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Cutaneous damage mechanisms related to dynamic fragment impacts are dependent on the impact angle, impact energy, and fragment characteristics including shape, volume, contact friction, and orientation. Understanding the cutaneous injury mechanism and its relationship to the fragment parameters is lacking compromising damage classification, treatment, and protection. Here we develop a high-fidelity dynamic mechanics-driven model for partial-thickness skin injuries and demonstrate the influence of fragment parameters on the injury mechanism and damage sequence. The model quantitatively predicts the wound shape, area, and depth into the skin layers for selected impact angles, kinetic energy density, and the fragment projectile type including shape and material. The detailed sequence of impact damage including epidermal tearing that occurs ahead of the fragments initial contact location, subsequent stripping of the epidermal/dermal junction, and crushing of the underlying dermis are revealed. We demonstrate that the fragment contact friction with skin plays a key role in redistributing impact energy affecting the extent of epidermal tearing and dermal crushing. Furthermore, projectile edges markedly affect injury severity dependent on the orientation of the edge during initial impact. The model provides a quantitative framework for understanding the detailed mechanisms of cutaneous damage and a basis for the design of protective equipment., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Topical skin formulations often include penetration enhancers that interact with the outer stratum corneum (SC) layer to chemically enhance diffusion. Alternatively, penetration can be mechanically enhanced with simple rubbing in the presence of solid particles sometimes included to exfoliate the top layers of the SC. Our goal was to evaluate micron-sized carbon dioxide bubbles included in a foamed moisturizing formulation as a mechanical penetration enhancement strategy. We show that moisturizing foam bubbles cause an increase in SC formulation penetration using both mechanical and spectroscopic characterization. Our results suggest viscous liquid film drainage between coalescing gaseous bubbles creates local regions of increased hydrodynamic pressure in the foam liquid layer adjacent to the SC surface that enhances treatment penetration. An SC molecular diffusion model is used to rationalize the observed behavior. The findings indicate marked increased levels of treatment concentration in the SC at 2 h and that persists to 18 h after exposure, far exceeding non-foamed treatments. The study suggests an alternate strategy for increasing formulation penetration with a non-chemical mechanism., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Neural signaling of skin sensory perception from topical treatments is often reported in subjective terms such as a sensation of skin "tightness" after using a cleanser or "softness" after applying a moisturizer. However, the mechanism whereby cutaneous mechanoreceptors and corresponding sensory neurons are activated giving rise to these perceptions has not been established. Here, we provide a quantitative approach that couples in vitro biomechanical testing and detailed computational neural stimulation modeling along with a comprehensive in vivo self-assessment survey to demonstrate how cutaneous biomechanical changes in response to treatments are involved in the sensorial perception of the human skin. Strong correlations are identified between reported perception up to 12 hours post treatment and changes in the computed neural stimulation from mechanoreceptors residing deep under the skin surface. The study reveals a quantitative framework for understanding the biomechanical neural activation mechanism and the subjective perception by individuals., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of National Academy of Sciences.)

Thermal transport in polymer nanocomposites becomes dependent on the interfacial thermal conductance due to the ultra-high density of the internal interfaces when the polymer and filler domains are intimately mixed at the nanoscale. However, there is a lack of experimental measurements that can link the thermal conductance across the interfaces to the chemistry and bonding between the polymer molecules and the glass surface. Characterizing the thermal properties of amorphous composites are a particular challenge as their low intrinsic thermal conductivity leads to poor measurement sensitivity of the interfacial thermal conductance. To address this issue here, polymers are confined in porous organosilicates with high interfacial densities, stable composite structure, and varying surface chemistries. The thermal conductivities and fracture energies of the composites are measured with frequency dependent time-domain thermoreflectance (TDTR) and thin-film fracture testing, respectively. Effective medium theory (EMT) along with finite element analysis (FEA) is then used to uniquely extract the thermal boundary conductance (TBC) from the measured thermal conductivity of the composites. Changes in TBC are then linked to the hydrogen bonding between the polymer and organosilicate as quantified by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron (XPS) spectroscopy. This platform for analysis is a new paradigm in the experimental investigation of heat flow across constituent domains., (© 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Humans rely increasingly on sensors to address grand challenges and to improve quality of life in the era of digitalization and big data. For ubiquitous sensing, flexible sensors are developed to overcome the limitations of conventional rigid counterparts. Despite rapid advancement in bench-side research over the last decade, the market adoption of flexible sensors remains limited. To ease and to expedite their deployment, here, we identify bottlenecks hindering the maturation of flexible sensors and propose promising solutions. We first analyze challenges in achieving satisfactory sensing performance for real-world applications and then summarize issues in compatible sensor-biology interfaces, followed by brief discussions on powering and connecting sensor networks. Issues en route to commercialization and for sustainable growth of the sector are also analyzed, highlighting environmental concerns and emphasizing nontechnical issues such as business, regulatory, and ethical considerations. Additionally, we look at future intelligent flexible sensors. In proposing a comprehensive roadmap, we hope to steer research efforts towards common goals and to guide coordinated development strategies from disparate communities. Through such collaborative efforts, scientific breakthroughs can be made sooner and capitalized for the betterment of humanity.

Objective: To decode the feeling of skin tightness after application of a cosmetic product and how to soothe this discomfort. To pursue this aim, we considered the ingredient's effect on stratum corneum (SC) biomechanics to differentiate between consumers prone to tightness from those that are not and correlate these effects with mechanoreceptor activation., Methods: In vivo clinical trials were used to assess the tightness perception dichotomy between groups of Caucasian women; in vitro experiments were used to measure the mechanical stresses induced in the SC after cleanser and moisturizer application; and in silico simulations were used to illustrate how the measured mechanical stresses in the SC result in the development of strains at the depth of cutaneous mechanoreceptors, triggering tightness perceptual responses., Results: Before any cream application, women prone to tightness tend to have a more rigid SC than their less sensitive counterparts, however cleanser application increases SC stiffness in all women. Surprisingly, no correlation was found between tightness perception and hydration measurements by the Corneometer or barrier function, as evaluated by transepidermal water loss. Self-declared tightness and dryness scores were strongly associated with a self-described sensitive skin. After application of the optimized moisturizing formula, Osmoskin® containing natural waxes with good filming properties, consumers report a strong decrease in tightness and dryness perception. These results match with laboratory experiments where the cleanser was shown to increase SC drying stresses by 34%, while subsequent application of Osmoskin® decreased stresses by 48%. Finite element modelling, using experimental results as input, elucidates the differences in perception between the two groups of women. It makes clear that Osmoskin® changes the mechanical status of the SC, producing strains in underlying epidermis that activates multiple cutaneous mechano-receptors at a level correlated with the self-perceived comfort., Conclusion: Integration of the in vivo, in vitro and in silico approaches provides a novel framework for fully understanding how skin tightness sensations form and propagate, and how these sensations can be alleviated through the design of an optimized moisturizer., (© 2022 Society of Cosmetic Scientists and Societe Francaise de Cosmetologie.)

Polyimide hybrid nanocomposites with the polyimide confined at molecular length scales exhibit enhanced fracture resistance with excellent thermal-oxidative stability at low density. Previously, polyimide nanocomposites were fabricated by infiltration of a polyimide precursor into a nanoporous matrix followed by sequential thermally induced imidization and cross-linking of the polyimide under nanometer-scale confinement. However, byproducts formed during imidization became volatile at the cross-linking temperature, limiting the polymer fill level and degrading the nanocomposite fracture resistance. This is solved in the present work with an easier approach where the nanoporous matrix is filled with shorter preimidized polyimide chains that are cross-linked while in the pores to eliminate the need for confined imidization reactions, which produces better results compared to the previous study. In addition, we selected a preimidized polyimide that has a higher chain mobility and a stronger interaction with the matrix pore surface. Consequently, the toughness achieved with un-cross-linked preimidized polyimide chains in this work is equivalent to that achieved with the cross-linking of the previously used polyimide chains and is doubled when preimidized polyimide chains are cross-linked. The increased chain mobility enables more efficient polymer filling and higher polymer fill levels. The higher polymer-pore surface interaction increases the energy dissipation during polyimide molecular bridging, increasing the nanocomposite fracture resistance. The combination of the higher polymer fill and the stronger polymer-surface interaction is shown to provide significant improvements to the nanocomposite fracture resistance and is validated with a molecular bridging model.

Ultrathin perfluoropolyether-silane (PFPE-silane) films offer excellent functionality as antifingerprint coatings for display touchscreens due to their oleophobic, hydrophobic, and good adhesion properties. During smartphone use, PFPE-silane coatings undergo many abrasion cycles which limit the coating lifetime, so a better understanding of how to optimize the film structure for improved mechanical durability is desired. However, the hydrophobic and ultrathin (1-10 nm) nature of PFPE-silane films renders them very difficult to experimentally characterize. In this study, the cohesive fracture energy and elastic modulus, which are directly correlated with hardness and better wear resistance of 3.5 nm-thick PFPE-silane films were, respectively, measured by double cantilever beam testing and atomic force microscopy indentation. Both the cohesive fracture energy and modulus are shown to be highly dependent on the underlying film structure. Both values increase with optimal substrate conditions and a higher number of silane groups in the PFPE-silane precursor. The higher cohesive fracture energy and modulus values are suggested to be the result of the changes in the film chemistry and structure, leading to higher cross-linking density. Therefore, future work on optimizing PFPE-silane film wear resistance should focus on pathways to improve the cross-linking density. Subcritical fracture testing in humid environments reveals that humidity negatively affects the fracture properties of PFPE-silane films.

Intrinsically stretchable bioelectronic devices based on soft and conducting organic materials have been regarded as the ideal interface for seamless and biocompatible integration with the human body. A remaining challenge is to combine high mechanical robustness with good electrical conduction, especially when patterned at small feature sizes. We develop a molecular engineering strategy based on a topological supramolecular network, which allows for the decoupling of competing effects from multiple molecular building blocks to meet complex requirements. We obtained simultaneously high conductivity and crack-onset strain in a physiological environment, with direct photopatternability down to the cellular scale. We further collected stable electromyography signals on soft and malleable octopus and performed localized neuromodulation down to single-nucleus precision for controlling organ-specific activities through the delicate brainstem.

Background: Neo-aortic pulmonary autografts often experience root dilation and valve regurgitation over time. This study seeks to understand the biomechanical differences between aortic and neo-aortic pulmonary roots using a heart simulator., Methods: Porcine aortic, neo-aortic pulmonary, and pulmonary roots (n  =  6) were mounted in a heart simulator (parameters: 100 mm Hg, 37 °C, 70 cycles per minute, 5.0 L/min cardiac output). Echocardiography was used to study root distensibility (percentage change in luminal diameter between systole and diastole) and valve function. Leaflet motion was tracked with high-speed videography. After 30 min in the simulator, leaflet thickness (via cryosectioning), and multiaxial modulus (via lenticular hydrostatic deformation testing) were obtained., Results: There were no significant differences between aortic and neo-aortic pulmonary leaflet motion, including mean opening velocity (218 vs 248 mm/s, P   =  .27) or mean closing velocity (116 vs 157 mm/s, P   =  .12). Distensibility was similar between aortic (8.5%, 1.56 mm) and neo-aortic pulmonary (7.8%, 1.12 mm) roots ( P   =  .59). Compared to virgin controls, native pulmonic roots exposed to systemic pressure for 30 min had reduced leaflet thickness (630 vs 385 µm, P   =  .049) and a reduced Young's modulus (3,125 vs 1,089 kPa, P   =  .077). In contrast, the aortic roots exposed to pressure displayed no significant difference in aortic leaflet thickness (1,317 vs 1,256 µm, P   =  .27) or modulus (5,931 vs 3,631 kPa, P   =  .56)., Conclusions: Neo-aortic pulmonary roots demonstrated equivalence in valve function and distensibility but did experience changes in biomechanical properties and morphology. These changes may contribute to long-term complications associated with the Ross procedure.

Herein, we focus on improving the long-term chemical and thermomechanical stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), two major challenges currently limiting their commercial deployment. Our strategy incorporates a long-chain starch polymer into the perovskite precursor. The starch polymer confers multiple beneficial effects by forming hydrogen bonds with the methylammonium iodide precursor, templating perovskite growth that results in a compact and homogeneous film deposited in a simple one-step coating (antisolvent-free). The inclusion of starch in the methylammonium lead iodide films strongly improves their thermomechanical and environmental stability while maintaining a high photovoltaic performance. The fracture energy ( G c ) of the film is increased to above 5 J/m 2 by creating a nanocomposite that provides intrinsic reinforcement at grain boundaries. Additionally, improved optoelectronic properties achieved with the starch polymer enable good photostability of the active layer and enhanced resistance to thermal cycling., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2021 American Chemical Society.)

The three-dimensional arrangement of natural and synthetic network materials determines their application range. Control over the real-time incorporation of each building block and functional group is desired to regulate the macroscopic properties of the material from the molecular level onwards. Here we report an approach combining kinetic Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations that chemically and physically predicts the interactions between building blocks in time and in space for the entire formation process of three-dimensional networks. This framework takes into account variations in inter- and intramolecular chemical reactivity, diffusivity, segmental compositions, branch/network point locations and defects. From the kinetic and three-dimensional structural information gathered, we construct structure-property relationships based on molecular descriptors such as pore size or dangling chain distribution and differentiate ideal from non-ideal structural elements. We validate such relationships by synthesizing organosilica, epoxy-amine and Diels-Alder networks with tailored properties and functions, further demonstrating the broad applicability of the platform., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)

Moisturizing compounds are commonly applied topically to human stratum corneum (SC). Many types of molecular species are employed, most commonly including humectants and occlusives. We find new evidence of keratin dispersion caused by the moisturizing compound ectoine (1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2-methyl-4-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid), and provide the first characterization of its impacts on the hydration kinetics and biomechanics of SC. A second compound, 2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethylguanidine succinate (HEG) was investigated for comparison. A suite of biomechanical and biochemical assays including FTIR, drying stress, and cellular cohesion were used. Studies were conducted on normal, lipid-extracted, and lipid plus natural moisturizing factor extracted SC. Ectoine was found to improve the dispersity and hydration of keratin bundles in corneocytes. It also decreased rates of stress development in lipid extracted SC when exposed to a dry environment by ∼30% while improving stress reduction during rehydration by ∼20%. Peak stresses were increased in harsh drying environments of <5% RH, but SC swelling measurements suggest that water retention was improved in ambient conditions. Further, changes up to ∼4 J/m 2 were seen in cohesion after ectoine treatments, suggesting corneodesmosome interactions. HEG was tested and found to disperse keratin without impacting corneodesmosomes. These results indicate that keratin dispersants produce beneficial effects on SC hydration kinetics, ultimately resulting in higher SC hydration under ambient conditions., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2021 Published by Elsevier B.V.)

The stratum corneum (SC) is key in the maintenance of the biomechanical barrier and hydration of skin. Our previous investigations showed beneficial effects of a combination of emollients on water capture and retention and protein and lipid organization, all of which are linked to dryness and dry skin damage. Here, we show how a formulation containing an emollient combination ("Trio") and its basal formulation (placebo) impacted the descriptors of SC hydration in SC layers. Only the Trio formulation-not its placebo formulation-modified SC biomechanical drying stress behaviour and imparted a high capacity to protect it from dehydration. This was in accordance with findings at the molecular level using Raman analyses and at the structural level using cryo-scanning electron microscopy (SEM). After topical application, only the Trio formulation profoundly increased lateral packing of lipids and their compactness. Cryo-SEM showed that, unlike the placebo formulation, the Trio formulation prevented the water loss when applied before the dehydration process. In conclusion, these studies demonstrate that stresses in the SC due to dehydration can be alleviated using a formulation containing emollients that interact with the SC lipid components., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of using mouse models for translational study of flexor tendon repair and reconstruction., Methods: Quantitative data detailing the gross anatomy, biomechanical characteristics, and microscopic structure of the deep digit flexor tendon (DDF) of the mouse hindpaw were obtained. Histological characterization of the DDF and the anatomy of the digit in the mouse hindpaw are detailed. Biomechanical testing determined the load-to-failure, stress, elastic modulus, and the site of tendon failure., Results: In gross anatomy, the origins and insertions of the mouse deep digit flexor tendon are similar to those of the human digit, surrounded by a synovial sheath that is only 1- to 2-cells thick. A neurovascular network runs on each side of the digit outside the synovial sheath, but does not clearly penetrate it. The thickness of the DDF is 0.14 ± 0.03 mm and the width is 0.3 ± 0.03 mm. The thickness of the DDF is less than that of 9-0 nylon needle. The mean failure force of the deep flexor tendon was 2.79 ± 0.53N., Conclusions: The gross anatomy of the mouse hindpaw digit is similar to that of the human digit except for key differences seen in the synovial sheath and vascular supply. The dimensions of the mouse DDF make it challenging to create a clinically translatable repair model using currently available surgical techniques. Despite the similarities between the human and mouse anatomy, and the powerful basic science tools available in murine models, mice are an unreliable model for assessing flexor tendon injury and repair., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons.)

Objective: Cosmetic emollients are widely used in skincare formulations due to their ability to 'soften' the skin and modulate formulation spreadability. Though emollients are commonly used, little is known about their effects on the biomechanical barrier properties of human stratum corneum (SC), which play a critical role in consumer perception of formulation efficacy. Accordingly, our objective was to provide new insights with a study involving fourteen cosmetic emollient molecules with widely varying structures, molecular weights, SC diffusivities, topological polar surface areas (TPSAs), viscosities and chemical functionalities., Methods: Mechanical stress in the SC was measured in vitro using a substrate curvature measurement technique. Stress development due to SC drying was measured before and after topical treatment with cosmetic emollients. Emollient diffusivity and alterations to lipid content in SC after treatment were measured via ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. The maximum penetration volume of emollient in SC was characterized to elucidate mechanisms underlying emollient effects on stress., Results: The application of all cosmetic emollients caused a reduction in SC mechanical stress under dehydrating conditions, and a linear correlation was discovered between emollient penetration volume and the degree of stress reduction. These molecules also induced increases in stress equilibration rate, signalling changes to SC transport kinetics. Stress equilibration rate increases linearly correlated with decreasing intensity of the νCH2 band, indicating a previously unknown interaction between cosmetic emollients and SC lipids. Stress and penetration volume results were rationalized in terms of a multi-parameter model including emollient molecular weight, diffusivity, TPSA and viscosity., Conclusion: We provide a new rational basis for understanding the effects of cosmetic emollient choice on biomechanical properties affecting SC barrier function and consumer perception. We demonstrate for the first time that emollients very likely reduce SC mechanical stress through their ability to take up volume when penetrating the SC, and how molecular weight, SC diffusivity, TPSA and viscosity are predictive of this ability. As cosmetic formulations continue to evolve to meet the needs of customers, emollient molecules can be selected that not only contribute to formulation texture and/or spreadability but that also leverage this novel connection between emollient penetration and SC biomechanics., (© 2020 Society of Cosmetic Scientists and the Société Française de Cosmétologie.)

Objectives: Emulsifier molecules, with their amphiphilic character, are ubiquitous in moisturizing creams and primarily serve to disperse the water-insoluble molecules such as emollients, oils, lipids and fats in water. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of emulsifier molecules on the barrier and biomechanical properties of human stratum corneum (SC) and to compare the efficacy of emulsifier molecules when used in a fully formulated moisturizing cream., Methods: We employed methods based on thin-film mechanics to measure the drying stress and intercellular cohesion in the SC. The emulsifier molecules or moisturizing creams formulated with them were applied to a fully hydrated SC adhered to a glass substrate. In-plane stress developed in the SC during drying was then measured by tracking changes in the curvature of the glass substrate. The intercellular cohesion within the SC was measured by means of a double cantilever beam (DCB) set-up, where the treated or untreated SC was sandwiched between two substrates, and the delamination energy calculated by measuring the force required to drive a crack through the SC. Moisturizing cream diffusivity through the stratum corneum was measured by spectroscopic technique and related to internal SC stress and fracture energy., Results: We observe significant differences in the biomechanical behaviour of SC when moisturizing creams with different emulsifier molecules are applied on isolated stratum corneum ex vivo. The reduction in maximum stress varied between 12% and 26% depending on the emulsifier molecules used in the formulation. The intercellular cohesion and the diffusion of molecules in the formulated moisturizing creams through the SC were also found to be strongly dependent on the type of emulsifier molecule used in the formulation., Conclusions: The biomechanical and barrier properties of the human stratum corneum show strong dependence on the emulsifier molecule used in the moisturizing creams, even when the creams included only ~3 weight% emulsifier molecules. Moreover, we found that the reduction in SC peak stress was strongly correlated with the formulation diffusivity into the SC. The moisturizing creams diffusing fastest into the SC had the largest reduction in peak stress and vice versa., (© 2020 Society of Cosmetic Scientists and the Société Française de Cosmétologie.)

Background: Thermal Spring Water (TSW) has been recognized to have beneficial effects on skin; however, the mechanisms underlying these are not completely elucidated., Aims: We compared the effects of Avène TSW with mineral-rich (MR) TSW on the biomechanical properties of the skin using mechanistic ex vivo assays and clinical studies., Methods: Ex vivo studies included the effect of both TSWs on the structure of the surface of human skin explants using scanning electron microscopy (SEM); mineral elemental content on the skin surface using SEM coupled to energy dispersing X-ray spectroscopy; and the stress properties of the stratum corneum (SC) when exposed to dehydration. Human clinical studies were conducted to compare the soothing effect of TSWs after a dermatological chemical peeling of face skin and to evaluate the overall sensitive scale of consumers using Avène TSW for 7 days., Results: Both TSWs preserved surface skin ultrastructure; however, crystals formed from MR-TSW were needle-like and formed small grains, present in clusters heterogeneously spread over the surface. Needle crystals were mainly composed of calcium, while small clusters were mainly composed of sulphur. By contrast, Avène TSW-formed crystals composed of sodium and chlorine only were regular in shape and homogeneously distributed across the skin surface. Peak stress of SC layers was increased by MR-TSW, whereas Avène TSW showed a comparatively reduced effect on dehydration and stress. The difference in the two TSW types was reflected in clinical findings comparing postpeeling redness after TSW application. Avène TSW significantly decreased postpeeling redness, while MR-TSW increased it. The overall sensitive scale of consumers was decreased by 47% using Avène TSW for 7 days., Conclusions: Avène TSW decreases postpeeling redness and soothes sensitive skin in human volunteers. Mechanistic studies suggested that differences in biomechanical effects could be linked to differences in calcium content of the TSW., (© 2020 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.)

Emerging moisture sensitive devices require robust encapsulation strategies to inhibit water ingress and prevent premature failure. A scalable, open-air plasma process has been developed to deposit alternating layers of conformal organosilicate and dense SiO 2 thin-film barriers to prevent moisture ingress. The in situ low-temperature process is suitable for direct deposition on thermally sensitive devices and is compatible with flexible polymeric substrates. Using optical calcium testing, low water vapor transmission rates on the order of 10 -3 g/m 2 /day at an accelerated aging condition of 38 °C and 90% relative humidity (RH) are achieved. Using moisture-sensitive perovskite devices as a representative moisture-susceptible device, devices retain over 80% of their initial performance for over 660 h in a 50 °C 50% RH accelerated aging environment. The ability of the multilayer barrier to enable device resistance to humid environments is crucial toward realizing longer operating lifetimes.

Neonatal mice exhibit natural heart regeneration after myocardial infarction (MI) on postnatal day 1 (P1), but this ability is lost by postnatal day 7 (P7). Cardiac biomechanics intricately affect long-term heart function, but whether regenerated cardiac muscle is biomechanically similar to native myocardium remains unknown. We hypothesized that neonatal heart regeneration preserves native left ventricular (LV) biomechanical properties after MI. C57BL/6J mice underwent sham surgery or left anterior descending coronary artery ligation at age P1 or P7. Echocardiography performed 4 weeks post-MI showed that P1 MI and sham mice (n = 22, each) had similar LV wall thickness, diameter, and ejection fraction (59.6% vs 60.7%, p = 0.6514). Compared to P7 shams (n = 20), P7 MI mice (n = 20) had significant LV wall thinning, chamber enlargement, and depressed ejection fraction (32.6% vs 61.8%, p < 0.0001). Afterward, the LV was explanted and pressurized ex vivo, and the multiaxial lenticular stress-strain relationship was tracked. While LV tissue modulus for P1 MI and sham mice were similar (341.9 kPa vs 363.4 kPa, p = 0.6140), the modulus for P7 MI mice was significantly greater than that for P7 shams (691.6 kPa vs 429.2 kPa, p = 0.0194). We conclude that, in neonatal mice, regenerated LV muscle has similar biomechanical properties as native LV myocardium.

Tsai et al (Reports, 6 April 2018, p. 67) report a uniform light-induced lattice expansion of metal halide perovskite films under 1-sun illumination and claim to exclude heat-induced lattice expansion. We show that by controlling the temperature of the perovskite film under both dark and illuminated conditions, the mechanism for lattice expansion is in fact fully consistent with heat-induced thermal expansion during illumination., (Copyright © 2020, American Association for the Advancement of Science.)

Bacterial infections remain a leading threat to global health because of the misuse of antibiotics and the rise in drug-resistant pathogens. Although several strategies such as photothermal therapy and magneto-thermal therapy can suppress bacterial infections, excessive heat often damages host cells and lengthens the healing time. Here, a localized thermal managing strategy, thermal-disrupting interface induced mitigation (TRIM), is reported, to minimize intercellular cohesion loss for accurate antibacterial therapy. The TRIM dressing film is composed of alternative microscale arrangement of heat-responsive hydrogel regions and mechanical support regions, which enables the surface microtopography to have a significant effect on disrupting bacterial colonization upon infrared irradiation. The regulation of the interfacial contact to the attached skin confines the produced heat and minimizes the risk of skin damage during thermoablation. Quantitative mechanobiology studies demonstrate the TRIM dressing film with a critical dimension for surface features plays a critical role in maintaining intercellular cohesion of the epidermis during photothermal therapy. Finally, endowing wound dressing with the TRIM effect via in vivo studies in S. aureus infected mice demonstrates a promising strategy for mitigating the side effects of photothermal therapy against a wide spectrum of bacterial infections, promoting future biointerface design for antibacterial therapy., (© 2020 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Background: The lipid components and natural moisturizing factors (NMFs) of the stratum corneum (SC) are integral pieces of the self-regulating barrier strategy which comprises one of the most important functions of human skin and seems to be related to biomechanical responses of the SC., Objectives: This work presents the contributions of the lipid bilayers and NMFs to the barrier properties and mechanical responses of human SC., Methods: We performed 2 biomechanical experiments, substrate curvature testing and double cantilever beam cohesion measurements, on isolated human SC exposed to either water, a 1:1 mixture of acetone/ether, or a 1:1 mixture of chloroform/methanol for various durations., Results: We show that treating ex vivo SC with organic solvents results in lipid extraction which increases with duration of exposure. This extraction is tied to a remarkably linear increase in the levels and rates of biaxial stress development during drying/hydration cycles. This effect appears to be tied to the total amounts of lipids extracted. Furthermore, striking changes are seen in the intercellular cohesion properties of the tissue after solvent exposure. Interestingly, changes in drying stress profiles are not observed after treatment with water, which has been previously shown to remove NMFs from the tissue, and which therefore might be expected to induce changes in the drying behavior of the skin. However, changes in intercellular cohesion and the SC cohesion gradient are seen, suggesting impacts on the corneodesmosome protein binding junctions within the tissue., Conclusions: These results suggest that lipid loss causes marked increases in SC drying stresses, which may in turn contribute to changes in skin perception. NMF extraction may be important in vivo, but has remarkably little impact in isolated SC., (© 2020 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

The effect of tuning molecular weight ( M n ) in poly[bis(4-phenyl)(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)amine] (PTAA) to increase both mechanical properties of the film and electrical properties of perovskite solar cells is reported. Perovskite solar cell devices are fabricated to investigate the effect of M n on power conversion efficiency. Moisture stability for various M n is also studied in PTAA films exposed to mechanical loads in humid environments. Furthermore, cohesion and tensile tests are employed to determine the mechanical properties of PTAA, where higher M n leads to more robust films. To elucidate the effect of M n on the debonding kinetics, a viscoelastic fracture kinetic model is proposed as a function of M n , and the debonding mechanism is found to be dependent on M n . Finally, the effect of small-molecule-based dopants on the mechanical stability of PTAA is investigated.

Sputter-processed oxide films are typically annealed at high temperature (activation process) to achieve stable electrical characteristics through the formation of strong metal-oxide chemical bonds. For instance, indium-gallium-zinc oxide (IGZO) films typically need a thermal treatment at 300 °C for ≥1 h as an activation process. We propose an open-air plasma treatment (OPT) to rapidly and effectively activate sputter-processed IGZO films. The OPT effectively induces metal-oxide chemical bonds in IGZO films at temperatures as low as 240 °C, with a dwell time on the order of a second. Furthermore, by controlling the plasma-processing conditions (scan speed, distance a between plasma nozzle and samples, and gas flow rate), the electrical characteristics and the microstructure of the IGZO films can be easily tuned. Finally, OPT can be utilized to implement a selective activation process. Plasma-treated IGZO thin-film transistors (TFTs) exhibit comparable electrical characteristics to those of conventionally thermal treated IGZO TFTs. Through in-depth optical, chemical, and physical characterizations, we confirm that OPT simultaneously dissociates weak chemical bonds by UV radiation and ion bombardment and re-establishes the metal-oxide network by radical reaction and OPT-induced heat.

Atomic layer deposited titanium dioxide (ALD-TiO 2 ) has emerged as an effective protection layer for highly efficient semiconductor anodes which are normally unstable under the potential and pH conditions used to oxidize water in a photoelectrochemical cell. The failure modes of silicon anodes coated with an Ir/IrO x oxygen evolution catalyst layer are investigated, and poor catalyst/substrate adhesion is found to be a key factor in failed anodes. Quantitative measurements of interfacial adhesion energy show that the addition of TiO 2 significantly improves reliability of anodes, yielding an adhesion energy of 6.02 ± 0.5 J/m 2 , more than double the adhesion energy measured in the absence of an ALD-TiO 2 protection layer. These results indicate the importance of catalyst adhesion to an interposed protection layer in promoting operational stability of high efficiency semiconducting anodes during solar-driven water splitting.

Entanglements between polymer chains are responsible for the strength and toughness of polymeric materials. When the chains are too short to form entanglements, the polymer becomes weak and brittle. Here we show that molecular bridging of oligomers in molecular-scale confinement can dramatically toughen materials even when intermolecular entanglements are completely absent. We describe the fabrication of nanocomposite materials that confine oligomer chains to molecular-scale dimensions and demonstrate that partially confined unentangled oligomers can toughen materials far beyond rule-of-mixtures estimates. We also characterize how partially confined oligomers affect the kinetics of nanocomposite cracking in moist environments and show that the presence of a backfilled oligomeric phase within a nanoporous organosilicate matrix leads to atomistic crack path meandering in which the failure path is preferentially located within the matrix phase.

Ultrathin nanowires with <3 nm diameter have long been sought for novel properties that emerge from dimensional constraint as well as for continued size reduction and performance improvement of nanoelectronic devices. Here, we report on a facile and large-scale synthesis of a new class of electrically conductive ultrathin core-shell nanowires using benzenethiols. Core-shell nanowires are atomically precise and have inorganic five-atom copper-sulfur cross-sectional cores encapsulated by organic shells encompassing aromatic substituents with ring planes oriented parallel. The exact nanowire atomic structures were revealed via a two-pronged approach combining computational methods coupled with experimental synthesis and advanced characterizations. Core-shell nanowires were determined to be indirect bandgap materials with a predicted room-temperature resistivity of ∼120 Ω·m. Nanowire morphology was found to be tunable by changing the interwire interactions imparted by the functional group on the benzenethiol molecular precursors, and the nanowire core diameter was determined by the steric bulkiness of the ligand. These discoveries help define our understanding of the fundamental constituents of atomically well-defined and electrically conductive core-shell nanowires, representing significant advances toward nanowire building blocks for smaller, faster, and more powerful nanoelectronics.

We demonstrate the deposition of mechanically robust UV-absorbing nanocomposite coatings with a newly developed dual-source deposition method involving ultrasonic spraying and open-air plasma deposition. Nanoparticles and the coating matrix are independently deposited which eliminates difficulties associated with preparing composites with high mass fraction of well-dispersed nanoparticles in the matrix. Nanocomposite coatings containing different concentrations of silica, ceria, and both titania and ceria nanoparticles were successfully deposited with good nanoparticle dispersity, high transparency over the visible range, effective absorption in the UV wavelength, and enhanced mechanical properties. Moreover, films were successfully deposited on several substrates including polycarbonate to demonstrate the low processing temperature of this dual-source deposition method. Coatings with different nanoparticle concentrations and film thicknesses were systematically studied in terms of their surface morphology, optical properties and mechanical properties. Accelerated photostability testing of the UV-absorbing nanocomposites demonstrates significantly enhanced performance compared to existing coatings with either a polymeric matrix or organic UV-absorbers.

An important aspect of the biomechanical behaviour of the stratum corneum (SC) is the drying stresses that develop with water loss. These stresses act as a driving force for damage in the form of chapping and cracking. Betasitosterol is a plant sterol with a structure similar to cholesterol, a key component in the intercellular lipids of the outermost layer of human skin, the SC. Cholesterol plays an important role in stabilizing the SC lipid structure, and altered levels of cholesterol have been linked with SC barrier abnormalities. Betasitosterol is currently applied topically to skin for treatment of wounds and burns. However, it is unknown what effect betasitosterol has on the biomechanical barrier function of skin. Here, by analysing the drying stress profile of SC generated during a kinetics of dehydration, we show that betasitosterol, in combination with two emollient molecules, isocetyl stearoyl stearate (ISS) and glyceryl tri-2-ethylhexanoate (GTEH), causes a significant modulation of the drying stress behaviour of the SC by reducing both the maximal peak stress height and average plateau of the drying stress profile. Raman spectra analyses demonstrate that the combination of betasitosterol with the two emollients, ISS and GTEH, allows a high water retention capacity within the SC, while the lipid conformational order by increasing the amount of trans conformers. Our study highlights the advantage of combining a biomechanical approach together with Raman spectroscopy in engineering a suitable combination of molecules for alleviating dryness and dry skin damage., (© 2018 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

High-energy all-solid-state lithium (Li) batteries have great potential as next-generation energy-storage devices. Among all choices of electrolytes, polymer-based systems have attracted widespread attention due to their low density, low cost, and excellent processability. However, they are generally mechanically too weak to effectively suppress Li dendrites and have lower ionic conductivity for reasonable kinetics at ambient temperature. Herein, an ultrastrong reinforced composite polymer electrolyte (CPE) is successfully designed and fabricated by introducing a stiff mesoporous SiO 2 aerogel as the backbone for a polymer-based electrolyte. The interconnected SiO 2 aerogel not only performs as a strong backbone strengthening the whole composite, but also offers large and continuous surfaces for strong anion adsorption, which produces a highly conductive pathway across the composite. As a consequence, a high modulus of ≈0.43 GPa and high ionic conductivity of ≈0.6 mS cm -1 at 30 °C are simultaneously achieved. Furthermore, LiFePO 4 -Li full cells with good cyclability and rate capability at ambient temperature are obtained. Full cells with cathode capacity up to 2.1 mAh cm -2 are also demonstrated. The aerogel-reinforced CPE represents a new design principle for solid-state electrolytes and offers opportunities for future all-solid-state Li batteries., (© 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Phenyl-C 61 -butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) is universally used as the electron-transport layer (ETL) in the low-cost inverted planar structure of perovskite solar cells (PeSCs). PCBM brings tremendous challenges in upscaling of PeSCs using industry-relevant methods due to its aggregation behavior, which undermines the power conversion efficiency and stability. Herein, we highlight these, seldom reported, challenges with PCBM. Furthermore, we investigate the potential of nonfullerene indacenodithiophene (IDT)-based molecules by employing a commercially available variant, 3,9-bis(2-methylene-(3-(1,1-dicyanomethylene)-indanone))-5,5,11,11-tetrakis(4-hexylphenyl)-dithieno[2,3- d:2',3'- d']- s-indaceno[1,2- b:5,6- b'] dithiophene (ITIC), as a PCBM replacement in ambient-processed PeSCs. Films fabrication by laboratory-based spin-coating and industry-relevant slot-die coating methods are compared. Although similar power-conversion efficiencies are achieved with both types of ETL in a simple device structure fabricated by spin-coating, the nanofibriller morphology of ITIC compared to the aggregated morphology of PCBM films enables improved mechanical integrity and stability of ITIC devices. Upon slot-die coating, the aggregation of PCBM is exacerbated, leading to significantly lower power-conversion efficiency of devices than spin-coated PCBM as well as slot-die-coated ITIC devices. Our results clearly indicate that IDT-based molecules have great potential as an ETL in PeSCs, offering superior properties and upscaling compatibility than PCBM. Thus, we present a short summary of recently emerged nonfullerene IDT-based molecules from the field of organic solar cells and discuss their scope in PeSCs as electron or hole-transport layer.

We report on a sustainable route to protective nanocomposite coatings, where one of the components, nanocellulose fibrils, is derived from trees and the glass matrix is an inexpensive sol-gel organic-inorganic hybrid of zirconium alkoxide and an epoxy-functionalized silane. The hydrophilic nature of the colloidal nanocellulose fibrils is exploited to obtain a homogeneous one-pot suspension of the nanocellulose in the aqueous sol-gel matrix precursors solution. The mixture is then sprayed to form nanocomposite coatings of a well-dispersed, random in-plane nanocellulose fibril network in a continuous organic-inorganic glass matrix phase. The nanocellulose incorporation in the sol-gel matrix resulted in nanostructured composites with marked effects on salient coating properties including optical transmittance, hardness, fracture energy, and water contact angle. The particular role of the nanocellulose fibrils on coating fracture properties, important for coating reliability, was analyzed and discussed in terms of fibril morphology, molecular matrix, and nanocellulose/matrix interactions.

Thermal interface materials (TIMs) are essential for managing heat in modern electronics, and nanocomposite TIMs can offer critical improvements. Here, we demonstrate thermally conductive, mechanically compliant TIMs based on dense, vertically aligned copper nanowires (CuNWs) embedded into polymer matrices. We evaluate the thermal and mechanical characteristics of 20-25% dense CuNW arrays with and without polydimethylsiloxane infiltration. The thermal resistance achieved is below 5 mm 2 K W -1 , over an order of magnitude lower than commercial heat sink compounds. Nanoindentation reveals that the nonlinear deformation mechanics of this TIM are influenced by both the CuNW morphology and the polymer matrix. We also implement a flip-chip bonding protocol to directly attach CuNW composites to copper surfaces, as required in many thermal architectures. Thus, we demonstrate a rational design strategy for nanocomposite TIMs that simultaneously retain the high thermal conductivity of aligned CuNWs and the mechanical compliance of a polymer.

Polymer networks are extensively utilized across numerous applications ranging from commodity superabsorbent polymers and coatings to high-performance microelectronics and biomaterials. For many applications, desirable properties are known; however, achieving them has been challenging. Additionally, the accurate prediction of elastic modulus has been a long-standing difficulty owing to the presence of loops. By tuning the prepolymer formulation through precise doping of monomers, specific primary network defects can be programmed into an elastomeric scaffold, without alteration of their resulting chemistry. The addition of these monomers that respond mechanically as primary defects is used both to understand their impact on the resulting mechanical properties of the materials and as a method to engineer the mechanical properties. Indeed, these materials exhibit identical bulk and surface chemistry, yet vastly different mechanical properties. Further, we have adapted the real elastic network theory (RENT) to the case of primary defects in the absence of loops, thus providing new insights into the mechanism for material strength and failure in polymer networks arising from primary network defects, and to accurately predict the elastic modulus of the polymer system. The versatility of the approach we describe and the fundamental knowledge gained from this study can lead to new advancements in the development of novel materials with precisely defined and predictable chemical, physical, and mechanical properties.

In this work, we exploit a confinement-induced molecular synthesis and a resulting bridging mechanism to create confined polyimide thermoset nanocomposites that couple molecular confinement-enhanced toughening with an unprecedented combination of high-temperature properties at low density. We describe a synthesis strategy that involves the infiltration of individual polymer chains through a nanoscale porous network while simultaneous imidization reactions increase the molecular backbone stiffness. In the extreme limit where the confinement length scale is much smaller than the polymer's molecular size, confinement-induced molecular mechanisms give rise to exceptional mechanical properties. We find that polyimide oligomers can undergo cross-linking reactions even in such molecular-scale confinement, increasing the molecular weight of the organic phase and toughening the nanocomposite through a confinement-induced energy dissipation mechanism. This work demonstrates that the confinement-induced molecular bridging mechanism can be extended to thermoset polymers with multifunctional properties, such as excellent thermo-oxidative stability and high service temperatures (>350 °C).

An asymmetric elastic modulus is a recently discovered and unexpected property of hybrid molecular materials that has significant implications for their underlying thermomechanical reliability. Elastic asymmetries are inherently related to terminal groups in the molecular structure, which limit network connectivity. Terminal groups sterically interact to stiffen the network in compression, while they disconnect the network and interact significantly less in tension. Here we study the importance of terminal group molecular weight and size (OH, methyl, vinyl, and phenyl) on the resulting elastic asymmetries and find that increasing the terminal group size actually leads to even larger degrees of asymmetry. As a result, we develop a molecular design criterion to predict how molecular structure affects the mechanical properties, a vital step toward integrating hybrid molecular materials into emerging nanotechnologies.

Hyperconnected network architectures can endow nanomaterials with remarkable mechanical properties that are fundamentally controlled by designing connectivity into the intrinsic molecular structure. For hybrid organic-inorganic nanomaterials, here we show that by using 1,3,5 silyl benzene precursors, the connectivity of a silicon atom within the network extends beyond its chemical coordination number, resulting in a hyperconnected network with exceptional elastic stiffness, higher than that of fully dense silica. The exceptional intrinsic stiffness of these hyperconnected glass networks is demonstrated with molecular dynamics models and these model predictions are calibrated through the synthesis and characterization of an intrinsically porous hybrid glass processed from 1,3,5(triethoxysilyl)benzene. The proposed molecular design strategy applies to any materials system wherein the mechanical properties are controlled by the underlying network connectivity.

Objective: Solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation is ubiquitous in human life and well known to cause skin damage that can lead to harmful conditions such as erythema. Although sunscreen is a popular form of protection for some of these conditions, it is unclear whether sunscreen can maintain the mechanical barrier properties of skin. The objective of this study was to determine whether in vitro thin-film mechanical analysis techniques adapted for biological tissue are able to characterize the efficacy of commonly used UV inhibitors and commercial sunscreens to protect the biomechanical barrier properties of stratum corneum (SC) from UV exposure., Methods: The biomechanical properties of SC samples were assayed through measurements of the SC's drying stress profile and delamination energy. The drying stresses within SC were characterized from the curvature of a borosilicate glass substrate onto which SC had been adhered. Delamination energies were characterized using a double-cantilever beam (DCB) cohesion testing method. Successive DCB specimens were prepared from previously separated specimens by adhering new substrates onto each side of the already tested specimen to probe delamination energies deeper into the SC. These properties of the SC were measured before and after UV exposure, both with and without sunscreens applied, to determine the role of sunscreen in preserving the barrier function of SC., Results: The drying stress in SC starts increasing sooner and rises to a higher plateau stress value after UVA exposure as compared to non-UV-exposed control specimens. For specimens that had sunscreen applied, the UVA-exposed and non-UV-exposed SC had similar drying stress profiles. Additionally, specimens exposed to UVB without protection from sunscreen exhibited significantly lower delamination energies than non-UV-exposed controls. With commercial sunscreen applied, the delamination energy for UV-exposed and non-UV-exposed tissue was consistent, even up to large doses of UVB., Conclusion: In vitro thin-film mechanical analysis techniques can readily characterize the effects of SC's exposure to UV radiation. The methods used in this study demonstrated commercial sunscreens were able to preserve the biomechanical properties of SC during UV exposure, thus indicating the barrier function of SC was also maintained., (© 2016 Society of Cosmetic Scientists and the Société Française de Cosmétologie.)

An artificial solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) is demonstrated for the efficient and safe operation of a lithium metal anode. Composed of lithium-ion-conducting inorganic nanoparticles within a flexible polymer binder matrix, the rationally designed artificial SEI not only mechanically suppresses lithium dendrite formation but also promotes homogeneous lithium-ion flux, significantly enhancing the efficiency and cycle life of the lithium metal anode., (© 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

The active layers of perovskite solar cells are also structural layers and are central to ensuring that the structural integrity of the device is maintained over its operational lifetime. Our work evaluating the fracture energies of conventional and inverted solution-processed MAPbI 3 perovskite solar cells has revealed that the MAPbI 3 perovskite exhibits a fracture resistance of only ∼0.5 J/m 2 , while solar cells containing fullerene electron transport layers fracture at even lower values, below ∼0.25 J/m 2 . To address this weakness, a novel styrene-functionalized fullerene derivative, MPMIC 60 , has been developed as a replacement for the fragile PC 61 BM and C 60 transport layers. MPMIC 60 can be transformed into a solvent-resistant material through curing at 250 °C. As-deposited films of MPMIC 60 exhibit a marked 10-fold enhancement in fracture resistance over PC 61 BM and a 14-fold enhancement over C 60 . Conventional-geometry perovskite solar cells utilizing cured films of MPMIC 60 showed a significant, 205% improvement in fracture resistance while exhibiting only a 7% drop in PCE (13.8% vs 14.8% PCE) in comparison to the C 60 control, enabling larger V OC and J SC values. Inverted cells fabricated with MPMIC 60 exhibited a 438% improvement in fracture resistance with only a 6% reduction in PCE (12.3% vs 13.1%) in comparison to those utilizing PC 61 BM, again producing a higher J SC .

The elastic modulus and coefficient of thermal expansion are fundamental properties of elastically stiff molecular materials and are assumed to be the same (symmetric) under both tension and compression loading. We show that molecular materials can have a marked asymmetric elastic modulus and coefficient of thermal expansion that are inherently related to terminal chemical groups that limit molecular network connectivity. In compression, terminal groups sterically interact to stiffen the network, whereas in tension they interact less and disconnect the network. The existence of asymmetric elastic and thermal expansion behaviour has fundamental implications for computational approaches to molecular materials modelling and practical implications on the thermomechanical strains and associated elastic stresses. We develop a design space to control the degree of elastic asymmetry in molecular materials, a vital step towards understanding their integration into device technologies.