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The phase transition from the ripple gel phase to the interdigitated gel phase of bilayers of phosphatidylcholines (PCs) with two saturated long-chain fatty acids under high pressure was investigated by pressure-scanning microscopy, fluorometry, and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements. Microscopic observation for giant vesicles (GVs) of distearoyl-PC (DSPC) under high pressure showed that spherical GVs transforms significantly into warped and distorted spherical ones instantaneously at the pressure-induced interdigitation. The fluorescence intensities of amphiphilic probe Prodan and hydrophobic probe Laurdan in the dipalmitoyl-PC (DPPC) bilayer steeply decreased and increased, respectively, at the interdigitation, suggesting that the conformational change of the polar head group of DPPC molecule in the bilayer transiently occurred at the interdigitation. Further, it was found from the high-pressure DLS measurements that the size of the vesicle particles of the DPPC and DSPC transiently increases near the interdigitation pressure, whereas the chemically induced interdigitation by adding ethanol to the DSPC bilayer membrane under atmospheric pressure produce no such change in the particle size. Taking account of the critical packing parameter of the PC molecule, the above experimental results would lead us to the conclusion that the pressure-induced interdigitation is attributable to the increase in repulsive interaction between the polar head groups of the PC molecules resulting from the orientational change of the head group from a parallel alignment to a perpendicular one with respect to the bilayer surface by applying pressure, namely the transient state: it occurs when the repulsive interaction exceeds a threshold value for the balance between the repulsive interaction and the attractive interaction among the hydrophobic acyl chains. [Display omitted] • Pressure-induced interdigitation was investigated for the DPPC and DSPC bilayers. • Our experimental data suggest the presence of a transient state at interdigitation. • We propose a molecular mechanism for the pressure-induced interdigitation. • The transient state is thought to arise from orientational changes in the headgroup. • Validity of our hypothesis is supported in terms of the critical packing parameter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the impact of interfacial interactions on bilayer yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) used in dental restorations. In-house bilayer structures of 3YSZ and 5YSZ composition underwent hydrothermal degradation to compare the properties of control and low-temperature degradation (LTD) treated groups. Biaxial flexural strength via piston-on-three-balls, staircase fatigue strength over 106 cycles at 15 Hz, phase characterization and quantification through XRD and Rietveld refinement, and fractography were conducted. Weibull analysis was employed to determine the Weibull modulus and characteristic strength. Results demonstrated an enhancement in the mechanical performance of 3YSZ composition after LTD treatment, whereas the mechanical properties of 5YSZ remained largely unaffected post-degradation. Fractographic analysis revealed that failure originated at the surface tensile location across all specimen groups. These findings offer insights into the mechanical behavior of bilayer zirconia structures and reinforce the significance of hydrothermal treatment in enhancing their performance, particularly in the case of 3Y compositions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionIntegral membrane proteins and lipids constitute the bilayer membranes that surround cells and sub-cellular compartments, and modulate movements of molecules and information between them. Since membrane protein drug targets represent a disproportionately large segment of the proteome, technical developments need timely review. Areas covered: Publically available resources such as Pubmed were surveyed. Bottom-up proteomics analyses now allow efficient extraction and digestion such that membrane protein coverage is essentially complete, making up around one third of the proteome. However, this coverage relies upon hydrophilic loop regions while transmembrane domains are generally poorly covered in peptide-based strategies. Top-down mass spectrometry where the intact membrane protein is fragmented in the gas phase gives good coverage in transmembrane regions, and membrane fractions are yielding to high-throughput top-down proteomics. Exciting progress in native mass spectrometry of membrane protein complexes is providing insights into subunit stoichiometry and lipid binding, and cross-linking strategies are contributing critical in-vivo information. Expert commentary: It is clear from the literature that integral membrane proteins have yielded to advanced techniques in protein chemistry and mass spectrometry, with applications limited only by the imagination of investigators. Key advances toward translation to the clinic are emphasized.

In this study, carried out using computational methods, the organisation of the lipid/water interface of bilayers composed of galactolipids with both α-linolenoyl acyl chains is analysed and compared in three different lyotropic liquid-crystalline phases. These systems include the monogalactosyldiglyceride (MGDG) and digalactosyldiglyceride (DGDG) bilayers in the lamellar phase, the MGDG double bilayer during stalk phase formation and the inverse hexagonal MGDG phase. For each system, lipid-water and direct and water-mediated lipid-lipid interactions between the lipids of one bilayer leaflet and those of two apposing leaflets at the onset of new phase (stalk) formation, are identified. A network of interactions between DGDG molecules and its topological properties are derived and compared to those for the MGDG bilayer.

With the need for non-antibiotic approaches to microbial pathogenesis being ever present, the development of alternatives centred around infection prevention is of deep importance. Antimicrobial surface coatings offer a promising approach, as they can possess multiple favourable qualities such as low toxicity, longevity, and the capacity for re-coating. Of the possible coating methods, layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition provides a particularly useful approach, allowing for the facile creation of multilayered coatings on pre-existing surfaces. For these LbL coatings, Nafion, a synthetic polymer with excellent mechanical properties, was used as a stable foundation for two model trilayer systems. Both sets of systems comprised Nafion layered alongside compounds with well-established antimicrobial activity: lysozyme, chitosan, and carbon dots (CDots). In addition to their antimicrobial properties, lysozyme and chitosan are both nontoxic and biocompatible, making them ideal for biomedical applications. Similarly, CDots have low toxicity but also possess fluorescent properties, opening up the potential for the assessment of coating integrity, making these coatings suitable for high-wear surfaces. As such, the two trilayer systems were made of, respectively, Nafion, lysozyme, and chitosan; and Nafion, lysozyme, and CDots. When assessed against the representative Gram-negative and Gram-positive species Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), respectively, both trilayer systems showed excellent antimicrobial activity, producing up to 3 log reductions in colony-forming units compared with a control. The activity of both sets of systems, alongside the similar activity between systems, showed both good synergy between and interchangeability of layer components, opening up the possibility for further tailoring in future.

In this study, intelligent double-layer films were prepared using modified black rice anthocyanin (MBRA)-curcumin (CUR)-gellan gum (GG) as the inner indicator layer and sodium alginate (ALG)‑zinc oxide (ZnO) as the outer antimicrobial layer. The bilayer films were successfully prepared, as revealed by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction measurements. The mechanical characteristics, moisture content, and water vapor resistance of GG-MBRA/CUR1@ALG-ZnO, GG-MBRA/CUR2@ALG-ZnO, and GG-MBRA/CUR3@ALG-ZnO films showed significant enhancement compared to GG-MBRA/CUR3 and ALG-ZnO films. The bilayer films exhibited excellent pH responsiveness and reacted effectively to ammonia. The outer layer significantly improved the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of the inner layer. When the films were applied to shrimp, it was found that the double-layer films not only monitored the freshness of the shrimp in real-time but also were influential in extending the shelf life of the shrimp by about 1 d. Therefore, the double-layer film demonstrated potential as a smart packaging material for real-time monitoring of meat product freshness. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface instability, termed wrinkling, might occur in compressed bilayer systems constituted by an external rigid skin resting on an internal soft substrate, where wrinkling is favored by the rigidity contrast between the two layers. In this paper, the same instability mechanism is explored by considering a substrate characterized by an orthotropic elastic response. By varying the orientation of the principal axes of the substrate's material, the critical strain of wrinkling and the wrinkles' wavelength can be tuned during compression. Theoretical formulations for wrinkling are discussed along with the results obtained by linear bifurcation and geometrically nonlinear analyses carried out with two-dimensional finite element models. To experimentally validate the results, the intrinsic properties of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing technology are leveraged: bilayer objects are manufactured by printing continuous outer shells (corresponding to the rigid skin) along the borders, while the inner raster is shaped with a porous infill pattern, forming a substrate with an orthotropic elastic response. [Display omitted] • Wrinkling of a compressed isotropic skin on an orthotropic substrate is studied. • A single material is used, leveraging the intrinsic properties of FDM 3D printing. • The stiffness mismatch is achieved varying the rastering orientation of the substrate. • Eigenvalue buckling analyses and experiments validate the governing equations. • Tunable wrinkling strain and wavelength are obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Membrane-bound O -acyltransferases (MBOATs) are membrane-embedded enzymes that catalyze acyl chain transfer to a diverse group of substrates, including lipids, small molecules, and proteins. MBOATs share a conserved structural core, despite wide-ranging functional specificity across both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The structural basis of catalytic specificity, regulation and interactions with the surrounding environment remain uncertain. Here, we combine comparative molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with bioinformatics to assess molecular and interactional divergence across the family. In simulations, MBOATs differentially distort the bilayer depending on their substrate type. Additionally, we identify lipid binding sites surrounding reactant gates in the surrounding membrane. Complementary bioinformatic analyses reveal a conserved role for re-entrant loop-2 in MBOAT fold stabilization and a key hydrogen bond bridging DGAT1 dimerization. Finally, we predict differences in MBOAT solvation and water gating properties. These data are pertinent to the design of MBOAT-specific inhibitors that encompass dynamic information within cellular mimetic environments. [Display omitted] • MBOAT subfamilies differentially distort the surrounding bilayer • Conserved residue pairs on re-entrant loop-2 stabilize the MBOAT fold • A conserved hydrogen bond interconnects the DGAT1 dimer • Solvent gating and hydration properties differ across the family Ansell et al. use molecular dynamics simulations and bioinformatic analyses to compare interactions across the MBOAT family. MBOAT subfamilies differentially interact with themselves, the surrounding membrane, and solvent environments. These data are pertinent to the design of MBOAT-specific inhibitors and family classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bilayer (BL) two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) exhibit excellent properties in carrier mobility, state density, and room temperature stability, which attract considerable attention. However, previous efforts on synthesis BL TMDs have lacked homogeneity and control over the number of layers. Here, we demonstrate an effective and controllable approach to synthesize highly uniform 3R phase BL MoS 2 on a c-plane sapphire substrate. The number of MoS 2 layer can be controlled by adjusting the confinement distance, sapphire step height (annealing temperature), and growth temperature. These influencing factors have been thoroughly investigated. Raman and PL analyses demonstrate bilayer properties and remarkable uniformity. SHG and HAADF-STEM measurements reveal 3R stacking structure of BL MoS 2. Furthermore, field-effect-transistor (FET) devices fabricated using BL MoS 2 domains exhibit high carrier mobility and on/off ratio. This work provides an efficient method for layer-controlled MoS 2 growth and offers new insights into the growth mechanism of BL MoS 2. • The ratio of bilayer MoS 2 domains can be reach 99%. • The impacts of space distance, step height and growth temperature on bilayer MoS 2 growth have been systematically investigated. • Abundant characterization techniques were used to characterize optical properties and stacking structure of bilayer MoS 2. • BL MoS 2 FET devices exhibited excellent electronic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four types of resistive random access memory structures with an active layer comprising: (1) MoS2 (device A), (2) PVP (device B), (3) PVP and MoS2 bilayer (device C), and (4) PVP + MoS2 nanocomposites with 10 (device D), 20 (device E), 30 (device F) and 40 wt% (device G) MoS2, have been fabricated with Al and Ag as bottom and top electrodes, respectively. A study of resistive switching and electrical conduction mechanisms of these resistive random access memory modules revealed that devices A and B did not exhibit switching characteristics. Device C showed a combination of bipolar and threshold switching with a low switching voltage of 0:40 V. Device G portrayed bipolar switching at 0:56 V. In device C, space charge-limited conduction with a transition voltage Vtr = 0:24 V was observed, whereas in device G, Ohmic behaviour between 0.0 and 0.22 V, followed by trapping of charge in the 0.22-0.56 V regime before switching, was noticed. Both devices C and G showed a reasonable (≥ 10²) ON/OFF ratio. In nanocomposite devices, an increase in MoS2 content resulted in an increase in electrical conductivity in the Ohmic region, leading to threshold switching at 30 wt% (device F) and ultimately bipolar switching at 40 wt% (device G). These studies have shown that both switching and conduction mechanisms are sensitive to the type and composition of the active layer in the devices studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soft devices that sense touch are important for prosthetics, soft robotics, and electronic skins. One way to sense touch is to use a capacitor consisting of a soft dielectric layer sandwiched between two electrodes. Compressing the capacitor brings the electrodes closer together and thereby increases capacitance. Ideally, sensors of touch should have both large sensitivity and the ability to measure a wide range of stress (dynamic range). Although skin has such capabilities, it remains difficult to achieve both sensitivity and dynamic range in a single manmade sensor. Inspired by skin, this work reports a soft capacitive pressure sensor based on a bilayer of liquid metal elastomer foam (B‐LMEF). The B‐LMEF consists of an elastomer slab (elastic modulus: ≈655 kPa) laminated with a soft liquid metal elastomer foam (LMEF, elastic modulus: ≈7 kPa). The LMEF deforms at small stresses (<10 kPa), and both layers deform at large stresses (>10 kPa). The B‐LMEF has high sensitivity (0.073 kPa–1) at small stress and can operate over a large range of stress (200 kPa), which leads to a large dynamic range (≈4.1 × 105). Additionally, the elastomer slab has a large energy dissipation coefficient; the skin uses this property to cushion the human body from external stress and strain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bilayer structure for an emitting layer (EML) was developed to improve performances of a fluorescence blue organic light emitting diode. By functionally separating the EML into the charge recombination and the triplet–triplet fusion (TTF) zone, we successfully suppressed the quenching of triplet excitons by excess carriers to make more TTF efficient and the local degradation within the EML to make the lifetime longer. In the bottom emission device with the bilayer EML, 12% of external quantum efficiency (EQE) and 450 h of LT95 were achieved. Furthermore, we achieved over 14% of EQE by optimizing the material combinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Optimal interfaces play a key role in charge transport/recombination characteristics and minimized potential loss of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Currently, n‐type oxide semiconductors are the most common electron transport layer (ETL) material, but the imperfect electronic structure, unfavorable band alignment, and corresponding poor interface of ETL/perovskite absorber remain a great challenge for achieving a high photovoltaic performance of PSCs. Here, we combine a fullerene derivative or a non‐fullerene organic semiconductor with tin(IV) oxide (SnO2) to promise much‐improved surface and electronic structure of ETL interface in Ruddlesden‐Popper perovskites (RPPs)‐based photovoltaic devices. The organic semiconductors fill a bumpy surface of SnO2 to make the surface smoother, which effectively avoids the shunt pathways at the interface of the ETL/RPP absorber layer, and thereby suppresses unintended electron‐hole recombination. The organic‐inorganic bilayered ETLs also improve the electronic structure of the SnO2 surface, which provides favorable optoelectronic properties such as quick electron extraction and elongated carrier lifetime in the device. Moreover, the hydrophobic organic semiconductor is helpful in not only growing a uniform, compact, and largely grained RPP absorber layer but also improving the stability of the perovskite absorber layer. Benefiting from the optimized bilayer ETLs, the power conversion efficiency is obviously enhanced up to 10.17% in the RPP‐based photovoltaic devices. More importantly, the bilayer ETLs allow improved long‐term stability in ambient storage of the devices, providing a viable path to design practical interfaces of efficient and stable RPP‐based PSCs. Highlights: Hybrid bilayer electron transport layer is designed to enhance the efficiency of Ruddlesden‐Popper perovskite solar cells.Phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester and ITIC are inserted as n‐type organic semiconductors onto SnO2 film for the bilayer electron transport layer.Tailored optoelectronic properties of the bilayer electron transport layers deliver 10.17% efficiency of Ruddlesden‐Popper perovskite solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various mechanisms of plant organ movements have been reported, including the close association of two layers with expressed differences in hygroscopic properties. Following this principle, actuator beams composed of thin veneers out of normal and compression wood cut from Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) were prepared by using two types of adhesives. The mismatch of the swelling properties of the two layers in tight combination resulted in an expressed bending deflection in response to set humidity changes. The resulting curvatures were measured and analyzed by the Timoshenko bi-metal-model, as well as with an enhanced three-layer model, with the latter also considering the mechanical influence of the glueline on the actuator bending. The thermally induced strain in the original model was replaced by another strain due to moisture changes. The strain was modelled as a function of wood density, along with changes in wood moisture. Experiments with free movement of the bilayer to measure curvature, and with constraints to determine forces, were performed as well. Deformation and magnitude of actuators movements were in close agreement with the enhanced bilayer-model for the phenol-resorcinol-formaldehyde adhesive, which deviated substantially from the casein adhesive glued actuators. The obtained results are seen as critical for wood-based actuator systems that are potentially used in buildings or other applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Better NIR (near infrared)-driven photomechanical actuation than reported for films containing carbon nanostructures such as carbon nanotubes and graphene has been achieved by incorporating porous carbon nanoparticles (PCNs) into single-layer films of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The PCNs being obtained from a bio-waste source adds an exciting dimension to this work. The specific surface area (Asurf) of the pores, controlled using the pyrolization temperature and varying over a factor of 600 is seen to have a strong influence on the magnitude of the actuation as well as the time response of light-driven and relaxation processes. The quantity of the curing agent polymerizing the PDMS also has a notable role. The already significant actuation realized for single-layer films can be further enhanced (factor of two) by backing the PDMS film with an ultrathin gold layer. This addition, however, provides a novel way to control the direction of actuation, being opposite for the single and bilayer films. The mechanical properties obtained from stress versus strain measurements and the morphology of the films as imaged by electron microscopy, besides the coefficient of thermal expansion, have been employed to analyze the various observed behaviors. An important finding from the images is that the crystallinity of the PCNs plays a vital role in the magnitude of actuation: more the amorphous nature, larger is the actuation. Based on the results, which have much for bioengineering applications, a simple photo-stimulated LED switch is also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of innovative forms of combination drugs is closely related to the invention of the multilayer tablet press, polymers for pharmaceutical applications, the hot-melt extrusion process, and 3D printing in the pharmaceutical industry. However, combining multiple drugs within the same dosage form can bring many physicochemical and pharmacodynamic interactions. More and more new forms of fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) have been developed due to work to overcome the incompatibility of active substances or to obtain different drug release profiles in the same dosage form. This review provides discussions of the application of various innovation formulation technologies of FDC drugs such as bilayer system, multilayer tablet, active film coating, hot-melt extrusion, and 3D printing, taking into account the characteristics of the key ingredients in the FDC formulation and presenting technological problems and challenges related to the development of combination drugs. Moreover, the article summarizes the range of dosage forms that have been made using these technologies over the past 30 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recursive formulas are derived for the determination of the curvature and internal stresses in a uniformly heated multilayer strip made of n perfectly bonded isotropic layers in terms of the curvature and stresses in the strip with n − 1 bonded layers. This is accomplished by reducing the problem to solving two linear algebraic equations for two unknowns, the curvature of the strip and the axial force in the n th layer, from which all other forces, moments, and stresses readily follow. The presented analysis complements the authors' previous analysis which is based on a developed matrix algorithm for the simultaneous determination of the curvature and stresses in all layers. The derived formulas are applied to trilayer and quadralayer strips. Simple expressions are obtained in the case when all layers have equal thicknesses and equal moduli of elasticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-resolution ultrasound spectroscopy (HR-US) is a spectroscopic technique using ultrasound waves at high frequencies to investigate the structural properties of dispersed materials. This technique is able to monitor the variation of ultrasound parameters (sound speed and attenuation) due to the interaction of ultrasound waves with samples as a function of temperature and concentration. Despite being employed for the characterization of several colloidal systems, there is a lack in the literature regarding the comparison between the potential of HR-US for the determination of phospholipid thermal transitions and that of other common techniques both for loaded or unloaded liposomes. Thermal transitions of liposomes composed of pure phospholipids (dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine, DMPC; dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, DPPC and distearoylphosphatidylcholine, DSPC), cholesterol and their mixtures were investigated by HR-US in comparison to the most commonly employed microcalorimetry (mDSC) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Moreover, tramadol hydrochloride, caffeine or miconazole nitrate as model drugs were loaded in DPPC liposomes to study the effect of their incorporation on thermal properties of a phospholipid bilayer. HR-US provided the determination of phospholipid sol-gel transition temperatures from both attenuation and sound speed that are comparable to those calculated by mDSC and DLS techniques for all analysed liposomal dispersions, both loaded and unloaded. Therefore, HR-US is proposed here as an alternative technique to determine the transition temperature of phospholipid membrane in liposomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A bilayer thin-film transistor (TFT) structure with ZnO and Al-doped ZnO (AZO) was fabricated using a solution process. The film thickness and sintering atmosphere of ZnO and AZO were controlled and then evaluated by measuring their electrical characteristics. By changing the sintering atmosphere, carriers attributed to oxygen vacancies in the thin film increased. Moreover, the ZnO single-layer TFT sintered in N2 exhibited good electrical characteristics. In the ZnO/AZO bilayer TFT laminated with the ZnO sintered in N2 and high-resistance AZO thin films, electrical characteristics, such as the On/Off ratio and subthreshold swing, improved compared to those of the ZnO-TFT. The On/Off ratio of the ZnO/AZO-TFT using the AZO thin film sintered in an O2 atmosphere notably improved to 3.7 × 105 compared to that of the ZnO-TFT (1.7 × 104). In addition, the subthreshold swing in the ZnO/AZO-TFT was 0.36 V/dec, while the field-effect mobility was 2.2 × 10−1 cm2/Vs, thereby exhibiting the best electrical characteristics among the fabricated samples. According to the grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction measurement, the ZnO particle size and crystallinity of the ZnO/AZO bilayer were higher than those of the ZnO single layer. Therefore, improvement of the electrical characteristics was confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The aim of this work is to characterize the moisture-dependent actuation behavior of bioinspired and additively manufactured hygromorphs based by following deductive and inductive design approaches. Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) is employed to print bilayered structures consisting of swellable active layers and rigid passive layers. The active layer is composed of a polylactic acid (PLA) matrix filled with different hygroscopic cellulosic materials (native and modified) up to a filler content of 50 m%. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) is used for the passive layer. The FFF process allows the generation of desired differential swelling properties in the composites upon moisture absorption. The moisture dependent actuation strain of the printed bilayers was determined by video analyses. Some influencing geometrical factors which contribute to the actuation were deduced from x-ray diffraction (XRD) and micro computed tomography (μCT). The investigation of the mean cellulose microfibril orientation on the surface of the active layer suggested a preferential orientation with respect to printing direction. Furthermore, a gradient of cellulosic material within a single printed layer was observed, which indicates fiber sedimentation. Comparison with the thermomechanical model derived from Timoshenko (1925) shows that the computational prediction of the moisture dependent actuation is considerably accurate for most selected cellulosic materials and filler contents.

Graphene oxide thin layers, graphene oxide:silver nano-composite, graphene oxide:zinc oxide nano-composite and graphene oxide:zinc oxide/graphene oxide:silver bilayer were deposited by spray pyrolysis method. The synthesized thin layers were characterized using X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The optical properties and the band gap of the thin layers were also studied and calculated using the Tauc equation. Gram-negative bacterium of Escherichia coli was used to study the antibacterial properties of thin layers. The results showed that among the thin layers investigated, GO:ZnO/GO:Ag bilayer had the greatest effect on the inhibition of E. coli growth and was able to control the growth of bacterium after 2 hours.

Abstract Human skin moisture is closely related to health and personal care issues. Many creams were developed to claim capable of skin moisturizing. However, people can hardly check their skin moisture status and the moisturizing effect of various creams conveniently, since currently all the skin moisturizing detection rely on large equipment requiring power supply. Herein, we report a power‐supply independent supramolecular film that is able to directly report the moisturizing status of the skin. With the strategy of solid‐phase molecular self‐assembly (SPMSA), the aqueous precipitates formed by commercially available polyelectrolyte and oppositely charged surfactant would transform into a supramolecular film under a mild mechanical pressure, where the hydrophobic surfactant domains bridged by polyelectrolyte merge into hydrophobic mesophases to reduce interfacial energy. The hydrophobic mesophase will greatly retard water diffusion inside the film, so that a humidity gradient is generated as the film is exposed to a humid environment. The film will bend upward automatically in touch with moisture skin, and the bending degree is proportional to the skin moisture status. Therefore, the film can be used as portable smart power‐free skin moisture sensor.

In this contribution we introduce new multilayer (bilayer and trilayer) resist systems for the generation of nanostructures with high aspect ratios of up to 14:1 on 4-in. full wafer scale. The bilayer stack consists of a bottom resist layer (lift off polymer LOR1A) and an UV-curable top resist layer (UV-NIL resist mr-NIL210 200 nm). The top resist is structured by UV-nanoimprint lithography with a soft polydimethysiloxane (PDMS) stamp (soft UV-NIL). After removal of the residual layer a wet chemical development is performed to achieve an isotropic undercut underneath the nanostructures in the top layer. This undercut is mandatory in order to perform a reliable and precise lift-off. The bilayer system is applicable on both silicon and fused silica. For a higher variety and combination of different resists, a trilayer system is investigated. A layer stack with new materials for bottom and top layer is presented. An intermediate layer made of silicon oxide by low temperature ICP-PECVD is added between a tailor-made top resist (mr-NIL213FC 200 nm) and an organic transfer layer (UL1). The intermediate layer serves as hard mask in order to etch the bottom layer isotropically utilizing a plasma etch process and thus replacing the wet-chemical development step. Subsequently, a thin metal layer is deposited onto the structured resist stack by electron beam evaporation. After lift-off, a nanostructured metal mask remains on the substrate providing a high selectivity during the following plasma etch step. A cryogenic ICPRIE etch process creates high aspect ratio nanostructures within the substrate. An aspect ratio of 14:1 was achieved.

Biological membranes deform in response to resident proteins leading to a coupling between membrane shape and protein localization. Additionally, the membrane influences the function of membrane proteins. Here we review contributions to this field from continuum elastic membrane models focusing on the class of models that couple the protein to the membrane. While it has been argued that continuum models cannot reproduce the distortions observed in fully-atomistic molecular dynamics simulations, we suggest that this failure can be overcome by using chemically accurate representations of the protein. We outline our recent advances along these lines with our hybrid continuum-atomistic model, and we show the model is in excellent agreement with fully-atomistic simulations of the nhTMEM16 lipid scramblase. We believe that the speed and accuracy of continuum-atomistic methodologies will make it possible to simulate large scale, slow biological processes, such as membrane morphological changes, that are currently beyond the scope of other computational approaches. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Membrane Proteins edited by J.C. Gumbart and Sergei Noskov.

Bilayer nanotubes were successfully constructed by simply mixing a bola-form SLPs KI 3 VK with the salt sodium tartrate (STA), the underlying formation mechanism was intensively studied. [Display omitted] • Bilayer nanotubes can be self-assembled by mixing KI 3 VK with sodium tartrate (STA). • The ratio of KI 3 VK and STA had a great impact on shell structure of the nanotubes. • Both the two hydroxyls and charges carried by STA were important for the bilayer nanotube formation. • Structural details of the key intermediates for bilayer nanotubes were well characterized. Though the function of peptide based nanotubes are well correlated with its shape and size, controlling the dimensions of nanotubes still remains a great challenge in the field of peptide self-assembly. Here, we demonstrated that the shell structure of nanotubes formed by a bola peptide Ac-KI 3 VK-NH 2 (KI 3 VK, in which K, I, and V are abbreviations of lysine, isoleucine, and valine) can be regulated by mixing it with the salt sodium tartrate (STA). The ratio of KI 3 VK and STA had a great impact on shell structure of the nanotubes. Bilayer nanotubes can be constructed when the molar ratio of KI 3 VK and STA was less than 1:2. Both the two hydroxyls and the negative charges carried by STA were proved to play important roles in the bilayer nanotubes formation. Observations of different intermediates provided obvious evidence for the varied pathway of the bilayer nanotubes formation. Based on these experimental results, the possible mechanism for bilayer nanotubes formation was proposed. Such a study provides a simple and effective way for regulating the shell structure of the nanotubes and may expand their applications in different fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The absorber ACZTSe/CZTSe and CZTS/ACZTS tandem based solar cell is proposed. • Optimization of layer parameters carried to attain maximum efficiency. • Impact of temperature, series, shunt and Capacitance frequency analysis on Ag incorporated Kesterite cell performance is investigated. In this work, the analytical results pertaining to modeling of silver substituted Kesterite absorber (Cu 1-x Ag x) 2 ZnSnSe 4 (ACZTSe) and (Cu 1-x Ag x) 2 ZnSnS 4 (ACZTS) materials are demonstrated. The basic approach adopted here is the tailoring of bandgap and electron affinity of the modified Kesterite structure so as to enhance the performance. The promising Ag incorporated materials exhibit improvement in open circuit voltage which is one of the bottlenecks in the Kesterite structure. The pure Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 (CZTS) and Cu 2 ZnSnSe 4 (CZTSe) are considered and modeled as the baseline structures for simulation in SCAPS. To improve the performance parameters, the analysis was carried out for tandem structures with silver substituted in place of copper in the Kesterite material. As Ag has got favorable atomic properties which makes it an ideal candidate to substitute against copper. The equations of bandgap and electron affinity for Ag doped CZTS and CZTSe with a tuning factor of [ A g ] A g + [ C u ] is modeled for optimizing the tandem structures. The front linear grading with reverse linear bandgap profile is used for the improvement of the overall performance of the device with variation in absorber layer thickness, acceptor doping density. The modeled Ag substituted tandem devices ACZTSe/CZTSe and CZTS/ACZTS results in efficiency of 19.37% and 23.50% respectively. Finally, the impact of temperature variation on Capacitance-Frequency calculation along with the influence of series and shunt on the device performance is investigated and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taking into account both fluid-structure interaction (FSI) and non-FSI simulations, the deformation of a bilayer is investigated in this paper. The bilayer, which is utilized in a micro-channel, consists of a Functionally-graded (FG) temperature-responsive hydrogel layer and an incompressible elastomeric one. Allocating two different positions to the elastomeric layer, we make two different bilayers where in one of them, the elastomer layer is located on the left (LSE) and on the right (RSE) in another one. Also, to see the effect of grading, two bilayers with homogenous hydrogel layers with different amounts of cross-linking density are considered. For FG cases in which the hydrogel layer’s properties vary through thickness direction, both ascending and descending arrangements are analyzed. Each simulation, whether it is FSI or non-FSI, is conducted utilizing three software. FLUENT for fluid domain examinations, ABAQUS for finite element method analysis, and MpCCI to couple two aforementioned simulation domains. By extracting and comparing both simulations results, it is observed that the influence of the fluid flow is very significant and should not be ignored. Moreover, it is discovered that the fluid flow affects more the RSE configuration and also the bilayers with lower amounts of cross-linking density. Finally, we investigate how some parameters, such as inlet pressure, can affect the behavior of the bilayer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to their lack of multifunctionality, the majority of traditional wound dressings do not support all the clinical requirements. Bilayer wound dressings with multifunctional properties can be attractive for effective skin regeneration. In the present study, we designed a multifunctional bilayer scaffold containing Chitosan-Polycaprolactone (PC) nanofiber and tannic acid (TA) reinforced methacrylate gelatin (GM)/alginate (Al) hydrogel (GM/Al/TA). PC nanofibers were coated with GM/Al/TA hydrogel to obtain a bilayer nanocomposite scaffold (Bi-TA). The GM/Al/TA hydrogel layer of Bi-TA showed antibacterial, free radical scavenging, and biocompatibility properties. Also, PC nanofiber acted as a barrier for preventing bacterial invasion and moisture loss of the hydrogel layer. The wound healing performance of the Bi-TA scaffold was investigated via a full-thickness wound model. In addition, the histopathological and immunohistochemical (IHC) stainings of transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were assessed. The results indicated an enhanced wound closure rate, effective collagen deposition, quick re-epithelialization, more skin appendages, and replacement of defect area with normal skin tissue by Bi-TA scaffold compared to other groups. Additionally, the regulation of TGF-β1 and TNF-α was observed by Bi-TA dressing. Overall, the Bi-TA with appropriate structural and multifunctional properties can be an excellent candidate for developing effective dressings for wound healing applications. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laser welding was performed to join 304 stainless steel (SS) and TC4 Titanium (Ti) alloy using Monel 400/Nb bilayer. In order to avoid the formation of Ti-based and Nb–Fe intermetallics, two pass welding involves creating two fusion weld separated by unmelted Monel 400 and Nb interlayer. The first laser pass was focused on the 304 SS side, a weld zone of the mixing of molten Monel 400 and 304 SS was formed. The second laser pass was focused on the TC4 Ti alloy side, a weld zone of the mixing of molten Nb interlayer and TC4 Ti alloy was formed. The joining between the Monel 400 and Nb interlayer was achieved by atoms interdiffusion. The joint fractured at the Monel 400-Nb interface with maximum tensile strength of 258 MPa.

We have examined impacts of gate insulator (Al2O3 or HfO2) and gate electrode (TiN or W) on electrical performance of ZnSnO/Si bilayer tunneling field-effect transistors (TFETs). It is found from the capacitance-voltage (C-V) characteristics that the W gate is effective to reduce the counter-clockwise hysteresis. Additionally, the optimal temperature of post-metallization annealing (PMA) is different for each gate stack, and this optimization is critically important for the high ON-state current (ION) and steep ON/OFF switching. The W/Al2O3/ZnSnO/Si bilayer TFET provides the hysteresis-free steep ON/OFF switching with the minimum sub-threshold swing (SS) of 65.4 mV/dec. and average SS of 72.0 mV/dec. in a gate-voltage swing of 0.3 V, which are 19% and 18% lower than the control TiN/Al2O3/ZnSnO/Si bilayer TFET. When the gate stack is replaced by W/HfO2/Al2O3, the TFET exhibits less steep ON/OFF switching in spite of thinning capacitance equivalent thickness (CET) from 5.9 and 2.3 nm. These results indicate the importance of improvement in the gate stack quality on the sub-threshold characteristics of the bilayer TFETs.

Over the past 50 years, 31P NMR has proven a powerful tool for obtaining information on cellular biochemistry. Here we use this technique for the first time to study intracellular phosphorous metabolites in skeletal muscle tissue of wild and farmed salmon, to investigate possible effects due to differences in diet and way of life. The wild salmon sample shows a significantly more diverse composition of metabolites compared to the farmed salmon sample. The differences are evident in the entire spectrum, including regions displaying resonances from phosphomonoesters and sugar phosphates, as well as other molecules important for phospholipid metabolism.It is demonstrated that 31P MAS NMR can be used to study a broad range of phosphorus metabolites ex vivo, which can give useful information, both on its own or as a supplement to other extraction-based analyses. Further 31P MAS NMR investigations on farmed salmon raised under different controlled conditions may give important insights into the broad array of health issues seen in farmed salmon.

Three tannin extracts from different sources (white peel grape (W), red peel grape (R) and oak bark (O)) have been used to obtain active films based on different polysaccharides: chitosan (CH), methylcellulose (MC) and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC). Tannin-rich films were obtained by casting as monolayers (by blending all the components) and as bilayers (one polysaccharide layer plus one tannin layer applied as a coating). Microstructural and physicochemical properties (water solubility, water vapor permeability, mechanical and optical properties), as well as the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the films, were analysed. Tannins, regardless of their origin, acted as crosslinking agents when incorporated into CH or MC films due to the establishment of specific associations, mainly hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. Thus, these tannin-rich films turned less water soluble, mechanically stiffer and less stretchable. In contrast, tannins provoke precipitation in the HPMC film-forming solutions and the application of tannins onto the HPMC film surface gave rise to a weakened network due to the local precipitation of HPMC-tannin complexes. The greatest antioxidant capacity was found in both mono and bilayer tannin-rich MC based films in different food simulants, in line with a tannin release from the polymer matrix. The MC bilayer films also exhibited a bacteriostatic activity against both E.Coli and L. innocua. So, MC films with tannins could represent a good alternative as active coatings or packaging material so as to prevent the occurrence of oxidative reactions in sensitive food products or to control bacterial growth.

Doping in transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) has received extensive attention for its prospect in the application of photoelectric devices. Currently researchers focus on the doping ability and doping distribution in monolayer TMD and have obtained a series of achievements. Bilayer TMD has more excellent properties compared with monolayer TMD. Moreover, bilayer TMD with different stacking structures presents varying performance due to the difference in interlayer coupling. Herein, this work focuses on doping ability of dopants in different bilayer stacking structures that has not been studied yet. Results of this work show that the doping ability of V atoms in bilayer AA' and AB stacked WS 2 is different, and the doping concentration of V atoms in AB stacked WS 2 is higher than in AA' stacked WS 2 . Moreover, dopants from top and bottom layer can be distinguished by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) image. Density functional theory (DFT) calculation further confirms the doping rule. This study reveals the mechanism of the different doping ability caused by stacking structures in bilayer TMD and lays a foundation for further preparation of controllable-doping bilayer TMD materials., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

The synthesis of two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2) has invoked much research interest in recent years. In this work, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) was employed to grow a novel molybdenum disulfide. The synthesis reaction was operated in an inert gas environment, with the sulfur precursor placed in the upstream zone of a double zone tube furnace, and the molybdenum trioxide (MoO 3) precursor placed in a small tube in the downstream zone. A piece of glass was used as the substrate, which was placed beside the small tube. We intentionally built a high concentration of molybdenum precursor above the substrate. The specific morphology hinged highly on the concentration of molybdenum. Abundant molybdenum atoms adsorbed on the edges of the bottom MoS 2 and formed defects, which promoted the nucleation of the top layer MoS 2 and preferentially grew from the edges. This result provides an innovative method to controllably synthesize novel bilayer molybdenum disulfide by a one-step method of chemical vapor deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the many applications of self-cleaning surfaces in different industries, the development of self-cleaning coating production methods in a simple and inexpensive way has gained significance among researchers. In this regard, the present study aims to prepare tin oxide and Manganese oxide through sol-gel procedure. Next, (Mn3O4/SnO2) double layers were deposited using spray pyrolysis system on glass substrates. Structural, topology, and optical properties, surface morphology, and wettability characterizations were investigated by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis spectroscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), and contact angle, respectively. According to AFM images of Mn3O4 thin films, grains were tightly packed and entirely compressed without crack. According to AFM images of SnO2 films, the values for grain width and Root Mean Square (RMS) roughness are about 242.8 nm and 25.85 mm, respectively. The bilayer images show that the values of grain width and root-mean-square thickness are about 130-220 nm and 20 mm, respectively. In addition, SnO2 and Mn3O4 and SnO2/Mn3O4 films reveal a direct optical band gap and hydrophilicity with water contact angles of 75°, 31°, and 70°, respectively. Owing to the importance and different applications of hydrophilic surfaces, thin layers of metal oxide were produced in a very simple way, among which Mn3O4 thin film was characterized by good hydrophilicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] The proton pump transmembrane protein bacteriorhodopsin was successfully incorporated into planar floating lipid bilayers in gel and fluid phases, by applying a detergent-mediated incorporation method. The method was optimized on single supported bilayers by using quartz crystal microbalance, atomic force and fluorescence microscopy techniques. Neutron and X-ray reflectometry were used on both single and floating bilayers with the aim of determining the structure and composition of this membrane-protein system before and after protein reconstitution at sub-nanometer resolution. Lipid bilayer integrity and protein activity were preserved upon the reconstitution process. Reversible structural modifications of the membrane, induced by the bacteriorhodopsin functional activity triggered by visible light, were observed and characterized at the nanoscale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), including balloon angioplasty, is a standard clinical invasive treatment for coronary artery disease. The coronary lesion with calcification is difficult to dilate and the prevention of balloon failure is especially important.Objective: A novel superpressure balloon was fabricated with bilayered structure of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and PA12 (polyamide).Methods: The structures of bilayer balloon were adjusted to achieve overall excellent performance. Physicochemical, thermal and mechanical properties of bilayer balloons were characterized by X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimeter, hydraulic tester and theoretical simulation.Results: Compared with pure PA12 and PET balloons, PA12 outer layer: PET inner layer balloon with layer ratio of 3:7 shows the highest burst stress and relatively low compliance due to an increase in crystallinity and orientation.Conclusions: The produced bilayer balloon proved to possess a small folding dimension thanks to its ultrathin bilayer structure, which is good for crossing cramped vessels. We believe these optimally fabricated bilayer balloons are proved to provide attractive opportunities for preparation, performance enhancement, and practical applications of super-pressure balloon catheters and cryoablation balloons, that will significantly promote the development of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty for clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research in this article entails the design of materials systems and tunable energy absorbing properties respond to a range of energy absorption needs in different impact conditions. Tunable energy absorption of bilayer cellular foams is investigated using hollow glass spheres with different wall thickness and densities. Co‐cured bilayer foams are prepared through sintering of the spheres, and their microstructures and mechanical responses to quasistatic uniaxial compression are investigated. Co‐cured system exploits localized voids density (>50 μm) locally at the interface which is induced via different shrinkage rate of spheres, leveraging tunable energy absorptions. Mechanical testing shows that the voids at the interface lead in the sequential collapse of the layers, resulting in a distinctive two‐step stress–strain profile. For comparison, bilayer samples are fabricated using epoxy. These samples show a different mechanical response from the co‐cured sample by not showing the two‐step stress–strain. The co‐cured samples exhibit 14.8% more specific energy absorption than epoxy bonded samples. The results suggest that co‐cured samples can limit impact stress and achieve a higher energy absorption capacity than epoxy bonded samples. The manufacturing concept and system design expand the capabilities of cellular foams, yielding desired energy absorbing properties in a diverse range of applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bilayer systems, consisting of electrosprayed gum rosin microspheres (eGR) and poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL), were prepared. First, the electrospraying processing conditions of GR in two different solvents, dichloromethane, and chloroform, were optimized. Various electrospraying polymeric solution flow rates and applied voltages were tested and morphologically analyzed in terms of particle size distribution and microspheres density. The conditions at which a homogeneous and narrow microspheres size distribution was achieved were chosen as the best for each solvent. The eGR was deposited onto a compression‐molded PCL film to obtain the bilayer systems. The bilayer systems were characterized by their visual appearance, microstructural analyses, thermal and mechanical performance, and surface wettability. It was determined that the mechanical and thermal behavior of PCL film was not affected due to the addition of the eGR microspheres layer. Meanwhile, the eGR layer considerably changes the surface color of the PCL film, reduces the film transparency, and produces a blocking effect in the UVB region and high blockage in the UVA region. In addition, the microspheres layer presents a tunable hydrophobicity depending on the solvent used, reaching values of ultrahydrophobic surfaces. Thus, the obtained result reveals a great potential to easily process bilayer systems with high interest in sustainable agricultural, packaging, and/or biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epithelial (E)-cadherin-mediated cell-cell junctions play important roles in the development and maintenance of tissue structure in multicellular organisms. E-cadherin adhesion is thus a key element of the cellular microenvironment that provides both mechanical and biochemical signaling inputs. Here, we report in vitro reconstitution of junction-like structures between native E-cadherin in living cells and the extracellular domain of E-cadherin (E-cad-ECD) in a supported membrane. Junction formation in this hybrid live cell-supported membrane configuration requires both active processes within the living cell and a supported membrane with low E-cad-ECD mobility. The hybrid junctions recruit α-catenin and exhibit remodeled cortical actin. Observations suggest that the initial stages of junction formation in this hybrid system depend on the trans but not the cis interactions between E-cadherin molecules, and proceed via a nucleation process in which protrusion and retraction of filopodia play a key role.

Pd/SnO2 bilayers for surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors were obtained using pulsed laser deposition (PLD). Bilayers were made at several deposition pressures in order to observe the influence of the morphology of the sensitive films on the response of the sensors. The morphological properties were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SnO2 monolayers were initially deposited on quartz substrates at 100, 400 and 700 mTorr, to observe their morphology at these pressures. The Pd/SnO2 bilayer depositions were made at 100 and 700 mTorr. The sensors realized with these sensitive films were tested at different hydrogen concentrations, in the range of 0.2–2%, at room temperature. In order to establish selectivity, tests for hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide were carried out with SnO2-700, Pd-100/SnO2-700 and Pd-700/SnO2-700 sensors. The sensor with the most porous sensitive film (both films deposited at 700 mTorr) had the best results: a sensitivity of 0.21 Hz/ppm and a limit of detection (LOD) of 142 ppm. The morphology of the SnO2 film is the one that has the major influence on the sensor results, to the detriment of the Pd morphology. The use of Pd as a catalyst for hydrogen improved the sensitivity of the film considerably and the selectivity of the sensors for hydrogen.

Increasing antibiotic resistance has provoked the urgent need to investigate the interactions of antimicrobials with bacterial membranes. The reasons for emerging antibiotic resistance and innovations in novel therapeutic approaches are highly relevant to the mechanistic interactions between antibiotics and membranes. Due to the dynamic nature, complex compositions, and small sizes of native bacterial membranes, bacterial membrane mimetics have been developed to allow for the in vitro examination of structures, properties, dynamics, and interactions. In this review, three types of model membranes are discussed: monolayers, supported lipid bilayers, and supported asymmetric bilayers; this review highlights their advantages and constraints. From monolayers to asymmetric bilayers, biomimetic bacterial membranes replicate various properties of real bacterial membranes. The typical synthetic methods for fabricating each model membrane are introduced. Depending on the properties of lipids and their biological relevance, various lipid compositions have been used to mimic bacterial membranes. For example, mixtures of phosphatidylethanolamines (PE), phosphatidylglycerols (PG), and cardiolipins (CL) at various molar ratios have been used, approaching actual lipid compositions of Gram-positive bacterial membranes and inner membranes of Gram-negative bacteria. Asymmetric lipid bilayers can be fabricated on solid supports to emulate Gram-negative bacterial outer membranes. To probe the properties of the model bacterial membranes and interactions with antimicrobials, three common characterization techniques, including quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D), surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and neutron reflectometry (NR) are detailed in this review article. Finally, we provide examples showing that the combination of bacterial membrane models and characterization techniques is capable of providing crucial information in the design of new antimicrobials that combat bacterial resistance.

Bi-material composite structures with continuous fibers embedded on polymer substrates exhibit self-morphing under thermal stimulus induced by the different coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) between the two constituent materials. In this study, a series of such structures are investigated in terms of fiber patterns and materials to achieve programmable and reversible transformations that can be exploited for thermal management applications. Stemming from this investigation’s results, an axial cooling fan prototype is designed and fabricated with composite blades that passively alter their shape, specifically their curvature and twist angle, under different operating temperatures. A series of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are performed, subjecting the fan’s geometry to different flow temperatures to measure differences in airflow deriving from the induced shape transformations. Corresponding experimental trials are additionally performed, aiming to validate the simulation results. The results indicate the potential of utilizing bilayer self-morphing configurations for the fabrication of smart components for cooling purposes.