Small SciencePub Date : 2025-01-03eCollection Date: 2025-05-01DOI: 10.1002/smsc.202400391
Yang Yang, Tianyi Zhang, Tianqi Wang, Teng Zhou, Youssef Belmabkhout, Qinfen Gu, Jin Shang
{"title":"Regulating Adsorption Behaviors in Crystalline Porous Materials by External Electric Fields.","authors":"Yang Yang, Tianyi Zhang, Tianqi Wang, Teng Zhou, Youssef Belmabkhout, Qinfen Gu, Jin Shang","doi":"10.1002/smsc.202400391","DOIUrl":"10.1002/smsc.202400391","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The regulation of adsorption behaviors in crystalline porous materials (CPMs) using external electric fields (E-fields) is an emerging field. CPMs are highly valued for their large surface area, well-ordered pore structures, and chemical versatility, making them ideal for applications in adsorption/separation, catalysis, and biomedicine. In this review, the mechanisms underlying the E-field-induced structural and functional modifications in CPMs, such as phase transitions, framework distortions, and alterations in pore accessibility and selectivity, are delved into. Through a comprehensive analysis, the adsorption behaviors influenced by E-field regulation are classified into three main categories: selective molecular adsorption, selective ion adsorption, and the diffusion/transportation of molecules and ions. Furthermore, in this review, the current landscape of research in this area, highlighting the challenges and future directions for developing E-field-regulated adsorbents is critically assessed. In this work, it is aimed to summarize recent advances and identify gaps in the understanding of E-field effects on CPMs, providing a foundation for the rational development of next-generation materials with E-field modulated functionalities.</p>","PeriodicalId":29791,"journal":{"name":"Small Science","volume":"5 5","pages":"2400391"},"PeriodicalIF":11.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12087775/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144112168","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Hydrothermally Synthesized SnS<sub>2</sub> Anode Materials with Selectively Tuned Crystallinity.","authors":"Akzhan Bekzhanov, Nurgul Daniyeva, Qixiang Jiang, Yuri Surace, Freddy Kleitz, Damian Cupid","doi":"10.1002/smsc.202400516","DOIUrl":"10.1002/smsc.202400516","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>SnS<sub>2</sub>-based anode active materials for lithium-ion battery applications are synthesized with varying degrees of crystallinity via a hydrothermal method, and their electrochemical performance properties are assessed. Different ratios of tin chloride and thioacetamide precursors are used and studied to control the crystallization. In situ electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and galvanostatic intermittent titration technique experiments are used to study the lithium-ion diffusion kinetics into the crystal structures and the conversion reaction mechanisms for discharge up to <i>x</i> ≈ 2.08 moles of lithiation per SnS<sub>2</sub>, equivalent to a discharge capacity of 300 mAh g<sup>-1</sup>. Transmission electron microscopy reveals the presence of amorphous and crystalline domains, as well as the existence of additional Sn<sub>2</sub>S<sub>3</sub> layers on one of the samples. The highest specific reversible capacity during cycling and rate performance are 598 mAh g<sup>-1</sup> after 100 cycles and 605 mAh g<sup>-1</sup> after rate capability test, which are obtained for the samples prepared with the 1:4 tin chloride to thioacetamide ratio.</p>","PeriodicalId":29791,"journal":{"name":"Small Science","volume":"5 5","pages":"2400516"},"PeriodicalIF":11.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12087779/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144112059","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Small SciencePub Date : 2024-12-23eCollection Date: 2025-02-01DOI: 10.1002/smsc.202400462
Chris Nellis, Céline Hin
{"title":"Kinetic Monte Carlo Modeling of Helium Bubble Nucleation onto Oxides in the Fe-Ti-Y-O System.","authors":"Chris Nellis, Céline Hin","doi":"10.1002/smsc.202400462","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smsc.202400462","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A kinetic Monte Carlo model is developed to simulate the introduction of transmutation helium (He) atoms into nanostructured ferritic alloys (NFAs) during neutron irradiation. In this simulation, interstitial He atoms diffuse through the NFA until they become trapped within clusters consisting of other He atoms and vacancies that result from the irradiation process. The Y-Ti-O nano-oxides present in the NFAs are found to be highly effective in capturing these He atoms. As a result, they prevent the formation of He bubbles at grain boundaries. Helium bubbles form on the nano-oxides, exhibiting characteristics such as size and number density that closely resemble those observed in experimental studies. Moreover, the simulations reveal that the bubbles tend to prefer nucleation at the <111> oxide interface, and stable bubbles maintain a He-to-vacancy (He/Vac) ratio ranging from 1.3 to 1.8. Importantly, the presence of He bubbles is found to have a negligible impact on the segregation of solutes to the grain boundaries or on the stability of the nano-oxides in the NFAs.</p>","PeriodicalId":29791,"journal":{"name":"Small Science","volume":"5 2","pages":"2400462"},"PeriodicalIF":11.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11934896/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144050688","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Small SciencePub Date : 2024-12-19eCollection Date: 2025-02-01DOI: 10.1002/smsc.202400405
Rukshan Karunarathna, Harsha Ranasinghe Arachchige, Shadeepa Karunarathne, W Parakrama Sanjeewa Lakshitha Wijesinghe, Chanaka Sandaruwan, M M M Prasanga Gayanath Mantilaka, Yasun Y Kannangara, Amr M Abdelkader
{"title":"Intercalating Graphite-Based Na-Ion Battery Anodes with Integrated Magnetite.","authors":"Rukshan Karunarathna, Harsha Ranasinghe Arachchige, Shadeepa Karunarathne, W Parakrama Sanjeewa Lakshitha Wijesinghe, Chanaka Sandaruwan, M M M Prasanga Gayanath Mantilaka, Yasun Y Kannangara, Amr M Abdelkader","doi":"10.1002/smsc.202400405","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smsc.202400405","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Graphite is known as the most successful anode material found for Li-ion batteries. However, unfortunately, graphite delivers an ordinary capacity as anode material for the next-generation Na-ion batteries (SIBs) due to difficulties in intercalating larger Na<sup>+</sup> ions in between the layers of graphene due to incompatible <i>d</i>-spacing. The methodologies investigated in deriving suitable anode structures for SIBs are found to be either less effective, expensive, or rather too complex in most cases. Herein, a simple strategy is introduced to derive suitable anode materials for SIBs through a modified electrochemical exfoliation of graphite. The introduced exfoliation process is able to graft Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> (magnetite) on graphite allowing the structure to expand, supporting a swift intercalation and deintercalation of Na ions. The synthesized magnetite-functionalized graphene nanoplatelets are identified as a well-suited anode material for SIBs, with its efficient intercalation obtained through the expanded interlayer spacing of 3.9 Å and the surface redox pseudocapacitive activity attained through the surface-grafted magnetite. The effectiveness of the synthesized is reflected in the obtained high discharge capacitance of 420 mAh g<sup>-1</sup>, with 96% capacitive retention over 1000 cycles. The study opens new opportunities for prospective low-cost anode materials for energy storage applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":29791,"journal":{"name":"Small Science","volume":"5 2","pages":"2400405"},"PeriodicalIF":11.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11934899/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144052555","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Small SciencePub Date : 2024-12-19eCollection Date: 2025-02-01DOI: 10.1002/smsc.202400234
Ilia Goemaere, Anna Cielo, Raffaella Daniele, Francesca Mastrotto, Stefaan C De Smedt, Winnok H De Vos, Stefano Salmaso, Kevin Braeckmans
{"title":"Nanosecond Laser Pulses Facilitating Efficient and Specific Cell Killing with Doxorubicin-Loaded Gold Nanoparticles Targeted to the Folate Receptor.","authors":"Ilia Goemaere, Anna Cielo, Raffaella Daniele, Francesca Mastrotto, Stefaan C De Smedt, Winnok H De Vos, Stefano Salmaso, Kevin Braeckmans","doi":"10.1002/smsc.202400234","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smsc.202400234","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Nanoparticle-based drug carrier systems with active targeting and a controlled release capacity are of considerable interest to bypass side effects of conventional chemotherapy. One appealing approach involves chemotherapeutic-loaded photothermal nanoparticles, where laser irradiation can release the loaded anticancer drug while also inducing local cytotoxicity through photothermal effects. This study investigates the potential of using nanosecond-pulsed laser light for efficient and specific killing of folate receptor (FR)-overexpressing cancer cells in combination with FR-targeted doxorubicin-loaded gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Nanosecond pulsed laser irradiation allows the induction of mechanical forces alongside thermal effects. The effect of nanoparticle concentrations and laser fluences on cytotoxicity is systematically tested, achieving near-complete tumor cell killing under the most stringent conditions. FR targeting is confirmed using FR-positive and -negative cell lines, showing that folic acid functionalization of AuNPs results in more favorable nanoparticle-cell interactions and more efficient photothermal effects. Additionally, doxorubicin could be efficiently released from the AuNPs and endosomal compartments upon laser irradiation, adding to the observed cytotoxicity. Cell killing was precisely confined to irradiated cells, leaving surrounding cells unharmed. Overall, the significant reduction of tumor cell viability following the proposed combination demonstrates this approach to be a promising step toward safer, more effective anticancer therapies.</p>","PeriodicalId":29791,"journal":{"name":"Small Science","volume":"5 2","pages":"2400234"},"PeriodicalIF":11.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11934907/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144022134","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Dendritic Cell Vaccine Harboring Inactivated Mycobacteria Induces Immune Protection Against Tuberculosis in Murine Models and is Well Tolerated in Humans.","authors":"Zhidong Hu, Xuhui Liu, Jing Wang, Ling Gu, Zhenyan Chen, Lu Xia, Heng Yang, Jinchuan Xu, Xuejiao Huang, Huiling Wang, Shuihua Lu, Xiao-Yong Fan","doi":"10.1002/smsc.202400355","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smsc.202400355","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The limited success of tuberculosis (TB) control measures reflects the inadequacy of Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG), the only licensed TB vaccine. There is a recent resurgence of interest in intravenous administration of BCG. However, direct injection of live BCG bacteria into the bloodstream of human beings is not likely to be practical due to safety concerns. In this study, it is showed that debris of BCG-infected macrophages induces activation and maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) in vitro, and an intravenous DCs vaccine phagocytosing noninfective cell debris induces robust antigen-specific T-cell immune responses and immune protection against <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> infection in murine models. Further, an investigator-initiated clinical trial shows the safety of a DCs vaccine harboring the noninfective <i>Mycobacterium vaccae</i> vaccine. Infusions of naive DCs and DCs harboring <i>Mycobacterium vaccae</i> are well tolerated and safe in six active TB patients. Tests of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a patient who receives two doses of DCs vaccine infusion show enhanced secretion of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-17, and TNF-α in both CD4 and CD8 T cells. The study provides evidence that DC-based vaccines harboring inactivated mycobacteria can expand T-cell immune responses in TB-infected mice and are well tolerated in patients with active TB disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":29791,"journal":{"name":"Small Science","volume":"5 2","pages":"2400355"},"PeriodicalIF":11.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11934892/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144031705","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Small SciencePub Date : 2024-12-16eCollection Date: 2025-02-01DOI: 10.1002/smsc.202400156
Sean Moro, Mohammed Omrani, Sule Erbek, Muriel Jourdan, Catharina I Vandekerckhove, Cyril Nogier, Laetitia Vanwonterghem, Marie-Carmen Molina, Pau Bernadó, Aurélien Thureau, Jean-Luc Coll, Olivier Renaudet, Xavier Le Guével, Virginie Faure
{"title":"Self-Assembled Peptide-Gold Nanoclusters with SiRNA Targeting Telomeric Response to Enhance Radiosensitivity in Lung Cancer Cells.","authors":"Sean Moro, Mohammed Omrani, Sule Erbek, Muriel Jourdan, Catharina I Vandekerckhove, Cyril Nogier, Laetitia Vanwonterghem, Marie-Carmen Molina, Pau Bernadó, Aurélien Thureau, Jean-Luc Coll, Olivier Renaudet, Xavier Le Guével, Virginie Faure","doi":"10.1002/smsc.202400156","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smsc.202400156","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Lung cancer cells resistant to radiotherapy present a significant clinical challenge. Stable telomeric structures, maintained by the TRF2 protein, play a critical role in protecting cells from ionizing radiation. Reduced TRF2 expression increases DNA damage and radiosensitivity. We designed a self-assembling system utilizing ultra-small luminescent gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) with radiosensitizing properties, combined with siRNA targeting TRF2. The system forms ≈100 nm non-spherical structures with AuNCs enriched in the outer layer, exhibiting a 17.6-fold enhancement in red photoluminescence due to aggregation-induced effects. This nanoplatform efficiently penetrates lung cancer cells, reducing TRF2 expression by 50%. Under 5 Gy radiotherapy, cells treated with this system show a 1.5-fold radiosensitivity increase from AuNCs and a 2.3-fold reduction in clonogenic survival due to telomere deprotection. The AuNC-siRNATRF2 system combines enhanced optical properties with biological functionality, offering a promising approach to augment radiotherapy efficacy by disrupting telomeric protective mechanisms in cancer cells.</p>","PeriodicalId":29791,"journal":{"name":"Small Science","volume":"5 2","pages":"2400156"},"PeriodicalIF":11.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11934912/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144019446","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Highly Efficient Lightweight Flexible Cu(In,Ga)Se<sub>2</sub> Solar Cells with a Narrow Bandgap Fabricated on Polyimide Substrates: Impact of Ag Alloying, Cs and Na Doping, and Front Shallow Ga Grading on Cell Performance.","authors":"Yukiko Kamikawa, Jiro Nishinaga, Takeshi Nishida, Shogo Ishizuka","doi":"10.1002/smsc.202400404","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smsc.202400404","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Herein, lightweight, flexible Cu(In,Ga)Se<sub>2</sub> (CIGS) solar cells with a narrow bandgap of ≈1 eV are grown on polyimide substrates. The poor performance of the CIGS solar cells owing to a low growth temperature (≈400 °C) is considerably improved via Ag alloying, Na doping using alkali-silicate-glass thin layers (ASTLs) and the CsF postdeposition treatment (CsF-PDT), and front shallow Ga grading (surface field; SF). Along with improved device process, a notably high conversion efficiency of 21.2%, low <i>V</i> <sub>OC</sub> deficit of 0.346 V, and high <i>J</i> <sub>SC</sub> of ≈40 mA cm<sup>-2</sup> are achieved. Ag alloying and Na doping using ASTLs predominantly improve the CIGS bulk quality, while the CsF-PDT and SF reduce carrier recombination at the CIGS/CdS interface and vicinity. Device simulations reveal that the SF increases the electrical field at the CIGS surface under the forward bias voltage close to <i>V</i> <sub>OC</sub> owing to electron injection from the CdS side, which increases the chemical potential. Thus, the SF effectively repulses holes and improves the interfacial property. Device simulations also reveal that a high CIGS absorber's quality is prerequisite to benefit from the SF. Thus, CIGS solar cells showing improved bulk quality due to optimum alkali doping and Ag alloying considerably benefit from the SF.</p>","PeriodicalId":29791,"journal":{"name":"Small Science","volume":"5 2","pages":"2400404"},"PeriodicalIF":11.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11934904/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144051187","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Small SciencePub Date : 2024-12-12eCollection Date: 2025-05-01DOI: 10.1002/smsc.202400550
Mathilde Ponchelle, Marek Pruszyński, Edmond Gravel, Eric Doris
{"title":"<sup>177</sup>Lu-Gold Nanohybrids in Radiotherapeutic Approaches Against Cancer.","authors":"Mathilde Ponchelle, Marek Pruszyński, Edmond Gravel, Eric Doris","doi":"10.1002/smsc.202400550","DOIUrl":"10.1002/smsc.202400550","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Internal radionuclide therapy using lutetium-177 (<sup>177</sup>Lu)-based radiopharmaceuticals has emerged as a promising approach in the field of nuclear medicine and oncology. Combining the radioactive lanthanide with high atomic number metal nanoparticles such as gold potentiates the radiotoxicity of lutetium by an amplification process. <sup>177</sup>Lu-gold nanohybrids have been investigated by various research groups, both in vitro and in vivo, to decipher the physicochemical, radiochemical, and biological factors that would enable selective and optimal dose deposition in tumors. This review focuses on <sup>177</sup>Lu-gold tailored approaches that are developed in the literature to locally enhance internal radiotherapeutic effects.</p>","PeriodicalId":29791,"journal":{"name":"Small Science","volume":"5 5","pages":"2400550"},"PeriodicalIF":11.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12087778/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144112095","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}