Using the well-established elastic properties of bis(acetylacetonato)copper(II) as a foundation, 14 aliphatic derivatives were prepared and their crystals isolated. Crystals exhibiting a needle-like structure show notable elasticity, with -stacked molecules aligned parallel to the crystal's longitudinal axis as a common crystallographic pattern. Crystallographic mapping provides a means of evaluating atomic-level elasticity mechanisms. XL184 Different elasticity mechanisms are observed in symmetric derivatives with ethyl and propyl substituents, exhibiting a contrast to the previously reported bis(acetylacetonato)copper(II) mechanism. Though bis(acetylacetonato)copper(II) crystals are known to exhibit elastic bending through molecular rotations, the presented compounds' elasticity is primarily attributed to the expansion of their intermolecular stacking interactions.

By stimulating autophagy, chemotherapeutics facilitate the induction of immunogenic cell death (ICD), which can support anti-tumor immunotherapy. Nonetheless, the sole administration of chemotherapeutic agents can only provoke a minimal cell-protective autophagy response, rendering them ineffective in inducing sufficient immunogenic cell death. Autophagy inducers contribute to a boost in autophagy, leading to improved levels of immunocytokine dysfunction, and consequently a significant enhancement of anti-tumor immunotherapy's efficacy. By constructing tailor-made polymeric nanoparticles, STF@AHPPE, the amplification of autophagy cascades enhances tumor immunotherapy. Hyaluronic acid (HA), modified with arginine (Arg), polyethyleneglycol-polycaprolactone, and epirubicin (EPI) via disulfide bonds, forms AHPPE nanoparticles. These nanoparticles are further loaded with autophagy inducer STF-62247 (STF). STF@AHPPE nanoparticles, guided by HA and Arg, effectively penetrate into tumor cells after targeting tumor tissues. High intracellular glutathione concentrations then cause the disruption of disulfide bonds, leading to the release of EPI and STF. Last, but not least, the effect of STF@AHPPE is to trigger aggressive cytotoxic autophagy and create a strong immunogenic cell death outcome. When compared to AHPPE nanoparticles, STF@AHPPE nanoparticles effectively eliminate more tumor cells, showing a more prominent immunocytokine-mediated efficacy and stronger immune stimulation. This research outlines a novel technique for integrating tumor chemo-immunotherapy with autophagy stimulation.

The critical requirement for flexible electronics, including batteries and supercapacitors, is the development of advanced biomaterials that are both mechanically robust and have a high energy density. Plant proteins' inherent renewability and eco-friendliness position them as a prime selection for the production of flexible electronics. Despite the presence of weak intermolecular bonds and a high concentration of hydrophilic groups in protein chains, the resultant mechanical properties of protein-based materials, particularly in bulk form, are often inadequate, thereby hindering their applicability in practical settings. Advanced film biomaterials, boasting remarkable mechanical characteristics (363 MPa strength, 2125 MJ/m³ toughness, and exceptional fatigue resistance of 213,000 cycles), are fabricated via a green, scalable method that incorporates specially designed core-double-shell nanoparticles. The film biomaterials then undergo a process of stacking and hot pressing, which results in the formation of an ordered, dense bulk material. A solid-state supercapacitor, incorporating compacted bulk material, showcases an exceptionally high energy density of 258 Wh kg-1, a notable advancement over previously reported figures for advanced materials. The material's bulk composition, notably, displays impressive long-term cycling stability, continuing its performance under both ambient and immersed in H2SO4 electrolyte conditions for a duration exceeding 120 days. In conclusion, this research work heightens the competitive advantage of protein-based materials in practical applications such as flexible electronics and solid-state supercapacitors.

Small-scale battery-mimicking microbial fuel cells (MFCs) offer a promising alternative for powering future low-power electronics. Miniaturized microbial fuel cells (MFCs) with boundless biodegradable energy sources, exhibiting controllable electrocatalytic microbial activity, could simplify power generation in diverse environmental contexts. Unfortunately, the short lifespan of the living biocatalysts, coupled with the limited methods to activate stored biocatalysts and the extremely weak electrocatalytic properties, renders miniature MFCs unsuitable for practical implementations. XL184 Bacillus subtilis spores, activated by heat, are now employed as a dormant biocatalyst, capable of enduring storage and swiftly germinating upon contact with preloaded device nutrients. Employing a microporous graphene hydrogel, moisture is drawn from the air to nourish spores, which then germinate to produce power. The key factor in achieving superior electrocatalytic activity within the MFC is the utilization of a CuO-hydrogel anode and an Ag2O-hydrogel cathode, leading to an exceptionally high level of electrical performance. The MFC device, battery-type, is effortlessly triggered by moisture harvesting, resulting in a peak power density of 0.04 mW cm-2 and a maximum current density of 22 mA cm-2. The stackable MFC configuration, arranged in series, delivers sufficient power for multiple low-power applications with a three-MFC pack, showcasing its viability as a standalone power source.

A crucial bottleneck in the creation of commercial surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensors applicable to clinical settings lies in the scarcity of high-performance SERS substrates, frequently requiring intricate micro- or nano-scale structures. For the resolution of this matter, a potentially scalable, 4-inch ultrasensitive SERS substrate, beneficial for early-stage lung cancer diagnosis, is introduced. Its design utilizes a specialized particle configuration within a micro-nano porous structure. The particle-in-cavity structure's effective cascaded electric field coupling and the nanohole's efficient Knudsen diffusion of molecules contribute to the substrate's exceptional surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) performance for gaseous malignancy biomarkers. The limit of detection is 0.1 parts per billion (ppb), and the average relative standard deviation across different scales (from square centimeters to square meters) averages 165%. In practice, this large-scale sensor can be divided into smaller, 1 cm x 1 cm units, yielding over 65 chips per 4-inch wafer, thereby significantly enhancing the production capacity of commercial SERS sensors. A medical breath bag, constructed using this tiny chip, was both designed and investigated in detail, which showcased high specificity for identifying lung cancer biomarkers in mixed mimetic exhalation tests.

For efficient rechargeable zinc-air batteries, the d-orbital electronic configuration of the active sites must be meticulously adjusted to yield optimal adsorption strength for oxygen-containing intermediates in reversible oxygen electrocatalysis, which remains a daunting feat. This work suggests a Co@Co3O4 core-shell architecture, strategically intended to regulate the d-orbital electronic configuration of Co3O4, thus promoting enhanced bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysis. Initial theoretical calculations suggest that electron transfer from the Co core to the Co3O4 shell can shift the d-band center downward, concurrently weakening the spin state of Co3O4. This results in the optimal adsorption strength of oxygen-containing intermediates on Co3O4, thus facilitating oxygen reduction/evolution reaction (ORR/OER) bifunctional catalysis. To demonstrate the viability of the concept, a Co@Co3O4 structure embedded within Co, N co-doped porous carbon, which itself is derived from a precisely-controlled 2D metal-organic framework (MOF), is designed to match computational predictions and thereby enhance performance. An optimized 15Co@Co3O4/PNC catalyst demonstrates superior bifunctional oxygen electrocatalytic activity in ZABs, achieving a small potential gap of 0.69 V and a peak power density of 1585 mW/cm². Furthermore, DFT calculations reveal that an increase in oxygen vacancies within Co3O4 leads to enhanced adsorption of oxygen intermediates, thereby hindering bifunctional electrocatalysis. Conversely, electron donation facilitated by the core-shell structure mitigates this adverse effect, preserving superior bifunctional overpotential.

While sophisticated techniques have been developed for constructing crystalline materials from simple building blocks in the molecular world, the analogous task of assembling anisotropic nanoparticles or colloids remains exceptionally complex. This complexity stems from the lack of precise control over the spatial arrangement and orientation of these particles. Biconcave polystyrene (PS) discs are strategically utilized to guide particle self-recognition, wherein directional colloidal forces manage particle position and orientation during self-assembly. A highly unusual but intensely demanding two-dimensional (2D) open superstructure-tetratic crystal (TC) is successfully developed. By utilizing the finite difference time domain method, the optical properties of 2D TCs were examined, finding that PS/Ag binary TCs can alter the polarization state of the incoming light, such as switching linear polarization to left or right circularly polarized light. This project provides a vital pathway for the self-assembly of many unprecedented crystalline materials in the future.

Perovskites' layered, quasi-2D structure is identified as a prominent solution for addressing the inherent phase instability within these materials. XL184 However, in such systems, their performance is inherently circumscribed by the correspondingly lower charge mobility that is perpendicular to the surface. With the support of theoretical computations, p-phenylenediamine (-conjugated PPDA) is introduced herein as an organic ligand ion for the rational design of lead-free and tin-based 2D perovskites.