Journal Highlights

Copper selenide as multifunctional non-enzymatic glucose and dopamine sensor

Harish Singh, Jillian Bernabe, Justin Chern, Manashi Nath

Glucose oxidation at 0.35 V and dopamine oxidization at 0.2 V demonstrates that hydrothermal copper selenide (Cu₂Se) is a highly efficient bifunctional sensor. A Cu₂Se-based non-enzymatic sensor showed high sensitivity for both glucose (15.341 mA mM⁻¹ cm⁻²) and dopamine (12.43 μA μM⁻¹ cm⁻²) and low limits of detection (0.26 μM and 84 nM). https://doi.org/10.1557/s43578-021-00227-0

Showerhead-assisted chemical vapor deposition of CsPbBr₃ films for LED applications

S. Sanders, G. Simkus, J. Riedel, A. Ost, A. Schmitz, F. Muckel, G. Bacher, M. Heuken, A. Vescan, H. Kalisch

Open Access

The authors demonstrate a highly scalable showerhead-assisted chemical vapor deposition method to produce uniform pinhole-free perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs). Cesium bromide and lead bromide evaporation under low vacuum and a substrate temperature of 160°C enables direct growth of cesium lead bromide films on a polymeric-hole-transport layer to obtain PeLEDs with a maximum luminance of 125 cd/m². https://doi.org/10.1557/s43578-021-00239-w

High strain rate in situ micropillar compression of a Zr-based metallic glass

Rajaprakash Ramachandramoorthy, Fan Yang, Daniele Casari, Moritz Stolpe, Manish Jain, Jakob Schwiedrzik, Johann Michler, Jamie J. Kruzic, James P. Best

Open Access

The authors study interactions of atomic-scale chemistry over six orders of compression strain rate in zirconium-based metallic glass micropillars. A remarkable reversal of the strain rate sensitivity was observed above ~ 5 s⁻¹ due to delocalization of shear transformation events. Shear band propagation speed increases with actuation speed leading to a transition from serrated to apparent non-serrated plastic flow at ~ 5 s⁻¹. https://doi.org/10.1557/s43578-021-00187-5

Fabrication and evaluation of molecularly imprinted structured polymeric films via photopolymerization for bisphenol A detection

Seung Hyo Goo, Ninad B. Velhal, Jinyoung Park

There is high interest in molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) sensors based on templated structures of the analyte and the sensing element. The authors highlight structured MIP-coated quartz crystal microbalance sensors for detecting bisphenol A. Increased surface area and binding constant control achieve higher selectivities and sensitivities. https://doi.org/10.1557/s43579-021-00077-1

The potential of additively manufactured membranes for selective separation and capture of CO₂

Dianne B. Gutierrez, Eugene B. Caldona, Richard D. Espiritu, Rigoberto C. Advincula

Despite increasing interest in CO₂ capture and separations efficiency, important developments in technologies have yet to keep pace with traditional fabrication methods. The authors focus on the developments of 3D printing as applied to membranes and separation methods for the CO₂ ecosystem. There is high potential to make tailor-made device geometries and materials to enable rapid prototyping and manufacturing with new materials. https://doi.org/10.1557/s43579-021-00062-8

Lithographically patterned micro-nozzles for controlling fluid flow profiles for drug delivery and in vitro imaging applications

Tristen Head, Natalya Tokranova, Nathaniel C. Cady

Imaging in microfluidic environments requires precise control over flow parameters and the optical environment to enable high contrast and resolution. The authors show optimization for in vivo study of cells and tissues that complements conventional biological techniques and experimental methods in imaging. There will be interest in adapting this technique to imaging experiments with precise control of fluid delivery and biological tissue mimics. https://doi.org/10.1557/s43579-021-00078-0

The transition of electrical systems to sustainability: Political and institutional drivers in Chile and Brazil

Axel Bastián Poque González, José Eduardo Viglio, Lúcia da Costa Ferreira

In 2000, solar, wind, geothermal, and renewable thermoelectricity accounted for 1.6% and 2.3% of the total electricity generated in Chile and Brazil, respectively. In 2018, this increased to 14.6% in Chile and 17.7% in Brazil. The authors conclude that transitions to sustainability of developing economies need to recognize inequalities and poor distribution of power and rights, which have not been thoroughly studied in the Global South. https://doi.org/10.1557/s43581-021-00011-x

Materials science community support for teaching sustainability

Jeremy Theil, Ivana Aguiar, Sudheer Bandla, Yvonne Kavanaugh

The materials science community has expressed a strong desire to include sustainability in the educational experience. The authors discuss potential opportunities to include these topics throughout the curriculum, and there is a need to make educational resources widely available. https://doi.org/10.1557/s43581-021-00009-5

A layered nonstoichiometric lepidocrocite-type sodium titanate anode material for sodium-ion batteries

Wei Yin, Judith Alvarado, Gözde Barim, M.C. Scott, Xinxing Peng, Marca M. Doeff

Sodium-ion batteries represent promising alternatives to lithium-ion batteries, particularly for large-scale energy-storage applications, where cost and resource limitations are concerns. The authors describe a layered lepidocrocite-type sodium titanate anode, showing a high Na⁺ storage capacity of 229 mAh g⁻¹ at relatively low average voltage of approximately 0.6 V versus Na⁺/Na, as a promising anode material. Such progress helps accelerate development of sodium-ion battery technology. https://doi.org/10.1557/s43581-021-00008-6

Recent progress in acoustic field-assisted 3D-printing of functional composite materials

Keith Johnson, Drew Melchert, Daniel S. Gianola, Matthew Begley, Tyler R. Ray

Direct ink writing to form 3D structures using complex material forms (with multiple functions, often with multiple morphologies) may benefit from complementary alignment and densification strategies. The authors describe the integration of acoustic waves with direct-write printing to enhance the ability to form dense colloidal structures more rapidly than relying on diffusion and to classes of materials broader than those accessible with electrostatic and electromagnetic focusing. https://doi.org/10.1557/s43580-021-00090-5

Investigating the dielectric properties of barium titanate nanocomposites using transmission electron microscopy image processing

Gio Ferro, Dithi Ganjam, Maia Gibson, Katie Partington, Akshay Trikha, Mandy Wu, Jessica Domrzalski, Albert Dato, Todd Monson

Open Access

The dielectric properties of barium titanate nanoparticles has generated significant attention for capacitor materials. The authors use transmission electron microscopy to determine realistic particle size and shape distributions with image processing, finding that composite dielectric constants that account for non-spherical shapes and spacings may be on the order of 60% of the value than when spheroidicity or regular cubic particle arrays are assumed. https://doi.org/10.1557/s43580-021-00095-0

Enhanced metallicity in defected Zigzag graphene nanoribbons: Role of oxygen doping

Sonal Agrawal, Gaurav Kaushal, Anurag Srivastava

Determining the electronic structure of defective 2D materials requires examining local position as well as defect species and concentration. The authors investigate the band structure in a graphene nano ribbon with oxygen up to three sites present at a monovacancy in the sheet. The stability of the oxygenated sheet is similar to the vacancy alone, and should be more metallic with increased oxygen concentration. https://doi.org/10.1557/s43580-021-00121-1