Taiyuan University of Technology

In this paper, the mech. properties of carbon nanotube reinforced nylon 6 composites were investigated using mol. dynamics simulations.The effects of different types of carbon nanotubes (armchair type and zigzag type) on the mech. properties of the composites were investigated, and it was found that the elastic modulus of the armchair-type carbon nanotube reinforced composites was higher.The effects of carbon nanotube content and temperature on the mech. properties of the composites were investigated, and it was found that the mech. properties of the composites were best at 6.71% carbon nanotube content, and the composites exhibited good thermal stability and the mech. properties at lower temperaturesThe results show that different strain rates have a significant effect on the ultimate stress of the composites, and the mech. properties of the composites are better at high strain rates.Different degrees of functionalization of carbon nanotubes can improve the mech. properties of composites.When the number of carboxyl groups is 8, the mech. properties of the composites are the best, with an ultimate stress of 0.44 GPa and an elastic modulus of 3.64 MPa, which are 19% and 23% higher than that of the unfunctionalized ones, resp.

Osteoarthritis is among the leading causes of disability worldwide, and no pharmacological therapies currently exist to reverse its progression. This lack of therapies is primarily attributed to the inadequacies of conventional in vitro models of joint physiology and pathology, which significantly hinder advancements in disease mechanism research and drug development. As an emerging in vitro joint model, joint-on-a-chip (JoC) technology allows low-cost, efficient simulation of physiological and pathological joint activities, making it a focal point of current research. Cartilage, subchondral bone, and synovium are among the key tissues required for constructing in vitro joint models, with cartilage playing a central load-bearing role in joint movement. This article provides a detailed overview of the structure and function of these tissues, with an emphasis on the load-bearing mechanisms of cartilage, and identifies the microenvironmental characteristics that JoC should aim to replicate. Subsequently, we review the current types of JoC and highlight their core challenge: the seamless integration of multi-tissue co-culture with specific mechanical stimulation. To address this issue, we propose potential solutions and present a conceptual design for a JoC prototype. Finally, we discuss the challenges and issues related to the outlook for JoC. Our ultimate goal is to develop a JoC capable of replicating the key microenvironments of joints, serving as a high-performance in vitro joint model to advance the study of disease mechanisms and facilitate drug development.

Lead-free perovskite Cs₂AgBiBr₆ has emerged as a promising material for constructing stable and environmentally friendly photodetectors (PDs), owing to its excellent stability, non-toxicity, and solution-processability. However, current PDs based on Cs₂AgBiBr₆ are limited by their operational bandwidth, with spectral detection typically restricted to wavelengths below 700 nm. In this work, we report the successful integration of Cs₂AgBiBr₆ with an organic heterojunction, resulting in a broadband, high-sensitivity, and fast-response PD that exhibits a remarkable spectral response extending up to 1208 nm. Under a bias voltage of -0.3 V, the external quantum efficiencies at 730 nm and 850 nm reached 93% and 78%, respectively. Furthermore, at a wavelength of 850 nm, the device demonstrated a responsivity of 0.53 A/W and a detectivity of 4.85 × 10¹² Jones. The response time was recorded at an impressive 548 ns at 532 nm. Additionally, the functionality of the device was successfully demonstrated in the detection of photoplethysmography signals, showcasing its practical applicability. This research offers a promising pathway toward the advancement of cost-effective, broadband, and high-performance PDs.