Cell Reports Physical Science最新文献

Artificial intelligence (AI) is progressively reshaping the way that researchers design and study highly complex systems. In this perspective, we introduce an engineering design methodology aimed at fostering creativity through “constructive dialogues with a generative AI” and exemplify its potential through a set of methodically developed case studies. This creativity promotion approach starts with computer-aided design (CAD) models of lattices, metamaterials, and architected materials, which are provided as initial inputs to a generative AI through a chat. Then, the conversation starts with researchers asking the generative AI to modify the provided CAD model images by incorporating new elements, placing them in quasi-real-life environments, or adapting the provided designs to the structures of new products. To illustrate the methodology, a varied set of selected case studies of constructive dialogues leading to highly innovative designs are provided, bridging the gap between tissue engineering scaffolds and building architectures, biohybrid materials and product design, and innovative structures and medical devices, to cite a few.

Energy density, power density, and safety of commercial lithium-ion batteries are largely dictated by anodes. Considering the multi-scale nature (10⁻⁸–10² cm) as well as the multi-physics properties—including electricity, force, and heat—of lithium-ion batteries, it is imperative to systematically categorize and summarize the failure-detection techniques for anodes in commercial lithium-ion batteries, namely, carbon-based and silicon-based anodes. In this perspective, we categorize the state-of-the-art failure-detection techniques for anodes into four dimensions—bulk of anode particles, interface/interphase of anode particles, electrodes, and batteries—aiming to develop the framework of multi-dimension failure detection. Based on the above four dimensions, this paper elaborates on characterization techniques applicable to different detection scales and the corresponding failure causes. Through examples that integrate multi-physical moduli or multi-dimensional characterization techniques, we further discuss the importance of developing collaborative characterization methods to acquire different physio-chemical information for anodes, providing relevant professionals with effective technical guidance.

Innovative approaches on clean alternative energy sources are important for future decarbonization. Electrification and hydrogen energy are crucial pathways for decarbonization in both transportation and buildings. However, life-cycle stage-wise carbon intensity is still unclear for both hydrogen- and electricity-driven energy. Furthermore, systematic evaluation on low-carbon transition pathways is insufficient specifically within the Internet of Energy that interfaces hydrogen and electricity. Here, a generic approach is proposed for quantifying life-cycle stage-wise carbon intensity of both hydrogen- and electricity-driven energy internets. Life-cycle decarbonization effects on vehicle pathways are compared with traditional vehicles with internal-combustion engines. Techno-economic and environmental feasibility of the future advanced hydrogen-driven Internet of Energy is analyzed based on net present value. The region-wise carbon-intensity map and associated decarbonization strategies will help researchers and policymakers in promoting sustainable development with the hydrogen economy.

Silicon anodes for lithium-ion batteries offer high theoretical capacity but face practical challenges of capacity fading due to significant volumetric changes during charge-discharge cycles. To reveal the underlying mechanisms, we employ reactive force fields (ReaxFFs) in molecular dynamics simulations to conduct atomic analyses of lithiation and delithiation cycles of silicon particles with three diameters. Our simulations demonstrate a volumetric expansion exceeding 280%, primarily along the ⟨110⟩ direction, with an inward movement of the interface between lithiated and unlithiated regions. We introduce a metric, “geometric defect,” derived from the centroid deviation of neighboring atoms, to evaluate the structural integrity of the silicon anode. Geometric defect state of charge curves show a 5% capacity fade due to silicon loss after the initial cycle. Experimental validation confirms a capacity loss exceeding 40% after the first cycle, attributed to internal defects within silicon particles, aligning well with our simulation results.

Emulating nature’s living properties in functional materials is a crucial step toward creating adaptive and self-regulating systems capable of integration with biological tissues. In this perspective, we first investigate the various strategies employed in the field of bioelectronics and engineered living materials to replicate nature's living functionalities. Then, we explore the convergence of bioelectronics and engineered living materials, highlighting an approach called living bioelectronics. We posit that merging these two fields can enable the creation of robust, adaptable devices that replicate the dynamic functionalities of living systems. Living bioelectronics integrate the strength of both disciplines while complementing their weaknesses, heralding opportunities for biosensing, personalized therapies, and applications beyond healthcare.

RNA secondary structures comprise double-stranded (ds) and single-stranded (ss) regions. Antisense peptide nucleic acids (asPNAs) enable the targeting of ssRNAs and weakly formed dsRNAs. Nucleobase-modified dsRNA-binding PNAs (dbPNAs) allow for dsRNA targeting. A programmable RNA-structure-specific targeting strategy is needed for the simultaneous recognition of dsRNAs and ssRNAs. Here, we report on combining dbPNAs and asPNAs (designated as daPNAs) for the targeting of dsRNA-ssRNA junctions. Our data suggest that combining traditional asPNA (with a 4-letter code: T, C, A, and G) and dbPNA (with a 4-letter code: T or s²U, L, Q, and E) scaffolds facilitates RNA-structure-specific tight binding (nM to μM). We further apply our daPNAs in substrate-specific inhibition of Dicer acting on precursor miRNA (pre-miR)-198 in a cell-free assay and regulating ribosomal frameshifting induced by model hairpins in both cell-free and cell culture assays. daPNAs would be a useful platform for developing chemical probes and therapeutic ligands targeting RNA.

Diabetes is an inflammatory disease that usually causes chronic wounds for which no satisfactory therapies currently exist. Here we report a physical approach using a cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) to target diabetic wounds locally for regulating the inflammatory phase of the wounds. In this paper, a comprehensive analysis of inflammatory factors combined with physical investigations of the helium plasma jet characteristics is conducted. The physical and biological safety and clinical application prospects of the CAP jet for the human body are also analyzed. The results demonstrate for the first time that CAP therapy can stimulate the body’s own inflammatory regulation function to achieve a normal state, rather than excessively interfere in a single target. This involves the inhibition of pro-inflammatory factors in the onset subphase and the promotion of anti-inflammatory factors in the subsequent resolution subphase. This research contributes to the development of highly effective and safe topical therapies to promote chronic wound healing.

Commercial lithium-ion battery electrodes today are manufactured by slurry casting active material powder onto a metal current collector foil. This manufacturing process has become embedded over recent decades but limits commercial cell performance. This paper presents patterning of a monolithic active material sheet as an alternative to slurry casting. The concept is proven experimentally by laser drilling a pyrolytic graphite sheet to increase the gravimetric active material capacity from 10 mA h g⁻¹ to 450 mA h g⁻¹, when used as a negative lithium-intercalation electrode. Cell-level calculations show that, without changing the chemistry, a pyrolytic graphite sheet electrode with a hexagonal array of 5 μm diameter, 20 μm pitch channels could increase the gravimetric energy density of a LGM50 cell by 22% to 322 W h kg⁻¹. By moving beyond slurry casting, patterned monolithic electrodes could enable batteries with lower cost, reduced energy intensity, and enhanced performance.

Dense bioceramics feature hierarchical microstructures with weak interfaces that endow them with strength, toughness, and structural functionalities. Conversely, most technical ceramics possess limited structural complexity and strong grain boundaries that restrict their toughness and functions. Here, we report a rational design strategy to fabricate ceramics with various bioinspired microstructural motifs, leading to strength, toughness, and locally varying properties. We employ magnetically assisted slip casting (MASC) for local orientations of alumina microplatelets and ultrafast high-temperature sintering (UHS) as a densifying method. We sequentially vary the slurry composition and sintering processes to attain high texture, relative density, and weak grain interfaces. We realize dense ceramics with horizontal, periodic, and graded motifs that exhibit direction- and site-specific properties, with flexural strengths of ∼290, 155, and 215 MPa, and fracture toughness of ∼7, 5, and 10 MPa·m^0.5, respectively. The strategy could be used to fabricate ceramic composites for tailorable local and bulk properties.