Search

4D printing is widely used in soft actuators, flexible electronic devices, and soft robotics. However, existing 4D printed architectures suffer from drawbacks such as long shape‐deformation response time or low sensitivity to external stimuli, which greatly limit their applications. To address these shortcomings, 4D printed electromagnetic architectures (EMAs) with both ultra‐fast shape‐deformation and highly‐sensitive detection capabilities have been proposed in this study. The EMA is composed of a 4D printed polymeric scaffold, along with magnetic and conductive parts. Experiments show that the EMA exhibits not only an ultra‐fast shape‐deformation response time as low as 0.007 s but also a high sensitivity to detect an external pressure down to 0.4 Pa, which is beyond records of all current 4D printing reports. Numerical simulation reveals the rapid shape‐deformation and sensing mechanism of EMAs. The effects of cell structures on the performances of EMAs are investigated by parameter optimization. Finally, a “sensing‐to‐deforming” system has been demonstrated, which can smartly distinguish objects by pressures and then trap or release them by the shape deformation. This work realized the effective coupling of ultra‐rapid shape‐deformation and ultra‐low stress sensing of 4D printed architectures and provided an effective method for integrated development of smart devices in deformation and sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

WS2 is a widely used solid lubricating material that exhibits applications in various fields, including automotive components, precision instruments, and key parts that require antiwear properties. However, WS2 is highly susceptible to humidity, which significantly limits its practical utility. In order to investigate and enhance the tribological and mechanical properties of WS2 coatings, a method involving codeposition of carbon (C) and tungsten (W) with WS2 was employed using magnetron sputtering, resulting in the successful preparation of W-diamondlike carbon (DLC)/WS2 composite coatings. Subsequent investigations revealed a synergistic effect of C and W through various methods. The addition of W noticeably improved both the nanohardness and Young's modulus of the W-DLC coatings, thereby further enhancing the mechanical properties of the W-DLC/WS2 composite coatings and improving their wear resistance. However, it was observed that excessive W tended to oxidize, intensifying the abrasive wear of the composite coatings during friction. Moreover, Raman spectroscopy analysis indicated the presence of carbon in the composite coatings in the form of DLC, which served as a lubrication phase. The presence of DLC facilitated the formation of transfer films composed of graphite. Additionally, it was discovered that the number of graphite layers in the transfer films had an impact on the tribological properties of the coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Signal transmission between rigid robots is usually realized through rigid electronic components like coil or circuit board. However, these rigid electronic units are difficult to be used in fully flexible soft robots because of the mismatch of Young's modulus. Liquid metal (LM), as a flexible fluid with superior electric conductivity, can be served as the alternative material for rigid electronic units to realize signal transmission in fully flexible soft robots. Herein, a fully flexible soft robot is fabricated, which is mainly consists of two functional units: the soft tentacle integrated with liquid metal spiral wire and the body prepared by Nd2Fe14B magnetic powders/Ecoflex composites. The fully flexible soft robot can not only transmit electric signals based on electromagnetic induction but also be actuated by an external magnetic field to form diverse signal transmission pathways. Related mechanisms of transmitting electric signal and driving are studied by Maxwell numerical simulation. Driven by an external magnetic field, three soft robots are capable to constitute two different pathways to transmit electric signals to the oscilloscope. It is believed that the integration of LM into the magnetic composites provides an open perspective to realize the signal transmission in fully flexible soft robot and favors the development of multifunctional soft robot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the prevalence, clinical features, genetic characteristics and prognosis of Citrin deficiency in Henan province of China., Methods: A total of 986 565 neonates screened by tandem mass spectrometry at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2013 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Analysis of SLC25A13 gene variants and parental verification were carried out for neonates suspected for Citrin deficiency by next-generation sequencing. The clinical, biochemical and genetic characteristics of Citrin deficiency patients were integrated to guide the diet treatment and follow up the growth and development. Paired-t test was used to compare the amino acid levels in the peripheral blood samples before and after the treatment., Results: Nine cases of Citrin deficiency were diagnosed among the 986 565 neonates. Specific elevation of citrulline was observed in all of the 9 cases. Six variants were detected by genetic sequencing, among which c.852_855delTATG, c.615+5G>A, c.550C>T and IVS16ins3kb were known pathogenic variants, whilst c.1111_1112delAT and c.837T>A were unreported previously. The detection rate for c. 852_855delTATG was the highest (61.6%, 11/18), followed by IVS16ins3kb (16.7%, 3/18). The clinical symptoms of all patients were relieved after the treatment, and the blood amino acid profile and biochemical parameters were significantly improved by gradually falling within the normal range. By June 2022, all patients had shown a good prognosis., Conclusion: The prevalence of Citrin deficiency among neonates from Henan Province by tandem mass spectrometry is 1/109 618, and the carrier rate for the pathogenic variants of the SLC25A13 gene was 1/166. The c.852_855delTATG may be a hot spot variant among the patients. Discovery of the novel variants has enriched the mutational spectrum of the SLC25A13 gene. Above results have provided a basis for the early diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and genetic counseling for the affected families.

The change of 3D spatial distribution of magnetic permeability can lead to the generation of introduced electrical signals. However, present studies can only achieve rough regulation by simple shape deformation of magnetic elastomers such as compression, bending, or stretching. Accurate control of the 3D spatial distribution of magnetic permeability is still an open question. In this study, an on-demand 3D spatial distribution of magnetic permeability by controlled flowing of Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticle liquid (FNL) is demonstrated. The flowing routes of FNL are tuned by a 3D-printed cage with pre-designed hollow structure, thus changing the 3D spatial distribution of magnetic permeability. Then, eight symmetrically distributed coils under cage are used to receive characteristic induction voltage signals. Maxwell numerical simulation reveals the working mechanism of signal generation. Notably, those eight coils can detect FNL flowing status in eight directions, allowing recognition of up to 255 different FNL flowing combinations. By introducing machine learning, the micro-cavity detector based on FNL can distinguish nine kinds of micro-cavity structures with an accuracy of 98.77%. This work provides a new strategy for the adjustment of the 3D spatial distribution of the magnetic permeability and expands the application of FNL in the field of space exploration., (© 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)