longevity of the stent. The implications of these findings suggest the potential COF-based Mg alloy stent surface treatments and a leap forward in advancing stent performance and endurance in clinical applications. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Formation of super-hydrophobic and corrosion-resistant coatings can provide significant corrosion protection to magnesium alloys. However, it remains a grand challenge to produce such coatings for magnesium-lithium alloys due to their high chemical reactivity. Herein, a one-step hydrothermal processing was developed using a stearic-acid-based precursor medium, which enables the hydrothermal conversion and the formation of low surface energy materials concurrently to produce the super-hydrophobic and corrosion-resistant coating. The multiscale microstructures with nanoscale stacks and microscale spheres on the surface, as well as the through-thickness stearates, lead to the super-hydrophobicity and excellent corrosion resistance of the obtained coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface net radiation (SNR), a cornerstone in the intricate energy balance of urban climate systems, has garnered significant attention in research. While past endeavors have illuminated the effects of two-dimensional urban configurations on SNR, a conspicuous void persists in elucidating the nuanced interplay between three-dimensional (3D) urban features — encompassing building heights, volumes, and floor area ratios—and their modulation of SNR in urban landscapes. Addressing this gap, our research introduced a bespoke physical inversion approach, refined for high-resolution (30m) seasonal SNR assessment in urban areas, leveraging Landsat 8 imagery and meteorological datasets. We delved deeper into the seasonal dynamics of SNR influenced by 3D urban structures, leveraging the potent XGBoost regression algorithm and SHAP model. Our case study, centered on Beijing's primary urban region, underscores the inversion method's efficacy, with deviations from In-situ measured SNR values amounting to 10.21 W/m2 in spring, 8.43 W/m2 in summer, 11.55 W/m2 in autumn, and 9.14 W/m2 in winter. This precision was also reflected in an impressive R2 value of 0.81 and a standard deviation of 23.90 W/m2 compared with existing literature benchmarks. Seasonally, SNR peaked during summer, averaging 642.12 W/m2, followed by spring (590.08 W/m2), autumn (333.75 W/m2), and winter (275.93 W/m2). Water bodies exhibited the highest SNR throughout, peaking at 809.25 W/m2 in summer, whereas bare land registered the lowest, averaging 494.58 W/m2. Intriguingly, buildings with an average height below 15m significantly mitigated heat gain in summer, while a diverse mix of taller buildings exceeding 23m enhanced energy retention in winter, fostering a warming effect. By uncovering the intricate links between 3D urban structures and SNR, our findings inform strategic interventions that can effectively harness or mitigate SNR, contributing to more resilient and livable cities. • A physical inversion scheme concerning high resolution urban SNR was developed. • SNR results showed high accuracy compared with existing method and in-situ observation. • We first explored the impact of 3D USPs on seasonal SNRs. • MBH, SVF, BU, and FAR yielded significantly influence on seasonal SNRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experimental efforts supplemented by modeling gauged whether common additives found in soaps and laundry detergents interfered with polyacrylate adhesive-based capture of microplastics. On the experimental front, poly(2-ethylhexyl acrylate) (PEHA) samples were evaluated using gravimetric analysis, probe tack, and functional assessments of adhesive-coated glass slides immersed into DI water solutions containing both microparticles and additives (solvents, softeners, and non-ionic surfactants). Nylon-6 spheres and polyethylene terephthalate microplastics were chosen for adsorption using a count-based method by ImageJ imaging analysis. Molecular dynamics computations simulated 2-ethyl-hexylacrylate (2-EHA) adhesive and microplastic interactions in the presence of water, citrate, glycerol and tergitol detergent additives. The experimental work showed that fewer microplastics were collected when tergitol was added and was in line with lower experimental Work of Adhesion (WoAaq) results for nylon and PETE (94.5% and 54.5% reductions respectively). Computational results also confirmed lower adhesion in the presence of tergitol. The experiments also showed that the adhesive swelled while equilibrating in additive solutions. Models suggested that tergitol most negatively impacted particle binding through a competitive "blocking" of the adhesive substrate while the other additives were less conclusive about potential interferences based on competitive binding. [Display omitted] • Aquatic microplastic binding/collection needs to consider the aquatic milieu. • Surfactants (especially tergitol) strongly adsorbed on polymer surfaces. • Adsorbed surfactant led to less binding surface for microplastic binding. • Efforts linked modeling to the same experimental phase space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• PM 2.5 D reduces overall UHII, while PM 2.5 N lowers nighttime UHII on clear-sky days. • PM 2.5 D reduces daytime UHII by lowering radiation, with effects extending to night. • PM 2.5 ' filtering effect on UHI is more pronounced in all-sky day. PM 2.5 pollution severely threatens people's living environment and health, significantly affect urban heat island (UHI). In this study, in-situ observed data were combined with satellite data via refined pollution intensity classification methods, and the relationships between PM 2.5 and canopy/surface UHI (CUHI/SUHI) were analyzed. PM 2.5 reduced the UHI in nearly all the environments, with more pronounced effects during clear-sky daytime and winter (-0.33 °C for the SUHI) and less pronounced effects at all-sky nights and in summer. For the former, PM 2.5 primarily diminishes the UHI intensity (UHII) by weakening incident radiation; this radiative forcing effect is exacerbated by the combination of PM 2.5 and high humidity, which is further amplified by winter pollution peaks. At night, the UHII primarily influenced by the initial temperature conditions during the day. Less intake of surface energy on high-pollution days, which in turn affects longwave radiation from the surface/canopy at night. Additionally, PM 2.5 has been found to significantly influence UHI through its interaction with potential influential factors and its filtering effect (different PM 2.5 levels correspond to varying conditions of these factors). This study with new insights into the impact of PM 2.5 on UHI could aid in the design of strategies to improve urban heat and pollution environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• g-C 3 N 4, Bi 2 WO 6 & g-C 3 N 4 /Bi 2 WO 6 nanocomposites are synthesized and grafted on PVDF membrane. • Surface energy has increased by 60.2% in g-C 3 N 4 /Bi 2 WO 6 nanocomposites membrane than neat membrane. • g-C 3 N 4 /Bi 2 WO 6 PVDF membrane has shown 80% photodegradation of pirimicarb at pH 5. Pirimicarb, a commercially used insecticide, contains carbamate, which affects the nervous system of insects and living organisms, thus inhibiting their growth and increasing the production of crops. However, it has an impact on the ecosystem of groundwater by permeating the soil profile. The g-C 3 N 4, Bi 2 WO 6 & g-C 3 N 4 /Bi 2 WO 6 nanocomposites were synthesized by hydrothermal method and grafted on the PVDF membranes via in-situ polymerization. The pirimicarb wastewater of different pH 5,7 & 9 was synthetically prepared, and the performance of the membrane was tested to study the reduction and photodegradation of as-prepared pirimicarb wastewater. The surface energy had increased from 88.65 to 145.1 mJ/m2, g-C 3 N 4 / Bi 2 WO 6 nanocomposites on the PVDF membranes. The water contact angle of the membrane ranges from 57.9° to 37.7°, indicating that the membranes have higher hydrophilic characteristics. The water permanence is in the decreasing order of M1 (PAA/PVDF)> M6 (0.5wt% g-C 3 N 4 /Bi 2 WO 6 /PAA/PVDF)> M3 (1wt% Bi 2 WO 6 /PAA/PVDF)> M7 (1wt% g-C 3 N 4 /Bi 2 WO 6 /PAA/PVDF)> M4 (0.5wt% g-C 3 N 4 /PAA/PVDF)> M2 (0.5wt% Bi 2 WO 6 /PAA/PVDF)> M5 (1wt% g-C 3 N 4 /PAA/PVDF)> Neat (PVDF). The photodegradation studies stated that upon adding nanocomposites such as g-C 3 N 4 /Bi 2 WO 6 , the membranes undergo degradation of 80% at pH 5, which is higher than the PVDF/PAA (M1) membrane. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial-influenced corrosion and marine biofouling have become a thorny problem restricting the effective long-term operation of marine engineering. In this study, a novel antibacterial coating system for marine corrosion and fouling control was developed to integrate and improve the antibacterial performance. The coating system was composed of an epoxy primer and a low surface energy organosilicon/polyurethane topcoat, while quaternary ammonium salt (QAS) was added as an antimicrobial agent. The primer provided excellent corrosion protection. The antifouling performance was significantly improved by the combined effect of low surface energy and antibacterial agents, resulting in an extended service life and enhanced environmental sustainability of the coating system. Furthermore, the satisfactory results of the above coating system were confirmed by 8 weeks of hanging tests in the ocean, which exhibited potential application prospects in marine engineering in the future. [Display omitted] • A novel anticorrosion and antifouling coating system was developed to integrate and improve the antimicrobial properties. • The primer showed excellent anticorrosion performance and 98 % bactericidal rate. • The topcoat exhibited a high water contact angle and a significant antibacterial efficacy up to 99 % bactericidal rate. • The coating system demonstrated outstanding performance after 8 weeks hanging test in the ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porous materials with excellent mechanical stability and robust superhydrophobic performance exhibit promising prospect for practical applications in the field of oil−water separation. The construction of superhydrophobic surfaces typically involve two individual steps, including increase surface roughness and decrease surface energy. Unlike traditionally approach, the superhydrophobic performance of modified PU sponge can be accomplished by one−pot approach, which does not require complicated processing procedures or specific equipment. The present study successfully developed a superhydrophobic porous PU sponge using a facile and cost−effective one−pot approach by employing tannic acid (TA), 3–aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), and octadecyltrimethoxysilane (ODTS) as superhydrophobic modifiers. The water contact angle of the modified PU sponge was determined approximately 152.3 °, suggesting its superhydrophobic characteristic. The modified PU sponge showed remarkable environmental tolerance when subjected to a wide pH range of acidic and alkaline solutions. The WCAs remained consistently above 150°, indicating its durability and stability against harsh circumstances. The superhydrophobic PU sponge also demonstrated remarkable of self−cleaning and antifouling capacities. The obtained sponge exhibited an impressive selective oil adsorption capacity from oil−water mixtures, ranging from 18.7 to 88.4 times of its initial mass, depending on the specific type of oil utilized in the test. The sponge still maintained its excellent adsorption capacity even after 20 cycles of adsorption–squeezing experiment. Immiscible oil−water mixtures with different densities could also be highly effectively separated by the superhydrophobic PU sponge in a continuous way. The separation efficiencies for diesel/water and chloroform/water were determined to be 98.5 % and 99.5 %, respectively, demonstrating outstanding levels of continuous separation effectiveness. With the readily available PU sponge as substrate material and the simple modification process, this work could provide a potential pathway for fabrication of cost−effective, long durable, and high efficient superhydrophobic materials in oil/water separation. • A facile one−pot approach was applied to fabricate durable superhydrophobic PU sponge. • The modified PU sponge showed environmental tolerance when subjected to different acidic and alkaline solutions. • The modified PU sponge exhibited an impressive selective oil adsorption capacity from oil−water mixtures. • The oil−water mixtures with different densities could be separated by the modified PU sponge in a continuous way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient recovery of accidentally spilled viscous crude oil remains a global challenge, due to its poor fluidity at low temperature. Advanced porous absorbent with self-heating capability using multi-energy heating is highly desirable to mitigate the threat of oil spills to marine environment. Herein, photothermal nano-candle soot (CS), magneto thermal nano-Fe 3 O 4 , and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) with low surface energy were incorporated into an aligned porous microchannel structure of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) sponge. This endowed the sponge with robust mechanical compressibility, superhydrophobicity/superoleophilicity, and remarkable photo/magneto-thermal properties. The temperature of PDMS-CS/Fe 3 O 4 @TPU sponge surface could be rapidly heated to 87.7 ℃ under simulated sunlight of 1.0 kW m−2 intensity, and to 105.8 ℃ in an alternating magnetic field of H = 5 kA m−1. Notably, the temperature of the composite sponge surface reached 87.6 ℃ with the combination of weak sunlight irradiation of 0.5 kW m−2 and alternating magnetic field (AMF) intensity of 3 kA m−1. Furthermore, the composite sponge could achieve continuous recovery of viscous crude oil at a rate up to 503.5 kg m−2 h−1 with the combination of weak sunlight irradiation and AMF. This work reports a prospective strategy and material for efficient and all-weather recovery of spilled viscous crude oil. [Display omitted] • TPU sponge functionalized by Fe 3 O 4 and candle soot nanoparticles was successfully prepared. • Capillary forces in the aligned channel-like structure enhance the crude oil sorption rate. • The PDMS-CS/Fe 3 O 4 @TPU sponge displays excellent photo/magneto-thermal performance. • The PDMS-CS/Fe 3 O 4 @TPU sponge can achieve multiple energies-assisted recovery of viscous crude oil in all weather conditions. • The PDMS-CS/Fe 3 O 4 @TPU sponge could continuously recover viscous crude oil from water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Cyanobacteria respond to light stimulation, activating localised assembly of type IV pili for motility. The resulting phototactic response is highly dependent on the nature of the incoming light stimulus, and the final motility parameters depend on the surface properties. Conventionally, phototaxis studies are carried out on hydrogel surfaces, such as agarose, with surface properties that vary in time due to experimental conditions. This study considers five substrates, widely utilized in microfluidic technology, to identify the most suitable alternative for performing reliable and repeatable phototaxis assays. The surfaces are characterised via a contact angle goniometer to determine the surface energy, white light interferometry for roughness, zeta-potentials and AFM force distance curves for charge patterns, and XPS for surface composition. Cell motility assays showed 1.25 times increment on surfaces with a water contact angle of 80° compared to a reference glass surface. To prove that motility can be enhanced, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surfaces were plasma treated to alter their surface wettability. The motility on the plasma-treated PDMS showed similar performance as for glass surfaces. In contrast, untreated PDMS surfaces displayed close to zero motility. We also describe the force interactions of cells with the test surfaces using DLVO (Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek) and XDLVO (extended DLVO) theories. The computed DLVO/XDLVO force-distance curves are compared with those obtained using atomic force microscopy. Our findings show that twitching motility on tested surfaces can be described mainly from adhesive forces and hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity surface properties. The current article focuses on unravelling the potential Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) compatible surfaces for studying phototactic twitching motility of cyanobacteria. This is the first exhaustive surface characterization study coupled with phototaxis experiments, to understand the forces contributing to twitching motility. The methods shown in this paper can be further extended to study other surfaces and also to other bacteria exhibiting twitching motility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We hereby report a green and simple volatilization-condensation process to prepare high-purity magnesium in different crystal forms under vacuum condition. This method can be also used for the analysis of other metals, which can be separated by the same concept. In addition, Mg condensation is a very fast process, and the corresponding easy growth of the Mg crystals is promoted when the concentration of magnesium vapor is raised. From the view of crystallization, ultrafast crystal growth of high-purity magnesium is a barrier-free and orderly process. Interestingly, different condensed forms of Mg obtained via this ultrafast volatilization-condensation process are showing different purities. The distinct morphological formation of Mg in different condensed form is probably attributed to the differences of surface energy change of Mg during the condensation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The artificial lung (AL) technology is one of the membrane-based artificial organs that partly augments lung functions, i.e. blood oxygenation and CO 2 removal. It is generally employed as an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) device to treat acute and chronic lung-failure patients, and the recent outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has re-emphasized the importance of this technology. The principal component in AL is the polymeric membrane oxygenator that facilitates the O 2 /CO 2 exchange with the blood. Despite the considerable improvement in anti-thrombogenic biomaterials in other applications (e.g., stents), AL research has not advanced at the same rate. This is partly because AL research requires interdisciplinary knowledge in biomaterials and membrane technology. Some of the promising biomaterials with reasonable hemocompatibility — such as emerging fluoropolymers of extremely low surface energy - must first be fabricated into membranes to exhibit effective gas exchange performance. As AL membranes must also demonstrate high hemocompatibility in tandem, it is essential to test the membranes using in-vitro hemocompatibility experiments before in-vivo test. Hence, it is vital to have a reliable in-vitro experimental protocol that can be reasonably correlated with the in-vivo results. However, current in-vitro AL studies are unsystematic to allow a consistent comparison with in-vivo results. More specifically, current literature on AL biomaterial in-vitro hemocompatibility data are not quantitatively comparable due to the use of unstandardized and unreliable protocols. Such a wide gap has been the main bottleneck in the improvement of AL research, preventing promising biomaterials from reaching clinical trials. This review summarizes the current state-of-the-art and status of AL technology from membrane researcher perspectives. Particularly, most of the reported in-vitro experiments to assess AL membrane hemocompatibility are compiled and critically compared to suggest the most reliable method suitable for AL biomaterial research. Also, a brief review of current approaches to improve AL hemocompatibility is summarized. The importance of Artificial Lung (AL) technology has been re-emphasized in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. The utmost bottleneck in the current AL technology is the poor hemocompatibility of the polymer membrane used for O 2 /CO 2 gas exchange, limiting its use in the long-term. Unfortunately, most of the in-vitro AL experiments are unsystematic, irreproducible, and unreliable. There are no standardized in-vitro hemocompatibility characterization protocols for quantitative comparison between AL biomaterials. In this review, we tackled this bottleneck by compiling the scattered in-vitro data and suggesting the most suitable experimental protocol to obtain reliable and comparable hemocompatibility results. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review paper focusing on the hemocompatibility challenge of AL technology. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urbanization has disrupted the energy balance of natural surfaces, leading to the formation and intensification of urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon. Current research on the relationship between surface energy balance (SEB) and UHI mainly focuses on either a macro perspective of large-scale regions or a micro perspective based on numerical microclimate simulations. However, there are still relatively few studies conducted on the local scale of cities. Here, we investigated the relationships between seasonal SEB and land surface temperature (LST) based on local climate zones (LCZ) and explored the impact of three-dimensional (3D) urban morphology on SEB. Our results revealed that: (1) urban building spaces have relatively higher LST, sensible heat flux, and storage heat flux, but lower net radiation and latent heat flux, compared to urban blue and green spaces; (2) among LCZ built types, the compact and large low-rise buildings have high LST and heat-inducing energy fluxes, while the compact and open high-rise buildings exhibit the opposite situation; (3) the component proportions of SEB fluxes exhibit a more significant linear correlation with UHI intensity compared to the relative differences between SEB fluxes; and (4) 3D building morphology has a higher relative importance in influencing the variations of surface energy balance ratio (SEBR) components than 3D vegetation morphology. Specifically, building height has the greatest impact on the seasonal variations of SEBR components, while the 3D urban greening ratio has relatively high importance among vegetation morphology. These findings enable us to better consider local UHI effect from the perspective of SEB. • Detecting the local spatiotemporal characteristics of LST and SEB. • Exploring the relatively importance of 3D urban morphology in impacting SEB. • Compact and large low-rise buildings have high LST and heat-inducing energy fluxes. • Building height and 3D urban greening ratio have relatively significant impact on SEB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superhydrophobic functional materials have shown excellent application value in various fields and become a current research hotspot. Lignin nanocomposite functional materials have great potential for application because of its green environmental protection and UV-resistant properties. In this study, lignin carbon nanoparticles (LNPs) were prepared by a hydrothermal method. Then the dodecylthiosilane superhydrophobic low surface energy modifier (DETS) was prepared by click chemistry, and DETS-SiO 2 nanoparticles with superhydrophobic properties were prepared by modifying SiO 2 with DETS and introducing long chains in SiO 2. And LNPs were compounded with DETS-SiO 2 nanoparticles to prepare DETS-SiO 2 /LNPs composite coatings with excellent superhydrophobicity and UV-resistant properties. The structural structure and morphology of the coating were analysed by XRD, FT-IR and SEM. The properties of the DETS-SiO 2 /LNPs composite coatings were then investigated by contact angle analysis, stability test, self-cleaning test and UV spectral analysis. The results show that the composite coating of DETS-SiO 2 /LNPs has excellent superhydrophobicity with a contact angle up to 163.4°. At the same time, due to the introduction of LNPs, the composite coating has outstanding UV resistance, which can shield 96.3 % of UVB (280–320 nm) and 93.5 % of UVA (320–400 nm), but also maintains a visible light transmittance of nearly 50.11 %. The coating also has good acid and alkali resistance and thermal stability. This work provides a new green and fast way for modified lignin-based superhydrophobic and UV-resistant multifunctional composite coating materials and establishes the necessary foundation. [Display omitted] • Dodecanethiol silica superhydrophobic (DETS) prepared by click chemistry reaction. • DETS-SiO 2 /LNPs composite superhydrophobic UV-resistant coatings were prepared. • Exhibit superhydrophobicity with WCA value was 163.4° and UV shielding of 93.5 % UVA. • A new strategy for superhydrophobic and UV-resistant multifunctional coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hot dip coated steel/aluminium sheet is commonly used in heat exchangers or in industrial baking trays due to its great heat return capacity and anticorrosive protection and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is known for its low surface energy which gives it a low coefficient of friction and great hydrophobicity. Usually, aluminized steel sheets are formed to later apply the coating, which requires specialized processes that could be streamlined with the supply of pre-coated sheet, making the final product cheaper. In the present work PTFE coating has been applied on DX51D aluminized steel sheets which have then been processed by single point incremental forming using a protective sacrificial plate (dummy) to prevent deterioration of the coating. The influence of the technological input variables (rotational speed, feed rate, Z-stepover, wall angle and dummy) on the final quality of the coating (coating thickness, hardness, roughness, durability and sliding angle) has been studied, also analysing the deformation-flatness relationship and the effect of the inherent temperature of the process. The specimens showed a noticeable improvement in their hydrophobicity caused by surface changes as a consequence of the applied deformation and the consequent elastic recovery of the composite, maintaining good durability against abrasion resistance. Softer deformation values (wall angle, A) combined with a slower movement of the forming tool (feed rate, F) allowed to obtain a product with better geometric quality even improving its hydrophobicity maintaining good coating quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a variety of synthetic protocols including hydrothermal and microwave-assisted methods, the morphology of as-prepared magnetite has been reliably altered as a means of probing the effect of facet variations upon the resulting electrochemical processes measured. In particular, motifs of magnetite, measuring ∼100 to 200 nm in diameter, were variously prepared in the form of cubes, spheres, octahedra, and plates, thereby affording the opportunity to preferentially expose either (111), (220), or (100) planes, depending on the geometry in question. We deliberately prepared these samples, characterized using XRD and SEM, in the absence of a carbonaceous surfactant to enhance their intrinsic electrochemical function. Herein, we present a direct electrochemical comparison of specifically modified shape morphologies possessing 3 different facets and their impact as electrode materials for Liion batteries. Our overall data suggest that the shapes exhibiting the largest deliverable capacities at various current densities incorporated the highest surface energy facets, such as exposed (220) planes in this study. The faceted nature of different morphologies highlighted a trend in electrochemistry of (220) > (111) > (100); moreover, the degree of aggregation and polydispersity in prepared samples were found to play key roles as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Actual evapotranspiration and water stress during the dry seasons were studied. • The SSEBop model's performance can be improved by readjusting aerodynamic resistance. • All land-cover classes, especially farmland areas experienced severe water stress. Due to the simultaneous impacts of economic development and climate change, the Lijiang River Basin in China—the largest karst tourist attraction in the world—has experienced dramatic water shortages during the dry season. As actual evapotranspiration (ET a) plays a critical role in the water cycle, accurate estimation of ET a and water stress are important for sustainable water resources management. In this paper, we mapped the distribution of daily ET a using a modified Operational Simplified Surface Energy Balance (SSEBop) model in combination with Landsat 8 images and assessed water stress using the Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI) during the dry season in the Lijiang River Basin. In general, the daily ET a simulated by the SSEBop model with aerodynamic resistance value of 110 s m−1 was higher than that of satellite-based actual evapotranspiration products (i.e., MOD16A2 and Penman-Monteith-Leuning (PML)_V2 actual evapotranspiration products in this study). Aerodynamic resistance plays a critical role in the estimation of energy fluxes in the SSEBop model and should be readjusted and calibrated with available datasets to improve the model's performance in estimating actual evapotranspiration for particular regions. Readjusted values between 20 and 35 s m−1 of aerodynamic resistance produced reasonable agreement with satellite-based actual evapotranspiration products in the Lijiang River Basin. In addition, insufficient ground-level measurements of actual evapotranspiration might have increased the uncertainty of the SSEBop model's performance. The achievement of higher accuracy in the estimation of actual evapotranspiration and water availability will require establishing local flux towers, particularly in forested areas, to collect evapotranspiration, temperature and other in situ data. For different land-cover classes, forest areas exhibited the highest actual evapotranspiration, whereas farmland and built-up areas had the lowest actual evapotranspiration values compared to the other land-cover classes. All land-cover classes, especially farmland areas, experienced severe water stress. Inadequate precipitation as a result of climate change, combined with high actual evapotranspiration will result in less water being available for the Lijiang River Basin. Additional water is required to compensate for evapotranspiration and support plant growth in the Lijiang River Basin during the growing season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing the working voltage of a Ni-rich cathode is considered as the most effective way to enhance the energy density of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, high energy density brings safety hazards in LIBs, resulting from the structural instability of the cathode material and the oxidative decomposition of carbonate electrolyte under high-voltage conditions. Directly adding the proper amount of flame retardant to the liquid electrolyte reduces the safety hazards, but causes rapid decay in electrochemical performance. To achieve a balance, flame retardant of triphenyl phosphate (TPP) is encapsulated by poly(butyl methacrylateacrylonitrile-styrene) (P(BMA-AN-St)) terpolymer during the electrospinning process ascribed from different physical properties of surface energy and polarity. Compared with the self-extinguishing time (SET) of 89.5 s g-1 for commercial polyethylene (PE) separator, the SET value of PT11 separator (P(BMA-AN-St): TPP = 1:1 (w:w)) is sharply reduced to 23.0 s g-1, although both separators present the similar ionic conductivity of 0.8 × 10-3 S cm-1 at room temperature. Whether in half-cells of LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2/Separator/Li or full-cells of LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2/Separator/graphite, PE and PT11 separator show parallel cycle stability between 3.0 and 4.5 V. Thus, terpolymer encapsulated flame-retardant separator achieves both improved flame retardancy and competent electrochemical stability, making it become a good candidate for high-energy-density LIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyzes the fracture of rock from its time-variant structural parameters reproduced by quantitative interpretation of six amplitude-frequency spectra of acoustic emission in uniaxially loaded granite. The interpretation provides detailed data on the crack size and acoustic energy distributions at six time (load) points corresponding to the spectra, on the surface energy rate and acoustic energy per unit granite volume, and on the correlation between these parameters and fracture modes. The analysis identifies what fracture mode is realized at each of the six points of acoustic measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oil particle removal, different from the removal of general salt particular matter, has an unusual filtration process in which oil particles will be captured by forming a continuous film on the surface of the filter. Therefore, it is important to investigate the effect of surface property of the filter on the oil particle dynamic filtration process. In this study, three fibrous mats with different surface energies were fabricated from polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polyacrylonitrile/cellulose acetate (PAN/CA), and polyacrylonitrile/polyvinylidene fluoride (PAN/PVDF) solutions by needleless electrospinning. PAN/PVDF fibrous mat presented the lowest surface energy (19. 99 mj/m²), followed by PAN/CA fibrous mat( 29.49 mj/m²) and PAN fibrous mat (40.91 mj/m²). As the oil particle filtration went on, the PAN/PVDF fibrous mat presented both the fastest filtration efficiency decline (4.72% in 10 min) and the fastest filtration resistance increase (543.41 Pa in 10 min). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High hydrophobicity of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane surface results in adsorption of oil droplets and membrane fouling. A hydrogel coating with crosslinking network of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), pyrogallol (PG) and Fe(III) based on PVDF membrane was proposed. Hydrogen bonds between PVA and PG in water were regulated by ethanol to form a uniform hydrophilic hydrogel coating on PVDF membrane. Chelation between PG and Fe3+ significantly enhanced hydrogel adhesion. The surface energy of the developed PVDF-PVA/PG-Fe3+ membrane was 39.96 mJ·m−2, 2.71 times that of the pristine PVDF membrane, while its adhesion to oil is close to 0 μN. The permeate flux reached 1341 L·m−2· h−1 at 0.1 bar for separating isooctane-in-water emulsions with good separation efficiency (>99 %) and cycling stability. The developed membrane could also effectively separate petroleum ether-in-water and dodecane-in-water emulsions. • A double physical and chemical crosslinked network hydrogel coating design. • The adhesion of the PVDF-PVA/PG-Fe3+ membrane to the oil is close to 0 μN. • The surface energy of the developed membrane was 2.71 times that of PVDF membrane. • Good separation efficiency (>99 %) and cycling stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Seasonal patterns of SUHII worldwide are classified into five typical patterns. • Same seasonal patterns between DNC and daytime SUHII account for 80% globally. • Seasonal patterns of daytime SUHII indicate opposite seasonal variations to ∆EVI. • Daytime SUHII is corresponded to the opposite patterns to LHF but similar to NSR. Variations and controls of surface urban heat island (SUHI) drawn great attention since its close association with environmental issues and heat risk. However, three issues remained neglect, namely, the mismatch and insignificant variations, seasonal patterns for SUHII DNC (day-and-night contrast) and impacts from surface energy variations. Therefore, this paper classifies seasonal patterns of SUHII based on ATCS (annual temperature cycle with seasonal adjustment) into five typical patterns, and further investigates impacts from surface energy variations. There are three major findings. (1) Approximately 70% of global cities are identified as the spring-summer and summer-autumn patterns at daytime, while global cities identified as the winter-spring and insignificant patterns account for 36% and 24%. The seasonal patterns of DNC are significantly affected by that of daytime. (2) The seasonal patterns of SUHII indicate opposite seasonal variations to ∆ EVI (enhanced vegetation index) at daytime and ∆ WSA (white sky albedo) at nighttime. (3) The cities identified as the spring-summer and summer-autumn patterns of SUHII are corresponded to the opposite patterns of latent heat flux at daytime, but similar patterns of net shortwave radiation at both day and night. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Design functionalized absorbent materials that fulfillment complex requirements in sophisticated water-treatment fields remains challenging. In this paper, a novel superhydrophobic/superoleophilic sponge with flower-like channel structures and a photodegradation functionality was fabricated via in-situ chelation of zinc oxide (ZnO) and nano-Ag particles. After low surface energy modification with POTS, the as-prepared sponge displayed remarkable superwettability, with a water contact angle (WCA) of 158.8° ± 1.3°. This endowed it with the ultrafast, selective absorption of diverse oils that are 33.9–135.2 times of their own weight. The prepared sponge's emulsified oil separation efficiency can reach 99.87%, owing to its superhydrophobic/superoleophilic properties and the electrostatic attraction demulsification, guiding effect of ZnO layer crystal plane. Furthermore, the construction of Schottky barrier at the ZnO@Ag interface reduced the recombination rate of photoexcited electrons and electron-holes. Thereby, the prepared sponge's photodegradation efficiency reached up to 97.07% after 4 h sunlight irradiation. Notably, the stress attenuation of the prepared sponge was only 14.6% after 100 absorption cycles, indicating its excellent mechanical stability. Moreover, the prepared sponge showed excellent environmental tolerance under severe conditions with its WCA stably exceeding 150.0°. Thus, this durable superwetting sponge can be effectively used for oil/water emulsion separation and organic pollutant degradation. [Display omitted] • A durable asymmetric wetting sponge with flower-like structures was prepared. • The prepared sponge possesses dominant photocatalytic activity and recyclability. • The prepared sponge shows excellent separation efficiency and adsorption capacity. • The prepared sponge exhibits prominent mechanochemical stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adhesion properties, which can vary with multiple factors, of silicone hydrogel contact lenses are important to their performance and comfort in the eye. In this study, we developed and used a simple, representative testing system and method to study the adhesive interactions of different silicone contact lenses (balafilcon A and senofilcon A) on polished titanium alloy and porcine whole eye cornea under dehydrating conditions. Adhesive interactions for senofilcon A varied by hydration state for both corneal and titanium adhesion, starting low, rising to a maximum and falling with dehydration time and dehydration state. Balafilcon A showed a rise and fall against titanium, but retained a relatively constant adhesive interaction with corneal tissue over dehydration time. Senofilcon A reached the highest adhesion forces (400 mN) within 5 to 10 min of testing against cornea, then dropped with time after that. Johnson-Kendall-Roberts (JKR) theory was applied to determine the surface energy of the lenses, and work of adhesion (WOA) was also determined for both lenses. Similar trends as observed with the force-hydration curves were seen with surface energy and work of adhesion as well (peak surface energy of 8 N/m and work of adhesion of 80 µJ for senofilcon A). Video imaging of the adhesive interactions showed significant corneal deformation taking place during testing, and post-test analysis shows damage to the corneal tissue. This method could be used to assess pre-clinical performance of long-lasting contact lenses and the role of hydration state. Adhesion properties of contact lenses play significant roles in their performance and comfort in the eye. Adhesion is influenced by polymer chemistry, counterface materials and hydration state of the contact lenses. However, no test method has been developed to directly study the adhesion properties between contact lenses and corneal tissue during the dehydration process. Our work aims to fill this gap by developing testing and analysis methods for evaluating the adhesive interactions in vitro between contact lenses of different chemistries and properties and different counter surfaces under dehydrating conditions over time. Our study shows that adhesive interactions of contact lenses are highly dependent on polymer type, surface treatment, counterface material and hydration state. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superhydrophobic coatings are projected as a practical approach to tackle the weak aqueous corrosion resistance of Mg/Mg alloys. The present review provides the most recent updates in this area. The various low surface energy treatments reported are presented first, followed by the methods employed for developing hierarchical surface micro/nanostructuring. Reported works in different application areas, including anti-corrosion, biomedical and anti-icing are systematically discussed. Concise descriptions of self-healing characteristics and long-term durability of the superhydrophobic surfaces provided. Reports on superamphiphobic surfaces also deliberated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: In this article the buffer materials, α-6T and α-7T are used to study the interface of metla/organic in OLEDs. It has been observed that the electrical, light emitting and efficiency properties are strongly depend on the thickness of the buffer layer with 60nm of α-6T and 3nm of α-7T the mostly improved properties were observed. Methods/Statistical analysis: The physical interaction of molecular at the metal/organic interface has been investigated by contact angle hysteresis. The surface energy of oligothiophene layer on ITO electrode varies within 10mJ/cm². The polar component of surface energy of organic materials(HTL) on buffer layer materials was observed to be independent on the thickness of buffer layer with the value of zero. The strong electrostatic force of the metallic surface may lead the properties of organic materials to be different from that of natural state. However the buffer layer may contribute to the continuously layered similar energy state that increase the efficiency of hole injection. Findings: It has been observed that the electrical properties, light emitting and efficiency properties are strongly depend on the thickness of the buffer layer with 60nm of α-6T and 3nm of α-7T the mostly improved properties were observed. The lowered energy barrier, about 0.2 ~ 0.4eV, for hole injection at the interface of metal/buffer layer and the improved surface morphology of hole injection surface may contribute to the improvements. It was expected that the increase of the absolute number of holes injected might increase the light emitting efficiency and it was observed. Improvements/Applications: As a tool to investigate such as phenomena, the use of buffer materials gives advantages. The buffer materials normally show stable chemical and physical properties, it could be avoided the destruction of original electronic state during the measurement. The use of buffer materials and the understandings of interface phenomena could offer many applicable products to our common life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]