In: Nano Research, 2020, vol. 13, no. 10, p. 2847–2856
Nanoparticle (NP) colloidal stability plays a crucial role in biomedical application not only for human and environmental safety but also for NP efficiency and functionality. NP agglomeration is considered as a possible process in monodispersed NP colloidal solutions, which drastically affects colloidal stability. This process is triggered by changes in the physicochemical properties of the...
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In: CHIMIA International Journal for Chemistry, 2020, vol. 74, no. 9, p. 674–680
Colloidal structures are crucial components in biological systems and provide a vivid and seemingly infinite source of inspiration for the design of functional bio-inspired materials. They form multi-dimensional confinements and shape living matter, and transport and protect bioactive molecules in harsh biological environments such as the stomach. Recently, colloidal nanostructures based on...
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In: Current Opinion in Colloid & Interface Science, 2020, vol. 49, p. 82–93
Fluid-like colloidal structures are key components in nature's own functional materials and important for various applications. For instance, self-assembled structures are formed spontaneously by amphiphilic molecules in solvent, tailored by directional noncovalent intermolecular forces. These structures form the framework of cells defining their geometry and microenvironments for chemical...
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In: NeoBiota, 2020, vol. 62, p. 1–30
Our understanding and management of biological invasions relies on our ability to classify and conceptualise the phenomenon. This need has stimulated the development of a plethora of frameworks, ranging in nature from conceptual to applied. However, most of these frameworks have not been widely tested and their general applicability is unknown. In order to critically evaluate frameworks in...
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In: Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, no. 1, p. 4315
Due to their controlled size, sensitivity to external stimuli, and ease-of-use, microgel colloids are unique building blocks for soft materials made by crosslinking polymers on the micrometer scale. Despite the plethora of work published, many questions about their internal structure, interactions, and phase behavior are still open. The reasons for this lack of understanding are the...
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In: Physical Review Letters, 2020, vol. 125, no. 12, p. 127402
We present wave transport experiments in hyperuniform disordered arrays of cylinders with high dielectric permittivity. Using microwaves, we show that the same material can display transparency, photon diffusion, Anderson localization, or a full band gap, depending on the frequency ν of the electromagnetic wave. Interestingly, we find a second weaker band gap, which appears to be related to...
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In: CHIMIA International Journal for Chemistry, 2020, vol. 74, no. 9, p. 667–673
CO2 emissions into the atmosphere account for the majority of environmental challenges and its global impact in the form of climate change is well-documented. Accordingly, the development of new materials approaches to capture and convert CO2 into value-added products is essential. Whereas the increased availability of renewable energy is curbing our reliance on fossil fuels and decreasing...
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In: Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2020, vol. 59, no. 35, p. 15166-15170
Dimensionality plays an important role in the charge transport properties of organic semiconductors. Although three‐dimensional semiconductors, such as Si, are common in inorganic materials, imparting electrical conductivity to covalent three‐ dimensional organic polymers is challenging. Now, the synthesis of a three‐ dimensional π‐conjugated porous organic polymer (3D p‐POP) using...
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In: ACS Nano, 2020, vol. 14, no. 2, p. 1879–1887
Enteric viruses, such as enterovirus, norovirus, and rotavirus, are among the leading causes of disease outbreaks due to contaminated drinking and recreational water. Viruses are difficult to remove from water through filtration based on physical size exclusion—for example by gravity-driven filters—due to their nanoscale size. To understand virus removal in drinking water treatment ...
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In: CHIMIA International Journal for Chemistry, 2019, vol. 73, no. 11, p. 880–893
Lithium ion batteries are typically based on one of three positive-electrode materials, namely layered oxides, olivine- and spinel-type materials. The structure of any of them is 'resistant' to electrochemical cycling, and thus, often requires modification/post- treatment to improve a certain property, for example, structural stability, ionic and/or electronic conductivity. This review...
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