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Zhang X, Wei J, Qin L, Yu Y. Liquid crystal polymer actuators with complex and multiple actuations. J Mater Chem B 2024; 12:6757-6773. [PMID: 38916076 DOI: 10.1039/d4tb01055h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Deformable liquid crystal polymers (LCPs), which exhibit both entropic elasticity of polymer networks and anisotropic properties originating from ordered mesogens, have gained more and more interest for use as biomedical soft actuators. Especially, LCP actuators with controllable mesogen alignment, sophisticated geometry and reprogrammability are a rising star on the horizon of soft actuators, since they enable complex and multiple actuations. This review focuses on two topics: (1) the regulation of mesogen alignment and geometry of LCP actuators for complex actuations; (2) newly designed reprogrammable LCP materials for multiple actuations. First, basic actuation mechanisms are briefly introduced. Then, LCP actuators with complex actuations are demonstrated. Special attention is devoted to the improvement of fabrication methods, which profoundly influence the available complexity of the mesogen alignment and geometry. Subsequently, reprogrammable LCP actuators featuring dynamic networks or shape memory effects are discussed, with an emphasis on their multiple actuations. Finally, perspectives on the current challenges and potential development trends toward more intelligent LCP actuators are discussed, which may shed light on future investigations in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Zhang
- Department of Materials Science & State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| | - Jia Wei
- Department of Materials Science & State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| | - Lang Qin
- Department of Materials Science & State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| | - Yanlei Yu
- Department of Materials Science & State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
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2
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Pinchin NP, Guo H, Meteling H, Deng Z, Priimagi A, Shahsavan H. Liquid Crystal Networks Meet Water: It's Complicated! ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2303740. [PMID: 37392137 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202303740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
Soft robots are composed of compliant materials that facilitate high degrees of freedom, shape-change adaptability, and safer interaction with humans. An attractive choice of material for soft robotics is crosslinked networks of liquid crystal polymers (LCNs), as they are responsive to a wide variety of external stimuli and capable of undergoing fast, programmable, complex shape morphing, which allows for their use in a wide range of soft robotic applications. However, unlike hydrogels, another popular material in soft robotics, LCNs have limited applicability in flooded or aquatic environments. This can be attributed not only to the poor efficiency of common LCN actuation methods underwater but also to the complicated relationship between LCNs and water. In this review, the relationship between water and LCNs is elaborated and the existing body of literature is surveyed where LCNs, both hygroscopic and non-hygroscopic, are utilized in aquatic soft robotic applications. Then the challenges LCNs face in widespread adaptation to aquatic soft robotic applications are discussed and, finally, possible paths forward for their successful use in aquatic environments are envisaged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie P Pinchin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Hongshuang Guo
- Smart Photonic Materials, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, P.O. Box 541, Tampere, FI-33101, Finland
| | - Henning Meteling
- Smart Photonic Materials, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, P.O. Box 541, Tampere, FI-33101, Finland
| | - Zixuan Deng
- Smart Photonic Materials, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, P.O. Box 541, Tampere, FI-33101, Finland
| | - Arri Priimagi
- Smart Photonic Materials, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, P.O. Box 541, Tampere, FI-33101, Finland
| | - Hamed Shahsavan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
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3
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Kong S, Wang H, Ubba E, Xiao Y, Yu T, Huang W. Recent Developments of Photodeformable Polymers: From Materials to Applications. RESEARCH (WASHINGTON, D.C.) 2023; 6:0242. [PMID: 37779636 PMCID: PMC10540999 DOI: 10.34133/research.0242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Photodeformable polymer materials have a far influence in the fields of flexibility and intelligence. The stimulation energy is converted into mechanical energy through molecular synergy. Among kinds of photodeformable polymer materials, liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) photodeformable materials have been a hot topic in recent years. Chromophores such as azobenzene, α-cyanostilbene, and 9,10-dithiopheneanthracene have been widely used in LCP, which are helpful for designing functional molecules to increase the penetration depth of light to change physical properties. Due to the various applications of photodeformable polymer materials, there are many excellent reports in intelligent field. In this review, we have systematized LCP containing azobenzene into 3 categories depending on the degree of crosslinking liquid crystalline elastomers, liquid crystalline networks, and linear LCPs. Other structural, typical polymer materials and their applications are discussed. Current issues faced and future directions to be developed for photodeformable polymer materials are also summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuting Kong
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics (FSCFE), Shaanxi
Institute of Flexible Electronics (SIFE), Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an 710072, China
| | - Hailan Wang
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics (FSCFE), Shaanxi
Institute of Flexible Electronics (SIFE), Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an 710072, China
| | - Eethamukkala Ubba
- OMC Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry,
School of Advanced Sciences, VITVellore, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Yuxin Xiao
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics (FSCFE), Shaanxi
Institute of Flexible Electronics (SIFE), Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an 710072, China
| | - Tao Yu
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics (FSCFE), Shaanxi
Institute of Flexible Electronics (SIFE), Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an 710072, China
| | - Wei Huang
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics (FSCFE), Shaanxi
Institute of Flexible Electronics (SIFE), Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an 710072, China
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (KLOFE) & Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM),
Nanjing Tech University (NanjingTech), 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing 211816, China
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Electronics and Information Displays &Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, 9 Wenyuan Road, Nanjing 210023, China
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4
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Jayoti D, Peeketi AR, Kumbhar PY, Swaminathan N, Annabattula RK. Geometry Controlled Oscillations in Liquid Crystal Polymer Films Triggered by Thermal Feedback. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:18362-18371. [PMID: 36975405 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c02472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Light-induced oscillatory behavior of liquid crystal polymer network (LCN) films has been demonstrated by several researchers in the past decade. Similarly, oscillations in LCN films under constant thermal stimulus have been reported recently, although the mechanism and the factors that govern the oscillatory behavior are not well understood. In this work, we study the dynamics of self-sustained oscillations exhibited by LCN films under a constant thermal stimulus through experiments and simulations. Geometrically asymmetric films such as a right triangle and an equilateral triangle are obtained from a twisted nematic square film. A multiphysics computational framework using the finite element method is developed to simulate the oscillatory behavior of the LCN films kept on a hot plate. The framework accounts for a coupling between heat transfer and mechanical deformations during the oscillations. Small temperature fluctuations (≈ 1 °C) coupled with gravity induced torque are shown to drive the oscillatory behavior at a specific plate temperature. We show for the first time that self-sustained oscillations can also be achieved in symmetric shapes, such as square films, by creating a thickness tapering between two opposite edges. The frequency of the oscillations is found to be in the range of 0.5 to 2.5 Hz for different geometries studied. The oscillation temperature depends on the mean thickness, size, and thickness profile of the films. As a possible application, we demonstrate a thermally actuated optical chopper using the oscillatory response of the films.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Jayoti
- Center for Soft and Biological Matter, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | - Akhil Reddy Peeketi
- Center for Soft and Biological Matter, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | - Pramod Yallappa Kumbhar
- Center for Soft and Biological Matter, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | - Narasimhan Swaminathan
- Center for Soft and Biological Matter, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | - Ratna Kumar Annabattula
- Center for Soft and Biological Matter, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
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5
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Dradrach K, Zmyślony M, Deng Z, Priimagi A, Biggins J, Wasylczyk P. Light-driven peristaltic pumping by an actuating splay-bend strip. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1877. [PMID: 37015926 PMCID: PMC10073117 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37445-5] [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: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite spectacular progress in microfluidics, small-scale liquid manipulation, with few exceptions, is still driven by external pumps and controlled by large-scale valves, increasing cost and size and limiting complexity. By contrast, optofluidics uses light to power, control and monitor liquid manipulation, potentially allowing for small, self-contained microfluidic devices. Here we demonstrate a soft light-propelled actuator made of liquid crystal gel that pumps microlitre volumes of water. The strip of actuating material serves as both a pump and a channel leading to an extremely simple microfluidic architecture that is both powered and controlled by light. The performance of the pump is well explained by a simple theoretical model in which the light-induced bending of the actuator competes with the liquid's surface tension. The theory highlights that effective pumping requires a threshold light intensity and strip width. The proposed system explores the benefits of shifting the complexity of microfluidic systems from the fabricated device to spatio-temporal control over stimulating light patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaudia Dradrach
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
- Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Michał Zmyślony
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Zixuan Deng
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Arri Priimagi
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - John Biggins
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
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6
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Yamaguchi T, Ogawa M. Photoinduced movement: how photoirradiation induced the movements of matter. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF ADVANCED MATERIALS 2022; 23:796-844. [PMID: 36465797 PMCID: PMC9718566 DOI: 10.1080/14686996.2022.2142955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Pioneered by the success on active transport of ions across membranes in 1980 using the regulation of the binding properties of crown ethers with covalently linked photoisomerizable units, extensive studies on the movements by using varied interactions between moving objects and environments have been reported. Photoinduced movements of various objects ranging from molecules, polymers to microscopic particles were discussed from the aspects of the driving for the movements, materials design to achieve the movements and systems design to see and to utilize the movements are summarized in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuo Yamaguchi
- Department of Energy and Materials Engineering, Dongguk University-Seoul, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Makoto Ogawa
- School of Energy Science and Engineering, Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC), Rayong, Thailand
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7
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Wu L, Guo Z, Liu W. Surface behaviors of droplet manipulation in microfluidics devices. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2022; 308:102770. [PMID: 36113310 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2022.102770] [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: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, the rapid development of microfluidic technology has caused a revolutionary impact in the fields of chemistry, medicine, and life sciences. Also, droplet control is one of the most important technologies in the field of microfluidics. In order to achieve different degrees of droplet transport, the dynamic balance of the competing processes of droplet driving force and fluid resistance should be controlled to achieve good selectivity of droplet transport. Here, we focus on the principles of droplet transport in microfluidic devices, including the driving forces for droplet transport in fluids and the effects of transport properties on droplet transport. After that, the effects of external fields on the directional transport of droplets and the advantages and disadvantages of each external field in droplet transport are discussed in detail. Finally, the applications and challenges of droplet microfluidics in chemical, biomedical, and mechanical systems are comprehensively introduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linshan Wu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiguang Guo
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Weimin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
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8
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Steijlen ASM, Jansen KMB, Bastemeijer J, French PJ, Bossche A. Low-Cost Wearable Fluidic Sweat Collection Patch for Continuous Analyte Monitoring and Offline Analysis. Anal Chem 2022; 94:6893-6901. [PMID: 35486709 PMCID: PMC9096792 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c01052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Sweat sensors allow for new unobtrusive ways to continuously monitor an athlete's performance and health status. Significant advances have been made in the optimization of sensitivity, selectivity, and durability of electrochemical sweat sensors. However, comparing the in situ performance of these sensors in detail remains challenging because standardized sweat measurement methods to validate sweat sensors in a physiological setting do not yet exist. Current collection methods, such as the absorbent patch technique, are prone to contamination and are labor-intensive, which limits the number of samples that can be collected over time for offline reference measurements. We present an easy-to-fabricate sweat collection system that allows for continuous electrochemical monitoring, as well as chronological sampling of sweat for offline analysis. The patch consists of an analysis chamber hosting a conductivity sensor and a sequence of 5 to 10 reservoirs that contain level indicators that monitor the filling speed. After testing the performance of the patch in the laboratory, elaborate physiological validation experiments (3 patch locations, 6 participants) were executed. The continuous sweat conductivity measurements were compared with laboratory [Na+] and [Cl-] measurements of the samples, and a strong linear relationship (R2 = 0.97) was found. Furthermore, sweat rate derived from ventilated capsule measurement at the three locations was compared with patch filling speed and continuous conductivity readings. As expected from the literature, sweat conductivity was linearly related to sweat rate as well. In short, a successfully validated sweat collection patch is presented that enables sensor developers to systematically validate novel sweat sensors in a physiological setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annemarijn S M Steijlen
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics & Computer Science, Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 4, Delft 2628 CD, The Netherlands
| | - Kaspar M B Jansen
- Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Landbergstraat 15, Delft 2628 CE, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Bastemeijer
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics & Computer Science, Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 4, Delft 2628 CD, The Netherlands
| | - Paddy J French
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics & Computer Science, Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 4, Delft 2628 CD, The Netherlands
| | - Andre Bossche
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics & Computer Science, Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 4, Delft 2628 CD, The Netherlands
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9
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Huang T, Zhang L, Lao J, Luo K, Liu X, Sui K, Gao J, Jiang L. Reliable and Low Temperature Actuation of Water and Oil Slugs in Janus Photothermal Slippery Tube. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:17968-17974. [PMID: 35394739 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c01205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
While actuating liquid with external stimuli on open surfaces has been extensively studied, the actuation in tubes or channels is much more challenging due to the lower accessibility and higher complexity in material/device design, despite its crucial importance for microfluidic applications. Of various potential actuation methods, optical ones are particularly interesting because they can be remotely controlled with high spatial/temporal resolution. Yet, previous optical methods relied on the physical deformation of tubes, raising the concern of material fatigue and compromising reliability. Here we develop a low temperature photothermal method to actuate various liquids including water and oil in a tube. The tube has Janus configuration, with the upper part allowing light transmission and lower part imparted with high photothermal property. Combining with experiments and calculation, we show that the photothermal effect induces a wettability gradient to drive the liquid transport. Compared with the methods based on physical deformation, our method is more robust and can repeatedly function for at least 20 times. Thanks to the slippery surface, the actuation can be initiated at a moderate temperature of ∼40 °C, mitigating the risk of biomolecule degradation. We therefore expect our work to pave the way toward practical biomedical microfluidic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Huang
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Marine Biobased Materials, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, P. R. China
- Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266101, P. R. China
| | - Li Zhang
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Marine Biobased Materials, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, P. R. China
- Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266101, P. R. China
| | - Junchao Lao
- Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266101, P. R. China
- Shanghai Key Lab of Advanced High-Temperature Materials and Precision Forming, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
| | - Kuiguang Luo
- Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266101, P. R. China
| | - Xueli Liu
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Marine Biobased Materials, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, P. R. China
| | - Kunyan Sui
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Marine Biobased Materials, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, P. R. China
| | - Jun Gao
- Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266101, P. R. China
- Shandong Energy Institute, Qingdao 266101, P. R. China
| | - Lei Jiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Materials and Interfacial Science, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
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