The transport behavior of water molecules inside a model carbon nanotube is investigated by using nonequilibrium molecular dynamcis (NMED) simulations. The shearing stress between the nanotube wall and the water molecules is identified as a key factor in determining the nanofluidic properties. Due to the effect of nanoscale confinement, the effective shearing stress is not only size sensitive but also strongly dependent on the fluid flow rate. Consequently, the nominal viscosity of the confined water decreases rapidly as the tube radius is reduced or when a faster flow rate is maintained. An infiltration experiment on a nanoporous carbon is performed to qualitatively validate these findings.

It is highly desired that satisfactory photoactive agents with ideal photophysical characteristics are explored for potent cancer phototherapeutics. Herein, bifunctional nanoparticles of low-bandgap donor-acceptor (D-A)-type conjugated-polymer nanoparticles (CP-NPs) are developed to afford a highly efficient singlet-to-triplet transition and photothermal conversion for near-infrared (NIR) light-induced photodynamic (PDT)/photothermal (PTT) treatment. CP-NPs display remarkable NIR absorption with the peak at 782 nm, and perfect resistance to photobleaching. Photoexcited CP-NPs undergo singlet-to-triplet intersystem crossing through charge transfer in the excited D-A system and simultaneous nonradiative decay from the electron-deficient electron acceptor isoindigo derivative under single-wavelength NIR light irradiation, leading to distinct singlet oxygen quantum yield and high photothermal conversion efficiency. Moreover, the CP-NPs display effective cellular uptake and cytoplasmic translocation from lysosomes, as well as effective tumor accumulation, thus promoting severe light-triggered damage caused by favorable reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and potent hyperthermia. Thus, CP-NPs achieve photoactive cell damage through their photoconversion ability for synergistic PDT/PTT treatment with tumor ablation. The proof-of-concept design of D-A-type conjugated-polymer nanoparticles with ideal photophysical characteristics provides a general approach to afford potent photoactive cancer therapy.

Because of its ultrahigh specific capacity, lithium metal holds great promise for revolutionizing current rechargeable battery technologies. Nevertheless, the unavoidable formation of dendritic Li, as well as the resulting safety hazards and poor cycling stability, have significantly hindered its practical applications. A mainstream strategy to solve this problem is introducing porous media, such as solid electrolytes, modified separators, or artificial protection layers, to block Li dendrite penetration. However, the scientific foundation of this strategy has not yet been elucidated. Herein, using experiments and simulation we analyze the role of the porous media in suppressing dendritic Li growth and probe the underlying fundamental mechanisms. It is found that the tortuous pores of the porous media, which drastically reduce the local flux of Li moving toward the anode and effectively extend the physical path of dendrite growth, are the key to achieving the nondendritic Li growth. On the basis of the theoretical exploration, we synthesize a novel porous silicon nitride submicron-wire membrane and incorporate it in both half-cell and full-cell configurations. The operation time of the battery cells is significantly extended without a short circuit. The findings lay the foundation to use a porous medium for achieving nondendritic Li growth in Li metal-based batteries.

This work demonstrates a design strategy to optimize antimicrobial peptides with an ideal balance of minimal cytotoxicity, enhanced stability, potent cell penetration and effective antimicrobial activity, which hold great promise for the treatment of intracellular microbial infections and potentially systemic anti-infective therapy.