Abstract Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a prevalent chronic inflammatory disease that causes severe joint damage and dysfunction. Conventional therapeutic approaches, including oral and injectable options, are associated with gastrointestinal adverse effects and infection risks, highlighting the necessity for alternative drug delivery systems. Microneedles have emerged as a promising transdermal drug delivery strategy, effectively penetrating the stratum corneum to enable both topical and systemic administration. Among these, dissolving microneedles (DMNs) stand out due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and high drug‐loading capacity, making them suitable for RA treatment. However, challenges such as insufficient mechanical strength can limit their efficacy, as skin elasticity may prevent the needles from achieving the necessary depth for effective drug release. This review examines the potential of DMNs as a novel transdermal delivery approach for RA management, exploring differences in materials, delivery strategies, and shapes used in various studies. It analyzes the relationship between these factors and the mechanical properties of the microneedles, ultimately identifying materials and designs that optimize DMNs' performance for effective drug delivery in RA treatment. This study aims to provide valuable insights into the selection of materials and the design of microneedle shapes, facilitating the future development of DMNs for RA or similar diseases.

Abstract Metallized film capacitors (MFCs) exhibit a distinctive self‐healing capability, making them particularly suitable for reactive compensation in high‐voltage power systems. However, frequent self‐healing breakdowns or failures can significantly compromise capacitor lifespan and system stability. The underlying mechanisms governing self‐healing behavior in AC applications remain insufficiently understood. This study establishes an experimental platform to systematically examine the influence of various factors on AC capacitor self‐healing performance, while proposing design recommendations to minimize self‐healing energy without compromising success rates. Key findings demonstrate that increased voltage leads to a dramatic expansion of self‐healing area; elevated temperatures facilitate reduced self‐healing energy but degrade insulation properties when excessive; thicker metallized films decrease power loss at the expense of substantially higher self‐healing energy; and greater inter‐layer pressure effectively diminishes self‐healing energy. For optimal capacitor design, excessive field strength should be avoided; moderately increased operating temperatures enhance self‐healing performance but must be balanced against thermal degradation risks; and film thickness selection requires careful consideration of both self‐healing characteristics and thermal management. These findings offer valuable insights for the design optimization of AC capacitors in power system applications.

Abstract1D hybrid nanosystems, which consist of chains of nanoparticles embedded in nanowires, exhibit distinctive physical and chemical properties. However, fabricating them through vapor‐phase growth has been challenging due to a lack of understanding of their growth mechanisms. In this study, the endotaxial growth of Au nanoparticles within rutile TiO2 nanowires is demonstrated when small amounts of Ni are incorporated into the Au seed during vapor‐phase growth. The presence of Ni likely modifies the Au‐TiO2 interfaces, as evidenced by the distinctive morphologies and preferential crystallographic orientation relationships (OR) between the embedded Au nanoparticles and TiO2 nanowires. Unlike the irregularly shaped Au nanoparticles with previously reported ORs in bead‐like TiO2 nanowires grown along , Au nanoparticles have a new OR and well‐defined shape, bounded by low‐index planes from both lattices, in prismatic nanowires along . The results underscore the significance of crystallographic factors in the vapor‐phase growth of 1D hybrid nanosystems.

Abstract Reproducibility in the synthesis of complex materials such as metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) remains a major challenge. Under seemingly identical experimental conditions, a distribution of MOF crystals with different structural properties is obtained, resulting in a heterogeneous performance. For quality assurance, analytical techniques and protocols are needed to predict MOF crystal quality already during the synthesis process. In this work, in situ Raman spectroscopy is used to monitor the formation of 2D phthalocyanine‐based MOFs at the air–water interface. Raman marker bands are identified that visualise the competing processes of linker aggregation and MOF formation. Using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements on the MOF crystals after synthesis, a correlation between the Raman marker bands and the resulting crystalline domain size distribution of the MOF can be derived. This noninvasive, fast, and simple in situ quality assessment method marks a significant step toward automated MOF synthesis.

Abstract Stainless steels, widely used in industrial applications, are often subjected to combined corrosive and mechanical stress conditions, leading to corrosion fatigue. Herein, it is investigated how stress‐induced deformation impacts the localized corrosion behavior of the CA6NM martensitic stainless steel using oil‐immersed scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM). Compact tension specimens are cyclically loaded to induce plasticity around a growing crack, and electrochemical properties are mapped with high spatial resolution. The electrochemical activity is progressively changed near the crack, with open circuit potential and corrosion potential shifting toward more active values as the distance to the crack decreases. Pitting is also more frequent closer to the crack, gradually declining further away, indicating a spatial dependence in localized corrosion behavior. These findings help understanding how mechanical stress modifies passivity and pitting susceptibility, contributing to a better understanding of corrosion‐fatigue mechanisms and materials design.

Abstract Cubosomes and hexosomes are interesting structures with diverse applications as drug and gene delivery systems, as well as theranostics. Understanding the uptake mechanism of these nanostructures by cell membranes is fundamental to improving and broadening their application. In this study, the kinetics of interaction of monoolein (GMO) cubosomes or dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) hexosomes with supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) with varying compositions and stiffness, as valuable model membranes, are investigated by neutron reflectivity (NR) coupled with quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM‐D). Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is also used to analyze SLBs topography after such interaction. Cubosomes rapidly interact with SLBs, resulting in lipid exchange between the two systems, destabilizing the bilayer, and ultimately causing its removal. The inclusion of cholesterol (CHOL) in the SLB confers rigidity, making it more resistant to removal. Completely different results are obtained when hexosomes interact with SLBs: an intrinsic resistance of the bilayers toward these nanoparticles is observed, regardless of CHOL presence, combined with a slight change in SLB composition, suggesting that hexosomes tend to fuse with the SLB. These findings provide new and valuable insights into the potential mechanisms and kinetics of cellular uptake of these systems, enhancing their potential as drug delivery vectors.

Abstract Structural control in metal/semiconductor multicomponent nanoparticles can lead to advanced functional properties, as optoelectronic processes and accessibility (e.g., by charge carriers or molecules) of the different components can be simultaneously tailored. In this study, the impact of surface‐adsorbed molecules (5‐amino‐2‐mercaptobenzimidazole ‐ AMBI) on the wet‐chemical deposition of cuprous oxide (Cu2O) shells on gold nanoprisms is investigated. It is shown that the otherwise excellent compatibility between gold and Cu2O, and hence the shell deposition, is profoundly influenced by the presence of AMBI. The time evolution of the optical and structural properties during the shell growth indicates that the inherent Volmer‐Weber characteristic of the Cu2O deposition process gets greatly amplified by the surface adsorption of AMBI. Measurements performed on individual nanoparticles show that this originates in the inhomogeneous, multi‐patch coverage of the particle surface. Under optimized synthetic conditions, the tips of the nanoprisms are effectively protected from Cu2O overgrowth and are left bare.

Abstract Outdoor radiative cooling surfaces passively lose heat by reflecting solar irradiation and emitting infrared radiation to cold deep space through the atmospheric sky window (8–13 µm), thereby achieving sub‐ambient temperature. Ultrawhite radiative cooling paints are an emerging technology offering scalable solutions for cooling and passive water harvesting wherein surface wettability plays a key role. This work, examines how radiative cooling paint pigment and binder formulations affect surface morphology, roughness, and dynamic wettability. Samples are prepared with three different nanoparticulate pigments, calcium carbonate (CaCO3), barium sulfate (BaSO4), and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN); two binders, including an acrylic and a waterborne silicone‐modified polyurethane dispersion (SILIKOPUR 8081); and pigment solid volume concentrations from 0% to 80% v/v. The CaCO3 and BaSO4 pigments produced paints with rougher textures and higher contact angles due to their pigment particle morphology. While high solar reflectance was achieved across various pigment and binder combinations, wettability exhibited a complex trend with pigment concentration, indicating that maximizing reflectance does not necessarily optimize wetting behavior. This expanded understanding on how pigment type, binder and concentration influence wettability, offering pathways to design coatings with tailored spectral and wetting properties for both self‐cleaning paints and passive water harvesting applications

Abstract The potential for reducing iridium content in large‐scale proton‐exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis is examined using a fibrous support morphology to enhance electron percolation. Focusing on high activity, stability, and conductivity, ultra‐small, interconnected IrOx/IrO2 nanoparticles anchored to electrospun SnO2 nanofibers (IrOx/IrO2@SnO2) are investigated, with particular attention to the crystallinity of the iridium phase. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), conducted both before and after use as an electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), reveals how the oxidation temperature impacts the crystallinity and stability of the iridium oxide phase. The results suggest that further reductions in iridium content may be achieved by optimizing synthesis parameters. Here, the highest iridium utilization is achieved at an oxidation temperature of 375 °C, with improved conductivity and electrochemical activity. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicates that higher oxidation temperatures result in fragmentation of conduction pathways, negatively affecting catalyst performance. Furthermore, TEM reveals the onset of IrO₂ crystallization between 365 and 375 °C, with cyclic voltammetry (CVA) emphasizing the critical role of conductivity in ensuring efficient charge carrier transport to active sites. This study not only deepens the understanding of iridium‐based catalysts but also identifies practical strategies to enhance cost‐effectiveness and efficiency in PEM electrolysis technologies.