Designing advanced 'BTS' materials for temperature and long-wave infrared sensing

Introduction In recent years, materials scientists have been turning to nature for inspiration, using biological elements to design advanced materials. By mimicking the molecular structure and functional motifs of biological elements, it is possible to create materials with a wide range of capabilities. A recent report in Science Advances outlines a flexible biomimetic thermal sensing polymer (BTS) that is designed to replicate the ion transport dynamics of pectin, a component of plant cell walls. The team, comprised of researchers from the California Institute of Technology and Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology in the U.S. and South Korea, has crafted a promising material. What Pectin Does Pectin is a naturally occurring polysaccharide that is found in the cell walls of plants. It acts with other components to create a stiff but flexible wall that can expand and contract in response to changes in the cell's environment. It acts as a protective barrier, keeping potentially harmful substances out while allowing important ions, such as calcium and magnesium, to move freely into and out of the cell. Pectin also helps to regulate the amount of water that is allowed to enter and exit the cell. What BTS Does The BTS polymer created by the research team is designed to mimic these ion transport dynamics in a man-made material. The BTS is composed of a hard, solvated network of nanometer-sized polymer chains in a matrix of viscous liquid. This creates a material that is both flexible and strong, and is capable of dynamically responding to changes in temperature. When the temperature is increased, the polymer expands and becomes more hydrophilic, allowing for the passage of ions. When the temperature is decreased, the polymer contracts and becomes more hydrophobic, preventing the passage of ions. This behavior is similar to that of pectin, giving the BTS a wide range of potential applications. Potential Applications The most immediate application of the BTS polymer is in the field of thermal sensing. The ability to respond to changes in temperature makes the BTS ideal for temperature-sensing applications, such as in thermometers or temperature-sensing clothing. The material could also be used in energy storage devices, as the temperature-dependence of the material could allow for the capture and storage of energy from changing temperatures. The BTS could find applications in electronics, such as in thermal switches that are capable of turning devices on and off in response to temperature changes. The material could also be used in the medical field, as the dynamic and flexible nature of the material could allow for precision control of the delivery of drugs or other materials within the body. Conclusion The BTS polymer developed by the California Institute of Technology and Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology research teams is an impressive example of biomimetics. By mimicking the ion transport dynamics of pectin, the team has created a flexible and thermally sensitive material that has a wide range of potential applications. From temperature-sensing clothing to medical drug delivery systems, the possibilities of the BTS material are limited only by the imagination.

https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/designing-advanced-bts-materials-for-temperature-and-long-wave-infrared-sensing

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The largest structures in the universe are still glowing with the shock of their creation

The ordered structure of the universe on the largest scales is an awe inspiring sight. It is an intricate web of galaxies, clusters, filaments and voids, forming an interconnected network that stretches across the cosmos. At the centre of this cosmic web are galaxies, which are the largest bound structures in the universe. Galaxies are composed of stars, planets, gas, dust and dark matter, and range in size from dwarf galaxies to giants that can contain more than one trillion stars. Galaxies also come in several different shapes, including elliptical, spiral, and irregular. Groups of galaxies are held together by the gravitational force of dark matter and form what are known as galaxy clusters. Clusters can contain up to thousands of galaxies, and there are some that are exceptionally large, such as the Coma Cluster and the Abell Catalog, with over 1,000 galaxies. Between the clusters are filaments, where galaxies are sparsely scattered. These filaments are huge highways of gas and dark matter that stretch for millions of lightyears. This gas acts as the backbone of the universe and can be detected in X-ray and radio emissions. Along with the filaments, there are huge voids or regions of empty space between the galaxies and clusters. These voids can be even larger than the largest galaxies and clusters, some spanning hundreds of millions of lightyears in diameter. The ordered structure of the universe is truly a remarkable sight. On the largest scales, galaxies, clusters, filaments and voids form an interconnected web that stretches across the cosmos. At the centre of this cosmic web are galaxies, massive structures composed of stars, planets, gas, dust and dark matter, with sizes ranging from dwarf galaxies to giants. Groups of galaxies are held together by the gravitational force of dark matter and form galaxy clusters, which can contain up to thousands of galaxies. These clusters are connected by filaments; huge highways of gas and dark matter that stretch for millions of lightyears. Between the galaxies and clusters are voids, or regions of empty space that can be even larger than the largest galaxies and clusters. It is through the power of gravity that all these components of the universe are connected. Even though dark matter is invisible, it has five times more mass than the regular matter that makes up galaxies, clusters, filaments and voids. This mysterious substance is what drives the force of gravity and shapes the large-scale structure of the universe. In order to understand how galaxies, clusters, filaments and voids fit into the big picture of the universe, astronomers use a number of powerful tools. By using X-ray and radio telescopes, they can detect the gas in the filaments. They then use measurements of the redshift of galaxies to map out the clusters and voids. This technique, known as redshift surveys, gives astronomers a three-dimensional view of the universe and helps them understand the evolution of its structure. Our understanding of the universe on the largest scales is still growing, but the current evidence suggests that it is an interconnected web of galaxies, clusters, filaments and voids stretching across the cosmos. This is one of the most amazing sights in the universe and it is only through advances in technology and a deep understanding of gravity that we can even begin to comprehend it.

https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/the-largest-structures-in-the-universe-are-still-glowing-with-the-shock-of-their-creation

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Reintroducing top predators to the wild is risky but necessary—here's how we can ensure they survive

Introduction Large carnivores are an essential part of the delicate balance of an ecosystem and must be protected if we are to preserve the biodiversity of our planet. One example of how important these large predators are can be seen in Yellowstone National Park in the United States, where the reintroduction of gray wolves has kept the elk populations at a healthy level, resulting in a cascade of other positive benefits. In this article, we will explore how wolves are helping to maintain the balance of Yellowstone's ecosystem, and how these effects can be replicated in other areas. The Benefits of Wolves in Yellowstone National Park The reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park has had positive reverberations throughout the entire ecosystem. By reducing the elk population, the wolves have allowed vegetation to recover from overgrazing, resulting in taller woody plants which can provide food and shelter for other species. This, in turn, has allowed animals such as beavers to flourish, creating a thriving wetland habitat which is beneficial to animals and the ecosystem as a whole. In addition to the positive effects on the ecosystem's flora, the wolf reintroduction has also had an impact on other species. For example, birds of prey, such as hawks and eagles, have been observed to be more abundant in areas where there is an active wolf pack, likely due to the increased availability of prey. Additionally, the presence of wolves has been found to reduce the chances of coyote predation on smaller species, allowing them to thrive in greater numbers. The wolf reintroduction has also been beneficial to humans. By encouraging elk to move to different areas, the wolves are helping to protect against overgrazing, which can reduce soil fertility and lead to erosion and other environmental damage. In addition, the abundance of prey that the wolves create provides an ideal hunting ground for humans, helping to promote responsible hunting practices. How the Results in Yellowstone National Park Can Be Applied to Other Areas The results of the wolf reintroduction in Yellowstone National Park can serve as a model for other areas that are looking to protect large predators and their associated ecosystems. By protecting these predators, the cascade of positive effects that have been observed in Yellowstone National Park can be replicated in other areas, helping to maintain biodiversity and ensure the health of ecosystems around the world. However, reintroducing large predators can be a difficult and costly process, and it is essential that the delicate balance between predators and their prey is maintained. In order to ensure success, it is important to understand the local environment, the predators and prey involved, and the potential effects that reintroduction could have on the ecosystem, both positive and negative. Conclusion Large carnivores are essential to the balance of an ecosystem and must be protected in order to ensure the long-term health of our planet. The reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park has served as a successful example of how protecting large predators can lead to a cascade of beneficial effects on an ecosystem, from vegetation recovery to increased prey abundance. This model can serve as a template for other areas as well, as long as the process is carefully managed. By understanding and protecting large predators, we can ensure the health of our planet's ecosystems for generations to come.

https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/reintroducing-top-predators-to-the-wild-is-risky-but-necessary-heres-how-we-can-ensure-they-survive

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Using light to switch drugs on and off

Drug development has been an incredibly important part of research and medicine for centuries. Many breakthroughs were made in traditional pharmaceuticals, but the advent of more precise methods of controlling and manipulating molecules has opened up a new field of drug development. Scientists at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland have been in the forefront of this development, making use of the Swiss X-ray Free-Electron Laser (SwissFEL) and the Swiss Light Source (SLS). Together, these tools have enabled researchers to analyse the atomic-level structure of compounds such as proteins accurately in time frames far shorter than was previously possible. Now, researchers at the institute have taken this a step further, using SwissFEL and SLS to make a movie of the dynamic behavior of a protein. This could be a major breakthrough in the development of a new type of drug which could be tailored precisely to the specific needs of a patient and the target of the medication. The ability to take a movie of the dynamic behavior of a protein opens up the possibility to study the behavior of that protein over an extended period of time. This type of analysis will enable researchers to better understand how a particular protein interacts with a compound such as a drug molecule, what triggers it, and how it responds to the presence of the drug. This understanding will form the basis of a completely new type of drug design which will be tailored precisely to the needs of the patient. The use of SwissFEL and SLS for such movies gives researchers the advantage of being able to study a number of reaction pathways at once, allowing them to get a deeper understanding of the reaction process and its dynamic behavior. This could be a major boon to drug developers in the future, as it will allow them to discriminate among different compounds and determine how they interact with the target protein. The more accurate the understanding of the reaction process, the more precisely developed the drug can be. The movie made by the researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute could be a major breakthrough in the development of a new type of drug. This type of drug could be tailor-made to a patient’s needs and target the actual problem more precisely than traditional drugs. By understanding the dynamic behavior of proteins, researchers can better understand how a drug molecule interacts with the protein and what triggers it. This will allow them to design a drug that is precisely tailored and more effective than existing treatments. This type of personalized drug development could revolutionize the way drugs are developed and used. Instead of simply relying on a one-size-fits-all approach, drugs can be tailored for each individual patient’s needs. This could drastically reduce the need for trial and error, leading to more effective and safer treatments. The researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute are to be congratulated for their work in developing this new technology and its potential implications for drug design and development. It is a major breakthrough that could have far-reaching implications for the way we develop and use drugs in the future. The possibilities are exciting, and it is likely that this new technology will give a decisive boost to developing a new type of drug in the near future.

https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/using-light-to-switch-drugs-on-and-off

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Generating Fermat's spiral patterns using solutal Marangoni-driven coiling in an aqueous two-phase system

Introduction In recent years, advances in science and technology have enabled researchers to conduct experiments on a wide variety of phenomena, such as fluid dynamics. The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) is no exception. Led by Professor Anderson Ho Cheung Shum, the team at HKU has recently completed a key breakthrough in fluid dynamics by developing a three-dimensional Marangoni transport system in an aqueous two-phase system. Conducted in collaboration with Professor Neil Ribe from University Paris-Saclay, the project has greatly enhanced our understanding of this area. What is Marangoni Flow? The Marangoni effect, also known as surface tension gradient or surface viscosity, occurs when a liquid exhibits a difference in surface tension between two regions. This surface tension gradient can lead to the movement of the liquid from higher to lower surface tension. This phenomenon is referred to as the Marangoni flow. Marangoni flow is of particular importance in a number of fields. In particular, surface chemistry, which studies the interactions between solids, liquid, and gas, is closely related to Marangoni flow. In addition, Marangoni flow phenomena are also related to heat and mass transfer, fluid entropy, and heat transfer in micro- and nanostructures. HKU’s Breakthrough in Fluid Dynamics As part of its project, the team at HKU conducted two-phase flow experiments on aqueous solutions with different concentrations of polymer material. By mixing these two solutions together, the researchers were able to produce a three-dimensional Marangoni flow pattern. This pattern allows for the transport of particles and molecules between the two solutions in a manner that was not possible before. The team was also able to model the Marangoni flow pattern and study its effects on heat transfer. This work could lead to more efficient heat transfer systems, which would be beneficial for a wide range of applications. Conclusion The research conducted by Professor Anderson Ho Cheung Shum’s team has led to a major breakthrough in fluid dynamics. By developing a three-dimensional Marangoni transport system in an aqueous two-phase system, the scientists were able to create a new form of Marangoni flow that enables the movement of particles and molecules between the two solutions. This could be applied to a wide range of applications, such as surface chemistry, fluid entropy, and heat transfer in micro- and nanostructures. The findings of this research saw the collaboration between HKU and University Paris-Saclay lead to a groundbreaking accomplishment in the field of fluid dynamics.

https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/generating-fermats-spiral-patterns-using-solutal-marangoni-driven-coiling-in-an-aqueous-two-phase-system

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