Programmed surface platform orchestrates anti-bacterial ability and time-sequential bone healing for implant-associated infection.

Implant-associated infection (IAI) has become an intractable challenge in clinic. The healing of IAI is a complex physiological process involving a series of spatiotemporal connected events. However, existing titanium-based implants in clinic suffer from poor antibacterial effect and single function. Herein, a versatile surface platform based on the presentation of sequential function is developed. Fabrication of titania nanotubes and poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) achieves the efficient incorporation of silver ions (Ag+) and the pH-sensitive release in response to acidic bone infection microenvironment. The optimized PGA/Ag platform exhibits satisfactory biocompatibility and converts macrophages from pro-inflammatory M1 to pro-healing M2 phenotype during the subsequent healing stage, which creates a beneficial osteoimmune microenvironment and promotes angio/osteogenesis. Furthermore, the PGA/Ag platform mediates osteoblast/osteoclast coupling through inhibiting CCL3/CCR1 signaling. These biological effects synergistically improve osseointegration under bacterial infection in vivo, matching the healing process of IAI. Overall, the novel integrated PGA/Ag surface platform proposed in this study fulfills function cascades under pathological state and shows great potential in IAI therapy.

Hyperbranched Poly-l-Lysine Modified Titanium Surface With Enhanced Osseointegration, Bacteriostasis, and Anti-Inflammatory Properties for Implant Application: An Experimental In Vivo Study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore multiple effects of hyperbranched poly-l-lysine (HBPL) titanium (Ti) surfaces on osseointegration, bacteriostasis, and anti-inflammation across three different animal models. METHODS: Ti surfaces were covalently modified with HBPL, with uncoated surfaces as controls. Characterization included scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and surface chemistry and elemental analysis (EDX). Ti and Ti-HBPL implants were placed in conventional canine edentulous sites, post-operative infection canine edentulous sites, and diabetic rat tibias. Implants from canine edentulous models were analyzed using micro-CT and histomorphometry to assess osseointegration at 8 weeks. Post-operative infection beagles were used to evaluate antibacterial efficacy through clinical parameters and bacterial cultures at 1 week. In diabetic rats, micro-CT and histomorphometry were performed at 8 weeks. RESULTS: HBPL was uniformly grafted on Ti-HBPL surfaces. Ti-HBPL surfaces showed higher bone volume/total volume (BV/TV, p < 0.001), bone-implant contact (BIC%, p < 0.001), and trabecular number (Tb.N, p < 0.01) in beagles. Besides, it displayed higher BIC% (p < 0.001) and bone area fraction occupancy (BAFO%, p < 0.01) in hard tissue sections. In an infected model, Ti-HBPL surfaces exhibited lower bleeding on probing (BOP, p < 0.001), and plaque index (DI, p < 0.01), with reduced bacterial colony formation (p < 0.001) compared to the control group. In diabetic rats, Ti-HBPL surfaces showed an increase in BV/TV (p < 0.01) and Tb.N (p < 0.001), downregulated TNF-α and IL-1ß (p < 0.01), and upregulated IL-10 (p < 0.01) and osteocalcin (OCN) expression (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: HBPL-Ti surfaces demonstrated enhanced osseointegration, bacteriostasis, and anti-inflammatory effects in vivo.

Comparison of Therapeutic Effect of Apheresis Platelets and Buffy Coat-Derived Platelet Concentrates.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to investigate the difference in clinical efficacy between apheresis platelets and buffy coat-derived platelet concentrates infusion in patients with hematological diseases. METHODS: A total of 218 patients with hematological diseases were enrolled in Xi'an Central Hospital, from January 2023 to October 2023, and randomly divided into two groups: 109 patients were treated with apheresis platelet transfusion (AP group) and 109 patients with buffy coat derived platelet concentrates (BC-PC group). Platelet counts were measured before and 24 hours after transfusion, and the corrected platelet ascending number (CCI) and platelet recovery rate (PPR) were calculated. The clinical efficacy and blood transfusion reaction were observed. RESULTS: After 24 hours of platelet transfusion, there was no significant difference in the platelet count between the AP and BC-PC groups (p > 0.05). However, CCI and PPR significantly differed between the two groups (p < 0.05). Moreover, the incidence of transfusion reaction in the AP group was significantly lower than in the BC-PC group. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical efficacy of buffy coat-derived platelet concentrates is lower than that of apheresis platelets, but it can also improve the patient's condition and quality of life. Therefore, clinicians could rationally use BC-PC, according to the actual situation of the patients.

Bio-pump cadmium phytoextraction efficiency promoted by phytohormones in Festuca arundinacea.

The leaves of Festuca arundinacea can excrete cadmium (Cd) out onto the leaf surface, leading to a bio-pump phytoremediation strategy based on "root uptake-root-to-leaf translocation-leaf excretion". However, the bio-bump efficiency of soil Cd is a limiting factor for the implementation of this novel technology. Bio-bump remediation involves the bioprocess of plant root uptake from soil, root-to-leaf translocation, and leaf hydathode excretion. Here we show the significant effects of phytohormones in regulating the bio-pump phytoextraction efficiency. The results showed that salicylic acid and ethylene enhanced the whole process of Cd root uptake, root-to-leaf translocation, and leaf excretion, promoting the bio-pump phytoextraction efficiency by 63.6% and 73.8%, respectively. Gibberellin also greatly promoted Cd translocation, leaf excretion, and phytoextraction, but did not significantly impact Cd root uptake. Our results indicate that salicylic acid and ethylene could be recommended to promote bio-pump phytoextraction efficiency in F. arundinacea. Gibberellin might be used for a short-term promotion of the leaf Cd excretion.

Red-Light Triggered H-Abstraction Photoinitiators for the Efficient Oxygen-Independent Therapy of Hypoxic Tumors.

The clinical application of photodynamic therapy (PDT) is limited by oxygen-dependence and side effects caused by photosensitizer residues. Photoinitiators based on the H-abstraction reaction can address these challenges because they can generate alkyl radical-killing cells independently of oxygen and undergo rapid bleaching following H-abstraction. Nonetheless, the development of photoinitiators for PDT has been impeded by the absence of effective design strategies. Herein, we have developed aryl-ketone substituted cyanine (ACy-R), the first red-light triggered H-abstraction photoinitiators for hypoxic cancer therapy. These ACy-R molecules inherited the near-infrared absorption of cyanine dye, and aryl-ketone modification imparted H-abstraction capability. Experimental and quantum calculations revealed that modifying the electron-withdrawing groups of the aryl (e.g., ACy-5F) improved the contribution of the O atom to the photon excitation process promoting intersystem crossing and H-abstraction ability. Particularly, ACy-5F rapidly penetrated cells and enriched in the endoplasmic reticulum. Even under severe hypoxia, ACy-5F initiated red-light induced H-abstraction with intracellular biomolecules, inducing necroptosis and ferroptosis. Moreover, ACy-5F was degraded after H-abstraction, thus avoiding the side effects of long-term phototoxicity after therapy. This study not only provides a crucial molecular tool for hypoxic tumors therapy, but also presents a promising strategy for the development of multifunctional photosensitizers and photoinitiators.

Three-dimensional photonic crystal optical gas sensor for trace detection and ultrafast response of chemical warfare agent in atmospheric humidity.

Chemical warfare agents (CWAs) are toxic that pose a threat to the environment and human health, even trace amounts of CWAs can be fatal. In view of this, there is an urgent need to develop gas sensors for trace detection and ultrafast response of CWAs. Herein, an optical gas sensor has been proposed based on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) three-dimensional (3D) photonic crystal to detect trace CWAs' simulant (dimethyl methylphosphonate, DMMP) in different atmospheric humidity (RH 20 %, RH 40 %, RH 60 %, RH 80 %). At relative humidity (RH) of 20 %, the sensor shows excellent selectivity of DMMP due to the specific interactions of van der Waals force between UiO-67 and phosphoryl oxygen (OP) group of DMMP (C3H9O3P), the ultrahigh sensitivity (42.7 ppb), ultrafast response (0.5 s) are profit from the ordered superstructure of 3D photonic crystal and its complete photonic bandgap. At higher humidity (RH 40%-80 %), the sensor shows excellent stability, long-term repeatability, and it still keeps ultrahigh sensitivity (12.1 ppb), ultrafast response (0.49 s) for DMMP at RH 80 %. Moreover, an optical gas sensor array has been prepared to solve the problem of cross-sensitive between DMMP and other CWAs at highest humidity (RH ≥ 80 %), the average classification accuracy can reach 98.6 %.

Waste-green infrastructure nexus: Green roof promotion by digestate and digestate biochar from food waste.

Waste-Green Infrastructure Nexus is crucial to mitigate carbon emissions in waste disposal and promote eco-functions of green infrastructure in a circular bio-economy. Our purpose is to verify the feasibility of the nexus via "food waste anaerobic digestion - digestate/digestate biochar - green roof promotion". The results found that food waste digestate and digestate biochar significantly promoted green roof plant growth, evapotranspiration, rainwater retention, runoff reduction, and prevention of nutrient leaching. Digestate treatments were better than digestate biochar for the green roof promotion. The promotion ranked consistently with 20 % digestate > 10 % digestate > 20 % digestate biochar > 10 % digestate biochar > control in stolon growth, leaf emergence, branching of Paspalum vaginatum, green roof establishment, rainwater retention, runoff reduction, and the leaching of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium. This study demonstrated that food waste could be regenerated to promote urban green infrastructure to form a circular bio-economy by the Waste-Green Infrastructure Nexus.

Management of Triplet States in Modified Mononuclear Ruthenium(II) Complexes for Enhanced Photocatalysis.

Controlling the interplay between relaxation and charge/energy transfer processes in the excited states of photocatalysts is crucial for the performance of artificial photosynthesis. Metal-to-ligand charge-transfer triplet states (3MLCT*) of ruthenium(II) complexes are broadly implemented for photocatalysis, but an effective means of managing the triplets for enhanced photocatalysis has been lacking. Herein, We proposed a strategy to considerably prolong the triplet excited-state lifetime by decorating a ruthenium(II) phosphine complex (RuP-1) with pendent polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Systematic studies demonstrate that in RuP-4 decorated with anthracene, sub-picosecond electron transfer from anthracene to 3MLCT* leads to a charge-separated state that can mediate the formation of the intra-ligand triplet state (3IL) of anthracene, resulting in an exceptionally long excited-state up to several milliseconds. This triplet management strategy enables impressive photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to CO with a turnover number (TON) of 404, an optimized quantum yield of 43 % and 100 % selectivity, which is the highest reported performance for mononuclear photocatalysts without additional photosensitizers. RuP-4 also catalyzes photochemical hydrogen generation under argon. This work opens up an avenue for regulating the excited-state charge/energy flow for the development of long-lived 3IL multi-functional mononuclear photocatalysts to boost artificial photosynthesis.

Longitudinal Extension of Double π-Helix Enables Near-Infrared Amplified Dissymmetry and Chiroptical Response.

Near-infrared (NIR) circularly polarized light absorbing or emitting holds great promise for highly sensitive and precise bioimaging, biosensing, and photodetectors. Aiming at designing NIR chiral molecular systems with amplified dissymmetry and robust chiroptical response, herein, we present a series of double π-helical dimers with longitudinally extended π-entwined substructures via Ullmann or Yamamoto homocoupling reactions. Circular dichroism (CD) spectra revealed an approximate linear bathochromic shift with the rising number of naphthalene subunits, indicating a red to NIR chiroptical response. Particularly, the terrylene diimide-entwined dimers exhibited the strongest CD intensities, with the maximal |Δε| reaching up to 393 M-1 cm-1 at 666 nm for th-TDI[2]; and a record-high chiroptical response (|ΔΔε|) between the neutral and dianionic species of 520 M-1 cm-1 at 833 nm for th-TDI[2]Cl was achieved upon further reduction to its dianionic state. Time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations suggested that the pronounced intensification of the CD spectra originated from a simultaneous enhancement of both electric (µ) and magnetic (m) transition dipole moments, ultimately leading to an overall increase in the rotatory strength (R). Notably, the circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) brightness (BCPL) reached 77 M-1 cm-1 for th-TDI[2]Cl, among the highest values reported for NIR-CPL emitters. Furthermore, all chiral dianions exhibited excellent air stability under ambient conditions with half-life times of up to 10 days in N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP), which is significant for future biological applications and chiroptic switches.

Combined effects of Rhodiola rosea and caffeine supplementation on aerobic endurance and muscle explosiveness: a synergistic approach.

This study examined the synergistic effects of combining Rhodiola rosea (RHO) and caffeine (CAF) supplementation on muscle endurance and explosiveness in SD rats and human subjects, encompassing individuals without prior exercise training experience and seasoned aerobic athletes. Male SD rats and healthy human volunteers were randomly divided into four groups: CAF, RHO, CAF + RHO, and a control group (CTR). Nutritional supplements were administered throughout the training period, and pre-and post-measurement data were collected. In both the rat model and human subjects, the RHO+CAF group demonstrated significantly greater effects compared to the use of RHO or CAF supplements individually. Rats in the RHO+CAF group demonstrated extended running and swimming times and an increase in erythropoietin (EPO) mRNA expression in comparison to the CTR. Blood parameters, such as serum EPO levels, were enhanced in the CAF + RHO group, while blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and lactate (LA) levels significantly decreased in both the RHO and CAF + RHO groups. Hepatic and muscle glycogen contents were also higher in these groups. The gene expression analysis in rats demonstrated an elevation in the mRNA levels of glucose transporter-4 (GLUT-4), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α), Monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT-1), and Heme Oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in both the RHO and RHO+CAF groups. For individuals without prior aerobic training experience, the RHO+CAF group showed significant improvements compared to the CTR group in maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), 5 km run, countermovement jump (CMJ), standing long jump, and 30 m sprint. For individuals with years of aerobic training experience, the RHO+CAF group exhibited enhanced performance in the 5 km run, CMJ, and standing long jump compared to the CTR group. In conclusion, the continuous 30 days supplementation of RHO, combined with a single dose of CAF, demonstrated superior effects on muscle endurance and explosiveness in both animal and human studies when compared to the use of RHO or CAF individually.

ROS-responsive drug-releasing injectable microgels for ameliorating myocardial infarction.

Despite of the recent advances in regulatory T cell (Treg) therapy, a limited number of available cells and specificity at the desired tissue site have severely compromised their efficacy. Herein, an injectable drug-releasing (MTK-TK-drug) microgel system in response to in situ stimulation by reactive oxygen species (ROS) was constructed with a coaxial capillary microfluidic system and UV curing. The spherical microgels with a size of 150 µm were obtained. The MTK-TK-drug microgels efficiently converted the pro-inflammatory Th17 cells into anti-inflammatory regulatory T cells (Treg) cells in vitro, and the ROS-scavenging materials synergistically enhanced the effect by modulating the inflammation microenvironment. Thus, the microgels significantly reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and decreased the inflammatory response in the early stages of post-myocardial infarction (MI) in vivo, thereby reducing fibrosis, promoting vascularization, and preserving cardiac function. Overall, our results indicate that the MTK-TK-drug microgels can attenuate the inflammatory response and improve MI therapeutic effects in vivo.

Room-Temperature Phosphorescence Materials Featuring Triplet Hybrid Local Charge Transfer Emission.

Room-temperature phosphorescence materials have found important applications in dissolved oxygen sensing, temperature monitoring, anticounterfeiting, etc., because of their prolonged phosphorescence lifetime. However, the known systems mainly utilize the triplet local excited state emission, which is generally less sensitive to microenvironment perturbation. In this work, we designed a series of 4-phenyl-1,8-naphthalimide (NMI) derivatives containing different numbers of carbazole (Cz) units (denoted as NMI-Cz, NMI-2Cz, and NMI-3Cz). Steady state and time-resolved spectroscopy studies determined that the compounds undergo intramolecular through-space charge transfer in solution, yielding a triplet hybrid local charge transfer state. Room-temperature phosphorescence emission was observed in compound-doped poly(methyl methacrylate) thin films upon ammonia treatment. Interestingly, emission from different films exhibited different persistence times. We believe a film-based, time-resolved luminescent ammonia sensor could be developed by making a device of the emissive films as fabricated.

Boron-doped three-dimensional porous carbon framework/carbon shell encapsulated silicon composites for high-performance lithium-ion battery anodes.

Deleterious volumetric expansion and poor electrical conductivity seriously hinder the application of Si-based anode materials in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Herein, boron-doped three-dimensional (3D) porous carbon framework/carbon shell encapsulated silicon (B-3DCF/Si@C) hybrid composites are successfully prepared by two coating and thermal treatment processes. The presence of 3D porous carbon skeleton and carbon shell effectively improves the mechanical properties of the B-3DCF/Si@C electrode during the cycling process, ensures the stability of the electrical contacts of the silicon particles and stabilizes the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer, thus enhancing the electronic conductivity and ion migration efficiency of the anode. The developed B-3DCF/Si@C anode has a high reversible capacity, excellent cycling stability and outstanding rate performance. A reversible capacity of 1288.5 mAh/g is maintained after 600 cycles at a current density of 400 mA g-1. The improved electrochemical performance is demonstrated in a full cell using a LiFePO4-based cathode. This study presents a novel approach that not only mitigates the large volume expansion effects in LIB anode materials, but also provides a reference model for the preparation of porous composites with various functionalities.

Two-dimensional photonic crystal sensor enabled by hydrophobic hydrogen-bonded organic Frameworks@Metal-Organic frameworks for trace nerve agents detection.

The development of fast and accurate sensors for nerve agents holds immense significance for homeland security and public health. However, the humidity interference from ambient environments and poor sensitivity for trace nerve agents are largely unsolved problems. To overcome the problems, a humidity-independent two-dimensional photonic crystal (2-D PC) sensor is developed by exploiting UiO-66-NH2 2-D PC with excellent sensitivity coupled to a hydrophobic hydrogen-bonded organic framework (HOFs) for detection sarin simulant dimethyl methyl phosphonate (DMMP). Selective sensing results show that the HOFs@UiO-66-NH2 2-D PC sensor presents the outstanding DMMP specificity, and the limit of detection (LOD) for DMMP response of the sensor can reach 508 ± 68 ppb at room temperature. Water-resistant experiments demonstrate that the HOFs@UiO-66-NH2 2-D PC sensor shows excellent stability even under 80% relative humidity (RH). Moreover, the sensor also exhibits a rapid response/recovery time of 1 s/3 s and can maintain excellent sensing performance under heat-treatment of 200 °C and in the long-term storage (30 days). The adsorption kinetics and the hydrogen bond interaction are conducted to elucidate the mechanism of enhanced sensing DMMP properties. These results indicate the potential application of the sensor in the trace nerve agent's detection, especially in humidity environment.

A tough, antibacterial and antioxidant hydrogel dressing accelerates wound healing and suppresses hypertrophic scar formation in infected wounds.

Wound management is an important issue that places enormous pressure on the physical and mental health of patients, especially in cases of infection, where the increased inflammatory response could lead to severe hypertrophic scars (HSs). In this study, a hydrogel dressing was developed by combining the high strength and toughness, swelling resistance, antibacterial and antioxidant capabilities. The hydrogel matrix was composed of a double network of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and agarose with excellent mechanical properties. Hyperbranched polylysine (HBPL), a highly effective antibacterial cationic polymer, and tannic acid (TA), a strong antioxidant molecule, were added to the hydrogel as functional components. Examination of antibacterial and antioxidant properties of the hydrogel confirmed the full play of the efficacy of HBPL and TA. In the in vivo studies of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection, the hydrogel had shown obvious promotion of wound healing, and more profoundly, significant suppression of scar formation. Due to the common raw materials and simple preparation methods, this hydrogel can be mass produced and used for accelerating wound healing while preventing HSs in infected wounds.

Bifunctional electrocatalytic reduction performance of nitrogen containing biomass based nanoreactors loaded with Ni nanoparticles for oxygen and carbon dioxide.

In the face of increasing energy demand, the approach of transformation that combines energy restructuring and environmental governance has become a popular research direction. As an important part of electrocatalytic reactions for gas molecules, reduction reactions of oxygen (ORR) and carbon dioxide (CO2RR) are very indispensable in the field of energy conversion and storage. However, the non-interchangeability and irreversibility of electrode materials have always been a challenge in electrocatalysis. Hereon, nickel and nitrogen decorated biomass carbon-based materials (Ni/N-BC) has been prepared by high temperature pyrolysis using agricultural waste straw as raw material. Surprisingly, it possesses abundant active sites and specific surface area as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for ORR and CO2RR. The three-dimensional porous cavity structure for the framework of biomass could not only provide a strong anchoring foundation for the active site, but also facilitate the transport and enrichment of reactants around the site. In addition, temperature modulation during the preparation process also optimizes the composition and structure of biomass carbon and nitrogen. Benefit from above structure and morphology advantages, Ni/N-BC-800 exhibits the superior electrocatalytic activity for both ORR and CO2RR simultaneously. More specifically, Ni/N-BC-800 exhibits satisfactory ORR activity in terms of initial potential and half wave potential, while also enables the production of CO under high selective. The research results provide ideas for the development and design of electrode materials and green electrocatalysts, and also expand new applications of agricultural waste in fields such as energy conversion, environmental protection, and resource utilization.

Material flow analysis on the critical resources from spent power lithium-ion batteries under the framework of China's recycling policies.

With the rapid growth of electric vehicles in China, the number of spent power lithium-ion batteries is dramatically increased. Considering the environmental risk, security risk, and potential resource value, China has issued a series of laws and regulations to manage the spent power lithium-ion batteries. This work employs the material flow analysis method to evaluate the material flows of Li, Ni, Co, and Mn during the life cycle of power lithium-ion batteries under the framework of China's recycling policy system. The results show that the demand for primary Li, Ni, Co, and Mn can achieve 26.9, 68.1, 20.4, and 21.9 kt in 2021, and a lot of primary critical resources will inburst the in-use stage. Moreover, the number of secondary Li, Ni, Co, and Mn can achieve 6.1, 15.4, 4.6, and 5 kt in 2021, accounting for 22.7%, 22.6%, 22.5%, and 22.8% of their corresponding demand. Based on the economic evaluation under the framework of China's recycling policy system, it is found that the potential recycling values of Li, Ni, Co, and Mn are approximately 966, 523, 414, and 43 million RMB yuan, which are 66.4%, 71%, 59.6%, and 66.4% higher than those in the absence of China's recycling policy system. It is implied that China's recycling policy system could markedly improve the collection rate by reducing losses and indirectly enhancing the recycling and reuse of spent power lithium-ion batteries. This work is expected to provide guidance for policymakers to improve the management of spent power lithium-ion batteries in China.

Ni-modified FeOOH integrated electrode by self-source corrosion of nickel foam for high-efficiency electrochemical water oxidation.

The construction and application of efficient iron oxyhydroxide (FeOOH) is still a challenge in the field of energy conversion. Here, a facile preparation method is developed by directly utilizing commercialized nickel foams (NF) as the nickel source and the supporting framework, as well as the ingenious use of etching effect originating from acidic medium in the process of iron salt hydrolysis. As a result, a Ni-modulated FeOOH integrated electrode (Ni-FeOOH/NF) is obtained. Unexpectedly, the implementation of our scheme effectively activates the catalytic intrinsic activity of FeOOH, successfully transforming the inert NF into an integrated electrode with high oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance. Specifically, the Ni-FeOOH/NF exhibits the overpotential of 277 mV (@100 mA cm-2) and superior stability for OER. Additionally, the as-prepared Ni-FeOOH/NF electrode could also operate steadily for OER in alkaline adjusted saline water. Our research provides a new idea for the preparation of satisfactory Fe-based metal materials as OER electrocatalysts.

Hyper-anti-freezing bionic functional surface to -90°C.

Freezing phenomenon has troubled people for centuries, and efforts have been made to lower the liquid freezing temperature, raise the surface temperature, or mechanical deicing. Inspired by the elytra of beetle, we demonstrate a novel functional surface for directional penetration of liquid to reduce icing. The bionic functional surface is fabricated by projection microstereolithography (PµSL) based three dimensional printing technique with the wettability on its two sides tailored by TiO2 nanoparticle sizing agent. A water droplet penetrates from the hydrophobic side to the superhydrophilic side of such a bionic functional surface within 20 ms, but it is blocked in the opposite direction. Most significantly, the penetration time of a water droplet through such a bionic functional surface is much shorter than the freezing time on it, even though the temperature is as low as -90°C. This work opens a gate for the development of functional devices for liquid collection, condensation, especially for hyperantifogging/freezing.

Programmable Microfluidics Enabled by 3D Printed Bionic Janus Porous Matrics for Microfluidic Logic Chips.

Numerous structures have been functionally optimized for directional liquid transport in nature. Inspired by lush trees' xylem that enable liquid directional transportation from rhizomes to the tip of trees, a new kind of programmable microfluidic porous matrices using projection micro-stereolithography (PµSL) based 3D printing technique is fabricated. Structural matrices with internal superhydrophilicity and external hydrophobicity are assembled for ultra-fast liquid rising enabled by capillary force. Moreover, the unidirectional microfluidic performance of the bionic porous matrices can be theoretically optimized by adjusting its geometric parameters. Most significantly, the successive programmable flow of liquid in a preferred direction inside the bionic porous matrices with tailored wettability is achieved, validating by a precisely printed liquid displayer and a microfluidic logic chip. The programmable and functional microfluidic matrices promise applications of patterned liquid flow, displayer, logic chip, cell screening, gas-liquid separation, and so on.