The superb mechanical and physical properties of individual carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have provided the impetus for researchers in developing high-performance continuous fibers based upon CNTs. The reported high specific strength, specific stiffness and electrical conductivity of CNT fibers demonstrate the potential of their wide application in many fields. In this review paper, we assess the state of the art advances in CNT-based continuous fibers in terms of their fabrication methods, characterization and modeling of mechanical and physical properties, and applications. The opportunities and challenges in CNT fiber research are also discussed.

While the emerging wire-shaped supercapacitors (WSS) have been demonstrated as promising energy storage devices to be implemented in smart textiles, challenges in achieving the combination of both high mechanical stretchability and excellent electrochemical performance still exist. Here, an asymmetric configuration is applied to the WSS, extending the potential window from 0.8 to 1.5 V, achieving tripled energy density and doubled power density compared to its asymmetric counterpart while accomplishing stretchability of up to 100% through the prestrainning-then-buckling approach. The stretchable asymmetric WSS constituted of MnO2/CNT hybrid fiber positive electrode, aerogel CNT fiber negative electrode and KOH-PVA electrolyte possesses a high specific capacitance of around 157.53 μF cm(-1) at 50 mV s(-1) and a high energy density varying from 17.26 to 46.59 nWh cm(-1) with the corresponding power density changing from 7.63 to 61.55 μW cm(-1). Remarkably, a cyclic tensile strain of up to 100% exerts negligible effects on the electrochemical performance of the stretchable asymmetric WSS. Moreover, after 10,000 galvanostatic charge-discharge cycles, the specific capacitance retains over 99%, demonstrating a long cyclic stability.

Due to their exceptional flexibility and transparency, CVD graphene films have been regarded as an ideal replacement of indium tin oxide for transparent electrodes, especially in applications where electronic devices may be subjected to large tensile strain. However, the search for a desirable combination of stretchability and electrochemical performance of such devices remains a huge challenge. Here, we demonstrate the implementation of a laminated ultrathin CVD graphene film as a stretchable and transparent electrode for supercapacitors. Transferred and buckled on PDMS substrates by a prestraininig-then-buckling strategy, the four-layer graphene film maintained its outstanding quality, as evidenced by Raman spectra. Optical transmittance of up to 72.9% at a wavelength of 550 nm and stretchability of 40% were achieved. As the tensile strain increased up to 40%, the specific capacitance showed no degradation and even increased slightly. Furthermore, the supercapacitor demonstrated excellent frequency capability with small time constants under stretching.

Carbohydrate conjugate rod-coil amphiphiles were synthesized and their self-assembling behavior in aqueous solution was investigated. These amphiphiles were observed to self-assemble into supramolecular structures that differ significantly depending on the molecular architecture. The rod-coil amphiphiles based on a short coil (1) self-assemble into a vesicular structure, while the amphiphiles with a long coil (2) show a spherical micellar structure. In contrast, 3, based on a twin-rod segment, was observed to aggregate into cylindrical micelles with twice the diameter of molecular length scale. As a means to determine the binding activity to protein receptors of these supramolecular objects, hemagglutination inhibition assay was performed. The experiments showed that the supramolecular architecture has a significant effect on the binding activity. In addition, incubation experiments with Escherichia coli showed that mannose-coated objects specifically bind to the bacterial pili of the ORN 178 strain. These results demonstrate that precise control of the nano-objects in shape and size by molecular design can provide control of the biological activities of the supramolecular materials.

Brain diseases and disorders such as Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, depression, schizophrenia, autism, and addiction lead to reduced quality of daily life through abnormal thoughts, perceptions, emotional states, and behavior. While the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood, human and animal studies have supported a role of neuroinflammation in the etiology of these diseases. In the central nervous system, an increased inflammatory response is capable of activating microglial cells, leading to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α. In turn, the pro-inflammatory cytokines aggravate and propagate neuroinflammation, degenerating healthy neurons and impairing brain functions. Therefore, activated microglia may play a key role in neuroinflammatory processes contributing to the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders and neurodegeneration.