Colloidal antireflection coating improves graphene-silicon solar cells.

Carbon nanotube-Si and graphene-Si solar cells have attracted much interest recently owing to their potential in simplifying manufacturing process and lowering cost compared to Si cells. Until now, the power conversion efficiency of graphene-Si cells remains under 10% and well below that of the nanotube-Si counterpart. Here, we involved a colloidal antireflection coating onto a monolayer graphene-Si solar cell and enhanced the cell efficiency to 14.5% under standard illumination (air mass 1.5, 100 mW/cm(2)) with a stable antireflection effect over long time. The antireflection treatment was realized by a simple spin-coating process, which significantly increased the short-circuit current density and the incident photon-to-electron conversion efficiency to about 90% across the visible range. Our results demonstrate a great promise in developing high-efficiency graphene-Si solar cells in parallel to the more extensively studied carbon nanotube-Si structures.

Relaxin in fibrotic ligament diseases: Its regulatory role and mechanism.

Fibrotic ligament diseases (FLDs) are diseases caused by the pathological accumulation of periarticular fibrotic tissue, leading to functional disability around joint and poor life quality. Relaxin (RLX) has been reported to be involved in the development of fibrotic lung and liver diseases. Previous studies have shown that RLX can block pro-fibrotic process by reducing the excess extracellular matrix (ECM) formation and accelerating collagen degradation in vitro and in vivo. Recent studies have shown that RLX can attenuate connective tissue fibrosis by suppressing TGF-ß/Smads signaling pathways to inhibit the activation of myofibroblasts. However, the specific roles and mechanisms of RLX in FLDs remain unclear. Therefore, in this review, we confirmed the protective effect of RLX in FLDs and summarized its mechanism including cells, key cytokines and signaling pathways involved. In this article, we outline the potential therapeutic role of RLX and look forward to the application of RLX in the clinical translation of FLDs.

Metabolic regulation by biomaterials in osteoblast.

The repair of bone defects resulting from high-energy trauma, infection, or pathological fracture remains a challenge in the field of medicine. The development of biomaterials involved in the metabolic regulation provides a promising solution to this problem and has emerged as a prominent research area in regenerative engineering. While recent research on cell metabolism has advanced our knowledge of metabolic regulation in bone regeneration, the extent to which materials affect intracellular metabolic remains unclear. This review provides a detailed discussion of the mechanisms of bone regeneration, an overview of metabolic regulation in bone regeneration in osteoblasts and biomaterials involved in the metabolic regulation for bone regeneration. Furthermore, it introduces how materials, such as promoting favorable physicochemical characteristics (e.g., bioactivity, appropriate porosity, and superior mechanical properties), incorporating external stimuli (e.g., photothermal, electrical, and magnetic stimulation), and delivering metabolic regulators (e.g., metal ions, bioactive molecules like drugs and peptides, and regulatory metabolites such as alpha ketoglutarate), can affect cell metabolism and lead to changes of cell state. Considering the growing interests in cell metabolic regulation, advanced materials have the potential to help a larger population in overcoming bone defects.

Wire-supported CdSe nanowire array photoelectrochemical solar cells.

Previous fiber-shaped solar cells are based on polymeric materials or dye-sensitized wide band-gap oxides. Here, we show that efficient fiber solar cells can be made from semiconducting nanostructures (e.g. CdSe) with smaller band-gap as the light absorption material. We directly grow a vertical array of CdSe nanowires uniformly around a core metal wire and make the device by covering the top of nanowires with a carbon nanotube (CNT) film as the porous transparent electrode. The CdSe-CNT fiber solar cells show power conversion efficiencies of 1-2% under AM 1.5 illumination after the nanowires are infiltrated with redox electrolyte. We do not use a secondary metal wire (e.g. Pt) as in conventional fiber-shaped devices, instead, the end part of the CNT film is condensed into a conductive yarn to serve as the secondary electrode. In addition, our CdSe nanowire-based photoelectrochemical fiber solar cells maintain good flexibility and stable performance upon rotation and bending to large angles.

Strong and reversible modulation of carbon nanotube-silicon heterojunction solar cells by an interfacial oxide layer.

Deposition of nanostructures such as carbon nanotubes on Si wafers to make heterojunction structures is a promising route toward high efficiency solar cells with reduced cost. Here, we show a significant enhancement in the cell characteristics and power conversion efficiency by growing a silicon oxide layer at the interface between the nanotube film and Si substrate. The cell efficiency increases steadily from 0.5% without interfacial oxide to 8.8% with an optimal oxide thickness of about 1 nm. This systematic study reveals that formation of an oxide layer switches charge transport from thermionic emission to a mixture of thermionic emission and tunneling and improves overall diode properties, which are critical factors for tailoring the cell behavior. By controlled formation and removal of interfacial oxide, we demonstrate oscillation of the cell parameters between two extreme states, where the cell efficiency can be reversibly altered by a factor of 500. Our results suggest that the oxide layer plays an important role in Si-based photovoltaics, and it might be utilized to tune the cell performance in various nanostructure-Si heterojunction structures.

Single-wire dye-sensitized solar cells wrapped by carbon nanotube film electrodes.

Conventional fiber-shaped polymeric or dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are usually made into a double-wire structure, in which a secondary electrode wire (e.g., Pt) was twisted along the primary core wire consisting of active layers. Here, we report highly flexible DSSCs based on a single wire, by wrapping a carbon nanotube film around Ti wire-supported TiO(2) tube arrays as the transparent electrode. Unlike a twisted Pt electrode, the CNT film ensures full contact with the underlying active layer, as well as uniform illumination along circumference through the entire DSSC. The single-wire DSSC shows a power conversion efficiency of 1.6% under standard illumination (AM 1.5, 100 mW/cm(2)), which is further improved to more than 2.6% assisted by a second conventional metal wire (Ag or Cu). Our DSSC wires are stable and can be bent to large angles up to 90° reversibly without performance degradation.

Achieving high efficiency silicon-carbon nanotube heterojunction solar cells by acid doping.

Various approaches to improve the efficiency of solar cells have followed the integration of nanomaterials into Si-based photovoltaic devices. Here, we achieve 13.8% efficiency solar cells by combining carbon nanotubes and Si and doping with dilute HNO(3). Acid infiltration of nanotube networks significantly boost the cell efficiency by reducing the internal resistance that improves fill factor and by forming photoelectrochemical units that enhance charge separation and transport. Compared to conventional Si cells, the fabrication process is greatly simplified, simply involving the transfer of a porous semiconductor-rich nanotube film onto an n-type crystalline Si wafer followed by acid infiltration.

Enhancing the bioactivity of hydroxyapatite bioceramic via encapsulating with silica-based bioactive glass sol.

Although hydroxyapatite (HA) bioceramic has excellent biocompatibility and osteoconductivity, its high chemical stability results in slow degradation which affects osteogenesis, angiogenesis and clinical applications. Silica-based bioglass (BG) with superior biological performance has been introduced into HA bioceramic to overcome this insufficiency; however, the composite bioceramics are usually prepared by traditional mechanical mixture of HA and BG powders, which tremendously weakens their mechanical performance. In this research, BG-modified HA bioceramics were prepared by the use of BG sol encapsulated HA powders. The results showed that introducing 1 and 3 wt% BG allowed the HA-based bioceramics to maintain the high compressive strength (>300 MPa), improved the apatite mineralization activity, and played an important role in cellular response. The bioceramic modified with 1 wt% BG (1BG/HA) remarkably enhanced in vitro cell proliferation, osteogenic and angiogenic activities. This present work provides a new strategy to improve the biological performance of bioceramics and the HA-based bioceramics with 1 wt% BG can be as a promising candidate material for bone repair.

Establishment, characterization, and validation of novel porcine embryonic fibroblasts as a potential source for genetic modification.

Fibroblasts are the common cell type in the connective tissue-the most abundant tissue type in the body. Fibroblasts are widely used for cell culture, for the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and as nuclear donors for somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). We report for the first time, the derivation of embryonic fibroblasts (EFs) from porcine embryonic outgrowths, which share similarities in morphology, culture characteristics, molecular markers, and transcriptional profile to fetal fibroblasts (FFs). We demonstrated the efficient use of EFs as nuclear donors in SCNT, for enhanced post-blastocyst development, implantation, and pregnancy outcomes. We further validated EFs as a source for CRISPR/Cas genome editing with overall editing frequencies comparable to that of FFs. Taken together, we established an alternative and efficient pipeline for genome editing and for the generation of genetically engineered animals.

Carbon nanotube and CdSe nanobelt Schottky junction solar cells.

Developing nanostructure junctions is a general and effective way for making photovoltaics. We report Schottky junction solar cells by coating carbon nanotube films on individual CdSe nanobelts with open-circuit voltages of 0.5 to 0.6 V and modest power-conversion efficiencies (0.45-0.72%) under AM 1.5G, 100 mW/cm(2) light condition. In our planar device structure, the CdSe nanobelt serves as a flat substrate to sustain a network of nanotubes, while the nanotube film forms Shottky junction with the underlying nanobelt at their interface and also makes a transparent electrode for the device. The nanotube-on-nanobelt solar cells can work either in front (nanotube side) or back (nanobelt side) illumination with stable performance in air. Our results demonstrate a promising way to develop large-area solar cells based on thin films of carbon nanotubes and semiconducting nanostructures.

NIR-Responsive Ti3 C2 MXene Colloidal Solution for Curing Purulent Subcutaneous Infection through the "Nanothermal Blade" Effect.

Pathogenic microorganisms' infections have always been a difficult clinical challenge and lead to serious health problems. Thus, a new strategy is urgently needed. In this study, a simple preparation method for Ti3 C2 MXene colloidal solution is proposed. In vitro, Staphylococcus aureus is treated with 250 µg mL-1 of Ti3 C2 colloidal solution under 5 min of 808 nm near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation twice. Staphylococcus aureus is eliminated by the "nanothermal blade" effect from Ti3 C2 combined with NIR; the antibacterial rate is 99%, which is higher than the antibacterial rate of pure Ti3 C2 alone 78%. The antibacterial mechanism underlying this treatment may be that the thermal Ti3 C2 nanosheets first transfer heat to the cell membrane, disrupting the membrane structure, disturbing the metabolism and causing leakage of bacterial protein and deoxyribonucleic acid, consequently leading to bacterial death. In vivo results indicate that Ti3 C2 colloidal solution under NIR can effectively kill Staphylococcus aureus and prevent inflammation. Moreover, 250 µg mL-1 Ti3 C2 colloidal solution is nontoxic to mouse organs during the therapeutic process. Therefore, Ti3 C2 colloidal solution can be an ideal candidate for subcutaneous infection application. The antibacterial mechanism proposed in this study aids the investigation of other MXenes as antibacterial agents.

Extraembryonic Endoderm (XEN) Cells Capable of Contributing to Embryonic Chimeras Established from Pig Embryos.

Most of our current knowledge regarding early lineage specification and embryo-derived stem cells comes from studies in rodent models. However, key gaps remain in our understanding of these developmental processes from nonrodent species. Here, we report the detailed characterization of pig extraembryonic endoderm (pXEN) cells, which can be reliably and reproducibly generated from primitive endoderm (PrE) of blastocyst. Highly expandable pXEN cells express canonical PrE markers and transcriptionally resemble rodent XENs. The pXEN cells contribute both to extraembryonic tissues including visceral yolk sac as well as embryonic gut when injected into host blastocysts, and generate live offspring when used as a nuclear donor in somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). The pXEN cell lines provide a novel model for studying lineage segregation, as well as a source for genome editing in livestock.

Aqueous dispersions of TCNQ-anion-stabilized graphene sheets.

Aqueous dispersed graphene was successfully prepared via using 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) anion as a stabilizer and expanded graphite as a starting material, which could provide a facile route to produce high quality water-soluble and organic solvent-soluble graphene sheets for various applications.

Mechanical and dye adsorption properties of graphene oxide/chitosan composite fibers prepared by wet spinning.

Graphene oxide/chitosan composite fibers were prepared by a wet spinning method, and their mechanical properties were investigated. Experimental results showed that the introduction of graphene oxide at 4 wt% loading can improve the tensile strengths of chitosan fibers. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out to study the effect of various parameters, such as the initial pH value, adsorbent dosage, contact time and temperature on adsorption of fuchsin acid dye. The Langmuir model was used to fit the experimental data of adsorption isotherm, and kinetic studies showed that the adsorption data followed the pseudo-second order model. Thermodynamic studies indicated that the adsorption of fuchsin acid dye on graphene oxide/chitosan fibers was a spontaneous and exothermic process. Our results indicate that the graphene oxide/chitosan fibers have excellent mechanical properties and can serve as a promising adsorbent for the removal of dyes from aqueous solutions.

Elastic carbon nanotube straight yarns embedded with helical loops.

Introducing stretchability and elasticity into carbon nanotube (CNT) yarns could extend their applications to areas such as stretchable and deformable fiber-based devices and strain sensors. Here, we convert a straight and inelastic yarn into a highly elastic structure by spinning a predefined number of helical loops along the yarn, resulting in a short helical segment with smooth structural transition to the straight portions. The loop-forming process is well controlled, and the obtained straight-helical-straight hybrid yarn is freestanding, stable, and based entirely on CNTs. The elastic and conductive yarns can be stretched to moderate tensile strains (up to 25%) repeatedly for 1000 cycles without producing residual deformation, with a simultaneous and linear change of electrical resistance depending on the strain. Our results indicate that conventional straight CNT yarns could be used as fiber-shaped strain sensors by simple structural modification.

Ionically interacting nanoclay and nanofibrillated cellulose lead to tough bulk nanocomposites in compression by forced self-assembly.

Several approaches have recently been shown for self-assembled biomimetic composite films, aiming at combinations of high toughness, strength, and stiffness. However, it remains challenging to achieve high toughness using simple processes especially for bulk materials. We demonstrate that ionically interacting cationic native nanofibrillated cellulose (C-NFC) and anionic nanoclay, i.e. montmorillonite (MTM), allow local self-assemblies by a simple centrifugation process to achieve 3D bulk materials. The composite with MTM/C-NFC of 63/37 w/w has a high compressive strain to failure of 37% with distinct plastic deformation behaviour, a high work to fracture of 23.1 MJ m-3, and a relatively high compression strength of 76 MPa. Unlike the conventionally used sequential deposition methods to achieve well-defined layers for the oppositely charged units as limited to films, the present one-step method allows quick formation of bulk materials and leads to local self-assemblies, however, having a considerable amount of nanovoids and defects between them. We suggest that the nanovoids and defects promote the plastic deformation and toughness. Considering the simple preparation method and bio-based origin of NFC, we expect that the present tough bulk nanocomposites in compression have potential in applications for sustainable and environmentally friendly materials in construction and transportation.

Highly twisted double-helix carbon nanotube yarns.

The strength and flexibility of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) allow them to be constructed into a variety of innovated architectures with fascinating properties. Here, we show that CNTs can be made into a highly twisted yarn-derived double-helix structure by a conventional twist-spinning process. The double-helix is a stable and hierarchical configuration consisting of two single-helical yarn segments, with controlled pitch and unique mechanical properties. While one of the yarn components breaks early under tension due to the highly twisted state, the second yarn produces much larger tensile strain and significantly prolongs the process until ultimate fracture. In addition, these elastic and conductive double-helix yarns show simultaneous and reversible resistance change in response to a wide range of input sources (mechanical, photo, and thermal) such as applied strains or stresses, light illumination, and environmental temperature. Our results indicate that it is possible to create higher-level, more complex architectures from CNT yarns and fabricate multifunctional nanomaterials with potential applications in many areas.

TiO2-coated carbon nanotube-silicon solar cells with efficiency of 15%.

Combining carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene or conducting polymers with conventional silicon wafers leads to promising solar cell architectures with rapidly improved power conversion efficiency until recently. Here, we report CNT-Si junction solar cells with efficiencies reaching 15% by coating a TiO2 antireflection layer and doping CNTs with oxidative chemicals, under air mass (AM 1.5) illumination at a calibrated intensity of 100 mW/cm² and an active device area of 15 mm². The TiO2 layer significantly inhibits light reflectance from the Si surface, resulting in much enhanced short-circuit current (by 30%) and external quantum efficiency. Our method is simple, well-controlled, and very effective in boosting the performance of CNT-Si solar cells.

Solid-state, polymer-based fiber solar cells with carbon nanotube electrodes.

Most previous fiber-shaped solar cells were based on photoelectrochemical systems involving liquid electrolytes, which had issues such as device encapsulation and stability. Here, we deposited classical semiconducting polymer-based bulk heterojunction layers onto stainless steel wires to form primary electrodes and adopted carbon nanotube thin films or densified yarns to replace conventional metal counter electrodes. The polymer-based fiber cells with nanotube film or yarn electrodes showed power conversion efficiencies in the range 1.4% to 2.3%, with stable performance upon rotation and large-angle bending and during long-time storage without further encapsulation. Our fiber solar cells consisting of a polymeric active layer sandwiched between steel and carbon electrodes have potential in the manufacturing of low-cost, liquid-free, and flexible fiber-based photovoltaics.

Porous, platinum nanoparticle-adsorbed carbon nanotube yarns for efficient fiber solar cells.

Pt is a classical catalyst that has been extensively used in fuel cell and solar cell electrodes, owing to its high catalytic activity, good conductivity, and stability. In conventional fiber-shaped solar cells, solid Pt wires are usually adopted as the electrode material. Here, we report a Pt nanoparticle-adsorbed carbon nanotube yarn made by solution adsorption and yarn spinning processes, with uniformly dispersed Pt nanoparticles through the porous nanotube network. We have fabricated TiO(2)-based dye-sensitized fiber solar cells with a Pt-nanotube hybrid yarn as counter electrode and achieved a power conversion efficiency of 4.85% under standard illumination (AM1.5, 100 mW/cm(2)), comparable to the same type of fiber cells with a Pt wire electrode (4.23%). Adsorption of Pt nanoparticles within a porous nanotube yarn results in enhanced Pt-electrolyte interfacial area and significantly reduced charge-transfer resistance across the electrolyte interface, compared to a pure nanotube yarn or Pt wire. Our porous Pt-nanotube hybrid yarns have the potential to reduce the use of noble metals, lower the device weight, and improve the solar cell efficiency.