Very nice image Distinguished Professor Kim! (This reminds me of snakes.)
Caption: This study reveals a promising strategy for fabricating ultrafine bi(tri)-metallic molybdates on N-, B-, and F-doped hollow-core carbon nanofibers for energy and environmental applications. Credit: Distinguished Professor Ick Soo Kim from Shinshu University, Japan
Researchers from Shinshu University developed a low-cost nanocomposite by embedding bimetallic and trimetallic molybdates into nitrogen-, boron-, and fluorine-doped hollow carbon nanofibers. This material demonstrated excellent electrochemical performance for supercapacitors, with high capacitance and long-term stability, as well as strong catalytic efficiency in degrading 4-nitrophenol, a common industrial pollutant. The composite offers promising dual functionality for energy storage and environmental remediation, providing a scalable and efficient solution to address pressing global energy and pollution challenges.
The world faces mounting challenges in energy and environmental sustainability. Rapid growth of population, urbanization, and industrial activity—especially in developing countries—has driven up global energy consumption and intensified water pollution. These dual pressures have spurred a wave of research into multifunctional nanostructured materials capable of addressing both energy storage and environmental concerns. Bimetallic and ternary metal molybdates are among the most promising candidates, offering strong catalytic and electrochemical properties.
However, existing approaches to synthesizing these nanocomposites often come with major drawbacks. Many rely on high-cost carbon materials like graphene or carbon nanotubes. Others require excessive amounts of metals—often exceeding 50% by weight—or involve synthesis methods that are complex, time-consuming, and environmentally unfriendly. These limitations make many lab-scale solutions impractical for real-world use, particularly in the regions that need them most.
Recognizing this gap, a research team from Shinshu University, Japan, led by Distinguished Professor Ick Soo Kim from the Nano Fusion Technology Research Lab, including Dr. Gopiraman Mayakrishnan, Dr. Azeem Ullah from the same university, and Dr. Ramkumar Vanraj from Yeungnam University, created a new type of nanocomposite that could deliver high performance at a much lower cost. The study was published online in the journal Advanced Fiber Materials on April 2, 2025.
The researchers anchored ultrafine bimetallic (FeMo) and ternary (NiCoMo) molybdates onto hollow-core carbon nanofibers that have been ‘doped’ with nitrogen, boron, and fluorine. These dopants enhance the conductivity and chemical reactivity of the carbon scaffold, while the hollow structure maximizes the surface area available for reactions.
“We’ve created a multifunctional platform that is not only scalable and cost-efficient but also delivers exceptional performance in energy storage,” said Prof. Kim. “Our approach reduces the reliance on expensive metals, and the doping of the carbon nanofibers enhances their properties, allowing us to create a material that can serve both energy and environmental needs.”
The new nanocomposite material was primarily tested for its ability to enhance energy storage. It demonstrated a specific capacitance of 1,419.2 F/g, which is significantly higher than many other materials currently used for energy storage. In addition, the material maintained 86% of its initial capacity after 10,000 charge-discharge cycles, a crucial factor for the long-term reliability of energy storage systems.
Beyond its energy storage capabilities, the nanocomposite also showed significant promise in environmental applications. The material was tested for its ability to catalyze the reduction of 4-nitrophenol, a toxic compound commonly found in industrial wastewater. The results showed that the material was highly efficient in breaking down this pollutant, suggesting its potential for use in water purification and pollution control technologies.
The new nanocomposite also has a relatively low cost of production. Traditional nanomaterials often rely on expensive components like graphene or large amounts of metals, which can drive up the cost of production. In contrast, the new material uses a smaller quantity of metal and a simpler synthesis process, making it more affordable for large-scale applications.
This new nanocomposite offers a promising combination of high performance, cost-effectiveness, and scalability, making it a strong candidate for use in a wide range of applications. It is a significant step forward in the development of sustainable nanotechnologies for global challenges. But further research and development will be necessary before bringing this innovative material to market.
“The next step is to refine the production process and test the material in more diverse conditions,” concludes Prof. Kim. “We also plan to explore its potential in other environmental applications, such as the removal of different types of pollutants.”
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About Shinshu University
Shinshu University is a national university founded in 1949 and located nestling under the Japanese Alps in Nagano known for its stunning natural landscapes.
Shinshu University was selected for the Forming Japan’s Peak Research Universities (J-PEAKS) Program by the Japanese government. This initiative seeks to promote the formation of university consortia that will enhance research capabilities across Japan.
Our motto, “Powered by Nature – strengthening our network with society and applying nature to create innovative solutions for a better tomorrow” reflects the mission of fostering promising creative professionals and deepening the collaborative relationship with local communities, which leads to our contribution to regional development by innovation in various fields. We’re working on providing solutions for building a sustainable society through interdisciplinary research fields: material science (carbon, fiber and composites), biomedical science (for intractable diseases and preventive medicine) and mountain science, and aiming to boost research and innovation capability through collaborative projects with distinguished researchers from the world. For more information visit https://www.shinshu-u.ac.jp/english/ or follow us on X (Twitter) @ShinshuUni for our latest news.
Sharks have been evolving for more than 450 million years, developing skeletons not from bone, but from a tough, mineralized form of cartilage. These creatures are more than just fast swimmers — they’re built for efficiency. Their spines act like natural springs, storing and releasing energy with each tailbeat, allowing them to move through the water with smooth, powerful grace.
Now, scientists are peering inside shark skeletons at the nanoscale, revealing a microscopic “sharkitecture” that helps these ancient apex predators withstand extreme physical demands of constant motion.
Using synchrotron X-ray nanotomography with detailed 3D imaging and in-situ mechanical testing, researchers from the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science and the College of Engineering and Computer Science at Florida Atlantic University, in collaboration with the German Electron Synchrotron (DESY) in Germany, and NOAA [US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration] Fisheries, have mapped the internal structure of blacktip sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus) in unprecedented detail.
Results of the study, published in ACS ]American Chemical Society] Nano, reveal two distinct regions within the blacktip shark’s mineralized cartilage: the corpus calcareum and the intermediale. Though both are composed of densely packed collagen and bioapatite, their internal structures differ significantly. In both regions, mineralized plates are arranged in porous structures, reinforced by thick struts that help the skeleton withstand strain from multiple directions – a critical adaptation for sharks, whose constant swimming places repeated stress on the spine.
At the nanoscale, researchers observed tiny needle-like bioapatite crystals – a mineral also found in human bones – aligned with strands of collagen. This intricate structure gives the cartilage surprising strength while still allowing flexibility.
Even more intriguing, the team discovered helical fiber structures primarily based on collagen – suggesting a sophisticated, layered design optimized to prevent cracks from spreading. Under strain, fiber and mineral networks work together to absorb and distribute force, contributing to the shark’s resilience and flexibility.
“Nature builds remarkably strong materials by combining minerals with biological polymers, such as collagen – a process known as biomineralization. This strategy allows creatures like shrimp, crustaceans and even humans to develop tough, resilient skeletons,” said Vivian Merk, Ph.D., senior author and an assistant professor in the FAU Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, the FAU Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering, and the FAU Department of Biomedical Engineering. “Sharks are a striking example. Their mineral-reinforced spines work like springs, flexing and storing energy as they swim. By learning how they build such tough yet adaptable skeletons, we hope to inspire the design of next-generation materials.”
In experiments applying mechanical stress on microscopic samples of shark vertebrae, the researchers observed tiny deformations – less than a micrometer – after a single cycle of applied pressure. Interestingly, fractures only occurred after a second round of loading and were contained within a single mineralized plane, hinting at the material’s built-in resistance to catastrophic failure.
“After hundreds of millions of years of evolution, we can now finally see how shark cartilage works at the nanoscale – and learn from them,” said Marianne Porter, Ph.D., co-author and an associate professor in the FAU Department of Biological Sciences. “We’re discovering how tiny mineral structures and collagen fibers come together to create a material that’s both strong and flexible, perfectly adapted for a shark’s powerful swimming. These insights could help us design better materials by following nature’s blueprint.”
Found in warm, shallow coastal waters worldwide, blacktip sharks are sleek, fast-swimming predators known for their incredible agility and speed, reaching up to 20 miles per hour. One of the most striking behaviors they display is leaping and spinning out of the water, often during feeding – an acrobatic move that adds to their mystique.
This research not only enhances the biomechanical understanding of shark skeletons but also offers valuable insights for engineers and materials scientists.
“This research highlights the power of interdisciplinary collaboration,” said Stella Batalama, Ph.D., dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science. “By bringing together engineers, biologists and materials scientists, we’ve uncovered how nature builds strong yet flexible materials. The layered, fiber-reinforced structure of shark cartilage offers a compelling model for high-performance, resilient design, which holds promise for developing advanced materials from medical implants to impact-resistant gear.”
Study co-authors are Dawn Raja Somu, Ph.D.; and Steven A. Soini, Ph.D., two recent Ph.D. graduates from the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science; Ani Briggs, a former undergraduate student in the FAU College of Engineering and Computer Science; Kritika Singh, Ph.D.; and Imke Greving, Ph.D., scientists at outstations of the DESY PETRA III X-ray light source operated by Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon; and Michelle Passerotti, Ph.D., a research fish biologist at NOAA Fisheries.
This research was supported by a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant awarded to Merk; an NSF CAREER Award, awarded to Porter; and seed funding from the FAU College of Engineering and Computer Science and FAU Sensing Institute (I-SENSE). The acquisition of a transmission electron microscope was supported by a United States Department of Defense instrumentation/equipment grant awarded to Merk.
Caption: An X-ray nanotomography reconstruction of the intermedial cartilage of a blacktip shark. The colors indicate the thickness of the struts, with red representing thicker areas and blue indicating thinner ones. Credit: Florida Atlantic University
A May 17, 2025 Nanowerk Spotlight article by Raja muthuramalingam thangavelu of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), highlights research into methods for adapting plants to a changing climate, Note 1: I have found multiple spellings for the author’s name including this version on the research paper (Raja muthuramalingam Thangavelu); Note 2: Links have been removed,
Researchers at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) are at the forefront of sustainable agriculture, leveraging nanotechnology to address the growing challenges of climate change. One of their studies introduced a novel multielement (Zn–Mg–Mn–Fe) nanocomposite that significantly enhances UV stress tolerance and nutrient accumulation in lettuce. This innovative approach addresses a critical challenge in agriculture, where UV radiation can reduce crop yields by up to 50% in extreme conditions.
By integrating key micronutrients with UV-absorbing nanoparticles, this nanocomposite not only protects plants from harmful UV radiation but also optimizes nutrient uptake, potentially transforming agricultural practices for better crop resilience, higher productivity, and improved food security. This dual-function nanosunscreen has the potential to reduce the need for chemical fertilizers, lower the carbon footprint of farming, and improve the sustainability of agricultural systems.
Graphical Abstract. (Image: Generated using BioRender.com, courtesy of the authors) [downloaded from https://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=66828.php]
Introduction
As climate change intensifies, agricultural crops are increasingly exposed to environmental stressors like ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can severely impact plant growth, reduce photosynthetic efficiency, and lower crop yields. This is particularly critical in regions like Australia, southern Europe, and parts of the United States, where intense UV radiation is a constant challenge for farmers.
In countries like Spain and Italy, known for their high-value tomato and grape industries, UV stress can significantly impact crop quality and yield. Similarly, California’s Central Valley, one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world, faces increasing UV exposure due to changing climate patterns. In response to this challenge, our research team developed a multifunctional nanocomposite containing zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe), designed to protect plants from UV-induced damage while enhancing nutrient accumulation.
Nanosunscreen Technology for Plants
The nanocomposite leverages the unique properties of Zn, Mg, Mn, and Fe to create a highly effective UV shield. Zinc acts as a core UV blocker, while magnesium supports chlorophyll function, manganese aids in photosynthetic oxygen evolution, and iron facilitates electron transport. These elements are incorporated into a nanoscale matrix, allowing for controlled nutrient release and improved foliar adhesion. This design not only reduces the harmful effects of UV radiation but also promotes sustainable nutrient delivery, enhancing plant growth and stress tolerance.
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Key Findings
Our experiments showed that lettuce treated with this nanocomposite exhibited up to 66.7% higher chlorophyll content, 45% greater leaf area, and 43.68% more dry biomass compared to untreated controls. Additionally, UV-induced oxidative damage was reduced by over 70%, highlighting the potential of this technology to improve crop resilience in challenging environments.
The composite also demonstrated superior nutrient uptake, with plants absorbing up to 220 mg/kg of magnesium within 4 days, along with significant long-term increases in Mn, Fe, and Zn uptake. These findings underscore the potential of nanoscale agriculture to address the dual challenges of nutrient deficiency and environmental stress, offering a promising path toward more resilient crop systems.
Real-World Applications and Future Perspectives
The potential applications of this nanosunscreen technology extend beyond lettuce, potentially benefiting a wide range of high-value crops that are sensitive to UV stress, including tomatoes, grapes, and leafy greens. This approach could play a critical role in improving food security and sustainability as global climate conditions continue to change. Additionally, integrating this nanocomposite into smart agriculture systems could enable precision nutrient delivery, reduce chemical fertilizer use, and minimize the environmental footprint of modern farming.
Looking ahead, the authors plan to extend this research by integrating cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) into the nanocomposite matrix. This approach aims to enhance the mechanical strength, UV shielding, and biocompatibility of the formulation, creating a more versatile nanosunscreen suitable for a broader range of crops. CNCs, known for their high tensile strength and natural origin, could significantly improve the long-term stability and UV absorption efficiency of these composites, making them an even more effective tool for climate-resilient agriculture.
Michael Berger’s May 20, 2026 Nanowerk Spotlight article features a new (to me) aspect (or, if you prefer, challenge) to neuromorphic computing, Note: A link has been removed,
Efforts to design computing systems that operate more like the brain have pushed engineers to rethink how information is processed, transmitted, and stored. Biological neurons are not simple relays. Their ability to process input relies not just on synapses—the connections between neurons—but also on dendrites. These branching structures collect and integrate signals across both time and space, shaping how a neuron responds.
Most neuromorphic devices developed so far have focused on mimicking synaptic functions. Dendritic behavior, which governs how multiple inputs are combined and modulated, remains less explored. This gap limits the capacity of neuromorphic hardware to emulate the full computational complexity of biological neurons.
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For anyone unfamiliar with dendrites, here’s a description from the Dendrite Wikipedia entry, which follows the image, Note: Links not included in the caption for the image have been removed,
Credity: Curtis Neveu – Own work. Caption: The neuron contains dendrites that receives information, a cell body called the soma, an an axon that sends information. Schwann cells make activity move faster down axon. Synapses allow neurons to activate other neurons. The dendrites receive a signal, the axon hillock funnels the signal to the initial segment and the initial segment triggers the activity (action potential) that is sent along the axon towards the synapse. Please see learnbio.org for interactive version. CC BY-SA 4.0 File:Anatomy of neuron.png Created: 17 May 2022 Uploaded: 17 May 2022
A dendrite (from Greek δένδρον déndron, “tree”) or dendron is a branched cytoplasmic process that extends from a nerve cell that propagates the electrochemical stimulation received from other neural cells to the cell body, or soma, of the neuron from which the dendrites project. Electrical stimulation is transmitted onto dendrites by upstream neurons (usually via their axons) via synapses which are located at various points throughout the dendritic tree.
Dendrites play a critical role in integrating these synaptic inputs and in determining the extent to which action potentials are produced by the neuron.[1]
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Berger’s May 20, 2026 article explains how scientists are attempting to create artificial dendrites, Note: Links have been removed,
Artificial dendrites are difficult to construct. Unlike synapses, which can often be replicated with resistive memory elements (memristors), dendrites require spatially distributed signal processing and sensitivity to the timing of input spikes. Biological dendrites perform this by managing ion flow across complex membrane structures, often with localized chemical and electrical variations. Traditional electronic systems, which rely on electrons in solid-state circuits, struggle to reproduce these dynamics.
Ionic devices offer a more faithful analogue. In particular, nanofluidic memristors—devices that transport ions through confined channels—can mimic how neurons regulate ionic currents. Prior work has shown that such systems can simulate synaptic plasticity and memory. Yet most rely on electrical stimulation, which adds complexity to control circuitry.
In contrast, light offers a clean, contactless way to manipulate ion behavior. Optogenetics, a biological technique that uses light to activate ion channels in neurons, has shown how effective this can be. Researchers have started applying similar principles to synthetic systems, but artificial dendrites with full spatiotemporal integration remain rare.
A study published in Advanced Materials (“Optogenetics‐Inspired Nanofluidic Artificial Dendrite with Spatiotemporal Integration Functions”) introduces a nanofluidic device that addresses this challenge. Developed by a team at Northeast Normal University [NENU], the system integrates layered graphene oxide (GO) into a flexible polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix. It uses light to control sodium ion (Na⁺) transport through nanochannels. This approach simulates how dendrites integrate signals from different spatial locations and over time. It also lays the groundwork for more advanced neuromorphic machines that include artificial sensory-motor reflexes.
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This work shows how optical modulation of ionic pathways can be used to create functional artificial dendrites. It opens a path toward more realistic neural circuits in hardware, capable not just of memory and learning, but of the nuanced signal processing required for perception and motor control. As components like this are refined, they could play a central role in building autonomous systems that interact more naturally with their environment.
A May 19, 2025 news item on Nanowerk highlights research into making pesticides less toxic,
As global demand for food continues to rise, pesticide usage is intensifying—bringing unintended ecological consequences. Nanopesticides, which allow for controlled release and targeted action, are positioned as a more efficient and less environmentally disruptive solution. However, uncertainties persist, particularly regarding their fate in ecosystems post-application.
Traditional risk assessment methods often neglect early-stage emissions and fail to capture the complex behaviors of engineered nanomaterials in natural environments. The lack of robust ecotoxicity data and the absence of life-cycle-based regulatory guidelines further limit our understanding. These challenges underscore the urgent need to examine nanopesticide risks from synthesis to environmental degradation.
Nanotechnology is transforming pesticide design with the promise of precision targeting and prolonged effectiveness. But how environmentally friendly are these innovations? A new study offers the first comprehensive life-cycle comparison between conventional imidacloprid (IMI) and its nano-encapsulated version (nano-IMI), tracking their environmental impacts from production through freshwater emissions. While nano-IMI incurs higher ecological costs during manufacturing, its environmental risks at the end-of-life stage are dramatically lower. Using an integrated assessment approach, researchers found that nano-IMI reduced freshwater ecotoxicity impact scores by up to five orders of magnitude compared to IMI. These findings highlight the importance of evaluating agrochemicals through a full lifecycle lens when developing safer alternatives.
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To address these concerns, researchers from Jinan University and the University of Wisconsin–Madison published a study (DOI: 10.1016/j.ese.2025.100565) in Environmental Science and Ecotechnology on April 25, 2025. The team evaluated nano-encapsulated version (nano-IMI) and conventional imidacloprid (IMI) using a novel framework that integrates life cycle assessment (LCA), the USEtox ecotoxicity model, and the SimpleBox4Nano/SimpleBox fate model. This approach enabled the researchers to assess both production-stage environmental burdens and freshwater ecotoxicity, offering one of the most complete comparisons of nano- versus conventional pesticide formulations to date. The researchers chose imidacloprid, a widely used neonicotinoid insecticide, as a representative case. Their analysis showed that producing nano-IMI resulted in approximately four times greater ecotoxicity than conventional IMI, mainly due to the energy-intensive encapsulation process. However, once released into the environment, nano-IMI behaved differently. Modeling across various rainfall conditions revealed that nano-IMI had significantly lower freshwater emissions, thanks to its high soil retention and aggregation tendencies in water. Even when accounting for the eventual release of the active ingredient from nano-IMI, the overall ecological impact remained far below that of conventional IMI. These results suggest that although nano-formulations may increase production-related impacts, they can drastically reduce environmental harm during use and disposal.
“By combining traditional life cycle analysis with nano-specific fate modeling, we’ve introduced a robust tool for assessing the total environmental impact of nano-agrochemicals,” said Dr. Fan Wu, senior author of the study. “Our findings suggest that while nano-pesticides may require more resources to produce, their environmental behavior post-application can be far more favorable. This research lays the groundwork for smarter pesticide regulation and highlights the need to consider environmental risks across the entire product life cycle—not just at the point of use.”
This study marks an important step toward regulatory frameworks that reflect the unique behaviors of nanopesticides. The integrated modeling approach allows decision-makers to weigh the environmental trade-offs of production against long-term ecological risks. With the global nanopesticide market expected to grow from $735 million in 2024 to over $2 billion by 2032, such insights are both timely and essential. The research also highlights opportunities to improve manufacturing through green chemistry and sustainable nanocarrier design. Ultimately, full life-cycle assessments can help steer innovation toward agrochemical solutions that protect crops without compromising the health of aquatic ecosystems.
Here’s a link to and a citation for the paper,
A life cycle risk assessment of nanopesticides in freshwater by Mingyan Ke, Keshuo Zhang, Andrea L. Hicks, Fan Wu, Jing You. Environmental Science and Ecotechnology Volume 25, May 2025, 100565 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ese.2025.100565 Creative Commons Licence: CC BY 4.0 (Attribution 4.0 International Deed)
This Perimeter Institute (PI) for Theoretical Physics event, ”Dispatches from the Hidden Universe” won’t take place until Wednesday, September 10 [2025]. Here are the details for getting a ticket or two this Monday morning (if you can attend in person; there is a virtual attendance alternative, more about that later in this post), from an August 22, 2025 PI announcement (received via email),
Dispatches from the Hidden Universe with Sarah Shandera
Wednesday, September 10 [2025 at 6:45 pm ET
You’re invited to an exclusive public lecture with Sarah Shandera, Professor of Physics and the Director of the Institute for Gravitation and the Cosmos at Penn State [Pennsylvania State University].
Humanity can observe more of the universe than ever before. In the last year, we’ve detected signatures of cosmic events almost unimaginably distant and old. Yet much of the universe remains hidden — some parts unknown because we don’t yet understand how to see them, and others forever hidden beyond cosmic horizons. This talk will be a tour through the hints we have of the still-hidden workings of the universe, and of our best ideas to uncover them. This exploration requires reframing the way we build theories, including quantum theories, and embracing our role as imperfect observers. In doing so, we might convince the universe to give up the deepest secrets of its fundamental structure.
Don’t miss out! Free tickets to attend this event in person will become available on Monday, August 25, [2025] at 9 am ET.
Starts on Wednesday, September 10 [2025] · 6:45pm EDT
Location
Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics 31 Caroline Street North Waterloo, ON N2L 2Y5
Agenda
6:00 p.m.
Doors Open
Perimeter’s main floor Atrium will be open for ticket holders, with researchers available to answer science questions until the talk begins.
6:45 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
Doors Close
Theater doors close to ensure all guests have enough time to enter and be seated by our ushers.
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Public Talk
The talk will begin at 7:00 PM, offering a live stream for virtual attendees. This will include a full presentation in the Theatre as well as a Q&A session.
8:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Atrium (Optional)
After the talk, head to the Atrium to mingle with other attendees and meet the speaker.
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About the Speaker
Sarah Shandera is a Professor of Physics and the Director of the Institute for Gravitation and the Cosmos at Penn State. She received her PhD in physics from Cornell University in 2006 and held postdoctoral positions at Columbia University’s Institute for Strings, Cosmology, and Astroparticle Physics and at Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics before joining the faculty at Pennsylvania State University in 2011..
Tickets
Registration to attend the event in person will open on Monday, August 25 , [2025] at 9:00 AM EDT. Tickets are free and must be reserved through Eventbrite, as there is no on-site box office.
TICKETS ARE VALID UNTIL 6:45 PM THE DAY OF THE EVENT.
The Israeli team working on this regenerative medicine project has already (in 2022) been successful with mice. Diana Bletter’s August 21, 2025 Times of Israel article, excerpts of which can be found later in this posting, added some details that I appreciated. That said, the press release is quite accessible and informative.
What if we could restore the ability to walk to people paralyzed by injury or illness? This vision is now moving closer to reality. Three years ago, Tel Aviv University researchers succeeded in engineering a human spinal cord in the lab for the first time. Since then, progress has been rapid, with animal trials showing unprecedented success. Now, for the first time, the technology is set to be tested in human patients.
Prof. Tal Dvir, of TAU’s Sagol Center for Regenerative Biotechnology, head of the Nanotechnology Center, and Chief Scientist of the biotech company Matricelf, explains: “The spinal cord is made up of nerve cells that transmit electrical signals from the brain to every part of the body. When the spinal cord is torn due to trauma — from a car accident, a fall, or a battlefield injury — this chain is broken. Think of it like an electrical cable that’s been cut: if the two parts don’t touch, the electrical signal can’t pass. The cable won’t carry electricity, and in the same way, the person can’t transmit the signal beyond the site of the injury.”
This is one of the few injuries in the human body with no natural ability to regenerate. “Neurons are cells that do not divide and do not renew themselves. They are not like skin cells, which can repair themselves after injury. They are more similar to heart cells: once damage occurs, the body cannot restore them,” notes Prof. Dvir.
Engineering a Personalized Implant
To overcome this challenge, the TAU researchers developed a fully personalized process. Blood cells are taken from the patient and reprogrammed through genetic engineering to behave like embryonic stem cells, capable of becoming any type of cell in the body.
Meanwhile, fat tissue from the same patient is used to extract substances such as collagen and sugars. These are used to produce a unique hydrogel. “The beauty of this gel is that it’s also personalized, just like the cells. We take the cells that we’ve reprogrammed into embryonic-like stem cells, place them inside the gel, and mimic the embryonic development of the spinal cord,” says Prof. Dvir.
The result is a complete three-dimensional implant. “At the end of the process, we don’t just turn the cells into motor neurons — because cells alone won’t help us — but into three-dimensional tissue: neuronal networks of the spinal cord. After about a month, we obtain a 3D implant with many neurons that transmit electrical signals. These 3D tissues are then implanted into the damaged area.”
Visualization of the next stage of the research – human spinal cord implants for treating paralysis (Photo: Sagol Center for Regenerative Biotechnology)
From Animals to Human Patients
The researchers first tested the implant in lab animals. “We showed that we can treat animals with chronic injuries. Not animals that were injured just recently, but those we allowed enough time to pass — like a person more than a year after an injury. More than 80% of the animals regained full walking ability,” Prof. Dvir explains.
Encouraged by these results, the team submitted the findings to Israel’s Ministry of Health. “About six months ago we received preliminary approval to begin compassionate-use trials with eight patients. We decided, of course, that the first patient would be Israeli. This is undoubtedly a matter of national pride. The technology was developed here in Israel, at Tel Aviv University and at Matricelf, and from the very beginning it was clear to us that the first-ever surgery would be performed in Israel, with an Israeli patient.” he says.
Looking Ahead
The first implant in a human patient is expected within about a year. For the initial trials, the team will focus on patients whose paralysis is relatively recent — within about a year of injury. “Once we prove that the treatment works — everything is open, and we’ll be able to treat any injury,” says Prof. Dvir.
Behind the initiative are key figures from both academia and industry. Prof. Dvir founded Matricelf in 2019 together with Dr. Alon Sinai, based on the revolutionary organ engineering technology developed at TAU under a licensing agreement through Ramot, the University’s technology transfer company. The company’s CEO is Gil Hakim, while the scientific development is led by Dr. Tamar Harel-Adar and her team.
“They managed to get us to the stage of regulatory approvals so quickly — and that’s amazing,” says Prof. Dvir.
Gil Hakim, CEO of Matricelf , concludes: “This milestone marks the shift from pioneering research to patient treatment. For the first time, we are translating years of successful preclinical work into a procedure for people living with paralysis. Our approach, using each patient’s own cells to engineer a new spinal cord, eliminates key safety risks and positions Matricelf at the forefront of regenerative medicine. If successful, this therapy has the potential to define a new standard of care in spinal cord repair, addressing a multi-billion-dollar market with no effective solutions today. This first procedure is more than a scientific breakthrough, it is a value-inflection point for Matricelf and a step toward transforming an area of medicine long considered untreatable. We are proud that Israel is leading this global effort and are fully committed to bringing this innovation to patients worldwide.”
Diana Bletter’s August 21, 2025 article for The Times of Israel (h/t August 21, 2025 Google alert) covers much of the same ground as the press release but there are some new details, Note: Links have been removed,
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Prof. Tal Dvir, head of the Sagol Center for Regenerative Biotechnology and the Nanotechnology Center at Tel Aviv University, said his research team is now able to engineer a spinal cord that functions exactly like a natural one by implanting 3D-engineered tissue into the damaged area.
Fusion then occurs between the new tissue and the healthy areas above and below the injury that will end the paralysis.
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The upcoming spinal cord implant surgery marks the next stage in a process that began about three years ago, when Dvir’s lab at Tel Aviv University succeeded in engineering a personalized 3D spinal cord in the laboratory.
The groundbreaking findings, published in the prestigious journal Advanced Science, demonstrated for the first time ever that mice suffering from chronic paralysis that were treated with these engineered implants started to walk — and even scamper — again.
The success rate with the engineered spinal cord was 80 percent for mice with chronic paralysis. Among those with recent or short-term paralysis, 100% of the mice walked.
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Patients remain paralyzed because neurons do not renew
Around the world, there are over 15 million people who have suffered spinal cord injuries. Professionals can help stabilize the injury but not much else.
Dvir said that as a result, the damage only worsens. Over time, the damaged area becomes scar tissue.
“The patient remains paralyzed below the site of injury,” he said. “If the injury is in the neck, all four limbs may be paralyzed. If in the lower back, the legs will not move, and so on.”
Spinal cord injuries are one of the very few injuries in the human body that are not impacted by natural regenerative ability, Dvir explained.
“The neurons do not divide and do not renew themselves,” he said. “These cells are not like skin cells, which can heal after injury, but are more like heart cells: Once damaged, the body cannot repair them.”
“The spinal cord is composed of nerve cells that transmit electrical signals from the brain to all parts of the body,” Dvir said. “The decision is made in the brain, the electrical signal passes through the spinal cord, and from there, neurons activate the muscles throughout the body.”
When the spinal cord is severed due to trauma, such as a car accident, a fall, or a combat injury, this chain is broken.
“Think of an electrical cable that has been cut,” Dvir said. “When the two ends no longer touch, the electrical signal cannot pass. The cable will not transmit electricity, and the person cannot transmit the signal beyond the injury.”
Dvir’s team aims to fix that.
Implanting an engineered human spinal cord
Dvir said that the researchers start the process with a small biopsy from the belly.
They then take these blood cells and perform a process known as reprogramming — genetic engineering that transforms the cells into embryonic stem cell-like cells, capable of developing into any cell type in the body.
In the next step, the scientists take fatty tissue from the patient, extract key components such as collagens and sugars, and build a customized hydrogel. The embryonic stem cell-like cells are placed in this gel, and the embryonic development of a spinal cord is mimicked.
This spinal cord will then be transplanted into the human body, restoring the body’s abilities.
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I have a link to Dvir’s company, Matricelf and a link to and a citation to the Dvir team’s 2022 study,
One more note, there is other work devoted to enable paralyzed people to walk again such as the Walk Again Project (Wikipedia entry), Note: Links have been removed,
Walk Again Project is an international, non-profit consortium led by Miguel Nicolelis, created in 2009 in a partnership between Duke University and the IINN/ELS [International Institute for Neurosciences of Natal – Edmond and Lily Safra or Instituto Internacional de Neurociências Edmond e Lily Safra; (INN-ELS)], where researchers come together to find neuro-rehabilitation treatments for spinal cord injuries,[1][2][3] which pioneered the development and use of the brain–machine interface, including its non-invasive version,[4] with an EEG.[5]
The work you see in the above is being displayed at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale or Biennale Architettura 2025; 19th International Architecture Exhibition being held in Venice, 10.05 – 23.11 2025 (May 10 – November 23, 2025). Note: Links have been removed.
ETH researchers present a living material consisting of a hydrogel and cyanobacteria embedded in it.
The photosynthetic bacteria extract CO2 from the atmosphere and convert it into biomass and carbonate-containing minerals.
The 3D-printable building material is intended to help reduce the carbon footprint of buildings and infrastructure in the future.
At the Venice Biennale and the Triennale in Milan, two exhibits explore how the living material could be used in architecture.
The idea seems futuristic: At ETH Zurich, various disciplines are working together to combine conventional materials with bacteria, algae and fungi. The common goal: to create living materials that acquire useful properties thanks to the metabolism of microorganisms – “such as the ability to bind CO2 from the air by means of photosynthesis,” says Mark Tibbitt, Professor of Macromolecular Engineering at ETH Zurich.
An interdisciplinary research team led by Tibbitt has now turned this vision into reality: it has stably incorporated photosynthetic bacteria – known as cyanobacteria – into a printable gel and developed a material that is alive, grows and actively removes carbon from the air. The researchers recently presented their “photosynthetic living material” in a study in the journal Nature Communications.
Key characteristic: Dual carbon sequestration
The material can be shaped using 3D printing and only requires sunlight and artificial seawater with readily available nutrients in addition to CO2 to grow. “As a building material, it could help to store CO2 directly in buildings in the future,” says Tibbitt, who co-initiated the research into living materials at ETH Zurich.
The special thing about it: the living material absorbs much more CO2 than it binds through organic growth. “This is because the material can store carbon not only in biomass, but also in the form of minerals – a special property of these cyanobacteria,” reveals Tibbitt.
Yifan Cui, one of the two lead authors of the study, explains: “Cyanobacteria are among the oldest life forms in the world. They are highly efficient at photosynthesis and can utilise even the weakest light to produce biomass from CO2 and water”.
At the same time, the bacteria change their chemical environment outside the cell as a result of photosynthesis, so that solid carbonates (such as lime) precipitate. These minerals represent an additional carbon sink and – in contrast to biomass – store CO2 in a more stable form.
Cyanobacteria as master builders
“We utilise this ability specifically in our material,” says Cui, who is a doctoral student in Tibbitt’s research group. A practical side effect: the minerals are deposited inside the material and reinforce it mechanically. In this way, the cyanobacteria slowly harden the initially soft structures.
Laboratory tests showed that the material continuously binds CO₂ over a period of 400 days, most of it in mineral form – around 26 milligrams of CO2 per gram of material. This is significantly more than many biological approaches and comparable to the chemical mineralisation of recycled concrete (around 7 mg CO2 per gram).
Hydrogel as a habitat
The carrier material that harbours the living cells is a hydrogel – a gel made of cross-linked polymers with a high water content. Tibbitt’s team selected the polymer network so that it can transport light, CO2, water and nutrients and allows the cells to spread evenly inside without leaving the material.
To ensure that the cyanobacteria live as long as possible and remain efficient, the researchers have also optimised the geometry of the structures using 3D printing processes to increase the surface area, increase light penetration and promote the flow of nutrients.
Co-first author Dalia Dranseike: “In this way, we created structures that enable light penetration and passively distribute nutrient fluid throughout the body by capillary forces.” Thanks to this design, the encapsulated cyanobacteria lived productively for more than a year, the materials researcher in Tibbitt’s team is pleased to report.
Infrastructure as a carbon sink
The researchers see their living material as a low-energy and environmentally friendly approach that can bind CO2 from the atmosphere and supplement existing chemical processes for carbon sequestration. “In the future, we want to investigate how the material can be used as a coating for building façades to bind CO2 throughout the entire life cycle of a building,” Tibbitt looks ahead.
There is still a long way to go – but colleagues from the field of architecture have already taken up the concept and realised initial interpretations in an experimental way.
Two installations in Venice and Milan
Thanks to ETH doctoral student Andrea Shin Ling, basic research from the ETH laboratories has made it onto the big stage at the Architecture Biennale in Venice. “It was particularly challenging to scale up the production process from laboratory format to room dimensions,” says the architect and bio-designer, who is also involved in this study.
Ling is doing her doctorate at ETH Professor Benjamin Dillenburger’s Chair of Digital Building Technologies [sic]. In her dissertation, she developed a platform for biofabrication that can print living structures containing functional cyanobacteria on an architectural scale.
For the Picoplanktonics installation in the Canada Pavilion, the project team used the printed structures as living building blocks to construct two tree-trunk-like objects, the largest around three metres high. Thanks to the cyanobacteria, these can each bind up to 18 kg of CO2 per year – about as much as a 20-year-old pine tree in the temperate zone.
“The installation is an experiment – we have adapted the Canada Pavilion so that it provides enough light, humidity and warmth for the cyanobacteria to thrive and then we watch how they behave,” says Ling. This is a commitment: The team monitors and maintains the installation on site – daily. Until 23 November [2025].
At the 24th Triennale di Milano, Dafne’s Skin is investigating the potential of living materials for future building envelopes. On a structure covered with wooden shingles, microorganisms form a deep green patina that changes the wood over time: A sign of decay becomes an active design element that binds CO2 and emphasises the aesthetics of microbial processes. Dafne’s Skin is a collaboration between MAEID Studio and Dalia Dranseike. It is part of the exhibition “We the Bacteria: Notes Toward Biotic Architecture” and runs until 9 November [2025].
The photosynthetic living material was created thanks to an interdisciplinary collaboration within the framework of ALIVE (Advanced Engineering with Living Materials). The ETH Zurich initiative promotes collaboration between researchers from different disciplines in order to develop new living materials for a wide range of applications.
Before exploring the Canadian connection a little further, here’s a link to and a citation for the paper,
Dual carbon sequestration with photosynthetic living materials by Dalia Dranseike, Yifan Cui, Andrea S. Ling, Felix Donat, Stéphane Bernhard, Margherita Bernero, Akhil Areeckal, Marco Lazic, Xiao-Hua Qin, John S. Oakey, Benjamin Dillenburger, André R. Studart & Mark W. Tibbitt. Nature Communications volume 16, Article number: 3832 (2025) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58761-y Published: 23 April 2025
On the occasion of Canada’s participation in the 19th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, the Canada Council for the Arts present Picoplanktonics at the Canada Pavilion, from May 10 to November 23, 2025.
Amidst the ongoing global climate crisis, the Living Room Collective has developed a ground-breaking exhibition that showcases the potential for collaboration between humans and nature. Comprised of 3D printed structures that contain live cyanobacteria capable of carbon sequestration, Picoplanktonics is an exploration of our potential to co-operate with living systems by co-constructing spaces that remediate the planet rather than exploit it.
The Living Room Collective’s exhibition is the culmination of four years of collaborative research by Andrea Shin Ling and various interdisciplinary contributors. It is focused on harnessing the design principles of living systems to develop sustainable, intelligent and resilient materials and technologies for the future. By leveraging ancient biological processes alongside emergent technologies, it proposes designing environments under an ecology-first ethos.
“The Canada Council for the Arts is delighted to unveil Picoplanktonics by the Living Room Collective at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia. Through the lens of architecture, this year’s Canadian exhibition brings technological innovation and ecological stewardship together. It is a unique exhibition, sure to inspire global audiences and to ignite important conversations, about how our built environment might better house and use natural systems for a more sustainable future.”
– Michelle Chawla, Director and CEO, Canada Council for the Arts
When visitors enter the Canada Pavilion, they will encounter 3D printed structures that were originally fabricated in an ETH Zürich laboratory. These are the largest living material structures produced using a first-of-its-kind biofabrication platform capable of printing living structures at an architectural scale. The unique Picoplanktonics experience stems from adapting the Canada Pavilion to provide enough light, moisture, and warmth for the living cyanobacteria within the structures to grow, thrive and change. For the duration of the exhibition, caretakers will be onsite tending to the structures, emphasizing care and stewardship as essential elements of the design.
As global carbon emissions continue to rise to untenable levels, Picoplanktonics presents a vision of how a regenerative system of construction could operate. It is an ongoing experiment centered on leveraging the reciprocal relationship between living structures, the built environment, and humans. In this way, the Living Room Collective is rethinking building principles and prioritizing ecological resilience beyond human species survival.
…
“Picoplanktonics marks four years of research at ETH Zürich with international collaborators in material science, biology, robotics, and computational design. As we move these living prototypes into the Canada Pavilion, we are thrilled to invite the public into this open experiment and reveal all phases of the material’s life, including growth, sickness, and death, while collectively imagining a regenerative design approach that seeks planetary remediation.”
–Andrea Shin Ling, The Living Room Collective
The Living Room Collective
The Living Room Collective is a group of architects, scientists, artists and educators who work at the intersection of architecture, biology and digital fabrication technologies—led by Canadian architect and biodesigner Andrea Shin Ling. Alongside core team members Nicholas Hoban, Vincent Hui and Clayton Lee, the collective seeks to move society away from exploitative systems of production to regenerative ones by inventing design methods and processes that center on natural systems.
They see the Biennale Architettura 2025 as a platform to generate national and international conversations that ask: How does one fabricate a biological architecture? What are the conditions of stewardship? What are the strategies to instigate this at scale, regionally and globally?
Andrea Shin Ling is an architect and biodesigner who works at the intersection of design, digital fabrication and biology. Her work focuses on how the critical application of biologically and computationally mediated design processes can move society away from exploitative systems of production to regenerative ones. She is the 2020 S+T+ARTS Grand Prize winner for her work as Ginkgo Bioworks’ creative resident designing the decay of artifacts in order to access material circularity. Andrea is a founder of designGUILD, a Toronto-based art collective, and was a researcher in the Mediated Matter group at the MIT Media Lab, where she worked on AguahojaI, a 3D-printed bio-material pavilion. She is currently a doctoral fellow at the Chair of Digital Building Technologies at ETH Zurich.
Nicholas Hoban is a computational designer, fabricator and educator. He works at the intersection of computational design, robotics, construction and simulation in pedagogy, research and practice. Nicholas is the director of applied technologies at the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture [University of Toronto], Landscape, and Design and a lecturer within the Daniels technology specialist program, leading various research and teaching labs while developing curriculum for studios and seminars on advanced fabrication and robotics within architecture. His research focuses on the application of robotics within fabrication and construction and on how we can solve critical problems in geometry through integrated processes. Nicholas was a lead fabricator and computational designer for two previous Venice Biennales: for the 2014 Canadian Pavilion for Lateral Office’s Arctic Adaptations and for the 2016 Swiss Pavilion for Christian Kerez’s Incidental Space.
Vincent Hui is a distinguished professor at Toronto Metropolitan University’s Department of Architectural Science, imparting knowledge across diverse domains from design studios to digital tools. His pedagogical excellence has earned him multiple teaching accolades, as he delves into the intersections of architecture, fabrication and allied disciplines. With over 25 years of experience, his extensive publication portfolio focuses on design pedagogy, simulation, prototyping and technological convergence, complemented by a rich body of creative work showcased globally. Collaborating with esteemed organizations such as the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC), the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) and the Canadian Architecture Students’ Association (CASA), Vincent endeavours to empower the next generation of designers, navigating emergent shifts in praxis. Committed to bridging academia and industry, he advocates for experiential learning initiatives and outreach endeavours for aspiring designers. His remarkable contributions have culminated in his induction into the esteemed RAIC College of Fellows.
Clayton Lee is a curator, producer and performance artist. He is currently the director (artistic) of the Fierce Festival, in Birmingham, UK. He was previously the director of the Rhubarb Festival, Canada’s longest-running festival of new and experimental performance, at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Clayton has also worked as creative producer on Jess Dobkin’s projects, including For What It’s Worth, her commission at the Wellcome Collection, in London, UK; as curatorial associate at the Luminato Festival; and as managing producer of the CanadaHub at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. His performance projects have been presented in venues across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and New Zealand. He was one of the Art Gallery of Ontario’s 2023 artists-in-residence.
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There are still a few months left if you want to attend. Bon Voyage!
Here’s an invitation (received via email) from organizer and prime mover, Kris Krug,
Vancouver AI Mission 20 Invite 8/27 [2025]
Two keynotes, top builds, winner reveal, ecosystem launch. This is what “community-driven AI” actually looks like
Think of this as a check-in with reality. We’ll trace what British Columbians said about AI, show what our builders made from it, and leave with an institution sturdy enough to carry the work forward.
On Wed Aug 27 [2025] at the Space Centre, we’ll do four things well:
1) Two keynotes
Jos Duncan-Ase (Love Now Media). Story, justice, and what “care” means when machines are involved.
Media producer, storyteller, and product strategist with 15 years helping communities use technology and narrative to advance social justice.
Peter Bittner (TheUpgrade.ai). Practical playbooks for AI literacy and adoption inside real teams.
Educator, newsroom technologist, and co-founder of The AI Upgrade who turns generative AI into safe, useful practice for real teams.
2) Top builds + the winner reveal (Round 3)
We’re showing a tight set from the top projects, then announcing the winner. Expect:
A cinematic, data-grounded short where ordinary choices (breakfast, commute, clinic visit) get automated before morality catches up.
A voice-first, choose-your-own-journey interface where narrative, charts, and AI commentary adapt as you explore.
A “policy weather” tool: type a proposal, see support vs. drama by region, toggle riders (audits, plain-language summaries), and read attributed quotes that explain the shifts.
3D semantic maps of 1,001 open responses… clusters you can rotate/zoom… plus roundtable audio where each cluster speaks as a single representative voice.
A civic sentiment map that turns raw comments into clear, riding-level signals for policymakers and communities.
An AI-music dashboard that translates sentiment into lyrics and tracks—analytics you can actually listen to.
3) AI Industry Association Launch
We’re formalizing the BC + AI Ecosystem industry association non-profit… grassroots, member-driven, with real governance and and a public roadmap funded as we go… a mycelial network where poets and programmers co-shape the work, and Indigenous leadership and community protocols are built in from day one.
How it runs (short version): open working groups, transparent budgets, public roadmaps, and lightweight charters you can challenge and improve.
Founding member drive opens that night (Individual, Student, Enterprise). The first 100 help set the charter, stand up the working groups, and lock priorities for the next 12 months.
4) The long conversation
Open networking under the dome. Swap datasets, form working groups, trade stickers. If you’ve got a project that needs air or critique, you’ll find both.
Details
When: Wed Aug 27, 6:00–10:00 PM (doors 6:00, program 7:00)
Where:H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, 1100 Chestnut St
If you’re curious, come. If you’re skeptical, especially come.
Kris Krüg
I left out some bits and pieces, including an embedded video. You can see the entire invitation here.
The ‘Earlyworm’ ticket is $52.50 and is available until 11:59 pm Wednesday, August 20, 2025. After that, a Standard ticket is $63.00. You can find more details about the night’s event and AI community plans here on the ticket purchase webpage.
In the relentless quest to develop materials that combine flexibility, durability, and functionality, a novel breakthrough in hydrogel technology shines a promising light on the future of wearable electronics and soft robotics. Engineers and material scientists from Southwest Forestry University in China have synthesized an ultra-robust hydrogel utilizing bamboo cellulose-based carbon nanomaterials (C-BCN), a development that could set new standards in the performance of flexible devices.
Hydrogels have long been recognized for their potential in various applications, including tissue engineering, drug delivery, and wearable electronics. However, traditional hydrogels often lack the mechanical strength and durability needed for demanding applications. Now, researchers from Southwest Forestry University in China have developed an innovative solution using bamboo cellulose-based carbon nanomaterials (C-BCN) to create an ultra-robust hydrogel with remarkable properties.
The study, published in the Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts, details the process of creating the hydrogel. The researchers treated bamboo fibers with phthalic anhydride and then carbonized them to produce C-BCN. These nanomaterials were integrated into an acrylamide precursor solution to synthesize a conductive hydrogel (PAM-C-BCN) with exceptional mechanical properties. The hydrogel exhibited a fracture strength of 363 kPa, an elongation of 2,254%, a fracture energy of 30 kJ/m², and a toughness of 3.04 MJ/m³. Additionally, the hydrogel demonstrated high adhesion (up to 7.5 kPa on pigskin) and conductivity (0.21 S/m).
The researchers found that the C-BCN significantly enhanced the mechanical resilience and energy dissipation capabilities of the hydrogel. The nanomaterials formed strong interfacial interactions with the polyacrylamide (PAM) matrix, creating a densely interpenetrated network. This structure not only improved the hydrogel’s mechanical properties but also provided excellent fatigue resistance and adhesion. The hydrogel’s ability to restrain crack propagation was particularly noteworthy, making it highly suitable for applications requiring high mechanical performance.
The study’s findings have significant implications for the development of flexible electronics and wearable devices. The PAM-C-BCN hydrogel’s excellent mechanical properties, combined with its high conductivity and adhesion, make it a promising material for applications such as electronic skin, soft robotics, and strain sensors. The researchers suggest that further optimization of the C-BCN production process could enhance the hydrogel’s performance even further.
