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Reconstruction of 3D vascularized microtissues within microfabricated devices has rapidly developed in biomedical engineering, which can better mimic the tissue microphysiological function and accurately model human diseases in vitro. However, the traditional PDMS-based microfluidic devices suffer from the microfabrication with complex processes and usage limitations of either material properties or microstructure design, which drive the demand for easy processing and more accessible devices with a user-friendly interface. Here, we present an open microfluidic device through a rapid prototyping method by laser cutting in a cost-effective manner with high flexibility and compatibility. This device allows highly efficient and robust hydrogel patterning under a liquid guiding rail by spontaneous capillary action without the need for surface treatment. Different vascularization mechanisms including vasculogenesis and angiogenesis were performed to construct a 3D perfusable microvasculature inside a tissue chamber with various shapes under different microenvironment factors. Furthermore, as a proof-of-concept we have created a vascularized spheroid by placing a monoculture spheroid into the central through-hole of this device, which formed angiogenesis between the spheroid and microvascular network. This open microfluidic device has great potential for mass customization without the need for complex microfabrication equipment in the cleanroom, which can facilitate studies requiring high-throughput and high-content screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of BaGe(1−x)TixF6:Mn4+ solid solution phosphor crystals have been successfully synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method. The crystal structure, morphology and size of the obtained samples were characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The influences of Ti4+ doping concentration on the microstructures and photoluminescent (PL) properties of the as-synthesized crystals were also investigated comprehensively. The XRD results indicate that all the as-synthesized BaGe(1−x)TixF6:Mn4+ samples are single phase solid solution crystals, although the doping concentration of Ti4+ has a remarkable influence on the lattice parameters. The SEM results reveal that all the as-synthesized BaGe(1−x)TixF6:Mn4+ phosphor samples are microcrystals with a predominant rod-like morphology and lengths ranging from 1 to 8 μm and widths ranging from 0.2 to 2.5 μm. The PL spectra reveal that all the obtained crystals exhibit characteristic emission peaks of Mn4+ ion, and the intensity of the strongest red emission peak located at 636 nm distinctly fluctuated with x, showing the highest at x = 0.6. Under excitation of 467 nm blue light, all the obtained BaGe(1−x)TixF6:Mn4+ samples can emit a warm red color, with a correlated color temperature (CCT) of less than 4500 K. The temperature-dependent PL emission spectra show that the BaGe0.4Ti0.6F6:Mn4+ sample possesses outstanding thermal stability, which can retain 62.27% of its initial emission intensity (323 K) even at 423 K. Employing the synthesized BaGe0.4Ti0.6F6:Mn4+ sample as a red component, a high-performance WLED with a correlated color temperature (CCT) of 4343 K, a color rendering index (CRI) of 93.2 and a luminous efficiency of 100.2 lm W−1 was obtained. Our findings suggest that BaGe(1−x)TixF6:Mn4+ can be a promising candidate as the red phosphor used in warm WLEDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Li–S batteries have been rewarded as the one of the most promising candidates due to their high energy densities. In this study, the common nonflammable solvent triethyl phosphate (TEP) is used for the first time as a co-solvent in Li–S battery. In the highly safe electrolyte system of 1 M LiBOB/TEP + FEC (7 : 3, v/v), the sulfur composite cathodes show enhanced cycling performance with a satisfactory capacity retention of 91.3% after 500 cycles at 1C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium sulfur batteries (Li–S) have a 3–5 fold higher theoretical energy density than state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries. In this work, tris(trimethylsilyl)borate (TMSB) is reported for the first time as an effective electrolyte additive to enhance the electrochemical performance of a Li–S battery. With 1% TMSB additive, the sulfur composite cathodes show good cycling stability and outstanding rate capability, and deliver a highly reversible capacity of 1423 mA h g−1 even at 10C. TMSB participates in the formation of a surface layer on sulfur-pyrolyzed polyacrylonitrile (S@pPAN) cathodes, which accelerates lithium ion diffusion and stabilizes the interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to their high theoretical energy densities, lithium sulfur (Li–S) batteries are currently some of the most extensively investigated electrochemical power sources. As a sustainable and environmentally friendly biopolymer, guar gum (GG) is chosen as a binder for use in Li–S batteries for the first time. The results show that GG is a promising binder for sulfur composite cathode materials, and exhibits excellent cycling performance and a favorable high rate capability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Correction for 'Low-cost rapid prototyping and assembly of an open microfluidic device for a 3D vascularized organ-on-a-chip' by Qinyu Li et al., Lab Chip, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1039/d1lc00767j. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]