Smart implantable biomedical textiles with sensing functions are of increasing interest because they address the shortcoming that conventional medical devices have repair functions but lack of sensing ability. However, the evaluation of such devices before practical applications is hampered by high cost and/or animal ethics. Soft bioreactors on humanoid robots open up a new pathway for assessing their performances by closely mimicking both the body biomechanics and the physiological environment.
The integration of ionic power generation with solar-driven water evaporation presents a promising solution to the critical global problems of freshwater scarcity and clean energy deficiency. In this work, a scalable normal temperature chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method is applied for the first time to the fabrication of a cellulose@polypyrrole (CC@PPy) membrane with efficient ionic power generation performance. The excellent ionic power generation is intimately related to the water and thermal gradients across the membrane, which not only induces fast water evaporation but also synergistically promotes the transport of counterions in charged nanochannels, and the corresponding mechanism is attributed to the streaming potential resulting from the ionic electrokinetic effect and the ionic thermoelectric potential originating from the Soret effect. Under one sun illumination, the CC@PPy film can produce a sustained voltage output of ~ 0.7 V and a water evaporation rate up to 1.67 kg m−2 h−1 when an adequate water supply is available. This study provides new methods for the scalable fabrication of ionic power generation membranes and a design strategy for high-performance solar power generators.
The compelling combination of thermochromism and multifunctional wearable heaters in smart textiles has received increasing attention given the significant synergistic effect of green solar heat supply and energy storage. However, due to color incompatibility and poor knittability, developing fabrics with bistable thermochromic properties to achieve efficient solar–thermal management remains a challenging endeavor. Here, by combining bistable thermochromic, photochromic, and efficient solar–thermal properties, we constructed an asymmetric Janus (Janus A/B) fiber (BTCSJF) that can simultaneously display two colors and help with energy reserve while harvesting solar power. Benefiting greatly from donor–acceptor electron transfer, dynamic hydrogen bonding, and supercooling properties, BTCSJF displays a quick switch in color, excellent bistability, and enhanced performance in storing phase-change energy. In addition, BTCSJF can be self-heated by 35.6 °C higher than conventional fibers because it can capture and store solar energy. This research outlines a method to fabricate braided fibers with two theoretically incompatible properties that have promising implications for self-powered integrated bistable color-changing and personal thermal management applications.
An asymmetric Janus light absorbent/bistable thermochromic fiber (BTCSJF) was designed and fabricated, which can combine solar energy, phase-change energy storage, and bistable thermo- and photochromic properties. The unique Janus structure allows it to be used as a portable heater to stimulate color changes without obscuring color due to dark photothermal materials. Meanwhile, the heat energy converted by solar energy can be stored for personal thermal management.
The conjunctiva is crucial in safeguarding the eye from harm or infection, thereby ensuring the preservation of the vision. The repair of infected conjunctival damage is necessary. The objective of this study is to develop copper-doped flexible silica nanofibers (SiO2@Cu NFs) with multifunctional antibacterial and anti-inflammatory characteristics. The continuous release of copper ions from electrospun membranes is shown to be effective to promote antibacterial and bioactive functions. Nanofiber membranes also exhibit biocompatibility and promote cell growth, angiogenesis, and inflammation modulation. In vivo evaluations further reveal the therapeutic efficacy of SiO2@Cu NFs to promote the structural and the functional recoveries of the conjunctiva. Taken together, SiO2@Cu NFs may hold significant promise for the fabrication of alternative ocular bandage to suppress bacterial infection and promote repair of ocular tissues and may potential be also used for related disciplines.
Schematic diagram showing the fabrication of SiO2@Cu NFs for the regeneration of infected conjunctiva.
Engineering bead-on-string architectures with refined interfacial interactions and low ion diffusion barriers is a highly promising but challenging approach for lithium/sodium storage. Herein, a spindle-chain-structured Fe-based metal organic frameworks (MIL-88A) self-sacrificial template was constructed via the seed-mediated growth of Fe3+ and fumaric acid in an aqueous solution, which is an environmentally friendly synthesis route. The seed-mediated growth method effectively segregates the nucleation stage from the subsequent growth phase, offering precise control over the growth patterns of MIL-88A through manipulation of kinetic and thermodynamic parameters. The structural diversity, fast ion/electron diffusion, and unique interfaces of whole anodes are simultaneously enhanced through optimization of the spindle-chain structure of Fe2O3@N-doped carbon nanofibers (FO@NCNFs) at the atomic, nano, and macroscopic levels. Benefiting from their heteroatom-doping conductive networks, porous structure, and synergistic effects, FO@NCNFs exhibit a remarkable rate performance of 167 mAh g−1 at 10 A g−1 after 2000 cycles for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and long-term cycling stability with a sustained capacity of 260 mAh g−1 at 2 A g−1 after 2000 cycles for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). This versatile approach for fabricating bead-on-string architectures at both the nanoscale and macroscale is promising for the development of high-energy–density and high-power-density electrode materials.
Architecture of fibrous building blocks with ordered structure and high electroactivity that enables quick charge kinetic transport/intercalation is necessary for high-energy-density electrochemical supercapacitors. Herein, we report a heterostructured molybdenum disulfide@vertically aligned graphene fiber (MoS2@VA-GF), wherein well-defined MoS2 nanosheets are decorated on vertical graphene fibers by C–O–Mo covalent bonds. Benefiting from uniform microfluidic self-assembly and confined reactions, it is realized that the unique characteristics of a vertical-aligned skeleton, large faradic activity, in situ interfacial connectivity and high-exposed surface/porosity remarkably create efficiently directional ionic pathways, interfacial electron mobility and pseudocapacitive accessibility for accelerating charge transport and intercalation/de-intercalation. Resultant MoS2@VA-GF exhibits large gravimetric capacitance (564 F g−1) and reversible redox transitions in 1 M H2SO4 electrolyte. Furthermore, the MoS2@VA-GF-based solid-state supercapacitors deliver high energy density (45.57 Wh kg−1), good cycling stability (20,000 cycles) and deformable/temperature-tolerant capability. Beyond that, supercapacitors can realize actual applications of powering multicolored optical fiber lamps, wearable watch, electric fans and sunflower toys.