Surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy(SERS)is a nondestructive technique for rapid detection of analytes even at the single-molecule level.However,highly sensitive and reliable SERS substrates are mostly fabricated with...Surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy(SERS)is a nondestructive technique for rapid detection of analytes even at the single-molecule level.However,highly sensitive and reliable SERS substrates are mostly fabricated with complex nanofabrication techniques,greatly restricting their practical applications.A convenient electrochemical method for transforming the surface of commercial gold wires/foils into silver-alloyed nanostructures is demonstrated in this report.Au substrates are treated with repetitive anodic and cathodic bias in an electrolyte of thiourea,in a one-pot one-step manner.X-rays absorption fine structure(XAFS)spectroscopy confirms that the AuAg alloy is induced at the surface.The unique AuAg alloyed surface nanostructures are particularly advantageous when served as SERS substrates,enabling a remarkably sensitive detection of Rhodamine B(a detection limit of 10^(-14)M,and uniform strong response throughout the substrates at 10^(-12)M).展开更多
Visibility is one of the parameters for indicating air pollution. In this study, visibility variation in Hong Kong during summer and winter is investigated. Visibility in Hong Kong has clear intraseasonai variation. E...Visibility is one of the parameters for indicating air pollution. In this study, visibility variation in Hong Kong during summer and winter is investigated. Visibility in Hong Kong has clear intraseasonai variation. Examination of different environmental parameters suggests that the intraseasonal component dominates the overall circulation anomalies in both summer and winter. Associated with the intraseasonal variation of environmental parameters, obvious variation in visibility impair- ment is found in both summer and winter. In summer, local visibility and air quality are found to be significantly affected by the (MJO) and the 10-30-day intraseasonal oscillation (ISO) through modulation of associated atmospheric circulations. In winter, the modulation effects appear to be weaker due to the southward shift of the associated convection. The results in this study highlight the importance of the ISO in contributing to the overall variation in visibility in Hong Kong, and provide useful implications for the development of possible mitigation strategies associated with visibility impairment and air pollution in Hong Kong.展开更多
Solar steam generation(SSG)is widely regarded as one of the most sustainable technologies for seawater desalination.However,salt fouling severely compromises the evaporation performance and lifetime of evaporators,lim...Solar steam generation(SSG)is widely regarded as one of the most sustainable technologies for seawater desalination.However,salt fouling severely compromises the evaporation performance and lifetime of evaporators,limiting their practical applications.Herein,we propose a hierarchical salt-rejection(HSR)strategy to prevent salt precipitation during long-term evaporation while maintaining a rapid evaporation rate,even in high-salinity brine.The salt diffusion process is segmented into three steps—insulation,branching diffusion,and arterial transport—that significantly enhance the salt-resistance properties of the evaporator.Moreover,the HSR strategy overcomes the tradeoff between salt resistance and evaporation rate.Consequently,a high evaporation rate of 2.84 kg m^(-2) h^(-1),stable evaporation for 7 days cyclic tests in 20 wt%NaCl solution,and continuous operation for 170 h in natural seawater under 1 sun illumination were achieved.Compared with control evaporators,the HSR evaporator exhibited a>54%enhancement in total water evaporation mass during 24 h continuous evaporation in 20 wt%salt water.Furthermore,a water collection device equipped with the HSR evaporator realized a high water purification rate(1.1 kg m^(-2) h^(-1)),highlighting its potential for agricultural applications.展开更多
We identify that the projected uncertainty of the pan-Arctic sea-ice concentration(SIC) is strongly coupled with the Eurasian circulation in the boreal winter(December–March; DJFM), based on a singular value decompos...We identify that the projected uncertainty of the pan-Arctic sea-ice concentration(SIC) is strongly coupled with the Eurasian circulation in the boreal winter(December–March; DJFM), based on a singular value decomposition(SVD) analysis of the forced response of 11 CMIP5 models. In the models showing a stronger sea-ice decline, the Polar cell becomes weaker and there is an anomalous increase in the sea level pressure(SLP) along 60°N, including the Urals–Siberia region and the Iceland low region. There is an accompanying weakening of both the midlatitude westerly winds and the Ferrell cell,where the SVD signals are also related to anomalous sea surface temperature warming in the midlatitude North Atlantic.In the Mediterranean region, the anomalous circulation response shows a decreasing SLP and increasing precipitation. The anomalous SLP responses over the Euro-Atlantic region project on to the negative North Atlantic Oscillation–like pattern.Altogether, pan-Arctic SIC decline could strongly impact the winter Eurasian climate, but we should be cautious about the causality of their linkage.展开更多
Most of the challenges experienced by many engineering materials originate from the surface which later leads to total failure,hence affecting the resultant mechanical properties and service life.However,these challen...Most of the challenges experienced by many engineering materials originate from the surface which later leads to total failure,hence affecting the resultant mechanical properties and service life.However,these challenges have been addressed thanks to the invention of a novel surface mechanical attrition treatment(SMAT)method which protects the material surface by generating a gradient-structured layer with improved strength and hardness without jeopardizing the ductility.The present work provides a comprehensive literature review on the mechanical properties of materials after SMAT including the hardness,tensile strength and elongation,and residual stress.Firstly,a brief introduction on the different forms of surface nanocrystallization is given to get a better understanding of the SMAT process and its advantages over other forms of surface treatments,and then the grain refinement mechanisms of materials by SMAT from the matrix region(base material)to the nanocrystallized layer are explained.The effects of fatigue,fracture,and wear of materials by the enhanced mechanical properties after SMAT are also discussed in detail.In addition,the various applications of SMAT ranging from automotive,photoelectric conversion,biomedical,diffusion,and 3 D-printing of materials are extensively discussed.The prospects and recent research trends in terms of mechanical properties of materials affected by SMAT are then summarized.展开更多
Projection micro stereolithography(PμSL)has emerged as a powerful three-dimensional(3D)printing technique for manufacturing polymer structures with micron-scale high resolution at high printing speed,which enables th...Projection micro stereolithography(PμSL)has emerged as a powerful three-dimensional(3D)printing technique for manufacturing polymer structures with micron-scale high resolution at high printing speed,which enables the production of customized 3D microlattices with feature sizes down to several microns.However,the mechanical properties of as-printed polymers were not systemically studied at the relevant length scales,especially when the feature sizes step into micron/sub-micron level,limiting its reliable performance prediction in micro/nanolattice and other metamaterial applications.In this work,we demonstrate that PμSL-printed microfibers could become stronger and significantly more ductile with reduced size ranging from 20μm to 60μm,showing an obvious size-dependent mechanical behavior,in which the size decreases to 20μm with a fracture strain up to~100%and fracture strength up to~100 MPa.Such size effect enables the tailoring of the material strength and stiffness of PμSL-printed microlattices over a broad range,allowing to fabricate the microlattice metamaterials with desired/tunable mechanical properties for various structural and functional applications.展开更多
In addition to the occurrence of atmospheric blocking, the climatology of the characteristics of blocking events, including duration, intensity, and extension, in four seasons over the Northern Hemisphere was analyzed...In addition to the occurrence of atmospheric blocking, the climatology of the characteristics of blocking events, including duration, intensity, and extension, in four seasons over the Northern Hemisphere was analyzed for the period 1950-2009. The seasonality and spatial variations of these characteristics were studied according to their longitudinal distributions. In general, there were sharp discrepancies in the blocking characteristics between winter and summer, and these differences were more prominent over the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The blocking not only occurred more frequently but also underwent stronger amplification in winter; likewise, the blocking occurred less frequently and underwent weaker amplification in summer. There are very strong interrelationships among different blocking characteristics, suggesting that they are supported by similar physical factors. In addition, the relationship between blocking over different regions and East Asian circulation was examined. Ural-Siberia is a major blocking formation region in all seasons that may exert a downstream impact on East Asia. The impact is generally weak in summer, which is due to its lower intensity and smaller duration. However, the extratropical circulation over East Asia in summer can be disturbed persistently by the frequent occurrence of blocking over the Asian continent or the Western Pacific. In particular, the blocking frequency over the Western Pacific significantly increased during the study period. This climatological information provides a background for studying the impact of blocking on East Asian circulation under both present and future climate conditions.展开更多
This paper reviews the recent progress and research on the variability of tropical cyclones(TCs) at different time scales. Specific focus is placed on how different types of external forcings or climatic oscillations ...This paper reviews the recent progress and research on the variability of tropical cyclones(TCs) at different time scales. Specific focus is placed on how different types of external forcings or climatic oscillations contribute to TC variability in the western North Pacific(WNP). At the intraseasonal scale, recent advances on the distinctive impacts of the Madden–Julian Oscillation(MJO), the Quasi-biweekly Oscillation, and the asymmetric MJO modulation under different El Ni?o–Southern Oscillation(ENSO) states, as well as the influences of the Pacific–Japan teleconnection, are highlighted. Interannually, recent progress on the influences of the ENSO cycle, different flavors of ENSO, and impacts of Indian Ocean warming is presented. In addition, the uncertainty concerning interdecadal TC variations is discussed, along with the recently proposed modulation mechanisms related to the zonal sea surface temperature gradient, the North Pacific Gyre Oscillation, and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation(PDO). It is hoped that this study can deepen our understanding and provide information that the scientific community can use to improve the seasonal forecasting of TCs in the WNP.展开更多
Over the past 30 years,additive manufacturing(AM)has developed rapidly and has demonstrated great potential in biomedical applications.AM is a materials-oriented manufacturing technology,since the solidification mecha...Over the past 30 years,additive manufacturing(AM)has developed rapidly and has demonstrated great potential in biomedical applications.AM is a materials-oriented manufacturing technology,since the solidification mechanism,architecture resolution,post-treatment process,and functional application are based on the materials to be printed.However,3D printable materials are still quite limited for the fabrication of bioimplants.In this work.2D/3D AM materials for bioimplants are reviewed.Furthermore,inspired by Tai Chi,a simple yet novel soft/rigid hybrid 4D AM concept is advanced to develop complex and dynamic biological structures in the human body based on 4D printing hybrid ceramic precursor/ceramic materials that were previously developed by our group.With the development of multi-material printing technology,the development of bioimplants and soft/rigid hybrid biological structures with 2D/3D/4D AM materials can be anticipated.展开更多
Variable stiffness composite laminates(VSCLs)are promising in aerospace engineering due to their designable material properties through changing fiber angles and stacking sequences.Aiming to control the thermal postbu...Variable stiffness composite laminates(VSCLs)are promising in aerospace engineering due to their designable material properties through changing fiber angles and stacking sequences.Aiming to control the thermal postbuckling and nonlinear panel flutter motions of VSCLs,a full-order numerical model is developed based on the linear quadratic regulator(LQR)algorithm in control theory,the classical laminate plate theory(CLPT)considering von Kármán geometrical nonlinearity,and the first-order Piston theory.The critical buckling temperature and the critical aerodynamic pressure of VSCLs are parametrically investigated.The location and shape of piezoelectric actuators for optimal control of the dynamic responses of VSCLs are determined through comparing the norms of feedback control gain(NFCG).Numerical simulations show that the temperature field has a great effect on aeroelastic tailoring of VSCLs;the curvilinear fiber path of VSCLs can significantly affect the optimal location and shape of piezoelectric actuator for flutter suppression;the unstable panel flutter and the thermal postbuckling deflection can be suppressed effectively through optimal design of piezoelectric patches.展开更多
Deployable/retractable damped cantilever beams are a class of time-varying parametric structures which have attracted considerable research interest due to their many potential applications in the intelligent robot fi...Deployable/retractable damped cantilever beams are a class of time-varying parametric structures which have attracted considerable research interest due to their many potential applications in the intelligent robot field and aerospace.In the present work,the dynamic characteristics of a deployable/retractable damped cantilever beam are investigated experimentally and theoretically.The time-varying damping,as a function of the beam length,is obtained by both the enveloped fitting method and the period decrement method.Furthermore,the governing equation of the deployable/retractable damped cantilever beam is derived by introducing the time-varying damping parameter,and the corresponding closed-form solution and vibration principles are investigated based on the averaged method.The theoretical predictions for transient dynamic responses are in good agreement with the experimental results.The dynamic mechanism analysis on time-varying damping offers flexible technology in mechanical and aerospace fields.展开更多
Great attention has been paid to cofacial porphyrins due to their many unique advantages over their monomeric analogs.However,their synthesis is usually complicated.In this work,a facile impregnation method for prepar...Great attention has been paid to cofacial porphyrins due to their many unique advantages over their monomeric analogs.However,their synthesis is usually complicated.In this work,a facile impregnation method for preparing heterogenized,cofacially stacked porphyrins is proposed.An anionic porphyrin is introduced as an underlayer for immobilization of cationic cobalt porphyrin via electrostatic force.The metal center of the underlying molecule contributes to the electronic structure of the upper cationic cobalt porphyrin.Screening reveals the anionic iron porphyrin to be the most efficient underlayer molecule,lowering the activation energy barrier of CO_(2) electroreduction,with an improved turnover frequency by 74%to8.0 s~(-1)at-0.6 V versus RHE.展开更多
Dual-phase metallic glasses(DP-MGs),a special member of the MGs family,often reveal unusual strength and ductility,yet,their corrosion behaviors are not understood.Here,we developed a nanostructured Mg_(57)Zn_(36)Ca_(...Dual-phase metallic glasses(DP-MGs),a special member of the MGs family,often reveal unusual strength and ductility,yet,their corrosion behaviors are not understood.Here,we developed a nanostructured Mg_(57)Zn_(36)Ca_(7)(at.%)DP-MG and uncovered its corrosion mechanism in simulated body fluid(SBF)at the near-atomic scale utilizing transmission electron microscope(TEM)and atom probe tomography(APT).The 10-nm-wide Ca-rich amorphous phases allow oxygen propagation into the DP-MG,resulting in a micrometer thick hydroxides/oxides layer.This dense corrosion layer protects the DP-MG from further corrosion,enabling a corrosion rate that is 77%lower than that of Mg(99.99%purity).展开更多
Membrane curvature is no longer thought of as a passive property of the membrane; rather, it is considered as an ac- tive, regulated state that serves various purposes in the cell such as between cells and organelle d...Membrane curvature is no longer thought of as a passive property of the membrane; rather, it is considered as an ac- tive, regulated state that serves various purposes in the cell such as between cells and organelle definition. While transport is usually mediated by tiny membrane bubbles known as vesicles or membrane tubules, such communication requires complex interplay between the lipid bilayers and cytosolic proteins such as members of the Bin/Amphiphysin/Rvs (BAR) superfam- ily of proteins. With rapid developments in novel experimental techniques, membrane remodeling has become a rapidly emerging new field in recent years. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are important tools for obtaining atomistic information regarding the structural and dynamic aspects of biological systems and for understanding the physics-related aspects. The availability of more sophisticated experimental data poses challenges to the theoretical community for devel- oping novel theoretical and computational techniques that can be used to better interpret the experimental results to obtain further functional insights. In this review, we summarize the general mechanisms underlying membrane remodeling con- trolled or mediated by proteins. While studies combining experiments and molecular dynamics simulations recall existing mechanistic models, concurrently, they extend the role of different BAR domain proteins during membrane remodeling pro- cesses. We review these recent findings, focusing on how multiscale molecular dynamics simulations aid in understanding the physical basis of BAR domain proteins, as a representative of membrane-remodeling proteins.展开更多
Hydrogen peroxide(H2O2)plays a significant role in regulating a variety of biological processes.Dysregulation of H2O2 can lead to various diseases.Although numerous fluorescent imaging probes for H2O2 have been report...Hydrogen peroxide(H2O2)plays a significant role in regulating a variety of biological processes.Dysregulation of H2O2 can lead to various diseases.Although numerous fluorescent imaging probes for H2O2 have been reported,the development of H2O2 ratiometric fluorescent probe with large Stokes shift remains rather limited.Such probes have shown distinct advantages,such as minimized interference from environment and improved signal-to noise ratio.In this work,we reported a new pyrene-based compound Py-VPB as H2O2 fluorescent probe in vitro.The probe demonstrated ratiometric detection behavior,large Stokes shift and large emission shift.In addition,the probe showed high sensitivity and selectivity towards H2O2 in vitro.Based on these excellent properties,we successfully applied Py-VPB to the visualization of exogenous and endogenous H2O2 in living cells.Cell imaging study also showed that our probe was localized in the mitochondria.We envision that the probe can provide a useful tool for unmasking the biological roles of mitochondrial H2O2 in living systems.展开更多
Centropages tenuiremis is a species with a wide distribution range in disturbed coastal waters.However,due to a lack of dietary information,it remains unclear as to how they maintain such dominance in fluctuating cond...Centropages tenuiremis is a species with a wide distribution range in disturbed coastal waters.However,due to a lack of dietary information,it remains unclear as to how they maintain such dominance in fluctuating conditions.In this study,C.tenuiremis was collected from the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant both in inlet and outfall regions at 06:00,12:00 and 18:00 on April 27,2011 and their in situ diet was analyzed using a PCR protocol targeting 18S ribosomal genes.Thirty-four species of prey organisms were identified totally,including Dinophyta,Baciliariophyta,Viridiplantae,Rhizaria,Apicomplexa,Chordata,Mollusca,Arthropoda and Fungi,indicating an obvious omnivorous feeding habit of C.tenuiremis.Centropages tenuiremis obviously exhibited spatial and temporal variations in diet composition.More plant prey(land plants and phytoplankton)were consumed in the morning(~50%),while more animal prey(metazoans and protozoans)were ingested at midday and night(60%–70%).Furthermore,a more diverse diet was detected in the outfall region(10–11 taxa),where the temperatures were relatively higher and more fluctuating,than in the control region(5–10 taxa).This finding indicated that C.tenuiremis could potentially expand its food spectrum under stressful condition.Specifically,C.tenuiremis exhibited phytoplankton preference(58.62%–67.64%)in the outfall region with a lower omnivory index(0.27–0.35)than in the control region(0.51–0.95).However,phytoplankton density was lower than that in the control region,suggesting a possible herbivorous tendency of C.tenuiremis under elevated temperatures to balance the energy acquirement and feeding effort.The flexible food choices of C.tenuiremis observed here could effectively buffer environmental fluctuations and might be an important survival strategy in coastal ecosystems.展开更多
Electronic skins can monitor minute physiological signal variations in the human skins and represent the body’s state,showing an emerging trend for alternative medical diagnostics and human-machine interfaces.In this...Electronic skins can monitor minute physiological signal variations in the human skins and represent the body’s state,showing an emerging trend for alternative medical diagnostics and human-machine interfaces.In this study,we designed a bioinspired directional moisture-wicking electronic skin(DMWES)based on the construction of heterogeneous fibrous membranes and the conductive MXene/CNTs electrospraying layer.Unidirectional moisture transfer was successfully realized by surface energy gradient and push-pull effect via the design of distinct hydrophobic-hydrophilic difference,which can spontaneously absorb sweat from the skin.The DMWES membrane showed excellent comprehensive pressure sensing performance,high sensitivity(maximum sensitivity of 548.09 kPa^(−1)),wide linear range,rapid response and recovery time.In addition,the single-electrode triboelectric nanogenerator based on the DMWES can deliver a high areal power density of 21.6μW m^(−2) and good cycling stability in high pressure energy harvesting.Moreover,the superior pressure sensing and triboelectric performance enabled the DMWES for all-range healthcare sensing,including accurate pulse monitoring,voice recognition,and gait recognition.This work will help to boost the development of the next-generation breathable electronic skins in the applications of AI,human-machine interaction,and soft robots.展开更多
Piezoelectricity in native bones has been well recognized as the key factor in bone regeneration.Thus,bio-piezoelectric materials have gained substantial attention in repairing damaged bone by mimicking the tissue’s ...Piezoelectricity in native bones has been well recognized as the key factor in bone regeneration.Thus,bio-piezoelectric materials have gained substantial attention in repairing damaged bone by mimicking the tissue’s electrical microenvironment(EM).However,traditional manufacturing strategies still encounter limitations in creating personalized bio-piezoelectric scaffolds,hindering their clinical applications.Three-dimensional(3D)/four-dimensional(4D)printing technology based on the principle of layer-by-layer forming and stacking of discrete materials has demonstrated outstanding advantages in fabricating bio-piezoelectric scaffolds in a more complex-shaped structure.Notably,4D printing functionality-shifting bio-piezoelectric scaffolds can provide a time-dependent programmable tissue EM in response to external stimuli for bone regeneration.In this review,we first summarize the physicochemical properties of commonly used bio-piezoelectric materials(including polymers,ceramics,and their composites)and representative biological findings for bone regeneration.Then,we discuss the latest research advances in the 3D printing of bio-piezoelectric scaffolds in terms of feedstock selection,printing process,induction strategies,and potential applications.Besides,some related challenges such as feedstock scalability,printing resolution,stress-to-polarization conversion efficiency,and non-invasive induction ability after implantation have been put forward.Finally,we highlight the potential of shape/property/functionality-shifting smart 4D bio-piezoelectric scaffolds in bone tissue engineering(BTE).Taken together,this review emphasizes the appealing utility of 3D/4D printed biological piezoelectric scaffolds as next-generation BTE implants.展开更多
Fe-based metallic glasses are promising functional materials for advanced magnetism and sensor fields.Tailoring magnetic performance in amorphous materials requires a thorough knowledge of the correlation between stru...Fe-based metallic glasses are promising functional materials for advanced magnetism and sensor fields.Tailoring magnetic performance in amorphous materials requires a thorough knowledge of the correlation between structural disorder and magnetic order,which remains ambiguous.Two practical difficulties remain:the first is directly observing subtle magnetic structural changes on multiple scales,and the second is precisely regulating the various amorphous states.Here we propose a novel approach to tailor the amorphous structure through the liquid-liquid phase transition.In-situ synchrotron diffraction has unraveled a medium-range ordering process dominated by edge-sharing cluster connectivity during the liquid-liquid phase transition.Moreover,nanodomains with topological order have been found to exist in composition with liquid-liquid phase transition,manifesting as hexagonal patterns in small-angle neutron scattering profiles.The liquid-liquid phase transition can induce the nanodomains to be more locally ordered,generating stronger exchange interactions due to the reduced Fe–Fe bond length and the enhanced structural order,leading to the increment of saturation magnetization.Furthermore,the increased local heterogeneity at the medium-range scale enhances the magnetic anisotropy,promoting the permeability response under applied stress and leading to a better stress-impedance effect.These experimental results pave the way to tailor the magnetic structure and performance through the liquid-liquid phase transition.展开更多
Spider-capture-silk(SCS)can directionally capture and transport water from humid air relying on the unique geometrical structure.Although there have been adequate reports on the fabrication of artificial SCSs from pet...Spider-capture-silk(SCS)can directionally capture and transport water from humid air relying on the unique geometrical structure.Although there have been adequate reports on the fabrication of artificial SCSs from petroleum-based materials,it remains a big challenge to innovate bio-based SCS mimicking fibers with high-performance fog collection ability and efficiency simultaneously.Herein,we report an eco-friendly and economical fiber system for water collection by coating gelatin on degummed silk.Compared to the previously reported fibers with the best fog collection ability(~13.10μL),Gelatin on silk fiber 10(GSF10)can collect larger water droplet(~16.70μL in 330 s)with~98%less mass.Meanwhile,the water collection efficiency of GSF10 demonstrates~72%and~48%enhancement to the existing best water collection polymer coated SCS fibers and spidroin eMaSp2 coated degummed silk respectively in terms of volume-to-TCL(vapor-liquid-solid three-phase contact line)index.The simultaneous function of superhydro-philicity,surface energy gradient,and~65%water-induced volume swelling of the gelatin knots are the key factors in advancing the water collection performance.Abundant availability of feedstocks and~75%improved space utiliza-tion guarantee the scalability and practical application of such bio-based fiber.展开更多
基金supported by Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone Shenzhen Park (Project HZQBKCZYB-2020030)National Key R&D Program of China (Project 2017YFA0204403)+2 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Project 51590892)the Major Program of Changsha Science and Technology (Project kh2003023)the Innovation and Technology Commission of HKSAR through Hong Kong Branch of National Precious Metals Material Engineering Research Centre,and the City University of Hong Kong (Project 9667207)。
文摘Surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy(SERS)is a nondestructive technique for rapid detection of analytes even at the single-molecule level.However,highly sensitive and reliable SERS substrates are mostly fabricated with complex nanofabrication techniques,greatly restricting their practical applications.A convenient electrochemical method for transforming the surface of commercial gold wires/foils into silver-alloyed nanostructures is demonstrated in this report.Au substrates are treated with repetitive anodic and cathodic bias in an electrolyte of thiourea,in a one-pot one-step manner.X-rays absorption fine structure(XAFS)spectroscopy confirms that the AuAg alloy is induced at the surface.The unique AuAg alloyed surface nanostructures are particularly advantageous when served as SERS substrates,enabling a remarkably sensitive detection of Rhodamine B(a detection limit of 10^(-14)M,and uniform strong response throughout the substrates at 10^(-12)M).
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.41375096)the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region,China(Grant No.11305715 and 11335316)
文摘Visibility is one of the parameters for indicating air pollution. In this study, visibility variation in Hong Kong during summer and winter is investigated. Visibility in Hong Kong has clear intraseasonai variation. Examination of different environmental parameters suggests that the intraseasonal component dominates the overall circulation anomalies in both summer and winter. Associated with the intraseasonal variation of environmental parameters, obvious variation in visibility impair- ment is found in both summer and winter. In summer, local visibility and air quality are found to be significantly affected by the (MJO) and the 10-30-day intraseasonal oscillation (ISO) through modulation of associated atmospheric circulations. In winter, the modulation effects appear to be weaker due to the southward shift of the associated convection. The results in this study highlight the importance of the ISO in contributing to the overall variation in visibility in Hong Kong, and provide useful implications for the development of possible mitigation strategies associated with visibility impairment and air pollution in Hong Kong.
基金support provided by the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone Shenzhen Park Project(HZQB-KCZYB-2020030)the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong(Project No:AoE/M-402/20.)+1 种基金the Open Project of Yunnan Precious Metals Laboratory Co.,Ltd(YPML-2023050248)the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Commission via the Hong Kong Branch of National Precious Metals Material Engineering Research Center.
文摘Solar steam generation(SSG)is widely regarded as one of the most sustainable technologies for seawater desalination.However,salt fouling severely compromises the evaporation performance and lifetime of evaporators,limiting their practical applications.Herein,we propose a hierarchical salt-rejection(HSR)strategy to prevent salt precipitation during long-term evaporation while maintaining a rapid evaporation rate,even in high-salinity brine.The salt diffusion process is segmented into three steps—insulation,branching diffusion,and arterial transport—that significantly enhance the salt-resistance properties of the evaporator.Moreover,the HSR strategy overcomes the tradeoff between salt resistance and evaporation rate.Consequently,a high evaporation rate of 2.84 kg m^(-2) h^(-1),stable evaporation for 7 days cyclic tests in 20 wt%NaCl solution,and continuous operation for 170 h in natural seawater under 1 sun illumination were achieved.Compared with control evaporators,the HSR evaporator exhibited a>54%enhancement in total water evaporation mass during 24 h continuous evaporation in 20 wt%salt water.Furthermore,a water collection device equipped with the HSR evaporator realized a high water purification rate(1.1 kg m^(-2) h^(-1)),highlighting its potential for agricultural applications.
基金The work of HC,NK and NO was supported by grants from the European Research Council(ERC)project(Grant No.648982)Nord Forsk under the GREENICE(Grant No.61841)+3 种基金ARCPATH(Grant No.76654)projectsthe work of WZ was supported by grants from the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region,China(CityU 11335316 and 11305715)benefit from high performance computing grants(NOTUR2,project no.NN 9390KNORSTORE,NS9064K)
文摘We identify that the projected uncertainty of the pan-Arctic sea-ice concentration(SIC) is strongly coupled with the Eurasian circulation in the boreal winter(December–March; DJFM), based on a singular value decomposition(SVD) analysis of the forced response of 11 CMIP5 models. In the models showing a stronger sea-ice decline, the Polar cell becomes weaker and there is an anomalous increase in the sea level pressure(SLP) along 60°N, including the Urals–Siberia region and the Iceland low region. There is an accompanying weakening of both the midlatitude westerly winds and the Ferrell cell,where the SVD signals are also related to anomalous sea surface temperature warming in the midlatitude North Atlantic.In the Mediterranean region, the anomalous circulation response shows a decreasing SLP and increasing precipitation. The anomalous SLP responses over the Euro-Atlantic region project on to the negative North Atlantic Oscillation–like pattern.Altogether, pan-Arctic SIC decline could strongly impact the winter Eurasian climate, but we should be cautious about the causality of their linkage.
基金supports of the National Key R&D Program of China(Project No.2017YFA0204403)Hong Kong Themebased Research Scheme Ref.(T13-402/17-N).
文摘Most of the challenges experienced by many engineering materials originate from the surface which later leads to total failure,hence affecting the resultant mechanical properties and service life.However,these challenges have been addressed thanks to the invention of a novel surface mechanical attrition treatment(SMAT)method which protects the material surface by generating a gradient-structured layer with improved strength and hardness without jeopardizing the ductility.The present work provides a comprehensive literature review on the mechanical properties of materials after SMAT including the hardness,tensile strength and elongation,and residual stress.Firstly,a brief introduction on the different forms of surface nanocrystallization is given to get a better understanding of the SMAT process and its advantages over other forms of surface treatments,and then the grain refinement mechanisms of materials by SMAT from the matrix region(base material)to the nanocrystallized layer are explained.The effects of fatigue,fracture,and wear of materials by the enhanced mechanical properties after SMAT are also discussed in detail.In addition,the various applications of SMAT ranging from automotive,photoelectric conversion,biomedical,diffusion,and 3 D-printing of materials are extensively discussed.The prospects and recent research trends in terms of mechanical properties of materials affected by SMAT are then summarized.
基金the financial support from Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Committee under the Grant Nos. JCYJ20170818103206501, Type C 202011033000145Changsha Municipal Science and Technology Bureau Project kh2201035supported by the City University of Hong Kong under the Grant No. 9667226
文摘Projection micro stereolithography(PμSL)has emerged as a powerful three-dimensional(3D)printing technique for manufacturing polymer structures with micron-scale high resolution at high printing speed,which enables the production of customized 3D microlattices with feature sizes down to several microns.However,the mechanical properties of as-printed polymers were not systemically studied at the relevant length scales,especially when the feature sizes step into micron/sub-micron level,limiting its reliable performance prediction in micro/nanolattice and other metamaterial applications.In this work,we demonstrate that PμSL-printed microfibers could become stronger and significantly more ductile with reduced size ranging from 20μm to 60μm,showing an obvious size-dependent mechanical behavior,in which the size decreases to 20μm with a fracture strain up to~100%and fracture strength up to~100 MPa.Such size effect enables the tailoring of the material strength and stiffness of PμSL-printed microlattices over a broad range,allowing to fabricate the microlattice metamaterials with desired/tunable mechanical properties for various structural and functional applications.
基金supported by a grant from the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Grant No. 104410)a grant from Germany/Hong Kong Joint Research Scheme (Grant No.G HK023/09)The figures were prepared by the NCAR Command Language (Version 6.0.0) [Software] (2012),Boulder,Colorado:UCAR/NCAR/CLSL/VETS
文摘In addition to the occurrence of atmospheric blocking, the climatology of the characteristics of blocking events, including duration, intensity, and extension, in four seasons over the Northern Hemisphere was analyzed for the period 1950-2009. The seasonality and spatial variations of these characteristics were studied according to their longitudinal distributions. In general, there were sharp discrepancies in the blocking characteristics between winter and summer, and these differences were more prominent over the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The blocking not only occurred more frequently but also underwent stronger amplification in winter; likewise, the blocking occurred less frequently and underwent weaker amplification in summer. There are very strong interrelationships among different blocking characteristics, suggesting that they are supported by similar physical factors. In addition, the relationship between blocking over different regions and East Asian circulation was examined. Ural-Siberia is a major blocking formation region in all seasons that may exert a downstream impact on East Asia. The impact is generally weak in summer, which is due to its lower intensity and smaller duration. However, the extratropical circulation over East Asia in summer can be disturbed persistently by the frequent occurrence of blocking over the Asian continent or the Western Pacific. In particular, the blocking frequency over the Western Pacific significantly increased during the study period. This climatological information provides a background for studying the impact of blocking on East Asian circulation under both present and future climate conditions.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China[grant number 41675062]the Hong Kong Research Grant Council(RGC)General Research Fund[grant number RGC GRF 11306417]
文摘This paper reviews the recent progress and research on the variability of tropical cyclones(TCs) at different time scales. Specific focus is placed on how different types of external forcings or climatic oscillations contribute to TC variability in the western North Pacific(WNP). At the intraseasonal scale, recent advances on the distinctive impacts of the Madden–Julian Oscillation(MJO), the Quasi-biweekly Oscillation, and the asymmetric MJO modulation under different El Ni?o–Southern Oscillation(ENSO) states, as well as the influences of the Pacific–Japan teleconnection, are highlighted. Interannually, recent progress on the influences of the ENSO cycle, different flavors of ENSO, and impacts of Indian Ocean warming is presented. In addition, the uncertainty concerning interdecadal TC variations is discussed, along with the recently proposed modulation mechanisms related to the zonal sea surface temperature gradient, the North Pacific Gyre Oscillation, and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation(PDO). It is hoped that this study can deepen our understanding and provide information that the scientific community can use to improve the seasonal forecasting of TCs in the WNP.
基金This work was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(2017YFA0204403)the Major Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(51590892)+3 种基金the General Research Fund Research Grants Council(Hong Kong)(CityU 11209918)the Hong Kong Collaborative Research Fund Scheme(C4026-17W)the Hong Kong Theme-based Research Scheme(T13-402/17-N)the Shenzhen-Hong Kong cooperation zone for technology and innovation(HZQB-KCZYB-2020030).
文摘Over the past 30 years,additive manufacturing(AM)has developed rapidly and has demonstrated great potential in biomedical applications.AM is a materials-oriented manufacturing technology,since the solidification mechanism,architecture resolution,post-treatment process,and functional application are based on the materials to be printed.However,3D printable materials are still quite limited for the fabrication of bioimplants.In this work.2D/3D AM materials for bioimplants are reviewed.Furthermore,inspired by Tai Chi,a simple yet novel soft/rigid hybrid 4D AM concept is advanced to develop complex and dynamic biological structures in the human body based on 4D printing hybrid ceramic precursor/ceramic materials that were previously developed by our group.With the development of multi-material printing technology,the development of bioimplants and soft/rigid hybrid biological structures with 2D/3D/4D AM materials can be anticipated.
基金Project(JCYJ20190808175801656)supported by the Science and Technology Innovation Commission of Shenzhen,ChinaProject(2021M691427)supported by Postdoctoral Science Foundation of ChinaProject(9680086)supported by the City University of Hong Kong,China。
文摘Variable stiffness composite laminates(VSCLs)are promising in aerospace engineering due to their designable material properties through changing fiber angles and stacking sequences.Aiming to control the thermal postbuckling and nonlinear panel flutter motions of VSCLs,a full-order numerical model is developed based on the linear quadratic regulator(LQR)algorithm in control theory,the classical laminate plate theory(CLPT)considering von Kármán geometrical nonlinearity,and the first-order Piston theory.The critical buckling temperature and the critical aerodynamic pressure of VSCLs are parametrically investigated.The location and shape of piezoelectric actuators for optimal control of the dynamic responses of VSCLs are determined through comparing the norms of feedback control gain(NFCG).Numerical simulations show that the temperature field has a great effect on aeroelastic tailoring of VSCLs;the curvilinear fiber path of VSCLs can significantly affect the optimal location and shape of piezoelectric actuator for flutter suppression;the unstable panel flutter and the thermal postbuckling deflection can be suppressed effectively through optimal design of piezoelectric patches.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.11672007 and 11832002)the Graduate Technological Innovation Project of Beijing Institute of Technology(No.2017CX10037)。
文摘Deployable/retractable damped cantilever beams are a class of time-varying parametric structures which have attracted considerable research interest due to their many potential applications in the intelligent robot field and aerospace.In the present work,the dynamic characteristics of a deployable/retractable damped cantilever beam are investigated experimentally and theoretically.The time-varying damping,as a function of the beam length,is obtained by both the enveloped fitting method and the period decrement method.Furthermore,the governing equation of the deployable/retractable damped cantilever beam is derived by introducing the time-varying damping parameter,and the corresponding closed-form solution and vibration principles are investigated based on the averaged method.The theoretical predictions for transient dynamic responses are in good agreement with the experimental results.The dynamic mechanism analysis on time-varying damping offers flexible technology in mechanical and aerospace fields.
基金sponsored by the Program for Professor of Special Appointment(Eastern Scholar)at Shanghai Institutions of Higher Learning and Shanghai Sailing Program(No.19YF1410600)the Young Scientists Fund of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.21905240)the State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution(SKLMP)Seed Collaborative Research Fund。
文摘Great attention has been paid to cofacial porphyrins due to their many unique advantages over their monomeric analogs.However,their synthesis is usually complicated.In this work,a facile impregnation method for preparing heterogenized,cofacially stacked porphyrins is proposed.An anionic porphyrin is introduced as an underlayer for immobilization of cationic cobalt porphyrin via electrostatic force.The metal center of the underlying molecule contributes to the electronic structure of the upper cationic cobalt porphyrin.Screening reveals the anionic iron porphyrin to be the most efficient underlayer molecule,lowering the activation energy barrier of CO_(2) electroreduction,with an improved turnover frequency by 74%to8.0 s~(-1)at-0.6 V versus RHE.
基金partially supported by Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone Shenzhen Park Project:HZQB-KCZYB-2020030Hong Kong Research Grants Council Collaborative Research Fund(Ref.C4026-17 W)+2 种基金Theme-based Research Scheme(Ref.T13402/17-N)funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No 958457supported by the City U grant 9360161 and CRF grant C1027-14E。
文摘Dual-phase metallic glasses(DP-MGs),a special member of the MGs family,often reveal unusual strength and ductility,yet,their corrosion behaviors are not understood.Here,we developed a nanostructured Mg_(57)Zn_(36)Ca_(7)(at.%)DP-MG and uncovered its corrosion mechanism in simulated body fluid(SBF)at the near-atomic scale utilizing transmission electron microscope(TEM)and atom probe tomography(APT).The 10-nm-wide Ca-rich amorphous phases allow oxygen propagation into the DP-MG,resulting in a micrometer thick hydroxides/oxides layer.This dense corrosion layer protects the DP-MG from further corrosion,enabling a corrosion rate that is 77%lower than that of Mg(99.99%purity).
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.21403182)the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong,China(Grant No.City U 21300014)
文摘Membrane curvature is no longer thought of as a passive property of the membrane; rather, it is considered as an ac- tive, regulated state that serves various purposes in the cell such as between cells and organelle definition. While transport is usually mediated by tiny membrane bubbles known as vesicles or membrane tubules, such communication requires complex interplay between the lipid bilayers and cytosolic proteins such as members of the Bin/Amphiphysin/Rvs (BAR) superfam- ily of proteins. With rapid developments in novel experimental techniques, membrane remodeling has become a rapidly emerging new field in recent years. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are important tools for obtaining atomistic information regarding the structural and dynamic aspects of biological systems and for understanding the physics-related aspects. The availability of more sophisticated experimental data poses challenges to the theoretical community for devel- oping novel theoretical and computational techniques that can be used to better interpret the experimental results to obtain further functional insights. In this review, we summarize the general mechanisms underlying membrane remodeling con- trolled or mediated by proteins. While studies combining experiments and molecular dynamics simulations recall existing mechanistic models, concurrently, they extend the role of different BAR domain proteins during membrane remodeling pro- cesses. We review these recent findings, focusing on how multiscale molecular dynamics simulations aid in understanding the physical basis of BAR domain proteins, as a representative of membrane-remodeling proteins.
基金This work was supported by the Science Technology and Innovation Committee of Shenzhen Municipality(JCYJ20180507181654823)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(21778044)and Sichuan Science and Technology Program(2018JY0360).
文摘Hydrogen peroxide(H2O2)plays a significant role in regulating a variety of biological processes.Dysregulation of H2O2 can lead to various diseases.Although numerous fluorescent imaging probes for H2O2 have been reported,the development of H2O2 ratiometric fluorescent probe with large Stokes shift remains rather limited.Such probes have shown distinct advantages,such as minimized interference from environment and improved signal-to noise ratio.In this work,we reported a new pyrene-based compound Py-VPB as H2O2 fluorescent probe in vitro.The probe demonstrated ratiometric detection behavior,large Stokes shift and large emission shift.In addition,the probe showed high sensitivity and selectivity towards H2O2 in vitro.Based on these excellent properties,we successfully applied Py-VPB to the visualization of exogenous and endogenous H2O2 in living cells.Cell imaging study also showed that our probe was localized in the mitochondria.We envision that the probe can provide a useful tool for unmasking the biological roles of mitochondrial H2O2 in living systems.
基金The Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences under contract No.XDA13020100the National Key Research and Development Project of China under contract No.2016YFC0502800the Science and Technology Planning Projects of Guangdong Province,China under contract Nos 2015A020216013 and 2017B030314052
文摘Centropages tenuiremis is a species with a wide distribution range in disturbed coastal waters.However,due to a lack of dietary information,it remains unclear as to how they maintain such dominance in fluctuating conditions.In this study,C.tenuiremis was collected from the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant both in inlet and outfall regions at 06:00,12:00 and 18:00 on April 27,2011 and their in situ diet was analyzed using a PCR protocol targeting 18S ribosomal genes.Thirty-four species of prey organisms were identified totally,including Dinophyta,Baciliariophyta,Viridiplantae,Rhizaria,Apicomplexa,Chordata,Mollusca,Arthropoda and Fungi,indicating an obvious omnivorous feeding habit of C.tenuiremis.Centropages tenuiremis obviously exhibited spatial and temporal variations in diet composition.More plant prey(land plants and phytoplankton)were consumed in the morning(~50%),while more animal prey(metazoans and protozoans)were ingested at midday and night(60%–70%).Furthermore,a more diverse diet was detected in the outfall region(10–11 taxa),where the temperatures were relatively higher and more fluctuating,than in the control region(5–10 taxa).This finding indicated that C.tenuiremis could potentially expand its food spectrum under stressful condition.Specifically,C.tenuiremis exhibited phytoplankton preference(58.62%–67.64%)in the outfall region with a lower omnivory index(0.27–0.35)than in the control region(0.51–0.95).However,phytoplankton density was lower than that in the control region,suggesting a possible herbivorous tendency of C.tenuiremis under elevated temperatures to balance the energy acquirement and feeding effort.The flexible food choices of C.tenuiremis observed here could effectively buffer environmental fluctuations and might be an important survival strategy in coastal ecosystems.
基金support from the Contract Research(“Development of Breathable Fabrics with Nano-Electrospun Membrane,”CityU ref.:9231419)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(“Study of Multi-Responsive Shape Memory Polyurethane Nanocomposites Inspired by Natural Fibers,”Grant No.51673162)+1 种基金Startup Grant of CityU(“Laboratory of Wearable Materials for Healthcare,”Grant No.9380116)National Natural Science Foundation of China,Grant No.52073241.
文摘Electronic skins can monitor minute physiological signal variations in the human skins and represent the body’s state,showing an emerging trend for alternative medical diagnostics and human-machine interfaces.In this study,we designed a bioinspired directional moisture-wicking electronic skin(DMWES)based on the construction of heterogeneous fibrous membranes and the conductive MXene/CNTs electrospraying layer.Unidirectional moisture transfer was successfully realized by surface energy gradient and push-pull effect via the design of distinct hydrophobic-hydrophilic difference,which can spontaneously absorb sweat from the skin.The DMWES membrane showed excellent comprehensive pressure sensing performance,high sensitivity(maximum sensitivity of 548.09 kPa^(−1)),wide linear range,rapid response and recovery time.In addition,the single-electrode triboelectric nanogenerator based on the DMWES can deliver a high areal power density of 21.6μW m^(−2) and good cycling stability in high pressure energy harvesting.Moreover,the superior pressure sensing and triboelectric performance enabled the DMWES for all-range healthcare sensing,including accurate pulse monitoring,voice recognition,and gait recognition.This work will help to boost the development of the next-generation breathable electronic skins in the applications of AI,human-machine interaction,and soft robots.
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52205363)Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(2019kfyRCPY044 and 2021GCRC002)+3 种基金Program for HUST Academic Frontier Youth Team(2018QYTD04)Program for Innovative Research Team of the Ministry of Education(IRT1244)Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone Shenzhen Park Project:HZQB-KCZYB-2020030the Guangdong Provincial Department of Science and Technology(Key-Area Research and Development Program of Guangdong Province)under the Grant 2020B090923002。
文摘Piezoelectricity in native bones has been well recognized as the key factor in bone regeneration.Thus,bio-piezoelectric materials have gained substantial attention in repairing damaged bone by mimicking the tissue’s electrical microenvironment(EM).However,traditional manufacturing strategies still encounter limitations in creating personalized bio-piezoelectric scaffolds,hindering their clinical applications.Three-dimensional(3D)/four-dimensional(4D)printing technology based on the principle of layer-by-layer forming and stacking of discrete materials has demonstrated outstanding advantages in fabricating bio-piezoelectric scaffolds in a more complex-shaped structure.Notably,4D printing functionality-shifting bio-piezoelectric scaffolds can provide a time-dependent programmable tissue EM in response to external stimuli for bone regeneration.In this review,we first summarize the physicochemical properties of commonly used bio-piezoelectric materials(including polymers,ceramics,and their composites)and representative biological findings for bone regeneration.Then,we discuss the latest research advances in the 3D printing of bio-piezoelectric scaffolds in terms of feedstock selection,printing process,induction strategies,and potential applications.Besides,some related challenges such as feedstock scalability,printing resolution,stress-to-polarization conversion efficiency,and non-invasive induction ability after implantation have been put forward.Finally,we highlight the potential of shape/property/functionality-shifting smart 4D bio-piezoelectric scaffolds in bone tissue engineering(BTE).Taken together,this review emphasizes the appealing utility of 3D/4D printed biological piezoelectric scaffolds as next-generation BTE implants.
基金financially supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2021YFB3802800)the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(No.BK20200019)+6 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52222104,12261160364,51871120,and 51520105001)support from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Neutron Scattering Science and Technologysupport of the Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Committee(No.JCYJ20170413140446951)partial support by the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region,Project N_CityU173/22support of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.12275154)the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(No.2021B1515140028)supported by the US DOE Office of Science,Office of Basic Energy Sciences.
文摘Fe-based metallic glasses are promising functional materials for advanced magnetism and sensor fields.Tailoring magnetic performance in amorphous materials requires a thorough knowledge of the correlation between structural disorder and magnetic order,which remains ambiguous.Two practical difficulties remain:the first is directly observing subtle magnetic structural changes on multiple scales,and the second is precisely regulating the various amorphous states.Here we propose a novel approach to tailor the amorphous structure through the liquid-liquid phase transition.In-situ synchrotron diffraction has unraveled a medium-range ordering process dominated by edge-sharing cluster connectivity during the liquid-liquid phase transition.Moreover,nanodomains with topological order have been found to exist in composition with liquid-liquid phase transition,manifesting as hexagonal patterns in small-angle neutron scattering profiles.The liquid-liquid phase transition can induce the nanodomains to be more locally ordered,generating stronger exchange interactions due to the reduced Fe–Fe bond length and the enhanced structural order,leading to the increment of saturation magnetization.Furthermore,the increased local heterogeneity at the medium-range scale enhances the magnetic anisotropy,promoting the permeability response under applied stress and leading to a better stress-impedance effect.These experimental results pave the way to tailor the magnetic structure and performance through the liquid-liquid phase transition.
基金The National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52073186,52073241)State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering(sklpme2021-3-01)+2 种基金Funding of Engineering Characteristic Team,Sichuan University(2020SCUNG122)Hong Kong General Research Fund(15201719)the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation,Shenzhen Joint Fund,Youth Fund Project 2019(2019A1515111207).
文摘Spider-capture-silk(SCS)can directionally capture and transport water from humid air relying on the unique geometrical structure.Although there have been adequate reports on the fabrication of artificial SCSs from petroleum-based materials,it remains a big challenge to innovate bio-based SCS mimicking fibers with high-performance fog collection ability and efficiency simultaneously.Herein,we report an eco-friendly and economical fiber system for water collection by coating gelatin on degummed silk.Compared to the previously reported fibers with the best fog collection ability(~13.10μL),Gelatin on silk fiber 10(GSF10)can collect larger water droplet(~16.70μL in 330 s)with~98%less mass.Meanwhile,the water collection efficiency of GSF10 demonstrates~72%and~48%enhancement to the existing best water collection polymer coated SCS fibers and spidroin eMaSp2 coated degummed silk respectively in terms of volume-to-TCL(vapor-liquid-solid three-phase contact line)index.The simultaneous function of superhydro-philicity,surface energy gradient,and~65%water-induced volume swelling of the gelatin knots are the key factors in advancing the water collection performance.Abundant availability of feedstocks and~75%improved space utiliza-tion guarantee the scalability and practical application of such bio-based fiber.