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Solar-driven water evaporation represents an environmentally benign method of water purification/desalination. However, the efficiency is limited by increased salt concentration and accumulation. Here, we propose an energy reutilizing strategy based on a bio-mimetic 3D structure. The spontaneously formed water film, with thickness inhomogeneity and temperature gradient, fully utilizes the input energy through Marangoni effect and results in localized salt crystallization. Solar-driven water evaporation rate of 2.63 kg m −2  h −1 , with energy efficiency of >96% under one sun illumination and under high salinity (25 wt% NaCl), and water collecting rate of 1.72 kg m −2  h −1 are achieved in purifying natural seawater in a closed system. The crystalized salt freely stands on the 3D evaporator and can be easily removed. Additionally, energy efficiency and water evaporation are not influenced by salt accumulation thanks to an expanded water film inside the salt, indicating the potential for sustainable and practical applications. Solar-driven water evaporation technology still faces main challenges of limited efficiency and salt fouling. Here the authors achieve high energy efficiency and evaporation rate under high salinity through an energy reutilizing strategy based on interfacial water film inhomogeneity on a biomimetic structure.

In this study, a combined simulation and experimental approach is utilized to investigate the influence of hatch spacing on the microstructure and as-built quality of 316L stainless steel (SS) samples fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM). A three-dimensional finite element model (FEM) is employed to investigate heat transfer and melt pool during the SLM of 316L SS. The phase transformation and variation of the thermo-physical properties of the materials are considered in this model. The effects of hatch spacing (H) on the temperature field, microstructure and melt pool size, overlap rate, surface quality, and relative density during the SLM of 316L SS are investigated. The simulated results indicate that, as the hatch spacing increases, the depth increases and the width of the melt pool decreases. Meanwhile, with the increase of hatch spacing, the simulated temperature of the subsequent tracks falls below the melting temperature of the first track. Moreover, the microstructures were found to coarsen with the increasing hatch spacing due to the reduced cooling rate. The optimized hatch spacing and overlap rate between adjacent tracks were obtained from numerical simulations. Simulation results illustrate that, when the optimized hatch spacing of 100 μm is adopted, fully dense parts with a smooth surface can be fabricated by SLM, thus experimentally validating the simulation results.

Developing an effective and sustainable method for separating and purifying oily wastewater is a significant challenge. Conventional separation membrane and sponge systems are limited in their long-term usage due to weak antifouling abilities and poor processing capacity for systems with multiple oils. In this study, we present a dual-bionic superwetting gears overflow system with liquid steering abilities, which enables the separation of oil-in-water emulsions into pure phases. This is achieved through the synergistic effect of surface superwettability and complementary topological structures. By applying the surface energy matching principle, water and oil in the mixture rapidly and continuously spread on preferential gear surfaces, forming distinct liquid films that repel each other. The topological structures of the gears facilitate the overflow and rapid transfer of the liquid films, resulting in a high separation flux with the assistance of rotational motion. Importantly, this separation model mitigates the decrease in separation flux caused by fouling and maintains a consistently high separation efficiency for multiple oils with varying densities and surface tensions. Developing efficient separation methods for oily wastewater holds significant global importance. In this study, the authors combine supewettability and bio-inspired topological structures to demonstrate a dual-bionic superwetting gear system with liquid directional steering to achieve oil-water separation.

3D photonic crystals (PCs) have attracted extensive attention due to their unique optical properties. However, fabricating 3D PCs structure by 3D printing colloidal particles is limited by control of assembly under a fast-printing speed. Here, we employ continuous digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing strategy with hydrogen bonds assisted colloidal inks for fabricating well-assembled 3D PCs structures. Stable dispersion of colloidal particles inside UV-curable system induced by hydrogen bonding and suction force induced by continuous curing manner cooperatively realize the simultaneous macroscopic printing and microscopic particle assembly, which endows volumetric color property. Structural color can be well regulated by controlling the particle diameter and printing speed, through which various complex 3D structures with desired structural color distribution and optical light-guide properties are acquired. This 3D color construction approach shows great potential in customized jewelry accessories, decoration and optical device preparation, and will innovate the development of structural color. 3D photonic crystals (PCs) attract attention due to their unique optical properties but printing of colloidal particles is limited by lack of control over the assembly. Here, the authors demonstrate a continuous digital light processing 3D printing strategy using hydrogen bond assisted colloidal inks for fabricating well-assembled 3D PC structures.

3D printing has become one of the most promising methods to construct delicate 3D structures. However, precision and material utilization efficiency are limited. Here, we propose a one-droplet 3D printing strategy to fabricate controllable 3D structures from a single droplet ascribing to the receding property of the three-phase contact line (TCL) of the resin droplet. The well-controlled dewetting force of liquid resin on the cured structure results in the minimization of liquid residue and the high wet and net material utilization efficiency in forming a droplet into a 3D structure. Additionally, extra curing induced protruding or stepped sidewalls under high printing speed, which require high UV intensity, can be prevented. The critical is the free contact surface property of the droplet system with the introduction of the receding TCL, which increased the inner droplet liquid circulation and reduces the adhesion properties among the liquid resin, cured resin, and resin vat. Digital light processing and stereolithography have low wet material utilization efficiency. Here the authors propose a one-droplet 3D printing strategy to fabricate 3D structures from a single resin droplet.

Anomalous mechanical materials, with counterintuitive stress-strain responding behaviors, have emerged as novel type of functional materials with highly enhanced performances. Here we demonstrate that the materials with coexisting negative, zero and positive linear compressibilities can squeeze three-dimensional volume compressibility into one dimension, and provide a general and effective way to precisely stabilize the transmission processes under high pressure. We propose a “corrugated-graphite-like” structural model and discover lithium metaborate (LiBO 2 ) to be the first material with such a mechanical behavior. The capability to keep the flux density stability under pressure in LiBO 2 is at least two orders higher than that in conventional materials. Our study opens a way to the design and search of ultrastable transmission materials under extreme conditions. Anomalous mechanical behaviors provide an opportunity to regulate the functions of materials. Here the authors show that materials with coexisting negative, zero and positive compressibilities can “squeeze” volume compressibility into one direction, and thus stabilize transmission processes under pressure.

Irrigation is limited by water scarcity. Here, we show how a drip irrigation system inspired by the leaf of the fig tree Ficus religiosa (also known as the bodhi tree) can improve irrigation efficiency. The reverse curvature of the leaf regulates the convergence process of multiple water streams, while its long-tail apex allows for fast water drainage with the droplet separation centroid beyond the leaf apex. We explain why drip frequency increases after the break-up of contact line pinning at the apex tip by using scaling laws for drip volume and analyzing drainage dynamics. We build a drip irrigation emitter inspired by the bodhi leaf apex and compare the germination efficiency of wheat, cotton, and maize under different irrigation modes. These results show that the proposed bodhi-leaf-apex-mimetic (BLAM) drip irrigation can improve water saving while ensuring germination and seedling growth. Drip irrigation mitigates water shortage yet suffers high flow resistance and blockage. Here, the authors design a drip irrigation mechanism inspired by bodhi leaf morphology which can enhance water saving and seedling growth.

Primary aldosteronism (PA), characterized by autonomous aldosterone overproduction, is a major cause of secondary hypertension with significant cardiovascular complications. Current treatments mainly focus on symptom management rather than addressing underlying mechanisms. This study aims to discover novel therapeutic targets for PA using integrated bioinformatics and experimental validation approaches. We employed a systematic approach combining: gene identification through transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS); causal inference using summary data-based Mendelian randomization (SMR) and two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses; additional analyses included phenome-wide association analysis, enrichment analysis, protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, drug repurposing, molecular docking and clinical validation through aldosterone-producing adenomas (APAs) tissue. Through systematic screening and prioritization, we identified 163 PA-associated genes, of which seven emerged as potential drug targets: CEP104, HIP1, TONSL, ZNF100, SHMT1, and two long non-coding RNAs (AC006369.2 and MRPL23-AS1). SHMT1 was identified as the most promising target, showing significantly elevated expression in APAs compared to adjacent non-tumorous tissues. Drug repurposing analysis identified four potential SHMT1-targeting compounds (Mimosine, Pemetrexed, Leucovorin, and Irinotecan), supported by molecular docking studies. The integration of multiple bioinformatics methods and experimental validation successfully identified novel drug targets for hyperaldosteronism. SHMT1, in particular, represents a promising candidate for future therapeutic development. These findings provide new opportunities for developing causative treatments for PA, though further clinical validation is warranted.

Shark skin exhibits a well-defined multilayered architecture, consisting of three-dimensional denticles and an underlying dermal layer, which contributes to its passive drag reduction. However, the active drag reduction mechanisms of this interface remain largely unexplored. In this study, the Marangoni effect potentially arising from the active secretion of mucus on shark skin is investigated. A 3D-printed swimming robot with a porous substrate and a biomimetic shark denticle structure is developed. By introducing surfactants into the porous substrate and adjusting denticle arrangements, on-demand propulsion and controlled swimming trajectories are achieved. A superhydrophobic surface is fabricated on the swimming robot, which reduces water resistance and enhances propulsion. Moreover, denticles with a 30° attack angle demonstrate optimal propulsion performance in both Marangoni-driven hydrodynamics and aerodynamics. This study suggests that the secretion of mucus on shark skin may facilitate active drag reduction via the Marangoni effect, offering novel insights into the biomimetic structural design of autonomous swimming robots.

Nanophotonics has been widely utilized in enhanced molecularspectroscopy or mediated chemical reaction, which has major applications in the field of enhancing sensing and enables opportunities in developing healthcare monitoring. This review presents an updated overview of the recent exciting advances of plasmonic biosensors in the healthcare area. Manufacturing, enhancements and applications of plasmonic biosensors are discussed, with particular focus on nanolisted main preparation methods of various nanostructures, such as chemical synthesis, lithography, nanosphere lithography, nanoimprint lithography, etc., and describing their respective advances and challenges from practical applications of plasmon biosensors. Based on these sensing structures, different types of plasmonic biosensors are summarized regarding detecting cancer biomarkers, body fluid, temperature, gas and COVID-19. Last, the existing challenges and prospects of plasmonic biosensors combined with machine learning, mega data analysis and prediction are surveyed.