Creative Research

Photothermal shape memory alloys (SMAs) offer a promising pathway toward wireless soft robotic systems, yet their practical implementation remains limited by reliance on heterogeneous coatings and multistep processing to achieve sufficient light absorption and programmed mechanical response. Here, we present a monolithic UV-laser programming strategy that transforms flat NiTi sheets into photothermal SMA meta-morphing structures, where kirigami mechanics and photonic absorbance are dual-encoded within a single SMA metamaterial platform. UV-laser micromachining defines the kirigami architecture to prescribe 3D morphing amplitude and force output, while laser-induced oxidation creates micro-nano porous TiOx layers that dramatically enhance near-infrared absorbance without external coatings. This coupled mechanical-optical encoding provides deterministic control over deformation, heating rate, and temporal actuation dynamics. A comprehensive design map links geometric parameters to mechanical performance, and spatial patterning of oxidation levels enables spatiotemporally sequenced actuation under uniform illumination, demonstrating material-level photonic logic. Leveraging these capabilities, we construct a multi-channel 3D morphing and haptic display driven solely by optical inputs. This laser-encoded platform establishes a scalable and manufacturing-ready framework for architecting multifunctional SMA morphing systems, opening new opportunities for adaptive surfaces, interactive haptics, and photonic soft robotics.

Microsupercapacitors (MSCs) are increasingly important for the commercialization of miniaturized electronics thanks to their efficient use of space and seamless integration capabilities. Traditional manufacturing methods are often complex and costly, hindering large-scale production. In contrast, printing technologies offer a commercially viable alternative by enabling simpler, cost-effective, and high-output fabrication processes. Leveraging graphene, renowned for its outstanding conductivity and stability, further enhances commercial productivity by removing the need for separate current collectors, thus, streamlining manufacturing and reducing costs. This study introduces a novel fluidic liquid-phase exfoliation (FLPE) technique for creating graphene-based MSCs. By utilizing a coil-shaped tubing reactor within an ultrasonic bath, this method efficiently exfoliates graphite, yielding stable graphene inks at various concentrations. These inks are suitable for both inkjet and screen printing, forming interdigitated electrodes with decent conductivity. The resulting MSCs exhibit high areal capacitance, exceptional cycle stability, and a robust mechanical performance. Notably, inkjet-printed patterns surpass screen-printed ones in electrochemical and mechanical performance (50.6 and 40.2 μF/cm2 at 1 μA/cm2 for inkjet and screen printing, respectively) due to film morphology variations influenced by ink rheology. This research underscores the critical influence of ink rheology on the morphology and performance of printed graphene patterns, offering valuable insights into the progression of printed electronics.

Recent experimental studies showed that electrically coupled neural networks like in mammalian inferior olive nucleus generate synchronized rhythmic activity by the subthreshold sinusoidal-like oscillations of the membrane voltage. Understanding the basic mechanism and its implication of such phenomena in the nervous system bears fundamental importance and requires preemptively the connectome information of a given nervous system. Inspired by these necessities of developing a theoretical and computational model to this end and, however, in the absence of connectome information for the inferior olive nucleus, here we investigated interference phenomena of the subthreshold oscillations in the reference system Caenorhabditis elegans for which the structural anatomical connectome was completely known recently. We evaluated how strongly the sinusoidal wave was transmitted between arbitrary two cells in the model network. The region of cell-pairs that are good at transmitting waves changed according to the wavenumber of the wave, for which we named a wavenumber-dependent transmission map. Also, we unraveled that (1) the transmission of all cell-pairs disappeared beyond a threshold wavenumber, (2) long distance and regular patterned transmission existed in the body-wall muscles part of the model network, and (3) major hub cell-pairs of the transmission were identified for many wavenumber conditions. A theoretical and computational model presented in this study provided fundamental insight for understanding how the multi-path constructive/destructive interference of the subthreshold oscillations propagating on electrically coupled neural networks could generate wavenumber-dependent synchronized rhythmic activity.

A successful transition from university laboratories to the commercial market requires structured and comprehensive evaluations of the subjective usability of wearable robots. To achieve this, we aimed to establish a new standard instrument for evaluating the subjective usability of wearable robots, based on a thorough understanding of both product characteristics and the human body. We conducted a systematic review of the literature and critically analyzed the existing scales and tools used in previous studies. From this, we developed a new comprehensive instrument for subjective usability evaluation, consisting of two distinct sections: a unified metric-based scale and a body map as a visual tool. We named the new instrument the “Usability Subjective Evaluation for Wearable Robots,” abbreviated as USE_WR 1.0. For the metric section, a total of 70 evaluation items were included across seven categories: usefulness, ease of use, satisfaction, ease of learning, safety, emotion, and wearability. We maintained consistency in these seven categories with existing metrics commonly found in the literature. Additionally, we proposed a new body map characterized by more detailed body segmentation and the inclusion of all body views—front, back, and side—enabling precise identification of localized body regions of discomfort when using wearable robots. USE_WR 1.0 was validated involving 11 human subjects using a commercially available lower-limb exoskeleton. The validation results demonstrated the practical relevance and effectiveness of the newly developed instrument, as well as future refinement, in assessing subjective usability within the context of wearable robots. We anticipate that this new and comprehensive instrument will facilitate a systematic approach to understanding user perspectives prior to market launch, enabling a more iterative and user-responsive development process for wearable robots.

Covalent bonds share electron pairs between two atoms and make up the skeletons of most organic compounds in single, double and triple bonds. In contrast, examples of one-electron bonds remain scarce, most probably due to their intrinsic weakness1-4. Although several pioneering studies have reported one-electron bonds between heteroatoms, direct evidence for one-electron bonds between carbon atoms remains elusive. Here we report the isolation of a compound with a one-electron σ-bond between carbon atoms by means of the one-electron oxidation of a hydrocarbon with an elongated C-C single bond5,6. The presence of the C•C one-electron σ-bond (2.921(3) Å at 100 K) was confirmed experimentally by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and Raman spectroscopy, and theoretically by density functional theory calculations. The results of this paper unequivocally demonstrate the existence of a C•C one-electron σ-bond, which was postulated nearly a century ago7, and can thus be expected to pave the way for further development in different areas of chemistry by probing the boundary between bonded and non-bonded states.

This study undertakes an exhaustive analysis of rapid heat generation in MnFe2O4 nanoparticles through ferromagnetic resonance within an ultra-fast timeframe of 1 ms. Real-time monitoring of temperature during single-field-pulse excitations provided detailed insights into the temperature rise profiles. By integrating micromagnetic simulations with analytical modeling—taking into account both convective and radiative losses—we have deepened our understanding of the heat transfer dynamics at play. Adjusting the analytical model to align with experimental temperature profiles enabled us to determine the efficiency of converting spin dissipation energy into heat, which stands at 17%. This figure reflects not only the surface area of the nanoparticles but also includes considerations for radiative and convective losses. Notably, employing a low AC-field strength of 17.6 Oe facilitated a rapid temperature increase of up to 90 K in just 0.5 s, showcasing a peak initial temperature rise rate of approximately 680 K/s. This research advances the frontiers of high-power heat generation driven by spin dynamics and provides a comprehensive exploration of heat transfer mechanisms over exceptionally short pulse durations. These findings could revolutionize precise and rapid temperature management at the nanoscale, unlocking prospects in bio applications, accelerated material processing, and inducing color and phase shifts in polymer matrices.

Recent consecutive discoveries of various 2D materials have triggered significant scientific and technological interests owing to their exceptional material properties, originally stemming from 2D confined geometry. Ever-expanding library of 2D materials can provide ideal solutions to critical challenges facing in current technological trend of the fourth industrial revolution. Moreover, chemical modification of 2D materials to customize their physical/chemical properties can satisfy the broad spectrum of different specific requirements across diverse application areas. This review focuses on three particular emerging application areas of 2D materials: smart fibers, soft robotics, and single atom catalysts (SACs),which hold immense potentials for academic and technological advancements in the post-artificial intelligence (AI) era. Smart fibers showcase unconventional functionalities including healthcare/environmental monitoring, energy storage/harvesting, and antipathogenic protection in the forms of wearable fibers and textiles. Soft robotics aligns with future trend to overcome longstanding limitations of hard-material based mechanics by introducing soft actuators and sensors. SACs are widely useful in energy storage/conversion and environmental management, principally contributing to low carbon footprint for sustainable post-AIera. Significance and unique values of 2D materials in these emerging applications are highlighted, where the research group has devoted research efforts for more than a decade.

Abstract Studies on a series of tetracyanoquinodimethanes (TCNQs) fused with [1,2,5]chalcogenadiazole rings reveals that chalcogen bonds (ChBs), through E•••N≡C (E = S or Se) contacts, are a decisive factor in determining their crystal structures, with the formation of one- or two-dimensional networks in a lateral direction. For anion-radical salts generated by one-electron reduction, electron conduction occurs in the direction of the network due to intermolecular electronic interactions involving ChBs. Based on the reliable synthon E•••N≡C for crystal engineering, molecular recognition occurs so that solid-state molecular complexes are selectively formed with certain donors, such as xylenes, among their isomers by charge-transfer-type clathrate formation. The inclusion cavity of the clathrate might provide a reaction environment for photoinduced electron transfer in the solid state. The accommodation of multiple conformers of overcrowded ethylene exhibiting thermo/mechanochromism is another example of a novel function that can be realized by ChBs through E•••N≡C contacts. Therefore, these chalcogenadiazolo-TCNQs endowed with the ability to form ChBs are promising materials for the development of novel solid-state functions.1 Introduction2 Bis[1,2,5]thiadiazolo-TCNQ (BTDA)2.1 Chalcogen Bonds in Crystal Structures of BTDA and its Se Analogues2.2 Electronic Effects of Chalcogen Bonds in Organic Conductors Consisting of BTDA2.3 Molecular Recognition by Chalcogen Bonds in Molecular Complexes of BTDA2.4 Single-Crystalline-State Photoreactions of Molecular Complexes of BTDA2.5 Overcrowded Ethylene Composed of a BTDA Substructure3 TCNQ Analogues Fused with a [1,2,5]Chalcogenadiazole3.1 Crystal Structures of Chalcogenadiazolo-TCNQs3.2 Crystal Structures of Chalcogenadiazolo-TCNNQs: An E•••N≡C Chalcogen Bond versus a Weak C–H•••N≡C Hydrogen Bond3.3 Molecular Recognition by Chalcogen Bonds in TCNNQ Derivatives4 Outlook

PurposeThis study aims to analyse the position of women in public relations (PR), using Bourdieu's habitus. The study also draws from works on women in journalism on the ‘bloke-ification’ or a situation where women have to behave like men to succeed, thus becoming one of the boys due to masculine habitus in mass communications organisations.Design/methodology/approachQualitative interviews were conducted with 26 women practitioners asking questions about their experiences of working in the PR industry. The triple coding was conducted holistically and cross-referencing against answers on early socialisation of interviewed women. Thematic analysis was used to analyse and present data.FindingsThe findings show acceptance of masculine habitus with women not always challenging the usual order of things and recognising only direct sexism but not every day (masculine) practices. Women who demonstrate feminine behavioural styles are more likely to have negative working experiences than women who demonstrate masculine behavioural styles. Findings show a link between early socialisation and organisational behaviour with women who were socialised with boys reporting more masculine behavioural traits as expected for career progression as opposed to women socialised with girls who report feminine characteristics. The findings also signal that women work in a masculine culture in which they are often ostracised, and the profession as a whole is ridiculed by male managers and senior officials despite women being the majority of the workforce in the PR industry, thus showing that women also work in what Bourdieu calls a (masculine) habitus.Research limitations/implicationsThis study remains limited regarding its qualitative aspect of 26 interviewed women. Whilst this is a relatively large sample for a qualitative study, these findings show trends in data that can be explored in further research but cannot be generalised. In addition to that, phone interviewing presents a limitation of the study as face-to-face interviews could have enabled a better rapport and a more in-depth conversation as well as an observation of non-verbal communication, which could have led to additional sub-questions. Also, the findings are based on perceptions of interviewed women, which are personal and do not necessarily need to present the reality in the whole of the industry, however, the thematic analysis revealed common patterns which point towards the direction of a wider issue in the industry, which can be explored in further research.Practical implicationsOrganisations should implement HR policies that regulate internal office behaviour so that no staff member or department feels unappreciated and has less influence over the organisational work. A greater focus on treating employees fairly is needed, and this change needs to include structural problems that are often hidden, such as remarks in offices and internal practice and the dynamic between different departments bearing attention to departments where senior roles are traditionally given to men (e.g. finance) and those where senior roles also have women managers (e.g. PR).Originality/valueThe paper contributes to studies of cultural masculinities in organisations from a sociological perspective and uses a case study of the PR industry. The paper further extends the bloke-ification framework and contributes towards the conceptualisation of this framework from the PR perspective and using a sociological approach. In addition to that, the paper drew from works conducted in journalism and advertising and showed that issues women face are very similar across industries, thus opening a question of a wider social problem, at least when mass communications industries are in stake.