A promising, safe, and economic fluorescent probe, g-C3 N4 single-layered QDs, is introduced for two-photon fluorescence imaging of the cellular nucleus for the first time. The large two-photon absorption cross section, the high photostability, good biocompatibility and non-toxicity, negligible photothermal effect, and specific interaction with DNA render the single-layered g-C3 N4 QDs as a promising candidate for in vivo and in vitro two-photon fluorescence imaging and further biomedical applications.

Magnetic liquid marbles capable of hosting both aqueous and organic fluids may serve as new miniature chemical reactors. Chemical reactions can occur either within a single liquid marble or between two magnetic liquid marbles (as illustrated). The liquid marbles can also interact with external devices simply by opening and closing the powdery shell under a magnetic field.

Face masks are widely used to filter airborne pollutants, especially when particulate matter (PM) pollution has become a serious concern to public health. Here, the concept of thermal management is introduced into face masks for the first time to enhance the thermal comfort of the user. A system of nanofiber on nanoporous polyethylene (fiber/nanoPE) is developed where the nanofibers with strong PM adhesion ensure high PM capture efficiency (99.6% for PM) with low pressure drop and the nanoPE substrate with high-infrared (IR) transparency (92.1%, weighted based on human body radiation) results in effective radiative cooling. We further demonstrate that by coating nanoPE with a layer of Ag, the fiber/Ag/nanoPE mask shows a high IR reflectance (87.0%) and can be used for warming purposes. These multifunctional face mask designs can be explored for both outdoor and indoor applications to protect people from PM pollutants and simultaneously achieve personal thermal comfort.

Boosting the cycling stability of transition metal compoundsbased supercapacitors, Energy ABSTRACT As an important electrochemical energy storage system, supercapacitors (SCs) possess advantages of high power density, long cycling life and great safety to meet the requirements of particular applications. Current commercial SCs that are mainly based on activated carbon materials generally have low energy density. Development of alternative electrode materials with a high specific capacitance is critical to achieving a high energy density of SCs. In the past decades, transition metal compounds have been explored as promising electrode materials for SCs with high energy density by taking advantage of faradaic charge storage process of transition metal cations. Nevertheless, SCs with transition metal based electrode materials normally suffer sluggish electrochemical reaction kinetics and poor electron conductivity, which result in unsatisfactory cycling stability and rate capability. In this review, we focus on the analysis of recent research breakthroughs in the development of high electrochemical performance SCs using transition metal oxides/hydroxides, sulfides, selenides and phosphides. The majority of the devices demonstrated outstanding cycling lifetime of over 10,000 times and excellent capacity retention rate along with high energy density. A critical analysis of the factors that contribute to the electrochemical performance of these star-performing SCs such as material morphology, crystal structure, composition, interfacial properties and key chemical reactions are presented. This timely review sheds light on the most effective possible paths towards design and fabrication of high performance SCs using transition metal electrode materials.

Stable superhydrophobic surfaces with water contact angles over 170 degrees and sliding angles below 7 degrees were produced by simply coating a particulate silica sol solution of co-hydrolysed TEOS/fluorinated alkyl silane with NH(3).H(2)O on various substrates, including textile fabrics (e.g. polyester, wool and cotton), electrospun nanofibre mats, filter papers, glass slides, and silicon wafers.