Search Results (455)

Electrospun one-dimensional nanocomposites composed of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) matrices reinforced with antimony sulphoiodide (SbSI) or antimony selenoiodide (SbSeI) nanowires were fabricated for the first time. Their properties were investigated for applications in piezoelectric sensors and nanogenerators. Precise control of the electrospinning parameters produced nanofibres with diameters comparable to the lateral dimensions of the nanowires, ensuring parallel alignment and a 1–3 composite structure. Structural analysis confirmed uniform nanowire distribution and stoichiometry retention. In both nanocomposites, the alignment of the nanowires enables clear observation of the anisotropy of their piezoelectric properties. PVP/SbSI nanocomposites exhibited a ferroelectric–paraelectric transition near 290 K. Under air-pressure excitation of 17.03 bar, they generated a maximum piezoelectric voltage of 2.09 V, with a sensitivity of 229 mV/bar and a surface power density of 12.0 µW/cm² for sandwich-type samples with nanowires aligned perpendicularly to the electrodes. PVP/SbSeI composites demonstrated stable semiconducting behaviour with a maximum piezoelectric voltage of 1.56 V, sensitivity of 130 mV/bar, and surface power density of 2.3 µW/cm² for the same type of sample and excitation. The high piezoelectric coefficients d₃₃ of 98 pC/N and 64 pC/N for PVP/SbSI and PVP/SbSeI, respectively, combined with mechanical flexibility, confirm the effectiveness of these nanocomposites as a practical solution for mechanical energy harvesting and pressure sensing in nanogenerators and sensors. Full article

Global supply chains face increasing disruptions from cyber threats, geopolitical instability, extreme weather events, and a range of economic, social, and environmental sustainability challenges. As these disruptions intensify, enhancing Supply Chain Resilience (SCR) has become a strategic priority. This study investigates how Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) can contribute to SCR by mitigating vulnerabilities and strengthening key capabilities within global supply chains. A qualitative research approach is employed, utilizing expert evaluations to examine DLT’s impact on supply chain vulnerabilities and capabilities. Five workshops were conducted with 25 industry professionals from logistics, IT, procurement, and risk management. Experts examined how DLT could address disruptions stemming from supplier instability, poor traceability, and regulatory and environmental pressures, while highlighting its potential to drive ethical sourcing and environmentally responsible practices. The structured discussions were guided by theoretical frameworks and expert evaluations were synthesized into two analytical matrices illustrating DLT’s influence on SCR. The findings reveal that the contribution of DLT to SCR and sustainability is highly context-dependent, with its effectiveness hinging on how it is embedded within governance structures and aligned with the interplay of complementary technologies. Building on these insights, the study presents the DLT-LFL (Distributed Ledger Technology–Learning Feedback Loop) framework, which integrates sensing, decision-making, adaptation, and predictive learning from distributed operational data, allowing supply chains to better anticipate disruptions, adjust processes dynamically, and continuously strengthen resilience and sustainable practices. The study also develops a practical checklist to assess how effective DLT applications and their integration with predictive and AI-driven analytics reduce vulnerabilities, strengthen capabilities, mitigate risks, and support adaptive decision-making. Full article

Electrochemical sensors have emerged as powerful analytical tools for the detection of anti-inflammatory and antibiotic drugs due to their high sensitivity, rapid response, and cost-effectiveness compared to conventional chromatographic and spectrophotometric methods. This review highlights recent advances in electrode materials, surface modification strategies, and signal amplification approaches for quantifying nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and various antibiotic classes, including sulfonamides, tetracyclines, macrolides, and quinolones. Particular attention is given to nanostructured carbon-based materials, metal nanoparticles, and polymer composites that enhance electron transfer, improve selectivity, and lower limits of detection (LODs). The analytical performance of different electrochemical techniques such as cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, and square-wave voltammetry is critically compared across various drug targets. Trends indicate that hybrid nanomaterial-modified electrodes consistently achieve sub-micromolar detection limits in biological and environmental samples, offering potential for point-of-care diagnostics and environmental monitoring. Current challenges include improving sensor stability, mitigating fouling effects, and ensuring reproducibility in complex matrices. Future research should focus on integrated, miniaturized sensing platforms capable of multiplex detection, paving the way for rapid, portable, and sustainable analytical solutions in pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. Full article

To design novel imaging devices, we use masks coded with numerical sequences. These masks work in conjunction with varifocal systems that implement zero-throw tunable magnification. Some masks control field depth, even when the size of the pupil aperture remains fixed. Pairs of vortex masks are used to implement tunable phase radial profiles, like axicons and lenses. The autocorrelation properties of the Barker sequences are applied to the generation of narrow passband windows on the OTF. For this application, we apply Barker matrices in rectangular coordinates. A similar procedure, but now in polar coordinates, is useful for sensing in-plane rotations. We implement geometrical transformations by using zero-throw, tunable, anamorphic magnifications. Full article

Biopolymers have emerged as a transformative class of materials that reconcile high-performance functionality with environmental stewardship. Their inherent capacity for controlled degradation and biocompatibility has driven rapid advancements across electronics, sensing, actuation, and healthcare. In flexible electronics, these polymers serve as substrates, dielectrics, and conductive composites that enable transient devices, reducing electronic waste without compromising electrical performance. Within sensing and actuation, biodegradable polymer matrices facilitate the development of fully resorbable biosensors and soft actuators. These systems harness tailored degradation kinetics to achieve temporal control over signal transduction and mechanical response, unlocking applications in in vivo monitoring and on-demand drug delivery. In healthcare, biodegradable polymers underpin novel approaches in tissue engineering, wound healing, and bioresorbable implants. Their tunable chemical architectures and processing versatility allow for precise regulation of mechanical properties, degradation rates, and therapeutic payloads, fostering seamless integration with biological environments. The convergence of these emerging applications underscores the pivotal role of biodegradable polymers in advancing sustainable technology and personalized medicine. Continued interdisciplinary research into polymer design, processing strategies, and integration techniques will accelerate commercialization and broaden the impact of these lower eCO₂ value materials across diverse sectors. This perspective article comments on the innovation in these sectors that go beyond the applications of biodegradable materials in packaging applications. Full article

A novel glucose biosensor is developed based on a tilted fiber Bragg grating (TFBG) functionalized with a pH-responsive polyelectrolyte multilayer membrane, onto which glucose oxidase (GOD) is immobilized. The sensing film is constructed via layer-by-layer self-assembly of poly(ethylenimine) (PEI) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), which undergoes reversible swelling and refractive index (RI) changes in response to local pH variations. These changes are transduced into measurable shifts in the resonance wavelengths of TFBG cladding modes. The catalytic action of GOD oxidizes glucose to gluconic acid, thereby modulating the interfacial pH and actuating the polyelectrolyte membrane. With an optimized (PEI/PAA)₄(PEI/GOD)₁ structure, the biosensor achieves highly sensitive glucose detection, featuring a wide measurement range (10⁻⁸ to 10⁻² M), a low detection limit of 27.7 nM, and a fast response time of ~60 s. It also demonstrates excellent specificity and robust performance in complex biological matrices such as rabbit serum and artificial urine, with recovery rates of 93–102%, highlighting its strong potential for point-of-care testing applications. This platform offers significant advantages in stability, temperature insensitivity, and miniaturization, making it well-suited for clinical glucose monitoring and disease management. Full article

The convergence of carbon nanomaterials and functional polymers has led to the emergence of smart carbon–polymer nanocomposites (CPNCs), which possess exceptional potential for next-generation sensing and actuation systems. These hybrid materials exhibit unique combinations of electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties, along with tunable responsiveness to external stimuli such as strain, pressure, temperature, light, and chemical environments. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in the design and synthesis of CPNCs, focusing on their application in multifunctional sensors and actuator technologies. Key carbon nanomaterials including graphene, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and MXenes were examined in the context of their integration into polymer matrices to enhance performance parameters such as sensitivity, flexibility, response time, and durability. The review also highlights novel fabrication techniques, such as 3D printing, self-assembly, and in situ polymerization, that are driving innovation in device architectures. Applications in wearable electronics, soft robotics, biomedical diagnostics, and environmental monitoring are discussed to illustrate the transformative impact of CPNCs. Finally, this review addresses current challenges and outlines future research directions toward scalable manufacturing, environmental stability, and multifunctional integration for the real-world deployment of smart sensing and actuation systems. Full article

The incorporation of probiotic microorganisms into fermented foods has long been recognized as a promising strategy to enhance gut health and overall well-being. Conventional probiotics, mainly from the bacterial genera Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Lacticaseibacillus, Levilactobacillus, Lactiplantibacillus and yeast genus Saccharomyces, contribute to gastrointestinal homeostasis, immune modulation, and metabolic balance. Building on these foundations, recent advances in synthetic biology, systems microbiology, and genetic engineering have enabled the development of smart probiotics: engineered or selectively enhanced strains capable of sensing environmental cues and producing targeted bioactive compounds, such as neurotransmitters and anti-inflammatory peptides. These next-generation microorganisms offer precision functionality in food matrices and hold promise for applications in gastrointestinal health, immune support, and gut–brain axis modulation. However, their deployment also raises critical questions regarding biosafety, regulatory approval, and consumer acceptance. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms of action, biotechnological strategies, and health-oriented fermentation applications of smart and functional probiotics, emphasizing their role in the future of personalized and evidence-based functional foods. Full article

Polymer gel-based triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have emerged as versatile platforms for self-powered sensing due to their inherent softness, stretchability, and tunable conductivity. This review comprehensively explores the roles of polymer gels in TENG architecture, including their function as triboelectric layers, electrodes, and conductive matrices. We analyze four operational modes—vertical contact-separation, lateral-sliding, single-electrode, and freestanding configurations—alongside key performance metrics. Recent studies have reported output voltages of up to 545 V, short-circuit currents of 48.7 μA, and power densities exceeding 120 mW/m², demonstrating the high efficiency of gel-based TENGs. Gel materials are classified by network structure (single-, double-, and multi-network), matrix composition (hydrogels, aerogels, and ionic gels), and dielectric medium. Strategies to enhance conductivity using ionic salts, conductive polymers, and nanomaterials are discussed in relation to triboelectric output and sensing sensitivity. Morphological features such as surface roughness, porosity, and micro/nano-patterning are examined for their impact on charge generation. Application-focused sections detail the integration of gel-based TENGs in health monitoring (e.g., sweat, glucose, respiratory, and tremor sensing), environmental sensing (e.g., humidity, fire, marine, and gas detection), and tactile interfaces (e.g., e-skin and wearable electronics). Finally, we address current challenges, including mechanical durability, dehydration, and system integration, and outline future directions involving self-healing gels, hybrid architectures, and AI-assisted sensing. This review expands the subject area by synthesizing recent advances and offering a strategic roadmap for developing intelligent, sustainable, and multifunctional TENG-based sensing technologies. Full article

In this study, we present a novel data assimilation framework, the Ensemble Kalman Filter One-Dimensional Variational (EnKF1D-Var) framework, which assimilates observations from a Ground-based Microwave Radiometer (GMWR), a Mie–Raman Aerosol Lidar (MRL), and a Global Navigation Satellite System Meteorology sensor (GNSS/MET). The framework integrates multi-source vertical observations of water vapor and temperature with hourly temporal and 15 m vertical resolutions, driven by GFS forecasts. Three-month-long studies from May to July 2024 at Anqing Station in subtropical China demonstrate that the EnKF1D-Var retrievals reduce biases in temperature and humidity within the low troposphere, especially for daytime retrievals, by dynamically updating the observational error covariance matrices. Maximum humidity corrections reach up to 0.075 g/kg (120 PPMV), and temperature bias reductions exceed 3%. Incremental analysis reveals that the contribution to bias correction differs across instruments. GNSS/MET plays a dominant role in temperature adjustment, while GMWR provides supplementary support. In contrast, the majority of the improvements in water vapor retrieval can be attributed to MRL observations. This study achieved a reasonable application of multiple ground-based remote sensing observations, providing a new approach for the inversion of temperature and humidity profiles in the atmospheric boundary layer. Full article

Biodetection, the basis of many biotechnologies, has rapidly developed in recent years. Among various biodetection methods, the photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor is an emerging analytical method and has been applied in biodetection widely because of its high sensitivity, low cost, expandability into multichannel sensor arrays, and many other superior properties. Unlike conventional electrochemical aptasensors, the PEC aptasensor uses light as the excitation and an electrical photocurrent as the readout, which separates the stimulus from the measurement and reduces the excitation-related background. By modulating the light and demodulating the current, the PEC aptasensor improves the signal-to-noise ratio and lowers the limit of detection in complex matrices. Compared with optical aptasensors, the PEC aptasensor relies on simple light sources and electrodes rather than bulky imaging optics, enabling easier miniaturization and light-addressed multiplexed arrays. Therefore, aptamer-based PEC aptasensors have become a new hotspot in the field of biodetection. In this review, the development history of PEC aptasensors was presented. Then, this paper focuses on the photoactive nanomaterials, aptamers as sensing films, and sensing strategies of PEC aptasensors. The applications of PEC aptasensors in biodetection were also discussed. Finally, current challenges are discussed and opportunities in the future are prospected. Full article

The rational design of advanced functional materials with tailored fluorescence hinges on a profound understanding of the complex interplay between a molecule’s intrinsic structure and its local solid-state environment. This work systematically investigates these factors by employing a dual approach that combines targeted molecular synthesis with the subsequent modulation of the fluorophore’s properties within polymer matrices. First, a series of phenylhydrazone derivatives was synthesized, providing compounds with intense, solid-state fluorescence in the blue spectrum (421–494 nm). It was demonstrated that their photophysical properties were intricately linked to the substituent’s nature, which simultaneously modulated their intramolecular electron density and conformational rigidity while also governing their specific intermolecular packing in the solid state. Subsequently, we investigated the role of the supramolecular environment by embedding two fluorophores with distinct electronic profiles into electrospun poly (N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) and polystyrene (PS) matrices. Our results reveal that the polymer matrix is not a passive host but an active component; it governs dye aggregation, induces significant blue shifts, and most critically, can impart exceptional thermal stability. Specifically, the PVP matrix shielded the embedded dyes from thermal quenching, maintaining robust fluorescence up to 100 °C. By combining molecular-level synthesis with matrix-level engineering, this work demonstrates a powerful strategy for the rational design of emissive materials, where properties like color and operational stability can be deliberately tuned for demanding applications in optoelectronics and sensing. Full article

In this study, blue fluorescence carbon dots of high quantum yield (42.96%) were successfully synthesized via a one-step hydrothermal method using Pueraria residues as the precursor and urea as the nitrogen source. The preparation process was simple, was environmentally friendly, and did not use toxic chemicals, with the resulting nitrogen-doped Pueraria carbon dots (N-PCDs) exhibiting excellent dispersibility, regular morphology and stable fluorescence performance. Moreover, fluorescence quenching could be induced through electron transfer between N-PCDs and hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) in water, which enabled the application of N-PCDs as a fluorescent probe for sensing Cr(VI) in water, with a limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) of 0.078 μM and 0.26 μM, respectively. The effectiveness of the proposed fluorescent probe was also validated in various water matrices, achieving stable recovery rates ranging from 98.7% to 101.5%. Furthermore, experimental investigations and theoretical calculations through density functional theory (DFT) confirmed that the underlying reaction mechanism was photoinduced electron transfer (PET). Above all, this study not only demonstrated the potential of N-PCDs as sensitive probes to sense toxic elements in the environment, but also promotes the green and scalable production of high-value carbon-based products from waste biomass. Full article

The persistent presence of pesticide residues in vegetables raises significant concerns for food safety and public health, highlighting the need for sensing platforms that are efficient, affordable, and environmentally friendly while minimizing analysis time and reagent use. In this study, we developed a laser-induced graphene electrode (LIGE) modified with a titanium dioxide–Enteromorpha-derived carbon composite (TiO₂@EDC) for the sensitive electrochemical detection of the herbicide diuron in vegetables. This integrated system streamlines material synthesis, electrode fabrication, and electrochemical analysis into a single, practical platform for food safety monitoring. Under optimized conditions, this sensor exhibited a wide linear detection range of 0.01 µM to 1 mM, with a low limit of detection of 2.99 nM (3 S/N) and a limit of quantification of 9.98 nM (10 S/N). Notably, the sensor demonstrated excellent analytical performance in real vegetable samples by accurately quantifying diuron residues in lettuce, indicating its potential for on-site monitoring of pesticide contamination in food matrices to ensure food safety. Full article

Lanthanide/transition metal-doped luminescent materials are advanced materials with broad application potential. This type of material achieves control and optimization of luminescence performance by introducing lanthanide/transition metal ions into the host material and utilizing its unique electronic structure and optical properties. Luminescent materials are suitable for optical communication devices, biological imaging, and photodetectors. The combination of lanthanide/transition metals with various matrix materials provides a new platform for creating new chemical and physical properties in materials science and device applications. In this paper, we summarize the latest progress in the research of lanthanide/transition metal-doped luminescent materials and explain their roles in biological imaging, sensing, and optoelectronic applications. It starts with various synthesis techniques and explores how to cleverly incorporate rare earth/transition metals into various matrices, thereby endowing them with unique properties. Then, the advantages and disadvantages of each synthesis technique are discussed. Subsequently, the focus will be on functional strategies and their applications. Finally, strategies for lanthanide/transition metal ion-doped luminescent materials to address challenges are proposed, and insights from each section are summarized. Full article