High-gauge-factor stretchable strain sensors are developed by utilizing a new strategy of thickness-gradient films with high durability, and high uniaxial/isotropic stretchability based on the self-pinning effect of SWCNTs. The monitoring of detailed damping vibration modes driven by weak sound based on such sensors is demonstrated, making a solid step toward real applications.

A wet-chemistry method was used to dope F- ions into crystalline TiO2 by hydrothermal treatment of TiF4 in an HCl solution. Field-emission electron microscope and transmission electron microscope images showed that the products exhibited a flowerlike morphology with a hollow interior. X-ray photoelectron spectroscope data demonstrated the doping of F in the lattice of crystalline TiO2. The flowerlike F-doped TiO2 hollow microspheres synthesized at 180 °C showed the highest photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methylene blue under visible light irradiation. Ostwald ripening is the main reason responsible for the formation of the hollow interior of the F-doped TiO2 micropheres, and the HF species generated from the hydrothermal reaction is believed to accelerate the formation of the TiO2 hollow spheres.

The emergence of drug-resistant microbes has become a threat to global health, and microbial infections severely limit the use of healthcare materials. To achieve efficient antimicrobial therapy, supramolecular hydrogels demonstrate unprecedented advantages in medical applications due to the tunable and reversible nature of their supramolecular interactions and the capability of hydrogels to incorporate various therapeutic agents. Herein, antimicrobial hydrogels are categorized according to their inherent antimicrobial properties or based on their roles in encapsulating antimicrobial materials. Moreover, strategies to further enhance the antimicrobial efficacy of hydrogels are highlighted, such as the incorporation of antifouling agents or the enabling of response towards physiological cues. We envision that supramolecular hydrogels, in combination with modern medical technology and devices, will contribute to the development of efficient and safe systems for antimicrobial therapy.

Nanoparticles (NPs) and colloidal nanocrystal clusters (CNCs) of ZnFe2O4 were synthesized by using a solvothermal method in a controlled manner through simply adjusting the solvents. When a glycerol/water mixture was used as the solvent, ZnFe2O4 NPs were obtained. However, using ethylene glycol solvent yielded well-dispersed ZnFe2O4 CNCs. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) data confirmed that the ZnFe2O4 NPs were a single crystalline phase with tunable sizes ranging from 12 to 20 nm, while the ZnFe2O4 CNCs of submicrometer size consisted of single-crystalline nanosheets. Magnetic measurement results showed that the ZnFe2O4 NPs were ferromagnetic with a very small hysteresis loop at room temperature. However, CNCs displayed a superparamagnetic behavior due to preferred orientations of the nanosheets. Electrochemical sensing properties showed that both the size of the NPs and the structure of the CNCs had a great influence on their electrochemical properties in the reduction of H2O2. Based on the experimental results, the formation mechanisms of both the ZnFe2O4 CNCs and NPs as well as their structure-property relationship were discussed.