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Han R, Zeng F, Xia Q, Pang X, Wu X. Zwitterionic cellulose nanofibers-based hydrogels with high toughness, ionic conductivity, and healable capability in cryogenic environments. Carbohydr Polym 2024; 340:122271. [PMID: 38858021 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.122271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Extreme environmental conditions often lead to irreversible structural failure and functional degradation in hydrogels, limiting their service life and applicability. Achieving high toughness, self-healing, and ionic conductivity in cryogenic environments is vital to broaden their applications. Herein, we present a novel approach to simultaneously enhance the toughness, self-healing, and ionic conductivity of hydrogels, via inducing non-freezable water within the zwitterionic cellulose-based hydrogel skeleton. This approach enables resulting hydrogel to achieve an exceptional toughness of 10.8 MJ m-3, rapid self-healing capability (98.9 % in 30 min), and high ionic conductivity (2.9 S m-1), even when subjected to -40 °C, superior to the state-of-the-art hydrogels. Mechanism analyses reveal that a significant amount of non-freezable water with robust electrostatic interactions is formed within zwitterionic cellulose nanofibers-modified polyurethane molecular networks, imparting superior freezing tolerance and versatility to the hydrogel. Importantly, this strategy harnesses the non-freezable water molecular state of the zwitterionic cellulose nanofibers network, eliminating the need for additional antifreeze and organic solvents. Furthermore, the dynamic Zn coordination within these supramolecular molecule chains enhances interfacial interactions, thereby promoting rapid subzero self-healing and exceptional mechanical strength. Demonstrating its potential, this hydrogel can be used in smart laminated materials, such as aircraft windshields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiheng Han
- College of Material Science and Engineering, Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Materials Surface & Interface Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China; State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Fan Zeng
- College of Material Science and Engineering, Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Materials Surface & Interface Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
| | - Qingqing Xia
- College of Material Science and Engineering, Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Materials Surface & Interface Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
| | - Xiangchao Pang
- College of Material Science and Engineering, Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Materials Surface & Interface Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
| | - Xianzhang Wu
- College of Material Science and Engineering, Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Materials Surface & Interface Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China; State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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2
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Sun Y, Zhao Y, Xie X, Li H, Feng W. Printed polymer platform empowering machine-assisted chemical synthesis in stacked droplets. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6759. [PMID: 39117641 PMCID: PMC11310347 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50768-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Efficiently exploring organic molecules through multi-step processes demands a transition from conventional laboratory synthesis to automated systems. Existing platforms for machine-assistant synthetic workflows compatible with multiple liquid-phases require substantial engineering investments for setup, thereby hindering quick customization and throughput increasement. Here we present a droplet-based chip that facilitates the self-organization of various liquid phases into stacked layers for conducting chemical transformations. The chip's precision polymer printing capability, enabled by digital micromirror device (DMD)-maskless photolithography and dual post-chemical modifications, allows it to create customized, sub-10 µm featured patterns to confine diverse liquids, regardless of density, within each droplet. The robustness and open design of surface-templated liquid layers actualize machine-assistant droplet manipulation, synchronous reaction triggering, local oscillation, and real-time monitoring of individual layers into a reality. We propose that, with further integration of machine operation line and self-learning, this droplet-based platform holds the potential to become a valuable addition to the toolkit of chemistry process, operating autonomously and with high-throughput.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingxue Sun
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuanyi Zhao
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xinjian Xie
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongjiao Li
- College of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wenqian Feng
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
- Department State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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3
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Liu N, Zhu Y, Yu K, Gu Z, Lv S, Chen Y, He C, Fu J, He Y. Functional Blood-Brain Barrier Model with Tight Connected Minitissue by Liquid Substrates Culture. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2201984. [PMID: 36394091 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202201984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The functional blood-brain barrier (BBB) model can provide a reliable tool for better understanding BBB transport mechanisms and in vitro preclinical experimentation. However, recapitulating microenvironmental complexities and physiological functions in an accessible approach remains a major challenge. Here, a new BBB model with a high-cell spatial density and tightly connected biomimetic minitissue is presented. The minitissue, pivotal functional structure of the BBB model, is fabricated by a novel and easy-to-use liquid substrate culture (LSC) method, which allows cells to self-assemble and self-heal into macrosized, tightly connected membranous minitissue. The minitissue with uniform thickness can be easily harvested in their entirety with extracellular matrix. Attributed to the tightly connected minitissue formed by LSC, the fabricated BBB biomimetic model has 1 to 2 orders of magnitude higher transendothelial electric resistance than the commonly reported BBB model. It also better prevents the transmission of large molecular substances, recapitulating the functional features of BBB. Furthermore, the BBB biomimetic model provides feedback regarding BBB-destructive drugs, exhibits selective transmission, and shows efflux pump activity. Overall, this model can serve as an accessible tool for life science or clinical medical researchers to enhance the understanding of human BBB and expedite the development of new brain-permeable drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China.,Key Laboratory of 3D Printing Process and Equipment of Zhejiang Province, College of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Yuanbo Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China.,Key Laboratory of 3D Printing Process and Equipment of Zhejiang Province, College of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Kang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China.,Key Laboratory of 3D Printing Process and Equipment of Zhejiang Province, College of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Zeming Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China.,Key Laboratory of 3D Printing Process and Equipment of Zhejiang Province, College of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Shang Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China.,Key Laboratory of 3D Printing Process and Equipment of Zhejiang Province, College of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Yuewei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China.,Key Laboratory of 3D Printing Process and Equipment of Zhejiang Province, College of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Chaofan He
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China.,Key Laboratory of 3D Printing Process and Equipment of Zhejiang Province, College of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Jianzhong Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China.,Key Laboratory of 3D Printing Process and Equipment of Zhejiang Province, College of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Yong He
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China.,Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Mold, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China.,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
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4
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Zhang K, He N, Zhang C, Wang X. Erasable polymer hydrogel wells. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2022.129431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Li P, Song A, Hao J, Wang X. Feedback-controlled topological reconfiguration of molecular assemblies for programming supramolecular structures. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:3856-3866. [PMID: 35531597 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm00325b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In biology, nonequilibrium assembly is characterized by fuel-driven switching between associating and nonassociating states of biomolecules. This dynamic assembly model has been used routinely to describe the nonequilibrium processes in synthetic systems. Here, we present a G-quartet-based nonequilibrium system based on fuel-driven co-assembly of guanosine 5'-monophosphate disodium salt hydrate and urease. Addition of lanthanum(III) ions to the system caused macroscopic dynamic switching between precipitates and hydrogels. Interestingly, combined analyses of the nonequilibrium systems demonstrated that molecules could switch between two distinct associating states without undergoing a nonassociating state. This finding suggested a nonequilibrium assembly mechanism of topological reconfiguration of molecular assemblies. We detailed quantitatively the nonequilibrium assembly mechanism to precisely control the phase behaviors of the active materials; thus, we were able to use the materials for transient-gel-templated polymerization and transient circuit connection. This work presents a new nonequilibrium system with unusual phase behaviors, and the resultant active hydrogels hold promise in applications such as fluid confinements and transient electronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panpan Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Colloidal Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250100, China.
| | - Aixin Song
- Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250100, China
| | - Jingcheng Hao
- Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250100, China
| | - Xu Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Colloidal Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250100, China.
- Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250100, China
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6
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Yan J, Baird MA, Popple DC, Zettl A, Russell TP, Helms BA. Structured-Liquid Batteries. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:3979-3988. [PMID: 35196003 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c12417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Chemical systems may be maintained far from equilibrium by sequestering otherwise reactive species into different microenvironments. It remains a significant challenge to control the amount of chemical energy stored in such systems and to utilize it on demand to perform useful work. Here, we show that redox-active molecules compartmentalized in multiphasic structured-liquid devices can be charged and discharged to power a load on an external circuit. The two liquid phases of these devices feature charge-complementary polyelectrolytes that serve a dual purpose: they generate an ionically conductive coacervate membrane at the liquid-liquid interface, providing structural support; they also mitigate active-material crossover between phases via ion pairing with the oppositely charged anolyte and catholyte active materials. Structured-liquid batteries enabled by this design were rechargeable over hundreds of hours. We envision that these devices may be integrated with soft electronics to enable functional circuits for smart textiles, medical implants, and wearables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajun Yan
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Michael A Baird
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Derek C Popple
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Alex Zettl
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,Kavli Energy NanoScience Institute at the University of California Berkeley and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Thomas P Russell
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,Polymer Science and Engineering Department, University of Massachusetts, Conte Center for Polymer Research, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Brett A Helms
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
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