Among several properties of colloidal particles, shape is emerging as an important parameter for tailoring the interactions between particles and cells. In this study, bowl-like multilayer microcapsules were prepared by osmotic-induced invagination of their spherical counterparts in a concentrated polyelectrolyte solution. The internalization behaviors of bowl-like and spherical microcapsules were compared by coincubation with smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and macrophages. The bowl-like capsules tended to attach onto the cell membranes from the bend side and could be enwrapped by the membranes of SMCs, leading to a faster uptake rate and larger accumulation inside cells than those of their spherical counterparts. These results are important for understanding the shape-dependent internalization behavior, providing useful guidance for further materials design especially in biomedical applications.
Morphology transformation of supramolecular assemblies is implemented under “green” triggers, namely pH, light, and CO2, resulting in novel organic nanomaterials with well-defined structures and functions.
Degradable multifunctional pressure sensors have attracted considerable attention in recent years, owing to their unique sensing performance and potential in reducing electronic waste, for applications in monitoring human motion and medical detection and human−computer interactions. Herein, cross-linked collagen fibers (CCFs) and MXene are used to prepare CCF/MXene composite aerogels by blending-casting and freeze-drying. The CCF/ MXene composite aerogel sensor exhibits a high sensitivity (61.99 kPa −1 ), quick response (0.30 s) and recovery (0.15 s) times, and a low detection limit (0.4 kPa), together with the desired thermal insulation and stability. In addition, the CCF/MXene composite aerogel can be degraded by soaking in an alkaline solution for 40 days, showing great degradability, which is attributing to the environmental friendliness in association with the use of natural fibers.
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