High-Entropy Ceramics Enhanced Droplet Electricity Generator for Energy Harvesting and Bacterial Detection.

The droplet electricity generator (DEG) is a solid-liquid triboelectric nanogenerator with transistor-inspired bulk effect, which is regarded as an effective strategy for raindrop energy harvesting. However, further enhancement of DEG output voltage is necessary to enable its widespread applications. Here, high-entropy ceramics are integrated into the design of DEG intermediate layer for the first time, achieving a high output voltage of 525 V. High-entropy ceramics have colossal dielectric constant, which can help to reduce the triboelectric charge decay for DEG. Furthermore, the effect of factors on DEG output performance when employing high-entropy ceramics as the intermediate layer is extensively analyzed, and the underlying mechanisms and mathematical models are explored. Finally, the enhanced output voltage of DEG not only facilitates faster energy harvesting but also develops a novel method for rapid bacterial detection. This work successfully integrates high-entropy ceramics into DEG design, significantly enhances the output voltage, and offers a novel direction for DEG development.

Effect of Halomonas titanicae on fluctuating water-line corrosion of EH40 steel.

The fluctuating water-line corrosion of EH40 steel in sterile and biotic media was investigated with a wire beam electrode. When the coupons were partially immersed in the sterile medium, the position of the low water-line acted as the cathodic zone and the area below the low water-line constantly served as the main anodic zone. The thin electrolyte layers with uneven thickness promoted the galvanic current of the region below the low water-line. Different from the sterile environment, the metabolism of Halomonas titanica with oxygen as the final electron acceptor reduced the dissolved oxygen concentration, which resulted in the position of the low water-line acting as the anodic zone.

Enhancing the Output Performance of Triboelectric Nanogenerator Through Regulation of its Internal Nano-Architecture.

Triboelectric Nanogenerator (TENG) has proven highly effective in converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. Previous research on manipulating microstructure for performance enhancement primarily focused on the surface of TENGs. In this study, an innovative bottom-up strategic design to control the internal nano-architecture for the enhanced output of TENG is proposed. This multiscale structural design strategy consists of defect chemistry (angstrom-scale), surface modification (nano-scale), and spatial regulation of nanoparticles (meso-scale), which helps explore the optimal utilization of TENG's internal structure. After fine-tuning the nano-architecture, the output voltage is significantly increased. This optimized TENG serves as a robust platform for developing self-powered systems, including self-powered electrochemical chlorination systems for sterilization. Additionally, through the utilization of multiscale simulations (density functional theory, all-atom molecular dynamics, and dissipative particle dynamics), the underlying mechanisms governing how the optimized nanoparticle-polymer interface and spatial arrangement of nanoparticles influence the storage and transfer of charges are comprehensively elucidated. This study not only demonstrates the effectiveness of manipulating internal nano-architecture to enhance TENG performance for practical applications but also provides invaluable insights into structural engineering for TENG advancement.

Effect of genetic distances of different genotypes of maize on the authenticity of single seeds detected by NIR spectroscopy.

Introduction: NIR spectroscopy combined with chemometric algorithms has been widely used for seed authenticity detection. However, the study of seed genetic distance, an internal feature that affects the discriminative performance of classification models, has rarely been reported. Methods: Therefore, maize seed samples of different genotypes were selected to investigate the effect of genetic distance on the authenticity of single seeds detected by NIR spectroscopy. Firstly, the Support vector machine (SVM) model was established using spectral information combined with a preprocessing algorithm, and then the DNA of the samples was extracted to study the correlation between genetic and relative spectral distances, the model identification performance, and finally to compare the similarities and differences between the results of genetic clustering and relative spectral clustering. Results: The results were as follows: the average accuracy of the models was 93.6% (inbred lines) and 93.7% (hybrids), respectively; Genetic distance and correlation spectral distance exhibited positive correlation significantly (inbred lines: r=0.177, p<0.05; hybrids: r=0.238, p<0.05), likewise genetic distance and model accuracy also showed positive correlation (inbred lines: r=0.611, p<0.01; hybrids: r=0.6158, p<0.01); Genetic clustering and spectral clustering results were essentially uniform for 94.3% (inbred lines) and 93.9% (hybrids), respectively. Discussion: This study reveals the relationship between the genetic and relative spectral distances of seeds and the accuracy of the model, which provides theoretical basis for the establishment of the standardized system for detecting the authenticity of seeds by NIR spectroscopic techniques.

Collaborative Optimization Design of Self-Powered Sterilizer with Highly Efficient Synergistic Antibacterial Effect.

The development of self-powered sterilizers has garnered significant attention in the scientific and engineering fields. However, there remains an urgent need to improve their sterilization efficiency. In this study, we present a self-powered sterilizer with superior antibacterial capability by maximizing the utilization of breakdown discharge generated by a soft-contact freestanding rotary triboelectric nanogenerator (FR-TENG). To achieve this, a collaborative optimization strategy is proposed, encompassing the structural design of the FR-TENG, the implementation of double voltage rectification, and manipulation of the gaseous phase. Through a comprehensive analysis of antibacterial rates and microscopic images, the effectiveness of the self-powered sterilizer against various types of bacteria, including Gram-positive and Gram-negative species, as well as mixed bacteria in natural seawater, is demonstrated. Further investigations into bacterial morphologies and solution compositions reveal that the synergistic effect between electroporation and the generation of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species contributes to efficient sterilization. Additionally, controlled trials and molecular dynamics simulations are conducted to quantitatively elucidate the synergistic antibacterial effect between electroporation and reactive oxygen/nitrogen species. This study highlights the effectiveness of the collaborative optimization strategy in enhancing the sterilization efficiency of self-powered sterilizers while providing valuable insights into the synergistic antibacterial mechanisms of physical and chemical sterilization.

The impact of alloying element Cu on corrosion and biofilms of 316L stainless steel exposed to seawater.

Copper-containing stainless steel (SS) has been reported to mitigate biofilms in industrial and clinical environments. However, the impact of copper released from copper-containing SS in natural seawater on biofilms and corrosion is still unclear. In this study, three kinds of 316L SS were immersed in natural seawater for 6 months, and the pitting depth decreased in the order: 316L-Cu SS (annealed) > 316L SS > 316L-Cu SS (aged). The biofilm thickness and number of sessile cells on the surface of 316L-Cu SS (annealed) and 316L SS were similar but notably greater than those of 316L-Cu SS (aged). Furthermore, the results of the community analysis indicated that the addition of copper in 316L-Cu SS (aged) reduced the diversity and richness of the microbial community, resulting in a significant reduction in the number of genera constituting the biofilms. Copper ions exhibit a broad-spectrum bactericidal effect, effectively reducing the abundance of dominant populations and microbial genera in the biofilms, thereby mitigating pitting corrosion induced by microorganisms. In addition, the PCoA scatter plot showed that time also played an important role in the regulation of microbial community structure.

Corrosion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa toward a Cu-Zn-Ni alloy inhibited by the simulative tidal region.

The corrosion of marine engineering equipment not only threatens human security and ecological environment but also increases energy consumption, restricting the sustainable development of marine economies and industries. The tidal region is a complex and challenging environment that can cause severe corrosion of facilities and affect microbial activities. However, the current understanding of the mechanisms underlying microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) of tidal region is insufficient. To address this issue, the effect of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on a Cu-Zn-Ni alloy in the simulative tidal region was investigated by chemical and molecular biological analysis in this study. The results demonstrated that P. aeruginosa formed thicker biofilms on the Cu-Zn-Ni alloy samples under the full exposure, accelerating corrosion compared to sterile controls. Interestingly, the corrosion of P. aeruginosa toward the Cu-Zn-Ni alloy was inhibited in the simulative tidal region. This inhibition behavior was relevant to the reduction in the quantity of sessile cells and cell activities. The expression down-regulation of genes encoding phenazines induced the decrease in electron transfer mediators and weakened the MIC of P. aeruginosa on alloy samples in the simulative tidal region. The research sheds light on the characteristics of P. aeruginosa and corrosion products on the Cu-Zn-Ni alloy, as well as their interaction mechanisms underlying corrosion in the simulative tidal region. The study will facilitate the evaluation and control of MIC in the tidal region, contributing to the development of sustainable strategies for preserving the integrity and safety of marine facilities.

SERS immunoassay analysis of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus based on sandwich-structured complex probe and target-induced strand displacement.

A direct and ultra-sensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) immunoassay method is introduced for the detection of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. This methodology is based on a sandwich-structured complex probe (SCP) mechanism, combined with target-induced strand displacement. Moreover, by leveraging the amplified SERS signal from gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) corresponding to an increase in bacterial count, we achieve quantitative determination. The SCP demonstrates remarkable specificity, sensitivity, and anti-interference capability in bacterial detection. The detection limits for both bacterial strains are as low as 10 CFU/mL. In our selectivity tests, all peak intensities had standard deviations (n = 3) below 6%. Recoveries in normal human serum were 101-110% for E. coli and 96-101% for S. aureus. In milk, the recoveries were 102-105% for E. coli and 100-105% for S. aureus, respectively, demonstrating a high level of accuracy and resistance to interference. In addition, the SCP offers a dual-detection capability, enabling simultaneous diagnosis of multiple targets, which greatly simplifies the testing procedure. The findings underscore that this immunoassay platform fulfills the demand for rapid and precise pathogenic bacterial diagnosis, holding substantial potential for practical applications.

Determination of sulfide in complex biofilm matrices using silver-coated, 4-mercaptobenzonitrile-modified gold nanoparticles, encapsulated in ZIF-8 as surface-enhanced Raman scattering nanoprobe.

A surface-enhanced Raman scattering nanoprobe has been developed for sulfide detection and applied to  complex bacterial biofilms. The nanoprobe, Au@4-MBN@Ag@ZIF-8, comprised a gold core modified with 4-mercaptobenzonitrile (4-MBN) as signaling source, a layer of silver shell as the sulfide sensitization material, and a zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) as surface barrier. ZIF-8, with its high surface area and mesoporous structure, was applied to preconcentrate sulfide around the nanoprobe with its excellent adsorption capacity. Besides, the external wrapping of ZIF-8 can not only prevent the interference of biomolecules, such as proteins, with the Au@4-MBN@Ag assay but also enhance the detection specificity through the sulfide cleavage function towards ZIF-8. These properties are critical for the application of this nanoprobe to complex environmental scenarios. In the presence of sulfide, it was first enriched through adsorption by the outer ZIF-8 layer, then destroyed the barrier layer, and subsequently reacted with the Ag shell, leading to changes in the Raman signal. Through this rational design, the Au@4-MBN@Ag@ZIF-8 nanoprobe exhibited excellent detection sensitivity, with a sulfide detection limit in the nanomolar range and strong linearity in the concentration range  50 nM to 500 µM. Furthermore, the proposed Au@4-MBN@Ag@ZIF-8 nanoprobe was effectively utilized for sulfide detection in intricate biofilm matrices, demonstrating its robust selectivity and reproducibility.

Breaking the barrier: a MnWO4 photocatalyst enables solar chlorine production from seawater without noble metals.

Herein, we present a one-step hydrothermal synthesis approach towards the production of pure MnWO4, which is driven by visible light to produce HClO. Significantly, our findings demonstrate the first successful implementation of noble-metal-free materials for photocatalytic chlorine production in natural seawater. This discovery has immense potential for various applications.

TRPM7-Mediated Ca2+ Regulates Mussel Settlement through the CaMKKß-AMPK-SGF1 Pathway.

Many marine invertebrates have planktonic larval and benthic juvenile/adult stages. When the planktonic larvae are fully developed, they must find a favorable site to settle and metamorphose into benthic juveniles. This transition from a planktonic to a benthic mode of life is a complex behavioral process involving substrate searching and exploration. Although the mechanosensitive receptor in the tactile sensor has been implicated in sensing and responding to surfaces of the substrates, few have been unambiguously identified. Recently, we identified that the mechanosensitive transient receptor potential melastatin-subfamily member 7 (TRPM7) channel, highly expressed in the larval foot of the mussel Mytilospsis sallei, was involved in substrate exploration for settlement. Here, we show that the TRPM7-mediated Ca2+ signal was involved in triggering the larval settlement of M. sallei through the calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase ß/AMP-activated protein kinase/silk gland factor 1 (CaMKKß-AMPK-SGF1) pathway. It was found that M. sallei larvae preferred the stiff surfaces for settlement, on which TRPM7, CaMKKß, AMPK, and SGF1 were highly expressed. These findings will help us to better understand the molecular mechanisms of larval settlement in marine invertebrates, and will provide insights into the potential targets for developing environmentally friendly antifouling coatings for fouling organisms.

Design and Strengthening of Superhydrophobic Coatings: The Influence of Intermediate Layers.

The employment of intermediate layer technology to improve the mechanical stability of superhydrophobic coatings (SHCs) is an acknowledged tool, but the mechanism by which intermediate layers, especially different ones, affect superhydrophobic composite coatings is not clear. In this work, a series of SHCs based on the strengthening of the intermediate layer were fabricated by employing polymers with different elastic moduli such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polyurethane (PU), epoxy (EP) resin, as well as graphite/SiO2 hydrophobic components. Following that, the effect of different elastic modulus polymers as an intermediate layer on the durability of SHCs was investigated. From the perspective of elastic buffering, the strengthening mechanism of elastic polymer-based SHCs was clarified. Furthermore, from the perspective of self-lubrication, the wear resistance mechanism of self-lubricating hydrophobic components in the SHCs was elucidated. Also, the prepared coatings exhibited excellent acid and alkali resistance, self-cleaning, anti-stain, and corrosion resistance. This work confirms that low-elastic-modulus polymers can also play the role of buffering external impact energy by elastic deformation even as an intermediate layer, and provides theoretical guidance for the development of SHCs with robustness.

Precise Localization and Simultaneous Bacterial Eradication of Biofilms Based on Nanocontainers with Successive Responsive Property toward pH and ATP.

The bacterial colonization of surfaces and subsequent biofilm formation are a great threat in medical therapy and clinical diagnosis. The complex internal structure and composition sets an enormous obstacle for the localization and removal of biofilms. In this study, we proposed a novel biofilm-targeted nanocontainer with successive responsive property toward pH and ATP for precise localization and simultaneous bacterial eradication, with an acidic and adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-rich microenvironment within biofilms, formed due to the accumulation of fatty acids and ATP in the three-dimensional enclosed structure, integrated as two successive indicators to improve the precision of biofilm identification and removal. The biofilm-targeted nanocontainer was composed of a ATP-responsive zeolitic imidazolate framework-90 (ZIF-90) core loaded with Rho 6G and doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) encapsulated in the pH-responsive amorphous calcium carbonate/poly(acrylic acid) (ACC/PAA) shell. In the presence of biofilms, the ACC/PAA shell and ZIF-90 core were successively degraded by the accumulated H+ and ATP within biofilms, resulting in the release of fluorescence indicators and antimicrobial agents. On the other hand, to meet the application requirements of different biofilm scenarios, the pH response ability of the nanocontainers could be adjusted by changing the metallic ions (Ni2+, Zn2+, and Cu2+) doped into the structure of the ACC/PAA shell. Owing to excellent water dispersion of the pH/ATP double-responsive ZIF-90@Zn-ACC/PAA nanocontainer, precise localization and simultaneous bacterial eradication was successfully realized via a simple spray process. The successive pH/ATP two-step unlocking processes endowed the nanocontainers high precision for localization and simultaneous eradication of biofilms, which made the proposed nanocontainers high promising in food safety and medical treatment.

An Advanced Strategy to Enhance TENG Output: Reducing Triboelectric Charge Decay.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is poised to accelerate the construction of smart cities. However, it requires more than 30 billion sensors to realize the IoT vision, posing great challenges and opportunities for industries of self-powered sensors. Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), an emerging new technology, is capable of easily converting energy from surrounding environment into electricity, thus TENG has tremendous application potential in self-powered IoT sensors. At present, TENG encounters a bottleneck to boost output for large-scale commercial use if just by promoting triboelectric charge generation, because the output is decided by the triboelectric charge dynamic equilibrium between generation and decay. To break this bottleneck, the strategy of reducing triboelectric charge decay to enhance TENG output is focused. First, multiple mechanisms of triboelectric charge decay are summarized in detail with basic theoretical principles for future research. Furthermore, recent advances in reducing triboelectric charge decay are thoroughly reviewed and outlined in three aspects: inhibition and application of air breakdown, simultaneous inhibition of air breakdown and triboelectric charge drift/diffusion, and inhibition of triboelectric charge drift/diffusion. Finally, challenges and future research focus are proposed. This review provides reference and guidance for enhancing TENG output.

Effects of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on EH40 steel corrosion in the simulated tidal zone.

Corrosion of metals in the tidal zone shortens the service life of facilities considerably and causes extensive economic losses each year. However, the contribution of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) to this progress is usually ignored, and consequently the research on the mechanism of MIC in the tidal zone is highly desirable. In this study, the impact of the typical marine strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa on EH40 steel corrosion in the simulated tidal zone was evaluated. P. aeruginosa accelerated the corrosion of EH40 steel in the simulated tidal zone and its corrosion promotion efficiency rose over time. The environmental stress promoted the metabolism, energy production, and secretion of phenazines of P. aeruginosa, which promoted extracellular electron transfer between bacteria and steel, and accelerated MIC. The study proposes a possible mechanism of MIC in the tidal zone at the molecular biological level, which is of theoretical significance for evaluating the corrosion risks of marine equipment.

A dual-emission ratiometric fluorescent sensor based on copper nanoclusters encapsulated in zeolitic imidazolate framework-90 for rapid detection and imaging of adenosine triphosphate.

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the primary energy carrier for intracellular metabolic processes. Accurate and rapid detection of ATP has important implications for clinical diagnosis. In this work, we reported a dual-emission ratiometric fluorescent probe Cu NCs-Al@ZIF-90 formed by encapsulating copper nanoclusters (Cu NCs) into zeolitic imidazolate framework-90 (ZIF-90) using a simple one-pot method. Cu NCs exhibited a remarkable fluorescence enhancement in the presence of aluminum ions due to the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties. When ATP existed, the Zn2+ nodes in the MOF material acted as selective sites for ATP recognition, resulting in the cleavage of Cu NCs-Al@ZIF-90. As a consequence, two reverse fluorescence changes were observed from released Cu NCs at 620 nm and imidazole-2-carboxaldehyde (2-ICA) at 450 nm, respectively. With the dual-emission ratiometric strategy, efficient and rapid determination of ATP was realized, giving a detection limit down to 0.034 mM in the concentration range of 0.2 mM to 0.625 mM. The convenient synthesis process and the rapid ATP-responsive ability made the proposed Cu NCs-Al@ZIF-90 probe highly promising in clinical and environmental analysis.

An abiotic carbon dots@ ZIF-90 fluorescent probe for rapid and reliable detection of adenosine triphosphate.

ATP is a high-energy compound that plays a vital role in biological metabolism. Abnormal changes in ATP concentration are related to various diseases and reflect microbial metabolism in biofilms. In this work, we prepared carbon quantum dots (CDs) with aggregation-induced fluorescence inhibition effect using the bacterial culture medium as raw material with a hydrothermal method. Then, an abiotic fluorescent nanoprobe named CDs@zeolitic imidazolate frameworks-90 (ZIF-90) was facilely synthesized by encapsulating CDs into ZIF-90. Owing to the encapsulation of CDs in the hollow structure of ZIF-90, the blue fluorescence emission of CDs@ZIF-90 decreased significantly. In the presence of ATP, the ZIF-90 framework was destroyed due to the strong coordination between ATP and Zn2+. The released CDs exhibited stronger fluorescence intensity, which was closely related to the ATP concentration. The convenient synthesis process and rapid ATP-responsive ability make CDs@ZIF-90 highly promising for clinical and environmental analysis.

Simultaneous ultrasensitive ADP and ATP quantification based on CRISPR/Cas12a integrated ZIF-90@Ag3AuS2@Fe3O4 nanocomposites.

ADP/ATP ratio is a sensitive indicator of changes in cellular energy status and is important for regulating cell signaling activities. Ultrasensitive quantification of ADP and ATP concentration in a single system is in great demand for bioanalysis and early disease diagnosis. Hence, a target-regulated luminous nanoplatform based on clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas12a integrated zeolite imidazolate framework (ZIF-90)@Ag3AuS2@Fe3O4 nanocomposites was established for the simultaneous detection of ADP and ATP. This simultaneous and ultrasensitive quantification nanoplatform (dsDNA-ZIF-90@Ag3AuS2@Fe3O4) composed an ADP sensitive module based on the aptamer-activated CRISPR/Cas12a and an ATP responsive module based on ATP-triggered ZIF-90 decomposition and quencher loading release. The binding and signaling processes of the different nucleotides were independent, and there was no interference between the two modules. Utilizing the high specific binding and strong signal amplification of this method, limits of detection as low as 0.022 and 0.079 nM were obtained within 30 min for ADP and ATP, respectively. Moreover, the proposed biosensor exhibited high accuracy, specificity, and excellent recovery in serum samples and bacterial biofilms. Therefore, the dsDNA-ZIF-90@Ag3AuS2@Fe3O4-based nanoplatform provides a promising method for ultrasensitive dual-mode quantification of ADP and ATP in the same system, possessing great potential for bioanalysis and early disease diagnosis.

Multi pathogenic microorganisms determination using DNA composites-encapsulated DNA silver nanocluster/graphene oxide-based system through rolling cycle amplification.

A multi pathogenic microorganisms determination method is reported using DNA composites encapsulated DNA silver nanocluster (AgNCs)/graphene oxide (GO)-based system through rolling cycle (RCA) amplification. Firstly, two different RCA-based DNA composites are assembled, coupled with thousands of DNA-stabilized AgNCs probe and ssDNA aptamer specific for two pathogen bacteria targets. GO was then introduced into the system to capture ssDNA aptamer of DNA composites and as a selective fluorescence quencher of DNA/AgNCs. Upon recognizing the target bacteria, ssDNA aptamer part would combine with bacteria and release from the surface of GO. Thus, DNA/AgNCs of RCA-based DNA composites can generate strong fluorescence signal. With the fluorescent report of RCADNA-AgNCs/530 and RCADNA-AgNCs/625, the assay successfully detect Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus at concentrations as low as 38 CFU/mL, and a highly selective and efficient sensing platform was achieved. Therefore, this RCA/DNA-AgNCs/GO-based platform shows excellent application in multi pathogenic microorganisms determination and potential clinic therapy.