Light-Induced Ultrafast Enhancement of Magnetic Orders in Monolayer CrX₃

The recent discovery of light-tunable intrinsic ferromagnetism in two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals crystals has opened up a new arena for spintronics. However, the underlying mechanism is still under debate. Here, we performed excited-state density functional theory (DFT) calculations for optical manipulation of magnetism in monolayered CrX3 (X = Cl, Br, I). By applying the real-time time-dependent DFT method, we found that the laser pulses can directly induce ultrafast spin-selective charge transfer from X atoms to Cr atoms and further generate a dramatic magnetic moment of Cr atom changes. The microscopic mechanisms for ultrafast changing of magnetic order are discussed based on the p–d electron transition and electron–phonon coupling. Combined with constrained DFT and Monte Carlo simulations, we further theorized the light-excited effects on exchange interaction and found that the Curie temperature of CrX3 under light excitation (>150 K) is significantly higher than that in the ground state (<70 K). Our results open new opportunities to manipulate the spin in 2D magnets as well as the potential applications in spintronics

Mechanism and Application of Magnetic Anisotropy of a Single-Molecule Magnet Modulated by a Molecular Junction

The development of spintronic and quantum computing has inspired researchers to search for single-molecule magnets with stable structures that could be modulated repetitively. Modulation and utilization of the magnetic state of a single-molecule magnet is essential for quantum information manipulation. Moreover, in order to better design quantum information devices, it is important to explore the influence of the molecular structure on the spin center theoretically. In the present work, through density functional theory calculations, we systematically studied the spin–orbit coupling effect in the Cu–nickelocene–Cu magnetic molecular junction, and clarified the strain effect on the magnetic anisotropy energy (MAE) by developing the theoretical model based on spin–orbital coupling interaction. We quantitatively demonstrated that the tensile strain can lead to an abnormal increase of the MAE. Furthermore, it is found that the shift of the deep energy level and the change of the composition of d-orbitals in the hybrid molecular orbitals are the key factors to determine the strength of the spin–orbit coupling. This method will be widely applicable for the construction of similar magnetic molecular junction components

Photoinduced Ultrafast Phase Transition in Bilayer CrI₃

In two-dimensional magnets, the ultrafast photoexcited method represents a low-power and high-speed method of switching magnetic states. Bilayer CrI3 (BLC) is an ideal platform for studying ultrafast photoinduced magnetic phase transitions due to its stacking-dependent magnetic properties. Here, by using time-dependent density functional theory, we explore the photoexcitation phase transition in BLC from the R- to M-stacked phase. This process is found to be induced by electron–phonon interactions. The activated Ag and Bg phonon modes in the xy direction drive the horizontal relative displacements between the layers. The activated Ag mode in the z direction leads to a transition potential reduction. Furthermore, this phase transition can invert the sign of the interlayer spin interaction, indicating a photoinduced transition from ferromagnet to antiferromagnet. This investigation has profound implications for magnetic phase engineering strategies

Bioinspired Ant-Nest-Like Hierarchical Porous Material Using CaCl₂ as Additive for Smart Indoor Humidity Control

Inspired by the functional microstructure of the ant nest, a humidity control material was prepared by the sintering of modified low-grade sepiolite. A hierarchical porous structure accelerates the diffusion of water vapor. Meanwhile, CaCl2 was applied subtly to enhance absorption/desorption of water vapor in response to the change of air relative humidity. The water vapor adsorption–desorption content reaches 550 g·m–2 with a steady performance after 10 cycles. The flexural strength of the specimen is excessive, 10 MPa. Furthermore, two model houses were used to evaluate the performance of the material in a real environment. The result indicated that it could narrow indoor humidity fluctuation by more than 10% RH spontaneously and mainly maintained the humidity within a healthy range (RH 40–70%) without energy consumption. This invention makes it possible for large-scale fabrication of this material in terms of wall bricks for smart indoor humidity control

Colorful Wall-Bricks with Superhydrophobic Surfaces for Enhanced Smart Indoor Humidity Control

Humidity-control materials have attracted increasing attention because of energy savings and smart regulation of indoor comforts. The current research is a successive work to face challenges, such as poor performance, limitations for large-scale production, and surface contamination. Here, we report a smart humidity-control wall-brick manufactured from sepiolite using CaCl2 as an additive. Low-temperature sintering generated a super hygroscopic interior structure, and further silane modification produced bricks with superhydrophobic surfaces. These superhydrophobic surfaces can promote the moisture storage and prevent the CaCl2 solution from leaking even after the surface is wiped 100 times. Meanwhile, the superhydrophobic surfaces make the wall-bricks easy to clean; also, these materials possess antifouling and antifungal properties. The 24 h and saturated moisture adsorption–desorption contents reached 630 and 1700 g·m–2, respectively. Furthermore, a test was performed using model houses in a real environment, which indicates that the wall-bricks can narrow the daily indoor humidity fluctuations by more than 20% in both wet and dry seasons. The white wall-brick can also be dyed with different colors and thus shows promise for applications in interior decorations of houses

Colorful Wall-Bricks with Superhydrophobic Surfaces for Enhanced Smart Indoor Humidity Control

Humidity-control materials have attracted increasing attention because of energy savings and smart regulation of indoor comforts. The current research is a successive work to face challenges, such as poor performance, limitations for large-scale production, and surface contamination. Here, we report a smart humidity-control wall-brick manufactured from sepiolite using CaCl2 as an additive. Low-temperature sintering generated a super hygroscopic interior structure, and further silane modification produced bricks with superhydrophobic surfaces. These superhydrophobic surfaces can promote the moisture storage and prevent the CaCl2 solution from leaking even after the surface is wiped 100 times. Meanwhile, the superhydrophobic surfaces make the wall-bricks easy to clean; also, these materials possess antifouling and antifungal properties. The 24 h and saturated moisture adsorption–desorption contents reached 630 and 1700 g·m–2, respectively. Furthermore, a test was performed using model houses in a real environment, which indicates that the wall-bricks can narrow the daily indoor humidity fluctuations by more than 20% in both wet and dry seasons. The white wall-brick can also be dyed with different colors and thus shows promise for applications in interior decorations of houses

Colorful Wall-Bricks with Superhydrophobic Surfaces for Enhanced Smart Indoor Humidity Control

Humidity-control materials have attracted increasing attention because of energy savings and smart regulation of indoor comforts. The current research is a successive work to face challenges, such as poor performance, limitations for large-scale production, and surface contamination. Here, we report a smart humidity-control wall-brick manufactured from sepiolite using CaCl2 as an additive. Low-temperature sintering generated a super hygroscopic interior structure, and further silane modification produced bricks with superhydrophobic surfaces. These superhydrophobic surfaces can promote the moisture storage and prevent the CaCl2 solution from leaking even after the surface is wiped 100 times. Meanwhile, the superhydrophobic surfaces make the wall-bricks easy to clean; also, these materials possess antifouling and antifungal properties. The 24 h and saturated moisture adsorption–desorption contents reached 630 and 1700 g·m–2, respectively. Furthermore, a test was performed using model houses in a real environment, which indicates that the wall-bricks can narrow the daily indoor humidity fluctuations by more than 20% in both wet and dry seasons. The white wall-brick can also be dyed with different colors and thus shows promise for applications in interior decorations of houses

Colorful Wall-Bricks with Superhydrophobic Surfaces for Enhanced Smart Indoor Humidity Control

Humidity-control materials have attracted increasing attention because of energy savings and smart regulation of indoor comforts. The current research is a successive work to face challenges, such as poor performance, limitations for large-scale production, and surface contamination. Here, we report a smart humidity-control wall-brick manufactured from sepiolite using CaCl2 as an additive. Low-temperature sintering generated a super hygroscopic interior structure, and further silane modification produced bricks with superhydrophobic surfaces. These superhydrophobic surfaces can promote the moisture storage and prevent the CaCl2 solution from leaking even after the surface is wiped 100 times. Meanwhile, the superhydrophobic surfaces make the wall-bricks easy to clean; also, these materials possess antifouling and antifungal properties. The 24 h and saturated moisture adsorption–desorption contents reached 630 and 1700 g·m–2, respectively. Furthermore, a test was performed using model houses in a real environment, which indicates that the wall-bricks can narrow the daily indoor humidity fluctuations by more than 20% in both wet and dry seasons. The white wall-brick can also be dyed with different colors and thus shows promise for applications in interior decorations of houses

Colorful Wall-Bricks with Superhydrophobic Surfaces for Enhanced Smart Indoor Humidity Control

Humidity-control materials have attracted increasing attention because of energy savings and smart regulation of indoor comforts. The current research is a successive work to face challenges, such as poor performance, limitations for large-scale production, and surface contamination. Here, we report a smart humidity-control wall-brick manufactured from sepiolite using CaCl2 as an additive. Low-temperature sintering generated a super hygroscopic interior structure, and further silane modification produced bricks with superhydrophobic surfaces. These superhydrophobic surfaces can promote the moisture storage and prevent the CaCl2 solution from leaking even after the surface is wiped 100 times. Meanwhile, the superhydrophobic surfaces make the wall-bricks easy to clean; also, these materials possess antifouling and antifungal properties. The 24 h and saturated moisture adsorption–desorption contents reached 630 and 1700 g·m–2, respectively. Furthermore, a test was performed using model houses in a real environment, which indicates that the wall-bricks can narrow the daily indoor humidity fluctuations by more than 20% in both wet and dry seasons. The white wall-brick can also be dyed with different colors and thus shows promise for applications in interior decorations of houses

Additional file 1: Figure S1. of Autophagy is associated with cell fate in the process of macrophage-derived foam cells formation and progress

Atg 5-siRNA had an enhancing effect on the production of mtROS similar to that of 3-MA. (A) Measurement of the mtROS production in THP-1 macrophage foam cells of different groups using flow cytometry. (B) Confirming the influence of Atg 5-siRNA on the expression of Atg 5 using Western blotting. Scambled siRNA is the negative control siRNA with the same nucleotide composition as Atg5 siRNA but which lacks significant sequence homology with the genome. (TIF 874 kb