Small Methods最新文献

{"title":"Granular Creep and Its Role in Optimizing Solid Electrolyte Fabrication for All-Solid-State Batteries.","authors":"Joseph M Vazquez Mercado, Fernando D Cúñez, Alhamdu Nuhu Bage, Fengyu Shen, Dilworth Y Parkinson, Michael C Tucker, Qingsong Howard Tu","doi":"10.1002/smtd.70697","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.70697","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The densification of solid electrolyte (SE) materials is crucial for improving the performance and stability of all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs). In this study, the role of granular creep in SE densification is investigated using numerical simulations and experimental validation on Li₆PS₅Cl separators. Using discrete element method simulations, we analyze the influence of strain rate and cohesion on force chain evolution, particle rearrangement, and porosity reduction. Our results indicate that low strain rates promote granular creep, allowing for gradual particle reorientation and stress relaxation, leading to higher packing density and lower residual porosity. To validate these findings, we also performed experiments at different strain rates, where X-ray computed tomography and scanning electron microscopy confirm that low strain rates produce a more homogeneous microstructure. Furthermore, critical current density (CCD) tests on lithium symmetric cells reveal that samples processed at the lowest strain rate exhibit a CCD of <math> <semantics><mrow><mo>∽</mo> <mn>3</mn></mrow> <annotation>$backsim 3$</annotation></semantics> </math> mA cm^-2, three times higher than samples processed at faster strain rates, highlighting the direct correlation between granular creep, densification, and ionic transport enhancement. These findings underscore the importance of strain-rate-controlled processing in optimizing SE microstructure, mechanical, and electrochemical performance, offering insights into the fabrication of high-density, high-performance separators for next-generation ASSBs.</p>","PeriodicalId":229,"journal":{"name":"Small Methods","volume":" ","pages":"e70697"},"PeriodicalIF":9.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147831549","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":"An AI-Guided Mechanotyping Instrument for Fully Automated Oocyte Quality Assessment.","authors":"Yining Guo, Wenshuo Zhao, Xueying Sun, Jing Huang, Xi Chen, Xinyu Lu, Wujing Cao, Yuan Liu, Haifeng Xu","doi":"10.1002/smtd.202502390","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.202502390","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The mechanical properties of oocytes are regarded as important indicators of their developmental potential. During fertilization, deviations from the normal mechanical range can hinder sperm penetration, ultimately reducing fertilization efficiency and compromising embryo quality. However, current methods for measuring oocyte mechanics often suffer from low automation levels and predominantly provide local, rather than whole-cell, mechanical characterization. To address these limitations, we developed an AI-guided µN-scale mechanical measurement instrument for safe and automated oocyte quality assessment. The instrument integrates voice interaction with automated experimental workflows to control a magnetically actuated microgripper, which applies defined loading forces to induce micron-scale compressive deformation of the oocyte. Combined with AI-assisted object detection and image segmentation algorithms, the instrument captures cellular deformation in real time, enabling precise calculation of the oocyte's compressive modulus. This measurement instrument enables automated, quantitative, and non-destructive evaluation of oocyte mechanical properties, providing an effective approach for oocyte quality screening in in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technologies (ART).</p>","PeriodicalId":229,"journal":{"name":"Small Methods","volume":" ","pages":"e02390"},"PeriodicalIF":9.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147831591","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":"Precise 3D Tracking of Highly Non-Planar Eukaryotic Flagellar Beating Patterns Using Digital Holographic Microscopy.","authors":"Patryk Nienaltowski, Jonasz Słomka, Federica Miano, Thomas Kiørboe, Clara Martínez-Pérez, Tristan Colomb, Yves Emery, Roman Stocker","doi":"10.1002/smtd.202501589","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.202501589","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Precise tracking of the rapid and complex 3D movement of eukaryotic flagella is important for understanding their roles in cellular motility, sensory functions, and resource acquisition. Yet, achieving accurate 3D kinematic reconstruction of flagellar beating patterns, particularly highly non-planar ones, remains challenging. Here we present holoV3C, a method based on Digital Holographic Microscopy (DHM) that allows precise, label-free 3D tracking of highly non-planar eukaryotic flagella with high temporal resolution. This algorithm leverages phase anomaly detection to provide a combination of high temporal and axial resolution, with 0.25 µm for beating mouse sperm flagella and down to 53 nm for polystyrene particles, across large sampling volumes in a computationally efficient manner. Algorithmic validation is performed by tracking mouse sperm flagella over time, capturing approximately 600 points along a single flagellum to achieve high axial resolution. Furthermore, we apply holoV3C to reconstruct the highly non-planar beating dynamics of the 200-nm-diameter flagellum of the protist Reclinomonas americana with a temporal resolution of 200 frames per second. By enabling 3D tracking of non-planar eukaryotic flagella, holoV3C can yield important insights to advance our understanding of flagellar dynamics, opening new avenues in the study of microorganism motility and its ecological roles.</p>","PeriodicalId":229,"journal":{"name":"Small Methods","volume":" ","pages":"e01589"},"PeriodicalIF":9.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147831718","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":"Coherent Charge Transport Enhanced by Programmed Electrochemical Doping in Conjugated Polymers.","authors":"Hai Wang, Kui Feng, Takahiro Kaneta, Tomoki Furukawa, Xugang Guo, Xiaobo Wang, Jun Takeya, Shun Watanabe","doi":"10.1002/smtd.70696","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.70696","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Doping is a cornerstone of semiconductor engineering, yet conventional methods lack precise and uniform control over electronic properties. Here, we present a highly controllable voltage-programmed electrochemical doping strategy utilizing pulsed gate voltage sequences to orchestrate anion/cation ingress into polymer matrices. This approach, applied to the benchmark semicrystalline p-type polymer poly(2,5-bis(3-tetradecylthiophen-2-yl)thieno[3,2-b]thiophene) and the cyano-functionalized bithiophene imide dimer (CNI₂)-based n-type polymer, overcomes the limitations of chemical doping by delivering exceptional scalability and tunability, achieving conductivities of up to 685 and 21 S cm^- ¹, respectively. These gains arise from optimized electronic properties and enhanced polymer crystallinity enabled by precise voltage-driven ion intercalation. Notably, this enables a Hall mobility of 2.6 cm² V^- ¹ s^- ¹ at 300 K and signatures of mesoscopic phase-coherent transport, as evidenced by the observation of Hall effect signals and positive magnetoresistance associated with weak localization. This study establishes a generalizable framework for engineering charge transport in conjugated polymers for advanced electronic and spintronic applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":229,"journal":{"name":"Small Methods","volume":" ","pages":"e70696"},"PeriodicalIF":9.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147831579","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":"From Atomic Layers to Moire Superlattices: Engineering Quantum Interfaces in 2D Heterostructures for Next Generation Terahertz Optoelectronics.","authors":"Saloni Sharma, Shriganesh S Prabhu, Bipin Kumar Gupta","doi":"10.1002/smtd.202502426","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.202502426","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The terahertz spectral domain embodies the fundamental energy scales of charge transport, collective excitations, and many-body quantum interactions, yet has historically conventional platforms (GaAs, ZnTe) that reach this domain but lack the tunability and confinement of 2D materials. The emergence of 2D quantum materials has initiated a profound shift in this landscape, enabling THz light-matter interaction to be engineered at the level of atomic layers and interfaces rather than dictated by bulk electronic structure. This review articulates a materials-by-design framework for next-generation THz optoelectronics, progressing from isolated 2D crystals to van der Waals heterostructures and moiré superlattices. We highlight how reduced dimensionality and enhanced Coulomb interactions give rise to unconventional THz electrodynamics in graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides, while magnetic 2D materials and MXenes introduce low-energy spin, charge, and lattice excitations that expand THz functionality beyond purely electronic transport. Interfacial assembly without lattice constraints enables programmable band alignment, charge redistribution, and coherent hybridization across the materials. Beyond static heterostructures, twist-angle-based moiré superlattices introduce reconfigurable quantum energy landscapes, flat electronic bands, and correlated quasiparticles whose intrinsic energy scales align naturally with the THz regime. These developments elevate interfaces and moiré potentials to active design parameters for controlling low-energy optical and electronic response. Ultrafast terahertz spectroscopy emerges as a unifying tool that directly links quantum materials physics to device functionality by resolving transient conductivity, interfacial charge transfer, and collective dynamics on ultrafast timescales. By integrating spectroscopic insight with scalable synthesis and device architectures, this review outlines a forward-looking vision in which quantum interface engineering establishes a new paradigm for THz photonics, positioning 2D heterostructures as foundational materials for future information, sensing, and quantum technologies.</p>","PeriodicalId":229,"journal":{"name":"Small Methods","volume":" ","pages":"e02426"},"PeriodicalIF":9.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147831646","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":"Tracking the Evolution of Iridium Nanocatalysts During Acidic Oxygen Evolution Reaction by Substrate-Stabilized Identical-Location Transmission Electron Microscopy.","authors":"Yi Chen, Kai-Yuan Hsiao, Heting Pu, Jiawei Wan, Yu Huang, Ming-Yen Lu, Haimei Zheng","doi":"10.1002/smtd.70685","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.70685","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Revealing the nanoscale structural evolution of electrocatalysts under realistic acidic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) conditions remains a major challenge. Here, we report the tracking of the evolution of the same individual iridium (Ir) nanocatalysts during prolonged acidic OER by developing identical-location transmission electron microscopy (IL‑TEM). The Ir nanocatalysts dispersed on a TEM grid serving as a working electrode are examined before and after OER operation. We find that the deposition of Au nanoparticles and the formation of SnO₂ nanoclusters occur when a conventional holey carbon-film-supported gold (Au) grid is used at 1.7 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (V_RHE), which obscure the identification of genuine Ir reconstruction. By coating the Au grid with Pt to form a stabilized working electrode, these artifacts are effectively suppressed for up to 2.5 h, enabling direct visualization of the nanoscale evolution of Ir nanocatalysts. Control measurements further confirm that the electrochemical response of Ir nanocatalysts on Pt-coated grids is dominated by the Ir catalysts rather than the Pt support. This study demonstrates that IL-TEM provides a practical approach for probing catalyst evolution in harsh, prolonged acidic environments by tracking the same nanocatalysts over extended reaction times, complementing in situ and operando TEM techniques.</p>","PeriodicalId":229,"journal":{"name":"Small Methods","volume":" ","pages":"e70685"},"PeriodicalIF":9.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147809257","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":"Large-Scale MXene Membrane Fabrication via Nonsolvent Phase Separation.","authors":"Mostafa Dadashi Firouzjaei, Zahra Zandi, Hesam Jafarian, Anupma Thakur, Sanam Etemadi Maleki, Ahmad Rahimpour, Ahmad Arabi Shamsabadi, Mohtada Sadrzadeh, Babak Anasori, Mark Elliott","doi":"10.1002/smtd.202502288","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.202502288","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Over the past decade, 2D MXenes have garnered tremendous attention for membrane applications owing to their exceptional hydrophilicity, tunable surface chemistry, and antifouling properties. However, translating MXene-based membranes from laboratory demonstrations to practically relevant manufacturing remains challenging because scalable fabrication routes are still limited. Herein, we demonstrate a roll-to-roll nonsolvent-induced phase separation (R2R-NIPS) process for fabricating Ti₃C₂T_x/polysulfone (PSF) mixed-matrix ultrafiltration membranes in large sheet format (196 × 84 cm; geometric area ≈1.65 m²). Incorporation of 1 wt% MXene produced more open and interconnected membrane substructures, enhanced apparent wettability (contact angle reduced from 90° for PSF to 62°), a more negative surface charge, and subsurface flake embedding confirmed by characterization. These features yielded a water flux of 206 LMH (31% higher than pristine PSF) with 97.6% humic acid rejection (n = 3 batches, p < 0.01 for flux; p < 0.05 for rejection), while batch-to-batch variability remained <5%. Rather than claiming a measured thermodynamic phase diagram, we interpret the observed morphology as consistent with faster demixing during R2R-NIPS. This processing methodology-documenting practical parameter choices such as casting speed, wet thickness, and bath circulation-provides a feasible route toward larger-scale MXene membrane production for water purification.</p>","PeriodicalId":229,"journal":{"name":"Small Methods","volume":" ","pages":"e02288"},"PeriodicalIF":9.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147809227","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":"Fluorinated Graphite as a Fluorine Source for Mechanochemical Synthesis of Lithium Metal Oxyfluorides.","authors":"Ruiyong Chen","doi":"10.1002/smtd.70686","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.70686","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Fluorine incorporation into mixed-anion inorganic solids is often limited by the thermodynamic stability of conventional solid fluorination reagents. LiF, the most used fluorine source in solid-state and mechanochemical synthesis, exhibits strong Li─F bonding that can hinder fluorine transfer and lead to residual LiF and coupled Li/F off-stoichiometry. Here, we investigate fluorinated graphite (CF_x) as an alternative fluorine source for the mechanochemical synthesis of lithium metal oxyfluorides. Owing to the heterogeneous nature of C─F bonding in CF_x, mechanochemical activation enables stepwise defluorination and effective fluorine transfer while decoupling fluorine delivery from lithium stoichiometry. Using disordered rock-salt Li₂VO₂F and Al-substituted Li₂V_1- _xAl_xO₂F as model systems, we obtain the oxyfluoride active materials with no detectable residual CF_x, as confirmed by combined X-ray and neutron diffraction, atomic pair distribution function analysis, and ¹ ⁹F solid-state NMR. Electrochemical measurements indicate improved fluorine incorporation relative to LiF-derived analogues, featured by more symmetric charge-discharge behavior and elevated redox potential. These results demonstrate that fluorinated graphite can serve as an effective fluorine source for mechanochemical oxyfluoride synthesis and provide insight into how heterogeneous C─F bonding environments influence fluorine transfer in the solid state.</p>","PeriodicalId":229,"journal":{"name":"Small Methods","volume":" ","pages":"e70686"},"PeriodicalIF":9.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147809236","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":"The Carbonic Anhydrase IX-Activated Nanosensor for Dual-Modal Imaging and Synergistic Phototherapy of Glioblastoma.","authors":"Qian Wu, Guoyang Zhang, Mingguang Zhu, Linxing Si, Xiangchen Li, Fanghui Liang, Yulong Jin, Yongji Tian, Zhuo Wang","doi":"10.1002/smtd.70684","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.70684","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Precise diagnosis and treatment of glioblastoma (GBM) remain challenging. The overexpression level of carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX), a key biomarker for GBM, is correlated with tumor malignancy. Herein, we reported a CA IX-activated nanosensor (MPC@BDPCA NPs) for near-infrared imaging and synergistic phototherapy of orthotopic GBM. The tailor-made core agent, a BODIPY derivative (BDPCA) incorporates a benzenesulfonamide moiety that selectively binds to CA IX, inducing rotational restriction of the probe and resulting in fluorescence turn-on response. Owing to this specific activating mechanism, BDPCA enables a high-contrast fluorescence and photoacoustic dual-modal imaging for quantitative CA IX sensing. Notably, an extended π-conjugation combined with a donor-acceptor molecular design optimizes both radiative and nonradiative decay pathways, affording efficient photothermal conversion and reactive oxygen species generation under 660 nm irradiation. To enhance blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration in orthotopic GBM models, BDPCA was encapsulated within pH-degradable polymer shell via in situ polymerization, employing 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) as monomer to improve biocompatibility and facilitate receptor-mediated BBB transport. The resulting MPC@BDPCA NPs exhibit selective CA IX sensing, multimodal imaging capability, efficient BBB penetration, and potent synergistic phototherapy. This work highlights a versatile nanoscale sensing and diagnostic platform for precision imaging and therapeutic intervention of GBM.</p>","PeriodicalId":229,"journal":{"name":"Small Methods","volume":" ","pages":"e70684"},"PeriodicalIF":9.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147809290","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":"Liposome Particle Size Prediction by In-Line Process Analytical Technology (PAT)-Integrated Machine Learning.","authors":"Junghu Lee, Nozomi Morishita Watanabe, Noriko Yoshimoto, Seonghyeon Eom, Moon Kyu Kwak, Ho-Sup Jung, Hiroshi Umakoshi","doi":"10.1002/smtd.70663","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.70663","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Precise control of liposome size is critical for drug delivery. We developed an in-line PAT-integrated machine learning model that predicts particle size with high accuracy (root mean square error 7.18 nm) using limited experimental data. By integrating physicochemical membrane characteristics, the model demonstrates generalization (root mean square error 7.53 nm) and interpretability, establishing a practical framework for advanced liposome particle size control.</p>","PeriodicalId":229,"journal":{"name":"Small Methods","volume":" ","pages":"e70663"},"PeriodicalIF":9.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147809254","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}