Diet Culture Inspired Facile Nanoengineering

Inspired from some time-honored recipes, we modified the current classical nanoengineering processes to explore some new features. The synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) was selected here as the model system. Inspired from the distilling technology of white spirits (Er Guo Tou), the size and properties of the obtained Ag NPs could be adjusted effectively without any additional agent. Moreover, according to the characteristic of a flowers jelly, polyethylene glycol encapsulated Ag was synthesized, which exhibited longer storage, lower skin toxicity, and unique touch triggered releasing features. Its relative applications on virtual reality (VR) glasses were also demonstrated with the aid of a 3D printing constructed paintbrush. The proposed strategy has a certain universality, which can also be applied to other kinds of nanomaterials. This study not only explored a novel nanoengineering conception but also solved some common problems in the current nanomaterials, such as poor dispersion, easy agglomeration, and high toxicity. More importantly, the whole process could be accomplished in an environmentally friendly and energy-saving manner, which thus paved the way for a green avenue to explore functional nanomaterials

Air Flow Assisted One Step Synthesis of Porous Carbon with Selected Area Enriched Ag/ZnO Nanocomposites

With the aid of air flow, porous carbon with selective region elemental enrichment was synthesized, for the first time, through a facile one step strategy. As the model system, a series of porous carbon substrates with exquisite gradient Ag/ZnO nanomodifications were accordingly obtained. The relative air assisted formational mechanism and potential capabilities of these gradient color products were investigated systematically. As a result, the obtained samples exhibited impressive potential in both the inhibition of microorganism and degradation of organic pollutants. And the corresponding high-efficient water purification process could be accomplished even without irradiation

Full Spectrum Visible LED Light Activated Antibacterial System Realized by Optimized Cu₂O Crystals

Assisted by three-dimensional printing technology, we proposed and demonstrated a full spectrum visible light activated antibacterial system by using a combination of 500 nm sized Cu₂O crystals and light-emitting diode (LED) lamps. Further improved antibacterial ratios were achieved, for the first time, with pure Cu₂O for both Gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative bacteria among all of the six different color LED lamps. For practical antibacterial applications, we revealed that the nonwoven fabric could act as excellent carrier for Cu₂O crystals and provide impressive antibacterial performance. Furthermore, integrated with our self-developed app, the poly­(ethylene terephthalate) film loaded with Cu₂O crystals also showed significant antibacterial property, thus making it possible to be applied in field of touch screen. The present research not only provided a healthier alternative to traditional ultraviolet-based sterilization but also opened an auto-response manner to decrease the rate of microbial contamination on billions of touch screen devices

The “Pure Marriage” between 3D Printing and Well-Ordered Nanoarrays by Using PEALD Assisted Hydrothermal Surface Engineering

For the first time, homogeneous and well-ordered functional nanoarrays were grown densely on the complex structured three-dimensional (3D) printing frameworks through a general plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) assisted hydrothermal surface engineering process. The entire process was free from toxic additives or harmful residues and, therefore, can meet the critical requirements of high-purity products. As a practical example, 3D customized earplugs were precisely manufactured according to the model of ear canals at the 0.1 mm level. Meanwhile, well-ordered ZnO nanoarrays, formed on the surfaces of these 3D printed earplugs, could effectively prevent the growth of five main pathogens derived from the patients with otitis media and exhibited excellent wear resistance as well. On the basis of both animal experiments and volunteers’ investigations, the 3D customized earplugs showed sound insulation capabilities superior to those of traditional earplugs. Further animal experiments demonstrated the potential of as-modified implant scaffolds in practical clinical applications. This work, exemplified with earplugs and implant scaffolds, oriented the development direction of 3D printing in biomedical devices, which precisely integrated customized architecture and tailored surface performance

The “Pure Marriage” between 3D Printing and Well-Ordered Nanoarrays by Using PEALD Assisted Hydrothermal Surface Engineering

For the first time, homogeneous and well-ordered functional nanoarrays were grown densely on the complex structured three-dimensional (3D) printing frameworks through a general plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) assisted hydrothermal surface engineering process. The entire process was free from toxic additives or harmful residues and, therefore, can meet the critical requirements of high-purity products. As a practical example, 3D customized earplugs were precisely manufactured according to the model of ear canals at the 0.1 mm level. Meanwhile, well-ordered ZnO nanoarrays, formed on the surfaces of these 3D printed earplugs, could effectively prevent the growth of five main pathogens derived from the patients with otitis media and exhibited excellent wear resistance as well. On the basis of both animal experiments and volunteers’ investigations, the 3D customized earplugs showed sound insulation capabilities superior to those of traditional earplugs. Further animal experiments demonstrated the potential of as-modified implant scaffolds in practical clinical applications. This work, exemplified with earplugs and implant scaffolds, oriented the development direction of 3D printing in biomedical devices, which precisely integrated customized architecture and tailored surface performance