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Triangular cross-section color center photonics in silicon carbide is a leading candidate for scalable implementation of quantum hardware. Within this geometry, we model low-loss beam splitters for applications in key quantum optical operations such as entanglement and single-photon interferometry. We consider triangular cross-section single-mode waveguides for the design of a directional coupler. We optimize parameters for a 50:50 beam splitter. Finally, we test the experimental feasibility of the designs by fabricating triangular waveguides in an ion beam etching process and identify suitable designs for short-term implementation.

Nafion, a perfluorosulfonic acid ionomer, has been well-studied for decades due to its key role as an ion-conductive membrane in electrochemical energy conversion and storage applications. When hydrated, this membrane phase separates into a complex hierarchical nanostructure with hydrophilic domains that facilitate ion transport. Hard X-ray scattering has been a powerful technique in understanding Nafion due to its capabilities in capturing the ionomer’s nanophase separated structure, which gives rise to contrast between polymer and water domains. More recently, resonant X-ray scattering, which tunes to elemental absorption edges to provide specificity on constituent elements, has been explored to highlight key interactions related to the sulfonic acid groups within its structure. Here, we study the Nafion nanostructure by combining hard X-ray scattering and tender resonant X-ray scattering (TReXS) at the sulfur K-edge to reveal a mesoscopic feature corresponding to a correlation length of approximately 40 nm that has been challenging to resolve with hard X-ray studies. Additionally, we study the effect of the dispersion solvent composition that plays a key role in the formation of this mesoscale feature. Notably, TReXS can attain high contrast to decipher this mesoscale morphology even for dry polymer membranes under a vacuum, which typically have reduced contrast for hard X-rays. We find that the correlation length of this mesoscale feature decreases with increasing water fraction in the dispersion, which is the opposite trend exhibited by the smaller intercrystalline feature in the same membranes. This study showcases the utility of TReXS to uncover multiscale morphological details in functional polymers that are not always revealed by other methods like hard X-ray scattering. We illustrate this with Nafion, which is a relevant ion-conducting polymer for electrochemical technologies.

Liquid water and gas permeabilities in nanostructured catalyst layers (CLs) (pore size ∼10–150 nm) and microporous layers (MPLs) (pore size ∼50 nm-5 μm) are crucial to reduce the mass transport loss in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Experimental measurement of their permeabilities poses great challenges due to their brittle and thin characteristics. Presently, considerable discrepancy exists in the reported permeability values for CLs and MPLs in the literature with variation spanning several orders of magnitude. This study digitally reconstructed various nanostructures of similar pore size as CLs and MPLs to calculate their permeabilities using the Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM) based on no-slip (e.g. for liquid water flow in MPL and CL's secondary pores) or slip condition (e.g. for gas flow in MPL). Analysis was performed to evaluate the range of pore size in nanostructures for the two boundary conditions. A comprehensive investigation was conducted under various parameters such as the Reynolds number (Re), sphere diameter, porosity, and pore structure. The results revealed that permeability exhibits an increasing trend with the diameter and porosity. The predicted permeability of randomly arranged spheres agrees well with established correlations. The random sphere structure demonstrates higher permeability than their body-centered cubic (BCC) and face-centered cubic (FCC) counterparts. Under slip boundary condition, the permeability was enhanced, compared to the no-slip condition. This study's novelty lies in using distinct boundary conditions to assess the permeabilities of liquid and air, based on flow pattern analysis in the CL and MPL pore structures. A new empirical correlation describing the influence of the Knudsen number (Kn) on the slip permeability was developed, exhibiting consistency with simulation across the entire porosity spectrum. • 3D Lattice Boltzmann Method with no-slip and slip conditions were developed. • Gas/liquid flow falls in slip/continuum (in MPL) and transition/continuum flow regimes (in CL). • Permeability predictions are compared with various literature data and correlations. • A correlation describing the effect of Kn number on slip permeability was developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Embedding an anti-reflection layer to reduce light reflection and suppress charge recombination is a key factor in increasing absorption and power conversion efficiency (PCE). Nanostructures are ideal as anti-reflection materials due to their typically superior optical properties. The shape and size of these nanostructures are important, as optimizing them can enhance and regulate light propagation, optical absorption, and light trapping. In this paper, absorption and electrical calculations were performed using Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) and CHARGE simulations. We demonstrate the effectiveness of optimizing the shape (nanodisk, sphere, and hemisphere), aspect ratio, diameter, lattice constant, and thickness of the nanostructure. These modifications significantly improved the performance of silicon solar cells, resulting in a PCE increase by 15.27%. The optimal PCE was obtained from modifying anti-reflection using a nanodisk structure with a diameter of 300 nm, a lattice constant of 600 nm, and a thickness of 187.5 nm. The high performance is demonstrated in both optical and electrical properties, with an absorption intensity of 97% and Jsc of 49.77 mA/cm2. These superior results suggest that the proposed TiO2 nanodisk-based silicon solar cells have great potential to enhance silicon solar cell performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated the effects of nanostructured composite powders (WC-Ni), nickel binder content, and sintering techniques on the morphology and mechanical properties of tungsten carbide. An alternative low-temperature gas-solid reaction route with a short reaction time was employed to produce nanostructured composite powders with 5 and 15 wt% Ni. The powders were consolidated using spark plasma sintering (SPS) and conventional vacuum furnace sintering at temperatures of 1350 °C and 1450 °C. The composite powders were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and particle size measurements. The expansion/contraction of the compacted nanocomposite powders was studied through dilatometric analysis. The composite powders exhibited a uniform distribution of Ni, in both compositions. For the WC-5 wt% Ni nanocomposite powders, the average crystallite sizes for WC and Ni were 41.6 nm and 46.2 nm, respectively. While, for the WC-15 wt% Ni nanocomposite, the crystallite sizes for WC and Ni were 45.6 and 38.4 nm. The sintered composites were evaluated through XRD, SEM, measurements of density and Vickers hardness. The enhanced sinterability of the nanostructured powders enabled their consolidation into (WC-Ni) hard metal with densities approaching the theoretical relative density of 96.07 %, even with low binder content (5 wt% Ni). This is attributed to the uniform distribution of Ni and an extensive Ni-WC interface present prior to sintering. The SPS process at 1350 °C produced sintered bodies (WC-5 wt% Ni and WC-15 wt% Ni) with higher Vickers hardness (2322 HV and 1512 HV, respectively) and superior microstructural quality compared to samples produced by conventional vacuum furnace techniques. These results demonstrated that the mechanical properties of the system WC-Ni processed by SPS are superior to those obtained by vacuum furnace. Therefore, WC-Ni hard metals processed by this approach is a promising alternative to conventional hard metals (WC-Co) for a wide range of applications. [Display omitted] • Impact of the preparation technique on the characteristics of WC-Ni composite powders. • WC-Ni nanocomposite prepared by gas-solid reaction at low temperature and short reaction time. • WC-Ni composites with relative density of 97.67 % and Vickers hardness of 2322 HV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One-dimensional (1D) Y 2 Zr 2 O 7 :Er/Yb tube-in-tube nanostructures were prepared via a simple electrospinning technique with a single nozzle. The diameter of the outer tube of the Y 2 Zr 2 O 7 :Er/Yb tube-in-tube nanostructures is 190–170 nm, the thickness of the outer wall is 22–20 nm, the diameter of the inner tube is 120–100 nm, and the wall thickness of the inner tube is 17–14 nm. The optical properties of the Y 2 Zr 2 O 7 :Er/Yb tube-in-tube nanostructures, including the up-conversion and downshifting luminescence spectra, temperature sensitivity, and thermochromic properties, were studied in detail. Under 980 nm excitation, two weak green emissions at 528 nm and 550 nm, as well as a strong red emission at 650 nm of Er ions, are presented. When excited at 378 nm, the Er ions exhibit strong green emission at 545 nm, two weak red emission peaks at 650 and 680 nm, and near-infrared emission peaks at 1400–1600 nm. With increasing environmental temperature, the luminescence color of the 1D Y 2 Zr 2 O 7 :Er/Yb tube-in-tube nanostructures exhibited a transition from "orange→yellow→ green" when excited at 980 nm. For the 1D Y 2 Zr 2 O 7 :xEr/yYb tube-in-tube nanostructures (x = 0.01, 0.02, 0.03; y = 0.05, 0.10, 0.15), the maximum values of S r are 2.3 % K−1 under 980 nm excitation and 2.1%K−1 under 378 nm excitation within the temperature range of 303–723 K. This work develops integrated multifunctional optical materials and provides an alternative approach for the fabrication of nanoscale smart platforms, advanced displays, and applications in information security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last few decades, scientists have been working hard to produce edible structural agents those can be used in food, cosmetics, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology. The supramolecular assembly of simple amphiphiles in presence of edible oil is the most ideal system for this purpose because the system has no harmful health consequences. We have attempted to address the aforementioned implications in this article by synthesizing a novel class of structuring agents 2‐alkyl amino pyrimidine‐4‐carboxylic acid amphiphiles named 2‐decylamino‐pyrimidine‐4‐carboxylic acid (DPCA), 2‐dodecylamino‐ pyrimidine‐4‐carboxylic acid (DDPCA) and 2‐tetradecylamino‐pyrimidine‐4‐carboxylic acid (TDPCA), using simple procedure. To our delight, the prepared amphiphiles self‐assemble to a gel matrix in various vegetable oils and mineral oils. Microscopic analyses were used to investigate the nanostructured morphology of molecular gels. Rheological studies revealed that oleogels are mechanically processable and viscoelastic. Temperature dependent and concentration dependent proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H‐NMR) studies were performed to analyze the hydrogen bonding and π–π interactions. The study discovered that gelators act as reusable phase selective gelators (PSG) of oil in water–oil mixture. The (3‐[4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) (MTT) assay has proven that the synthetic oleogelators are nontoxic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Red blood cells respond to fluctuations in blood plasma pH by changing the rate of biochemical and physical processes that affect the specific functions of individual cells. This study aimed to analyze the effect of pH changes on red blood cell morphology and structure. The findings revealed that an increase or decrease in pH above or below the physiological level of pH 7.4 results in the transformation of discocytes into echinocytes and causes significant alterations in the membrane, including its roughness, cytoskeleton structure, and the cell's elastic modulus. Furthermore, the study shown a strong connection between critical acidosis and alkalosis with increased intracellular reactive oxygen species production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The detection of sub-ppm levels of nanoplastics using a surface-enhanced Raman scattering sensor was demonstrated. The proposed Au nanograting as surface-enhanced Raman scattering sensor, fabricated using nanoimprint lithography and oblique angle deposition, was designed to contain nanoplastics with enhanced local plasmonic fields. Electromagnetic simulations and Raman measurements show that the plasmonic field enhanced inside the nanograting enables the detection of Raman signal from 50-nm-sized polystyrene nanoparticles in 3-μL-droplets at a concertation of 0.1 ppm. Furthermore, the proposed sensor was applied to detect polystyrene in microwave-heated water in a disposable bowl. The results show that the proposed sensor offers promising potential for detecting nanoplastics released from plasticware. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high yield ratio and low strain hardening ability of titanium alloys significantly limit their engineering applications. In this work, a Ti65Zr30Cu5 (at.%) alloy with nanoscale α laths was additively manufactured and achieved a high yield strength of 1274 MPa and a high strain hardening rate up to 40% of the shear modulus. Results show that universal basal/pyramidal dislocation reactions occur during the tensile deformation process. This triggers high-density sessile 〈c 〉 dislocation junctions, which accumulate and pin other mobile dislocations. Consequently, abundant dislocation walls are induced, leading to a strong hetero-deformation-induced strain hardening effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Baghdad Science Journal is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Nano/microfabrication is of fundamental importance both in scientific and industrial situations. There are, therefore, many attempts at realizing easier, quicker, and more precise fabrication of various structures; however, achieving this aim without a bulky and costly setup is still challenging. Here, we introduce a facile and versatile means of printing an ordered structure consisting of nanoscale stripes and more complicated geometries including pillars and wavy form with a lateral resolution of single micrometers. To this end, we prepare a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) slab with an oxygen plasma‐induced wrinkled surface where liquid PDMS exudes by syneresis. Since this liquid PDMS is automatically loaded, the printing is repeatable without inking. A substrate moderately wettable to the liquid PDMS as well as amount/property‐controlled syneresis is primarily important for the creation of well‐defined structures. Precisely controlling these conditions will make this method universally applicable to diverse substrates and liquids including suspensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanostructures represent a frontier where meticulous attention to the control and assessment of structural dimensions becomes a linchpin for their seamless integration into diverse technological applications. However, determining the critical dimensions and optical properties of nanostructures with precision still remains a challenging task. In this study, by using an integrative and comprehensive methodical series of studies, the evolution of the depolarization factors in the anisotropic Bruggeman effective medium approximation (AB‐EMA) is investigated. It is found that these anisotropic factors are extremely sensitive to the changes in critical dimensions of the nanostructure platforms. In order to perform a systematic characterization of these parameters, spatially coherent, highly‐ordered slanted nanocolumns are fabricated from zirconia, silicon, titanium, and permalloy on silicon substrates with varying column lengths using glancing angle deposition (GLAD). In tandem, broad‐spectral range Mueller matrix spectroscopic ellipsometry data, spanning from the near‐infrared to the vacuum UV (0.72–6.5 eV), is analyzed with a best‐match model approach based on the anisotropic Bruggeman effective medium theory. The anisotropic optical properties, including complex dielectric function, birefringence, and dichroism, are thereby extracted. Most notably, the research unveils a generalized, material‐independent inverse relationship between depolarization factors and column length. It is envisioned that the presented scaling rules will permit accurate prediction of optical properties of nanocolumnar thin films improving their integration and optimization for optoelectronic and photonic device applications. As an outlook, the highly porous nature and extreme birefringence properties of the fabricated columnar metamaterial platforms are further explored in the detection of nanoparticles from the cross‐polarized integrated spectral color variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given that type I photosensitizers (PSs) possess a good hypoxic tolerance, developing an innovative tactic to construct type I PSs is crucially important, but remains a challenge. Herein, we present a smart molecular design strategy based on the Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) mechanism to develop a type I photodynamic therapy (PDT) agent with an encouraging amplification effect for accurate hypoxic tumor therapy. Of note, benefiting from the FRET effect, the obtained nanostructured type I PDT agent (NanoPcSZ) with boosted light‐harvesting ability not only amplifies superoxide radical (O2•‐) production but also promotes heat generation upon near‐infrared light irradiation. These features facilitate NanoPcSZ to realize excellent phototherapeutic response under both normal and hypoxic environments. As a result, both in vitro and in vivo experiments achieved a remarkable improvement in therapeutic efficacy via the combined effect of photothermal action and type I photoreaction. Notably, NanoPcSZ can be eliminated from organs (including the liver, lung, spleen, and kidney) apart from the tumor site and excreted through urine within 24 h of its systemic administration. In this way, the potential biotoxicity of drug accumulation can be avoided and the biosafety can be further enhanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving structural reconfiguration of supramolecular bottlebrush block copolymers toward topological engineering is of particular interest but challenging. Here, we address the creation of supramolecular architectures to discover how assembled topology influences the structured aggregates, combining hydrogen‐bonded (H‐bonded) bottlebrush block copolymers and electrostatic interaction induced polymer/inorganic eutectics. We first design H‐bonding linear‐brush block copolymer P(NBDAP‐co‐NBC)‐b‐P(NBPEO), bearing linear block P(NBDAP‐co‐NBC) (poly(norbornene‐terminated diaminopyridine‐co‐norbornene‐terminated hexane)) with pendant H‐bonding DAP (diaminopyridine) motifs, and PEO (poly(ethylene oxide)) densely grafted P(NBPEO) brush block. Thanks to H‐bonding association between DAP and thymine (Thy), incorporation of Thy‐functionalized polystyrene (Thy‐PS65) enables solution self‐assembly and formation of H‐bonded bottlebrush block copolymers, generating augmented nanospheres with increasing Thy‐PS65 amount. Noteworthy that integration of inorganic cluster silicotungstic acid (STA) to P(NBC‐co‐NBDAP)‐b‐P(NBPEO), endows the formation of PEO/STA eutectic core. Therefore, co‐crystallization‐assistant self‐assembly at the interfaces of polymeric, inorganic and supramolecular chemistry is realized, reflecting multi‐stage morphology transformation from hexagonal platelets, needle‐like, curved rod‐like micelles, finally to end‐to‐end closed rings, by gradually increasing Thy‐PS65 while fixing STA content. Interestingly, such solution self‐assembly to co‐crystallization‐assistant self‐assembly strategy not only endows unique nanostructure transition, also induce in‐to‐out reconfiguration of PS domains. These findings clearly provide unique methodology towards programmable fabrication of geometrical objects promising in smart materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tin oxide (SnO2) nanostructure thin film was synthesized on glass and FTO glass substrates at 450∘C with flow rates of Argon and oxygen (8L/h) using the atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) method. The surface morphology, structure and optical properties of SnO2 film were depicted by Field Emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and UV–Visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, respectively. The optical band gap of SnO2 film was found to be 3.72eV. In addition, a layer of titanium oxide was deposited on the SnO2 film using a screen printing method. Then, the anodic electrode was immersed in the dye to complete cell manufacturing. It was found that the short circuit current, open circuit voltage and fill factor in the case of the prepared dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) were 8.7mA/cm2, 0.85V and 0.583, respectively, which led to the efficiency of 4.3. It was also found that the optical response speed of the prepared photoanode showed a periodic response and a high on/off ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy generation today heavily relies on the field of photocatalysis, with many conventional energy generation strategies now superseded by the conversion of solar energy into chemical or thermal energy for a variety of energy-related applications. Global warming has pointed to the urgent necessity of moving away from non-renewable energy sources, with a resulting emphasis on creating the best photocatalysts for effective solar conversion by investigating a variety of material systems and material combinations. The present study explores the influence of morphological changes on the photoelectrochemical activity of zinc oxide nanostructures by exploiting electrodeposition and capping agents to control the growth rates of different ZnO facets and obtain well-defined nanostructures and orientations. A zinc nitrate (Zn (NO3)2) bath was used to electrodeposit ZnO nanostructures on an indium tin oxide glass (ITO) substrate at 70 °C with an applied potential of −1.0 V. Ethylenediamine (EDA) or ammonium fluoride (NH4F) were added as capping agents to the zinc nitrate bath. Extensive evaluation and characterization of the photoelectrochemical (PEC) capabilities of the resulting morphology-controlled zinc oxide nanostructures confirmed that altering the ZnO morphology can have positive impacts on PEC properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The MoS2 nanosheets are acquired via a facile hydrothermal strategy, and the M/MoS2 (M = Pt, Rh, Pd, Ru) samples are gained by impregnation. By comparing the catalytic behaviors of these catalysts for p-nitroacetophenone selective hydrogenation, it is found that the catalytic property and selectivity for one −NO2 group hydrogenation of Ru/MoS2 outperform those of other as-prepared catalysts. In addition, the Ru/MoS2 catalysts with various Ru contents (0.37, 0.88, or 2.45 wt %) are used for 3-nitrostyrene selective hydrogenation, and the results show that 0.88 wt % Ru/MoS2 displays the highest catalytic activity (turnover frequency) of TOF = 118.4 h–1 (TOF = 64.2 h–1 for 0.37 wt %Ru/MoS2 and TOF = 61.7 h–1 for 2.45 wt %Ru/MoS2) under the reaction conditions of 100 °C, 3.0 MPa H2, and 1 h. The nanostructure characterization of the as-prepared catalysts (XRD, XPS, TEM, HRTEM, H2-TPD, XAS, AC-STEM, AC-STEM-EDX elemental mapping, and line scanning) demonstrate that Ruδ+ single atoms and Ru clusters are well dispersed on the support. Moreover, 0.88 wt % Ru/MoS2 exhibits extremely high selectivity of one −NO2 group hydrogenation (∼100%) at high conversion for other selected nitroaromatics' hydrogenation, such as nitrobenzene, 2-chloronitrobenzene, 1,3-dinitrobenzene, 3-nitrostyrene, p-nitroacetophenone, and p-nitrobenzonitrile. This is mainly due to the fact that Ru is present with single atoms and clusters, producing the synergism of Ruδ+ single atoms, Ru clusters, and MoS2 nanosheets. And the synergism mechanism is given below: hydrogen is preferentially adsorbed and activated at Ru clusters (forming activated H* species), the −NO2 group is easily adsorbed and activated at Ruδ+ single atoms (charge interaction between electrons from O in −NO2 and positive charge from Ruδ+ single atoms), and H* transfers to Ruδ+ single atoms by the hydrogen spillover effect of the MoS2 nanosheets, reacting with the −NO2 group, forming desired aromatic amines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immobilization of the reactive metal sites over high surface area porous nanomaterial is a very demanding route in designing novel nanocatalysts for the synthesis of valuable fine chemicals. Here we report an efficient, eco‐friendly and sustainable route for the synthesis of aminophenoxazinone derivatives via oxidative coupling of o‐aminophenols catalysed by a novel mesoporous highly ordered Ni(II)‐complex functionalized mesoporous heterogeneous organosilica catalyst. A novel structurally characterized Ni(II)‐complex derived from 2‐(I‐(2‐(piperizin‐1‐yl) ethylimino) methyl)‐5‐methylphenol ligand has been immobilised over a 2D‐hexagonally ordered functionalized mesoporous SBA‐15 synthesized via surface functionalization of SBA‐15 material with 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) to obtain the Ni(II)‐nanocatalyst SANI. Its catalytic activity has been explored for three different substrates like o‐aminophenol (OAP), 3‐amino‐4‐hydroxybenzoic acid (CAP) and 2‐amino‐4‐methylphenol (MAP) that produces corresponding phenoxazinone derivatives having the yields of 92, 81 and 85 %, respectively. suggesting wide scope of this supported mesoporous nanocatalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nano-ceramic coating is a kind of ceramic coating obtained by different nano-toughening methods and preparation processes. The introduction of nano-structure can improve the brittleness of ceramic coating to a certain extent. The common toughening methods and toughening mechanism of nanostructured ceramic coatings are introduced, including whisker toughening, nanowire toughening, carbon nanotube toughening, nanoparticle toughening, nano-multilayer film toughening, nano-superlattice toughening and bionic structure toughening. The main preparation processes of nanostructured toughening ceramic coatings in recent years are briefly described. The main methods are sol-gel method, vapor deposition method, thermal spraying technology (such as plasma spraying, supersonic spraying) and magnetron sputtering. Finally, the problems and challenges in the preparation of different nano-toughened ceramic coatings are summarized, and the research direction and application prospect of nano-toughened ceramic coatings are prospected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation of laser induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) on GaN thin film (thickness ~ 1.6 μm) was investigated using a picosecond laser (pulse duration about 40 ps) at a wavelength of 355 nm. Through a parametric study (variations of pulse number from 10 to 1000 and of fluence from 130 up to 300 mJ.cm− 2), the existence domain of low spatial frequency LIPSS (LSFL with period Λ = 265 nm) was determined. Optimized parameters were found to be a beam fluence of 230 mJ.cm− 2 for 100 pulses to obtain highly regular LIPSS without damaging the film. Moreover, original LSFL structures on GaN thin film were found to be decorated with circular nano-structures (diameter ⌀ about 70 nm) referred to as nano-puddles. Investigation of the nano-puddles on the LIPSS was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Finally, the morphologies of the decorated LIPSS formed under vacuum (pressure P = 10− 4 mbar) were compared to the one formed under atmospheric pressure and the phenomena leading to the formation of the nano-puddles are discussed. Highlights: LIPSS formation on GaN film under vacuum with a picosecond laser. Influence of vacuum on LSFL size. Nano-puddle formation on GaN LSFL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High‐performance 0D–2D hybrid photodetectors integrated with a crosslinker for direct pattering of quantum dots on the large‐scale synthesized MoS2 layer are reported. In the patterned hybrid structure, QD layers are patterned with a resolution of up to 2 µm, ensuring high precision. Enhanced charge transfer from QDs to 2D materials is confirmed using PL quenching, TR‐PL, and UPS analysis. As a result, the QD/2D hybrid photodetectors with crosslinker‐assisted direct patterning demonstrated a remarkable photoresponsivity of ≈105 A W−1 and a specific detectivity of over 1011 Jones, attributed to the difference in built‐in potential. The crosslinker patterning of QDs opens up potential applications for the photodetectors in highly integrated image sensors and can be further extended to high‐resolution display industries, eliminating unnecessary fabrication processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prussian blue (PB), as a promising inorganic electrochromic material (ECM), has been widely used in smart windows, displays, sensors, etc. However, there are still many challenges for PB to achieve high electrochromic performance. Herein, we synthesized nitrogen-doped carbon dots-modified PB film (defined as PB@N-CDs) with a sandwich-like structure by a simple stepwise electrodeposition method. The carbon dots show an obvious advantage in ultrafast electron transfer ability, which can reduce charge loss during the transfer process, improve the electrochemical activity on both sides of PB, and thus facilitate a rapid electrochromic response. Furthermore, the surface of nitrogen-doped carbon dots contains multiple organic functional groups, which widen the movement path of K+ ions under electrostatic adsorption. Impressively, the PB@N-CDs film exhibits a short bleaching/coloring time (0.5/0.9 s) and a superior optical modulation range (78.6%). Particularly, the coloring efficiency has been significantly improved to 137.71 cm2/C (at 700 nm). All of these results open up new avenues for developing high-performance PB-based ECMs and promoting their applications in corresponding electrochromic devices (ECDs) and smart windows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To fully understand the physics of chiro-optical systems and to derive their potentials, it is essential to observe chiro-optical effects in situ from individual components, since the macroscopic chiro-optical effects cannot be directly translated into the microscopic effects. Here, we observed optical responses at the nanoscale level by detecting optical forces induced by irradiating circularly polarized light onto a tip-sample system. The induced optical forces were well correlated with the differential intensity of the simulated electric field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the application of inorganic nano-periodic structures has become an active area of research. Polysilsesquioxane (PSQ) is known as a hydrolytically stable organic-inorganic hybrid material and this study proposes RT nanoimprint using methylated poly silsesquioxane (Me-PSQ) dissolved in a high-boiling solvent. PSQ electron beam cross-linked by a high electron beam irradiation maintained the shape of nanopatterns and enhanced the heat resistance. As a result of the analysis of the Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FT-IR), a siloxane linkage (Si-O-Si bridging) constitutes a core element of PSQ. The peak wavenumber of Si-O-Si bridging at cross-linked PSQ by electron beam irradiation shifted from 1115 to 1135 cm−1. The peaks shifted towards the high wavenumber side and approached the second peak (1170 cm−1) of the Si-O-Si stretching vibration of quartz. This result suggests that the physical properties of electron-beam irradiated PSQ approach those of quartz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LaAlO3 nanofibers are prepared using reproducible and green electrospinning technique. Particularly, N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and acetic acid/water (A-A/W) were used as solvents. The structural and textural properties were compared. Results indicate that the diameter of as-spun nanofibers with (A-A/W) ranged from 50 to 400 nm. While it is between 100 and 600 nm for (DMF). After calcination, it decreased to an average of 80 nm for (A-A/W) and 200 nm for (DMF). Higher pore volume (0.69 cc g−1) and surface area (176.3 m2 g−1) were achieved for (A-A/W) solvent. The textural properties confirm that LaAlO3 exhibit high performances for advanced technologies mainly sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We described optical properties of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles determined by spectroscopic ellipsometry analysis from ex situ spectroscopic ellipsometry (ex situ SE) measurements made on nanocrystalline thin films over a spectral range of 0.734 to 4.00 eV. We determined the complex refractive index function, n ~ (ω) = n (ω) + i κ (ω) , by fitting a layered parametric model to the ellipsometric measurements. We collected SE measurements at an incidence angle of 70°. We also determined absorption coefficient spectra using extinction coefficient, κ and wavelength, λ. The direct optical bandgap of the films was obtained as 3.2 eV using the ellipsometric method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This perspective article focuses on the innovative field of materials-based bacterial engineering, highlighting interdisciplinary research that employs material science to study, augment, and exploit the attributes of living bacteria. By utilizing exogenous abiotic material interfaces, researchers can engineer bacteria to perform new functions, such as enhanced bioelectric capabilities and improved photosynthetic efficiency. Additionally, materials can modulate bacterial communities and transform bacteria into biohybrid microrobots, offering promising solutions for sustainable energy production, environmental remediation, and medical applications. Finally, the perspective discusses a general paradigm for engineering bacteria through the materials-driven modulation of their transmembrane potential. This parameter regulates their ion channel activity and ultimately their bioenergetics, suggesting that controlling it could allow scientists to hack the bioelectric language bacteria use for communication, task execution, and environmental response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The unique properties and possible fields of application of submicron powders from refractory oxides obtained by aerosol-spray pyrolysis are considered. Analysis of experimental results obtained by researchers at different times convincingly proves the prospects of using nonagglomerating aerosol submicron spherical powders to produce ceramic materials with a high-density, uniform, and fine-grained structure that does not contain pores. The uniqueness of aerosol powders is due to the presence in particles of a nanopolycrystalline substructure with a developed network of grain boundaries, which during the sintering process, has a significant impact on the efficiency of diffusion mass transfer and promotes to increase the rate and completeness of pore overgrowth. Aerosol powders acquire these properties through the use of ultrasonic spray pyrolysis, where equilibrium physical and chemical processes occur in ultra-small local volumes of aerosol droplets ensuring a high degree of homogeneity of the resulting powder. Being formed ultra-thin substructure of aerosol powders ensures their complete sintering at low temperatures allowing the formation of a high-density, nonporous ceramic material with extreme physical and mechanical characteristics. The practical use of nanostructured aerosol powders does not require the use of operations related to their preliminary preparation (grinding–crushing, classification, purification from impurities, etc.), and, unlike ultrafine powders, such powders are easily molded using traditional methods of powder technology (uniaxial pressing, hot casting, etc.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we have investigated the effects of EDTA, citric acid, and urea on the morphology-controlled synthesis of ZnO nanostructures by a hydrothermal method. XRD, FTIR, FESEM, TEM, BET, and UV-DRS studies revealed that the addition of different complexing agents not only controls the size and morphology but also alters the crystallinity, particle size, energy bandgap, specific surface area, and pore characteristics of ZnO. We achieved diverse morphologies, including spherical nanoparticles (80–100 nm), nanorods (1 µm length, 100 nm diameter), and nanoflakes (100–200 nm lateral dimension with 10–20 nm thickness) utilizing citric acid, urea, and EDTA as morphology controllers. The resulting nanoparticles had surface areas of 11.8 m2/g, 29.6 m2/g, and 4.6 m2/g, respectively. ZnO nanostructures developed with citric acid, urea, and EDTA were found to have a band gap of 3.273 eV, 3.209 eV, and 3.380 eV, respectively. The photodegradation efficiency of ZnO spherical nanoparticles, nanorods, and nanoflakes was found to be 90%, 97%, and 81%, respectively, demonstrating the shape-dependent photodegradation of MB dye. The prepared ZnO photocatalyst exhibits pseudo-first-order kinetics with good recyclability (five cycles) and stability. The enhanced photocatalytic performance of ZnO nanorods was attributed to their morphology, which facilitates efficient charge separation and increased surface area, leading to more active sites for pollutant degradation. This study offers a potential approach for developing morphology-driven photocatalysts for environmental remediation and water purification. Highlights: The effect of citric acid, urea, and EDTA on ZnO nanostructure synthesis was investigated. The spherical nanoparticles, nanorods, and nanoflakes were attained using different morphology controllers. The shape-dependent photodegradation of methylene blue dye, with nanorods exhibiting the highest photocatalytic efficiency, was demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design and synthesis of semiconductor photocatalysts by morphology control is a key step to improve photocatalytic performance. Herein, a series of NiO/ZnO composites with core–shell nanostructures were synthesized by in-situ growth of 2D NiO nanosheets onto 1D ZnO nanorods. The chemical composition, morphology, and optical properties of the synthesized composites were characterized and discussed in detail. The obtained NiO/ZnO composite exhibited enhanced photocatalytic performance with 94.3% degradation efficiency for tetracycline (TC) within 20 min illumination, which was mainly attributed to the heterostructure formed by the excellent interface contact of the nanostructure, thereby inhibiting the recombination of photogenerated charges. Additionally, the as-synthesized photocatalyst shown satisfactory photocatalytic activity and TOC removal efficiency in cyclic experiments. The present work provides a novel insight for the design of heterojunction photocatalysts with multidimensional nanostructures and environmentally friendly applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) leads to a decrease in the adequacy of antimicrobial agents and an increase in the rate of adverse effects and mortality. The main objective of this project is to investigate the synergistic effect of BiAu@NCLin-T1 and its substructures as an antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) agent to combat microbial resistance. In addition, the effect of photothermal therapy (PTT) on some of the designed nanostructures at a temperature of 40 °C was also tested. The antimicrobial test was carried out using the growth curve method against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Computational methods were used to investigate the stability and entropy of oligonucleotide sequence structures. Various analyses were performed to identify the nanostructures, including Ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS) and fluorescence analysis. The BiAu@NCLin-T1 appeared the significant aPDT impact against the gram-negative E.coli strain at two distinctive oligonucleotide concentrations (1, and 1.5 micromolar (µM)). Based on the results, the outlined nanostructures can act as a photosensitizer (PS), a photothermal treatment (PTT) agent, and an antimicrobial agent to combat resistant bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to investigate the structural, magnetic, and blood compatibility properties of Sr2+ substituted for Cu2+ in Cu 1−x Sr x Fe 2 O 4 (x = 0.0 to 1 with a 0.25 increment) nanoparticles synthesized via the sol-gel auto-combustion technique. Regardless of the substitution rate, the sol-gel auto-combustion method consistently yields powders with sizes ranging from 20 to 40 nm. The specific surface area of the produced powders is determined as 12 m2/g. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that CuFe 2 O 4 exhibits a singular phase; however, as the Sr2+ ion substitution increases, the emergence of various secondary phases becomes apparent, with their proportions increasing with the substitution rate. The magnetic characteristics of the synthesized powders exhibit variations in magnetization, correlating with the distribution of cations in the sublattice points. Coercivities are influenced by both anisotropy and secondary phases. Saturation magnetization decreases from 31.3 (CuFe 2 O 4) to 7.6 (SrFe 2 O 4) emu/g with Sr replacement. The lowest observed coercivity is 429.5 Oe in powders prepared with CuFe 2 O 4 composition, while the highest is measured at 583.8 Oe in nanopowders prepared with Cu 0.5 Sr 0.5 Fe 2 O 4 composition. Moreover, blood compatibility experiments indicate significantly low hemolysis ratios for Cu 1−x Sr x Fe 2 O 4 nanoparticles. Additionally, all examined samples exhibit an increase in Soret band intensity compared to the negative control test, suggesting potential biocompatibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The time dynamics of charge accumulation at the electrochemical interface between graphene and water is important for supercapacitors, batteries, and chemical and biological sensors. By using impedance spectroscopy, we have found that measured capacitance (Cm) at this interface with the gate voltage Vgate ≈ 0.1 V follows approximate laws Cm~T1.2 and Cm~T0.11 (T is Vgate period) in frequency ranges (1000–50,000) Hz and (0.02–300) Hz, respectively. In the first range, this dependence demonstrates that the interfacial capacitance (Cint) is only partially charged during the charging period. The observed weaker frequency dependence of the measured capacitance (Cm) at frequencies below 300 Hz is primarily determined by the molecular relaxation of the double-layer capacitance (Cdl) and by the graphene quantum capacitance (Cq), and it also implies that Cint is mostly charged. We have also found a voltage dependence of Cm below 10 Hz, which is likely related to the voltage dependence of Cq. The observation of this effect only at low frequencies indicates that Cq relaxation time is much longer than is typical for electron processes, probably due to Dirac cone reconstruction from graphene electrons with increased effective mass as a result of their quasichemical bonding with interfacial molecular charges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal nanoparticles have been found to exhibit a broad spectrum of antibacterial activities, yet not all metals possess the captivating plasmonic properties necessary for effective interaction with incident light. In this study, we demonstrate the feasibility of synergistically enhancing the Cu-induced antibacterial activity through the incorporation of plasmonic photothermal therapy by hybridlike anchoring the Cu component on a gold (Au) nanoplate that can effectively absorb near-infrared light. To fabricate the Janus structure, plate-like Au seeds were mixed with copper-(ii) nitrate, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, ascorbic acid, and hexamethylenetetramine, resulting in the formation of Au–Cu Janus nanostructures (JNSs). Notably, the plasmonic absorption of Au was preserved without being hindered by the Cu coating. Photothermal measurements revealed that the temperature rise of Au–Cu JNSs aqueous suspensions could reach up to 28.3 °C in just 10 min when exposed to 1064 nm laser light at a power density of 1 W·cm–2, with a photothermal conversion efficiency of 42.14%. Additionally, they show broad-spectrum antibacterial properties, making them potential contenders for addressing a wide range of bacterial infections. Our findings demonstrate that the antibacterial performance of metal nanoparticles composed of less plasmon-active components but with exceptional antibacterial properties can be significantly enhanced by coupling them with a plasmon-active nano-antenna through a Janus architecture. The Au–Cu JNSs possess potential application prospects in photothermal therapy, broad-spectrum antibacterial treatments, biomedical imaging, targeted drug delivery, sensitive diagnostics, and the development of advanced materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dewetting of thin Pt films on different surfaces is investigated as a means to provide the patterning for the top-down fabrication of GaN nanowire ensembles. The transformation from a thin film to an ensemble of nanoislands upon annealing proceeds in good agreement with the void growth model. With increasing annealing duration, the size and shape uniformity of the nanoislands improves. This improvement speeds up for higher annealing temperature. After an optimum annealing duration, the size uniformity deteriorates due to the coalescence of neighboring islands. By changing the Pt film thickness, the nanoisland diameter and density can be quantitatively controlled in a way predicted by a simple thermodynamic model. We demonstrate the uniformity of the nanoisland ensembles for an area larger than 1 cm2. GaN nanowires are fabricated by a sequence of dry and wet etching steps, and these nanowires inherit the diameters and density of the Pt nanoisland ensemble used as a mask. Our study achieves advancements in size uniformity and range of obtainable diameters compared to previous works. This simple, economical, and scalable approach to the top-down fabrication of nanowires is useful for applications requiring large and uniform nanowire ensembles with controllable dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanostructured photodetectors have garnered great attention due to their enriched electronic and optical properties. In this work, we aim to fabricate a high-performance CeO2/Si photodetector by growing a CeO2 nanostructure film on a silicon substrate using the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique at different laser energy densities. The impact of laser energy density and the number of pulses on the morphological, optical, and electrical properties was studied. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) results show that the CeO2 film has a spherical grain morphology with an average grain size ranging from 33 to 54 nm, depending on the laser energy density. The film deposited at various numbers of laser pulses also has spherical grains with an average grain size ranging from 39 to 54 nm, depending on the number of pulses. The optical properties of the CeO2 film showed that the optical energy gap of the films decreased from 3.5 to 3 eV as the laser energy density increased from 63.66 to 101.86 J/cm2. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra of the nanostructured CeO2 film reveal that the main emission peaks were observed at 682 nm when excited at 450 nm. The effect of laser energy density on the electrical properties, including carrier concentration, mobility, and current-voltage characteristics under dark and illuminated conditions, was investigated. The CeO2/Si photodetector fabricated at 63.66 J/cm2 showed the highest responsivity of 0.69 A/W at 450 nm, detectivity as high as 1.5 × 1010 Jones at 450 nm, and an external quantum efficiency of 92% when biased to 5 V. The photodynamic response time was measured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have emerged as a promising candidate in the chemoresistive gas sensor field to overcome the disadvantages of conventional metal-oxide semiconductors owing to their strong surface activities and high surface-to-volume ratio. This review summarizes the various approaches to enhance the 2D-material-based gas sensors and provides an overview of their progress. The distinctive attributes of semiconductor gas sensors employing 2D materials will be highlighted with their inherent advantages and associated challenges. The general operating principles of semiconductor gas sensors and the unique characteristics of 2D materials in gas-sensing mechanisms will be explored. The pros and cons of 2D materials in gas-sensing channels are discussed, and a route to overcome the current challenges will be delivered. Finally, the recent advancements to enhance the performance of 2D-material-based gas sensors including photo-activation, heteroatom doping, defect engineering, heterostructures, and nanostructures will be discussed. This review should offer a broad range of readers a new perspective toward the future development of 2D-material-based gas sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small‐angle‐scattering tensor tomography is a technique for studying anisotropic nanostructures of millimetre‐sized samples in a volume‐resolved manner. It requires the acquisition of data through repeated tomographic rotations about an axis which is subjected to a series of tilts. The tilt that can be achieved with a typical setup is geometrically constrained, which leads to limits in the set of directions from which the different parts of the reciprocal space map can be probed. Here, we characterize the impact of this limitation on reconstructions in terms of the missing wedge problem of tomography, by treating the problem of tensor tomography as the reconstruction of a three‐dimensional field of functions on the unit sphere, represented by a grid of Gaussian radial basis functions. We then devise an acquisition scheme to obtain complete data by remounting the sample, which we apply to a sample of human trabecular bone. Performing tensor tomographic reconstructions of limited data sets as well as the complete data set, we further investigate and validate the missing wedge problem by investigating reconstruction errors due to data incompleteness across both real and reciprocal space. Finally, we carry out an analysis of orientations and derived scalar quantities, to quantify the impact of this missing wedge problem on a typical tensor tomographic analysis. We conclude that the effects of data incompleteness are consistent with the predicted impact of the missing wedge problem, and that the impact on tensor tomographic analysis is appreciable but limited, especially if precautions are taken. In particular, there is only limited impact on the means and relative anisotropies of the reconstructed reciprocal space maps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: As global populations rise, the need for sustainable food security and waste reduction solutions becomes crucial. Antimicrobial food packaging presents a strategic defence against spoilage and pathogens and has the potential to minimise foodborne illnesses and global food losses. Essential oils (EOs), known for their inherent antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, are utilised as natural additives in active food packaging materials. These oils, rich in terpenes and hydrocarbons, are promising for food longevity but face challenges like reduced effectiveness in packaging films, highlighting the necessity for nanoengineered solutions to improve their stability and function in polymer matrices. This article aims to review recent work on the use of EOs incorporated in active food packaging. The focus is on the use of nanotechnology to enhance the antimicrobial efficacy of plant‐derived essential oils as preservatives. This article illustrates the nanoscale interactions among essential oils, polymers and food substances, aiming to elucidate how technologies such as nanoencapsulation, nanoemulsions and nanocomposites enhance antibacterial and antioxidant performance while improving packaging structural integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Ultrathin Fe-Ta 2 O 5-x nanobelts were fabricated. • Fe-Ta 2 O 5-x nanobelts showed highly improved surface areas and solar-light harvesting. • Fe doping induced the decreased working function and formation of more oxygen vacancies. • Fe-Ta 2 O 5-x nanobelts exhibited highly enhanced photocatalytic performance. Solar-light photosynthesis of ammonia form N 2 reduction in ultrapure water over the artificial photocatalysts is attractive but still challenging compared with Haber–Bosch process. In this work, ultrathin Fe-Ta 2 O 5-x nanobelts were fabricated via the controllable solvothermal process for ammonia photosynthesis. The formed oxygen vacancies and Fe doping narrowed their bandgap energies and promoted the carriers' separation and transfer for Fe-Ta 2 O 5-x nanobelts. In addition, Fe doping also resulted in the reduced working functions of the samples, indicating a weaker electron binding restriction and stronger separation and transfer of photo-induced carriers. The experimental results showed that Fe-Ta 2 O 5-x nanobelts showed remarkably enhanced photocatalytic ammonia production performance under simulated sunlight irradiation, and the relevant ammonia production rate reached approximately 3030.86 μM g−1 h−1, which was 9.63 times of pristine Ta 2 O 5-x and 491.0 times of commercial Ta 2 O 5 , and a relatively stable photocatalytic ammonia production performance under simulated sunlight irradiation for Fe-Ta 2 O 5-x nanobelts. Meanwhile, it was also found that Fe doping has great influences on the photocatalytic performance under visible light and simulated sunlight irradiation, mainly because of their suitable bandgap energies and enhanced solar-light harvesting capacity. Current work indicates the great potentials of ultrathin tantalum-based functional materials for high-efficiency ammonia photosynthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cu 2 Te-based compounds show promise for thermoelectric applications, but their synthesis typically involves ball milling or melting-annealing processes. Here, we present a surfactant-free microwave-assisted solvothermal method for the controlled synthesis of Cu 2 Te 1− x S x (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5) nanostructures at 503 K within just 30 min. The substitution of sulfur promotes the formation of a hexagonal structure in Cu 2 Te 1− x S x with x of 0.2 – 0.5, and inhibits phase transitions during heating. Moreover, the alloying of sulfur contributes to a reduction in hole concentrations toward the optimal range, resulting in enhanced power factors (e.g. , 910 μW m−1 K−2 at 825 K for Cu 2 Te 0.9 S 0.1) and reduced thermal conductivity (e.g. , 0.53 W m−1 K−1 at 825 K for Cu 2 Te 0.5 S 0.5). Ultimately, Cu 2 Te 0.5 S 0.5 achieves a maximum dimensionless figure of merit of 0.80 at 825 K. This study offers a controllable solution-based strategy for synthesizing Cu 2 Te-based materials with tunable compositions and enhanced thermoelectric performance. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With annualized expansion rates close to 8 % in 2018 and a projected range of 18–30 % by 2030, wasted batteries are a continual economic and ecological concern due to the growing use of electronic gadgets. The improper preservation and handling of waste discharges are not regulated, which allows for their accumulation in public areas and the release of dangerous materials into the ecosystem at the landfill. To improve the energy properties and lifespan of batteries, current advancements in battery manufacturing mandate the application of novel materials for electrolytes and nanomaterials for cathode materials. Novel battery chemicals may further complicate recycling and containment efforts because it still needs to be determined how much of an influence they will have on the ecosystem. Only a few nations can now recycle mass-manufactured lithium batteries, making up barely 5 % of the more than 345,000 tonnes of garbage produced worldwide in 2018. To provide evidence for policy and legislation, this concise review intends to incorporate current describe and emergent battery pollutant, their adverse ecological aftermath, and ongoing diagnostic techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a model of the thickness of the surface layer of YBCO crystals, from which its domain structure follows. It is shown that in the surface nanolayer, the temperature of the transition to the superconducting state increases by 2 times compared to the bulk phase. Lamels in the monodomain are determined as Abrikosov vortices, and there are 15 of them in the surface layer of YBCO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a quantum well model using the transfer matrix technique to analyze the charge transfer characteristics of nanostructure sequences in both DNA and superlattices. The unconfined state, or unbound state, above the quantum well is used to investigate carrier behaviors in a semiconductor nanostructure. These analytical approaches can be extended to enhance the understanding of charge transfer in DNA nanostructures with periodic and aperiodic sequences. Experimental validation was conducted through photoreflectance spectroscopy on nanostructures within the semiconductor superlattices. Furthermore, the study's findings were compared with earlier research by Li et al. on the thermoelectric effect and its dependence on molecular length and sequences in single DNA molecules. The results showed agreement, offering novel insights into charge transfer and transport in DNA nanostructures across various sequence types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the physico-mechanical characteristics of bitumen is a constant and pressing problem in road construction. The issue is solved by modifying bitumen with various additives, one of which is a nanostructured modifier. This paper examines the effect of adding a natural mineral, shungite, to bitumen from the Koksu deposit (Kazakhstan) after grinding under different conditions. The mechanochemical activation of shungite made it possible to obtain samples with an average particle diameter of up to 3 μm. Using scanning electron microscopy, nanostructured particles with sizes of up to 100 nm were discovered in their structure. The effect of nanostructured shungite on the rheological characteristics of bitumen—elasticity and loss moduli, and loss tangent at high and low temperatures—was studied. The transition temperatures of bitumen from the viscoelastic to the liquid state were established, and their shift to the region of elevated temperatures when modified with ground shungite are shown. The presence of organic and inorganic components in the composition of shungite—carbon, silica, and metal oxides—has a beneficial effect on the rheological properties of bitumen by forming bonds with resinous asphaltene components of bitumen. The use of bitumen modified with nanostructured shungite makes it possible to replace the polymer modifier with a natural mineral to improve the quality of the road surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracellular electron transfer (EET) by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), such as Desulfovibrio ferrophilus IS5, enables bacterial interactions with minerals, which are vital for biogeochemical cycling and environmental chemistry. Here, we explore the direct EET mechanisms through outer-membrane cytochromes (OMCs) using IS5 as a model SRB. We employed nanostructured electrodes arrayed with 0, 50, 200, and 500 nm long nanowires (NWs) coated with indium–tin–doped oxide to examine the impact of electrode morphology on the direct EET efficacy. Compared to flat electrodes, NW electrodes significantly enhanced current production in IS5 with OMCs. However, this enhancement was diminished when OMC expression was reduced. Differential pulse voltammetry revealed that NW electrodes specifically augmented redox peaks associated with OMCs without affecting those related to redox mediators, suggesting that NWs foster direct EET through OMCs. Scanning electron microscopy observations following electrochemical analyses revealed a novel vertical cell attachment and aggregation on NW electrodes, contrasting with the horizontal monolayer cell attachment on flat electrodes. This study presents the first evidence of the critical role of electrode nanoscale topography in modulating SRB cell orientation and aggregation behavior. The findings underscore the significant influence of electrode morphology on the direct EET kinetics, highlighting the potential impact of mineral morphology on mineral reduction and biogeochemical processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, is a process where a part is produced layer by layer, and represents a promising approach for designing components close to their final shape. Titanium alloys produced by additive manufacturing find application in various industries. This overview examines the features of the formation of the microstructure and properties in Ti alloys synthesized with the use of powder and wire laser additive technologies, as well as solid-phase methods of additive manufacturing such as friction stir additive manufacturing. Their main drawbacks and advantages are discussed, as applied to Ti alloys. The main approaches to solving the problem of increasing the strength properties of the synthesized Ti workpieces are considered. The authors of this overview propose a new area of research in the field of the application of additive technologies for producing ultrafine-grained Ti semi-products and parts with enhanced performance characteristics. Research in this area opens up prospects for designing heavily loaded complex-profile products for the aerospace, oil and gas, and biomedical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acenes, which can be represented by the chemical formula C4n+2H2n+4, belong to a group of organic molecules that have attracted significant attention in the fields of electronic molecules and nanoscale research. Investigating their electronic and optical properties, particularly for larger acenes, is a highly resource-intensive and time-consuming endeavor. The objective of this study is to propose a novel approach for analyzing changes in the energy gap using quantum perturbation theory and disorder theory, relying on topological indices. In order to quantify the alterations in the energy gap, the Hamiltonian matrix of spin-orbit interaction, based on quantum perturbation theory, has been utilized. Consequently, the changes in the energy gap between singlet and triplet states, denoted as Eg, have been computationally determined for the carbon-carbon bonds. Ultimately, a comprehensive model has been developed to illustrate the variations in the energy gap between singlet and triplet spin states of linear acenes, incorporating the concept of topological indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]