Liquid Metal Based Island‐Bridge Architectures for All Printed Stretchable Electrochemical Devices

The adoption of epidermal electronics into everyday life requires new design and fabrication paradigms, transitioning away from traditional rigid, bulky electronics towards soft devices that adapt with high intimacy to the human body. Here, a new strategy is reported for fabricating achieving highly stretchable “island‐bridge” (IB) electrochemical devices based on thick‐film printing process involving merging the deterministic IB architecture with stress‐enduring composite silver (Ag) inks based on eutectic gallium‐indium particles (EGaInPs) as dynamic electrical anchors within the inside the percolated network. The fabrication of free‐standing soft Ag‐EGaInPs‐based serpentine “bridges” enables the printed microstructures to maintain mechanical and electrical properties under an extreme (≈800%) strain. Coupling these highly stretchable “bridges” with rigid multifunctional “island” electrodes allows the realization of electrochemical devices that can sustain high mechanical deformation while displaying an extremely attractive and stable electrochemical performance. The advantages and practical utility of the new printed Ag‐liquid metal‐based island‐bridge designs are discussed and illustrated using a wearable biofuel cell. Such new scalable and tunable fabrication strategy will allow to incorporate a wide range of materials into a single device towards a wide range of applications in wearable electronics.     

Highly Conductive MXene/PEDOT:PSS-Integrated Poly(N-Isopropylacrylamide) Hydrogels for Bioinspired Somatosensory Soft Actuators

Sophisticated sensing and actuation capabilities of many living organisms in nature have inspired scientists to develop biomimetic somatosensory soft robots. Herein, the design and fabrication of homogeneous and highly conductive hydrogels for bioinspired somatosensory soft actuators are reported. The conductive hydrogels are synthesized by in situ copolymerization of conductive surface-functionalized MXene/Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(styrenesulfonate) ink with thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels. The resulting hydrogels are found to exhibit high conductivity (11.76 S m⁻¹), strain sensitivity (GF of 9.93), broad working strain range (≈560% strain), and high stability after over 300 loading–unloading cycles at 100% strain. Importantly, shape-programmable somatosensory hydrogel actuators with rapid response, light-driven remote control, and self-sensing capability are developed by chemically integrating the conductive hydrogels with a structurally colored polymer. As the proof-of-concept illustration, structurally colored hydrogel actuators are applied for devising light-driven programmable shape-morphing of an artificial octopus, an artificial fish, and a soft gripper that can simultaneously monitor their own motions via real-time resistance variation. This work is expected to offer new insights into the design of advanced somatosensory materials with self-sensing and actuation capabilities, and pave an avenue for the development of soft-matter-based self-regulatory intelligence via built-in feedback control that is of paramount significance for intelligent soft robotics and automated machines.     

Evaluation of registration methods on thoracic CT: the EMPIRE10 challenge

EMPIRE10 (Evaluation of Methods for Pulmonary Image REgistration 2010) is a public platform for fair and meaningful comparison of registration algorithms which are applied to a database of intrapatient thoracic CT image pairs. Evaluation of nonrigid registration techniques is a nontrivial task. This is compounded by the fact that researchers typically test only on their own data, which varies widely. For this reason, reliable assessment and comparison of different registration algorithms has been virtually impossible in the past. In this work we present the results of the launch phase of EMPIRE10, which comprised the comprehensive evaluation and comparison of 20 individual algorithms from leading academic and industrial research groups. All algorithms are applied to the same set of 30 thoracic CT pairs. Algorithm settings and parameters are chosen by researchers expert in the configuration of their own method and the evaluation is independent, using the same criteria for all participants. All results are published on the EMPIRE10 website (http://empire10.isi.uu.nl). The challenge remains ongoing and open to new participants. Full results from 24 algorithms have been published at the time of writing. This paper details the organization of the challenge, the data and evaluation methods and the outcome of the initial launch with 20 algorithms. The gain in knowledge and future work are discussed.     

A high-precision contrast injector for small animal x-ray digital subtraction angiography

The availability of genetically altered animal models of human disease for basic research has generated great interest in new imaging methodologies. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) offers an appealing approach to functional imaging in small animals because of the high spatial and temporal resolution, and the ability to visualize and measure blood flow. The micro-injector described here meets crucial performance parameters to ensure optimal vessel enhancement without significantly increasing the total blood volume or producing overlap of enhanced structures. The micro-injector can inject small, reproducible volumes of contrast agent at high flow rates with computer-controlled timing synchronized to cardiopulmonary activity. Iterative bench-top and live animal experiments with both rat and mouse have been conducted to evaluate the performance of this computer-controlled micro-injector, a first demonstration of a new device designed explicitly for the unique requirements of DSA in small animals. Injection protocols were optimized and screened for potential physiological impact. For the optimized protocols, we found that changes in the time-density curves for representative regions of interest in the thorax were due primarily to physiological changes, independent of micro-injector parameters.     

JPEG Pleno: Providing representation interoperability for holographic applications and devices

Guaranteeing interoperability between devices and applications is the core role of standards organizations. Since its first JPEG standard in 1992, the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) has published several image coding standards that have been successful in a plethora of imaging markets. Recently, these markets have become subject to potentially disruptive innovations owing to the rise of new imaging modalities such as light fields, point clouds, and holography. These so‐called plenoptic modalities hold the promise of facilitating a more efficient and complete representation of 3D scenes when compared to classic 2D modalities. However, due to the heterogeneity of plenoptic products that will hit the market, serious interoperability concerns have arisen. In this paper, we particularly focus on the holographic modality and outline how the JPEG committee has addressed these tremendous challenges. We discuss the main use cases and provide a preliminary list of requirements. In addition, based on the discussion of real‐valued and complex data representations, we elaborate on potential coding technologies that range from approaches utilizing classical 2D coding technologies to holographic content‐aware coding solutions. Finally, we address the problem of visual quality assessment of holographic data covering both visual quality metrics and subjective assessment methodologies.     

Synthesis,Mechanism, and Gas‐Sensing Application of Surfactant Tailored Tungsten Oxide Nanostructures

Widely applicable nonaqueous solution routes have been employed for the syntheses of crystalline nanostructured tungsten oxide particles from a tungsten hexachloride precursor. Here, a systematic study on the crystallization and assembly behavior of tungsten oxide products made by using the bioligand deferoxamine mesylate (DFOM) (product I ), the two chelating ligands hexadecyltrimethylammoniumbromide (CTAB) ( II ) and poly(alkylene oxide) block copolymer (Pluronic P123) ( III ) is presented. The mechanistic pathways for the material synthesis are also discussed in detail. The tungsten oxide nanomaterials and reaction solutions are characterized by Fourier transform IR, ¹H, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies, powder X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high‐resolution TEM, and selected‐area electron diffraction. The indexing of the line pattern suggests WO₃ is in its monoclinic structure with a = 0.7297 nm, b = 0.7539 nm, c = 0.7688 nm, and β‐i; = 90.91 °. The nanoparticles formed have various architectures, such as chromosomal shapes (product I ) and slates ( II ), which are quite different from the mesoporous one ( III ) that has internal pores or mesopores ranging from 5 to 15 nm. The nanoparticles obtained from all the synthetic procedures are in the range of 40–60 nm. The investigation of the gas‐sensing properties of these materials indicate that all the sensors have good baseline stability and the sensors fabricated from material III present very different response kinetics and different CO detection properties. The possibility of adjusting the morphology and by that tuning the gas‐sensing properties makes the preparation strategies used interesting candidates for fabricating gas‐sensing materials.     

Experimentation with a water tank including a PCM module

Storage of heat is seen as a major issue for the development of solar energy for house heating and cooling under all climates. Most of the storage systems available on the market use water as the storage medium. The idea studied here was to add a phase change material (PCM) module at the top of a hot-water storage tank with stratification. An experimental solar pilot plant was constructed to test the PCM behaviour in real conditions. The PCM module geometry adopted was to use several cylinders. A granular PCM–graphite compound was chosen as the PCM for the experiments presented here.     

Diminution of quinolizidine alkaloids,oligosaccharides and phenolic compounds from two species of Lupinus and soybean seeds by the effect of Rhizopus oligosporus

Lupinus, like Glycine max (soybean), is an ancient leguminous plant. It has been used as a food by people living around the Mediterranean Sea and in the Andean Highlands. This legume contains quinolizidine alkaloids (Qas), oligosaccharides (OGS) and phenolic compounds (PC). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the growth of Rhizopus oligosporus on the levels of Qas, OGS and PC from L. mutabilis, L. campestris and G. max through tempeh elaboration. The results showed that the soaking and cooking processes of legume seeds diminished the Qas content of L. mutabilis and L. campestris by 50%, and after 48 h of fermentation these compounds decreased by more than 90% in total. OGS diminished by more than 90% in the lupin seeds. The PC content of the three seed species subjected to these processes increased their absorbance value, probably due to the enzymatic action of a fungal tannase. These results suggested that the L. mutabilis, L. campestris and G. max fermentation with R. oligosporus is an efficient method for diminishing antinutritional factors and for obtaining a product with optimal nutritional value. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Adjusting Some Properties of Poly(methacrylic acid) (Nano)Composite Hydrogels by Means of Silicon-Containing Inorganic Fillers

The present work aims to show how the main properties of poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) hydrogels can be engineered by means of several silicon-based fillers (Laponite XLS/XLG, montmorillonite (Mt), pyrogenic silica (PS)) employed at 10 wt% concentration based on MAA. Various techniques (FT-IR, XRD, TGA, SEM, TEM, DLS, rheological measurements, UV-VIS) were used to comparatively study the effect of these fillers, in correlation with their characteristics, upon the structure and swelling, viscoelastic, and water decontamination properties of (nano)composite hydrogels. The experiments demonstrated that the nanocomposite hydrogel morphology was dictated by the way the filler particles dispersed in water. The equilibrium swelling degree (SDe) depended on both the pH of the environment and the filler nature. At pH 1.2, a slight crosslinking effect of the fillers was evidenced, increasing in the order Mt < Laponite < PS. At pH > pKa_MAA (pH 5.4; 7.4; 9.5), the Laponite/Mt-containing hydrogels displayed a higher SDe as compared to the neat one, while at pH 7.4/9.5 the PS-filled hydrogels surprisingly displayed the highest SDe. Rheological measurements on as-prepared hydrogels showed that the filler addition improved the mechanical properties. After equilibrium swelling at pH 5.4, G’ and G” depended on the filler, the Laponite-reinforced hydrogels proving to be the strongest. The (nano)composite hydrogels synthesized displayed filler-dependent absorption properties of two cationic dyes used as model water pollutants, Laponite XLS-reinforced hydrogel demonstrating both the highest absorption rate and absorption capacity. Besides wastewater purification, the (nano)composite hydrogels described here may also find applications in the pharmaceutical field as devices for the controlled release of drugs.     

Imaging of KCa3.1 Channels in Tumor Cells with PET and Small-Molecule Fluorescent Probes

The Ca²⁺ activated K⁺ channel K_Ca3.1 is overexpressed in several human tumor cell lines, e. g. clear cell renal carcinoma, prostate cancer, non-small cell lung cancer. Highly aggressive cancer cells use this ion channel for key processes of the metastatic cascade such as migration, extravasation and invasion. Therefore, small molecules, which are able to image this K_Ca3.1 channel in vitro and in vivo represent valuable diagnostic and prognostic tool compounds. The [¹⁸F]fluoroethyltriazolyl substituted senicapoc was used as positron emission tomography (PET) tracer and showed promising properties for imaging of K_Ca3.1 channels in lung adenocarcinoma cells in mice. The novel senicapoc BODIPY conjugates with two F-atoms ( 9 a ) and with a F-atom and a methoxy moiety ( 9 b ) at the B-atom led to the characteristic punctate staining pattern resulting from labeling of single K_Ca3.1 channels in A549-3R cells. This punctate pattern was completely removed by preincubation with an excess of senicapoc confirming the high specificity of K_Ca3.1 labeling. Due to the methoxy moiety at the B-atom and the additional oxyethylene unit in the spacer, 9 b exhibits higher polarity, which improves solubility and handling without reduction of fluorescence quantum yield. Docking studies using a cryo-electron microscopy (EM) structure of the K_Ca3.1 channel confirmed the interaction of 9 a and 9 b with a binding pocket in the channel pore.