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Solution-based synthesis of mixed ionic and electronic conductors (MIECs) has enabled the development of novel inorganic materials with implications for a wide range of energy storage applications. However, many technologically relevant MIECs contain toxic elements (Pb) or are prepared by using traditional high-temperature solid-state synthesis. Here, we provide a simple, low-temperature and size-tunable (50–90 nm) colloidal hot injection approach for the synthesis of NaSbS2 based MIECs using widely available and non-toxic precursors. Key synthetic parameters (cationic precursor, reaction temperature, and ligand) are examined to regulate the shape and size of the NaSbS2 nanocrystals (NCs). FTIR studies revealed that ligands with carboxylate functionality are coordinated to the surface of the synthesized NaSbS2 NCs. The synthesized NaSbS2 nanocrystals have electronic and ionic conductivities of 3.31 × 10−10 (e−) and 1.9 × 10−5 (Na+) S cm−1 respectively, which are competitive with the ionic and electrical conductivities of perovskite materials generated by solid-state reactions. This research gives a mechanistic understanding and post-synthetic evaluation of parameters influencing the formation of sodium antimony chalcogenides materials.

Here we report the use of 1D SixGe1−x (x = 0.25, 0.5, 0.75) alloy nanowires (NWs) as anode materials for Na-ion batteries (NIBs). The strategy involves the synthesis of crystalline SixGe1−x NWs via the solution–liquid–solid (SLS) mechanism, followed by amorphization to activate the material for Na-ion cycling within a NIB. This study demonstrates the successful activation of SixGe1−x amorphous NW alloys, with a-Si0.5Ge0.5 delivering 250 mA h g−1 as compared to a-Ge NWs delivering only 107 mA h g−1 after 100 cycles. Also, amorphization proved to be a critical step, since crystalline NWs failed to activate in NIBs. However, Si NWs performed poorly during Na-ion cycling even after amorphization, and this behavior was explained by poor comparative Na-ion diffusivity. Further investigations on the impact of the relative content of Ge within the amorphized SixGe1−x NWs, Na-ion diffusivity and electrode degradation during cycling were also performed. Notably, the incorporation of Ge in the a-SixGe1−x alloy boosted Na ion diffusivity in the amorphized alloy, resulting in improved cycling performance and rate capability as compared to parent a-Si and a-Ge NWs.

Chronic, non-healing wounds constitute a major health problem, and the current therapeutic options are limited. Therefore, pharmaceuticals that can be locally applied to complicated wounds are urgently needed. Such treatments should directly target the underlying causes, which include diabetes mellitus, chronic local pressure and/or vascular insufficiency. A common consequence of these disorders is impaired wound angiogenesis. Here, we investigated the effect of topical application of a nitric oxide-releasing phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor (TOP-N53)-containing liquid hydrogel on wound repair in mice. The drug-loaded hydrogel promoted re-epithelialization and angiogenesis in wounds of healthy and healing-impaired diabetic mice. Using a non-invasive label-free optoacoustic microscopy approach combined with automated vessel analysis, we show that the topical application of TOP-N53 formulation increases the microvascular network density and promotes the functionality of the newly formed blood vessels, resulting in enhanced blood perfusion of the wounds. These results demonstrate a remarkable healing-stimulating activity of topically applied TOP-N53 formulation, supporting its further development as a wound therapeutic., Pharmaceutics, 14 (11)

The solution-based colloidal synthesis of multinary semi-conductor compositions has allowed the design of new inorganic materials impacting a large variety of applications. Yet there are certain compositions that have remained elusive--particularly quaternary structures of transition metal-based (e.g., Co, Zn, Ni, Fe, Mn, and Cr) copper antimony chalcogenides. These are widely sought for tuning the electrical and thermal conductivity as a function of the size, composition, and crystal phase. In this work, a facile hot injection approach for the synthesis of three different tetrahedrite-substituted nanocrystals (NCs) (Cu10Zn2Sb4S13, Cu10Co2Sb4S13, and Cu10Ni1.5Sb4S13) and their growth mechanisms are investigated. We reveal that the interplay between the Zn, Ni, and Co precursors on the basis of thiophilicity is key to obtaining pure phase NCs with controlled size and shape. While all of the synthesized crystal phases display outstanding low thermal conductivity, the Cu10.5Sb4Ni1.5S13 system shows the most enhanced electrical conductivity compared to Cu10Zn2Sb4S13 and Cu10Co2Sb4S13. This study highlights an effective synthesis strategy for the growth of complex quaternary nanocrystals and their high potential for application in thermoelectrics.

The ageing in place agenda emphasises the importance of supporting older adults to age in their communities surrounded by the personal resources to age well. In exploring the relationship between older people and their environment, the concept of place insideness is seen as central to constructing feelings of identity, belonging and attachment in old age. Yet there has been little research exploring how older adults experience place insideness across different urban, social and cultural contexts which is an impediment to identifying effective interventions for age-friendly cities and communities. This article explores how place insideness is experienced amongst older adults across India, Brazil and the UK. The article presents qualitative findings from 294 semi-structured interviews collected across 9 cities and 27 neighbourhoods. The findings reveal that older adults cultivate their sense of place insideness in old age through dimensions of: physical insideness (i.e. environmental competence in navigating and engaging in the community), social insideness (i.e. knowing others) and autobiographical insideness (i.e. shared place histories). In drawing on older people’s understanding of their communities, this paper explores the opportunities and challenges to developing a sense of place insideness to support ageing well. We identify implications for policy and practice in terms of how we can better design urban environments as age-friendly communities which support a greater sense of place for older people.