Incorporation of Graphene Oxide Quantum Dots in Gradient Layers of Polyethersulphone Nanofiltration Membranes for Nitrate Rejection from Aqueous Solution.

Graphene oxide quantum dots (GOQDs) have been widely used to prepare nanofiltration membranes due to the merits of excellent dispersity, ultrasmall size, and unique properties related to graphene. In this study, we first prepared the polyethersulphone-based nanofiltration (PES-NF) membrane via an interfacial polymerization process using a piperazine and m-phenylenediamine mixed solution as the aqueous phase. Then GOQDs were incorporated into the top-down gradient structured layers (i.e., ultrathin layer, interlayer, and substrate membrane layer) of the nanofiltration membrane, and subsequently the effect of GOQD addition on the nitrate rejection was evaluated. Compared with the pristine PES-NF membrane without the incorporation of GOQDs, the fabricated NF membrane (GOQD/PES-NF-2) incorporating GOQDs at both the ultrathin layer and interlayer exhibits more remarkable performances (an acceptable permeation flux of 52.2 L m-1 h-1 and excellent nitrate rejection of 96.3% at 0.6 MPa), the permeation flux of this membrane increases by nearly 2.4 times, and its nitrate rejection also shows a slight enhancement (∼7.6%) compared with those of PES-NF. Remarkably, at the operating pressure much lower than that required by reverse osmosis membranes, the GOQD/PES-NF-2 membrane possesses an equivalent monovalent ion rejection to reverse osmosis membranes but a higher permeation flux. Furthermore, the result of a 7 day continuous stability test validates the excellent durability of the GOQD/PES-NF-2 membrane, and its antifouling and chlorine resistance performances also outperform those of the PES-NF membrane.

Rapid Assessment of Biomarkers on Single Extracellular Vesicles Using "Catch and Display" on Ultrathin Nanoporous Silicon Nitride Membranes.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are particles released from cells that facilitate intercellular communication and have tremendous diagnostic and therapeutic potential. Bulk assays lack the sensitivity to detect rare EV subsets relevant to disease, and while single EV analysis techniques remedy this, they are often undermined by complicated detection schemes and prohibitive instrumentation. To address these issues, a microfluidic technique for EV characterization called "catch and display for liquid biopsy (CAD-LB)" is proposed. In this method, minimally processed samples are pipette-injected and fluorescently labeled EVs are captured in the nanopores of an ultrathin membrane.  This enables the rapid assessment of EV number and biomarker colocalization by light microscopy. Here, nanoparticles are used to define the accuracy and dynamic range for counting and colocalization. The same assessments are then made for purified EVs and for unpurified EVs in plasma. Biomarker detection is validated using CD9 and Western blot analysis to confirm that CAD-LB accurately reports relative protein expression levels. Using unprocessed conditioned media, CAD-LB captures the known increase in EV-associated ICAM-1 following endothelial cell cytokine stimulation. Finally, to demonstrate CAD-LB's clinical potential, EV biomarkers indicative of immunotherapy responsiveness are successfully detected in the plasma of bladder cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint blockade.

Usefulness and safety of new ultrasmall-diameter colonoscope for cases with difficult insertion: a retrospective study.

Colonoscopies are widely available, but there are cases where insertion can be difficult, even for experienced endoscopists. EC-760XP/L, a new ultrasmall-diameter long scope, may be useful in such cases. This single-center retrospective study included 39 cases where colonoscope insertion was difficult even when previously conducted by an experienced endoscopist. The primary outcome was the cecal intubation time using EC-760XP/L compared to the time used in a previous examination with a standard scope. The secondary outcomes were the cecum intubation rate, intestinal cleanliness level, adenoma detection rate, polyp detection rate, sedative use rate, occurrence of adverse events, and pain experience. A comparison of cecal intubation times between EC-760XP/L and the standard scope showed that insertion times were significantly lower with EC-760XP/L (9.5 min) compared to the standard scope (19 min) (p < 0.01). The standard scope achieved cecal intubation in 30 cases (76.9%), whereas EC-760XP/L reached the cecum in all cases (p < 0.01). Pain was observed in 3 cases (8.3%) with the EC-760XP/L, which was significantly lower than the 22 cases (56.4%) with the standard scope (p < 0.01). In conclusion, EC-760XP/L proved to be useful in cases where colonoscope insertion was difficult.

Restoration of Anterior Teeth Defect With Porcelain Laminate Veneer Using the Refractory Technique: A Case Report.

Anterior teeth play an important role in the aesthetic appearance of an individual. Hence, restoration of the anterior teeth has always been a significant concern for both dentists and patients worldwide. Indirect restoration using laminate veneers has revolutionized cosmetic dentistry by minimizing tooth preparation compared to full dental crowns. It also enhances vitality, color matching, and superior mechanical properties compared to direct composite restoration. The success of veneer restoration depends on case selection, material choice, and fabrication technique, tailored for every patient based on a thorough consideration of the existing lesion and the needs of the patient. This clinical report exemplifies the conservative treatment of a refractory defect on the labial surface of the maxillary central incisor using a minimal-thickness veneer fabricated from a refractory porcelain system.

Bronchial branch tracing navigation in ultrathin bronchoscopy-guided radial endobronchial ultrasound for peripheral pulmonary nodule.

BACKGROUND: Most malignant peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs) are situated in the peripheral region of the lung. Although the ultrathin bronchoscope (UTB) can access these areas, a robust navigation system is essential for precise localisation of these small peripheral PPLs. Since many UTB procedures rely on automated virtual bronchoscopic navigation (VBN), this study aims to determine the accuracy and diagnostic yield of the manual bronchial branch tracing (BBT) navigation in UTB-guided radial endobronchial ultrasound (rEBUS) procedures. METHODS: Single-centre retrospective study of UTB-rEBUS patients with PPLs smaller than 3 cm over a two year period. RESULTS: Our cohort consisted of 47 patients with a mean age of 61.6 (SD 9.53) years and a mean target size of 1.91 (SD 0.53) cm. Among these lesions, 46.8% were located in the 6th airway generation, and 78.7% exhibited a direct bronchus sign. Navigation success using BBT was 91.5% based on positive rEBUS identification. The index diagnostic yield was 82.9%, increasing to 91.5% at 12 months of follow-up. Malignant lesions accounted for 65.1% of cases, while 34.9% were non-malignant. The presence of a direct bronchus sign was the sole factor associated with higher navigation success and diagnostic yield. Cryobiopsy outperformed forceps biopsy in non-concentric rEBUS lesions (90.9% vs. 50.0%, p < 0.05), but not in concentric orientated lesions. One pneumothorax occurred in our cohort. CONCLUSIONS: BBT as an exclusive navigation method for small PPLs in UTB-rEBUS procedures has proved to be safe and feasible. Combination of UTB with cryobiopsy remains efficient for eccentric and adjacently oriented rEBUS lesions.

Value of ultrathin bronchoscope in improving the endobronchial ultrasound localization rate and diagnosing peripheral pulmonary nodules by cryobiopsy.

BACKGROUND: A 3.0-mm ultrathin bronchoscope (UTB) with a 1.7-mm working channel provides better accessibility to peripheral bronchi. A 4.0-mm thin bronchoscope with a larger 2.0-mm working channel facilitates the use of a guide sheath (GS), ensuring repeated sampling from the same location. The 1.1-mm ultrathin cryoprobe has a smaller diameter, overcoming the limitation of the size of biopsy instruments used with UTB. In this study, we compared the endobronchial ultrasound localization rate and diagnostic yield of peripheral lung lesions by cryobiopsy using UTB and thin bronchoscopy combined with GS. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 133 patients with peripheral pulmonary lesions with a diameter less than 30 mm who underwent bronchoscopy with either thin bronchoscope or UTB from May 2019 to May 2023. A 3.0-mm UTB combined with rEBUS was used in the UTB group, whereas a 4.0-mm thin bronchoscope combined with rEBUS and GS was used for the thin bronchoscope group. A 1.1-mm ultrathin cryoprobe was used for cryobiopsy in the two groups. RESULTS: Among the 133 patients, peripheral pulmonary nodules in 85 subjects were visualized using r-EBUS. The ultrasound localization rate was significantly higher in the UTB group than in the thin bronchoscope group (96.0% vs. 44.6%, respectively; P < 0.001). The diagnostic yield of cryobiopsy specimens from the UTB group was significantly higher compared to the thin bronchoscope group (54.0% vs. 30.1%, respectively; p = 0.006). Univariate analysis demonstrated that the cryobiopsy diagnostic yields of the UTB group were significantly higher for lesions ≤ 20 mm, benign lesions, upper lobe lesions, lesions located lateral one-third from the hilum, and lesions without bronchus sign. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrathin bronchoscopy combined with cryobiopsy has a superior ultrasound localization rate and diagnostic yield compared to a combination of cryobiopsy and thin bronchoscopy.

Ultrathin ternary PtNiRu nanowires for enhanced oxygen reduction and methanol oxidation catalysis via d-band center regulation.

Direct methanol fuel cells rely on the efficiency of their anode/cathode electrocatalysts to facilitate the methanol oxidation reaction and oxygen reduction reaction, respectively. Platinum-based nanocatalysts are at the forefront due to their superior catalytic properties. However, the high-cost, scarcity, and low CO tolerance of platinum pose challenges for the scalable application of DMFCs. Herein, we report novel ultrathin ternary PtNiRu alloy nanowires to improve Pt utilization and CO tolerance. These novel electrocatalysts incorporate the oxophilic metal Ru into ultrathin PtNi nanowires, aiming to enhance the intrinsic activity of platinum while leveraging the long-term durability and high utilization efficiency provided by the bimetallic synergistic effect. The PtNiRu NWs significantly enhance both mass activity and specific activity for ORR, performing about 6.9 times and 3.9 times better than commercial Pt/C, respectively. After a rigorous durability test of 10,000 cycles, the PtNiRu NWs only exhibited a 25.2 % loss in mass activity. Additionally, for MOR, the MA and SA of PtNiRu NWs exceed that of Pt/C catalyst by 4.30 and 2.72 times, respectively, and exhibit exceptional resistance to CO poisoning. Theoretical insights from density functional theory calculations suggest that the introduction of Ru modulates the d-band center of the surface Pt atoms, which contributes to decreased binding strength of oxygenated species and an elevated dissolution potential, substantiating the enhanced performance metrics, and the durability enhancement stems from the stronger PtM bonds than those in PtNiRu NWs resulted from PtRu covalent interactions. These findings not only provide a new perspective on platinum-based nanocatalysts but also significantly advance the quest for more efficient and durable electrocatalysts for DMFCs, representing a substantial stride in fuel cell technology.

Two-Dimensional Atomically Thin Piezoelectric Nanosheets for Efficient Pyroptosis-Dominated Sonopiezoelectric Cancer Therapy.

Sonopiezocatalytic therapy is an emerging therapeutic strategy that utilizes ultrasound irradiation to activate piezoelectric materials, inducing polarization and energy band bending to facilitate the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, the efficient generation of ROS is hindered by the long distance of charge migration from the bulk to the material surface. Herein, atomically thin Bi2O2(OH)(NO3) (AT-BON) nanosheets are rationally engineered through disrupting the weaker hydrogen bonds within the [OH] and [NO3] layer in the bulk material. The ultrathin structure of AT-BON piezocatalytic nanosheets shortens the migration distance of carriers, expands the specific surface area, and accelerates the charge transfer efficiency, showcasing a natural advantage in ROS generation. Importantly, the non-centrosymmetric polar crystal structure grants the nanosheets the ability to separate electron-hole pairs. Under ultrasonic mechanical stress, Bi2O2(OH)(NO3) nanosheets with the remarkable piezoelectric feature exhibit the desirable in vivo antineoplastic outcomes in both breast cancer model and liver cancer model. Especially, the AT-BON-induced ROS bursts lead to the activation of the Caspase-1-driven pyroptosis pathway. This study highlights the beneficial impact of bulk material thinning on enhancing ROS generation efficiency and anti-cancer effects.

Ultrathin 2D-2D MXene-LDH Interlayer with High Polysulfide Adsorption Ability for Advanced Li-S Batteries.

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are considered as promising energy storage systems due to the high energy density of 2600 W h kg-1. However, the practical application of Li-S batteries is hindered by the inadequate conductivity of sulfur and Li2S, as well as the shuttle effect caused by polysulfides during the charge-discharge process. Introducing a conductive interlayer between the cathode and the separator to physically resist polysulfides represents an effective and straightforward approach to mitigate the shuttle effect in Li-S batteries. In this paper, an ultrathin (<1 µm) 2D-2D MXene-LDH interlayer with high polysulfide adsorption ability was introduced to Li-S batteries. The synergistic effect between MXene and layered double hydroxide greatly improved the adsorption effect of the interlayers: the conductive Ti3C2Tx MXene chemically adsorbs polysulfides and promotes their fast transfer, and the NiCo-LDH alleviates the restack of MXene and facilitates Li+ diffusion. After inserting the MXene-LDH interlayer, the Li-S batteries exhibit an enhanced specific capacity of 1137.6 mA h g-1 at 0.1 C and retain 622.6 mA h g-1 after 100 cycles. The ultrathin 2D-2D interlayer offers a feasible way for the development of highly efficient and lightweight interlayers in Li-S batteries.

Spontaneous Orientation Polarization of Anisotropic Equivalent Dipoles Harnessed by Entropy Engineering for Ultra-Thin Electromagnetic Wave Absorber.

The synthesis of carbon supporter/nanoscale high-entropy alloys (HEAs) electromagnetic response composites by carbothermal shock method has been identified as an advanced strategy for the collaborative competition engineering of conductive/dielectric genes. Electron migration modes within HEAs as manipulated by the electronegativity, valence electron configurations and molar proportions of constituent elements determine the steady state and efficiency of equivalent dipoles. Herein, enlightened by skin-like effect, a reformative carbothermal shock method using carbonized cellulose paper (CCP) as carbon supporter is used to preserve the oxygen-containing functional groups (O·) of carbonized cellulose fibers (CCF). Nucleation of HEAs and construction of emblematic shell-core CCF/HEAs heterointerfaces are inextricably linked to carbon metabolism induced by O·. Meanwhile, the electron migration mode of switchable electron-rich sites promotes the orientation polarization of anisotropic equivalent dipoles. By virtue of the reinforcement strategy, CCP/HEAs composite prepared by 35% molar ratio of Mn element (CCP/HEAs-Mn2.15) achieves efficient electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption of - 51.35 dB at an ultra-thin thickness of 1.03 mm. The mechanisms of the resulting dielectric properties of HEAs-based EMW absorbing materials are elucidated by combining theoretical calculations with experimental characterizations, which provide theoretical bases and feasible strategies for the simulation and practical application of electromagnetic functional devices (e.g., ultra-wideband bandpass filter).

Comparison of Efficacy and Safety of Different Guided Technologies Combined With Ultrathin Bronchoscopic Biopsy for Peripheral Pulmonary Lesions.

INTRODUCTION: Various bronchoscopic guidance techniques have emerged to improve the diagnostic yield of peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs), especially when combined with ultra-thin bronchoscopy. However, uncertainties exists in the convenience, accuracy rate, and complications of these techniques. We compared the feasibility, accuracy rate, and complication rates of transbronchial biopsy of PPLs sampled by the standard thin-layer CT navigation combined with ultrathin bronchoscopy (CTNUTB), the Lungpro virtual navigation combined with ultrathin bronchoscopy (VNUTB), and electromagnetic navigation combined with ultrathin bronchoscopy (ENUTB). METHODS: Retrospectively identified were 256 patients sampled with transbronchial biopsy of PPLs. Eligible patients referred for CTNUTB, VNUTB, and ENUTB from January 2017 to December 2021 were included. We comprehensively compared the accuracy rate, feasibility, and complication rates for each method. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the accuracy rate of CTNUTB, VNUTB, and ENUTB (p = 0.293). The operation time via Lungpro navigation was the shortest (14.4 min, p < 0.001). The planning time via CT planning was the shortest (7.36 min, p < 0.001). There was no difference in the incidence of complications such as hemorrhage, pneumonia, and pneumothorax (p = 0.123). Besides, ENUTB costs more than $2000, while CTNUTB and VNUTB cost only about $130-230. CONCLUSION: CTNUTB is still the main bronchoscopy method we recommended, which has low cost, simple operation, and safety no less than the others. In contrast, ENUTB provides a higher accuracy rate for small diameter nodules (less than 2 cm), which has a high use value and is worth promoting in the future.

Next-Generation Ultrathin Lightweight Electrode for pH-Universal Aqueous Flow Batteries.

Aqueous flow batteries (AFBs) are promising long-duration energy storage system owing to intrinsic safety, inherent scalability, and ultralong cycle life. However, due to the thicker (3-5 mm) and heavier (300-600 g m-2) nature, the current used graphite felt (GF) electrodes still limit the volume/weight power density of AFBs. Herein, a lightweight (≈50 g m-2) and ultrathin (≈0.3 mm) carbon microtube electrode (CME) is proposed derived from a scalable one-step carbonization of commercial cotton cloth. The unique loose woven structure composed of carbon microtube endows CME with excellent conductivity, abundant active sites, and enhanced electrolyte transport performance, thereby significantly reducing polarization in working AFBs. As a consequence, CME demonstrates excellent cycling performance in pH-universal AFBs, including acidic vanadium flow battery (maximum power density of 632.2 mW cm-2), neutral Zn-I2 flow battery (750 cycles with average Coulombic efficiency of 99.6%), and alkaline Zn-Fe flow battery (energy efficiency over 70% at 200 mA cm-2). More importantly, the estimated price of CME is only 5% of GF (≈3 vs ≈60 $ m-2). Therefore, it is reasonably anticipated that the lightweight and ultrathin CME may emerge as the next generation electrode for AFBs.

Clinical Success Evaluation of Ultrathin Ceramic Veneers Bonded to Nonprepared Teeth: An Observational Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Patients' increasing interest in achieving optimal cosmetic outcomes and the widespread use of ultrathin ceramic veneers offer advantages such as high esthetic results and long-term durability. Several issues related to tooth preparation have been raised, including dental sensitivity, periodontal diseases, and increased treatment phases, in addition to complications associated with previous procedures, the treatment of which remains controversial to date. With the advancement of dental ceramic and its manufacturing techniques, it was widely used to manufacture ultrathin ceramic veneers with minimal preparation. Issues such as fracture and abfraction are the most common in ceramic veneers made of feldspathic ceramic due to their weak mechanical properties against various forces, which led to the emergence of lithium disilicate glass-ceramic manufactured using the heat-press technique. This has resulted in ultrathin ceramic veneers with a thickness of up to 0.1-0.2 mm easily bonded and finished as they have high mechanical properties and esthetic qualities that mimic natural tooth color and shape. The current cohort study aimed to evaluate the success rates of this kind of treatment for patients treated at our department. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This observational cohort study's sample comprised 60 ultrathin ceramic veneers manufactured from lithium disilicate glass-ceramic bonded to nonprepared upper teeth. The clinical performance of the studied sample was evaluated and monitored at monthly intervals (one month, three months, six months, and one year) using the clinical success evaluation based on Walton's principles adopted for evaluating the success and failure of fixed restorations. RESULTS: Ultrathin ceramic veneers made from lithium disilicate glass-ceramic, bonded to nonprepared teeth, proved to be a successful clinical and esthetic treatment option, with a clinical success rate of 100% during the entire follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: This study's findings indicate that ultrathin ceramic veneers made from lithium disilicate glass-ceramic, bonded to nonprepared teeth, are a successful clinical and esthetic treatment option, with a clinical success rate of 100% during the entire follow-up period.

Study on the Performance of Epoxy-Modified Asphalt and Steel Slag Ultra-Thin Friction Course.

Ultra-thin overlays (UTOL) are a standard highway pre-maintenance method used to improve the road surface performance of asphalt pavements and to repair minor rutting and cracking. However, the thin thickness makes it very sensitive to external changes, which increases its wear and shortens its life. So, this paper aims to prepare a durable and skid-resistance asphalt ultra-thin overlay using epoxy asphalt (EA) and steel slag. First, the physical properties of EA were characterized by penetration, softening point, flexibility, and kinematic viscosity tests. The dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) test characterizes EA's rheological properties. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), kinematic viscosity, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) characterized the EA's curing process. Finally, the pavement performance of an epoxy ultra-thin overlay (EUTOL) prepared with EA and steel slag was tested. The results show that the epoxy resin particles increase with the increase in epoxy resin dosage, and at 40%, its epoxy particles are uniformly distributed with the most significant area share. With the addition of epoxy resin, the needle penetration of EA decreases and then increases, the flexibility decreases at a slower rate, and the softening point rises significantly. Moreover, the growth of the elastic component in EA significantly improved the high-temperature viscoelastic properties. Considering its physical and rheological properties, the optimal doping amount of 40% was selected. By analyzing the curing behavior of EA (optimum dosage), the combination temperature of EA is 150 °C, which meets the needs of mixing and paving asphalt mixtures. After 12 h of maintenance at 120 °C, its reaction is sufficient. The skid-resistance durability, high-temperature, low-temperature, water stability, and fatigue resistance of UTOL can be effectively improved using steel slag coarse aggregate.

Ultrathin nanocapacitor assembled via atomic layer deposition.

We fabricated ultrathin metal - oxide - semiconductor (MOS) nanocapacitors using atomic layer deposition. The capacitors consist of a bilayer of Al2O3 and Y2O3 with a total thickness of ~10 nm, deposited on silicon substrate. The presence of the two materials, each slab being ~5 nm thick and uniform over a large area, was confirmed with Transmission Electron Microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The capacitance in accumulation varied from 1.6 nF (at 1MHz) to ~2.8 nF (at 10 kHz), which is one to two orders of magnitude higher than other nanocapacitors. This high capacitance is attributed to the synergy between the dielectric properties of ultrathin Al2O3 and Y2O3 layers. The electrical properties of the nanocapacitor are stable within a wide range of temperatures, from 25 °C to 150 °C, as indicated by capacitance-voltage (C - V). Since the thickness-to-area ratio is negligible, the nanocapacitor could be simulated as a single parallel plate capacitor in COMSOL Multiphysics, with good agreement between experimental and simulation data. As a proof-of-concept we simulated a MOSFET device with the nanocapacitor gate dielectric, whose drain current is sufficiently high for micro and nanoelectronics integrated circuits, including for applications in sensing.

Blue Shift of Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance of Gold Ultrathin Nanorod by Forming a Single Atomic Silver Shell via Antigalvanic Process.

Gold ultrathin nanorods (Au UNRs) are anisotropic nanostructures constructed by attaching gold nanoclusters in one dimension. Au UNRs exhibit localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) only in the longitudinal direction because their diameter is smaller than the Fermi wavelength of an electron (<2 nm). In this study, we found that the LSPR wavelength of oleylamine-stabilized Au UNRs is blue-shifted simply by mixing with Ag(I). High-resolution elemental mapping and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of the resulting UNRs indicate that a Ag monatomic layer is formed on the Au UNR surface by the antigalvanic reduction of Ag(I). This process allowed us to synthesize a series of Au@Ag core-shell UNRs with LSPR wavelengths in the range of 1.2-2.0 µm.

Zincophile Zn2+ Conductor Regulation by Ultrathin Nano MoO3 Coating for Dendrite-Free Zn Anode.

Aqueous battery with nonflammable and instinctive safe properties has received great attention. However, issues related to Zn anode such as side reactions and rampant dendrite growth hinder the long-term circulation of AZMBs. Herein, an ultrathin(35 nm) MoO3 coating is deposited on the Zn anode by means of vacuum vapor deposition for the first time. Due to the peculiar layer structure of MoO3, insertion of Zn2+ in ZnxMoO3 acts as Zn2+ ion conductor, which regulates Zn2+ deposition in an ordered manner. Additionally, the MoO3 coating can also inhibit the hydrogen evolution and corrosion reactions at the interface. Therefore, both Zn//MoO3@Cu asymmetric battery and Zn symmetric battery cells manage to deliver satisfactory electrochemical performances. The symmetric cell assembled with MoO3@Zn shows a significant long cycle life of more than 1600 h at a current density of 2 mA cm-2. Meanwhile, the MoO3@Zn//Cu asymmetric cell exhibits an ultrahigh Zn deposition/stripping efficiency of 99.82% after a stable cycling of 650 h at 2 mA cm-2. This study proposes a concept of "zincophile Zn2+ conductor regulation" to dictate Zn electrodeposition and broadens novel design of vacuum evaporation for nano MoO3 modified Zn anodes.

Breathable, Adhesive, and Biomimetic Skin-Like Super Tattoo.

Electronic tattoo, capable of imperceivably acquiring bio-electrical signals from the body, is broadly applied in healthcare and human-machine interface. Tattoo substrate, the foundation of electronic tattoo, is expected to be mechanically mimetic to skin, adhesive, and breathable, and yet remains highly challenging to achieve. Herein, the study mimics human skin and design a breathable, adhesive, and mechanically skin-like super tattoo substrate based on an ultra-thin film (≈2 µm). Similar to skin, super tattoo demonstrates strain-adaptive stiffening properties with high tear energy (5.4 kJ·m-2) and toughness (1.3 MJ·m-3). Superior to skin, it exhibits high adhesion, ionic conductivity, and permeability. A variety of conductive electrodes can be processed on it, showing the universality toward an ideal platform for electronic tattoo with stable and low contact impedance. Super tattoo-based electrodes can imperceivably and accurately monitor weak electromyography (EMG) of swallowing on the junction, providing effective guidance for rehabilitation training of dysphagia.

Designing Cooperative Ion Transport Pathway in Ultra-Thin Solid-State Electrolytes toward Practical Lithium Metal Batteries.

Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are promising for high-energy-density solid-state Li metal batteries due to their decent flexibility, safety, and interfacial stability. However, their development was seriously hindered by the interfacial instability and limited conductivity, leading to inferior electrochemical performance.  Herein, we proposed to design ultra-thin solid-state electrolyte with long-range cooperative ion transport pathway to effectively increase the ionic conductivity and stability. The impregnation of PVDF-HFP inside pores of  fluorinated covalent organic framework (CF3-COF) can disrupt its symmetry, rendering rapid ion transportation and inhibited anion imigration. The functional groups of CF3-COF can interact with PVDF-HFP to form fast Li+ transport channels, which enables the uniform and confined Li+ conduction within the electrolyte. The introduction of CF3-COF also enhances the mechanical strength and flexibility of SPEs, as well as ensures homogeneous Li deposition and inhibited dendrite growth.  Hence, a remarkably high conductivity of 1.21×10-3 S cm-1 can be achieved. Finally, the ultra-thin SPEs with an extremely long cycle life exceed 9000 h can be obtained (the longest cycle life reported until now) while the NCM523/Li pouch cell demonstrates a high capacity of 760 mAh and 96% capacity retention after cycling, holding great promises to be utilized for practical solid-state Li metal batteries.

Substrate Charge Transfer Induced Ferromagnetism in MnSe/SrTiO3 Ultrathin Films.

The observation of superconductivity in MnSe at 12 GPa motivated us to investigate whether superconductivity could be induced in MnSe at ambient conditions. A strain-induced structural change in the ultrathin film could be one route to the emergence of superconductivity. In this report, we present the physical property of MnSe ultrathin films, which become tetragonal (stretched ab-plane and shortened c-axis) on a (001) SrTiO3 (STO) substrate, prepared by the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) method. The physical properties of the tetragonal MnSe ultrathin films exhibit very different characteristics from those of the thick films and polycrystalline samples. The tetragonal MnSe films show substantial conductivity enhancement, which could be associated with the presence of superparamagnetism. The optical absorption data indicate that the electron transition through the indirect bandgap to the conduction band is significantly enhanced in tetragonal MnSe. Furthermore, the X-ray Mn L-edge absorption results also reveal an increase in unoccupied state valance bands. This theoretical study suggests that charge transfer from the substrate plays an important role in conductivity enhancement and the emergence of a ferromagnetic order that leads to superparamagnetism.