Themed collection Celebrating George Whitesides’ 85th birthday
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Altering the structures of 3D supramolecular assemblies from melamine and cyanuric acid derivatives in water
Chem. Commun., 2024, Accepted Manuscript
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC02817A
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Plant-on-a-chip: continuous, soilless electrochemical monitoring of salt uptake and tolerance among different genotypes of tomato
An electrochemical sensing platform demonstrates the difference in NaCl uptake between salt-resistant and tolerant varieties of tomato and wild tomato seedlings.
Sens. Diagn., 2024,3, 799-808
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SD00065J
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Dynamically blocking leakage current in molecular tunneling junctions
Incorporating mixed flexible-rigid backbones into molecular junctions can dynamically block tunneling currents and enhance rectification.
Chem. Sci., 2024,15, 12721-12731
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC02829E
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Observation of a chemical reaction in a levitating microdroplet cluster and droplet-generated music
A containerless chemical reaction observed in a levitating droplet cluster for the first time is used for information processing.
Chem. Sci., 2024,15, 12067-12076
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC03066D
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Synthesis of a dendritic cell-targeted self-assembled polymeric nanoparticle for selective delivery of mRNA vaccines to elicit enhanced immune responses
Dendritic cell-targeted mRNA–PNP vaccines.
Chem. Sci., 2024,15, 11626-11632
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SC06575H
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Seeing is believing: what is on the surface of silver nanocrystals suspended in their original reaction solution
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering was used to resolve the chemical species, including chloride ions, on the surface of Ag nanocrystals in their original reaction solution, avoiding changes to the surface while eliminating possible artifacts.
Chem. Sci., 2024,15, 6321-6330
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC00730A
A growth type pathway for improving the folding of BPTI
Efficient folding of a disulfide-containing protein, bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor, BPTI, can be achieved by rescuing protein kinetic traps via growth type pathways, instead of the traditional rearrangement type with glutathione disulfide, GSSG.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2024, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4OB00802B
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Niobium oxide coatings on nanostructured platinum electrocatalysts: benefits and limitations
Nanostructured Pt catalysts are prone to re-structuring mechanisms in the conditions generated during H2 fuel cell operation. Thin (∼3 nm thick) niobia coatings effectively stabilized the Pt structure and activity under these aggressive conditions.
RSC Appl. Interfaces, 2024, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4LF00211C
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An antifouling and antiviral superhydrophobic elastomer formed by 3D printing and a peptide-based coating
Mater. Adv., 2024, Accepted Manuscript
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4MA00620H
Programming hierarchical anisotropy in microactuators for multimodal actuation
Our work introduces a simple strategy for tailoring hierarchical anisotropy in microactuators using thermoresponsive liquid crystalline elastomers, thereby enabling versatile multimodal actuation.
Lab Chip, 2024, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4LC00369A
Continuous flow delivery system for the perfusion of scaffold-based 3D cultures
3D structures of cells suspended in hydrogels are maintained under constant perfusion in a self-contained unit. The continuous flow delivery system (CFDS) expands upon previous work with paper and supported gel slab scaffolds.
Lab Chip, 2024, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4LC00480A
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Fluorescence-based pH-shift assay with wide application scope for high-throughput determination of enzymatic activity in enzyme mining and engineering
A fluorescence-based pH-shift assay allows determination of the activity of a wide range of enzymes, demonstrated by the high-throughput screening of directed evolution libraries of transketolase on 3-hydroxyaldehydes.
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2024, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CY00566J
Integration of 3D printed Mg2+ potentiometric sensors into microfluidic devices for bioanalysis
Integration of 3D Printed Mg2+-ISE into a 3D printed microfluidic device for next-generation point-of-care diagnostic devices.
Lab Chip, 2024, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4LC00407H
Efficient discovery of antibody binding pairs using a photobleaching strategy for bead encoding
The paper introduces a photobleaching strategy for producing multiple bead populations on flow cytometry to accelerate and facilitate the discovery of antibody-binding pairs using a pooled antibody cross-testing assay.
Lab Chip, 2024, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4LC00382A
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ElectrochemCap: an integrated detection for loop-mediated isothermal amplification reactions
An electrochemical microcentrifuge tube cap (ElectrochemCap) for integrated (bio)electroanalysis is demonstrated with a LAMP amplification reaction and its subsequent electrochemical detection. Adaptations for different containers are also presented.
Lab Chip, 2024, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4LC00395K
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What can attribution methods show us about chemical language models?
Chemical language models can be fine-tuned to predict properties, like water solubility, given molecular inputs. This work investigates how these predictions may be explained.
Digital Discovery, 2024, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4DD00084F
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Nanofluidic resistive pulse sensing for characterization of extracellular vesicles
This study describes a calibration-free device and method based on the resistive pulse sensing (RPS) principle for characterization of size distribution of extracellular vesicles (EVs).
Lab Chip, 2024, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4LC00364K
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Low-cost precision agriculture for sustainable farming using paper-based analytical devices
A paper-based platform quantifies essential soil macronutrients (nitrate, magnesium, calcium, ammonium) using colorimetry and a smartphone. This device enhances soil fertility assessment, supporting precision agriculture and boosting food production.
RSC Adv., 2024,14, 23392-23403
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4RA02310B
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Turing patterns on rotating spiral growing domains
We investigate the emergence of Turing patterns in a system growing as a rotating spiral in two dimensions, utilizing the photosensitivity of the chlorine dioxide–iodine–malonic acid (CDIMA) reaction to control the growth process.
Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2024, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CP01777C
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Halogenated non-innocent vanadium(V) Schiff base complexes: chemical and anti-proliferative properties
Halogenated non-innocent vanadium(V) Schiff base mono-substituted catecholates have a low stability and anti-proliferative properties similar to vanadate. A linear correlation between complex redox potential and the catechol pKa was observed.
New J. Chem., 2024,48, 12893-12911
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4NJ01223B
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Thiolated polyglycerol sulfate as potential mucolytic for muco-obstructive lung diseases
Sputum of cystic fibrosis patients shows increased viscoelastic properties due to disulfide crosslinking. Treatment with the mucolytic polymer dPGS-SH reduces disulfide crosslinks, leading to decreased viscoelasticity in sputum samples.
Biomater. Sci., 2024, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4BM00381K
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Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiac muscle rings for biohybrid self-beating actuator
3D cardiac muscle rings are proposed as autonomously driving actuators. We develop the biohybrid self-beating actuator powered by the cardiac muscle rings and confirm its periodic antagonistic beating motion with culture.
Lab Chip, 2024,24, 3377-3387
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4LC00276H
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Enhancement of replacement lithography by combination of photocleavable groups with ultrashort thiolates
By locating the point of photo-scission close to the surface, the stability of the surface layer can be significantly reduced to permit substitution reactions after irradiation.
RSC Appl. Interfaces, 2024,1, 759-770
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3LF00248A
Implication of surface oxidation of nanoscale molybdenum carbide on electrocatalytic activity
The surface oxidation of molybdenum carbide nanoparticles was controlled by the electrochemical method. The impact of surface oxidation on catalytic properties was studied by both spectroscopic and computational methods.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 15163-15176
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TA01746C
Photothermal conversion-enabled temperature modulation for the growth of complex polymorphic architectures of calcium carbonate
Stepwise temperature modulation was realized by the photothermal conversion process, which enabled the growth of complex architectures of CaCO3 that are composed of multiple polymorphic phases.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 15090-15098
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TA00802B
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Achieving controllable and reversible snap-through in pre-strained strips of liquid crystalline elastomers
Deformable, elastic materials that buckle in response to external stimuli can display “snap-through”, which involves a transition between different, stable buckled states.
Soft Matter, 2024,20, 3256-3270
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SM00037D
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Vascularized tissue on mesh-assisted platform (VT-MAP): a novel approach for diverse organoid size culture and tailored cancer drug response analysis
VT-MAP, a novel in vitro platform, offers better physiological reflection through the vascularized organoid. This advancement supports drug assessment with deeper insights into cancer biology through correlation between morphology and drug effects.
Lab Chip, 2024,24, 2208-2223
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3LC01055D
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Functional design of stimuli-responsive poly(phthalaldehyde)-based adhesives: depolymerization kinetics and mechanical strength management through plasticizer addition
Through a strategic polymer engineering design, this paper shows that self-immolative poly(phthalaldehyde) (PPA) can be employed as a responsive debonding-on-demand adhesive for the detection of fluorides and acids in liquid and solid states.
Polym. Chem., 2024,15, 1112-1122
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3PY01154B
About this collection
The Royal Society of Chemistry is honoured to publish a cross-journal collection in celebration of Professor George Whitesides on his 85th birthday.
In recognition of Professor Whitesides’ broad and seminal contributions to multiple fields, this special cross-journal collection covers a large breadth of topics – such as microfluidics, physical and organic chemistry, materials science, biophysics, surface science, optics, self-assembly, micro- and nanotechnology, science for developing economies, catalysis, energy production and conservation, origin of life, rational drug design, and cell-surface biochemistry.
This ever- growing collection is Guest Edited by Eric Simanek and Maria Southall. It features invited tributes from Whitesides group alumni in recognition of his pioneering contributions and remarkable leadership. Importantly, it conveys his pivotal role in supporting generations of exceptional scientists: