Mechanical collapse vs ideal glass formation in slowly vitrified solutions: A plausibility test

Protecting Proteins from Desiccation Stress Using Molecular Glasses and Gels

Faced with desiccation stress, many organisms deploy strategies to maintain the integrity of their cellular components. Amorphous glassy media composed of small molecular solutes or protein gels present general strategies for protecting against drying. We review these strategies and the proposed molecular mechanisms to explain protein protection in a vitreous matrix under conditions of low hydration. We also describe efforts to exploit similar strategies in technological applications for protecting proteins in dry or highly desiccated states. Finally, we outline open questions and possibilities for future explorations.

Long-term ambient air-stable cubic CsPbBr3 perovskite quantum dots using molecular bromine

We report unprecedented phase stability of cubic CsPbBr₃ quantum dots in ambient air obtained by using Br₂ as halide precursor. Mechanistic investigation reveals the decisive role of temperature-controlled in situ generated, oleylammonium halide species from molecular halogen and amine for the long term stability and emission tunability of CsPbX₃ (X = Br, I) nanocrystals.