Fabrication of Antireflective Compound Eyes by Imprinting

In this article, we demonstrate a simple and cost-effective approach to fabricate antireflective polymer coatings. The antireflective surfaces have 3D structures that mimick moth compound eyes. The fabrication is easily performed via a one-step imprinting process. The 3D arrays exhibit better antireflective performance than 2D arrays over most wavelengths from 400 to 2400 nm. The reflectivity of the 3D arrays is lower than 5.7% over the all of the wavelengths, and the minimum reflectivity is 0.27% at a wavelength of around 1000 nm

Biomass-Derived Porous Fe₃C/Tungsten Carbide/Graphitic Carbon Nanocomposite for Efficient Electrocatalysis of Oxygen Reduction

The oxygen-reduction reaction (ORR) draws an extensive attention in many applications, and there is a growing interest to develop effective ORR electrocatalysts. Iron carbide (Fe₃C) is a promising alternative to noble metals (e.g., platinum), but its performances need further improvement, and the real role of the Fe₃C phase remains unclear. In this study, we synthesize Fe₃C/tungsten carbide/graphitic carbon (Fe₃C/WC/GC) nanocomposites, with waste biomass (i.e., pomelo peel) serving as carbon source, using a facile, one-step carbon thermal-reduction method. The nanocomposite is characterized by a porous structure consisting of uniform Fe₃C nanoparticles encased by graphitic carbon (GC) layers with highly dispersed nanosized WC. The Fe₃C provides the active sites for ORR, while the graphitic layers and WC nanoparticles can stibilize the Fe₃C surface, preventing it from dissociation in the electrolyte. The Fe₃C/WC/GC nanocomposite is highly active, selective, and stable toward four-electron ORR in pH-neutral electrolyte, which results in a 67.82% higher power density than that of commercial Pt/C and negligible voltage decay during a long-term phase of a 33 cycle (2200 h) operation of a microbial fuel cell (MFC). The density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest high activity for splitting the O–O bond of molecular oxygen on the surface of Fe₃C

Foodborne Carbon Dots Aggravate High-Fat-Diet-Induced Glucose Homeostasis Imbalance by Disrupting the Gut-Liver Axis

Foodborne carbon dots (CDs) are generally produced during cooking and exist in food items. Generally, CDs are regarded as nontoxic materials, but several studies have gradually confirmed the cytotoxicity of CDs, such as oxidative stress, reduced cellular activity, apoptosis, etc. However, studies focusing on the health effects of long-term intake of food-borne CDs are scarce, especially in populations susceptible to metabolic disease. In this study, we reported that CDs in self-brewing beer had no effect on glucose metabolism in CHOW-fed mice but exacerbated high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced glucose metabolism disorders via the gut-liver axis. Chronic exposure to foodborne CDs increased fasting glucose levels and exacerbated liver and intestinal barrier damage in HFD-fed mice. The 16s rRNA sequencing analysis revealed that CDs significantly altered the gut microbiota composition and promoted lipopolysaccharide (LPS) synthesis-related KEGG pathways (superpathway of (Kdo)2-lipid A, Kdo transfer to lipid IVA Ill (Chlamydia), lipid IVA biosynthesis, and so on) in HFD-fed mice. Mechanically, CD exposure increased the abundance of Gram-negative bacteria (Proteobacteria and Desulfovibrionaceae), thus producing excessive endotoxin-LPS, and then LPS was transferred by the blood circulation to the liver due to the damaged intestinal barrier. In the liver, LPS promoted TLR4/NF-κB/P38 MAPK signaling, thus enhancing systemic inflammation and exacerbating HFD-induced insulin resistance. However, pretreating mice with antibiotics eliminated these effects, indicating a key role for gut microbiota in CDs exacerbating glucose metabolism disorders in HFD-fed mice. The finding herein provides new insight into the potential health risk of foodborne nanoparticles in susceptible populations by disturbing the gut-liver axis

Quadruple H‑Bonding Cross-Linked Supramolecular Polymeric Materials as Substrates for Stretchable, Antitearing, and Self-Healable Thin Film Electrodes

Herein, we report a de novo chemical design of supramolecular polymer materials (SPMs-<b>1</b>–<b>3</b>) by condensation polymerization, consisting of (i) soft polymeric chains (polytetramethylene glycol and tetraethylene glycol) and (ii) strong and reversible quadruple H-bonding cross-linkers (from 0 to 30 mol %). The former contributes to the formation of the soft domain of the SPMs, and the latter furnishes the SPMs with desirable mechanical properties, thereby producing soft, stretchable, yet tough elastomers. The resulting SPM-<b>2</b> was observed to be highly stretchable (up to 17 000% strain), tough (fracture energy ∼30 000 J/m²), and self-healing, which are highly desirable properties and are superior to previously reported elastomers and tough hydrogels. Furthermore, a gold, thin film electrode deposited on this SPM substrate retains its conductivity and combines high stretchability (∼400%), fracture/notch insensitivity, self-healing, and good interfacial adhesion with the gold film. Again, these properties are all highly complementary to commonly used polydimethylsiloxane-based thin film metal electrodes. Last, we proceed to demonstrate the practical utility of our fabricated electrode via both in vivo and in vitro measurements of electromyography signals. This fundamental understanding obtained from the investigation of these SPMs will facilitate the progress of intelligent soft materials and flexible electronics

Quadruple H‑Bonding Cross-Linked Supramolecular Polymeric Materials as Substrates for Stretchable, Antitearing, and Self-Healable Thin Film Electrodes

Herein, we report a de novo chemical design of supramolecular polymer materials (SPMs-<b>1</b>–<b>3</b>) by condensation polymerization, consisting of (i) soft polymeric chains (polytetramethylene glycol and tetraethylene glycol) and (ii) strong and reversible quadruple H-bonding cross-linkers (from 0 to 30 mol %). The former contributes to the formation of the soft domain of the SPMs, and the latter furnishes the SPMs with desirable mechanical properties, thereby producing soft, stretchable, yet tough elastomers. The resulting SPM-<b>2</b> was observed to be highly stretchable (up to 17 000% strain), tough (fracture energy ∼30 000 J/m²), and self-healing, which are highly desirable properties and are superior to previously reported elastomers and tough hydrogels. Furthermore, a gold, thin film electrode deposited on this SPM substrate retains its conductivity and combines high stretchability (∼400%), fracture/notch insensitivity, self-healing, and good interfacial adhesion with the gold film. Again, these properties are all highly complementary to commonly used polydimethylsiloxane-based thin film metal electrodes. Last, we proceed to demonstrate the practical utility of our fabricated electrode via both in vivo and in vitro measurements of electromyography signals. This fundamental understanding obtained from the investigation of these SPMs will facilitate the progress of intelligent soft materials and flexible electronics

Quadruple H‑Bonding Cross-Linked Supramolecular Polymeric Materials as Substrates for Stretchable, Antitearing, and Self-Healable Thin Film Electrodes

Herein, we report a de novo chemical design of supramolecular polymer materials (SPMs-<b>1</b>–<b>3</b>) by condensation polymerization, consisting of (i) soft polymeric chains (polytetramethylene glycol and tetraethylene glycol) and (ii) strong and reversible quadruple H-bonding cross-linkers (from 0 to 30 mol %). The former contributes to the formation of the soft domain of the SPMs, and the latter furnishes the SPMs with desirable mechanical properties, thereby producing soft, stretchable, yet tough elastomers. The resulting SPM-<b>2</b> was observed to be highly stretchable (up to 17 000% strain), tough (fracture energy ∼30 000 J/m²), and self-healing, which are highly desirable properties and are superior to previously reported elastomers and tough hydrogels. Furthermore, a gold, thin film electrode deposited on this SPM substrate retains its conductivity and combines high stretchability (∼400%), fracture/notch insensitivity, self-healing, and good interfacial adhesion with the gold film. Again, these properties are all highly complementary to commonly used polydimethylsiloxane-based thin film metal electrodes. Last, we proceed to demonstrate the practical utility of our fabricated electrode via both in vivo and in vitro measurements of electromyography signals. This fundamental understanding obtained from the investigation of these SPMs will facilitate the progress of intelligent soft materials and flexible electronics

Quadruple H‑Bonding Cross-Linked Supramolecular Polymeric Materials as Substrates for Stretchable, Antitearing, and Self-Healable Thin Film Electrodes

Herein, we report a de novo chemical design of supramolecular polymer materials (SPMs-<b>1</b>–<b>3</b>) by condensation polymerization, consisting of (i) soft polymeric chains (polytetramethylene glycol and tetraethylene glycol) and (ii) strong and reversible quadruple H-bonding cross-linkers (from 0 to 30 mol %). The former contributes to the formation of the soft domain of the SPMs, and the latter furnishes the SPMs with desirable mechanical properties, thereby producing soft, stretchable, yet tough elastomers. The resulting SPM-<b>2</b> was observed to be highly stretchable (up to 17 000% strain), tough (fracture energy ∼30 000 J/m²), and self-healing, which are highly desirable properties and are superior to previously reported elastomers and tough hydrogels. Furthermore, a gold, thin film electrode deposited on this SPM substrate retains its conductivity and combines high stretchability (∼400%), fracture/notch insensitivity, self-healing, and good interfacial adhesion with the gold film. Again, these properties are all highly complementary to commonly used polydimethylsiloxane-based thin film metal electrodes. Last, we proceed to demonstrate the practical utility of our fabricated electrode via both in vivo and in vitro measurements of electromyography signals. This fundamental understanding obtained from the investigation of these SPMs will facilitate the progress of intelligent soft materials and flexible electronics

Quadruple H‑Bonding Cross-Linked Supramolecular Polymeric Materials as Substrates for Stretchable, Antitearing, and Self-Healable Thin Film Electrodes

Herein, we report a de novo chemical design of supramolecular polymer materials (SPMs-<b>1</b>–<b>3</b>) by condensation polymerization, consisting of (i) soft polymeric chains (polytetramethylene glycol and tetraethylene glycol) and (ii) strong and reversible quadruple H-bonding cross-linkers (from 0 to 30 mol %). The former contributes to the formation of the soft domain of the SPMs, and the latter furnishes the SPMs with desirable mechanical properties, thereby producing soft, stretchable, yet tough elastomers. The resulting SPM-<b>2</b> was observed to be highly stretchable (up to 17 000% strain), tough (fracture energy ∼30 000 J/m²), and self-healing, which are highly desirable properties and are superior to previously reported elastomers and tough hydrogels. Furthermore, a gold, thin film electrode deposited on this SPM substrate retains its conductivity and combines high stretchability (∼400%), fracture/notch insensitivity, self-healing, and good interfacial adhesion with the gold film. Again, these properties are all highly complementary to commonly used polydimethylsiloxane-based thin film metal electrodes. Last, we proceed to demonstrate the practical utility of our fabricated electrode via both in vivo and in vitro measurements of electromyography signals. This fundamental understanding obtained from the investigation of these SPMs will facilitate the progress of intelligent soft materials and flexible electronics

Quadruple H‑Bonding Cross-Linked Supramolecular Polymeric Materials as Substrates for Stretchable, Antitearing, and Self-Healable Thin Film Electrodes

Herein, we report a de novo chemical design of supramolecular polymer materials (SPMs-<b>1</b>–<b>3</b>) by condensation polymerization, consisting of (i) soft polymeric chains (polytetramethylene glycol and tetraethylene glycol) and (ii) strong and reversible quadruple H-bonding cross-linkers (from 0 to 30 mol %). The former contributes to the formation of the soft domain of the SPMs, and the latter furnishes the SPMs with desirable mechanical properties, thereby producing soft, stretchable, yet tough elastomers. The resulting SPM-<b>2</b> was observed to be highly stretchable (up to 17 000% strain), tough (fracture energy ∼30 000 J/m²), and self-healing, which are highly desirable properties and are superior to previously reported elastomers and tough hydrogels. Furthermore, a gold, thin film electrode deposited on this SPM substrate retains its conductivity and combines high stretchability (∼400%), fracture/notch insensitivity, self-healing, and good interfacial adhesion with the gold film. Again, these properties are all highly complementary to commonly used polydimethylsiloxane-based thin film metal electrodes. Last, we proceed to demonstrate the practical utility of our fabricated electrode via both in vivo and in vitro measurements of electromyography signals. This fundamental understanding obtained from the investigation of these SPMs will facilitate the progress of intelligent soft materials and flexible electronics

Quadruple H‑Bonding Cross-Linked Supramolecular Polymeric Materials as Substrates for Stretchable, Antitearing, and Self-Healable Thin Film Electrodes

Herein, we report a de novo chemical design of supramolecular polymer materials (SPMs-<b>1</b>–<b>3</b>) by condensation polymerization, consisting of (i) soft polymeric chains (polytetramethylene glycol and tetraethylene glycol) and (ii) strong and reversible quadruple H-bonding cross-linkers (from 0 to 30 mol %). The former contributes to the formation of the soft domain of the SPMs, and the latter furnishes the SPMs with desirable mechanical properties, thereby producing soft, stretchable, yet tough elastomers. The resulting SPM-<b>2</b> was observed to be highly stretchable (up to 17 000% strain), tough (fracture energy ∼30 000 J/m²), and self-healing, which are highly desirable properties and are superior to previously reported elastomers and tough hydrogels. Furthermore, a gold, thin film electrode deposited on this SPM substrate retains its conductivity and combines high stretchability (∼400%), fracture/notch insensitivity, self-healing, and good interfacial adhesion with the gold film. Again, these properties are all highly complementary to commonly used polydimethylsiloxane-based thin film metal electrodes. Last, we proceed to demonstrate the practical utility of our fabricated electrode via both in vivo and in vitro measurements of electromyography signals. This fundamental understanding obtained from the investigation of these SPMs will facilitate the progress of intelligent soft materials and flexible electronics