Pub Date : 2026-01-07DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115451
Iván Carrillo-Berdugo , Ricardo Grau-Crespo , Javier Navas
Enhancing the specific heat capacity of nanofluids has long been reported but remains poorly understood, with inconsistent experimental evidence and a lack of predictive models. Here we introduce a simple yet physically grounded framework in which deviations from ideal mixture behaviour arise from an interface heat capacity term proportional to the nanoparticle surface area. Using extensive molecular dynamics simulations of metal–organic nanofluids, we show that the interface heat capacity is strongly dependent on the chemistry of the solid–liquid interface, larger for group 10 metals (Ni, Pd, Pt) (on the order of 10-6 to 10-5 J K−1 m−2) than for group 10 metals (Cu, Ag, Au) (on the order of 10-7 to 10-6 J K−1 m−2), and decreases sharply with temperature. Incorporating particle morphology and size distributions, the model predicts that nanofluids with high-aspect-ratio particles (i.e., 2D nanomaterials) and narrow size dispersity can exhibit moderate enhancements in specific heat, while spherical nanoparticles largely follow the ideal mixture limit. These results provide design guidelines for tailoring nanofluids with improved thermal storage and transfer performance.
{"title":"Interface chemistry and particle size distribution effects on the specific heat capacity of nanofluids","authors":"Iván Carrillo-Berdugo , Ricardo Grau-Crespo , Javier Navas","doi":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115451","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115451","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Enhancing the specific heat capacity of nanofluids has long been reported but remains poorly understood, with inconsistent experimental evidence and a lack of predictive models. Here we introduce a simple yet physically grounded framework in which deviations from ideal mixture behaviour arise from an interface heat capacity term proportional to the nanoparticle surface area. Using extensive molecular dynamics simulations of metal–organic nanofluids, we show that the interface heat capacity is strongly dependent on the chemistry of the solid–liquid interface, larger for group 10 metals (Ni, Pd, Pt) (on the order of 10<sup>-6</sup> to 10<sup>-5</sup> <!-->J<!--> <!-->K<sup>−1</sup> <!-->m<sup>−2</sup>) than for group 10 metals (Cu, Ag, Au) (on the order of 10<sup>-7</sup> to 10<sup>-6</sup> <!-->J<!--> <!-->K<sup>−1</sup> <!-->m<sup>−2</sup>), and decreases sharply with temperature. Incorporating particle morphology and size distributions, the model predicts that nanofluids with high-aspect-ratio particles (<em>i.e.</em>, 2D nanomaterials) and narrow size dispersity can exhibit moderate enhancements in specific heat, while spherical nanoparticles largely follow the ideal mixture limit. These results provide design guidelines for tailoring nanofluids with improved thermal storage and transfer performance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":383,"journal":{"name":"Materials & Design","volume":"262 ","pages":"Article 115451"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145974502","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-07DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115454
Cham Kim , Changwoo Lee , Hyun-Sik Kim , David Humberto Lopez
This study introduces a distinct interfacial engineering strategy based on in situ polymer integration, which provides an effective and controllable route for modulating charge and heat transport for the development of a high–performance thermoelectric material. A thermoelectric composite was fabricated via a reproducible one–pot chemical process, in which the conductive polymer was polymerized and simultaneously deposited onto Bi2Te3. This approach yielded finely dispersed polymer domains with minimized agglomeration, resulting in increased interfacial contact with Bi2Te3. These interfacial contacts promoted energy filtering, inducing energy–dependent carrier scattering and a clear decoupling between electrical resistivity and Seebeck coefficient. The composite also exhibited suppressed thermal conductivity, attributed to enhanced phonon and carrier scattering at the interfacial contacts. These transport behaviors were confirmed by systematic experimental characterization together with complementary theoretical modeling based on the single parabolic band approximation. The composite achieved a maximum ZT of ∼ 1.31 at 477 K and an average ZT of ∼ 1.15 over the temperature range of 300–550 K. In comparison to other low–temperature n–type thermoelectric materials, the composite offers not only excellent thermoelectric performance but also advantages in cost, processability, and flexible device compatibility, making it highly suitable for practical and scalable thermoelectric applications.
{"title":"Tailored interfacial design via in situ polymer integration enhances thermoelectric performance in Bi2Te3","authors":"Cham Kim , Changwoo Lee , Hyun-Sik Kim , David Humberto Lopez","doi":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115454","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115454","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study introduces a distinct interfacial engineering strategy based on in situ polymer integration, which provides an effective and controllable route for modulating charge and heat transport for the development of a high–performance thermoelectric material. A thermoelectric composite was fabricated via a reproducible one–pot chemical process, in which the conductive polymer was polymerized and simultaneously deposited onto Bi<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>3</sub>. This approach yielded finely dispersed polymer domains with minimized agglomeration, resulting in increased interfacial contact with Bi<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>3</sub>. These interfacial contacts promoted energy filtering, inducing energy–dependent carrier scattering and a clear decoupling between electrical resistivity and Seebeck coefficient. The composite also exhibited suppressed thermal conductivity, attributed to enhanced phonon and carrier scattering at the interfacial contacts. These transport behaviors were confirmed by systematic experimental characterization together with complementary theoretical modeling based on the single parabolic band approximation. The composite achieved a maximum <em>ZT</em> of ∼ 1.31 at 477 K and an average <em>ZT</em> of ∼ 1.15 over the temperature range of 300–550 K. In comparison to other low–temperature n–type thermoelectric materials, the composite offers not only excellent thermoelectric performance but also advantages in cost, processability, and flexible device compatibility, making it highly suitable for practical and scalable thermoelectric applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":383,"journal":{"name":"Materials & Design","volume":"262 ","pages":"Article 115454"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145941134","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-07DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115432
Animesh Sinha , Junho Kim , Sangyeun Park , Doheon Koo , Hongyun So
The ability to alter the crosslinking and network architectures of the three-dimensional polymers in hydrogels has prompted interest in their application in flexible electronics. However, ensuring long-term stability and balancing the mechanical strength and malleability of hydrogel materials remain challenging. This study accordingly synthesized ionic–electronic hydrogel fibers comprising a conductive Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) polymer, a lithium chloride inorganic salt, COOH-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs), glycerol, and different weight percentages of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). First, the numerous advantages of the proposed ∼300 μm diameter hydrogel fibers over bulk hydrogels were detailed. Next, the distinct hybrid organic–inorganic composition of the fibers was shown to maintain steady functioning, with stable ionic conduction, a clear frequency dependent trend and long-term stability. Furthermore, the crosslinking among the PVA, CNTs, and PSS molecules was determined to improve the stability of electrical conductivity. Finally, the fibers withstood strains in excess of 250 % for over six months while sustaining flexibility and functional integrity, and their relative variation in resistance under cyclic strain (1000 cycles) exhibited remarkable durability and dependability. Therefore, the hydrogel fibers were shown to be well-suited to use in commercial-level smart textiles, biomimetic soft robotics, and energy-harvesting applications such as wearable electronic devices.
{"title":"Wet-spun hybrid hydrogel fibers exhibiting high electrical and mechanical stability in flexible electronics","authors":"Animesh Sinha , Junho Kim , Sangyeun Park , Doheon Koo , Hongyun So","doi":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115432","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115432","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The ability to alter the crosslinking and network architectures of the three-dimensional polymers in hydrogels has prompted interest in their application in flexible electronics. However, ensuring long-term stability and balancing the mechanical strength and malleability of hydrogel materials remain challenging. This study accordingly synthesized ionic–electronic hydrogel fibers comprising a conductive Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) polymer, a lithium chloride inorganic salt, COOH-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs), glycerol, and different weight percentages of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). First, the numerous advantages of the proposed ∼300 μm diameter hydrogel fibers over bulk hydrogels were detailed. Next, the distinct hybrid organic–inorganic composition of the fibers was shown to maintain steady functioning, with stable ionic conduction, a clear frequency dependent trend and long-term stability. Furthermore, the crosslinking among the PVA, CNTs, and PSS molecules was determined to improve the stability of electrical conductivity. Finally, the fibers withstood strains in excess of 250 % for over six months while sustaining flexibility and functional integrity, and their relative variation in resistance under cyclic strain (1000 cycles) exhibited remarkable durability and dependability. Therefore, the hydrogel fibers were shown to be well-suited to use in commercial-level smart textiles, biomimetic soft robotics, and energy-harvesting applications such as wearable electronic devices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":383,"journal":{"name":"Materials & Design","volume":"262 ","pages":"Article 115432"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145974499","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This study utilizes vanadium microalloying to investigate the influence of CrV phase on the evolution of dislocation configurations in Fe30Ni20Co20Cr20Si10-xVx high-entropy alloys. Vanadium addition transforms Cr-rich phase into nanoscale CrV phase at low concentrations, promoting a perpendicular dislocation arrangement at phase boundaries. This microstructural evolution results in significant mechanical property improvements: the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) increases by 22.9 % (from 459.08 MPa to 564.29 MPa), while the elongation exhibits a remarkable 57.2 % enhancement (from 30.82 % to 48.44 %). With increasing vanadium content, the CrV phases undergo coarsening and facilitate intragranular slip, resulting in dislocation realignment parallel to the phase boundaries. Which further boosts ductility to 67.87 % while maintaining superior strength (533.38 MPa). These results illustrate that precise control of vanadium content enables a transition in CrV phase behavior, from dislocation pinning to slip channel formation. This study reveals critical microstructure-property relationships, enabling strength-ductility optimisation in high-entropy alloys.
{"title":"Vanadium microalloying to regulate CrV phase interface characteristics and dislocation configuration in FeNiCoCr-based high-entropy alloys","authors":"Zixian Xiong , Lei Zhang , Zhiyu Feng , Xinlong Zhang , Chunyu Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115462","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115462","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study utilizes vanadium microalloying to investigate the influence of CrV phase on the evolution of dislocation configurations in Fe<sub>30</sub>Ni<sub>20</sub>Co<sub>20</sub>Cr<sub>20</sub>Si<sub>10-x</sub>V<sub>x</sub> high-entropy alloys.<!--> <!-->Vanadium addition transforms Cr-rich phase into nanoscale CrV phase at low concentrations, promoting a perpendicular dislocation arrangement at phase boundaries. This microstructural evolution results in significant mechanical property improvements: the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) increases by 22.9 % (from 459.08 MPa to 564.29 MPa), while the elongation exhibits a remarkable 57.2 % enhancement (from 30.82 % to 48.44 %). With increasing vanadium content, the CrV phases undergo coarsening and facilitate intragranular slip, resulting in dislocation realignment parallel to the phase boundaries. Which further boosts ductility to 67.87 % while maintaining superior strength (533.38 MPa). These results illustrate that precise control of vanadium content enables a transition in CrV phase behavior, from dislocation pinning to slip channel formation. This study reveals critical microstructure-property relationships, enabling strength-ductility optimisation in high-entropy alloys.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":383,"journal":{"name":"Materials & Design","volume":"262 ","pages":"Article 115462"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145941133","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-07DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115437
Yifeng Xing , Wenyue Zhao , Wanxin Yu , Yi Ru , Shan Li , Bin Gan , Shengkai Gong , Huibin Xu
Understanding the dislocation–interface interaction mechanisms at atomic-scale is crucial for improving the temperature capacity of Ni-based single-crystal superalloys. This study develops an atomistic model challenging yet closer to real superalloys to investigate the interaction between a 1/2[1 1 0] screw dislocation on γ {1 1 1} plane and γ/γ’ interfacial dislocation network under [0 0 1] tensile stress via molecular dynamics simulations. Negative lattice misfits are explicitly incorporated into the γ/γ’ slab models by using Re- and temperature-dependent lattice constants, enabling realistic representations of interfacial geometry and stress. The simulations reveal two distinct misfit-controlled interaction modes during isothermal relaxation. One involves the formation of Lomer–Cottrell locks under low absolute misfit condition, and the other is characterized by dislocation loop evolution and delayed absorption under high absolute misfit. These modes obviously influence the early-stage dislocation behavior leading to maximum stress under uniaxial tensile loading. Moreover, the maximum tensile stress occurs simultaneously with the complete decomposition of the misfit dislocation network, thereby causing local necking within the γ phase. Parametric regression analysis further indicates that temperature, Re content and misfit jointly modulate the deformation of γ-γ’ at high temperature. These findings are expected to provide theoretical insights for interface stability and mechanical behavior in advanced superalloys.
{"title":"Misfit-dependent interaction mechanisms between γ-phase dislocations and interfacial dislocation networks in nickel-based single crystal superalloys under [001] tensile loading","authors":"Yifeng Xing , Wenyue Zhao , Wanxin Yu , Yi Ru , Shan Li , Bin Gan , Shengkai Gong , Huibin Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115437","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115437","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding the dislocation–interface interaction mechanisms at atomic-scale is crucial for improving the temperature capacity of Ni-based single-crystal superalloys. This study develops an atomistic model challenging yet closer to real superalloys to investigate the interaction between a 1/2[1 1 0] screw dislocation on γ {1 1 1} plane and γ/γ’ interfacial dislocation network under [0 0 1] tensile stress via molecular dynamics simulations. Negative lattice misfits are explicitly incorporated into the γ/γ’ slab models by using Re- and temperature-dependent lattice constants, enabling realistic representations of interfacial geometry and stress. The simulations reveal two distinct misfit-controlled interaction modes during isothermal relaxation. One involves the formation of Lomer–Cottrell locks under low absolute misfit condition, and the other is characterized by dislocation loop evolution and delayed absorption under high absolute misfit. These modes obviously influence the early-stage dislocation behavior leading to maximum stress under uniaxial tensile loading. Moreover, the maximum tensile stress occurs simultaneously with the complete decomposition of the misfit dislocation network, thereby causing local necking within the γ phase. Parametric regression analysis further indicates that temperature, Re content and misfit jointly modulate the deformation of γ-γ’ at high temperature. These findings are expected to provide theoretical insights for interface stability and mechanical behavior in advanced superalloys.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":383,"journal":{"name":"Materials & Design","volume":"262 ","pages":"Article 115437"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145941140","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nanolaminated materials have garnered considerable attention due to their high strength, elevated strain hardening rate, and measurable plasticity. The heightened strain hardening rate is attributed to the presence of back stress resulting from plastic deformation incompatibility between adjacent lamellae. However, the precise influence of back stress and geometrically necessary dislocations (GNDs) on kinematic hardening and isotropic hardening remains unclear, thereby limiting the understanding of their deformation mechanisms. To address this gap, we employed nanoscale Cu-Nb nanolaminates as a model system and developed a mesoscale plasticity model based on the confined layer slip (CLS) mechanism and the nonlocal effect (referred to as CLS-nonlocal model) of dislocation transport among material points to predict the hardening mechanism of the nanolaminates. By examining the role of GNDs, back stress, and dislocation flux in kinematic and isotropic hardening, the model highlights the influence of layer thickness on strain hardening and mechanical properties. Comparative analyses with the standard crystal plasticity model reveal the CLS-nonlocal model’s superior capability to capture the nuanced mechanical behaviors of nanolaminates, emphasizing its effectiveness in predicting strain hardening phenomena and stress distribution across varied layer thicknesses. This study enriches knowledge by effectively capturing the hardening characteristics of nanolaminates without necessitating the inclusion of explicit grain-dependent terms in the constitutive equations. Moreover, the developed model demonstrates versatility in its applicability to various other types of nanolaminates.
{"title":"Mesoscale crystal plasticity modelling of Cu-Nb nanolaminates composites considering nonlocal effects and confined layer slip mechanisms","authors":"Benjie Ding, Mengkai Lu, Lvwen Zhou, Jianying Hu, Chao Xie, Minghua Zhang, Jianke Du","doi":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115464","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115464","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nanolaminated materials have garnered considerable attention due to their high strength, elevated strain hardening rate, and measurable plasticity. The heightened strain hardening rate is attributed to the presence of back stress resulting from plastic deformation incompatibility between adjacent lamellae. However, the precise influence of back stress and geometrically necessary dislocations (GNDs) on kinematic hardening and isotropic hardening remains unclear, thereby limiting the understanding of their deformation mechanisms. To address this gap, we employed nanoscale Cu-Nb nanolaminates as a model system and developed a mesoscale plasticity model based on the confined layer slip (CLS) mechanism and the nonlocal effect (referred to as CLS-nonlocal model) of dislocation transport among material points to predict the hardening mechanism of the nanolaminates. By examining the role of GNDs, back stress, and dislocation flux in kinematic and isotropic hardening, the model highlights the influence of layer thickness on strain hardening and mechanical properties. Comparative analyses with the standard crystal plasticity model reveal the CLS-nonlocal model’s superior capability to capture the nuanced mechanical behaviors of nanolaminates, emphasizing its effectiveness in predicting strain hardening phenomena and stress distribution across varied layer thicknesses. This study enriches knowledge by effectively capturing the hardening characteristics of nanolaminates without necessitating the inclusion of explicit grain-dependent terms in the constitutive equations. Moreover, the developed model demonstrates versatility in its applicability to various other types of nanolaminates.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":383,"journal":{"name":"Materials & Design","volume":"262 ","pages":"Article 115464"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146035186","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115460
Ke Li , Yufan Huang , Xiangjie Li , Qin Yin , Hao Gong , Aiguo Liu , Gang Zhao , Yu Liu
Clinical outcomes for osteosarcoma remain poor despite surgery and multi-agent chemotherapy. Biomineralization therapy can inhibit tumor growth by nucleating a calcified layer on the cancer cell surface, but its efficacy is limited by residual perfusion and metabolic compensation. Here, we report a tumor-microenvironment (TME)-responsive nanoplatform that integrates biomineralization with vascular infarction. Biomineralization-inducing nanoparticles (BMNPs) are electrostatically complexed with the vascular-blocking agent lysine vasopressin (LVP) to form BMNPs/LVP. In the acidic TME, BMNPs reorganize to chelate Ca2+ and deposit a pericellular calcified layer while simultaneously releasing LVP. The released LVP induces intratumoral thrombosis and vessel occlusion. This dual blockade synergistically restricts tumor proliferation and metastasis. In osteosarcoma models, BMNPs/LVP outperformed biomineralization monotherapy, yielding slower tumor growth, reduced metastatic burden, and prolonged survival, with favorable biocompatibility. These findings establish a biodegradable, tumor-targeted calcification-inducing nanoplatform combined with vascular infarction as a promising strategy for biomineralization-based cancer therapy.
{"title":"A tumor microenvironment-triggered biomineralized nanoplatform synergizes with lypressin for tumor blockade therapy","authors":"Ke Li , Yufan Huang , Xiangjie Li , Qin Yin , Hao Gong , Aiguo Liu , Gang Zhao , Yu Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115460","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115460","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Clinical outcomes for osteosarcoma remain poor despite surgery and multi-agent chemotherapy. Biomineralization therapy can inhibit tumor growth by nucleating a calcified layer on the cancer cell surface, but its efficacy is limited by residual perfusion and metabolic compensation. Here, we report a tumor-microenvironment (TME)-responsive nanoplatform that integrates biomineralization with vascular infarction. Biomineralization-inducing nanoparticles (BMNPs) are electrostatically complexed with the vascular-blocking agent lysine vasopressin (LVP) to form BMNPs/LVP. In the acidic TME, BMNPs reorganize to chelate Ca<sup>2+</sup> and deposit a pericellular calcified layer while simultaneously releasing LVP. The released LVP induces intratumoral thrombosis and vessel occlusion. This dual blockade synergistically restricts tumor proliferation and metastasis. In osteosarcoma models, BMNPs/LVP outperformed biomineralization monotherapy, yielding slower tumor growth, reduced metastatic burden, and prolonged survival, with favorable biocompatibility. These findings establish a biodegradable, tumor-targeted calcification-inducing nanoplatform combined with vascular infarction as a promising strategy for biomineralization-based cancer therapy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":383,"journal":{"name":"Materials & Design","volume":"262 ","pages":"Article 115460"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145940606","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Polyimide-based materials have emerged as versatile candidates due to their exceptional thermal stability, mechanical robustness, and chemical resistance. Recent research highlights their antimicrobial, antifouling, and biocompatible properties, offering promising solutions for infection control and device safety. These materials inhibit microbial growth on surfaces without compromising biocompatibility, making them ideal for healthcare applications and reducing device-related infections. This review emphasizes the biomedical applications of polyimides, particularly as antimicrobial coatings for implants, wound dressings, and medical devices. This emphasis stems from the critical need in healthcare to reduce infections and ensure device compatibility with human tissues, a role that polyimide-based materials appear exceptionally suited to fulfill. Despite their potential, several challenges persist, including long-term stability, limited biocompatibility assessments, and regulatory compliance, which necessitate interdisciplinary research efforts. By refining fabrication and surface engineering techniques, polyimide-based materials could significantly impact infection control practices and related complications. Further, the review provides a comprehensive overview of current advancements in polyimide research and highlights areas for future research, aimed at fully harnessing the antimicrobial and biocompatibility potential of polyimides in healthcare sector.
{"title":"Polyimide-based polymers: a new frontier in antimicrobial materials and healthcare applications","authors":"Ashwaria Mehra , Munmun Chakraborty , Sasmita Nayak","doi":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115453","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115453","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Polyimide-based materials have emerged as versatile candidates due to their exceptional thermal stability, mechanical robustness, and chemical resistance. Recent research highlights their antimicrobial, antifouling, and biocompatible properties, offering promising solutions for infection control and device safety. These materials inhibit microbial growth on surfaces without compromising biocompatibility, making them ideal for healthcare applications and reducing device-related infections. This review emphasizes the biomedical applications of polyimides, particularly as antimicrobial coatings for implants, wound dressings, and medical devices. This emphasis stems from the critical need in healthcare to reduce infections and ensure device compatibility with human tissues, a role that polyimide-based materials appear exceptionally suited to fulfill. Despite their potential, several challenges persist, including long-term stability, limited biocompatibility assessments, and regulatory compliance, which necessitate interdisciplinary research efforts. By refining fabrication and surface engineering techniques, polyimide-based materials could significantly impact infection control practices and related complications. Further, the review provides a comprehensive overview of current advancements in polyimide research and highlights areas for future research, aimed at fully harnessing the antimicrobial and biocompatibility potential of polyimides in healthcare sector.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":383,"journal":{"name":"Materials & Design","volume":"262 ","pages":"Article 115453"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145941130","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115457
Tasnim Missaoui , Xavier P. Morelle , Minh Quyen Le , Pierre-Jean Cottinet , Jean-Fabien Capsal , Guilhem Rival
Piezoelectric flexible sensors are emerging as key components in medical applications, offering unique electromechanical properties for various diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. In this study, ceramic-filled silicone composites were developed as high-performance piezoelectric materials suitable for soft biomedical sensing applications. To enhance their electromechanical response, a multi-parametric design strategy was adopted, combining three approaches: the use of bimodal particle size distribution and the dielectrophoretic alignment of these particles within the matrix, supported by an optimized poling process. Results revealed that composites with an oriented particle distribution, consisting of 25 % of micro-sized particles and 75 % of nano-sized particles exhibited significant improvements in piezoelectric coefficient (d33) compared to composites with randomly distributed particles. Additionally, the piezoelectric transverse coefficient (d31) was significantly improved under in situ poling conditions, particularly in nano-rich and hybrid systems. These findings underline the potential of combining particle alignment, size hybridization, and poling optimization in enhancing the performance of piezoelectric composites for innovative medical sensor applications.
{"title":"Optimization of structural and poling strategies in piezoelectric elastomer composites for soft sensing applications","authors":"Tasnim Missaoui , Xavier P. Morelle , Minh Quyen Le , Pierre-Jean Cottinet , Jean-Fabien Capsal , Guilhem Rival","doi":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115457","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115457","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Piezoelectric flexible sensors are emerging as key components in medical applications, offering unique electromechanical properties for various diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. In this study, ceramic-filled silicone composites were developed as high-performance piezoelectric materials suitable for soft biomedical sensing applications. To enhance their electromechanical response, a multi-parametric design strategy was adopted, combining three approaches: the use of bimodal particle size distribution and the dielectrophoretic alignment of these particles within the matrix, supported by an optimized poling process. Results revealed that composites with an oriented particle distribution, consisting of 25 % of micro-sized particles and 75 % of nano-sized particles exhibited significant improvements in piezoelectric coefficient (d<sub>33</sub>) compared to composites with randomly distributed particles. Additionally, the piezoelectric transverse coefficient (d<sub>31</sub>) was significantly improved under <em>in situ</em> poling conditions, particularly in nano-rich and hybrid systems. These findings underline the potential of combining particle alignment, size hybridization, and poling optimization in enhancing the performance of piezoelectric composites for innovative medical sensor applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":383,"journal":{"name":"Materials & Design","volume":"262 ","pages":"Article 115457"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145941132","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2025.115430
Han Liu , Liantang Li
Data-driven modeling of polymer processing–property relationship is key to predict and design polymeric product properties. However, this modeling is generally challenged by the lack of prediction uncertainty and reliability evaluation. Here, relying on Bayesian ensembling (BE) approach, we introduce a “regularized ensemble” (RE) strategy—featured by implementation convenience and uncertainty tunability—to evaluate polymer processing–property uncertainty, exemplified by neural network modeling of injection-molded polypropylene toughness. Inherited from BE approach to leverage and integrate Bayesian theory into frequentist statistics, we find that the RE model offers an accurate yet efficient uncertainty estimation when compared to baseline models using classical frequentist or Bayesian approach, including deep ensemble, Bayesian neural network, and Gaussian process regression. Impressively, trained by the real-world small, noisy dataset of 27 samplings in a 4-dimension design space of molding conditions, the RE model exhibits up to two times toughness predictability compared to baseline models, with the estimated uncertainty properly covering the experimental variations, enabling us to derive a stability metric to identify the promising process windows that yield stable specimens of high toughness. Overall, this work establishes an optimal uncertainty evaluation paradigm empowered by RE strategy, versatile to quantify prediction reliability of polymer processing–property modeling and generically material property designs.
{"title":"Regularized ensemble: integrating frequentist-and-bayesian approach to polymer processing-to-property uncertainty","authors":"Han Liu , Liantang Li","doi":"10.1016/j.matdes.2025.115430","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matdes.2025.115430","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Data-driven modeling of polymer processing–property relationship is key to predict and design polymeric product properties. However, this modeling is generally challenged by the lack of prediction uncertainty and reliability evaluation. Here, relying on Bayesian ensembling (BE) approach, we introduce a “regularized ensemble” (RE) strategy—featured by implementation convenience and uncertainty tunability—to evaluate polymer processing–property uncertainty, exemplified by neural network modeling of injection-molded polypropylene toughness. Inherited from BE approach to leverage and integrate Bayesian theory into frequentist statistics, we find that the RE model offers an accurate yet efficient uncertainty estimation when compared to baseline models using classical frequentist or Bayesian approach, including deep ensemble, Bayesian neural network, and Gaussian process regression. Impressively, trained by the real-world small, noisy dataset of 27 samplings in a 4-dimension design space of molding conditions, the RE model exhibits up to two times toughness predictability compared to baseline models, with the estimated uncertainty properly covering the experimental variations, enabling us to derive a stability metric to identify the promising process windows that yield stable specimens of high toughness. Overall, this work establishes an optimal uncertainty evaluation paradigm empowered by RE strategy, versatile to quantify prediction reliability of polymer processing–property modeling and generically material property designs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":383,"journal":{"name":"Materials & Design","volume":"262 ","pages":"Article 115430"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145940604","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}