Small Methods最新文献

Macrophage membrane-coated nanoparticles (M₂M-NPs) offer a promising strategy for targeting immunologically "cold" tumors resistant to conventional therapies. However, workflows for membrane isolation and NP coating remain limited and often lack reproducibility. Herein, a multi-step process was established for isolating plasma membranes from human M₂-like macrophages. This optimized workflow combines hypotonic lysis, Dounce homogenization, and differential centrifugation, yielding M₂M fractions with consistent protein, lipid, and DNA profiles. Building on this process, a detailed and reproducible method for preparing membrane-derived nanovesicles (M₂M-NVs) was developed, and these nanovesicles were thoroughly characterized in terms of morphology, particle size, and stability under various short-term storage conditions. The incorporation of fluorescent lipids and cholesterol was essential for efficient extrusion and enhanced nanovesicle stability. To systematically evaluate the influence of nanocore dynamics and hydrophobicity on M₂M coating efficiency, different model nanocores (TPGS micelles, VD₃ micelles, and PLGA NPs) were employed. Among these, semi-rigid hydrophobic PLGA NPs produced the most uniform and stable coatings. Furthermore, PLGA/M₂M-NPs loaded with paclitaxel demonstrated high colloidal stability, excellent hemocompatibility, enhanced immune evasion, and selective cytotoxicity against triple-negative breast cancer, pancreatic, and glioblastoma cells compared with free paclitaxel and the clinical approved nanoformulation (Abraxane). Collectively, this reproducible workflow offers a reliable foundation for engineering macrophage membrane-based biomimetic NPs and advances their translational potential for treating immunologically "cold" tumors.

As the semiconductor industry transitions to gate-all-around architectures such as Nanosheet-FETs (NSFETs) for the 2nm node and beyond, controlling parasitic resistance through precise junction engineering is fundamental. This requires characterization methods capable of mapping active carriers with nanometer-scale resolution. This work demonstrates a significant advancement in scanning spreading resistance microscopy (SSRM) that enables, for the first time, carrier mapping within 5.5 nm thick nanosheet channels. This was achieved through a systematic optimization of sample preparation to achieve sub-nanometer topography, the use of ultra-sharp diamond probes, and the implementation of a linear current amplifier to eliminate artifacts from slow logarithmic amplifiers. SSRM measurements of NSFETs with and without a 950°C rapid thermal anneal reveal a clear increase in phosphorus diffusion due to the higher thermal budget, with carrier profiles in excellent agreement with Kinetic Monte Carlo process simulations. This demonstrates how SSRM is a valuable characterization technique for providing direct feedback on junction formation in advanced gate-all-around devices.

The design and synthesis of advanced solid electrolytes (SEs) underlie the development of safety and high-energy density all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs). Mechanochemical synthesis stands as the predominant method, yet it faces criticism due to its energy and time-intensive process (typically spanning several hours to days), presenting a significant obstacle to large-scale industrial production. Furthermore, ambiguity surrounding the formation mechanisms of SEs during mechanochemical reactions has limited optimization efforts. In addressing these challenges, evidence is presented that the efficiency of mechanochemical SE synthesis can achieve remarkable heights through process optimization. Specifically, the rapid synthesis of the state-of-the-art Li-Nb-O-Cl superionic conductor in only a few hours is highlighted, while concurrently demonstrating its superior electrochemical performance. Notably, for the first time, a structural evaluation during the mechanochemical reaction by time-resolved in situ synchrotron X-ray scattering experiments unveils a two-stage process. This expeditious mechanochemical synthesis of SEs establishes a foundational step toward the commercialization of ASSBs.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) exhibits a dense desmoplastic stroma primarily composed of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which largely originate from pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs). Upon activation, PSCs promote extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and increase tissue stiffness, which in turn reinforces PSC activation via nuclear localization of Yes-associated protein (YAP), creating a self-sustaining fibrotic loop that facilitates tumor progression. Given the limited success of CAF depletion strategies, we explored whether PSC activation could be reversed through mechanical reprogramming via force-sensitive cadherin signaling. Here, we show a tunable polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based hydrogel system functionalized with RGD and HAVDI peptides to simulate varying matrix stiffness and N-cadherin ligation. We found that HAVDI-mediated N-cadherin ligation reduced the contractile state by disrupting the actin cap formation and nuclear flattening and thereby reducing nuclear YAP localization in PSCs, at intermediate stiffness (10-20 kPa). Furthermore, HAVDI-mediated reprogramming reversed PSC activation within a defined time window, suggesting that both matrix stiffness and mechanical dosing history critically determine reprogramming efficiency. Collectively, this study highlights a novel approach for CAFs reprogramming through mechanical modulation of cadherin signaling, offering new therapeutic potential in PDAC treatment.

X-ray detection is extensively utilized across diverse fields, including medical diagnosis and therapy, industrial non-destructive inspection, security screening, and scientific research. In X-ray imaging, array detectors play a pivotal role. In recent years, perovskite materials have emerged as the preferred choice for fabricating X-ray detectors, owing to their advantageous properties such as high X-ray attenuation coefficients, large carrier mobility-lifetime (µτ) product, tunable bandgaps, and low-cost fabrication processes. These properties enable the fabrication of detectors with both high sensitivity and superior detection limits. This review outlines fundamental operational principles and key performance metrics of X-ray detectors, followed by a comprehensive survey of large-area fabrication techniques for perovskite films and arrays. Furthermore, we focus specifically on recent research advances in thin-film transistor (TFT) and complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) integrated array X-ray detectors, detailing the fabrication processes compatible with TFT/CMOS technology. Finally, the review addresses the challenges of integrating perovskite X-ray detectors for practical applications, proposes potential solutions, and offers perspectives on the future development trends of array-integrated perovskite X-ray detectors.

Precise control of light polarization at the nanoscale is critical for accessing chiral optical responses and manipulating spin-photon interactions in advanced materials. Yet, conventional scattering-type near-field probes predominantly generate out-of-plane linear polarization and offer little control over phase or polarization state. Here, we introduce a polarization-engineered near-field methodology based on a combined metallic tip and planar dipole nanoantenna system. Using full-wave electromagnetic simulations, we show that the tip acts as a vertically oriented plasmonic resonator, while the antenna supports an in-plane dipolar mode. By tuning the tip-antenna geometry and tip height, the two orthogonal field components attain comparable amplitudes and a controllable ∼90° phase offset, producing circularly polarized nano-light in the antenna gap. The proposed system effectively functions as a nanoscale quarter-wave plate, converting linearly polarized illumination into circularly polarized hotspots without external polarization optics. This method establishes an experimentally accessible route toward polarization-programmable near-field nanoscopy, enabling chiral spectroscopy, selective excitation of spin/valley degrees of freedom, and quantum optical investigations at the nanoscale.

Alternating current electroluminescent (ACEL) fibers are regarded as a fundamental component essential for enabling display and interaction functionalities in next-generation wearable technologies like electronic textiles. However, the practical applications of current ACEL fibers have long been limited by their relatively low luminous brightness, which typically remains below 200 cd/m². Recognizing that the low dielectric constant of the commonly used polymer matrix in luminescent fibers largely limits their brightness, we developed a modified poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-chlorotrifluoroethylene) (M-PVDF) with a high dielectric constant, which is fully compatible with the solution-processing procedures and multilayer coaxial structure of ACEL fibers. It is not only easy to synthesize at a large scale but also exhibits excellent solution processability, high transparency (>90%), and good compatibility with ZnS particles, making it highly suitable for high-performance ACEL fibers. The ACEL fiber based on M-PVDF matrix achieves a remarkable brightness of 717 cd/m² at 110 V and 2 kHz, far surpassing that of conventional ACEL fibers. It also demonstrates outstanding stability and flexibility under harsh conditions, such as 80°C and -20°C for 7 days, 1 00 000 cycles of repeated friction, and a prolonged 80 h washing test. Furthermore, the 200-meter-long ACEL fibers produced at a large scale demonstrate high uniformity and stable luminance. These fibers could be woven into textiles for pattern display, showcasing their practical applicability across a wider range of illuminated environments.

Electrochemical CO₂ reduction (CO₂RR) to ethanol offers a sustainable route for carbon utilization and energy storage, yet achieving high ethanol selectivity under limited CO₂ availability remains a significant challenge. The central issue is the lack of quantitative understanding of how the interfacial ^*CO and ^*H intermediates jointly govern product selectivity. Here, we establish an interfacial coverage regulation strategy by embedding Cu nanoparticles into an imine-functionalized covalent organic framework (Cu/Im-COF). The imine-rich interface enriches CO₂ adsorption while modulating proton transfer, enabling a balanced surface coverage of ^*CO and ^*H, identified as the key selectivity descriptor (θ_*CO/*H) for ethanol formation. Operando Raman spectroscopy, density functional theory calculations, confirms that an optimized θ_*CO/*H stabilizes the ^*HCCHOH intermediate and lowers its formation barrier. Quantitative integration of Raman features allows direct determination of θ_*CO/*H, revealing a volcano-type dependence of ethanol selectivity on this descriptor. A maximum ethanol Faradaic efficiency of 56% is achieved at log(θ_*CO/*H) ≈ 3.0, a current density of 700 mA cm^{- 2}, and a 15% CO₂ feed. This work establishes θ_*CO/*H as a quantitative bridge between intermediate coverage and reaction kinetics, providing a mechanistic framework for rational design of CO₂RR catalysts with high ethanol selectivity under CO₂-constrained conditions.

Droplet manipulation has significant value in a wide range of areas, such as microfluidics, medical diagnosis, and detection. However, high-precision droplet manipulation with arbitrary control on an open surface still poses a substantial challenge, particularly in 3D droplet manipulation. Here, we propose a bilayer photoresponsive liquid gripper (PLG), which integrates an "adhesive layer" and an "actuation layer" to enable sustainable capture and release for precise 3D droplet manipulation of high-viscosity fluids (e.g., blood, serum, and pH solutions). The "adhesive layer" featuring a superhydrophobic microarrayed polydimethylsiloxane surface allows nondestructive droplet capture. Meanwhile, the "actuation layer" leverages the photo-induced bending of photodeformable crosslinked liquid crystal polymers to release the droplet without altering its surface wettability. Moreover, by simply adjusting the microstructures of its surface, PLG allows the selective capture of droplets of particular sizes, providing a new tool for droplet screening. Biochemical reactions, including blood detection, neutralization reactions, and immunoassays, are successfully demonstrated via the PLG system, underscoring its utility as an effective and versatile platform for complex droplet manipulation, biological analysis, and routine biochemical investigations.