{"title":"Fiber Reinforcement of Soft Spider Silk Hydrogels.","authors":"Christina Heinritz, Thomas Scheibel","doi":"10.1002/marc.202500475","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/marc.202500475","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Recombinant spider silk-based biomaterials show high application potential due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low immunogenicity. Self-assembly of monomeric proteins into nanofibrils is necessary toward hydrogel formation and yields a dense physically entangled network, in which cells show high viability but so far low proliferative activity. To facilitate enhanced cell activity and growth, in this study low-concentration spider silk hydrogels were fabricated, resulting in higher cell proliferation but suffering from poor mechanical stability. Thus, electrospun fiber meshes also made from spider silk proteins were integrated into the soft hydrogels using a layer-by-layer approach. The composite structure significantly improved the mechanical properties and shape fidelity, including an increase in Young's modulus by an order of magnitude, while preserving the hydrogels' biocompatibility. This work provides a promising strategy for developing mechanically reinforced, cell-friendly spider silk-based hydrogels suitable for soft tissue engineering applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":205,"journal":{"name":"Macromolecular Rapid Communications","volume":" ","pages":"e00475"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145068670","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yara Ensminger, Rashmi Rashmi, Michael Karimov, Gideon Nölte, Markus Hafke, Ann-Cathrin Schmitt, David Díaz-Oviedo, Johannes Köbberling, Rainer Haag
{"title":"Polyglycerol-Based Lipids: A Next-Generation Alternative to PEG in Lipid Nanoparticles for Advanced Drug Delivery Systems.","authors":"Yara Ensminger, Rashmi Rashmi, Michael Karimov, Gideon Nölte, Markus Hafke, Ann-Cathrin Schmitt, David Díaz-Oviedo, Johannes Köbberling, Rainer Haag","doi":"10.1002/marc.202500428","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/marc.202500428","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is widely used to provide a stealth effect in various therapeutic applications. However, an increased occurrence of anti-PEG antibodies in patients can lead to immunological side effects and accelerated blood clearance, reducing the efficiency of PEG-based delivery vectors. One of these PEG-containing vectors is lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), which effectively deliver nucleic acids. Their high potential for treating a great number of diseases in the future was already showcased in the mRNA vaccines developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, the aim of our study was to formulate LNP systems utilizing linear polyglycerol (lPG) as an alternative stealth polymer to avoid anti-PEG antibodies while enabling mRNA delivery. Our study showed that lPG-functionalized LNPs had negligible binding to IgG anti-PEG antibodies, while successfully delivering eGFP mRNA into HepG2 cells with comparable transfection efficiency as PEGylated LNPs.</p>","PeriodicalId":205,"journal":{"name":"Macromolecular Rapid Communications","volume":" ","pages":"e00428"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145068625","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yinyi Xu, Jiani Zhang, Tianhao Xu, Haoxiang Lan, Liquan Wang, Jiaping Lin, Lei Du
{"title":"AI-Powered Inverse Design of High-Performance Unidirectional CFRP Composites: Breaking the Compressive-Tensile Trade-Off via Machine Learning.","authors":"Yinyi Xu, Jiani Zhang, Tianhao Xu, Haoxiang Lan, Liquan Wang, Jiaping Lin, Lei Du","doi":"10.1002/marc.202500482","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/marc.202500482","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>While unidirectional carbon fiber reinforced polymer (UD-CFRP) composites possess high specific strength and stiffness, their compressive strength falls significantly below their tensile strength, limiting their load-bearing capacity as primary structural components in engineering applications. To effectively develop UD-CFRPs with high compression-to-strength ratios, we devised a systematic AI-enabled framework integrating machine learning and genetic algorithms for inverse design. This work presents an ensemble model composed of multiple machine-learning models, enhancing the robustness of mechanical property predictions for UD-CFRPs. The proposed genetic algorithm designs the resin matrix parameters that meet the diverse performance requirements of UD-CFRPs. Our framework has been validated against experimental data, showcasing superior computational efficiency compared to traditional forward design methods. This research strategy not only circumvents the inefficiencies of trial-and-error experimentation but also provides the first case of AI-driven inverse design of composites, with the potential to extend its application to the design of various composites.</p>","PeriodicalId":205,"journal":{"name":"Macromolecular Rapid Communications","volume":" ","pages":"e00482"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145051571","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"200 years of KIT/TH Karlsruhe, 125 Years of Polymer Science in Karlsruhe: The Place Where Staudinger's Polymer Research Started.","authors":"Manfred Wilhelm","doi":"10.1002/marc.202500331","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/marc.202500331","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Within this special issue we would like to celebrate 200 years of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and the former Technical University Karlsruhe/Germany. The Technical University Karlsruhe served, according to the first president of MIT, William Barton Rogers, as the role model for the planned MIT in Boston/USA after he visited Karlsruhe. All authors of this special issue of Macromolecular Rapid Communications have been or are still active in Karlsruhe. Prof. Michael Meier, Prof. Patrick Théato and I are very thankful for these state-of-the-art contributions in polymer science. It might not be well known that the foundation of polymer science has very strong roots in Karlsruhe. Therefore, the intention of this short historical article is to display this rich history and especially mention people and research groups who worked in Karlsruhe in the area of polymer science over the last approximately 125 years. The history of polymer science can be found in related textbooks.</p>","PeriodicalId":205,"journal":{"name":"Macromolecular Rapid Communications","volume":" ","pages":"e00331"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145013582","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mengqi Shan, Leqian Wei, Yimeng Li, Pengcheng Lv, Fujun Wang, Lu Wang, Jifu Mao
{"title":"An Antibacterial and Electroactive Chitosan-Based Dressing with Dual Stimulus-Responsive Drug Delivery for Wound Healing.","authors":"Mengqi Shan, Leqian Wei, Yimeng Li, Pengcheng Lv, Fujun Wang, Lu Wang, Jifu Mao","doi":"10.1002/marc.202500547","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/marc.202500547","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Persistent bacterial infections remain a major challenge in wound management. Although drug-loaded wound dressings have gained increasing attention, their therapeutic efficacy is often hindered by uncontrolled drug release and a lack of electrical signal responsiveness. Herein, an antibacterial dressing (CCS-PC) with electroactivity and stimulus-responsive drug release properties was fabricated via electro-assembly, wherein chitosan and ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (CIP) were co-deposited onto polypyrrole (PPy)-coated gauze. The PPy coating endows CCS-PC with excellent electroactivity to restore endogenous electric fields. Notably, benefiting from the pH-responsiveness of chitosan and the positive charge of CIP, CCS-PC exhibits dual-stimuli (pH/voltage) responsive drug release behavior. In vitro studies demonstrate that CCS-PC possesses excellent cytocompatibility, blood compatibility, and hemostatic ability. More importantly, it shows significant inhibitory effects against both E. coli and S. aureus. In a rat bacterial-infected full-thickness skin wound model, CCS-PC accelerates wound healing by drug release responsive to acidic microenvironments and by restoration of endogenous electric fields, particularly in the early stages. Overall, CCS-PC holds promising clinical potential as a material for treating infected wounds.</p>","PeriodicalId":205,"journal":{"name":"Macromolecular Rapid Communications","volume":" ","pages":"e00547"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145013563","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Cellulosic Flexible Electronic Materials: Recent Advances in Structural Design, Functionalization, and Smart Applications.","authors":"Zihao Zheng, Xiaona Li, Geyuan Jiang, Wanke Cheng, Dawei Zhao, Haipeng Yu","doi":"10.1002/marc.202500557","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/marc.202500557","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Rapid advancement of flexible electronics has generated a demand for sustainable materials. Cellulose, a renewable biopolymer, exhibits exceptional mechanical strength, customizable properties, biodegradability, and biocompatibility. These attributes are largely due to its hierarchical nanostructures and modifiable surface chemistry. This paper systematically reviews the molecular and structural properties of cellulose, clarifying the relationships between structure, performance, and application for its multifunctional uses in next-generation devices. Advanced processing techniques-including 3D printing, freeze-drying, and chemical modifications-facilitate the integration of cellulose with conductive polymers and nanomaterials to create multifunctional composites. These innovations are pivotal for breakthroughs in ultra-sensitive flexible sensors, self-powered nanogenerators, high-capacity energy storage systems, and biomimetic electronic skins. The environmental adaptability and tissue compatibility of these composites make them particularly suitable for wearable health monitors and biodegradable electronics. Challenges related to scalability and multifunctional integration are being addressed through molecular engineering and sustainable manufacturing practices approaches like solvent-free 3D printing. By converging nanotechnology with principles of a circular economy, cellulose-based systems are redefining sustainable electronics and bridging human-centered design with eco-intelligent solutions.</p>","PeriodicalId":205,"journal":{"name":"Macromolecular Rapid Communications","volume":" ","pages":"e00557"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145013585","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Cellulose Acetate Nanofiber and Sodium Alginate-Based Conductive Aerogel for Human Motion Monitoring.","authors":"Mengyang Bao, Guangzheng Qin, Wenjun Sun, Congjiu Liu, Yuxi Liu, Wenqian Ding, Yushan Jiang, Chen Yu, Xi Yuan, Shuangjian Yang, Weitao Zhao, Yunhui Xu","doi":"10.1002/marc.202500438","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/marc.202500438","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>At present, flexible sensors are a hot spot in research and experimental development, but the research on flexible sensors that can be used for human motion monitoring still needs to be deepened. In this work, the green material cellulose acetate (CA) was used as the matrix material, the film was made by electrospinning, crushed by a cell grinder and sodium alginate (SA) was added to promote the uniform dispersion of nanofibers in water, and then methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) and MXene nanosheet dispersion were added to make it hydrophobic and good conductivity, and the aerogel precursor solution was prepared, and then the CA/SA/MTMS/MXene aerogel with directional holes was prepared by directional freeze-drying. As a flexible sensor material, it can be used for human wear, monitoring the electrical signals generated by the movement of human joints and other parts, and can still maintain a current of about 0.2 mA after 1000 compression cycles, with good current stability, and is widely used in the field of monitoring human movement. Furthermore, the water contact angle of CA/SA/MTMS/MXene aerogel is maintained above 120° and still shows strong hydrophobicity, which implies that the aerogel has the piezoresistive sensing potential under sweating conditions of the human body.</p>","PeriodicalId":205,"journal":{"name":"Macromolecular Rapid Communications","volume":" ","pages":"e00438"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145013577","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Design and Synthesis of Biobased, Biodegradable Polyester for Chewing Gum","authors":"Jiao Li, Shuai Tang, Yonglai Lu, Zhao Wang, Liqun Zhang","doi":"10.1002/marc.70004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/marc.70004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><b>Front Cover</b>: In article 2500262, Yonglai Lu, Zhao Wang, Liqun Zhangm, and co-workers highlight the biodegradable innovation against chewing gum pollution. Biodegradable chewing gum that achieved 75.5% degradation within 97 days (ISO 14855) was prepared using bio-based elastomers (PPGSeSu) and resins (PBIS). The molecular map showcases sustainable design, with carbon dioxide bubbles and seedlings symbolizing environmental renewal. This technology links consumer demand with ecological responsibility through degradable high-performance materials.\u0000\u0000 <figure>\u0000 <div><picture>\u0000 <source></source></picture><p></p>\u0000 </div>\u0000 </figure></p>","PeriodicalId":205,"journal":{"name":"Macromolecular Rapid Communications","volume":"46 17","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/marc.70004","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144998750","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Tunable Mechanical and Dynamic Properties via Cross-Linker Length in Bis(hindered amino)Disulfide-Based Covalent Adaptable Networks.","authors":"Sae Sakamoto, Daisuke Aoki, Akira Takahashi, Hideyuki Otsuka","doi":"10.1002/marc.202500522","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/marc.202500522","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Conventional cross-linked polymers are not recyclable or reprocessable due to the formation of permanent cross-links. Covalent adaptable networks (CANs) based on dynamic covalent chemistry attract great attention as materials that exhibit excellent stress relaxation, recyclability, reprocessability, and self-healing properties. Controlling the dynamic properties of CANs is important for both fundamental science and practical applications. Here, we report the relationship between the dynamic properties and the cross-linker length of CANs with bis(hindered amino)disulfide linkages introduced at the cross-link points. Viscoelasticity measurements, tensile tests, and reprocessing tests reveal that polymer-chain mobility and reprocessing rate increase with increasing cross-linker length. Furthermore, stress relaxation and reprocessing tests suggest that cross-linker length does not affect the flow activation energy but influences the reprocessing rate. These findings indicate that adjusting cross-linker length is an important factor in designing CAN-based materials with target dynamic properties.</p>","PeriodicalId":205,"journal":{"name":"Macromolecular Rapid Communications","volume":" ","pages":"e00522"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144937304","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}