Journals
2025 EN
Wang Ge · Liu Wenqi · Zhou Kaiyue
+13 more
Abstract With the systematic evolution of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, the automatic obstacle avoidance (AOA) module has emerged as a mission‐critical component in modern vehicular systems during the post‐Moore period. To realize this functionality, infrared photodetectors with high responsivity, detectivity, and rapid response are essential. Herein, a fully depleted, self‐powered near‐infrared (NIR) 2D photodetector based on the back‐to‐back type‐III SnSe 2 /MoTe 2 /SnSe 2 (SMS) vertical dual heterojunction instead of SnSe 2 /MoTe 2 single heterojunction is demonstrated. Through Sentaurus TCAD simulation and theoretical calculation, it is proven that the middle MoTe 2 layer in the SMS dual heterojunction is completely depleted. Benefiting from the effective separation of photoinduced carriers and the nanoscale vertical transmission distance through asymmetric dual built‐in electric fields, the SMS dual heterojunction achieves a specific detectivity (D * ) of 1.1 × 10 11 Jones and a notable responsivity of 889 mA per Wunder 808 nm illumination. More importantly, the device exhibits a fast response speed, with rise and decay times of 16/27 µs. These exceptional performance characteristics substantiate the device's strong applicability for high‐speed NIR sensing circumstances, enabling the successful implementation of an AOA system. This work prevails a universal strategy for designing next‐generation NIR photodetectors based on type‐III dual heterostructure architecture.
Journals
2025 EN
Liu Changxin · Shao Tong · Ma Zhenyao
+4 more
Abstract Traditional wearable devices for underwater exploration face significant energy supply challenges, impacting mission efficiency and safety. To address this, the study introduces an innovative composite energy harvesting method that integrates a flexible micro thermoelectric generator and a triboelectric nanogenerator (MTEG‐TENG) within a shared substrate architecture. This study also develops a theoretical model of energy harvesting based on human thermal and kinetic energy. A prototype is created, featuring a flexible bionic seagrass‐like TENG (BS‐TENG) and a flexible bionic leaf‐like MTEG (BL‐MTEG), integrated with an energy management unit. A method for preparing Bi 2 Te 3 ‐based thermoelectric materials through characteristic doping is proposed, enhancing the thermoelectric conversion performance. Through the implementation of an innovative thermal interface optimization scheme, the BL‐MTEG unit achieves a 30% increase in output performance. In the experimental setup involving a temperature gradient of 20k, swing angular speed of 0.5π rad s −1 , and a swing angle of 60°, the prototype successfully powers 51 LEDs and enables the information transmission of the Bluetooth module after processing through the energy harvesting circuit. This performance not only validates the effectiveness of the thermal interface design strategy but also provides a new approach for developing self‐powered technology for underwater wearable devices.
Journals
2025 EN
Li Xiangpeng · Xu Linfeng · Demaree Benjamin
+6 more
Abstract Single‐cell sequencing is useful for resolving complex systems into their composite cell types and computationally mining them for unique features that are masked in pooled sequencing. However, while commercial instruments have made single‐cell analysis widespread for mammalian cells, analogous tools for microbes are limited. Here, EASi‐seq (Easily Accessible Single microbe sequencing) is presented. By adapting the single‐cell workflow of the commercial Mission Bio Tapestri instrument, this method allows for efficient sequencing of individual microbial genomes. EASi‐seq allows tens of thousands of microbes to be sequenced per run and, as it is shown, can generate detailed atlases of human and environmental microbiomes. The ability to capture large genome datasets from thousands of single microbes provides new opportunities in discovering and analyzing species subpopulations. To facilitate this, a companion bioinformatic pipeline is developed that clusters genome by sequence similarity, improving whole genome assembly, strain identification, taxonomic classification, and gene annotation. In addition, the integration of metagenomic contigs with the EASi‐seq datasets is demonstrated to reduce capture bias and increase coverage. EASi‐seq enables high‐quality single‐cell genomic sequencing for microbiome samples using a simple workflow run on a commercially available platform.
Journals
2025 EN
Rahman Muhammad Mominur · Bisht Anuj · Amin Ruhul
+3 more
Abstract The rapid electrification of aerial transportation is driving the need for high‐performance Li‐ion batteries that can operate reliably under stringent thermal and safety constraints. The unique mission profile of electric Vertical Take‐off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft necessitates a focused investigation into the thermal behavior and safety characteristics of these batteries. In this study, operando isothermal microcalorimetry is employed to examine the thermal evolution of Li‐ion batteries under cycling conditions representative of eVTOL operations. These findings reveal that high‐power discharge events—such as those during take‐off and landing—shift the thermal response toward exothermic behavior, in contrast to the typically endothermic response expected under near‐equilibrium cycling conditions. Additionally, the results suggest that advanced electrolyte formulations may help suppress excess heat generation, thereby improving battery safety. Notably, the calorimetric results exhibit a distinct thermal signature associated with lithium plating, offering a potential diagnostic for detecting Li plating during eVTOL operation. Overall, this study demonstrates the utility of isothermal microcalorimetry as a valuable tool for assessing thermal risks in Li‐ion batteries for eVTOL applications, and highlights the importance of targeted design strategies to mitigate safety hazards during high‐power demand scenarios.
Journals
2025 EN
Garzón Ramos David · Pagnozzi Federico · Stützle Thomas
+1 more
Automatic design is an appealing approach to realizing robot swarms. In this approach, a designer specifies a mission that the swarm must perform, and an optimization algorithm searches for the control software that enables the robots to perform the given mission. Traditionally, research in automatic design has focused on missions specified by a single design criterion, adopting methods based on single‐objective optimization algorithms. In this study, we investigate whether existing methods can be adapted to address missions specified by concurrent design criteria. We focus on the bi‐criteria case. We conduct experiments with a swarm of e‐puck robots that must perform sequences of two missions: each mission in the sequence is an independent design criterion that the automatic method must handle during the optimization process. We consider modular and neuroevolutionary methods that aggregate concurrent criteria via the weighted sum, hypervolume, orl 2 $l^{2} $ ‐norm. We compare their performance with that of Mandarina, an original automatic modular design method. Mandarina integrates Iterated F‐race as an optimization algorithm to conduct the design process without aggregating the design criteria. Results from realistic simulations and demonstrations with physical robots show that the best results are obtained with modular methods and when the design criteria are not aggregated.
Journals
2025 EN
Khachaturian Zaven · Carrillo Maria C. · Khachaturian Ara S.
Abstract In the last two decades, the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) has significantly advanced our understanding, technologies, and methods for detecting and diagnosing Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. This perspective proposes repurposing ADNI to address emerging research and healthcare challenges. The focus would shift toward early detection of cognitive impairment, discovering new interventions, evaluating non‐pharmacological treatments, adopting a public health approach, and enrolling a diverse international cohort. Key elements of this new model include emphasizing vascular‐metabolic factors, leveraging biomarkers, and enhancing computational capabilities. By reimagining ADNI's mission and framework, the initiative may be better poised to tackle the evolving complexities of dementia research and improve patient outcomes through a more comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach. Highlights ADNI should be repurposed for early detection and intervention in cognitive decline. This would emphasize vascular‐metabolic factors and biomarkers in dementia research. It advocates for non‐pharmacological evaluations and a public health approach. It promotes international cohort studies and enhanced computational capacity.
Journals
2025 EN
Alosco Michael L. · Morrison Madeline · Au Rhoda
+27 more
Abstract We describe the rationale, methodology, and design of the Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (BU ADRC) Clinical Core (CC). The CC characterizes a longitudinal cohort of participants with/without brain trauma to characterize the clinical presentation, biomarker profiles, and risk factors of post‐traumatic Alzheimer's disease (AD) and AD‐related dementias (ADRD), including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Participants complete assessments of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and repetitive head impacts (RHIs); annual Uniform Data Set (UDS) and supplementary evaluations; digital phenotyping; annual blood draw; magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and lumbar puncture every 3 years; electroencephalogram (EEG); and amyloid and/or tau positron emission tomography (PET) on a subset. As of 3/2025, the CC consists of 467 participants (mean age: 65.6, 50.1% female), including 163 RHI and 302 TBI who completed a UDS 3.0 baseline visit. Common sources of RHI included football ( n = 95), soccer ( n = 26), ice hockey ( n = 17), and military service ( n = 46). Most TBIs were mild (97.7%). Eighty‐nine percent agreed to brain donation. The BU ADRC CC will facilitate research, education, and training on post‐traumatic AD/ADRD. Highlights The Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) Clinical Core facilitates unique research, education, and training on Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's disease‐related dementias (AD/ADRD) with a focus on post‐traumatic AD/ADRD, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). We summarize the rationale, mission, study design, and recent updates for the Clinical Core. As of March 2025, the Clinical Core includes a longitudinal cohort of 467 participants enriched for repetitive head impacts (∼1/3) and traumatic brain injury (∼1/3) exposure who span the cognitive continuum, with most having available fluid and neuroimaging biomarker data and agreeing to brain donation (89%).
Journals
2025 EN
Khachaturian Zaven
Abstract This paper reviews the history of the so‐called Alzheimer Movement in the United States, the origins of the Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers (ADRC) program, and their critical role in shaping the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease by 2035. The long narration unfolds in three parts: (1) Beginnings , (2) Accomplishments , and (3) Charting the Next Step . Highlights This paper reviews the history of the Alzheimer movement in the United States, the origins of the ADRC program, and the centers’ critical role in shaping the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease by 2035. The long narration unfolds in three parts: (1) Beginnings: Establishing a Foothold, (2) Accomplishments: Key Achievements and Future Lessons, and (3) Charting the Next Step: Rethinking the ADRC's role after 2035. This perspective offers a high‐level view of the scientific landscape during the inception of programmatic research in aging and dementia. The story covers the significant challenges involved in starting such an undertaking. It recounts the rationale, intent, achievements, and structure of the ADRCs. The narrative focuses on the politics of science that shaped programs like the ADRC and NACC, particularly through earmarked funding. It explains why the program prioritized the creation of infrastructure and building capacity for longitudinal clinical studies. The discussion of future directions will (1) explain the reasoning for reformulating the mission and structure of the ADRC's concept to accommodate a comprehensive range of emerging needs and (2) explore the role of the re‐engineered centers as a catalyst to promote and maintain brain health to prevent cognitive impairments. It will suggest some possible options to restructure some current centers into comprehensive regional centers as instruments to deal with new challenges.
Journals
2025 EN
Jacobs Linde L
Abstract Background Dementia has been a condition I have been aware of from a very young age as I witnessed my grandmother decline, and my mother step into the role as a caregiver, health care director and power of attorney. I was taught the foundation for this process by direct observation of my mother's actions. One aspect of caregiving that isn’t teachable is the emotional pain, anguish, sadness and guilt that often accompanies that role. Method My mother started exhibiting symptoms of FTD in 2010, right as I was graduating college. Despite having a family history, it took 8 harrowing years to receive a correct diagnosis and genetic testing. It was then confirmed that my family possesses the MAPT mutation causing bvFTD. My mother passed away in 2021 at the age of 62. Shortly after her passing, I learned that I was a positive carrier for the MAPT gene as well. Result This started a new mission by using my past experience, to change the present, in hopes for a future. Currently, my future is not a guarantee, but I will not wait for the next 10 years hoping for a cure by staying quiet. Instead, I am using this time of waiting to use my voice and failed experiences with my mother, to motivate change, understanding and awareness for FTD. Further, I am using the knowledge of my genetic status to engage with the scientists and researchers to help in ways I am capable of driving progress forward. Being honest about the psychosocial implications genetic testing has on a person is that this test doesn’t have to render them useless, but use it to propel them forward. Conclusion I look toward the future with hope knowing that the community fighting this disease is doing everything they can to find a solution. If there isn’t light at the end of my tunnel, I hope the light of the journey I led will burn so bright with persistence, strength and perseverance that my daughters will have the resilience to survive another generation of caregiving. All while they await their unpromised future because of genetic MAPT FTD.
Journals
2025 EN
Oblak Adrian L
Abstract Background Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains a devastating neurodegenerative disorder with complex pathophysiology, necessitating innovative therapeutic strategies. Among the emerging targets in AD research, INPP5D, a gene that encodes the SHIP1 phosphatase, stands out as a critical regulator of microglial function and a promising avenue for intervention. Microglia, the brain's resident immune cells, play a dual role in neuroprotection and neurodegeneration, contingent on various activation states. Recent findings by Oblak et al. have illuminated INPP5D’s central role in maintaining microglial homeostasis, positioning it as a key molecular regulator influencing the balance between beneficial and detrimental microglial responses. Method SHIP1 exerts its effects as a negative regulator of intracellular signaling cascades, which in turn govern microglial processes such as phagocytosis, inflammatory cytokine release, and synaptic pruning. Dysregulation of these pathways has been linked to exacerbated neuroinflammation and impaired clearance of amyloid‐beta and other pathological substrates in AD. Leveraging insights from high‐throughput assays, advanced bioinformatics, and in vivo models, Oblak et al. have elucidated the mechanistic underpinnings of SHIP1’s influence on microglial activity and its downstream impact on neuronal health. These studies also underscore the potential of targeting SHIP1 to recalibrate microglial phenotypes, offering a novel therapeutic strategy for slowing or preventing AD progression. Result In this presentation, we will discuss how the integration of functional genomics, structural biology, and pharmacological screening within the TREAT‐AD consortium has advanced our understanding of INPP5D/SHIP1. Focus will be placed on the discovery and characterization of small molecules that modulate SHIP1 activity and siRNAs that downregulate INPP5D expression. These innovative tools not only validate the therapeutic potential of INPP5D/SHIP1 but also pave the way for combination therapies and precision medicine approaches tailored to individual patients. Conclusion The session aims to catalyze collaboration by presenting INPP5D/SHIP1 research as a cornerstone of TREAT‐AD’s mission to accelerate the discovery and development of AD therapies.