MatterPub Date : 2025-03-17DOI: 10.1016/j.matt.2025.102044
Bochen Zhao, Zeqin Xin, Yi-Chi Wang, Chenghui Wu, Wenxin Wang, Run Shi, Ruixuan Peng, Yonghuang Wu, Longlong Xu, Ting Pan, Zonglin Li, Lin Gu, Kai Liu
{"title":"Bioinspired gas-receptor synergistic interaction for high-performance two-dimensional neuromorphic devices","authors":"Bochen Zhao, Zeqin Xin, Yi-Chi Wang, Chenghui Wu, Wenxin Wang, Run Shi, Ruixuan Peng, Yonghuang Wu, Longlong Xu, Ting Pan, Zonglin Li, Lin Gu, Kai Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.matt.2025.102044","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matt.2025.102044","url":null,"abstract":"Two-dimensional (2D) transition-metal dichalcogenide (TMDC)-based artificial synaptic devices are promising for neuromorphic computing. However, 2D TMDCs are difficult to heavily dope reversibly, which limits their resistive switching performances. Inspired by the biological gas-receptor signaling pathway, we report a gas (H<sub>2</sub>O)-receptor (defect) synergistic interaction (GRSI) mechanism to greatly enhance the resistive switching capabilities of 2D TMDC-based memristors by over 10,000 times. Employing the GRSI, the synaptic device emulates multiple synaptic plasticities and exhibits outstanding long-term potentiation and depression with a large dynamic range (>200), multiple resistance states (2<sup>8</sup> levels), and ultralow programming/reading powers (<em>P</em><sub>prog</sub> < 100 pW, <em>P</em><sub>read</sub> < 1 pW). As an artificial nociceptor, the device precisely simulates characteristic behaviors of biological nociceptors. More importantly, the GRSI is universally applicable to various 2D TMDCs including MoS<sub>2</sub>, WS<sub>2</sub>, SnS<sub>2</sub>, and ReS<sub>2</sub>. This work provides a bioinspired solution to high-performance, multifunctional 2D neuromorphic devices, stepping further toward their practical applications.","PeriodicalId":388,"journal":{"name":"Matter","volume":"19 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":18.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143635767","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Navigating microalgal biohybrids through confinements with magnetic guidance","authors":"Mukrime Birgul Akolpoglu, Saadet Fatma Baltaci, Ugur Bozuyuk, Selcan Karaz, Metin Sitti","doi":"10.1016/j.matt.2025.102052","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matt.2025.102052","url":null,"abstract":"In the natural world, microorganisms constantly navigate through confined spaces—such as those found in tissues, biological gels, and soil—yet their behavior in such environments remains poorly understood. Here, we explore this phenomenon by examining the navigation of magnetic microalgal biohybrids in constrained microenvironments. By leveraging the inherent propulsion of green microalgae and external steering capabilities acquired through the magnetization of microalgal cells, our biohybrids exhibit efficient navigation in viscous and confined microenvironments. Through high-yield fabrication and magnetic manipulation, we show precise control over their movement. Our findings reveal distinct navigation patterns influenced by magnetic guidance, namely backtracking and crossing, shedding light on the unexplored dynamics of confined locomotion assisted by magnetism. Our work highlights the significance of understanding microalgal biohybrid swimming behavior, offering crucial insights for future biotechnological and biomedical applications requiring precise navigation in confined environments.","PeriodicalId":388,"journal":{"name":"Matter","volume":"55 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":18.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143635766","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MatterPub Date : 2025-03-17DOI: 10.1016/j.matt.2025.102049
Dylan M. Barber, Michael D. Nelwood, Jennifer A. Lewis
{"title":"Rational design and synthesis of zwitterionic liquid dielectrics","authors":"Dylan M. Barber, Michael D. Nelwood, Jennifer A. Lewis","doi":"10.1016/j.matt.2025.102049","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matt.2025.102049","url":null,"abstract":"Zwitterions (ZIs) are emerging candidates for soft dielectrics but are limited by high melting points (<em>T</em><sub><em>m</em></sub>), glass transition temperatures (<em>T</em><sub><em>g</em></sub>), and viscosities (<em>η</em>) dramatically exceeding those of ionic liquids. To overcome these limitations, we synthesized 18 imidazolium-derived zwitterions with systematically varied composition at the (1) imidazolium tail (R<sub>t</sub>), (2) imidazolium 2 position (R<sub>2</sub>), (3) inter-charge spacer (R<sub>s</sub>), and (4) anion (R<sub>a</sub>). We found that long, flexible spacers yield stable zwitterionic liquids (ZILs), which we attribute to amplified entropy of fusion. Remarkably, stable ZILs with an elongated (6–16 atom length) inter-charge spacer, flexible tail, and a CF<sub>3</sub>-sulfonimide anion are 100- to 500-fold less viscous at room temperature than a benchmark supercooled ZI with a 4-atom spacer and a sulfonate anion. Moreover, these previously unreported ZILs exhibit high permittivities ranging from <em>ε</em><sub><em>r,s</em></sub> = 290 (6-atom spacers) to <em>ε</em><sub><em>r,s</em></sub> = 404 (16-atom spacers), highlighting the promise of this class of polarizable soft matter.","PeriodicalId":388,"journal":{"name":"Matter","volume":"24 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":18.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143635768","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MatterPub Date : 2025-03-17DOI: 10.1016/j.matt.2025.102054
Hang Yang, Yichong Wang, Yongjun Jang, Kevin Shani, Quan Jiao, Michael Peters, Kevin Kit Parker, Joost J. Vlassak
{"title":"Biomimetic hierarchical fibrous hydrogels with high alignment and flaw insensitivity","authors":"Hang Yang, Yichong Wang, Yongjun Jang, Kevin Shani, Quan Jiao, Michael Peters, Kevin Kit Parker, Joost J. Vlassak","doi":"10.1016/j.matt.2025.102054","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matt.2025.102054","url":null,"abstract":"Natural structural materials often feature intricate hierarchical architectures across various scales, from nanometers to hundreds of microns, resulting in exceptional strength, toughness, and flaw insensitivity. However, achieving similar microstructures in engineering materials remains a formidable challenge. In this study, we combine the wet rotary jet spinning (WRJS) system with a salting-out process to fabricate highly anisotropic fibrous poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogels with controlled crystallinity and interfacial adhesion between fibers. We engineered hydrogels to emulate the mechanical characteristics of structural materials in nature. The resulting materials demonstrate excellent anisotropic alignment at both the molecular and fiber scales. By controlling adhesion between fibers, we obtain a compact material that is more ductile than both of the individual fibers of which it is composed and isotropic bulk PVA. Overall, these fibrous hydrogels exhibit mechanical properties comparable to various natural tissues, offering significant potential for applications in soft devices and tissue engineering.","PeriodicalId":388,"journal":{"name":"Matter","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":18.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143635763","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Binder-free Pt/PAF membrane electrodes for durable, high-current-density hydrogen evolution","authors":"Jiahui Li, Xiaofei Jing, Shulin Li, Lina Ma, Yuting Yang, Shuo Han, Jiangtao Jia, Cafer T. Yavuz, Guangshan Zhu","doi":"10.1016/j.matt.2025.102047","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matt.2025.102047","url":null,"abstract":"Pt and its derivatives, with their high reactivity and stability, are ideal electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Despite being the industrial standard in HERs, high current densities remain prohibitive due to the increased risk of leaching. Here, we report a practical and scalable strategy to prepare extremely stable Pt-based electrodes employing porous aromatic framework (PAF-260, -261, and -264) membranes instead of commercial Nafion binders to render fully exposed Pt nanocatalysts as well as faster electron and mass transfer. All electrodes exhibit excellent HER performances, continuously operating for more than 1,000 h at ampere-level current densities without losing activity. The precise placement of Pt-anchoring sulfur functionalities throughout the porous framework enables the homogeneous distribution of electrocatalysts that deliver continuous production of hydrogen, even in highly alkaline environments. The design principles from this study could unravel robust electrolyzers that could accelerate the transition to renewable fuels.","PeriodicalId":388,"journal":{"name":"Matter","volume":"24 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":18.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143635771","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Implications of weaving pattern on the material properties of two-dimensional molecularly woven fabrics","authors":"Shiwei Chen, Zhi-Hui Zhang, Yuntao Li, Yijing Chen, Jinrong Yang, Xiao He, Liang Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.matt.2025.102050","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matt.2025.102050","url":null,"abstract":"Examining how the weaving process and weaving patterns impact material properties at the molecular level is essential for designing and synthesizing woven and entangled polymers with enhanced physical and mechanical performance. Theoretical analysis of three distinct woven fabrics—plain, mix, and basket, all featuring the same molecular strands—reveals that weaving architectures play a pivotal role in shaping the dynamics, stability, and mesh structure of the weave. Additionally, the patterns influence the pathway of energy dissipation against external forces, directly affecting the mechanical behavior of the materials. The effects stemming from weaving patterns can be attributed to the total number and density of entanglements and the interstrand non-covalent interactions, which physically restrict strand movement. This study not only establishes a clear mechanism between weaving architectures and material characteristics but also presents a theoretical model capable of illustrating the implications of other weave factors, such as strand rigidity and weave defects.","PeriodicalId":388,"journal":{"name":"Matter","volume":"69 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":18.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143635765","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A wearable transdermal device for on-demand drug delivery","authors":"Hao Wang, Ruisi Cai, Shenqiang Wang, Yinxian Yang, Tao Sheng, Wentao Zhang, Shiqi Wang, Jiahuan You, Ziyi Lu, Kangfan Ji, Yunlong Jiao, Mengyuan Ma, Nianou Wang, Ke Li, Wenjin Chu, Zhixi Yang, Jicheng Yu, Yuqi Zhang, Zhen Gu","doi":"10.1016/j.matt.2025.102040","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matt.2025.102040","url":null,"abstract":"Microneedle (MN) patches have shown great potential in biomedical applications because of their minimal invasiveness and efficient drug delivery. However, challenges remain, such as restricted penetration depth, limited drug loading capacity, and the complexity of controlled release formulations. Here, we present a wearable transdermal device (WTD) system composed of a portable iontophoresis device with an electroresponsive hydrogel (electrogel) and polymeric MN patches. When activated by a programmed current of the WTD, the macroporous electrogel shrinks to control drug solution release and further transport into the skin via MN-generated microchannels, providing efficient, on-demand transdermal drug administration. <em>In vivo</em> experiments in a diabetic model demonstrated that the WTD system rescued mice from hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia by transdermally delivering insulin or glucagon, respectively. It enabled programmed delivery based on blood glucose levels to avoid multiple injections. Moreover, the WTD system could deliver high-dosing required chemo drug and effectively inhibited tumor growth in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice.","PeriodicalId":388,"journal":{"name":"Matter","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":18.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143608641","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MatterPub Date : 2025-03-13DOI: 10.1016/j.matt.2025.102039
Dagmara J. Trojanowska, Arkadiusz Zych, Stefania Sganga, Nicola Tirelli, Matteo Boventi, Camilla Rinaldi, Roberto Simonutti, Athanassia Athanassiou, Giovanni Perotto
{"title":"Upgrading keratin into a moldable bioplastic","authors":"Dagmara J. Trojanowska, Arkadiusz Zych, Stefania Sganga, Nicola Tirelli, Matteo Boventi, Camilla Rinaldi, Roberto Simonutti, Athanassia Athanassiou, Giovanni Perotto","doi":"10.1016/j.matt.2025.102039","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matt.2025.102039","url":null,"abstract":"The adoption of a circular economy model for biopolymers necessitates new technologies for valorizing keratin-rich wastes, particularly from wool. This study presents an approach to convert hard keratin proteins into flexible, moldable, and freestanding bioplastics. This method relies on reprogramming the keratin’s structure by grafting building blocks on fully unfolded keratin via the thiol-based Michael-type addition between double bonds of the building blocks and thiols of keratin. The engineered protein showed new functionalities, resulting in: thermoplastic keratin after grafting with poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate; and increased toughness with poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate, a fully bio-based, flexible, and tough material (that outperformed every other regenerated keratin material) from epoxidized soybean oil acrylate. This efficient reaction occurs at room temperature in the same aqueous solution used for the extraction, without the need for additional steps. This approach emphasizes the potential of proteins as sustainable plastic alternatives.","PeriodicalId":388,"journal":{"name":"Matter","volume":"183 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":18.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143608743","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MatterPub Date : 2025-03-06DOI: 10.1016/j.matt.2025.102038
Tianli Hu, Ka Sin Lui, Eira Beryle Ko, Yayi Zhao, Qizheng Zhang, Huaxin Yang, Mengjia Zheng, Hao Chang, Baolin Guo, Allen Ka Loon Cheung, Chenjie Xu
{"title":"Microneedles with an anisotropic porous microstructure facilitate the transdermal delivery of small molecules, lipid nanoparticles, and T cells","authors":"Tianli Hu, Ka Sin Lui, Eira Beryle Ko, Yayi Zhao, Qizheng Zhang, Huaxin Yang, Mengjia Zheng, Hao Chang, Baolin Guo, Allen Ka Loon Cheung, Chenjie Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.matt.2025.102038","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matt.2025.102038","url":null,"abstract":"Porous microneedles (MNs) offer optimal performance for drug delivery and biofluid sampling. However, current porous MNs suffer from randomly interconnected pores, and existing fabrication methods lack control over pore diameter and orientation. This study employs a freeze-casting technique to precisely control these parameters in MNs, inspired by the anisotropic porous structure of wood xylem. This specialized microstructure enables rapid liquid absorption from the tips to the base within seconds, making it an effective tear-sampling tool to monitor tear biomarkers—a capability confirmed in rat models of dry-eye disease and diabetes. Additionally, these anisotropic porous MNs facilitate the active loading of various drugs, including γδ T cells, from the base to the tips without the need for specialized equipment. The delivery of γδ T cells via MNs has shown efficacy against tumors in both xenograft melanoma and pleural mesothelioma mouse models, presenting a novel approach to adoptive cell therapy.","PeriodicalId":388,"journal":{"name":"Matter","volume":"33 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":18.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143561151","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MatterPub Date : 2025-03-05DOI: 10.1016/j.matt.2024.101955
Micah A. Thorpe , Mengyao Zhang , Daniel W. Liao , Stephanie Elizabeth Sandoval , Younggyu Kim , Matthew T. McDowell , M.D. Thouless , Neil P. Dasgupta
{"title":"Controlling stack pressure inhomogeneity in anode-free solid-state batteries using elastomeric interlayers","authors":"Micah A. Thorpe , Mengyao Zhang , Daniel W. Liao , Stephanie Elizabeth Sandoval , Younggyu Kim , Matthew T. McDowell , M.D. Thouless , Neil P. Dasgupta","doi":"10.1016/j.matt.2024.101955","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matt.2024.101955","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>“Anode-free” solid-state batteries (SSBs) can enable high energy densities through <em>in situ</em> formation of a lithium (Li)-metal anode. This work investigates the effects of inhomogeneous stack pressure on Li plating and stripping at the interface between a Li<sub>6</sub>PS<sub>5</sub>Cl solid electrolyte and copper current collector. Elastomeric interlayers are shown to promote a uniform pressure distribution, which can compensate for interfacial roughness and/or misalignment of the external plates used to apply stack pressure. Owing to the improved pressure uniformity, the Li plating coverage increases from 49% to 70% after charging to 2 mAh/cm<sup>2</sup>, and Coulombic efficiency increases from 89% to 94%. The interfacial stress distribution is quantified using finite-element simulations under different interlayer conditions. This work demonstrates that stack pressure should not be defined as a singular quantity but as a parameter that varies in space and time as cycling evolves. This highlights the importance of packaging and component design for SSBs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":388,"journal":{"name":"Matter","volume":"8 3","pages":"Article 101955"},"PeriodicalIF":17.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143020943","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}