MRS Communications最新文献

Biocompatible optical devices are breakthrough illumination, imaging, and biomedical sensing technologies. Despite the noteworthy developments in silk, cellulose, and hydrogel-based optics, such approaches rely on expensive precursors and intricate fabrication. Therefore, agar extracted from red algae emerges as a promising biodegradable alternative as an edible, low-cost, and renewable material. This paper overviews the state-of-the-art of agar-based optical devices. Firstly, we revisit this phycocolloid’s fundamentals and highlight its appealing mechanical, optical, and electrical characteristics. Subsequently, we summarize the available agar elements, slab waveguides, and optical fibers. Lastly, we discuss their advantages and challenges by envisaging opportunities for future developments and applications.

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Triangular cross-section color center photonics in silicon carbide is a leading candidate for scalable implementation of quantum hardware. Within this geometry, we model low-loss beam splitters for applications in key quantum optical operations such as entanglement and single-photon interferometry. We consider triangular cross-section single-mode waveguides for the design of a directional coupler. We optimize parameters for a 50:50 beam splitter. Finally, we test the experimental feasibility of the designs by fabricating triangular waveguides in an ion beam etching process and identify suitable designs for short-term implementation.

Strategies for synthesis and processing of silicone rubber materials in three-dimensional (3D) structures are of significant interest based on their exceptional potential in many applications including flexible electronics and biomedical devices. Here, we present a synthetic approach of crosslinked polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) exhibiting dynamic siloxane bond exchange for sufficient stress relaxation capability to enable versatile processabilities including reprocessing, remolding, self-healing, and hot-melt extrusion 3D printing. Considering the significant potential of recyclable silicone materials and their 3D structures, presented approaches enabled by dynamic exchangeable PDMS can provide a new pathway to replace conventional unrecyclable silicone used in diverse industrial sectors.

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Modern strategies to deliver drugs efficiently via less toxic non-aqueous carriers like deep eutectic solvents (DES) has grown tremendously. Herein, we develop several synthetic and natural DES to improve solubility of poorly soluble drug, docetaxel (DTX). Menthol:thymol-based natural DES showed 1500-folds higher solubility for DTX than that in water. FTIR-spectroscopy confirmed reduced crystallinity and stable encapsulation of DTX in DES through formation of hydrogen-bond. DTX-DES was developed further into self-emulsified formulation that upon dilution formed nanostructured globules (< 200 nm) and released 20-folds higher DTX than pure drug thereby highlighting the potential of DES for designing formulations of poorly soluble drugs.

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This study explores the efficacy of using a simplified molecular input line entry system (SMILES) as the sole feature, replacing quantum chemical properties (QCP), in predicting corrosion inhibition efficiency (CIE) for N-heterocyclic compounds. The gradient boosting regressor (GBR) model outperforms k-nearest neighbors (KNN), support vector regression (SVR), and other models. SMILES accurately predicts CIE for various datasets, demonstrating potential as a standalone feature. Results indicate a moderate correlation between SMILES representation and corrosion inhibition properties. The proposed method identifies novel N-heterocyclic derivatives with high CIE, suggesting its utility in discovering corrosion inhibitors.

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An unreported rhenium-based calcium aluminum sodalite (CARe sodalite) has been synthesized by a traditional solid-state method. The rhenium is located in the sodalite β-cage and can be reduced under 5% H₂ forming gas without breaking the cage framework. Preliminary characterizations of the structural, optical, and magnetic properties are reported.

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In view of the paradigm shift toward data-driven research in materials science and engineering, handling large amounts of data becomes increasingly important. The application of FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable) data principles emphasizes the importance of metadata describing datasets. We propose a novel data processing and machine learning (ML) pipeline to extract metadata from micrograph image files, then combine image data and their metadata for microstructure classification with a deep learning approach compared to a classic ML approach. The ML model attained excellent performances with and without metadata and bears potential for performance improvement of further use cases within the community.

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We have designed a polymer, hc-TBtd-COP incorporating a Wurster-type redox-active building unit for the in situ reduction and nucleation of platinum nanoparticles which forms an organic polymer-wrapped metal nanoparticle composite. This composite exhibits exceptional mass activity (MA) (about 5 times larger than 20% Pt/C at 0.9 V vs. RHE) and specific activity (SA) (approximately 2 times larger than 20% Pt/C at 0.9 V vs. RHE) for the oxygen reduction reaction. The efficient electrocatalysis results from higher catalytic site dispersion and superior atom utilization efficiency. This research contributes to the advancement of composite materials for enhanced electrocatalytic performance.

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Short-fiber-reinforced polymer composites offer advantages, like flexibility in complex geometries and cost-effectiveness, but typically exhibit lower mechanical properties because of the random orientation of short fibers. In this work, a novel process utilizing shear force to create 3D scaffold with customized fiber alignment for the manufacturing of short carbon fibers (SCF)-reinforced thermoset composites has been presented. The Computed tomography test confirmed the alignment of the SCF along printing directions. The results demonstrate that the aligned SCF-reinforced epoxy composites exhibited a 190% improvement in tensile strength and 388% improvement in tensile modulus compared to neat epoxy.

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