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In this work, we presented a new thermoelectrochromic device based on the preparation of a hydrogel‐based electrolyte derived from cellulose, namely hydroxypropyl cellulose, with thermochromic properties and a good ion conduction at atmospheric conditions. With these premises, an electrochromic layer of PEDOT:PSS was developed to fabricate a multifunctional device capable of exploiting the TC properties of HCP when the critical temperature of 43°C is reached, where an increase in reflectance of 37% at 420 nm is reported and, at the same time, capable of undergoing a significant modulation of transmittance (52% at 650 nm) when a small external bias (2.5 V) is applied. To our knowledge, it is the first time that a smart window is designed embodying HPC and PEDOT:PSS in a single device, reporting a fully organic system suitable for several applications, from constructions to transportation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cover image by Valeria De Matteis, Alessandro Cannavale, Marco Pugliese, and Umberto Berardi summarizes the different features of a new, multifunctional "thermoelectrochromic" device. This "smart window", incorporating hydroxypropyl cellulose electrolyte and PEDOT:PSS within a single unit, constitutes a completely organic system that finds applicability across various domains, from construction to transportation. Its architecture is based on a hydroxypropyl cellulose electrolyte, which allows for passive thermochromic transition from a transparent state to a milky, reflective state once the critical temperature of 43°C is attained; simultaneously, the device exhibits a substantial electrochromic modulation of transmittance (52%) when subjected to a minor external bias (2.5 V). [Extracted from the article]

ABSTRACT This review reports on the combined use of the atomic force microscopy (AFM) and several type of optical/fluorescence/laser scanning microscopy for investigating cells. It is shown that the hybrid systems of AFM with optical-derived microscopies enable to study in detail cell surface properties (such as topography), their mechanical properties (e.g., Young's modulus) mechanotransduction phenomena and allow to gain insight into biological-related pathways and mechanisms in the complex nanoworld of cells. Microsc. Res. Tech. 80:109-123, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]