Plasmonic transition-metal nitrides such as TiN and HfN display localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR)-driven color in dilute dispersion, but their dried powders are nearly black. Here we show that embedding TiN or HfN nanoparticles in amorphous SiO2 by a one-pot sol-gel process recovers a visible LSPR-derived coloration of HfN in the dry state, despite a heterogeneous product in which single-core, multi-core, and core-free SiO2 particles coexist. CIELAB colorimetry quantifies a shift from b* ≈ -1.4 (bare HfN) to b* ≈ -12.3 (HfN/SiO2, 3 h), a CIE 1976 color difference ΔE76 = 13.4 accompanied by a large increase in chroma; TiN, whose LSPR lies near the visible-NIR border, serves as a boundary case and shows only a small change that is dominated by lightness. A single-parameter (ωp) quasi-static dipole/Kubelka-Munk reflectance model of isolated bare and silica-coated particles-calibrating only the nitride plasma frequency to the dispersion-phase LSPR-reproduces both the featureless reflectance of bare nitride powders and the LSPR-related reflectance dip of the silica-embedded particles (∼690 nm for HfN; beyond the measured range for TiN). Within this model, the recovery arises from scattering dilution: the transparent silica shell raises the scattering cross section so that the LSPR absorption re-emerges as a wavelength-selective dip. Physical separation of the nitride domains by SiO2 may additionally limit contact-induced damping, but this contribution is not resolved here. Sol-gel silica embedding thus offers a simple route to solid-state LSPR coloration of metal-nitride nanoparticles.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a highly toxic and environmentally hazardous gas, necessitating sensitive and reliable detection at trace concentrations. In this study, a dispensing-printed SnO2-based MEMS gas sensor was developed using a sol-gel-derived SnO2 precursor ink deposited directly onto a Pt-interdigitated micro-hotplate. The precursor ink was optimized for dispensing printing and subsequently annealed at 450 °C to produce a crystalline SnO2 sensing layer. XRD and FTIR analyses confirmed the formation of crystalline tetragonal rutile SnO2 and characteristic Sn-O bonding, while FE-SEM revealed an interconnected particulate sensing morphology with well-distributed Sn and O. XPS further confirmed the predominant Sn4+ chemical state and the presence of lattice and surface-related oxygen species, which are beneficial for gas adsorption and surface reactions. The fabricated sensor demonstrated effective H2S sensing performance at a relatively low operating temperature of 90 °C. The response increased systematically with the H2S concentration from 10 to 100 ppb, reaching a maximum response of 3.8897 at 100 ppb. A sensitivity of 0.0282 response units per ppb was obtained from the calibration curve, demonstrating a strong concentration-dependent response in the investigated range. Additionally, the power consumption of the sensor was low (~32 mW); the sensor also exhibited a response time of approximately 153 s, although recovery was comparatively slower at approximately 277 s at 30 ppb. Furthermore, the sensor showed a substantially higher response to H2S than the investigated interfering gases, including H2, NH3, NO2, and CO. These results demonstrate that the integration of dispensing-printed SnO2 with a MEMS micro-hotplate provides a promising route toward low-temperature, miniaturized, and highly sensitive trace-level H2S sensing.

Sol-gel-processed zinc oxide (ZnO) is indispensable in various optoelectronic applications, such as quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs), due to its high electron transport capability and adjustable oxygen vacancy characteristics. However, its commercialization has been delayed by defect-related issues and a high sensitivity to fabrication conditions. ZnO exhibits complex aging behaviors, notably 'shelf-aging,' where device properties change unpredictably over time even without external stimuli. Recent studies suggest that this shelf-aging in QLEDs might relate to the resistive switching (RS) behavior in ZnO, affecting the current conduction mechanism through external bias and internal oxygen dynamics. Despite its significance, systematic studies on the shelf-aging effects in ZnO-based RS structures have been lacking. In this study, we fabricate RS devices using sol-gel-processed ZnO and aluminum-doped ZnO (AZO) as dielectric layers, employing indium tin oxide (ITO) and aluminum (Al) as electrodes-materials commonly utilized in QLEDs. Notably, the Ion/Ioff ratio increased during the initial storage period, reaching the highest measured values after two days for ZnO and three days for AZO, followed by a decrease at later storage times. Further electrical measurements revealed storage-associated changes, while qualitative time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) profiles showed differences between pristine and archived aged specimens. These observations suggest possible interfacial or defect-related contributions. Overall, this study documents electrical evolution in simplified oxide/Al-containing RS structures during ambient storage with repeated measurements and generates hypotheses for future investigation into complete QLEDs.

Silver vanadate is an important class of multifunctional inorganic materials with broad application prospects in photocatalysis, sensing, batteries, and antibacterial fields, owing to its unique crystal structure and excellent optical, electrical, and catalytic properties. This paper systematically reviews the main synthesis methods of silver vanadate, including hydrothermal, ion exchange, and sol-gel methods, among which the hydrothermal method is the most widely used due to its simple process and high product crystallinity. The research progress in photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants, antibacterial activity, and electrochemical energy storage is emphatically discussed. Finally, the current challenges in large-scale preparation and long-term stability are analyzed, and future research directions, including the construction of novel composite systems, innovation in modification strategies, and exploration of practical applications, are prospected.

Near-infrared spin-light-emitting diodes (NIR-Spin-LEDs), which generate circularly polarized light, offer opportunities for applications such as biomedicine. However, the longest reported emission wavelength of NIR-Spin-LEDs remains limited to 782 nm, making spin-polarized electroluminescence beyond 800 nm challenging. Here we show NIR-Spin-LEDs based on a mixed-dimensional tin-based perovskite heterostructure incorporating chiral R/S-α-methylbenzylammonium (R/S-MBA[+]) spacer cations. The low-dimensional phases induced by R/S-MBA[+] provide chiroptical activity, while three-dimensional FA0.9Cs0.1SnI3 domains serve as the near-infrared emissive centers. Controlled crystallization produces a cypress-leaf-like morphology that promotes carrier confinement and improves charge-injection balance. The resulting devices exhibit electroluminescence peaking at 905 nm, with an external quantum efficiency of 7.8% and a maximum electroluminescence dissymmetry factor (gEL) of 5.5 × 10[-2]. This work extends spin-polarized electroluminescence into the deep near-infrared region and provides a strategy for developing lead-free NIR-Spin-LEDs.

Purpose Dental hygienists are uniquely positioned to improve oral and overall health outcomes with evidence-based treatment plans. One recommendation that has yet to see its full potential is the use of stannous fluoride (SnF2) toothpaste. Stannous fluoride is more than just an anticaries agent. Its formulation within a toothpaste offers superior performance in reducing plaque, gingivitis, sensitivity, halitosis, and tooth erosion, while maintaining the sulcular barrier integrity. However, most patients are unaware of these easily available benefits for oral health. This short report highlights the universal efficacy of SnF2 toothpaste, including significant reductions in gingival bleeding as compared with regular fluoride; reviews its proposed mechanisms, including antibacterial and antivirulence activity around teeth and implants as well as substructure remineralization; and explores its potential systemic health impact. The specific formulation of the toothpaste product also affects these factors, emphasizing the value of formulation-specific evidence to inform chairside recommendations. Including a well-formulated SnF2 toothpaste as part of daily oral hygiene leverages an existing behavior and reinforces proper habits for better oral health outcomes.

This study explores the use of Sn-doped sodium superionic conductor (NASICON)-type Li1+x Al x Ti2-x (PO4)3 (LATP) electrolytes in solid-state pouch cells with Ni-rich ternary cathodes that exhibit high-rate capability, low inner resistance, and superior cyclability. The pouch cell configuration includes two types of Ni-rich NCM cathodes, LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 (NCM523) and LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 (NCM622), paired with artificial graphite anodes (MG11) and synthesized LATP-containing composite solid electrolytes (CSEs). These cells demonstrate superior cyclic performance with high energy and power densities. Sol-gel and thermal calcination produced highly ionic conductivity Sn-LATP powders for CSEs. The equivalent ionic radii of Sn[4+] and Ti[4+] in NASICON-type lattices reduce distortion, but Sn[4+]'s greater Pauling electronegativity (∼1.96) improves the stability. The Sn-LATP powders in CSEs enhance the high-rate capabilities and cyclic stability of the solid-state pouch cells. NCM523 and NCM622 pouch cells with cathode-equipped pouches showed enhanced rate capability, with NCM523 achieving 58.9% capacity retention at 3C to 0.2C and NCM622 achieving 91.1% retention and ∼99.5% Coulombic efficiency over 200 cycles. Sn-LATP powders dramatically lower ESR values, according to the equivalent circuit impedance analysis. The diffusion coefficients for NCM523||Sn-LATP||MG11 and NCM622||Sn-LATP||MG11 pouch cells are 2.18 × 10[-8] cm[2] s[-1] and 1.47 × 10[-8] cm[2] s[-1], respectively, while the energy densities of NCM523||Sn-LATP||MG11 and NCM622||Sn-LATP||MG11 pouch cells are 132 and 172 Wh kg[-1] at high-power densities of 717 and 778 W kg[-1], respectively. The optimum CSE layer design using Sn-LATP particles presented in this work may lead to enhanced solid-state energy storage devices.

To address the potential ecological risks and environmental persistence of organosilicon-fluorine viscosity reducers in conventional silicone-fluoride drilling fluid systems, this work designs and synthesizes a non-organosilicon-fluorine, high-temperature, comb-shaped zwitterionic polymer viscosity reducer, AD-XSJ. The viscosity reducer is prepared via aqueous free-radical polymerization of acrylic acid (AA), acrylamide (AM), 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS), and dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride (DADMAC), and it exhibits low molecular weight, uniform molecular weight distribution, and excellent thermal stability. Analyses by FT-IR, thermogravimetry, particle size, zeta potential measurements and Electrostatic potential (ESP) demonstrate that AD-XSJ dismantles the bentonite network structure through the synergistic combination of hydrogen-bonding adsorption and electrostatic repulsion, releasing trapped free water and thereby substantially reducing viscosity and gel strength. Compared with conventional organosilicon-fluorine viscosity reducers, AD-XSJ exhibits superior viscosity reduction capability under high-solid, high-temperature, and high-salinity calcium-contamination conditions, achieving viscosity reduction rates of 33.3% and 50.0% in fluids contaminated with 10.0% NaCl and 1.0% CaCl2, respectively. In field applications under conditions of high bentonite content and calcium contamination, the viscosity reduction rates reach 57.7% and 62.5%, accompanied by markedly improved rheological properties and an average borehole enlargement rate of only 5.7%, indicating effective shale inhibition and anti-sloughing performance. Integrating efficient viscosity reduction, dispersion stabilization, and inhibition capabilities, this viscosity reducer can replace traditional organosilicon-fluorine products, reduce potential hazards to aquatic ecosystems at the source, and holds considerable promise for engineering and environmentally conscious deployment.

Dietary fiber is an under-consumed nutritional substrate that supports gut microbial metabolism, intestinal barrier integrity, enteroendocrine signaling, and cardiometabolic regulation. Among dietary fibers, psyllium and glucomannan are clinically accessible viscous, gel-forming soluble fibers with distinct but complementary physicochemical profiles. This narrative review examines how these fibers act through luminal viscosity, nutrient diffusion, bile acid and cholesterol handling, short-chain fatty acid production, epithelial barrier support, enteroendocrine L-cell signaling, and low-grade metabolic inflammation. Psyllium has the strongest clinical support for stool normalization, glycemic modulation, and LDL cholesterol reduction, whereas glucomannan provides marked viscosity and water-holding capacity that may support satiety, lipid modulation, and weight-management strategies when appropriately hydrated and tolerated. We also discuss the emerging nutritional context of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist therapy, in which appetite suppression, reduced meal volume, delayed gastrointestinal transit, and constipation may reduce dietary fiber intake and fermentable substrate delivery to the colon. The pain- and mood-related implications are framed as hypothesis-generating extensions, because direct clinical evidence that psyllium or glucomannan improves these outcomes remains limited. A psyllium-centered, selectively glucomannan-supported strategy may help close the fiber gap and support bowel function, microbial metabolite signaling, and cardiometabolic stability during modern metabolic and weight-loss therapies.

Alginate hydrogels are widely used as biocompatible carriers for controlled delivery, yet bulk triggering methods typically provide ensemble-averaged responses and limited control at the level of individual carriers. Redox-active cross-linking offers a route to electrochemical actuation because coordination strength and network rigidity can depend strongly on metal-ion oxidation state. In Fe-chelated alginate, Fe[3+] forms rigid, cross-linked structures, whereas Fe[2+] yields a viscous, liquid-like phase. These properties motivate electrochemical triggering strategies that convert Fe[3+] to Fe[2+] to modulate gel integrity and enable on-demand payload release. Herein, we demonstrate electrochemically controlled release of biomolecules (e.g., enzymes) from single microsized Fe-chelated alginate hydrogel particles upon collision with a biased indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode in aqueous solution. Guided by the Fe redox behavior in the slowly diffusing alginate matrix, microsized particles were employed to enable rapid, particle-scale conversion. Upon particle-electrode contact under cathodic bias, alginate-chelated Fe[3+] within an individual particle is reduced to alginate-chelated Fe[2+], leading to liquefaction of the hydrogel matrix and release of encapsulated biomolecules. A millimeter-scale ITO electrode served as the triggering electrode; its sub-nanoampere background current enabled clear resolution of discrete current spikes reporting rapid intra-particle electrolysis during collision events. Enzyme release was confirmed by an enzymatic reaction that generates a colorimetric precipitate in solution. This collision-triggered, electrochemical actuation scheme provides a reproducible platform for regulating biomolecule release from individual hydrogel carriers with electrical control. The low-background ITO configuration enables sensitive, real-time identification of single-particle triggering events and supports quantitative control by tuning the applied potential and actuation duration. This approach is promising for precision drug-delivery concepts and sensor-integrated release systems requiring controlled dosing and on-demand activation.

This research examined host metabolic processes associated with gingivitis and potential impacts of interventions. First, gingival brush samples from a previously reported clinical study in which participants used an intervention (stannous fluoride (SnF2) toothpaste/cetylpyridinium chloride rinse/oscillating-rotating electric toothbrush) or control (standard fluoride toothpaste/manual toothbrush) were analyzed with Metabolon metabolomic assessment. Next, hypotheses were generated about mechanisms of metabolic observations and tested in two in vitro models. Human primary blood cells were treated with endotoxins and outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) in the presence of SnF2. In clinical brush samples, 46 metabolites decreased with intervention at Week 3, including 9- and 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid, citrulline, adenine, and hypoxanthine. Seven metabolites related to nitrogen metabolism and citrulline production were selected for targeted quantification. They were low in health and increased in gingivitis. Targeted quantification demonstrated reduced citrulline, succinate, ornithine and deoxycarnitine (p ≤ 0.001 for all) between baseline and Week 6 with intervention; reductions were greater for intervention vs. control for citrulline, succinate and deoxycarnitine at Week 6 (p ≤ 0.019). In vitro, endotoxin and OMVs increased citrulline and nitric oxide (NO). SnF2 inhibited elevation of both. Citrulline, deoxycarnitine, succinate, and ornithine were identified as potential novel markers of gingivitis. Elevated NO production is a potential driver of oxidative stress, reduced with intervention.

The widespread industrial application of SnO2-Sb anodes is impeded by the enduring trade-off between electrocatalytic activity and operational stability, mainly due to interfacial passivation and active-layer delamination. To address these limitations, we report a 3D hierarchical Ti foam/TiO2-NTs/SnO2-Sb electrode fabricated via in situ anodic oxidation followed by sol-gel deposition. Vertically aligned TiO2 nanotubes grown directly on the macroporous Ti foam provide a nano-confining, superhydrophilic interlayer that promotes deep wetting of precursor solutions and uniform anchoring of SnO2-Sb nanoparticles. This nanotubular interface reduces charge-transfer resistance, raises the oxygen evolution potential to 2.20 V (vs. SCE), and suppresses parasitic oxygen evolution, thereby improving current efficiency. In phenol degradation, the composite electrode delivers faster kinetics and higher mineralization efficiency than conventional Ti/SnO2-Sb. Accelerated life tests further reveal a markedly prolonged service life, attributed to the 'riveting' effect of the nanotubes, which mitigates thermal stress and restrains passivation-layer growth. These findings highlight a scalable strategy for constructing durable, high-performance porous anodes suited for industrial electrochemical wastewater treatment.