Browse Articles

Topology‐Engineered Coordination Polymers for Enhanced Hole Transport in Organic Solar Cells

ABSTRACT The commercialized PEDOT:PSS is the most commonly used hole‐transporting material in organic solar cells (OSCs) due to its solution processability, good transparency, and universality across different material systems. However, its relatively shallow work function (WF) and unsatisfactory longitudinal conductivity constrain the device performance. Here, we develop three coordination polymers (CPs) with adjustable spatial topologies based on copper iodide (CuI) and 2,7‐di(pyridine‐4‐yl)acridine (DPA), and reveal the mechanism by which topology‐engineered regulation mediates the properties of PEDOT:PSS and the active layer as well as OSC performance. Through the functions of coordination‐induced separation and stacking enhancement effect induced by topology, the blended CPs‐PEDOT:PSS films exhibit better π‐π stacking, higher longitudinal conductivity and a deeper WF level, facilitating carrier dynamics and reducing interfacial voltage loss. The resulting champion device based on the binary active layer exhibits a high efficiency of over 20%. This work demonstrates the application potential of topology‐engineered CPs as hole‐transporting materials and provides a rational strategy to construct robust interlayers.

Molecular MRI monitoring of cyclodextrin therapy in murine abdominal aortic aneurysms

Abstract Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are characterized by progressive extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and inflammation of the aortic wall. 2-Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (cyclodextrin) has shown potential in attenuating AAA progression via activation of transcription factor EB. This study evaluated whether molecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enables non-invasive monitoring of therapeutic effects in a murine AAA model. Thirty-two male apolipoprotein-E knockout mice with angiotensin II–induced AAAs received either cyclodextrin ( n  = 8) or saline ( n  = 10) for three weeks. A dual molecular MRI approach was applied using a gadolinium-based elastin-specific probe to assess ECM integrity and ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide particles (USPIO, iron oxide particles) to evaluate macrophage-driven inflammation. MRI was performed at pre-treatment baseline and at 2 and 3 weeks after treatment initiation. Cyclodextrin-treated animals demonstrated significantly smaller aortic cross-sectional areas (2.31 ± 0.36 mm² vs. 2.96 ± 0.62 mm²; p  = 0.018) and lower elastin-specific signal enhancement (1.56 ± 0.26 vs. 2.15 ± 0.69; p  = 0.038), indicating preserved ECM integrity. In contrast, no significant differences in iron oxide particles-related signal changes were observed between groups ( p  = 0.441), consistent with histological and molecular findings. This study shows that elastin-specific molecular imaging non-invasively monitors cyclodextrin’s effects in AAA, whereas iron oxide particle imaging revealed no significant in vivo signal changes, consistent with ex vivo findings and indicating limited detectable inflammatory modulation associated with cyclodextrin treatment under the conditions of this study.

Vapor‐Phase Grain‐Boundary Anchoring Enables Molecular Toughening and Record Bending Endurance in Pilot‐Scale Roll‐to‐Roll‐Printed Flexible Perovskite Modules

ABSTRACT Flexible lead‐halide perovskite solar modules with carbon electrodes (C‐fPSMs) are promising for printed photovoltaics due to their low cost and compatibility with roll‐to‐roll (R2R) fabrication. However, the mechanical fragility of microcrystalline perovskite films, arising from their high grain‐boundary density, limits their practical application. Here, we report a vapor‐phase grain‐boundary anchoring strategy via thiol vapor annealing to molecularly toughen printed perovskite layers. Thiol molecules interact with intermediate species and preferentially anchor at surfaces and grain boundaries, reprogramming crystallization across the film. This chemomechanical conditioning promotes grain growth, reduces trap density, and transforms the deformation behavior from brittle fracture to ductile strain accommodation, as evidenced by reduced Young's modulus, increased yield strain, and significantly enhanced fracture toughness. As a result, treated devices retain 93% of their initial performance after 25 000 bending cycles, representing a new benchmark for flexible perovskite cells. In addition, improved film uniformity and interfacial contact enable power conversion efficiencies of 15.7% for R2R‐printed cells and 12.1% for modules (20.25 cm 2 ), with scalability demonstrated up to 900 cm 2 (17.26%). This work provides a scalable strategy to simultaneously enhance mechanical robustness and photovoltaic performance.

Unveiling wolf dietary specialization on free ranging horses using forensic genetics and field monitoring

Healthcare waste management practice, associated factors and barriers among waste handlers in healthcare facilities of Gondar City, Ethiopia

Abstract Healthcare waste poses significant risks to human health and the environment when improperly managed. In low-income countries such as Ethiopia, healthcare waste management remains a major public health concern, particularly among waste handlers who are directly exposed during waste handling processes. This study aimed to assess healthcare waste management practices, associated factors, and barriers among waste handlers in healthcare facilities in Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia. An institution-based mixed-methods study was conducted from May 30 to June 30, 2025, among 372 waste handlers selected using multistage sampling techniques. Quantitative data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. Qualitative data were collected through a descriptive phenomenological approach and analyzed thematically. The prevalence of good healthcare waste management practices was 39.4%(95% CI:34.3,44.5). Type of healthcare facility, work section, training, disposal system type, availability of personal protective equipment (AOR:5.63;95%CI:2.64,12.02), knowledge (AOR:4.44;95%CI:2.38,8.26), and attitude (AOR:7.86;95%CI:4.05,15.28) were significantly associated with healthcare waste management practices. Qualitative findings revealed major barriers including shortage of human resources, poor disposal systems, weak institutional supervision and also insufficient availability of personal protective equipment was a key barrier that limited waste handlers’ ability to perform their work safely and effectively. Healthcare waste management practices among waste handlers in Gondar City were inadequate. Strengthening regular training programs, ensuring adequate provision of personal protective equipment, improving waste disposal systems, and enhancing institutional supervision are essential to promote safe waste management practices and reduce occupational health risks.

Self‐Assembled Liquid Crystal Interphase Enabling Long‐Life All‐Iron Redox Flow Batteries

ABSTRACT Aqueous all‐iron redox flow batteries (AIRFBs) are an attractive avenue for large‐scale energy storage due to the safety and cost‐effectiveness of iron. However, the performance and durability of AIRFBs are limited by nonuniform Fe plating, hydrogen evolution and corrosion reactions at the anodes. Herein, a non‐ionic surfactant, polyethylene glycol cetyl ether (Brij 56), is introduced into the electrolyte for stabilizing the anode, which can self‐assemble on the iron surface to form a dynamic liquid crystal interphase. This oriented interfacial layer not only inhibits H 2 O‐induced side reactions by efficient Fe 2+ ion desolvation at the anode interface, but also modulates Fe 2+ ion transport owing to its anisotropic properties, acting as a soft template for the uniform iron deposition. Consequently, the liquid crystal interphase increases the anode reversibility of the AIRFB, achieving a high Coulombic efficiency (CE) of 99.4% and an energy efficiency of 74.5% over 300 h (230 cycles) at 20 mA cm −2 . Furthermore, the AIRFB with liquid crystal interphase retained a CE of 98.2% at a high current density of 60 mA cm −2 and delivered a high capacity of 26 mAh cm −2 . These findings highlight the potential of interfacial engineering to promote performance for the next‐generation energy storage technologies.

Intelligent power flow control of AC/DC hybrid transmission corridors using safe reinforcement learning agents

Spatiotemporally Resolved Protein Tagging for Dynamic and Tissue‐Specific Secretome Profiling In Vivo

ABSTRACT The dynamic and tissue‐specific nature of protein secretion underlies a wide range of physiological and pathological processes, yet tools for profiling the in vivo secretome with high spatial and temporal resolution remain limited. Here, we present STePTag ( S patio‐ Te mporal P rotein Tag ging), a conditional proximity labeling (PL) system for profiling secreted proteins in live animals. STePTag integrates the rapid labeling kinetics of the PL enzyme TurboID with a destabilized dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) domain, enabling tight post‐translational control of labeling activity through the small‐molecule stabilizer trimethoprim (TMP). Targeting STePTag to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) confines labeling to the secretory pathway and enables robust labeling within 10 min of TMP administration. Furthermore, we design tissue‐specific lipid nanoparticles (tsLNPs) to enable programmable, in vivo delivery of STePTag to the mouse liver. Using this approach, we identified 93 liver‐derived secretory proteins under physiological conditions and uncovered 40 dynamically regulated proteins in a model of acetaminophen‐induced acute liver injury (ALI), including Aldh1a1, which we functionally validated as a protective factor in ALI. Together, STePTag provides a versatile platform for spatiotemporally resolved secretome profiling, enabling the discovery of context‐dependent biomarkers and tissue‐derived signaling molecules in native physiological environments.

First-principles calculations on ferromagnetic quaternary half metal FeZrTiGe for spintronic and thermoelectric device application

Performance evaluation of supercapacitor-based energy storage systems in hybrid renewable energy configurations

Self‐Limiting Covalent Ligation Mechanism Enabling Anomalously High Interfacial Compatibility in Organic‐in‐Sulfide All‐Solid‐State Lithium Batteries

ABSTRACT Polymer‐in‐sulfide composite electrolytes have emerged as highly promising candidates for all‐solid‐state lithium batteries (ASSLBs) due to their on‐demand shaping and rapid ion diffusivity. However, a striking paradox arises in the case of ethylene oxide‐tethered polyacrylates (EO‐PAs): their high polarity/strong nucleophilic tendencies constitute a major threat to sulfide stability yet exhibit anomalously high polymer/sulfide compatibility in practice. The underlying mechanism remains a matter of uncertainty. Herein, we first reveal a self‐limiting covalent ligation mechanism that accounts for this compatibility paradox. Central to this principle is the identification of intimate interactions between terminal −CH 3 in EO‐PAs and PS 4 3− units in Li 6 PS 5 Cl, not only suppressing parasitic nucleophilic reactions by EO ligands but also enhancing air stability. The self‐limiting interface was rigorously validated by density functional theory calculations, 31 P solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance, x‐ray computed tomography, and time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. The robust polymer‐in‐sulfide electrolyte achieves dendrite‐free Li plating/stripping for over 1200 h at 3 mA cm −2 and delivers approximately 100% capacity retention over 1000 cycles in NCM811‐based ASSLBs. These findings elucidate the core mechanism of interface regulation and provide pivotal guidance for the development of high‐performance ASSLBs.

Baicalin alleviates X-ray radiation-induced intestinal injury by inhibiting GPX4 mediated ferroptosis

Photocatalytic Methane Oxidation to Carbonyl Products

ABSTRACT Direct photocatalytic oxidation of methane (CH 4 ) to value‐added carbonyl compounds, such as formaldehyde (HCHO), formic acid (HCOOH), acetaldehyde (CH 3 CHO), and acetic acid (CH 3 COOH), represents an attractive and promising alternative to conventional indirect routes via syngas, which suffer from high energy consumption and carbon emissions. By utilizing light energy to activate the C─H bond under mild conditions, photocatalysis effectively prevents the overoxidation of the target compound, thereby alleviating the long‐standing trade‐off between activity and selectivity imposed by thermodynamic constraints. A deep understanding of the reaction mechanism underlying photocatalytic CH 4 conversion to carbonyl compounds is therefore a prerequisite for designing high‐performance photocatalytic systems; yet, this topic remains unexplored to date. In this review, we systematically discuss diverse reaction pathways from CH 4 to C1 and C2 carbonyl compounds and summarize a comprehensive toolbox for mechanistic investigation, including basic characterizations, in situ spectroscopies, necessary control experiments, probing and trapping experiments, isotope labelling, and theoretical calculations. We then assess recent advances in catalytic systems and identify the key factors governing carbonyl formation, selectivity, and productivity. Finally, we highlight the central challenges that remain for practical implementation, particularly regarding catalyst performance, rational reaction system design, efficient product separation, and possible cascade reactions.

Shale oil sweet spot section evaluation based on oil bearing characteristics in Es3L subsection of Bonan subsag in Jiyang depression

Mechanically Regulated Nanozymes for Remote Metabolic Reprogramming and Precise Cancer Therapy

ABSTRACT Mechanoenzymes, featuring catalytic activity controlled by mechanical stimuli, play key roles in maintaining metabolic order and cellular homeostasis. However, artificial nanozymes with strict spatiotemporal regulation are still rare, limiting their effectiveness in complex biological environments. Here, we introduce a mechanically regulated nanozyme (MRNZ) by integrating mechano‐responsive ferrocene (Fc) units into a flexible framework. Similar to natural enzymatic activation, acoustic shear forces cause sub‐nanostructural transformations of Fc units, leading to decreased electron density and reduced steric hindrance at Fe active sites, reinforcing metabolic peroxidase (POD)‐like activity. This mechanical activation enables precise modulation of metabolic reprogramming by controlled generation of low‐dose hydroxyl radicals (•OH) as second messengers, improving stem cells resilience to oxidative stress for safer and more effective therapeutic interventions. Using this mechanically regulated method, we encapsulated glucose oxidase (GOx) inside hollow MRNZ to create a multienzyme regulated nanoreactor (MRNZ@GOx) that orchestrates a cascade GOx‐POD reaction under ultrasound stimulation. Such a cascade reactive oxygen species generation in tumor microenvironments potentiates chemodynamic therapy combined with immune activation. Our work introduces a mechanically responsive strategy for regulating nanozyme activity, expanding the horizons of next‐generation remote and smart catalytic technologies for precise disease treatments.

Electrospun PVA/pectin nanofibers encapsulating both emulsion and nanoemulsion of Perovskia abrotanoides oil show nanoemulsion superiority for sustainable active packaging applications

A Ruthenium‐(Ph‐BPE) Catalyst for Asymmetric Alkynylation of Fluoral: Enantioselection From 1 of 12 Fluxional Stereogenic‐at‐Ruthenium Complexes

ABSTRACT An iodide‐bound ruthenium catalyst derived from RuHCl(CO)(PPh 3 ) 3 and ( S,S )‐Ph‐BPE catalyzes highly enantioselective alkynylations of terminal alkynes 1a – 1y with fluoral hydrate 2a and related α,α‐difluoro‐aldehydes 4a – 4f . The ruthenium‐(Ph‐BPE)‐catalyst is air‐ and water‐tolerant, operates in the absence of exogenous base, and is chemoselective for alkynylation of fluorinated aldehydes in the presence of aromatic aldehydes. Calculations of the 12 possible stereogenic‐at‐metal ruthenium‐(Ph‐BPE) acetylide complexes bound by fluoral reveal that 2 of the 12 octahedral complexes comprise 99.9% of the Boltzmann population, yet, in a Curtin‐Hammett‐type scenario, the less stable of these two diastereomers dominates the kinetics of carbonyl addition. Fuzzy bond order (FBO) analysis of formyl‐hydrogen bonds to iodide versus chloride in the transition states for fluoral addition reveals that the C–H···I hydrogen bonds are stronger due to iodide's greater size and polarizability, which, in part, accounts for the enhanced enantioselectivities of the iodide‐bound catalyst.

Enhanced voltage regulation and current sharing of radial DC microgrids

Abstract DC microgrids are gaining more attention as their control is simpler, their efficiency is higher and they are more reliable. DC microgrid control aims to regulate load voltage at the nominal value and share load among distributed generation units with a certain ratio. This paper presents a control strategy for radial DC microgrids that achieves these two goals accurately and simultaneously. It doesn’t require communication among distributed generators. Only global sensing is required and only one signal is transmitted among DGUs. Tianji Horse Racing Optimization algorithm was used to tune controller parameters. A stability analysis was conducted to evaluate the effect of load change on system stability. This control method has much faster dynamic response compared to previously reported methods. MATLAB Simulink was used to build a model for the microgrid to test the proposed control strategy. Its stability was tested by applying sudden load changes. Also, plug-in and plug-out capability was verified. Constant power load was also used to test the proposed control strategy performance. Communication delay effect was also tested.

Latent Catalysis as a Platform for Accessing Diverse Material Properties in Vat Photopolymerization 3D Printing

ABSTRACT Vat photopolymerization (VP) 3D printing is an attractive strategy to manufacture customized polymer parts. The properties of printed materials are limited by the need to employ a low viscosity liquid resin and achieve rapid polymerization kinetics. To circumvent this limitation, dual‐cure methods have been developed using reagents embedded in the liquid resin formulation; however, the reagent‐based approach requires the discovery and optimization of new chemistry for each desired material. Here, we demonstrate a catalytic, dual‐cure platform that enables access to both Nylon‐6 and polyester interpenetrating networks through VP 3D printing under a universal approach. Structure–reactivity relationships of the latent NHC catalysts led to the identification of a magnesium chloride–NHC adduct as a latent catalyst that is orthogonal to radical polymerization and can be unmasked at elevated temperatures post‐printing to initiate ring‐opening polymerization of lactones and lactams. This strategy results in access to semicrystalline materials, which are a challenging morphology to access via VP 3D printing, that have attractive mechanical properties and can be printed at high resolution. This work represents the first photochemical‐based 3D printing of Nylon‐based materials and demonstrates the value of catalytic approaches to access new material properties in VP 3D printing.

Sustainable EVA-based hybrid bio-composites derived from agricultural waste for efficient heavy metal removal

Abstract This study investigates ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA)-based hybrid bio-composites for the effective removal of Cu 2+ and Pb 2+ ions from aqueous media. Two composites were fabricated via melt blending: C1 (EVA/biochar) and C2 (EVA/sugar beet pulp), utilizing agricultural wastes as functional fillers. Comprehensive characterization using SEM–EDX, FTIR, TGA, and DSC confirmed the successful incorporation of fillers and strong interfacial compatibility within the EVA matrix. Adsorption performance was evaluated by examining the effects of contact time, adsorbent dosage, and initial metal concentration. Both composites demonstrated rapid uptake, achieving equilibrium within 30 min for Cu 2+ and 60 min for Pb 2+ . The maximum adsorption capacities reached 250 and 588 mg/g for Cu 2+ , and 97 and 82 mg/g for Pb 2+ using C1 and C2, respectively. Kinetic and isotherm equilibrium behaviors were comprehensively evaluated using both linear and non-linear regression frameworks to thoroughly investigate the underlying adsorption mechanisms. The synergistic integration of the EVA matrix with bio-based fillers significantly enhanced surface functionality, structural integrity, and adsorption efficiency. Overall, these findings highlight the potential of EVA-based hybrid bio-composites derived from agricultural waste as efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective materials for heavy metal removal in water treatment applications.