中秋节｜IJSNM第三期正式上线

中秋佳节

MID-AUTUMN

FESTIVAL

  海上生明月 天涯共此时 

中秋

佳节

八月十五中秋节，IJSNM编辑部

祝您阖家欢乐，幸福美满

IJSNM第三期如约而至

请君阅览最新一期文章

Unlocking the potential of transdermal drug delivery

Abstract:

Transdermal drug delivery (TDD) has gained clinical approval over several decades, with extensive research dedicated to novel drug and device development. Despite notable research progress, the market adoption of TDD devices has not met anticipated levels, with oral administration and injection remaining predominant delivery methods. To maximize the potential of TDD, we identify bottlenecks hindering its widespread clinical application and propose promising research avenues. We begin by analyzing stringent demands necessary to truly benefit patients, addressing significant challenges in biomechanics, nanomedicine, and flexible electronics. Subsequently, we delve into skin anatomy, enhancement strategies, nano-carriers, and their underlining mechanisms, highlighting the importance and framework of quantitative modeling. Based on these discussions, we highlight the core strength of TDD, such as automatic precise administration based on feedback and high delivery efficiencies, especially applicable to localized conditions (e.g., central nervous system diseases, tumors). Finally, we envision the future of intelligent TDD device and its operation scenario, aiming to steer research efforts toward faster translation of laboratory innovations into widely used products for sufferers.

Room temperature self-healing liquid metals: capabilities, applications and challenges

Abstract:

Self-healing materials span diverse application fields, including flexible electronics, soft robotics, and energy devices. However, conventional self-healing materials pose a challenge in achieving the delicate balance between flexibility and electrical conductivity. Moreover, they also suffer from prolonged healing times, incomplete healing, and high manufacturing costs. Liquid metals possess excellent self-healing capabilities owing to their unique combination of fluidic and metallic properties, high surface tension, and reversible solid-liquid phase change at room temperature, offering an intriguing material option for addressing the challenges associated with flexibility and electrical conductivity. In this review article, we comprehensively examine the domain of self-healing liquid metals from the standpoint of typical mechanisms underlying self-healing processes, as well as practical strategies employed for achieving such rejuvenation. Additionally, we explore representative applications that showcase the potential of these materials while aiming to provide a valuable reference for advancing and enhancing the field of self-healing materials. Future prospect along this direction is made.

Role of flexible sensors for the electrochemical detection of organophosphate-based chemical warfare agents

Abstract:

This review article comprehensively explores the electrochemical detection of organophosphate-based agents, including warfare agents, pesticides, and simulants. It provides an in-depth analysis of their molecular structures, emphasizing the inherent toxicity and environmental risks posed by these compounds. The review highlights the significant role of flexible sensors in facilitating the electrochemical detection of organophosphate-based agents, offering insights into their design, development, and application in detection methodologies. Additionally, the article critically evaluates the challenges encountered in this field, such as sensor sensitivity and sample complexity, and discusses potential solutions to address these challenges. Furthermore, it outlines the future scope and opportunities for advancement in electrochemical detection technologies, including the integration of novel materials and the exploration of innovative detection strategies. By synthesizing current research findings and identifying future research directions, this review contributes to the ongoing discourse on the detection and mitigation of organophosphate-based agents’ risks to human health and the environment.

Therapeutic potentials of peptide-derived nanoformulations in atherosclerosis: present status and future directions

Abstract:

Atherosclerosis is a severe cardiovascular disease followed by the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques within the lumen of blood vessels resulting in reduced blood flow thus initiating a series of events. Conventional therapies for atherosclerosis encounter multiple challenges, especially difficulty in precisely concentrating in certain affected regions and the potential for unwanted side effects. Consequently, scientists are focused on developing nanoformulations for atherosclerosis diagnosis and therapy. Peptide-based nanomedicines improve conventional therapies by offering improved structural and therapeutic stability and enabling target-specific delivery. Their inherent biocompatibility and biodegradability additionally render them desirable materials intended for in vivo use. This review manuscript aims to provide an in-depth overview of peptide-based nanomedicines for atherosclerosis, focusing on targeted cells like endothelial cells, macrophages, and monocytes and their interaction with different plaque components. Moreover, the manuscript also highlights the latest progress in multimodal techniques and provides a comprehensive overview of limitations associated with their practical implementation.

Progress in high-performance stick-slip piezoelectric actuators: a review

Abstract:

The ultra-precision field is popular for its micro-nanometer positioning accuracy and large working stroke. Piezoelectric actuators based on the stick-slip operational principle exhibit superior performance characteristics, making them stand out with unique advantages in this field. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the developments in stick-slip piezoelectric actuators over recent years. Starting with a detailed explanation of their operating principles, the article proceeds with a brief introduction to the more commonly used driving waveforms and their applications. Subsequently, various design and optimization technologies for existing compliant mechanisms are presented. Furthermore, stick-slip piezoelectric actuators are categorized based on different motion forms, including linear, rotary, and multi-degree of freedom types. Each category is thoroughly examined in terms of structural design and performance features. Following this, the discussion shifts toward controller method research and friction modeling analysis, featuring a particular emphasis on the advancements related to displacement backlash suppression studies. This systematic summary aims to provide a reference for researchers within related fields, thereby facilitating the further development and application of stick-slip piezoelectric actuators.

An effective nonlinear dynamic formulation to analyze grasping capability of soft pneumatic robotic gripper

Abstract:

Soft pneumatic robotic grippers have found extensive applications across various engineering domains, which prompts active research due to their splendid compliance, high flexibility, and safe human-robot interaction over conventional stiff counterparts. Previously simplified rod-based models principally focused on clarifying overall large deformation and bending postures of soft grippers from static or quasi-static perspectives, whereas it is challenging to elaborate grasping characteristics of soft grippers without considering contact interaction and nonlinear large deformation behaviors. To address this, based on absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF), comprehensively allowing for structural complexity, geometric, material and boundary nonlinearities, and incorporating Coulomb’ friction law with a multiple-point contact method, we put forward an effective nonlinear dynamic modeling approach for exploring grasping capability of soft gripper. Moreover, we solved the established dynamic equations using Generalized-α scheme, and conducted thorough numerical simulation analysis on a three-jaw soft pneumatic gripper (SPG) in terms of grasping configurations, displacements and contact forces. The proposed dynamic approach can accurately both describe complicated deformed configurations along with stress distribution and provide a feasible solution to simulate grasping targets, whose effectiveness and precision were analyzed theoretically and verified experimentally, which may shed new light on devising and optimizing other multifunctional SPGs.

Dispersion effect of nano-structure pyrolytic carbon on mechanical, electrical, and microstructural characteristics of cement mortar composite

Abstract:

In material science, converting waste into nanomaterials by green technologies highlights the interest in producing sustainable carbon nanomaterial (SCN). This study first-ever utilized tyre-char as a Nano-Structure Pyrolytic Carbon (NSPC) to develop electrically conductive composites. Unlike other carbon nanomaterials, the efficiency of NSPC particle as an SCN in developing electrically conductive composites was investigated in terms of dispersion, mechanical, water absorption, electrical resistivity, and microstructure. The results of sedimentation and zeta potential (−19 mV) showed the excellent dispersion of NSPC particle in water with the combined effect of superplasticizer and ultrasonication. The compressive (40.37%) and flexural strength (10.76%) than that of plain cement mortar composite (CMC) is achieved with 2 wt.% and 1.5 wt.% of NSPC particle, respectively. The water absorption rate and volume of permeable voids were reduced, exhibiting less agglomerations. The percolation zone of AC and DC resistivity of NSPC composite ranges between 1 and 2 wt.%, and the established percolation threshold is at 2 wt.%. XRD analysis showed C-S-H formation consistently increased with curing age, and HR-SEM with EDAX analysis exhibits the dense microstructure and well-distributed NSPC particle at the nanoscale. These experimental outcomes significantly enhanced the reliability and provided a framework for tailoring NSPC particle as SCN for developing electrically conductive composite.

Effects of interlayer spacing and applied pressure on the lanthanide transport in MoS2-based two-dimensional channels

Abstract:

Rare-earth elements (REEs) are critical to modern industry but difficult to separate due to their subtle and monotonic changes in physicochemical properties. MoS2-based two-dimensional (2D) materials offer novel opportunities for enhancing REE separation, exhibiting a distinct volcano-shaped transport performance distribution that peaks at Sm3+. However, the specific contributions of thermodynamic and kinetic factors to ion transport within 2D confinement remain unclear. In this study, we conducted a series of non-equilibrium all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to explore the effects of interlayer spacing and external pressure on the transport of lanthanide ions in Å-scale acetate functionalized 2D MoS2 (MoS2-COOH) channels. We examined ion entry and permeation rates, water flux, dehydration, and binding modes. The simulation results reveal that the transport trends of lanthanide ions are jointly driven by the dehydration degree and the relative-binding strengths of ions to water and to the acetate within the 2D channels. Notably, the dehydration pattern of lanthanide ions during permeation is closely linked to kinetic factors. Overall, this study provides a detailed atomistic understanding of the mechanisms underlying lanthanide ion transport under confinement. These findings point to the significant potential for tuning confinement and chemical functionalization within Å-scale channels for more efficient REE separation.

Synthesis and characterization of ultra-soft alginate hydrogel mimicking lung tissue

Abstract:

Alginate hydrogels possess properties analogous to those of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Thus, their mechanical behavior approximates soft tissue, which makes them desirable for the production of tissue-equivalent soft deformable structures. This study aims to determine the synthesis-structure-property relationship for alginate hydrogel with the Young’s modulus in the range of 10°~101 kPa, mimicking to that of human lung tissue. Hydrogels, a 3D polymer network embedded in a water-rich environment. Homogeneous alginate hydrogels are synthesized by a direct mixture of sodium alginate and CaCO3, followed by the addition of D-glucono-δ-lactone (GDL) to initiate in-situ Ca2+ release and gelation. The influence of alginate concentration and molar ratio of the constituent calcium ion to carboxyl group from alginate monomer are evaluated while the Young’s modulus of the hydrogel is carefully controlled within the desired range. FTIR and SEM are used to characterize the influence of synthesis parameters at the molecular and microstructure levels. Tension and compression testing are performed to determine the Young’s modulus of the material. Empirical relations are established between synthesis parameters and the mechanical property. The result of the study will be subsequently used to guide the additive manufacturing of soft deformable structures based on alginate hydrogels.

哈尔滨工业大学

杜善义院士 

华盛顿大学

  K.P. Chong教授   

中国科学院北京纳米能源与系统研究所

西北工业大学

University of Cambridge

University of Auckland

The University of Auckland

Southeast University

The University of New South Wales

Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong

Southern University of Science and Technology

University of Wollongong