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1. Pt and Pt‐group transition metal 0D vacancy ordered halide perovskites: A review

   https://doi.org/10.1002/eom2.12492  

   Liu, Huilong; Bansal, Shubhra (November 2024, EcoMat)

   Abstract Lead halide perovskites (LHPs), have attracted considerable attention across various applications owing to their exceptional optoelectronic properties. However, the main challenge hindering the broad adoption of lead halide perovskites lies in their stability and toxicity. In this review, we summarize the outstanding properties of platinum (Pt) halide perovskites, with a particular focus on the stability and applications of Cs₂PtI₆and its derivatives. Cs₂PtI₆has shown promising efficiency for photovoltaic devices, as well as photoelectrochemical water splitting with stable behavior in acid or basic conditions. Cs₂PtI₆also shows promise in gas sensing and thermoelectric devices. The emergence of 2D Pt (II) halide perovskites opens up new avenues for environmentally friendly materials for photonic and optoelectronic devices like room temperature phosphoresce and triplet‐triplet annihilation (TTA) based up‐conversion. image 

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2. In situ formation of pseudohalide anions induced by humid air and light passivates formamidinium‐based halide perovskites

   https://doi.org/10.1002/inf2.12643  

   Ye, Jiselle Y; Kerner, Ross A; Jiang, Qi; Yang, Fengjiu; Yang, Jonghee; Ahmadi, Mahshid; Harvey, Steven P; Steirer, Kenneth X; Kuciauskas, Darius; Berry, Joseph J; et al (February 2025, InfoMat)

   Abstract Metal halide perovskites based on formamidinium (FA), or FA‐rich compositions have shown great promise for high‐performance photovoltaics. A deeper understanding of the impact of ambient conditions (e.g., moisture, oxygen, and illumination) on the possible reactions of FA‐based perovskite films and their processing sensitivities has become critical for further advances toward commercialization. Herein, we investigate reactions that take place on the surface of the FA_0.7Cs_0.3, mixed Br/I wide bandgap perovskite thin films in the presence of humid air and ambient illumination. The treatment forms a surface layer containing O, OH, and N‐based anions. We propose the latter originates from formamidine trapped at the perovskite/oxide interface reacting further to cyanide and/or formamidinate—an understudied class of pseudohalides that bind to Pb. Optimized treatment conditions improve photoluminescence quantum yield owing to both reduced surface recombination velocity and increased bulk carrier lifetime. The corresponding perovskite solar cells also exhibit improved performance. Identifying these reactions opens possibilities for better utilizing cyanide and amidinate ligands, species that may be expected during vapor processing of FA‐based perovskites. Our work also provides new insights into the self‐healing or self‐passivating of MA‐free perovskite compositions where FA and iodide damage could be partially offset by advantageous reaction byproducts. image 

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3. What can insects teach us about hearing loss?

   https://doi.org/10.1113/JP281281  

   Warren, Ben; Eberl, Daniel (January 2024, The Journal of Physiology)

   Abstract Over the last three decades, insects have been utilized to provide a deep and fundamental understanding of many human diseases and disorders. Here, we present arguments for insects as models to understand general principles underlying hearing loss. Despite ∼600 million years since the last common ancestor of vertebrates and invertebrates, we share an overwhelming degree of genetic homology particularly with respect to auditory organ development and maintenance. Despite the anatomical differences between human and insect auditory organs, both share physiological principles of operation. We explain why these observations are expected and highlight areas in hearing loss research in which insects can provide insight. We start by briefly introducing the evolutionary journey of auditory organs, the reasons for using insect auditory organs for hearing loss research, and the tools and approaches available in insects. Then, the first half of the review focuses on auditory development and auditory disorders with a genetic cause. The second half analyses the physiological and genetic consequences of ageing and short‐ and long‐term changes as a result of noise exposure. We finish with complex age and noise interactions in auditory systems. In this review, we present some of the evidence and arguments to support the use of insects to study mechanisms and potential treatments for hearing loss in humans. Obviously, insects cannot fully substitute for all aspects of human auditory function and loss of function, although there are many important questions that can be addressed in an animal model for which there are important ethical, practical and experimental advantages.image 

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4. High‐throughput combinatorial approach expedites the synthesis of a lead‐free relaxor ferroelectric system

   https://doi.org/10.1002/inf2.12561  

   Zhang, Di; Harmon, Katherine J; Zachman, Michael J; Lu, Ping; Kim, Doyun; Zhang, Zhan; Cucciniello, Nicholas; Markland, Reid; Ssennyimba, Ken William; Zhou, Hua; et al (June 2024, InfoMat)

   Abstract Developing novel lead‐free ferroelectric materials is crucial for next‐generation microelectronic technologies that are energy efficient and environment friendly. However, materials discovery and property optimization are typically time‐consuming due to the limited throughput of traditional synthesis methods. In this work, we use a high‐throughput combinatorial synthesis approach to fabricate lead‐free ferroelectric superlattices and solid solutions of (Ba_0.7Ca_0.3)TiO₃(BCT) and Ba(Zr_0.2Ti_0.8)O₃(BZT) phases with continuous variation of composition and layer thickness. High‐resolution x‐ray diffraction (XRD) and analytical scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) demonstrate high film quality and well‐controlled compositional gradients. Ferroelectric and dielectric property measurements identify the “optimal property point” achieved at the composition of 48BZT–52BCT. Displacement vector maps reveal that ferroelectric domain sizes are tunable by varying {BCT–BZT}_Nsuperlattice geometry. This high‐throughput synthesis approach can be applied to many other material systems to expedite new materials discovery and properties optimization, allowing for the exploration of a large area of phase space within a single growth. image 

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5. Computational framework for the generation of one‐dimensional vascular models accounting for uncertainty in networks extracted from medical images

   https://doi.org/10.1113/JP286193  

   Bartolo, Michelle A; Taylor‐LaPole, Alyssa M; Gandhi, Darsh; Johnson, Alexandria; Li, Yaqi; Slack, Emma; Stevens, Isaiah; Turner, Zachary G; Weigand, Justin D; Puelz, Charles; et al (August 2024, The Journal of Physiology)

   AbstractOne‐dimensional (1D) cardiovascular models offer a non‐invasive method to answer medical questions, including predictions of wave‐reflection, shear stress, functional flow reserve, vascular resistance and compliance. This model type can predict patient‐specific outcomes by solving 1D fluid dynamics equations in geometric networks extracted from medical images. However, the inherent uncertainty inin vivoimaging introduces variability in network size and vessel dimensions, affecting haemodynamic predictions. Understanding the influence of variation in image‐derived properties is essential to assess the fidelity of model predictions. Numerous programs exist to render three‐dimensional surfaces and construct vessel centrelines. Still, there is no exact way to generate vascular trees from the centrelines while accounting for uncertainty in data. This study introduces an innovative framework employing statistical change point analysis to generate labelled trees that encode vessel dimensions and their associated uncertainty from medical images. To test this framework, we explore the impact of uncertainty in 1D haemodynamic predictions in a systemic and pulmonary arterial network. Simulations explore haemodynamic variations resulting from changes in vessel dimensions and segmentation; the latter is achieved by analysing multiple segmentations of the same images. Results demonstrate the importance of accurately defining vessel radii and lengths when generating high‐fidelity patient‐specific haemodynamics models.image Key pointsThis study introduces novel algorithms for generating labelled directed trees from medical images, focusing on accurate junction node placement and radius extraction using change points to provide haemodynamic predictions with uncertainty within expected measurement error.Geometric features, such as vessel dimension (length and radius) and network size, significantly impact pressure and flow predictions in both pulmonary and aortic arterial networks.Standardizing networks to a consistent number of vessels is crucial for meaningful comparisons and decreases haemodynamic uncertainty.Change points are valuable to understanding structural transitions in vascular data, providing an automated and efficient way to detect shifts in vessel characteristics and ensure reliable extraction of representative vessel radii. 

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