Effect of PMMA Molecular Weight on Its Localization during Crystallization of PVDF in Their Blends

Integrated Iontronic FMG-sEMG Sensing for Decoding Muscle Activation Mechanisms and Force Assessment

Muscle activity generates both physiological electrical and mechanical signals, the monitoring of which is crucial in rehabilitation and sports medicine, underpinning effective diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation processes. Advances in flexible electronics enable force myography (FMG) and surface electromyography (sEMG) signals for muscle activation monitoring, but the multi-sensor integration and physiological mechanisms underlying FMG signals remain poorly studied, limiting the accuracy of muscle function assessments and underutilizes the high sensitivity of the flexible sensors. This study introduces a novel thin-film iontronic force-electromyography (iFEMG) sensor, integrating a high-sensitivity iontronic pressure sensor and sEMG electrodes for high-fidelity muscle physiological signal acquisition. Based on ultrasound imaging and statistical analysis, the relationship between muscle force, muscle geometric features, and FMG signals is established, providing evidence for elucidating the physiological mechanisms of FMG signals. Based on these findings, an effective and highly adaptable method is proposed for precise muscle force prediction. The iFEMG system is successfully applied to assess motor nerve and muscle function in patients, demonstrating its clinical utility. This system holds significant potential for broader applications, such as rehabilitation training and early diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders, paving the way for advanced personalized healthcare solutions.

Printable and Tunable Bioresin with Strategically Decorated Molecular Structures

As personalized medicine rapidly evolves, there is a critical demand for advanced biocompatible materials surpassing current additive manufacturing capabilities. This study presents a novel printable bioresin engineered with tunable mechanical, thermal, and biocompatibility properties through strategic molecular modifications. The study introduces a new bioresin comprising methyl methacrylate (MMA), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA), and a photoinitiator, which is further enhanced by incorporating high molecular weight polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) to improve biostability and mechanical performance. The integration of printable PMMA presents several synthesis and processing challenges, necessitating substantial modifications to the 3D printing process. Additionally, the bioresin is functionalized with antibacterial silver oxide and bone-growth-promoting hydroxyapatite at various weight ratios to extend its application further. The results demonstrate the agile printability of the novel bioresin and its potential for transformative impact in biomedical applications, offering a versatile material platform for additive manufacturing-enabled personalized medicine. This work highlights the adaptability of the novel printable bioresin for real-life applications and its capacity for multiscale structural tailoring, potentially achieving properties comparable to native tissues and extending beyond conventional additive manufacturing techniques.

Ferrite-doped rare-earth nanoparticles for enhanced β-phase formation in electroactive PVDF nanocomposites

This study offers a novel method for improving the piezoelectric characteristics of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) by adding lanthanated CoFe2O4 nanoparticles (CLFO), thereby addressing the critical need for effective renewable energy solutions. The novelty of this work lies in the synthesis of CLFO nanoparticles and their integration into the PVDF matrix, with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) employed to ensure uniform dispersion. This was accomplished by a special co-precipitation and heat treatment procedure. Nanocomposite films were created using solvent casting with a range of CLFO concentrations (1, 3, 5, and 7 wt%). The structural, morphological, mechanical, and thermal properties of these films were all thoroughly assessed. A remarkable improvement over conventional techniques was found using X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, which showed up to 80% β-phase development with 3 wt% CLFO. While thermogravimetric studies showed enhanced thermal stability, scanning electron microscopy verified homogeneous nanoparticle dispersion. Mechanical tests revealed ideal stiffness, strength, and ductility at 3 wt% CLFO. Significant advances in electronics and energy harvesting are anticipated from this novel combination of PVDF's piezoelectric properties and CLFO reinforcement. By minimally influencing the environment, these advancements not only tackle the world's energy problems but also present prospective uses for renewable energy technologies.

Recent Advancements in Fabrication, Separation, and Purification of Hierarchically Porous Polymer Membranes and Their Applications in Next-Generation Electrochemical Energy Storage Devices

In recent years, hierarchically porous polymer membranes (HPPMs) have emerged as promising materials for a wide range of applications, including filtration, separation, and energy storage. These membranes are distinguished by their multiscale porous structures, comprising macro-, meso-, and micropores. The multiscale structure enables optimizing the fluid dynamics and maximizing the surface areas, thereby improving the membrane performance. Advances in fabrication techniques such as electrospinning, phase separation, and templating have contributed to achieving precise control over pore size and distribution, enabling the creation of membranes with properties tailored to specific uses. In filtration systems, these membranes offer high selectivity and permeability, making them highly effective for the removal of contaminants in environmental and industrial processes. In electrochemical energy storage systems, the porous membrane architecture enhances ion transport and charge storage capabilities, leading to improved performance in batteries and supercapacitors. This review highlights the recent advances in the preparation methods for hierarchically porous structures and their progress in electrochemical energy storage applications. It offers valuable insights and references for future research in this field.

Inclusion/Exclusion Behaviors of Small Molecules during Crystallization of Polymers in Miscible PLLA/TAIC Blend

In this work, PLLA/TAIC has been taken as a model system to investigate the inclusion and exclusion of small molecules during the crystallization of polymers in their miscible blend. Our results indicate that it is the growth rate and diameter of PLLA spherulites that dominate the localization of TAIC. On the one hand, crystallization temperature plays an important role. Crystallization at higher temperature corresponds to higher growth rates and a greater diameter of PLLA spherulites. The former improves the ability of PLLA crystals to trap TAIC while the latter leads to a lower volume fraction of space among neighboring PLLA spherulites. The combination of the two contributes to the enhanced inclusion behaviors. On the other hand, when compared to melt crystallization, cold crystallization results in much smaller spherulites (from higher nucleation density) and sufficient space among spherulites, which accounts for the enrichment of TAIC in interspherulitic regions and for its enhanced exclusion. In the adopted polymer–small molecule blend, TAIC can enrich in interspherulitic regions even in its miscible blend with PLLA, which can be attributed to its stronger diffusion ability.