Highly efficient microbial inactivation enabled by tunneling charges injected through two-dimensional electronics.

Airborne pathogens retain prolonged infectious activity once attached to the indoor environment, posing a pervasive threat to public health. Conventional air filters suffer from ineffective inactivation of the physics-separated microorganisms, and the chemical-based antimicrobial materials face challenges of poor stability/efficiency and inefficient viral inactivation. We, therefore, developed a rapid, reliable antimicrobial method against the attached indoor bacteria/viruses using a large-scale tunneling charge-motivated disinfection device fabricated by directly dispersing monolayer graphene on insulators. Free charges can be stably immobilized under the monolayer graphene through the tunneling effect. The stored charges can motivate continuous electron loss of attached microorganisms for accelerated disinfection, overcoming the diffusion limitation of chemical disinfectants. Complete (>99.99%) and broad-spectrum disinfection was achieved <1 min of attachment to the scaled-up device (25 square centimeters), reliably for 72 hours at high temperature (60°C) and humidity (90%). This method can be readily applied to high-touch surfaces in indoor environments for pathogen control.

The Ethics of Electronic Tracking Devices in Dementia Care: An Interview Study with Developers.

Wandering is a symptom of dementia that can have devastating consequences on the lives of persons living with dementia and their families and caregivers. Increasingly, caregivers are turning towards electronic tracking devices to help manage wandering. Ethical questions have been raised regarding these location-based technologies and although qualitative research has been conducted to gain better insight into various stakeholders' views on the topic, developers of these technologies have been largely excluded. No qualitative research has focused on developers' perceptions of ethics related to electronic tracking devices. To address this, we performed a qualitative semi-structured interview study based on grounded theory. We interviewed 15 developers of electronic tracking devices to better understand how they perceive ethical issues surrounding the design, development, and use of these devices within dementia care. Our results reveal that developers are strongly motivated by moral considerations and believe that including stakeholders throughout the development process is critical for success. Developers felt a strong sense of moral obligation towards topics within their control and a weaker sense of moral obligation towards topics outside their control. This leads to a perceived moral boundary between development and use, where some moral responsibility is shifted to end-users.

Tropicalizing the Portable Radio: Electronics and the U.S. Military's Battle against Fungi in the Pacific War.

As the U.S. military became embroiled in "jungle warfare" across the Pacific during World War II, it was caught off guard by the rapid deterioration of materials and equipment in the tropics, where the air was hot, humid, and teeming with fungal spores. This article tells the story of how American scientists and engineers understood the "tropical deterioration" of portable radios and electronics and developed techniques to counteract it. Examining scientific efforts to prevent tropical decay reveals how exposure to tropical conditions during World War II shaped the development of portable electronics. Contributing to envirotech history and environmental media studies, this article uncovers the importance of climate proofing to the history of electronics miniaturization. Tropical deterioration, furthermore, provides a technology-focused lens for enriching our historical understanding of the tropics as an environmental imaginary.

Permeable Bioelectronics toward Biointegrated Systems.

Bioelectronics integrates electronics with biological organs, sustaining the natural functions of the organs. Organs dynamically interact with the external environment, managing internal equilibrium and responding to external stimuli. These interactions are crucial for maintaining homeostasis. Additionally, biological organs possess a soft and stretchable nature; encountering objects with differing properties can disrupt their function. Therefore, when electronic devices come into contact with biological objects, the permeability of these devices, enabling interactions and substance exchanges with the external environment, and the mechanical compliance are crucial for maintaining the inherent functionality of biological organs. This review discusses recent advancements in soft and permeable bioelectronics, emphasizing materials, structures, and a wide range of applications. The review also addresses current challenges and potential solutions, providing insights into the integration of electronics with biological organs.

Materials and Structural Designs toward Motion Artifact-Free Bioelectronics.

Bioelectronics encompassing electronic components and circuits for accessing human information play a vital role in real-time and continuous monitoring of biophysiological signals of electrophysiology, mechanical physiology, and electrochemical physiology. However, mechanical noise, particularly motion artifacts, poses a significant challenge in accurately detecting and analyzing target signals. While software-based "postprocessing" methods and signal filtering techniques have been widely employed, challenges such as signal distortion, major requirement of accurate models for classification, power consumption, and data delay inevitably persist. This review presents an overview of noise reduction strategies in bioelectronics, focusing on reducing motion artifacts and improving the signal-to-noise ratio through hardware-based approaches such as "preprocessing". One of the main stress-avoiding strategies is reducing elastic mechanical energies applied to bioelectronics to prevent stress-induced motion artifacts. Various approaches including strain-compliance, strain-resistance, and stress-damping techniques using unique materials and structures have been explored. Future research should optimize materials and structure designs, establish stable processes and measurement methods, and develop techniques for selectively separating and processing overlapping noises. Ultimately, these advancements will contribute to the development of more reliable and effective bioelectronics for healthcare monitoring and diagnostics.

Strain-invariant stretchable radio-frequency electronics.

Wireless modules that provide telecommunications and power-harvesting capabilities enabled by radio-frequency (RF) electronics are vital components of skin-interfaced stretchable electronics1-7. However, recent studies on stretchable RF components have demonstrated that substantial changes in electrical properties, such as a shift in the antenna resonance frequency, occur even under relatively low elastic strains8-15. Such changes lead directly to greatly reduced wireless signal strength or power-transfer efficiency in stretchable systems, particularly in physically dynamic environments such as the surface of the skin. Here we present strain-invariant stretchable RF electronics capable of completely maintaining the original RF properties under various elastic strains using a 'dielectro-elastic' material as the substrate. Dielectro-elastic materials have physically tunable dielectric properties that effectively avert frequency shifts arising in interfacing RF electronics. Compared with conventional stretchable substrate materials, our material has superior electrical, mechanical and thermal properties that are suitable for high-performance stretchable RF electronics. In this paper, we describe the materials, fabrication and design strategies that serve as the foundation for enabling the strain-invariant behaviour of key RF components based on experimental and computational studies. Finally, we present a set of skin-interfaced wireless healthcare monitors based on strain-invariant stretchable RF electronics with a wireless operational distance of up to 30 m under strain.

Soft Bioelectronics Using Nanomaterials and Nanostructures for Neuroengineering.

ConspectusThe identification of neural networks for large areas and the regulation of neuronal activity at the single-neuron scale have garnered considerable attention in neuroscience. In addition, detecting biochemical molecules and electrically, optically, and chemically controlling neural functions are key research issues. However, conventional rigid and bulky bioelectronics face challenges for neural applications, including mechanical mismatch, unsatisfactory signal-to-noise ratio, and poor integration of multifunctional components, thereby degrading the sensing and modulation performance, long-term stability and biocompatibility, and diagnosis and therapy efficacy. Implantable bioelectronics have been developed to be mechanically compatible with the brain environment by adopting advanced geometric designs and utilizing intrinsically stretchable materials, but such advances have not been able to address all of the aforementioned challenges.Recently, the exploration of nanomaterial synthesis and nanoscale fabrication strategies has facilitated the design of unconventional soft bioelectronics with mechanical properties similar to those of neural tissues and submicrometer-scale resolution comparable to typical neuron sizes. The introduction of nanotechnology has provided bioelectronics with improved spatial resolution, selectivity, single neuron targeting, and even multifunctionality. As a result, this state-of-the-art nanotechnology has been integrated with bioelectronics in two main types, i.e., bioelectronics integrated with synthesized nanomaterials and bioelectronics with nanoscale structures. The functional nanomaterials can be synthesized and assembled to compose bioelectronics, allowing easy customization of their functionality to meet specific requirements. The unique nanoscale structures implemented with the bioelectronics could maximize the performance in terms of sensing and stimulation. Such soft nanobioelectronics have demonstrated their applicability for neuronal recording and modulation over a long period at the intracellular level and incorporation of multiple functions, such as electrical, optical, and chemical sensing and stimulation functions.In this Account, we will discuss the technical pathways in soft bioelectronics integrated with nanomaterials and implementing nanostructures for application to neuroengineering. We traced the historical development of bioelectronics from rigid and bulky structures to soft and deformable devices to conform to neuroengineering requirements. Recent approaches that introduced nanotechnology into neural devices enhanced the spatiotemporal resolution and endowed various device functions. These soft nanobioelectronic technologies are discussed in two categories: bioelectronics with synthesized nanomaterials and bioelectronics with nanoscale structures. We describe nanomaterial-integrated soft bioelectronics exhibiting various functionalities and modalities depending on the integrated nanomaterials. Meanwhile, soft bioelectronics with nanoscale structures are explained with their superior resolution and unique administration methods. We also exemplified the neural sensing and stimulation applications of soft nanobioelectronics across various modalities, showcasing their clinical applications in the treatment of neurological diseases, such as brain tumors, epilepsy, and Parkinson's disease. Finally, we discussed the challenges and direction of next-generation technologies.

Active biointegrated living electronics for managing inflammation.

Seamless interfaces between electronic devices and biological tissues stand to revolutionize disease diagnosis and treatment. However, biological and biomechanical disparities between synthetic materials and living tissues present challenges at bioelectrical signal transduction interfaces. We introduce the active biointegrated living electronics (ABLE) platform, encompassing capabilities across the biogenic, biomechanical, and bioelectrical properties simultaneously. The living biointerface, comprising a bioelectronics layout and a Staphylococcus epidermidis-laden hydrogel composite, enables multimodal signal transduction at the microbial-mammalian nexus. The extracellular components of the living hydrogels, prepared through thermal release of naturally occurring amylose polymer chains, are viscoelastic, capable of sustaining the bacteria with high viability. Through electrophysiological recordings and wireless probing of skin electrical impedance, body temperature, and humidity, ABLE monitors microbial-driven intervention in psoriasis.

Living bioelectronics resolve inflammation.

Coupling skin bacteria and electronics opens paths to adaptive treatment of inflammation.

Edible electronics to treat the brain.

Ingestible electronic pills can be used for targeted noninvasive neuromodulation.

Optical and electronic properties of MgPc-Ch-diisoQ blend organic thin film as an active layer for photovoltaic cells.

Organic photovoltaic cells are a promising technology for generating renewable energy from sunlight. These cells are made from organic materials, such as polymers or small molecules, and can be lightweight, flexible, and low-cost. Here, we have created a novel mixture of magnesium phthalocyanine (MgPc) and chlorophenyl ethyl diisoquinoline (Ch-diisoQ). A coating unit has been utilized in preparing MgPc, Ch-diisoQ, and MgPc-Ch-diisoQ films onto to FTO substrate. The MgPc-Ch-diisoQ film has a spherical and homogeneous surface morphology with a grain size of 15.9 nm. The optical absorption of the MgPc-Ch-diisoQ film was measured, and three distinct bands were observed at 800-600 nm, 600-400 nm, and 400-250 nm, with a band gap energy of 1.58 eV. The current density-voltage and capacitance-voltage measurements were performed to analyze the photoelectric properties of the three tested cells. The forward current density obtained from our investigated blend cell is more significant than that for each material by about 22%. The photovoltaic parameters (Voc, Isc, and FF) of the MgPc-Ch-diisoQ cell were found to be 0.45 V, 2.12 µA, and 0.4, respectively. We believe that our investigated MgPc-Ch-diisoQ film will be a promising active layer in organic solar cells.

AI-Generated Draft Replies Integrated Into Health Records and Physicians' Electronic Communication.

Importance: Timely tests are warranted to assess the association between generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) use and physicians' work efforts. Objective: To investigate the association between GenAI-drafted replies for patient messages and physician time spent on answering messages and the length of replies. Design, Setting, and Participants: Randomized waiting list quality improvement (QI) study from June to August 2023 in an academic health system. Primary care physicians were randomized to an immediate activation group and a delayed activation group. Data were analyzed from August to November 2023. Exposure: Access to GenAI-drafted replies for patient messages. Main Outcomes and Measures: Time spent (1) reading messages, (2) replying to messages, (3) length of replies, and (4) physician likelihood to recommend GenAI drafts. The a priori hypothesis was that GenAI drafts would be associated with less physician time spent reading and replying to messages. A mixed-effects model was used. Results: Fifty-two physicians participated in this QI study, with 25 randomized to the immediate activation group and 27 randomized to the delayed activation group. A contemporary control group included 70 physicians. There were 18 female participants (72.0%) in the immediate group and 17 female participants (63.0%) in the delayed group; the median age range was 35-44 years in the immediate group and 45-54 years in the delayed group. The median (IQR) time spent reading messages in the immediate group was 26 (11-69) seconds at baseline, 31 (15-70) seconds 3 weeks after entry to the intervention, and 31 (14-70) seconds 6 weeks after entry. The delayed group's median (IQR) read time was 25 (10-67) seconds at baseline, 29 (11-77) seconds during the 3-week waiting period, and 32 (15-72) seconds 3 weeks after entry to the intervention. The contemporary control group's median (IQR) read times were 21 (9-54), 22 (9-63), and 23 (9-60) seconds in corresponding periods. The estimated association of GenAI was a 21.8% increase in read time (95% CI, 5.2% to 41.0%; P = .008), a -5.9% change in reply time (95% CI, -16.6% to 6.2%; P = .33), and a 17.9% increase in reply length (95% CI, 10.1% to 26.2%; P < .001). Participants recognized GenAI's value and suggested areas for improvement. Conclusions and Relevance: In this QI study, GenAI-drafted replies were associated with significantly increased read time, no change in reply time, significantly increased reply length, and some perceived benefits. Rigorous empirical tests are necessary to further examine GenAI's performance. Future studies should examine patient experience and compare multiple GenAIs, including those with medical training.

Construction and simulation of a joint scale model for power electronic converters based on wavelet decomposition and reconstruction algorithms.

In power electronics systems, system design and operation often involve multiple time and space scales, ranging from nanosecond switching dynamics to hour-level system operation behavior. Due to the complexity of these systems and the rise of wide-gap semiconductor technology, a series of multi-scale phenomena have emerged that are difficult to ignore. The high frequency of switching operations makes multi-scale effects particularly significant, including the fast dynamic response of the power loop, EMI, and heat conduction problems. They are key factors that must be considered in the design to ensure the efficient and reliable operation of power electronic devices. This study proposes the construction and simulation of a joint scale model for power electronic converters based on wavelet decomposition and reconstruction algorithms to address the multi-scale phenomenon and limitations of single-scale power electronic converters. Firstly, a joint scale model for power electronic converters at both macro and micro-scales was established, targeting both single-scale models and simple combinations of multiple scale models for power electronic converters. The traditional single-scale model is sufficient to describe the average behavior of the converter, but it has serious limitations in capturing fast transient processes and high-frequency switching behavior in power electronic systems. These limitations often manifest themselves when there is a need to capture fine timescales of detail. By transforming between the time domain and the frequency domain, wavelet decomposition enables the model to capture both macroscopic average characteristics and microscopic transient dynamics. The wavelet reconstruction algorithm can simulate all kinds of fast changes in the actual working process more accurately and compress irrelevant information while retaining key signal features, so as to optimize the simulation performance of the model. Secondly, this algorithm is used to analyze BC in short time scale. Finally, the short time scale characteristics of power electronic converters are analyzed. Experimental results show that the fusion of wavelet decomposition and reconstruction algorithm enhances the accuracy of the power electronic converter model and improves the performance of the system. The model achieves an error reduction of nearly 3% in the calculation step size of 10-7s, which has a significant impact on the high precision requirements of high-frequency operations. In addition, the optimal calculation step size of 8×10-8s achieves an error reduction of more than 14%, making an important contribution to the transient analysis and fine structure simulation. The wavelet algorithm can improve the accuracy of multi-scale modeling in power electronic system and reduce the simulation time. The reduction of error not only shows the improvement of the accuracy of the model, but also shows its practical significance in the design and test of the actual power electronic system. The reduction in error reveals the ability to more accurately predict and mitigate potential performance problems in matching tests with actual hardware, as well as its ability to adapt to emerging wide bandgap semiconductor materials and structures.

Exploring Geometrical, Electronic and Spectroscopic Properties of 2-Nitroimidazole-Based Radiopharmaceuticals via Computational Chemistry Methods.

Tumor hypoxia plays an important role in the clinical management and treatment planning of various cancers. The use of 2-nitroimidazole-based radiopharmaceuticals has been the most successful for positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging probes, offering noninvasive means to assess tumor hypoxia. In this study we performed detailed computational investigations of the most used compounds for PET imaging, focusing on those derived from 2-nitroimidazole: fluoromisonidazole (FMISO), fluoroazomycin arabinoside (FAZA), fluoroetanidazole (FETA), fluoroerythronitroimidazole (FETNIM) and 2-(2-nitroimidazol-1-yl)-N-(2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl)acetamide (EF5). Conformational analysis, structural parameters, vibrational IR and Raman properties (within both harmonic and anharmonic approximations), as well as the NMR shielding tensors and spin-spin coupling constants were obtained by density functional theory (DFT) calculations and then correlated with experimental findings, where available. Furthermore, time-dependent DFT computations reveal insight into the excited states of the compounds. Our results predict a significant change in the conformational landscape of most of the investigated compounds when transitioning from the gas phase to aqueous solution. According to computational data, the 2-nitroimidazole moiety determines to a large extent the spectroscopic properties of its derivatives. Due to the limited structural information available in the current literature for the investigated compounds, the findings presented herein deepen the current understanding of the electronic structures of these five radiopharmaceuticals.

Approach to the "Missing" Diarylsilylene: Formation, Characterization, and Intramolecular C-H Bond Activation of Blue Diarylsilylenes with Bulky Rind Groups.

The treatment of the bulky Rind-based dibromosilanes, (Rind)2SiBr2 (2) [Rind = 1,1,7,7-tetra-R1-3,3,5,5-tetra-R2-s-hydrindacen-4-yl: EMind (a: R1 = Et, R2 = Me) and Eind (b: R1 = R2 = Et)], with two equivalents of tBuLi in Et2O at low temperatures resulted in the formation of blue solutions derived from the diarylsilylenes, (Rind)2Si: (3). Upon warming the solutions above -20 °C, the blue color gradually faded, accompanying the decomposition of 3 and yielding cyclic hydrosilanes (4) via intramolecular C-H bond insertion at the Si(II) center. The molecular structures of the bulky Eind-based 3b and 4b were confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Thus, at -20 °C, blue crystals were formed (Crystal-A), which were identified as mixed crystals of 3b and 4b. Additionally, colorless crystals of 4b as a singular component were isolated (Crystal-B), whose structure was also determined by an X-ray diffraction analysis. Although the isolation of 3 was difficult due to their thermally labile nature, their structural characteristics and electronic properties were discussed based on the experimental findings complemented by computational results. We also examined the hydrolysis of 3b to afford the silanol, (Eind)2SiH(OH) (5b).

Harnessing technology to improve sleep in frontline healthcare workers: A pilot study of electronic noise-masking earbuds on subjective and objective sleep measures.

Objective: This pilot study assessed the effects of electronic noise-masking earbuds on subjective sleep perception and objective sleep parameters among healthcare workers (HCWs) reporting sleep difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Using a pre-post design, 77 HCWs underwent 3 nights of baseline assessment followed by a 7-night intervention period. Participants wore an at-home sleep monitoring headband to assess objective sleep measures and completed subjective self-report assessments. The difference in mean sleep measures from baseline to intervention was estimated in linear mixed models. Results: Compared to baseline assessments, HCWs reported significant improvements in sleep quality as measured by the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) (Cohen's d = 1.74, p < 0.001) and a significant reduction in perceived sleep onset latency (SOL) during the intervention (M = 17.2 minutes, SD = 7.7) compared to baseline (M = 24.7 minutes, SD = 16.1), (Cohen's d = -0.42, p = 0.001). There were no significant changes in objective SOL (p = 0.703). However, there was a significant interaction between baseline objective SOL (<20 minutes vs >20 minutes) and condition (baseline vs intervention) (p = 0.002), such that individuals with objective SOL >20 minutes experienced a significant decrease in objective SOL during the intervention period compared to baseline (p = 0.015). Conclusions: HCWs experienced a significant improvement in perceived SOL and ISI scores after using the electronic noise-masking earbuds. Our data provide preliminary evidence for a nonpharmacological intervention to improve the sleep quality of HCWs which should be confirmed by future controlled studies.

Modulus-tunable multifunctional hydrogel ink with nanofillers for 3D-Printed soft electronics.

Seamless integration and conformal contact of soft electronics with tissue surfaces have emerged as major challenges in realizing accurate monitoring of biological signals. However, the mechanical mismatch between the electronics and biological tissues impedes the conformal interfacing between them. Attempts have been made to utilize soft hydrogels as the bioelectronic materials to realize tissue-comfortable bioelectronics. However, hydrogels have several limitations in terms of their electrical and mechanical properties. In this study, we present the development of a 3D-printable modulus-tunable hydrogel with multiple functionalities. The hydrogel has a cross-linked double network, which greatly improves its mechanical properties. Functional fillers such as XLG or functionalized carbon nanotubes (fCNT) can be incorporated into the hydrogel to provide tunable mechanics (Young's modulus of 10-300 kPa) and electrical conductivity (electrical conductivity of ∼20 S/m). The developed hydrogel exhibits stretchability (∼1000% strain), self-healing ability (within 5 min), toughness (400-731 kJ/m3) viscoelasticity, tissue conformability, and biocompatibility. Upon examining the rheological properties in the modulated region, hydrogels can be 3D printed to customize the shape and design of the bioelectronics. These hydrogels can be fabricated into ring-shaped strain sensors for wearable sensor applications.

A novel algorithm for maximum power point tracking using computer vision (CVMPPT).

The behavior of an illuminated solar module can be characterized by its power-voltage curve. Tracking the peak of this curve is essential to harvest the maximum power by the module. The position of the peak varies with temperature and irradiance and needs to be traced. Under partial shading conditions, the number of peaks increases and makes it more difficult to find the global maximum power point (MPP). Various methods are used for maximum power point tracking (MPPT) that are based on iterations. These methods are time-consuming and fail to work satisfactorily under rapidly changing environmental conditions. In this paper, a novel algorithm is proposed that for the first time, utilizes computer vision to find the global maximum power point. This algorithm, which is implemented in Matlab/Simulink, is free of voltage iterations and gives the real-time data for the maximum power point. The proposed algorithm increases the speed and the reliability of the MPP tracking via replacing analogue electronics calculations by digital means. The validity of the algorithm is experimentally verified.

[Research on Position Verification of Multi-Leaf Collimator (MLC) and Dose Verification Based on Electronic Portal Imaging Device].

Objective: A quality control (QC) system based on the electronic portal imaging device (EPID) system was used to realize the Multi-Leaf Collimator (MLC) position verification and dose verification functions on Primus and VenusX accelerators. Methods: The MLC positions were calculated by the maximum gradient method of gray values to evaluate the deviation. The dose of images acquired by EPID were reconstructed using the algorithm combining dose calibration and dose calculation. The dose data obtained by EPID and two-dimensional matrix (MapCheck/PTW) were compared with the dose calculated by Pinnacle/TiGRT TPS for γ passing rate analysis. Results: The position error of VenusX MLC was less than 1 mm. The position error of Primus MLC was significantly reduced after being recalibrated under the instructions of EPID. For the dose reconstructed by EPID, the average γ passing rates of Primus were 98.86% and 91.39% under the criteria of 3%/3 mm, 10% threshold and 2%/2 mm, 10% threshold, respectively. The average γ passing rates of VenusX were 98.49% and 91.11%, respectively. Conclusion: The EPID-based accelerator quality control system can improve the efficiency of accelerator quality control and reduce the workload of physicists.

Microbial communities, functional, and flavor differences among three different-colored high-temperature Daqu: A comprehensive metagenomic, physicochemical, and electronic sensory analysis.

High-temperature Daqu (HTD) is the starter for producing sauce-flavor Baijiu, with different-colored Daqu (white, yellow, and black) reflecting variations in fermentation chamber conditions, chemical reactions, and associated microbiota. Understanding the relationship between Daqu characteristics and flavor/taste is challenging yet vital for improving Baijiu fermentation. This study utilized metagenomic sequencing, physicochemical analysis, and electronic sensory evaluation to compare three different-colored HTD and their roles in fermentation. Fungi and bacteria dominated the HTD-associated microbiota, with fungi increasing as the fermentation temperature rose. The major fungal genera were Aspergillus (40.17%) and Kroppenstedtia (21.16%), with Aspergillus chevalieri (25.65%) and Kroppenstedtia eburnean (21.07%) as prevalent species. Microbial communities, functionality, and physicochemical properties, particularly taste and flavor, were color-specific in HTD. Interestingly, the microbial communities in different-colored HTDs demonstrated robust functional complementarity. White Daqu exhibited non-significantly higher α-diversity compared to the other two Daqu. It played a crucial role in breaking down substrates such as starch, proteins, hyaluronic acid, and glucan, contributing to flavor precursor synthesis. Yellow Daqu, which experienced intermediate temperature and humidity, demonstrated good esterification capacity and a milder taste profile. Black Daqu efficiently broke down raw materials, especially complex polysaccharides, but had inferior flavor and taste. Notably, large within-group variations in physicochemical quality and microbial composition were observed, highlighting limitations in color-based HTD quality assessment. Water content in HTD was associated with Daqu flavor, implicating its crucial role. This study revealed the complementary roles of the three HTD types in sauce-flavor Baijiu fermentation, providing valuable insights for product enhancement.