Although radiotherapy effectively combats cancer, its application sometimes causes harm to normal tissue. Targeted agents capable of both therapeutic and imaging functions might provide a potential solution. As a tumor-targeted computed tomography (CT) contrast agent and radiosensitizer, we created 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2DG)-labeled poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) gold nanodots (2DG-PEG-AuD). A key strength of the design is its biocompatibility, along with its targeted AuD, showcasing excellent tumor detection sensitivity driven by avid glucose metabolism. CT imaging, with its enhanced sensitivity and exceptional radiotherapeutic efficacy, was consequently achieved. In our synthesized AuD, the CT contrast enhancement exhibited a linear correlation with the concentration. Consequently, 2DG-PEG-AuD yielded a substantial enhancement of CT contrast in both in vitro cellular assays and in vivo tumor-bearing mouse models. Tumor-bearing mice treated intravenously with 2DG-PEG-AuD displayed impressive radiosensitizing effects. Results from this investigation indicate that 2DG-PEG-AuD can substantially increase theranostic capabilities, achieving high-resolution anatomical and functional imagery in a single CT scan and incorporating therapeutic action.
Engineered bio-scaffolds, a compelling therapeutic approach for tissue engineering and traumatic skin injuries, promote wound healing by diminishing donor dependence and accelerating repair through the strategic design of their surfaces. Current scaffold design presents challenges in terms of manipulation, preparation, preservation, and sterilization. This study examined hierarchical all-carbon structures, consisting of covalently bonded carbon nanotube (CNT) carpets on a flexible carbon fabric, as a platform for cell growth and future tissue regeneration. Although CNTs demonstrate a capacity to guide cell development, free-floating CNTs are prone to intracellular assimilation, suggesting a risk of cytotoxicity in both laboratory and in vivo contexts. This risk is quelled within these materials by the covalent integration of CNTs into a wider fabric, drawing upon the synergistic advantages of nanoscale and micro-macro scale architectures, akin to the structural solutions observed in natural biological substances. These materials, possessing exceptional structural durability, biocompatibility, customizable surface architecture, and an incredibly high specific surface area, offer significant promise for wound healing. This study's focus on cytotoxicity, skin cell proliferation, and cell migration produced results that suggest promise for both biocompatibility and the potential for directing cell growth. In addition, these frameworks shielded cells from environmental stressors, specifically ultraviolet B (UVB) light. Experimentation illustrated the influence of CNT carpet height and surface wettability parameters on cellular growth characteristics. These results substantiate the potential of hierarchical carbon scaffolds for future strategic applications in wound healing and tissue regeneration.
High corrosion resistance and minimal self-aggregation are crucial characteristics of alloy-based catalysts designed for oxygen reduction/evolution reactions (ORR/OER). Using dicyandiamide, nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes containing a NiCo alloy were assembled on a three-dimensional hollow nanosphere (NiCo@NCNTs/HN) via an in situ growth approach. The electrocatalytic performance of NiCo@NCNTs/HN, measured by its oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity (half-wave potential of 0.87V) and stability (a half-wave potential shift of only -0.013V after 5000 cycles), exceeded that of commercially available Pt/C. Dentin infection RuO2 presented a higher OER overpotential (390 mV) than NiCo@NCNTs/HN (330 mV). The performance of the NiCo@NCNTs/HN-based zinc-air battery showed a high specific capacity (84701 mA h g-1) and excellent cycling stability lasting 291 hours. The interplay of NiCo alloys and NCNTs spurred charge transfer, accelerating the 4e- ORR/OER kinetics. The carbon framework curtailed NiCo alloy corrosion propagation from the surface to the subsurface, coupled with the internal channels of carbon nanotubes confining particle growth and NiCo alloy aggregation, thus preserving the stability of their bifunctional properties. For the design of alloy-based catalysts in oxygen electrocatalysis, this strategy ensures the presence of a confined grain size and excellent structural and catalytic stability.
In the realm of electrochemical energy storage, lithium metal batteries (LMBs) stand out with their substantial energy density and a comparatively low redox potential. Sadly, a significant peril for lithium metal batteries is the formation of lithium dendrites. Amongst the diverse approaches for lithium dendrite prevention, gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) provide advantages in interfacial compatibility, comparable ionic conductivity to liquid electrolytes, and enhanced interfacial tension. Although numerous reviews concerning GPEs have emerged in recent years, few papers have delved into the correlation between GPEs and solid electrolyte interfaces (SEIs). The inhibiting effects of GPEs on lithium dendrites, along with their underlying mechanisms, are presented in this overview. The subsequent investigation investigates the interplay of GPEs and SEIs. Summarized are the effects of varying GPE preparation techniques, plasticizer types, polymer substrates, and incorporated additives on the characteristics of the SEI layer. Summarizing, the obstacles to the use of GPEs and SEIs in suppressing dendritic growth are presented, and a perspective on their utility is provided.
Catalysis and sensing research has benefited greatly from the notable electrical and optical properties exhibited by plasmonic nanomaterials. Utilizing Cu2-xSe nanoparticles, a representative non-stoichiometric type, displaying distinctive near-infrared (NIR) localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) properties resulting from their copper deficiency, facilitated the oxidation of colorless TMB to its blue product using H2O2, thereby exhibiting peroxidase-like activity. Glutathione (GSH), interestingly, impeded the catalytic oxidation of TMB, as its action involves the consumption of reactive oxygen species. Meanwhile, the process of reducing Cu(II) in the Cu2-xSe structure is associated with a reduction in the copper deficiency, potentially diminishing the LSPR effect. As a result, the photothermal response and catalytic activity of Cu2-xSe decreased. Therefore, we have created a colorimetric and photothermal dual-readout array for the detection of glutathione (GSH) in our work. Linear calibration of GSH concentration exhibited a range from 1 to 50 micromolar, featuring a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.13 micromolar, and from 50 to 800 micromolar with an LOD of 3.927 micromolar.
Dynamic random access memory (DRAM) chips are encountering obstacles as transistor scaling becomes increasingly difficult. Nonetheless, vertically integrated devices show promise as 4F2 DRAM cell transistors, with F equaling half the pitch. A substantial number of vertical devices are encountering significant technical challenges. Unfortunately, achieving precise control over the gate length is problematic, similarly to aligning the gate and the source/drain regions of the device. Nanosheet field-effect transistors (NFETs) with recrystallization-based vertical C-shaped channels were constructed. The critical process modules associated with the RC-VCNFETs were also created. clinical infectious diseases Featuring a self-aligned gate structure, the RC-VCNFET's performance is exceptional, as demonstrated by its subthreshold swing (SS) of 6291 mV/dec. Ulonivirine Drain-induced barrier lowering (DIBL) yields a result of 616 millivolts per volt.
The structural configuration and operational parameters of the equipment must be optimized to create thin films with specific properties (film thickness, trapped charge density, leakage current, and memory characteristics), which are essential for achieving reliability in the related device. This study involved the fabrication of metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) capacitor structures utilizing HfO2 thin films deposited using both remote plasma (RP) and direct plasma (DP) atomic layer deposition (ALD). An optimal process temperature was determined through correlation analysis of leakage current and breakdown strength versus temperature. Moreover, we studied how the plasma application procedure affected charge trapping in HfO2 thin films and the nature of the interface between silicon and HfO2. Subsequently, charge-trapping memory (CTM) devices were synthesized using the deposited thin films as the charge-trapping layers (CTLs), and their memory properties were measured. A comparison of memory window characteristics between RP-HfO2 and DP-HfO2 MIS capacitors revealed the superiority of the former. Moreover, a considerable advantage in memory characteristics was present in the RP-HfO2 CTM devices, in comparison with the DP-HfO2 CTM devices. In essence, the methodology presented here can be beneficial for future implementations of multi-level charge storage non-volatile memory or synaptic devices with a need for many states.
This paper showcases a simple, fast, and cost-effective methodology for the creation of metal/SU-8 nanocomposites. The method involves applying a metal precursor drop to the SU-8 surface or nanostructure, and then irradiating it with UV light. No metal precursor pre-mixing with the SU-8 polymer, nor pre-synthesis of metal nanoparticles, is necessary. Confirmation of the silver nanoparticle composition and depth profile within the SU-8 film was achieved through TEM analysis, demonstrating their uniform integration into Ag/SU-8 nanocomposites. The nanocomposites' ability to inhibit bacteria was evaluated. Furthermore, a composite surface, featuring a gold nanodisk top layer and an Ag/SU-8 nanocomposite bottom layer, was fabricated using the same photoreduction technique, utilizing gold and silver precursors, respectively. The reduction parameters, when manipulated, permit the customization of the color and spectrum profile of various composite surfaces.