{"title":"3D Microporous Structure with Tunable Surface Roughness Enables Fast Bubble Dynamics for Efficient Water Splitting.","authors":"Qirui Wu, Hao Wang, Yuwei Lang, Yinan Yao, Xuwei Liu, Jie Wu, Jingwei Zhang, Xiaoxiang Yang, Lunhui Guan","doi":"10.1002/smtd.202501245","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.202501245","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Water splitting serves as a cornerstone technology in modern energy conversion and storage systems. However, its industrial-scale implementation remains constrained by dynamic interfacial destabilization caused by intense bubble evolution under high current densities. Herein, a laser-assisted fabrication strategy is dveloped utilizing selective laser melting to construct 3D metallic electrodes with macro-micro synergetic architectures, enabled by precise laser energy density control for simultaneous optimization of water splitting and bubble transport dynamics. The engineered 3D microporous structure electrode integrates macro-scale 3D channels for accelerated mass transfer with micro-scale in situ-grown spherical substrates functionalized by nickel-iron layered double hydroxide (NiFe LDH) catalysts, establishing a hierarchical architecture denoted as NiFe LDH/3D printing (NF/3DP). Interestingly, Laser-tuned surface roughness confers superhydrophilicity, gas repellency, and low bubble adhesion. Collaborative 3D channel design significantly reduces concentration polarization and achieves efficient mass transfer at the solid-liquid-gas three-phase interface. Notably, the NF/3DP electrode only requires a 330 mV overpotential to drive the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at an industrial current density of 1000 mA cm<sup>-2</sup>, and maintains initial activity even after continuous operation for 1000 h at 500 mA cm<sup>-2</sup>. This strategy supports flexible assembly like Lego through modular interface design, providing a standardized manufacturing and scalable technical solution for customized hydrogen production systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":229,"journal":{"name":"Small Methods","volume":" ","pages":"e01245"},"PeriodicalIF":9.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144833576","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Nanosensor Detection of Synaptic Glutamate Release and Its Enhancement in Long-term Potentiation.","authors":"Fu-Li Zhang, Rui-Xue Gao, Si-Yu Tian, Xiao-Ke Yang, Yu-Ting Qi, Li-Jun Wang, Xin-Wei Zhang, Wei-Hua Huang","doi":"10.1002/smtd.202500783","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.202500783","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Long-term potentiation (LTP) performing as long-lasting increase in synaptic strength after tetanic stimulation, is one kind of vital synaptic plasticity in hippocampal neurons and involved in learning and memory mechanisms. Postsynaptic effect through protein expression and receptor migration in LTP has been widely studied, while presynaptic contribution remains indeterminate for lack of strategy for real-time monitoring glutamate (Glu) release and exocytotic dynamics change inside the synapse. Herein, a novel Glu nanosensor is fabricated which is equipped with a conical tip and can be inserted into synaptic cleft of cultured hippocampal neurons. This Glu nanosensor possessing excellent electrochemical performance and spatio-temporal resolution, is applied to monitor vesicular Glu release inside single synaptic cleft and its dynamic variations during LTP process. The results indicate that Glu release from presynaptic terminal is enhanced in LTP, and the enhancement may arise from increasing exocytotic events, releasing more Glu from individual vesicles and changing exocytotic dynamics. This work provides a promising method to explore the regulatory mechanism of Glu release inside synaptic cleft and new directions to reveal synaptic plasticity.</p>","PeriodicalId":229,"journal":{"name":"Small Methods","volume":" ","pages":"e00783"},"PeriodicalIF":9.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144833578","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Regulating the Growth of Cesium Lead Bromide Quantum Dots at a Liquid/Liquid Interface Constrained in a Micropipette.","authors":"Sohom Chandra, Chenjia Mi, Zongkai Peng, Jack Wilton, Hamidreza Shabgard, Zhibo Yang, Yitong Dong","doi":"10.1002/smtd.202501177","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.202501177","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Colloidal all-inorganic lead halide perovskite quantum dots (QDs) are high-performance light-emitting materials with size-dependent optical properties and can be readily synthesized by mixing ionic precursors. However, the low formation energy of the perovskite lattice makes their growth too fast to control under regular reaction conditions. Diffusion-regulated CsPbBr<sub>3</sub> perovskite QD growth is reported on a nanometer-sized liquid/liquid (L/L) interface supported in a micropipette tip without long-chain organic ligands. The precursors are divided into two immiscible solutions across the L/L interface to avoid additional nucleation, and the QD growth kinetics are regulated by the constrained cationic diffusion field depending on the size of the micropipette tip. QDs with unprecedentedly small sizes (2.7 nm) are obtained due to the slowed-down growth rates. The synthesis approach demonstrates the potential of micro-controlled colloidal QD synthesis for mechanistic studies and micro-fabrications.</p>","PeriodicalId":229,"journal":{"name":"Small Methods","volume":" ","pages":"e01177"},"PeriodicalIF":9.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144833579","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Small MethodsPub Date : 2025-08-13DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202501164
Naifeng Wen, Jie Li, Zhian Zhang
{"title":"Advancements in Anti-Fluorite Cathode Prelithiation Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries: Fundamental Research and Practical Application.","authors":"Naifeng Wen, Jie Li, Zhian Zhang","doi":"10.1002/smtd.202501164","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.202501164","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Integrating cathode prelithiation materials during the electrode fabrication is a safe, convenient, and effective strategy to address the active lithium loss due to the formation of a solid electrolyte interphase layer in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). It is demonstrated to enhance the energy density and lifespan of LIBs. Various cathode prelithiation materials are available, among which those with anti-fluorite structure have attracted considerable attention due to high lithium inventory, adjustable delithiation potential, and alluring irreversible specific capacity (>500 mAh g<sup>-1</sup>). In this review, a concise introduction of the crystal structure and atomic coordination of the anti-fluorite prelithiation materials is provided. The phase transition and charge compensation mechanism during delithiation are investigated. Furthermore, the challenges and improvement strategies for each material are systematically summarized and analyzed to provide insights for further commercialization. Finally, reported anti-fluorite prelithiation materials are evaluated from a practical point of view, and insights are offered regarding the future directions for the development of anti-fluorite materials.</p>","PeriodicalId":229,"journal":{"name":"Small Methods","volume":" ","pages":"e01164"},"PeriodicalIF":9.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144833577","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Synergizing Machine Learning with High-Throughput DFT to Design Efficient Single-Atom Catalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.","authors":"Shu-Long Li, Hongyuan Zhou, Zuhui Zhou, Li-Yong Gan, Fanggong Cai, Yong Zhao, Jianping Long, Liang Qiao","doi":"10.1002/smtd.202501271","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.202501271","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The development of efficient single-atom catalysts (SACs) for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution (HER) has garnered significant attention within the scientific community. However, the extensive scope of material experimentation, coupled with high research and development costs and prolonged research cycles, severely hampers the efficient advancement of related materials. In this study, the HER activity of 90 types of SACs is systematically investigated, which consist of single transition metal (TM) and/or nonmetal (NM) atoms bonded in graphyne (TM-NM-GY), by synergizing machine learning algorithms with high-throughput DFT computations. The findings reveal that the HER catalytic activity of Fe-GY, Fe-B-GY, Ni-B-GY, Pd-B-GY, Sc-N-GY, Co-N-GY, Y-N-GY, and Pd-N-GY surpasses that of commercial Pt/C catalysts. Moreover, non-metallic B or N atom doping can effectively modulate the HER performance of SACs. Furthermore, it is confirmed that HER activity correlates with characteristic factors such as the bond length of the coordinating atoms, d-band center, metal binding height, charge transfer, and ICOHP. Finally, machine learning stacking models have proven efficient in predicting and designing superior HER SACs. It is anticipated that these insights will accelerate the prediction and design of corresponding SACs.</p>","PeriodicalId":229,"journal":{"name":"Small Methods","volume":" ","pages":"e01271"},"PeriodicalIF":9.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144833593","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Small MethodsPub Date : 2025-08-12DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202500203
Ivan Matchenya, Anton Khanas, Roman Podgornyi, Daniil Shirkin, Alexey Ekgardt, Nikita Sizykh, Sergey Anoshkin, Dmitry V Krasnikov, Alexei Yulin, Alexey Zhukov, Albert G Nasibulin, Ivan G Scheblykin, Anatoly Pushkarev, Andrei Zenkevich, Juan Bisquert, Alexandr Marunchenko
{"title":"Short-Term Bienenstock-Cooper-Munro Learning in Optoelectrically-Driven Flexible Halide Perovskite Single Crystal Memristors.","authors":"Ivan Matchenya, Anton Khanas, Roman Podgornyi, Daniil Shirkin, Alexey Ekgardt, Nikita Sizykh, Sergey Anoshkin, Dmitry V Krasnikov, Alexei Yulin, Alexey Zhukov, Albert G Nasibulin, Ivan G Scheblykin, Anatoly Pushkarev, Andrei Zenkevich, Juan Bisquert, Alexandr Marunchenko","doi":"10.1002/smtd.202500203","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.202500203","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The transition to smart, wearable, and flexible optoelectronic devices that communicate with each other and perform neuromorphic computing at the edge, is a major goal in next-generation optoelectronics. These devices are expected to carry out their regular tasks while being supported by energy-efficient, in-memory computations. In this study, a lateral flexible device based on cesium lead tribromide perovskite single crystals integrated with single-walled carbon nanotube thin-film electrodes is presented. It is demonstrated that the device follows the Bienenstock-Cooper-Munro theory of synaptic modification under hybrid optoelectronic stimuli. This biorealistic response paves the way for the development of hybrid organic-inorganic artificial visual systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":229,"journal":{"name":"Small Methods","volume":" ","pages":"e00203"},"PeriodicalIF":9.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144833592","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Small MethodsPub Date : 2025-08-11DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202501283
Johannes Hahn, Ebru Aksoy, Sarkawt Hamad, Christoph Kuckelkorn, Alejandro Montoya Gomez, Mira Ritter, Kurt Pfannkuche, Horst Fischer
{"title":"Mass Production of Uniform Embryoid Bodies by Acoustic Standing Waves.","authors":"Johannes Hahn, Ebru Aksoy, Sarkawt Hamad, Christoph Kuckelkorn, Alejandro Montoya Gomez, Mira Ritter, Kurt Pfannkuche, Horst Fischer","doi":"10.1002/smtd.202501283","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.202501283","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Embryoid bodies (EBs) derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) provide the basis to obtain any type of organotypic cells and even complex multicellular organoids in 3D cell culture. However, traditional methods for generating EBs are labor-intensive and often lack control over size uniformity. Here, this work presents a novel method for generating thousands of uniform EBs using acoustic standing waves in a single step. By utilizing piezoelectric ceramics to create controlled acoustic fields, this work achieves rapid, scaffold-free aggregation of hiPSCs. This work demonstrates precise control of EB size by adjusting the ultrasound frequency and the cell seeding density, resulting in EB diameters ranging from 70 to 320 microns. This method enables the simultaneous formation of up to 28 000 EBs with more uniform size compared to those formed by the established ultra-low-attachment plate method. The generated EBs maintain pluripotency after 24 h of ultrasound exposure, as indicated by successful staining of key pluripotency markers. The EBs are successfully differentiated into functional, spontaneously contracting cardiomyocyte clusters. This novel method offers a low-cost, scalable and efficient approach to produce a large amount of functional and uniform EBs serving as a starting material to produce cell clusters and organoids in suspension cultures or bioreactors.</p>","PeriodicalId":229,"journal":{"name":"Small Methods","volume":" ","pages":"e01283"},"PeriodicalIF":9.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144815385","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Leveraging Laser-Patterned Copper Electrodes for Personal Healthcare.","authors":"Shumao Xu, Minyan Ge, Shugeng Chen, Yuchun Wang, Yurui Tang, Jinling Wang, Xinyi Cui, Chenchen Sun, Hairong Zeng, Nianhong Wang, Cong Wang, Jing Wang","doi":"10.1002/smtd.202500056","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.202500056","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Laser-patterned copper (Cu) electrodes are pivotal in advancing electronics, offering unmatched precision and flexibility. Conventional metal patterning methods like photolithography and screen-printing face limitations in resolution, cost, and process complexity, making them less suitable for the evolving needs of healthcare applications, which demand accuracy, biocompatibility, and durability. In contrast, laser processing techniques, including laser printing, laser sintering, and laser ablation, enable the creation of fine, high-precision patterns on flexible or curved substrates with scalability and environmental sustainability. This review explores the recent advances in laser-patterned Cu electrodes for personal healthcare, highlighting the efficiency and adaptability of these techniques in fabricating intricate patterns. Innovations such as transparent designs, wrap-like 3D transfer printing, and laser-ablated selective metallization are discussed to expand the applications of Cu patterns in flexible electronics for noninvasive health monitoring. These advances address the increasing demands for personal healthcare by enhancing patient comfort, portability, and precision, ultimately improving the performance and reliability of wearable medical devices. This review underscores the potential of laser-processed Cu electrodes to drive the next generation of flexible electronics that continuously monitor vital biopotential signals for personal healthcare applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":229,"journal":{"name":"Small Methods","volume":" ","pages":"e00056"},"PeriodicalIF":9.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144815384","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Small MethodsPub Date : 2025-08-10DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202501099
Xingyu Hu, Zhe Liu, Jiangtong Su, Zifeng Liu, Qingyu Wang, Yifan Chen, Peixian Li, Huangpeng You, Cong Sun, Junjie Zhang, Yawen Luo, Xiaokang Bian, Mengya Lu, Ning Dai, Yang Li
{"title":"Epitaxial Growth of Spherical Monodisperse ZnSe Quantum Dots: Roles of Additives and Precursors.","authors":"Xingyu Hu, Zhe Liu, Jiangtong Su, Zifeng Liu, Qingyu Wang, Yifan Chen, Peixian Li, Huangpeng You, Cong Sun, Junjie Zhang, Yawen Luo, Xiaokang Bian, Mengya Lu, Ning Dai, Yang Li","doi":"10.1002/smtd.202501099","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.202501099","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Zinc selenide (ZnSe) quantum dots (QDs) emerge as promising eco-friendly materials for generating pure blue light emission due to their suitable bandgap. However, conventional synthetic methods of ZnSe QDs face persistent challenges in achieving isotropic growth and morphological uniformity. In this study, the roles of additives and precursors in the homogeneous growth of ZnSe QDs via a seed-mediated growth strategy are systematically investigated. Trioctylamine is introduced as the sole amine additive, replacing the traditionally used oleylamine, which effectively eliminates water byproducts and significantly reduces surface oxide defects. Furthermore, the reactivity of the selenium precursor is found to play a decisive role in determining the growth rate and morphology of the ZnSe QDs. By redesigning the growth protocol, spherical monodisperse ZnSe QDs with sizes ranging from 4 to 11 nm are successfully achieved, accompanied by an exceptionally narrow photoluminescence fwhm of merely 9.8 nm. Additionally, this epitaxial growth strategy successfully extends to the epitaxy of ZnSe shells onto CdSe core QDs, resulting in spherical CdSe/ZnSe core/shell structures with a thickness up to 15 monolayers. This work provides new insights into the homogeneous growth of ZnSe QDs and paves the way for developing blue-emitting ZnSe-based QDs and high-quality core-shell QDs with superior isotropy.</p>","PeriodicalId":229,"journal":{"name":"Small Methods","volume":" ","pages":"e01099"},"PeriodicalIF":9.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144815383","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Small MethodsPub Date : 2025-08-08DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202501023
Yu-Han Zhang, Lin-Rong Wu, Haoyu Su, Shu Zhang, Naifang Hu, Jianing Liu, Zhiwei Hu, Jun Ma, Guanglei Cui
{"title":"The Nature of Oxidized Oxygen in Oxygen Redox Cathodes.","authors":"Yu-Han Zhang, Lin-Rong Wu, Haoyu Su, Shu Zhang, Naifang Hu, Jianing Liu, Zhiwei Hu, Jun Ma, Guanglei Cui","doi":"10.1002/smtd.202501023","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.202501023","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Oxygen redox cathodes (ORCs) are expected to surpass the capacity limits of conventional batteries. However, the commercialization of ORCs has suffered from severe voltage decay due to irreversible structural reconstructions, which are related to the evolution of oxidized oxygen upon charging. Several models have been proposed to elucidate the relationship between oxygen redox and cathode failures. However, the oxidized oxygen states in batteries are under debate, which limits the solution and hinders further ORC application. In this perspective, a critical overview of research progress on oxidized oxygen states in ORCs is provided. The controversies regarding the chemical states of oxidized oxygen are also presented. Finally, this work ends with a prospect on how to scientifically identify oxidized oxygen and design stable ORC batteries. With this article, the aim is to promote the clarification of anionic redox chemistry and the development of more efficient and long-lasting batteries.</p>","PeriodicalId":229,"journal":{"name":"Small Methods","volume":" ","pages":"e01023"},"PeriodicalIF":9.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144797702","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}