{"title":"Direct ink writing 3D printing of polydimethylsiloxane-based soft and composite materials: a mini review","authors":"Y. Li, Bo Li","doi":"10.1093/oxfmat/itac008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfmat/itac008","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) has been widely used in flexible electronics, biomedical tissue/organ devices, and soft robots. With the rapid advances in three-dimensional (3D) printing technologies, there has been considerable interest in using PDMS to create 3D, high-resolution, and multifunctional structures/devices. Among different 3D printing technologies, direct ink writing (DIW), where PDMS-based ink or gel is extruded from a moving nozzle, has demonstrated advantages of low cost, simplicity, and ability to combine different materials in a single processing step. Here, we provide a critical perspective on the advances and potential of DIW technology for PDMS-based materials. We will summarize the key factors and innovation in the DIW processes. Furthermore, we will also show state-of-the-art structures and applications of DIW printed PDMS-based materials. Finally, we hope to point out specific challenges, areas for further development, and provide guidelines to those interested in PDMS-based DIW.","PeriodicalId":74385,"journal":{"name":"Oxford open materials science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44200822","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":"An anisotropic negative thermal expansion metamaterial with sign-toggling and sign-programmable Poisson’s ratio","authors":"T. Lim","doi":"10.1093/oxfmat/itac007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfmat/itac007","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 A mechanical metamaterial is introduced herein by drawing inspiration from an Aztec geometric pattern. This metamaterial deformation mechanism for Poisson’s ratio and Young’s modulus is based on non-rotating rhombi with rotating triangles, and while the shear modulus analysis herein is based on rotating rhombi with non-rotating triangles, hence “partially rotating rigid units”.\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 \u0000 The coefficient of thermal expansion was obtained by equating the potential energy expressions from the simple harmonic motion and from the principle of energy equipartition, while the effective Young’s modulus was acquired by equating the strain energy from rotational stiffness with that from the strain energy of deformation from an assumed homogenised continuum. Due to the zero and extreme Poisson’s ratio based on infinitesimal deformation, the finite approach was employed.\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 \u0000 Results indicate that the proposed metamaterial exhibits anisotropic negative thermal expansion with sign-switching Poisson’s ratio when applied stress along one axis is reversed. The Poisson’s ratio for loading in another axis is undefined under tension but can be programmed to exhibit either sign when compressed. The Young’s modulus is directly governed by the rotational stiffness and strongly influenced by the extent of rotation, followed by the aspect ratio of the rotating units.\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 \u0000 Due to its uniqueness, the currently considered mechanical metamaterial can be used under specific requirements which are difficult to be attained by other materials with negative properties.\u0000","PeriodicalId":74385,"journal":{"name":"Oxford open materials science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41964714","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}
Shubhadeep Pal, Xiaozhe Zhang, B. Babu, Xiaodong Lin, Jiande Wang, A. Vlad
{"title":"Materials, Electrodes, and Electrolytes Advances for Next Generation Lithium-based Anode-Free Batteries","authors":"Shubhadeep Pal, Xiaozhe Zhang, B. Babu, Xiaodong Lin, Jiande Wang, A. Vlad","doi":"10.1093/oxfmat/itac005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfmat/itac005","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 The high volumetric stack energy density (∼ 750Wh L−1) is a must for grasping the practical application of electric vehicles with more than 100 km per day driving range. Such achievement requires significant advances in state-of-the-art battery technologies. The anode-free, derived from the metal-battery concept, germinates as one of the future potential battery configurations due to the highest, nearly theoretical gravimetric and volumetric energy density. Thus, moving from the graphite-based anode, where lithium is stored as ions, to anode-free cells, wherein lithium is plated as metal, can change the scenario of the electrochemical energy storing devices both in terms of energy density and fundamental mechanism. Although an anode-free battery theoretically provides higher stack energy density than a Li-ion battery, current developments are still underoptimized as these can barely hold for several cycles at room temperature due to the absence of an active lithium reservoir and still severe losses at the anode side. Hence electrolyte engineering with suitable electrode material choice is highly desirable and extremely challenging in realizing next-generation anode-free batteries. Herein, we summarize the current developments and achievements in the direction of anode-free batteries. Central emphasis is set on electrolyte chemistries that should on one hand allow for high-efficiency initial nucleation, followed by subsequent electrodeposition and electrodissolution of lithium metal, while also forming stable anodic interphases with the high energy cathode materials currently in use. We also prospect for better batteries with higher energy density beyond the present status.","PeriodicalId":74385,"journal":{"name":"Oxford open materials science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49453474","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}
B. Kushwaha, Avinash Kumar, Rushikesh S. Ambekar, V. Arya, Solomon Demiss Negedu, Deep Bakshi, E. Olu, R. S. Ayyagari, Varinder Pal, K. K. Sadasivuni, N. Pugno, Chirodeep Bakli, C. Tiwary
{"title":"Understanding the Mechanics of complex topology of the 3D printed Anthill architecture","authors":"B. Kushwaha, Avinash Kumar, Rushikesh S. Ambekar, V. Arya, Solomon Demiss Negedu, Deep Bakshi, E. Olu, R. S. Ayyagari, Varinder Pal, K. K. Sadasivuni, N. Pugno, Chirodeep Bakli, C. Tiwary","doi":"10.1093/oxfmat/itac003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfmat/itac003","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 The present work aimed to investigate the deformation behavior of complex ant mound architectures under compression.\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 \u0000 We have used the cement casting method to extract four different ant nest morphologies. These casted cement structures were digitalized using a 3D micro-computer tomography (CT) scan. The digitized structures were simulated under different loading conditions using Finite Element Methods (FEM). In order to supplement the numerical understanding, the digital architectures were 3D printed and experimentally tested under uniaxial loading conditions.\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 \u0000 Ants produce a variety of complex architectures for adapting to the surrounding environment and ants’ needs. Ant mound consists of at least one pillar with a broad base tapered towards its tip. Anthill architectures have unique topological features. Mechanical strength of ant mould can be 600 times enhanced by tuning topology. Thickness and angle of pillars have huge effect on load-bearing property\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 \u0000 The branched structures can endure larger stress and deform in the process under a volumetric pressure application, making them sacrificial units for extreme disasters like floods and earthquakes. The 3D printing experiments and Finite Element Methods simulations are needed to tackle the complex ant mound architectures and appear in good agreement, suggesting a robust design and thus the possibility of constructing anthill-inspired civil buildings with a tree-trunk-like geometry.\u0000","PeriodicalId":74385,"journal":{"name":"Oxford open materials science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-05-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45301615","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}
Mingfei Xu, Dawei Wang, K. Fu, D. Mudiyanselage, H. Fu, Yuji Zhao
{"title":"A Review of Ultrawide Bandgap Materials: Properties, Synthesis, and Devices","authors":"Mingfei Xu, Dawei Wang, K. Fu, D. Mudiyanselage, H. Fu, Yuji Zhao","doi":"10.1093/oxfmat/itac004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfmat/itac004","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Ultrawide bandgap (UWBG) materials such as diamond, Ga2O3, h-BN, and AlN, are a new class of semiconductors that possess a wide range of attractive properties, including very large bandgap, high critical electric field, high carrier mobility, and chemical inertness. Due to these outstanding characteristics, UWBG materials are promising candidates to enable high-performance devices for power electronics, ultraviolet (UV) photonics, quantum sensing, and quantum computing applications. Despite their great potential, the research of UWBG semiconductors is still at a nascent stage and represents a challenging interdisciplinary research area of physics, materials science, and devices engineering. In this review, the material properties, synthesis methods, and device applications of UWBG semiconductors diamond, Ga2O3, h-BN, and AlN will be presented, and their recent progress, challenges, and research opportunities will be discussed.","PeriodicalId":74385,"journal":{"name":"Oxford open materials science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44070679","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":"Designing of small organic non-fullerene(NFAs) acceptor molecules with an A−D−A Framework for high performance organic solar cells: A DFT and TD-DFT method","authors":"Surendra Babu Numbury","doi":"10.1093/oxfmat/itac002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfmat/itac002","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 The main objective of this research was to design non-fullerene acceptors A-D-A framework, using carbazole and benzothiazole derivatives. Density functional theory (DFT) was used to calculate the geometry optimized structures and electronic properties at B3LYP functional with a 6-311G basis set in the gas and solvent phase.The frontier molecular orbital’s (FMO), bandgap, Open-circuit voltage (VOC) and dipole moments of these developed acceptors have been calculated. The theoretical UV absorption spectrawere calculated from Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) with the same level of theory used DFT method.They show a suitable bandgap (2.24–2.93 eV) and dipole moment (1.8–10.8 Debye). The maximum wavelength (λmax) for all studied molecules in the range is 665.17–679.97 in both gas and solvent. A slight redshift was observed in all acceptors selected for chlorobenzene compared to gas phase absorption.The non-fullerene acceptor A11 has the lowest bandgap energy (2.24 eV), gas-phase excitation energy (1.86 eV), and chlorobenzene excitation energy (1.86 eV) (1.86 eV). As a result, A11 is predicted to be a good contender for organic non-fullerene acceptors in the future. The open-circuit voltage (Voc) values range from 1.53 to 2.56 eV. Consequently, the optoelectronic, molecular orbital distribution, and A11 and A12 molecules were suitable acceptors for non-fullerene acceptors.","PeriodicalId":74385,"journal":{"name":"Oxford open materials science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42614981","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":"In-plane and vertical heterostructures from 1T’/2H transition-metal dichalcogenides","authors":"Yang Ma, Shiyu Xu, Juntian Wei, Bin Zhou, Y. Gong","doi":"10.1093/oxfmat/itab016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfmat/itab016","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 An avalanche of research has been carried out on two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) due to their potential applications in advanced electronics and flexible devices. To take full use of the emerging 2D TMDs materials, their in-plane/vertical heterostructures have been explored, enabling effective tuning of their physical and chemical properties. However, structural differences between the various phases impede the formation of functional heterostructures. Therefore, robust synthesis strategies for heterostructures with different phases have been explored in this study.\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 \u0000 A chemical vapor deposition process has been proposed in which the key parameters like reaction sources, deposition sites, etc. have been carefully adjusted, trying to achieve simultaneous synthesis of 1T’/2H in-plane and vertical heterostructures.\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 \u0000 Consequently, 2D in-plane RexMo1-xS2/MoS2 and vertical ReS2/MoS2 heterostructures have been produced in different regions at the same time. Atomic-resolution Z-contrast images reveal the detailed atomic structure of the 1T’/2H interfaces. The lateral interface is found to contain Mo atoms with only 5-fold coordination with S due to the phase mismatch.\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 \u0000 This work demonstrates a route to exploit heterostructures of different phases and opens the possibility to build more complicated 2D heterostructures using CVD.\u0000","PeriodicalId":74385,"journal":{"name":"Oxford open materials science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-01-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42140749","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":"Generating 3D architectured nature-inspired materials and granular media using diffusion models based on language cues.","authors":"Markus J Buehler","doi":"10.1093/oxfmat/itac010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfmat/itac010","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A variety of image generation methods have emerged in recent years, notably DALL-E 2, Imagen and Stable Diffusion. While they have been shown to be capable of producing photorealistic images from text prompts facilitated by generative diffusion models conditioned on language input, their capacity for materials design has not yet been explored. Here, we use a trained Stable Diffusion model and consider it as an experimental system, examining its capacity to generate novel material designs especially in the context of 3D material architectures. We demonstrate that this approach offers a paradigm to generate diverse material patterns and designs, using human-readable language as input, allowing us to explore a vast nature-inspired design portfolio for both novel architectured materials and granular media. We present a series of methods to translate 2D representations into 3D data, including movements through noise spaces via mixtures of text prompts, and image conditioning. We create physical samples using additive manufacturing and assess material properties of materials designed via a coarse-grained particle simulation approach. We present case studies using images as starting point for material generation; exemplified in two applications. First, a design for which we use Haeckel's classic lithographic print of a diatom, which we amalgamate with a spider web. Second, a design that is based on the image of a flame, amalgamating it with a hybrid of a spider web and wood structures. These design approaches result in complex materials forming solids or granular liquid-like media that can ultimately be tuned to meet target demands.</p>","PeriodicalId":74385,"journal":{"name":"Oxford open materials science","volume":"2 1","pages":"itac010"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9767007/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10742575","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":"Thin film growth of MAX phases as functional materials","authors":"Abhijit Biswas, Varun Natu, Anand B. Puthirath","doi":"10.1093/oxfmat/itab020","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfmat/itab020","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Layered nanolaminate ternary carbides, nitrides and carbonitrides with general formula Mn+1 AXn or MAX (n = 1, 2, or 3, M is an early transition metal, A is mostly group 13 or 14 element, and X is C and/or N) has revolutionized the world of nanomaterials, due to the coexistence of both ceramic and metallic nature, giving rise to exceptional mechanical, thermal, electrical, chemical properties and wide range of applications. Although several solid-state bulk synthesis methods have been developed to produce a variety of MAX phases, however, for certain applications, the growth of MAX phases, especially in its high-quality epitaxial thin films form is of increasing interest. Here, we summarize the progress made thus far in epitaxial growth and property evaluation of MAX phase thin films grown by various deposition techniques. We also address the important future research directions to be made in terms of thin-film growth. Overall, in the future, high-quality single-phase epitaxial thin film growth and engineering of chemically diverse MAX phases may open up interesting new avenues for next-generation technology.","PeriodicalId":74385,"journal":{"name":"Oxford open materials science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44180998","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":"Ultrathin Metal-Organic Framework Nanosheets and Devices","authors":"A. Meiyazhagan","doi":"10.1093/oxfmat/itab019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfmat/itab019","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 A few recent findings on ultrathin two-dimensional (2D) metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) were discussed in this spotlight review. MOFs are a class of materials with intriguing properties for possible applications in several fields ranging from catalysis to sensors and functional devices. To date, several synthesis strategies have been explored to derive crystalline 2D MOF structures. However, most synthetic strategies to obtain such materials remain underexplored. This highlighted review evaluated select synthesis strategies focused on deriving micron-sized 2D MOF crystals, emphasizing their rich chemistries. More importantly, the possibility of integrating the synthesized ultrathin 2D crystalline MOFs into the functional device and their electrical conductivity measurements are reviewed. Overall, this review provides the most recent outcomes in the ultrathin 2D MOF community and its influence on electronic devices.","PeriodicalId":74385,"journal":{"name":"Oxford open materials science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49333361","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}