Chemical durability and surface alteration of lanthanide zirconates (A2Zr2O7: A = La-Yb)

Chemical durability of lanthanide zirconates (A₂Zr₂O₇) (A = La-Yb) under near-field environments is important for evaluating their application as potential nuclear waste forms. In this work, A₂Zr₂O₇ (A = La-Yb) are synthesized by spark plasma sintering with controlled microstructure and their chemical durability are evaluated in a nitric acid solution (pH = 1). Scanning transmission electron microscopy analysis reveals an amorphous passivation film either enriched with Zr or lanthanide. The complex chemistry of the passivation films can be correlated with a transition in corrosion mechanisms from a preferential release of lanthanide in La₂Zr₂O₇ to a preferential release of Zr in Er₂Zr₂O₇ and Yb₂Zr₂O₇. These results suggest a dominant mechanism of incongruent dissolution and surface reorganization for the formation of passivation films. Strong correlations are identified between the leaching rates and cation ionic size, ionic potential, electronegativity differences between A-site cation and Zr, and bonding valence sum of oxygen, suggesting important impacts of structural and bonding characteristics in controlling chemical durability of lanthanide zirconates.     

Improving through-thickness conductivity of carbon fiber reinforced polymer using carbon nanotube/polyethylenimine at the interlaminar region

The through-thickness conductivity of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite was increased by incorporating multiwalled carbon nanotubes in the interlaminar region. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were dispersed in a polyethylenimine (PEI) binder, which was then coated onto the carbon fiber fabric. Standard vacuum-assisted resin infusion process was applied to fabricate the composite laminates. This modification technique aims to enhance the electrical conductivity in through-thickness direction for the purpose of nondestructive testing, damage detection, and electromagnetic interference shielding. CNT concentrations ranging from 0 to 0.75 wt% were used and compared to pristine CFRP samples (reference). The through-thickness conductivity of the CFRP exhibited an improvement of up to 781% by adopting this technique. However, the dispersion of CNT in PEI led to a viscosity increase and poor wetting properties which resulted in the formation of voids/defects, poor adhesion (as shown in scanning electron micrographs) and the deterioration of the mechanical properties as manifested by interlaminar shear strength and dynamic mechanical analysis measurements.     

Ni1−xCoxSe2?C/ZnIn2S4 Hybrid Nanocages with Strong 2D/2D Hetero-Interface Interaction Enable Efficient H2-Releasing Photocatalysis

Designing a semiconductor-based heterostructure photocatalyst for achieving the efficient separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs is highly important for enhancing H₂ releasing photocatalysis. Here, a new class of Ni_1−xCo_xSe₂–C/ZnIn₂S₄ hierarchical nanocages with abundant and compact ZnIn₂S₄ nanosheets/Ni_1−xCo_xSe₂^ C nanosheets 2D/2D hetero–interfaces, is designed and synthesized. The constructed heterostructure photocatalyst exposes rich hetero-junctions, supplying the broad and short transfer paths for charge carriers. The close contacts of these two kinds of nanosheets induce a strong interaction between ZnIn₂S₄ and Ni_1−xCo_xSe₂ C, improving the separation and transfer of photo-generated electron-hole pairs. As a consequence, the distinctive Ni_1−xCo_xSe₂ C/ZnIn₂S₄ hierarchical nanocages without using additional noble-metal cocatalysts, display remarkable H₂-relaesing photocatalytic activity with a rate of 5.10 mmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ under visible light irradiation, which is 6.2 and 30 times higher than those of fresh ZnIn₂S₄ nanosheets and bare Ni_1−xCo_xSe₂ C nanocages, respectively. Spectroscopic characterizations and theory calculations reveal that the strong interaction between ZnIn₂S₄ and Ni_1−xCo_xSe₂ C 2D/2D hetero-interfaces can powerfully promote the separation of photo-generated charge carriers and the electrons transfer from ZnIn₂S₄ to Ni_1−xCo_xSe₂ C.     

Development of a difunctional oxirane and multifunctional acrylate interpenetrating polymer network composite system with antimicrobial properties

This research continued the development of a difunctional Oxirane and multifunctional Acrylate interpenetrating polymer network composite System (OASys) with antimicrobial properties. The effects of 4-Isopropyl-4′-methyldiphenyliodonium tetrakis (pentafluorophenyl) borate (Borate), hexamethylene diamine (HMDA) and N,N-dimethyl p-toluidine (DMPT) on OASys (Epalloy 5001:dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate) composite hardness, contact angle, monomer-to-polymer degree of conversion (DoC), mechanical properties, polymerization shrinkage, shrinkage stress, and antimicrobial properties were determined. Bis-GMA:TEGDMA composites were used as the control. OASys composites with 9 wt% Borate and 0.5 wt% DMPT or 1.5 wt% HMDA had comparable hardness, DoC's and polymerization shrinkages to controls, but had lower contact angles and mechanical properties. Additionally, OASys composites with 1.5 wt% HMDA had significantly less polymerization stress than controls and demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus casei out to 3 months. With lower shrinkage stress and long-term antimicrobial activity, OASys composites look promising for increasing the clinical lifetime of dental composites, but improvements in mechanical properties are needed.     

Functional Coupling of Slack Channels and P2X3 Receptors Contributes to Neuropathic Pain Processing

The sodium-activated potassium channel Slack (K_Na1.1, Slo2.2, or Kcnt1) is highly expressed in populations of sensory neurons, where it mediates the sodium-activated potassium current (I_KNa) and modulates neuronal activity. Previous studies suggest that Slack is involved in the processing of neuropathic pain. However, mechanisms underlying the regulation of Slack activity in this context are poorly understood. Using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings we found that Slack-mediated I_KNa in sensory neurons of mice is reduced after peripheral nerve injury, thereby contributing to neuropathic pain hypersensitivity. Interestingly, Slack is closely associated with ATP-sensitive P2X3 receptors in a population of sensory neurons. In vitro experiments revealed that Slack-mediated I_KNa may be bidirectionally modulated in response to P2X3 activation. Moreover, mice lacking Slack show altered nocifensive responses to P2X3 stimulation. Our study identifies P2X3/Slack signaling as a mechanism contributing to hypersensitivity after peripheral nerve injury and proposes a potential novel strategy for treatment of neuropathic pain.     

Effects of (Li0.5Sm0.5)/W co-substitution and sintering temperature on the structure and electrical properties of ultrahigh Curie temperature piezoceramics,Ca0.92(Li0.5Sm0.5)0.08Bi2Nb2-xWxO9

With co-substitution of (Li_0.5Sm_0.5) at A site and W at B site, the electrical properties of modified Ca_0.92(Li_0.5Sm_0.5)_0.08Bi₂Nb_2-xW_xO₉ [(CLS)BN-xW, x = 0, 0.015 and 0.03] piezoceramics with ultrahigh Curie temperature (T_C) of > 930 °C were enhanced dramatically. The increased resistivity induced by the co-substitution ensure them to be polarized under an enough high field. Combined with the increase of spontaneous ferroelectric polarization (P_S), the significant enhancements in the piezoelectric, dielectric and ferroelectric properties can be obtained in the composition x = 0.015. Furthermore, the piezoelectric activity (d₃₃) and bulk resistivity (ρ_b) of (CLS)BN-0.015 W can be further enhanced at an appropriate sintering temperature. This optimum composition sintered at 1170 °C shows ultrahigh T_C of ～948 °C, d₃₃ of ～17.3 pC/N and ρ_b of ～6.9 MΩ cm at 600 °C, which are comparable to those of the reported high-temperature Aurivillius piezoceramics with T_C > 850 °C.     

THz Detection of Biomolecules in Aqueous Environments—Status and Perspectives for Analysis Under Physiological Conditions and Clinical use

Bioanalytical THz sensing techniques have proven to be an interesting and viable tool for the label-free detection and analysis of biomolecules. However, a major challenge for THz bioanalytics is to perform investigations in the native aqueous environments of the analytes. This review recapitulates the status and future requirements for establishing THz biosensing as a complementary toolbox in the repertoire of standard bioanalytic methods. The potential use in medical research and clinical diagnosis is discussed. Under these considerations, this article presents a comprehensive categorization of biochemically relevant analytes that have been investigated by THz sensing techniques in aqueous media. The detectable concentration levels of ions, carbohydrates, (poly-)nucleotides, active agents, proteins and different biomacromolecules from THz experiments are compared to characteristic physiological concentrations and lower detection limits of state-of-the-art bioanalytical methods. Finally, recent experimental developments and achievements are discussed, which potentially pave the way for THz analysis of biomolecules under clinically relevant conditions.

     

Flexible Osteogenic Glue as an All-In-One Solution to Assist Fracture Fixation and Healing

Osteogenic glue that reproduces the natural bone composition represents the final frontier of orthopedic adhesives with the potential to revolutionize surgical strategies against comminuted fractures. However, it is difficult to achieve an all-in-one formula, which could provide flexible and reliable adhesiveness while avoiding interfering with or even promoting the healing of glued fractures. Herein, an osteogenic glue characterized by inorganic-in-organic integration between amine-modified mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles (AMBGN) and bioadhesive gelatin-dextran network (GelDex) is introduced as an all-in-one tool to flexibly adhere and splice bone fragments and subsequently guide fracture healing during degradation. Relying on such integration, a 4-fold improvement in cohesiveness is presented, followed by a nearly 5-fold enhancement in adhesive strength in ex vivo porcine bone samples. The reversible and re-adjustable adhesiveness also enables glue to effectively splice intricate fragments from highly comminuted fractures in the rabbit radius in an in vivo environment. Moreover, well-preserved organic–inorganic integrity during degradation of the glue guides sustained interfacial osteogenesis and achieve satisfying healing outcomes in glued fractures, as observed by the 2-fold improvement in biomechanical and radiological performance compared with commercially available cyanoacrylate adhesives. The current findings propose an all-in-one solution for the fixation of bone fragments during surgery.     

“感知与人机交互”教学实践与PBL模式探索

机器人工程是在国家新工科发展战略背景下为了适应机器人专业人才需求而新近创建的专业。本文依托东南大学机器人工程专业教学体系，介绍了“感知与人机交互”课程的教学实践，探索了PBL教学模式在本门课程中的应用。具体介绍了课程教学内容设置、PBL教学方案例设计及存在问题分析等，可为自动化类机器人工程专业的相关课程教学实践提供参考。     

The role of microstructural evolution during spark plasma sintering on the soft magnetic and electronic properties of a CoFe–Al2O3 soft magnetic composite

Journal of Materials Science - For transformers and inductors to meet the world’s growing demand for electrical power, more efficient soft magnetic materials with high saturation magnetic...