Small SciencePub Date : 2024-08-01DOI: 10.1002/smsc.202400162
Mingwei Zan, Hongsheng Xie, Sichen Jiao, Kai Jiang, Xuelong Wang, Ruijuan Xiao, Xiqian Yu, Hong Li, Xuejie Huang
{"title":"On the Much-Improved High-Voltage Cycling Performance of LiCoO2 by Phase Alteration from O3 to O2 Structure","authors":"Mingwei Zan, Hongsheng Xie, Sichen Jiao, Kai Jiang, Xuelong Wang, Ruijuan Xiao, Xiqian Yu, Hong Li, Xuejie Huang","doi":"10.1002/smsc.202400162","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smsc.202400162","url":null,"abstract":"Lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO<sub>2</sub>) is an irreplaceable cathode material for lithium-ion batteries with high volumetric energy density. The prevailing O<sub>3</sub> phase LiCoO<sub>2</sub> adopts the ABCABC (A, B, and C stand for lattice sites in the close-packed plane) stacking modes of close-packed oxygen atoms. Currently, the focus of LiCoO<sub>2</sub> development is application at high voltage (>4.55 V versus Li<sup>+</sup>/Li) to achieve a high specific capacity (>190 mAh g<sup>−1</sup>). However, cycled with a high cutoff voltage, O<sub>3</sub>–LiCoO<sub>2</sub> suffers from rapid capacity decay. The causes of failure are mostly attributed to the irreversible transitions to H1-3/O<sub>1</sub> phase after deep delithiation and severe interfacial reactions with electrolytes. In addition to O<sub>3</sub>, LiCoO<sub>2</sub> is also known to crystalize in an O<sub>2</sub> phase with ABAC stacking. Since its discovery, little is known about the high-voltage behavior of O<sub>2</sub>–LiCoO<sub>2</sub>. Herein, through systematic comparison between electrochemical performances of O<sub>3</sub> and O<sub>2</sub> LiCoO<sub>2</sub> at high voltage, the significantly better stability of O<sub>2</sub>–LiCoO<sub>2</sub> (>4.5 V) than that of O<sub>3</sub>–LiCoO<sub>2</sub> in the same micro-sized particle morphology is revealed. Combining various characterization techniques and multiscale simulation, the outstanding high-voltage stability of O<sub>2</sub>–LiCoO<sub>2</sub> is attributed to the high Li diffusivity and ideal mechanical properties. Uniform Li<sup>+</sup> distribution and balanced internal stress loading may hold the key to improving the high-voltage performance of LiCoO<sub>2</sub>.","PeriodicalId":29791,"journal":{"name":"Small Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":12.7,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141931903","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Flexible Fibrous Visible Light Sensors Based on Spiropyran for Wearable Devices, Electronic Skins, and Thermal Management Fabrics","authors":"Guiqing Dang, Kaifang Chen, Yuncong Luo, Ronghua Hu, Yutao Huang, Henghui Tang, Bingquan Huang, Jinlong Sun, Xi Liu, Yancheng Wu, Longfei Fan, Qinghua Wu, Feng Gan","doi":"10.1002/smsc.202400018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smsc.202400018","url":null,"abstract":"Visible light is an important energy source for all living organisms on Earth. Given the importance of visible light, visible light sensors have attracted widespread interest from scientists. With the rapid development of wearable devices, the sensors used in them need to be flexible, stretchable, and lightweight. Herein, an intelligent electrolyte based on spiropyran (SP) that responds to visible light is developed. The reversible change rate in the electrical resistance of an SP/FeCl<sub>3</sub>·6H<sub>2</sub>O methyl cyanide (MeCN) aqueous solution under visible light irradiation is as high as 19.26%. Additionally, flexible and conductive fibrous visible light sensors with a core-sheath structure are prepared using an SP/FeCl<sub>3</sub>·6H<sub>2</sub>O MeCN aqueous solution and silicon rubber hollow fibers as the core and outer layers, respectively. These fibrous visible light sensors are then woven into fabrics with multiple functions, such as sensing and locating visible light, reversible photochromism, and thermal management. The fibrous visible light sensors and fabrics prepared in this study have broad development prospects and application potential in the fields of fashion, smart textiles, flexible conductive fibers, flexible fibrous sensors, electronic skins, and wearable devices.","PeriodicalId":29791,"journal":{"name":"Small Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":12.7,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141884995","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Small SciencePub Date : 2024-08-01DOI: 10.1002/smsc.202400112
Claudia Iriarte-Mesa, Janice Bergen, Kristina Danielyan, Francesco Crudo, Doris Marko, Hanspeter Kählig, Giorgia Del Favero, Freddy Kleitz
{"title":"Functionalization of Silica Nanoparticles for Tailored Interactions with Intestinal Cells and Chemical Modulation of Paracellular Permeability","authors":"Claudia Iriarte-Mesa, Janice Bergen, Kristina Danielyan, Francesco Crudo, Doris Marko, Hanspeter Kählig, Giorgia Del Favero, Freddy Kleitz","doi":"10.1002/smsc.202400112","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smsc.202400112","url":null,"abstract":"The intestinal compartment confines the gut microbiome while enabling food passage and absorption of active molecules. For the rational design of oral formulations aiming to overcome physiological barriers of the gut, it is crucial to understand how cells respond to the presence of nanoparticulate materials. Taking advantage of the versatility and biocompatibility of dendritic mesoporous silica nanoparticles (DMSNs), several post-grafting strategies are developed to diversify the surface properties of spherical DMSNs and then probe interactions with the intestinal coculture cell model Caco-2/HT29-MTX-E12. Herein, the functionalization of DMSNs with polyethylene glycol, phosphonate, methyl, and farnesol moieties enables the investigation of both particle penetration through the mucus layer and pathways relevant to intracellular uptake. Contributions of surface chemistry, charge, and colloidal stability are correlated with the modulation of particle movement through the mucus and the organization of cell–cell junctions. Hydrophilic and negative functionalities favor particle distribution toward the intestinal monolayer. Instead, hydrophobic DMSNs are hindered by the mucus, possibly limiting cell contact. Hybrid surfaces, combining phosphonate and long carbon chain functions, support diffusion through the mucus and foster the paracellular permeability as well as the transient barrier relapse, as indicated by increased cell–cell distances and reorganization of tight junctions.","PeriodicalId":29791,"journal":{"name":"Small Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":12.7,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141884994","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Small SciencePub Date : 2024-07-30DOI: 10.1002/smsc.202400223
Atif Jan, Stephanie A. Fraser, Taehwan Moon, Yun Seong Lee, Hagyoul Bae, Hyun Jae Lee, Duk-Hyun Choe, Maximilian T. Becker, Judith L. MacManus-Driscoll, Jinseong Heo, Giuliana Di Martino
{"title":"Resetting the Drift of Oxygen Vacancies in Ultrathin HZO Ferroelectric Memories by Electrical Pulse Engineering","authors":"Atif Jan, Stephanie A. Fraser, Taehwan Moon, Yun Seong Lee, Hagyoul Bae, Hyun Jae Lee, Duk-Hyun Choe, Maximilian T. Becker, Judith L. MacManus-Driscoll, Jinseong Heo, Giuliana Di Martino","doi":"10.1002/smsc.202400223","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smsc.202400223","url":null,"abstract":"Ferroelectric HfO<sub>2</sub>-based films incorporated in nonvolatile memory devices offer a low-energy, high-speed alternative to conventional memory systems. Oxygen vacancies have been rigorously cited in literature to be pivotal in stabilizing the polar noncentrosymmetric phase responsible for ferroelectricity in HfO<sub>2</sub>-based films. Thus, the ability to regulate and control oxygen vacancy migration in operando in such materials would potentially offer step changing new functionalities, tunable electrical properties, and enhanced device lifespan. Herein, a novel in- operando approach to control both wake-up and fatigue device dynamics is reported. Via clever design of short ad hoc square electrical pulses, both wake-up can be sped up and both fatigue and leakage inside the film can be reduced, key factors for enhancing the performance of memory devices. Using plasmon-enhanced photoluminescence and dark-field spectroscopy (sensitive to <1% vacancy variation), evidence that the electrical pulses give rise to oxygen vacancy redistribution is provided and it is shown that pulse engineering effectively delays wake-up and reduces fatigue characteristics of the HfO<sub>2</sub>-based films. Comprehensive analysis also includes impedance spectroscopy measurements, which exclude any influence of polarization reversal or domain wall movement in interpretation of results.","PeriodicalId":29791,"journal":{"name":"Small Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":12.7,"publicationDate":"2024-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141864763","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Small SciencePub Date : 2024-07-30DOI: 10.1002/smsc.202400248
Manav Jain, Xinjie Yu, Jonathan P. Schneck, Jordan J. Green
{"title":"Nanoparticle Targeting Strategies for Lipid and Polymer-Based Gene Delivery to Immune Cells In Vivo","authors":"Manav Jain, Xinjie Yu, Jonathan P. Schneck, Jordan J. Green","doi":"10.1002/smsc.202400248","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smsc.202400248","url":null,"abstract":"Lipid nanoparticles and polymeric nanoparticles are promising biomaterial platforms for robust intracellular DNA and mRNA delivery, highlighted by the widespread use of nanoparticle- (NP) based mRNA vaccines to help end the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent research has sought to adapt this nanotechnology to transfect and engineer immune cells in vivo. The immune system is an especially appealing target due to its involvement in many different diseases, and ex vivo-engineered immune cell therapies like chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T therapy have already demonstrated remarkable clinical success in certain blood cancers. Although gene delivery can potentially address some of the cost and manufacturing concerns associated with current autologous immune cell therapies, transfecting immune cells in vivo is challenging. Not only is extrahepatic NP delivery to lymphoid organs difficult, but immune cells like T cells have demonstrated particular resistance to transfection. Despite these challenges, the modular nature of NPs allows researchers to examine critical structure–function relationships between a particle's properties and its ability to specifically engineer immune cells in vivo. Herein, several nanomaterial components are outlined, including targeting ligands, nucleic acid cargo, chemical properties, physical properties, and the route of administration to specifically target NPs to immune cells for optimal in vivo transfection.","PeriodicalId":29791,"journal":{"name":"Small Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":12.7,"publicationDate":"2024-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141864765","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Small SciencePub Date : 2024-07-25DOI: 10.1002/smsc.202400192
Neda Rostami, Mohammad Mahmoudi Gomari, Edris Choupani, Shadi Abkhiz, Mahmood Fadaie, Seyed Sadegh Eslami, Zahra Mahmoudi, Yapei Zhang, Madhu Puri, Fatemeh Nafe Monfared, Elena Demireva, Vladimir N. Uversky, Bryan Ronain Smith, Sidi A. Bencherif
{"title":"Exploring Advanced CRISPR Delivery Technologies for Therapeutic Genome Editing","authors":"Neda Rostami, Mohammad Mahmoudi Gomari, Edris Choupani, Shadi Abkhiz, Mahmood Fadaie, Seyed Sadegh Eslami, Zahra Mahmoudi, Yapei Zhang, Madhu Puri, Fatemeh Nafe Monfared, Elena Demireva, Vladimir N. Uversky, Bryan Ronain Smith, Sidi A. Bencherif","doi":"10.1002/smsc.202400192","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smsc.202400192","url":null,"abstract":"The genetic material within cells plays a pivotal role in shaping the structure and function of living organisms. Manipulating an organism's genome to correct inherited abnormalities or introduce new traits holds great promise. Genetic engineering techniques offers promising pathways for precisely altering cellular genetics. Among these methodologies, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR), honored with the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, has garnered significant attention for its precision in editing genomes. However, the CRISPR system faces challenges when applied in vivo, including low delivery efficiency, off-target effects, and instability. To address these challenges, innovative technologies for targeted and precise delivery of CRISPR have emerged. Engineered carrier platforms represent a substantial advancement, improving stability, precision, and reducing the side effects associated with genome editing. These platforms facilitate efficient local and systemic genome engineering of various tissues and cells, including immune cells. This review explores recent advances, benefits, and challenges of CRISPR-based genome editing delivery. It examines various carriers including nanocarriers (polymeric, lipid-derived, metallic, and bionanoparticles), viral particles, virus-like particles, and exosomes, providing insights into their clinical utility and future prospects.","PeriodicalId":29791,"journal":{"name":"Small Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":12.7,"publicationDate":"2024-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141781995","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Small SciencePub Date : 2024-07-22DOI: 10.1002/smsc.202400160
Ying Yang, Jialin Gong, Xiaotian Wang, Zhenxiang Cheng, Tie Yang
{"title":"Unlocking Quantum Catalysis in Topological Trivial Materials: A Case Study of Janus Monolayer MoSMg","authors":"Ying Yang, Jialin Gong, Xiaotian Wang, Zhenxiang Cheng, Tie Yang","doi":"10.1002/smsc.202400160","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smsc.202400160","url":null,"abstract":"The emerging field of topological catalysis has received significant attention due to its potential for high-performance catalytic activity in the hydrogen-evolution reaction (HER). While topological materials often possess fragile surface states, trivial topological materials not only offer a larger pool of candidates but also demonstrate robust surface states. As a result, the search for topological catalysts has expanded to include trivial schemes. In this study, a novel 2D Janus monolayer, MoSMg, which demonstrates exceptional obstructed atomic insulating behavior, is presented. Crucially, this trivial metallic topological state exhibits clean obstructed surface states, leading to a significant enhancement in catalytic performance for the HER in electrochemical processes, particularly under high hydrogen coverage. Moreover, the edge sites of this MoSMg monolayer exhibit even more superior catalytic activity, characterized by near-zero Gibbs free energies. In these findings, the way is paved for exploring new avenues in the design of quantum electrocatalysts, especially within the realm of trivial topological materials.","PeriodicalId":29791,"journal":{"name":"Small Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":12.7,"publicationDate":"2024-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141781996","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Small SciencePub Date : 2024-07-22DOI: 10.1002/smsc.202400282
Nicola Curreli, Claudia Dessì, Matteo B. Lodi, Andrea Melis, Marco Simone, Nicola Melis, Luca Pilia, Davide Guarnera, Loreto Di Donato, Alessandro Fanti, Massimiliano Grosso, Francesco Desogus
{"title":"Cost-Effective Conductive Paste for Radiofrequency Devices Using Carbon-Based Materials","authors":"Nicola Curreli, Claudia Dessì, Matteo B. Lodi, Andrea Melis, Marco Simone, Nicola Melis, Luca Pilia, Davide Guarnera, Loreto Di Donato, Alessandro Fanti, Massimiliano Grosso, Francesco Desogus","doi":"10.1002/smsc.202400282","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smsc.202400282","url":null,"abstract":"With the increasing demand for compact, lightweight, cost-effective, and high-performance radiofrequency (RF) devices, the development of low-profile antennas becomes crucial. This article presents a study of a novel carbon–cellulose-based paste intended for screen printing RF devices. The investigation specifically explores the application of high-reactivity carbon mixture (HRCM) particles as conductive fillers. The results demonstrate that optimal electrical conductivity values and discrete electromagnetic dipole performances can be achieved at lower concentrations of solid conductive material compared to conventional pastes, for similar applications. This offers benefits in terms of total cost, material consumption, and environmental impact. The paste formulation showcases a complex non-Newtonian behavior, where yielding flow and thixotropicity are found to be independent and dependent on preshear conditions, respectively. This behavior can be attributed to the network orientation and rearrangement of filler structures within the paste system, which in turn are responsible for filler pattern uniformity and overall printing quality. Compared to traditional conductive materials, HRCM pastes are proven to be a viable alternative for RF devices fabrication, including printed Wi-Fi antennas.","PeriodicalId":29791,"journal":{"name":"Small Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":12.7,"publicationDate":"2024-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141781997","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Small SciencePub Date : 2024-07-22DOI: 10.1002/smsc.202400079
Farinaz Ketabat, Jane Alcorn, Michael E. Kelly, Ildiko Badea, Xiongbiao Chen
{"title":"Cardiac Tissue Engineering: A Journey from Scaffold Fabrication to In Vitro Characterization","authors":"Farinaz Ketabat, Jane Alcorn, Michael E. Kelly, Ildiko Badea, Xiongbiao Chen","doi":"10.1002/smsc.202400079","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/smsc.202400079","url":null,"abstract":"Cardiac tissue engineering has been rapidly evolving with diverse applications, ranging from the repair of fibrotic tissue caused by “adverse remodeling,” to the replacement of specific segments of heart tissue, and ultimately to the creation of a whole heart. The repair or replacement of cardiac tissue often involves the development of tissue scaffolds or constructs and the subsequent assessment of their performance and functionality. For this, the design and/or selection of biomaterials, and cell types, scaffold fabrication, and in vitro characterizations are the first starting points, yet critical, to ensure success in subsequent implantation in vivo. This highlights the importance of scaffold fabrication and in vitro experiments/characterization with protocols for cardiac tissue engineering. Yet, a comprehensive and critical review of these has not been established and documented. As inspired, herein, the latest development and advances in scaffold fabrication and in vitro characterization for cardiac tissue engineering are critically reviewed, with focus on biomaterials, cell types, additive manufacturing techniques for scaffold fabrication, and common in vitro characterization techniques or methods. This article would be of benefit to the ones who are working on cardiac tissue engineering by providing insights into the scaffold fabrication and in vitro investigations.","PeriodicalId":29791,"journal":{"name":"Small Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":12.7,"publicationDate":"2024-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141781998","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}