Multimodal Characterization of Crystal Structure and Formation in Rubrene Thin Films Reveals Erasure of Orientational Discontinuities

Multimodal multiscale characterization provide opportunities to study organic semiconducting thin films with multiple length scales, across multiple platforms, to elucidate crystallization mechanisms of the various microstructures that impact functionality. With polarized scanning transmission X-ray and 4D-scanning transmission electron microscopy, hybrid crystalline structures in rubrene thin films in which large crystalline domains surround a common nucleus and transition to a spherulite morphology at larger radii is observed. These high-resolution techniques reveal how azimuthal orientational discontinuities at smaller radii are erased as spherulite morphology takes hold. In situ crystallization in the films with optical microscopy is also captured, discovering the importance of considering the initial temperature increase of a film during thermal annealing over the crystallization timescale. This kinetic information of the radial crystallization rate and of corresponding film heating kinetics is used to estimate the temperature at which the larger crystalline regions transition into a spherulite. By combining the results obtained from the different characterization modes, it is learned that thermal conditions can sensitively affect the crystallization of rubrene and other organic thin films. The observations suggest opportunities for more complex temperature-dependent processing to maximize hybrid structures’ functionality in organic thin films and demonstrate that multimodal studies deepen the understanding of structure-function dynamics.     

Three Sides of the Same Coin: Combining Microbial,Enzymatic, and Organometallic Catalysis for Integrated Conversion of Renewable Carbon Sources

All catalysts have unique abilities. This is especially true for microbial, enzymatic, and organometallic catalysis, which are often seen as competitive approaches preventing the exploitation of their complementarity. An increasing number of examples show, how using the complete catalytic spectrum can open roads from new substrates to new products. C1-compounds such as formate, formaldehyde, methanol, or methane from CO₂ in combination with green H₂ are likely to be future sources of carbon feedstock. This short review highlights how combinations of different catalyst types can facilitate integrated reaction sequences with biogenic substrates to form “bio-hybrid” fuels and products.     

Nanoparticle-Based Strain Gauges: Anisotropic Response Characteristics,Multidirectional Strain Sensing,and Novel Approaches to Healthcare Applications

Directional strain sensing is essential for advanced sensor applications in the field of human-machine interfaces and healthcare. Here, the angle dependent anisotropic strain sensitivity caused by charge carriers percolating through cross-linked gold nanoparticle (GNP) networks is studied and these versatile materials are used for the fabrication of wearable triaxial pulse and gesture sensors. More specifically, the anisotropic response of 1,9-nonanedithiol cross-linked GNP films is separated into geometric and piezoresistive contributions by fitting the measured data with an analytic model. Hereby, piezoresistive coefficients of g₁₁ ∼ 32 and g₁₂ ∼ 21 are extracted, indicating a slightly anisotropic response behavior of the GNP-based material. To use the material for healthcare applications, arrangements of three GNP transducers are patterned lithographically and fully embedded into a highly flexible silicone polymer (Dragon Skin 30). The new encapsulation method ensures good and robust electrical contacts and enables facile handling and protection from external influences. A facile read-out with wireless data transmission using off-the-shelf electrical components underlines the great potential of these devices for applications as skin-wearable healthcare sensors.     

Andrographolide Derivatives Target the KEAP1/NRF2 Axis and Possess Potent Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Activity

Naturally occurring compounds represent a vast pool of pharmacologically active entities. One of such compounds is andrographolide, which is endowed with many beneficial properties, including the activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2). To initiate a drug repurposing or hit optimization campaign, it is imperative to unravel the primary mechanism(s) of the antiviral action of andrographolide. Here, we showed by means of a reporter gene assay that andrographolide exerts its anti-SARS-CoV-2 effects by inhibiting the interaction between Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) causing NRF2 upregulation. Moreover, we demonstrated that subtle structural modifications of andrographolide could lead to derivatives with stronger on-target activities and improved physicochemical properties. Our results indicate that further optimization of this structural class is warranted to develop novel COVID-19 therapies.     

High-Throughput Alloy Development Using Advanced Characterization Techniques During Directed Energy Deposition Additive Manufacturing

In laser-based direct energy deposition (DED-LB) additive manufacturing (AM), wire or powder materials are melted by a high-power laser beam. Process-specific characteristics enable robust in situ fabrication of compositionally graded materials, e.g., through an adaption of powder mass flow from independent hoppers. Based on the high flexibility of this approach, pathways toward multimaterial AM have been unlocked. Obviously, such characteristics enable high-throughput alloy development. However, rapid alloy development demands substantial characterization efforts to assess phase and microstructural evolution. So far, property analysis is considered as the limiting factor for these high-throughput approaches. Herein, the use of high-brilliance X-Ray analysis and subsequent micropillar compression testing are introduced to tackle these challenges. As a proof of concept, their application to a compositionally graded material made from AISI 316L stainless steel and a CoCrMo alloy is presented. The results obtained reveal that X-Ray analysis can be exploited to evaluate process robustness, chemical characteristics, and phase composition within the gradient regions. Moreover, the use of micropillar compression testing provides spatially resolved insights into the mechanical properties of the gradient regions. The combination of both characterization techniques eventually opens pathways toward a robust and time-efficient alloy development using powder-fed DED-LB (DED-LB/P).     

3D Printed Microstructures Erasable by Darkness

To advance the applications of direct laser writing (DLW), adaptability of the printed structure is critical, prompting a shift toward printing structures that are comprised of different materials, and/or can be partially or fully erased on demand. However, most structures that contain these features are often printed by complex processes or require harsh developing techniques. Herein, a unique photoresist for DLW is introduced that is capable of printing 3D microstructures that can be erased by exposure to darkness. Specifically, microstructures based on light-stabilized dynamic materials are fabricated that remain stable when continously irradiated with green light, but degrade once the light source is switched off. The degradation and light stabilization properties of the printed materials are analyzed in-depth by time-lapse scanning electron microscopy. It is demonstrated that these resists can be used to impart responsive behavior onto the printed structure, and –critically– as a temporary locking mechanism to control the release of moving structural features.     

Ink development for the additive manufacturing of strong green parts by layerwise slurry deposition (LSD-print)

Obtaining dense fine ceramics by the binder jetting additive manufacturing process is challenging. A slurry-based binder jetting process, such as the layerwise slurry deposition (LSD-print) process, can enable the printing of dense ceramic parts. This work describes a procedure to develop and qualify a suitable ink to manufacture silicon carbide green parts by LSD-print. Not only the printability but also the compatibility of the ink with the powder bed and the effect of the binding agent on the properties of the green parts are considered. Both aspects are important to obtain high green strength, which is necessary for printing large or thin-walled parts. Characterization methods, such as rheological and surface tension measurements, are applied to optimize three selected inks. The interplay between ink and powder bed is tested by contact angle measurements and by comparing the biaxial strength of cast and additively manufactured specimens. Out of the three binding agents tested, a polyethyleneimine and a phenolic resin have a high potential for their use in the LSD-print of silicon carbide green bodies, whereas a polyacrylate binding agent did not show the required properties.     

Techno-Economic Comparison of Bio-Cycling Processes for Mixed Plastic Waste Valorization

Mixed plastic waste is challenging for any recycling process. Here, an enzymatic recycling process is compared with a biotechnological upcycling process for valorizing mixed plastic waste constituted by PLA, PET, and PP. Both process routes are modeled in Aspen Plus, analyzed for bottlenecks, cost drivers, and sensitivity regarding enzymatic and microbial performance. While enzymatic recycling is only viable for uniform plastic feedstock, biotechnological upcycling operating at optimized process conditions reveals the potential to produce carbon-neutral succinic acid from mixed plastic waste.     

Experimentelle Untersuchungen von Wärmerohrsystemen für den Einsatz in elektrischen Arbeitskraftmaschinen

A heat transport system based on heat pipes is developed and analyzed. The aim is to increase the efficiency of electrical engines by transferring dissipation-related heat. The system performance is investigated experimentally by varying the temperature range and the supplied heat flow as well as the rotational speed. The thermal resistance of the system is reduced by 98 % compared to pure heat conduction. The rotation of the system has no significant influence on the thermal resistance, which is constant until the power limit is reached. The power limit is dependent on temperature and approximately coincides with the capillary force limit.