Smart Material (Germany)

Abstract High-precision geomagnetic data is crucial for resource exploration and navigation. This paper proposes a reconstruction method integrating spatially adaptive mean compensation with patch-based sparse coding (MC-SC), which features a resolution-self-adaptive joint dictionary training strategy and a spatially adaptive MC module to preserve low-frequency backgrounds and recover high-frequency details. Experiments on three aeromagnetic survey regions show that MC-SC outperforms existing methods iterative back projection convolutional neural network (IBP and CNN) in reconstruction accuracy and detail fidelity. At a 50 m grid scale, MC-SC achieves a peak signal-to-noise ratio of 55.57 dB in Herat, significantly higher than IBP (52.89 dB) and CNN (52.64 dB). Moreover, under noisy conditions (up to 10 nT Gaussian noise), MC-SC exhibits superior robustness with slower performance degradation and more concentrated error distributions. The method provides a reliable solution for high-resolution geomagnetic data reconstruction from sparse samples, with strong potential for navigation and mapping applications.

No breakthrough has yet been achieved in developing small-diameter vascular grafts for clinical application. Mimicking both the native intimal architecture and the physiological elasticity of natural blood vessels is widely regarded as a highly promising strategy. Polyurethane (PU) is a mechanically suitable candidate for vascular grafts owing to its molecular tunability and intrinsic elasticity. However, conventional PU materials often suffer from inadequate biocompatibility and insufficient elastic stability. To address these challenges, we have developed a PU elastomer that demonstrates exceptional resistance to degradation and alkali solutions. Subsequently, a micronano fibrous graft integrating bacterial cellulose nanofibers (BC) with PU microfibrous (PUF) film was fabricated using a combined weaving and in situ biosynthesis approach. The resulting micronano composite fibrous film exhibits excellent elastic stability in simulated physiological fluids. Moreover, incorporation of BC significantly enhances the hydrophilicity, hemocompatibility, and cytocompatibility of the PUF. Importantly, this unique micronano architecture upregulates the expression of CD31 and VEGF, thereby promoting endothelial cell adhesion and proliferation. The bridging structure of BC nanofibers over the rough PU microfibers further facilitates cell migration. These findings suggest that the BC/PUF composite holds significant promise as an artificial graft material capable of supporting the rapid formation of an endothelial cell monolayer.

With the increasing importance of mine safety, advanced geophysical techniques have become crucial in mine safety assessment and monitoring. This paper focuses on nodal seismic exploration and distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) technology, exploring their applications in data joint inversion for detecting goaf areas at the Halusu open-pit coal mine in Inner Mongolia. Node seismic exploration offers high resolution and flexible deployment, providing detailed information about the subsurface structure of the mine. The distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) technology, characterized by distributed monitoring and real-time capabilities, offers new means for mine safety monitoring. By combining node seismic exploration data and DAS monitoring data through joint inversion, more accurate geological models of the mine can be constructed. This not only helps in timely detection of potential geological hazards, such as fault activity and rock deformation, but also provides scientific basis and decision support for mine production safety. Additionally, this paper analyzes the key technologies and challenges involved in joint inversion and proposes corresponding solutions. In summary, the joint inversion of node seismic exploration and DAS technology provides an innovative and effective method for mine safety, with broad application prospects.

Geogrids significantly enhance the soil matrix stability and foundation bearing capacity. Despite the development of numerous geogrid configurations, their geometric design has not yet been systematically optimized. The design of geogrid aperture geometry aims to maximize geogrid performance while maintaining material efficiency. Nevertheless, topology optimized geogrid designs remain underexplored, particularly regarding the influence of aperture shape on interface shear behavior. To address this gap, this study developed SIMP-based variable density topology optimization models for three types of tensile geogrid structures: uniaxial, biaxial, and triaxial geogrid. The effects of key model parameters on the optimization results are examined, resulting in new geogrid geometries optimized primarily to minimize compliance, achieving weight reductions of 7%, 10%, and 12%, respectively. Subsequently, FLAC3D was used for tensile performance analysis, while coupled PFC3D–FLAC3D was employed for interfacial friction performance analysis. In FLAC3D, numerical simulations demonstrated that the topologically optimized geogrid outperformed conventional ones in both tensile resistance and strain distribution. Consequently, conventional biaxial and triaxial geogrids, along with their topologically optimized versions, were chosen for further analysis. Pull-out interface simulations of these geogrids were conducted using the coupled discrete element–finite difference method (PFC3D–FLAC3D) to investigate the influence of geogrid aperture shape and aperture ratio on the soil–geogrid interface. The results indicate that the reinforcement efficiency of the topologically optimized biaxial and triaxial geogrids was 10% and 8% higher, respectively, than that of the conventional geogrids. Taking the biaxial geogrid as an example, a comprehensive comparison of performance parameters between the conventional and topology-optimized versions revealed that the optimized design achieved a 10% reduction in weight. Simultaneously, it reduced stress concentration at critical locations by approximately 60% and increased the interface pull-out resistance by 20%. These findings demonstrate that the new topologically optimized geogrid exhibits significant potential for further promotion and application in practical engineering.

This laboratory experiment offers undergraduates a hands-on exploration of surface wettability, photocatalysis, and their application in initiating microchemical reactions. Students observed how selected UV irradiation induced a wettability transition from hydrophobic to hydrophilic and explored the photocatalytic degradation mechanism driving this phenomenon. This localized transition at the contact points between two liquid marbles triggers their coalescence, mixing the encapsulated reactants and initiating a microchemical reaction. This experiment advances beyond traditional static wettability measurements by demonstrating a dynamic application of the concept. It aims to deepen students’ understanding of surface chemistry and develop their skills in applying photocatalysis to control microreactions, thereby fostering an appreciation for interdisciplinary science. The experiment is suitable for second- or third-year undergraduate physical chemistry or materials chemistry laboratories.

Despite their promise as lightweight, ultralow–thermal-conductivity thermoelectric (TE) materials, aerogels have been largely limited to p-type organic or carbon-based systems with modest zT < 0.1 at 300 kelvin. Here, we propose a stepwise synthesis strategy that yields the first inorganic aerogel exhibiting state-of-the-art n-type TE performance. Optimized aerogels with 95% porosity exhibit a high power factor of 34.8 microwatts per meter per square kelvin and an ultralow thermal conductivity of 0.061 microwatts per meter per kelvin, resulting in zT values of 0.17 at 300 kelvin and 0.24 at 383 kelvin. A vertical TE generator prototype with six TE-aerogel legs achieves a gravimetric output power of 76 microwatts per gram under a ΔT of ~60 kelvin. To address brittleness, a polyimide-encapsulated aerogel with bioinspired architecture was developed, achieving a high compressive strength to 1.4 kilopascals while maintaining excellent TE performance. This work establishes a generalizable method for designing high-performance flexible inorganic aerogels, opening more possibilities for lightweight wearable energy harvesting technologies.

Developing sustainable and efficient electrode materials is vital for advancing clean energy technologies. This study presents a calcination-free, low-temperature coprecipitation method to synthesize ZnMn2O4 (ZMO) nanostructures and their composite with exfoliated graphite (EG) sheets, offering a green and scalable approach for high-performance supercapacitors. EG’s high conductivity, 2D architecture, and mechanical stability significantly enhance the electrochemical performance of ZMO by facilitating faster ion/electron transport, preventing nanoparticle agglomeration, and preserving structural integrity. The optimized composite, ZMOG1, exhibits a high specific capacitance of 680 Fg–1 at 1 Ag–1 and outstanding cycling stability with 96% capacity retention after 10,000 cycles at 7 Ag–1, alongside maintaining 100% Coulombic efficiency. Its large surface area (87.55 m2 g–1) and porous structure further improve ion diffusion. An asymmetric supercapacitor device using ZMOG1 as the cathode, activated carbon as the anode, and PVA-KOH gel as both electrolyte and separator delivers an impressive energy density of 68.5 Wh kg–1 and a power density of 18 kW kg–1 with 96% retention over 60,000 cycles. The ability to power LEDs for several minutes demonstrates the device’s practical application potential, highlighting EG-modified ZMO as a promising next-generation electrode material.

Abstract As a traditional hair-growth-promoting herb, Platycladi Cacumen(PC) has a long history of folk application in the field of hair loss improvement. Preliminary modern pharmacological studies have suggested that its active components may exert potential effects by regulating hair follicle-related signaling pathways; however, for androgenetic alopecia (AGA), the exact targets and specific regulatory mechanisms of PC remain unelucidated, which provides a direction for research on natural drug-based intervention in AGA. In this study, network pharmacology was employed to predict the active components and core targets of PC. Targets associated with AGA were collected, and the intersection targets between PC and AGA were identified. Subsequently, protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis, Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were performed on the intersection targets to screen out the core targets. Thereafter, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation were conducted to validate the interactions between key active components and core targets. The component-target network diagram included 1044 interaction relationships between 32 components and 439 targets, among which quercetin, apigenin, myricetin, and hinokinin were identified as key components. The disease-target network diagram summarized 410 targets associated with AGA. Through PPI network analysis, key targets such as ESR1, BCL2, INS, AR, and STAT3 were screened out. The results of GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway analysis revealed that PC may exert its effects by regulating the EGFR receptor molecule and pathways including the HIF-1 signaling pathway. Molecular docking results showed that the binding energies of all complexes were less than -6.4 kcal/mol, indicating favorable binding effects. Molecular dynamics simulation results showed that the root-mean-square deviation (RMSD), root-mean-square fluctuation (RMSF), radius of gyration (Rg), solvent-accessible surface area (SASA), two-dimensional free energy landscape (FEL-2D), and FEL-3D of the simulation system all remained in an equilibrium state with small fluctuation amplitudes. This result indicated that the molecular system had a stable overall conformation, restricted local residue movement, a compact spatial structure, and stable internal chemical bonds—collectively confirming that the quercetin-STAT3, apigenin-AR, myricetin-STAT3, and hinokinin-AR complexes exhibited extremely strong binding stability. Collectively, Overall, this study systematically investigated the mechanism of action and potential value of PC leaves in intervening in AGA, providing a solid theoretical basis for the intervention of AGA with PC.

Electrochemical, spectroscopic, and computational studies on the interplay between light perturbation and coupled electron and Li-ion transfer in LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO) cathodes identify that photon perturbation moves the system out of equilibrium, increases entropy, lowers the impedance of the battery, and increases the charging capacity by at least 15% during fast charging by promoting the oxidation of Ni3+ to Ni4+. The correlation with density functional theory calculations points out that oxidation of Ni3+ faces a 30% higher barrier compared with the oxidation of Ni2+ and hence exhibits greater responses to the energy transferred from photons. Structural analysis elucidates that photon energy also assists the transition of LNMO from the Jahn–Teller distorted asymmetric lattice with Ni3+ to the nondistorted Ni4+. Synergistically, photons energize the removal of electrons from Ni3+ and create photoinduced Ni4+ intermediates, followed by the removal of Li+ with almost two times faster diffusion rates.